It has been a few days since CRAP last had a meal together. You have each been running some errands, spending some quiet time alone, training, reflecting, shopping, performing some rituals. But, an agreed upon lunch get-together is not something you'd miss. The party sits at a corner table in the Laughing Goblin, sipping their drinks of choice and enjoying Imizael's special of the day, a hearty rabbit stew (she is the thin human female with long, black hair that acts both as cook and barkeep). The food is brought out by Fat Mar, as usual (he is the bald, overweight human male wearing the tavern's livery who is responsible for serving, cleaning, and also barkeeping at times).
Here's what the gossip around town has to offer lately:
From what you could tell over the last few days, the wave of crimes has not eased. Another home was broken into two nights ago;
Guard Sergeant Hurn of the Black Fist has received an award and a promotion to Lieutenant for his contributions and leading role in restoring the Lighthouse in Thorn Island;
With the lighthouse back online, the weather no long in permanent cloudy mode, and the fabled ghost ships never showing up to attack Phlan, sea trade has returned to normal;
Small dead animals continue to show up in alley corners, including rats, mice, and small birds. Nothing new for this town, but it is starting to look like someone is placing them there on purpose.
After catching up over lunch, the group decides to finally sate their curiosity concerning the Dockside Pawn Shop the old jeweler had mentioned the previous time the group ate a meal together. Captain Burral has not reached out yet as she promised, so the group has some time to kill in any case. The walk to the pawn shop is quite short, since the tavern is also by the docks. The old wooden house with a sign above the entrance could use some up-keeping; the sign reads: "Dockside Treasures, Pawn Shop" though many of the letters are fading away. The inside of the shop is covered floor-to-ceiling in shelves, boxes, crates, and other storage paraphernalia. A large hairless male goliath stands in guard on your side of the main counter, while on the other, a ageing female green dragonborn wearing way to many pieces of jewelry cracks a smile upon seeing you. Despite her welcoming face, she skips all pleasantries and goes straight into business: "Buying or selling, sailors?"
(@MB: Your scheduled meeting happens this evening. It is now early afternoon).
With the bond between brothers renewed both physically and spiritually, it was as if the stoutling was a new being altogether. Smiling slowly but surely came more easily to his face when amused at something. And there was less a constant tension from the halfling from expecting the proverbial other shoe to drop, or an enemy to come leeping out of the shadows at any moment. Instead, in a ways it seemed some of it had been transferred over to his now constant companion Biscuit; who after recovering for the past few days looked to simultaneously bursting with energy, but less prone to impulse. And no matter what one was doing, the other always seemed to anticipate their needs and react with almost preternatural speed.
Which is why when Doozey caught sight of a goliath and dragonborn together and froze up on the spot, Biscuit had been there to nudge him back to reality. Still, Doozey had to close his eyes for a moment and chant under his breathe, "It's not them. It's not them. It's not them"over and over again until finally releasing the tension in a held breathe. "Pleasant afternoon to ya. The names Doozey. And this here is my brother Biscuit." A seated Biscuit nod, but doesn't so much as pant or jump up at the either people as he done to Graxx and Utar in the past. "And these here are Chaotic Relief. Now, right to business. Might you have anything on your shelves -- aaaan enchanted doo-hickey that might boost one's mental capaoblities that happened to grace your shelves of late?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Content to let Doozey make his purchase Utar let's his eye wander over the goods on display, mindful of previous magical trinkets he's seen or been close to in Phlan. Graxx's trick dice, a dragonborn with a staff capable of mimicking birdsong, and his own driftglobe.
Graxx looks around but is not interested in buying anything.
”Nice to meet you.” says Graxx with a nod.
Graxx feels the weight of the halberd on his back. He has practiced with it a few times but has not yet seen real battle with it yet. He is both anxious and nervous about using it for the first time.
Graxx goes to scratch his chest but is met with his new armor. Over the past few days he has gotten used to bearing the weight of the armor to where he sometimes forgets it’s even there.
Graxx also thinks about his magic dice... And how he left it with Elisande... Well he guesses it’s safe in a dragon hoard.
