Drest MacAlpin's page

I'm a little late in updating but will do that over the week end. I'm also off for a business trip to India from tomorrow to the next saturday. I should have internet connection, but it will be more restricted. Do not wait for me.

Sweet. I'm taking Two Handed fighter archetype from now on, hope you are ok with that.

Mal starts inspecting their bodies, his sword still in hand just in case they are not dead yet. Have any idea of what was goin' to happen here? Drest? Kirsteen?

"This sounded like a ritual. And the magic they were using was necromancy. More than that I don't know yet. But we will soon. Can someone Put this cauldron out of the fire while I bind this woman's wounds. She is only unconscious and we can interrogate her later."

Drest takes the time to cast Light to illuminate the scene and busy himself with dressing the woman's wounds.
Heal check 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11+ casting stabilize if necessary.

He then searches her, looks for rope to tie her hands and a bit of cloth to gag her.

"Here, that should prevent her from casting anything. Now let's see if we can find something around"

Perception check 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 to look for items or clues about the druid/other woman activities.

First Round: As Drest catches sight of the two women, he comes forward and starts casting summon nature allies.
Second Round: A mastiff dog, similar to the one that stopped the assassin in the King's castle materialize within striking distance of the two woman and moves forwards to attack the mud covered one.

Dog attack : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25, damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, critical damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Trip attack if the first attack hits: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

While the dog is attacking the mud covered druid, Drest calls for the winds to hinder their ennemies: Storm Burst attack (ranged touch attack versus the peasant) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8, non lethal.

Alain and Kirsteen spot a woman in ragged clothing with various words scrawled over the visible parts of her body. Aside from her wild hair, she looks very much like a peasant, except in worse clothing. Another woman is covered, but the question is, with what? It seems to be some combination of mud and decayed matter, both plant and animal.

In the middle, there is a mud cauldron attached to the ground and filled with a greenish liquid that resembles sewage.

** spoiler omitted **

Drest follow as fast as possible, without trying to be discreet.

Which one is the druid ? Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Razo in the front followed up closely by Mal, Kirsteen and Drest in the middle, Alain and Guy in the back is my suggested order.

I agree, except that Alain may want to go up front with Razo

Knowledge nature 1d20+6

"I'm sorry, but most of my days are spent in field or forest. I fear I do not know much of the sea."

Drest, looks round, judging the wind strength and searching for the previous tide marks.

Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 to see if there is a risk of the tide blocking our way out.

I do not like the looks of this... Mal peeks inside the cove, sword ready

"I don't either, but it's exactly what we came to investigate. I would prefer to go in there right now. If needed, I can produce light without the need of a torch or the risk of it getting extinguished."

** spoiler omitted **

survival check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Drest watches Razo investigations with a critical eye.

"You know, I'm not sure anymone would want to enter through a boar burrow. The risk of facing one or even worse a full herd would be too big. But you were right to check every lead we have."

He listens to strangely silent forest. "I think the forest creatures are unsettled by this fog and deleterious aura. Maybe we should investigate further and try to find where this aura comes from. Can anyone of you sense a sort of direction in the magic aura?"

Drest is wondering if there is places where the necromantic magic aura is stronger or a direction where it feels stronger.

Witches sometimes have animals they keep as familars. Can you sense anything unnatural about this beast Drest or Kirsteen? Razo askes looking over the carcass.

Good idea, I'll have a look. But I'm afraid with all the blood, it we not be easy.

Drest takes the time to look a the skin and feet of the boar to look for signs of human grooming.

This may be either a knowledge nature or a handle animal check. 1d20 ⇒ 5 which gives a 9 for handle animal and a 14 for kn. Nature.

Guy makes a masterful lunge with his rapier and it punctures the boar. Razo takes a strike as well, and the boar seems to be on its last legs.

Its legs start to buckle and it begins to roll into unconsciousness, before Mal's giant sword cleaves its head off and sends it flying into the brush.

Loot:
Boar carcass minus head

Is there anything that you want to do with it or just head further in?

As the boar eventually falls to the fighters blows, Drest takes out a long knife from his pack. "Sorry to have led you on such a hunt. But now that we've killed it, we should not leave it there."

