Pendar - Session 9

44 Merrysest, Shadesday -
After saying their goodbyes and returning to the road, traveling toward Iranri as per the message from the coin, the party finds themselves in a small hamlet, called Brightshire. Contrary to the name, the atmosphere is uncomfortable and unwelcoming, and no one seems to be around.

Maximilian: "And I thought Seskesa was quiet..."
Atremis looks around curiously, having never ventured this far from his forest before.
Maximilian cautiously guides Marigold further in, looking for someone to question.
Atremis follows Maximilian curiously, taking a glance at the creatures in the pen.
Sana: "Is it... usually like this?"
The other group seems to be busy conferring among themselves in hushed tones, without noticing Max.
Atremis stares at the chickens, finding himself getting hungry and attempting to combat bestial urges.
Maximilian dismounts, and musters the strength to approach the quiet group.
Atremis begins to prowl towards the chickens, staying out of sight. [Stealth: 23]
Maximilian swallows, remembering remembering something.
Maximilian: "E-Excuse me... are you travelers?"
Atremis stares at the chickens from outside the pen, mentally debating how bad it would be to take one.
Strange Halfling: "Ah! Who's there? You could say that, yes, or at least we are traveling."
Atremis: "(They have so many... they wouldn't miss one... right?)"
Strange Halfling: "I am Casprio Merryfield, sir, proud owner of the Casprio Circus."
Atremis: "(...I promised miss Sana... but...)" [Will Save: 3]
Sana tries to stay hidden behind Maximilian.
Atremis pounces on a chicken, attempting to quickly silence it.
Atremis quickly dispatches one of the chickens, cleanly snapping its neck, and the other two begin squawking and flapping in panic.
Maximilian: "A circus!"
Atremis attempts to take the chicken away with him, running at full speed towards the rest of the party.
Sana: "Atremis! Get back away from there, those belong to someone..."
Maximilian resists turning to investigate the chickens, and continues to chat to the circus folk. [Will save: 22]
Maximilian: "I don't suppose you know much about this town, do you?"
"I heard it was abandoned, but I don't know why."
Atremis sets the chicken down in front of Sana, looking at her as if expecting praise of some sort.
Kimbrie Pickerel: "We only just got here..."
Efta: "Want to explain to them, Boss?"
Maximilian: "I uhm... I'm all ears!"
Maximilian shows visible strain as he tries not to look back.
Sana: "You shouldn't steal people's chickens, Atremis..."
Atremis: "(They had a lot though... and we needed food, right...?)"
"(I'm hungry...)"
Casprio Merryfield: "Ah. Explanations. You see, one of my men seems to have gotten himself killed as soon as we got here, and the locals have been quite unfriendly."
Sana: "(I'll get you some food after Max is done talking to the weird people, Atremis... please don't take any more chickens, it's bad.)"
Atremis whimpers.
Atremis: "(I was trying to help...)"
Maximilian: "G-gotten himself killed?!"
Penny Trisk turns to stare at Maximilian for a moment, tears running down her face, then looks down again.
Maximilian: "I'm so sorry to hear about that... is there anything I can do to help?"
Casprio Merryfield: "Quite a mistake, isn't it? Something beneath that old ruin of a house. I'm trying to explain that we need to flee while we can, but some have... sentimental objections."
Casprio Merryfield looks pointedly at the crying woman.
Efta tosses a dagger up and down in his hand idly.
Maximilian: "Is something down there? Is he still alive, but trapped?"
Efta: "(What Penny saw in Pol I'll never know...)"
Kimbrie Pickerel: "Casprio... made us block the door again. So it wouldn't come after us too..."
Maximilian: "Aha, so does the fair maiden seek vengeance?"
"What manner of beast lurks there?"
Zayja Mintarin: "Who knows. We just heard him screaming. Then nothing. It's been nearly three hours."
Atremis curls up on the ground in sadness, next to the chicken at Sana's feet.
Penny Trisk: "...vengeance? I just want him back..."
Maximilian: "I see..."
Sana kneels down to pet Atremis.
Efta jumps down from the wagon, dusting off his sleeves as he puts his dagger away.
Sana: "(It's okay, I know you didn't mean to be bad, you're still a good people...)"
Maximilian: "Perhaps we should speak with the villagers. Mayhap my companions and I can quell the darkness that lurks below."
Atremis: "(Perhaps I'll just... ask the other people for a pastry...)"
Middle-Aged Man: "Oi, what's this ruckus? Didn't I tell you all to scat!"
Atremis walks up to Maximilian, eyeing his pouch.
Efta shakes his head.
Maximilian turns towards the other man, then to his feet.
Efta: "Keep your squawking down, old man, I've already got a headache from this as it is."
Casprio Merryfield: "Yes, yes you did, my good fellow, and I assure you we have no desire to remain here!"
Maximilian bends down to fetch a pastry, but listening to the conversation.
Middle-Aged Man: "Well go on, get lost! We've got no place for strangers here! Welcomin' strangers is how that magician moved in, and I won't have it again!"
Maximilian: "S-say there, fellow..."
Kimbrie Pickerel: "We'll leave soon, I promise! Don't get angry, you'll scare Penny..."
Efta: "I'm afraid we need to retrieve our friend first."
Maximilian: "These travelers are clearly in need of some closure. I am a blessed knight of Ivanda, so it is my sworn duty to assist the needy."
Middle-Aged Man: "Well, isn't that nice for you."
Maximilian: "I say, if some foul wizard has cursed your grounds, perhaps my companion and I could cleanse it!"
