GM Michael's Falcons Hollow Chronicles

Game Master Dread

oops overlooked that they had gone yesterday.

Alexander changes out the dagger for his sword and misses his opponent in the process.

Thallin waves his tea Kettle around in a very distracting manner. Causing the Killer's attention to be split

At the Priestess' command The Killer near Thallin shifts over and stabs at Straug, cutting open his arm from wrist to elbow.

attack on straug vs AC 17: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The other thug continued to press on Alexander , but Alex swats aside the dagger with his buckler

attack on Alexander vs AC 18: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
11-Priestess
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 8R

Technically, though it might not work out well for me, doesn't Falkwyn now go on 11 when the Priestess does?

Again trying to time his shot to interrupt any spellcasting the priestess might attempt, Falkwyn lines up his sight and fires when she begins her action!

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Arrow Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

because neither time was it successful I wont adjust the timing. Not that it would matter really if I put it at 11 and you he went right before her...amounts to the same thing as we are doing.

Falkwyn once agoain tries to stop the priestess from casting by timing a shot, and once again the arrow glances off her armor.

The Priestess pauses and taking a pinch of iron powder out and sprinkles it around her as she prays to her foul Master. A slight Gray field seems to envelop her about a 1' away.

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
11-Priestess
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 8R

Kronk steps ahead, still a little afraid but pretending not to be, and attacks the enemy on his southwest corner.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 1 = 17
Damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 6 = 14

Cathoris eyes the priestess as she casts her spell.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

He then steps up behind Kronk and swings the sickle at the cultist. It was a strange feeling wielding the weapon of an enemy on another enemy.

sickle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The sickle unusual in Cathoris’s hand and sliced through air, short of the thug.

'A valiant effort lad! It appears, however, we are meant to do things the hard way!'

Straug weaves around the cultist in front of him and heads toward the Priestess bringing his axe around ready for an underhand upwards swipe at her.

'I've had enough magic from you ya crazy witch!' He yells as he brings the axe upwards toward her midsection.

Move around Fiendblood cultist toward Priestess
Cultist gets AOO
Greataxe attack on Priestess

Greataxe attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Greataxe damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

'A spry one arent ya? My axe is coming for your neck soon enough!'

Kronk brought the sledge around, breaking the neck of the Cultist nearest him.

Cathoris took a swipe at The Killer in front of Straug and it danced out of the way.

Struag rushed around the thug, who swiped at him with his dagger but the dwarf was too fast for him. Straug swung his axe at the Priestess and it met resistance that slowed his assault.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Laurel came out and crouched behind a barrel, saying Ill go for Help when theres a break.

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
11-Priestess
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 7R

"Tea time!" Thal calls out as he takes a swing at the cultist nearest him. However, the swing is done strategically to try to get his kettle into the best defensive position.

Fighting Defensively from Prone: 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 4 - 4 = 131d6 ⇒ 4

Yeah, I had very little chance to hit, but it's a matter of survival at this point, and I mean, giving Kronk a chance to step into flank is about the best offense I can perform at the moment.

Alexander moves around in front of Kronk to try and take out the remaining Cultist and allow the Big Man the opportunity to go after the priestess. He positioned himself to take advantage of Thallins positioning and struck out with his sabre like Elven weapon. The Killer was able to avoid the flanking maneuver though.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Thallin started swinging the tea kettle around in circles to avoid any attack.

The Killer took a step backwards and turned to assault Straug and protect the priestess. Straug dodged to the left to avoid a well placed attack to his lower back.

attack from flank: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5) = 11

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
11-Priestess
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 7R

Frustrated by his inability to hit the spellcaster, Falkwyn moves forward to position himself for a better shot at her...then sees Kronk's flanked situation and shifts his sights to the remaining cultist and fires a shot at him instead.

Ranged Shot, Longbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 8
Point Blank Range, Firing into Melee

"Bloody Hells!" the half-elf curses as his shot goes wide, ready to throw his bow down in disgust...but doesn't.

Falkwyn moves a little and fires at the last cutlist, his arrow goes wide and heads down the street.

