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[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Dungeon Master
GM, 112 posts
Lord of Lies
Teller of Tales
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 06:35
  • msg #11

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Round 6

Amara moves into threaten the old woman on the ceiling.

Karella holds.

Torgan throws another javelin that shatters another illusory image.

Verna moves over to threaten the old woman with her lance.

Moggrim pokes at the weaver with his spear again but she bats it aside.

The weaver looks at the swarm of reinforcements and then holds her hands up.
"I surrender! I surrender! I am but an old woman and I am no match for you mighty adventurers"



NameInitiativeACHPAttackDamageStatus
Amara211611/11Shortsword x2 +21d6+4/+2Inspired
Karella21117/7Quarterstaff-11d6-1Inspired
Torgan Dul181711/11Cold iron dagger +11d4+1Inspired
Verna141713/13Lance+21d6Inspired
Garret-1516/16Bite+21d6+2-
Moggrim141512/12Cold Iron Shortspear +31d6+2-
Weaver10??HurtUnarmed1d3-2Mirror Image (2)
Rynwyrd7136/10Branched Spear+31d8-1Inspired
Eliza--Injured--Unconscious

HealthyBruisedHurtInjuredWoundedMauledCrippledDyingDead
100%99% - 75%75% - 60%60% - 45%45% - 30%30% - 15%15% - 0%0% >Dead

Amara
Elven Rogue, 86 posts
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 07:47
  • msg #12

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Amara had moved in closer while considering the witch, but she surrendered before Amara could take action. Yea, right. She didn't trust the witch in the slightest. She sheathed the short sword in her right hand though and drew a dagger instead, watching her warily. Best she have a weapon ready to throw if she attacked but wouldn't come off the ceiling.

Move Action : Sheath short sword
Standard Action : Draw Dagger

This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Sun 11 Nov 2018.
Torgan Dul
Half-Orc Bard, 71 posts
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 19:46
  • msg #13

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Torgan grinned at the weaver's surrender.  That was a good sign, that she'd be willing to see reason when outnumbered.  Now they just needed some actual proof that she was the murderer.

First things first, though.  They'd have to tie the witch up.  "You surrender?"  He asked.  "Great!  Come on down and we can talk this through!"

He cast grease on the wall, to help the old lady down.

Standard: Cast grease on the wall, the weaver must make a DC 14 reflex save or fall prone on the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Sat 10 Nov 2018.
Verna Underbough
Halfling Cavalier, 54 posts
AC: 17/13/15. HP:7/14.
Saves: 6/3/2*. Init: +2.
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 21:35
  • msg #14

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Verna let the others take charge in apprehending the woman. She readied her shortbow incase she wasn´t surrendering anyway and signaled Garret to stand down in case she should come down from the ceiling.





Ready action - fire bow should she do anything threatening

Rynwyrd Darkmoon
Elven Alchemist, 59 posts
Blood is hard to wash off
Flame works a bit better
Sat 10 Nov 2018
at 23:13
  • msg #15

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Rynwyrd stayed back, still wounded and not wanting to get in the line of fire should things turned ugly again. He still wasn't sure WHY the fight had started. Of course, since two villagers had attacked them, he also wondered if that meant the rest of the villagers might attack them as well. The thought was unsettling to say the least.
Karella
Elven Wizard, 49 posts
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 01:52
  • msg #16

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Karella kept a watchful eye from the rear.
Dungeon Master
GM, 115 posts
Lord of Lies
Teller of Tales
Sun 25 Nov 2018
at 03:58
  • msg #17

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

By now a crowd had started to form outside of the shop. The Ravenmoor villagers were keeping their distance but an unsettling number appeared to be armed. Nothing too dangerous, pitchforks and the like but still it seemed the commotion had attracted quite a bit of attention.

Before Torgan could cast his spell the old woman scrambled down from the wall and resumed her bent over crone stance. Just before she had been as sprightly as a teenager but now she seemed to be acting her age.
Andretti Kriegler
NPC, 5 posts
Human Male
Mayor of Ravenmoor
Sun 25 Nov 2018
at 03:59
  • msg #18

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Just then the town mayor pushed his way through the crowd.

