Several more of the merfolks go down and finnaly the caster shouts out something in aquan and the merfolk retreat. With the help of the crew you eliminate the remaining water elemental quickly.
"The bloody hells was that all about...." says the captain.
He barks out orders for the wounded to be tended too and for the ship to start sailing closer to the shore.
Stanislav retrieves his bow and stands ready, looking for threats. First time on a boat like this captain. I have no idea. I take it that these type of attacks are not common?
"I've never heard of merfolk pirates. Are you carrying anything that might be of value to them?" Cori asks the Captain.
"Common? Never heard of it happening before...I've even traded with their kind in the past. You sure they weren't after you?" says the captain
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Slid resists the urge to check on the shards immediately and realizes the immediate urgency is to dispel the captain's suspicion. He says "We carry only that which is valuable to us. I, for one, had never seen merfolk until today." Although technically not lying, Slid's words are phrased in such a way to make it seem like they don't carry anything that would be valuable to anyone else.
She swings her clenched claw across her front, speaking in draconic to Ajikisshochraos, Curse that half-fish caster for getting away. We need to work on our breath weapons.
Once she helped the sailors treating their wounds, she heads back up to the crowsnest with Ajikisshochraos following.
The rest of the journey is a bit tense but nothing else happens and finally the ship makes shore about a mile from the village of Roslar's Coffer. "Town's over that way" says the captain pointing "You boss hired us to take you to up to the hungry mountains after this but if you still want to come with us the price is now double. Don't come back unless you have the extra 2000 gold for me, we will wait here two days no more." he says.
You are doubling the price because you sailed into trouble? Stanislav scoffs. Well, it's no skin off my back but you can explain it to our boss. We can pay the coin but I doubt he will be happy. You even seen him unhappy? As Stanislav steps off the boat not looking back he confirms 2 days.
Whats he gonna do? Have his crew stop us? Disgusting. I'd wager the lot would work just as well being undead as they are now.
We'll discuss this request upon our return. Its not our fault you ran afoul of merfolk pirates on the waters, not to mention I recall a fair portion of the defense was made by us ourselves. Perhaps you should be thankful we were onboard when you were attacked? I dare say we kept you from losing far more. But, that is something to discuss later, after all heads have properly considering everything.
He follows the others to their objective.
"When we come back, we'll renegotiate," Cori says, giving the captain a crooked smile before she disembarks.
Cori is implying trading certain favors in lieu of coin. She might make good on the offer, but she is clearly holding something back.
The captain just sorta grunts and waves you away. He confirms once more . 2 days.
You head and before you is the town of Roslar's coffer. The hour is a few hours after noon and there is quite a bit of activity in the town.
The first place you encounter is (A) FREEMARK’S LIVERY. It seems to be a combination of a stable and a fish market that also sells a few general goods as well.
Stanislav nods to Slod as adjusts his appearance as well. Best if we have a cover for why we are traveling to, or better, through Roslar's Coffer. Stanislav whispers under his breath as the group walks. Where are we from and where are we headed?
Ajikisshochraos remained with her in the crowsnest for the remainder of the journey. When the ship dropped anchor, and she saw the other disembarking, they glided down onto the shoreline. Once on the ground, she speaks softly, Which way do we go?
When they see Roslar's Coffer, and Slid suggests they disguise themselves, she alters her appearance to be rather blue. She helps keep Ajikisshochraos so Slid can make some colouring changes.
"Anyone get a look at some of the townsfolk? What's the average person look like in this town?" She fingers her pendant, trying to come up with a disguise that will draw the least amount of attention.
If we are travelers, we do not want to look like townsfolk. I would say traveling merchants, save the fact we have no wares... We could also take the guise of any groups we know. So any word of mouth would be directed towards a separate entity entirely.
Looking at the various travelers around you, the majority are humans and dwarves but with a few of other mixed races as well. There is enough variety that you feel that is little chance you will stand out. (thought Reginald certainly would)
You also notice a group of five knights in shining armor patrolling the street wearing the symbol of Sarenrae.
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Just before entering town, Slid comments to the others "We're merchants who have recently completed an enterprise successfully. Say we sold leather in the south. Now we're looking for some time off and enjoy the profits before starting another venture. That'll cover why we don't have any merchandise."
