Dorian looked nonplussed, compounding his social gaff with "Is that some form of Common? Did any of you understand that? Sounded like an owlbear trying to mate with one of those dead dogs."
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"As the cat said with such poor grace, we are not here to harm anyone. Perhaps you could see your way to helping us get through your land as fast as possible, minimizing our impact on you and yours?" As he was trying to talk their way out of this, Dorian got distracted by the dogs perishing in a horrid squelching sound.
As the hounds come baying down the path, Dorian cast a quick spell, speeding everyone's limbs up. Then, he lined up another spell, trying to get as many of the dogs in it as possible. A ball of glittering dust flew into the pack of hounds and exploded, coating the dogs with glitter and getting in their sensitive eyes.
Dorian drew his wand of healing and lightly tapped Kibb with it.
"Anyone hear that? Sounds like something is in pain, maybe wounded. Might be an animal, or a really large person. Let's check it out."
"Well, we watch and see if Hedge gets slapped silly, then go investigate this burned out pleasure house before heading up to the Keep, I guess. That tattoo is curious, for certain, but other than following the guy, I don't..." Dorian broke off. Of course they could follow that guy. Well, one of them could, at any rate. Syrenna was about as sneaky as a cat in heat, and he wouldn't say Nadesico was much quieter in all that armor.
"I'd prefer to keep that sort of thing outside the party. If things sour, it could tear us apart from within. And if they don't," he shrugged. "If they don't then they could become distracted by each other when we need them to have clear heads. Trust me, it's much better this way."
"Hedge - I can call you Hedge, can't I - look. In a town like this there are two ways. First is to visit the local brothel. It's not complicated, and everyone there knows why you are there. Simple business. Exchange coin for pleasure and release. Unfortunately for you, the local brothel appears to have burned down. That leaves option 2, which is as likely to get you slapped as laid. See that buxom serving lass over there? Go up to her and tell her you've got the coin if she's got the time. She'll either take you upstairs and shag you raw, or slap you in the face." Dorian didn't mention a third, and much more reliable, option. That was to slide a few coppers to the barkeep for information on where to find an enjoyable, yet safe, time. He really wanted to see how Hedge's adventure played out.
"Oh, I have no doubt they do. That name sounds familiar, though. I think I ran into someone once that mentioned their sister Lucrecia lived up this way. Can't remember who, though. Deja vu, eh?" "Hey, what can you tell me about that fellow over there with the broom? He's been leering at my lady friends a little too intently. Are we going to have problems with him? Because I tell you, my big friend over there doesn't take kindly to handsy men. She's been known to cut off a man's sack and hang it around his neck as a trophy after a pinch on the rump." Dorian indicated the red-headed man with the broom.
"How long ago did that happen? Seems something like that doesn't happen every day."
"Pointer #1 - don't shove people's sins right in their faces. Sure, everyone knows what a whorehouse is for, and many people get entertained there. But it isn't appropriate to call them out on it." "Pointer #2 - Always get people to give you the information you ant as if it were their own idea. For instance, you could try striking up a conversation by talking about the fine entertainment houses you ahve seen in other towns and cities, and that you ahd heard the Paradise was another gem in the rough, so to speak. That will encourage the person you are talking with to give you information, either 'yes, it's very nice, and Kayleen is a vixen but try not to tell Charlotte you like redheads', or 'I don't know who hates you enough to tell you that, the Paradise'll give you the 7-year itch for 10 years'. You see?" "No, what are you looking at over there? That man with the broom? What about him? Perhaps we should try and have a talk with him about that tattoo."
The folks around here were certainly chatty, and they all seemed to want to mill about the inn. Dorian supposed that was normal in a place like this, even if you couldn't see 5' in front of you.
"So, this Order of the Black Arrow is based out of the Fort. Hopefully our letter of introductions lets us in smoothly. Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask about the countryside to see if any of the locals know of any issues with cultists or at the fort."
"If it's a constructed facility, then there will be a road to it. Climbing up will like as not get us shot as spies or infiltrators. I'm more concerned with trouble along the way. We have no real way of knowing how old that letter was, and if this sister thought the Fort would be in her hands "soon" when it was written, we may be riding straight into a den of snakes. Or part-snakes, anyways. All the more reason to hit the bazaar and the side markets and equip ourselves."
"Commissioned Adventurers. I like the sound of that. Count me in...at least as soon as I do a little shopping."
Dorian thanked the Lord Mayor for his generosity, and then inquired if the Lord Mayor had considered the "sister" of the snake lady on the clock tower, and what should be done about her. "It seems prudent to investigate that cult and break it up if possible, given that the sister wondered at the advantage of having you dead or under their control. It seems to me that a wise ruler would want to stop that sort of thing. Maybe even send in the army, or commission a group of capable adventurers to look into it, and perhaps deal with the situation."
"Lots of good treasure here, boys and girls. But his note may be the biggest payoff yet. Apparently snake-lady there is in some kind of soul harvesting competition with her hopefully more beautiful older sister. Sissy is holed up in some place called Turtleback Ferry. Anyone know where that is?" Dorian sounds glib, but this bit worries him. Apparently their murder cult was only a small part of a large picture. One that would lead away from Magnamar. But that was for later. It was time to divvy up the loot and buy some new clothing...and a few other items. Oh, and tell the Lord Mayor he was on a hit list and since we already took care of the problem for you cna we have a slightly larger reward...?