"What is going on here? You there, you're the ones from the circus. What the blazes is going on here?"
Torgan Dul
Half-Orc Bard, 72 posts
Sun 25 Nov 2018
at 06:05
  • msg #19

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Torgan couldn't help but gulp as he noticed the the mob of villagers surrounding the house, complete with torches and pitchforks.  Then, his confident smile returned.  What was there to be afraid of?  These were hicks!  And if Torgan Dul couldn't talk his way past a mob of hillbillies, then maybe he deserved to get pitchforked to death.

Before addressing the crowd, Torg stepped in close to the rest of the party gathered in the corner of the shop. "Toss the place.  Especially the back room.  Hopefully we can find something incriminating or at least..."  he lowered his voice even more, until it was barely a whisper.  "...valuable."

Handing over his length of rope, he continued.  "Someone tie her up.  And gag her, so she can't cast any spells."

With that out of the way, the bard stepped out through the front door and into the middle of the crowd. "Good people of Ravenmoor, don't be alarmed.  You're all safe now!"

"I'm sorry to inform you that one of your own, Viorec Korzha, was murdered earlier today with a lethal dose of spider venom.  Your mayor requested our aid in tracking down the culprit, and I'm proud to say we have.  The killer is this woman before you!"
  With a sweeping gesture,  Togan waved to the fragile-lookimg old woman cornered in the back of her own shop.

"The first of you to arrive, to run bravely towards the sound of fighting, you saw the way she scuttled on the ceiling with a speed that belied her frail appearance!"
  With another wave, he brought the crowd's attention to the remains of the web thrown over Moggrim at the start of the battle.  "Just as damning is this web she threw as she tried to ambush us.  This is no mere magical construct like a witch or wizard would use, but a real web woven by a huge spider!"

Torgan raised his hands as if to fend off the inevitable onslaught of questions.  "I know you all have questions, and we will do our best to answer them, but first we require your help.  Who can tell me about this woman?  How long has she been in town? Has she recently started acting strange, as if she had been replaced?"

21:58, Today: Torgan Dul rolled 26 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 15.  Diplomancy
This message was last edited by the player at 06:16, Sun 25 Nov 2018.
Verna Underbough
Halfling Cavalier, 56 posts
AC: 17/13/15. HP:7/14.
Saves: 6/3/2*. Init: +2.
Sun 25 Nov 2018
at 06:22
  • msg #20

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Verna watched carefully over the hag as the others would tie her up. Bow and arrow at the ready, And Garrick growled slightly while not taking his eyes of her.
Amara
Elven Rogue, 88 posts
Tue 27 Nov 2018
at 00:56
  • msg #21

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Amara sheathed her sword quietly but kept her dagger in hand just in case as she drew a note, walking to Torgan as he spoke to the crowd and casually handing it to him. On the note was the following 'I, the great sphinx, can tell you where your son is. Meet me alone today.' as she spoke softly in his ear while the towns people listened, before leaving him to be the face. And potentially take all the anger.

"There was a magical construct and a half dozen potions at the house, two of which where meant to negate poison and another to heal. Make of it what you will."
Andretti Kriegler
NPC, 6 posts
Human Male
Mayor of Ravenmoor
Wed 28 Nov 2018
at 04:17
  • msg #22

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

The mayor looked around but none of the other villagers shouted in agreement with the adventurers. From the outside, especially with the adventurers clusters around the entrance it would have been difficult to impossible to see the old woman and the webbing had started dissolving the moment she climbed down leaving nothing but faint traces behind.

Andretti poked his head in but saw nothing beyond the collapsed form of Viorec's wife. His face boiled to anger and he thrust an accusing finger at Torgan.

"Lies! Viorec was murdered by that monster from the circus and now they send thugs to frame our poor Alizna for it? This is beyond the pale and there will be justice for attacking our people. If you are so sure that Alizna, who has lived in this village for all her life, is some kind of monster then where is your proof? If she is the murderer then where is your proof? I see no magical webs and apparently only the circus folk saw her climb the walls and ambush the adventurers."

A few people in the crowd start nodding and shouting "Yeah, that's right!". It's clear from his tone that Andretti has turned against the group and the anger and hostility in his tone is almost tangible.

Meanwhile Alzina, the weaver, has begun to cry with a look of terror and fear on her face really playing up the "innocent old woman" act for the crowd who seem to be buying it hook, line and sinker.

