19:24 <•Kotono> The next morning you meet up with Logan. The party approaches as he and his Anne eat breakfast, the two quiet as they feed themselves. Bu ton your approach, "So you're here. Have you decided?" Is the question the party gets.
19:27 <Skaya> "We're in," Skaya responds. "Our two companions finished with their own business as well earlier than expected." She'll let Devar and Rina introduce themselves.
19:28 <Devar> "Devar of Eldath." He says, simply, with a polite nod.
19:29 <•Kotono> "Rina," Rina introduces herself, hanging back.
19:29 <•Kotono> "Today then?" The question back, short and to the point.
19:31 <Skaya> "We're ready to go."
19:32 <Devar> "I have some magic I can use before we go if there's anyone in your group that doesn't use more traditional armor." Devar offers with a nod to Skaya, since he knows she's one of those types. "It should last several hours so we can just use it before we go to engage it."
19:36 <•Kotono> There's only a nod back at that, "We'll see to all of that. Anything else to add?"
19:36 <•Kotono> "I can provide some support as ewll before the battle, but only just before it or during it," Anne states, "But it may give us an advantage yet."
19:37 <•Kotono> "Then we'll go," Is the brisk words, before Logan coughs. He clears his throat, "Pardon."
19:38 <•Kotono> There's a moment before Sanda says, "What are the odds that...?"
19:38 <•Kotono> "Enough for me to ask some questions. You aren't feeling ill or were around ill people, were you?" Anne steps forward.
19:39 <•Kotono> "I feel fine and no," A slight scowl, "A cough is nothing but a cough." Logan declares.
19:40 <Skaya> "Sorry, we did come from Dareslan," Skaya attempts to mediate. "You mentioned previously that your other companions were indisposed?"
19:41 <•Kotono> "Besides Fortier, who will meet up with us outside of town," Logan explains, clearing his throat once more, "Understandable."
19:41 <•Kotono> "Speak up if you begin to feel ill or cough again," Anne says, no room for argument in her tone. "The sooner a plague is contained, the better."
19:42 <Skaya> Either way, getting out of the city and out to sea would be good in this situation, so Skaya is content to see where this leads.
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=32 ]{32}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=69 ]{69}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+10
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
19:47 <•Kotono> By the time you're out of the city? There's one problem? A few more coughs from Logan, and the beginning of sniffles. Anne's expression, both of them honestly, become pained. "And here I hope it's only a summer cold," Your Anne comments as you head to the city gates. "Logan?"
19:47 <•Kotono> "It does feel like a cold," he admits, "My sense of smell's off."
19:47 <Devar> "Anne, do you think you can determine for sure what it is, or is it too early to tell?" Devar asks.
19:48 <•Kotono> "It's probably too early, but give me five minutes for an examination somewhere private." Anne decides, "I no longer fear disease, so fear not spreading it to me."
19:48 <•Kotono> Sanda's jaw is clenched, while Rina simply says, "This time, we'll be ready."
19:48 <•Kotono> "I know an innkeep near here," Logan says, "We can borrow a room."
19:49 <Skaya> "Let's do that."
19:49 <Skaya> OOC: I can assist
19:57 <•Kotono> That's easy enough to do as the party makes a quick pit stop, before...
19:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+17 she'll roll her since a high end result might really help (+2 aided by Skaya)
19:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+17 she'll roll her since a high end result might really help (+2 aided by Skaya) --> [ 1d20=18 ]{35}
20:00 <•Kotono> Of all things, it's when Anne reaches up and gently feels at Logan's throat. She stops, pauses, and does it again. As he stands there, arms at his side and expression controlled. Anne lets out a few unkind words. "There's some inflammation, I think. It could be a sign of irritation, of a throat sickness or of a more generalized illness. You've coughed, but not enough to provoke that sort of
20:00 <•Kotono> inflammation yet. Is your throat sore?"
20:00 <•Kotono> "A little," Logan says, "It's getting dry."
20:01 <•Kotono> "I don't like it." Anne decides, lowering her hand. "We have a day, we wait a day and see. I'll cure it myself if you have anything serious. If plague is coming, that dragon turtle can go hang." Then, darker, "And I hope this isn't a repeat of the dual troubles Dareslan faced on that dreadful day."
20:02 <•Kotono> Logan goes up and massages his throat, then turns aside and coughs, clears his throat and is unpleasant. "And I dislike even more that it sounds like congestion is building in your chest." Anne concludes.
20:03 <Skaya> "We did discuss waiting a day before," Skaya muses. "Maybe we can examine your other companions?" she offers to Logan.
20:04 <•Kotono> "That's only wise now," Logan admits, "Fortier was fine when I saw him yesterday, and Anne seems fine as well."
20:04 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "If they have similar symptoms, we might be able to track where it came from and get to the source, if it is the same sort of problem."
20:10 <•Kotono> "Then we spend today on that?" Anne suggests, "No risk, and if something is starting, we can send up the alert soonest."
20:10 <•Kotono> "And if it is, we know Brachidos is up to no good," Sanda remarks, "Which means..."
20:11 <•Kotono> "He might even still be here, or near," Rina says, "I hope. Ooooh, how much I hope."
20:12 <Skaya> "I would recommend to self-quarantine for now, just in case," Skaya tells Logan. "Would it be possible for Anne to bring us over to your other companions?"
20:14 <•Kotono> "Tell her to do it and she'll do it," Logan says, crossing his arms, "I'll stay here for now."
20:14 <•Kotono> In a murmur, more to herself but carrying, "AT least we're not at risk now," Rina murmurs.
20:15 <Skaya> "Thank you." Turning towards Anne, Skaya says, "Shall we?"
20:21 <•Kotono> The party heads out. The other Anne is waiting there, and looks up with silent concern, waiting for words.
20:23 <Skaya> "It seems like the start of something, and Logan decided to stay in the inn room for a day to see if it requires medical intervention," Skaya fills her in. "He said you could take us to see your other companions so that we could examine them as well."
20:27 <•Kotono> A shaky gasp, hand to her mouth. "O-of course. I-I'll show you the way."
20:27 <•Kotono> "Please do and hurry," Anne insists, "In case this is something serious."
20:30 <•Kotono> The party is taken out of town. Not far out of it, in the morning sunshine, sits a man. Twenties, strong and muscular. He wears heavy metal armor sans a helmet and sits near the road, drinking from a waterskin. H eseems completely relaxed, raising in toast as he spies the party coming. "Anne! Where's Logan?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "P-please listen to them, this is serious," The other Anne says quickly, "Please decide wisely."
20:35 <Skaya> "Fortier, right?" Skaya speaks. "My name's Skaya. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, even under such circumstances. We've been set to go and investigate that dragon together and were just headed to see you when Logan started coughing. Considering we came from Dareslan and the villain who was behind that plague was suspected of fleeing here, we wanted to exercise caution. Logan decided to isolate for a day at an inn, and we left to
20:35 <Skaya> see you and the others. I understand two of your companions are ill?"
20:36 <•Kotono> Fortier hops up in one implausible, fluid leap. He roll shis neck after, "Not ill, indisposed. Some personal business, they had to leave town for a few days," Is the answer, "Now that you mention it, I've felt tired all morning."
20:36 <•Kotono> "May I?" Anne steps in, going to check him.
20:37 <•Kotono> Rina grimaces more at those words, "Not what I wanted to hear."
20:37 <Skaya> "I'll help," Skaya volunteers once more.
20:39 <Devar> Devar rubs his chin. Personal business, or are they somehow in league with...? He shakes his head, there's no sense in worrying about that right now.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Anne's taking 10 and gets a +4 bonus this time due to circumstances.
20:42 <•Kotono> Sure enough, when Anne checks his throat, "It's the same inflammation, I can fee it starting," Anne announces, grimly. "It's still possible on eof you got a cold and gave it to the other, but..."
20:43 <•Kotono> "The odds look less likely with what we know is going on," Sanda concludes.
20:43 <•Kotono> Fortier coughs and goes up to rub his throat after, "I heard some whispers that a madman was behind the plague in Dareslan."
20:44 <Devar> "Not entirely incorrect." Devar says. "But if we think we're dealing with the same thing, then we should probably retrace your steps for the last few days, especially anytime you and Logan were in the same place."
20:44 — Skaya did say as much just then! "Let's focus on where you've been," she agrees. "Also, Anne, did you stay out of some of them?"
20:49 <•Kotono> "Yesterday? We met up after he met you, walked through the markets and talked," Is the answer as Fortier rubs his throat some more. "We spent a half hour at that before we parted ways."
20:50 <•Kotono> "I went home to prepare for the evening," Anne answers, "Logan didn't see any point in repeating information to me, and the house needs to be kept."
20:50 <•Kotono> "Did yo udo anything unusual together? See anything odd?" Anne muses on that.
20:52 <•Kotono> "We wandered? Logan got an apple and one for me as well from a fruit seller," Fortier coughs lightly afterwards, "It was to have a conversation and stretch our legs. Otherwise...no, nothing I can think of. The guards caught a pickpocket, but we didn't linger to watch."
20:52 <Skaya> "What about previously? The last few days?"
20:53 <Devar> "If what we're seeing is in their throat, is it possible that it was the fruit seller?" Devar proposes.
20:56 <•Kotono> "The day before we didn't meet, I was dealing with a request by myself," Is the answer, "The day before that we spent most of the day together dealing with some things and training."
20:56 <•Kotono> "It could be," Anne says, "Or it could be a complete coincidence. Being around that many people could've simply lead to passing by someone already sick."
20:59 <Skaya> "How about we get you a room at the same inn as Logan?" Skaya proposes. "Tell us what you remember about the fruit seller and we can look into that. And if this is beyond a common cold, we have two people here who dealt with the plague in Dareslan. You'll be in good hands."
21:10 <•Kotono> "You're them?" A whistle, "Alright, you don't act the fool with plague," he agrees, "I'll do that."
21:11 <Skaya> "Glad to hear it!"
21:16 <•Kotono> "I'm not, but plague..." Fortier growls, "And I wanted to hunt a dragon today, too."
21:16 <•Kotono> "Me too," Sanda admits, "But some jerks don't respect that."
21:16 <Skaya> "It's disappointing but the dragon can wait a few days."
21:18 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes, there's no reason to take any risks. We'll help get to the bottom of this."
21:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what's your plan?
21:21 <Skaya> OOC: We get information about where the fruit seller was and how he and his stall looked, then ask around to find them
21:28 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplo for GI then, +1 circumstance bonus.
21:30 <Devar> OOC: Devar will take 10 for 28 and aid if needed or take point on it
21:31 <Skaya> OOC: I'll aid Devar instead, let's go with 30
21:35 <•Kotono> It takes a little asking around, but..."Jerry?" A question at that, a guardsman answering it. He wipes his brow with an old cloth, "He's not here today, but I see him selling fruit most days during the summer."
21:35 <Devar> "Does he live around here?" Devar asks.
21:36 <•Kotono> "On a farm outside of town, I think,"The guardsman answers, "Never been, but he is a farmer and he's talked about it. It's west of town." Is the answer, "He always talks about the big, red barn he has, and how proud of it he is."
21:36 <•Kotono> "Thank you, that's helpful," Anne murmurs, "Anything else?"
21:37 <Devar> "Thank you." Devar agrees. "Have you had any reports of anyone feeling ill today?"
21:37 <•Kotono> "Nothing unusual yet," Is the answer, "But ill people don't talk to the guards, they go home and sleep."
21:38 <Skaya> "Thanks!" Skaya tells the guard. "Hey, let's go pay Jerry a visit?"
21:38 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "Thanks for your help."
21:45 <•Kotono> "And let's hope it's not bad," Rina agrees, as the party heads out. OOC: More.
21:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=38 ]{38}
21:46 <•Kotono> It's into the morning when you find the farm in question. A nice farm with fields and a big red barn. In the pens cows, pigs and other animals make noise as you approach, quite a lot of it. No one looks to be around.
21:47 <Skaya> What is she supposed to do, call out 'Hello Jerry!'? Skaya blinks, and calls out, "Hello, Jerry!"
21:54 <•Kotono> No response at all. No one seems to be around. "Jerry?" Rina calls, hands cupped over her mouth. Still nothing. Anne rises up and zips about before, "No one's working int he fields, either."
21:54 <•Kotono> Rina goes over to the animals, "They sound hungry," she mentions, "Their feed traughs are empty."
21:55 <•Kotono> "The odds of this are getting worse and worse by the moment," Sanda comments darkly.
21:55 <Skaya> "Let's look into this," Skaya decides. "Don't go anywhere alone. Anne, let's fly over to the house together and get in."
21:55 <Devar> "This doesn't bode well." Devar agrees. "I'll stay with Rina and Sanda then."
21:57 <Skaya> "Check on the animals? Maybe to see how long ago they've been fed?"
21:57 — Skaya flies around the house with Anne to peek into the windows!
21:58 <Devar> Devar nods and will go check on that - and he might as well look for their food while he's at it - no sense in leaving them hungry if he can find it easily.
22:00 <•Kotono> OOC: #evil, Devar.
22:00 <•Kotono> Skaya and Anne check the windows and...OOC: Perception.
22:00 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
22:00 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{19}
22:01 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Anne might pop a big one
22:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Anne might pop a big one --> [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
22:02 <•Kotono> Nothing looks too unusual from what you can see from the outside, at least.
22:02 — Skaya touches down by the front door and opens the lock.
22:03 <•Kotono> It's not locked. Inside you see the immediate entrance is silent, no sign of anyone. "Hello?" Anne calls, "If you're in here, please speak up!" Nothing.
22:05 <Skaya> "We're coming in!" Skaya calls out, opening the door and looking about. She has a basic idea of the home from flying around it, so there could only be so many rooms used as bedrooms.
22:13 <•Kotono> The kitchens, the dining room, the big family room with a fireplace? All empty. It's when you come to the big master bedroom that you find something. Lying on the wrong side of the bed to see from inside is a face down man and woman, dried blood around them. Neither moves in the slightest.
22:14 <Skaya> "Here we go, Anne. Let's see what got them, and how long it's been since."
22:17 <•Kotono> Anne nods briskly and...OOC: Heal checks again.
22:17 <Skaya> OOC: I'll stick to aiding here
22:18 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+2 aid) Heal Anne
22:18 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+17 (+2 aid) Heal Anne --> [ 1d20=13 ]{30}
22:20 <•Kotono> It's not hard to tell. A stab in the back each, sharp and decisive. "Accurate, too. Heart stabs, I doubt they were in a position to resist," Anne says clinically. "Mercy," she whispers, silent pleas for them, as both of you endure the smells of death. "What's worse, look." Pulling back the farmer's ruined shirt, you can see the stab wound has blackened flesh around it. "That's not normal. Magic
22:20 <•Kotono> or poison, no doubt."
22:20 <Skaya> "Any chance you still have the magic to talk to them?"
22:27 <•Kotono> "I do," Anne agrees, "I'm glad I prepared it again, in case we had another chance."
22:28 <Skaya> "Ask Jerry who killed him, why the fruits he sold are making people sick, and who came to him recently with a lucrative or strange proposal. Think that works?"
22:32 <•Kotono> "I think so," Anne agrees, "But first...I'd like to finish sweeping the hose." A hesitation. "I doubt there were only a husband and wife here, but a family. It's my duty to lay them to rest as well, should that have happened."
22:33 <Skaya> "You're right, let's finish the sweep first," Skaya agrees. "Ah, just how many questions can you manage? Because we could ask a follow-up to identify the poison or disease, ask about an antidote or about future plans."
22:33 <•Kotono> "Three, and it can only be cast on a corpse each week. However, the husband and wife are separate for the spell, and that may be fruitful if so," Anne confesses, as you continue to search.
22:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d2
22:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d2 --> [ 1d2=2 ]{2}
22:34 <•Kotono> By fortune, it's Anne who peeks into a room. She sighs heavily, "Skaya, would you find and fetch some clean linens? Bed sheets will do. Oh Moore..."
22:35 — Skaya hesitates before following Anne's request.
22:37 <•Kotono> It's done. "You don't have to," Anne murmurs once you give them to her. "I can do this part alone."
22:37 <Skaya> "They murdered the kids as well?"
22:38 <•Kotono> "It's a massacre," Anne whispers, "The only mercy is that they weren't young. Three, young adults."
22:39 <Skaya> "Let's finish our sweep."
22:39 <•Kotono> A simple nod at that. The only other mercy is that there's only a few more rooms, and no other bodies that you find.
22:41 <Skaya> "Let's get the others over and then we'll use the magic to question Jerry," Skaya proposes, opting to exit through a window to get a bird's eye view on the grounds.
