The Spider God's Bride -

Game Master dain120475

Know, O Man, that the world lays at thy sandaled feet. If thy would take it then stretch forth thy hand and seize all which lays before thee, but be warned – it shall not bend to thy will alone; rather, it shall yield only to the strength of thy arm and the fury of thy blade.

Map of the known world - Here -

Combat Map: - Here -


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Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

Red looks at Alia, trying not to let her gaze linger too long, then showing Alia the satchel with the assassinated man's things in it, asks would you know where these items come from, or who they belong to, Alia?"


Male Human (Tharag Thulan)
Stats:
hp 74/74 AC 21|T 14 |FF 18, F +7|R +2|W +4, Init +2, Per +10
Gladiator 6

Bjoern with a smile adds."We found them on the streets. Seems someone didn´t need them anymore." With just a hint of sarcasm.


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

At the inn:

I must find out the name of this foreign bounty hunter, she mused privately.

Tairin elegantly bowed at the end of her performance and collected the coin given to her by the satisfied patrons.

Upon the innkeeper's offer, Tairin smiled, "I will be happy to perform at the inn during my stay in Belthaar. Your offer of 20 gold pieces per week and free room and board is acceptable." Since the man had kept the more rowdy of patrons from her, Tairin handed him the two gold pieces she had promised to the zither player with a quiet, "For your vigilance". She gave the two musicians a gold coin a piece and then pocked the rest of the coin; deep inside her robes. She had certainly overheard some interesting conversations as she had performed and would speak to her companions when they returned for the night. Or if they returned, for they were inclined to throw caution to the wind when it came to fighting.

"Now, let us continue. I have another melody in mind, if you would be so kind," she inclined her head to the two musicians.

Perform, Dance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 (Great Performance)

She began to move again, to the tune, played by zither and ney players, turning and positioning herself closer to the table conversing on the catacombs, since she recollected Samir speaking of them to Red on their ride to the city.

Perception to overhear anything else pertaining to the catacombs: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The music grew louder and she had some difficulty making out what was being said without drawing undue attention to herself. In order to cover what she was doing, Tairin began to sing, raising her voice sweetly among the general clamour of the Common Room, using her graceful arms to make patterns about her body in time with the song; her dark eyes beseeching each patron they fell upon.

Perform, Sing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (Memorable Performance)


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Response to Tairin:

Tairin accepts the offer of perfomring.

”Very good! Your afternoon performance will be between noon and four; then another performance from eight and midnight,” he says with a pleased nod of his head, clearly happy to get Tairin on board.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
She began to move again, to the tune, played by zither and ney players, turning and positioning herself closer to the table conversing on the catacombs, since she recollected Samir speaking of them to Red on their ride to the city.

The general conversation about the Catacombs comes in relation to the debate about the missing body.

Half of the comments suggest that the Priests would have taken the body, for it is a known fact that they always collect all bodies, even the bodies of the very poor, and will not bother to entomb the bodies of the poor but burn the corpses – however; the point is, for the body to last long enough to really rot there seems fairly unlikely as the Priests would have found and taken the body long before it rotted to the extant that the witness claims.

The other half believe that there is something shady going on. The body was too close to an exit of the tomb; some of think that the person died coincidentally seems highly unlikely in general. They think the person was – at best – killed, but made it to that point to die.

They think he probably was wounded in the Catacombs and tried to get out; either the man was a grave robber who had been wounded inside and died shortly after getting out, or he might have been a wounded Priest who tried to run out of the Catacombs to get help before collapsing in death.

Either way, either way, the Catacombs could be considered dangerous, either from grave robbers or the Priests/Guards inside them.

However, all of them know that there are multiple entrances and exits to the Catacombs; that is not disputed. Further, the various entrances are generally not very well guarded as the insides can be more like a maze with little in them to draw attention, with the exception of the potential items/treasure in the individual burial chambers of the rich, yet these individual chambers are generally sealed and guarded, though the guards remain closer to the individual chambers rather than the various entrances to the Catacombs themselves.

In short, the real issue isn’t getting into the Catacombs; it’s getting out of them which they all feel to be the problem...


She Who Knows wrote:
Red looks at Alia, trying not to let her gaze linger too long, then showing Alia the satchel with the assassinated man's things in it, asks would you know where these items come from, or who they belong to, Alia?"

Alia looks at the bag, Samir turning to watch the interaction.

Bjoern Ghostbear wrote:
Bjoern with a smile adds."We found them on the streets. Seems someone didn´t need them anymore." With just a hint of sarcasm.

Anhur and Hedran say nothing, instead they merely watch things unfold.

Alia first examines the pearls.

”I have seen pearls before; these are not overly valuable, but they are easier to carry, more so than coin. I would wager that they are worth roughly the same amount and that – perhaps – you could earn perhaps seventy gold for each pearl, perhaps a trifle more, perhaps less…” she muses.

She looks at the belt thoughtfully.

”This belt is made of disks of bronze, but they are uncommonly thick… I would guess each is roughly ten gold pieces each, making the belt roughly one-hundred and fifty gold… But see this? There are strange symbols on them… Yet I have never seen or heard of any such thing as this sort of writing or glyph, though I have not studied long. Even so, I wonder if the entire belt is it is a “Wizard’s Foil”, perhaps...” she says, then looks up at the others.

Samir nods at her.

”I wondered the same thing, but the rest of the gear gave me pause,” he adds with a quiet voice.

He turns to his companions.

”Apologies, it may be that not all of you are familiar with the term “Wizard’s Foil”? This is a term that some folk use to halt thieves, though generally such folk are merely charlatans rather than folk with any specific gift or power…”

”Essentially a person will create an item, generally out of rare or precious metal. They will then claim this item is ‘cursed’ – that it possesses dark and evil powers, or some other tale. The superstitious folk will be intimidated by it and less eager to pilfer it, fearing its dark powers… In short, even if the owner of such a contrivance is indeed a skilled sorcerer – well, such a target is often less tempting than something as obvious as a bag of coins.”

He points at the linked disks which make up the belt as Alia hands the belt and pearls back to Red.

”If the owner of such an object is need of ready coin he can – in this case – remove one of the bronze disks and hammer out the symbol and sell it to a vendor; none would think to steal a belt, especially one that seems to be cursed, or some such thing... I have seen such tricks used before when I sailed in younger years,” he adds with a shrug as Alia takes a sip of her wine.

She then looks at the staff, and Samir eyes it with a hard gaze.

Hefting it somewhat she considers it, then turns to Hedran and Bjeorn.

”I am surprised you did not examine this staff yourselves; the wood is from the northlands, is it not?” she asks them, but the question is more rhetorical, for she seems to know the answer already.

”I have heard tales of fighting priests in the northlands who worship the spirits of the wild and nature; they often use weapons such as staffs, for such tools make fine walking sticks and are generally not feared or suspected. Yet they are not typically filled with any true power, though many northmen do hold the Oak to be a sacred tree, or so I have heard tell…” she adds with a shrug.

”Even so; there is no marking on it, nor sign or symbol to make me think it is more than just a prop for old age; excepting, perhaps, a tool to fend off enemies. Was he armed with naught but this?” she asks.

Samir’s eyes darken and he nods and indicates the next item, giving the staff back to Red.

Alia’s eyes widen as she studies it.

”The sheathe and hilt are indeed ivory; that alone makes this weapon expensive,” she says, then slowly slides the blade out and frowns as she studies it intently in the dim light.

She shakes her head and gets up and puts it under better light, studying it more.

”Have you seen the blade?” she asks.

Samir shakes his head.

”I had thought he might prefer the dagger for combat more than the staff, yet the metal seemed strange… And see? This blade is fashioned from silver; I do not think it would be useful in a combat, nor do I think it would be good to defend oneself with it. Surely there is more to it than this?” she adds the last, then studies the runes on the hilt.

”I do not know the language; the letters seem to be writ in our own letters, yet they say only “Ikhtanabu Xul”, I do not know what that means; only that is no god or goddess of our city… Perhaps they pertain to some forgotten cult?” she mutters, then turns and studies it more closely, peering at it.

”Ah! On the pommel is the symbol for Yadar, a god worshiped in Khazistani…” she adds as she looks up at them.

”Their letters are not like ours typically, perhaps this dagger belonged to a priest of Yadar who hailed from Khazistani?” she asked, hoping this helps then gives it back to Red.

Samir then wets his lips as she finally takes up the scrolls.

