Back in the room
Subject Turn
Hello to all you players out there.
My resolution this year is to finish this part of the adventure by the end of this year. :)
I am refreshed from my break and will hopefully be writing up some stuff today.
From: Mark
Subject Back at the room
Kal nods at the shopkeepers comment "Several hundred gold. However, since I grew up near the sea, I have a fondness for pearls. Do you have any broaches or pins with pearls on them?" The man nods and over the next few minutes several pieces are brought out. White gold, yellow gold, silver, platinum; all set with pearls and other gem stones. One of the pieces catches Kal's eye and he calls the other two over. The piece is made of silver with 5 good sized pearls. The pearls fashion a figure known as the Star of the South, a well known constellation from the southern sky. As Kal and Archen haggle over the price, Surin watches the large man. Surprisingly enough, while the shopkeeper drives a hard bargain, the halfling senses that he is not lying. When Kal looks at him questioningly, Surin nods and they agree to the price, 750 gold (5 100gp pearls, plus a setting of silver).
The four decide to leave, telling the shopkeeper that they might be back and they head back to the Leaky Mug. As they are leaving Surin keeps an eye out and finally finds what he is looking for. He notices a young boy hiding in the shadows of the building next door, trying to hard not to be seen watching the shop they just came out of. As the four head down the street Surin whispers to Salix "Keep going for two more blocks and then wait for me. I shouldn't be more than 20 minutes." With that the halfling slips off down an ally and back tracks.
Twenty five minutes later the halfling shows back up, whistling to himself and a spring in his step. Salix looks at him, one eye arched. "Let's wait until we get back so I don't have to tell it twice" Surin says. The others nod and the four head back to the Leaky Mug. Two blocks away they split up with Ally and Salix going in the front door and Surin and Kal heading towards the back. When they get there they see that Mund is in the bar, drinking and singing already. Ally walks over to his brother and whispers "20 minutes, upstairs" in Mund's ear. The barbarian nods and the rest of them head off to their rooms. 20 minutes later they can hear Mund as he walks down the hallway, singing a drinking song at the top of his lungs. The door slams open and Mund gives a shout "Ally, your back. Let's have a drink." The wink in Mund's eye shows that he is not as drunk as he is acting.
Mund closes the door and the eight sit down to relate their findings.
OODM: The party can relate what they found out. I have e-mailed Ashley her info.
From: Mark
Subject Game
I sent out a notice that the game was starting back up but never got a copy from the mailing list.
If all of you could please check in to let me know you got either that e-mail or this one that would be great.
From: Karl
Subject Game
Here!
From: Karl
Subject Turn
FYI, I got both this one, and the follow-up you just sent.
From: Josh
Subject Turn
I've got nothing to add yet, just saying i'm here.
From: Derek
Subject Turn
OOC: I got everything too.
IC: "So Surin, what was it you found out?"
Turn
Subject Turn
I am waiting for Ashley to let them know what Surin found out.
From: Kevin
Subject Turn
I got this one.
Harp has nothing to add at this point.
From: Randy
Subject Turn
I've finally caught up on all the email.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years.
Happy belated birthday to Karl!
Ranthir has nothing to say at the moment so this is just a check in.
From: Jason
Subject Turn
I've gotten what I assume to be all the emails, and I'm around to continue playing. Ragnar has no comments until we hear from Surin.
From: Kevin
Subject Turn
Is Surin hiding out there somewhere???
Darn those halflings with their hide skills.
The guild and dinner again
Subject Turn
Got it and ready to go.
From: Ashley
Subject The guild
"I managed to find a contact with the theives' guild, a kid who was casing outside one of the jewelry stores. He's not very high up, but I made it worth his while to try and arrange an interview with the Daymaster or Nightmaster, or more likely one of their intermediaries. I'm gonna meet them at noon tomorrow.
"Anything in particular I should ask if I manage to talk to someone?"
OOC: A day and a half hiatus from the internet and I have 21 messages on my email! It's so good to be loved. :)
From: Karl
Subject The guild
"Try to feel them out, see if they are connected to the mayor, though I suspect even if they are it would be through several layers of intermediaries. Even *they* might not know if they are pawns in a greater game." Salix says, seeming to stare blankly into a corner. "At any rate, you being new in town, it would be natural for you to be curious about the state of the forest all around the town, so it shouldn't be too dangerous to ask. If you can move the conversation to the right point, try and find out if they know what happened to the druids in the area. You could maybe mention you had trouble with them once a while back and wonder if they got what was coming to them." Salix looks like he wants to spit to get the taste of those last words out of his mouth.
"That is," he continues, "assuming they seem to be the sort who would sympathize against forest folk. Not all rogues do, of course. There's at least some small chance we could have allies among them. You'll have to feel them out carefully. Maybe they know of people being held prisoner somewhere or worse."
