Grand Theft Arcana

The job is fairly straight forward and apparently new, as the ink on the handbill posted at the Explorer's Guild was still wet:

BOUNTY NOTICE!

THIEF OF MAGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ITEMS.

XOREL TILGENTOR. HUMAN APPRENTICE. BROWN HAIR. TWO EYES. VERY TALL.

BOUNTY: $$$

SEEK MUNWIN COGSWANK AT THE MUSTY MAGE INN.

Munwin Cogswank looks pretty much exactly like you expect. An old gnome with flowing hair and an ink stained goatee, with a small staff, spectacles thick enough to act as death rays lenses. With as much blustering indignation as he can muster, he explains in great detail how he decided to take a nice vacation from Rune until the Heth situation blows over, maybe in Gustav or Veyshan. But his treacherous apprentice plied him with plum brandy and when he awoke to a nice breakfast, he was cleaned out. All of his spellbooks and curios, his arcane focusing amulet, all gone! He had some of his spell components left and enough mastery of magic to locate the absconded Xorel, heading north on one of the trade roads out of Alexandria. Questions are asked, details are explained, price is haggled over and now you find yourselves trekking along the same trade road, looking for this Xorel character, enjoying the relatively pleasant spring afternoon as you travel.

"Retrieving lost property is not particularly high on my list of duties, but I am happy to assist all the same."

Smythly is trekking, yes, right along on his short legs. No doubt he's not going to be the best pursuer on account of his short stride. "So. Are any of us /any/ good at tracking?"

Verna is a strong proponent of the quest for knowledge. Means such as treachery and larceny, however, she does not abide. Thus she travels along the trade route with others. "If the apprentice utilizes magic repeatedly, I could track his route. Otherwise, I am not a skilled woodswoman."

Lilyth walks along with the others on the road. "Especially when it's magic in nature. Shouldn't be taken like that from it's owner like that, especially his mentor..." She pauses in her conversation at Smythly's question. "No, I'm not good at tracking unfortunately."

Altar is much taller than Smythly, but no faster. "We shall just have to hope he sticks to the road and is obvious once we find him. Otherwise this could be a long trip for nothing."

You make fairly good time, hustling when possible, with enough luck to hitch a ride out on an outbound wagon for several hours before you arrive at your first stop in the late afternoon. Rygoth's Roadhouse. It's a pretty rough and tumble traveler's inn, built by a retired giantborn adventurer, crafted of rough hewn logs felled by Rygoth himself. It's fairly heavily packed as the travel season has started again for wagon trains and caravans, and the lot of you only get a faint glance by the patrons as you walk in. No immediate sighting of Xorel, though.

Altar looks over the inn's patrons from just inside the doorway. "Anyone see him in here?" He asks his traveling companions.

Verna is much more skilled at riding upon a wagon than hustling, but she can keep pace. When they arrive at the roadhouse, she studies the exterior and then moves within to survey the patrons. At Altar's query, she frowns within her hood. "Not at the moment. Perhaps if you were to inquire with more volume, he would overhear and make his presence known?"

Lilyth looks around at the various patrons, but is allowing others of the group to take the lead. However, she does look at the varoius people to see if she could get a closer look while someone thinks of asking.

GAME: Lilyth rolls perception: (3)+6: 9

Smythly is having a look around the inn.

"Greetings, travellers," he booms... for a goblin, anyways... from the doorway. 

"We are in pursuit of a missing person. I am Smythly, esteemed Hammer of Reos!" He proceeds to loudly begin to give a description. 

Subtletly may not be his path.

The tavern goers turn to look at the goblin. Some of them laugh, some of them ignore him. Three or four start fighting over who gets to be bribed for information first, while a rather tired and haggard looking barmaid stops, serving tray under arm. "Silver coin and I'll tell you right where he is, luv." It's a rule, all barmaids have to have a cockney accent in fantasy games.

Lilyth rolls her eyes at Smihtly and just goes over to the tavernkeeper. "Has the man that he asked about been seen here?" she asks, getting away from the crowd gathering around the goblin.

Altar waits by the door.

"Truly? A reward? Is not doing the right thing reward enough?" asks Smyhtly. Apparently, he's one of those /extremely/ serious paladins. His expressing is totally straight. He's... not kidding when he says that. Even a little.

Altar flips a silver coin through the air to the waitress. But doesn't say anything.

