[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia felt like she had just made a terrible mistake in attacking the guy in front of her. Thankfully, Jackson got a good hit in, and tore off the cloak. The fact that he was wearing clothes very similar to that of the guards without the identifying regalia. Yeah, this was definitely the thief!

She cried out in pain from the spear, and she realized that she wasn't doing so well. After quickly taking out the goodberry and popping it in her mouth, she glared at the thief, and she demanded, "Surrender now, Thief! Or I'll drag you in myself!"

She then shouted as she swung her quarterstaff at the barbarian again.

Attack

Quarterstaff Attack: 22
Quarterstaff Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

"Aaaargh! Shaddup! SHADDUP!"

The man roared as he tried to stab at you again. However before he could Jackson lunged out and bite his arm, bitting hard enough to rip through his chain mail sleeve and into flesh. Even as he tried to go all out to stab you, Jackson held the man back as the two fought against one another. Jackson was trying to pull the man to the ground but he kept a low stance and was able to hold his ground with relative ease, though fighting two-on-one was not doing anything in his favor.

Rolls and Stuff

Initiative
Sylvia = 13
Jackson = 10
Thief = 3

Jackson bite = 19/13
Bite Damage = 11

Strength Saving Throw = 23

Reckless Attack = 12/10

The Thief continues to attack recklessly, however even so he fails to actually manage to hit you. Attacks still have advantage against him.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia shouted as she struck the man again with her quarterstaff and unarmed strike. She struck the man in the chest, hoping to strike the solar plexus, and then she roundhouse kicked his head. She once again called to the man, "Last warning, buster! Stand down! NOW!"

Attacks

Quarterstaff Attack: 18
Quarterstaff attack advantage: 20
Quarterstaff Damage: 7

Unarmed Attack: 18
Unarmed Attack advantage: 9
Unarmed Attack Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

After getting jabbed in the chest and clobbered over the head, the man tries to take another swing at you, however Jackson rips the spear out of his hands and knocks the man down. He bites his face and, surprisingly for a dog, roars in the thief's face. He's a bloody mess and now disarmed and defeated he tries his best to keep Jackson off of him, so he doesn't eat his face. "Alright alright I give up! Get your dog off of me goddammit!"

Rolls and Stuff

Initiative
Sylvia = 13
Jackson = 10
Thief = 3

Jackson Bite = 21/19
Bite Damage = 12

The thief surrenders! Combat is over.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but grin at the fact that he surrendered. She called to Jackson as she picked up the silver spear, "Good boy, Jackson! Now get off of him, but keep your eyes on him!"
She then took some rope, and after having the barbarian stand up, she tied his wrists behind his back. She then clasped her hand on his shoulder and she told him, "I'm guessing from your attire you never really introduced yourself to the guards. Time to go and meet them...as the thief you really are,"

With the shield, spear, and holy symbol, and the thief, she started guiding him back to the camp. As she walked on, she realized that that battle was a close one. She could have died in that battle....She was lucky to have Jackson there with her.

[Lucius Cypher]

The return trip to camp felt long. The man resisted, but Jackson's barks and growls kept him in line. Even he knew that even if he could somehow get away from Sylvia, Jackson could easily catch up and tear his throat out. You might even start wondering if Jackson is protecting you from this man, or if you're protecting the man from Jackson.

Either way you do manage to arrive to camp, and the first one to find you is Pylia. She turns and sees you and you can tell she's worried. And when she see's your blood stained outfit she goes ballistic. "What the hells Sylvia!? We've only been separated for thirty minutes and you're a bloody mess! Who is this guy? And the dog?" Seeing you escorting the thief, Pylia's hands burst into flames as she walked towards the man. "You bastard! I'll burn that hideous face off your bones!"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but smile at the dog. She was kind of finding the fact that the man couldn't do much because of Jackson kind of funny. Even if she was still bleeding...

Soon she reached the camp, and oh! There's Pylia! ...And she's going ballistic over her condition. She chuckled hesitantly and she apologized, "Sorry, Pylia. I ended up having a lot to do..." She then told her, "I'll explain as we walk on. But for now, don't worry about the thief here. Jackson's got him under control," As she walked on, she would explain the chain of events she went through to Pylia.

Of course, she kept her eyes on the prize. She was going to find both Mariam and the Guards at the same time. She wanted to hand over the items to Mariam, and show her and the guards that she had caught the real thief, and thus the kobold should be released.

[Lucius Cypher]

You didn't need to find Miriam, she found you. When the guards saw the man you brought in, they called the captain over, who was still being pestered by Mariam. But when she saw the thief she didn't hesitate to go over to him and take the shield off his arm and the spear from you. "Where's my holy symbol? It's a golden holy symbol to the Dawn Star!"

