Act 1, Part 2: Blood and Blades

[Kavonde]

Millanius checks the corpses; they are still warm, but cooling. And very definitely dead. An examination of the room reveals that these would-be adventurers came equipped with only the most meager equipment: three backpacks, each filled with a week's rations, 50' feet of rope, a pair of torches, and a waterskin. The only armor between them is a suit of scale male fitted to a dwarf's broad frame, and their arms consist of a shortbow and a dozen arrows, two daggers, a longsword, a battleaxe, and a wooden shield. However, Millanius does spot one small trinket of value: as he checks the slain elf's pulse, he notices that the victim wears a fine ring made of twirled, vine-like bands of silver.

 

Zakon, meanwhile, clearly recognizes that the bodies that should be here have been carried away. As he bends to pick up the severed hand, he notices the light shining off a glass potion vial beneath one of the bloody beds.

 

OOC

Millanius: I'll take a Craft check to appraise the silver ring, if you're interested in it.

 

Zakon: And I'll take a Medicine check if you'd like to put more of a finger on what befell the owner of that hand.

 

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: O | Focus Points: O

"There is a potion under that bed, if you are interested..." Zakon says, gesturing with the dagger but not turning to Verne or whoever is now near the doorway. He remains focused on the hand, for the moment.

[Kavonde]

Zakon's inspection of the severed hand indicates that the appendage was removed by a single blow from something very heavy and sharp. Perhaps by whatever bellowed and slammed the ground so hard that the earth shook.

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 1/1

---

Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

 

Verne looks at the open door, and the corpses within, seeming unfazed by the death.  He watches the wizard, and tries to give him a reassuring smile.  "Hiding in a room alone doesn't seem like the safest option, see?  If we stay together, we can overpower any enemies we encounter.  A pack is always stronger than the sum of its individuals."  He looks skyward, listening, in response to the bellow.  "What do you think that was?  We should probably search the rest of these rooms quickly... if we caught assassins in the middle of their work, there may be some who weren't attacked yet, or are bleeding but not dead." He moves toward the next door, and opens it, motivated by curiousity more than any altruistic motive, but knowing nobody would respect that reason.

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception25; 7: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 1/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy1020: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery: +6 *Trained Consumables: None Effects: None

---

A ring! Surely it's a magic ring! Maybe one that grants invisibility, and I can just... slip away...

 

Millanius ignores the rest of the gear in the room, and quickly tries to slip the ring off the slender dead finger, self-conscious of his ghoulish behavior. He tries to use his clever hands and the angle of his body to prevent any observer from noticing. He glances at it quickly before thrusting it on his smallest finger, trying to wear it like it's always been there. Stitches wobbles his head to the side watching, and probably judging.

 

The 'wizard' moves back into the hall, and replies to Verne, "Yes. Yes. Sticking together is definitely the best plan. But shouldn't we be running away from whatever that is making that rumbling?" He moves along with Verne to the next door hesitantly, staying a bit behind and peering over his shoulder, much like the monkey peers over his won shoulder.

---

OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1: medicine4 check Action 2: search body Action 3: pick up dagger Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy   Weapons -Sword Cane -Aldori Sword -Crossbow -9 bolts -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandolier -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -Potion of Healing   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -3sp, 7cp

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by Kistler (see edit history)

[Kavonde]

To Millanius' disappointment, the ring does not seem to be magical. It's simply a finely-made ring, likely of Kyonin origin, and could probably fetch a price of 15 gold pieces or so.

[AnemoneEnemy]

Thomas of Nowhere | AC: 16 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +6 | Hero: 1/1 | FP: 1/1

---

Eidolon | AC: 18 |  Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +7 | Will: +4

---

Æthelflæd makes a noise of disgust when Zakon picks up the hand. "My lord! Surely, not with your bare hands? Here--please--"
The fae produces a small handkerchief of silvery-grey cloth from somewhere in their sharp-corner suit; what looks like a square of textured cloth turns out on closer inspection to be embroidered with impossibly fine details, the design dissolving into smaller versions of its own pattern until becomes too small to make out. 

