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Having arrived at the Iruxi island-city of Ekkeshikaar as part of an expedition put together by the Pathfinder Mirian Raas to re-establish ancient trade routes between the nation of Vdrian (formerly Sargava) and the Irouxi of Ekkeshikaar.
The expedition has arrived and negotiations have begun. With Mirian's attention focused elsewhere the diplomatic efforts are being led by the female half-orc Calisro Benarry and the Half-elf Venture-Captain Eras the Needle.
These two leaders have called you to a small conference room located in the embassy suite that the Iruxi hosts have graciously granted to your expedition during your stay. Calisro and Eras are dealing with a minor matter before joining the conference, so you have a few moments among yourselves.
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Sir Reinhart is the shining example of an Iomedean knight. His shinny helmet is held up by his squire as he polishes its golden highlights to a mirror-like sheen. The sword of the inheritor is emblazoned on his shield, while a longsword handing from an arming belt rests around his full plate.
"Greetings fellow pathfinders" his voice booms, "It is truely an honor to be selected for such a mission."
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Emmanuel is having a one-man performance. He plays a note on his lute and he follows with a throaty yell.
"I'm getting there. Iruxi throats are way stronger than mine." He looks out the window. "Hopefully there's more fun in the city and less in the jungle, I'm not an outdoors kind of guy."
He drops his heels from the table and stands up when Sir Reinhart approaches. "Sup mister. I'm Manny. Good to see you."
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The Sarkorian has regained his tan between his time on the ship and the trek across the island from Kihirat to Ekkeshikaar. He is built stronger than your typical wizard and wears his robe-like clothing made from animal hides without too much trouble from the heat.
He rests a staff with a serpents head carved at the top against a chair and sighs wistfully. "I did hope that I would have the opportunity to see more of Ekkeshikaar," he says.
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"No stinky city! Jungle was way fun! I played hide and seek with the statues and even found herbs to mix with goblin spit for healing!" A small goblin waves to the others in the room enthusiastically. "Hello! I Raznik!" He gives the others a feral grin, showing mouth of razorsharp teeth. He wears a mishmash of leathers and carries a worn shortbow with what appear to be teeth marks along some of it.
"You guys speak iruxi? Me not. I can play pointy-talking with them though!" He mimes a few different motions. You're not sure if he was rowing a boat or taking a bath.
"Oh, this Bitey. He's a friend." He points to a small owl sitting like a statue on a bookshelf. The owl glances down at the jaguar then remains very still.
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"I don't speak Iruxi either", a rugged looking half-elf who hasn't shaved for weeks now answers. "Maybe that's why it was so easy to avoid any arguments with them so far. Really nice people from what I can tell. Unlike the gargoyles..." He adjusts a greatsword slung behind his back, and stretches.
"That said, I would really prefer to go back outdoors. Never been much of a talker. Joint physical exercise is the best bonding."
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"Hey, Roumatha!" Manny stops trying to pet the cat and moves over to high five the newcomer. "Gargoyles are kind of annoying, they like to fly too much."
"I haven't formally learned Iruxi, but I did make sure to ask Shylye for help. I should be able to comprehend what they are saying, once I cast some magic."
"I still don't know what to do once we get out of town. It's like I'm drunk but there's no party to stumble into."
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Khunbish the elven druid enters on silent feet, just as silently as the cougar that follows him at his side. Khunbish is tall as most elves are, but unlike most, rather than being slight of build, he is rather brawny. His long black hair falls down his back, and he is dressed quite simply, as one who spends most of his time outdoors then in cities. Although ageless in appearance as most elves, you can tell from his eyes that he has seen the passing of many years. He looks at the rest of the short-lived humanoids, not with disdain, but certainly with some distance.
"I'm Khunbish," he introduces himself in his low soft voice. Gesturing to the cougar who has taken to lounging at this feet, he adds, "And this is Irves."
He pauses for a few breaths, then adds on, "I do not speak Iruxi either."
