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POSTING FOR MUCHORAK
The Ranger looks at the journal a look of distaste growing on his face...
"If this is Tsuto then perhaps he has given his sister to this 'Quasit' whatever it may be...we should search the rest of these rooms to ensure she is not there.Jael will you go and see if the watch have finished searching the building..if so bring them here we must set a guard on the passage..bring the mayor too...she might be able to confirm this mans identity and tell us more of this woman of his"
As Ali squeals about the objects..
"Wolf spirit if these are indeed fey touched then we must discover their true nature..some magics are harmful...bad medicine"
As Jael trots off upstairs he turns to the others..
"Come we will search this place and then must make ready to face this creature..this Quasit"
"We should not rush head-long against a demon if we are not at full strength. Let's scout the rooms ahead. If we see minor threats we should try to bypass them so they do not weaken us too much."
Ali switches to wolf form and growls her readiness to continue searching the rest of the chambers
Muchorak will move to the door as before, weapon ready, hand silently testing the handle for an indication of it being locked. If the door is unlocked he will open it staying clear of the main opening, then cautiously peering in to view the room.
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The door you are checking is locked. Jael returns with the mayor and the watch sergeant..also a hovering and most anxious Bethana. It appears that Sherrif Hemlock has left for Magnimar in an attempt to secure extra troops to protect the town. The Mayor is most concerned with the situation.
"If your friend is correct we face dark times" she announces"...I cannot order you to investigate this creature who apparently dwells below..but I can tell you that the town would show it's gratitude if you do"
"Now" says Jael "Lets get this door open shall we..." he produces a bunch of keys."Found these on our friend back there..the ladies here say its definitely Tsuto Kaijutsu"
"Thats right " chimes in Bethana.."That's the black hearted villian as stole my Mistress away."
Jael unlocks the door and pushes it open...within you find an attractive oriental woman..lying on her side tied hand and foot in a hogtie and blindfolded and gagged with strips of leather. Her clothing is tattered and she seems to have been badly beaten
Muchorak looks at Bethana, "Is this your mistress?"
With out waiting for a reply, Muchorak moves into the room, and begins the task of removing the bondage from the female, he will start with anything over the face, just so there can be positive identification of the subject and perhaps verification the individual is non-hostile.
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The room contains some boxes of glassware and a few window panes..no loot.
Bethana pushes into the room her anxiety lending her strength to push past the bigger folk...
"Ohh..my Lady..what has he done to you"
she hurries to assist Muchorak.
The mayor turns to the sergeant.."Send to the cathedral for a healer, Sergeant"
The sergeant assigns the duty to a young guardsman, the one who was sick upstairs, who dashes off.
The room contains some boxes of glassware and a few window panes..no loot.
Bethana pushes into the room her anxiety lending her strength to push past the bigger folk...
"Ohh..my Lady..what has he done to you"
she hurries to assist Muchorak.
The mayor turns to the sergeant.."Send to the cathedral for a healer, Sergeant"
The sergeant assigns the duty to a young guardsman, the one who was sick upstairs, who dashes off.
Whoo Hoo, a first for me in on-line play!
Wellard:
Do you want us to make changes to PCs now?
New HD for HP at 2nd level: 8+2=10
At second level a binder can suppress the sign of a vestige he is bound to if he chooses. Showing the sign is a free action and is needed for some powers.
Also, he can squeeze out a bit more power from a vestige while he is bound. I can send you a PDF file that summarizes the gains and gives bare-bones outline of each vestiges' power. It will probably come out better than the first file I sent to you.
Inikai is going to take the extra 5 hp while he is bound to a vestige.
Once Ameiko is untied, Muchorak will assist her in standing. Once the gaurd arrives, Muchorak turns to his companions, "Shall we see what's behind the other door?"
If all are in agreement the door opening method will be the same as the others.
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Ameiko is deeply unconcious...she really has been VERY badly beaten up and Bethana will not let you move her until a priest comes.
It doesn't take long maybe ten minutes before the, slightly out of breath, young guard returns and tells you that Father Zantus is coming himself.This gives you the chance to check out the remaining room which turns out to be a larger store room for finished products. It contains nothing of interest.
