As you spend time in the dock district of Waterdeep during a week filled with icy winds, knee-deep snows, and few options for action, you hear rumors about strange cloaked beings, some of them human, others half-elven, and some of monstrous races like orcs and gnolls.

Besides your run-in with these mysterious figures, you have heard of several other businesses near The Rusty Nail Inn and Tavern that have been "visited" by these beings, including Harran's Meats and Furs from the Four Corners and The Wheel and the Anchor.

Investigating these businesses, you find out that the owners have cowed to the threats of the cloaked ones, and the owners' lips are pretty much sealed.

The woman who runs the fur shop whispers that she has told the City Watch, but they have so far done nothing to help her situation.

OOC: In Waterdeep, the City Watch are the police force.

Harran lets you know that he is glad to pay the bi-weekly fee and feels the cloaked ones can offer protection that the City Watch can't.  He just paid them, and is already saving coins for his next payment in 20 days.

I mean, it sometimes takes evil to stop evil, right?  Monsters fighting monster, and you fight fire with fire, eh?

Who cares if they may come from a different plane and all?



Rejin, the little man who runs the seedy dive "The Wheel and Anchor" says nothing, only that he fears his life and the life of his family.


Other things you hear bother you.

The leaders of the cloaked beings seem to have magial powers, either arcane, divine, or even both.

Arjun Colarn, the young brother of Prudence Colarn, the owner of The Rusty Nail, seems somehow connected to the Cloaked Ones, for he is never around when these figures appear, and they have only been in The Rusty Nail when Arjun is not there.

Pressure is on for Prudence to pay the protection money the cloaked ones are demanding from her.  She shakes her head and her sour expression shows that she hates the idea of having to pay the initial 50 gold pieces demanded by the mysterious beings.

It only starts there.  Once they get their hooks in, they keep demaning more and more...

And why the hells don't the Watch do something to help?  Are they in it, too?  Probably getting a kickback.

Prudence thinks the cloaked ones will be back in a few nights, probably with more members than when they tried to shake her down last night...when you fought and stopped them, chasing off some of their members.

------------------------------------------

As you talk and plan over supper, the common room is crowded, as the inn is filled with those who have become citizens of Waterdeep for the harsh winter.

Conversations are hushed and eyes dart around, people expecting trouble.

And they don't have long to wait.

A half hour or so after the sun goes down and Selune rises over the harbor, someone treks past The Rusty Nail, holding his cloak tight to fend off the fierce wind.

He sticks his red-nosed face into the door and says loudly Them cloaked ones is out again, over at Harran's, probl'y collectin' payment.  Best stay away.

But that does not add up...You found out from Mr. Harran that he just paid them their bi-weekly fee...

amion's head snaps up from his meal when the red nosed man poked his head in and told of the cloaked ones at Harran's. After the door shuts he leans into the table a bit and whispers to his companions.
"It may be time to become a bit more proactive in finding out what these "cloaked ones" are all about. I am going to get my gear and headin over if any would care to join me." he says then pushes back from the table. The young man heads to his room and straps on his breast plate and greaves, grabs his shield and straps on his sword belt. Lastly he hefts his spear and heads for the common room.

Kalmir runs up to his room and grabs hisstuff at Damion's insistence. When he gets back down he walks over to the bar a bounce in his step. He seeks out prudence and exchanges a few words with her. We go to Harran's to have a drink he says winking at her, Don't worry, you have not tried to cheat Kalmir and friends and you charge us reasonable rates. We not let cloaked idiots harm you or your inn.

Soe was napping in Khidran's lap as custom at this hour when the red red-faced appeared, in a swift move he stashed Soe in his pocket without waking her up, he decided it was better to leave her behind once he was in his room, so he carefully placed here on the bed with a blanket over her, as usual she purred and awaited his arrival under the blanket, instead she could hear the door slam.

