In response to Viale's suggestion, she will say "Agreed."
Nirli will respond to Timidity. "I was thinking we should keep her here and have her ride back on the transport. That way you're not carrying her all the way back. Carrying her might cause her more harm."
"Zandorian has a couple healing potions here, if anyone needs any." She offers.
For a moment, it looks like G1 is gonna to resist, but then G2 whispers in his ear.
On a Perception 16 you hear:
Spoiler
"You wanna stand out here in the cold for the next two hours? We'll go back, pass this on to the higher ups and be in the tavern before the wagons get back here."
G1 seems swayed and helps Timidity with the girl who stumbles over her feet as they start walking her.
"It'll wear off as she gets some air." Timidity promises them and, with a sigh, G2 moves the cleric aside and helps shoulder the girl. Timidity gives Nirili a wry smile as she passes, then gives Viales the finger as he holds out the potion, sauntering backwards for a few steps before she spins on her heels and hurries to catch up to the guards.
The sounds of the receding group disappear into the night, leaving you alone with a copse of corpses.
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
Viales merely shrugs in response and puts the vial back in place on his adventurer's sash. He'll sit down on a nearby large root and roll his shoulders.
"Well fought, Nirili. I am...sorry, about Zandorian."
If there's no further sentiment, he'll soon start to sort out the bodies, tossing weapons, armour and misc. items in separate piles, and putting the cultist bodies in some sort of undignified pile and Zandorian and the Captains in dignified poses with cloaks/capes acting as coverings
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
"It is what it is." Nirili says "His bravado overcame his self preservation."
She will uncork one of Zandorian's potions, raise it up in a salute to Zandorian, and drink it (CLW), then set about searching the bodies. After searching, she'll have Viales help piling them up in one area. Close to the captain, but not right next to him.
Perception, to hear the whisper:
[4]+14 = 18 1d20+14:
[
]
+14
= 18
Cure Light Wounds:
[6]+1 = 7 1d8+1:
[
]
+1
= 7
Spoiler
HP 40/49
AC: 20
CMD: 21/CMB: +6
Effects in Effect: none
She'll comment to the guards (after hearing what he said). "Do tell your higher ups to hurry with whoever they're sending back. Be sure to raise a few to your good captain while we're out here guarding his body."
G2 narrows his eyes, but if he had a comeback, he resists the urge. The call of the pint seemingly stronger than his desire for the last word.
The cultists were not really expecting a fight and have only piecemeal equipment for the most part.
In terms of actual valuables, Peralt is the prime source of usable loot.
He has a wand of magic missile CL 5, with 15 charges remaining, a scroll, a wand of shocking grasp with 10 charges remaining, and a coin pouch with 50gp in.
Among the general cultists you rustle up two potions of CLW and one set of masterwork studded leather armour which is remarkably intact. While they weren't carrying coin, you do lift their jewellery, coming up with a combined 1800gp worth of rings, earrings and bracelets.
On top of that, Peralt has a fancy Gnomish made pocket watch, worth another 500gp, made of silver and inlaid with pearl. The cover forms the wings of a scarab beetle.
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
"I'm assuming this is all stuff you can use." Nirili says to Viales of the wands and scrolls. "How's your healing potion supply? Everything else we can sell and split up."
Nirili takes one CLW potion and hands Viales the other "Can never have too many." she says. The coin and jewelry she stuffs in her haversack. She strips Zandorain of his armor and puts it in a pile next to the other studded leather. The rest of his stuff she puts in her bag, except for the belt, which she puts on.
An owl hoots as it flies overhead, seeking its nocturnal snack. Distant, mercifully distant, the howl of a wolf is answered by another. And as you stand, sit, or lean against a tree, fatigue setting in after the exertion of the fight and the lateness of the hour... it begins to grow darker. Looking up at the moon, hanging full in the sky, just visible through a gap in the foliage, you see a shadow creep across its surface, from the top to the bottom, like a curtain being pulled down across the heavens, tinged with a deep red line at the terminator that disappears as the shadow swallows the moon entirely.
A sinister silence descends, the wolves cease their song and a tension rises. You can feel it, tangible, a taste like iron on your tongue, a weight that presses against every inch of your skin simultaneously like it's being drawn tighter against your body from the inside. The fear that rises within you is feral in its simplicity. The urge to cower, to flee, to hide. And just when the feeling grows unbearable, as you cannot stand the feeling of unseen eyes upon you any longer, it lifts. With a palpable penumbra of relief, the primal fear gives way to rational reassurance that this is nothing more than a natural celestial event, as the top of the moon glows through the shadow; an inverted crescent slowly widening until that familiar lunar sphere returns to its rightful position of prominence in the night sky.
Moments pass and this time, it is with relief that you hear the wolf take up his cry once more.
(Unless you had anything to add I think I'm good to fast forward to the following day?)
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
As the feeling lifts, Nirli says "That was probably the timing they needed to kill the girl. Who knows what could have happened as a result of that ceremony."
