"Heh! I'll have to keep that in mind should any of us become infected. But fortunately my means are more of a druid's discipline, then that of any foul curse, I assure you." He adds as one bit of final assurance before the transformation. Which by all appearance, the Eladrin's body appears to rapidly turn into autumn leaves giving the vague impression of a humanoid shape before abruptly collapsing on the ground and melting into the earth. In the wake of the transformation the most common breed of mastiffs the Eladrin had seen in other towns, if albeit with a slightly more shaggier coat. Although anyone that looked too deeply in his eyes might see hints of intelligence far surpassing any normal beast.
Be that as it may, he "Boofs" at once he picked up a scent trail and lead the group on until reaching the structure. At which point with a tail a wagging happily he turns to the group and "boofs" again, before giving Nivi a meaningful look. He then gestures with his head back to the house he pointed out and "Boofs" again. If his meaning is caught, but the others insist on following her inside, Eladrin just nods, having already planned to follow her (or Shiv, as the case might've been) inside for a bit of scouting out, if nothing else, and using his mouth as necessary to try and fenagle the front door open if left to his own devices.
(OOC: Regardless of how things proceed, Jack will be relying on his passive skills for the time being. And in regards to perception and investigation, if if he might detect something due to its scent or from hearing something, he'd normally have adv. But in the case of passive, it's a flat +5 boost)
As the party's makeshift bloodhound picks up the scent and leads the way, Olamoira is more than happy to let someone else take over the perilous forensic duties of tracking. She walks along the party's meandering trail in silence, keeping her magical senses alive with a periodic Detect Magic refreshment. As Jack the mastiff wags his tail and barks at the offending house, she pats him on the head, absently, as if lost in thought, some faraway look in her eye. Her gaze travels from the collapsing roof, to the shattered window, noting that it's unlikely to be inhabited. But they were here. The trail leads here. Well, there's one way we can know...
Ola starts to step up to the front door of the dilapidated house, then pauses as she passes Beren. With her Detect Magic senses still spread out, the blinding gleam of holy magic in his sword before her seems to remind her of something. She reaches out with one hand to touch the glowing knight on the shoulder, and though it seems a friendly supportive gesture, he may feel that it is yet something more. Then she passes him by, up onto the threshold of the front door of the house, and pounds on it loudly with one fist.
Ola touches Beren to bestow:
Vigilant Blessing
You give one creature you touch (including possibly yourself) advantage on the next initiative roll the creature makes. This benefit ends immediately after the roll or if you use this feature again.
Nivi chuckles at the irony as Jack transforms. "Now that's rich. In my line of... work, hounds sticking their noses where they shouldn't... bad news for the whole crew - being usually the city watch who trains 'em. Or good news if we already planted clues we wanted 'em to find to frame someone. But just right now, can't say I'll be complaining at Shorty setting his mind to being a trail-sniffing pooch. Mastiff Shorty... Morty, I'll call him."
Enjoying the reversal of her usual fraught relationship to investigative canines, not to mention the surprisingly adorable boofing that Morty emits when on the job, Nivi can't help but notice Arugal's comment about "turnin Lupine." "Run into some werewolves lately, Ruby?"
Nivi whistles low, impressed, though not surprised, at how unerringly Morty leads the group to the particular dilapidated home at the end of the scent trail. No way we find this charming little flophouse without the pooch. Old habits kick in as she and Shiv immediately case the joint, circling it. The rogue on the ground looking for back windows and exits, and the owl above to glance through windows on the upper floor, including the shattered one, before returning.
"Way I see it, we got some choices. Could sneak in and steal the bones back nice and quiet, little five-fingered discount, but could be rough not knowing where in the house they're stashed. If they're even here. Doubt Beren or Prophet here would think too highly of that plan anyway."
"OR - could go fetch Lu-Lu and his crew. Smiley too, maybe, who put the manacles on me. Too heavy-handed, you ask me, but could be good to have the law backing us up, seeing as how eager old Lu-Lu is to stamp out any little sign of the darklord getting a foothold in his little town."
"OR - ..." but it is at this moment that Olamoira thumps Beren on the shoulder on the way to the front door before pounding on it.
"Or we knock, all polite like," Nivi finishes with a shrug and grins philosophically, the decision having been made already.
She bolts laterally behind cover of the next house over to watch both the front and any back entrances from a hidden position, as Shiv flies to the roof of the house on the other side to be a lookout from the opposite vantage point. (While Nivi does not think this will happen, she is ensuring that if any culprits make a run for it out an alternate exit at the sound of knocking at the front door, she or the owl will see it... she suspects Arugal understands too).
NiviStealth to hide around the next house after dashing using Cunning Action: 22
Beren gives Argual a brief glance when he mentions 'turning lupine", but doesn't comment on it. Part of him inadvertently remembers what that blasted fortune teller told them before they found themselves in this mess. He still isn't about to fall in line in terms of the idea of destiny, but he also can't fully ignore the warnings. Not that this has anything to do with what the hag had said, it was just the topic that brought the thought back to mind.
He's pulled from his thoughts when Nivi lays out their options to which he replies, "I care little for the law in this town. It seems they have a flimsy definition of such as it is, considering Luvash locked up a kid for nothing but speaking his mind," he clenches his fist. "Let us handle this ourselves, and deal with the law later." He adds bitterly, "After all, I am the Avatar of the Sun."
"The evidence leads us here, so I see no reason to wait before moving forward."
Then Olamoira touches his shoulder, which initially causes him to flinch as he hadn't been paying attention to her in the moment. Then he registers the gesture, glad that she's treating him more like a comrade than some sort of holy symbol. However, he also recognizes the magical blessing carried by her touch. The light behind the mask flickers, and he gives her a nod as his hand strays towards his sword as she moves to knock on the door. He steps up beside her, ready to push past if things go awry.
As Moira approaches with the group, granting Beren a blessing of twilight, her spell picks up only the faintest trace of magic, but the line is blurred. She's never really experienced something like this before with the spell, and atleast for the moment, is left to ponder.
Arugal grunts, a mix of dejection and annoyance at the question. 'Course I have. You really haven't ran into anything yourself have you? The world outside must have coddled you too much. Plenty of Danger in Faerun, sure. I've been there afterall. But here where Strahd is? Every nightmare imagineable is right 'round the corner. Werebeasts, undead, spirits, hags, everything you mum warned you about is here and more to boot. However strong, or brave you think you are, or what you think you're used to, you better reset your expectations if Were's are what got you askin questions. his tone wasn't insulting, though it still had some condescension in it.
Nivi looks around the 'house' and nothign particularly stands out. But she does find a back door as well, barely hanging onto the hinge. More broken windows here and there on both floors, with only one or two fully intact on the north side of the house. Shiv having circled the upper area, see's nothing in most of the rooms in what was visible at the angles he could see through. Though as he circles he spots more holes on the roof not visible from ground level. Through one of them, he catches a glimpse of a tiny leg in a door frame, shifting but unaware. Though as he passes the two good windows from that angle, he see's nothing in the room that would be associated with that location, meaning either whoever it was had moved, or there was something blocking the view from the windows as he passed. But it did confirm people were inside.
Soon after, Nivi vanishes from easy view and Shiv lands on a nearby roof to keep an eye out for escapee's after Moira knocks heavily upon the door.
Soon after the knocking, a thud can be heard coming from upstairs, even outside due to the many holes in the building. Nivi catches flashes of a body, then another running through the building, and as Nivi's tension rises, spring adding to her muscles, ready to leap into action if needbe, the pattering of feet can be heard on stairs, the flitting images of bodies seen through tiny holes in the wall, never fully revealing enough to tell who or what was moving behind it, Beren reaching for his sword instinctively. When the door opens at the front swiftly, Moira and Beren caught off guard, as two children in raggedy, destitute clothes go from smiling widely - a hint of anticipation on their visage's - to confusion, then, looking at Beren, they scream, slamming the door, and bolting, Nivi spotting them as they flee out the rear entrance.
'Well that's a first' Jack (or Morty, as Nivi put it) thought from behind Beren and Moira. Because so quickly had Nivi ducked away that he hadn't the time to fully register the act, let alone follow, if but only for curiosity's sake. As things stand in the moment, he looks up casually to the pair, and then back at Arugal before sidling up beside Moira and Beren to sniff at the door, trying to take in scent of the children to track down later if need be. But apart from that, the Morty was content to stand by wagging his tail and waiting to see how the holy twins handled the latest plot thread! 'Oh! I wonder if Beren is gonna kick the door down in frustration? Now that would be something!' He thought with eyes brimming with growing excitement. Apart from such antics, once more Jack found himself the victim of his own whims, and thus would wait for however long the true 'actors' to play their part with him following casually along behind them until forced to choose a course.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Beren visibly flinches when the kids scream and slam the door in their faces. He was used to such reactions, but this was just... well it caught him off guard. Exhaling, he turns his mask towards Olamoira hesitating before he says, "Well... Now I'm not sure we really have the right place." He lets the hand that was reaching for his sword fall, "But I suppose we should still investigate."
With another sigh, he attempts to push the door open, hoping its unlicked rather than kick it down like Jack may have hoped for. It seems the children's reactions took some of the wind from his sails. He trusts that Nivi is watching the back, and has a feeling that she would have better luck than he at trying to chase down the kids. As he attempts to open the door he says to Jack, "Perhaps you should go see if Nivi needs help." Hopefully Jack the mastiff would have the best luck with tracking and stalling the children so that Nivi can gain the upper hand--assuming she needs help. She may do well enough on her own.
"The two of us can search the house," he says, nodding to Moira. Regardless of whether or not the children had anything to do with the stolen bones, the trail led here so there must be something they can find.
If the door is locked he will try to force it open, leaning into it with his shoulder.
Arugal grunts, a mix of dejection and annoyance at the question. 'Course I have. You really haven't ran into anything yourself have you? The world outside must have coddled you too much. Plenty of Danger in Faerun, sure. I've been there afterall. But here where Strahd is? Every nightmare imagineable is right 'round the corner. Werebeasts, undead, spirits, hags, everything you mum warned you about is here and more to boot. However strong, or brave you think you are, or what you think you're used to, you better reset your expectations if Were's are what got you askin questions. his tone wasn't insulting, though it still had some condescension in it.
What is it with these people?Nivi tilts her head at Arugal's condescending tirade (in response to her simple question about running into werewolves).
FirstSmiley, nowRuby, bragging and flexing about how much deadlier their land is. Like they need to put me in my place. Take 'yes' for an answer, yeah? Already know it's bad, coming in through the mists, corrupted beasties and zombies, those hunters at theBlue Water Inn spilling it about hags at the windmill, undead at the old dragon ruin, dark druids, barbarians, werewolves... and that's besides Mr. darklordframing me for trying to offLu-lu'sgirl.
Speaking ofLu-lu...Nivi finally opens her mouth to respond.
"Thanks a ton for that speech, Ruby," she drawls. "In the end, was none of those horrors, though, but good old Lu-lu who wound up taking your head, yeah? Oh wait no. Beren saved you from that! Knight in shining armor. Or glowing helmet-hole anyway. And now you're part of our crew. Good thing, since you're all schooled up on the dangers, sounds like. Smiley was too. The town guard. But you don't see her here helping the church get back its protection against all that evil. So you're here, at least. That's a win. Assuming we're all on the same side. I mean, we are on the same side, yeah?"
Upon arriving at the house, led by Morty's nose, and after taking up a lateral position opposite Shiv as Olamoira up and knocks at the door, Nivi curses colorfully as the children bolt out the back door. The owl, Shiv flies down and circles the fleeing kids above, hooting and hoping to distract.
Nivi herself dashes again as a bonus action (Cunning Action), this time bursting from her shadowed hiding spot. Having learned that seeming to harm children like Arabelle is just asking for the noose or headsman here in Luvash's town, Nivi shouts for the others, especially Morty.
"Help me corral the little ones. Morty? No wonder they're spooked... I mean, glowing knight with sword, dark elf, Vistani thug... Mastiff's probably the least scary thing here. Aside from me of course, I'm just a big softie. You hear that little ones? We're here to talk, not hurt. Slow your roll some and there might be a coin or two in it, or a nice meal for the two of you. When was the last time you ate something warm? We'll trade stories, yeah?"
(She does her best to catch and gently restrain the fleeing children, taking pains not to hurt them. Nivi is not strong for an adult, but very quick - 20 DEX.)
Olamoira had been about to return the children's smiles as they opened the door--bending down like the picture of hospitality--and is startled to stand frozen for a moment when the children scream and slam the door in their faces. Recovering, she looks at Beren, and then nods in response to his suggestion, both to her and to Jack/Morty. "This is the only lead that we have, so we may as well learn what we can."
She looks puzzled, then, as if she's trying to figure out something inscrutable. "There is magic here, but it's... strange." She helps Beren with the door, adding her own small but mighty strength to his attempting to force open the door.
Help action to open the door so that Beren can roll with advantage!
No sooner had Jack begun to bow in sign of acquiesces to Beren's request did the sound of Nibi's voice almost startled even him. But with an at least rough idea on her location based on the sound, he'd shake his head in his best equivalent of a doggie shrug before jauntily padding his way around the building in his best attempt at trying to fulfill both request of his party mates. Of course, heedless of any concern or rekindled fears his appearance around back might instill in the children, he'd casually find his way to Nivi's and plop his butt right on the ground in a show of some 'obedience' to the elven woman, if nothing else. But then following a thought, and assuming the kids hadn't triggered his chase response in trying to run off elsewhere/back into the house (which in such a case, his instinctive goal would only to be tackling them to the ground), only then would he try to help sooth the kids nerves by giving his best goofy dog smile.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Arugal seems nonchalant in his reply to Nivi's query, asking about them all being on the same side. 'Course. Atleast till i've payed my penance, then I'll go along my merry way. he says, Nivi not really getting much of a sense on whether he was sincere or not as the mans hand rises into the air dismissively as he follows the groups lead.
Initially atleast, Jackstiff stands, waiting to see how to proceed even as Beren offers options to him to help Nivi. Beren finds that the door itself was unlocked - the children seeming to not want to take the extra time to latch it, and saving Beren the embarrassment of shouldering a door like a wet noodle. The hinges creak with age and lack of care, and the wood beneath Berens feet groans under his weight, but holds firm in the end. Inside is mostly Barren, aside from a few tables, rotted and broken on the floor, leaving the state f the place to be decrepit. The backdoor open where the kids had just gone out, and the path to it clear as day, explaining how the children got there so quickly. To his left was the staircase leading to the second floor. At the foot of it, a raggedy, 'bleeding' teddybear, its stuffing escaping from various holes sat, lonesome.
(DM Roll: 16 + 4 )
Shiv Hoots above them, as the kids Dash out of the house as they began running towards the center(ish) of town, both look up, and in their panic, they briefly look to each other, nod, and split paths. One going northward, towards the city walls, the other heading south-east, which would take him slightly below the center of town if he continued on his way.
(How to proceed: The kids have twenty feet on Nivi's Dash, and as kids tent to be, they are just slightly faster than you'd expect in their boundless energy. They have split up, the hooting distracting breifly but causing them to panic farther. One is heading north, the other south-east which would lead them semi-towards the front of the house they were just in, but away at the same time.
We will be proceeding in turn fashion, as if combat had started. The kids had the 'first' turn, Nivi dashed, and is 20 feet behind one of her choosing, the girl going north, or the boy going south-east. You may use the same resources and actions as you could in a single round of combat. For these posts, try to keep the post small and to the point for this specific scene. All may join in on the chase if they wish, or otherwise investigate the house.)
The kids both dash again, heading in their respective directions. Both are now 80 feet away from Nivi and Jack, in different directions. The girl is 90 feet away from Beren and Moira, while the boy, is roughly 50 feet away from Beren and Moira.
Nivi bolts, just as she has often down the streets of Waterdeep in the past, whether giving chase or herself bolting from the city watch or a rival crew. She chases the girl (who is further from Beren and Olamoira) and currently has a 80' lead. She uses her action to dash and also her bonus action to dash.
She catches up to the girl and gets in front of her (in "melee"), trying to stop and restrain her if she can. "Where's the fire, kid? Slow down. We just want to talk. Someone get to you to dig up those bones by the church? Not in trouble, you two, but maybe they are. Talk to me, kiddo."
