The Secret of Trottelburg IC

[Lin Bayaseda]

After Irethírra points out the danger, Telim gives the house a good look-over.

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Spot (1d20+1)[3]
Listen (1d20+1)[16]

[sciencepanda]

You are all flat against the house's wall, and practically impossible to make out. However, as Meeka edges slightly closer, she steps on a small twig, which lets out a distinctive CRACK!

A human silhouette approaches the window. The lack of light makes it impossible for you to make out who or what it is, but at the same time you are too low for the figure at the window to see you.

"H...Hello? Is someone out there?" The voice says.

[Parlity]

Meeka freezes.

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Listen check (1d20+1)[13], is it a Boris?

[sciencepanda]

The voice speaks again.

"Hello?"

It is an adult male voice, with the same sort of accent that the Boris's have.

[Parlity]

Meeka

She grips her spear and tries to walk quietly to the door.

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move silently (1d20+2)[6]

[sciencepanda]

The voice hears Meeka as she approaches the door.

"Who's out there? I warn you, I'm armed!"

[Parlity]

Meeka

She listens again.

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Listen (1d20+1)[14]

[sciencepanda]

The voice has the same sort of husky tones as those of the Boris's, although it seems much more shaky and worried.

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim takes a deep breath. Ok, here goes nothing.

I'm sorry, we seem to be lost. We're looking for Boris. Can you help us?

[sciencepanda]

Several seconds pass, until the door swings open. Stepping outside is a large heavyset man with a thick beard and an ushanka. He is holding a large broadsword, which he carefully places by the front door.

"But wait." he says, "I am Boris. Who are you to ask?"

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim wonders if he's identical to the others.

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Spot (1d20+1)[21]

[sciencepanda]

As he walks closer, you can see that this new Boris is physically almost identical identical to the past ones. However, there are some subtle differences. His body language is somewhat jerky, as if he is on edge. He is slightly thinner than the previous Borises, as if he has not eaten properly in some time.

Even as he puts down his sword, he is clearly hesitant to stray to far from it.


"Please show yourself! W..who are you? How do you know my name?" he asks.

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim

Now that I think of it, the evil Boris didn't use a manufactured weapon. With that encouraging thought, Telim steps forward, sheathing his weapon.

Hello. We are travelers from afar, and we seem to be lost. We mean no harm.

[sciencepanda]

Boris lets out a tremendous sigh of relief.

"Oh thank goodness. I had thought it was another one of those...things. Please, come inside. I don't know how safe it is out here."

[Parlity]

Grinning toothily, Meeka edges inside facing Boris.

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim tries to act naive and unaware.

What things?

[sciencepanda]

A small dark-haired boy runs from within the house and grips Boris around the waist.

"Daddy! Daddy! I'm scared! Who are these strange people?" he says.

Boris puts his hand on the boys head in an attempt to comfort him.

"It's alright Dieter. These people are travelers, like us."

This seems to calm the boy down a bit, although he remains latched on to Boris's waist. Boris turns again to address the group.

"My name is Boris Bykanov. I am a traveling merchant. My family and I, we were passing through this area, and we stopped to rest our horses."

"Well, I had gone out to explore the town a bit, and I saw it. It...It was.. Well, it was me. I don't know. I chalked it up as a coincidence at first, but then the next day there were more of them. Just wandering around, sometimes two at a time. I was so scared, I wanted to leave right away. But then the river dried up...Our horses would not have enough to drink. We would not make it to the next town. We were trapped here. My family have been in hiding in this shack since. We go find food when we can, but I don't want to risk the attention of the...me's. It's so strange. I do not know what to do.."

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf

Stepping from the shadows and waving hello at the original Boris, Randolf says,

How is that these creatures come by your likeness? Have you encountered any strange objects, or artifacts during your travels? Encountered any strange beings that could account for these creatures stealing your likeness?

We understand how frightful this all is for you and your family, but you must understand that we have committed ourselves to finding out and ridding this town of the Boris plague...

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim pays attention to the man's mannerisms. Is his tone of voice natural? Does he sweat a lot? Does he rub his palms? Does he rub his mouth with his hands? Basically, looking for the tell-tales of a bad liar.

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Sense Motive (1d20+1)[15]
OOC

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I think it's deplorable Clerics don't get Sense Motive as a class skill. I mean, if there was one class that should get Sense Motive, it's, oh, I don't know, maybe the priest, the spiritual advisor!? And who does get Sense Motive? The Paladin, who doesn't need it anyway, because he has the unlimited and unerring Detect Evil.

[Parlity]

Meeka

As she listens, she edges behind Boris and looks inside the house.

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spot (1d20+5)[21]

[CWater]

Irethírra watches silently as Telim and Randolf question this Boris.

Hmm, he acts differently from the others and his fear seems real. And that boy called him his father, I doubt anyone would consider one of those monster-Borises as family, well, unless there is some sort of spell, of course.

"Perhaps we should talk inside" She says. "This area seems deserted, but you can never be too sure."

[sciencepanda]

Boris has the tired, sweaty expression of someone who is clearly frightened, but as far as you can tell, he is being honest.

"I travel often, and so I am normally well versed in these woods. I know there are many dangerous fae out there, but I was sure to take the necessary precautions." He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a metal horse shoe, which he taps with a bare knuckle. "Cold iron, you see. Normally, this would prevent any of the odd sprites from harming us, but whatever those things are, it has not kept them from taking my form."

He puts his hand on Dieter's head, and then addressed the boy.

"Dieter, go back inside. Your mother needs your protection, alright?"

The boy nods, and runs back inside. You can see that the inside of the house is sparse, as the Bykanovs have made a rather hasty effort at setting up camp. There is a trio of sleeping bags layed out next to a moderately large lantern. To the side is a round middle aged woman sitting in a chair, knitting.

"I do not know much of what those things are, but I would be just as glad to see them gone as you would. Why don't you come inside. It is likely safer in there."

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim follows the man inside.

[CWater]

Irethírra follows them.

[sciencepanda]

Inside the building, you can see that the Bykanovs have been very diligent in their attempts to ward off any hostile creatures. Numerous charms and huge cloves of garlic have been hung from the rafters. Several types of protective runes have been engraved in the sides of the walls. And a fine line of sparkling black powder has been placed in a circle around the room.

The woman gets up from her chair and comes over to greet the group.

"My name is Tanya. I am Boris's wife. You're fellow travelers too, I take it. It is certainly nice to meet you, although I wish it had been under better circumstances."

[Lin Bayaseda]

Telim

Walks in carefully, tryng not to disturb any of the protective runes.

I apologize, Boris and Tanya, for pretending not to know what you speak of when you mentioned the things. We've seen them, in fact we fought and destroyed one of them. But I wanted to be sure you're not one of them, luring us into a trap. I hope you forgive my small transgression.

With that out of the way, what could have possibly caused them to take your appearance, Mr. Bykanov?

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Just for kicks, Knowledge (religion) (1d20+5)[6] - are any of the protective runes actually effective? Edit: I guess it shall remain a mystery forever.

[Parlity]

Meeka

"It is nice to meet you." Meeka slobbers saliva as she speaks.

She noticing Telim looking around and asks Tanya, "Did you make these wards?"

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knowledge (arcana) (1d20+2)[13] knowledge(planes) (1d20+2)[10]

[CWater]

Irethírra

The elf stands close to the doorway observing the room. She doubts that the many wards the family have made are of any use, but doesn't say anything about it; there is no need to be impolite. She winces slightly at the smell of garlic.

[sciencepanda]

Tanya beams at Meeka's comment.

"Yep! I made these all myself. I can't exactly say I'm a great wizard or anything, but I understand a bit of magic, and you have to know how to provide the proper protection if you are traveling around out here."

She turns and pulls out a small piece of parchment and a quill.

"The theory behind making these wards is fairly simple. I can teach you if you would like."

---

Boris addresses Telim

"As I have said, I am but a simple merchant. My family and I sell these fine fur hats, you see." He pulls off his ushanka, revealing a balding head, and hands it off to Telim. The hat is very soft, and would presumably be very warm on a cold night like this. "As for why these creatures are mimicking my form, your guess is as good as mine. They seem to require a guise in order to produce some semblance of human behavior. As to why they chose to imitate me in particular, do not know. I would certainly be interested in hearing any theories that you have."

---

While Irethírra is examining the wards, Dieter approaches her. The small boy pulls on her hand.

"Hey lady." He says "Whacha looking at?"

[MarvinMartian]

Randolf

Randolf looks curiously at Tanya,

Tanya, I am curious as to where you learned this knowledge, is it something you picked up during your travels - or learned from you fore-bearers?