Expertly, he sets about skinning the animal and dismembering it, dividing it in quarters. With tendons, he attaches the best quarters in the nearby trees, together with the skin. "We can take that on our way back, I don't think carrying that will help us in our search."

Okay Drest, I'll allow that. What is your second round action?

I'll use one of my storm burst attack: ranged touch attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12, damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7, non lethal, -2 to attack for the boar for the next round

Initiative: d20

Finally, Drest gets into his defensive posture, but he was a bit slow about it.

With Drest injured like that, he will change his action from defensive stance to 5 foot step backwards behind Mal and casting of cure light wounds for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 If not I'll do that for the second round.

Drest tigh is widely gashed by the boar charge and he staggers backwards, hands shaking as he spells his wound to close. "You can even do it with a boar, they said. I'll want to see that."

"Wait a second", says Drest, let me try something. drest moves slowly in sight of the animal, making soothing noises, to try to calm it.

Wild empathy check, 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

If the beast does not seem to be receptive, he will move back and take a defensive posture (full defense).

Init 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Drest moves easily though the woods and undergrowth, paying attention to all the noise around him. At the noise, Drest stop, signalling his companions to be silent for a moment. "Ware, it is know that witches can imitate those kind of noise. We should go slowly and silently"

"Alain, Guy if he wants and I can move forwards to scout while the rest of you follow at a little distance"

After four people are ready, we'll head into the forest. If it turns out that you needed to do something before you go, then you can just put that in your post and I'll adjucate it before your character heads out with the party.

Drest wakes up at dawn, ready to go and explore the forest, an environment he feels better suited to than the castle.

Looking rather nervous at the proposed course of action, Kirsteen replies: "As much as I dislike the idea, I agree with Father Razo's reasoning and think that we should conduct a search of the nearby forest for any sign of these witches."

"I agree as well, we should go as early as we can tomorrow. For today, I suggest we take a rest. Even in this place, I would suggest to keep a watch. I don't really trust anyone or anything we've seen up to now."

Drest comes down to find the others in the Kitchen:

"I haven't found many interesting things. This castle seems to be under a sort of spell or the lingering aura of one. It looks like a spell/effect was cast either to protect or hide something and there is a faint whisper of necromantic arts and others. This does not sound right, but I'm wondering if it could come with the fog. Oh and one last thing, I've found a letter from an Englishman. From what I can make out, it is from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Can somebody read it?"

Drest will give the letter to whoever can read English and will try to look outside to cast detect magic on the fog.

Drest begins to snoop around the rooms, but doesn't find anything alarming. From what he can tell, the Thane is rather religious, sporting numerous decorations and a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, the whole castle is giving off a faint vibe of magic.

What colour/school would that be?

"Drest speaks truth. We must accomplish both tasks, though it is obvious from the letter that the King, or whoever sent this to us, is desperate to have help against the Norsemen. I think now I find the thought of a new Norse army all to believable. I think for now I'll be asking some questions of the hired help. They have eyes and ears everywhere."

The first place Guy heads is the kitchens. From his experience, the kitchen is a central location for gossip amongst servants.

"I don't want to sound pushy, but while I agree with you idea, you'd be best to take Kirsteen with you. You're but a foreign lord to them and she can help you gain their trust."

"While you all do that, I'll want to have a look at the Thane's and his close counsellors rooms. If there was a conspiracy or a witch influence at some point, they may have been careless and have left clues."

"An other thing for you, Guy and Kirsten. can one of you detect when there is magic around? If so, use it as perople can try to disguise themselves magically or can be charmed by foul magics."

Drest will inspect the rooms, looking for messages, hidden caches and any traces of magic (with detect magic). and taking 20 on his perception check if he can (so a 28 total)

Mal ponders Kirsteen's words, then speaks. I'm afraid you're right, lady. I still think somethin's not right here, but I'd rather travel halway through the Ocean before I get called coward and traitor by anyone. He seems very upset, but determined. We rest here, then it's off to France. Unless some of you doesn't want to.