Irves the cougar, however, looks much friendlier than its master. Spotting the other big cat lounging beside the chair, it pads over. It first sniffs at the jaguar, and moves closer to touch nose before retreating back to Khunbish's side, glancing at the owl on the bookshelf.
Bitey turns its head silently watching the two large cats. The small bird suppresses a hoot, trying not to give away its position to the hunters. It hops the cats are being regularly fed.
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Raznik jumps up and down on one foot, excited at the prospect of hunting. "Me and Bitey hunt lots of things! Bitey brave!"
The goblin begins to count off on his fingers, though he repeatedly counts the same ones multiple times. "Bitey bite squirrels, giant rats, small rats, stray chickens, frog-people, seaweed monster, metal imp, mold monster, -- no bite fire mephit, that bad -- skeleton, stupid kobolds, mean humans, nasty devil, more stupid kobolds, centipede, wild pig, other stupid kobolds..."
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Sir Reinhart a shining example of a human Iomedean knight greets his fellow Pathfinders with enthusiasm.
Emmanuel Holysmith entertains everyone by playing a catchy tune on his lute. He expresses a hope that their mission keeps them in the city and out of the jungle.
Chulyin a human looks more sturdy and wood-wise with his animal hide clothing. He would like to see a bit of Ekkeshikaar. A jaguar stays close to Chulyin often becoming a tripping hazard.
In sharp contrast to the other, the Goblin Raznik shows his rows of sharp teeth as he introduces himself and his preference for the jungle. He does wonder if any of his allies speak Iruxi? He points out an Owl friend that he calls Bitey.
Roumatha Esthor a rugged half-Elf ranger shakes his head indicating he doesn’t speak Iruxi. His preference is outdoors and physical exercise over talking.
A silent elven druid enters the room with a cougar following like a shadow. He introduces himself as Khunbish and his companion as Irves pausing for a moment before adding that he doesn’t speak Iruxi. The Cougar sniffs the Jaguar in a friendly cat way before settling down at the druids’ side.
Bitey watches the two large cats.
Romatha greets Manny as an old ally suggesting they go hunting.
Raznik jumps up excitedly listing all the things he and Bitey have hunted.
After a few moments, Calisro and Eras join your group in the small embassy conference room which is part of the suite of rooms set aside for the Pathfinders by the Iruxi
“As you know,” Venture-Captain Eras begins, idly fidgeting with some paperwork in front of him as he talks, “our audience with the city’s ruling council to discuss the possibility of reopening trade is tomorrow, and it’s important that we make a good impression. It seems that there are some here who feel that Ekkeshikaar has nothing to gain by trading with us–“
“Backwards isolationists! Everywhere has at least a few,” interjects Calisro with a snort, taking a swig of a colorful drink that nonetheless smells strongly of liquor.
“Yes, well.” Eras clears his throat. “In any case, this… reclusive sentiment is certainly not shared by all of Ekkeshikaar’s citizens, but it has a grip on enough of them that we feel some additional preparation is in order. To that end, we’d like you to take on a few tasks that will help give us an edge when the time comes tomorrow.”
”First and foremost, we need you to recover some documents from the city’s Hall of Records. We’ve already identified the documents we need, which outline some of the finer points of local law, as well as the details of the original trade agreement with the people of Vidrian. We put in a request for the documents days ago, but we have continued to be met with red tape and bureaucratic delays.”
“He means they’re stalling, and don’t want to give them to us.” Calisro chimes in cheerfully, with a wry smirk.
“A tactic my colleague here is very familiar with,” Eras retorts good-naturedly. “Sadly, I’m beginning to think she’s correct. And without these documents, we’re essentially going into the negotiations blind. So, we’d like you to head down in person and sort these ‘irregularities’ out yourselves. How you do this is ultimately up to you, but by happenstance, we’ve already agreed to send a stack of Pathfinder Chronicles to the Hall of Records to be transcribed. These particular chronicles come with a rather complex index written in Hallit, which is not a language known here. Someone will be spending a fair deal of time assisting the clerks in translating, organizing, and otherwise sorting through the chronicles. If it’s you, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know these bureaucrats—and perhaps learn a bit about the iruxi yourselves.”
