Nodding to Hatch, Lok turns his attention back towards Lia

"My and my friend here will also accompany you to question Mr Dory." putting his hand on Hatch's shoulder. 

"Finally, we might get some answers." The barbarian grins to himself. 

"Who else wants to come?" Lok asks with a hopeful glance at the others nearby.

After washing up and tossing a couple of copper pieces on the bar, “Thanks Willagee, hopefully this covers the cost of the washcloth that I used and is now only suitable for lining a birdcage or a burial shroud for a vermin.”

Overhearing the conversation, Throm volunteers to go along. If nothing else than to see what one of the bedrooms, that he won’t get to stay in, looks like.

Bork finishes his ale, and eases himself off the chair. He adjusts his axe as he does so.

"I don't know who you people are and who this Mr. Dory is, but he sounds like he's in the way of opening the door to this place. I shall join you."

He moves to join the group before stopping and turning back to the bar.

"I'll have another one of these waiting for me when I return," he says to the barkeep, gesturing to his empty ale mug.

At the gathering group of adventurers Delmon says "Wait a second maybe one of you could come not all of you. We don't want an army charging in on him. Lia you were hear first why don't you come." then wispering to Lia "Also you have a key you would've come in anyways. Pretend to be helping me deliver the meal." I then go to Mr. Dory's door with the food for him and Lia.

Throm shrugs and heads back to the bar.  He did want to see what a room looked like.  He missed sleeping inside.

"Willagee, can I get a serving of stew or whatever smelled so good in the kitchen while I was back there?  Also, a large tankard of ale, if you don't mind."

Throm turns purposefully around from the bar to survey the patrons, noting what the latest demeanor of the crowd is.  He also instinctively checks his pockets and items, taking inventory of what may be his last possessions in this life.  Hand crossbow and bolt case right hip, rapier left hip, hunting knife left thigh, pocket contents yep, pocket contents yep, pocket contents empty, pocket contents carrot, pocket contents yep, pocket contents empty, pocket contents coin pouch, pocket contents yep.

(Now is a good time to get filled in on the backstory from Willagee or someone nearby.)

(CalvinHahnll posted while I was writing the update, so I'm just gonna post anyway. Can decide whether to be included or not)

Delmon enters the room carrying the meal, looking like no waiter anyone has ever seen before. Lia follows behind, but leaves the door half-open to allow for a quick exit if required. Lok, Hatch, Throm and Bork (and others?) gather in the hall outside, but with the common concern of the curse and the riddle, and with the talk of this "Mr Dory" character, their curiosity propels them onward into the room to witness the exchange.

As Delmon places the meal on the small table, Mr Dory grunts his thanks from behind privacy screen, with the sound of a small splash of water. Trying his best to sound polite, Delmon inquires whether Mr Dory is aware that there has been an incident with a witch, and that the tavern occupants are trapped. There is silence for a few moments, and then the reply comes:

Trapped by a witch's curse, eh? Ha! Trapped! You don't know the meaning of the word.

As he continues to talk, Delmon and Lia can hear him rise out of the tub, see a pale, withered hand reach for a robe and don it behind the curtain. Then Mr Dory emerges into view. The sight is sickening - his white flesh is stretched over his bones like a bedsheet blown into the branches of a winter tree. His deep sunken eyes seem like they would fall out of their sockets with a sudden jolt. And within seconds the stench of his flesh washing over them feels like having the contents of a troglodyte's bedpan thrown in their faces.

Better to be trapped in a tavern than in your own body. Always dying but never dead, that's her curse to me. It's all I can do to keep my body from falling apart! If not for twenty-three hours a day in water, I'd be a rotting corpse, and yet with still no release through death. No cure, no escape - and you think YOU'RE trapped!

All make a DC 20 CON saving throw for the stench, or spend the next minute retching.

With no objections, I’ll retcon my last entry to give me enough time to have enjoyed my meal and ale. Now I can roll to see if I keep it.

23

Urp.

Saving throw 10

(Dice did not favor me - I assume I upchuck now)

The young tiefling probably couldn't have handled the stench of rot on a good day, on his first hangover however...well, it was a good thing all he had left in his belly was liquid leftover from his earlier drinking. He had just enough time to grab a nearby vase to vomit in.