Opening them gingerly she attempts to read them and her face pales and she returns them to Red.

”I apologize; I cannot make out the letters, yet whatever is writ upon them makes my heart tremble. In truth, their very presence is somehow unwholesome to me, but one thing is clear – such a fear is not born from some cheap ploy. These scrolls contain things relating to some great power beyond our ken. I do not trust it, but it is clear to me that their true meaning is one that is to be feared, though it is possible that some may believe them to be valuable, if only so they can decipher their mystery and glean what power comes from them.”

She passes the scrolls back to Red, too.

”My apologies, I… this has unsettled me. I wish I could do more to aid you, but the hour is growing late. Perhaps you could return tomorrow? If you do, my mistress may be able to help you more with the scrolls, though I do not know how eager she will be to see them, or what she shall do if she does…” she adds the last thoughtfully.

Then she stands before the group, though she still seems to be somewhat unsettled.

”Farewell, I shall count the minutes before you return,” she says to you all with a graceful bow and Samir returns it.

At this time you return to the gate and exit the Bath House.

Samir peers at the sky.

”We should return to the Inn. Perhaps the Sayyida who remained behind will have other insights to offer on the scrolls? As gifted as Alia is she is not very learned when it comes to reading,” he says with a shrug.

”Is it not true that your companion is versed in lore? If so, she could possibly help decipher the scrolls, if you wish,” he adds.

He then does what he can to aid you getting back to the Inn.

At this time there is no light on the roads, except for the occasional glimmer which comes from veiled windows. At one point you see a group of armed men with torches moving down the road; you cannot be sure, but it looks like an important figure with an armed escort, but you hide in the shadows until they pass, then move on to the Inn.

When you arrive inside the Inn you observe Tairin is performing for a modest crowd of admires who are drinking and attempting to sing along with her verses.


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

At the inn:

Innkeeper wrote:

”Very good! Your afternoon performance will be between noon and four; then another performance from eight and midnight,” he says with a pleased nod of his head, clearly happy to get Tairin on board.

"Oh, good sir, I cannot perform eight hours a day as I have other important matters to attend to. I am happy to perform each night between the hours of eight and ten and then I must sleep to retain this beauty you see before you. I am amiable to reduce my performance fee to ten gold pieces per week, in addition to any gratuity, as well as free room and board. I believe it is a fair deal, as I am certain that once word spreads of my accomplished performances, patrons will flock each evening to see me." Tairin smiled brightly at the innkeeper, tossing her raven hair behind her shoulder and allowing the man to smell more of her fragrant perfume.


Response to Tairin:

Tairin of the Veils wrote:

"Oh, good sir, I cannot perform eight hours a day as I have other important matters to attend to. I am happy to perform each night between the hours of eight and ten and then I must sleep to retain this beauty you see before you. I am amiable to reduce my performance fee to ten gold pieces per week, in addition to any gratuity, as well as free room and board. I believe it is a fair deal, as I am certain that once word spreads of my accomplished performances, patrons will flock each evening to see me." Tairin smiled brightly at the innkeeper, tossing her raven hair behind her shoulder and allowing the man to smell more of her fragrant perfume.

The man seems less interested in that proposition, but he considers it.

"I will not offer you so much coin for only a few hours of work until I see that the coin was well spent. For now I will say this; if you perform for those two hours a night your room and board will be free. As for the end of the week? If your performance does draw more customers I shall pay you ten gold by the end of the week, but not until then."

With the matter settled and agreed upon he returns to his customers.

Samir sees Tairin is in the middle of a song.

Realizing that his presence may be a problem as he is trying not to draw attention to himself and she is performing, he turns to the others.

"I am weary and my wound troubles me. I will take my cut of the loot and go to bed now, for I would rest well until morning so I can heal," he says, for though he had some modest healing its clear his wounds are still bothering him.

Given the relative price of the pearls to be 300 GP (roughly 75 each), and the belt to be 150 GP (10 GP for each of the 15 links, though the belt itself could be sold for probably a bit more than that), and the coin you have to roughly 50 GP (this doesn't count the potential value of the scrolls; or the staff or knife, assuming you want to sell them) he will only take his cut of raw wealth - one pearl and 25 gold pieces from the pouch. The rest of the goods he leaves to you to divide among you.

As he heads upstairs he pauses to applaud with the others in the room at the end of Tairin's song, then he continues to bed.


Dain GM wrote:

”I am surprised you did not examine this staff yourselves; the wood is from the northlands, is it not?” she asks them, but the question is more rhetorical, for she seems to know the answer already.

”I have heard tales of fighting priests in the northlands who worship the spirits of the wild and nature; they often use weapons such as staffs, for such tools make fine walking sticks and are generally not feared or suspected. Yet they are not typically filled with any true power, though many northmen do hold the Oak to be a sacred tree, or so I have heard tell…” she adds with a shrug.

"The chance to check the items had not presented itself yet" - Hedran raises an eyebrow - "We were otherwise engaged in bleeding and whatnot" - then simply chuckles.

Dain GM wrote:
"I am weary and my wound troubles me. I will take my cut of the loot and go to bed now, for I would rest well until morning so I can heal," he says, for though he had some modest healing its clear his wounds are still bothering him.

"Sounds solid Samir - thank you for your help today" - Hedran nods, then moves to find a seat - "I still need one or three last drinks before hitting the sack though" - he adds, taking a long look at Tairin's performance, then looking for a table for them - "You joining me?" - he asks his companions.


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic
Innkeeper wrote:

"I will not offer you so much coin for only a few hours of work until I see that the coin was well spent. For now I will say this; if you perform for those two hours a night your room and board will be free. As for the end of the week? If your performance does draw more customers I shall pay you ten gold by the end of the week, but not until then."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Tairin could not determine if the innkeeper would keep to his word come end of week. She smiled prettily and finished the conversation with,

"Then any gratuity I make while I perform is mine to keep. I will accept the free room and board and will speak with you again come week's end. We have not been properly introduced. I am Tairin and you are?" (Sorry, Dain GM, I wasn't sure if we were told the innkeeper's name or not.)

=============

Upon the end of her last song, Tairin undertook an elegant courtesy. In an impassioned voice, she entreated the crowd, "Please come again tomorrow night at eight. I will be performing once more for your pleasure." She bestowed upon the patrons a bright smile, before lowering her eyes in a mysterious way; fluttering the long lashes. She turned and thanked the musicians before making her way to her companions who had returned only moments before.

Tairin instantly noted their dishevelment and injury, "The walk to the temple was not a simple one, I see." Gesturing to the barkeep, she ordered drinks for the table, "Bring refreshments for my companions - wine and ale, if you please." She sat down in one of the empty chairs and in lowered voice asked, "I would know what happened and what you have learned. Best we speak in our rooms and simply enjoy our drinks down here. Did not Lady Mei-Mei's healers tend to your wounds? "


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

"Good night Samir. I will try not to tease you so much tomorrow"says Red as Samir departs. Red then listens until Tairin finishes and gratefully accepts the wine she orders, saying "You sing wonderfully Tairin, and seem to be gathering a following."

To the whispered part of Tairin's speech Red merely nods.


Breton Thaumaturge 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC: 11, T: 11, FF: 10 | Fort: +3, Ref: +1, Will: +2 | CMB: +0, CMD: 11 | Init: +1, Perception: +0 | SP: 5/5 | Speed: 30ft

Anhur nods at Samir's departure, but for the present remains silent. His eyes drift lazily towards Tairin's performance but the blood loss and weariness keep his mind swimming. He lingers for only a moment before wordlessly departing for his own room, just as Tairin was finishing her song. He is sure they will have much to discuss but the common room would be a poor place to do it anyway.


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Tairin of the Veils wrote:
"Then any gratuity I make while I perform is mine to keep. I will accept the free room and board and will speak with you again come week's end. We have not been properly introduced. I am Tairin and you are?"

He grunts in assent about Tairin's request to keep what tips she makes.

"My name is Havar; I am glad to have you working for me," he says with a polite nod of his head, then he heads off to deal with other business.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
Upon the end of her last song, Tairin undertook an elegant courtesy. In an impassioned voice, she entreated the crowd, "Please come again tomorrow night at eight. I will be performing once more for your pleasure."

The folk applaud again, though the eyes of a few of the male patrons linger overlong on Tairin as they cheer her from their tables, their praise coming from drunken throats.

While the clients may not seem to be very civilized they do not seem to be more dangerous or loutish than the folk in any other tavern who have had a few drinks.

In short, a good crowd...


As Samir waits, it seems Tairin notices them.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
Tairin instantly noted their dishevelment and injury, "The walk to the temple was not a simple one, I see."

He pauses and studies her for a long moment.

"No, Sayyida, it was not..." he says slowly, watching her.

"It seems your hunch that there might be trouble if we left the tavern was accurate and your decision to remain here turned out to be one that was both safe and prudent."

"How very fortunate for you..." he says with a polite of his head, watching her carefully for a moment.

Hedran wrote:
"The chance to check the items had not presented itself yet" - Hedran raises an eyebrow - "We were otherwise engaged in bleeding and whatnot" - then simply chuckles.

Samir turns his studied gaze from Tairin, then glances at Hedran and sighs.

"Nay, the fault is mine," he says dolefully.

"It is a fact that the part of the alley we went into was not used for some time, at least long enough that the side streets were blocked off. Yet today there was a massive sands storm; surely there would have been tracks one might have followed from the alleys in the drifts of sand, or at least - we could have checked."

"Unfortunately, I am the only one in the company who has any knowledge in the skill of Survival; I failed to search, I should have been more vigilant."

"Further, the cost of the items we were told by... our mutual friend..." he says glancing around, making sure no one was watching or listening to you "yet it should not have come to that. I should have at least attempted to Appraise their value on my own - I know I can try this, and that no one else could, just as I am the only one who has even a modest showing in the skills involved in Linguistics, yet I did not even try to do more to decipher the... the items... which we had found," he adds with a wince.

"There was easily enough time for those modest examinations. I should have done more - I could have done more; I apologize for not taking the initiative in such matters," he adds with a somewhat frustrated voice, clearly upset at himself for not doing more sooner.

Hedran wrote:
"Sounds solid Samir - thank you for your help today" - Hedran nods, then moves to find a seat - "I still need one or three last drinks before hitting the sack though" - he adds, taking a long look at Tairin's performance, then looking for a table for them - "You joining me?" - he asks his companions.

Samir nods at the words and gives Hedran a wry grin.

"May Fortune smile upon you, sadiq," he says with a nod at some of the serving wenches and a sly wink and prepares to head to bed.

She Who Knows wrote:
"Good night Samir. I will try not to tease you so much tomorrow"says Red as Samir departs.

He pauses and studies Red for a moment.

"Her tongue filled with mischief indeed," he mutters, but his eyes linger longer than they might need to and his lips quirk into a strange smile as he suddenly shakes his head and heads to bed.

Anhur wrote:
Anhur nods at Samir's departure, but for the present remains silent. His eyes drift lazily towards Tairin's performance but the blood loss and weariness keep his mind swimming. He lingers for only a moment before wordlessly departing for his own room, just as Tairin was finishing her song. He is sure they will have much to discuss but the common room would be a poor place to do it anyway.

As Samir heads to bed he notes Anhur is following with him.

"You fought well this night, better than you did during the storm... many thanks," he says with a nod to Anhur, his voice pained yet filled with respect.

Via the sleeping arrangements I assume Anhur/Bjeorn share a room; Red/Tairin share a room and Hedran/Samir share a room. If this is not correct, please let me know the sleeping arrangements. Thanks!

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
"Bring refreshments for my companions - wine and ale, if you please."

The barmaid comes and puts down a flagon of palm wine and four clay cups before you then leaves.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
She sat down in one of the empty chairs and in lowered voice asked, "I would know what happened and what you have learned. Best we speak in our rooms and simply enjoy our drinks down here. Did not Lady Mei-Mei's healers tend to your wounds? "


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

To Samir's self recriminations over events of the evening, Red replies "You are too hard on yourself Samir. Checking for tracks into the alley is difficult at best in darkness and would not have revealed the ambush. Making such checks constantly would make even a short journey take forever. As to not using your skills... no harm done. And I see no harm in asking Alia and leaving her feeling sagacious."

After finishing her wine Red declares she is fatigued and intends to sleep. If Tairin follows her before Red falls asleep she will update her on events while they were separated.


She Who Knows wrote:
To Samir's self recriminations over events of the evening, Red replies "You are too hard on yourself Samir. Checking for tracks into the alley is difficult at best in darkness and would not have revealed the ambush. Making such checks constantly would make even a short journey take forever. As to not using your skills... no harm done. And I see no harm in asking Alia and leaving her feeling sagacious."

He pauses and glances at her.

"Nay; I should have searched the streets after the fight. We may have a clue where those scum came from. Their bodies will be missed, whoever sent them may try again..." he mutters.

"The Sayyida, she is versed in lore; yet to my mind this room is too... distracting. Perhaps when you retire it would be good to speak to her of what was discovered, she may have knowledge which can aid us..."

He thinks a moment.

"You have a goodly heart, it seems, be cautious of what you study... there were dark things in the texts you found," he adds, then heads to bed.

She Who Knows wrote:
After finishing her wine Red declares she is fatigued and intends to sleep. If Tairin follows her before Red falls asleep she will update her on events while they were separated.

Red; I got the impression that Tairin was hoping to have a chance to sit down with you guys and get a formal briefing on what happened, including studying the items herself, just in case she can offer extra insight.

If you, Anhur, Hedran and Bjeorn sit down with Tairin she may be able to help out a lot via her Skills in finding out more insight; though that's just a suggestion, of course :)


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

"Aye, Samir. Dark indeed. Sleep well."

I believe you are right Dain. Should have thought about that myself. We may have a bit of a slow period around Christmas. It is unlikely everyone will be posting as normal, Tairin at least has indicated she won't.


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Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic
Red wrote:

"You sing wonderfully Tairin, and seem to be gathering a following."

Tairin's smile grew brighter, "Yes! Isn't it wonderful?! I have another performance tomorrow night."

Samir wrote:

"It seems your hunch that there might be trouble if we left the tavern was accurate and your decision to remain here turned out to be one that was both safe and prudent."

"How very fortunate for you..." he says with a polite of his head, watching her carefully for a moment.

"Well, nothing good can come from wandering unfamiliar streets at night. It may have been better to have left early morning. However, the point is moot. It seems you have sustained injury. A good night's rest will help;" silently wondering why the priestess at the temple had not healed him and the other wounded.

Dain GM wrote:

The barmaid comes and puts down a flagon of palm wine and four clay cups before you then leaves.

Before the girl turned to leave, Tairin smiled and handed her coin in payment.

Tairin lifted the cup to her lips and drank for she was a little parched after singing and dancing.

Samir wrote:

"The Sayyida, she is versed in lore; yet to my mind this room is too... distracting. Perhaps when you retire it would be good to speak to her of what was discovered, she may have knowledge which can aid us..."

Red wrote:

After finishing her wine Red declares she is fatigued and intends to sleep. If Tairin follows her before Red falls asleep she will update her on events while they were separated.

In lowered, discreet voice, speaking in Yar-Ammonite, she added to Red, "Yes, Sister. I will help in any way that I can. Bring your wine to our bedchamber and we shall speak there." Standing, Tairin refilled her cup with the palm wine and then nodded graciously to some of her admirers as she passed them to the stairs.

Ascending the stairs, with a regal air, Tairin made her way to the top and back to the shared bedchamber. Taking the key from her pocket, she unlocked the door so she and Red could enter. Using the lamp light from the hallway, Tairin found her way to the candle by her bed and using the flint and steel provided, she lit it, so the chamber glowed in shadows. If any of the others want to join Tairin and Red to talk a little before bed, they are welcomed to.

Perception to ensure room is safe and they will not be overheard: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Closing the door, Tairin moved to her cot and sat down, looking across at Red. She started talking first, quietly, filling in her companion/s with what she had heard at the tables during her performances.