A few minutes later he stood outside in the cold air awaiting the others and listening for sounds of combat or magic.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Mon 07 May 2007.

OOC: I will assume the whole party decides to go to Harran's to check on the goings-on.

===========================

Making your way through the snow-filled streets is easy in the sense there is hardly anyone about to get in your way, but harder than normal, due to the foot-high snow cover in most places.  The Watch and members of the Mage's Guild have done a decent job of cleaning the main streets of much of the snow, but it falls so fast, these two able groups have been falling behind.

You make it to Harran's and see some local folk gathered near the shop.  Seeing you come onto the scene, one of the younger men in the small crowd puts his finger to his lips and makes the "Shhhh" sound.

Don't let them know you're here, and you'll see a good show!  The cloaked things, they're having their way with Harran.  He probably don't got enough to pay them and now he's going to pay...in blood!

Forging on ahead, you come to Harran's and see two cloaked figures standing outside the shop.  One's attention in on the action within the store, while the other's is on you as you approach.

As you get nearer, he draws one gloved hand up in a "halt" position, but says nothing and seems to bear no weapon.  He may well have a weapon drawn beneath his thick black cloak, though.

He stands a good 6 and a half feet tall and is broad like Kalmir.

You can not see into the store right now.

=================================


OOC:

Basically the two bruisers are right outside the door of Harran's.  There are no people close to the shop; they are near the next building, a residence.

You are about 15 feet from the cloaked being with its hand up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:59, Sun 13 May 2007.

Kalmir advances until he sees the hand go up. Not in the mood to banter while a man's life could be at stake Kalmir wastes not time drawing his axe from his back, Move out of Kalmir's way before his axe is forced to move you!

[private to gm: intimidate 16]

For once Damion agrees with Kalmir's straight forward tactic. He steps up next to his large friend and says,"I think it in your best intrest to step aside and leave Mr. Harran be. You will get but one warning from us then you will be met with force."

OOC:

I was sort of hoping more players/PCs would post, but...

=======================

The big figure seems to be more put-off than frightened by Kalmir.  He turns his head and yells into the shop Oy boss, we gots some trubble-makers out here. They...they got weapons an' all.

A tall thin figure wearing a dark green cloak with white fur trim barks back Hells, you have weapons, too!  USE 'EM!

The thug standing in the doorway shrugs at Kalmir and says in a low voice Look, I really don' wanna fight ya, an' we'll be outta here in a few minnits, so please just let us be an' go on your ways, huh fellas?

All the while the figure standing next to him slowly draws a battered longsword.  There is an odd smell about him, like dirt and rot...

He is silent, his movements slow and careful.

Unfortunately there was not a thing that Authiel could think of to do to intimidate as Kalmir and Damion were doing.  She knew that she was far too tiny for any man to give her a second look as if she were dangerous.  But thankfully she was used to being underestimated.  If given the chance, she knew that she could show these men a thing or two about danger, but right now her kind of danger might just harm her companions or the man that they were there to try and help.  And so, instead of doing anything just yet, she stood idly by, hoping that if she was noticed at all it would be to admire her looks or her body and not to be perceived as a threat.  Yet.

Damion listened to the exchange, his eyebrow cocked slightly when the thug made his statement anout not wanting to fight them.
"Well then we are somewhat agreeing on something. We do not want this to come to that either but it does not look as though you are giving us much of a choice." he said calmly. When he notices the other cloaked figure at the door drawing his sword his hand tightened on his spear."We will not leave until you let this man be. Now, choose your fate!"

Khidran could see where this was going from a mile away, so he carefully took a step behind the others so that he could draw his longbow and an arrow without any of their opponents noticing.  He wanted to do more but for now this would have to do, besides from the looks of things Damian and Kalmir would make something happen soon enough.

The big thug takes a threatening step toward Damion and growls out Lissen you..!

He then makes a show of rising his spiked club.

