Atriox. You wake up again, staring at the ceiling. You hear the birds outside and see the tell tale light of morning splashed across room. Your aching soreness has lessened, but now in its place you feel incredibly stiff.
A window rattling snore comes from nearby, startling you. You look around. Dahlia is curled up beside you, her arm over your chest and her tail entwined with yours almost like a hug.
Sprawled out on the kitchen table is the hulking figure of the minotaur, his mouth wide open. He lets out another ear-splitting snore. A pile of gear and a few bottles of alcohol are littered across the floorboards.
Atriox chuckles despite the pain it brings. He ignores Tank and just looks at Dahlia wrapped around him. Finding the strength in himself to be a little sentimental he strocks her beautiful face gently.
She stirs at his touch, her golden eyes fluttering open. She sees you staring at her and gives a blushing smile. "It was a long night... how are you feeling?"
He chuckles again still strocking her "stiff.....very stiff but alive. Thanks to you princess. I'd be dead and gone if it wasn't for you."
He looks around and then back to her "I wish we could stay like this all day but there is much to do before anything else goes horribly wrong."
He try's to sit up a little
"Please wake the others my dear and bring them to me. We will need them before this is over."
Dahlia helps you sit up, then gives you a kiss. "I'll be happy to. Just... don't push yourself too much. You'll need a few days to recover from that completely, my magic and medicine isn't the strongest."
She stands up and stretches, then saunters over to the table. Getting right above his head, she shouts at the minotaur--rather louder than you thought possible from her. "TANK! UP!"
The beast jerks awake, eyes bloodshot and snorting. His head swings back and forth looking around as he scrambles to his feet. "WHUUA-- Where is us at, hey?!" He snorts again, smacking his head with his hand as he tries to knock some of the drunken stupor out.
Dahlia points at the door as she opens it. "Others are outside. Need to get our stuff big fella."
He stares at her, trying to clear his head. He glances at the door. Then back at her. "Who is you telling me what's what, hey? Not gonna listen to you... Gonna go get stuff outside."
"Yes, you're right Tank. My bad." She gives Atriox a glance like this isn't the first time she's dealt with any of these men. She walks outside herself, and you can hear her rousing the others.
After a few minutes, they pile in after Zeed, who looks a bit ruffled and moody. When he sees Atriox though he straightens up a bit. "So uh, what're we gonna do now boss? We ain't no grandma killers but that's what it may look like, eh? If the townsfolk know we'se been here."
(Oh! Almost forgot) When they come in, you see Zeed, Tank, Nathaniel with his face full of tattoos, and a fourth fellow, human, dressed in mottled grey clothes. He has a belt of knives and messy hair.
Atriox grunts slowly getting up as to not rip or hurt anything. He heads to the chair and sits facing all of them.
He finally speaks " truth be told I dont have a concrete plan yet,but before we get there I want to discuss what I had intended to talk to you men about last night."
He takes a little break......
" I know we didn't get to meet each other under the best of terms but I'm willing to forgive that. Completely. Because I see potential in you men. Yes your a bit rough around the edges but you've handled what life has thrown at you the best you could. Trust me I'm no stranger to struggling despite who I am. Besides with the right backing all that rough attitude you give off can be fixed and turned into the RIGHT kind of toughness."
He takes a break again coughing this time a little.
" As I told you that day in the streets I am a prince. Of where doesnt matter right now but it might someday and until that day I have my eyes of the city of Dragonshore. I plan on taking it. I've been working hard to build an image as someone the town's people can rely on you see and that will help."
He looks at them all in turn
"What I want from you all is to know if you can be professional? Can you be reliable? Instead of scaring good people can you be paid to fight and scare bad people ? Are you willing to follow orders ? If so then I want to make you into a mercenary band under my leadership and patronage. You could make more money then you ever have. Instead of people barring you from places like the fang they will welcome you as heros. In time when my kingdom is complete you will rise even more. Generals, spies maybe, maybe even lord over your own bit of land in my kingdom. The potential is limitless. Money,woman,better gear,power. That's what I offer."
(Persuasion 16+2)
He takes Dahlias hand "theres is a bigger game at play here and much lies on the horizon but if your with me than i need to know because our first job is coming up in a few days.
The thugs kinda look around at each other, shifting uneasily. Then they start to nod a bit. "Yeah..." Zeed says looking back at you. "Yeah that sounds good! Right guys?" He smacks them on the arms a bit, trying to rally them up.
"Heh heh, yeah..." Tank sniggers, shyly avoiding eye contact with Dahlia. He shifts on his back feet, antsy. Nathaniel nudges the other guy roughly, licking his lips, "Sounds heh, good. Right Bitey?"
The other man grins slowly showing off a mouth full of very inhuman-looking teeth--as if he's filed them to all to serrated points. He nods slowly, with his awkwardly large eyes. He's otherwise quiet.
"Aright then, prince, What do us uh, humble soldiers need to do for you?" Zeed smirks a bit. "This a legal mayoral race for power, or? Dunno if us guys alone could take on the Dragonshore Battalion by force, heh. But you let us know. And uh..." He glances at the others, then kind of silently makes a signal with his hand towards you--rubbing his finger and thumb together indicating payment for the other men.
Atriox laughs
"For now yes we are staying within legal waters to secure my leadership of this town. I dont intend to just use for a suicide mission my freinds."
He looks at Zeed. "As for payment I already gave you 25 gold and I will give you another 25 once we're back at the fang. That should be good for now." He puts a stern voice on for that last bit and gives a little growl to.
He looks at Dahlia "my dear would you go summon our freind so we may inform him of his grandmother's passing ? Give zeed back his sword you can take this one it's much better. Also I dont want anything to happen to you so take Nathaniel and the other one with you. I'll keep Zeed here as well as Tank. Get them up to speed on the first job. Give our freind back his ancestors letter so he knows your with me."
Zeed glances at the other thugs nervously, trying to reassure them with a smile and some whispers. He hadn't told them how much he'd got, nor if they would split funds.
Dahlia exchanges swords and Zeed takes his back, giving a little awkward thank you. He jerks his head at the other two for them to go with the girl. "No funny business or else, fellas." He grumbles under his breath at them.
Bitey just shrugs and Nathaniel rolls his eyes. "You're no fun, Zeed." They nod to Dahlia who, stern-faced, leads them out. She gives one final nervous smile at Atriox before they depart, hoping he'll be okay.
Zeed and Tank watch the others leave and a silence settles on the small group. The arakocra ruffles his feathers a little. "Alright, uh, so what's the scoop?"
Atriox grunts
"Dont look so nervous Zeed everything will work out you'll see. So first of can you wear medium armor ? If you guys are going to follow me we will need to get you better equipped and looking more proper."
He chuckles to himself
Zeed ruffles his feathers again. "I'm not nervous! I just..." He hesitates. "Yes, yes I can wear more medium weight armor. Can't fly as well. But if we're not needin' to I don't have to worry about it. Why?"
Atriox nods to his equipment
"I recently upgraded my armor myself and have a peice of half plate armor that needs a wearer. It's fine armor is all."
"Oh." Zeed looks contemplative, staring at it. "Alright, I'll take it. Kind of you. Thanks."
Atriox looks to Tank
"How about you Tank ? New weapon or armor if you had the choice."
Tank stares off a bit into space. He kind of blankly considers the options, as if it's hard for him to decide. He looks down at his greataxe attached by a loop to his belt, and runs his thumb down the edge of it. "I like my stuff, hey? I think I is keeping them, nice. Thank you though. Don't know what to pick."
Atriox grunts " very well Tank. That's commendable."
Atriox stares of for awhile.
"So the first job. We have been hired by Stonebreak outpost to scout the jungle and temple looking for information on the kobolds and a reported dragon that have been causing a lot of issues lately."
He gives them a mischievous smile
"We will do this job of course but we have different goals. I want the kobolds and the dragon on my side for the wars to come. The dragon may have to be fought and killed but the kobolds would prove invaluable to my cause. Two missions and a paycheck if you catch my drift."
The minotaur snickers picturing of an army of kobolds, but Zeed backhands his side. "Shut it, Tank... Yeah, ok, that sounds...fair. We got a way not to get pin cushioned by the little runts?" The arakocra looks a bit unsure, but willing. There's a strangely steeled look in his eyes.
***
Alrik... Now the next day, you're up and as focused as ever. There's a few more days until your team's weapons and armor are done. The more you think about it, the more it feels like a little family--it's nice having company. Until you can pick up your gear though, it may be good to relax and take care of any other business you have in town.
Surprisingly, you still haven't seen Atriox or Dahlia return. But Tak does come downstairs eventually, a grumbly ball of yawns and slow blinking. His wounds, like yours, are healing extremely well. They'll still take some time, but they are making excellent progress. The little kobold crawls up onto a bench beside you, grabbing some boiled eggs and chicken legs, eating them whole.
A little later that morning, you see Dahlia walk in with another strange looking man. She seems a bit out of sorts, like there's a lot on her mind and not enough time to begin to discuss it. Spotting you and Tak, she bustles over and whispers,
"Hi guys! Um, Atriox is at a cottage over to the west of here--Miss Dryadson's cottage. There's an urgent issue that needs taking care of, I believe. A few of them... Atriox needs help. I figured I'd let you know, if you'd like to go. I just--" She glances over her shoulder for a moment, "I need to take care of some matters, but we'll meet up again soon. Sound okay?"
She doesn't seem to wait for a response, but hurries off to talk to the man again. He nods, and the two of them head off out of sight.
You see a small group of people milling about outside. It appears to be a frazzled looking bookkeeper, flanked by two very rough looking men.
One of the men spots you staring, a man with a very heavily tattooed face. He points you out to the other fellow, a scraggly looking fellow. The first waves at you from outside, trying to signal you to come to them.
Alrik's eyes narrow, but he cautiously walks over, his staff in hand. "Yes, what?"
The tattoed fellow addresses you. "Heh, hey. Uh, nice place huh?" He licks his lips and grins, kinda leering in. "The lady told us about a magey friend of the lizard guy. You him? Al, right?"
Tak trails after you, giving the men a curious look. At this point he's back in his gear, cleaned (and poorly patched where it's been damaged). He waits to see what you do before he says or does anything.
(Up to you if you have your gear.. You didn't lose your pants today.. Lol)
"Alrik..." he states matter of factly. He extends his hand for a handshake, while subtly creating a small electrical charge in his palm. (15 deception)
(Roflll.. Alrik.. Don't like nicknames huh)
(Passive perception 10....)
The man grins and goes to shake your hand. When he feels the shock he jumps a foot in the air. "Yowza!!" He looks surprised but entertained. "Ooooooooh! Heh heh! Man, you MUST be him!" He cackles and smacks you roughly on the upper arm, grinning at his partner. "See Bitey I told ya it was him, heh. Got the scar like the lady said he did. Man Al, I like you already, heh."
