Tenebrae - User contributions [en]

A Light In The Window

2016-03-17T18:47:28Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Light In The Window
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Zyla Level 3, Fiore Level 4, Nysalia Level 3
*Place: Alexandria
*Time: March 15, 2016
*Summary: The unfortunate death of an unfortunate merchant gets complicated. Murder mystery!
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: Full roleplay with some diplomacy/intimidation/intuitive problem solving.
</div>

EVENTS: The Light In The Window is scheduled to start RIGHT NOW!

The fire had been quickly dealt with, but thorough; A blaze that had gone up in the grey pre-dawn in the middle of Alexandria, in a goodly sized home owned by Mister Timberling. It had taken the front of the house - and poor Mister Timberling with it. An unfortunate accident, said the authorities investigating. An unfortunate loss of life, and nothing more, the house roped off until someone could be along to demolish it.

But Lady Timberling, the sister, has put a call to the Guild to follow up on her brother's death. And so the call goes out, drawing those who seek such oddities for money, glory, or because they had nothing better to do. So the question becomes - head towards the charred remains of the house, head towards the constable, or head for Lady Timberling? Or some other action?

<OOC> Bitr just tosses everyone in head first. :3 You tell me where you want to start.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or better still, pose it. If you three want to split up to do different things, also fine."

<OOC> Fiore would probably start with the house, since Fiore's knowledge skills are lacking. XD

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Woop. talking to the sister is a good place to start.....for a why."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Well, I'm Little Miss Diplomacy with a +8. We can talk with the sister or the constable to find out information."

Zyla seems to think that heading to the sister is the good place to start, since she is the one doing the paying, and after all that is a good place for a mercenary to start out.

<OOC> Bitr nods. So all three to visit Lady Timberling?

Mysteries aren't really Nysalia's thing, but the Guild seemed to indicate that the fire and the death of Lord Timberling might have been intentional. So, bringing justice to an evil act is definately her thing. So, Nysalia is following Zyla and Fiore in walking up the path to Lady Timberling's home to begin the investigation.

The journey to Lady Timberlings is not exactly fraught with danger - but it is a bit of a trip to the east, where she lives in -much- better accomodations than her recently deceased brother. The tall manse in the Noble Quarter has a receiving room, of course, albeit not designed with Giantborn in mind. Still, the butler who brings them in makes a poignant no-comment to their current state of clothing.

"May I introduce her Ladyship Timberling."

The woman who sweeps in is built much like her name; Stiff and reedy. Far past her prime and further still from her late husband, she's old enough that she doesn't bother with makeups and rich enough to get away with that in society. Leaning on a wrought cane, she squints upwards at Zyla and Fiore, then slightly less upwards at Nysalia. She works sunken lips for a moment, before nodding.

"Well. Are you the three the guild sent to me?" She asks in a quavering voice. There's still a hint of iron in her, but she is -old-.

Zyla will defer mostly to those who are better at talking than she is, "The guild did send us yes." she says softly.

Nysalia bows to the Lady as she arrives. "Indeed, your Ladyship. I am Nysalia, and this is Zyla and Fiore." Nys gestures to each of her partners. "Our condolences on the loss of your brother. Perhaps you can tell us why you think foul play was involved, instead of the constable's assessment of a tragic accident?"

"Hm."

The greeting is acknowledged, at least, with a curteous nod before the elder Timberling bangs the point of her staff to the ground to punctuate her words. "Because the Constable is a fool!" She grumbles, before softening slightly. "Miziel.. my brother. He is - was - the last of the line of my family. He was only a mere babe when I had my second husband, you understand. And he had many foolish notions in that head of his, mm, mm."

She nods aside towards the seats, moving towards one herself as she goes. "I've told the constable's about his debts to the Tornwar Banker's Association, but they've ignored me. Oh, they were polite about it, but I could hear the disdain; Leave it be, old woman." A snort again, as the old woman settles into the chair.

"I don't want it to come from the constable; I want a -full- investigation. And that's what I'm paying for - every single stone over turned."

Zyla nods her head as she listens, it makes sense, but if that is what the lady wants to pay for.

Nysalia listens to Lady Timberline speak, nodding along. "I can certainly understand. What do you know about your brother's debts? How extensive were they? How did he acquire them? Were any direct threats made against your brother?"

<OOC> Fiore returns.

The Lady Timberling squints between the three again, then rocks back for a moment as she thinks. "Mm, mm. Extensive. He was a semi-successful merchant, you understand." A soft, derisive snort. "Semi, in that he hadn't been run out of Alexandria yet. 'Gobber Fashions' - he managed to convince the Tornwar Bankers guild that it'd make money. Who in their right mind would want to dress in fashions inspired by those little cretins?"

A revulsive shudder, before the Lady smacks her dried lips a few times and continues. Waving her hand vaguely. "Same questions the Constable asked. Tornwar doesn't send -goons-. They don't need too; They have the law on their side, mm, mm. The only threats he received were repossession of his property."

Fiore ponders a few moments before she looks towards Nysalia. "And then sell the stuff themselves, saying it was their idea?"

"Possibly," Nysalia says to Fiore. "But they would have had more to gain through legal channels, it sounds." Returning her focus to the Lady Timberline, Nys continues her questioning. "Would his debts have been extensive enough that the Bank could have taken posesison of his full estate? And is there anyone you can think of who held a grudge against your brother or who would profit from his death?"

<OOC> Zyla says, "pose around me a moment"

"My baby brother was a fool, but he was not a wicked man."

States the Lady, glaring briefly at Nysalia before residing back to her usual stance. Eyes half-closed in remembrance. "Mm, mm. I don't know.." She finally admits. "I've offered him help time and time again, but he refused to let me invest him. Said he wanted to be his own man." A soft snort. "I helped my mother's servants, bless her spirit, dress that little welp from before he could walk. 'His own man'. Ha!" She sighs softly, leaning on her cane and looking aside. "I suppose my family has enemies; Everyone does, when your line goes back as far as mine does. But there's always been a rule about.. such activities. Mm, mm."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Anyone else think of something to ask her?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "not at the moment. XD"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Move onto the scene of the crime or talk to the constable?"

<OOC> Zyla says, "think crime scene myself"

Zyla nods her head, "Thank you for your time, we will return with answers." she says and then looks at the others, "Lets go look where it happened."

"Thank you, Lady Timberline," Nysalia says with another bow. "If we have any further questions for you, we'll return. Hopefully, we can conclude this investigation without disturbing you further." As the group is escorted out of the manor, Nysalia turns to her companions and nods to Zyla. "That sounds like a good idea. Let's go."

Fiore stands quietly and pretty much follows them to the crime scene. Apparently absorbed in her own thoughts.

The Lady dismisses the three without further comment, her butler approaching with her noon drink. Likely something ambrosaic better meant for young arcane students. Either way, the trip towards 'Lord Timberling's house is a bit less of a tussle, if only because it's in the upper-mid part of Alexandria. The up and comers, the merchants - those who still have to work for a living, but can afford to pay others to do work too. It's modest compared to his sister - Two stories, and only five rooms. The front parlor is completely blackened, gutted by the fire, where the upper front story is blackened by smoke. Broken glass shimmers in the well kept front walk-way, while ropes blockade the street, running from the side of the house forward. Each house in this distract pressed closelty to its neighbors; Close enough, in fact, to form almsot a united front against the street. Access to the rear through a side-street.

It still smells of ash and the air tastes like soot.

Fiore makes a bit of a face. "Hmmm....Shall we look around then? I seriously doubt the Constable's going to let us through, but I imagine the real challenge here will be finding thr truth."

<OOC> Fiore does, yes.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Yes."

Zyla cock her head as they approach. "The buildings are close together, if accident, wouldn't have one of the other buildings caught on fire?"

@emit %rSeeing as the whole incident was ruled an accident, there simply aren't any guards or constable posts in the area; Just the rope and a single hanging sign warning of trespassing. The fire gutted house sags slightly, as if worn out; Windows broken by heat staring emptily across the street to the neighboring houses there, as well as being an interruption in the smooth progression of houses to either side of it. All undamaged, save for a little smoke scoring here and there.

Seeing as the whole incident was ruled an accident, there simply aren't any guards or constable posts in the area; Just the rope and a single hanging sign warning of trespassing. The fire gutted house sags slightly, as if worn out; Windows broken by heat staring emptily across the street to the neighboring houses there, as well as being an interruption in the smooth progression of houses to either side of it. All undamaged, save for a little smoke scoring here and there.

"We could always try sneaking in," Nysalia suggests to Fiore. "If the constable is involved in a cover-up, we'd never get permission to search and would have to sneak in anyways." When Zyla states her observation, Nysalia nods. "That's a good point."

"That's a good point, Zyla. The houses were really close together. That would mean that something would have to be really really intensely hot, and a very contained, and controlled fire....."

<OOC> Bitr points above. No guards or posts, no one watching but nose neighbors and the occasional pedestrian. :3

<OOC> Bitr says, "So feel free to enter at will, if one doesn't mind trespassing."

Zyla nods her head and then does start to move in. She is looking around, not that she knows too much of investigation but maybe can find something.

Fiore goes over the line as well...and begins to look in another direction than Zyla.

Nysalia follows Zyla's lead and enters the burned building. In addition to searching the burned out house, She is also looking for signs of magical arson.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Perception checks, please! And knowledge/arcana if you have it. :3

Nysalia pages: Spellcraft skill as well as Detect Magic

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (4)+12: 16

GAME: Nysalia casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (17)+7: 24

<OOC> Fiore says, "Shagara would have that, but not Fiore. XD"

GAME: Nysalia rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (2)+8: 10

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (11)+12: 23

As the three remain standing on the street, nothing much happens. A cool wind blows from the northwest, swirling down as it curls over the houses to bring the faint acrid scent of smoke and ruin. The burnt house creaks. The birds chirp.

Steping over the ruins of the front porch, Zyla can see that the house would have been quite comfy; In fact, most of it is intact, save for the front parlor. The fire seemed to have climbed straight up the wall, leaving the rear of the house untouched. Rugs on the carpet, books on the shelves, all soggy from the flame battlers attempts at controlling the brief inferno.

The parlor itself is a blackened, charred mess. Nothing but ash and wood burnt almost to white. And, of course, a sad little curl of grease spots on the ground behind what used to be a table, roughly in the shape of a man.

But as Zyla and Fiore walk about, they'll both notice it roughly at the same time; The faint glint of something in the ash, beneath what used to be the front bay windows. A tiny, broken amber bead.

You paged Nysalia with 'Detect magic shows this bead -used- to be magical; It's expired, and awaiting a charge.'

Nysalia pages: Casting Identify

Zyla does notice soemthing and waves the others open whether they see it or not, "See that, what is that?" she asks, knowing its a bead but not sure if it was a spell component or something.

The bead draws Nysalia's attention, since her Detect Magic spell causes it to glow in her field of vision. She bends down and peers at it, summoning more arcane energy to help her discern what this bead might have been at one time

GAME: Nysalia casts Identify. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. +10 to spellcraft check. Easy clear - it used to house a single 'Silent Image' spell.

"Huh..." Nysalia says after examining the bead. "This used to hold a single spell. Silent Image....." She stands up and looks around the building. "I wonder...."

Nysalia pages: I try to disbelieve that the building is actually burnt. The houses nearby would have suffered more damage if the flames had been real.

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. There's no change; The acrid scent of burnt wood, the creak of weakened timber, the crush of glass beneath your feet. All still real.

Fiore tilts her head. "What does Silent Image do?"

Nysalia pages: Okay. Still looking around with Detect Magic

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. Nothing else in the area 'pings' to you - that little heat cracked amber bead was the only thing magical, and it's a cheap piece of crap that's been used up already.

Zyla looks around for other things while listening.

Long distance to Zyla: Bitr grins. Staying in the same room or wandering?

Nysalia answers Fiore as she continues looking around while her Detect Magic spell still lasts. "It's an illusionary spell. Theoretically, if the caster was powerful enough, it could create the illusion of a building of this size being burnt out, which would explain why none of the neighboring buildings were damaged by the fire. But it's a sight illusion only. It can't replicate the smell of the burnt wood or any of the other things we're sensing." She sighs as there seems to be no more magic to detect. "For a moment, I thought that perhaps Lord Timberling decided to use an illusion to fake his death and escape his debts."

You paged Zyla with 'In fact, go ahead and toss me a perception roll, if you will.'

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (14): 14

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Bitr thinks Zyla might be hit by RL. :3 Perceptions, again?

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (13)+12: 25

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (10)+12: 22

Fiore says, "Well...that would explain a few things."

Zyla nods as she starts to move towards other rooms, "Well maybe there was more than one, the image, and then other things to make the rest, or someone used an image of an out of control accidental blaze while they set controlled blazes inside to make it look right for after.

While all three are pontificating on the death of Lord Timberling, Zyla notices a motion across the street - a curtain being drawn aside, then quickly twitched closed.

Only moments later, the door to that house opens, and a young man goes speeding off down the street - while the door is closed behind him by someone else.

*Clonk* goes the lock.

You paged Zyla with 'Also, if you're moving towards the rear, you'll notice something peculiar; Rear door of Lord Timberling's house is wide open, swinging in the smoke tinted breeze.'

Zyla turns and looks at the others, "Someone just ran off somewhere? So we are probably going to get company soon. Of some sort or other." she says and then is moving towards the back and checks the door she finds open, seeing if lock was broken or it was just left open.

You paged Zyla with 'Not broken; The lock works just fine, from the inside. It just wasn't latched when it was last used.'

Fiore takes a deep breath. "Nys. Can you take that crystal? I think we may need to get out of here." She then looks to Zyla. "Find anything else?"

After picking up the bead, Nysalia turns when Zyla points out that someone is runnning off down the road. "Better get prepared then," she says and casts a spell that causes a shimmering aura to flicker around her briefly. Then, she turns towards the building that Zyla is currently checking out. She walks over to start looking through the windows, trying to see what's inside.

GAME: Nysalia casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16

When Nysalia walks across the street to start trying to peer through the window of THAT house - the door clicks and is swung open hard once more. There, standing on the doorway, is a broad bodied khazard woman; With a rather large crossbow in her hands.

"Here now! Who do you think you are, snooping about? Looters! Ruffians! My Riff has already alerted the guard, he has, wings on his feet he's got! You're as good as caught, you are!"

<OOC> Fiore says, "She went across the street?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "yup."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Zyla moved towards the back of Timberling's house. You're in the parlor. Nys went across the street to peek.

<OOC> Fiore says, "and Nys is the one with the crossbow in her face?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Although it's obvious the woman has seen you all, as she refers to plural. Looters and ruffians. :3"

Zyla calls out thinking the others are in the other room still, "Back door was left open. Someone left in a hurry." she says and then starts to move back, she is leary about looking upstairs.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Going to make a Diplomacy check after this pose"

It's right about then that Fiore, seeing the crossbow in Nys' face, that she rushes forward and steps between the dwarf and Nys. "Go on and see what she's found." She says to Nys. "we're not looters. We were hired to see what happened. The one that hired us doesn't believe the constable. So we're here seeking the truth."

<OOC> Fiore put herself between Nys and the crossbow because she has a defense against it.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. :3

With the sudden imposition of Fiore in front of the crossbow, Nysalia takes a few steps back, cautiously. "As she said, ma'am, we're incestigating the circumstances of the fire. We're here on the authroization of Lord Timberline's sister, so we have permission from the owner to be looking through the building. We're sorry for causing you distress, but if you help us by answering some questions, we can quickly be on our way."

GAME: Nysalia rolls Diplomacy: (9)+8: 17

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Trying to improve her attitude towards us."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Fiore, did you want to try and assist?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'll pose up reactions! :3"

<OOC> Fiore says, "Dunno if I can. hang on"

<OOC> Fiore says, "guess I can."

The hostile dwarf tilts her head slightly, a single thick brow raised. But it seems a semi-reasonable response; It's obvious she still doesn't trust the two, the point of the crossbow lifting to not-so-subtly point up at the giantborn monk. "Oh, did she now? And since when did her -ladyship- start caring about that poor man? Driven day and night he was, and never once did I see her carriage around these parts to visit! And I see it all, I do. And I see your big -friend- back there trying to make her escape through the back of poor Lord Timberling's house, I do!" She sniffs disdainfully, even as a few more heads poke out of houses to see what the ruckus is about.

Zyla, in the back, can see a narrow road running along behind all of the houses. Most have a small fence between the road and the rear entrance, with baskets for deliveries; The alleyway running from side to side, leading out to the main roads. Going around front would mean going -all- the way around to the 'proper' road.

@emit That, or going through the house itself, of course.

That, or going through the house itself, of course.

Zyla turns and heads back through to the front of the house and looks around before she realizes everyone else is across the street, "I think whoever set the fire, went out the back and was gone before anyone realized it, easy to get out and onto the main roads back there."

"You see it all, hmm? Did you see what was going on when the fire broke out?" Fiore asks reasonably of the dwarf, staying between Nys and the crossbow bearing dwarf.

"Well, since you see everythign happenign on this street," Nysalia says to the woman with a freindly smile. "You can be a really big help in determining what happened here. Can you tell us about anyone that did visit Lord Timberling? Maybe some loud arguments that you might have heard?"

The dwarven woman's crossbow wavers between Fiore and Zyla - the two being the 'largest' threat - before she finally harumfs as a few more spectators hang out their doorways to keep an eye on things. Nosey neighbors indeed. The point drops, and she hangs it on a hook beside the door before her large fists go to her large hips.

"Well, -if- you're going to ask me questions, you'll have the courtesy to use my name! Shrewn. -Mistress- Shrewn to you three!" A snort. "Same thing I told the constables when they asked! Oh, it was terrible. I was cooking dinner for young Riff - all legs and bones, that one! - when I just -happened- to glance out the window like I usually do, and there he was. Curtain open, penciling away at his ledger, lamp right beside him." She sighs dramatically. "Oh, it was terrible. I saw him clutch his chest and fall to the side! Knocked that lantern clean off the table. I saw the flames go up the curtain, and sent Riff running to get the flame battlers." Here, her eyes get excited, even though she keeps the 'dramatic' tune. Gossip! "Oh, I saw him rise up again, his coat all aflame! Pounding and pounding on the glass. I couldn't hear him over the flames, of course, and they were spreading so fast! And down he goes, poor, poor Timberling." Here, she leans forward, voice dropping to a stage whisper.

"I even saw the dreadful remains when the Constable's pulled it out. All curled and blackened like a Coyote day roast. Oh! Oh, that poor man."

A few others have gathered around to hear the story, nodding their heads once or twice in sympathy.

Zyla cocks her head to the side for a moment, "Mistress Shrewn, your knowledge is quite helpful. You saw all of this through the window yes? Did you hear any of the flames, or smell the smoke at that time?" she is thinking of the bead they found under the window.

"Hm? Of course I did! Roaring like the dickens, they were, I could hardly think. Oh, and the heat! Nearly blistered the paint off my front door." She sighs dramatically, clasping her hands as she remembers 'poor, poor Timberling'. "Oh, that poor man. Bothered day and night by that dreadful little worm from Tornwars. Not even a night's rest in the end for the dear. And he was always such a .. a pleasant man. A bit addled in the head, of course, but always -so nice- to be around, not to speak ill of the dearly departed, no."

"Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says. "Do you happen to know where that road behind Lord Timberling's house might lead to?"

"Mm? Servant's pass? To the main roads, of course. We can't have deliveries or stocks coming through the front door; What would people -think-?"

Mistress Shrewn squints, and frowns, being drawn from her re-enactment of that dreadful night; So full of gossip! "Peculiar line of questioning. Why! Do you and your looter friends plan to run amock? I'll have you know we lock our doors every night! Triple! Quadruple!"

Zyla cocks her head to the side for a moment, "So little worm from Tornwars has been around. The back door which anyone could escape from was left open as someone fled in a rush." she shakes her head as she thinks about it for a moment.

Fiore looks over to Zyla and gestures back to the house. Zyla might know what Fiore wants her to look for, but she's not moving from between the crossbow and Nys.

The small dwarven woman looks from Fiore to Zyla to Nys again, then reaches up to place a large hand over her mouth. "Oo! Do you think he was -murdered-? Oh, how -dreadful-." Her eyes gleam with the thought of such horrific gossip to spread, before she recovers herself and clears her throat. "Now! You three had better move along before the guard comes and ponks you down to a proper size!" While it may not be logical to believe that someone is investigating AT THE SAME TIME as being a Looter, no one said Mist. Shrewn was logical.

"We have no intention of robbing anyone, Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says in a reassuring tone. "We were just curious becasue knowing where the road leads could help us determine where the people that did this horrible thing might have come from. "One last question before we depart: do you know what this 'worm from Tornwars' wanted with Lord Timberling?"

Zyla does head back over towards the house to get another good look.

Fiore remains silent, but still....crossbow.

"Oh, same thing they always want; Money, money, money."

Snorts Mistress Shrewn. "You should have heard them the night before! Yelling and hollering. I've never even heard Lord Timberling raise his voice before! Harmph. You think that -sister- of his would deign to lend a coin or two, but oh no; Of course the poor man's on his own, fighting off the creditors and trying to run a business. Oh, oh, it just breaks my heart." She sighs dramatically. "His big black horse hobbled -right out front- where anyone could see it, too. How embarrassing!" Twinkle in the eye, and a fake sob of sympathy.

Zyla, meanwhile, sees precisely what was before; The remains of the front door lead to the hallway, with the open parlor to the right. All blackened and weakened, burning right up through the roof. PAst that are the receiving room and kitchen, with the rear door leading to the back alley. Still drifting open in the northwest wind.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perceptions, please. :3"

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (3)+12: 15

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL grabbed Fiore?"

As the three speak to the gossipy neighbor, they notice - absolutely nothing's amiss. All good here!

Mistress Shrewn is nearly to the end of her patience, as well; While the three have gotten her a bit less hostile by offering sweet, juicy gossip bits, at best she's indifferent to their plight. Also, she's something cooking, by the savory smell that wafts from her open door. Fidgety and ready to get back to her life of home-bodying.

Zyla is considering heading upstairs again, but she doesn't like the state of the house.

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (10)+12: 22

<OOC> Fiore says, "Yeah it did."

"Thank you for your help, Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says with a polite nod of her head. She turns to walk back towards the burnt-out house. "So," she says to her companions. "What do we do next?"

You paged Fiore with 'In that case, YOU can hear the distant sound of running feet. :3 A couple of them. TOWARDS your position.'

Fiore says, "She said he was upstairs. Maybe one of us should look up there. Someone lighter than me." She then turns her head. "And we're about to have company. So we might want to hide. Or Nys can. Zyla and I might have a toughter time.""

<OOC> Bitr ahems. She said he was in the front parlor, curtains open, writing on a ledger with a lamp beside him. :3 Same parlor you guys found the bead in.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Downstairs."

<OOC> Fiore says, "OKay."

<OOC> Fiore says, "then we poof?"

<OOC> Bitr nods. If you want! Where too?

<OOC> Fiore says, "away from the guards?"

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Hide in the burned out building?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Up to you!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Stealth it up or flee. :3"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I'll follow the lead ot the others"

Eventually, all three can hear what Fiore originally heard; The sound of pounding feet and clanking metal. The guard, on the move! Flee, hide, stand your ground or some other option?

Zyla looks at the others, "Well here they come, so do we go? Or talk our way out of it?"

<OOC> Fiore is going to be blunt. an 8 foot tall, read haired woman is hard to hide. I'm hoofing it. I KNOW I can outrun them.

<OOC> Bitr grins.

Fiore says, "Come on. They wouldn't understand, plus they'll take what bit of evidence we have." She says to Zyla, then looks to Nys. You might have to take a different road, but I know I can outrun these guys.""

Zyla shrugs, "We go out the back, the servant's road leads to the main roads no, direct access to the front."

Fiore nods. "Lets go that way."

Nysalia nods to Fiore and Zyla. "Sounds good. Let's go..." And she runs into the burned building, heading towards the servant's road.

Fiore is right behind Nys.

Zyla moves as well.

Shortly after the three duck back into Timberling's house, they can hear authorative shouting as the guard arrives - and the indistinct but entirely recognizable sound of Shrewn ratting them out.

However, taking the servant's pass was a solid idea, and the three manage to avoid getting nabbed for uncomfortable questions. FOR NOW. But it does leave them at an impasse.

All they have so far is that the nosey neighbor - at least, the loudest one - claims that Lord Timberling was sitting in his parlor with a ledger and a lantern, curtains open. Grabbed his chest and fell to the side, knocking over the lantern. Fire goes up, man pounding on the glass while on fire. Then the burnt body being carried away by the constables later on in the morning.

Except for the amber bead and the opened back door, it looks like a casebook example of 'accidental death'. That, and the agent from Tornwars, and the nightly screaming match.

<OOC> Fiore would talk to the guy from Tornwars....

<OOC> Fiore says, "It's all we have at the moment, i think."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I agree"

<OOC> Fiore thinks we might hafta get rough with him though.....shame.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyone got local knowledge, or can think of a way to find it? Otherwise, it's too the banking quarter and hunting."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Tornwar Bankers Guild, that is."

<OOC> Fiore has zero knowledge skills. XD

<OOC> Bitr laughs! But that's the fun part! :D

<OOC> Bitr says, "Right up there with 'giantborn lock picking'."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I need to head out for a bit. BRB..."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let's go ahead and just move us right along. Finding Tornwars Banker's Guild isn't -that- important to the plot. ;)"

<OOC> Bitr says, "At least, the activity of finding it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Obviously, the bankers guild itself is important."

<OOC> Fiore says, "yus."

The three rough looters - according to Mistress Shrewn, scandous bandits who threatened her with fists and almost broke down her door when she didn't answer fast enough - head for the money; The upper trade district. Where what you buy doesn't come in boxes, but on the front of little pieces of paper. Tornwars Bankers Guild is a mid-sized banking association, fronted by an oranate wooden building with stained glass. It is almost built like a small temple; A temple to the almighty platinum piece. Clerks move too and from the building, hustling as only those who have 'careers' can. Other, elder clerks line the desks along the side of the walls, taking documents and speaking to customers there-in. And, finally, a large oak door in the back leads to the current head of this division, armed and manned by a set of 'secretaries of particular skill'. Aka, large and stupid enough not to be fooled.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Honestly, I think Miss Shrewn was full of shit. XD"

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, it's not a static world~ People have their own perceptions of what you do and what happens around them."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Welp! The two giantborn are up, while Nys is away. :3"

And this place is where Fiore ducks into the foor. being around 8 feet tall means places feel cramped. She makes a face as she looks about and eyeing the large door. "Well....Hopefully we can talk peacefully."

Zyla shrugs, "Well we will have to see about things." she says and shrugs, "Peacefully would definitely be good."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "back"

<OOC> Bitr huzzahs!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Go ahead and pose up while I prepare a drop. :3"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I don't know how much longer I'll be on this morning, though"

<OOC> Bitr nods. If you need to head out, let me know.

<OOC> Bitr says, "I'm sure the girls will be fine. They've got the thread. And by sure, I mean >:3 Mueheheheh"

Nysalia looks around as she joins Fiore and Zyla in entering the bank. At seeing all the clerks running around, Nysalia bites her lip. "Hmmm...tracking down the clerk dealing with Lord Timberling might be a little difficult..."

The two giantborn are left to their own devices for the moment - clerks hurrying past them, and doing their best to ignore the sudden addition of elephants. Metaphorically speaking. At last, however, one pointy eared fellow approaches the three. Clasping his hands in front of him.

"Well. Good morning! What can Tornwars do for you today?" Gesturing for them to follow him to the side - and away from, well, richer looking clientele. Best not to make assumptions -just- yet, though.

<OOC> Bitr ahems. Approaches the -three-.

Zyla lets one of the others do the talking, she isn't sure what to say not to make things worse.

Fiore moves slightly to the side, but does follow too far, she does, however, look towards the more diplomatic one....Nysalia.

