Will grabs four ornate masks from the Grand Hall: a jackal, an Azlanti mage of regal bearing, a peacock and an elf with a sylvan cast to their features (possibly a dryad). They are not artifacts but elaborate contemporary pieces built to be reminiscent of certain ancient fashions. They could be quite valuable, though.
In the wake of the destruction and chaos of the pilgrimage, the town is almost silent. The inn's common room is turned out a bit, but there aren't any signs of combat. Perhaps the remaining patrons fled or hid? Distantly, you can still here a party patron having a bad trip screaming and yowling in the night like a coyote.
Silas laughs heartily at Zareby and Addy's admission.
"Fantastic! Surely Calistria smiles upon your deceitful hearts and grants, this once, her fickle favors."
Silas sighs and surveys the room.
"Well.", he says,"I can't say any of this was expected."
"I believe I shall have to quit your illustrious company, gentlemen, madame. My patroness may still be here somewhere and I should make certain she can leave to tell the tale and find revenge of a different sort all together."
"I'm not much of an adventurer.", says Marten, the young actor," I'm made for the stage, not cross-country pursuits. I wish I could help you all, but with the lady of the manor and all the guards gone, I think I'm better suited to gathering up who is left and trying to at least keep the community together for when you get back. My oratory skills will likely prove more efficacious in that capacity."
whistling comes from the kitchen, gradually getting closer. And then...
Out of the kitchen staggers a thin halfling in dark blue pantaloons and green and yellow vertical striped shirt. He is carrying a large wooden platter with a roasted chicken and two loaves of bread. Also balancing precariously on the waving tray is a long bottle of something red and fruity and a small mug.
He stops whistling when he sees the group saying their goodbyes and slides the wooden tray onto a bar stool. Not being tall enough to reach the bar itself.
"Zareby! It's you!" The little top-knotted halfling sprints forwards and leaps up at the sorcerer in a clinging hug.
"I so missed you. When was it last, huh, when? I mean I know that you had important business elsewhere but what about friendship, huh, and I mean I am a friend. Yeah and I had to pay up in the morning , I mean not that I mind after the way you helped scare off that big ugly half-orc and his even uglier dog, all teeth and claws and magic."
"I've got food, there was no one here so I just helped myself. They should be careful otherwise someone might steal from them. I mean there are some bad people on the roads. These your new friends then? Looks like you've upset a couple, can't say I didn't warn you about bearing claws in public, its just not the done thing. Is it?"
Herral gets down and waves again at the two heading away, "don't worry he's really nice actually."
"So who wants food?"
Zareby's face brightens as the halfling coming from the kitchen. "Herral! It's been what, four months? I'll let you know, that important business was not getting stabbed by a sore loser. Wait, he didn't give you much trouble, did he? Sorry about that."
"Wait, where are my manners? Everyone, this is Herral Hinn, cleric of Lady Luck herself. Herral, this is Malatar Kane, William Wyrdrune and, uh, Adelaine? Yeah, that's her actual name. Anyway, they're all Pathfinders."
"Pathfinders.....Ooooohhh. You make it in too. I tried but they said come back when you've matured. I mean me!"
"So your Adelaine, that's your real name is it. You a spy or running from a jilted lover who is hot on your heels looking to marry you and grab your fortune. Huh. Maybe I can help?"
"No, I guess not. Spy! that's it!" His eyes narrow and he peers into the shadows.
"Pathfinders.....Ooooohhh. You make it in too. I tried but they said come back when you've matured. I mean me!"
"So your Adelaine, that's your real name is it. You a spy or running from a jilted lover who is hot on your heels looking to marry you and grab your fortune. Huh. Maybe I can help?"
"No, I guess not. Spy! that's it!" His eyes narrow and he peers into the shadows.
Addy snorts. "Hardly. Word was out about this masquerade, and since my venture-captain couldn't snag an invite ... this was the next best way." Her eyes darken just a moment, as if to say 'Don't keep asking.'
a slow wink comes from Herral and he twists an invisible key before his mouth, locking it.
Mal’s eyes narrow slightly at ‘Lady Albercroft’s’ revelation. “Pathfinder eh …?” Then he shrugs. Given the strangeness of the night, why not. After a second, he chuckles. “Ha. I knew that no Taldane noble-woman worth her salt would be traveling the countryside with only a slip for protection … nor chasing through the night after goblins. Well met then Adelaine. And you too Zareby. I’m really Mal, and Will is really Will … unless he turns out to be a disposed prince or evil necromancer or something … and we’re really Pathfinders. Well, we work for the Society at any rate.”
When Silas and Marten give their farewells, he nods to them, and offers his hand in a warrior’s handshake. He can’t really blame them for leaving. Besides, he never really got to know Marten, and he never quite trusted Silas … though he appreciated the healing.
