conversations: human
conversations:  The nation of Hydeland has long been beset on all sides by foes; the militant empire of Bolga to the north, the marauding orcs to the southeast, and countless monsters and cultists living within the nation itself. Hydeland has known peace in recent years, but the threats always loom overhead, waiting for their chance.
  
  All hope is not lost, however. Adventurers share tales of ancient relics and magics that could turn the tide of wars, artifacts that would be worth a king's ransom just to help Hydeland remain safe and free. Of these tales, none is more renowned than the "Dragon's Crown" - said to grant its wearer the strength, knowledge, and abilities of all dragons, it has been sought after for countless years, and the King himself has recently embarked on a crusade to find and obtain the relic.
  
  Will the Dragon's Crown ever be found? Or is it nothing more than a legend? Only time will tell... But the possibility of it being all a myth doesn't deter a true adventurer. The Guild of Heroes in particular takes advantage of the large number of people seeking the Dragon's Crown, and hire these intrepid adventurers for jobs around the kingdom in order to fulfill requests or eliminate dangerous creatures. With so many foes facing Hydeland, the guild is always recruiting new members.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki rises from her slumber and stretches, her ample bosom falling into place as she stands up and dons her trademark hat. The middle-aged woman has led a successful life until this point, happily serving as a housewife to a wonderful husband, Gabriel. She also gets regular visits from her father-in-law, a somewhat cranky old dwarf named Rusten, and has her hands full taking care of her little boy, Dean. But recently, Gabriel was in a very bad accident that left him crippled. He walks with a cane now and his movement and speech are both slowed.
  
  Though Nikki isn't sure what she can do to help, she decides she should try and earn some extra money for the household by joining the Guild, and seeing if her talents can't provide some benefit to the world along the way.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  There are a few people present, most of whom seem to be members of the guild already. Nikki spies a tall, imposing man in ornate armor standing at the far end of the guild hall, wearing a tabard that displays the guild's emblem.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki walks over and smiles. " Good morning! I'm here to join up with everyone and do some exploration and treaure hunting. "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The man smiles. " It's always nice to meet a prospective adventurer. I am Samuel Mikaelus, headmaster of the Guild of Heroes. If you wish to join, you will need to complete a trial to prove that you are capable of handling yourself." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki nods with a smile. " Yes, Master! What is the trial you speak of? "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  He presents her with a small scroll.  "You are to travel to the ruins south of the city and eliminate the harpy nest there." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki gulps. " Harpies? ...alright. Can I work together with anyone? "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  " Yes, there are a few novices around that are looking to join us as well." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki smiles and starts looking around for a partner to clear her mission with!
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  There are a few other people milling around, but most of them seem occupied with other tasks. A catfolk woman sitting against the wall catches her attention, as does the large axe resting over the woman's legs.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki's eyes light up. She wanders over to the woman with a smile. " Excuse me? Have you been assigned a trial by the guild master? " she asks politely.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The catfolk looks up with a nod.  "Yeah, but... I don't know how I'm gonna pull it off alone. Harpies aren't the sort of monster you want to fight one-on-one." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki smiles. " Then...maybe you wouldn't mind a partner? I know I'm a bit older than some of the other new warriors, but I know a few magic tricks that can really help a strong young lady like yourself out. "
  
  She pauses. Her words sound...almost flirty? Well, it doesn't matter. She's just being friendly, after all, and she's speaking to another woman so there's no way it could be misconstrued as anything but kindness.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The catfolk smiles and stands up, revealing herself to be over 7 feet tall and  ripped , like Nikki's husband Gabriel had been when he was still in his prime. " Thanks! I'll make sure to keep anything from getting too close to you!" 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki gulps. " Great...let's get going then! "
  
  The two of them start walking south towards the ruins to find the nest!
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The two of them head out for the ruins. When they arrive, the place appears to have received some recent traffic, but nothing that looks like a harpy was here.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki gets down on all fours and begins looking around on the ground for any useful items, footprints, or other valuables.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   Detect magic , Perception:  (1d20-1)[ 18 ] , Survival  (1d20-1)[ 19 ] 
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  It looks like the other people who came through here were adventurers. Among the creeping ivy growing over some of the rubble, she finds some relatively fresh bloodstains, as well as a golden-yellow feather.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki gasps and covers her mouth when she finds the blood. Someone was killed in these ruins? The harpies were that dangerous?
  
  She walks up behind Mono and hides a bit. " M-Maybe we should turn back... " she whispers, her voice wrought with fear and doubt as she subconsciously wraps her arms around the tigress's waist. She unintentionally leans forward, pressing her chest into the fighter's back.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mono grins.  "Run away with our tails between our legs? Never. Come on, let's go kill us a harpy!" 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki nods. " Okay... " She follows behind Mono and keeps her staff ready in case any danger comes about.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Readying an action to begin casting  enlarge person  on Mono if any hostile enemy appears.
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  As they proceed further into the ruins, they hear the sound of fighting up ahead. There are slain goblins and orcs scattered about as well, apparently killed very recently.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki frowns. " Mono, she seems strong. Can you really beat her? " she asks with worry.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mono kneels by one of the dead goblins.  "Hmm... I don't think this was the harpy. Look here; there's only one slash from each injury, not a set of them. It looks like a blade of some kind, probably a sword." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki blushes and bows her head. " Oh I see! That's very perceptive. You're a real warrior, Mono. I'm sorry that I'm slowing you down. Then...do you think there's another adventurer here? "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Most likely. Whether they're with the guild, though, I'm not sure." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki stands up and starts walking. " Okay, well...I really have to do my best. For my son. So let's nab this harpy and go home! "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The two keep moving forward, and as they head deeper into the ruins they start to find feathers scattered over the ground.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki picks up some of the feathers and tries to determine if they're all from the same creature. If there are more than one harpy around, it would be useful to know.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Perception:  (1d20-1)[ 3 ] 
   
  
  
  Then she keeps walking.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki can't make out whether or not there are any differences between the feathers.
  
