Akia looks around the bar, a little annoyed that the inn is so crowded. She looks over at the table where you all sit and brightens a bit, seeing there is space there.
Akia heads over towards the table, dodging patrons.
SteelBrow watches the crowd and sips his drink.
Norry stretches to the tip of his furry toes, trying to look over the crowd for an open seat, before sitting at the far end of the table from the tiger woman.
Sebrinia sits at the table with Steelbrow, just glancing around the Inn. The elf is anxious to meet up with Ian Turbrand. But so far, it doesn't seem he's around. She does notice a few others in the crowd but shurgs them off for now. "Good drink, Steelbrow?"
Akia rather gracefully slides into her seat... then stretches out and relaxes.
SteelBrow says, "ehh, I've had worse. washes the dust from my throat."
SteelBrow looks over the tiger girl before noding a 'hello'.
Norry swings his feet from the bench anxiously, glancing around as if looking for someone.
Akia looks around the room, then smiles nervously at the dwarf.
* While the four of you rest and enjoy your drinks as the case may be, there is the sound of an approaching commotion from outside the doors. Abruptly, a big man strides into the Inn like he owns the place, clearly agitated. Two others are with him - a woman dressed in the uniform of the town guard, and another well-dressed, prosperous-looking dwarf. The few of you who had been looking for him might recognize the big man as the innkeeper Ian Turbrand, from descriptions given to you.
Akia's gaze noticably goes to the greataxe strapped to Steelbrow's back. She pulls out a flask of something and takes a swig.
SteelBrow sighting the inkeeper's arrival, stands for a better view of the commotion.
Akia perks up at the commotion, then relaxes once she sees what it is.
Norry hops from his seat and approaches the group who just entered. He does not intrude on their discussion, but waits patiently for their attention.
- "Common Steelbrow. We need to talk to Ian Turnbrand," Sebrinia murmurs to the dwarf.
* Unswervingly, the big man heads directly over to the pair of tables where you are, or were, all seated, beating Norry to the approach. "Are you mercenaries?" he asks, glaring at all of you with dark eyes as if challenging you to deny it. "Are you adventurers? We need brave and capable folk, right now, and we're willing to pay!"
SteelBrow nods and paces towards the innkeeper.
SteelBrow asks, "what task do ye need adventurers for?"
Akia sighs, "Does it have to be RIGHT now?"
Akia takes a sip from her flask.
Norry says with a frown, "I am not. I came in search of my cousin, who is long overdue. And folks in the street all directed me to speak with you."
Sebrinia glances towards Norry for a moment. "I was directed to speak to you as well, Ian. I was originally looking for Phodor but she is not around and I was told to come here."
Akia raises an eyebrow, interested. She puts the flask down and leans forward to listen.
* "Aye, right now!" Ian replies, giving Akia a quick double-take despite his best efforts. To the others he replies, "I may be able to help you, but we have larger problems. Mia says we have trouble in the old graveyard," the innkeeper continues, indicating the woman in uniform. She looks uncomfortable, and you sense fear from all of the onlookers. "We need your help, and we need it now!"
Akia gets up, putting the flask back in her bag, "Well."
Norry asks, "I won't mind helping if I can, but what's the trouble?"
Akia asks, "Perhaps he could explain on the way?"
SteelBrow softly growles and guesses, "zombies or the like."
Sebrinia asks, "Okay, what is the problem?"
Ian looks relieved at not having to persuade further, although he's still agitated. "Three of our locals and a guest of theirs went up to the graveyard the day before yesterday," he explains, "to put a member of their family to rest in the mausoleum. None of them returned... when their servants reported them missing, two of our sentinels went to investigate and didn't return either."
Norry's face twists with distress. "A hobbit... was there a hobbit with them? A hobbit girl?"
Sebrinia sighs softly. "Well lead the way sir and lets go find out what happened to these people."
Akia grimaces, "Sounds like nasty business. Let's get going."
Akia heads for the door.
Ian turns to Mia, who nods reluctantly, seeing the expression on Norry's face. "Yes... she had a colorful name. Flittertwig, I believe it was."
SteelBrow chugs the remainder of his drink, "eye, lets bust some nasty undead."
Akia says, "You assume much, dwarf."
Norry says, "Ooh, that would be my cousin. Even the one I came to find. I suppose we'd better get to it. I hope it isn't too late!"
SteelBrow says, "'tis not much me axe cannot cut."
Mia volunteers to lead you to the graveyard, if you are ready to start searching right now. Ian also looks pleased that you don't seem to want to wait for anything before starting your own investigation.
SteelBrow says, "whatever the evil be, let us be on dispaching it from this world."
Akia says, "I'm ready."
Sebrinia waits patiently for Mia to lead the way.
