Kano's spinning flame splashes against the ground, singeing some of the dry roots that are quickly replaced...
Pimsterlets an arrow fly with a heavy heart. There is a quick cry of pain as another kobold (K3) is left remaining still; the halfling knowing it was at least quick.
The few remaining kobolds are put to death by spell or steel. With no resistance now, the vines and roots squeeze and drag the bodies into the earth and you can all see the soft soil below beginning to give...
{Out of Initiative}
A breeze blows through, calming you all down as the heat of combat subsides. The ravens come to investigate the leftovers of the conflict, one from Tengar's shoulder.
The unconscious cultist is on the ground; her brown hair cut short, her tanned skin holds a scar on her jawline. She, like her comrades, hold no obvious signs of affiliation with the Cult of the Dragons...
Karib utters a short prayer for the helpless creatures that died, the pathetic screams of the kobolds ringing in his ears. They should have surrendered. He's glad he was not put in the position where he had to choose to kill a defenceless foe, but leaving them alive would have created many problems. At least death on the battlefield contains a some honour. He remembers his fight the previous day, then glances around at his companions. The dragon's minion showed me more mercy than we showed the cultists.
"A bloody and merciless deed, but necessary if we are to succeed."
He removes the weapons from the cultist, along with their armour and boots, then takes the rope from his pack and ties their hands and feet. "We can wake them, but maybe search the camp first?". He starts to search the body for items of interest (orders, emblems, seals etc), then leans their unconscious form against a rock before turning turning to see what his companions have found, and what they want to do...
The cultists weapons remain a way away from the campfire as they were settling for food. Looking them over you see four simple shortswords, Karibcan easily make their of a standard quality. The kobolds had slings, eight of them. Using simple stones in their pockets as ammunition.
In terms of items of identification, there are none on this unconscious cultist or the dead ones. They wear serviceable leather amour that can fit most humanoids; too small for Tengar or Burra and unfit for Pimster.
Tengar checks the bonds to make sure their tight. “What do we want to ask this doomed soul?” and then will look for approval before slapping him awake. “Wake up , dog!” He growls. “I hear the birds like to take the eyes first, isn’t that right, my sweet?...” he says quietly to the cultist and the raven...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While the others interrogate the cultist, Pimster will thank the gods of nature for allowing him control over the plants, celebrate the new nutrients added to the soil, and ask for guidance to find the run-away kobold.
Burra uncomfortably shrugs his shoulders, deferring to the more resolute members of the party to lead the interrogation. He wasn't one for extracting information through implied torture - stealth and trickery, sure, but causing harm was a line The Traveler would not want his followers to cross. Burra takes to the skies, content to distract himself from the sounds below by scanning the horizon for any oncoming threats or possibly a further lead towards another party of the cult's followers, be it smoke from the fire or the glows of embers from campsites. If the missing kobold is found, Burra will swiftly - and mercifully - end the poor thing's already finished life.
The cultist wakes instantly to the smack. Her eyes take a moment to adjust and blink away the pain that will definitely become a bruise. Her eyes steel as she meets Tengar's and her lips become tight as she eyes each of the party members.
Pimsterwould be granted the feeling of where the long grass and bushes have been disturbed by a scampering small creature he knows of. He would be easily discover that it loops round to join the main tracks you are all following from Greenest. Considering how much of a mark the kobold has left, it is running with great speed and shows no sign of slowing down.
Perception Check: Burra - 13
Burra sees the tracks taking a turn through some sparing streets before sinking into a rocky valley in the green fields. Within this outcrop, the path sinks to join a gather of tents, streams of smoke wafting into the air and specks of firelight; the campsite of the Cult of the Dragons is within the next couple of hours travel...