  Mono holds her axe ready as they walk.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki casts  invisibility  as they start to get closer, giving Mono the ability to launch a perfect surprise attack when she's ready.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  As a reminder, invisible targets get +2 on their attack rolls against creatures that can't see them, and if the invisible target successfully sneaks up on a target that target is also denied its Dexterity to AC
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The pair walks through an archway into a large hall, and Nikki spots a large nest in the middle of the area. Bones and rusted bits of metal and armor lie scattered across the floor, and bloodstains cover the ground around the nest.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki cautiously approaches the nest, looking around for eggs or baby harpies.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki finds some old eggshells, but no unhatched eggs or babies.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki looks around. " Mono, do you see the enemy? "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  "No... but I doubt the harpy would go very far from its nest." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki looks to the ceiling.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Perception:  (1d20-1)[ 13 ] 
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki sees a couple of large holes with scratch marks around their edges, suggesting those are the spots the harpy uses to enter and exit the building.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki points the spots out. " She may be coming back soon. We can set up a trap and ambush her. "
  
  She finds a spot, out of sight, and readies her spell to defeat the enemy.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Readying an action to cast  color spray , DC 16, on the harpy if she flies within 15' of Nikki
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  They wait for a minute or so, and the harpy flies in through one of the holes, carrying a dead deer. It flies past Nikki's hiding place without realizing it.
   
   Spoiler: Save 
   (1d20+6)[ 11 ] 
   
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki at least stuns the creature for one moment. Mono is still invisible, so she gets the drop on the creature.
  
  Nikki follows the attack up with a magical assault!
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Magic Missile!
  
   (3d4+3)[ 10 ] 
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mono roars and leaps at the stunned harpy!
   
   Spoiler: Attack 
  Rage, Power Attack
  Hit:  (1d20+12)[ 16 ] / (1d20+12)[ 18 ] 
  Damage:  (1d12+14)[ 26 ] / (3d12+42)[ 62 ] 
   
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki fires a blast of acid at the creature.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Acid splash
   (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  touch
   (1d3)[ 3 ] 
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  The harpy screeches in pain and falls to the ground in a heap.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki pants in surprise. " W-we...we did it! " she exclaims and hugs Mono happily. " We did it! Great job, Mono! I couldn't have done it without you! "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mono grins and picks Nikki up with just one arm around the sorceress' waist.  "And I couldn't have done it without you. Let's give the place one more sweep and head back." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki nods and turns on her spell to detect magical auras. She starts looking for anything of interest. She also checks the bodies for anything that might identify them so she can tell any families that they have fallen.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Taking 20 on Perception. 19.
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Among the scattered pieces of equipment, Nikki finds two rings, a belt, a pair of boots, a rod, and a pair of bracers that all detect as magical. She also finds a few emblems among the worn armor that may be family crests or guild markings.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki collects the items and begins analyzing them.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Casting  identify  on all of them.
  
  Spellcraft:  (1d20+20)[ 25 ] 
   (1d20+20)[ 23 ] 
   (1d20+20)[ 25 ] 
   (1d20+20)[ 38 ] 
   (1d20+20)[ 24 ] 
   (1d20+20)[ 38 ] 
   
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler: Items 
   Belt of Strength +2
  Ring of Protection +1
  Ring of Sustenance
  Metamagic Rod: Lesser Empower
  Boots of Striding and Springing
  Bracers of Armor +2 
   
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki grins and picks up the rod, slipping the bracers and ring of protection on and giving the other items to Mono. " Here. These will make you stronger and faster. "
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mono hands the other ring back.  "I think you'll get more use out of this than me." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki nods and puts the other ring on as well. She gathers the emblems up and takes them back, along with the harpy body, to the guild.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Samuel nods with approval as they enter with the slain harpy. " Excellent work. You've proven that the two of you will be a useful asset to the guild." 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki nods and swings her staff once. Her large bosom swings with it. " You won't regret this. I promise, I'll be of great use to the guild. "
  
  She thanks Mono for her help, then heads home to see Gabriel.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gabriel is asleep in his chair by the fire when Nikki arrives home.
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nikki checks to make sure her son Dean is sleeping soundly in his bed before she walks over to the fireplace, puts the fire out, and gently shakes her husband awake.
conversations: NeoSeraphi:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gabriel jerks as his eyes open. He smiles up at his wife. " Oh, Nikki. When did you get back?" 
conversations: Diachronos:
conversations: human
conversations:  The sorceress smiles apologetically. " Just now. Adventuring sure is hard work! Did you have a nice day? "
conversations: NeoSeraphi: