I think I will stay away from a hugh sheild right now and take a large one. That will be better than the small one I currently have.
After getting my bolts. Mon asks Arin "Do you notice anything special about these fletchings?"
Arin whispers to Mon and any other brother nearby. "Sssst. Look at the arrows that Joey has made. One set matches the broken arrow at the ambush. The way I see it, we can try to get the information from Joey as to whom he made the arrows for. If that doesn't work out, we can wait nearby and see who comes to claim them. Diplomacy, bluff or intimidation are not my strong suits. Anyone want to try? "
Arin whispers to Mon and any other brother nearby. "Sssst. Look at the arrows that Joey has made. One set matches the broken arrow at the ambush. The way I see it, we can try to get the information from Joey as to whom he made the arrows for. If that doesn't work out, we can wait nearby and see who comes to claim them. Diplomacy, bluff or intimidation are not my strong suits. Anyone want to try? "
With this new info Mon turns to Joey And asks him. "For whom have you made these arrows lately?"
Mon asks Joey for more info on who he has made these arrows for. (1d20 5=21)
Mon also asks Coalstriker about the arrows.
Thair waves Joey to sit down as he starts to stand to look at the arrows. Joey sits back down and Thair steps up with a suspicious look in his eye. Cautiously, he says,
"Those arrers were made for that Elven tart that hangs out in Wrafton's all the time. The one that never smiles. She was s'posed to pick them up a day ago. Why?"
Thair waves Joey to sit down as he starts to stand to look at the arrows. Joey sits back down and Thair steps up with a suspicious look in his eye. Cautiously, he says,
"Those arrers were made for that Elven tart that hangs out in Wrafton's all the time. The one that never smiles. She was s'posed to pick them up a day ago. Why?"
"you don't say Thair...hmm. It just so happens that Arin here found this similar arrow with the green and white fletching outside of town. They were used to strike down what we believe to be a wizard. I believe that my father would have much more information on the Wizard then I can recall right now. None the less you say they were made for the Elf, Ninaren. She was rather unpleasant to my brother Buc. Very interesting, I would say this calls for more investigation immediately. Ninaren may know more about this then she leads on.
Hmm...But she did pick up the arrows from you right? Or was it some one else who picked them up for her?"
"Oops almost forgot to tell you Arin" Mon says. "Ninaren is a ranger that we encountered in the hotel bar. We thought she may have some knowledge about what is going on with the Kobolds that attacked us when we first got here. Buc approached her that night we got in and she was very short with him. She just told us that the Kobolds never bothered her. He thought that was a bit odd but left it at that. Now it turns out that she may have something to do with the arrows being found near the dead wizard. This leaves a rather large gap of information untold by her. I wonder though, if she was provoked or the provoker."
Realization dawns on Thair's face.
"I've been makin arrers for the lass since she came into town about 6 months ago. She was insistent that I use ash shafts though she's never said much about the fletchin'. I just used green for her because she always wore a lot of green. I haven't used green flights for anyone else in town. She orders a bundle like that one about every 2-3 weeks. Are ye saying the elf is a murderer?"
"Well let me think about this for a second. Douven said he knew a little about the guild that this Mage came from but not much. The guild has some type of settlement in the Border Peaks east of Delos and that this particular guild was secretive.They call them selves the Mages of Saruun. He said it was kinda odd that a Mage from this guild would be out here. So I am not sure if Ninaren is a murder or not. It could be, given the circumstances with the portal, that she was attack while out and about doin what ever it is a Ranger does in the woods....
Have you ever heard of this Mage guild, the Mages of Saruun?
You are sure nobody else picked up the arrows for her, huh?
Was she ever with anybody while picking up the arrows?"
Arin nudges Mon. "Thanks for filling me in about Ninaren. Those are great questions, by the way." he says, grinning.
Arin then adds "Thair, we don't have solid proof, that she's bad. Please don't tell anyone of our suspicions and please don't change your behavior around her, if you can. We don't want her to alert her if she turns out to be a villain. And if she is innocent, she won't have any false rumors spread about her."
"What's takin' ya all so long? Did ya have to get Thair to make Mon a backbone? Heh heh!" He takes a long pull from a mug of ale. "Ah, that hits the spot. Now, where's the lizard? Off strutin' around town in his fancy new armor, eh? 'ad a peacock for a mum's more like it." Takes another pull while surveying the smithy.
Hey. Twins. Buc are you finally coming around to Kord and giving up your sneaky ways like that dang Mon?
Thair listens to Arin but you can tell he's not buying it. In the court of Thair opinion Ninaren was guilty as soon as you made the connection between her, the dead mage, and the 'arrers.'
Thair snorts derisively,
"We'll see who's guilty of what. I'll keep my trap shut on yer account Arin, but if that uptight bint is usin my arrers to commit crimes she's gonna meet my equalizer" he jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the massive warhammer hanging from a nail near the door into the shop.
As Buc is surveying the smithy the rest of you do as well...
You realize that the entire smithy has gone silent. The towns people volunteers, Joey, Rory, and Thair are all looking up to you and the members in your group. A realization comes over you as you become aware of your role in the upcoming events. This rift must be closed or everyone in this town will either perish in the coming days or soon thereafter as whatever is being held back is released upon the island.
Pedraig see's this as a valiant last stand where all are expected to perish in an honorable fight against insurmountable odds. Others have faith that you will stem the tide, but you realize that most of these people are ill-informed or ignorant of the risks at stake. Even Valthrun's characteristic good humor is now muted and cautious.
You are about to embark on an endeavor that will challenge you like no other has yet.
This much you know.
"Thair, if she's guilty, then I hope you get your chance." said Arin.
---
Mon looks at the volunteers in the shop and says " Listen you all, now is the time to dig down real deep and focus on the task at hand. With the leadership of Thair and his skill you can make the finest weapons for your town. With these weapons you can hold your own and can help us defeat the enemy. Your town folk will look to you for these weapons that will give them strength and courage. Rest assured that we will complete our task and we will be victorious in our venture. We need for you to be strong and help hold this town together."
Bluff Thair and helpers in the shop. To give them courage. (1d20 12=22)
With that Mon turns to his brother and says "Lets go back to the hotel and fill our bellies and get some rest. We have a long trip ahead of us. Maybe we will also find Ninaren there. Then we can have her arrested." Then Mon heads out of the shop and back to meet up with Thorin and Douvan.
Hey. Twins. Buc are you finally coming around to Kord and giving up your sneaky ways like that dang Mon?
Buc puts his arm around Mon's shoulders, walking with him towards the door, "Mon, that was right inspirin' that was. Why I'd follow you anywhere. Kord knows its safer than having ya behind a fellow!" He then guffaws loudly and slaps Mon on the back, propelling him out the door. "Aye, I'll start by following ya to Salvana's where you can buy me an ale since ya made me spill this one." Shaking his head "A bard is what ya should have been, missed your calling ya did. Da would have been much happier too...." His voice fads, well gets less loud, as they walk towards the inn.
Arin looks around. "Nothing more to do here. Off to Wrafton then."
I liked the eye in the hand for the DM. All seeing...
Mon catches him self before he trips over his feet in front of Thair...
Mumbles to himself, straightens out his shirt and turns to Buc "Alrighty an ale it is. Since it ale and not words that motivate ya I'll buy 2 fer ya then." Mon is eager to find out what Valthrun has learned on his trip. "I'll tell ya what...I'll race ya over there."
Arin muses. "A Tiefling racing a Dwarf. That contest never gets old. You two have been racing since you were what, five? And how does it always turn out?"
Wrafton's Inn -
You enter the inn and can see that the inn is mostly empty which is odd for early evening. Salvanna is leaning on the counter watching you enter. In the back you can see Pedraig at his usual spot in animated conversation with Valthrun and Douven. Pedraig stops when he sees you enter, rolls his eyes, crosses his arms and stares off over his right shoulder while Valthrun and Douven turn to greet you and wave you back to join them.
"Gentlemen, please come back here. We have matters to discuss."
"Why sure, I'm always up for a run" says Buc with a mischievous gleam in his eye.
Initiative roll 1d20+6 = 9; attack roll 1d20+7 = 25
I am ready to boop them both on the head and tell them to behave themselves Mon and Buc that is. I am looking forward to any information you have for us.
Initiative to start running (1d20 4=10)
Mon takes off running with his tongue sticking out of his mouth..."phhht, neener neener....;-) It's all that ale you drank...Buc. Must be feeling a bit slow see ya there."
When Mon gets to the inn he grabs a seat in the back with Douvan. "Before we start I must buy my brother an ale. But I am eager to get started. There is much to do and little time to do it."
Actually..before Mon makes it to the inn he has to avoid getting tripped up by Buc.
He was more than quick enough to get off the mark but I need Buck to make an opposed check...
Use your base attk bonus
Mon,
Use your athletics bonus
the winner makes it to the inn first...if Mon loses he eats dirt in the town square much to the amusement of all watching.
Mon attempts to keep from getting tripped up.
Actually..before Mon makes it to the inn he has to avoid getting tripped up by Buc.
He was more than quick enough to get off the mark but I need Buck to make an opposed check...
Use your base attk bonus
As Mon springs into motion Buc slides the haft of his weapon between Mon's ankles leaving him face down on the grass of the marketplace. Buc jets ahead while Mon is left spitting out a blade of grass and jumping to his feet. They both reach the door of the inn at about the same moment as Thorend rolls his eyes entering the Inn.
Your group joins Douven, Pedraig, and Valthrun at the back of the common room.
Grinning broadly as he enters the inn, Buc waves his mug at Salvana "A round of ales for my brothers, they've got some catching up to do! Heh heh" he elbows Arin "especially Mon, eh?" Striding to the back of the common room, he hooks a stool with his foot and plops down. "Welcome back Valthrun, ya made good time on the road I see. Any news of interest?"
" I love it, you sneaky underhanded bro...that was some trick." Mon tells Buc while he tries to catch his breath at the table. "Yes indeed Valthrun welcome back. What news do you bring us?"
For the love of Kord.. this is serious business you two. We have the attention of the leaders of this town and you two are acting like kids. How are they going to take us seriously about solving the danger to their town?
"Love? I keep tellin' ya that Kord is a storm god. Not much in to love and such. I'm sure he'd be right happy with Mon and me. Maybe ya should be a paladin of Sehanine if talkin' about love you're going to be doing. Wouldn't want ya to be offending your god on account ta your brothers causin' ya to say things that may upset him." He scooches his chair away from Thorin a bit "Fact is, he might be thinkin' of knockin' some sense inta ya with lightning bolt any time now...."
Looking at Lord Pedreg with a more serious expression (at least for Buc) "And thinkin' I am that Lord Pedraig won't be too upset at how we let off a bit o' steam if defending his town we are. Its just a matter of how we go about doing that which seems to be the disagreeable part."
"Boys...calm down. Buc, where did you dig up that tongue of yours? I certainly never found it on any of my excavations. Mon..." Douven shakes his head sadly,"always the rule breaker. Listen to Thorend before you all end up on the end of a gnoll's pike!" He stands and clouts both Mon and Buc on the head.
"This is serious business! Lord Pedraig is trusting the future of all he holds dear to you and you only offer him levity..."
Valthrun gently lays a hand on Douven's shoulder. Douven nods and stops talking and sits down.
Valthrun smiles quietly. When Douven is seated and sipping on his mug he clears his throat and begins.
"I learned a number of things in Idiora in a very short amount of time. The picture is becoming much clearer in some ways but the more I learn the more tangled the web becomes. It seems that Kalorel is fairly well known in these parts. Once upon a time he had significant power and was one of the lieutenants in the Guild of Alchemy. Some say he went mad, others even say he was jilted by a woman. Regardless, about five years ago he began to slip away from his friends and family. His story would have ended there but I managed to find a man who became his last friend before he became lost to all reason. This man said that Kalorel began attending dark, demonic masses. Ritual living sacrifices of animals and perhaps worse become daily routine for him. At the same time his power began to grow. Unseen patrons began pulling his strings and he began to rave about the powers of necromancy and demonology. Then, he disappeared about 8 months ago. This friend of Kalorel's recalled that his last lucid comment concerned a desire to track down the key to open a door that had been closed for hundreds of years. It is my assumption that this door is the rift, itself."
"Find a key, huh? They were apparently close to needing the mirror.
He would need to also know where the door is. I wonder if the door way or Mirror could be opened in the Keep.
Arcana check (1d20 6=7)
Religion check on doorway for spirits. (1d20 1=16)
I think that our next step lies in the keep. We sneak in and make sure the place is clean. What do you think?"
Arin is present and listening attentively, but not really talking. He's hoping he can glean any clues to help with the quest. Given his knowleldge of magery and arcane lore, he's hoping that will give insights. Or give him an idea of what spells or rituals he needs to study up on, that the feinds may be using. He's hoping to find weak links or critical junctures that the good guys can exploit.
Valthrun nods in Arin's direction.
"See, Douven, I told you they'd take my information and run with it. The gears in that boy's head are grinding so loudly they can hear him all the way Delos." Valthrun grins and leans towards Arin.
"You have no doubt guessed that another key is needed since you seized the mirror from that evil gnome that was holding your father." Valthrun's grin hardens. "They already have the other key and you have Ninaren to thank for it. You see, Kalorel was never one to trust a single approach to any problem. He's been consorting with the Mages of Saarun. He's promised them an unending stock of slaves for sale elsewhere in the Khorani Empire where such things aren't as frowned upon as they are in these parts. He made a trade and the delivery was last night. Unfortunately, for the Mages of Saarun, he didn't keep his end of the bargain. He used his servant, Ninaren, to settle his account with the mages and to seize this." Valthrun reaches into his robe and tosses a folded piece of paper onto the table.
"Go ahead, open it Mon."
"If Ninaren did be seizing that thar piece o' paper, how is that its in your possession?" Buc takes a swig of ale as he watches Valthrun over the rim.
Mon picks up the piece of paper. Then speaks aloud "You know Valthrun I imagine you have lived here for a bit of time. At least long enough to learn more then what your are leading us to believe. Or maybe you are holding something back for a good reason. Either way I have a sneaking feeling that you know more about this. Do you care to indulge in any other story's of the Rift that you may have left out?"
While waiting to hear Valthrun's answer Mon opens the note.