[LPF] Tower of Power

[Systole]

The cart leaves only a few minutes behind schedule, which in Venza is nothing short of miraculous, and heads south out of the city. The grizzled driver has little to say to you while the broken down team of nags hauls you, a dozen crates of various sizes, and a large family with what seems like a half dozen children, all of whom seem to spend their time screaming, wailing, or -- when the mood takes them -- both at the same time. Eventually, the cart reaches Old Puerco Road, and you gratefully disembark and begin heading toward the Mallack farm. The silence of the countryside is sweet, sweet relief ... at least until the wind blows from the east.

Pigs. Lots and lots of pigs. A nauseating amount of pigs. And over the course of the last mile, the smell gets worse. It's the kind of smell that will be in your hair (or your feathers) for days after you leave. Eventually, you crest a hill and the Mallack farm is before you. In the distance, you can see the partially crumbled remains of a stone tower. Even from here, you can see the dark, gaping hole that opens in the bottom half of the tower.

A lean old farmer watches you as you approach. Aside from the the farm itself is made of a great number of hog wallows containing a startling number of pigs. The house is a simple affair with a barn attached. Nearby, there's a discontented mule tied to a tree, and a mule cart with a bunch of sacks in it.

"Guild send you, too?" the old man asks, leaning against a fence.

...... Ivio Mallack ......

GM: Forgottenhelm has had a week and a half to show up, so we are moving on with as-is.

 

[SinisterRogue]

Aeron jumped from the wagon once it had finally stopped; his backpack slung over his shoulder with one hand grasping the straps while the other hand rested lightly on the cold metal and the leather grip of his scimitar. At the old farmer's words, Aeron's eyes narrow a bit with a sudden suspicion. If the farmer's words were anything to go by, they weren't the first to be sent to deal with this tower situation. That their employer somehow forgot to mention previous attempts didn't sit well with Aeron as he cast a dark look at the ancient tower in the distance. To his mind, the tower seemed to take on a more sinister appearance that reminded him of shadowy city of Sumbru, and all of the denizens within Sumbru were well aware of its dark heart. Aeron sincerely hoped that something similar didn't lurk in this tower. Shaking the dark thoughts from his mind, Aeron composed himself once more and turned to the farmer. "The Guild has sent others then?" Aeron felt compelled to ask the question though he felt sure of its answer already.

[sblock=Aeron's Mini Stats]

View attachment 56109
Aeron
AC: 17 (14 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 9/9
CMB: +1 CMD: 15
Fort: 3 Reflex: +4 Will: +2
Perception: +0
Initiative: +4
Current Weapon in Hand: Scimitar (+1, 1d6+1, 18-20 x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Weapon Finesse
Spells Remaining (1st): 2/2

Used Items:
[/sblock]

 

[omnitricks]

As much as Paskell would have liked to talk to the rest of the party, the circumstances would not have allowed room for any proper conversation. The children were just making too much noise that the tengu could not even enjoy the ride and take in the scenery. Finally after a while of putting up with the screaming and wailing he stood up a little to get their attention and said...

"You kids want to hear a joke? This is a good one. Two elves walk into a bar and the dwarf just walked right under it" which continued with jokes which could have gotten worse but the tengu did not care about the material. He was just trying to get the children to quiet down.

[sblock=Perform (comedy)]
1d20+6=15
Just because I can [/sblock]

Of course once the horrible smell reached the tengu he'd just stop to try and stop the smell from getting to him and hope that the kids will do the same. The sight of the tower however looked very interesting and...dark. Hopefully he wouldn't have to go in it until tomorrow morning.

And since the tiefling already was already doing the talking, all Paskell would ask is "can we have this conversation inside?" while still trying to keep the smell out of his nose.

[sblock=Paskell's Mini Stats]

Paskell
AC: 18 (14 flat-footed, 14 touch)
HP: 8/8
CMB: +0 CMD: 14
Fort: 0 Reflex: +6 Will: -1
Perception: +5
Initiative: +4
Current Weapon in Hand:
Current Conditions in Effect:

Used Items:
[/sblock]

 

[SpicyWaffle]

Between Paskell's terrible jokes, the wailing children, and the bumpy trip up the road within the caravan, Dane was almost grateful when they finally arrived. Almost, however, was the operative word. As soon as the all too familiar stench of pigs and other such pleasantries bombarded his senses, the former farm boy's brow furled and drew his lips inward. To say it was a smell he'd missed since his departure from home would be a terrible untruth; in fact, he'd hoped the wretched scent would never make its presence known to him again. Oh, to be young and have such foolish hopes! Now Dane and his colleagues - for better or worse - would reek of the snorting creatures for days, if not weeks.

A sour disposition, however, was no excuse for being crass. Even a rural bumpkin such as himself knew manners had their place.

"I second that idea to talk about this stuff inside," Dane sniffed, immediately regretting inhaling the wafting aroma anew even as he grit his teeth to bear it. "First thing's first though. Yes sir, we're with the Guild. I'm Dane," the boy began before motioning to those gathered near the farmer, "This is Paskell, Aeron, and Samad. You must be Farmer Mallack."

It was likely plain as day, but still, Dane felt it was nice to know who exactly he was talking to, rather than just a group of potentially random - and heavily armed - strangers. Just as before, the former farmer's son took Mallack's hand and gave it a firm shake, both out of a sense of professionalism and courtesy, though quickly dreaded doing so as his mind meandered about what the farmer might have been doing all day.

"Now... uh... could we please talk inside?"

[sblock=Dane's Mini Stats]

Dane Mazelo
AC: 16 (13 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 16/16
CMB: +2 CMD: 15
Fort: +4 Reflex: +3 Will: +2
Perception: +1
Initiative: +3
Current Weapon in Hand: Gauntlets (+4, 1d3+1, 20x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Weapon Finesse

Used Items:
---[/sblock]

 

[Systole]

"Not 'others.' Just the one," he answers, leading you inside. It smells better inside the house but sadly, it does not smell much better inside the house. Mallack pulls some battered earthenware mugs from a cabinet and puts them on the kitchen table along with a pitcher of water and another pitcher of what looks like small beer. "Help y'self to whichever," he says, pouring himself a mug of beer.

"That other one, Baggio his name was, he came by askin' about the tower a while back and if it had been looked at yet. I told him not yet, and then I asked him if he was with the Guild. He said he surely was. Now, about that time I was thinkin' he looked a mite shifty, so I asked him if he signed the contract with Fallson and everything, and he said he surely did." The old farmer shrugs. "So off he went. Haven't seen him in three days.

"That's his cart and his mule outside. He had a load of frog legs, too, but by yesterday they was startin' to turn so I fed 'em to the hogs. I'll give him fair price for a load of slops when he gets back. Best I can do."

...... Ivio Mallack ......

 

[Commander_Fallout]

If there was one thing Samad could not stand, it was noise. Though this nomad was glad to be moving again, especially since he was getting used to this northern climate, he felt out of place and out of time among these travelers. Still, if this was Bashu's wish, then he would obey to the best of his ability. He watched the countryside roll by, he practiced his speech with the rest of the party, but mainly, he spent the days sleeping and the nights meditating. Twice daily, at dawn and at dusk, he would perform his dance-prayer to his god, often to the entertainment of the the children, but such was routine to him.

He was glad to be away from the caravan, but one nuisance was replaced by a greater annoyance. The smell. While he could always drown out the sound, the smell would not subside, no matter how close he pulled his keffiyeh over his nostrils. The amount of pigs, the foul creatures, was staggering. Towns in the South used them for waste management, but his tribe had never dealt with them outside of these few encounters. He was beginning to question his purpose for being here, when they met their client. Dane had taken the initiative to introduce the party. He followed along, nodded and shook the farmer's hand when introduced. He was glad to know the others were on common ground about the oppressive stench.

The house was a small relief. Sadly, it seemed as though this was not something he could escape. Seated at the table, he poured himself a cup of water and listened to the farmer's tale. He spoke up, "That can't be possible."

[sblock=Samad's Mini Stats]

Samad Salil
AC: 17 (14 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 9/9
CMB: +1 CMD: 14
Fort: +0 Reflex: +5 Will: +2
Perception: +6, Low Light Vision
Initiative: +5
Current Weapon in Hand: Scimitar (+1, 1d6+1, 18-20 x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Weapon Finesse
Spells Remaining (1st): 3/3

Used Items:
N/A
[/sblock]

 

[omnitricks]

Horrible! But Paskell knew better than that. Better to not offend the person who was going to host him for the night. "Thanks" he said taking a mug of water before continuing on with the conversation.

This Baggio did not sound like someone sent from the guild. Even Fallson did not know anything about the tower but now was his chance. "Do you remember what this Baggio asked you about the tower? Maybe you can repeat his questions to us?" he asked Mallack.

