Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Oct 18, 2024 3:36 am

The crowd of villagers encircles the house and barn, spurred on by Aanbo's yell. Faces ghoulishly lit by lanterns from below approach. Several of them are armed with actual weapons, but most hold sticks or clubs, whatever they could grab as they ran out of their doors to see what all the yelling about dark deeds was. Most of them are human, though there are a couple of dwarves and a couple of elves.
"We've got them!" says a man holding a hatchet.
"It's a dwarf and a human!" says a man with a length of firewood in his hand.
"It's those adventurers - I told you they were trouble!" says a man in banded mail and a shield to the two armored dwarves.
One of the humans stumbles, looks down. "Wha...? Oh. Oh, no...Gorge, don't look. Don't look, Gorge!"
They've discovered one of the bodies, that of the villager felled by Joseph's first arrow.
Another calls out "Here's another body - I think it's Parlo Varlen!"
"Murderers!"
"Monsters!"
The ring of encircling villagers tightens, and Aanbo and Chase are illuminated so that everyone can see them.

OOC:

If you're going to do something, now would probably be the time to do it, before everyone comes to their own conclusions...

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 18, 2024 5:35 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"These poor souls attacked us in the night," Aanbo tries to explain. "We were forced to defend ourselves. They attacked with those swords and crossbows you see there, and even had this monster among their number!" He gestures at the troglodyte with his torch.

"Think before you act," he continues. "It is plain to see that they came to us with intent to harm, not the other way around."

Rolls

Persuasion - (1d20+0)

(2) = 2

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 18, 2024 10:01 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

Chase will spread his hands wide to show they are empty then to Ramne"Ramne here is one of the green monsters you told us about that you felt were having strange dealings with some here in town."

OOC:

The first was a bit of an oops.

Last edited October 18, 2024 10:03 am

Rolls

Persuasion - (1d120+1)

(80) + 1 = 81

Persuasion - (1d20+1)

(20) + 1 = 21

spaceseeker19

Oct 19, 2024 2:27 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

After Chase addresses him, Ramne twitches his head to the side in warning. One of the other men, better dressed than the others but unarmed, steps forward. "Are you addressing this hermit?" he says. He is the one who some in the party observed going into the Slumbering Serpent Inn earlier; sure enough, the grizzled old fighter is at his elbow, his calloused hand on the hilt of his sheathed broadsword. "They seem to be talking to you, old man! What do you say? Were you talking to the strangers about green monsters?" Ramne looks at the well-dressed man, clearly some sort of authority figure, and back to the dead monster. He nods his head jerkily. The others in the posse step away from the old man. This well-dressed man addresses the Dungeon Busters: "Comporting with this hermit does you no credit!" and sniffs contemptuously at Ramne. Ramne, meanwhile, looks away from the monster and gets a vague expression on his face for a bit, as if reminiscing or thinking of other, more interesting, things.

The man with the firewood in his hand steps forward and examines the dead monster. He recoils at the smell. "This is a troglodyte!" He peers at the two Dungeon Busters. "Anyone who kills a troglodyte has done well in my book." Some of the others are surprised and thoughtful at this.

"They weren't fighting the troglodytes! They were working with them!" the armored man with the two dwarves says. "Why are we even talking about this? We caught these strangers red-handed! It's clear that we have to eliminate them before they kill again!"

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 19, 2024 5:21 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo also gives Chase a warning glance not to involve Ramne. He addresses the accusation instead, saying, "If we were working with these troglodytes, it would have died by scimitar and crossbow instead of our weapons. My shirt and body would not have been torn by its claws. The evidence is clear; we were defending ourselves against this unprovoked attack."

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 19, 2024 5:05 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will stand back at Aanbo's look and stay silent. He thinks to himself we know the armored man is in league with the trogs. Hard to believe dwarves would be involved in this on their side. If no one would listen to Ramne or believe him why would he be with this group? We know he is only acting his behavior.

spaceseeker19

Oct 20, 2024 6:47 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"You're telling ME about EVIDENCE??" the armored man retorts, and the two dwarves at his side laugh nastily. "I'm the constable here in Orlane! I decide what is evidence and what isn't! You have clearly staged this to cast doubt on what is OBVIOUS!!" He's turned and is addressing the crowd now. "We all know people who have disappeared in the last few months: our friends, our neighbors, even some of our family members! Who is to BLAME?" He points a finger at the two Dungeon Busters. "These...these 'adventurers!' They're STRANGERS here, and we've just caught them as they have MURDERED more of our loved ones! They pretend to have just arrived, but you heard what they said before! They've been here for months in SECRET!!"

Rolls

Aanbo Perception, Chase Perception - (1d20+3, 1d20+2)

1d20+3 : (5) + 3 = 8

1d20+2 : (14) + 2 = 16

spaceseeker19

Oct 20, 2024 7:00 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

During this interchange, Chase notices a strange interaction. During this speech from the Constable, Chase sees the well-dressed man glance over at two elves that are standing across from Chase. They, along with the dwarves, are alone in not bearing lanterns. They see the well-dressed man looking at them, they exchange a glance, and then their eyes flick to Chase and Aanbo. They turn their heads very slightly to look at the well-dressed man again, and they subtly shake their heads, 'No.'

The well-dressed man interrupts as the Constable and the dwarves are about to draw their swords. "Constable, wait please." The Constable rounds on the well-dressed man, fury in his eyes. He sneers but subsides. "Go ahead, Mayor." The well-dressed man, Orlane's Mayor, continues. "There is clearly much more going on than it would seem. Yes, it looks bad. But as the dwarf says, they could have been innocents, attacked in the night without provocation. This kind of talk - suspecting strangers of dark deeds - is what leads to violence. Nothing here necessarily means that they are the instigators. Who attacked first? It boils down to our guess...against the truth, what actually happened. I suggest we let the families claim their dead and grieve tonight, and we will decide what to do with...with the newcomers in the morning, when we may have clearer heads. Too many have died to rush into executions, when we aren't sure what happened."

There are a few that are still determined to blame the heroes, and then there are a few - the elves and the Mayor - who seem well-disposed to you. The rest, however, are undecided.

OOC:

Is there anything you wish to do to convince them one way or another? Describe what you're doing and roll the skill that you feel is applicable.

spaceseeker19

Oct 20, 2024 4:08 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

Please note: I edited the previous post this morning when I re-read it. I wrote it very late last night, and this morning I realized that what the Mayor had said was rather incoherent.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 20, 2024 11:38 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase after hearing the mayor and seeing the exchange between he and the elves. Will lay down his weapons at his feet and back up three paces with his hands held out palms up. He knows he will have to wait to let Aanbo in on what he has seen. Hopefully they will be held together."I will go peacefully. Law and order that is our way. Thank you sir."

Last edited October 21, 2024 12:50 am

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 20, 2024 11:55 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo surrenders himself as well. "I would appreciate your advocacy, Lord Mayor," he says, remaining calm. "I will submit myself to custody."

spaceseeker19

Oct 22, 2024 4:53 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase lays down his weapons and steps back "I will go peacefully. Law and order: that is our way. Thank you, sir."
Aanbo follows suit: "I would appreciate your advocacy, Lord Mayor," he says, remaining calm. "I will submit myself to custody."

The Constable nods, saying "Donovan," and one of the dwarves, the dwarf with dark black hair, scoops up Chase's bow and sword. "Hulbar, get his weapons," the Constable nods to Aanbo. The other dwarf, the dwarf with dirty blond hair, steps toward Aanbo and then stops. "He ain't got a sword, Grover. No hammer nor axe, neither." The Constable snarls "Then get his stick!" Hulbar the dwarf steps up and takes Aanbo's staff (just recently given back to him from Theran when the druid found his own staff) from him.

"What's going on?" One of the men, the one who had been addressed as "Gorge" earlier, growls. "You're gonna kill 'em, right?" Gorge looks wild-eyed at the group, and some of the other people rumble menacingly. "What are you standing around for?? That's my brother, Fest, laying there dead! Murdered by these monsters, with that bow! You're - what? - you're gonna let that stand? What's the matter with you??" The people look ashamed, and the Constable nods and puts his hand on his sword pommel again.

"Wait." One of the elves steps over and looks at Fest's body, and shakes his head. "No, this man was shot by someone else. Look at the size of the arrow. Now look at the size of that man's arrows, and how long his arms are. His arrows are twice as long as these. These are the arrows of a child or a goblin." The crowd quiets a bit, processing this information.

Frowning, Constable Grover slides his sword back in his sheath.
"A child? Or a goblin?!? I don't see any children or goblins or ghosts or pixies here neither!" Gorge is frothing at the mouth now. "There's a man there who none of us know, who has a bow, and...and he killed my brother!"

Rolls

Aanbo Perception, Chase Perception - (1d20+3, 1d20+2)

1d20+3 : (9) + 3 = 12

1d20+2 : (14) + 2 = 16

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 22, 2024 5:24 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Solid earth and good delvings, Hulbar. Don't forget these," Aanbo says to the other dwarf, handing over his remaining darts. He is calm in his surrender, regardless of how his kinsman may treat him.

The monk adds, quietly, "I understand the grief in the death of a brother; it is something I struggle with every day. Seek not the swift and immediate revenge, for like a tunnel carved too quickly you will imprison yourself in its collapse."

spaceseeker19

Oct 22, 2024 7:31 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Wise words." the Mayor says approvingly. Then he raises his voice. "Listen, everybody! Nobody is going to kill anybody else tonight. You're angry and you're hurting, Gorge, of course you are. But killing these two right now isn't going to bring Fest back, and more death won't make your grief any less. We've got enough graves to dig and rites to hold without adding to that number tonight."

"Justice will be served, though." Constable Grover smoothly inserts into the Mayor's speech. "When we find out how they killed our friends, you can be sure what the sentence will be, Gorge. We're gonna do things right and proper. For now, everyone gather up the victims. Can they take them to your place, Ollwin?" One of the men, a white-haired human slightly stooped with age, stammers a response. "Wha..? My place..? Oh, uh, sure, sure, we can clear some space."
"Does that meet with your approval, Mayor?" The grizzled old armored soldier at the Mayor's elbow squares his shoulders and starts to step toward the Constable, but the Mayor holds up a restraining hand and the fighter subsides, staring daggers at the Constable over the Mayor's shoulder. "Yes, that's fine. Thank you, Grover, and thank you, Ollwin. We'll contact the families of the deceased and let them know where they can be found." Several people set aside their improvised weapons with dark looks at the heroes and begin lifting the bodies and carrying them east.

