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Merrick will ask Bethana, and other regulars at the Rusty Dragon, if Ameiko likes anything in particular; a certain color, flowers, anything. The woman has just been through a hellacious ordeal; Merrick would like to get her a small token, just to show that there are people that care about her.
Rast, thanks for doing all that work! Is the unclaimed items including the nifty masterwork ranseur I took? I'm also totally willing to give up the +1 Longsword we found, either to the communal selling pot or to someone that wants to wield it. I don't mind it for a backup at some point, but at this juncture magical loot is sort of rare so maybe one of our melee types should take it?
Merrick hesitates for a moment; Ameiko has been through quite an ordeal. He doesn't want to overburden her, but...Merrick feels that she needs to know. "I couldn't tell you how Tsuto came into contact with these people, but, based on his journal, there is another, much larger Goblin assault on Sandpoint in the works. Thistletop is mentioned. There are several other names as well; Ripnugget, Bruthazmus, and Malfeshnekor. More concerning, and of interest to you as well, Father Zantus, is the mention of the woman in charge, Tsuto's 'love'. He says that burning her father's remains at Thistletop has started a transformation, replacing her 'celestial taint' with the Mother's Grace. Given the unholy symbol of Lamashtu and the demon we fought in the catacombs beneath the Glassworks, I've no doubt that Desna's foe has a hand in this...but the woman. Father, is there any way that could the daughter of Father Tobyn? I know it's assumed she died in the fire...could she have survived?"
Merrick is updated for 3. I took Additional Traits; I realized I didn't have Perception as an in-class skill (d'oh!) so I took Seeker. I also took Fate's Favored, mostly for favor but also for those tasty Luck bonuses (Divine Favor, am I right?). I will also note, guys, that I do have the Campaign Trait that allows us to sell treasure for an extra 10% of it's base value, so keep that in mind for when we sell stuff! Also, in the future, I prefer Murder Machine Merrick. Because alliteration. :)
"Unless I miss my guess, Ameiko won't be there; she and Agustianna were headed towards the Cathedral for treatment. If you all want to eat, or see to Tsuto and the Sheriff, feel free. I'm going to check in on them first. And then, we are all going to have a long discussion. We've uncovered some disturbing information here." Merrick, without waiting for the others, will head to the Cathedral to ensure that Ameiko and Agustianna are all right.
"Honestly, this is far from the strangest thing we've found the past few days." Merrick uses Detect Evil.
Merrick will not leave without dealing with the pool. He readies an action to attack.
"I think we should render it powerless; otherwise who knows what evil it might perpetrate?"
"Think nothing of it...I don't even want to imagine the vile poisons that those things must spit forth." As soon as their hands touch, Calin feels positive energy coursing through him, healing him for points of damage. "While we're here, does anyone want to check out that pool? That thing seemed beyond strange."
Merrick sneers at the unholy symbol. He leaves it where he finds it, and picks up the other gear.
Merrick walks as he talks; he moves over to Calin, pausing with his hand part of the way out. "Would you like me to tend to your wounds, my friend?"
Merrick retrieves his arrows, then searches the demon's body.
Merrick shrugs off the effects of the magic, face set with determination. If enemies are still alive when it's Merrick's turn, he will five foot step forward again, and take another Full Attack. If the Demon is still up, that's his priority. If not, it'll go towards the Sinspawn. +4 if it's the demon.
+4 if it's the demon.
Merrick, recognizing a demon, will swell with righteous anger.
As his turn, Merrick will take a 5-foot step closer and let loose a full attack. As a swift action, he will Smite Evil (first time in the campaign whoooo) on the Quasit.
Merrick goes to listen;
"On your mark, Calin. You kick the door open."
"We can sort this out later. Priorities, friends. There are still unexplored areas to this foul place; more evil might yet lurk. Let us be sure we leave no foe standing." Merrick will move all the way back to the unexplored area (south of the statue, if I remember rightly), and go down the unexplored sections, hopefully with Shae leading the way.
Merrick observes the room, eyebrow quirked.
Merrick will hold onto the items.
Without waiting to see if the young woman follows suit, Merrick marches over, using his bow to send an arrow into the zombie. After it is dead (again), Merrick will head to the tile that Calin uncovered, and repeat the process. He will do that to all of the zombies if he is able.
Merrick will do what Merrick does; two shots. He'll shoot both at the one with three weapons.
Merrick opens the southern doors assuming Shae checks for traps.
"Since we're here, we may as well continue."
