Age of Ashes (Team Alseta)

Game Master Delta Arena

“Traps, you said?” Ellaeaanda murmurs mildly to Cerrus as she scans the area, looking to recover traces of the arsonist’s trail. She glances up at the puffs of crimson smoke splotched across an azure sky—“they live yet” she casually remarks—then ambles slowly to the entrance, sensing with her inhuman senses. At the doors she gazes inside but does not cross the threshold.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

She’ll look for tracks from the halfling firestarter, cast Detect Magic, and look inside the castle—not sure if that’ll trigger her That’s Odd feat?

On the road:

Zeldones holds up a hand. [b]"I'll take the last one, if no one minds." In answer to Resa and Ardoinel, he shakes his head. "We don't have to worry about competition at this point, just survival. And making sure the Bumblebrasher goblins are safe, of course."

"Here you go," Ardoinel says as he hands off the potion to Zeldones. "Not sure what you mean by competition, honestly. I got enough of that from my little brother back home."

Resa nods as the others tell her about the rivers moving how they should, and that this was more about community service than anyone rushing to get beat for money. She seems to relax a bit hearing that, a small weight lifted as she could think more about what she needed to do to help the group. She had good scouting skills, but if the way there was not dangerous, she would hang around everyone until closer.

" So have many of you done this before? The biggest adventure I had was traveling here. I know we all saw each other before the meeting, but what exactly brought everyone here? I came for a better life."

She seems interested in those she had not spoken to previously, but was making some attempts as conversation as they walked along the trails.

"This my first 'practical' adventuring experience," Ardoinel comments as they walk. "My parents were adventurers before they got married and settled down. It's actually how they met. So they made sure to give me and my brothers a well-rounded education in the kinds of things adventurers find useful. We did do a bit of traveling when I was a kid, but it was pretty safe."

Before leaving town, Cerrus shows the map of the citadel to the group. Pointing to the map, he says "See here, there is a single entrance which is full of traps so we must be careful when we get there. Two wings are on each side of the central area. And there is a series of rooms underground." He hands his tome over to let the others examine the map. "Keep in mind that that's probably an old map so we are very likely to have old information. Plus, who knows what the Bumblebrashers have changed since taking residence."

Ardoinel nods as Cerrus shows him the map.

"Old information's better than none."

Cerrus also finds a moment to speak to Ardoinel in relative privacy. "I don't mean to be rude, but I have noticed you seem prone to coughing fits. Are those common, or mainly brought on by smoke? I ask only to see if I can help your symptoms."

"I...don't know," he replies. He gets a pensive look on his face.

"The answers a little bit of both. They're brought on by smoke, yes...but the smoke is...within, if that makes sense. I said back in the Town Hall that the Call for Heroes came to me in a dream. It was a dream of fire, smoke and blood, with Breachill left in ashes. Those dreams leave some kind of ashes within me. And under enough stress, or if the dreams are bad enough...things burn. Ashes within become ashes without. It's something I've struggled with since I was a child. My parents have done their best to help me, and even with the experience they have as adventurers they weren't able to find a solution. So I have come to Breachill, where my dream took place, to see what I can do to stop it from coming true. Do you understand?"
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At the Citadel:

When they arrive at the citadel, Ardoinel's eyes widen as he takes in the size and shape of the edifice.

"Impressive," he says. "Oddly beautiful even as nature reclaims it. I like the juxtaposition...I wonder if there'd be a way to unite the two into a more cohesive whole. Integrate nature without sacrificing structural integrity."

Seeing the others become on edge upon discovering the entrance open, he too looks around for signs of movement or tracks.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Resa seems surprised by the others answer, though she feels wary of the full elf. She felt exposed and almost like a fraud being next to her, their features so similar and yet it was clear they where not the same. All because her mother had given birth to a half elf with demonic blood meant she was less. Resa would chatter friendly with the others on the walk, but it was clear she would glance at Ellaeaanda and try to figure out more of her mannerisms, and would probably be caught a few times. Different indeed. I wonder if Elves knew each other. Maybe she knew my father and could tell me something of him. Maybe. This thoughts clouded her mind as she glanced over.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

She does seem surprised by the state of the keep, having figured that it would be much more, well out of sorts. It seemed these goblins kept up or atleast had kept up the keep, though things about it did give its old age. It was a quiet unique looking building however, and she was curious to see the inside. And get paid, really she was looking for to getting paid. This did not seem like it was going to be hard, maybe it was a simple explanation.

" Perhaps they just have accidently sent the warning signal? Maybe ran out of other types of fuel?" She ponders out loud as she looks around.

" So have many of you done this before? The biggest adventure I had was traveling here. I know we all saw each other before the meeting, but what exactly brought everyone here? I came for a better life."

For a moment Zeldones looks embarrassed, but he quickly recovers. "I've had what could be called adventures with my father. He taught me quite a bit...not the magic I use, though. That I learned more formally."

