NT's RoftRL Anniversary IC

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal moves close to Davor and singing some mystic words, touches him with his glowing blue hand and his wounds begin to knit together.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Cure light wounds (1d8+1)[9]

[NikolaTesla]

Hemlock inclines his head to one side. "Well, I suppose magic is always a good alternative too... right then, shall we go in?" and he steps inside.

[fendrin]

Davor

Davor nods appreciatively to Jal as his wounds close completely, erased as if they had never occurred. Which is good, because Davor's not the most attractive man in the world and a face full of scars would not do him any favors.

"Right, let's see what they did."

[Starbuck_II]

"If you can spare any healing, my side is leaking a bit" Linus says rather worried as he touches his side and the wound is open.

OOC: Missing 5 hps. Not as badly hurt as Davor, but still pretty bad.

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal murmurs the same sung words and his hand glows and he touches Linus's wounds and they close.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Cure Minor Wounds (1d8+1)[8]

[NikolaTesla]

You enter the crypt and descend the 3 steps at the end of the vestibule, which open into a roughly 12' diameter room with a raised platform the length of a man in the center. Empty sconces dot the walls, and once someone places a torch a casket with delicate carvings of butterflies is revealed on the platform. It's open, and empty. A cursory glance around the room reveals a discarded cloak to one side, along with a broken dog slicer blade.

[♠Spade♠]

Peepers whispers something into Kyler's ear and she nods. Putting away her bow, she draws her sword and places one hand on the flat of the blade. As she takes her hand away, the blade begins to give off light.

Spoiler: Light

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As per the trait Chosen One: 40ft normal light, another 40ft dim light

[NikolaTesla]

Peepers whispers something into Kyler's ear and she nods. Putting away her bow, she draws her sword and places one hand on the flat of the blade. As she takes her hand away, the blade begins to give off light.

Spoiler: Light

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As per the trait Chosen One: 40ft normal light, another 40ft dim light

With the level of light provided by Kyler, the room is fully illuminated and no one takes any penalties for dim light.

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal follows closely into the crypt whip still in hand. "Well this is cozy."

[Starbuck_II]

Linus will attempt to study the cloak. His detect Magic still functioning. "The broken blade means a goblin was here, right?" Linus questioned while studying the cloak.

Spoiler

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Seems unusual to have a cloak just laying there. So spellcraft the cloak to see if it special.
(1d20+6)[25]

DC 15 + item's caster level

[NikolaTesla]

Linus will attempt to study the cloak. His detect Magic still functioning. "The broken blade means a goblin was here, right?" Linus questioned while studying the cloak.

Spoiler

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Seems unusual to have a cloak just laying there. So spellcraft the cloak to see if it special.
[roll0]

DC 15 + item's caster level

Spoiler: Linus

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Judging by the skeletons guarding the way, you think the cloak may have been a Robe of Bones but the aura is far to dim for it to be operational; all the skeletons have probably been used.

[fendrin]

Davor

"I'd guess they used the blade as a crowbar to pry open the casket. Goblins or someone with access to goblin weaponry was here... but what would they want with the old priest's remains? Sheriff, do you see anything else missing?"

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

"I suspect it was not the goblin who wanted the body, rather it was who ever lead them."

[Starbuck_II]

'Are you suggesting that goblins aren't working alone?" Linus replied with disgust.
" Bad enough we fight goblins, what else should we expect the orcish inquisition?" Linus said with a laugh.

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal looks at Linus quizzically. "Sheriff Hemlock said the goblins were lead by a human, which explains many things. A large goblin assault on a human settlement in the middle of the day during a festival seems uncharacteristic of goblins. Maybe it was a distraction for what went on here." Jal gestures around at the crypt.
"As to what to expect, I have no idea, although I expect it is foul."

[Starbuck_II]

Could their human leader be a necromancer? But then why leave the other skeletons... you are right that is strange. Linus said somberly.

[fendrin]

Davor

"Wouldn't it be easier to get in here when there wasn't a festival going on? Fewer people in town and less attention on the cathedral. Also, if it was a necromancer looking for remains, why only one tomb? For that matter, it would be easier to get remains by having the goblins attack travelers than to sneak into town like this for just one corpse. Perhaps the motivation was religious? Disrupt a religious festival and steal the remains of a religious figure."

He thinks for a moment.

"Is that cloak human-sized or goblin-sized? That could confirm that the goblins had a human leader."

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal shrugs. "I can't really speak to necromancy or magic in general. Maybe the timing is important in terms of what he was doing?"

Jal pulls a gold coin from Davor's ear.

"Sometimes a distraction is very helpful."

Spoiler: Crunch

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Knowledge Arcana (1d20+2)[9]
Sleight of Hand to look like he is pulling a coin from Davor's ear Sleight of Hand (1d20+10)[19]

[NikolaTesla]

Sheriff Hemlock holds up the cloak. "Definitely sized for a human, and a tall one at that". He looks inside the casket. "Ezakien Tobyn had a few magical trinkets that I suppose could've attracted grave robbers, but as you say, they made off with his whole body so I don't think that was these desecraters' goal." He looks at each of you with a troubled expression. "Look, there's definitely something nasty going on here, but at least until we know what's going on, let's keep this little finding to ourselves and Father Zantus. The townspeople are too badly shaken up as it is."

Spoiler: Jal

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"You can't think of any specific ritual or spell that calls for the remains of a dead priest, but there are plenty of stories of dark necromantic rites that this would fit right in with.

[Starbuck_II]

"So, should we return to town or look into the broken fences? Maybe on you with better eyes can detect if goblin tracks came from there." Linus said unsure what to do next.

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Somewhat addened by the lack of reaction to the pulling of the coin from Davor's ear, he puts it back in his pouch.
"Maybe we could see if we can find tracks outside the fence and see where they came from or went."

[NikolaTesla]

An investigation of the fence does reveal some goblin tracks in the soft earth around it, but the tracks lead straight to the packed earth of the road and the trail goes cold. Sheriff Hemlock relays the news to Father Zantus, who is clearly troubled by the developments and agrees that it shouldn't be public knowledge just yet. He also agrees that the raid was probably a distraction for the robbery of Ezakien Tobyn's grave.

The rest of the day passes without incident, though as each of you take care of business in town you get a lot of looks from the town's people, most of them admiration. At the Rusty Dragon inn, whether dining separately or together you are once again popular, and Ameiko Kajitsu spends some time chatting with you about some of her exploits when she was an adventurer a few years ago.

The next morning, there is a note in each one of your doors.

Everything is all set for the boar hunt in the Tickwood forest. Meet me at 10 over at the goblin squash stables and we'll go out and have some fun today! Also, I've got a present to thank you for saving my life.

-Sir Aldern Foxglove

[Starbuck_II]

"Yawnnnnnnn" sleepily groans Linus as he wakes.
Goblins, skeletons, and grave theft...what do these do that connect this sequence?

Linus scratches his side as he gets up. While the wounds healed by magic never leave scars, the skin tinkles and itches it felt. I have got to be more careful.

Linus gets dressed, open his door to get breakfast and finds the note. At 10, hmm I got 2 hours, well, I can freshen up with magic and an hour for breakfast... yeah, that'll do.
Linus still can't imagine how people function without magic (as he cast prestigidation to clean his entire body as if he used soap and water)

Then Linus went down for breakfast.

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal waking in the morning quickly notices the notes and reads it. While he is excited, he is still unsure how to take a boar hunt. He nonetheless heads over the appropriate time.

[fendrin]

Davor

A hunt, now of all times? Surely there are more important things I should be doing. On the other hand whatever that present he is offering could be valuable, and between that and some game to cut down on food expenses for a while might mean I can skip the next caravan to spend more time with Tyrene... but I'll stop by the garrison to see if the Sheriff has something else he needs me to do.

He has an early breakfast with Tyrene, and when she runs off to school Davor goes to the barracks to talk to the Sheriff.

If the Sheriff doesn't have anything else for me, I should have plenty of time to get to the stables without being late.

[NikolaTesla]

Davor's visit to the barracks is uneventful other than he learns that two members of the guard will be escorting the captured goblin commando to Magnimar a little later that day.

Mr. Foxglove is waiting when you arrive at the Goblin Squash Stables. "My intrepid friends! So glad you decided to join me on this little excursion. But first! Proper thank you's are in order!" He pulls from his waist 4 small silk bags tied with a blue string. "50gp for each of you!" he proclaims, passing a bag to each of you in turn. "And, I took the liberty of retrieving a few items from that horrid rat thing it was riding. Nothing much of value, but there was this:" He retrieves from a pouch on his horse's saddle a vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid. "I have little need for an item such as this, but I believe it may do you lot some good. I had the ol' Pillbug take a look at it, and he said that this little bottle packed enough healing energy to completely heal any moderate wounds." He passes it to Jal.

A somewhat overweight man suddenly steps out from the shadows of the stables. Seeing him, you notice nailed above him all over the entrance to the stalls about 15 pairs of warty green ears, each with a name apparently burned into the flesh. Names such as Rustleg, Bisklek, and Grigriu.

Spoiler: Knowledge Local DC 10

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Those names are goblin names, and it is now abundantly clear where the goblin squash stables get their name.

"Ready for a nice hunt in Tickwood Aldern?" inquires the man. Aldern briefly gives an annoyed look when the man calls him by his first name, but it clears quickly and he responds. "Of course Daviren! Have you prepared the 4 horses?"

"That I have. Friends, I don't mind telling ya that I was mighty pleased with your killing of those goblins. Mighty pleased. I hate goblins, and if there's one thing goblins hate more than 'longshanks' its horses. So, we're going to pair you up, and there'll be hell to pay for any goblin you find." He walks over to a stable and leads out a chestnut brown mare. "Davor? This here is Mirandli." He hands Davor the reigns. "She's strong and young; treat her nice and she'll do you well."

He goes to the next stall, and leads out a black stallion with a white strip on it's face and white socks. "My lady? Kyler, isn't it? This is Krin, he's a smart one he is..." He hands Kyler the reigns, then goes to the next stall. "Linus?" He leads out a mare with almost red hair, accentuated by white blotches, and gives Linus the reigns. "This is Sarla, very quick she is."

"And last but not least," he leads out a white stallion with innumerable black spots... or maybe it was a black horse with white spots, and hand's Jal the reigns. "is Thallin, probably the most spirited of the group. He's a bit of a show off, but a great horse."

Each of you gain a combat trained light horse with a riding saddle and saddle bags.

Aldern Foxglove beams at you. "Now that you are all the proud new owners of some fine looking horses, let's be off to Tickwood shall we?" He turns to Daviren. "Thank you kindly Daviren! Remember, I've paid for the first night of stabling as well." And with that he climbs up onto his own horse, a white mare with a long mane.

[Starbuck_II]

"I have ever rode before, sir, but I'll try my best." Linus said while patting Sarla.
"Mr. Daviren, I see you have quite the collection of ears. Any chance we will meet any during the hunt?"

Spoiler

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KnowledgeLocal - (1d20+2)[15]

[HappyMerecat]

Jal

Jal bows and says thank you upon receiving the bag of coin and the potion, putting the potion carefully away.

He is literally speechless upon receiving the horse. Was this what the world was like for someone who protected others?

[NikolaTesla]

"Meet any goblins? I certainly hope so! Squash the daylights out of em! Heck, I'll give you 5 gold pieces for every pair of goblin ears you bring me; 25 if you know it's name so I can burn it in! Goblins hate writing you see, and there's nothing quite so dishonorable to them as having their name written down. And should you kill any so-called goblin heroes, you can bring'em here and I'll stuff'em! Hahaaha!" He laughs loudly.

"Good Gozreh Daviren, you'll scare the horses going on like that." scolds Mr. Foxglove. "Now then, don't be shy, we'll be taking an easy pace since I'm just aching to hear all your grand tales of adventure and slaying goblins!"

It's about a half hour ride to Tickwood Forest, and Aldern keeps up a steady barrage of questions about your "heroic exploits", most of them directed to Jal but a fair number towards Kyler, who he remarks every couple minutes is the "very image of a beautiful shield-maiden". By the end of the trip your feelings of gratitude for the horses and gold are just starting to fade into amusement and slight annoyance at the utterly irrepressible Aldern Foxglove.



Feel free to role-play both sides of any conversation you'd like to have with Aldern that brings out more of your character's history, or post as normal for any conversation directly relating to the campaign.

Spoiler: Kyler

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Peeper's makes it EXTREMELY clear that he doesn't like Aldern, and even goes so far as to say he's tempted to poop on him, something way out of character for the normally stoic bird.

[♠Spade♠]

Kyler rode astride Krin like he was one of her father's plowhorses, but with a riding posture like a sack of potatoes, she found herself bouncing around and quickly becoming sore. She tried to give a polite smile whenever Aldern complimented her, at least, she thought that calling her a shieldmaiden was supposed to be a compliment. Speaking of Aldern... "Mr. Foxglove, you said this was a boarhunt? Am I to be one of the beaters, then? I'm not really big enough to use a boarspear."