“Or,” interjects the half-orc captain, producing a small wooden box, stamped with a Taldan coat of arms and labeled ‘Voinarum Glade Winery: 4700 ar’ “I’ve never known a bureaucrat who would say no to a good bottle of wine. Just offer it as a thank you gift for ‘expediting our request,’ and try not to wink or nudge them with your elbow as you do it. That way, you don’t have to spend the whole afternoon sorting papers.”
Eras sighs. “As much as I’d prefer we not start our relationship with Ekkeshikaar with bribery, it’s true that time is at a premium here. We do have other tasks we’d like you to attend to after this is done. I’ll leave how to handle the situation to your discretion, but please hurry back either way: Calisro and I will need as much time as possible to look over those documents, and you’ll need as much time as possible to complete the other things that need doing.”
Also, various forms of divination, but especially astrology, are of vital importance in Iruxi culture. However, while they often have one eye on the future, they are patient and cautious, with strong ties to tradition that occasionally make them seem slow to act.
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) - Search
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1) - Scout
Romatha: (1) - Search
Raznik: (1) - Stealth
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - Stealth
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (1) - Defend
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Emmanuel shrugs and smiles. "Sorry everyone, I guess I'll be leading our urban expedition."
He checks the bottle. Yeah, that's some good stuff. "So, any bureaucrats in particular we should try to talk to? Also, any competition you know of? Maybe some- Iruxi- would rather stop us through procedure rather than protest."
"Maybe I could play a tune..."
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"I can see why some of the Iruxi could be distrustful after their previous history with northerners at the time of Cheliax. We need to show them that we don't operate in the same ways as the Hellknights or Diabolists. Wine could be helpful - whether it's a bribe or not ultimately depends on the end goal. I just hope the Iruxi don't get too attached to it - wouldn't want to cause them harm."
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Emmanuel shugs and smiles as he looks forward to exploring Iruxi urban life.
Chulyin suggests he could help translate Hallit.
Reinhart hopes to drink the wine in friendship rather than sully it as a bribe.
Roumatha shares his wisdom and knowledge about Iruxi history.
Emmanuel likes the idea of drinking wine in friendship.
Calisro and Eras are eager for your group to get going and since you have no further questions they shoo you out the door and on your way.
You find the way easily, the Ekkeshikaar Hall of Records is an imposing stone building with a massive central dome made of blue-green glass. Surrounding the main building are a number of tall, spiraling minarets that transition at the highest levels from smooth stone to gleaming glass. The interior is no less impressive, with the glass-filtered sunlight creating beautiful patterns on the stone floors, themselves engraved with different patterns, that complement and seem to change with the light as it moves across the floor with the time of day.
It doesn’t take long for your party to find the particular bureaucrat needed, Emmanuel simply asks for directions from the other clerks. You arrive at the door marked ‘Records’ with the nameplate Narsha, opening the door you find a female Iruxi bureaucrat looking through a stack of Chronicles.
She looks up as you enter after a moment she smiles showing her teeth and ask pleasantly ” Ah, visitors from the north. You must be the Pathfinders ambassadors? If you are here about the requested documents I am sorry for the delay, but they’ve been entered into a queue and will be processed in the order received.”
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) - Search
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (2) - Scout
Romatha: (2) - Search
Raznik: (2) - Stealth
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - Stealth
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - Defend
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"We understand that you have been having trouble with one of the languages used in the Pathfinder Chronicles that our society has gifted to you. I speak the language of my grandfathers well enough, if you would accept my assistance," Chulyin offers with a smile, which he hopes reflects friendliness to the iruxi and that Narsha's grin did not mean something else.
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Roumatha tries to wrap his brain around how such a seemingly impressive establishment could thrive on processing just one document at a time.
