Explorers of Acacia - Main thread

[Psymple]

Damnit.. it will have to do...

Her armour is wonkey and mostly unbuckled but she follows them anyway.
Keen to get to the commotion.

Trouble Jesskya, we have trouble!
*A wave of love and fear*
Be careful

Right behind you Kel

Scimitar and Greatsword shieved but shield at the ready.

[qwertyu63]

Tarmkos, Lia:

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It is clear to you both that this wound was caused by a blade with a dark magic weaved into the metal. (And yes, Tarmkos, it does look familiar.)

Kel nods, making sure to grab his great sword and all of his equipment before leaving. He sheathes his blade and then tells the cleric and Halaza Okay Latinskel, Halaza, lets go.

If no one else needs anything Kel follows the Latinskel out of the church.

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You reach the bar which is swarming with guards. Latinskel is trying and failing to get their attention.

"What happened here?" Lyral's question, directed at one of the guards standing watch, is surprisingly devoid of emotion. His grey eyes dart from one face of the crowd to the next, assessing everything they land upon, even if only for an instant. As such, he sizes up the watchman, smiling all the while.
"Can I go in?"

"You think you can help solve this? Go right on in."

Small note: For convenience all of this is happening at the same time.

[razorback]

To Imaran Hmmm... I don't know. Some noise woke me up and I came down here. Very chaotic and can't seem to get a bite to eat, either.

As Imaran walks out with 'that look' on his face, Algrith stands and puts his book into his backpack, following him out the door. As Imaran talks to the guards, he looks around at the crowd, looking to see if anything is amiss.

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(1d20)[4](4) with either -7 to spot or -1 to sense motive.

[qwertyu63]

To Imaran Hmmm... I don't know. Some noise woke me up and I came down here. Very chaotic and can't seem to get a bite to eat, either.

As Imaran walks out with 'that look' on his face, Algrith stands and puts his book into his backpack, following him out the door. As Imaran talks to the guards, he looks around at the crowd, looking to see if anything is amiss.

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[roll0] with either -7 to spot or -1 to sense motive.

You see Latinskel, Halaza and Kel, with Latinskel trying to get the attention of the guards. You see the guards are trying to keep civilians out, but have let Lyral in.

[3SecondCultist]

As he walks into the building, Lyral keeps an eye out for anyone watching him. At the sight of the chopped up, swiftly decaying barkeep, he inhales sharply.
As I suspected. This was no simple murder. No, there is something else at work here. He takes note of the presence of Tarmikos and Lia near both halves of the body, and immediately addresses them.
"Good morning! How did you sleep?"

[Silva Stormrage]

Kel grabs one of the nearby guards rushing back and forth. He sternly speaks Hey there. Sorry about being so blunt but what exactly is going on here? Reverting to a gentler tone if Kel is being listened to by the guard Kel continues My name is Kel and I am a wandering druid. I believe I will be able to help if you simply tell me what is going on.

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Diplomacy check: 34

[Psymple]

Halaza followes footsteps behind Kel, her eyes on the guards face as Kel asks him what is going on.
She checks his face for anything he is chosing not to tell them.

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Sence Motive
(d20+8)[20]

(Presumably they are within 60ft of the inn, I know your in there Dragon-boy!)

Suddenly as they appoach the inn a twinge of fear and suspicion falls across her face.

She mutters

There are kin here Jesskya...
Be on your toes.

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If Kel looks to her in suspion she will breath out a tiny flicker of fire to explain her point, he may have not yet realised she is dragon born as she herself has not told him and her celestial features may have obscured her dragonscales.

[qwertyu63]

Kel grabs one of the nearby guards rushing back and forth. He sternly speaks Hey there. Sorry about being so blunt but what exactly is going on here? Reverting to a gentler tone if Kel is being listened to by the guard Kel continues My name is Kel and I am a wandering druid. I believe I will be able to help if you simply tell me what is going on.

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Diplomacy check: 34

"A druid, you say? You might be able to help." The guard leads your group inside.

[INoKnowNames]

Tarmikos' blood boils. His body aches, having old yet poignant memories of the weapon used for this murder. It takes Tarmikos every single bit of mental strength to keep himself together.

"I'd like to ask a few things." Tarmikos turns to the guard who escorted him to the crime scene, barely restraining a look of absolute hatred and fury. "First, for the sake of formalities, I'd like to know your name, as well as the names of anyone I'd need to speak to in order to receive the information I would like to request."