"Feck off, then, ya green lil turd!" The barmaid huffs, storming away to her life of sexual harassment and beverage serving, though does snatch the coin altar throws once he grabs her attention. She nods and hitches her nub of a thumb out towards the back door. The barkeep, who happens to by Ryloth at the moment, is busy breaking up a fight between the patrons. With one of them in a headlock and another over his shoulder, he growls. "He's out back in the shitter! Now get out of here before ya start a riot!" The giantborn punctuates this by throwing one of the miserable pugilistic drunks out of the open window.

Lilyth nods to the others. Seems two stories can confirm one another and she waits for the others before heading to the back and see if this really is the person they are after.

Altar heads out back by the shortest route, if that means pushing his way through the bar, that's how he does it.

Verna's turn turns to follow the trajectory of drunkard across the room and through the window. "An interest establishment..." She will take the less congested path out and around to the rear of the building, as she is not so killed and pushing others out of her way.

"Peace upon all of you," says Smythly, tapping his hand against the haft of his sledge hammer. He then proceeds to make his way on out back towards the outhouse.

Ryloth is too busy throwing violent drunks out of his tavern and the barmaid is too apathetic to care as you push through the back of the tavern, passing by what passes for a kitchen as you head outside. Past a rather small stack of firewood and several empty barrels and some broken pitchers and the trash midden. There are three outhouses about twenty feet away, and the door to the left opens, with Xerol reattaching his belt. He looks up to see the four of you, and you obviously see him, and there is a long, pregnant pause as this Tarintino-esque scene plays out, then he reaches for his satchel!

GAME: Altar rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 7

GAME: Lilyth rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 16

GAME: Smythly rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 17

GAME: You roll initiative for Xerol: Roll: 7 + Bonus: +6 = Total: 13

GAME: Verna rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21

GAME: Verna rolls melee: (7)+3: 10

"Drop it or there will be trouble!" Smythly tells him, firmly, indicating that he should not do whatever it is he's about to do.

"Surrender your ill-gotten knowledge and submit to judgement!" Verna demands as she briskly and directly approaches the man. She leads with an open hand as she calls to the Hars Lady to aid in said submission. Unfortunately, in her haste, she did not expect magical protections to be enabled while attending to cals of nature.

"Drop it or there will be trouble!" Smythly tells him, firmly, indicating that he should not do whatever it is he's about to do.

GAME: Lilyth casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3

"He said, drop it!" Lilyth calls out to him as she waves her hand and a small burst of light dashes from her hand to Xerol. It has an unerring accuracy, and that just smarts!

"I said drop it!" Smyhtly darts forward, grabbing him by the hand, and managing to get around behind him wiht it. The goblin is strong, and now has him in a lock. For the moment.

"We are not going to harm you. Please cease resisting!" 

Yes. He is trying too hard.

Xorel howls in pain as he pulls something from the satchel, his fist closed around it, right as a magical bolt smashes into his shoulder and then he's speared by the goblin, one of his arms pulled down. Scowling in pain and anger, "FINE! PYRUS!" He calls out as he flicks a ruby the size the a robin's egg to the ground, igniting a massive conflaguration that sets the roof of one of the outhouses ablaze. The heat is nearly blinding, but within the flames, the humanoid form of coal and magma coalesces. "KILL THEM! ESPECIALLY THIS GOBLIN!" the apprentice shrieks!

GAME: You roll initiative for Fire Elemental: Roll: 7 + Bonus: +9 = Total: 16

GAME: Altar casts Resist Energy. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

Altar casts his own spell and moves up to the wizard. "If you continue to fight, we will hurt you until you stop. I cannot guarantee you will survive the process. "

GAME: Verna rolls melee: (2)+3: 5

"Cease your squirming!" Verna should be able to lay a hand upon the apprentice easily, now that he is restrained. She fails to account for the degree of squirming, unfortunately, as well as the moving gobber, and nearly trips over the latter.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (1)+12: 13

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 4 points. 14 remaining.

GAME: Smythly rolls ref: (1)+3: 4

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d4: (3): 3

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23

The looming living bonfire lashes out at the goblin, setting another outhouse on fire, but also the goblin with one burning fist. The shock of pain is just enough for Smythly's grip to loosen and Xorel pulls himself free from his grasp, reaching into the satchel again and producing a small vial, taking a staggering step back. "YOU LEAVE ME ALONE. THAT GNOME IS A HORROR! ALWAYS WITH THE PETTIEST OF TASKS, THE DUMBEST OF QUESTIONS. I SHOULD HAVE CUT HIS THROAT IN HIS SLEEP!"

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 4 points. 10 remaining.

GAME: Smythly rolls Ref: (13)+3: 16

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d6: (5): 5

With the wizard having broken free and Smythly being on fire, he takes a moment to put himself out calmly. "I appear to be on fire. Again." He is a goblin, after all. This is hardly the /first/ time he's caught on fire.

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

Lilyth's eyes go wide at seeing the elemental, but she hears that the man is escaping. "No you don't!" She leaves the elemental alone for now and goes after the wizard again, another burst of light shooting from her hand.

GAME: Altar rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

GAME: Altar rolls 1d8+7: (5)+7: 12

Altar gives up the ghost on diplomacy. More options for surrender were given than the norm. He just stabs the wizard with his sword instead. "You were warned."

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (Rolling for VernaIDLE)

VERNA MAKES WITH TOUCHY. XEROL GETS TIRED. (INSERT ACTUAL VERNA POSE HERE).

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (19)+12: 31

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: You damaged Altar for 4 points. 38 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 3 points. 12 remaining.

GAME: Smythly rolls ref: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d4: (1): 1

The fire elemental continues it's assault, slamming it's fiery fists into both Altar and Smythly, though the War Golem burns with no visible effect. Weakened by the touch of Vardama's priestess, Xerol staggers back a few feet as he pops the cork out of the vial, dumping the contents into his mouth. He almost immediately fades from view.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8: (3): 3

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 3 points. 9 remaining.

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10

"Well. This is annoying. He's probably running away now," says Smyhtly. Even as he gets set onfire again. This is met by a sigh. His hammer is out now, though, and he awkwardly tries to bash the fire elemetnal with it, only to be distracted by the fact that he is /on fire/.

GAME: Lilyth casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Lilyth rolls 2d6: (4): 4

Lilyth moves and angles herself. "You won't go far." With a roll of her wrists, she points toward where the wizard was last scene. Flames shoot out in a cone from her hand, and she smiles as she catches the outline of something, she things. She may have gotten a hit in.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d100: (12): 12

Altar charges forward to grab the apprentice, but misjudged his location and just gets air. "He's got a lot of potions in that bag."

GAME: Verna casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13

Verna's contentment at her eventual success is short-lived by the apprentice's disappearance. "There is no telling what items he may have purloined." In this case, his reliance upon magic could be his undoing, as Verna opens her senses to the energies produced and lingering.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (7)+12: 19

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (4)+12: 16

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 3 points. 7 remaining.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+22: (1)+22: 23

GAME: Smythly rolls Ref: (16)+3: 19

GAME: Smythly rolls perception-4: (14)+3+-4: 13

GAME: Verna rolls perception: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Verna rolls perception: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Lilyth rolls perception: (11)+6: 17

GAME: Altar rolls perception-4: (1)+3+-4: 0

The fiery giant continues to smash it's incendiary fists down at the goblin and golem (Sounds like a Buddy Cop Show Title, right?). But there isn't much force behind the blows, relative to the size. Still it manages to connect with Smythly, though luckily for him, his keen reflexes keep him from catching on fire...again. Meanwhile Xerol is unseen and lurks away, one hand held to his mangled gut as he tries to escape. Unfortunately, stealth 101 was not covered by Munwin and he steps on a branch. Not many notice, but the Vardamite priestess does, finding a presence of magic to confirm her suspicions.

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: You damaged Smythly for -1 points. 8 remaining.

Damnable fires! Smyhtly is now distracted fully with the fire elemental. He'll leave finding the invisible mage to the more magically asttute who don't have (relatively speaking) giant hammers to hit giant nails with. Except in this case, the nail is a fire elemental and his hammer doesn't seem to be doing the job.

Lilyth doesn't have much of an idea where the wizard has gone, so she leaves him to those who might have a chance. Instead, she turns toward the elemental and that light once again shoots from her hand and strikes at the fire elemental.

GAME: Altar rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13

Altar is too distracted by the fire elemental to cast correctly, but he does manage to move around it a little bit toward a flanking position.

"He is attempting to flee!" Verna announces as she believes she has the apprentice's rough course, if not precise location. She gestures along said course and moves to follow, preferably in a manner that avoids the goblin-searing fire elemental.