Hoping that Narhsa can understand him or someone in the group can translate, he clears his throat and politely intervenes.
"The documents are requested for a meeting with your leaders tomorrow, they wouldn't want to go into it without all the pertinent information at hand, would they? Surely there must be a process intended to expedite the requests? Could you please let us know if there is someone who can authorize exceptions?"
Having blurted out possibly the most three-syllable words per minute in his life, he grows silent and just quietly stares at Narsha hoping that she will at least appreciate the effort if nothing else.
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Raznik stares in awe at the building as they walk through. He rushes over to see the sunlight making patterns and colors on the stone floor. The goblin hops from one light pattern to another and marvels at the sunlight on his skin. He reaches down to touch the floor and trace the various shapes. He suddenly realizes the others might be leaving him behind and rushes to catch up.
As they enter the Records area, the goblin sees the large stacks of papers and books. Those near him hear him mutter to himself something about being good. The hunter nods at Chulyin's offer to help with translating documents. "Maybe we help..."
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Emmanuel asks upon Shylye's help to Comprehend Languages as they enter the municipal building.
Another government establishment. A bit too stuffy for his likes. But the clerks are nice enough. He soon makes his way to Narsha's office. How high up is she on the totem pole?
"'Sup ma'am. I'm Emmanuel Holysmith. We're all from the Pathfinder Society." He steps aside to let everyone introduce themselves. His teammates offer to help translate documents and he smiles. Heh, and they said they couldn't help!
"As an offering, I do have an Elixir of Comprehension. Drink that and you'll be able to understand any language like it came from your own family. Like when mom smirks in approval, and less like when your sister disapproves of your nighttime journeys."
Maybe the cultural translation didn't work right. Or it did but Narsha didn't like that image.
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Khunbish fidgets increasingly more and more as they walk through the building, just wanting to get this business over and done with.
He snorts audibly when the clerk claims that the request would be processed at some time, but knowing himself, chooses to stay silent rather than potentially offend someone whom they still need support in.
However, it doesn't seem as if Emmanuel is making a good impression either...
Uncertain how to proceed, he glances at the bottle of wine wondering why no one has offered it yet.
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Chulyin politely offers to help index the Pathfinder Chronicles gifted to the Iruxi.
Narsha nods ” While unusual, accepting your help to process the Chronicles would be acceptable and very helpful. I must warn you that it will probably take several hours to complete the task.”
Roumatha tries to wrap his brain around the established bureaucracy he knows from experience that efficiency is not the primary purpose of bureaucracies in almost all places.
Narsha smiles politely ” I am sorry, but the process for handling documents is fair treating each request with equal importance, to do otherwise would lead to chaos, but I can help you file a request to change the procedures?”
The goblin stares at the stack of papers muttering to himself before Raznik offers to help translate the documents.
Using magic to comprehend languages Emmanuel, finds navigating the building to be a breeze. The best he can tell Narsha is the primary record keeper. Introducing himself as a pathfinder he offers an Elixir of Comprehension to speed up the work giving a colorful description of its effects as he tries to influence her.
Narsha looks pleased, ”That would indeed be helpful!”
Khunbish snorts audibly but keeps silent.
Sir Reinhart smile almost sparkes as he offers to help assist Narsha in smoothing over any difficulties.
Narsha seems to be warming to the group due to Reinhart’s charming personality.
Settling into the task of helping Narsha sort through Chronicleasnd documents provided by the Pathfinder Society is slow work even with the assistance of magical comprehension. You see it taking several hours to complete the task.
While you work you can further try to Influence Narsha
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) - Search
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (2-1=1) - Scout
Romatha: (2) - Search
Raznik: (2) - Stealth
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - Search
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - Defend
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Raznik watches Narsha and the others shuffles the papers and translate them. Unless there are any written in goblin though (an absurd notion), he is of little help with the work. However, he decides that if Narsha likes them, it might be good for getting what they want. As she works, he tries to make it seem like he's impressed with her understanding of the documents, even though he would find it far more fun to throw them up in the air and watch them all flutter to the ground.