Middle-Aged Man: "Mmm-hm. Well, great. That's great. You can head over east and do whatever you want in the old town as long as you don't let nothin' out."
Maximilian smiles with pride.
Maximilian turns to the carnies.
Maximilian: "Did you hear that? We're going to help you out!"
Penny Trisk: "You'll save Pol...?"
Sana: "We can try our best.."
Efta rubs Penny's shoulders, grinning.
Maximilian: "We'll do our best. It it's too late... well, at least we can avenge him, and you'll not be left wondering."
Casprio Merryfield: "Fantastic, good sir. Perhaps that means we can finally leave? He's the guard, it's his job. Better him than us."
Efta: "I'll go do the dirty work for you."
Kimbrie Pickerel: "Oh, thank you, mister knight! Thank you thank you!"
Maximilian: "No-one could perform well with a heart leaden with doubts. It is only natural we should help."
Zayja Mintarin: "Well, good luck. Try not to get yourselves killed too. ...Efta, did you just say what?"
Atremis stares at Maximilian, or more specifically at the pastry he fetched from his pouch.
Maximilian feels a piercing glare from below him, and sets down a pastry for Atremis, patting him on the head.
Sana: "We will beat up whatever bad things are in there!"
Efta retrieves a pristine-looking tome from the wagon, sweeping his hair back.
Maximilian raises an eyebrow at Efta.
Atremis nibbles at the pastry happily.
Maximilian: "(The man did suggest that a wizard caused this...)"
Efta cracks his knuckles.
Middle-Aged Man goes back inside and slams the door of his house, harrumphing.
Efta: "Right! Best get going then. Don't want to overstay our welcome."
Maximilian: "That, I can agree with. Your boss certainly doesn't want to linger, either."
Casprio Merryfield: "It hardly seems we can wait for stragglers here, so you'll forgive me if we move on if you don't come back soon. Finding another good magician would be a bother, so do meet up with us in Alta for the coronation if you survive, won't you?"
Efta: "You're gonna leave without me, Boss?"
Casprio Merryfield: "You're going, aren't you? You may be worth more than Pol, but not more than a day more."
Penny Trisk: "Casprio, you're terrible..."
Efta: "Huh. Well, see you back in Alta then, I guess."
Kimbrie Pickerel: "(I'll stall the boss as long as I can, okay? We're all counting on you!)"
Efta ruffles Kimbrie's hair in acknowledgement.
Casprio Merryfield: "Yes, yes, very good. Quite brave of you and all."
Zayja Mintarin: "Didn't think you had it in you, Efta."
Maximilian: "Well, then! ...Efta? Would you lead the way for us?"
Efta: "Oh, how you wound me, Zayja!"
"I'm doing only what any gentleman would do."
Maximilian: "He's quite right there!"
Efta gives a few winks to each member of the troupe, before turning to Maximilian.
Efta: "Right. What's your name, knight?"
Maximilian: "Maximilian! But as we shall be fighting together, just Max will do."
Sana tries to hide behind Max from the weird new person. [Stealth: 1]
Efta: "It's past the wagon, I'll show you."
Efta walks enthusiastically past Casprio, smirking as he calls back to him.
Efta: "I expect a pay rise for this, Boss~ See you back in Alta."
Maximilian follows excitedly, guiding Marigold with him.
Atremis looks at Max and Marigold heading off, wondering if he's been forgotten.
Casprio Merryfield: "Of course, if you make it there!"
Sana picks up Atremis and carries him with the group.
Efta: "So, what brings you to this dump?"
Maximilian: "We plan to shut down a plot to seize the throne!"
Efta: "The throne, huh?"
Maximilian: "There's an organised group who seem to be kidnapping, blackmailing and ambushing nobles who side with the prince."
Efta: "Can't say I'm interested in all that noble stuff, myself."
Maximilian: "Well, there's something else you should know."
"Our fox friend, Atremis. He's much smarter than your regular fox."
Efta: "Some kinda magic, or something?"
Maximilian: "I honestly have no idea! But he's exceptionally crafty, and has been a valuable ally."
Efta: "Suppose it'll have to do, then!"
Efta turns round by the entrance of the ruin, swiveling a pointed shoe in the dirt.
Efta: "So, Pol went down here a couple hours ago."
Maximilian rubs his head.
Maximilian: "So, you folks said that you sealed it?"
The area looks as if several buildings were torn down or destroyed, only the one still standing, and only barely, a heap of stones inside it looking deliberately placed. A single gravestone surrounded by flowers can barely be seen to the north, looking distinctly out of place.
Efta: "Yep! Old Casprio's such a worrier."
Maximilian: "Well, I guess there's one simple solution to this!"
Maximilian bends down, and begins to haul some of the rocks. [STR Check: 10]
It takes some time, but the rocks can all be moved out of the way eventually
Maximilian: "Right then..."
Maximilian touches the top of his helmet, illuminating it.
Underneath them, a narrow trapdoor leads to a staircase, barely visible in the dark.
Efta turns back to Sana, tilting his head.
Efta: "You sure a dainty little flower like you can handle this?"
Sana: "I'm sure... I'm stronger than I look..."
Maximilian: "She's like a different person in battle."
Atremis yips.
Efta tries to hold back a grin.
Efta: "I look forward to it."
Maximilian: "This is going to be a little tight for Marigold..."
"Come on, girl, you'll have all of us with you." [Handle Animal: 23]
Marigold looks distressed, but follows Maximilian anyway.
Maximilian pets Marigold's head and nose as he guides her down, giving her a sugarlump as she makes it to the bottom.

