Given his awkward encounter with the mayor's wife, Orm allows others to take the lead on explaining all that has happened. He feels relieved to be back among the Circus of Wayward Wonders.
|
TJ responds to their questions in order:
Well.
Yes.
Don't ask.
It was a hit! I don't know when we'll perform next. Day after tomorrow at the earliest. We're going to have to incorporate some battle rap into the act. Professor, I want you to work on some lyrics. Nothing too saucy, this is a family show.
How are things going here?
As the circus troupe sits around the campfire that night after dinner, Orm asks if anyone knows more about Gozreh, or what lies between Abberton and the monastery. He encourages Thelonious to give a detailed version of the performance battle with their rivals.
"Hmph, Gozreh is the God of Nature, Storms and Skies, and perhaps a very close friend to Desna. He has existed for as long as the wind has blown and the waters swelled over our lands, but i have never heard of his followers mingle with demons. Whatever is happening, is potentially very unique and rare..." She worries for a little movement, before babbling off some more useless facts about the deity, or at least the things she has heard over the long years.
"Shall we prepare for this evening's performance. Oh, i can't wait to test out this new dancing scarf! Thank you, oh thank you for letting me keep it!" She smiles warmly at the group, and then runs off to get ready and put her make up on.
The meeting with the circus troupe wraps up, with decisions made to invest in some advertising and new safety nets for the show. The next show will be scheduled in 1 week's time.
After your talk last night, the Jaxis Sisters paid a visit to the mayor's wife, and they pass along directions to the hermitage. "Don't worry," Hesper begins. "She doesn't suspect anything is amiss," Meitas concludes.
The Hermitage of Blessed Lightning lies 12 miles to the northwest of Abberton. The journey there is uneventful, and you notice that the countryside surrounding the small town is suffering from a fairly severe drought.
The hermitage rests on a jutting cliff 50 feet above the tumultuous sea, which smashes against the rocks below. The path leading down to the hermitage descends along the sea cliffs. There are no fences or guide rails along the path, which averages 5 feet wide, and the wind is strong enough that you imagine it deters all but the most determined visitors.
You arrive in the late afternoon.
Orm is silent for a few moments, to the point that Thelonious might think he did not hear the question.
Did he just ask me about looking cool? Oh jeez, what do I say? I don't know!?"
"Crossbows, like saxophones, are always cool."
Papillon is worries on the journey, her mind focusing on the landscape rather than the cheerful conversation of her companions. But the crossbow chatter perks her up. "Hah, if saxophones were so cool, then why don't you play one Orm? You would have huge lungs, and could possibly play super well! Maybe we should get you one when we upgrade our acoustics."
Her thoughts hang on the land some more, she frowns as she walks with the group, "What do you think caused all this? It's as if Gozreh is no longer looking after these lands. Was this place like this when we first arrived?" She thinks back to when they first arrived in town, trying to remember as much as she can.
"I don't recall it looking this bad. Perhaps this is Gozreh's way of showing their displeasure with whatever demonic shenanigans are going on at the monastery."
Upon seeing the monastery in the crags, up against the ocean, buffeted by wind and sea spray, Orm thinks, This is the most Gozren thing I've ever seen.
Orm takes some rope out of his bag and ties one end around his waist. He then indicates everyone should grab hold as they move forward. "Just in case. I'm afraid this wind might pick one of you up"
When everyone is ready, Orm leads the way down the path.
This wide ledge juts from the cliff fifty feet above the Inner Sea, but is nonetheless splashed with spray and smells strongly of salt. Two buildings hug close to the cliff wall. One is made of stone blackened in places as though from severe spot fires; the other is a large shed made of weathered wood.
Two hulking frog-like creatures hop along the ledge, chasing after sea birds. You see them from far enough away that you could prepare to confront or bypass them.
"Has anyone seen their like before? Perhaps we can slip by and into the hermitage? Thelonious or Papillon, perhaps an illusory image or sound to draw them away?"
"Good idea Orm!" she says as she gladly ties the rope around herself to make sure she doesn't fly away. After all, she is probably the smallest and lightest of the group.
As they approach and see the amphibians, she smiles warmly, "Who wants to be that they are scared of a little thunder, i mean, who isn't right?" She proceeds to weave her arcane spell, casting ventriloquism to send her voice high into the air and create the sounds of a large storm coming this way, hoping that they would run and hide.
Thought they are simple creatures, the tusked frogs don't seem taken in by the ruse. The notice you on the ledge and start looking your way.
The Blue frog croaks loudly and sprays a sticky green mucus all around itself.
~+~Round 1~+~
Blue
Papillon
Orm
Derrickk
Red
Junebug
Orm draws his dagger, cuts the rope, and enters mountain stance.
Papillon takes out her trusting starknife, and moves up behind Orm.
