Let's go, as soon as possible.
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"He's clearly a bit unhinged if he set the Everlight's library on fire, if you can talk some sense into him, even better, but he certainty deserves a good smack about the head."
We will redeem him! Says the redeemer.
Scarred one nods "Let us chat with him and try to solve that"
After about an hour's walk you find yourself at the old fishing camp. There a wide cave opening leads into a rocky hill sheltered by a stone overhang. Dense trees and berry bushes grow near a few logs arrayed around a once well-used fire pit that hasn't seen use in at least a month.
Oorgatch turns to Yan, who seems like he's ready to yell out. "Hang on a moment. Let me scout ahead."
The young orc moves forward attempting to avoid notice, and looking for any signs of Carmen.
Yan nods.
With his friends awaiting him by the fire the young orc heads into the cave. While the sun does not shine as brightly under the stone, plenty of light creeps in that even Sendoski could see clearly.
Oorgatch creeps forward silently.
Another cold campfire surrounded by logs sits at the cave’s center. Faint smells of mildew and smoke hang in the still air as though this one were used recently. On a cot to the north Oorgatch spots Carman Rajani lying on a bunk, chewing on something that smells like dried fish while turning the blade over and over in his hands, a worried look in his face.
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Oorgatch considers his options, and then decides on the most diplomatic choice... or at least what he is going to portray as the most diplomatic one.
He steps out from the darkness, and says "Fine mess you've gotten yourself into, Ace. Now, you have to be thinking, can I take this big dumb orc who just walked in here along?
"Well, maybe you can, and maybe you cannot. But that's not the question you should be asking. You should be asking, 'Who is with him that I cannot see?'.
"No, don't get up, we're just talking here. So, you took something you thought should have been yours. I get it. I've been there. But you had to go an burn the library. You know they aren't going to let you go for that.
"However, you still have a chance. You can give me the sword, and I'll take it back. Won't tell them I found you. You have to know that's a better chance than you have back with the Sarenrites."
Looking up in surprise he clutches the sword and starts yelling, while holding back tears. “It’s mine, I tell you! The sword is mine! How can I steal something that already belongs to me? It belonged to Vol Rajani, and I’m her only surviving descendant. That uptight mayor says the sword belongs to his family just because a pack of kobolds had their hands on it for a while, and his ancestor snatched it from them. He says an heirloom is an heirloom, and he’s right, but it’s my heirloom! Look, I tried to buy it off him, but every time I saved enough coin, he raised the price—fifty gold, then one hundred, then two hundred. Then he said it wasn’t for sale! I had no choice but to take it. It belongs to Vol—to the Rajani family. It belongs to me!”
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Scarred One waits in front of the entrance "Should we give him more time? What if he missteps and fell down the hole?"
Asks walking in circles nervously.
Sounds maybe like some talking?
Hard to say from here.
”Please calm down. You misunderstand, I am not saying you stole it. But did you have to burn the temple down? That’s what they are all upset over.
“Let’s talk like two civilized folk.
“You have gotten yourself into a hard place. I get it. But this is actually your lucky day, because I found you, and not the mayor.
“So, how do we get out of this trouble?
“Do you want to be a hero instead of what you are now?”
Scarred One waits in front of the entrance "Should we give him more time? What if he missteps and fell down the hole?"
Asks walking in circles nervously.
Hmmm. We usually hear Oorgatch loudly complaining, though, and I don't hear that right now. Let's give him a little longer.
Carman continues the clutch the sword, you're pretty sure he wouldn't drop it even if he was drowning.
"Look, the fire was just a distraction. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, and they should’ve put it out soon enough. It’s not like I burned anything other than some paper. Civilized folk okay, I understand... I can handle that... How about I give you 50 gold and you let me be on my way."
Carman clutches the sword even tighter a somewhat panicked look in his face. "What are you even talking about, Belcorra has been dead for a long time... whatever, I'll shop some nicesities. 70 gold."
"So, just so that we are clear. You think that the lives of everyone in Otari are worth a mere 50 gold?" chuckles Oorgatch.