As the man finishes talking, Alrik's eyes fill with light and storm clouds billow in from nowhere, rumbling and flashing. (Prestadigitation... lol)
"If this is a trick... if you are attempting to deceive me... if you've harmed Atriox in any way... that little jolt you just experienced will be more pleasant than an evening with one of the ladies from the Velvet Fang..." (22 intimidation)
(10) His eyes widen. He goes white as a sheet, his tattoos stark against his skin. Stuttering, he manages to say, "N-n-nah man!! No tricks! No tricks we promise! We was sent to get Markas here, a-a-and the lady said we should gets yous too!"
Bitey just grins slowly as he watches his partner flip out. He speaks in a very soft, smooth tone. "Atriox paid us to be errand boys today."
As soon as it started, the storming stops. Alrik shifts his eyes to the other man. "Well then, let's go. Tak, keep an eye on them..."
At that moment, Dahlia comes back out from around the side of the building. "What in the..." She wanders up to you all with a slight scowl at the thugs. "You best be behaving. We have everyone now."
Tak looks around, confused, but tries to put on a brave face for Alrik. He grips his javelin tightly as you all march off back to the cottage, Markas Dryadson in tow.
(Told you Alrik was testing him... and putting the fear of pain in his head... lol)
(Prestidigitation is all sorts of fun like that... lol
Your group makes it to the cottage by lunch time. The entire time Markas fidgets, unsure of what is going on.
***
When you arrive, you see Atriox sitting outside, bandaged up, across from a thugish arakocra in the dragonborn's old armor, and a bulky minotaur. Atriox, you spot Markas amongst the others, and realize you'll have to explain what happened.
Atriox slowly and deliberately stands up.
He smiles at them all "I'm glad you all made it safely. Please come in so we can talk. Men please guard the house and keep a look out thank you."
He waits for everyone to go inside except the mercenary of course. As he turns to go inside as well he stops and looks at Zeed "if it wasn't already clear let me formally congratulate you Zeed on being the first lieutenant of the Dragonshore Elite mercenary company. You'll be my right hand man. DONT let me down boys."
Atriox goes inside
Zeed looks shocked, but you can see the gratefulness in his eyes.
As you head inside, Alrik, Tak, Dahlia and Markas stand waiting. Tak is peering closely at the knick knacks around the small room, gently handling them with curiosity. Dahlia stares out the window, quiet.
Markas turns to look at you expectantly. "What has happened? Where is Darella?"
Atriox looks at Markas sadly "thank you for coming my freind please sit. I'm sorry that it was under odd circumstances and what not but it was necessary."
Atriox moves to where he can look Markas in the eyes
" I arrived here to see Darella as you said I should yesterday. When I arrived I found what appeared to be Darella sitting in that chair by a cold fire. I talked to her for a bit and that's when I began to get suspicious. You see she didn't have her family history down correctly and her tea that she was holding was cold and had been so for hours."
Atriox takes a break and sighs deeply reaching out for Dahlias hand then continues.
"I confronted her about her facts were not correct and demanded to know who she was. It was in that moment that she jumped up suddenly and revealed her true form. You see Markas it wasn't Darella at all it was a changeling. Creature's that can transform into almost anything. A fight happened. I got so close to death I'm sure my spirit began to pass on, but luckily Dahlia here and my freinds came to my rescue. I'd be surely dead if not for them.
He squeezes Dahlias hand affectionately
"It was the next morning I learned what happened to Darella. I am so sorry my freinds but it appears the changeling poisoned her as to assume her identity."
Reaches out and puts a hand on Markas knee in a friendly way.
"The changeling escaped but do not think for one second my freind that this will go unpunished ! I will hunt down this beast that has wronged us both and its master. When I do they will prey they had never entered Dragonshore!
(Persuasion 16+2)
He blinks, almost at a loss for words. He can't seem to believe it. "W-what nonsense! You can't be serious? I just saw her back when--back when--s-she was in fine spirits! Darella has always had a certain youth about her, people used to say she must have had elvish blood in her! And believe me, if you ever tasted one of her apple pies you would...."
Tears start to well up inside Markas' eyes as he stares off into the distance. He grabs your hand on his knee and he begins to weep heavily.
After a short time he is able to finally look up at you. "I'm sorry, I-" His voice catches in his throat again, but he forces it back, "Thank you, Atriox, for seeking to avenge my grandmothers death. Please bring that murderous wretch to justice!" His wet eyes burn fiercely.
Atriox nods "of course my freind. I'll bring you that monsters head! Until then would you like Dahlia to show you her body.....?"
He looks anxiously between you both, then gives a little nod. Dahlia gives a sad smile and says, "This way, sir..."
She leads him to the back room, returning a few minutes later by herself. Glancing at the others, she says, "He uh... wished to have a few minutes alone with her. He's really hurting." Her eyes look downcast to the floor.
Dahlia approaches Atriox. She hugs you and gives your hand a strong squeeze. As you look at her golden eyes, you see an expression on her face that you can't quite place. "Atriox?" She asks tentatively, "Can I talk with you somewhere? Privately?" Her voice is quiet so the others don't hear. Her eyes dart between yours, hopeful and nervous.
Atriox looks very curious but replies calmly "of course my lady"
She leads him outside, over to the shady treeline of the oak thicket. Her hand squeezes his again, and she remains quiet the entire time.