“Alright, we going to do this then?” he asks, strapping on his shield and looking his three remaining companions in the eyes. “Follow this mad procession and see where it leads?” He’s just said his piece when they hear whistling from the kitchen.
After Mal's question, she responds "Well, if we don't, then who would write this up for the Chronicles? Someone has to do it."
After the exchange with Herral, Addy's countenance brightens surprisingly quickly, and she asks Will, "So Will, you able to make anything of those two artifacts I snagged?"
"Excuse me...but could one of you direct me to a Lady Albercroft? Some elven priest outside told me I'd find her in here...although why he was chuckling about it seems awfully strange."
The dry voice comes from a man wearing leather armor, a riding cloak, and carrying a large satchel. He wears an armband of blue and green, and the satchel bears the Taldoran Lion Crest. Underneath the crest is the additional symbol of two arrows crossed - one red and one white. Although he's covered in a layer of road dust, his eyes almost glow with a golden aura in the inn's light.
Waiting for a response, he moves towards the bar - looking around for something to quench his apparent thirst. He manages to a find a bottle of open wine, and gingerly sniffs it before taking a deep, satisfying drink and smacking his lips.
"Of course, the whole place seems strange...being all empty and some loon howling along the road from Golsifar. So in addition to directions, can anyone tell me what in Stavian's Beard is going on?"
"Well we were just about to look at some artefacts when you burst in. That's what was going on by Stavian's Beard. I've just met these good people and there is no Lady Albercroft here so you can go and we can carry on with the goodies. She might be at the party or taken off into the night. He is going to give chase, I think."
*points at Malatar quickly*
The halfling turns back to Will expectantly, "don't stop. Go on what are they? magical?" His eyes light up.
The slender half-elven woman is holding a statuette of a fish-like monstrosity with three eyes, stacked one on top of the other vertically. It is carved in a lusterless green stone. The other item is a weathered silver bracelet, the markings inscribed in it having been worn away by time almost to the point of being incomprehensible.
"What my friend means is that Adelaine here was pretending to be Miss Ablecroft until about five minutes ago. Unless you feel like running a couple dozen miles to find the real one, you might as well give it to her."
"As for the people, the wine at the party was spiked, and now everyone who was affected is following a bunch of goblins and fishmen Desan knows where."
"Well we were just about to look at some artefacts when you burst in. That's what was going on by Stavian's Beard. I've just met these good people and there is no Lady Albercroft here so you can go and we can carry on with the goodies. She might be at the party or taken off into the night. He is going to give chase, I think."
Dayle looks over the halfling, shakes his head in a sort of flustered amusement, and turns his attention to Malatar. If it wasn't apparent before, the look of his ears now visible from underneath his hair shows him to be of half-elven descent.
"What my friend means is that Adelaine here was pretending to be Miss Ablecroft until about five minutes ago. Unless you feel like running a couple dozen miles to find the real one, you might as well give it to her."
"As for the people, the wine at the party was spiked, and now everyone who was affected is following a bunch of goblins and fishmen Desan knows where."
At Zareby's statements, he pauses and takes another long drink from the bottle before placing it down. He glances over at Adelaine, and turns his attention to include Malatar and Zareby. He responds with dry amusement:
"And I suppose the circus is putting on show wherever they went. Scatter-brained nobles and their parties."
"Look, I don't know if you people are just as crazed as the other folks I've seen or telling the truth. But looks to me like I'll come along with you if I am going to find this woman. With my horse, we won't need to run too hard after them anyway. If we can't find her, then my guess is this packet belongs to your friend."
"Can you at least tell me if you seen the local commander, name's Itaden I think. Maybe he can help sort out this mess."
"If it will get us off on a better foot...he glances again at the halfling...my name's Daylen Vors - of the Taldan Scout Corps." Dayle extends his hand to either Zareby or Malatar.
“Malatar Kane,” says Mal, extending his hand. “Not mad, so far as I can tell. You’re military then?” He looks at the newcomer appraisingly.
“If I know Itaden, he’s either gone down fighting, or he’s following that circus to try to rescue people. Which is along the lines of what I’m going to do.” He adds brusquely. “Coming?”
"Yes, sir...more of a border scout than a part of the main army," returning the offered hand. Mal's strong voice reminds him of a sargent he served under. A grin comes to his face at Mal's response to his earlier sarcasm. His suggestion to action puts some life in his weary frame.
"Glad to get moving on this mess...what about the trio of scholars over there...are they coming?"
He points in the direction of the Adelaine, Herral, and Will.
“The more the merrier,” mutters Malatar, already beginning to move out the door.
"Herral? A scholar?" Zareby guffaws. "Wait, I didn't introduce myself, did I? Zareby Grenache. No offense, but I don't really shake hands."
