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Hannik will ready her crossbow and walk alongside Sol. Ghroth will stalk along the corridor just in front of the pair, positioned to protect his summoner.
Jod nods, ”Glad to meet you, Sergeant. Mulluq and I can get by without light. Not much help with a demon, but we might get the drop on a human guard. You know the lay of the land - if that’s useful, let us know. I’ll scout if that suits you...”
”Aye, everyone ready? C’mon, Mulluq, let’s take the battle to them. Let me lead so I can scout again.” Jod will be moving with his falchion in hand. If any of the knights expressed an affinity for the bow, they can carry Jod’s. He has another melee weapon if any of them are empty-handed.
Still grinning like a fool, Jod apologizes, chuckling, and sets him back down. He barely restrains himself from slapping the man on the back before turning to the other survivors. Much more business-like, but still grinning from finding his friend, he says, "Some of you may know Sulliver, there. He helped us find the sally port so we could get in. Now, what can you tell us about the other bunker and who we are fighting? Are there any archers among you? Any healers?" Nodding to Kira and Mulluq, "I have no skill in healing, but they are healers if you need help." As an afterthought, he adds, "Are there demons down here, or are we facing mostly humans? Specifically, so they require light to see by?"
After a moment of confusion, Jod’s face lights up with a huge smile and he rushes forward to give the missing Sol a big hug, lifting him in the process. ”I was so worried! I thought you were right behind me and that madman was beside me, but when I risked a look the other way, you were gone. I was hoping you had disappeared with magic, but I didn’t know and we couldn’t look for you. How did you get here? The army is engaging the demon worshippers outside while we sneak in. Are there more of them or did you kill them all? Who are your friends?”
Don't tell a SOL: Jod pauses, listening intently. He whispers, "Quickly, ready yourselves - I think the voices are coming this way! Everybody through! Mulluq, I think we can set this down while you get ready."
Need a SOLution: Jod tries to loosen up his arms and shoulders a bit and moves over to the gate. Ghroth snorts at the human's show, but he moves into position at Hannik's gesture.
InconSOLable: Jod gestures to his ears to indicate he hears something, but after listening more intently, he shakes his head. He whispers, "Voices, but can't tell where or what they said."
When Kira indicates the lift mechanism, he considers it for a long moment.
Jod nods and moves forward, still watching for traps and triggers. He draws and readies his bow in case someone arrives before the gate has been lifted. He listens for voices or footfalls while Kira searches.
No Sol: Jod releases the breath he didn't realize he was holding and moves forward. "Well done, friend. Shall we continue?"
Moving back into the lead, Jod uses his darkvision and search forward.
No SOLitary confinement, please!: ”I appreciate the gesture. And I won’t turn down the offer - if I’m correct, what lies beyond you will know exactly how to handle. But remember - these traps probably don’t care who you are. If they trip, they trip. If I’m wrong and you set it off, it’s my error, not a failing of yours.”
I gots to save my SOL!: Jod indicates each of the traps in turn, helping the others avoid them, until they reach the door. He hesitates, waving them forward, he whispers, "I don't think that door handle has been used much - it might be a trap itself. This on the wall may be the safe trigger. What do you think? I'll give it a try if you agree, but after you back away. Mind those other triggers as you step back, of course."
No SOLo mio!: Jod nods, ”Absolutely.
No SOL Train: "So, we need to recite a prayer? Is there more to it than this line?"
The young ranger will turn to face the door before saying, "Maybe a more devout person than myself should say it." He looks expectantly at Mulluq, then Kira.
Lack of SOLace: "Is it not a trap so much as a requirement that those that pass be holy? Maybe one of you can say a prayer to Iomedae or push your holy symbol against the door..."
Seeking SOLace: Chuckles, ”So formal, Mulluq! I am no man’s master and certainly not yours. The only title I want from you is friend. Fair? If your goddess sees fit to bless me with healing, I won’t turn it down, either.”