Neya is looking around the shop. She doesn't have anything in mind at the moment, but every once in a while, a curiosity catches her eye.
"Some things here are getting my attention, but are a passing interests at the moment. But that's not to say an item here won't sway me." She says as she browses.
"An enchantment to boost your mind's prowess..." The dragonborn lady smiles at Doozey. "Well, I might just have what you need, boy, but it will cost you." She says this with an almost evil smile on her face that clearly shows her greed. "Buying customers are my favorite."
She proceeds to touch Doozey's clothes and gear, whether or not the halfling approves of it. She does it in a way as if examining every inch of the hunter's set up. Her eyes glow with arcane power as she mutters to herself: "Animal companions... both alive and in stone... interesting... Blood stains on the crossbow, hmm... ready for healing on the field." She moves one to Utar: "Shiny new armor... worn shield... blessed amulet... Now that mace, what a weapon... Ohh, floaty globe." Then Neya: "I've seen a couple of those brooches before... a fan of potions I see... sleek, nimble, likely a student of the dark arts." And finally Graxx: "Muscles only second to my brute's over there... new weapon lined with silver... plenty of scars." The whole personalize examination of the group takes a good 20 minutes. She seems legitimately interested in knowing you. Not your personalities or interests, but the items you carry and the fighting styles you prefer. She does not need you to speak in order to complete her assessment. Once satisfied, she says: "An interesting group. My favorite kind of group. Those who can become loyal returning customers. He he he..." Her greed shows again. "Wait here."
You all begin to fees slightly lightheaded as she goes deeper into her store. It smells of many incenses lit together, and not in an harmonious way. The Goliath doesn't move a muscle throughout the whole ordeal. By the time she comes back balancing four items on her arms, that woozy feeling is gone. "Now, some of you seem more interested than others, but I am bent on making customers out of each of you. You better have brought coin, though." She then begins her merchandise display:
Doozey: She shows you a pristine wooden lockbox, clicking the lock open and revealing a beautiful jewelry piece. It looks like a necklace, but she explains it to be a intricate headband. She insults you a bit by doubting that you could wear it with the large amount of hair your carry on your head, but coin is coin. She prices it at 8,000gp.
Utar: She tells you that your majestic weapon needs a worthy shield to accompany it. Though the stiles may clash, she removes from her shoulder a previously slung shield of sleek black metal. She explains that is may serve as your third eye, and prices it at 5,000gp.
The only relevant part in this picture is the visual. Please ignore the name and other details below the shield.
Graxx: She taps your breastplate and recognizes its dwarven make (from the dwarven side of Doozey's family). She says a fearsome warrior like you needs sturdy gear like the mountain folk, and presents you with a enormous belt that displays the face of a dwarven warrior on the front. With a smile, she advises you to let your beard grow as well. Then, she prices the item at 6,000gp.
Neya: "For the one who loves the dark." She insists this cloak might just be the item to sway you, as you put it. It's purplish/brownish leathery make looks comfortable, albeit a bit heavy. The leather folds underneath the long sleeves, supported by cartilage-like claws, and the hood is deep and dark. She hopes you are not afraid of heights as she prices it at 6,000gp.
"So" she says with a sparkle on her eyes, "shall we transact?"
The shield does indeed look formidable, especially as Utar glances at his own wooden shield complete with missing chunks of Oak and worn paint. Wincing at the price, Utar shakes his head.
"It is a wonderfully wrought shield, one I would be proud to wield... But I am afraid I cannot meet your price. I would not do you the disservice of attempting to haggle either. I am afraid I cannot be a buyer today."
Doozey shuddered at the smile, and grew no more at ease with her flitting about him touching things. Even Biscuit unusual stoicness nearly breaks from nearly shoving the Tundra Mastiff out of the way in her initial examinations of Doozey. But apart from some growling from both of them at points, are content to go through her process. The light headness felt after is brushed off as agitated nerves, and a mental note to come back with some kind of filter for all the incense.