The same period gives the Mayor a chance to read the diary entries...her face pales and she suggests that the door that leads to the tunnels be locked for the moment which Jael does.
About five minutes later Zantus arrives and after one quick look sinks to his knees beside the comatose girl.
"Ah Ameiko...what a terrible state you are in. Well lets see what the ladies power can do for you shall we"
The priest begins to intone a prayer to Desna and a soft white light springs from his hands covering Ameiko..when it clears her bruises have almost entirely faded away and her eyes flutter open.
"F...Father..." sh says hoarsly her throat obviously dried...she clutches at him "Tsuto...must stop him...he is mad..evil...he plots to destroy us all"
"Yes my child...rest...your brother is in custody and you are quite safe"
Father Zantus gives Ameiko a drink of water and she soon recovers enough to speak coherently.
"Child" says the priest indicating you "These brave souls were instrumental in preventing your brother from carrying out his plans..but let us not speak here in the dark."
A general consensus leads you back upwards locking each door between you and the tunnls below as you go. The watch sergeant seems profoundly relieved by this.
"Better the lads guard up here Sirs and ..err wolf. Down there they'd end up nervous as kittens"
Leaving the guard to watch over the glassworks you assemble in the back room of the Lazy Dragon..the establishment owned by Ameiko.
Seeing the poor state the woman was left in causes a growl to issue from ali's canine throat. She softly pads over to her and licks her face. She then leaps up on the bed near her, setting her head by her feet in a protective position, growling when any males, even Big Bear, come near her. It takes a few minutes of persuasion for her to allow the priest near enough to heal the girl. Once he does though and Ali sees that the woman is much recovered she gives the priest a face lick too after giving Amieko another one.
Back at the inn in Gnome form again, Ali listens with large eyes to the talk of all the big folk, paying close attention and trying to understand it all. She has much to think on as she retires for the night.
"Was the priest who presided at the funeral for her father the same one whose grave was robbed?"
When Ameiko seems more conscious, "Lady, perhaps when you are better...the morrow perhaps you can tell us of what evil your brother planned on taking?"
Once everyone is back at the Lazy Dragon, "Well it seems we have two choices before us? There is this Thistletop place where these Goblins seem to be or did I understand the journal in that a greater evil might reside below this town?"
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Zanthus looks strangely at Inakai
"Ah you came here after the fire didn't you? Father Tobyn WAS Nualia's father though not her blood father. The girl was found wandering near the town when she was two or three years old..she was beautiful in a strange and unearthly fashion and many in the town were jealous of her because of it.We had believed her dead in the fire though there was no evidence of her body...it would seem we were mistaken. But this...this twisting of herself into a servant of the Mother of Monsters The girl must be mad that is the only possible explanation"
To Muchorak he says
"Aye..Shalelu the ranger would tell you more of Thistletop were she here. It lies along the coast to the east I believe about two days march. As to the threat from this quasit...well knowing that a Demon lairs beneath the town is disturbing to say the least..who knows what perversions it is commiting below our feet as we speak"
"As I said.." the Mayor speaks up "..I cannot order you to do this but I can ensure that you are well rewarded for your services should you choose to investigate this threat to the town...I doubt the goblins would attack yet..they will be waiting word from Tsuto that his plan has succeeded. I suggest we all get a nights rest and reconvene here in the Morning when Ameiko might be able to cast more light on the subject. In the meantime...I can pay you an immediate reward of 200 gold for bringing Tsuto and the goblins to justice"
She places a satchel on the table.."It is little enough and the town is in your debt again. Now if you will excuse me I have some vermin to dispose off"
She rises and leaves as Bethana enters
"My Mistress is sleeping soundly but very distressed..she has said however that the house is open to those who rescued her..free room and board for all who desire it"
Zanthus looks strangely at Inakai
"Ah you came here after the fire didn't you? Father Tobyn WAS Nualia's father though not her blood father. The girl was found wandering near the town when she was two or three years old..she was beautiful in a strange and unearthly fashion and many in the town were jealous of her because of it.We had believed her dead in the fire though there was no evidence of her body...it would seem we were mistaken. But this...this twisting of herself into a servant of the Mother of Monsters The girl must be mad that is the only possible explanation"
"Yes, I came here just before the fire."
