SlagMortar
First Post
Beamer smiles. "Good, I think we've found something that can be verified. Who are their spies in this town?"
S2: War in Vastermarch - Completed
- Thread starter Manzanita
- Start date
Manzanita
First Post
"I'm a wizard, you fool." Tharok growls. "Not some manager of liars & thieves. The man Mano handles all that sort of work."
---
Eusebius, the high priest (named, oddly enough, Four Thule), and his acolyte move to the alter, where the sick and injured are carried to them. There is enough healing to go around, with many wounded soldiers and refugees. Captain Carter, the grey-eyed veteran, determines which soldiers get healed & for how much. His first priority is keeping them all alive. He then focuses on healing the most effective fighters. He authorizes Four Thule to cast a cure serious wounds on Juliana, which heals 23 points of damage. Eusebius can convert all his spells to healing, or save some if he wishes. There is plenty of healing needed.
Afterwards, Four Thule, his acolyte, Juliana and Eusebius move to a spiral stone staircase leading beneath the temple. Here there are numerous small alcoves, set with a simple cot, bucket, cushions, torch rack and small alters for prayer. Torvin is laid on the cot, and Four Thule casts a series of cure minor wounds until Torvin is just-returned to consciousness.
Torvin's eyes flicker open. His face seems worse than ever, cut and burned. He wears a simple clean tunic, now, white with a yellow sunburst on front. His eyes flicker from face to face above him. Fear and concern flash over his face, before he relaxes, then tries to rise.
Four Thule rests a scant, bony hand on the Paladin's chest. "Relax, my son. You are home. Tell me, are you well? Have you any confessions?"
"Thank you for saving me." Torvin says. "I almost died out there." His eyes flicker to Eusebius. "My quest has not succeeded. Only after it is complete am I at liberty to discuss it."
The young acolyte taps Eusebius on the shoulder. "We must wrap this up. Thule must have his morning nap soon."
---
Poto motions Banion and Nodis to sit. "Seto is a dark god of assassins, fear and pain. His activities are normally restricted to the area around the fire tower to the South. But I have word that his agents are active in this area. They are after an ancient evil artifcact that must not fall back into the hands of Seto's minions. This Seto has powerful servents. The local militia is no match for them. I asked for help. Stormblade is, er, a colleague of mine. He knows many people. Keeps tabs on up and coming heroes. He has deemed you worthy, my friend. The orcs were after a weapon, you say? I hadn't guessed this, but maybe the orcs are under Seto's sway if they too, seek this weapon. I am a wizard, but I cannot handle this myself. Will you help me?"
---
Eusebius, the high priest (named, oddly enough, Four Thule), and his acolyte move to the alter, where the sick and injured are carried to them. There is enough healing to go around, with many wounded soldiers and refugees. Captain Carter, the grey-eyed veteran, determines which soldiers get healed & for how much. His first priority is keeping them all alive. He then focuses on healing the most effective fighters. He authorizes Four Thule to cast a cure serious wounds on Juliana, which heals 23 points of damage. Eusebius can convert all his spells to healing, or save some if he wishes. There is plenty of healing needed.
Afterwards, Four Thule, his acolyte, Juliana and Eusebius move to a spiral stone staircase leading beneath the temple. Here there are numerous small alcoves, set with a simple cot, bucket, cushions, torch rack and small alters for prayer. Torvin is laid on the cot, and Four Thule casts a series of cure minor wounds until Torvin is just-returned to consciousness.
Torvin's eyes flicker open. His face seems worse than ever, cut and burned. He wears a simple clean tunic, now, white with a yellow sunburst on front. His eyes flicker from face to face above him. Fear and concern flash over his face, before he relaxes, then tries to rise.
Four Thule rests a scant, bony hand on the Paladin's chest. "Relax, my son. You are home. Tell me, are you well? Have you any confessions?"
"Thank you for saving me." Torvin says. "I almost died out there." His eyes flicker to Eusebius. "My quest has not succeeded. Only after it is complete am I at liberty to discuss it."
The young acolyte taps Eusebius on the shoulder. "We must wrap this up. Thule must have his morning nap soon."
---
Poto motions Banion and Nodis to sit. "Seto is a dark god of assassins, fear and pain. His activities are normally restricted to the area around the fire tower to the South. But I have word that his agents are active in this area. They are after an ancient evil artifcact that must not fall back into the hands of Seto's minions. This Seto has powerful servents. The local militia is no match for them. I asked for help. Stormblade is, er, a colleague of mine. He knows many people. Keeps tabs on up and coming heroes. He has deemed you worthy, my friend. The orcs were after a weapon, you say? I hadn't guessed this, but maybe the orcs are under Seto's sway if they too, seek this weapon. I am a wizard, but I cannot handle this myself. Will you help me?"
SlagMortar
First Post
Without saying a word, Beamer drops the cup of water to the ground and he reapplies the gag. Still silent, he very briefly applies the flame of his torch to the soles of Tharok's feet. With a steady gaze, he says flatly, "Your ignorance of what I wish to know does not amuse me. I suggest you think of something useful you can tell me that can be verified before I return, or I may decide you have outlived your usefulness." With a small smile that touches no where near his eyes he finishes, "Then it will just be play time and it will not matter what you say." He again finds someone to keep an eye on Tharok. Once well away and out of sight of any observers, he lets the Alter Self spell expire and again assumes his normal form.
Rae ArdGaoth
Explorer
Rasereit hangs around, perhaps training the common folk, or at the very least swapping stories with the militia. If Talbin and company care for his company, he'll join them to Poto's, otherwise he keeps busy.
