(OOC - that wasn't Arbon tasting the demon, that was Grahl.)
"Well I'm not surprised my orcish friend. Perhaps don't taste everything we kill? I'd rather not have to hold your hair back as you're throwing up in a corner while fighting off some fiend." Arbon laughs heartily at the thought.
Arbon follows the hunter alongside Onyx. "If this is what he calls heaven, then it'd be interesting to see what he considers hell," he says quietly to the warlock, "Who knows? Perhaps that's why we're here and my curiosity will get an answered soon enough?" Arbon walks a little faster to catch up with the hunter and walks in step with him just a couple of paces behind. "So my, uh... good man," he stumbles over what to call the hunter, "What would our quarry be that you would need the help of this rag-tag group? Seeing that display back in town, you've quite the ability to handle yourself."
The man laughs heartly, actually stopping in honest dismay at the lack of control. He rights himself and speaks,
"I have been called A LOT of things, but, I need help with something a whole lot bigger than a cat chewer. Just figured they'd send more Priests and less..."
He gestures to everyone
"But hey, you're here, and that's what matters. I have absolute faith in--"
He steps on a scorpion crawling across the path, a small red cloud of smoke puffs up under the boot. When lifted, nothing is underneath.
"Your commitment."
He sticks a hand in his pocket and leaves a metal ball on top where the scorpion vanished. He stands up and points at it.
Onyx quietly walked by the metal ball on the ground, but had to force himself to avert his eyes. Multiple times. His curiosity had gotten him in trouble before, and he certainly didn't want it to cause issues before they even got underway on their mission....
"That... thing back there ate cats?! No wonder you care so much for your dog." Arbon looks at the small metal ball, shrugs, then continues on, but notices Onyx looking closely at it before he does. "Well, I'm sure one way or another, we'll get the job done for you."
Grahl looks strangly at Arbon suggestion he might need to hold his hair. Then bears his teeth for a moment Bah, you mock Grahl. He continues to follow the hunter silently.
Looking at the ball where the scorpion was only for a second and moving on, not interested in what seems a magic trick.
Moving on he thinks to himself that Gruumsh must be testing Grahl having sent him into this strange place with so many weird people.
Speed-walking up to the hunter, Onyx's eyes brightened as he let his investigative side loose.
"Excuse me, sir? I didn't catch your name, but, um, that metal ball you placed on the ground back there... was that magically enchanted to keep that entity from returning? Or is it simply that iron, or steel, or whatever that was acts as a natural barrier to prevent such here? Of course, I'm presuming that that was the entire point of the act... and it was, yes?"
He nearly held his breath as he awaited an answer; he should get a nice, terse response, he thought, proud that he'd managed to keep his queries short and to the point.
Marchosias eyes the rest of the group as they followed the hunter, seemingly aimlessly. The orc, Grahl, was stupid. But at least he looked strong. The rest of them. . . Well, they had yet to do any fighting yet. The cloying taste of demon goop burned at the back of his throat. When would he taste more?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Now to this the Hunter paused and responded with more respect than he has shown all day,
"Iron for demons, steel for people, and silver for devils."
He points back to the ball on the ground, which hasn't moved despite being on a slightly slopped road and being a round object.
"That, is a bribe. I'm not hunting him today, and I'd like very much for that particular devil to leave us be."
There's a bit of a shuffling, kind of searching in his back pockets. He pulls a small folded leaflet and hands it to you (Onyx).
If you take it,
"Since the dawn of man, we have fought. Since the dawn of man, we have learned to fight better. When we moved passed bones and throwing rocks, we learned to make tools and we could really fight.
Iron was the first. We learned to use it to make everything, and in this it became the symbol of the people. As infinite as the abyss, humanity's will to create is symbolized by iron, and is harmful to creatures of pure chaos.
Steel was the second. We learned to use it to make better killing tools and this became the symbol of war. As numerous as the days, humanity's want to progress is symbolized by steel and harmful to those who stand in its way.
Silver was the last. We learned to use it to make deals and it became the symbol of betrayal and purity. As contradictory as the human soul, humanity's most coveted desires are symbolized by silver, and gratefully accepted by those who deal in such things."
-Rune Keeper Karswell
"A grey beard came through here about a month ago and handed me this. At the time, I was strictly operating on tradition and this actually helped me out a bit."
