Masks of the Living God: Price of Immortality

Game Master polyfrequencies

The young heroes of Kassen have decided to see with the Cult of Razmir in Tamran has to do with the events at the Crypt the Everflame. With the city's blessing, they have infiltrated the Cult. But what they find will test them...

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Fireday, 20th of Neth, 4709 AR, Tamran
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Father Prasst gratefully accepts the tea, putting his quill back into the pot of ink and setting it well off to the side. He does not stoop while Silvio pours, allowing Silvio to manage for himself. "That's all good to hear," he says in response to the halfling's self-reflection.

When the conversation turns to the Quest itself, the cleric purses his lips. "No, I haven't been to the Crypt. I didn't really know the four youths who went four years ago--I was still quite new to the town myself then--and I didn't ask them. They seemed like they had taken a pact to maintain the secrets instead of spreading tales all over town. One of them had a sprained ankle that I treated, but he was in good spirits otherwise."

For preparation, Prasst shrugs. "Rely on each other. I don't know how well you know the other three--I certainly don't--but you'll surely need to work together. I remember that the Mayor gave them all supplies four years ago, and it took a few days for them to get there and get back. But clearly you don't need much."

---

Jocyn eyes the gold and silver dropping into the hat, and he seems to relent a bit. "Well you are a curious one." On the other side of the bar, the halfling, Jimes, looks at the spilled gold and back up to Median. He reaches under the bar and pulls out something expensive looking, pouring a healthy tumbler of it for Median and himself leaving the bottle there.

"Important, eh? I was joking about the song, you know. But anyway...I'm not sure what's so all-fired important about Ekat Kassen's old companions. As for that coincidence...I mean, they could be the same person. Asar isn't the most common name in the Inner Sea. It'd make sense, and sure makes for a good story. Erstwhile ally turned enemy. You sure it weren't a novel you found 'stead of a history? And why does it matter?"

Jimes drinks some of the poured expensive liquor and shakes his head. "Median--it's Median, right? Jocyn wasn't here during the last Quest. Arrived just after it, yeah? Anywhats, you kids are always worried, concocting conspiracy theories and all thinking that you're gonna die. That's not what this is about. Why would we send four promising kids out if we thought they was gonna die? You might get a little hurt, but no one's ever died, no matter what tales you all seem to spin. It's fun and games. Have a drink. Relax."


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

"Oh yeah, I don't want any of the secrets spoiled . . . was just worried I might forget something and then we need to turn back around, embarrassed. I think once we do the quest together, we'll keep it secret too, for the next set of kids." Silvio thinks about his younger siblings and wonders if one of them might end up doing the trip. Mattie was a rambunctious little sister and probably would love to be selected.

"I know Khuvaan sort of. He and I run into each other in the town outskirts. And I think he's a bit of a loner too so I guess we have that in common? I know Sledge and Median too--I mean, everyone sort of knows everyone in such a small town, right?" That was somewhat true, but Silvio tended to keep to himself. He knew about the others, but didn't really feel like he knew them. "Seems like a good group. Khuvaan's a real sharpshooter, and the other two can use magic. Not to mention I've got Winter with me--and Erastil watching over us all. If someone sprains an ankle, I'll be there to help!"

Silvio continues some more small talk, but eventually is clearly eager to continue spreading the news. "Will you pray for our journey, Father? I'm going to find Sir Dramott now and tell him the good news. See you tomorrow at noon!" Silvio forgets to clean up as he goes off excitedly.


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1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|
GM Polyfrequencies wrote:

Arnama half-grunts, half-sighs in a vaguely "Mhmm" sounding response. "I guess I am that old," she says with an eye roll. "Right. The Freedom War started 61 years ago, as you know. This," she gestures around them, "was my parents' house then. But I wasn't born here. I was born in the South, where they were soldiers."

Arnama stretches, groaning as some of her joints crack. She sits down in a chair, looking weary. "Neither of us are from Kassen, Khuvaan. But we're still here."

She looks at Khuvaan, struggling to find the words to express herself. "We're here, hmm? We're a part of this place because we choose to be. If people accept you, it's cuz you show 'em they can trust you. Folks remembered my parents when I came here as a grown lass, but none of them knew me. I could have rested on their reputation, but that would have done me no good. So now I am my own. I make myself belong."

She fixes her piercing gaze on Khuvaan. "That's what you've got to do. Never mind...you know." Your father.

A surprising plume of rage instantly springs up in the young man, and it is all that Khuvaan can do to reign it in. He lowers his eyes and doesn't speak for a moment, then mutters, "What I do or do not do...no longer has any bearing on...that man. It might not be true, but as far as I am concerned, my father died in an ambush several years ago fighting bandits, and someone using his name is now running around hurting people, and deserves the harshest justice that comes his way!"

Defiantly, the half-orc stares back at Arnama...and then falters. He lowers his head, holding back tears that come unbidden. "Arnama...my father may have sired me, sure, but he was never around. Not much, anyway. It was always just a quick little visit...never coming home to stay. Hell, in some ways, you were more of a parent to me than he ever was."

Khuvaan seems stares off for a moment, "I stay here in Kassen, because it's your home, Arnama. Here, everyone knows me, but they know about my father as well. What he did. My home was at the inn with my mother. I learned a lot there, about all the wrong things...gambling, drinking...washing dishes. But it was happy. And it was home."

"But now I'm here, and I guess...I know that if I accept this honor of going to the crypt...it'll mean that I won't just be here because of You...I'll be choosing Kassen as my home. And frankly, while I said yes, I don't know if I'm ready for that. All I do know is that I have to be a better man than he was."

Liberty's Edge

Loot | Map | Female Human Crossblooded Draconic/Phoenix Bloodline Sorcerer 2 | HP 8/24 | AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | Fort +1 / Ref +2 / Will +2 | CMB 2 / CMD 14 | Initiative +2 | Perception +4 | Claws 5/6 | Spells 1L 3/5 | Mage Armor 8/10 | Magic Missile 8/10

Median was disappointed and also pissed off, but mostly at herself. That was all the money she had... now lost, on a losing gamble. These people knew nothing. And now she was being handled... treated like a kid and talked down to as though she was stupid. Fantastic. But no use blowing up over it. She should never have come here, so time to correct her own behavior because she couldn't correct anyone else's.