Level 8: +1 Int, BAB, Ref, Will increases
Dorian will take the time to thoroughly examine this entire area, and try to disable the lockboxes, and any other trapped items he might find.
Once more Dorian heals Hedge, grumbling about the need to do nothing else.
My mother always wanted me to be a cleric. thought Dorian as he dropped down beside Hedge to heal him as well. It was good that he had contributed so early in the fight, because now it seemed as if he was going to be relegated to healing duties for the rest of it.
Dorian wanted to heal Trenna and get her back in the fight, so he moved to her side and knelt, casting a quick spell.
"Get her, Nads!" Dorian called before reaching out to touch the paladin on the shoulder. Immediately, Nadesico vanished from sight.
Dorian snapped his whip a few times then spat on Nualla's body and glared at the snake-lady. "This is how we treat our enemies. We beat them down and crush the life out of them when they fall. Know that you're next, and I can't wait to make a nice cape out of that scaly skin!"
Dorian, knowing that he wasn't likely to be tripping the giant snake-lady any time soon, instead knelt by the fallen cat-lady. With a whispered incantation, he sent a healing spell Nadesico's way, hoping that if it didn't bring her back intot eh fight, at least it might keep her from bleeding out. "Up and at em, furball. This one ain't over yet."
Dorian spun and saw Nadesico taking a huge amount of punishment. He looked at the grip the snake-lady held on her weapon. If he could rip it from her hands, then...that was chancy. He decided to focus on Nualia instead. The whip snapped sideways, wrapping around ht eblind woman's legs, and Dorian yanked her off feet.
"Whoah, ugly! Um, Nadesico I think we found your old hammer." Dorian stood up from the chest he'd been fiddling with and cast his own enchantment at the pair.
Dorian let Nadesico talk to the creature wile he handled the important matters...the chests. He carefully inspected each one, trying to see if they were locked or trapped. Looking about to make sure he wasn't in danger yet, he pulled his tools from a pouch and began opening the chests.
When the buffs were passed out and everyone was ready to go. Dorian led the way, checking for traps as he went.
Dorian lashed out his spiked whip at the demoralized foe, aiming for the legs and hoping to trip the creature over the edge into a long, long fall.
Dorian looked at teh faceless stalker nearest him and said, "Your buddy had the right idea. Maybe you should do the smart thing and head out as well. Otherwise, I'm going to really enjoy taking my time on you with this." Dorian held the scorpion whip in two hands to show the serrated blades near the end, then raked it across the nearest handrail, sending ships and splinters in all directions.
"I don't think we'll be falling for that one again. How about you lay down your weapons and walk away peacefully and we won't kill you all and leave your corpses to rot here in this skanky old tower."
Dorian didn't wait to see what was engraved on the bell intent on smashing him to pieces. He lashed his whip out at a wall sconce and swung aside as the bell caromed off the wall beside him.
Dorian looked frantically for something on the wall to steady them, then lashed out with his whip, holding on and trying to stabilize the staircase.
"Should be obvious. It's a guard of some sort. Likely part of why the locals keep clear of this place. I bet more than one homeless person popped their head in here on a wet night and popped back out again without that head."
"Wow, now that's a nice cloak. Great for scouting. I'd happily wear it for specific missions, but grey really isn't my color." Dorian left off speaking, still running the fabric of the cloak through his fingers.
"Well, that went okay. Syrenna, ow bad ya' hurt, big girl? Tell you what, you figure that out while I see if the golem has anything of worth on it."
With the golem on the ground, Dorian's primary contribution to the physical part of the fighting was over. He held his hand out and once again pushed some healing energy into Syrenna.
Now that more people were in on the fight, Dorian thought it would be a good time to try tripping the creature again. He aimed at the legs, and flipped his spiked chain out.
Dorian stepped sideways to open the path for the large rhino that was formerly Trenna. He placed his hand on Syrenna's back, sending a brief bit of healing into the fighter.
Dorian sidestepped, looking for an opening, then lashed out with his whip again, aiming for the creature's thick legs.
"Good lord that thing is huge! And ugly! And...well, I think just killing it is in order." Dorian swung his whip overhead, then across at a raking angle, trying to bring down the monstrosity. His whip just bounced off the creature's leg. "Umm, guys, I think we're gonna need some help in here!"
"That would be me." After checking to make sure everyone was ready to go in, Dorian moved to the door and gave it the once over.
Once he determined the door was safe, he stepped back and made an 'after you' motion.
Augury?? Dude, let's find out if it is better to go during day or night! You have a direct channel to the GM, let's use it!
"Well, that's a hard one to put point to. Syrenna's the best at drinking and passing out. Nadesico can lose valuable equipment and murder innocents with the best of them. I'm the best at talking us out of the situations those two get us into. And Trenna...well, we just met her today. So I'd say none of us, really."
Dorian eyed the shadow clock, then glanced at the sky. "Looks like we just missed it. The clock won't be right again for another 10 hours or so. Ah well. Let that be a lesson, Syrenna. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, but if you aren't there at the proper time it's useless. So, what's the plan? Knock on the front door shouting 'open up in the name of the Law'? Or something more subtle?" "I mean, I prefer subtle, but knowing some of you the way I do..."
"Your honor, that sounds like a plan we can all get behind."
you guys don't know about exporting your character's BBcode? - In HL, got to File\Output Hero Statblock...
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