Doozey just stood there for a minute beyond the bounds of tree, watching the sun's descent. "... Either that boy lied to us, which I wouldn't be too surprised, or I misheard him." He mirthlessly chuckle. "Shame on me if the latter, and bravo to him if the former. But if the former, then-..." His gaze hardens and hands ball up into tight fists at his side. "-this is one trick he best hope not to be able repeat again on this one. For there won't be mercy now."
His resolve spoken and set, Doozey hops onto Biscuits back once more for the trip to Utar's meeting point. Knowing or believing he would not be there in time, the Gravy is sent ahead to inform Neya of the bad news; but, no word on whether he would be arriving or not. Knowing the spell as he did, he thought better of it being overheard by another. Though a mental note is made to look into invest in bits of paper and string. A thought occurs towards the end of the message, and is only just added before loosing Gravy.
"Think you can get to the meeting boy?" He asked, giving biscuits a few encouraging pets.
(Exact Message, if necessary: "No Luck. Trail has gone cold in recommended locations. Considering Alternatives. Be advised and be safe. Possibility of association considered. Mind the beasts.")
(@DM: Can I retroactively Insight the couple Doozey found back in the other woods?)
Retroactive Insight: 14 (w/ Dms approval. See Group PM)
.
(Whoops. Ignore the advantage roll there. Was supposed to be a re-roll 1s code. Assume its the first roll)
Doozey takes a few seconds to think back on the interrogation. He wonders if the boy was a good liar or if his educated guesses were simply not as accurate as he had hoped. Either way, that now seems like a matter to be solved at a later time.
The hunter decides it is time to reunite the party and sends Gravy ahead of him to deliver a message to Neya. (OOC: We can safely assume that Doozey can give an accurate description of his monk companion and the dock area.) Details are sparse, however, on whether just Gravy or all three of them are on their way.
While riding, Doozey entertains the idea that the picnickers he found were more than what it seemed. He recalls their giggles to each other, followed by innocent surprise once they saw the halfling. They were likely just a young couple after all, he concludes.
Graxx approaches the black raven and looks at its legs. There is no strapped piece of paper on either limb, but the talons are coated in blood. The raven continues to stare at Graxx while he examines it from close, until...
The bird strikes at the barbarian's face but hits only hair. It immediately flies away afterwards. Utar looks at it as it takes flight and realizes that this is a different raven from Gravy, as its feathers are deep black (not brown). Neya speaks up at this point, her question arriving a bit too late as the bird moves out of view.
After some confused looks all around and another several minutes spent looking about the docks, the group notices the sun has begun to disappear behind the horizon. There is no further movement close to the warehouse selected for the meeting. No one is going into or out of the building now that the meeting time has arrived.
Utar looks to the sky; the time seems right for the meeting. Stepping forward towards the warehouse, he asks himself whether he is ready to face what he finds in there.
Graxx manages to reactively swat the raven away after the attempted peck. The bird stumbles mid-air for a good two seconds before rebalancing itself and flying away.
Later, once sundown is imminent, Utar leads the group into the warehouse. A few lanterns are placed in wooden beams inside. Large crates and barrels take most of the space by the walls, but the large central area has been cleared of all but two crates. One is no more than 5 feet each side, made out of worn wood and no different from other regular crates you see in the room. The second is much larger, about 12 feet a side and clearly custom made with metal reinforcements. A chain is connected to a locking mechanism on this larger crate.
Atop the smaller crate, and holding the other end of the chain, a lean tielfling of pale-pinkish complexion and bright red-pinkish hair sits twirling a knife in his fingers. A dark green cloak with no hood obscures most of the detail of the tiefling's attire, but you can see a belt full of daggers and a bracer of distinct design. "Right on time," Moneus says. "I see you brought protection with you, Utar. A smart but predictable choice. Allow me to start this meeting by letting you know that I did the same." His gestures are minimal, his face almost completely still. "It has been too long, old friend. Much has changed. Tell me, are you here to kill or save me?"
Neya notices that the floor has been cleared recently, judging by the lack of dust in the center of the room and all the movement of goods she witnessed outside before the meeting. The smell of sea salt inside this warehouse is strong.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ON THE WAY TO THE DOCKS
DM's Screen:
11
Doozey continues to ride Biscuit on his way to the docks. The sky is dark now, which is enough for the halfling to know he will be late for the meeting.