From: Kevin
Subject The guild
OOC: Lets all have one big group hug for Ashley. I get to go first.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok I think every one has checked in. I have a meeting in about 20 minutes and then I will see about getting a turn out before lunch.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Everyone is going to be down stairs eating dinner but who is going to stay for the drinking afterwards? I figure at least Harp, Mund and Ally would stay. Any one else for sure?
Just to let you know wearing anything heavier than normal leather armor would raise suspicions so unless I am told otherwise people will be in normal clothes, unless your character normally wears leather armor.
From: Mark
Subject Surin and the guild
Surin finishes his story and Salix looks almost defeated as he talks to his friends. How he would love to wipe this festering cesspool from the face of the map. But that wouldn't save the Stormfather.
"Surin,try to feel them out, see if they are connected to the mayor, though I suspect even if they are it would be through several layers of intermediaries. Even *they* might not know if they are pawns in a greater game." Salix says, seeming to stare blankly into a corner.
"At any rate, you being new in town, it would be natural for you to be curious about the state of the forest all around the town, so it shouldn't be too dangerous to ask. If you can move the conversation to the right point, try and find out if they know what happened to the druids in the area. You could maybe mention you had trouble with them once a while back and wonder if they got what was coming to them." Salix looks like he wants to spit to get the taste of those last words out of his mouth. "That is," he continues, "assuming they seem to be the sort who would sympathize against forest folk. Not all rogues do, of course. There's at least some small chance we could have allies among them. You'll have to feel them out carefully. Maybe they know of people being held prisoner somewhere or worse."
The druid finishes up "It's time for dinner, so we should probably make an appearance downstairs. If any of you feel up to it, you can stay and try and find out more about what is going on around here after dinner. Tomorrow, Surin can keep his appointment with the guild and the rest of us can check out the Mayor's house in a bit more detail." Salix frowns a bit. "I am not really comfortable with Surin going alone to meet the guild. Any one have any ideas of how we can keep him a bit safer?"
OODM: If you guys want to discuss how to help Surin go ahead, other wise I will write up dinner this afternoon or this evening.
From: Mark
Subject Dinner again
The party breaks up and the others head back to their room. Over the next 15 minutes the party makes its way down to the main room, entering singly and in pairs. Harp sees Thanga and she winks at him when she takes his order. They eat a nice meal. While they eat they keep an eye on the people in the room. It seems to be the usual crowd of low lifes and drunks. After an hour the noise level starts to rise as the alcohol starts to flow more copiously and the food starts to run out. A few fights break out and are ended with brutal finality. Mund is shocked to see one man beaten what looks like to death and his body tossed out into the street. In most places he had been, people were beaten unconscious and then tossed out. The bouncers strip the body of any wealth before tossing the body and hand a small bag to the owner. No one in the bar even blinks at this.
This is when those wanting to get some rest make their exit. The few head up the stairs while the rest start to make the rounds.
OODM: I need to know who stays and how they want to gather info. The more detail you give the more I can write it up. Let me know if you are trying to use Intimidate or Diplomacy or Gather Info skills. I will then respond to each person and let them know what they found.
From: Jason
Subject Dinner again
Ragnar will ask whoever came down with him (or Harp, if he entered alone) to accompany him outside for a moment. Once outside, he'll check and see if the man who was thrown out is still alive, and if so he'll use a cure spell to stabilize him; ideally he'll remain unconscious. If anyone is watching, he'll make a show of checking the man's pockets, and then kicking the body when he finds nothing. He'll then return to the inn. After what he just saw, he won't be staying downstairs, he'll head back to his room for the night.
Ragnar to the rescue, ears open, Harp has a date
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Harp will join Ragnar in "searching" the body, but he will remain downstairs. There is an odd, home like feeling Harp has when he is around these rowdy people. He is not sure he understands these feelings, but there is something tugging at him, really deep down.
From: Karl
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Salix is tired and really wants to retreat to his room. Actually, what he *really* wants is to retreat to the grove where he last saw MtnSis. Sephira, and relax in those hot, effervescent waters. But he can't. He has to find out *something*. They've been in this cursed town for two days now he knows little more than he knew a week ago, and little of *that* seems to be of any real use. During dinner he paid close attention to the fighting and, more importantly, the reactions of those who *weren't* drunk and itching for a fight. After eating, he naturally gravitates closer to some of those types, (Using diplomacy and Gather Info as appropriate).
OOC - Salix will be keeping an ear out for *anything* of interest. If he doesn't find anything of note just by accident, he'll try to get near a group that looks less likely to be itching for a fight and maybe just drunk enough to be talkative. He'll be trying to act friendly, but not smooth or refined at all, basically trying to fit in but not stand out.
From: Karl
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Thanga, probably.
From: Derek
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Allistair casually walks over by Ragnar speaks to him quietly when he shows signs of walking outdoors. "I don't know if you want to go outside and check on him. Once its dark out, everyone says we shouldn't go outside for any reason. If he's dead, you can't help him. If he isn't dead, he probably won't be in the morning either, and you don't want to be around if the patrols arrive."
From: Jason
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
"Allistair, I appreciate your concern, and I do realize he's almost certainly dead. But I cannot ignore the possibility that if he is alive, he will probably die in the next few minutes. Nights are cold, this far north. Heironeous will watch over me, and it will take less than a minute. I'll be fine." He hesitates, then says, "If you were able to make me invisible, that might be useful though."
OOC: If Allistair does make him invisible (we would do that somewhere inconspicous) then Ragnar will ask Harp to watch from the door, rather than go outside with him. If he goes outside alone, Ragnar will cast sanctuary on himself just before leaving.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
I just want every one to know that for the most part, unless you take the proper feats, spell casting is obvious to those around you. You do not whisper verbal parts, the gestures are not easy to hide and the components are strange at times.
I undestand the idea of wanting to keep certain things under wraps, but if I go with that then it works both ways. If someone near by is trying to cast a spell on you, you do not get a listen/spot check to see if you notice it.
I guess what I am saying is that unless the spell specifically says so there are usually some type of "Special effects" that go along with most spells, the higher the spell level the more dramatic the effect.
From: Jason
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
I guess when I said inconspicous, I was thinking of going back to our room briefly if we were to use inivisibility. As for sanctuary, which has a much shorter duration, I guess I was thinking he could probably whisper the words, and since invisible the guestures wouldn't matter. If he can't, that's OK, he can skip the sanctuary blessing in that case.
Now that I think about it, Ragnar probably wouldn't want to take the time to go back to their rooms either, time is critical. So lets just pretend the second part of that dialog, where he asks about the invisibility, didn't happen.
From: Josh
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Kal speaks up after Allistar expresses his concerns. "I'll go with Ragnar, to keep watch while he says his prayers."
From: Josh
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Nix that, I didn't see Harp was going to go out.
From: Derek
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Allistair considers for a moment. "I'd be willing to help, but we need to be out of sight for me to cast the spell. Then you need to make your way invisible through this crowded room without bumping anyone. Then you need to open the door without arousing suspicion. Then you need to do everything again in reverse to get back. Probably better just to go quickly now and have Hack watch with the door open in case something happens. If anyone questions you, say he owed you money or something."
From: Mark
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
The dwarf watches as the bloody form is carried to the door and tossed out into the street. He turns and catches Harp's eye and nods towards the door. Ally, sitting just next to him sees this and stops Ragnar on his way out. "I don't know if you want to go outside and check on him. Once it's dark out, everyone says we shouldn't go outside for any reason. If he's dead, you can't help him. If he isn't dead, he probably won't be in the morning either, and you don't want to be around if the patrols arrive." The cleric stops for a second and whispers "Allistair, I appreciate your concern, and I do realize he's almost certainly dead. But I cannot ignore the possibility that if he is alive, he will probably die in the next few minutes. Nights are cold, this far north. Heironeous will watch over me, and it will take less than a minute. I'll be fine."
The mage shrugs and the cleric continues on through the crowd. Harp meets him at the door and the two move quickly to the unmoving form. They see some small child like forms at the edge of the light but they retreat back into the darkness as the two approach. Ragnar bends and checks for a heart beat but there is none. He bows slightly, like he is searching the body but says a quick prayer to the Heironeous, then stands and kicks the lifeless body. Turning to Harp he says loudly "Nothing on him. Let's go back inside." As they go the cleric whispers to Harp "I am going to go back to the room. I can not stand much more of this." The 1/2 orc nods and pats his friend on the shoulder.
The two enter the Leaky Mug again, Ragnar with trepidation, Harp with a sense of anticipation. This feeling scares him a bit but also calls to him. The dwarf quickly heads up to the room while Harp returns to his seat. At Salix's look Harp shrugs. He leans forward and over the noise tells Salix "This place is tough on one like him." The druid nods, thinking to himself how hard it is not to bolt back to the woods. Then he remembers the condition of the woods and knows he would find no relief there now. "Ok let see if we can find out any thing else. I don't know what your Order's rules are on women, but that young lady over there looks like she likes you." Harp turns and sees Thanga watching him. He turns back to Salix, a slight blush on his cheeks "What I have to do to serve my god." The 1/2 orc then stands and heads in the direction of Thanga, as small smile on his face.
Salix sighs and steels himself for what is to come. Putting on his best face he moves towards a group that seems a bit less rowdy than the others. Using all the skills he learned in the forest on how to read people and persuade them he probes and prys without being to obvious about it. He drinks much less than it looks like and is generous with his money in buying drinks for others. Soon he is best friends for the night with several very drunk men.
