I've been well, my friend. Tossed any snowballs lately?
"Ha! That was quite the snowball fight! Luckily it got us on the ghost's good side!"
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“You’ll see that the helmet is likely in the font at the back of the Bastion. When you have it and the red reaver is defeated, please return it to me. I’ve done some research, and I think I might be able to learn something about the helmet’s original owner if I can examine it personally.”
"I, too, can learn a little something about the original owner if I can examine it."
She thinks to herself as she remembers the scrolls of object reading in her posession."Hmm...so it seems the beast has developed an affinity for the healing font. Breaking that bond might be hard...but possible, I think... Inga, Lorian... that sort of thing is more your area of expertise... what say you?"
Inga ponders the statement for a moment.
"If we can neutralize the divine link without harming the font or offending Sarenrae, it may be possible. I'll need to study these relics and items more closely, though. I do not have a deific connection to the gods. I only have a strong connection to the spirit world."Inga leans back in her chair.
"What bothers me the most, besides the reaver, are the orcs. It certainly does sound like they're trying to gain control of the Reaver. If that happens, they'll have a powerful beast on their side and they could easily invade this town. I am also fearful of them destroying the Bastion, as well."
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Lorian sat on his horse, watching the group as the made their way, it had been a while since he had adventured. "Yes Countess, been keeping busy dealing with them. It is easy to learn about some of them when they have the morals of an alley cat." he said, updating her on the latest gossip that he was willing to share.
When Klaus appeared Lorian smiled, maybe this time he will be able to adventure and not need to send Minata Ryuunosuke to deal with it. "Hello Klaus, you meet Varack earlier correct? I am not sure how that works when you are in there." he said.
[dice="Diplomacy"]1d20+9
"it doesn't seem like we're the first to try to take on the Red Reaver. Best learn what we can about it so we avoid the mistakes of those who went before us. Is there anything helpful you could tell us? Capabilities? Range? That sort of thing."
"To be honest I really do not know much more. I only have this map drawn based on old records. I am sorry." he says apologetically.
Gorm looks at all of you and seems affable and amenable to talking about his own exploits (as both a Pathfinder and as the third prince of the sky citadel Kraggodan).
"I really hope you that you will survice this!! According to the townspeople, the Bastion is mostly intact. It was a sturdy building and has weathered the years well. I can't speak to what the inside is like, though. There is a path up to the Bastion through the woods outside of town." Gorm checks his substantial pile of notes, but comes up shaking his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any information specifically about separating the reaver from the relics, but I imagine that rededicating them to Sarenrae would have some effect."
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Leinad stands tall, well as tall as he can at 3'2", and pronounces, "I am sure the information you have gathered for us will be sufficient Sir Greathammer, we thank you dearly. Now e must do all we can to restore this community!"
Pondering all that Lorian relayed from the townsfolk, he scrunches up his face in a grimace. "It sounds to me as if these orcs, one tribe or two, may be setting traps or," he shudders, "taking slaves. If that's the case we must be on high guard against such devilry." Leinad draws on a recent experience with traps to tap into the paranoia necessary for the occasion, despite his usual carefree nature.
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"Might be that we can get the two tribes to join together against the Red Reaver. If we point out that Roslar’s Coffer will prosper if Bastion of Light is restored and becomes a place for pilgrims to visit. If they protect the pilgrims and area around it, there is less chance of crusaders getting their noses bent out of shape." Lorian said, a plan formulating in his mind to get them to work together.
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"Might be that we can get the two tribes to join together against the Red Reaver. If we point out that Roslar’s Coffer will prosper if Bastion of Light is restored and becomes a place for pilgrims to visit. If they protect the pilgrims and area around it, there is less chance of crusaders getting their noses bent out of shape." Lorian said, a plan formulating in his mind to get them to work together.
"That is a wonderful idea, Lorian. They would be welcome to visit the Bastion for protecting the surrounding area. Who knows? Some of them may convert to the worship of Sarenrae."
Inga reaches out across the table and cordially grasps Gorm's hand to show her sincerity.
"You've been very helpful and kind, Mister Gormhammer. We will do our best to take care of the reaver and the orcs. And the bastion, as well."