Norry anxiously waits, clearly wanting to go already.
Mia quickly leads the way out into daylight, and takes you up to hill towards the graveyard. Ivy winds its way up the iron bars of the cemetary gate. No rust discolors the black metal, and flowers blossom near the wall. Beyond that wall, you see a gravel walkway that weaves its way up through groomed grass and white tombstones. A few statues rise up along the hillside, their gray features gleaming in the sun.
* "That's not good," says Mia. "The gate is open."
Sebrinia glances into the graveyard and then at the gate. "Is it usually kept locked?"
SteelBrow opens his mouth to speak before Sebrinia asks his very question.
Akia grimaces, "For what reason would you lock the cemetery?"
Sebrinia glances towards the tiger girl. "To keep out grave-robbers."
Norry asks, "Where is the grave Flittertwig came to visit?"
Mia shakes her head. "It is not kept locked, but securely fastened. We seek to keep wildlife away from this place," she replies.
Akia says, "Ah, one would not want jackals digging up one's dead."
SteelBrow wields his axe and paces in, scanning the graveyard for movement.
Mia replies to Norry, "She was inside the Mausoleum proper. Their family - the Yurlings - is a well-known one, which entities them burial within."
Norry says, "Well lead on."
Mia hangs back as Steelbrow starts going inside. "The path to the mausoleum is clear," she answers. "I have a town to watch over, so I will leave you here. If you have more questions for any of us, you may ask for me at the Inn."
Akia notes Steelbrow's caution and prepares herself, looking about.
Akia turns to Mia, "Clear... but we do not have a map. Which way is it?"
Norry follows the dwarfs lead, pulling his morningstar from his belt.
* The graveyard appears old but lovingly cared for. Fresh gravel covers the path and flowers, not weeds, grow beside the tombstones.
Akia scrubs that last pose.
Akia stays about 10 feet behind the dwarf.
Sebrinia pulls up next to Akia, following the Steelbrow.
DM is acting....
SteelBrow marches up the mausoleum steps, and pushes on the door.
DM hangs Steelbrow back. "I guess I wasn't clear enough. I'll say that when I need you to hold back for me to put up events you trigger."
* A narrow path winds its way up the hill toward a large structure flanked by ancient, life-sized statues of a warrior and a priest. Two humanoids lie sprawled on the mausoleum's steps. Dark liquid seeps out from under the bodies, and beyond them, the doors to the mausoleum are open.
* (more)
Akia keeps her view up, expecting the halfling will probably rush forward and be distracted by the bodies.
SteelBrow eyes the warrier statue, in particular its weapon.
DM indicates that the S's are the statues.
Akia's hands light up with fire as a stream of flames leaps from her into the gravestones.
Akia says, "Speaking of wolves."
Norry, as predicted, rushes toward the bodies, quickly checking vitals (and faces).
* (done)
Sebrinia blinks as she notices something odd about the statue near her. Before she can get anything out, Akia speaks out.
DM says, "Initiative."
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 14,4 = 18.
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 6,4 = 10.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: -10,5 = -5.
SteelBrow moves in behind one of the statues.
* DM rolls 1f20+2: 15,2 = 17.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 7,1 = 8.
Akia steps forward to stand near the halfling as she casts her fire towards the wolf.
* The wolf nimbly dodges the scorching flames Akia directs at it.
Akia grimaces.
* The wolf Akia tried to hit leaps out from the gravestone, and pounces at her, snarling with its teeth bared.
* DM rolls 1f20+3: 11,3 = 14.
Akia manages to dance out of the way.
* The second wolf moves up to Norry, and also attempts to chomp the hobbit.
Norry startles as the wolves leap from their hiding places, and cries out as the second wolf's teeth sink into his leg.
* The last wolf - it's so distinctly darker and meaner-looking than the other wolves, that it might not be a true wolf - moves around the gravestone and charges Steelbrow!
* DM rolls 1f20+6: 18,6 = 24.
SteelBrow cringes in pain as the big wolf chomps on his leg, but resists crying out.
DM says, "Norry, go."
* Norry rolls 1f20+1: 16,1 = 17.
* Norry rolls 1d6: 4.
- Recovering quickly, Norry brings his morningstar down upon the wolf's head.
* The blow cracks against its skull, and the wolf howls in pain, but still looks angry and ready to fight.
DM says, "Steelbrow, go."
SteelBrow swings his axe down at the big wolf which just bit him.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+5: 8,5 = 13.
* The wolf-like thing is just a little too nimble, and jerks its head out of the way at the last possible moment, escaping injury.
DM says, "Sebrinia, go."
DM says, "Ack. Hold."
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 1,4 = 5.