"In that you're wrong, it's not a question of treason or cowardice. We have received a first mission from the King own voice. And the second letter does not say anything about not accomplishing the first mission. It just says to make haste. Plus we do not have any letter of introduction or proposal of treaty to present to the king of France. Do you think he will take time to receive us? Who are we to discuss alliance with a King? What kind of concessions are we allowed to make? This is just absurd. I'm not going to jump on a ship to where-ever this message says without more information. So let's take time to enquire about what's going on here. If this was a false mission, we'll see it soon enough to go to France, and I'll go even, if I find this mission more than stupid."

I assume when I detected magic befor there was none?

Well, the King appointed Drest our leader so to speak, so I will defer to his choice,however I do not want to go to france. Buchard II sent me here with a clear purpose, I only agreed to this joining as it was mutually beneficial. However, this may be part of a bigger plot by the witches and I will follow the trail where ever it leads.

General question, what time of the year is it?"

"I was appointed leader only because I was from around here. My opinion about this message would be to at least have an idea about what's going on here. Let's take a day or two here to have an idea about the problem here. Then, we can go to France abd I'll gladly let Guy or Alain lead from there."

Perception x3:1d20

1d20
1d20

"I say, who rides so swiftly here?" Guy barely has time to dodge out of the way, but hurriedly remounts as the rider notes the encroaching mists. Once safe within the castle walls he says, "I thank you for the warning, rider. As for your king's investigators, you see them before you! Our skill at arm is well complemented by our faith in God. I forsee little danger for us within these walls. I worry far more about the dangers lying without." Guy strikes what could be considered a jaunty pose.

Yes, that would be us. I assume you've got a message for us and you should have had our description with you. A group like us should stand off".

Perception
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Drest plants his shepherd's hook in the ground, readying himself to cast an entangle spell on the horse path if he shows any hostile intents.

"I'm afraid some of you misunderstood me. I was just stating that the quickest road was by boat. However, I do not know the surroundings of Edinburgh as well as my country. And with that weather, I was not sure this was a good option. As the minister does not know much about that, I agree with Razo and Malhasturian that taking the road is safer, if slower. So let's be about it."

The King begins talking to his courtiers and advisors once more. The minister enters the assembled group. Here is your royal writ to investigate these lands. It should be sturdy enough, written on vellum, but here's a scroll case just incase. If you are in need of it, you can pick up some weapons at the armory if you show them this writ. Good day to you.

You can choose one simple or martial weapon that isn't masterwork. If you choose a ranged weapon, you can also get 20 of their most basic kind of ammunition. And firearms are not common, so those cannot be chosen.

Thank you, but I've got everything I need, except maybe for a few sling bullets. There's one last thing we need. If we want to go there quickly, we'll need to cross the Firth of Forth by boat. I came by the road which is longer. Do you know if it is safe and if so could you tell us where is the best ferryman to use?

Turning to his companions, he adds:

If anyone needs a second weapon, I will gladly take one for him. then we better be gone, we have a long road ahead of us.

"Aye, Alain has the right of it. Let our swords be together against the enemies that already surround us, instead of pointing them at each other." Removing a glove and putting forth his sword hand, Guy asks "Who shall place their faith in their companions with me? Let God guide us to strike at the evil which infests this land."

The words of the two Frenchmen and the German seem to strike true and Drest relaxes at last. "You are right and we can use the help of all. But I will not tolerate being insulted in my own land. I will refrain from doing so as well."

Well, conflict with words is okay and interesting, but PvP should generally be restricted. I don't actually prevent you from killing each other, but things will happen accordingly. For example, you could try to kill the king right now, but you wouldn't know if he was well protected or what would happen after his death.

As long as everyone is having fun. :P

For me PvP is never an option, nor having the character do something that will ruin the group strategy. But some players also don't like character friction too much and in PbP, it's always difficult to gauge. That's why I'm asking.

Once outside of the king hearing, Drest turns to Razo with a cold glare and an even colder voice. " Never ever compare me again with one of the witches you're so found of. You have no idea who the Druids are here and what we believe in. As you are foreign and with very limited knowledge, I'll let it go, but it will be the once and only time. Best you learn of what you talk about before opening your mouth."

