Corian Smither's page

Shi'Vatha pulls out the map, looks it over, and then points to 3 spots. "These are isolated, but easily found, areas near the keep. The first is this one." He points to a point south of the keep, near the old road, but not on it. "If I'm not here when you get there, continue on to point 2." He moves his finger over again, to a second place in the woods to the south of the keep. "If I'm not there, then move on to point 3." He indicates a spot east of the keep, requiring the group to move around the keep in a big circle. "I'll be at one of those three places. If you don't find me at any of them, wait at 3 for 24 hours, and if I still haven't shown up, I'm likely dead or captured."

[dice=Perception]1d20+13

"Would it be easier to just meet you at point 2? If there are orcs in the area, we might get spotted if we come around to the east. Just a thought."

"The worst part is, from what one of the guards had seen, it looks as if the orcs were heading back to an old keep. The one that we were supposed to go to."

Corian manages to finally catch his breath, then looks at Felicity. "It was orcs, several witnesses saw them. Apparently, their target with the temple...of Freya. I understand that there was a, um, something sacred, in the temple. There were many that were injured in the attack, including the bulk of the town guards. Nijena is doing what she can for them, and only a couple had actually died. However, the town seems to be more or less undefended until some of the guards get back on their feet. That's not the worst part, though."

Both you and Corian meet near the middle. Pausing to catch his breath, Corian gasps, "The village, Fairhill, it's been sacked!"

You spend a good portion of the day watching Shi'Vatha count the coins, the piles growing higher and higher throughout the morning. It's a little daunting how a beast such as the manticore could have gathered so many coins over the years. Well, no matter.

As all of you contemplate how to get that much coinage back down the mountain, you can hear a faint yell. Looking out from the cave entrance, you can see Corian a few hundred feet below you on the hill. He is calling for you; as soon as he spots you, he starts trying to run up the hill, stumbling as he goes. He seems intent on getting to you.

Corian looks over to the cleric and says to her "You explain to them that Shi' here is friendly, and I'll start maneuvering them away."

He then turns back to Corian and whispers, "Is the manticore around here, or did it leave?"

Looking back at the crowd, Corian says, "That drunk at the bar has riled up half the town, or at least a significant portion of it. When it was noticed that you and the rest had gone out a couple of days ago and never returned, well..."

You notice that Nijena haas stepped out from the crowd as well, looking a little nervous. The crowd itself seems confused at this point; you're not killing anyone. Isn't that what monsters are supposed to do?

[dice=Perception]1d20+13

When you speak, you hear gasps from the crowd of people, some of them saying things like What is that thing, or Is that the manticore? Several men get their pitchforks ready, when you see Corian step out from the crowd.

"My gods, man. Are you alright?"

I will ensure Glornug is back in two days.

"Well done, then. Although I suspect you may be with the gentleman for a few hours before you get enough information to make any use of."

Glornug looks at Corian. "I concur with Shi'Vatha. If there is time, or if it would not inconvenience you, I would like to hunt these manticores. If it is not possible, or would cause you trouble, then I will stay with you, as that was the agreement."

"I have no problem with that, Glornug. I just ask that, if you leave the town to hunt, to be back here within two days. OK?"

Shi'Vatha's confused look goes away. "A child was taken?" The eidelon's new claws peel wood from the bar before he can remember they exist. "Sorry." He tells the bartender curtly. He turns to Corian. "While you are in town dealing with your dead mentor's paperwork, may I have permission to detach from your service and eliminate the creatures who are preying on children?" Shi'Vatha seems to have a soft spot when it comes to cubs and death. Or perhaps that's a murderous spot.

GM's love Paladins, all they have to do is point in a direction and say 'evil child killing thing that way' and the Paladin's race toward the plot hook at full tilt, ignoring the sharp pointy bit on the end of the hook.

Looking up from his ale, you can tell that Corian, despite his distraction, was listening. He says, "I am willing to wait a couple of days to go into the keep. It will take me that long to get everything in order here in Fairhill. You may all go, if you wish. If there is anything that you find that could be a component for one of my spells, I would appreciate you bringing it back for me."

"Well, I, erm. That is, um..." Seeing the lady behind the bar, he practically runs over and asks for a stout. Looking over, you can see that Nijena's robes are puffed out, looking very airy. You can actually see just a little bit below her neck.

"All of you are assuming that we are just going to storm castle, so to speak. I somehow doubt that we are going to be 'smiting' gods anytime soon. Right now, I'm focused on finding that keep and seeing what it's about."