Below a large oak tree, she leans forward to give him a kiss. A long kiss. She seems extra affectionate, caressing the scales on his cheek. "Atriox?" Dahlia says after a few minutes, looking into his eyes, "So much has happened lately. I need to know... what is going on?" She studies him closely. "There's something bigger at play in town... Where is the other letter we found in the crypt?"
(Make an insight check for me)
You sense something odd about her question. Despite the distracting kisses, your brain tries to piece things together. You remember... she was there when the three of you gave Olohand the strange ciphered letter.
"Atriox?" Dahlia tilts her head slightly, brushing her dark hair out of her golden eyes.
(17 deception... your 20 totally beats it. You know something's off about all this.)
@Chantry Williams Tak continues to nose around the house. He seems like he's struggling to process all the emotions thick in the air, and is keeping himself busy. Glancing at the storm mage, he pads through the kitchen and over to the bedroom. It's... quiet. Turning the knob slightly he slips inside.
About 10 seconds later, he flies out of the room, charging toward Alrik. He's got blood all over his claws as he shouts in undercommon, "STORM FACE! THE MAN BLEEDING! HELP!"
(Chantry, when you get back.... make a dexterity save for me. Tak gets a 7......... dang. I rolled a 2, lol.)
(21. Rolled a 19)
Suddenly... a concourse of screams and shouts can be heard from outside. The window in the living room shatters as crossbow bolts pepper the front of the cottage, slicing through the room. Tak lets out an injured squeal as one slices past his neck, barely missing his vitals. (3 damage) You duck behind a piece of old furniture, three other bolts missing your head by inches.
Laying flat on the floorboards, Tak stares terrified at Alrik. "Man dying in room, we being shot at--what we do Storm Face!?"
(At this point... you get to choose. Do you go try to stabilize Markas the bookshop owner, or do you help the mercs outside fight the assailants?)
(Mage hand, sucka!)
(😂🤣 I'm dying lolol
(You'll have to explain how that works because I know mage hand has some specifics to it)
(Atriox and "Dahlia" are north of this map, maybe 50 feet away)
Alrik flips his hand in the direction of the door, and a sparking clone of his hand jumps from his palm. Reaching his own hand into his satchel, he tosses the lightning hand the healing potion and sends it speeding into the room, pouring it down the man's throat.
(Just like that... BOOM
(😂 Cleveeeeeer...) Tak rushes in after it in surprise, seeing Markas on the floor with the hand over the top of him. The man is coughing heavily, wheezing and trying to breathe despite the blood in his lungs. (He's stabilizing, but practically unconscious now)
(he heals... 8 hp)
Alrik, outside you see a madhouse. A group of masked assailants, dressed in dark clothes, has poured out of the treeline. Most are wielding crossbows, except one burly fellow wielding a scimitar. Zeed is trying to take him on solo, struggling to hold him back with his own short sword.
Another figure hanging around near the back stands weaponless but is holding out a metal staff. The tip of it is glowing a hot orange, and you see him shouting something that you can't quite hear over the din.
Atriox grabs one of her hands affectionately holding on to it.
"I'll tell you about it in a minute my dear. I'm just feeling really emotional right now and want a kiss from the woman I love.
(Deception 18)
As they kiss he quickly and quietly moves his tail around and uses it to grab her ankle and yank her legs out from under her
(Strength 15+4)
When she hits the ground he still has a hold of her with his hand and his tail moves to hold the other arm
"He roars in her face as fiercely as he can (Intimidation 14)
"You chose to serve the wrong master you wretched creature ! This time you will not escape!"
He opens his maw full of razor sharp teeth and bits down as hard as he can on her face and head and pulls and thrashes attempting to pull the creatures head from its shoulders (19+4 and 7)
(...I just measured on your map. With my new power, I can hit C,D,E, and F... :) )
(Holy freaking crap dude. XD What if I told you it was Dahlia? LOL jk jk I'm not that mean)
(NICE! I'm excited to see it!)
(19 Insight) "Dahlia" senses something is amiss with her plan but a second too late. (4 acrobatics/athletics) Your tail is too strong, tripping her and holding her easily. At your threat, she's completely intimidated but can only cackle insanely. (7 con save, failed)
(7 to try to escape, no dice, takes 7 damage as you said)
The doppleganger continues to laugh, screaming out in pain and enjoyment. Her voice is high and shrill like the previous evening. "Oooooho! A darkness in your mind too I see! Delicious! I could almost TASTE it! Taste your fear! Your HATE!" You can almost feel them boring into your mind, despite the bloody ribbons you're tearing her into.
She kicks at you with her feet, trying to slam you off of her (14, 12 for attacks) but neither can move your muscular bulk.
The doppleganger's disguise flickers in and out, her face contorting between different disguises. Her eyes are starkly white now with flecks of blood in them.
The Dragonshore Elite are engaging the enemy
Zeed is in a sword fight with A. (18 attack and 6 damage)
Tank moves torwards B Charging him ( 19 and 12+4) attempting to gore the man
Bitey pulls out his heavy crossbow and shoots at
E (14 and 9)
Nathaniel does the exact same thing to D (19 and 7)
(That's great!) Zeed slashes his sword across the bandit captain's chest--a shallow cut, but knocks the enemy off of him.
Tank rushes toward the bandit coming up on Zeed and the captain, and despite another bolt being shot off at him, his horns gore the man instantly, ripping open his stomach and punching a hole through his chest and into his heart.
Bitey and Nathaniel work as a team, dodging a bit to avoid incoming volleys, shooting back at the bandits. Their aim is impeccable, and both bolts hit their mark. One bandit takes the shot through the stomach and almost keels over, the other takes it in the leg and stumbles.