Corrections:
Cmdr Maxwell wrote: ↑Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:41 pmZandorian's gear (Nirili took all of it, although the studded leather and buckler will be in the sell/split pile)
+1 Rapier
+1 Buckler
+1 Studded Leather
Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2
Cloak of Resistance +1
Cure Moderate Wounds x2 Cure Light Wounds x2 (Nirili drunk one, pocketed the other)
Pass Without Trace
Dagger
69(nice)gp
Cultists' crap
Gnomish made watch (500gp)
wand of MM (15 charges) (Viales)
Scroll of Invisibility (Viales)
Wand of Shocking Grasp (10 charges)
50g
2x CLW (These are the ones that Nirili took one and gave the other to Viales)
Masterwork studded leather
jewelry (1800gp)
Whilst the shuddering hit Nirili hard, it almost flattened Viales thanks to his infernal blood. He could feel it. The power, beckoning just beyond the veil of existence. "Indeed," he grimly replies as he strokes Jess, nestled in his lap.
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
You sleep in, no surprises there. The night was long enough without loading the bodies onto the wagons, though at least you got a ride back to town. Life in Heavensholm continues, the locals none the wiser as to how close they came to facing some unknown diabolic menace. People know something went down though and the town is abuzz with the news that the Captain of the Guard is no more; a replacement already appointed, such is the chain of command. You played your part, but there are things other than glory on your mind.
For Viales in particular, this is the day Master Rashkata will be arriving. A letter preceded him, asking you to make yourself available to attend him at the The Sandman inn at 3pm.
(We can assume Nirili does whatever loot selling and shopping she desires in the mean time).
Is there anything specific you wish to do prior to this meeting?
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
Only the selling of the loot, tidying of the house and putting papers aside, and of course getting the crown and other historical items from the underground dungeon.
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
Getting it out of the safe, you numpty. To give to Rashtaka Rashkata. Although in hindsight, if we are coming back to the safe house before leaving with Tegwin's body, then he'll leave it at the house.
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
In which case, we pick up at 3pm with Viales, approaching the Sandman Inn. You make enquiries at the desk and discover that Rashkata has left instructions for you to be shown up to his room. The innkeep leaves you standing outside room number 4. You stare at the door... take a deep breath and...
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
..continue to stare at the door for a solid minute under the guise of a non-descript human via the cloak. To say he's nervous is an understatement. Also, he didn't want to be identified by anyone from the night's events.
Having been afflicted by indecision, Viales will opt to have the crown and artefacts with him.
As previously mentioned, Master Rashkata is someone he is keen to reunite with. He's got a good rapport with this particular Master due to a shared affinity and interest in history. But the establishing of a hag coven, as well as the death of Tegwin, may be something he would be heavily reproached upon, so bringing the artefacts will act as a placating gesture.
Eventually, with a prompt from Nirili, Viales will rap his knuckles on the door (forgetting about being under an illusion; will roleplay this into the opening dialogue).
"Master, Acolyte Viales, reporting as requested."
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
Charon wrote: ↑Fri Jan 30, 2026 9:39 pm
(We can assume Nirili does whatever loot selling and shopping she desires in the mean time).
Is there anything specific you wish to do prior to this meeting?
Just want to verify we'll be able to sell equipment at the standard 50% value and jewels at 100% value. Nirili will also need to arrange for Zandorian's burial.
Yep. Mundane and magic equipment at 50%.
Gems or goods (jewellery, paintings, goblets, silk slippers or anything else that is obviously not equipment) full value.
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
The firm voice of Rashkata responds.
"Enter, Acolyte."
You enter, finding Rashkata seated upon his bed, a tome in one hand, reading. He takes a moment, finishing whatever tidbit held his attention then snaps the book shut and places it on the bed. He looks up at Viales...
*roll*
"Curious." he says. "Is this how you choose to walk among the people of Heavensholm, Acolyte?"
He rises to his feet as you respond...
(Let me know if you're not using dark mode and I'll switch text colour)
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." - Charles Dickens.
Inside me there are two Gremlins, and they both Gigi Murin. And they are screaming. At the same time.
OOC: If it could be a dark green, that would be great. Like this #FF4000
IC: The nervousness is palpable in Viale's posture and timbre. Forgetting he had left the disguise up, he dismisses it with a curt bow of respect. Nodding to Nirili who takes up a post at the door, he closes it and turns to face the Master.
"Dawn's light and Paletius' benevolence to you, Master. I had thought it prudent to mask my true nature, given recent events within this city. The guards in particular gave me some peculiar looks. If you have not heard already, I bring you good tidings."
He awaits the next formality.
OOC2: I realise I wrote that in a way that Nirili is outside. If desired for narrative purposes Charon, she's on the inside.
Last edited by Cmdr Maxwell on Tue Feb 03, 2026 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"It ain't a gun if it don't weigh at least one hundred pounds." Gunner, Deep Rock Galactic
-----
"There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it." - Captain Picard.
