Kadaz Sunday March 28th, 2004 6:35:42 AM
"Shakka and Evan, we really should talk to that boy. Kids often see more than adults realize."
Kadaz and Birdie walk over to the boy. Kadaz starts a conversation while pointing at the newly abandoned house.
"Good day, young sir. I wonder if you might be able to help me. I was to meet some folks in that house there but they aren't in. Might you be able to help me? I really need to talk to them."
Conner Sunday March 28th, 2004 7:32:59 AM
The fighter waits patiently by the door until Mira has concluded her questioning. He wonders how things are going at the shanty, and what if anything Shakka, Evan and Kadaz have learned.
Evan d20+4=22 d20+6=26 d20+6=24 Sunday March 28th, 2004 7:07:01 PM
Evan nods to Kadaz, then points to his eyes and his ears with the index fingers of both hands. With a smile he fades into the shadows and keeps his ears attuned to the conversation and his eyes open to all that is going on around the barn and vacinity.
Hide=22 Listen=26 Spot=24
Mira d20+5=15 Sunday March 28th, 2004 7:17:31 PM
"Our enquiry, " Mira motions to Uriel and Conner, "concerns a property recently let to 'The Society of Draconic Research'. Mira looks at the woman and asks, "do you know the place?"
"We would like to know who may have let the property before the new tenants, and if it was vacant, how long was it empty and were there any 'problems' at the site?"
The sorcerer keeps an even and calm tone of voice and hopes the clerk is impressed by her sincerity. (Diplomacy=15)
DM Kathy Monday March 29th, 2004 12:08:32 AM
Shakka watches the boy for a moment as he unlocks the door and pulls it open. He looks around again, then jumps with a start as he sees Kadaz approach. Kadaz asks about the house.
"No," he replies hastily. "No, I don't know them." He turns and vanishes into the barn.
Evan does not see or hear anything untoward.
Arm drifts closer to the group that mentioned the curse. "I hear he was just fine the next day, though," you hear one of them say. A burst of general noise drowns out the rest, and when you can hear them again, the conversation has moved on to other topics, as tavern conversations are wont to do.
"I'm not familiar with this society," the half-elf woman replies. "Can you give me some idea which building it is? What street it's on, perhaps, or what it looks like?"
Uriel d20+2=20 Monday March 29th, 2004 12:57:05 AM
Uriel looks over at Conner at runs his hand through his hair. He takes a couple of steps over to the corner and picks up the silver piece. He flips it up and catches it again. Uriel will describe the location and general appearance of the building to the woman. {Diplomacy:20}
Arm Monday March 29th, 2004 5:52:31 AM
Discouraged at the lack of any useful information, Arm broods into his mug of ale. Once again, thoughts of leaving this group and moving on prey upon his mind. "Perhaps things will get better after Summer's shift is over," he thinks, "But with my fortune as of late, probably not.".
Kadaz d20-3=16 Monday March 29th, 2004 6:15:52 AM
The jumpiness of the boy convinces Kadaz that he does indeed know something about the people who were in the house. Kadaz tries to be convincing and comforting.
"Son, those folks have moved out. They've emptied their house and stables. I doubt they'll be back. My friends and I need to find them because they may have information we need. If you can tell us who visited them or where their friends live, we'd appreciate it. we'd be willing to pay a gold piece. And we'll never tell anyone that you talked to us.
(diplomacy check 16)
Conner d20+1=8 Monday March 29th, 2004 5:30:16 PM
"Luck be with you Uriel", the fighter is genuinely pleased at the omen of good fortune found by his friend. Conner is less pleased at the clerks answer and wonders if she is telling all she knows [Sense Motive = 8]
Evan d20-1=17 Monday March 29th, 2004 7:06:53 PM
When Kadaz makes reference to 'his friends', the young ranger steps from the shadows. He smiles disarmingly at the boy (Diplomacy=17)hoping to set him at ease and calm any fears he might have about the three adventurers.
Evan has sudden idea. He riffles through his pockets for a scrap of paper, and draws a quick sketch of a young boy. He writes the name 'Kethlorn' under the picture, and shows it to the boy, with an inquiring look.
Evan wonders if this city youth might have knowledge of an age mate.
Mira d20+5=15 Monday March 29th, 2004 7:14:02 PM
Mira nods as Uriel gives his description, and adds, "yes, it's an odd little shop on Saddler's Row. A two story building on a corner lot with an unusual shape, but pleasant and filled with light!" Mira smiles at the half-elf,(Diplomacy=15) "can you help us?"
(OOC: 3 Diplomacy=15 rolls in a row!)
DM Kathy d20=8 Monday March 29th, 2004 9:04:44 PM
From their position just outside, Kadaz and Evan can hear the frantic bleating of a sheep or goat coming from inside the barn.
The boy's eyes turn crafty at the mention of a gold piece. "Oh--uh, those people?" he asks. He nods vigorously. "Sure, I know them. They, uh-- they, uh-- they moved. To another house." He points toward the city wall, and, by extension, all of Plateau City. "That way."
He glances down at Evan's pad, and gives another vigorous nod. "Yep. That's right," he says. He looks at Kadaz expectantly.
After a bit, Summer comes over to Arm's table, smiling and removing her apron. "Done for the day," she tells him. "I promised Mama I'd try to find a bit of nice fish at the market. Would you care to accompany me?"
The half-elf woman listens to the description, and a light dawns. "Oh, the Kiss of Death!" she says. "Yes, I'd heard we'd managed to fill it again."