The priestess reaches up to grasp the skull with chains coming out the eyesockets symbol on her throat and holds a hand up and dark tendrils of black energy strike out from her hand touching each person except the cultist, as if she had exempted him from the foul energy. Where the few who had experienced Cathoris healing touch had felt invigorated, this energy seemed to sap the life force of each of you. a few bruises appeared on Falkwyn, Thallin and Laurel. Blood ran from Kronks nose. Alexander gasped as his cheeks went sallow and his knees almost buckled. Straug felt gashes appear on his arms and face. Cathoris almost fell over from the life force being pulled from him. The group Did not know what she did, but they did know she couldnt be allowed to do it much more...

will save dc 13 Falkwyn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d6 ⇒ 3
will save dc 13 Alexander: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d6 ⇒ 6
will save dc 13 Cathoris: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d6 ⇒ 5
will save dc 13 Straug: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 ⇒ 6
will save dc 13 Thallin: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 131d6 ⇒ 6
will save dc 13 Kronk: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 211d6 ⇒ 4
will save dc 13 Laurel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 ⇒ 3

Alexander is staggered

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
11-Priestess
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 7R

Kronk was afraid - the cook felt as if the last of his blood was running, and unconsciousness was approaching. He wasn't a hero; he wasn't cut for that. He was just an overweight guy with a heavier than it looks masonry tool in hands, not even a weapon.

But he didn't give up. His friends depended on him. His own life depended on him finding the courage; and, so, he moved to attack the priestess, careful as to avoid giving opportunity for other enemies to attack him. If it had been ever a moment to put all his strength on a swing - that was it!

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 = 24
Damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4) + 6 = 16

Confirm?: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 1 = 18
Damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 6 = 18

Coughing up blood as the spell washed over him and bleeding from the gashes on his arms and face Straug growls menacingly.

Hearing Kronk before he can see him he watches in amazement as Kronk's hammer hits home and absolutely obliterates the priestess.

Grunting in satisfaction he feels some renewed vigor as he realizes there is only one enemy left to mop up. He turns to the last cultist and smiles through bloody teeth.

'Looks like she's abandoned you, scum. Maybe your god too. Say hi to her for me in OBLIVION!'

With the final word Straug brings his Greataxe downward in a furious and desperate overhand strike.

Greataxe attack on cultist

Greataxe attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Greataxe damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Cathoris gasps and clutches his chest - pain! So much pain! His mind reels. Then, he thinks of his family, the town, and his new friends. He finds strength as he sees the resolve on their faces. Fight!

He swings the sickle at the cultist again.

Sickle v. AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

But he misses again.

Kronk lumbered forward and slammed the sledhammer into the Priestess chest so hard her ribs cracked, spine broke, neck snapped forward and she dropped to the ground, bleeding inside of her armor. Dead before she hit the ground.

Cathoris gasped and swung his sickle at the remaining cultist, missing.

As did Straug.

Laurel grunted and said Im going for Payday! and ran off towards the main gate.

Alexander is staggered

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 6R

Barely on his feet and bleeding profusely into the dirt Straug yells while splitting blood and pulling his greataxe's blade from the dirt.

Alexander! Thallin! Cut that bastard down!

Straug takes a deep breath and starts to marshal his strength once again.

Momentarily staggered when the bruises form across his body, Falkwyn blinks back tears against the magically induced pain and cheers on Kronk's powerful attack!

Thal stands up, takes a step forward 5' step, and throws a wink at the Dwarf while saying, "Thanks for inviting me to the party, Straud," and then he swings his tea kettle at the enemy they're now flanking.

Tea Kettle: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 6

Alexander here's Straugs shout and turns to look at the dwarf, blood running out of his nostrils and mutters I don feel so good as he turns to go sit on a barrel.

Thallin grins and steps up swinging his tea kettle at the cultist, who dodges the attack.

The killer looks afeared but attacks Straug in a last ditch attempt to accomplish something, knowing he isnt long for the world. His heart isnt in it though and his swipe of his knife meets no flesh.

attack vs AC17: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Alexander is staggered

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 6R

Cathoris breathes a sigh of relief as he see the priestess crumple under Kronk’s sledge. Awesome, Kronk! Then, he sees Alexander and a new concern grows in him.

Returning his attention to the remaining cultist, he swings his sickle.

sickle v. AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

But still meets nothing but air.

Wait. I think you skipped Falkwyn. I was only posting reaction to the previous 'attack' and not his action... Sorry if that caused confusion.

I meant to include him in th bold. go ahead and go

With his bow drawn back and an arrow aimed directly at the remaining cultist, Falkwyn calls out loudly, "Your friends are dead. You saw how we dealt with your mistress as well. One chance: Surrender and live. Continue this, and you die!"

Persuasion or Intimidation, whichever you prefer, it matters not because it's the exact same roll for me.: 1d20 ⇒ 15

there is no look of defeat in his eyes as he says The Whispering Way leads to true victory!