He takes a deep breath again and goes on. "So even if it's not the time and place, let me instruct you. The Druids of here, be they Pict or Scott, all worship God and through him rejoice in the life he's created, the plants, the animals and the humans. As he has created the world and given it to man, it's our duty to look after it. And that's what we do, with God's help. And that's where our powers come from. AND NOT FROM BLOOD SACRIFICES OR WITCHERY OR WHATEVER HORROR YOU CAN IMAGINE IN YOUR DEVIOUS MIND."

Drest stops abruptly, remembering where he is. "I hope that's clear enough."

Jen, Nimon and the others, tell me if you think I'm pushing the character too far. There's bound to be some friction between Razo and Drest but I do not want it to degenerate and ruin the fun. So do not hesitate to hop in and tell.

Drest takes his breath to answer the King when Kirsteen eventually gather her courage to speak aloud. So that's why you said your people did not exactly send you. Going to the King's justice requires a lot of guts. Well done. Drest tries to catch her eyes, acknowledging her request with a bob of his head and an encouraging smile.

Five seconds later, the smile is gone as he hears the words of the foreign witch-hunter. His knuckles turn white as he clenches his fists on his staff. Fighting to keep his control back, he breathes deeply and focuses on the King, ignoring the inquisitor.

"If that makes my people safer, I will seek the truth behind this story. If you can have a letter drawn, authorising us to look into these things, we can start at first light."

And druid, the Thane of Glamis is to be executed. He has no immediate successors. The area seems to be tainted, for every leader that has gone in has tried to betray the king. Do you know anything about this?

I don't mind the way you do it, it's easier for us as well.

"I have no real clue about that, but as they were all from the same familly, I suppose it's a question of ambition and of revenge. If you want to avoid further mishap. I would suggest selecting someone local to avoid the impression you want to control directly all the domains. Someone without any blood ties with the previous Thanes obviously and most importantly someone that is know to honor his word in every circumstances.

However, one should not cast aside the possibility of a malefice of some sort linked to the Glamis castle. Then you should send investigator to ferret out the truth, before appointing this new Thane."

On his turn, the Pict druid comes forward and without bowing announces in a clear voice:
"I am Drest MacAlpin, envoy of the Druid circles of Fortriu. My message will seem strange with the situation that arose tonight, however I am sworn to deliver it. Since the death of the MacBethad, the people of Moray and Glamis have been submitted to abuse by some new thanes and their retinues, for two false reasons. First, they were living in Macbeth domain so were part of his actions. Most of them are only herders or fishers and did not participate in any fights. Second, they are following the old ways of worship as taught to us by our ancestors and not those coming from the countries on the other side of the sea.
The druid circles, as voices of those people, ask you not to dismiss them or forget them, as they are part of the people you now govern. However lowborn, they are the blood of your kingdom."

Drest remains thoughtful for a moment, trying to remember the assassin behaviour.
"This is a good question. At first sight, he looked armed, trained, and extremely dangerous. However, when I called him, he simply tried to flee, ran into some guards then back at us. My main concern is my dog just needed a single bite to put him down. So my impression was that the man seemed trained but this mission was not well planned as he took the corridor by our rooms that were supposed to be empty but were not."

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Drest sands slightly to the side, observing his companions and the King.
As the wily Frenchman presents the evidences, he frowns. This looks so simple. who would try to assassinate someone carrying the name of his patron.

"Lord,", he adds, "I have no more clues than what Master Lenoir just presented you. However, I urge you to act with caution. It seems weird that whoever asked the assassin to kill you left such an easy track to follow. And any good assassin would not carry such a mark with him. So we have to assume that it was either planned hastily by stupid men or that it was more a plot to discredit someone it case it failed."

While talking, Drest takes the time to look a every reaction in the room, especially those who would react to his false lead hypothesis.

Sense motive 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

As the man falls to the ground, Drest comes out of his room, asking the dog to release its prey and sit. As it does, a mist raise from the floor, engulfing the dog and leaving nothing behind as it dissipates. "Thank you, Drake,", he says to the disappearing dog.

"This man was sneaking in the corridor and when I call him, he fled, tried to kill a guard and came back. I just had time to call a friend. By the way, is that guard all right?", he adds, "I've got a little skill with healing;"

If needed, Drest will try to stabilize the guard with a heal check

As the dark clothed strange man runs in front of Drest room, a massive mastiff suddenly jumps out of the room to bite him.

AoO Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16, damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11. If the attack lands, there is a free trip attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

For ease of use, I've included the statistics of the creatures drest can summon at the end oh his profile. The bonus for augmented summoning are included

Drest sleep is chaotic as he is not used to sleeping in a castle or a big house. Trying to clear his head, he gets up and opens his door. Just as he is about to go out, a dark dressed shadow seems to move.

"Hello there.", he calls loudly to the man before realizing he does not look like a guard.
"Guards, I've found and intruder", he shouts, retreating to his room entrance.

Almost as a reflex, Drest fingers and arms start drawing patterns in the air as he starts casting, calling forth allies to protect him.

Drest corvertd his entangle spell into a summon nature's ally I to summon a guard dog.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Well, it is time to make an impression. Drest moves forward, removes his hat and opens his coat and drives his shepherd hook in the soft earth with both hands.
As he raises his hand, a sudden gust of wind and rain burst out his hand and falls harmlessly to the ground around him. Drest uses his storm burst domain power, targeting the sky above him.

Go and tell your King that Drest McAlpin, envoy from the Druid circles of Fortriu requests an audience.

Fortriu is the name of the Pict Kingdom that used to be located in Moray, MacBeth dukedom.

Drest settles down in one of the corners, before sleeping, he spends some time listening to the wind and rain outside, gathering the elemental fury and storing its energy as he has learnt to do. Were he alone, he would have opened the doors and shutters to the night, but somehow, he doubted the other travellers would have welcomed that.

Eventually settling to rest, he keeps his ears open for Kirsten, worried one of the travellers may have misplaced ideas.

Despite the noise of the storm, Drest sleeps.

Images of the mountains and of howling winds mingle with those of his initiation ceremony, still freshly imprinted in his mind. Then the chiselled face of Daida, his mentor, emerges. Her last words sound again as the winds outside seems to abate. "Go and see the King. Remind him of the ancient rites and of the people who still leave by them. And make sure our people don't get punished for the MacBetad actions."
How could he approach the King? What will make him listen? And why was he chosen?

Drest frowns at the arrival of the ecclesiast. While he does not know Latin, he knows it well enough to recognize it. I hope this one is not one of those fnatics we sometimes see and that just come to cause trouble for the simple folks.

Smiling back to the young woman, "Well met, Kirsten. It seems that most of us will take the same road tomorrow. I just hope we won't get delayed by another storm."

Turning back to his food, Drest says a quick blessing in Pict before digging into his meal with gusto, savouring the simple food.

Knowledge Nature: Does it looks like the storm will stop tonight as the Prior says 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Kristeen nods, "Yes I am. The trip has been a bit longer than I expected, I've never been this far from my village before."

"For me, it is also the first time I've gone so much south. It's good to see I'm not alone trying to reach the King. Have you also been sent by your folks?..... No, I should not ask, I'm afraid I'm sometimes too curious for my own good."

With an apologetic smile, Drest tries to read the reasons why a woman alone would seek an audience with the King as she does not seem to carry any obvious mark of power.

As both foreigners seem to gauge each other, Drest turns to the small woman arrived just before him.

"Are you also bound for the castle and our new King? It seems that most of us are here for the same reason."

As the door is about to close, another silhouette emerges from the fog. A small man, dressed in poor shepherd clothes and carrying a shepherd hook walks calmly to the door. His head is protected by a large cap that hides his face in the dim light. He does not seems fazed by the weather or the rolling fog which seems to cling to him more than it should do.

"Can a fellow traveler share your hospitality? I am Drest MacAlpin, hailing from Moray and bound to see our new King", he says in a heavily accented Scott.

Entering the room, he removes his coat and hat. His face and hands are heavily tattooed with intricate blue patterns. On his leather vest, hands an amulet made of feathers and animal fur intermingled with plants and bound by a leather lace.

For the native characters, these tattoos are often worn by Picts, while the amulet is one worn by the few remaining druids.

"You must have found this weather awful.", he adds to his fellow travelers.

Gamewise, Drest has traveled all day under an endure elements spell.

Here is Llaelian's character,
I'm not very happy about the avatar, so it's bound to change, but the character sheet is almost complete.