Rundown of what Tairin has heard:

* There appears to be a general concern that today's sandstorm will cause issues with potential trade. This has not be confirmed.
* The military force returned today, fewer in number and badly wounded. However the mission was considered a great success, for it seems a valuable prisoner has been captured.
* Several members of the town guard were grumbling over the fact that a bounty hunter was receiving more accolades than the local militia. Perhaps the guards feel a general annoyance with foreign influence in their city, especially as the local population is clearly more enamoured with an outsider. We must be prudent in our adventures in Belthaar as the guards may now be less courteous to foreigners than they might have been previously.
* Local citizens are so impressed with the response from the Temple of Baal-Khardah that local males are talking about the potential to earn coin through mercenary or bounty hunting work – easy work for quick coin.
* A local drunk has claimed to see a corpse of a man near one of the entrances to the Catacombs. The creature appeared to have been feasted upon. Locals have said it is the work of rats or dogs, but another man said he has seen the corpse, too, and it looked like it had been rotted for quite some time. There was debate that if there were dead waiting by the catacomb entrance, the priests would have taken care of it. Witnesses after sunset did not see any such corpse. Still, there is talk that something is not quite right being the body was too close to an exit of the tomb. Perhaps the man was a grave robber who had been wounded inside the Catacombs and died shortly after he found his way out. Or even a wounded Priest who collapsed to his death just outside of the Catacombs. Either way, the Catacombs should be considered dangerous, either from grave robbers or the Priests/Guards inside. And getting out is considered more dangerous than getting into the Catacombs. There are multiple entrances and exits and the entrances are not guarded overly as the Catacombs are much like a maze with little value to draw attention except for the individual burial chambers of the rich, which are sealed and guarded more closely than the various entrances to the Catacombs themselves.

"There, you now know what I have heard this night. Now, tell me, what occurred as you walked to the Temple?"


Tairin of the Veils wrote:
"I would know what happened and what you have learned. Best we speak in our rooms and simply enjoy our drinks down here. Did not Lady Mei-Mei's healers tend to your wounds? "

"I thought you would never ask" - Hedran rises his mug slightly, with a wink.

+++++

A few seconds after Tairin and Red are convened in the room, Hedran knocks on the door - if allowed to enter he will sit on the floor, his back leaning against the wall.

"We stumbled across either an assassination attempt, or an abduction, or a robbery or something - I am not sure" - Hedran takes a sip from his drink - "When they saw us, the fight was on - there were to be no witnesses... In the end they paid a high price for attacking us, though their mark was already dead on the street, and there was nothing we could do" - he adds.

"We stuck to the plan and proceeded to the bath house - the high-
priestess we expected to contact was busy, but Alia was available"
- he takes another drink - "From the man targeted by the assassins we had recovered some interesting items - Red has them - and Alia..." - he stops short again, this time laughing and shaking his head - "I don't know where this girl comes from, but she is like a walking encyclopedia. Had a lot to tell about the items"

I think maybe Tairin can read the post above where Alia informs us on the details she can garner about the items?


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.
Hedran wrote:


"From the man targeted by the assassins we had recovered some interesting items - Red has them - and Alia..." - he stops short again, this time laughing and shaking his head - "I don't know where this girl comes from, but she is like a walking encyclopedia. Had a lot to tell about the items"

"Alia has other merits too."

Red has no objection to Hedron, and the other guys if they want to, entering her and Tairin's room.

Red will show the items taken from the assassinated man to Tairin, adding what Alia seemed to deduce about them. Red adds, either repentantly or in fiengned repentance "I have been guilty of teasing poor Samir I am afraid. When we arrived at the bath house / bordello / place of worship Samir was worried about us being all covered in blood. I suggested we tell them we have been in a tryst with your other girlfriend and former owner, this time not in a graveyard but an abattoir. I can explain, they are all quite broad minded here so I don't think they will have a problem with it. Hedran saw the humour, though I fear Samir did not."


Breton Thaumaturge 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC: 11, T: 11, FF: 10 | Fort: +3, Ref: +1, Will: +2 | CMB: +0, CMD: 11 | Init: +1, Perception: +0 | SP: 5/5 | Speed: 30ft

Anhur accompanies Hedran into the room with Red and Tairin, but he looks tired and worn. "Tonight is a good night for rest." He declares as he enters.

After hearing Tairin's news, Anhur nods grimly. "These are chaotic times in this city. I think our arrival is... untimely."

As the murdered man's articles are produced, Anhur eyes them warily. "I fear these things may bring more trouble upon us than they are worth. Perhaps it would be best to entrust them to Samir for their sale, and then banish them from our thoughts."


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

Tairin listened and then looked at the items collected from the dead man in the alley. She became thoughtful; casting a critical eye over the various articles and attempting to make some discoveries for herself.

Rolls/checks made re items discovered in alley:

Appraise on Dagger with Obsidian pommel and runes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Appraise on Belt (Wizard's Foil): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Appraise on Pearls: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Appraise on Northland oaken staff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Know. Local check re dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Knowledge Religion check re Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Know. Local check re belt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Know. Religion check re belt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Know. Local check re staff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Know. Religion check re staff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Know. Religion re Yadar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Linguistic check - untrained re runes on dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Linguistic check - untrained re archaic language in scrolls: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

As she continued to ponder on what her companions had shown her, she asked quietly, "Why did Samir choose a different path to the bathhouse? I think one of you mentioned he did not desire notice by the town watch? And then you're set upon? Or you cross paths with assassins and their mark. Interesting, don't you think..." She tapped her long, forefinger against her lips for a moment.

Anhur wrote:

"I fear these things may bring more trouble upon us than they are worth. Perhaps it would be best to entrust them to Samir for their sale, and then banish them from our thoughts."

"I concur there may be trouble if we attempt to sell these items here in Belthaar. I would even go so far as to say that perhaps we should not attempt to sell them in this city. Whoever that man was that was attacked in the alley, he must be known and a man of some position or means..."


Breton Thaumaturge 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC: 11, T: 11, FF: 10 | Fort: +3, Ref: +1, Will: +2 | CMB: +0, CMD: 11 | Init: +1, Perception: +0 | SP: 5/5 | Speed: 30ft
Tairin of the Veils wrote:
"Whoever that man was that was attacked in the alley, he must be known and a man of some position or means..."

"I do not think so, daughter of Yar-Ammon." Anhur says without any of his usual tone, pausing to sigh heavily. "He traveled alone, with no real weapons or armor, no escort, in a back alley by cover of night. He bore also this belt, some fashion of ward against thieves, and these dark scrolls. No noble or priest would travel as this man did. I suspect he was a man of some power, yes. But I think we would learn most about this man from his assailants, were they not all dead." Anhur concludes his reasoning and leans forward, rubbing his temples.


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

Now she has the time, Red examines the items herself to see if there is any information she can glean herself.

Knowledge, arcarna on the belt: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Knowledge, arcarna on the dagger: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Knowledge, arcarna on the staff of oak: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23


"We can always return his possessions to the authorities, and claim we kept it until the morning to make sure he was not ransacked..." - Hedran shrugs - "Though for some reason I think that plan would be far from perfect" - he adds.

"So yes, if the items turn out to be something interesting to us, I'd say keep them out of sight for now - at least we can understand who was the man"


Response to Tairin:

Relative Costs

Appraise on Dagger with Obsidian pommel and runes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Dagger: The dagger, with the sheathe, is probably worth about at least 350 gold pieces for raw materials and design. You’d wager it would be worth more to a collector, but before you could sell it to the right collector, you’d need to know what sort of person might want it.

Appraise on Belt (Wizard's Foil): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Belt: You assume that what Alia indicated is accurate. Specifically; it’s a cheap/safe way of storing money. Each bronze disc on the belt could be sold for – roughly – 10 gold pieces; there are 15 discs, each about 2 inches square (it’s meant to drape down the side of the robe). The total value maybe a bit more than 150 gold, but only if you managed to convince someone the belt as a whole has some sort of value. However, if you removed a disc or two and sold them you could have money and it would not really detract from the value of the belt, it would simply be a bit shorter.

Side note: Such tricks are more useful for folk traveling long distances with little ready income. If they lived in the city long, then having such a belt would not be very useful as they could probably earn 10 gold pieces in a few days time with a modest Profession Check. It's more of a "last resort" way to make money from a person who has in on the move and away from places to earn money normally, but may still need it in a pinch.

Appraise on Pearls: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Pearls: You know pearls to be something from coastal regions, but you have no idea how much they would cost.

Appraise on Northland oaken staff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Staff: A well-made walking stick. You’d wager it was – possibly – 5 Gold for resale. But it’s well-carved and well-made; but, essentially, just a well-carved staff.

Know. Local check re dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

You’ve never heard of a dagger like this before. You do know the blade is silver; some say northmen use silver weapons as a bane against certain strange beasts of the forest; but that is likely myth or legend.

Knowledge Religion check re Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The sign on the pommel indicates it is associated with Yadar; a common god of the Khazistanis folk. While your companions did a detailed examination of the corpse, they have not told you about his race/features.

Know. Local check re belt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

You have heard some tales that agree with the guesswork of Samir and Alia; specifically, sometimes a charlatan or con artist will protect his wealth by shaping it into a fake idol, or some strange statue or figure and claim it is a totem to a dark god or demon. This keeps locals from wishing to steal the item outright; you would guess this the case of the belt.

Know. Religion check re belt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Nothing unusual about the staff via religion, except that it is made of Oak and the men of Tharag Thule believe that Oak, like Mistletoe, is favored by their gods.

Know. Local check re staff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

The wood certainly isn’t local; the man who carried it either found it somewhere, or he bought it from someone who had the wood in this region. He certainly didn’t just make it from wood he found while walking the local countryside, though.

Know. Religion check re staff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Noting of note you can tell. Probably a study walking stick, coupled with a tool you could use to fight with; you have heard that wizards often use staffs, but if so, you do not glean anything especially unique about this one.

Know. Religion re Yadar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

A god of Secrets and Death; Yadar is believed to collect the souls of all living things. Yadar is often associated with scorpions and bats. Followers of Yadar often cary tokens to him which some believe will ward of death and disease.

Linguistic check - untrained re runes on dagger: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The Alphabet seems to be of local letters; you do not recognize what they mean, except that they spell out – “Ikhtanabu Xul” – you do not know what means, or if it means anything; you do not recognize the words to have any particular meaning.

Linguistic check - untrained re archaic language in scrolls: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Reading the scrolls is not something that you try long. The words are difficult to decipher; indeed, the alphabet is not one you can understand. Even reading these scrolls causes you to have a strange reaction internally, as if something is causing you both fear and naseau, but this does not stop you from attempting to learn more. With that in mind, you do notice something on one of the pages there is another sketch unlike the one you saw initially. This sketch looks something like this - This - (the original page you had all seen looks something like - This –

Response to Red:

Knowledge, arcarna on the belt: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

You sense nothing untoward with this. You believe that the belt is likely what Alia guessed; specifically, a ruse to cause thieves to suspect the belt is a powerful magical item, when – in fact – it is merely a ploy to trick them.

Knowledge, arcarna on the dagger: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Silver daggers are known as a bane against the following things: lycanthropes, fey and demons. The first two creatures are only legend which are believed to live in the far northlands; demons do exist, but you can recall no tales of a human fighting a demon with a mere weapon and living.

You have also heard they can be used for various rituals or rites; but most of those stories are spotty and vague at best.

Knowledge, arcarna on the staff of oak: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Oak staffs are often used on the shamans of the northmen; Oak wood is considered to be a gift from one of their barbaric war gods. Oak is considered to be an important part of many rituals of the northmen, but not exclusive to them. Many shamans of the north use Oak staffs.


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

After looking the items over, Red says "I think Alia was right about this belt, it is a ruse to cause thieves to suspect the belt is a powerful magical item, when – in fact – it is merely a ploy to trick them. Valuable however.

Silver daggers are known as a bane against lycanthropes, fey and demons. The first two creatures are believed to live in the far northlands, if they really exist at all. Demons are real, unfortunately. But I recall no tales of a human fighting a demon with a mere weapon and living.

I have also heard tell of silver weapons used for various rituals or rites. But my knowledge is scant I am afraid.

Oak staffs are often used by the shamans of the northmen. Oak wood is considered to be a gift from one of their war gods. Oak is considered to be an important part of many rituals of the northmen. Other people use oak as well."


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

"The belt could fetch a hundred and fifty gold pieces. Or we can sell it disc by disc. Each piece is around ten gold pieces. Alia was correct - it is a safe method of storing one's wealth, and if shaped in some strange idol, it can be proclaimed a totem to a dark god and used to scare off anyone wishing to steal it."

"The dagger made of silver and its ivory sheathe could fetch at least three hundred and fifty gold pieces. A serious collector may pay more. Tales would tell of Northmen using such weapons as bane against strange beasts of the forest. The letters here spell Ikhtanabu Xul, but I do not know what that means. The sign on the pommel is for Yadar, the god of Secrets and Death, and is common to those of Khazistan. It is said that Yadar collects the souls of all living things and often scorpions and bats are associated with the god. Followers of Yadar often carry tokens to him to ward off death and disease."

"This is a sturdy, finely-carved walking cane made from Oak, favoured by the gods of Tharag Thule. The wood is not from this region, so possibly found and brought here. I'd say it would fetch five gold pieces. I wonder if its original owner was a wizard."

"The words in the scrolls are difficult to decipher, and, as I attempt to read them, a strange reaction builds inside - one of fear and aversion. But see here, there's another illustration - different from the first."


At this time I'm going to go work. If there aren't any posts/responses to Tairin/Red by the time I get back, then I'm just going to move things forward.


Tairin and Red have given a breakdown on the items they found and what they might mean.

The men consider the wisdom the ladies have shared with them, but at this time there seems to be no real hard answers to the mystery the company has seemed to have stumbled into.

With little to offer at this time, they say nothing but think about what they've learned and try to decide what to do next, but no one seems to have any hard suggestions; except for Hedran who had recommended turning the items over to local authorities. However, the others did not respond to this suggestion, instead, they merely considered options in silence after considering the information.

This grim silence and lack of a hard plan at this time is not overly surprising, however. The hour grows late and many of the company have suffered wounds which have they have not fully recovered from. In addition to that is the gnawing uncertainty as to what the company will do next as they have no real chance to earn money and no specific plans for the future.

That being the case the men take leave of their ladies and head back to their rooms to sleep and the company is able to rest and do what they can to recover.

No doubt something will present itself in the morning; for now you, you should have plenty of time to at least rest and recover from your wounds.

The party is in bed at roughly 10 PM, then. If they sleep until roughly 6:00 AM then you should each receive 1+Con Modifier in Health; except those who received aid from Alia, they gain an additional +2 HP in healing.


Time: Roughly - 3:00 - AM

Red and Tairin:

As you are sleeping you suddenly hear a noise within your room. Tairin opens her eyes and sees Red is standing up in the darkness.

Hearken, Arakshat; I come for thee
Not a thousand deaths shall erase thy treachery,” Red says with a deep and otherworldly voice.

Despite the dark Tairin notices that Red’s eyes have rolled into the back of her head and only the whites can be seen. Red then picks up the satchel and the scrolls from the gear and slips it over her shoulder. She leaves the belt and staff where they lay, but her hand closes on the hilt of the strange dagger.

Her right hand draws forth the blade and her left hand holds the sheath and she raises her right hand to her head and holds the dagger as if poised to kill as she walks with an eerie purpose to the door.

Even as Tairin reacts to this, Red opens the door and steps into the darkened hallway…

Tairin; Red is only about 10 feet from you, though your door is opened as it does lock from the inside. She is moving slowly – only about 20 feet a round – and is heading down the hallway. She has only the things she slept in, as well as the scrolls in the satchel and the dagger; also, she seems to be able to see very well in the dark for some reason.

Tairin – You have a Full Round Action to do something at this time.

What do you?


Male Human (Tharag Thulan)
Stats:
hp 74/74 AC 21|T 14 |FF 18, F +7|R +2|W +4, Init +2, Per +10
Gladiator 6

Bjoern lies snoring happily in his bed and enjoys the softness of the matress for a while. Still he has jammed a stool under the door to make it harder for intruders.
"I feel much better now, shall we check the city out. Maybe there is opportunity waiting for us!"


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

Tairin was awakened by Red's words which did not sound like her own and she instinctively grabbed her whip from the chair by the bed. She rubbed her eyes to shake off sleep and watched as Red attempted to make away with the satchel, scrolls and dagger.

In the moonlight shining in through the window, Tairin could see that the other woman was holding the dagger afore her, ready to strike, and Tairin stood by her cot, 10 feet from Red, who was now standing in the open doorway. Tairin wondered if she should try calling out to Red, but having noted the white of the woman's eyes and strange, otherworldly voice, Tairin wondered if it was too dangerous or ineffective. Unfurling her whip, Tairin took aim - at Red's right hand holding the dagger - ready to strike the weapon from her grasp. I cannot allow her to move down that hallway with weapon drawn.

Combat Maneuver to disarm Red (get her to drop the dagger) with Weapon Finesse weapon, with 10 ft reach: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17 vs Red's CMD (11)? (Disarm: When you use a disarm weapon (such as the scorpion whip currently), you get a +2 bonus on Combat Maneuver Checks to disarm an enemy. Not sure if Red can be classified an 'enemy' in this instance, but if she's being possessed, possibly? Ignore bonus if it isn't relevant.)