Shiv keeps watch from above for anyone else nearby. Perception at advantage due to Keen Hearing and Sight: 21
Beren immediately takes notice of the fleeing children, noting that he might actually be able to catch the boy if he tried. However, he's already painfully aware that they are afraid of him, and doesn't really want to further that fear by apprehending the boy. He'll just have to trust that at least one of his companions will be able to stop at least one of the children. In the meantime, he will look around the room for anything suspicious...
However, it does occur to him that he has a spell that could prove useful here, but only if he uses it now. Will he regret this action? Oh, probably. It definitely won't put him in the good graces of this kid, but... well, the way he sees it he probably will remain a monster in their eyes if they escape anyways. So, act now, suffer the consequences later.
With a short sigh, he raises a hand and says, "Wait." Though the word contains a command for the child (Wis save 13), Beren's voice is rather quiet and holds little in the way of a command. It is his hope that it comes across as a more friendly request rather than, well, what it is. He could have asked the kid to approach instead, but that seems a little much. Perhaps he does still worry about how the children will react. If only he had a more subtle spell like suggestion.
The back door hanging open left little question as to where the children had gone, and Nivi's shouts for assistance in catching them. Ola turns abruptly, in time to see the boy headed southeast, and not too far from where she and Beren stand at the front door. Some old memory and instinct rises sudden, unbidden, up inside of her, granting a surge of blood to her limbs, and the taste of bile--it's odd, it seems out of place--in the back of her throat. The temple has been desecrated. The bones have been stolen. It is a desecration to the temple for the victim to escape!In one fluid motion, for just a moment, the calculating priestess returns, sharply attuned to every ritual movement, every detail of the rite. The boy's panicked fleeing leaves her almost tasting blood, and without thinking, she dashes after him. There is something almost menacing about the way she leaps after him, like a spider snapping from the darkness with its heavy strands of silken thread. You will not escape.
As if from a great distance, she hears Beren's word of command, and it sparks like a golden flash of light through her memory-addled brain, as if snapping the momentary chains of the past free. She feels the magic move past her, centered on the boy, but she continues running after the fleeing child in her momentum, mouth open in horror, as if stunned...
If Jack had been in a more jovial season, he might've been more in the mood to give the kids more of a headstart before giving chase. Unfortunately in the heat of the moment, and with so little mental preparation, there was no ignoring instinct to chase. So in a burst of speed only a four legged beast could achieve, ready to tackle the closest 'prey' down to the ground. But as he ran, Beren's one word cuts through the haze, causing Mack/Jackstiff/Morty to stumble and slow to a stop, shake his head, and then took a precious moment to look about and get his bearings again.
'That was... Oh my, oh my. Got a little too excited there! Bad, dog. Bad dog~' Jack mentally jest while taking up a more casual jogging pace as he changed course once again to start heading for the girl.
(OOC: Between using his full movement and action to essentially dash and make up ground, Jack would gain a net 0 grounds on either of the kids. But is headed towards the girl's position in the end.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
The girl's eyes go wide, she wasn't used to adults being ..so fast... and there was a brief moment where it looked like she was about to bolt, instead, she used her momentum to try and Shove Nivi, if only to topple her to make her escape, trying to knock the rogue prone.. (Girl: 13 Vs Nivi: 11 )
Nivi, however, knows her center of balance well, but to the child, it simply seems like Nivi is a mountain of stone - immoveable. And Nivi takes this chance to hold the girl still as she's still reeling from the blow. Restraining the girl, but gently as she says her piece. Initially the girl struggles as if she feels like she's in the arms of some monster about to devour her, but when Nivi clearly isn't feasting on her flesh, after several long moments, her struggles stop, though her chest rises and falls rapidly. (Insight: 8 ) Nivi observes the girl for a moment, and can easily tell that her heaving chest if from a combination of fear, the sudden adrenaline burst of running, and exertion, and as if she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar at the same time.
Shiv circles above like a buzzard, waiting for prey to die. Keeping an eye on the general area. This part of town seems mostly abandoned. Though there is a single guard tower made of wood.. more like an archers nest, looking out over the woods to spot monstrosities coming early, it's too far for them to notice what's going on.
Arugal had also began to chase after the girl but when Nivi clearly had the lass in hand, he slowed to a stop, like a man who really didn't want to have to do it anyway. Eventually Sauntering to a nearby tree, just within earshot but out of sight.. of the girl atleast.
The shaking girl in Nivi's arms eventually speaks. Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y... she hiccups and stutters. Y-y-y-y... yes, the B-b-b-baron lady Wachter... S-s-s-s--ss-s-ss-she s-s-said if we could get her the b-b-b-bones for her d-d-og to eat, she would k-k-keep us fed. And she did.. she brought us f-f-ff-f-f-foods. she said before clamming up. B-but she said not to tell nobody or .. or.. or she couldn't feed us anymore.. with Nivi's arms around the girl, and the immediate moment passed, she could feel the child was little more than skin and bones herself. And this time, Neither SHiv nor the party noticed the presence of Ravens anywhere.
(Wis Save: 3 )
Perhaps it was the fear that kept the child going, raw adrenaline that allowed him to resist the soft command, only hindered for the briefest moment as he continued running. Soon after seeing a dusk-skinned elf with a visage of horror charging after him. (Chance roll: 5 ) and the boy freezes in terror as Moira charges at him like a bloodcrazed humanoid coming after him. The pall of death falls over his features, as his fight or flight crumbles as much as his body, the boy passing out from sheer terror, falling limp as if knocked out.