Once in town, Slid notices the knights and thinks they could be a problem. Immediately he thinks they should think of creating a diversion for the mission, but he does nothing so far. He suggests to the others "How about we spend a night at the tavern, see what the talk in town is. If we are smart we can figure out who the pushers here are." He also wishes to know more about the knights, possibly some weaknesses, but he doesn't want to discuss this openly in the streets.
Noting the general races of the people and travels, she take on the appearance of a small lizardfolk, as she did in Vigil.
Cori uses her pendant to change her appearance to an auburn-haired human woman dressed like a prosperous, but not wealthy merchant.
Cori looks to the others. "I'm of a mind to hide the Shard and leave, with no side jobs or excursions. That being said, we can't just leave Slid, as I'm sure that would void our contract with the Master. Either we all stick with him, or one of us does, while the others go plant the Shard. If we go the second route, we need a signal that it's time to leave, preferably one that doesn't get the entire town in a uproar."
The chatter in the tavern mainly revolves around a procession of Sarenrites that passed trough town on their way to the temple a few nights ago and how incredibly attractive the red haired priestess leading them was.
Some people are also talking about how the Sarenrites have taken on the task of hunting down a powerful undead creature in the forest called the Red Reaper.
I say let us walk about the centre of this town to see for suitable location for us to leave our gift. Does not have to be the centre building, just nearby the centre.
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Slid tells Cori "Well, I think I'm not that good at finding the best spot, I'll leave that to you. I think I'll go do that which I'm best at, talking to people." He thinks the Sarenrite priests will probably be the biggest challenge for them, so he is glad that he has some information involving them. He pushes back the thought of trying to get close to the beautiful priestess. The irony of a betrayal on his part seems almost too good to pass on, but he feels it wouldn't be the most effective way to go.
Instead, he tries gathering intelligence about this Red Reaper creature. He tries gathering rumors about it, learning if anyone survived an encounter with it. He doesn't understand much about the undead, so he has little hope of identifying such a creature, but he tries to find information about what sort of abilities it has.
Stanislav wants to secure a room to sort of anchor the group to the town, adding,. at least in his eyes, some legitimacy. He will ask the inn keeper about the location of various shops and businesses and then pick a shop near F to go to visit with any of the group willing to come along.
She decides to join Stanislav as he makes his way to the inn keeper, and will go with him to scout.
There is a jewelry shop and an alchemist as well a a crusader hangout/tavern called the crimson blade near the town center.
Cori looks to the others and says quietly, "Hiding the shard amongst the vials and curios in the alchemist's shop might be a good option. It also provides a convenient scapegoat for whatever is going to happen."
Slid asks around but accounts of the creature vary from person to person.
It's apparently very big has red skin and is highly dangerous has between 1 and eight horns, it can disappear and reappear as will and create illusions and according to one drunk guy it can shoot lightning out of it's ass.
You find a safe place to hide the shard as instructed then you gather everyone and leave and go to a hill overlooking the town.
There Tiadora and Adrastus Teleport to your location shortly after you inform them via sending stone that the task is done and that you are in position.
"Ah good you made it on schedule. How was your trip?" says Adrastus.
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Slid is a little bored at the recounts of the creature in the woods. When he goes meet the others, he finds that they have already placed the shards and they go to the hill.
Meeting Tiadora and Adrastus, Slid says "Trip was annoyed by a group of merfolk that attacked the ship. The captain said they never met these folk and will want a lot of money to take us back. Anyway, weapon is ready for testing."
Stanislav speak with respect, but speaks plainly. I dislike this captain and his demands. It may be his usefulness to us is near an end. Were we not with him those mermen would have taken the ship. Of course if we were not there they may not have attacked at all. That would suggest somehow someone knew of our trip, if not our mission.
Adrastus nods hearing you recounting "I heard rumours the priestess of the merfolk has prophetic visions of the future granted by her goddess. If this is true she may have been trying to prevent you mission from succeeding. As for the captain you are correct, his usefulness is at an end. I will give you the gold to pay him but when you reach your destination, kill him and his crew and retake both his payments and secure their cargo, it will prove useful in bringing the orcs and ogres to our cause."
"Ah it's time." he turns towards the town. "We will now see what our master's new weapon can do."
