The dwarf meets Roc's eyes with hers, replying: "That we haven't, lad. But I've heard of locals like you during my stay here." She introduces herself as Hlin Trollbane, a retired bounty hunter. "My profession earned meh a few too many enemies up n' down tha Sword Coast, so I wound up here. ...That fella though - first time I've seen it around here."
Roc and Errona's brief introduction to the dwarf is interrupted by an audible splash. Lumen turns to see that a group of local drunks has surrounded a23. The robot remains seated in his chair; raw fish sliding from the top of his head to the floor.
"Hey, YOU. We don't take kindly to your types in here."
"Now, calm down skeeter. He ain't hurtin' nobody." one of the bar patrons attempts to say.
"NO." replies one of the drunks. He is far too inebriated to fear a23's display of weaponry.
Roc quickly observes that the drunks are armed with beer bottles and furniture. He catches a glimpse of a short sword on at least one of them. He quickly counts 4 hostiles around a23, with many other patrons in the bar.
"Get off of me, Roc." replies Skeeter. "Got some mystery murderer running rampant around these parts and this the first time I seen a feller like this around."
Steam whistles and spews from ventilation ports along the robots body to prevent overheating as a23 redirects energy to battle related processes [Tooltip Not Found]
*neutralizing hostile target* The warforged warrior zips across the room to skeeter and slashes at his wrist(non-lethal) as he draws his sword.
a23 slashes Skeeter's hand clean off of his wrist. The appendage falls onto the floor with an audible thud.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Skeeter screams in pain, and blood suddenly starts to spray uncontrollably onto the floor. He falls into his own blood with a splash, unconscious.
Roars erupt within the bar at the sight. The small circle of drunks now grows to a mob of at least 10 people. The barkeeper draws a shotgun from down under and aims it at a23. "GUARDS!" he yells. "IS ANYONE WITH THIS INTRUDER!?"
The server from earlier runs out of the bar in order to call the authorities.
"IT'S THE MURDERER! HE'S HERE!" screams a voice from within the bar.
"Now now, Lets all calm down. I do believe there is a misunderstanding here. Let me tend to this man's wound's."
He moves over to begin binding the mans bleeding stump. "
Perhaps it would be best if you take a moment outside to cool off A23 I believe you said you were called. And you all best calm down as well unless any more of you really want to get hurt. That automaton, though odd seems well able to defend himself."
Blood from the ground begins to seep back into the hole at the end of Skeeter's arm, as if time was reversing. The red threads intertwine and the ripped cartilage reattaches itself between the man's wrist and hand. Skeeter's eyes suddenly pop open, as he lets out a fierce gasp of air.
Then men back away from the bloody area, recognizing Lumen's holy symbol. Their eyes remain fixated on a23 with weapons drawn while the cleric does his work.
...
Frantic footsteps are heard, just before a pair of guards appears to inquire about the situation.
"Roc! What happened here, son?" one asks, quickly recognizing the local and his partner.
The other guard slowly approaches a23 with his weapon drawn.
"AHA HA HA HA HA HA" Hlin bursts out, suddenly disrupting the tense atmosphere. Everyone's attention is drawn to the dwarf. "Don't get too hasty now, lads. Remember that our culprit kills with an ice dagger. An' if you ask me, that ole drunk seemed like he was asking for it." She blows a puff of smoke from her pipe. "I took it upon mehself to investigate the recent murders after not even the Council of Speakers could be bothered. I gottah lead and was waiting for the right crew to take on the job. These people, maybeh even that machine, look like they might just beh the ones. An' trust meh. This one here hasn't been around until today." Hlin states, drawing her gaze to the robot.
The dwarf sits back down casually in her seat, observing the situation with a grin. She looks to the adventures as she smokes, as if to suggest that she is ready to give them the information they need when they are prepared.
Errona looks around the room and grabs the bowl of nuts. She moves over to the table with the Hlin and sits down. She stares intently at the dwarf and says "Sometimes I wonder if the cold has frozen their brains. At least there is one sane person here...". She continues to eat the bowl of nuts. "This killer only goes after tradesmen right? So us women should be safe from the ice stabby through the heart."
" While a little off, generally trying to fight someone can easily result in being hurt yourself. I wouldn't suggest looking for fights when in such an inebriated state comrades."
He inclines his head towards Hiln,
" I appreciate you helping to diffuse the situation."
He stands with skeeter and brushes the two of them off before patting skeeter on the back.
" I hope I find you in better health next time may the Morning Lord shine upon you."
He turns again to Hiln.
" You say you have information on these killers, eh? These ones that are making everyone so jumpy? I would like them to not exist anymore. Tell me how I can help."
”No need for fuss. Skeeter drew on the contraction and the contraption defended itself. Quite well... I’m fairly impressed. Skeeter is now healed and has hopefully learned his lesson on biting off more than he can chew.”
Roc’s eyes are fixated on Lumen dancing back and forth from the healed arm. He seems very intrigued.
The guards watch as a23 retracts his weapon, then shift their gaze to Skeeter who now appears to be intact.
"Damn it, Skeeter. Not you again." one of the guard says. "Stand down. It seems like you've all had a little too much to drink tonight." the other says to the crowd. They sheath their weapons and head towards the exit.
Skeeter, staring at disbelief at his hand, looks up at Lumen. "Yes...yes, a temple! That's where I will go." His eyes are filled with a deep horror as he follows the guards outside hurriedly.
The men in the bar eventually get back to their own business. However, the bartender seems to keep one hand on his weapon under the counter. If one observes closely, they would realize that he is watching a23 from the corner of his eye.
...
Hlin replies to Errona. "That's right dear. At least so far." As the others return, Hlin tells them the name of her lone suspect: a man named Sephek Kaltro.
"Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg's, owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. In other words, Sephek gets around. He's charming. Makes friends easily. He's also Torrga's bodyguard, so I'm guessing he's good with a blade.
"His victims come from the only three towns that sacrifice people to the Frostmaiden on nights of the new moon. This is what passes for civilized behavior in Icewind Dale. Maybe the victims found a way to keep their names out of the drawings and Sephek found out they were cheating, so he killed them. Maybe, just maybe, Sephek is doing the Frostmaiden's work.
"I followed Torg's for a tenday as it moved form town to town. Quite the devious little enterprise, but that's not my concern. What struck me is how comfortable Sephek Kaltro looked in this weather. No coat, no scarf, no gloves. It was like the cold couldn't touch him. Kiss of the Frostmaiden, indeed.
"I will pay you a hundred gold pieces to apprehend Sephek Kaltro, ascertain his guilt, and deal with him, preferably without involving the authorities. When the job is done, return to me to collect your money.
During the conversation, Roc and Errona recall that the three settlements making human sacrifices to Auril are Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos. Lotteries are held to determine who gets sacrificed on nights of the new moon. If Hlin's theory is true and Sephek Kaltro is killing Ten-Towners who cheat their way out of becoming sacrifices to Auril, it's likely the Frostmaiden will use him to kill again. The heroes must find Sephek Kaltro and deal with him.
Three cold-blooded murders have been committed in the past month: a halfling trapper in Easthaven, a human shipbuilder inTargos, and, three days ago, a dwarf glassblower in Bryn Shander. Each victim was found with a dagger of ice through the heart.
Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg's as a bodyguard. It is owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. This operation moves frequently between the Ten-Towns. Hlin doesn't know if Sephek is acting alone or has the support of Torrga Icevein, so she advises the heroes to isolate Sephek and dispose of him quietly, if such action if called for.
Lumen grimaces at having to discuss the awful practices required to appease Auril here in the frozen north. He shakes his head slightly.
" He certainly sounds like he may have some sort of boon from the lady of winter. I certainly have no issue hunting down the killer, but are you prepared for consequences that might befall if he is doing the work of Auril? Has this man wronged you personally? "
Errona leans back in her chair and says "Well 100 gold pieces is nice. I guess it can help tie me over a bit more until someone over here finally croaks to the death god.." Errona looks at Roc. "Well I say we start our journey in Easthaven. Should be a nice place to start gathering some information." Errona removes the empty nut bowl from under her coat and throws it onto the table. She then sits back and finishes drinking her ale while listening.
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Errona remains silently but nudges Roc and motions her head towards the elderly shield dwarf.
Roc takes attention to the scarred dwarf. He peers hard at her.
”I’m sorry... Have we worked a job together before? It’s hard to recognize people when they’re not bundled up from the cold.” Says Roc to Scar-Eye.
