Unable to get a clear shot through the chaos Albrecht instead moves into the keep and up the stairs in order to gain the high ground.
Mylos ◆ Steps forwards and targets a burning, golden lance at the dwarf.
◆◆
Bonnie watches a flurry of activity and feels left out. She charges in, but, realizing that she won't quite be able to reach, disappears into a puff of shadow and pops back in across from Albrecht.
She then enters Arcane Cascade.
Albrecht can't see the opening so he moves closer within the mist. Mylos steps within the range and sends burning, golden lance, which strike dwarf who yells in pain.
That was the moment that Bonnie was waiting for, with precision she moved through shadow and struck her sword not certain if she hit or not. Only then dwarfs head have fallen to the ground with loud 'Thump'. And there were no more movement.
Upon the search you find plenty of letters of necromantic nature on the table. Atop all these notes, only one piece doesn’t bear Morgrym’s handwriting: an unsigned note stating that the Leadbuster Lads are "stepping into business they would be smart to avoid".
When you look closer you can see a small sign on the note, that looks like a head of a monster with three eyes.
Beside that the castle is clear of any more filth. When you head slowly back towards Otari, where you have couple of days to rest, and heal your wounds. The same day representant of Inkleholtz family shows up grateful for your help at the camp.
|
The next morning in Otari, Flory is found sitting cross-legged in front of a halfling-sized spider, with a silver chevron on his thorax. Her familiar is perched on her head. She looks up at the others.
”Good morning”, she says cheerily. ”This is Sir Miles, a noble knight and my sworn defender”
She pauses, then giggles and looks up. ”Oh your Ladyship, you’re such a scamp!”
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As a Flory sits cross-legged along a disruptingly large spider. A young delivery person comes towards.
"I am sorry, is that spider ... tamed?" he asks holding a letter in his hands and looking uncertainly, wondering if he should be afraid of the spider or Flory more.
He puts and envelop on a rock "I will leave you to it"and he moves away.
The envelope has an emblem of Sarenrae, which makes you believe that it comes from Vandy Banderash the high priestess from Dawnflower Library.
Looking with amusement at the retreating courier, you head to open the letter. In it Vandy Banderdash asks you to come visit her as she wishes to chat with you.
When you go to the city to pay her a visit. The front doors open directly into the temple’s central, domed area built in the Qadiran style. Past a small desk, tall bookshelves fill the space, leaving several feet between their tops and the dome’s apex. Stained-glass windows in the dome depict the Dawnflower healing the wounded and illuminating dark, monster-filled caverns. The light from the morning sun causes these depictions to serenely glow, warmly illuminating much of the library below. A thin, blond halfling woman emerges from behind the desk, smiling widely. Her boots click softly as she crosses the marble floor. “Hello, hello!” she chirps. "I’m so glad you came! Please, come with me to my office. I have something very interesting to show you!"
Vandy leads the heroes through the library and up some stairs to a cramped set of quarters in the temple’s eastern minaret. The halfling tries to make the heroes comfortable, offering them lemon-flavored cookies and a spicy blend of tea from Qadira.
"I heard that you now have a castle, how is it going? What plans do you have for it?" she asks while keeping her hand on a blue lether-bound book.
Mylos looks relaxed in the temple to the god he worships.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Vandy, I'm not sure we have plans yet. We've only recently come into possession of the old fishery. Nice cookies." he says as he sips tea.
Once they'd cashed in all the loot they'd brought back with them and purchased themselves a few goodies, the group goes to visit the Dawnflower Library at the high priestess's invitation. Mary couldn't even remember the last time she'd been in the library; she wasn't a big reader or believer; and people in her profession didn't make a habit of visiting shrines, not unless they were permanently 'borrowing' something of value from them.
The question about their newly acquired castle was a bit of a surprise. "Huh! Well, as Mylos said, I don't think we've really come to any decisions on the matter. It's kind of run down and we don't have the money to fix it up right now. Plus, we've got enough on our hands just getting the fishing camp into a fit state for habitation." She pauses to let that sink in a little. "But, I can see how after a long adventuring career it might be a good place to retire to in one's old age. A few hundred years of collecting loot should give us enough money to fix it up right."
"Old age. A relative term. Although I have no idea what age I might live to. I've already died once and returned. Maybe I will be here still. What's the book you've got?"