"Wha-wha-wha? I expected to cost me an arm and a leg, but that's downright.... oof!"A bug-eyed Doozey shook his head while rubbing his forehead. Even Biscuit, who didn't have much of a mind for anything not food or hunt related, lowered his ears and put a paw on Doozey's shoulder in sympathy. "I might've jumped the shark a bit there. Hmph! Hmm... I don't suppose I can -- we can pay in installments? Installments, yea, that's the word. I don't suppose we can do that? Perhaps even have the price knock down with a bit of trade?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx's eyes widen at the description of the Belt of Dwarvenkind.
"My weakness.... The ability to not see in the dark would be solved... I cannot purchase this today but knowing it exists gets me so excited. I will need to make some decent coin and return for this item." says Graxx.
"Tempting... Very tempting." Neya nods. "Your skills in salesmanship are not to be underestimated. Unfortunately my inability to afford it is my biggest obstacle at this moment."
"But, as soon as I have the funding for it, I know exactly where to go!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
2
"My dear fanged warrior," she turns to Utar. "This is a pawn shop. Haggling ismy business. Don't admit defeat so easily. Entertain me," she teases. As Neya and Graxx deliver similar messages, she begins to deflate a bit: "Ah, it seems I might have priced myself out of a deal... today at least," she smiles again. "Come back once you have acquired the funds. Like you said, you know where to find me."
Doozey then jumps in with a couple of suggestions. She winces at first, but then shrugs her shoulder in partial acceptance: "Trade-ins? Sure. Show me what you got so I can appraise it. I can then deduct their value from the final agreed upon price." She thinks a bit more. "As for installments, if you find it easier to pay me piecemeal, I won't say no. However, you can still only take the item once they are fully paid off. Otherwise you have no incentive to pay the rest." She then points at the goliath in the corner: "Besides that guy, of course."
Before the group can agree on a payment plan, you all hear a scream coming from outside: "FIRE!"
The still unnamed green dragonborn interrupts the negotiations and goes outside herself. The goliath doesn't. You follow her out of curiosity, concern, or a desire to continue negotiations. Many dockworkers and other townsfolk stand in awe, looking upward to a column of black smoke rising from somewhere in the eastern part of town. You know that to be the residential district, but you cannot see what is it that is burning. Putting a hand in front of her mouth and letting out the tiniest poison spray, she looks at you and says: "When things like this happen, people always look at dragonborns first. You know it wasn't me. I breath poison, not fire, and I was inside servicing you all along. You know this!" She looks a bit concerned but confident that she has enough proof of her innocence. Also, she is likely just being a bit paranoid.
Doozey pats her on the dragonborn's thigh and says calmly, "You don't have to worry. But, you should probably go back inside all the same until this whole mess gets sorted out. We can talk more later about purchases another time. Though do try to hold on that belt if you could, at very least."
Then as casually as can be despite all the screams of alarm, he hops on Biscuits back. "We best be going, ya. Maybe that god of yours can make the clouds weep for'em." He said with a faint smile. Immediately after, both stoutling and Tundra Mastiff take off, weaving through the crowd as much as they can without shoving people over, and take whatever short cut they've learned by now in living in the city for as long as they have been.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
”Say... I have nearby a sword... It’s a very powerful magical sword that can cause a lot of damage. Problem is that it’s cursed. It can help at certain times. It makes you not stop attacking someone if they harm you. If I brought that sword in how much store credit could we get?” Says Graxx
While moving toward the scene with Utar, Neya muses, "With what we know is working behind the curtain, it is hard to think that any inimical event that happens is not their doing..."
Doozey tries to calm down the pawn shop lady a bit. "Yes, yes... back inside... talk later." She still seems a bit distraught as Utar joins in ensuring the group will return. Before she is completely out of sight, Graxx makes one last proposal as the group departs. The dragonborn looks back, almost enticed to continue negotiations right away: "Magical blade you say? Cursed? Bring it with you on your next visit so I can appraised it." With that, she shuts the door and you can hear the locking mechanism click on the other side.