The staircase eventually flattens into a winding tunnel, the air smelling of decay.
Maximilian: "(Urgh, I can see why you didn't want to come down.)"
Atremis whimpers.
Maximilian: "(What were you circus folk even doing down here?)"
Sana steps down and pets Atremis.
Sana: "It'll be okay, we won't be down here too long."
Efta: "(Finding a place to rest for the night.)"
Atremis steps forward cautiously, keeping his eyes out for any abnormalities and making sure to keep behind Sana.
Sana steps forward cautiously, in her armour.
Efta: "Stick to the back please, miss."
Small spectral figures scatter as Sana approaches.
Efta: "I'm sure Max can handle the front."
Atremis looks unnerved.
Maximilian: "Well, actually, I'd prefer to do so when there's more space."
Atremis takes a step back...
Maximilian: "Cramped up like this, Sana is best in the lead."
Efta: "Huh. I won't question it, then."
Maximilian readies his lance, the weapon clearly not suited for a close melee.
Efta removes a wand from the pocket on his sleeve, laying it on his chest as he channels a defensive spell. [Shield]
Sana draws her huge sword, at the ready for combat, edging forwards. [Perception: 21]
Atremis still appears afraid...
Sana: [Speak With Animals] "{Atremis, it will be okay, I promise...! Just stay behind me and be a strong fox.}" [Handle Animal: 12]
Atremis looks fairly timid still, but decides hiding behind Sana is fine for now.
Sana: "I see... rats..."
Maximilian: "Really?"
Sana: "Two of them... and a third went across on our right... and they're big..."
Maximilian: "Hmph, I was expecting some unspeakable horror."
Sana: "Then... um..."
"CHARGE!"
Maximilian: "Tally ho!"
Sana rushes forwards with her sword, attacking the rat!
[Sana : Greatsword, Attack: 7, Damage: 10]
Efta watches Sana charge forward in fascination.
Sana chops a fragment off the table, startling the rats but not harming any.
Sana: "U-um... missed... oh dear."

