Looking around, you can tell there's no merchant moving through tonight, so only a few woodcutters are here to relax from their day of hard work.

Except for the large man.

He looks large enough to be a woodcutter, but you can tell he's not. He's just too clean. By pretending to drop your pouch, you manage to get a glance under the man's table to see what he's fiddling with.

It's small, bone-like. A large teeth, maybe? Whatever it is, he has a handful of them, and he keeps rubbing them as he mutters to himself.

Is anything here evil?

Spriggy followed Gorrid into the establishment, but was not nearly as focused on the other patrons as the paladin was. At least not yet. He stumbled dramatically over to the bar and signaled for service, his unseen servant carrying additional supplies as it trailed behind him. "Can we get some drinks for some dry throats, and beds for weary feet?" It was clear that he was not as bad off as he pretended to be, but he was definitely tired of being on the road for the day.

He sat on a barstool and rested his back against the counter, finally taking notice of the other patrons. Notably the big balding man. He was definitely suspicious of the guy, but it looked like Gorrid was already investigating. Maybe? The paladin was being very subtle about it if he was. Regardless, Spriggy stayed back for the time being.

---

Conjuring a new servant before leaving headquarters:
15:56, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 13 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,5.  Casting Unseen Servant before leaving.

Gorrid doesn't sense anyone evil... but the teeth the large man is playing with have a nasty aura to them.

Gorrid ordered a couple of ales, then walked over to the man's table.  He set one in front of the balding man.  "Mind if I join you?"

Without waiting for an answer, he took a seat and spoke quietly, though loudly enough that his nearby teammates could hear.  "Those teeth you're holding - they look a bit tainted and you look a bit concerned.  Care to share your story?  My friends and I might be able to help..."

quote:

23:01, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,2.  Charisma roll.

Don't know if a roll was required here, but if it was, then XP earned - no real way to recover from that one...

The man jumps, hiding away the objects. He looks about to shout at you, until he looks at your armor. He glances around the room briefly, before whispering "not here... I'll... You'll see tonight." With that, he heads upstairs, presumably to one of the rooms.


The maid nods to Spriggy. "For two coins each, we'll get you feed and sheltered! We got plenty of spare room tonight!"

Sir Gorrid finished his drink and offered the untouched one to whichever of his friends wanted it.  "The man who was sitting with me - has he been here long?  Also, why so much room at this time of the season?"

When Spriggy or someone had finished negotiating the bill and the group had found a table, Sir Gorrid shared what he had seen.

"It might be best if we paid a visit to the man before tonight.  I fear I may have scared the man, so perhaps it might be best is someone else took the lead?"

Spriggy paid his share of the coins for the night's stay, then settled down in a chair next to Gorrid. After the paladin explained the situation, Spriggy nodded. "Yeah, I should probably go have a chat with him. I'm sure I can craft a conversation that could lead to some answers. We don't want any foul surprises cropping up on us after all. I just need to know what room he is in..." He looked to the employee Gorrid had asked about the man already, hoping they would be willing to share a room number too. He went over to ask them the room number in a non-suspicious way.

---

Removed 2 coins for my share of the lodgings. Do I need a roll to learn the man's room number? I guess I could also just go door to door if needed.

"Well that took longer than it should have," Kharla announces to everyone and no one as she finally entered Ole Crick's and spied where her companions had seated themselves.  "So what've they got that's hot?"

Hearing that rooms are 2 coins Kharla fishes a pair from her pouch and buys herself a night's stay as well.

Assuming Sir Gorrid and Spriggy share the tale of the odd fellow the thief's eyes narrow, "Describe him, would you?  And just how rattled was he when he left?  Think he's climbing out a window as we speak?"

It's possible that she remembered doing exactly the same thing at one time or another in her past.

Possibly...

The barmaid, between serving you drinks and preparing you some food, answers Gorrid's questions. "The big man? I don't really know him... He just pass here every once in a while for a meal, but he never says much. He didn't look so nervous usually either. And I don't remember him taking a room either...

As for why things are slow... well, most of our business comes from passing merchants. And since none of the went through today, we're left with just the few woodsman in need of a drink."

The man in question looked a lot like a big farmer, and not someone used to be sneaky. He did seem to have a small book stuffed in a too small pouch, that seemed out of place on the man.

"Sounded like he had business here tonight, so doubt he's gone far...  Watching the exits isn't a bad idea though.  I'll take the front - shout if you need a hand."

The paladin finished his mug in an impressive time for a man who was, in principle, holy, then headed back out the door.

quote:

20:17, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 6 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,2.  Discern realities - town.

And the XP keeps coming...

2 coins deducted

Walking outside, you see no way the man could leave the place without going out the main room. Except maybe by jumping from the window. The one he's looking out of. He glances at you as you walk below him, but he seems deeply focused on the forest south of the tavern. Whatever he's waiting for, it doesn't seem he's seen it yet.