TOO BAD DNDB MANIP ROLLS, I ANTICIPATED YOUR BULLSHIT
"Heh! I'll have to keep that in mind should any of us become infected. But fortunately my means are more of a druid's discipline, then that of any foul curse, I assure you." He adds as one bit of final assurance before the transformation. Which by all appearance, the Eladrin's body appears to rapidly turn into autumn leaves giving the vague impression of a humanoid shape before abruptly collapsing on the ground and melting into the earth. In the wake of the transformation the most common breed of mastiffs the Eladrin had seen in other towns, if albeit with a slightly more shaggier coat. Although anyone that looked too deeply in his eyes might see hints of intelligence far surpassing any normal beast.
Be that as it may, he "Boofs" at once he picked up a scent trail and lead the group on until reaching the structure. At which point with a tail a wagging happily he turns to the group and "boofs" again, before giving Nivi a meaningful look. He then gestures with his head back to the house he pointed out and "Boofs" again. If his meaning is caught, but the others insist on following her inside, Eladrin just nods, having already planned to follow her (or Shiv, as the case might've been) inside for a bit of scouting out, if nothing else, and using his mouth as necessary to try and fenagle the front door open if left to his own devices.
(OOC: Regardless of how things proceed, Jack will be relying on his passive skills for the time being. And in regards to perception and investigation, if if he might detect something due to its scent or from hearing something, he'd normally have adv. But in the case of passive, it's a flat +5 boost)
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
As the party's makeshift bloodhound picks up the scent and leads the way, Olamoira is more than happy to let someone else take over the perilous forensic duties of tracking. She walks along the party's meandering trail in silence, keeping her magical senses alive with a periodic Detect Magic refreshment. As Jack the mastiff wags his tail and barks at the offending house, she pats him on the head, absently, as if lost in thought, some faraway look in her eye. Her gaze travels from the collapsing roof, to the shattered window, noting that it's unlikely to be inhabited. But they were here. The trail leads here. Well, there's one way we can know...
Ola starts to step up to the front door of the dilapidated house, then pauses as she passes Beren. With her Detect Magic senses still spread out, the blinding gleam of holy magic in his sword before her seems to remind her of something. She reaches out with one hand to touch the glowing knight on the shoulder, and though it seems a friendly supportive gesture, he may feel that it is yet something more. Then she passes him by, up onto the threshold of the front door of the house, and pounds on it loudly with one fist.
Ola touches Beren to bestow:
You give one creature you touch (including possibly yourself) advantage on the next initiative roll the creature makes. This benefit ends immediately after the roll or if you use this feature again.
Nivi chuckles at the irony as Jack transforms. "Now that's rich. In my line of... work, hounds sticking their noses where they shouldn't... bad news for the whole crew - being usually the city watch who trains 'em. Or good news if we already planted clues we wanted 'em to find to frame someone. But just right now, can't say I'll be complaining at Shorty setting his mind to being a trail-sniffing pooch. Mastiff Shorty... Morty, I'll call him."
Enjoying the reversal of her usual fraught relationship to investigative canines, not to mention the surprisingly adorable boofing that Morty emits when on the job, Nivi can't help but notice Arugal's comment about "turnin Lupine." "Run into some werewolves lately, Ruby?"
Nivi whistles low, impressed, though not surprised, at how unerringly Morty leads the group to the particular dilapidated home at the end of the scent trail. No way we find this charming little flophouse without the pooch. Old habits kick in as she and Shiv immediately case the joint, circling it. The rogue on the ground looking for back windows and exits, and the owl above to glance through windows on the upper floor, including the shattered one, before returning.
Nivi Perception: 21
Shiv Perception: 13
"Way I see it, we got some choices. Could sneak in and steal the bones back nice and quiet, little five-fingered discount, but could be rough not knowing where in the house they're stashed. If they're even here. Doubt Beren or Prophet here would think too highly of that plan anyway."
"OR - could go fetch Lu-Lu and his crew. Smiley too, maybe, who put the manacles on me. Too heavy-handed, you ask me, but could be good to have the law backing us up, seeing as how eager old Lu-Lu is to stamp out any little sign of the darklord getting a foothold in his little town."
"OR - ..." but it is at this moment that Olamoira thumps Beren on the shoulder on the way to the front door before pounding on it.
"Or we knock, all polite like," Nivi finishes with a shrug and grins philosophically, the decision having been made already.
She bolts laterally behind cover of the next house over to watch both the front and any back entrances from a hidden position, as Shiv flies to the roof of the house on the other side to be a lookout from the opposite vantage point. (While Nivi does not think this will happen, she is ensuring that if any culprits make a run for it out an alternate exit at the sound of knocking at the front door, she or the owl will see it... she suspects Arugal understands too).
Nivi Stealth to hide around the next house after dashing using Cunning Action: 22
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Beren gives Argual a brief glance when he mentions 'turning lupine", but doesn't comment on it. Part of him inadvertently remembers what that blasted fortune teller told them before they found themselves in this mess. He still isn't about to fall in line in terms of the idea of destiny, but he also can't fully ignore the warnings. Not that this has anything to do with what the hag had said, it was just the topic that brought the thought back to mind.
He's pulled from his thoughts when Nivi lays out their options to which he replies, "I care little for the law in this town. It seems they have a flimsy definition of such as it is, considering Luvash locked up a kid for nothing but speaking his mind," he clenches his fist. "Let us handle this ourselves, and deal with the law later." He adds bitterly, "After all, I am the Avatar of the Sun."
"The evidence leads us here, so I see no reason to wait before moving forward."
Then Olamoira touches his shoulder, which initially causes him to flinch as he hadn't been paying attention to her in the moment. Then he registers the gesture, glad that she's treating him more like a comrade than some sort of holy symbol. However, he also recognizes the magical blessing carried by her touch. The light behind the mask flickers, and he gives her a nod as his hand strays towards his sword as she moves to knock on the door. He steps up beside her, ready to push past if things go awry.
(I shall update tomorrow when i wake up. Had to deal with a mandatory class, Mehmen got to hear me whine about it)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
As Moira approaches with the group, granting Beren a blessing of twilight, her spell picks up only the faintest trace of magic, but the line is blurred. She's never really experienced something like this before with the spell, and atleast for the moment, is left to ponder.
Arugal grunts, a mix of dejection and annoyance at the question. 'Course I have. You really haven't ran into anything yourself have you? The world outside must have coddled you too much. Plenty of Danger in Faerun, sure. I've been there afterall. But here where Strahd is? Every nightmare imagineable is right 'round the corner. Werebeasts, undead, spirits, hags, everything you mum warned you about is here and more to boot. However strong, or brave you think you are, or what you think you're used to, you better reset your expectations if Were's are what got you askin questions. his tone wasn't insulting, though it still had some condescension in it.
Nivi looks around the 'house' and nothign particularly stands out. But she does find a back door as well, barely hanging onto the hinge. More broken windows here and there on both floors, with only one or two fully intact on the north side of the house. Shiv having circled the upper area, see's nothing in most of the rooms in what was visible at the angles he could see through. Though as he circles he spots more holes on the roof not visible from ground level. Through one of them, he catches a glimpse of a tiny leg in a door frame, shifting but unaware. Though as he passes the two good windows from that angle, he see's nothing in the room that would be associated with that location, meaning either whoever it was had moved, or there was something blocking the view from the windows as he passed. But it did confirm people were inside.
Soon after, Nivi vanishes from easy view and Shiv lands on a nearby roof to keep an eye out for escapee's after Moira knocks heavily upon the door.
Soon after the knocking, a thud can be heard coming from upstairs, even outside due to the many holes in the building. Nivi catches flashes of a body, then another running through the building, and as Nivi's tension rises, spring adding to her muscles, ready to leap into action if needbe, the pattering of feet can be heard on stairs, the flitting images of bodies seen through tiny holes in the wall, never fully revealing enough to tell who or what was moving behind it, Beren reaching for his sword instinctively. When the door opens at the front swiftly, Moira and Beren caught off guard, as two children in raggedy, destitute clothes go from smiling widely - a hint of anticipation on their visage's - to confusion, then, looking at Beren, they scream, slamming the door, and bolting, Nivi spotting them as they flee out the rear entrance.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
'Well that's a first' Jack (or Morty, as Nivi put it) thought from behind Beren and Moira. Because so quickly had Nivi ducked away that he hadn't the time to fully register the act, let alone follow, if but only for curiosity's sake. As things stand in the moment, he looks up casually to the pair, and then back at Arugal before sidling up beside Moira and Beren to sniff at the door, trying to take in scent of the children to track down later if need be. But apart from that, the Morty was content to stand by wagging his tail and waiting to see how the holy twins handled the latest plot thread! 'Oh! I wonder if Beren is gonna kick the door down in frustration? Now that would be something!' He thought with eyes brimming with growing excitement. Apart from such antics, once more Jack found himself the victim of his own whims, and thus would wait for however long the true 'actors' to play their part with him following casually along behind them until forced to choose a course.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Beren visibly flinches when the kids scream and slam the door in their faces. He was used to such reactions, but this was just... well it caught him off guard. Exhaling, he turns his mask towards Olamoira hesitating before he says, "Well... Now I'm not sure we really have the right place." He lets the hand that was reaching for his sword fall, "But I suppose we should still investigate."
With another sigh, he attempts to push the door open, hoping its unlicked rather than kick it down like Jack may have hoped for. It seems the children's reactions took some of the wind from his sails. He trusts that Nivi is watching the back, and has a feeling that she would have better luck than he at trying to chase down the kids. As he attempts to open the door he says to Jack, "Perhaps you should go see if Nivi needs help." Hopefully Jack the mastiff would have the best luck with tracking and stalling the children so that Nivi can gain the upper hand--assuming she needs help. She may do well enough on her own.
"The two of us can search the house," he says, nodding to Moira. Regardless of whether or not the children had anything to do with the stolen bones, the trail led here so there must be something they can find.
If the door is locked he will try to force it open, leaning into it with his shoulder.
Strength: 15
What is it with these people? Nivi tilts her head at Arugal's condescending tirade (in response to her simple question about running into werewolves).
First Smiley, now Ruby, bragging and flexing about how much deadlier their land is. Like they need to put me in my place. Take 'yes' for an answer, yeah? Already know it's bad, coming in through the mists, corrupted beasties and zombies, those hunters at the Blue Water Inn spilling it about hags at the windmill, undead at the old dragon ruin, dark druids, barbarians, werewolves... and that's besides Mr. darklord framing me for trying to off Lu-lu's girl.
Speaking of Lu-lu... Nivi finally opens her mouth to respond.
"Thanks a ton for that speech, Ruby," she drawls. "In the end, was none of those horrors, though, but good old Lu-lu who wound up taking your head, yeah? Oh wait no. Beren saved you from that! Knight in shining armor. Or glowing helmet-hole anyway. And now you're part of our crew. Good thing, since you're all schooled up on the dangers, sounds like. Smiley was too. The town guard. But you don't see her here helping the church get back its protection against all that evil. So you're here, at least. That's a win. Assuming we're all on the same side. I mean, we are on the same side, yeah?"