Walking through the town towards the inn, Felicity smiles at the antics of the cat and dog. These look to be good people. We should accept their hospitality while it is available.

Query Corian: do you intend to confront this demon-god Orcus? Such undertaking are never simple.

Corian seems a little distracted. Nijena is sticking to him like a leaf on the wind, and he seems a little...off. As you come near the inn, he realizes that you were speaking to him For the sake of the argument, I'm going to say that you had to repeat yourself, twice, to get his attention. "Huh, well, um. I don't know, to be honest. One doesn't exactly plan to take on the gods, after all. Especially one so foul as that creature." He shakes his head as if in wonder.

Shaking himself from his stupor, Corian finally emits a series of coherent thoughts. "Ale? Did I hear ale? Yes! I think we can all use a pint or two of the stuff! I know I can." With that, Corian sets off for the town square, albeit with a slightly odd gait to his step.

His smile faltering, Corian replies, "And what great destiny might I have?"

"Um, my...destiny? I'm just trying to recover the remains of a friend of the family. And these people," Corian says, waving his hand at the rest of the group, "are simply trying to help. I don't think there is any grand destiny that awaits us, except perhaps, as a wizard's tower somewhere in my future." Corian beams at the woman, as if he just exclaimed that he has discovered water. The girl's eyes sparkle in that way that suggests a little too much of the moonshine or something in return.

"Da...um...you, um. I'm sorry, did you say something about a vision?"

"Um...da...um."

At this, Corian's mouth seems to hang down, and this blank expression comes over him. His eyes are not quite straight ahead as he looks at the cleric's ample figure. "I,um...it's good to see you as well?"

"I've never met an orc up close before. And I'm pretty sure that I do not know anyone that can speak, or write, Orc."

"Sure, although I'm not sure how much sense you can make of this...scribble." He hands the paper over to Echane.

What do you have in mind?

Corian folds the paper up and puts it into his sack. "Should we go ahead and bury the body here, or start heading up towards Fairhill? If there are orcs along the side of the road here, then the town might be in danger or even under attack."

Corian takes a look at the paper as it is passed around. He looks at it with a weird expression, turns the paper upside down, then looks frustrated. "What is this? It looks like a 2 year old was trying to imitate his dad writing, and all the baby had to write with was his own poop."

"Well, I really enjoyed the conversation. I have learned quite a bit tonight. But I am tired, and would like to get to Fairhill on the morrow. Good night everyone."

With a laugh, Corian says "No, Glornug, I'm not trying to avoid the question, really. It's just that I've never met a person who would not eat meat, that's all. As for a woman's breasts....well, that's really hard to say why we are so enamored. They are just really nice to look at, I suppose. I guess, if nothing else, it would have to do with the human mating ritual, that's about all I could say on that subject." Corian blushes as he stops to think about what he just said.

"So, as a rule, you don't eat meat?"

Taking a piece of hot rabbit, Corian listens to Glornug, then asks, "So what is the difference between a mammal and an animal? I've never heard of the term 'mammal' before."

"For me, it's more about seeking knowledge. My dad worked as a blacksmith, and could never understand my interest in books. He always blamed it on my uncle, who is a wizard by trade. My dad believed that one should be up before dawn, work until after sundown, and bring home enough food to feed the family. Anything more was a waste. Of course, he died when I was only 12. I don't mind the work, but there's no need to work oneself to death if there is nothing to work for at the end of it."

"Thanks, Glornug. This looks like a rather bountiful feast." With a smile on his face, he puts away the jerky he was starting to gnaw on and continues to listen to his new friends' tales.

It takes most of the afternoon, but all of the bodies are buried. Does anyone say benedictions or prayers on the dead? Corian decides that it is not worth the effort to trek for an hour or so before the sun sets. Would anyone object to staying in the farmhouse overnight?

Looking at the woman, Corian, nods his head and says, "The one in the robes over there he points at Vortigern, has been following us. Him and his mercenaries were looking to kill us for what we carry. It looks like we managed to get the jump on him, but not before he took out the family that lived here."

"I'm not sure that cremation would work. I don't think that we have the resources to create a hot enough heat to cremate everything. I say that we go with Shi'Vatha's plan. It's not like we have to be in Fairhill at a certain time. We can take time to do proper burials, I think all of the parties have earned that."

Corian grimaces as the heads are chopped off and put together. He nods in understanding as Shi'Vatha says a prayer. Turning to look at everyone, Corian takes a breath and says, "Thank you, one and all. Vortigern likely deserved what he got for making pacts with demons and whatnot." Looking around, and seeing the bodies still out in the farm yard, he continues. "Perhaps we should bury the bodies before we head to Fairhill?" He looks to the party for opinions.