After a short moment there is a massive explosion and a massive pillar of light intermixes with darkness rises into the sky, it only last a few seconds but when he light clears and you can see again the town of Roslar's coffer is gone.
The center of town is just a crater now and the buildings closest to it seems to have been disintegrated, only a few structures on the edges of town seems to have survived but a dark miasma lingers over the entire town and you notice that all the surrounding vegetation is withering and dying.
Just like that a few thousand people have perished.
Cori's eyes go wide in awe at the cataclysmic blast.
When the sound has faded and dust as settled, she turns to Adrastus.
"Each shard can be used to do this? If so, we will bring this despicable nation of hypocrites to their knees!"
She clenches her fist in a gesture of triumph.
Stanislav watches in fascination. He says nothing but thinks about the waste. [i]Those people could have been put to work or converted to our master's faith. Or even become a food source.[i] he thinks in an afterthought. Finally he adds A good test. I do hope the next target has walls and knights and priests and paladins within.
Once on top of the hill looking down at the town, muttering in draconian while rubbing the top and back of Ajikisshochraos' head, What an eye sore on the lands. Wonder what weapon that dead thing is planning...
When Tiadora and Adrastus arrive, she does not bother to turn around to speak to them, speaking as the watches the town, Oh, just had stupid merfolk attack the ship, and that caster got away.
When the blast occurs with a dazzling light show, she rubs her eyes, and allows them to refocus. Instead of the town, there was a huge crater that almost engulfed the entire town. Realising the was no more, she jumps into the air with a fist swinging upwards, Oh such a beautiful sight, those despoilers gone.
Placing her hands on her hips, she shakes her head, Pity about the mess of the crater. Well with time nature will take over, restore the mess to natural beauty.
So what is the next eyesore to remove off the surface?
Adrastus nods "This is why a shard had to remain behind in Sigil, but before we can strike that target we must raise an army first."
In the town below you start to hear the sounds of screams and there is activity in the south-east quadrant and you notice flashes of light from spells going off.
Andrastus looks down "Survivors? But who or what are they fighting?"
He begins casting spells on each of you. "This will protect you from any lingering miasma, go down there and investigate. I need more information on just how effective the weapon was. If you encounter survivors deal with them however you please. The temple of Sarenrae was outside the range of the weapon. They will likely come investigate as well, you may also deal with them however you please I only care to know the full extent of the weapons potential. Once you are finished return to the ship I will meet you there."
"Oh, this should be fun!" Cori remarks with a crooked grin and a twinkle in her eye.
She touches the thorn pendant again, and changes her appearance to that of a peasant woman in the remnants of daily garb; her skin covered in dirt and lacerations.
She assumes the posture of a person who is in pain and limping.
"I hope someone down there can help me..." she says in a pathetic, hoarse whisper. The wicked gleam in her eye fading to a look of post-traumatic shock
An excellent idea Cori. I shall do likewise. He adopts the posture of a simple farmer, his right leg bound in dirty rags and his glaive a crutch to help him along.
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Slid's eyes watch the explosion and he doesn't blink, afraid he would miss something. For the first time in his life, he is speechless. The others are faster than him in planning the next steps, but the dhampir can hardly think of anything but enjoy this moment.
He realizes they have been given some orders and sees Cori's idea and comments "You are resourceful one." He follows her lead and also disguises into someone who seems very hurt using his amulet.
As we investigate we should be careful not to kill any who are badly wounded. Our enemies will have to care for them, consuming their resources. Those who are not badly wounded could be. Perhaps we should even pick up some wounded souls appear to help them as part of our cover.
Vinnick gazes out at the devastation. He hadn't particularly wanted this, after all, half of his research had been dedicated to wanting to better their lives. But then, he remembered how they had received his studies. Yes, first they must prove the need for change... Then..
is what he told himself. He was blown away at the power the shard held, though honestly, was a bit remiss at the loss of the potential bodypower. Though, when told to investigate, the thought of procuring bodies for his work and studies seemed too good to pass up.
I will travel along, this is a good opportunity to gather a few more resources for our goals.
Adrastus goes over to Vinnick and passes him a scroll (Command Undead)
"There is a powerful undead in the nearby forest and the dark energy from the blast may draw it into the town. If you encounter it this might be useful to you"