<OOC> Hassan says, "Fire Elemental will continue doing his thang."

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6

GAME: You damaged Altar for 7 points. 31 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 6 points. 2 remaining.

The fire elemental finds its stride and continues beating on Smythly and Altar, denting some of the war golem's armor and laying a vicious blow across Smythly's side, but he still avoids catching on fire. Meanwhile, Xerol's path is pretty obvious as he breaks out into a dead run, the magic on Verna's area of detection going dark.

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26

GAME: Smythly rolls 1d10+4: (3)+4: 7

"Grragh!" is Smyhtly's response. He's really not looking so good. The fire elemental has been, well... setting him on fire. A lot. He's looking burnt, sure, but that doesn't stop him from FINALLY connecting with the bulk of the elemental's form succedsfully, even if it raises more blisters.

GAME: Lilyth rolls ranged: (13)+3: 16

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d3+1: (1)+1: 2

Lilyth feels her magic depleting and looks over at the elemental. "Okay then..." She holds up her hand and a small green orb appears. She throws it at the elemental and watches to see if it does anything, yet she is unsure really.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (14)+12: 26

GAME: You damaged Altar for 9 points. 22 remaining.

Altar moves after Verna and presumably the wizard. He is neither lucky nor fast and gets whacked by the fire elemental on his way by. "Don't loose that wizard."

Verna continues forward, past the corner of the building and finally zeroes in on the man's invisibility magic. "There, in the road!" She informs others and points more accurately than before.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (20)+12: 32

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (7)+12: 19

GAME: Hassan rolls 2d8+4: (13)+4: 17

GAME: You damaged Smythly for 17 points. -15 remaining. (DEAD)

The fire elemental, with no one else to focus on, smashes it's limb into Smythly. Luckily, since it is an outhouse and patrons have poor aim, the burning goblin is quenched by the yellow salvation of countless tavern patrons, though he lies unmoving. With no other foes, it turns to move toward Altar, moving much faster than its bulk would imply. Meanwhile, chanting begins out in the road.

GAME: Lilyth rolls ranged: (17)+3: 20

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d3+1: (1)+1: 2

Lilyth frowns at the elemental and casts the same green orb again. Come on, do something. She sees the goblin go down. Where did the others go? "Hey! Need some help here!!"

Altar moves faster than usual, which in all honesty isn't really that fast. Considering his size, he makes a fair accounting for himself, and a great deal of noise as he heads toward the spot Verna is pointing at. "Keep me updated, with any luck I'll be able to track him soon too."

GAME: Verna casts Grease. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22

"Watch your footing," Verna warns Altar as the ground near, possibly beneath his feet, and certainly beneath the one attemting to flee, is suddenly covered with unnatural lubrication.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+2: (13)+2: 15

There are some footprints appearing in the grease, but nothing to indicate the thief-wizard has fallen. His chanting stops and with a *POP* a pony appears, with all the fixings. The stirrup stirs and sags a bit and the pony begins to run, but it takes some doing as it's caught in Verna's spell of lubrication as well. It eventually finds footing and tears off, but not before Altar gives it a near lethal wound. If I were GRR Martin or something, I'd write a vivid description of it's magical pony entrails dragging along the road or something.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10

GAME: You damaged Altar for 10 points. 12 remaining.

The elemental, single-minded in it's slaved task, runs down Altar in one fell swoop, smashing him across the back with its fiery appendage.

GAME: Lilyth rolls spellcraft: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Verna rolls spellcraft: (10)+14: 24

You paged (Lilyth, Verna) with 'You are pretty sure this thing is summoned up in a similar manner as a summon spell, which means it can't stay for very much longer, it operates under it's most direct orders, and it is subject to certain abjurations like protection from evil and the like.'

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+2: (12)+2: 14

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d6: (1): 1

GAME: Altar casts Cure Moderate Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

GAME: Altar rolls 2d8+4: (12)+4: 16

GAME: You damaged Altar for -16 points. 28 remaining.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+7: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Verna rolls 2d6: (5): 5

GAME: Altar rolls WILL: (8)+7: 15

GAME: You damaged Altar for 2 points. 26 remaining.

The summoned servant savagely slams stoic steel sentry. In non-alliteration news, there is a grunt and then several muttered syllables of Eldritch, familiar only to the trained ear. "I HOPE YOU ALL BURN, YOU STUBBORN ASSHOLES!" And then nothing.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (14)+12: 26

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9

GAME: You damaged Altar for 19 points. 7 remaining.

