Shulme fails to note the soldier rushing up behind him in time to bring his spear into play, but the errant blade ringing off his armor alerts him quickly to the danger. The sorcerer glances warily behind him, looking for a better route to retreat, but hemmed in by undergrowth he allows himself to be backed up against the riderless horses as he strikes back at the swordsman.
Cain slices into Captain Varning, the wound causing blood to spurt out from around his armor. He brings his shield up just in time to fend off the teeth that Cain attempts to sink into him, an unusual tactic for an ogre for sure.
Alaric steps forward and finishes another of the rangers, stepping forward in slow steps towards his next target.
Shulme's initial attack as the soldier comes in misses, but his next strike connects, impaling him.
"Focus your attacks on the ogre! There his something strange about him, he may be feral!" Both of the remaining rangers follow Varning's lead as they attempt to quickly bring down their target. One of the ranger's manages a lucky strike, nearly impaling Cain through. . The other fails to connect. Varning himself manages a solid blow, his follow up not so well.
V P
R1 Cain ;
R2 Cain ;
V Cain ;
V Cain ;
R1 Cain CC ;
The grey bordered Bugbears move in and attack. They first on the capain, the second on the ranger that he threatens. They provoke attacks of opportunity.
Attack 1 Damage
Attack 2 Damage
The red bordered Bugbears move into position, but are unable to attack this round. They may provoke attacks of opportunity.
The ogre swung it's heavy hook across in a sideways arc right into the glue-covered knight. It swung so hard that it threw itself off balance a little and ended up staggering to it's left.
"Focus your attacks on the ogre! There his something strange about him, he may be feral!"
"You have no idea, bub!" Cain growls, the words clumsily formed by a tongue never meant to use the human language.
He takes the two strikes with a roar before returning his own stroke... this one a vicious swing leveled to cleave the Captain's mount's forelegs off.
"Bugbears! Get the other riders! None escape!"
.
.
As the bugbears move up, Varning deals one a strike in the shoulder, drawing blood and causing his attack to miss. The other bugbears move into position, one attempting to unseat another ranger but failing to connect.
The ogre moves up and strikes the glue covered knight, easily score a powerful hit, one the man absorbs as best able, though the cracking of bones a sure sign he felt it.
Cain brings his scimitar across the front of Varning's horse, not only managing to sheer the front legs off but bringing the blade up and severing through half the neck, killing the horse instantly. As the steed falls, Varning nimbly leaps off even in his armor, a practiced maneuver. As he lands he turns aside another bite from the 'ogre'. "I'll have your head on my wall before this is done, abomination!"
V AoO ;
R AoO ;
V R
Fate
Striding forward, Alaric shows the barest of concern for the rider's impending attack, holding out his hand like he's expecting him to hand him the strike. He flicks his shield into position, nimbly sidesteps and then swings his bastard sword into the rider's knee like a petulant child forced to cut wood. It's a brutal blow, turned aside from severing his leg by the rider's armor and likely Alaric's apathetic sword style.
Shulme lifts his spear, impaled soldier and all, and with a quick violent motion flings the corpse from the point. A crunch of bone can be heard as the unfortunate Talirean strikes a nearby boulder and slumps into a messy heap at its base.
The lean Osirian turns and stalks towards the remaining few soldiers, pausing briefly near Cain and incanting an ancient word of command.
A small bit of the sorcerer's shadow detaches and takes a life of its own, crawling towards Cain's blade and gathering around it. The falchion's edge begins to gleam faintly through the shadowy strands, and the entire weapon acquires an air of suppressed energy to those who look upon it, resonating subtly in sympathy with something in the pit of the stomach.
The ogre punches the horse in the butt with the back end of his hook.
"Move, stupid horse!"
Shulme casts his spell, the shadow causing fear to creep on the remaining soldiers face. Varning himself looks upon it, his face becoming grim. "I know not what you do, nor why. But I will bring you down with me! Recessus*!!" As the Captain calls out in Celestial, the other soldier quickly mounts the horse and attempts to barrel through Cain while the Captain keeps him otherwise engaged.