22:41 <•Kotono> It's not too hard to find the others, and...OOC: #evil.
22:01 <•Kotono> The animals are restless. They make noise, they swarm towards all of you. Rina shakes her head and goes, "They're hungry, they weren't fed at least today, possibly not since yesterday."
22:02 <•Kotono> "You think so?" Sanda asks, "That has to be a bad sign, don't farmers live and die on things like that?"
22:03 <•Kotono> "Yeah," Rina agrees, "I really don't like any of this now.'
22:03 <Devar> "They do." Devar agrees as he looks around to find food for them. OOC: Take 10 on Handle Animal for 27 to at least calm them down a bit within reason while he gets them some food.
22:11 <•Kotono> There's food in the barn - which has more cows and horses penned in, all making a lot of noise.
22:14 <Devar> "Will you two look around for anything out of the ordinary while I take care of the animals?" Devar asks. "If we assume the worst, I'm not sure how these animals are going to stay fed unless we can find someone in town to do it." He will go and distribute the food as best as he's able.
22:17 <•Kotono> "Got it," Rina agrees, Sanda doing the asme. The animals are eager for food, going righ tto it once you lay some out.
22:19 <Devar> Devar nods and will make sure all the animals get properly fed - maybe a little extra since who knows when they were fed last! He'll look around once that's done just in case.
22:27 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception then.
22:30 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 - you can't get me, Kobot!!!
22:33 <•Kotono> You search around - hm? Behind some hay in the back of the barn, you spy something. A single boot shod foot, sticking out just barely.
22:34 <Devar> "What the...?" Devar murmurs. "Rina, Sanda, over here." Devar calls out, going over to investigate.
22:36 <•Kotono> The two join you as you investigate. It's a man, maybe 30 to 40. A rough peasant sort, lying in a pool of his own blood. A single stab wound is in his back, as he lies face down. The blood's dried and he doesn't move at all.
22:37 <Devar> "I think we know what happened to Jerry, if this is him." Devar says with a frown.
22:40 <•Kotono> "If so," Sanda bows her head.
22:40 <•Kotono> Rina matches that a moment, before, "Just like he tried to stab you in the back, Sanda."
22:41 <•Kotono> An electric shudder goes through Sanda. "Not even the courage to face them, but to make their last moments nothing but fear."
22:41 <Devar> "Let's look around and see if we can find anyone else, then we can give them a proper burial." Devar says.
22:42 <•Kotono> "At least," Rina says as you all head out, just in time to meet up with Skaya and Anne. Anne looks pale. "We found them," she says, and nothing else.
22:42 <•Kotono> "We found someone in there, too," Rina offers, "...bad?"
22:43 <•Kotono> "Five." Anne answers, "An atrocity."
22:43 <Skaya> "The family's been massacred. We're going to use Anne's magic to find out some key details."
22:44 <Devar> Devar frowns. "I wonder if 'Jerry' was really the one selling the apples, now."
22:44 <•Kotono> "Using people and then throwing them away. Again." Rina whispers.
22:44 <•Kotono> "An illusion or shape change? That would make a lot of sense," Sanda remarks.
22:45 <Skaya> "Would it? They haven't been dead for weeks. How far back would you put it, Anne?"
22:45 <•Kotono> "A day or two," Anne answers, "Recent."
22:45 <Skaya> "Could've happened after Jerry returned. Both work."
22:46 <Devar> Devar nods. "We'll know more after we ask." He says.
22:46 <Devar> "If you want, I can take care of the burial while you all ask?" He offers.
22:47 — Skaya sighs. "Might as well."
22:49 <Devar> Devar nods and will go to get started on that task, while making a silent prayer to Eldath to take care of them.
22:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+1 will save vs 19 I believe
22:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 will save vs 19 I believe --> [ 1d20=3 ]{4}
22:49 <•Kotono> OOC: What were your questions?
22:50 <Skaya> OOC: Ask Jerry who killed him, why the fruits he sold are making people sick, and who came to him recently with a lucrative or strange proposal. <-- in that order
22:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, we'll do that...next time!
22:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Since we're almost an hour over.
19:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Still good on those questions?
19:08 <Skaya> OOC: Yes from me
19:08 <Devar> OOC: approved
19:12 <•Kotono> Thus the corpse is questioned. On Anne's first question, "The man in a mask," Is the answer. Anne nods grimly to that, unsurprised. On the second question, "The masked man's vials." to which Anne shakes her head. To the last, "The masked man came to us, and death followed."
19:13 <•Kotono> Once the questions are done, Anne gently lays the body back down. "Confirmation, at least."
19:13 <Skaya> "It's confirmation, which is good, yes," Skaya agrees with a frown. "Is that the last of those spells you have, Anne?"
19:19 <•Kotono> "Unfortunately so," Anne confirms, " Tomorrow I can question the others if you wish, if all of those spells are not taken by disease curing."
19:19 <•Kotono> "Entirely too possible," Sanda sniffs, "More importantly, word has to be spread. There will probably be another quarantine."
19:20 <Skaya> "Since we can't use a question to ask for where the vials are or if there's an antidote here, let's do the search ourselves."
19:21 <•Kotono> "I can search the house throughly with you," Rina offers, "It'll take time to do it right, let alone the rest of the grounds."
19:23 — Skaya taps her lips. "Right. In that case, how about you deal with the quarantine? Have people to stay at their homes. We can help the city organize food distribution for a few days as we determine how infectious this thing can be."
19:25 <•Kotono> OOC: Who do you mean there?
19:26 <Skaya> OOC: Rina offered to stay. Anne and Sanda talked about the quarantine. Devar can choose his preference!
19:27 <Devar> OOC: Devar's fine staying to help search, he's already burying anyway
19:27 <•Kotono> "I'll see to it," Anne agrees, "And perhaps as we're no longer subject to disease, an exemption from the quarantine. That may be wildly unrealistic, but perhaps we can manage that."
19:28 <•Kotono> "No chance unless the High Reeve is a fool," Sanda answers bluntly, "You don't undercut quarantines, or they're pointless."
19:29 <Skaya> "You have an excellent reason to return if we don't find anything, since there'd be more to question."
19:29 <•Kotono> "Probably so, but..." Anne lets it go as the two leave. Just as they slip out of sight you can hear Sanda let out a squawk of indignation, followed by Anne's testy response, "Oh shush, flight is far faster and every moment matters now."
19:30 <Skaya> "Anne keeps on sending really mixed signals about Sanda," Skaya can't stop herself muttering once the pair is gone.
19:31 <•Kotono> Rina almost smiles a moment, but gloom returns. She takes a breath, murmurs something to the corpses and says, "Let's get to work." OOC: What's everyone's Perception checks?
19:31 <Devar> OOC: +10 for me
19:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Rina is +12.
19:31 <Skaya> OOC: +18 for me, I think I haven't used my 1/day knowledge boost for it so it'd be +24
19:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Are y'all taking 10/20 or rolling here?
19:32 <Skaya> OOC: I want to take 20, we're not in a rush so long as it's just a few hours
19:33 <•Kotono> OOC: In that case Rina will aid you for +2.
19:33 <•Kotono> OOC: Assuming Devar does the same, what's that put your total at?
19:34 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 20 we get 48
19:40 <•Kotono> It takes well over an hour to clear the house, but nothing awry is in there. It's when you check the grounds and finally the barn that you find something. Tucked away under some straw is a small dug out part by a wall, where a pair of metal vials sit, stoppered tight.
19:42 <Skaya> "Finally!" Skaya cheers, before carefully checking the vials for any lettering, identifying marks and, of course, for whether their seal holds tight. "Devar, can you check if there's magic here?"
19:43 <Devar> Devar does just that, casting Detect Magic! OOC: Spellcraft for 24.
19:44 <•Kotono> OOC: Do either of you have K:A? If so give me a check?
19:45 <Skaya> OOC: Bot?
19:50 <•Kotono> OOC: Oh. Sorry, was a moment.
19:50 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@7A2FBA85.E43ECEC5.F259B257.IP)
19:50 <Kobot> OOC: Right.
19:50 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6
19:50 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{37}
19:51 <Devar> roll 1d20+14 might as well try
19:51 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+14 might as well try --> [ 1d20=11 ]{25}
19:52 <•Kotono> Thes eals look to be tight, but the metal vials have no marks on them. Both of you notice something, however. The vials are made of some sort of lead alloy. Notable because lead stops many spells like detect magic, a notable bit of magical trivia.
19:53 <Skaya> "No reason to make the vials out of lead all around unless you wanted to impede magical detection," Skaya notes.
19:54 <Devar> "Which leads to more questions - they were hidden here, which shows the intent, right?" Devar asks. "I thought originally that maybe this person was just an unlucky individual, but it sounds like they were involved moreso with Brachidos than I thought."
19:55 <Skaya> "Didn't you hear to his corpse explain Brachidos made him an offer and then he distributed infected vials knowingly?"
19:57 <•Kotono> "Or he got lied to and suckered into it," Rina says, "Either way, though, blood is on his hands."
19:58 <Devar> "I was doing the burials." He explains. "But I guess we can infer from that they were paid in some capacity. Either way, I'm not much of an alchemical expert so I'm not sure I can help identify these, but I can try if we want to open one."
19:58 <Skaya> "Well yes," Skaya concedes to Rina. "This quiet family man farmer was probably not a malicious mass murderer biding his time until he got a good offer, but he did get the offer and rather than do the right thing he chose to poison his fellow townspeople."
19:58 <•Kotono> "Some fatal flaw in him, or mind magic?" Rina reflects, "It doesn't really matter now for us, I suppose."
20:01 <Devar> "I'm also curious as to why bother to go through this." Devar asks. "Couldn't he just poison the water or something?"
20:01 <Skaya> "Alright, so to put us all on the same page," Skaya voices. "Devar, the corpse told us that Brachidos, presumably given his description, came to this man with an offer. That involved dosing his fruits in the contents of these vials, and he knew it would make people sick. Then, he and his wife and the rest of his family were murdered in their beds, in their sleep, it seems."
20:03 <•Kotono> Rina nods along with all of this, "I wish Anne was here," she murmurs, "Skaya, if someone did that willingly and poisoned an entire city, where do you think their souls would go after death?"
20:04 <Skaya> "Gehenna, Hades or Carceri?"
20:05 <•Kotono> "Not like where Regis would have gone," More a murmur than anything else, "I think about that at night, and-" A stop here, "What I'm saying is that Brachidos is collecting. Have someone do something horrible and make sure they die. Would that be something that benefited his patron? Anne's talked about these things before, but I'm no cleric or sage."
20:07 <Skaya> "That's... possible, but isn't that a really slow and inefficient way to go about things?" Skaya turns to Devar, saying, "Which is the exact opposite of your suggestion. Poisoning the well is the most obvious course and given everyone knows Brachidos is coming here with poison on his mind that's what would get watched the most. Too hard to do, too easy to catch and stop early."
20:08 <Devar> "That makes sense." Devar nods. "This just seems a really roundabout way to do it, but maybe I'm just missing something simple."
20:08 <Skaya> "If the local lord didn't put people to watch the town's wells quietly after your visit to him, he's probably incompetent."
20:09 <•Kotono> "I've had a lot of time to think about it," Rina admits, "So I'm guessing."
20:10 <•Kotono> Then, "If not he is a fool," Rina says in thought.
20:10 <Skaya> "I think you might be onto something," Skaya wants to clarify. "But the thing is, people rarely do something just for one reason. The souls thing is probably a side dish, a hobby he's amusing himself with while executing his real tasks. That's my take on it."
20:12 — Skaya also finally, belatedly answers Devar's previous question.
20:12 <Skaya> "I don't want to open the vial just yet to analyze it. While we're probably the most powerful travelers in these parts now, there may be talented locals we could bring on. And Anne would be invaluable in identifying disease and poisons, won't she? Plus there's Sanda and her esoteric knowledge. I think we should put one of the vials into the haversack for storage, do the same for the other if it doesn't explode horribly, and then
20:12 <Skaya> travel back to regroup."
20:13 <Devar> "Sure." He agrees. "There might be someone in town who's better equipped to help with this, like you said. As for the motives of the farmer... it's a piece of the puzzle, but I'm not sure us trying to figure it out helps us in our current situation."
20:14 <Skaya> "Let's pick up some of the fruits as well," Skaya proposes. "We can probably see if they've been dosed after taking a closer look."
20:14 <Skaya> OOC: Not like from the fields, but from the already picked fruit from the pantry or something
20:19 <•Kotono> "OOC: Sure. More then.
20:20 <•Kotono> By the time the party gets out and starts to travelb ack? Anne swoops in from above, carrying Sanda from above. Sanda looks displeased even once she's sat down and sniffs loudly, before, "How did it go?"
20:21 <•Kotono> "For our part," Anne dusts her hands off, "The High Reeve is aware and the city's being secured as we speak. It took us a lot of fast talking, but he let us fly up and rejoin you before the quarantine is begun. We won't get that again if we go back in."
20:21 <•Kotono> "That and the High Reeve is more interested in the finer things in like than ruling, but at least he's not an idiot," Is Sanda's addition to it.
20:22 <Skaya> "Did you explain that we hold immunity from disease due to our natures?"
20:22 <•Kotono> "He said he believes us, but he couldn't take the risk," Is the answer back, Anne's expression serious. "I understand his position with all the lives he has to tend to, at least."
20:23 <Skaya> "If we say we have a cure, will he still believe us but not take the risk of using it?" Skaya asks with an eyeroll. "At some point you really need to be flexible with these things. Ah well. We found vials! And some fruit that might be dosed. Want to look over them?"
20:26 <•Kotono> "Only in my armor and with the rest of you a good ways away." Anne says, "This armor is proof against poison. The rest of you are not." As her knuckles knock against her breastplate, "Just in case Brachidos has decided to be tricky, as he's already targeted us once. He knows we're after him."
20:27 <Skaya> "Yes, that's the other reason I wanted to wait. I was going to open it myself, though. You sure you want to volunteer for this?"
20:27 <Devar> "I may be able to get permission as a paladin of Eldath if we need it." Devar offers, as he takes the vials back out for Anne's investigation and then will move away as she requests.
20:28 <•Kotono> "At worst, I die, and I don't fear what waits for me after that," Anne answers with a softer smile, "I volunteer."
20:28 <Skaya> "I was going to make this joke about wearing your armor but sure thing. How far back do you want us?"
20:29 <•Kotono> "Outside the house, and I'll do it in a windowless room if there is one, with the door locked tight." Anne answers, "At worst, a house with vile poison in it could be put to the torch to protect others. But out here, in the air? Should it be something carried in the air, the winds would take it in every direction."
20:30 <•Kotono> Rina shakes her head, "Somehow you mixed deep caution and your new affinity for air," she comments, "Then again, I like the though tof burning down the house."
20:30 <Skaya> "Don't forget, you can and should Wind Wall it and get away if something goes wrong!"
20:31 <•Kotono> "My own thoughts," Anne agrees, hand out to take the vials.
20:33 <Devar> Devar will hand them over!
20:34 <•Kotono> Thus taken, Anne goes inside and...OOC: More.
20:35 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
20:35 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{28}
20:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Heal relevant
20:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+15 Heal relevant --> [ 1d20=19 ]{34}
20:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 K:P
20:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 K:P --> [ 1d20=9 ]{20}
20:38 <•Kotono> About five minutes later Anne returns. "It's some sort of enchanted, diseased mold. I'm no poisonsmith or student of natural compounds, but I am a healer and I've heard of this. It's called heartmold and has some ties to the creatures known as yugoloths."
20:40 <Skaya> "Eww, the 'loths?"
20:40 <Devar> Devar grimaces as that explanation.
20:41 <Skaya> OOC: What knowledge would I need to learn more about the heartmold, how fast it kills and how to treat it?
20:41 <•Kotono> OOC: K:N is best, but Heal or a poison making related skill could also help.
20:42 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6 K:N, it's higher than my Heal
20:42 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 K:N, it's higher than my Heal --> [ 1d20=8 ]{30}
20:42 <•Kotono> "I'm afraid so," Anne responds, "But what's insidious about it isn't that it sickens. It does and is often a serious or lethal disease, but the survivors have weakened hearts. Early deaths often follow as a result of this, and even at best general poor health remains."
20:43 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 Heal, may as well try
20:43 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 Heal, may as well try --> [ 1d20=18 ]{28}
20:43 <Skaya> "Wait, so is it a disease or a poison? Can something be both?"
20:45 <•Kotono> What Anne says is true. In particular it's a nasty, flu like sickness that can kill like the flu does. What's worse is that survivors usually suffer heart damage, poor health, shortness of breath and an array of symptoms that greatly hobble them throughout the rest of their life. Both of you recall it's a fairly recent development, a new bit of misery from down there. The only upside is
20:45 <•Kotono> that about 5 to 10% of people almost immediately shrug it off, suffer no damage and become immune to it afterwards.
