In a divided Cheliax, the devil worshipping royal house Thrune sends one of their members to the free spirited city of Kintargo to ensure their loyalty to the Queen. But four individuals are ready to fight back...
"F~~~!" Kal announces to her companions, followed by her familiar repeating the phrase. She looks at the man who struck her, seeing that her options are incredibly limited, much like her current ability to continue fighting.
She blinks a few times, regains her senses as much as she can, and raises a hand to the man. She casts Daze on him. "Desna, you'd better be with me here."
The thug's mind completely clouds with Kal's casting of the spell. Kal asked Desna, and Desna answered. Kal takes her chance and moves away from the thugs, into safety!
Shiba hardens his heart and claps a hand on Zacarias's shoulder as he passes on his right, stepping over the fresh corpse.
"Thank you, my friend. Stand strong. We will not falter. I must go to aid the wounded."
He moves closer to Kal to give her a brief assessment and grimaces. "Your wounds are dire, but I can't treat them just yet; my power still lingers in you and I cannot heal you that way again. Once we can rest, I have the tools to treat your wounds mundanely."
He continues across the battlefield with his eyes set on the critically wounded man surrounded by the unconscious and the dying. He ghosts a hand over Joachim's shoulder, lighting the tiefling up with healing energy.
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
"A balm for your wounds. We must save who we can." His mouth twists at the sight of the unconscious thugs near him. "Those that are worthy of mercy, at least."
The thugs, seeing two of their number get taken down in an instant, look at each other. Hackett shows fear in his eyes.
"B-bastards... I'll get you for this..."
He then attempts to flee, along with the others.
Joachim and Zacarias may each take an Attack of Opportunity if you so choose! Aside from that, unless you really want to kill these guys, the combat is now over!
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Skald 1 | HP: 9/9 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: +2, CMD: 13 | F: +3, R: +1, W: +2; +1 vs Mind Affecting effects | Init: +1 | Perc: +4 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 0/2 | Active conditions: None.
Don't you dare still threaten us you piece of shit!
Zacarias drops his hammer and grabs Hackett by his shirt. You won't get me or anyone else for this you hear me? If I ever see you again, I'll make you wish I killed you here on the spot!
Joachim regards the fleeing thugs, rage subsiding. He turns towards the healer and gives him a curt nod.
"Thanks for the magic hands."
He continues onto the lax form of the man they just rescued.
"I have seen this man before, can we take him somewhere where he'll be safer and where I can ask him some questions?".
The man offers thanks for Shiba's healing, and slowly gets up, groaning.
"Thank you, my good man. I was just trying to get some distance from Aria Park after the protest went south, when suddenly I was accosted by these deplorable 'concerned citizens'. They cornered me and-"
As he gets up and takes a good look at his rescuers, he falls silent but his face betrays extreme delight.
"You! You were the one I saw at the Night of Ashes!" he says, looking at Joachim. His eyes then turn to Zacarias. "And you were the one who united the protesters!"
After this burst of excitement, he manages to compose himself, clears his throat, and addresses the four of you.
"Clearly I am in the presence of greats. My business today was to meet with the good sir over here," he says, motioning at Joachim, "but I feel like this meeting was fate, and would like to extend my invitation to the three of you as well. I know a place where we can speak amongst ourselves without needing to worry about someone... unfavorable listening in. Is that alright with all of you?"
"A quiet place to lay low for a time would be good." Shiba looks over at Kal and frowns thoughtfully. "I have my gear with me to treat wounds, but the procedure will take some time." His smile, when it shows, is vulpine with wry amusement. "I do hope you're not squeamish, but if you are, Desna has blessed me with a spell to take your mind off of the discomfort while I work."
The man frowns at Shiba's banter. "Uh... The place we're going to is a bookstore, so I'm sure the owner would prefer if no surgeries took place there." He then lets out a hearty laugh. "You all clearly are a curious ensemble! Anyhow, let's be off!"
The five of you (well, six including Kal's eloquent familiar) take a route plotted out by Rexus. The bookstore isn't far, but your trip is a bit long nonetheless, in the interest of keeping a wide berth of the Opera House and Aria Park. But after a while, you find yourself inside a back room of Crissali's Fine Tomes. Each of you is offered a cup of water, and Rexus clears his throat before he starts speaking.