Corian casts magic missile on the bird, as the squaker is falling off the side of the building.

Dmg, magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Raven hits the ground as an imp, dead on arrival.

All of you hear a scream from the campfire as Vortigern doubles over.

For his surprise action, Corian casts mage armor on Felicity (+4 to AC)

"I think that we can do this. It's time to get that man out of our hair altogether."

Go Team Venture!!

"Well, I don't have much to offer in the way of spells. I can increase the protection of a couple of people for a short amount of time, and I can force a projectile to hit someone not next to me. I can also nauseate someone, briefly. Although I'm not sure how that might help here. I could be the distraction, I know that Vortigern will want to go after the amulet at least. That's my thought, t least."

"Thanks, Glornug. But it's only good if it'll work." Turning towards Shi'Vatha, Corian asks the question: will it work?

Corian is flabbergasted at Shi'Vatha's 'resignation'. "If this is who I think it is, then Vortigern is not much more powerful than myself. According to my uncle, he had only finished his apprenticeship a few months before I did. Although I wonder how he has an imp for a familiar..." Lost in thought for a moment, Corian shakes himself back to the moment.

"I cannot let you do this alone, Shi'. I am sure that there is a way that we can knock Vortigern off his perch, permanently. It sounds like he is expecting us to just stumble along and find this farm. Is there, perhaps, a way that we could surprise him? Maybe take them out before they have a chance to find us? Also, from what I can recall, imps aren't exactly what you would call 'sturdy.' If we killed the imp before it or Vortigern had a chance to react, it would stun him for a bit, and likely reduce his ability to perform magics."

Shi'Vatha nods. "If you would like, I could go ahead and scout. That is what I did for my former.. employer. I do not tire, and I am very stealthy." The eidelon rubs one ear. "I would need directions to where we are going. I could leave now. Since I don't tire, I could move, even moving stealthfully, at 3 times the pace of the group." He looks over at the heavily armored people. "Six times the pace of the group. That would give me several days to scout the area ahead of the main party. I would not attempt to enter this abandoned house, but would scout the area surrounding, looking for enemies or dangers, and gathering information where I could."

Corian looks at the taur in deep thought for a moment before responding. "If you think that is wise, then I'm okay with it. However, I just want you to go to Fairhill and back, we're not going any further than that until we get our bearings. The keep is somewhere north of the town, and I think we should rest there for a day or so before moving up to the keep itself."

With that, Corian pulls out the regional map that he has been using as a guide, and will point out to you the various landmarks that are between your approximate current location, and Fairhill. The area covers about 4 days of hiking by the group's average rate of movement thus far. Corian suggests to you that, if you can go as fast as you say that you can, that you meet up with the group at a spot roughly 1 day away (call it 30 miles slightly north of due east), so that you can let everyone know what you find.

As you gather your gear for the assignment, Corian says to everyone else, "You all have made good points, and so I will take you up on them. I suggest that we turn in now, and break camp at daybreak; we can eat on the hike. We'll meet up with Shi'Vatha tomorrow evening. Is everyone in agreement on this?"

"Okay, I'll take first watch, so that I can speak to Shi. Who has the other watches?"

"I have no problem with that. It might be that, if we can get to Fairhill far enough ahead of them, we could alert the sheriff of that town about Vortigern. What I don't know is whether or not he is attempting to catch us off guard by himself, or if he has hired others to do his dirty work." The expression on Corian's face displays a nervous, wary look.

Shi'Vatha nods. "I see. The uncle's friend? You have legal recourse to search his mansion or it is abandoned and he has no relatives?" The creature asks, looking in the direction the raven flew off in. "Magic... no sense of presence for the raven prior to it's making noise. A familiar of a rival?"

"You are correct again, Shi'Vatha, in that it is a familiar, belonging to someone named Vortigern. He is...was the apprentice to my uncle. Now, I'm afraid that he might be after what I carry. I don't think he knows anymore about the keep than I do, but he is ambitious and is likely to do much to take whatever might be in there." After wringing his hands for a moment, Corian states, "My understanding is that the place has been, or was abandoned. Magic using types don't typically have families, so if there are other relatives, they are not from around here, else we would have heard from them by now."