<OOC> Fiore says, "does not that is."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Nys -maaaay- have been grabbed by RL. Fiore, Zyla?"

Nys unloads her most brilliant smile onto the clerk that approaches them. "Good day to you," she says plesantly. "My associates and I were wondering if we can speak with one of your reclamation agents?" She's now speaking in a quieter tone. "The one handling the Bank's accounts with Lord Timberling?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Nope. Back for now :)"

<OOC> Fiore brb...again

"Lord Timberling?"

The elf looks confused for a moment, before ah-ha'ing. "Yes, of course! I recall. Our condolences to the family; Here at Tornwars Banking Guild, all of our customers are like family as well, and we reach out to express our sympathies at these darker times." He tuts briefly, before holding out a palm.

"I assume you three are regeants? If you'll but hand over the Timberling seal, I'll gladly release the full file to you, along with final balance as of time of passing."

A glittering, bright white smile. Looking from Nys to Zyla, and then to Fiore.

Nysalia's smile is just as glittering, and unwavering. "I will admit that we do not have the Timberling Seal," she says without a pause. "But that is becasue we are not here as Lord Timberling's executors, but rather on behalf of Lady TImberling. We were hired to investigate the death of her brother and we have reason to believe that all is not as it would seem." A well-praticed, weary and sympathetic sigh is uttered. "I realize that it's not exactly protocol, but speaking with that particular agent could help us resolve this situation quickly and lead to a possible re-couping of the debts that Lord Timberling owed. Debts that I was told were quite substantial."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy! Vs. 'Indifferent', give lengthy or complicated aid. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Zyla, Fiore, feel free to weigh in as well~"

<OOC> Zyla says, "isn't sure what I have to add"

<OOC> Fiore says, "verbally? No. :D"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Fiore's diplomacy: shoulder the two guards aside, use the 'giantborn lockpick' and ask what's going on."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Worse to worse, if diplomacy fails that might have to be the way to go. Or late night visitations. OR some third option. :3 There's lots of ways to crack this mystery!

<OOC> Fiore rolls to aid

GAME: Fiore rolls diplomacy: (10)+1: 11

GAME: Nysalia rolls Diplomacy: (18)+8: 26

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I am a special snowflake :)"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "And sadly, with that roll, I need to leave :( But Bitr can keep me in and use me as support for you two"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Thanks for running, Bitr :) See you guys later"

<OOC> Fiore says, "hehe"

The elf's smile flickers briefly, and he briefly grips and releases his pressed hands. "Ah." He begins, bluntly. Then takes a long, deep breath through his nostrils, eyes flicking to one of the elder clerks and back again. To the two larger giantborn. To the woman. And then, finally, a gesture. "This way, please." The smile is still there, but its wooden now.

He leads the three up to a particular desk in the corner, where an old gnome sits, squinting at a ledger with narrow sighted determination. The elf slips up beside the gnome, leans over and whispers. The gnome nods, and then looks at the three from his raised desk. Well, -up- at two of the three.

"Mm, num, nom. Lord Timberling, mm? Mm, mm, let's see.." He opens draws, slowly flipping through paperwork. "mm, nom, num, yes, yes, here we are. 'Gobbers Fashionique', 'Delights And Fashions From Their Tiny Heart To Yours'. Mm, nom. In receivership! Mm. Mm. Some legal matters here, ah, mm. Here we are.. Agent, ah.. Dorth Styx was assigned to press the case. Good man, high return rate."

He peers back up at the two, eyes made huge by the magnification of his glasses. "Anything further?"

<OOC> Fiore thinks we're going to need Nys' diplomacy roll after this too. XD

<OOC> Bitr laughs! I'll let her roll hold for talking to the elder clerk. :3

<OOC> Bitr says, "It was a pretty darn good roll."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, it's up to you two to ask the smart questions. Or take what you have and boogie."

<OOC> Fiore says, "yeah."

Fiore smiles a bit. "Not quite yet, but if there's something else we need, we may come back."

Zyla cocks her head to the side, "Well is it possible to talk to Mr Styx?" she smiles a little as she looks at Fiore and then back.

<OOC> Fiore points to Zyla.

"Talk to him, hm? Hm. Hm."

The older gnome smacks his lips a few time, shaking hand stretching out to pull up a small, brass contraption from where it'd folded neatly down. It looks, for all the world, like a set of church organ tubes. He presses something on the side, clears his throat, and hoarsely shouts.

"Connect to Styx." A pause as he presses his ear to the contraption. ".. Mm, mm, no, no. -Dorth- Styx. STYX!" There's another pause.

"Mm. Mm, right, right. Peculiar." He takes his ear from the contraption, smacking his lips a few more times, then calls again. "Connect to stables. -STABLES-. .. Mm? Yes, Styx's, mm, nom, horse. Is it in? Yes. Yes... Very peculiar. Mm."

He then folds the contraption down, and crosses shaking fingers. "Agent Styx is not in his office, mm, mm. Stables says his horse is in, mm. Been in since this morning. I've, mm, mm, no doubt he's somewhere around. Can I, mm, nom, take a message?"

Zyla mms, "Really, well we really need to speak to him, was he in yesterday?"

Fiore thinks that Zyla has it covered, so she stands by and listens.

The gnome owlishly stares up at Zyla, smacking his lips slowly, before shaking hands pull open drawers once again. Thumbing through a few things as he murmurs to himself, before pulling up another thick ledger. "Mm, mm, mm... Styx, Styx. Ah. Last night, check out; Delivering receivership papers to, mm, mm, Lord Timberling. He hasn't filed his return yet, mm." The gnome takes a small pen, and marks a few things. "Mm, mm. Horse returned, failure to fill report of delivery in timely manner. Demerit." Satisfied, the gnome looks back up.

"Only long enough, nom, nom, to pick up the receivership paperwork for Lord Timberling to sign. Mm, mm. Bad business, that. Whole house was put in for tally; Steadfast residence denied, mm, mm."

<OOC> Zyla says, "Timberling was gnome too yes?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Nope! Human."

<OOC> Bitr doesn't think he actually stated a race, bu thuman.

Zyla nods her head for a moment, "And can you tell me what Mr Styx looks like?" she asks, she has a bit of a thought.

<OOC> Bitr nods. That's what made the business venture such a .. well, bad idea. A human taking design inspiration from gobbers for fashionable clothing.

Fiore looks to Zyla quietly. "Peculiar, I think."

"Mm, mm. Mm..."

The elder gnome pulls another small drawer open, and from it a slate - with an image drawn upon it! Very detailed. He squints briefly at it, before snapping his fingers at a young clerk running by. "Mm, mm. Run this to the, om nom, optical resonance duplicator, mm? Quickly now." And back to the two giantborn. "New fangled devices, mm? Wonders of magitech, eh? Eh?"

A few moments later the clerk returns with a piece of paper and the slate. The slate is tucked away, and the paper - still warm from its run through a bit of clerical magitech - is handed up. The image is of a mid-life man, sinister chin and goatee, with a small scar down his cheek and narrow eyes. 'Dorth Styx' is printed beside it, along with a few basic position stats such as agent filing number and so forth. And demerits.

<OOC> Bitr says, "The drawn image, that is. :3"

<OOC> Fiore says, "How tall was he? And how big around?"

Zyla hmmms and nods as she gets the picture of the man, "That might help alot thank you." she looks at Fiore.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Six two standing straight, average weight. He -looks- like someone who'd make a fighter, but he's obviously an 'agent' for bankruptcy now."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Fiore has her reasons.

"Mm, mm, yes. Now, mm, nom, I've a lot more business to get too, so if you two don't mind? Mm."

The older gnome states.

Zyla nods and smiles, "Thank you for your time." she nods to Fiore and then moves to depart.

Fiore moves her way out as well.....but makes sure to stop Zyla outside of the 'bank'. Lets see if we can find the body at the morgue."

The two (three) exit the Tornwar Bankers Guild, with more answers but more questions. Now where? The agent who'd chased after Timbling's money was missing, as was the most obvious culprit of the potential murder. There was still no telling what the amber bead was for, with the silent image. And doubtless their welcome at the crime scene has been worn out.

And then Fiore gets a bit of inspiration, apparently.

Zyla smiles a little, "That is my thought that it might be Mr. Styx whose burned corpse they carried out." she says and nods to Fiore, "Not sure where the body is sent."

Fiore says, "Up to the Temple of Vardama of course. it's where all bodies are kept."

Zyla nods her head, "Alright, burnt body here we come."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Incoming pose drop~"

The Temple of Vardama in Alexandria is - by necessity - humble and strapped. After all the trouble they've had with the recently purged internal corruption and all. Still, as the two enter the hallways the temperatures drop remarkably; All the better to keep the recent deceased until they can be properly interred, of course. They are meet by a Mourner near the front.

"Welcome, welcome.. friends or relatives of the current progression? Or are you here for a different purpose?" The robed figure's voice is calm and neutral; Hard to tell if it's a woman or a man.

Zyla smiles and gives a bit of a bow, "I am Sister Zyla of the Brotherhood of War." she mentions the monkly order devoted to Kor that she follows. "We are seeking to talk to someone who might be able to talk to us about a body that was brought in, burnt, Lord Timberling, or at least the body that was found in his burned manor." she is polite as she says it.

Fiore smiles to the Mourner. "Fiore, Acolyte of the Order of Righteous Battle, I'm with her." it must be serious if Kor and Angoron followers are working together.

"Welcome, then, acolytes.." Begins the Mourner. "This morning?"

The Mourner, dipping his/her head briefly. "That would be me. Lord Timberling is still being.." The Mourner pauses, trying to find a diplomatic way of putting things. ".. prepared for his rite of passage. The Lady Timberling has refused us permission to inter him, but also refuses to claim his mortal shell. She has paid her funeral dues, however, so we will maintain him as we can until her grief has passed. How may I serve you?"

Zyla nods to Fiore and smiles figuring she knows a little more what she had in mind.

"Well, Mourner....we have a bit of a suspicion. We would like to see the body for confirmation though." Fiore looks to Zyla to get out the piece of paper. She then gestures, as if to lead on. "I'll explain on the way there. We won't disturb the body. we just need to see it."

"This is.. highly unusual."

Begins the genderless Mourner, turning its hooded head aside. There is a creeping suspicion, as the Mourner addresses the two once again. "You understand that the recently deceased are not for idle speculation or observation; We do not dishonor their memories by putting them to display for morbid curiosity. What suspicions do you raise, Acolytes..?"

Zyla nods her head and looks at Fiore, "Might have to look closely." she says but then nods, "We do not mean any disrespect though." as she does get out the piece of paper. "It is possible that the body believed to be Lord Timberling is not infact him."

"Believe me, I'd rather leave the dead alone myself, Mourner. And I know it's highly unusual, but my associate, Zyla and I think that Lord Timberling faked his death and this man......" She then gestures to the piece of paper. ".....is the one who burned to death in the fire. As I said, we'll do our best not to disturb the body, but we'd like to be sure."

The Mourner accepts the paper from Zyla in a gloved hand, looking over it quietly. Then handing it back before the hood dips again. ".. That is .. distressing. Please, this way."

The Mourner gestures, and begins walking silently into the temple proper - down a few flights of stairs, where cold mist seeps from enchanted pillars. The trip is short, leading to a nondescript room with a stone slab. Upon it is a simple internment mask, keeping the body hidden from casual viewers. With a touch, the Mourner causes the mask to split, revealing the curled, pathetic mass of charred flesh laying within.

".. Faked his death..?"

Comes the query from the Mourner, who presses a gloved hand to a hidden face. ".. Very distressing. But why..?"

Zyla nods, "He had a lot of debts, by faking his death, they cease to exist and he can live on debt free, elsewhere." she says and the takes a little, seeing if there is anything she can attribute to the picture and what they know of Mr Styx.

"Again, these are speculations, Mourner. But from what his sister said, he had many debts to pay, and it seemed one way was to fake his death. Well, we just came from the bank, and the 'enforcer' didn't return from visiting the lord's house. And there was a fire..." She then gestures to Nysalia. "And we found a gem with a 'silent image' spell upon it. To simulate a fire...."

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (13)+12: 25

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (9)+12: 21

"Debt?"

The Mourner sounds confused. ".. But it is my understanding that Lady Timberling is quite well off. Surely, any debt her brother accrued..? Oh. Forgive me, that is idle speculation." S/He then moves aside to speak with Nysa, as the two examine the corpse.

It's hard to determine precisely how tall it was, if only because the corpse curled in on itself as it burned. But from rough estimates, the two guestimate it'd be about Styx's height. However, more important, there appears to be a very large -divet- in the back of the corpse's skull. Triangle shaped, and pressed in at the point. Not like a stab so much as a CLUNK.

In the flesh of the cheek, where the skin melted away and the muscle tightened, one can -just- make out an old scar along the bone line. It must've been deep when it happened years ago.

Zyla sighs a little as she looks and then sighs, "He was hit...before and then burned, the scar." she points and then points to the picture as well as she talks to Fiore.

Fiore says, "No....LORD Timberling. Not Lady. Lady Timberling is still very much alive, and is the one who hired us." She then looks to Zyla. "And it looks like we were right. it's the Enforcer, Styx.""

<OOC> Fiore has friends in the Mourners. She is -NOT- going to lie to them. Ever.

"Oh, of course. I just meant that should the Lord fall to trouble, surely his sister..? Excuse me."

The Mourner goes back to speaking with Nys, finally interrupting the two as she takes the split amber bead from Nysa. ".. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but if what you say is true.." The mourner holds out the bead. "I've seen these before. Cheap enchantments. They come around every year, when Coyote day approaches. Usually it is some young child who projects images of .. excuse me. Of the risen dead." The Mourner does not sound pleased. "We've spoken to the proprietor of these pranks, and asked him to stop selling them to the noble youth. Alas, we have no -legal- recourse. If .. a murder occurred, as you claim? Perhaps the proprietor will rethink his ways. Or, at least, if you could put in another word for us..?"

"Meanwhile, I will.. contact the constabulary and let them know there has been a terrible mistake."

Zyla nods her head, "My guess would be that the Lord Timberling hit this gentleman, killing him, then used the bead to make it look like he was burning alive when he set the man on fire and then escaped out the back.

"Hang on, Mourner." Fiore says quietly before looking towards Zyla. "Could you wait a little bit before contacting them?" She then turns towards Zyla. "And yet, it was that lady dwarf that heard the fire, smelled the smoke, and saw everything....BUT this man walking in."

"I ... yes?"

The Mourner seems confused, but presses gloved hands together. "I have forgivness to ask of Our Lady and this poor soul, for misremembering him so. Dorth Styx? May I keep the paper, so I can prepare him properly, and contact his family?"

Zyla nods her head and hands the paper over and looks at Fiore, "Think the dwarf was in on it? Or Styx went in through the back."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Need a reminder from the log? :3"

Fiore says, "Moer than likely the dwarf was in on it....perhaps the Constable too. The COnstable was rather quick to tell Lady Timberling to sod off, wasn't he?""

<OOC> Fiore says, "It's a conspiracy! XD"

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Once you start thinking like that, it's hard to stop, isn't it? :3

Zyla shrugs, "Well we have what we were hired for. She hired us to prove it wasn't an accident. It wasn't and her brother is still alive, think we can head back to her with everything?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "SO. What's the plan? Go confront Mistress Shrewn? Track down the amber bead? Shake down the Constable and his guards? :3 Something else? Or turn it in and hope for the best?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "Turn it in. It's what she hired us for. XD"

<OOC> Bitr grins. Okie dokie! Pose it on up! And I'll pose drop for the Lady Timberling depending.

Zyla smiles to the Mourner, "Thank you for your time, we will let Lady Timberling know, let the constable know." she says and smiles to Fiore, "Lets go let the Lady know."

Fiore says, "Yeah. I think we can head back to Lady Timberling with everything." She then bows to the Mourner. "I apologize Mourner. I thought there was more to this, but it's probably my imagination running away with me." She says nodding to Zyla and heading out with her."

<OOC> Fiore noms Zyla.

The journey back to Lady Timberling is a somber one; The mystery only partially concluded, but enough evidence brought to light to show that her 'baby brother' is still alive! Probably. The old woman accepts the evidence, listening, her frown growing greater and greater with each passing moment. At last, she holds up a hand to halt any further explanation.

".. You tell me that my brother was -not- killed in that fire, but has managed to murder someone else. My brother. My -Miziel-, who has never raised a hand in anger his entire life. You cannot tell me where he is, or what he has done beyond this." She begins, berating as she hobbles. "Why not come to -me-? His .. this profession was a hobby to me! A pittance! I could have cleared his debt with my monthly allotment! And you say he would kill to avoid paying?!"

She thrusts the back of her hand aside, as if throwing the motivation away. Snorting softly to herself as she looks aside, before her eyes close.

"... Fine. You've done what I -paid- you for, and nothing more. You've discovered my brother is still alive, somewhere. .. Get out. The Guild will have your payment."

The last word is spat, before the old woman is escorted out of the room by her butler..

Nysalia has connected.

It had been a long afternoon, and was rapidly approaching evening. The three intrepid Guild would-be investigators had followed the money back to Tornwars Bankers Association, and - with the sorceress' smooth words and vague promises of debts fulfilled - managed to extract a LOT of information. Such as the name of the agent who was serving Lord Timberling with his receivership notice - Dorth Styx. That Styx's horse was found in the stables, returned late last night, but the agent himself was no where to be found. The two giantborn had also gotten a basic description of Styx, from the deep but healed scar on his cheek to his height.

The three had then gone to the temple of Vardama, speaking to a Mourner in charge of the body's preparation. Between the two acolytes, they managed to convince the Mourner to let them examine the body - which was revealed, by measurements of the curled corpse and by the revelation of both a bone deep scar on the cheek and a triangular depression on the back of the skull to be the Agent Styx.

So. The man who burned in the fire was NOT Lord Timberling. The Mourner had mentioned to Nys that the amber bead was one of many sold by a shiftless proprieter in the lower trade districts; The temple had requested several times for the man to stop supplying noble youth with the beads, as they were often used to prank Temples during Coyote Day and the build-up therein. Images such as shuffling dead and so forth not uncommon with these repugnant pranksters.

The Giantborn had stopped there, reporting back to Lady Timerling that her brother was still alive. But not knowing where he was, why he did what he did, or why he'd rather kill a man than turn to his sister for help was unanswered. The Lady Timerbling had angrily dismissed all three, as they had done precisely what she paid for - and nothing more, leaving her with more questions than answers.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Okay :)"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And that's what you weren't there for, more or less."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Fiore and Zyla got the major strokes of what happened, but not the motivation, or what happened afterwards. They reported back and took the verbal berating. They're getting paid either way."

Whether it's from being raised on a farm or years of apprenticeship to learn the arcane arts, Nysalia has a distaste for leaving a job half finished. They may have fullfilled the letter of the assignment in determining that Lord Timberline is a live and faked his own death, but the questions of where he is and why is still nagging at her. So, the first task in her mind is to find the merchant selling the illusionary beads in the noble district.

The shiftless merchant selling TO the noble youth who come from the noble district is, as mentioned by the Mourner, located within the lower trade district. With both directions and knowledge of who to look for, Nysalia finds herself outside of what can only be called one of the worst kept stores. Badly patched wood has twisted and warped from years of neglect in the Alexandria weather, leaving faint gaps here and there into the darkness. There is no door to the 'front' of the store - a cramped, airless place that stinks vaguely of chemicals and is filled with cheap, badly made artifacts of haphazardous use. Some mundane, some actually enchanted. She can see through the front door without much of an issue, even if it is brighter outside than inside. But the store itself is much bigger than just the front, with the rear most likely devoted to storage. Especially considering how little room is devoted to customer comfort.

Well, it's certainly not a shop Nysalia would frequent by choice, but the trail has lead here, so the sorceress walks in. She looks around for a bit, wishing for low-light vision as she fumbles around in the dim light. After a few moments, she calls out "Hello?" in hopes to bring the merchant out to the front.

There is a thump and rattle from the back, and the sound of shuffling. Eventually, a greasy man in a second hand robe comes around the corner; It's bad enough that his beard is half-grown, scabrous and thin. He also had to go and paint stars and half moons on his robe to make himself more mystical. He shakes his foot, clearing some entraping artifact or other before he turns a rotten toothed smile for Nysalia.

"Aaah! How good to see you, yes? You've found your way to the Preserve of Delights; A joy on Coyote Day, a wonder on all others, yes? Yes? How can I, the enchanter Walther, assist you, yes? A fizzler for your celebrations? Or a tickler for your husband?" A lazy wink. "OR your wife, yes?"

Well, Nysalia is definately wanting to spend as little time in here as possible, before she feels the need to cast Acid Arrow on herself in order to feel clean again. Still, her smile is no less pleasant than the one she's given to all the other people she's interacted with pursuing this investigation. "Good day, sir. I'm here in looking for something that I've heard is a specialty of yours. Amber beads that contain a Silent Image spell."

"Oh! Forgive me, O Lady; The enchanter Walther-" Yes, he refers to himself in the third person "-did not realize you were in the market for something so rare, so -valuable-, yes?."

A hand disappears below the counter, riffling around in a bucket of shiny beads before he pulls out one and displays it with great gusto.

"See the shimmer, my lady; O, what a delight to the senses, yes! The enhancter Walther has poured his art into each and every one, yes, a unique gift for one and all. Easy to use, yes, easy to take. Fool your friends, twist your rivals, yes? Make your guests applaud with applomb." Now he's just making words up.

"A pittance for the miracle in a bead, O lady, yes, yes. How many are you interested in?"

Nysalia pulls out one of the beads znd holds it up, turning to try and get what little light there is to shine through it. "Yes...well crafted indeed..." Well...just a little lie. "I was wondering, though...rather than a rather...generic illusion," Nys turns a questioning eye and arched eyebrow towards Walther. "Can you create an illusion to a customer's specifications to store in one of these beads?"

"Ah! A most glorious question, O Lady, yes.."

Begins the shiftless enchanter, as he dry washes long fingers. "For a pittance more - a pittance, O Lady! - the enchanter Walther can place your dreams, yes, even your fantasies, trapped within the amber confines, yes? Yes? Whispers of decadence to tease and taunt a lover, yes? Yes. The enchanter Walther only needs - inspiration."

Now that Walther's taken the bait, Nysalia figures it's time to set the hook. "Can you create the illusion of...say..." Here, Nysalia looks right at Walther and gives him the same 'I know what you've done' look that she used to give the littles of her farming community that she caught in a lie while minding them. "A illusionary scene of a man having a heart attack while writing in a ledger and knocking over a lamp, which starts a fire?"

There is a precious, long pause where that greasy, rotten toothed smile of Walther freezes. Like the moment before glass hits the floor. And then he reaches out to either side, nearly squeaking.

"The enchanter Walther is so sorry, we are closed now, goodbye." He draws the curtains closed over the counter, and one can hear the sound of things being kicked aside in his rush to the rear.

Nysalia takes off after him, throwing aside the curtains as she reaches them. "You can talk to me," she shouts out. "Or you can talk to the constable. And the Tornwar Bank about how one of your illusions was used to cover up the murder of one of their agents." Just for effect, Nysalia points and shoots off a Ray of Frost in the general direction of Walther, hopefully getting the point across that she's no longer messing around here.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Intimidation roll?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. Sounds solid to me!

GAME: Nysalia rolls Intimidation: (2)+Intimidation: 2

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Can I spend some RPP?"

<OOC> Bitr giggles. :3 Sure.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Okay, I'll spend 3 RPP for a re-roll there."

GAME: Nysalia rolls Intimidation: (17)+Intimidation: 17

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hm. Do you have a command to spend them, or do I need to drop a Timeout?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I don't know, I haven't seen a command to spend them like that."

<OOC> Bitr nods. I'll just make sure it's noted in the log.

<OOC> Nysalia nods. "I can put in a +req also to adjust them.

<OOC> Bitr says, "By the by, are you going -over- the counter, or leaning over it to threaten the shopkeeper?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Going over it if there's no way around it."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

Nysalia clears the counter, the ray of frost strikes the wood aside the enchanters head, causing him to stumble and crash into a sack of miscellaneous junk with a jumbled crash. Walther spins around, long fingers stretched towards the sky and a nervous giggle escaping his rotten mouth. "Yes, yes, er-, no, no! No, not.. not Walther's, not.. murder? No, yes, no, not -Walther-, O Lady, please, I did- what? No." He's breathing hard eyes shifting from side to side as he tries to think of an escape. And when Nysalia moves towards him, she can see that the rear of his shop is indeed filled with brick-a-brack used to make cheap trinkets for unsuspecting buyers. Stacks of feathers, leather strings, cheap wooden masks, a bed - and atop that bed? A ragged looking man, face gone pale and hands clutching a cloak tighter about himself. Looking with shock and dismay between Walther and the sudden, aggressive new comer.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Does he look like Lord Timberling?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can definitely see a resemblance to the Lady Timberling. If she were younger and male."

As Nysalia bursts into the backroom and sees the scen before her, she comes to a halt. The sight of Walther cowering in terror really strikes her heart, maing her feel guilty for going so far. The sight of the other man also gives her pause. "Lord Timberling, I presume..." she says to the haggard man. Nys takes a deep breath to calm herself. "Alright...calm down, Walther. We're going to all talk about what happened. Then, she turns to Lord Timberling and scowls at him some. "Especially you. You need to convince me why I shouldn't go to both your sister and the magistrate, not the constable covering for you, with everything that I and my companions have figured out is going on. You already have a dead body found in your home and evidence that you used that body to fake your own death. So, tell me your side of this tale, your Lordship."

The Enchanter Walther looks between the sorceress and Lord Timberling, a rat seeing a glimpse of daylight from behind a cat. And he creeps back up the wall, hands patting along it as he moves -away- from Lord Timberling. It'd almost seem like he's circling Nysalia, save for the fact he's doing his damndest to dig through the walls of his store with his shoulder blades. "Oh! Oh, yes, yes, you two, yes? You have a lot of ta-talking to do, yes. Walther understands, he does, oh yes, I will, I will -leave you to it-." He finally finds what he's looking for; A small door built into the side of the store; Not hidden so much as badly made, so that it looks like the rest. It spills open, dumping the enchanter into the dusty street. Where he has every intention of scrambling back up and taking to his heels.

Lord Timberling, meanwhile, hasn't moved. Arms cross over his knees, and the Lord lets his face sink into the embrace of his forearms. "I didn't.." He begins, voice quavering. "I didn't mean too. It just got away from me. Don't.. blame Walther. He is a scoundrel, but he was loyal enough for the coin I paid. No one else is in this dire plot but me.."

Nysalia figures that the 'Amazing' Walther won't be showing his face around town for a long time, so Mistress Shrewn should be pleased about that. Letting the scoundrel go, ysalia focuses her attention on Lord Timberling. "I can understand that events got beyond what you intended," she says softly and reassuringly. "So, let us start at the beginning. Your business venture was failing and you were desperate. So, you went to the Tornwar Bank for a loan. I can probably guess the reason, but why didn't you go to your sister to ask for coin?"

Lord Timberling keeps his chin dipped for now, eyes hidden beneath the press of his forearm as he answers. Voice dull and saddened. "And admit myself a failure, madam? No. I am a Timberling, like my father before me; I would not hide beneath my sister's skirts any further. But, yes, my business.." A deep sigh. "It was .. not successful. Oh, I poured my soul into that venture, but it turns out others of my ilk are not so fascinated with the small folk." He finally raises his head, eyes bloodshot from - weeping?
"And -Styx-. He kept pushing and pushing and screaming. Every night, for -weeks-, trying to get me to sign the requisition papers. He.. I didn't.. " Voice softer. "He said he was going to hammer the pen through my hand if I didn't take it. That he was tired of this. That my home, my shop, everything would be .. reclaimed. He turned around, and I was -so mad-, I just.. I didn't think I hit him that hard, but the fire poker.."