Inga looks over at Junia and Jeeves who seem to be just finishing their bowls of fish stew. Smörboll gnaws on the remains of baked fish, bits of the white meat stuck in his beard.
"As soon as they're all finished with their meal," Inga nods toward the children,
"we should leave for the Bastion."
Ajax then questions the dwarf about the orcs, "What can you tell us about the orcs? Could they be turned to allies, or do we need to clear them out?"
The dwarf thinks for a while.
"Nothing is impossible but the orcs that I was told of by the inhabitants of this town have allegedly been ruthless and treacherous. But you know how simpleminded people can be ... so I trust in your own judgement Ajax."
Gorm wishes you luck, and provides you directions to reach the Bastion of Light.
Once on the road to the Bastion of Light, you enter a quiet area. Trees here are marked with red cloth tied into the branches, and small shrines dot the roadside. The houses here have been stripped, some to the foundations, likely by the villagers hoping to use the materials to reconstruct their homes and shops in a safer area.
You notice tracks leading from the village toward the Bastion, as well as a piece of netting caught on a loose nail. The tracks appear to have been made by orcs.
The area is eerily quiet. No sound of insects or birds can be heard. The houses here have begun to rot, and the forest is slowly reclaiming the paths and road. Moss grows on the sides of leaning houses, vines snake across, through, and under the cobblestones.
Here and there long abandoned crates and barrels sprawl, cracked open like eggs.
The scene would be almost beautiful were it not for the remains of villagers and would-be heroes scattered amongst the ruins.
A mangled corpse hangs from the branches of a nearby tree, draped over two of the larger boughs. The body is clad in frayed leather armor, and its rotted innards spill down the length of the tree trunk.
Somewhere ahead, the clang of metal and the stamping of feet echo through the woods.
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When the group reaches the quiet zone, Inga goes behind a tree out of sight from the group. She performs the one-minute ritual to manifest Klaus into physical form.
"Welcome back, Klaus."
When her and Klaus return, she addresses the group.
"I just want to let you all know about one of Klaus' special abilities. We now have such a strong bond that I can see, feel, and hear everything he does as long as he's within about a dozen paces . Also, he can go through walls. An excellent way for him to scout ahead for us in the Bastion."
Klaus kneels down to inspect the tracks that Rallas found.
"Yes. Orcs."
He snarls, confirming the find.
He stands and sniffs the air, then hears the sounds of stamping feet.
"I bet that's them coming this way."
Inga ushers the children to stay close to her and Klaus. Smörboll stands by Inga's side.
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Before continuing on the journey, Lorian made a purchase of special gloves to help save a friend from dying.
As the group traveled, Lorian consulted with the group to get suggestions on how to get the orcs to assist the group rather than hindering it.
Taking the group's word that there were orcs up ahead, Lorian turned to address the group. "Before we start killing everything in sight, let us see what is going on first, for all we know they can be chasing after the other tribe. If they attack us, try knocking them out if you can. That way they have to live with their failure and answer for their crimes." he said.
Seeing that Ajax needed some help to protect Ara, Lorian took the wand and was able to get it to work. "Here you go" he said to Ajax as he handed it back.
You cautiously look in the direction of the sounds, which increase in volume.
The sound is coming nearer and nearer and you realize that you are exactly between whatever is approaching and the bastion of light.
It is clearly the noise of a pitched battle, punctuated with strange resonant growls and snorts that ring through the forest.
Mere moments after you hear the sounds begin, the quiet of the forest is rent by bloodcurdling shrieks of agony--cries of pain that are cut short with an audible thud.
You approach a little to get a better a look! In front of you, the trees open to a clearing, and you find what remains of the orc band whose tracks you had detected earlier.
There is little left of them but bloody offal and scattered limbs.
You then realize that, standing in the center of the clearing, so huge that you had not at first registered it as a living creature, is what can only be the red reaver. Easily fifteen feet tall, the beast ripples with muscle. It exudes malevolence, and in claws the size of your arm, it holds a barely-struggling orc.
As you watch, it firmly grips the orc's torso in one hand and its legs in the other. With a sickening pull and twist, accompanied by an ear-piercing keening--and the sound of snapping gristle--the reaver pulls the orc apart.
The red beast tosses aside the orc's top half, which rolls to a stop just in front of you.