Tengar looks at those of you who remain and sighs. He stands up and straightens to his full height. "Perhaps," he begins, "perhaps it is best if you take what you will from the small camp. Maybe we should light a campfire as well after I am finished...we might get lucky and cause some confusion. Maybe the other group will come back, maybe not. I suppose it depends on what this group's job was..." Tengar looks to Kano sadly. "This one has information and it is not against my queen's wishes to extract it. But my queen also reminds me the perception of others and their trust and respect is important." Tengar opens up so the cultist can hear, he is not trying to intimidate or anything but stating facts: "I am good at getting information from those like her and I will do so. While my inclination is to preserve life I also understand a balance must be maintained," he hefts the till dripping-bloody-brain-parts mace in his hand, "I will do what you ask but again, perhaps it's best if you head down the way a bit? This shouldn't take very long." And with that, Tengar takes out the starting-to-smell drake's head and sets it down next to the cultist's head. He clucks to the raven on his shoulder, "Only a little right now, my sweet," nodding towards the drake's head (which, I am assuming has begun to smell and grow maggots). "Beasts rarely give me valuable memories, even after laying with them. Their thoughts are too base and lack the vitality of more thinking beings. Now humans...hmmm," the half-orc closes his eyes. The raven plucks a couple maggots off, swallowing them whole....
Karib closes his eyes for a moment, then looks back at their prisoner and walks over to where Tengar is 'working', and addresses the prisoner.
"We are short on time, and have very few options. A grisly future that await you."
He looks with clear distaste at Tengar, then turns back to the woman. "Or you can tell us what we want to know and I will give you my holy vow as a Priest that we will not harm you further."
(( This could either be Help for another intimidation/persuasion check, or a check by Karib backed by Tengar's thatrics ))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kano:
Watching from atop the rock in silence, Kano lets a small flaming shuriken dance over his knuckles as he watches the proceedings. He has already asked his question, and he is interested in how his new companions handle the helpless prisoner, especially after Tengar implied he would eat him and Karib promised to not harm him if he cooperated.
Perception for any threats external to the current situation that might be sneaking up on them: 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Burra returns from his aerial scouting mission and relays the information he gathered. He blanches at Tengar’s implications, backing away for a moment with one hand clutched around the symbol strewn around his neck, but otherwise makes no effort to aid or alter the interrogation’s procedure. If Pimster seems to be having trouble rounding up the last Kobold, Burra will swiftly help deal with it.
Regardless, he quietly whispers a jumble of words into his golden amulet, asking for the Traveler to send some sort of message to convey what Burra should do. The Traveler sought to sow chaos, sure - and Burra was certain the current events in the area qualified. Burra himself, on the other hand, sought to serve as a bastion of good, as someone who weaves through the turn of the tide to aid those who need it. Burra abhors prolonged torture - a necessary evil is still evil, and he continuously shoots uncomfortable glances towards Tengar. He wasn’t as steadfast or focused as Karib. The Half-Orc was plenty intimidating.
(So if I read your post correctly, Loaniss, Pimster and Burra will not find/catch the escaped kobold despite any additional efforts on our part. Thanks!)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Intimidation Check (with Karib's Help & Guidance for the day): Tengar - 24 There's a long moment where the cultist looks from the half-orc, to the human, to the rotten head... Her gaze holds on Tengar for an impressive moment, the bruise on the side of her face becoming apparent. As Tengar's friendly raven snaps up another maggot and the cultist sneers before exhaling as if she was holding her breath as she looks down and tries to adjust the bindings for comfort, "... what is it you want to know?"
The young man Nessim listens intently to the array of questions asked by Pimster and Karib, but hesitates to answer then looks to Governor Nighthill, who gives him a nod.
Wincing a little, the young man goes on, "Master Lesona Erlanthar is from Berdusk, north-east of here. She is a sage who specialises in dragon folklore, and together we were on our way to Candlekeep before stopping here for a night. She is a half-elf; five-foot six, dark brown hair, grey eyes and a scar on the left of her face, similar tanned skin tone to mine and shoulder length hair, usually tied. Like most half-elves it's difficult to tell her age, but she's definitely not young. She has passed all her Fufillment Trials and is recognised among her peers to hold the title of Master. The neckband is hers, it was recovered at the Calstons'; Lesona's good friends and the place we were staying that came under attack by the cultists. It was returned to me at the make-shift infirmary where I was recovering, as the night before my Master and I gave the family enough time to flee to the keep before we were overwhelmed. The last I saw of her was continuing to fight while they closed in..."
