In the fading light of day, a lone figure approached Stormharbor's bustling entrance. The city loomed ahead, its grand spires and ancient architecture captivating in their mysterious allure. Laughter and cheers reached your ears, mingled with bursts of maniacal giggling.

As you draw nearer, the spectacle revealed itself. An eccentric figure, adorned in vibrant reds and blacks, stood upon a makeshift stage. With flaming horns that flickered like dying embers, the Infernal Jester twirled and leaped with agile grace, captivating the audience with wild antics.

The laughter of the onlookers swirled around the jester like a melody, and the newcomer found themselves drawn into the whirlwind of excitement and wonder. The Jester's charisma was undeniable, their every move an enigmatic dance that spoke of mischief and secrets.

In the midst of the revelry, the Jester's gaze locked with the newcomer's. A knowing glint sparkled within the depths of the Jester's eyes, hinting at a deeper understanding of the newcomer's motives and actions.

"Welcome, wanderers, to Stormharbor! I am the Infernal Jester, your guide to a city veiled in twilight and mysteries, and just a hint of mischief. But fret not, for our little rat problem only adds spice to the dance of enigmas! Explore ancient relics, unravel secrets, and embrace the dance of riddles amidst our furry companions. Let adventure unfurl in the embrace of shadows, for here lies the allure of Stormharbor, where the rats play their part in our grand tale. Come forth and delve into the realm of endless riddles, boundless magic, and our ever-curious rodent friends!"

Lirian was tired. She had just arrived to Stormharbour and was walking her horse through the streets, humming an old song while looking for a cheap inn where to stay (her pouch was thinner that she would like) when she say the Infernal Jester show. She stopped to see it (keeping an eye on her belongings, as anyone knew pickpockets used to take advantage of the crowds) and appreciated his art.

"Which kind of being is this Infernal Jester?" she though. "A half demon maybe? Whatever he is he’s good at his trade as jester…

And what does he mean with rats? Every city has them, so I must suppose he’s talking about other than those small roedents…"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:54, Mon 07 Aug 2023.

Hunter paused to look at the curious fellow. How eccentric, while also entertaining. What's this all about? Does someone have an extermination problem? Perhaps he could help with that..

"Master! Master! Fried rat!"

Hunter looked down at the small figure tugging at his pants. She was pointing excitedly at some vendors on the other side of the square.

"Please Master! Fried rat!"

"Oh, very well, get two. I'll wait here." Hunter crossed his arms and lounged against a wagon, watching the Jester.

The creature shrugged her pack off and dumped it unceremoniously at his feet, and then disappeared into the crowd.

OOC: She's pickpocketting the crowd. Thanks for the idea, Lirian!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Thu 03 Aug 2023.

Brightkin hated his life it had been a week since his banishment and he was starting to think the queen hated him for he great power perhaps she felt him a threat to her power he thought to himself still he was duty bound to prove his worth so he could return to court as a hero.

But the weather was making his mood dark and the big clumsy humans kept mistaking him for a large insect and swotted him if he got too close.

Anyway he'd made it to one of their towns and noticed the strange man charming the crowds. He watched for a moment and shivered at the mention or gaint rats, he'd never met one but if they were anything like weasels he decided he didn't like them rubbing the scar on his shoulder from an encounter with one of the foul beasts.

He then suddenly had an idea what he thought could bring his banishment to an end this man thing before him was good but what he really needed was a powerful illusionist to add the wow to his show.his queen would see the good deed he'd done and welcome him back with open arms

Smiling He was just about to go over to introduce himself when he noticed A little  creature drop it's backpack and saying something to it's master skip off into the crowd picking pckest as it went... It was nimble but a big oaf felt the dip and was about to look down and catch the thing with it's hand in his pocket when Brightkin clicked his fingers and a large wasp started buzzing round the targets head... Now preoccupied with not being stung all thought of the creature was forgotten and it was able to slip away

A human man approached Stormharbor. Dressed in studded leather armour over clothes that seem like they are long overdue a wash, his head under a wide-brimmed hat. The pale face visible underneath, one side shows several scars from burns.

On one side of him stands a pony, carrying various items on it's back.
On the other side, is a small guard dog, panting and looking around at all the excitement.

Seeing this 'Infernal Jester' before them, seeking to entertain and cajole them in, upon hearing the words "boundless magic", Kai knew that he was needed here.

"That much magic around, some of it can't be used for good, can it girl?" Kai said to himself, rubbing the dog's head, before deciding to proceed.

Looking at some of the others heading into Stormharbor, it was certainly an eclectic city, and much more diverse than some of the villages he had passed through to get here.

OOC: Hunter go ahead and roll for stealth for your pet.
IC: The jester jumps around doing a dance to the songs of the band behind him. All of the sudden flames swirl around him creating a cyclone of air and fire wrapping that goes high into the sky and forms a giant dragons head.

The flame roars at the audience and then before you can do anything makes a bee line for the jester who appears unfazed by the creature. The flames slam into him making a huge pounding from the ground. As soon as the creature hits, it turns into a ton of flowers blocking your view.

When the dust clears the jester is standing in the middle with his arms out. No damage to his body. The audience still dazed from the show start clapping. The man bows to the crowd as people continue to give their thanks for the entrainment.

As Lirian was watching at the jester, his play of the flame cyclon turning into a dragon head was too much for her horse, who started to move nervous, nearly panicking and tamping other bystanders. Lirian took it by the reigns, trying to calm it as the dragon head fell over the jester and exploded in flowers.

With the disappearing of the flames and dragon head, along with Lirian caring, the horse began to clam, but not before it has pushed someone among the people, nearly making him to fall. Lirian turned to him helping him to recover the balance.

"I’m sorry" she apologized to him. "I didn’t expect those fireworks, and it’s clear neither did my horse did. I was tried to hold it, but it seems I could not do it quick enough" she explained, feeling embarrassed by the situation.

OOC: a good occasion for introductions, if any of you wants to be the one so pushed…

Hunter was impressed by the firey dragon , and wondered how it was done. Was that gunpowder? Or was it magic of some kind? It kind of reminded him of that time he had tried to make a cannon from a length of pipe, but the thing had fired backwards somehow, taking into the air and spiralling round and round in wide loops before veering off and screaming into Mother's roses. Exhilarating! His pulse pounded at the memory.

There appeared to be a woman struggling with a horse in the crowd just in front of him. The silly thing was probably spooked by the lights and fires. Silly animals.

A master horseman himself, Hunter strode forward confidently to help.

OOC: Unbeknownst to Hunter, Jenkins might be in trouble!
21:08, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 2 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  goblin stealth.

Brightkin's smile dropped from his face when he saw the fire dragon effect.... So the jester already had his illusions covered oh well.

The he noticed a rider having difficulty with her horse and quickly fluttered over to see if he could be of some use

Jenkins tries her hardest at stealing anything from the crowd but the crowd is too compact and thick. The few times she tries someone notices her and gives her a evil look. No one makes mention since most are watching the Jester but it's a quick glare that makes her rethink her actions.

Just then somewhere far behind the crowd more towards the shops side of things, you hear
"THIEF! STOP THAT THIEF!"

You see what appears to be at least a few guards making their way towards your area.

Seeing the magical display, Kai gives a scowl at the whole thing, and shakes his head in disappointment, Such a wasteful use of magic. Throwing it around for parlour tricks. as he thinks to himself.

Hearing the shouting of guards and accusation of theft, Kai instinctively draws a chakram, coated in what appears to be alchemical silver, ready to assist if necessary.

When the hue and cry went up, Jenkins instinctively ruined and ran. Taking advantage of her small size she squeezed through legs,ducked under grasping arms, and did her best to evade her pursuers.

She hid briefly beneath a horse and tried to scout a way clear.

As the horse seemed to calm itself with Lirian caresses, she moved a little away from the crowd, so it could move and felt less nervous, smiling a “thank you” to the two men that moved to help her. She took a carrot from her pocket and gave it to the horse as she heard the hue and cry about a thief.

She looked where the cry came from, while still caressing her horse. “Good, cries and running people is what Redmane (OOC: the horse) needs now to calm…i” she thought, upset by the disturbing. She was unwilling to intervene, but if the running came to her, she’d better do it…

OOC: Lirian does not act unless the goblin moves toward her. If so, she tries to trick it with her staff, making it to stumble on ground and leaving it for the guards.

The guards break through the crowd and stop shortly next to the horse with the goblin under it. They give the creature a stern look and then point towards the stage.

"YOU! Inferal! Come down here by order of the King! You are taking advantage of these people by scamming them."

One of the knights draws his sword peeling it from the sheath.

"Who me?", Says the Jester with an evil Grin.
"Well. I see my time here has come to a frightful end. Enjoy the show."

With a quick toss into the air you see the infernal throw something up above him and when the little balls drop small smoke explosions blind the crowd from all directions.

In the crowd you can hear people saying, "my coin purse is gon'!", "Mine too!" another shouts.

Quentin was luckily away from all that action. He probably wouldn't have stopped to watch it, but being mounted, and thus somewhat elevated, gave him a good view even from the distance. It was... well, interesting, from the dragon head on. Quentin did not quite expect the scene with the smoke, which ended some distance short of him, but since there apparently was a thief, did what he thought would be his duty as a reasonably honest citizen - he looked for anyone or anything trying to escape anywhere his way. Not that he had high hopes - he was not a professional observers and both of his professional observers were too agitated to make sense of anything.

"Barry! Cherry! Calm down! Calm down!"

At least the horse was, as usual, stone-calm.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Wed 09 Aug 2023.

Redmane was calming itself, now a little aside from the crown and with Lirian caressing its face, whispering a soothing song at its ear and giving it the carrot. But when the balls fell, the explosions and lights were the last straw for it. It began to kick the ground, pulling the reins from her and nearly biting her hand where the carrot was.

Lirian herself was upset by the situation. “Isn’t this stupid aware of the damage a panicked horse may do?” she thought. Trying to feign calm herself on behalf of the horse she loosened the reins a little to allow it to move while keeping the soothing song, trying to calm it, and looking around to see what was happening, as the cries of the robbed ones began to be heard.

OOC: if she sees a thief running on her direction, she swings her staff for an opportunity attack, trying to KO him, but does not pursue anyone, trying to calm the horse. If no thief runs in her direction, she just tries to calm the horse.

When the grenades started popping smoke, Jenkins slapped the nervous horse on the genitals and sprinted into the crowd as it began kicking and bucking everywhere. Then she was off, hopefully the smoke and the distraction would give her all she needed to get clear.

....................................

The red headed girl - elf - was still having trouble with the horse when Hunter arrived. He patted it on the back. "Steady on there old boy, it's just a bit of smoke and noise" he said cheerily.

Lirian looked at the man appearing from the crowd and patting Redmane’s back. It seems to calm a little, though it still was snorting and kicking the ground. The waved her hand through its face, still humming the soothing song.

“Thank you, Sir” she turned to the man with a smile once the horse seemed more quiet. “It uses to be a fair and calm horse, but it’s not trained for combat, nor to endure close explosions. If most people has been scared by all of this, imagine the poor horse…” she apologized.

She looked at him. Good (but apparently ragged) clothing, pistols (she’d seen some, thought never used one), apparently sure of himself… “Probably a noble, though an impoverished one” she thought to herself.

Having Heard people claiming they had been robbed, and having the horse (more or less) calmed now, she checked her belongings, while trying not to be obvious on it.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:07, Thu 10 Aug 2023.

"Call me Hunter" Hunter said. "That's a fine beast you've got there. Yes, strange smells and noises can be frightening to animals." So he'd heard, anyway.

"What do you make of all noise about "rats"? I thought it was almost as if he was talking of the rulers of this city."

Lirian was surprised at the man’s words. Talking about city’s politics to a stranger? Was he testing her or he was just reckless (or naïve)? Didn’t he know many peoples see politics as a touchy issue?

Nonetheless he seemed friendly, whatever his reasons, and has sure been helpful in calming Redmane, and that was a point for him…

“I’m Lirian Sir. Err… Hunter” she answered. “Yes, the show was scaring, and not only for animals. Or it was a distraction for his accomplices to pick pockets, who knows…”

She thought he deserved an answer to his other question too, no matter how touchy it might be. She thought for a moment, feeling unsure about what to answer without getting herself in trouble and trying to hide the uneasiness talking about those issues with a stranger produced on her.

