She responds to the human cleric, "I'm Kathe, a conjurer from one of the circles..."
Then she looks to the elf with an uncertain expression before continuing "... I was curious as to what he was doing up here. And what do you mean 'short a conjurer.' Not that conjurers aren't the most useful of the schools - one might say I'm biased in that opinion. Have you a need for a conjurer?"
The prospects of continuing travel and exercising her arcane prowess was certainly something Kathe craves. Usually wanting to stick to herself, she isn't one to go out and do so alone, however. Yet, if an opportunity presented itself... she would take it.
"Is... is he at this farm?" Kathe questions as the group apparently just walks away. She follows them hoping there's some answer to her question. But she's not getting it, it seems and soon it's a bit too far from the village to turn around. It feels uncomfortable... awkward even to just break away. Plus she was curious as to what two people that could wrangle a griffon were going to do next...
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Duraz takes a while to understand the woman's question before actually talking to the farmer. The other conjurer left. But he was very useful in our last enterprise. Yesterday we were at an abandoned town close by following rumors of dangerous vermin. The rumors were true and there are new rumors that in this farm there has been sightings of rat-faced men. So, your presence is appreciated, if you're as skilled as our last companion, I mean. he says with no malice implied. He actually did hope she was as reliable as Alurad had been.
Kathe feels like she somehow agreed to something without understanding all of it. Non-confrontational by nature... she just tags along. Though she is a bit disappointed at not being able to meet the other conjurer. Someone as focused as he is supposed to be is rare. She's too curious... being the only one so devoted to just one school. Some call it foolish... she calls it committed. Yet she's never been tested. It'll be interesting...
Mirianna grits her teeth, a human insulting elves infuriated her, but she would let it go while she was here far from her homeland, "Aye, we are here to help, and if there is some nefarious ratman about, we might be able to do so. Whatever you can tell us please."
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"Yeah I heard they were snooping around some of the graves into. I think they live out in the ruins outside the city. But I don't mess with them. I'll leave you adventuring folks to do that" he says looking less wary of the elves.
He finishes unhitching his horse.
"Anything else I can do for you young folks?"
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Upon hearing the farmer's response to Singol, Duraz raises an eyebrow. Being half gone, the cleric turns back to him feeling anger raise up his neck. "I clearly remember hearing that the rat-faced man was seeing breaking into your barn. Now which is it? Did you, or did you not see it in your farm?", he says slowly as to not sound aggressive.
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The farmer looks annoyed "Oh darn darn my memory...I look stupid" He kicks at the ground. "Yeah he broke in and tried to steal my horse a week ago"
A woman walks out of the farmhouse with a broom in her hand.
"Dear what do these strangers want?" She says in a loud voice.
"They were asking about that rat man dear..but I nearly forgot"
"Oh dear...Are you forgetting things again? Don't forget you are going into town to get a present for my sister!"
He mumbles pointing his mouth at his shoulder. "Darn...I thought I didn't have to go. I don't know why she deserves anything. Freeloader.."
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Duraz frowns at the life made too easy on these farmers. The word of the Stormlord is needed here, he thought. He follows Haldyr into the barn. He has already seen a tracker at work, and it was a wonder to watch. However, he readied his shield and mace, just in case, and kept a keen ear and eyes for creepers.
Kathe follows along as well, still feeling dragged by circumstance for the time being but also by curiosity. Ratmen... who? What? She's usually interested in knowledge and learning new things with a smattering of other things here and there.
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So, how do rat-men fuss around a barn and leave no tracks?, Duraz thought to himself. He figured that maybe the farmer had already worked in it, so the tracks would have been erased. He concluded he didn't know much about tracking anyway.
The cleric leads the group towards the ruins, if no one objects.
Kathe continues following, feeling compelled to at this point. Might as well, no? But when the party reaches a tomb, she finds it... simply curious to be there.
"I've never seen anything like this before. Another day, another new thing or twelve for me it seem."
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Duraz seems a little suspicious of the whole ordeal. He turns to the group and ponders, loosening his grip on his mace and shield. "This doesn't smell right to me. First there are rumors of rat-faced people in a farm. There we don't find any sign of it, the farmer even forgot about it, where most farmers would keep telling the story for years. He then points us to the other side of the city, where there are no tracks. Why? Nothing makes sense in this wild chase."
He, then, looks at the tomb and says "I am a little reluctant to get in. If rat-faced men stay in their place, not bothering anyone, not even stepping outside to leave tracks, then I would feel like a disturber of peace." He holds his holy symbol while finishing "The Stormlord teaches the strength to defend oneself. We are not at war with the rat-faced men, and there is nothing to gain in starting one. And there is nothing to defend ourselves from."
He waits for the rest of the group to contemplate his words, but makes otherwise no movement towards the tomb.
"All I can tell you is that it's relatively young for ancient ruins, so... a dejy burial tomb. Find it odd that it's sitting here undisturbed, neither used, visited or well, robbed even, as is the fate of a lot of them can be. Though, I guess locals might be able to tell you more about it. Are you saying rat-faced as in literally with the face of a rat or is that some colloquialism or metaphor?"
Kathe speaks from near the back of the group and also makes no move toward the tomb than has already been made.
"Perhaps you could tell just within the first few feet of the entrance if there's been any activity within.
Not knowing what the creature is, Mirianna moves forward, drawing her rapier as she goes, and uses the ready action to attack if the creature gets within her reach.
Singol was moving towards the entrance of the tomb. "I can look around for any, ah, surprises, at the entrance."
"Isn't this the tomb those locals asked us to reclaim for them?"
Noticing Haldyr's and Duraz's reactions, Singol turns towards the creature. "Oh! Hello there! We're in town for the festival."
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The creature ignores the parties calls and moves.
Haldyr seeing it's intent, plugs it with an arrow. Red blood spills out of its side. But it continues moving, towards the party and suddenly the skin around it's pulls back, revealing its ugly skull!
The rest of the party is frightened. and runs. Only Haldyr stands strong.
damage - creature 9
The party is up, Kathe let me know if you wand to come in
Kathe saw the creature, knows what it is and suspects that the rest of the party can handle it. Though, knowing it's fear attacks are auditory, she covers her ears. Otherwise she waits to see if the party can do anything and simply moves to put others more adept at combat between her and the creature if needed.
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The party runs from the cat like creature. But quickly catch their senses as Haldyr's arrow sinks into its side. It collapses and bleeds.
Combat over!
Kathe visibly shudders.
"Krenshar... I cannot fathom how such a creature came to be. Magical, obviously... apparently covering your ears does not help.
Singol comes running back once the beast falls. Fortunately (?) he doesn't have as far to travel as the longer-legged members of the party.
"Well, I can see who is the rear-guard of the group."
"What was that thing?" He approaches the body, sword pointed at it.
Singol looks at Kathe "are you saying a wizard created that thing?"
"Why would they do that? Or make undead for that matter?"