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The party continues for a couple of hours. The townsfolk finally begin drifting home, with wide smiles (and not a few unsteady gaits, due to the free-flowing ale and wine some of the townies brought with them.)
The good vibes seem to cheer up the carnies as well. Although all are still in the shadow of Myron's death, a pleasant evening of good food and camaraderie has done wonders for them.
Didy will get up early in the morning and knock on Pontypool's tent.
"Hi Mr. Pool. I just wanted to say again that I really am super sorry about yesterday. Let me know if there is any way I can make it up to you." he says looking up at the chef with giant saucer eyes.
Moments later his tagging begins wagging excitedly as he offers up a suggestion, "Maybe I could keep an eye out for some nice herbs or some more meat for you?"
"I promise I won't tell a whole village about it this time!" the saucer eyes reemerge as he begs for an opportunity to get back into the cook's good graces.
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The camp is stirring to life as the heroes depart.
Pontypool scowls, and returns a gold piece to Didymus.
"Don't mention it. Water is under bridge. I think we may get repeat customer, now they taste Pontypool's cooking."
The professor stops you before you leave.
"I've told the crew not to break camp yet." the professor says. "Whatever is going on, here, we're going to hold put for a moment. If you are able to put this place to rights, they'll be in need of a little cheering up. Maybe a second performance is in order."
Nellyn is ready for you as you arrive, sitting on the porch in a wooden chair. A couple of locals are nearby, looking at some of the damaged pews.
He nods toward the locals.
"The church isn't what it once was, but the coffers still have some funds. I'm going to hire some of the local tradesmen to replace what was damaged. No one here can do stained glass, sadly. I'll have to send off to Absalom for that."
He rumages in the pockets of his robes, and pulls out some items.
"Here. In thanks for your service, but not just that. A couple of the townsfolk came to see me this morning. Seems the mayor went out to the Hermitage yesterday, to talk to his friend, Harlock. Hasn't been seen since." he says, a grim set to his mouth.
Nellyn hands the group 4 minor healing potions, a vial of holy water, and a scroll of magic weapon.
"I don't know whats going on up there, but it doesn't sound good." he continues. "May Abadar's blessing be upon you, and may the Lord of the First Vault guard you, as you guard this town."
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BumBum approaches PonyPool "So you's do have some pickles left? I tell's you, this whole thing go sour, I's saving you first. SOUR! HA!"
Then BumBum will give the Professor a big hug and say "You's not wory about us TOO's much Professor. Maybe just a little, but if we's come back we put on a straw crowd kinda show, you betcha!" He will then lean in close on the hug, his lip trembling. "I's kinda scared. this like big time problem. Something for Big Damn Heros, not simple artist folks like us. I hope's we are up to it."
Finally, upon meeting Nellyn "I need to make's a confession. I broke one of your windows." He chokes up a bit. "It, it, it...was kinda busted already, but I had to shoot the demon real quick, and them the demon broke another window, and I'm sorry about your windows. They was real pretty" He will recover somewhat. "Thank you for the good supplies, we put's em to good use. I hope's you will look after our troupe while's we are gone. They good folk, and would look after you and your folk right back."
BumBum will then place his new wraps around the base of his tail and show them off. "Thank you Didy, for the loan. I's sorry I snap at you. I just getting scared. This serious stuff we getting into, and I's worried about these townies. Thay don't seem to smart I tell's you"
He will then look at the to everyone present and raise a pickle.
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Nellyn absolves BumBum of any guilt for the windows.
"You did what you had to, say no more."
The Hermitage is 12 miles northwest of town, along the coast.
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.
The sound of the waves crashing on the cliffs below is about all you can hear.
I knew it! Didy manages not to say when Pontypool sort of thanks him for the new business and returns half of his reparations.
Didy gives Bumbum a quick apologetic face lick. "No worries, BumBum. I'm sorry, too. Sometimes, I get a little overexcited. But, man, wasn't that a great party! The whole town loves us now."
Didy puts his sniffer to work.
Al is going to look around for any small burrowing mammals with fun and interesting personalities to chat with.
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The heavy wooden double doors leading into the Hermitage are beautiful. Each contains an elaborate woodcarving, etched deep into the surface of the door, and covered heavily with lacquer until it gleams in the sunlight.