"Now we'll just take these two killers back to my place until we can arrange a just execution..."

"Hold on, now, Grover." the Mayor interrupts. "We have to figure out what happened here before we start sentencing people." The elves look at the Mayor impassively. He continues: "A lot of strange and awful things have been happening in our little town lately. You say that they've been here for weeks or months, kidnapping people, but we don't know that's so. They could be involved, or it could be that they're just travelers who got caught up in our mess. We don't want to convict anyone of kidnapping and murder who were just defending themselves."

"Just defending themselves??!" One of the armed men, who looks like he's wearing his bedclothes but is carrying a shield and sword, objects. "How can you say that after what they were yelling? We all heard what they was yelling: that they'd been here in secret for months, kidnapping and torturing our children! Why, I heard it clear across the River!"

"Erroll, it's Kilian," says a man nearby, identifying himself in case it's not clear who's speaking in the darkness of the night and the light of the lanterns. "I heard that, too, but now I'm wondering, because neither of them sound like that voice we heard."

"People can disguise their voices..." Erroll says, but it's clear that the mood of most of the mob is shifting.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 22, 2024 4:38 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"That's... quite a distance," Aanbo says, looking in the direction of the river. He scratches his chin as he studies the terrain and shadowed outlines of the trees. "Maybe 250, 300 feet? Loud and clear?"

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 22, 2024 9:15 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will point out the man who was yelling."That is who was doing the talking."

spaceseeker19

Oct 23, 2024 6:22 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

At Aanbo's question, Erroll frowns even more. "That is far...for us to have heard you in the middle of the night, you would've had to be really loud." There are murmurs of assent in the crowd.
"Amazing!"
"Unbelievable!"
"How could you do that?"
But Erroll shakes his head, "Who knows how he did it? What does it matter? WE ALL HEARD IT! He's trying to act like it couldn't be done, but don't forget that WE ALL HEARD THEM YELLING." Most of the crowd nods.
"Yeah, I thought someone was in trouble, and I came running. As soon as I got outside, I heard all that about the evil plans and pretending to be adventurers."
"Yup, 'evil plans,' just as plain as I'm talking to you now."
"I wouldn't be here if I hadn't heard the yelling so clear. You threaten my kids, you know I'm gonna do something about it!" With this reminder of the thing that got them out of their beds at night - the magically augmented yelling - the crowd is turning ugly again.

Chase points out the dead body of the villager who had augmented his voice. "That is who was doing the talking." One of the villagers bends down and peers at Villager 6's dead features in the tall weeds. "Why, this is Dom Murpha! What is he doing in this strange getup?" The man comments on the robes Dom was wearing when he died. Then he yells, "Hold on...Dom was killed by one of his arrows!", pointing at Chase. There is no doubt about it; everyone who cares to look can see that the fletching and length of the shaft sticking out of Dom's chest match those arrows still in the ranger's quiver. "How could he have done the yelling, when you killed him?!" Erroll snarls. Even the elves narrow their eyes.

OOC:

This seems bad, but all is not lost...yet. Again I will offer that you each have one chance to make an argument that might sway some people in the crowd, before they work themselves from a posse of concerned citizens into a lynch mob. Tie your argument to a skill and roll that skill check. There is probably evidence that they haven't noticed yet, possibly alibis you could provide, holes in the Dungeon-Busters-as-murderers story (which is far from airtight) you could highlight, bluffs you could make, counter-accusations that you might level, and probably a bunch of other tacks you could take that haven't occurred to me.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 23, 2024 10:06 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will nod and answer.Yes, i shot this man in the strange getup. He was attempting to use magic on my friend here. It was strictly self defense. Where would he have gotten that strange getup? They look kind of cultish.

Rolls

Persuasion - (1d20+1)

(19) + 1 = 20

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 23, 2024 3:40 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"I would also ask why this group, armed and armored, were together at this spot," adds Aanbo, hoping a quiet voice might dissuade others from anger. He uses his torch to try and find the trail taken by the dead, hoping it might lend credibility to what he was about to say. "They were prepared to fight, and approached this barn in a coordinated attack. As my friend indicated, we had to defend ourselves."

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+3)

(10) + 3 = 13

spaceseeker19

Oct 24, 2024 4:16 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase nods and answers. "Yes, I shot this man in the strange getup. He was attempting to use magic on my friend here. It was strictly self defense. Where would he have gotten that strange getup? They look kind of cultish."

"What do you mean, self-defense? Why would Dom attack you?" Erroll demands.

"Dom was sometimes hot-headed," the mayor observes. "You all know it. He could fly off the handle."
Some of the people are nodding.

The older man, Ollwin, adds: "He started that fight last month at the Serpent. You remember, Grover, you had to break it up." The Constable grumbles assent; he can't deny it.

"So he could've threatened them. The man here admits that he killed Dom." the Mayor continues, gesturing at Chase. "But was it self-defense, or was it murder?" He cuts off Gorge, who opened his mouth to object, "There WILL be consequences. Men were killed here tonight, and no one takes that lightly. But what those consequences are depends on what the circumstances were. The point is, we don't know who started the fight."

spaceseeker19

Oct 24, 2024 4:21 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"I would also ask why this group, armed and armored, were together at this spot," adds Aanbo, hoping a quiet voice might dissuade others from anger.

"They came with crossbows and spears," one of the elves agree. "That doesn't seem innocent."

One of the other villagers, carrying a staff, squints at the elves. "You seem awful keen on defending these strangers, for someone who arrived in town so recently yourselves."

"They're in cahoots!" Donavan the dwarf interjects, pointing and waving with Chase's bow for emphasis. "They're probably adventurers, too!"

The man who'd brought the stick of firewood and was now helping to gather the bodies stands up. "Is there something wrong with adventurers?" Heavily armored Donavan lowers the bow and steps back. The man addresses the crowd. "You all know me. I used to be an adventurer, and I've lived here for years. Will you listen to what I have to say?" The man carrying the staff says, "Go ahead, Alan. We're listening."

Alan the former adventurer nods and thinks for a moment. Then he begins, "All of us heard the yelling about kidnapping, destroying the town, and all that. We came running to see what the fuss was about. Some of us came in our bedclothes, some of us grabbed what was at hand," he gestures at old Ollwin, who is carrying a rolling pin, and then waves his own stick of firewood wryly. There's a couple of chuckles in the mob. "Some of us had arms and armor to hand, as it's part of their job," he gestures to Grover, Donavan, and Hulbar. "My point is - and what I think this dwarf is saying - that we didn't have time to dig out weapons and armor and get kitted up to come here. But these men here," he gestures at the row of dead neighbors, "They did. They came here looking for a fight."

spaceseeker19

Oct 24, 2024 4:26 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo takes this cue, using his torch to try and find the trail taken by the dead, hoping it might lend credibility to what he was about to say. "They were prepared to fight, and approached this barn in a coordinated attack. As my friend indicated, we had to defend ourselves." Aanbo continues looking, but the mob has trampled the weeds where the original attackers entered the farmyard. The monk moves to look for the path of the others, the ones who must've carried the dead body from another direction. Hulbar follows him suspiciously, Alan follows him to see what he's pointing out.

One of the farmers - identified by the fact he's carrying a pitchfork - speaks up. "But doesn't that make sense, if they'd found out that these adventurers were behind all the troubles? I'd want to take care of it right away."

One of the elves responds. "But what would you do if you thought you had found the villains, Marco? Wouldn't you have gone to the Constable or the Mayor with your suspicions?"

Marco the farmer, a little surprised to be addressed by name by one of these newcomer elves, nevertheless has to nod. "That's true."

"They didn't come to me." the Mayor says, "The first I heard of this was the yelling about evil plans, which I heard all the way across the river. Did they talk to you, Grover?"

The Constable considers for a moment, perhaps searching his memory. Then he shakes his head. "No, they didn't come to me. Donavan?" Donavan shakes his head. "Hulbar?" Hulbar hears his name, looks up from where Aanbo and Alan are looking at weeds that have been flattened by the passage of several people carrying a heavy load, and says "Uh...no. Nobody talked to me."

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 24, 2024 4:38 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Unable to find definitive evidence that the villagers approached the barn, Aanbo nods to Alan and returns to the group. The crowd has seen what there is and provided with conflicting answers. In his mind, there is little else that can be said that will clear the Dungeon Busters name, but Aanbo is satisfied that there is some consideration that things don't appear as they seem.

He is unsure what will ultimately happen to him and Chase, but he will deal with it when it comes.

spaceseeker19

Oct 24, 2024 4:40 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

The trail of the people who carried the body IN to the farmyard starts from the south, coming up from the finger of the Dim Woods, then circles around the back of the barn, and arrives at the place where they dumped the body and Theran and Myrtha's belongings. Aanbo can try to distract him somehow, or just hope that Alan doesn't notice the path west through the weeds that Myrtha, Reptile, and Theran took taking the body out. The path of the people who dropped the body continues north towards the farmhouse.

spaceseeker19

Oct 24, 2024 4:59 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

One of the middle-aged men, who arrived with a long rod (not quite a staff) in his hand, has been arranging the dead villagers' bodies with some reverence. He holds up a pendant that he's taken from one of the dead villagers who had been wearing chain armor; it's a green spiral that glitters in the lantern light. "Any of you recognize this? You know with so many women in my house, I see a lot of jewelry," the crowd chuckles at this casual sexism, "But I've never seen one like this before. What do you think it means? More than one are wearing them, under their clothes." A number of the others shake their heads; they don't know.

There's a few men near the green monster's body, poking it with whatever improvised weapons they brought, trying to figure out how to move it without getting its stink on them. One of them, a man with a distaff, says "Wait a moment - look at that!" The men near him gather around, and one of the elves moves to see what he's pointing at on the corpse. He reports, "It appears to be the same symbol, a green spiral, tattooed on the chest of this troglodyte."

