Meetings [SteveK] d20+5=23 Monday October 3rd, 2005 8:27:20 PM
All but Mad Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: { On the way to the Palace, Vauhwyt sees Mad Jack, but it doesn't look like he hears her. Something about the girl he is with... she's from a House, that is sure enough.
And then there is the Prince's Men. They tighten grips on weapons, and in the face of the liontaur's derision and intimidation, fear wins out (if only barely). Though red faced with anger to a man, none quite dare to take the battle of words to the next step. And Berlon's reaction plainly startles a couple of the men. While nine of them still look angry enough to ignite a fire, three have the decency to look chagrined and guilty at thier earlier jesting.
Jarl, however, is still stiff with anger when he leaves you in a spacious room and closes the door. Looking about, you see the place is furnished plainly enough; oil lamps hanging from the wall, sawdust spread across the floor. Another door opens and a middle-aged clerky type fellow waddles out with a folding stool under one arm and a travelling secretary in another. After setting the stool up and gingerly sitting down, he opens the secretary and waits.
"Now, what is your story of the quest for the item in question?" }
Mad Jack Highlight to display spoiler: { Mad Jack tries to keep looking like he is moving at random through the Market, though for some reason, the grubbers and merchants are giving you a wider berth than before. Continuing to follow Thurid, she hesitates before a doorway and then walks in. Mad Jack can easily make out the sign of the Red Cat, window dressings drawn closed and even at this hour the unmistakable odor of the female pheromes. }
Vorelle Tuesday October 4th, 2005 1:21:49 AM
Vorelle shifts her feet, devoutly wishing she were someplace else.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday October 4th, 2005 9:48:31 AM
Theodore gives Vauhwyt a confused look.
What's this, now? he thinks to himself.
"We need to speak directly with the Prince," he tries to sound assertive. "It is a matter of extreme urgence."
Mad Jack Tuesday October 4th, 2005 2:35:56 PM
Following close behind Thurid to not lose her, he does notice some people are watching him directly. Shrugging it off as chance, or because he is loaded with weapons, or maybe because he is definately an outsider, he continues on. Upon arriving he notices the sign above the door, The Red Cat. Interesting name for a tavern. He walks in, and gets the unforgettable and unsual smell of women. But here the smell is over bearing to say the least. His sense of smell is acute for outdoors, and this is, well , aassaulting. Not being able to see where Thurid went, he continues on, with his nose pinched between forefinger and thumb of the right hand.
Meetings Continued [SteveK] Tuesday October 4th, 2005 4:36:31 PM
OOC: Apologies for not letting more posts go through, but I have to post when I have the time, or I'll miss a day...]
Theodore, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { The little man looks up as Theodore says "We need to speak directly with the Prince. It is a matter of extreme urgence."
The man rubs the base of his nose with thumb and forefinger and stares back at the five before him. "Let me get this straight. You walk up to the Prince's Castle and say you've a message just for the Prince and you can't wait for him. YOU? Can't wait for HIM?" The little man doesn't look angry, hurried, tired, or anything else other than genuinely amazed. "Suran Corall is THE Prince of Thieves! You think just for a moment that he may not be in residence waiting for petitioners to brighten his dreary life? He may have so many things that demand his attention that he stints on sleep, doesn't eat, and is up at all hours of the night in an effort to get it all done? Touchy Houses, dirty ops too close to the city, starvation and disease..."
He trails off and looks at the group sternly. "You may not have seen him during the crisis, but he was out in some of the worst of it. No effeminate politician is Corell; he's a rogue of unsurpassed ability! You got the antidote (yes, I have records) but it was he in the City Below who fended off an invasion of living roots that was killing people near the House of Keys." He looks knowingly at each of you. "Didn't hear THAT part of the story, did you?"
He gets back on his stool, calm and calculating and picks up the secretary once more. "Now," he says, "the Prince is not here to take your report, and left instructions for me to meet with a group of freelance operatives he hired to retrieve an item." He pauses and looks up again. "May I have your report?" }
Mad Jack Highlight to display spoiler: { Entering the Red Cat, you immediately spy Thurid talking to the Madam. She turns and bestows a smile on the large man. "So, you can follow directions, Mr. Jack. That is important in the House of Darts. Come with me to the Red Cat in the City Below."
Down some stairs, Thurid leads you to the underground portion of the brothel and into a door marked "Private". Behind is a office space, and two hard looking men in nondescript clothing await you here.
"Mr. Jack, here are our associates, Mr. Knife and Mr. Stilleto. Our last member will await us within the tunnel." Without another word, the one identified as Mr. Knife opens a bookcase on a pivot and reveals a well-kept tunnel into the dark dirt.
Standing a little ways in is a burly mail-clad dwarf; bald with a scant brown beard. Mr. Digger, 'an it please ye.", says the dwarf. Foller me, me laddies."
And as the tunnel goes on and on, Thurid explains the job. "Mr. Jack, the Houses are forbidden to work 'Dirty Ops', or operations inside the city, it is an agreement going back many years. 'Clean Ops' on the other hand, does not break the covenant. So I have this tunnel to get outside the City unobserved. There is a small merchant's caravan coming to the City with goods from Plateau City. We will 'tithe' the merchant and send him on his way. The merchant still gets a profit, and we get to shear the sheep without killing the herd."
She turns to Mad Jack suddenly in the tunnel, her small lithe body very, very close; and Mr. Stiletto in the darkness behind. "You will detain the merchant while Knife and Stiletto get the goods. Do your job with the mark well, and you are welcome to the House of Darts." Her hard eyes tell you what will happen if you fail. }
Berlon Tuesday October 4th, 2005 6:32:12 PM
Not surprisingly, Berlon has little patience. "It's nice to see that the city's sense of useless bureaucracy is still intact. Your "Prince" isn't available?? You think your beloved "Prince" is the only royalty around here??"
Berlon seems to catch himself. He points to Mookie, and whispers to the man, "See him? King of the Birds."
Berlon tries to compose himself before he gets the group in trouble. He turns to the others. "Are we REALLY EXTRA SPECIAL SURE we don't want to just move to my village? I am SO ready..."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday October 4th, 2005 8:15:26 PM
[OOC: Sorry this is late ... took a while to compile, plus the Web went down for a bit!]
The liontaur looks at Vorelle, Theo, Rose, and Berlon. She too has no desire to tell the long story. But fortunately, there's someone who never tires of the sound of his own voice -- Mookie is happy to tell the tale, and Berlon's "encouragement" is just what he needs!
The raven flaps to the top of Vauhwyt's head, puffs out his chest, and preens. He caws, "You want a story! Sure! No Prob! The King of the Crows has gots a story for ya!" And this is what he says ...
Okay, so the Prince calls us in to chat about the Book. Seems his Princeship hasn't been sleepin too good. Seems some henchman of his named Graitchen stole the Book. You know the Book! That Book, yeah.
The Prince says we'll talk about rewards later. He says a guy name of Jolath is our contact. You heard of him -- the spymaster fellow.
Turns out the Prince has been, like tainted by the Book. he *knows* where it is, get it? Like *senses* it. Yeah, we didn't think too much of that either. So the Prince is jumpy like an happy-leaf eater what ain't got no more weed to chaw. That tells us he's not in a good way, get it? Not in a good way at all.
Well, we got no choice, so we look into it, okay? First off, we poke around the Palace and find some nasty stuff. In Graitchen's quarters we find a dead elf who was strangulated. Plus a secret passage. Down that we found Th'Ayvanen's dead body. Plus Marteaus symbols. Did youse guys get around to raising Th'Ayvanen, yet?
Then we headed out to the swamp to get the Book back. In the swamp we met our friends Priscilla the Witch and her pal Warwick. She gave us some helpful advice and a potion that sent us on our way.
Hey! That was when the elves were voting to wake up the Fae King! Stupid elves!
Anyhoo, Vorelle drank Priscilla's potion and led us to Graitchen. She led us across a rivulet, around a stinky bog, under some mud, past a mulberry thicket, and to a hut on stilts, where Graitchen was hanging out. Me, before I betray the Prince and sign away my soul to Lord Pukedom, I get a promise of better than a cruddy house on stilts in a swamp! Graitchen didn't get the best of that deal, in my humble opinion.
Then there was an eclipse, lots of omens, ash falling from the sky, woe is us, the end is nigh, and la-di-da, the Fae King wakes up. With all the catastrope, we figured we could take the house on stilts under the cover of ashfall. So there was a fight. Rose killed a kobold, we subdued a lizardman, the Boss was dropped by a laughing spell, Vorelle was held, Theo webbed Rose, and confusion reigned! But I pulled a bear out of the Bag or Tricks, and that killed Graitchen! Ha! It was me! I did it! Well, Graitchen helped, killing himself when it looked grim for him. Coward!
That got us the Book and some loot. We also talked with the lizardman. He said that lizardmen and kobolds would be raiding the city in five days. That was three days ago, I think.
We sent word back to the Prince with all this news via message bird, by the way. You shoulda got that report.
Then we went to Berlon's village, which was nearby. The Matriarch of the village was real nice, and we had a good visit. Then heck broke loose. More strange omens, earthquakes, falling stars, more of the end is nigh. The Matriarch's treehouse breaks open, the Book goes nuts and starts in with the prophesizing, and the Boss's pal, Fiedel, pops in out of nowhere.