On the left door is a powerfully built man rises from a storm, with lightning bolts in his hand. On the right, a woman is surrounded by a powerful whirlpool in the sea. Both are reaching out with one hand toward the other, and the point where the fingers touch marks the end of each door.
Didymus is able to recognize this as the twin aspects of Gozreh, the god of nature, weather, and the sea.
BumBum doesn't see any traps on the door, but he can hear a man weeping from within.
"Oh no! Someone is in trouble!" Didy says as he immediately throws open the door.
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BumBum will give Didy a stern look, pull out his rolled posters (newspaper), and place his finger to his mouth in the universal quiet sign as he comes rushing towards the door like the annoying puppy he is. Then he will continue listening, trying to make out any words among the sobs. Afterwards he will step back, draw his bow, and nod to Didy.
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No one hears any additional speech.
The door reveals a vestibule, with stone floors and walls made of simple masonry. Four columns hold up the ceiling here—two crafted to look like coral, and two made to look like tree trunks. To the west is a thick green curtain. There are doors to the north and south.
Mayor Jae Abber lay in the corner, bloody and bruised. Nearby are three men, each holding a trident and wooden shield, and wearing gray robes.
"Oh, thank Abadar!" the mayor chokes out, seeing you.
One of them men slaps the mayor with the blunt end of his trident, knocking him unconscious.
"Oh, Cannono? Do be a dear and give us a hand."
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Round one
Al
Red (flat footed, -10 speed)
Kvothe
Blue (flat footed, -10 speed, slowed 1)
Green
BumBum (Hidden)
Didy
Mayor (unconscious)
The grig moves into the room a bit further and begins to fiddle.
Two of the men begin shuffling their feet uncontrollably.
Red's features twist in rage. He moves to the grig and attacks.
The grig returns to the plane it was summoned from.
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Strumming his lute to set the mood, Kvothe thinks of a good time to get everything started.
Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin
I came to win, battle me that's a sin
I won't ever slack up, punk you better back up
Try and play the role and yo the whole crew'll act up
Get up, stand up (c'mon!) see'mon throw your hands up
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Al
Red (flat footed, -10 speed)
Kvothe
Blue (flat footed, -10 speed, slowed 1)
Green
BumBum (Hidden)
Didy
Ambrosius (Fast healing 2, 2 temporary hit points)
Mayor (unconscious)
Kvothe inspires, and casts a spell on Ambrosius.
Blue enters a state of frenzy, and moves up to Ambrosius, but doesn't attack.
Green enters a state of frenzy, moves toward Didy, and attacks.
His attack misses.
Al will glower at them for killing her poor grig friend and then shoot a bolt of electricity through the two in front.
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Round one
Active Effecs - inspire courage, hymn of healing, fiddle
Al
Red
Kvothe
Green (-5)
BumBum (Hidden)
Didy
Ambrosius (-29, Fast healing 2, )
Mayor (unconscious)
Blue drops, but green seems to shrug off some of the damage.
Red quickly strides up to exploit the gap, attacking Ambrosius.
The guard lays a massive hit on Ambro, leaving him just barely standing.
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Round one
Active Effecs - inspire courage, hymn of healing
Al
Red (-8)
Kvothe
Green (-9, shield up)
BumBum (Hidden)
Didy (-17)
Ambrosius (Dying 1, Fast healing 2)
Mayor (unconscious)
The sound blast goes off, damaging both guards.
Green attacks Ambrosius.
The dinosaur drops! Green turns his attention to Didymus.
Finally, the guard raises his wooden shield.
Ditto for last round essentially.
Didy kneels down and bandages his poor dino buddy in record time with the help of his bandolier of healing tools.
"Good boy! There ya go, back on your feet. Now repay him in kind!"
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Round one
Active Effecs - inspire courage, hymn of healing
Al
Red (-17, Frightened 2)
Kvothe
BumBum (Hidden)
Didy (-17)
Ambrosius (-19, Fast healing 2)
Mayor (unconscious)
BumBum drops green. Didy hits red, but Ambrose misses.
Red seems shaken under Al's glare and electrical attack, but attempts to attack the recently risen Ambro all the same.
Al wrinkles her nose a bit at taking this one alive, but acquiesces and attempts to knock him out.
Didy will try to bring the last guy down alive as well.