Nysalia nods as she listens to the tale. "I know that the relationship between you and your sister is difficult, to say the least. But she hired myself and two others to find out what happened to you, out of concern that someone had murdered you. And when we told her of what we discovered, she expressed a wish that you had come to her for help before things had gotten to that point." Kneeling down next to him, Nysalia puts a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "You wanted to stand on your own, and that's admirable. But what's even more admirable is recognizing when you need to ask for help. That takes courage and strength for someone that prides themselves on making their own way instead of trading in on a family name. And now, it's time to stop running and take responsibility for what has happened." Nys stands back up, a warm and comforting smile for Lord Timberline. "Come with me to the magistrate and confess what has happened. Ask for mercy and it will be given. A truth spell will reveal that the death of the Tornwar agent was in self defense. If you keep running, it will be all the worse for you. I'm not a professional bounty hunter by any means, and my companions and I unraveled your flight with just an afternoon of questions. If you run now, anyone that is sent after you will be far more capable, far more violent, and far less sympathetic than I am. So come with me, and you can start to set things right."

"If only it was the money. If only! But I -killed- a man."
The young Lord puts a hand to his forehead, eyes dropping in shame while Nysalia speaks. He turns his head aside, drawing his lower lip in to bite down hard on it. And then?
Then, at last, he nods his head a few times. "You're right. Of course you are. I'm not half as clever as I thought I was. But what if Styx had a family? I don't.. I'm not sure I can face that." With a quiet, sobbing sigh, the man draws himself back to his feet. Shoulders slumped, face drawn from a restless night fleeing from a single action of violence in a lifetime of 'pleasantness'.
Lord Timberling has been caught.

---
---

GM NOTES:

Man in trouble with local banker's association for debts unpaid for his merchantile enterprise, 'Gobber Fashions'
Debtor arrives with collection notice.
Man gets upset, was promised more time. Debtor came to collect keys to house and property -now-.
Man smacks debtor, knocks him out cold/dead. Panics, thinks he killed the man. Heads to magic district, buys a single use of Silent Image from a mage (DC 25). Douses area in lantern oil, sets fire, sets silent image to show him banging silently on glass and falling down. Sneaks out of town.
Sister hires adventurers because she doesn't believe official report.
Bankers associate is missing.
<pre>
Classes listed below for reference
Man - Lord Timberling - NPC Aristocrat
Associate - Dorth Styx - Dead
Sister - Lady Timberling - NPC Aristocrat
Counstable - NPC Investigator
Priest - NPC Healer
Mage - NPC 'Street Magician'
Witnesses - NPC Commoner
</pre>

[[Category:Logs]]

A Light In The Window

2016-03-17T18:46:02Z

Bitr: Created page with "<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;"> == Log Info == *Title: A Light In The Window *Emitter: Bitr *Characters: Zyla Level 3, Fiore Level 4, Nysalia Level 3 *Pla..."

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Light In The Window
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Zyla Level 3, Fiore Level 4, Nysalia Level 3
*Place: Alexandria
*Time: March 15, 2016
*Summary: The unfortunate death of an unfortunate merchant gets complicated. Murder mystery!
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: Full roleplay with some diplomacy/intimidation/intuitive problem solving.
</div>

EVENTS: The Light In The Window is scheduled to start RIGHT NOW!

The fire had been quickly dealt with, but thorough; A blaze that had gone up in the grey pre-dawn in the middle of Alexandria, in a goodly sized home owned by Mister Timberling. It had taken the front of the house - and poor Mister Timberling with it. An unfortunate accident, said the authorities investigating. An unfortunate loss of life, and nothing more, the house roped off until someone could be along to demolish it.

But Lady Timberling, the sister, has put a call to the Guild to follow up on her brother's death. And so the call goes out, drawing those who seek such oddities for money, glory, or because they had nothing better to do. So the question becomes - head towards the charred remains of the house, head towards the constable, or head for Lady Timberling? Or some other action?

<OOC> Bitr just tosses everyone in head first. :3 You tell me where you want to start.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or better still, pose it. If you three want to split up to do different things, also fine."

<OOC> Fiore would probably start with the house, since Fiore's knowledge skills are lacking. XD

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Woop. talking to the sister is a good place to start.....for a why."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Well, I'm Little Miss Diplomacy with a +8. We can talk with the sister or the constable to find out information."

Zyla seems to think that heading to the sister is the good place to start, since she is the one doing the paying, and after all that is a good place for a mercenary to start out.

<OOC> Bitr nods. So all three to visit Lady Timberling?

Mysteries aren't really Nysalia's thing, but the Guild seemed to indicate that the fire and the death of Lord Timberling might have been intentional. So, bringing justice to an evil act is definately her thing. So, Nysalia is following Zyla and Fiore in walking up the path to Lady Timberling's home to begin the investigation.

The journey to Lady Timberlings is not exactly fraught with danger - but it is a bit of a trip to the east, where she lives in -much- better accomodations than her recently deceased brother. The tall manse in the Noble Quarter has a receiving room, of course, albeit not designed with Giantborn in mind. Still, the butler who brings them in makes a poignant no-comment to their current state of clothing.

"May I introduce her Ladyship Timberling."

The woman who sweeps in is built much like her name; Stiff and reedy. Far past her prime and further still from her late husband, she's old enough that she doesn't bother with makeups and rich enough to get away with that in society. Leaning on a wrought cane, she squints upwards at Zyla and Fiore, then slightly less upwards at Nysalia. She works sunken lips for a moment, before nodding.

"Well. Are you the three the guild sent to me?" She asks in a quavering voice. There's still a hint of iron in her, but she is -old-.

Zyla will defer mostly to those who are better at talking than she is, "The guild did send us yes." she says softly.

Nysalia bows to the Lady as she arrives. "Indeed, your Ladyship. I am Nysalia, and this is Zyla and Fiore." Nys gestures to each of her partners. "Our condolences on the loss of your brother. Perhaps you can tell us why you think foul play was involved, instead of the constable's assessment of a tragic accident?"

"Hm."

The greeting is acknowledged, at least, with a curteous nod before the elder Timberling bangs the point of her staff to the ground to punctuate her words. "Because the Constable is a fool!" She grumbles, before softening slightly. "Miziel.. my brother. He is - was - the last of the line of my family. He was only a mere babe when I had my second husband, you understand. And he had many foolish notions in that head of his, mm, mm."

She nods aside towards the seats, moving towards one herself as she goes. "I've told the constable's about his debts to the Tornwar Banker's Association, but they've ignored me. Oh, they were polite about it, but I could hear the disdain; Leave it be, old woman." A snort again, as the old woman settles into the chair.

"I don't want it to come from the constable; I want a -full- investigation. And that's what I'm paying for - every single stone over turned."

Zyla nods her head as she listens, it makes sense, but if that is what the lady wants to pay for.

Nysalia listens to Lady Timberline speak, nodding along. "I can certainly understand. What do you know about your brother's debts? How extensive were they? How did he acquire them? Were any direct threats made against your brother?"

<OOC> Fiore returns.

The Lady Timberling squints between the three again, then rocks back for a moment as she thinks. "Mm, mm. Extensive. He was a semi-successful merchant, you understand." A soft, derisive snort. "Semi, in that he hadn't been run out of Alexandria yet. 'Gobber Fashions' - he managed to convince the Tornwar Bankers guild that it'd make money. Who in their right mind would want to dress in fashions inspired by those little cretins?"

A revulsive shudder, before the Lady smacks her dried lips a few times and continues. Waving her hand vaguely. "Same questions the Constable asked. Tornwar doesn't send -goons-. They don't need too; They have the law on their side, mm, mm. The only threats he received were repossession of his property."

Fiore ponders a few moments before she looks towards Nysalia. "And then sell the stuff themselves, saying it was their idea?"

"Possibly," Nysalia says to Fiore. "But they would have had more to gain through legal channels, it sounds." Returning her focus to the Lady Timberline, Nys continues her questioning. "Would his debts have been extensive enough that the Bank could have taken posesison of his full estate? And is there anyone you can think of who held a grudge against your brother or who would profit from his death?"

<OOC> Zyla says, "pose around me a moment"

"My baby brother was a fool, but he was not a wicked man."

States the Lady, glaring briefly at Nysalia before residing back to her usual stance. Eyes half-closed in remembrance. "Mm, mm. I don't know.." She finally admits. "I've offered him help time and time again, but he refused to let me invest him. Said he wanted to be his own man." A soft snort. "I helped my mother's servants, bless her spirit, dress that little welp from before he could walk. 'His own man'. Ha!" She sighs softly, leaning on her cane and looking aside. "I suppose my family has enemies; Everyone does, when your line goes back as far as mine does. But there's always been a rule about.. such activities. Mm, mm."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Anyone else think of something to ask her?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "not at the moment. XD"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Move onto the scene of the crime or talk to the constable?"

<OOC> Zyla says, "think crime scene myself"

Zyla nods her head, "Thank you for your time, we will return with answers." she says and then looks at the others, "Lets go look where it happened."

"Thank you, Lady Timberline," Nysalia says with another bow. "If we have any further questions for you, we'll return. Hopefully, we can conclude this investigation without disturbing you further." As the group is escorted out of the manor, Nysalia turns to her companions and nods to Zyla. "That sounds like a good idea. Let's go."

Fiore stands quietly and pretty much follows them to the crime scene. Apparently absorbed in her own thoughts.

The Lady dismisses the three without further comment, her butler approaching with her noon drink. Likely something ambrosaic better meant for young arcane students. Either way, the trip towards 'Lord Timberling's house is a bit less of a tussle, if only because it's in the upper-mid part of Alexandria. The up and comers, the merchants - those who still have to work for a living, but can afford to pay others to do work too. It's modest compared to his sister - Two stories, and only five rooms. The front parlor is completely blackened, gutted by the fire, where the upper front story is blackened by smoke. Broken glass shimmers in the well kept front walk-way, while ropes blockade the street, running from the side of the house forward. Each house in this distract pressed closelty to its neighbors; Close enough, in fact, to form almsot a united front against the street. Access to the rear through a side-street.

It still smells of ash and the air tastes like soot.

Fiore makes a bit of a face. "Hmmm....Shall we look around then? I seriously doubt the Constable's going to let us through, but I imagine the real challenge here will be finding thr truth."

<OOC> Fiore does, yes.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Yes."

Zyla cock her head as they approach. "The buildings are close together, if accident, wouldn't have one of the other buildings caught on fire?"

@emit %rSeeing as the whole incident was ruled an accident, there simply aren't any guards or constable posts in the area; Just the rope and a single hanging sign warning of trespassing. The fire gutted house sags slightly, as if worn out; Windows broken by heat staring emptily across the street to the neighboring houses there, as well as being an interruption in the smooth progression of houses to either side of it. All undamaged, save for a little smoke scoring here and there.

Seeing as the whole incident was ruled an accident, there simply aren't any guards or constable posts in the area; Just the rope and a single hanging sign warning of trespassing. The fire gutted house sags slightly, as if worn out; Windows broken by heat staring emptily across the street to the neighboring houses there, as well as being an interruption in the smooth progression of houses to either side of it. All undamaged, save for a little smoke scoring here and there.

"We could always try sneaking in," Nysalia suggests to Fiore. "If the constable is involved in a cover-up, we'd never get permission to search and would have to sneak in anyways." When Zyla states her observation, Nysalia nods. "That's a good point."

"That's a good point, Zyla. The houses were really close together. That would mean that something would have to be really really intensely hot, and a very contained, and controlled fire....."

<OOC> Bitr points above. No guards or posts, no one watching but nose neighbors and the occasional pedestrian. :3

<OOC> Bitr says, "So feel free to enter at will, if one doesn't mind trespassing."

Zyla nods her head and then does start to move in. She is looking around, not that she knows too much of investigation but maybe can find something.

Fiore goes over the line as well...and begins to look in another direction than Zyla.

Nysalia follows Zyla's lead and enters the burned building. In addition to searching the burned out house, She is also looking for signs of magical arson.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Perception checks, please! And knowledge/arcana if you have it. :3

Nysalia pages: Spellcraft skill as well as Detect Magic

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (4)+12: 16

GAME: Nysalia casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (17)+7: 24

<OOC> Fiore says, "Shagara would have that, but not Fiore. XD"

GAME: Nysalia rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (2)+8: 10

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (11)+12: 23

As the three remain standing on the street, nothing much happens. A cool wind blows from the northwest, swirling down as it curls over the houses to bring the faint acrid scent of smoke and ruin. The burnt house creaks. The birds chirp.

Steping over the ruins of the front porch, Zyla can see that the house would have been quite comfy; In fact, most of it is intact, save for the front parlor. The fire seemed to have climbed straight up the wall, leaving the rear of the house untouched. Rugs on the carpet, books on the shelves, all soggy from the flame battlers attempts at controlling the brief inferno.

The parlor itself is a blackened, charred mess. Nothing but ash and wood burnt almost to white. And, of course, a sad little curl of grease spots on the ground behind what used to be a table, roughly in the shape of a man.

But as Zyla and Fiore walk about, they'll both notice it roughly at the same time; The faint glint of something in the ash, beneath what used to be the front bay windows. A tiny, broken amber bead.

You paged Nysalia with 'Detect magic shows this bead -used- to be magical; It's expired, and awaiting a charge.'

Nysalia pages: Casting Identify

Zyla does notice soemthing and waves the others open whether they see it or not, "See that, what is that?" she asks, knowing its a bead but not sure if it was a spell component or something.

The bead draws Nysalia's attention, since her Detect Magic spell causes it to glow in her field of vision. She bends down and peers at it, summoning more arcane energy to help her discern what this bead might have been at one time

GAME: Nysalia casts Identify. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. +10 to spellcraft check. Easy clear - it used to house a single 'Silent Image' spell.

"Huh..." Nysalia says after examining the bead. "This used to hold a single spell. Silent Image....." She stands up and looks around the building. "I wonder...."

Nysalia pages: I try to disbelieve that the building is actually burnt. The houses nearby would have suffered more damage if the flames had been real.

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. There's no change; The acrid scent of burnt wood, the creak of weakened timber, the crush of glass beneath your feet. All still real.

Fiore tilts her head. "What does Silent Image do?"

Nysalia pages: Okay. Still looking around with Detect Magic

Long distance to Nysalia: Bitr nods. Nothing else in the area 'pings' to you - that little heat cracked amber bead was the only thing magical, and it's a cheap piece of crap that's been used up already.

Zyla looks around for other things while listening.

Long distance to Zyla: Bitr grins. Staying in the same room or wandering?

Nysalia answers Fiore as she continues looking around while her Detect Magic spell still lasts. "It's an illusionary spell. Theoretically, if the caster was powerful enough, it could create the illusion of a building of this size being burnt out, which would explain why none of the neighboring buildings were damaged by the fire. But it's a sight illusion only. It can't replicate the smell of the burnt wood or any of the other things we're sensing." She sighs as there seems to be no more magic to detect. "For a moment, I thought that perhaps Lord Timberling decided to use an illusion to fake his death and escape his debts."

You paged Zyla with 'In fact, go ahead and toss me a perception roll, if you will.'

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (14): 14

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Bitr thinks Zyla might be hit by RL. :3 Perceptions, again?

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (13)+12: 25

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (10)+12: 22

Fiore says, "Well...that would explain a few things."

Zyla nods as she starts to move towards other rooms, "Well maybe there was more than one, the image, and then other things to make the rest, or someone used an image of an out of control accidental blaze while they set controlled blazes inside to make it look right for after.

While all three are pontificating on the death of Lord Timberling, Zyla notices a motion across the street - a curtain being drawn aside, then quickly twitched closed.

Only moments later, the door to that house opens, and a young man goes speeding off down the street - while the door is closed behind him by someone else.

*Clonk* goes the lock.

You paged Zyla with 'Also, if you're moving towards the rear, you'll notice something peculiar; Rear door of Lord Timberling's house is wide open, swinging in the smoke tinted breeze.'

Zyla turns and looks at the others, "Someone just ran off somewhere? So we are probably going to get company soon. Of some sort or other." she says and then is moving towards the back and checks the door she finds open, seeing if lock was broken or it was just left open.

You paged Zyla with 'Not broken; The lock works just fine, from the inside. It just wasn't latched when it was last used.'

Fiore takes a deep breath. "Nys. Can you take that crystal? I think we may need to get out of here." She then looks to Zyla. "Find anything else?"

After picking up the bead, Nysalia turns when Zyla points out that someone is runnning off down the road. "Better get prepared then," she says and casts a spell that causes a shimmering aura to flicker around her briefly. Then, she turns towards the building that Zyla is currently checking out. She walks over to start looking through the windows, trying to see what's inside.

GAME: Nysalia casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16

When Nysalia walks across the street to start trying to peer through the window of THAT house - the door clicks and is swung open hard once more. There, standing on the doorway, is a broad bodied khazard woman; With a rather large crossbow in her hands.

"Here now! Who do you think you are, snooping about? Looters! Ruffians! My Riff has already alerted the guard, he has, wings on his feet he's got! You're as good as caught, you are!"

<OOC> Fiore says, "She went across the street?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "yup."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Zyla moved towards the back of Timberling's house. You're in the parlor. Nys went across the street to peek.

<OOC> Fiore says, "and Nys is the one with the crossbow in her face?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Although it's obvious the woman has seen you all, as she refers to plural. Looters and ruffians. :3"

Zyla calls out thinking the others are in the other room still, "Back door was left open. Someone left in a hurry." she says and then starts to move back, she is leary about looking upstairs.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Going to make a Diplomacy check after this pose"

It's right about then that Fiore, seeing the crossbow in Nys' face, that she rushes forward and steps between the dwarf and Nys. "Go on and see what she's found." She says to Nys. "we're not looters. We were hired to see what happened. The one that hired us doesn't believe the constable. So we're here seeking the truth."

<OOC> Fiore put herself between Nys and the crossbow because she has a defense against it.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. :3

With the sudden imposition of Fiore in front of the crossbow, Nysalia takes a few steps back, cautiously. "As she said, ma'am, we're incestigating the circumstances of the fire. We're here on the authroization of Lord Timberline's sister, so we have permission from the owner to be looking through the building. We're sorry for causing you distress, but if you help us by answering some questions, we can quickly be on our way."

GAME: Nysalia rolls Diplomacy: (9)+8: 17

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Trying to improve her attitude towards us."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Fiore, did you want to try and assist?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'll pose up reactions! :3"

<OOC> Fiore says, "Dunno if I can. hang on"

<OOC> Fiore says, "guess I can."

The hostile dwarf tilts her head slightly, a single thick brow raised. But it seems a semi-reasonable response; It's obvious she still doesn't trust the two, the point of the crossbow lifting to not-so-subtly point up at the giantborn monk. "Oh, did she now? And since when did her -ladyship- start caring about that poor man? Driven day and night he was, and never once did I see her carriage around these parts to visit! And I see it all, I do. And I see your big -friend- back there trying to make her escape through the back of poor Lord Timberling's house, I do!" She sniffs disdainfully, even as a few more heads poke out of houses to see what the ruckus is about.

Zyla, in the back, can see a narrow road running along behind all of the houses. Most have a small fence between the road and the rear entrance, with baskets for deliveries; The alleyway running from side to side, leading out to the main roads. Going around front would mean going -all- the way around to the 'proper' road.

@emit That, or going through the house itself, of course.

That, or going through the house itself, of course.

Zyla turns and heads back through to the front of the house and looks around before she realizes everyone else is across the street, "I think whoever set the fire, went out the back and was gone before anyone realized it, easy to get out and onto the main roads back there."

"You see it all, hmm? Did you see what was going on when the fire broke out?" Fiore asks reasonably of the dwarf, staying between Nys and the crossbow bearing dwarf.

"Well, since you see everythign happenign on this street," Nysalia says to the woman with a freindly smile. "You can be a really big help in determining what happened here. Can you tell us about anyone that did visit Lord Timberling? Maybe some loud arguments that you might have heard?"

The dwarven woman's crossbow wavers between Fiore and Zyla - the two being the 'largest' threat - before she finally harumfs as a few more spectators hang out their doorways to keep an eye on things. Nosey neighbors indeed. The point drops, and she hangs it on a hook beside the door before her large fists go to her large hips.

"Well, -if- you're going to ask me questions, you'll have the courtesy to use my name! Shrewn. -Mistress- Shrewn to you three!" A snort. "Same thing I told the constables when they asked! Oh, it was terrible. I was cooking dinner for young Riff - all legs and bones, that one! - when I just -happened- to glance out the window like I usually do, and there he was. Curtain open, penciling away at his ledger, lamp right beside him." She sighs dramatically. "Oh, it was terrible. I saw him clutch his chest and fall to the side! Knocked that lantern clean off the table. I saw the flames go up the curtain, and sent Riff running to get the flame battlers." Here, her eyes get excited, even though she keeps the 'dramatic' tune. Gossip! "Oh, I saw him rise up again, his coat all aflame! Pounding and pounding on the glass. I couldn't hear him over the flames, of course, and they were spreading so fast! And down he goes, poor, poor Timberling." Here, she leans forward, voice dropping to a stage whisper.

"I even saw the dreadful remains when the Constable's pulled it out. All curled and blackened like a Coyote day roast. Oh! Oh, that poor man."

A few others have gathered around to hear the story, nodding their heads once or twice in sympathy.

Zyla cocks her head to the side for a moment, "Mistress Shrewn, your knowledge is quite helpful. You saw all of this through the window yes? Did you hear any of the flames, or smell the smoke at that time?" she is thinking of the bead they found under the window.

"Hm? Of course I did! Roaring like the dickens, they were, I could hardly think. Oh, and the heat! Nearly blistered the paint off my front door." She sighs dramatically, clasping her hands as she remembers 'poor, poor Timberling'. "Oh, that poor man. Bothered day and night by that dreadful little worm from Tornwars. Not even a night's rest in the end for the dear. And he was always such a .. a pleasant man. A bit addled in the head, of course, but always -so nice- to be around, not to speak ill of the dearly departed, no."

"Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says. "Do you happen to know where that road behind Lord Timberling's house might lead to?"

"Mm? Servant's pass? To the main roads, of course. We can't have deliveries or stocks coming through the front door; What would people -think-?"

Mistress Shrewn squints, and frowns, being drawn from her re-enactment of that dreadful night; So full of gossip! "Peculiar line of questioning. Why! Do you and your looter friends plan to run amock? I'll have you know we lock our doors every night! Triple! Quadruple!"

Zyla cocks her head to the side for a moment, "So little worm from Tornwars has been around. The back door which anyone could escape from was left open as someone fled in a rush." she shakes her head as she thinks about it for a moment.

Fiore looks over to Zyla and gestures back to the house. Zyla might know what Fiore wants her to look for, but she's not moving from between the crossbow and Nys.

The small dwarven woman looks from Fiore to Zyla to Nys again, then reaches up to place a large hand over her mouth. "Oo! Do you think he was -murdered-? Oh, how -dreadful-." Her eyes gleam with the thought of such horrific gossip to spread, before she recovers herself and clears her throat. "Now! You three had better move along before the guard comes and ponks you down to a proper size!" While it may not be logical to believe that someone is investigating AT THE SAME TIME as being a Looter, no one said Mist. Shrewn was logical.

"We have no intention of robbing anyone, Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says in a reassuring tone. "We were just curious becasue knowing where the road leads could help us determine where the people that did this horrible thing might have come from. "One last question before we depart: do you know what this 'worm from Tornwars' wanted with Lord Timberling?"

Zyla does head back over towards the house to get another good look.

Fiore remains silent, but still....crossbow.

"Oh, same thing they always want; Money, money, money."

Snorts Mistress Shrewn. "You should have heard them the night before! Yelling and hollering. I've never even heard Lord Timberling raise his voice before! Harmph. You think that -sister- of his would deign to lend a coin or two, but oh no; Of course the poor man's on his own, fighting off the creditors and trying to run a business. Oh, oh, it just breaks my heart." She sighs dramatically. "His big black horse hobbled -right out front- where anyone could see it, too. How embarrassing!" Twinkle in the eye, and a fake sob of sympathy.

Zyla, meanwhile, sees precisely what was before; The remains of the front door lead to the hallway, with the open parlor to the right. All blackened and weakened, burning right up through the roof. PAst that are the receiving room and kitchen, with the rear door leading to the back alley. Still drifting open in the northwest wind.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perceptions, please. :3"

GAME: Nysalia rolls Perception: (7)+7: 14

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (3)+12: 15

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL grabbed Fiore?"

As the three speak to the gossipy neighbor, they notice - absolutely nothing's amiss. All good here!

Mistress Shrewn is nearly to the end of her patience, as well; While the three have gotten her a bit less hostile by offering sweet, juicy gossip bits, at best she's indifferent to their plight. Also, she's something cooking, by the savory smell that wafts from her open door. Fidgety and ready to get back to her life of home-bodying.

Zyla is considering heading upstairs again, but she doesn't like the state of the house.

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (10)+12: 22

<OOC> Fiore says, "Yeah it did."

"Thank you for your help, Mistress Shrewn," Nysalia says with a polite nod of her head. She turns to walk back towards the burnt-out house. "So," she says to her companions. "What do we do next?"

You paged Fiore with 'In that case, YOU can hear the distant sound of running feet. :3 A couple of them. TOWARDS your position.'

Fiore says, "She said he was upstairs. Maybe one of us should look up there. Someone lighter than me." She then turns her head. "And we're about to have company. So we might want to hide. Or Nys can. Zyla and I might have a toughter time.""

<OOC> Bitr ahems. She said he was in the front parlor, curtains open, writing on a ledger with a lamp beside him. :3 Same parlor you guys found the bead in.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Downstairs."

<OOC> Fiore says, "OKay."

<OOC> Fiore says, "then we poof?"

<OOC> Bitr nods. If you want! Where too?

<OOC> Fiore says, "away from the guards?"

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Hide in the burned out building?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Up to you!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Stealth it up or flee. :3"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I'll follow the lead ot the others"

Eventually, all three can hear what Fiore originally heard; The sound of pounding feet and clanking metal. The guard, on the move! Flee, hide, stand your ground or some other option?

Zyla looks at the others, "Well here they come, so do we go? Or talk our way out of it?"

<OOC> Fiore is going to be blunt. an 8 foot tall, read haired woman is hard to hide. I'm hoofing it. I KNOW I can outrun them.

<OOC> Bitr grins.

Fiore says, "Come on. They wouldn't understand, plus they'll take what bit of evidence we have." She says to Zyla, then looks to Nys. You might have to take a different road, but I know I can outrun these guys.""

Zyla shrugs, "We go out the back, the servant's road leads to the main roads no, direct access to the front."

Fiore nods. "Lets go that way."

Nysalia nods to Fiore and Zyla. "Sounds good. Let's go..." And she runs into the burned building, heading towards the servant's road.

Fiore is right behind Nys.

Zyla moves as well.

Shortly after the three duck back into Timberling's house, they can hear authorative shouting as the guard arrives - and the indistinct but entirely recognizable sound of Shrewn ratting them out.

However, taking the servant's pass was a solid idea, and the three manage to avoid getting nabbed for uncomfortable questions. FOR NOW. But it does leave them at an impasse.

All they have so far is that the nosey neighbor - at least, the loudest one - claims that Lord Timberling was sitting in his parlor with a ledger and a lantern, curtains open. Grabbed his chest and fell to the side, knocking over the lantern. Fire goes up, man pounding on the glass while on fire. Then the burnt body being carried away by the constables later on in the morning.

Except for the amber bead and the opened back door, it looks like a casebook example of 'accidental death'. That, and the agent from Tornwars, and the nightly screaming match.

<OOC> Fiore would talk to the guy from Tornwars....

<OOC> Fiore says, "It's all we have at the moment, i think."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I agree"

<OOC> Fiore thinks we might hafta get rough with him though.....shame.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyone got local knowledge, or can think of a way to find it? Otherwise, it's too the banking quarter and hunting."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Tornwar Bankers Guild, that is."