Then the Gold Dragons arrived! You know, only THE most powerful mortals on the planet! Who fight gods and travel the planes and eat beholders for breakfast? Well, they took the Book, and that was that! The Dragons also said they would have a word with the Prince personal like, and then they high-tailed it out of there. Oh, and Valdor Dragonstone flirted with Vorelle! Like he always does! Valdor likes Vorelle! Valdor likes Vorelle!
Vauhwyt interrupts to say, "Hush up, Mookie! Go on with the story!"
So the next day the allies of the Fey King attacked the village! Like they knew the Dragons had left, those bums. There was a tree, flying things, pixie dust, sprites, animals, what have you. That meant a fight, and the battle quickly turned south. We were getting our ashes hauled, and we figured that the fae were after us, so if we skedaddled, the fae would leave the village alone. That was our thinking, anyway! So then *we* high-tailed it out of there with some magic help from Fiedel.
Back home, it seems that plants are invading Dirt City, but not in a good way. Rotten giant fruit, big vines, and people getting sick and crazy like. Plus this strange disease is starting to kill folks -- like Rosie's brother, but that was later. Fiedel puts us in touch with Clueth at the Temple of Wardd, and the padre tells us about the Pumpkin in the Full Moon Market. Clueth tells us we need four giant pumpkin seeds to make the antidote to the sickness the fae has been spreadin around. We decide to tackle that in the morning. The Boss didn't sleep so good. Busy at church.
So the next morning we had a fight at the market by the pumpkin. You mighta heard about that. Theo was incredible inside the huge orange gourd! He snuck in alone and stole the seeds we needed for the antidote! I could not believe my eyes! Looks like our scaredy cat is growing up to be a tiger! The rest of us fought the fey outside, and we woulda stomped them, but some gimundous crawly-digger monster came after us and we ran back to the Temple.
We spent the night there, which was night before last, which was the third night since the warning about the lizard raiders.
In the morning, the Fae King's goons attacked! More pixies and sprites and fae things, not to mention the digger-crawler thing. That came up from under the temple and swallowed our pal Dietrich! Swallowed whole! Boy is he lucky we carned him out of that thing before he got dissolved in the thing's tummy! He's taking some well-earned R&R right now, but he gets a share of the reward!
Well, we fought off that attack, but the darn fae stole back the antidote! So we chased after and got it back again! The Boss captured the fae folk on their boat, which we turned over to the Knives. You know about that.
Then we got some rest and slept the night. That was the fourth night since the lizard raid warning, so that means the raid is coming either today or tomorrow, depending on how lizards count days. If they are coming at all, which I'm sure I don't know!
That's it! We got back the Book, fought off the Fae King's friends, and got the antidote back to the temple. Now all that's left is the little matter of our reward!
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday October 4th, 2005 9:34:24 PM
Theodore isn't sure spilling the beans to this guy was the brightest decision.
There've been too many rumors floating around about the Prince's absence. How do we know to trust this guy? He shakes his head. Too late now...
Theodore begins to glance about in case there's any trouble. He looks for any other exits other than the one they came through.
Mad Jack Wednesday October 5th, 2005 2:43:57 AM
Still holding his nose, the stench is near unbearable he follows Thurid. Once they enter the office, he chances a breath, from his nostrils. Not yet clear of the aroma, yet much better. He nods his assent to the 2 men whos names are actual 'knives', which he finds to be peculiar. As the bookcase moves and the tunnel emerges, he takes a step back. Odd indeed. He had never before seen anything of the like. He slowly enters the tunnel, looking for any sign of how the door thing worked. As he inspected the walls, he nearly runs over the small man.
"Ah excuse me sir, didnt quite see you standing there." The gruff voice announcess his name and then calls Jack and his followers ladies. Must be some sort of code word or something. Walking along the tunnel, Jack feels the walls. Brushing the dirt free from his hands, he raises them to his nose. Ah yes, not fresh, but definately earthy.
Thurid explains what will be expected of him. The instructions are very vague, though the implication is not. At this point he couldnt say no, so he just states, "As you command mulady"
Rose Wednesday October 5th, 2005 4:30:49 AM
Rose is very quiet as they head to the palace. Then she is astonshed as Vauhwyt insults the guards then Berlon starts making insulting remarks about the prince. They're going to get us all killed. I have got to get them lessons in how to behave and when NOT to talk.
Meeting End, Meeting Begun [SteveK] Wednesday October 5th, 2005 7:39:30 PM
OOC: do the spoilers help or hinder the gameplay? If it seems too much, I'll stop posting all in spoilers :)
Theodore, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { While Mookie rattles of the life story of thier recent adventures, Berlon suggests life in the country will be much better prospect, Theodore looks for the exits in the room, and Rose wonders who is going to kill her friends off first; their enemies or thier friends. Since shortly after coming back from distributing the antidote to the Grubber section of town, Vorelle has been unusually quiet... even for her.
The bookish man's eyebrows shoot almost off of his head at Mookie's continued monolougue of all that has happened in the past several days, and there does seem to be a lot of it, doesn't there? Despite the man's apparant amazement, he writes furiously, keeping up with the Raven word for word. Finishing the report quickly, he mutters under his breath (Listen DC 15) "only hope that they don't think I know too much, now".
More clearly, he speaks to the group as he packs his secretary and folding stool. "Erm, I have the report and you may be sure that the Prince will recieve it the moment he comes back. You may return the way you came. Eh? Oh, no reward..." he rummages in a pocket and looks at a paper of notes, "insufficient acquisition of required item." He looks at the next note and pauses, looking at you. "You may continue to be freelance operatives in the city, but I highly encourage you to find patronage. Even the powerful require friends, and you more than most; known in the City with no retribution if you are disposed of."
There is no animosity in the man's voice or manner, and it seems he is genuinely giving advice as he sees it.
"Why don't you get some rest and enjoy Mural Day?" }
Mad Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: { Mad Jack goes with Thurid and assents at his role in the robbery. After all, in for a copper...
The tunnel goes on for a long while, but eventually surfaces in a thicket surrounded by ash and rowan trees. Thurid, Mr. Knife, Mr. Stiletto, and Mr. Digger all move out and the group travels for about another mile before settling down in a hollow next to a road obviously going towards Dirt City.
"I'll watch for our pidgeon", begins Thurid. Digger, Knife, and Stilleto stay hidden in the hollow unil Mr. Jack provides us with a sufficient disturbande to the merchant. Then we grab a few items of good value and melt into the trees. Easy as pie."
Digger digs his hand out of his ear and sniffs the waxy substance on the end of one digit thoughtfully. "Any questions? Cause I hear our merchant just around the bend in the road. }
Dietrich; Highlight to display spoiler: { your vacation has been wonderful, but the days are growing on and you may think on returning to your friends in Dirt City }
Berlon Wednesday October 5th, 2005 10:48:14 PM
"So see?" Berlon says to the group upon listening to the man, "He agrees with me! That's *two* votes for us moving the heck out of here. Since the "Prince" is "unavailable" (Berlon make exaggerated "wink wink" faces at the man as he says "unavailable") now is as good a time as any to change our base of operations."
"After all," he continues as he makes his way out of the room, "the only things Dirtier than the grime in Dirt City are the people in charge..."
Vorelle Thursday October 6th, 2005 12:58:16 AM
Vorelle had heard the word "bureaucracy," but had never really understood it until now. The usual ruling style in Dirt City was: you did what the boss said, or the boss hurt you. This business of hiding behind go-betweens is new to Vorelle, and she's not sure she likes it.
Mad Jack d20=18 Thursday October 6th, 2005 1:31:02 AM
Jack unbuckles his scimitar, and hands it over to Mr. Digger. He then moves a few feet closer to the road. Finding a tree close by the tunnel entrance, he scuffs up the ground around it. This is his first time here afterall, dont need to forget where he is.
He then moves to the other side of the road. Placing the road between himself and the others. He then sits down, and rubs his clothing with dirt, especially his buttocks. Now to wait.
(OOC Spot check to see all guards, merchants and other people. Any information at all to make the ambush successful)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday October 6th, 2005 6:48:34 AM
Vauhwyt looks the scribe and steps forward.
"Note that the bird told you our required contact was Jolath. We really should insist on seeing him. How about that?"
"Or if not, then I want your name and a written receipt that we have reported in as we should have."
Vauhwyt is thoughtful as the group leaves the Palace.
"Hmmm. I had expected morre," she says. "Well, I agree with the bureaucrat. Our profile is too high. We should get out of town and lay low for a while. I really want to go to Berlon's village to make sure all is well therre."
"I say we should spend today trying to fence the skull, and our other loot. Split the cash and buy what we need. Tomorrow or the next day we can head to Berlon's village."
[OOC to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt HAS to head to church for two reasons. (1) Is it okay to use the amulet of Wardd's blessing, or is Vauhwyt's god a jealous god? And Vauhwyt has leveled and HAS to take the Admissions Test again. Should I do that through e-mail or her in my post?}]
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=6 Thursday October 6th, 2005 11:37:33 AM
Theodore does not overhear the man's mutterings, but remains unsatisfied with the outcome of their meeting.
"Perhaps we should wait to discuss our options until we are back at the apartments. I think we might all be more comfortable talking...openly...there," he says. Otherwise, he remains silent as they leave the Prince's grounds, keeping his eyes on his feet.