He looks up,
"He disappeared to where we're going a day later."
Onyx read through the leaflet hungrily as they continued to walk. He found the contents fascinating, and it was obvious the gears in his mind were turning, setting the new facts into their proper locations within his web of knowledge.
"WOW!" he exclaimed when finally finished, handing the leaflet back. "Well, thank you, sir... much appreciated!" His brow creased a bit as he suddenly realized he still hadn't gotten the hunter's name, but he decided to drop it for the time being.
Arbon laughs at Grahl's remark and slaps him on the shoulder, "Oh Grahl, you've got to be the funniest half-orc I've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm only joking with you my barbaric new friend! I look forward to us fighting together. If nothing else, it will be entertaining!"
Arbon turns to the quiet tiefling, "So tell me Marchosias, you're awfully quiet. I hope that demon's remains haven't burnt out your tongue," he pauses, poking out his tongue and wiggling it around as if to make sure his own tongue is still there, then chuckles, "What drove you to taste that goop? Is it a delicacy where you're from? I can't imagine what it would taste like, though if I were to take a guess, I'd have to say chicken," he chuckles again, "Only because much of the food tastes that way!"
Arbon once again gets in step with the hunter and Onyx. "You mentioned that the metal balls, iron, steel and silver are each for different beings. Might I ask if we are able to get some, especially if you say our quarrel is with something more? Perhaps they may help us on our quest for you?"
As the trail continues it leads right into the hills on the outskirts of town. There is a single dead tree, strong in the trunk and roots but empty of leaves sitting atop those hills.
The hunter tells of a man wrongly convicted who has hanged there. He was a comedian, the last man to survive a brutal bar brawl that involved 20 dead. He said he had hid behind the bar the whole time and the last two actual fighters got each other. Without any others to see it, the remaining townsfolk deemed him a psychopath and hung him.
"A week later, he came back."
A strong breeze blows as you pass the tree. The hunter does not stop and recommends you do the same. He doesnt wait to see if you listen.
Continuing onto the end of the trail, the tree fades from sight. The mining facility gates open, you cross through them and see several cart loading and unloading rigs and tracks. There is a single shaft, and various digging equipment scattered about. He points to the shaft and heads inside.
At this point, Onyx is simply taking in all the sights, the story of the hanged comedian and the novelty of the mine occupying his mind for the moment.
Chazrael and Arbon hear something mixed in with the hunter's tale. Neither are aware that the other is experiencing it, but it feels as if someone is running passed you, whispering something in your hear as a passing thought.
(Failed save - is DM rolling damage for that one? Cause this may be a short lived campaign, even for the healer! That has got to be one of the worst rolls ever at this stage in one of my games.)
Arbon's mind is filled with whispers and is suddenly overcome with pain. He runs directly away from the tree and off the path, neither heading back towards the hunter's house, nor towards the mine that the hunter is leading to.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Just at the gates to the mine, Onyx looked behind in confusion at Arbon as he ran off; then he recognized the look on his face--one of pain.
Eyes widening, he stopped in place, and began to spin this way and that, looking for some concealed assailant. He held his quarterstaff in his left hand, extended as if to ward away the invisible foe, and with his right hand he formed an Eldritch Sign, ready to blast anything that looked remotely dangerous.
(( His "Eldritch Sign" is basically a Dr. Strange gesture: thumb, index finger and pinky extended, with the middle and ring fingers curled against the palm. ))
ACTION: Readying an Eldritch Blast, Onyx will fire it as a reaction at anything that looks dangerous. Force plus 2 thunder damage if it hits. - Eldritch Blast: 18, Damage incl. crits: 5
(OOC - that wasn't Arbon tasting the demon, that was Grahl.)
"Well I'm not surprised my orcish friend. Perhaps don't taste everything we kill? I'd rather not have to hold your hair back as you're throwing up in a corner while fighting off some fiend." Arbon laughs heartily at the thought.
Arbon follows the hunter alongside Onyx. "If this is what he calls heaven, then it'd be interesting to see what he considers hell," he says quietly to the warlock, "Who knows? Perhaps that's why we're here and my curiosity will get an answered soon enough?" Arbon walks a little faster to catch up with the hunter and walks in step with him just a couple of paces behind. "So my, uh... good man," he stumbles over what to call the hunter, "What would our quarry be that you would need the help of this rag-tag group? Seeing that display back in town, you've quite the ability to handle yourself."
The man laughs heartly, actually stopping in honest dismay at the lack of control. He rights himself and speaks,
"I have been called A LOT of things, but, I need help with something a whole lot bigger than a cat chewer. Just figured they'd send more Priests and less..."
He gestures to everyone
"But hey, you're here, and that's what matters. I have absolute faith in--"
He steps on a scorpion crawling across the path, a small red cloud of smoke puffs up under the boot. When lifted, nothing is underneath.
"Your commitment."
He sticks a hand in his pocket and leaves a metal ball on top where the scorpion vanished. He stands up and points at it.
"Don't touch that."
He spins around and continues walking.
(( Oops, thanks, changed it to Grahl ))
Onyx quietly walked by the metal ball on the ground, but had to force himself to avert his eyes. Multiple times. His curiosity had gotten him in trouble before, and he certainly didn't want it to cause issues before they even got underway on their mission....
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
"That... thing back there ate cats?! No wonder you care so much for your dog." Arbon looks at the small metal ball, shrugs, then continues on, but notices Onyx looking closely at it before he does. "Well, I'm sure one way or another, we'll get the job done for you."
Grahl looks strangly at Arbon suggestion he might need to hold his hair. Then bears his teeth for a moment Bah, you mock Grahl. He continues to follow the hunter silently.
Looking at the ball where the scorpion was only for a second and moving on, not interested in what seems a magic trick.
Moving on he thinks to himself that Gruumsh must be testing Grahl having sent him into this strange place with so many weird people.
Chazrael glances at the metal ball, tempted to fire an arrow at it and then at the scorpion. "That was interesting."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
He couldn't hold it in any longer.
Speed-walking up to the hunter, Onyx's eyes brightened as he let his investigative side loose.
"Excuse me, sir? I didn't catch your name, but, um, that metal ball you placed on the ground back there... was that magically enchanted to keep that entity from returning? Or is it simply that iron, or steel, or whatever that was acts as a natural barrier to prevent such here? Of course, I'm presuming that that was the entire point of the act... and it was, yes?"
He nearly held his breath as he awaited an answer; he should get a nice, terse response, he thought, proud that he'd managed to keep his queries short and to the point.
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Marchosias eyes the rest of the group as they followed the hunter, seemingly aimlessly. The orc, Grahl, was stupid. But at least he looked strong. The rest of them. . . Well, they had yet to do any fighting yet. The cloying taste of demon goop burned at the back of his throat. When would he taste more?
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Now to this the Hunter paused and responded with more respect than he has shown all day,
"Iron for demons, steel for people, and silver for devils."
He points back to the ball on the ground, which hasn't moved despite being on a slightly slopped road and being a round object.
"That, is a bribe. I'm not hunting him today, and I'd like very much for that particular devil to leave us be."
There's a bit of a shuffling, kind of searching in his back pockets. He pulls a small folded leaflet and hands it to you (Onyx).
If you take it,
"Since the dawn of man, we have fought. Since the dawn of man, we have learned to fight better. When we moved passed bones and throwing rocks, we learned to make tools and we could really fight.
Iron was the first. We learned to use it to make everything, and in this it became the symbol of the people. As infinite as the abyss, humanity's will to create is symbolized by iron, and is harmful to creatures of pure chaos.
Steel was the second. We learned to use it to make better killing tools and this became the symbol of war. As numerous as the days, humanity's want to progress is symbolized by steel and harmful to those who stand in its way.
Silver was the last. We learned to use it to make deals and it became the symbol of betrayal and purity. As contradictory as the human soul, humanity's most coveted desires are symbolized by silver, and gratefully accepted by those who deal in such things."
-Rune Keeper Karswell
"A grey beard came through here about a month ago and handed me this. At the time, I was strictly operating on tradition and this actually helped me out a bit."
He looks up,
"He disappeared to where we're going a day later."
Onyx read through the leaflet hungrily as they continued to walk. He found the contents fascinating, and it was obvious the gears in his mind were turning, setting the new facts into their proper locations within his web of knowledge.
"WOW!" he exclaimed when finally finished, handing the leaflet back. "Well, thank you, sir... much appreciated!" His brow creased a bit as he suddenly realized he still hadn't gotten the hunter's name, but he decided to drop it for the time being.
