Utar opens his eyes and finds the colorful swirls in his vision starting to pool around some objects within the house. Though the cleric can't see what they are from outside, he gathers that there are 5 sources of magical power in the half-burnt building. Four of them are in the upper floor.
Graxx checks the front door once again and finds most of the smoke has cleared. The burnt/smoke stench remains, however.
(OOC: Assuming you are going in for the magical sources, I'll need an acrobatics and an athletics check from each of you).
AT THE ALLEYWAY
Doozey looks around the corner and manages to Hunter's Mark one of the fleeing mutt-hybrids (the one that never took damage). Biscuit drags the still awake but incapacitated dog closer to Neya and the other defeated-but-alive dog.
Doozey catches up and performs a quick field examination on Neya. The hunter finds nothing that tells him with certainty what has happened to his fellow adventurer. As best as he can tell, she is just asleep. A shake is all that is needed to wake her back up. Neya still feels a bit woozy, but is otherwise healthy again.
As for the creatures, for now Doozey can only conclude they are none of the types he has expertise in.
Neya is greeted by the sight of a softly smiling Doozey, who wastes no time in attempting to ruffle the monk's hair, if only to inspire her to recover sooner in defense. The smile afterwards fades a tad as he motion back to biscuit with his head. "Top of the morning, sleeping beauty. I hope that nap did some good, 'fore our friends here could use our attention. There were two more here as well, but unfortunately they declined our offer to be taken prisoner. A shame too. Perhaps we might getting to asking our friends here why that is, yes? If so, I leave it to you."
He picks himself up and dusts off the pants. "I currently, uhm-..." He glances down at one of the stranger creatures. "In my proverbial sights, as it were. I would be after them well before an hour passes, and I find myself losing them, if'n ya catch my drift."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
A little groggy, Neya gets up and surveys the area, "Before we try to get anything out of them it would help to know what they are first. They do have at least the intelligence to set up a simple trap."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"All I know is that they give ya a weird feeling whenever they look in you eyes, so I'd start with fixing that." Doozey suggested. "That, and tying them up. Glad I bought some new rope that aughta make it harder for'em to get loose." With that, the stoutling broke out the silk rope, and would at least begin the process of binding up his catch. Which as a precaution, he tries to make the bindings so that any more transforming would likely be extremely painful at worst, and impossible at best going forward.
Not that those they caught were likely to live past the day...
"Judging by that look in your eyes, I say you couldn't put much together, huh?" He said, noting even the smallest sign of frustration or disappointment. "Well, it's all fine. You know, I've given it some thought, and I think we should get at least one of these two back to Utar and the others. Think you can carry one, Ms. Neya? Or would I better off sending me Brother here to try and get them?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Neya and Doozey discuss what to do with their captives. The monk takes a moment to try to pinpoint these dogs' magical nature but comes up short of any helpful conclusions. Meanwhile, the ranger ties them quickly with his new rope to make sure the captives remain, well... captives. Once again, despite having plenty of experience in the outdoors, Doozey is not quite happy with the way he wrapped the rope around the mutts. He considers redoing them, but before he can decide, the dogs begin transforming. They grow in size, but not by much. Their fur begins to retract, as do their claws and fangs. This transformation seems involuntary and by the end of it, it reveals two teenagers in rags: a boy (awake) and a girl (unconscious).
Graxx asks about the ritual and gets not only an explanation on the five sources of magic Utar found, but also on the ownership of the place. Graxx reminds Utar that Rillo had gifted his magical pipe to another adventurer when the group helped him last time. Utar then invites Graxx over and the two go into the burnt house. The cleric knows exactly where to go to find those magical sources and is cautions to look for the safest path to reach them.