"Burral asked me the very same thing when I saw her last. She still lives by the way, I didn't kill her or anyone else from the old days."
Utar lets a moment pass,
"Do you think you need saving, Moneus? I think if someone is hunting us down one by one, we could help each other. Gather ourselves and start to put this to an end."
While heading south/southeast, Doozey notices that something else is keeping pace with him. He turns his head east to see two of the weremutts running just as fast as Biscuit. Once they notice that they have been spotted, both weremutts change trajectory, dashing directly east and deeper into the residential district.
"Hmm... A pity that our group has been reduced to scattered souls who are suspicious of their fellow Tormites," Moneus commiserates with Utar. "And yet, I am afraid suspicious is still what I am. The Welcomers protect me. I don't mean that men and women stand by my side ready to raise a blade for my life as it seems to be the case for you," he points at Graxx and Neya, "but that membership into larger organizations with some local power has been effective in at least delaying whatever force is hunting us down. It would seem Aleyd recognizes this as well, having joined the Black Fist and all. Our deceased colleagues were less fortuitous, it would seem." He pauses for effect: "What about you, Utar? Have you joined any group with a more tangible power than those afforded to Torm's followers? That would be my recommendation."
Separately, he then asks: "What exact info do you have on the other? What of Grewalt, Burga, Ilim, Litta, and Abet?"
Utar shifts as Moneus talks. His comrades, his friends, he drifted apart from all of them, he never thought... Sighing at the recall of the conversation with Burral, Utar retells what he heard of the others, "You, me, Burral and Litta are all that's left. The others are gone, and neither me or Burral have managed to contact Litta or even figure out where she might be. Which might be good a good thing of its kept her safe, although I thought you might be good place to start piecing that together, you were always thick as thieves... No offense meant."
Changing tack, Utar decides that better late than never it is worth mending whatever bridges still exist with Moneus after this all this time. "I'd like to think my friends here would raise a blade in my defence because they know I would do the same for them. Like I was taught after I got out of the healing tents and joined up with you all. I'd never seen such dedication to a cause that wasn't motivated by greed or hatred or spite. I hope you know I'd still come to your aid if called, I'd have come for Abet, Grewalt, Ilim and Burga too, had I known..."
"But I have to be honest, I don't know why I'm still here if someone's been picking us off. I've done a bit of adventuring work for the Temple, bringing in coin, be easy enough to hide a murder that way, dangerous profession and all. Can only think it might make me harder to pin down to any one place? How about you, Moneus? I guess suspicion might be the reason you're still here?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In that scant few moments Doozey has to maybe act upon their pursuit, his eyes narrows and few mystic spoken in sylvan would lead to his marking at least one of them in mind and soul to the stoutling. Realizing, however, that he could not risk leading them back to the others, the stoutling made a choice.
Wis Save(DC 15): 18.
The temptation to make good on his declaration would go resisted for the moment. For now, the course of Mastiff and Master is deviated for a heading onward to the main Plaza. For if nothing else, he would keep any renewed pursuit away. From the plaza, assuming he catches wind of them again following, he'd pretend to be looking for something, if but to buy time on figuring out the next move.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I want to believe every word you say, Utar, but it has been a long time and meeting you like this is enough of a risk, especially knowing that so many of us have already fallen." Moneus says. "Thus, I do not wish this meeting to last very long. I was hoping you'd offer solutions and answers, but it seems you know little more than the names of those we can no longer save." Moneus sighs. "I don't mean to imply I can offer any of those myself, but if none of us can, then it is safer to go into hiding again."
It is obvious to Utar that being good with words has given Moneus the advantage in this exchange. The man is clearly not responding to any of the cues Utar has brought up in the conversation, be it Litta, the bond of friendship, or the question about him always being suspicious. In fact, the man seems to be ready to wrap up the meeting. Before Utar can attempt to bring those topics again, a thud is heard from one of the windows. A brown raven has landed hastily on it's sill, pecking at the glass pane with purpose. The sound is enough to startle the already suspicious tiefling, who yanks reactively on the end of the chain he has been holding on to.