Weapon Finesse feat:
If you’re attempting a disarm, sunder, or trip maneuver, you can apply your Dex bonus instead of your Str mod on the combat maneuver check (assuming you’re using a finessable weapon, of course).

Hoping, Red's been disarmed...

Then, Tairin called out to the males in the next chamber, "Companions, rise! Red's not in her right mind." (Free action)


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

Red's CMD is in fact 11. I would think that the bonus from the whip would apply to any disarm check, but it is up to Dain.


The whip lashes out and snakes around Red's arm, causing the dagger to clatter to the wooden planks of the floor.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
Then, Tairin called out to the males in the next chamber, "Companions, rise! Red's not in her right mind." (Free action)

Samir flings himself out of his bunk and steps past the slumbering Hedran and flings open the door.

Seeing Tairin in the hallway, her whip in hand but safe, his eyes flick instantly to Red and notes her strange behavior and the fallen dagger on the floor.

He rushes hard and flings his arms around her and slams her to the floor as he looks up at Tairin.

"Are you alright, Sayyida?" he says in a hoarse whisper.

At this time there seems to be no reaction to the noise yet from others in the tavern; though perhaps the sound of a woman suddenly crying out, followed by the sounds of rough action is not enough to bestir most of the slumbering patrons from their beds.

Even so, Samir holds Red's arms tight against her and glances around with near panic in his eyes.

"Sayyida, we must get her out of sight, if she is seen like this w may be judged as folk in league with demons," he says, then half-pulls, half-drags, Red into Tairin's room.

"Arakshat shall rue the deed"
"Upon his flesh shall I then feed..." Red growls in the same, inhuman sounding voice.

"Quick, the dagger," he urges Tairin, hoping that the weapon will not be left in the hallway to attract the attention of others.

Samir manages to get Red back into Tairin's room, though he struggles with her. The dagger is still in the hallway. Samir is doing what he can to keep Red from speaking again; either from fear her voice will attract attention or that she may cast some darksome spell is not certain....


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

Tairin wound her whip after successfully disarming the possessed witch.

Samir wrote:

"Are you alright, Sayyida?" he says in a hoarse whisper.

"I am well, Samir," she says in lowered voice. "But Red is not."

Samir wrote:

"Sayyida, we must get her out of sight, if she is seen like this w may be judged as folk in league with demons," he says, then half-pulls, half-drags, Red into Tairin's room.

"Quick, the dagger," he urges Tairin, hoping that the weapon will not be left in the hallway to attract the attention of others.

Looking and listening to see if her earlier cry had drawn any new attention, Tairin moved quickly to the strange dagger, and, using the sleeve of her shift, picked up the dagger (not wanting to touch it directly) and moved quickly back inside her room, closed and locked the door behind her.

Chanting a few quiet words in Yar-Ammonite, Tairin declared "Nawwar" and four orbs of light appeared bobbing around them, filling the chamber with much needed light.

Placing the retrieved dagger on the small table on the other side of her cot and away from Red, Tairin took one of her veils and moved to Samir's side and wound the veil over the witch's mouth to keep her quiet. Tairin did not want to hurt Red, but they needed to keep her quiet until something else could be done to return Red to her senses.

Facing Samir, she asked the former slave, "What happened to Red in that alleyway last eve? I found her muttering and leaving this room with the satchel, scrolls and the dagger. She was saying Not a thousand deaths shall erase thy treachery. Only the whites of her eyes could be seen."


Tairin of the Veils wrote:
Placing the retrieved dagger on the small table on the other side of her cot and away from Red, Tairin took one of her veils and moved to Samir's side and wound the veil over the witch's mouth to keep her quiet. Tairin did not want to hurt Red, but they needed to keep her quiet until something else could be done to return Red to her senses.

Samir stares down at Red for a moment as Tairin seems to have the situation in hand.

"I will get the others, they may have an idea, too," he adds, then hurries back to the room with Hedran.

Doing what he can to wake the man up proves nearly impossible; yet he is eventually able to get him awake.

"The Sayyida has need of you, sadiq... The Witch we travel with... her mind seems to be assailed by some dark force, come - help us if you can," he says with a urgent voice.

He then moves to Bjeorn and Anhur's door and does what he can to try to open it.

Disable Device (-10 as he has no lock picks)
1d20 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 10 = 8

EDIT: Cannot manage to open the lock, knocks hard on the door -

"My friends, the Sayyida has need of you," he says with a low growl through the wooden doorway.

Then he returns to the room to see Tairin studying Red.

Tairin; Red is currently not moving but lying on the bed. What do you wish to do to ascertain her condition and attempt to improve her status?


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

Tairin watched as Samir left her chamber to rouse the other men. Her eyes turned immediately back to Red's form on the bed. Taking the satchel and scrolls from Red, Tairin moved/stowed them to the far side of the bed, away from the witch.

Returning to Red's side, Tairin began to examine the other woman, utilising what little healing skill she had learned to determine if Red was in pain, could be made comfortable or returned to herself.

Heal check on Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Once she was through with her examination, she pondered the predicament Red found herself and wondered if she had heard of such things before, in her various studies and through conversation. (Legends or curses, breaking the hold of spirit possession?)

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Know. Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

As moments passed and Samir had not yet returned, Tairin took hold of Red's shoulders and began to shake her gently and purposefully - hoping to rouse the witch to her senses. As she shook Red, she quietly commanded, "Fight its hold, Sister. Fight it with all your might."


Tairin of the Veils wrote:

Tairin watched as Samir left her chamber to rouse the other men. Her eyes turned immediately back to Red's form on the bed. Taking the satchel and scrolls from Red, Tairin moved/stowed them to the far side of the bed, away from the witch.

Returning to Red's side, Tairin began to examine the other woman, utilising what little healing skill she had learned to determine if Red was in pain, could be made comfortable or returned to herself.

Heal check on Red=12

Tairin, Red seems to be breathing normally; she also seems to be relaxed, as if she is asleep. However, when you lift her eyelids to stare at her eyes you see that her eyes gradually begin to focus, as if she's trying to wake up.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
As she shook Red, she quietly commanded, "Fight its hold, Sister. Fight it with all your might."

Red's eyes flutter open on their own and she is able to see Tairin.

Red:

You remember feeling the touch of cold stone under your hands as you sat upon your throne. You remember the blackness which surrounded you, yet your eyes could see through it, and you were aware...

You remember, then, the veiled whisper of shuffled feet upon the stone floors around you; the dim glimmer of lifeless eyes gleaming in the utter darkness that engulfed you, and the sudden press of corpse-like fingers clawing into your body as chipped and broken teeth tore into your flesh and devoured your remains.

Yet not entirely; merely enough to release the bond between your mortal flesh and spirit. Thus it was that your spirit bound itself to a thing of power, a thing of great worth that was stolen from the darkness where your throne had rested.

Yet even now, your spirit was restless and so extended itself from the token into the wretch who discovered it. His mortal frame would serve you well enough; it would be the vessel for your vengeance and you would find your cursed Apprentice who betrayed you and take your revenge!

Until you took your vengeance upon him your spirit would not rest, it would continue to find new hosts and use them beyond death until you had achieved your purpose, or until your rotting remains would be utterly destroyed!

Even now you feel the breath of new life; even now you feel the touch of new blood; even now you feel the lust of life and push the mortal forward to your purpose... yet, wait...

Some threat to your mission is nigh; sleep then, for a moment, lest your secrets be revealed and they learn too much...

Red, now that you are awake you seem to recall a strange vision in your head when you were sleepwalking, if vision it was. You're free to share whatever details you wish to with your companions at this time as - for now - you seem yourself...

Tairin of the Veils wrote:

Once she was through with her examination, she pondered the predicament Red found herself and wondered if she had heard of such things before, in her various studies and through conversation. (Legends or curses, breaking the hold of spirit possession?)

Know. Religion = 24
Know. Local = 11

Response:

You don't know, not for certain, but you think that some sort of dark spirit may have possessed Red, if so, it's possible that the possession was instigated by proximity to an object of power. Unfortunately, you are not sure how to break such a possession, if possession it is, and you do not know if it will overwhelm Red like it did a moment ago again, or for how long, or how powerful another return might be.

You suspect going to a Sage or Priest or any expert in possession might be good, but to ask the question could pose additional threats for those who ask for help in dealing with someone who is possessed if it is not done adroitly...

Samir watches the two as he waits at the doorway for the others, his sword loose in his hand in case an enemy might assail them, though at this time he has naught on but his loincloth and his armor and gear remain in the room with Hedran.

