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The small seaside town of Otari is known for its fresh fish and skilled sailors, but above all, it's a big logging town, providing valuable wood to the nearby metropolis of Absalom. But for you, Otari is home. You grew up playing on the docks, getting lost in the nearby woods, and hearing the fantastical stories of travelers from faraway lands, tales of terrifying dragons and virtuous knights. Such adventures always seemed so distant - until today!
Word has begun to spread around Otari that there's a problem down at the Otari Fishery. Some are saying that some sort of beast is lurking in the basement, feeding on the stores of salted fish. Folks are worried that whatever is eating the fish might get hungry enough to eat the fishers next!
You've received a letter from Tamily Tanderveil, the owner of the Fishery. Inside is a desperate plea for help. With the town guard busy protecting the loggers, she needs a few brave souls to venture down into the basement of her warehouse and put an end to the beast that's feasting on her fish! Do you have the courage to face the menace under Otari?
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Bruna, a newcomer to town, seems to have made an impression on the residents when she arrived as a new caretaker for the town's graveyard with her Death Warden credentials.
Well, I believe my ancestors would not disapprove of me helping catch some thieves of fish. she says before following the elf down keeping her magical senses tuned for anything odd.
A broad-shouldered, bronze-skinned man leans on a wooden staff and watches the elf go about her work, rubbing his braided beard thoughtfully.
"Straight to the task, I see." he rumbles. "I'll cover you. If it's all clear, say the word, and I'll light the way for the rest of us."
Magelight gleams from the carved horse-head of the wizard's staff, but he follows a good way behind the elf. Waving a brightly glowing staff around right next to her seems like it would be inimical to the effort at stealth.
"I am Choombolat the Cherem, by the way, student of the sacred art of elements." he addresses the others who have gathered for this task.
A short elf sprints towards the fishery, looking around for a place to hide. He runs right towards the group, ducks inside, and immediately stows his shield and armor around the corner.
"If anybody asks, I've been with you the whole time," he mentions.
A few seconds later, a group of very angry humans rounds the corner, armed with the leftovers of a smashed chair and a broken bottle.
"Don't-don't look," he hisses, pointing everyone's attention back at Tamily. "Look, please, I'll help you with whatever you're doing for free, just, for the love of Desna, don't look."
The mob pokes its head in every doorway, but thankfully pass by.
"I'm Slorol," the elf introduces. "I swear I've done nothing wrong, just beat 'em at cards, that's all. Some people sure don't like losing."
He breathes a sigh of relief and puts his armor back on. "My word's as good as gold, though, whatever you're up to, I'll help you out."
"I have not prepared to detect magic, so I am content to leave that in your surely expert hands." Choombolat replies. "And that is honest and honorable work, Miss Bruna."
"And then of course," the wizard raises one carefully manicured eyebrow, "there is gambling. Well met, I hope, Master Slorol."
He peers ahead. "The task in which you have agreed to help us is putting down a beast of unknown nature that has been troubling this place, alongside myself, Miss Bruna, and the young elven lady who went on ahead, whose name I did not catch. If your word is as good as you say, then it is a fortuitous meeting. You look like you know your way around your weapons and armor."
"Shall we go follow her and make sure she is not being consumed by hungry fish thieving beasts? My mystic intuition tells me that would be an inauspicious beginning." he adds gravely.
Borkinhaf sneaks down the stairs to the cellar. The stairs leading into the basement of the Otari Fishery creak with age as she makes her way downstairs to find the beast that has been eating all the fish. In the center of the room, between two stone pillars holding up the fishery overhead, are barrels filled with salted fish. Two of these barrels have been smashed open, spilling their contents on the floor. In the east wall is a large hole, opening into darkness.
Just a few hours ago, you gathered with a few other adventurers in the office of Tamily Tanderveil's office, where she offered you ten gold pieces each if you could put an end to this menace. She was thrilled when you agreed to help her with this simple task, but as you make your way downstairs, you can't help but wonder if this might be a lot more adventure than you bargained for.
Slorol will investigate the broken barrels to try to determine what was used to smash them.
As the group of four go down the stairs to investigate, they explore the room. Bruna and Slorol both approach the barrels and examine them. Looks like something chewed through the barrels. Brokinhaf looks around the room while Cherem stands guard. Suddenly, a massive rat the size of a dog emerges from the darkness - and it isn't alone! The giant rats rush toward you, their huge teeth snapping.
Both Slorol and Borkinhaf realize what's going on and are able to react in time!
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[u]Round 1[/u]
Slorol
Borkinhaf
Green rat
Blue rat
Red rat
Cherem
Bruna
Yellow rat
Slorol yells, "Don't worry! I've got this!"
He draws his longsword, moves forward, and raises his shield.
If any of the rats move past him, he will take an Attack of Opportunity.
Slorol moves up, drawing his shield as he does. The rats will have a hard time getting through!