"Oh, you very smart, Narsha! That is some good reading and finding the right meaning! Maybe you come work for Pathfinders one day? They always looking for bestest readers and paper sorters. There lots of papers to read in big library and Pathfinders always bringing more papers in from weird places filled with secrets! Maybe you find good stuff for iruxi in there!"
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Success: Reinhart, Raznik, Chulyin, Roumatha
Failures: Emmanul)
Raznik watches as the group shuffles papers and works to butter Narsha up with good old goblin lip spit telling her how smart she is and how she should go work for the Pathfinders. Narsha is indeed influenced by the goblin’s talk.
Reinhart continues to make polite conversation but doesn’t move her futher.
Chulyin attempts to teach her aspects of Hallit and shares some archive strategies from the Magaambya. Narsha is impressed with Chulyin’s knowledge of Magaabya systems.
Emmanuel speaks about how great Ekkeshikaar is and its people but still hasn’t impressed her.
Roumatha joins Raznik in extolling the virtues of archival techniques improving his impact.
After several hours, your work is done. Narsha hands you the documents that Venture-Captain Eras and Calisro sent you to retrieve. She seems genuinely impressed with your work telling you ” You have shown me the benefits of being open to ideas of the outside. Perhaps it is time to put away our Isolationist attitude. “
Returning to the Embassy with the documents Eras and Clisro gratefully takes the papers off your hands.
“Wonderful,” exclaims Eras as he sets the papers aside after a quick glance through them. “I’m sure these will be invaluable tomorrow. But our work is far from over. There is a visiting diplomat of some renown, known as Kesstraka, who is visiting on business from further south. If we could convince her to help represent Vidrian’s interests, or at least argue in favor of the trade deal, her words would certainly carry a great deal of weight during the negotiations.”
” As luck would have it, she’s staying here in the same embassy building we are. She’s asked to meet with you in her garden quarters just outside.”
Calisro speaks up, waving a drink in the air as she speaks to underscore her point. “If you ask me, your best bet is the old ‘stick and carrot’ approach: talk some big talk about the last guys who didn’t want to trade, maybe drop a few hints that Vidrian’s navy is a bit bigger than it really is, and get her to agree to help out. You can always smooth things over later by holding a couple minor trade concessions up your sleeve.”
“Alternatively,” Eras interjects, mildly frustrated, “if you don’t want to risk starting an international incident, you could simply tell her a few tales of derring-do and adventure, and once she’s warmed up to you a bit, broach the topic of her aid then.”
“The important thing,” says Calisro, lounging back and taking a long sip of her drink, “is to get her on our side and come right back here, because there’s still one more job we have for you today.”
They wait a moment to see if you have any questions.
Status (hero Points): Exploration Mode
Chulyin: (1) - Search
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1) - Scout
Romatha: (2) - Search
Raznik: (2) - Stealth
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - Search
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - Defend
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"Hopefully I do better with her than Narsha. Luckily she loved the rest of the team." Manny jokes.
"So we meet with her, get her on our side and she helps out with the overall mission. Fine with me. Do you know any of her likes or dislikes?"
On route, Manny turns to Knunbish. "Not your style, I assume. You should have seen me in the jungles of Ekkeshikaar- I was SO lost. Romatha must have pulled me away from a dozen poisonous flowers." Manny chuckles. "But they looked so pretty! I was itching all over for the rest of the week. Totally worth it, though. Gave me a story this florist could not get enough of."
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Roumatha casts a sympathetic glance on the elven druid. "I too would have preferred some actual derring-do! But with Manny here, the stories should prove quite entertaining. Maybe we could all fill him in on our prior exploits in advance so that he has time to think about the way to present them by the time of the meeting.
Now that I think about it, does Kesstraka speak any of the common Avistani languages?"
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Reinhart asks about any history
Khunbish is clearly uncomfortable with all the hob-nobbing.
Emmanuel asks about her likes or dislikes
Raznik looks around for the carrots and asks where to find her.
