The Shrike draws his newly acquired sap, and moves to the mouth of the cave.
"Can you guide Rhysak and Fellzir in cave so we wouldn't need any light?" he whispers to the two tieflings.
Inside the cave, the vigilante sticks to the sides of the cave, keeping out of sight.
Not wishing to let go of Siova completely, Rhysak holds the cuff of her sleeve and lets his light spell expire. Siova heads into the darkness of the cave, veering to the right. She clatters over the loose rocks, and stops short near the cave wall. But then a shadow shifts and the wall slashed down with a massive clawed hand, hooking into Rhysak's side and scooping him up before anyone can blink.
"Hmmm... What's this, dearie? Did you bring a present? Sweetmeats for your old Mam?" Croons a gravelly voice as the Hag ogles her prize. With skin the dark color of a deep bruise, she blends in well with the shadowy wall of the cave. Even with a grotesque hunchback she stands 12 feet tall easily with powerfully built shoulders and wickedly sharp claws.
Rhysak squirms uselessly in her grasp. "You'll... not have her... monster!" He hisses, struggling for breath. Siova begins to make a soft keening sound in the back of her throat but takes no action.
Surprise!
-------------------
Hag - Claws and grapples Rhysak
Round 1
-------------------
Rhysak - tries to escape grapple, fails
➤The Shrike
Hag
Aurelius
Guillaume
Fellzir
Not caring much about Rhysak's distress, The Shrike patiently waits until the other warriors engage and then tries to slip in to deliver a hidden strike.
The Hag cackles at Rhysak's weak attempt to taunt her. "Oh, but I do have ye, don't I? Wee little snack though ye are." She jibes back and plunges another claw into his body, ripping him in half and biting into his still beating heart.
Siova shudders, tears streaming down her face. She screams and falls away in an apparent faint. "Mmm, sweet indeed. I see now why she liked him." The Hag smacks her lips and turns her gaze toward the rest of you.
Surprise!
-------------------
Hag - Claws and grapples Rhysak
Round 1
-------------------
Rhysak - tries to escape grapple, fails
The Shrike - delays
Hag - rips Rhysak in half, killing him
➤Aurelius
➤Guillaume
➤Fellzir
With a warcry, Guillaume dashes forward to attack. As he swings his morningstar, it bursts into flame!
+
The Shrike leaps into action after Guillaume. He maneuvers to the hag's other side, and times his strike to match the tiefling's swing.
DIE
Aurelius moves to strike the Hag with flanking
Aurelius likely swings wide
Fellzir stays as far back as possible and aims high to hopefully minimize cover penalties.
Aurelius and Guillaume move to opposite sides and strike with their weapons, Aurelius just missing while Guillaume strikes true. The Shrike's sap fails to connect but the Crossbow of Doom ejects a blunted bolt that strikes the Hag's hideous hump.
The Hag hisses in pain, spewing rank breath that reeks of carrion. "A feast she brings. A feast we'll have, starting with ye, infernal beastie." She strikes out at Guillaume, but his new armor protects him well, repelling claw as well as fang.
Surprise!
-------------------
Hag - Claws and grapples Rhysak
Round 1
-------------------
Rhysak - tries to escape grapple, fails
The Shrike - delays
Hag - rips Rhysak in half, killing him
Aurelius - moves, attacks, misses
Guillaume - moves, attacks Hag for 16 damage
The Shrike - moves, attacks, misses
Fellzir - fires crossbow on Hag for 3 damage
Round 2
-------------------
Hag (-19 hp) - claws and bites at Guillaume, misses
➤Aurelius
➤Guillaume
➤The Shrike
➤Fellzir
There must a gap in the hag's defences somewhere. But despite The Shrike's best attempts, the creature's thick hide deflects all his blows.
Face the fury of Cheliax! You unlicensed soultrader!
Aurelius strikes again, this time far more effectively!
Fellzir loads and fires again, thankful that he hasn't had to start healing yet.
He wants to taunt her for her stench and hideousness, but he doesn't want her to charge him. So he saves his taunting for a few more rounds.
"A feast, you say? Perhaps, but it's you'll who'll feed the flies!" Guillaume says, before attacking again with his flaming morningstar.
+
The tieflings both land their attacks, with the Crossbow of Doom striking home again as well. The Shrike continues to struggle to land a blow with his sap. The Hag has clearly been well battered but is still standing firm.
"Hard nut to crack, ye are. But ye've not seen a Nutcracker like me, fiendling!" She shrieks and cackles as she slashes wildly at Guillaume. Her claws hook wickedly into his flesh through gaps in his armor and she makes that awful ripping motion again. Fortunately, Guillaume is made of sterner stuff than Rhysak and he still stands. Her bite clangs off his chest plate.
Surprise!
-------------------
Hag - Claws and grapples Rhysak
Round 1
-------------------
Rhysak - tries to escape grapple, fails
The Shrike - delays
Hag - rips Rhysak in half, killing him
Aurelius - moves, attacks, misses
Guillaume - moves, attacks Hag for 16 damage
The Shrike - moves, attacks, misses
Fellzir - fires crossbow on Hag for 3 damage
Round 2
-------------------
Hag (-19 hp) - claws and bites at Guillaume, misses
Aurelius - attacks Hag for ? damage
Guillaume - attacks Hag for 16 damage
The Shrike - attacks, misses
Fellzir - fires crossbow on Hag for 6 damage
Round 3
-------------------
Hag (-41 hp) - claws and rends Guillaume for 39 damage
➤Aurelius
➤Guillaume
➤The Shrike
➤Fellzir
"A talking one, aren't you?" The Shrike mutters. "I'd love to hear how you talk once we tickle you a bit bit our blades and our maces."
Now, the hag obviously enamored in rending Guillaume to pieces, she forgets to guard her back. And that's when The Shrike strikes.
Fellzir flinches almost empathetically at Guillaume's pain. He drops a 2nd-level spell for CMW and then moves to touch Guillaume without provoking.
LOL
Roaring in pain, Guillaume swings again with his still-flaming morningstar.
+
SIR GUILAUME! DO NOT FALTER! WE SHALL STRIKE DOWN THIS ABOMINATION IN THE NAME OF OUR EMPRESS AND THE EMPIRE!
As he seeks to strike the hag again
Invoking the name of Ruler and Nation, Aurelius brings the Hag down with a mighty slice.
You discover a sack of loot on the Hag's body.
Siova comes around only to weep over Rhysak's remains. After some time, she composes herself enough to thank you for freeing her from the Hag's influence. She takes the time to bury her lover and offers her pledge that she will come to your aid if you send for her.
When you return to Longacre, a halfling slave brings a missive from the Archbaron, bidding you to gather your belongings to prepare for a journey and report to his manor after dark.
Archbaron Darellus Fex receives you with his usual good humor, ”Ah, excellent. You have dealt with the Hag plaguing my Barony? Of course you have, after your fine achievements here, I had no doubts. I’ll confess I wasn’t sure about you lot when Razelago first recommended you, but you have certainly risen to the occasion. I wrote to Her Infernal Magestrix, just as I told you I would and she was impressed by your success here in Longacre and has an even more challenging endeavor in mind for your next assignment.” The clock begins to chime and he motions you closer with some urgency, lifting a satchel over his shoulder to hang across his body.
”I’ll explain more once we’ve arrived, it will save me the trouble of having to repeat myself. Gather your things with one hand and grab onto your fellow with the other. Come, come now, we mustn't fall behind schedule.”
He seizes hold of one pair of you with his left hand, and the other pair of you with his right and begins a complex incantation.