15 + 3 = 18 (So close dammit.)

Lia spins on her heels, panicking, looking for somewhere to go. She throws up a little on the floor, but since she hasn't eaten or drunk much since a few hours before the curse started, she was stuck dry heaving, leaving her more than a little light-headed too. As awful as she felt, she felt more sorry for Mr Dory.

1

Before Lok could look away, It was over.

Everything in the barbarians stomach rushed out, and he could do nothing about it. 

the poor barbarian layed on the floor in a fetal position, retching. Tears stung his eyes. 

"This was a mistake" Lok moaned to himself

18

No so close! Delmon throws up a little on the floor. He then shakily asks "Do you know how we can get out of here? If you help us get out I could get a cleric to remove your curse."

Throm tries to keep it together while four more unique smells add to the stench. The thought crosses his mind that maybe ending the life Dory would not only be utilitarian but merciful as well. His hands subconsciously position themselves for a quick cross draw and load, ready for action. But consciously, he’s keeping his attention away from the sights and sounds of wretching .

There's only one way to leave this place, and that is the one way that is denied to me! Mr Dory's voice rises as he raises one hand high above his head and draws arcane power from the Weave. But if escape you desire, then I will give you what none can give me! And with that he thrusts his hand at Delmon and an arc of lightning flashes from his hand at the burly warrior.

Lightning Bolt at Delmon and Hatch for 30 damage, DC 15 DEX save for half.

(I'm not expecting anyone to track initiative, damage, spell slots, etc. Just do whatever you like. Rolls are just for the sake of flavour, e.g. to see if you miss/hit, how serious your damage is, etc)

"Please sir!" Lia shouts, not sure where to go, whether to run and help Delmon or Hatch, or to join Throm's side.

"We came here to help you! I'm so, so very sorry for what this curse has done to you, and our poor reactions to it. We want nothing more than to free *everybody* of what that woman has done."

She decides that, since she doesn't know anything about healing, to go stand beside Throm, but shoots concerned looks at the others. She places a hand on Throm's arm as if to say 'don't attack yet', but also rests her other hand on the hilt of her longsword.

The flash of lightning and electrification of the atmosphere seals the decision for Throm. The crossbow expert will utilize both attack and bonus to try and relieve this miserable creature of his existence.

Attack: 14 Damage: 10

Attack: 7 Damage: 10

Throm will move within the room to separate himself from the group and find an advantageous position, staying within 30’.

One of Throm's crossbow bolts flies wide and rips through the thin screen around the bath, but the other pierces Mr Dory through the stomach. No blood issues from the wound however, and Mr Dory laughs at Throm as he taunts: Death is your only escape, by my hand or another's, you choose. But cutting me down will not bring me death. That is my curse!

Lok eyes widen as he watched the lightning bolt arc across the room and hit Hatch. 

Jumping back onto his feet and wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Lok reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dagger. 

"Thats It! You want death so badly, so be it." Lok yells at Mr Dory, His eyes glowing red with Rage.

The barbarian runs forward with the dagger and attempts to shove it through his neck. 

Attack: 16

Damage: 4

Quote from ZorgAlmighty >>

There's only one way to leave this place, and that is the one way that is denied to me! Mr Dory's voice rises as he raises one hand high above his head and draws arcane power from the Weave. But if escape you desire, then I will give you what none can give me! And with that he thrusts his hand at Delmon and an arc of lightning flashes from his hand at the burly warrior.

Lightning Bolt aimed at Delmon, but I'll place one of the doorway-loiterers at random into the firing line: 1d4: 1 Lok, 2 Hatch, 3 Throm, 4 Bork   2

Lightning Bolt at Delmon and Hatch for 30 damage, DC 15 DEX save for half.

(I'm not expecting anyone to track initiative, damage, spell slots, etc. Just do whatever you like. Rolls are just for the sake of flavour, e.g. to see if you miss/hit, how serious your damage is, etc)

 (Are we at any particular level? Cause at even half damage this'd be the end of my level 1 paladin)