<OOC> Fiore has zero knowledge skills. XD

<OOC> Bitr laughs! But that's the fun part! :D

<OOC> Bitr says, "Right up there with 'giantborn lock picking'."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I need to head out for a bit. BRB..."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let's go ahead and just move us right along. Finding Tornwars Banker's Guild isn't -that- important to the plot. ;)"

<OOC> Bitr says, "At least, the activity of finding it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Obviously, the bankers guild itself is important."

<OOC> Fiore says, "yus."

The three rough looters - according to Mistress Shrewn, scandous bandits who threatened her with fists and almost broke down her door when she didn't answer fast enough - head for the money; The upper trade district. Where what you buy doesn't come in boxes, but on the front of little pieces of paper. Tornwars Bankers Guild is a mid-sized banking association, fronted by an oranate wooden building with stained glass. It is almost built like a small temple; A temple to the almighty platinum piece. Clerks move too and from the building, hustling as only those who have 'careers' can. Other, elder clerks line the desks along the side of the walls, taking documents and speaking to customers there-in. And, finally, a large oak door in the back leads to the current head of this division, armed and manned by a set of 'secretaries of particular skill'. Aka, large and stupid enough not to be fooled.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Honestly, I think Miss Shrewn was full of shit. XD"

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, it's not a static world~ People have their own perceptions of what you do and what happens around them."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Welp! The two giantborn are up, while Nys is away. :3"

And this place is where Fiore ducks into the foor. being around 8 feet tall means places feel cramped. She makes a face as she looks about and eyeing the large door. "Well....Hopefully we can talk peacefully."

Zyla shrugs, "Well we will have to see about things." she says and shrugs, "Peacefully would definitely be good."

<OOC> Nysalia says, "back"

<OOC> Bitr huzzahs!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Go ahead and pose up while I prepare a drop. :3"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I don't know how much longer I'll be on this morning, though"

<OOC> Bitr nods. If you need to head out, let me know.

<OOC> Bitr says, "I'm sure the girls will be fine. They've got the thread. And by sure, I mean >:3 Mueheheheh"

Nysalia looks around as she joins Fiore and Zyla in entering the bank. At seeing all the clerks running around, Nysalia bites her lip. "Hmmm...tracking down the clerk dealing with Lord Timberling might be a little difficult..."

The two giantborn are left to their own devices for the moment - clerks hurrying past them, and doing their best to ignore the sudden addition of elephants. Metaphorically speaking. At last, however, one pointy eared fellow approaches the three. Clasping his hands in front of him.

"Well. Good morning! What can Tornwars do for you today?" Gesturing for them to follow him to the side - and away from, well, richer looking clientele. Best not to make assumptions -just- yet, though.

<OOC> Bitr ahems. Approaches the -three-.

Zyla lets one of the others do the talking, she isn't sure what to say not to make things worse.

Fiore moves slightly to the side, but does follow too far, she does, however, look towards the more diplomatic one....Nysalia.

<OOC> Fiore says, "does not that is."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Nys -maaaay- have been grabbed by RL. Fiore, Zyla?"

Nys unloads her most brilliant smile onto the clerk that approaches them. "Good day to you," she says plesantly. "My associates and I were wondering if we can speak with one of your reclamation agents?" She's now speaking in a quieter tone. "The one handling the Bank's accounts with Lord Timberling?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Nope. Back for now :)"

<OOC> Fiore brb...again

"Lord Timberling?"

The elf looks confused for a moment, before ah-ha'ing. "Yes, of course! I recall. Our condolences to the family; Here at Tornwars Banking Guild, all of our customers are like family as well, and we reach out to express our sympathies at these darker times." He tuts briefly, before holding out a palm.

"I assume you three are regeants? If you'll but hand over the Timberling seal, I'll gladly release the full file to you, along with final balance as of time of passing."

A glittering, bright white smile. Looking from Nys to Zyla, and then to Fiore.

Nysalia's smile is just as glittering, and unwavering. "I will admit that we do not have the Timberling Seal," she says without a pause. "But that is becasue we are not here as Lord Timberling's executors, but rather on behalf of Lady TImberling. We were hired to investigate the death of her brother and we have reason to believe that all is not as it would seem." A well-praticed, weary and sympathetic sigh is uttered. "I realize that it's not exactly protocol, but speaking with that particular agent could help us resolve this situation quickly and lead to a possible re-couping of the debts that Lord Timberling owed. Debts that I was told were quite substantial."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy! Vs. 'Indifferent', give lengthy or complicated aid. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Zyla, Fiore, feel free to weigh in as well~"

<OOC> Zyla says, "isn't sure what I have to add"

<OOC> Fiore says, "verbally? No. :D"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Fiore says, "Fiore's diplomacy: shoulder the two guards aside, use the 'giantborn lockpick' and ask what's going on."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Worse to worse, if diplomacy fails that might have to be the way to go. Or late night visitations. OR some third option. :3 There's lots of ways to crack this mystery!

<OOC> Fiore rolls to aid

GAME: Fiore rolls diplomacy: (10)+1: 11

GAME: Nysalia rolls Diplomacy: (18)+8: 26

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I am a special snowflake :)"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "And sadly, with that roll, I need to leave :( But Bitr can keep me in and use me as support for you two"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Thanks for running, Bitr :) See you guys later"

<OOC> Fiore says, "hehe"

The elf's smile flickers briefly, and he briefly grips and releases his pressed hands. "Ah." He begins, bluntly. Then takes a long, deep breath through his nostrils, eyes flicking to one of the elder clerks and back again. To the two larger giantborn. To the woman. And then, finally, a gesture. "This way, please." The smile is still there, but its wooden now.

He leads the three up to a particular desk in the corner, where an old gnome sits, squinting at a ledger with narrow sighted determination. The elf slips up beside the gnome, leans over and whispers. The gnome nods, and then looks at the three from his raised desk. Well, -up- at two of the three.

"Mm, num, nom. Lord Timberling, mm? Mm, mm, let's see.." He opens draws, slowly flipping through paperwork. "mm, nom, num, yes, yes, here we are. 'Gobbers Fashionique', 'Delights And Fashions From Their Tiny Heart To Yours'. Mm, nom. In receivership! Mm. Mm. Some legal matters here, ah, mm. Here we are.. Agent, ah.. Dorth Styx was assigned to press the case. Good man, high return rate."

He peers back up at the two, eyes made huge by the magnification of his glasses. "Anything further?"

<OOC> Fiore thinks we're going to need Nys' diplomacy roll after this too. XD

<OOC> Bitr laughs! I'll let her roll hold for talking to the elder clerk. :3

<OOC> Bitr says, "It was a pretty darn good roll."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, it's up to you two to ask the smart questions. Or take what you have and boogie."

<OOC> Fiore says, "yeah."

Fiore smiles a bit. "Not quite yet, but if there's something else we need, we may come back."

Zyla cocks her head to the side, "Well is it possible to talk to Mr Styx?" she smiles a little as she looks at Fiore and then back.

<OOC> Fiore points to Zyla.

"Talk to him, hm? Hm. Hm."

The older gnome smacks his lips a few time, shaking hand stretching out to pull up a small, brass contraption from where it'd folded neatly down. It looks, for all the world, like a set of church organ tubes. He presses something on the side, clears his throat, and hoarsely shouts.

"Connect to Styx." A pause as he presses his ear to the contraption. ".. Mm, mm, no, no. -Dorth- Styx. STYX!" There's another pause.

"Mm. Mm, right, right. Peculiar." He takes his ear from the contraption, smacking his lips a few more times, then calls again. "Connect to stables. -STABLES-. .. Mm? Yes, Styx's, mm, nom, horse. Is it in? Yes. Yes... Very peculiar. Mm."

He then folds the contraption down, and crosses shaking fingers. "Agent Styx is not in his office, mm, mm. Stables says his horse is in, mm. Been in since this morning. I've, mm, mm, no doubt he's somewhere around. Can I, mm, nom, take a message?"

Zyla mms, "Really, well we really need to speak to him, was he in yesterday?"

Fiore thinks that Zyla has it covered, so she stands by and listens.

The gnome owlishly stares up at Zyla, smacking his lips slowly, before shaking hands pull open drawers once again. Thumbing through a few things as he murmurs to himself, before pulling up another thick ledger. "Mm, mm, mm... Styx, Styx. Ah. Last night, check out; Delivering receivership papers to, mm, mm, Lord Timberling. He hasn't filed his return yet, mm." The gnome takes a small pen, and marks a few things. "Mm, mm. Horse returned, failure to fill report of delivery in timely manner. Demerit." Satisfied, the gnome looks back up.

"Only long enough, nom, nom, to pick up the receivership paperwork for Lord Timberling to sign. Mm, mm. Bad business, that. Whole house was put in for tally; Steadfast residence denied, mm, mm."

<OOC> Zyla says, "Timberling was gnome too yes?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Nope! Human."

<OOC> Bitr doesn't think he actually stated a race, bu thuman.

Zyla nods her head for a moment, "And can you tell me what Mr Styx looks like?" she asks, she has a bit of a thought.

<OOC> Bitr nods. That's what made the business venture such a .. well, bad idea. A human taking design inspiration from gobbers for fashionable clothing.

Fiore looks to Zyla quietly. "Peculiar, I think."

"Mm, mm. Mm..."

The elder gnome pulls another small drawer open, and from it a slate - with an image drawn upon it! Very detailed. He squints briefly at it, before snapping his fingers at a young clerk running by. "Mm, mm. Run this to the, om nom, optical resonance duplicator, mm? Quickly now." And back to the two giantborn. "New fangled devices, mm? Wonders of magitech, eh? Eh?"

A few moments later the clerk returns with a piece of paper and the slate. The slate is tucked away, and the paper - still warm from its run through a bit of clerical magitech - is handed up. The image is of a mid-life man, sinister chin and goatee, with a small scar down his cheek and narrow eyes. 'Dorth Styx' is printed beside it, along with a few basic position stats such as agent filing number and so forth. And demerits.

<OOC> Bitr says, "The drawn image, that is. :3"

<OOC> Fiore says, "How tall was he? And how big around?"

Zyla hmmms and nods as she gets the picture of the man, "That might help alot thank you." she looks at Fiore.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Six two standing straight, average weight. He -looks- like someone who'd make a fighter, but he's obviously an 'agent' for bankruptcy now."

<OOC> Fiore nodnods.

<OOC> Fiore has her reasons.

"Mm, mm, yes. Now, mm, nom, I've a lot more business to get too, so if you two don't mind? Mm."

The older gnome states.

Zyla nods and smiles, "Thank you for your time." she nods to Fiore and then moves to depart.

Fiore moves her way out as well.....but makes sure to stop Zyla outside of the 'bank'. Lets see if we can find the body at the morgue."

The two (three) exit the Tornwar Bankers Guild, with more answers but more questions. Now where? The agent who'd chased after Timbling's money was missing, as was the most obvious culprit of the potential murder. There was still no telling what the amber bead was for, with the silent image. And doubtless their welcome at the crime scene has been worn out.

And then Fiore gets a bit of inspiration, apparently.

Zyla smiles a little, "That is my thought that it might be Mr. Styx whose burned corpse they carried out." she says and nods to Fiore, "Not sure where the body is sent."

Fiore says, "Up to the Temple of Vardama of course. it's where all bodies are kept."

Zyla nods her head, "Alright, burnt body here we come."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Incoming pose drop~"

The Temple of Vardama in Alexandria is - by necessity - humble and strapped. After all the trouble they've had with the recently purged internal corruption and all. Still, as the two enter the hallways the temperatures drop remarkably; All the better to keep the recent deceased until they can be properly interred, of course. They are meet by a Mourner near the front.

"Welcome, welcome.. friends or relatives of the current progression? Or are you here for a different purpose?" The robed figure's voice is calm and neutral; Hard to tell if it's a woman or a man.

Zyla smiles and gives a bit of a bow, "I am Sister Zyla of the Brotherhood of War." she mentions the monkly order devoted to Kor that she follows. "We are seeking to talk to someone who might be able to talk to us about a body that was brought in, burnt, Lord Timberling, or at least the body that was found in his burned manor." she is polite as she says it.

Fiore smiles to the Mourner. "Fiore, Acolyte of the Order of Righteous Battle, I'm with her." it must be serious if Kor and Angoron followers are working together.

"Welcome, then, acolytes.." Begins the Mourner. "This morning?"

The Mourner, dipping his/her head briefly. "That would be me. Lord Timberling is still being.." The Mourner pauses, trying to find a diplomatic way of putting things. ".. prepared for his rite of passage. The Lady Timberling has refused us permission to inter him, but also refuses to claim his mortal shell. She has paid her funeral dues, however, so we will maintain him as we can until her grief has passed. How may I serve you?"

Zyla nods to Fiore and smiles figuring she knows a little more what she had in mind.

"Well, Mourner....we have a bit of a suspicion. We would like to see the body for confirmation though." Fiore looks to Zyla to get out the piece of paper. She then gestures, as if to lead on. "I'll explain on the way there. We won't disturb the body. we just need to see it."

"This is.. highly unusual."

Begins the genderless Mourner, turning its hooded head aside. There is a creeping suspicion, as the Mourner addresses the two once again. "You understand that the recently deceased are not for idle speculation or observation; We do not dishonor their memories by putting them to display for morbid curiosity. What suspicions do you raise, Acolytes..?"

Zyla nods her head and looks at Fiore, "Might have to look closely." she says but then nods, "We do not mean any disrespect though." as she does get out the piece of paper. "It is possible that the body believed to be Lord Timberling is not infact him."

"Believe me, I'd rather leave the dead alone myself, Mourner. And I know it's highly unusual, but my associate, Zyla and I think that Lord Timberling faked his death and this man......" She then gestures to the piece of paper. ".....is the one who burned to death in the fire. As I said, we'll do our best not to disturb the body, but we'd like to be sure."

The Mourner accepts the paper from Zyla in a gloved hand, looking over it quietly. Then handing it back before the hood dips again. ".. That is .. distressing. Please, this way."

The Mourner gestures, and begins walking silently into the temple proper - down a few flights of stairs, where cold mist seeps from enchanted pillars. The trip is short, leading to a nondescript room with a stone slab. Upon it is a simple internment mask, keeping the body hidden from casual viewers. With a touch, the Mourner causes the mask to split, revealing the curled, pathetic mass of charred flesh laying within.

".. Faked his death..?"

Comes the query from the Mourner, who presses a gloved hand to a hidden face. ".. Very distressing. But why..?"

Zyla nods, "He had a lot of debts, by faking his death, they cease to exist and he can live on debt free, elsewhere." she says and the takes a little, seeing if there is anything she can attribute to the picture and what they know of Mr Styx.

"Again, these are speculations, Mourner. But from what his sister said, he had many debts to pay, and it seemed one way was to fake his death. Well, we just came from the bank, and the 'enforcer' didn't return from visiting the lord's house. And there was a fire..." She then gestures to Nysalia. "And we found a gem with a 'silent image' spell upon it. To simulate a fire...."

GAME: Fiore rolls perception: (13)+12: 25

GAME: Zyla rolls perception: (9)+12: 21

"Debt?"

The Mourner sounds confused. ".. But it is my understanding that Lady Timberling is quite well off. Surely, any debt her brother accrued..? Oh. Forgive me, that is idle speculation." S/He then moves aside to speak with Nysa, as the two examine the corpse.

It's hard to determine precisely how tall it was, if only because the corpse curled in on itself as it burned. But from rough estimates, the two guestimate it'd be about Styx's height. However, more important, there appears to be a very large -divet- in the back of the corpse's skull. Triangle shaped, and pressed in at the point. Not like a stab so much as a CLUNK.

In the flesh of the cheek, where the skin melted away and the muscle tightened, one can -just- make out an old scar along the bone line. It must've been deep when it happened years ago.

Zyla sighs a little as she looks and then sighs, "He was hit...before and then burned, the scar." she points and then points to the picture as well as she talks to Fiore.

Fiore says, "No....LORD Timberling. Not Lady. Lady Timberling is still very much alive, and is the one who hired us." She then looks to Zyla. "And it looks like we were right. it's the Enforcer, Styx.""

<OOC> Fiore has friends in the Mourners. She is -NOT- going to lie to them. Ever.

"Oh, of course. I just meant that should the Lord fall to trouble, surely his sister..? Excuse me."

The Mourner goes back to speaking with Nys, finally interrupting the two as she takes the split amber bead from Nysa. ".. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but if what you say is true.." The mourner holds out the bead. "I've seen these before. Cheap enchantments. They come around every year, when Coyote day approaches. Usually it is some young child who projects images of .. excuse me. Of the risen dead." The Mourner does not sound pleased. "We've spoken to the proprietor of these pranks, and asked him to stop selling them to the noble youth. Alas, we have no -legal- recourse. If .. a murder occurred, as you claim? Perhaps the proprietor will rethink his ways. Or, at least, if you could put in another word for us..?"

"Meanwhile, I will.. contact the constabulary and let them know there has been a terrible mistake."

Zyla nods her head, "My guess would be that the Lord Timberling hit this gentleman, killing him, then used the bead to make it look like he was burning alive when he set the man on fire and then escaped out the back.

"Hang on, Mourner." Fiore says quietly before looking towards Zyla. "Could you wait a little bit before contacting them?" She then turns towards Zyla. "And yet, it was that lady dwarf that heard the fire, smelled the smoke, and saw everything....BUT this man walking in."

"I ... yes?"

The Mourner seems confused, but presses gloved hands together. "I have forgivness to ask of Our Lady and this poor soul, for misremembering him so. Dorth Styx? May I keep the paper, so I can prepare him properly, and contact his family?"

Zyla nods her head and hands the paper over and looks at Fiore, "Think the dwarf was in on it? Or Styx went in through the back."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Need a reminder from the log? :3"

Fiore says, "Moer than likely the dwarf was in on it....perhaps the Constable too. The COnstable was rather quick to tell Lady Timberling to sod off, wasn't he?""

<OOC> Fiore says, "It's a conspiracy! XD"

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Once you start thinking like that, it's hard to stop, isn't it? :3

Zyla shrugs, "Well we have what we were hired for. She hired us to prove it wasn't an accident. It wasn't and her brother is still alive, think we can head back to her with everything?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "SO. What's the plan? Go confront Mistress Shrewn? Track down the amber bead? Shake down the Constable and his guards? :3 Something else? Or turn it in and hope for the best?"

<OOC> Fiore says, "Turn it in. It's what she hired us for. XD"

<OOC> Bitr grins. Okie dokie! Pose it on up! And I'll pose drop for the Lady Timberling depending.

Zyla smiles to the Mourner, "Thank you for your time, we will let Lady Timberling know, let the constable know." she says and smiles to Fiore, "Lets go let the Lady know."

Fiore says, "Yeah. I think we can head back to Lady Timberling with everything." She then bows to the Mourner. "I apologize Mourner. I thought there was more to this, but it's probably my imagination running away with me." She says nodding to Zyla and heading out with her."

<OOC> Fiore noms Zyla.

The journey back to Lady Timberling is a somber one; The mystery only partially concluded, but enough evidence brought to light to show that her 'baby brother' is still alive! Probably. The old woman accepts the evidence, listening, her frown growing greater and greater with each passing moment. At last, she holds up a hand to halt any further explanation.

".. You tell me that my brother was -not- killed in that fire, but has managed to murder someone else. My brother. My -Miziel-, who has never raised a hand in anger his entire life. You cannot tell me where he is, or what he has done beyond this." She begins, berating as she hobbles. "Why not come to -me-? His .. this profession was a hobby to me! A pittance! I could have cleared his debt with my monthly allotment! And you say he would kill to avoid paying?!"

She thrusts the back of her hand aside, as if throwing the motivation away. Snorting softly to herself as she looks aside, before her eyes close.

"... Fine. You've done what I -paid- you for, and nothing more. You've discovered my brother is still alive, somewhere. .. Get out. The Guild will have your payment."

The last word is spat, before the old woman is escorted out of the room by her butler..

Nysalia has connected.

It had been a long afternoon, and was rapidly approaching evening. The three intrepid Guild would-be investigators had followed the money back to Tornwars Bankers Association, and - with the sorceress' smooth words and vague promises of debts fulfilled - managed to extract a LOT of information. Such as the name of the agent who was serving Lord Timberling with his receivership notice - Dorth Styx. That Styx's horse was found in the stables, returned late last night, but the agent himself was no where to be found. The two giantborn had also gotten a basic description of Styx, from the deep but healed scar on his cheek to his height.

The three had then gone to the temple of Vardama, speaking to a Mourner in charge of the body's preparation. Between the two acolytes, they managed to convince the Mourner to let them examine the body - which was revealed, by measurements of the curled corpse and by the revelation of both a bone deep scar on the cheek and a triangular depression on the back of the skull to be the Agent Styx.

So. The man who burned in the fire was NOT Lord Timberling. The Mourner had mentioned to Nys that the amber bead was one of many sold by a shiftless proprieter in the lower trade districts; The temple had requested several times for the man to stop supplying noble youth with the beads, as they were often used to prank Temples during Coyote Day and the build-up therein. Images such as shuffling dead and so forth not uncommon with these repugnant pranksters.

The Giantborn had stopped there, reporting back to Lady Timerling that her brother was still alive. But not knowing where he was, why he did what he did, or why he'd rather kill a man than turn to his sister for help was unanswered. The Lady Timerbling had angrily dismissed all three, as they had done precisely what she paid for - and nothing more, leaving her with more questions than answers.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Okay :)"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And that's what you weren't there for, more or less."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Fiore and Zyla got the major strokes of what happened, but not the motivation, or what happened afterwards. They reported back and took the verbal berating. They're getting paid either way."

Whether it's from being raised on a farm or years of apprenticeship to learn the arcane arts, Nysalia has a distaste for leaving a job half finished. They may have fullfilled the letter of the assignment in determining that Lord Timberline is a live and faked his own death, but the questions of where he is and why is still nagging at her. So, the first task in her mind is to find the merchant selling the illusionary beads in the noble district.

The shiftless merchant selling TO the noble youth who come from the noble district is, as mentioned by the Mourner, located within the lower trade district. With both directions and knowledge of who to look for, Nysalia finds herself outside of what can only be called one of the worst kept stores. Badly patched wood has twisted and warped from years of neglect in the Alexandria weather, leaving faint gaps here and there into the darkness. There is no door to the 'front' of the store - a cramped, airless place that stinks vaguely of chemicals and is filled with cheap, badly made artifacts of haphazardous use. Some mundane, some actually enchanted. She can see through the front door without much of an issue, even if it is brighter outside than inside. But the store itself is much bigger than just the front, with the rear most likely devoted to storage. Especially considering how little room is devoted to customer comfort.

Well, it's certainly not a shop Nysalia would frequent by choice, but the trail has lead here, so the sorceress walks in. She looks around for a bit, wishing for low-light vision as she fumbles around in the dim light. After a few moments, she calls out "Hello?" in hopes to bring the merchant out to the front.

There is a thump and rattle from the back, and the sound of shuffling. Eventually, a greasy man in a second hand robe comes around the corner; It's bad enough that his beard is half-grown, scabrous and thin. He also had to go and paint stars and half moons on his robe to make himself more mystical. He shakes his foot, clearing some entraping artifact or other before he turns a rotten toothed smile for Nysalia.

"Aaah! How good to see you, yes? You've found your way to the Preserve of Delights; A joy on Coyote Day, a wonder on all others, yes? Yes? How can I, the enchanter Walther, assist you, yes? A fizzler for your celebrations? Or a tickler for your husband?" A lazy wink. "OR your wife, yes?"

Well, Nysalia is definately wanting to spend as little time in here as possible, before she feels the need to cast Acid Arrow on herself in order to feel clean again. Still, her smile is no less pleasant than the one she's given to all the other people she's interacted with pursuing this investigation. "Good day, sir. I'm here in looking for something that I've heard is a specialty of yours. Amber beads that contain a Silent Image spell."

"Oh! Forgive me, O Lady; The enchanter Walther-" Yes, he refers to himself in the third person "-did not realize you were in the market for something so rare, so -valuable-, yes?."

A hand disappears below the counter, riffling around in a bucket of shiny beads before he pulls out one and displays it with great gusto.

"See the shimmer, my lady; O, what a delight to the senses, yes! The enhancter Walther has poured his art into each and every one, yes, a unique gift for one and all. Easy to use, yes, easy to take. Fool your friends, twist your rivals, yes? Make your guests applaud with applomb." Now he's just making words up.

"A pittance for the miracle in a bead, O lady, yes, yes. How many are you interested in?"

Nysalia pulls out one of the beads znd holds it up, turning to try and get what little light there is to shine through it. "Yes...well crafted indeed..." Well...just a little lie. "I was wondering, though...rather than a rather...generic illusion," Nys turns a questioning eye and arched eyebrow towards Walther. "Can you create an illusion to a customer's specifications to store in one of these beads?"

"Ah! A most glorious question, O Lady, yes.."

Begins the shiftless enchanter, as he dry washes long fingers. "For a pittance more - a pittance, O Lady! - the enchanter Walther can place your dreams, yes, even your fantasies, trapped within the amber confines, yes? Yes? Whispers of decadence to tease and taunt a lover, yes? Yes. The enchanter Walther only needs - inspiration."

Now that Walther's taken the bait, Nysalia figures it's time to set the hook. "Can you create the illusion of...say..." Here, Nysalia looks right at Walther and gives him the same 'I know what you've done' look that she used to give the littles of her farming community that she caught in a lie while minding them. "A illusionary scene of a man having a heart attack while writing in a ledger and knocking over a lamp, which starts a fire?"

There is a precious, long pause where that greasy, rotten toothed smile of Walther freezes. Like the moment before glass hits the floor. And then he reaches out to either side, nearly squeaking.

"The enchanter Walther is so sorry, we are closed now, goodbye." He draws the curtains closed over the counter, and one can hear the sound of things being kicked aside in his rush to the rear.

Nysalia takes off after him, throwing aside the curtains as she reaches them. "You can talk to me," she shouts out. "Or you can talk to the constable. And the Tornwar Bank about how one of your illusions was used to cover up the murder of one of their agents." Just for effect, Nysalia points and shoots off a Ray of Frost in the general direction of Walther, hopefully getting the point across that she's no longer messing around here.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Intimidation roll?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. Sounds solid to me!

GAME: Nysalia rolls Intimidation: (2)+Intimidation: 2

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Can I spend some RPP?"

<OOC> Bitr giggles. :3 Sure.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Okay, I'll spend 3 RPP for a re-roll there."

GAME: Nysalia rolls Intimidation: (17)+Intimidation: 17

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hm. Do you have a command to spend them, or do I need to drop a Timeout?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "I don't know, I haven't seen a command to spend them like that."

<OOC> Bitr nods. I'll just make sure it's noted in the log.

<OOC> Nysalia nods. "I can put in a +req also to adjust them.

<OOC> Bitr says, "By the by, are you going -over- the counter, or leaning over it to threaten the shopkeeper?"

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Going over it if there's no way around it."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

Nysalia clears the counter, the ray of frost strikes the wood aside the enchanters head, causing him to stumble and crash into a sack of miscellaneous junk with a jumbled crash. Walther spins around, long fingers stretched towards the sky and a nervous giggle escaping his rotten mouth. "Yes, yes, er-, no, no! No, not.. not Walther's, not.. murder? No, yes, no, not -Walther-, O Lady, please, I did- what? No." He's breathing hard eyes shifting from side to side as he tries to think of an escape. And when Nysalia moves towards him, she can see that the rear of his shop is indeed filled with brick-a-brack used to make cheap trinkets for unsuspecting buyers. Stacks of feathers, leather strings, cheap wooden masks, a bed - and atop that bed? A ragged looking man, face gone pale and hands clutching a cloak tighter about himself. Looking with shock and dismay between Walther and the sudden, aggressive new comer.

<OOC> Nysalia says, "Does he look like Lord Timberling?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can definitely see a resemblance to the Lady Timberling. If she were younger and male."