“Well, I guess his reference to "rats” may have several interpretations…” she finally answered, trying to determine his reactions to her words. “In fact, the first thing that came to my mind was he was warning people about the dangers in the shadows, mostly refereeing to the criminal underworld every city has… Could he refer to the city’s rulers? I guess it can be understood like this, but I don’t know too much about them, as I’ve just arrived. The fame of the city is it has fairly honest rulers, though…”
This message was last edited by the player at 11:58, Thu 10 Aug 2023.

"Indeed" Hunter smiled. "So they do. I am new to this town as well, I still need to find lodgings."

"A criminal underground, you say. Could be, could be... and perhaps this show was merely a distraction, the rats were perhaps his pickpocket accomplices. Oh, watch out for our furry scallywags, they are part of the adventure of this town, he warns, as his furry friends cut purses as we stand entranced."

"How ironic."

"Well, in that case, I had best not leave my gear unattended, my servant appears to have disappeared."

"Lirian." He flashed a charming smile and bowed.

Brightkin took to the sky as the first grenade went off not wanting to be caught in it.

From his vantage point he tried to make out where the little goblin jester had gone..

He was a bit put out that he was just about to offer the creature his services and a chill ran down his spine thinking about how it would look to his queen if he had teamed up with a scammer.

07:44, Today: Brightkin rolled 2,4 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Notice

“His servant? Can he afford one while he seems to te be able to afford decent clothing?” Lirian thought to herself. Then he said her name while bowing to her. “Is he trying to flirt with me?” she wondered, still trying to discern Hunter intentions.

Suddenly, the horse the guards were surrendering neighed and started to run to the crowd, threatening to trample people (OOC: the result of Jenkins action). “What the hell” Lirian shouted. “It’s a local custom to have the horses overrun people?”

Taking Redmane (now more calmed) by the reins she moved to see if there were injured people among the crowd where the horse had run.

Quentin observes the horse kicking indiscriminately in the center of the crowd, thinking this might turn up requiring his assistance. He does not rush to provide the assistance right away while the situation is still hot, expecting anyone surviving being hurt not to bleed to death meantime, so he just continues observing, counting any people who might end up needing a medic.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

Hunter approached an older man wearing simple clothes. "Say, fellow, do you live here? Sheldon Gallagher, watchmaker by trade, lives on Mill Street, do you know where that is? There's a couple of coppers if you take me there."



Ooc: how is Jenkins getting on with her escape and evasion?
10:17, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 4 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  goblin stealth.
10:17, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  goblin athletics.

[Private to Lirian: Make a perception check]
[Private to Brightkin: You noitice that the men who were with the jester are disappearing in a small trap door beneath the stage. The smoke hampers your vision but you are able to catch them jumping in while it likely blocks the view of most others.]
IC: As the smoke clears the guards look around seeing no one on the stage not even the Jester. They search looking everywhere to find him but come up empty. The crowd seems to vanish once the smoke clears going back to their shops where they came from.

The guards stand around still searching but as you see they seem limited in their ability to find any trace of the crew.

The old man hunter talks to looks at him with a gruff look, "Ay. Cooper sounds fine but I am a bit busy right now yong fella. You can try later but needless to say ole Sheldon is across the city. You'd be better stopping at the ole tavern to get a better idea where ya can find him."

You can tell the old man has no desire of bringing you to Sheldon even for the coin.

OOC: Jenkins has successfully found a place to to hide away from the crowds and guards. With all the confusion you are unsure where she went but she has disappeared from sight.

Moving to where the crowd was with Redmane taken by the reins, Lirian looked around to see if there was any injured people from the horse run to provide them her help.
[Private to GM: 16:37, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 10,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  Notice (perception) roll. I guess success with a rise]

She was amazed of how quickly the crowd has dispersed, and that no one was talking to the guards despite the many cries of being robbed…  Nonetheless, glad to see there were no injured people, she turned to look for a place where to stay while in the city.

As no one was injured, Quentin proceeds with the next thing, seeing that the guards look somewhat troubled. He rides closer and introduces himself to the guards: "Quentin Fox, a field medic. Don't you mind if I let the dogs sniff around a bit?"

If given permission, he gets the dogs on the stage and commands them to sniff, hoping they take some trail or something.

OOC: Rolled a 8 to persuade the dogs and then rolled a 5 for a dog.

Brightkin flew over to the gathered group of people and cleared his throat. Ut being small he couldn't make himself heard.

Frustrated he clicked his fingers and suddenly his voice boomed over the others

If you were inclined I would suggest you move towards the stage as I spotted the jesters crew disappear through a trap door in the stage..... I couldn't see if the jester was with them but if you hurry you could capture them and ask some questions... Maybe?

[Private to Lirian: You don't find anything lost or stolen from your person.]

The guards look at Quentin with a rather qirky look, "Sure!".

The dogs start the sniffing just in time for Brightkin to make note of the trap door area. Just as they mention the dogs pick up the scent and start barking rapidly at the door which one of the guards open.

Below the door you can see a ladder that leads far down below into water which looks like drainage for the city.

One of the guards looks at the captain and says, "I'm not going down there! We would need a team, he is probably long gone anyway."

The Captain nods his head and agreeance with the guard, "Get posters up immediately. We need to inform the people of what this thief looks like. If nothing else he can stay in his hole."

Some of the people come up to the guard after making the statement, the few that are still left.

"What about our valuables? Are you not going to chase these criminals?"

The Captain holds up his hands explaining the situation but making it clear they won't follow into the sewers. They will gather a group of people and have the situation handled.

Quentin is kind of surprised when he is advised by a what flying above his head. Nevertheless, the advice turns out correct, so he acknowledges that much. He has no intention to be more guard than guards themselves, so would rather end his involvement here. Before he is final in this decision, he checks for his own funds. Not because he expects the thiefs to have shuffled through the bandoliers of a mounted person accompanied by two dogs, but because there was no solid reason not to check for that. And then he was prepared to call it a day.

With the explosion of smoke, people running around, and the guards searching for thieves, Kai did his best to keep his dog and pony under control. The last thing he needed was his pony bolting, taking his belongings, or his dog startling or even biting someone, causing the wrong attention to come his way.

"Thanks, old chap" Hunter replied graciously, and made his way back to the wagon. He lounged against the wheel for all of a minute, muttering under his breath.

"Where is that damned goblin? Just get a snack, she said. Well, I'm not waiting for her. I've places to be.

"Here you!" he called out, noticing a young ruffian skulking nearby. "Pick up that bag!"

The young ruffian, who was indeed about to pick up the unattended bag, froze. "Er... what?"

"You heard me! Pick up that bag! Take it to the tavern. Well, I'm certainly not carrying it. A person as handsome and sophisticated as me can't be seen to be carrying backpacks. Come on, off we go, chop chop!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:41, Wed 16 Aug 2023.

OOC: So at this point obviously the you can split as you have different directions. What would you guys like to do? Since you aren't a team or haven't been pulled in nothing is going to make you stick together.

As Lirian was moving to find a cheap inn where to stay she was surprised to see how Hunter talked to the boy. “How can he talk like this to a unknown boy? Who does he think he is?” she wondered.

As she was uninvolved with the issue, though, she just left in her quest to find where to stay, and to see if she could earn some money be performing in the streets. Sunset Promenade was the place she’d been told most street performers did it?

OOC: as you say, to now nothing ties the characters to one another, so I guess each one will go his/her own way...

Having his funds all intact, Quentin addresses the head of the guards. "Sir, can you recommend a good inn and tavern where I could fit with all of my zoo?"

OOC: We should be able to end up in the same tavern with no problem at all. I don't know people's plans, but there and then Quenting will ask for appropriate job openings.

"Thanks young chap, here" Hunter gave the lad some coppers. "Say, do you where Mill Street is? How do I get there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Sat 19 Aug 2023.

As things began to quiet down, Kai heard a man yelling orders at what appeared to be a young lad, demanding his things go to a tavern.

A tavern sounds like a good idea. He thought to himself, as he made a clicking noise with his mouth, so let the pony know he was leaving, as well a look at the dog to come along to.

On he went, to find rest, food, and perhaps the chance to find some work now that he was here.

As you make your way down the streets you are pleased to find that the Tempest Tavern is not too far from the edge of the city. The streets are filled with merchants of all sorts as you make your way through.

Hunters guide a smallish young male elf is helping hunter navigate the area and making mention of what's important.

"And down this way is the Tempest Tavern the best ale in the world as I've heard. Towards that end of the town is The Silent Cathedral up on that cliff ridge overlooking the city. Then towards the middle of the city you'll find the Iron Anvil and library. Over near the piers you will find the Sunset promenade."

The young man huffs as he makes a clear path for hunter to the Tavern.

In the front of the Tavern you are greeted by a grand ship that has now become the Traven itself. Part of you wonders how it got here, it's a great distance from the Sunset Promenade which can be seen far off in the distance. Still the Tavern seems more bustling with energy.

OOC: Here is where the story can split a little. If Lirian is going more towards the Sunset Promendate then I'll create another thread for that split.

After paying the boy off, Hunter entered the tavern and ordered an ale. He would sit and nurse the beer for a while to wait for Jenkins, but he wanted to go and explore the city. The Iron Anvil sounded interesting, he had heard of the place, supposedly renowned for exquisite metalwork, finely crafted weapons, armor, and magical artifacts. He wanted to go see what people had been creating. He wondered if there were gnomes there. He liked gnomes.

He looked around to see who was here.

Quentin first goes to the stables where he hands over the horse and the dogs, then goes to the tavern part of the establishment and puts $5 on the bar, saying he pays for the following: stabling and feed for his three animals, a room for himself, a fine meal with a glass of wine, eventual simple breakfast and maybe some advice about where one can find work around here, specifically of medical or adventuring variety.

After making his statement about the trap door he was disappointed that the longlegs paid no more attention to him.... Being small had it's issues.

When they started to split up he noticed a man with a horse and dog heading away down the street to a place he called a tavern... It sounded interesting so he settled on one of the man's saddle bags and rode I style until they got to this tavern thing

Finally Lirian found an inn that seemed to meet his needs. It didn’t seem too good (and so expensive), nor too bad, and had a stable for Redmane, so she tied the horse at its door and entered it, closing with the landlord.

“Have a nice day, sir, do you have single rooms?” she asked. “I’d like to stay here while in the city, if possible, though I cannot yet say how long this might be…”

She looked at the hall, seeing several patrons here. She recognized the man who aided the guards in the incident (the one with the two hounds) siting on a table.

“And would you be interested in having a musician and singer to entertain your patrons at evening? I’m looking for some place to perform…” she asked again to the landlord. “ Of course, you’d have a percentage or what I could earn by passing the hat… ” she added

An old bar keep looked at Lirian with a grin. "Why yes. Per night we charge half a gold coin. Stables in the back are another half a gold coin."

The man polished the glass while he smiled at her with a set of silver teeth sparkling in the fire light.

The Tavern itself felt like the inside of a ship. Many different rooms lead to parts of the ship you would be common to see but the main area was the haul of the ship. In the center where the old bar keep helped patrons. Rooms where of course off limits as many had patrons in them saying the night.

What you would come to discover from talking to patrons was there was a captain's quarters up above. The room itself like everything else in the Tavern was more expensive and quiet the room from what people say giving a view over the bay. The room would run from 5-10 gold a night, it offered a bigger sleeping quarters with more room for "guests". Down below under the floor of the would be ship bar was an area that often contained cargo. This place had been mostly converted into a storage area but offered a very poor room which was often used for the inn keepers whores or favors for his friends. With little light and very leaky ceiling it made one of the worst rooms but was something he offered from time to time.

The guards sitting around the table raise an eyebrow to Lirian. One man with a more battle worn look stared at Lirian and licked his lips. "Sure, las. Show us what ya got and I'll give you this whole pouch of silver, he holds in his hands. Should be more than enough for a night or two depending on if you can keep us entertained."

Shortly, while all this is happening a goblin and fairy burst through the doors at about the sometime. The room comes to a bit of a haul watching the two pair wonder in. Under most people's breathes you hear. "What strange times, strange times indeed."

Brightkin notices as he walks in that there is a table specifically in the far back of the bar that has a number of different races outside of the common types. One specific character appears to be another fairy. This raises your interest.

Jenkins makes her way to the side of Hunter and gives him a smile.

“Prices seem reasonable” Lirian answered to the keper. “I will pay you daily, if you’re ok with it, as I cannot say how long I will stay” she added, giving him a gold coin.