"Nowt fer it but forward. Let the big lad lead th'way; ay, or Shardik. I was ever a lover, nae a fighter."

His mouth twists downwards again, and whatever confident energy animates him seems to drain out of him as quickly as it had come. "Amnae even tha', now."
 

OOC/mechanics

 

 

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: O | Focus Points: O

Zakon accepts the offered handkerchief with gratitude and uses it to wipe his own, briefly, and cover the severed hand as he stands up with it. He was in Æthelflæd's debt, however small, and Zakon took such things quite seriously. Since nobody else seemed to be interested in collecting the potion, Zakon set his grizzly bundle down just long enough to reach under the bed and retrieve the vial, before leaving the room and joining the others who were moving on down the hallway. The potion, being the least bloody of the items he has collected, was tucked away into a pocket until they had a chance to be identified unless someone else seemed interested in taking it off of his hands. "I do not believe that this was done with daggers," Zakon said, as he rejoined the others, holding the hand where they could see for themselves. "... and that raises more questions than it answers." From the hallway, he could see slightly into the room to the south, enough to see bodies. "Perhaps I am looking for reason where there is only madness...."

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by BlackHat (see edit history)

[Kavonde]

Verne opens the door to find another scene of carnage. Four more would-be heroes lie here, their throats cut as they slept. Each possessed some basic adventuring equipment, none of which did them any good. Of particular note is that one of the victims, a halfling dressed in homespun brown robes, carried a pair of tanglefoot bags on a bandolier that hangs from his bedpost.

 

As Millanius joins him and takes in the scene, Verne and Sharik both catch a noise through the set of double doors to the west that lead to the water garden. Someone outside has just hissed "Get down, idiot!" And somehow the acoustics of the garden conspired to bring the words to Verne's ear.

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 1/1

---

Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Verne swallows down bile.  More butchered people.  There are murders everywhere, someone is killing indiscriminately, like weasels in rage.  But humans had malice, they had to be stopped before they murdered more helpless people.

Noticing by the bear's ears that his friend heard what he did, he says quietly,  "Shardik, Hunt." and points at the place where they heard the voice come from.  He looks back, and points at the double doors, then holding up two fingers.  He moves stealthily to them, following the bear who is moving more quickly, through the doors and out into the garden, sniffing.  

 

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by PlotDevice (see edit history)

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception25; 7: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 1/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy1020: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery25: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags Effects: None

---

Millanous' stomach turns at yet more carnage, but he holds himself together. "More unfortunates. We were lucky." As Verne turns to leave he snatches the bandolier with the tanglefoot bags and drapes it over his shoulder. He walks out and sees Verne opening the door form where the large and very dangerous sounds are coming. "No! Not that one!" He says in a loud and fearful whisper.

---

OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1:  Action 2:  Action 3:  Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Aldori Sword -Crossbow -9 bolts -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -Potion of Healing -2x Tanglefoot bags   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -3sp, 7cp

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by Kistler (see edit history)

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: O | Focus Points: O

"Press on," Zakon began a counter-argument. "The longer we circle, like vultures, the more certainly we shall only find corpses. It sounds like something ahead is still a danger."

Edited January 22, 2023 by BlackHat (see edit history)

[Spektor]

Antonia Rullianus

---

 

AC: 17 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +5 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5 | Hero: 1/1 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven

---

Antonia follows the others within her newly appointed group of survivors while staying mostly quiet, holding an unmasked expression that was both contemplative and disturbed. The scenes of murder painted a grisly picture of the enemy they were now faced with. They seemed efficient in their attack, having dispatched most of those under Lady Aldori's employ with little regard for life. That fact, combined with the intoxicated appearance of the assassin she had...dispatched, most likely meant these were more than just mercenaries hired for a killing. This was an effort coordinated by a tactical mind who sought one purpose. But what could that purpose be? Surely the death of a bunch of wannabe adventurers was not it. There was something else...

