DrK Revisits Shackled City IC

[DrK]

There is a horrible scream and a sizzle as the eldtrich charged blade shears into the guard chopping him down. Cyrius grinning despite missing the dolgrim as Isaak and the purple metal mace appear from the smoke and chaos to threaten the tiny two headed goblin-like beast. By the stage where the children where chained Aerith and Arita flank the Durzagon that shouts worldlessly as the glowing quarter staff of force slams into him again. Its not much of a concern however as Aerith and Arita strike hard with staff and dagger toppling the razor clawed fiend to the ground where the body starts to dissolve into unpleasant sludge.

Kazmojen doesn't notice as Urgosh and glaive of magical energy flicker, clash and withdraw Escher unable to land a telling blow either as the dwarf spins the Urgosh spinning hard and fast at the poor spell thief. Luckily Escher is nimble and quick ducking and weaving the dwarves enraged blows.

Spoiler: Kazmojen

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Kazmojen vs Escher TWF (1d20+7)[11] dam (1d8+6)[9]
Kazmojen vs Escher TWF (1d20+7)[9] dam (1d6+4)[8]

Cyrius grinning as he and Isaak flank the dolgrim lashes out again with the Falchion seeking to decapitate the little beast, or at least split it down the middle. But once more the Dragon Below's luck lies with the little creature and it parries the massive blade.

Spoiler: Cyrius

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Cyrius vs dolgrim (1d20+8)[11] dam (2d4+8)[13]

only kazmogen and dolgrim left

[razorback]

"Warned ya." mutters Aerith with a grin.
"Come on, before that oaf decides to turn Escher into a splatter.!" the gnome says as he charges forward, trying to gain the human some breathing room.
"Best to give up while you still have blood flowing!" he yells at Kazmojen as his blade flicks forward.

Spoiler

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Aerith
AC = 17 ; Current = 17 or 18 vs Kazmojen (Dodge)
HP = 26 ; Current = 21


Attack Kazmojen
(1d20+11)[18] , +2 if he can manage to flank with Escher

Damage
(1d4)[1] and + (1d6)[2] sneak attack if he manages to flank

Critical 18-20/x2
(1d20+11)[24] , +2 if he can manage to flank with Escher
(1d4)[3]

Effects ~
Charge: +2 to hit and -2 to AC
× Knowledge Devotion
× +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids
× +4 dodge bonus to AC against giants
Arita's Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.

[Deophaun]

Arita

"Are you okay, old man?" the girl asks Alistair. "Worry about the children. We can take care of the rest."

Arita steps gingerly over the fetid remains of the durzagon, not wishing to soil her sewage-stained feet with it, before bounding off to help Cyrius.

Spoiler

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Flank with Cyrius against Dolgrim
Power Attack 2

Beshyk Quarterstaff vs Dolgrim Attack:(1d20+7)[17] Damage:(1d6+7)[9]
Confirm Critical Attack:(1d20+7)[15] Damage:(1d6+7)[8]
*****
Conditions:
Power Attack 2
Law Devotion 3 to attack
Psionic Focus
Filter mask: +2 to saves against gas-based effects.
Inertial Armor: +4 Armor bonus to AC.
Force Screen: +4 Shield bonus to AC.
Precognition, Offensive: +1 Insight bonus to attack rolls.
Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

"Hang on, children. You're almost free" Escher continues to spar with Kazmojen, trying his hardest to avoid being skewered on the wicked blade.

Spoiler: actions & status

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Not an action: 5ft step as needed
Full: Fight defensively. Glaive vs Kaz touch (1d20+6)[12] incl flank, damage (2d6)[4] + sneak (flank with Aerith) (1d6)[2]

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 3// Spellthief 3, Level 3, Init 4, HP 15/15, DR DR 1/ cold iron, Speed 30ft
AC 24, Touch 16, Flat-footed 20, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 2, Action Points 8/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +6 (2d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +6 (2d6, x2)
Punching Dagger +2 (1d4, x3)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Shield, +4 Dex, +2 Misc)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Spellgrace: +1 save vs spells
DR 1/ cold iron
Shield +4 AC (1 minute)
Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.
Fight defensively -2 attack +2 dodge AC (not included in stat block)

[Starbin]

Alistair
OOC - I saw the result of the spiritual weapon attack, but didn't see anything in the last DM post that talked about Alistair's movement ... he should have had a full round to move towards the children safely, albeit it slowly

The dwarf continued to limp towards the children, shooting a glare back at the young woman's comment on being old. Of course any response would be lost on the headstrong lass so he kept quiet and continued to advance. With a gesture and mental command, the glowing quarterstaff flew over to attack the troll-dwarf.