Nivi glances at Arugal, wondering. Insight: 12
Upon arriving at the house, led by Morty's nose, and after taking up a lateral position opposite Shiv as Olamoira up and knocks at the door, Nivi curses colorfully as the children bolt out the back door. The owl, Shiv flies down and circles the fleeing kids above, hooting and hoping to distract.
Nivi herself dashes again as a bonus action (Cunning Action), this time bursting from her shadowed hiding spot. Having learned that seeming to harm children like Arabelle is just asking for the noose or headsman here in Luvash's town, Nivi shouts for the others, especially Morty.
"Help me corral the little ones. Morty? No wonder they're spooked... I mean, glowing knight with sword, dark elf, Vistani thug... Mastiff's probably the least scary thing here. Aside from me of course, I'm just a big softie. You hear that little ones? We're here to talk, not hurt. Slow your roll some and there might be a coin or two in it, or a nice meal for the two of you. When was the last time you ate something warm? We'll trade stories, yeah?"
(She does her best to catch and gently restrain the fleeing children, taking pains not to hurt them. Nivi is not strong for an adult, but very quick - 20 DEX.)
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Olamoira had been about to return the children's smiles as they opened the door--bending down like the picture of hospitality--and is startled to stand frozen for a moment when the children scream and slam the door in their faces. Recovering, she looks at Beren, and then nods in response to his suggestion, both to her and to Jack/Morty. "This is the only lead that we have, so we may as well learn what we can."
She looks puzzled, then, as if she's trying to figure out something inscrutable. "There is magic here, but it's... strange." She helps Beren with the door, adding her own small but mighty strength to his attempting to force open the door.
Help action to open the door so that Beren can roll with advantage!
(Lets see if the dice favor me this time lol)
Strength: 12
No sooner had Jack begun to bow in sign of acquiesces to Beren's request did the sound of Nibi's voice almost startled even him. But with an at least rough idea on her location based on the sound, he'd shake his head in his best equivalent of a doggie shrug before jauntily padding his way around the building in his best attempt at trying to fulfill both request of his party mates. Of course, heedless of any concern or rekindled fears his appearance around back might instill in the children, he'd casually find his way to Nivi's and plop his butt right on the ground in a show of some 'obedience' to the elven woman, if nothing else. But then following a thought, and assuming the kids hadn't triggered his chase response in trying to run off elsewhere/back into the house (which in such a case, his instinctive goal would only to be tackling them to the ground), only then would he try to help sooth the kids nerves by giving his best goofy dog smile.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Arugal seems nonchalant in his reply to Nivi's query, asking about them all being on the same side. 'Course. Atleast till i've payed my penance, then I'll go along my merry way. he says, Nivi not really getting much of a sense on whether he was sincere or not as the mans hand rises into the air dismissively as he follows the groups lead.
Initially atleast, Jackstiff stands, waiting to see how to proceed even as Beren offers options to him to help Nivi. Beren finds that the door itself was unlocked - the children seeming to not want to take the extra time to latch it, and saving Beren the embarrassment of shouldering a door like a wet noodle. The hinges creak with age and lack of care, and the wood beneath Berens feet groans under his weight, but holds firm in the end. Inside is mostly Barren, aside from a few tables, rotted and broken on the floor, leaving the state f the place to be decrepit. The backdoor open where the kids had just gone out, and the path to it clear as day, explaining how the children got there so quickly. To his left was the staircase leading to the second floor. At the foot of it, a raggedy, 'bleeding' teddybear, its stuffing escaping from various holes sat, lonesome.
(DM Roll: 16 + 4 )
Shiv Hoots above them, as the kids Dash out of the house as they began running towards the center(ish) of town, both look up, and in their panic, they briefly look to each other, nod, and split paths. One going northward, towards the city walls, the other heading south-east, which would take him slightly below the center of town if he continued on his way.
(How to proceed: The kids have twenty feet on Nivi's Dash, and as kids tent to be, they are just slightly faster than you'd expect in their boundless energy. They have split up, the hooting distracting breifly but causing them to panic farther. One is heading north, the other south-east which would lead them semi-towards the front of the house they were just in, but away at the same time.
We will be proceeding in turn fashion, as if combat had started. The kids had the 'first' turn, Nivi dashed, and is 20 feet behind one of her choosing, the girl going north, or the boy going south-east. You may use the same resources and actions as you could in a single round of combat. For these posts, try to keep the post small and to the point for this specific scene. All may join in on the chase if they wish, or otherwise investigate the house.)
The kids both dash again, heading in their respective directions. Both are now 80 feet away from Nivi and Jack, in different directions. The girl is 90 feet away from Beren and Moira, while the boy, is roughly 50 feet away from Beren and Moira.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Nivi bolts, just as she has often down the streets of Waterdeep in the past, whether giving chase or herself bolting from the city watch or a rival crew. She chases the girl (who is further from Beren and Olamoira) and currently has a 80' lead. She uses her action to dash and also her bonus action to dash.
Movement: 30' (base) + 30' (dash) + 30' (bonus action dash) = 90'
She catches up to the girl and gets in front of her (in "melee"), trying to stop and restrain her if she can. "Where's the fire, kid? Slow down. We just want to talk. Someone get to you to dig up those bones by the church? Not in trouble, you two, but maybe they are. Talk to me, kiddo."
Shiv keeps watch from above for anyone else nearby. Perception at advantage due to Keen Hearing and Sight: 21
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Beren immediately takes notice of the fleeing children, noting that he might actually be able to catch the boy if he tried. However, he's already painfully aware that they are afraid of him, and doesn't really want to further that fear by apprehending the boy. He'll just have to trust that at least one of his companions will be able to stop at least one of the children. In the meantime, he will look around the room for anything suspicious...
