Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

3 days and 3 nights

The inn was now safe. Although the roof to the stables was ruined, Thungor reported it would hold. So the horses were returned. It started to sleet. The party got ready for bed.

Bartol edged closer to Bernedette. “Can we try that again?” he asked.

“Not tonight, lover,” Bernedette replied. “I’m still too sore and besides I need to get some rest to prepare my magic tomorrow.”

Bartol was stunned. But he too was also exhausted. The smoke had filled his lungs and taken a lot out of him.

The next morning, Timmay led Bartol, Veridian, and Erik out to sell their newly acquired things. They visited Veridian’s fence and got a decent price. Timmay doled out the coins. Erik went back to the inn to pay Bernedette and Thane their share. Veridian went back to the street to gather some more information.

Timmay and Bartol went Temple hopping. Bartol started at the Temple to Helm. Timmay visited Gond’s house of worship. Bartol met Timmay there. They then went to the Rose Temple of Lathander. They figured Thane had Silvanus covered. A very happy and interesting meeting happened at the Rose.

Valgrim resurfaced. Bartol lifted the priest off his feet.

“Oh,” Bartol said as he put Valgrim down, “it is good to see you are still alive. We had no way of knowing if the hobgoblin assassin had done you in. Or if you had fallen prey to other creatures.”

“Lathander watches over me,” Valgrim replied. “I answered his call to return to service. I will be here if you should ever wish to visit me again.”

Timmay and Bartol left shortly afterward. Both were very happy.

Bernedette spent the next 3 days in research. Timmay also spent time with his studies, but most hours were at the Tower of Wits and Work with a certain female wizardess. Erik roamed about town. Thane sought some herbs and other items from local shops and the Grove. Bartol worked on his spellbook and cared for the horses. Veridian was busy. Very busy.

 

[biorph]

it should be noted that I was actually busy, unlike some party members who were Busa, with a capitol B.

 

[diaglo]

The rogue done good...

After the 3 days were up, Bernedette came into the common room of the inn. She was giddy. She had a full head of red hair. She mumbled some words and touched Timmay’s head. His blond mane returned. Next she approached Erik. Erik waved her off. He had gone for the bald look. Over the last few days he had shaven his head again.

“Bartol, Dear,” she cooed. “I’m sorry I haven’t paid more attention to you.” She rubbed her hands over his crown. Bartol’s thick brown coif grew. She added red highlights.

“Enough,” Veridian interrupted. “There is much you should know.”

Veridian told everyone of his last 3 days adventures. Tonight Bernedette was to meet alone with an agent interested in the magical Moandite ring. Bartol offered to go with her. So did the others. Veridian begged off. He had other things to see to. After the recap Veridian left.

“I don’t like this,” Thane blurted. “How well do we know this Veridian?”

“He’s alright,” Erik spoke up. “His heart’s in the right place. And he has helped us. None of us would’ve gotten the information he just provided.”

“That’s what I mean,” Thane continued. “Nevermind. We will know more tonight.”

Bernedette had also been busy identifying some of the party’s goods. They had a potion of Bull strength, a potion of inflict wounds, a potion of cure moderate wounds, and a wand of protection from good with a few charges. They still had a potion of transmutation, 3 potions of illusion, a potion of conjuration, and Hoardmaster to identify. Though, Bernedette didn’t have the time or the components. Timmay had a new friend.

“Say hello to my little friend,” Timmay said as he reached into his pocket. “This is Smacks.”

The party prepared for the evening. Bernedette stood in the detailed alleyway. Bartol hung in the shadows nearby with Erik. A man sized figure approached.

Everyone tensed. A bowstring plucked and a whistle was heard.

 

[Angelsboi]

Yes, Bernedette's Beautiful Boufant is completed. Its a 0 level spell that allows the caster to regrow hair in any style and color. Bernedette had black hair, now she has red.

And yes, She is growing fond of Bartol. Her barbarian in ... raw hides.

 

[diaglo]

update after this Sunday.

