Osmord’s vision through his raven, which indeed looks nothing like an owl, confirms that the drawbridge is still raised. The two guards stay with you as you begin by investigating the small house right next to the bridge to the keep. Entering, you find that the couple who lived there were killed when the roof of their cottage collapsed. A search of the place reveals a desk containing the items a local notary or record keeper might own. (wax seals, jars of ink, blank scrolls, quill pens, land ownership documents, and tax records), along with a money pouch containing 32 gp and 17 sp.
She says” right, yes Raven. Sorry Osmord! Good news the bridge is up”. (A little disturbed by the bird’s condition, she avoids looking directly at it).
Belkas starts to look around but accidentally knocks over a small jar of ink. As he watches the black liquid spread across a small part of the wooden flooring, it appears to him as if it was forming the shape of some sort of infernal rune. Uncomfortable and uneasy, he says, "I will let the rest of you search here and I will await you outside."
Vernon is preoccupied trying to figure out his dream. Internally: "...they're the same...but different...but do only some have power?...but what do they do?..."
As you’re searching the cottage, Arisa spots a small furry face peeking out at her from behind the desk. Its emerald green eyes meets her own, and the cat watches her for a few seconds before darting out.
However, as soon as its body emerges, you see that it’s not a normal golden-furred, short haired house cat, but one with wings. It suddenly leaps into the air, spreads its 3’ wings and flies about the cottage before settling back down by the open door. The cat then folds them back and starts up at you with a curious expression as it sits there.
Arisa will say to it “it’s ok- we won’t hurt you! Are you hungry?” She will offer it some rations (some dried meat she rehydrates using her water flask and shape water).
Arisa has never heard or read anything about what kind of creature this might be, it’s as odd as anything she’s ever seen. It regards her with a little bit of hesitation, until she offers it food. Then it comes forward and gladly munches down the moistened morsels before briefly sitting back down in front of her, apparently wanting more.
Arisa will continue to feed It some more and talk softly. “ was this your home? We are so saddened by what happened here. If you want you can come with us. We are going to find any villagers left and keep things safe from bad goblins...”.
she will see if the cat seems to understand her words or not. (Insight 7 *lol).
Arisa also wll gather some of the blank parchments and pens, (and Unspilled ink!) and says “I suppose we should gather these other things to keep them out of goblin hands”.
Osmord is waiting outside when Belkas comes out. He has been using worm to keep a look out while the others search. He sees the troubled look on the warlocks face.
"Ah good friend Belkas, what foul trouble stirs your soul? Osmord can listen."
Belkas sits down beside Osmord and sighs heavily. "It is hard to explain, my friend. I fear the path I am following. I have these powers.. " Darkness roils up Belkas' tattooed arms into the palms of his hands before he lets it dissipate, "... but not through study and hard work like you. They were given to me, and I am grateful. More than that, she who gave me this boon also saved my life. I owe her everything. But, I am also afraid of what she will want of me and more what I may become. Yesterday, when I killed that goblin, I felt part of its life force flow into me. It felt good, and I wanted more. I have no qualms about killing when needed, but I have never been the type of person who revels in it, nor do I wish to be."
Belkas smiles at Osmord, "I am sorry to go on so long. Mostly it was just bad dreams that have made me melancholic. Thank you for asking, though. It has been a long time. Is everything well with you?"
"Much has changed for me... We are more similar than you think... I have found my God."
Osmords staff begins to glow with a necrotic green light he then taps it on the ground and the ground begins to shake. The display lasts for but a moment and then he ends it with a warm smile.
"Embrace your power, for all things feed upon life... all life leads to death. To enjoy the kill, is not to kill for pleasure. They are different."
Zyllith tags along with the others as they continue the search, helping out where she can. Once Arisa discovers the winged cat, Zyllith becomes simply captivated by the critter and before long finds herself sitting next to her as she also begins playing a bit with the exotic cat.
"Ah, what a cheitie fluff mound ye' are, rioght adorable lil' critta' ain'cha?" She reaches out to pet the creature, hoping to befriend it a little bit.
Vernon snaps out of his preoccupation around when Arisa starts talking to the cat. Out loud, "Is it friendlier than that worg?" He will then silently ask Mielikki if she is going to be more forthcoming about this creature's relation to her, or at least help remember what it is.
Nature check: 11 + 3 = 14 (same for Arcana, + 5 = 16 if he can make this a Religion check.)
Arisa says “you are a friendly one, aren’t you? Just hungry and lonely? Well you are safe with us, help us keep an eye out for goblins and wolves! “. She looks a little disturbed briefly about Osmord’s display, then says “I am happy you have found your faith Osmord, while it is different than my own. I’ll keep these things safe, want to help carry everyone?.”.
we will collect the gold and the more important looking papers and things. Arisa in particular is interested in any blank books, or anything of Arcane nature. Then we will move on, Arisa encouraging the cat to stay with us, with more kind words and treats.
The cat acts quite coy to Zyllith as she tries to pet and interact with it, dodging the tiefling’s attempted affections and biting her lightly on the hand. before scampering over to where Vernon is. He seems to recall hearing tales about these odd creatures, which he thinks are called tressims, or tressyms, or tesseims... something like that, probably created by curious wizards. It briefly nuzzles against the gnome’s leg before darting out the door of the cottage and disappearing.
"Oy! Willy lil' scapa' ain't he?" Zyllith cursed slightly at the winged cat's antics but still couldn't help smiling, amused by the adorable creature regardless.
“Well hopefully we see it again” says Arisa to the group. “It was so cute! Tressims you say, Vernon? I’ve never heard of them, I am embarrassed to say. I didn’t study magical beasts of that sort. Mostly learned of dragons and giants, high arcana and ancient history. Shall we keep moving?” Arisa’s confidence seems to have been growing quickly over the short time you have known her. She does seem driven to keep pushing ahead and, while always polite, she seems impatient sometimes when the group is taking their time. It does seem clear, while she doesn’t actually say it, the fate of the villagers weighs heavily on her mind- both the dead ones as well as any that may yet live in those caves with the Horrid goblins.
Moving to the next two cottages, which sit at the eastern part of the village, one has locked shutters over its windows. The door, which is also locked, has row upon row of ornate runes burned into it. Zyllith recognizes the writing as the Infernal language, and so she can read and translate the runes as follows:
“Let all who enter this home without the consent of its owner burn for ninety-nine years in the depths of Nessus and freeze for a thousand more in the icy wastes of Cania.”
The other cottage is adorned with small flower gardens and many flowerpots around the home. You can see that a rock fell on the front room of their house, killing one of the people inside, a female halfling. It appears that goblins have already ransacked the cottage, so it's hard to say what, if anything might be still here.
Zyllith provides everyone with a rough translation of the words before adding comentary, "Bloody 'ells, these wankars seems like the rioght stick of ther' arse. Might be sum' good in thar' but as like ta' be a magic'd trap."
Osmord’s vision through his raven, which indeed looks nothing like an owl, confirms that the drawbridge is still raised. The two guards stay with you as you begin by investigating the small house right next to the bridge to the keep. Entering, you find that the couple who lived there were killed when the roof of their cottage collapsed. A search of the place reveals a desk containing the items a local notary or record keeper might own. (wax seals, jars of ink, blank scrolls, quill pens, land ownership documents, and tax records), along with a money pouch containing 32 gp and 17 sp.
(Perception checks please.)
Arisa 24 perception
She says” right, yes Raven. Sorry Osmord! Good news the bridge is up”. (A little disturbed by the bird’s condition, she avoids looking directly at it).
(Perception check: 1d10+1, 9)
Belkas starts to look around but accidentally knocks over a small jar of ink. As he watches the black liquid spread across a small part of the wooden flooring, it appears to him as if it was forming the shape of some sort of infernal rune. Uncomfortable and uneasy, he says, "I will let the rest of you search here and I will await you outside."
Perception check: 6
Vernon is preoccupied trying to figure out his dream. Internally: "...they're the same...but different...but do only some have power?...but what do they do?..."
As you’re searching the cottage, Arisa spots a small furry face peeking out at her from behind the desk. Its emerald green eyes meets her own, and the cat watches her for a few seconds before darting out.
However, as soon as its body emerges, you see that it’s not a normal golden-furred, short haired house cat, but one with wings. It suddenly leaps into the air, spreads its 3’ wings and flies about the cottage before settling back down by the open door. The cat then folds them back and starts up at you with a curious expression as it sits there.
Arisa will say to it “it’s ok- we won’t hurt you! Are you hungry?” She will offer it some rations (some dried meat she rehydrates using her water flask and shape water).
knowledge check to ID it:
8 arcana or 4 nature. And 4 animal handling.
Arisa has never heard or read anything about what kind of creature this might be, it’s as odd as anything she’s ever seen. It regards her with a little bit of hesitation, until she offers it food. Then it comes forward and gladly munches down the moistened morsels before briefly sitting back down in front of her, apparently wanting more.
Arisa will continue to feed It some more and talk softly. “ was this your home? We are so saddened by what happened here. If you want you can come with us. We are going to find any villagers left and keep things safe from bad goblins...”.
she will see if the cat seems to understand her words or not. (Insight 7 *lol).
Arisa also wll gather some of the blank parchments and pens, (and Unspilled ink!) and says “I suppose we should gather these other things to keep them out of goblin hands”.
Osmord is waiting outside when Belkas comes out. He has been using worm to keep a look out while the others search. He sees the troubled look on the warlocks face.
