Amala draws another cold iron arrow and shoots again!!
"Powerful weapons we wield. Now all be healed!" (Except you, ugly.)
SCHIR SPAWN, DIE BEAST OF MALICE
Aurelis is increasing becoming as pissed as Manboarpig.
Hallidan circles outside the freakish man's reach, then darts inward.
"Blast you! Blast you!"
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Everyone seems to be having trouble dealing with the rampaging boarlike human, yet Fellzir manages to bolster their spirits (and health). Finally Aurelius is able to put him down!
Current Status:
Amala 17/21 hp
Aurelius 15/17 hp
Fellzir 17/17 hp
Hallidan 13/16 hp
Octavonius 10/10 hp
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Cimri ?/? hp
Caggan -31/? hp (-1 STR penalty, Unconscious and Dying)
"What is he? And will the jail hold him so we can interrogate him?"
Heal check to stop him from dying immediately.
"I ain't sure it's worth the risk. Damned pig was hard enough to put down the first time. We really want him breaking out again?" Hallidan readies one of his swords.
Amala takes out her dagger and moves to the pig man.
"Can I just kill him please!! Please!!!" she almost begs with a pained expression!
"There could be more fiends like him,"Octavonius muses."It may be worth learning from this creature if there are others like it hiding on our midst. Perhaps we should involve powers greater than ours in this matter?"
"There could be more fiends like him,"Octavonius muses."It may be worth learning from this creature if there are others like it hiding on our midst. Perhaps we should involve powers greater than ours in this matter?"
"Brilliant. Let's do THAT."
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Cimri strides over to the downed boar-man, placing the edge of her kukri against the man's throat. "I say we off 'im right now! Known Caggan ever since I lived in Longacre yet I never knew he was this...this beast!" she exclaims, her voice trembling, "I don't think the jail will hold 'im...we know that pillory won't!"
"But we aren't in charge here. Let's ask Razelago first."
Amala looks very disappointed and her dagger is not out of her hands, yet!
"I say we slay him now!! Now!" she says with an uncontrolled look on her face.
"Should we put it to a vote?" Octavonius offers. "We know where Fellzir and I stand, as well as Amala and Cimri. Hallidan it seems you side with the ladies here. Aurelis if you feel the same as them then I suppose the matter is settled."
"We'll tell Razelago he attacked us and didn't survive the fight." Hallidan shrugs. "It's mostly true."
I am uncertain, interrogating it in a more secure location and having a witness of its transformation could yield valuable clues. I believe we need to keep it unconcious in that case.
Aurelius offers, being undecided.
Amala sighs in frustration but then looks at the boar creature and shrugs at Aurelius, Octavonius and Fellzir.
"Well Hallidan, he now really got more than he deserves for what he did to me or you ... so actually I don't care. Would have been fun to slice into something warm with an artistic interest but do what you want to him! I am out .. " she says and leaves the scene.
"Wait a moment and let me treat that wound..."
Fellzir channels before Amala gets out of range.
Excluding Tusky
"I appreciate your understanding," Octavonius says with a bow of his head. "If permitted I suggest we move this creature to a proper cell and myself and at least one other watch over it while the others fetch a proper witness."
She sees her wounds close through Fellizir’s channel and suddenly turns around.
”You … “ she says pointing at the cleric, ”… how do you do that healing circle thing!! Ever seen that with your gods worshipers before!???“ she asks expectantly.
I did. While Asmodeus prefers to utilize negative energy to smite his foes, he is no averse to healing his allies.
There are some that regard Asmodeus as Primarily lawful rather then evil, such people can channel positive energy, and do not detect as evil for the purposes of Paladins, inquisitors and such. Such people can often command a considerable salary if they take up mercenary life, owing to their incredible usefullness in many walks of life!
The Omdura explains
Asmodeus is a copy cat, copy cat, copy cat! It is our Lady in Shadows, in her Chaotic Neutral aspect of the redeemer queen that pioneered this cunning approach! Aurelius hears a voice in his head
Accursed fiendish vixen I shall drive you from my head!
And how would you do that? Perhaps according to military doctrine? A series of quick, agile and forcefull thrusts into our rear areas, leading to exploitation of these, destabilizing our centre of gravity? By exposing the cracks in our defese and vigorously pentrating into them?
Did you rewrote the Fluvius Victorius "Tactica" but as Innuendo? Aurelius mentally inquires, referring to basically "the book" as to how things are done in the Chelish military
Did I screw up by tying Fluvius Victorius. or "Fluffy" as I called him, to a bed, and then reading Nocticulan military strategy to him because that turned him on? Maybe, its rude of him to remove all the lovely innuendo and claim it was his! Will I do that again? Find me and find out darling.
"It is but one of my many skills. I learned to channel positive energy before my God chose me and by then it was too late to channel negative energy. So while I can never do that, I can still heal all of you."
"And I don't believe you know my master. This is the first time we have discussed the subject."
Just an assumption based on previous experience, no offense intended.
Amala raises her eyebrows.
“So who is your god!?!“ she asks.
Just an assumption based on previous experience, no offense intended.
"So who is your god!?!"