In the lower level, the two adventurers identify the source of magic as a strange glass vial filled with nail clippings. It is just on the ground, having rolled into a corner from wherever it used to be kept before. Everything around it is burned, but the vial seems intact. Whatever enchantment it has surely had something to do with it not being destroyed by the fire. Looking about in this floor, and more specifically at the corner of the house that Utar identified as being where the fire started, nothing seems unexpected. The place is as cluttered as Utar remembers, but there is just a lot of burnt materials, walls, and the wooden frame of the house. One of the wooden frame pieces cracks and falls towards the adventurers. Graxx sidesteps it easily. Utar's reaction is a bit delayed, but he avoids a direct impact by mere inches.
Moving on to the second floor, Utar points to an undamaged box of trinkets as the source of magic he identified. Rummaging through the many metal and wooden belongings of the deceased tinkerer, Graxx and Utar find three other sources: a white, sequined glove sized for a human; a tiny silver icon of a bird that reminds you of Doozey's messenger raven (Gravy); and a strangely inflexible needle. They all seems like they carry small enchantments that would not take too long to study (one person examining all four items named so far over a short rest should be enough.)
The last magical source is a ceramic jug placed atop a fire-damaged desk. Before reaching it, Graxx and Utar find themselves having to jump over a hole on the floor created by the fire, but do so effortlessly. The ceramic jug appears to be able to hold a gallon of liquid and weighs 12 pounds. Sloshing sounds can be heard from within the jug when it is shaken. Opening it, however, reveals that it is empty (this one requires more in depth studying).
Doozey nods, but only appears to be half-listening since the transformation. "Another one." He murmured aside Biscuit;who "Boofs!" in agreement. "Is this town some sort of heaven for shapeshifters? Or is there even more at foot than just a few stray fey, dragon worshippers, and-..." He gestures up and down the boy. "This! Tch! What were you even doing setting places on fire?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Okay then, let's try a different track, hm?" Doozey draws the rapier once more, but didn't bloody it yet. "Here's your options, my surly friend. You're gonna tell us what we want to know, and maybe receive only a slap on the wrist for all the trouble you caused, depending on the trouble. Or, either a) I kill you here, and move on to see if your friend there is in a speaking mood. And if not, well... I suppose she'll have to die to. And Biscuit here, he's a big eater." He said nonchalantly, as Biscuit sits up on all fours, and bears his teeth at the boy.
"Or b) I turn you over to the Blackfists. Tell me what you've done, and how you and yours have been disrupting the peace. That you might have had a hand a few other troubles, and thus deserve the worst punishment possible." He adds with a grin. "Oh, and before you go thinking about dying for some cause or whatever, know that I have your friend marked, so it'll be fairly easy track down the rest. So, if you don't want them to die without be given even a chance as you are right now, you'll cooperate... won't you?" A sinister smile spreads across the halfling's lips.
The jar of nail clippings is certainty...disgusting. But, looking at it, as well as the other magical items in the house does not serve to stir Utar's suspicions. None of the objects seem...nefarious in nature.
Guessing that they might be precious to Villonah, he decides to leave them within the unburnt section of the house. Nodding in agreement with Graxx, he adds,
"Let's not leave a house open what with all the robberies... Then we find the other three, they've likely not gone far."
Utar then proceeds to find any sturdy timbers from the burnt section of the house to attempt to sell off the unburnt section, putting his carpenters tools to use.
(OOC I am making two assumptions in this post. 1)Detect Magic gives school of magic information as well, so I am guessing there isn't anything screaming out to Utar that it might be super malicious or explodey in the house. 2) That Utar's carpenters tools include things like nails and hammer so that he could put boards over an door to seal it, maybe putting the nails in bent to prevent them being prised out?)
(@MB: Your assumptions are fine with me. Regarding schools of magic, you mostly sense minor abjuration on the glove, transmutation on the jar of clippings, the strange needle, and the jug, and finally some minor conjuration on the bird icon. None of it seems obviously evil to you.)
Graxx picks up the seemingly empty magical jug, but Utar decides to leave the other enchanted items behind, in case they have sentimental value to Villonah. Before leaving, the pair agrees to board over the undamaged portion of the house to reduce the risk it will be broken into by ill-intended individuals. The wooden material available for this is damaged, and despite having the correct tools for the job handy, Utar is no expert in their use (no proficiency). Neither is Graxx. Nonetheless, the two adventurers toil away and eventually complete a simple barricade of the house's entrances, making sure to leave before putting up the last boards.