As Nysalia bursts into the backroom and sees the scen before her, she comes to a halt. The sight of Walther cowering in terror really strikes her heart, maing her feel guilty for going so far. The sight of the other man also gives her pause. "Lord Timberling, I presume..." she says to the haggard man. Nys takes a deep breath to calm herself. "Alright...calm down, Walther. We're going to all talk about what happened. Then, she turns to Lord Timberling and scowls at him some. "Especially you. You need to convince me why I shouldn't go to both your sister and the magistrate, not the constable covering for you, with everything that I and my companions have figured out is going on. You already have a dead body found in your home and evidence that you used that body to fake your own death. So, tell me your side of this tale, your Lordship."

The Enchanter Walther looks between the sorceress and Lord Timberling, a rat seeing a glimpse of daylight from behind a cat. And he creeps back up the wall, hands patting along it as he moves -away- from Lord Timberling. It'd almost seem like he's circling Nysalia, save for the fact he's doing his damndest to dig through the walls of his store with his shoulder blades. "Oh! Oh, yes, yes, you two, yes? You have a lot of ta-talking to do, yes. Walther understands, he does, oh yes, I will, I will -leave you to it-." He finally finds what he's looking for; A small door built into the side of the store; Not hidden so much as badly made, so that it looks like the rest. It spills open, dumping the enchanter into the dusty street. Where he has every intention of scrambling back up and taking to his heels.

Lord Timberling, meanwhile, hasn't moved. Arms cross over his knees, and the Lord lets his face sink into the embrace of his forearms. "I didn't.." He begins, voice quavering. "I didn't mean too. It just got away from me. Don't.. blame Walther. He is a scoundrel, but he was loyal enough for the coin I paid. No one else is in this dire plot but me.."

Nysalia figures that the 'Amazing' Walther won't be showing his face around town for a long time, so Mistress Shrewn should be pleased about that. Letting the scoundrel go, ysalia focuses her attention on Lord Timberling. "I can understand that events got beyond what you intended," she says softly and reassuringly. "So, let us start at the beginning. Your business venture was failing and you were desperate. So, you went to the Tornwar Bank for a loan. I can probably guess the reason, but why didn't you go to your sister to ask for coin?"

Lord Timberling keeps his chin dipped for now, eyes hidden beneath the press of his forearm as he answers. Voice dull and saddened. "And admit myself a failure, madam? No. I am a Timberling, like my father before me; I would not hide beneath my sister's skirts any further. But, yes, my business.." A deep sigh. "It was .. not successful. Oh, I poured my soul into that venture, but it turns out others of my ilk are not so fascinated with the small folk." He finally raises his head, eyes bloodshot from - weeping?
"And -Styx-. He kept pushing and pushing and screaming. Every night, for -weeks-, trying to get me to sign the requisition papers. He.. I didn't.. " Voice softer. "He said he was going to hammer the pen through my hand if I didn't take it. That he was tired of this. That my home, my shop, everything would be .. reclaimed. He turned around, and I was -so mad-, I just.. I didn't think I hit him that hard, but the fire poker.."

Nysalia nods as she listens to the tale. "I know that the relationship between you and your sister is difficult, to say the least. But she hired myself and two others to find out what happened to you, out of concern that someone had murdered you. And when we told her of what we discovered, she expressed a wish that you had come to her for help before things had gotten to that point." Kneeling down next to him, Nysalia puts a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "You wanted to stand on your own, and that's admirable. But what's even more admirable is recognizing when you need to ask for help. That takes courage and strength for someone that prides themselves on making their own way instead of trading in on a family name. And now, it's time to stop running and take responsibility for what has happened." Nys stands back up, a warm and comforting smile for Lord Timberline. "Come with me to the magistrate and confess what has happened. Ask for mercy and it will be given. A truth spell will reveal that the death of the Tornwar agent was in self defense. If you keep running, it will be all the worse for you. I'm not a professional bounty hunter by any means, and my companions and I unraveled your flight with just an afternoon of questions. If you run now, anyone that is sent after you will be far more capable, far more violent, and far less sympathetic than I am. So come with me, and you can start to set things right."

"If only it was the money. If only! But I -killed- a man."
The young Lord puts a hand to his forehead, eyes dropping in shame while Nysalia speaks. He turns his head aside, drawing his lower lip in to bite down hard on it. And then?
Then, at last, he nods his head a few times. "You're right. Of course you are. I'm not half as clever as I thought I was. But what if Styx had a family? I don't.. I'm not sure I can face that." With a quiet, sobbing sigh, the man draws himself back to his feet. Shoulders slumped, face drawn from a restless night fleeing from a single action of violence in a lifetime of 'pleasantness'.
Lord Timberling has been caught.

---
---

GM NOTES:

Man in trouble with local banker's association for debts unpaid for his merchantile enterprise, 'Gobber Fashions'
Debtor arrives with collection notice.
Man gets upset, was promised more time. Debtor came to collect keys to house and property -now-.
Man smacks debtor, knocks him out cold/dead. Panics, thinks he killed the man. Heads to magic district, buys a single use of Silent Image from a mage (DC 25). Douses area in lantern oil, sets fire, sets silent image to show him banging silently on glass and falling down. Sneaks out of town.
Sister hires adventurers because she doesn't believe official report.
Bankers associate is missing.

Classes listed below for reference
Man - Lord Timberling - NPC Aristocrat
Associate - Dorth Styx - Dead
Sister - Lady Timberling - NPC Aristocrat
Counstable - NPC Investigator
Priest - NPC Healer
Mage - NPC 'Street Magician'
Witnesses - NPC Commoner

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2016-03-17T18:32:43Z

Bitr:

[[Category:Logs]]
{{AboutLogs}}

==2014 Logs==

{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|December 3, 2014
|[[PrP: Sinkhole Part 2a]]
|[[Kidda]],[[Thanix]],[[Kroth]],[[Yngvild]]
|-
|December 5, 2014
|[[Commitee]]
|[[Kiroth]], [[Meihui]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|December 6, 2014
|[[MEETUP: Snowball Fight!]]
|[[Aldean]], [[Godwyn]], [[Ionus]], [[Kidda]], [[Meihui]], <br />[[Silmeria]], [[Jibbom]], [[Lorien]], [[Benthus]], [[Arixillo]],<br /> [[Vroole]], [[Abrahil]], [[Munch]], [[Mikilos]], [[Zalara]], [[Stirling]], [[Talazia]]
|-
|December 9, 2014
|[[PrP: Decoy (part 2)]]
|[[Jessamy]], [[Jahnavi]]
|-
|December 11,2014
|[[Snow Play]]
|[[Mikilos]], [[Rhar]], [[Autumn]], [[Aldean]], [[Amithil]]
|-
|December 12, 2014
|[[PrP: Pickety Pickety]]
|[[Nuanna]], [[Jal]], [[Amithil]], [[Vroole]], [[Thanix]]
|-
|December 13, 2014
|[[PrP: Milk Run]]
|[[X]], [[X]], [[X]], [[X]]
|-
|December 13, 2014
|[[PrP: Ambush]]
|[[Schneider]], [[Lothos]], [[Aldean]], [[Kiroth]]
|-
|December 14, 2014
|[[PrP: Trade Route]]
|[[Jahnavi]], [[Alba]], [[Amithil]], [[Jal]], [[Aevarr]], [[Tiasa]]
|-
|December 14, 2014
|[[Poetic Souls]]
|[[Tiasa]], [[Alba]], [[Raethon]], [[Stirling]], [[Bahken]]
|-
|December 16, 2014
|[[PrP: Pookems and Snookems]]
|[[Belladona]], [[Kroth]], [[Amithil]]
|-
|December 20, 2014
|[[PrP: Supplies!]]
|[[Aurala]], [[Benthus]], [[Oates]], [[Rhar]], [[Tatyannah]], and [[Zalara]]. Run by [[Ssylrath]].
|-
|December, 2014
|[[A Series of Sad Bars]]
|[[Talazia]], [[Svarshan]], [[Aldean]], [[Godwyn]]
|-
|December 22, 2014
|[[Bandit Trouble]]
|[[Azariah]], [[Brianna]], [[Kroth]], [[Vroole]], [[Yngvild]]
|-
|December 22, 2014
|[[PrP: Finding Rachel]]
|[[Eligar]], [[Aevarr]]
|-
|December 24, 2014
|[[PrP: Think of the Children!]]
|[[Jessamy]], [[Raethon]], [[Takiyah]], [[Tiasa]], and [[Vroole]], run by [[Ssylrath]]
|-
|December 25, 2014
|[[PrP: Dying Paladin]]
|[[Sophia]], [[Munch]], [[Lothos]]
|-
|December 26, 2014
|[[PrP: It's Always Bugs]]
|[[Benthus]], [[Corra]], and [[Kravar]], run by [[Ssylrath]]
|-
|December 29, 2014
|[[PrP: Rescue the Orphans 2]]
|[[Corra]], [[Godwyn]], [[Aldean]]
|-
|December 31, 2014
|[[PrP: Unwanted Residents]]
|[[Yrqeem]], [[Uraug]], [[Tiasa]],[[Kroth]]
|-
|}

'''[[Archived_Logs|More...]]'''

==2015 Logs==
===Janurary===

{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
| January 2, 2015
|[[PrP: Breeding Grounds]]
|[[Silmeria]], [[Kroth]], [[Thanix]], [[Taro]]
|-
|January 4, 2015
|[[PrP: Guardians at the Gate]]
|[[Laefwyn]], [[Alakton]], [[Renfrey]], [[Pips]], [[Taro]], [[Rhar]]
|-
|January 6, 2015
|[[PrP: Scouts or just Wolves]]
|[[Alba]],[[Dain]],[[Belladona]]
|-
|January 7, 2015
|[[PrP: Do you wanna chomp a snowman?]]
|[[Aevarr]],[[Kroth]],[[Smythly]]
|-
|January 8, 2015
|[[PrP: Barney the Bear]]
|[[Kroth]], [[Terewin]], [[Blackjack]], [[Arkun]]
|-
|January 8, 2015
|[[PrP: Breeding Grounds 2]]
|[[Silmeria]], [[Pips]], [[Charis]], [[Taro]]
|-
|January 8, 2015
|[[Pubbing]]
|[[Vroole]], [[Oliver]], [[Cesran]], [[Mikilos]], [[Stjepan]]
|-
|January 9, 2015
|[[PrP:The_Cairn]]
|[[Terewin]], [[Faiza]], [[Blackjack]], [[Pips]], [[Belladona]]
|-
|January 11, 2015
|[[PrP: Missing Husband]]
|[[Bahken]], [[Flicker]]
|-
|January 11, 2015
|[[Theater Front]]
|[[Aldean]], [[Flicker]], [[Basil]], [[Mikilos]], [[Benthus]]
|-
|January 10, 2015
|[[PrP:_Goblins%3F_Bandits%3F_Stolen_babies!|PrP: Goblins and Stolen Babies]]
|Silmeria, Dain, Charis, Barsool-um
|-
|January 12, 2015
|[[Market Crash]]
|[[Tiasa]], [[Te'Andra]], [[Solace]], [[Selia]], [[Ivy]], [[Cesran]], [[Basil]], [[Flicker]], [[Audax]]
|-
|January 16, 2015
|[[PrP: Haunted Playhouse]]
|[[Belladona]], [[Yngvild]], [[Flicker]], [[Faiza]]
|-
|January 17, 2015
|[[PrP:Walk in the Woods]]
|[[Silmeria]], [[Kroth]], [[Dain]], [[Morasha]]
|-
|January 17th, 2015
|[[PrP: Doge Day Afternoon]]
|[[Faiza]], [[Terewin]], [[Rayne]], [[Bahken]], [[Tiasa]]
|-
|January 18, 2015
|[[PrP: Danger Close]]
|[[Zalara]], [[Rhar]], [[Lothos]], [[Margaret]]
|-
|January 18, 2015
|[[PrP: Lost Tower]]
|[[Zalara]], [[Rhar]], [[Renfrey]], [[Valadhiel]]
|-
|January 20, 2015
|[[PrP: A Beautiful Mine]]
|[[Kroth]], [[Silmeria]], [[Yngvild]], [[Jahnavi]], [[Morasha]], [[Daromu]]
|-
|January 21, 2015
|[[Meetup: Angoron Party!]]
|[[Yngvild]], [[Jibbom]], [[Morasha]], [[Munch]], [[Kroth]], [[Bahken]],<br /> [[Hrist]], [[Nicolai]], [[Boshter]], [[Halani]], [[Stjepan]], [[Rayne]]
|-
|January 22, 2015
|[[PrP: An Apprentice Problem]]
|[[Kiroth]], [[Lothos]], [[Rhar]], [[Margaret]]
|-
|January 25, 2015
|[[PrP: Hunter and Prey]]
|[[Lily]], [[Latenat]]
|-
|January 26, 2015
|[[A Suddenly Bad Day]]
|[[Elessa]], [[Tatyannah]], [[Lily]], [[Benthus]]
|-
|January 26, 2015
|[[Mountain Rest]]
|[[Mikilos]], [[Jahnavi]]
|-
|January 27, 2015
|[[Recruitment Efforts]]
|[[Elessa]], [[Kerbasy]], [[Aldean]], [[Silmeria]], [[Cesran]]
|-
|January 30, 2015
|[[PrP: The Diary]]
|[[Charis]], [[Aevarr]], [[Stjepan]], [[Yngvild]], [[Gareth]], [[Oliver]], [[Faiza]], [[Belladona]]
|-
|January 30, 2015
|[[PrP: Portal Trouble]]
|[[Bahken]], [[Duncan]], [[Lothos]], [[Lyrana]], and [[Zarr]]. Run by [[Ssylrath]]
|-
|January 22, 2015
|[[PrP: Yippee Ki Yay]]
|[[Kroth]], [[Bennet]], [[Mara]], [[Belladona]]
|-
|January 31, 2015
|[[PrP: Clearing the Cache]]
|[[Aldean]], [[Renfrey]], [[Kiroth]], [[Margaret]]
|-
|January 31, 2015
|[[PRP: Monkey Business]]
|[[Aldean]], [[Lothos]], [[Godwyn]], [[Corra]], [[Abrahil]], [[Rhar]]
|-
|}

'''[[Archived_Logs|More...]]'''

==2016 Logs==
===January===

{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2016
|[[PrP: Sticky Situation]]
|[[Haggerty]], [[Raethon]], [[Chach]], [[MAC-B1G]], [[Sigrid]], [[Eirene]]
|-
|January 2, 2016
|[[PrP: Murderous Cannibal]]
|[[Haggerty]], [[Sigrid]], [[Kailin]], [[Malkael]]
|-
|January 5, 2016
|[[Docks Talk]]
|[[Munch]], [[Kailin]]
|-
|January 7, 2016
|[[PrP: Borders II: Raiders of the Lost Cart]]
|[[Haggerty]], [[Kailin]], [[Kaj]], [[Krom]]
|-
|January 10, 2016
|[[PrP: The Lost Boy]]
|[[Garak]], [[Munch]], [[Verna]], [[Tiasa]]
|-
|January 11, 2016
|[[PrP: Village of Glenspiel]]
|[[Haggerty]], [[Kailin]], [[Sigrid]]
|-
|January 11, 2016
|[[Woods Wizards]]
|[[Mikilos]], [[Fayde]]
|-
|January 12, 2016
|[[Snipe hunt]]
|[[Munch]], [[Uneth]], [[Iadoth]]
|-
|January 13, 2016
|[[Before the Society]]
|[[Verna]], [[Solace]], [[Kailin]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|January 14, 2016
|[[PrP: Bandit Tree]]
|[[Veloria]], [[Sigrid]]
|-
|January 22, 2016
|[[PrP: Mining Job]]
|[[Kailin]], [[Sasha]], [[Drok'thar]]
|-
|January 22, 2016
|[[Meetup: Courtroom Blues: Prelude]]
|[[Kailin]], [[Stirling]], [[Veloria]]
|-
|January 23, 2016
|[[Meetup: Bardic Concert]]
|[[Kailin]], [[Stirling]], [[Aldean]], [[Jibbom]], [[Silmeria]], [[Arisha]], [[Stjepan]], [[Abrahil]], [[Serene]], [[Svarshan]], [[Verna]], [[Miruan]]
|-
|January 24, 2016
|[[PrP: Cult Leader]]
|[[Tiasa]], [[Garak]], [[Verna]], [[Alba]], and [[Nadara ]]
|-
|January 28, 2016
|[[PrP: Buried Demons]]
|[[Kailin]], [[Vasya]], [[Sully]], [[Thanix]]
|-
|January 29, 2016
|[[PrP: Demons in the Manor]]
|[[Halena]], [[Vasya]], [[Kailin]], [[Ezriya]]
|-
|January 31, 2016
|[[Blades of Hell]]
|[[Kailin]], [[Kalkorth]], [[Vasya]], [[Veloria]], [[Kevan]]
|-
|February 2, 2016
|[[A Ladle Help, Please]]
|[[Arisha]], [[Veloria]]
|-
|January 29, 2016
|[[Meetup: Fancy Party]]
|[[Vati]] [[Kailin]], [[Myrana]], [[Abrahil]], [[Jacob]], [[Charlotte]], [[Jibbom]], [[Rhar]], [[Mikilos]], [[Cesran]]
|}
===February===

{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|February 2, 2016
|[[Wisp1]]
|[[Iadoth]], [[Krom]]
|-
|February 3, 2016
|[[Wisp2]]
|[[Uneth]], [[Durrankar]], [[Krom]]
|-
|February 4, 2016
|[[Courtroom Blues part I]]
|[[Aldean]], [[Haggerty]], [[Kailin]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|February 7, 2016
|[[Wisp3]]
|[[Cesran]], [[Krom]]
|-
|February 7, 2016
|[[Party Crashers]]
|[[Kevan]], [[Kailin]], [[Kaj]], [[MAC-B1G]]
|-
|February 10, 2016
|[[Wisp4]]
|[[Durrankar]], [[Uneth]], [[Mila]], [[Krom]]
|-
|February 12, 2016
|[[Afternoon Fun]]
|[[Vasya]], [[Halena]], [[Wilros]]
|-
|February 13, 2016
|[[Cave Raiders]]
|[[Iadoth]], [[Nysalia]], [[Kailin]], [[Arisha]]
|-
|February 15, 2016
|[[Wisp5]]
|[[Autumn]], [[Iadoth]], [[Krom]]
|-
|February 22, 2016
|[[Eye of the Needle]]
|[[Smythly]], [[Zyla]]
|-
|February 22, 2016
|[[Lost in the Hills]]
|[[Vasya]], [[Pelka]], [[Mip]], [[Kailin]]
|-
|February 27, 2016
|[[Horse Play]]
|[[Fiore]], [[Nicolai]], [[Nysalia]]
|-
|February 28, 2016
|[[Meetup: Campfire Tales]]
|[[Alba]], [[Aldean]], [[Durrankar]], [[Iadoth]], [[Kailin]], [[Kaj]], [[Ormarr]], [[Uneth]]
|-
|February 28, 2016
|[[One More Time]]
|[[Fiore]], [[Nysalia]], [[Leonis]], [[Kevan]], [[Eilrie]]
|-
|}

===March===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|March 1, 2016
|[[The Dark Temple of Ages]]
|[[Leonis]], [[Raethon]]
|-
|March 2, 2016
|[[The Black Warrens of Horror]]
|[[Bitr]], [[Fiore]], [[Halena]]
|-
|March 9, 2016
|[[A Mouse Among Rats]]
|[[Bitr]], [[Fiore]], [[Halena]]
|-
|March 10, 2016
|[[Another Escort]]
|[[Zam]], [[Charlotte]], [[Jokul]]
|-
|March 15, 2016
|[[A Light In The Window]]
|[[Zyla]], [[Fiore]], [[Nysalia]]
|-
|}
[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T22:30:34Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."
<pre>
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions
immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes
--------------------------------------------
14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 BleakTongue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Aethulia
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
</pre>
<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
21 Rat Swarm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Sasha 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 BleakTongue 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Aya 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Krom 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 4 Aethulia 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
</pre>
<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>
GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>
<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>
GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft).
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL)
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).
<pre>
=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M)
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M)
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M)
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL)
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12
11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10
9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9
8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================
</pre>
GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

<pre>
===GM NOTES:===

Total Party CR 3.3
Average - Total XP - 1400
Challenging - Total XP - 1600
Hard - Total XP - 2400

Bard - 800
Ratling - 600
Dire Rat - 135
Total - 1535 XP

'Young' Aetulia
Female Bard
CR 3
XP 800
Female human bard 4
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +2

DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 21 (4d8) - 21 Nonlethal
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee quarterstaff +2 (1d6–1)
Ranged sling +5 (1d4–1)
Special Attacks bardic performance 19 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 15], inspire competence +2, inspire courage +1)
Spells Known (CL 4th, concentration +7)

2nd (2/day)— Hold Person, pyrotechnics (DC 15)
1st (4/day)— alarm, charm person (DC 14), hideous laughter (DC 14), sleep (DC 14)
0 (at will)— dancing lights, flare (DC 13), ghost sound (DC 13), Unwitting Ally, Lullaby
Tactics
Before Combat She is not a fighter. She calls for help at the first hint of danger. When possible, she tries to head off an impending battle by using her social skills or casting charm person.
During Combat She screams for her family, local guards, or anyone in the area who might be able to help her. She uses pyrotechnics to cover an escape attempt and hideous laughter and sleep to disable her opponents.
Morale Time spent gazing into the great beyond has left her with a certain calmness about death. However, she has no wish to die just yet and tries everything at her disposal to flee when in danger. She bargains her services or possessions for her life but dies rather than betray her family.

STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Brew Potion, Extra Performance, Skill Focus (Perform [Flute])
Skills Appraise +6, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, KnowledgePerform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +8, Perform (flute) +13, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +9, Spellcraft +6 (Local) +8,
Languages Common, Draconic, one other
SQ bardic knowledge +2, versatile performance (Flute), well-versed
Combat Gear potion of invisibility, wand of cure light wounds (4 charges); Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, harrow deck, pocketed scarf, 250 sp

----

BleakTongue - LE 'knight'
Ratling CR 2
XP 600
CE Tiny magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect magic, low-light vision; Perception +6

DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size, +6 Armor)
hp 1 left (3d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion; Immune disease, poison

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Armor reduces by 10 ft run.
Melee bite +3 (1d3–2 plus bleed 1)

LongSword: 1d4 x2

Lance: 1d4 x3, Reach
Lance: A lance deals double damage when used from the back of a charging mount. While mounted, you can wield a lance with one hand.

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +7)

Constant—detect magic, read magic, speak with animals (rodents only), spider climb, tongues
3/day—cause fear (DC 12), dimension door, invisibility (self only)
1/day—summon swarm (rat swarm only)
1/week—commune (only when serving as a familiar; 6 questions, CL 12th)

STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge, Mobility
Skills Ride +6, Knowledge (planes) +4, Perception +6, Stealth +16, Swim +6
Languages Aklo; speak with animals (rodents only), tongues
SQ scroll use

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Scroll Use (Ex)

A ratling can cast spells from any magic scroll as if it had the spell on its spell list.
Combat Gear: ChainMail (AC 6, 2 Max Dex, -5 Dex Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or conclave (2–20 plus 2–12 dire rats and 1–4 rat swarms)
Treasure standard

-----

Gutter Rag - Mount
Dire Rat CR 1/3

XP 135
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +4 AC from Armored Coat Barding)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Slowed from medium armor barding.
Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)
Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

Equipment: Medium Barding (Armored Coat +4 AC, +3 Max Dex Bonus, -2 Armor Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or pack (2–20)
Treasure none

Dire rats grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. They are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.

-----

Rat Swarm CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny animal (swarm)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d8+3) 10 health remaining
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities swarm traits (as a swarm of tiny creatures, a Rat Swarm takes only half damage from piercing and slashing attacks)
OFFENSE
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.
Melee swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks disease, distraction (DC 12)

STATISTICS
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2
Base Atk +2; CMB —; CMD —
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +10, Perception +8, Stealth +14, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Swarm—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pack (2–5 swarms), or infestation (6–12 swarms)
Treasure none
A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites. Rat swarms are often found in the sewers of large human settlements.

Rat swarms surround and attack any warm-blooded prey in their path.

Swarm Subtype

A swarm is a collection of Fine, Diminutive, or Tiny creatures that acts as a single creature. A swarm has the characteristics of its type, except as noted here. A swarm has a single pool of Hit Dice and hit points, a single initiative modifier, a single speed, and a single Armor Class. A swarm makes saving throws as a single creature. A single swarm occupies a square (if it is made up of nonflying creatures) or a cube (of flying creatures) 10 feet on a side, but its reach is 0 feet, like its component creatures. In order to attack, it moves into an opponent’s space, which provokes an attack of opportunity. A swarm can occupy the same space as a creature of any size, since it crawls all over its prey. A swarm can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the swarm provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A swarm can move through cracks or holes large enough for its component creatures.

A swarm of Tiny creatures consists of 300 nonflying creatures or 1,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Diminutive creatures consists of 1,500 nonflying creatures or 5,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Fine creatures consists of 10,000 creatures, whether they are flying or not. Swarms of nonflying creatures include many more creatures than could normally fit in a 10-foot square based on their normal space, because creatures in a swarm are packed tightly together and generally crawl over each other and their prey when moving or attacking. Larger swarms are represented by multiples of single swarms. The area occupied by a large swarm is completely shapeable, though the swarm usually remains in contiguous squares.

Traits: A swarm has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking. A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. A swarm composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures is immune to all weapon damage. Reducing a swarm to 0 hit points or less causes it to break up, though damage taken until that point does not degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Swarms are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. Also, they cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and they cannot grapple an opponent.

A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms) if the swarm has an Intelligence score and a hive mind. A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.

Swarms made up of Diminutive or Fine creatures are susceptible to high winds, such as those created by a gust of wind spell. For purposes of determining the effects of wind on a swarm, treat the swarm as a creature of the same size as its constituent creatures. A swarm rendered unconscious by means of nonlethal damage becomes disorganized and dispersed, and does not reform until its hit points exceed its nonlethal damage.

Table: Swarm Damage by Size
Swarm HD Swarm Base Damage
1–5 1d6
6–10 2d6
11–15 3d6
16–20 4d6
21 or more 5d6
Swarm Attack: creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover. A swarm’s stat block has “swarm” in the Melee entries, with no attack bonus given.

The amount of damage a swarm deals is based on its Hit Dice, as shown on Table: Swarm Damage by Size.

A swarm’s attacks are nonmagical, unless the swarm’s description states otherwise. Damage reduction sufficient to reduce a swarm attack’s damage to 0, being incorporeal, or other Special Abilities usually give a creature immunity (or at least resistance) to damage from a swarm. Some swarms also have acid, blood drain, poison, or other special attacks in addition to normal damage.

Swarms do not threaten creatures, and do not make attacks of opportunity with their swarm attack. However, they distract foes whose squares they occupy, as described below.

Swarms possess the distraction ability. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check (DC 20 + spell level). Using skills that involve patience and concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.

</pre>
[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T21:44:15Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Aethulia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 21 Rat Swarm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Sasha 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 4 Aethulia 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!l-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* Plot Room: Three *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

These rooms are for player-run plots, although plots may also be run ongrid any time and at any location. Player Run Plots are a welcome and desired series of events on this MUSH. When we speak of Player Run Plots we're speaking of any adventure or IC event that involves at least two or more players in addition to the one running the scene.

This can be anything from an emitted scene of a bar room brawl to a dungeon crawl. The system is set up in a way to encourage spontaneous plots as well as pre-planned scenarios with minimal fuss with the staff. In short, if you have an itch to run a player run plot, for the most part you're allowed to do so. That is, plots tend to not require pre-approval from staff. Visit the website at Roleplay > Player Run Plots for details and awards.

As with all grid spaces, these places are considered public.

