Princes of the Apocalypse, Game Thread

Quote from kqstark >>

Ankita watches with trepidation.  What sort of band rides in on vultures?  She doubts any good will come of this and while listening to the conversation, she checks over the leader, looking for a symbol that matches those in the graves.

Perception  19

A quick glance at the leader of this group shows a symbol on his armor matching the one on the the human with the white robe and feathers.

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

"Whoa, sir.  No.  We only just arrived, having heard about these cairns back in Red Larch.  The good shepherd here led us this far to investigate.  We have disturbed the cairns, yes, but only to determine who lays here, who killed them, and why."

He eyes you suspiciously, glancinfg at the sheperd in disapproval, as if looking at someone inferior.

"Yes, excuse my rudeness. I suspect you are not strong enough to have defeated Doli, let alone Karl. I mourn for them; They were fine friends. I will find their murderers, and avenge them.

My name is Orlow. I belong to a society of aerial enthusiasts. If you are interested, we are having a feast to celebrate our tenth anniversary. We could discuss what you have learned here.  Guests are always welcome at the Spire; there is even a special event after dinner that I have organized myself!"

Ankita is confused by what is unfolding in front of her.  The carrot symbol that angered her new friends that was found on the white robe in one of the graves was also on this one's armor.  Since she is new to the group, she's hoping they'll have her as she really wants to know whats going on, she keeps quiet.  She steps up by Randall in case he is needing any help.

Olaerys pipes up, "Where is the spire?  We would love to hear more about your gathering!  Who do you think attacked Doli and Karl?  It's terrible!"  Olaerys considers their words and actions, trying to read their intent.  (Are they telling the truth?  Luring us in?)

Insight :  2 

Quote from Twombley >>

Olaerys pipes up, "Where is the spire?  We would love to hear more about your gathering!  Who do you think attacked Doli and Karl?  It's terrible!"  Olaerys considers their words and actions, trying to read their intent.  (Are they telling the truth?  Luring us in?)

Insight :  2 

Orlow seems honest, and genuine. (lol)

"You don't know the spire? Clearly you are not from around. 'Tis the beautiful building you see there" he says, gesturing to the, well, spire, in the distance.

Shrek looks up and eyes the tower the soldiers are pointing to.  Trying to be helpful, he excitedly calls out "Shrek deliver mail to spire!"

He then looks back down at the shallow graves, and begins to inspect the ground and dirt around the graves, looking for tracks that might give a clue as to who (or what) killed these poor souls.

Investigation: 0

OOC: OMG...

Shrek is completely enthralled and confused by the dirt. It seems to him as though the dirt is trying to tell him something, that it is alive. But how can dirt talk? Could the dirt have killed these souls and then created the graves itself? Maybe it's some magical dirt? Perhaps a powerful wizard like Melchor enchanted the dirt? Yes, there appears to him to be patterns in the dirt which make him think this is the case. A wizard enchanted the dirt and made it behave this way.

Quote from Ceekay77 >>

Shrek is completely enthralled and confused by the dirt. It seems to him as though the dirt is trying to tell him something, that it is alive. But how can dirt talk? Could the dirt have killed these souls and then created the graves itself? Maybe it's some magical dirt? Perhaps a powerful wizard like Melchor enchanted the dirt? Yes, there appears to him to be patterns in the dirt which make him think this is the case. A wizard enchanted the dirt and made it behave this way.

 (This is great, sorry Shrek!)

Quote from kqstark >>

Quote from Ceekay77 >>

Shrek is completely enthralled and confused by the dirt. It seems to him as though the dirt is trying to tell him something, that it is alive. But how can dirt talk? Could the dirt have killed these souls and then created the graves itself? Maybe it's some magical dirt? Perhaps a powerful wizard like Melchor enchanted the dirt? Yes, there appears to him to be patterns in the dirt which make him think this is the case. A wizard enchanted the dirt and made it behave this way.

 (This is great, sorry Shrek!)

 (I live for critical fails lol)

Randall eyes the vulture knight without immediately answering the invitation.  "So two of these were your warriors?... do you recognize the garb of the others?  We're interested in learning what happened out here.  There has been... violence in the area recently and we've been asked to look into it."

(Is it fair to say we would have all noticed he is wearing the symbol?  Or is a roll required?)

Melchor is happy to allow the others to lead the conversation for now, keeping an eye on the reactions, and demeanour of the riders - and also seeing if he can recall anything of the group..?

Insight: 23

History: 8

Yes, you would all notice the symbol; it's pretty prevalent.

Melchor: On top of their overly arrogant demeanor, they seem untrustworthy. Your spidey sense is tingling. You have no knowledge of these symbols or who these people may be.

Orlow looks at the corpse wearing the stony armor with the other symbol in disgust. "Earth worshipping fools. I have no doubt they were the instigators here, and killed poor Doli and Karl. It would not surprise me if they were the source of this ... violence you speak of. The other two appear to be Mirabaran. I suspect the armored man was robbing them and Doli and Karl tried to come to their aid. There must have been many more to defeat them with only one casualty. Many more."

Orlow's companions rebury the bodies of Doli and Karl, saying some sort of blessing and making an inverted triangle with their thumbs and little fingers as they do.

"We must go report these sad findings to our friends at the Spire. I do hope you will join us for our celebration."

With that, they remount their vultures and fly off, in the direction big the tower you see in the distance.

After they fly off, Olaerys says "So... the "aerial enthusiasts" are fighting with the "earth worshippers."  What the hell is going on here?  Should we head to the spire to learn more?"

Shrek sighs as he looks off in the distance to the spire.  Turning to address the shepherd who brought them here, he asks “What know ‘bout big tower over yonder?” (pointing to the spire). “Good folk, or fishy?”

Randall stands and watches the vulture knights fly away, tugging absentmindedly at his beard.  Then he turns back to Olaerys.  "I don't know.  They're clearly involved in all this somehow.  But they also seem to be at war, or something like that, with the stone cult under Red Larch.  So... the enemy of my enemy is my friend?  Perhaps we should take them up on their offer."

"On the other hand... Mirabar keeps turning up connected to this somehow as well.  A missing delegation... a dead fighter here... perhaps we should investigate there?"  He turns to the wizard.  "Melchor, what say you?"

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

Shrek sighs as he looks off in the distance to the spire.  Turning to address the shepherd who brought them here, he asks “What know ‘bout big tower over yonder?” (pointing to the spire). “Good folk, or fishy?”

Larmon looks at Shrek and pauses. "I'm not sure really. They kind of keep to themselves, and I don't like getting up in other folks business. They don't bother me and my sheep. Now if those giant birds started eating my sheep, it'd be a different story."

"I'm sorry, I'm so confused.  I thought from your reactions to the graves, that these "aerial enthusiasts" were enemies as well?  But now we want to join them?"  She looks at Shrek, "And apparently they smell like fish as well?"  She considers for a moment. "If it is too much to layout for this firbolg, I understand I'll just help when I can and see what I can piece together." after saying this, she is trying but failing miserably at not looking completely at a loss.

Shrek grins up at Ankita, and raises an arm to flex his enormous bicep muscle..."Shrek hired for body, not brain!  Me no understand either..." he then looks to Randall and Olaerys for advice and direction.

Melchor starts pacing as the flyers leave, eyes narrowed and lips moving as he seems to be speaking to himself. 

‘There is too much that we don’t understand here. Too much… DAMMIT!’ his voice rises towards the end, and he turns to face the rest of you

‘I don’t trust those vultures, or more specifically their riders. Something was off there. I won’t put myself in their power…’ he continues pacing…

’The missing delegation from Mirabar... We keep coming back to this - my instincts suggest to follow that trail for now, in search of more information.’

Olaerys nods in agreement with Melchor, begins to examine the ground and area surrounding the hilltop in more detail.  “Were they just brought here and buried here or did the fight occur here, hmm.  And which way did the different parties come from…”

He looks for footprints trailing to and away from the site, looking for a path to follow.  

Survival :  9