"Pileus Shady Pool is firefighter now! Heroic journey has begun! Does magic fistwater work on bigger fire?" The monk begins trying flowing wave attacks against the fires in the room.
"Also, any of you healers? Fire monster burned Pileus brain," he says, kneading his fingers on the blue cap that forms most of his head.
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Gexi is shocked how well the group worked at dispatching the active threat of the wisps, but now stands unsure how to move forward. Fire such a small threat down below, I don't know what I can do to slow it down.
Hearing Wang start to move the crowd out, Gexi meekly tries the same but focuses on the smaller ones, who he relates to more. "Come little ones, follow me to safety."
Thark physically picks up and carries a pair of the fallen townsfolk out of the smoky hall before they can scramble out the door. He checks to see if any of the evacuees are hurt and offers minor first aid to any who need it.
"Heroes save innocent people!" he says aloud over and over as he minsters to the crowd including the councilors if needed.
Jojo moves up to Pileus, "You can snuff out fires with your fists? That is cool and impressive!" With that, Jojo follows everyone's lead and moves Warbal and the rest of the townsfolk out of danger and onto the street.
"Thank you, fellow-hero Jojo. The shady pool taught Pileus everything about fighting, and shady pool kills fire, so that is how. What is iron-circle you hit fire monster with?"
"A chakram, my friend. Oh, thank you for reminding me." Jojo moves to pick up his weapon from where it landed before leaving with rest.
With the fire dealt with and no immediate danger, the party is able to successfully lead the villagers to safety outside the building with no casualties other than some of the guards. Outside, the townsfolk congratulate the party for their bravery and heroism. You also see some of the guards were starting to form a bucket brigade, but now ar eno longer needed.
Greta Gardania is checking on the health and well-boing of the townsfolk, when you calls over the guards. "What manner of madness was this? Where did the fire devils come from?" One of the guards, a lieutenant of sorts, steps up. "We have witnesses saying a cloaked figure cast magic from a scroll and the fire devils just appeared and flew into the council hall. The figure was seen fleeing toward Hellknight Hill."
Warbal, in good condition, stands next to Jojo. "Toward my tribe? Maybe the summoner is seeking to hide from the authorities in the citadel."
Greta raises her hand, "Well, Warbal, it looks like your plea for help and our desire to catch this culprit have a common goal. Perhaps, the heroes who stepped up today and saved many lives are willing to investigate Hellknight Hill as well as bring this culprit to justice? Please tell us your names so we know to whom we owe our thanks."
Greta calls over her assistant and whispers in her ear. She brings over a bag. "For your heroism today, the Council of Breachill awards you: 50 sp each, 2 minor healing potions, a lesser antidote, and a lesser antiplague. I hope these serve you well. If you agree to help the town, we can offer you 10 gp for dealing with the Bumblebrashers' trouble and 10 gp for catching the culprit who set the fire. What say ye?"
Thark nods his head at the offer as a sign of acceptance. "Thark is Thark," he says simply, pointing at his chest once to indicate what is likely obvious to everyone.
He looks to the others to pocket the coins and the gear. "You pay us when we are heroes!" he repeats to all the assembly.
Fifty silver coins seems like good payment to punch fiery demons that Thark might've just taken down for free. He can't imagine 10 gold in his hand at a time!
"Heroitude is its own reward," Pileus says confidently, then reconsiders, "But then again, need silver for hero-gear and paying healer to fix Pileus brainburn. Uh, thank you," he says, taking the offered silver and elixirs. He still clutches his head, the blue cap blistered at the front and oozing a blood-like sap. "Anyone know good healer? Once brain is better, Pileus happy to go with fellow-heroes to Hailnight Hill to help Bumblebrashers and find firesetter."
Thark kneels to attend to the burns on the leshy. Using some rather pungent ointment, and a few fresh mint leaves to cool the burn, he apparently doesn't understand leshy anatomy very well, and the ointment actually makes the wounds burn more, rather than soothe them.
ctit failure
Emerging from the building, Wang coughs out a small cloud of smoke. He straightens his posture and attempts to brush soot from his haori with dubious success. He joins the others around Greta as the situation settles.
"I am Shi Xin Wang, at your service, madam councilwoman," he says with a formal bow. A short, unintentional cough and the resulting stream of smoke somewhat spoil the attempt at solemnity. Rising, he adds, "It would be my pleasure to seek down the villain of today's tragedy."
Wang turns toward Pileus once the leshy makes his plea. "Oh! Of course, noble kami. Please allow me to provide you with a more true example of my music."
He retrieves his ruan from his bundle and ensures the heat has not altered his previous tuning.
"Scars fade with soft rain,
old pain whispers, then grows still—
new skin learns the sun."
He plucks out an energetic jig that begins to wash away Pileus' pain. It has the side effect of emboldening the pugilist as he plays. More miraculous, the flesh of the leshy's cap begins to restore itself.
Wang eyes the half-orc as the Gorumite begins a more mundane tending of the leshy's burn, but does not stop playing until the wound is erased. "Ah, you might want to stop--"
He sighs as Thark undoes what his magic repaired. I suppose some people do not trust others' magic. The bard pulls out a charcoal pencil and a small journal. He scribbles some thoughts on poetry while he waits for the half-orc to finish. Once done, he puts away the book and takes up his ruan again.
"Scars breathe in soft light,
time’s hands stitch what pain once tore—
new skin learns to bloom."
The inadvertent damage to the leshy is quickly erased. Again.
Thark kneels to attend to the burns on the leshy. Using some rather pungent ointment, and a few fresh mint leaves to cool the burn, he apparently doesn't understand leshy anatomy very well, and the ointment actually makes the wounds burn more, rather than soothe them.
