<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Lay on Hands also removes 19 nonlethal damage from Driver.<br/><br/>Driver HP: 36%</div></div></div><br/>Despite his growing fatigue, the power of Dagnyr’s prayer remains as stronger as ever; perhaps even stronger still, as Aura answers his request with an exceptionally potent rush of divine energy. The healing motes work their magic quickly on the driver’s body, shrinking the numerous lumps and contusions from a full-body bruise to a smattering of darker splotches. By the time the light fades, the battered Watchman is - well, not precisely healthy, but at least survivable-looking.<br/><br/>As if to confirm that assessment, the driver gives a weak sputter before blinking his eyes wearily as he stirs from unconsciousness. Turning his head toward Dagnyr, he slowly focuses his eyes on the shining armored gnoll, and manages to muster a weak smile... then coughs up what looks like part of his own uniform before promptly passing out again. At least he’s breathing easier this time...<br/><br/>The driver remains unconscious for the rest of the trip, barely responding even when the carriage jostles him in his sleep. He stirs for a moment or two as Kaelen repositions him near the roof’s edge, but quickly settles back into peaceful insensibility.<br/><br/>Despite his injuries, Vignar is quick to rise as the carriage rolls in, exiting only a second or two behind Dagnyr. He acknowledges the Aurain healers briefly, but he seems to be in no hurry to be seen. His attention shifts to Kaelen as the ophiduan lands at his side, then to the paper clutched in his hand.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Kaelen wrote:</cite>"I found this on our friend on the roof," he says, offering the piece of paper. "I wasn't able to make anything out of it, but perhaps someone else might have seen this type of message before."</div></blockquote><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Linguistics check: 1d20 (3) + 10 = 13, failure (untrained)<br/>Wisdom check: 1d20 (17) + 0 = 17, success, no false conclusions drawn</div></div></div><br/>"Allow me," Vignar says. Taking the proffered sheet from Kaelen, he raises it to the light for examination, turning the strangely marked paper around several times in search of a starting point. His expression quickly settles into the same look that Kaelen’s attempt yielded before giving up and lowering the paper with a bemused "Hm."<br/><br/>"It could be a coded message," Vignar says. "Or it could be a piece of gibberish meant to occupy our time. We’ll need a more skilled linguist to know for sure. I’ll have one of the Watch house adjutants examine it tonight." He quickly folds and re-folds the paper, tucking the small square into one of the few unbloodied pockets left on his tunic.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Dagnyr wrote:</cite>"You can't do anything for that one, sister, save give him his final rites," he says, and hauls himself back up onto the top of the wagon. "However, we have a Watch driver here that you can save, and the Captain needs tends to as well. Everyone else's injuries are fairly minor."</div></blockquote><br/>The priestess bows her head solemnly, making the sign of Aura over her breast with crossed hands. "May Aura’s light guide him forward," she whispers, "and may dawn see the rest." Recomposing herself quickly, she glances over her shoulder and gestures to the fellow healers gathered in the temple doorway. "Two apiece for those on the carriages, and one with me to the Captain. Quickly now!"<br/><br/>The healers move quickly to their appointed stations, one pair each mounting the carriage to complete the work Alyssa and Kaelen had begun of transferring the wounded and dead drivers to their stretchers. The priestess herself approaches Vignar, accompanied by an uncertain looking fifth healer. The dragonborn huffs, then slowly parts his wings to give the pair access to his wounds. His condition doesn’t look much better in the temple light than it did in the carriage - in fact, there seems to be a blackened discoloration ringing many of the dragonborn’s deeper cuts.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Anyone who notices Vignar’s wounds may make a Heal check to assess his affliction(s).<br/><br/>Priestess Heal check: 1d20 (15) + 15 = 30, success</div></div></div><br/>The priestess surveys Vignar’s wounds, her brown furrowing deeper with concern at every new injury. It’s obvious that she doesn’t like what she sees in the least. "Captain," she begins, "these wounds..."<br/><br/>"Cat scratches," Vignar interjects. "I’ve been dealt far worse."<br/><br/>"You’ve been<span style="font-style: italic">poisoned</span>," the priestess counters. "And quite seriously, I might add - your body won't recover with rest alone. I have a spell for treatment, but it will take at least until morning to gather the reagents."<br/><br/>"We don’t have until morning," Vignar says. "I have a carriage load of witnesses bearing crucial information, not to mention two highly dangerous prisoners-"<br/><br/>"And guards who’ve shown themselves to be more than handy at dealing with all the above," Padma interrupts. The vanara swings himself down from the carriage seat, landing neatly at Alyssa’s side. "These two have done a fine job of defending us so far,” he says, gesturing to Alyssa and Dagnyr. "And the rest aren’t too shabby themselves. I’m sure we can manage a few blocks’ ride to the Watch house without trouble. You, on the other hand - I’ve seen seen men of your caliber die of lesser wounds because they were too stubborn to lie down when their bodies told them so. You’d best do as the young lady says, and let her put you to bed for the time being."<br/><br/>Vignar glowers at Padma, but says nothing, unable to settle on a balance between pride and logic. It looks like he might need a bit more swaying...<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold">DECISION TIME!</span><br/><br/>Persuading Vignar to stay while the party leaves will require a DC 20 Diplomacy check. Vignar’s attitude at the moment is friendly, but the request is a potentially dangerous one. Padma’s advice grants anyone attempting the check a +3 competence bonus if they make us of a similar argument.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">OR</span><br/><br/>The party can choose to bring Vignar along to the Watch house. The Aurain healers have more than enough magic ready to patch his wounds, although some of  the poison will linger. Convincing the priestess to let her patient go will require a DC 18 Diplomacy check. (Her attitude is currently helpful.)<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">OR</span><br/><br/>The party can stay at the temple with Vignar, and try to contact the Watch house by another means (using a <span style="font-style: italic">message</span> spell or summoned courier, for instance. It’ll be much safer, but there’s a chance that the message could be lost or intercepted...<br/><br/><br/>There’s no right answer here- whichever option you choose, there will be consequences, both positive and negative. You may want to discuss this amongst yourselves first to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Choose carefully!</div></div></div>