She stands up and moves to a nearby bookshelf, scanning the ledgers stored there. "Not that it's fatal, or anything," she assures you. "But we do have a terrible time keeping the place leased." She glances up and sees your alarmed expressions. "In a good way. Businesses do well there, and can afford to move to better quarters. So they do."
She finds the book she was looking for and carries it back to her table. "The place isn't very big, you see," she explains, opening the book, "and with that awkward shape there isn't a lot of usable space. People decide they want more room."
She finds what she was looking for in the book. "This time it was vacant for about five months." She shakes her head. "Not good news for Mr. Otterbrook; he never likes to see a building stand vacant. The previous tenant was a Daisy Cottonmeadow--halfling, of course, with a name like that. Milliner's shop." She looks at you again, then remembers another question asked earlier. "We've had no problems there that I'm aware of," she says. "Somebody broke into the building one time when it was vacant, but that has to be--oh, two or three years ago now."
Uriel d20+2=21 Tuesday March 30th, 2004 12:16:04 AM
"Thank you for the information. Do you have a forwarding address for Daisy Cottonmeado? I don't have anything else, do either of you?" Uriel smiles warmly at the half-elf. {Diplomacy:21}
Arm Tuesday March 30th, 2004 6:03:56 AM
Arm smiles broadly at Summer and rises from the table. "Certainly, my dear. I will gladly accompany you to wherever your heart desires. Let us be off, then."
Crooking his arm so that Summer may put hers through his, they set off out the door of the inn.
Kadaz Tuesday March 30th, 2004 3:58:55 PM
Kadaz digs into his pouch and pulls out a gold piece. He waves it alluringly before the young boy's eye. "I'd like to give this to you but I need details. Who visited them? Where did they move to? What were their names? You know, I bet that if you were to answer these questions, as best you could, and then walk with me to the place they moved to, I could even find another gold piece in here for you."
Evan d20+2=17 Tuesday March 30th, 2004 5:49:13 PM
Evan cocks his head quizzically when the young lad acknowledges the drawing of Kethlorn so quickly. He waits until he has Kadaz' attention and rubs his thumb and index finger together in the universal sign for money and then looks suspiciously back at the boy. (Sense Motive=17)
Conner Tuesday March 30th, 2004 5:53:09 PM
Conner looks to Uriel..."another dead end my friend". The fighter slips out of the room and heads towards the street.
Mira d20+4=19 Tuesday March 30th, 2004 6:17:56 PM
Mira hangs her head, disappointed that there appear to be no clues to the mystery of Kethlorn's illness here. Still...Kiss of Death. What kind of a name for a rental unit is that? There has to be more to it than this clerk knows...thinks the sorcerer.
Mira tries not to show her true feelings, as she thanks the half-elf for her time, and makes her way towards the door. Resting her hand on the doorjamb, she turns back towards the clerk and asks, "Um, how did the place get that name? You know, Kiss of Death. Who first called it that, and why?"(Gather Info=19)
Kathy Tuesday March 30th, 2004 8:59:04 PM
"Names?" the boy repeats. "Uh...well, one was Kethlorm. And...uh....there was Kethlorm's...cousin. And that one lady. And...uh, the baby." He considers for a moment. "They moved to the Hindquarter, but I don't know where. Visitors...I visited them sometimes, and...uh...my friend Keela, she visited them, too." He finishes, and gives Kadaz and Evan an ingratiating smile.
Summer eyes the proffered arm dubiously--which isn't hard to do, seeing as the crook of Arm's arm is about eye level for her. "Perhaps I'll just walk beside you," she says.
As you start out, she asks, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
The half-elf woman chuckles. "It isn't really called that," she explains. Sobering, she adds, "And truth be told, Mr. Otterbrook would blister my ears if he heard me talking that way." She gets up and carries the book back to the shelf. "It's my own stupid joke--we have so much trouble keeping that place rented, you see." She slides the book back in among its fellows. "One year we had five different tenants. I think Mr. Otterbrook would sell it if he could, but he can't find a buyer. Not with a history like that." She returns to her seat.
"I don't have a specific address for Daisy Cottonmeadow," she tells Uriel. "I think her new shop is somewhere in the Trade Quarter, though."
Evan Tuesday March 30th, 2004 9:33:00 PM
The ranger's heart starts to beat wildly with excitement when the boy starts to name names. Then his keen sense of hearing takes over, and he feels that something is not quite right. Evan scribbles something on the ragged piece of paper and shows it to Kedarn and Shakka. He then proceeds to make two 'signs' with his right hand. First he makes a fist with his thumb protruding between his index and middle finger. He points to the name Kethlorn on the scrap, jabbing at the 'n'. Evan then makes a fist again. This time, his thumb protrudes between the middle and ring fingers. He points to the newly scribbled Kethlorm, then at the 'm'.
Hope and worry fight in his expression.
(OOC: May be nothing, but Baldis' son is Kethlorn, and this boy is talking of Kethlorm)
Uriel (Supposition) Tuesday March 30th, 2004 9:36:08 PM
After they leave the meeting with Mr. Otterbrook's secretary, Uriel turns to Conner. "Actual Conner I think we really are on to something. If that building has an odd shape on the inside but looks alright from the outside then the chances are there is some sort of secret room INSIDE the building. Also, it would be interesting if the only reason that Ms. Cottonmeadow had for leaving was the expansion of her business - maybe something scared her out. Maybe whatever that was - was the thing that Kethlorn ran into before he took ill..."
