Secrets of Roderics Cove IC

[Darvin]

"You are welcome to come to the chapel and study the scripture if you wish, though you do not strike me as the kind to spend hours reading through dry tomes. Nor are there regular services; as much as death is a unifying inevitability for all of us, people prefer more comforting faiths than the cold truths of Pharasma. It is why the Temple of Stars and Roads on the other side of town is the one most people choose to frequent, only entering this hall to attend funerary services," Audrahni turns her head towards the six bodies draped in white cloth, "there will be such a service tomorrow evening, though I suspect only Horned Fangs shall attend. None of the dead had any family in Roderic's Cove,"

At this moment, the doors open and Gregor strides through, returning from his trip home to rejoin the group.

[Stelio Kontos]

Gregor approached, not wanting to disturb whatever might be going on. The furrowed brow hadn't left his face on the entire walk over as he thought about who might have been passing around phonies. It wasn't something any of the locals would do, he didn't think.

He fiddled with the coin in his pocket, trying to capture the feel of it, in case there were other such coins about.

Satisfied that he wasn't interrupting anything, he ducked his head slightly out of habit to pass through the chapel doorway. "I miss anything?"

[ploptales]

Kenia:
Audrahni had the most knowledge of them all, so it made no sense to Kenia why she didn't want to join. Kenia shrugs it off and takes the wand from Kwella. Maybe she has a reason.

"If the bakeries on the way I might grab something but other than that I'm good to go."

Aivela:
Aivela recognises Gregor from the tavern and cheerfully chirps a greeting.

[Darvin]

After reconvening and a brief discussion, the three youth set out from the chapel. Audrahni wishes you well, but does not follow you beyond the edge of town. Gregor knows the way to Roderic's Wreck, though he hasn't been there in many years. As you round a bend, the two-story structure along the water's edge comes into view. It must have been a majestic building long ago, but today it is nothing more than a wreck. The house slumps visibly towards the water, one corner edging dangerously into the river. The entire house is slanted now, and rests uneasily. It looks like it should have collapsed into the river years ago. The construction itself is barely holding on, as well. Boards in the house's walls have warped and popped free from their nails, peeling back like bark from an old tree. Moss grows over the roof and clings in patches to its walls. A light haze of black mold and thin bubbles of moisture creep across both sides of the house's windows, obscuring anything that might reside within. The front door hangs slightly ajar. The sounds of buzzing insects, creaking tree branches, and the reiver flowing by hangs in the moist air.

There are two enrances to the house, a front entrance on the west side, and a back enrance towards the east. The Wreck isn't in great shape and you could attempt to bash a hole in the wall or break a window, though given its shape you might bring the building down on top of you. The back entrance seems rather perilous; it has pulled partially free of the house has come to rest in a very steep angle. Boards are missing or mouldering in places, and the river laps hungrily underneath. You will need to make an Acrobatics check to move across it to the doorway entrance.

Spoiler: Perception DC 26

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You notice two tiny creatures roosting near the main entrance. They're well-hidden and barely move.

Spoiler: Knowledge Arcana DC 10

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This is a Stirge, a flying blood-sucking menace. At first glance they appear to be a mosquito the size of a small dog, but their wings are more bat-like and their body is fleshy and maneuverable without the characteristic insectoid exoskeleton. They are a strange creature, likely the escaped creation of some deranged wizard in eons past that has since become endemic to the region.

Spoiler: Knowledge Geography DC 15

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The river has naturally moved over the years, and its current position must be a recent development. When the rainy season comes, there is no question the house will be washed away.

[NalaYoda]

Kwella eyes the dilapidated structure in front of them warily. This is definitely not what she expected to see, especially so close to a place as put together as Roderic's Cove. Getting into this place will be tricky, and actually looking around will be more difficult. She crosses her fingers that the structure won't come crashing down once they get closer and turns towards her companions.

"What do you all think?" Kwella begins, pointing towards the wreck. "Do we go in the front or sneak in the back? Should we go in at all?" She looks up at her Roc, circling the wreck above, and has an idea.
"Either of you opposed to Roccie getting a closer look before we decide?"