There is a sensation of swift motion and then you find yourselves in the middle of a dim room lit with only a few taper candles of red wax. There is a circle of black stones surrounding your arrival point. The room has a slightly gloomy appearance, grey wooden walls with heavy dark curtains tightly drawn. The furnishings are nice, though. Ebony wood with red lacquer work. There is even a portrait of Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II on the wall in a heavily gilded frame. A pale, dark haired woman, slender and petite, stands attendance in the far corner of the room. She steps forward and bows from the waist. "Welcome to the Little Uskwood Inn. It is good to see you again, Archbaron Fex."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Madame Viorica. These are the fellows I wrote to you about. It’s time for our little meeting.” Fex say's with a slight incline of the head to the woman.
”Of course, if you’ll follow me please.” She leads you through the door into a small kitchen that also serves as an informal dining room. Seated at the table are a pair of human men and the devil you know, Razelago, hovers nearby. Loredana introduces the seated men,
”This is Charles Beecroft and Sercrutio Leroung, I have engaged their services to aid in this project. I have the honor to receive Archbaron Darellus Fex to my humble establishment.” She turns to the new arrivals, ”My name is Loredana Viorica and I am pleased to offer you shelter while you begin your work here. Do make yourselves comfortable.” She turns to the kitchen counter and begins to prepare coffee.
The Archbaron inclines his head very slightly to the men Loredana introduced. ”I am indeed Archbaron of the Longacre Barony, we faced our own little rebellion there, but by the grace of Asmodeus, I was fortunate enough to find competent help to snuff out the little flames before they could grow beyond control.” He nods proudly to the men accompanying him. ”Alas, my colleague Narikopolus did not prove so lucky.” Fex looks smug and not at all sorrowful over the man’s fate.
”Instead, Kantaria fell and is currently occupied by the so-called Glorious Reclamation. Obviously, Her Infernal Magestrix cannot stand for such an affront. She has charged me to relinquish my employment of your company to The House of Thrune directly. I am reluctant to give you up, but what My Queen desires, she receives. Your stations are rising, dear fellows, and your challenges increase in equal measure.”
”Your task here is to return Kantaria to her rightful ruler. This will be more subtle work than you have performed as of late. Likely you will need to identify weaknesses to exploit and undermine the toehold the Reclamation has established here. Madame Viorica and her associates will advise and aid you in your endeavors. Discretion will be important, at least in the beginning.”
”But before we get into the details, there is the little matter of inducting you officially into the service of House Thrune. Her Infernal Magestrix has asked that I act as her proxy for the ceremony. Becoming sworn Agents of Thrune confers certain benefits of which I’m sure you would like to review.” He pulls a note from his satchel and passes it around. ”This offer is also extended to our new friends. In this tumultuous political climate, our Queen wishes only to assure herself of your loyalty to Her cause, as well as see you survive to see Her will done.”
The Thrice-Damned House of Thrune rules Cheliax, and
those who work for the imperial government and its
ruling house are commonly known as Thrune agents.
Among these agents, however, are those who serve
House Thrune directly, often working for the best
interests of Cheliax’s ruling family rather than for those of
the nation (though these interests often overlap). These
agents swear their bodies, minds, or souls (or all three)
to Queen Abrogail II herself.
The first level of sworn Thrune agent is the rank of
Thrune Loyal Agent (referred to within the Thrune
organization as simply “the Loyal”). Thrune Loyal agents
swear to give their lives, if necessary, in service to Her
Infernal Majestrix Abrogail II and House Thrune. In
exchange, they gain a bonus character trait: Thrune Loyal
Agent. This bonus trait is an exception to the normal
rules restricting characters to two traits.
Thrune Loyal Agent: You have sworn your body to
Queen Abrogail and House Thrune in a ritual ceremony,
and are willing to lay down your life in service to Thrune.
Once per week, when reduced to fewer than 0 hit points,
you automatically gain fast healing 1 for 1 minute. Once
this ability has been used, you instead gain a +4 trait
bonus on Constitution checks to stabilize when reduced
to negative hit points.