He glances at Red and Tairin.

"I am sure the others heard me; meanwhile, what has happened?"

He strides from the door to where Tairin is sitting next to Red and kneels down besides them.

His right hand still grips his sword hilt, but his left hand brushes Red's dark locks back gently as he stares at her, as if trying to gauge her condition.

"Is she alright?" he eventually asks Tairin as his eyes remain on Red.


Breton Thaumaturge 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC: 11, T: 11, FF: 10 | Fort: +3, Ref: +1, Will: +2 | CMB: +0, CMD: 11 | Init: +1, Perception: +0 | SP: 5/5 | Speed: 30ft

Anhur rouses and leaves the bulk of his gear next to his bed, pausing only to snatch his daggers and rub a bit of sleep from his eyes. He is still quite weary and not in the mood for games, but he nonetheless proceeds to the next room prepared to do whatever must be done.


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.
Dain GM wrote:

Tairin, Red seems to be breathing normally; she also seems to be relaxed, as if she is asleep. However, when you lift her eyelids to stare at her eyes you see that her eyes gradually begin to focus, as if she's trying to wake up.

Tairin of the Veils wrote:
As she shook Red, she quietly commanded, "Fight its hold, Sister. Fight it with all your might."

Red's eyes flutter open on their own and she is able to see Tairin.

Red looks disorientated and frightened, far more so than at any time in combat. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath, as if trying to compose herself, then says "I am... back. What happened is..."

Knowldege, Arcarna: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Knowldege, History: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Dain GM:
The knowledge history roll is particularly regarding the events and objects which I saw in my vision. Can I place any of them? Maybe not with that roll. The knowledge arcarna is just applicable, hopefully.
Incidentally, how does this compare with Red's chat with the Red Sphinx when she was in the desert for seven days and seven nights? Or is that for me to decide?


She Who Knows wrote:

Red looks disorientated and frightened, far more so than at any time in combat. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath, as if trying to compose herself, then says "I am... back. What happened is..."

Knowldege, Arcarna 18

Knowldege, History 12

Response:

Unfortunately, none of this seems consistent with your visions via the Red Sphinx, excepting that you vaguely recall funerary rites in which mortals where embalmed or mummified to preserve their remains for the afterlife...

You wonder if some dark spirit was linked to its body and trapped in some errant tomb within the desert - essentially poised in near death, yet not fully dead - but when the body was finally ravaged the spirit was able to flee the remains like a ghost.

If so, the ghost, spirit, or whatever it is, is now able to haunt things and will not rest until some final task has been undertaken.

You do not know for sure, but you suspect that your body may be possessed by some dark spirit and its hold over you will not be broken until or unless you either complete the final quest of the spirit that is haunting you - or until you use some potent magic to purge your body of the cursed spirit in some powerful ritual - or until the resting place of the dead is properly dealt with.

The possibility of you being haunted is one that should fill you with dread; for although you do not seem to be harmed at this time, the spirit may manifest itself in you again at any time - the next time it does you may find yourself doing things that could hurt yourself or your hurt or even slay your companions without meaning to - possibly even doing something so violent that you could end your own life and so free the spirit to posses another host...

In short, purging your body of this dark spirit seems like a very good idea!

As you are poised to speak Samir looks from you to see Anhur and nods at him.

"Greetings," he says "our friend here; something has come over her, but I do not know what, though I am betting it is connected with those damnable scrolls we discovered," he adds with a nervous shudder as his eyes flick to the satchel, then back to Anhur.

"Are you alright? You did not suffer any dark dreams or foul visions in the night did you? And the north man who shares your room, he was not disturbed in the night, either, was he?" Samir presses as he looks at Anhur, hoping that he and Bjeorn are both alright.


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

"No I don't think I am alright Samir. Would somebody fetch Hedran and Bjoern, I don't want to relate all this more than once."

With that, Red, clearly shaken, fumbles in her backpack for her waterskin, eventually finding it, then takes a drink. When all are gathered Red gestures them closer and speaks softly, saying "This is what I experienced just now, when I was not myself.

'I remember feeling the touch of cold stone under my hands as I sat upon your throne. I remember the blackness which surrounded me, yet my eyes could see through it, and I was aware...

I recall, then, the veiled whisper of shuffled feet upon the stone floors around me; the dim glimmer of lifeless eyes gleaming in the utter darkness that engulfed me, and the sudden press of corpse-like fingers clawing into my body as chipped and broken teeth tore into my flesh and devoured my remains.

Yet not entirely; merely enough to release the bond between my mortal flesh and spirit. Thus it was that my spirit bound itself to a thing of power, a thing of great worth that was stolen from the darkness where my throne had rested.

Yet even now, my spirit was restless and so extended itself from the token into the wretch who discovered it. His mortal frame would serve me well enough; it would be the vessel for my vengeance and I would find my cursed Apprentice who betrayed me and take your revenge!

Until I took my vengeance upon him my spirit would not rest, it would continue to find new hosts and use them beyond death until I had achieved my purpose, or until my rotting remains would be utterly destroyed!

Even now I feel the breath of new life; even now I feel the touch of new blood; even now I feel the lust of life and push the mortal forward to my purpose... yet, wait...

Some threat to my mission is nigh; sleep then, for a moment, lest my secrets be revealed and they learn too much...'

And then I was myself again. I described what happened in the first person as that is how I experienced it, though clearly I was in the thrall of someone not myself.

I tried to link what I saw when possessed with what I know of history, to try to glean some clue as to who was involved and where, but I am afraid I have little idea.

I wonder if some dark spirit was linked to its body and trapped in some errant tomb within the desert - essentially poised in near death, yet not fully dead - but when the body was finally ravaged the spirit was able to flee the remains like a ghost.

If so, the ghost, spirit, or whatever it is, is now able to haunt things and will not rest until some final task has been undertaken.

I do not know for sure, but I suspect that my body may be possessed by some dark spirit and its hold over me will not be broken until or unless I either complete the final quest of the spirit that is haunting me, perhaps vengeance on this Arakshat - or until you use some potent magic to purge my body of the cursed spirit in some powerful ritual - or until the resting place of the dead is properly dealt with.

Being haunted is alarming; although I do not seem to be harmed at this time, the spirit may manifest itself in me again at any time - the next time it does I may find myself doing things that could hurt myself or hurt or even slay others, perhaps even you my friends,without meaning to - possibly even doing something so violent that I could end my own life and so free the spirit to posses another host..."

With that Red trails into silence. The normally composed and mysterious witch appears smaller in form, lost and forlorn.


"I know nothing of spirits" - Hedran rubs his sleepy eyes - "Could it be the spirit is bound, and binding through any of the items we found earlier tonight?" - he inquires.

The man raises one finger - 'Thus it was that my spirit bound itself to a thing of power, a thing of great worth that was stolen from the darkness where my throne had rested'

Then another - 'Yet even now, my spirit was restless and so extended itself from the token into the wretch who discovered it. His mortal frame would serve me well enough; it would be the vessel for my vengeance...'

A third finger - 'Even now I feel the breath of new life; even now I feel the touch of new blood...' - "Maybe when the item came into Red's possession?"

And a fourth - 'Some threat to my mission is nigh; sleep then, for a moment, lest my secrets be revealed and they learn too much...' - "When Tairin found Red Sleepwalking?"

"I'm just saying..." - he shrugs - "I don't really know"


Hedran wrote:
"I'm just saying..." - he shrugs - "I don't really know"

Samir glances from Red to Hedran.

"Aye, I deem none of us truly know, yet I think your guesses are wise."

"Yet as to our next move there are several things to plan against."

"Firstly we have the lady who may be possessed yet again; what can we do to safeguard ourselves against another threat as well as the lady herself... This must be the primary thing in our thoughts, for it may be that whatever dark force awakens in her may do so again when we least expect it, including this very night, and even now we shall each rue this issue in the morning, for do I not guess aright - such things do not let even her companions recover from our wounds..."

"Next - assuming we can take steps to restrain her properly, yet with no harm to her - then we must discover what force has possessed her and do what we can to banish it from her. Yet I am at a loss on how this task may be accomplished."

"What, then, shall we do for the remainder of the night with the lady to ensure all of our safety and what shall we do when the sun rises to remedy the threat which plagues her?" he asks the others.