But he does not attack, instead drawing his nose to almost touch Damion's.  The stench of his sour breath it hard for Damion take take, but with some effort, he can conscentrate enough to "lissen" as the thug whispers.

<sub>Look, I got a sweet thing goin; on here, and I have some mouths ta feed, okay?

You wanna fight this zombie-thing and my boss, feel free.  Make it look like I slugged ya a good one, then let the big bruiser next ta ya give me a little lovetap and I'll pretend it knocked me out, an' then do as ya like, okay?</sub>

The "zombie-thing" next to him steps stiffly toward Kalmir, but still manages to block the doorway.

From within you can hear a woman's voice shouting Leave my father alone!  Damn it, he pays you already!  What more do you want?!

Loyalty. is the response, coming from the chill voice of the leader in the fur-trimmed cloak.  You hear the slap of hand against cheek, and then a woman's gasp.

Damion's eyes teared up a bit at the foul odor coming from deep within this creatins guts eminating from his mouth. He quickly looked to Kalmir to see if the large man heard what the thug had said.

Khidran (now with bow in hand) start moving in half circle with the same distance to the door, trying to catch a glimpse at what is going on inside without revealing his/their presence. He moves slowly and carefully not disturb anyone with sound or movement, though still trying to position himself for the upcoming battle.

OOC:  Kalmir should have been able to hear the thug's whispers.

No one is really watching Khidran, so he moves as he wishes and gets a pretty-much open shot into the shop and the leader of the cloaked figures.

The zombie - if that is what it is - is intent on Kalmir, though.

Waiting until Khidran has maneuvered himself, Authiel then does the same, getting closer to the door but still trying to stay out of the way of the thugs and zombie.  Her eyes are wide open, and her fear is obvious by the slight trembling of her shoulders after the sound of the hard slap and woman's cry.  Fighting she understood, but hitting an innocent woman she did not.

=====================================

FROM DM:

The thug at the door is intently looking at Kalmir and Damion, and the zombie is single-minded in his following Kalmir a bit, so Authiel's movements go unnoticed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:53, Wed 23 May 2007.

Damion winks at Kalmir the whispers to the thug,"_{take your best shot.}"
He then waited to roll with the punch that was surely coming.

OOC:

I really want to see what Kalmir is doing or how he is going to react to both what is going on with the thug and Damion as well as the zombie, so I will give him another day or so to post.  If he has not done so by then, I will move on.

OOC:

I just heard in the DMs' Lounge that DM Kindred, who plays Kalmir, will be away for a while, so I will NPC the big fella.

NPCed by DM Mike:

Spooked by the thought that a zombie had its sights on him, the barbarian grumbles to Damion Do what you think it best, but Kalmir is going to kill that dead thing so it stays dead!

Taking a threatening step closer to the zombie, Kalmir lets out a shout that is almost like the bark of a big dog.

The zombie raises his battered sword to defend, but not attack.

Bah!

Kalmir slams down on the zombie with his greataxe.

The blade slices deep into the zombie's left shoulder and almost severs the thing's arm.

The force of the blow makes the hood of the zombie fall off its head and the sight of the writhing worms flowing like blood in and out o the thing's empty eye sockets is enough to make you want to vomit.

Some of the worms seem to leap off the thing's boney face as if they were seeking out living flesh to feast upon.


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:25, Wed 23 May 2007.

The thug seems a bit shaken at the sight of the worm-infested zombie, but his wits come to him and he says softly to Damion Well, let's try this...

He waves his spiked club at Damion and comes close...almost too close to hitting him.

The thug stands there, seemingly ready to attack again, and he pokes his chin out.

Inside the shop, the leader says in a threatening tone If something is going on out there, take care of it, Gruen!

=============================

OOC:

Okay, the PCs can act!

Damion barely moves out of the way of the club then balls up his gauntleted hand and rails the thug in the face. He hopes that his enchanted gauntlets don't do too much damage to the man.

