Baldur casts his mind back trying to think if he had heard these names before. Derindahl is the wizard criminal of which the Kobold's spoke and Peiter knew of. Other than that, both the deceased Talahand and Kalarel are a mystery to the Bardbarian. This ominous 'Master' character was also an interesting development.
History check failed.
And although your streetwise was a good check, in this instance these names wouldn't be often spoken of on the streets, nor would your prior adventures have gotten you aquainted with grave robbers and the like. Alas, the names are, for the moment, just names...
Pieter smiles at the women in front of him, offering a reassuring look. He takes the hand of the woman who was grabbing his robe and carefully holds them, before saying "Everything will be okay now, you will be safe as long as you are with us. I am sorry about your husband, I am afraid he is gone, but if it would help I would dare to say that we could look for your children, and let you know what happened to them. But for now, I must Suggest that you both calm down, and tell us anything that you think would be helpful information, so that we may better stop the people that hurt you.". The word suggest sounded different, as Pieter placed a strange emphasis on it and it gave a little bit of a uncomfortable hum to those that heard it.
I figured that I could maybe roll for Suggestion, since I am trying to talk to them diplomatically, but if not let me know. The roll is d20+15= 21. If that doesn't work I will roll for... Comfort? d20=5. I guess Pieter is not very good at it XD
I know I didn't have to use my armor's daily to heal, just made more sense to me roleplay wise to heal such a grievous wound with some magical ability. I wonder if it'll be ok to use my noble presence ability to inspire the women to regain their composure?
Ok, that makes sense for severe wounds. What I shall house-rule from now on is that your armour is what allows you to spend the healing surges during short rests. That way the role play and the rules match up. Understand, this is only allowed outside of combat/stressful situations. Essecntially it takes all of your concentration and composure, and takes a few minutes. That solves that issue.
And yes, Noble Pressence can be used in the this circumstance. I am all for the creative use of powers, although I won't allow the powers to be used in ways out side of their ruling over and over again. Essentially, don't abuse it. It works this time, and may work in future, but won't always.
Full update will come later tonight after Boindal gets to act. Mike has been busy with work and then fell victim to the dodgey connection people seem to suffer from on Wednesdays, probably due to high levels of traffic surrouding new popular features on the site such as Zero Punctuation and to a lesser extent, Extra Credits.
Extra Credits is no longer on The Escapist. There was a huuuuuge furore about it a few months back. It's now found on Penny Arcade's site. = D
Furgin nods gravely at Baldur's mention of zombies, but his attention is quickly drawn back to Pieter and the hysterical women. "Excuse me a moment," he says to Baldur before jogging towards the other group.
Smiling sympathetically at the women, a plan hatches in Furgin's mind. "I couldn't help but overhear your further troubles, good woman. I'm very sorry about your husband, no doubt Lord Padraig will take care of you if you find yourself in a monetary fix." Seeing the woman's face crumple with tears once again spurs Furgin on with haste. "Your children, however, I have seen." Her attention fixes passionately on his face. "Yes, I happened across a group of Winterhaven guards escorting a couple of them back to town. After enquiring about what was going on, one of them-" Furgin stops abruptly, scratching his head in thought. "His name was Aron, I think. Anyway, he informed me that they'd happened across a group of hobgoblins who had quite obviously kidnapped the children. The guards rescued them and were taking the children back to Winterhaven."
Trying something a little tactful to get information quickly. We can decide at a later date if we want to go searching for the hobgoblins.
Here'a bluff check: d20+1 = 16. Hopefully that's enough to convince the ***** lol.
As Furgin's words sink in, he flashes the note in front of the woman. "The one who kidnapped you... Was his name Derindahl? What did he look like?" Furgin waits patiently as the woman continues to stare silently.
As soon as the battle dies down, Boindal centres himself, recharging his psionic energy and ensure that his body recovers from his minor wounds.
spending a healing surge during short rest, and obviously recharging power points
Boindal nods at Baldur's comment, "Aye that vial that was STOLEN from me had to do with the Shadowfell, mahaps they be related?" Boindal takes a careful look at the carvings. "The answer most definitely is a shadow, bit these carvings be quite younger than those draconian runes." After studying the carvings some more Boindal turns toward the two now free women. "What shall we be doin with these women? We can'na take em with us."
sorry for the short post, but its the third one I've done, I hope it actually works this time!
Pieter?s words, and magic, work well upon the women, they calm enough to be spoken to properly. Zed lands upon Pieter?s shoulder and whispers in his ear; there is no sign of a threat, though Zed has spotted the bodies of the excavation team and their bodyguards, piled up over at the treeline to the south of the pit.
Suggestion worked a charm, and served as your first success of two to calm them down. Pieter gains 50XP, putting him on 650XP
Furgin makes his way over, and tells his story of the guards and the rescued children. The oldest of the women stands up and dries her eyes, ?Really?? she asks incredulously, ?My boys might be safe? You hear that Ellen, the boys might be ok!? She turns to the younger, half-elf and helps her up. ?This is my eldest, my daughter Ellen, and I am Prudence,? she swallows hard, ?and my husband was brutally murdered by those... monsters.? Her upset has turned to visible anger. The mother is of middle age in Human years, though she is slender. Her hands are dry and evidently well worked.
Despite the ethical quandaries brought about by Furgin?s methods, he is successful, and thus the women become calm enough to talk. 50XP, total is now 650XP.
Ellen steps forward, tears still fresh upon her cheeks, ?Did you say Derin... Derindahl?? she begins to shake and eyes Kriv wearily, ?That was the Dragonkind that took us off of the slavers.? The girl, in her late teens with long blonde hair and a pale complexion, hugs her mother tightly, crying.
Prudence rocks her softly and whispers gently to her, ?It?s ok, these men...? she looks up, a brave smile on her face, and speaks louder, to everyone ?they are our saviours. The Hobgoblins, when they spoke common they referred to themselves as the ?Blood Reavers?, they were some band of mercenaries or slavers or something, and they were working for that Dragonborn in the purple robes, that Derindahl bastard. We are,? she splutters a bitter laugh with tears in her eyes, ?or should I say, were, a farming family from the farms to the north of the Snakewood. Our homes were attacked days ago, and we have been travelling with the Hobgoblins for days. They attacked more hamlets and homesteads on the trip. Two of their kind, after their meeting with that Dragon-bastard inspected us, they brought us here for some reason. That slimey Gnome put his hands on me,? she shivers, ?he slid them over my skin. I dread to think what he would have done to us, to my only daughter, if you hadn?t intervened.? Once again, she smiles bravely.
As Boindal asks Baldur?s opinion on what to do with the women he catches something moving in the darkness, out of the corner of his eye. He peers down the passage, and gets the impression that the thick and empty blackness beyond is reaching out to him. Some one, or something, whispers to him, a slithering set of syllables almost too faint to be heard, ?Sssssacrifice.?
He looks to Baldur, who appears oblivious of the sound.
Boindal looks around wondering if anyone else heard the whispered voice, when it becomes apparent that no one else has he turns back down the passage and shouts, "Aye, this be one sacrifice ye not be having ya slimey devil!" Satisfied he turns back to his companions only to find everyone staring at him. "What?" he says as he shrugs.
"Well I certainly took care of the wretched gnome, good woman." Furgin replies, whilst gazing upon its corpse. He feels dirty for lying to her about the children, but learning more about how to stop Derindahl seemed more pressing to him than finding her children. There would surely be time enough for that later.
After a moments pause, Boindal suddenly begins to shout. Turning towards the dwarf, Furgin see's him shaking his fist angrily at the opening. Furgin stares, cautiously at the dwarf, taking a few steps towards him. "Are you ok, friend? Did you take a blow to the head?"
Baldur peers down the passage, trying to glimpse Boindal's phantom, but the darkness overcomes his human eyes. He pats the dwarf on the shoulder. "What ever's down there, we'll make sure it never makes another sacrifice." He looks at the women "Do you ladies need an escort to town, or can you make it okay? We must stop whatever evil lurks below his unholy ground."
Yeah, We've just always been in situations where it hasn't been practical to use. Some day though, some day.