Rose Thursday October 6th, 2005 4:11:41 PM
Rose is a bit startled at what is happening, and not sure if not being able to see the prince is a good or bad thing. However she isnt really concentrating on what's happening and thinking more of her family.
Vauhwyt rolls a hit die d6=2 Friday October 7th, 2005 7:19:51 AM
And it's a two! LOL!
Vauhwyt rolls again! d8=7 Friday October 7th, 2005 7:58:11 AM
D'Oh! It's a d8 I'm looking to roll, NOT a d6! Silly me!
And the reroll ... a seven! Suh-weet!
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday October 7th, 2005 8:14:50 PM
Vauhwyt checks with her friends. "What do you guys think about that plan? Sell the skull, spend a day or two in town, then go to Berlon's Village? I have an errand before i can go, myself."
Or Do You Prefer Door Number Two?[SteveK] d20+14=20 Friday October 7th, 2005 11:29:31 PM
Theodore, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { The man's face becomes as serious as he can make it in response to the insults to the veracity of his explanation to the whereabouts of the Prince than he has during the story Mookie gave. "You insult the Prince in his own home. That is not being very cautious or wise. And you exposed the entire story to someone you did not know was your contact." The man tssks, but his voice is changing, growing younger and deeper. "That was also unwise."
The middle-aged man blurs and standing before you is Jolath, and he doesn't look very happy. "You have a lot to learn in Dirt City if you want to survive, my young thugs. You were given a contact direct from the boss and you blew it." He raises one finger. "You insult the boss on his own turf after you fail your job and think that will help you to get in his good graces?" Another finger is raised. "As I see it, you MIGHT have one chance left. What do the priests of Wardd say: third times the charm?"
His flinty stare spears the gnome. "And we have a very long reach, Mr. Berlon, you may be surprised who in Haven's Edge is in the pocket of one or more Houses."
His face is hard as stone and voice cold as the grave. (Intimidate; 20) "You are young, independant operatives without patronage. No one would miss you if you disappeared. You keep your mouths shut and eyes open if you want to stay alive."
"Now get out." }
Mad Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: { As Jack scuffs the dirt around the tree, Stilleto begins an angry "Told you he was no good..." and is silenced by Thurid, who only raises an eyebrow to Digger. Digger shrugs one shoulder and nods, and Thurid looks satisfied.
When you get to the ambush site and Jack gives Digger the scimitar the dwarf looks positively amused. "I'll gest be puttin' this pig-sticker under this bush, laddie. You can get it at yer liesure."
And the ambush is set, and none too soon, for as you settle you hear the rattle and squeak of wood and metal as well as the lowing of cattle. Soon enough, the mark comes in sight, two covered peddlers waggons pulled by oxen. The first is manned by a middle aged man in a dark brown cloak and homespun. He holds the riens negligently in one hand while the other rests near a goadwhip.
(Go ahead and roll your Spot check)}
Dietrich: Highlight to display spoiler: { Walking back to Dirt City really is refreshing. Out in the woods and fields, no one bothering you, and good meals and beds at the inns or farms along the way. Soon enough, though you'll be living in a dirt tunnel again. Wonder how the others are doing... }
Vauhwyt and Mookie Saturday October 8th, 2005 8:39:34 AM
Still in the Palace:
Vauhwyt's jaw drops as she sees the scribe become Jolath. "Wowsy!" she says.
Then the man says that the party has insulted the Prince. Vauhwyt looks askance, and apologizes. "I'm sorry, Mookie has a way of letting him mouth run off. We didn't mean it. We are loyal to the Prince, and we only wish him well. We are proud to have served him and the City. Please don't be mad."
When he says that they have no patronage, though, it is a bug in the liontaur's metaphoric pants, since she feels that the man is misinformed. "Now, look, sirr. We are friends of the Wolves." She shows her wolf ring. "And the WLA." she shows her WLA pin. "And we have done lots of work for the Temple of Wardd. And we have been in the employ of the Prince. I don't know about patrons, but I think we have some friends in high places."
"But we do very much appreciate the advice, and hope you tell the Prince that we are his faithful servants!"
======
Out in Dirt City
"So, friends! Shall we try to sell the skull?"
[OOC: Personally, I like the spoilers.]
Berlon Saturday October 8th, 2005 2:00:48 PM
"You'll have to excuse them. They have a bad habit of blindly doing anything anyone tells them to do. I don't think your cute little parlor trick is going to change THAT..."
"I know how stupid you think THEY are, but how stupid do you think *I* am? Hm?"
He unclasps his his cloak and digs out a ring. "These, along with the lab here in the city, were left to me when my Great Uncle Knobby died." Berlon waves the ring around, and it's not hard to see it's a signet ring with the silhoutte of a cloak carved into it.
"Do you honestly think I don't know what my uncle was involved in? Do you take me for an imbecile? Do you think I don't know he was involved with the Cloaks, and that involvement is probably what got him killed?" He throws both cloak and ring at Jolath's feet.
"And yet, I haven't pursued anything with them, or with any of the other houses, for one simple reason. This place makes me physically ill. If it wasn't for these people I've met in my time here, I would have left long ago, long before the foolishness of the Elves, long before encounting thieves playing dress up pretending to be royalty, long before any of this."
"You have the audacity to use the word thugs towards us? I would return the use of the word towards you, but that would be an insult to thugs that at least put forth effort towards their despicable craft. You're not a thug. You're a sad middleman for a false king."
"I am leaving. For good."
"Any that want to come with me are welcome."
He heads toward the door. At the last second he turns around. "I would also advise you not to make threats against my home. We have survived things you are barely capable of imagining. Those that threaten my village quickly find out what we are capable of."
"It's not pretty."
"Now run, lapdog, to the feet of your master. Report THAT."
Theodore and Macaw Saturday October 8th, 2005 3:53:40 PM
Theodore's face turns ghostly white as Berlon explodes into another tantrum.
After the hot-headed gnome is finished, Theodore steps forward, shaking violently. "H-he does not speak for us. Berlon is quite upset with several things, but his mindset is not the mindset of the group. Please excuse him and chalk it up to the pressure of the last couple days."
That said, he hurries from the palace as quickly as possible. Once outside, he shakes his head furiously and looks eye to eye with Berlon. His face is quite red, a look no one has seen on Theodore before.
"Good golly, you fool! We've put up with your shennanigans much too long. You've gone beyond insults and now you put our lives in danger! Y-you just can't do that. I won't let you jeopardize the lives of my friends!" The wizard's hands tighten into fists. Macaw flaps away from the furious wizard.
"Whatever has got you so upset...GET OVER IT!! We all have shadows that we must deal with, but you act like a spoiled brat, throwing these tantrums at the most innopportune moments. You need to figure out real quick where you are. If you can't, then leave. Go home like you keep threatening to do! Good riddance!"
With fists still curled at his sides, he storms off towards the apartments. Those behind can hear him mutter under his breath occasionally, "Good gracious...just can't fathom...of all the nerve!!"
Vorelle Saturday October 8th, 2005 11:05:41 PM
Insult? How could she have insulted anyone when--
"I d-d-d-didn't s-s-say a w-w-w-word." Vorelle astonishes herself by speaking the thought aloud. She leaves with the others, but she is troubled. Why had the Prince's man insisted they'd failed the mission, then gone to such lengths to intimidate them? Was the city treasury in that much trouble?
Outside, she expresses her fears to Vauhwyt.
Mad Jack d20=2 Sunday October 9th, 2005 12:37:06 AM
As the wagons approach, Jack sits up straight.
"Hey there, yo, good fellows! My horse steped in a rat hole and threw me. Could you please help me stand. Its an old battle wound, my hip you see. If you help me stand, I can then work it back into place. Then maybe I can go find my my horse. What do you say? I hope you say yes." He looks at them pleading for their help.
OOC I rolled the spot check last post, but can roll again. yeehaw, 18 last time, 2 this time, hehehe
Tempers on the Rise [SteveK] d2+2=4 d2=2 d2+1=3 d2+3=4 Sunday October 9th, 2005 11:03:10 PM
OOC: ALL: Taking off the DM hat for a second, please let the next part in the Prince's Palace to pass without character action. I'd really like to get our heroes out and be able to do their own thing without further escalation.
Reaction as to what happened would be some great roleplaying :)
OOC: Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: { this is a warning. Try and think of what a mob boss would do to someone if they behaved like Berlon. In the boss' own house. }
OOC: MadJack, so sorry, didn't see the roll in the header. Silly DM! :) 18 it is...
Theodore, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { Anything that anyone else says is washed away by Berlon's speech. Jolath doesn't move a muscle, but you can see he is not very happy with the gnome.
"I cannot let this pass. Do not resist or you will die."
Suddenly the room is filled with guards coming from every crevasse imaginable. Within a moment they are among the party, so fast that it looks like magic (DC?? for Spellcraft) Four enlarged humans pick up Vauhwyt, and four normal sized humans are there for each of the others, manhandling them out the door, through the cooridor, out the front of the Palace, and thrown into the street. Berlon recieves a pummeling in which a few blows land hard while he is carried out (12 points non-lethal damage) Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Rose, and Theodore are treated to some rough grasps, but realize that the Prince's Men could be doing much, much worse. The heroes are thrown (in Vauhwyt's case, not very far) into the dirt of the street amid the laughter of the rough and ready Prince's Men. As they turn to move into the Palace, the heroes can hear them bantering over what just happened.
"With friends like that, who needs enemies?"
"You are judged by the company you keep..."
Outside, Vauhwyt thinks about selling the ruby skull while Theodore lays into Berlon and Vorelle expresses her fears. Rose is plainly too stunned to even react to all that has been going on. }
Mad Jack Highlight to display spoiler: { The man looks your way and sympathy and ... and fear? ... comes into his eyes. But Mad is in the road and he has the choice of running Mad Jack down or pulling up, and it is the latter that occurs.
As soon as he and the other wagon stop, Mad Jack sees the mottled forms of Thurid, Stilleto, and Knife quickly move to the second wagon and silently open the door. And then the noise gets much worse. Metal on metal, the thud of feet, and the shouts of people fill the road as Stilleto and Thurid quickly run out of the wagon with three men in brigandine follow with swords. At the start of the commotion, three more similarly armored men push out of the first waggon, and two go towards the front, while the third moves towards Thurid.
The wagon driver is pale as a sheet and throws himself behind the meager protection of the footboard, obviously shivering with fear.
Scene: Two stopped covered wagons on a forest path, each pulled by two oxen. Mad Jack is in front of the first wagon. Thurid and Stilleto are desperately fighting three men at the rear of the wagon and a fourth man is moving to join the fight. The driver is hiding in the front, and two men in brigandine and wielding swords advance upon Mad Jack on the right side of the first wagon, and 15' feet away. }
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+3=5 Sunday October 9th, 2005 11:59:50 PM
Outside the Palace, Vauhwyt's tail whips back and forth, but that is the only visible sign of the deep anger she feels. Aside from that lashing, her face is calm as she keeps her emotions in check. Perhaps she is learning some self control -- if so, maybe that self-control will come in handy in her tests to come.
"Come, let's sell this skull and be done with it. I would like to divide the treasure, such as it is."
Vauhwyt and whoever else there is who wants to come along, goes on this errand. She asks who knows a good fence. If anyone has any ranks in Gather Info, we can use that to find a good fence. If not, Vauhwyt will make an untrained check -- a 5 does no good.
If all this comes to nothing, then Vauhwyt volunteers to take all the loot and the skull to the Catacombs to sell there.
"I'm tired of this, and I just want to divide up the cash. It seems like we've been toting some of this stuff for ages."
"And I have other errands to run."
Rose Monday October 10th, 2005 12:08:45 AM
Rose just remains quiet while they're in the prince's place. Once they're outside she says "Lets go back to the apartment and discuss where would be the best place to sell our items."
Rose continued d20=20 d20+6=20 Monday October 10th, 2005 12:14:44 AM
ooc: sorry i hit the wrong button
Once back at the apartment Rose will think about who to contact either to sell the ruby skull to or who would know who to sell it to. She will also want to find out what has happened the last few days in the city.
Mad Jack 34hp 21 ac (+4 Total defense) d20+11=18 d20+2=16 Monday October 10th, 2005 2:05:27 AM
Jack immediately knows when it all goes sour. Lying in the dirt he is vulnerable to anything they wish to do to him. Rolling away from the oncoming men, he stands and draws his greatsword. Standing he has a better look at the men approaching, and their armor is much better than mere mercenaries.
"Amateurs!!!" he yells to anyone who will listen. This is going to get ugly he thinks to himself. Riveting his attention back on the two who are approaching him, he prepares for blood letting.
"Stop yourselves. If not Stryker here is gonna take your head. He loves blood, so back off!" All the while he is shaking his sword at them.
(Intimidate 18, Initiative 16)
Theodore and Macaw Monday October 10th, 2005 6:06:09 PM
After the rough treatment of the Prince's men and then the tongue-lashing he gave Berlon, Theodore is thoroughly soured by the day's experience. Not to mention the possibility of an attack on the city very shortly. After returning to the apartments, he scribbles a note and leaves it in the girls' apartment:
Have gone to Master Geoffrey's to research new spells. Please leave my share of the sold items in the apartment and I will collect later.
...Sorry
Theodore
And Here's a Short Word from Our Sponsor [SteveK] Monday October 10th, 2005 11:09:16 PM
OOC: It's Monday morning for me, and I won't be able to get Wold access until Tuesday morning. As I want to give a chance for everyone to post, I'm holding off a DM Post now, and I'll see you tomorrow :)
OOC2: Always available on email, if'n y'all want to talk :)
OOC3: Sheggar, I'll get the updated one from Inge and send it to you...
Vorelle (Posted by Shegger) Tuesday October 11th, 2005 4:45:10 PM
Vorelle is more confused than anything as the party gets tossed from the balance. She doesn't know what else to do, except go home and think about things. So...that's what she does, tagging along with anyone else heading that way.
Berlon Tuesday October 11th, 2005 8:21:40 PM
Without another word, Berlon dusts himself off and heads back towards his lab.
And the Day Goes On [SteveK] Tuesday October 11th, 2005 11:32:36 PM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, Berlon, and Theodore: Highlight to display spoiler: { Berlon does not speak to his companions nor answers the banter of the Princes' Men but wrapped in his own thoughts, goes toward his lab. Theodore informs the others that he is going to research spells and goes to his mentor. Geoffrey welcomes his one-time pupil, and doesn't say a word (though his eyes are alive with knowledge) waiting for Theodore to open the conversation in his own time. Vorelle, Vauhwyt, and Rose talk about what to do after being unceremoniously dumped on the street. Rose remembers that Zayne had a friend who 'bought an item or two', perhaps they can go there? Rose is sure she remembers the way...}
MadJack Highlight to display spoiler: { The two men laugh at you. "Look at the dirty man's antics!" They separate to flank you then charge in. (Jack gets a Attack of Opportunity [AOO] for a free swing plus your normal attacks.) }
Mad Jack 34hp 21 ac (+4 Total defense) d20+8=12 2d6(6+1)+3=10 d20+8=21 2d6(3+3)+3=9 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 6:37:22 AM
Jack swings his great sword at the man advancing to the right. Then he backhands a wide arcing slice aimed at the other one flanking him.
First attack hit AC12 dam 10 Second attack hit AC21 dam 9
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday October 12th, 2005 4:44:56 PM
Vauhwyt tells Rose, "Good old Rose! I knew you would know someone! You are so cleverr! Let's go over there right away. Vorelle, will you come with us? Three is a safe numberr."
She can't ask Theo or Berlon because they have gone off on their own.
She is looking forward to getting top coin on the skull.
Vorelle (Posted by Shegger) Wednesday October 12th, 2005 7:46:57 PM
Vorelle nods her assent to Vauhwyt's proposal and follows after the liontaur and halfling.
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday October 12th, 2005 7:54:23 PM
Theodore spends his time with Geoffrey studying new spells and other skills.
"Master, I was curious as to the organization known as the Star Mage's Guild. Would you happen to know anything about them?"
Words and Steel [SteveK] d20+3=9 d20+4=22 d8+2=9 Wednesday October 12th, 2005 11:15:55 PM
Mad Jack Highlight to display spoiler: { Jack's first strike glances off the mans' brigandine armor, but the second strikes true (AC 16 for both) the man grunts, but grimly presses the attack as his partner flanks MadJack and delivers a wicked slash of his own for 9 points of damage. Blood to both sides, and as Jack concentrates on keeping alive, he doesn't know what's going on with the other four. }
Theodore Highlight to display spoiler: {Sitting in Geoffrey's 'study' amid books and bottles and hanging herbs and other paraphanalia of the mage art, Theo's mentor considers his protege's question. "So you want more associates than you already have, eh my young talent?" he waves a hand and smiles to show the tease. "I don't know much about them, truth to tell, my boy. They are a powerful mage group based in far Plateau City and are generally a force for good. Those that are able to enter thier ranks recieve training and counsel and assistance in magic. Better information may be had by that League of Woldian Adventurers. After all, they are of Plateau City as well."
But Geoffrey is not done. "You have many associates, but no sponsors, and this can be dangerous in Dirt City." Theo's mentor is unwontedly serious as he leans forward out of his chair. "The Wolves, the Temple, the Prince, the LOA; you have all helped and would be missed, but have you exchanged promises with any of them? Protection from a House comes with a responsibiliy to that House, wearing that House badge. And that you have not done." The older man relaxes in his chair, resting.
"When you were less experienced and unknown, you were able to be independant in Dirt City. Know that your sucesses have brought noteriety, and that is dangerous. If you and your friends remain independant, the city will become much more dangerous for you."
"And I highly recommend", here old Geoffrey raises a finger, "that if you decide on getting that protection and responsibility, that your friends all decide on ONE House. Any other choice will break up your group through internal strife and conflicting goals." }
Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: {In his lab, Berlon nurses his bruises and contemplates. Will he stay here with these people who obviously need a voice of reason, pack up back to Haven's Edge and give up his quest, or strike out on his own?}
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, and Rose Highlight to display spoiler: { Walking through Dirt City you can see even in the few hours you were occupied the citizens have been busy. Murals are still being painted over any surface that stays still long enough. Children laugh as they inevitably get paint on themselves as well as the wall. The adults have been busy as well. Major debris is cleared and all but the most collapsed passage is navigatable. It looks like in the upcoming Mural Day, everyone wants to forget danger, rivalries, and problems just for a couple of days. Moving around one corner towards Zayne's fence friend, you hear a voice, and a boy is yanking on a woman's dress. "Mommy, Mommy! That's the Kittycat Woman who got me well when I was at Temple!" Noise stops and EVERYONE stares at the three ladies in the tunnel. And then there is a staccato sound, followed by more and more in rapid succession. It is... applause! Yet as the ladies move through this section of tunnel, there are frowns and dark looks in the crowd also directed your way. It seems noteriety has definite drawbacks.}
Rose Thursday October 13th, 2005 5:23:15 AM
As Rose leads the way she keeps a lookout for any of her family and friends. She blushes when the girl points them out but is really spending most of time either remembering the way or looking for her reletives.