* The wolf-like thing was *not* just a little too nimble after dodging, and jerks its head out of the way just past the last possible moment, but only takes a minor scratch.
* dodging=charging
SteelBrow slices into the wolf beast, but not nearly as deep as he'd like.
DM says, "Alright. Heh. Resume, Sebrinia."
Sebrinia is quick to pull out her bow and arrow. The elf girl fires at the wolf attacking Norry.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+6: 12,6 = 18.
* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 3.
* The arrow flies straight and true, and embeds itself in the wolf's side. It snarls at the elf, but still seems to be concentrating its attention on Norry.
DM says, "Initiative."
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 14,1 = 15.
* DM rolls 1f20+2: 30,2 = 32.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 4,5 = 9.
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 19,4 = 23.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.
* The first wolf attempts to snap at Akia again, unharmed so far.
* The wolf snarls in frustration as it fails to score a blow upon Akia. The second one ignores Sebrinia in favor of Norry, and lunges at the hobbit again.
Norry grimaces as the wolf scores another nip at him, gashing his arm this time.
* Finally, the wolf-like thing tries once again to chomp Steelbrow, aiming for the dwarf's legs.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+3+4: 14,3,4 = 21.
SteelBrow stands his ground against an attempted trip, but not without injury.
DM says, "Sebrinia, go."
- Seeing the wolf continue to attack Norry, Sebrinia draws another arrow and sends flying at the wolf.
DM says, "Oh. I did."
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+6: 17,6 = 23.
SteelBrow swings his axe around for another slice at the wolf beast.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+5: 11,5 = 16.
DM says, "Norry, you can go. Then we'll get the rest of this figured out."
* Norry rolls 1f20+1: 3,1 = 4.
* Norry rolls 1d6: 4.
Norry takes another swipe at the wolf in front of him, but his balance is off and he swings wide.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 11,4 = 15.
SteelBrow slices another larger gash into the wolf beast.
* With a dying howl, the wolf-beast topples, twitches, then lays still.
SteelBrow drops the beast by decent margin and turns to the other near wolf...
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+5: 11,5 = 16.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 4,4 = 8.
SteelBrow carves a chunk fron the side of his second target.
* The first wolf is caught by the blow, and it causes it severe pain, but even that doesn't distract it from Akia.
DM says, "Sebrinia, go ahead."
Sebrinia's arrow flies true and straight and lodges into the wolf.
* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 1.
DM says, "Akia, go."
Akia bares her teeth as she extends large black cat claws her fingers. She slashes furiously at the wolf twice.
* Akia rolls 1d20+1: 4,1 = 5.
* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 14,1 = 15.
* Akia rolls 1d6+2: 5,2 = 7.
Akia dances back a little after the hit.
Akia distracts the wolf with one claw, then slices it's throat cleanly with the other. She turns towards the last wolf and growls.
DM says, "And that's everyone. Initiative."
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 18,4 = 22.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 2,5 = 7.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 15,1 = 16.
* DM rolls 1f20+2: 9,2 = 11.
DM says, "Akia, go."
Akia steps towards the wolf, her claws bared.
* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 8,1 = 9.
* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 18,1 = 19.
* Akia rolls 1d6+2: 5,2 = 7.
Akia slashes at it with vigor, hyped up from the previous kill. Her first swipe goes wild, but the second goes true.
Akia looks about for danger quickly, not retracting her claws just yet.
* The second wolf, hit soundly by the second strike, falls bonelessly to the ground, its tongue lolling out of its mouth. It does not move any further.
Norry puts a hand to his injured leg, closes his eyes, and mutters quietly to himself.
* Norry rolls 1d8+1+1: 5,1,1 = 7.
SteelBrow halts in mid run seeing the third wold drop, "I thinks a couple of us could be using the services of a cleric."
Akia sighs, pulling a grey cloth with brownish stains from a pocket, and carefully cleaning the blood from her claws.
Norry first turns his attention to the bodies on the stair. "If these folk aren't done in, they need help more than you."
* Now that you are no longer being menaced by wolves.... Two bodies, seeming savaged by some wild beast, lie in a pool of blood. One is a male dwarf, and the other is a female human. Each wears the remnants of the town sentinel's tabard. Blood spatters cover the landing and the flagstones just inside the tomb's doorway.
Akia looks to the bodies with some sadness, but a note of detachment.
Akia says, "The sentinels."
SteelBrow stands guard against more wolves.
Akia steps over to them and examines the wounds.
* Norry rolls 1f20+3: 4,3 = 7.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 6,4 = 10.
Norry sighs, and turns back to Steelbrow. "Let me see your injuries."
SteelBrow leans on his great axe like a stave, and puts his badly injured leg forward.
Sebrinia glances at the DM, "Will I be able to 'rescue' my arrows and get them back?"