In addition, you receive an invisible arcane mark of
the encircled cross emblem of Cheliax as a symbol of
your loyalty. This mark does not fade and is visible only
to other creatures with this trait, or creatures with the
ability to perceive the invisible (via see invisibility or true
seeing, for example). You can make this mark visible to
other creatures for 1 round as a swift action. If the mark
is dispelled or removed (such as with erase), it can be
replaced with another casting of arcane mark, which
thereafter functions as detailed in this trait.
When he is announced second, the raven haired human man rises, his demeanor imperious. He is a young man of around 25, thinly built, with a widow's peak and basic goatee. He wears moderately expensive robes, though it is clear (upon a scrutinized look) that the robes are specifically tailored to Sercrutio.
When it is made clear what their mission is, Sercrutio grins happily.
After the Archbaron finishes, Sercrutio steps forward and lowers to one knee. "As a member of House Lerounge, it is my duty to pledge my service to House Thrune. I, Sercrutio Leroung, swear my fealty to Cheliax and House Thrune. I swear my body and mind in service to Her Infernal Magistrix Abrogail II."
The human male called Charles stands when he is introduced, clicks his heels together, and bows.
The clothes he chooses to wear are a simple explorer's outfit of leather and hard-wearing cotton, but his weaponry is top-notch: a heavy darkwood bow, and a wide variety of exceptionally well-crafted arrows of various metals, their fletching colour-coded to make it easier to determine which one is being drawn.
"Greetings. As was mentioned, my name is Charles Beecroft. As for what I can contribute, I can deal with traps and locks, am a decent shot with the bow, and have skill in matters arcane."
A cat-sized lizard with mottled green and brown scales, which somehow manages to look remarkably cute, then hops up onto the table, and chirps adorably.
"That is my familiar, Rebecca. I should warn you, although she looks cute, when she is angered, she can be quite feisty."
He then frowns.
"We have both lost dearly to the 'Glorious Reclamation', and I am eager to see them pay for that, with interest."
Charles then takes to one knee.
"It is only proper to offer our loyalty to the rightful ruler of Cheliax, Her Infernal Magestrix."
Fellzir appraises Charles and Sercrutio, then Rebecca.
"A pleasure. Please tell us more about yourselves. Where do you come from? Family? Spells? Our methods are generally straightforward. These three charge forward and flank. I cast bless, shoot the enemy in the face, and then often start healing. Yes, that is correct, I channel positive energy for nefarious means."
Fex nods approvingly to Charles' and Sercrutio's oaths of fealty. He retrieves an official looking contract and six black quill pens with very sharp nibs which he passes out to each of you. "We'll witness the signing before Her Infernal Majestrix's portrait. As close as we can come being witnessed by the Queen herself." And he leads the way back into the room he entered from. Loredana Viorica and Razelago follow.
"The quill will draw the blood from your own body to sign your pledge of loyalty. No magic binds you to this oath besides the strength and sanctity of your own word."
The document bears the official seal of Abrogail II and of House Thrune. It states simply:
I do hereby swear to Commit my Loyalty and Service First and Foremost to Queen Abrogail Thrune II, Her Infernal Majestrix and Rightful Ruler of Cheliax, and Second to Her Royal House of Thrune. I pledge my Body to Serve as the Hand directed by Her Will, even unto my Death.
After you have signed the document, Archbaron Darellus Fex draws an invisible arcane mark on each of you to identify your association with House Thrune and names you Loyal Agents of Thrune. "This mark will only be visible to other, similarly marked Agents of Thrune. Though, there are magical means of detecting it. Your first line of defense is to avoid drawing suspicion onto yourselves. Remember, you are not here as a strike force. But as infiltrators, spies and saboteurs. I wish you success!" He also gives you a purse containing a signing bonus of 1,000 gp. Fex lingers only a short while longer in case of questions and then he and Razelago teleport away with the contract.