The young man gently shakes his head at Burra'squestions, "Master Lesona has been tracking these particular part of the cult for months, but I really do not believe she knew they would have attacked here, and she has not spoken of any other attacks; word would have been surely sent around and it is far too brazen for their numbers. I am sure she holds more information that could lead to why last night took place, that it is why it is imperative she is found, and soon."
Tengar looks at the medallion on the neckband. While it does not match the symbol of the Platinum Dragon from the book a moment ago, it is of a silver dragon, one of the dragon colours which follow him. Silver dragons are known, through story and myth, to protect people and the lands.
Tengar's looking through the books previously, does hold a map of the local area:
Quoted above for reference...
Kano speaks from up on the rock, "Master Lesona Erlanthar. Where is she and why did you take her? Is she unharmed? Was abducting her the reason for the attack last night?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The cultist leans back slightly, her eyes darting up and down at Kano, "Who? I didn't realise we were taking prisoners... We were told just to take anything valuable back to... to camp." she gestures with her head to one of the bodies now bound to the earth, "Delson found something nice to drink... We had a bit... and realised everyone had gone so we went to catch up."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Karib sighs in relief: He has no idea if Tengar would have made good his threats, and he is glad he did not find out. Moving forward, he crouches down in front of the woman.He then examines her head wound, and if possible does what he can to clean and dress it. (( Medicine:: 23, passive if its relevant for assessment or anything else, 16 ))
As he works he asks, "Are you a follower of this cult then? I see none of their trappings upon you."
(( He will listen to the answer and move on to the next question ))
"How many people are in the camp, and does everyone know everyone else in the camp?"
Karibnotices his strike was well aimed, no lasting damage where she was struck and the small bleeding will soon stop. Similar with the bruise on her face; it will heal in time and just a source of pain now. She does not resist as the wound is dabbed clean with water from the waterskin and a clean bit of cloth.
The woman goes to shake her head but winces, "The cult hired most of the raiders, good money too. A few mercenary groups and a lot sellswords."
She makes a face at Karib's second question to think, "In the camp? Uh, hundred and fifty? All the mercs, kobolds and cult. Everyone usually sticks to themselves, but mingling isn't banned. Some bands have increased their numbers from standalone sellswords. Same for the cult."
Karib nods at his handiwork, "You'll live to fight another day. But you didn't say if you were a sell-sword or a cult member...or the kobolds with you, or your comapnions?"
(( Again he listens to the answer before continuing ))
He glances at the others, not sure if they want to add anything before he continues. "So...let me understand...there's a lot of hired folk and a lot of cultists. Some were just hired for the raid. Kobolds and cultists stick together. Now..." he frowns a little, as if having trouble keeping all the pieces together in his mind, "...you were delayed...if you had returned late, how would you have identified yourselves, and not been attacked? Seems risky."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Kano's spinning flame splashes against the ground, singeing some of the dry roots that are quickly replaced...
Pimster lets an arrow fly with a heavy heart. There is a quick cry of pain as another kobold (K3) is left remaining still; the halfling knowing it was at least quick.
The few remaining kobolds are put to death by spell or steel. With no resistance now, the vines and roots squeeze and drag the bodies into the earth and you can all see the soft soil below beginning to give...
{Out of Initiative}
A breeze blows through, calming you all down as the heat of combat subsides. The ravens come to investigate the leftovers of the conflict, one from Tengar's shoulder.
The unconscious cultist is on the ground; her brown hair cut short, her tanned skin holds a scar on her jawline. She, like her comrades, hold no obvious signs of affiliation with the Cult of the Dragons...
What would you all like to do?
Karib utters a short prayer for the helpless creatures that died, the pathetic screams of the kobolds ringing in his ears. They should have surrendered. He's glad he was not put in the position where he had to choose to kill a defenceless foe, but leaving them alive would have created many problems. At least death on the battlefield contains a some honour. He remembers his fight the previous day, then glances around at his companions. The dragon's minion showed me more mercy than we showed the cultists.
"A bloody and merciless deed, but necessary if we are to succeed."
He removes the weapons from the cultist, along with their armour and boots, then takes the rope from his pack and ties their hands and feet. "We can wake them, but maybe search the camp first?". He starts to search the body for items of interest (orders, emblems, seals etc), then leans their unconscious form against a rock before turning turning to see what his companions have found, and what they want to do...