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Arbon laughs at Grahl's remark and slaps him on the shoulder, "Oh Grahl, you've got to be the funniest half-orc I've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm only joking with you my barbaric new friend! I look forward to us fighting together. If nothing else, it will be entertaining!"
Arbon turns to the quiet tiefling, "So tell me Marchosias, you're awfully quiet. I hope that demon's remains haven't burnt out your tongue," he pauses, poking out his tongue and wiggling it around as if to make sure his own tongue is still there, then chuckles, "What drove you to taste that goop? Is it a delicacy where you're from? I can't imagine what it would taste like, though if I were to take a guess, I'd have to say chicken," he chuckles again, "Only because much of the food tastes that way!"
Arbon once again gets in step with the hunter and Onyx. "You mentioned that the metal balls, iron, steel and silver are each for different beings. Might I ask if we are able to get some, especially if you say our quarrel is with something more? Perhaps they may help us on our quest for you?"
Marchosias considers the human's question. The question seemed a genuine one, couched in both humor and curiosity. No offense meant, no offense taken.
"I am also a hunter of sorts. It helps to get a sense for these things. Get the trail."'
Without further explanation he falls in behind the others.
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
The hunter remarks back without turning around,
"Got what you brought. Won't be much by the laughing tree neither."
He mulls it over for a second,
"Might find some iron in the mine."
He reconsiders,
"I wouldn't count on it."
As the trail continues it leads right into the hills on the outskirts of town. There is a single dead tree, strong in the trunk and roots but empty of leaves sitting atop those hills.
The hunter tells of a man wrongly convicted who has hanged there. He was a comedian, the last man to survive a brutal bar brawl that involved 20 dead. He said he had hid behind the bar the whole time and the last two actual fighters got each other. Without any others to see it, the remaining townsfolk deemed him a psychopath and hung him.
"A week later, he came back."
A strong breeze blows as you pass the tree. The hunter does not stop and recommends you do the same. He doesnt wait to see if you listen.
Continuing onto the end of the trail, the tree fades from sight. The mining facility gates open, you cross through them and see several cart loading and unloading rigs and tracks. There is a single shaft, and various digging equipment scattered about. He points to the shaft and heads inside.
At this point, Onyx is simply taking in all the sights, the story of the hanged comedian and the novelty of the mine occupying his mind for the moment.
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Chazrael is also going to keep silent and listen to the tales while taking in the sites. He follows the hunter and the others inside the cave.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Chazrael and Arbon hear something mixed in with the hunter's tale. Neither are aware that the other is experiencing it, but it feels as if someone is running passed you, whispering something in your hear as a passing thought.
The Hunter: "...wrongly convicted..."
???: "Another Hunter, isn't it?"
The Hunter: "....a brutal bar brawl..."
??: "A new one?"
The Hunter: "...20 dead men..."
???: "You should've seen the last one."
The Hunter: "...the remaining townsfolk..."
??: "Don't trust him."
The Hunter: "...Hung him..."
???: "Deal with Devils, DEAL with Demons."
The Hunter: "...The next day, he came back..."
...
...
AN INTENSE PAIN!
?: "YOU'RE GP'NA DIE IW TSWT MINE!!!"
Make a Wisdom Save
Arbon's Wisdom Save: 7
(Failed save - is DM rolling damage for that one? Cause this may be a short lived campaign, even for the healer! That has got to be one of the worst rolls ever at this stage in one of my games.)
Arbon's mind is filled with whispers and is suddenly overcome with pain. He runs directly away from the tree and off the path, neither heading back towards the hunter's house, nor towards the mine that the hunter is leading to.
Marchosias, noticing Arbon's wild but aimless dash, gives chase. It's definitely out of concern for a new ally and not some latent predatory instinct.
Attending Academy until November, slowdown in posts continue.
Just at the gates to the mine, Onyx looked behind in confusion at Arbon as he ran off; then he recognized the look on his face--one of pain.
Eyes widening, he stopped in place, and began to spin this way and that, looking for some concealed assailant. He held his quarterstaff in his left hand, extended as if to ward away the invisible foe, and with his right hand he formed an Eldritch Sign, ready to blast anything that looked remotely dangerous.
(( His "Eldritch Sign" is basically a Dr. Strange gesture: thumb, index finger and pinky extended, with the middle and ring fingers curled against the palm. ))
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf