Spizz yipes, and ducks for cover, only having 3 HP left after the blast.
Rocko's action.
Spizz yipes, and ducks for cover, only having 3 HP left after the blast.
Rocko blinks at the billowing mist, but isn't about to cower from the lack of visibility. Shield out, then move toward where he thinks the closest bug was as he pulls out his battleaxe. A battle cry might be awesome, but he's clever enough not to draw attention to himself that way.
The creature leans out of the doorway, and swings the rod at Rocko, but it's a clean miss.
Party may act. Keep in mind the Obscuring Mist means 20% miss chance.
no clue, try any language you know
Party may act. Keep in mind the Obscuring Mist means 20% miss chance.
Gentle reminder, party may act.
Lex takes a long moment pulling a Stirge from thin air. It comes to existence and rushes into the cloud looking for a victim.
The Stirge latches on to one of the two creatures in the doorway of the orb.
Spizz continues to duck for cover, but readies an action to blast any bugs that come within his (now very limited) line of sight.
Pious looms in the mist and drives the point of his sword, two handed at the creature in front of him.
He grunts with satisfaction as he feeels the tip bit home
Pious' attack blade strikes the creature center torso, piercing a vital organ and sending it to its death.
Rocko may act. One more creature is reachable in the doorway of the orb.
attack with battleaxe:
Damage:
Rocko finishes off the second one. At this point, the orb begins to glow brighter, and the doorway begins to close. A successful Dex or Acrobatics check DC 15 will allow Pious and/or Rocko to enter before it closes.
"Oh no you don't!"
Pious attempts to jump in as the door starts to close
Pious catches the edge of the door, but doesn't quite make it in. He's still holding on to the edge as it lifts.
Well, Rocko isn't about to try something like that with his hands full, and he doesn't fancy dropping his stuff on the ground with all the mist about. He stows his shield and battleaxe as quickly as possible.
He's pretty sure Pious just leapt through the mist at the thing, so now he's more concerned he'll have to catch his new friend on his likely return to the ground.
Pious manages to haul himself into the sphere to see one last insect creature working some sort of buttons and levers.
The room he is in has several what you might call "counters" or "desks" arranged around the sides, with bright lights flashing on them.
The creature turns and hisses, but does not stop messing with the levers and buttons.
Outside, Rocko can see the door seal shut, and the orb begins lifting off the ground in front of him. A few seconds later, the rest of the party can see the orb above the fog, moving slowly upward.
Pious stomps forwards, not a little out of breath at this point, and levels his sword at the creature.
"I don't know if you understand civilised tongue creature, but you've seen enough of your craven kind cut by my steel to understand my blade I'm sure. Land. Now."
Placing his left hand on his holy tome at his hip he draws upon his deities power to strengthen his effect on the creature.
The creature is shaken, though it seems to have resisted outright panic.
Moving the levers in a different order, Pious can feel the orb descending. The door to the orb opens about 5' above the top of the butte. The creature gestures "out", then, pointing at itself, gestures upward and away.
Standing back up, Spizz cheers. "FriendPious beat large sphere all on own!" Turning towards anyone who will answer him, he inquires, "Floaty orb normal building for soft-skin?"
Pious suddenly lurches forward and tries seize the creature and manoeuvre it towards the portal.
Pious loses his footing, and the creature quickly takes advantage, tossing the orb sideways.
Pious falls out the doorway, dropping the few feet into some bushes atop the butte. He lands painfully, but harmlessly.
The group watches as the orb glows brightly and flies off into the sky, disappearing into the sunlit sky.
"Not normal then?"
"****"
Pious stands and watches as the orb departs, "thought I had something there... The lord giveth and He takes away. They won't be back in a hurry though, not without backup anyway. Anyone know what is over there?"
Believing you've defeated the insectoid cattle rustlers, you head back to the ranch, where you are received with a pleasant lunch at a table in front of the ranch house.
Maria and another of her daughters lays out a large plate of chicken paella with corn tortillas and tamales with an unknown meat inside. All this is served with a pitcher of refreshing pale beer and another of fruit juice.
As you enjoy the meal, the daughter brings out a sack containing approximately 1000 gp, your payment for having defeated the insectoids.
wait ... 'unknown meat' at a cattle ranch? How is it not beef?
wait ... 'unknown meat' at a cattle ranch? How is it not beef?
It's unknown looking at the outside of the tamale. Rocko can easily recognize it as beef by smell once he breaks one open.
"Back in Kobold cave, cow too dangerous to hunt!" Spizz says through mouthfuls of food. His eyes widen, as he scrambles to his feet, a thought seemingly just now occurring to him, as he points at himself. "Hero?" he asks of the gathered crowd.
"You and all your companions, little lizard," Maria agrees with a smirk on her face.
***Two days later***
It is evening on Firstday, Octum 19th, as a warm and sweaty party arrives back at the gates of Albarra, having completed their quest.
As a reward for your efforts, you now have an additional 252 gp each if you wish to do some shopping.
Pious heads straight for the cantina,
"Food and drink first. Coming little dragon?"
It seemed a long time since Pious last arrived in town, in reality just a few days.
Spizz, who had been studying both second person pronouns and pluralization in the few days that they had been studying nods emphatically. "Yes! Spizz likes good foods!"
The party arrives back at the Friendly Mesa, the place where it all started. It seems like forever since you met in this place quite by accident, and decided to take up the challenge posted on the community bulletin.
As you walk into the lodge area, a young black-haired man of olive complexion is tending the bar, while the same short, brown-skinned young waitress you met before is hurriedly taking orders. It's a work day, and some of the working class have come here to relax.
Rocko will definitely look into doing some shopping. And maybe have someone inspect one of the zappy sticks we picked up
Heading over to Jules' General Store, Rocko finds all types of standard provisions and equipment.
Jules is a square-faced woman slender woman with red-brown hair and an ever-friendly attitude.
"Hey, Rocko. Haven't seen you in here in a while. You looking for anything in particular?"
By some quirk of fate the very table they sat at the last time they were in town is free once more. Pious sits in the same seat.
"What's good today? Meat for the dragon I think."
As they wait, Pious takes out the finger trophy he took from the first slain creature and fiddles with it absently.
You have told tales of your barbaric kin who retain flight, Dragon. Do any tales talk about these creatures of that orb they felt off in?"
His mind drifts back to those few moments within the Orb, it was nearly mine... I fine transport for God's chosen.
Spizz considers this. "In my tribe, speak occasionally to me(?) about Kobolds with wings like a dragon. I(?) think they are called wyvarans. Not bug people though. No orb either." Spizz continues to think. "Tribe a bit stupid though," he says decisively.
The waitress finally comes by and takes your order. She then heads off to deliver several plates to a nearby table, and returns to yours soon with two mugs of pale, hoppy beer and flat breads for Pious and Spizz to eat while they wait for their meals.
Once they've finished eating, Pious and Spizz note that the other job on the community board that you saw six days ago is still there.
An old military stronghold seems to be housing some hostile types who are waylaying travelers out beyond town. See Intendente Caprone for more information.
As a reminder, Intendente Caprone is, essentially, the mayor of Albarra.
"Up for another adventure?"
Pious plate scrapes as he pushes it away across the table and wipes the back of his hand across his mouth.
"We've got some 'hostile types' to clear out. Do you think Rocko will join us?"
"Spizz would be happy to go on another adventure! And if Pious or Rocko need more coins to buy safer gear, I(?) would be happy to give my share!" Spizz gets up to demonstrate his next point. "Armor-things get in the way of poor Spizz's magic-motion," he says, demonstrating how much maneuverability he needs to make magic signs in the air.