Tarmikos examines the body further, taking note of the look on Dagoc's face, as well as the position he fell in, and whether or not he might have been holding anything nearby. "Second, this man. When I spoke to him here yesterday, he referred to himself as "Dagoc". I'd like to know if that is indeed his real identity, and anything else I can learn about him. Who he was. What he did. Any tip off that might reveal why he was chosen to be killed."

Tarmikos moves about the bar, surveying the basic state of the place, trying to remember as much as he can. Doing his best to avoid disturbing any details of the scene, he continues speaking. "I'd also like to know if this man, who I'll be referring to by the name he gave me, "Dagoc", until corrected, was possibly related to, should the information he gave me was correct, the incident a month ago, in which three people were slain throughout a single day, each assassinated almost instantaneously. While perusing this subject, I want to know as much as you know about those people, and how they were killed."

He takes a pause, and then continues. "If I may make a personal request; there may be a man moving about the city. If he's here, there's little chance you'd actually encounter him unless you were about to die. But you'd recognize him. Human. Relatively tall, yet light build. Fair skin, and waist-length silver hair, at least the last time I encountered him. You'd sense the killing intent before you even saw him. Don't you -DARE- " Tarmikos roars at the guard "even consider attempting to apprehend him alone unless you've made your life's peace. Any and every able bodied guard should be moving about with extreme vigilance, and obviously patrolling in groups if not already."

You're here... Tarmikos thinks to himself, almost growling his thoughts out loud. You or another monster like you. But it's far too improbable for this to be a coincidence. If you're here in this town, I will find you... you won't escape me this time.... I'll put my life on the line to drag you into the light... Cruorin....

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Assuming no one interrupts, I'd be making use of Diplomacy, Spot, and Search, all taken 20, so I can be as clear as possible, and observe any and every detail I can.

If I need to, I'll roll anything relevant, including Gather Information and Intimidate. But I'd like to avoid using that Hateful Dice Roller if I don't need to.

[RCgothic]

Lia

I quickly survey the scene - something about the wound and a faint trace in the ether indicate a dark and powerful weapon.

"And more than enough strength too, by the looks of things," I add, referring to the way the hapless barkeeper had been bisected in one stroke. "I suspected this might have something to do with your conversation last night. You have a powerful nemesis miko? Whoever did this either had enough skill to create a mighty weapon or enough money to buy one."

I half-turn as the strange man from last night who wouldn't stop staring at me enters. I'm not sure if anything more is meant by his light comment, so I decide to play along for now. "I'd have prefered an extra hour and a half, but what can you do?"

"I'll see if I can find any more clues," I say, beginning my search of the bar.

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Take 20 on search, +12 modifier gives me +32.

[Psymple]

Kel and Halaza are led into the inn by the guard just as Tarmikos is roaring at the guard...

I think you need to calm down... She says quetly yet calmly to the man. Focusing her sences she can feel he is the dragon in the room...
You are of kin... What is your name, who are you.

Her gaze locked on his, her mind screaming that she should ask who everyone else is and what is going on here but this finding, another dragon blood, it is too important for now...
It must be linked to the comotion...

Bahamut protect us

[razorback]

Algrith motions for Imaran to follow him as he walks up to Latinskel, Halaza and Kel.

How come they let him pass? And, what has happened? to the guards and the group.

[Demidos]

Imaran follows his friend to the body. Seeing Tarmikos' reaction, he turns to him ,frowning. "Do you know who did this?"

[qwertyu63]

Algrith motions for Imaran to follow him as he walks up to Latinskel, Halaza and Kel.

How come they let him pass? And, what has happened? to the guards and the group.

"Someone's been killed. They were let in because I think a druid might be able to help. And who, might I ask, are you?"

Lia

I quickly survey the scene - something about the wound and a faint trace in the ether indicate a dark and powerful weapon.

"And more than enough strength too, by the looks of things," I add, referring to the way the hapless barkeeper had been bisected in one stroke. "I suspected this might have something to do with your conversation last night. You have a powerful nemesis miko? Whoever did this either had enough skill to create a mighty weapon or enough money to buy one."

I half-turn as the strange man from last night who wouldn't stop staring at me enters. I'm not sure if anything more is meant by his light comment, so I decide to play along for now. "I'd have prefered an extra hour and a half, but what can you do?"