[Efta - Initiative: 29.04
Dire Shadow Rat - Initiative: 18
Sana -Initiative: 17
Atremis -Initiative: 14
Dire Shadow Rat - Initiative: 13
Dire Shadow Rat - Initiative: 10
Dire Shadow Rat - Initiative: 9
Maximilian - Initiative: 7.01
Dire Shadow Rat - Initiative: 7]

Efta strides forward, flicking through pages of his tome as he channels magic into one hand. [Magic Missile, Damage: 9]
The rat fades out with an anguished squeak.

The cornered rat tries to bite Sana.
[Dire Shadow Rat : Bite, Attack: 18, Damage: 1, STR damage: 1]
It only manages to chip its teeth on armor, though.

[Sana : Greatsword, Attack: 23, Damage: 11
Crit Confirm: 11, Crit Damage: 7]
Sana finishes off the rat, and it fades away too.

Atremis steps ahead cautiously, doing his best to remain wary and secretive. [Stealth check: 20]

One of the rats, showing no notice of Atremis, skitters over to try to take a bite out of Efta.
[Dire Shadow Rat : Bite, Attack: 22, Damage: 2, STR damage: 2]
It manages to draw blood, and one of the other rats approaches, heedless of the danger from running past Sana.
[Dire Shadow Rat : Bite, Attack: 23, Damage: 1, STR damage: 1]
The other rat manages to deliver a wound as well.

Maximilian steps forward to back up Efta, whispering a swift prayer to Ivanda. [Fervor, Divine Favor]
Maximilian attempts to skewer one of the rats from afar.
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor, Attack: 22, Damage: 12]
Max strikes the rat, and it dissipates.

Efta: "Pesky little vermin."
Efta steps back, adjacent to Max, extending a finger at the rat as a pair of ethereal missiles are released from it. [Magic Missile, Damage: 7]
Maximilian: "Are you alright?"
Another rat fades out, finished off by the energy missiles.

The remaining rat approaches and tries to bite Sana.
[Dire Shadow Rat : Bite, Attack: 22, Damage: 2, STR damage: 2]
It manages to find a chink in her armor, landing fangs on her.

Atremis sees the last rat as too far away, and instead decides to continue to move around the shadows in the room's walls.

Maximilian charges forward, lance braced!
Maximilian: "Huzzah!"
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor, Attack: 15, Damage: 9]
The rat skitters out of the way, barely.
Marigold stumbles forward, relieved to be somewhere more open, but unnerved by the contents of the chamber.

Efta nimbly darts forwards, gripping his tome as he fires another pair of missiles from one finger. [Magic Missile, 6]
The missiles tear apart the rat's flesh, it not quite disintegrating yet.

[Sana : Greatsword, Attack: 17, Damage: 14]
Sana: "...yah!"
Sana manages to finish off the rat, its form dissolving into shadows..