Spoiler: Rnd 4

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Move action to change target for spiritual weapon to Kazmojen Attack - (1d20+5)[24], Damage - (1d8+1)[6]

Single move towards kids (10')

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: KS devotion (+2 att/dam vs guards and Durzagon; +1 atta/dam vs Kazomojen)
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[J-H]

Isaak

Isaak swipes at the dolgrim's head with his morningstar, but it's a clumsy blow.

Spoiler

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Using Hideous Frightening Blow.
Attack (1d20+5)[11]
Damage (1d8+3)[11] plus (2d6)[10] plus Will DC14 or shaken; byeshk, magic
Crits (1d20)[5] (1d8)[5]

[DrK]

The dolgrim goes down under a hail of blows, the finishing one from the byshek studded stick. Only Kazmojen still standing and even then he's looking wounded and troubled as the spiritual weapon lashes into him once more and Escher's spinning glaive once mroe touches home. The magical blade cleaving through armour like paper to slash the troll flesh beneath. Cyrius leaps over the dead and dying Dolgrim to lash at Kazmojen's exposed back even as the angry dwarf spins, jabbing urgosh each way to jab at both Escher and Cyrius

Spoiler: OOC

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Cyrius vs Kazmo (1d20+7)[26] dam (2d4+7)[13]

Kazmo vs Escher (1d20+7)[23] dam (1d8+6)[12]
Kazmo vs Cyrius (1d20+7)[19] dam (1d6+6)[12]

[Starbin]

Alistair

With the foul abomination fully engrossed, Alistair would run to the children if possible ... or at least awkwardly stumble that way. The glowing staff winked out of existence.

Spoiler: Rnd 5?

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Not sure about the order, but the Alisyair will keep heading to the kids ... unless someone drops and needs healing.

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: KS devotion (+2 att/dam vs guards and Durzagon; +1 atta/dam vs Kazomojen)
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[razorback]

"Come on, you're surrounded and outnumbered. Yield and live!" Aerith says as he holds his attack, blade ready to flicker in at a moments notice. When the raging Kazmojen still attacks, Aerith flicks his blade forward, trying to drive his rapier below his ribs.

Spoiler

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Aerith
AC = 17 ; Current = 19 or 20 vs Kazmojen (Dodge)
HP = 26 ; Current = 21


Ready action to attack Kazmojen if he doesn't give up. Attack!
(1d20+9)[25] , +2 if he can manage to flank with Escher

Damage
(1d4)[3] and + (1d6)[5] sneak attack if he manages to flank

Critical 18-20/x2
(1d20+9)[27] , +2 if he can manage to flank with Escher
(1d4)[2]

Effects ~
× Knowledge Devotion
× +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids
× +4 dodge bonus to AC against giants
Arita's Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.

[Deophaun]

Airta

With the final dolgrim defeated, Arita finishes her countdown and springs towards Kazmojen.

"Times up!" she says, swinging her quarterstaff at the half-troll's skull.

Spoiler

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Power Attack 2

Beshyk Quarterstaff vs Kazmojen Attack:(1d20+7)[10] Damage:(1d6+8)[11]
Confirm Critical Attack:(1d20+7)[10] Damage:(1d6+8)[12]

Will expend Psionic Focus to activate mantle if Kazomjen attacks anyone:
Beshyk Quarterstaff vs Kazmojen Attack:(1d20+7)[22] Damage:(1d6+8)[9]
Confirm Critical Attack:(1d20+7)[22] Damage:(1d6+8)[9]
*****
Conditions:
Power Attack 2
Law Devotion 3 to attack
Psionic Focus
Filter mask: +2 to saves against gas-based effects.
Inertial Armor: +4 Armor bonus to AC.
Force Screen: +4 Shield bonus to AC.
Precognition, Offensive: +1 Insight bonus to attack rolls.
Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Comforted by the sight of Alastair moving ever closer to the captive children, Escher concentrates on encircling the troll-dwarf with his companions and taking him down. With the odds stacked in their favour provided they could get this done quickly he lashes out again with several scythe-like arcs of eldritch power.