"I ask, because there is no doubt that Belcorra is going to kill everyone here... and then she'll work on moving on Absalom. The Isle of Kortos will hold no refuge for you once she has risen.
"Is that a price you are willing to pay, my friend?"
As the Carman offers again, Oorgatch raises his voice some. "You really must have been living at the bottom of a bottle, just like everyone said. While Belcorra did die a long time ago, she didn't stay dead. Well, at least not completely.
"Suffice it to say that she's back, and she is going to take her vengeance on anyone with any ties to the Roseguard. From what I gather, she is tracking the descendants down by the icons of the Roseguard, like that sword you are carrying."
He continues to clutch the sword tightly, you don't think there's anyway you're going to convince him to let it go.
"Fine, 80 gold, I can head off further than that."
In a loud, clear voice, Oorgatch says, ”ის არ დათმობს ხმალს!”
”You don’t get it. I don’t care about your money. I am trying to save the town.” says Oorgatch. ”You have my word that I will give you the sword after we destroy Belcorra.”
Yan comes out of the forest to help.
Carman, we met the spirit Otari himself, before he was snatched down into the depths of the Vaults! He begged us to get the artifacts of the Roseguard in order to save him.
How would Vol have wanted her sword to be used? To save her friend, or to be hoarded in a display case forever?
It seems like you were taken advantage of. If we can broker a fair deal for you to officially buy the sword, would you be willing? Then, you could righteously lend it to us and help save Otari.Yan leaves this ambiguous, letting it reference both the person and the town.
No finer blades in Otari — we also have need your skills in town. I said I'd only buy from the ancestor of THE Vol Rajani, and I meant it! I don't want you to leave yet.
As Yan leads the party in to join the conversation...
A silent shadow stretches across the room with the speed of death, lunging at Yan.
It pulls back, taking a bit of Yan's shadow with it!
Yan recognizes the icy hand of death, having previously encountered a shadow of the Major Domo beneath Gauntlight.
Oorgatch sees his friends enter behind him, followed the shadow stretching out of a dark crack in the far side of the cave. Carman sees the shadow go by from his angle as well and seems equally surprised by this new development.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow
Oorgatch
???
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (62/73) Enfeebled 1
Oorgatch is up!
"See! Already Belcorra sends her minions against us!"
He acts for a moment as if he is going to lunge for Carman, and then goes for the shadow! "You'd better draw that sword and protect yourself!"
Oorgatch rushes forward to flank with Yan and strikes with his branch.
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"Sendoski and Scarred One, be ready to protect Carman!"
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Oorgatch feints one way and stabs the other, barely doing any damage to the shadow.
Another shadow stretches out from the alcove, attacking Oorgatch from behind.
The shadow then blends in with Oorgatch's shadow and disappears.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -2
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (62/73) Enfeebled 1
Sendoski and Scarred One are up!
Scarred One looks around "Carman, stay close to us!" he yells pointing at the men
The old orc draws a few symbols on the ground and soon the symbols shine and the earth moves. Scarred One touches Yan and says "Fear not, Worddancer, today nature is on your side."
The magic begins to flow toward Yan and he begins to grow.
Then he moves towards the shadow.
Sendoski lights up his mace and hits the shadow with some debris. It's partially effective.
Scarred One meanwhile embiggens Yan.
Carman readies himelf for combat, escaping the bunk and heading this way. "What Belcora based mess have y'all drawn here!" he shouts, ungratefully.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -11
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (62/73) Enfeebled 1
Yan is up!
I don't know! Yan has trouble being an inspiration as his life force is sapped.
He lashes out at the creature!
Yan hits once, his scarf fully effective against the Incorporeal shadow.
The shadow reaches out at Yan again.
It continues to tear off pieces of Yan's shadow.
With the light filtering in the cave entrance and Sendoki's light spell, the shadow then tries to disappear into Yan's long shadow.
Successfully! (Now hidden to everybody)
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -29 (Hidden)
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (38/73) Enfeebled 2
Oorgatch is up!