The slurk seems very confused by Derrikk's action, and doesn't act this round.
~+~Round 1~+~
Blue
Papillon
Orm
Derrickk
Red
Junebug
The crossbow bolt sinks in to the large frog-like create. Seeing that potential prey is unwilling to come closer, it spits a glob of slime at Orm before it hops in your direction and tries to take a bite out of the monk.
for
Both attacks are unsuccessful.
~+~Round 2~+~
Blue (-4)
Papillon
Orm
Derrickk
Red
Junebug
Orm flurries, follows it up with a trip attempt, and springs away from the frog-thing, while staying an obvious target for both.
extra dmg due to forceful property
CRIT! for 18
Trip attempt with Assurance(Athletics) is a 17 vs. its Reflex DC
Critical Success The target falls and lands prone and takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
Success The target falls and lands prone.
Critical Failure You lose your balance and fall and land prone.
Derrikk and Celery take out the blue slurk.
~+~Round 2~+~
Blue
Papillon
Orm
Derrickk
Red
Junebug
"Looks like these aren't so threatening after all. Should have retreated when they had the chance." She moves up and throws her morning star at the last frog creature.
Seeing that you are not easy prey, the red creature hops off the edge of the cliff. Its sticky toes cling to the cliffside and it descends out of sight.
You are left alone on the cliff ledge with the large building to the east and the smaller wooden building to the north.
Orm moves over to investigate the smaller building first, listening carefully as he approaches.
Orm doesn't hear much of anything at the door. This weathered wooden shed shelters a cart and several crates. Sea birds roost in its rafters and squawk noisily when anyone enters.
You folks don't see anything else of interest in the shed.
"Now let us see what troubles this hermitage. Gird your loins." Orm then moves to what he presumes to be the front door.
The entrance to the hermitage is an elaborately carved double door depicting both of Gozreh’s forms: on the left he is a sky god rising from a whirlwind with lightning in his hand, and on the right she is a sea‑goddess surrounded by a whirlpool. The artisanship is astonishing, but their placement means that few except the hermits here must ever see them.
The stone chamber within contains four columns, two shaped like trees and two shaped like coral. A heavy green curtain conceals the hallway leading west.
Three figures holding shields and tridents are crowded around Mayor Abber, who cowers in a corner trying to shield himself from harm. When he spots you, the mayor shouts with relief, “Thank the gods you’ve come! They’ve...” just as one of the men slaps him with his end of his trident, knocking the mayor unconscious.
The men turn on you and begin to advance.
~+~Round 1~+~
Orm
Papillon
Derrickk
Junebug
Blue
Yellow
Red
Papillon looks relieved, "I am glad the creature decided not to stay." She wanders over and picks up her starknife, and tries to tend to the wounds of the unconscious reptile.
As they get to the door and open it, she winces as the mayor get's slapped. "Ouch, that wasn't very nice!" She claps her hands together, and fires a laser at the man who hit Mayor Abber.
Enraged to see three bullies harm the little old mayor, Orm enters mountain stance. Feeling empowered by TJ’s quip, he strides forward and flurries the one Papillon has dazzled with Desna’s kiss.
extra dmg due to forceful property
Orm very nearly fells the blue foe with his attacks, but the bullies turn on the team to counterstrike.
Shouts with Rage
for
Raises his shield
Shouts with Rage
for
Raises his shield
Shouts with Rage
Strides to Orm
Raises his shield
~+~Round 1~+~
Orm
Papillon
Derrikk
--Celery (-8)
Junebug
Blue (-26, dazzled)
Yellow
Red
Orm flurries, first attacking blue, and if he drops moving on to yellow. After two jabs that try to get past their shields, Orm will try to trip both of them, since having their shields up leaves them vulnerable to a leg sweep. If blue is down or trip fails on yellow, he’ll move back to clear room for others to shoot.
extra dmg due to forceful property
2nd action = Trip vs. yellow with Assurance(Athletics) is a 17 vs. its Reflex DC
3rd action = Trip vs. blue with Assurance(Athletics) is a 17 vs. its Reflex DC OR guarded step back if the first trip fails.
Seeing as there is not much room inside the building, the halfling moves over to the other side of the door and looks inside, "You there! Kiss the mayors boots!" she points at red and cast's command DC 19 with her remaining actions.
Orm misses with his flurry, but he puts both yellow and blue on their backs.
Junebug slams a loose rock into yellow, Derrikk hits red once, and Celery takes down blue.
Madame P's beguiling command has no effect on the crazed foe.
The wounded yellow foe stands and gets its shield back in place, then attacks Orm.
for
The red foe turns toward Celery, raises its shield and attacks twice.
for
for
~+~Round 2~+~
Orm (-20)
Papillon
Derrikk
--Celery (-9)
Junebug
Blue
Yellow (-14)
Red (-7)