Perched at the edge of civilized lands, the small town of Falcon’s Hollow has always had to rely on itself to solve its problems. Meanwhile, the uncaring lumber barons squeeze the common folk for every last copper, deaf to their pleas. Now the hacking coughs of the sick are heard throughout town. The plague has come
to Falcon’s Hollow and the town’s leaders can’t be bothered to stop it.
so Taicho has been here a while and has knowledge local. Is there anything more specific he may be able to learn as we get started? knowledge: local:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Yikes! Or could he just take '10'?
Male Dwarven 1st Champion ??/??; Perception+?; AC ??; Fort +??; Reflex+??; Will ??
Walking up to the gates of the small village Kilain eyed the surrounding area. Looking for anything of note. before approaching the obligatory gate guards.
Male Half-Orc Barbarian 1; HP 16/16; AC 17/13/14 F+5/R+3/W+3; Init +3; Per +7
While his caravan is busy with the trading/loading/unloading activities while in Falcon's Hollow, Makoa looks for "interesting" ways to apply his skills in town.
The derelict town of Falcon’s Hollow rests dangerously close to the infamous Darkmoon Vale. The jagged shadow of nearby mountains casts a shroud of gloom on the desperate souls who call this place home. The hacking coughs and groans of the citizens match the gloom that just seems to permeate the area surrounding the Darkmoon Vale .
The streets of the once bustling lumber port town now lay mostly barren and those that do venture out look like the walking dead. Grey as the day's sky they stumble down the streets trying to make their way to the apothecary's office.
Kilain and Makoa:
The to of you approach the town at the same time and you are astonished to find the guards off their post and the gate to the town wide open. As you make your way through the gates you are approached by a very panicked looking halfling. "Oh...my...umm...outsiders...oh me oh my..." he runs his hands through his hair trying to calm his jitters. "Um...yes...so I don't know who sent you or why your here or who you are but...um...can I get your help please?"
Taicho:
One of your friends from your days working in the lumber consortium has fallen gravely ill with the plague that has been working its way through the town. Trying what you can to help them out you are currently standing in line outside of Laurel's shop trying to see if she has been able to scrape together any sort of cure. She's the local apothecary and is known for her alchemist skills. Every other person around you seems to be sick and you are constantly having to dip and dodge getting coughed on. You notice that some of the people are coughing up a foul smelling black tar like substance.
Uriel:
You've been spending the last few days helping out Lady Cirthana, the towns one and only experienced cleric, dealing with the illness that has swept through town lately. Last night was the first night of casualties due to the illness and Cirthana is taking it VERY hard. She has tasked you with dealing with the bodies of the 4 people that have passed you've spent most of the morning notifying the families of the dead. There is one more name on your list and your heart drops when you see who it is...its Laurel's daughter. Laurel is the town apothecary.
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
The large and muscular figure shuffles through the twin, his broad shoulders rolled forward and his bright red hair plastered against his forehead from the sweat of his exertion. The expression on his face is drawn and tight, and his eyes are reddened from sorrow. Plain acolyte robes adorn his frame and sway slowly as he shuffles towards a two-story shop identified by a simple sign as “Roots and Remedies”.
Thinking of the cheerful laugh and quick smile of the young Gebre girl before the onset of her sickness, Uriel stops for a moment at the sign and leans heavily on it, thinking, ”I have to do this. Lady Cirthana needs my help. But why did the girl have to die?”. Gathering himself and moving to the door of the shop, Uriel knocks on the door and calls out, ”Miss Laurel, I need to speak with you. It’s about your d...d...daughter,” he finishes, his voice cracking as he considers the terrible news he has to deliver.
As you approach Roots and Remedies you see there is a line out side of the shop. Since you have dire news to deliver you skip to the front of the line and knock on the door. Many of the people in the line protest one of them even coughing up phlegm and spitting it at you, the vile black tar like substance landing on your tunic. "Back...of the...line" the man stammers.
