Noya then asks everyone in her party
"So which one of use should take the lantern?"
Latte then hold her hand up.
"Can I? I'm pretty confident in holding things."
Noya then adds
Anyone else wanting to Volunteer?
Azoth considers for a moment.
I could finally get the recognition I deserve with this honor, but it would also give others the opportunity to see my real self. I cannot have that happen.
Much more negatively than he meant to, Azoth replies,
"Count me out of that nonsense. I cannot take that responsibility. That's a terrible idea."
Azoth pauses for a moment.
"No one wants to see the most hated person in the town carrying that thing anyways."
Noya then adds
"I would not say the most hate person in town,
as the twin Barn's boys, are more infamous then you."
Silvio finds himself agreeing with Latte as the lantern bearer. As the words are about to escape his lips, he remembers Latte's entrance.
Selecting a worthy candidate for the lantern's safekeeping is crucial. While Latte has shown eagerness, I ponder if another might be more... suitably equipped for the task.
Silvio thinks carefully about his word choice.
Someone with a proven track record of, shall we say, 'finesse' and 'delicate handling' would surely be best. Let us deliberate carefully, my friends, lest we risk... unfortunate consequences.
As Azoth explains his reasoning, Silvio ponders for a moment and then beams with inspiration.
I understand your point of view Azoth, but surely when the town sees you with the lantern, they might just see you in a.. new light.
Silvio smirks at his own pun.
Azoth's internal emotions explode with a savage intensity. Disbelief clearly shows upon his face. Slowly, he calms down with a few deep breaths. He responds to Noya and Silvio's comments,
"Those two are certainly an abomination, but at least their own mother still cares for them. Mine hated me so much, she left."
"The townsfolk will do nothing but jeer and jest if I took that thing. They'll probably call for a redo of the ceremony. But, if I am the one who must, I will bear the burden. I will not be able to offer my expertise with the bow while holding it though. It will promptly be dropped without a second thought in the right circumstance."
I've finally found another like her. I will not let them be harmed while idly sitting by.
I certainly can commiserate with not knowing one's mother. Well, to an extent at least. Though, I wish I could say I knew less about my father. It would seem all the wenches and anyone offering a bar tab would know him.
Ah, but I digress. I believe Rodnas would have his hands full already, so with that in mind, perhaps I should be the one to stow my bow.
I mostly just carry it for show, never was good enough to feed myself with the bow anyways.
Azoth looks around for the Lantern.
The Lantern appears to be sturdy and sufficiently protected by metal. It should hold up to anything Latte's accidental nature would do to it. I think it would be a good idea to give it to her.
He says,
"Latte. I think it would be a great idea for you to hold it. Thank you for offering. That way the both of us can still use our bows. What kind of weapon do you prefer?"
mayor hasn't given the Lantern yet,
but that is good.
and yes I know how you were referring to, or maybe not...
as there are two of them :P
Ah, but I digress. I believe Rodnas would have his hands full already, so with that in mind, perhaps I should be the one to stow my bow.
Rodnas, confirms Silvio's statement:
"Indeed, I will go with a blade of... Let us say as heavy as an anvil. Gotta need both arms to use that "Chunk'r Blade", as I like to call it."
Hearing Rodnas' statement, Azoth gets an idea. He notices where the Lantern is and walks up to it. He grabs it and holds it in his hands.
The Lantern appears to be sturdy and sufficiently protected by metal. It should hold up to anything Latte's accidental nature would do to it. I think it would be a good idea to give it to her.
He walks back over and holds the Lantern up to Latte,
"Latte. I think it would be a great idea for you to hold it. Thank you for offering. That way the both of us can still use our bows. What kind of weapon do you prefer?"
Folks are surprised that the reclusive Azoth stepped up took the lantern and handed it to Latte.
Noya is even surprised Azoth stepped up
Latte then hold the lantern that Azoth that handed to.
"Isn't the crowd acting a little strange just now?" as Latte is curious about the crowd's reaction. "Also, I use longsword... so I definitely can hold it.", giving a somewhat proud face.
Noya replies to Latte
"I think it is more of a surprise for folks since Azoth never took to being in the spotlight even for a bit before."
Mayor Uptal:
The Mayor then adds "May you bring the Everflame of our Hero back to Kassen."
He then hands each character a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin,
and a piece of the Trail Map that leads from Kassen to the Crypt of the Everflame.
In addition, the following items are spread out among the PCs’ backpacks, distributed as evenly as possible:
50 feet of hempen
rope, a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs,
a labeled potion of cure light wounds,
three torches,
a grappling hook,
and a small bottle of local brandy.
Looking at the map pieces you manage to put them in order and get the map.
Mayor Uptal:
The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk.
“I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame!
Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.”
With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb.
The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
Noya looks at the group then comments
"Well, looks like time to leave town, and avoid the incoming fun while having an exciting kind of fun doing a quest..."
"Yeah... The way these people are looking at us is making me nervous. Let's go."
Latte look at Rodnas
"Can you lead the way? Not because... you're big or anything."
2 hours into your adventure
The narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bereft of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot.
Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path.
Suddenly a quatro of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish, skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.
Party goes first
"Attack!.... wait, why am I doing a war cry? Oh well." as Latte draws out her longsword, then proceed to swing at the orc
reflex save to not throw your weapon, Latte.
Latte losses the grip on her sword and almost throws it, but luckily just drops it.
Azoth dashes to the side of the path to get a clear line of sight.
Don't want to hit Latte with this shot.
He pulls out his bow and knocks an arrow, then draws and sights for the nearest orc that can be hit without endangering others. He fires his arrow.
Silvio maneuvers into position away from the front line with Azoth.
Eat wood, chump!
Silvio lets loose an arrow from his bow, trying to match Azoth's target.
Rodnas rushes to another orc, like a bull trying to jump over a barrier.
"Here comes the Bulldozer!"
Rodnas then tries to flurry his hefty blade.
Noya moves into attack throwing a kick
Will Saves for Everyone BUT Latte.
Latte losses the grip on her sword and almost throws it, but luckily just drops it.
Latte then charges in, proceeding to do a heavy side swing at the orc. However, the attack misses, causing Latte to be pulled toward the swing, making her grip on the weapon loosen.
"Uwah!" as Latte tried to hold it back so it won't flung, causing only her to drop the weapon. But as a result of doing so, Latte fall down right next to the sword.
The Orcs attack Swinging at Rodnas and Noya
attacks to Rodnas
attacks to Noya
---
These Orcs ain't real, they are illusions
Noya Will save
Yeah, likely down, unless someone mentions the truth.....
Silvio continues his arrow assault at the same target.
Rodnas notices something strange, he shouts the party:
"Oi! These orcs are a lie! They are mere illusions or so!"
re-roll will saves with a +4 bonus
Good not dead from thinking she's dead...
Latte take hold of her longsword and stand up again, then hearing Rodnas shouting.
"I'm going to Noya to help her!" as Latte shout while rushing toward Noya.
All has been made clear..!
Noya pats herself, there are no injuries and gets up
after that, it easy to remove the illusions after giving them a hit.
”Someone must have cast that illusion magic. Maybe they’re still nearby. Let’s see if we can hear or see them. No one say anything for a second.”
Azoth uses his keen Elven senses to try to detect who or what may have cast the illusion magic.
These illusions will not fool us. Certainly, I can sense the source's aura.
Silvio makes use of this moment of clarity to cast Detect Magic. With a new perspective, Silvio scans his surroundings for the source.
You got nothing on radar