The bard attempts to resist the spell once again.
Millicent has little trouble staying out of the reach of the vines attempting to entangle her making the most of her movement to escape the spell's area of effect.
or nauseated 1 round.
Dr. Runemace, blinded by a swarm of hummingbirds, popped a catalyst into a bomb case and tossed it into the center of the swarm next to him (Marked).
To hit that square.
The target swarm center 5' square takes fire damage. The outer squares take 4 points fire splash damage.
Fail. He tried to twist aside, but he takes the full 4 points fire splash damage.
He tries to open the carriage door.
Alsah turns to face the enemy
she uses a wand of sleep on the two near her
DC 11 will save or sleep
"I'm only saying this once. This is the RHC. Yield now!" Bryn yells as he approaches.
Two arrows sprouted from preach's body and he gasped in sudden pain, it was so bad, one arrow was lodged deep in a lung, the other took him in the liver. It hurt to move, it hurt even to breathe. Gritting his teeth, with breath misting with blood, he shakily loaded an cartridge, something with a bit more zzing to it. He pointed it at the archer, click - phutt. "Ah...." He managed, the worst possible time for a missfire.
His hands where moving before he'd really thought things through and within moments he'd taken the barrel off, cleared it with a precise tap on the soul of his boot and had reassembled it before popping in another cartridge. An impressive display of skill, but as he stared into the cold dead eyes of the archer he realised it was likely his last.
[ooc]He has more than 1 grit, so using Quick Clear to
Kortemir's second explosion disperses the swarm,
At Bryn's declaration, the two men exchange a look and hold their attack. One yells to the other hill, "They claim they're the law, Rennie."
The uninjured man on the south hill lets out a curse and yells back. "Best hold then!"
He turns his attention to the member of the party below him, "You're along way from home. This a private matter, so why don't you just carry on your way."
The two men to the NW make their way down the hill and continue towards the carriage.
Speaking loudly so that everyone can hear, Bryn continues as he flashes his badge, "That should remove any doubt. Now, everyone put down their weapons. We're all going to walk to the carriage and sort this out nicely. Otherwise I'm going to have to fill out paperwork, which makes me irritable... and trigger happy. Paperwork is easier when there's no one left to ask questions. So why don't we go see what this is all about?"
The bard will remove the arrow from her bow, to show she has no intention of firing in for the moment. She does however cast a healing spell on Adam who stands beside her, he was not looking well. While not much, it is something.
She turns to man and whispers, "I can try again, but it may have to wait until the conflict has been settled"
One of the men snores lightly on the hill.
One of the fellows in front of Bryn shouts, "Boss he wants..." but is cut off.
"I heard him, get to the carriage and see if Morena is alright." He nudges the sleeping man with a boot.
Dr. Runemace wrenched the carriage door open and clambered aboard the carriage.
"Are you well medames? What is it that has happened to you?" He asked in his thick Drakr accent, trying to cut her bonds free with his cold iron dagger while looking her over for injuries.
Alsah will move up to the carriage to support the dwarf
What is going on here?
The woman shrinks back from Kotemir, "Stay away from me you beast. Harm me and my Renard will gut you like a fish."
She relaxes when the attackers come into view. One of them says, "It's alright Morena, they're the law. Renard will be here soon."
One of them waves over to the other pair, and all converge on the carriage. The woman rushes over to the apparent leader of this bunch and falls into his arms. "I knew you would come for me." He squeezes her tightly, "I will always keep you safe."
The moment of tenderness quickly passes and all turn suspicious eyes on the party. "As I was saying, you're a long way from home, Constables. As you can see, a kidnapping was committed and the perpetrators have been dealt with. Nothing for you here, unless you want to clean up the mess."
Millicent does join the others, still having her bow out, but no nother sign of hostile intent. At the mention of being a long way from home, again, she comments polite but firmly, "City or wilderness, matters not for the Royal Homeland Constabulary."
She then lets the matter drop at the mention of a kidnapping, "What is this matter of a kidnapping?"
Alsah agrees with Millicent
Our jurisdiction is the Kingdom, or where ever the King says
"Ah, it is vell then." Dr. Runemace said, relaxing somewhat now that combat appeared to be over.
"Are there injurize to be attended to?" He asked around to all attending.
"Morena is it? Here, take this," Brynn says, offering her a flask filled with a dark amber liquid. "When you're ready, we'd love to hear your perspective on you ended up here in the wagon. Do you know who your captors are? As well as the rest of these men here?" Bryn inquires.
Dr. Runemace will also check the fallen, see if any are revivable.
Alsah moves around, keeping watch
The leader answers the questions,
"The kidnapping was a poor business decision by some people that don't know when to take no for an answer. If it makes you fee any better, the dead are thieves and cutthroats of the vilest sort out of the city. Maybe you should do a better job at keeping the King's justice in the city and out of my woods."
"Now these parts aren't the safest for travelers these days, especially for those on King's business. Not a lot of love for Danoran sympathizers around here, don't you know. So what brings the law so far away from their usual haunts and into the wilds?"
Alsah looks at the others and says
We don't usually comment on our investigations. Our appearance here was a fortunate happenstance, but we are happy to help. And this is in our jurisdiction.
Dr. Runemace consumes one of his Extracts of Cure Light Wounds for healed.
Bryn will take a look at the kidnappers to see if there's any more clues or to make sure the story seems to match.
The man raises an eyebrow, "So you're here on an investigation, are you? Good luck with that."
He shrugs, "The roads are winding and the paths dangerous. I might have been inclined to help you reach your destination safely, but if you want to keep your secrets, so be it."
He waves to his men, "Looks like we're done here boys." He gives you all a nod, "Thanks for not interfering, much," and the group makes ready to head off into the woods.
We should police their weapons. Funs are too dangerous to leave lying around
Millicent was kind of confused about the interaction they were having, who was kidnapping who and the like seemed unanswered and now their attacker's seemed to be walking away. She watches the interaction and lets out a chuckle as she thinks to herself, 'Someone is more than a little passive-aggressive.'
She does nod to Alsah: Taking what weaponry was laying about would be a benefit rather than being found by others.
Playing the good little diplomat she does looks to the departing group of bandits and says in a genuine way, "I am sure that you understand that there are some matters, that are not to be discussed with the public just as I am sure that if I asked where your," she pauses a moment considering what to call them, "party has set up camp within the woods, you would not tell us. Not to mention, you and yours did attack us, so taking offence to the fact that a group of Constables has business that most likely has nothing to do with yourselves, is pointless. You do you though."
If we might inquire, why was the the woman, Morena was it, kidnapped as you say? And by who?" She asks with some curiosity.
The man stops and turns to Millicent, "My dear, this is the Cloudwood. The trees have eyes, and all who wish will know where you go and who you talk to will know it soon enough. Assuming you are not cut down by bandits before you arrive, that is. As for attacking you, consider it a case of mistaken identity. You were defending kidnappers, after all."
He kicks one of the corpses, "They work for Lorcan Kell. The man seeks to make in roads into new territories. In kidnapping Morena, he sought to gain an advantage in the negotiations. If you wanted to be of use, you should put an end to that man, before he starts a war."
"I've heard of Lorcan. He's a local crime boss based out of the Parity Lake district. Do you know if they've been trying to apply pressure to Alkahest & Etchings at all? Or if they've been peddling or working with a burnt oil like substance?"
listening to Bryn and the man, Alsah thinks a second, then asks
what sort of negotiations would you make with a known criminal kingpin? A person might find that suspicious
To Bryn: The man shrugs, "I don't know anything about that, but I tend to mind my own business."
To Alsha:"The private kind."
Millicent gives a nod and smile to the bandit person they have speaking with, "Thank you for your time today."
"Perhaps we should gather our things and best to move on soon." she suggestions to her fellow Constables. While there was perhaps some information to still be gotten, it was better not to antagonize this group any more than was needed. Not to mention, who knew how bad the health of the elder skyseer was in. Time here was perhaps lost there once we arrived.
"Da comrades, iz time to move on." Said Dr. Runemace.
Private? Oh I see. she says in reply. She smiles brightly. Well, in that case, we will leave this for later, then. Cheerio.
With shrug and a bemused shake of the head, the man gathers his group, and they fade into the greenery.
With the conversation finished the party prepares to continue of their way.
Moving back to the the carriage up the hill after collecting the weapons strewn about.
Preach was badly wounded so his mind really wasn't on being as woodcrafty as he otherwise might have been.
Concerned with running into trouble, the you make an effort to keep a low profile, as you continue on through the winding backroads towards Nevard's henge. Situated uphill from a a cluster of homes, a ring of stone plinths stand in a grassy clearing. A large tent stands at the edge of the clearing with a half dozen robed individuals sitting outside.
At your a appearance, a few of them rise and make their way over to stop your approaching. Seeing Alsah, they recognize one of their own and greet her gravely. "Welcome sister. We had thought you lost to us, but if you come seeking the wisdom of the eldest, then hope still remains. He rests within, but will speak to those who will listen."
You are led to the tent, and directed to enter. Inside, the light from smoldering incense sticks is dim, to spare the old man’s eyes. A faint stench of withering cloys the air, not quite masked by fragrant scents of cinnamon and cloves. An ancient man stands to greet you, leaning heavily on a plain wooden staff. "Be welcome in my home," he warbles frailly. "What has this old man done to attract the attention of so many important looking people?'
Honoured Sir, we are here to seek knowledge and consul. A woman died in the city in an unusual way, and we think she may have had some links to some you may know. Can you help us?
The man smiles warmly and looks at you with rheumy eyes. "I am always willing to offer guidance to those who will listen. Though these days, the stars are no so clear to me as they once were. Fewer seek me out, now that I've been put to pasture, but there are many that are known to me. Who is it that you seek?"
The young bard has joined Alsah, yet remains quietly behind and to her left. In the presences of the elder Skyseeer she does give a a small bow of respect as she is acknowledged. With a small smile she does give their own Skyseer the opportunity to respond.
Dr. Runemace bowed respectfully.
"Honored comrade, you look to be in ill health, da? May I examine you? I may be able to help, as I am a trained forensic pathologist." Dr. Runemace said, opening his case and starting to pull out medical instruments.
The bard does give a brief pause before starting, "Heward Sechim, your nephew I believe, mentioned that we seek you out. As there is now easy way to break bad news, Nilasa Hume, has passed under questionable circumstances. Heward, mentioned that you, Sir, gave a warning of sorts, 'An adopted daughter will blindly ride the wind to her demise.'. We are seeking more on this matter, if you have any more information or insight, it would be greatly appreciated."
Bryn recalls the etiquette of dealing with the Skyseer, advising the group as needed to make sure it's followed to show the proper respect when Millicent conveys the request.
If you could help, it be of assistance in this matter.
The old man chuckles, but nods at Runemace, "Examine away my good fellow, but I fear that there is little to be done for me. Age comes for us all."
Nevard sighs sadly upon hearing the news about Nilasa. "Poor girl. Heward loved her dearly. Prophecy is both a blessing and curse, and tragedy hurts, even when forewarned of its approach."
"But if my nephew sent you here, the it is Gale you wish to speak of. Lovely girl, she’s one of the few beautiful women who’ll give an old man like me more than polite conversation, and she always is accompanied by the sweet music of birds. I know that she has been causing mayhem in the city. I don't agree with here methods and I've said as much to her, when she's come to me seeking guidance." He chuckles, "She hasn’t listened to me much, but the last time she visited she said she had followed my advice and had found a mutual threat that even the people of Flint would take seriously. She didn't elaborate, but said she would bring me the proof when she found it."
"She's a good girl, and I think that you could help each other, but I'm not one to so easily betray an other's trust. But perhaps you might grant a dying man's final wish and so perhaps helps us all. If you can do so, it would go a long way in helping me convince Gale to meet with you."[b]
[b]"I want to go to the peak of Cauldron Hill, high above the smoke of the city, with its clear skies and font of magical power. There I hope to pierce the strange veil that seems to have fallen over the vision of the skyseers. I want search for a path that can let people like Gale and those pushing for industry walk together in harmony."
"My problem is that Cauldron Hill is restricted by the authority of Reed Macbannin, mayor of the Nettles district. Well that and it is probably the most dangerous and cursed place in the country, so an escort for protection would be appreciated as well."
"What say you constables?"
Alsah looks at the others, then says
I would like to help with that. If the rest of my colleagues are amenable. Some clarity on what is happening would be good.