UnSOLved: ”You said you weren’t sure, but what do you recall? I’m no trap spotter, but I have a fair eye and if someone can keep me on my feet, I’ll either break them or take the blow.”
No es Sol: Jod stands silent after his testimony, staring at the ground. At Irabeth’s pronouncement about Sol, he nods, but his shoulders drop just a little.
He thanks Kira for the healing and whispers to her, ”I have hope. When I came back to fight alongside the two outriders, I landed two devastating blows with the mace. I felt the goddess guiding my hand. Surely she is with Sol as we speak.” There is a light of certainty in his eyes as he shares this, but, ”I didn’t say so to everyone because I don’t want to sound crazy.”
Not Sol: ”I don’t know what became of Sol,” he adds quietly, ”In the rush to escape, he said something about my leaving him and he would use his magic to escape. I thought he changed his mind, but maybe not. I failed to protect him. I have to go get him back, but I need some healing first or I won’t do anyone any good.”
Not Sol: Very grim, Jod nods to indicate his understanding and wastes no time.
”We failed to keep a proper lookout, ma’am. As we rode, we came upon a low rise in the road we were following and what seemed to be a fogbank just over the hill. We rode into the fog carelessly, but it suddenly cleared and we found ourselves on the very edge of an encampment. I saw a river a few hundred yards ahead. Near the water were some low structures, perhaps defensive bunkers, and the road seemed to disappear as it approached these buildings. Camped around them, like they’ve been here for a while, was a large army. Those I saw appeared to be men and women and the like, but it was only a quick glance before we wheeled around and headed back for the main column. Sol and I were easily caught by three of their soldiers, but I thought we had successfully put enough distance between ourselves and them to reach help. As I rode, one of the men was just off my right shoulder, too busy riding to attack, and I thought Sol was just off my left shoulder. When I saw two of our outriders, I risked a glance to my left and realized that Sol was not there. The outriders engaged the flayed man and I regained my wits and circled back to assist. They fought well and he was quickly defeated, along with his devil-horse. One more thing: I saw in the center of the camp a terrible display. It appeared to be the corpse of a man hung on a T frame, his insides pulled out and hanging free.”
Not Sol: As they ride, Jod works to dredge up any details that might be helpful.
Not Sol: "Worse. I fear they've got Sol." Clearly angry with himself as he stows his bow and the heavy mace and climbs down to examine the body, including any potentially useful gear, he describes where they met the Flayed Men. "We were careless and rode into their view without thinking to check over the crest of the hill first. They spotted us and three gave chase and quickly caught us. Both of us were injured. Sol was just off my left flank as we fled," he is motioning with his hands to show riding hard and looking back over his right shoulder, "while this ugly creature was hard behind me on the right. I couldn't slow down lest he," gives the corpse a kick, "bring me low with that axe of his. I don't know where or how I lost Sol. Thank the gods the two of you came along when you did. We have to find Sol - did you see him or his horse or the other two riders?"
When Jod finishes the search and has completed the telling his tale, he gestures to the outrider that got bit. "That looks nasty. Do we need to bandage it?" When he does so, he realizes there is quite a bit of blood on his own hand and, with the adrenaline of the flight well worn off by now, the realization of how hurt he is sinks in. He stands staring at his wounds for a moment, pondering what he can do.
Not Sol: Jod nudges his horse forward slightly and attacks the vile horse.
Not Sol: Jod turns the horse and charges, trying to guide it with his knees as he draws the morningstar and prepares to aid the beleaguered archer. As he strikes, he recalls the feeling of being in the presence of a goddess and prays she guides his aim.
Not Sol: Jod rides like the hounds of hell are on his heels, focusing on his closest adversary and shouting encouragement to Sol. When he sees the outriders from their army, he finally risks a glance back over his other shoulder and is stunned to realize that Sol isn’t actually there. Gods above, where did he go? Did he turn off the road? And where are the other two trolls.... NO!!