The cultists weapons remain a way away from the campfire as they were settling for food. Looking them over you see four simple shortswords, Karib can easily make their of a standard quality. The kobolds had slings, eight of them. Using simple stones in their pockets as ammunition.
In terms of items of identification, there are none on this unconscious cultist or the dead ones. They wear serviceable leather amour that can fit most humanoids; too small for Tengar or Burra and unfit for Pimster.
Tengar
Tengar checks the bonds to make sure their tight. “What do we want to ask this doomed soul?” and then will look for approval before slapping him awake. “Wake up , dog!” He growls. “I hear the birds like to take the eyes first, isn’t that right, my sweet?...” he says quietly to the cultist and the raven...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Kano:
”We need to know where they are taking the prisoner.” responds Kano, somewhat uncomfortable about this implied torture.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
While the others interrogate the cultist, Pimster will thank the gods of nature for allowing him control over the plants, celebrate the new nutrients added to the soil, and ask for guidance to find the run-away kobold.
Survival + Guidance: 25
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Burra uncomfortably shrugs his shoulders, deferring to the more resolute members of the party to lead the interrogation. He wasn't one for extracting information through implied torture - stealth and trickery, sure, but causing harm was a line The Traveler would not want his followers to cross. Burra takes to the skies, content to distract himself from the sounds below by scanning the horizon for any oncoming threats or possibly a further lead towards another party of the cult's followers, be it smoke from the fire or the glows of embers from campsites. If the missing kobold is found, Burra will swiftly - and mercifully - end the poor thing's already finished life.
Intimidation Check:
Tengar - 12
The cultist wakes instantly to the smack. Her eyes take a moment to adjust and blink away the pain that will definitely become a bruise. Her eyes steel as she meets Tengar's and her lips become tight as she eyes each of the party members.
Pimster would be granted the feeling of where the long grass and bushes have been disturbed by a scampering small creature he knows of. He would be easily discover that it loops round to join the main tracks you are all following from Greenest. Considering how much of a mark the kobold has left, it is running with great speed and shows no sign of slowing down.
Perception Check:
Burra - 13
Burra sees the tracks taking a turn through some sparing streets before sinking into a rocky valley in the green fields. Within this outcrop, the path sinks to join a gather of tents, streams of smoke wafting into the air and specks of firelight; the campsite of the Cult of the Dragons is within the next couple of hours travel...
Guidance buff rolls:
Tengar - 2
Burra - 1
...
Tengar
Tengar looks at those of you who remain and sighs. He stands up and straightens to his full height. "Perhaps," he begins, "perhaps it is best if you take what you will from the small camp. Maybe we should light a campfire as well after I am finished...we might get lucky and cause some confusion. Maybe the other group will come back, maybe not. I suppose it depends on what this group's job was..." Tengar looks to Kano sadly. "This one has information and it is not against my queen's wishes to extract it. But my queen also reminds me the perception of others and their trust and respect is important." Tengar opens up so the cultist can hear, he is not trying to intimidate or anything but stating facts: "I am good at getting information from those like her and I will do so. While my inclination is to preserve life I also understand a balance must be maintained," he hefts the till dripping-bloody-brain-parts mace in his hand, "I will do what you ask but again, perhaps it's best if you head down the way a bit? This shouldn't take very long."
And with that, Tengar takes out the starting-to-smell drake's head and sets it down next to the cultist's head. He clucks to the raven on his shoulder, "Only a little right now, my sweet," nodding towards the drake's head (which, I am assuming has begun to smell and grow maggots). "Beasts rarely give me valuable memories, even after laying with them. Their thoughts are too base and lack the vitality of more thinking beings. Now humans...hmmm," the half-orc closes his eyes. The raven plucks a couple maggots off, swallowing them whole....
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Karib closes his eyes for a moment, then looks back at their prisoner and walks over to where Tengar is 'working', and addresses the prisoner.
"We are short on time, and have very few options. A grisly future that await you."
He looks with clear distaste at Tengar, then turns back to the woman. "Or you can tell us what we want to know and I will give you my holy vow as a Priest that we will not harm you further."