Mad Jack 25/34hp 21 ac (+4 Total defense) d20+8=28 d20=17 2d6(6+5)+3=14 d20+8=20 2d6(1+4)+3=8 Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:18:24 AM
Jack is enraged as he feeks the bite of steel. Lashing out in the same way, he swings with absolute determination at the man on his right. Then he will backhand it again at the wounded man.
First Attack Hit AC28/nat20 crit/crit check 17 Damage 14x2=28 Second Arrack Hit AC20 Damage 8
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+8=16 d20+6=9 d20+6=21 d20+6=19 d20+11=21 d20+11=12 d20+11=17 Thursday October 13th, 2005 3:58:16 PM
Outwardly, Vauhwyt smiles and waves when she hears the applause. But the swish of her tail might reveal another story to the friends who know her well.
She leads Rose and Vorelle to do a little shopping ... a few gold on a cheap but pretty bracelet, a dagger ... and says, "Wowsy, we don't have time to do all our shopping today. We'll have to come back." But with her nonverbal cues and intonation, what she secretly communicates to only her friends is, "We can't go to the fence under all these eyes! We'll have to come back tonight." [Bluff check 16 to pass a secret message.]
That night, she returns, hopefully with Rose and Vorelle, but this time sneaky-like.
Hide Checks: 9, 21, 19; Move 21, 12, 17
She hopes the fence will see them at night.
Berlon Thursday October 13th, 2005 4:02:00 PM
Berlon sits in his lab in the dark. A few tenative knocks on his door go unanswered. They will have to wait. He thinks of weeks past; of helping those of the Under that couldn't afford help from any other source; of Dietrich almost dying a horrid death; of the death that has come to both Haven's Edge and Dirt City; and especially of the treatment at the hands of the powers that be.
Berlon sits in his lab in the dark....
Theodore and Macaw Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:48:41 PM
"Jolath gave us the same advice," Theodore says out loud. "He's one of the Prince's men," he adds, in case Geoffrey doesn't know.
He scribbles a note which he gives to Macaw to take back to the apartments for the girls.
Macaw arrives at the apartment and delivers the note to the girls:
Master Geoffrey advises the same thing as Jolath; that we seek an alliance with one of the Houses. Perhaps we should give this possibility serious deliberation. Suggest we all start thinking about possible houses. Leaving Macaw with you. If you need me, send him for me.
Theo
Vorelle (Posted by Shegger) Thursday October 13th, 2005 9:49:47 PM
Vorelle blushes at all of the attention and pulls her hood further down. She agrees completely with Vauhwyt's reasoning to come back later and eagerly follows her friend back home.
Conversations [SteveK] Thursday October 13th, 2005 11:22:27 PM
Mad Jack:Highlight to display spoiler: { A tremendous cut and then another at the wounded man, and both are down; one weakly moving and the first nearly cut in half by Jack's tremendous stroke. A quick look shows Mad Jack that the battle is at an end on the other side of the caravan as well. Stilleto is on the ground, unmoving, and Thurid is hurt, but the four against them are all dead at the feet of a red-faced and blood-spattered Digger, who looks like he tore the last one apart with his bare hands.
The dwarf moves apart from Thurid, breathing hard and obviously wanting to be left alone. Thurid bandages her arm and offers the same to Mad Jack's wound before grabbing the merchant and hauling him out from his wagon perch.
"Why are there Prince's Men in your wagons?", she demands, pointing at the badge each of the dead guards displays on a sleeve.
The man whimpers "They said for a tax, my cargo would be safe and no House would rob me." he explains feebly.
Thurid's eyes go round and she lets go of the merchant. "Mr. Dirt", she says looking at Mad Jack and emphasizing his new 'name', "this is important information and we must get back quickly." And she turns to the cowering man. "Breathe a word of our conversation and be sure I'll hear of it. You may find it hard to talk again without your tongue!"
Gathering up Digger and Mad Jack with a glance, she plunges into the woods heading for the tunnel. }
Berlon:Highlight to display spoiler: { The gnome contemplates his choices in the dark.}
Theodore:Highlight to display spoiler: { Geoffrey smiles. "There have been some who have successfully remained independant and famous, my boy. The League for one. There was an exceptional thief about 20 years ago. And... no, that's all I can remember." Your mentor gives a chuckle. "It IS possible, but much more dangerous." }
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: { The girls agree that going to a fence with everyone watching would be counter productive. Coming back with less crowds (at night) earns the ladies an unnoticed path to the small knick-knack store that is thier destination. Zayne's friend is still awake and more than happy to see the ruby skull. "I certainly don't have the kind of money you would ask for this cleverly carved gem. I may have some people who would be willing to buy it but it will take some time. If you want to leave it here, I can show it around?" }
Mad Jack d20=19 Friday October 14th, 2005 3:38:27 PM
Jack just watches as Thurid walks away. Shaking his head in disappointment, he begins to search the dead men.(Search=19)
After gathering the loot he wants, he then looks over toward the peddlars. "Peddlars, come and help me drag these bodies off the roadside. We can put them over there in the bushes." As they go about removing the bodies, Jack also says, "Now I know it is not proper. But if I were a pedlar in your shoes i would listen well. These dead men all have very nice armor and weapons. If a smart pedlar, like yourselves were to strip their armor, and weapons, and hide them in their wagons, I assume you both have false holds, you could store the items there until you leave Dirt City and sell them at some other city. I would think there would be a large profit to be made." Jack explains this theory opening their eyes to income. Men usually were more forgettable about things, if they were also involved.
After the bodies have been moved, and all looks fairly well, Jack retrieves his scimitar from the bushes and buckles it back on. Mr. Digger, is off to the side, and Jack goes to his side.
"Mr Digger sir. I need to know who Thurids superior is, or her boss. This situation could have been avoided. But what scares me more is her total lack of responsibility. Let me explain. First off, Did you have any idea why I was here? I didnt think so, and I had no idea what we were doing until it came to pass. I was to create a diversion. Well I wou;ld have discovered those guards before you even left your hiding place. She did not allow enough time to pass, impatience. As a leader, Thurid failed horribly here. Secondly, she left the area withour even trying to mask we had been here. Leaving Stillettos body with the guards, well that surely points to the houses' involvement. So, this would lead the Princes men right to the House. Now, I am going to carry Mr Stilletos body back through the tunnel. He deserves some sort of burial, secretive though may be. You sir, should make yourself scarce for a while, I am sure many questions will be asked.'
Jack then turns and goes to retrieve the body of Mr. Stilleto. Passing Mr Digger again, he says one more time. "Tell me who I need to speak to."
Vauhwyt Friday October 14th, 2005 4:32:31 PM
"Excuse me, friend, but you're asking that we give this item to you so that you can show it around? To a gentleman who has not even given us his name? And what if someone 'steals' it from you? Are we out of luck?"
"Tell you what," she says, putting her hands on the counter and showing her Wolf ring on her left hand, "How's about you give us a thousand gold, your name, and a promise. Swear that whatever you get over a thousand gold, you keep half and we get half? Fair enough? Swear us an oath on that, and we can do business."
If the fence agrees, then Vauhwyt will listen carefully to make sure that the oath is made on a solid name, that it keeps to the deal, and that the consequences for breaking the vow are serious.
If the fence will do this, then Vauhwyt will swear as well -- something like, "I, Vauhwyt, swear by the Lady of Revenge that I will deal fair with [insert fence's name] here, and give him half of the profits on the sale of this item over the first thousand, or let me lose every scrap of wealth that I own."
If the fence will not swear, Vauhwyt is open to other ideas, but she is skeptical.
Berlon Friday October 14th, 2005 8:11:45 PM
After what seems like a long dark night of contemplation, Berlon rises.
He will leave his lab and lock it. He then weaves two spells. First, he will cast a Glyph of Warding on the locked door of the lab. The second spell will be a Summon Monster III spell, which will take effect if the Glyph is activated.
Once that is completed, he will proceed to the ladies' apartment...
Glyph of Warding - Set to go off if anyone other than Berlon or a member of the adventuring party attempts to gain entry while Berlon is away. Duration - permanent until discharged. Summon Monster III - Cast when Glyph of Warding is activated. Duration 5 rounds, summons Celestial Dire Badger.
Theodore Saturday October 15th, 2005 11:54:08 PM
"We're not exactly on the Prince's good side, at the moment," Theodore says sourly. He looks to his mentor. "I've never had a head for subtlety."
He looks at the tome in front of him for a moment before closing it with a sigh. "This adventuring isn't as straightforward as I thought it would be." He gives Geoffrey an accusing look. "How come you didn't tell me about all the intrigue involved?"
Macaw Saturday October 15th, 2005 11:57:33 PM
Macaw follows the girls to the fence and keeps watch on things from a distance.
rose d20+10=13 d20+7=19 Sunday October 16th, 2005 5:17:57 PM
Rose will keep watch while vauhwyt bargains
Conversations [SteveK] Sunday October 16th, 2005 11:23:41 PM
Mad Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: { Thurid moves off and Jack stays behind to take care of things. He sees Digger (who had been following Thurid) come back and leans against a tree until Mad Jack takes care of the bodies and gives advice to the merchants. The merchants are scared to death and do whatever MadJack, the dirty and bloody and very dangerous, will say. They also bring the body of Mr. Knife out of the wagon where he was slain and puts it with the rest of the bodies. Gathering thier oxen, wagons, and what equipment and supplies Mad Jack leaves them, they turn around and head away.
"In an ambush so two Houses are after our skins?", says the one peddler, "No thanks! I can tell you are not of a House, but I am never going towards Dirt City again. Peddling in Alisur will be safer from now on!" And they are soon gone.
Mad Jack's search has turned up coins equalling 76 gold.
When Mad Jack is ready, Digger stops propping up the tree and walks with Mad Jack. "Human," he begins in his gravelly voice, "you must be as Mad as your name. You come to Dirt City and do not know the rules and expect to play the game. Tell you straight, and you can take my advice or not, dig?" And he begins holding up fingers, one at a time.
"One, There is no lawmen in Dirt City. We are ALL thieves. Suran Corell was the best thief in Dirt City, so that's why he is the Prince of Thieves.
"Two, In a House you do what the boss says. In this operation, Thurid was the boss. She told you follow, you didn't, you failed your test. Don't call us, we'll call you."
"Three, No House works the City, called Dirty Ops. All operations are outside the City or Clean Ops. This is so we don't kill each other off. And not even independants work the City Below. That is safe.
"Four, This information Thurid wants to tell the head of her House is that the Prince now has a protection racket with some if not all of the merchants. Merchants outside the city are free game, they are Clean Ops, dig? That's the RULE. Clean Ops is OK, Dirty Ops in the city is off limits. If the Prince has changed the rules and is collecting money at the expense of the Houses, there is going to be trouble, and the Boss needs to know right away. This is VERY important information."
"Five, Bodies in the middle of the road don't hurt nothing. Knife and Stilleto didn't wear anything to show what House they were from, and the Prince's Men would have served as a warning. And the information is more important than a little cleanup work that don't matter anyways."
"And now I've talked too long. Don't try and find the tunnel... it's been moved. You need to walk back to Dirt City on your own. Hope you have some friends there, cause you can't come with us."
And Digger stands there waiting for you to go, obviously ensuring you aren't going to follow him. }
Berlon:Highlight to display spoiler: { Berlons prepares his lab against intruders and goes out }
Theodore:Highlight to display spoiler: { Geoffery looks a little embarassed about Theo's question, but shrugs and speaks with aplomb. "And would you have believed me? No," he waves his hand, "don't answer that. You would have believed. You would have hung on every word and been suspicious of everything. Maybe not trusted your new friends." He smiles. "Now through your experience, you know you have someone you can trust without reservation. And you have learned all is not as it seems. Your experience has shown you how to trust and distrust. And nothing I could have said would have taught you that."
"And now you have stayed overlong," your mentor says as he gets to his feet. "I enjoy our talks, but I think your friends will need you soon. Come and visit me often, my boy." And it is a fond farewell. }
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: { The man grins at Vauhwyt's response. "I had heard you were high and lofty heroes; it seems that you are practical as well. Done. One thousand gold now and split 50/50 any profits above that. I am Samule, and I pledge on Wardd's Luck that I will hold true to Vauhwyt on this bargain or never win a bargain again. Suits?"
Samule goes into a back room and comes out with two heavy bags which you both carefully count out a thousand gold. (Spot DC 10 to see a wolf ring now on Samule's finger) "You are friends of the Wolves and you may be sure I'll keep my bargain. If there are specialties that YOU need, just come to Samule and I can get them for you." }
And Arrivals [SteveK] Monday October 17th, 2005 2:44:17 AM
As the friends come back from thier various trips, vacations, and adventures, Dirt City has continued to clean up from the devestation unleashed by the Fey King. Large piles of vegetation and debris are piling up near the old battlefield and mass graves are being filled in. There is feverish work going on, all to get the city ready for Mural Day. At last! A happy day to distract from the horror of the past days.
And the children are busy completing their paintings on walls and tunnels. Official santioned graffitti, what more could a rat ask for? And the competition is stiff this year, the best artistans out in force vying for coveted prizes.
Vorelle Monday October 17th, 2005 8:51:21 AM
Vorelle looks about her as they make their way back to the apartment, a little taken aback by the incongruity of it all. Here are the common people, making murals about them and applauding as they go by, and there's the Prince's man, insisting that they'd failed and literally throwing them out of the office. What was going on?
Mad Jack Monday October 17th, 2005 6:24:41 PM
Jack smiles at Digger as he talks. Yes indeed, this man was a fool. Following blindly, most men did.
"Mr Digger, I am sure in another life we may have been friends. In this one, it seems unlikely. Watch yourself very carefully, she is a horrible leader. And watch for me, one of the houses will want me and my services. Next time we meet, it may not be so friendly. Not allowing me the secrecy to return the way I came, even though I defended the honor of the house of Darts, with my life, will not be forgotten, not forgiven."
Jack moves off toward the direction of Dirt City. It is too bad the house treated him so unfairly, or so he thought. Fine, as he walks he makes up his mind. Anyone that asks, will get the truth of the encounter. Or a version of the truth anyway.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+4=6 Monday October 17th, 2005 8:28:01 PM
Vauhwyt does not see Samule's Wolf Ring (Spot 6 d'oh!), but that does not temper her enthusiasm. "Suits and done!" says the liontaur, holding her hand out to shake on the deal. "We'll check back in a couple nights to see how business goes."
She leaves with Vorelle and Rose, glad that this at least seems to be going well enough.
The next day or two, Vauhwyt tells her friends, she has some errands to run. She'll be back soon. In the meantime, Happy Murals Day!
[OOC: I think we are almost ready to divvy up our loot at last! As soon as we get the proceeds of the skull sale. And have we identified everything? Including that yellow potion? Who wants to take everything to the Catacombs to sell?]
Theodore Monday October 17th, 2005 10:32:36 PM
Theodore thanks Geoffrey for his advice and takes his leave. Back at the apartments, he goes into the boys' quarters and stretches out on the bed with a wide smile. It felt nice to relax for a bit after all of the chaos.
As he waits for his friends to return, he falls into a relaxing sleep.
Rose Monday October 17th, 2005 10:36:57 PM
Rose will stay either at the apartment or lurk near the enterance of the halfling quarter looking wistful. Vorelle and Vauhwyt will catch her crying at odd times and several times Rose will wake them up with nightmares or crying. If she spots that her friends are upset (ie: if Vorelle sports anymore black eyes or is scared) she will stick with them 24hrs a day.
Meetings [SteveK; Posted by Inge] Tuesday October 18th, 2005 2:50:25 AM Vauhwyt strikes a bargain and the ruby skull is exchanged for 1000gp now and a 50/50 split of any profits, and goes away satisfied with Samule the Fence.
Vorelle keeps watch outside and meets up with Vauhwyt and Rose as they leave Samule's. They all return to the girls apartment and are ready and refreshed for the morning. All except for Vauhwyt. The liontaur has mentioned before that she has needed to go to church and it can't be put off any longer. While the other ladies sleep, she is gone all night. In the early morning she returns; disheveled, bruised, exhausted and very, very happy.
Dietrich arrives in Dirt City, going to the boy's apartment to see what has happened since he left.
Zayne also arrives, popping up from Wardd knows where, though he seems happy enough. Estatic is closer. Probably 'satiated' works best...
Berlon wanders in Dirt City where he is, the others know not.
Theodore stays the night at his mentor's house and arrives back at the boy's apartment at the same time as the others come out for the morning. The little courtyard in front of the apartments can hold all the friends in the tunnel. Bright murals cover the walls, and not many people are about this morning; most must have had a long day and night cleaning up...
And here comes Mad Jack through the tunnels! It appears he did not have a good night as he is dirty and disheveled himself, but what an amazing coincidence that he bumps into you here at the apartments just like he bumped into the others at the Temple.
Mad Jack Highlight to display spoiler: { Mad Jack gives some sage advice to Digger and a message to the Darts in general. He has some money, some understanding about Dirt City, and a lot of information that can go to the highest bidder... He walks all night back towards Dirt City and finds a tunnel into the City Below some time after dawn. After only a few blocks, he rounds a corner and sees that group of people that he met (and fought) at Wardd's Temple. They seem to be sitting in a courtyard surrounded by residential doors and quietly talking.}
Berlon Tuesday October 18th, 2005 9:12:24 AM
Berlon proceeds to the ladies' apartment to meet with the group. In his mind he goes over what he is going to say to everyone...
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday October 18th, 2005 8:30:57 PM
The next morning Vauhwyt seems tired and ruffled but really happy. Her smile is so wide you can see the somewhat pointed teeth that sets liontaur dentition apart from most other people's. She is actually humming tunelessly.