Shi'Vatha nods. "I assume you've checked it to ensure it's not just the solidified tears or blood of a devil? They sometimes give mortals such things to tempt them into trading their soul for more power." He then licks a claw, as if counting off things. "Or a demon nodule, you don't want to know how they make those by the way, which also taint your soul. Or a cursed star crystal, which is often used by those things from beyond the veil to open a gateway to the mortal plane so they can feed? Or a lych's soul stone? Or a..." And he continues for several minutes with one horrifying cursed object after another, most having something to do with evil or chaotic outsiders. Gotta figure being from the outer planes has to be good for something

Seeing the back and forth and feeling slightly dizzy from the planar knowledge that this taur was spouting, Corian tries to get a word in edgewise. "No, it's none of that. I did have a chance to check for that at least. That being said, the letter that I found with this amulet indicated that my uncle's old friend had been working on something arcanic. Unfortunately, it did not say what that project was, only that the letter was about 20 years old and I know that my uncle had never heard from him again. I feel pretty confident that the man is dead at this point, so we can go look and see." Brandishing the amulet again, Corian says, "I believe that this amulet unlocks something in the man's keep, something that can lead me to more knowledge. If it was evil in intent, then we can either burn it, or give it to someone who would know what to do with it. I know a few priests and acolytes of Thyr or Muir in Bard's Gate that could help us in that endeavor."

Looking back and forth between Shi'Vatha and Selene, Corian responds, "It's the latter, Shi'Vatha." He then pulls out an amulet that dangles on a silver chain from his neck. Holding it in such a way that the party can see it in the dim camp light, he continues. "I actually found this among my uncle's possessions, about a week ago. This and a document, indicating that my uncle's friend from a long time ago was researching some arcane matter. Specifically, when I touched the amulet, it felt as if I had known what this was forever. I believe that it has unlocked some of my arcane powers."" Again, he looks to the party for a reaction.

"That's...fascinating, Felicity. Perhaps at another point, we can talk further about your origins." With that, you get the impression that the conversation is only over for the time being.

The next half-hour or so is spent in finishing the chores of setting up camp. Once the tents, hammocks, and cooking pots are out, Corian takes one last look around...

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

...and proceeds to gather everyone around the campfire.

Once he has everyone's attention, he begins. "I would imagine that, for some of you at least, are wondering what we are really doing out here. I realize that I sounded a bit vague about going to Fairhill and clearing out some old house or something." Corian looks around to see the reactions thus far.

Felicity stares at the darkening sky, collecting what fragments of memory remain before answering Corian's questions.

My memories are ... damaged. I have lost much of what I once was, but I do not think I was created as a soldier. I am a guardian.

It is important that I remember that I Am, I do not believe I always was. Sense of self is a gift few are granted. I do not remember why this is. That part of me was missing when I awoke a few days ago.

I must conclude I failed my creator. I can find no other reason to be in this place with the damage I have sustained.

Corian has deduced that Felicity is a construct of some kind. He will continue talking in this vein until he has been corrected.

"Ok, so what kind of damage have you sustained? It can't be too bad, as your still able to move and function. What was the primary material that your creator used to make you? Wood? Clay? Something else? Perhaps we can find some of that material and repair you. I was told by my uncle that there were spells that could repair constructs, not unlike what a cleric does for living creatures."

"I have not. I recognized them, but have never had the chance to hunt one before, so that was interesting. Still, I regret not making a clean kill." he says with a shrug.

"What about you? Have you encountered them before?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I vaguely recall having seen a drawing of one in a book somewhere, but not in the open like this. As a sorceror, I guess I don't get out into the forests as oftern as you and your tribesmen do." You can tell that he is not trying to be offensive to you in his statement. That being said, even you can tell from his posture that he is nervous that he might have offended you nonetheless.

Turning to Felicity, he cocks his head slightly, raising an eyebrow as he asks, "Felicity, are you a soldier of some kind? I've noticed that you have referred to yourself before as 'this unit.'"

Shi'Vatha, not needing to eat and sleep, usually patrols around the camp while other's sleep and eat. "All you folk enjoy your dinner and sleeping, I'll just wander around camp and make sure nothing else sneaks up on anyone."

"OK, Shi'Vatha. However, don't wander too far out. I would like to talk to the group before we break out the blankets and hammocks for the night."

Assuming that the ruckus would've scared off other game, etc. Glornug doesn't figure there's going to be much other hunting to do. If you don't agree, let me know and he might hunt again.

Glornug offers up a prayer to atone for the failed hunt as he returns to the camp. He looks over at Corian and quietly says, "I hope that didn't disturb you. I saw the leucrotta, and decided to bring the hunt to them, but I was unsuccessful in bringing them down."

He sits down, and eats some of his rations.

"No, that's ok. Have you ever hunted those creatures before?"