Alrik kicks the door open, fully intending to throw sparking spheres... but instead, nothing appears in his hand.
A bolt of lightning crashes down to the earth between the assailants, (c,d,e,f) causing a painfully intense boom as the air around them shatters. (Con save of 15 or 22 damage and deafened til next turn)
(NIIIICE! If they succeed the save, what happens?)
(Half damage)
(Half and no deafened? Or still deafened?)
(Actually.. doesn't matter, they all failed. Closest who got it was a 14)
The intense blast of power rockets through their bodies, their skulls literally cracking from both the intense pressure wave and the electricity. You see them all crumple to the ground like dolls, broken in bleeding heaps.
The only one to continue standing, but only barely, is the mage. He's slumped to the ground, holding his head as his nose, ears, and eyes bleed. His staff explodes with light, three rockets of fire whizzing about the battlefield. Nathaniel and Bitey each take a scorching ray to the chest, knocked backwards off their feet, their clothes catching on fire. A third flies straight toward Alrik, but rather than hitting him.... shoots past his ear and into the house. A crashing boom sounds as the living room ignites.
(Nathaniel and Bitey each take 8 damage)
The captain fighting Zeed lunges forward, growling loudly. He slashes twice with his scimitar and once with a dagger, but only once does his blade land--the others bouncing off of the stronger armor on the arakocra. (5 damage to his arm)
(Oh right, Tak....) At the sound of the explosion, Tak scrambles to see the inferno building in the front room, engulfing the dry bookshelves with crackling intensity. He grabs his head in rage and fear, wanting to flee. But he can't look away from Markas. He grabs the man's arm, tugging with all his might to pull him toward the door, but as much as he strains... he's just not strong enough.
(with advantage, rolled an 8 and a 9.... lol...)
Panicked, Tak lets go of the man's arm. He frantically breathes, looking around the room, at no other escape. His heart pounds. Tears in his eyes, he closes them and bolts for the bedroom door, slamming it aside and making to jump out the window. (23 acrobatics) He slips in the broken glass, but manages to make it into the grass outside, sobbing.
(I wasn't planning for him to fail that... the fire hasn't fully spread yet either, just in the front room and moving to the kitchen)
(Atriox's turn again)
(I'll have her go after you if she lives, lol, then it's the mercs and Alrik)
Atriox holds on to the crazy hag with his jaws and thrashes a little more he then let's go of her freeing both his hands. He extends his talons and stabs the wretched creature on boths sides through the ribs giving her a taste of what he felt. (17 and 11)
(Poor Tak... I think he needs a different dice roller app... lol)
(Right? Lol. Really though.)
(you do 4 damage, if I'm rollin' for ya. XD) As you stab into her side you feel one of your claws pierce her leather armor, digging deep into her flesh. Hot blood gushes out over your fingers, and she shrieks from the pain. Then starts cackling again, coughing up blood. Her face turns back to Dahlia's for a moment, smiling cruel and cold.
"You aren't going to win, pathetic dragonborn! We will take what we want! You will NEVER have the satisfaction that you're looking for. Not even with me!"
With her hands free now, she whips out a blade and brings it to her own throat, slicing open her jugular. As she bleeds out, her face turns back into the pale-eyed beast she was before.
(Hmmm... can I take my turn before the henchmens? I wanna help Atriox a bit... :) )
(I'm cool with it if he is! Whatever you guys wanna do)
As Alrik sees the changeling lift the dagger to cut it's own throat, he lifts his left hand and purges the spell contained within the ring. A number of small lightning bolts jump from his hand and to the creature, stemming the bloodflow and restoring a measly amount of it's life... (false life! Cast with a level 2 spell slot. And his sorcery points... so... she heals for 22 temporary hp...)
"You do not get to impersonate one of our friends and then not feel the punishment of your crime!" He roars across the clearing
*With one of her hands free now, she..... (How's that? Lol)
(You stored false life in that?!
(I thought you were storing like, stupidly destructive spells.. lol)
(For the first one.... had a feeling I might need it. Lol
(Geez. Lol. Seriously. XD Nice.
Well, wait.. how far can that spell reach?
(Not that I don't WANT you to do that.. I'm just curious XD
(Supposed to be a range of self... BUT... distant spell metamagic
(Wait.. oooh.. I'm reading it now. It is supposed to only work on you... lolol....
(Well.. let me do this then.. I'ma work with what you gave me, but because that spell is supposed to work differently..)
As the force strikes her and courses through her body, she convulses, the weave of magic struggling to maintain itself with this manipulation of necromantic energy. The electricity keeps her heart beating, but only to pump more blood from her gushing wounds. The necrotic power makes her twitch and writhe, and Atriox... you feel a pull from your hand in her ribs. The false life drawing, stringing shadows out from your body. They stream out from her wounds, mingling with her blood.
(It didn't heal her proper... she's still dying/dead. But it did something more to her/them than intended. XD I hope that's okay?)
The doppleganger's eyes flicker with a small bit of life, horror at the fact that she's not dead yet. Struggling through the immense amount of power, pain, and--with Alrik's words ringing in her ears--a dragonborn prince bearing down on her.
Atriox roars again in frustration still digging his talons onto her he bites down on last time. This time on her neck. His gives it one last jerk and the hag goes limp
(That was a cool team kill move
Zeed moves to finish the bandit he is fighting (18 and 6 lol)
Tank sprints torwards the house to try and rescue anyone who is inside
Bitey and Nathaniel secure the wizard
(Niiiice! Secure? He had like 1 hp XD What do they do?)
