The small seaside town of Otari is known for its fresh fish and skilled sailors, but above all, it’s a big logging town, providing valuable wood to the nearby metropolis of Absalom. Word has begun to spread around Otari that there’s a problem down at the Otari Fishery. Some are saying that some sort of beast is lurking in the basement, feeding on the stores of salted fish. Folks are worried that whatever is eating the fish might get hungry enough to eat the fishers next!
You’ve received a letter from Tamily Tanderveil, the owner of the Fishery. Inside is a desperate plea for help. With the town guard busy protecting the loggers, she needs a few brave souls to venture down into the basement of her warehouse and put an end to the beast that’s feasting on her fish! Do you have the courage to face the menace under Otari?
Each of you has caught the eye of Tamily Tanderveil, a notable of Otari. Some of you because you stand out due to your ancestry, some of you because you made yourselves known as "troubleshooters".
You spot Tamily waiting in front of the Fishery.
Coming from the temple of Sarenrae, Amunet-Ra approaches the fishery with a swift stride. Spotting Tamily, she waves and greets her.
Dawnflowers blessings! You're Tamily Tanderveil? My name is Amunet-Ra, but you probably know that. I received a letter from you calling for help? Someone or something stealing your fish in the basement?
Her gold and blue colored coat and dress flutter in the wind coming from the sea, which also blows through her long hair. Underneath the coat you can spot a golden looking chainmail, some bags and a scimitar at her side, which complements the shield strapped on her back. Prominently there is an Ankh - Sarenrae's holy symbol, made of wood but painted golden - attached to a bandoleer running over her shoulders.
Ah, i see you also invited some others! That's always good! I think i saw some of you before? Maybe at the tavern or the temple?
Smiling she looks to the other adventurers gathered, awaiting their introductions, and with a slightly serious and worried look, Tamilys answer.
Reknar liked Otari well enough - it was an out of the way town of working people, usually too busy to be nosy about other people's lives. He preferred it like that, and decided to stick around for a while, after being hired as muscle to escort a caravan of fishing supplies into town.
He had met Tamily already once, since she was the owner of the goods in the caravan. They had not talked much, just successfully concluded business and payment, so he had no qualms in answering her summons.
As he climbed up the road to the Otari Fishery, the weight in his backpack was a poignant reminder of his old friend Lucian - he had stuffed it with books - "One can never know too much my friend" - it was surprising how the man ever managed to maintain his joviality and optimism after all that they had been through together, but he did somehow managed to look ever forward, and some of it had definitely rubbed on Reknar, though not that much...
The large half-orc veritably seemed an implement of warfare - a well used, longspear lay across his backpack in easy reach, and multiple other weapons dotted his simple, travelling attire - a morningstar to one side, a dagger and a sling to the other, all complemented by a well polished but dented shield, strapped to his arm.
In spite of all the gear carried, he seemed to walk casually, sporting only a studded leather armor to protect his torso - apparently having no issues in carrying the great load.
His dark hair was somewhat disheveled due to the days on the road, and his skin is quite tanned by the sun - though none of it dims the glow in his dark, black eyes.
Arriving in front of the Fishery, he nodded his greetings - "Miss Tanderveil, nice to see you again" - then turned to the beautiful armored woman - [b]"And well met - I am Reknar"
The small seaside town of Otari is known for its fresh fish and skilled sailors, but above all, it’s a big logging town, providing valuable wood to the nearby metropolis of Absalom. Word has begun to spread around Otari that there’s a problem down at the Otari Fishery. Some are saying that some sort of beast is lurking in the basement, feeding on the stores of salted fish. Folks are worried that whatever is eating the fish might get hungry enough to eat the fishers next!
You’ve received a letter from Tamily Tanderveil, the owner of the Fishery. Inside is a desperate plea for help. With the town guard busy protecting the loggers, she needs a few brave souls to venture down into the basement of her warehouse and put an end to the beast that’s feasting on her fish! Do you have the courage to face the menace under Otari?Each of you has caught the eye of Tamily Tanderveil, a notable of Otari. Some of you because you stand out due to your ancestry, some of you because you made yourselves known as "troubleshooters".
You spot Tamily waiting in front of the Fishery.