Fellzir smiles slightly. "They prefer to remain in the shadows at this time, but they know and appreciate Calistria."
She raises an eyebrow.
“Secrets Fellzir?! Ohhh … I like individuals that deal in trickery and mischief … but be careful of encounters of the flesh and knowledge that are both secret or dangerous! The pursuit of these goals can often lead those faithful to my goddess to wander the world in order to achieve them … and I might just trip over you …. but in a lustful way of course!“ she says to Fellzir with a sly smile.
She looks at Aurelius and laughs, “I should have known that those around you Aurelius are deeper than meets the eye!“ she says and sends a kiss with her hand to Octavonius and Hallidan.
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You all manage to carry...or more accurately drag...the unconscious form of Caggan back to a holding cell where Cimri speaks up, "I never knew Caggan was capable of...that. But rest assured he won't be waking up as long as I am here!" She grins playfully, "I'll stay here and make sure of that! Just don't be too long...Razelago should be back at the Ash House."
Indeed, the higher authorities need to be informed!
"If it's all the same to the rest of you I shall remain here to rest these old bones and help Cimri keep an eye on this beast," Octavonius says, already lowering himself in a chair with a contended sigh.
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It is well into night before you finally reach the Ash House - leaving Octavonius and Cimri behind - and soon find yourselves in front of the accuser devil. It nods in greeting, "You have need of me?" smiling with a knowing look in its eyes. When you explain the events which unfolded earlier, it nods sagely. "From what you describe to me...actually have you noticed what a beautiful sight the moon is? A lovely full moon!...Anyway I digress - I believe Bolgart Caggan is either a full-blooded or possibly an afflicted lycanthrope - probably a wereboar. Rather unusual but certainly not unheard of! As for whether there are more like him..." it pauses, hovering in midair as it contemplates further. "I cannot rule it out. The fact Caggan was able to hide this from all makes it a possibility. All I can say is...be cautious forthwith!"
"You, uh..." Hallidan tries to avoid making direct eye contact with the hideous creature. "Know of anything that'll help us deal with one? Y'know, if there really are more?"
"Diamond-tipped crossbow bolts?" Fellzir offers, a bit snarkily.
“Thanks for reminding me Fellzir!!“
~
“So we can relax now … finally!“ the Tiefling says and let’s her tail swing.
Ah, so Silver rather then Cold Iron? Also, s@$+, is he capable of infecting others?
Aurelius looks at himself with alarm, as well as at those who were wounded by Caggan.
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Razelago pauses as it contemplates the issue, "I do not know. Perhaps you should see one of the town's physician for advice?"
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The day dawns bright and early as you stir yourselves awake. As you reconvene at the Jail you see a badly bruised and bloody Caggan is still secured in the holding cell where you stashed him the night before. As you comtemplate what to do with the lycanthrope, a visitor announces himself -- Mr. Ingoe! You remember your arrangement with the disreputable dockmaster.
"I came across this interesting letter from Doctor Gerya Rohalendi, who as you may know, runs a hospice for Longacre’s retired veterans. I certainly hope you find it as...enlightening...as I do." he grins at you, while bestowing a wink upon Amala. "I bid you farewell for now." he smiles as he leaves the jail lobby.
A perusal of the letter reveals the letter is from Rohalendi to her cousin, a lesser noble named Nivianne Giatanno, in Remesiana. In the letter, the doctor laments that she has just been informed she owes 300 gp in back taxes, a sum she is unable to pay. Although she has a little money to keep things running for a few more weeks, unless she can come up with some means of paying her debt, she’ll have to close the hospice, and she doesn’t know how to tell the people who depend on her.
Most interesting, she can be made quite eager to assist utilizing this. It is feasible for us to turn this into considerable reputational boosts, thus increasing our hold on the town and reducing dissent.
He pauses
I would propose that we pay her a relevant sum of 25 gold coins for an examination of our lycanthrope inflicted wounds, as well as for an investigation of precisely what kind of lycanthrope Caggan is. I will in particular steer her towards the possible dangers of someone who could infect others with Lycanthropy in a job that involves handling and preparing food. After all, even if he isnt directly infectious, I doubt that any research exists that would disprove a danger from long term exposure to Lycanthropes. I will play this up as an "investigation for the benefit of the health of the city", and have her running around asking bar patrons if they ever felt symptons of Lycanthropy, such as agitableness, rashness, slight sensory issues , nausea or a rash on the private parts while at Caggans bar, or after. He pauses.
How convenient that these symptoms are also symptoms of Alcohol intoxication, nobody will admit to a private part rash, but the rumor is good. His eyes almost glow as he is clearly having fun with that.
For her services in this, depending on her performance, we pay her another 25 to 50 gold coins, bringing her to 75ish if she performs well. Not enough to free her an make her independent, but it takes a considerable chunk out of her debt, and while we cant forgive her debt we likely have enough pull to convince the chancellery of a more lenient payment plan.
He pauses
Comrades, do you have any idea of how to make this better?
"Or get her taxes lowered. I ain't thrilled about paying her myself." Hallidan shrugs. "We could even pocket some ourselves. Get Fex to cut it in half, for 'services rendered' or some such, then we charge her three-quarters."