Hearing the guards, and understanding she had the permission of the keeper, then she took his lute and began to play and sing old songs from her home town, some in Common language, some in elf.

21:34, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Performing at the inn.

She realized she was not doing a good performance and apologized to the guards. “I’m sorry, it seems that I am more tired than I thought, and my instrument also shows the fatigue of the trip. I guess I’ll have to fine tune it tonight…”. She then stopped playing, not to embarrass herself nor to disturb the patrons.

[Private to GM: Does she recognize Jerkins from the former incident?]

"Not elven love songs, come on, give us a shanty!" Hunter called out, thumping a rhythm onto the oaken bar.

[Private to Lirian: OOC: Yes. She stands out pretty much like a sore thumb.]

The bar keeper turns to Quentin after being slammed by customers, eyeing his gold. "More than enough sir. More than enough. Let us know if there is anything we can do."

"Mainly, I need some advice." Quentin was tryint to talk with the barman and the performance in the background was a bit distracting. At least it wasn't too loud. "I'm new to here and am looking for a medical job or some enterprise to join. I would not like to disturb local medics' existing practices, so looking more at unfilled vacancies, especially those requiring some travel. A sort of adventuring party would be ideal, assuming they have the prospects to pay for the trouble, but so is accompanying some caravan or tending the city guard wounded, including right there in the field. Maybe you know whom I should talk to or at least how there kinds of jobs are advertised and found around here?"

The bar keep continues cleaning his mug and then looks up at a Quentin. "A medic you say? You might consider talking to that group of guards over there. As of late many people are being attacked by rats in the streets hordes of them and they are offering hirelings a decent coin for a decent work. I wouldn't call it clean work but if coin interest ya. It's a great deal for someone new to the city."

At about this time while the singing and dancing are going on the sun starts to set outside. You notice that a few people from the bar when they see the sun going down make a bee line to the bar keep to start paying their tab of drinks. Some stay in place but many get up and leave.

The guards themselves roll their eyes.

Quentin thanks the barman and does as he's told. He asks permission to sit down with the guards to discuss business and, if it is granted, proceeds as follows:

"The barman said the guard is either hiring or contracting for jobs related to rats. As a medic and an alchemist, I might be able to help one way or another, depending on whether people dealing with the problem or living in the city are bitten, infected, lack effective poison or want some wildfire applied to clear the nests. So, what are our options?"

Hunter clinked a gold coin on the bar. "I'll have an ale, if I may. I also require a room for the night, with two beds. And pray tell, what opportunities are there for a man with some skill with guns?"

As hunter comes to the bar and makes his way through the people it takes some time but he finally gets to the front of the bar once people have cleared out. A sound can be heard outside that sounds a little loud but it's probably the drunks leaving the bar.

A few seconds later and bar keep looks at hunter and hands the man an ale while stanching the coin. "Eh. A lot of mercs looking for work this morning. Obviously this is a best time. I'll tell ya like that fella over there. Talk to dem guards. They have some rat work. It's not hard work but it steady."

The bar keep points to Quentin and the guards. Who allows Quentin to take a seat while they discuss the rat problem which is summed up pretty quickly. "A few days ago some guards went down into the sewers of the city and never returned. Since then not a single guard will not go down the sewer. Rats have taken over most of the area leaving not much for even the poor. Then they explain that even vagabonds started disappearing lately."

Guard is willing to pay a days coin for someone to go down into the sewers and cull the rat population. Also look for signs of the guards that vanished.

As this happens a louder more damaging noise can be heard outside. The bar keep shakes his head, "Damned drunks, the lot of them.", he walks over and exits the front door of the tavern. A few minutes pass and then a loud scream comes from outside.

The bar keep bust threw the front door of the tavern blood coming his cloths as a giant rat lands on his chest. Small rats follow behind the beast and flood the tavern.

The beast lets out a large roar as it sees fresh meat in the bar itself. The guards stand up disturbed by the rat. You quickly release their swords and shields are across the room.

OOC: Gear up first fight. Your not surprised by this fight as the beast gives you enough time to make minor actions. It looks like a giant rat but it stalks almost like a tiger or another beast. Need to know who is attacking what or what are you doing?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:38, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

As Lirian sees the innkeeper appearing with the rat on his chest, she lets her lute over the table and takes her staff, moving to help him. She realizes there are smaller rats coming behind, but her first target is to help the man by taking the giant rat from him.

Taking her staff with both hands she closes the distance trying to hit with the staff any rat coming to range.

“So the Jester meant actual rats, no underground not ruling class” She thought while reading for the fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

Being paid by the day was all right, as well as being paid by the tail, both cases assuming the rates were right. The guards not coming back meant there were certain risks... or maybe, well, uncertain risks... but Quentin did not get to learn whether the rates were reflective of that as the rat thing started happening here and now.

The man stood up as fast as he coud and rushed to take fight beside the half-breed woman, drawing a dagger and then a rapier as he was on the way.

Hunter spun around when the door burst in. Oh. Actual rats. Big rats. Not political "rats" or theiving rats then he thought to himself. A quest into the dungeons to rid the world of man eating were-rats! Sounds like fun!

He reacted quickly, a quick two steps taking him up onto the guards' table where he spun, beer and plates flying and greatcoat twirling gloriously as he pulled a pistol and pointed it at the big rodent.

"Jenkins, stay out of this" he said calmly.

OOC: Here's an attack roll, seeing as I'm 12 hours behind/ahead of you guys.
16:16, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 3,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. Shooting.
 16:17, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  damage, conditional.

OOC: Heroes get opening attack AS vs 8D.

IC: Hunters shoots ring in the rat horde which seemingly ignores them. The giant rat makes no moves but stands at the ready to attack. Quentin and Lirian are in perfect range to attack the bigger rat while the horde of rats continue to flood in.

OOC: Waiting on the moves from the heroes who have moved into combat range.

Lirian stood before the large rat, holding her staff with both hands as she tried to strike the monster, not ignoring her defense.

10:28, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 10,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  I guess hit, probably with a raise.
10:30, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 10 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(4+1)5. (14 if the hit was with a raise)

The staff hit the giant rat, and Lirian stepped backwards to ward against other rats before checking the effect of the hit. “Beware the small ones horde too” she shouted to the others.

OOC: As I don’t know the parry of the rat, not its toughness, I cannot tell the effect and leave it to the GM, though I guess at least a wound was done to the rat…

Without looking, Hunter passed his pistol behind him to Jenkins, even as he drew his second gun.

“Will he be mad enough to keep firing?” Lirian thought, having seen him firing the pistol (not that she know too much about pistols, but she had seen once or twice someone using them). “Doesn’t he see the innkeeper is too close for that?

Then, without taking her eyes out of the incoming rats, she shouted to Hunter “HOLD YOUR FIRE, YOU CAN HIT SOMEONE” and then to Quentin “TIME FOR YOUR HOUNDS TO SHOW US THEIR WORTH, SIR”

The number of smaller rat gets quite worrying. Unfortunately, Quentin is not quite sure about the whole picture of the situation to do stuff about it, and proceeds with plan A, attempting to stab the big rat.

[Private to GM: 14:09, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 10 using 1d4+1d4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,3.  Well, maaaybe a hit..
14:07, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,3 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Rapier.
11:05, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 3,3 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Notice the finer details of the situation.

Not sure if the horde of rats would be already positioned to join the melee. If not, we might get a 2-on-1 bunus, which is NOT included. And on their turn... ouch.]

"Fire?" Hunter mused for a moment, then called out to the man with the flasks and vials: "SAY THERE! GOT ANYTHING INTERESTING IN THOSE FLASKS?"

"Hey, I'm not going to burn down this whole place! And there might still be people out there!" Quentin waves the rapier at general direction of the entrance.

OOC: Other heroes will be on hold until they make their move so they can interrupt.

IC: Lirian swings her staff against the monsters head and to her susprise the beasts head bangs against the bar itself from the force of the blow. A little blood trickles down the beasts head as it gives another roar.

OOC: 08:31, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 5,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Rat Soak.

As the smaller rats bare down on Hunter. Quentin is able to try to stab the beast but it's like his sword hits a massive amount of fur.

The bigger rat takes a bite out of the bar keep but he manages to find off the deadly bite with a piece of wood.

OOC: 08:47, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 1,3 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.
08:46, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 2,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Big Rat attack.

The smaller rats swarm one of the guards jumping and biting at the mans open spots in his armor. He screams in horror as they swarm him, tackling the man to the ground. Bloodily screams come from the man before he is silent seconds later.

The the other guard grabs a big pitch of some dark liquid and throws it to Hunter. "It taste like piss but burns like fire."

OOC: Round 2. Heroes win KC vs 6S.

10:05, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Rat Shaken.

Rat fails its roll so it's shaken. It will not act on this turn.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:07, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

When the rats make such a quick work of an armored man, Quentin makes two conclusions. First, there would be no survivors outside, if there currently are some. Second, there would be no survivors inside if we keep it that way. So he takes the risk. "You are right man, oh, damn..." He drops the dagger, grabs what seems to be the fattest potion on both of bandoliers, uncorks it with the rapier, takes one muthful of what and then BREATHES FIRE. A fairly mighty WHOOSH goes right over the barman, out through the door, and keeps expanding, hitting the ground level some short distance out of the building. The fire keeps burning where it hit. Somehow, Quentin does not seem to like the result. "Should we be out of here?"

[Private to GM: 19:48, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 12 using 4d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3,3,4.  Burst damage reroll.
19:44, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 7 using 4d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,1,1.  Burst damage.
19:41, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 1,9 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+3)9.  Burst (extra damage, lingering).]

“This beast is tougher than I expected ” Lirian thought, seeing it to stand despite the staff blow having clearly hit home. “ And what in the hell are the guards waiting to help? ”

Despite her thoughts, she was now committed, and so she kept attacking the big rat with her staff

16:56, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 4,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+4)10.  Attack roll against the giant rat. As before, I guess hit with a raise.
16:57, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 8 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,1. +4 (so total result of 12) if the hit was with a raise.  I guess one more wound...

Lirian hit again the beast with her staff, with another good blow, and returned to guard position again before evaluating the result.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

Kai made his way to the Tempest Tavern, stabling his pony at the rear. He wasn't impressed at the price to use the stables, but he figured being a big city, that is just how things were done.

Making his way inside he soaked up the ambiance, and paid for a room. Seeing others he noticed when he arrived at the city speaking with the guard about work, Kai figured he may be better looking for work elsewhere.

Perhaps the church? Bound to be heretics or some other trouble to be put down. He thinks to himself, heading out, before all the drama with the rats happened.

The smaller rats catch on fire a quickly as Quentin blows the flames at them. Hundreds of rat screams fill the chatter of the Tavern. Part of building does catch fire but only a small amount. As rat begin fleeing from the scene in all directions.

Only the big rat remains who is quickly hit again by Lirian taking another swing at the beast. The rat is hit again but this time manages to take the brunt of the force with his weight shifting it away from the staff but still being knocked in the stomach. The creature inches towards the door getting off the bar keeps chest.

OOC: 15:33, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 9,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,2.  Rat Soak.

To speed this up even more we will say heroes win this round again vs the enemy since he is stunned this round he will make a roll to recover.

Lirian saw the fire and the rats dying of fleeing “A threat less ” she thought

“Good job with the smaller ones, Sir” she said to Quentin, while centering on the large one, striking again with her staff

22:44, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Striking again the giant rat. I guess a failure
22:48, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 7 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Damage if hit (though I guess not).

Having to be cautious with the fire around her, this time Lirian’s strike missed the giant rat, who seemed to be moving towards the door.

Brightkin kept to himself but followed the other to the tavern. He'd hitched a ride on the saddle bags of the tall stranger and realised he must be some sort of hunter anyway when the man entered the tavern he noticed the others from the market place gathered there too.

He was about to join them and attempt to introduce himself but noticed the man he'd entered with head back out the door.

The little fairy decided things were too crowded for the likes of him and he might get squished by mistake so he fluttered out the door as it closed and followed the hunter to see where he went

Seeing the smaller rats call off the attack and begin fleeing, Hunter ran forward to the big rat and shot it from point blank range, taking care not to shoot anybody by accident.

(**************************************

A high pitched ululating growl that grated on the ears filled the air as Jenkins, suddenly brave, charged forward ferociously throwing tankards,cutlery and other small objects at the fleeing rats

Ooc:If Hunter doesn't have a clear shot, he will hold action until he does
6, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 17 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,5.  damage.

