"Always happy to explore another potential death trap." Velyra remarks ruefully as she follows the others to the platform, recalling the void trap they had encountered in the mansion.
Now assured of where you're going, your party steps onto the correct platform. The black goo rises, engulfs you, and you find yourself transported into a dimly lit room. Dust is kicked up into the air upon your arrival, slowly floating down towards the floor and surfaces. Cobwebs fill the upper corners of the attic, and storage boxes line the walls.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kal takes a quick glance around the attic room, checking a few of the boxes and searching for things that might seem out of place. If there's something worth further investigation he'll call the others over, if not he moves to the hatch door and tries to pull it open.
Looking around this smallish attic, nothing really seems abnormal. You glance in a few of the boxes, and find things that you might expect. Clothes, rusted tools, old keepsakes, and perhaps a trinket or two. The hatch door opens with ease as you pull on it, revealing a thin wood ladder that drops 5 feet to the next floor.
Looking back at the others briefly, Kal shrugs and descends the ladder. Out of caution, he draws his sword as he takes in the surroundings, moving to open any doors and check the rooms.
Stepping down to the floor below, you find yourself in a short hallway with a flight of stairs leading down. There are three doors in this hall, all unlocked. They lead to bedrooms which contain the barest of belongings. Heading down to the first floor, you find more of the same. By all accounts, there is nothing remarkable about this home. The front door has been bashed open, and much of the furniture downstairs is ransacked.
Silthras shrugs, "We should keep moving, getting the townsfolk to the Manor will be slower than when it's just us." he looks around the house one more time, unable to shake the fear that undead are going to ambush them at any moment. He takes a few deep breaths to calm himself. Focus only on what is here, not what is imagined.
Finally, he looks out into the street to try to assess the direction and distance to the inn. "Anyone know where we are?"
If he can work out a direction, or Usul/Dib know, he takes another deep breath, "Let's get going!"
Once again, he will try to work with the others to pick off any straggling undead.
As they step outside, Dib flies up from Usul's shoulder to get a lay of the land. Usul then points them in the direction of the town, and starts heading that direction.
With Dib relaying directions from the air, the group is easily able to make it back to the inn relatively quickly. Again, you're struck by how few undead there seems to be in the town. The townsfolk were watching for your approach from windows, so as you approach they've already begun tearing the barricade down from the door.
Stepping inside, you relay what you've seen to Paten. Relieved at the lack of obstacles, he gathers the townsfolk and follows your lead back to the mansion. Four to five at a time, the townsfolk are sent through the platform in the basement. Many of them seem weary of the strange device - but such fears are overruled by their desire to reach definite safety again. Once everyone is through, your party leads them through the ruin to the next hub, where the process is repeated for the appropriate platform.
Exiting the strange stone room, hidden behind an illusory rock wall, you find yourselves in the woods outside of Silverfair. With the injured and elderly, and the distance involved, it takes about 30 minutes or so of walking to finally emerge from the treeline. The palisade constructed around the city comes into view, and you make your way onto the main thoroughfare leading in.
At the gate, a pair of guards go wide-eyed at your approach, quickly standing to attention as you pass through. You can see one is the man you saved the first night in Silverfair, when the clawed ones attacked. "Y-you made it back!" He exclaims, and then his gaze passes over the faces of the townsfolk you've guided. "And you found survivors..." He breaks out of his awe, to slap the other guard on the shoulder, pointing back into the town. "Go find Sybil. She'll want to know. And bring more guardsmen, we need to get these people situated!" Though a bit young, the man seems to have no trouble taking a bit of charge of the situation. After a brief conservation with the councilman, he directs those carrying wounded deeper into the town, to the Maliel's Temple where they could receive care.
The rest of the townsfolk are left to mill about just inside the city's east entrance for the time being, while they wait for someone with more authority to show. As the minutes go by, more of the guard begin to show up. They bring water, bandages, and small bits of food for the townsfolk of Feycrest. Shortly thereafter, you see the familiar face of Sybil walking from the city proper, green eyes bright with joy. "You know last night was the first night since this started that we haven't been attacked." She says as she approaches, "I imagine that has something to do with you?" Her gaze passes over the gathered townsfolk, she glances over at a particular guardsman with a more decorated outfit, who pulls councilman Paten aside to begin discussing next steps for his people. "Guard commander. His name is Lionel. He'll take good care of them from here."