OOC:

Damion: give me a To Hit roll, using your Dex modifier instead of any you may get for Strength for the roll.

If you have 1 or more ranks in Bluff, you can make a Bluff skill check instead.

10. You couldn't have asked for a worse combo from me :)

Damion hits the thug lightly with his weapon, but not so light that the blow does not sting a good deal.

_{Hey, watch it, bub!}

The thug lets out a wail like his eyes had jkust been cut out, and he falls to the ground, his hands up over his face.

The zombie attacks Kalmir, and the commotion outside brings the attention of the green-cloaked leader to the doorway.

He is not very tall, standing only about five and half feet tall, and he has a slight build.  He draws a long hammer as he walks to the door and in one hand he has a glowing holy symbol of Cyric out.

=============================

OOC: I will post the zombie's attack after all the PCs have posted.

The leader goes next round.

I will also post for Iodaem.

Khidran fired at the green-cloaked leader as soon as he raised his weapon, perhaps too fast because the arrow didn’t take the straight line it was supposed to. He didn’t like the look of the burning symbol or the Zombie, 'luckily he was part of larger group now', he thought to himself.

[Private to DM Mike:
Free action: knowledge religion - to see if I remember anything about Cyric and the burning symbol; Move action: fire longbow; standard action reload bow.
10:02, Today: Khidran Naleth rolled 5 using 1d8+2. Damage.
10:02, Today: Khidran Naleth rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Attack.
09:50, Today: Khidran Naleth rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Knowledge Religion.]

=============================

FROM DM:

Khidran's arrow thunks into the wall near the doorway of the shop, breaking near the head.

[Private to Khidran Naleth: You know what most people know about Cyric in general: that he is an evil god, that he was once a human who ascended to godhood during the Time of Troubles, that he is openly worshipped by only a few, but that he has many cults and hidden temples in cities and towns all across Faerun, and that he is a god of murder, lies, and strife.  ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:48, Sun 03 June 2007.

Damion quickly looked up from the screaming thug and saw the green cloaked man coming out of the building. Once he noticed the holy symbol Damion reached out to his Mistress and requested the power to silence the others priests words.

[Private to DM Mike: Casting SILENCE centered on the priest, Will save VS DC 16 to negate.]

--------------------------

FROM DM:

A shimmering wave leaves Damion's hands and lands on the green-cloaked leader.

Damion knows his spell had no hold on the leader, since he is still making sounds, as are the people near him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:58, Sun 03 June 2007.

Kalmir screams his defiance at the undead creature standing before him and his anger grabbed hold opf him as he swung his axe with all his might.

[private to gm: raging 8 rounds
11:39, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 26 using 1d12+17. damage (+9str +8 PA).
11:38, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 20 using 1d20+8. power attack +4-4. ]

OOC: Replies in posts above.

=============================

Kalmir's attack shatters the zombie, and it falls to the ground in three piles of bones, flesh, and worms.

Hundreds of green worms ooze out of the zombie, spilling out onto the street.

As if guided by the thumping of your hearts or some inner fire you possess, the worms start to crawl up your feet and legs!

In horror you look down, and each of you have 4 or more of the worms squirming up your legs!

Kalmir also has to contend with two that hit him from the zombie while it still stood.

One of those is near his mouth while the other is crawling near his left shoulder.

----------------------------

OOC:

Kalmir has 6 worms on him.  Damion has 5.  The other PCs have 4 each on them.

The leader and those in the store are not close enough to the worms for them to have reached them...yet.

Oh, and the thug on the ground has 5 on him, two going right for his face!

OOC: NPCed by DM Mike:

The young quiet rogue slinks back as the worms wriggle up his boots and he takes his flachion's flat end and squishes two of them. The other two continue to writhe up toward his groin.

Dear gods, let these things die...let them die now...

The thug "hit" by Damion gets up, frantically tearing at the worms on his face.  He manages to grip one and squish it, but the other starts to bore into the flesh of his cheek.