No thanks. Just thought someone around here would know something. I can see that isn't the case.

She leaves the drink on the counter and walks out of the bar, headed back to her father's house.


Father Prasst smiles gently at Silvio. "Of course I will pray for you all, and I'll hold the usual morning service. Remember: Hard work is its own reward!"

As Silvio comes back into the Temple proper, he sees Sir Dramott making a sign and standing up.
"Good day, lad!" he says, turning around a beaming down at the halfling. "Do you have any news?"

---

Arnama listens to Khuvaan's boiling anger, nodding. Her face flickers into a light smile when he refers to her as a parent figure.
"Exactly that. Forge your own path. Whether you stay here or go elsewhere, that's your choice. This could give you a reason either way."

Arnama leans back and laterally shifts the conversation. "Are you religious, Khuvaan? You don't exactly strike me as an Erastilian, nor an Iomedean crusader. Some folk do what their gods command. Some find their gods through their work. There's any number of paths they might try to guide you towards, if that's what you're looking for. But you've got to find your drive, one way or another."

---

As Median leaves, Jocyn and Jimes look at each other. Jocyn frowns. "No need to be salty because someone doesn't have the answers you're looking for!" he mumbles after her.

Jimes shrugs and rattles a bit under his breath, "I mean I thought that we were both quite helpful." As she leaves the tavern, she hears him announce to the other occupants: "A shot of our finest whiskey for everyone here, courtesy of House Vargidan's generosity!"

There is a round of confused murmurs, followed by some cheers as the late night patrons stumble up towards the bar.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

No, no. There's no sense in embarrassing yourself or her by spending your whole day looking for her.

Sledge made his way to Holgast's, only slightly less miserable than if someone had cut off his toes.

"Hello? Anyone home or awake in here?"


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

Silvio is quite pleased with himself as he times his return perfectly. He stands tall and proud, as a child might before his father. "Sir Dramott! I have great news--I'm one of the four who will be on the Quest for the Everflame tomorrow!" Silvio says it again excitedly, and it hasn't yet gotten old. "Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it. There's a lot of good folk in town, you know, and I really believed I'd be chosen, but then I didn't really believe it, and to be actually chosen, well!"

Notwithstanding his reputation of aloofness, Silvio definitely had a way of prattling when excited. Especially with those he trusted.

"It'll be my first taste of real adventure! Means a lot to me to have this chance. Especially since I was talking with you about doing a patrol around Lastwall, which sounds amazing but also, you know, very real."


Holgast's brick and timber tower is on the eastern edge of town. It leans slightly to the south, which thankfully doesn't make opening the door any more difficult, but does cause a slight sense of disorientation whenever climbing up the winding staircase.

"Sledge!" comes a hissing voice immediately upon his entry inquiry. Gretchen. "Where have you been all day? I have been dusting the shelves all by myself!"

Sledge's fellow apprentice is about the same age as Sledge, though their orientation towards their mystic mentor appears to be nearly the opposite. She is, as she is often wont to do, practicing presti, as she puts it, wandering around and looking for signs of something, anything to clean. She is currently braced against a northside bookshelf set into a stopover platform on the stairs between the first and second floor.

Before Sledge can answer for himself, Holgast wanders down the steps. "No need to castigate young Mr. Potterson," comes the creaky, aged voice. "He had reason to be gone, I assume."

Gretchen looks like she might burst in frustration.

---

Sir Dramott raises his arms to the heavens and then claps. A few of the other occupants of the Temple startle, but having heard Silvio's declaration join him in a light smattering. "It is good to have one's first step in a life of service. Lastwall always needs good men and women in its ranks, and you may yet grow to be one of those good men. You've done well, lad!"

He pauses, considering for a moment. "The Inheritor teaches temperance, but I believe that this calls for a celebration! May I buy a drink for you at the Tavern, or will you be busy with your preparations?"


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

Silvio blushes as his overexuberance catches the attention of the temple folk, though the applause feels good. "I don't think I've ever seen you drink before, Sir Dramott. It'd be a real honor!"

"Here, Winter!" he calls as they step out of the temple grounds. He and Winter then walk with the paladin to the tavern. "Now I'm really glad that we got fitted with armor. Braggar is quite the craftsman. And did you know that his apprentice, Median, was also chosen? She's the fire mage who found the boy lost in the woods when everyone else gave up. Even me and Winter."


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"You may need to dust by yourself for a time Gretchen." Sledge can't help but say. "Master Holgast, I've been selected for this years Everflame trip." He looks at Holgast askance, looking at him in a new light. "You wouldn't, perchance, have anything to do with my selection, would you Master?"


Holgast puffs away on his pipe, breathing in deep while he studies Sledge's face. The inhalation is so deep and prolonged that Sledge might wonder for a moment whether his Master heard him. But after he breathes out a cloud of jasmine, rose, clove, cinnamon, and patchouli, he wheezes lightly.
"I did."

Gretchen's eyes widen as she shrieks [bigger]"WHAT?!"[/ BIGGER] as she slips and begins to tumble from her cleaning perch.

Holgast utters an arcane word, and Gretchen's descent is so slowed so that she does not injure herself as she floats to the ground.

Spellcraft DC 16:
That was a transmutation spell known as Feather Fall, which is quite common among aecanists of all stripes.

Gretchen snarls as she lands, looking at the two men. "But why him? Why not me? I am more dutiful! I have done everything you have asked!

Master Holgast puffs again on his pipe as he walks down the leaning steps. "If you have to ask, Ms. Uptal, then there is your answer."

---

"A Warrior must be clear minded in the defense of his community, but there are times to let your guard down. No orcs are threatening our walls this day, but we have some young people on the precipice of adulthood. If a drink were not in order now, then I would be a fool!"