[dice=Thark Treat Wounds]1d20+6 ctit failure
[dice=Accidental damage]d8
"Ouch!" Pileus clutches his head. "Um, thank you, feeling much better. Going to go, um, listen to music..." Pileus sidles away from Thark and towards Shi, whose hymn of healing does the trick.
"Thank you, fellow-hero Shi. Where did you learn heal-music? Never heard before."
"The music restores harmony to that afflicted by disharmony," Wangs says with a smile and a bow to Pileus. "I have had much time to practice as I traveled."
Thark considers that he might be better off sticking to just smashing things...
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Gexi brushes off the soot and dirt from his cloths, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. Thark seems to know the healing arts, though maybe mushrooms have much different anatomy. He approaches the orc. "My friend, if you are able to treat wounds, I could use some attention. If you are unsure, I can make do."
While waiting, Gexi gathers the coins he is offered but passes on the consumable stuff offered. "If the person who set those wisps upon us has fled to this fort, then I will accompany you all to find them. And we can report on the goblin tribe there as well."
"Good ysoki, ah, well, apologies, I seem to have forgotten your name in all of the excitement," Wang says, seeing the soot-stained ratfolk looking for aid. "I'm Wang, in case I neglected to introduce myself to you earlier. I can tend to your injuries presently, if you like, rather than waiting for Thark to finish with noble Pileus Shady Pool."
Thark concedes the healing to Wang, after seeing his success with the leshy's wounds. If things don't work out, he will make is own attempt after.
Greta is happy that the party is willing to take the task to visit Hellknight Hill. She stresses that, if possible, please bring the culprit who tried to burn Council Hall down alive for questioning and judgment. You can approach the citadel whenever you want. The townsfolk continue to approach the party and thank them for acting bravely and saving them from the fire.
"Do not worry, President Greta. Pileus's fists make enemy unconchance if want, not have to kill. Fellow heroes and me will get the firemaker," Pileus beams and secures his buckler once more to his forearm. "To the City Dell!"
Wang plays his tune for Gexi, the music inspiring the ratfolk's body to heal itself long before Thark is finished with his efforts on Pileus.
"Give me a few more minutes to ficus my energy, and I will be ready to confront this villain and his devilish minions," Wang says, pulling out his journal and pencil once more.
Jojo stands by Warbal's side, welcoming the heroes to the cause to investigate the citadel. "Thank you for your service. I pledge to also help you all find the culprit who nearly burned your town hall."
The walk to the citadel is fairly short, as the citadel is only a mile NE of Breachill, at the end of a rocky but well demarcated path that leads up the gradually sloping sides of Hellknight Hill. As you approach, you see the following:
Rising from the hilltop above is a looming structure of crumbling stone and still-imposing battlements, though verdant nature is reclaiming the site. Plumes of red smoke rise from the roof of the keep's central tower. This place can only be Citadel Altarein, the infamous former home of the Order of the Nail Kellknights, now fallen into ruin. The gate-like doors in the center of the keep hang ajar - not surprising, since no one has maintained the facility in years.
Warbal holds her hand to have the party stop. She signals the party to a nearby defensible hillock. She unpacks all of the supplies and tools that she brought, making it clear that she can remain there for an extended period. "Respectfully, I am no warrior, only a diplomat and there is certainly danger inside. I will remain outside. You will not have the distraction of of having to keep me safe. Jojo here will accompany you. The majority of the goblins know him, especially Chief Helga, so he can act as your liaison. There are various entrances to the keep - the main entrance in front of you; to the south of there's an entrance to the barracks, but the door to the outside side kept bolted. However, Jojo may help unlock the door and open it for you with his skills. The citadel is in ruins as you can see, so there may be other entrances if you take a tour around the keep. However, if there are any enemies on the battlements, you may draw their fire. Good luck saving my people."
Wang looks toward Thark. He looks at each of his shorter companions and then back at the half-orc. Clearing his throat, he says, ”Thark, you’re the biggest one here. And have the thickest arms. Do we enter the front door or make a strategic strike through the barracks?”
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Gexi twitches his nose in a nervous manner. "Following the lead of the biggest one seems smart. I should be ready to go."
Gexi checks all his gear over while waiting for Thark to decide which direction to take. He comes across the antidote he produced this morning just in case and thinks it might be best as a preventative measure. Thark might benefit more though.
"Actually Thark, here is something that may help in the event you stumble upon anything toxic. Especially since you may be the first in danger. Drink it now, it should last most of the day."
Thark downs the antidote, grimacing at the taste. "Thark says get to Bumbles fastest is front door. Thark goes that way. Our Lord of Iron is not afraid of danger."
Thark then unlimbers his greatsword and sets off from the hillock towards the damaged front doors of the citadel.
"Pileus is right beside you!" the mushroom-man steps forward to accompany Thark towards the citadel. "Do you want to bust door, or should Pileus? Brought crowbar for crates, maybe open door too?" He pulls the tool from his pack and brandishes it.
"Pileus Shady Pool," Wang says tentatively as he strings his shortbow. "Not that I would, ah, want to correct a noble kami, but, well, I believe that door is, more or less, already open."
"Bar good tool for later, but door open now Thark sees," he agrees with the bard, motioning to Pileus. "Green man needs to see better maybe," he laughs at this, a hearty chuckling sound, though its not really funny.
"Er, yes, Pileus was just, er, testing you," he says, crimson pulsing in his white face. "Let's charge the city-dell!"
Jojo voices an opinion, "If you want to try the side door, I think my lockpicking skills are up to the task. May be less guarded than the front door."