Like all elves, Staryth reflects his habitat , but his habitat has been working the twilight hours around sunrise and sunset, and working in the gloaming hours. This has influenced him, giving his dark hair purple highlights, and his skin has an almost copper complexion. His eyes are are the blue gray of where skies meet high stone walls, a sign of city living. His garb tends to the dark and concealing but he has an easy smile that offsets any sinister effect this might otherwise project. Those that know elves might realize he's rather young for his kind, an adult, but only barely.
He looks amused at the letter that has come to him, and walks up still reading it. His keen ears almost twitch at the sound of the ongoing conversation and at the odd folk already gathering. His slim brows rise up.
"Staryth" He inclines his head to all, "Requisition and Conveyances by trade."
True, as far as it went. I sincerely hope this isn't about some of the tax free liquors that have... found their way into the town. He thinks.
A dwarf strides up rather quickly, the note still in his hand. He possesses blondish/brown hair - with a beard to match - and a large braid that hangs down along the side of his face. The clothes he's wearing leave a lot to be desired but he finds them comfortable enough to protect him from the chaffing of the hide armor he currently dons. A pack can be seen upon his back along with several weapons, most of them being fairly large.
As he nears Tamily, "I got yer note, lass, and came as quick as I could! What in the blazes is this about a 'beast'?! Don't suppose you've any idea what this 'beast' looks like, do ya?" He then happens to notice several others standing around. "Not sure if I met you lot before and I've lived here most of me life. Anyway, I'm guessin' you're here ta help Tamily otherwise you wouldn't be here. So if you are here ta help Tamily then that works for me," he says with a welcoming grin. "The name's Kromnir," he introduces himself, giving a nod.
Tamily smiles at you all. Thank you all for coming!
It started yesterday when one of my lads noticed scat on the ground. And of course our fish casks were a bit lighter.
Tamily looks worried
And this morning, my lad Fromi saw movement in the shadows. He didn't say much more, but whatever it was, it scared him something fierce. That's when I sent the notes out.
Charyx was likely an odd sight in Otari. That was fine with him - he stood out everywhere he went. The others had probably seen him roaming about, especially in front of the temple to Sarenrae. Amunet-Ra had probably taken notice even - he didn't exactly hide his constant stares at the holy symbols around the entryways. He seemed almost bizarrely transfixed by them. Even now, as he approached, his little yellow eyes seemed hypnotized by the cleric's holy symbol.
To say Charyx was surprised to get a letter for request would be an understatement. This Tanderveil must be ludicrously desperate if she was reaching out to him of all folks in town for aid. But he answered all the same. The last to arrive, and likely the strangest of the band. His red snout stuck out from the hood he wore to try and shield his eyes from the bright sunlight, a bow nearly as tall as him in his grasp. Every so often, the flap on his backpack lifts and shifts around a bit, before going still once again.
Charyx doesn't say much, too busy staring at Amunet-ra's holy symbol for a bit, but when he realizes the others are waiting on him, he nods. "I'm Charyx... just Charyx. And this is Ryyx." he nodded to the lid of his backpack. On cue, an enormous bat head poked out, sniffed at the air, groomed itself a bit, and then ducked back inside to avoid the harsh sunlight. "...we're not from around here." he clarified (perhaps unnecessarily), before turning to Tamily as he spoke. "You needed help?"
As Tamily explained the situation, Charyx listened and nodded along. Now he grasped why he was called in. His and Ryyx's propensity for dark environments would certainly be necessary. "That shouldn't be too hard. Is it just the one thing down there?"
Kromnir is just about to say something before the newcomer walks up. Raising an eyebrow, A kobold? Don't see too many of those around here. The dwarf simply nods in greeting before turning back to the task at hand and piggybacking off the kobold's question. "As the lad asked: Is there just the one beast down there or could there be more? Might we could speak to your lad Fromi? Maybe there's somethin' we can do ta help jog his memory and possibly get some kind of description. If we can, maybe we can learn what in the blazes we'll be up against. But no worries if it's too troublin' for him, Tamily. Either way, we're goin' ta find this creature and we will put a stop to it," he declares confidently.
"The name's Kromnir," he introduces himself, giving a nod.
"Reknar" - the half-orc nodded back.