Vandy smiles as she takes one of the cakes herself. "You see, some time ago, we did find a certain area in the forest that showed larger than usual populations of monsters, of all kinds. Church of Sarenrae started to look for someone to investigate. Champion of Dawnflower Thida Aubade answered that call, along with her squire and an acolyte halfling Billard Truewood and dwarf Vuzi Nerren. They did investigate the place, and Thida kept notes which copies she send here, it turned out that the Lamashtan cult was responsible for that whole fuzz."
Vandy takes a bite of the cake "We haven't get any information from Thida for the past month, so we began to suspect the worse. They captured one cultist that they interrogated, from them they learned the locaiton of the cults lair, called the Scar. They also learned about the terrifying illusions that cloak the area, saying 'only those blessed with three-eyed sight can pass safely.' The cultist also mentioned the 'Test of the Five Beasts,' and on a later page, Thida noted that she discovered the 'Laws of the Five Beasts' in an obscure religious text, copying them in their entirety"
Vandy pauses for a moment "The squire of Thida was in possesion of valuable artifact called sun wheel. It is a copper disc emblazoned with a stylized image of the sun. I would like you to head to the Scar and take down the cultists. If you would discover any item of Thida, Billard or Vuzi, I would like for you to retireve them, especially sun wheel."
"If you would aid me you would earn gratitude of church of Sarenrae." when she sees that it does not make you interested she also adds
"And we will help you rebuild the castle"
|
|
Flory stares with open fascination at the glowing stained glass murals. She daintily takes a cookie when offered, giving a piece to Sir Miles (who eats it from her palm), and a crumb to Lady Gwendolyn (who wraps it in silk).
All the talk about scary beasts has her concerned, until the reward is mentioned; then she perks up. ”Many hands make light work”, she says in a sing-song voice.
Arity looks around nervously.
"Oh my. All that is somewhat above us don't you think? We've mostly dealt with a few bandit dwarves and a bugbear. Sure, one basalisk, but that's about it. A whole cult of monster worshippers? Do you really think we are up for such a thing?"
Albrecht scoffs at Arity's reluctance. "Ha! Nonsense! If we aren't up for it then no one is."
He helps himself to one of the cookies and chews, momentarily lost in thought.
"Lamashtan cultists active here? We can't have that. We'll need to see Thida's notes of course. What sort of monsters were seen? That might affect our preparations. Is the captured cultist still available for further investigation?"
He takes another bite of cookie. "Interesting. Lemon obviously, but is there a touch of mint as well?"
Mary wants absolutely nothing to do with taking out a lamashtan cult. Not only did she not want to get on that particular deity's black list (and black it certainly was), but to risk her precious skin doing so, merely for the benefit of another god that meant nothing to her, was a laughable proposition.
Putting down her uneaten piece of cake and untouched tea, Mary prepares herself for a quick exit, when Vandy mentions the castle rebuild. She pauses and considers. "A fixed up castle would definitely be nicer to live in than a smelly old fishing camp. Easier to defend too. Buuuut..." "What exactly do you mean by help rebuild the castle? We're talking about a pretty hefty investment of time, effort, and... cash, to make it functional again."
Mylos leans forward, interested.
"This is serious hero stuff. Sarenrae has blessed me with access to some magic, I think we should look at what we can do with this cult."
He looks serious.
"Ugh, Lamashtans," Bonnie sighs. "I'd rather have the rest of my teeth pulled than have to negotiate with a Lamashtan again."
Bonnie's in.
Vandy sighs "We can fix the roof, and strengthen the walls, and eventually fix any windows that are broken. We shall not repair the wall, nor will we provide you with furniture."
She listens to what is said "I don't know what have happened with the cultist, the notes do not say anything more about them. The materials you can read, but please leave them here." says Vandy, without mentioning that if you would fail, another team of heroes will be assembled and it would be good for them to also have insight into the documents.
"Maybe also consider taking notes, and leave their copy in the church, just in case."
She listens to the question about cookies "Yes, it is mint, I am glad that you noticed!"
Reading the room, Mary shrugs. "A buttoned-up castle will be better than a drafty and rotting fishing camp." "Okay. We'll look into it, but if turns into a suicide mission then I'm out. Now let's have a look at these documents. I'll leave it to Albrecht and Mylos to take notes."
"That's . . .a good deal. And I mean, if there is a cult then . . . I hate to say it but THEY would have furniture right? I mean far be it from me to suggest theft but . . . well if they are evil cultists ANYWAY . . ."
