..... the plot thickens!

Looking forward to reading what Trip posts at Orlane whenever he is able to continue!

I guess I should have posted that. I'll get it on the other thread soon. I am willing to assume at this point that we will do something like what we did on the way here, but nwo with two extra people.

Maybe:

DeathStalker

Oriel - Cart - Gunther
Sentinel and Fandil riding the cart or walking right next to it.

Katai - perhaps bringing up the rear.

Or myabe Gunther or Oriel in the rear - we probably want a fighter type back there, although I don't expect a rear attack in town during broad daylight.

****Note - I did post on the other thread. I put Katai in second place thinking that we didn't want a spellcaster in the rear, nor exposed on the flanks. I also placed the two little guys in the cart - if I am remembering correctly that is how you got to the mayor's so I felt comfortable assuming you would do the same thing now.

If anyone wants to change this order, or get out of the cart, speak up. We should make sure we figure out this order before anything happens - or before we do a lot more in-town marching. To change it I'm sure you could just make a post on the other thread, or comment here and I can edit my original post.

And off they march...

..... as Gunther began the march by walking to the left side of the cart and praying and reflecting ... so your post of looking back and seeing that Gunther is now behind the cart fits right in with the young Paladin being so absorbed in what he is doing that he naturally just ended up patrolling where he should be!

I could write a role play to that effect, but I will just wait until Trip has updated the adventure and then consult this Q&A before posting again at An Evil in Orlane!

Sorry for the delay, I will try to get to the posts a little quicker.

..... happen Trip and I have come to realize that the quality of the posts is more important than the frequency!

Enjoying the developments by the way!

..... is now open for how to proceed with our investigation!

I am carrying some torches and am not certain if anyone else is carrying any, but it seems obvious to me that someone has to investigate the stairs leading down into the pitch black cellar!

Some feedback please!

Great idea, Paladin.

Have tinder, fire start expertise, but no torches. (dummy!)

Have pretty good overall thief - lockpick, traps, etc skills

Slowly, carefully, let's inch forward and explore the basement. (I, for one, think there will be nothing there!)
HOWEVER, we must beware the rotting stairs, I have ropes, etc, and try lesser weights first. Perhaps our gnomey illusionist can cast an illusion down there first?

Let's also check out what is out the back door - maybe first.

Clearly, I am getting the feel of zombie-type beings. You think?

I agree that we want to look at the stairs, but before we do, let me add a bit of caution.

First, before we disturb the place - the battle didn't happen yesterday - is there dust? Has it been disturbed since the time of the battle? I ask because the stairs seem like an obvious point of entry for the bad guys. If they came in once, is this an on-going point of entry? Dust might tell us if it is in use.

Also, I think we want to look around the room a bit first. Someone should probably keep an eye out the door - and perhaps someone else keep an eye on the stairs. I'm not sure who should do what. Perhaps as an archer type Oriel is a logical choice for the door, but I'm open to suggestions on that.

Examining the room might tell us what type of creatures we are up against. Is there any evidence of magic? What sort of blood is/was there? (Can you tell the difference between orc and human blood?)

Just ideas before we go charging into the dark. FYI - Oriel also has some torches.

***Edit - can we tell from the door to the cellar - was it smashed open from below or from above?

Also - 3 doors total? One we came in. One to the cellar - and another on the opposite side of the room which leads....outside I thought it said, but that can't be right. It must lead to kitchens and rooms upstairs. Was it two stories when we saw it from outside?

..... check for the dust and examine the flooring and general area for clues. Great response from both Oriel and Sentinel by the way!

The stairs need to be tested as Gunther probably (?) weighs more than either Sentinel or Fandil do!

Gunther projects a 10 foot protection aura which is a consideration for going first to provide protection for his companions, but crashing to the bottom of the cellar from faulty stairs is not my idea of a good strategy!

Alright, some of the people in this town are just weirding me out. I say we head out to the old hermit and try to get to the bottom of this. My druid isn't an inn type person, but he is a people person and this is a bit strange to him.

If all are in agreement from my group, we'll pack up and head out. I'll make the post once I get group approval.

I am with Darque. Lets get out of this inn and go talk to the hermit before it gets dark.

let's go with some serious caution though. these people must be under some type of charm or drug. i say we use our powers of observation on all the enthralled people as we exit the inn, try to notice any thing they have in common with each other. type of clothing,jewlery,marks on thier bodies, color of eyes, etc... something that might give us a heads up. also suggest that any full elves in our party be first in the marching order. i think they have some resistance to charm(i could be wrong i'll have to pull out the player's hb when i get home)

I concur, lets go to the hermit. I too think that there is someone or something that is charming some of these folks.

I will bring up the rear as we leave the Inn.

I got a protection from evil spell that makes one resistant to charm. Willing to use it if necessary.

We are not ready yet to post for group 1 since several people haven't been able to respond yet. But, before we get to that point - who is going to do the general group posts at this point? I was doing it, but that is just because I was the one speaking to the mayor.

I don't mind doing it, but am willing to share that duty as well. Should it pass around? I don't know if there is any one person that is "in the lead" at the moment. Perhaps Sentinel when it comes to examining the stairs.