Breton Thaumaturge 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC: 11, T: 11, FF: 10 | Fort: +3, Ref: +1, Will: +2 | CMB: +0, CMD: 11 | Init: +1, Perception: +0 | SP: 5/5 | Speed: 30ft

"Is no one concerned about the other who has read these scrolls?" Anhur wonders aloud. He isn't sure if it makes any sense, but isn't exactly an expert in magic himself, and is yet very tired.
"I say we bind her this night and on the sunrise take her to a priest or miracle worker, if such a person may be found."


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

"I can see the sense in restraining me, as Samir puts it. If you take me to a priest or miracle worker... they may well decide I am possessed by demons or somesuch, which is at least something like true, and I need to be put to death. And possibly the rest of you are culpable or may be in league with demons too, or might be in the future and you need to be killed too. Maybe returning to our favourite bathhouse, bordello and place of worship where we are at least known and on good terms. The high priestess may be able to give advice or even prophecy. Hopefully they will be less likely to execute me and maybe the rest of you. Of course executing me might be the best thing to do. Look on the bright side, at least I will be a clean and presentable corpse and the bathhouse is a fun place."


Anhur wrote:
"Is no one concerned about the other who has read these scrolls?" Anhur wonders aloud. He isn't sure if it makes any sense, but isn't exactly an expert in magic himself, and is yet very tired.

Samir glances at Anhur.

"I am indeed concerned; yet of the entire company, none have attempted to decipher the documents but the lady here, and the Sayyida," he says with a nod to Tairin.

"Yet though the scrolls themselves were not able to be deciphered at the least they contained two sketches - one of them a man who was seen to have what looked like a demon or spirit entering his mind - the other was a sketch of a dagger."

"I am no loremaster, but it may be that whoever provided those sketches did so for a reason..." he adds.

Anhur wrote:
"I say we bind her this night and on the sunrise take her to a priest or miracle worker, if such a person may be found."

Samir nods at Anhur.

"There are ways to bind a woman firmly, yet so the binding does not hurt her; and also so that it shall allow her some freedom to move about with us, yet not cause injury to herself or us. Further, if she is truly beset upon by some dark power, then you are right, it may be a priest would be the best person to petition for aid; and they may also be more versed in what those scrolls you mentioned may mean and if there is any clue within them which can aid us," he says, agreeing with Anhur.

He then looks at Red.

"What say you to this plan?"

She Who Knows wrote:
"I can see the sense in restraining me, as Samir puts it. If you take me to a priest or miracle worker... they may well decide I am possessed by demons or somesuch, which is at least something like true, and I need to be put to death. And possibly the rest of you are culpable or may be in league with demons too, or might be in the future and you need to be killed too."

Samir frowns.

"Perhaps, yet I doubt this will be so. It is my hunch that it depends on how the case is presented. Bringing you to a priest for aid in removing an affliction should mean they will be eager to aid you for the promise of coin - slaying you outright will mean they gain no reward; further, it is a demonstration to the people that when such threats abound they bow to the power of the local authorities rather than prove to the worshipers that they are the ones folk should come to - that they are the ones who have true power."

She Who Knows wrote:
" Maybe returning to our favourite bathhouse, bordello and place of worship where we are at least known and on good terms. The high priestess may be able to give advice or even prophecy. Hopefully they will be less likely to execute me and maybe the rest of you. Of course executing me might be the best thing to do. Look on the bright side, at least I will be a clean and presentable corpse and the bathhouse is a fun place."

Samir looks at Red thoughtfully.

"They may indeed wish to execute you, and perhaps all of us, but I have no intention of being crucified, nor should you. Indeed, I hope things will not come to that pass, and I doubt they shall - yet I suppose this shall largely depend on the words that are used and how they are said..." he says to her slowly, as if thinking about things carefully.

Then, as if reconsidering what she said, he glances at her again.

"Besides, delivering you in bondage to be placed under the hands of them who shall bathe you... Aye, you are right, this will certainly result in leaving you presentable," he adds, with a small quirk in his lips, clearly attempting a bit of brevity to distract Red from worrying too much, even as his eyes linger a moment on her.

He then shakes his head as if to clear it of what it was that crossed his mind, then speaks more directly.

"We have not slept well this night, unfortunately. If you wish, I shall remain in this room and sleep on the floor here against the door, just in case there is another complication which should arise."

"As for the binding of the lady? She can be bound to her bed this night and still sleep, I think, and indeed, it may be that another fit may not come upon her again in any case. Even so, such decisions must be made by you, I only offer suggestions," he says with a nod of his head.

For now what I think is that you will have Red bound to the bed while she sleeps; you'll then take precautions with her in the morning to get her to someone with the skill to figure out how to aid her; you'll present your case for the aid in a way as to not implicate anyone in the party of anything which could have negative consequences, and for now you'll attempt to get rest for the rest of the night.

Finally, if you'd like Samir to sleep in the room on the floor next to the door, he will do so to offer help. Otherwise he will return to his room. Just let me know what your plans are and I'll respond to them as soon as I see them.


Female Decadent Yar-Ammonite Bard (Archaeologist) 5 , Ranger (Commando) 1| DR 2| AC 16, T14, FF13 (Uncanny Dodge)| HP 49/49, F+4/+5/+6, R+9, W+5, CMB +5, CMD 18| Init +3, Lowlight, Perc. +15/+17, Speed 30ft | , 0/10 Rds Archaeologist's Luck, 0/8 times Detect Magic

Tairin listened with great patience as the others talked among themselves. When a lull presented itself, she folded her hands in her lap and spoke, "The possession may have been triggered by an object of power. There is a drawing in one of the scrolls of a dagger. Red held the dagger aloft and uttered the words Not a thousand deaths shall erase thy treachery. The spirit appears to be seeking vengeance for a wrongdoing. Red should not be allowed near the dagger again. She had in her possession only the satchel, scrolls and dagger. Those articles should not be near her. I concur that Red should be tied to her cot as I do not want to be woken again in such a manner and then have to disarm her once more. Wrap the dagger, but do not touch it with your bare hands. We divide the three items between us : the satchel goes in one room, the wrapped dagger in another and the scrolls in the last room. In the morning I will ask for a personal audience with Lady Mei-Mei at the bathhouse. She is a priestess of some importance and may understand more of the god Yadar and how to break spirit possession. If I need to pay good coin for her secrecy, then so be it. The Lady Priestess and I have a certain understanding."

Moving around her cot, Tairin carefully picked up the strange dagger, using the sleeve of her shift and not bare hand. Taking a shael from her pack, she wrapped the linen cloth around the dagger; still taking care not to touch it directly. "Hedran and Samir will look after the dagger," handing the wrapped weapon across to Hedran since Samir said he would stand guard over Red for the remainder of the night. "Bjoern and Anhur, you will protect the scrolls," handing the scrolls over. "And the satchel will remain with me for the time being." (Having the powerful items like the dagger and scrolls as far away as possible from Red seems to be the wisest course in Tairin's mind and that's why she divided the three articles in the way she has.)

Samir wrote:

"We have not slept well this night, unfortunately. If you wish, I shall remain in this room and sleep on the floor here against the door, just in case there is another complication which should arise."

"As long as you remain by the door, you may sleep in this chamber, Samir. Ordinarily I would not agree to such a thing, however this is not something any of us understand. Tomorrow we may get answers, if we ask in the right way. Now, take the items to your rooms and let us all try to sleep."


Female Civilised Yar-Ammonite Witch (Bouda) 4 | HP 30/38 (1d6(=6, 4, 4,4=14)+4 FC + 8 Con ) | Defence AC 12 (Touch 12 Flat Footed 10) [/ooc] | CMB: +1, CMD: 13/11 |FL [| Init: +4 | Perc: +9, SM: +7 ooc] F: +3, R: +3, W: +5[/ooc] | Speed 30ft | Hexes Slumber - DC:17, Bouda Eye DC 17, Healing, Cackle, Fortune, Misfortune DC 17 | Spells: lvl0- 4 1st 5, 2nd 3 | Active conditions: None.

"That sounds like as good a plan as any Tairin. Propriety is important Tairin, but I guess we can compromise about Samir sleeping on the floor. Now, who is planning on tying me up. You better all keep quiet about this..."


Hedran nods, taking the wrapped dagger with him - "I would rather we found another advisor, apart from those in the bathhouse, lest they know any and everything about our dealings in town..." - he comments - "But alas, I have no alternative to offer, as I am not familiar enough with the city" - then shrugs - "I'll get back to my quarters, and make sure the dagger is safe"

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