All shadows hidden.
"Should have finished those damned elixirs!" grumbles Oorgatch, as he stabs at where the shadow was last seen.
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He misses badly, almost stabbing Yan. "Maybe we should get some of our items enchanted with continual flame, so as to get rid of shadows?"
He stabs again.
And again:
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Oorgatch stabs at the shadows with predictable results.
These shadows however strike back.
before disappearing again.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -29 (Hidden)
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (38/73) Enfeebled 2
Sendoski/Scarred One are up!
All shadows hidden.
Scarred one channels energy to heal Yan "You look pale duskwalker"
Than he swings his shield at the ghost
But he misses
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Scarred One looks at the situation, he sees pain on unusually big Yan's face. "You look unusually pale duskwalker."
He reaches for the magic of nature, feeling the lay lines under his feet. One need to only reach their hand, which he does. His mind reaching for the flows of magic and with his free hand he draws symbols towards Yan. Soon the magic begins to flow through him towards Yan, closing his wounds.
Then he turns toward the spirit and takes a swing with his shield. He hopes to smash it well. As he put his body behind the strike he almost lose balance as there is no pushback on his strike.
Scarred One heals Yan.
Sendoski, clearly a powerful wizard successfully attacks the darkness.
Carman gets closer, but not too close, and flings a pair of daggers out of nowhere at the darkness. "I'll show you I'm a hero and help you fend off the forces of Belcorra's darkness."
Unfortunately Carman's non-magical daggers pass harmlessly through the darkness.
Carman frowns and draws a light hammer from his belt to pair with the Cooperative Blade.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -35 (Hidden)
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (64/73) Enfeebled 2
So HEROIC!
Yan is inspired by Carman, and inspires everyone in turn!
Critical Success Your marshal's aura increases to a 20-foot emanation and grants you and allies a +1 status bonus to attack rolls and saves against mental effects.
Success As critical success, but your aura's size doesn't increase.
Failure You fail to enter the stance.
Critical Failure You fail to enter the stance and can't take this action again for 1 minute.
Yan inspires his allies but attacking the darkness has predictable results.
The missing shadow does not rematerialize. Maybe all that attacking the darkness did work?
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -35 (Unobserved)
Oorgatch
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (64/73) Enfeebled 2
Oorgatch is up!
Hoping for a little luck, but not sure to ask for it, Oorgatch wheels around to attack the shadow he believes is behind him. ”Um, Cayden guide my strike?” he asks, hoping it will help.
No one answers as he swings wildly before parrying.
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While Oorgatch ponders the futility of attacking the darkness, the darkness attacks back.
It keeps some of Oorgatch's shadow before
Vanishing once again.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -35 (Unobserved)
Oorgatch (57/64) Enfeebled 1
Orange Dotted (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (64/73) Enfeebled 2
Sendoski and Scarred One are up!
Scarred One moves behind the only hidden shadow and strikes them with a shield
Then he reaches for the cat's eye elixir
Scarred One connects with the darkness, barely doing any damage.
”Maybe Yan should use the elixir, since he can hurt them more?”
Sensodki spends his last action last round to draw the wand of magic missiles. Waiting for the shadow to reappear Sendoski approaches and fills the area with a colorful spray.
The shadow is briefly illuminated in rainbow but is otherwise unaffected.
Carman darts forward, stabbing at the darkness
before backing off to a safer distance.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -35 (Unobserved)
Oorgatch (57/64) Enfeebled 1
Orange Dotted -25 (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (64/73) Enfeebled 2
Yan is up!
Yan raises his shield.
Yan attacks the darkness and raises his shield.
Initiative:
Solid Shadow -35 (Unobserved)
Oorgatch (57/64) Enfeebled 1
Orange Dotted -25 (Hidden)
Sendoski
Scarred One
Carman Rajani
Yan (64/73) Enfeebled 2
Oorgatch is up!
Oorgatch tries again, as he is flanking with Scarred One.
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And finally he parries.
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