"Ah good friend Belkas, what foul trouble stirs your soul? Osmord can listen."
DM - Caves of the Kobold Slave Masters
Belkas sits down beside Osmord and sighs heavily. "It is hard to explain, my friend. I fear the path I am following. I have these powers.. " Darkness roils up Belkas' tattooed arms into the palms of his hands before he lets it dissipate, "... but not through study and hard work like you. They were given to me, and I am grateful. More than that, she who gave me this boon also saved my life. I owe her everything. But, I am also afraid of what she will want of me and more what I may become. Yesterday, when I killed that goblin, I felt part of its life force flow into me. It felt good, and I wanted more. I have no qualms about killing when needed, but I have never been the type of person who revels in it, nor do I wish to be."
Belkas smiles at Osmord, "I am sorry to go on so long. Mostly it was just bad dreams that have made me melancholic. Thank you for asking, though. It has been a long time. Is everything well with you?"
"Much has changed for me... We are more similar than you think... I have found my God."
Osmords staff begins to glow with a necrotic green light he then taps it on the ground and the ground begins to shake. The display lasts for but a moment and then he ends it with a warm smile.
"Embrace your power, for all things feed upon life... all life leads to death. To enjoy the kill, is not to kill for pleasure. They are different."
DM - Caves of the Kobold Slave Masters
( Perception - 15+3 = 18 )
Zyllith tags along with the others as they continue the search, helping out where she can. Once Arisa discovers the winged cat, Zyllith becomes simply captivated by the critter and before long finds herself sitting next to her as she also begins playing a bit with the exotic cat.
"Ah, what a cheitie fluff mound ye' are, rioght adorable lil' critta' ain'cha?" She reaches out to pet the creature, hoping to befriend it a little bit.
(Animal Handling - 2+1 = 3 , lol )
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Vernon snaps out of his preoccupation around when Arisa starts talking to the cat. Out loud, "Is it friendlier than that worg?" He will then silently ask Mielikki if she is going to be more forthcoming about this creature's relation to her, or at least help remember what it is.
Nature check: 11 + 3 = 14 (same for Arcana, + 5 = 16 if he can make this a Religion check.)
Arisa says “you are a friendly one, aren’t you? Just hungry and lonely? Well you are safe with us, help us keep an eye out for goblins and wolves! “. She looks a little disturbed briefly about Osmord’s display, then says “I am happy you have found your faith Osmord, while it is different than my own. I’ll keep these things safe, want to help carry everyone?.”.
we will collect the gold and the more important looking papers and things. Arisa in particular is interested in any blank books, or anything of Arcane nature. Then we will move on, Arisa encouraging the cat to stay with us, with more kind words and treats.
The cat acts quite coy to Zyllith as she tries to pet and interact with it, dodging the tiefling’s attempted affections and biting her lightly on the hand. before scampering over to where Vernon is. He seems to recall hearing tales about these odd creatures, which he thinks are called tressims, or tressyms, or tesseims... something like that, probably created by curious wizards. It briefly nuzzles against the gnome’s leg before darting out the door of the cottage and disappearing.
"Oy! Willy lil' scapa' ain't he?" Zyllith cursed slightly at the winged cat's antics but still couldn't help smiling, amused by the adorable creature regardless.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
“Well hopefully we see it again” says Arisa to the group. “It was so cute! Tressims you say, Vernon? I’ve never heard of them, I am embarrassed to say. I didn’t study magical beasts of that sort. Mostly learned of dragons and giants, high arcana and ancient history. Shall we keep moving?” Arisa’s confidence seems to have been growing quickly over the short time you have known her. She does seem driven to keep pushing ahead and, while always polite, she seems impatient sometimes when the group is taking their time. It does seem clear, while she doesn’t actually say it, the fate of the villagers weighs heavily on her mind- both the dead ones as well as any that may yet live in those caves with the Horrid goblins.
Moving to the next two cottages, which sit at the eastern part of the village, one has locked shutters over its windows. The door, which is also locked, has row upon row of ornate runes burned into it. Zyllith recognizes the writing as the Infernal language, and so she can read and translate the runes as follows:
“Let all who enter this home without the consent of its owner burn for ninety-nine years in the depths of Nessus and freeze for a thousand more in the icy wastes of Cania.”
The other cottage is adorned with small flower gardens and many flowerpots around the home. You can see that a rock fell on the front room of their house, killing one of the people inside, a female halfling. It appears that goblins have already ransacked the cottage, so it's hard to say what, if anything might be still here.
Zyllith provides everyone with a rough translation of the words before adding comentary, "Bloody 'ells, these wankars seems like the rioght stick of ther' arse. Might be sum' good in thar' but as like ta' be a magic'd trap."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
"I wonder if this house is connected to the sword in anyway?" Vernon peers at it. "Best to leave it alone for now, unless we can find the owner."