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Uriel’s Reply:
A flash of mindless rage crosses his countenance at the vile substance landing on his clothing, but it is quickly replaced by pity, and Uriel responds as the priestess has directed him too, ”Sorry, official church business,” and remains standing at the door, looking for an answer from the proprietor.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
'This seems unproductive.' Standing in line, the human in front of Taicho turns and begins to cough. The black bird spins his head almost ninety degrees while covering his beak with his conical Sedge-grass hat, telling the man: "Oi, Watch where yer' bloody well couqhin' wrought!"
'He has the right of it.' Seeing the broad shouldered, red haired fellow move through the crowd towards the door, Taicho steps out of line and follows in the big man's wake. 'About her daughter?' Hearing the big man's announcement, Taicho taps him on the shoulder. "Oi Red, Once you's get tha' doc out 'ear's, can I's bloody well yammer at 'er too's?"
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Tapping on the man's shoulder is like tapping on chiseled rock, and with the hubbub of the townsfolk around, the sad-eyed acolyte seems not to register the comment from Taicho, focused as he is on preparing to deliver what would seem to be devastating news.
really I figure a ten perception would be good enough.
'how odd' Realizing the big guy hadn't felt or heard him, Tachio pokes him with a claw and yells. "Oi!"
Once the red head turns around, Taicho lulls his tongue in a tengu smile and lifts his hand showing not offense meant. "So's can I's yammer wit tha' Lady as wells, wroight?"
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Yeah, normally would've worked, but he is pretty emotional right now and focused on his 'mission'.
Turning to address the persistent townsperson, Uriel is somewhat taken aback at the crow-like appearance of the being--revealing more a lack of experience with "exotic" races than any prejudice--and replies, "That will be for Miss Laurel to decide," responds Uriel, "I'm just here to deliver a message."
Uriel knocks louder--to impressive effect even though he doesn't mean to be overly dramatic--and calls, "Miss Laurel, Lady Cirthana sent me to speak to you."
'A message? Maybe it's good news.' Taicho, nods his head in understanding, "'At's all's a bloke can ask fer's, wroight." He then waits behind the big guy, hoping to offer his help to the apothecary.
The door slowly opens and you see a woman in her mid to late 20's standing there. Her eyes are a bit puffy and she pushes her glasses back up her nose. "You have word on my Laura? Please come on, I'll put on some tea" She steps aside letting you two in and then addresses the crowed briefly as they threaten to riot as you two enter. "Please please my friends be patient, I will be out with a new herb blend tea that I've been working on shortly. My daughter has fallen ill and this man and his friend bring news."
I know you don't bring news Taicho but she doesn't so play along if you wish to
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Uriel nods and moves in, seemingly either unaware of Miss Laurel's mistake or unwilling to contradict someone he sees as an "adult". He stands over by the counter, fidgeting and extremely uncomfortable, seeming not to know what to do with his hands as he waits for the herbalist to return with the tea.
Word on Laura? oh oh, I hope the big guy knows something.' Looking from the woman in glasses to the big guy, Taicho pauses for a moment, ruffling his tail feathers, he follows the big guy into the room. Stopping near the messenger, He shifts and stands on one foot, nervously lifting the other.
Male Dwarven 1st Champion ??/??; Perception+?; AC ??; Fort +??; Reflex+??; Will ??
Kilain looks at the open Gates and then notices the half orc walking up and involuntarily flinches as one of his ancestral enemies strides forward.
He finds himself glancing around hurriedly. But not seeing any sign of a horse he sighs then the halfling runs up asking for help...and the Barbarian introduces himself and seems receptive and the dwarf relaxes...a mercenary then...he thinks.
aye names Kilain of Clan Gravendak of The Hammer Halls . Wat be your problem?
Male Half-Orc Barbarian 1; HP 16/16; AC 17/13/14 F+5/R+3/W+3; Init +3; Per +7
Makoa sees the dwarf and notices the wooden holy symbol.
Ah, a holy dwarf. the best kind. Well met Kilain! I am known as Makoa and this little one need help. Join us, pleaze. You would be most welcome.