"That seems unlikely to be a coincidence," the Mayor observes.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 24, 2024 5:03 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Don't forget about the troglodyte," says Aanbo.

Aanbo tugs at his clawed shirt for emphasis. "There is a terrible stench, though," he says, referring to the troglodyte. "I don't think you'll want it at Ollwin's place. Alan, do you know how to dispose of that creature's body?"

OOC:

If Alan finds the DB's trail, or if he asks about the other DBs, Aanbo would explain that his companions went looking for more troglodytes.

Edit: Oops, began writing before the previous post, but hit submit after. I'll fix my initial statement.

May I also add a Religion check on the swirly symbol?

Last edited October 24, 2024 5:07 pm

Rolls

Religion - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

spaceseeker19

Oct 25, 2024 1:13 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo is able to distract Alan with his mention of the troglodyte; the man follows him back toward the monster's corpse. "Well, they do smell bad, but we can't just leave it here."

Ollwin shakes his head. "I don't intend to take that thing into my Inn. Can't we bury it?"

The man with the pitchfork laughs. "Where would we do that? Nobody's gonna want that thing on their land. Who's gonna do it, too? I don't want to give that monster any kind of honors. Seems like disposing of a monster's carcass might be the Constable's job."

Constable Grover crosses his arms. "Nope." Everyone stares at him for a few moments, but his hostile stare is unwavering.

Ollwin runs a hand through his thinning hair. "We can't just leave it here to rot! It'll draw all kinds of scavengers, and that smell's not going to get better..."

Alan replies. "Well, what we used to do with dead monsters was burn them. Building a fire's a lot less work than digging a pit, and in the end, you've got a bunch of ash and bone that will help crops grow."

Everyone looks a little shocked and queasy at the casual way Alan speaks of disposing of bodies, but they can't fault his argument. The Mayor says "Well, who's going to carry the bodies back to the Inn, and who's going to gather some firewood?"

Aanbo doesn't recognize the green spiral, but the tattoo and the pendants make him positive that it does have religious significance.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 25, 2024 1:22 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"The green spiral must be a connection, somehow," says Aanbo, a consideration more for himself than as a general announcement. Seeing that others appear as unfamiliar as he is with the symbolism, Aanbo decides to volunteer in either firewood retrieval or delivery of bodies, whichever task the villagers will allow him to do.

spaceseeker19

Oct 26, 2024 2:12 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"It seems like it might be," the Mayor replies, then resumes getting volunteers. As the group discusses divvying up these tasks (the Constable and his two dwarf flunkies stay where they are, making no offer to help), Alan looks more closely at the dead trog. "Mayor, Grover, everyone: I'd also like to point out what I'm seeing here. If this troglodyte was allied with these two, how did it die? I'm seeing no spear wounds, nor has it been pierced by crossbow bolts."

The man with the rod, who has been comparing the green spiral pendant to the tattoo, agrees. "He's right - our friends didn't attack this creature! It looks like it was beaten to death; something broke its neck!"

Alan points to Aanbo: "And this one's hands and feet are bloodied!" He looks at the monk with respect. "I knew you'd fought it!"

"Well, that doesn't mean he's a good guy!" Gorge, slightly hysterical, gibbers. "Maybe Fest was working with a good troglodyte!"

This meets with general scorn; the only reason people don't contemptuously throw something at Gorge is out of sympathy for his loss. Constable Grover face-palms. The Mayor says "Gorge, you're upset and not thinking clearly. If there was a good troglodyte, don't you think any of us would've heard about it? I'd tell everyone about it, if I found a monster who was an ally. That hope for peace would not be something I'd hide. What about the rest of you? Any of you ever work with a monster?" The residents shine their lanterns on one another; Chase and Aanbo notice that the elves and Ramne alike watch each person's reactions very carefully. No one admits to knowing any monsters. After a few moments of everyone looking at each other with suspicion, the Mayor sighs. "I'd like to believe that no one in our village was working with the monster, but whether anyone here was or not, it's clear that these two weren't."

"So we're just gonna let them go?" Gorge's voice rises in a shriek.

"No, we're not just going to let them go," the Mayor replies sternly, "We're going to do what I suggested earlier. There will be consequences for these deaths. But right now, we're going to treat the bodies of our friends and neighbors with respect, and in the morning we'll decide what those consequences will be with clear heads. I'll further note that these two surrendered and have shown no hostility to any of us, which I figure should count for something. Constable, you'll take these two back with you and watch over them tonight. The rest of you, you have your jobs to do. Let's get them done!"

The Constable nods and takes the Dungeon Busters' weapons from the dwarves. As the other residents begin to carry the bodies or head off to the woods to get kindling, Donavan takes Chase's arm and Hulbar takes Aanbo's, and they begin to lead them back through the dark toward the road, the Constable lagging a bit behind with a lantern. "I'll tag along," Alan says, following the Constable, "To make sure there's no trouble."

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 26, 2024 4:33 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

The monk nods at the accusation that he killed the troglodyte. Nothing more needs to be said about that creature.

As he is taken into custody, Aanbo goes along willingly and offers no resistance. He never expected the villagers to simply let them go. He only hopes there's enough doubt in the slanderous claims that Orlane will give them a fair shot.

Last edited October 26, 2024 4:34 pm

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 26, 2024 7:18 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will also go silently. He believes they have argued their case well. They will have to stay alert because they can't trust the constable and he might try to harm them before morning.

spaceseeker19

Oct 27, 2024 3:13 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

As they walk though the weeds, Ollwin hurries in front of them. Pairs of Orlane residents plod along next to them, carrying the bodies of their dead toward the north-south road. A couple of men walk alongside them, casting light with their lanterns so corpse-bearers don't trip on unseen obstacles. Ollwin steps out onto the road and hurries south, his lantern's light receding quickly toward the intersection and the warm light of the Inn of the Slumbering Serpent beyond it. Hulbar and Donovan step out onto the north-south road leading Aanbo and Chase. The tidy farmhouse that the party had passed earlier stands on this side of the intersection; Alan says "Just a moment; I've got to tell Marieke what's happening." He jogs over to the farmhouse and vaults the picket fence surround the yard. The door opens as he trots up and an armored woman with shield and sword greets him. They speak for about a minute as Chase and Aanbo are led to the intersection, the grisly procession of dead bodies accompanying them. As they continue south from the intersection, the corpse-bearing villagers queue up to carry the bodies through the door of the Inn, and Alan trots back to the group, carrying a shield and buckling a sword at his hip. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting!"

The trees of the Dim Forest are a looming, forbidding presence in the dark on the right. As they move away from the Inn, Alan speaks up to Constable Grover. "They seem well-behaved so far," The Constable grunts. Alan shivers and blows on his hands; the nights are beginning to get cold and he's still wearing just a nightshirt, padding along in his bare feet. After a moment, he continues, "What I'm trying to understand is: where could the troglodyte have been hiding?"
"What do you mean?" Donovan snaps irritably. "He was in the barn."
"Come now; we already know it wasn't in the barn. These two were in the barn, and the dwarf - this dwarf beat it to death." Alan trots forward and stops in front of them. "I'm sorry, excuse me I just realized I haven't introduced myself. My name is Alan Clayborn. Who are you? I don't want to keep calling you 'this dwarf' and 'this man.' "

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 27, 2024 4:15 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"My name is Aanbo, of the Earthshaker Abbey," answers the dwarf, clasping his hands together and giving an introductory bow. He considers saying more, but given the suspicion and eagerness of some to prosecute against him and Chase, he elects to leave it at that.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 27, 2024 4:40 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase looks over to Alan"My name is Chase Brandstone."

spaceseeker19

Oct 28, 2024 7:27 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Alan nods, repeating the heroes' names in an attempt to commit them to memory. "Chase...Brandstone. Pleasure. Aanbo...I'm not familiar with Earthshaker Abbey - what is the title you attained in your order? Novitiate? Elder? Brother?" Once Aanbo responds (if he does), Alan nods again and smiles. He points to the Constable. "That's Grover Ruskadal, Orlane's constable. This is his friend, Donovan...uh, Alert, is that right?"
Donovan growls "Allard."
"Allard! Of course; my apologies. And this is...uh...forgive me, sir, I don't remember your name."
"Hulbar." The blond dwarf snarls. "Hulbar Onfre."
"Ah, Hulbar! That's right!" Alan grins and nods. "I'm so sorry; you both came to town so recently, I feel like I hardly know you." Alan turns back to Grover. "Now that we've all been introduced, I want to get back to my question, Constable: where do you think the troglodyte was hiding in town?" In an apparent overflow of camaraderie, Alan puts his arm around the Constable's shoulders as the group resumes walking south toward the bridge. "It wasn't in the barn - Chase and Brother Aanbo were there, and the barn didn't reek of troglodytes. So it must've been someplace else. Someplace secluded, where people wouldn't be able to smell its stench, or possibly someplace with a bad enough smell that it would cover its stink. I just can't figure it out; we don't have a tannery here. What do you all think?"

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 28, 2024 8:29 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo answers Alan, "We referred to each other as 'Brother' or 'Sister.'"

To the question of troglodytes, Aanbo is quiet in contemplation, though it may be partly because he is in custody of the Constable. If it looks like nobody else has a response, he ventures to say with deference, "I am sorry, I am not familiar enough with Orlane. I would imagine it'd be a place far enough removed from people's day-to-day activities, yet close enough that they could reach various points in town quickly?"

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 30, 2024 12:01 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase listening says"I am a fairly good tracker if you would like me to help a group search for where the Trog came from. I give you my word no funny stuff. If not that is fine."

spaceseeker19

Oct 30, 2024 1:17 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

The dwarves exchange a look with the Constable. As the group reaches the stone bridge and begins to cross, Constable Grover ignores Chase's offer and addresses Alan instead, "Listen, Alan, it's late. We've got these two murderers in hand." Hulbar nods, and gives Aanbo a little shake. It occurs to Chase and Aanbo both how easy it would be for someone to "slip" and go over the edge of the railing into the Realstream River. Grover continues, "We appreciate your help but we don't need it. You don't want to leave your wife and kids unguarded tonight. You should probably get back to them."

