Arc 2 - Heart of a Monster (Completed)

[Noname 51]

The unmistakable sound of shattering clay pottery, and other odds breaking, did lift the slightly moody wizards spirits; as a question was answered... Not in the way he wanted the answer to come, but answered nonetheless...

Resting his staff a crossed his shoulders, Shayne turnedaround to face the group. "ABBY, GLENSDALE WOULD BE IN WHICH DIRECTION?" He would call back... Slightly amused at the findings  

[Kowsauni]

Abigail (Abby) Morgan

(I'm assuming everyone gets on board.))

With a slap of the reins Abby direct her horse and cart forward but brings it to a gentlle stop bedsides Shayne as not to disturb her snoozing husband.

She turns her head slightly to the side and address the wizard, her voice sounding a bit weary. "Glendale resides along this road roughly a day and a half behind us by horse. The trip will be much longer by foot. The city of Myir would be a much closer destination with it being less then a day up the road from here, again by horse." Abby would let out a sigh. "I wish you would reconsider my offer. This road is dangerous for one all by himself. It would be safer for you to travel with us. We will be returning to Glendale after we complete our business at the Areathos Manor. You are free to stay with us until then, or we can drop at he gates of Myir. The choice is yours."  

[Noname 51]

"I would disagree, but I have little to base my safety on. " With a shrug, "Myir, it is..." with that he also climed onto the wagon  

[Kowsauni]

Areathos Manor

As Shayne climbs into the back of the covered wagon, he finds that it is so packed with boxes and crates that there is barely room for the people riding in the wagon. Fortunately, the gnome does not take up much space, and he manages to squeeze in and find a spot to sit next to her. Once Shayne's eyes adjust to the light inside the wagon, he realizes there is one more person to this group he has not seen before. She looks to be a young teenage girl, but is wrapped so tightly in a cloak that it's hard to tell much about her beyond that. She keeps her gaze towards the floor and does not make eye contact with anyone.

The wagon continues down the winding forest road for the rest of the day, well into night. Abby informs the group that, due to the late hour, she'll be requesting that the group be allowed to spend the night at the manor after their business is done there. Otherwise, they'll be forced to continue on to the city beyond.

Before long the wagon comes to a halt. Revenge, and those who peek outside, would see they have come to stop at a large, torch lit gate. In the distance, windows of a massive mansion can be seen aglow on top of a hill. Two men approach the wagon. They are in armor and bear tabards depicting a family crest. One of them holds a lantern up to the driver seat. "Hail, travelers. What brings you to the gates of Araethos Manor? Do you have business with the master?"

Abby would respond, "Yes, my name is Abigail Morgan and my companions and I have traveled from Gladesdale to do business with the Archmage. I know the hour is late, but we were attacked by bandits which delayed our arrival. I respectfully request an audience with Master Kail Araethos."

In the lantern light, Revenge and Abby see the guard's eyebrows raise a bit in surprise. "Bandits, you say! We heard word that Dryad-Foot Grock might be operating in that area. We will have to pass on this information. Please wait a moment while we send word of your request to the Manor. If you wish to enter, we will need to inspect your wagon. We can do that while we wait for a response, if you like."

Abby nods and taps on the wagon to signal everyone to get out. One of the guards waves his arms around while chanting a spell in the direction of the house. (An arcana check can be rolled to figure out the spell.)

Before long the sounds of a horse galloping can be heard from behind the gate and a man in impressive-looking armor suddenly looms into view of the torchlight. He dismounts from his horse and comes through the gate up to the wagon. The man is wearing platemail adorned with the symbol of Pelor which gleams in the torchlight. He's a handsome man who looks to be in his early twenties, yet he has hair that is stark white in color. He greets everyone warmly. "Good evening. I am Vincent Araethos, son of the master of this house and paladin of Pelor. What can you tell me of these bandits that attacked you?"  