“Thank you again for that timely rescue. Truth is, I've been meaning to contact some of you eventually. You have proven yourselves to be people of uncommon skill, and I am a man of uncommon needs."
“My name is Rexus Victocora, and until last week’s Night of Ashes, I was one of this city’s nobles. My parents’ estate burned to the ground that night—I escaped simply because I was studying at the Alabaster Academy during the fire. There were other fires that night, as you know—fires that many believe were started by Barzillai Thrune or his agents in an attempt to squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have.
“Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune’s actions have driven into hiding those who would stay strong and resist. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourselves, I have hope that we can. Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?”
Shiba considers the proposition for a long moment. The Night of Ashes, the planted dissidents at the protest, the disappearances he had heard only rumors of... something was terribly rotten in the heart of Kintargo. He wonders at the extent of the potential conspiracy, the disparate events that could actually be linked together. A pattern to unveil.
"I have dedicated my life to the people of this city. They welcomed me when I was young, and cared for me when I was lonely. I could not turn my back on them, and I fear Thrune will only escalate... especially after the spell being cast at him at the protest. If you have contacts, an organization, or a plan, I am with you. A revolution cannot be done on hope alone, Rexus."
Kal leans against a wall, a wave of nausea sweeping over her from her wounds.
"The devil. Of course. Just give me a light punch and I'll get down to hell and kill him in his home."
She half grins, half grimaces as she straightens and swallows her sarcasm, and a good amount of bile.
"Aye, I'm in. So long as we get another shot at Thrune."
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Skald 1 | HP: 9/9 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: +2, CMD: 13 | F: +3, R: +1, W: +2; +1 vs Mind Affecting effects | Init: +1 | Perc: +4 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 0/2 | Active conditions: None.
I would like to do a Knowledge roll on Rexus. Not him specifically but if I can recall anything about his family in general and their involvement in the city.
Knowledge Local/History/Nobility? (my bonus is the same):1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
"Barzillai must be stopped I think we can all agree on that. There's strength in numbers and we currently need all the strength we can get, so count me in." Zacarias extends his hand to Rexus to shake his.
"I wouldn't bank on finding Jilia or any other individual person though. If the resistance depends on one leader it'll be as easy to topple as the order in Kintargo was to begin with. But those are worries for later. For now I assume you have some sort of plan, considering you wanted to contact us and everything."
The Victocora family is known for anti-Thrune sentiments, but typically kept to themselves and did not occupy a large place in politics and the like.
Rexus responds to Zac's handshake, though the half-orc's grip vastly outmatches Rexus'.
"Well, I don't have an exact plan..." Rexus begins, "But I do have some first steps. I won't bore you with the details, but after the fire, I was approached by one of my mother's associates, a lady known as Laria Longroad. She gave me... My mother's inheritance, I guess. A letter and a coffer of valuables, the last things I have to remember her by..." He sighs and remains quiet for a bit, then clears his throat and immediately perks up.
"At least, for now! There's still a good chance she's gone in hiding! Anyhow, here's the letter."
He slides you the letter, hidden in a decorated envelope.
Rexus' Letter:
My dearest son, If you are reading this, what I have feared has come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s
secret history, and fear the time will soon come when the city needs the return of its Silver Ravens. You have likely not heard of the Silver Ravens—few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again. Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead.
The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site—the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself. Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the Silver Ravens and their legacy. Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!
He waits for you all to read the letter, and then continues.
"Until a few weeks before all this happened, I wasn't even sure of the Order's existence, let alone my mother's involvement! That's what gives me hope. I'm sure that, when Thrune's entourage arrived, that the Order went into hiding. They didn't find any bodies in the wreckage of my estate, either, so clearly they weren't there during the Night of Ashes.
But I digress. You didn't come here for a family tale. Here's what I wanted to propose. I was hoping the five of us could go and search for the cache in the livery. After that, I think you'll be interested in meeting miss Longroad. She's a little more well-versed in the art of resistance than I am. I'll admit I myself would make for a rather poor leader, ha-ha! But if you are all fine, I would like to head for the livery as soon as possible. Of course, feel free to ask any questions you might still have."