Charyx doesn't say much, too busy staring at Amunet-ra's holy symbol for a bit, but when he realizes the others are waiting on him, he nods. "I'm Charyx... just Charyx. And this is Ryyx." he nodded to the lid of his backpack. On cue, an enormous bat head poked out, sniffed at the air, groomed itself a bit, and then ducked back inside to avoid the harsh sunlight. "...we're not from around here." he clarified (perhaps unnecessarily), before turning to Tamily as he spoke. "You needed help?"
"Well met" - Reknar shifted his position slightly - "Nice... Huh... Bat you've got there"
"Miss Tanderveil, you know me, I have no problems with getting my hands dirty" - Reknar addressed their host - "But why not call an exterminator, or something along those lines" - he shrugged - "Any aprticular reason to think this may be anything more than a very large rat? Or a racoon?"
He ponders and says to Tamily "Given your reputation for honesty and good humor I'm certainly willing to help. Maybe it's something more interesting than a beast." to those that came late, he says "Staryth, specialty Requisition and Conveyances by trade." a dobule blink a the kobold, but he smiles, hen then a glance back to tamily "Forgive me, but is there a matter of payment? I'm not against good deeds to pass the time, but my old teacher used to say that innkeepers and grocers alike frowned when you try to pay them in big heartedness."
Amunet-Ra extends a friendly smile and nod towards the small kobold:
I've seen you before! Nice to meet you. Are you a follower of our lady the Dawnflower?
Indeed nice to meet you all, Kromnir, Reknar, Charyx, Staryth...
So Miss Tanderveil, did you say scat? Like someone took a dump in your basement after eating some of you fish? Do you think it was some animal or actually something larger? More humanoid?
Perhaps you want to lead us to the basement, so we can take a look at it? Don't worry, i'm sure between the lot of us here we can somehow solve this situation and make sure you are safe. Sarenrae guide us all!
She tries to give an assuring smile, but all over her face you can see tension and nervousness, her voice quivers a bit as she speaks.
Tamily blinks as the adventurers begin speaking to her
Responding to Charyx she says Well, Master Kobold. We don't know. Once Fromi came up all a flutter I had the lads roll a cask against the door. Might be one thing. Might not be.
To the gruff dwarf Kromnir she says Ahh. Fromi's an anxious boy. Might give him a fright with all sorts of questions.
she frowns at Reknar Hah. You think we're in Absalom. Exterminators. Hah. Ain't no raccoon though, a whole cask was shattered, never seen no racoon do that.
as the rogue mentions payment Tamily nods slowly Ahh. Yeah. Well. About that. We have some coinage yeah. I could do maybe 10 golden measures each if you figure out what ate my fish and put a stop to it. she considers and then says or, I could do 20 gold measures in kind. and you remember that the Fishery doubles as a tavern and gaming hall in the evenings.
she answers Amunet-Ra Well. Yeah. That's what scat is eh. Mighta been animal. Probably. I...hope it was some animal.
she frowns at Reknar Hah. You think we're in Absalom. Exterminators. Hah. Ain't no raccoon though, a whole cask was shattered, never seen no racoon do that.
"Heh, I meant no disrespect" - Reknar smiles, hands upraised - "I am just seeing a whole lot of steel gathered to hunt down a pest" - he adds, looking around - "All good from my part though. It is your gold - and that means you are the boss" - he smiles again.
Charyx continued watching the symbol for another moment. One could almost be forgiven for thinking he was ignoring Amunet-ra. However, he spoke more quietly, seemingly to himself. "(She carried that...)" he muttered, before finally looking up at Amunet-ra. "Lady of the Dawnflower? Is that who that symbol belongs to?" he asked, before following up with, "...what does the Lady of the Dawnflower do? Does she spare enemies?"
Reknar's compliment draws Charyx's gave for a moment, earning a nod. "...thank you. He's all I have left from my tribe." he explained.
The mention of the gold, however, immediately catches the kobold's attention, locking his eyes on Tamily. However, he didn't seem all too pleased by the amount. He bore his fangs a bit and growled slightly. "10? 20? That's all!? That's absolutely-!" Charyx started to angrily protest for a moment, but he stopped for a moment and glanced back at Amunet-ra's symbol of Sarnrae, then back to Tamily. He quickly composed himself again, took in a deep breath, and closed his eyes. "...unnecessary... if you asked for help from someone like me, it must mean you were already desperate. I do not need payment." he stated, making a bizarre about-face on the subject... though, judging by his grit fangs and grumpy expression, he didn't like doing it.
