Caer Blaine Campaign

"I'm running out of patience,"  The short man says. "But I suppose a priest wouldn't lie."

"Pl...please sir..." The wounded man pleads. He crawls up to Theos on his knees, leaving a trail of red behind him. "Why don't you save me.... Are you not a priest of Uldi?" The man grabs at theos's robes and tries to stand. Long crimson streaks mar Theos's robe. The man finally collapses into a heap on the ground, and begins to shudder. A moment later he is still. Not even his chest moves. 

When you cast spare the dying, a silvery white light comes from your chest, the same color as the wisps from earlier. A single, larger wisp emerges from you and flows into the man's mouth. He begins to breath again.

"Impressive, priest." The short man says. "Wait we will." 

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I can move the story forward, but want to see how the party outside the cabin react to the second scream first.

Hearing the scream from inside the cabin Liet will tense up, but he's in a stand off with the man demanding he come closer. He also didn't near the sound of fighting, so he'll just hold his position, staring at the man who demanded he enter.

((what was their reaction to the scream?))

Upon hearing the scream, the men outside turn their heads instinctively. They then exchange glances as silence follows the shrill cry. They then turn to face the various members of the party that are outside. 

"Right. Well. Uh..." Blackey says. "Brother, what should we do?"   

"I'm not much for a fair fight," Whitey says. "And they currently have us surrounded. There are more inside and the boss can take care of himself. I'm not suicidal. Let's just wait a moment and see what shakes out from inside..." A long tense moment passes as whitey stares down Liet without moving a muscle. Finally, the man backs away slowly toward the front door. "Boss," Whitey whispers loudly without taking his eyes off Liet. "Is everything alright?"

"Fine," The short man calls out, annoyance apparent in his voice. "Stay out there."

Whitey approaches his brother and shrugs. "Let's just give them a minute."

[[only Liet hears this convo]]

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[[assuming no one reacts aggressively, if so, I can retcon as necesssary]]

[[also assuming you have a 'long rest' to reset your spell slots @theos]]

It is now mid afternoon.

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@Theos, your spells are refreshed, and you have a very agitated 'short man' waiting for you to heal the wounded. What do you do?

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@the rest       You have been in a standoff for hours outside. What are you doing?

((it's been hours? feels like maybe 30 min or so...))

Liet will lower his shield, and very slowly take a single step towards the man with whom he'd been in a standoff, showing his other hand empty of weapons. "I'm not much a fighter anyway..." he'll say, rather quietly, half to himself, though they might have heard "...but... what of our friend in the cabin?" he'll add more directly. "He went to you openly, and I don't think that was his voice just now. Is he safe?"

He'll add a message to Theos ((poor guy is just getting bombarded with voices in his head haha)) "Theos! Are you still with us?"

Ruhkis

((Ruhkis heard the first scream and after messaging with Theos, learned that he is fine. Ruhkis is too practical to assume anything different this time around. By his way of thinking, Theos put himself in this situation and if he needs help he'll ask for it. But Ruhkis is also growing impatient and a bit annoyed with their needlessly aggressive posture. Also, how far away from the porch are those of us in the treeline?))

Ruhkis looks back to check on Johnny and then says to Nalla, "I don't like Liet being out there all by himself. Time for us to push the advantage...c'mon." Moving out of the treeline and towards the cabin, the dwarf shouts loud enough for everyone on the porch to hear, "Liet, back away from these guys. They can sense how much of a badass you are and it is clearly making them nervous." Ruhkis then walks to about 50' away from the cabin and will guide Liet back to his position and hold the line here.

Liet is having a serious dilemma here. Normally he'd be the first to run and hide. But this is the first time he's been with a group, and Theos has been the most kind to him. He doesn't want to back up, though he kinda does as well.

NALLA

Seeing Ruhkis exit from his hiding place, Nalla will quickly, yet carefully make her way to his side. She still hasn't pulled out her weapons, but she keeps her hands close for easy reach. She breaths a heavy, silent sigh through her nose that probably only Ruhkis can hear, doing her best to hide her exhaustion and show a level of strength to these men. 

Quote from kevtr0n >>

((it's been hours? feels like maybe 30 min or so...))

Liet will lower his shield, and very slowly take a single step towards the man with whom he'd been in a standoff, showing his other hand empty of weapons. "I'm not much a fighter anyway..." he'll say, rather quietly, half to himself, though they might have heard "...but... what of our friend in the cabin?" he'll add more directly. "He went to you openly, and I don't think that was his voice just now. Is he safe?"

He'll add a message to Theos ((poor guy is just getting bombarded with voices in his head haha)) "Theos! Are you still with us?"

It's been a few minutes once you hear the second scream. IF we take a long rest for Theos to get his spells back, it will take several hours. I assumed that was where we were going with it, so if I'm right, then it's around mid afternoon. No one has exhaustion any more @Nalla. 

Quote from plumbloco666 >>

Ruhkis

((Ruhkis heard the first scream and after messaging with Theos, learned that he is fine. Ruhkis is too practical to assume anything different this time around. By his way of thinking, Theos put himself in this situation and if he needs help he'll ask for it. But Ruhkis is also growing impatient and a bit annoyed with their needlessly aggressive posture. Also, how far away from the porch are those of us in the treeline?))

Ruhkis looks back to check on Johnny and then says to Nalla, "I don't like Liet being out there all by himself. Time for us to push the advantage...c'mon." Moving out of the treeline and towards the cabin, the dwarf shouts loud enough for everyone on the porch to hear, "Liet, back away from these guys. They can sense how much of a badass you are and it is clearly making them nervous." Ruhkis then walks to about 50' away from the cabin and will guide Liet back to his position and hold the line here.

Assuming Liet does as Ruhkis suggests. You all fall into line around 50 feet from the Cabin. (assuming McFuddy is there as well).

The four of you stare down the three on the porch. 

"Ah! For ****'s sake!" Whitey calls out. "I feel like shit, and I don't get paid enough for this." The man sheaths his weapon, and plops down on the porch. The other two, slightly confused, exchange glances, then follow suit. "Now don't get any ideas. We'll sit here all comfortable like, and you can stay there the whole day for all I care. Let the priest do his thing and then we can part ways."

[[fast forward to the end of my previous post, unless you want more interaction with these guys]] 

Theos

Theos wakes up and promptly recieves a message from Liet. He stands up, and motions to the shorter man. "How many more are there who need healing? Let those who have the weakest wills go first, so that they can be spared of the main of going to the edge of death. For those who can stand the pain, I can bring you back without having to rest in between my prayers."

Theos will heal the next two people with cure wounds, and will heal any others who volunteer with spare the dying. Once he is done with that he will speak to the shorter man. "Let me speak with my friends. By now you must know that I am no enemy of yours, and I wish to calm their fears. They would be worried that I have been inside so long, and certainly because of the screams of your men."

Ruhkis

Ruhkis smirks and says quietly enough for the benefit of those next to him, "More brains than bluster. Good to see."

Then the dwarf casts message (again). "Theos, things seem to have settled a bit out here. Take care of what you need to. Shout out to one of us if you need help."

Before cautiously backing up Liet will say (trying to sound strong, but probably only half managing it) "We'll be watching. Our friend best stay safe in there!" to the bandits by the door. He'll then sit by a tree, more or less staring down those waiting outside by the door.

Once he gets near his friends, and out of range he'll also whisper "What happened to the one in the woods behind you?" to Rhukis

After the rest are stable, bands in a piled heap on the ground, the short man sits at the table breathing heavily. Deep scars mar his arm where the iron Barbs tore his flesh, but was healed over by Uldi's grace. 

"Go talk to your friends priest," the short man waves Theos on. "We are indebted to you. I'll be here when you want to speak with me again. I dont think any of us are going anywhere any time soon."

Seeing Theos approach, Liet will let out one giant sigh of relief, and wait to hear what he has to say.

Also, Liet last cast goodberry before camping, the berries will soon fade, so will hand one out to each member of the party saying "they may seem small, but eat, they are healing and will fill our tummies until we have a chance to eat fully again." ((+1 hp and you don't need to eat again for the day))

Ruhkis

((As we transition, Ruhkis will approach each member of the party and give an encouraging "job well done" for how everyone handled themselves through this ordeal. We made a dangerous gamble to seek peace before blood and it paid off. Everyone demonstrated patience and restraint and Ruhkis is feeling a little better about the challenges ahead.))

McFuddy

Swoops down to the party, grabs his berry, with a big "Thank you" then returns to the sky again. During this rest, McFuddy would have pulled out a sharpening stone and sharpened anything he has with an edge. After that, and once the men sat down less menacing, he would fly up high, then drop out of the sky free falling until he catches him self and goes up again. If he spots an animal or beast in the near by area (doubtful with all the human smells and sounds) he will shoot an arrow at it, then skin it. (looking for squirrels, birds, rabbit, etc. HOWEVER would love to see a deer or bear!)

Survival 10
Perception 24

Theos

Theos exits the building, and smiles widely at the rest of the party. "I'll take one of those berries if you're able." he says to Liet. After he finishes eating, he'll continue: "Any plans to go from here on out? I've saved those inside, but they say there's more of them, and the whole problem's coming from that mine. Some lunatic set himself up as 'The Demon' in there, and is going about giving people arm bands."

Ruhkis

"Well done, priest! You had us worried a bit out here with this lot." Off to the side, the dwarf will address Theos somewhat privately. "I think we're going to stick around here a wee bit. We need to know everything these guys know before walking off into the mine. Also - we were speaking earlier - the gods have not smiled on these lads and we think we should sort out their arms and get them healed up and on their way before we take leave of them. Never telling what they'll resort to if we leave them behind in the same state we found them."

Just to unnerve them a tad, Ruhkis will address gang's leader, "Well your boys out here kept us company just fine. Right gentlemen Blacky and Whitey are - although Dale seems a bit skittish." The dwarf will wink at the porch trio - having no idea which is which. Looking back at the leader, he'll add "You have a shovel, mate?"
((Ruhkis doesn't need a shovel to dig Johnny up, but he wants to see the looks on their faces just the same. Then he'll mold earth and excavate Johnny out with a slap on the back and a "No hard feelings, eh?"))

Quote from McFuddy >>

McFuddy

Swoops down to the party, grabs his berry, with a big "Thank you" then returns to the sky again. During this rest, McFuddy would have pulled out a sharpening stone and sharpened anything he has with an edge. After that, and once the men sat down less menacing, he would fly up high, then drop out of the sky free falling until he catches him self and goes up again. If he spots an animal or beast in the near by area (doubtful with all the human smells and sounds) he will shoot an arrow at it, then skin it. (looking for squirrels, birds, rabbit, etc. HOWEVER would love to see a deer or bear!)

Survival 16
Perception 25

 

After all the screams the larger game have fled for quite some time, but you do find some smaller game that you are able to find and catch. Hare and squirrel and the like. 

Quote from plumbloco666 >>

Ruhkis

"Well done, priest! You had us worried a bit out here with this lot." Off to the side, the dwarf will address Theos somewhat privately. "I think we're going to stick around here a wee bit. We need to know everything these guys know before walking off into the mine. Also - we were speaking earlier - the gods have not smiled on these lads and we think we should sort out their arms and get them healed up and on their way before we take leave of them. Never telling what they'll resort to if we leave them behind in the same state we found them."

Just to unnerve them a tad, Ruhkis will address gang's leader, "Well your boys out here kept us company just fine. Right gentlemen Blacky and Whitey are - although Dale seems a bit skittish." The dwarf will wink at the porch trio - having no idea which is which. Looking back at the leader, he'll add "You have a shovel, mate?"
((Ruhkis doesn't need a shovel to dig Johnny up, but he wants to see the looks on their faces just the same. Then he'll mold earth and excavate Johnny out with a slap on the back and a "No hard feelings, eh?"))

"Fiddica's tits, I'm glad we didn't tussle with you..." Whitey says as he gives Johnny a hand out of the hole. 

[[Short man still is in the cabin, tending to those that only got 'spare the dying']]

Liet probably has about 3 berries left. He'll put them in the mouths of those who were spared death.