10:45, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 6,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  shooting.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:33, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

The area hit by the fire kept burning. Eventually the flames lose their supernatural strength and start to seem rather ordinary, but for a few short moments the exit from the tavern seems to be blocked by a raging flame. That was all right with Quentin, who was not quite sure if he wanted the large rat go and welcomed the time to think about it. And while he thought about it, he tried to stab and chase the large rat and... "Someone, open the back door, I want to call my dogs here!"

If and when someone does that, Quentin emits a series of three loud whistles of different tones to have his dogs run in.

[Private to GM: 10:09, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 3,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Chasing and attacking.
10:08, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 9 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,3.  Maybe damage on that attack.
10:08, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,4 using 1d6+1,1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Free attack on enemy withdawal, with 2-on-1 bonus.
09:54, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 12,27 using 8+1d10,8+1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 4;(10+9)19.  Doggies coming.
09:52, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 1,5 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Call the doggies.
09:51, Today: Quentin Fox rolled 10 using 3d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,1,1.  Lingering damage.]

Between Lirian hitting the beast and Hunter's shot the giant rat finally takes it's last fall before giving a high pitched scream. All the rats in the area scatter into the night leaving behind the heroes and the wreckage of their attack.

The bar keep grabs his breath and then stands from the attack. "By the gods.", Orin says.
"Those things were more dangerous than in previous nights."

The half-elf grabs his wounds clutching them and letting out a gasp. "That thing took a bigger bite out of me than I would've expected."

The guard standing in the corner runs out the door to get other guards to assist with the carnage.

OOC: Roll notice or healing. Only one check.

Lirian heard the detonation of Hunter’s pistol close to her. “Again firing so carelessly? ” she thought at first. Then she saw the result, with the giant rat finally falling, apparently dead, close to the door. “Maybe he knows better about firing than about manners ” she then thought, remembering how did he treated the poor boy before.

15:52, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Notice roll.

She looked around looking for more dangers before assisting he wounded innkeeper. Seeing no more dangers, with the giant rat killed, the smaller ones roasted or fleeing and the flames being small, she turned to the innkeeper and began to sing a soothing melody while she waved her hand through his wound.

16:00, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Performing Song of Health (3 PP). I guess success, healing one wound

As she waved her hand and sang in low voice, the innkeeper stopped bleeding and his wound seemed to improve.

Orin looked shock by Lirian's music. "Beautiful tone. You seem..."

The man clutches his chest in pain. "Ugh. That damned thing must've been diseased."

Orin kicked the rat with a quick kick. "These things have been coming out of the sewers. Never seen one this big for sure. He is much bigger in size than the ones I've seen. Most a bigger than your standard rat but never this size."

The man slumps down on a chair. "Sorry. I just feel a little out of breath. Anyway name is Orin. I am sure the guard has told one of you that they are sending people down into the sewers to look for missing guards. I can't lie. I think it's a fool errand. Adventures, sellswords, and mercs come in for coin and never come back up. Whispers of something foul is brewing down there but the guards are too busy to short staffed to keep sending men in to die. So they are ignoring it. Now we are flooded by Infernals which is not common to this town."

OOC: Someone else can feel free to make a roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

As the barkeep was being handled, Quentin first rushes to help the fallen guard. He does not waste any time to determine if he's still alive, but just pours the whole contents of some vial down his throat. "Breathe, man, breathe!"

Having been told that the big rat is not normal, as far as local rats go, Quentin then handles it as follows. First, he slices its throat with his rapier, making sure the cut has full effect. Second, he addresses the public in general and the barkeep in particular. "Dont you mind if I have this one for myself? And don't you mind if I get one of your tables..." here Quentin was not totally sure "...somewhere. The stables maybe or some such, to have a good look at the inside of the thing. It seemed pretty tough."

Whatever the answer(s), he then checks the stables and the street to see if stuff keeps going on and if any help is required. He leaves it to the barkeep and the guards to handle what remains of the fire.

[Private to GM: 19:32, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 2,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Healing roll requested by GM.
19:32, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 7,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Healing the guard with 4pp.

The guard will have to make Vigor roll. If he succeeds, he'll be alive and well.]

Seeing Quentin treat the Guard with a potion, Lirian reasoned he must be some kind of physician or alchemist. She turned to him before he left to the stables.

“Are you a medic or physician, Sir?” she asked. “This man fears the rat could be diseased, do you think he can become infected by the bite?”

The guard that Quentin is working on gives a death cough as he subcomes to his wounds and takes his last breath.

OOC: 09:53, Today: Vaelan Nightshade rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max ((3)).

Orin drinks the liquid and is able to catch his breath.

"Thank you. Both of you." say Orin. "Your best bet is to just drag it back in from the night onto a table in here. Better lighting."

Quentin notices that at the bite area near the man's chest are black lines coming out of the wound. It for sure seems unnatural. You get the feeling that you've saved his life but for only a time. No amount of alchemy or magic will cure this, you are going to have to find the source.
This message was last updated by the player at 15:06, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

"I'm not an... epidemiologist." With some thought, Quentin reasoned the woman that can heal would understand the word. "So no insight just by the look of the rat. I'll need real symptoms to work with." Then he thinks a bit more of it "I can make that he does not get infected by this, but with the half-assed advise he gave me, that will cost him for sure. Hey, sir, how about we all live here for a bit, free of charge? First, you will repay some good we have done, and second, we might be here the next time around. Or..." Quentin takes an actual look at the wound. "...whoa! I might be mistaken I think. We surely need to have a good look at the thingie. Yes, drag it here, I'll be back in a moment, I hope."

OOC: Just making sure it's "safe" before quentin starts the dissection.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

Orin replies, "What? But I am already feeling better...."

The man stands up but weakly leans against a table. "You sellswords are the same. Looking to make a coin. My limbs feel like a wet fish. What was in that potion?"

Quentin did not feel like going into detailed explanation that barely anyone here was going to understand. "Healing. Did not quite work."

“I’m Lirian, by the way” she said, after Orin introduced himself.

She then listened to Quentin and Orin words without saying anything. Finally she decided to intervene.

“Excuse me, Orin, but no matter how you feel now, I’m afraid he is right I ntaht those black lines coming out of the wound don’t seem anything natural, and are over my healing ability, and I guess his’ too” she told him. “Is there any good physician that could help you on it? I can go for him if you so want, though I’m afraid this don’t seem a  be natural disease to me, and I’m not sure it’s a physician affair, but I’d like to consult one about it… Even if he cannot help, maybe he can advise you about what to do…”

Jenkins looked around her with an expression of euphoria on her face , at the flickering flames casting red images, at the dead body, at the dead and dying rats, at the giant rat corpse. The fire light flickering reflected in her eyes looked everything like internal devilish flames coming from within. Blissfully she walked over to a dying rat and squatted down and began torturing it.

*********************************************************************************

Hunter looked around at the chaos. "Well, that was exciting!" He exclaimed. He looked at the black lines spreading from the wounds. "Ooooh, that looks different. Wonder if he'll live."

He gave Quentin a hand taking the body to the table under the light, and when the man began cutting away at the body, he went and brought more lanterns. He sat down nearby, boots up on the table, took a swig from a flagon of beer, and began leisurely reloading his pistols. "Hunter, by the way, pleasure to meet you. You seem like an interesting fellow. Did you make all those flasks and vials, or buy them?"



OOC:
07:21, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 1,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+1)7.  notice.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

Orin looks at Quentin with shock, "What do you mean it didn't work?"

The man grabs his chest. "Shit. Am I infected like the others?", he asks no one.

He looks at Lirian with a face that shows very little hope, "Best you can do ma lady is down the road from here. There is a number of people infected with this plague. All bit just like me, all dying. Some much, much sooner than others. You'll probably need to wait out the night. Even though I don't usually work with sellswords, I'll give you some rooms for the night. We can discuss further if you find a cure."

The man stands up still weak from whatever was ravaging his body. He grabs some keys behind the counter and gives each one of them the keys to their rooms.
"I'll refund your money if you don't find the cure, as it won't do me any good where I am going."

The man starts cleaning up the tavern from the damage done during the fight.

"Down the road from here you'll find the Whispers and Shadows Library. It's run by Elysia Silverthorn. She's been researching cures and even has a few people staying their so she can research. Tell her I sent ya, but I wouldn't travel in the middle of the night. If anyone know something she knows something."

"Quentin Fox. A medic and an alchemist and yes, I do these myself. They are not generally for sale, though. The best stuff is not very stable and has to be inspected and refined every other day." Quentin says that as he prepares for the autopsy. He takes off the leather vest and the jacket, leaving only the shirt and the pants. "Do you have an apron to spare by chance?" Quentin intends to use one if the barkeep has it available. Then he makes sure there is enough light, puts a medical bag on a chair near the table, takes from it a scalpel and begins to work.

Quentin does understand the risks of curring his finger while his hands are all in the what, is willing to take it and does not bring it up. To the outside observer, it seems the man works with great skill and it is surely not the first time he's doing it.

[Private to GM: 10:18, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 15,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,2.  Autopsy.

Will absolutely not take any darkness penalties, even if that means using up a sunrod. Of interest:
- approximate mass, overall dimensions and age of the thing
- whether it is a separate species, a separate breed or somehow growth-manipulated
- toughnes and armor values, maybe also vigor and strength; also the source / nature of these if outside of natural range
- whether the thing seems stable and fertile (like, can live 1+ years and leave offsprings)
- whether it seems to be safe to bite or be bitten by the thing (should Quentin not let his dogs bite these?)
- anything else weird, unusual, unexpected, or disease-related]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:36, Wed 30 Aug 2023.

“So, those attacks are common?” Lirian asked to Orin. “And does all people bitten catch the infection?”

She saw Quenting beginning the dissection of the giant rat. It was a disgusting view… She also saw the guards have already extinguished the few flames Quentin breath attack has produced.

“I’ll go check the stables” she said. “Do those rats also attack horses and other animals, or only humans?” she asked, either to Orin or to the guards, whoever answered the first.

Afraid to go outside, she went to the door that communicated with the stables to check Redmane and the other horses while listening to any answer.

"Yes, chemicals can be dangerous. I heard once of a fellow who blew up his lab, mixing something or other, lost his hand. My uncle Fenrick has lost his eyebrows and more besides more times than I can count, why, his wife, Aunty Christie, just about goes into shock if you drop a tray or something. She has turned into a first class physician, though I suspect that she didn't intend to. Fascinating stuff, though, explosives and chemicals, though I don't like to touch anything like that that I don't fully understand. Gunpowder is enough for me. Although I have the utmost respect for those who are knowledgeable about such matters and capable enough to be effective without losing body parts.

"Most marvelous what you are doing, by the way, chopping him up so quickly and deftly - ooh, is that the spleen? Tell me that's the spleen, the green bit! - it's always a pleasure to watch someone who is good at what he is doing, I like gnomes, they are true masters of tinkering"

Hunter watched Quentin work with avid interest, not at all put off by the grisly work. His babbling eventually lapsed into silence, and then he began drumming his fingers on the table. When next he spoke he sounded completely different: slower, lower pitched, thoughtful.

"You know, that could be us lying there on that table. If we went hunting rats through the sewers under the city, well, easy to get swarmed, easy for the lights to go out, easy to get bit. And there we are, and the healers can't do a thing, and the hospice miles away. And it could even be that hunting rats is pointless, you know, if this 'rat plague" is being created by someone then shooting that someone will end it but shooting rats won't. There's always more rats.

"I propose that when you're done here we go visit this Elysia Silverthorn. She might have an idea to on how to combat this plague in a smarter way. But if we are going down there, we need something to protect us from ending up like this" he said, indicating the deceased guard.

Orin looked up at Lirian. "No, the plague itself seems to be a game of chance. One that most people don't want. I doesn't kill you immediately but rather a slow process. Stables should be fine I've managed to secure them with reinforcements so typically the rats don't get in. A few tricks of my own under my sleeve. Primarily they have been targeting the townsfolk which is strange."

As Quentin works on the rat he realizes that while he is able to discover much of the information he needs he won't be able to get much more without another test subject.

[Private to Quentin Fox: The roll allows for three specific questions you want answered. What three are you most interested in?]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:19, Wed 30 Aug 2023.

“Specifically townsfolk, not strangers or animals?” Lirian asqued, surprised at hearing Orin saying it. “Not that this comforts me too much, but if so it seems a deliberate attack… And, if so, having killed one of their minions may have caught their eye on us…”

She accepted Orin word about the animals. “And, his words aside, the hounds would have barked at least I the rats had attacked the stable ” she thought to herself, feeling stupid to have thought they had to be checked.