The party makes its way to the source of the black smoke. A few corner-turns in, the path begins to look familiar to a couple of you. Upon arrival, Neya's and Utar's suspicions are confirmed. The house that is on fire is one in which both of them have spent an uncomfortable night in: Rillo Leadstopper's home (Villonah's now-executed father). The monk and the cleric had spent a night here after helping save the gnomish woman from her captors (Graxx chose to spend the night elsewhere back then -- Episode 5).
Only the back of the house is on fire at the moment. The flames are tall and seem to be growing. Many bystanders fight through their coughing to remain in place and be able to watch the fire. A few volunteers are quickly filling buckets with whatever liquid they can find or produce. Other bolder volunteers are picking up such buckets and throwing their contents on the front of the house. It seems they have foregone the part of the building that is already on fire and are focusing their efforts on dampening the still salvageable front half. It is unclear how successful they may turn out to be. Luckily, the home is not too close to other nearby houses, so unless the mild breeze suddenly picks up and changes directions, the Leadstopper home is the only one in danger.
Utar's eyes go wide when he realises whose house is on fire...
Turning to the others, he speaks in a whisper,
"This is no accident... Do what you can... See if we can't see how this started..."
Elbowing through the assembled crowd, Utar instinctively clutches his amulet of Torm, seeking its comfort. His fingers finding their usual grooves, wearing smooth the yellow metal. It was raining on the day he received it...
His eyes fix on the blue skies above the fire tearing through the back of the house, his amulet glows and his free fingers trace a pattern through the air as he casts create or destroy water.
OOC Utar's intention is to create rain over the burning house to put the fire out. I'm willing to burn either two first level spell slots or one second level slot at the DM's discretion. Basically, I'm down to drop 20 gallons of rain, only question is all at once or in two bursts.
Graxx rushes to help in the best way he can. He runs up to the front of the fire and assists those by picking up the buckets and hurling the water contents toward the base of the fires if possible.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Will do, Mr. Utar! They will not get away with this."Doozey said, sounding seriously but not nearly as angry as he might've been had he known the truth about the home. The stoutling then directed mastiff elsewhere in with a command spoken sylvan. While the beasts' nose would be focused on scenting accelerants on the hands of gawkers, or trailed behind arsonists, the hunters eyes searched the crowd for any expression that didn't quite fit the picture of concerned citizen.
Though to start, Doozey empties much of his waterskin to coat the mastiff's fur and a seldom used hankerchief to wrap around stoutling mouth and nose. "Alright Brother. Let's try to keep it low and avoid the fire lines, yeah?" Following a few last encourage pats, the duo are on the move again.
Biscuit Perception: 22(adv. from keen hearing and smell)
EPISODE 8 - QUIVERING CORRUPTION
It has been a few days since CRAP last had a meal together. You have each been running some errands, spending some quiet time alone, training, reflecting, shopping, performing some rituals. But, an agreed upon lunch get-together is not something you'd miss. The party sits at a corner table in the Laughing Goblin, sipping their drinks of choice and enjoying Imizael's special of the day, a hearty rabbit stew (she is the thin human female with long, black hair that acts both as cook and barkeep). The food is brought out by Fat Mar, as usual (he is the bald, overweight human male wearing the tavern's livery who is responsible for serving, cleaning, and also barkeeping at times).
Here's what the gossip around town has to offer lately:
After catching up over lunch, the group decides to finally sate their curiosity concerning the Dockside Pawn Shop the old jeweler had mentioned the previous time the group ate a meal together. Captain Burral has not reached out yet as she promised, so the group has some time to kill in any case. The walk to the pawn shop is quite short, since the tavern is also by the docks. The old wooden house with a sign above the entrance could use some up-keeping; the sign reads: "Dockside Treasures, Pawn Shop" though many of the letters are fading away. The inside of the shop is covered floor-to-ceiling in shelves, boxes, crates, and other storage paraphernalia. A large hairless male goliath stands in guard on your side of the main counter, while on the other, a ageing female green dragonborn wearing way to many pieces of jewelry cracks a smile upon seeing you. Despite her welcoming face, she skips all pleasantries and goes straight into business: "Buying or selling, sailors?"
(@MB: Your scheduled meeting happens this evening. It is now early afternoon).