As they walk towards the Tavern, the Lastwall knight considers what Silvio says about Median. "Ah, the Vargidan daughter. That's good news, then. Some of my fiercest allies in Belkzen were practitioners of the arcane. Trust her counsel well, lad."

Tye two make their way to the Tavern, which is beginning to see a late afternoon surge. The regulars are all here, including the half-orc Grimscar. Trelvar can be heard cooking in the kitchen, while Jimes is polishing a glass at the bar. There is no sign of Jocyn, Asina, or Dimira at the moment.

When you walk in, Jimes brightens up. "Well well, here's a sight I never expected! The holy knight come into our humble bar! To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Sir Dramott looks down at Silvio, urging him to specify the reason.


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

Silvio brings Winter with him into the tavern, hoping nobody would mind. "Stay close, boy," he says simply as they head into the tavern.

"Hey Jimes! So, um, Sir Dramott's here with me to celebrate. I was picked to go on tomorrow's Quest for the Everflame!" He looks around to see Grimscar, who he's smart enough to stay clear of, but he heads straight for the bar, preferring familiar company. "You've seen any other of the chosen 'round here, Jimes? Median, Sledge, or Khuvaan? I didn't expect to be the first one here."

He's about to order, when he feels around his pockets and realizes he doesn't have even a copper on him. Instead, he looks toward Sir Dramott. "So, what did you have in mind to drink?"


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Oh well, good roles are for good aligned characters I guess! He resists the urge to counterspell whatever Holgast was doing to Gretchen.

Sledge blinks slowly a couple of times, doing some fast mental rearranging of his personal estimation of the wizard. "Might I inquire as to why?" As much as he hated to admit it, Gretchen had a point.


1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|
GM Polyfrequencies wrote:

Arnama listens to Khuvaan's boiling anger, nodding. Her face flickers into a light smile when he refers to her as a parent figure.
"Exactly that. Forge your own path. Whether you stay here or go elsewhere, that's your choice. This could give you a reason either way."

Arnama leans back and laterally shifts the conversation. "Are you religious, Khuvaan? You don't exactly strike me as an Erastilian, nor an Iomedean crusader. Some folk do what their gods command. Some find their gods through their work. There's any number of paths they might try to guide you towards, if that's what you're looking for. But you've got to find your drive, one way or another."

---

The young man purses his lips, contemplating the question, then says, "I suppose I honor Erastil...my mother does, I know that. You can't grow up around Kassen without at least acknowledging him, what with all the farmers and all."

"I don't follow any of the Orcish gods...most of them are just mean and cruel, and none of them really value nature, other than maybe Iraznog, and he's just kind of gross. My mother doesn't follow any of them. Can't say I understand why anyone would want to worship any of them, except out of fear." Khuvaan continues, speaking on a matter that he had been giving a lot of thought to, recently.

The tall half-orc meets his mentor's eyes and offers, "My father used to invoke the name of Desna all the time, though I'm not really sure that he worshiped him or anything."

Khuvaan seems at a bit of a loss for words for a moment, almost embarassment, and then says, "The orison prayers come from somewhere...if I'm to progress in my training, I need to offer honor to someone...or thing. I know that."

"Maybe it sounds odd, but a few times when I've been out in the woods before sunrise, on days when I remember my meditations, I've seen this hawk through the canopy of trees above me, and I..." Khuvaan shrugs, "I kind of like the thought that it was looking out for me, you know? Anyway, I've been using it...or the thought of it as my focus."

A small pause, "That's not too weird, is it?"


Jimes' smile widens at Silvio's good news. "Naw, you're kidding! Well aye that's good news, then, yeah? Congratulations."

The halfling across the bar contemplates before reaching to an infrequently used tap. "I don't know if you've a taste for it yet, boyo, but may as well try the luglurch, eh? On the house."

Sir Dramott looks askance, his face taking a slightly greenish hue not unlike the half-orc at the other end of the bar. "No offense, Mr. Iggins, but I'd prefer a different pour for myself. I don't suppose you have any Vudran Pale Ale, do you?"
"Right fresh from the Isle of Jalmeray. I didn't take you for a hoppy type, Sir."
"Life is oft bitter. We steel ourselves in times of temperance and celebration."

Jimes laughs, though Sir Dramott doesn't seem to have made a joke.

When asked about Median, Sledge, and Khuvaan, Jimes laughs anew. He raises his voice and calls down to the other end of the bar. "You hear that, Grimscar? Sledge! Pay up, y'bastard!"

The half-orc snarls and withdraws a pouch of coins, beginning to count out a stack on the bar.

---

"Her," Arnama corrects when Khuvaan references Desna. "Lady Luck, Mother Moon."

As Khuvaan continues to discuss his possible religious inclinations, Arnama listens carefully. At the end, she smirks. "That's not weird at all. To be fair, our magic doesn't necessarily come from the gods. Our magic is closer to the druids than the clerics, and even then it's different. Some rangers could pull from the gods; others from the natural world; and still others from deep within themselves."

The older ranger shrugs, leaning back in her chair and rocking slightly. "Why, it even sounds as though Ketephys, the elven god of the hunt, could be watching over you. Who knows?"

I think you may have been pulling from a non-canonical list of Orcish deities, but that's all good. Look for the orc deities here.

A few more moments pass, and then Arnama makes an offer. "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink. Are you off in deep preparations the rest of the day, or do you want to patronize the Seven Silvers?"

---

Master Holgast looks at his two apprentices, his face inscrutable. "You may," he responds. "But I would rather show you."

The wizard begins chanting and intoning as the first floor of his tower is engulfed in glowing arcane symbols.

Spellcraft DC 18:
Master Holgast is...summoning! And it's more advanced! Summon Monster III

GM Screen:
Gretchen Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Holgast and co. Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Sledge Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Poison Frogs: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
PF1 Target, G=1, S=2: 1d2 ⇒ 1
PF1 Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
PF2 Target, G=1, S=2: 1d2 ⇒ 1
PF2 Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
PF3 Target, G=1, S=2: 1d2 ⇒ 2
PF3 Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Gretchen Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Sledge Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Gretchen cast defensively, DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

A trio of small frogs, bright green and red with electric-blue stripes on their hind legs, appear around the apprentices. Two immediately leap towards Gretchen, mouths open wide. One barely misses, falling to her feet, while the other flashes tiny teeth, latching onto her arm. The third frog jumps towards Sledge, sinking its teeth into his arm.

Sledge takes one damage. He feels the cold flush of venom, but nothing further. The frog is currently occupying your space as a tiny creature and can therefore make attacks of opportunity. It cannot make any attacks of opportunity unless it is in your square. Despite the flavor text, you are not grappled.

Gretchen shrieks. "Master, what is this?" She begins making gestures for spellcasting, but the spell fizzles to no effect. She seems to start panicking.

DC 9 Knowledge (nature), can be rolled untrained:
Poisonous frogs are a bright green color, with additional bright yellow, red, or blue markings. They are just over a foot long and weigh 10 pounds. The poison of poisonous frogs is often gathered by primitive tribes and used to coat darts and arrows for hunting.

Round One
Holgast and Summons
Gretchen
Sledge

We'll do this as theater of the mind, and I don't imagine it will take long. The tower is a 50 ft diameter circle with 5 ft wide stairs running around. Holgast is on the stairs, about 15 ft up. Gretchen is about 15 ft away from Sledge, essentially right below Holgast.


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1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|

"Deep preparations?" Khuvaan's deep chuckle fills the room. "A drink or two at the Seven Silvers IS deep preparation."

And just like that, with this small bit of conversation between the two...touching on what was important and what was not...the half-orc's mood lightens. Just as Arnama knew it would.


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

Silvio laughs when Jimes calls in his bet. "You really thought Sledge would be picked? Hell of a bet!"

He swirls the luglurch around in its cup, summoning the courage to drink it. "On the house, Jimes? You really are being nice!" Knowing Jimes' reputation made the drink even more special.

After Jimes pours Sir Dramott his ale, Silvio raises his drink. "To adventure!" he toasts, clinking mugs together. He then downs the whole cup of luglurch at once the way he'd been taught, though the saltiness causes him to scrunch up his mouth. "Wooh, a halfling classic," he shouts. It tasted terrible, but the happiness of the moment made it enjoyable all the same.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Bugger. He must have noticed me looking through his advanced texts.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Nope! :')

The frogs were an unknown factor, Sledge admitted, but by far the most dangerous part of this fight was the wizard. The question was flee or fight?

"Gretchen, go get help instead of being absolutely useless! I'll hold him off as long as I can."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Sledge still hadn't quite got the hang of drawing his mace while running. So instead he grabs a heavy book off a table as he bounds up the stairs. Don't have 1 BaB yet to draw a weapon as a move action, so I'll use an improvised weapon instead He swings the ironbound tome at the wizards midsection, hoping to knock the wind out of him. As he swings, he fills it with arcane disruptive energies.
Book Bash: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Uh oh. He might not have wanted for this to turn fatal, but if I fall 15ft off the stairs...


We'll shuffle the timeline around, retconning Median's events so that she enters the tavern in just a few minutes. The events that started here will begin shortly. So she'll come barging in at the end of Jocyn's song and perturb the bard and the bartender while Khuvaan and Silvio are still there. Feel free to interact with each other now that you're back together.

The older halfling bursts out in uproarious laughter at Silvio's query. After a few moments, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes, he recovers enough to explain. "Aye, no. The house don't bet: it just collects. Old Toothy down there bet against Sledge after the kid took a punch the other day, figuring the odds were in his favor. And it turns out Ugly lost big."

Arnama Lastrid and Khuvaan arrive in the Seven Silvers Tavern just a few moments later. Official news is beginning to travel fast, and more and more patrons are streaming into the Tavern, patting Silvio and Khuvaan on the back and offering to buy them drinks. Arnama and Sir Dramott begin trading war stories back and forth, both of them seeming to relax more than either of their apprentices has likely seen in a while.

Eventually the half-elven bard Jocyn Elmaran comes down from his room above the tavern, beginning to tune his lute. As the hour turns, a bell rings in the town's watchtower. Jocyn launches into his first set of the evening while good cheer is passed around.

"You know," says Arnama to her small crowd, clapping politely after one of Jocyn's songs, "I wonder where Median and Sledge are. You'd figure they'd make their way here, too, unless their crazy arcane masters are making them work extra hard."

Sir Dramott nods thoughtfully, still nursing his first drink and looking like he migh even consider a second. "They're probably just preparing. Doesn't Holgast just make his apprentices do chores all day? Seems like ineffective training."

---

* * * Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice Holgast's Tower * * *

GM Screen:
PF3 AoO Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Holgast Spell CMB vs CMD 14: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 4 = 28
Sledge Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Sledge Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
PF1 Bite vs G: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
PF2 Bite vs G: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Gretchen AoO vs PF3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Blud Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2
PF3 Charge Bite vs G: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9
Gretchen Spell, DC 14: 1d4 ⇒ 3
PF1 Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
PF2 Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
PF3 Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
---
Resolving the next batch...
Sledge Fort vs Frog Poison: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Con dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Sickened: 1d6 ⇒ 5 rounds
Gretchen Fort vs Frog 1 Poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Con dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Gretchen Fort vs Frog 2 Poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
---
Gretchen: 9/9 5/8 hp, 12 Con

As Sledge moves towards the stairs, the little frog bites him once again. The bite doesn't hurt much, but its venom does the trick this time. Sledge feels a little weaker, a little woozier. It takes an attack of opportunity as you leave a threatened space, getting a 15 vs your AC. You take 1 hp damage and 2 Con damage. You are poisoned. On your next turn, roll a Fortitude save to see if you recover.

Ignoring the frog and grabbing a book, the young magus runs up the stairs and tries to swing at Holgast. He misjudges his steps, though, twisting his ankle and completely whiffing his improvised attack.
"Oh, Mr. Potterson, this is disappointing," the wizard chides. "I thought you were smarter than this."