Netkin You don’t perceive any creatures outside the citadel, but you can hear the growling of something that sounds like a mix between a wolf and a rat coming from behind the gates. You hear the sound of paws hitting the ground as they walk. There is a sense of something being dragged and chewed upon. It comes from inside the gates, perhaps the sound of teeth gnawing on bone.

***

Cerrus well spotted From where you are, you do notice that there is significant damage on the eastern wall towards the north. This part of the wall Pointing at it on the map has not collapsed entirely, but there are small gaps within the masonry left by the tear.

***

Ellaeaanda you notice a tarnished seal depicting a sunburst made of nails stands out in relief on the keep’s stonework. Under the seal runs a worn but clear line of carved text.

On the bolt-locks set in the doors are scrambling marks left by some type of claw.

You don’t notice anything suspecious from outside the room.

***

Ardoinel the only movent you sense, besides that of the waving red smoke rising to meet the clouds, is coming from inside the gates. It feels safe outside.

***

Resa as you admire the structure and analyze it, you realize that some of Cerrus’ information must have been wrong, as there is a second set of doors towards the south.

Netkin all but squeaks, and hides between Cerrus. "Oh-oh! Something didn't get out... It's still in! Sounds like... a very large dog?"

With shaking hands, he reaches for his reagents. Since we're out of combat for now, can I make a batch of 2 Tanglefoot Bags with 1 Infused Reagent?

Since we're out of combat for now, can I make a batch of 2 Tanglefoot Bags with 1 Infused Reagent?

Sure, I'll allow you to create them using Advanced Alchemy, even though that's supposed to be during daily preparations.

"I sense it too. Good ears, Netkin."

Ardoinel draws his sword, revealing a wavy, flame-like blade, and straps on his buckler.

Ellaeaanda turns and furrows her brow, her expression more quizzical than afraid. “A dog? That would explain the claw marks on the bolt-locks.” As a precaution she steps back a few paces, away from the castle, and draws her bow, though all in a nonchalant manner. “Do any of you read Diabolic? There is a line of carved text below this tarnished seal.”

If someone heads inside the castle, Ellaeaanda will follow, but at a distance because … archer.

"Er... No. No Diabolic, I'm afraid," Netkin barely dares to peek at the seal over Cerrus' elbow. "Anyone wants to go in first...? I've got... I've got something to keep the dog in place... If I can throw it at it correctly..."

Ellaeaanda unfortunately you don't know the significance of the seal.

Cerrus scans the area between the group and the main door. With tome and sword in hand, he slowly makes his way toward the door. "I'll go first, but I don't want to go alone. Who is with me?"

Cerrus will use the Search exploration activity. He will arrive the door, but won't go in immediately.

"I am."

Ardoinel joins Cerrus at the door.

"Give me a moment." Zeldones casts a spell (mystic armor) and focuses once the spell is complete, breathing tightly controlled, before moving forward to join the other two.

Starting arcane cascade stance.

Resa offers up, as noone seemed to have mentioned it, so she alone may have seen it "There is another set of doors, but.. but I can look in first if needed. I can't promise much, but perhaps this isn't an unfriendly creature. Maybe it's some pet or something of the goblins?"

Netkin readies one tanglefoot bag in his hand. "If you please," he answers Resa nervously.

Resa, are you approaching the door? Or is someone else approaching to open the door?

The magus nods again, and in a scarcely audible whisper replies, "Go ahead. I've got your back." This is just like that job in Cettigne...hope it works out better than that one did.

Resa will open the the door trying to be as stealthy as she can be

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Ardoinel nods to Resa, his expression stern but gentle.

Resa opens the door carefully. The rusty hinges whinning with the movement. To the north and south, sets of ruined, outdated Hellknight armour line the walls. Broken furniture and half-chewed carcasses of small pray litter the floor. Underneath, a dirty black carpet leads to two doors set in the western wall. On each walls there is also a carved seal depicting the sunburst of nails. Besides the seals there are scuff marks indicating where paintings or framed documents hung, and above them, running just under the ceiling there is the repetition of the same sentence in Diabolic and Taldane: "Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind."

Standing in the room, gnawing at bones, there are four goblin dogs feeding on the carcasses. The closest one to the door lifts its head and looks at Resa, before turning back down to the carcass.

The Goblin Dogs are Indifferent.

There is nothing suspicious in this room, Ellaeaanda. There are other rooms that will trigger your feat, in the future I will just note on it when there is.

Curious, Ellaeaanda edges forward next to Resa, peering inside at the hellknight armor and goblin dogs before stepping aside for someone else to venture within first. “As you say, these creatures appear indifferent to our presence. But come not between a predator and its prey,” she warns.

"I wasn't planning to," says a small voice from behind the magus' back. "At least they're not aggressive... Let's just cross then, shall we?"