If nothing else maybe an examination of the cart later would have some clues.

[sblock=Paskell's Mini Stats]

Paskell
AC: 18 (14 flat-footed, 14 touch)
HP: 8/8
CMB: +0 CMD: 14
Fort: 0 Reflex: +6 Will: -1
Perception: +5
Initiative: +4
Current Weapon in Hand:
Current Conditions in Effect:

Used Items:
[/sblock]

 

[SinisterRogue]

Taking in the rather humble surroundings of the farmer's house, Aeron gives a cursory glance about the room to check to see if there is anyone else with them before speaking to the farmer. "I would like to see the cart that this Baggio left behind before we call it a night. Would you tell me where it is? Its contents could shed some light on this rather unexpected situation."

[sblock=Aeron's Mini Stats]

View attachment 56109
Aeron
AC: 17 (14 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 9/9
CMB: +1 CMD: 15
Fort: 3 Reflex: +4 Will: +2
Perception: +0
Initiative: +4
Current Weapon in Hand: Scimitar (+1, 1d6+1, 18-20 x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Weapon Finesse
Spells Remaining (1st): 2/2

Used Items:
[/sblock]

 

[Systole]

"If you care to look at it, the wagon's outside, next to the mule. You walked by it on the way in. And all Baggio asked about the tower was whether anyone had went into it yet. I told him no, not so far as I knowed. Then I asked if he was Guild, and he said yessir." He shrugs again and reaches for the beer. It doesn't seem as if he has much more to add.

[sblock=Paskell]It's way too much to get Mallack to repeat Baggio's questions back verbatim. What he's given you is what he's capable of giving you.[/sblock]
[sblock=Aeron]The wagon is cheap, rickety, and run down. The mule is nothing much to look at either. There are a number of crusty burlap sacks in the back which are spotted with blood and what looks like swamp mud, which would be consistent with them being filled with frog legs. If you spend the time to search through them, you'll find a few rancid frog legs that Mallack missed. The wagon is otherwise empty.[/sblock]

...... Ivio Mallack ......

 

[SpicyWaffle]

Having been content to let the others make their inquiries, Dane remained relatively silent, save perhaps the occasional, thoughtful hum between sips from his waterskin. The fact that some other entrepreneurial individual had taken to the tower before them was odd; especially given that Fallson Hev hadn't mentioned any other parties heading for the ruins before them. Certainly, Mallack's explanation of this Baggio fella gave Dane plenty to chew on as he wallowed in the pig-stink that still seemed to permeate the farmer's house, even if it wasn't so pungent. If he'd run in alone, who knows what mischief the man might have gotten himself into? Heck, if what Fallson had heard about the last dwarven ruins his employees trounced through was true, Baggio might in all likelihood be in serious trouble, if not already dead.

Suddenly, this quaint exploration of dilapidated ruins was feeling more weighty and imperative. It wasn't just about getting rid of some unwanted stink, but also about finding a missing man.

Waiting until the tiefling returned from his investigation, Dane motioned for them to gather 'round, his face surprisingly grim despite his previously upbeat demeanor.

"This changes things," he murmured concernedly, giving the farmer a slight glance before returning to the assembled crew who'd signed on for this expedition. "If this Baggio guy hasn't come back yet, that's bad news. Something might have happened to him," explained Dane, lips furling inwards even as he tried to think about what they should do as he tried to ignore the obnoxiously putrid odor bombarding his nostrils. He was hardly the most qualified to make any sort of decision, especially on his first outing as a freelance sellsword and adventurer, but the young man felt driven to at least make the suggestion given the situation at hand. "I know we're all probably tired from the ride here, but if this fool's gone and gotten himself in trouble, someone needs to get in there and find him. We can't just ignore it; whether he's with the Guild or not, you heard Mallack: Baggio's been gone three days now. So, I say we head in there, and see if we can't find this fool. Besides, the sooner we get in there, the sooner we can put an end to this... erm... mysterious stink," Dane added, though that last bit seemed almost superfluous given the audacious odor of the swine already plaguing the farm.

[sblock=Dane's Mini Stats]

Dane Mazelo
AC: 16 (13 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 16/16
CMB: +2 CMD: 15
Fort: +4 Reflex: +3 Will: +2
Perception: +1
Initiative: +3
Current Weapon in Hand: Gauntlets (+4, 1d3+1, 20x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Weapon Finesse

Used Items:
---[/sblock]