OODM: I will send Karl more info on what he found. I am still waiting to hear from Porter, Derek, Ashley, Randy and Josh what they are going to have their characters do.
From: Derek
Subject Ears open
Allistair will try and work his way into a conversation with some of the more somber drunks, and leave his brother to talk to the more violent/rowdy drunks. Since he probably won't get any info about magic users and such from this group, he'll try and work in questions about what happens to people that disappear at night, and if anyone has ever come back. He'll start by telling some spooky stories about creatures of the night from where he grew up in the Wildlands, and see if he can get people to talk about what happens here after dark. Also he'd like to find out if anyone has seen this Mayor fellow, where he came from, etc. Allistair doesn't have any ranks in Gather Info, Dilpomacy, or Intimidation, but he does have a few ranks in Bluff. He can use that on his ghost story telling. (i.e. I swear I really did see a werewolf! And it got my best friend! etc.)
However, if there is anyone that appears more dignified/educated, Allistair will try and talk to them and feel them out for info, perhaps again using his scary stories to break the ice.
From: Kevin
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
OOC: It is a moot point now, but cure minor wounds (a 0 level cleric) would be enough to have stabilized him and probably would not have been real obvious.
Too late now.
From: Mark
Subject Ragnar to the rescue
Well he was dead before he was thrown out. He got beat real good. That is part of what is bothering even Mund. It is not just the violence, it is the brutality, the over kill. The guy was down long before the beating stopped. Half the place did not even stop to take notice of the beating, and the other half only moved out of the way so that their drinks would not be spilled.
From: Ashley
Subject Ears open
Surin orders a loaf of bread, some cheese and a pitcher of the house ale and situates himself at the bar, offering the snacks and alcohol to his barmates and any other interested folk that take interest. He keeps the conversation light, telling a few funny stories from working at the bigtop and laughing in turn at any funny stories they might tell. Gradually, he'll try to steer the conversation toward what the mayor and the goings on in town, and try to find out some new info. He'll try to find out if anyone's gotten on the wrong side of the thieves' guild, if they have any idea such a guild even exists. He'll drink a little, but not so much that he'll be hungover or sleep late tomorrow.
Surin doesn't have any ranks in Gather info either, but he'll do what he can.
From: Porter
Subject Ears open
Mund will try to gather info as he can. He'll stick with his brother. He might not even be aware of it himself, but seeing that guy beat nearly to death and thrown out into these dangerous streets has frightened him somewhat. He's not interested in getting in a friendly fight here, and is not likely to use Intimidate.
Although if the opportunity presents itself, he's not above a little competition for the eye of Thanga, including trying to woo her in her own tongue.
From: Porter
Subject Ears open
I missed that Allistair wants to split off from Mund. Mund's cool with that.
From: Derek
Subject Ears open
Allistair is fine with Mund sticking with him. I just assumed that Mund would be drinking with the rowdier types. If Mund comes up to the group that Allistair is with, Allistair will welcome him and introduce him as his brother, and see if he can top any tales that Allistair has been telling.
From: Mark
Subject Harp has a date
Over the next several hours Harp and Thanga spend their time flirting with each other. She does her job of serving food and drinks but always makes sure that Harp is happy. Others in the bar notice it but when they start making comments she slaps them down. One of them starts to get angry with her, obviously a previous favorite of the young lady, but when Harp stands up to his full 6' 5" and 300 lbs and smiles an evil smile at the man, he backs down quickly. Even Mund notices that Harp is the only patron that Thanga lets play grab ass with as she serves the food. He sighs in resignation, as she was a fine looking orc and he had thought of seeing if she was willing. He still might. That Harp had a way of screwing things up. Maybe all those years with those godfolk had taken away his orcish sense of adventure. Mund smiles at this.
Several hours later, when Thanga gets off duty, the first thing she does is grab Harp and take him out on the dance floor. She calls to the musicians and they start a fast paced dance. Thanga shows Harp the steps and they start dancing a wild, boisterous dance. She dances better than he does, but the 1/2 orc does a reasonable job. At least he does not trip over his own feet. The crowd is yelling and screaming. Harp's mind is full of smells and feelings that he has not had before. When the dance is over Thanga leans in and kisses Harp solidly on the lips and whispers something to him. The 1/2 orc blushes but does not resist as she pulls him through one of the back doors. The crowd cheers and carrys on as they leave.
From: Porter
Subject Harp has a date
Mund can't quite bring himself to be resentful of the orc. After all, Harp probably has had very little opportunity to be with any woman, surrounded by all those godsfolk, let alone one of his own kind. Mund closes his eyes and thinks fondly back to all the lovely ladies of both races that he's had the pleasure of knowing in the past.
From: Randy
Subject Rangar to the rescue
Ranthir fights back the urge to get involved and stop the beating that leaves a man dead and thrown out like a sack of trash. After witnessing this, he swallows down the bile that rises in his throat and excuses himself for the evening.
The senseless extreme violence and disregard for life is too much for him to stomach. He returns to his room and spends the evening meditating and praying that they can get their job done quickly. He also prayers for the strength to be able to assist his friends through this sickening situation they had found themselves in.
Around the bar
Subject Around the bar
Ran watches as Ragnar and Harp move outside to check on the beaten man. He hopes that they are able to save him, but the look on their faces show that they were too late. Ran fights to keep down the food he just ate. A man was just beaten to death for some small insult. How could these people live this way. Seeing that Ragnar is heading back to the rooms Ran excuses himself and joins the cleric. How can Harp and Mund and the others put up with this type of behavior he thinks but then he remembers. They have a mission and they need more information. Well the others would have to get that.
Surin finishes his cheese and looks at the bar. There was an opening there and a bunch of people drowning their sorrows. Perfect targets. The halfling moves quickly before the space is taken and orders an ale. He strikes up a conversation with the men next to him and is soon regaling them with stories of his days with the circus.
Mund and Ally recognize a couple of faces from the night before and join them like they were long lost friends. They take turns buying rounds but don't drink as much as it seems. The night grows old as they sit around singing songs and telling stories, Mund more than Ally, although Ally does tell a few knee slappers about Mund's younger days and the trouble they got into.
OODM: I am sending each group of people info on what they found out.
The second morning
Subject The second morning
The next morning finds Salix and Ranthir wakeing the others just past dawn. They are in a panic. Harp is not in his bed and it looks like he never returned during the night.
What they found out and what happened to Harp?
Subject What they found out
Allistair wakes up with a bit of a headache, a little annoyed at Salix and Ranthir's loud antics. "Calm down," Allistair says as he sits up, holding his head. "Hack went off with a certain young lady last night, but I'm pretty sure he didn't leave the inn. If he doesn't show up by noon we should get worried. Otherwise I don't want to be the one to interrupt him."
"More importantly," he says, turning to Salix, "I found out something interesting last night I need to ask you and Ragnar about. Does a symbol of a skull and a scythe mean anything to you? And a strange man in rust-colored robes? One of the guys that was in the mayor's house remembered seeing that."
OOC: Does Allistair himself know what they might mean?
From: Karl
Subject what they found out
OOC: well, Mr. DM? Does it?
From: Mark
Subject What they found out
Actually it does not ring any bells to Salix.
From: Porter
Subject What happened to Harp?
"You know, if he got hisself killed going off alone with that woman, he ain't never gonna live it down," Mund says without a hint of irony.
From: Kevin
Subject What happened to Harp?
A little after nine in the morning, Harp enters the room where the others had been staying. A small blush on his face, he says "I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to send a message. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I did find out there has been a man hanging around the Mayor wearing a symbol showing a skull and scythe." OOC: Mark, knowledge -religion check for Harp to know what it means
IC: Harp watches as the others look at him. Could they tell what had happened? Hard to tell though it was, the blush on his cheeks gets worse.
From: Karl
Subject What they found out
"I recall anything like that," Salix replies. "But someone I met last night had been in the Mayor's house, too. He reported seeing someone he knew had been missing, and that the wine cellar had been converted to some sort of jail or dungeon. I think that might be a good place to look for the missing druids." He doesn't add "if they're still alive" but he thinks it dismally.
"My guy also said that he was hired to move boxes of heavy stuff out to the mayor's estate, which has been heavily fortified, and there has been a church built there. He saw someone with a dark cloak with a design, which he tried to sketch out for me, but he was way too drunk to do anything more than scratch gibberish lines in the table with his dagger. It *could* have been a skull and scythe, but it could also have been a cow jumping over the moon for all I could tell."
(OOC - Actually, the DM was supposed to get back to me about the nature of the design, but I didn't get the email if he did. I have no idea if it was the same design or not. /OOC)
"I'm going crazy with all this lurking. I think we need to get inside the mayor's house as soon as possible. I don't know how were going to do that, though. Damn that Har- er, 'Hack'! If he's been rutting with that whore he'd better come back with a damn important piece of information or I'll kick his ass." Salix looks at the group and shrugs, "well, he'll get an ear-full at least."
From: Karl
Subject What happened to Harp?
Salix glares at Harp expectantly when he comes into the room, but says nothing until Harp delivers his report. Afterwards, he just looks at Harp and watches him blush. "I hope you didn't hurt yourself prodding her for information," he says coldly, with no hint of humor.
He recounts what he had already told the others and adds, "oh, and I did find out the Mayor's name. It's Faldor. Does that ring a bell with anyone?"
(OOC - I forgot to ask earlier, does that ring a bell with Salix?)
From: Mark
Subject What they found out
No the name does not ring a bell with Salix.
Also Salix does not have Knowledge Religion and so the symbols mean nothing to him.
From: Derek
Subject What they found out
OOC: Is everyone sleeping in the same room now? Is Ragnar there?
IC: Allistair gives Harp a playful punch on the shoulder. "Don't let Salix get to you too much. He's just in a fould mood, although I can't say I blame him. You're not the reason though. It's this whole town."
If Ragnar is there in the room, Allistair wakes him up so they can ask him about that death-symbol. Otherwise Allistair asks where Ragnar is so that they can ask him.
From: Josh
Subject What they found out
Does Kal recognize the description of the Symbol?
From: Mark
Subject What they found out
As far as I know Harp, Ragnar, Surin and Kal are still in one room with Mund, Ally, Salix and Ranthir in the other. However, movement between rooms is not a real problem.
I have sent Jason info on the symbol.
From: Jason
Subject What they found out
To Allistair's question, Ragnar responds "Aye, it means something. That's the symbol of the evil god Nerul, the god of death. Those orange robes are typical of his clerics, at least when they don't have to fear being tossed in jail for their crimes. Necromancers, assassins and the like... Those are the people that worship Nerul."
From: Derek
Subject What they found out
"Would priests of Nerul have the power and motivation to do things like kill or kidnap druids, kill all the flora/fauna in the area, or turn an entire city into a moral cesspit? I don't think I've ever run into any followers of this god, at least not that I knew about."
From: Derek
Subject What they found out
"Also, have you been able to contact any priests of Heironius or other good diety here in Bodentown? I know all the temples were shut down, but they may have gone underground. They may know some more about this possible temple and priest of Nerul at the Mayor's place."
From: Kevin
Subject What happened to Harp?
Harp is a bit taken aback by Salix's tone. "I'm sorry Salix, I didn't mean to worry anyone. I did't think things would turn out quite the way they did."
With that, Harp will head over to a chair or stool and take a seat.
From: Jason
Subject What they found out
Ragnar has to think a bit more about Allistair's follow up questions. Finally he replies "I don't know why Nerul would be targetting druids, specifically. Certainly it would be to his advantage to have an entire town or city under the control of his priests or followers, and without a doubt any such town would be such a moral cesspit as we see here.
"I very much doubt that there was ever a temple, or even a congregation, devoted to Heironeous in this town. I would have heard of the former, I think. And generally speaking, Heironeous finds far more followers in the more civilized lands."
From: Ashley
Subject What they found out
"I found something that might resemble good news" Surin says, trying to give Salix and the rest a little hope after all the doom and gloom of the last few days. "We might be able to have allies in the thieves' guild. I heard tell last night, the guild and the mayor had something of a falling out about a year ago, and now this Faldor guy seems to have strapped them with some rules that don't make them too happy. They're more or less at a truce now, but who knows what kind of information they might be willing to give us, or if they might be willing to go out of their way to help us. It could at least give me and them some common ground when I meet with them today."
From: Porter
Subject What they found out
"That's great news, Surin! Would you like some disreputable company when you go?"
Who goes where?
Subject Who goes where?
"The real question is how much are we willing to tell them? And after that, how much can we trust them?"
From: Karl
Subject Who goes where?
Salix nods agreement with this last. "You know such people far better than I do, Surin. What's your take on it?"
From: Ashley
Subject Who goes where?
"Obviously we shouldn't blab our entire mission, but I could say we're looking for a friend of ours who got on the Mayor's bad side and need some information on how to infiltrate his place. If anyone would know, I bet it'd be them, and it's not like they're going to protect the Mayor's interests. I might have to just feel it out as I go, once I meet them. I imagine there's a few good apples in there, but I have no idea how they'd feel about druids, or if they'd be willing to help, especially if it runs the risk of pissing off the Mayor even more.
"How far do you think I should go, Salix? Outright lies would only make them distrustful, but outright truths risks saying to much about why exactly we are here."
He looks over to Mund, "I wouldn't mind the company headed over there, but I'd probably have to split off and meet with them privately. Who knows how jumpy they might get if I arrived with a bodyguard. If something goes wrong, you could at least be close by. It's your call."
From: Karl
Subject Who goes where?
"Keep it truthful but simple. You're looking for a friend we suspect is captive at the Mayor's. You'd like some information. I'll give you some gold if that will help you smooth relations and get better information. You don't need to tell them who all "we" are, and I'd think they would understand that. If you don't bring up Druids, why should they?"
He turns to the rest of the group. "I think we should try to make preparations to infiltrate the Mayor's house as soon as possible. In other circumstances, it seems obvious we should wait for dark, but with some unknown danger in the streets, what do you guys think? I'm inclined to think we need the darkness more than safe streets. Maybe we can head over toward the Mayor's house while it's still light, and find a place to hide out. Maybe there's an inn there."
From: Derek
Subject Who goes where?