He doesn't seem very willing to be the first one to try.

Cerrus peaks his head into the room. "If we skirt around to the southern side of the room, we might avoid angering these animals."

Cerrus steps back to allow others to look, and then consults his tome for information on the animals.

"Well, there was other ways in, perhaps we go in that way? Perhaps that is the best way because we do not have to bother them, and these seem used to people, or at least not aggressive. If not, I'll go first."

Resa would point out the pathway the others of the other door she had spotted, just as a second option versus bothering the somewhat cute dogs. Somewhat. If the group does decide to cross, Resa will take a pathway that clearly does not get close to the goblin dogs, and makes no aggressive moves towards them.

"Or we could...just toss them some dried meat from our rations?" Ardoinel offers with a shrug. "They're simple animals with simple desires."

Recall Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Zeldones addresses the dogs in the goblin language.

Ellaeaanda You have heard that the Hellknights are a ruthless law enforcing faction of knights modeled in the image of hell's strict hierarchical nature. In spite of that, they don’t actually worship Devils, in fact, they become Hellknights by besting Devils in a one-on-one trial by combat. There are multiple Orders of Hellknights with different priorities. Citadel Altaerein used to be the headquarters of the Order of the Nail.

Goblin Dogs collective knowledge Contrary to their name, Goblin Dogs are actually rodents that Goblins have partially domesticated to serve guard animals and mounts. They are also known to be carriers of non-leathal disease called Goblin Pox, to which Goblins are immune. They are, however, not usually violent, unless they are hungry or they have been trained or starved to be, such as if they are trained for battle. In such escenarios they can be incredibly difficult to avoid due to their fast running speed.

Cerrus, you got a Critical Success, do you have any follow up questions about the Goblin Dogs?

Zeldones The Goblin Dogs raise their heads to look at you, one ot them has a little twitch in their ear. Another one gives you a chittering sound in acknowledgement and then they all go back to gnawing at what little remaining food they have left.

Netkin forages through his backpack. "They can have some of mine," he offers, handing some jerky to Ardoinel.

It's slightly underdone, and still a bit raw. No doubt an average dog would like it.

Cerrus is curious if these goblin dogs could be reasoned with and/or if they have any abilities of note.

Cerrus shares what he knows of these Goblin Dog creatures. "Anyone have a strong opinion on either feeding these beasts or using the other entrance? I'm slightly in favor of using this entrance, only because I think it's more likely we find signs of the Goblin tribe near the main area. But that opinion could very easily be wrong."

"Better to use the other entrance. If we go in this way and have to leave in a hurry, I don't want to chance them being hungry when we come through."

"But what if there's something worse waiting for us at the other entrance?" Netkin shifts from foot to foot. "We could leave the door open for them to leave! Dogs like to be outside, right?"

But when the goblins came back they'd ask the obvious question, and none of us want to hear them singing.

“Chaos from order” Ellaeaanda muses softly as she surveys the disheveled interior. “Goblin dogs and goblin pox sprout from the head of a Hellknight Order; savagery survives against the straightest Nails.” She glances up at the repeated sentence near the ceiling—savagery has not been quelled in this home.

While the others debate how to enter the ruined room, or whether to try the other entrance that Resa pointed out, the elf simply gazes off into the distance. Finally she ambles with light steps towards the other entrance. “Two paths are a puzzle for one, but nothing for six. We enter both,” she suggests, following the time-honored wisdom of splitting the party.

Her unseeing gaze idly scans her surroundings, then focuses upon the southern doors. “The rodents will enjoy your meat, but beware the traps,” she calls over her shoulder, reminding those braving the goblin dogs of the warning Cerrus gave from his map, before opening the door and peering inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

She’ll check the southern door for traps. If none are found, and if it’s unlocked, she’ll open it and look inside. Note: nobody can stop her from doing this. You can either follow her or go through the goblin dog room—I don’t care which. :)

Cerrus stares after Ellaeaanda as she heads toward the other entrance. "Split the group and potentially have multiple fights at the same time? That's what I want to avoid."

With a bit of sigh, Cerrus follows after Ellaeaanda, letting her take the lead into this section of the building.

Cerrus might not be all that happy, but I'm good with someone taking the lead!

Ardoinel nods and follows Cerrus and Ellaeaanda.

"Me too, Cerrus. A single arrow can be snapped with one hand, but a bundle will not break. We can deal with the animals later. Maybe if we find some of the Bumblebrashers they'll be able to handle them. They're probably the tribe's pets or something."

Cerrus It depends on what you mean by reasoned with. The can’t use logic, but they can be trained to follow commands, and they do have enough intelligence to remember who treats them well and who poses a danger to them. As for any other abilities of note, not besides the Goblin Pox, which can be spread to someone touching them directly. Unarmed attacks, grapples, etc.