The job takes some time. Once done, Graxx and Utar turn around to notice that there are no spectators left, but that the very delayed Black Fist response team has finally arrived. It is composed of only two guards. Recognizing your faces, they don't immediately accuse you of burning the house, but you can tell they want an explanation as they approach: "Go on... tell us what happened here." They look you up and down and seem a bit suspicious of the magical jug Graxx is still holding, though they don't know it is magical.
(@MB: Please roll a carpenter's tools check --plain STR check without proficiency bonus-- with advantage from Graxx's help. This will determine how good of a job you guys did.)
(OOC: I'll post about the other half of the party once we get a reaction from Neya.)
Neya uses her reflexes to block the loogie with her sleeve (using deflect missile).
"If that's not a confirmation, I don't know what is..." She stands up and turns to Doozey. "I do remember hearing about a string of assaults, lately. I think we have two of the culprits right here."
She turns back to the teenager, "Not as much fun when your victims could actually fight back, is it? You're best option is to talk."
Neya, Doozey, and Biscuit all pounce on the boy with threats. He remains defiant at first, but his expression slowly changes to one of fear. You can't be sure what did the trick. Maybe it was the mention of the wave of crimes, or the menace to his friends, or even the alternative to become Black Fist prisoners. Perhaps it was simply the badassery of the loogie-dodging lady in front of him. Regardless, he begins talking: "We just rob to make a living... Okay? Nothing too bad. food and some coin... maybe some home valuables. We don't even get to keep much of it. It all goes to Mama." He hugs the unconscious girl and pleas: "Just let us go and we won't do it again, I promise."
As soon as the boy goes to try and hug the girl, both master and hunter act as one. While biscuit clamps down just hard enough on the shoulder to seperate the two, Doozey gets the tip of the weapon right under the neck. "Ah-ah-ah! Let's not be getting too handsy now. A little sob story doesn't change your situation by that much now." He stated, maintaining a pleasant tone even if actions and expression said otherwise.
"Now, a few more questions, and then we'll see about your future. Which, so far at least, is becoming quite brighter I like to think. How did the fire started? What, if anything, did you take from that burning home? Is this Mama really your Mama, or just a nickname for your boss? Annd... hmm... Why that home in particular?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Carpentry check - 14
Aleyd's words of warning regarding the other members of the Black Fist jump to the front of Utar's mind. Recalling his own time serving he knows to always defer to rank and to make sure to give a ranked officer all the courtesy of that rank.
Greeting the more senior looking of the two, Utar decides to keep to the facts and let them take over any guard duty.
"Fire, sir. Saw the smoke and came up here from the docks. Put out the flames..."
Utar locks his eye into the jug Graxx carries by way of explanation and continues,
"... And the house is secure now. We've heard of a spate of burglaries in this area from Captain Burral, thought it might be connected. Is there any further information, sir?"
AT THE FIRE_SCENE
(@MB: Indeed! Also, nice description.)
Utar opens his eyes and finds the colorful swirls in his vision starting to pool around some objects within the house. Though the cleric can't see what they are from outside, he gathers that there are 5 sources of magical power in the half-burnt building. Four of them are in the upper floor.
Graxx checks the front door once again and finds most of the smoke has cleared. The burnt/smoke stench remains, however.
(OOC: Assuming you are going in for the magical sources, I'll need an acrobatics and an athletics check from each of you).
AT THE ALLEYWAY
Doozey looks around the corner and manages to Hunter's Mark one of the fleeing mutt-hybrids (the one that never took damage). Biscuit drags the still awake but incapacitated dog closer to Neya and the other defeated-but-alive dog.
Doozey catches up and performs a quick field examination on Neya. The hunter finds nothing that tells him with certainty what has happened to his fellow adventurer. As best as he can tell, she is just asleep. A shake is all that is needed to wake her back up. Neya still feels a bit woozy, but is otherwise healthy again.