The older wizard wiggles the fingers on his left hand as a small spike juts out from a golden ring. He pricks his finger, releasing a single drop of blood, which transforms into a gushing torrent that envelops the off-balance Sledge, pushing him down the steps in a slick of gore. 28 CMB vs your CMD. You are bull rushed 15 ft back down the steps, fall prone, and are sickened for 5 rounds. You do not take any falling damage.

Spellcraft DC 18:
Waves of Blood

The wizard turns and walks back up the steps, sitting down and puffing away on his pipe from a safer vantage point where he can watch his students.

It's original quarry out of reach, the third frog joins its brethren in an assault on Gretchen. Two of them manage to bite her. She swings her staff at the third, but she and it both miss each other.

"Get help?" Gretchen asks angrily as Sledge abandons her to attack their master. Her eyes then narrow as she takes a step back from the frogs. "@#$% you, I can handle myself in a test." She snaps her fingers, tracing a quick rune in the air before a gout of flame ushers forth from her outstretched hands.

Spellcraft DC 16:
Burning Hands

Two of the three frogs are caught fully in the flames, while the third is merely singed. It doesn't quite smell like fried frog legs yet, but the other apprentice has gotten a start on some downhome cooking.

Round Two
Holgast
Frog 1: 3 dmg
Frog 2: 3 dmg
Frog 3: 1 dmg
Gretchen: 3 dmg
Sledge: 7/9 hp, 2 Con dmg, prone, sickened for 5 rounds; roll a Fortitude save at the end of your turn

Sledge's Conditions:
Constitution Damage: Damage to your Constitution score causes you to take penalties on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. Lost hit points are restored when the damage to your Constitution is healed.

Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

Prone: The character is lying on the ground. A prone attacker has a –4 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use a ranged weapon (except for a crossbow). A prone defender gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class against ranged attacks, but takes a –4 penalty to AC against melee attacks.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"Very good," Sledge says to Gretchen. He proceeds to stand up, and flee the tower.
My poor CON: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24


Sledge leaves his master's Tower as the frog's venom runs its course. He is nonetheless covered in blood. It's a good thing that it's cold outside, or else the smell might be worse. As he leaves, he hears Gretchen scream after him, "You're a bloody coward, Sledge Potterson!"

GM Screen:
Well wouldn't you like to know what's happening?

No one pursues him. What do you do?


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Sledge clears his throat a couple of times experimentally. He was going to have to make this convincing. The blood certainly helped.

"Help! Master Holgast has gone mad! He's summoning frogs to kill his apprentices! When I tried to stop him, he shoved me down the stairs! Won't someone help us?" Sledge tries to look at least somewhat pitiable.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Diplomancy: 1d20 ⇒ 5


Minutes for the guards to arrive: 1d6 ⇒ 1

A few people give Sledge strange looks as they walk by, but the Kassen Town Watch is reasonably capable. It takes only a minute for a guard to round the corner and greet him. It's not quite record timing, but it's fast!

"Sleeeedge!" hollers the armored guardsman, Golfond Kir, away from his usual duty manning the town's other tower, the watchtower. He comes jogging up, huffing and puffing, in his full armor. "I'm here to help! I heard you and I came as fast as I did, I did!"

Golfond looks at you earnestly, wondering what you may need.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"You're a good man Golfond. Holgast's off his rocker! Calling venomous beasts to fight his apprentices, hitting us with spells, I suspect the only reason I escap-"

Sledges has a dawning realization. You're in too deep to back out now Potterson. Find a way to spin it to your advantage.

"-ed was through some madness on his part. Who knows what goes through that old man's head?"

Pressing swiftly on to avoid further questioning, Sledge continues. "There's no time to lose! Gretchen's still inside. I told her to go for help, but..." He trails off before he has to tell a real lie, instead of a creative truth.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Golfond's eyes go slightly vacant as Sledge begins to explain what happened, and he furrows his brow in deep concentration, jaw slack.
"Master Holgast fell off his rocking chair...and now beasts are attacking him..."

His eyes narrow with determination as he draws a sword. "We must save him and the Mayor's daughter!"

He lets out a valorous roar and charges into the Tower.

What do you do?


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"Good enough," Sledge mutters, and follows him. A few steps behind of course. Best to be prudent.


As Sledge re-enters Holgast's tower following the charging guardsman, he no longer sees the frogs hopping around. Instead, Holgast is sitting with Gretchen while a few floating mops are busy sopping up sanguine liquid on the lower stairs. Master Holgast barely looks up as the screaming Golfond charges into the Tower, turning instead to his apprentice, who is drinking some kind of potion. Gretchen, however, looks wide-eyed at the hollering guardsman before turning and narrowing her gaze at Sledge who is only a few steps behind him. They are having a comparatively whispered conversation, which is drowned out by the screaming guardsman.

For his part, Golfond Kir gets into the center of the room and continues screaming. "Foul beasts, where are you hiding? I'll cuts you, I wills!" He charges over to one of the mops and swings out at it to no apparent effect, grunting with the exertion of swinging his blade around. After a few more ineffective swings, he stops and turns around, uncertain, swiveling his head around at the other three. "These aren't no beasties. Where did the beasties go?"


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Damage control Sledge my boy. You've evidently badly misinterpreted the situation. The boys mind races, simultaneously thinking at least five thoughts at a time. How well can I bluster, and divert blame? Probably not well enough for this. Can't save face by lying, nothing for it but to salvage what face I can by telling the truth. Still, the idea galled him. Perhaps a slight continuation would serve him well.

"Gone. Either escaped, invisible, or most likely returned to wherever they first came from."

He takes a step forward. "I'm going to have to ask you to move away from Gretchen, Master Holgast. No further enchantments on her please."


Master Holgast continues puffing away on his pipe, leaning back in his chair. It is not a rocking chair, for the record, but rather a standard wooden chair carved by a local woodsmith. This also seems to vex poor Golfond, who is looking not only for evidence of venomous beasts, but also a knocked-over rocking chair. The vacant expression returns to his face while he looks around the room.