Channel: RPThree Add: addcom r3=RPThree PrP Help: +prhelp Exotic Locales: +prhelp locations

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Krom A young, lithe, Mestnorr warrior. 2m 1h Bitr A wild looking lucht siuil 0s 2h Aya Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. 2m 1h-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Objects =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Timestop by Bitr(#2980I)-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Plot Nexus <O> -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-+tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft). +tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

<spoiler>

===GM NOTES:===

Total Party CR 3.3
Average - Total XP - 1400
Challenging - Total XP - 1600
Hard - Total XP - 2400

Bard - 800
Ratling - 600
Dire Rat - 135
Total - 1535 XP

'Young' Aetulia
Female Bard
CR 3
XP 800
Female human bard 4
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +2

DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 21 (4d8) - 21 Nonlethal
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee quarterstaff +2 (1d6–1)
Ranged sling +5 (1d4–1)
Special Attacks bardic performance 19 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 15], inspire competence +2, inspire courage +1)
Spells Known (CL 4th, concentration +7)

2nd (2/day)— Hold Person, pyrotechnics (DC 15)
1st (4/day)— alarm, charm person (DC 14), hideous laughter (DC 14), sleep (DC 14)
0 (at will)— dancing lights, flare (DC 13), ghost sound (DC 13), Unwitting Ally, Lullaby
Tactics
Before Combat She is not a fighter. She calls for help at the first hint of danger. When possible, she tries to head off an impending battle by using her social skills or casting charm person.
During Combat She screams for her family, local guards, or anyone in the area who might be able to help her. She uses pyrotechnics to cover an escape attempt and hideous laughter and sleep to disable her opponents.
Morale Time spent gazing into the great beyond has left her with a certain calmness about death. However, she has no wish to die just yet and tries everything at her disposal to flee when in danger. She bargains her services or possessions for her life but dies rather than betray her family.

STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Brew Potion, Extra Performance, Skill Focus (Perform [Flute])
Skills Appraise +6, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, KnowledgePerform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +8, Perform (flute) +13, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +9, Spellcraft +6 (Local) +8,
Languages Common, Draconic, one other
SQ bardic knowledge +2, versatile performance (Flute), well-versed
Combat Gear potion of invisibility, wand of cure light wounds (4 charges); Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, harrow deck, pocketed scarf, 250 sp

----

BleakTongue - LE 'knight'
Ratling CR 2
XP 600
CE Tiny magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect magic, low-light vision; Perception +6

DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size, +6 Armor)
hp 1 (3d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion; Immune disease, poison

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Armor reduces by 10 ft run.
Melee bite +3 (1d3–2 plus bleed 1)

LongSword: 1d4 x2

Lance: 1d4 x3, Reach
Lance: A lance deals double damage when used from the back of a charging mount. While mounted, you can wield a lance with one hand.

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +7)

Constant—detect magic, read magic, speak with animals (rodents only), spider climb, tongues
3/day—cause fear (DC 12), dimension door, invisibility (self only)
1/day—summon swarm (rat swarm only)
1/week—commune (only when serving as a familiar; 6 questions, CL 12th)

STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge, Mobility
Skills Ride +6, Knowledge (planes) +4, Perception +6, Stealth +16, Swim +6
Languages Aklo; speak with animals (rodents only), tongues
SQ scroll use

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Scroll Use (Ex)

A ratling can cast spells from any magic scroll as if it had the spell on its spell list.
Combat Gear: ChainMail (AC 6, 2 Max Dex, -5 Dex Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or conclave (2–20 plus 2–12 dire rats and 1–4 rat swarms)
Treasure standard

-----

Gutter Rag - Mount
Dire Rat CR 1/3

XP 135
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +4 AC from Armored Coat Barding)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Slowed from medium armor barding.
Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)
Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

Equipment: Medium Barding (Armored Coat +4 AC, +3 Max Dex Bonus, -2 Armor Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or pack (2–20)
Treasure none

Dire rats grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. They are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.

-----

Rat Swarm CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny animal (swarm)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d8+3) 10 health remaining
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities swarm traits (as a swarm of tiny creatures, a Rat Swarm takes only half damage from piercing and slashing attacks)
OFFENSE
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.
Melee swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks disease, distraction (DC 12)

STATISTICS
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2
Base Atk +2; CMB —; CMD —
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +10, Perception +8, Stealth +14, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Swarm—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pack (2–5 swarms), or infestation (6–12 swarms)
Treasure none
A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites. Rat swarms are often found in the sewers of large human settlements.

Rat swarms surround and attack any warm-blooded prey in their path.

Swarm Subtype

A swarm is a collection of Fine, Diminutive, or Tiny creatures that acts as a single creature. A swarm has the characteristics of its type, except as noted here. A swarm has a single pool of Hit Dice and hit points, a single initiative modifier, a single speed, and a single Armor Class. A swarm makes saving throws as a single creature. A single swarm occupies a square (if it is made up of nonflying creatures) or a cube (of flying creatures) 10 feet on a side, but its reach is 0 feet, like its component creatures. In order to attack, it moves into an opponent’s space, which provokes an attack of opportunity. A swarm can occupy the same space as a creature of any size, since it crawls all over its prey. A swarm can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the swarm provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A swarm can move through cracks or holes large enough for its component creatures.

A swarm of Tiny creatures consists of 300 nonflying creatures or 1,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Diminutive creatures consists of 1,500 nonflying creatures or 5,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Fine creatures consists of 10,000 creatures, whether they are flying or not. Swarms of nonflying creatures include many more creatures than could normally fit in a 10-foot square based on their normal space, because creatures in a swarm are packed tightly together and generally crawl over each other and their prey when moving or attacking. Larger swarms are represented by multiples of single swarms. The area occupied by a large swarm is completely shapeable, though the swarm usually remains in contiguous squares.

Traits: A swarm has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking. A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. A swarm composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures is immune to all weapon damage. Reducing a swarm to 0 hit points or less causes it to break up, though damage taken until that point does not degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Swarms are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. Also, they cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and they cannot grapple an opponent.

A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms) if the swarm has an Intelligence score and a hive mind. A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.

Swarms made up of Diminutive or Fine creatures are susceptible to high winds, such as those created by a gust of wind spell. For purposes of determining the effects of wind on a swarm, treat the swarm as a creature of the same size as its constituent creatures. A swarm rendered unconscious by means of nonlethal damage becomes disorganized and dispersed, and does not reform until its hit points exceed its nonlethal damage.

Table: Swarm Damage by Size
Swarm HD Swarm Base Damage
1–5 1d6
6–10 2d6
11–15 3d6
16–20 4d6
21 or more 5d6
Swarm Attack: creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover. A swarm’s stat block has “swarm” in the Melee entries, with no attack bonus given.

The amount of damage a swarm deals is based on its Hit Dice, as shown on Table: Swarm Damage by Size.

A swarm’s attacks are nonmagical, unless the swarm’s description states otherwise. Damage reduction sufficient to reduce a swarm attack’s damage to 0, being incorporeal, or other Special Abilities usually give a creature immunity (or at least resistance) to damage from a swarm. Some swarms also have acid, blood drain, poison, or other special attacks in addition to normal damage.

Swarms do not threaten creatures, and do not make attacks of opportunity with their swarm attack. However, they distract foes whose squares they occupy, as described below.

Swarms possess the distraction ability. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check (DC 20 + spell level). Using skills that involve patience and concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.

</spoiler>
[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T21:40:21Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Aethulia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 21 Rat Swarm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Sasha 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 4 Aethulia 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!l-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* Plot Room: Three *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

These rooms are for player-run plots, although plots may also be run ongrid any time and at any location. Player Run Plots are a welcome and desired series of events on this MUSH. When we speak of Player Run Plots we're speaking of any adventure or IC event that involves at least two or more players in addition to the one running the scene.

This can be anything from an emitted scene of a bar room brawl to a dungeon crawl. The system is set up in a way to encourage spontaneous plots as well as pre-planned scenarios with minimal fuss with the staff. In short, if you have an itch to run a player run plot, for the most part you're allowed to do so. That is, plots tend to not require pre-approval from staff. Visit the website at Roleplay > Player Run Plots for details and awards.

As with all grid spaces, these places are considered public.

Channel: RPThree Add: addcom r3=RPThree PrP Help: +prhelp Exotic Locales: +prhelp locations

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Krom A young, lithe, Mestnorr warrior. 2m 1h Bitr A wild looking lucht siuil 0s 2h Aya Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. 2m 1h-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Objects =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Timestop by Bitr(#2980I)-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Plot Nexus <O> -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-+tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft). +tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

<spoiler>

GM NOTES:

Total Party CR 4
Average - Total XP - 1400
Challenging - Total XP - 1600
Hard - Total XP - 2400

Bard - 800
Ratling - 600
Dire Rat - 135
Total - 1535 XP

'Young' Aetulia
Female Bard
CR 3
XP 800
Female human bard 4
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +2

DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 21 (4d8) - 21 Nonlethal
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee quarterstaff +2 (1d6–1)
Ranged sling +5 (1d4–1)
Special Attacks bardic performance 19 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 15], inspire competence +2, inspire courage +1)
Spells Known (CL 4th, concentration +7)

2nd (2/day)— Hold Person, pyrotechnics (DC 15)
1st (4/day)— alarm, charm person (DC 14), hideous laughter (DC 14), sleep (DC 14)
0 (at will)— dancing lights, flare (DC 13), ghost sound (DC 13), Unwitting Ally, Lullaby
Tactics
Before Combat She is not a fighter. She calls for help at the first hint of danger. When possible, she tries to head off an impending battle by using her social skills or casting charm person.
During Combat She screams for her family, local guards, or anyone in the area who might be able to help her. She uses pyrotechnics to cover an escape attempt and hideous laughter and sleep to disable her opponents.
Morale Time spent gazing into the great beyond has left her with a certain calmness about death. However, she has no wish to die just yet and tries everything at her disposal to flee when in danger. She bargains her services or possessions for her life but dies rather than betray her family.

STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Brew Potion, Extra Performance, Skill Focus (Perform [Flute])
Skills Appraise +6, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, KnowledgePerform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +8, Perform (flute) +13, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +9, Spellcraft +6 (Local) +8,
Languages Common, Draconic, one other
SQ bardic knowledge +2, versatile performance (Flute), well-versed
Combat Gear potion of invisibility, wand of cure light wounds (4 charges); Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, harrow deck, pocketed scarf, 250 sp

----

BleakTongue - LE 'knight'
Ratling CR 2
XP 600
CE Tiny magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect magic, low-light vision; Perception +6

DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size, +6 Armor)
hp 1 (3d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion; Immune disease, poison

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Armor reduces by 10 ft run.
Melee bite +3 (1d3–2 plus bleed 1)

LongSword: 1d4 x2

Lance: 1d4 x3, Reach
Lance: A lance deals double damage when used from the back of a charging mount. While mounted, you can wield a lance with one hand.

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +7)

Constant—detect magic, read magic, speak with animals (rodents only), spider climb, tongues
3/day—cause fear (DC 12), dimension door, invisibility (self only)
1/day—summon swarm (rat swarm only)
1/week—commune (only when serving as a familiar; 6 questions, CL 12th)

STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge, Mobility
Skills Ride +6, Knowledge (planes) +4, Perception +6, Stealth +16, Swim +6
Languages Aklo; speak with animals (rodents only), tongues
SQ scroll use

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Scroll Use (Ex)

A ratling can cast spells from any magic scroll as if it had the spell on its spell list.
Combat Gear: ChainMail (AC 6, 2 Max Dex, -5 Dex Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or conclave (2–20 plus 2–12 dire rats and 1–4 rat swarms)
Treasure standard

-----

Gutter Rag - Mount
Dire Rat CR 1/3

XP 135
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +4 AC from Armored Coat Barding)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Slowed from medium armor barding.
Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)
Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

Equipment: Medium Barding (Armored Coat +4 AC, +3 Max Dex Bonus, -2 Armor Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or pack (2–20)
Treasure none

Dire rats grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. They are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.

-----

Rat Swarm CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny animal (swarm)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d8+3) 10 health remaining
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities swarm traits (as a swarm of tiny creatures, a Rat Swarm takes only half damage from piercing and slashing attacks)
OFFENSE
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.
Melee swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks disease, distraction (DC 12)

STATISTICS
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2
Base Atk +2; CMB —; CMD —
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +10, Perception +8, Stealth +14, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Swarm—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pack (2–5 swarms), or infestation (6–12 swarms)
Treasure none
A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites. Rat swarms are often found in the sewers of large human settlements.

Rat swarms surround and attack any warm-blooded prey in their path.

Swarm Subtype

A swarm is a collection of Fine, Diminutive, or Tiny creatures that acts as a single creature. A swarm has the characteristics of its type, except as noted here. A swarm has a single pool of Hit Dice and hit points, a single initiative modifier, a single speed, and a single Armor Class. A swarm makes saving throws as a single creature. A single swarm occupies a square (if it is made up of nonflying creatures) or a cube (of flying creatures) 10 feet on a side, but its reach is 0 feet, like its component creatures. In order to attack, it moves into an opponent’s space, which provokes an attack of opportunity. A swarm can occupy the same space as a creature of any size, since it crawls all over its prey. A swarm can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the swarm provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A swarm can move through cracks or holes large enough for its component creatures.

A swarm of Tiny creatures consists of 300 nonflying creatures or 1,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Diminutive creatures consists of 1,500 nonflying creatures or 5,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Fine creatures consists of 10,000 creatures, whether they are flying or not. Swarms of nonflying creatures include many more creatures than could normally fit in a 10-foot square based on their normal space, because creatures in a swarm are packed tightly together and generally crawl over each other and their prey when moving or attacking. Larger swarms are represented by multiples of single swarms. The area occupied by a large swarm is completely shapeable, though the swarm usually remains in contiguous squares.

Traits: A swarm has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking. A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. A swarm composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures is immune to all weapon damage. Reducing a swarm to 0 hit points or less causes it to break up, though damage taken until that point does not degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Swarms are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. Also, they cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and they cannot grapple an opponent.

A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms) if the swarm has an Intelligence score and a hive mind. A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.

Swarms made up of Diminutive or Fine creatures are susceptible to high winds, such as those created by a gust of wind spell. For purposes of determining the effects of wind on a swarm, treat the swarm as a creature of the same size as its constituent creatures. A swarm rendered unconscious by means of nonlethal damage becomes disorganized and dispersed, and does not reform until its hit points exceed its nonlethal damage.

Table: Swarm Damage by Size
Swarm HD Swarm Base Damage
1–5 1d6
6–10 2d6
11–15 3d6
16–20 4d6
21 or more 5d6
Swarm Attack: creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover. A swarm’s stat block has “swarm” in the Melee entries, with no attack bonus given.

The amount of damage a swarm deals is based on its Hit Dice, as shown on Table: Swarm Damage by Size.

A swarm’s attacks are nonmagical, unless the swarm’s description states otherwise. Damage reduction sufficient to reduce a swarm attack’s damage to 0, being incorporeal, or other Special Abilities usually give a creature immunity (or at least resistance) to damage from a swarm. Some swarms also have acid, blood drain, poison, or other special attacks in addition to normal damage.

Swarms do not threaten creatures, and do not make attacks of opportunity with their swarm attack. However, they distract foes whose squares they occupy, as described below.

Swarms possess the distraction ability. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check (DC 20 + spell level). Using skills that involve patience and concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.

</spoiler>
[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T21:38:44Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Aethulia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 21 Rat Swarm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Sasha 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 4 Aethulia 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!l-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* Plot Room: Three *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

These rooms are for player-run plots, although plots may also be run ongrid any time and at any location. Player Run Plots are a welcome and desired series of events on this MUSH. When we speak of Player Run Plots we're speaking of any adventure or IC event that involves at least two or more players in addition to the one running the scene.

This can be anything from an emitted scene of a bar room brawl to a dungeon crawl. The system is set up in a way to encourage spontaneous plots as well as pre-planned scenarios with minimal fuss with the staff. In short, if you have an itch to run a player run plot, for the most part you're allowed to do so. That is, plots tend to not require pre-approval from staff. Visit the website at Roleplay > Player Run Plots for details and awards.

As with all grid spaces, these places are considered public.

Channel: RPThree Add: addcom r3=RPThree PrP Help: +prhelp Exotic Locales: +prhelp locations

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Krom A young, lithe, Mestnorr warrior. 2m 1h Bitr A wild looking lucht siuil 0s 2h Aya Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. 2m 1h-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Objects =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Timestop by Bitr(#2980I)-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Plot Nexus <O> -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-+tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft). +tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

GM NOTES:

Total Party CR 4
Average - Total XP - 1400
Challenging - Total XP - 1600
Hard - Total XP - 2400

Bard - 800
Ratling - 600
Dire Rat - 135
Total - 1535 XP

'Young' Aetulia
Female Bard
CR 3
XP 800
Female human bard 4
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +2

DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 21 (4d8) - 21 Nonlethal
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee quarterstaff +2 (1d6–1)
Ranged sling +5 (1d4–1)
Special Attacks bardic performance 19 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 15], inspire competence +2, inspire courage +1)
Spells Known (CL 4th, concentration +7)

2nd (2/day)— Hold Person, pyrotechnics (DC 15)
1st (4/day)— alarm, charm person (DC 14), hideous laughter (DC 14), sleep (DC 14)
0 (at will)— dancing lights, flare (DC 13), ghost sound (DC 13), Unwitting Ally, Lullaby
Tactics
Before Combat She is not a fighter. She calls for help at the first hint of danger. When possible, she tries to head off an impending battle by using her social skills or casting charm person.
During Combat She screams for her family, local guards, or anyone in the area who might be able to help her. She uses pyrotechnics to cover an escape attempt and hideous laughter and sleep to disable her opponents.
Morale Time spent gazing into the great beyond has left her with a certain calmness about death. However, she has no wish to die just yet and tries everything at her disposal to flee when in danger. She bargains her services or possessions for her life but dies rather than betray her family.

STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Brew Potion, Extra Performance, Skill Focus (Perform [Flute])
Skills Appraise +6, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (history) +8, KnowledgePerform (dance) +8, Perform (sing) +8, Perform (flute) +13, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +9, Spellcraft +6 (Local) +8,
Languages Common, Draconic, one other
SQ bardic knowledge +2, versatile performance (Flute), well-versed
Combat Gear potion of invisibility, wand of cure light wounds (4 charges); Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, harrow deck, pocketed scarf, 250 sp

==========================
==========================
==========================

BleakTongue - LE 'knight'
Ratling CR 2
XP 600
CE Tiny magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect magic, low-light vision; Perception +6

DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size, +6 Armor)
hp 1 (3d10+3)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasion; Immune disease, poison

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Armor reduces by 10 ft run.
Melee bite +3 (1d3–2 plus bleed 1)

LongSword: 1d4 x2

Lance: 1d4 x3, Reach
Lance: A lance deals double damage when used from the back of a charging mount. While mounted, you can wield a lance with one hand.

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +7)

Constant—detect magic, read magic, speak with animals (rodents only), spider climb, tongues
3/day—cause fear (DC 12), dimension door, invisibility (self only)
1/day—summon swarm (rat swarm only)
1/week—commune (only when serving as a familiar; 6 questions, CL 12th)

STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge, Mobility
Skills Ride +6, Knowledge (planes) +4, Perception +6, Stealth +16, Swim +6
Languages Aklo; speak with animals (rodents only), tongues
SQ scroll use

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Scroll Use (Ex)

A ratling can cast spells from any magic scroll as if it had the spell on its spell list.
Combat Gear: ChainMail (AC 6, 2 Max Dex, -5 Dex Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or conclave (2–20 plus 2–12 dire rats and 1–4 rat swarms)
Treasure standard

==========================
==========================
==========================

Gutter Rag - Mount
Dire Rat CR 1/3

XP 135
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +4 AC from Armored Coat Barding)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Slowed from medium armor barding.
Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)
Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

Equipment: Medium Barding (Armored Coat +4 AC, +3 Max Dex Bonus, -2 Armor Check)

ECOLOGY
Environment any urban
Organization solitary or pack (2–20)
Treasure none

Dire rats grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. They are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.

=================
=================
=================

Rat Swarm CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny animal (swarm)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d8+3) 10 health remaining
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities swarm traits (as a swarm of tiny creatures, a Rat Swarm takes only half damage from piercing and slashing attacks)
OFFENSE
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.
Melee swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks disease, distraction (DC 12)

STATISTICS
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2
Base Atk +2; CMB —; CMD —
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +10, Perception +8, Stealth +14, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Swarm—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pack (2–5 swarms), or infestation (6–12 swarms)
Treasure none
A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites. Rat swarms are often found in the sewers of large human settlements.

Rat swarms surround and attack any warm-blooded prey in their path.

Swarm Subtype

A swarm is a collection of Fine, Diminutive, or Tiny creatures that acts as a single creature. A swarm has the characteristics of its type, except as noted here. A swarm has a single pool of Hit Dice and hit points, a single initiative modifier, a single speed, and a single Armor Class. A swarm makes saving throws as a single creature. A single swarm occupies a square (if it is made up of nonflying creatures) or a cube (of flying creatures) 10 feet on a side, but its reach is 0 feet, like its component creatures. In order to attack, it moves into an opponent’s space, which provokes an attack of opportunity. A swarm can occupy the same space as a creature of any size, since it crawls all over its prey. A swarm can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the swarm provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A swarm can move through cracks or holes large enough for its component creatures.

A swarm of Tiny creatures consists of 300 nonflying creatures or 1,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Diminutive creatures consists of 1,500 nonflying creatures or 5,000 flying creatures. A swarm of Fine creatures consists of 10,000 creatures, whether they are flying or not. Swarms of nonflying creatures include many more creatures than could normally fit in a 10-foot square based on their normal space, because creatures in a swarm are packed tightly together and generally crawl over each other and their prey when moving or attacking. Larger swarms are represented by multiples of single swarms. The area occupied by a large swarm is completely shapeable, though the swarm usually remains in contiguous squares.

Traits: A swarm has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking. A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. A swarm composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures is immune to all weapon damage. Reducing a swarm to 0 hit points or less causes it to break up, though damage taken until that point does not degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Swarms are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. Also, they cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and they cannot grapple an opponent.

A swarm is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms) if the swarm has an Intelligence score and a hive mind. A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.

Swarms made up of Diminutive or Fine creatures are susceptible to high winds, such as those created by a gust of wind spell. For purposes of determining the effects of wind on a swarm, treat the swarm as a creature of the same size as its constituent creatures. A swarm rendered unconscious by means of nonlethal damage becomes disorganized and dispersed, and does not reform until its hit points exceed its nonlethal damage.

Table: Swarm Damage by Size
Swarm HD Swarm Base Damage
1–5 1d6
6–10 2d6
11–15 3d6
16–20 4d6
21 or more 5d6
Swarm Attack: creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover. A swarm’s stat block has “swarm” in the Melee entries, with no attack bonus given.

The amount of damage a swarm deals is based on its Hit Dice, as shown on Table: Swarm Damage by Size.

A swarm’s attacks are nonmagical, unless the swarm’s description states otherwise. Damage reduction sufficient to reduce a swarm attack’s damage to 0, being incorporeal, or other Special Abilities usually give a creature immunity (or at least resistance) to damage from a swarm. Some swarms also have acid, blood drain, poison, or other special attacks in addition to normal damage.

Swarms do not threaten creatures, and do not make attacks of opportunity with their swarm attack. However, they distract foes whose squares they occupy, as described below.

Swarms possess the distraction ability. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check (DC 20 + spell level). Using skills that involve patience and concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.

[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T21:35:12Z

Bitr:

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Aethulia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 21 Rat Swarm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Sasha 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 4 Aethulia 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!l-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* Plot Room: Three *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

These rooms are for player-run plots, although plots may also be run ongrid any time and at any location. Player Run Plots are a welcome and desired series of events on this MUSH. When we speak of Player Run Plots we're speaking of any adventure or IC event that involves at least two or more players in addition to the one running the scene.

This can be anything from an emitted scene of a bar room brawl to a dungeon crawl. The system is set up in a way to encourage spontaneous plots as well as pre-planned scenarios with minimal fuss with the staff. In short, if you have an itch to run a player run plot, for the most part you're allowed to do so. That is, plots tend to not require pre-approval from staff. Visit the website at Roleplay > Player Run Plots for details and awards.

As with all grid spaces, these places are considered public.

Channel: RPThree Add: addcom r3=RPThree PrP Help: +prhelp Exotic Locales: +prhelp locations

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Krom A young, lithe, Mestnorr warrior. 2m 1h Bitr A wild looking lucht siuil 0s 2h Aya Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. 2m 1h-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Objects =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Timestop by Bitr(#2980I)-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Plot Nexus <O> -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-+tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft). +tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

[[Category:Logs]]

A Mouse Among Rats

2016-03-09T21:33:22Z

Bitr: Created page with "<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;"> == Log Info == *Title: A Mouse Among Rats *Emitter: Bitr *Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4 *Place: Wil..."

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: A Mouse Among Rats
*Emitter: Bitr
*Characters: Krom Level 3, Aya Level 3, Sasha Level 4
*Place: Wilds - Agriculture Commune
*Time: March 9, 2016
*Summary: A small group is sent to find a missing child. Just your normal, every day rat chase - unless it's not.
*APL: 3
*Encounter 1: 1 Bard (Level 4), Ratling (Armored, w/reach lance and mounted), Dire Rate (Armored w/ barding and mounted), Rat Swarm
</div>

Log goes here!

<pre>
The call had gone out to the Adventurer's Guild; Far off to the north, where the hills settle into fertile valleys, lays a village plagued by unknown illness. But it is not this which calls the adventurers forth, o no! It's the sudden disappearance of the local baron's daughter! After all, peasants may come and go, but there is only one set of nobility in the region! And thus, only one source of money to offer a reward.The village itself is widely spread, seeming an agriculture commune more than anything else; Wide fields piling up against an aging stone wall that encircles the modest homes. Modest, of course, save for the Baron's luxurious sprawl. There are some modest gates, designed more to keep livestock from wandering out than preventing interlopers from coming in. It is, upon arrival, roughly mid-day, and the people are dutifully going about their livelihoods.

<OOC> Bitr nods. I am also here from work, so the same unexpected idles may occur. :3 Still, we'll see how it goes.

<OOC> Bitr notes for visualiziation; Fields on the outside all the way up to the wall, homes on the inside of the wall.

Krom peers around the area with mild intrest, still slightly amazed by land that isn't slopped or frozen. Heading in the general direction of the big house, the northman looks for someone important. Or at least someone not busy to ask some questions of.

Aya didn't know what to expect as far as possible tasks from the Adventurer's Guild. She only signed herself into the pool two days ago. Of all the requests she expected, a needy noble is one of the better opportunities. "Maybe it will be something as simple as an infatuation with some stable boy..." she wonders aloud on the missing daughter while they approach. Not that things would be comfortable for that boy once he is discovered.

Sasha joins the group a little bit later. She straightens up her robes as she moves through the fields slowly and waves to Krom as she walks on up. "Hello there....."

There are no obvious shops; Nothing that screams 'inn' or 'tavern', just a wider space in the middle of the commune where a weathered maypole stands. It's likely - as isolated as the place is - that they take their wares from traveling merchants. The people going about their lives turn aside for the novelty of strangers, then continue on about their chores; Lazily moving oxen carts full of wheat or grinding away flour. One or two turn towards the baron's sprawl - the only two storied residence in the entire commune - to give tale. The entire place feels tired, somehow; Worn down and grey. What few children there are lean against building sides or sigh in miscontent, coughing wetly into their fists, while their elders follow suit and pant laboriously at the simplest of tasks. In face, the only place that manages to shake off the creeping dismay is the Baron's sprawl, brightly painted.

Krom mmms. "Krom does not think is so simple as stable boy. But think is silly to guess without knowing more. Krom think big house is place to go. Ask, learn, then guess."