Spoiler: actions & status

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Not an action: 5ft step as needed to flank
Full: Eldritch glaive vs Kaz touch (1d20+8)[20] incl flank, damage (2d6)[5] + sneak (flank) (1d6)[1]

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 3// Spellthief 3, Level 3, Init 4, HP 15/15, DR DR 1/ cold iron, Speed 30ft
AC 24, Touch 16, Flat-footed 20, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 2, Action Points 8/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +6 (2d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +6 (2d6, x2)
Punching Dagger +2 (1d4, x3)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Shield, +4 Dex, +2 Misc)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Spellgrace: +1 save vs spells
DR 1/ cold iron
Shield +4 AC (1 minute)
Protection Devotion (Totu): +2 Sacred bonus to AC.
Eldritch Glaive: threatens as 10ft reach weapon until start of my next turn

[J-H]

Isaak

Isaak advances on Kazmojen, lashing out at the twisted creature.

Spoiler

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Using Hideous Frightening Blow.
Attack (1d20+5)[12]
Damage (1d8+3)[5] plus (2d6)[4]plus Will DC14 or shaken; byeshk, magic
Crits (1d20)[12] (1d8)[1]

[DrK]

Under a barrage of attacks and surrounded by the party in the rapidly emptying room the mad and raging troll dwarf goes down under the hail of blows as Cyrius, the glowing force staff and the vicious eldritch glaive and short daggers all land home. Staggering he colllapses swearing and cursing feebly in a tongue that sounds vile even if you don't undertsand him until he dies.... The room is pretty much empty save for the blood streaking the icy and misty floor with the guards twisted bodies scattered about. A few merely heavily injured and twitching, others still and clearly dead.

The children scream in terror then calm slightly as Alisdaid approaches. the dwarf undoing them all and releasing them from their collars and shackles as they all collapse forward towards him sobbing in relief. Only then does he notice that under the rags they are wearing each of them appears to have a dragonmark of sorts - although not one that matches the known houses. And even more unusually two of them have the same mark - matching in every detail down to the smallest whirl.

[J-H]

Isaak

"All the child-buying customers ran away. Did anyone get a good look at their faces? Maybe there's a book of buyers around here? We need to get these kids upstairs, then clean out the rot."

[Starbin]

Alistair

Alistair tried to comfort the children gently as he drew them in. "There, there ... easy tots. Dry yer eyes; ye'll be 'ome soon enow." However, as he eyed the marks, he frowned for a moment. Leaning closer, he inspected the marks, especially the identical ones. He didn't remember seeing any of them before ...

To the others, he murmured, "Aye, we need ta git these wee ones 'ome. Best ta do it quickly."

Spoiler: OOC

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Not sure what to roll to know more ...so here's a bunch of checks ...

Spoiler: Skill checks

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History - (1d20+5)[7]
Religion - (1d20+9)[20]
Local - (1d20+9)[20]
Arcana - (1d20+9)[17]
Spellcraft - (1d20+7)[10]
Spot - (1d20+7)[22]
Decipher Script - (1d20+5)[7]
Craft Forgery - (1d20+9)[24]

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: none
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[Deophaun]

Arita

"There was so much smoke, I didn't get a good look. Let's see, there was the half-elf, blue eyed, 173 freckles... or was that 172?" Arita starts reciting the faces, dress, and body type of everyone she saw in remarkable detail as she goes about the wounded, laying hands to stabilize whoever she can and tending to whatever wounds for when her divine power is exhausted.

Spoiler

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Last 4 points of LoHs to stabilize up to 4 enemies.

Heal check 1:(1d20+3)[12]
Heal check 2:(1d20+3)[21]

"...and a scuff on the front of his right shoe, which was more of a mahogany color than brown. I think. Was that right?" She pauses and looks down at the blue gem in her holy symbol. "No, oxblood's too dark. I'm sure it was mahogony. And how would you know? You don't even have eyes! Well, let's ask them!"

"What do you guys think? Was it mahogony or oxblood?"

With the dying taken care of as best she can, Arita brings her attention to the children. "Poor things. Why did they tattoo you? Do these symbols mean anything?"

Spoiler

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Take 10 on an Autohypnosis check to memorize the designs

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Conscious that more guards could be upon them Escher quickly starts rummaging through the belongings searching for keys, eyes constantly darting about alert for danger. "Hey, that's alright. We'll have you out of here soon. Say, are there any others kept locked up down here? Anyone else that we need to rescue?"