Alan barks a laugh, and then stifles it when he realizes how loud he's been - his laugh echoes back to him off of the barns on the other side of the River. A dog barks in the distance. "Sorry, sorry," he says softly with a low chuckle, "But Marieke doesn't need my help protecting the girls. I forget sometimes that you haven't seen her in action, Grover." He claps the Constable on the back. "She'll be fine. I'm more concerned about protecting this group. You don't know - they might have allies waiting to jump out in an ambush!" The group stops on the span of the bridge, looking in both directions nervously. Then Alan responds to Chase: "I'm sure you could, Chase, though I was having a hard time finding the tracks myself. It might be that we could follow the scent if we had a hound. That smell was so strong, I can almost smell it still." Donovan hiccups and then clears his throat. To Aanbo, Alan says: "I've been thinking about your point, Brother Aanbo. At first glance, Orlane is small enough that there's not many places that fit that bill. But so many people have moved away - or disappeared - that there are plenty of empty buildings like the barn where we found you. When it comes to that, I guess that any of those abandoned buildings could work as a hiding place for monsters." Donovan starts coughing.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 30, 2024 1:39 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

The monk's body is like water flowing through underground caverns as Hulbar gives a little shake, going with the movements like jelly. Instead, Aanbo looks with concern at Donovan. "Are you all right?" he asks.

spaceseeker19

Oct 30, 2024 3:36 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Donovan nods: "Just...>cough, cough<...inhaled a bug." He coughs once more. "I'll be ready to go...>cough<...in a moment."

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 30, 2024 6:19 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"May I?" asks Aanbo, seeking consent to try and diagnose Donovan's condition. Regardless of whether or not he's able to physically check on the dwarf, the monk still assesses his kinsman for visual cues.

OOC:

Not sure if it'd apply, but I'll throw in a Medicine check. He will also consider if his herbalism kit might contain anything that can act as a lozenge or suppressant.

Rolls

Medicine - (1d20+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 30, 2024 10:04 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase thinking about them being in an abandoned structure asks"Do Trogs tunnel? Maybe the have an underground opening in one of the abandoned structures in town. Slip in and out unseen and unsmelled."

spaceseeker19

Oct 31, 2024 5:51 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Donovan recovers, and he waves Aanbo away. Hulbar grabs his elbow and moves him away. The group continues south, while Donovan takes Chase's arm. Chase suggests that Trogs might tunnel. Alan looks seriously at Chase, and responds "Yes, they do like dark, damp places." His eyes narrow...

OOC:

Chase and Aanbo should each roll a Perception check and a Insight check.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 31, 2024 9:55 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"If they do tunnel then places with basements would be a good place to start checking first."

Rolls

insight - (1d20+2)

(18) + 2 = 20

Perception - (1d20+2)

(13) + 2 = 15

spaceseeker19

Oct 31, 2024 4:20 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Nobody's hiding anything in the basement in Orlane!" Constable Grover retorts.

The Constable continues, "We're not going to find anything tonight. Let's get these two settled..." The group walks south, passing the Inn's barn and coming even with the Golden Grain Inn.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Oct 31, 2024 4:43 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo nods, even as he is pulled away from Donovan. "Yes, I'd imagine it'd be hard to hide the smell in the basement of a house or common room," he says. "Perhaps a place where a deeper system of underground tunnels could exist without being discovered."

Rolls

Insight - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Perception - (1d20+3)

(10) + 3 = 13

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Oct 31, 2024 11:55 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will be ready to help Alan if anything goes down and keep his eye the others. They are obviously trying to steer them away from the u=basement thing. "I don't Aanbo a big enough place like an inn/tavern or some such place with a basement and cellar could keep the smell down."

spaceseeker19

Nov 1, 2024 5:44 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Hmm. I would think that people could still smell a trog hiding in their basement..." Alan begins to say, when "LOOK OUT! THEY'RE ATTACKING!" Constable Grover yells and punches him. His cry pierces the night air; though not as loud as the magically enhanced shout of the cultist from earlier, this yell is sure to rouse any light-sleeping neighbors. He drops the lantern down in the roadway; the light shakes crazily but doesn't go out. With their insight, neither Dungeon Buster is surprised by these sudden actions, and so Donovan and Hulbar's attempts to throw them to the ground meet with no success.

Go ahead and roll initiative as the dwarves, Grover, and Alan all draw their weapons. Violence has begun, but who's fighting whom?
Alan has a sword and shield.
Grover is wearing banded mail and wields a longsword and shield (and has the PCs' gear).
Donovan is wearing plate mail and wields a spear and shield.
Hulbar is wearing banded mail and wields a longsword and shield.

Edited to describe what happened to the light source.

12 - Constable
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Grover, Hulbar, Donovan, Alan initiative - (1d20+3, 1d20+2, 1d20+2, 1d20+2)

1d20+3 : (9) + 3 = 12

1d20+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

1d20+2 : (9) + 2 = 11

1d20+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 1, 2024 6:43 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Constable! What are you doing?!" says Aanbo, though the surprise is absent from his voice as he merely matches Grover's tone.

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+2)

(18) + 2 = 20

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 1, 2024 9:55 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will yell out"THE CONSTABLE IS ATTACKING US AND Alan!!!!"

Rolls

initiative - (1d20+3)

(19) + 3 = 22

spaceseeker19

Nov 1, 2024 2:19 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Not surprisingly, the Dungeon Busters have initiative. What are you going to do?

[ +- ] Map of the Orlane roadway at night

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 1, 2024 3:51 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Protect Alan," Aanbo says to Chase. A simple request, perhaps lacking enough urgency, but in Aanbo's mind there is little else to explain as the fight begins. He slips under Hulbar's grasp and maneuvers around towards Grover, attempting to deliver a kick to the back of the Constable's knee before throwing an elbow to the neck.

OOC:

Movement: one square NE and one square NW to put Grover at my west and Hulbar at my south.
Action: Attack Grover
Bonus Action: Martial arts unarmed strike.
All my attacks in this battle will seek to do non-lethal damage, just trying to knock Grover out.

Rolls

Unarmed Strike to hit, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (13) + 4 = 17

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Unarmed Strike to hit, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

1d4+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 1, 2024 8:34 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will throw an elbow a Donovan's nose hoping the strike will makes his eyes water so he can't see and give me advantage to disarm him.

OOC:

I don't know the damage of an elbow but his face is unarmored right?

Damage 1+3=4

Last edited November 1, 2024 11:54 pm

Rolls

to hit - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

MaJunior

Nov 1, 2024 9:14 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

By RAW, unarmed attacked do 1+STR Mod for damage (assuming you don't have something special, like the Unarmed fighting style or Martial Arts).

Also... Yes, it's possible to do 0 damage.

Last edited November 1, 2024 9:14 pm

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 1:15 am

Night Skirmish on the North-South Road

OOC:

Welcome to @MaJunior as a fly on the wall!

ROUND ONE
(this is followed by round two)

[ +- ] Map of the Orlane roadway at night

Chase tries to elbow Donovan, but the dwarf head-butts his elbow. Chase's arm bounces off of the heavy armor; he feels pins and needles up to his fingers.
Aanbo slides around Hulbar and aims two heavy blows at the Constable. The first kick catches the Constable a bit by surprise but the heavy armor he's wearing absorbs the blow; to Aanbo it's like kicking a tree. The second blow, an elbow to the neck, makes no impression on the Constable at all. He remains focused elsewhere.
Constable Grover attacks Alan Clayborn with his longsword. "You sound like you know too much about troglodytes to just be a concerned citizen...!" Whatever else the Constable may be, he is skilled enough to get around an unarmored man's shield. Alan is slashed for 7 damage!

"GET OUT OF HERE ALAN!! SAVE YOURSELF!" Chase yells; having rebuffed the ranger's attack, Donovan attempts to stab Chase with his spear! Chase nimbly steps aside as he continues to yell: "YOU HAVE A WIFE AND KIDS!!"

Completely focused on the threat in front of him, Alan doesn't register what the stranger is yelling. He murmurs, "What's the matter, Grover?" as he looks for an opening in the Constable's defenses. "You sound jealous. Maybe you want to keep the trogs all to yourself?" He sees an opening and slashes at Constable Grover. Their swords clash and clang as they parry and riposte.

Hulbar confirms his hostile intent by whirling and trying to cut down Aanbo with his sword. The monk effortlessly dodges the vicious blows.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Constable longsword attack on Alan AC13, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (16) + 4 = 20

1d8+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 2, 2024 12:52 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will yell to Alan "GET OUT OF HERE ALAN!! SAVE YOURSELF!! YOU HAVE A WIFE AND KIDS!!" Chase will yell this as loud as he can as he continues to grapple with Donovan. Chase will as close as possible so use of Donovan's spear will be useless.

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 4:36 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round one, continued

"GET OUT OF HERE ALAN!! SAVE YOURSELF!" Chase yells; having rebuffed the ranger's attack, Donovan attempts to stab Chase with his spear! Chase nimbly steps aside as he continues to yell: "YOU HAVE A WIFE AND KIDS!!"

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Donovan spear attack on Chase AC16, piercing damage - (1d20+6, 1d6+4)

1d20+6 : (4) + 6 = 10

1d6+4 : (4) + 4 = 8

Mysterious roll - (1d20-1)

(1) - 1 = 0

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 4:47 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round one, continued...

Completely focused on the threat in front of him, Alan doesn't register what the stranger is yelling. He murmurs, "What's the matter, Grover?" as he looks for an opening in the Constable's defenses. "You sound jealous. Maybe you want to keep the trogs all to yourself?" He sees an opening and slashes at Constable Grover. Their swords clash and clang as they parry and riposte.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Alan attack on Grover AC19, slashing damage - (1d20+7, 1d8+5)

1d20+7 : (2) + 7 = 9

1d8+5 : (2) + 5 = 7

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 5:51 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round one, continued...