[Rain Yupa]

"Hail and well met, Vincent Araethos. I am Revenge, paladin of the goddess Sehanine," the tiefling would respond with a polite bow of his head. "And this is my wife, Abigail," he would say with a slight smile as he gestured towards Abby with one hand. "I'll let the others introduce themselves; I think at least some of their number will take offense if I speak on their behalf."

Clearing his throat, Revenge would continue. "I personally cannot say much about the bandits in question, though I believe any of my more eagle-eyed companions would be able to tell you a great deal. You see, I was busy getting smacked around by their leader and his greatclub. It was rather jarring. And bruising."

Looking to the guards, he would once more turn to Vincent. "In return, if you know of these men, I would like to learn what I can about them in case we encounter them again. In an ideal world, I'd like to think that every misled person is capable of redemption; it would be tremendously helpful for me to know how much effort I end up spending will be fruitless." His tail would lash back and forth twice in annoyance with reality.  

[Mongooseh]

Valac gets out of the back of the wagon with a meaty thump and walks over to the front.

"I'm Valac the mightiest hero amongst these lot. Dryad feet you say? That'd explain how the coward was able to flee through thick underbrush like it was nothing." Valac said visually aggravated that he got away and begun grinning at Revenge, "It'll be fruitless if I make good on my promise to split him in half, hah hah!"  

[Noname 51]

Arcane spell check. .16. General History on Master Kail Araethos, or his family. 30

The whole ride Shayne remained silent,

"Darren is dead, I think, the rest got away. Gerald, Ravagen, Kadlock, and Graylor; lead by a large orc-decendent of a man..." Shayne spoke plainly, more interested the spell being cast. Perposly eaving his name out of the conversation with Paladin Araethos.  

[AlphabetFish]

Twyla popped out of the wagon and carefully watched the guard investigating the wagon. It sure was an intriguing spell--she hadn't seen that exact one before.

When the paladin came up, she was startled out of her reverie and smiled up at him. Boy, he sure was high up there on that big horse! Twyla waved a hand furiously to get his attention.

"Hi, hi, Mr. Paladin! My name is Twyla Rosanna Oxana Raphaella Marcella 'Shortstack' Honeysuckle Jane!" She grinned ear-to-ear at her names increased size.
"The bandits had set up a roadblock and they were gonna try to rob us! We broke up the roadblock and scared them off, though." Her eyes flicked over to Shayne, but she didn't mention anything about his involvement.

((...13 on my Arcana to figure out the spell. sweatdrop ))  

[Rain Yupa]

Looking down at Twyla beside him, Revenge would ask in surprise, "You're actually keeping 'shortstack'?" An eyebrow would even be raised.  

[Kowsauni]

Areathos Manor

((Shayne knows the Araethos line almost died out 50 years ago when a mob of villagers, angry with the tyrannical cruelty with which the Araethoses governed them, managed to storm their manor and murder the entire family. The only one spared was Kail, an infant whose birth had been kept a secret. Kail alone survived due to being smuggled out to a family that sympathized with the Araethoses. The ghost of Kail's sister, who was innocent of her parents' crimes, haunted the lands, killing those who were responsible for murdering her and searching for the soul of her lover who too was murdered on that day. When Kail reached adulthood, he returned to the lands of his family, claimed his birthright, and put his sister's soul to rest. He also smoothed over relations with the villagers in the lands his family controlled, which has since then become the city of Myir.

Kail has since then devoted his life to the study of magic, mycology and botany. He is married to a priestess of Pelor that he met in his travels and he has five children with her, ranging in age from 14 to 21. His oldest son, Vincent, who now stands before you, is a well respected member of his order of paladins. The second eldest is Lyndon, who is a wizard of some renown who also assists his father with experiments. Odessa, the eldest daughter, is said to be the spitting image of Kail's deceased sister and is a famous violinist in the royal courts. Not much is known about his two younger daughters, other than that they are studying in the ways of Pelor under their mother, Posie.))

((Shayne and Twyla both realize the guard cast the cantrip Whispering Wind, no doubt sending the message of their arrival to the manor which prompted Vincent to ride out.))