"Then die." Falkwyn fires.

Ranged Shot, Point Blank Range: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Arrow Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Or get a small scratch from my pointy arrow... * sigh * LOL

Grinning like a madman and bleeding from several wounds into the dirt Straug turns and swipes his greataxe at the cultists midsection.

Youre dead already boy, just accept your fate. He tries to say it boldly but his strength is rapidly leaving him.

Greataxe attack on cultist

Greataxe attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Greataxe damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Kronk moves to the last enemy and tries to attack - but this time, his sledgehammer goes completely amiss.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 1 = 11

Whispering Way? Never heard of it! I'm a lot more into yelling, if you know what I mean. - he says, still a little shaken and now confused with what the enemy was saying.

Falwyn tries to talk the cultist into surrending but there is no success and he looses an arrow which grazes the side of the killers neck

Kronk moves over on wavering feet and swings his sldge but the Thug avoids the strike.

Cathoris swings his sickle also with his breathing heavy from the unhealhy energy that had struck him. The sickle passes through the air.

Straugh drives his axe into the dirt a second time.

Laurel runs to the road and then heading to the main gate.

Alexander is staggered

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 5R

Thal takes advantage of the flank and leaps into a spin to bring the tea kettle around with serious momentum and...

Traveling Kettle: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 171d6 ⇒ 3

wonders where this sudden surge of prowess came over him...though he's fairly pleased with the results. "Wish Jarlene had been here to see that" he mutters quietly to himself.

Alexander sits on the barrel and breathes heavily, his head leaning over. He wretches once and black bile streams out of his mouth.

Thallin In a leaping spin smacks the Killer with his kettle. who growls and slashes back at Thallin. Ringing in his ears caused him to be a little befuddled when he struck and he missed his mark.

attack on Thallin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Alexander is staggered

Initiative Tracker: Bold May Go
23-Alexander
18-Thallin
16-Cultists
15-Falkwyn
7-Kronk
7-Cathoris
5-Straug
3-Laurel

Alexander and Kronk receive a -1 on attacks and -1 on saves vs fear effects for 1 minute 5R

Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 1 = 8

Lady of Graves! I can't find an opening even if my life would depend on it! - he lets out, making clear how he's shaken from the previous effects. His hands aren't steady, and he simply can't properly maneuver the heavy sledgehammer.

Go easy on yourself, Kronk. You took the priestess down. This guy isn’t nearly as much a threat on our lives. Cathoris tries encouraging his companion. After all, Kronk took down the one he was most worried about. And what had Cathoris done? Swung a sickle uselessly through the air.

Here we go again! he thinks wearily.

sickle v. AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Another miss!

Falkwyn scowls, frustrated at his inability to thus far score any substantial hits with his arrows. Firing again, he responds to Cathoris,"Any threat to our friends is too great, Cathoris. These madmen need to be stopped."

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 16
Point Blank Shot, Shooting into Melee

Arrow, Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Falkwyn puts an arrow through the throat of the last cultis and down he goes.

combat over. Everyone will be able to level up. start working on your characters

It doesnt take long and Payday and a couple of guards for the consortium run up to where the group stands with laurel in the lead.

Payday breaks out in a grin. Well done! Ill have the money for you in the morning. when you come to give your report. Get some rest.

Alexander sits leaning against the herbalists shop, staring to the sky with arms crossed and shivering slightly.

It'll be worth it... It'll be worth it, It'll be worth it. By blood and right I nor my half sister should be in this town... But small starts. Once I get this place under proper leadership, my next steps are simple... Just... can't let myself die defending it.

Can a friend get.. get a lil help? He calls out.

gonna drink a potion, as its what would have happened during combat.

He fumbles around his pouch before pulling out one of the two potions he had to his name and shakily downs it.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

His body still marke with the bruises caused by the Cult Priestess, Falkwyn winces in pain and walks tiredly over to where Alexander sits, leaning on his bow and offers his arm to help his new-found friend back up. "Let's not sit out here. Let's head over to the tavern and have a drink. Maybe a lot of them, I dunno, but I think we all earned them..."

In the aftermath of the battle, and the second time he's been dropped in a battle, Thal finds himself thinking back to the surge that came over him as he delivered that last hit. He feels...different...but not in any way he can explain.

Thinking on it some more, he remembers the dream. That voice. Something calling out to him to embrace the power it offered. Was this sudden moment of inspiration in battle...he stops, almost chuckling to himself. Blood loss and adrenaline running away with me, he thinks, somewhat convincing himself it's true.