Atremis stays hidden in the shadows, warily investigating.
Efta glances around the room curiously.
Efta: "My, my. I wonder what's been going on here."
Maximilian: "Those weren't natural at all, were they?"
Efta crouches down on one knee, in front of where the rat once stood, observing the air..
Sana: "..some sort of undead rat... no wonder why Atremis is anxious..."
Efta: "They didn't seem to be originally, though."
Sana: "Might have fed off of other undead, meaning..."
Efta: "I'd guess we can expect... more undead inside."
Sana: "There could be unspeakable horrors deeper inside..."
Atremis seems to grow more concerned.
Maximilian: "Exactly! It would be a privilege to slay them!"
Atremis comes out of the shadows, trying to hide with Sana.
Efta gets back up, looking into the pool curiously.
Sana kneels next to Atremis
Sana: "(Undead making you nervous, right? They're broken old bodies at best... nothing compared to the bandits and harpies we've been fighting...)"
"(You're a strong fox, aren't you, Atremis? You can do this!)"
It appears to be a vat of blood, somehow magically preserved.
Maximilian puzzles over which direction to go, staying close to his horse.
Atremis looks up to Sana.
Atremis: "(I'll... be okay... right?)"
Sana: "(I'll protect you, no matter what, Atremis.)"
"(You won't die as long as I still breathe...)"
Atremis nods slowly, then returns to the shadows, examining the tunnel to the north. [Stealth: 23]
Efta traces a finger along the surface of the stone, tilting his head.
Maximilian: "You want us to go that way, Atremis?"
Efta: "(...Interesting.)"
"Mm. Let's move on."
Atremis reaches a large door without anything seeming to be nearby, and can hear unnatural-sounding moaning and clattering from behind it.
Atremis listens at the door, trying to pinpoint what it means.
Atremis begins to growl.
Sana: "...then there's trouble..."
"...then let's kick down the doors and charge them immediately."
Sana prepares her summoning spell in one hand, gripping her sword in the other. [Summon Monster II]
Atremis steps out of the party's way, trying to keep in the shadows.
Maximilian: "Alright, get to the sides. If I lower my head, I can lead the charge."
Efta: "Heh, I look forward to this."
Maximilian leans forward to turn the handle, ready to grab the reins again.
The door creaks open. The sides of the room are lined with cages, the floor covered in a layer of slimy muck. The various corpses all turn to stare at the party with empty eyes.
Efta: "Oh my."
Sana's wolf materializes, ready to assist.

[Efta - Initiative: 15.03
Maximilian - Initiative: 11.01
Zombie - Initiative: 10
Zombie - Initiative: 9
Wight - Initiative: 9
Atremis - Initiative: 8
Zombie - Initiative: 7
Skeleton - Initiative: 6
Darkling Wraith: 4
Sana - Initiative: 1]

Efta lays a hand on Max's armour, imbuing it with a matte white energy. [Protection from Evil]

Marigold steps inside, finding the space restrictive, and at Max's behest doesn't move far in.
[Maximilian readies an attack against the first enemy to move into range]

One of the corpses shambles foward.

Another follows, heedlessly wandering into Max's lance.
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor Readied Action, Attack: 10, Damage: 16]

The robed skeleton bangs on the cage, and picks up a bit of rock from the ground to throw at Max.
[Wight : Thrown Rubble, Attack: 9, Damage: 2]
It looks even more enraged by its failure, and starts gathering up more rocks.

Atremis skulks around the wall edges, trying to find something he can do.
Maximilian: "Whoa!"

The skeleton in the back tries to break free. [STR check: 7]
It looks solidly trapped, though.

Another zombie hobbles forward, and the other creature fades further invisible, passing through the cage like nothing before reappearing fully.

Sana directs the wolf to attack the nearest undead, moving forwards herself.
[Wolf Bite, Attack: 12, Damage: 2
+1 Smite Evil, Trip: 16]
The wolf manages to take a bite out of the zombie, toppling it.

Efta flicks through his tome, conjuring a flaming orb with his free hand which he propels at the nearest group of corpses.
[Flaming Sphere, Damage: 7]
[Zombie - Reflex Save: 13]
The zombie is scorched, but remains upright.