 

[diaglo]

The strangers you meet in a dark alley

Since the season was changing, dusk came earlier and earlier. It was the time when most businesses and people were finished for the day. It was also the time when most rogues or other nefarious beings were just getting started. It was the time for the party to be worried. They were in the alley behind their inn. As they had been instructed. A figure approached them.

An arrow sped out of the night. It was directed at Bernedette. Her attention was on the stranger staggering towards her and the party. Luckily, she was not alone. Thane threw himself in the way of the arrow. He hoped his hide armor would prevent the assassin from striking true. And lucky for Thane and Bernedette, Erik was even better armored. The tank moved even faster. The arrow deflected off the heavy mail.

“It’s an ambush,” Bernedette screamed. “Timmay, we need you.”

Bartol saw the sniper. A cloaked figure dressed in black armed with a bow and a quiver full of arrows. The figure was perched on the opposite rooftop. Bartol sprang to the building and leapt for the overhang. He tried to pull himself up and onto the roof. Thane also reacted. He summoned his magical ball of fire and cast it aloft. It struck the figure. The figure fired two quick shots at the party. Neither found flesh. Erik fired an arrow over the figure's shoulder. Bernedette also launched a bolt into the night.

A great crash was heard. The window adjacent to the other figure in the alley burst a sunder. And a dwarf climbed out.

“By Great Moradin’s Hammer,” the dwarf cried out.

The other figure in the alley staggered forward. It appeared to be a man. He was clutching his face. He collided with the dwarf. The dwarf quickly examined the man. He muttered some strange words in dwarven. Magic.

"What have you done now?" Timmay muttered as he climbed out of the party's window and into the alley.

Bartol tried again to gain the rooftop. He slipped and fell. Thane prepared some more magic for the sniper. But the figure downed a potion and vanished. Although the light from Thane's fire magic was still lighting the sky. Erik and Bernedette turned their attention to the other occupants of the alley. The dwarf continued to tend to the man's injuries. For he was injured. He was missing his eyes and his tongue.

Bartol brought his shield around for cover. He reached up and dragged Bernedette to him. Thane, Erik, and Timmay watched as the light of Thane's magic vanished over the rooftop. Bernedette couldn't decide if the dwarf and the man were friend or foe. She thought to immobilize them. She cast her magic at the feet. A slurry of thick grease had the man falling and the dwarf wondering.

"What are you doing Missy?" the dwarf asked.

 

[diaglo]

The Rogue's true colours revealed

"Who are you?" Timmay asked nicely. "I heard you speak of Moradin. And I see by your arms and armor you venerate his teachings. I’m Timmay Schepen of Glen. And these are my boon companions.”

“Well met,” the dwarf replied. “I know your family. I’m Ulfgar of Moradin. I’m also from Glen. But this is no place to stand and talk of such pleasant meetings.”

The party quickly scanned for the sniper again. Thane and Ulfgar took the injured man inside the inn. Thungor approached.

“What’s this all about?” the innkeeper asked turning towards Ulfgar. “Who will pay for the damage you’ve caused?”

Veridian came in behind the party, slightly winded. Bartol turned to Bernedette and made a gesture at the rogue’s sudden appearance. Bernedette shrugged.

“This man is injured,” Timmay began. “Someone’s dug out his eyes and cut out his tongue.”

“These,” Veridian interrupted holding out his hand. “He is the proprietor of Grimwold’s Revenge. He is the man I was to meet.”

Bernedette blanched. Bartol pulled her aside.

“I’m starting to get more suspicious of our new elven friend,” Bartol whispered. “He wants the ring you carry. He has been leering at HoardMaster. And he set up the meeting. There is more, but I don’t want him to know that we know.”
Bernedette nodded her understanding.

The main conversation continued for a few more minutes. Veridian flung 5 gold pieces at Thungor. The party was leaving. By all indication they were headed to the Temple of the Wonderbringer. Ulfgar was travelling with them. Bernedette and Bartol hurried to catch up.