Hulbar confirms his hostile intent by whirling and trying to cut down Aanbo with his sword. The monk effortlessly dodges the vicious blows.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Hulbar sword attack on Aanbo AC15, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (5) + 4 = 9

1d8+2 : (6) + 2 = 8

Mysterious roll - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 6:50 pm

Night Skirmish, round two

ROUND TWO
(this is preceded by round one, followed by round three)

[ +- ] Orlane Midnight Fight, round two begins

Donovan attempts to keep hold of the spear. Chase manages to wrench the shaft free of the armored dwarf; now Chase has the spear!

"It's clear that Grover intends to pin your death on us, Alan," says Aanbo. "Disengage and get help!"

Considering the Constable to be the greater threat, the monk continues his attack on Grover despite Hulbar at his flank. This time, he accounts for the heavy armor on the man and his blows land on weak points while the Orlane official is focused on keeping Alan's sword at bay. Constable Grover takes 10 bludgeoning damage.

There is a faint whisper of sound, like a sigh. With a start, Chase recognizes that it is the sound of an arrow's fletching in flight. He saw no arrow and sees no archer in the circle of light in the darkness.

As their swords dance and clash, the Constable growls "You know you wouldn't win in a fair fight, villain, not without these murderers helping you!" He slashes and parries, slashes again. His sword gets past Alan's guard;
Alan Clayborn takes 5 slashing damage.
The Constable gives a triumphant crow at his success, and he uses his bonus action for Second Wind.
Constable Grover regains 10 HP.
"Don't worry, brother dwarf, you'll get yours soon enough! Our cause is righteous! She is powerful and will protect Orlane from your evil!" With that inspiring cry, Grover uses his Action Surge and attacks Alan again! Cut by the Constable's blade again, Alan Clayborn takes 4 slashing damage.

"She is mighty!" Donovan shouts, and draws his sword to replace the spear that Chase grabbed from him. He attacks the ranger. The shallow sword cuts fail to penetrate Chase's scale mail.

"What part of fighting should be fair, Grover?" Alan says, emphasizing each word with a slash or a stab. "You know who complains about not getting a fair fight? Losers." Chips fly from the Constable's shield as Alan's sword batters it again and again. "Losers like you will never belong in Orlane!"

"There's someone else out there!" Hulbar announces, "A bowman in the dark!" He continues to attack Aanbo. "Let's finish this quickly for her!" Aanbo continues to dodge the long, slicing blade.

Fending off the sword with the stolen spear, Chase yells "Get away and get help Alan! Don't worry about us!" and as he parries, feints, and thrusts, he addresses Donovan: "Why are you and Hulbar fighting against a fellow dwarf? What hold does Grover have on you?"
But as the dwarven warrior is about to answer, something miraculous and bizarre happens. Four glowing vegetables - a carrot, a daikon, a rutabaga, and a beet - fly out of the darkness and strike Donovan in the face!
Donovan takes 18 vegetable damage. He splutters and shakes his head, baffled as to what's happening.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 2, 2024 7:05 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"It's clear that Grover intends to pin your death on us, Alan," says Aanbo. "Disengage and get help!"

Considering the Constable to be the greater threat, the monk continues his attack despite Hulbar at his flank.

OOC:

Same as before, Action unarmed strike, Bonus Action martial arts unarmed strike.

Rolls

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (17) + 4 = 21

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (18) + 4 = 22

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 2, 2024 7:43 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

spaceseeker19

Nov 2, 2024 9:27 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 2, 2024 9:46 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase grabs the spear of Donovan then twists and falls to the ground off to Donovan's side then will jump back up to try and take his spear from him.

Rolls

Disarm Donovan - (1d20+3)

(16) + 3 = 19

spaceseeker19

Nov 3, 2024 12:06 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round two continued...

Donovan attempts to keep hold of the spear. Chase manages to wrench the shaft free of the armored dwarf; now Chase has the spear!

"It's clear that Grover intends to pin your death on us, Alan," says Aanbo. "Disengage and get help!"

Considering the Constable to be the greater threat, the monk continues his attack on Grover despite Hulbar at his flank. This time, he accounts for the heavy armor on the man and his blows land on weak points while the Orlane official is focused on keeping Alan's sword at bay. Constable Grover takes 10 bludgeoning damage.

There is a faint whisper of sound, like a sigh. With a start, Chase recognizes that it is the sound of an arrow's fletching in flight. He saw no arrow and sees no archer in the circle of light in the darkness.

As their swords dance and clash, the Constable growls "You know you wouldn't win in a fair fight, villain, not without these murderers helping you!" He slashes and parries, slashes again. His sword gets past Alan's guard;
Alan Clayborn takes 5 slashing damage.
The Constable gives a triumphant crow at his success, and he uses his bonus action for Second Wind.
Constable Grover regains 10 HP.
"Don't worry, brother dwarf, you'll get yours soon enough! Our cause is righteous! She is powerful and will protect Orlane from your evil!" With that inspiring cry, Grover uses his Action Surge and attacks Alan again! Cut by the Constable's blade again, Alan Clayborn takes 4 slashing damage.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Athletics - (1d20+3)

(10) + 3 = 13

Mystery roll DC21 - (1d20+7, 1d8+3)

1d20+7 : (10) + 7 = 17

1d8+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

Grover attack on Alan AC13, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (15) + 4 = 19

1d8+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Grover Second Wind - (1d10+2)

(9) + 2 = 11

Grover Action Surge attack on Alan AC13, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (13) + 4 = 17

1d8+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

spaceseeker19

Nov 3, 2024 12:52 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round two, continued...

"She is mighty!" Donovan shouts, and draws his sword to replace the spear that Chase grabbed from him. He attacks the ranger. The shallow sword cuts fail to penetrate Chase's scale mail.

"What part of fighting should be fair, Grover?" Alan says, emphasizing each word with a slash or a stab. "You know who complains about not getting a fair fight? Losers." Chips fly from the Constable's shield as Alan's sword batters it again and again. "Losers like you will never belong in Orlane!"

"There's someone else out there!" Hulbar announces, "A bowman in the dark!" He continues to attack Aanbo. "Let's finish this quickly for her!" Aanbo continues to dodge the long, slicing blade.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar

Rolls

Donovan sword attack on Chase AC16, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)

1d20+5 : (5) + 5 = 10

1d8+3 : (3) + 3 = 6

Alan attack on Grover AC19, slashing damage - (1d20+7, 1d8+5)

1d20+7 : (9) + 7 = 16

1d8+5 : (1) + 5 = 6

Hulbar sword attack on Aanbo AC15, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (10) + 4 = 14

1d8+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 3, 2024 1:39 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

As Chase wrestles the spear from the dwarf hands he dodges a sword strike again yells to Alan "Get away and get help Alan! Don't worry about us!" Chase will square up with Donovan and will use the spear to keep his distance." Why are you and Hulbar fighting against a fellow dwarf? What hold does Grover have on you?" Chase also wonders if the archer is friendly or foe. But really has no time to worry about it.

Last edited November 3, 2024 1:40 am

spaceseeker19

Nov 4, 2024 5:31 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round two, continued...

Fending off the sword with the stolen spear, Chase yells "Get away and get help Alan! Don't worry about us!" and as he parries, feints, and thrusts, he addresses Donovan: "Why are you and Hulbar fighting against a fellow dwarf? What hold does Grover have on you?"
But as the dwarven warrior is about to answer, something miraculous and bizarre happens. Four glowing vegetables - a carrot, a daikon, a rutabaga, and a beet - fly out of the darkness and strike Donovan in the face!
Donovan takes 18 vegetable damage. He splutters and shakes his head, baffled as to what's happening.

OOC:

This ends round two. Round three begins with Chase and Aanbo's turns.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

Rolls

Vegetable damage - (4d4+4)

(4244) + 4 = 18

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 4, 2024 10:45 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will side step to Donovan's left and thrust the at the weak part of his armor at the knee. He is just trying to disable Donovan right now not kill him. "I don't want to have to kill you Donovan. Come to your senses." Then I will back out of sword range so I can parry with the spear. Chase is also wondering what id going on. First an arrow from the dark now vegetables?

Last edited November 4, 2024 10:52 am

Rolls

to hit, damage - (1d20+3, 1d6+3)

1d20+3 : (9) + 3 = 12

1d6+3 : (4) + 3 = 7

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 4, 2024 3:58 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo continues his assault on Grover, trying to assist Alan. He knows that if Alan falls, the Dungeon Busters will be blamed. Yet if the former adventurer remains, all Aanbo can do is make sure Grover falls first.

OOC:

Action: Unarmed Strike non-lethal damage
Bonus Action: Unarmed Strike non-lethal damage

Rolls

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

1d4+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (10) + 4 = 14

1d4+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

spaceseeker19

Nov 4, 2024 8:41 pm

Night Fight on the Orlane Streets, round three

ROUND THREE
(this was preceded by round two, followed by round four)

Chase backs up, parrying Donovan's sword slashes with the spear he took from the dwarf. "I don't want to have to kill you Donovan. Come to your senses."
Aanbo continues his barrage of attacks on the Constable, punching and kicking, but the blows are absorbed by the heavy armor.

[ +- ] Night Fight, middle of round 3

Constable Grover shrugs irritably at Aanbo's swats and presses his attack on Alan Clayborn. The blond man in his nightshirt grunts as he is slashed again. Alan Clayborn takes 6 damage. "Looks like you may the loser, Alan! Maybe you should follow the murderer's advice and run, huh?"

Donovan continues his attack on Chase. "You don't want to have to kill me??" the dwarf says incredulously. "I think you're misreading this situation." Chase uses the spear to slow the arc of the blade so that it thuds into his armor without slicing through. "You are pretty good. It's a shame you didn't sleep long enough to get taken."

Alan responds to Chase, infuriating Grover by not acknowledging his attack or remark. "If you think I'm going to turn my back on these thugs, you're wrong. Something has taken hold of them, they're idiots, but they're still dangerous...I don't want to be responsible for the deaths of heroes!" He tries to slip past Grover's wild swings, but the Constable is too heavily armored and he blocks the sword with his forearm. There is a CLANG! as the sword rebounds.