Sir Gorrid popped back into the tavern to share with Spriggy what room the man was in, then returned out to resume his watch.  If the man did jump, he wouldn't get far.

Now that Spriggy knew where to look, he headed upstairs to knock on the appropriate door. "Hello?" he called out.

Kharla sat alone as her companions dispersed, determined to watch the stairs should the fellow exit this way (after apparently making it past Spriggy).  Drinking and relaxing after the long day of travel was simply a happy bonus for her diligence.

It was.

Seriously this is hard work, keeping watch like this.

Well it's harder than it looks!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:56, Wed 28 July 2021.

Spriggy knocks at the door, asking to be let in for a talk. But despite your calls, there's no answers from the room. If Gorrid hadn't told you the man was there, you would have thought you had the wrong room.

Outside, Gorrid see the man glance at the door, but he just shakes his head, looking back toward the forest as the sun starts to set.



In the main room, the barmaid lingers around the group's table, before talking to Istvan and Kharla. "So... do you think that guy could be trouble? I mean, he never did anything before..."

When it became clear the guy wasn't going to answer, the bard sighed. It looked like he would need to put on a little act to get things moving.

After taking a moment to compose his thoughts and strategy, Spriggy knocked on the door more forcefully than before. "C'mon man, I know you're in there. What's yer name? I really need to talk to ya. I was thinking of doing some songs and stories downstairs this evening, and my friend mentioned that you were already planning something for tonight. I don't want to do anything that will hamper your performance. Oh! Maybe we could even collaborate! Now we definitely need to talk." He rapped on the guy's door some more, more excitedly than before.

---

This seems like a Charisma roll, either to convince him to come to the door out of curiosity or annoyance.

22:01, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,1.  Charisma roll?

Listening closely, the only answer you hear is "...They're coming..."

Gorrid sees the man open the window, still staring at the forest. As you follow his gaze, you notice shapes moving along the tree line... Skeletons, making their way toward the inn.

"SKELETONS ATTACKING FROM THE FOREST!"

The paladin glanced up at the man.  "Are you able to stop them?"  Even as he spoke, he was scanning the tree-line trying to get a handle on the approach host and to figure out how best to manage the threat.

quote:

10:19, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,3.  Discern realities.

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
Who's really in control here?

If Spriggy didn't know that the man wasn't actually an entertainer of some sort (probably), he would have asked if it was his performing troupe that was coming. But as it was, he knew that "they're coming" meant something much more important.

And with Gorrid's yell, Spriggy began rushing back toward the entrance. "Crap, crap, crap," he yelled as he rushed down the steps. Things definitely were not going as well as he would have liked...

Istvan, hearing both shouting and Spriggy's rapidly-running footsteps, makes haste to follow Spriggy to wherever Spriggy is headed...

The thief's mouth had opened, intending to reassure the barmaid, but Sir Gorrid's alarm called and she leapt to her feet instead, "I'm going to guess the answer is yes.  Bright, bright big trouble."

As Spriggy rapidly descends Kharla realizes he has neither book nor scales and quickly confirms he did not speak with the man.  "I'll get the book and scales! And answers too or he'll regret it!  Which room is he in?"

She motions for any others in the inn to ascend to the 2nd story and barricade the stairs as she sprints up them herself.  If the fellow's door is locked she whips out her picks and sets to work.

20:09, Today: Kharla rolled 12 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,6.  Pick Locks.

Gorrid notices that the skeletons are splitting up, moving to surround the inn, with one group heading for the paladin. It's pretty clear they're controlled, probably by the shady figure still lurking behind the trees. And with a dozen undead moving toward the inn, you think retreating into the solid inn would be the safest idea.

In the tavern, Kharla pops open the door just in time to see the man open the window, and throw something outside.

Meanwhile, Istvan and Spriggy go around the corner of the tavern, and spot four skeletons heading toward them.

Gorrid in on the side of the inn opposite to the main entrance. There's a back door near him, but it's closed. All windows on the ground floor are high and too small to enter easily.

Istvan calls upon the power of Noric:

(09:49, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,5.  Turn Skeletons..

 Nailed it...!

On a 10+, you also momentarily daze intelligent undead and cause mindless undead to flee. Aggression breaks the effects and they are able to act as normal.)

The turning was very effective!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Sat 31 July 2021.

The inn might have been safest, but going after the being controlling the undead was going to be more effective.  The paladin unsheathed his sword, holding it up into the fading light of the sun.  "Sword, shield and light"  The sunlight hit the sword and it gleamed more brightly, reflecting off the blade onto his shield and armor.  Then he started to walk, then run towards the oncoming skeletons - and the shadow in the trees beyond.

quote:

12:45, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,4.  Cast bless on me.
12:45, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,6.  Cast magic weapon on my sword.

I'm assuming I can get both of those off before the skeletons have a chance to close unless they're moving exceptionally quickly?

My intention is to cut down whichever skeleton is most directly in my way and keep moving towards the shadowy source.