Mira d20+2=18 Tuesday March 30th, 2004 9:41:40 PM
With a sigh of resignation, Mira nods and waves her final thanks to Mr. Otterbrook's clerk, as she closes the door, and follows Uriel and Conner out into the street. "Let's find the others," she suggests, "they must be exhausted." Mira frowns a little. She hasn't seen or heard from the ranger in 24 hours.
As she follows the paladin and fighter through the various quarters of Plateau City Mira tries to keep her eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. (Spot=18) She listens to what Uriel has to say, and wonders if the place should be checked for magical auras.
Arm d20=15 Wednesday March 31st, 2004 6:38:43 AM
Arm smiles at Summer as they walk and says, "I would like to talk about many things, my dear, not the least of which is you. Also, I am relatively new to this city, and I was wondering if you could tell me of some of the more interesting parts of it. Foremost on my mind, though, is the mystery that my friends and I are trying to solve for poor Baldis. May I count on your secrecy?". If she says yes, Arm ponders for a moment {sense motive = 15}, realizes that they really don't have any secrets or leads that should be kept quiet, then proceeds to tell her about the problem with Kethlorn, and their inability to find out ANYTHING regarding the curse or who might have been responsible for it. He then asks her, for Baldis' sake, to let him know if she hears of anything that might help the group. He goes on to talk about other things, listen to what she has to say, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon with her.
Arm Wednesday March 31st, 2004 6:41:55 AM
OOC: You're right Kathy, sorry about the miscue with Summer's height...LOL!!!
Evan, good catch with Kethlorn(m)'s name, but I have a feeling that it may have been a typo on Kathy's part...we've ALL done it from time to time ;-)
Evan Wednesday March 31st, 2004 7:21:23 AM
OOC: Could be. But Kathy's a tricky DM :-)
Kadaz d20+1=5 Wednesday March 31st, 2004 8:35:35 AM
Kadaz nods at Evan and resumes his conversation with the boy. "Did you say Kethlorm? And not Kethlorn? Well, that was good information so I will give you a gold piece. But first, do you remember the names of the cousin, lady and baby? Any idea? And I'd like to talk with your friend Keela too. I'd be willing to pay her just like I'm going to pay you."
Kadaz focuses on the child's words and body language to try to figure out if the kid is telling the truth, but Kadaz is clueless on how to read this kid. (sense motive check 5). He looks over at Even and raises his eyebrows.
Conner d20+3=7 Wednesday March 31st, 2004 8:22:12 PM
"Follow me", Conner says to Mira and Uriel as he leads them across the city to the Shanty Quarter to meet up with Kadaz, Shakka, and Evan. The fighter keeps an eye out for trouble as he crosses town [Spot=7] however the size of the city and the complicated route he follows soon occupy most of his attention.
DM Kathy Wednesday March 31st, 2004 9:22:26 PM
(OOC: Yesss, preciouss, the DM is tricksy. :) Actually, Evan, I forgot to post the results of your Sense Motive. You're pretty sure the kid is spinning tales in order to get the coin.)
The boy reaches for the coin. "Ummm...we just called his cousin 'Junior.' I don't know his real name. I don't know the others names, either, but I seen them lots. Keela, too." He glances at the barn behind him, where the frantic bleating continues. "Uh, I gotta go."
Arm spills the whole story to Summer. "My word!" she says. "That poor boy--that poor family." She thinks a moment, then continues, "It's funny you should mention a curse, though. Have you heard about what happened at the Flying Fish the other night?"
If Arm encourages her (and I'm sure he does), she continues, "My friend Mara was working there that evening and she told me all about it. It seems this group of adventurers was in there drinking pretty heavily all evening. Apparently they were out of sorts because the man they'd been working for, some merchant or other, had refused them a payment they thought they'd earned. So they drowned their sorrows for a while, and Mara says the mood just kept getting nastier and nastier. Every now an then one of them would stand up in a rage and break something, then go back to drinking.
"Anyway, shortly before closing, this one man--Mara thinks he's a mage--stood up and declared he was going to curse the merchant. He was so drunk he could barely stand, but his friends were all egging him on. So he started casting this spell--Mara said it was really scary, this guy weaving on his feet, making all these gestures and slurring out some kind of curse. His friends all cheered him when he finished.
"Anyway, they closed up and sent the adventuers home. Mara said she was worried about the merchant, so she and the barkeep went over to his place the next morning--but he was fine. Still is, as far as I know. And later that day one of the adventurers showed up, looking sheepish and hung over, and paid for the damage to the place as neat as you please. Still," she concludes, "it's a funny coincidence, the curse and all."
Connor leads Uriel and Mira through town to the Shanty Quarter. None of them spots anything untoward along the way, although Mira does see a jacket in a shop window that she thinks would be very fetching on her.
Uriel Thursday April 1st, 2004 12:52:46 AM
"Do either of you remember the outside of the building - if it seemed to have an unusual shape?"
Along the way, Uriel will stop a few people to ask if they know of Daisy Cottonmeadow's shop.
Arm Thursday April 1st, 2004 6:04:04 AM
Arm is very surprised and delighted with the information that Summer has just provided, and he says as much to her. "Perhaps this mage, in his drunken state, either slurred his wording of the spell or mentioned Baldis' name in error and ended up causing the curse. However, that would not explain why someone hired thugs to kill us, unless this mage has a fear of retribution from the city guard or whatnot....but hiring killers would only make things worse for him if he is found out. There still has to be something that we're missing," he continues.