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Octavonius listens to the back and forth for a moment before rubbing his eyes. "I'm afraid I've been too long removed from society to really understand much of this. Debt is a word I've heard but not yet had the luxury to encounter. Having a physician, if she is indeed a good one, in our pocket could be beneficial in the long run. A little gold spent in her favor now could save us much more in the future. If we find her services agreeable I am more than willing to offer up coin from my own purse to buy her allegiance to our cause."
"Her place might be an excellent back-up hideout for us after a rough battle if we need one. If she is indebted to us, she can't say no. I'd definitely contribute some coins to her cause, even though I am all the healer you'll ever need. <false bravado> Let's be sure the people know how benevolent we are or the Archbaron is if we are doing this in his name."
Amala just shrugs.
“I think I really don’t care about this whole situation! Helping people? No thanks …“ she says slightly bored.
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Deciding to put this knowledge gained to good use you head off to see Rohalendi to see if the wounds from the lycanthrope Caggan have any lasting effects.
Arriving at the elderly lady's dwelling she nods in greeting to you, her eyes and tone carefully neutral, although you can see she is indeed under some strain. "Ahh the new...guards of Longacre. It is a pleasure to see you here. How may I be of service?"
We wish to avail ourselfs of your service in some medical manners, services that would of course be financially renumerated.
Aurelius opens
We have in our custody one Broggart Caggan, who, as Mrs. Amala was about to interview him, turned into a tusk wearing creature of some kind, presumably a Lycanthrope, and injured several of our party members.
We would like you to investigate his conditions, and to provide a degree of post exposure prophylaxis to our wounds. From Rumor, Belladona is a plausible protection, but I would defer to your expertize there.
He continues.
Another concern is that he was running an inn, and that this means a possibly infectious person was involved directly in food processing. I am primarily a mercenary, but my understanding is that long term exposure to lycanthropes can plausibly result in the infection spreading. I would like for your expert opinion on this, written. Perhaps you could, as part of that assessment, interview various bar patrons if they have recently had symptons such as nausea, irritatableness or flashes of anger? We are not exactly beloved in this town, but this is something that needs to be investigated.
He pauses with a sigh
It took several of us to subdue him in his lycanthrope form. From what I know, the first changing of a Lycanthrope is often highly violent and dramatic, with often dire consequences for whoever is unfortunate enough to be next to them. I greatly dislike thinking of the possible death toll resulting from an unchained spread.
And I am not even lying
He continues
We would pay a sum of 25 gold for the investigation and the post exposure prophylaxis of our party. We understand that your expert opinion would take a degree of time, depending on the quality of the product, another 25 to 50 gold for this would be what I would deem to be a suitable reward. He states his first offer
I should add that this would put you into a position where you are actively assisting the cities law enforcement, in a situation that is above and beyond the norm. Which, if my beurocratic know how is still active, entitles you to petition for reasonable delays concerning more mundane dealings with the chancellery.
And then adds a sweetener
I do not wish to mislead you. My signature on a writ of Amicus Curae, detailing services provided by you, will most likely delay proceedings by the chancellery against you, of which I have been informed to a certain degree, but it is beyond my power to fully stop these.
He pauses, taking in air as his perfect facade of a polite nobleman slips for a second, revealing some pent up anger
Succubi He thinks as he says Beurocrats, the look of someone who just drank spoiled milk evident on his face.
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Rohalendi's eyes widen as she learns of the existence of a lycanthrope in Longacre, muttering to herself "Caggan? Bolgart Caggan?? I had no clue he was such a creature..." before turning her attention back to you. "I must admit I know little of these cursed creatures yet I can pass on what little I know. The curse of lycanthropy is passed along from a bite or claw wound from a natural lycanthrope. I do believe those who were afflicted by such a curse are not able to pass it along...though my knowledge is limited indeed." She shakes her head sadly, "There is no way to determine whether you are indeed one until the night of the next full moon...which I believe just passed." She eyes the pouch of gold intently, "If you can return to my shop in a few weeks, closer to the full moon I...may be able to determine more."
The next couple of days pass quietly as you maintain your watch upon Caggan. The 'man' seems quite behaved and does little to provoke the guards (and yourselves) as you keep a close eye upon him in his cell. As the next week begins here...early in the morning a faintly sulfurous cloud of wind wafts through the front door of the Jail...heading into the main office where Octavonius peruses his spellbook. The cloud then dissipates as a soft whisper of a voice echoes from the cloud:
"I still say he shouldn't be in here," Hallidan mutters a few days later, not for the first time. "Chaining a lycanthrope in a cell is only the second-best way to keep him from turning others. Third, if you count finding a cure." He doesn't specify in which order he would put the top two solutions.
After their cloud-shaped assignment is read to them, Hallidan chuckles. "Was a time when I'd have welcomed the idea of someone wandering into the city when they didn't belong. Now I gotta help fix it."
Amala sighs and moves to investigate.
Fellzir, after two more grueling days of repairs at Ash House is ready to buy some paint. But he'll go to the gate first.
"What color would you like for the interior walls, Amala?"