"We should find somewhere more quiet. I should like to hear the details." She says, motioning for you all to follow. "I've got ale at home. Not as good as the Hammer's, but it'll do."
Velyra takes a look around the city of Silverfair as they arrive, making note of the palisade around it. "Would have been nice to have that at Feycrest. I skipped this place on my way in, maybe I shouldn't have." She watches as the arriving guards begin to take care of the survivors of Feycrest, relieved to see they had finally made it to safety at last. To her, it was doubtful that any would ever return to that mining town even if it were cleared out. "I hope they're able to find new lives here. After the hell they've earned I would say they deserve it."
As the woman invites them somewhere to chat, Velyra glances at the others to make sure they recognize her. Satisfied that isn't some random, she speaks. "We haven't met. I'm Velyra. Have you seen any undead at all since last night?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Silthras is lost in thought as they travel back to the inn, finally speaking his concerns out loud. "We need them to be quiet about what they've seen when they get to Silverfair -- at least for a short time." He turns to Velyra, "You know these people, back me up...and everyone keep an eye out for people not paying attention."
When the townsfolk are gathered in the taproom, he sands on a chair and speaks earnestly to the townsfolk, "You have all by now heard of the creature we encountered at the inn -- the one that took the life of poor Reiner." He looks around at their faces, checking that he has their attention. "The very same kind of creature may be hiding at Silverfair. We think it's unlikely..." he nods to Velyra, "...but until we have checked, it must not be alerted." Again, he pauses to check his words are sinking in. If he spots some paying less attention: "You -- in the red shirt -- what I am saying now may save your life, and the lives of your friends. If you care so little for either, I suggest you stay here. Otherwise, pay attention!"
"When you arrive at Silverfair, people will ask questions. Just for a short time, we ask that you say you would prefer to forget it -- you will talk later, when it's less raw. Stare blankly at them."
"Some will still press you for answers: If you need to, then tell them we traveled as quickly possible, exposing ourselves as little as we could -- which is true" he waves his arms to encompass the town outside, "-- tell them that we narrowly escaped the undead -- also very true. You can say it's a bit of a blur..." he looks around the assembled faces, remembering the black goo, "...and rest assured some of it will be!"
"If they continue to press, repeat that you would prefer to forget it -- you will talk later, when it's less raw." He smiles a grim smile, "I'd hazard a guess that that is also true!"
He waits a moment, again checking that he has their agreement. If doubt remains he adds, "These creatures don't care whose body they take, and if you let them know we are onto them, they will probably take yours!"
As his gaze scans the crowd again he wonders if he is asking too much of them, but takes heart from their seeming agreement, "No doubt people will want to hear your tales. And some of you will want to tell them. If necessary, tell them of the undead outside the inn, tell them of the sleepless nights, but not ... yet ... about the creature or about our means of return."
"At Silverfair we will do what we need to do as quickly as possible, but the necessary magic can take time. Please be patient, and trust us one more time: We have not let you down so far. We will let you know when you can speak freely."
(( Since he's alternating between persuasion and cajoling while trying to show them how to lie without lying:
Persuasion: 17 (second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 15) Intimidation: 9(second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 22) Deception: 18(second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 21) ))
As the half-elf finishes talking, Velyra will briefly step up, clearing her throat. "We've been trapped in this gods-forsaken inn for weeks together. I would hazard you all have a fair measure of my character by now."
"We've almost made it, there's room for hope now, that you can go back to something resembling a normal life. You just need to endure this one last thing, or there's a chance it could all fall apart."
... "We should find somewhere more quiet. I should like to hear the details." She says, motioning for you all to follow. "I've got ale at home. Not as good as the Hammer's, but it'll do."
Silthras nods, and catches Kal's eyes, "There is much to discuss. If possible, gather the guard captains and the apochacary..." he glances at the package they carry, "...there are things they all need to see and to know."
(( He's trying to get the leadership in a room so Kal can do his thing...then they can relate all their tales and concerns if all clear ))
After everything these people have seen, and what you've done for them, you gather that they're very easily convinced of what you're saying. Though they don't seem particularly enthusiastic about your words, much of that can be chalked up to the fatigue they have built up over this entire ordeal.
As you arrived at the gate and the guards began to take care of them, you heard bits and pieces of their conversations, as the townsfolk deflected questions just as you had instructed them.