"Pleased to meet you, gentlemen." Giuliano offers a small, polite bow to Sercrutio and Charles. The vigilante has assumed his civilian guise for the time being - dressed in simple but stylish outfit of dark colors.
"I am Giuliano Gracchus, a fairly recent addition to Archbaron's agents."
Once the pleasantries are over, he listens through Archbaron's summary of the situation, and frowns. "And here I thought removing the head of the Angel Knight would have put an end to the whole Glorious Reclamation business. Looks like it quite a bigger problem. Live and learn," he shrugs.
When the documents are presented, he can't help raising his eyebrows. Pledge my body... Really, now? I'm all for serving the Queen, but...
But after a little thought, what is there he hasn't already done. Faced crazy rebels and paladins and archons, putting his life on the line. There is nothing new here..
And so, he takes the quill and signs his name.
Sercrutio readily steps forward and signs the contract. He does not do so in the manner of a teacher's pet, but instead with the manner of one doing an obviously correct action.
He then turns to his new cohorts. "I am Sercrutio Leroung," he starts, clearly prepared for exposition. Before continuing he adds, as if answering a question he assumes someone would ask, "Yes, from the noble house Leroung. I recently concluded my studies at the University of Egorian. My focus was and is cataloging spells and other magics with practical applications. A broad subject, to be sure. It does, however, also cover an exploration of creative uses for known magics to accomplish alternate tasks. Things like torture, containment, and disposal are but a few of the applications."
"Admittedly, I am at the beginning of my exploration. So, the list of spells in my repertoire is smaller than I would prefer. I had originally planned to visit the Narikopolus estate to work on this, but it is currently occupied by an advisor to the glorious declination. As such, I find my studies to be irritatingly interrupted.
I look forward to serving in this capacity as it will be mutually beneficial."
"All of that said, my talents lie in both the arcane arts as well as an expansive breadth of knowledge. Much of my studies up to this point were to expand my knowledge base in most areas so that I would then be able to better understand how spells and other magics could be applied."
I am Aurelius, my talents lie in incantantions, some magics, and social engineering. I am also a somewhat capable fighter, although fighting Paladins fairly is best left to others.
The Omdura smiles
I serve Malacoda, infernal duke of bastards and ambition, I am certain that we will able to aid each other in unlocking our true potential.
Aurelius, while speaking with the accent of a nobleborn tiefling, is likely Demon, rather then devilspawn, he has also not given a surename.
With Fex's exit, his contract business concluded, Madame Viorica offers to show you to your rooms, though she makes an effort not to interrupt any conversation that is ongoing.
"We have only one other guest staying with us here in the Little Uskwood at this time. Master Nicolae and his men are from Nidal. Though he is not involved with our enterprise, you need not put up a facade for his sake. I know him to be... sympathetic to our aims. Outside my Inn, you will want to be more careful. I am happy to provide shelter and information. But should you earn an... unsavory reputation, I will not hesitate to disavow all knowledge of your activities and turn you out. Understood?" Her grey gaze appears steely and her countenance stern as she meets each of your eyes in turn and gives a curt nod.
"I expect news in the morning, I will come by your rooms and knock when it is time to meet. I wish you a good night. Welcome to Kantaria." She says this last with a sardonic twist to her mouth and leaves you to your various nightly routines.
Very well noble allies The tiefling Aurelius speaks
I can conceal our alignment from magical attempts to unveil it, but only twice per day, although such concealment lasts for 24 hours.
He pauses
One of them will be on myself, as my prowress and dedication to Lord Malacoda makes me shine on detect evil as if I were a cleric. I can cast it on one more, although this would be the totality of my spellcasting of this level. Perhaps Sir Fellizir, you have your own countermeasures prepared?
Guillaume regards the contract suspicious at first. Is my first loyalty not always to Lord Moloch? How can any mortal power expect to come before the divine? after thinking on it, he moves forward and signs. The Thrunes are servants of Asmodeus, just as Moloch is. If they break their oaths, I will not be bound by mine.
"University of Egorian?" Giuliano turns toward Sercrutio. "Not a local of Kantaria, then? How did you end up here?"
Giuliano is still a bit overwhelmed of this teleportation magic. He had heard of Kantaria before, but that is about it. He is not sure he could even place it on a map.
"And you, Charles? Also hailing from Egorian, or did your paths only cross here?"
--
"But should you earn an... unsavory reputation, I will not hesitate to disavow all knowledge of your activities and turn you out. Understood?"
"Never fear, madame. I'm am most outstanding citizen. You shall never hear my name associated with any... unsavory activities, as you put it." Giuliano puts his hand on his chest and smiles reassuringly. He is standing by the door to his room and about to enter when he turns back to the woman.
"Ah... but one question, Loredana - may I call you Loredana? What is you role in all this Thrune business? I might have missed that."
"Ah... but one question, Loredana - may I call you Loredana? What is you role in all this Thrune business? I might have missed that."
Loredana nods her acquiescence to being called by her given name, "My primary task is to provide you with information and advice on how to proceed. I am Nidalese by birth, but I have lived here in Kantaria as long as I can remember. It's a small town and I know it and it's residents well. Not to mention providing your lodgings and your covers as my employees. You might give some thought as to the particulars of your expertise. Fex suggested I claim you as security, but such a large force of hired muscle might be suspect in and of itself. I don't suppose any of you cook? No, well perhaps that was too much to hope for. I have floated the idea of expanding the Little Uskwood, so I could reasonably have taken on a Carpenter or a consultant in Real Estate. A Decorator would make sense as well, possibly a financial advisor." She shrugs slightly, "So long as it is plausible... you can let me know what you would prefer."
Sercrutio takes a deep breath. "As I said, I was going to visit the Narikopolus manor. And no, before today, I had not met Beecroft."
"Madame Viorica, I have expansive knowledge on a great many subjects. I am sure there is at least one thing I can use as a cover."
Charles shrugs.
"Well, I *do* owe a favor or two to the Lord of the First Vault, so I suppose I could act as a financial consultant, in a pinch..."
"But Madame!" Giuliano cries out, flabbergasted. "I am a gentleman. Working is... not what I do. I have no professional skills."
After a moment to mull it over, he shurgs. "Of course, I can always be a consultant."
Loredana laughs lightly at Giuliano's quick reversion to 'Madame' in his consternation. "You could always claim to be seeking sanctuary from our "oppressors". The Reclamation seems to believe that we all suffered terribly under the black-gauntleted fist of Thrune. Such a cover would play right into their preconceived notions as well as inspire their sympathy." She smirks and leaves you to consider your options.
You are each granted a private room, though they are all grouped together. The rooms are modest but comfortable. The night passes uneventfully.
Loredana's brisk rap comes early, though the sun is well above the horizon. In the small kitchen, she serves coffee, which is good, dry toast, a thin, bland and colorless porridge and small dark lumps of seasoned meat that seem to be overcooked sausage. It becomes clearer at every meal that if you should like to eat well, you might ought to eat elsewhere.
"My news is, interesting... Razelago says there is to be some sort of disturbance today at the Oathday Market in Kantaria’s town square, also known as Inheritor’s Square. Farmers from outside of town, as well as local merchants, come to sell goods to Kantarian families, and the Glorious Reclamation sends at least one good outsider to discourage thieves and remind the populace that “angels walk among them.” Loredana rolls her eyes at the cloying phrase.
"Razelago wishes for you to beat the outsider to the punch and be seen doing so. If you can take out the threat before the outsider can act on it, it will show the people that they are not so safe as the Reclamation would have them believe as well as illustrate the fact that angels are not all-powerful." She gives a sly smile, "Not to mention painting you all with a heroic brush in the people's eyes."
