CH. 8: Proving Worth

[Haahque]

"Yes indeed, that's what makes it exciting. But at the risk of spoiling some fun to explain to you what we might be up against, let me describe my encounter with them yesterday." This he does, elaborating on what the Histachii looked like and how the cultists had talked about them, however he forgets to mention that his disguise was magically created, or that Grubnik's healing of him was of a magical or divine nature. Although it pains him to keep these things from her, secrets are secrets for a reason, right?

"And that's why I needed to call on more help, who knows what complex of cultists, twisted creatures and traps they have under there. They're obviously not quite as stupid as I first thought they were."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Ismene listens with rapt attention. "Hmm, it sounds like the cultists are employing a renegade mage then, maybe more than one. That would explain the weirdness. Wow, if that's true, this job could prove a real boon to my career. I mean, I never really thought much about getting into renegade hunting, but it seems like an exciting and glamorous job, don't you think?"

Grubnick (300 Market Street, Gregeddin's House)
"He may well be the last," Gregeddin says in response to Grubnick's observation about Tulbas being an elf. "If Magnus had not vouched for him, they probably would have taken him, too." He looks around. "As for my house...it was mercenary work that paid for it. We put together a team to take down a giant outside of the city. But alas, this new home drained my coffers considerably."

He forces himself to stand, not an easy task for him in his current condition. "Which is why I took this job, as well. I have several irons in the fire, ready to be forged into opportunities. Really, the occupation has been pretty profitable for me so far. So alright, let's go and check out this team Haahqae has put together. I suppose it can't possibly be as troublesome as the last one."

Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Common room)
After Ne-Chanz sits down, a young woman in an apron approaches warily. "Uh...good morning, sir...can I get you something to eat?" she asks.

[djhyland]

Arulia's face falls at Kendra's pronouncement. "You...march? On Qualinesti? But... And you're going to..." She shakes her head. "I apologize, Kendra. You've got to earn a living just as much as anyone else." Forcing a smile, she adds, "I guess it's better than my father's plan. He wants to marry me and my sisters off to the rich people in town and let them take care of us."

[HorizonsDream]

"I didn't join to make money," Kendra says. "I join so I can gather intel," she explains. "I doubt I can stop the march, so I have to figure out how to handle that," she admits with a sigh. She didn't plan on killing elves. "Who did your family have in mind?" she asks. "Just one of you marrying some rich guy might be enough to make sure that all of you survive."

[spyguy1503]

"Do you have any bacon, Ma'am?" Ne-Chanz says with extreme politeness.

[TristenC]

Very well, Grubnick says as he takes out some fresh bandages. If you'll permit me? He binds Gregeddin's wounds, providing what mundane healing he may before applying his divine ministrations.

[Ooc: invisible castle is down so I used unseenServant.com. if ypu prefer to do the rolls for me rather than use it, that's fine, but this is what I have available at the moment.]
[Healing check on Gregeddin: healing nwp check on gregeddin: [1d20] = 8
cure light wounds, cure light wounds on Gregeddin. 2x cure lt wounds on Gregeddin at his house [1d8] = 1[1d8] = 8

[JadedDM]

Grubnick (300 Market Street, Gregeddin's House)
Grubnick looks over the bandages he placed on Gregeddin yesterday, but finds there is nothing really more he can do for him. So he uses a couple of healing prayers, and that seems to help considerably.

"That's something I'll never get used to," the bard admits. He grabs his gear. "Let's go then."

(OOC: The healing proficiency can only be used within a few rounds of the wound being caused. The PHB says within one round, but I personally extend it to at least 5 rounds. Since Gregeddin was wounded yesterday, there's nothing more than can be done for him on that front.

Gregeddin is healed 9 HP. His condition improves from Near Death to Seriously Wounded.)

Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Common room)
"Certainly, sir," the barmaid responds. She goes into the kitchen and returns a short time later with a plate full of bacon. "That'll be two silver coins, sir," she says, placing the steaming plate in front of him.

[chese780]

"I wonder where the goblin went..." Felran starts to say as the barmaid is retuning. "Would you happen to have any eggs?"

[BishGada]

His sudden attempt to raise up only makes Tulbas faint. He was too weak for that attempt. Fortunately his mind wasn't clear enough time to lose his dreams and he immediately continue from the place which almost woke him... Seeing his family so clearly again. Even unconscious, tears come to his eyes as he returns back in time to the attack who wiped out his family. They were going to visit their cousin in the neighbor village. Rumors were the Red Army plans an invasion but it was assumed they had yet long time to prepare... They were mistaken. This seven days trip through marvelous landscapes and forests, so beautiful that touches each one and one of his kin heart, became the worst nightmare he had ever had.
They planned to join their distant family to celebrate the new year which was coming. They only missed his uncle Raetmal who left the family year ago to live in solitude among men in the city of Haven. Weird guy that Raetmal was, and still Tulbas liked him a lot. He spent many hours with his uncle when he was young, even though other people were suspicious about him. He always had his nose in books or used devices to test the water, mud, coal or other minerals. And he was always fond of Tulbas. Tulbas was almost the only person who could get Raetmal out of his laboratory to take a walk down the river or among the treetops. And in these trips his uncle would tell him legends about the glory of their people in old days, about monsters and magic and he intrigued Tulbas with riddles and other mind challenges. The only other person who could get Raetmal out of his lair was Tulbas father... Raetmal's brother.

============================================================
(OOC: From my experience, ALWAYS listen to your DM. So this is the start of Tulbas story. To be continued...)

[djhyland]

"If one of us marries someone who's able to take care of all of us, then the rest of us don't have to marry," Arulia sighs. "If it comes down to it, I hope that it's me. I don't want my sisters to have to marry if they don't want to. Niniva seems to like the idea, but Camilla is dead-set against it. And Cassilda, well, she wants to because she seems to think that its her duty to do so. Really, I hope that I can find enough money so that none of us have to marry."

She shakes her head and sighs again, this time more heavily. "I apologize for suggesting that you joined the army for money. It's just...well, with money being so tight for my family, I guess I think that everyone else has the same problem. Do you have any ideas on how to get the intelligence you gather to...where it needs to go? I mean, if you're marching, you won't be able to come back to town."

[JadedDM]

Tulbas Erogund (Unknown location)
Tulbas was back in the Silvanesti forest with his family, picking up right where he had left off.

"Hurry son," Tulbas' father warns in the elven tongue. "They aren't far behind us."

They suddenly stop when they hear a massive roar far to the east, behind them. "Is that...?" asks his sister.

"Dragons," finishes his father, nodding. "They will burn the forest to cinders," he adds sadly.

"I don't understand any of this. King Lorac negotiated a treaty with them. They promised they would only attack the humans," his mother says, distressed.

"They lied," his father replies. "As humans are oft prone to do. Hurry, we cannot stop now. They will catch up if we linger."

The family of four moves on, running as fast as they can, but not fast enough to leave the slowest among them behind. They hear the sounds of roaring, yelling, screaming, fighting and spellcasting behind them. It's far off, but still too close for comfort.

Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Common room)
"Fried, scrambled or boiled?" the barmaid asks. After he answers, she goes to retrieve the meal and sets it before him. "That'll be one silver piece."

[TristenC]

Shall we, then? Grubnick heads to the Steel Tankard to meet up with Haahque.

[HorizonsDream]

"Norris might be able to help you when it comes to finding someone for you or your sisters," Kendra offers.

"I all ready delivered the information of when we were marching," Kendra explains. "Anything else is probably going to have to be done during the march most likely. I'll do what I can today too since I have to show up on Third watch. Though, before I do so, I was kind of hoping I could get some more of your healing. I...I would rather not go back to that church unless I absolutely have to."

[Haahque]

Ismene's response leaves Haahqae in thought for a while, when he deems to speak again he agrees with her. "Indeed, it is likely that they have a renegade mage or two, which would make this mission quite a bit more interesting. Renegade hunting must be rather dangerous, but also very rewarding when you should find success. Indeed, there are few rewards that I can think of that are better then those that can be obtained through conquering a renegade."

[djhyland]

Arulia nods and looks around the room. It's not that she doesn't trust Norris, at least not any less than anyone else, but it wouldn't do to risk the exposure of Fizban's gifts in a town held by the Dragon Queen.

(OOC: Assuming the coast is clear...) Arulia kneels down and pulls Kendra's clothing back from her wound, then proceeds to unwrap the bandages. She hisses at the depth of the sword cut and gingerly places her hands on either side of it. Breathing a prayer, she channels Fizban's power into healing the jagged wound. Once done, she says, "That was no accidental wound...are you fighting already?" She stands, then adds, "I'd keep the bandage on if I were you. If you're not having her church heal you, you might look suspicious if you're no longer wounded."

(OOC: Arulia uses cure light wounds to heal Kendra for 1d8 hit points. Roll at your convenience, JadedDM.)

Once she's healed Kendra, Arulia relaxes but keeps her voice low. "What do you plan to do today, then? If you're going to try and help the Qualinesti, is there any way I can help too?"

EDIT: removed link to Unseen Servant roll as per JadedDM's OOC forum post.