The Harrowing - DM Puppet Master (Inactive)

Game Master Anon A Mouse

You find yourselves flat on your back, heads spinning. The first thing you notice is that you're no longer in the tent of the All-Seeing Hajeck. In fact, you don't seem to be inside at all. There's a blue sky above you, but it's faded like old paint. Odder yet, the sun isn't a familiar glowing orb so much as a disk with stylized flames coming out of it like you might see in a children's picture book. It seems to be attached to a long metal rod holding it in the sky.

Standing up an looking around, you find yourselves at the edge of a large clearing surrounded by trees and a thick undergrowth. The center of the clearing is dominated by what appears to be another circus, though not the Umbral Circus you were just in.

Something else that's new is that you each seem to have a series of tattoo across your arms that definitely weren't there before.

You all have 9 new tattoos on your arms, each corresponding to one of the 54 cards of the Harrow deck. Each card is linked to an element within this realm, be it a location, a creature, or an event. At any point if you think you've identified one of these associations, you may "play" one of your tattoos/cards simply by making it clear in an OOC comment that you are doing so. If you're correct, the party will gain a specific boon. If your guess is incorrect, you've lost your chance to gain that card's boon.

The first several pages of the Google Slides doc contain images of each of the cards as well as a link to descriptions. As you guess cards, I'll move them from slides saying "Unused Cards" to "Successfully Used Cards" and "Unsuccessfully Used Cards". Here are the tattoos each of you now have:

[dot]

Lokhir got to his feet, apparently being the first to do so. He looked around in alarm, not understanding where he was or how he got there. He didn’t enjoy being confused, especially given his pride in his knowledge. And then he saw the tattoos. He frowned, as he felt his determination rise on getting to the bottom of this.

I’m sticking to recent background, nothing from above, since that could lead to advancing before people have finished their PCs.

The first time you met Eirnar he asked,” if you wanted him to watch over your fate as you adventured.” Although initially unclear what that meant, it soon became apparent as Eirnar used these fate strands to reverse wounds that you’d suffered, albeit at his personal expense. In subsequent missions it also quickly became obvious that he could not only heal, but also improve your fortunes, and curse his enemies, though his connection to the fates.

The Bloodstone Swords were hired to track a missing scholar named Meloigne Garracy. The swords offered and our ragtag group accepted the bounty on their behest. Eirnar performed a basic augury, while the rest of the teams gathered leads. The most promising lead so far sent them to the Umbral Carnival.

please let me know if you would have rejected Eirnars offer for any reason. As long as you stay with 100’ the link persists in perpetuity unless Eirnar chooses to end it.

Delroy sat up rubbing his head.

He straightens the eye-patch over his right eye and glances about.

It is quickly apparent that the fortune-teller has done something and that they've been transported to another place.

He notices that there's something wrong with the sun and then he speaks:

"What sort of deviltry has brought us here?" he asks rhetorically.

don’t think this will advance things prematurely either. Doing exposition from ooc comments above.

Eirnar stands and looks around, it becoming increasingly clear that this missing scholar recovery has just become substantially more complicated. His head still abuzz, he recalls the gruel and venison they’d had for breakfast before catching up with the Umbral Carnival. He’d helped with the hunt for the venison from the night, and felt fine when he awoke, and they’ve been eating the gruel for the last 3 days as they tracked Meloigne.

Assured that this is no hallucination, or at least not one caused by something they ate, and seeing each of his allies in a similar predicament, Eirnar holds his head slightly as he quickly prepares a tea for his allies from herbs in his pack. " I didn’t see that coming… If your head feels anything like mine, and from what I can see, it does, you should drink this, it should help…”

heal check: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

After drinking some himself and offering it to his comrades Eirnar continues,” Well, seems like Hajek did something. Incredible knowledge and riches… right… Well, I didn’t feel anything nefarious, and I don’t see my ancestors here to greet me. Also, you’re all here, so I’m going with we’ve just been teleported. The real question is where, because I don’t think the sun is ever supposed to look like that on Golarion! Once his head stops pounding so much, he appears to remember something, opens his backpack and removes a small basket and the leather satchel the herbs came from. After retrieving an eyedropper from the satchel, he opens the basket and puts a little drop in the basket. The scorpion inside, Koko, gathers up the drop, before scurrying onto his shoulder.