Mary looks up at Arity as the swashbuckler goes through a crisis of conscience. "Well, technically speaking, it isn't theft if the original owner is dead. At that point it becomes officially a prize of war, or as the lawyers like to call it 'finders keepers'". She chuckles at her own little joke. "Good thinking though, but I expect that Lamashtan inspired furniture probably isn't going to be all that comfortable." Images of stretching racks and iron maidens come to her mind.
The former pirates are in firm agreement that possession constitutes 90% of ownership. Bonnie is by no means an agent of the law, but that argument held up in court many a time.
Mary looks up at Arity as the swashbuckler goes through a crisis of conscience. "Well, technically speaking, it isn't theft if the original owner is dead. At that point it becomes officially a prize of war, or as the lawyers like to call it 'finders keepers'". She chuckles at her own little joke. "Good thinking though, but I expect that Lamashtan inspired furniture probably isn't going to be all that comfortable." Images of stretching racks and iron maidens come to her mind.
B]”Daaaaaaling, you don't know what I can do with a good throw cover. It’ll be fine.”[/b]
Mary looks up at Arity as the swashbuckler goes through a crisis of conscience. "Well, technically speaking, it isn't theft if the original owner is dead. At that point it becomes officially a prize of war, or as the lawyers like to call it 'finders keepers'". She chuckles at her own little joke. "Good thinking though, but I expect that Lamashtan inspired furniture probably isn't going to be all that comfortable." Images of stretching racks and iron maidens come to her mind.”Daaaaaaling, you don't know what I can do with a good throw cover. It’ll be fine.”
Albrecht grabs the book and starts reading the pages, from it he learned that some of the creatures that you could expect are kobolds, ogres and at least couple of rumors were heard about some bird like creatures.
"The place, is about half-a-day travel from Otari, so you should prepare to spend at least one night in the wilderness." says the cleric
When you depart tt takes less than half a day to reach the area around the Scar from Otari by foot. Traveling north-bynortheast from the town, the heroes can see the Kortos Mounts in the distance as the land begins to rise slightly.
When you observe the landscape around you, you realize that there is a large ridge nearby, past a space of open hillside just on the outskirts of the woods. There might be things or creatures hidden behind that ridge.
Mylos brings his new staff along with him.
Bonnie tucks two scrolls into her backpack, and leads the way.
Albrecht grabs the book and starts reading the pages, from it he learned that some of the creatures that you could expect are kobolds, ogres and at least couple of rumors were heard about some bird like creatures.
"Hmm...Perhaps we could circle around and approach from another angle in order to ambush any would-be ambushers?"
"I don't see it daaaalings. But if there is an ambush, perhaps the best action would be for some of to go in, awares, and lure them out into our own ambush?"
You spot the ridge and discuss if and how to move around it to avoid potential trap. When you choose to approach the ridge from the left in the distance you spot a group of orcs. There are at least a few of them, equiped with axes and mauls. When they spot you, they reach for their weapons.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Arity
➤ Albrecht
➤ Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
Flory
Mylos
Bonnie
Blue
Pink
"Albrect, DAAAling, would you be so good as to shoot them from a distance?"
<>All for one->Aid another ALbrect
<>Stride forward (Swashbuckler move speed 30)
<>Raise buckler (for +2 to AC)
Albrecht tips his hat and bows extravagantly towards Arity, a sardonic grin on his face. "Your wish is my command." His eyes narrow as he chooses his target.
"They're a bit far away but I think I can still make the shot."
He carefully draws his bow and fires a single shot.
Mary quickly sizes up the ranges involved and curses to herself. She was fast, but would barely reach the orcs for a single attack. Her friends though, were not so fast and she'd be left hanging out to dry as the entire band fell on her like a ton of bricks. No; it would be better to wait for the orcs to come to them... or Arity, since the swashbuckler had apparently taken it into her head to charge them head-on. She curses again when she realizes that the orcs are also a little too far away for comfort when it comes to sending some arrows into them. Sighing, she whips out her bow and sends three arrows into the nearest of the more dangerous looking orcs with the mauls.
-
Arity inspires Albrecht, moves and raises her buckler.
Albrecht pulls out his bow and sends a single arrow, hitting one of the orcs, a bit of blod sprinkle the earth.
Mary pulls out her bow and sends three arrows all of which misses.