20:45 <•Kotono> "It's a disease," Anne answers, "That's a complicated question that-"
20:45 <•Kotono> "Never mind that," Sanda cuts in there, "It's a disease so at least we're safe from it."
20:46 — Skaya rakes her brain for how it is transmitted. Air would be terrible, but knowing the specifics would be good. Also, early symptoms other than a sore throat would be a godsend.
20:50 <•Kotono> The main transmission vectors are contaminated body fluids or materials, as well as shared foods. (Also the original mold, as it goes without saying.) However, touch with an infected person can do it as well.
20:51 <Devar> "Do we think if we use magic to remove the disease, people will still suffer the after effects?" Devar asks. "Not that we really have the option to do otherwise..."
20:51 <Skaya> "Alright, so actual hygiene and isolation should work," Skaya voices. "I think that if we get to the sick early, there won't be exaggerated effects. So let's go back and help the town treat it properly."
20:53 <Devar> "What do you want to do about the others? The two from the group, Logan and the other one." Devar asks. "Weren't they outside of town?"
20:53 <•Kotono> "They got sent into town to rest, didn't they?" Rina asks.
20:54 <Skaya> "Well, Logan and the others insisted these two weren't sick but had personal business. Do you think they're involved?"
20:54 <Devar> "It does seem awfully suspicious." Devar says.
20:54 <•Kotono> Anne says, "Hopefully early treatment will minimize or stop any permanent effects," Anne says openly. Then, "Possibly, or it's an unrelated coincidence. The timing is fortunate."
20:55 ⇐ Iddy quit (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com) Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
20:55 <Skaya> "I suppose it's possible," Skaya tells Devar, "but our top priority should be to save lives. I think we are in a position to catch this really early. If we're aggressive about quarantine and treatment, we might save everyone this time!"
20:56 <Devar> Devar nods. "I'll follow your lead."
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Is there anything aside from magic to cure it?
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Also, is there anything to alleviate the symptoms or slow down the infection, again without magic?
20:58 <•Kotono> OOC: Not really, there's no antidote like poison. Any other questions or good to move along?
20:58 <Skaya> OOC: Let's move on
21:04 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:06 <•Kotono> As you approach Rockgale, you already see the gates are closed and guarded. A few soldiers are mustering outside of the walls, a frantic work in progress.
21:09 <Devar> "They work fast, at least." Devar comments with the others. "We could just fly over, but it's probably in our best interests to use the front door, whatever comes of that."
21:10 <Skaya> "Front door it is," Skaya says, touching down a hundred feet from the entrance and waving in greeting.
21:12 <•Kotono> The guards nod, and as you approach, "Rockgale has been quarantined," Is the call back, "Once you enter, yo uwon't be able to leave until the quarantine is over."
21:12 <•Kotono> "Here we go again," Sanda murmurs.
21:13 <Devar> "We aren't in the same position we were last time." Devar says. "And we're all together this time, unlike last time."
21:13 <Skaya> "We know, we raised the alarm," Skaya responds. "We've gotten crucial information about the disease and must see the High Reeve immediately."
21:17 <•Kotono> The gates are opened for you, just like that. No talk, simply a path forward.
21:18 <Skaya> "Avoid direct contact and sharing food and drink," Skaya cautions the guards as she heads inside. "It doesn't seem to travel by air, at least."
21:23 <•Kotono> Grateful nods at that as you see the streets are already being patrolled. Citizens are inside, the shops being closed, stalls emptied. You're taken to the High Reeve with all haste. He works outside, in an empty grassy lot with a canvas cover to provide shade for the area. Soldiers are running to and from, everyone bustling and at work. You're ushered over right away, "Do you have anything,"
21:23 <•Kotono> The large man asks right away.
21:24 <Skaya> "We found a couple of unused vials of the mold causing this disease in the conspirator's house and Anne here managed to identify it," Skaya opens with, dispensing with pleasantries.
21:26 <•Kotono> "Heartmold," Anne continues, "Contact, shared food and bodily fluids are how it spreads, generally. A serious problem in a city, but hopefully early notice will hobble the spread. Hopefully. :
21:26 <•Kotono> "Yes, yes, of course," A murmuring at that, "Anything else?"
21:27 <•Kotono> "Watch the wells, as well as monitor food. I strongly suggest firm measures to protect food integrity, but..." A trail off, "I know only so much can be done."
21:27 <Skaya> "It's not a hundred percent lethal, but there are health issues even if people recover on their own. That's why we feel that curing it early would be best. Since we are aware of two people who are infected and in the reasonably early stages, having a priest tend to them might also show us if there's more we're missing here."
21:28 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Sanda adds in, "It's possible Brachidos is in the city, or just left it. I'd like help investigating that as well."
21:28 <•Kotono> "Odds are, hm?" Rina murmurs to Sanda, who almost smiles at that.
21:30 <Skaya> "I'd like to propose a few more things," Skaya continues, since that didn't get a response. "We know who the accomplice was, so perhaps we could question others in that area to see who the other customers were. Or we could put out a notice of having the customers who purchased fruits from his stall reach out. Finally, we might look into other farmers who didn't show up in the last couple of days."
21:37 <•Kotono> "Of course, of course," Nodding along to all of those, "That all sounds reasonable and sensible." Quick agreement, eager.
21:37 <Skaya> "Which role would you like us to take in all this, Sir?"
21:38 <•Kotono> A moment of open hesitation, then another and another. It's Anne whos peaks up, "Would you like our suggestions?"
21:38 <•Kotono> "As the heroes of Dareslan I'd be honored," The High Reeve immediately answers, "Please!"
21:40 <Skaya> "I would be the one honored to contribute. Perhaps with a temporary leadership role with the guards Rina and I could devise the patrol schedules and watches?" Skaya proposes. "Anne could have the authority to likewise lead the local and traveling clerics under a single aegis to ease the logistics of healing and recovery. Sanda could then do the same for the more traditionally inclined mages." She pauses, glancing over at Devar.
21:41 <Devar> "I can do whatever." Devar says. "I don't have much healing capacity but I still have some."
21:42 <Skaya> "Perhaps reorganizing the food stores?"
21:43 <Devar> "That's fine, I might be able to find traces of magic there too." He agrees.
21:44 <Skaya> OOC: To confirm, did Anne see a magical signature when she opened the vials?
19:05 <•Kotono> OOC: Yes.
19:06 <•Kotono> OOC: One sec, terrible timing, but go on with that for the mometn.
19:08 <Skaya> "How does that sound, Sir?" Skaya asks then. "If this proposal is acceptable, would you please prepare us the relevant documentation to ensure a smooth and efficient organization?"
19:09 <•Kotono> "It'll be done, of course," A few quick nods to that, his hands already at work writing.
19:09 <•Kotono> "Thank you," Sanda murmurs.
19:10 <•Kotono> Anne side eyes ther est of you at that, but stays quiet.
19:11 <Skaya> It's a good preliminary suggestion, Anne! And they can amend it later if need be! Skaya curtsies politely, and awaits the written orders. Once they have that, they can start getting to their tasks.
19:17 <•Kotono> The orders are handed over and...OOC: Plans, y'all?
19:17 <Skaya> "We'll start together," Skaya says once they've left. "Follow me to the guards headquarters. Once everyone has at least a couple to support them, we'll start splitting up."
19:21 <Devar> Devar nods. "Sounds like a plan to me."
19:13 <•Kotono> The guards and various soldiers are in quite the organized tizzy, as you'd expect. The man in charge is a tall man, a scowling brute with a symbol on his breastplate - that of a roaring mountain cat, defiant. He looms over everyone even sitting, barking out orders in between signing off on various documents. He gives all of you a brisk look, "I hear this isn't your first time at a plague,"
19:13 <•Kotono> he snarks.
19:15 <Skaya> "To our regret, yes," Skaya confirms, giving him the signed orders from the High Reeve. "Plus we know a bit more about the mastermind behind it, at least enough to find who he worked with and what he used here. Let's discuss how to protect every single life here together in the best way?"
19:19 <•Kotono> Anne nods as well, "We have to do what we can."
19:20 <•Kotono> The orders are looked over, "So you're the one the coin stopped at," He says after reading, "Fine with me. What's your plan then?"
19:22 <Skaya> "First, we've got to get all the assets we'll need to either stop a bigger outbreak or cure the specific infections that spring up," Skaya responds. "Anne would need an escort doubling as local guides to visit the clerics, plus knowledge of any such visitors. Sanda would be the same but for the mages. I figure the city registers any proper mages that enter it? And if not the guards, at least the Guild might?"
19:24 <•Kotono> "I'll organize the manpower for that," A nod, "Yes. Wedon't account for every little hedge mage who can manage a few basic spells or tricks, but yes. The guild as well has their own registries that cover people who don't often come into the city."
19:26 <Skaya> "Great. The next step involves Rina and I," Skaya continues, nodding at her friend to identify her as she previously had for Anne and Sanda, "joining your people in patrolling the streets. I propose we disclose both the accomplice's name, location and appearance, and at the same time instruct people to isolate, avoid direct contact and hang a white improvised flag or ribbon on the door if someone in the household experiences
19:26 <Skaya> symptoms. The sooner we catch those who came in contact with the disease, the better we can stay ahead of this."
19:28 <•Kotono> "The more we can cut this off,t he better," Rina agrees to that.
19:28 <•Kotono> "Fine, you have the orders anyway," The man agrees to that, then looks to Devar. "What's his role in this, then?"
19:29 <Skaya> "Devar will be checking the granaries and food storage before making a tour of the wells and sewer access."
19:29 — Skaya frowns. "Depending on the amount of them and our personnel, we might want to have them guarded afterwards. In case of more accomplices lying in wait."
19:33 — Devar gives a polite nod.
19:34 <•Kotono> A few more things are sign, "Done," he agrees, "It'll be harder to do anything now unless the wells or the food sources are poisoned, you're right. In the event any of you catch any of them doing that, right now the priority is stopping them. Taking them alive is a secondary concern. Don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt when plague is on the line."
19:34 <•Kotono> Rina nods and smiles slightly.
19:35 <•Kotono> "Only a fool would try such a thing now if not acting with malice," Anne agrees, "But there are always fools."
19:35 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, there's good odds someone will panic and try something foolish like that," Sanda comments at that.
19:36 <Skaya> "One last thing I'd like your help with is to coordinate with the Guild," Skaya tells him. "We have all that manpower but it's a bit disorganized. We could sit down with them and work something out, but if you already have an idea as a local who could be an asset and who couldn't...."
19:36 <•Kotono> "Panic kills as surely as malice," The man grunts, "I already have someone over there dealing with it." Lowering his voice, "The High Reeve is a little..." he considers, "He's a peacetime leader, not a leader for crisis."
19:37 <•Kotono> "Which means you're working around him already?" Anne asks, plainly
19:37 <•Kotono> .
19:37 <•Kotono> "He's good at appointing people who know what they're doing," IS the retort, "While he smiles and politely tries not to bumble his way into a disaster."
19:38 <Skaya> "We noticed," Skaya agrees quietly. "Let's just do our best together. We have a really good chance here." As Anne speaks up, she blinks. "Ah, Anne, could you actually test something for me? The purify food and water cantrip clerics have, does it work to cleanse this mold?"
19:40 <•Kotono> "I can do better," Anne comments quietly, "My armor purifies any tainted food or water it touches. That should suffice. The cantrip...probably will." she decides after some thought. "Also, cantrips are for wizards. For the faithful,t hey're calld orisons."
19:40 <•Kotono> "Fascinating," Sanda drawls, "Though at least your armor's useful."
19:41 <Skaya> "I always thought that was a stupid name. Can't we call them all cantrips?" Skaya complains. "But seriously, you can't be everywhere at once. But that spell is easy to cast even for novices and wouldn't require us to give up other spells that could be used to cure people. If we make a habit of casting it daily on the large food stores we could probably rest more easily."
19:42 <•Kotono> "The main problem is that it only affects a certain amount of food or water at a time, and it's not on a scale ot purify a city's food or water supplies," Anne points out, "Even for a more experienced spellcaster. But it will certainly help."
19:43 <Skaya> "Let's confirm whether it works and then see how many people are available. We can always default to your armor if need be," Skaya muses. "Alright. Are we good to go, then?"
19:46 <•Kotono> Nods all around as...OOC: Okay, Skaya in here and Devar in #evil. More in a moment.
19:47 <Skaya> OOC: This is evil!
19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Then Skaya in #dunes then. Snort.
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay Devar. Do you have any relevant knowledges or skills for this, first of all?
19:54 <Devar> OOC: I've got K:Nature which I guess would cover this?
19:57 <•Kotono> OOC: Gimme a check.
19:58 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24. Not today, Kobot!!!!
20:02 <•Kotono> You begin at it, checking food sources and water. For water it's various large wells, already guarded with many soldiers. None of those looks bad, at least to what you can tell. The main food sources - for emergencies, anyway - are storage warehouses scattered across the city. These are crammed full of various food, both fresh and preserved as best they can. But it's one near the docks
20:02 <•Kotono> that gets your attention. When you step in you have to stop an involuntary gasp of surprise. The air goes from summer's heat to autumn's chilled caress, a sudden shock to the system. One of the soldiers with you, an older man who stays near, "Old Tristan's Gift, if you're wondering."
20:04 <Devar> "It's definitely a bit of a surprise. Is that term someone who cast some magic to keep it cooler here, or the name of something specific?" He asks, going in to investigate regardless.
20:08 <•Kotono> "The entire warehouse is magic," The old guard explains, "Best duty to get in the summer."
20:08 <Devar> "That is convenient." Devar agrees. "But it also means you could hide some things here better due to the magic getting confused, so I'll probably have to take some extra time here."
20:13 <•Kotono> "Go on," Is the offer. What's your plan here, exactly? The warehouse is laid out so large clusters of similar foods are stored together, particularly fruit and vegetables so they last a little longer. Lots of big, dense piles.
20:16 <Devar> OOC: He'll first go around with detect magic - it shouldn't get blocked by anything in wood containers - this is both to find out if the magic in the warehouse actually does impede his ability to check anything else because it's permeated in the area or not. If it is he'll have to figure something out in terms of how to find out if any of the food is problematic, but we'll tackle that when
20:16 <Devar> we get there.
20:19 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me spellcraft first.
20:22 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24. Note to self, find a +5 booster for this someday
20:27 <•Kotono> There's definitely a strong aura over everything. It's not unamageable, but it makes it harder to focus. Just checking on what you wear makes that abundantly clear.
20:28 <Devar> As expected. He'll start with the food that's more recent, at the very least, as it's doubtful that anything with magic was put here a while back.
20:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception then, -2 circumstance penalty.
20:32 <Devar> roll 1d20+8
20:32 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
20:32 <Devar> OOC: Okay, I see how it is
20:34 <•Kotono> Devar searches around. Nothing unusual catches his eye as he looks. It's a lot of ground and it's a good opportunity to cool off, but no sign of trouble here.
20:35 <Devar> "Is there any recent food you're aware of that hasn't been transferred in here yet, or is due to be?" He asks his companion.
20:37 <•Kotono> "No, that was alld one a bit before you got here." He poitns at the far wall, a collection of grains and fruits, "That's what came in."
20:40 <Devar> Devar will go over to give it a thorough magical as well as personal check - he knows they tried to hide magic in the vials earlier, so he'll look for any metal containers as well.
20:42 <•Kotono> Just as Devar does that? The ground shakes. A huge CRASHBOOM of tearing wood and explosive noise rattles the walls of the warehouse.
20:45 <Devar> "I should've known he'd do this again!" Devar shouts. "This will have to come later, come on, let's go see what happened!" He says as he rushes out.
20:49 <•Kotono> The guard stumbles and follows, "What was-" he tries, but the two of you hurry out. You rush amid chaos. Most of the soldiers at least don't run in terror...at first. For there are many ships in the docks, but one? One is shattered, sinking. A large trade vessel, a few bodies floating around its collapsing form and others swimming int he waters, trying to escape. For on wings of foamy sea
20:49 <•Kotono> water, a great green, dragon-like turtle glides above, just over the sails of the ships in harbor. It's huge, a dragon in flight as bits of wood fall from it sbody like splintery rain. The screams of sailors fleeing, of guards trying to rally - ita ll hits you at once as you take it in.
20:53 <Devar> "Go see to any injured." Devar says as he immediately takes to the air, trying to prioritize anyone in the water who looks like they're in trouble. OOC: He is, however, casting Luminous Armor on himself for no reason in particular.
20:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Clearly no reason.
20:53 <Devar> roll 1d2 str damage in 10 hours
20:53 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d2 str damage in 10 hours --> [ 1d2=2 ]{2}
20:53 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+16 PErception meanwhile
20:53 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 PErception meanwhile --> [ 1d20=6 ]{22}
20:57 <•Kotono> You take to the air and immediately go to render aid. Yet as you do? A roar. A roar so loud that soldiers break and flee almost immediately, as the dragon turtle slowly turns in the air. Its eyes burn with fury, great black pits. It stares you down even as it's about 400ft away, lumbering through the air in your direction. You seem to have gotten its attention.
21:01 <Devar> He's no longer immune to the fear brought on by dragons, but he knows how it works anyway. He starts to fly in that direction, shouting out. "Great dragon, why do you bring violence to this place?!" In Draconic, no less!
21:10 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, diplo check, -10 circumstance penalty.
21:11 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 17 in that case.
21:12 <•Kotono> Whatever the dragon heard, it isn't enough to stop it, as meanwhile Devar catches sight of Skaya swooping in and...OOC: Okay, for the sake of organization I'm going to call for init here.
19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, for patrolling, give me Perception.
19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: And Kobot's down, one moment.
19:52 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 for 28, though if Rina assists that makes it a round 30.
19:52 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@F4CF2F6.B18DCB09.B227C4EE.IP)
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Works.
19:53 <Skaya> OOC: Also we're doing the quarantine thing of calling out instructions to people along the lines I mentioned previously. Warning about the farmer guy and asking people to come forward if they purchased his products, asking people to self-isolate and to identify if someone in the household has the listed symptoms, and listing the symptoms in question while reassuring them we're working on curing the ill.
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
19:57 <•Kotono> The streets are quieter, already the quarantine's order settling into effect. Soldiers work away as you patrol and shout out instructions. Immediately you can see the people are tense, nervous. You're looked on with a mix of hope and near panic, many people tense. It's not long into it until an innkeep calls, "Is it happening again, like in Dareslan?"
20:00 <Skaya> "Dareslan was hit with a magical plague, but this disease is quite mundane. It feels like a cold, and it can be cured by regular magic," Skaya responds, projecting her voice. "Follow our instructions and aside from some brief inconvenience the worst that will happen is a bit of lost revenue while we get everyone healthy. It doesn't travel by air, it doesn't infect people magically. Just avoid direct contact and watch for the symptoms."
20:05 <•Kotono> "In other words be careful and you have good chances of coming out of this fine," Rina adds, "Just listen and do what you're told." OOC: Diplo check here, +2 from Rina aiding but a -1 circumstance penalty.
20:06 <Skaya> "If you're not sure, ask us. We're happy to explain," Skaya adds to that. Making the already afraid people part of the solution instead of a captive audience should help them retain a measure of safety.
20:07 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 and use inspiration, so that 10+14+6+2-1=31
20:15 <•Kotono> Your words seem to be enough - after long moments the innkeeper doesn't argue further, but instead nods and doesn't push it. Rina lets out a soft breath after, all warmth in the summer air, shimmering around her.
20:18 <Skaya> Her words have the benefit of being true. She's only concealing that both are suspected to be the result of the same person. But even the same villain can run plans of different lethality. Skaya supposes she'll know more after their first round of patrols. That's when people will start to identify as customers of that farmer, and they'd have more people for Anne to examine. And it'd also mean Anne would have a chance to try and cure
20:18 <Skaya> Logan and his friend. Even if she doesn't have the spells handy, some other priest here in town might and she'd have all of them under her charge.
20:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=61 ]{61}
20:20 <•Kotono> You walk a little more, doing your job well enough. As noon comes and passes, you have a choice - head back south towards the outer part of the city, or north towards the docks and the ocean.
20:22 <Skaya> "How does it feel, Rina?" Skaya asks, pausing in consideration. "We can either keep going, or split up now that we have a good rhythm. Then you'll be able to double back and cover the south while I head north."
20:28 <•Kotono> "I'm fine splitting up," Rina says, "I'd rather go away from the ocean than towards it, anyway." With a little smile, "Summer's so much better these days."
20:28 <•Kotono> Then that smile fades, a moment of relief admit the quiet streets. "Still," she looks north, "Be careful up there."
20:29 <Skaya> "Just don't burn anyone you're not supposed to," Skaya says with a grin. They should have enough guards for support even as they split up. "Same. Be careful, don't get cocky. A flare into the sky will get me rushing over."
20:31 <•Kotono> "Got it," Rina agrees, turning to go, "Dont' go falling in the ocean!"
20:32 — Skaya waves at her before heading towards the docks without delay.
20:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:36 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}
20:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me another Perception check for this.
20:38 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
20:38 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
20:42 <•Kotono> You begin to wander a few streets away from the docks. The few people out listen well enough as you go, as suddenly-CRASHBOOM! From the docks you hear it, a sudden, jarring burst of noise and tearing wood.
20:43 <Skaya> "Let's go!" Skaya calls out, dashing down the streets. Rina would probably show up quickly as well, given she hadn't had a chance to really get far.
20:43 <Skaya> OOC: How many guards are with me and with her?
20:50 <•Kotono> OOC: Say a dozen, in case that matters for your immediate actions.
20:50 <Skaya> OOC: Not right now, just good to visualize
20:52 <•Kotono> Thus Skaya rushes. She soon reaches the docks and here...here she sees it. Soldiers are here, most holding their ground even as some flee screaming. For there are many ships in the docks, but one? One is shattered, sinking. A large trade vessel, a few bodies floating around its collapsing form and others swimming int he waters, trying to escape. For on wings of foamy sea water, a great green,
20:52 <•Kotono> dragon-like turtle glides above, just over the sails of the ships in harbor. It's huge, a dragon in flight as bits of wood fall from it sbody like splintery rain. The screams of sailors fleeing, of guards trying to rally - ita ll hits you at once as you take it in.
20:56 <Skaya> "Fucking really?!" Skaya can't help but exclaim. It really was time-sensitive after all! But she hates that her hunch was proven right in the worst way possible. She half-turns to the accompanying guards, ordering them, "Get civilians out to safety! I'll try to draw its attention." And then she flies up, conjuring up a magical torch that hovers above her hands.
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Produce Flame
20:58 <•Kotono> Flying up, Skaya catches sigh of Devar about 250ft away. As you set up a torch, a roar. A loud, heavy roar from the dragon, one that sends more soldiers panicking. For the dragon turtle's attention is now drawn to another airborne hero: Devar.
20:59 <Skaya> That's great! It means Skaya can fly to within 120ft of the dragon turtle and test her magical might!
21:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'll be merging rooms briefly, so hold on one sec.
21:13 <Devar> roll 1d20+3 where's my supreme initiative
21:13 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+3 where's my supreme initiative --> [ 1d20=9 ]{12}
21:13 <Skaya> roll 1d20+12
21:13 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{13}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 dragon turtle
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 dragon turtle --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
21:15 <•Kotono> OOC: No one did good there, wow.
21:16 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (13) > Devar (12) > Dragon Turtle (9)
21:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and open, Skaya.
21:17 — Skaya closes to within 120ft and then takes careful aim at the dragon's watery wings! Could they be conjured with magic? Will her fire magic dispel them? Only one way to find out!
21:17 <Skaya> roll 1d20+6 SR
21:17 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+6 SR --> [ 1d20=1 ]{7}
21:17 <Skaya> roll 1d20+11 ranged touch if SR is not relevant here
21:17 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+11 ranged touch if SR is not relevant here --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
21:21 <•Kotono> OOC: What are you trying, produce flame and throwing fire?
21:21 <Skaya> OOC: Indeed!
21:22 <Skaya> roll 1d6+5 fire?
21:22 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d6+5 fire? --> [ 1d6=6 ]{11}
21:24 <•Kotono> The shot of fire hits the dragon's back. While Skaya isn't that lucky to dispel the wings unfortunately - it's a lot of water and it's only so much fire - a hiss of steam rises up sharply from the impact. As that happens...OOC: Devar, go.
21:27 <Devar> "We do not wish to harm you, but we will defend ourselves!" He shouts in Draconic. He flies up, within around 100 ft of the dragon turtle. "Why are you here, did someone attack or harm you, and you're seeking them?" He brandishes his holy symbol towards the creature, in hopes that it might at least believe that he's not lying. OOC: trying for a full-round of talkiness
21:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplo again, -9 circumstance this time.
21:33 <Devar> roll 1d20+8 I believe in you Kobot
21:33 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+8 I believe in you Kobot --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
21:41 <•Kotono> Another roar back - but a roar of pain. In a screamed shout of Draconic, you hear but a few words, "Kill...must kill...help!" Then the dragon barrels towards Devar, eyes black as midnight, and when it is merely 20ft away, rears back and spews burning steam all over him. OOC: REf, Devar.
21:43 <Devar> roll 1d20+18 evasion
21:43 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+18 evasion --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
21:52 <•Kotono> roll 1d4+3 recharge
21:52 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4+3 recharge --> [ 1d4=3 ]{6}
21:53 <•Kotono> Devar drops low, near to the water. It's enough to avoid being boiled on the spot, a dodge just enough to evade. Barely. The air blurs with heat haze in the aftermath,a s....OOC: SKaya.
21:53 <Devar> "Skaya, did you hear that!?" Devar shouts. "I think Brachidos got to it somehow, we need to try and help it!"
21:55 <Skaya> How!? She's not a dragon therapist! "Either way we have to take this out of the city!" Skaya calls back. "Hey, come at me, you oversized turtle!" she then yells in Draconic, shooting the draconic beast again with fire and then dashing for the coast!
21:55 <Skaya> roll 1d20+11 ranged touch
21:55 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+11 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
21:55 <Skaya> roll 1d6+5 more fire
21:55 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d6+5 more fire --> [ 1d6=5 ]{10}
21:58 <•Kotono> More fire hits the dragon turtle's body. This time scorching its neck, getting its attention to finally turn to Skaya. If that's a good thing is yet to be seen, as...OOC: Go Devar.
22:00 <Devar> "How can we help you!? What is controlling you?!" Devar shouts. He flies up, trying to look around for anything out of the ordinary. Well, besides it being a dragon-sized turtle, anyway... OOC: Take 10 for 20 on Perception.
22:02 <Skaya> Devar's already taken a good look at the front of the flying turtle, so perhaps this would be a good chance for him to observe more of it?
22:04 <•Kotono> An answer to all that comes...next time!
19:09 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9
19:09 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
19:10 <•Kotono> Devar doesn't see anything out of the ordinary, as the dragon turtle shudders and roars once more. No immediate response from it, only anger and pain as it whirls in the air. A long, slow, veering turn back towards the ocean. It's more a fall than a proper dive, but it plunges into the waters, rocking nearby ships violently.
19:11 <Devar> "Want me to swim after it?" Devar calls out to Skaya.
19:13 <Skaya> "Yes! Find out where it goes, we'll head after it properly after."
19:13 <Devar> Devar flies down after the dragon-turtle and into the water after it!
19:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Can you breathe water and can you swim or move freely in water?
19:15 <Devar> OOC: I can in fact do both of those things!
19:16 <Skaya> "Is anyone trapped and requires immediate assistance?" Skaya calls out as she hovers above the destruction. The guards that accompanied her should be helping, but there's only so many of them. "The attack on town was thwarted!"
19:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Swim or move freely? Mildly matters.
19:17 <Devar> OOC: Oh sorry, move freely
19:20 <•Kotono> Skaya looks down. Right now things are completely chaos - people fleeing, some holding. The ships are a mess. Some have jumped into the water from them, others fleeing onto the docks. Others have bows readied, though none fast enough to matter. Skaya can see some flail in the water or are below already, struggling in vain. Otherwise it's a panic on the docks, but nothing immediately pressing,
19:20 <•Kotono> no fires or anything.
19:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Dunes, Neph.
19:24 — Skaya swoops down to pull people out of the water. That will have to take priority for now.
19:26 <•Kotono> It helps. You manage to save some people. Not all, but...there's only one of you. A few other help, strong swimmers diving in and helping, but it's too much. Some were already gone or went down too quickly, or...still, as the minutes pass, you save lives.
19:28 <Skaya> It's impossible to save everyone, but inspiring people is an entirely different things. "Gather all the wounded around me!" Skaya commands, and once that had been arranged she makes a decent facsimile of divine power to heal them.
19:28 <Skaya> roll 3d6 channel
19:28 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 3d6 channel --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
19:38 <•Kotono> That helps more. The injured are gathered amid the chaos, guards and sailors helping. The injured are healed, the wounded are restored. The broken ship sinks beneath the waves in the meantime, as cries and panic give way to dogged orders. Soldiers control the scene, ragged and tired.
19:39 <Skaya> Still no Rina? Skaya will give her more time as she dives underwater to try and see if there's anyone that could still be recovered. At worst, she'll make sure the families will have something to bury.
19:48 <•Kotono> OOC: Got a swims kill or freedom of movement?
19:50 <Skaya> OOC: I do have a swim skill and I can also ignore difficult terrain with the belt, I'm sure it'd help with all the crap in the water now
19:58 <•Kotono> OOC: That'll help. Give me a swim check anyway, just for my reference.
20:02 <Skaya> roll 1d20+15+6
20:02 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+15+6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{28}
20:18 <•Kotono> You recover more. Those already gone, broken by water and force. Still, it's better than none.
20:19 — Skaya then attempts to discover what happened, questioning those people she'd cured. They had to have been close to the action, after all.
20:26 <•Kotono> It's mostly panic. "I saw it, I saw it," An old sailor says, "It ripped otu from the waves and tore the ship, flying on wings of water. So fast, fast like a storm wind." Meanwhile Devar begins to make it back, emerging from the waters.
19:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a quick Perception check. +2 circumstance bonus.
19:21 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 22
19:25 <•Kotono> You can follow it. It's heading back out to the ocean at a high speed - it's big and it moves fast. Easy trail to follow, at least as lon gas you don't fall too behind and it stays clear enough to see. It's heading straight out to sea, anyway, and sinking down as it does.
19:26 <Devar> Devar will continue to follow it, if it ends up going to a cave or something specific he can at least note it. Also, wasn't one of those Clearwater pieces supposed to be out here...? He can't really look for it right now, but he makes a mental note for later.
19:37 <•Kotono> OOC: What's your movement speed here?
19:39 <Devar> OOC: Great question - it's 30ft base, so I am guessing 30ft since I'm not flying but have freedom of movement.
19:41 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay.
19:41 <•Kotono> Unfortunately, the dragon turtle moves fast in the water - you're rapidly falling behind.
19:43 <Devar> For the time being, he'll keep going even if he loses it - it looked like it was still going down, right? So he'll just keep going in that direction - if he doesn't see something specific after a few minutes he'll go up.
19:49 <•Kotono> OOC: PErception again then.
19:50 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 if no bonus
19:57 <•Kotono> It's no good. AS it gets darker away from the shore, it vanishes under the waves and into the gloom. There's simply not much to track as the currents fade and return to normal, but it's out well past the shoreline and still going down when you last saw it.
19:58 <Devar> That far down, huh? This will be a bit more complicated. He'll head back up towards the surface for now, unless something catches his eye somewhere.
20:20 <•Kotono> Thus Devar begins to return as...OOC: I'll merge you back in shortly.
20:28 <Devar> "I lost it eventually, it's a lot faster than you'd expect." Devar says, flying over to Skaya. "But it was only going in one direction. I worry that without the ability to breathe in the water it'll be an issue, but we can probably pass the Ring around to help with that if you want to pursue it."
20:28 — Skaya nods at Devar, asking the sailor, "What was the ship's name and its cargo?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "The Lucky Mermaid and it carried tarkwood and spices," Is the answer, as a young man races up. "A-are you Skaya?" is the question, breathless.
20:31 <Skaya> "That's me," she responds, filing the ship's information in her mind.
20:36 <•Kotono> "Miss R-Rina asked for you. There's fire down south, by the gates," Is the answer, "A-arson."
20:37 <Skaya> "Good thing we split up," Skaya says. "Thanks for the notice. Devar, keep an eye out here? I'll fly over to help."
20:38 <Devar> "All these things happening at once can't be a coincidence." Devar says. "Sure, I hadn't completed the food inventory yet either, but I'll get back to that once this has calmed down."
20:39 — Skaya nods and then rises sharply into the air. A fire serious enough would be seen. If it's not, she'll touch down again and question that runner some more.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: #dunes, Skaya.