"What is the meaning of this, Utar?" he asks as the front pane of the large reinforced crate hits the floor. Two large serpentine monsters wiggle out of the crate. Instead of heads, they each have four octopus-like tentacles and an enlarged beak. The end of each tentacle also exhibits a sharp tusk of sorts. You have all fought creatures like this before, when rescuing Villonah from underground, but no Grick you fought was as large as these two.
Moneus curses, clearly irritated about loosing his poise and releasing the creatures inadvertently. Regardless, he is visually not planning on sticking around. He makes his way to the back doors (AI-17 and AI-18). He opens the doors (his action) and jumps into the water.
Doozey changes course and heads west, to Podol Plaza after marking one of the mutts again. As Biscuit traverses, two other mutts appear on Doozey's right, keeping pace with the mastiff.
Once at the square, Doozey notices that shops are in the process of closing, taverns are beginning to fill up, market stalls are being disassembled, and street performer are continuing the perform in hopes of extra coin (some jugglers, fire-breathers, and the guy with the jaguar are performing). The two mutts begin to circle around Doozey, quietly. Soon enough, the other two mutts catch up, including the one who is marked. They are prowling like wolves, as the number of pedestrians thins.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Thank you, Gravy. Precisely what we needed." Neya sighs as she moves in to attack the nearest one (she stops at AC-18 and attacking at the AD-18 corner).
Unarmed Attack: 22 Damage: 11
Extra Unarmed Attack: 25 Damage: 11
She then keeps a close eye on the tentacles and beaks of these larger gricks (1 ki point to activate patient defense)
Doozey just stood there for a minute beyond the bounds of tree, watching the sun's descent. "... Either that boy lied to us, which I wouldn't be too surprised, or I misheard him." He mirthlessly chuckle. "Shame on me if the latter, and bravo to him if the former. But if the former, then-..." His gaze hardens and hands ball up into tight fists at his side. "-this is one trick he best hope not to be able repeat again on this one. For there won't be mercy now."
His resolve spoken and set, Doozey hops onto Biscuits back once more for the trip to Utar's meeting point. Knowing or believing he would not be there in time, the Gravy is sent ahead to inform Neya of the bad news; but, no word on whether he would be arriving or not. Knowing the spell as he did, he thought better of it being overheard by another. Though a mental note is made to look into invest in bits of paper and string. A thought occurs towards the end of the message, and is only just added before loosing Gravy.
"Think you can get to the meeting boy?" He asked, giving biscuits a few encouraging pets.
(Exact Message, if necessary: "No Luck. Trail has gone cold in recommended locations. Considering Alternatives. Be advised and be safe. Possibility of association considered. Mind the beasts.")
(@DM: Can I retroactively Insight the couple Doozey found back in the other woods?)
Retroactive Insight: 14 (w/ Dms approval. See Group PM)
.
(Whoops. Ignore the advantage roll there. Was supposed to be a re-roll 1s code. Assume its the first roll)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Maybe... But, wouldn't it have approached us already if that were the case?" Neya replies to Utar with another question.
Extended Signature
TRACKING THE WEREMUTTS
(@Ori: So that's an 11 for the insight roll.)
Doozey takes a few seconds to think back on the interrogation. He wonders if the boy was a good liar or if his educated guesses were simply not as accurate as he had hoped. Either way, that now seems like a matter to be solved at a later time.
The hunter decides it is time to reunite the party and sends Gravy ahead of him to deliver a message to Neya. (OOC: We can safely assume that Doozey can give an accurate description of his monk companion and the dock area.) Details are sparse, however, on whether just Gravy or all three of them are on their way.
While riding, Doozey entertains the idea that the picnickers he found were more than what it seemed. He recalls their giggles to each other, followed by innocent surprise once they saw the halfling. They were likely just a young couple after all, he concludes.
AT THE DOCKS
Graxx approaches the black raven and looks at its legs. There is no strapped piece of paper on either limb, but the talons are coated in blood. The raven continues to stare at Graxx while he examines it from close, until...
-> Peck vs. Graxx: Attack: 7
Damage: 1 piercing.The bird strikes at the barbarian's face but hits only hair. It immediately flies away afterwards. Utar looks at it as it takes flight and realizes that this is a different raven from Gravy, as its feathers are deep black (not brown). Neya speaks up at this point, her question arriving a bit too late as the bird moves out of view.