With the bond between brothers renewed both physically and spiritually, it was as if the stoutling was a new being altogether. Smiling slowly but surely came more easily to his face when amused at something. And there was less a constant tension from the halfling from expecting the proverbial other shoe to drop, or an enemy to come leeping out of the shadows at any moment. Instead, in a ways it seemed some of it had been transferred over to his now constant companion Biscuit; who after recovering for the past few days looked to simultaneously bursting with energy, but less prone to impulse. And no matter what one was doing, the other always seemed to anticipate their needs and react with almost preternatural speed.
Which is why when Doozey caught sight of a goliath and dragonborn together and froze up on the spot, Biscuit had been there to nudge him back to reality. Still, Doozey had to close his eyes for a moment and chant under his breathe, "It's not them. It's not them. It's not them" over and over again until finally releasing the tension in a held breathe. "Pleasant afternoon to ya. The names Doozey. And this here is my brother Biscuit." A seated Biscuit nod, but doesn't so much as pant or jump up at the either people as he done to Graxx and Utar in the past. "And these here are Chaotic Relief. Now, right to business. Might you have anything on your shelves -- aaaan enchanted doo-hickey that might boost one's mental capaoblities that happened to grace your shelves of late?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Content to let Doozey make his purchase Utar let's his eye wander over the goods on display, mindful of previous magical trinkets he's seen or been close to in Phlan. Graxx's trick dice, a dragonborn with a staff capable of mimicking birdsong, and his own driftglobe.
Graxx looks around but is not interested in buying anything.
”Nice to meet you.” says Graxx with a nod.
Graxx feels the weight of the halberd on his back. He has practiced with it a few times but has not yet seen real battle with it yet. He is both anxious and nervous about using it for the first time.
Graxx goes to scratch his chest but is met with his new armor. Over the past few days he has gotten used to bearing the weight of the armor to where he sometimes forgets it’s even there.
Graxx also thinks about his magic dice... And how he left it with Elisande... Well he guesses it’s safe in a dragon hoard.
Neya is looking around the shop. She doesn't have anything in mind at the moment, but every once in a while, a curiosity catches her eye.
"Some things here are getting my attention, but are a passing interests at the moment. But that's not to say an item here won't sway me." She says as she browses.
Extended Signature
"An enchantment to boost your mind's prowess..." The dragonborn lady smiles at Doozey. "Well, I might just have what you need, boy, but it will cost you." She says this with an almost evil smile on her face that clearly shows her greed. "Buying customers are my favorite."
She proceeds to touch Doozey's clothes and gear, whether or not the halfling approves of it. She does it in a way as if examining every inch of the hunter's set up. Her eyes glow with arcane power as she mutters to herself: "Animal companions... both alive and in stone... interesting... Blood stains on the crossbow, hmm... ready for healing on the field." She moves one to Utar: "Shiny new armor... worn shield... blessed amulet... Now that mace, what a weapon... Ohh, floaty globe." Then Neya: "I've seen a couple of those brooches before... a fan of potions I see... sleek, nimble, likely a student of the dark arts." And finally Graxx: "Muscles only second to my brute's over there... new weapon lined with silver... plenty of scars." The whole personalize examination of the group takes a good 20 minutes. She seems legitimately interested in knowing you. Not your personalities or interests, but the items you carry and the fighting styles you prefer. She does not need you to speak in order to complete her assessment. Once satisfied, she says: "An interesting group. My favorite kind of group. Those who can become loyal returning customers. He he he..." Her greed shows again. "Wait here."
You all begin to fees slightly lightheaded as she goes deeper into her store. It smells of many incenses lit together, and not in an harmonious way. The Goliath doesn't move a muscle throughout the whole ordeal. By the time she comes back balancing four items on her arms, that woozy feeling is gone. "Now, some of you seem more interested than others, but I am bent on making customers out of each of you. You better have brought coin, though." She then begins her merchandise display:
"So" she says with a sparkle on her eyes, "shall we transact?"
The shield does indeed look formidable, especially as Utar glances at his own wooden shield complete with missing chunks of Oak and worn paint. Wincing at the price, Utar shakes his head.