"I'm not enchanted, Sledge. Certainly not by Master Holgast." She stands to demonstrate that she is well under her own control, walking forward towards her fellow apprentice.

GM Screen:
Gretchen Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
Sledge Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Gretchen Slap: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Sledge gets the distinct impression that Gretchen is angry with him and is probably about to slap him. If you do nothing, she will try to slap you. But you can choose to do something else before she reaches you.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Take the slap. It'll give you a chance to fix your facial expression without it looking off.

It was only through sheer force of will that Sledge managed to bite back a retort at Gretchen that they both damn well knew there were enchantments that wouldn't impact her ability to walk. Instead he adopted a more quizzical expression. It made his face hurt. "You mean... Master Holgast didn't mean to kill us? Then why attack us? Captain Winslow says if someone starts a fight, they best be ready to finish it."

Sledge rubs his aching jaw. "Why do you think I told you to run? I figured I'd try and hold him off long enough for you to get reinforcements. After all, if he has gone mad, it'd take most of the town to deal with him." Turning slightly to Holgast, he says, "And Master Holgast says that preparation is the key to excellent wizardry. Preparation, and several burly men with large sticks to stand in front of you." He jerks his head at Golfond.


Gretchen reaches Sledge and slaps him across the face. 20 vs Sledge's AC, no damage

"Captain Wisslo is a smart man," says Golfond Kir, nodding as Sledge repeats one of their captain's most-oft repeated phrases.

"Yes, Mr. Potterson, preparation is the key to excellent wizardry," Holgast says, sighing with a light chuckle. "Perhaps you have gotten this lesson after all."

Master Holgast looks at the burly man with the large stick. This may go over the poor man's young head. "Please sit, Mr. Kir."
Golfond looks up and blinks. "Me? Okay." The guardsman thumps to the ground.

There was no apparent spellcasting that Sledge could detect, though he is well aware that there were methods to produce spell effects without the use of traditional verbal or somatic components.

"You too, Gretchen," Holgast continues.
"I'll stand, thank you very much. Explain. With words this time."

This draws forth another low chuckle. "Very well." The older wizard regards his apprentices--and the big dumb fighter--puffing away on his pipe. "Ms. Uptal and Mr. Potterson: you have both studied and practiced, learning how to do more than mere cantrips. But Mr. Potterson is hungrier than Ms. Uptal. He may want to keep it secret because he is afraid that I will punish him for looking in my books. But Mr. Potterson: if you found yourself surrounded by a threatening force, how would you deal with them?"


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Sledge chooses his words carefully. "It depends on the nature of the force. Non-violence would be my first solution, if it seemed viable. Otherwise beguile minds, turn them against each other and flee. If that wouldn't work, strike first, strike hard, strike fast."

He ponders harder. "If I were a stronger mage, or a more adept warrior, perhaps I wouldn't need to worry so much about the tactical nature of the situation." He does not point out that his interests are in illusion and enchantment, the most powerful of those spells could stop many fights before they even began, and instead looks at the old mage quizzically.


Master Holgast considers Sledge's response, nodding ever so slightly. "Good."

Gretchen still looks vexed at this response. "So I should not have prepared my abjuration or evocation?"
"On the contrary, Ms. Uptal, those are fine spells. But your focus has been limited. You clean as directed. If you were hungry, you would find a way to deal with your chores and move on. I don't really care about dust."

Gretchen sneers, clearly displeased with this response. She picks up her bag of scrolls and her hat. "I'm leaving then. I'll find someone who will actually teach me."

She storms out.

Holgast shakes his head. "Well, Mr. Potterson, your judgment could use honing, but you show good promise despite your rashness. Should you so choose, I can oversee more of your training after your journey to the Crypt. Any further questions? I won't summon anymore frogs this time. Or anything else."


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

Sledge allows himself to feel a brief moment of satisfaction at his perceived victory. Then it's back to business. "I had misjudged you Master Holgast." He bows his head, partially in deference, and partly to avoid having his face be seen for his next sentence. "Please accept my apologies." Being wrong galled him, but he had made his bed. Now he had to lay in it. "I would be very pleased for you to continue to train me Master."

Normally, I'd probably ask some questions about what the trip to the Crypt entails, but I'd really like to get to the tavern, so perhaps it can be paraphrased, backfilled, or otherwise glossed over? He'll be sure to offer Golfond a thank you for his rapid response.


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

"So . . . not sure I'm ready for another luglurch, Jimes. Maybe just some water?" Silvio pretty much just wants to wash it down.

"Winter, hey Winter, stay!". As the half-orc, half-elf enters the room, Silvio gives him some space, seeing that he's getting plenty of attention. Silvio's white sheepdog, on the other hand, has other ideas, and leaves his sitting spot to greet Khuvaan, eager to be petted. Silvio looks at Jimes apologetically.

Eventually, Silvio does actually say something to Khuvaan. "Glad they picked you, Khuvaan. No one I'd trust more in the wilderness, short of Arnama."


Holgast offers a few tidbits about preparations for the journey--that Sledge and the others will likely be traveling for a few days through the wilderness but will have supplies provided to them, and that the Quest is designed to test their ability to work together over anything else--and recommends that Sledge take some time to seek out his fellows at the Tavern to begin the trust-building process. Although Holgast used up the last of his antidotes on stock to see to Gretchen's injuries, he assures Sledge that he will ensure a representative from the Temple will stop by to check on his poisoning and sustained injuries.

You will heal all damage and Con damage before setting out on the Quest.

---

By this time of the day, the whole town of Kassen seems to have heard the news of which four youths have been chosen. The bard is deep into his first set of the evening, and the mood is decidedly celebratory.

Sledge and Median can arrive at any point, while Khuvaan and Silvio are already here. I want to give you all a chance to interact at the Tavern if you want, but if/when you're ready to move to noon the next day, we can also fast forward. NPCs present include: Arnama Lastrid, Sir Dramott, Trelvar Silvers, Asina Silvers, Jocyn Elmaran, Jimes Iggins, Golfond Kir, and Grimscar.