Sybil seems to notice the cleric for the first time, her features showing genuine surprise "Oh. Of course, I'm Sybil. I take it you met these vagabonds in Feycrest?" She grins, and moves on. "In any case, if you had a part in this you have my thanks."
The soldier raises a questioning eyebrow at Silthras' suggestion, but nods slowly nonetheless. "Naturally. That should be possible." She glances around to check their surroundings before continuing, "shall I find a runner now, or do you want to fill me in first?"
Silthras' gaze turns to Kal, aware that he can only call upon his god's insight to a limited degree, "Perhaps ... I'm sorry to say ... a runner. It's a long story, and the first telling of any tale is always the best." he adds with a grin. "Unless...Kal...did you have a preference?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Just for freakin' funsies. Insight: 11
For the longest time, Kal has been an outsider, roaming the wilds of the north to hunt dark things, only occasionally acting as a guide to those who required it. Interactions with others were rare, and subtly was not a skill he particularly developed. In this case however, he is not so clueless as to miss Silthras' obvious signal.
The winter knight will flare his Divine Sense, glancing at Syibl.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Usul
Running ahead of the others under the guise of "scouting," you arrive at the manor with a good ten or fifteen minutes of it all to yourself. You remember quite well where most things are, and immediately head off towards the areas you think might have the best thing. Searching through the larger bedrooms and some of the shelves or cabinets you didn't quite get to, you're able to find a number of pieces of jewelry, small trinkets, and gems worth (15 x 10 gold pieces). Quickly storing them all away, you head back down to the front of the manor just as the others begin to arrive, none the wiser.
Kal
As your senses enhance beyond your normal perception, you look out. Of all the people around you, including Sybil, you sense no undeath.
After confirming that Sybil hasn't been replaced, Kal gives Silthras a knowing look and replies. "I think we should probably fill her in first. She is the one who called us here in the first place after all."
Arriving in the bigger town again, Usul smiles and pats his pockets. His team is alive, Muad had a good run, Dib... well Dib still has feathers... but it's good to be back in a sort of civilization. For now he's happy to let the others do the talking, and just keep a low profile. Though as the group follows Sybil he does watch the crowd to see if there are any suspicious faces ((perception 15; insight 5))
"Always happy to explore another potential death trap." Velyra remarks ruefully as she follows the others to the platform, recalling the void trap they had encountered in the mansion.
Now assured of where you're going, your party steps onto the correct platform. The black goo rises, engulfs you, and you find yourself transported into a dimly lit room. Dust is kicked up into the air upon your arrival, slowly floating down towards the floor and surfaces. Cobwebs fill the upper corners of the attic, and storage boxes line the walls.
You can see a hatch door on the floor.
Kal takes a quick glance around the attic room, checking a few of the boxes and searching for things that might seem out of place. If there's something worth further investigation he'll call the others over, if not he moves to the hatch door and tries to pull it open.
Roll: 19
+ 0 if Investigation + 4 if Perception
Looking around this smallish attic, nothing really seems abnormal. You glance in a few of the boxes, and find things that you might expect. Clothes, rusted tools, old keepsakes, and perhaps a trinket or two. The hatch door opens with ease as you pull on it, revealing a thin wood ladder that drops 5 feet to the next floor.
Looking back at the others briefly, Kal shrugs and descends the ladder. Out of caution, he draws his sword as he takes in the surroundings, moving to open any doors and check the rooms.
Silthras follows Kal as quickly as possible, wary of traps, but very curious to know what the building was used for.
Stepping down to the floor below, you find yourself in a short hallway with a flight of stairs leading down. There are three doors in this hall, all unlocked. They lead to bedrooms which contain the barest of belongings. Heading down to the first floor, you find more of the same. By all accounts, there is nothing remarkable about this home. The front door has been bashed open, and much of the furniture downstairs is ransacked.
Silthras shrugs, "We should keep moving, getting the townsfolk to the Manor will be slower than when it's just us." he looks around the house one more time, unable to shake the fear that undead are going to ambush them at any moment. He takes a few deep breaths to calm himself. Focus only on what is here, not what is imagined.
Finally, he looks out into the street to try to assess the direction and distance to the inn. "Anyone know where we are?"
If he can work out a direction, or Usul/Dib know, he takes another deep breath, "Let's get going!"
Once again, he will try to work with the others to pick off any straggling undead.
As they step outside, Dib flies up from Usul's shoulder to get a lay of the land. Usul then points them in the direction of the town, and starts heading that direction.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
With Dib relaying directions from the air, the group is easily able to make it back to the inn relatively quickly. Again, you're struck by how few undead there seems to be in the town. The townsfolk were watching for your approach from windows, so as you approach they've already begun tearing the barricade down from the door.
Stepping inside, you relay what you've seen to Paten. Relieved at the lack of obstacles, he gathers the townsfolk and follows your lead back to the mansion. Four to five at a time, the townsfolk are sent through the platform in the basement. Many of them seem weary of the strange device - but such fears are overruled by their desire to reach definite safety again. Once everyone is through, your party leads them through the ruin to the next hub, where the process is repeated for the appropriate platform.
Exiting the strange stone room, hidden behind an illusory rock wall, you find yourselves in the woods outside of Silverfair. With the injured and elderly, and the distance involved, it takes about 30 minutes or so of walking to finally emerge from the treeline. The palisade constructed around the city comes into view, and you make your way onto the main thoroughfare leading in.
At the gate, a pair of guards go wide-eyed at your approach, quickly standing to attention as you pass through. You can see one is the man you saved the first night in Silverfair, when the clawed ones attacked. "Y-you made it back!" He exclaims, and then his gaze passes over the faces of the townsfolk you've guided. "And you found survivors..." He breaks out of his awe, to slap the other guard on the shoulder, pointing back into the town. "Go find Sybil. She'll want to know. And bring more guardsmen, we need to get these people situated!" Though a bit young, the man seems to have no trouble taking a bit of charge of the situation. After a brief conservation with the councilman, he directs those carrying wounded deeper into the town, to the Maliel's Temple where they could receive care.
The rest of the townsfolk are left to mill about just inside the city's east entrance for the time being, while they wait for someone with more authority to show. As the minutes go by, more of the guard begin to show up. They bring water, bandages, and small bits of food for the townsfolk of Feycrest. Shortly thereafter, you see the familiar face of Sybil walking from the city proper, green eyes bright with joy. "You know last night was the first night since this started that we haven't been attacked." She says as she approaches, "I imagine that has something to do with you?" Her gaze passes over the gathered townsfolk, she glances over at a particular guardsman with a more decorated outfit, who pulls councilman Paten aside to begin discussing next steps for his people. "Guard commander. His name is Lionel. He'll take good care of them from here."
"We should find somewhere more quiet. I should like to hear the details." She says, motioning for you all to follow. "I've got ale at home. Not as good as the Hammer's, but it'll do."
Velyra takes a look around the city of Silverfair as they arrive, making note of the palisade around it. "Would have been nice to have that at Feycrest. I skipped this place on my way in, maybe I shouldn't have." She watches as the arriving guards begin to take care of the survivors of Feycrest, relieved to see they had finally made it to safety at last. To her, it was doubtful that any would ever return to that mining town even if it were cleared out. "I hope they're able to find new lives here. After the hell they've earned I would say they deserve it."
As the woman invites them somewhere to chat, Velyra glances at the others to make sure they recognize her. Satisfied that isn't some random, she speaks. "We haven't met. I'm Velyra. Have you seen any undead at all since last night?"
Silthras is lost in thought as they travel back to the inn, finally speaking his concerns out loud. "We need them to be quiet about what they've seen when they get to Silverfair -- at least for a short time." He turns to Velyra, "You know these people, back me up...and everyone keep an eye out for people not paying attention."
When the townsfolk are gathered in the taproom, he sands on a chair and speaks earnestly to the townsfolk, "You have all by now heard of the creature we encountered at the inn -- the one that took the life of poor Reiner." He looks around at their faces, checking that he has their attention. "The very same kind of creature may be hiding at Silverfair. We think it's unlikely..." he nods to Velyra, "...but until we have checked, it must not be alerted." Again, he pauses to check his words are sinking in. If he spots some paying less attention: "You -- in the red shirt -- what I am saying now may save your life, and the lives of your friends. If you care so little for either, I suggest you stay here. Otherwise, pay attention!"
"When you arrive at Silverfair, people will ask questions. Just for a short time, we ask that you say you would prefer to forget it -- you will talk later, when it's less raw. Stare blankly at them."
"Some will still press you for answers: If you need to, then tell them we traveled as quickly possible, exposing ourselves as little as we could -- which is true" he waves his arms to encompass the town outside, "-- tell them that we narrowly escaped the undead -- also very true. You can say it's a bit of a blur..." he looks around the assembled faces, remembering the black goo, "...and rest assured some of it will be!"
"If they continue to press, repeat that you would prefer to forget it -- you will talk later, when it's less raw." He smiles a grim smile, "I'd hazard a guess that that is also true!"
He waits a moment, again checking that he has their agreement. If doubt remains he adds, "These creatures don't care whose body they take, and if you let them know we are onto them, they will probably take yours!"
As his gaze scans the crowd again he wonders if he is asking too much of them, but takes heart from their seeming agreement, "No doubt people will want to hear your tales. And some of you will want to tell them. If necessary, tell them of the undead outside the inn, tell them of the sleepless nights, but not ... yet ... about the creature or about our means of return."
"At Silverfair we will do what we need to do as quickly as possible, but the necessary magic can take time. Please be patient, and trust us one more time: We have not let you down so far. We will let you know when you can speak freely."
(( Since he's alternating between persuasion and cajoling while trying to show them how to lie without lying:
Persuasion: 17 (second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 15)
Intimidation: 9(second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 22)
Deception: 18(second roll if Velyria or someone else backs him up 21)
))
Back to the past...
As the half-elf finishes talking, Velyra will briefly step up, clearing her throat. "We've been trapped in this gods-forsaken inn for weeks together. I would hazard you all have a fair measure of my character by now."
"We've almost made it, there's room for hope now, that you can go back to something resembling a normal life. You just need to endure this one last thing, or there's a chance it could all fall apart."
"Listen to him, trust us, and you survive this."
DM: Velyra is helping
Silthras nods, and catches Kal's eyes, "There is much to discuss. If possible, gather the guard captains and the apochacary..." he glances at the package they carry, "...there are things they all need to see and to know."
(( He's trying to get the leadership in a room so Kal can do his thing...then they can relate all their tales and concerns if all clear ))
To the above speech:
After everything these people have seen, and what you've done for them, you gather that they're very easily convinced of what you're saying. Though they don't seem particularly enthusiastic about your words, much of that can be chalked up to the fatigue they have built up over this entire ordeal.
As you arrived at the gate and the guards began to take care of them, you heard bits and pieces of their conversations, as the townsfolk deflected questions just as you had instructed them.
Sybil seems to notice the cleric for the first time, her features showing genuine surprise "Oh. Of course, I'm Sybil. I take it you met these vagabonds in Feycrest?" She grins, and moves on. "In any case, if you had a part in this you have my thanks."
The soldier raises a questioning eyebrow at Silthras' suggestion, but nods slowly nonetheless. "Naturally. That should be possible." She glances around to check their surroundings before continuing, "shall I find a runner now, or do you want to fill me in first?"
Silthras' gaze turns to Kal, aware that he can only call upon his god's insight to a limited degree, "Perhaps ... I'm sorry to say ... a runner. It's a long story, and the first telling of any tale is always the best." he adds with a grin. "Unless...Kal...did you have a preference?"
Just for freakin' funsies.
Insight: 11
For the longest time, Kal has been an outsider, roaming the wilds of the north to hunt dark things, only occasionally acting as a guide to those who required it. Interactions with others were rare, and subtly was not a skill he particularly developed. In this case however, he is not so clueless as to miss Silthras' obvious signal.
The winter knight will flare his Divine Sense, glancing at Syibl.
Usul
Running ahead of the others under the guise of "scouting," you arrive at the manor with a good ten or fifteen minutes of it all to yourself. You remember quite well where most things are, and immediately head off towards the areas you think might have the best thing. Searching through the larger bedrooms and some of the shelves or cabinets you didn't quite get to, you're able to find a number of pieces of jewelry, small trinkets, and gems worth (15 x 10 gold pieces). Quickly storing them all away, you head back down to the front of the manor just as the others begin to arrive, none the wiser.
Kal
As your senses enhance beyond your normal perception, you look out. Of all the people around you, including Sybil, you sense no undeath.
After confirming that Sybil hasn't been replaced, Kal gives Silthras a knowing look and replies. "I think we should probably fill her in first. She is the one who called us here in the first place after all."
Arriving in the bigger town again, Usul smiles and pats his pockets. His team is alive, Muad had a good run, Dib... well Dib still has feathers... but it's good to be back in a sort of civilization. For now he's happy to let the others do the talking, and just keep a low profile. Though as the group follows Sybil he does watch the crowd to see if there are any suspicious faces ((perception 15; insight 5))
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: