DM Fang Dragon's: War for the Crown

Game Master FangDragon

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Lope narrows his eyes, considering Triphylla's words "If this isn't the real Caradinna, or if she's in danger, we can't leave without knowing for sure"

The Aldori steps back slightly, lowering his voice so only his companions can hear "Cyrene, do you think you can break into the house? If this really is an imposter, we need to know. If not, maybe she's being held or worse. We need to be quick and quiet"

He takes a deep breath and turns back to the door "Caradinna" he calls, his voice calm but firm, "The dryad at Hedge Hill. Does she have anything to do with these nightmares, with some dark magic?"

Lope shifts his stance, prepared to continue the conversation and keep the woman distracted while Cyrene makes her move.
Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

No sooner does Triphylla posit that Caradinna may be dead than she considers the attacks of the townsfolk, ineffectual as they were. Could this be a test?

"I wonder if our measure is being taken," she says aloud to no one. "We spared the commoners and again we are faced with a decision. How far will we go to learn the truth? Perhaps she is hiding something, but so what? Truly, what business is it of ours? This errand seemed like low-hanging fruit, but I have no wish to break into this poor old woman's home against her will. Perhaps we're better off leaving a sack of flour at her door and moving on."

Triphylla cannot decide what to do. She does not have a sack of flour. Oh well, she can wait for Cyrene to take action or return.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Diana's eyes widen for a brief moment at Triphylla's suggestion that the woman could be dead or held against her will.

Her reaction seemed as expected, considering what we heard about her, all these lead sheets and the signs... And yet... That's exactly what someone who doesn't want us talking to her would set up, isn't it? Pass her off as paranoid, delusional and reclusive. We'd have no reason to even consider we were being tricked. Guess there's only one way to be sure.

She nods at Lope's suggestion and gestures for Cyrene to get closer, but keep out of sight from anyone inside the house.

"Quick, quiet, and unseen."

With careful gestures, to avoid anyone inside from realising what she's doing, she casts her Invisibility spell on Cyrene, replying to Triphylla's and Lope's as she tries to hide the incantations within her words.

"I'm no expert in fey magic... But it's a possibility that it could be the source for these nightmares. Could someone have angered this dryad and now she's bent on revenge against the town? It seems we are unlikely to learn anything more here, maybe that should be our next stop?"

Trying to finally make use of the free Conceal Spell feat, and all those ranks in Bluff and Sleight of Hand :). First check is Perception, Sense Motive or Spellcraft DC 25 check, with a +2 bonus on the check for the spell level. Second one, if they can see the gestures, is Perception or Spellcraft DC 24 check.

Valeria was only slightly surprised at the reaction they got from the woman and the implications of the resident fearing mind control combined with what Triphylla said about the person inside trying to hide something from them made Valeria quite concerned about what was going on. "I don't know what a dryad's reach would be or if it could reach this far. If there is one who can affect people this far out we need to be extremely cautious."

With a sigh Valeria said a bit louder, "Come on, let's go check out this dryad and see what we can find out." With that Valeria began to walk away.

bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Vakeria is trying to get the woman to let down her guard by seeming to leave the place. She will ultimately stop once she turns behind a building a short way up the road and stop to wait unless something happens.

With no easy way to access the building, but a keen sense for when Val is lying, Cyrene settles silently into waiting by the front of the house. Assuming that the bluff works she wants to see how the person inside observes them - because they will, almost certainly...

Stealth, Invis: 1d20 + 17 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 20 = 43

"The dryad at Hedge Hill. Does she have anything to do with these nightmares, with some dark magic?"

"ERR... YES! PROBABLY! GO AWAY PLEASE!" came the reply.

Diana casts a spell and Cyrene vanishes and as far as you can tell nobody noticed.

Valerias' ruse is met with a "BYE! DON'T COME BACK."

Most of you follow Valeria down the path away from the house.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Lope gives a few steps back, and slowly moves after Valeria "We should not go far away, in case our help is needed..."

SM: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Triphylla sighs. "No good. She's pretending to know something about Hedge Hill, as if she's never heard of the place. That cannot be Caradinna speaking to us. I think we should tear a way in for ourselves. What's the worst that could happen? It really is her and she's merely confused, in which case she'll likely forget we were ever here and we'll patch the dump back together when we leave. I have fireworks if we need a noisy distraction."

Tearing a way in would be noisy but pretty easy. Sheets of lead aren't exactly strong.

"You know, I could get us in, I think. I took the time at the palace to study as we waited for the princess and my cousin to arrive, and I think I got the basis down to teleport us a short distance. But I don't think my magic is strong enough to bring more than two others with me. I could veil whomever comes with a stronger Invisibility spell that shouldn't drop when you attack, too."

"It is a good option Diana. But let's be a bit conservative about our magic here. We give Cyrene a chance to do her thing. It might be the woman is just damned crazy, and that's all." Lope murmurs while looking for the cover of some building. Once they are out of sight, he halts and turns to see the developments at the house.

Anyone else who sneaks up to the house unseen can also make the same perception check I listed for Cyrene.

Triphylla goes to see what has Cyerene's attention.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"S+~&," Triphylla mutters to herself. She returns to the group, keeping her voice down.

"Whoever's in there is a Norgorber cultist. For all we know it's Caradinna but at this point it doesn't matter, does it? Let's get inside and get to the bottom of this. I'll go in, Diana, if you're confident with the teleport spell."

Triphylla drinks her dexterity mutagen as well as a Shield and Cat's Grace extract. She cracks her neck and inspects her claws. "Ready."

AC 29, Init +7

"More assassins, then. Might be too late for Caradinna, assuming she's not one of them. But we should act fast, in case she's still alive."

Diana nods to Triphylla, and prepares herself as well - casting Mage Armor and Invisibility on herself, and Greater Invisibility on Triphylla, and possibly Lope or Valeria if one of them wants to come along.

She whispers to whomever is staying behind. "Let Cyrene know what we're doing, and maybe break in when the fighting starts."

Still holding on to her companions after turning them invisible, Diana intones her spell and wills them all inside the house.

I know I'm being a bit wasteful with my magic here, but I'd rather keep us moving, than conserve spell slots. Plus, the idea of just teleporting a Greater Invis'd Triphylla on a group of assassins is too good to pass up. They literally won't know what hit them :).

With the increasing level of information, they were gathering Valeria nodded in agreement. While she wanted to give Cyrene her chance to act it seemed that was no longer going to work. "Alright then, once you are inside someone needs to open the door for the rest of us."

Miss-calculated. Triphylla's current AC is 31.

"Is there a limit to how many of us can be teleported, Diana? I'd feel better if we all went, if capable."

"Well, theoretically, no, I think... It should only depend on the caster's magical ability. That said... I don't think I can manage more than two right now. I'll try to get the door open when we're inside."

One additional target for every 3 caster levels, so only two for now, besides me.

"I will go as well. I do not fill comfortable leaving you with an assassin, and I can protect you if needed... Diana" Lope only prepares with an ablative barrier spell, but he unsheathes Gloria, ready to face whomever is in the house.

"It's fine, just get the door and I'll come in behind you," Valeria said.

OK so is the plan to dimension door into the house near the front or back door and then open to let Valeria in? BTW Diana re the invisibility on Cyrene I'm going to refund that spell slot.

"Thank you, Lope. But don't worry too much about me, I'm confident the Invisibility spell will suffice. I'll just stay out of your way and let you two focus on the assassins. Between the two of you, I don't think they'll have much of a chance to harm me."

I was thinking front door, get whomever was talking to us, and get the door open for Valeria - that should be the one she can actually see, to realise we've opened it.

Sorry for the absence, I have been sick the last few days

Lope moves increasingly nervous "We should know by now about Cyrene. I am worried something has gone wrong" making Gloria to burst in flames he rushes the team to move in "Let's teleport just behind the back door. Valeria, just come in as fast you can!"

Alright let's get this show on the road.

There's some back and forth about where Diana's spell should target, in the end going with Diana's original plan.

Veiled by magic, Valeria walked up to the front door and then with Lope and Triphylla by her side, Diana cast her spell. With a finger she traced a glowing oval in the air which suddenly rippled like a stone cast into still water. After a moment there was a glowing portal leading to a squalid room within. Lope and Triphylla follow Diana inside finding Caradinna's living room in complete disarray. Tables had been upturned, broken glass and pottery covered the floor, there where gashes in the sofa upholstery and to cap it all off a suspicious stain one the northern wall.

You hear grumpy female voice from the eastern room "What was that noise?" followed by footsteps.

Map updated. Party is up, you have one round of actions.

DM, often times Triphylla's initiative is higher than her base, as was the case this time. It almost never has mattered but I'd like to know if there's a better place to maintain her current init value going forward. If the best place is the stat block I can do that.

Well this doesn't look suspicious at all! Triphylla opines to herself sarcastically.

At first glance it appears she may have come in all alone, but no, she is invisible as well. Hearing the grumpy female moving in their direction, Triphylla hops astride the couch and prepares her ambush.

AC31, Dex Mutagen, Shield, Cat's Grace, Greater Invisibility

Seems unlikely we'll find Caradinna alive after all this... Diana ponders as she takes in the sight of the chaotic room. Someone wanted her silenced. Why? What did she know? Maybe we can find some sort of clue, after the assassins are dealt with.

Moving behind the couch, Diana conjures an Unseen Servant (Lotheed 1/day SLA) and asks it to open the door.

Probably locked. But it's worth a try. And if they hear it and think it's actually one of us trying to open it, that should buy Lope and Triphylla a bit more time to bring them down.

"What has happened here?" Lope inquiries to the voice while looking around the disarray. Swiftly, he closes to the door and opens it, blade flaming at his hand "Cyrene?!"

Diana summons a servant of pure force that invisibly opens the door, the moment that happens a half orc woman wielding two blades thrusts with a grunt of "HA!" at the empty air where an invisible person would have stood to open the door. When her blade cuts naught but air, she scowls as she stares at Lope in a predatory way.

That was her readied action to attack the square in front of the door if it opens. Valeria is outside and everyone inside has posted so onto the next round. Note I assume Diana cast mage armour some time ago, and invisibility, greater invisibility, dimension door & unseen servant in that order which is why there's 5 rounds of Greater Invisibility left. I moved Lope's token because I assume he doesn't want to eat a sneak attack, and a round the table I think things would have played out differently with Diana saying hold up!

Environment: Normal.

Buffs and Debuffs:

---- Round 1 ----
Triphylla Greater Invisibility (5 rounds)
Valeria
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana Mage Armor, Invisibility
---- Round 2 ----
Triphylla Greater Invisibility (4 rounds)
Valeria
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana Mage Armor, Invisibility

COMBAT ORDER:
Triphylla <----- WE ARE HERE
Valeria Outside, and not able to do much but wait.
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana

Map updated. Triphylla, Valeria and Lope are up.

...round the table I think things would have played out differently with Diana saying hold up!

Triphylla anticipated the occupant would come through the door so she could 5' step into a full attack. Apparently we all had different ideas of how this was going to work out.

Triphylla assumes the orc cannot see her and doesn't know she's there, and for the moment she holds. Better to get the enemy into the room where they can all attack than try to take her on through the doorway.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 20 = 38

Total Defense, AC35.

K. local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Lope gulps as the weapon cuts through the air where he should had stood, mentally noting to thank Diana after the combat "You are neither Caradinna nor Cyrene"

Lope quickly answers the aggression with an attack of his own.
Aldori blackblade+pool: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 18
Magical/Slashing damage+pool+AS+flaming: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + 2 + (6) = 21

Riving Strike for -2 to saves if blade strikes

HP 59/59 AC 22 TAC 19
ablative barrier 7 h
arcane pooled sword (+1, flaming) 1 min

Unseen Triphylla stays quiet as a mouse waiting patiently for the time to strike. I think you have a +40 from invisibility if you're not moving.

Outside Valeria can do little but fret, hearing heavy footsteps from within.

The doorframe complicates Lope's attack, and the woman simply steps back away from his blade.
Lope she's got cover from you (and vice versa) in that position.

The orc woman gives Lope an appraising look and steps smartly around the door frame before lunging towards him with a longsword. She managed to catch Lope out, ducking her blade under Lope's runing him through!

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 <--- HIT
Crit?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32Crit Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 <--- CRIT

As Lope gasped in pain she rapturously declared, "Father Skinsaw I bring you an offering!"

Intimidate DC 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 <--- YES

Lope felt shaken by this, feeling deep down that he might have bitten off more than he could chew. Note she has cornugon smash and shatter defences, so Lope was denied his dex but fortunately she rolled a 1.

She thrust again but this time Lope stumbled back and the blade passed harmlessly through the air.
Longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10Damage with sneak: 1d8 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 14 + (6, 1) = 24 <--- MISS

Environment: Normal.

Buffs and Debuffs:

---- Round 1 ----
Triphylla Greater Invisibility (5 rounds)
Valeria
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana Mage Armor, Invisibility
---- Round 2 ----
Triphylla Greater Invisibility (4 rounds)
Valeria
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana Mage Armor, Invisibility

Damage Log:

Round: 1
Lope was hit by HalfOrc for 36 (total damage taken 36)

Totals:
Lope: 36 damage

COMBAT ORDER:
Triphylla
Valeria
Lope
HalfOrc
Diana <----- WE ARE HERE

Diana, Triphylla, Valeria and Lope are up.