As for the creatures, for now Doozey can only conclude they are none of the types he has expertise in.
Neya is greeted by the sight of a softly smiling Doozey, who wastes no time in attempting to ruffle the monk's hair, if only to inspire her to recover sooner in defense. The smile afterwards fades a tad as he motion back to biscuit with his head. "Top of the morning, sleeping beauty. I hope that nap did some good, 'fore our friends here could use our attention. There were two more here as well, but unfortunately they declined our offer to be taken prisoner. A shame too. Perhaps we might getting to asking our friends here why that is, yes? If so, I leave it to you."
He picks himself up and dusts off the pants. "I currently, uhm-..." He glances down at one of the stranger creatures. "In my proverbial sights, as it were. I would be after them well before an hour passes, and I find myself losing them, if'n ya catch my drift."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
A little groggy, Neya gets up and surveys the area, "Before we try to get anything out of them it would help to know what they are first. They do have at least the intelligence to set up a simple trap."
Neya tries to assess if she knows what they are.
Arcana: 9
Extended Signature
"All I know is that they give ya a weird feeling whenever they look in you eyes, so I'd start with fixing that." Doozey suggested. "That, and tying them up. Glad I bought some new rope that aughta make it harder for'em to get loose." With that, the stoutling broke out the silk rope, and would at least begin the process of binding up his catch. Which as a precaution, he tries to make the bindings so that any more transforming would likely be extremely painful at worst, and impossible at best going forward.
Not that those they caught were likely to live past the day...
Rope Tying: 8.
"Judging by that look in your eyes, I say you couldn't put much together, huh?" He said, noting even the smallest sign of frustration or disappointment. "Well, it's all fine. You know, I've given it some thought, and I think we should get at least one of these two back to Utar and the others. Think you can carry one, Ms. Neya? Or would I better off sending me Brother here to try and get them?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx notices Utar appears to be done.
"Sense anything friend?", asks Graxx.
"There are sources of magic in the house, at least five."
Utar lets out an involuntary grunt as he pulls himself to his feet.
"They could be like his pipe; essentially harmless. Or they could be something else entirely. Most are above us, on an upper level."
Casting an eye over the rear of the building, he adds,
"And we might want to try and secure the house before we leave. I'm betting Villonah might appreciate that."
Patting Graxx's shoulder, the half orc cautiously enters the house to begin searching. Calling back to his barbarian friend,
"Neya and Doozey will be back soon, be good to have some information to share."
Athletics - 18
Acrobatics - 11
Perception - 26
AT THE ALLEYWAY
Neya and Doozey discuss what to do with their captives. The monk takes a moment to try to pinpoint these dogs' magical nature but comes up short of any helpful conclusions. Meanwhile, the ranger ties them quickly with his new rope to make sure the captives remain, well... captives. Once again, despite having plenty of experience in the outdoors, Doozey is not quite happy with the way he wrapped the rope around the mutts. He considers redoing them, but before he can decide, the dogs begin transforming. They grow in size, but not by much. Their fur begins to retract, as do their claws and fangs. This transformation seems involuntary and by the end of it, it reveals two teenagers in rags: a boy (awake) and a girl (unconscious).
AT THE FIRE-SCENE
(@Grx: Rolling checks on Graxx's behalf: acrobatics: 18 and athletics: 22.)
Graxx asks about the ritual and gets not only an explanation on the five sources of magic Utar found, but also on the ownership of the place. Graxx reminds Utar that Rillo had gifted his magical pipe to another adventurer when the group helped him last time. Utar then invites Graxx over and the two go into the burnt house. The cleric knows exactly where to go to find those magical sources and is cautions to look for the safest path to reach them.
In the lower level, the two adventurers identify the source of magic as a strange glass vial filled with nail clippings. It is just on the ground, having rolled into a corner from wherever it used to be kept before. Everything around it is burned, but the vial seems intact. Whatever enchantment it has surely had something to do with it not being destroyed by the fire. Looking about in this floor, and more specifically at the corner of the house that Utar identified as being where the fire started, nothing seems unexpected. The place is as cluttered as Utar remembers, but there is just a lot of burnt materials, walls, and the wooden frame of the house. One of the wooden frame pieces cracks and falls towards the adventurers. Graxx sidesteps it easily. Utar's reaction is a bit delayed, but he avoids a direct impact by mere inches.
Moving on to the second floor, Utar points to an undamaged box of trinkets as the source of magic he identified. Rummaging through the many metal and wooden belongings of the deceased tinkerer, Graxx and Utar find three other sources: a white, sequined glove sized for a human; a tiny silver icon of a bird that reminds you of Doozey's messenger raven (Gravy); and a strangely inflexible needle. They all seems like they carry small enchantments that would not take too long to study (one person examining all four items named so far over a short rest should be enough.)
The last magical source is a ceramic jug placed atop a fire-damaged desk. Before reaching it, Graxx and Utar find themselves having to jump over a hole on the floor created by the fire, but do so effortlessly. The ceramic jug appears to be able to hold a gallon of liquid and weighs 12 pounds. Sloshing sounds can be heard from within the jug when it is shaken. Opening it, however, reveals that it is empty (this one requires more in depth studying).
"A doubly good judgement on asking for knock-outs, Doozey." Neya says with a sigh.
She the turns to the down, but conscious boy, "Do you recall these last few moments?"
Extended Signature
Doozey nods, but only appears to be half-listening since the transformation. "Another one." He murmured aside Biscuit;who "Boofs!" in agreement. "Is this town some sort of heaven for shapeshifters? Or is there even more at foot than just a few stray fey, dragon worshippers, and-..." He gestures up and down the boy. "This! Tch! What were you even doing setting places on fire?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The boy does not answer. Instead, he collects some phlegm into his mouth and spits it right on Neya's face.
(OOC: It does count as a missile/projectile ☺).
Graxx holds the jug up to his ear.
"That's odd... What do you say we get out of here before this place comes down on our heads?" says Graxx.
"Okay then, let's try a different track, hm?" Doozey draws the rapier once more, but didn't bloody it yet. "Here's your options, my surly friend. You're gonna tell us what we want to know, and maybe receive only a slap on the wrist for all the trouble you caused, depending on the trouble. Or, either a) I kill you here, and move on to see if your friend there is in a speaking mood. And if not, well... I suppose she'll have to die to. And Biscuit here, he's a big eater." He said nonchalantly, as Biscuit sits up on all fours, and bears his teeth at the boy.
"Or b) I turn you over to the Blackfists. Tell me what you've done, and how you and yours have been disrupting the peace. That you might have had a hand a few other troubles, and thus deserve the worst punishment possible." He adds with a grin. "Oh, and before you go thinking about dying for some cause or whatever, know that I have your friend marked, so it'll be fairly easy track down the rest. So, if you don't want them to die without be given even a chance as you are right now, you'll cooperate... won't you?" A sinister smile spreads across the halfling's lips.
Intimidation: 18. (adv. is from Biscuit's help.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The jar of nail clippings is certainty...disgusting. But, looking at it, as well as the other magical items in the house does not serve to stir Utar's suspicions. None of the objects seem...nefarious in nature.
Guessing that they might be precious to Villonah, he decides to leave them within the unburnt section of the house. Nodding in agreement with Graxx, he adds,
"Let's not leave a house open what with all the robberies... Then we find the other three, they've likely not gone far."
Utar then proceeds to find any sturdy timbers from the burnt section of the house to attempt to sell off the unburnt section, putting his carpenters tools to use.
(OOC I am making two assumptions in this post. 1)Detect Magic gives school of magic information as well, so I am guessing there isn't anything screaming out to Utar that it might be super malicious or explodey in the house. 2) That Utar's carpenters tools include things like nails and hammer so that he could put boards over an door to seal it, maybe putting the nails in bent to prevent them being prised out?)