Roumatha is sympathetic with the elven druid expressing his preference for more action and asks if Kesstraka speaks any of the common Avistani languages?
Calisro laughs, ” She’s a diplomat probably speaks more languages than you.”
Chulyin shares that he is fluent in Mwangi asking if Kesstraka has any biases.
Eras answers as best he can ” What I know is you could say that Kesstraka is the daughter of a famous diplomat, but that wouldn’t quite do the matter justice. You see, some Iruxi are apparently born parthenogenically -- she is, essentially, a clone of her late mother. Apparently, they both served as ambassadors from Ekkeshikaar to Droon, a large Iruxi empire even further South. ‘
Calisro chuckles, ” She’s staying here in the same embassy building we are. She’s asked to meet with you in her garden quarters just outside, so don’t get lost. Now best hurry or your late as is.”
Moving downstairs you find the interior of the embassy is home to a sprawling and luxurious courtyard and garden, including several chairs and tables on a terrace overlooking a stream. Although at first glance the area seems peaceful and idyllic, with no sign of anyone else in the garden, a loud hiss draws attention to a hideous lizard-like creature with eight legs and an unsettling gaze. Standing in front of the creature, slowly backing away from it, is an Iruxi woman, whose faded green scales quickly turn to grey, and then her body completely transforms to stone.
You see four of the hideous lizard-like creatures with eight legs swarming around the now stone statue that is Kesstraka! They haven’t noticed Raznik yet.
divide by 4 = 24
Status (hero Points): Combat Mode
Chulyin: (1) - Search
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1) - Scout
Romatha: (2) - Search
Raznik: (2) - Stealth
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - Search
__Couger Irves:
Sir Reinhart: (2) - Defend
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Duplicate of her mother... reminds him of how some angels are simply produced from other angels. Life is a bizarre.
"Did she just turn to stone? What are those things? Anyone knows?" Manny draws his whip and moves up the stairs.
"Urban jungle or wild jungle, doesn't matter. You know what's going on, here!" Manny dramatically points and Inspires Courage among his allies. "Go!"
He attempts to make a Lingering Composition, to help his multitasking.
Nnnnope.
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Khunbish let's out a soft sigh. Looks like he was getting his wish although he had hoped it wouldn't have been like this. Trusting Irves to do what it would do, Khunbish stands motionless briefly, concentrating. Very quickly he morphs into the form of a bear!
Bear-Khunbish then starts lumbering up the stairs...
... while Irves, seeing no proper cover to the lizard creatures, gives up all attempts at stealth and follows its master.
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Praising Lomedae, Sir Reinhart rushes forward drawing his sword to swing at the red lizard. He connects smiting the lizard with steel and muscle.
Raznik is hidden from the funny-looking lizards as he is too shocked seeing the Iruxi turn to stone to act.
Roumatha fumbles with his sword.
Emmanuel asks if anyone knows what the lizards are, as he draws his whip and moves up the steps inspiring courage among his allies.
Chulyin is too slow to react.
Khunbish reacts quickly as he transforms into a bear and lumbers up the stairs.
Irves follows his companions up the stairs.
The funning-looking eight-legged lizards stare at Sir Reinhart, Emmanuel, Khunbish, and Irves with a stone-cold gaze.
The red lizard bites at Reinhart, but can’t get through his armor.
The Black, blue, and green move up to attack the fresh meat!
Red vs Sir Reinhart
Status (hero Points): Combat Mode
Chulyin: (1) -
__Jaguar
Emmanuel: (1) - (Fortuide save DC22 & DC20)
Romatha: (2) -
Raznik: (2) -
__Owl Bitey:
Khunbish: (1) - (Fortuide save DC22 & DC20)
__Couger Irves: (Fortuide save DC22 & DC20)
Sir Reinhart: (2) - (Fortuide save DC22 & DC20)
Red funny lizard: +18 dam
Green funny lizard:
Black funny lizard:
Blue funny lizard: