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Log Info
The party was hired by a farmer, as is often the case. Farmers surrounding the city lean on the city for help. The party is met by a man in his 40s in coveralls, who waves. "Thank you for coming. My problem is birds. They won't leave my crops a lone, and no matter how many scarecrows I put up, those black crows keep coming! Shoo!" He waves his pitchfork and runs at a field, and sure enough, a bunch of black crows flies out, in a neat group, headed right toward a hill nearby, covered in trees. "They always go right over there. Someone's feeding them, I think. Maybe Bill next door is trying to get back at me becuase I won't let his animals graze anymore." The farmer's name is Johnston.
Echo tilts his head, "Crows? Hm... I do not know what we can do about crows, to be honest. None of the blessings I am aware of would help in this case, but if they are being fed... perhaps we can help there?" Echo follows the farmer, obviously in diplomatic mode, and probably not the most heavily armed person at the moment. If it wasn't for the trio of weapons he has on.
Aithil is floating over the ground by a couple inches and moves along with the others to hear this farmer's plight. Though, for her, this particular job seems - well - for the birds. She looks toward Johnston, then toward the hill, then back toward Johnston.... and starts floating off in that direction. "Let's just get this over with. I'm /so/ not staying out here any longer than I have to."
Brianna just trudges along with the others, her deathray is strapped to the back of her titan armor and she just nods, "Can at least look into it." she says as she looks at the others.
Sargon listens carefully. He turns his head to follow the Johnston's antics. Then he nods when the farmer returns. "You are certain these crows are behaving unnaturally?" he goes on, "Your scarecrows, normally they would keep such animals away...?" even as he finishes the question he's already turning to peer in the direction of the trees.
Johnston jobs back over, and nods. "There are four scarecrows in my field. I used to need only one. But I added more and this pesky gang won't leave me alone. I can't get rid of them! I can't poison my fields, and I Don't know how else I can handle that many! If you can prove Bill is behind this..."
Aithil stops in her floating off to look back at the group. She blinks, sighs, and turns about to look at them. Hands on her hips she stares - "Do we /really/ need to talk to him about it all? Who /cares/. It's probably this Bill or maybe some prankster druid. Let's just go over there-" she gestures at the hill, "-so we can go home-" she gestures at Alexandria. "-and then I can be done with farms and sewers for the month."
Aithil gives a sort of thin smile to Johnston, "No offense. I'm sure you love your farm, I'm just not a farmer." Then back to the group with a raise of eyebrows.
Sargon stares at Aithil unreadably. Finally he nods. "Very well. If you want to investigate the trees I'll go with you." He actually moves to go in front, confident as any hired warrior usually is at the beginning of such quests that they'll face nothing worse than a few animals, perhaps some long-buried cursed item at the worst.
GAME: Sargon rolls perception: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Aithil rolls perception: (13)+7: 20
The group enters the edge of the hilly forest without incident. The trees are tall, and old, with thick foliage, darkening the interior.
GAME: Aithil casts Grease. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
Sargon walks by the first trees, tilting his head back to look up. He raps his knuckles against one of the next trees, then punches lightly at the trunk, in a practiced motion. Perhaps warrior monks go to places like this to train. Finally he looks back at the rest of the party, inquisitively.
Aithil turns her head to the side, looking toward a tree. Her hand extending out toward it and she mutters some words that sound elvish in nature, "I hate things that lurk, almost as much as I hate things that are greasy." A sigh and she looks at the others in the group as an arcane blob shoots off into the tree. <sildanyari>
"I hear something up there." Aithil says it rather flat and matter of factly, as if this was just something that she expected as a matter of course.
Echo hums as he approaches, looking upwards. "Up there, huh?" He looks considerate, then to the others. "Anyone good at climbing?"
GAME: Echo rolls Perception: (12)+7: 19
"Indeed, there is something there." Echo says as he points at the tree that Aithil pointed to. "Perhaps we should see about making it come out?"
In front of the group, from the tree Aithil mentioned, a dark figure in a purple cloak and a huge beak on its face, slides down the greased tree. But also, to the side, towards the center of the forest, two more figures jump from threes. Behind, another comes out from another tree. Aithil and Sargon are surrounded on three sides!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Erendriel has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Erendriel to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Echo rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Sargon rolls knowledge/arcana: (10)+3: 13
Echo and Sargon get the idea that it could be some... specialized variant of a Summon Swarm spell.
GAME: Echo rolls Perception: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Sargon rolls perception: (2)+9: 11
GAME: Aithil rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
Echo and Sargon can see that the robed creatures are Tengu. Aithil can see how shiny the tree looks that she greased.
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+1: (14)+1: 15
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d3: (2): 2
Alice lunges at the flat-footed Aithil and stabs with her dagger, getting a decent hit in!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+1: (12)+1: 13
Bob steps up to Sargon, and also attacks! But his attack just misses.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 19.
It is now Alice's turn! Bob is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Bors' turn! Echo is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Echo's turn! Dave is next!
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Echo rolls 1d10+4: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Sargon's turn! Carol is next!
GAME: Sargon rolls 10: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Sargon rolls 10: (13)+10: 23
GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+9: (5)+9: 14
Seeing that one is close, Echo moves as he pulls out his sansetsukon from the side holster. The weapon is kept closer for a second before he suddenly lashes out in a strike that literally caves in the female tengu's head it seems. Afterwards, the weapon is retracted to be held two handed as he turns to look to see what the one on the other side of Aithil is doing.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Carol's turn! Aithil is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+1: (20)+1: 21
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+1: (4)+1: 5
"Giant crows," Sargon murmurs, in a slightly sweet voice. But then he's fighting for his life and training and Oruch instinct kicks in. He reaches out with an open hand and taps the back of Bob's wrist, just enough to make the dagger go wide. Then as he withdraws his hand, his hips turn slightly and the other hand lashes out in a jabbing punch. It misses...but by now Sargon's first hand is also chambered for a punch and he shifts again to uppercut Bob in the beak.
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d3: (2): 2
Carol from behind runs at Echo, having just seen Sargon move, and rushes up to stab at Echo, getting a good hit in the arm!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Aithil's turn! Alice is next!
GAME: Aithil casts Silent Image. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (18)+2: 20
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 19.
It is now Alice's turn! Bob is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 16.
It is now Bob1's turn! Echo is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 16.
It is now Echo's turn! Sargon is next!
There's a wave of her hands and Aithil again speaks in the elvish language. The movement of her hands a twist as if she's dragging whatever she's doing up from the ground with that clawed gauntleted hand... The spider seems to drag up from the ground, easily four feet across and with limbs that are raised as if preparing to bite the first thing that moves toward it. "Hah. Have that! A spider!" A wry smile from the elf as she continues floating a couple inches above the dirt.
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 6.
It is now Sargon's turn! Carol is next!
The stab to the arm has Echo turning to look at Carol as he tries to take a swing and miss. Fortunately, Echo is a War Golem, so... it's really just a chip off of his 'skin' a bit. Maybe one of the gems cracked a little.
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13
GAME: Sargon rolls cmb+2: (4)+9+2: 15
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 4.
It is now Carol's turn! Aithil is next!
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+1: (3)+1: 4
Sargon turns to face the last of the giant crows - the last one they can see in any case. He watches as Echo trades blows with the enemy, edging around until he's close enough...to grab one of Carol's wrists! He immediatrly begins twisting, a painful arm lock meant to hold her still.
Carol is haplessly ineffective. She not only isn't able to take a swipe with her dagger at the approaching Sargon, but once grappled, her first spasm to break the grapple is entirely ineffective, and she remains in his grip.
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 4.
It is now Aithil's turn! Alice is next!
GAME: Aithil casts Daze. Caster Level: 3 DC: 13
GAME: Erendriel rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
Aithil continues to float a bit off the ground, her silent image didn't seem to work too effectively - such is life! But the party seems to be doing a great job keeping them all under control. "Oh for... What are you going to do now? Hug it? Can't we just wrap this up? I mean... they're the ones causing the problems right?" Aithil's gauntleted hand twists again, the rock sort of shapes that make the armor twisting alongside the articulation until her hand finally points out with the palm and a splay of her fingers. A flash of light meant to Daze who it was pointed at.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 19.
It is now Alice's turn! Bob is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 16.
It is now Bob1's turn! Echo is next!
GAME: Erendriel advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 16.
It is now Echo's turn! Sargon is next!
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Echo rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18
GAME: Echo rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: Erendriel removes the timestop.
Timestop by Erendriel has left.
Two tengu bodies lie dead, the other merely unconsious after being held by Echo and pummeled by Sargon.
Echo walks up and misses the first punch, but the second one he obviously aims a lot more carefully as he punches the third one unconscious. Reaching around to his pack, he pulls out some rope to tie the unconscious one up with. "Well, this does explain a lot. These are tengu, unless I am mistaken?"