After some confused looks all around and another several minutes spent looking about the docks, the group notices the sun has begun to disappear behind the horizon. There is no further movement close to the warehouse selected for the meeting. No one is going into or out of the building now that the meeting time has arrived.
(OOC: Gravy has not arrived yet.)
Peering closer at the bird, Utar notes the peck at Graxx then adds,
"Nope, that's not Gravy, feathers are too dark."
Graxx jumps back at the pecking.
"GAH' Graxx says as he is surprised.
When the bird goes to leave Graxx will take an Attack of Opportunity(If allowed).
Graxx backhands(non-lethal)at the bird as it begins to depart.
Attack: 14 Damage: 4
Utar looks to the sky; the time seems right for the meeting. Stepping forward towards the warehouse, he asks himself whether he is ready to face what he finds in there.
AT THE DOCKS
Graxx manages to reactively swat the raven away after the attempted peck. The bird stumbles mid-air for a good two seconds before rebalancing itself and flying away.
Later, once sundown is imminent, Utar leads the group into the warehouse. A few lanterns are placed in wooden beams inside. Large crates and barrels take most of the space by the walls, but the large central area has been cleared of all but two crates. One is no more than 5 feet each side, made out of worn wood and no different from other regular crates you see in the room. The second is much larger, about 12 feet a side and clearly custom made with metal reinforcements. A chain is connected to a locking mechanism on this larger crate.
Atop the smaller crate, and holding the other end of the chain, a lean tielfling of pale-pinkish complexion and bright red-pinkish hair sits twirling a knife in his fingers. A dark green cloak with no hood obscures most of the detail of the tiefling's attire, but you can see a belt full of daggers and a bracer of distinct design. "Right on time," Moneus says. "I see you brought protection with you, Utar. A smart but predictable choice. Allow me to start this meeting by letting you know that I did the same." His gestures are minimal, his face almost completely still. "It has been too long, old friend. Much has changed. Tell me, are you here to kill or save me?"
Neya notices that the floor has been cleared recently, judging by the lack of dust in the center of the room and all the movement of goods she witnessed outside before the meeting. The smell of sea salt inside this warehouse is strong.
ON THE WAY TO THE DOCKS
DM's Screen:
11
Doozey continues to ride Biscuit on his way to the docks. The sky is dark now, which is enough for the halfling to know he will be late for the meeting.
(@Ori: Please roll a perception check.)
Perception: 22.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar looks up to the tiefling and almost laughs,
"Burral asked me the very same thing when I saw her last. She still lives by the way, I didn't kill her or anyone else from the old days."
Utar lets a moment pass,
"Do you think you need saving, Moneus? I think if someone is hunting us down one by one, we could help each other. Gather ourselves and start to put this to an end."
ON THE WAY TO THE DOCKS
While heading south/southeast, Doozey notices that something else is keeping pace with him. He turns his head east to see two of the weremutts running just as fast as Biscuit. Once they notice that they have been spotted, both weremutts change trajectory, dashing directly east and deeper into the residential district.
THE MEETING
"Hmm... A pity that our group has been reduced to scattered souls who are suspicious of their fellow Tormites," Moneus commiserates with Utar. "And yet, I am afraid suspicious is still what I am. The Welcomers protect me. I don't mean that men and women stand by my side ready to raise a blade for my life as it seems to be the case for you," he points at Graxx and Neya, "but that membership into larger organizations with some local power has been effective in at least delaying whatever force is hunting us down. It would seem Aleyd recognizes this as well, having joined the Black Fist and all. Our deceased colleagues were less fortuitous, it would seem." He pauses for effect: "What about you, Utar? Have you joined any group with a more tangible power than those afforded to Torm's followers? That would be my recommendation."
Separately, he then asks: "What exact info do you have on the other? What of Grewalt, Burga, Ilim, Litta, and Abet?"
Utar shifts as Moneus talks. His comrades, his friends, he drifted apart from all of them, he never thought... Sighing at the recall of the conversation with Burral, Utar retells what he heard of the others, "You, me, Burral and Litta are all that's left. The others are gone, and neither me or Burral have managed to contact Litta or even figure out where she might be. Which might be good a good thing of its kept her safe, although I thought you might be good place to start piecing that together, you were always thick as thieves... No offense meant."