Makoa recalls a time from his childhood when a particular dwarf shouted at a group of men after they removed some of his lower teeth - which others would call tusks. The dwarf scared them off and said a prayer that healed the damage - but his tusks are forever gone. Ever since, Makoa has always liked those who would be known as clerics.
The smell of burnt earth and spicy incense chokes the air of the cramped, mud-tracked shop. Bunches of dried herbs hang from the
ceiling, along with dangling pots, presses, alchemical apparatuses, and glassware of more arcane purposes. Pouches of rare plants, jars of colored glass, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts fill high shelves and tables doing double duty as displays and workspaces. Lauriel makes quick work of fetching some tea "I haven't heard you cough yet but just in case you have the taint I will give you some special tea that I hope will help at least suppress its effects if not cure them. I'm no cleric but I think this should do the trick" she says from the back of the room as she busys herself making tea. You see her grabbing various vials of liquid and a few bundles of herbs. After a few moments she turns with two cups in hand. "Here your tea is ready. So whats this about my..." she pauses a little and her eyes tear up. "...daughter..." she manages to choke out.
Makoa and Kilain:
The small man seems relieved as Kilain walked up, being far less intimidating then the much larger Makoa. "Right right...oh I should probably introduce myself, name's Vamros Harg, magistrate of Falcons Hollow."[b] He reaches out a hand to Kilain and then up to Makoa, though it only comes up to the half orc's crotch. [b]"Please we have little time...I need you to speak with Laurel right away. She's been working on a cure...yes a cure that will save the town...four dead over night..." He seems to be more mumbling to himself and you can tell hes under a great deal of stress.
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Uriel looks up with sad eyes and says simply, ”I’m sorry, Miss Laurel, Laura...died from the sickness. Lady Cirthana told me to make sure you knew she didn’t suffer.”
After a brief pause, Uriel adds, ”I’m really sorry, I just wish there was some way I could help.”
ninja'd by Uriel, changing my post Before the conversation starts
Shifting again from his left foot back to his right foot, Taicho, holds his left foot up. He watches as Miss Laurel goes to the other room, leaning over to the big red head, whispering. "I's be Taicho, I's bloody well apolergize fer invadein' yer sit down wit tha lady, I's just tryn' ta 'elp me bloke Georgy." Seeing Miss Laurel head their way, Taicho accepts the tea, Nodding to her, as miss Laurel begins to speak.
after
Almost dropping the tea cup, Taicho's eyes get as big as saucers, looking from Uriel back to Miss Laurel, he opens his mouth and quclkly shuts it, shifting back to his left foot, Holding the right foot high, squeezing the claw open and shut. Taicho nods, "Me's too Ms. Laurel, if-n-air is anyt'in's, floogin' anyt'in's at all's I's can do's you's just names it, wroight."
Laurel falls to her knees in a fit of tears at Uriel's words. Sobbing uncontrollably for a few moments before looking up at Uriel and asking "I've seen this illness first hand...what do you mean she didn't suffer...she probably drowned in her own..." her words fail as another fit of sobs starts. She reaches over and holds onto Taicho's leg, hugging herself into it.
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
”I...I don’t know Miss Laurel. Lady Cirthana used some healing power to ease pain and fear for those...near death, like sleeping. I am so sorry, I don’t know more,” Uriel responds, kneeling near her and starting to cry softly in the face of her loss and pain.
Male Dwarven 1st Champion ??/??; Perception+?; AC ??; Fort +??; Reflex+??; Will ??
Kilain flinches as the words pour from the Magistrates lips...
Cure...4 dead over night....
Right
He glances at Makoa and then begins following the halfling to Laurels....taking stock of the unusually empty streets for a village and the line of people standing outside the healers house.
'Oh crap, Oh crap, Oh crap.' his eyes almost popping out of his head when Laurel falls to her knees and grabs his leg. Freezing, unable to lower the other leg he wobbles back and forth as he watches Uriel kneel also. Looking for something he might be able to hold on to so he doesn't fall over; he wrests his right claw on the counter, and looking from Uriel to Laurel, places his left claw on the weeping woman's shoulder. 'Dear Hei Feng, what do I do now?' Patting her shoulder, he begins, "'Air's Air's It'll be's... " Pausing, standing with his mouth hanging open. he cocks his head. 'Awful, bloody floggin' awful! What can be worse than loosin' yer own hatchling?' Closing his beak, he wrests his claw there on her shoulder, hoping that just being there will be enough.
As you approach Lauriel's house you notice creeping ivy and full window boxes cover the façade of the rugged-looking, two-story shop bearing the faded sign “Roots and Remedies.” A line of twenty-some somber townsfolk—some with pale, wheezing children, others seeming to be precipitously near tears—stretches from the closed door. Seeing the magistrate approach one of the elderly people in line calls out to him, her voice making her sound frail and weak "Oh bless your heart Vamros...there are two men inside that cut the line while the rest of us stand dying in the streets. You must not let this egregious atrocity stand. she pauses as a coughing fit overwhelms her. She spits up some black tar like fluid and then continues "And I don't know whats going on in there but I just heard a loud thump and crying coming from inside...they may be attacking Lauriel.
Taicho and Uriel:
As Uriel joins her on the floor the young woman unwraps from Taicho's leg and wraps her arms around Uriel, holding him tightly as she sobs. Moments pass and eventually she sniffles and releases you. "Thank you...Uriel...I'm sure Lady Cirthana did everything she could...do...do you know when...services will be yet? Or is that something I need to talk to Lady Cirthana about?"
Male Half-Orc Barbarian 1; HP 16/16; AC 17/13/14 F+5/R+3/W+3; Init +3; Per +7
Here is Trouble. Everyone sick. Kilain can help. He is holy dwarf.
As Makoa gets close to the line he yells out
HEY! Everyone listen to little one. Do what he say. Safer that way.
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
”Yes, Miss Laurel, please talk with Lady Cirthana when you are ready,” responds Uriel, getting to his feet sadly. ”Is there anything I can do?” he adds simply.
;Thank Hei Feng, she let go of my leg.' Lowering his second leg, Taicho watches as the two mammals stand. Having forgotten momentarily about his friend Georgy, nodding with Uriel's question, he chimes in. "At's wroight, is'n 'air's anyt'in we's can do's ta floggin' elp?"
Male Dwarven 1st Champion ??/??; Perception+?; AC ??; Fort +??; Reflex+??; Will ??
Kilain scowled up at Makoa knowing the Half-Orc just dropped their anonymity.
He looked at the line of feared desperate and hopeful faces and said loudly I am but an acolyte to Torag The Graybeard. I will do what I can. Let me through to see Miss Laurel and I will see if I can assist her efforts.
then with a glance at Vamros and Makoa...He said Vamros, please help these folks understand we need calm here as hard as it may seem. Makoa, with me...if Miss Laurel is in trouble I may need your assistance
The dwarf then moved to the front and into the building looking around.
The door to Roots and Remedies is not locked and as the two of you enter you see a younger woman just getting up from the floor and two other people in the home/business. "What are you do..." the woman starts and then the magistrate comes in and she stops. "Oh magistrate, I assume these two are here on official business being that you escorted them to my home. What can I do for you?" she takes a handkerchief from a belt pouch around her waist and dots her eyes with it and then blows her nose.
"Sorry to intrude Laurel, but these two are adventurers and I figure they could help you find a cure. There were four lost to the taint last night...this is getting out of hand. I've let you handle this alone to this point but you are in over your head and need help." He then looks around the room and sees Uriel and Taicho there. "OH what are you boys doing here...no matter now we have four people that can help you Laurel.
Laurel just nods your head [b]"Your right I am in over my head..." her words trail off and she sniffles again. "If you'll excuse me a moment..." she turns and rushes off towards another room in her home.
"Well now that everyone is here, I'll excuse myself. Let me know if you need any help from the town of Falcons Hollow."
Male Dwarven 1st Champion ??/??; Perception+?; AC ??; Fort +??; Reflex+??; Will ??
Kilain looks at the Crow-Man and blinks a couple times. He'd never seen one, though he had heard of them. Then at the human-like person, though its limbs and body were oddly out of proportion.
he remarked to them as he moved to follow 'Miss Laurel' Names Kilain Gravendak ofThe Hammer Halls. I be an Acolyte following The Forgemaster. Perhaps I can help research cures for this disease.
'Magistrate?' Seeing the folks walk in, Taicho initially looks around nervously, 'Oh, he's bringing more people to help...help with what?' Looking from the magistrate and the distraught Laurel towards the dwarf and half orc; He nods his beak extending a talon. "Tha floggin' pleasures all mines, wroight. I's be Taicho." He looks from Kilain to the half orc then the big guy with red hair, "So's if'n you's don't bloody well mind's me's askin. but what is we's supposen ta be 'elpin' wit?"
Uriel the Fist | Male Suli | Scaled Fist Monk 1 | Speed 30 | Initiative +3 | Perception +1 | Hp: 12/12 | AC 16 (Touch 16, FF 13) | CMD 19 | Fort +3, Reflex +5, Will +1 | Active Conditions: None
Uriel looks up and says sadly, "I am Uriel, acolyte to Lady Cirthana, but I know nothing about crafting cures for disease. Still I will do what I can to help."
Those of you who are perceptive or insightful might notice that Uriel is fairly young and not particularly smart.
'Kilian find out what to do, ok, And the big guy is younger than I realized.' turning to Makoa, Taicho shifts his weight, and stands on one again. 'Uriel, good to know, he's younger than I thought.' He looks at Uriel's as the young man admits to having no knowledge about cures, Taicho politely nods to them both. Turning and looking at Kilian, cocking his head, "So's 'at makes you's tha flogin' commaner in chiefs, wroight.' He lulls his tongue in a tengu smile, 'At's bloody well peaches wit me, I's always taught Dwarves was smarter 'en most, wroight."
'So Red follows, Sarenrae.' Nodding his head in understanding, Taicho chimes, in "I's foller's Hei Feng, me's self's. Not 'at were bloody well close er any'ting, wroight." shifting his feet, he nods the direction Laurel went then looks at Kilain, "Speaken o' follerin', she's said ta be "excusin' 'er fer a moment" so's is we's suposen ta foller 'er wait's 'ear, wroight?"
'Fly?' Turning from Kilain Taicho looks towards Makoa. He lulls his tongue in a tengu smile, repeating the question. "Fly's" Shaking his head he lulls his tongue again, "But I's can bloody well fall wit style, wroight." He shifts his feet, "I's came ta Andoran a fare piece back, dues ta tha fact I's needed ta leave Port Perils, in a bit's of a 'urry." Winking as he puts a talon to the side of his beak. "If'n ya catch me meanin' wroight." He lowers his talon and asks, "So's enough's about me'self, Tell's me Makoa, what's a fine bloke liken yerself doin' in a place loiks tha 'ollow?"
Cocking his head, then lulling his tongue in his tengu smile, Taicho winks at the Half orc then looks at Uriel. "Maybe's us differnt one's should sticks together wroight."
Male Half-Orc Barbarian 1; HP 16/16; AC 17/13/14 F+5/R+3/W+3; Init +3; Per +7
Sticking together sounds good to me. Makoa will watch Taicho and Uriel back just like Kilain.
Makoa sighs and takes a deep breath. A strange sense of calm washes over him. It only lasts for a few seconds. He looks over at the room the crying woman went into. He says to Taicho and Uriel:
We go see what we can do for crying woman - Miss Laurel her name? Kilian waiting for us.
Laurel returns to the room carrying a book. She adjusts her glasses on her face and looks at all of you in the room with a bit of a warm, if not forced, smile. "The magistrate was right, I could use your help, especially with as bad as things seem to be getting. I have a possible cure here in this book but I need some ingredients that I would like your help getting. I need some Elder-wood moss, a specially pickled root called rats tail, and seven iron bloom mushrooms. It you could bring them to me as soon as possible I think I have a shot at curing this. Any questions?"