"Sounds like fun." Guillaume says, his hat of disguise causing him to look like a large human man, at the moment. "By the way, I guess I can act as a porter or bouncer. Maybe groom. I'm decent with animals. Also, this thing" he says, gesturing to his inconspicuous local headgear "lets me look like pretty much anyone, so I can be a different patron who's just passing through every day, if we need someone inconspicuously watching some area."
Sercrutio listens intently.
"I'll need to pick up a rope when we go out. Aside from that, I am prepared."
Giuliano sits by the table and stirs his porridge. He raises up a spoonful, looks at it, and lets it drop back to the plate. Toast and coffee will get one far, and maybe it's good to lose a pound or two.
"Do we know any details of this disturbance? Should we prepare to use our words or our fists?"
We should use words first, the words to fist transition is smooth and quick, the other way round is more complicated.
Aurelius offers
I do have the head of a hag, we can turn this into a spiel where we killed a hag, and were then nearly killed by thrune because the hag was a licensed soul trader.
"Or," Sercrutio ponders aloud, "We tracked the machinations of the hag and stopped both the hag and the criminals. 'See? Meanwhile the supposedly powerful angels knew and did nothing!' I think it could work," he finishes with a satisfied nod.
"And," he adds bemused, "It is not a lie. There was no specific claim that the two were linked."
"Hmmm, an interesting approach." Loredana says as she studies Guillaume's disguise. "That would certainly work quite well in a large city, where you could disappear into a crowd of faces. Unfortunately, Kantaria is a small town. New faces are rare enough to attract attention just by their novelty, and that was before the Reclamation overthrew the age old power structure. You certainly can't help being new since you are, but a new face everyday would likely draw undesired attention. I'd advise that if you don't want to be seen as yourself, you should at least adopt a singular persona for your mundane dealings with the townsfolk. I suspect the ruling counsel will want to meet with you at some point. This disturbance today is meant to help put you on the right foot with the right people." She advises the disguised tiefling.
Turning to Giuliano, she answers, "I don't know much in the way of details. It should occur toward the end of the market day, a few hours past noon. That should give you ample time to attend to any business. I did get the impression that there will be an attack, and a rather obvious one at that. Something to horrify the populace. And judging by the devil's gleeful expression as he informed me, I do suspect it will be a something as opposed to a someone. As much as the zebub enjoys carnage, he may well be in attendance today."
Loredana takes a sip of coffee as you begin to discuss possible stories to spin when something takes her off guard and she begins to cough and splutter. Turning to Aurelius with her lip curled in disgust, she exclaims, "You have a what?! You brought a severed monster head into my Inn? I hope you intend to peddle that off at the market today. Linton Demeer, the alchemist might buy such a revolting thing. Otherwise, you'd better bring back a cask of salt to store it in outside!" She shudders delicately and rises from the table to stalk off to her own room, taking her coffee with her.
Thus with your briefing concluded, you are left to make your way to the Inheritor's Square on your own. The square lies south of the Little Uskwood Inn and is quite obvious by it's market stalls with colorful awnings and the bustle of busy market patrons. A familiar sight for some of you, a Hound Archon patrols the area alongside some human guards. His noble canine countenance is alert and watchful.
Charles is, admittedly, slightly weirded-out by the collection of severed monster heads as trophies, but he tries not to let it show.
Most of the populace probably don't care too much about who runs things, and are probably just trying to keep their heads down and get on with their lives. Those that have actively thrown their lot in with the terrorists, though, will get what is coming to them.
He then turns to Loredana.
"Is there a tailor that you would recommend? If we are going to eventually introduce ourselves to the 'ruling council', I dare say I should have an appropriate suit made."
Once decisions have been made, Charles spends some time quietly walking the streets, listening for interesting titbits of gossip.
"So, we want to attract attention, then. Very well."
A job for Giuliano, rather than The Shrike, it seems.