1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|

Unfomfortable isn't quite the word for what Khuvaan was feeling. All the attention...positive, at that...it was almost overwhelming. While watching his mentor wander away, Khuvaan nodded and smiled at people in the crowd, some of whom patted his back, while others shook his hand.
It felt like chaos as the young ranger heard his name called out several times, from various directions, all at once.

Eventually the tall half-orc makes his way to Silvio, meeting the halfling with an honest grin. "I'm glad we'll be going together. You. Me. Median. And Sledge? THAT should prove interesting. Besides, you're the most honorable, trustworthy person I know..." he then chuckles, adding, "...other than Arnama."

Khuvaan offers his hand, and says, "I seriously need a drink, though. This whole situation is stressing me out. What are you having?"


Jimes chuckles and pours Silvio a glass of water for Silvio per his request, though also pours a glass of applejack and places it not far from him. "You'll get used to it," he says. When Khuvaan asks Silvio what he's drinking, the older halfling shakes his head. "I mean I'll pour you some if you want, neh, but this here empty glass had luglurch ale. It's made with salt water, yeah, and it's best warm."

Short Change looks across at the orc-elf, considering him. "Outdoorsman like you I could see likin cider or mead. Maybe whiskey. What's your poison o preference, eh?"


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

Silvio returns Khuvaan's handshake. "Touche," says the halfling at the returned comparison to Arnama. "Luglurch is a halfling thing. It's kinda like mixing seawater with liquor." Silvio decides to take a sip of the alternative Jimes offers. "But this applejack really hits the spot. Sweet and strong."

"So is it really true that you speak orcish AND elvish? They're nothing alike!"


1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|

Khuvaan makes a face at the mention of seawater and liquor, and calls over to Jimes, "A flagon of mead would be great."

The half-orc cocks his head slightly at Silvio's question, chuckles and then looks for a table where the two can sit. "There's a tale in that, Master Errico, and I'm in no mood to share it 'til I get my drink and a place to settle."

After a moment of looking through the crowd for a spot, he adds, "We should make sure we have room for Median and Sledge. Y'know, in case they show up too."


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

prestidigitation is a very useful cantrip. It can clean almost anything up, like blood on skin, in clothes, in hair. So it came to be that Sledge spent most of the afternoon cursing himself for not preparing it, and futilely trying to clean the smell of dried gore off his skin. It wasn't until later that evening that he managed to set out again, and headed to the tavern.

Sledge, as a rule, did not drink. He preferred to be the one putting people into altered states himself, thank you very much, and wasn't particularly keen on having it happen to him. He enters the tavern quietly, not hiding per-se, but certainly not drawing attention to himself.

"Goats milk," he says to Short Change, as he pulls up a seat next to Silvo.

"What's this talk I hear about languages?" Sledge isn't really one for small talk, so his interest in this topic seems to be quite genuine.

Liberty's Edge

Loot | Map | Female Human Crossblooded Draconic/Phoenix Bloodline Sorcerer 2 | HP 8/24 | AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | Fort +1 / Ref +2 / Will +2 | CMB 2 / CMD 14 | Initiative +2 | Perception +4 | Claws 5/6 | Spells 1L 3/5 | Mage Armor 8/10 | Magic Missile 8/10

Median comes in, not long after Sledge, but at first she doesn't see any of the other "chosen" ... she stands by the door watching Jocyn's performance, and then she approaches him at the bar.

It is loud in the bar, but she isn't trying to hide what she is saying, so anyone who is listening in closely can probably hear her:

Do you know any stories or songs that actually give the names of Kassen's companions, or stories about them? I was researching today and came across the name Asar both as one of his companions but also as one of the raiders that were attacking when he was killed. Coincidence, historical mistake in the records, or was it an ally that turned around and betrayed him? Do you know?

You see Jocyn push his hat towards her, and you can tell he is fishing for money, then he accuses her of trying to write her own song to compete with him and calls her a "nice kid" and blows her off, turning away.

She digs in her pocket, and you see her put several gold into the hat, as though paying him for the information she requested, and then she asks again:

Please. That's all the money I have. This is important to me, and I have to go to the crypt in the morning, so I won't have time to catch you when it is more convenient. I promise I am not writing a song about it. Just research for going to the crypt. No one who has gone will tell me anything. Give me 5 minutes of your break, and I promise not to pester you again.

After this he finally responds.

Important, eh? I was joking about the song, you know. But anyway...I'm not sure what's so all-fired important about Ekat Kassen's old companions. As for that coincidence...I mean, they could be the same person. Asar isn't the most common name in the Inner Sea. It'd make sense, and sure makes for a good story. Erstwhile ally turned enemy. You sure it weren't a novel you found 'stead of a history? And why does it matter?"

Median is visibly angry at this, and then Jimes the bartender butts in with some completely useless and unrelated babble:

"Median--it's Median, right? Jocyn wasn't here during the last Quest. Arrived just after it, yeah? Anywhats, you kids are always worried, concocting conspiracy theories and all thinking that you're gonna die. That's not what this is about. Why would we send four promising kids out if we thought they was gonna die? You might get a little hurt, but no one's ever died, no matter what tales you all seem to spin. It's fun and games. Have a drink. Relax."

He pushes a drink towards her, and she recoils, then again visibly tries to calm herself down, saying

No thanks. Just thought someone around here would know something. I can see that isn't the case.

She leaves the drink on the counter and starts to walk out of the bar, and you hear Jocyn and Jimes:

"No need to be salty because someone doesn't have the answers you're looking for!" Jocyn mumbles, as though he hadn't misrepresented himself and begged money from her when he already knew he had zero information that would help.

Then Jimes announces to the whole bar

"A shot of our finest whiskey for everyone here, courtesy of House Vargidan's generosity!"

That's when Median stops, overwhelmed by the stress of being talked down to, treated like a child, and cheated. She casts a quick spell, and the drink that Jimes had pushed towards her is suddenly on fire, the alcohol fumes flaring up wildly.