(There pointing crossbows at his head lol)
Zeed spins around and, with a flap of his wings to give himself forward momentum, drives his sword through the heart of the bandit captain. The man grits his teeth, slumping over and sliding off of his blade. The arakocra jumps back, panting, clutching his injured arm in shock. He's kind of lost in his own head at the moment.
Tank whirls around, flicking the blood off his horns as he stomps on the dead man's skull. Turning toward the flames licking their way through the broken window of the cottage, he charges toward it, barreling past Alrik and into the fire. (12 perception, also takes 10 damage from the fire) Ignoring the embers burning him and the intense heat on his face, he stomps his way to the bedroom, picks up the body of Markas, and climbs out the back window to safety.
As Bitey and Nathaniel approach the bleeding mage and level their crossbows, he wipes the blood from his face with a shaky hand and smiles with his broken teeth. With the movement, a silvery mist billows from his robes, obscuring him.
(Bonus action, instantaneous Misty Step, teleports 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see...)
(Bitey and Nathaniel can make perception checks to try to spot him fleeing XD)
(Can Alrik see him?)
(17)
(Niiice.. yeah.... you can see him. Being 50 feet from where he teleported from originally, he's now 80 feet away)
Alrik, from your vantage point you are the first to spot the man. It's not terribly difficult in the bright sunlight with his dark clothes. He's reappeared among the edge of the treeline, struggling to move as far away from your lot as possible. You can tell he's attempting to use the same spell again, a faint mist trailing after him.
(Can I send my mage hand after him...?
(13 14)
(Hm... looks like.. mage hand casts in a range of 30 feet, if it moves past that it vanishes
Nathaniel doesn't see him but Bitey does.
Alrik throws three spheres of of blue electricity flying toward the fleeing mage, but instead of hitting him, they land mere inches from his feet. "One more step and the next ones won't miss!" He yells at the mage. "Stop moving, throw down the staff, and surrender!"
(Oooooooo nice! Roll intimidate or persuasion for me)
(You keep posting Aubrey)
(Well then.... 24 intimidation, but only a 13 persuasion
(Lolol it coulda been whatever you wanted to pick, that's fine)
(So he is probably scared crapless because he can tell Alrik isn't lying...
(Rofl really though. You'd not be the person he would want to test... XD)
Atriox comes around the front of the house dragging the dead changeling.
Bitey heads over to mage to officially subdue him and take his staff Nathaniel catching on and following
Zeed begins looting starting with the captain he killed
The mage hesitates, dying, scared, wondering if using his last spell is worth it or not. He holds his staff up nervously, watching Bitey and Nathaniel approach him. His eyes dart between all of you.
Zeed loots the captain, stripping him of his scimitar, a signal whistle, 4 gold, and a snare trap for small game. On the other bodies, he finds a whetstone, three daggers, a playing card set, 6 more gold, and a vial of acid.
(Pfttttttt..... I rolled for the mage... to see what he'd do... 1-20 scale to see if he was insane /or/ smart..... willing to gamble his life and or flee /or/ try to bargain... He rolled a 1.)
As you approach him, the mage starts to laugh; a hollow, raspy laugh that turns into a cackle. His eyes are bulging and crazed as he sees the body of the doppleganger being dragged by Atriox, a trail of blood in his wake.
His staff lights up, cracking, and three glowing darts explode out of the top. Two of them strike Nathaniel and Bitey in the face (2 damage each) and one screams its way toward Alrik in retaliation for the bolts he threw. It slams into your shoulder in a blaze of orange light (5 damage).
(bonus action) He's enveloped in mist and disappears, his staff shattering completely in a blast of metal shards.
(Spell does say.. he can only move 30 feet away... You guys can still totally catch him if you want to XD)
Bitey and Nathaniel grit there teeth but none the less get back up despite the pain they are in. They search for the old man now in true anger. (17 and 15
(Nice.... Bitey barely got it, 17 works.) Looking around, Bitey spots movement further into the woods, where the oak trees are thickest. He grabs Nathaniel's arm roughly, digging his nails in. "There," he says in his very quiet, dark voice.
They run after him
Once they find him they take no chances this time and hit him with the butt of a crossbow knocking him out.
They drag him back to wjats left of the house together
(Lololol nice.. normally I'd make you roll but I'm preeeeetty sure the two healthy strapping young men could outrun a 1hp old man 😂
(Yep just like I didn't roll for the killing move on the changeling)
(Right XD It's pretty apparent it'd work, unless they rolled a one or something.. I suppose there's always that chance, but meh)
As you all turn, the house begins to collapse on itself. The front room caves in and casts a shower of sparks a hundred feet into the air. Smoke pours from the building and you can hear an iron bell ringing from far off, a few miles away in Dragonshore. An emergency bell.
Atriox looks to the assembled group
"Nice work. All of you. You fought bravely. I know that your hurt and tired. Trust me I know. But this day isn't nearly over yet. Dahlia is still missing........possibly dead. The town's people will have questions.....questions that need answering. If all goes well Dahlia will be with us tonight as the town celebrates us as heros!")
He gives a little roar despite his injurys and fatigue
(Niiiiice)
The men give a shout and cheer along with you, excited and roused by your speech. Well, except for Bitey, who just gives one of his notorious creepy smiles. Tank also sits on the grass nearby, still holding the unconscious Markas over his shoulder, a goofy smile on his face.