"I'm sorry, I was confused when I asked my question. Was Father Tobyn the one who presided at the funeral for Ameiko's mother?"
Ali, scrunching her cute little face in an attempt to understand everything that's going on, finally looks to her packmates and says
"If'm bad guy under town, we needum Killem! Yes yes?"
"Yes, we kill the bad man. But first we rest so are strong to fight."
"Agreed, so we shall meet at dawn." Muchorak gathers up the satchel of gold, turns to Bethana, "Perhaps some food would be in order? What is this nights special?"
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In answer to Inakai's question Father Zanthus nods slowly
"Yes he was..poor fellow it was his last act as a priest. She was buried the afternoon before the fire. We had so many tragedies that year..first the unpleasantness, then the unfortunate accident that took Lady Kaijutsu and then the fire. The town has just recovered.. that was what the festival was supposed to celebrate..the fact that we had finally healed after five long years."
He sighs
"It would appear however that a new cycle of troubles is just beginnng..and now my friends I must bid you goodnight. I will endeavour to find some information on the habits and nature of Quasits and let you know the results of my enquiries tomorrow"
In answer to Inakai's question Father Zanthus nods slowly
"Yes he was..poor fellow it was his last act as a priest. She was buried the afternoon before the fire. We had so many tragedies that year..first the unpleasantness, then the unfortunate accident that took Lady Kaijutsu and then the fire. The town has just recovered.. that was what the festival was supposed to celebrate..the fact that we had finally healed after five long years."
"What is this Unpleasantness you speak of?"
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Zantus looks pained about having to speak about this subject but explains the story
Spoilered for length
building in town. Stoot never made a carving without securing permission,
but his incredible skill at woodcarving made it a given that, if
Stoot picked your building as the site of his latest project, you seized the opportunity. “Sporting a Stoot” soon grew to be something of
a bragging point, and Jervis eventually extended his gift to include
ship figureheads and carriages. Those who asked or tried to pay him
for his skill were rebuffed—Stoot told them, “There ain’t no birds in
that wood for me t’set free,” and went on his way, often wandering
the streets for days before noticing a hidden bird in a fencepost,
lintel, steeple, or doorframe, which he’d then secure permission to
“release” with his trusty hatchets and carving knives.
Stoot’s excuse for wanting to move onto the isle seemed innocent
enough—the place was a haven for local birdlife, and his claim
of “Wantin’ ta be with th’ birds” seemed to make sense. So much
so, in fact, that the guild of carpenters (with whom Stoot had maintained a friendly competition for several years) volunteered to
build a staircase, free of charge, along the southern cliff face so
that Stoot could come and go from his new home with ease. For 15
years, Stoot lived on the island. His trips into town grew less and
less frequent, making it something of an event when he chose a
building to host a new Stoot.
Sandpoint was no stranger to crime, or even to murder. Once
or twice a year, passions fl ared, robberies went bad, jealousy grew
too much to bear, or one too many drinks were drunk, and someone
would end up dead. But when the bodies began to mount fi ve years
ago, the town initially had no idea how to react. Sandpoint’s sheriff
at the time was a no-nonsense man named Casp Avertin, a retired
city watch offi cer from Magnimar. Yet even he was ill-prepared for
the murderer who came to be known as Chopper. Over the course
of one long winter month, it seemed that every day brought a new
victim to light. Each was found in the same terrible state: bodies
bearing deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and feet severed and
stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongue plucked crudely from the
head and missing entirely.
Over the course of that terrible month, Chopper claimed 25
victims. His uncanny knack at eluding traps and pursuit quickly
wore on the town guard, taking particular toll on Sherrif Avertin,
who increasingly took to drinking. In any event, Sherrif Avertin
himself became Chopper’s last victim, slain upon catching the
murderer in a narrow lane—known now as Chopper’s Alley—as
he was mutilating his latest victim. Yet in the battle that followed,
Avertin managed a telling blow against the killer. When the town
guard found both bodies several minutes later, they were able to
follow the killer’s bloody trail.