As she turns back to the door, she spots the rest of the group that she is supposed to travel with the next day... her face goes red, a few different expressions cross her face in the few seconds that she hesitates, but then she continues out the door.


1/2 Orc Ranger 1| HP: 13/13| AC: 16 (T13, F13)| CMB: +4, CMD 16: | F: +5, R: +5, W: +4| Init: +5| Perc: +6 | Speed 35'|

Perception to notice Median: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Well, Silvio wanted to know how hard it was to learn both Elvish and Orc...whoa!" Khuvaan welcomes Sledge with a nod, but then suddenly trails off when he sees the sudden flash of flame from the bar, the reaction of the inn's patrons, and Median's disconcerted retreat from the tavern.

A moment of indecision before the lean half-orcs stands and mutters to the others, "C'mon. Median needs us." With that, Khuvaan leaves his drink untouched and starts moving through the rowdy crowd towards the door, regardless of whether the other two follow.

Offering only the slightest of acknowledgements to any well wishers as he angles himself to the entrance, the half-orc catches his mentor's eye and simply gives her a shrug before making his way outside, as well.

Stepping outside and nearly colliding with a sober townsman in search of a drink, Khuvaan takes a few strides into the street, scanning for the young sorceror.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Looking up and down the lane, however, the apprentice ranger doesn't see her, and so calls out her name. "Median!"


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"Bugger." Sledge mutters, and throws back his glass of milk before following Khuvaan outside.

Liberty's Edge

Loot | Map | Female Human Crossblooded Draconic/Phoenix Bloodline Sorcerer 2 | HP 8/24 | AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | Fort +1 / Ref +2 / Will +2 | CMB 2 / CMD 14 | Initiative +2 | Perception +4 | Claws 5/6 | Spells 1L 3/5 | Mage Armor 8/10 | Magic Missile 8/10

Median pauses at hearing her name, turning in the shadows and looking back. She didn't really want to talk about it, but she liked Khuvaan, and she was going to be traveling with them, and it was nice of him to follow her...

She steps out of the shadows a couple of buildings down and waves.

Hey Khuvaan, over here. Was just trying to calm down for a moment. Uh, sorry for the scene in there. Probably shouldn't have set the drink on fire. Just, when I get stressed, I always have this urge to set something on fire. Mentally, you know ... uh, oh hi Sledge.

She doesn't trust Sledge the way she does Khuvaan, so she trails off.

She spots a discarded flyer lying in the road and she leans down to pick it up, snapping her fingers to set fire to it, then watching it as it burns.

That seems to calm her down a little, and she says, while watching the last ashes drift down to the road,

I was reading today, and I think that one of Kassen's companions may have betrayed him. Kind of adds a twist to all the stories, right?


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

"Sheep's milk's better," offers Silvio as Sledge approaches and makes his order of goats, before immediately regretting his words. "I mean, well, you know . . . " he trails off. Silvio was never good at starting conversations with relative strangers.

So he's actually quite thankful as Median suddenly enters and starts up an exciting conversation. The exit too, was shocking, and Silvio doesn't react quickly as Khuvaan storms out, followed by a reluctant Sledge. "Sorry Jimes," he ends up saying after the others have already left. "Maybe we get to pick up the fun later?" He gives Winter a nudge, as the two of them head out.

The halfling is slower than all the other long-legged ones, so it takes a bit of effort to catch up. "I see," responds Silvio to Median's explanation. "That's really . . . interesting."

Sense Motive DC9:
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9.
Silvio clearly doesn't believe Median knows what she's talking about. Everyone knew the story of Kessen, and nobody ever mentioned anything about him being betrayed by one of his own.


HP:23/37|BaB:2|AC:15 T:11 FF:14|Fort:4 Ref:3 Will:3(+2 vs enchantment, see drawback)|

"I suggest a taste test. To see which type of milk is empirically better. Subjectively of course."

=
Meanwhile outside...
Sledge snaps into scholar mode.
Knowledge History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
"Could be." Sledge says slowly. "How do you figure?"
Sledge doesn't know Median particularly well, and she is a sorcerer, not a wizard, but his obvious bias towards fellow arcane students causes him to grant Median the benefit of the doubt.

Liberty's Edge

Loot | Map | Female Human Crossblooded Draconic/Phoenix Bloodline Sorcerer 2 | HP 8/24 | AC 12 / T 12 / FF 10 | Fort +1 / Ref +2 / Will +2 | CMB 2 / CMD 14 | Initiative +2 | Perception +4 | Claws 5/6 | Spells 1L 3/5 | Mage Armor 8/10 | Magic Missile 8/10

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 18

It's okay if you don't believe me Silvio, but if you ever want to read it for yourself, I can show you the sources.

In response to Sledge's query, Median mentions the books from her father's library that she had been referring to and the fact that the first names in both cases were Asar.

I mean, it isn't definite, but it is a pretty big coincidence... even though the name is common now because of Kassen's companions, it wasn't back then. One of the sources gives a last name, so if I could find someone who knows some of the source stories and we could get the last name of the other, then we would know for sure. In any case, it really raises some questions about what went on back then. I wanted to be more sure about this before I talked about it with you all, but that is as far as I have gotten.

This all started just because I was trying to find someone who would tell me anything about the crypt. Were any of you able to get some information about what to expect?


Male Halfling Warpriest (Divine Commander) 3 | HP 36/36 | AC:20 T:15 FF:16 CMD:16 | F+5 R+6 W+6 | Init+4 | Perc+4 |
Winter:
HP 36/36 (2 nonlethal) | AC:20 T:13 FF:17 CMD:17 | F+4 R+5 W+2 | Perc+5 | Light, Bless, Inspired Rage

"Hm, okay, well that's kind of interesting. . ." says Silvio hesitantly, starting to wonder if Median had really unearthed something about Kessen's history. "Maybe Sledge could ask Holgast? Seems like a very wizardly thing to know."

"I asked Father Prasst if he had tips on what to bring to prepare, but he's so new to town that he didn't know anything. Not sure I want to spoil the ending, though. It's part of the challenge, right?"

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