The dwarf meets Roc's eyes with hers, replying: "That we haven't, lad. But I've heard of locals like you during my stay here." She introduces herself as Hlin Trollbane, a retired bounty hunter. "My profession earned meh a few too many enemies up n' down tha Sword Coast, so I wound up here. ...That fella though - first time I've seen it around here."
Roc and Errona's brief introduction to the dwarf is interrupted by an audible splash. Lumen turns to see that a group of local drunks has surrounded a23. The robot remains seated in his chair; raw fish sliding from the top of his head to the floor.
"Hey, YOU. We don't take kindly to your types in here."
They look ready for a fight.
a23 calmly stands from his seat and raises a mechanical arm out in front of him towards the gathered crowd.
*HOSTILES DETECTED* *BATTLE MODE ACTIVATED*
*bzzzzt*wzzzt*bzzzzzt*
gears and pistons fire into action as steal plates slide back and out transforming the mechanical arm into a battle axe
”friends. I urge you to recalculate the value of your lives...”
intimidation: 5
Roc looks over at the drunks. He motions to Hlin.
”Pardon me for a moment.”
Roc looks to Errona and raises his eyebrows.
Roc scans the men for weapons.
Perception: 8
" I don't know her myself. You are a bit something to look at, but I guess someone could ask."
"Now, calm down skeeter. He ain't hurtin' nobody." one of the bar patrons attempts to say.
"NO." replies one of the drunks. He is far too inebriated to fear a23's display of weaponry.
Roc quickly observes that the drunks are armed with beer bottles and furniture. He catches a glimpse of a short sword on at least one of them. He quickly counts 4 hostiles around a23, with many other patrons in the bar.
Initiative:
A23: 13
Errona: 4
Lumen: 5
Roc: 14
Enemy: 1
Battle Order:
Roc
a23
Lumen
Errona
Drunks
Everyone can post!
Roc approaches Skeeter with both hands lightly resting on his twin scimitars. Roc looks down at Skeeter’s shortsword and back up to Skeeter.
”Drop this child’s play. Skin that blade and go to work boy.” says Roc.
If needed Intimidation: 5
"Get off of me, Roc." replies Skeeter. "Got some mystery murderer running rampant around these parts and this the first time I seen a feller like this around."
Skeeter reaches for his short sword.
a23, Lumen, and Errona are able to react.
Steam whistles and spews from ventilation ports along the robots body to prevent overheating as a23 redirects energy to battle related processes [Tooltip Not Found]
*neutralizing hostile target*
The warforged warrior zips across the room to skeeter and slashes at his wrist(non-lethal) as he draws his sword.
Attack: 18 Damage: 15
a23 slashes Skeeter's hand clean off of his wrist. The appendage falls onto the floor with an audible thud.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Skeeter screams in pain, and blood suddenly starts to spray uncontrollably onto the floor. He falls into his own blood with a splash, unconscious.
Roars erupt within the bar at the sight. The small circle of drunks now grows to a mob of at least 10 people. The barkeeper draws a shotgun from down under and aims it at a23. "GUARDS!" he yells. "IS ANYONE WITH THIS INTRUDER!?"
The server from earlier runs out of the bar in order to call the authorities.
"IT'S THE MURDERER! HE'S HERE!" screams a voice from within the bar.
What will Lumen and Errona do?
Lumen backs off drawing his holy symbol.
"Now now, Lets all calm down. I do believe there is a misunderstanding here. Let me tend to this man's wound's."
He moves over to begin binding the mans bleeding stump. "
Perhaps it would be best if you take a moment outside to cool off A23 I believe you said you were called. And you all best calm down as well unless any more of you really want to get hurt. That automaton, though odd seems well able to defend himself."
Blood from the ground begins to seep back into the hole at the end of Skeeter's arm, as if time was reversing. The red threads intertwine and the ripped cartilage reattaches itself between the man's wrist and hand. Skeeter's eyes suddenly pop open, as he lets out a fierce gasp of air.
Then men back away from the bloody area, recognizing Lumen's holy symbol. Their eyes remain fixated on a23 with weapons drawn while the cleric does his work.
...
Frantic footsteps are heard, just before a pair of guards appears to inquire about the situation.
"Roc! What happened here, son?" one asks, quickly recognizing the local and his partner.
The other guard slowly approaches a23 with his weapon drawn.
"AHA HA HA HA HA HA" Hlin bursts out, suddenly disrupting the tense atmosphere. Everyone's attention is drawn to the dwarf. "Don't get too hasty now, lads. Remember that our culprit kills with an ice dagger. An' if you ask me, that ole drunk seemed like he was asking for it." She blows a puff of smoke from her pipe. "I took it upon mehself to investigate the recent murders after not even the Council of Speakers could be bothered. I gottah lead and was waiting for the right crew to take on the job. These people, maybeh even that machine, look like they might just beh the ones. An' trust meh. This one here hasn't been around until today." Hlin states, drawing her gaze to the robot.
The dwarf sits back down casually in her seat, observing the situation with a grin. She looks to the adventures as she smokes, as if to suggest that she is ready to give them the information they need when they are prepared.
*bzzzzt*wzzzt*bzzzzt*
gears and pistons fire away as a23’s axe sheathes itself under the steal plates reverting back to a mechanical arm.
Errona looks around the room and grabs the bowl of nuts. She moves over to the table with the Hlin and sits down. She stares intently at the dwarf and says "Sometimes I wonder if the cold has frozen their brains. At least there is one sane person here...". She continues to eat the bowl of nuts. "This killer only goes after tradesmen right? So us women should be safe from the ice stabby through the heart."
" While a little off, generally trying to fight someone can easily result in being hurt yourself. I wouldn't suggest looking for fights when in such an inebriated state comrades."
He inclines his head towards Hiln,
" I appreciate you helping to diffuse the situation."
He stands with skeeter and brushes the two of them off before patting skeeter on the back.
" I hope I find you in better health next time may the Morning Lord shine upon you."
He turns again to Hiln.
" You say you have information on these killers, eh? These ones that are making everyone so jumpy? I would like them to not exist anymore. Tell me how I can help."
Roc turns to the guards.
”No need for fuss. Skeeter drew on the contraction and the contraption defended itself. Quite well... I’m fairly impressed. Skeeter is now healed and has hopefully learned his lesson on biting off more than he can chew.”
Roc’s eyes are fixated on Lumen dancing back and forth from the healed arm. He seems very intrigued.
The guards watch as a23 retracts his weapon, then shift their gaze to Skeeter who now appears to be intact.
"Damn it, Skeeter. Not you again." one of the guard says. "Stand down. It seems like you've all had a little too much to drink tonight." the other says to the crowd. They sheath their weapons and head towards the exit.
Skeeter, staring at disbelief at his hand, looks up at Lumen. "Yes...yes, a temple! That's where I will go." His eyes are filled with a deep horror as he follows the guards outside hurriedly.
The men in the bar eventually get back to their own business. However, the bartender seems to keep one hand on his weapon under the counter. If one observes closely, they would realize that he is watching a23 from the corner of his eye.
...
Hlin replies to Errona. "That's right dear. At least so far." As the others return, Hlin tells them the name of her lone suspect: a man named Sephek Kaltro.
During the conversation, Roc and Errona recall that the three settlements making human sacrifices to Auril are Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos. Lotteries are held to determine who gets sacrificed on nights of the new moon. If Hlin's theory is true and Sephek Kaltro is killing Ten-Towners who cheat their way out of becoming sacrifices to Auril, it's likely the Frostmaiden will use him to kill again. The heroes must find Sephek Kaltro and deal with him.
Three cold-blooded murders have been committed in the past month: a halfling trapper in Easthaven, a human shipbuilder in Targos, and, three days ago, a dwarf glassblower in Bryn Shander. Each victim was found with a dagger of ice through the heart.
Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg's as a bodyguard. It is owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. This operation moves frequently between the Ten-Towns. Hlin doesn't know if Sephek is acting alone or has the support of Torrga Icevein, so she advises the heroes to isolate Sephek and dispose of him quietly, if such action if called for.
Lumen grimaces at having to discuss the awful practices required to appease Auril here in the frozen north. He shakes his head slightly.
" He certainly sounds like he may have some sort of boon from the lady of winter. I certainly have no issue hunting down the killer, but are you prepared for consequences that might befall if he is doing the work of Auril? Has this man wronged you personally? "
Errona leans back in her chair and says "Well 100 gold pieces is nice. I guess it can help tie me over a bit more until someone over here finally croaks to the death god.." Errona looks at Roc. "Well I say we start our journey in Easthaven. Should be a nice place to start gathering some information." Errona removes the empty nut bowl from under her coat and throws it onto the table. She then sits back and finishes drinking her ale while listening.