As the harpy flaps its wings and starts to retreat back into the fog of the mountain, Thalion shoots an arrow into the sky that pierces the harpy's talon. It screams in pain and begins to sink, the very effort of flight seeming to cause it agonizing pain each and every second. Then, Nevlav, the other victim of its beguiling song, shoots a bullet from his sling that arcs so fast through the sky that it actually completely passes through the harpy's wing, leaving a large hole. As you see the bullet pass through, the harpy gives up its fight for survival and drops straight to the ground, the body making a sickening crack as bone and sinew fall to the earth and hit against the rocks.
As the five of you catch your breath, you see a mountain lion creeping around the rocks. It does not seem to care that you've noticed it. It stops about 30 feet away from you and stands there, watching you for a few moments.
Then, suddenly, its form seems to shift, its yellow fur turning into tanned humanoid skin, the paws turning into hands and feet, yellow eyes turning brown. Within seconds, standing before you is a very tall half-elf. His skin is tanned and ruddy, befitting someone who live in this harsh environment. His features are sharp, almost hawklike, and he has sun-bleached blond hair that is almost white. His hair cut very short and slightly receding in the front. He is wearing hide and has a sickle, with strange, ornate ruins carved into it hanging at his hip. He regards you all curiously, but also warily.
"Hello, travelers. Its not so often that we get visitors up here along the pass." His voice is a rough croak, as if he's not that used to speaking. "I can't say I'm surprised. I've expected this moment to come every day for the past fifteen years. What is it to be? Are you going to take me in, or simply execute me and leave me to rot on this mountain?"
“If you are who I think you are: we just need some help. You healed some sick men in town. There are a lot more sick people back in the capitol. We need your help.” Yoric eyes the sickle’s runes, but is earnest in his tone.
Although he responds a little bullish it is mostly due to being caught out by the Harpy, "As my companions said, we mean you no harm, as long as you are willing to come quietly." Nevlav reattaches his sling to his belt. He keeps his shield strapped tightly however.
Thalion knows that thus far he's only managed to put his foot in his mouth when it came to this "talk" business, so he busies himself with heading over to the fallen harpy to try and recover at least one of the arrows he fired at it.
If Grin can, she'll head to the harpy, mumbling a few words as she sprinkles dirt mixed with a little alcohol over the corpse. If she can't reach it she'll simply sprinkle it in the Harpy's direction.
Grin -- you are able to reach the harpy and you are able to spread the dirt and alcohol combination over her body.
Alden
The rock the harpy was perched on when you came across her is very scratched up, indicating this may be a common perch -- but beyond that, its hard to tell.
The rough-looking half-elf visibly relaxes as Alden, Yoric, and Nevlav. mention the illnesses and Dr. Aleksei. "Ah, you're here about the porters. Poor sods. Part of something they don't understand. Yes, I am Aleksei. If you're truly here to help with what ails this nation, then you have naught to fear from me. What's out here, on the other hand, is dangerous to us all. Follow me to my cottage, so we can chat."
Nevlav relaxes and swings his shield around to his back for easy stowing. He is about to begin walking when Yoric speaks his truth, the young gnome reddens slightly and a slight look of shame reaches his eyes and mouth. He knows the the halfling speaks true and he feels ashamed at how gruff he was, his mentors int he order would certainly have had stronger words for him. He reaches out and pats Yoric on the shoulder in thanks for the advice and continues following.
"Not true, flies be liken vin'gar and poopoo. Bees wan' de honey, but bees can sting oui?" Grin chimes in and uses her Eldritch Eyes invocation to detect magics along their walk.
You walk in silence behind the half-elf who identified himself as Doctor Aleksei walks with the confidence of someone who has traveled these trails for many years. After a scant period of about ten minutes, you come to a (for the area) impressive thatched cottage. Thick verdant grasses and vines form the walls of the house and an ornately carved wooden door, one that looks handmade, is tucked away inconspicuously against the side of the mountain.
As you're walking and Grin uses her eyes, she sees Yoric and Aleksei both light up, with Aleksei's sickle also giving off a pulsing magical energy. Aleksei steps to the door, passes a hand in front of it, and mutters a few words, then flings the door open and gestures you inside.