His attention immediately drawn to the sudden outburst of the kobold, Kromnir looks at him with a furrowed brow before relaxing and turning back to Tamily. "Like the lady said," he motions to Amunet-Ra, "we will take care of it, lass, and you'll be back ta normal in no time. And don't worry about the coin as far as I'm concerned; we just need ta get this taken care of as quickly as possible. Heck, this is my favorite gamin' hall," he says, winking.
Tamily smiles at Kromnir, his flattery hit the mark.
She nods to the assembled adventurers
All right then. Let's head to the basement. and she leads you into the Fishery, which smells like a Fishery.
There's a large cask placed in front of a rickety door, and four youths not more than 12 or 13 years old struggle to move it out of the way.
Ahh. Thanks lads. she says to the boys
and then to you Tamily says Well. Here we are. Off you go.
The stairs leading into the basement of the Otari Fishery creak with age as you make your way downstairs to find the beast that has been eating all the fish. In the center of the room, between stone pillars holding up the fishery overhead, are barrels filled with salted fish. Two of these barrels have been smashed open, spilling their contents on the floor.
Retrieving his guisarme as he makes his way to the end of the stairs, Kromnir stops and scans the area just to be safe.
Amunet-Ra looks at Charyx.
Yes, that is her symbol. Sarenrae, that is her name, does many things. She provides us with light, warmth and healing. And yes, she spares enemies, evil- and wrong-doers when they can be redeemed and change themselves. Are you interested? I can tell you all about it! Perhaps after we finished here? We have a walk on the beach here while i introduce you to Sarenrae's faith?
Then she turns to Tamily.
Yes what Kromnir just said. Let's head to the basement. I would take the payment though, in the name of Sarenrae.
To show Tamily she means it, Amunet-Ra casts light on her holy symbol, which is attached to her bandoleer, and gets her shield out, the other hand resting on the hilt of her scimitar.
Allright, i'm prepared. How about you?
She descends the stairway to the basement right after Kromnir.
Amunet-Ra looks at Charyx.
Yes, that is her symbol. Sarenrae, that is her name, does many things. She provides us with light, warmth and healing. And yes, she spares enemies, evil- and wrong-doers when they can be redeemed and change themselves. Are you interested? I can tell you all about it! Perhaps after we finished here? We have a walk on the beach here while i introduce you to Sarenrae's faith?
The half orc chuckles to himself at Amunet's words, then drawing his shield, he follows the others down to the basement in silence.
the dwarf takes lead and the elf seems surprised, "Let me know if you want me to sneak ahead at anytime." He says from behind Kromnir
Charyx remains neutral in his expression as he listens intently to Amunet-ra explains the tenets of Sarenrae and her faith. He stares in contemplative silence for a moment before nodding. "Yes. I think I should... I want to know why you would show anything mercy." he paused a moment as they ventured inside, checking the tension on his bow as Ryyx poked his head out again, happy to be out of the sun.
As Kronmir took the lead, Ryyx finally crawled out of the pack and flapped into the air, chittering quietly as he did. Charyx pulled back his hood, drew an arrow and readied his bow, following up at the rear and keeping his yellow eyes on the darkened corners of the room... and more importantly, out of sight.
The dwarf takes lead and the elf seems surprised, "Let me know if you want me to sneak ahead at anytime." He says from behind Kromnir.
Kromnir looks behind him and finds the elf, giving a shrug. "Works for me, lad. Just watch yerself but know that we've got yer back." He then takes a step forward onto the floor to allow the elf to pass.
Amunet follows Kromnir into the basement
Staryth heads down and passes Kromnir, Staryth slinks into the room and listens for anything.
Reknar grabs his shield
Kromnir grabs his weapons and heads down to the basement floor
Charyx takes up the rear and slinks into the room.
Staryth, Amunet and Charyx hears scratching from the far side of the room, near the dirt wall, It sounds like something is digging into (or out of) the wall.
Round 1
Staryth
Amunet
Charyx
Enemies
Reknar
Kromnir
Staryth goes on the north side of the barrels, trying to keep moving quietly as he closes on the sounds not once in two scurries.