"Ah, regardless of your choice..." Rexus says while digging through one of his pouches, "At least allow me to give you this."
He puts two Potions of Cure Light Wounds on the table. "You have suffered wounds while saving me, the least I can do is offer my help in recovering from them. I have one more, but I'd like to hold onto it for exploring into the livery."
Kal takes a moment to register the potions on the table, but the moment she does, she snatches one up, downing it in moments.
Potion:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
She slams the empty vial on the table, wipes her mouth with her sleeve, and sighs with relief. "Right, that'll do. I'm ready," she says, even before the potion has finished mending her wounds.
Rexus nods at all of you. "Very well, let's be off. I must confess, I have no idea what lies in wait for us, but I am certain it'll be no match for the new Silver Ravens!"
He can barely contain his excitement, like a child in a candystore, but the candy is civil revolution.
"Ah, but before we leave, please accept this as payment up front. this is what remains of my mother's inheritance. I'm sure she'd be proud to know it got into the hands of people ready to fight for Kintargo."
Rexus pulls out several items from his many pockets, and after a short while, on the table in front of you lie:
150 GP
A Victocora signet ring, which Rexus explains should sell for 75 GP.
A masterwork silver dagger.
A set of bracers of armor +1.
Also, he shows you a small mithral key for a short while. "This was also in my mother's belongings, but I hope you won't mind if I keep this for myself. It has some sentimental value to me." Feel free to divide this between you all!
---
After this, all of you set out, silently moving through alleys and through the bustle of busy streets. It doesn't seem like the dottari are on the look for you all, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. After a while, you arrive.
The Fair Fortune Livery stands in Redroof, on the southern end of Kintargo, not far removed from the Devil's Nursery. It's clear from the outside that the building has been left abandoned for many, many years. The large stable doors are unlocked, partially opened and seem ready to fall apart at any moment.
A new map has been added to the battlemaps. Ladies and gentlemen, we are now officially Dungeoneering!
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Skald 1 | HP: 9/9 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: +2, CMD: 13 | F: +3, R: +1, W: +2; +1 vs Mind Affecting effects | Init: +1 | Perc: +4 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 0/2 | Active conditions: None.
Secret orders really aren't my crowd, but it's as good a place to start as any. Thank you for the lead Rexus!
Zacarias pats Rexus on the shoulder. After the items are laid out in front of them he turns to the others.
Does anyone object to me taking the bracers? I already seem to regularly find myself surrounded in a fight so I wouldn't mind some extra protection.
---
On his way to Fair Fortune Livery, Zacarias turns to Joachim. "Hey so.." Despite his immense curiosity, he isn't sure what questions to ask the tiefling about his mysterious powers. "...Spirits huh?"
Joachim flexes the metal prosthetic and gives a weary sigh.
"Yeah, ain't that something.
Let me tell you, it takes a special kind of man to make elbow length gloves glamorous and that man aint me."
Kal nods back, as does her bird. "Well, nobody's turned him into the government yet so he must be doing something right." She looks to her bird. "But don't you get above yourself just because we're called the Silver Ravens now, you hear?"
He gives no indication that he hears.
"Birds..." Kal shakes her head. "Right, I'm itching to get investigating this livery now. We all ready?"
Shiba considers the Livery doors carefully- it appears to be long-abandoned and in disrepair on the outside, but who could say for the interior?
"Curious that she would encourage gathering a cohort to investigate the Livery." Shiba murmurs to his companions. He draws the hood of his cloak up over his head and carries a crossbow in both arms. Unloaded, but ready. "There may be danger, or maybe she simply wanted witnesses. Who can say?" He shrugs and renews the Warding upon Zacarias, then enshrouds himself in an invisible shell of force.
Shiba has granted Ward to Zacarias (+2 Deflection AC, +2 Resistance Saves), and Mage Armor to himself (+4 AC).
With a huge crashing noise, the door slams open and you look into what used to be the main livery floor.
This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The air reeks of stale urine. Broken desks, scuffed tables, and torn chairs crowd the thirteen horse stalls, all of which are covered with a healthy layer of dust. A grated-off alcove along the southeast wall seems to house the only relatively intact wares.