A few minutes later, the ringing of bells can be heard coming up the road. A team of white horses is pulling a wagon at breakneck speed, a team of men jumping from it as it nears the house. You see they're all wearing matching hats, red with a white emblem of a six-fingered hand.
The first to the blazing house, a tiefling wearing rich and dark robes, produces a handful of dust and a splash of liquid from a waterskin. With the wave of his wand, the material expands a thousandfold, encircling the house in a 20 foot tall, 80 food diameter storm of sleet and freezing rain. All exposed flames roar and are doused with the onslaught. (Sleet Storm spell, cast at 3rd level)
The second, an elven man who Atriox has met before and knows as the alchemist Wilster, downs a pair of potions as he approaches the chaos. He leaps up into the air, surprisingly high--and apparently flying about 60 feet above the fire. Holding his hand to his temple, he hovers about, searching for any signs of life in the fire. (Potions of Flight and Detect Thoughts)
A third, Petvin the dwarf priest, hobbles over to your group with two other apprentice healers. Glancing around, he directs them to tend to the wounded men as he approaches Markas and the unconscious mage you apprehended. He draws on some gloves, a glow pulsing from his hand. "What in the nine hells, you guys? What in the world happened here?!" He looks around at all the carnage, then at Atriox and Alrik. A team of about four orcs wearing similar attire begin going around, checking for pulses and moving the deceased to a pile in the back of the wagon, then start to search through the house.
Atriox looks tired but is very happy to see the dwarf.
"Ahhhh Petvin it's good to see you. What happened here you ask ? Aye that's quite a long story it is but I suppose we have time."
He sits and begins to tell Petvin and the others what happened his freinds chipping in here and there.
(Telling Petvin story of the last three days didnt feel like typing it all lol. Saving my speech juices.)
As soon as one of the healers is done with the unconscious mage, Alrik binds his hands and feet together before slapping him consciou. "Time to wake up, idiot... come on, open those ugly little peepers..."
The mage groans, as if he has a splitting migraine from your shatter spell. His eyes open and he struggles to focus on all the faces around him, then begins to tug at his binds. "W-what!?"
"You should have listened when I told you to stop moving and give up... now I know I can't trust you, and that means I won't vouch for you when it comes time for your trial..." Alrik glares at him, thunderheads and lightning strikes far off in his eyes
He grins, his rotting teeth exposed. "What do I care what you say or think of me?" He spits. "The Taker will take me with him, like he will take all of you! My fate it in his hands!" He cackles insanely.
Petvin, Wilster and the tiefling, along with a few of the orcs in earshot, look frozen when he says that name. They glance nervously at one another.
You can tell from his eyes that he is continuing to laugh, gagging on the rag as he thrashes around. The tiefling, one of the first to come to his senses, signals for an orc. "Come, let's take the miserable wretch to the Hold." The two of them carry the insane mage to the cart to be held in the local jailhouse.
You can tell from his eyes that he is continuing to laugh, gagging on the rag as he thrashes around. The tiefling, one of the first to come to his senses, signals for an orc. "Come, let's take the miserable wretch to the Hold." The two of them carry the insane mage to the cart to be held in the local jailhouse.
Wilster glances at the rest of you, then clears his throat. "Obviously there's something strange going on here. What did they want with our city? We haven't noticed any of these strange men until YOU two showed up." He eyes Alrik and Atriox suspiciously.
Atriox growls a fire igniting in his eyes.
"Take care freind. We do not know who these miserable wretches are or what they want ! But what I do know is all we've done since we've arrived is help and defend this city ! Even saving it from an undead hoard. I suggest you get the accusations out of your tone and help us instead of blame us !
Persuasion 17
(Niiiice.) Petvin raises a hand. "I know I can vouch for them, Mr. Ramshackle. These men risked life and limb to bring me what I needed from Tanglewood, to save the lives of our boys out on the front lines. They're good men." He gives the alchemist a hard look. "And if you'd get your nose out of your bottles once in a while you'd know very well that we've had strange happenings going on, long before I ever met these two."
Wilster grumbles, looking embarrassed. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, I just..." He glances at the shell of a burned out house. "I had a soft spot for Misses Dryadson. And Markas has always been a good friend to me. I'm just on edge is all." He looks at Atriox. "I'm sorry for accusing you without just cause."
Atriox grunts the fire going out in his eyes.
"Theres is nothing to be sorry about. We are all a little tense from recent goings I'm sorry I in turn snapped at you like a hatchling. "
Atriox stands up
"We are all freinds here are we not? We MUST work together to find out whose behind this and why. We need to know more about this Taker entity. But we have more pressing matters at the moment. Dahlia is missing ! And the town's people will hear about this one way or another and then make the same assumptions as our freind here which is only natural. I wish to get in front of this. I will make a public announcement in the city square showing the changelings corpse to them and this mage. I will convince them that were on they're side. But I will need all our freinds there, including Markas.
Petvin and Wilster nod gravely at your statement, rather in agreement that it is for the best. The tiefling walks back up as you're explaining though, and gives you a curious look.
"Dahlia?" His eyes narrow like something clicks in his mind. "She's safe. Gracious knows what could have happened to my precious flower if she was here with you." Wilster looks a bit sheepish and averts his eyes, and Petvin stares at the wizard with a distasteful expression.
"Oxious, really, I'd rather not talk about your "professional business" right now, there are bigger things at stake at the moment. Let's leave it be."