Green orc runs forwards towards Bonnie, but he underestimated the distance and did not make the strike.
Orc with white trousers runs towards Arity and strikes her with his axe
But he misses.
The orc with black throwsers tries the same thing
And this one hits
Red Orc runs forwards and yells to inspire his allies.
Then he throws his javelin
But javelin passes Arity.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Arity
Albrecht
Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
➤ Flory
➤ Mylos
➤ Bonnie
Blue
Pink
As the orc with white trousers closes in, his clumsy attack allows Arity to strike back.
Mylos steps towards Albrecht and infuses his bow with dark energy. (◆ step, ◆◆ Magic Weapon)
"I will hang back and patch people up" He says, surveying the scene.
Arity uses the misstep of the orc attacking her, and stirkes them with solid enough strength and precision. She drives her sword into orcs side
Flory enhances Sir Miles, who walks to help the damsel in distress. Sir Miles walks and strikes the orc, with surprising strength for such creature.
Mylos casts a spell to empower Albrecht's bow
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Arity
Albrecht
Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
Flory
⠀⠀Sir Miles
Mylos
➤ Bonnie
Blue
Pink
Bonnie just waits for the orc to spend all of its strength charging her, and then she just raises her sword and chops at him as soon as he gets into range.
◆◆
plus
She then channels some of the residual fire energy into an Arcane Cascade ◆.
Bonnie swings at the orc, her strike was accurate enough and strong enough to bring him down. And she saw the light in his eyes to fade.
But then suddenly green roars in pain and his eyes are filled with fury
Another orc runs towards Arity and strikes her with his giant club
Club swooshes through the air and hits the ground leaving a small hole on the impact.
Another Orc runs forwards and throws javelin
Arity dances and whirls avoiding all of the attacks, but you wonder how long will she be able to do so
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Arity
➤ Albrecht
➤ Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
Flory
⠀⠀Sir Miles
Mylos
Bonnie
Blue
Pink
Mary watches as the orcs gang up on Arity and shakes her head. "Aaaand, that's why I don't go rushing into battle and let the enemy come to me instead." She hears a roar to her left and sees the dying orc come back to life. "Ugh! I hate orcs. They're so hard to finish off."
She considers the option of going to help Arity out herself, but decides that finishing off the nearby orc in it's weakened condition would free up Bonnie and Sir Miles to help the swashbuckler. She sends a couple of arrows at it hoping one will hit and put the creature out of its misery.
The first arrow flies wide and nearly skewers Sir Miles ("Sorry about that!") but the second one hits the orc dead between the eyes. "Ha! Wake up from that one, you brute!"
With nothing better to do, she sends a third arrow into the wounded orc attacking Arity hoping for a small miracle.
Mary sends three arrows, but only one of them finds their mark. The orc is hit in the head and this time falls dead.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Arity
➤ Albrecht
Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
Flory
⠀⠀Sir Miles
Mylos
Bonnie
Blue
Pink
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<>Strike at white britches
<>Step away
<>Raise buckler
"Uh, friends! Come join in the fun, I'd love to . . . uh . . . share the experience . . ."
Albrecht tries to silence the orc's inspiration.
Arity makes a perfect strike, she is light on her feet, brings her sword up and makes a powerful cut through the head of the Orc. The strike is strong enough to break the helm and almost cut off creatures jaw, but instead of falling the creature rages.
Then with a mix of surprise and disgust Arity steps back and raises her shield.
Albrecht sends an arrow towards the orc in the back. Both of his arrows hit them.
Should have been dead orc moves towards Arity and stirkes her with his axe
But blood must be getting into Orcs eyes as he misses twice.
The Orc next to Arity swings with his axe trying to bring the swashbuckler down
Arity is nearly caught by two strikes, but she is able to parry them both with her buckler. Her arm begins to hurt, by now.
The red orc keeps on hollering "Take that one down! Look at the rest of them, standing in fear there. Fight with vigor!"
He then runs towards Arity and tries to punch her
But he as well misses.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Arity
Albrecht
Mary
Red
Black
White
Green
➤ Flory
⠀⠀➤ Sir Miles
➤ Mylos
➤ Bonnie
Blue
Pink
"I'm coming, Arity. Dawnflower be with me, I'm going to need it!"
Mylos runs forwards, building a mass of flames between his hands.
He projects a fan of fire, encompassing white, black red and blue.
◆ Stride
◆◆ Burning Hands