(( This could either be Help for another intimidation/persuasion check, or a check by Karib backed by Tengar's thatrics ))
Kano:
Watching from atop the rock in silence, Kano lets a small flaming shuriken dance over his knuckles as he watches the proceedings. He has already asked his question, and he is interested in how his new companions handle the helpless prisoner, especially after Tengar implied he would eat him and Karib promised to not harm him if he cooperated.
Perception for any threats external to the current situation that might be sneaking up on them: 7
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Burra returns from his aerial scouting mission and relays the information he gathered. He blanches at Tengar’s implications, backing away for a moment with one hand clutched around the symbol strewn around his neck, but otherwise makes no effort to aid or alter the interrogation’s procedure. If Pimster seems to be having trouble rounding up the last Kobold, Burra will swiftly help deal with it.
Regardless, he quietly whispers a jumble of words into his golden amulet, asking for the Traveler to send some sort of message to convey what Burra should do. The Traveler sought to sow chaos, sure - and Burra was certain the current events in the area qualified. Burra himself, on the other hand, sought to serve as a bastion of good, as someone who weaves through the turn of the tide to aid those who need it. Burra abhors prolonged torture - a necessary evil is still evil, and he continuously shoots uncomfortable glances towards Tengar. He wasn’t as steadfast or focused as Karib. The Half-Orc was plenty intimidating.
(So if I read your post correctly, Loaniss, Pimster and Burra will not find/catch the escaped kobold despite any additional efforts on our part. Thanks!)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Intimidation Check (with Karib's Help & Guidance for the day):
Tengar - 24
There's a long moment where the cultist looks from the half-orc, to the human, to the rotten head... Her gaze holds on Tengar for an impressive moment, the bruise on the side of her face becoming apparent.
As Tengar's friendly raven snaps up another maggot and the cultist sneers before exhaling as if she was holding her breath as she looks down and tries to adjust the bindings for comfort, "... what is it you want to know?"
Quoted above for reference...
Kano speaks from up on the rock, "Master Lesona Erlanthar. Where is she and why did you take her? Is she unharmed? Was abducting her the reason for the attack last night?"
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The cultist leans back slightly, her eyes darting up and down at Kano, "Who? I didn't realise we were taking prisoners... We were told just to take anything valuable back to... to camp." she gestures with her head to one of the bodies now bound to the earth, "Delson found something nice to drink... We had a bit... and realised everyone had gone so we went to catch up."
Karib sighs in relief: He has no idea if Tengar would have made good his threats, and he is glad he did not find out. Moving forward, he crouches down in front of the woman.He then examines her head wound, and if possible does what he can to clean and dress it. (( Medicine:: 23, passive if its relevant for assessment or anything else, 16 ))
As he works he asks, "Are you a follower of this cult then? I see none of their trappings upon you."
(( He will listen to the answer and move on to the next question ))
"How many people are in the camp, and does everyone know everyone else in the camp?"
Karib notices his strike was well aimed, no lasting damage where she was struck and the small bleeding will soon stop. Similar with the bruise on her face; it will heal in time and just a source of pain now. She does not resist as the wound is dabbed clean with water from the waterskin and a clean bit of cloth.
The woman goes to shake her head but winces, "The cult hired most of the raiders, good money too. A few mercenary groups and a lot sellswords."
She makes a face at Karib's second question to think, "In the camp? Uh, hundred and fifty? All the mercs, kobolds and cult. Everyone usually sticks to themselves, but mingling isn't banned. Some bands have increased their numbers from standalone sellswords. Same for the cult."
Karib nods at his handiwork, "You'll live to fight another day. But you didn't say if you were a sell-sword or a cult member...or the kobolds with you, or your comapnions?"
(( Again he listens to the answer before continuing ))
He glances at the others, not sure if they want to add anything before he continues. "So...let me understand...there's a lot of hired folk and a lot of cultists. Some were just hired for the raid. Kobolds and cultists stick together. Now..." he frowns a little, as if having trouble keeping all the pieces together in his mind, "...you were delayed...if you had returned late, how would you have identified yourselves, and not been attacked? Seems risky."