But she makes no mention of the reason for her good mood. Instead, she simply says, "Well, let's give the fence a day or two to find us a good price. Meantimes, I'll hoof it over to the Catacombs to sell the other loot! Okay? And I also have this incense to sell and put into the pot."
She digs out the incense that they found in the Palace just before they set out for the Book Quest. That's the incense that was masking the smell of the elf corpse in that trunk!
"Waste not, want not, right Boss?" says Mookie.
"You are so right, my clever friend!" she replies.
[OOC: Anybody object to me heading over to the CC?]
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday October 18th, 2005 10:03:26 PM
Theodore greets his friends as he returns to them. Macaw returns to his normal place atop the wizard's head.
"I have no objections, Vauhwyt. We could all use a little extra money. We need to meet and decide what our next move will be. If there is indeed an invasion planned against Dirt City, we should decide upon a strategy."
Rose Tuesday October 18th, 2005 10:31:24 PM
Rose will stay at the apartment, supposedly to mend clothes (her and anyone elses) but really hoping that her parents or a sibling will come to see her.
Conversations [SteveK] Tuesday October 18th, 2005 11:31:58 PM
The whole gang to include Berlon and Mad Jack are sitting comfortably in front of the apartments.
Vauhwyt gathers things to go on a Catacombs trip.
Rose stays inside in a despondent mood.
Many trips and adventures and conversations have occured since the group was last together and had time to talk. The mood is in the air to share feelings, information, and ... and plans.
Vorelle Wednesday October 19th, 2005 12:07:24 AM
[OOC: I'm sorry I missed the post; I'm having trouble with the posting schedule for some reason.]
Back at the apartment, Vorelle prepares to run a few necessary errands. She bundles up the clothing she isn't wearing, all of which needs to go to a good laundress. It's been a long, dirty few weeks.
Then, she goes to her cache of coin, and counts out 50 gold to take to her family. She frowns down at it uncertainly. Visiting them would be a good opportunity to try to find out what Targo thinks he's playing at--but she's afraid that, in asking, she'll reveal more information than she'll receive. Especially if Lisenne is at home. Vaun or her father, she can coax for information, but Lisenne is made of sterner stuff. Vorelle sighs. No way of telling who's at home and who isn't.
"I-I'm g-going out for a b-b-bit," she tells Rose, and bundles up clothing and coin.
Jack Wednesday October 19th, 2005 2:02:38 AM
OOC Me too Vorelle. thought I had more time tonight.
When Jack arrives at the apartments, he is looking horrible. A long gash has split his arm open, and his once finely looking ourfit is covered in blood.
"Excuse me, does anyone know where I can take a bath and clean up. I also will need new clothes as you can see. I'm in a bit of a pickle, er, I mean in trouble. Looks like I will need a barber as well. And while I am begging, I need somewhere to hide for a while." He looks at the group and can see the concern and wonder on their faces.
"Short story, I found out the House of Darts is horribly managed. I wanted to enter a well known house and chose them first. Well, they took me on a mission to test me. It went horribly wrong, and it seems I killed 2 of the princes guards. The house blames me for the blunder, and so now I have many enemies it seems."
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday October 19th, 2005 7:56:22 PM
"Good grief!" exclaims Theodore, slapping his forhead. Macaw sqwuaks and flutters from the wizard's head. "We've got more than enough trouble with the Prince, as it is."
Taking his hand from his head, there is a big red spot where it had been. "You did help us out, though. I think we could return the favor. How about the rest of you?"
Conversations [SteveK] Wednesday October 19th, 2005 11:26:49 PM
Berlon is with the group and ready to talk to them.
Mad Jack comes in like death warmed over and almost off-handedly drops another bomb on the party. But was he working with the Darts in a Clean Ops or Dirty Ops? The misdeed could be more than the party could handle if Mad Jack was involved in a Dirty Ops gone awry...
Vorelle Highlight to display spoiler: { goes to see her family with coin and laundry. She is very nervous, but is relieved that the Grubber families don't seem to have been too affected by the Fey King. Or is it because the place is already a mess that it doesn't look like much has happened? She cautiously moves towards the house and finds everyone gone but her father, snoring away the morning in his favorite 'chair', a dilapitated affair which he claims came from far across the ocean. More like he pulled it from the harbor! No one else is around, and your father is slow at waking up, now seems like the perfect time to pump for information... }
Vorelle Thursday October 20th, 2005 12:27:47 AM
Highlight to display spoiler: {Vorelle gives a little sigh of relief when she finds her father there alone. Him she can talk to. Well, almost.
"F-f-father," she says softly, kneeling beside the "throne" where he sleeps. "I-i-it's m-m-me. V-V-Vorelle." Then, knowing it will awaken him as nothing else would, she takes out the coins she carries and allows them to clink together softly. "I-I've broght m-m-money," she adds, perhaps unnecessarily.}
Mookie Thursday October 20th, 2005 3:31:25 PM
While Vauhwyt is at the Catacombs selling the loot, Mookie stays behind to hold down the fort.
"The Boss told me to Hold Down The Fort," says the raven. "Well, I can Hold Down The Fort, but who will Hold Down Mad Jack, here?"
"Jeezum Crow," says Mookie to Jack, "did anyone see you come in here? If not, then go hide under a bed until we can get this straightened out."
"Maybe the Boss should buy a Hat of Disguise while she is at the magic shop. Sounds like you sure could use one!"
Berlon 2d8(2+1)+6=9 d8=3 Thursday October 20th, 2005 5:12:47 PM
Berlon frowns but does not say anything as he looks over Jack's wounds. One Cure Moderate Wounds later, Jack is healed for 11 hp (One 1 rerolled to a 3)
Berlon pulls the yellow potion from his backpack. "I still have this. It is vile necromancy, and I do not want to meet the person who would pay for such a thing..." He looks around at the group. "But given current cirucmstances, I think we're going to need all the hard coin we can get our hands on..."
Theodore and Macaw Thursday October 20th, 2005 10:22:18 PM
Theodore clears his throat, a guilty look coming over him. "Berlon...I wanted to apologize. I was a touch hasty with you. I can't pretend to understand what you are feeling right now, and I had no right to talk so harshly to you. I'm sorry."
He clears his throat again and looks away. His face is flushed.
Jack Friday October 21st, 2005 12:29:57 AM
Looking at Berlon as he casts the healing spell, he smiles broadly/
"Thank you sir. Some day I need to learn that trick. For now I am off to get some new clothing, a bath and a shave. So if any of you want to come along, your invited."
Rose Friday October 21st, 2005 2:42:14 AM
Rose just stays at the girls apartment. She'll spend the day alternatly crying and jumping up anytime someone passes hoping its her family.
Questions, answers and ... more questions [SteveK posted by Inge] Friday October 21st, 2005 6:20:18 AM Vauhwyt goes to the Catacombs and returns with her order filled. All that is waiting is the delivery. Wonder who will deliver this time? The liontaur is with the others at the boy's apartment in the City Below.
Vorelle Highlight to display spoiler: { Vorelle clinks coins together and her Father is awake like a shot. He greedily takes the money. "Good job, girl", he tells Vorelle, "it's not the job you do but what you get for it, eh? With this coming in I can even ignore Targo's constant whining about losing his wife and how its my fault." The pudgy man looks at Vorelle. "Eh, no. Targo has been even more edgy of late, some scheme of his no doubt. Don't know what it's about." And Vorelle can get nothing else of importance out of her father. Just what's going on in the grubber community, who got killed, who's madder than Marteus, things like that. "I'm sure you want to leave before Liselle or Targo come around. One or the other wake me most mornings..." (OOC: Good hint for Vorelle to get back to the group, pronto :) }
Rose Highlight to display spoiler: { sits in the dim light of the girl's apartment until a tug is felt on her pants leg. Looking down, an intelligent looking stoat blinks at you, holding a small message tube in its jaws. Plopping the tube in Rose's lap, it scampers away and under the door. Opening the tube, the message reads: "Mom is better, Dad is mad (more at himself than you I think) They both said over dinner that they were sad about yelling at you about Junior. (Dad didn't eat hardly at all, and Mom had made roast coneys!) Dad is too embarrased about talking about it to you, I think. Maybe you can talk to your friend and come around to make it all better. Love Thrya P.S. Do you like, Vandal, my new familiar?" (OOC: Good hint for Rose to get back to the group, pronto :) }
Vorelle comes back from Grubbertown and joins the others in the boy's apartment. Rose comes in from next door.
Dietrich and Zayne are also there.
Berlon and Theodore begin to talk about patching up differences and what to do in the immediate future, which appears to be another minor crisis of hiding Mad Jack. The gnome heals the human, all decide it is best for Jack to stay in the apartment right now instead of wandering of once more. Everyone goes inside the boy's apartment to get away from any spying eyes as they decide what to do about all the information they have.
- Was MadJack involved in a CleanOps or DirtyOps? Either have big consequences. If it was a DirtyOp, you know that at least one House is doing DirtyOps. If it was a CleanOp, what were Prince's Men doing outside the city? Either way, it looks like bad news for Dirt City and the heroes...
- Between Jolath and Geoffrey, you've had two fairly reliable sources talk about getting protection by allying with a powerful group (Prince, Temple, House, etc) and for all of you to ally with the same group. What are the consequences of joining? Of not joining? Either choice will significantly influence your future actions.
- And almost more important than anything else... Why is the group together? What are your ultimate motives? So far, each person has been reacting from crisis to crisis. Even with the stormclouds looming, this lull would be a good time to get priorities straight. Fame? Safety for the little people? Political aspirations? Riches? Why is this particular group still together? Decide this, and many other decisions become easier. :)
Rose Friday October 21st, 2005 3:42:20 PM
ooc: the boys apartment is NOT next door to the girls, i think they're quite a ways apart.
Rose gives the stoat a great big hug and tells it "YES! I'll be over as soon as I get my friends." With that as soon as the stoat leaves Rose showers and changes and does her hair.
Rose enters the other apartment full of energy and smiles that you haven't seen for days and goes around hugging everyone except for Mad Jack whom she doesnt know. "Thyra says that Mamma and Daddy arent mad at me any more and to come see them with my friends. Who wants to come with me!"
As soon as everyone who wants to go is ready rose will be off full of smiles and energy until she gets to her parents door. Then she gets a scared look on her face "What if thyra was wrong? What if they dont want to see me?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday October 21st, 2005 4:12:49 PM
Vauhwyt returns from the shop and divides up the gold. (I'll let you know how much each person gets soon.)
Mookie whispers in her ear, filling her in on Mad Jack's appearance.
If Mad Jack proposes to leave the apartmetn to get his shave and bath, then Vauhwyt urges him strongly against it! "Look!" she says, "You came here for refuge -- don;t blow your hideout just to get cleaned up!"
She casts Prestidigitation and uses that to get Jack shipshape. "Therre! You're fine! Please sit down. We all need to talk."
Vauhwyt takes a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot and we need to have a conversation."
"We have three paths before us:"
"ONE, we can openly ally ourselves with a protector and tie our fortunes to our ally. That's what Jolath and Geoffrey seem to suggest."
"TWO, we can remain open and public as we are now, but instead of a single ally, we can try to strengthen our ties to as many allies as possible. We have already made a good start. We saved the Alpha's daughter of the House of Wolves. We saved Jeraldh's sons of the House of Keys. We solved the mystery of Kernorn for the House of Knives. We have done work for the Prince. We are friends of the WLA. We saved the Temple of Wardd. All these people owe us. If we want to keep this up, we need to reach out to other Houses too, and maybe some merchants."
"THREE, we can go away for a while, hide out, keep a low profile, and when we return, invest in some professional disguises."
"I like Option Three best. Option Two is a good option too, but what we really need to pull that off is a Diplomat. We need someone who can talk well, put a good face on the group, smooth over misunderstandings, and so on. Right now we have no one like that. I'm too weird looking and intimidating. Vorelle is too shy. Rose is too sweet. Berlon and Zayne, way too undiplomatic. Dietrich is too plain-spoken. Theo, too callow, I hope you won't mind me saying. We need a bard or a charismatic rogue. Even a silver-tongued cleric. Jack, I don't know you very well, but I think you're too crazy! Olyn used to do the job for us, but he is not around enough."
"We need a bard or charismatic rogue to pull off Option Two. Failing that, I say head for the hills. Visit Berlon's village and see how they are doing. Maybe go visit Priscilla or Plateau City. Get some good magical disguises before we return."
"What do you all think?"
"It relates to what we want to accomplish. Do we want to be movers and shakers in Dirt City? Personally, I like the idea of hanging out with my friends, going on adventures, helping people, and getting rich."
Mookie caws, "Yeah! Getting rich!"
Vauhwyt ignores him. "How about you, my friends?"
Mad Jack Friday October 21st, 2005 6:14:46 PM
As Vauhwyt casts her spell on Jack, he feels tingly, and goosebumps cover his whole body. Warmth, and images flow through his head. He had only skimmed through the books he carried, and yet, some of the images were coming to him right now. They were comfortable to him. What, comfortable?
Visibily he shakes his head trying to think clearly. It is then that he notices his clothes are all repaired. That was odd.
"Well, Vauhwyt, it sounds like you are including me in your future plans. You honor me. This whole ordeal with the House of Darts has soured my opinion, and desire to stay here in this city. Their exasperation of having seen the Princes guards in the peddlars wagons, bodes no good. They mentioned the tension would be raised alot between the Prince and the houses. If for no other reason, I dont want to be here for those complications."
Scratching his head he moves around the group a bit. Looking at each one, he wonders how such a crew got together. It didnt matter though, each had his/her talent.
"So my vote is to leave town. To where, for what? To me it matters not. In the adventures you have had in the past, is there anything else that needs to be accomplished? Hopefully nothing from the Prince though, I really dont want to go there."
Berlon Friday October 21st, 2005 9:32:10 PM
Berlon listens intently to Vauhwyt's speech.
"Well," he says softly after Vauhwyt is done, "at least I've improved to 'undiplomatic'." Seeing no response from the others, he utters, "That was a joke."
"I've been thinking a lot lately, about many things. Mostly about the nature of evil."
"What is evil? That yellow potion we found is a cursed necromantic brew. It saps the intelligence of the unfortunate one that uses it. Does that make the potion itself evil? Rather, it's the hand the creates such an item that is evil, is it not?"
"We live in a town populated and run by thieves. Is a thief automatically evil? Does being able to pick a lock or disarm a trap mean one has blackness in their heart? We have those among us with those skills, but I do not feel we have to worry about evil."
Berlon continues quietly, stroking his short twin grey strands of beard. "The powers that be in this city are evil. They pretend at being princes and politicians while citizens live in the sewers. The sewers."
"Up until very recently, I was ready to pack up and return to my village. If any of you wanted to join me, you would be invited. If not, that was fine too. I came to Dirt City to help the poor with my healing and my alchemy and whatever else I could provide. My first few weeks here I spent healing those that couldn't afford other means. Lately, I haven't been able to do much of that."
"I was ready to leave Dirt City. My village needs me. I know this. Haven's Edge has lost not one, not two, but three of its main protectors. The treants that guarded it for generations -- wonderful, magical creatures that knew me when I was a child and my mother was a child and my grandmother was a child -- are gone. One destroyed in the Goblin War and one corrupted by the Fey King. The other, a fighter of no small means, has disappeared. My village needs me."
"Yet, I now realize what must be done. Dirt City needs to be Fixed."
"If we choose a patron, we must choose wisely. I will not serve evil, either directly or indirectly. I know very little of the Houses and even less about the political machinations of the city. My Great Uncle Knobby was a member of the Cloaks, and I know he was not evil, but I know little of him and even less of the Cloaks. Perhaps they are a choice."
"Whatever path we choose, we need to decide what our ultimate goal is as a group. I know what mine is, personally, but I will refrain from going into detail for now."
"We always have the choice of changing the base of our operations to my village. It is safe, and despite the threats made against it before by one of the criminals of this place, I think he underestimated my clan. The Swamp Goblins underestimated what my village is capable of. The Swamp Goblins are no more."
"Either way, we need to decide. I understand if some of you, especially those with family, do not want to change where we live. Keep in mind that the option of moving would be open to them as well."
"Regardless, Rose has important business to attend too."
He looks at Jack. "You, my friend, seem to have gotten yourself in even more hot water than I have. I think it would be wise if you came with me to my lab while the others go with Rose. You can keep a low profile there, and my lab has some protective wards set up."
Berlon turns to Theodore. "Theo, I think it would be wise if you came as well. We have things to discuss..." He then sits back down with a solemn look on his face.
Vorelle Sunday October 23rd, 2005 11:34:33 AM
Vorelle listens to the others. She doesn't ordinarily contribute to these kinds of discussions, but she has a couple of points to make.
"D-D-Dirt C-City is r-r-run by the b-b-b-bullies," she says in partial agreement to Berlon. "W-w-we sh-should b-b-be helping p-p-p-people against the b-b-b-b-ullies."
She adds, "I-if we w-w-want to l-l-l-leave t-t-town for a b-b-b-bit, that's f-f-f-fine with m-m-me."
Theodore and Macaw Sunday October 23rd, 2005 7:11:24 PM
Theodore nods politely while the others speak before addressing the conversation.
"I don't want to be anyone other than myself," he says to Vauhwyt. "Regarding disguises, I don't believe it's feasible to live my life as someone else. This is my home. I know that now. And I want to protect and cultivate it. I have no qualms about leaving for a bit, to clear our heads and gain a better understanding of our future goals, but I will return to Dirt City as Theodore, not someone else."
"As to making allies, I believe it necessary, simply due to the nature of Dirt City. But that doesn't mean we need rush into anything. We might take our time and ferret out who the truly good organizations are. Not a simple task, I know."
"The last thing I would add is that Dirt City will always be Dirt City. As Berlon said, and as outsiders say, it is a city of thieves. I don't think our mission should be to 'fix' the city. We should aim to make it safe and comfortable. How to do that, I don't know. But we can't see things in black and white." He looks pointedly at Berlon. "Dirt City is a grey place, my friend. The rules of the outside world do not apply here."
That said, he agrees to go with Berlon to the gnome's lab.
(OOC - I believe we should all take a thorough look at the Woldian write up for Dirt City. I've noticed a few misconceptions about the city, namely that the people are forced to live in the sewers. That is their choice, and it has actually been done up to be a fairly hospitable place.)
Rose Monday October 24th, 2005 3:05:40 AM
Rose is hopping up and down ignoring the others. "Lets go see my parents first!" Anybody whos been around her the last few days realizes that she has no idea what has been happening.
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