"Forgive the mess. Don't get many visitors nowadays between the Giants, the harpies and wereboars. And I've been watching you lot. Not many get past the harpy AND the giant. I don't know whether you are that formidable, or simply very lucky."
He laughs, the same scratchy, throaty sound as his speaking voice. As you walk in, you notice, first of all, the mess. There are books strewn all about the main room, many of them turned upside down to hold a specific page. There are bookshelves along every wall, with dozens, if not hundreds of other books on the shelves. In the corner of the front room is a work table, with a number of unknown herbs and chemicals arranged in various configurations, as well as what appears to be a very old, acid-splashed tome on the table as well. There are empty and mugs gathered next to the room's solitary chair, and a fireplace, currently inactive, near the chair. The only other thing in the room is an uncomfortable-looking straw and hay filled bed in the corner of the room. A large wooden chest sits at the foot of the bed. There are two doorways, one to your immediate right where the door is closed and one directly ahead of you. You see a small wood stove in that room.
"Let me put the kettle on, then we'll talk. I'm sure you have questions, and....I have questions of my own about your purpose."
He disappears into the room directly ahead of you, and you hear the clanking of pots.
You immediately notice the title of the acid-splashed tome is A Guide to Magickal Curses, Their Applications, and Removals and there seems to be a bookmark that leads to a page dealing with wasting diseases. The other thing that stands out is that most of the books that are off the shelves seem to be either history books or deal with the folklore of Languedoc -- the book next to the chair is entitled The Genius of King Brocc - A Short History of the War of Magick and Machines.
Finally, the chest at the foot of the bed is locked
Grin
In this front room, a number of book light up with a few schools of magic -- evocation, divination, and abjuration, mostly. The chest at the foot of the bed lights up as well, and something in the room with the shut door glows dimly with the school of evocation.
The tea that Aleksei comes in with is also magic, of transmutation school.
The half-elf comes back with his arms full, carrying a kettle and a number of different vessels for containing liquid --- mismatched beer steins, mugs, a wine glass, even a few beakers. He pours a bit of red liquid into each glass and passes them out to each of you. "My own blend. I find it most soothing after a day spent battling the elements." Looking at Alden admiring his books, Aleksei nods vigorously. "Aye. I've found in the past fifteen years I can do without most people, but not books. Never books. I read everything I can get my hands on." Alden, sure enough, browsing the shelves, you see a wide variety of books, everything from a of A Practical Guide to Gardening in Rocky Soils to a dusty, very thick tome called Naval Battles of Antiquity to, intriguingly, a very worn and apparently much-read romance novel with the title Tusk Love.
Looking to Yoric now, Aleksei peers at the halfling for a moment. "Yes. Egil, our local Stone Giant, is probably the most dangerous creature up here, but he's a good lad, if you get to know him. Absolutely refuses to believe we are anything but some damned fool dream he's having after eating too much lichen, hahaha. The wereboars, though are completely savage, perversions of nature. I've killed a number of them myself, but the beasts raid the village below every so often and turn others to join their little families. If it weren't for my own skill with herbs, I'd probably be one myself now."
He takes a big sip of his tea and looks over each of you closely. "You mentioned how I helped those two train folks in Yellow Creek. I'm curious, I'll admit. How did you hear about that, and what exactly do you want? Who sent you to me?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alden
Alden turns as Aleksei comes back in the room and listens to him then responds.
"I can understand the desire for books. I have an interest myself." he says absently.
"We actually heard of you and this miracle in Valance." Alden says as he "Seems" to turn his interest to the books again. "Admiral Garrock told us the story and sent us to find you." he says.
"The Admiral seems to admire you." Alden says as he turns to face Aleksei. Alden watches Aleksei's body language and facial reactions as he talks to him.
As the harpy flaps its wings and starts to retreat back into the fog of the mountain, Thalion shoots an arrow into the sky that pierces the harpy's talon. It screams in pain and begins to sink, the very effort of flight seeming to cause it agonizing pain each and every second. Then, Nevlav, the other victim of its beguiling song, shoots a bullet from his sling that arcs so fast through the sky that it actually completely passes through the harpy's wing, leaving a large hole. As you see the bullet pass through, the harpy gives up its fight for survival and drops straight to the ground, the body making a sickening crack as bone and sinew fall to the earth and hit against the rocks.
(Everybody -- level up!)
As the five of you catch your breath, you see a mountain lion creeping around the rocks. It does not seem to care that you've noticed it. It stops about 30 feet away from you and stands there, watching you for a few moments.
Then, suddenly, its form seems to shift, its yellow fur turning into tanned humanoid skin, the paws turning into hands and feet, yellow eyes turning brown. Within seconds, standing before you is a very tall half-elf. His skin is tanned and ruddy, befitting someone who live in this harsh environment. His features are sharp, almost hawklike, and he has sun-bleached blond hair that is almost white. His hair cut very short and slightly receding in the front. He is wearing hide and has a sickle, with strange, ornate ruins carved into it hanging at his hip. He regards you all curiously, but also warily.
"Hello, travelers. Its not so often that we get visitors up here along the pass." His voice is a rough croak, as if he's not that used to speaking. "I can't say I'm surprised. I've expected this moment to come every day for the past fifteen years. What is it to be? Are you going to take me in, or simply execute me and leave me to rot on this mountain?"
“If you are who I think you are: we just need some help. You healed some sick men in town. There are a lot more sick people back in the capitol. We need your help.” Yoric eyes the sickle’s runes, but is earnest in his tone.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Alden
"Are you Dr. Aleksei?" Alden asks.
"And no, we are not here to cause you any harm." he adds.
(OCC: level 2!)
Alden also eyes the area the harpy came from to see if there is a nest where it had been.
Investigation: 10
(had rolled a perception instead of an investigation check prior)
Although he responds a little bullish it is mostly due to being caught out by the Harpy, "As my companions said, we mean you no harm, as long as you are willing to come quietly." Nevlav reattaches his sling to his belt. He keeps his shield strapped tightly however.
Thalion knows that thus far he's only managed to put his foot in his mouth when it came to this "talk" business, so he busies himself with heading over to the fallen harpy to try and recover at least one of the arrows he fired at it.
If Grin can, she'll head to the harpy, mumbling a few words as she sprinkles dirt mixed with a little alcohol over the corpse. If she can't reach it she'll simply sprinkle it in the Harpy's direction.
Grin -- you are able to reach the harpy and you are able to spread the dirt and alcohol combination over her body.
Alden
The rock the harpy was perched on when you came across her is very scratched up, indicating this may be a common perch -- but beyond that, its hard to tell.
The rough-looking half-elf visibly relaxes as Alden, Yoric, and Nevlav. mention the illnesses and Dr. Aleksei. "Ah, you're here about the porters. Poor sods. Part of something they don't understand. Yes, I am Aleksei. If you're truly here to help with what ails this nation, then you have naught to fear from me. What's out here, on the other hand, is dangerous to us all. Follow me to my cottage, so we can chat."
Yoric moves to follow, but whispers back to Nevlav: “you get more flies with honey, ya know.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Nevlav relaxes and swings his shield around to his back for easy stowing. He is about to begin walking when Yoric speaks his truth, the young gnome reddens slightly and a slight look of shame reaches his eyes and mouth. He knows the the halfling speaks true and he feels ashamed at how gruff he was, his mentors int he order would certainly have had stronger words for him. He reaches out and pats Yoric on the shoulder in thanks for the advice and continues following.
Yoric gives Nevlav a smile, and lets him lead the gang onward.
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Not true, flies be liken vin'gar and poopoo. Bees wan' de honey, but bees can sting oui?" Grin chimes in and uses her Eldritch Eyes invocation to detect magics along their walk.
You walk in silence behind the half-elf who identified himself as Doctor Aleksei walks with the confidence of someone who has traveled these trails for many years. After a scant period of about ten minutes, you come to a (for the area) impressive thatched cottage. Thick verdant grasses and vines form the walls of the house and an ornately carved wooden door, one that looks handmade, is tucked away inconspicuously against the side of the mountain.
As you're walking and Grin uses her eyes, she sees Yoric and Aleksei both light up, with Aleksei's sickle also giving off a pulsing magical energy. Aleksei steps to the door, passes a hand in front of it, and mutters a few words, then flings the door open and gestures you inside.
"Forgive the mess. Don't get many visitors nowadays between the Giants, the harpies and wereboars. And I've been watching you lot. Not many get past the harpy AND the giant. I don't know whether you are that formidable, or simply very lucky."