Meanwhile the captain came over and looked at the thief. "Garruk. I should've known." The man snorted and spat at the captain's feet. "This wouldn't have happened if you just let me on the force, Yhorn! I'm tougher and stronger than all of your men!" The captain, Yhorn, shook his head. "Strength doesn't matter when you can't even follow orders Garruk. You're no better than bandits if all you do is use that strength of yours to rob others." The captain looked at you and nodded. "Thank you for your assistance. I honestly didn't expect to see this man again. We'll take him into our custody. Oh, and we'll let the kobold go free too. I honestly didn't think he was the thief, but everyone pointed their fingers at him."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia pulled out the holy symbol of the angel and she handed it over to her, saying, "Here you are, Ma'am. And I believe you owe three hundred gold," She felt that she needed to remind Mariam, since she seemed like the forgetful type in her rage. She had to repress a roll of her eyes and audible sigh at the woman's attitude. Honestly, a simple 'thank you' would have sufficed.

She watched as the captain talked to the thief in interest. So...this was Garruk, and he stole...because he wasn't allowed to join the guards? She thought it was strange. If he was so angry at the guards, why would he steal from a random adventurer and frame a kobold? That was confusing logic. But then again, maybe Garruk wasn't thinking logically. He seemed more like an emotional person than anything.

She smiled to the captain at his words of thanks, and she answered "Not a problem, happy to help out. Thank you for freeing Shortfang," She sort of wondered if the kobold will be able to find her. She needed to pick up the reward first, and then meet up with the adventurer from before.

[Lucius Cypher]

Mariam seemed much calmer now that she had all her items. “Of course. Give me a moment to fetch the coins.” She would soon leave and return holding a small box. “I know adventurers prefer gold coin, but I’ve always found it more convenient holding platinum instead.” The women opens the box and hands you 30 platinum coins. Pylia leans over and whispered in your ear. “One Platinum coin is worth ten gold pieces.” She smirked at you as she looked at the coin in your hands. “You’re planning on sharing that right?” She jokes as Jackson barked and walked back to his master.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded to Mariam and waited for her to fetch the coins. She raised an eyebrow at the box, and she did look slightly confused at the mention of platinum. When Pylia whispered in her ear explaining platinum, Sylvia let out a quiet "Ohhh!" in understanding. She politely thanked Mariam as she accepted the gold coins.

When Pylia asked about sharing, Sylvia nodded and answered jokingly before continuing seriously, "Maaaayyybe. But first things first, I need to keep my end of the deal," She then split the platinum in half, fifteen platinum pieces remained in the box, while another fifteen remained in her hand. She looked towards the adventurer, Jackson's partner, and she walked up to him. She thanked him as she handed the fifteen platinum to him, "Here you are. Half of the reward. Thank you. Jackson was a great help!"

[Lucius Cypher]

The man took his coin casually, dropping them into his pocket. “No
Problem. Pleasure doing business with you lassie.” As soon as he says this, another knight looking fellow walls up to him. “Benhart’s here. We’re ready to go when you are, boss.” The adventurer stands up, hefting his glaive o to his shoulders. “Our Time was short, but enjoyable, lass. Maybe one day our paths will cross again. Until that day, live well and good luck.” The adventurer and his dog left with the knight and a few other warriors, heading to parts unknown.

Pylia looked between you and him with a curious expression. “I guess that dog belonged to him. Do you know that guy?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia looked to the other knightly person who approached and called the adventurer in front of her 'Boss'. She looked back to the adventurer, and she nodded at his well wishes, replying "Thank you. Best of luck to you too!" Watching him leave, Sylvia couldn't help but wonder who he was. She never really asked his name...

She looked back to Pylia when she asked, and she answered "He was one of the adventurers I asked around for the caravan. He suggested having Shortfang come with our caravan, and he answered my questions regarding the real thief. He even suggested the idea of having Jackson, his dog, help me find Garruk. I never did get to ask for his name though..."

[Lucius Cypher]

Pylia looked back at the warriors leaving the camp, her arms crossed. “He seems nice but... I don’t know, something feels off about him. If he k we do much why didn’t he just do it himself? Surely if he wanted the money, he could have spoken to that noble and hunt down that thief himself. He certainly looks capable enough...” But before she could really ask you more about it, a familiar short statue runs up to you, dancing happily around you much to Pylia’s surprise.

“Ha ha! Shortfang free! Thank you thank you! Humies open cage and give back Shortfang stuff, now Shortfang free and can fight with you!” Pylia looked between you and the kobold, sighing and putting her face into her hands. “Oh my gods Sylvia. I cannot Leave you alone can I?” She just chuckled as she looked down at the kobold.

{Hello, my name is Pylia. You do speak the dragon tongue yes?}

Shortfang seemed surprised to hear his native tongue, which for Sylvia just sounded like some cross between Latin and German. {Indeed I do. How wonderful! Truly you and Sylvia are amazing people to not only save me but also know the dragon language. Well done indeed.}

Pylia nods and looks back to you. “Well, he seems nice enough. Let’s head back to our tent, I need to treat your wounds and mend your clothes. They’re caked with blood.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia had to admit, Pylia had a point with her questions. Why did that adventurer help her, instead of taking on the job of catching the thief himself? He would have gotten more gold that way. She shrugged and answered Pylia, "I don't know...Maybe the fact that he was waiting for someone kept him from doing anything?" She did recall that another warrior had informed him someone arrived just before he left.