Will raises an eyebrow at Adelaine's revelation. Then raises the other at Zareby's. "What? Wait! Is NO one here who they said they are?!?" He asks incredulously, glaring suspiciously at Malatar. He is so taken aback by Silas's sudden departure that he is, for once, left without words. Then comes the meeting of the hyperactive Herral, and the weary Dayle.
The halfling turns back to Will expectantly, "don't stop. Go on what are they? magical?" His eyes light up.
Will blinks, "Alright, alright!" He sniffs disdainfully. "Can't a guy get a quiet moment to work around here?!? Sheesh!" He grumbles while making a show of holding the artifacts that Adeline handed him at just the right distance from his eyes. Once he actually focuses on the artifacts, all pretense flies and he stares intently at the items, as if he can wrest their secrets by his very will,...
Surreptiously Herral slips in a spell and casts detect magic at the items. He puts one hand to his holy butterfly necklace and the other points at Will's hands.
"Wait, I didn't introduce myself, did I? Zareby Grenache. No offense, but I don't really shake hands."
"None taken, Zareby." Dayle gives him a small gesture of salute instead.
Glancing over at the combination of Will's stammering and studious stares, Hinn's gesturing, and Addy's questioning glances of the artifacts, he jokes dryly:
"While the 'witches three' get ready then, I'll check on Nessa and get her ready to travel again. Hopefully she's had her fill of water by now."
Will raises an eyebrow at Adelaine's revelation. Then raises the other at Zareby's. "What? Wait! Is NO one here who they said they are?!?" He asks incredulously, glaring suspiciously at Malatar. He is so taken aback by Silas's sudden departure that he is, for once, left without words. Then comes the meeting of the hyperactive Herral, and the weary Dayle.
The halfling turns back to Will expectantly, "don't stop. Go on what are they? magical?" His eyes light up.Will blinks, "Alright, alright!" He sniffs disdainfully. "Can't a guy get a quiet moment to work around here?!? Sheesh!" He grumbles while making a show of holding the artifacts that Adeline handed him at just the right distance from his eyes. Once he actually focuses on the artifacts, all pretense flies and he stares intently at the items, as if he can wrest their secrets by his very will,...
1d20+9; 1d20+9; 1d20+8; 1d20+8; 1d20+8; 1d20+8
Will:
The fish monster's significance isn't germane to the bracelet. It isn't significantly weathered like the bracelet and the workmanship is similar to the bastardized Azlant style of the other relics at the party. Will doesn't even have any idea what the monster is, besides a creature of the deep ocean. It could be decoration, an art object or something of spiritual significance. The longer the young wizard looks at it, though, the more disturbed he feels.
Desna's sight reveals little to Herral: the objects the wizard is examining aren't magical. Beyond several pages of Will's spellbook and some scrolls, only Zareby registers as magical: the familiar glowing network of veins speaking of his inborn arcane power.
Unless interupted, Dayle moves outside to check his horse after his long ride.
"Actually," Addy says, responding to Zareby's comments and Dayle's search for Lady Albercroft, "Viviana Albercroft is a noble from Oppara. I think it's more than a couple of dozen miles. But suit yourself; I don't mind if you come along."
Addy draws her rapier, readies herself, and after Mal heads out, she turns to the rest. "Well, time for more fun, eh?" and follows them out.
Perception
Mal has also moved outside, looking up the road in the direction that the procession proceeded.
Zareby follows the others outside.
The air in the deserted hamlet is cool with a light breeze coming off the Inner Sea. Judging by the moon's place in the sky, it must be about two bells past midnight. Dayle's horse snorts and stamps,throwing her mane. She is clearly disturbed by something. There is no sign of the procession, so it seems they have moved off down the road.
DM:
Dayle and Mal:
From the darkness between the nearest buildings (two on each side) small darts come streaking toward the scout's horse along with high pitched squeals and vows in a monstrous tongue. A hissing, mangy canine with the flattened nose, beady eyes and protruding teeth of a rat bounds out from around the inn and snaps at the now panic-stricken horse. Lulled by the deceptive quiet, Zareby and Addy are at a loss for a few moments.
[ooc]Zareby and Addy are surprised for the first round.
Goblin initiative:
Goblin dog initiative:
Nessa the horse:
Goblin shortbow attacks vs. Nessa:
Damage:
Two shafts protrude from the poor beast's side, one particularly well-aimed hitting her shoulder. The horse screams, rearing up on her rear legs as the grotesque rat-dog snaps at her. Tethered as she is to the hitching post at the front of the inn, she stamps and kicks at the rat-dog.
Hooves:
Lacking the training to make the best use of her hooves, Nessa's wild attacks miss the goblin dog narrowly as it nips at her. But she seems to have been successful keeping the fetid beast at bay, since it's lunge is half-hearted and it's body language suggests that it is clearly intimidated by the larger animal.
Goblin Dog attack:
Herral immediately loses interest in the statues. "Not magick, huh."