Manzanita
First Post
Torvin bows his head, keeping his eyes on the stone floor for perhaps a minute. He then raises his eyes. “You are right. It is not for me to bear this alone. Let me tell you my story. “
“I had heard legends of this weapon of Seto’s, buried in our area ages ago. Then, some months ago, I happened to eat in the Boar’s Head inn here in Braeholl with one Aif Jenkins, a local farmer. Aif told me of an underground complex he had discovered on his land. He thought it filled the underside of an entire hill. He had excavated a door, but was unable to open it. I went with him and saw this. It had carvings of orc heroes, but I knew it wasn’t the work of them, who do not work with their hands. I suspected foul magic, but wanted to keep this discovery a secret.”
“Together, Aif & I recruited a small band of workers and warriors to guard and excavate our find. Once I thought the place was fairly secure, I rode to Rivensdale to recruit some more experienced help, and to buy better equipment to pierce the door. It was as we were leaving that town that I saw those two Halflings in your company, Eusebius.”
“Upon my return, I eagerly went to work on the door, and we managed to bash it down. We went in, bypassing some traps, and found a scythe in a sort of shrine. I thought this must be the weapon of Seto, but how could I be sure. It was said to have been once wielded by the god himself, before he ascended beyond the realm of mortals. If anyone could take it, it had to be me. I did pick it up, and could feel its dark power.”
Torvin pauses and grimaces. “This is the last I recall. I’m not sure what happened after that. Next I recall, I was chained to the wall of that very room. A demonic, green-haired woman was there, torturing me with great skill. I eventually told her all I knew, but that did not stop the torture, which she did for pleasure, more than for information. I was rescued by Eusebius and his friends. I do not know what has become of the weapon. The green woman was not a follower of Seto. She cursed his name, and used all sorts of foul epitaphs for him and his followers.”
Notes on Sense Motive [sblock]I'll roll your sense motive checks secretly. If Torvin is lying, and you beat his bluff check, I'll give you that sense. If you roll a '1' I'll give you a false reading. Otherwise, you're on your own. In this instance, neither Juliana nor Eusebius gets a solid hunch as to his truthfullness.[/sblock]
---
Tharok grits his teeth as the brand is applied. He says no more, though.
---
"'Shinies?'" Poto asks. "No. I cannot offer payment for this. Not in gold, anyway. There are greater rewards than coin, though. Of course, I like a bit o' cash, meself."
"Banion Lorish? Gonker's old boy? My you've grown." Poto extends a hand to shake. He looks entirely like a gnome, by the way. If he's half-halfling, he hides it well. "You going to help your uncle in this one?"
“I had heard legends of this weapon of Seto’s, buried in our area ages ago. Then, some months ago, I happened to eat in the Boar’s Head inn here in Braeholl with one Aif Jenkins, a local farmer. Aif told me of an underground complex he had discovered on his land. He thought it filled the underside of an entire hill. He had excavated a door, but was unable to open it. I went with him and saw this. It had carvings of orc heroes, but I knew it wasn’t the work of them, who do not work with their hands. I suspected foul magic, but wanted to keep this discovery a secret.”
“Together, Aif & I recruited a small band of workers and warriors to guard and excavate our find. Once I thought the place was fairly secure, I rode to Rivensdale to recruit some more experienced help, and to buy better equipment to pierce the door. It was as we were leaving that town that I saw those two Halflings in your company, Eusebius.”
“Upon my return, I eagerly went to work on the door, and we managed to bash it down. We went in, bypassing some traps, and found a scythe in a sort of shrine. I thought this must be the weapon of Seto, but how could I be sure. It was said to have been once wielded by the god himself, before he ascended beyond the realm of mortals. If anyone could take it, it had to be me. I did pick it up, and could feel its dark power.”
Torvin pauses and grimaces. “This is the last I recall. I’m not sure what happened after that. Next I recall, I was chained to the wall of that very room. A demonic, green-haired woman was there, torturing me with great skill. I eventually told her all I knew, but that did not stop the torture, which she did for pleasure, more than for information. I was rescued by Eusebius and his friends. I do not know what has become of the weapon. The green woman was not a follower of Seto. She cursed his name, and used all sorts of foul epitaphs for him and his followers.”
Notes on Sense Motive [sblock]I'll roll your sense motive checks secretly. If Torvin is lying, and you beat his bluff check, I'll give you that sense. If you roll a '1' I'll give you a false reading. Otherwise, you're on your own. In this instance, neither Juliana nor Eusebius gets a solid hunch as to his truthfullness.[/sblock]
---
Tharok grits his teeth as the brand is applied. He says no more, though.
---
"'Shinies?'" Poto asks. "No. I cannot offer payment for this. Not in gold, anyway. There are greater rewards than coin, though. Of course, I like a bit o' cash, meself."
"Banion Lorish? Gonker's old boy? My you've grown." Poto extends a hand to shake. He looks entirely like a gnome, by the way. If he's half-halfling, he hides it well. "You going to help your uncle in this one?"
Last edited:
Patlin
Explorer
Banion's private guess is that half gnome/half halfling implies some sort of reincarnation. While Banion has nothing against accumulating wealth, but wealth is hardly his major reason for doing things, and he reaffirms his willingness to continue.
He also notes the interesting knickname apparently denoting his father. It only makes sense that the old goat sowed some wild oats before getting nailed down to a responsible life with so many children!
He also notes the interesting knickname apparently denoting his father. It only makes sense that the old goat sowed some wild oats before getting nailed down to a responsible life with so many children!
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