"I'll see if I can find any more clues," I say, beginning my search of the bar.

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Take 20 on search, +12 modifier gives me +32.

Tarmikos' blood boils. His body aches, having old yet poignant memories of the weapon used for this murder. It takes Tarmikos every single bit of mental strength to keep himself together.

"I'd like to ask a few things." Tarmikos turns to the guard who escorted him to the crime scene, barely restraining a look of absolute hatred and fury. "First, for the sake of formalities, I'd like to know your name, as well as the names of anyone I'd need to speak to in order to receive the information I would like to request."

Tarmikos examines the body further, taking note of the look on Dagoc's face, as well as the position he fell in, and whether or not he might have been holding anything nearby. "Second, this man. When I spoke to him here yesterday, he referred to himself as "Dagoc". I'd like to know if that is indeed his real identity, and anything else I can learn about him. Who he was. What he did. Any tip off that might reveal why he was chosen to be killed."

Tarmikos moves about the bar, surveying the basic state of the place, trying to remember as much as he can. Doing his best to avoid disturbing any details of the scene, he continues speaking. "I'd also like to know if this man, who I'll be referring to by the name he gave me, "Dagoc", until corrected, was possibly related to, should the information he gave me was correct, the incident a month ago, in which three people were slain throughout a single day, each assassinated almost instantaneously. While perusing this subject, I want to know as much as you know about those people, and how they were killed."

He takes a pause, and then continues. "If I may make a personal request; there may be a man moving about the city. If he's here, there's little chance you'd actually encounter him unless you were about to die. But you'd recognize him. Human. Relatively tall, yet light build. Fair skin, and waist-length silver hair, at least the last time I encountered him. You'd sense the killing intent before you even saw him. Don't you -DARE- " Tarmikos roars at the guard "even consider attempting to apprehend him alone unless you've made your life's peace. Any and every able bodied guard should be moving about with extreme vigilance, and obviously patrolling in groups if not already."

You're here... Tarmikos thinks to himself, almost growling his thoughts out loud. You or another monster like you. But it's far too improbable for this to be a coincidence. If you're here in this town, I will find you... you won't escape me this time.... I'll put my life on the line to drag you into the light... Cruorin....

Spoiler

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Assuming no one interrupts, I'd be making use of Diplomacy, Spot, and Search, all taken 20, so I can be as clear as possible, and observe any and every detail I can.

If I need to, I'll roll anything relevant, including Gather Information and Intimidate. But I'd like to avoid using that Hateful Dice Roller if I don't need to.

Both of your searches turn up evidence that the victim was talking to his killer at some point. Signs of a struggle indicate that the victim was not off his guard at the time of attack. Trace amounts of something on the floor indicate that Obscuring Mist was cast at some point in the battle.

The guards are now visibly scared. They run out of the room. As to if they are running to hide from what you are talking about, or running to hide from you is left as a exercise to the reader.

[Psymple]

Halaza twitches as the guards begin to run.
Could I be wrong? What if they are the dragonborn?
Her eyes bore into their faces as they run out of the room past her

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(d20+8)[17] Sence Motive

Also attempting to see if they are of dragonblood using my sence dragonblooded.

For a moment her attention is lost from the man who had been in a fit of rage over something and had been shouting at the guards.
Sudden realisation, Where they running from him?
What is going on here?

[razorback]

"Someone's been killed. They were let in because I think a druid might be able to help. And who, might I ask, are you?"

Who has been killed? Me? I am a traveler from far off lands, just come to your city to find lost relics. the distaste of being questioned evident on his face.

[3SecondCultist]

As he watches and listens, Lyral re-evaluates the mettle of Tarmikos.
Such raw emotion! From across the room, I can almost taste his rage, and his fear. There is less composure here than I initially thought. He knows who did this, or at least he suspects. Human, tall, light build, fair, with silver hair. Whatever it is that Tarmikos is afraid of, it has the power to kill, with relative ease by the looks of things. At least I have some details on a new monster to hunt. That alone make my trip here worthwhile. His face twitches once, surveying the grisly scene once more. He turns to Lia, as she answers him back in kind.
She knows how to play the game! Good. She's quick on her feet. I like that. His mouth curves upwards, into somewhat of a smirk.
"We never get enough sleep, do we? Until we meet the fate of Dagoc, that is."

[qwertyu63]

Halaza twitches as the guards begin to run.
Could I be wrong? What if they are the dragonborn?
Her eyes bore into their faces as they run out of the room past her

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[roll0] Sence Motive

Also attempting to see if they are of dragonblood using my sence dragonblooded.

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They are running off, scared out of their wits, by the fact that who ever did this is enough of a danger to produce lines like the ones Tarmikos just said

And no, none of them are of dragonblood. They are unnamed background characters.

Who has been killed? Me? I am a traveler from far off lands, just come to your city to find lost relics. the distaste of being questioned evident on his face.

"If you must know, the guy who runs this bar was cut in half."

[Psymple]

Halaza turns back to Tarmikos, her patience now running even dryer.

Her haunches filed and almost reaching for her sword she glares at the man, he has yet to even acknowledge her existance yet... He is panicing like a crazed lunatic and even to the extent of scaring the "trained" city guards.

Who is he and what is he doing here! Hes acting like a man gone mad, a dragonblooded man gone mad... now the guards are running from him in terror.
Calm down Hallie... Running a temper wont help you...

[Demidos]

"If you must know, the guy who runs this bar was cut in half."

We have spoken with both the barkeep and... (As tarmikos starts shouting)...we have met that man as well. Perhaps we can do something to help calm him down.

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Diplomacy if its required
Edit: a 2....great...Ah well. Its a reasonable request anyway. Maybe he'll go for it.

[qwertyu63]

We have spoken with both the barkeep and... (As tarmikos starts shouting)...we have met that man as well. Perhaps we can do something to help calm him down.

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Diplomacy if its required
Edit: a 2....great...Ah well. Its a reasonable request anyway. Maybe he'll go for it.

"Go ahead and try. I'm not going anywhere near him."

[RCgothic]

Lia

I don't know who the newcomers are - we haven't met - but it's clear Tarmikos' fit of rage doesn't look good. I move swiftly to interpose myself.

"It's okay - well all right, it's not ok; a man has been brutally murdered. But it wasn't anything to do with us! My name's Arlia, and this is Tarmikos. That's Lyral. The barkeeper, the dead man, spoke to us last night about someone Tarmikos is hunting and I suspect he was killed for it! That's why Tarmikos is angry at least. What are your names, friends?"

[INoKnowNames]

Tarmikos runs his hand through his hair, annoyed and frustrated by the situation. I can't believe I actually scared them away... I was hoping I might be able to learn a thing or two from them. Then again, I shouldn't have expected much. I have to keep a level head. No matter how bad the situation is, losing myself to my emotions won't solve anything any easier. He sighs, exhaling an unusually cool breath of air. Even if he is involved, if I allow myself to succumb to those base instincts, I'll not only jeopardize myself, but everyone around me. And I'd play further into his hands.

He takes a look at the bar, taking stock of those that still remain, including the new adventurers that have appeared; several of which questioning the circumstance. His emotional outburst can't have helped the situation any. "Sorry, guys..... I just lost it for a bit. I'm fine now." he finally replies, looking at Lia, thankful for her calm words.

"I'm a bit concerned that the guardsmen might have nothing further to do with me, which is quite a large problem, considering that I have plenty I need to speak to them about." he starts again, continuing to look around the room. "If one..." he shakes his head vigorously, annoyed at his suggestion. "if a pair of you might be willing to call some of them back, preferably the most competent of the bunch, that would be a tremendous help."

Tarmikos stops moving when he finishes his rounds next to Dagoc. "I'd be lying if I said I've never seen damage like this before. In fact, though I wish it were not true, there is a chance that the blade that murdered this man may have been used by the same individual I am trying to track. And if so, at the very least my work is cut out for me."

He directs his attention toward the woman that approached him. "I'm not sure what you mean by kin, but I've no longer any decent connection to any family in this world. That, however, is superfluous right now. What matters is the issue at hand, the murderer who is lose in this city, free to claim innocent lives at a moment’s notice. Something must be done about this person, and any help in stopping this individual would be appreciated. Should you wish to inquire further about me, may I please suggest you wait at the Inn across the street, assuming you are not alone. If you are, then stay nearby, and I'll get to you when I can. Just avoid disturbing anything."

Tarmikos then trains his focus upon Lyral. "You've got a crude sense of humor, my friend. I wouldn't wish such a fate on any person."

Tarmikos overlooks Dagoc again, trying to notice more details about the corpse.

"Can someone ask across the street at the Inn to see if anyone might have seen something?" Tarmikos calls out while inspecting the body. "And I would be willing to pay for the knowledge the guards can provide, should any be brave enough to come back. Should anyone have anything they could contribute, please feel free to speak up."

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I could have -SWORN- there was something in Heal about checking on the subject based on its death. I wanted to see if I could figure out how long it might have been since he was killed. I actually just realized that Search is the relevant skill. That's egg on my face...

[Silva Stormrage]

Kel had spent the last few moments looking over the scene of a crime observing the outburst and the reaction of Hazala.

Kel steps forward as well Glad to meet you Arlia, I am Kel Serath a wandering druid. We simply were looking for ways to help. Who exactly was the person suspected to do this?... Kel's voice trails off when he sees Lyral. He then turns and address's Lyral Ah, hello again Lyral. Nice to see you again.

Turning to talk to Hazal Kel speaks again, Lyral was the man whom I talked with last night at the Church

After hearing Tarmikos's latest information dump Kel speaks, While I don't mean to intrude on your personal story of who this man is I think it is wise for you to tell us what he looks like and his name if you feel it is necessary. In order for him to do that kind of damage to a corpse he must do it after the corpse is dead or he must be fiendishly strong.

[Psymple]

Halaza nods in recognition of the man who had come to the church the other night.


A crazy man who claims he is a hunter at the scene of a murder, and a rambling dragon kin of unknown origin scaring away city guardsmen... It seems you all have some explaining to do... Why are you here, who are you and what is the name of your rag-tag group?

She glares at the Dragonkin who has tried to evade her questions thus far.

And if you truly are not responsible for this mans murder, then who is this man you claim is responsible and how do you know of him...

[3SecondCultist]

With the arrival of Halaza and Kel, Lyral closes himself off. He is uncomfortable in a confined space, with this many people who know him. Their presence seems to throw everything off balance.
This is why I left the monastery in the first place. People are too complicated for their own good. As he is introduced by Lia, he forces himself to display a hollow smile. It remains pinned on his face as Tarmikos mocks, Kel insinuates, and Halaza flat out accuses.
Great. I've always wanted to have a stuck-up, self-righteous soldier of good in my face. Thank the gods that I won't have to stick around for very much longer. He decides to sit at the bar-stool, looking over the top half of Dagoc's corpse. He stares into the glassy, lifeless eyes of the late bartender, listening and saying nothing.

[Demidos]

Imaran looks over the newcomers -- two holy men, one whose face was twisted into a sort of snout, and a female crusader, by the looks of it. The man with the twisted face jogged something...ah, he remembered now. The contorted appearance of his face was due to a spell that greatly increased the physcal strength of the spellcaster, and gave him a greatly thinckened skin. The spell, so far as Imaran was aware, was known only to the druidic circles of the south. So this newcomer was a spellcaster, and a fairly powerful one at that. Imaran made a note to keep an eye on him -- he could be a powerful ally of justice. What...Kel...said sounds reasonable. If you have some idea of who this was, our usefulness to you (seeing as this seems to be a personal vendetta) would greatly increase if you told us what you knew. You seem an honorable person -- if this is a threat to even the city guard, the people of the city have the right to know. Imaran interjects.

[Silva Stormrage]

Kel looks sternly at Hazala and speaks in a firm voice, Calm yourself! Nothing is to be gained by raising our voices. We shall discuss this civilly.

Turning to address the others in this tavern, Of course she does have a decent point. Lyral doesn't exactly have my full trust at the moment. What is your relation to Lyral?

Kel then turns to Latinskel and ask him Actually, Latinskel do you have any magic prepared that would help detect who did this?

[qwertyu63]

Kel then turns to Latinskel and ask him Actually, Latinskel do you have any magic prepared that would help detect who did this?

"Not really. I didn't expect to need divinations, so I prepared various enchantments this morning. I can run back and see if anyone else prepared any, if that would help."

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I could have -SWORN- there was something in Heal about checking on the subject based on its death. I wanted to see if I could figure out how long it might have been since he was killed. I actually just realized that Search is the relevant skill. That's egg on my face...

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He's been dead for about 2 hours, 150 minutes at the most.

[Silva Stormrage]

"Not really. I didn't expect to need divinations, so I prepared various enchantments this morning. I can run back and see if anyone else prepared any, if that would help."

Kel nods Yes, that will be very useful. Thank you.