Profession(Diviner): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Eirnar explains what he little he immediately realizes about their circumstances," These tattoos are new.” Eirnar holds up his arms showing various tattoos including a brass dwarf, a desert, an idiot, an inquisitor, a juggler, someone lost, a peacock, a paladin, and the queen mother. " They appear to correspond to harrow cards, a divination implement. I suspect they’re tied to this place, and that you can try to will the fates to manifest them to some effect. Use caution, if you guess incorrectly, the harrow card’s magic will be spent to no effect. I would try to use the idiot on myself for not using more caution before finding ourselves here, but I suspect that the cards are tied to this place and not us.

From his position sitting on his backside, Delroy watches Eirnar fix up a brew of tea with slight amusement.

When the shaman offers him a cup, Delroy grins slightly and shakes his head.

"Yeah, no thanks." he chuckles "I'll stick with this...."

He pulls a flask of whiskey from a pocket of his coat and takes a pull.

Looking down at his bare arms, Kaldwell frowned over the tops of his glasses at the sudden additions to his arm. In his case the nine cards present were intertwined with the tattoo that ran the length of his arm. Thankfully his arms were big enough to hold all nine without a problem. Truthfully, they looked quite good.

"Ack, that was not the least bit fun." Sighing, Kaldwell looked around. "So the diviner at the carnival was probably responsible for this? Makes sense, given it was there tent, but the harrow cards don't leave much to the imagination." He looked over at the strange carnival. "If so, then mayhap the one here can answer some questions about where we are and how to get back."

Kaldwell pattered himself down, making sure all his equipment was present and correct. "Is everyone intact, bar the headaches? Nothing missing?" He glanced around, trying to work out more about where they were.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

As long as you don't try changing locations just yet, you should be fine. Worst case I'll just tell you that I need to hold off on resolving what you're doing until characters are complete.

With his great knowledge, Kaldwell recognizes a few elements of this realm reminiscent of the Dimension of Dreams. Though this is not part of that plane, the two do seem to be closely related. Glancing at his arms, a name suddenly springs to mind: The Harrowed Realm. Concentrating further, he recalls that he heard of it in passing in a book discussing a bard by the name of Sonnorae, who disappeared several hundred years ago.

Also, Thursdays are typically my IRL D&D game, so I haven't had a chance to further look into any changes people have made to their crunches. I'll do that tomorrow night.

Grunting as the name emanated through Kaldwell's mind, the big fighter turned to the others. "Read about a place, a little while back. The Harrowed Realm. Demi-plane of some kind I reckon. Something to do with a bard named Sonnorae. Not sure if he was the creator or the chronicler, but it might be useful. Anyone know the name?"

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 probably not

While he may not remember the nitty-gritty details of the bard Sonnorae, Eirnar does at least recall that she was a woman. More specifically, the last member of the Imlios family, a line known for its scribes and storytellers. The family gained prominence during the Age of Darkness.

Eirnar recalls," Sonnorae Imlios was the last member of a famous line of scribes on storyteller that gained prominence during the Age of darkness. Well, my head is starting to clear, what about yours? Do tree spirits get headaches? "

Delroy stands up stiffly and leans over backwards to stretch his back.

His spine pops and cracks, making him grimace.

He pulls out his hip flask and takes another swallow of whiskey.

"I'm working on replacing one headache with another, my friend."

"Don't get too drunk, now. We have no idea how friendly this place is, including yonder carnival." Clowns were always creepy, Kaldwell considered, but they needed to speak with someone civilised. For given value of civilised anyway. For all they knew this was a pack of cannibal halflings.

"Well, my head is starting to clear, what about yours? Do tree spirits get headaches? "

Yattle yawned and stretched, their viny wings twitching once they reached full extension, until with a powerful flap, the little gathlain took flight.

"Oh sure, everyone who deals with mortals gets headaches."

Beads of magma appeared and cooled on Yattle's forehead and dappling at their extremities as the power within them finished waking as well.