Daxur hurried along to the Fishery, the letter from Tamily tucked into his belt pouch, "Running late...running late..."
His short legs moved furiously as he approached the Fishery, Daxur waving off a couple of hellos from locals.
When his Master had moved here from Absolom, it had taken the local some time before accepting the fact that Daxur was no ordinary goblin. One that was very smart and followed the rules; nay, in fact he often insisted that he rules be followed!
Daxur smirked at the memories of instructing some of the less-informed locals of some of their own town's ordinances!
Finally arriving at the smelly establishment, Daxur sights Tamily, standing by the door to the basement, the couple of youths still clutching the nearby barrel.
"What you allowed them to descend without me!" Daxur exclaimed, rushing forward to clasp Tamily's hand in greeting, "This will not do! " he says, going to the top of the stairs and pausing , listening.
"Well ,they're being quiet about it, that's good." Daxur says to himself.
I mustn't tarry! Fear not , Miss Tanderveil, you're in good hands now." Daxur said over his shoulder to Tamily, then looking down, sees an area of magical light, "Ah there they are..."
With an air of competence and confidence, Daxur begins a careful descent into the basement....
Amunet-Ra moves towards the source of the noise, then raises her shield and readies her scimitar to strike should something hostile emerge.
While she tries to seem brave, you can see the uncertainty all over her face.
What is this? You heard it too right?
Staryth, Amunet and Charyx hears scratching from the far side of the room, near the dirt wall, It sounds like something is digging into (or out of) the wall.
Round 1
Staryth moves stealthily forward, stepping on the rotting carcasses of partially eaten fish. Gross! As he approaches the sound he spots rats the size of small dogs crawling into the room.
Amunet moves towards the source of the noise, then raises her shield and readies her scimitar to strike should something hostile emerge. As she gets closer she sees the large rats too
Charyx
Enemies
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
Reknar grabs his shield
Charyx turned and leveled his bow at Daxur as he arrived, pausing a moment and realizing that he was supposed to be here. Slacking on the bowstring, he lifted a claw to his muzzle and pointed to the noise coming from the far wall. Slipping down past Reknar and Kromnir, Charyx leveled his bow at the far wall and took aim, ready to put an arrow into whatever had the unfortunate luck of coming into view and getting close.
Staryth, Amunet and Charyx hears scratching from the far side of the room, near the dirt wall, It sounds like something is digging into (or out of) the wall.
Round 1
Staryth moves stealthily forward, stepping on the rotting carcasses of partially eaten fish. Gross! As he approaches the sound he spots rats the size of small dogs crawling into the room.
Amunet moves towards the source of the noise, then raises her shield and readies her scimitar to strike should something hostile emerge. As she gets closer she sees the rats too
Charyx is startled by the arrival of a goblin, but then quickly moves down to the basement and draws his bowstring back. *twang*
Mischief of Rats
1 (-7) moves forward and Amunet bloodies it. It bites at Amunet scoring a hit
2 moves forward and bites at Amunet scoring a critical hit
3 moves forward and bites at Amunet scoring a hit
Three other large rats clamber into the room, squeaking fiercely.
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
Round 2
Staryth
Amunet
Charyx
Mischief of Rats
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
The swarm of rats comes into view. And he draws his rapier.
(round two) He moves into the rubble (Dificult terrain) and then STABS at the rat from surprise (At the angle)
(If backstab bonus add)
(Sneak attack bonus?)
Round 1
Daxur came up short at the appearance of the kobold pointing his bow at him, raising a hand in case he had to dispose of him. But, it seemed the little dragon was a friend, so he nodded silently as the kobold silently advised him of the situation and slinked off.
Moving down to the turn of the platform, Daxur looked out into the basement. As he did so, a sleek, wellfed rat stuck it's head out of Daxur's collar, "Look Fezzik, a bat , perhaps you and he or her can become friends..."
Looking down, Daxur saw two of the large rats, "Oh my, how cliche.." he muttered to himself, before setting his shoulders , extending his hands and uttering a series of arcane syllables...an arc of bright lightning erupts from his finger tips and sizzles through the air toward the nearest rat...
Round 1
Seeing the rats come out in force, he shakes his head in disgust. "Blasted vermin," he grumbles as he takes a step and swings his guisarme at the nearest rat.