20:46 <•Kotono> Skaya flies up. It's not hard to see as she heads south. Several buildings near the gates are burning, smoke rising from them. As you approach, you see Rina leap out of a second story window, flames licking harmlessly at her and a young man in her arms. She grimaces at the landing but makes it, a shudder through her. OOC: Taking 10 on Arobatics for 27,
20:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d6 still
20:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d6 still --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
20:46 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 71/73
20:47 — Skaya is quite fast, perhaps the fastest person in this town! She swoops to the south to help with the rescue!
21:00 <•Kotono> Skaya swoops on in. A deft landing as she sees people have fled - but up there! A third story window, a woman cries, "Help!"
21:01 <Skaya> Fire resistance, don't fail me now! Skaya touches down on the windowsill and then pushes off the frame after grabbing hold of the woman.
21:10 <•Kotono> OOC: What's your fire res?
21:10 <Skaya> OOC: 30. I'm good!
21:13 <•Kotono> Grabbed. She clings to you, shaking as the flames do nothing to you. "T-there's more inside," she gasps out.
21:14 <Skaya> "Don't worry," Skaya assures her after setting the woman down on the ground. "Wait here and I'll patch all of you up in a bit." She then heads back in, except this time she'd try to bring the residents out two at a time.
21:17 <•Kotono> Deeper in the flames are intense, along with the smoke. Thick, foul smoke that your enhanced lungs help with. lying on the floor of a burning room are eight people, all young men and women. The walls are ablaze and it's spreading, fast.
21:21 — Skaya splashes all eight and their surroundings with water from one of the barrels kept in her haversack, before picking up two of them and heading swiftly outside. The water might reduce visibility but she already has a mental map of the area, and it should help them survive a bit longer. That's all she needs to get them out two at a time.
21:22 <•Kotono> The water quenches the flames for now, two down. Then four. As you retun for five and six, the flames are picking up. The ceiling is creaking down, the smoke deeply obscuring things by now.
21:23 <Skaya> She'll just have to risk it, now! With her wings pressing two people Skaya arranged over her shoulders, she grabs the last pair with her arms and dashes out! It's true there's no way she could fly this way, but she can make that sort of jump easily!
21:28 <•Kotono> OOC: I have to ask, what's your strength score?
21:28 <Skaya> OOC: It's 19, Skaya is very strong
21:33 <•Kotono> Skaya manages to lift three, but a fourth? It's too much, and even three is a mighty strain, reduced to going one step at a time. OOC: Max lift at 19 is 350 pounds, you can just barely manage three.
21:35 <Skaya> OOC: I want to drop a Wind Wall behind us to blow all five of us towards the window I entered through, can this make it work?
21:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Wind walls are vertical, not horizontal. It'll push you up, not ahead.
21:39 → Ko joined (~WinNT@BCCF5CF2.F2F44447.16485387.IP)
21:40 <Skaya> There's really little she can do, so Skaya activates her boots of speed and takes off with just two people. She'll be able to return all the faster, and then she'll deal with the flames and the falling roof!
21:41 ⇐ •Kotono quit (~WinNT@E5CEAA21.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP) Ping timeout: 180 seconds
21:42 ⇐ Kobot quit • Ko → •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped)
21:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Movement speed under that?
21:44 <Skaya> OOC: 150ft
21:55 <•Kotono> OOC: That'll do, we'll resolve it...next time! Family.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, what's your plan here, DevaR?
20:43 <Devar> OOC: He will just keep an eye on things from the air and help out where needed for the time being to help calm things down. If he sees any cargo or anything he'll try and grab it.
20:49 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure. Perception for all of that.
20:50 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 because I am boring
21:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Fair.
21:05 <•Kotono> Devar pulls out a few things here and there, but most of its sunk. Still, it's something. Panic is giving way to order now, at least at the docks.
21:06 <Devar> Devar will stay to help anyone else who needs some. If things feel like they've back to "normal" after about 10 minutes he'll regroup with his guard cohort to continue his original investigation.
21:13 <•Kotono> Things here do seem to be calming down, at least as much as they're going to for some time.
21:13 <Devar> Devar gives the docks one more fly-by before he heads back to the cooling warehouse!
21:17 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception here, +4 circumstance bonus.
21:18 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24 because I am boring
21:23 <•Kotono> OOC: Kobot's gonna be out a job at this rate.
21:23 <•Kotono> You return to the cooled warehouse without incident. Only a pair of guards outside, who give you nods as you approach.
21:24 <Devar> Devar nods and will head back in - to the section he was going to investigate originally - the newer foodstuff.
21:27 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me another PErception check then.
21:29 <Devar> OOC: you guessed it, take 10 for 20
21:33 <•Kotono> Nothing seems awry with the goods stored here, at least to Devar's searches.
21:35 <Devar> Devar will give it a once-over with Detect Magic to be sure, but after that will move on!
21:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:36 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=8 ]{8}
21:36 <•Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft.
21:38 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24
21:39 ⇐ Kobot quit ↔ •Kotono (was Ko; promoted to owner, opped) nipped out
21:43 <•Kotono> Luck is with you. You happen to move aside just the right fruit, and you get a sudden, different aura you can just make out beneath the aura that the warehouse provides.
21:45 <Devar> Devar will carefully move the fruit to investigate further - is it the fruit themselves, or something else in there?
21:55 <•Kotono> Devar goes to investigate more....next time! OOC: Family is family and it's about time, so more next time.
19:06 <•Kotono> Checking deeply, you see that some of the fruit - apples as it happens to be - are dusted with a familiar mold.
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@DBBE83F6.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP)
19:09 <Devar> Devar frowns. He will find an empty container to start moving the dusted fruit into - including anything else that was close by and may have been contaminated.
19:15 <•Kotono> That's done well enough. It's quite a few apples, now quarantined.
19:17 <Devar> Devar will mark the crate with a skull and carry it out, staying a bit away from the guards. "I found the contaminated apples and put them in here. Where's the best place to dispose of them?"
19:18 <•Kotono> The guard visibly recoils, "Poisoned? How are they contaminated?!" He gets ewll away from them.
19:19 <Devar> "They have the mold on them that's been causing the sickness." Devar explains. "I'd like to think Skaya has handled things from all aspects, but do you have any sort of inventory list that I could see to see who delivered these? Just in case we have another culprit."
19:24 <•Kotono> "I can go get it-" A stop as suddenly the skies darken. Huh? In moments it goes from summer to storm, as in a few heartbeats the sky is dark and a cloudburst happens. Rain gushes down. Thunder crackles with it, as if a storm came from nothing.
19:29 <Devar> Devar frowns again. Was the storm in Dareslan man-made? "Hold that thought for now, I'm going to leave this here so no one meddles with it." He explains, putting the box back into the warehouse. "I'll be back." He says, summoning Storm's Eye and flying straight up. "Hey, can you determine if this is a magical storm - and if so, do you think you can stop it?"
19:34 <•Kotono> Storm's Eye yaaaawns loudly. "Good afternoon to you too," he says before, "Smells magical. Good lightning, but it's all gussied and then hussied up."
19:35 <Devar> "Good morning!" Devar says, flying higher and towards the clouds themselves. "Can you absorb it, you think?"
19:39 <•Kotono> "The lightning? I make a good lightning rod," A chuckle of amusement, "Wouldn't mind some straight from the tap."
19:40 <Devar> Maybe it'll disrupt the magic causing the rain. "Okay, do I just... hold you up? Is there something else you want me to do?" Devar asks. "Please don't say 'yes, rub along my shaft' or something."
19:45 <•Kotono> "Hold me up over your head and don't let go," Storm's Eye advises, "Hahahahaha, please, only if Anne was holding me, or maybe Sanda. Rina too, and Skaya....mmmmm....hahahahahahahaha."
19:46 <Devar> "You're the worst sometimes." Devar says as he holds Storm's Eye high above his head! "Show me what you can do!"
19:55 <•Kotono> A few more booms of thunder until CRACK! White light all around you as Storm's Eye laughs. Lightning slams into the spear, yet not a jolt passes onto you. Your eyes are clear despite the flash of light, as it happens again and again. You definitely have an effective lightning rod.
19:56 <Devar> He does wince once - but then remembers that this can't actually harm him, so he stays strong. A beacon of peace in a turbulent storm. "Let's keep it up!" He shouts.
20:01 <•Kotono> More and more lightning comes, strike after strike. Storm's Eye is almost purring a the constant influx, as meanwhile Skaya flies closer, close enough to see who it is and what's happening - even with bright flash after bright flash.
19:03 <•Kotono> Speed serves Skaya well. She's just in time, grabbing the last two just as there's a horrible, screaming noise from above, and she moves fast as she can...OOC: Ref save, +8 circumstance bonus. Speed saved two lives nad gave you a nice bonus to resist being caught in something.
19:05 <Skaya> OOC: Bot please
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@DBBE83F6.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP)
19:06 <Kobot> OOC: Here.
19:08 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+8+7
19:08 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+8+7 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{31}
19:08 <Skaya> OOC: Evasion
19:10 <•Kotono> Skaya beats out the roof, diving out as it collapses with a mighty CRASH! THe last two victims are taken out safely, as you land roughly but safely on the streets. Cheers go up from people watching at your braverly, while meanwhile Rina emerges from the building next door, also on fire, carrying out an old woman. "Building's clear," Rina calls out, unbothered by the heat and smoke. "She was
19:10 <•Kotono> the last one!"
19:10 <Skaya> "Get them all over here!" Skaya calls out, before using her power to heal all the rescued victims.
19:10 <Skaya> roll 3d6
19:10 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
19:17 <•Kotono> Victims mend. So does Rina, who trots over to get fixed up. "Thanks. You're pretty good at that, just like Anne. You really figured out how to copy her?" Meanwhile the victims cough and moan, healing and resting amid the panic. A waterline is started, soldiers going to the nearest well. Others try and make fire banks, even as the fires burn.
19:18 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 73/73
19:19 <Skaya> "I was pretty close to getting it right in Dareslan," Skaya affirms with a nod. "What happened here?"
19:22 <•Kotono> "Fire, no idea on the cause." Rina shakes her head briefly, guiding you a bit away for a moment of privacy. "City fires like this are always terrible, because they can spread so easily. I-" Rina scowls and looks up. What was clear skies turn dark, as stormcloud suddenly gather from nothing. In moments a crack of thunder and suddenly a torrential downpour erupts out from above.
19:24 — Skaya sighs. "The timing is just atrocious. Are the guards that came with you alright? Are they investigating or looking through the buildings?"
19:25 <•Kotono> "It's not all bad." Rina remarks, raising her voice. The burning buildings are at least partially quenched by this, as then a loud, carrying woman's voice, "Soldiers, don't stop! Get those fire banks going! The storm will help, but we all need to do our parts!"
19:26 <•Kotono> "They're trying to put out the fires," Rina's next remark is as she looks around. "Can't investigate when the building's on fire."
19:26 <Skaya> "I fought a dragon turtle," Skaya muses. "There's zero chance this could happen at the same time on accident."
19:26 <•Kotono> "Magic," Rina agrees with that. "It has to be."
19:28 <•Kotono> Then after a beat, "The fires or the storm?"
19:30 <Skaya> "I'd bet on the fires but you never know," Skaya responds after a brief reflection. "I'll leave you here and fly around to look for anything out of the ordinary. Keep the peace, and we'll investigate the source of the fires later? Ah, and if there's a criminally-lit fire, a lot of the times the arsonist returns to watch it. So keep an eye out for people who don't belong here."
19:34 <•Kotono> To your surprise, Rina blinks and then looks abashed. "...it's pretty," she mutters, sounding mortified.
19:36 <Skaya> "Yes it is. So look for other people who think that, or who look extra concerned and helpful without actually having a legitimate reason being here during a quarantine," Skaya tells her patiently, and then she takes off! Straight up and into the storm.
19:36 <Skaya> OOC: Can I use knowledge nature or arcane to figure out if it's a natural storm?
19:36 <Skaya> OOC: Either way, I want to see if there's anything new I can see from above in town. If nothing, I'll fly over to where Sanda would be.
19:39 <•Kotono> OOC: K:N, I suppose.
19:41 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16
19:41 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{25}
19:44 <•Kotono> It's not a natural storm. Storms don't usually gather hyper fast like that after all. Definitely someone throwing some powerful magic around.
19:47 <Skaya> Sanda it is! Though if Skaya sees another event happening within town limits or an archmage cackling to himself Skaya would investigate that first. "Have people stay out of the rain," she tells Rina upon briefly descending, and then she's off for real.
19:55 <•Kotono> It's not hard to see something. In the distance, a figure holds something up in the rain. It's lit by lightning strike after lightning strike in the air gathering to it, rather than slamming down below.
19:56 <Skaya> Let's go take a look! Maybe that's Devar! Maybe that's a strangely helpful mage!
20:00 <•Kotono> Skaya flies over and...OOC: #evil.
20:01 <Skaya> "So you figured out this was an unnatural storm, too?" she calls out to confirm.
20:03 <Devar> "Oh, hey!" Devar calls down. "I thought it was too reminiscent of Dareslan - a storm and all the other things going on. I was hoping Storm's Eye might be able to disrupt the magic in the storm somehow, so, here we are. Oh, I found some of the fruit that was contaminated - I boxed it up and was going to investigate who brought it, before this started."
20:05 <Skaya> "Did you know it started right after we rescued everyone from the burning buildings? Nice timing!"
20:06 <Devar> "It seemed way too concidental to just start all of a sudden. Burning buildings, huh? Everyone okay?" He calls out.
20:08 <Skaya> "No. But we helped all those we could," Skaya says curtly. "What's your plan here?"
20:09 <Devar> "I was just going to keep this up to try and stop the magic." Devar says.
20:09 <Skaya> "Wish there was a good way to tell if there's poison or something in the water itself. Don't suppose you checked?"
20:10 <Devar> "All he could tell was that it was magical - I didn't try to analyze it too much." He admits.
20:11 <•Kotono> "It's a little more than that now that I've gotten a good taste," Storm's Eye speaks up, "It's not just magic, but something unusual. An unique spell."
20:11 <Skaya> At least she told Rina to keep the people out of it, so only the guards will risk prolonged exposure. "Guide me through it?" Skaya requests.
20:11 <Skaya> OOC: Can I spellcraft or something?
20:14 <Devar> "Hold on, I don't know how well this will work, but I'll try..." Devar says as he keeps holding Storm's Eye up. OOC: Detect Magic, take 10 on Spellcraft for 24
20:15 <•Kotono> "It's strong, curated. It's not just Control Weather, but something finer tuned. No, this was made to create storms - thunder storms, hurricanes, blizzards." Storm's Eye declares. Unfortunately, there's no magic besides Storm's Eye around to analyze. The thunderbolts seem non magical, for whatever that's worth. Though now that Devar looks, they seem a little...he doesn't know. Odd? Different?
20:15 <•Kotono> Too bright, too perfect. Too pretty, maybe.
20:16 <•Kotono> OOC: There's no magic aura to analyze here, but you could try K:A, Skaya.
20:16 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6
20:16 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{39}
20:17 <Devar> "It does seem like this was created for a specific purpose." Devar echoes. "It's clearly to distract from something else, or at least that's my guess."
20:22 <•Kotono> It's definitely too fast for Control Weather. A custom spell is most likely, something meant to bring storms. You'd need to see the actual magic or spell to tell more, but what STorm's Eye says makes sense.
20:24 <Skaya> "You know, shouldn't Control Weather's caster be right here? Even if it's a more finicky spell, would you really change that part to cast it from miles away? Can you even do that?"
20:25 <Devar> "If he has a cloak or something to make him invisible, sure." Devar says. "We've been operating that he has some kind of invisibility or something like that, so he certainly could be in town and I don't think we'd know, unless Anne and I wandered around focusing on detecting evil intent or something."
20:26 <•Kotono> "In other words your quarry's being a little coward and striking from the shadows?" Storm's Eye scoffs. "Not a big, strong man like Devar."
20:27 <Skaya> "I'll go make the rounds, then," Skaya decides with a sigh. "I'll check on Sanda and Anne and circle back to Rina unless one of them has a good idea to try. Find me in the sky later? Our patrol schedules got messed up by now."
20:28 <Devar> "You got it. If we can figure anything else out up here, I'll let you know." He agrees.
20:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Going off then, Skaya?
20:32 <Skaya> OOC: Yes, I can't help here. I'll go to Sanda first. I assigned her and Anne to some places in town, so even if I don't know the exact locations OOC I'd know IC!
20:38 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, #dunes.
20:38 <•Kotono> OOC: Just so I don't have to check my notes, where did you send them exactly?