OOC: I am having Andretti vs. the Adventurers be handled via contested rolls. Round 1 goes to Andretti who got a 28 with his exaggerations of the involvement of the PCs and the "monster" of the circus.
Torgan Dul
Half-Orc Bard, 74 posts
Thu 29 Nov 2018
at 02:33
  • msg #23

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Torgan turned to fix the mayor with a glare.  "As I said, we'll do our best to answer any questions you have.  But FIRST, lets deal with the baseless accusation you yourself just leveled towards me and my companions.  Lets get those out of the way so we can move on with things."

"When you say the monster from the circus did it, I assume you mean the Sphinx?  Tell me, mayor, you saw Viorec's body; do you remember the puncture wounds in the neck?  The black, bloated skin?  The acidic stench?  The man died from a giant spider's bite."

"Do you know what a sphinx is?" The bard continued caustically.  "If not, maybe I can fill you in on the important point: They're not fucking spiders, Andretti!"

Torgan watched the Mayor carefully for his reaction.  Would he deny what he had seen, or concede the point?  Was the mayor in on it, or just some belligerent asshole trying to rile up a mob?

19:13, Today: Torgan Dul rolled 13 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 2.  Diplomacy again.
19:29, Today: Torgan Dul rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Sense motive VS Andretti.

Verna Underbough
Halfling Cavalier, 58 posts
AC: 17/13/15. HP:7/14.
Saves: 6/3/2*. Init: +2.
Fri 30 Nov 2018
at 05:47
  • msg #24

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Verna whistled the command to guard at Garrick. Putting down her lance, she then went about searching for any clues of the 'woman's evil deeds. Starting with the back area.

05:46, Today: Verna Underbough rolled 15 using 1d20+3 ((12)).
Karella
Elven Wizard, 52 posts
Sun 2 Dec 2018
at 08:07
  • msg #25

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

With most of spells depleted, Karella focused on checking to see if there were any magical auras in the area. She shifted to check on the mayor as well. Everyone was a suspect from her point of view. It was strange to find so many different magical influences in a tiny community.
Amara
Elven Rogue, 92 posts
Sun 2 Dec 2018
at 08:08
  • msg #26

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

"Yes, that makes perfect sense. The circus has a nigh unstoppable magical creature who decides rather then the sweet gig of lazing around and getting paid to let people look at it, it would rather risk everything to kill one random guy from a small out of the way village. Much more likely then someone taking advantage of outsiders to cover their tracks, right?"

The sarcasm was strong as Amara rolled her eyes, maybe she should just let the town fight the Sphinx? That would certainly be worth the money she paid for the circus sham.

01:07, Today: Amara rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Aid Another (Diplomacy).
Andretti Kriegler
NPC, 7 posts
Human Male
Mayor of Ravenmoor
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 23:05
  • msg #27

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Andretti stumbles at Torgan's accusation and Amara's backup only helps drive the point home. The crowd which had been looking so angry moments earlier seemed to be back to a neutral, uncertain stance.

OOC: Point to the PCs. The match is tied 1:1. Time for the tie breaker...

Andretti scowls for a moment but then nods his head.

"Fine! You may be correct that it was the work of some sort of spider however that doesn't rule out the circus. For all we know there are some creatures that fit the profile in the house of horrors or in that menagerie I've seen adverts for. Nevertheless, even if the culprit came from this town that does not give you any right to enact capital justice on your own. Storming into a shop with weapons drawn and attacking an old woman and grieving widow without any evidence! That is beyond outrageous!"




Verna and Karella search the shop but find little in the way of direct evidence. The only thing of note they find on widow's body, a vial of blue liquid in one and and an empty vial on the other that seems to match the stains found on the sickle she had been using against Rynwyrd. What it is, however, is a mystery...
Verna Underbough
Halfling Cavalier, 59 posts
AC: 17/13/15. HP:7/14.
Saves: 6/3/2*. Init: +2.
Tue 4 Dec 2018
at 14:51
  • msg #28

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

"Perhaps the poison and the cure?" Verna says to the others when she gets back to the others in the store front holding the vials, one in each hand.
Karella
Elven Wizard, 53 posts
Tue 4 Dec 2018
at 20:50
  • msg #29

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Karella took a moment to examine both vials before Verna took them to the others. But it was difficult to identify the substance.