"It is a wonderfully wrought shield, one I would be proud to wield... But I am afraid I cannot meet your price. I would not do you the disservice of attempting to haggle either. I am afraid I cannot be a buyer today."
Doozey shuddered at the smile, and grew no more at ease with her flitting about him touching things. Even Biscuit unusual stoicness nearly breaks from nearly shoving the Tundra Mastiff out of the way in her initial examinations of Doozey. But apart from some growling from both of them at points, are content to go through her process. The light headness felt after is brushed off as agitated nerves, and a mental note to come back with some kind of filter for all the incense.
"Wha-wha-wha? I expected to cost me an arm and a leg, but that's downright.... oof!" A bug-eyed Doozey shook his head while rubbing his forehead. Even Biscuit, who didn't have much of a mind for anything not food or hunt related, lowered his ears and put a paw on Doozey's shoulder in sympathy. "I might've jumped the shark a bit there. Hmph! Hmm... I don't suppose I can -- we can pay in installments? Installments, yea, that's the word. I don't suppose we can do that? Perhaps even have the price knock down with a bit of trade?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx's eyes widen at the description of the Belt of Dwarvenkind.
"My weakness.... The ability to not see in the dark would be solved... I cannot purchase this today but knowing it exists gets me so excited. I will need to make some decent coin and return for this item." says Graxx.
"Tempting... Very tempting." Neya nods. "Your skills in salesmanship are not to be underestimated. Unfortunately my inability to afford it is my biggest obstacle at this moment."
"But, as soon as I have the funding for it, I know exactly where to go!"
Extended Signature
Doozey's Persuading: 14.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
DM's Screen:
2
"My dear fanged warrior," she turns to Utar. "This is a pawn shop. Haggling is my business. Don't admit defeat so easily. Entertain me," she teases. As Neya and Graxx deliver similar messages, she begins to deflate a bit: "Ah, it seems I might have priced myself out of a deal... today at least," she smiles again. "Come back once you have acquired the funds. Like you said, you know where to find me."
Doozey then jumps in with a couple of suggestions. She winces at first, but then shrugs her shoulder in partial acceptance: "Trade-ins? Sure. Show me what you got so I can appraise it. I can then deduct their value from the final agreed upon price." She thinks a bit more. "As for installments, if you find it easier to pay me piecemeal, I won't say no. However, you can still only take the item once they are fully paid off. Otherwise you have no incentive to pay the rest." She then points at the goliath in the corner: "Besides that guy, of course."
Before the group can agree on a payment plan, you all hear a scream coming from outside: "FIRE!"
The still unnamed green dragonborn interrupts the negotiations and goes outside herself. The goliath doesn't. You follow her out of curiosity, concern, or a desire to continue negotiations. Many dockworkers and other townsfolk stand in awe, looking upward to a column of black smoke rising from somewhere in the eastern part of town. You know that to be the residential district, but you cannot see what is it that is burning. Putting a hand in front of her mouth and letting out the tiniest poison spray, she looks at you and says: "When things like this happen, people always look at dragonborns first. You know it wasn't me. I breath poison, not fire, and I was inside servicing you all along. You know this!" She looks a bit concerned but confident that she has enough proof of her innocence. Also, she is likely just being a bit paranoid.
Doozey pats her on the dragonborn's thigh and says calmly, "You don't have to worry. But, you should probably go back inside all the same until this whole mess gets sorted out. We can talk more later about purchases another time. Though do try to hold on that belt if you could, at very least."
Then as casually as can be despite all the screams of alarm, he hops on Biscuits back. "We best be going, ya. Maybe that god of yours can make the clouds weep for'em." He said with a faint smile. Immediately after, both stoutling and Tundra Mastiff take off, weaving through the crowd as much as they can without shoving people over, and take whatever short cut they've learned by now in living in the city for as long as they have been.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar recalls that their contact in the residential part of town is a fire eater... Nodding to Doozey's comments, he adds,
"A tactical retreat; we'll be back to haggle. Hopefully you'll find it entertaining."