Changing tack, Utar decides that better late than never it is worth mending whatever bridges still exist with Moneus after this all this time. "I'd like to think my friends here would raise a blade in my defence because they know I would do the same for them. Like I was taught after I got out of the healing tents and joined up with you all. I'd never seen such dedication to a cause that wasn't motivated by greed or hatred or spite. I hope you know I'd still come to your aid if called, I'd have come for Abet, Grewalt, Ilim and Burga too, had I known..."
"But I have to be honest, I don't know why I'm still here if someone's been picking us off. I've done a bit of adventuring work for the Temple, bringing in coin, be easy enough to hide a murder that way, dangerous profession and all. Can only think it might make me harder to pin down to any one place? How about you, Moneus? I guess suspicion might be the reason you're still here?"
In that scant few moments Doozey has to maybe act upon their pursuit, his eyes narrows and few mystic spoken in sylvan would lead to his marking at least one of them in mind and soul to the stoutling. Realizing, however, that he could not risk leading them back to the others, the stoutling made a choice.
Wis Save(DC 15): 18.
The temptation to make good on his declaration would go resisted for the moment. For now, the course of Mastiff and Master is deviated for a heading onward to the main Plaza. For if nothing else, he would keep any renewed pursuit away. From the plaza, assuming he catches wind of them again following, he'd pretend to be looking for something, if but to buy time on figuring out the next move.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I want to believe every word you say, Utar, but it has been a long time and meeting you like this is enough of a risk, especially knowing that so many of us have already fallen." Moneus says. "Thus, I do not wish this meeting to last very long. I was hoping you'd offer solutions and answers, but it seems you know little more than the names of those we can no longer save." Moneus sighs. "I don't mean to imply I can offer any of those myself, but if none of us can, then it is safer to go into hiding again."
It is obvious to Utar that being good with words has given Moneus the advantage in this exchange. The man is clearly not responding to any of the cues Utar has brought up in the conversation, be it Litta, the bond of friendship, or the question about him always being suspicious. In fact, the man seems to be ready to wrap up the meeting. Before Utar can attempt to bring those topics again, a thud is heard from one of the windows. A brown raven has landed hastily on it's sill, pecking at the glass pane with purpose. The sound is enough to startle the already suspicious tiefling, who yanks reactively on the end of the chain he has been holding on to.
"What is the meaning of this, Utar?" he asks as the front pane of the large reinforced crate hits the floor. Two large serpentine monsters wiggle out of the crate. Instead of heads, they each have four octopus-like tentacles and an enlarged beak. The end of each tentacle also exhibits a sharp tusk of sorts. You have all fought creatures like this before, when rescuing Villonah from underground, but no Grick you fought was as large as these two.
ROLLING INITIATIVE
(Moneus goes first.)
Moneus curses, clearly irritated about loosing his poise and releasing the creatures inadvertently. Regardless, he is visually not planning on sticking around. He makes his way to the back doors (AI-17 and AI-18). He opens the doors (his action) and jumps into the water.
(Graxx and Neya are up next.)
TO THE PODOL PLAZA
Doozey changes course and heads west, to Podol Plaza after marking one of the mutts again. As Biscuit traverses, two other mutts appear on Doozey's right, keeping pace with the mastiff.
Once at the square, Doozey notices that shops are in the process of closing, taverns are beginning to fill up, market stalls are being disassembled, and street performer are continuing the perform in hopes of extra coin (some jugglers, fire-breathers, and the guy with the jaguar are performing). The two mutts begin to circle around Doozey, quietly. Soon enough, the other two mutts catch up, including the one who is marked. They are prowling like wolves, as the number of pedestrians thins.
"Thank you, Gravy. Precisely what we needed." Neya sighs as she moves in to attack the nearest one (she stops at AC-18 and attacking at the AD-18 corner).
Unarmed Attack: 22 Damage: 11
Extra Unarmed Attack: 25 Damage: 11
She then keeps a close eye on the tentacles and beaks of these larger gricks (1 ki point to activate patient defense)
Extended Signature