"An excellent notion, Falkwin," Thal says, catching the suggestion of heading to the tavern. "Maybe more discerning ears there will appreciate 'The Lumberjack Song,'" he says, throwing a wink at his companions.

Companions. Safety. A solid group around him and a job well done. He feels accomplished, and surely Janera will be impressed with his deeds.
For this evening, at least, life can return to a bit of normalcy. And yet, there's a small part of him that definitely still feel different...

Straug hears his friends talking about visiting the tavern and while he would usually be the first to agree, another near death experience has given him some serious pause for though.

What good is the pay going to be if we're dead? He asks anyone standing around. Looking for Laurel he intends to ask her for help tending to his many wounds.

More than his wounds however, on his mind is his future. Staggering about and badly hurt he realizes that while he intends to help Falcon's Hollow and he has lived here for some time now its not his home. He feels like a loose end lacking a connection. Understanding his long walks as a meandering and fumbling desire to connect with his heritage he resolves to make up for lost time.

Not knowing quite how else to do it he finds a quiet space in a nearby copse of trees. Angradd, if youll have me I pledge myself to your service. I want to understand your ways and how I can be of service to those around me and in particular my people.

He feels a surge of strength come over him and while still wounded he feels stronger and somehow more capable. New knowledge of how to access Angradd's power rushes into him though he knows he will need some time to absorb what has happened.

He walks back into town slowly some time later, looks for Laurel to ask for any medical treatment, then joins his friends for a drink. It seems despite the urgency a nights rest is needed before heading out to gather the ingredients needed to cure the town of this blight. A few drinks wouldnt go amiss either...

Laurel attends everyones wounds and thanks them for keeping the cultists at bay. Tells them to return in the morning and she will have something or them.

Straug comes back wearing his holy symbol to the Dwarven God Angradd, a flaming forge of iron, more prominently.

Falkwyn seems to be walking more confidently

Alexander seems to be more introspective and furtive.

Thallin more introspective yet confident.

Kronk seems more confident as well and seems to be practicing catching people unawares, startling them.

They return to the inn, where Kronk worked and things are decidedly quiet, because of the illness sweeping the area.

I am very glad we're all alive, kids. - says the cook, reclining on the chair - Honestly... For moments I thought one or more of us were gone for. My apologies if I was shaking a little more than I should.

Taking a long swig from his mug, Falkwyn finishes and wipes his mouth on the back of his sleeve before saying, "Aye, it was looking grim for a bit there, but not because of you, Kronk. None of us had ever faced anything like that before, and just think of it...We survived!"

The half-elf grins, "And you, sir, were amazing. With that sledge of yours? Incredible." The ranger trails off, clapping the large man on the arm.

Returning to the inn, Thal walks right up to Jarlene, takes her hand and graces it with a kiss as he bows saying, "Your knight in shining armor has returned, m'lady," and throws a wink her way. Then, more quietly, he says, "And I'm very glad you're safe,"" and gives her hand a little squeeze.

As he walks over to the table with his companions, some voice at the back of his head seems to be thinking of her as a complication. A weakness. But he shakes that off and joins his friends with a broad smile as he overhears Falkwyn praising Kronk's ability with his sledge. "Indeed, my fine friend," Thal says, smiling at the big cook, "we could have been in truly dire straits had it not been for Sir Kronk and his Sacred Sledge," and he lifts his empty hand pantomiming raising a glass in toast to his friend.

You are way too kind. You cheering a fat, middle aged cook that doesn't know how to swing anything properly designed as a weapon. To be honest, I'm as surprised as you are with how effective my old tool had been. - he says, almost immediately following - Besides, it seems our success should always be shared, as we all work well together. If we're not a true band of adventurers as some commonly see, I think we are at very least as effective as they are on the job.

Usually the more ale Straug drinks the more boisterous he gets, but tonight finds him quieter and pensive. He knows he has been given divine gifts but is unsure exactly what they are or how to use them. Other people with a connection to deity that he has known all had some sort of training or schooling but he has had none. Primarily he is wondering-

Why me? What in the Nine Hells was I expecting when I did that?

He looks around him at the happenstance group and half smiles.

Good people these, maybe there is some fate at work here that brought us together. Hopefully we can do some good together too. Oh yeah and now Ive got to keep Angradd happy too.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts he says loudly to the group.

Remember when Kronk smashed that priestess to pieces with that beat stick of his?! Disgusting and amazing! By Gods we are going to get into some trouble arent we! Drink up lads, we have to see PayDay in the morning and prep for a trek, we are still on a timeline remember!