“Well, it seems there’s little more than we can do this night…” she said. “You say leaving the inn may be dangerous, and in any case most people we could ask would be sleeping… I guess that’s the best we can do too. Do you feel we should set some king of watch?”

[Private to Quentin Fox: 1. The most interesting thing he's never seen before?
The rat appears to be mutated in some way. The science behind it is beyond your skill, you can't tell if its magic or physical but some combination has made this beast.

2. What can be learned about the strange "disease" it's carrying?
The disease specifically comes from the mutation. None of the smaller rats have the same disease as this big one. Most likely this is the reason that magical, nor physical means are curing it but there is likely a cure for it as someone "created" this disease.

3. What can be learned about the thing's toughness and limits thereof?
You don't get the feeling that this rat was done mutating. The mutation itself has left traces inside of stretching of skin and bones malformed.

check out giant rat in the book and that gives you the physical details. All of that is the same and you can freely refer to it.]

Orin's head bends down a bit, you can tell he needs rest. "If it attacks animals I have not seen it. Aye. It's possible those things work in some mysterious way. Anyway I need rest. Not sure about the watch. I will tell you, rats get worse at midnight. Stay off the streets once you hear the bells ring of the temple. Generally it gives you a few minutes warning. I would not venture out."

Orin shuffles off to his room clearly ready for a long rest to hopefully improve his situation some.

Eventually, Quentin is done. All the organs carefully extracted and laid out in lines. But still, it's all quite a mess. Namely, the place is not going to be open for breakfast unless it has some rather dedicated staff.

"Three things people. First, this is not natural. You might have guessed. Some... I don't know, alchemy or magic or something. I certainly would not be able to do it even if promised cartloads of gold. And the disease is not natural either. Not sure if one is a side effect of the other or both were designed on purpose right from the start, but they sort of seem to belong together, the mutation and the disease. And this thing does not seem to have... reached it limit or to have ran out of potential. I say, either a work in progress on the things or it just takes time to grow them, but they likely can grow worse than that... I don't know, either bigger or something. I mean, I see no reason why not."

Then Quentin starts to get the tools ready for cleaning. He does not seem to care to clean the scene. While at it, he addresses the guards.

"You guys are at war with some fairly capable entity. External, internal or what not. The good news is that you can try to hit it. The bad news is you have to know what it is."

Quentin washes his tools and his hands. Then remembers to say one last thing.

"Oh, and the small ones should be safe." That does not seem too correct given the observations, so he corrected himself. "I mean, free from disease."

While he packs his things, he mutters to himself. "And these people talk about going down the sewers. It's not like they cannot patrol their streets..." The rest is mainly unintelligible save for a few expletives in there. Anyway, Quentin does fully intend to let the dark streets remain unpatrolled and rest for the night, with both dogs in his room, and then visit the library tomorrow.

After hearing Quentin, Lirian looked at the people there assembled. All (herself included) seemed tired and scared of what they had seen and heard.

“I guess your hounds can stand as watch, Sir” she said to Quentin. “I think we’re all too tired to keep it ourselves, and those hounds seem well trained…”

It was just then that something Orin has said came to her head:


“Excuse me, but you told about being flooded by Infernals” she spoke to him. “When did this flooding began? Did it coincide with the apparition of the plagued rats?” Then she turned to Quentin “Could hellish powers produce that?” She felt a shiver on her. So said, in loud voice, it really sounded scaring…

“But, if so, why did the Infernal Jester warn people about the rats?” she wondered, being to tired to really think about a possible answer.

"Hm, hellish powers? I think so. Not trace amounts of it present in common infernals, those don't have much of anything, but a real hellish powers... why, should be quite doable at least for some of those. But we might want to discuss that with some religious expert, I'm just making a guess."

Seeing litte more could be done that night, Lirian headed to her room. She closed the door just and kept her staff nearby, just in case.

"Right, well, I'm off to bed too then. Tomorrow we need to visit this library, and then I think a spot of shopping is in order. A blunderbuss, I feel, would be most appropriate, perhaps two. And some flasks of oil, the kind that burns and sticks and doesn't go out. A bullseye lantern. Ooh, imagine having barrels of the stuff, and some kind of pump thing...! No, I'd never get one made  in time. Some half plate armour and a blunderbuss will have to do." Hunter looked around at the suddenly quiet room. Jenkins was very quiet and small, frozen in the act of spit roasting a rat.

"Jenkins? I said tomorrow I'll buy some half plate and a blunderbuss" Hunter said brightly.

"Ah... there may be a problem" Jenkins said, sidling along the wall away from him.

"Problem? What kind of problem? They don't make plate in this town?"

"No... ah... you have no money."

"What do you mean I have no money? I have lots of money. Why, I saw you packing the bag with silver candlesticks!"

"Ah... remember when you were seasick and had to be cared for?

"You served me fish head soup"

"Fish heads are very expensive, Master. They are the most desirable part of the fish, that's why most people can't afford them."

"But the eyes! The eyes! They made me vomit, seeing those pale bulgy eyes, and me still queasy!"

"Yes, the eyes are the delicacy."

"But my gold watch!"

"You traded it for that burgandy waistcoat."

"So I did. Glorious, it was. Where's that then?"

"Remember that night with the whores and funky white powder?"

"Yes, but they don't cost money."

"Everything costs money when your father isn't paying for it."

Hunter groaned. "Well, fetch me my rifle then. I haven't cleaned it for a while. I'll do that. Cleaning my rifle always makes me feel better."

Jenkins darted across the room and scooted beneath a table. "You lost it."

"What do you mean, "lost it"? I never lose my rifle. It's very precious to me. I crafted that myself.

"innagin"

"What? "Innagin"? "Innagin"? What's "Innagin"? Speak up man, don't mumble!"

"In a game. Playing cards. The night of the whores and the powder and the brandy spiritses. "Double or nothing. Double or nothing. I'm feeling lucky, you said.""

Hunter had a fuzzy recollection, but it was very vague. "What..."

"They cleaned you out."

"Gods. I don't remember any of this. Well, fetch my rapier. I feel we may need it on the morrow."

"Aaaah..."

"My rapier, Jenkins, I distinctly remember having a rapier."

"You did have a rapier. I traded it for food last week."

"Well, what the heck do we have then?" Hunter roared, striding across the room to his pack. He emptied it out, finding clothes, more clothes, pouches of tobacco and gunpowder, some string, and a rotting, half eaten cat. Everything of value was gone. Even the clothes were sad manky things; once they might have been princely but now they were fading fast.

"Gods, I'm ruined" Hunter moaned, and staggered off. He collapsed and sat staring numbly into the fire. "Ruined. Ruined. Its all gone. Cousin Shelton won't want to know me. I can never go home. Gods. Ruined."

Some time later there was a patter of small feet and a small hand handed him something: something hard wrapped in a sock. Numbly he unwrapped it and discovered a tooth a foot long from some giant sea beast, covered all over with fine scrimshaw carving.
"Well, that's something. Its not worth a blunderbuss, but it's something."

Jenkins sat beside him and offered him a charred roast rat on a stick, which he accepted, and they both sat together staring into the fire.

Quentin moves the valuables to his room and leaves the dogs in the corridor in front of the door to the room. Hopefully, they won't scare anyone and, Lirian was right, might warn the people sooner than when things start getting into the room itself.

He does not go to sleep right away, instead scribbling things into his journals. The travel log does not get all too much, although Quentin takes care to express the local situation. The research log gets a more hefty addition, with all kinds of details incomprehensible to normal people not trained in the field. But eventually that's done and Quentin gets some rest for the night.

The night moves by without anything special taking place. The noises of the street seem very quiet and you don't hear chatter or screams (which you listen for). Overall and uneventful night that leaves you more curious than when you went to sleep.

As the sun breaks through the port hole of the makeshift tavern that is still just a ship stuck on land. You gather in the main room.

Orin is awake. Doesn't look worst for ware but still in rough shape. His spirits seems unshaken by the events and he has cleaned up the mess from the attack before. A few patrons walk in and talk of the disturbance but none of them make loud mention or question. You get the feeling they all just know.

"Good morning. I have prepared you a meal to keep up your strength.", the half-elf hands each of you a bowl of something that smells like chicken.

The food looks pretty gross but upon your first taste you are shocked at how good the flavor is.

"Thanks Orin." Quentin does not mind a good meal, whatever it looks like, and in fact... "I'll take something for the dogs too, they are coming with me and I don't know when I next get to feed them."

"I think I will go to the library to learn of the progress so far as far as studiying this is concerned. I might be spending there all day, not sure. You probably won't have to go that much into the details." he says to Hunter and Lirian "But we'll see what else should be done after we learn the general picture, right?"

“Thanks, Orin” Lirian said once presented with the breakfast. She then listened to Quentin about his plans.

“I’m not good with books... I was thinking about going to see those people Orin told us are down the road…” she said. “Or to the temple to ask about the possible hellish powers those rats may have. If I go to visit the already sick, maybe you could come before going to the library” she added to Quentin.

“ I guess someone is caring for them, and maybe they could give you some more information, if they have been treating and investigating about the infection…”

Then she turned to Orin

“By the way, you didn’t answer my questions last night” she said him, repeating them.


“I guess we were all too tired for you to answer…”

Hunter seems much more sombre and dejected this morning, a far cry from the carefree spirit of yesterday.

"I'll come to the library" he said. "I think that's the most important thing. I also need to find some supplies."

He thanked Orin for the meal, but it looked like he was just being polite because he ate slowly and robotically without gusto, not even tasting it.

Orin smiles at Lirian. "Aye Las. Apparently I was more tired than I thought. Infernal have always been around, but usually rarely. They aren't common and are often mocked but most of the town folk. Sometime at about the start of our festival time we had a large cargo ship of them arrive."

Orin walks around the bar. "Normally, I would think nothing of it. But this was only Infernals. Rightfully spooked most of the town folk. Can't say the plague started right when they got here but it couldn't have been shortly after", the man tries catching his breath still short winded from the disease.

"A cargo of infernals, hm? Do they claim to be settlers of something? Where from? And the ship and the crew? Did they need a permission to disembark here or to remain after the festival?" The "coincidence" was indeed quite interesting. Quentin suspects this was not a good lead because all sorts of people should have already tried to make sense of that and we are in no better position than e.g. the leadership to check this or that, but it might affect and direct our other research.

"They keep a number of sick at the library for research purposes, I get it right, Orin? I don't I'll need more than that for a start, but I sure want to learn of the state of the research, so I'll check that first."

If no other interesting topics are brought up, Quentin takes the dogs, [some of] the companions and walks to the library [leaving the horse where it is].

Orin gives Quentin a head shake, "It wasn't a whole boat for sure. Only a partial ship and they did have passage so I am guessing that someone at the sunset promenade would likely know more about the passengers. I know they turn up every now and then but crime did not raise so the guard had no reason to target them. Now if I boat filled with Goblins show up, I'll let you know. Aye. The library is just for research, you'll not for treatment although I can't be sure what Elysia is doing. I think she has been studying the disease closely to find weaknesses."

Orin looks at the goblin in the room with a glace, "Sorry. But these parts don't much care of the green skins. Melting pot or not, we still have standards and brutally isn't one of them."

You can tell he means no offense by his words and is likely warning the goblin rather than threatening her.

Orin waves his hand as the group leaves and bids them good luck on their search.

“You said this same road down there are more infected” Lirian said to Orin. “Is there any kind of hospital for them? ”

Orin shrugged his shoulders at Lirian, "No hospitals here. Typically people shelter in their homes when they get sick. The unlucky ones end out on the street."

“If there’s no one caring for them, then there’s no one to ask about the disease…” Lirian more thought in loud voice than really said.

“I guess I’ll go to the temple then, trying to ask about possible hellish magic on all of this. I can also walk the Sunset Promenade, just to see the situation there, as Orin says is where the Infernals are seen… I can perform there to meld with the usual people.

I'll try to meet you at the Library latter, as I guess you'll need more time tan myself, if you have to digg info from the books...”

OOC: Go ahead and let me know where ya'll are heading to.

Lirian - template? or Sunset?
Quentin - Library
Hunter - Library(?)

Most likely the library thread will continue here. It does not require a change of scene.