While he does, Borkinhaf flings a dagger at the yellowish rat. The dagger sticks deep in its side.
The green rat reacts to the incoming intruders! It scurries up, past its companions. Slorol sees his chance and strikes at it as it passes (). In retaliation, it finds a soft spot in the fighter's armor. It bites down hard and bites down hard again! ().
The blue rat, skitters past the two and sees Bruna near it's food source. It has to protect it, so moves up to her and takes a nip at her. But the cleric easily dodges out of the way.
The red rat only has one real choice - the large elf hovering over it. It lunges out once, twice, three times, but the fighter is too heavily armored.
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[u]Round 1[/u]
Slorol (8/17 hp)
Borkinhaf
Green rat (-6 hp)
Blue rat
Red rat
Cherem
Bruna
Yellow rat (-5 hp)
Seeing their new gambler companion harassed by three rats at once, Choombolat attempts to take some of the pressure off, working a spell to bring the weight of his will down upon the injured rat and crush its mind as surely as it might be crushed by the hooves of a wild stallion.
As he chants, he throws back his traveler's cloak, revealing gleaming armor, and strides forward, holding his staff high and letting its bright magelight fill the room and shine in the eyes of these creatures that are likely used to darkness.
Bruna slashes out at the blue rat, digging deep into its side. But it snarls at her as she raises her shield.
Choombolat tries to use magic. He chants some arcane words as the green rat stumbles before collapsing in pain. ()
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[u]Round 1[/u]
Slorol (8/17 hp)
Borkinhaf
Green rat
Blue rat (-3 hp)
Red rat
Cherem
Bruna
Yellow rat (-5 hp)
Slorol will strike twice at Yellow (second one at Red if the first drops Yellow).
Slorol will then raise his shield. (AC 20)
Slorol slashes out at the yellow rat, cut it right in half! No way it's still alive. He strikes again at the red rat, but unfortunately (or fortunately for the rat!), Slorol's attack misses.
Borkinhaf steps over to flank the blue rat with Bruna. The rogue stabs at the creature, piercing it's tough hide. The rat squeals it's final squeal as it dies.
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[u]Round 2[/u]
Slorol (8/17 hp)
Borkinhaf
Green rat
Blue rat
Red rat
Cherem
Bruna
Yellow rat
Choombolat flicks another spell at the lone surviving beast.
Bruna lunges at the rat, slashing it deep. It growls at her, ready to lunge at her when it gets a chance.
The rat feels a sharp pain in its brain as Choombolat casts some arcana magic at it. But it shakes off the daze, ready to lunge at Bruna.
And lunge it does! Its first bite digs deep into her side (). The rat goes at her again, biting hard on her wounds (). It tries one last time, but can't seem to find a spot to bite down on.
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[u]Round 3[/u]
Slorol (8/17 hp)
Borkinhaf
Green rat
Blue rat
Red rat
Cherem
Bruna (3/20 hp)
Yellow rat
Slorol hacks away!
Slorol will then raise his shield. (AC 20)
Slorol slashes at the rat and kills it with his second strike. No chance the rat is alive!
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Bruna settles down to the ground and pulls out her healers tools and starts to bandage herself up.
But she's unable to make much headway. Gah, it might work better on others. Slorol? You seem like you be hurt as well.
Never was as good with the knife as I should be. Bruna says ruefully. Think I'll stick to channeling Desna's benevolence a bit more
Bruna attempts to heal her wounds, but is unsuccessful in her attempts. She can try again after resting a bit ().
Bruna takes one look at the barrels. They almost look pried open - nothing a rat could do.
Borkinhaf looks down the rat hole. Luckily, no more rats appear. But she sees stairs up ahead leading down into the dark.
Slorol (15/17 hp)
Borkinhaf (15/15 hp)
Cherem (16/16 hp)
Bruna (3/20 hp)
"The ceiling is low enough that we shall have to crawl," Choombolat observes, "maybe even you, Miss Bruna. If you are well enough to continue?"
The wizard sticks his head into the opening and looks and listens for any hint of further movement or activity.
"She looks pretty wounded, like an errant stone might disable her. I suggest we wait."
Slorol will stand guard while the group waits .
Slorol (15/17 hp)
Borkinhaf (15/15 hp)
Cherem (16/16 hp)
Bruna (16/20 hp)
Tamily looks at the dead rats and then at the rat hole. "There is no way rats did this - look at this! Go in that hole and figure out whats going on. It's bad for business." Tamily seems stressed and wants to figure out what's happened here. Upon closer look, it does seem as something bigger and more dextrous opened up the barrels. "I don't have anything for you. But when you return, I'll be sure to give you a reward."
Choombolat harrumphs at the prospect of crawling through a rat warren, but he prepares himself to follow. "In we go, then, I suppose."
As before, the wizard lets Borkinhaf get a bit of a head start so that his light won't interfere with her stealth. Once she has some room, he follows.