Graxx will also help Utar carry timbers and place them.
AT RILLO'S HOME
(@MB: Your assumptions are fine with me. Regarding schools of magic, you mostly sense minor abjuration on the glove, transmutation on the jar of clippings, the strange needle, and the jug, and finally some minor conjuration on the bird icon. None of it seems obviously evil to you.)
Graxx picks up the seemingly empty magical jug, but Utar decides to leave the other enchanted items behind, in case they have sentimental value to Villonah. Before leaving, the pair agrees to board over the undamaged portion of the house to reduce the risk it will be broken into by ill-intended individuals. The wooden material available for this is damaged, and despite having the correct tools for the job handy, Utar is no expert in their use (no proficiency). Neither is Graxx. Nonetheless, the two adventurers toil away and eventually complete a simple barricade of the house's entrances, making sure to leave before putting up the last boards.
The job takes some time. Once done, Graxx and Utar turn around to notice that there are no spectators left, but that the very delayed Black Fist response team has finally arrived. It is composed of only two guards. Recognizing your faces, they don't immediately accuse you of burning the house, but you can tell they want an explanation as they approach: "Go on... tell us what happened here." They look you up and down and seem a bit suspicious of the magical jug Graxx is still holding, though they don't know it is magical.
(@MB: Please roll a carpenter's tools check --plain STR check without proficiency bonus-- with advantage from Graxx's help. This will determine how good of a job you guys did.)
(OOC: I'll post about the other half of the party once we get a reaction from Neya.)
Neya uses her reflexes to block the loogie with her sleeve (using deflect missile).
"If that's not a confirmation, I don't know what is..." She stands up and turns to Doozey. "I do remember hearing about a string of assaults, lately. I think we have two of the culprits right here."
She turns back to the teenager, "Not as much fun when your victims could actually fight back, is it? You're best option is to talk."
Extended Signature
AT THE ALLEYWAY
Neya, Doozey, and Biscuit all pounce on the boy with threats. He remains defiant at first, but his expression slowly changes to one of fear. You can't be sure what did the trick. Maybe it was the mention of the wave of crimes, or the menace to his friends, or even the alternative to become Black Fist prisoners. Perhaps it was simply the badassery of the loogie-dodging lady in front of him. Regardless, he begins talking: "We just rob to make a living... Okay? Nothing too bad. food and some coin... maybe some home valuables. We don't even get to keep much of it. It all goes to Mama." He hugs the unconscious girl and pleas: "Just let us go and we won't do it again, I promise."
As soon as the boy goes to try and hug the girl, both master and hunter act as one. While biscuit clamps down just hard enough on the shoulder to seperate the two, Doozey gets the tip of the weapon right under the neck. "Ah-ah-ah! Let's not be getting too handsy now. A little sob story doesn't change your situation by that much now." He stated, maintaining a pleasant tone even if actions and expression said otherwise.
"Now, a few more questions, and then we'll see about your future. Which, so far at least, is becoming quite brighter I like to think. How did the fire started? What, if anything, did you take from that burning home? Is this Mama really your Mama, or just a nickname for your boss? Annd... hmm... Why that home in particular?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Carpentry check - 14
Aleyd's words of warning regarding the other members of the Black Fist jump to the front of Utar's mind. Recalling his own time serving he knows to always defer to rank and to make sure to give a ranked officer all the courtesy of that rank.
Greeting the more senior looking of the two, Utar decides to keep to the facts and let them take over any guard duty.
"Fire, sir. Saw the smoke and came up here from the docks. Put out the flames..."
Utar locks his eye into the jug Graxx carries by way of explanation and continues,
"... And the house is secure now. We've heard of a spate of burglaries in this area from Captain Burral, thought it might be connected. Is there any further information, sir?"
Graxx nods in agreement with Utar.
”Put the fire out.”
Graxx mimics using the jug like tossing water on a fire.
”Boarded it up. All should be good now.” says Graxx