Arm, although wishing to share what he just learned, does not want to simply leave Summer in a lurch, and upon further reflection realizes that all or part of the group may not be back at the apartment yet anyway, decides to spend more time with Summer. Getting down on one knee, he thanks her deeply for the information, and tells her that she may just have saved Baldis more pain and grief. Then then gathers her into his arms in a warm embrace.
Kadaz Thursday April 1st, 2004 5:13:47 PM
"OK kid, here's your gold. We'll be here watching you and waiting for Keela. Where does she live?"
Conner Thursday April 1st, 2004 5:22:06 PM
Conner finally rounds the corner and sees the shanty that the group had been watching. "I don't see Shakka or the others, perhaps they are around back" he offers to Mira and Uriel.
Mira Thursday April 1st, 2004 7:47:42 PM
The sorcerer follows along behind the paladin and fighter. "I think the building was irregular of shape outside, Uriel," she answers in response to his question, "but I, too, wonder that it doesn't figure into this mystery somehow."
Mira nearly looses her partners, when she stops to admire the pretty jacket in the window. When she looks around, she can just barely make out the glint of light off the paladin's armour, and she hustles to catch up.
Evan Thursday April 1st, 2004 7:51:28 PM
The ranger yawns hugely. It's been a tough 48 hours, and he is starting to feel a little dizzy from lack of sleep. When the youth isn't looking, Evan catches his friend's eyes, raises his hand, fingers spread and palm down and tilts it back and forth, while making a sour face.
Can't really trust the boy's information, he thinks to himself.
DM Kathy Thursday April 1st, 2004 9:00:30 PM
"Keela lives on Slash Street," the boy replies, then tucks the coin away and goes into the barn.
Evan doubts the boy's story and tries to convey this to Kadaz.
Just at that moment, Connor, Mira, and Uriel come around the corner.
Summer steps from Arm's embrace as gracefully as she can. "Uh...you're very welcome, I'm sure," she says. "I hope you can help that poor boy. Now, I'd better get this fish home before it spoils." With that, she slips her basket over her arm and begins walking toward the river.
[If you guys want to multi-post over the weekend, feel free. Assume that everyone can make it safely back to the flat.]
Arm Friday April 2nd, 2004 8:28:02 AM
Arm, seeing that she was offended, says, "I deeply apologize to you my dear...I never meant to offend you. I shall walk you to the market, then I really should be getting back to my friends.". Once they reach the market, he again thanks Summer for her help, apologizes again, asks her to let him know if she should hear anything else, and promises to let her know if her information did in fact make a difference in solving the mystery. He then continues to the flat, where he tries to sort out what he has learned before the rest arrive.
Arm Friday April 2nd, 2004 8:29:31 AM
OOC: oops...sorry...I misread your post, Kathy..I thought we were headed TO the market...so sorry..
Conner d20+3=14 Friday April 2nd, 2004 7:17:12 PM
"Shakka, Kadaz, Evan! Tell us what you have discovered". Conner greets each of the men with a warm smile and inquires of the nights events. He scans his surroundings while listening to their replies. [Spot=14]
Mira Saturday April 3rd, 2004 2:44:09 PM
Mira doesn't say anything, letting Conner do the talking for once. She has trouble taking her eyes off the ranger, and is worried by the dark circles under his eyes.
Kadaz Sunday April 4th, 2004 3:15:21 PM
With a sigh Kadaz sinks onto the bench and leans on the table in the center of the room, rubbing at his eyes. "Evan and Shakka followed Indrel to a home in the Shanty Quarter. While we watched at night it appears she, and whoever else was in the house, slipped out the back. In the morning we searched the building and discovered nothing. We questioned a child who claimed to have visited a man, woman and child in that home, but Evan claims the kid was just leading me on with falsehoods."
Kadaz turns to Evan and Shakka and asks "Did I miss anything important?" He then gets up and fills Birdie's food bowl and water bowl. "I'm tired and still wounded from that fight in the alley. I need to rest." Kadaz will stay to answer any questions and then heads off to bed for a long sleep.
Uriel Sunday April 4th, 2004 10:37:23 PM
Uriel will fill in Kadaz on the findings of the property and of the unusual rental history of the address.
DM Kathy Sunday April 4th, 2004 11:47:57 PM
Summer giggles. "You didn't offend me, Arm, so much as squish me. But I must be going. See you at Sampson's?"
[You started off on your way to the marketplace, but I figured that as you talked, you reached it and she made her purchase. There was a fair amount of exposition going on there. :) ]
The others meet back at the apartment and exchange information. Those who were on watch all night in the Shanty Quarter take the opportunity to get a little shut-eye as the others discuss their next move.
[Continue multi-posting if need be.]
Kadaz Monday April 5th, 2004 12:38:59 PM
Kadaz sleeps for 10 hours and wakes up stiff and sore. He dresses (not in armor) comes out into the common room.
"So, what did everyone else learn yesterday? Hopefully something interesting. And is anyone a healer?" He looks around for food. If none is available he offers to go buy some porridge to cook up.
(OOC: get a hit point back?)