He downs his mug in two gulps and calls for another round for his friends.

Cathoris sits at the table with his new friends. Friends? Yes, after what they just went through, he could call them friends. He raises a mug of ale with his friends, celebrating Kronk and their victory. Or perhaps survival would be better. The ale tastes bitter on his tongue and warms him.

I thought we were all toast until you flattened her like a pancake. Cathoris says merrily, the ale loosening his tongue. It’s good to fight with you, all of you.

Despite the merriment, he couldn’t help thinking back to the events of the past few days. He stretches his back and feels the aches, glad for Laurel’s healing care. He hadn’t expected ever doing something like this, but it felt good, despite his pain.

While the others continue to celebrate, he pulls out a book, a spellbook Laurel had given him when he first realized he could do magic. How long ago that felt now. The writing inside had been foreign to him, and the magic seemed strange. He kept it with him, but he didn’t have much interest in it, until now.

He turns to an early page and studies the arcane words and starts practicing gestures. He does this for a while until the napkin in front of him ignites suddenly with a spark of fire! He looks up with a start and quickly pats it out with his hand. He looks around at the group wide-eyed and embarrassed. Uh, sorry! He says awkwardly and puts away the book. New spells.

The evening goes by and soon the group goes to their sleeping areas and fall into a restless sleep dominated by dreams of combat and pending doom. They awake in the morning determined to get the ingredients and save the town. But first a quick trip to get the $50 gold each for the job they mostly completed. At least they could claim they completed it even if the lumberjacks were still ill and they were uncertain if the threat was truly gone.

Thal may or may not have spent a delightful portion of the evening with Jarlene no really, I don't actually know, but he definitely spent a night full of fitful sleep and odd dreams.

He saw what he could only describe as visions. Glimpses into a life he hadn't lived. Places he'd never traveled. And the voice. The voice from his dream was there. Thal stood at a distance. Removed. Watching these strange events in this unknown world. He saw a figure he couldn't make out blasting foes much as Thal had seen himself do in his earlier dream. He saw the figure fighting with magic and in melee. He saw the figure do a leaping spin to maximize his momentum and strike down a foe...the exact move Thal had done earlier. The figure slowly turned after the strike until Thal could make out the features and the face...as his own.

Waking from the odd dream, Thal hurried about preparing himself for the day moving about, gathering his gear, trying to get a bit of normalcy to help get the odd dream out of his mind.

As he left his room, he walked along the path and saw some wild flowers growing, so he scooped the up and made a stop by the tavern to give them to Jarlene. As she took the gift and commented on his attire showing that he was ready for an adventure, Thal noticed the wand he was wearing at his right hip and the lantern hanging from his belt. He hadn't remembered putting them there. He typically kept them hidden: items he'd stolen from the wizard's tower back when he was living a much different life.

He chuckled in response saying, "Never can be too well prepared, love," and threw her a wink before kissing her hand, bidding her farewell, and heading off to the market to see if, perhaps, he could find something that might be a bit of an upgrade to his current almost-non-existent armor.

I'm enacting Thal to have done these things before meeting up with the rest of the group to head to Pay Day so that if there is aror to be found, any needed adjustments could be made while we're getting the money so he'll be ready to go when it's time to go ingredient hunting.

And as an occultist thing, he has invested his focus in his wand and vest, not in his lantern. That will be the implement he adds at 3rd level.

Throughout the night, Cathoris tosses and turns, reliving the battle in his dreams, recalling the dark magic of the priestess wrecking through his body. When he awoke, however, he felt refreshed and his wounds were healed.

Coming down from the room in the tavern, he has a warm breakfast, possibly the last one for a time. He savors the food as he sits thinking about the task ahead. Would they be able to recover all the ingredients in time? Would they be able to save his family?

He greets the others as they arrive, and before they head out he asks, So, does anyone have any spare armor? I think I’d like some if we’re going to be fighting like this.

oh yes...we never did get loot from the bodies-off priestess; MW Spiked Chain, Potion of Cure Light Wounds, MW Scale Mail, Potion of Remove Disease, +1 Ring of Protection, Light Crossbow with 10 bolts, her unholy symbol. the same as the old mans. The 6 Cultists: 120 Gold, 6 suits of Studded Leather, 6 Daggers

I'd love to call dibs on the scale mail, but totally cool with studded leather if somebody more front line wants that heavier stuff. And a dagger. Should probably have something more than just a tea kettle :=)