Mysteries of the Floating Islands

[GoldenCityBird]

"Unfortunately, I am not a stone worker myself. But I shall keep your plight in mind. Hopefully, I can find someone who shall assist you."

She looks to Mordecai. "If you are ready, then I am ready. Hopefully, the others are ready as well. Barmaid: may it be alright if I take a meal to go for the road ahead? A well-made ration of bird meat shall do."

"Alright, love. We've had this one ready since earlier today." She retreats into the kitchen, retrieving a cup of tea and the remains of a roast chicken, enough for about three portions. "If you can't pay 5 Ducats now, I'll just make sure to ask you about it next time. Take care!"

[TenOfSwords13]

Oh, yes, my name is Jack. I'm ready to follow your lead here.

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"Then I shall reintroduce myself. Hadil Al-Samara." Hadil takes her tea and chicken, and heads to Mordecai and Jack.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Greetings, Jack. Now if everyone's ready to go, let's explore the crash site.

> Lead the way to the cliffside fort to where the crash site is (not sure if I need to roll for that)

[SmilyCube112]

>Follow the group covertly.

[GoldenCityBird]

Kirkdale Road

The cliff fort, half-carved into the side of a cliff, half-built atop it, is visible on the southern horizon. It's a bit of a walk away, but nothing you all couldn't manage.

On the route there, about halfway to the edge of the cliff, just past a bridge on a stream, you encounter a few burnt-out houses and farms, with formally-dressed military-looking types standing around near them. Whether you choose to investigate or not is entirely up to you

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Well... this has gotten interesting real quick.

>Investigate the burnt down houses

[TenOfSwords13]

Fire is never a good sign. Investigating this should provide some information.

>Assist the investigation

[Despair's Archon of Memes]

... Oh dear.

>Explore the farms

[SmilyCube112]

The Drow Elf, managing to get to the area, sees the damaged houses and decides to stay hidden for now.

[MadameButterflyKnife]

Hadil does what is clearly the right thing, and investigates. She goes up to the military types. "Hello. May I ask what happened? Does anyone require assistance?"

[Florien]

A tower of a thin, awkward looking Lizardperson arrives on the scene running at full tilt, a little late, perhaps, but she's definitely been following all along. A nametag hangs loosely from her poorly maintained brigandine vest, indicating her as "Avanyiss". She immediately doubles over.

Ah, ah. *wheeze* Here. Yes. Here now. *wheeze* Umm... we're doing something, yes? *gasp* Investigating? This business? *retch* I got the letter. Ahvelsonemoment

She stops to catch her breath.

*wheeze* Alright, alright. *retch* I am here. *wheeze* Yes. Umm... *cough* Farms. Yes. *wheeze* Agriculture. I hate agriculture, it's always the first thing to get contaminated by the disposal vaults if they contain something that leaks. Then who has to clean it up? The Guild, that's who. We didn't bury the stuff, the Fenluks did.

...not that this place has signs of that, it looks like it was on fire. Dragon maybe? Raiders? Cult? I've heard of one being about. A dragon I mean. Never met them, but I should hope they're... reasonable in demands. Or that we can get the appropriate weapon to deal with them if it comes to that. Point is, let's find out the deal. YOU THERE! INFANTRVOLKIV! TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!

She waves to the soldiers and

>demands every non-classified detail about what happened to cause this fire. In the most tactful way, of course.

[GoldenCityBird]

@Matthew:

You have rolled a 3 on your investigation roll.

From here, you can tell that each individual building in the farm has been burnt down entirely. The crops, too, have been scorched to ashes.

@TenOfSwords13

You have rolled a 4 on your investigation roll.

What's that on the path? Ash-covered footprints - and definitely not from farmers' boots, given your expertise. And that house nearby... if you're not mistaken, the way the rubble fell means that it had a cellar!

@Despair's Archon of Memes

You approach the farm, but the soldiers stop you. "Sorry, girly, but this place is closed to anyone aside from the royal guard. Begone."

@MadameButterflyKnife

"I'll tell you what it is," says one of the guards. "It's the damn dragon queen's doing, that's what! Thinks she owns the place, she does, and what does she do to prove it? Burn down the homes of the innocent!"

@Florien

The guards repeat what they told Hadil, adding a few more details. "The foul beast burnt it down at night, while everyone was asleep. The tennants are still missing, too. Not much we can do about it."

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"Attacking by night. Despicable. Night should be the time of rest, the safest hour." She mumbles a prayer for the tennants, wherever they may be, before continuing. "I assume you are stationed at the cliff fort? We came around here because we heard of a similar, nearby attack. Did you, by happenstance, notice a fallen airship?"

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

A cellar? There might be something down there. Get on guard, Jack. You never know what might pop up.

> Try to gain access to the cellar

[SmilyCube112]

Upon hearing of there being a cellar, the Drow Elf grew curious as to what was inside it, so he decided to try getting inside.

> Try to sneak into the cellar.

[TenOfSwords13]

Yes, there should be something in the cellar.

>help do the cellar thing

[Despair's Archon of Memes]

... Well. Guess there 's only one way in...

>cellar sneaking!

[GoldenCityBird]

Stealth roll time!

@Matthew: You have rolled a 2.

You try to hop a fence, but the guards manage to catch you. "Oi, Ghostface! Get back over 'ere!"

Whether you comply, run, or fight is up to you.

@SmilyCube112: You have rolled a 1. Your bonus to stealth increases this to a 2.

"And you too, masky!"

@TenOfSwords13: You have rolled a 2.

The chief guard just gives an exasperated sigh. "After 'em!"

@Despair: You have rolled a 3.

Fortunately, the guards don't see you sneaking past them.

[SmilyCube112]

Having been caught, the Drow Elf simply tries talking his way out as his first option.

"Erm apologies, but I don't really keep track of the news. Thought I could go inside, but apparently not, it seems. Sorry about that, won't happen again." He says, while backing off the property, hoping this might get the guard(s) off his back.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

It might not be the Dragon Queen, but a fight is a fight. Ahhhhhhh!!!!

> Bring the fight to the guards

[MadameButterflyKnife]

"So much for a diplomatic attempt."

>while the guards are distracted, sneak past to the cellar

[TenOfSwords13]

Hah, didn't catch your name but I like your style...

>help fight the guards

[GoldenCityBird]

@SmilyCube112: Your Persuasion roll is a 4

The guard steps back. "My apologies, sir. I must say that'll apply to the rest of you, instantly forgiving-"

@Matthew: Your Combat roll is a 4

Mordecai: 50 HP

Sargeant Percival: 15 HP

Your sword tears through the guard's iron armour, and sends him spiralling to the ground. "Ach! I need help!"

Sargeant Percival has surrendered.

@MadameButterflyKnife: Your Stealth roll is a 4

You conveninetly manage to track down a piece of rubble right near the cellar's caved-in entrance. There's no way the guards can see you from here!

@TenOfSwords13: Your combat roll is a 2

Jack Ravenfiend: 38 HP

Officer Keith: 15 HP

You're not so lucky in landing your hit. You manage to perfectly till the soil next to your target guard, though.

----

There are two active guards and one surrendering guard in this fight scene now.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Mordecai laughs in satisfaction over taking down Sargeant Percival.

The name is Mordecai. The soldiers here will do well to remember who they're up against. Good effort on your part. Now let's finish this fool off.

> Attack Officer Keith