Doozey only hesitated for a second or two, figuring someone else might chime in with an immediate question. Seizing the opportunity after, he motions absent-mindedly motions with a hand for Graxx to ease up slightly on the throat while carefully saying, "Stay with us now, friend. The books here? Will your people linger on this island until they have it in their possession? And have any of your number been consorting with devils?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Neya: While reading the passages in the salvaged pages, you begin to realize that in your mind’s voice they sound similar to the words the crones were chanting during the fight. Now magically able to read the script, you deduce the language used in these pages and in the ritual earlier is, in fact, Infernal. You additionally conclude that this cave is the closest thing to a place of worship that you have seen in the island.
Not being in the proper healthy condition to be able to fully put complex thoughts together, the drow prisoner raises a hand to shield his eyes from the torches carried by the adult villagers and tells Doozey plainly: “Devils? You fought alongside hellish creatures above ground and accuse us of being in consort with devils?”
He seems to ignore the question regarding the tome, or perhaps he didn’t hear it in his battered state.
Graxx moves his hand from the throat to the hair of the Drow pulling the head back and looking down into its eyes. He fights back the urge to end its pitiful existence right now.
"The book! Will your cult not stop searching till it is found?" yells Graxx.
(Rolling without modifiers as not sure what they are with sheet being down. Intimidation: 16
(@Grx: Graxx has a +4 to intimidation, so you got a 20.)
The cultist's left eye widens (the right one is too banged up to do the same): "The captain will find it, one way or another... By now, the villagers already spilled the beans... he has his way of ensuring so... If we don't return soon... he'll kill everyone in the island until we find it."
The drow looks defeated and accepting of his fate, either on your hands or the cult's.
Doozey had a complicated look on his face; one that wasn't quite defeated or said, nor was it joy or fear. After a moment or two of the internal dance, the stoutling shoves back the feelings, though made a mental note to possibly 'question' the crones later about their 'forest creatures'. Assuming he survived the night...
"... It seems then we don't have much time or choice. Not if we are save these folks, or at least hinder these mudruckers plans." He frowns and rubs his chin. If he sees the drow start to sway to unconciousville, he'll start lightly slapping his cheeks and saying, "Now, now. Stay focused for a little longer. We just need you to tell us how ya planned to board that big ship of yours again from here?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Considering the language used in the crones' incantation and the drow's mention of devils, Neya tries to ascertain what the children of the forest are.
Doozey and Graxx continue to question their prisoner. A few slaps are delivered to ensure the drow doesn't go back to sleep. His groggy state persists, and while in it, the cultist continues to speak slowly: "Village should be pacified... Verik should have already collected the secrets of this isle... stroll back to the landing and from there... onto the ship and away... We've done it several times before." Satisfied with the answers, Graxx prepares to end the drow.
Still on the corner, Neya tries to piece together some of the information that just came to light. Though she is sure that there is more to all of this, she believes she has enough to deduce at least what the Creatures of the Wood are. The shapes of the creatures were their most telling characteristic, apart from their composition. They resembled a molten mass of flesh with a vaguely humanoid head and torso. A permanent expression of anguish twisted across their faces, their feeble mouths babbling even though they couldn't speak. Of course such a despicable sight would have come from some hellish realm. They were weak too, and not particularly helpful in the battle. They mustn't be any of the strong devils Neya has heard about or studied. The monk thinks she arrived at a likely answer: those creatures have not a dash of nature in them. They are petty Lemures.
A few steps away, Utar tries to converse with the villagers. They let him know that apart from "Jobe, the dead man over there," this group is indeed all of the Folk who entered the forest in search of shelter. As Utar speaks with two of the adults, some of the more adventurous children get distracted, or bored, or both. They start roaming around the cave. A couple of them even approach the altar, and Utar notices (passive insight) that the adults get a bit restless about it.
"Yes, I believe they were here to find the location of an artifact. A Dragon Mask." Neya replies to Graxx. "The book reveals the mask itself is elsewhere, a place called "Kryptgarden Forest." Considering how long this place has been undisturbed until now, I'm not sure if this book is accurate anymore."
Graxx decides that the party has collected enough information from this drow cultist. He brings his sword down and executes CRAP's prisoner, a fate they all eventually share.
(OOC: I don't usually care too much about this but some of you guys may have to revisit your alignment soon...)
Stowing her newest reading materials, Neya shares some of her findings with the rest of the party. While this is happening, the kids that have started to move about have clearly been enticed by whatever is on top to the altar. One of them, a boy with snot running down his face, seems to be the braver of the bunch. He reaches for something shiny and immediately turns around to share his finding with his friends. You can hear one of them scream: "Ouch!"
Using this as an opportunity, one of the adults dashes toward the altar, also grabs something from atop it, and begins running toward the entrance. Unlike the child, this man reached for one of the non-shiny articles.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Doozey is sluggish to notice, but quick to react once Graxx shout. Unlike Graxx, he's in less in the mood to be diplomatic about things. Not after so many revelations that left him questioning all but the youth. With a sharp whistle and a gesture, Biscuit is set after the man with the intent to chomp, hold by the tuckus, and eventually drag down to the ground. Though the moment Biscuit fails, unless stopped by another... Doozey is firing off a shot into the man's leg with a dispassionate expression.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Turning his head towards the altar and then towards the fleeing villager with Biscuit barreling behind him, Utar decides that perhaps it's best no-one else touch the items placed upon altar. Placing himself between the altar and the remaining villagers, he draws himself up to his full height, crossing his arms and setting his jaw.
Biscuit's lunge is poorly timed, giving the man ample time to sidestep it. Following that, Doozey has to chase the man into the tunnel for a few seconds before being able to aim a clear shot at his leg, and he does exactly that. After some initial success, the man falls to the ground and an old piece of rolled-up parchment slips from his hands. Graxx sighs in relief, glad that the runner didn't make it out of the cave.
Trusting his friends to take better care of this new prisoner, Utar turns to face the curious kids and the altar. His posture is enough to clearly convey the message that it is in everyone's best interest to not approach the altar at this moment. A nearby boy gets startled at the half-orc's question and tone, quickly pointing a shaking finger at what Utar plainly recognizes as a ceremonial dagger. Its fiery artwork is poorly made and its oxidized blade and hilt reveal the weapon is clearly silvered.
A quick glance at other items on the altar reveals more metals. In fact, Utar sees several gold bars which all bear an old trade stamp. They look dusty but in good condition, as if they have seen little to no use. Counting the bars, the cleric estimates that they are worth around 200gp. He deduces that they are some sort of sacrifice or offering as illustrated in the paintings on the wall and around the altar itself, but is unable to conclude little beyond that for now. Apart from the gold, Utar also sees a spot clear of any dust where the scroll taken by the runner was obviously sitting until a moment ago, as well as some darkened candles which are melted to the stone.
Doozey continued to jog over to the fallen Fugitive with at least an excited Biscuit not far behind him. "Stay on him." Biscuit perks up at the words, and lowly began growling at the man while Doozey went over to examine the parchment. He even goes as far as to try and read the contents after having doffed the crossbow. Whether he can read its contents or not, he only looks over it long enough to get a general idea prior to going over to check on the man personally. "Ya still alive, my friend?" He asked in a somewhat detached voice, and despite probably already knowing the answer.
Regardless of whether that answer is favorable or not, he recovers the bolt if at all possible, he helps load the form onto biscuit, trusting the hound could at least carry it back to the inner chamber alongside the stoutling.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey only hesitated for a second or two, figuring someone else might chime in with an immediate question. Seizing the opportunity after, he motions absent-mindedly motions with a hand for Graxx to ease up slightly on the throat while carefully saying, "Stay with us now, friend. The books here? Will your people linger on this island until they have it in their possession? And have any of your number been consorting with devils?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Neya: While reading the passages in the salvaged pages, you begin to realize that in your mind’s voice they sound similar to the words the crones were chanting during the fight. Now magically able to read the script, you deduce the language used in these pages and in the ritual earlier is, in fact, Infernal. You additionally conclude that this cave is the closest thing to a place of worship that you have seen in the island.
Not being in the proper healthy condition to be able to fully put complex thoughts together, the drow prisoner raises a hand to shield his eyes from the torches carried by the adult villagers and tells Doozey plainly: “Devils? You fought alongside hellish creatures above ground and accuse us of being in consort with devils?”
He seems to ignore the question regarding the tome, or perhaps he didn’t hear it in his battered state.
Graxx moves his hand from the throat to the hair of the Drow pulling the head back and looking down into its eyes. He fights back the urge to end its pitiful existence right now.