Allistair shrugs. "It isn't like I've exactly unpacked and made myself at home here. I think we can all be ready to leave in a few minutes notice. Does anyone know if it's pretty easy to get work there as a day laborer? That could give us a excuse to be there, and could give us a few more minutes before we're discovered and everything goes to pot."
From: Randy
Subject Who goes where?
"I agree that we should set up in an Inn that is closer to the Mayors house. The less time we have to spend dealing with an unknown danger in the night the better."
Ranthir strokes his chin and furrows his brow.
"I'm ready to leave any time now. The sooner we can be done with this gods forsaken place the better."
From: Josh
Subject Who goes where?
"I've read some about this God, Nerull, and his cults. His followers are necromancers, assassins, and other depraved creatures that worship death. They usually keep temples underground, and will use undead creatures to guard them. His clerics routinely commit murder as an offering.
There was a death cult in a village far from here a time ago. Before they were stomped out, the clerics wore rust colored robes and their symbol was a skull and scythe. "
From: Porter
Subject Who goes where?
I'd love to come along then. Anybody who doesn't like the mayor and his damned godfolk is somebody I'd like to meet. I'll try to look more like a friend and less like a bodyguard.
From: Derek
Subject Who goes where?
OOC: Do we know what the area around the Mayor's house outside of town is? Are there inns there we could stay at? Any woods around there or is that in the area where all the trees have been felled?
From: Josh
Subject Who goes where?
It seems likely to me that we're going to find a temple to Nerull underneath the Mayor's house. If we do, it won't be easy to work through. The undead are truly dangerous.
From: Mark
Subject Who goes where?
You know very little about the Mayor's estate outside of town other than the general direction.
From: Karl
Subject Who goes where?
"Would they need two temples? I got the impression the real business takes place at the estate outside of town. The cellars of the house have been converted to a prison or holding area, it sounds like."
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I will work on a turn when I get home tonight.
From: Derek
Subject Who goes where?
OOC: I was pretty sure we had been talking about the mayors house outside of town during this whole conversation?
IC: "It sounds like we're going to need some information on the mayor's house outside of town. If most of the real business takes place there, there should be regular traffic between there and the town, and probaby a few shops, inns, etc. near the home. That would be some good info to find out at your meeting today Surin, if you can. In the meantime, maybe some of us can walk down there during the daytime to check the place out?"
From Mark
Subject Who goes where?
Ok I am a bit confused as to who is going where.
The Mayor has a house in town. That is the house that the party walked by yesterday afternoon. They have heard that the Mayor has an estate outside of town. They have not gotten any specifics about that yet.
The house in town was fairly nice and imposing.
From: Kevin
Subject Who goes where?
I think Mund was going to tag along with Surin, but let the halfling meet with the Theives guild on his own.
Ally, Salix, and Kal were going to head out and try to find/check out the mayors house outside of town. Hack, Ragar and Ran can either join them in looking around or they can check back in with the mercenaries guild.
Right???
From: Derek
Subject Who goes where?
OOC: That's more or less what I understood to be happening too. It looks like the real stuff is going down at the mayor's house outside of town, so we'll go down there during the day to see if we can find anything out.
More plans, out in the town, the Mayor's Estate
Subject More plans
Mark, it was the house in town where the cellar has been converted to a prison/holding cells, right?
It is the "estate" outside of town where the temple has been built, right?
Salix's contact also heard of heavy boxes being transported from the "house" to the "estate" right?
Please clarify if any of the above is not correct.
If it is correct, Salix is definitely for checking out the house in town as that seems to be the most likely place to find any druids who are still alive.
From: Mark
Subject More plans
That is correct.
From: Karl
Subject More plans
In that case, Salix wants to concentrate on the house in town rather than head out of town just yet. I can role-play this if necessary if someone can put us on the same page. I don't know what the other characters are thinking in light of this clarification.
From: Kevin
Subject More plans
OOC: Just let the dunder head fighter types know that they totally misunderstood you. But this time, use small words and speak very slowly.
From: Derek
Subject More plans
"I'm not too sure what more we can find out about the mayor's house in the city short of trying to break into the place, and I'm pretty sure we don't want to try that until we've secured as much information/cooperation as possible from the folk that Surin is speaking with today. I think maybe I'll go to the mayor's house here in the city and try and apply for a scribe position of some sort. At worst I'll be refused at the door, but I might be able to get in and speak with somebody, perhaps get an interview."
From: Mark
Subject More plans
I will get a turn out tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok here is how I am going to write it up.
Mund and Surin are going to talk to the thieves guild.
Ally, Hack and Ranthir are going to go the the the Merc guild and then to the Mayors house in town.
Salix, Kal and Ragnar are going to go to the Mayor's estate to get a lay of the land.
I am going to have dinner and then write up the turn.