However, it does occur to him that he has a spell that could prove useful here, but only if he uses it now. Will he regret this action? Oh, probably. It definitely won't put him in the good graces of this kid, but... well, the way he sees it he probably will remain a monster in their eyes if they escape anyways. So, act now, suffer the consequences later.
With a short sigh, he raises a hand and says, "Wait." Though the word contains a command for the child (Wis save 13), Beren's voice is rather quiet and holds little in the way of a command. It is his hope that it comes across as a more friendly request rather than, well, what it is. He could have asked the kid to approach instead, but that seems a little much. Perhaps he does still worry about how the children will react. If only he had a more subtle spell like suggestion.
The back door hanging open left little question as to where the children had gone, and Nivi's shouts for assistance in catching them. Ola turns abruptly, in time to see the boy headed southeast, and not too far from where she and Beren stand at the front door. Some old memory and instinct rises sudden, unbidden, up inside of her, granting a surge of blood to her limbs, and the taste of bile--it's odd, it seems out of place--in the back of her throat. The temple has been desecrated. The bones have been stolen. It is a desecration to the temple for the victim to escape! In one fluid motion, for just a moment, the calculating priestess returns, sharply attuned to every ritual movement, every detail of the rite. The boy's panicked fleeing leaves her almost tasting blood, and without thinking, she dashes after him. There is something almost menacing about the way she leaps after him, like a spider snapping from the darkness with its heavy strands of silken thread. You will not escape.
As if from a great distance, she hears Beren's word of command, and it sparks like a golden flash of light through her memory-addled brain, as if snapping the momentary chains of the past free. She feels the magic move past her, centered on the boy, but she continues running after the fleeing child in her momentum, mouth open in horror, as if stunned...
(Ooc: oh no, moiras given in to the dark side!)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
(OOC: It's just a flashback I swear! Oh that gives me an idea.... I should play her with the Madness rules... https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/running-the-game#Madness Let me make a wisdom saving throw... EDIT: Rolled a 17!)
If Jack had been in a more jovial season, he might've been more in the mood to give the kids more of a headstart before giving chase. Unfortunately in the heat of the moment, and with so little mental preparation, there was no ignoring instinct to chase. So in a burst of speed only a four legged beast could achieve, ready to tackle the closest 'prey' down to the ground. But as he ran, Beren's one word cuts through the haze, causing Mack/Jackstiff/Morty to stumble and slow to a stop, shake his head, and then took a precious moment to look about and get his bearings again.
'That was... Oh my, oh my. Got a little too excited there! Bad, dog. Bad dog~' Jack mentally jest while taking up a more casual jogging pace as he changed course once again to start heading for the girl.
(OOC: Between using his full movement and action to essentially dash and make up ground, Jack would gain a net 0 grounds on either of the kids. But is headed towards the girl's position in the end.)
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
The girl's eyes go wide, she wasn't used to adults being ..so fast... and there was a brief moment where it looked like she was about to bolt, instead, she used her momentum to try and Shove Nivi, if only to topple her to make her escape, trying to knock the rogue prone.. (Girl: 13 Vs Nivi: 11 )
Nivi, however, knows her center of balance well, but to the child, it simply seems like Nivi is a mountain of stone - immoveable. And Nivi takes this chance to hold the girl still as she's still reeling from the blow. Restraining the girl, but gently as she says her piece. Initially the girl struggles as if she feels like she's in the arms of some monster about to devour her, but when Nivi clearly isn't feasting on her flesh, after several long moments, her struggles stop, though her chest rises and falls rapidly. (Insight: 8 ) Nivi observes the girl for a moment, and can easily tell that her heaving chest if from a combination of fear, the sudden adrenaline burst of running, and exertion, and as if she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar at the same time.
Shiv circles above like a buzzard, waiting for prey to die. Keeping an eye on the general area. This part of town seems mostly abandoned. Though there is a single guard tower made of wood.. more like an archers nest, looking out over the woods to spot monstrosities coming early, it's too far for them to notice what's going on.
Arugal had also began to chase after the girl but when Nivi clearly had the lass in hand, he slowed to a stop, like a man who really didn't want to have to do it anyway. Eventually Sauntering to a nearby tree, just within earshot but out of sight.. of the girl atleast.
The shaking girl in Nivi's arms eventually speaks. Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y... she hiccups and stutters. Y-y-y-y... yes, the B-b-b-baron lady Wachter... S-s-s-s--ss-s-ss-she s-s-said if we could get her the b-b-b-bones for her d-d-og to eat, she would k-k-keep us fed. And she did.. she brought us f-f-ff-f-f-foods. she said before clamming up. B-but she said not to tell nobody or .. or.. or she couldn't feed us anymore.. with Nivi's arms around the girl, and the immediate moment passed, she could feel the child was little more than skin and bones herself. And this time, Neither SHiv nor the party noticed the presence of Ravens anywhere.
(Wis Save: 3 )
Perhaps it was the fear that kept the child going, raw adrenaline that allowed him to resist the soft command, only hindered for the briefest moment as he continued running. Soon after seeing a dusk-skinned elf with a visage of horror charging after him. (Chance roll: 5 ) and the boy freezes in terror as Moira charges at him like a bloodcrazed humanoid coming after him. The pall of death falls over his features, as his fight or flight crumbles as much as his body, the boy passing out from sheer terror, falling limp as if knocked out.
TOO BAD DNDB MANIP ROLLS, I ANTICIPATED YOUR BULLSHIT
Occassional Dungeon Master.