AAAAHHHHG!  Get it off, get it off!

He stamps and thrashes, almost hitting both Kalmir and Damion with this flailing arms.

As the zombie falls, the leader's holy symbol flares up, then the glow fades completely.

He lets the symbol dangle and he mouth closes tight in a grimace as he sees the zombie fall and the worms come gushing out.

damn waste of a good spell and even better material components...

He raises up both hands and shout loudly Look, get the hell out of here, let us conduct our business, and we'll be on our way.

As if expecting your negative reaction, he lets his holy symbol dangle in his risen hand.

He pulls out a black rod with several small emeralds set in its handle.

You can not see inside the shop, so you do not know what is going on in there, but neither does the leader at this point.

================================

OOC:

The PCs are up.

Due to the distraction of the worms, any skill check, spellcasting, or combat action will require you first to make a Will save, DC 14.  Make it, and you can act normally.  Fail it, and your rolls are at -4 for the round.

Trying to get the worms off without a combat action is allowed and there is no Will save for that.  Success is automatic and you can get one off a round.

Trying to get more than one off or using a combat action to attack the worms or to cast a spell to get them off DOES require a Will check first as above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Tue 12 June 2007.

Kalmir ignores the worms and charges the spell caster while singing a battle chant to Tempus.

[private to gm: Raging 7 Rounds
00:37, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 13 using 1d20+10. charge.
00:36, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 12 using 1d20+3. will save.
18:13, Today: Secret Roll: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 22 using 1d12+12. damage.

Mike, I forgot to add +2 to my will save from raging. My save would then be 14 on the button. Hence my strike should be 17 not 13.

=======================

FROM DM:

His face red with rage, the big barbarian of the Northlands charges forth, un-nerving the leader a great deal.

The cloaked man stands stock still and in shock as Kalmir drives his blade deep into his sallow-colored flesh.

Blood spews forth from the nasty wound and the man gasps loudly, dropping the dark symbol of Cyric.

Blood drenches the snow near the shop's door and the unholy symbol sinks deep into the bloody snow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Tue 12 June 2007.

Khidran looks with astonishment when he watches the Zombie turn into bone, flesh and worms. He feels terrified as the worms starts climbing up his legs, inside he calm himself ’first the leader then the worms’ sadly the worms seems too much of a distraction and he misses by far with his bow.

[Private to DM Mike:
Move action: fire longbow; standard action reload bow.
13:18, Today: Khidran Naleth rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Attack.
13:17, Today: Khidran Naleth rolled 18 using 1d20+3. Will Save (DC 14).]



================================

FROM DM:

Despite his fear, Khidran steels himself enough to get off a shot with his bow.  However the arrow goes high and lodges into the second story of Tannen's shop.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Tue 12 June 2007.

Not one for creepy crawlies Damion issues forth a shrill schoolgirl-like shriek as he slaps away at the nasty little worms crawling for his face.

[Private to DM Mike: Missed my Will save so I only squished one. Did I get my silent spell off last round?]

===========================

FROM DM:

Terror welling up inside him, his heart beating hard, Damion manages to kill off one of the green worms slithering up his legs.

The others are getting close to his belt-line...

[Private to Damion Forrester: Yes, but the leader made his save.  I tried to "explain" that in the game thread description so as not to go into OOC or Gamespeak mode.  ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:21, Tue 12 June 2007.

"_{Get off, get off, get off!}" Iodaem mumbled as he frantically tried to brush off the foul worms that were getting a bit too close to his groin now. . .

[Private to DM Mike: Will Save:  Natural 1.  :p  Does that mean that I'll get one off, or none?]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Tue 05 June 2007.

Replies in posts above.

==========================

Iodaem's hands shake so badly that he can only grab one of the worms and squeeze the life from it.

As it dies, it makes this high little wheezing noise and it produces a stink like rotten cabbage.

The worms continue to crawl ever-higher on your bodies, making it up to your mid-sections.

You swear little teeth are nipping into your flesh as they slither and crawl ever closer, ever closer to your vitals...

The thug Damion worked with screams bloody murder and races down the street, slipping on some snow and falling face-down into it.

AAIIIEEEE!  They're biting into me!  HELP!

Most people run away from him, but one brave man, broad-chested and wearing what may be the armor of a city watchman under his thick wool cloak, moves to help him.  The man's face goes pale as he digs into the snow and yanks off one of the worms. A string of bloody skin from the thug comes with the worm, and the thug shouts out even louder.

AAAAIIIIGGGGHHH!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Tue 12 June 2007.

Injured as he is, the leader of the Cloaked Ones manages to reach out and touch Kalmir with his black rod.

A chilling spark, colder than the ice and snow around him, shoots through the barbarian, and Kalmir feels weaker, less able to ward off the threats of combat.

---------------------

Kalmir:  You take no hit point damage, but you lose 2 points of Strength and 1 point of Constitution.

--------------------

The party is up again.

You have the leader to deal with and the worms to contend with (those who made their save can kill off 1d2+1 of the worms if they take NO other action except free actions and the free 5' move.

Those who lost the save can kill off ONE of the worms and take no other action other than free actions and the  free 5' move.

TEMPOS!!! Kalmir cries as he brings his axe to bear once again. He is no longer himself and only thoughts of battle and blood matter now. This wizard threatened the lives of Kalmir's friends, and for that his life was forfeit.

[private to gm: 21:29, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 23 using 1d12+17. damage.
21:29, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 15 using 1d20+7. power attack +4-4.
21:25, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 23 using 1d20+5. will save.
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:31, Wed 13 June 2007.

With a shudder and a gasp, the leader falls to the snow-covered ground, his body riven in two!

A single long green worm, about the size of a large serpent, slighters from the wound.

It disappears in the dark green cloak the leader was wearing.

You hear Haran inside the shop shout in alarm, and a woman's voice rings out in horror.

No!  We didn't mean...

Haran rushes to the leader's body.

M-master?

The thug continues to wail, and the guardsman lifts him out of the snow.  Most of the thug's face is blood-covered, as are his hands.

The green worms crawl up your bodies, and Kalmir feels one bite into his flesh near his stomach.

===================

OOC:  There is no combat, per se, any more, so I will say each of you manage to get at least one of the worms off, besides any you roll to remove as described above.

Post in any order you like.

Iodaem quickly rid himself of the final wretched worm, throwing it to the ground and stomping on it to put it down for good.  "Beshaba's Blood, what was that thing?" he wondered out loud, before checking to make sure there weren't any others on him - thankfully, there wasn't.

Completely disgusted at the worms, Authiel shakes and peels and pokes and pulls them off of her one by one until all are gone.  Then she stands there, shivering, and looks at the others.  "We need....in there....help them..." she stutters, trying to calm her nerves.  Of all things to deal with, one of the things that scared and disgusted her the most.  Yuck.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Thu 14 June 2007.

Seeing the leader fall, Kalmir takes a moment to rip the worms off his body before steping into the Inn to find any of the 'Cloaked Ones' who might have escaped his wrath.

OCC: 13:08, Today: Kalmir Colbeysson rolled 25 using 1d20+5. will save.

OOC: DM Halaster is already working on taking over this region, so I will get to the heart of the matter and not draw things out.

--------------------------

You all manage to get the worms off you, and as Kalmir rips off the last of the ones on his torso, he is sickened to see blood trickle from the small wound made by the worm's mouth,

Looking at the crushed worm in his hand, the northman sees some of his flesh in the thing's mouth.

Haran moves the dark green cloak of the leader away.   It is odd that it would be the only part of the leader still here - no other clothes or boots or gear can be found, only the fur-trimmed cloak.