Lirian took her staff, hung her lute on her back, and began to move to the temple, humming an old song, unsure about how will she expose the situation before the priest, if (s)he even received her…

“Oh, shit!” she thought to herself. “With all the mess yesterday night I forgot about fine tuning the lute… Well, I’ll do it if I have to perform, while listening at gossip…”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Fri 01 Sept 2023.

The two men leave to head to the library to learn what information they can from Elysia. Walking through the streets they seem much more active than they were last night. You keep an eye out but barely notice a single rat, curious you think.

When you finally make your way closer to the middle of the city you a presented with a giant structure that's lean and tall. It looks like a giant old watch tower that was converted into the library itself. The outside reads, "Whispers and Shadows Library".

Before you ever reach the door you see a number of injured people who are likely infected by the disease. A number of herbalist tend to the wounded but similar to Orin, the pain only goes way short enough for you to barely catch your breath.

People seem to be rushing back and forth between the wounded and herblists. You hear things like:
"We are running out of supplies."
"Another one for the burn pile."
"Who would create such a disease?"

Quentin does not deviate from the order which he has decided upon: Elysia first. He does make a request as he passes by though: "Don't burn them before I look at them. I should be back soon enough." Guessing that did not sound very authoritative from a random paser-by, he explains: "Quentin Fox. I am a medic and I have just arrived here yesterday. I want to look into this foul disease, so please let me, all right?" Then he is on his way.

[Private to GM: 20:12, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 2,10 using 1d6+1,1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+3)9.  Persuading the people to leave Quentin some corpse(s).]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Sat 02 Sept 2023.

Hunter strode along, sombre and watchful. Part of him still felt numb, shocked to the core at the realization of the loss of his wealth and what that meant, especially here, in a foreign city. His father must surely be laughing. Yet another side to him was repeating over and over his own words from last night: That could be us lying there on that table. We need to go visit this Elysia Silverthorn. She might have an idea to on how to combat this plague in a smarter way. But if we are going down there, we need something to protect us from ending up like this.   That could be us lying there on that table. Easy for the lights to go out, easy to get swarmed, easy to get bit. And there we are, and the healers can't do a thing, and the hospice miles away. We should visit this Elysia Silverthorn. She might have an idea to on how to combat this plague in a smarter way. If this 'rat plague" is being created by someone then finding them is key, it could even be that hunting rats is pointless, you know. But if we are going down there, we need something to protect us from ending up like this.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:34, Sun 03 Sept 2023.

When Quentin finally makes his way through the sick people to Elysia he finds her brooding over many different types of books. She has stacks upon stacks of books.

She looks up from her research and greets you, "Why hello. You don't look sick nor guards. Are you coming here to assist with the sick? If So there are people outside for that. This library is strictly for trying to find a cure."

You notice in the background that about five, no maybe six workers are all gather books reading and trying to find things that Elysia has probably asked them to look for.

"Quentin Fox. I'm a medic and I would like to join the efforts to find a cure. I am not here for the books at the moment, though it might come to that, but I sort of expected you collect the notes here too. So, I would read the notes you have, let you copy the notes I have, listen to any hypotheses you work with at the moment and what you think could be had from the sick and the dead to confirm, debunk or direct any of them, do the examinations and be back to you. Good enough?"

If there are no objection, Quentin shares his notes about the big rat encounter and autopsy. While his notes are read or copied, he reads any notes they have. The things of interest include, but are not limited to...
1. When the first person got sick. How did that happen?
2. How many got sick after that. Were the circumstances meaningfully different?
3. How many people got dead until now? How long did it take after getting infected, on average?
4. Any treatments observed to have any effect?
5. All sort of medical details like what systems fail in what order, what symptoms are there at what stage, etc.
6. Do the sick shine magical like if it's a component of the disease (sort of a curse or something)?
7. What does the force working on this at this moment consist of?
8. Anything else you feel prudent to tell me?

[Private to GM: 21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 3,10 using 1d6+1,1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+3)9.  Not sure if I need persuasion, but, well, here it is.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Tue 05 Sept 2023.

Elysia perks up looking at Quentin, "Excellent. We need people doing research to figure this thing out. You can certainly have access to any of the bodies that have past as most are told to be kept away from the public."

She looks over Quentin's note before making any other comments seeming to quickly glace at them. "Hmmmm...a lot of the same I am afraid. I am no healer myself just a simple librarian who manages much of the text you see in front of you. I can tell you a few things that I know. The origin is pretty much undetermined at this point, it seems based upon what you are seeing this might not be anything we can even control."

She walks from behind the books and leans against the desk, "I feel like we are fighting a losing battle. Right now the most we know is that treatment magical or human-made seem to make no difference. We also know the rat population is growing by the day. Follow me."

The lady says as she walks you outside back behind the library. You travel through a small field behind the library to a place that has been carved out from the trees and dirt at the edge of the forest of the city.

"This is where we put the bodies.", she points to a giant hole. On the side of the hole are haulers who constantly transport the dead from the public to the hole. They are in full protective gear or as much as you would expect (gloves).

Next to the hole there is a huge mound of bodies that have yet to be thrown into the hole.

Elysia tells the men to take a break and that Quentin will be looking over the bodies. They do as told.

"I really hope this helps. I know this does not answer most of your questions but hopefully you can find another piece of truth in all this death. If you need anything let me know I will be back inside continuing my research."

Quentin nods. "Pick me a small heap of books to look at after I'm done with this. I am a medic, but I'm not a librarian."

Then Quentin borrows some protective equipment (at least gloves + apron). And does full autopsies of two most representative, but different, bodies: one young man and one old woman.

The intent is then to diagnose the running course of the disease across a range of still alive patient at various stages and then to flip through a small pile of books selected by Elysia to see if any of them are relevant.

OOC: Combined, this is expected to take most of the day or thereabouts, but Quentin has nothing better to do. If Hunter needs any ideas, Quentin might give some (like putting a price tag on rat's ass or getting a map of the sewers or something).

[Private to GM: 22:43, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 6,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Flipping through medical books chosen by Elysia.
22:43, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 14,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,1.  Reviewing a bunch of still alive patients.
22:42, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 7,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Autopsy of an old dead woman.
22:42, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Autopsy of a young dead man.
22:40, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 15,4 using 1d6+1,1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+2)14,3.  Trying to borrow some protective equipment.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Tue 05 Sept 2023.

"Greetings, good Elysia. I am Hunter" Hunter smiled pleasantly. "Quentin and I have been asked by the guards to explore the sewers and put a stop to this. I wanted to ask your advice on this matter, if that is acceptable?"

If she is amenable, he continues:

"I do have a number of questions. The most urgent is, is that a holding pit for burning the bodies, or is it sealed, or are rats getting in from below and feasting on the bodies?"

"I heard a rumour that the onset of this plague coincided with the arrival of a group of Infernals, what are your thoughts? Is exploring the sewers the best place to look for the source?"

"Do you have a map of the sewers? If so, I would like to take a copy with me, and to cross off what we explore, so if we fail to return then at least our bodies will have helpful information."

"Are there any treatments that work? Could we have some?"

"Do you have anything that we could take now that would prevent us from getting diseased?"


OOC: Jenkins is probably pestering Quentin's dogs.

Elysia greets Hunter with the same welcome. She listens to the ramble of questions and laughs a bit.

"I, myself would not set foot into the sewers, you on the other hand may have better luck than me. One thing I am always cautious about is doing anything beyond the scope of what I can do and that includes sewers with rats."

She looks around as if for something more physically. She grabs a book and hands it over to Hunter. "This is about the best I can do in terms of maps. You'll probably do better going to one of the map shops in town, I'd try Silvers. He is likely to have what you need. I'll tell you as I told your friend, there is no cure. Once you are infected you have a matter of days before you die and the disease takes control. Not sure when the rates are getting to the bodies but we know when we put them out they eventually get to them but it's unlike anything I've seen. They bodies aren't just picked clean they are dragged off. As if the rats are working together. There's nothing I've found so far that prevents the disease itself. Once infected your body has a brief chance to fight off the infection but if your bit again, it's instant infection."

Quentin after working on the bodies makes a discovery that likely no one has noticed.

[Private to Quentin Fox: After bit. The infected generally have about 5 to 7 days to live. Generally you feel 6 is a safe bet but the sickly might only take 5.]

OOC: The dogs growl in return (and they don't like goblins much to begin with), but probably resort to barking only if Jenkins gets physical. If barking continues, Quentin will eventually react. If it doesn't, he'll just follow his plan for the day.

Hunter bowed. "I thank you for your aid, and I thank you for your time, you are a busy lady. I will check out this Silvers.

"However, it concerns me that rats are, as you say, "working together and carrying off bodies entire." Surely it would be better to stop them from getting at the bodies, by any means whatsoever? Build a pyre, I beseech you."

He grinned a hard feral smile. "If it were up to me, I would stack them all inside a wooden house atop a platform of oil soacked brushwood, and leave the doors open. Then, at midnight when the rats have gathered for the feast, shut the doors and set it ablaze."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Elysia shook her head as she walks away, "Certainly not a task for me but I will let the haulers know."

She leaves you with the bodies to determine and find out as much as you can.

OOC: Depending on your next move, let me know what you plan to do next.

Hunter found a quiet spot and flicked through  the book until he got bored.

"Cheerio old chap, I'm going shopping" he said to Quentin as he was leaving.

OOC: First to Silvers, then to the guards HQ.

Hunter leaves the library only to find himself in the middle of the city heading towards Silvers.

[Private to Hunter Gallagher: On the way to Silvers you are ambushed by attackers. While you are able to find off a few of the attacks one specific attack leaves you and your goblin hostage due to a sleep spell. You can continue in Chapter 1: Scene 2]

Seeing Quentin, she moved to him.

“Where is Hunter?” she asked. “I had a most revealing talk with some one Ezekiel, a Rakashan, and apparently a holy wise person in the Temple.

Apparently the plague began with the arrival of a group of Infernals that seem to have some king of ill intent to the city, and probably beyond. He didn’t tell me about what this plan is, he claims he cannot see more, but he gave me a vision about the city burning, claiming this is the future if it cannot be stopped.

He also told me some of us, including this stranger who was also at the temple, are “the chosen”, and somehow marked, though not sure how or by whom, hinting that we are the ones who may fight this plague. He also told me whoever is behind it also knows about us, and even our names, and advised us to keep together, keeping the force of numbers.

That’s why I came here instead of going, as I had planned, to the Promenade. Frankly, I’m a little scared of what he told me, and I’m afraid not more closer to know where to begin to search than before, but quite sure we’re confronting something dangerous and at disadvantage of being known, while knowing little…”

By this time Quentin is about done with a corpse of a young man, which you can see neatly gutted and placed piecewise before the medic. There is also a corpse of an old dead woman near him, completely naked and with clear signs of the disease from which she has probably died. Quentin is clearly not done here, and his facial expression shows he's not a huge fan of being interrupted.

"The man went to procure a map and then talk to the guards. The thought was we will have to know our way through the sewers sooner or later, if only to make some plans, and..." Well, as Lirian went talking, it caught on the man that the "and..." was becoming less and less relevant by the minute. "Whatever. Had this wise guy warned the king too? I'd like to get paid by the king if I can get certified as a chosen." There is some sarcasm in the man's voice, but that is not all there is. Oh, damn, please don't tell me we are into high stakes for small change, with no way to opt out of the thing. The frown on the man's face gets deeper. He did not quite believe in being a chosen of sorts but did quite believe in being pointed and killed as such. Okay, we have basically two options. Either this stuff is legit or it's bullshit. Let's now assume both and see what must be done before we delve into guessing which it is. This way we should... He then gave a reply. "Go fetch the man then. I'm not quite done, but if you insist..." The man raises his hands just a little, one in glove and blood, another the same and still holding a scalpel. He then starts to change into his normal clothes without waiting for a reply. This was going to take upwards of three minutes, considering some semblance of hygiene, on which the man was going to insist. He was ambivalent on whether Lirian should watch for him to do it.

“And what have you discovered here?” Lirian asked Quentin, eager to know if there was at least any clue of what were they against to.

“Where should we look for him, if we go to?” she asked, seeing he was readying to go to look for Hunter. “The map shop or the Guards headquarters? ”

"The map shop should be first. And here... seven days." Quentin points at the dissected young man. Then he points to old woman. "Five days." He keeps changing and talking at the same time. "These are two extremes. The timings are pretty damn consistent. No exceptions."

As your standing deciding what to do. Elysia comes over to you from the library in a hurry. She is out of breath.