"Uff!" Lope complains in pain as he swings back at the orc "This one is a beast!"
Aldori blackblade+pool-spell combat-shaken: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 17
Magical/Slashing damage+pool+AS+flaming: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 2 + (5) = 17

He then steps back, looking for a more defensive spot, and forcing the enemy to move where she can be flanked. With a swift movement he creates a defensive shield made of force.

HP 28/59 (5 NL) AC 27 TAC 19
shaken 1 round
shield (+4 AC)
ablative barrier 7 h (30/35 hp)
arcane pooled sword (+1, flaming) 1 min

It takes all of Triphylla's discipline not to make a noise when Lope is run through at the end of the crazy orc's sword. Now's the time to make the most of her earlier discretion.

5' step, Stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 6 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 6 + 20 = 37

She loads her claws and unleashes her fiendish honey badger rage, horns screwing out from the top of her head. She tears into the orc with all of her might!

BAB+DEX+Size+Mutagen+Rage+Power Attack+Cat's Grace: Attack +15, Damage +5

Gore: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 = 26 +1 Adaptable Luck Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 + Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) = 13 = 23
Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 + Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) = 12 = 23
Crit?: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 + Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 10 = 17
Claw 1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 Dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 + Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) = 7 = 14
Claw 2: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 = 22 +1 Adaptable Luck Dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 + Sneak: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11 = 20

Greater Invisibility, Dex Mutagen, Dex Rage, Shield, Cat's Grace, Power Attack, AC31, Rage Rnds: 5/6

Diana sends the unseen servant to try to open the front door, hoping to let Valeria inside as well, and moves behind Lope, conjuring her protective illusion to protect him.

Using Subtle Misdirection on Lope.

The half orc's sudden vicious attack had Lope on the back foot, but then an invisible fury slammed into the her. The violence was shocking with blood fountaining up the walls and across the shabby ceiling, briefly outlining Triphylla's invisible demonic form.

The half orc was left ragged and gasping with terrible rents in her side. She correctly guessed where Triphylla was but hitting an invisible target even if you're fairly sure where they are is not easy and her blade caught naught but air.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 75Blind fighting reroll: 1d100 ⇒ 61Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 <--- MISS
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 4Blind fighting reroll: 1d100 ⇒ 11Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 <--- MISS

Meanwhile Diana's invisible servant opened the front door while she used a cantrip to give Lope a small degree of protection.

Party is up.

The thick smell of iron in the air drives Triphylla to a frenzy, and she keeps up her relentless attacks on the home invader. With a clearer head she might have thought to try to ask who the orc was and what she was doing here, but no such luck.

Power Attack

Gore: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Claw 1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20 Dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Claw 2: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 Dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Greater Invisibility, Dex Mutagen, Dex Rage, Shield, Cat's Grace, Power Attack, AC31, Rage Rnds: 4/6

sneak attack dmg rolls

Sneak1: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11
Sneak2: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) = 9
Sneak3: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) = 14
Sneak4: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14

With his defenses up and the orc cornered by Triphylla's attacks, Lope steps forward to join the offensive "Can you also close its retreat?!!!" he points to the open door while swinging with Gloria.
Aldori blackblade+pool: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 1 = 16
Magical/Slashing damage+pool+AS+flaming: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 2 + (1) = 17

HP 28/59 (5 NL) AC 27 TAC 19
subtle misdirection
shield (+4 AC)
ablative barrier 7 h (30/35 hp)
arcane pooled sword (+1, flaming) 1 min

Now is our chance to get out of here unless I've begun to hallucinate.Hearing the commotion downstairs St. John yells out, "HEY HELP!!! WE ARE UP STAIRS!" as loudly as he weak body will allow.

With the door opened Valeria saw what was going on and cast a spell coating her hand in necromantic energies before darting into the room and reaching out to touch the woman.

inflict serious dc 20: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 193d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 7, 3) + 7 = 21

Esinti throws St. John Smythe a nervous look. Is it wise to draw attention to them? Then again, if not now, when?! He stares at the doorway and prays to all the Good Gods Above that whoever is on the other side, are good people. If he could, he'd clutch the pendant given to him by his mother, but even without the chains and manacles, Esinti isn't sure if he'd have the strength.

Invisible but far from unseen Triphylla paints the room in the red ruin of the half orc woman. The place was a mess before, and now it's in utter disarray with blood and gore everywhere, bits of skin hanging from the ceiling and shards of bone strewn around the floor intermingled with with maps, notes, and frantic ravings covering most surfaces.

On what little remains of the half orc's body you discover a key, a magical belt, sword and mithril chain shirt.

Upstairs you find a rather unusual pair manacled and chained to the bed, one of them is a somewhat distinguished looking gentleman looking somewhat worse for wear having been beaten recently. The other chained up victim is a pale androgynous person with piercing grey eyes, who sports several ugly looking bruises.

Lope shakes his hand cleaning the blood splattered all over his clothing "Nice... work, Triphylla"

Lope kneels and examines the belt and armor with a discerning eye, muttering a quick arcane incantation to identify their properties.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Linguistics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
After checking the items and reading through Farkin’s fragmented notes, Lope turns to the group "There's more going on here than we thought. It seems our friend Farkin had uncovered something... secret masters hiding out in the abandoned slaughterhouse. If she's right, they could be behind all of Yanmass' troubles"

K. local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
As they move upstairs and discover the chained figures, Lope mutters "A sylph..." he looks around for any danger before engaging with the strangers "Are you ok? Shall I assume you were Farkin's friends?"

"An abandoned slaughterhouse? I think that fits with what some of the council said about those nightmares - didn't some mention a meat locker and hung carcasses? Seems like a lead on the source of those nightmare, at least."

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Diana looks sadly at Farkin's body for a brief moment. "Too late to save her, as I feared. And yet she still managed to give us something to go on. I guess the only thing we can do now is follow up on it."

K Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Or maybe they were just trying to solve the city's problems, like ourselves." Moving over to the prisoners, Diana kneels down and tries the key found on the assassins remains to free them from the manacles. "We took care of the half orc downstairs. Are there any more assassins we should be on the lookout for?"

Triphylla stands there dripping with gore staring blankly at the torn open remains of the orc woman. It seems like each of her kills is more violent than the last, and she hasn't some to terms with what that might mean about her yet. The piercing horns screw back into her head and she wrings her hands vigorously of blood. With a little effort, while Lope divines the secrets of this house, she finds some scraps of cloth to clean off the blood and bits of flesh and bone stuck to her. Later she'll bother Diana to create an endless stream of water to bathe under and wash her clothing. Some stains cannot be removed, but it's getting to the point that her traveling clothes have a permanent crimson hue.

She isn't sad about Ms. Farkin. But the presence of two, what, prisoners? Good fortune smiled on them all.

"Well hullo! How did you two get caught up here?" She spits a speck of orc flesh on the floor and clears her throat.

St. John smiles sheepishly as he is freed. He then says "Thank you. She was going to sacrifice us. We had been contacted by the resident here about knowing where the nightmares were coming from and showed up here to get more information and were ambushed. I don't know if there were more only the orc came in to beat us."

Esinti shakes his head at the stranger. He is definitely not feeling okay after being chained up in here for, wait, how long have the two of them been here? He realizes it is best not to think about it. Not now.

"To say I'm okay would be a lie," the sylph says as he shakes his arms and immediately flinches as every fiber of his being protests the sudden movement. He offers their rescuer a weak smile and then a nod. "But I will be okay again, thank you. It is as my companion says, a group of three or four ambushed us, and then the lights went out. Since, we've only seen the mad orcess, who kept on rambling about having to sacrifice us on the night of the full moon."

Diana nods as she smiles back at the pair. "We've been looking into these nightmares as well, and came here hoping Ms. Farkin could provide some insight into them." Her smile drops as she mentions the house's owner. "Your captors had her silenced, however. Long before we got here. If a group of assassins was so focused on making sure Ms. Farkin didn't share her findings with anyone, what knowledge she had had to be dangerous to their plans."

She studies the pair for a bit as she speaks.

Are we looking at a pair of concerned citizens trying to solve the cities problems on their own? Much more likely, they're working for someone, too. Who, though?

"So, what will you be doing now, if you don't mind me asking?" Diana ask after a moment, her smile back on her face.

SM: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Triphylla doesn't know what to make of these two yet but clearly by their condition at least some of what they're saying is true. If no one else has done so, she frees them of their bonds and gives them water from her canteen.

"So what do we call you?"

St. John smiles as offered water and manages to stop himself at about half the canteen and hands it to Estinti. He then says "Thank you for freeing us. My name is St. John Smythe. I can't tell you how long we have been here it seems forever. As for out next plans well, I suppose we will try to find out what Ms. Farkin knew if there are any clues and then try to put a stop to this, unless we have another job."

"I'm Triphylla Achlys. We have a common purpose, at least so far as Ms. Farkin is concerned. Would you be opposed to traveling together as long as our paths align? We can use the help."