Spoiler: rolls

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Search (1d20+7)[16]
Sense motive (on the kids, just in case) (1d20)[8]

Edit: and if there's no interruptions, I'll extend the searching to using detect magic about the loot room

[razorback]

Aerith bends down as he wipes the blood off on his fallen foe. Lesson, you learned to late,
is you lose your wits and you lose your life."
Stepping back with the others, he responds to Isaak "No, was too busy focusing on the baddies.
As we might run into their ilk again, I'll try to keep my eyes open for these."
Running over to Escher, he helps calm the children while helping him with the kids. "Alright,
alright, calm down everyone. We'll have you back and up to the surface, safe and sound, soon enough. Be back with your families before you know it, but we aren't there yet, so we need you all to keep quiet and move as quickly as you can. Can you all be like a shadow at midnight?" he says with a calm, assuring voice as he smiles.

[J-H]

Isaak

Isaak takes one of the torches and moves it so that he can make shadow puppets on the wall to distract the kids.

[DrK]

The slaughter complete the children are quickly freed by the party as they collapse sobbing into the arms of Alisdiar and Aerith as they are rescued. Pushing further into the fortress Cyrius and Arita in the lead they find Kazmojen's private quarters and cells. Kazmojen's quarters are a depiction of horror. The walls carved with tall narrow niches piled high with humanoid skulls with the bare stone walls between decorated with the tanned hides of various monsters from both the jungles of Q'barra and the caves of the Dragon Below. A large chair made of monster bones and scaled hide sits beside an imposing desk with a draconic skull in the centre sits in the midddle of the room. However, Alisdaair and his dwarven sense sense, behind a pile of moss and rubbish, a door in the walls that with some leverage from Aerith and Cyrius opens the door into a hidden treasury beyond with open chests brimming with gold and silver with armour and weapons scattered around. A note no the surface of it all signed with a Kingfisher stamp with the only legible words stating "Slow down you dump dwarf. You move too fast and attract too much attention. We have told you to only steal those that bear the mark, Not the other children! Behave of "V" will take matters into his own hands...."

Spoiler: LOOT

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3 Black iron chests carved with demons

• 922gp
• 4225 sp
• 4519cp
• MW chain shirt
• MW studded leather
• Silver MW two bladed sword
• Engraved stone bowl with 19 blue quartz (@30gp each)
• Ivory and bloodstone horn (450gp)
• Serren wood short staff (treat as club)
• Potion Cure moderate wounds
• MW shortbow composite (+2 Str)
• MW Full plate
• MW Urgosh

The other areas reveal a harsh and brutal bridge crossing a dark river into the caves beyond and the cells in the edge of he fortress that contain maybe 6 more children enslaved in chains. All weep happily as they are spuring free and you head back up to the surface world once more. As you reach the streets of Cauldron once more the city streets cheer and shout as you appear with ~12 rescued children. Over half of then bearing the strange dragonmarks that are clearley aberrant in nature.

Where do you take the children? Orphange, The Silver Flame?

[Starbin]

Alistair

With treasure gathered and the children safe, Alistair turned to the others and murmured, "Ah suggest we take the wee ones ta th'church. Not sure Ah trust tha' orphanage..."

Spoiler: OOC

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To the Silver Flame! Unless one of my skill checks from earlier tells us something ...
Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: none
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[J-H]

Isaak

Isaak smiles, seeing the joyous faces of the children as they reach the sunlight. "Be happy, for we have done Dol Dorn's work today. Through strength of arms, we have liberated the enslaved, and destroyed the evil ones!"

As the question arises about where to go, he frowns. "The orphanage could not protect them, so we should try the temple instead. The root of this problem remains yet un-slain, and we will probably need to descend into the black depths to kill it."

Spoiler

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None of the specific loot appeals to Isaac.

[Deophaun]

Arita

The young paladin studies the note intensely, paying close attention to the style of handwriting as much as to the words. "Mark? They all had the marks before they were taken?These weren't random kidnappings, then. Somehow, they knew who to take."

But it was the mark, not just any mark. She wondered if the two with matching patterns were what they were looking for. If so, those children could be targeted again. "So, my name's Arita," she says to the children. "This here is Aerith, and that's... Gramps... and... you know, our names aren't that important. What are yours?"

When Alistair suggests the church, Arita becomes quite hesitant. Father Werner wouldn't be pleased that she ran off, and she wasn't looking forward to that sermon. "Uh, yeah. The church. You should take them to the church. But, you don't need me to help with that, so I'll escort the villains we captured to the guard and meet up with you later."

Spoiler

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Looking to get the name of the two children with matching dragonmarks.
Diplomacy: (1d20-1)[8]
Assist from Totu: (1d20)[20]

Arita has no need for any of the items, but we should keep the serren wood club just in case.

[razorback]

"Alright children. Our friends" Aerith says as he waves his hands at the group "will help us out of here. Alright, up we go. Single file, hold the hand of the child in front and behind you. Good, good, we're almost there." the gnome says with a warm smile, fretting inside until the light of day shines on them. As the children start to smile and then cry for joy, Aerith lets out a sigh, tension easing from his shoulders.
"It sounds as if we are in agreement. The church can protect them in ways the orphanage can't,
until whatever menace this is can be dealt with." noticing others of the city beginning to gather, he murmurs "Let us be on our way and we can continue this discussion later."

[Starbin]

Alistair

For the notes, Alistair would study them as well, trying to recall any facts about the Kingfisher symbol or who V might be.

Spoiler: OOC

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Skill checks? Local - (1d20+9)[13], History - (1d20+9)[20] or any other checks you need me to make!

PS - did we clean out the 'dungeon'?

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: none
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Escher helps keep the children calm as they head back through the dungeons, up the elevator and through the sewers to the temple in the city above. He recalls the 'Ashmantle' trading company key that they found earlier and thinks on any links to that and the clues found more recently.

Spoiler: some rolls

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Know arcana (1d20+4)[17]
Know local (1d20+4)[6]
Know planes (1d20+8)[17]

I don't need any of that loot either

[DrK]

The Church of the Silver flame is in full celebration mode as the heroes return the children. Only Temma, the eldest of the children and the girl with him reporting back to the priests the strange behavior as their marks were examined by several masked people. Sister Jenya - the highest of the flame welcomes you back in with a look of pure joy on her face as the children are brought in. "My thanks to you. Blessings of the flame upon you all for you have done. We thank you greatly and the orphanage is will be happy with the return of their chilrden."

Looking at the children she shakes her head at the aberrant marks on the two children. "I have not seen their kind before, and, I would consider silence on that matter would be wise. The 12 can behave strangely over such things and even here in this corner of Q'barra these children may not be entirely safe from the 12. We will not speak of this to anyone and will seek to bring the children into our order if they desire it."

Waving to offer you seats, some simple food and plain water she looks about. "You are clearly skilled at many things will you be saying in Cauldron for some time? You are welcome to stay for a while,
a few ten days if you wish it in the novice quarters here in the church."

Some shopping for the end of the chapter?

[Starbin]

Alistair

The dwarf took notes on the marks, frowning as the Sister mentioned the marks were unknown. He bowed at Jenya's kind words. "Thank ye, m'lady. We could nae leave th'little 'uns ta tha' monster. Mebbe we kin use yer library?" . Alistair needed to search for the Kingfisher seal and who V might be.

Spoiler: OOC

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Shopping sounds good. What's the group split?

Also did the KS checks learn anything? And did we clean out the 'dungeon'

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 6/13 APs: 6
F +3 R +3 W +6
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: bless, summon monster 1, summon monster 1 / animate rope
2: spiritual weapon, silence / detect thoughts
Effects: none
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[razorback]

Aerith bows at Sister Jenya comments.
Looking at the others, "It would seem... prudent to allow for discretion about the children..
I will follow your advice on silence at this point." he says stoically before giving her an impish wink. "And, I can't speak for the others, but I appreciate your offer... er, I'd much rather stay in accommodations more to... my character, but it might be best to stay near the children, in case someone tries to retake them."

[DrK]

After a few days on the House of the Silver Flame you are politely suggested to move into one of the many Inns in the City that cater to a whole host of adventurers. Or the ever popular and always relaxing House Ghallandra station. Either way after a couple of days recovering from the ordeal and the relief of having purged the underground ruins of the evil that dwelt there you are left with some choices... Follow up with some research on the dragon marked children, althougj you suspect that may take you down a path that could endanger them! The researching of the Ashmantle trading house or just parting ways and getting back on with your lives.

Before you can choose, as you are gathered for breakfast counting gold and splitting the rewards of you endeavours you are greeted by a uniformed member of the City Watch. "Ahem. If you would excuse me. Sister Jenya spoke of you to Captain Skellerang (you know he's a Captain in the City Watch) "He asked if you would be willing to come and meet with him. The Silver Flame said you were handy at rooting out the slaver nest under the city and rescuing all those missing kids. We've a problem with what looks like goblins, although it may be simialr to them two headed 4 armed purple goblins you slew a brace of."