Sargon scowls at Aithil. "It's NOT a hug!" he retorts. Then the scowl fades away and he admits, "Not that maneuver. Hugging is the last form in the Ursu Style I was taught..." He peers up at the trees to make sure no other figures are waiting to jump down. Then he proceeds to reveal the purpose behind the mysterious ropelike bands he wears on each wrist - when he untied them and uses them to bind Carol's hands and feet. "Tengu? Is that what they're called?"
"Looked like a hug to me." She blinks as Sargon admits to hugging in some sort of Ursu style thing. Her mouth pulls again off to the side as a shrug is given and Aithil floats in the direction of the Tengu. "I guess, that's what he... they... err-" she gestures at Echo, "-they? Say. The War Golem. Apparently Tengu." Aithil shrugs.
Echo shakes his head, then reaches over to pat Sargon on the shoulder. "They just do not appreciate the unarmed arts." He looks to the bodies, then begins to check the dead ones. "Once she wakes up, we can question her. For now, I suggest we take her back to the farmer so we can explain what is going on?"
Sargon adjusts a few of the bindings so they can be used to lift the Carol, almost like a bale of hay. "That seems wise." He walks a few steps to test how well be handles the extra weight. Then he begins trudging back to the farm. "Unless I am mistaken these were the reason for the smaller crows and their behavior," he grunts. "Some sort of spell, like those used to summon swarms of bats or other vermin."
A nod is given from Echo, "My same thoughts. It is definitely specialized, but fits that they are tengu and the spell may have been cast or attracted them. We will find out, I guess."
Sargon strains and struggles to carry the bound Tengu. He's gasping for breath by the time they reach Johnston's house again. He sets Carol down - not exactly gently - and then gods to knock on the farmer's door. "It's the party from the Guild!" he calls out loudly. "We have good news!"
Echo would help, but Sargon seems to have gotten it. The war golem instead stays on look out just in case while making sure to think up questions for the tengu and the farmer.
Fortunately the tengu are hollow boned. When Johnston sees THAT, he walks over, holding his pitchfork out. "What is that? Some kind of giant crow?" He then pauses, and scratches his head. "Reminds me of stories my parents used to tell. About who used to own this land. Well... was that one alone?"
Echo shakes his head, "No. There were three total. We knocked this one out to ask questions. Was your neighbor also like this?"
Aithil floats along with the group - ready to make yet more things all greasy and slippery - or perhaps just more silent images. In any event, she's there as they haul the tengu, and then drop the tengu, and then Johnston as he marvels at it. "It's more like a raven-man. I think Crow might be selling ti a bit small, but they're both cormorants so..." The elf shrugs.
Johnston shakes his head. "No, this isn't Bill. Some crows... like this one... story says they would sell this farm to folks, send little crows after the crops, and put them out of business. Then sell the farm to another sucker, and repeat the process. My father scared them off for years. I guess they thought they could get me. Thank you." Aithil's explanation gets a smile and anod.
"Well, looks like they bit off more than they could chew this time." Aithil gives a shrug, then a look up the hill to see if any more of the black birds were headed down. "But if that's everything - is that everything?" She looks back at Johnston, her tone falling a bit flat as if to say - please say that's everything. "And all the farms or just yours?"
Sargon gives the farmer a sharp look when he mentions the stories. But his irritation seems to shift away as the story plays out. Now he glares at Carol. "Thieves," he looks back in the direction where they left the other fallen Tengue. "Honorless thieves. I'm glad we put an end to them."
Echo nods, then looks at Johnston. "What do you plan to do with this one?" He asks. "It is a tengu by definition. We could take it back and possibly imprison it for a time."
Johnston shrugs. "This one's a criminal. Been attacking my farm. I'm going to report to the authorities. Should go to jail in the city, if you ask me." He stabs his pitchfork into a bale of hay. "Thank you again. I will report to your guild that you did a good job."
"Oh thank Dana." Aithil sighs and starts heading back down the road they originally came in on, floating above it by a couple inches. She hasn't stopped floating really. "Let's just haul it back then, who knows, maybe the guard will give us a bit extra or something." She gives a shrug and continues on with a hum.
Sargon sighs. He looks resigned. He hoists Carol's form over one shoulder now, and follows after Aithil, occasionally calling for her to wait up.
Sargon has left.
Sargon has arrived.