Meanwhile Captain Varning comes in, attempting to quickly bring down the ogre Cain.
R FM
R OV
CV v Cain ;
CV v Cain ;
The ogre punches the horse in the butt with the back end of his hook.
[dice=Attack]1d20+7
[dice=Damage]1d10+7"Move, stupid horse!"
Cain's teeth respond to the advance of the rider, lunging at the man's throat.
Cain sinks his teeth into the soldier, ripping him off the mount with ease. Varning curses when he sees what unfolds.
The western red bugbear moves and attacks the ranger, missing in his haste.
Attack Damage
The grey Bugbear also attacks the ranger.
Attack Damage
As does the Eastern red Bugbear.
Attack Damage
Alaric takes a step forward into the brush, dropping his sword onto the ground and drawing a javelin. He aims it like a dart and sends it flying into the fray.
It goes completely wide, and Alaric shrugs.
Cain snarls as the human's sword bites into his hide once again, and he lashes out with blade and tooth once more. "Down to you, big man!"
The ogre moves in and screams, swinging wide his club and causing the horses to scatter. Meanwhile the bugbears charge the captain, who easily shrugs off not only their blows, but also the javelin thrown by Alaric. In the end though, Cain brings his falchion down once again to finally end the captain's life, removing his head in the process.
masterwork lance, masterwork composite shortbow (+3 Str), 20 arrows, longsword, dagger, masterwork full plate, MW heavy steel shield with personal heraldry (Glows magic), key to his room (4.)
lance, longsword, dagger, composite shortbow (+2 Str), 20 arrows Other Gear riding horse (combat trained), chain shirt, 7 gp (Each), 2 week’s rations, bedroll, tinderbox, waterskin, rain cloak
Alaric catches the captain's head with his foot, and appraises it. With a swept kick, he sends it knocking into the brush-- then points for a bugbear to go retrieve it.
"That was an exhilarating little romp," he says with a laugh. "It's not often that I'm one of the least dangerous people in the room." He ignores that he's actually standing in a field, but shrugs. "Someone should get those wounds looked at."
Alaric turns to the horses and points, then at the corpses. He regards the bugbears. "Get these bodies stripped and their belongings on their horses. You bugbears like steel? You can keep their longswords, daggers, and anything else with a Talirean symbol etched on it. Touch the captain and you lose a limb. Drag feet and it'll be worse."
He pulls his sword out of the dirt, swiping it in his cloak before sheathing it.
The ogre illusion melts off the towering wolf-beast as the captain's body slumps headless to the ground, and the massive predator spends a few more seconds searching for another target.
When none presents itself, he bites the air once, drops of blood flipping out into the air, then he rests back on his haunches…. the fight seemingly going out of him.
"That was an exhilarating little romp," he says with a laugh. "It's not often that I'm one of the least dangerous people in the room." He ignores that he's actually standing in a field, but shrugs. "Someone should get those wounds looked at."
Still sucking wind, the wolf responds in his muddled voice, "I won't say no to some healin', but let's get this mess squared away first." His yellow eyes, fatigue heavy in them, regard the massive human, "You know how to use that polearm of a sword, I'll give ya that. And I'd give ya a rough time for how slow you are in all that armor, but you're not the one bleedin' yer guts out onto these rocks." He rolls his shoulders in a tired shrug, "You kill Talingardes well enough, though, and that's not nothin'."
He looks over at Shulme and gives a lupine grin, "I'd say you did well, but we all know you can kill sh!t with the best of 'em."
The Bugbear in question follows Alaric's finger with his eyes. Get it yourself. We were told to help kill some humans. They are dead. We are done.
The Bugbear in question follows Alaric's finger with his eyes. Get it yourself. We were told to help kill some humans. They are dead. We are done.
Alaric stares at him for a moment. Startlingly, he laughs. "In what world do you think you can give me that kind of tone? In what world do you think -you- helped -me?-" His tone is incredulous.
"I didn't hear any complaints when you dug the pit." He points a second time. "I like humor. Try again, though, and I'll snatch the life right from you."
The bugbear looks as if it wants to talk but finally goes and fetches the head without saying a word.
Cain, who had been in the middle of standing back up to face the bugbear, stops and settles back down... a considering look on his tired face.
The sorcerer pays the bugbears so little heed that they might not have been present at all, but he acknowledges Cain's compliment with a nod.
"We should not linger here, though. Let us take what we wish and begone."
He bends his attention to healing the wolf-man's wounds in preparation for their departure, and mutters a few lesser charms.
Aldencross, shortly after midnight
Our three villains enter Aldencross, making their way back to the inn, avoiding guard patrols as they go. Earlier explorations give them a relatively safe path back. Getting back into the inn is a relatively task.
Friend,I know what you are. I know what they did to you. I don't know what you've done to yourself, but there's a foulness about you know. I don't care what you are in town for, I only want to protect my pack and kin. If you want to learn more, visit the alchemist Valens. Tell him you want to talk about an old Belle named Donna. He'll understand, and he's a friend.
I come to you as kin, and because I know what the loss feels like. I will try to help you. Do not make me regret this.
A friend.
The Alchemist's Shop
Cain and Alaric approaches Valen's shop at the end of a street, on the edge of town. The building is old, but appears to be in good repair, the sign above announcing it as The Floral Remedy. A variety of plants grow outside the shop, well maintained and a lovely sight. A small fence grows outside the plants.
As you approach, you identify many of the plants to have either some form of curative property or some other use, such as flavoring food. A rare few, while helpful in a small dose, could become potentially lethal in a large dose.
Opening the doorway, a bell rings and the inside of the shop has numerous shelves filled with a variety of small jars containing a variety of alchemical substances, as well as alchemical equipment itself. A moment after the bell rings, a man comes from the back room, removing thick gloves that he carefully sets aside as he approaches the counter. "How can I help you gentlemen?"
Third Eye Oddities
Xanos enters Third Eye Oddities, the owner Regis operating the counter as he has many times before. As you enter he jovially greets you.
Balentyne
Oathday, 5 Gozran 4712
Another day like any other, the only deviation a slight misting rain falling upon the town. Everything seems peaceful as you all awake, though events will see how peaceful they remain. Two soldiers from Balentyne riding down the road, Kaitlyn Mott riding between them, is enough confirmation that Price's plan had some degree of success.
Thoughts go to the small information provided by your fellow inside the fortress. A simple note to be tucked underneath Franz Mott's door, simply stating the truth. That Captain Eddarly and his wife were having an affair. The note was to be slipped early this morning by a careful servant in the keep, Milla.
As you all arise to go about whatever tasks you so decide, you quickly learn by word traveling as fast as gossip travels of the success of your plan.
Early in the morn, Mott must have indeed found the note. Coming back from his shift, the word is he stormed into Eddarly's room, ransacking the place looking for any clue. In the back of a wardrobe, he found what he needed. A stack of letters in the hand of Kaitlyn, her perfume coming off them. Captain Mott was furious.
The two Captains argued back and forth while another servant fetched Lord Havelyn. The Lord dressed quickly and rushed to the scene, hoping to stop things before they escalated beyond reason. Alas, this was not meant to be. He came upon the scene, Eddarly lifeless on the floor. Captain Mott stood kneeling beside him, his bloodied blade on the floor. The stern man cried into his hands for what he had done in rage.
The servants nearby told him the way of it, of how the two men dueled unto death for their honor. In the end, Captain Mott was the superior. But it mattered not. In the Kingdom of Talingarde, Dueling unto Death had one punishment. To be sent to Branderscar, and to face the headman's axe.
Captain Mott was put into chains, to be sent away the next morning. Captain Eddarly was to be laid to rest later that afternoon. Captain Varning was late returning from patrol. All that remained was Captain Barhold, working long shifts to keep things running smoothly beneath Lord Havelyn. Truly a disaster, the only thanks to be given to Iomedae that the bugbears north of the Watchwall had no way to penetrate Balentyne's defenses.
"Greetings. I am interested in your catalog of scrolls. Your shop was recommended highly." Father Locke said with a peaceful smile.
Cain avoids touching his hidden silver kukri stashed in his boot.
Cain scans the shop for a few seconds before answering, his suspicious nature coming to the fore.
He looks at the man, "You Valens? I was told to come see a man named Valens."
Milla hums silently to herself as she deftly lets out a uniform and mulls over the day's events. Things were proceeding well. Eddarly was worm-food, Mott was about to experience the hospitality of whatever was left of Branderscar, and Varning was late. With luck, her compatriots were the cause of that - hopefully fatal - delay. Price couldn't be sure, of course, and took great pains to ensure she wasn't involved in the team's machinations. Ignorance and plausible deniability were her best defenses in case the powers-that-be in Balentyne tried to truth-read her.
Price was fascinated by the emotional ripples caused by the duel - the shock, the hushed whispers, the mourning. It struck her as odd that so many people would be unnerved by a little blood-letting. Her one regret was that she wasn't able to see Mrs. Mott receive the news that her lover was dead, her husband disgraced and locked up, and that she would be universally reviled as the architect of the tragedy.
Price allows herself a tiny satisfied smile that quickly vanishes. Should I attend Edderly's funeral? It might be a chance to lay eyes on the elusive castle leadership.
Valen's Shop
The man looks at Cain. "I am alchemist Valens. How can I help you?"
So yea. Nervous, defensive, apprehensive. You have a feeling he knows exactly who you are, and is ready to defend himself if necessary, though you don't feel any hostility towards you.
Yet below at this is an even stronger presence, one of curiosity, and of what you feel is pity.
Among the many plants and herbs, you do indeed find Wolfsbane, as well as several which makes it difficult to track by smell, even if your scent was as strong as it was before.
Third Eye Oddities
"Certainly sir, anything in particular you would like?"
Cain holds up the folded note, "No need to be antsy, there, bud. A friend left me a note. I figured we could chat about an old belle named Donna?"
"Donna. I well remember Donna, that I do. Let me lock up the shop and we can talk over some tea. And don't worry, you don't need a key to open it from this side." Valens says the last bit, seeming to reassure you won't be trapped in the building.
Going to the front of the building he locks the shop, putting out a sign stating closed. He then puts a pot of water on a wood stove in the back, stoking the flames a bit. "I'd gather that you should have a wound, somewhere near the heart. Probably stings like silver. Sound about right?"
It's Cain's turn to be uncomfortable. And while he can seem emotionally stoic at times, intentionally hiding his emotions was never one of his strengths.
He rubs his chest without thinking. "Something like that." He scowls at the pot of water, "So you done this before? For yourself? And was this your note?" He idly tries to see if there is a ledger or something of the man's in easy reach… some way to see if the handwriting matches the note.
Valens goes about preparing the tea as he speaks, "My brother was the one who figured out to remove the taint that keeps you like that. Taught it to me before he died. I've only seen three others like you, and only one of them survived the process."
The tea ready, he pours two cups, passing one to you as he takes a sip. "First let me explain a few things. That wound, it's a poison. It looks like it's healed, and most would never see anything normal about it. Not unless they examined it during a full moon. Then they'd see just how dark it truly is. Let it go, eventually it'll kill you, attacking your heart. It's a painful way to go."
He takes another sip before continuing, "However they administered it to you, it only works on purebloods, not those we bless. They don't care much as long as it ends us."
His cup drained, he fills it again, "The choice is up to you. I can try to reverse it, give you back your full strength. But it has to be done during a full moon, so you've got about three more weeks to wait until I can. And the ritual's not cheap. I'll provide what I can, but I'll need a few grams of powdered silver . That's on you. And it's not guaranteed to work. Hell, it might kill you."
He puts the cup down. "Interested?"