Kriv eyes Furgin with a bit of disapointment at the halfling's lie. Noble Dragonborn such as Kriv value the integrity of their words, but he decides not to expose it for the women's sake. "What of any other captives? How many there are, who they are? Where they've been or where they might be going? Anything you could possible tell us could be of immense help in tracking them down and rescueing them. Our focus must remain on saving anyone we can. Then we can bring this dispicable Derindahl to justice. He brings dishonor to all Dragonborn kind."
Because all the other PCs met Furgin yesterday afternoon, his lie could still fool them, too. There was enough time that Furgin was alone for him to have seen the children. I'm not bothered either way if you see through the lie (it'll make for some interesting interactions), just bear in mind that you may not always know everything my character does. = D
Boindal once again looks at the two women, formulating a plan, "me thinks one of us should accompany these young ladies back to town. It's not far, and Kriv or meself has a mount we could ride back to shorten the journey. What so ya say?"
"I'll go too!" Furgin says a little too enthusiastically. Looking down at the ground in embarrassment, the halfling explains. "I know the woods pretty well," he glances furtively at the dark opening, "besides, travelling back alone wouldn't be a good idea right?" He smiles smugly. "If something were to happen, who'd know?" He points a thumb absently at Boindal. "I think you and I should escort the ladies back, Boindal."
I'm going to do a bluff check to see if Furgin succeeds in hiding his fear of the ancient ruins from everyone (including PCs). Just a little roleplay to see how the character's relationships will go.
bluff check: 4.
Well fuck. Now everyone knows Furgin is a bit scared of venturing into the dark hole. Oh well.
"I can go. If there is any exploring of ancient underground ruins to be done, it might be best to have the Dwarf with you." Kriv turns to Boindal. "I'm sure you have more experience dealing with such spaces than the rest of us. I think you're expertise will be put to better use here if there's to be any splitting up. Furgin and I can take the ladies back, check if there's been any developments in town than meet you back here to assist searching for any clues."
Bluff is against my passive Insight, so I won't even bother so...
Baldur places a firm hand on Furgin's shoulder and steers him toward the dark entrance. "Nonsense my friend. I'm going to need you and your light. Kriv can take care of these ladies." He leans close the Halfling's ear and mutters "You better hope there are some children down there."
What roll do I need to throw Furgin through the doorway?
If Baldur tries to throw Furgin through the doorway, can I use my Second Wind power to make him roll again? Also, could I use my Acrobatics skill to defend against it?
Furgin warily eyes the large hand on his shoulder. Brushing Baldur's hand away, Furgin holds his hands up in placation. "I know what I did was wrong..." He says quietly, so that only Baldur can hear. "But we needed to learn what they know. We can hunt down the hobgoblins once we've dealt with this place." Furgin sighs, shaking his head sadly. "I truly am sorry..."
Dunno if I should do a check to try and convince Baldur so disregard it if you'd just like to use regular roleplay.
Diplomacy check to calm Baldur down (and subsequently stop him from throwing Furgin into the darkness): 11. Oh balls.
Kriv escorts the women up the path leading into the pit and on towards Winterhaven while questioning the mother again.
?There was a few dozen that I saw, and I was only in their camp for a day or so. If I had to guess, these monsters have been raiding more than the occasional home in the north. These are troubled times...? she says, trailing off, her eyes falling to the dirt code and occasional patch of ancient coble stone.
?Once my daughter and I have rested up, I have my boys in my arms and I have seen Lord Padraig, I will endeavour to look over some maps and see if I can figure out our route from our Farm to the far north to here. That way, you guys would know where to look for these bastards. Winterhaven you say? That is at least two days travel from the Hamlet of Hendlecross. I hope they are ok,? she looks up to Kriv, ?but those creatures probably didn?t spare anyone, did they sir??
Ellen speaks up, ?I can?t wait to see Carl and Thomas, ma.?
Just taking the initiative and moving things on.
Back at the Burial Site
An awkward atmosphere hangs in the air, as the others prepare to enter the tomb.
So, what is your plan of action for entering the tomb?
The Gates of Winterhaven
Kriv explains the predicament to the town guard, and ask them to relay the information to Padraig. When Prudence?s questions about her children are met with blank stares from the guardsmen, she looks to Kriv for an answer, tears welling in her eyes, her face a look of confusion, anger and resentment.
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