Tried Spellcraft check, but the roll didn't look good.
rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Spellcraft

Rynwyrd Darkmoon
Elven Alchemist, 60 posts
Blood is hard to wash off
Flame works a bit better
Thu 6 Dec 2018
at 17:47
  • msg #30

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Rynwyrd frowned at the mayor. "We didn't STORM anywhere, and we only drew weapons to DEFEND ourselves. The widow attacked ME! And then shopkeeper climbed up the wall and spat out acid and webs! If anyone should be outraged it should be US, but we're trying to keep things calm, unlike you who is trying to rile his people up for some strange reason. That's good mayor-ing right there." He leaned on his spear for support, tired from the fight and his wounds.

OOC: Not sure if you rolled for 'last round' or this round. This roll sucked of course.
10:46, Today: Rynwyrd Darkmoon rolled 7 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 6.  Diplomacy to assist Torgan if needed.

Amara
Elven Rogue, 94 posts
Fri 7 Dec 2018
at 07:42
  • msg #31

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Amara shook her head at the others, but figured more then anything the gash marks on Rynwyrd was sight enough of just how badly that the 'grieving widow' had defended herself. She stepped back to more properly examine the shop, more to look for hidden alcoves and niches while the others talked. She was a thief after all, and she knew about hidey holes. Absently focusing her eyes as she searched.

Standard: Detect Magic
Move: Searching for hidden cache's

Torgan Dul
Half-Orc Bard, 78 posts
Fri 7 Dec 2018
at 20:31
  • msg #32

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Torgan nodded along with Rynwyrd's angry retort.  "Not only that, but the weaver there was doing her best to lure us into the shop for her ambush.  Calling us in, pretending to be deaf, and the second we walked through the door, your grieving widow burst out of the back room swinging a blade."

Somewhat theatrically, the half-orc turned to regard the mysterious vial in his companion's hands and the stained-looking sickle.  "A blade coated in poison, at that.  Or maybe magic oil or something, I'm not a wizard.  The point is, this was planned."

"In fact, it's a testament to my associate's restraint that they didn't !  She's got a few extra bumps, but she should be up an about in time for you to hang her.  Or stick her in a wicker man, or whatever it is you folks do to murderers out here."


He hesitated.  "...I think."

Holding up a finger for the crowd to wait, Torgan walked over the widow.  "You still breathing?"  He asked the prone figure, prodding her with his boot.  When she didn't kick him back, the half-orc shrugged.

"Either way."  He continued undeterred.  "The point isn't whether or not we cheated the hangman, the point is that it was self-defense."

13:07, Today: Torgan Dul rolled 0 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 1.  heal check (is eliza dead?).
07:40, Today: Torgan Dul rolled 19 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 8.  Diplo on crowd.

Andretti Kriegler
NPC, 8 posts
Human Male
Mayor of Ravenmoor
Tue 18 Dec 2018
at 19:47
  • msg #33

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

The crowd seemed to be heading towards the side of the adventurers. The mayor, sensing the shift gave out a loud sigh and nodded.

"We will conduct an investigation. I will personally inquire about what is going on and get to the bottom of this, believe me."

A couple of the stronger farmers came forward and helped the adventurers secure the widow Eliza and the weaver Alizna. Andretti at first protests any of the adventurers from being present during the questioning but eventually he acquiesces. The group meanwhile goes back and finishes exploring the abandoned farmhouse and over the course of the following day the truth is finally revealed.

Alizna was eventually revealed to be an aranea (magical spider-woman monster) shapeshifted to look like an old woman. Eliza knew about this and for reasons she wouldn't revealed was working with Alizna. Virec's son broke into the abandoned farmhouse that they were using as a base of operations to create poisons and drugs and was killed by Alizna who ate him (the bones of the poor boy were found in the basement).

Eliza tried to get Viorec to let the disappearance of his son go but he refused and she began to worry that he might start poking around the abandoned farmhouse as well. With the circus coming to town it was decided to forge a note to lure Viorec to the lair of some beast (and conveniently a place that was empty at known times of day) and have Alizna kill him. They attempted to frame the sphinx but neither Eliza nor Alizna had ever seen one before so they had to make their best guess.