20:39 <Skaya> OOC: Anne is basically with clerics visiting and local, and Sanda with mages, likewise.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
20:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=76 ]{76}
20:51 <•Kotono> You fly on. Besides the somewhat quenched fire near the gates, you fly on. You end up in a temple in the heart of the city. A large one with a big open space within, dedicated to Selune. The walls are white with black stars and moons engraved, pretty enough one supposes. Here Anne's quietly in discussions with about a dozen others. Some are in robes, some armor, some in plain clothes.
20:53 <Skaya> "Have things been quiet?" Skaya calls out, announcing herself.
20:55 <•Kotono> You get looks, from a dwarf with a beard and a stony stare, just like the stories. Humans, though one has a hint of silver to patches of his skin. It's an array but it's Anne who answers, "Of course not. We're organizing our response. We have some good fortune." That get sa few chuckles. "Fortune here," The silver hinted man is nodded to, "Casts like a sorcerer does, and disease curing is one
20:55 <•Kotono> of his spontaneous spells."
20:56 <•Kotono> "The Golden Dragon's guidance and wisdom never fail me," Is his glib response, giving you a lopsided smile. "Right place, right time. I came here two days ago, meant to live today but I got delayed."
21:04 <Skaya> "Glad to have you here," Skaya tells him. "I think it's about as confirmed as it's going to get that we're working against an adversary that isn't done yet. We've just had an attack by the dragon turtle at the port, and a spontaneous fire followed by a spontaneous storm at the city gates. Be very aware of your own safety as you act to help the residents."
21:11 <•Kotono> "The storm's not the problem," Anne speaks up at that, "Dia did that."
21:13 <•Kotono> "Let me explain," One man steps forward, maybe 60 or so and wearing armor despite it, with the sigil of an open eye against a gauntlet. "Dia's an old friend of mine, and that spell of hers is distinctive. If she cast it, it was for a good reason."
21:13 <Skaya> "Devar's out there playing lightning rod. I'll step out to bring him back instead," Skaya says at that, heading back out.
21:14 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Anne calls as you go. But as you fly back, you see Devar is no longer there.
21:16 <Skaya> Seriously? Skaya tries to fly around a bit to look for any clues.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception, let's say.
21:18 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
21:18 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{31}
21:19 <•Kotono> You eventually spy something higher up - lightning. All the lightning seems to be striking something up in the storm itself, flowing towards that point from all directions in the clouds.
21:21 <Skaya> Yep, not going there. She returns to Anne and the other priests, shrugging. "I think Devar went into the storm. We'll just have to let that play out."
21:25 <•Kotono> "Alright," Anne agrees, "In short: We're preparing resources to treat any plague when it pops up. We've already sent a few off to cure others. Both heroes proof against disease, one who serves Lathander and another who serves Jetina. Since the last plague was so nasty in that it targeted those who cured it, we're not taking chances yet. We're hoping quarantine and decisive action curbs it right
21:25 <•Kotono> away, and preparing how to handle this if not."
21:25 <Skaya> "What about Logan and his pal? Did you try seeing how they respond to magical treatment?"
21:29 <•Kotono> "They're being cured right now," Is the answer, "They'll be useful," Fortune goes on, "And best to make sure they don't get any lingering symptoms."
21:30 <•Kotono> Another adds, "It's insidious. This Brachidos needs three feet of steel shoved through his heart."
21:30 <•Kotono> "If nothing else," Anne goes on, "I'm making sure everyone knows. The more that know, the more that go after him. Even if we don't get him, someone will."
21:30 <Skaya> "Equal odds he's here to direct things," Skaya says with a sigh. "Say, back to the storm. Who is Dia? And how did we not see her cast it? There was no one in the sky."
21:42 <•Kotono> The older man clears his throat, "Dia is a druid who trained with Lorran Silvereye far to the south. She's a veteran of the Blackoath War, if you know history that far removed from this region." Clearing his throat, "But since the past isn't important, the present is that she's a capable druid who has a fairly good scroll collection to supplement what she knows."
21:44 <Skaya> "What's our best way to communicate with her? We're already getting in each other's way, unless this was all some convoluted plot to get Devar into the storm."
21:49 <•Kotono> "She went out," Is the response, "She's a tall human and looks 20, even thoughs he's closer to 70. Black hair, good full figure-" A few of the ladies glare or clear their throats at that, and the man coughs into his hand. "As I was saying, black hair, a dark blue cloak and a traveling dress that moves strangely if you look at it too long."
21:51 <Skaya> "Got it. I'm going to check up on the mages now."
21:55 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Anne calls as you go and do just that.
21:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=95 ]{95}
21:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 subtables vs ???
21:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 subtables vs ??? --> [ 1d100=14 ]{14}
21:56 <•Kotono> It takes a little time to head over, and as you get close? The storm begins to slacken suddenly, the downpour at last turning into a more reasonable rain.
21:57 — Skaya pauses and looks around for Devar. If he was there. And if he survived.
22:03 <•Kotono> No immediate sign of him at least, or at leats until you see him come out of the clouds and pause, perhaps looking around. Hard to see from this distance.
22:03 — Skaya flies over!
22:08 <•Kotono> OOC: I'll move you into #evil shortly.
20:38 <•Kotono> Lightning strike after lightning strike. Are you going to do anything but stay here and soak them up?
20:40 <Devar> "Do you feel like this is helping you at all?" Devar calls out. "I do think we're diverting the lightning, if nothing else."
20:42 <•Kotono> "I need more! Are you lightning proof?" Storm's Eye calls back.
20:43 <Devar> "You hadn't noticed so far?!" Devar shouts.
20:51 <•Kotono> A laugh at that, "Better to be sure!"
20:52 <Devar> "Do you want me to go higher?" Devar asks, still holding Storm's Eye up. "I admit, I'm not too gifted on how storms work."
20:53 <•Kotono> "Higher! High into the clouds, into where the lightning forms," Storm's Eye says, "Let's kick this up a notch!"
20:54 <Devar> Devar does just that, rising higher into the clouds themselves!
20:57 <•Kotono> So much in the way of lightning. The boom of thunder is loud, but no longer deafening to you, not as you are now. Instead you're hit all over. Arcs of lightning gush towards you and Storm's Eye, drawn in faster and faster as you ascend into the dark clouds.
21:00 <Devar> Devar will keep going until Storm's Eye says to stop!
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=88 ]{88}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=14 ]{27}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 ????
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 ???? --> [ 1d20=5 ]{17}
21:16 <•Kotono> It comes and comes - but the storm's enduring. "No good, it's stronger than I thought, or I'm still not all the way there," Storm's Eye complains, "Feels great, though!"
21:17 <Devar> "Really?" Devar asks. "Well, even so, it must've helped you somehow, so that's good enough for me. Do you want to stay or just go back?"
21:19 <•Kotono> "Would you rather risk lightning strikes starting a fire down there, or hitting somene?" Storm's Eye challenges back. "Right now it's aalllll going to me."
21:20 <Devar> "You've got a point." Devar says, holding Storm's Eye up. "We'll stay until given a reason to go."
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{15}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=19 ]{32}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+16
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{31}
21:22 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:22 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{33}
21:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18
21:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
21:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ????
21:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 ???? --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
21:28 <•Kotono> It takes some time, perhaps a half hour, before Storm's Eye suddenly groans, "Oh...oh boy, it's about to happen! Hold on tight and don't let go!"
21:29 <Devar> "You said that way on purpose!" He shouts, but does as he's asked!
21:29 <Devar> OOC: Said it that way, rather
21:36 <•Kotono> The storm shudders - then the rain sputters, the clouds swirl and with a CRACK of displaced air, the storm abruptly begins to slow down and clouds lighten. "Oh...oh...that stung..." Storm's Eye moans, "Didn't...forgot I could...."
21:38 <Devar> "You all right?" Devar asks, lowering his arm slightly. "Did that jog your memory?"
21:47 <•Kotono> The only answer you get is the sound of Storm's Eye snoring.
21:48 <Devar> Devar silently just starts heading back down - he looks around from the air to where the others might be as he does so - or especially anyone wearing a red mask...
21:55 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception, -1 penalty.
21:55 <Devar> roll 1d20+9 I'll play your game, Kobot
21:55 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+9 I'll play your game, Kobot --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
22:03 <•Kotono> You don't see anything that helpful, unfortunately. You do see the fires are at least somewhat contained it looks like - between rain and efforts the spread's been checked for the moment. Hopefully they finish the job. No sign of the others about, however, though the rain complicates it.
22:09 <Devar> Devar will just fly around and see if he can find anyone!
22:12 <•Kotono> It doesn't take long, because Skaya flies up to you and....OOC: Go ahead, chat it out and we'll pause after that.
22:12 <Skaya> "Hey there! So you were inside after all! And survived."
22:13 <Devar> "It didn't harm us at all, but I imagine that's probably because I can't be hurt by lightning." Devar explains. He gestures with Storm's Eye. "He took the brunt of it and is taking a nap."
22:14 <Skaya> "Turns out it was just fog of war in action," Skaya informs Devar. "One of the healers told me this was the work of a buxom druid he's friends with going by Dia. Apparently it's a signature spell of hers and she has plenty of scrolls to boost her casting to boot."
22:14 <Devar> "Oh, sounds like someone to meet. I hope I didn't mess their spell up." He says.
22:16 <Skaya> "Fire got put out, people might've been worried about strange magical rain but it didn't hurt them, so I think we're still good. Want to go check up on Sanda together?"
22:17 <Devar> "Sure thing." He agrees.
19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Going to find Sanda then?
19:03 <Skaya> OOC: Correct
19:05 <•Kotono> roll 1d10
19:06 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@1F73D1FA.49836061.B227C4EE.IP)
19:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=46 ]{46}
19:10 <•Kotono> You find Sanda just outside as the rains come down far slower now. Outside of a tall building near the center of town, the streets empty save for guards. She's out here scowling, looking up at the rain at the right time to see the pair of you descend. "What are the odds?" she questions dryly.
19:10 <Skaya> "What, the rain? It was magical. A druid made it rain," Skaya says, touching down next to Sanda.
19:11 <Devar> "Do we know why they did that?" Devar asks. "Was it just to put the fires out?"
19:11 <Skaya> "No clue. If you see a buxom youthful druid, ask her?"
19:12 <Devar> "I'll... keep an eye out."
19:12 <•Kotono> "No, being out here at the right time to see you approach," Sanda answers, blinking away rainwater from her eyes. "I needed a moment to get some air. Don't know about the rain, I've been in talks the past few hours." A blink at that before, "...really?"
19:14 <Skaya> "So I was told," Skaya affirms. "Anyway, we had a turtle dragon crash the port and attack, and as we were dealing with it, Rina ended up rescuing people out of burning buildings near the gates. The storm was probably to put those fires out, but who really knows. Anne is working with the locals to cure people and carefully check there are no magical traps. Anything to add on your side, Devar and Sanda?"
19:15 <Devar> "I think the turtle went to a cave underwater, but I can't prove that - it's pretty fast in the water, so if we want to chase it we'll need to be prepared." Devar says.
19:17 <•Kotono> "Mages are less immediately useful here, and they're arguing since I'm not local," Sanda reports, "But there's some decent hope with divinations and other support magic for whatever's needed."
19:20 <Skaya> "If they have a local mage better accomplished than you that you approve of, you could hand that over to them," Skaya says with a shrug. "Is there? Otherwise, how about directing support magic towards food preservation or stationing a few mages in strategic positions to help with any further fires?"
19:24 <•Kotono> "I'm thinking about it," Sanda admits, "We don't have the time to waste on this." A nod otherwise from Sanda, taking that in.
19:25 <Skaya> "Gotcha. Don't be afraid to mix things up as we go, our original plan is already a bit of a mess with all those attacks," Skaya muses. "Hey, Devar, how's the state of the food stores? How much of a breather do we have?"
19:25 <Devar> "Oh, that's right - I forgot in all the chaos." Devar says. "I found the molded food, it's quarantined in a box. I was going to see if I could find out who delivered it."
19:26 <Skaya> "Damn. Did you check all the stores? And was that the only place with it?"
19:27 <Devar> "They have a warehouse that stays cold with magic." He explains. "I gave it a pretty thorough search and that was all I found."
19:29 <•Kotono> "They should search that entire warehouse again," Sanda points out, "Statistically speaking, it's not worth the risk you missed anything."
19:30 <Devar> "I checked it over for magic." Devar explains. "So if they are, they should have a mage do it."
19:31 <Skaya> "How about you get the mages to do that? Actually being useful towards resolving this situation would give them some agency," Skaya suggests. "Also, there might be smaller stores and warehouses. Perhaps some with sweets or leisure goods. Anything that's edible, let's make sure it's checked properly. We can rely on the some talent from the Guild to look for hiding spots, too."
19:31 <•Kotono> "I'll do that," Sanda agrees as the rain continues to slow. It's still going, but it's a far cry from the storm from before.
19:34 <Skaya> "Great. I'll check on Rina again, for now. Let's just use the guards headquarters as a central spot for reports and send messages every two hours if there's nothing going on, or immediately if there is something of note. I'll let Rina and Anne know as well."
19:35 <Devar> "Anything you want me doing?" Devar asks. "Or just want me to go with you?"
19:35 <•Kotono> A nod at that, Sanda agreeing.
19:37 <Skaya> "Let's stick together for now, Devar."
19:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what's your next move?
19:38 <Skaya> OOC: We'll make sure everyone's on the same page and share information. Then Sanda's group will go over all the food stores and Anne's group will handle curing the sick. Rina, Devar and I will listen to what was discovered about the delivery of the mold-covered food Devar found.
19:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
19:43 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:43 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=38 ]{38}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{29}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+5
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d4
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4 --> [ 1d4=1 ]{1}
19:44 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 fort
19:44 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 fort --> [ 1d20=16 ]{20}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 perception
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 perception --> [ 1d20=16 ]{23}
19:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d10 con
19:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d10 con --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+3 fort
19:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 fort --> [ 1d20=1 ]{4}
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d12 con
19:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d12 con --> [ 1d12=1 ]{1}
19:48 <•Kotono> You settle in to listen, "We also found mold in two other food sources," The soldier who reports this is middle aged, wearing formal armor and unarmed in front of you. The two of you stand outside in the cloudy but rain free weather, beneath another pavilion a ways away from where the High Reeve works. Out of sight at least, some distance to do your own work. "One on grain, another on dried
19:48 <•Kotono> and salted meats."
19:50 <Skaya> "That seems to confirm the existence of other accomplices. Do we know who placed them there?"
19:51 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes, if it all came in from the same source, that would lead us to one conclusion - but if they were from different vendors..." He frowns. "There may be someone inside town doing it."
19:52 <•Kotono> "We're asking around now and checking records," Is the report, "It's going to take some time, but if they're in the city, there's no getting out now. If they already escaped, then we can pass word to outside of the quarantine to hunt them."
19:54 <Skaya> "Please prioritize their identities, even if you're not certain. If they followed the same pattern, they would've sold food to people before this was discovered. It could help us identify more victims early on."
19:55 <•Kotono> A nod, "We will, ma'am." is the answer back. Meanwhile, down the street, both of you see a runner sprinting. Not remarkable by itself, but when he turns to come towards your paviliion, in between two buildings? It's more noteworthy.
19:56 — Skaya waits patiently. There hadn't been any explosions, so the situation can clearly wait a moment until he reports properly.
19:58 <•Kotono> The soldier glances, his weathered face calm as he steps aside. The runner approaches, hands on his knees, "A-alert. Be wary of assassinations, for an a-attempt was made against the High Reeve. An unnatural creature, small and red, poisoned him."
19:58 <Skaya> OOC: K:Planes 10 for 26 for the creature
19:59 <Skaya> "Where is the creature now? And has a priest been summoned to treat the High Reeve?"
19:59 <•Kotono> It could be a few things. A mephit of an appropriate element, such as fire. An imp also comes to mind, a minor devil of little power. It could even be an unusual elemental. You'd need more details to winnow it down further.
20:00 <•Kotono> "It fled into the air and escaped. The High Reeve is ill but being attended to," Is the report, "Healer Anne reports that he was extremely fortunate and likely to make a full recovery."
20:03 <Skaya> "That's good news, at least. Thanks for letting us know."
20:04 <Devar> First undead, now employing devils? Devar frowns.
20:08 <•Kotono> A nod, a moment to breathe and then the runner turns and hurries away. "It really is like Dareslan again," You overhear the soldier still with you murmur, his voice carrying to both of you.
20:08 <Devar> "You don't have an undercity here, right?" Devar asks.
20:09 <Skaya> "It's the same attacker plotting against us, but it's not the same as Dareslan," Skaya speaks up at that. "As someone who fought through waves of undead springing up from a messed up portal below-- and hey, way to jinx things, Devar."