Eyes blazing with fervor, Hulbar slashes at Aanbo again. But his fury is making him careless, and Aanbo doesn't even have to dodge this awkward slash, it misses him by so much.

More brightly glowing vegetables appear in the darkness and come spinning through the night, looping and swerving like bats chasing bugs.
Since Aanbo is roughly facing the direction they appear (NW) and can see in the dark, @Cancerman - you can roll a WIS (Insight) check to see if Aanbo can tell anything more about them. A blue summer squash impacts with Donovan, while a neon-red zucchini, a piercingly yellow cabbage, and a sweet potato with a shining purple aura hammer into Hulbar's helmeted head.
Donovan takes 4 damage.
Hulbar takes 9 damage.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

spaceseeker19

Nov 4, 2024 8:58 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round three, continued...

Constable Grover shrugs irritably at Aanbo's swats and presses his attack on Alan Clayborn. The blond man in his nightshirt grunts as he is slashed again. Alan Clayborn takes 6 damage. "Looks like you may the loser, Alan! Maybe you should follow the murderer's advice and run, huh?"

Donovan continues his attack on Chase. "You don't want to have to kill me??" the dwarf says incredulously. "I think you're misreading this situation." Chase uses the spear to slow the arc of the blade so that it thuds into his armor without slicing through. "You are pretty good. It's a shame you didn't sleep long enough to get taken."

Alan responds to Chase, infuriating Grover by not acknowledging his attack or remark. "If you think I'm going to turn my back on these thugs, you're wrong. Something has taken hold of them, they're idiots, but they're still dangerous...I don't want to be responsible for the deaths of heroes!" He tries to slip past Grover's wild swings, but the Constable is too heavily armored and he blocks the sword with his forearm. There is a CLANG! as the sword rebounds.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

Rolls

Mysterious roll AC19 - (1d20+7, 1d8+5)

1d20+7 : (3) + 7 = 10

1d8+5 : (3) + 5 = 8

Constable longsword attack on Alan AC13, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (17) + 4 = 21

1d8+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Donovan sword attack on Chase AC16, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)

1d20+5 : (7) + 5 = 12

1d8+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

Alan attack on Grover AC19, slashing damage - (1d20+7, 1d8+5)

1d20+7 : (6) + 7 = 13

1d8+5 : (8) + 5 = 13

spaceseeker19

Nov 4, 2024 11:48 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round three, continued...

Eyes blazing with fervor, Hulbar slashes at Aanbo again. But his fury is making him careless, and Aanbo doesn't even have to dodge this awkward slash, it misses him by so much.

OOC:

I have to admit I'm laughing out loud at the improbable series of misses that have been happening. It's kind of unbelievable...
...though I am grateful for the PCs' sake!

More brightly glowing vegetables appear in the darkness and come spinning through the night, looping and swerving like bats chasing bugs.
Since Aanbo is roughly facing the direction they appear (NW) and can see in the dark, @Cancerman - you can roll a WIS (Insight) check to see if Aanbo can tell anything more about them. A blue summer squash impacts with Donovan, while a neon-red zucchini, a piercingly yellow cabbage, and a sweet potato with a shining purple aura hammer into Hulbar's helmeted head.
Donovan takes 4 damage.
Hulbar takes 9 damage.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

Rolls

Hulbar sword attack on Aanbo AC15, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (1) + 4 = 5

1d8+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Donovan squash damage - (1d4+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Hulbar head damage - (3d4+3)

(321) + 3 = 9

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 5, 2024 12:01 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo hopes the battle can end quickly. The longer it takes, the more other people may get caught up in the conspiracy.

Rolls

Insight - (1d20+5)

(11) + 5 = 16

spaceseeker19

Nov 5, 2024 2:15 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

spaceseeker19

Nov 6, 2024 6:35 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round Four

OOC:

Sorry guys: I should have explicitly called out that it is time for your round four turns now.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 6, 2024 10:51 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will continue to try and disable Donovan. He will perform a somersault and pop up behind and go for his knee again.

OOC:

Threw an acrobatics check just in case.

Last edited November 6, 2024 10:54 am

Rolls

to hit, damage - (1d20+3, 1d6+3)

1d20+3 : (18) + 3 = 21

1d6+3 : (2) + 3 = 5

Acrobatics - (1d20+3)

(20) + 3 = 23

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 6, 2024 3:33 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo does not call out who the ranged vegetable hurler is. The less he says about who's actually helping, the better. Instead the monk turns to face Hulbar and tries to knock out the dwarf, hoping to remove one assailant from the battle.

OOC:

Action: Unarmed Strike vs Hulbar, non-lethal damage.
Bonus Action: Unarmed Strike vs Hulbar, non-lethal damage.

Rolls

Unarmed Strike to hit, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (15) + 4 = 19

1d4+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

Unarmed Strike to hit, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (9) + 4 = 13

1d4+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

spaceseeker19

Nov 6, 2024 8:57 pm

Night Fight on the Orlane Streets, round four

ROUND FOUR
(this was preceded by round three)

Chase rolls under Donovan's attack, springing up behind him and stabbing him in the back of the leg with the spear. Donovan takes 5 piercing damage and staggers...but does not fall. He chuckles, limping slightly. "But since you didn't sleep, now you need to be put down."

OOC:

Through the rounds of attacks, Chase now recognizes that Donovan's AC is 21. He also realizes that the spear he stole is magical: a +1 weapon (so apply that bonus to future attack and damage rolls with the spear)!

Aanbo tries to attack Hulbar, but the dwarf's heavy armor is too strong for the fierce blows to really have any impact.

Splinters of wood rain down as an arrow breaks on Hulbar's helmet.

Constable Grover grins fiercely. "Well, you're not a coward, Alan. But you realize we can't let you live after this!" So saying, he renews his attack on Alan, slashing the man deeply. Alan takes 9 slashing damage.

Having made his murderous promise, Donovan tries to slice Chase.
The blade bites deep. Chase takes 6 slashing damage.

Blood now stains most of Alan's nightshirt. Alan just shakes his head as briefly he touches his sword hand to his chest and murmurs "Strengthen me, Ehlonna." Alan regains 6 HP.

Hulbar calls in a loud voice. "Don't think I haven't noticed you, mage! You'll get yours as soon as I've taken care of this dancer." With this Hulbar sweeps with his sword, trying to cut Aanbo's legs out from under him. The monk takes a nasty slash. Aanbo takes 8 slashing damage.

"Pfft." A snort of derision sounds in the darkness. The heavily-armored dwarves Donovan and Hulbar, triumphant with blades dripping with Dungeon Buster blood, suddenly find their weapons too heavy and their arms droop. Then their faces go slack and they collapse with a clatter of armor.
Donovan and Hulbar are asleep.
"There now; you be quiet and enjoy your nap. I don't take kindly to threats." The voice, which Aanbo and Chase recognize as that of the old hermit, Ramne, continues: "Now finish off the Constable quickly so we can leave before any others arrive!"

Note that the two sleeping dwarves are marked with a brown dot.

22 - Chase (5/11)
20 - Aanbo (11/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan Asleep
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar Asleep
0 - Ramne

spaceseeker19

Nov 6, 2024 8:59 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round four, continued...

Splinters of wood rain down as an arrow breaks on Hulbar's helmet.

Constable Grover grins fiercely. "Well, you're not a coward, Alan. But you realize we can't let you live after this!" So saying, he renews his attack on Alan. Alan takes 9 slashing damage.

Rolls

Mysterious archer AC20 - (1d20+7, 1d8+5)

1d20+7 : (5) + 7 = 12

1d8+5 : (1) + 5 = 6

Grover attack on Alan AC13, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (12) + 4 = 16

1d8+2 : (7) + 2 = 9

spaceseeker19

Nov 6, 2024 11:01 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round four, continued...

Having made his murderous promise, Donovan tries to slice Chase.
The blade bites deep. Chase takes 6 slashing damage.

Alan just shakes his head as briefly he touches his sword hand to his chest and murmurs "Strengthen me, Ehlonna." Alan regains 6 HP.

22 - Chase (5/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

Rolls

Alan Cure Wounds - (1d8+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Donovan sword attack on Chase AC16, slashing damage - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)

1d20+5 : (18) + 5 = 23

1d8+3 : (3) + 3 = 6

spaceseeker19

Nov 6, 2024 11:15 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Round four, continued...

Hulbar calls in a loud voice. "Don't think I haven't noticed you, mage! You'll get yours as soon as I've taken care of this dancer." With this Hulbar sweeps with his sword, trying to cut Aanbo's legs out from under him. The monk takes a nasty slash. Aanbo takes 8 slashing damage.

"Pfft." A snort of derision sounds in the darkness. The heavily-armored dwarves Donovan and Hulbar, triumphant with blades dripping with Dungeon Buster blood, suddenly find their weapons too heavy and their arms droop. Then their faces go slack and they collapse with a clatter of armor.
Donovan and Hulbar are asleep.
"There now; you be quiet and enjoy your nap. I don't take kindly to threats." The voice, which Aanbo and Chase recognize as that of the old hermit, Ramne, continues: "Now finish off the Constable quickly so we can leave before any others arrive!"

Note that the two sleeping dwarves are marked with a brown dot.

22 - Chase (5/11)
20 - Aanbo (11/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan Asleep
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar Asleep
0 - Ramne

Rolls

Hulbar sword attack on Aanbo AC15, slashing damage - (1d20+4, 1d8+2)

1d20+4 : (18) + 4 = 22

1d8+2 : (6) + 2 = 8

Mysterious roll - (7d8)

(5443654) = 31

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 6, 2024 11:19 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

spaceseeker19 says:

ROUND FOUR

Chase rolls under Donovan's attack, springing up behind him and clubbing him in the back of the leg with the butt of his spear. Donovan takes 5 damage and staggers...but does not fall. He chuckles, limping slightly. "But since you didn't sleep, now you need to be put down."

OOC:

Through the rounds of attacks, Chase now recognizes that Donovan's AC is 21. He also realizes that the spear he stole is magical: a +1 weapon (so apply that bonus to future attack and damage rolls with the spear)!

Aanbo tries to attack Hulbar, but the dwarf's heavy armor is too strong for the fierce blows to really have any impact.