Other than that, they should probably go and find Shortfang....Oh, no wait, there he is! Running towards them.

She smiled happily at Shortfang and she answered his thanks, "You're welcome! I'm glad I could prove your innocence! Welcome to the team!" She then looked at Pylia somewhat confusedly but also laughing at her reaction, and she answered jokingly, "I guess not,"

She watched and listened as Pylia and Shortfang seemed to speak with each other in...Latin and German? She answered Pylia "OK. Sounds good," She then looked to Shortfang and she wondered if he had a place to rest for the night here.

[Lucius Cypher]

You and the others return to the camp. Fortunately for you at this time of day your tent was under the shade of trees, making it somewhat more bearable for Shortfang as he sat down near your tent. Pylia hung up her blanket as a makeshift curtain and asks you to take off your robes so she can clean and fix them. Her magic can undo the damage but she’d have to clean the blood out by hand. Shortfang meanwhile dig himself a small hole for himself to burrow into and rest at next to your tent.

“Well, while you we were separated I did get some more information about the path ahead. Seems like bandits won’t be much of an issue, but there are more monster sightings too. Frankly I’m sick of dealing with goblins, and now there might be even worse things up ahead. Harpies, wolves, and other nasties. Worse part is that the only path that a wagon can take also goes right through some narrow mountain passes, ripe for ambushes. And if that could t make things worse, it’s expected to rain for the next few days. The mud will slow our cart and sap our stamina as we travel.” Once Pylia fixes her dress, she took it outside and got a bucket of water from nearby, washing the blood out by hand.

“We can try and make a run for the second camp tomorrow and rest there until the rain passes. I don’t think it’ll be a good idea for us to travel during bad weather. Alternatively we might be able to just stay here for a while longer too, though I doubt there’s much we can do while we wait out the rain. What are your thoughts?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia did as Pylia directed, going behind the curtain and taking off her robes so that they could be mended. Of course, she did change into the older clothes that she had Aestella mend. She listened to what Pylia had to say and when she asked, Sylvia threw in her thoughts,

"Well, we should still be careful when heading to the other camp. According to Dirk, the Iron Hammer bandits will be more likely to attack us between the first and second camp. They have two ambush spots: an old ruined stone house and the highest hill near a large tree. If there's going to be terrible weather tomorrow, then it might not be a bad idea to head out then. Maybe the weather will be as much of a deterrent for the Iron Hammer bandits just as it would be for us. But again, we would have to see what Ferric and Mica would want to do. After all, we're protecting them,"

[Lucius Cypher]

“That’s true. I stopped by and checked on them, they said they should be ready to leave by tomorrow after the repairs are done. I suppose we ought to introduce Shortfang to them as well.” With all the blood out, Pylia hung up your robe to dry in the sun. Shortfang’s head popped out from his borrow to speak. “We buy supply? Long trip, need food, and potions!” Pylia nods. “Suppose we could look around the traders for gear. Unlike Cassari, the traders here cater to adventurers, so they have a much greater variety of equipment for us. I’ll admit I could use a better weapon myself, this Dagger is useful but I need to find a decent mace or staff.” Crawling out from his hole and shaking the dirt off Shortfang nods. “Shortfang needs armor! Shortfang also needs money... Uh, Shortfang will follow?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded in agreement to her suggestion, “Yeah, we should introduce Shortfang to them,” Judging from Pylia’s reaction and Shortfang’s words earlier, she had a feeling that it would be better to inform Ferric and Mica sooner rather than later.

At the mention of equipment, Sylvia commented “I can pay for the new equipment for both of you guys,” Thinking about what they need, she told them, “I have enough food to cook with for a week, and we have two healing potions, plus the medicine from Cassari. I think it would not hurt to buy two or three more healing potions,”

When Shortfang asked his last question, Sylvia answered “Yeah, follow us,”
And with that, Sylvia started to head for where the traders may be.

[Lucius Cypher]

The traders had their own section of camp for themselves. Tents, kiosks, or simply wagons selling various goods or services. Traveling blacksmiths, magical curiosities, even bars that sold alcohol straight from the barrel. Naturally Ferric and Mica was also here. Ferric was repairing the wagon but it looked like Mica was sitting behind a makeshift trading table, with various magic trinkets and equipment laid out before him. When he spots you he smiles and waves. “Hello!”

Ferric eventually notices and stops what he’s doing to check on his son. “Well hello there! I see you found Sylvia, glad she’s alright Pylia.” The Cleric snorted and gave you a stink eye. “Physically she’s okay, but I think she might need something that’ll clear her head. Running off to have adventures without me, the nerve!” She says with playful frustration. Ferric chuckles, but then noticed Shortfang. “And um... Is the kobold with you?”