The summoned servant savagely slams stoic steel sentry. In non-alliteration news, there is a grunt and then several muttered syllables of Eldritch, familiar only to the trained ear. "I HOPE YOU ALL BURN, YOU STUBBORN ASSHOLES!" And then nothing.

GAME: Lilyth rolls ranged: (1)+3: 4

Lilyth moves forward quickly. "He's flying away!" she calls to the others, but throws off another orb of acid at the elemental, though it misses wildly.

GAME: Altar rolls 2d8+4: (8)+4: 12

GAME: You damaged Altar for -12 points. 19 remaining.

Altar ducks back and heals himself.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (5)+12: 17

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6

GAME: Verna rolls reflex: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d4: (4): 4

GAME: You damaged Verna for 6 points. 22 remaining.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8: (4): 4

GAME: Verna casts Cure Moderate Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15

GAME: You damaged Verna for 4 points. 18 remaining.

GAME: Verna rolls melee: (5)+3: 8

Verna cannot follow a a being that can fly. Neither can she easily follow one she cannot see. Therefor, she ceases pursuit and returns to aid in dealing with the elemental. She calls more negative energy from the Harsh Lady's Hall, now in a more precise manner, before braving the elemental's fire to step in close. All that she succeeds at, for the moment, is alighting her robes.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4

GAME: You damaged Altar for 9 points. 10 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Verna for 4 points. 14 remaining.

Faced with a new threat, the elemental turns and thrashes, catching both of the clergy in it's attacks. Xerol, airborne and unseen, continues to flee.

GAME: Lilyth rolls ranged: (19)+3: 22

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d3+1: (1)+1: 2

Lilyth has no idea where the wizard apprentice has gone and so turns her attention to the elemental so it doesn't cause more trouble than just the three of them. She makes another small green ball and throws it at the elemental to try and do it some more damage.

GAME: Altar casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

GAME: Altar rolls 2d8+4: (5)+4: 9

GAME: You damaged Altar for -9 points. 19 remaining.

Altar continues moving away from the fire elemental and repairing himself. "It should disappear in a few seconds, just try to avoid dying until it does, we'll never kill it before it disappears."

GAME: Verna rolls melee: (7)+3: 10

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (14)+12: 26

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8: (7): 7

GAME: You damaged Verna for 7 points. 7 remaining.

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3

GAME: You damaged Altar for 3 points. 16 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Verna for 3 points. 4 remaining.

The elemental, true to Altar's word, starts to flicker and fade as it's time of servitude comes to a close, but it is still deadly enough as the fire on Verna burns and it scores glancing blows on both Verna and Altar.

GAME: Lilyth rolls ranged: (12)+3: 15

GAME: Lilyth rolls 1d3+1: (3)+1: 4

Lilyth growls at the elemental and tries to stay away from it. Another green orb hits the thing as she tries to make it die or something...

GAME: Altar rolls 2d6: (7): 7

GAME: You damaged Altar for -7 points. 23 remaining.

GAME: You damaged Verna for -7 points. 11 remaining.

Altar continues moving away from the fire elemental, this time he heals everyone, including the elemental and Verna. "Go away fireball."

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22

GAME: Hassan rolls 1d20+12: (4)+12: 16

The Fire Elemental, lured away by Altar, presses the attack against the golem, failing to do anything but scuff his plating. With that particular failure, the creature dissolves into smoke. Just then, you turn to notice all the faces poking out the door and windows of the bar, and the fighting drunks hidden behind the woodpile watching the fight take place. And then the bounding, growling face of Ryloth, toting Smythly by the scruff of the neck in one hand. "WHICH ONE A YA KILT THIS GOBLIN AND BURNT DOWN MY SHITTERS?!"

Verna now proceeds to promptly work at snuffing the flames on her cloak and robes. Their drab gray hue makes smoke damage indiscernible and minimizes the darker scorch marks. Her complexion is only a few shades lighter, so the burns not healed by Altar are also less apparent. "That was unpleasant." On the optimistic view, she remained conscious and out of any cesspools.

Altar ushers everyone over to the goblin on the ground and begins a lengthy chanting prayer to the Dread Lady for everyone's benefit. Fortunately the goblin was not quite dead yet.