22 - Chase (11/11)
20 - Aanbo (19/19)
13 - ?
12 - Constable Grover
11 - Donovan
5 - Alan
3 - Hulbar
0 - ?

OOC:

Sorry I was going to stab him in the knee through the weak point in his armor to try and incapacitate him.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 6, 2024 11:47 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Thankful for the intervention, Aanbo concentrates on the Constable. Especially now that Ranme identified himself, the monk feels he has to knock Grover out quickly.

OOC:

Same as before, two unarmed strikes for non-lethal damage.

Rolls

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (6) + 4 = 10

1d4+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Unarmed Strike to hit AC19, Bludgeoning damage - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)

1d20+4 : (17) + 4 = 21

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

spaceseeker19

Nov 7, 2024 12:01 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

mathias0077 says:

Chase rolls under Donovan's attack, springing up behind him and clubbing him in the back of the leg with the butt of his spear. [/color]

Sorry I was going to stab him in the knee through the weak point in his armor to try and incapacitate him.

OOC:

Very good; I've corrected the entry.

It is now the beginning of round five, so you can post Chase's turn.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 7, 2024 12:29 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

With Donovan down Chase will move behind Grover and make a stab at the back of his knee also. Then back out again because he can't take much more damage.

Last edited November 7, 2024 12:29 am

Rolls

to hit, damage - (1d20+4, 1d6+4)

1d20+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

1d6+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

spaceseeker19

Nov 7, 2024 1:12 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

ROUND FIVE
(this was preceded by round four)

As Constable Grover is furiously clashing swords with the harried Alan Clayborn, Chase runs around to the side and stabs at the man's knee with his stolen spear. The Constable sees the attack coming, however, and turns with a snarl; the spear point glances off of the metal bands protecting his knee joint.

But this is enough of an opening for Aanbo, who punches the Constable in the base of the skull just under his helmet. Constable Grover takes 5 bludgeoning damage and collapses, knocked out.

With their attackers and Constable Grover down, Aanbo and Chase each gain 150 XP!

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 7, 2024 1:25 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase looks at Aanbo"Good punch there." He looks to Alan as he grimaces a bit from his wound "Well what now? We should probably disarm them and tie them up." Looking at the spear"I think I will keep this." As I recover my weapons.

Last edited November 7, 2024 1:33 am

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 7, 2024 4:36 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"I have some rope," says Aanbo, "but where do we take them? We're too close to the Golden Grain Inn, where they may have allies. Not to mention, it will look terrible if we're carting their bound and unconscious bodies through the dark."

The monk shakes his beard, dismissing the thought in favor of greater urgency. "Alan, are you all right?" he asks, concerned about the former adventurer's selfless act. "I must thank you for your assistance. It is a tremendous gesture. But I fear for your safety and for your family's."

spaceseeker19

Nov 7, 2024 5:37 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

An elf steps into the circle of lantern light; it is one of the two elves who came to investigate the shouting at the barn earlier. "Well done," he says, and stoops quickly to check the Constable's pulse. Ramne enters the light a moment later, without Whiskers. "I was fairly certain you were trustworthy when I saw the dead troglodyte, so I followed behind this one," he nods at the elf, who glances at him sharply, "and saw you get attacked." The elf looks back to Grover and nods. "He is not dead. And those two are ensorcelled." He stands and looks at the hermit. "My thanks. I think we were wrong about you."

Alan, dripping blood onto the roadway, says in response to Aanbo: "I'll live; thank you." He nods at the monk's concern and looks from face to face in this strange group. "Yes, I'd really like to understand what's going on, but I need to make sure that my family's safe and I need time to recover."
Ramne responds to Chase's earlier question: "If we're going to tie them up, we'd better be quick about it, before any more of them come along and catch us in the act." He looks over his shoulder. "The people taking care of the bodies will probably come across the bridge soon, and I don't know which of them can be trusted."
The elf shakes his head. "I don't think you need to do anything with them. Everyone knows that they were taking you into custody, so it's not like there's a secret to hide. I will deliver my report of you to the Mayor. You should find a place to hide out until morning; they haven't dared to act openly in the daylight yet. Then you can meet me at the Mayor's office."
Alan muses: "When I was adventuring, we would put enemies to the sword." He looks down at the Constable. "But I've known Grover for years; he was my friend. Even though he attacked me, even though he tried to kill me, I can't believe that he's entirely evil..."
Clearly impatient with this woolgathering, Ramne points to Alan: "The two of us are locals. It's the three of you that will be suspected when people discover that these three have been beaten."
The elf shakes his head again. "No one knows that I was here aside from us."
Ramne sighs: "My point is that Alan and I can just walk away, but the people of Orlane will suspect the strangers - they already do! - so everybody will be looking for them when people find Grover and his two friends beaten unconscious in the street." He stops for a moment, listening to something far away. "I think I can hear some of them coming - you only have a few moments."
Alan adds: "I'm headed that way; I can go first and slow them down. What should I tell them? That I saw nothing, or that you were attacked?"

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 7, 2024 11:03 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Any suggestion on where to hide? We can't go back to the barn. Or could we? They won't suspect that. Maybe circle around and get up in the loft."

spaceseeker19

Nov 7, 2024 4:16 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Ramne responds "Not the abandoned barn you used before, no. Some of them will still be burning the body there."

The elf says: "And you wouldn't be able to cross the river without running into them on the bridge. But you could hide right under their noses in that barn there!" He points to the building to the northeast, just a few yards away: the Golden Grain Inn's barn, where Chase and, later, Reptile hid yesterday.

Alan points south: "You could also hide in the Constable's place just across the road over there, if you take them with you." You recall the building he means, though only Aanbo can see it at the moment: the sturdy, square building with the heavy shutters. "What are going to do? Do you want me to help with moving these lunks, or do you want me to delay the others?"

Note: the Golden Grain Inn is 1 on this map, its barn is 1b. The bridge across the river is 2. The building Alan mentioned is the purple square half-seen in the bottom of this image.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 7, 2024 4:20 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo struggles with the revelations. "I thought that with your help, we might expose the Constable and others as the true culprits," he says, "but now I see that it puts you all in danger, that they'd be willing to kill you to keep their secrets, and then pin the blame on us."

He stoops over Grover's unconscious body and recovers the items that were confiscated. "I want to see if this man is wearing the same symbol found on the others at the barn, but we're running out of time. Can one of you do it?" The last question is directed to the elf and Ramne.

Finally, Aanbo looks around. "If we are to be hunted by innocent people as the enemy, perhaps we go where the true enemies lie?" he says to Chase, and points to the Golden Grain Inn. "I believe our friends were supposed to come here anyway."

OOC:

EDIT: The barn works, too!

Last edited November 7, 2024 4:23 pm

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 7, 2024 9:32 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase nods" Let's head to the barn and keep and eye out for the others. Hopefully they are wrapping up soon."

spaceseeker19

Nov 8, 2024 3:10 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

You're going to the barn (1b on the map); are you taking the time to take the three sleeping bodies with you, or are you leaving them?

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 8, 2024 3:38 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

I had the impression that the elf suggested we leave Grover and his buddies, and that we should just lay low until the morning when we can go see the Mayor.

Aanbo makes sure that Constable Grover retains possession of his weapon, and that the blade is still blooded. "We'll go to the barn and rest. We'll look for the Mayor tomorrow," he says.

"As for these fellows, I am undecided on what to do with them. We could leave them here; they'd probably make up some lie about how we overpowered them and escaped, but at this point we're already prime suspects for anything that happens in this town. I think in order to clear our name, we'll have to find and destroy the evil goddess on our own.

"Chase, what do you think? Should we leave them?"

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 8, 2024 10:37 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"I don't think we have the time to move them. Three bodies with armor and all make hefty loads. I say we just leave them. Gather our stuff and head to the barn." Looking over to the others "Thanks for the help here tonight. Alan you are made of stern stuff. I need to go bandage up and rest a bit."

spaceseeker19

Nov 8, 2024 1:54 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

CancerMan says:

I had the impression that the elf suggested we leave Grover and his buddies, and that we should just lay low until the morning when we can go see the Mayor.

OOC:

Just to be clear: that's correct, the elf did say that. But the other two had different suggestions.

spaceseeker19

Nov 8, 2024 2:36 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo sees that Hulbar does indeed have a metallic green spiral on a chain around his neck, which dangles out from under his armor in the awkward pose of his collapsed, slightly snoring body.

"I've had worse beatings," Alan responds to Chase, grinning, "...but not many." Then he gets serious again. "Thank you for your aid," Alan says, looking at each of the four of you in turn: Aanbo, Chase, the elf, and Ramne. He sheathes his sword, picks up the lantern, and begins to walk north. "I guess I'll tell them...something. Maybe that another troglodyte attacked, or some kind of illusion...?" He pauses, looks back, and adds "Merikka watch over each of you!" before taking the light away with him.

The elf, who had started to take the dwarves' weapons, saw what Aanbo was doing with Grover and stops, confused. "You choose to leave them armed to fight again?" He exchanges a look with Ramne and then nods. "Very well. I leave you now. Look to find me at the Mayor's Office in the daylight. Fare well until then." He steps back and disappears from Chase's view as the lantern light recedes. Aanbo sees him run lightly south, retrieve the arrows that missed, and then turn left (east) at the intersection.

Ramne looks forlorn, half-seen in the starlight. "I keep hoping to wake from this nightmare," He looks at you, eyes glittering with their own light. "But it keeps getting worse. <sigh> I am glad that you are here, and I thank you for not killing this buffoon, though he was trying to kill you. I have to believe that there's a way to restore our people to sanity again." He bends down, and Whiskers scampers south and up his outstretched arm. He straightens and nods at the Dungeon Busters. "May you find the rest of your group well and...unchanged. We'll meet again." With this, he pulls the hood of his cloak up and disappears.

Aanbo and Chase have retrieved all the weapons that were confiscated earlier, and Chase has a new weapon (the +1 magic spear) besides. Aanbo has made sure that the Constable looks like he fell in a fight with his sword and shield in his hand, and the two dwarves are sleeping with their blades and shields in their hands, too. There's plenty of blood in the roadway. Is there anything else you want to do before making your way to the Golden Grain Inn's barn?