Norry lays his hands upon the injury and mutters a prayer.
* Norry rolls 1d8+1+1: 3,1,1 = 5.
DM says, "How many did you fire? Three? Roll 1d20."
* Sebrinia rolls 1d20: 17.
SteelBrow flexes his leg, "Better. Still take a few nights to heal."
Akia says, "Probably also victims of the wolves. Curious. They weren't eating when we arrived, they couldn't have been hungry. I wonder what prompted them to attack us."
Sebrinia manages to extract 2 of the 3 arrows. She stashes them back in the bag.
Norry says, "That's the best I can do for now. I should check its progress tomorrow. The name's Norry, by the way," and offers his hand to Steelbrow. "Norrelberry Whitfoot."
Akia ponders aloud, "Defending their meals for later, I suppose."
DM offers, "If anyone has something along the lines of knowledge: nature and is interested, they can take a closer look at that wolf-beast."
SteelBrow grasps the offered hand, "I'm called Steelbrow.", grins, "Norrellberry... Sounds like a tasty snack."
Akia says, "I'm sure the wolves thought the same."
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 16,4 = 20.
Norry says, "Well I'm sure they'll agree now, that I am no such thing."
SteelBrow asks, "anything of interest inside?"
Akia examines the larger wolf, "This wolf is... not natural. Luckily for us, neither was he of full growth."
SteelBrow softly growles at the implication of dark magic.
Norry asks, "Not natural? Well what's he doing here, chewing on these good folk?"
Sebrinia asks, "Not natural?"
Akia says, "A good question. But I wager it wasn't for a quick meal."
Akia says, "I'd recommend we proceed with caution. And not with the small one in front."
SteelBrow says, "I've been bit by that beast..."
Akia says, "Ah. Don't worry. You won't be growing any more hair than you already have."
SteelBrow asks, "what was it, exactly, if not a werewolf?"
Akia says, "It's a Warg. A larger, far more intelligent wolf."
Norry says, "Very well. My hand's a bit better with the short shot anyway," and trades the morningstar for the small crossbow on his belt.
SteelBrow nods with relief, and climbs the stairs to look inside.
Akia looks around, as if worried other wolves may have crept up during the conversation.
* The graveyard is clear of other visible threats. The doors at the top of the stairs are partially ajar.
SteelBrow pushes a door open with the but end of his axe.
Akia nods, seemingly satisfied with what she sees, then steps in behind the dwarf.
Norry waits for Steelbrow to lead the way in, still anxious for his cousin's safety.
Sebrinia quietly follows along the group, taking up the rear.
SteelBrow peaks inside.
* The doors are heavy, but clearly well-maintaned and balanced well for being made out of stone. They swing open fairly easily at your touch. How much of a peek do you take? Are you just taking a glimpse, or are you looking fully inside? The room is not lit except for what light makes it through the doorway.
SteelBrow holds his axe before him as he looks around inside.
* The open doors reveal a large stone room containing a stone table and several vaults built into the walls. Across the room you see a closed stone door. Blood is spattered and smeared on the tables, wall, and floor.?
SteelBrow asks, "What say we report what we've seen before going deeper?"
Akia steps in next to Steelbrow, grimacing at the scene, "This... is NOT good."
Akia nods, "I expect to find things in here nastier than the Warg."
Norry exclaims, "You make the report if you like. Flittertwig is in here somewhere!"
Akia sighs.
Sebrinia says, "I think if we spend time going back to the inn and reporting, those still alive won't be by the time we get back. We should push ahead, but with much caution."
SteelBrow says, "2 of those wargs might have done me in."
Akia says, "Perhaps."
SteelBrow taps on the back stone door with the but end of his axe.
Akia sighs, "One way to let them know we're coming."
SteelBrow tries opening the door.
* The door is locked, but a quick glance down would reveal a set of keys. One key is still in the lock, and a ring of eleven more dangles from it.
SteelBrow steps to the side, "anyone care to try the keys?"
Akia raises an eyebrow.
Norry walks toward the door, seemingly looking at the floor next to it.
Akia keeps an eye on the entryway.
* Norry rolls 1f20+3: 14,3 = 17.
SteelBrow follows Norry's gaze.
Sebrinia glances towards Norry. "Something particularly interesting there?"
Norry points to a print in the dust. "This looks like the footprint of... well, of a skeleton."
Akia shudders, "A... what?"
Sebrinia raises a brow. "Excuse me. Did you just say skeleton?"
Norry says, "I could be wrong I suppose. See here though, these are the toes and this is the heel."
SteelBrow softly growles, "undead."
Norry says, "It is about the size of the big folk, but... very bony I should say."
DM pulls the parking brake.