20:09 <•Kotono> A shake of his head, "There's minor sewers, but they empty into the ocean away from town," Is the answer, "Nothing like I've heard inland cities have, sir."
20:10 <Skaya> "That's not the only thing. By the time the defenders of Dareslan realized what was going on, most of the healers were taken out by a sneak attack. But here we're making sure you and your comrades are protecting them, we're taking better precautions, and most important of all, we caught the infection in the early stages."
20:10 <Devar> "Hey, I was just checking!" He says. "Better to know now than be shocked later!"
20:13 <•Kotono> "That's good news, ma'am," Is the soldier's answer, "War in the south and plague at home. This summer will be known as a dark one."
20:15 <Skaya> "Let's go and get a clear description of the creature," Skaya suggests to Devar, before turning to the soldier, "When we return, can you have a list of mages capable of summons ready? There can't be so many we won't be able to visit them in a day if we make an effort."
20:16 — Devar nods to Skaya.
20:19 <•Kotono> A salute at that, as the two of you go off. You find the High Reeve has been moved inside, and in a room guarded fiercely. You aren't allowed inside, but Anne comes out. She briskly speaks, "He'll be well. The poison was notably virulent, but where most succumbed, he did not." OOC: Anne takes 10 on relevant rolls.
20:19 <Skaya> "We heard. Excellent job, Anne! And great luck on the High Reeve's part."
20:22 <•Kotono> "It's mostly his good luck," Anne remarks with a slight smile, "Perhaps someone watched out for him, tired of Brachidos. He's still purging the poison, but he's lucid enough to listen and give commands."
20:23 <Devar> "Did you see the thing that attacked him?" Devar asks.
20:26 <•Kotono> "No," Anne says, "But I do have a description. Invisible until it struck, small, with sharp teeth and a leering grin. It wielded a poisoned knife with both hands. An imp most likely based on the description, a minor baatezu used as a familiar for vile spellcasters." OOC: More taking 10 for her.
20:27 <Skaya> "An imp really was my first thought," Skaya agrees. "What's the poison?"
20:27 <Devar> "Great, that guy has a familiar too?" Devar murmurs.
20:31 <•Kotono> "It's possible, or a creature binded, summoned or otherwise compelled," Anne points out, "None of those would be difficult for an opponent as skilled as Brachidos has shown. The bigger question is: Finding it. Rina's already been pulled from that fire to try and hunt it down. Incidentally, the early report she sent back is that the fire was an accident as a result of quarantine."
20:31 <Skaya> "I honestly don't believe that, but I guess it functionally means there are no leads to pursue here."
20:32 <•Kotono> Then a snort, "I dislike it greatly, but it may be it was only vile misfortune that the fires happened, along with the dryness of summer. I'm not sure I believe it either, but Beshaba stalks as surely as disease and plague does."
20:32 <Devar> Devar nods. "We can't exactly walk around town detecting evil everywhere in hopes of finding something invisible."
20:33 <Skaya> "But we can go around the list of known mages to check up on them."
20:34 <Devar> He nods to that.
20:36 <•Kotono> "I can have one made, or ask the High Reeve to do it, which amounts to the same thing," Anne mentions, then blows out a tired breath, "Also, apparently there's a druid and some of the regulars from the guild hunting this imp. Rina's not the only one hoping to get lucky." Then, in a quieter voice, "And less a certainty as much as intuition: But I suggest not being alone or not sleeping
20:36 <•Kotono> tonight. The moment I heard of assassination, I knew and feared we would be appealing targets as well."
20:37 <Skaya> "Resting in shifts makes sense, just like in the wild."
20:40 <Devar> Devar nods. "Agreed."
20:40 <•Kotono> "Or forego it altogether, as I plan to tonight," Anne admits. There's then the loud sound of retching that carries from the room within. "I should check in him again. Do you need anything else right now?"
20:41 <Skaya> "Some luck."
20:41 <Devar> "Maybe you'll become a follower of Tymora after this is all over." He says with a smile.
20:43 <•Kotono> "There's worse," Anne says, "I can even introduce you to one in town should you like. They lack a formal temple, but they have a gambling hall that opens in better times."
20:44 <Skaya> "You know what? That sounds like a perfect place for a temple to Tymora. Stay safe, Anne!"
20:46 <•Kotono> A nod back as one question looms: Now what, as the afternoon wears on?
20:46 <Skaya> OOC: Let's briefly meet with the mages in town and ask them about their familiars. We can say we're focusing on a creature that attacked the High Reeve and need to eliminate them as potential suspects and chat with them, and over the conversations let's use sense motive to see who seems to be hiding something.
20:46 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure. Meanwhile...
20:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
20:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+14 (+2 circumstance) Rina
20:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 (+2 circumstance) Rina --> [ 1d20=4 ]{18}
20:57 <•Kotono> Sanda helps you gather them up. It's a few dozen. Of them, five don't have familiars. Of the rest? A few mice, a bat, a pair of dogs, a songbird and similar. Most are mundane enough. One, however, stands out. A middle aged man sits, wearing fine clothes and a gold topped walking stick with him. He sits and playing around his feet like hyper puppy is a creature of pure water. It's barely
20:57 <•Kotono> the size of a large cat but dashes back and forth, flowing. Sanda watches it with distinct interest as he says, "This is the most fantastical familiar I've heard of in town," he says, "I did briefly know a wizard who had what I suspected to be an imp, but he ended up hung for corruption and theft."
20:58 <Skaya> "I suppose nice people don't opt for imps as familiars," Skaya voices rather reasonably.
21:01 <Devar> "Our mutual friend would probably love to hear about this whenever we see them again." Devar says.
21:01 <•Kotono> "Statistically never," Sanda comments, kneeling down to pet the familiar. It burbles wetly but leans into it.
21:03 <•Kotono> A warm, pleasant chuckle. "I've had this fellow for over thirty years. He doesn't take a shine to many." Then, to Skaya, "He wasn't a nice person. Of course," With the slightest smile, "Imps can change their shape, usually into the form of common animals. Just so you know."
21:04 <Skaya> "But hiding their true nature from paladins would be more of a challenge, I suppose?"
21:05 <•Kotono> "Mmm-hmmm." A knowing nod to Skaya, "Just so."
21:05 <Devar> Glancing between the two of them, Devar nods and emanates his ability to detect evil!
21:07 <Skaya> "I suppose it's possible this would be a summoned creature, but using the basic summoning spell for an assassination would be impractical," Skaya muses. And if Rina is trying to track it down, it means the duration is longer than such spells would be. In fact, why would it need to run away if it was merely summoned? "So bindings or callings... but those are pretty difficult spells to manage, I heard."
21:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Who are you checking, Devar?
21:08 <Devar> OOC: He'll check all the mages gathered, no reason to leave anyone out.
21:08 <Skaya> OOC: And their little dogs, too!
21:08 <•Kotono> "Not easy," The man says, "I could manage it if I put my back into it," he confesses quietly, "But I prefer not to shout my skill for all to hear."
21:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a CL check on that.
21:09 <Devar> roll 1d20+2 I guess I use my Paladin level for it?
21:09 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+2 I guess I use my Paladin level for it? --> [ 1d20=13 ]{15}
21:10 <Skaya> "Being a proper mage in an otherwise mundane town must be like belonging to a really elite and exclusive club," Skaya notes. "Amongst the others, how many do you think are capable of such magic?"
21:11 <•Kotono> None of the mages radiate magic, nor the familiars.
21:13 <•Kotono> "Of these? None." Is the quiet answer, "Of those who live here but are away in the summer? Five." Is the answer, "Off on adventure, research, travel or leisure. Of those, two can teleport, so they come and go as they please. Of the other three, two are across the sea and one is in the south - in Laremy, actually, investigating the dead lake there, last I heard."
21:13 <Devar> Hmm. Could they be hiding it somehow? There's no sense in not checking, so Devar tries a different sort of detection - magic! OOC: This time he's casting Detect Magic to see if he can see anything like a transmuation spell or something potentially hiding alignment. Spellcraft for 24. If you need a CL check let me know.
21:14 <Skaya> "Oh, really? I actually visited the caverns underneath the dead lake!"
21:14 <•Kotono> OOC: Please.
21:14 <Devar> roll 1d20+6
21:14 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{19}
21:15 <Devar> OOC: I'm not sure if it counts, but the ring I have gives +1 CL to spells, so maybe that's 20? Not sure it interacts.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: If it boosts CL it generally applies to caster level checks, yeah. Also be a few, Saturday stuff. Shouldn't be serious but heads up.
21:25 <•Kotono> Devar scans. Almost all of them have various magical auras around them, well, at least the mages. You'd have to spend time and study them for details. However, only one of the familiars has a magical aura: That of the bat. You study and it turns otu to be...transmutation.
21:28 <Devar> Devar nods and turns to Skaya to whisper to her. "The bat has transmutation magic on it." He says. "I'm not sure how you wanted to handle this."
21:28 <•Kotono> "Really? I've heard it's a curse on Laremy for their violent wars," The man says fondly, "That they are being stripped of the gifts of water."
21:31 <Skaya> "Ah, that's not right. There is a massive cave network underneath, you see? So the water just ended up draining away once the earth spirits connected it to the lake-- well, I suppose it could still be in response to the wars? But it's not a curse either way," Skaya is all too happy to elaborate. At Devar's words, she nods slowly and whispers back, "Ask that mage to identify something in the other room."
21:31 <Skaya> She'll be there in a flash if there are signs of resistance.
21:33 <Devar> Devar nods and approaches the mage with the bat familiar. "Good day sir - I apologize for the time we've taken out of your day today, but I was hoping you might be able to take a look at something for us?"
21:34 <•Kotono> Nodding along to that, chatting as Devar goes to do that, "Perhaps it's both. Then again, tell me, are the caverns dangerous at all?"
21:35 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Devar goes to check. It's not a sir, it's a ma'am. A thirtysomething woman, face drawn and tired. She nods, rather average all around. "I'd be happy to help, so long as it doesn't get me the plague," she says, expression guarded.
21:35 <Skaya> "Right now, not that much. But back when I ventured into them, there was this cabal of crazy wizards that made chimeras out of people and monsters and then set them loose on any visitors. Between them and the earth elementals, it wasn't the safest place."
21:36 <Devar> "Of course, ma'am - please, this way." Devar says - they surely have somewhere nearby that's more secluded."
21:44 <•Kotono> A long, low whistle, "That wasn't the safest place. Ah, that takes me back."
21:44 <•Kotono> Meanwhile, the woman follows along, the bat on her shoulder. OOC: #dunes.
21:46 <Skaya> "Back where? Is there an exciting story waiting to be told?"
21:51 <•Kotono> "Oh, I once traveled the world," he explains, "And found another dead lake, far to the west of Welland and Laremy. In a nameless land, where sand and salt ruled to the howl of living whirlwinds. A lake where a man could haul away a small fortune of the purest salt I've ever found, free for the taking, and salt-caves that lead deep below the corpse of that lake."
21:54 <Skaya> "Sounds like it's far enough that you'd need to use magic to transport the salt to enjoy the fortune. But if you can do that, you might as well just hop over to Salt to pick it from the source, right?"
21:59 <•Kotono> A laugh at that, "Only a fool goes there, or so I've heard. There's enough trouble int his world as it is."
22:00 <Skaya> "But doesn't that sort of daring call to one's adventurous spirit?"
22:02 <•Kotono> "These days, a hot soak and a warm breakfast call to my tired spirit," The man admits, "Those sort of adventures are a young man's game."
22:03 <•Kotono> Then, quieter, "Or perhaps those who fear not time at all." His gaze travels to Sanda. "My familiar's only ever tolerated me and those with the blood of Water."
22:03 <•Kotono> Sanda looks up from her play with the familiar and blinks, "So that makes the odds about it rather straightforward?" she asks, curiously.
22:04 <Skaya> "Well yes, there's absolutely no reason to exclude you with that criteria."
22:05 <•Kotono> "Fear not time at all, hm?" Sanda murmurs that, but then goes on. "I'm sorry, I lost track of things playing with him."
22:05 <•Kotono> "No harm done," The man says, "But I'm old and my heroic days are long behind me."
22:06 <Skaya> "It's kind of funny. Natural lifespan is not really an issue, but in our profession it was more of a guideline anyway," Skaya voices with a snort. "On a whole other topic, have your travels taken you out to sea? Perhaps you know what the deal is with that dragon turtle?"
22:08 <•Kotono> "They exist, I've heard of them but never seen one myself," Is the answer, "Though now I've seen a winged woman that isn't a celestial." Then with a wistful tone, "Oh, to see a fragment of what lies beyond. I remember it as vividly as the moment it happened. It's as if all the light and color of the world was dim and dust compared to that."
22:10 <Skaya> "Haven't seen a winged woman who is a celestial, myself," Skaya admits. "I'll be sure to take notes when I do!"
22:15 <•Kotono> "It was like nothin gelse. Her presence was calming, and it marked the world. I sat there as grass and trees grew rapidly, and afterwards it lingered. Consecrated ground, but so much more. One of my most dangerous encounters, because I lost the will to leave on my own.I had to be dragged away by others. Things were better there. Pain was less while everything good was more. My hurts and my
22:15 <•Kotono> sorrows dimmed by the hour." Then, softer, "What I saw was an angel of great standing, one so much that the world was wounded by her presence, even after she departed. Ah, that story."
22:17 <Skaya> One more clear example of slaad being superior, as far as Skaya is concerned. "Wow," she voices, looking at the man with interest. "I didn't know any angel descended on this world, nevermind an important one."
22:21 <•Kotono> "It's a long, complicated story," The man reflects, "I was only a bit player in it. It showed me that there is power and then there is power."
22:25 <Skaya> "If you're the one saying that, won't everyone else be discouraged?" Skaya asks him with a grin.
22:28 <•Kotono> The man opens his mouth to answer...next time!
21:44 <•Kotono> Devar leads the woman along and...OOC: Gao ahead and set yourself up.
21:47 <Devar> He's familiar with the layout of the area for them running back and forth, so he'll find some more secluded room to speak to the woman privately. He'll make sure it's a room either near the guards or in one of the guardhouses themselves, just in case - but he himself will shut the door after she enters - if she can just magic herself out of it anyway it doesn't really matter, but he'll have to
21:47 <Devar> figure that out later.
21:49 <Devar> He clears his throat and looks at the woman. "I am going to ask you a question and hope that you will just be honest - why is your bat under transmutation magic? What is its true form?" He doesn't look to be going for his weapon, but he is ready to activate Goldenfang's Glitterdust in a pinch.
21:57 <•Kotono> A blink at that, a stare. "No!" she snaps, "It's a bat! My poor Dusk is an old, old bat." She cooes softly, the bat looking up. She gently raises its ear up, where a small gold stud can be seen, hidden. "It bolsters his vitality and helps him with his old age." Then she gently pats the bat and it seems completely content with that. "Bear's Endurance is transmutation, is it not? So are the
21:57 <•Kotono> magical items that copy its blessing."
21:58 <•Kotono> Afterwards, she takes the bat in her arms, holding it close to herself protectively. "My bat's no more a shapeshifter than you."
21:59 <Devar> Devar raises a hand as if to try and calm her down. "Peace, madam, I am no zealot out for blood."
22:00 <Devar> "I can admit when I've made a mistake - that is why I wanted to question you privately so as to not cast aspertions." He says. "With your permission, I'd like to just validate your story so there can be no questions."
22:01 <•Kotono> Still holding her bat, "Go ahead," she says, eyes on you warily all the while. "I summoned my Dusk when I was eleven years old, and he's been with me all this time."
22:02 <Devar> "It's wonderful to have such a loyal companion. I wasn't blessed with one, my studies are taking me elsewhere." Devar says, he reaches out to touch the gold stud to Identify it.
22:06 <•Kotono> It's indeed a modified Amulet of Health, made into a small, compact size. Nothing nefarious about it that you detect.
22:07 <•Kotono> "I fear he doesn't have much more time with me," The woman sighs long and softly, "I don't know what I'm going to do once he's gone."
22:08 <Devar> Devar gives the bat a very series of scratches under its chin. "It is as you say. Please accept my apologies for the misunderstanding." He smiles. "You can't have the same experience with something else, but you can the peace knowing that you both spent more time with each other than anyone else ever did with you."
22:12 <•Kotono> The bat is entirely tame, accepting them graciously. "I had thought to travel, face dangers and grow stronger. But the truth is?" With a sign now, "I was not cut out for that life, and all my talent at basic magic stalled past the second circle. So instead of finding a way to help my poor Dusk, here we are, seeing day after day pass.""