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 8, 2024 3:44 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Alan, before you go, consider that Hulbar wears the same icon as the troglodyte," says Aanbo as he pulls the symbol from under the sleeping dwarf's armor so that it is displayed publicly. "I don't know what you can say to the others that might convince them that something is wrong, but the pieces of the puzzle are being exposed."

The monk quickly checks Donovan and Grover, assuming the same symbol can be found and displayed.

To the elf, Aanbo says, "I leave them with weapons open and blooded so they cannot say we surprised them. But perhaps you're right; if Grover is armed, he continues to be a danger to other citizens." He takes the Constable's sword and confiscates Hulbar's and Donovan's weapons. "Grover already tried to pin us as kidnappers and killers, might as well add thievery to the list."

OOC:

If the elf wants the weapons, Aanbo will give them to him. Sorry if it seems like Aanbo is indecisive. He feels like a little mole in a big cavern.

spaceseeker19

Nov 11, 2024 1:35 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Neither the other dwarf, Donovan, nor the human, Constable Grover, are wearing pendants like Hulbar is, but as Aanbo snatches up the three longswords, he notices that Grover has a tattoo of a spiral on the inside of his sword-hand's wrist (the color is unclear in the darkness).

The two Dungeon Busters hurry across the road in the darkness, trying not to clink the naked swords as they go. They make it to the shelter of the empty barn without incident. Once again, Chase is struck by the oddity of an empty barn. It may just be a leftover from an earlier time when there was a farm here, but it's surely used as a stable for wayfarers now...the sign that it's empty tonight surely means something about the clientele at the Inn and travel to Orlane in general. But it suits the two of them quite well, as there's no animals to snort or low to give their location away to anyone outside.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 11, 2024 11:13 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

As Chase moves into the barn he looks to Aanbo and says "I wonder what they do with travelers? It doesn't seem like this town can survive much longer. I would really like to talk to Alan some more too. After we meet with the mayor." Chase will remove what armor he needs to so he can check his wound and do what he can for it."I will take first watch if you would like to rest.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 12, 2024 1:07 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"Perhaps travelers that convert to her worship are sent out as scouts or spies," says Aanbo. "The bard Jonbon, for example. Though I admit, I didn't ask if he was a resident of Orlane. Otherwise I'd imagine non-residents are hiding in the temple."

spaceseeker19

Nov 13, 2024 11:22 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

A few tense minutes pass. Then Chase and Aanbo can hear voices approaching from the north - other villagers coming across the bridge. They're speaking low, but whether it is out of furtiveness or because they don't want to wake anybody else in the middle of the night, it's not clear. But through the closed doors of the barn, it's just a murmuring. They don't seem to be approaching the barn doors, however.

OOC:

What would you like to do?

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 14, 2024 2:19 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

Chase would prefer to rest and keep an eye out for the others and make sure they are good.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 14, 2024 2:31 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo remains quiet, not even lighting a torch. He is willing to help Chase in the darkness with anything, but he cautions against a lot of activity as the two rest and wait for a sign from the others.

spaceseeker19

Nov 14, 2024 4:06 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

I will continue to narrate what the two Dungeon Busters hear in the darkness of the barn in the meantime. Assuming no one stumbles upon them and they don't rush out to do anything else that would disturb their recovery, each of you will be able to choose to take a short rest and spend your hit die/dice normally.

The voices rise in consternation; they've clearly discovered the bodies of the three unconscious people.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 14, 2024 10:57 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will find a good place for a look out and settle in for a short rest. He will keep his eyes and ears open to tell if searchers are coming near the barn.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 14, 2024 4:23 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo rests quietly, assisting Chase in keeping watch. It is doubtful that either will get any sleep tonight.

spaceseeker19

Nov 15, 2024 2:47 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

There is a short bit of noise as the villagers are clearly trying to wake the sleepers. The two dwarves come awake fairly quickly - the Dungeon Busters well recognize the timbre of their voices - but there is no waking the Constable. The group discusses for a while, then the voices disperse, most of them receding away to the south.

OOC:

You each get a short rest. Replenish your abilities that recover with a short rest (if any) and, if you wish, declare how many hit dice you are going to roll to regain HP. If you do, remember to add your CON modifier to each die you roll.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 15, 2024 3:40 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo meditates on his actions from the abandoned barn through his eventual stop in yet another barn. He is not completely satisfied with how he handled himself, but at least he will have opportunities for improvement.

Once finished with his reflections, Aanbo opens his healer's kit to bandage wounds and apply salves to bruises.

OOC:

Aanbo recovers his ki points, and I will spend one HD and one application of the healer's kit to recover HP. If Chase will spend HD, I'll deduct one more kit application.

Rolls

Spending 1 HD - (1d8+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 15, 2024 9:33 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will keep his ears open and thanks Aanbo for the attention to his wounds.

OOC:

Sorry that was +1 for con.

Last edited November 15, 2024 9:34 pm

Rolls

healing - (1d10+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

spaceseeker19

Nov 17, 2024 5:01 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

The voices recede after a few minutes and the two Dungeon Busters enjoy some peace and quiet.

OOC:

Here we have two options. So far the two groups' adventures have been moving forward at approximately 1:1 time...but the other group is not resting yet. My strong inclination is to proceed with your (Aanbo and Chase) actions after the hour has passed, but it does mean that the two groups will be out of sync for a bit. But I don't really see a good alternative for you as players, as waiting for them to "catch up" might involve days and days of you sitting on your hands. Do you?

Second question: in other games, I've created a side thread for "Rest conversations." The idea is that in the main threads (like this one), the players can just say "we take a short rest" or "we take a long rest," they expend and recover resources accordingly, and then resume with the action after the rest...but in parallel, they can carry out the conversations that would be happening over minutes and hours during the rest by posting to the "rest conversations" thread. Do you feel like you are ready to post to a rest conversations thread? I'll create one if you are, or I'll hold off if there isn't much that the two PCs will whisper to each other during their anxious rest in the barn.

CancerMan

Nov 18, 2024 2:03 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

It's easy for me to wait for everybody else. If Chase wants to have a conversation while we're hiding, I'm all for it; otherwise Aanbo is content to meditate in quiet until it's time to move.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 18, 2024 10:50 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

Chasse would let Aanbo meditate and busy himself keeping watch. Being a former Boundary Warden he is used to seclusion and quiet.

spaceseeker19

Nov 18, 2024 6:55 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

OOC:

OK, I'll hold off on creating a "Rest Conversations" thread for now, as you don't seem particularly interested now and it would just give the other group a sense that you are all resting now.

spaceseeker19

Nov 23, 2024 10:48 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

As you are finishing your rest, I'd like each of you to make a WIS (Perception) check.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 23, 2024 11:11 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Perception

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+2)

(16) + 2 = 18

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 24, 2024 2:07 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo quietly gathers in the supplies of his healer's kit, knowing that he and Chase may have to move once the coast is clear.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

spaceseeker19

Nov 24, 2024 2:32 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo hears what he believes to be the shrieks of bats, but Chase hears it differently: they are the very muffled shouts of Reptile, Myrtha, and Theran, probably coming from inside the Golden Grain Inn.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 24, 2024 1:47 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will look at Aanbo. "I heard muffled shouts that sounds like our mates coming from the inn! They could be out numbered. We should move in from the back."He will grab his spear and start heading for the inn.

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 24, 2024 4:05 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Aanbo gathers up the confiscated weapons (no sense leaving them for citizens to find) and follows Chase.

spaceseeker19

Nov 25, 2024 2:57 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Arriving at the small back door of the Golden Grain Inn (just across from the barn), Chase and Aanbo find it locked.

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 25, 2024 10:59 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase will attempt to force the door open.

Rolls

Athletics - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Nov 25, 2024 5:16 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"It's a bit loud, but it's the fastest way in," concedes Aanbo, providing his own stout feet to the application of force.

OOC:

Assisting Chase with the Help action, for advantage.

spaceseeker19

Nov 26, 2024 6:03 am

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase slams his shoulder against the door; it shakes in its frame and the ranger rebounds. The door is crafted to open inward so that the hinges are not visible/accessible. But observing how the door shakes in its frame, Aanbo gestures to Chase and points at a point a few inches above the latch. Chase nods, steps back, and leaps forward, stomping on that part of the door. The ranger's weight and forceful kick combined slam the door into the bar on the other side, which in turn punches into the bracket holding the bar in place. There is a splintering crack, and the door comes to rest a finger or so deeper in the frame than it was. Aanbo nods encouragingly. They both hear voices, muffled by distance and intervening walls, having what seems like a heated conversation inside, but it isn't loud enough for them to make out the identities of the speakers, much less actual speech. Chase hauls back and stomps again, and this kick breaks the bracket on the latch side of the door. The door is ajar about a hand deep; Aanbo reaches into the gap, finds the plank used as a bar by touch, and yanks it out of the remaining brackets. It falls inside the room with a clatter and Chase pushes the door open.

OOC:

Rolls

Initiative - (1d20+2)

(14) + 2 = 16

Chase Brandstone

mathias0077

Nov 27, 2024 11:31 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

Chase turns as Aanbo says this way. He is glad to see the light from the door as Aanbo opens it. Spear in hand he heads to the door.

Rolls

initiative - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

spaceseeker19

Nov 28, 2024 11:48 pm

Against the Cult: Suspicion in the Starlight 1.8b

"This way!" Aanbo says, throwing open the door. Aanbo (and Chase right behind him) have a split second to see the common room backlit by the light of a fire burning low in the southern fireplace and illuminated somewhat ghoulishly by a lantern that was left on the floor by the door to the kitchen.

What they see: Myrtha is furiously exchanging blows with a robed brute wielding a club, while Theran is waving his hands to maneuver a glowing disembodied hand which keeps trying to clutch at the brute. There are two apparently dead bodies on the floor: one is Bertram, lying just a pace away from you, the other is lying on the floor on the other side of the table (but those boots look familiar)...

This will be continued in the "Meet Me at the Bar Fight" thread...

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