He laughs, the same scratchy, throaty sound as his speaking voice. As you walk in, you notice, first of all, the mess. There are books strewn all about the main room, many of them turned upside down to hold a specific page. There are bookshelves along every wall, with dozens, if not hundreds of other books on the shelves. In the corner of the front room is a work table, with a number of unknown herbs and chemicals arranged in various configurations, as well as what appears to be a very old, acid-splashed tome on the table as well. There are empty and mugs gathered next to the room's solitary chair, and a fireplace, currently inactive, near the chair. The only other thing in the room is an uncomfortable-looking straw and hay filled bed in the corner of the room. A large wooden chest sits at the foot of the bed. There are two doorways, one to your immediate right where the door is closed and one directly ahead of you. You see a small wood stove in that room.
"Let me put the kettle on, then we'll talk. I'm sure you have questions, and....I have questions of my own about your purpose."
He disappears into the room directly ahead of you, and you hear the clanking of pots.
Alden
Alden looks around the room, books , herbs and all and tries to find a seat.
His curiosity gets the better of him and he goes to one of the shelves and starts looking the books over.
"Quite a collection you have here Doctor." he says.
“Did you say wereboars? Pretty rough neighbors all in all.” Yoric says, making conversation.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Grin detects magic again. "Ca'eful, don' be trustin' shapechanga. No matta 'ow friendly."
Thalion wastes no time once inside, immediately going about searching the room while their host busies himself in the other room.
Perception: 18
Thalion
You immediately notice the title of the acid-splashed tome is A Guide to Magickal Curses, Their Applications, and Removals and there seems to be a bookmark that leads to a page dealing with wasting diseases. The other thing that stands out is that most of the books that are off the shelves seem to be either history books or deal with the folklore of Languedoc -- the book next to the chair is entitled The Genius of King Brocc - A Short History of the War of Magick and Machines.
Finally, the chest at the foot of the bed is locked
Grin
In this front room, a number of book light up with a few schools of magic -- evocation, divination, and abjuration, mostly. The chest at the foot of the bed lights up as well, and something in the room with the shut door glows dimly with the school of evocation.
The tea that Aleksei comes in with is also magic, of transmutation school.
The half-elf comes back with his arms full, carrying a kettle and a number of different vessels for containing liquid --- mismatched beer steins, mugs, a wine glass, even a few beakers. He pours a bit of red liquid into each glass and passes them out to each of you. "My own blend. I find it most soothing after a day spent battling the elements." Looking at Alden admiring his books, Aleksei nods vigorously. "Aye. I've found in the past fifteen years I can do without most people, but not books. Never books. I read everything I can get my hands on." Alden, sure enough, browsing the shelves, you see a wide variety of books, everything from a of A Practical Guide to Gardening in Rocky Soils to a dusty, very thick tome called Naval Battles of Antiquity to, intriguingly, a very worn and apparently much-read romance novel with the title Tusk Love.
Looking to Yoric now, Aleksei peers at the halfling for a moment. "Yes. Egil, our local Stone Giant, is probably the most dangerous creature up here, but he's a good lad, if you get to know him. Absolutely refuses to believe we are anything but some damned fool dream he's having after eating too much lichen, hahaha. The wereboars, though are completely savage, perversions of nature. I've killed a number of them myself, but the beasts raid the village below every so often and turn others to join their little families. If it weren't for my own skill with herbs, I'd probably be one myself now."
He takes a big sip of his tea and looks over each of you closely. "You mentioned how I helped those two train folks in Yellow Creek. I'm curious, I'll admit. How did you hear about that, and what exactly do you want? Who sent you to me?"
Alden
Alden turns as Aleksei comes back in the room and listens to him then responds.
"I can understand the desire for books. I have an interest myself." he says absently.
"We actually heard of you and this miracle in Valance." Alden says as he "Seems" to turn his interest to the books again. "Admiral Garrock told us the story and sent us to find you." he says.
"The Admiral seems to admire you." Alden says as he turns to face Aleksei. Alden watches Aleksei's body language and facial reactions as he talks to him.
Insight roll: 25
Yoric drinks his wine glass full of tea.
Paladin - warforged - orange