With its dying breath, the creature gasps out a single word: "Běh!"
"Run!"
As the giant beast hears the orc's last words, its head snaps in your direction.
You can now feel this beast's power!
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Junia emits a shrill high-pitched scream as she's spattered with blood and gore.
Inga turns to see the hulking beast and gasps in fear.
"No, Elby.... Not here."
"Children... Everybody! To the bastion!!!"
Klaus scoops Junia up in his arms as they all make a run for it.
Jeeves, in utter fear and confusion, runs into the woods back towards the town, the little wagon bouncing and skipping along the rough ground as he pulls it behind him.
You instinctively know that without severing this beast's bond to the Bastion, it is impossible to defeat it!
You run!
Seeing you flee from the clearing the red reaver starts to chase you! Your only hope if to make for the Bastion and hope you can find some protection there.
~ ~ ~
Begin Chase!
As you flee from the clearing, you stumble into some of the discarded equipment from the ill-fated orcs. It seems that had brought a significant number of nets, which are now strewn about the trees and trails in your path.
Dodge the Net:Reflex DC 20 OR Tuck and Roll: Acrobatics DC 30
Ajax takes the lead to skirt the nets, putting some distance between yourselves and the reaver.
Stage 2
Then, red reaver leaps and pounds the ground with its fists, right at your heels. You must try to stay on their feet through the resulting shock wave and attempt to slow the reaver down. You can knock over some crates to slow the red reaver down or tuck and roll through the shocks.
Roll with it: Acrobatics DC 32 or Slow it Down: Strength DC 20.
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"Hurry, everyone!" Elby shouts as she finds some boxes that she thinks might impede the reaver's progress.
"Andizokubethwa ziibhokisi!" she yells as she redoubles her efforts.
A sweep of her hammer causes the pile to come crashing down into the reaver's path. "Now stay!" she calls as she hustles at the back of the group towards the Bastion.
Elby manages to toss a heavy crate into the creature's path. While it isn't much of an impediment, it does cause the reaver to stumble and skid through the area, gaining you a few steps on the creature.
Stage 3
The reaver pursues you into an abandoned square that must have once been a busy market before the reaver claimed it as part of his territory. Scattered about, you see some ruined wares and even some currency.
You can toss a few of the particularly shiny baubles behind you to distract the reaver, or cut a few ropes to drop an awning in its way.
Ooh, Shiny!: Bluff or Sense Motive DC 29 or Awning Drop: Disable Device DC 24
Clinging to Klaus as he runs, Junia calls out to Inga.
"I told you they were real, Inga!"
Inga looks back over her shoulder, wondering what the girl is talking about at a time like this.
"Goodness, Junia! What in the nine hells are you talking about!?!"
Junia yells back.
"The giant red and black monster with tiny bat wings ang great big claws. The one my mama said would eat children if they did bad things. But, if you were good, dressed pretty, and kept clean, they wouldn't eat you and instead be fascinated by how pretty you looked."
"They'd mostly come out at night though. Mostly."
Lorian confuses the craeture with Inga’s aid. You gain a a little breathing room.
Stage 4
Emerging from the market, you spot rough, abandoned fortifications.
You can weave through and around the debris or prop up the polearms left there.
Polearm Crawl: Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand DC 27 or Taking a Stab at it: Craft (traps) DC 22
Rallas dodges the danger with some of the discarded pikes, while the rest of the party dodges through them with varying degrees of success.
Stage 5
The doors of the Bastion of Light are just ahead, but first you must navigate the cemetery.
As you near, the red reaver grabs an unburied corpse and throws the pieces at you! You can zigzag through the gravestones or attempt to climb across the tombs to evade the gruesome projectiles.
Gravestone Dash: Acrobatics DC 32 or Mausoleum Mount: Climb DC 22
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Leinad tries to keep up with everyone else after a moment of standing stunned as his attempt to call down the smiting power of Erastil slipped off the rough red beast. "I... don't.... know.... how... but... it's... not... evil... pant!" he calls out as he catches up, his last word a literal stage direction.
Putting on a bit of speed, he leaps forward, trying to help pick a direct path through the gravestones, with the cover of a mausoleum or two to block the flying corpses! However his cry of "This way." dies as he turns a corner and crashes into a low wall around yet another tomb.