From: Mark
Subject Out in the town
Salix listens and comments as they discuss what to do. He finally makes his decision. "Surin, you and Mund go see the guild. Find out what you can. Here." The druid hands the halfling several hundred gold. "If you need this to buy help, do so. If they want more we can get it but I don't want you carrying that much gold on you. No need to tempt them." Surin nods and the druid smiles at him. "And no spending it on drinks after the meeting." Surin fakes a hurt expression and moves over next to Mund. "Mund, stay with Surin if you can. I will understand if you can't but try your best." Mund nods and slaps Surin on the back, almost knocking the halfling off his feet.
"Allistair, take Ranthir and Hack, if he thinks he is rested enough, and try your job thing. I doubt it will hurt and it might give us a better idea of what the inside of the building looks like. Ran, you and Harp keep your eyes open. If we have to assault that place I am depending on you two to set up the plan." The three nod, Harp still embarrassed about the night before.
"Kal, you and Ragnar are going with me. We are going to pay a visit the the Mayor's estate. Maybe we will catch a glimpse of this mysterious cloaked man. At least we can get an idea of how big this place is and how well defended." Salix looks around at the group. "Ok lets go get something to eat. Spread out going downstairs for breakfast and eat in different groups than we did before. Any one not back by early after noon will be assumed to have run into problems and the rest of us will come looking. Since Kal, Ragnar and I have the furthest to go, we eat first." The party nods, stands up and prepares for the day.
OODM: I will write up each of the three groups seperately
From: Mark
Subject Out to the Mayor's Estate
Salix and his companions make quick work of breakfast and head out to the east gate of the town. At the gate they show their passes, and as the other patrols have done, one of the soldiers passes some small hand held item over them and then hands them back, letting them go. "Just remember, gates close at dark. No exceptions." Salix and the others nod and continue on their journey. For the next hour the trudge along the dirt road, moving to the side when a team of horses and wagon come rumbling past. After what Salix estimates is about 4 miles, the estate starts to come into view. It is subtle at first but Salix picks up on it immediately. Fences. Wooden fence posts with barbed wire. They had seen almost no fences in the area but all of a sudden, on the north side of the road, a fence starts up, running north and east."
The druid points this out to the others. "I would never have noticed that" Kal says. "I think we are getting close" is Salix's response. They keep walking and about a half mile away they can see that the wood and wire fence gives way to a stone wall. The wall takes up where the wooden fence stops and is about 6 feet high. On top of the stone is another 6 feet of iron fence with nasty looking points on top of the vertical bars. The bars are about an inch thick and spaced 6" apart. The stone wall looks old but the iron fence looks like it is only a year or two old. The spikes on top seem particularly nasty. Another 500 yards down the road the three pass the main gate. It is open and there is a platoon of 10 guards with spears and swords standing guard. They do not wave as the three walk past.
As they walk past they can barely see the main house. It is a two story stone building, massive in scale. The driveway goes up from the gate and then splits into three paths, one going straight to the house and the other two seeming to go around the house. There are some trees and a decorative garden just off to the left side of the main drive. Not much else can be seen since the three feel it would not be safe to stand around and gawk at the house. They continue on their way going another five or six miles. Then they wait for a wagon heading back to Boddentown and buy passage in the back, sitting with the cabbages.
OODM: I will write more for the other groups tomorrow.
The Mayor's estate, cover story
Subject Salix's group
If Karl, Josh or Jason have any questions about what they saw please let me know.
From: Jason
Subject Salix's group
Could you describe the gate itself? You mentioned that it was open, but I'm wondering what type it was and how it would be secured.
Did we see any patrols, or guards of any type, other than at the main gate?
From: Mark
Subject The Mayor's estate
The gate is made of iron. It is split down the middle, like a typical iron gate would be. Symetrical. Large iron lock. You did see other patrol, sort of. You heard them on the other side of the stone portion of the wall. You did not actually see any, but it was obvious that there were patrols.
Also, reading back, I do not know if it was clear. During the walk out the three of you were passed by many wagons, full of food and supplies. You saw several that went into the gate.
From: Porter
Subject Coverstory
Mund turns down to his tiny friend and asks "So, what's our story to tell the guild?"
From: Ashley
Subject Cover story
"Let's keep it as straight as possible. Our friend came ahead of us a few weeks ago, and he never showed up at the meeting place outside town. We heard the mayor can keep a pretty tight fist when he wants to, so we figure he got on his bad side and might be stuck in a prison somewhere. The guy owes us money, so it's in our best interest to find out if he's alive and try to make contact with him, maybe even to bust him out if we need to."
From: Porter
Subject Cover story
"OK. Who is this friend? Some made-up guy, or the druid guy?"
From: Kevin
Subject Cover story
OOC: You know, this does sort of tie in with the story Harp/Hack and Ragnar and Kal and Ran used or were wiling to use when they entered town.
From: Mark
Subject Cover story
OOC: You're absolutely right.