Aya lifts a portion of her cloak to cover her nose and mouth at the coughs and wheezes they pass. "If she did run off with a stablehand, she may be in more danger than an angry father." Her steps quicken a half stride. The sooner they can reach the estate, the sooner they can breathe in cleaner air.

Sasha tilts her head a bit as she looks to Krom, then to Aya. She makes a face as she looks at everyone coughing wetly into their hands. "There may be something more here." She says as she starts for the manor itself.

'Manner' may be pushing it. In Alexandria proper, it might even be considered only a 'reasonable' house; Here, however, it's the largest and shiniest thing there is. A flat overhang keeps the front door shaded, supporting a veranda up above, while windows gleam in the sunlight. There's even the town's well butted up against the side, with a few people drawing up water to feed the troughs for work oxen.As the three approach, the door is thrown open by what could only be the Baron; Dressed to avoid any confusion as to who he is, with last year's greater fashions in mauve and crimson. He pats a 'lowly' peasant on the shoulder, murmuring his confidences for the quick report, and sends the man on his way before approaching the three. And spreading out his arms."Welcome, welcome! So good to have you here, and so timely as well. I am Baron Harness, at your service." Well, at least it's a good start?

Krom nods, thumping his chest at the introduction. "Krom Linnbane, here to help as best can. Krom hope to resolve quickly, for good of all involved."

"Sasha Hawkwood, Hearthguard of Althea. Is there something wrong with the people out in your village?" Sasha's blunt isn't she? She says placing her hand upon the top of her staff when she stops walking.

"I understood that we were here at -your- service, Baron," Aya dips in a moderate bow. She casts at sidelong glance at Krom's eloquent wordplay before looking back to the Baron. "Yes, as he said, we hope to resolve your needs quickly. I understand that your daughter is missing?"

<OOC> Aya receives some warning and must AFK for a few minutes. "Please pose around me. I'll return ASAP."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

The Baron - a short man who somehow seems taller, as if lead about by his prominent chest and chin - squints at Krom for a moment before an eyebrow slowly floats upwards at the northerners odd speech. "Y-eeee-s, of course. I'd offer to shake your hand, but as you've no doubt seen we've a touch of the 'Strangers Cough' these past few weeks." The Baron waves an idle back hand behind the three, as if to indicate the whole area with that one motion while answering Sasha. He then plucks a scented kerchief from a pocket and sniffs idly at it. "It's a bit more persistent this year than normal, but nothing untoward." He pauses, seeming uncertain, before his smile falls away to grave seriousness."Yes, she is. Please, come in." He waves the three to follow him into a spacious 'entertainment foyer'. Furniture against the walls, images of ancestors, and a staircase leading up. "My sweet little angel, Aetulia. Gone -three days-, now. Oh, I'm not a fool.. I searched the local graineries and shook down the local boys, but I've turned up -nothing-."

"Stranger's Cough. I've not heard of that disease before." Sasha says, clearly more worried about the people than the missing daughter at the moment.Krom nods, less concerned about a cough than he might be. You don't survive the frozen north without being tougher than a little sniffle. Listening, and looking around the room, he nods. "Three days long time to linger with boyfriend. Not likely. Good Baron must have foes, those jelous of wealth and power. Any of particular mention? Any change of note with Aetulia before dissappeared?"

"The local name for it. I'm certain someone from Alexandria proper could give you the official name; It comes during trading season with the strangers, and generally leaves with them too. I've already spent a month's income hiring healers, but this particular brew keeps returning."The Baron, however, could obviously care less about the disease running rampant. He continues to lead the three through the foyer, gesturing upwards at a painting; A young girl in a blue dress with a blue ribbon in her hair, smiling modestly while posing with a flute. "My daughter.." He begins, putting a knuckle to his teeth and biting it in a surprising break of politicing. Real concern.

"No, we're.. we're not a large commune, Master Krom." He begins, dropping his hands back by his side. "Oh, we get the occasional chicken thief and I have to get out the whip, but mostly we're left to our own." The Baron moves back again, staring out the window. "My people are hard working. Not the smartest, by any means, but they are loyal to their duty. I can't imagine any of them.." He breaks off, drawing in a lung full of air, then turns and claps his hands with a startling POP. "So. That's the long and short of it, I suppose. Find my darling Aetulia; Bring her home to me. Use any means you can, but I can't ... she has to come home."

Sasha's lip curls a little....and it is not a smile. "No, you are not a loarge commune. Which means every person saved or lost is a major impact upon your village." She then looks to Aya and Krom. "Which means saving your Aetulia is of prime importance.....as is this disease."

<OOC> Aya returns.

Krom peers long at the picture, making sure he'll know the girl if he does find her... and assuming the painting is accurate. Artists tend to... favor the better features of paying clients. "Aetulia dissappear on Eliday? What time of day seen last? By whom? Doing what? Any habits of such day and time?"Aya looks to the painting as she listens to the Baron explain his plight, as well as the general malaise. Krom seems to surprise her with his sudden line of pertinent questions. This leaves her with little to ask, herself. Though she does note to Sasha, "We should tend to one need at a time."

"Oh, bother the cough, it's nothing to do with my baby!"Grouses the Baron, cheeks flushing in annoyance before he regains his composure. He clears his throat, and continues in a calmer voice. "If you wish, but my daughter takes precedence; THAT is what I am paying for." He then turns about to face the three firmly, before turning his head aside in thought."I'm.. not sure, to be honest. Ever since her mother passed, I've found it best to let her get along with her lessons. You may ask her tutor, I suppose? I've already frightened the poor woman half to death, but she's as useless as a cheese cloth water bucket. I was out in the field settling a dispute over some bothered oxen or other; Honestly, you think these people could keep track of a fifty stone animal that spans my entire girth." He sighs, and pinches the bridge of my nose."I returned, and had the chef begin our dinner preparations. I usually invite one or two of the local peasantry to dine with us as well; Those that are better brushed, of course. Espirit de corps and all that. I didn't know she was missing until she did not show up for dinner. Honestly, I thought she was just being petulent again, but.. I couldn't find her.."

Krom looks to Sasha and raises a brow, silently. Pick your fights, and their time. Turning his attention back to the Baron, he nods. "Best if speak to tutor, learn what can be known." He considers a moment. "Was oxen found? Likely not related, but small details can prove important."

"What? Oh, yes. Well, I'm fairly certain. It'd been savaged along the face when we found it, but there are only so many of the animals to go around. Likely a fox, or.. something.." The Baron frowns, distracted. "It was obvious that Drake had only -one- tatter eared old ox before, and that was still in pen. I'd passed it on my way out to the field. I had the man whipped for wasting my time and trying to steal another man's ox." The Baron seems distracted as he recalls.

Sasha glares at the baron for a few seconds before looking towards krom and letting him ask all of the questions required.....

Krom frowns thoughtfully. "Ox is big, strong. Fox bold enough to attack ox, maybe bold enough to attack human. Will talk to Drake, find out more. But first, tutor. Where can be found, please?"

"IF the useless bag is still in residence, upstairs, to the left, across the hall from my daughter's room."Nods the Baron towards the stairs, frowning. "I made it absolutely clear that if she had nothing more to offer in recovering my daughter, then I could certainly hire a replacement for her. I don't keep her on for the company, after all." The Baron sighs, and glances back out the window. "If she gives you any trouble, let me know."He doesn't speak anymore about foxes and people, rather chewing on his lower lip for a moment as he looks past the wall towards the rolling fields. Eyes flicking back and forth for SOME sign..

Krom nods politely, heading towards the upstairs. Near the top, he pauses, glacing to the other two, and murmurs quietly. "When younger, Krom have little den under front porch. Rabbits live each spring. One spring, no rabbits, skunk. Krom not like skunk, but give treats anyway. Sometimes best make friends with one who can raise big stink."

<OOC> Sasha says, "good words of wisdom. Xd"

<OOC> Bitr giggles

<OOC> Krom may be barbaric, but he's not dumb

"The tutor could be useless, but even a useless person has eyes and ears," Aya points out before stepping back to seek the tutor upstairs.

<OOC> Aya is sorry, but will still be slow.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine. Also, hold tight, I'm going to switch connections!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "THERE we go."

The Baron sighs, but makes no more argument as the three head upstairs - assuming everyone is sticking together. The upstairs is - by nature - smaller than the sweeping downstairs, but it's still fairly large. The second story landing runs all the way to the back wall, where it opens up into a verenda overlooking the rear of the house; Even from here, one can see the water stained top of a mausoleum in a small bush garden. There are two hallways - leading to the right and the left from the three's vantage. To the left are two rooms, and to the right are three. The structure of the Baron's manse may not be complicated, but that leaves a lot of room for decor. The tutor can be found to the left, as instructed, the only open room. An older woman normally with a strict appearance, she's harred and pale and worn out from the constant barrage of harrassment from the worried father below. As she packs a traveling bag.

"Excuse me." Sasha says to the Older woman as she packs. She's using a much gentler voice for the woman than she was with the Baron. "before you go that is."Krom nods in similar respect. You treat elder ladies politely... or Grandma will whup your butt. "Krom ask of Aetulia. Any information might be helpful. When was last seen, please?"

Even the gentle voice causes the tutor to start and flinch back, a single eye squeezed shut. When it's obvious no ear busting volume is going to go crashing against her, she finally blinks open her eyes and clears her throat. "Oh! Oh, sun above, excuse me." She sniffs, combing an errant bit of hair back. Then sniffs again, coughing modestly into her wrist. "I'm sorry, I must look a mess. It's .. it's been a trying few days." She clears her throat, coughing into her wrist again before focusing on Krom. And then back again. "You must be the ones the Baron had hired? A pleasure. I am Tutor Whiteweather.." A pause. ".. I -was- Tutor Whiteweather." She sniffs again, rubbing a thumb along the bottom of her eyes."Oh. Yes, of course. Ah, the last I'd seen of her was three days ago. She'd just finished her lessons, and decided to take a late lunch in the garden near the Harness mausoleum." A wistful smile. "I'd advised against it, of course; It was unsightly for a young lady of her age to be wandering around the memory gardens. But she's as stubborn as her fa-.. as Baron Harness."

Aya would not want to impinge on her associates' desires, and they are eager to ask questions. The tutor already looks to be harried and off-balance, so answers could come very quickly. Aya takes her place outside the small room and observes for now.

Krom nods. "Trying times, with much worry. Words said that are not meant in calmer times. These gardens, Aetulia visited often?" Sounds like a place to seek some clues.

Sasha holds up her hand to Krom. "Gently."Sasha tilts her head. "Three days ago? And was? Why was it unsightly?"

Tutor Whiteweather, having recovered herself, levels a gaze at Sasha. "I am not nearly so fragile as that! The Baron has just been.. " She shakes her head. "I'll not speak ill. Hm hm." She looks back to Krom, having recovered some of herself. Although her eyes track through all three. "Oh yes. She was not allowed to mingle with the peasantry, of course; She was of noble blood. And its nearly impossible to miss anyone moving through the golden fields from this vantage. There was a reason Baron Harness had all of her clothing bought in shades of blue." She nods her head towards the windows. She then sighs, and folds her hands in front of her."Because she is of marriagable age. She should be in here, practicing her managible tact and studying. She'll have to run a home someday, after all, and children as well. It's simply unseemly for a young lady to spend so much time in the company of the .. well, of the beloved and remembered."A nod towards the Tutor's own window, which faces the memory garden - and the weathered masoleum pressed against the stone wall that encircles the whole commune.

"It's possible that she missed her mother, but that's beside the point. Was that the last place you saw her?" Sasha says looking out of the corner of her eye at Aya.

Krom nods, understanding the gist of strange southlander ways, but not agreeing with them. "...was there another to be missed in the golden fields? One in particular? Baron said he inquired, but..."

"Her mother, bless her spirit, has been passed these past fourteen years."States the Tutor, frowning faintly. "I suppose its possible; She never struck me as sentimental, though, even when her portrait was drawn up a decade ago. Oh, she would've been ten then, I suppose." The Tutor looks wistful, then clears her throat. "I'm sorry. I tend to get lost in the memory. But, yes.. the last time I saw her, she decided to take lunch out in the garden. She asked me to-" The tutor pauses, her boney fingers tightening briefly on her bag. ".. Well. It doesn't matter."And then she blinks at Krom. "I don't understand the question. Another to be missed in the golden fields? No, we haven't heard of anyone missing. We're a fairly small commune, we .. well, we know each other. The Baron had already scared the daylights out of a few of the more 'notorious' men. I'm afraid everyone's walking softly around him. And with this blasted cough.."She pauses, turning her mouth towards her wrist to cough delicately again. Wetly. "Oh, excuse me."

Sasha steps forward as the woman coughs wetly...like the others. "What'd she ask you to do?" She says looking to Krom. "And what is this cough? the baron says it's 'stranger's cough', but he said it's happened before."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Diplomacy roll, please~"

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (8)+10: 18

<OOC> Sasha snerks. XD

Krom frown mildly, but nods. "Small details may prove important. Please."

<OOC> Krom says, "aid?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "by all means."

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Krom sighs. :)

<OOC> Sasha chuckles.

The Tutor looks one to the other, and sighs faintly. ".. To throw away more of her dolls. I'm afraid her father-excuse me. Baron Harness has this.. idea of her. Stuck at ten, as it were. He keeps buying her toys every spring." A faint, weathered smile. "She humors him, but they take up a lot of space in her room. So I .. take them away. Give them to the local children, or burn them when the Baron is out. There's only one she won't let me get rid of, even though I've asked. Not at all delicate or pretty. It's a tiny armored knight, all hard angles. Heavy as well." The tutor shakes her head. "I don't know why she keeps it on. I suppose it is the newest one."And then she answers the other question. "Mm? Oh, yes. We usually get a few sniffles or coughs running around during trading season. This is ... well, it's a lot worse than normal. The Baron has brought healers in three times from distant lands, and the plague is cured - only to return again. It came with the last trading caravan, three weeks ago?"

Sasha blinks. "and she's been missing for how long?"

"Three days."Sighs the Tutor, pulling out a small napkin to dry her nose. Then twisting it faintly in shaking hands.Krom nods, and considers. "This knight doll, had it how long? And may we see her room, please? Likely nothing, but maybe an idea to help later looking."

Sasha looks towards Krom and gestures that they're heading out. "When you leave here, I want you to head for Alexandria. Directly south from the gate is the Temple District." She says softly. "Find the temple with this symbol upon it...." She says holding up her amulet. "and tell an acolyte what is going on here. This may require Althea's eye directly upon it." She says softly. "And yes....may we look at her room?"

Aya notes the detials of where, more than why "We may want to visit the gardens, to see what Aetulia did there, and where she may have gone... before she's been gone for four or five. I'm sure the Baron would prefer his heir returned while still breathing."

Krom nods to Aya, and frowns mildly. Phraseing.

"Oh? Uh.. three weeks. She brought it in herself, in fact! Said her father had purchased it for her."The tutor frowns at a peculiar thought, then dismisses it before nodding. "Normally I wouldn't, mind; It's inappropriate to peer into a young lady's room. But.. but anything to see her safe again." She glances to Aya, face paling as she twists her napkin harder. "Oh.. oh, do you really think..?" She presses a fluttering hand to her mouth, before leading the three across the hall and opening the room.Within is a lady's room - a studious one at that. Simple bed that someone has attached fluttering curtains too. A boudoir with finely crafted moons - as if someone had taken a child's chest and had it crafted larger. A desk, and some very serious books laid out above them in neat rows. And, in a corner of the room, a small pile of dolls. Soft dolls, porcelain dolls - ten or twelve at the least. The tutor frowns.".. Well, that's odd."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Zyla just showed up"

<OOC> Bitr nods! Is she wanting in?

<OOC> Sasha is trying to push her in here.

<OOC> Bitr grins. "If she's able, awesome! If not, that's fine too."

"Knight is missing?" Krom hazzards a guess. "Krom is sure Aetulia is okay. For now. But, is wide world, many dangers. Faster can be found, more likely to still be fine."

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she goes idle. ugh."

"Well.. well, yes, actually."States the tutor. "She usually keeps it here on the desk beside her. I've no idea what she sees in the dread thing. 'Beak tongue' or 'bleak foot' or something equally as horrid." The tutor putters into the room, quietly shuffling the dolls, and checking under the bed. "Hm."

<OOC> Sasha says, "brb"

Aya gives the tutor a shrug and follows the others to the baronet's room. She doesn't seem surprised by the missing doll. "If the knight was her favorite, maybe he was the one she was having her lunch with?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "and she logs off."

"That would be.. peculiar."Frowns the tutor, sighing softly. "She's not a sentimental woman, as I mentioned. Even as a child. I'm afraid there's not much here in the commune to alight the fires of imagination. That's why I advised the purchasing of books, of course; A lady can have just a thrilling experience from the words of a far off place right here at home." The tutor runs a shaking finger along the spine of one of the textbooks, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that's really all I know. I've... got to finish packing. The Baron has given me a day to collect my things, and unless Aethulia is found.." The tutor hangs her head."Not for myself, but.. please do find her if you can."

Krom nods. "Maybe. Krom think is good idea to check gardens. Maybe is something to be seen. If anything comes to mind, lady Whiteweather, please send word. Any detail can prove important." He's said it before, but it's still true.page sasha=I know it's odd to be asking you, but you play a healer. :3 'Heal' can be used ti o dian gnose a disease with the DC check, right? Trying to remember.

GAME: Sasha rolls heal: (14)+10: 24

<OOC> Bitr laughs! That will work.

Aya doesn't argue with the tutor on that. "We'll find what we find. In the gardens, to start." She nods to Krom and turns down the hall for the stairs and the grounds.

You paged Sasha with 'There's a flush to the old tutor; Hands shaking. And the general populace is weak. You've seen this before, but only in cities; Filth fever.

<OOC> Bitr says, "And ready to roll"

<OOC> Krom nod-nods

The Tutor Whiteweather smiles faintly at the strangely polite barbarian, before dipping her head to the other three and shuffling back to her own room. Faintly wiping her brow with shaking hands as she goes.Now what?

You paged Sasha with 'Did you catch the disease diagnosis, by the by?'

Sasha looks over to the tutor again and tilts her head. "This isn't 'stranger's cough', ma'am. It's Filth Fever." She says staring hard into the woman's eyes....before looking to Krom. "They have rats here.....and there must be a large concentration of them, since this usually happens in cities."

From afar, Sasha caught it.

The old tutor pauses, and makes a quiety face. "'Filth Fever'? What a frightening name." She shakes her head faintly. "There couldn't be a large.. well, I mean, one or two from the field, perhaps. But not a.. a 'concentration'. They'd be in all the grain silos, and.. well, the grain silos are our livelihood. There'd be a much bigger fuss." She sighs, and wipes her forehead again. "Excuse me, please. I think I'll fetch a small pail of water and retire to pack. Good day."

Krom frowns mildly, but nods, waiting until the tutor is out of earshot. "Big and bold to attack oxen. Masoleum may have places to hide, or elsewhere in garden. Is place to look, hope find small nest. Break it up, break up plague. Maybe."

"A large concentration, or large rats? Something did attack the ox" Aya reminds as they travel for the gardens. Rodents of Unusual Size probably don't actually exist.Sasha says, "Be sure to head for the Temple of Althea." She says as she tutor makes her way out of the room. "yeah. Lets head down to the mausoleum. Find out what's going on.""

Krom shrugs. "Large rats, many small rats, no rats but somethign else. Nothing else but bad luck. Aetulia ran away. Was kidnapped. Attacked by monster. Desired to be knight and ran after monster. Too much unknown."

No one stops the three as they head down towards the first floor and out the back of the house; Even from here, however, they can hear the reverberating sound of the Baron yelling at the tutor. Apparently she hadn't managed to sneak past him to get her cool pail of water. Needless to say, the Baron can be -loud- when he wants too.The 'memory garden' is a relatively small expanse of short bushes and flowers, roughly built in a semi-circle behind the Baron's manse. Fenced off from the rest of the commune, it's a rather peaceful area, with a few small sitting chairs around a stone table. The masoleum lays beyond it, partially shaded by the commune wall as the sun creeps across the sky. It seems to have been built up against the wall sometime after the wall itself was built; Both are weathered, but the wall more so. A barred grate keeps out visitors.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Perception rolls, please."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (8)+3: 11

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Krom says, "....."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Well, at least you got that out of the way.

<OOC> Sasha says, "hehe"

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24

<OOC> Bitr says, "Reasons~"

<OOC> Krom says, "Right. Nothign worrisome at all. :P"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yeah. >.>"

Krom peers at the flowers, idly wipeing dust from his eye. How it's go? 'Leaves of three, let it be'? They wouldn't having poisonous flowers here, would they? Or maybe that's just one, leaf, in three parts? Southland plants are confusing.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Want to make a knowledge/nature roll, Krom? :3 Or just posing the study?"

Sasha says, "Mmm....I wouldn't know. I'm just a simple cleric, not a druid." She says softly...."

<OOC> Krom says, "Just posing. Get wrapped up in something unrelated, rather than paying attention to the approaching doom. Epic perception fail."

GAME: Aya rolls perception: (8)+11: 19

<OOC> Sasha says, "he's gotta point. XD"

The flowers here aren't grand or fancy; Just simple plains flowers native to the area. It's a sublte display of wealth, that a person can devote this much space NOT to growing food - but to decoration. Winds occasionally whisper over the walls, curling along the hip high bushes and rustling verdant green leaves. Whistling along the masoleum bars, before disappearing again.

You paged Aya with 'YOU, however, see it - the faint glint of tiny, rodent eyes in the darkness behind the bars. There and gone in a moment.'

<OOC> Bitr pages Aya with a bit of info. Onto the masoleum, or tea time in the garden?

<OOC> Sasha votes the Mausoleum.

<OOC> Krom got lost in exactly where we are, but Mausoleum seems the likely goal.

Aya isn't so interested in flowers and looks to the mausoleum. It is the only building here besides the wall... and the wall is not open inside, as far as she knows. Her eyes narrow as she peers at the grating and the shadows beyond. Shadows which may not hide one as well as one might think. "The girl wasn't alone, here, and neither are we... and I don't speak of the dead."

Krom perks slightly, and looks to Aya, pointedly NOT looking elsewhere. "...Four legs or two?" he inquires, checking his blades are clear.

<OOC> Bitr says, "You are in a garden behind the manse. Semi-circle, it's fenced in on one side, and the other is defined by the commune wall. The mausoleum is the furthest away, pressed up against the commune wall."

Enemies fail to leap from the bushes. Dragons are utterly absent from the sky. And beyond the flash of what Aya saw within the mausoleum itself, everything is .. well, normal. Beyond the faint, distant coughs of a passing peasant and the lulling of an ox eager for water.Decision time; Press forward, hold back, or take a third route?

"Two eyes. In the shadows of the crypt," Aya explains softly (though it doesn't precisely answer the question).

<OOC> Aya was just waiting for others to pose. "Maybe I missed that."

<OOC> Bitr grins, and dry washes hands wickedly. :3Krom hrrms, and shrugs, heading for the mausoleum. "Daughter, monster, or stray cat, is worth looking into."

As Aya approaches the mausoleum, and if the other three follow, they can hear - a faint chime. Like a bell, almost. It's rather peaceful sounding, except one can't quite be sure where it came from. Either way, nothing challenges them as they get up to the barred entrance. There is a handle, and a rather simply made lock above it; But the grate is slightly opened, unsealed. From within is the musty smell of crypts everywhere, followed by a faintly acrid tint.

<OOC> Sasha says, "Is it dark?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "It is very dark inside."

<OOC> Bitr says, "You can see a bit into the entrance from ambient lighting."

<OOC> Aya has darkvision.

<OOC> Sasha knows, Aya. You'd be a scout for us....if you don't mind.

You paged Aya with 'It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

Krom peers a moment, and takes a small vial from his inner pack. Holding it up for a moment of inspection, the northman shakes the contents vigerously before opening the vial. A tiny yellow spark floats out, wafting gently in the air, drifting a few feet from the vail before fadeing away. But it's replaced by a second tiny spark, which is followed by a third. In moments, a small cloud surrounds Krom, each individual spark tiny, but the entire cloud glowing with a soft light, illuminating the area. (Everburning Torch)

<OOC> Bitr reposes for all, then!

It's better than anything other people here in the commune has, but by crypt standards its rather humble. Twenty by twenty foot square, solidly built. There are interment spaces built on the left and right - of those, only three are filled, but there's enough for nearly fifty. Cobwebs and .. dust?'

<OOC> Sasha also has light, so....

Aya looks to the simple lock... made even more useless since the grate door isn't latched. She steps into the shadows without hesitation to look over the interment crypts and ... then turns her face away from the sparking light. "Something was here. There are fifty doorways, plus the one I entered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "fifty internments. Small slots to slide a coffin into. :3"

<OOC> Bitr whistles innocently.

Krom mehs. "Let them see. If they fight, fight back. If they run, chase. But if they wat to talk, listen."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Just in case Aya might've been caught by RL, go ahead and toss me some perception checks. :3"

"I'd prefer they not see, but you are no use blind, either..." Aya points out absently as she looks over the spaces. She begins with those used and marked.

GAME: Krom rolls perception: (5)+4: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom apparently still has a little dirt in his eye. :3"

<OOC> Aya says, "The dirt is contagious."

GAME: Sasha rolls perception: (16)+3: 19

The used internments haven't been moved in a while; All bear the last name of 'Harness', but no date of internment. The air is filled with dancing motes of dust, flashing faintly in the illumination of the eternal torch; But it is Sasha, sensible Sasha, who finally spots it. -Tracks-, in the dust; Not just random drift patterns, but spaces where the stone ground has almost been swept clean as something large was slid - or dragged - along it. Through the bottom-middle most internment slot on the right side.

Sasha says, "Over here." sasha says as she points towards the ground. "Seems the track is going off that way." She says pointing. "Aya?""

Krom eyes the ones interned, idly curious to who they were, what happened to them. Sasha's voice rouses the northman from his distraction, frowning at the indicated area. "Catacombs? Does not seem the sort of land for it."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The internment slot is big enough for a coffin, so it's technically big enough for a medium sized creature to slide through. Probably is you'll have to do it basically on your belly. :3"

<OOC> Bitr says, "RL may have grabbed Aya again. Volunteers?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Or a new plan?"

<OOC> Krom is here to shove his face into danger. So sure... though going to draw my blades first.

<OOC> Bitr nods. Pose it on up!

<OOC> Sasha is the buffer/healer. If they drop, we're screwed.

Krom glances to the other tow, making sure they've no better idea, and heads to the indicated spot, clipping the light to his belt, and drawing his blades. Crouching down, he peers a moment at the hole before startign into it. "If Krom legs twitch... grab and pull."

With the dancing motes of light around his head, Krom can see the end of the internment; The stone had been roughly cut through, scrabbled almost. The whole into bare earth beyond turns sharply downwards, a tight fit. But here, with his head in the hole, he can hear - the faint sound of voices. One light and feminine, the other lighter still, almost falsetto.

Aya has no problems letting Krom do the heavy lifting, or dragging, as it is. She steps back from him and his light as the moved stone reveals more than a small chamber.

Sasha keeps back quietly and lets them do what she can't.

Krom hesitates, listening a few moments... and then continues foreward, slowly. Which luck, the path will widen. Without... well, this is why he gets paid in gold, not copper.

The other two will see Krom's feet disappear into the internment as he twists his body down; Fortunately, the tunnel is -smoothed- by the passing of hundreds of tiny paws and claws. Well. Perhaps less fortunately. But it does mean he can let gravity do most of the work, depositing him into-A chamber. Cut from the ground beneath the mausoleum. It's oval shaped, pocked with hundreds and hundreds of holes along the 'wall', low enough that a full grown man would have to stoop but perfectly comfortable for Aethulia Harness. She sits upon a small pillow, burnished flute in hand, while the faint sound of trickling water comes from one of the multitude of tiny to large tunnels."You did what you could, m'lord. Thank you."It's uncertain who she's talking too, as the faint light of her slanted lantern is overwhelmed by Krom's entrance and his own eternal torch. She turns her face away, frowning at the sudden radiance. She does NOT look pleased.