"I found something of importance she states to Quentin. Oh hello! I'm Elysia. I run the library here.", the woman says out of breathe.

"So I was researching plague by going backwards and looking at what's causing it. Now I know about as much as you but I found something that might be worth mentioning. Part of this magic comes likely comes from a group known as the "The Arcane Covenant". You've probably never heard of them but they are talked about a bunch in this tomb. Apparently, they are an underground society that worships some pretty dark gods but they were forced into the shadows a long time ago by the king's elite guard. They had almost wiped out most of the Covenant. There one of the few in this area who could make magic like this but the ranks were dwindled into almost nothing. So I am unsure how they could be plotting this by themselves."

"The Arcane Covenant. Makes sense. We'll fetch our friend and, I don't know, be back to you shortly? Which way is the map shop?"

So now we know the name of the entity... well, a name of an entity... Quentin was not quite sure what good it is since doing open-source research on a well-organized conspiracy should be borderline pointless, but it seems to be better than knowing no name at least.

OOC: Quentin is ready to be leaving. He's taking the doggies along.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Wed 13 Sept 2023.

“I’m Lirian” Lirian answered to the librarian. “The Arcane Covenant, you said? If they were so weakened, could they ask help to some hellish powers, acting through Infernals?”

Seeing Quentin ready to go, she readied herself, taking the staff. “May I leave this here?” she asked to the librarian, leaving her lute.

She followed Quentin, hopely with Daremo too.

Daremo has been tagging along being quiet but the man has taken in everything said with little input. However at this point he does speak up.

"I am familiar with these Arcane Covenant. In my lands they are called something different but very similar to what you speak. Can you give us more information?"

“Of course you can, you’re even asked to. Any information would be welcome and probably useful” Lirian answered.

“You heard what Master Ezekiel said: your land is not safe if we fail here”

Elysia looks at Lirian, Daremo and Quentin,"Please follow me back to the library. I might be able to pull more information from the books."

Elysia walks briefly to the library trying to find the right books that contain something she is looking for. You follow behind her and she manages to find the right book.

"Ah! Here it is! I knew it was in here somewhere.", she puts the book in front of you and opens it.

"This Convent was created by one of the people of one of the royal families. His name was Lord Varren. He was highly involved in the creation of this secret society. But according to this text he was discovered by the elite guards of King Alistair Stormrider. He fought Varren and won stripping the Lord of his land and people. This also says Varren's body was never recovered from the battle."

"This makes sense. When the Arcane Covenant came to my lands. They sought to raise an ancient lord, some dead god. They stripped my people of valuable resources in order to try to do this but we were able to push them back off our island. I am unsure if they completed their task but once they were gone we made sure to control them. Is it possible this has been one big game for them? Have they been in hiding since then and are now choosing to strike?"

Daremo looks at Elysia with some curiosity.

OOC: Can I make a history roll to learn more about the Arcane Covenant or remember more details?

09:42, Today: Daremo rolled 7,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,1.  Knowledge of Covenant.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Wed 13 Sept 2023.

“And when was this? I mean, how long ago?” Lirian asked.

“May them have invoked the strength of a demon or other infernal powers to help them with plague?” he asked to Elysia. “And would holy items help agains either the lague or the Covenant?”

She was becoming nervous, as she understood the hurry to go for Hunter, but at once the information they were receiving seemed very relevant for the case…

"Many, many years ago. When I was but a small child. I hardly remember the experience but I do remember that infernals were not part of the Arcane Covenant. They may have played a roll behind the scenes but I do not remember these creatures. I do remember talk of a lord. My guess is that this Varren is behind most of this. ", says Daremo.

“Well, when I when it was I mostly meant if this generation or some generations ago, so if you remember some of it it’s not as old as I understood” Lirian said, trying to smile despite her concerns.

“And that’s relevant because it’s more credible…” she added. “Old stories occurred generations ago must be taken with a grain of salt, but if you can remember it, we should take it at face value…”

Then she turned to Quentin, seeing him nearly ready to go. “Master Ezekiel said they, whever they are, know about us. Would it be wise to disguise us a little? Or at least using a lateral door just in case they are waiting for us?” she asked now turning to Elysia, as asking if there was any such lateral door. “Or even both options…”

"I will not disguise my dogs, nor my horse when it comes to that, so essentially won't work if we are to keep sticking together. Going through some less than obvious door, or, for that matter, a window, might throw their immediate observers off our trail, but they do know where we live, so we'll have to repeat that trick more often than not."

As Elysia turns to you one of the people helping with the library comes running up to the group. "Ms. Elysia!", he says. "We have a problem. That guy with the pet goblin, I saw him get nabbed."

Elysia looks shocked by the news, "Then these monsters are really looking for you. By now I am guessing they would've already found you. The fact that they haven't means you are either lucky or some how the gods are on your side."

She comes over to the table and grabs a big book that includes a map of sorts, "According to the history the Arcane Covenant was driven to the other bounds of the city. Close to the groove, it's not hard to find. If they have taken your friends anywhere they would be here. Text does mention of a secret entrance hidden from the road in the roots of a tree. They have likely done that because that road is very well traveled by the guards."

Lirian looked at the librarian aide. “What do you mean nabbed? Who did it? And how?”

She sat on a chair, looking disappointed for the news and listened at Elysia’s explanations. “But if this “secret” entrance is known by us it’s quite likely to also be by them… Even there may be some of them that were here when they were ousted, if it was just some decades ago… How long do Infernals live, by the way? How likely some survivors of the original Covenant remain?

I guess going to fetch Hunter is pointless now, and if we want to recover him this would have to be a rescue mission…” She looked at the gathered people. “And we’re down to three now, five if we count the dogs…” she added, waiving her hand on one of them (OOC: if they were present, I guess they were).

She turned to Elysia. “Needless to say, you should send some trusted person to inform the King and his elite Guard.” Then she turned to Quentin and Daremo. “And what about us? Do we try to rescue Hunter before the Guard intervenes, as this intervention may be dangerous for him? And if so, how? I’m not precisely a great fighter or mage to undertake this enterprise, but I’m ready to try if needed…”

"The man being apprehended means we are less in a hurry and more in a planning stage. I think we should have the rest of today, at least before dark. I should be able to pay about a dozen of men, but I'm not going to find even half that anytime soon. Not without contacts in the city. And we shouldn't spread out to arrange the things... so, Elysia, your take on getting the guards to go there with us, assuming we can bribe someone?"

Quentin seems a bit troubled. While he's thinking what to do, he is also not quite sure he trusts the premise. Too much about this secret society seems to be like public knowledge and they don't have to be particularly predictable if they are aware of that.

"I'll want to know stuff about the events. Namely, where and how they were gotten and where and how they were seen. Do you say people let people handle captive people around without some alarm being raised?"

“Are you sure we can trust hired hands, or even the Guards?” Lirian asked. “If they have returned, it’s logical to think they have first infiltrated someone, and hired hands ae always of dubious loyalty…”

She then looked to Elysia. “I don’t mean there’s wanton corruption in the city, but a single person among the Guards that could inform them and our cause is lost… And even if not, the Guards would be too noisy for a rescue mission. I would rather try with a small group, as risky as it may be. The Guards should be warned to intervene if we fail…”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Fri 15 Sept 2023.

The short man looks up at Lirian, "I am unsure. I was following behind him going to the market and then next thing I know he is attacked by at least three masked men. To be honest, he and the goblin didn't put up much of a fight. Seems rather soft."

Some of the people around listening to the conversation speak up, "I could alert the Kings guard my lady.".

The lanky elf stands before you ready to leave on your command.

The small man listens to Quentin's question then replies, "The kings guard is too overwhelmed with the rat problem. You have an unlikely chance that they will save your friends. Hunter was walking down one of the alley's close to Silvers when he was nabbed. Most likely a block or two away from the area. Most people only go to Silvers when they are looking for things that they can't find on the market at the Sunset."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:09, Fri 15 Sept 2023.

Daremo listens closely to the group and then puts his hand on his chin, "Quentin is correct. We can not move freely inside of the city without a disguise. However, once we make it to woods edge it could be possible to ditch our "friends". Miss, do you have any clothes that we could possibly use to cover our face? If not would you have a wagon we could sneak out on?"

"We don't have any wagons but we most certainly do have some clothes here. I believe at some point we had monks come this way that wear specific robes with hoods. These could possibly cover you enough for you to get away from here.", says Elysia.

She leaves to go fetch the clothes required while you continue to talk and plan.

OOC: Lirian, I'll give you a Benny if you act out your loyalty hindrance to save Hunter sooner rather than later. ;)

“I believe they are related, and if we could find what’s behind this all, the rat problem could be better solved than just hunting them, though convincing the Guards about that might not be easy…” Lirian asked to the man.

“Leaving in disguise would probably be our best possibility, but how do we disguise the dogs?” she asked. “I don’t believe you want to leave them behind” she said, looking at Quentin. “And they are a good share of our fighting power, if it comes to that…”

She remained thinking for a moment.

“Would they follow us if they are left here and released some minutes after we leave?” she asked to Quentin again.

"Sure taking the dogs with me, and even then, I'm not rock-solid about our chances. I can pretty much guarantee getting the dogs to me within hearing range assuming I whistle. I haven't trained them to follow me after a delay, but I can designate a person as friend and have said friend say "Go find Quentin". Might work. Do we want to leave the horse behind? It is a tough beast, but it's located at a well-known spot, so..."

"Say, Elysia, any spellcasters of yours willing to risk their lives sooner rather than later? I mean, it sure would be later if we fail, so likely no big difference. I'll compensate for it."

OOC: I'll need the mechanical details of how the dogs will "Go find Quentin". They have a pretty good Notice, but no Survival. Assuming you'll let Alertness apply to the tracking roll and give decent modifier for very fresh very well-known scent, they should be able to make it work even with default Survival.

OOC: How is the tavern located relative to our starting and target points? Is it a serious detour?

[Private to GM: 01:51, Today: Quentin Fox rolled 4,7 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+1)7.  Persuasion. Not sure if +1 applies.]

“Good part is they seemed to want Hunter alive. Bad part is that’s likely to interrogate him, and probably with no gentle means…” Lirian said.

“So I guess if we have to move we’d better do so quick. I’m sure your dogs will be able to track you. All dogs are good at it. Your horse may remain where it is. If we return, it will be here, if not, who cares?

The other option is for Daremo and myself to leave in disguise, and after a while, you can leave on horse as if you were fleeing the city, meeting us out of it. I’n not sure they will want (or be able) to pursue you on horse… But you’ll have to leave the horse if we locate the secret entrance, I don’t expect it to be horse sized…

And, of course this is against Master Ezekiel advice to keep together, if even for a while…”

"I can create a distraction. I can shapeshift afterword's and have them lose my trail. You and Quentin get to whatever that location is as fast as possible. Wait for my signal then leave on horses if you can. I'll try my hardest to lead them far enough to the other side of the city as they won't be tracking you."

“I’m afraid Redmane, my horse, is in the inn” Lirian said. “I didn’t think I’d need it to move through the city. After all, I was just going to the Temple and then I planned to go to the Promenade, no use for it…

Could your horse support both of us or we better leave disguised on foot?” she asked to Quentin. “Remember you’ll probably have to leave it behind if we go through the secret entrance…”

"My horse can easily bear two of us, and yours can bear you, so we can be fully mounted from the inn on. I left mine there too, so the question is if we want to visit that place for extra overland speed and outdoor fighting power. Seems at least somewhat risky, so I am willing to skip it if you are inclined that way."

OOC: somehow I (miss)understood your horse was in the Library too

“I guess stealth is our best possibility now” Lirian said. “So my suggestion is to leave disguised as monks, as Elysia suggested, and try to reach the secret entrance. Daremo may join us with the dogs if he can shapeshift as he says. He may Shapeshift into a dog and follow us after some minutes, moving to another direction at first to try to lose our tail... I guess dogs are quicker than our trailers, unless they go on horse…”

She took a deep breath.

“Not that I like to divide our scarce forces, but if that can avoid confrontation now and allow us to reach the secret entrance to rescue Hunter, I’m ready to take the riks, and would Gods help us.”
This message was last edited by the player at 10:38, Sat 16 Sept 2023.

Elysia comes back shortly withe clothes and gives each of you monk robes. Daremo takes one and stuffs it in his bag.

"Good luck!", he says to both of you before you take your leave.