"So this moves Hajeck over to the flammable list, right? Unless you're teaching some jerk a lesson, stranding people outside their planes is a no-no?" Uncomfortably they shifted their shoulders as they eyed the fake sun. "Don't think I like it here."

" Everyone is flammable, but usually only once. Hopefully we can find a way home, but for now, Hajeck said our scholar went this way, perhaps we should continue that investigation. Or at the least, figure out where we are, and how we might get back. That carnival seems as good a place as any to start.

"We should probably try to figure out if the people at the carnival are natives, or if everyone is stranded here in some fashion."

”Never trust someone who hides their face for a living.” Lokhir said, glad that his comrades all appeared to still be of sound mind.

Eirnar suggests, " Well, if we're going to an extradimensional circus, I’m thinking caution may be advised. Personally, I’m going to ask my ancestors to heighten my senses, harden my skin, and fortify my morale. If any of you has a pearl of power and would also like your skin to hardened as well, let me know."

assuming no lengthy suggestions or preparations, I’d take the following actions before we head out.

Once everyone agrees to set out, Eirnar casts two spells while holding a rod that is far too pristine to have ever been wielded as a weapon. lesser meta magic rod of extend for heroism and barkskin. After that he once again hangs the rod from his belt and pulls out a wand, casts a spell from it and puts it back away. heightened awareness. As he does this, Koko climbs back into the backpack and the basket. Eirnar closes the basket and they set out.

Active conditions from abilities Eirnar has on himself are listed. His familiar also has a life link on Eirnar from imbue with hex that is maintained indefinitely. Eirnar also has life links on his familiar, and all of you.

”One can never be too careful.”

Heightened Awareness Cast, added to list of current effects. +2 Perception and Knowledge Skills, will turn it into +4 Initiative if that is rolled

Current Location: Midnight Circus
Current Boons: None
Looming tents seem to reach greedily for the overcast sky before their tips curl back down in defeat. Faded paint peels from disused cages and wagons scattered about, while slow organ music drifts through the empty pathways. Nearby, a yawning entry leads into the dark interior of a twisted and massive central tent.

The area seems to be deserted save for six clowns crowded around something lying in a heap on the ground.

"Heeheehee! Lookie! It jiggles like jelly!" The clown speaking gives a kick at the pile. There's a corresponding yelp of pain and raucous laughter from the other clowns.

"You think it cuz he eat jelly?"

"Jelly belly! Jelly belly!"

"Maybe if we cut him open, he spill his jelly to us then."

The pile uncurls, revealing a pudgy man with several new cuts on his face as well as quickly forming bruises and one eye that is already swelling shut. "No no! I swear I don't know anything!" He catches sight of you all and reaches one hand towards you. "Please, help me!"

One of the clowns slams the heel of his boot into the man's face as the others turn around to face you, revealing beaks, dark eyes, and black feathers covering their bodies.

"More newcomers?"

"Maybe they tell us of Patchwork Lord."

With a laugh they charge you.

I'm assuming Lokhir and Eirnar wanted to use their +4 Init from heightened awareness.
Round 1
- Eirnar, Lokhir, Yattle
- Enemies
- Delroy, Fayn, Kaldwell

Map is on the second slide.

DC 15 Kn(local) for details. If you beat the DC, pick one area off of the knowledges list linked. For every 5 by which you beat the DC, you can pick another area.

knowledge(local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Special Abilities - (mimery, no doubt)

knowledge (local): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37

always special attacks, special defenses, special abilities, spell like; in that order

”See? What did I say?” Lokhir raised a hand and spoke words of power, filling his companions with haste.

Move action draw Scimitar, Standard cast Haste

Eirnar quibbles, " Well I said it first! Thanks for the boost Lokhir, these clowns do need a lesson. Pick on someone your own size, if you've got the stones!"

Eirnar casts Archon's Aura and flys into the air above those that would attack him.

I'll be up 15 feet above them, All of them (assuming they're hostile) need a DC 20 will save or take a -2 to AC, attack rolls, and saving throws until they strike me with an attack

My normal burn is up, and Eirnar's got me barkskinned

A fierce smile lit up Yattle's face; as they drift closer they reach out towards the bullying birds and the ground Erupts in flames!

Empowered Fire Eruption*: 5d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 4, 2) + 12 = 30 45 with Empowered, DC 22 Ref for 1/2

"You mostly seem like the kind of dumb thugs no one gets too upset about one way or the other, but just in case. Did you stick us here?!"

Current Location: Midnight Circus
Current Boons: None

These clowns are tengu.
Special Abilities: Assault leader. Also...Perform (comedy)
Special Attacks: Sneak attack +3d6
Special Defenses: Evasion, uncanny dodge
Spell like abilities: None

Will Saves, DC 20: 6d20 ⇒ (5, 12, 6, 15, 18, 10) = 66 One saves
Reflex Saves, DC 22: 3d20 ⇒ (5, 19, 6) = 30 One saves as well

Eirnar, Lokhir, and Yattle react with lightning reflexes! Lokhir prepares himself and his allies for battle while Eirnar takes to the air and curses the luck of these tengu bullies. Deciding to take the more direct approach, Yattle lets forth a burst of fire. Two of the clowns begin literally melting as a third dodges nimbly out of the way, completely unscathed.

They cackle, completely ignoring Yattle's query and the oozing forms of their former companions.

"Where is he, the Patchwork Lord?"

"What new schemes has he come up with, hee hee?"

"Spill the jelly! Spill the jelly!"

With cackles and giggles, all four of the remaining tengus ignore the flying man out of reach and tumble towards Kaldwell, making a single swipe with their short swords and jumping away before he has a chance to react.

Showing that they mean business, the tengus slash at one vital point after another until in a spurt of blood, the old man falls. Kaldwell takes 77 damage as they confirm 3 crits against him. I believe this puts him at -10.

"Tell us what Zazzy is up to and maybe we don't kill the rest of you."

"Maaaayybeeeee. Hee hee. Hee heee heee."

Round 1
- Delroy, Fayn, Kaldwell
Round 2
- Eirnar, Lokhir, Yattle
- Enemies

Also, if you haven't, please make sure to have things like AC, saves, and HP in your stat line for easy reference.

"Wow." Flame pulsed across the sweep of Yattle's wings as they drew in their power once more.

"What an offer. That one was already mostly dead though. The rest of us might not be as simple. But hey, I'm feeling generous:Right now, Zazzy seems to be annoying me with bird-brained lunatics."

Empowered Fire Eruption: 5d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4, 6, 6, 6) + 12 = 35 52 with Empowered, DC 22 Ref for 1/2

Movement speed is 60 with haste. Swift action sudden speed, makes movement speed 90. Using it to move around the clowns and get behind them

Lokhir shifted to the right...and in a blur he was gone. The elf had vanished, and within seconds was behind the clowns, blade in hand. All he needed was for a comrade to step forward so that he could land a sneak attack on one of the clowns.

Hit with haste and flank: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Seeing his longtime partner dropped by the tengu's attacks, Delroy is concerned that they might finish him.

Delroy moves up over Kaldwell to engage. (move action)

He pulls his flail in an easy, long-practiced motion and swings it in a two-handed uppercut.

Attacking the westernmost tengu that with his flail.

flail: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 1 - 3 + 2 = 18 (haste, power attack)

damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

"I'll keep these talking chickens off of Kaldwell."

Eirnar tugs on Kaldwell's life thread, as the wounds on him begin to fade. He flies towards his allies and further curses the luck of the healthiest looking Tengu. Eirnar reminds his allies of their boons,” Anyone have a bird or clown tattoo? If you will it something may happen .”

Kadlwell heals 5, I take 5, and on my familiars turn 5 transfers to him. The healthiest looking Tengu is misfortuned (DC 21 will save negates; or he has to roll twice and take the worst).

"Take one alive if we can!"

Between those terrible rolls and me still figuring out how this character works, that was a waste of a round for Delroy.

Call it the affects of the transition and the whiskey!"

I don't think Fayn is going to act and Kaldwell is still probably below zero, so I think that's all the good guys.

Current Location: Midnight Circus
Current Boons: None

Kaldwell Con DC 10 Stabalize: 1d20 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 1 - 10 = 0

As the rest of the group springs into action, Kaldwell starts to bleed out, stabilizing only when his bond with Eirnar takes some of his egregious wounds upon himself. Kaldwell now stable at -6HP

Reflex DC 22: 3d20 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) = 9

Yattle meanwhile, seems determined to wipe these clowns out as quickly as possible. Another three begin melting, all the while cackling as their faces slowly distort until they sit, lifeless blobs only vaguely reminiscent of the creatures they once were.

Lokhir then uses his magical speed to zip around behind the last remaining tengu, slashing out with his sword. It is, unfortunately, no where near as effective as Yattle's fire and the crow-man simply uses the momentum of the blow to dodge Delroy's flail. Delroy is treated to an upside-down grin as the weapon comes a hair's breadth from landing.

Eirnar takes that opportunity to try to further curse the luck of the one remaining foe as Fayn stands impassively watching the spectacle.
Will DC 21: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 2 = 18

The last remaining foe shifts away, putting the tent at his back. Despite how dire a predicament he's in, he never stops smiling. "Teehee, silly mortals. Soon you will wish you tell us what we want to know. We kill you quick and easy. Patchwork Lord kill you much worse. Terrible, terrible fate." He takes a teasing swipe at the bounty hunter but the half-orc simply blocks it with the half of his flail.

Shortsword vs Delroy AC 25: 2d20 ⇒ (13, 15) = 28

Round 2
- Delroy, Fayn, Kaldwell [Stable at -6, will be at -1 after Eirnar's turn]
Round 3
- Eirnar, Lokhir, Yattle
- Enemies

@All: In the future, please break out any situational bonuses/penalties to attack/damage/saves rather than adding them together mentally. This makes it easier for me to visually confirm you remembered everything and it makes looking up your modifiers easier later if I need to bot you.
Example: To hit, haste, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 13, Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Eirnar lands 5’ step down and cease flying, falling 5’ more , and plants his feet in the ground, and asks his ancestors to bless him with virtue.

You seem mighty cheerful for one about to have the long sleep. I agree with Delory, let’s try a less lethal solution on this one...
It’ll be fun to see how Yattles drawback comes up here

5 more healing to Kaldwell, Eirnar now has fast healing 1, 1 temp hp, and 5 damage. Any knowledge check on our melting Tengus?

Refular: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 18 + 1 = 35
Slashing: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Haste: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 1 = 33
Slashing: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 = 32
Slashing: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Confirm: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 1 = 20
Crit: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Slightly annoyed at his opponent showing him such disrespect, Lokhir continued to move as a blur. His Scimitar included. His movements were almost like a dance, as his blade cut a deadly path through the air...and hopefully the clown as well.

Current Location: Midnight Circus
Current Boons: None

As Eirnar examines the melting tengus, certainly not a things that race typically does, the only thought that comes to mind it that it looks a lot like wax melting. It's strange because he's fairly certain they're not golems of any sort and, in fact, look perfectly life-like when they're still, y'know, alive.

The last survivor smiles at Eirnar as much as a creature with a beak can smile. "Oh silly mortal, sleep not so long for Storykin..." It's at that moment when, much to Eirnar's surprise, Lokhir unleashes a series of lethal slashes, the last one cleanly cutting the bird's head in half right through its beak. It looks like the elf beat the impatient gathlain to the punch.

End combat

The man who had until recently been the victim of the vicious avians slowly sits up, cradling his head. He looks at you, clearly having trouble focusing his gaze as his speech comes out slurred and mostly gibberish. "Shank the hurdy thur. Flirty floopin' flames. Yer shur heroes. Helpin' der shopping shur lur? Yer cörk börk."

Kaldwell is currently at -1 and slowly healing as Eirnar takes on the damage.

Yattle spends an instant looking at the melted crows, then stretches out their limbs at full extension again, gently rolling sideways with their head cocked and pointed towards the thinky ones of their little group "My fire wasn't hot enough for that if they were really birds. Not everything inside mortals burns up the same speed anyways."

"And is the bleeding one addled or do I just not speak whatever that was?"

Eirnar looks at the man, looking for a reason for the gibberish.

heal, heroism: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 22 + 2 = 41

"So maybe not exactly natives or people transported here like us." Delroy says.

"Maybe something someone made to keep himself or herself company in here."

"Whatever they were, they needed better manners."

He hangs his flail on his belt, pulls out his flask, takes a hit, and stands there waiting for Kaldwell to wake up.

”That they do. Though while they need to work on their manners, we need to work on our teamwork. Delroy, both of us fight best when we have our opponent flanked. I will endeavor to position myself to set us up so both of us can take best advantage of that fact. This place is, without a doubt, hostile and deadly. We will need every advantage we can get.”

To Lokhir Delroy says: "Lokhir, I'm not as fast as you, but if you get behind them I'll blind them and put them on the ground so they can't get away."

"I don't mind taking a few hits, between my orc blood and Eirnar's healing I can stay upright and keep their attention."

After a minute or so of watching Kaldwell's wounds knit back together, Delroy walks closer to the big tent to take a look.

"I wonder what's in that big tent. In a circus, don't they call that a 'Big Top'?"

He takes a look:

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 (+4 for traps)

During that minute of healing, Eirnar asks the man he healed,” are you doing any better? You were speaking nonsense. Who are you, why did those Tengu attack us and you and do you know why they melted? What is this place and the carnival? Whats a Storykin and who is the Patchwork Lord? ”

above math accounted for 29 healing to him, if that wasn’t enough I’d have done more. I wrote a list of questions but I figure the actual conversation would be organic, but it’d take somewhat long for me to let you answer each and then wait for me to post. I can roll diplomacy if needed, assuming healing and saving him has him somewhat happy with us.

the 13 rounds is starting from first round of combat, so exactly 1 minute after combat ends. Which means roughly 17 minutes (168 more rounds) of me cursing the luck of any hostiles.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

”That is all that I could ask for, my friend.” Lokhir replied to Delroy. He then moved to help the half-orc in checking for traps. Teamwork was almost always the best option in such circumstances, for there was always something that a person could miss.

Current Location: Midnight Circus
Current Boons: None

@Eirnar: How is it you're transferring damage to your poor scorpion? I'm also not sure what 'perform surgery' refers to.

Eirnar examines the man and discovers the reason for his babbling is likely the mild concussion he seems to have suffered at the hands of the crows. With a little bit of healing, his eyes clear and his speaking becomes intelligible once more.

"Oh, truly you must be the heroes I've been seeking! You, with the fire and the-" He makes an explosion noise as he points to Yattle. "And you, sir elf, with the fast sching sching!" He does a very clumsy imitation of Lokhir's bladework, just barely avoiding tripping in the process. "And you-" He pauses, looking at Eirnar. "I don't know exactly what you did, but I'm sure it was magnificent! It must have been for you hovered over me like an angel and my tormenters were gone!"

"Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Biyo Venna formerly of the Striding Fortress. If I may be so bold, may I have the names of my rescuers?" He waits a moment for the group to give introductions. "As for those rapscallions, they were hoping to find out what my former master, Lord Zassrion, commonly referred to as The Patchwork Lord, was up to." He takes a moment to look gravely at each of you. "I'm afraid Lord Zassrion has captured another victim. A mortal man, much like yourselves. He plans to use him to become mortal himself and leave. I fear this will not go well for the mortal. Please, dear heroes, you must rescue him!" He looks imploring at each of you.

Meanwhile Lokhir and Delroy completely ignore the pudgy man's monologue, instead choosing to check out the main tent. They find no traps but do hear booing and jeering interspersed with the occasional burst of laughter from a crowd inside.

Delroy raises an eyebrow at Lokhir at the sounds from the tent.

He places a finger to his mouth in a request for silence.

Then he crouches down and surreptitiously attempts to pull up the edge of the tent and take a peek.

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

perception: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20 (+6 for hidden traps)

Eirnar continues, “ Well met, Biyo Venna. I’m Eirnar and we’re not from around here, but from the same place as the man that Lord Zassrion has captured. We’ll rectify this situation. Where is the Striding Fortress and why does Zassrion think a mortal can escape? I’d like to continue this conversation but it appears duty may be calling...”

He gets closer to the tent, expecting something to happen once his allies enter, based on past experience.