A trail that led straight to the stairs of Stoot’s Rock.
At first, the town guard refused to believe the implications, and
feared that Chopper had come to claim poor Jervis Stoot as his
26th victim. Yet what the guards found in the modest home atop
the isle, and in the larger complex of rooms that had been carved
into the bedrock below, left no room for doubt. Jervis Stoot and
Chopper were the same, and the eyes and tongues of all 25 victims
were found upon a horrifi c altar to a birdlike demon whose name
none dared speak aloud. Stoot himself was found dead at the base
of the altar, having plucked his own eyes and tongue loose in a
final off ering. The guards collapsed the entrance to the chambers,
burned Stoot’s house, tore down the stairs, and did their best to
forget. Stoot himself was burned on the beach in a pyre, his ashes
blessed and then scattered in an attempt to stave off an unholy
return of his evil spirit.
All that remains today of the once-loved Stoot carvings are
ragged scars on buildings and figureheads where owners used
hatchets to remove what had become a haunting reminder of a
wolf in their fold.
"A month later the fire swept through the Cathederal...people thought the town was cursed...it was a ad time ..a very sad time"
"And now I must get on..I have much work to do before I can retire..Come visit me in the morning"
with that he leaves
With wide eyes trying to follow the incredible and horrible story the priest weaves, Ali eventually notices her 'friend'...she is trying out this new word...is not seeming well. She moves closer to him and put's her tiny hand on his larger one, patting it then leaving it there.
She says in a quiet voice "You feel bad Icki?" (She has not yet mastered the pronunciation of his name) "What wrong?" she then cuddles up to him and leans her head against his shoulder, much as a dog or cat would and looks up at him with her big eyes, waiting to help him however she can.
With wide eyes trying to follow the incredible and horrible story the priest weaves, Ali eventually notices her 'friend'...she is trying out this new word...is not seeming well. She moves closer to him and put's her tiny hand on his larger one, patting it then leaving it there.
She says in a quiet voice "You feel bad Icki?" (She has not yet mastered the pronunciation of his name) "What wrong?" she then cuddles up to him and leans her head against his shoulder, much as a dog or cat would and looks up at him with her big eyes, waiting to help him however she can.
"This all happened just as I came to Sandpoint. It brings up bad memories."
Sensing he doesn't really want to talk about it and not being socially sophisticated enough to try and bring it out of him Ali simply says
"Oh...no good times before time? But now here time, yes? And Icki now Ali's..fre-end, yes yes? So no feel bad Icki, Ali keep her new fre-end Icki safe from bad times" And she'll grab his arm with her other hand and cuddle-hug it.
Seeing Inikai discomfort with the conversation, Muchorak watchings the proceedings between him and Wolf Spirit. When their words seem at an end Muchorak walks over to Inikai places a hand on his shoulder, "Wee cho me quah fner kar jini grea, muci tyrnal lae swae chok tuy muc grea kuai parn trea mu-quari."
He tighten's his grip, nods to Inikai, then returns to his seat.
After enjoying a small meal, Muchorak will take the room offered.
"Thank you, my friends, I can't express how much your words and companionship mean to me."
"As my mother's people know: 'We endure'."
"We need to get Tsuto's possessions examined. By the way, where is he being held?"
When it comes time to retire Ali will follow where she is led to her room and will enter. Not understanding the purpose of most of the things in the room she will poke and prod curiously. Intelligence Check (1d20=4). Barely understanding the purpose of the bed she will lie on it and then the floor tring to get comfortable. Eventually she will make her way quietly outside and find some small clearing or tree and make her self comfortable for the night in more familiar surroundings.
"Normally, I would sleep in my own home but I worry that agents of Tsuto and this Nualia might lay in ambush. I most gratefully accept your offer of a room, ma'am."
"Tomorrow we need to decide whether we will hunt the goblins or explore the tunnel."
You follow Bethana to your rooms. As you move through the common room you notice two people who stand out..A young woman dressed in black with a petulant look about her gives you a 'what are you looking at'sort of look and a Priest of Nethys sits reading a scroll in the corner.