You are not alone here, however. As soon as you open the door, three feral dogs stand up and loudly bark towards you. Two mutts and one mastiff. Without warning, the mastiff dashes towards you, marking the beginning of combat!
Initiative
Feral Mutts
Zacarias Shiba Kal
Rexus
Feral Mastiff
Joachim
As if following a leader, the smaller mutts get up on their feet and start running after the mastiff, barking loudly as they do. Clearly they're not in the mood for welcoming visitors.
Zacarias, Shiba and Kal may act!
Kal moves forwards, her raven taking off from her shoulder with a loud caw. She stops just behind Zacarias, and places a hand on his shoulder. A protective white light swirls from her palm and surrounds Zacarias, remaining around him as a faint glow.
Kal has cast Resistance on Zacarias, which means he gets a +1 resistance bonus on saves for the next minute.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Skald 1 | HP: 9/9 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: +2, CMD: 13 | F: +3, R: +1, W: +2; +1 vs Mind Affecting effects | Init: +1 | Perc: +4 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 0/2 | Active conditions: None.
"Well f~!@"Upon seeing what's waiting for the party inside the livery, Zacarias runs inside and closes one of the doors. "Alright stay behind me and get them if they manage to pass me by!"
Shiba takes a lucky shot that hits the mastiff, but the feral dog dashes on, unperturbed. It homes in on the closest 'intruder' it sees, which happens to be Zacarias, standing ready right after closing the doors in front of him!
Meanwhile, Rexus edges closer to the door, his hands slightly glowing as he banters. "I can't say I'm a fan of assaulting animals, but I fear we must act in our self-defense. Have at you, dog!"
Once the mastiff walks in range, he finishes forming his spell and attempts to cast Acid Splash on the mastiff.
Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Acid Damage:1d3 ⇒ 2
However, the spell fizzles out completely. "Right, right, don't talk and cast at the same time. My apologies!"
The mastiff, meanwhile, reaches Zacarias and attempts to bite into his leg.
Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Piercing Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Zacarias manages to deftly dodge this slightly awkward biting attempt with ease, however.
Decisively, Joachim moves into the doorway and towards the massive dog trying to bite Zacarias. While the dog is distracted, he attempts to grab it by the scruff of the neck and off the floor with his metal arm.
Joachim succesfully manages to grab the dog by the neck, keeping him restrained and restricting his movement and options considerably. However, the other dogs are fast approaching...
ROUND TWO:
Initiative
Feral Mutts
Zacarias Shiba Kal
Rexus
Joachim
Feral Mastiff
Enemy damage
Feral Mastiff: 4
Last round recap
The mutts get up to follow the mastiff towards the gang. Kal runs up to Zacarias and casts Resistance on him. Shiba shoots an arrow at the mastiff, followed by Zacarias closing one of the doors to bottleneck the dogs. The mastiff runs up to Zacarias and bites him to no avail, and Joachim responds by grappling the dog, holding him by the neck.
Currently active conditions
Feral Mastiff and Joachim are Grappled.
Zacarias has Resistance: +1 resistance bonus to saves for 9 more rounds
The two mutts dash towards the big figures blocking the door: one to Joachim, one to Zacarias. Both move in to bite!
Losing control of the dog, Joachim decides to take a different approach. Making himself as wide as possible he starts yelling and waving his arms, summoning his spectral dwarf companion who too starts waving his hands around in a red haze.
C'mon! Tiff off! Don't make me kick you in the haunches you sorry mutts!
Woof woof! Woof!
The tiefling's attempt to scare the dogs is a mixed success: the smaller dogs flinch and are shaken up by the loud shouting and sudden movements, although they do not appear to react to the dwarven spirit at all.
The mastiff is less impressed, however, and simply snarls in return.
Male Chaotic Good Half-Orc Skald 1 | HP: 9/9 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 Fl) | CMB: +2, CMD: 13 | F: +3, R: +1, W: +2; +1 vs Mind Affecting effects | Init: +1 | Perc: +4 | Speed 20ft | Spells 1st 0/2 | Active conditions: None.