The tiefling rolls his eyes. "It IS a professional business, and brings a lot of gold into the coffers. Unlike your temple full of charity cases. You know I donate monthly, you'd be a lost cause without it."
"Dirty money being repurposed for righteousness, 'bout the only good thing that can come of it," Petvin grumbles, picking his teeth out of habit. You can tell these two have had rows before.
Wilster stands, the elf half mumbling to himself, "I'll be off back to my shop... Good luck, I'll look for you in the square later to hear your speech."
"Bah!" Oxious grumbles, "I'm an honest man, Pet, you know that. I'm not reckless." He fishes out an envelope from his pocket as he talks, and tosses it at Atriox. "Here, reimbursement. You're welcome." Inside you find 10 gold coins.
Atriox looks confused
"Sir I do not understand what the reimbursement is for. We've loved staying at your establishment and it has provided every comfort we could want not to mention how fond of Dahlia I am and how her company and assistance has been immeasurably this week."
"And I'm fond of customers, Mr. Atriox," He gives you a shrewd look, "but I run a tight ship. Imagine my surprise when, on my weekly visit to the Fang, I happen across one of my beautiful little flowers, traveling with a pair of ruffians on the street, who I might add have been banned from my establishment already." He turns and gives a hard look at Bitey and Nathaniel, who both look away like they didn't hear him talking about them.
"Then upon hearing her explanation, I get to talking to my lovely Matroness Rebecca, who informs me that my poor Dahlia has been attacked by a roguish kobold customer. Granted, you hiring her for a week as a personal... interest, is fine. We get requests like that from time to time." He straightens his jacket, ignoring the sickened glares of Petvin. "But there are limitations in her contract, sir. It is expected that they take no unnecessary risks that put them into harms way, and that she doesn't leave the city."
He takes his hat off and waves it at the burned down house. "This, my dear dragonborn, is definitely harms way. As is dungeon-delving, grave robbing, and gallivanting across the countryside. So the money I gave you is to reimburse you for the remainder of your "time" with her, of which you are stripped. You may enjoy her delightful company at the Velvet Fang, but she is not to leave the premises with you."
Petvin looks a bit unnerved at the thought of grave-robbing. "N-now Oxious, they chased out a necromancer from our midst! I don't think we should assume these fine men were purposefully plundering or defiling the dead in that catacomb..." He gives the two of you a funny look, as if he's not quite sure.
The tiefling waves him off, "Bah, Pet, it doesn't mater. It's dangerous, is what it is. I don't stand for any of my employees being put in danger, you know that. You wouldn't want the men in your charge killed, like that poor--what was his name? George?"
Petvin grumbles, "Gregory, bless his soul. He at least died trying to help those in this town."
Oxious looks affronted. "Bless poor Gregory indeed! I'm only saying, I want to protect my employees. And I do help those in this town. You provide for them spiritually, and I provide for them physically." He bends down to smirk in the dwarf's face.
Atriox walks very close to Oxious looking boldly at him "I have no problem with you wanting to protect your business or your employees SIR (said with a healthy dose of agression) what I do have a problem with is your manners. I dont know where your from but I imagine you know by now you DONT call a crown prince a grave robber and you DONT just throw money at him rudely and expect a thank you! I understand being a business man and I had hoped that we might conduct business together but I dont know if that's possible now. I dont deal with people that dont have basic manners !"
He ends with blowing some steam out of his nostrils
(Persuasion 16+2 or Intimidation 19+4)
Atriox turns to pevin handing the bag of 10 gold to him
"You would put this to better use than I would my freind and thank you for defending our honor." Atriox chuckles
"Will you use your influence to get as many people as you can to the announcement tonight ? I would greatly appreciate it my friend."
Petvin takes it gratefully with a low bow, his beard brushing his knees. "Absolutely, Atriox, my pleasure." With one last grumble and a wagging finger at Oxious, he gathers up his belongings and leaves with the cart.
Oxious mouths like he's mocking Petvin, rolling his eyes as the dwarf walks away. He then glances over at Atriox, a bored expression on his face. "I don't expect you or anyone else to conduct business with me, my business is my own." A half smile breaks on his cocky face. "And I'm rather fond of it, to be honest. It's a lovely venture full of lovely things."
With a sigh he bends down to gather up his belongings, stuffing his hat into his bag. "And I didn't say that YOU were a grave robber. Only that, along with those many other things, are a great deal of danger that I won't stand my beautiful Dahlia getting caught up in, regardless of who she's with." He smirks. "I'm very particular with my words."
(You don't see Tak around. You haven't actually seen him since you left the house earlier with the doppleganger)
Oxious shrugs, waving a half-hearted goodbye. "So long, fellas. Oh, and dragonborn?"
Atriox looks at him with a raised horned eyebrow ?
"Watch out with this whole... Taker, business. If they're involving you fellas in it now, you're in danger. We'll likely chat again sometime." He flicks a card at you and you catch it--it's black, but slowly a script in silvery handwriting flows across the front. It shows an address with some specific instructions on it.
Atriox " joy I just cant wait oxious"
He turns and looks around
"Wheres Tak everybody? Anyone seen him ?"
"Cheers, mate." He flicks his wrist and with a sparkling poof of glitter, he's suddenly gone.
The others look around, the men kind of shrugging. Zeed pipes up first. "I uh, dunno boss. He was inside last I saw em?" Tank looks confused. "Only got man out, no lizard inside? He not there."
Atriox looks worried "everybody look for him now"
Atriox himself searches around the remains of the house
(Investigation 18)
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