Mayor Andretti quietly tells the adventurers the missing pieces of this story the following evening around his kitchen table.

<b>"It seems I owe both you and your circus masters an apology. It turns out you were correct that this was plotted from within my own town and wasn't, as expected, the result of outsiders. I suspect there may be more conspirators among the town as the alchemical lab in the farmhouse was not a small operation. I will have to keep a more watchful eye on my neighbors to ensure that whether or not there are any more responsible that their foul operations are truly closed down. While ordinarily this would be a cause for celebration the revelation of these past few days has been troubling. Viorec was popular and well-liked while Alizna has been in the town for decades. Many of us have grown up wearing the clothes she weaved from babies into adulthood. There is the idea that the monster we have trapped below just recently replaced the real Alizna but I do not know which would be worse: that our poor beloved Alizna was brutally killed and eaten or if she had never existed at all.

In any event with this investigation completed I would kindly ask you to leave my town. Collect your pay from the circus and begone by morning's light. Self-Defense or not many of my fellows are blaming your group for this recent...unpleasantness. I know it doesn't make sense but remember these are simple, down-to-earth people not used to murderers and monsters. I do not know if there are others that might be looking for revenge or simply looking for a way to lash out and vent. Either way I cannot guarantee your safety and the last thing we need is for someone to go too far and we wind up with another body to bury.

If it is any consolation I have heard that they are looking for mercenaries over in Roderic's Cove..."
</b.
Torgan Dul
Half-Orc Bard, 79 posts
Wed 19 Dec 2018
at 23:49
  • msg #34

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Sitting across the kitchen table from Kriegler, Torgan regarded the mayor coolly.  His hands tapped quietly, restlessly on the table as he listened to Kriegler's veiled threats about what might happen if the party didn't leave town.

When the Mayor was done, Torgan stood up.  "Investigation completed, huh.  With that many loose ends."  It was not a question.

The half orc leaned forwards over the table.  "We're out of here either way, but lets make one thing clear here: I know that you were involved."  The half orc's voice was low and steady and venomous.  "You're not that fucking smooth, Andretti.  I noticed that long, clearly rehearsed speech when you found the body.  The lynch mob you tried to raise on us.  The fact that that drug lab took money and you're the richest man in this hick town.  That you claimed there were no shady-types, when a man like you would have clearly noticed a seamstress walking around with drug dealer money.  Nobody's that dense.  I mean, I've met some dumb bastards in my time, but you'd have to be the dumbest bastard in the whole world to do what you did and not be in on the scam."

He straightened up, looking down at Andretti.  "If I was a better man, the type who really cared about justice, I'd stick around.  I'd make sure everyone found out just what kind of man you are, and I'd see you hanging from the tallest tree in town for letting that fucking thing get away with eating a kid for as long as she did.  But there's no money in that sort of thing, so I guess this town's stuck with you until they figure it out for themselves."

"But I just want you to know that I know.  And one day, when I'm bored, or in the area, or have a sudden attack of conscience, you might just see me again."

Torgan turned and walked to the door.  At the threshold he stopped to hawk and spit a glob of phlem on the mayor's floor before leaving.


Outside the manor, Torgan turned to the others. "That was fun."  He declared cheerfully, his serious demeanor disappearing like smoke.  "I've never got to solve a murder before.  Y'know, I think we make a pretty decent team."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Thu 20 Dec 2018.
Amara
Elven Rogue, 95 posts
Thu 20 Dec 2018
at 17:40
  • msg #35

[Chapter 0.04] The Weaver's Web

Amara stayed quiet as if considering but when offered she took her money, stepping outside the building once more silent. She let Torgan go off on his rant, she did agree with him after all. She had set up her own plots and scheme's similar to Andretti in the past, albeit she never got caught out like he did. Seriously that was such a set up.

-----

She smiled lightly at Torgan, given an absent nod as she twirled the pouch of gold considering before putting it away and nodding her head towards the church.

"Before we leave, While we collect the rest of the gold, I'm gonna make sure the circus knows exactly who tried to set up. Who knows, they may actually be behind the next murder." Amara speaks quietly to Torgan and the others, obviously not caring if she's setting Andretti up to be killed before she leaves town.
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