Feeling the bite of the madman’s blade and knowing he cannot fight three of the and their monstrous horses alone, the young ranger follows suit. If the attackers want to run with us, we will lead them directly into an army. Come on, then! Jod likewise puts the spurs to his horse and rides all-out.
”I don’t like it. Can you make your horse vanish, too? What about your footprints? I can track you when I can’t see you, these guys can probably smell you - they look like they’re part dog.”
"Do you have any magic to slow them down or make them fight each other? We could put our backs to one of these boulders and let the horses run back to the army..."
”Come on, stay ahead of them!”
”Nay, no one left behind. Ride!”
Jod narrows his eyes at the idea, but he’s no fool. Unfortunately, he’s also not much of a rider. His pursuit of Sol is brief...
Jod is too focused on figuring out his role and ends up being completely ineffective as a scout as a result.
Jod will move in close to the body to examine the grisly wound. What would eat an man’s face like this?
"Let's step back, lads. Who found the body?" Jod will try to have a look around to see if there are tracks, but expects the frozen ground is unlikely to yield any clues.
”Yeah? Think I can join you tomorrow?”
Jod reaches over to Sol and gives his shoulder a squeeze, but says nothing.
He nods in understanding. ”I came to Kenabres because I felt called to the Worldwound to take up my bow and sword against the demon hordes. Rhok’s mission to the city was as close as I could get. The elders refused to let me go on my own because they didn’t want to lose a warrior and a hunter - but sending a swordarm with my crazy cousin was the only way they felt they could let him go with a clear conscience.” He looks toward the blasted lands they would see later. ”Until now, I hadn’t thought of what this land was before.” He falls into a thoughtful silence.
Jod's inclination is to join the scouts, but since none of the leaders tried to distribute the party among the small army, he decides maybe that was intentional and endeavors to ride near his friends and make sure he knows where they all are. Overhearing the two holy warriors’ exchange, he replies, ”Doubtful we can afford to stop for long, but a prayer doesn’t seem out of place. Even searching for survivors might be too much, but we can’t afford to have demons behind us, either.” He sighs, ”And this is why I should not lead others. Can’t make a decision. Do we know when the village fell to the demons? Was it attacked when the city was?”
Jod listens quietly, thinking about what he knows of demons and considering the idea of battling them en masse. Until the last few days, they were old wives' tales and he soaked up everything they would tell him. But now they were very real. And soon he might see a lot more of them. So he listens to learn everything he can.
IF it's cool, I will purchase the falchion and keep an IOU for 74 gp to Sol and another for 26 gp to Mulluq.
My previous post was out of frustration. Obviously I can post and I have a lot of information in my character sheet, so I'm not dead in the water. That said, something I need to work out is that weapon question. It appears that a cold iron weapon costs double the normal price of the weapon - I will presume that only refers to the cost of the weapon itself and not to the cost of making it masterwork as I see no mention otherwise. That puts the cost of the masterwork cold iron falchion at 450 gp. Considering the state of my coffers, it appears I will be selling some gear to make the purchase. My masterwork falchion sells for 187.5 gp. My masterwork chain shirt sells for 125 gp. I have 43 gp, so I have 355 gp to work with. Does anyone have a claim on either of the items I am selling? Is anyone willing to loan me 100 gp?
My computer is down with all of my notes and character information, so I will be unable to contribute until I can figure out how to undo whatever’s caused this.
Jod considers the task before them. After the group has their information and started to disperse, he asks Irabeth, "Ira.., uh, Lady Tirabade, ma'am? I am not the smartest one in this army, but I'm pretty sure this," he points to the haft of his falchion, "will be more effective if it were made of cold iron. Is there someone that might have a cold iron blade like it that I could purchase?"
Jod offers a half-smile. ”Aye. And now you know why the elders let us come to the city when they could have pressed us to fulfill our obligations to the clan as hunters and warriors.” ”Mulluq, I did not know it was a secret. I explained when I turned over the fancy case that it had been stored in. To Lady Tirabade.” |