Surrounded by the vicious hounds, Zacarias takes a swing at the largest one in the group, in the hopes that wounding the pack leader will scare them off.
Zacarias' fierce swing has the dog reeling. The mastiff regains his footing, but immediately runs between Zac's legs, away from the livery. The two other dogs follow suit, and the livery floor is empty and free to explore.
Kal watches the dogs flee, then whistles for her raven to return to her.
"That could've gone a lot worse."
She steps into the livery proper, casting her eyes around the room as she stands just past the doorway, before lifting a glowing hand, eyes flashing as she casts Detect Magic on the room.
"I feel bad that I shot one," Shiba says quietly. "But I am happy that they fled with their lives." He unloads the crossbow but keeps it held in his hand as he enters the room. Frowning up at the ceiling, his appearance seems to flicker for a moment like a mirage. Four ghostly blue flames flicker into existence in a ten-foot-square in the center of the room, casting light like four torches.
He joins Kal in using Detect Magic to investigate the room.
Dancing Lights and Detect Magic are now in effect for 1 minute.
The two spellcasters look around the room using Detect magic, but find nothing of significance.
Taking some time to look over the livery, you register the other rooms connected to it. Two small offices stand in the northeast corner of the building, each still furnished with some simple desks and cupboards. Opening the door to the southeast reveals a small outside porch with a furnace, left in disuse for what could easily have been a century.
Finally, Rexus notices a hallway to the south, blocked off by a big grate.
"Past this grate seems to be a killing floor, but there's also another door!" He jiggles the grate. "However, it appears to be locked... Perhaps someone was so thoughtful to leave a key in here before abandoning the place? There's an open door beyond there as well, it seems we mig-"
As Rexus mentions the open door beyond the grate, the door slams shut aggressively.
Joachim:
A sudden shiver runs over your back, and you feel rather cold all of a sudden...
Kal:
You wipe away some sweat from your forehead, and you vaguely realize that things are getting a little warm in here..?
The hooded witch moves into each room, carefully looking them over with Detect Magic. He startles at the sound of a door slamming shut and keeps an eye out for anything unusual. "Either someone or something is here..."
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
If the investigations take longer than a straight minute, Shiba conjures a light using the Light spell, using Dancing Lights for rooms as large as the first one.
Kal flicks her bow into her hands and wipes her brow, frowning. "Definitely something," she says in regards to Shiba's comment. She fidgets with her cloak, making to take it off, then thinking better of it. "By Desna's starry shit, I don't like this place one bit."
Her raven caws, happily. "Shit! Bit! Poet! Poet!"
She grimaces, nodding to her familiar's remarks. She cautiously approaches the door behind the grate, and boots it with all her weight, hoping to even slightly budge the grate.
I forgot to mention: as you felt that warmth coming over you, you detected some faint magic, but you couldn't track the cause.
Both Kal and Joachim attempt to kick in the grate, but with no luck: the metal bars remain firmly in place.
Shiba:
In your investigations, you detect no magic. You do, however, spot a ring nailed to one of the rafters, 15 ft above ground. When you move into one of the side rooms, you rummage through the drawers of the desk and find a key.
Shiba plucks the key from the desk and frowns at it, dropping it into his pocket.
"There's something unusual above us- there's a ring nailed to one of the rafters," he mentions as he turns away from his inspection of the desk. "...Also, if you're done trying to brute force the door, I found a key that may work." His grin stretches across his face, vulpine.
Kal sticks out her bottom lip and nurses her foot, looking between Shiba and Joachim. "It was worth a try..." Her raven cackles, and she swats at him, irritably.
She turns her attention to the ring Shiba mentioned, and nocks and arrow. She draws back and fires with expert speed.
The arrow strikes true, and shakes the ring loose from the nail it was hanging from. The ring drops to the floor.
You half-recognize it as being another signet ring, much like the one Rexus gave you. The image on it is different, however, showing the silhouette of a horse surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the interior, you can read the name "IULIAC".
This ring must belong to a noble house called Juliac.
Knowledge Nobility 15 or Knowledge History 17:
The Juliac family was once a noble Chelaxian family, but it died out over a century ago.