Arm Monday April 5th, 2004 1:26:52 PM
After the party has once again become whole, Arm recounts the events of the previous day: the fact that the society had no visitors during the day while he was there, again wondering what kind of business can survive with no customers, and more importantly the information that Summer provided regarding the incident that happened at the Flying Fish. "I believe we really should head over there today, and inquire some more about this 'miscast curse'. Perhaps this wizard was not as drunk as he appeared, intending to curse Kethlorn but appearing to curse this other person. I could be wrong, but it's worth looking into, as we have no other leads available.".
Mira Monday April 5th, 2004 5:22:01 PM
When Kadaz enquires about healing, Mira shakes her head with a sour look on her face. "We really need to recruit a healer for our group." To the group she asks, "any one of you know an out-of-work cleric who might be interested in joining our group?"
Spying the paladin, Mira asks, "Hey, Uriel! Do you still have that wand? It's got about 17 charges left, eh? Can you use it to fix up our little friend here?" With that, the sorcerer gives the rock-solid dwarf a good natured punch in his (un-injured) shoulder.
At the suggestion of porridge, Mira wrinkles her nose. "Naaah, " she drawls, "let's wait for everyone to rest up, then head out to that bar Arm is talking about. We can kill two birds with one ioun-stone. Get something to eat, and make some discreet enquiries about this 'miscast curse.'
If the party are in agreement, Mira will clean up a little, combing out her long brown hair so that it ripples down her back in shiny waves and don the silk mage's robe given to her by her old mentor, Terin.
Uriel d8+1=9 Monday April 5th, 2004 8:45:09 PM
Uriel shrugs, "Of course I still have the wand. I didn't realize Kadaz was still wounded."
{Wand heals:9 points}
Evan Monday April 5th, 2004 9:20:04 PM
Evan heads straight to bed, leaving Kadaz to fill the others in with what they had discovered.
Mira d20+3=12 d20+3=13 Monday April 5th, 2004 10:29:53 PM
Mira tries to be quiet, as she makes her way surreptitiously past the hearth and over by Evan's room. (Move Silently=12) She tries to check on the ranger through the door which is slightly ajar. (Search=13) The smell of horse is still strong in the room.
Mira returns to the table at the center of the room, and sits down, using her spare time to jot notes down in Conner's journal. She absent mindedly runs a hand through her hair.
"Arm?" she asks, "can you play something kinda' quiet and romantic?"
Conner Monday April 5th, 2004 10:31:24 PM
When Mira mentions visiting The Flying Fish Conner says, "count me in."
DM Kathy Tuesday April 6th, 2004 12:30:06 AM
Arm catches the rest of the group up on what he heard from Summer, and they discuss going to the Flying Fish for an evening meal and a little information.
If you're going to go this evening, then Kadaz will come up short on that ten hours of sleep, so do you wake the ones sleeping (or try to)? Kadaz, if you're awakened, do you want to accompany them, or do you roll over and mutter "lemme sleep"? :)
At any rate, if you do decide to go to the Flying Fish this evening, please make a Gather Information roll for when you get there.
Kadaz Tuesday April 6th, 2004 7:08:42 AM
Kadaz is extremely appreciative of the heal. "Thank you very much, Uriel" he replies.
Later, when Kadaz is prodded awake, he will reluctantly get up and accompany the group to the Flying Fish. "They never heard of letting sleeping dwarves lie?" he mutters to himself, but very softly.
Those next to Kadaz notice that it is past time for his weekly bath. And Birdie needs one too.
Arm d20+7=22 Tuesday April 6th, 2004 7:47:38 AM
One of Arm's naturally arched eyebrows arches even higher at Mira's request for a romantic song. He then grins and begins playing a soft, soothing instrumental. After a while, he stops at the mention of going to the Flying Fish and says, "Aye, I could do with a bit of gnosh, and, as Mira said, I couldn't think of a better way to check the new place out. However," he paused, looking to the rooms where Evan and Kadaz slept, "I don't think it wise if ALL of us go. Uriel, if you are up to it, would you care to join me? Mira, if you are tired, or would like to stay behind, we will bring food back for you, otherwise, you're welcome to come along, but I think it best if we leave sleeping dwarves lie, as it were.".
Arm Tuesday April 6th, 2004 7:49:07 AM
OOC: oops....I was away from my desk for a bit, then finished the post....seems you were reading my mind, Kadaz...LOL!!!
Evan Tuesday April 6th, 2004 9:53:06 AM
Despite Evan's exhausted state, he snaps awake 6 hours later. If anyone had tried to wake him sooner, they might have thought him dead for all the response they got from him. Evan gets up and quickly washes up in the bowl of water left on the dresser the night before. He dreeses in an old green tunic and leather breeches then joins the others to see what has been learned.
Mira Tuesday April 6th, 2004 12:34:00 PM
Mira's lower lip sticks out in a pout, and her face takes on a look of stubborn resolve.
"We won't draw more attention than any other group of friends out to have a good time for the evening," she volunteers, "and besides, we each have different talents when it comes to trying to get information from the locals."
Mira links her arm through Kadaz's, and in a sweet voice, weedles, "if you an' Birdie take a bath, and you promise not to be cranky, I'd like to sit next to you!"
When Evan enters the room looking refreshed and quite handsome in his green tunic, Mira's cheeks flush red, and she stares at her toes, suddenly shy.
Conner d20-2=1 Tuesday April 6th, 2004 10:41:45 PM
Conner removes his tunic and shirt, then proceeds to wash his face. After a quick inspection of his mustache and chops, he decides a bit of a trim is in order. Satisfied that he is presentable, he dons the tan coloured shirt and brown tunic. The ex-soldier applies a quick shine to his studded leather belt and heavy boots.
"Ready to go," he announces waiting by the door for the others.
Upon arriving at the tavern, Conner is distracted by the smell of food, and doesn't take in much. (Gather Information=1)
Mira d20+4=24 Tuesday April 6th, 2004 10:53:47 PM
When Mira arrives at The Flying Fish, she moves comfortably about the room, eavesdropping on the different conversations. (Gather Information=24, nat. 20!)
Uriel d20=19 Tuesday April 6th, 2004 11:06:37 PM
Uriel will also eavesdrop on the conversations after they arrive in the Flying Fish trying to gather information. {Gather Info=19)
DM Kathy Tuesday April 6th, 2004 11:35:14 PM
The Flying Fish is somewhat smaller than Sampson's, and the interior is darker and feels somehow older. The food is good, though, and the company lively.
Between Arm, Mira, and Uriel, you are easily able to piece together what happened here the other night. A group of adventurers, who call themselves the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield were out of sorts because their client, Kedloren the wine merchant, had paid them less than he promised for a job.
They drowned their sorrows, growing more bitter and resentful as Summer had described, until finally one of them, a mage, had tried to curse Kedloren. The next morning, one of the serving maids and a barkeep had gone to the wine shop, but Kedloren the merchant was hale and hearty.
However, you realize that on that same morning, Kethlorn the leatherworker's son could not be awakened.
You also find out the location of Kedloren's shop, and the information that the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield operates out of lodgings somewhere in the Dragon Quarter.
Mira Wednesday April 7th, 2004 12:14:24 AM
The sorcerer blanches when she hears the name 'Kedloren'. "Wouldn't be hard for a drunk to mispronounce the name and come up with 'Kethlorn'," she mutters under her breath, shaking her head.
Even with her low levels of magical abilities, Mira knows she must keep a clear head when casting. That someone with an obviously high skill level could be so careless boggles the mind.
"Better not jump to conclusions, we've gone down dead-ends before," she mumbles, "but this seems the best lead we've had in days."
Arm Wednesday April 7th, 2004 6:31:54 AM
Arm feels strangely disconsolate after gathering the information. "You know," he says to the group, "It's not always good to be right.". Resolutely, he says, "Well, I suppose the next plan of action is to find this 'Fellowship' and perhaps convince the sorcerer to remove the curse. It's possible that, if he's made aware that it won't be reported to the guards, that he would do it. I doubt if Baldis would press charges, either, as he'd be more than happy to have his son back. My only question is this, though...could his fear of prosecution have caused him to send people to kill us? Or is there STILL something that we're missing?".
Evan Wednesday April 7th, 2004 10:12:39 AM
Evan, who somehow always seems to be sitting in the chair next to Mira, reaches out to tap Mira's wrist. When he has her attention, he slowly signs and mouths, Let us not forget, Kethlorn's friend is missing as well. To what purpose would the Fellowship have for making off with the boy?
Uriel Wednesday April 7th, 2004 2:22:09 PM
"Evan, it is quite possible that those are completely unrelated - remember the other boy did have more problems with his family..."
Uriel looks at the others, "I am sure we can persuade them to remove the curse - but we are missing something. If this was an inadvertant curse, who are we scaring enough with our investigations to warrant the planned alley beating?"
Kadaz Wednesday April 7th, 2004 5:11:00 PM
When the party leaves the house for the Flying Fish Kadaz insteads for a public bath. There he takes a nice long soak and cleans up as much as possible. He pays a little extra for another bucket and also washed Birdie. This takes him a while so he is quite late getting to the inn.
Mira Wednesday April 7th, 2004 8:28:46 PM
Mira watches as Evan signs, and mouths the words. The sorcerer is getting better at communicating with him, but there are still gaps in her understanding. When he touches her wrist, she reaches for his hand, and holds it, if he is willing. Looking into his clear eyes, she voices her concerns, "I am unhappy about Hrithgen's situation and the disappearance of his boy, Evered, but, our primary concern is for Baldis' son, Kethlorn." Mira holds Evan's hand with both hers and looks in his palm as if to read it, but her thoughts are elsewhere. "Once Kethlorn is restored, he may provide us with information on the other..." she says, staring unseeing at the ranger's open palm. She wonders if her own mother or father ever worried for her the way these parents fret over their children.
Conner d20+3=13 d20+2=19 Wednesday April 7th, 2004 8:36:24 PM
The solid fighter orders a good meal and a tankard of draft. He hadn't realized how hungry he had become. Now, with a full stomache, he surveys the room (Spot=13) for anything out of the ordinary. He listens to the party discourse with half an ear, keeping his senses attuned to what is going on in the Flying Fish (Listen=19).
DM Kathy Wednesday April 7th, 2004 8:47:01 PM
The party spends a convivial evening at the Flying Fish; Kadaz gets there a little late, smelling April fresh. :)
The party seems to have an intriguing new lead, but how best to follow up on it? You know how to find the shop of Kedloren the wine-merchant, but you do not have a specific location for the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield--although you can always just go to the Dragon Quarter and ask around.
So, what is the next step? And is it to be carried out tonight, or tomorrow morning?
Arm Thursday April 8th, 2004 6:08:30 AM
Looking at the group, Arm says, "Well, regardless of what we do, I think it best we start out tomorrow morning...some of us have not gotten any sleep, and those who did have had it interrupted to come here. Tomorrow may very well be the break we've been looking for, and we should face it at our full capacity.".