[Stelio Kontos]

"By Cayden's stein" Gregor muttered, looking at the decrepit state of the structure.

Scratching at his beard, he replied to Kwella without looking at her. "Front door, I reckon. Back doesn't look like it'd hold me too well. And, if'n you think it'll be safe, I've no objection."

"Am I gonna have'ta buy a bird to keep up with you lot?" he said with a rueful smile.

[ploptales]

"Back looks a bit too slanted for my liking. I will go by the front door as well."

Aivella hops to Gregory's shoulder for the walk over, returning back to Kenia as they near the house.

[Darvin]

Gregor strides towards the door, eyes peeled for trouble. The boards creek and groan under his weight as he approaches. The instant his foot steps down on the last step, he feels a rustle of air behind his neck. Neither he nor his compatriots have any time to react as the two tiny creatures swoop down onto Gregor. One clamps down on his arm, while the other goes for his neck, and moments later a searing pain as they puncture deep and begin to draw blood.

Spoiler: Knowledge Arcana DC 10

Show

This is a Stirge, a flying blood-sucking menace. At first glance they appear to be a mosquito the size of a small dog, but their wings are more bat-like and their body is fleshy and maneuverable without the characteristic insectoid exoskeleton. They are a strange creature, likely the escaped creation of some deranged wizard in eons past that has since become endemic to the region.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

The creatures have taken you by surprise. Gregor takes 2 points of Constitution damage as these nasty flying beasts suck his blood

[Stelio Kontos]

Gregor flinched as the bugs pierced his thick skin. He eyed them carefully for a moment, assessing the threat, before bringing his left arm into the air to deliver a crushing swat at the one lodged on his arm. Bugs were nothing new to him, but these were ... a little more inconvenient than normal, he had to admit.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move action: martial flexibility -- Dedicated Adversary (these icky bugs that are eating me)
Standard: unarmed strike (1d20+8)[9] attack, (1d6+7)[11]damage

[NalaYoda]

Kwella begins to move swiftly towards Gregor, starting to draw her sword at the first sign of danger but quickly rethinks. Probably not the best idea to swing at these creatures on Gregor when she is more than likely to take his arm off. Halting in her tracks, she calls out to Gregor,
"What can we do to assist? Roccie might be hungry." Ensuring her sword is fully sheathed, Kwella approaches Gregor a little more cautiously, hands raised to swat at the creature on Gregor's arm if requested.

[Stelio Kontos]

"Just get 'em offa me!" Gregor shouted. "I'll be still enough, just take your shot."

[NalaYoda]

Kwella stops in her tracks and grabs her crossbow. She loads a bolt and lets it fly at the ugly thing on Gregor's arm while Roccie attacks the creature on his neck.

[Darvin]

Kwella's crossbow bolt narrowly grazes the creature, but moments later Roccie swoops in. Its crushing beak comes in around the creature, and it tumbles off Gregor to the ground. Kenia follows up from behind, and with a quick incantation and glowing blue bolt arcs unerringly towards the second creature. It strikes with a satisfying burst of energy, and the creature loosens its grip and falls off Gregor. Blood streams down from the puncture wounds, but he is no longer in danger from the creatures. The two of them twitch on the ground, no longer able to fly but still alive.

[ploptales]

Aivella scans around for similar creatures, but these seem to be the only two.

Kenia looks at the creatures twitching on the ground "Sheesh what were those.. Gregor, you wanna have at 'em?"

[Stelio Kontos]

"Dunno, but they had quite a sting!" Gregor replied, rubbing the welt on his arm. "I dunno 'bout finishin' them, it looks like they've had enough to me. Anyway, we may as well keep on goin'."

[ploptales]

"I dunno 'bout finishin' them, it looks like they've had enough to me. Anyway, we may as well keep on goin'."

"You are more merciful than I, but I agree we should get a move on."

[Darvin]

As you collect yourselves after the brief battle, you notice that some of the boards in the front porch have warped and bent and given way, possibly as Gregor was busily swatting away the blood-sucking monstrosities. A slight glimmer of silver catches your eyes from underneath the porch, a small locket that seems to have fallen underneath the porch.