Feeling a bit strange wearing armor without his masked identity, Giuliano gears up in case everything lead up to a fight. After all, his armor and weapons of choice do not look like he is going to a war.
And he does pack his mask and disguise, just in case.
On the way to the Inheritor's Square he takes care to listen to the locals conversations and tries to get an understanding what is the talk in the town.
Aurelius casts misdirection on himself, targetting a random stone. And then heads off to the marker in order to peddle the hags head, as well establish at least himself as a capable adventurer highly annoyed at Cheliax, who may be looking for adventurer work.
Sercrutio takes a tour around town, gathering the layout and gaining an understanding of the people. He is dressed in a finer scholar's outfit, but not overly extravagant. He doesn't engage with anyone unless necessary, but does at one point purchase a silk rope.
Between his hat of disguise and his sleeves of many garments, Guillaume looks nothing like himself. What is apparently an aasimar in a traveler's cloak wanders the town, mostly listening, occasionally asking a few short questions where necessary.
You hear it spoken of in hushed tones. Oppian Nevilindor, the current governor of Kantaria, killed his best friend during the Glorious Reclamation’s liberation of the town. Tychus Groat was the town’s blacksmith until he stood against the rebellion. They claim the fires still burn in the ruins of Groat’s smithy; some believe that Groat’s spirit has returned as a fearsome devil, wielding his magical smithing hammer against all who dare disturb his domain. Perhaps he seeks vengeance against his former friend and slayer.
Jonas Reikman was a notorious river pirate before he found sanctuary in Kantaria working for House Thrune as the town’s self proclaimed harbormaster. Despite his rumored brutality, Reikman retained his position when the Glorious Reclamation arrived in town. Now he oversees the searches of vessels mooring at Kantaria’s docks — it’s common knowledge that these searches are to ensure the boats are not carrying supplies or weapons for House Thrune, and that the docking fees go toward reinforcing the town and training a militia of Kantarian citizens to help the Glorious Reclamation defend the town.
People seem very interested to learn the handsome newcomer is an adventurer and eagerly suggest a mystery he might investigate. Usually a staple at Kantaria’s weekly Oathday Market, the Bradon family hasn’t been heard from in weeks. Most assume the family ran afoul of Narikopolus loyalists in the hinterlands, maybe in the Blooming Caves northwest of town, but the Glorious Reclamation has yet to send a party to investigate.
It’s a well-known secret, and frequent tidbit of gossip that Kantaria’s governor, Oppian Nevilindor, harbors feelings beyond those of a shepherd tending to his flock for Loredana Viorica, proprietor of the Little Uskwood inn. The cleric of Iomedae has never acted on his desire, but he does his best to shield Loredana from the more zealous and inquisitive elements of the Glorious Reclamation.
The hustle of the Market Day seems to be reaching its peak when you hear a devilish whisper coming from what seems to be thin air nearby. ”She’s coming, be ready!” The voice of the zebub warns with a childlike giggle of mirth.
The ground begins to rumble and a moment later a mound of earth displaces the cobblestones as a skeletal monstrosity clatters its way up into the square. The townspeople scream and scatter as the thing snaps up a foolish vendor who tries to gather up the day's earnings before fleeing for his life.
The Large, bony horror has two skulls on either end of its long, fleshless body. Dozens of twitching, claw-tipped legs carry its centipede-like form. It looks to be formed from the tiny bones of hundreds of smaller creatures.
Surprise!
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??? -
➤Sercrutio
➤Fellzir
➤Guillaume
➤Charles
➤Aurelius
➤Giuliano
Round 1
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???
"I have heard a rumor that the soul of Tychus Groat, the former town blacksmith, has returned as a devil after being murdered by his best friend - the current governor Oppian Nevilindor. It might be worth checking out the smithy he supposedly haunts..."
Charles' voice trails off when the creature puts in an appearance.
"That is a centianima - a vicious undead beast created by a spellcaster with a grudge against nature."
Cursing, Charles draws his bow.