Now in combat, Merrick will do his usual deed; taking a full attack and using Rapid Shot. He will attack first the one Shae hit, and then the one that Asa and Eloisa have used spells on.
Since I can't take a full round action, Merrick will take a shot at one of the creatures.
"Fine by me, I think this is far enough away from the other path to check it out."
Merrick reacts as swiftly as ever, firing two arrows, one at each creature.
Merrick looks back, realizing that Eloisa has stopped.
"Let us leave the doors for now. The open path is the more dangerous one." Merrick then strides to the right down the open path.
"I think we should examine the side chambers before pressing through the doors...I don't want to allow anything to come behind us while we're unawares."
"Fascinating. I'd be rather interested to hear more of Thassilon when we have time, Asa." Merrick approaches the ranseur, noting it's difference from the statue. Assuming Shae checks for traps and finds nothing, Merrick will see if it's removable; it does look valuable.
Merrick grins.
Merrick moves to the side, getting a clear avenue of attack, then sends his arrows flying once more!
The first is off course but the second should strike!
Merrick ensures the guard begins to escort the ladies, then returns to the group, ensuring Tsuto is still well and truly out of it. When he rejoins the group, he again asserts himself.
This was what he had been training for his whole life. It was odd, finally doing it, but it felt comfortable. They had just rescued two women against a man that had fallen into darkness and was consorting with evil powers, and now they were delving into forgotten ruins where danger threatened the innocents in the town above. Strangely, Merrick had never felt more at home. Merrick reacts quickly to the encroaching enemies, and fires off two shots at the nearest creature.
"The way behind should be secure. Of note...Ameiko, Tsuto is alive. He is unconscious and bound, near your...well, what he did to your father. He'll be out for some time...I, um, may have broken his jaw. When you get to Father Zantus, have him get the Sheriff to incarcerate Tsuto; we will have questions for him once we delve the depths of this place. Be safe; we will come to you once we've secured this location."
Merrick blinked. She didn't...did she just...at a time like this? Are all women like this? They can't be, right? Merrick will grin, covering up his uncertainty. He will use one if his arrow heads to cut through Ameiko's bonds. "Mine is lawsuit...you know, in case that ever becomes relevant." I have no idea if I did that right. Are we flirting? "Ameiko, I know you've been through an ordeal, but what in the Hells happened here?"
"Work your healing, Rast." Merrick peeks down the corridor, ensuring that the group is safe.
Merrick indicates that Shae should open the door while Merrick stands ready to shoot inside and the others are ready to move in at a moments notice . The group opens the door.
"No arguments with it going to the Knight or to Calin."
Merrick will direct Shae to go straight, then left.
Merrick rubs his eyes.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Merrick walks over and punches the captive.
"There. Now he won't get away and we can not be talking about slaughtering unarmed and defenseless prisoners, talk to him later and rescue the ladies now. Everyone wins. Let's go." Merrick will stride down the stairs.
Merrick blinks down at the man.
Merrick will then cough politely, calling attention to himself to give Shae a moment to compose herself. "It seems we are undoubtedly dealing with the machinations of Lamashtu, and the others mentioned in the journal are leaders of the Goblin forces. Let us see to these lower levels, together, and find our friends."
"Wait. This is folly. My friends, I agree with Asa...we do not know what awaits us down there. But neither should we split the party. If there are another twenty Goblins down there and they swarm you, no matter how swiftly we come, it may be too late. Already, there has been far too much death in this place. Let us take but a moment to ask this man a question, then be on our way. If he is not helpful, then perhaps our magically inclined friends might know, or be able to learn, a spell that can compel truth from him. I do not think Asa would stoop to torture; I'm not saying she's not, ah, hot-headed, but she certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt there. But a brief few seconds to question this man might save us much. For those of you who have yet to read the journal, this man, whom I think is Tsuto Kaijutsu, apparently helped plan the raid during the Festival, and it implies there will be another, worse attack. He mentions several names, and also mentions a quasit; there is Ripnugget and Bruthazmus, and the latter is a bugbear. Apparently this Quasit has forces and resides in tunnels below the Glassworks, so we will undoubtedly be facing more than just Goblins down there. The journal also mentions 'his love', and apparently the point of the raid on Sandpoint was to steal Father Tobyn's remains. This 'love' of his burned her father's remains on Thistletop, and that apparently started a transformation. It mentions replacing 'celestial taint' with the Mother's grace. I can only assume this is some demonic ritual." Merrick will briefly turn to their captive.
As Asa leaves, Merrick grins flippantly.
There is no hint of derision or irony. He means what he says.
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