He steps out into the doorway of the library before causally strolling out. You take a glace at one of the windows trying not to draw attention to yourself just glancing but a bit and see no one. He makes it nearly through some of the streets when you are about to lose sight of him thinking that no one has made a move on him. Suddenly some figures from one of the shops come out grouped together and begin tailing his every movement before they all disappear on one of the side streets.

Elysia gives a simple smile, "One more thing bard.", she says to Lirian. She pulls out a scroll and hands it over to her. "I dug it up while I have been here and thought one day it would be of use. While, I wasn't sure you had magic in your blood, I can see I was wrong. This scroll is called "Slumber Serenade Scroll". It can be used to render even the biggest of rooms into a full sleep, it may come in handy where you are going."

OOC: As soon as you leave I need you to make stealth rolls.

OOC: Two questions:

1. Stealth roll (to go unnoticed), performance roll (to pass for monks) or any would do?
   
2. Are scrolls single use, as in D&D, or their limits are per PP?

This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:41, Sat 16 Sept 2023.

OOC: Scroll is one use. You can choose to go performance if you wish. Stealth if you decide to try to stay out of sight.

Lirian put on the monk clothing and disguised her staff by making a paper ball on one extreme (of course the one that will be high when walking). She left her lute to Elysia. “I’ll play it for you when I return” she said her with a wink, trying to raise the morale.

Then she put on the hood of the clothing left the Library trying to play the old monk walking with the help of her staff, trying to seem unconspicuous while trying to see if anyone trailed her.

21:03, Today: Lirian rolled 5,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Perform: Playing a monk.

Quentin is not good at acting up. Nor he is good at dressing up. He thinks it would be no good to try stealth alongside someone who walks in the open, so instead he keeps some distance and "plays" a monk sneaking out with a bag full of stuff, while keeping an eye on whether either of us is followed.

[Private to GM: 21:15, Yesterday: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 3,3 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Stealth.
00:14, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,9 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+3)9.  Notice.]

Lirian's disguise holds up but half way on the way to the tavern itself to get the horse. Quentin notices a lone man following you. He walks a decent distance behind you trying to keep watch of you two but doesn't seem to be making any moves. For now it appears he is trying to monitor who you are. The man looks similar to that of the ones that went after Daremo.

Since the tavern was situated close to the route from here to there, Quentin decided to get his horse with him in the end. He warned Lirian about the guy shortly before the tavern and proposes a rather simple plan of what to do:
1. We enter the tavern, with Lirian remaining near the entrance to prevent the man from following Quentin in and chats with Orin to get him updated in as much details as she sees fit and requests him to maybe start gathering relevant infos if we are unable to spread out for that. At least he should be updated about the types following us.
2. Quentin enters with Lirian, gets changed into his usual outfit, complete with rapier and ready-to-use flasks of stuff, then heads to the stables.
3. Lirian leaves the tavern the way she came and sees if the man will follow her. On a signal by Orin, Quentin gets riding out of the stables to close in with the man real fast and confront him.
4. When the man is out and left for Orin to deal with pretending that he's not associated with us, we ride like a wind and will not be easily followed.

Vaelan Nightshade:

Lirian's disguise holds up but half way on the way to the tavern itself to get the horse. Quentin notices a lone man following you. He walks a decent distance behind you trying to keep watch of you two but doesn't seem to be making any moves. For now it appears he is trying to monitor who you are. The man looks similar to that of the ones that went after Daremo.

Im not sure to understand, the man is following Quentin or Lirian?

OOC: Right now he is suspicious of Quentin.

OOC: Is Lirian aware of Quentin being followed?

As Lirian plñays monk while Quentin just tries to go unnoticed, I guess they walk separated, through at supporting distance...

[Private to GM: If a Notice roll is needed:

19:35, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Perception. I guess she is unaware unless Quentin makes her note it.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Mon 18 Sept 2023.

OOC: This is all correct. What do you want to do? Give me the plan and I will react according to what you have decided.

OOC: If Lirian is aware, she waits for Quentin to turn a corner to wait for the tráiler, if posible where there are no more people (or the mínimum of them) to withness it. The intent would be to know him out to lose him.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Mon 18 Sept 2023.

As you fall back waiting for the man he slowly comes around the corner keeping his eyes focused on Quentin. The man passes by not even noticed by the tail.

OOC: Make an attack roll against 4. Roll damage against Toughness 5. One wound knocks out the mook.

Seeing there are no people near, Lirian waits for the tráiler on a corner and, when he turns it, attacks him with the staff

16:10, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  attack aginst the trailer. hit
16:12, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 3 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  damage.
16:12, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 10 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,3.  using a bennie for damage. I guess the tráiler is KO

Seeing him out of combat, Lirian searches him for any paper, key or weapon he might have before leaving to join Quentin
This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Tue 19 Sept 2023.

Lirian finds a single note with the following information:

"Find the ones that are marked. You will find a vial of liquid. Take the liquid when close and it will give you the vision you need to see the mark. It will only last a set amount of time. Do not take it all. Just a sip."

Also you notice in the note there is a seal of some sorts most likely an arcane seal.

You dig in his pockets and find the vial of liquid.

Lirian took the vial, the note and any weapon the trailer had (OOC: had he any?) and speeded to reach Quentin.

“We better go to the secret entrance as quick as we can without calling the attention on us” she said him. “Going for the horses would risk having the tavern monitored, and the horses will be safer there. We will also be more stealthy without them”

She then passed the vial to him. “That’s your specialty. Mine is music” she said him with a wink

OOC: BTW; does Quentin carry any weapon? I always assumed yes, but not sure…

"A nice job of this one. Yeah' let's route well around the tavern, should be safe now with no one in tow." Quentin does not waste any time to try to analyze the liquid while on the street and just pockets it until sometime later.

Then we supposedly proceed to meeting point.

“You know?” Lirian said Quentin as they were on their way to the meeting point. “I was thinking that if we had substituted the vial of this thug with your flamebreathing potion I could have had an interesting result if he tried to take a sip while with his cimpanions…” she told him with a naughty face.

“Just trying to make you laugh a little in this tense situation” she added with a wink, seeing his incredulous face. “I’m sure you’ll find better controlled uses for your potions”

Lirian also pockets a dagger before moving forward. When she catches up with Quentin they manage to make it to where they need to go dodging anyone following them and finally make it to the edge of the outskirts of town. You hide slightly off the main road but enough where you can watch for the coming and goings of the road which has a slow trickle of traffic that comes into the city.

A few minutes go by before a fox comes strolling through the bushes to right in front of you. The animal transforms in and instant to Daremo.

"I trust all went well? I was being trailed by at least three of these villains before losing them completely on the outskirts of the city."

Lirian handed the dagger to Quentin, as he carried no ready weapon. Then they reach their destination and found Daremo.

“We were followed by one of them, but he had an accident and we lost him” she said. “Now let’s go to this secret entrance, wherever it is, trying not to be seen as we approach it”.

As they moved on, Lirian began, once more, to unconsciously hum some song…

You start the trek to reach the entrance to the area marked on the map. As you find a way through most of the dense forest you finally come to an area with a clearing. There is small hill around the area you are at and you notice a pretty huge old oak tree that has begun falling down and merged with the earth itself.

In front of the door is a single robed person sitting next to the tree pretending to sleep. You realize this is likely a scout or guard that might send signal to anyone within the area.

What do you do?

Quentin, now fully changed into his usual outfit, names a few possible ways to proceed: "Shall we send someone to sneak on the guy given that the oak is likely blocking the full field of view, or maybe send two dogs to "chase a fox" "past" his position? Or maybe we just look around for more observers, in case there are any?"

"Anything to draw his attention might work but we need to take care. If he summons more people we are in for a fight. My guess is the door is only guarded because once inside they shouldn't have anyone standing watch behind the door if someone is on the outside in front. Either way I can follow your lead", says Daremo while he readies his spiked mace and equipment.

“Dogs attacking don’t use to be silent…” Lirian said. “And if they are too noisy they could alert anyone. A shame I left my bow in the Tavern, but I was just going to the Temple, and maybe the Promenade, not to a rescue mission…”

She looked at the situation.

“Well, I have a dagger, and you too” she said, looking at Quentin. “I’m not an expert on dagger throwing, but I guess if both of us, we have a fair chance to hit him and, at least, giving time for Daremo to reach him with his mace…

Your dogs may explore the surrunding territory to see if there's anyone else in the meanwhile...”

which distance is the man from the group?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

OOC: At a full speed run, you can get the drop on the man who is prone as of right now. Making him a little easier to attack.

What do you do?

“Or better yet, I guess we can reach him before he even is aware, if we run for him… We must try to be silent, though.” Lirian said, after better evaluating the situation.

“I guess this is our best option, while your hunds look around if there are more whatchers…”
This message was last edited by the player at 16:23, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

Daremo silently sneaks over to the man waiting for Lirian get into position and strikes. His mace lands on the target but to his surprise hits armor which rattles him but you can tell he is aware.

OOC: 12:02, Today: Daremo rolled 7,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Damage mace.
12:01, Today: Daremo rolled 4,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Attack.
11:59, Today: Daremo rolled 10,2 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+2)10,2.  Stealth Check.

To hit 4. Damage = armor+toughness.

Seeing Daremo advancing, Lirian follows him, trying to be stealthy:

19:35, Today: Lirian rolled 3,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Stealth roll.

Reaching the guard, she attacks him with her staff:

19:36, Today: Lirian rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Attack roll- +4 if the drop applies, +1 if ganging up. Hit with raise if both DMs apply (otherwise she will use a bennie)
19:39, Today: Lirian rolled 6 using d6+d4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Damage roll. If the drop applies. +4 (so 10). If ganging up applied (and so there’s a raise) +5 (see roll below), so 15
20:31, Today: Lirian rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Damage DM if a raise.

(See that you didn't apply the drop to Daremo attack)

This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

"Nah, never learned to throw the thing. Mine is with a large handguard, so not made for throwing. But it seems there is not too much of a charge required from the last cover on the way, so just follow him, shall we..."

Then Quentin follows the team to make a killing strike through the guard's heart.

OOC: Exclude whatever does not apply.
23:13, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 17 using 1d4+1d4+10+1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1,5.  Damage for the Wild Attack (+2) to Vitals (+4) with The Drop (+4) and a Raise (+1d6).
23:10, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,9 using 1d6+4,1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  A Wild Attack (+2) to Vitals (-4) with The Drop (+4) and +2 Gang Up (+2).
22:39, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 2,5 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:20, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

You are able to take out the guard making little to no noise. Upon checking the man's body you find that he holds a ring of keys but once stands out as the biggest. It allows you to unlock the door which leads you to stairs that apparently go down inside of the ground and tree itself. You hear faint echoes of people talking but nothing that you can make out standing in front of the door.

The hallway itself is about the width of two people and there is barely any lights underneath from what you can tell. Daylight lights a bare minimum enough for you to see down the stairs and into the hall but nothing else.

Once the guard was dispatched, aside from taking the keys, Lirian took also any weapon he might be carrying. Then they began to go down the steps to the entrance.

“I guess I see better than you in dim light” she told the others. “So, if you agree, I’ll go first. Follow me about 1-2 meters behind.”

(Assuming they agree) Then she began to advance along the tunnel, trying to be silent and probing the ground with the staff every few meters, just in case

Quentin follows, leaving the dogs to guard the entrance, but essentially on call.

As you travel down the hallway Lirian can see fine looking down the hall. She sees no people but as you focus your vision from the outside daylight. You can still hear people talking but you only see two doors down this long hallway. One directly in front of you and one off to the side. The one with the voices is the one right in front of you.

When you reach the end of the hall you notice that both doors seem to be unlocked. Daremo readies his mace.

What are you going to do?

Hearing the voices, Lirian tried to identify the language they spoke.

“If you have more fire-breathing or like potions, time to ready it” she told to Quentin. She herself readied the scroll and, once her comrades were ready, opened the door, trying to take whoever was inside by surprise.

OOC: Assuming no allied people inside, Quentin opens up with his best (that is, biggest) fire breath potion.

Quentin nods, and as soon as the door's opened breathes a cone of fire inside, trying to cover as many and much as he can.

OOC: A full 6-point version, hoping they will not get to evade if we have the drop.
22:28, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 2,10 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+4)10.  Althemy to breathe fire (extra damage, lingering).
2:29, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 26 using 4d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,5,5,(6+2)8.  Fire damage.

Continue in Chapter 1: Scene 3: The Rescue?