"The book! Will your cult not stop searching till it is found?" yells Graxx.
(Rolling without modifiers as not sure what they are with sheet being down. Intimidation: 16
(@Grx: Graxx has a +4 to intimidation, so you got a 20.)
The cultist's left eye widens (the right one is too banged up to do the same): "The captain will find it, one way or another... By now, the villagers already spilled the beans... he has his way of ensuring so... If we don't return soon... he'll kill everyone in the island until we find it."
The drow looks defeated and accepting of his fate, either on your hands or the cult's.
Sick of staring at fragments of paper, all of which point him nowhere, Utar stands and approaches the group of villagers.
"Is this all of you? When we leave here, we aren't leaving anyone behind are we?"
Doozey had a complicated look on his face; one that wasn't quite defeated or said, nor was it joy or fear. After a moment or two of the internal dance, the stoutling shoves back the feelings, though made a mental note to possibly 'question' the crones later about their 'forest creatures'. Assuming he survived the night...
"... It seems then we don't have much time or choice. Not if we are save these folks, or at least hinder these mudruckers plans." He frowns and rubs his chin. If he sees the drow start to sway to unconciousville, he'll start lightly slapping his cheeks and saying, "Now, now. Stay focused for a little longer. We just need you to tell us how ya planned to board that big ship of yours again from here?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Let them come then..." says Graxx.
Graxx lets the Drow rest upon its knees and steps behind it. He draws his sword ready to end its life after it answers Doozey's question.
Considering the language used in the crones' incantation and the drow's mention of devils, Neya tries to ascertain what the children of the forest are.
Intelligence: 14 (If religion applies, add 3)
Extended Signature
Doozey and Graxx continue to question their prisoner. A few slaps are delivered to ensure the drow doesn't go back to sleep. His groggy state persists, and while in it, the cultist continues to speak slowly: "Village should be pacified... Verik should have already collected the secrets of this isle... stroll back to the landing and from there... onto the ship and away... We've done it several times before." Satisfied with the answers, Graxx prepares to end the drow.
Still on the corner, Neya tries to piece together some of the information that just came to light. Though she is sure that there is more to all of this, she believes she has enough to deduce at least what the Creatures of the Wood are. The shapes of the creatures were their most telling characteristic, apart from their composition. They resembled a molten mass of flesh with a vaguely humanoid head and torso. A permanent expression of anguish twisted across their faces, their feeble mouths babbling even though they couldn't speak. Of course such a despicable sight would have come from some hellish realm. They were weak too, and not particularly helpful in the battle. They mustn't be any of the strong devils Neya has heard about or studied. The monk thinks she arrived at a likely answer: those creatures have not a dash of nature in them. They are petty Lemures.
A few steps away, Utar tries to converse with the villagers. They let him know that apart from "Jobe, the dead man over there," this group is indeed all of the Folk who entered the forest in search of shelter. As Utar speaks with two of the adults, some of the more adventurous children get distracted, or bored, or both. They start roaming around the cave. A couple of them even approach the altar, and Utar notices (passive insight) that the adults get a bit restless about it.
Graxx takes his sword and with a quick blow to the back of the neck aims to end the Drow.
(Reckless) Attack: 16 Damage: 11
"We need to move they will be coming." says Graxx. "Learn anything from the book, Neya?"
"Yes, I believe they were here to find the location of an artifact. A Dragon Mask." Neya replies to Graxx. "The book reveals the mask itself is elsewhere, a place called "Kryptgarden Forest." Considering how long this place has been undisturbed until now, I'm not sure if this book is accurate anymore."
Extended Signature
Graxx decides that the party has collected enough information from this drow cultist. He brings his sword down and executes CRAP's prisoner, a fate they all eventually share.
(OOC: I don't usually care too much about this but some of you guys may have to revisit your alignment soon...)
Stowing her newest reading materials, Neya shares some of her findings with the rest of the party. While this is happening, the kids that have started to move about have clearly been enticed by whatever is on top to the altar. One of them, a boy with snot running down his face, seems to be the braver of the bunch. He reaches for something shiny and immediately turns around to share his finding with his friends. You can hear one of them scream: "Ouch!"
Using this as an opportunity, one of the adults dashes toward the altar, also grabs something from atop it, and begins running toward the entrance. Unlike the child, this man reached for one of the non-shiny articles.
Graxx shakes his head. He just can't believe the people of this island.
"HALT! YOU'RE RUNNING TO YOUR DEATH" Graxx screams at the adult item grabber.
Intimidation: 8
Doozey is sluggish to notice, but quick to react once Graxx shout. Unlike Graxx, he's in less in the mood to be diplomatic about things. Not after so many revelations that left him questioning all but the youth. With a sharp whistle and a gesture, Biscuit is set after the man with the intent to chomp, hold by the tuckus, and eventually drag down to the ground. Though the moment Biscuit fails, unless stopped by another... Doozey is firing off a shot into the man's leg with a dispassionate expression.
Biscuits Bite & Hold Manuever: 18 vs Runner's Strength or Dex.
(If possible to time for following a failure, Doozey's roll)
Doozey's Light Crossbow - Attack: 11 Damage: 9.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Turning his head towards the altar and then towards the fleeing villager with Biscuit barreling behind him, Utar decides that perhaps it's best no-one else touch the items placed upon altar. Placing himself between the altar and the remaining villagers, he draws himself up to his full height, crossing his arms and setting his jaw.
Intimidation 20
(OOC Utar is attempting to dissuade other villagers from trying the same thing.)
Looking down his nose at the child who touched a metallic object he narrows his eyes in a particularly hard stare.
"What did you touch? Point to it, don't touch it again."
Before softening and adding, "Is your hand alright?"
Casting an eye over the items, Utar tries to determine whether they might shine any light on the purpose of the altar.
Investigation 9
Or Religion 14 if preferred.
"That works." Adds Graxx as Doozey fires and sics Biscuit on the runner.
Graxx tries to intimidate the runner into stopping but finds his voice cracking. As he clears his throat, Doozey sets his mastiff on the running man:
-> Fugitive's acrobatics check {DC 6}: 18
Biscuit's lunge is poorly timed, giving the man ample time to sidestep it. Following that, Doozey has to chase the man into the tunnel for a few seconds before being able to aim a clear shot at his leg, and he does exactly that. After some initial success, the man falls to the ground and an old piece of rolled-up parchment slips from his hands. Graxx sighs in relief, glad that the runner didn't make it out of the cave.
Trusting his friends to take better care of this new prisoner, Utar turns to face the curious kids and the altar. His posture is enough to clearly convey the message that it is in everyone's best interest to not approach the altar at this moment. A nearby boy gets startled at the half-orc's question and tone, quickly pointing a shaking finger at what Utar plainly recognizes as a ceremonial dagger. Its fiery artwork is poorly made and its oxidized blade and hilt reveal the weapon is clearly silvered.
A quick glance at other items on the altar reveals more metals. In fact, Utar sees several gold bars which all bear an old trade stamp. They look dusty but in good condition, as if they have seen little to no use. Counting the bars, the cleric estimates that they are worth around 200gp. He deduces that they are some sort of sacrifice or offering as illustrated in the paintings on the wall and around the altar itself, but is unable to conclude little beyond that for now. Apart from the gold, Utar also sees a spot clear of any dust where the scroll taken by the runner was obviously sitting until a moment ago, as well as some darkened candles which are melted to the stone.
Turning from the silvered dagger, Utar takes a moment to look to the boy over, reminded of the curse afflicting the child from the lighthouse.
Taking a silver piece from his purse, he tosses it towards the boy, wondering if the same reaction would occur.
Doozey continued to jog over to the fallen Fugitive with at least an excited Biscuit not far behind him. "Stay on him." Biscuit perks up at the words, and lowly began growling at the man while Doozey went over to examine the parchment. He even goes as far as to try and read the contents after having doffed the crossbow. Whether he can read its contents or not, he only looks over it long enough to get a general idea prior to going over to check on the man personally. "Ya still alive, my friend?" He asked in a somewhat detached voice, and despite probably already knowing the answer.
Regardless of whether that answer is favorable or not, he recovers the bolt if at all possible, he helps load the form onto biscuit, trusting the hound could at least carry it back to the inner chamber alongside the stoutling.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx walks up over the downed man and looks back the other adults. Frustrated the Barbarian says loudly.
"What is wrong with you people?! Can't you stop making it hard on us to save your little island! By Tempus I am over this! Leave them." says Graxx
Graxx goes to guard the entrance of the area to cool off.
Perception: 21