Uriel Thursday April 8th, 2004 3:36:54 PM
"Tomorrow it is then for all of us I think..." Uriel looks to the others for their opinions.
He downs a hastily ordered ale and orders up a meal.
Mira Thursday April 8th, 2004 4:48:35 PM
"Tomorrow is good for me too," volunteers the sorcerer.
When Kadaz joins the party, Mira asks, "you and Birdie see much action in the Dragon Quarter?" The woman reaches for the silver pendant at her neck, and rubs it nervously between her fingers.
Turning to Arm, she asks, "dear bard, can you sing a jolly song to lift our melancholy mood?"
Conner Friday April 9th, 2004 12:06:37 AM
"Back it is then!" Conner prepares to return to Sampson's and perhaps a brief interlude with Amy...
DM Kathy Friday April 9th, 2004 1:09:38 AM
Having decided to continue the investigation tomorrow, the group spends a convivial evening before returning to the apartment.
[I'm afraid I don't have anything else until you guys decide what to do next. Multi-post over the weekend if you need to.]
Arm d20+7=19 Friday April 9th, 2004 6:24:35 AM
Arm plays a light-hearted and lilting ballad that turned many a head at the Flying Fish (perform=19), then went back to the apartment with the party to rest and prepare for the day ahead.
Evan Friday April 9th, 2004 11:43:04 AM
How can he be concerned about one boy and not be concerned about the other? But Evan realizes Mira is correct. Find one boy and clues to the other may be discovered. It would seem a trip to the Dragon Quarter was in order to locate the mage who may have cursed Kethlorn.
Evan's pulse quickens as Mira takes his hand. He will gladly allow Mira to hold his hand for as long as she desires. He watches as Mira gazes silently at his palm, wondering what she sees there but not wanting to interrupt her musings.
As Evan is well rested, when Kadaz joins them, he signs to Mira, <i> Why don't we do a little tavern hopping down in the Dragon Quarter?</i>
Conner Friday April 9th, 2004 12:50:45 PM
Conner searches out Amy and spends the evening with her. He will ask if she has ever heard of this 'Fellowship of the Oaken Shields'
Kadaz Saturday April 10th, 2004 6:06:17 PM
Kadaz mentally counts the contents of his coin purse. It's lighter than it was when he left the guard and there has been no coin coming in. The bar hopping tonight will have to be more hopping than drinking.
"Yes, we should look for the 'Fellowship of the Oaken Shields'. But I have a question. We decided that we were attacked in the alley because we were getting too close to discovering the cause of the curse. But what if the boy's curse is unrelated to what we were getting too close to? We could be looking at separate issues here."
Uriel Saturday April 10th, 2004 8:45:58 PM
"Thank you Kadaz. That was what I was getting at when I asked my question. It might mean that there is another undesirable enterprise in the same vicinity," Uriel looks back to others again.
Mira d20+5=21 Sunday April 11th, 2004 11:44:28 AM
A look of concern crosses Mira's face when Evan suggests an evening visit to the Dragon Quarter. "I will come, for I do not like the idea of you venturing alone, dear ranger, however I feel we should not split up the party. Furthermore, I will be of little use tomorrow if I do not get restorative sleep each night." Mira blushes to reveal a weakness to the handsome young man.
Hoping she can convince Evan to return to the dark flat (Diplomacy=21) the sorcerer asks, "if you would be willing to put off your investigations until morning, I would be happier about it." Mira smiles a little selfconsciously, and adds, "let us buy a bottle of wine, and bring it back to the flat. You can teach me some more of your language of the dancing fingers," and Mira than makes the four signs that spell E-V-A-N.
DM Kathy Sunday April 11th, 2004 9:57:52 PM
Connor spends a convivial evening with Amy. She thinks perhaps she's heard of the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield, but doesn't recall anything specific about them. "There are so many groups of adventurers working out of the Dragon Quarter," she says. "I don't even try to keep track of them all."
Kadaz and Uriel are concerned becasue the attack in the alley really isn't consistent with the curse-by-mistake scenario. Is there something more going on here?
Evan wants to go to the Dragon Quarter tonight, but the rest of the party (judging by the earlier posts) would prefer to rest and go in the morning. Eventually, everyone finds their way back to the flat and gets a decent night's rest.
The next morning after a good breakfast, you all head out toward the Wold-famous Dragon Quarter. You make directly for Adventurer's Square, where....well, I'll just shamelessly rip off the description from Duncan's:
"...where Adventurers are catered to in most every way and means. Statues of current Dragon Consortium Groups fill the square as stores by the dozen surround it selling everything an adventurer might ever want or require.
"Some of these stores include Insignias by Polo, Moneychanging by Gayley, Grubb and Chub Supplies, Sally's Petite Armor, Waldo's Armor, Tuff Stuff for the Barbarian, Paso's Headgear, Jehosephat's Rare and Ancient Emporium, Puula's Components, Krall's Axes, Poles by Shook, Slade's Blades, Sticks and Stones, and many others.
"The area is full of inns and taverns as well. Chief among these is the Red Wyrm Inn. Containing 24 hr. entertainment, a tablecloth level restaurant, daily events, and the famed main entrance to The Maw, an untamable dungeon created by a mad archmage, this establishment is one of the wonders of the Wold. It is owned and managed on behalf of the legacy of the Red Wyrm Adventuring Troupe by the Gold Dragon Adventuring Troupe...Other taverns and inns in the area include: The Green Tortoise Club, Jazz's Comfortable Emportium, Finlon Vod's Party House, The Golden Griffon, and the Beer and Bath."
So...where do you begin? :)
[Please make Gather Information and/or Diplomacy rolls as you ask around.]
Arm d20+7=25 Monday April 12th, 2004 6:06:05 AM
Arm stops a passerby and inquires as to the locations of the taverns in the quarter (info=25). He then reports the locations to the group, then continues, "It seems we have quite a bit of searching to do here, so I feel it necessary that we split up to maximize the search in a minimum amount of time. The Golden Griffin Inn is for elves only, so that task MUST fall to me. The rest of you may decide as you like, and what say we meet back at this spot in an hour to compare notes?".
Mira d20+2=7 d20+4=17 d20+5=24 Monday April 12th, 2004 7:25:05 AM
Mira accepts Arm's direction, and volunteers to check out the places that magic types like herself might frequent. Given just 1 hour, the sorcerer makes discreet enquiries at Jehosephat's Emporium and Puula's Components. She then makes her way to the Red Wyrmm Inn. Mira is alert to any conversations that might yeild clues, but she finds the famous tavern very noisy. The woman's main effort involves singling out the bar keep and asking him what he might know of the group called "The Oaken Sheild."
Listen=7 Gather Info=17 Diplomacy=24
Evan d20-1=10 d20+6=15 Monday April 12th, 2004 10:36:37 AM
Mira finds it no trouble at all to get Evan to change his mind and spend the evening with her. The prospect of spending some quiet time alone with Mira fills Evan with delight.
The next morning, Evan heads to the Dragon Quarter with Mira and the others. While he cannot ask around himself, he can listen. He will escort Mira on her rounds, keeping his eyes and ears open for anything of interest.
(gather information-10, listen-15)
Uriel d20+4=21 d20+2=3 d20+2=11 Monday April 12th, 2004 12:49:30 PM
Uriel does some listening, some information gathering and some diplomacy in the Quarter, frequenting some market areas and some of the more martial establishments.
{Listen:21 Diplomacy:3 (bluh!) Gather Info:11}
Conner d20-2=2 Monday April 12th, 2004 2:44:14 PM
Conner accompanies the party to the Dragon Quarter and starts asking about the "Fellowship of the Oaken Shield". He concentrates on asking anyone who looks as if they may have some kind of experience in the militia, guard, or any of the mercenary groups.
"G'day, the names Conner...I'm looking for the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield. Have you heard of them?"
[Gather Information = 2]
Mira Monday April 12th, 2004 7:14:30 PM
The sorcerer is happy to have Evan as a companion during the search. She will reach out a hand, to hold his, when they are in crowded areas, in order not to be separated. She likes holding the ranger's hand very much.
DM Kathy Monday April 12th, 2004 10:55:29 PM
Connor displays a remarkable gift for choosing exactly the wrong people to ask about the Oaken Shields. He spends a frustrating hour trying to talk to people who keep giving him the brush-off.
Mira, Uriel, and Evan have better luck. They learn that the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield occupy lodgings not too far away, although technically they are in the Hindquarter, not the Dragon Quarter. They get good enough directions that they think they can find the place easily enough.
Arm gets all of that, and a bit more. As he leaves the Golden Griffin, another half-elf pulls him aside. "If I was you, friend, I'd avoid the Oaken Shields for the time being," he says. "I hear that a former client of theirs is none too pleased with them. Apparently, they tried to put a hex on him or some such, and it failed. Now he's pretty upset--in an unhealthy way, if you take my meaning. You'd do well to keep clear."
Arm Tuesday April 13th, 2004 6:17:33 AM
VERY anxious to return to the group, Arm thanks the half-elf for the information, and hurries back to meet the group, where he relates the information to them. "I have a bad feeling that WE were mistaken for the Oaken Shield, since we were asking around about the curse, and that is why we were attacked in the alley. If so, we need to find them as soon as possible. Also, I have a feeling that they won't be cooperative, since apparently there's a price on their heads.".
Kadaz d20-3=2 Tuesday April 13th, 2004 6:42:23 AM
Kadaz wanders around the area to see if he recognizes any of the guard. If he sees a guard he knows he will approach and ask about the Fellowship of the Oaken Shield.
(Gather Information check = 3)
Conner Tuesday April 13th, 2004 7:42:46 AM
Conner rejoins Arm and the others, thoroughly disgusted at his inability to find out anything. "I need a beer!" the fighter is tired and thirsty.
Evan Tuesday April 13th, 2004 10:10:44 AM
Evan sighs, afraid that Arm is right. He reaches out to take Mira's hand in his. He is no longer worried that Mira might be offended by his touch. In fact, he is fairly certain she enjoys his presence. He turns her palm up so that he can sign into her palm, his eyes watching hers to make sure she understands him. I think it would be in everyone's best interest if we can get both parties together to work this out. It might be a good idea to have Kethlorn present so that they can see what the price of their petty fued is.
Mira Tuesday April 13th, 2004 12:46:39 PM
"First and foremost we need the mage from "The Oaken Shield" group, 'cause if he set the curse, he's the only one who can lift it."
Mira whispers, "lets check out their location, and see if we can at least learn the whereabouts of the group's magiker."
As the party moves along, Mira converses with Evan, "you are right, of course, about getting the two parties talking. Apologies are owed all around, and reconciliation desirable. I trust neither party is too closely aligned with Jancasis!"
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