Amateur Alchemist Adventures IC

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan continues onward, staying hidden but trying to determine the location of the herbs they were sent here for.

[Mangles]

Finnegan finds his way without trouble to the herbalist building. Behind it is what used to be a well tended field. Weeds overgrow the plots, and much of the path that winds through it is cracked or missing.

[Archemist]

"Hmm. Any ideas? It seems like the dead-ish things might be trying to communicate... but I'm not sure how close we want to get. It'll be hard for us all to sneak by."

[RickAllison]

Let me try something... Kosj sits down to ritual-cast Comprehend Languages unless she has to stop for some reason. When the spell is finished, she bids Altiui to approach the undead and alight like he wants some carrion so she can hear the creatures.

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan first scans the place for any hostile inhabitants:

Perception roll: (1d20-1)[17]

If he can't se any threats he proceeds inside, still making every effort to be quiet

Stealth roll: (1d20+5)[15]

If he still sees no opposition he proceeds to search the place, retrieving the most valuable herbs for the guild as well as tools used in their growing and harvesting

Investigation check: (1d20+3)[20]

Spoiler

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If he finds any money, or treasure unrelated to herbs he keeps that for himself

[ThurlRavenscrof]

As the Professor waited for the spell to be prepared, she looked around for something to do. She noticed Rhizous slowly bleeding out without complaint. She was surprised she hadn't noticed it before - he was half dead.
"Let me help you. I'm good at this." she said quietly not wanting to disturb the ritual.
She reached out and cast Cure Wounds. (1d8+4)[12]

[Mangles]

The undead pay little attention to the bird, but Altiui can only hear sound coming from one of the group of four. The other five make no sound as their mouths move and arms gesture about. From what Altiui can gather the one who can talk is angry at the people in the stone building.

The Professors casting doesn't appear to be noticed by the undead men.

Finnegans search of the building and its garden turns up enough herbs for the Guild to be satisfied. He also finds a sealed leather bag with a book detailing basic herbalism and alchemy. A person with a little knowledge could use it to cook up some basic potions and ointments.

Spoiler

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Finnegan also finds a silver brooch shaped like an oak leaf.

[Aardvark 001]

Rhizous gives the Professor a smile. Thank you, he whispers. I did not wish to use a spell in case we need it in battle. He looks at the group of undead creatures and frowns. You know, I could cast a spell to distract them and allow us to sneak past.

[ThurlRavenscrof]

"A life is of greater value than a bit of magical energy. And I do you're right; we must sneak past these strange creatures. I fear our friend has already done so and might be in danger even as we speak."

[Aardvark 001]

Very well, Rhizous says. Once Kosj has finished listening to the undead figures, Rhizous uses his magic to create a sound in the cage like that of a small animal squeaking and scurrying. He cats it going in the direction opposite the one where he and his friends are hidden. Hopefully that should distract them for long enough while they sneak past.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting druidcraft to distract the undead while the PCs sneak past. I'm thinking that should count as a help action and give us an advantage on our Stealth check. If not, just ignore the second roll.

Stealth (1d20+1)[2]
Stealth if advantage (1d20+1)[2]

Two natural 1s?! That's just too unlucky.

[Mangles]

The unidentified squeaking of the only distracts the undead for a moment before Rhizous trips on some rubbish on the ground, kicking it in the process. He manages to catch himself before he falls, but a pile of crates stacked against the wall nearby come crashing down in front of him, knocked over by the loose rubbish he kicked. The undead are quick to stand and move to the barrier of their enclosure. The one that can talk gestures them closer, you can almost make out the words "Come closer. Need to speak. Need your help."

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan sneaks back into the group.

(1d20+5)[20]

[ThurlRavenscrof]

The Professor, who was in the process of pulling out her crossbow, suddenly stops. Intelligent creatures? That changes things... She didn't realize they were able to communicate before.

She walks forward to the one reaching out without a second thought - forgetting Rhizous lying flat on the ground.

"Can you understand my words? What is your business here? Are you prisoners?"

Insight to sense creature's motives: (1d20+2)[13]

[Archemist]

Lilli is surprised to hear the zombie-things speak. She edges cautiously closer, to about 30 feet away or so, and extends a hand to grab the Professor's pant-leg before she gets too close. To the undead, she says, "What's the matter? I'm not sure what we could possibly do for you at this point - " she gestures around at their rather unwell condition " - unless maybe you just want eternal rest or something."

Spoiler: OOC

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The Professor is a ninja, haha. Also: TWO natural 1's? Rough.

[RickAllison]

Kosj mentally calls back Altiui when the bird spots the returning agent. He might have had some luck and their goal does not include helping undead.

[Mangles]

The undead man moves the rope tie, clear purple bruises line mark his neck and throat. "Hard to..." the rest is lost. He sighs in frustration and beckons you closer. "Help" "freedom", "revenge" can be heard but all the rest of the words are to quiet to hear.

The Professor gets a sense of frustration and anger.

Finnegan returns to the group without incident, still out of site with the rest pulling the undeads attention away.

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan holds up the bag of herbs. Well, shall we go then?

[Archemist]

"Oh, Finnegan! There you are. Go... where? What's in the bag?

"I'm pretty sure we don't want to just leave these dead guys hanging. ... Sorry, couldn't help myself."

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan pauses for a moment before trying to remember if he got paid by time spent, or if it was a base rate per job completed.

[Mangles]

You have a wage coming in monthly. Underperformance will result in termination.

[JbeJ275]

Well, sure we definitely need to stay here for an entirely reasonable and not at all underperformy but still significant period of time, just in order to get the herbs of course.

[RickAllison]

Kosj takes notes on the party's discussion. Notably, she gives a commendation to Finnegan for his use of skills and wits to accomplish the objective quickly.

[ThurlRavenscrof]

The Professor was solely focused on the task at hand - paying little attention to the discussion behind her (except to note the wordplay).

She reached forward to the man trying to speak and touched him. She willed Ioun's power to flow into him, casting Guidance in the process.

Then, carefully, she moved to loosen the rope around his neck. "Let me remove this for you. I want you to explain your situation."

[Aardvark 001]

Rhizous stands up sheepishly and distress himself off. Did the orcs do this to you? Or was it someone different?

[Mangles]

The mans voice is barely a whisper but he seems more at ease now that you are close.

"Sorry i know we smell, but the drop caused most of us to loose our voice. Only a drunk for a hangman left me with mine. Three of us were scavengers, two of the boys back here and I. Part of a the troupe that now resides in the stone building. Uncovered something that the orcs left behind. A weapon of sorts. There was a play for control of it, and we got caught up on the wrong side. Then a wanderer and then a pair passing through to sell wares in another town. Far as I've found out from talking, such as we can. There only offence was walking past the building. Free us so we can fight them, we want revenge so that we can rest. Or better yet help us fight them, we will outnumber them if you join us. You can have whatever they have found."

[ThurlRavenscrof]

"I see. Don't worry, I'll let you out in a moment."

She turned and walked back to her companions.

"Can anyone give me a logical reason why we shouldn't A. let them out (which I plan to do) and B. help them and then sieze that weapon (which I'm debating in my head)."

[Archemist]

Lilli shrugs at the Professor's suggestion, but she looks around nervously. "I'm not sure we should trust them... Maybe we should go ask the people in the house, first, what happened." She draws her sword again and adds, "If you're gonna let them out, let's at least be ready in case they turn against us. Hopefully they won't take that personally."

[Aardvark 001]

How did you come to be undead though? Rhizous asks. The druid is not fond of such abominations against nature, but it seems that their state is not their own fault. Besides, it must be strange magic which destroys a body thus but keeps the mind completely intact.

Spoiler: Roll

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Rolling arcana to remember if he's heard of anything like this before (1d20-1)[6]

[JbeJ275]

Finnegan clears his throat then says. Guy's we don't need to deal with the zombies, I already got the stuff. He then holds up the bag of herbs and books.

[Archemist]

"Oh, great! That was quick."

Lilli adds more quietly, "I kinda don't want to just leave these guys up and about, either way... they need their beauty rest, if you know what I mean?"