<OOC> Bitr says, "ahem. tiny to large-er. Not that big."

<OOC> Sasha is guessing we follow?

Krom considers only a moment before calling over his shoulder. "Come. Hurry." Then turning back to the lady... well, hope she's ladylike. "Greetings miss. The Baron is very upset."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sure! Chamber is 10 x 15, so it fits neatly under the mausoleum without - well - causing a cave in. It's tight, but everyone can fit in. There are holes -everywhere-. Some tiny, some larger, one almost big enough for a human heading directly towards where the wall would be. All dark."ooc ooc Well, -under- where teh wall he wall would be.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Well, -under- where the wall would be."

Sasha makes her way down as well.....and making sure her staff is lit so she can see as well. "Ma'am?" She says walking her way over.

Krom is trying not to be threatening, but does still have his blades in hand. Might not be the situation he now expects, but...

For a moment, a look of petulent hate crosses Aethulia's features before she smooths them back to her a pristine appearance. "I imagine so. And I don't care. I won't be a prisoner any further. BleakTongue?" She calls over her shoulder.There is a faint chinking sound, like tiny metal rings dropped together. Aya will see it first as it comes around Aethulia; A tiny knight in burnished, black armor. Riding what appears to be a dire rat, barded with armor. It'd almost be cute, but that armor has notches from battles past, and that lance the figure hefts is very, very sharp. It lifts a tiny gauntlet to it's helmet, lifting this to reveal - a ratling face. "My lady, do not be concerned." It turns tiny rodent eyes towards the three. "... Your father will not take you again. Adventure awaits."A faint scuffling sound, and the holes around are filled with tiny pinpricks of rodent eyes, gleaming in the lantern lights. Some are wet, from the distant well.

Aya bites off a harsh whisper about Krom and his glowing self when the glowing feet vanish. The whisper is replaced by a quick explicative, instead, before she follows those radiating their presence. At a slight distance.

Sasha stops quietly. "Wait wait. I'm guessing your father is keeping you cooped up in the house." She says softly. "I got that from the baron when I got here. How about we talk about it before we do anything unpleasent, hmm?"

Krom considers a few moments. "...Krom was hired to find Aetulia. Aetulia is found. Job not specific, but easily argued Krom hired to bring Aetulia to Baron. Krom not hired to keep Aetulia there. If Aetulia want leave, not Krom's job to stop Aetulia."

Aya frowns at all the little eyes, though at least they are little. "The Baron awaits your return," she agrees with Krom. "Whatever you do afterwards is your business."

"I agree. Leave the commune, abandon your search; Tell the Baron.. tell my father something else. You couldn't find me. I've been taken miles away by a wyvern. I don't care. If you're willing to abandon pay he offered you behind, then you may leave with your lives.""My lady!" Exclaims the tiny 'knight', whiskers aquiver. "You cannot trust them! Let me take them now; We'll leave their bones in the well water like the dogs and chickens my cousins took."Aethulia shakes her head faintly, spinning the flute up and to her lips. "Your decision, sires? But know now I will -not- see my father again. I know him; Whatever succor or promises he makes, I will have bars for windows and locks for doors. I will see what lays behind those horizons."

Krom snorts softly. "Krom will not lie. You leave your old life. Leave a token of it. Proof you were found."

"Wait....." Sasha says looking at Krom and the rat. "You are the reason the town has the disease." She then looks behind him. "Krom actually does have a good idea. I have already told your tutor to head for Alexandria, but our primary mission was to find you. If you'll accompany us to Alexandria, I'm sure you'll find a new life there. Your father doesn't seem to care that his people are sick at all."

"She doesn't look to care, either," Aya states her observation to Sasha, "since she knows of the rats gathering... though why should she care? The peasants are not her responsibility."

<OOC> Bitr considers. Hm. Lets geeeet a diplomacy check!

GAME: Sasha rolls diplomacy: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Krom rolls diplomacy: (2)+1: 3

<OOC> Sasha says, "help. XD"

<OOC> Krom saw it comming, but roleld anyway. Ah well. :)

<OOC> Sasha says, "Aya?"

A faint snort. "My father is complacent, not a fool. The peasantry get sick every year, on spring. But you say it's because of BleakTongue's comrades...?" A glance down to the small knight, who looks back up, chin high. She then shakes her head, and looks to Aya. "She's right. It's the price paid for my freedom. Why did you have to come -today-? Another night, and the tunnel would've been done." She breathes deep, calming herself before she nods faintly."I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault, but I can't go back. I can't risk it. Even BleakTongue could not outrun my father's money; Evidenced by -you three-." Eyes flick open. "Goodbye."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Inits!"

<OOC> Krom says, "Need the timestop. :)"

<OOC> Sasha says, "yup."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Bitr has dropped a TIMESTOP!Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Bitr to instruct you further.For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 14 Sasha 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Aethulia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got it! Okay."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha first!"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sasha ended.

<OOC> Sasha says, "eek."

<OOC> Sasha says, "Okie. I'm gonna step back and give Krom Weapon of Awe"

<OOC> Sasha says, "+2 to damage and the enemy becomes shaken on a crit for 1 round."

GAME: Sasha casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

<OOC> Sasha says, "there."

<OOC> Sasha posing.

"It's regrettable you've chosen violence. I am Hearthguard Sasha Hawkwood, and would have preferred that this didn't come to blows." She says as she places a hand on Krom's shoulder. "May Althea grant you peace."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The tiny knight slams its visor closed - and shrieks in a falsetto voice. It may take a moment to realize it's -speaking-. Well, squeaking. Sqeaking? Either way, a wave of tiny bodies comes boiling out of the walls, forming into a biting, snarling mass..!

GAME: You roll initiative for Rat Swarm: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

<OOC> Bitr says, "For next pass~"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, for GM note - Summon Rat Swarm used."

<OOC> Aya says, "How large is this room, again?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "10 x 15~"

<OOC> Bitr says, "The rat swarm is forming right smack in the middle."

<OOC> Bitr says, "The pathway up is still open; IT'll only take one at a time and you'll be 'squeezed' while climbing, but."

<OOC> Aya will try to move for the girl, hopefully opposite the rat knight.

<OOC> Bitr nods. The Knight's to the girl's left. You're going around on the right?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it up and your actions! Or roll them first. Whieh ever you prefer."

<OOC> Bitr also doubles her connection. Got a meeting, but I'm going mobile! I'll leave this window open for logging.

The mystery of the 'doll' seems explained now. Aya moves for the girl, doing her best to avoid the growing pile of vermin and the large pair on the girl's other side. "You had your chance at freedom, and you forsook it." If she can arrive quickly enough, she grabs for the child.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Grapple?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Either way, roll it!"

GAME: Aya rolls cmb: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes, though not."<OOC> Bitr says, "Yep. Miss"

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!GAME: Note Flat-footed on Krom ended.

<OOC> Krom says, "Move to BleakTongue, attack. Full attack, if i may."

<OOC> Bitr says, "By all means. Is it traditioal to give the AC or just say hit or miss?"

Aya may underestimate the girl, or overestimate how much is girl and how much is frilly, gaudy clothing. She fails to grab hold.

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (19)+8+-2: 25GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26

<OOC> Krom says, "...two threats..."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (1)+8+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Krom rolls 2d4+6+4: (4)+6+4: 14GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Sasha says, "and the target's shaken for a round. No save."

Krom bows briefly to the ratling. "Krom will try make this quick." And quick he is, faster than most would expect a barbarian to be. His blades flash in the light, catching upon the tiny armor and ripping into it, the sound chimeing in a musical tone, as a flare of Althanian magic lights the blade. The results leave the target quivering, at best.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --AUAy. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 21 Rat Swarm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Sasha 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 BleakTongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Aya 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Krom 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 4 Aethulia 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "I believe I forgot to make the 'keep seat' check for BleakTongue anyways since he's mounted and staggered."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Let me take care of that."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16

"BLEAKTONGUE!"

Scream Aethulia, as Krom bears down on the tiny black knight. Sparks fly in the dim cove, and blood splatters across the ground - but the dimunitive knight maintains his seat atop the snarling dire rat. The young lady steps away from Aya, leaving the warrior monk with material torn from her shoulder; She draws a wand as she moves from the depths of her volumous dress, and twists it towards the tiny knight! The end of the ivory point glows warmly in the dimness, knitting flesh and wound..

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5

GAME: You move Aethulia to location J5 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . ----RSRS--. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . Kr--------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Sasha's out, so weee're going to have the swarm ignore her for a moment."

<OOC> Krom says, "fair enough"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Next closest warm body - Krom!"

The snarling, boiling mass of furry bodies coalesces, and suddenly twists in mass towards Krom! Each individual rat may be small and weak, but together they are a collective of hundres of digging claws, snapping teeth and squealing horror.

GAME: You move Swarm to location I7 (10 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AU--Ay. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "Got any DR, Krom? They're ending their movement with you in their midst."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (3): 3

<OOC> Krom says, "nope. Nothing fancy for me but weapons'"

GAME: You damaged Krom for 3 points. 27 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Did Sasha say what she wanted to prepare next? Otherwise I'll just let her catch up later."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

<OOC> Krom does not recall any instructions

<OOC> Bitr says, "BleakTongue is staggered, so only one move OR one standard. One standard taken."

The Knightly Rat is struck -hard-, nearly torn from his mount, Gutter Rag, by the fury of Krom's blows - backed by the power of Sasha's god. Blood pools and splatters from tears in the small creatures armor, gasping in pain. It twists its head as Aethulia moves behind it, feeling the warm misery of knitting flesh - before it snarls up at Krom.And disappears! Well, goes invisible.

<OOC> Bitr says, "GM note, 3/day Invisible used."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

<OOC> Aya says, "Aethulia is too squirmy, but I can fix that. People are easier to carry out and return when conscious. I will flurry her for nonlethal."

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up.

<OOC> Aya says, "Did we have any spell buffs up?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "Krom had Weapon of Awe."

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's about it."

GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (16)+5+1: 22GAME: Aya rolls melee+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Krom nods. Just the one, pretty sure

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit and Hit"

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Still conscious, but pose up slapping the woman around. .."

<OOC> Aya says, "Also, Enforcer feat. Free Intimidate to demoralize her."

<OOC> Bitr nods! Intimidate away!

GAME: Aya rolls intimidate+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

<OOC> Bitr says, ".. Apparently she, uhm.. likes being slapped? Or it just made her angry. Probably the latter."

<OOC> Aya blames Krom.

<OOC> Krom is big, hard to be intimidating next to him?

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also true."

"You are a foolish, petulent child," Aya informs Aethulia. She had her chance to go, and she chose poorly. The girl will be much easier to carry back when less conscious, so Aya steps up to deliver two quick body blows. Maybe that will deflate her sails.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Aya moves to location K5 (5 ft).

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (4)+8+-2: 10

<OOC> Bitr says, "Hit on the first, miss on the second. Slashing/piercing weapons do half damage."

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3+2: (2)+3+2: 7

Krom blinks as the tiny knight dissapepars, but shrugs, his attention on the swarm that comes upon him. The northman's blades spin and flash, drawing blood, but doing little to stop the tide of vermin.

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . AUAy--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

<OOC> Bitr says, "Move action is going to take her past Aya's threatened square. Seizing the opportunity for an AoO?"

<OOC> Aya says, "yes."

<OOC> Bitr nods. Nonlethal again?

<OOC> Aya says, "Yes."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Roll away!"

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Yeah, that's a hit."

GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aethulia is now 'staggered'. So that cancels her standard action follow-up."

<OOC> Bitr poses!

The young woman chokes back and gags as she is pummeled by Aya's rapid fists - spitting out a small lob of blood to the side, and snarling just as ferociously as her 'protector' towards the monk. For someone born to nobility, she can take a hit - and is darn hard to cow. She tries to rush past the narrowing gap between monk and warrior, only to be slapped silly by Aya's quick hand and crash into the wall near the upward tunnel.

GAME: You move Aethulia to location M9 (5 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

Rats fall away from Krom's frenzied slashing, tiny dead bodies dropping like flies - but there are far more where that came form, almost enough that Krom can barely be seen for the boiling mass crawling and cratching upon him.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Krom for 1 points. 26 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!l-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* Plot Room: Three *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

These rooms are for player-run plots, although plots may also be run ongrid any time and at any location. Player Run Plots are a welcome and desired series of events on this MUSH. When we speak of Player Run Plots we're speaking of any adventure or IC event that involves at least two or more players in addition to the one running the scene.

This can be anything from an emitted scene of a bar room brawl to a dungeon crawl. The system is set up in a way to encourage spontaneous plots as well as pre-planned scenarios with minimal fuss with the staff. In short, if you have an itch to run a player run plot, for the most part you're allowed to do so. That is, plots tend to not require pre-approval from staff. Visit the website at Roleplay > Player Run Plots for details and awards.

As with all grid spaces, these places are considered public.

Channel: RPThree Add: addcom r3=RPThree PrP Help: +prhelp Exotic Locales: +prhelp locations

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Krom A young, lithe, Mestnorr warrior. 2m 1h Bitr A wild looking lucht siuil 0s 2h Aya Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. 2m 1h-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Objects =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Timestop by Bitr(#2980I)-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= Exits -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-Plot Nexus <O> -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-+tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . --BT------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Bitr says, "First, 'fight with mount' DC 10 check."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18

<OOC> Bitr says, "Gutter Rag the Dire Rat Mount charges, carrying BleakTongue and lance."

<OOC> Aya says, "Who are they charging? They're already adjacent?"

<OOC> Bitr squints. ".. Ah, right."

<OOC> Bitr says, "In that case, normal attack."

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20: (13): 13

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Bitr says, "Neither are invisible any longer. I'm assuming both missed."

<OOC> Aya's AC is higher than 10, yep. :)

Even as Aethulia rushes past, two miniature figures suddenly surge out of thin air - The ratling knight and his wicked, gnashing mount! Gutter Rag attempting to snap at Aya's ankle while BleakTongue stabs at her thigh with his lance - alas, the knight is still recovering from his wounds, and drives the attack incorrectly.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: You move BleakTongue to location K6 (5 ft). +tmap =====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | BT : BleakTongue (S) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | Kr : Krom (M) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 | RS : Swarm (LL) 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS------. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----BT----. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . --Ay--. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

<OOC> Aya will flurry on Bleaktongue and spend a Ki for an additional attack.

GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL.

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (13)+5: 18GAME: Aya rolls melee: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

<OOC> Bitr nods. Still alive, but pose it up!

Aya has no wish to be stabbed, nor bitten. Especially not by such filthy creatures. "Filthy beasts!" She answers the near miss with a couple of her own. A fist, knifehand, and a kick, though only the first hits the rat knight.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 5. It is now Krom's turn! Aethulia is next!

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (5)+8+-2: 11

GAME: Krom rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19

<OOC> Bitr says, "One hit"

GAME: Krom rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

Krom acks and spits, swinging his blades to try and clear away the rat swarm. It's less sliceing at them than trying to scrape them off himself, but dead rats continue to pile up.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 4. It is now Aethulia's turn! Rat Swarm is next!

Aethulia leans against the wall, one hand gripped tightly around her wand - the other around her flute. She pants, swaying, before seeming to focus on Aya - just as she continues to smack BleakTongue about. Hissing her frustration at how quickly things went to pot, she closes her eyes against the dizzyness, lifting her flute to her lips once more - and plays a single, low note. Holding that quavering, rippling sound in the air..

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya, hold person. DC 15"

GAME: Aya rolls will: (20)+4: 24 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya cares not for your puny magic, mortal."

GAME: NEW ROUND! Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 21. It is now Rat Swarm's turn! Sasha is next!

There are dead and dying rats curling up all around Krom's feet now, but the swarm presses on in its relentless chewing. In three weeks they'd carved out this area - lets see what they can do to Krom in three minutes.

GAME: Bitr rolls 1d6: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Krom for 4 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 14. It is now Sasha's turn! BleakTongue is next!

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 6. It is now BleakTongue's turn! Aya is next!

The ratling is once again rattled by the sudden strike of his larger opponent, hissing and spitting out a broken tooth; Things are NOT going well. He turns one last desperate look towards Aethulia, before he urges his mount back. "My lady.. I am sorry."And then something twists -behind- the ratling, and he's gone. Mount and all, to live and fight another day.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Five foot step, escape via dimensional door. Only carries him and mount. 1 HP remaining."

GAME: Bitr advances the initiative order. Round Four - Init 5. It is now Aya's turn! Krom is next!

GAME: BleakTongue removed from the map.

<OOC> Aya will move to Aethulia to strike.

<OOC> Bitr nods.GAME: GAME: Aya moves to location M8 (20 ft).

=====================> Combat Map for Plot Room: Three <======================

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map Key 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 | AU : Aethulia (M) 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 | Ay : Aya (M) 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 | Kr : Krom (M) 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 | RS : Swarm (LL) 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 12 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 12 11 . . . . . . . . . . ''. . . . . . . . . . 11 10 . . . . . . . . . ------EU. . . . . . . . 10 9 . . . . . . . . --------AU. . . . . . . . 9 8 . . . . . . . . RSRS----Ay. . . . . . . . 8 7 . . . . . . . . KrRS------. . . . . . . . 7 6 . . . . . . . . ----------. . . . . . . . 6 5 . . . . . . . . . ------. . . . . . . . . 5 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T ---------------------------- Map Key (continued) -----------------------------

'' : rat tunnel -- : rat cove EU : Exit Up

==============================================================================

GAME: Aya rolls melee: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Bitr says, "Easy hit"

<OOC> Aya says, "Nonlethal on her, still."GAME: Aya rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Bitr says, "Almost don't need to roll damage. She's equal to her HP in non-lethal."

<OOC> Bitr says, "So, she's out oold."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Pose it on up!"

<OOC> Bitr says, "And rat swarm's been active for.. three rounds? So it disperses next round. I don't see it eating Krom up in one round, so. :D"

Aya's ears twitch at the oddd, haunting melody, then her eyes narrow. After the 'knight' flees, she moves swiftly after the prodigal daughter. "You devious little wench..." This time, Aya doesn't spare the face and backhands the girl into the cavern wall and watches her crumple. Now there are two less problems to deal with.

GAME: Aethulia removed from the map.

<OOC> Bitr is going to call it combat over. Free pose and wrap up time.

<OOC> Bitr says, "It's one round per level of caster. So I took a bit of liberty since it's a ratling doing the casting."

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.Timestop by Bitr has left.GAME: You remove the timestop.

Aethulia crumples to the ground with a cut-off wail of sorrow - and the snarling, snapping rats soon disperse, their guiding force disrupted. Streaming back into the holes in the walls, and distributing outwards.. a problem for another day.

Krom grumbles, scraping a few final rats off himself, and giving a kick in teh general direction of the ones fleeing back towards their dens. "Fools. Could have had same result without bloodshed, had they listened." He dabs at a few of the deeper cuts, and sighs. "Krom may catch fever from this. Not plesant, but will be back at temple soon. Will be hard to move girl back up small hole."

Aya picks up the girl to put her over her shoulder, though the girl may be taller or heavier. "Easier now that she's not fighting us." She looks from Krom to the tunnel and back. "Go first. I'll push her up to you."

Krom nods, tying a bit of rag over the deeper bites to halt the bloodflow. "Watch for rats. Might come back." He heads for the tunnel upward, grunting a bit as he worms his way out again, only to turn around and stick himself partway down again. Hopefully not enough to get himself stuck.

It's not going to be an easy thing; The tunnel goes up then curves back on itself to reach the internment slot that had hidden the hole. It's entirely possible; They'll just be fighting against gravity, and Krom will have to pull himself back with feet and legs while holding onto the unconscious girl.Aggravations abound.

Krom eventaully recalls he has rope. Mostly likely just too late to be of any real help.

Aya flops and props Aethulia into the hole before pushing her up as best as she can. Hopefully Krom can reach. If not, then Aya may be climbing some for the both of them, and trying to push the unconscious girl ahead of her.

As the last ringing of combat dies away, one is left with only the cool, calm echo of the small cavern - and the gentle echo of water trickling from one of the tiny rat tunnels the swarm disappeared into. Likely the water well near the Baron's domicile - also the town's primary source of water.

GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Sasha says, "and a second."GAME: Sasha rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8

GAME: You damaged Krom for -8 points. 30 remaining.

<OOC> Bitr thumbs up. Pose it on up.

GAME: Bitr removes the timestop.

GAME: You remove the timestop.

Krom scrambles and scrapes, tugs, pulls, and says a few things that would likely get him in trouble if Grandma were here. But eventually, he gets the unconcious girl up into the mosuleum again. Likely not in any sort of form the Baron or tutor will be happy with, but so be it.

Having made sure she stayed out of the battle, Sasha waits until the battle is pretty much over before she comes forward and places her hand upon the back of Krom. After a prayer to Althea, Krom should be feeling much better.

Eventually everyone exits the small, tight hole and is once more in the cool, -refreshing- air of the mausoleum. Yes, it's stuffy and still has the acrid tang of rat droppings, but at least it's out of the tiny cavern dug by three weeks of swarming rat work. There is no sign of the tiny black knight above, and no sound but the whistling wind.And the unconscious groan of Aethulia, bruised and battered but otherwise alive.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Any finales? Otherwise, I'll go ahead and cut log here to begin sending it in."

<OOC> Sasha says, "DO We want to tell the 'baron' that his daughter's dead and get her the heck out of dodge?"

<OOC> Bitr grins. She's alive, just unconscious.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Aya did nonlethal smacking."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Unless you meant lie and flee."

<OOC> Bitr giggles. Alright, I'm going to switch connections real quick. Any final poses? As for trials and so forth, if you guys really want I can put on a plot sometime next week? It'll mostly be non-combat posing stuff, and diplomacy rolls for lawyering. :p

<OOC> Bitr says, "Okay! Back again."

<OOC> Bitr says, "Anyways - was there anything else? Did you three want to try and sneak Aethulia out of the commune, or kidnap the baron too?"

<OOC> Sasha leaves it up to others.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Also, apparently tenebrae has an HR system of 'social combat'. So a trial plot may actually be kinda fun to run sometime!"

<OOC> Bitr nods.

<OOC> Krom intends to tell the baron exactly what happened, and that, by law, his daughter needs to come with us. Assure him the matter will be kept quiet, and that she won't be mistreated... and if he objects, treat him as I'd treat anyone else attempting to break the law.

<OOC> Aya says, "What did she do that was illegal?"

<OOC> Krom might look like a barbarian, but he acts a little more like a paladin

<OOC> Sashawill go along with Krom.

<OOC> Krom says, "She attacked guild members. Is a grey area, but it gets her to the big city. If the court desides she did nothing wrong, she's free to leave.... in the big city."

<OOC> Bitr grins. Pose it on up. Or make your arguments with one another.

<OOC> Aya assumed that, since the law is rendered by the local lord, her father, a trial would never happen.

<OOC> Aya will leave that up to the others. "Aya has no preference, nor interest."

<OOC> Sasha lets Krom lead.

<OOC> Bitr goes digging in the tenebrae website meanwhile for the settings on IC laws. :3

Krom leaves the otehr with the girl, and some rope. Best tie, her set her on a horse, and get going for the trail of attacking Guild members. Krom will catch up, after he talks with the Baron. "Your daughter was found in a small cave underneath the crypt. She was in the company of several magic rats, and a ratling. While in good health, she may have been under some sort of enchantment, and atatcked members of the Guild. We are taking her to the city to be checked by the clerics there, and to stand trail. In all likelyhood, the charges will be dropped, and she will be free to go. Krom recomends focusing on the caven under the crypt, which is still full of plague rats. Fill in teh hole, stop the plague, return your people to health and productivity. Word will be sent to keep you updated. Privately. As the matter has yet to be ruled upon by the court, there is no reason to feed rumor and speculation." He considers a moment. "If you like, we may accompany the tutor as well, that your daughter may have a familiar face present when she regains her senses. Sadly, duty requires the lord of the town remains to see to it's clean up."

<OOC> Krom mutters, is gettign sleepy. Didn't mean to type up quite so much.

<OOC> Bitr says, "That's fine."

<OOC> Bitr taps lip. Got any diplomacy?

GAME: Krom rolls intimidate: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Bitr grins.

<OOC> Krom has barbarian diplomacy. He lays down the law. Obey, or else.

The Baron was - of course - at his domicile, and Krom was quickly directed to the Lord's private chambers for the talk. The Baron himself having just sat down to a light dinner, leaving most of it on the plate in his distraction. What had begun as a bright smile - his daughter, found! - quickly evolves to confusion, and then sputtering anger. "You'll not be taking my baby -anywhere-" He begins, before Krom continues. Red in the face, but unwilling to go against someone who looks - quite literally - like they just crawled through snarling rats and came out collected, slams his fist to the table."Fine. Take the old bag, she's useless to me without Aethulia here. But I'm holding the payment until your end of the bargain is met; My daughter returned -to me-. Not to -Alexandria-".

Krom shrugs. "That is for the Guild to deside. Krom's employeement is to them. Krom is sure a mutually agreeable solution will be found swiftly."

The Baron remains seated, turning his gaze aside, knuckles white on a dinner knife. There's always the temptation, of course; But what could he do? His power lay in his wealth, not his strength of arms.After a moment, however, there is a strange sort of calmness that descends. "I assume you'll be taking the southern road for safety; I'll send some of my men along to keep my daughter safe." A glance up. "Not up for discussion."

Krom considers a moment, and nods. "Took north road in, facing danger is part of job. Now, safety is priority. Krom has no objections." If the town can muster men to be of any real trouble, the Guild wouldn't have been brought here in the first place.

Aya agrees that the hear-baroness should travel bound (for her own safety). She agrees that the vermin issue should be dealt with. She continues to agree with Krom... up until the demands of alternate deliver before payment. Eyes snap to Krom, and the boring into the back of his head does not wane when the baron brings up his escort.After a softening of gaze, and a clearing of throat,"Is any of that truly necessary? The child is obviously traumatized, and there are already healers called here. Maybe it's in her best interests that she stay here, to be tended, while any possible charges are determined. If the city guard wish her summoned, they know where to find her."

The Baron continues to glare at Krom, but his anger went from red-faced to the quiet, cold sort of anger. Polite and eager to hostile in a single comment; That he wouldn't have his daughter back immediately. At Aya's words, the Baron's gaze snaps to her - and softens slightly. ".. A far more reasonable request." He states, firmly.

Krom says, "If still enchanted, she disappeared once. And a second time, will be more wary." Not that Krom truely believes she was under magical compultion. "Best to be safe."

"I disagree," Aya reiterates, to Krom. "but you seem to insist. If you do, the Baron has every right to provide escort for his daughter. I wouldn't expect anyone to hand over their child to strangers."

Krom nods. "Agreed. Though the sooner we depart, the sooner everyone can return to where they belong."

Sasha is behind Krom....and nods her head. It's obvious where the woman is going to go if Sasha agrees.

<OOC> Krom needs to crash here soonish

<OOC> Bitr nods. Lets go ahead and wrap here. Sometime in a few days we'll do a short follow up scene if you folks are willing. :3

<OOC> Sasha thinks we're wrapping up, Krom.

<OOC> Bitr says, "Otherwise, I'm turning this one in as complete!"

<OOC> Sasha says, "Damn. called it, didn't I?"

<OOC> Sasha says, "What would the follow up scene be doing?"

<OOC> Bitr says, "just handling the obvious questions of an unfriendly troupe who want things the group doesn't want. It's not important enough right now to keep Krom up."

GAME: You nominated Sasha for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Aya for good roleplay.GAME: You nominated Krom for good roleplay.

</pre>

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2016-03-09T21:20:13Z

Bitr: /* March */