Antonia slid on her black gloves as she watched the others during their search, doing little herself to aid them and instead choosing to stand watch. It would do them little good to be ambushed, lest they end up like the poor unfortunate souls that had been in the rooms orbiting their own. She did hear Millanius' plan, to which she responded, "Your honor and commitment to justice and the defense of the Lady knows no bounds." Her voice was dripping with patronizing sarcasm, but as she continued it lessened, taking a more genuine tone. "Alas, our Wizardly friend makes a fair point. This attack has proven to be disturbingly effective, at least against the Lady's guests. Although, seeing their level of preparation, I doubt they would have lasted long in the Stolen Lands anyways. I mean that with no ill will towards the departed and may Pharasma judge their souls accordingly." The last line was said with a gesticulation that was meant to indicate her sincerity in her words: a hand placed over her chest and a slight bow of her head. "But it is highly likely we will be too late. All of you need to question whether this is worth it. Some of us may die out there," She pointed a gloved finger towards the doors leading outside. "and it may very well be for no good purpose, as the Lady may already lay dying or dead in her chambers. Are you willing to risk your lives in service to a possibly-deceased patron?" The question, while posed to the group as a whole, still rang in her own mind. Was she willing?

Just then, Verne and his big furry friend seemed to hear something just beyond the large doors. "Prepare yourselves. No matter your answer to the question, I fear there is one exit and it is in the direction of the sounds of violence." The metal blade of her rapier sang out a harmonious chime as she unsheathed it from its resting place. She tried to feign a determined expression – like one you might see on a true Aldori duelist – but a bead of sweat dripping past her dark brow and along the sharp angle of her jawline betrayed the anxious spirit that bounced within her. There was no denying, certain death lied behind those doors and Antonia did not like their odds. After all, she knew nothing of these people who acted as temporary allies. Just because they had slain a couple of intoxicated ruffians did not mean they were a band of legendary heroes. Perhaps they were just lucky.

 

 

[Kavonde]

Shardik pushes open the doors leading to the water garden.

This large, indoor garden resembles a tropical paradise. Lush plants and flowering vines hang from the walls, while a slow-moving stream of water cuts through the center of the room, flowing languidly from north to south through stone drains. Planters filled with colorful flowers line the stream. Two narrow wooden bridges arch over the water, allowing passage from one side to the other. Partially submerged in the stream to the north stands a life-sized marble statue depicting an armored half-elf woman holding a rose and wielding a shield.

And across the small stream stand four more of the black-clad assassins. (Well, one of them crouches behind some shrubbery, but the other three are standing out in the open.) As one, they turn towards the doors and the young bear who opened them. They are all armed with hand crossbows and wear black-pommeled daggers at their belts.

The single assassin who was making an effort to hide points at the bear and the trio of humans behind it and shouts, "Fire, you morons!"
 

OOC

And we're back in combat!

As we decided last time, we'll go in groups, according to initiative rolls. Fortunately for you all, the assassins rolled themselves a 1, so the PCs all get to act first. Go ahead and post your actions, and I'll write up the results and what the baddies do.

Fight!

 

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 1/1

---

Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Seeing more assassins, and their drawn and ready weapons, Verne feels there is an immediate threat, and he doesn't hesitate.  "Shardik, go!" he says, and the bear understands what comes after a hunt.  He gallops forward, around the corner and down the bridge, lunging at the man standing there, mouth gaping wide and full of teeth, he tears at the man's body with a guttural snarl.

Behind, Verne is grim-faced.  He'd known he'd need to steel himself for fighting malicious humans, but not so soon.  But if they can stop these assassins here and now, maybe some good will come of it, harm prevented.  He calls up primal power, and a bolt of lightning arcs between the two of the assassins he can see, out in the dark garden.  

ActionsVerne:

1- Command Shardik
2, 3- Electric Arc on the two assassins within 30


Shardik:

1- Move
2- Bite the Assassin he's next to.

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by PlotDevice (see edit history)