Round 2
Amunet-Ra shrieks as the rats storm her, first in surprise, then in pain and terror as she gets savagely bitten.
She tries to block one of them with her shield.
Then she strikes at the rats around her.
Savage beasts of darkness! Take that!
and then raises her shield.
She'll heal herself with her healers kit.
Then possibly strike
and raise her shield.
-- Round 1 --
Reknar comes grumbling down the stairs - "Ok, they are big" - he growls - "But they are just rats boys and girls, so not very smart. Lets do this by the numbers. Form a defensive line, and smack them as they come"
Reknar comes down the stairs and Inspires Courage
Kromnir moves next to Amunet and slays a rat with incredible efficiency.
Daxur snaps his fingers and +7 one rat sizzles, one evades the arcing electrical charge.
Round 2
Staryth stabs a rat dead
Amunet slashes a rat to pieces and raises her shield
Charyx
Mischief of Rats
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
Round 2
Amunet-Ra moves towards the other rats after slaying one of the horrible monsters.
Charyx hummed as the rats fell one by one... still a few more to address, though. Pursing his lips into a strange shape, he let out a quick whistle as Ryyx started to chitter, swooping down onto one of the rats to bite its ear off. Meanwhile, he leveled his bow at the rat nearest to Amunet-Ra and released more arrows towards it, hoping to bring it low and out of the fray.
Reknar comes down the stairs and Inspires Courage (Everyone gets the +1, if you already posted I’ll add it in)
Kromnir moves next to Amunet and slays a rat with incredible efficiency.
Daxur snaps his fingers and 2d20 ⇒ (18, 19) = 37 +7 one rat sizzles, one evades the arcing electrical charge.
Round 2
Staryth stabs a rat dead
Amunet slashes a rat to pieces and raises her shield while she stalks forward.
Charyx sends two arrows and a bat at the rats. The arrow pierces one rat, but only wounds it. The bat ends the rat that was originally shocked by Daxur's spell.
Mischief of Rats
#5 clambers through the rocks and bites at Amunet but her raised shield wards off the creature.
#6 bites ferociously at Amunet, it's wounded and wounded rats are the worst only one bite gets past her guard, but she slams her shield to block it
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
Round 3
Staryth
Amunet
Charyx
Mischief of Rats
Reknar
Kromnir
Daxur
Ahhhhh! Vile beasts! Did you eat that fish! No more!
She strikes at both rats again, sweeping her scimitar, then raises her shield to fend off their hideous attacks.
Round 2
Kromnir moves up next to Amunet-Ra and swings his blade in a downward arc in an attempt to slice the rat in two.
Amunet and Kromnir combine to finish slaying the final two rats and everything is quiet for a few seconds
Everything all right down there? you hear Tamily's voice call from the top of the stairs.
Grinning, "We're fine, lass!" he calls back out. "Just taken care of a bit o' vermin for ya! Bit of a rat infestation is all! All good now!"
Resting his polearm upon his shoulder, "Shall we continue? I'd have a hard time believin' the rats were the cause of her troubles. But even if they are, best we check it all out just to be sure." Kromnir then begins to head out before stopping and looking to Staryth. "After you I'm guessin'?" he asks, grinning wryly.
Edit:
Charyx relaxed his posture as he straightened up, whistling again as Ryyx ceased his rat gnawing and flapped back to his master's side, taking up residence on his head and beginning to groom himself of the mess. Keeping his bow at the ready, Charyx let the others speak on his behalf. He was more interested in the hole the rats came through.
Slinking up to the makeshift cellar exit, Charyx knelt down and investigated the ground. The rats were big, yes, but something told him they weren't the culprits behind the missing fish. Vermin rarely were. Participants, perhaps, but back in his warren, pests like these were more likely to occupy old abandoned tunnels - why dig one when you have one already made?
Squinting at the ground, Charyx tried to see if there was anything to be gleaned from the tracks the rats made. Perhaps something else had passed through here...
Ah, give me a moment!
Amunet-Ra tends to her wounds.
Refreshed and everything bandaged she looks around the basement, at the barrels and where the rats came from.
Mh, where is that scat Tamily mentioned? Does it look like the rats opened the barrels and ate the fish? Or is there something fishy about it? Let's look at that whole. I think you're right Kromnir, we should investigate where they came from.