***

Ellaeaanda This pair of massive doors into the citadel has no trappings built into it, but it seems to be bolted shut from the inside. The bolts, however, seem to offer rudimentary security, and potentially breakable.

After a few moments examining the doors, Ellaeaanda shakes her head. “A log blocks this path, but one that might be sundered.” She displays a keen memory as she calls over her shoulder to Resa. “You said one of your skills is opening doors pretty easily? Please demonstrate.”

Netkin follows Ellaeaanda - picking the pace up when he gets a bit closer to the dogs. Evidently they're making him uncomfortable.

"Oh! I could have something for that too!" he exclaims upon reaching the bolted door. "Albeit something a little bit more, um, violent, I guess?"

He takes something out of his backpack. There's reagents, powder, and.. a match? Dear Heavens. "After you," he obligingly gestures for Resa to have a go first.

Cerrus It depends on what you mean by reasoned with. The can’t use logic, but they can be trained to follow commands, and they do have enough intelligence to remember who treats them well and who poses a danger to them. As for any other abilities of note, not besides the Goblin Pox, which can be spread to someone touching them directly. Unarmed attacks, grapples, etc.

Gotcha. That's what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Resa, are you joining Ellaeaanda, Netkin, Cerrus and Ardoinel at the second door to try to open it, or are you letting Netkin use a more explosive approach?

Ardoinel's eyes widen as Netkin suggests blasting the door open.

"Hammer and Tongs..." he mutters.

Resa blushes as the elf speaks to her, and stammers a bit "I.. I.. oh I suppose I can. I have some tools for it. Not that I would steal from you all, but.. oh.. well I can try." She seems a bit unsure of herself here, but does pull out a small set of thieves tools and tries her best to pick the lock.

Picking the lock: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Placing her pointed ears to the lock, she gently and surely tries her best to open it, concentration on the task at hand. She mumbles a bit in draconic as she does so, something about if they dragon Lord hears you, he will eat your soul.

Resa the gaps in the doors are wide enough that you can easily reach in with your tools. Besides the bolts, there are some ropes and cords holding together the gate as well, but neither present an issue for your skills. It takes you a minute or two to cut through the ropes, and only a few seconds to undo the bolts.

The entrance swings open. The inside of the room is a mess. It is littered with toppled bunk beds, and broken furniture. Along the western and southern wall, there are doors leading to small, private bedchambers. In the center of the room there are bed frames stacked upon each other to form a fort, with filthy and ripped beddings draped over the top to form the ceiling and the walls. There is garbage littered on the floor around, giving it the appearance of being surrounded by a moat.

That's Odd by the layout of the room, anything important would have been held in the more private bedchambers.

Cerrus is impressed by the ease with which Resa was able to unlock the door. "Nicely done, Resa." Then, Cerrus takes a couple of steps into the room for a better vantage point and gives the room a good look. "Clearly, this room has been used somewhat recently."

Ellaeaanda tilts her head ever so slightly, looking over at Resa with a dreamy, unobservant gaze that, upon closer examination, actually contains an exacting focus that pierces right through the rogue. "Kysyminen on yksinkertaisempaa kuin varastaminen. Ja lohikäärmeherra ei syö haltioita." she responds in the same strange tongue muttered by Resa.

She ambles in behind Cerrus, glances about, then almost immediately pronounces “Chaos in order. What worth we seek lies deeper within.” Gliding around the perimeter of the room, the graceful elf examines the doors along the southern walls.

Check south doors for traps. If none found, and unlocked, open one.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Placing her pointed ears to the lock, she gently and surely tries her best to open it, concentration on the task at hand. She mumbles a bit in draconic as she does so, something about if they dragon Lord hears you, he will eat your soul.

A chill runs down Ardoinel's spine when he hears Resa's words. He didn't understand them, but there was something familiar in them, a growl behind the actual words that he'd heard before in dreams.

When Ellaeaanda replies in the same tongue, he coughs again.

"What...language is that? I've heard it before, but...not any time I was awake."

Ellaeaanda doesn’t face Ardoinel directly when she answers. “An ancient tongue for an ancient race. Some believe it birthed the elven language, though any resemblance is no more than ice to water. Resa and I speak of dragons.”

Cerrus You notice that there are some tufts of fur around the room, they are specially concentrated around the fortress like structure in the middle of the room.

Some low noises, those of light objects being moved, come from inside the fortress.

Ellaeaanda the doors are completely safe and unlocked. Inside you can see comfortable beds and space for a nightstand or a small wardrobe, as well as room for chests to keep valuables. They seem to have been kept in better condition and were possibly meant for higher-ranking Hellknights.

Wait, dragons are Finnish now? I've got some friends who might find that amusing....

Zeldones keeps to the rear and watches the party's backtrail for pursuers (like hungry goblin dogs).