"Do you recognize either of those two there? I remember others who fought near us when the goblins raided the town. A few of them moved on before the fighting stopped. Perhaps they played a part as well."
"I recognize neither of them," Muchorak sneers, "Though the woman would be initiating a challenge in my homeland with a look of such!"
It is evident in his demeanor that Muchorak is restraining some sort of action, an action not suitable for 'civilized' lands.
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Marak is on his guard in this unfamiliar town, which is ironic, considering how much safer it probably is than the sorts of places he grew up frequenting in Absalom, and so his head perks up from the rubbings of Thassilonian runes he is examining, when others seem to be talking about him.
Seeing the leather-armored tribesman with twin blades, he quickly marks him as a warrior of some sort, probably a berserker, if the rumors about their fierce fighting styles are true, while the chain-shirted fellow with the morning star seems to his eyes an obvious fellow cleric, although he doesn't see a holy symbol prominently displayed, so his faith remains a mystery.
'Still, adventurous sorts, and if any would know more of these ruins in my dreams, it would be a tribesman who may have grown up among their shadows.' he thinks.
He raises his mug towards the speakers, and then frowns as he notices that it appears to have gone empty...
As Ali accompanies her friends through the main room (before her eventual escape to outdoors) she notices the two interesting people in the room. Upon siting the man in the corner and seeing his tattoo’s she pulls on Big Bear’s shirt and says “Big Bear! Lookie! Him havum marks on hands like you! What mean? Himum you packmate too?” \
When she notices the girl Ali has a small start at first. The young woman is beautiful but the wild druid has never seen someone cover themselves up with such dark paint on their face like that before. And the female’s look doesn’t help matters any either. Ali decides she doesn’t like the b*tch (used more purely…but not completely…in the natural from Ali would think in. She doesn’t know such words however ;-) and growls slightly in her throat and moves to stand protectively in front of Her males as they begin to pass through the room.
Kallie had been scanning the room, waiting patiently for any group of people to come through that looked like the sort that were causing so much talk in Sandpoint lately. She thought they were staying here at least. She had ordered a glass of wine, in the finest looking glass they had in fact, that had remained untouched until the right moment. Every little bit helps, she thought. It'll help you come across as refined and make your presence here seem casual. Maybe. Just for Desna's sake don't choke on it! Gods, they are here, right?
She had begun strumming her fingers until a serving girl came in, apparently leading some people through the room. She immediately stopped and straightened in her seat, holding her glass casually and delicately in one hand while keeping her eyes on the open book before her on the table. When she could make out three people coming into the room on the edge of her sight, she raised her head slowly as if something had casually caught her interest. Alright, stay aloof. Look vaguely interested, but don't goggle at them like some slack-jawed bumpkin. Look tough and make them think you're measuring them up, to see if they're worth your time! You can do this! She slowly brought her half-lidded gaze over to them. Okay, they seem likely. One of them looks...kind of familiar. He might be from around here. The other two though...oh damn. They're looking back. Kallie nearly lost her nerve when she saw the expression on their faces. The big one seemed unpleased, and the way the gnome was eyeing her...Desna's sake, was she growling?
Praying she didn't let her surprise show, Kaliciel slowly brought her glass to her lips, trying to keep an aloof look in her eyes as she turned them from the group. That's right, don't let them see you're afraid. Certainly not of the man who looks like he could break your neck with his bare hands or the gnome that might have been raised by wolves... Kallie wanted to tell her brain to shut up and that it wasn't helping, but she continued to sip her wine and casually flipped through her book, as if the passing group was of no real interest to her.
Just let them pass, just let them...oh damn it. You were supposed to approach them, stupid! She wondered if it might be best to ask around about them before trying again, if they continued to pass her by. Wait, that priest raised his mug to them! Maybe he knows something!
Muchorak continues to stare back at the challenging woman, "He is not of my people Wolf Spirit." Seeing the female turn her gaze Muchorak's chest proudly protudes as if he had won some warriors duel, an expression he recalls has no bearing in this land...but he will not forsake his homeland rituals.