His wife - a portly woman with pink skin and a messy bun of greying brown hair - rushes forward thanking you profusely.

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, rhank you!

Bless us all, Lady of Luck Tymora!

And may her blessings be on you all, as well!

She mimics hand gestures like those a cleric would make when casting a spell of blessing, but it is clear she has no divine talents of her own.

Haran comes over to try to hush her, as does the couple's big son, Tyrone.

Ma, it's okay...shhhh...

Haran nods, pushing a small pouch into Kalmir's bloodied hands.

Here, take this small reward, please.  It is but a part of what I would have paid those...rabble.

Tyrone looks surprised and starts to ask his father something, but Haran quiets him with a sharp look.

While all this is going on, Iodaem looks about the small shop.  A display of leather vests, chaps, and skirts has been knocked over, its contents spilled out all over half the shop's wood floor.

A smaller display has been moved, revealing a hole about the size of a man's fist in the wooden floor.  It looks like the display would have covered the hole.

A metal box, about the size of a loak of bread, is on the shop's counter, it's lid open.  A few silver coins are on the counter next to the box.

Haran is hesitant to hand the leader's cloak over, but he will do so if pressured.

After a regaining his breathing from the furios stomping of the disgusting worms Damion heads to Kalmir.
"My friend, you are injured. If you would like I will heal you."

Still seething with rage, Kalmir throws the worm on the floor and steps on it. As Damion walks over he the feral glow leaves his eyes and he slumps exhausted. It ok Damion, Kalmir not hurt badly, just tired. Little worms not hurt Kalmir, Kalmir great warrior. Kalmir accepts the puoch but hands it to Damion. He isn't really interested in te money.

Authiel, still shivering with disgust and the effects of the fear and excitement from the confrontation, began to pick up the clothing that had been scattered on the floor, straightening the displays and organizing to help Haran and his wife.

Damion nods and slaps Kalmir on the shoulder. As the young priest tucks the pouch into his belt he walks to the green cloak. He draws his scimitar and slips it under the fabric then flips it over.
"There is something you said a few moments ago Good Sir Haran. Why is it you called this abomination MASTER?"

Haran comes over and takes some of the leather goods from Authiel Hannasiel's hands, a weak smile on his face.

Oh, you're kind to help, but really, you have more important things to do, I'm sure.

Haran's wife and son start to clean up the shop as well.

=================================

OOC:  Moving on a bit to allow for DM Halaster to come in and take over with new ARPs, and such...

===============================

After leaving Haran's shop, you go back to the tavern and sit quietly at your favorite round table, talking quietly about what just happened at Haran's leathergoods shop.

The leader seems to have controlled some altered form of a zombie that held within it many (hundreds!) of sickening worms that had an intense taste for blood and flesh, but also a desire to get toward your chests and faces before eating...

The leader was not killed, but seems to have turned into some sort of green snake and slithered away down a hole in Haran's shop's floor, despite the cold.

The thug who Damion was speaking to was not spared any of the agone of the worms, his face having been eaten off by several of the worms from the zombie.

You are left to wonder about this strange leader, pondering what he was and if he will ever show up to try his protection racket again.

And then there was Haran's attempts to get you out of his store after you'd driven off the leader...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Tue 19 June 2007.

OOC:

Moving on a bit more....

As you talk quietly, a tall imperious-looking man walks into the tavern and eyes you all up and down, as if comsidering something carefully.

He then signals to someone or something outside the tavern's door and comes to your table, his stride sure and confident.

I am Radclin Dunleaves the Third, investigator for the Magistrate Norketh of this ward.  I understand you just broke up an altercation at a local hop, one Haran's Leathergoods?

Might I bother you to recount what occurred there for the record?

He produces a small quill and gets out a sturdy piece of vellum from a pocket him his padded cloak.

Arching his eyebrow, he plunks down a gold piece in front of each of you.

A bit for your trouble of retelling the tale of your heroism for the cause of justice in our fair city.