Vincent would listen to everyone's words on the bandits and let out a sigh. "I don't know the names of all his men, but that does sound like the work of Grock. He is a local half-orc bandit that has been giving us trouble. He has magic boots that let him move through the thick forest underbrush unimpeded, making him quite difficult to catch. He's been raiding caravans along the forest roads for a while now, but the roadblock is a new trick for him. I'll take a group of men in the morning to totally disassemble his work and see if Grock is still skulking about.

"In the meantime, you are free to stay at our manor, at least until my father can see you. If you have any wounds, my sisters will tend to them; they always like to have the practice." Vincent would chuckle slightly then look over the adventurers. His face would show slight concern. "Alas, I'm afraid you will have to check your weapons in here at the gatehouse. Fear not, everything will be well guarded and, if something were to happen while they were under our care, my family would reimburse you for your loss."  

[Rain Yupa]

"That is more than acceptable," Revenge would respond to Vincent. Without hesitation, he would turn to the guard nearest him, and hand him his halberd. He would then unbuckle the sheathed longsword at his hip and hand it over. Pulling out the two javelins bound to his pack, he would likewise turn them in. Finally, kneeling down a bit, he would pull a dagger from a sheath along his right calf and offer it, handle-first.

He would step back and turn, watching expectantly for the others to follow suit.

"There is one more thing, Vincent," Revenge would add while others disarmed (assuming they didn't make a fuss). "Concerning the bandit that died in combat, I buried him near where we fought. You shouldn't have trouble finding where, if it matters. Considering the urgency to get here before too late an hour, I did some basic last rites for him but nothing official. I felt you should know so no one accidentally disturbs his resting place."  

[Noname 51]

"Hmm... Communications" Shayne mutters after identifying the spell.

Scowling as the words came to leave his staff. "Why is everyone trying to strip me of my possessions?" The spoke to himself as he turned to the Paladin jokingly "Unless, little bondage and formicophilia is what peeks your interest? how about, we keep our thing and we are escorted by one of your sisters or guards and you keep your reimbursement?" He suggested with a smile

Diplomacy ±9.  

[PupSage]

Kuori would set her quiver to the side withe the other weapons and unstring her bow, but she would not be handing it in. She also would other with introductions to the rich people.  

[AlphabetFish]

Twyla grinned back at Revenge. "Why not? I AM short, after all! It totally fits me!"

To Vincent, Twyla said, "You're very tall. I would really appreciate it if a sister or two could help me out. The big bandit guy kicked me halfway across the road and it still smarts. Oh, and my weapons..."

Twyla took off her songblade's belt and handed it over--sheath, sword, belt and all. "That's my main buddy in this world! Her name is Tinsel! Forged by dwarves, inlaid by elves, and bought at a rummage sale for two gold fifty! She's a special lady, so please treat her right!"

She also pulled her short bow and arrows out of her pack and handed them to the nearest guard. "This is my bow. I've never used him, or her, so I don't know what her, or his, name is, yet, but if you use her, or him, without me, would you please tell me what kind of personality he, or she, has!"

Twyla dusted off her hands as if she'd accomplished something taxing. "Okay! Let's go! I'm ever so excited to meet Mr. Araethos; I've read ALL his books! No one else can make mushrooms sound quite so... enchanting."  

[Mongooseh]

Valac would show mild annoyance of being asked to remove his weapons from his person before rationalising what he was doing. Taking his five javelins, quiver of arrows, three daggers and gathering them into one pile he offloaded those without much care to one guard. He then carefully took off his Fullblade and made sure another guard had a firm grip on it, practically pushing it into the mans arms, before letting it go.

"You best look after that. It's the only possession I've had as long as I can remember. Lose it and I'll rip off your head." Snarled Valac as he then addressed the guards who have his weapons, "I expect all of them to be razor sharp when I get back since you've so kindly offered to take care of them."

(26 on the intimidate if needed. Looking to scare the guards into taking special care of weapons and do a sharpening service on it.)