22:15 <Devar> "I can tell you with complete certainty that it is never too late to learn." Devar says. "You don't have to face dangers to grow stronger, but just trying to do something new every day should be more than sufficient. If you have the will to do it, I am sure someone," He gestures up above. "Will help you. I know Eldath would."
22:18 <•Kotono> A little nod at that, thoughtful. "Someone else told me that a not long ago," she murmurs, "He had such a strange presence, and spoke of a patron who would unshackle me. But he did nto speak of Eldath."
22:20 <Devar> Devar immediately frowns. "Was he wearing a red mask, by any chance?"
22:23 <•Kotono> A soft gasp, "How did you know? He was terribly charming and persuasive. It was like he whispered into my ear, and told me how I could overcome my limits. But..." she stops and shakes her head, "We were interrupted, and when I looked back, he was gone."
22:25 <Devar> "That man is the cause of the plague in town." Devar says, sitting down so he doesn't intimidate her by accident. "His name is Brachidos, and you're very lucky he could not poison your mind or worse. Please, tell me everything that you remember talking about - he may still be in town."
22:28 <•Kotono> The answer to that comes...next time!
19:03 <Kotono> Another gasp, this one horrified, "W-what? What do you m-mean he was behind the plague?"
19:06 <Devar> "Brachidos is a follower of someone we only know as The Adversary, who is a terrible being of great evil." Devar explains. "We've been chasing him for some time - he keeps popping up and causing mayhem - he was the mastermind behind the plague in Dareslan, and appears to be manipulating the events here to spread another plague." He smiles a bit after that. "But since we're here, we're curbing
19:06 <Devar> it more than he could've likely expected... So, please, anything you remember about your conversation would be helpful - it may give us a clue as to where to find him. We think he has something that makes him invisible, which is why I was using magic to detect things."
19:09 <Kotono> "Y-yes, I'll try. He was very persuasive. He spoke unnaturally well, now that I think about it." Dusk is gently petted as she thinks, "He vanished like he was never there, and I didn't look away long. He moved gracefully, too. He spoke of secrets he knew, of strange things of the world and magic that could unshackle me, given to him from his patron." A shudder at that, "I-I've studied, and I've
19:09 <Kotono> heard of an Adversary. A creature of disease, hate and spite."
19:11 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes ma'am, that is correct. It doesn't surprise me that he'd use magic to enhance his persuasiveness..." He explains. "Apparently he can summon imps too, or... has had one? We aren't sure. Did he tell you anything about where to go or how to summon him if you changed your mind?"
19:17 <Kotono> "No, he simply left," Is the response, a heavy breath, "Just like that. Teleportation or invisibility, I imagine."
19:18 <Devar> He nods. "Understood. It's still good information. I would suggest you stay here with the guards for some time, I don't want him trying to harm you or Dusk, and I don't think he's brazen enough to come somewhere populated. If you hear of anything else, would you let me know, please?" He stands after that, but offers an arm to her if she needs any help standing.
19:21 <Kotono> It's taken, and a murmur, "Thank you," she says, "I heard about something over by the pier, with that dragon turtle that's been making trouble, too? That was you?"
19:22 <Devar> "We ran it off." Devar says. "But when we were fighting, something seemed odd about it - I think he somehow poisoned its mind, so I'm hopeful we can help it and return it to being docile."
19:28 <Kotono> "There's no sense killing a dragon if you don't have to," Is the agreement, "But please, don't let me hold you any longer." She holds Dusk, "I'm lucky I was interrupted, wasn't I?"
19:29 <Devar> "Very much so." He says. "Why not take that luck and get back to your studies? I'm sure you can find something to help yourself and Dusk live together longer."
19:39 <Kotono> A nod at that, as...OOC: Next move then?
19:40 <Devar> OOC: Let's go get the inventory list for who delivered what we discovered to be the mold-tainted food and then get back to Skaya with that info
19:42 <Kotono> OOC: Sure. The list can be obtained easily enough now that you've put in the request. I'll merge you back in with Skaya shortly, once she finishes her immediate conversation.
19:04 <Kotono> A wry look, "If you can compete with that, you're far beyond me. Like the legends of the Last Day, perhaps."
19:07 <Skaya> "I still have to keep working on it," Skaya agrees. The dragon ruins or the labyrinth under Dareslan might both qualify, but she really felt more like an observer than the heart of the story, as one might call it. Is that a matter of personal power? Outcome-wise, she did alright, after all.
19:11 <Kotono> Meanwhile, the water familiar is played with, Sanda happily focused on that for perhaps a needed few moments of peace, away from plague worries. But perhaps as if sensing her own ease, the man before you frowns slightly, "Still, we talk amid difficult times."
19:14 <Skaya> "We're doing our best, but given that the mastermind is effectively holding all the civilians in town hostage we're being forced into a rather passive role," Skaya admits with a frown of her own. "Combined arms have always been used in battle for great effect, but cowardly attacks on the civilian population also benefit from this approach, I've found."
19:17 <Kotono> "I'm no military man, but I think I grasp your point. He's attacking from multiple directions and means to be more effective than the sum of his parts?" Is the question back.
19:20 <Skaya> "Since our goal is protecting people, but the strategies for efficient protection from each vector of attack conflict with one another," Skaya says darkly. "And it's not like we can go on the offensive either, because we just don't know where Brachidos ran off to. Our best shot is really finding and eliminating his conspirators so that more new factors don't keep being introduced."
19:23 <Kotono> "It seems you face an intelligent opponent," Is the man's answer, a less pleased smile now. "In times like this, I believe those of a more melee based persuasion are the answer. You only have to find a way to apply them directly to the problem. All the smarts int he world can't outrun three feet of steel through your gut."
19:26 <Skaya> "Have to catch them first, though."
19:29 <Kotono> A wry nod at that, while Sanda says, "Don't worry, the odds of catching him improve every day."
19:32 <Skaya> "Still, some thinking outside the box could also help. Without knowing about the mastermind too much, what would you do to protect the town and its people from what's happened so far?"
19:40 <Kotono> A considering thought, "The problem is that if I were a betting man, I'd wager that Dareslan's plague used most of the free, emergency resources against plague. We have our safeguards, but how many were expended and exhausted in Dareslan?"
19:45 <Skaya> "Would that matter, though? Dareslan was such a crisis because the healers themselves were infected by a dedicated plague. So long as the same doesn't happen here, local mages would be enough to stop the outbreak along with other quarantine measures."
19:47 <Kotono> "You yourself said that he's hamstrung your strategies against each other," The man points out, "Why wouldn't he take that into account, too? Or..." Lowering his voice, "Do you really think this is the end of it?"
19:49 <Skaya> "To dip into military concepts again, you know how it's often said that a bad general is trying to fight the previous war?" Skaya tells him. "That's not all bad, though, since it means you're looking out for what happened previously. Few things are impossible, but who would try to pull off something that only worked in the first place because it was a sneak attack no one expected?"
19:51 <Kotono> A nod, going along with it. Meanwhile, as you talk, Devar returns, a list in hand and...OOC: Go ahead, Devar.
19:53 <Devar> "Hey, false alarm." Devar says, "But she did see him earlier - he's still trying his old tricks of trying to convince people to join his cause." He adds. "I got the list of the food deliveries." He waves this list as a way of explanation.
19:54 — Skaya blinks, before asking, "Hey, Sanda, did you skip over telling the other mages about who's actually causing all this?"
19:57 <Kotono> "I hadn't gone into it fully," Sanda admits, "We've been busy and well..." Lowering her voice, "I'm staying quiet not to inflame more stupid arguments. Odds are they'll happen if I push. If you want to try, maybe it'll go better for you."
19:58 <Skaya> "Perhaps you can give it a go, Devar?" Skaya asks, accepting the list and scanning it.
19:59 <Devar> "Sure, I can ask them." He agrees and will step over - asking the group of them quietly if they'd seen anyone in a red mask in the last day or so, and especially if they spoke to them in any capacity.
20:06 <Kotono> You get looks, but curious ones. Mostly headshakes, mostly. However, one, a short, honestly unattractive man with a few scars to boot? He peers at you, leaning in close to stare. "Wait, you're talking about a man in a red mask?"
20:08 <Devar> Devar will sit down with him and nod. "That's right." He affirms.
20:13 <Kotono> "I saw him," The man answers slowly, shaking, "Several nights ago, I awoke in the middle of the night and went to my window. The streets were empty except for him and another. A man, I don't know. I didn't see much. The masked man was dragging him - and then he stopped and stared right at me. I fell back and when I looked up, they were gone. I thought it was a walking nightmare, I have
20:13 <Kotono> those sometimes."\
20:15 <Devar> Devar nods and gives the man a pat on his shoulder. "Do you remember exactly when it was? Three days ago, four?" He asks. "It may help us put some pieces of the puzzle together. Also, can you tell me exactly which street? Was it near the markets by any chance?"
20:17 <Kotono> "Four nights ago, maybe five," Is the answer, "Roaring Street, east side. Not far from some of Farmer's Summer markets."
20:17 <Devar> Devar nods and gives the man another pat on the shoulder. "If you hear anything else about him, please let me know as soon as possible." He says, and goes back to Skaya.
20:19 — Skaya glances over at Devar upon his return.
20:20 <Devar> "They saw him four or five nights ago with someone on the east side of Roaring Street. I'm going to guess the someone was our unfortunate farmer, but it's possible it was someone else." Devar explains.
20:22 <Kotono> "Could go either way," Sanda remarks, "What I want to know is logically speaking, why does he like to appear and just vanish?"
20:22 <Skaya> "We can take a look," Skaya muses. "And I really don't know. Wouldn't someone who can actually teleport all over be above this sort of stuff?"
20:23 <Devar> "I wonder if it's some quirk of his." Devar says. "Maybe he enjoys being close to things for his perversions." Devar offers.
20:26 <Skaya> "Time for us to be proactive a bit," Skaya tells the mage she'd been chatting with. "Sanda, want to come?"
20:26 <Kotono> "Or it's a short range teleport, or it's mind games," Sanda works it out as she talks, speculating. "I know I've been looking behind my back more since that battle at the bridge."
20:26 <Kotono> "Yes," Sanda agrees right away.
20:27 <Devar> Devar nods to Sanda. "Maybe it's something his patron gave him - like the mask itself can do it a certain number of times in a day. The person I talked to recalled he was strangely persuasive, so I bet that comes from the mask, too."
20:33 <Kotono> "I want that mask," Sanda murmurs to herself, "It sounds so useful."
20:34 <Skaya> "You don't, it's surely evil."
20:34 <Kotono> A pout at that as...OOC: Okay, plan here, y'all?
20:35 <Devar> OOC: Oh, was there anything on the list that might give us something to go on?
20:35 <Skaya> OOC: Let's make sure the guard over the clerics and the mages is doubled with shifts and everything, and actually make sure all of them were asked about Brachidos. Then let's see if there are any reports of any altercations or missing persons from the area Devar heard Brachidos appeared at with another guy.
20:44 <Kotono> OOC: Okay, what in particular were you looking for on the list, Devar?
20:44 <Kotono> OOC: Sure, Skaya, you can look into that. Just one sec pending Devar's answer there.
20:46 <Devar> OOC: Basically if the name matches up with our farmer, or if it's someone else who delivered the moldy food.
20:50 <Kotono> You check. It looks like the poisoned food was delivered by a 'Sherman Beck'.
20:52 <Devar> "Let's see if we can get any information on this Sherman person while we're there." Devar says. "They might've been at the farm, but... there's always a chance."
20:53 <Kotono> A nod from Sanda as...OOC: You tw ogoing to do this together or split up again?
20:53 <Skaya> OOC: Let's go together
20:56 <Kotono> OOC: Right, more.
20:58 <Kotono> Sending off orders to get the spellcasters protected is easy enough. Meanwhile, all of you end up talking to a guardsman. One who is sweaty and working hard, fixing a broken wagon wheel in the empty streets. A few other guards linger around, weapons ready. "Sherman?" A grunt from him as he works, "What about him?"
20:59 <Devar> "Does he live around here?" Devar asks. "We'd like to talk to him, if possible."
20:59 <Skaya> "He's wanted for questioning in connection to poisoned food supplies," Skaya says bluntly to stress the severity of it. "Any friends or close connections of his you might know of?"
21:05 <Kotono> "I know where he is," A growl the moment you mention poisoned food. The gloom of the cloud cover lingers, the streets wet and with mud. "Johannes, take over for me," he says, and once that's sorted, "He's in a cell for trying to escape the quarantine. He's lucky it was just established so he was granted mercy, or he'd be dead."
21:06 <Devar> "Well, it sounds like it'll be easy to get some answers then." He says with a nod to Skaya.
21:06 <Skaya> "He had good reason to try and flee."
21:09 <Kotono> You're lead to a stone building in the middle of the city. Grim faced guards stand outside, but you're taken right in. Sherman is a man, no more than twenty five or so. He has wild red hair and startingly bright purple-blue eyes. He stands in a cell, a barred jail door letting you see in. He grips the bars and stares, "There you are! Let me out, it was an honest mistake," he complains, "I
21:09 <Kotono> didn't know!"
21:09 <Kotono> "He's all yours," Is the blunt answer by the guard.
21:10 <Skaya> "Thanks," Skaya tells the guards, before asking Sherman, "Alright, I'll bite. What was the mistake? Escaping quarantine?"
21:14 <Kotono> Sanda looks him down evenly as the man stammers, "Y-yeah! I didn't realize it was in place, I just thought it was some trouble with the guards and wanted to avoid it and get home."
21:14 <Skaya> "Well, that seems reasonable!" Skaya exclaims. "I'll pardon you for it."
21:15 <Devar> Devar stays quiet for the time being and just watches.
21:20 <Kotono> "You have the authority? Thank you!" A blurt of words at that, "I can't go home until this quarantine is over, but I'll take a roo mwith a friend over a cell!"
21:21 <Skaya> "I do, and not a problem. So now we just have to address a few bureaucratic matters before that can be processed. What it is that you do for a living, Mister Sherman?"
21:29 <Kotono> "I'm a farmer at my father's farm," he answers, "I usually take the food into town to sell because he's older now."
21:30 <Skaya> "How often do you do that?" Skaya wonders out loud. "And do you handle it all on your own, or together with any friends or siblings? Farmhands, perhaps, who could vouch for you?"
21:32 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:35 <Kotono> "Almost every day during harvests or during the summer, when where's always working on something. It's a big farm," Now a smile shows on his face, "We do great for ourselves, ma'am. Grow the best fruits in Welland."
21:35 <Devar> Devar is doing his best to hide his expression at the moment.
21:37 <Skaya> "How about for this last trip? Were you accompanied by someone?"
21:42 <Kotono> "No, just by myself," He answers after a moment, "Nothing unusual, I usually go alone."
21:43 <Skaya> Skaya's face falls at that answer. "That's a shame, Mister Sherman. You see, there were some irregularities detected with the last shipment. Since you came on your own... well, you can fill in the dots, can't you?"
21:47 <Kotono> The man's face falls. His eyes widen before he says, "W-wait,w hat are you talking about?" he asks, "I didn't do anything!"
21:47 <Kotono> "Really?" Sanda murmurs, "You're a terrible liar."
21:50 <Skaya> "Someone clearly did something."
21:51 <Kotono> "Clearly," Sanda leans in, giving him the eye. OOC: Give me an intimidation check, Skaya, he's certainly scared enough tow arrant it.
21:52 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10 and inspiration for 30
21:52 <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Sanda tries to aid at least
21:52 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 Sanda tries to aid at least --> [ 1d20=10 ]{12}
21:53 <Kotono> "I didn't, you can't prove I put it in them," He blurts out, Sherman staring ahead and frantically talking. "You can't prove I did it! Someone else put it in there!"
21:54 <Devar> "I don't think anyone said anything about what was wrong." Devar pipes up with a look at Skaya.
21:56 <Skaya> "Mister Sherman, you are operating under several misconceptions," Skaya tells him in a level, calm tone of voice. "Firstly, your response here is already a confession. Secondly, I already knew everything when I approached you and offered you a chance to save yourself if you cooperate. Thirdly, under the current conditions and my authority, I can have you suffer a fate worse than death without any sort of proof should I wish to."
22:01 <Kotono> Sherman falls back and stares. "No-" he starts, then bites off a breath, "Now what?" he asks, sounding hollow.
22:02 <Devar> "I'd think the truth is a good place to start?" Devar asks, looking to Skaya.
22:02 — Skaya nods at Devar. "Cooperate and tell me everything. Since I don't need to force a confession out of you, the more you're helpful to me, the more you're helping yourself."
22:05 <Kotono> Words spill out at that, words that are heard....next time!