Giving a brief hard state to the halfling, Utar turns back to the rest of CRAP, he jerks his head in the direction of the smoke.
"Shall we?"
Graxx before he leaves turns to the Dragonborn.
”Say... I have nearby a sword... It’s a very powerful magical sword that can cause a lot of damage. Problem is that it’s cursed. It can help at certain times. It makes you not stop attacking someone if they harm you. If I brought that sword in how much store credit could we get?” Says Graxx
While moving toward the scene with Utar, Neya muses, "With what we know is working behind the curtain, it is hard to think that any inimical event that happens is not their doing..."
Extended Signature
Doozey tries to calm down the pawn shop lady a bit. "Yes, yes... back inside... talk later." She still seems a bit distraught as Utar joins in ensuring the group will return. Before she is completely out of sight, Graxx makes one last proposal as the group departs. The dragonborn looks back, almost enticed to continue negotiations right away: "Magical blade you say? Cursed? Bring it with you on your next visit so I can appraised it." With that, she shuts the door and you can hear the locking mechanism click on the other side.
The party makes its way to the source of the black smoke. A few corner-turns in, the path begins to look familiar to a couple of you. Upon arrival, Neya's and Utar's suspicions are confirmed. The house that is on fire is one in which both of them have spent an uncomfortable night in: Rillo Leadstopper's home (Villonah's now-executed father). The monk and the cleric had spent a night here after helping save the gnomish woman from her captors (Graxx chose to spend the night elsewhere back then -- Episode 5).
Only the back of the house is on fire at the moment. The flames are tall and seem to be growing. Many bystanders fight through their coughing to remain in place and be able to watch the fire. A few volunteers are quickly filling buckets with whatever liquid they can find or produce. Other bolder volunteers are picking up such buckets and throwing their contents on the front of the house. It seems they have foregone the part of the building that is already on fire and are focusing their efforts on dampening the still salvageable front half. It is unclear how successful they may turn out to be. Luckily, the home is not too close to other nearby houses, so unless the mild breeze suddenly picks up and changes directions, the Leadstopper home is the only one in danger.
Looking at the scene, Utar can't help but remember some of the rumors he heard shortly after the gnome's execution (within Utar's spoiler in the linked post). The half-orc has good reason to believe this fire was no accident.
(OOC: What would you like to do concerning the fire?)
Utar's eyes go wide when he realises whose house is on fire...
Turning to the others, he speaks in a whisper,
"This is no accident... Do what you can... See if we can't see how this started..."
Elbowing through the assembled crowd, Utar instinctively clutches his amulet of Torm, seeking its comfort. His fingers finding their usual grooves, wearing smooth the yellow metal. It was raining on the day he received it...
His eyes fix on the blue skies above the fire tearing through the back of the house, his amulet glows and his free fingers trace a pattern through the air as he casts create or destroy water.
OOC Utar's intention is to create rain over the burning house to put the fire out. I'm willing to burn either two first level spell slots or one second level slot at the DM's discretion. Basically, I'm down to drop 20 gallons of rain, only question is all at once or in two bursts.
“On it!”
Graxx rushes to help in the best way he can. He runs up to the front of the fire and assists those by picking up the buckets and hurling the water contents toward the base of the fires if possible.
Straight D20 Roll: 15
.
"Will do, Mr. Utar! They will not get away with this." Doozey said, sounding seriously but not nearly as angry as he might've been had he known the truth about the home. The stoutling then directed mastiff elsewhere in with a command spoken sylvan. While the beasts' nose would be focused on scenting accelerants on the hands of gawkers, or trailed behind arsonists, the hunters eyes searched the crowd for any expression that didn't quite fit the picture of concerned citizen.
Though to start, Doozey empties much of his waterskin to coat the mastiff's fur and a seldom used hankerchief to wrap around stoutling mouth and nose. "Alright Brother. Let's try to keep it low and avoid the fire lines, yeah?" Following a few last encourage pats, the duo are on the move again.
Biscuit Perception: 22(adv. from keen hearing and smell)
Doozey Insight: 16.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.