Damion waved off the gold coin with a smile then stood to tell their tale.
"Good sir Radclin, we were having our breakfast this morning and heard tell that Harran and his family were being harassed by thugs extorting money from him for protection. We had heard whispers of this ring for some time and thought to put a stop to it. When we arrived we asked politely for them to stop more than once. The thug at the door said he just wanted to be out of there but feared for his life so we enacted a plan to "defeat" him without putting suspicion on him. As that got under way the leader of the small group sicked his pet undead on us, which my large companion Kalmir took care of, unfortunetly not without the foul creature spewing forth a massive amount of flesh eating maggots. While dealing with the worms,"Damion said with a shudder,"We also chased off what seemed to be the ring leader of the group. He transmuted himself into some form of greenish in color snake then slithered off though a hole in the leather shops floor. I fear Good Sir Haran may still be under his thumb because he acted quite strange after we chased off the thug."

Kalmir nodded emphatically at Damion's report, Not first time either, The night before we were in here eating and drinking when cloaked figures came and tried to get innkeeper to pay money. We stop that time too!

Unable to think of anything to add, Authiel simply nodded throughout Damion's version of the events that had occurred and also when Kalmir remembered something she had not thought to mention.  At the mere mention of the strange works, Authiel involuntarily shuddered, lending credence to Damion's words.

Seeing Authiel shudder Kalmir placed a large meaty arm on her shoulder, Don't worry, Kalmir not let them hurt pretty lady.

Authiel smiled gratefully up at the big man, trying to stop herself from being so frightened at the memory of those awful, disgusting things all over her.

As Damion and Kalmir speak to the regal man, Authiel, and to a sligtly lesser extent, Damion, get a feeling that there is something a little underhanded about this man, but neither can put their finger on what it might be.

When Kalmir is done, Radclin nods once and strokes his long chin with his thing fingers.

Interesting, and very helpful.

I will share your tale with the magistrate.  If he has further need to speak to you, will you be available here for the next several days or so?

The investigation will probably be wrapped up shortly.

"I will likely not stay in Waterdeep for much longer, at least - if any of you others intend to travel, I would like to follow.  As long as Innarlith is not on your list of destinations, at least," Iodaem said, trying his hardest to look forward, instead of thinking of the encounter with the worms earlier. . .

Authiel's head snapped towards Iodaem as he spoke, almost forgetting to say something to the others before the odd man left.  But just in time she caught herself and whispered something to Kalmir since he was protectively comforting her.  [Private to Kalmir Colbeysson: "Something isn't quite right.  Keep that man here," she whispered with a little wave towards Radclin.]

Kalmir isn't sure why Authiel wants him to keep the man there but Kalmir thinks quickly. Stay and have drink before you go, on Kalmir. Kalmir said, inviting the man to stay longer.

Radclin looks down his nose at Kalmir.

Hrrm..

I seriouisly doubt they have my preferred wine here...and old Evermeet family vinyard of quite old vintage.

But I thank you Northman, just the same.

With that, he turns to go.

-------------------

OOC: He is still in reach, however...

Seeing his fellows are trying to keep the man Damion scoops up the gold the man layed in front of him and move to intercept him. He quickly placed himself between the man and the door.
"Sir, uh, I would like for you to take back your generous payment. We did not do this for gold but strictly for the good of the deed itself. I do now want to offend you but I would like for you to take my coin and donate it to the local church." he said with a smile as he handed the coin to the man.

Kalmir got up as well and moved to stand on the other side of the mAN, Take Kalmir's too, is there a temple of Tempos in the city?

Seeing both Damion and Kalmir intercept the strange man, Authiel quickly went over to Iodaem, ignoring for now what he had said that had so stolen her attention.  First things first, of course.  When she reached Iodaem, she stood on her tiptoes to whisper something in his ear.  "Something isn't right here, but I don't know what to do.  What should we do?"