 

[diaglo]

We done nothing wrong

Ulfgar and Thane helped their patient as best they could.

"His name is Hasantasser Bloodshoulder," Veridian told everyone.

"I know," Thane responded. "He has a knack of turning his enemies into frogs. No offense Smacks."

Erik, Timmay, and Veridian watched the street for any more attackers. Bartol and Bernedette watched the rogue.

"A patrol of Purple Dragons is headed our way," Erik noted.

Bartol broke off from the group and approached the patrol.

"D'oh," Bernedette muttered and ran to catch him.

The others hurried on their way. Bartol saw that Veridian looked relieved to see the patrol wasn't following the main group.

"Halt," a guardsman shouted. "Who goes there?"

"I'm so glad we found you," Bernedette started before Bartol could speak.

"And why is that?" a more important looking Dragon, a sergeant by his uniform, asked. "And why are you out so late?"

"We've lost our way...

"We've been set upon by an assassin," Bartol blurted out, "just outside our room at the Windlord's Rest."

"And why didn't you report this," the sergeant inquired?

"I am...

"We were just about to," Bernedette finished. "He got away."

"You are not citizens of Cormyr." the sergeant stated. "So why do you wear your weapons so openly."

"We are a chartered Adventuring Company," Bartol retorted. "Our friend Timmay has our charter. He has just taken an injured man to the Temple of Gond."

"You must come with us," the sergeant commanded. "We will look into this."

"And the attack?" Bernedette hinted.

"Very well," the sergeant relented. "Take us to the scene. We will then need you to come with us to the constabulary. All things in their due course."

 

[biorph]

hmmm, true colors, ... ahh but if only you knew. ;D

BTW I only found one eye.

 

[diaglo]

Bartol clears his conscience...

Bartol and Bernedette returned to the ambush site. They reenacted their parts. The sergeant had his men search for evidence. He also sent a part of the patrol to the Temple of Gond. The Purple Dragons recovered some of the missiles fired during the attack. The sergeant pointed out a very nasty looking substance on one of the arrows. He also questioned Thungor. Too many unanswered questions, too many leads. Eventually the sergeant grew tired of going around in circles with Bartol and Bernedette. The two lovers bickered or huffed about every word spoken to or against the sergeant. Bartol was just trying to be helpful. He had nothing to hide. Bernedette felt otherwise. She indicated the ring on her finger.

The patrol took the adventurers to the constabulary. They were led to a small room and left. They were not unarmed, but they were not free to move about either.

"I don't trust our thief," Bartol finally stated plainly. "Too many unpleasant things have happened since his appearance. Timmay is a naive fool. Veridian joined us conveniently at the border. He convinced Timmay to tell him everything. He noticed or contacted the thief inside the gate. He tagged along with me to the Flagon Held High. He followed Alisiar, the waitress, after she left for the evening. He told us of the first ambush. My guess is it was a distraction, while his other agent killed the girl. He has been after your ring from the beginning. And he has been leering over Hoard Master. He is an elf, which by itself means nothing, but since we have met other not so friendly elves this just makes for something more to watch. He is rather rude or abrupt with most people. He has a strange growth on his neck. He wears all black and is a talented bowman and rogue. I suspect he could easily have disguised himself. He arranged our meeting in the alley. He claimed to have other business. The person he was to contact ends up in the alley with us, missing his eyes and tongue. Veridian had them. Were they trophies and he was showing off his prowess?"

Bernedette's jaw dropped. "How can you say such things? And for that matter how come they make sense and are reasonable conclusions? Although we need evidence. Everything you just said is circumstantial or conjecture."

"I'm a man of action," Bartol replied. "That doesn't mean I don't pay attention. Though, it does mean sometimes I ignore what my good sense tells me." The barbarian winked at the caller.

She blushed.

Bartol kept talking. “And another thing, how do we know Alisiar was evil. Perhaps she was an agent of another organization. Say she was a friend of the Bard, Jhaer Brightsong. Maybe, we were being tested. Not everyone who is sneaky is evil.”