W3: The Eidolon (Bront Judging)

[Patlin]

"So it is traditional to let it burn? Very well, by all means avoid the flames. It seems to me that we will wish to ask questions, however."

If the other adventurers agree to send a landing party into the ruins of the Black Pit, T'Ranis will prepare to disembark. Just before leaving the ship, he will activate his inertial armor.

 

[Wik]

As the Majestic gets closer, a few things stand out, as you pass the spyglass around.

1) There is a small group of hobgoblins wearing well-crafted armour fighting in a narrow street; perhaps a dozen of them. They are outumbered three-to-one by mismatched humans, each with a different armour and weapon set. The hobgoblins seem to be doing fairly well, though. They fight near a warehouse.

2) Throughout the city, smaller groups of hobgoblins fight humans.

3) In what looks like a marketplace, a score of people of all races have organized to form a bucket brigade, and seek to put out some of the flames.

4) Already, a few people have seen your craft, and have climbed up on their roofs, waving at you, hoping for rescue.

5) An old stone monastery that obviously predates the town is being attacked by a band of four hobgoblins and an ogre, all wearing the same expensive armour. The defenders of the monastery are better armed, but the fight betwee nthe two groups seems to be 50/50.

6) In a field near the black pit, there are a score of bodies, almost entirely human, but there are also a few hobgoblins mixed in there. (in total, perhaps thirty bodies) A few woudned from both factions cry out in pain. A single woman flits from body to body, checking it quickly before running off to the next one.

 

[Patlin]

T'Ranis was raised in a monastery, though he did not become a monk. Caan he target the Ogre from here?

 

[Wik]

OOC: No. The Majestic is still quite a ways away from Black Pit. At least a kilometre, probably two. You're getting all this info from spyglass.

Really, this is where you choose what part of the village you want to move to. You have two options for landing, as well - near the Black Pit, which is the closest way to access the town, or outside in the rocky fields, which will cost you valuable time in getting inside.

 

[Velmont]

"I seems these hobgoblins want to take that city... but why." wonder Haltash, looking at the bloodshed and loading his crossbow.

 

[Patlin]

We head for a disembarkation near the black pit in order to save time. T'Ranis prefers to help the defenders of the monastery, just because it's a monastery. He also feels a certain kinship to the bucket brigade, and wouldn't mind helping them out, as the rampant destruction of fire seems a worthy oponent.

He doesn't have any particular inclination to side with humans against Hobgoblins, generally speaking.

He calls Graff's name to get his attention.

"We will be going down into the destruction in order to gain information on the Eidolon's whereabouts. While we do so, have your men splice together some long knotted ropes, so that you can overfly the buildings from a safe distance and allow those who can to climb up. Disarm them immediately, lest they pose a threat to this vessel, but keep them safe for questioning. We cannot predict which of them might have seen the Eidolon."

T'Ranis is aware that if Graff follows these instructions it will provide a benefit to the strangers, which he doesn't mind doing as long as the cost is not substantially greater than the reward.

 

[Wik]

Graff curses. "In this smoke? We'd be blind! Besides, I'm not getting the Majestic anywhere near that fire, especially for a bunch of criminals and beggars!"

OOC: Diplomacy Check, DC 23, to get Graff to listen and try to rescue someone.

 

[Patlin]

"I suppose it would take skill to do it safely."

T'Ranis is aware that he'll never convince Graff himself, so he doesn't attempt to. He hopes his comment will make it easier for someone else.

Aid Another on Diplomacy (1d20-1=13)

The comment seems to prick Graff's pride ever so slightly, perhaps a more diplomatic adventurer can capitalize on that. (+2 from succesfull aid another.)

 

[Solange]

"Gaff, if you help the people, they might have some information about the ship, and we can let them off as soon as we get somewhere not on fire," Lori says.

 

[Velmont]

Haltash listen to Solange and T'Ranis. "Graff, if you want to find the Eidolon, we will need some information. And the information is down there, but we don't know who have it. Saving them from there death will not only make them more helpfull, but we might save form death the one who has the information we seek. Once dead, there is no way to get the information out of it." tells Haltash, trying to convince Graff, but Haltash see in the captain eyes that this will not be an option except if he force his mind to accept it...

[SBLOCK=OOC]Only 17 on my Diplomacy roll...[/SBLOCK]