"Nessa! We're attacked!" Dayle shouts as he draws sword and hand-axe.
He attacks the dog to keep it from further panicking the horse.
Sword:
Axe:
PF still only allows one action (plus free actions) in the surprise round, so have to make it count.
Will stares at the bracelet, muttering at himself in frustration.
"I know these characters are Elvish, but I can't translate the phrases! The time period is difficult to figure out because the elven language has made very few changes for as long as humans have studied language; one result of such a long-lived race. It doesn't have any of the variations of the Mwangi dialect (who don't typically work silver anyhow), so it must have been made either by elves from Avistan or further away in the isolated Mordant Spire. The bracelet's significance, if any, is hard to imagine without being able to read the script; the elves were contemporaneous with the ancient Azlanti before the Earthfall, however, and if the site in question were genuine it's easy to imagine that this was a trade object." Will mutters in what could easily be arcane gibberish to the uneducated. He turns his attention to the statuette as the others begin to file outside.
"This fish monster doesn't appear to be related to the bracelet. It isn't significantly weathered like the bracelet and the workmanship is similar to the bastardized Azlant style of the other relics I saw at the party. I don't even have any idea what the monster IS, besides a creature of the deep ocean. It could be decoration, an art object or something of spiritual significance. Hm, but there is something. The longer I look at it, the more,... Brrr. It makes me feel, uncomfortable." He says with a look reminiscent of eating something sour. He looks up to see the last of the others heading out the door.
"Hey, Hey! Well wait for me! It's not MY fault that not everyone appreciates the finer points of historical and archaeological research!" The mage cries as he stuffs the items in his pack and snags it to follow the others outside.
"So, what's the next thing weEEEEEEEEE?!!" Will shrieks as the arrows fly to strike the horse, and the ill-looking rat-dog leaps out to attack.
"Day- what the? Goblins! ratdogs too!" quick as a flash, Herral taps him on the derriere.
"Desna, give him a slice so he can give one to them!"
Sword:
Damage:
Slash! Slash! Yay Desna!
Seeing Dayle take off towards the horse, Mal holds his shield high and charges across the road towards the goblins, yelling an inarticulate war cry and drawing his sword as he goes, bringing the blade around in an arc towards the small humanoid’s head.
Though Dayle's swing is a bit wide, Nessa accidentally bumps him enough to nudge his blade into the attacking goblin dog. The disgusting canine/rat mix squeals in pain, a severed ear spurting black blood. Mal dives into the goblins with abandon, hacking into the nearest foe's skull with his broadsword like a woodcutter into a log that he really, really hates for some reason.
Initiative:
Adelaine on 23
Herral and Will on 22
Dayle, goblins and Nessa on 21
Mal and Zareby on 20
Goblin Dog on 11
Herral looks across to see if the horse is in real trouble. Can't have a horse in danger, its not fair!
If she can act, Addy will lunge at the closest foe with her rapier.
Attack damage
Herral produces a dagger from his shirt and stabs at the goblin dog from one side.
"Help, help, help!"
If she can act, Addy will lunge at the closest foe with her rapier.
Attack 1d20+2 damage 1d6+2
"Just my luck! Well-done, Nessa," Dayle blurts - not realizing Herral's blessing in the fray - before striking again at the bloodied rat-dog.
Sword:
Damage:
Axe:
Damage:
Confirm Axe Crit:
Damage:
Will reacts instinctively, reaching out and touching the nearest person on the shoulder. :)
That person experiences a gentle tingle behind their eyes, and a moment of confusion, when they see the goblin and rat-dog look like they are blurring, and almost in two places at once. Then the blurs merge, and you realize that you are seeing the creatures move right before they actually do it!
;)
Zareby quickly takes off one glove and points one clawed hand at the nearest goblin, sending a ray of frost at it.
2nd Crit:
Damage:
My apologies if I am doing this wrong - it's been a while since I did a critical.
2nd Crit:1d20
Damage:1d6+1
Addy and Herral pile on the disgusting canine, but the panicked horse throws off their attacks. More time is spent dodging hooves than making attacks. The goblin dog dodges Dayle's sword, only to have its head lopped off by the half-elf's handaxe. The three goblins gang up on Mal, two moving to flank the warrior while one backs away to fire its shortbow.
Mal deflects the goblins' blades with his shield and light armor, but a small shaft buries itself in his thigh.
Sorry; yeah the goblin dog. Addy will now move and try to flank the nearest goblin to herself that is attacking Mal. If she can reach and attack, that's what she'll do.
attack
damage
if able to flank add another +2 to the attack roll and sneak attack damage
Mal tries to fend off the attacks of the goblin behind him, while at the same time attacking the one in front of him.
EDIT: Crit confirm: .
Damage:
Dice roller has been on fire for Mal the last few rolls!