Muchorak looks at the strange man lifting his mug and to Wolf Spirit, "His markings I do not know, but many in this land have markings of the Chorli.
Big Bear can see the uncertainty on her face as she replies to him "Ali not know. But she want see what 'Room' is? Better for sleep than Outside?" She seems quite skeptical at this last.
Seeing the woman turn away Ali also feels that she has won dominance rights over her and the Gnome smiles and giggles quietly behind her hand
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Inakai spots a familiar figure beckoning him across the common room..it's his old friend Ilsoari
"Ha Inakai, I hear you have been busy these last few days and I hear also that you have some items which might require some clarification as to their purpose"
Marak...
Kali...
Ilsoari fishes about his person spilling an eclectic selection of objects onto the table in front of him and finally picking up a somewhat bedraggled owl feather from the pile.
"Now all we need is some wine...Bethana if you would be so kind..it doesnt have to be the best in the house any old plonk will do"
Bethana rolls her eyes but trots off to find the wine coming back shortly with a rough red in a goblet. Ilsoari smiles his thanks and turns back to the party.
"Now then may I see the items in question?"
Doing Magic in a crowded Inn seems not to bother him in the least.
Kallie spied her old teacher out of the corner of her eye. Oh, so old Ilsoari knows this man? she thought, smiling to herself. Change of plans then. The priest can wait, because I just found a much stronger lead.
She waited patiently for the man to conclude his business and retire, keeping ready to catch Ilsoari and speak with him before he left or sank to deeply into his drink to be of any help. Still, it would probably be best to speak with the priest if I have the chance later.
Inakai spots a familiar figure beckoning him across the common room..it's his old friend Ilsoari
"Ha Inakai, I hear you have been busy these last few days and I hear also that you have some items which might require some clarification as to their purpose"
Marak...** spoiler omitted **
Kali...** spoiler omitted **
Ilsoari fishes about his person spilling an eclectic selection of objects onto the table in front of him and finally picking up a somewhat bedraggled owl feather from the pile.
"Now all we need is some wine...Bethana if you would be so kind..it doesnt have to be the best in the house any old plonk will do"
Bethana rolls her eyes but trots off to find the wine coming back shortly with a rough red in a goblet. Ilsoari smiles his thanks and turns back to the party.
"Now then may I see the items in question?"
Doing Magic in a crowded Inn seems not to bother him in the least.
"Ilsoari! It is great to see you. How are you and the children faring? I apologize for not stopping in to check on all of you but these days have confusing, indeed!
"Please bring some fine wine, on me."
"Perhaps we should find a quiet corner before examining the items. We can't be sure who is watching. They might be sypathasizer of our foes."
Muchorak looks at Wolf Spirit, "Resting within may provide better safety. These lands of the civilized tribes have created monsters that would not be found in our homelands. Monsters that are not right in the natural world." Muchorak pauses to see if the information has sunk into Wolf Spirit, "If you prefer to rest outside I would ask to join you, one thing is common in my homeland and any land, strength is in numbers."
When we move over the man that Inakai knows about identifying the items found if Inikai doesn't provide up the bow he will kindly remind him of that as well.
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Ilsoari looks at Inakai and raises an eyebrow.."The wine isn't for drinking boy....but I'll happily drink to your health in the good stuff later"
He leads you over to a quiet table..Bethana still brings a goblet of the rough common stuff along with a bottle of the good wine.She has obviously done this before.
The ring and bottle are produced..Ilsoari begins by opening the bottle and sniffing it then tastes a little with his finger...
"Hmm yes..well that's just your common or Garden healing potion.. nothing special there. I drank many like it in my younger days"(potion of Cure Light Wounds)
He then proceeds to pick up the ring and mutter some seeming nonsense words whilst stirring the rougher wine with the feather. He turns the ring over with his fingers staring at it for some time..
"This ring will augment your resistance to damage somewhat but only by a slight amount"(ring of protection +1)
Ilsoari carefully pats the feather dry then returns it and his other junk to his pockets.
"Ilsoari, do you know about the accident that killed Lady Kaijitsu?"