Berlon Monday December 19th, 2005 5:49:12 PM
"I still vote for whatever Vorelle thinks should be done."
Vauhwyt Monday December 19th, 2005 7:53:27 PM
Seeing that the group is stymied, and that Vorelle is adamant about her position, Vauhwyt breaks the impasse. She sends Mookie over. The bird flaps into voice range, caws, "Come on! The Boss is going! Last one to the Prince's Palace is a lazy wastrel!"
Vauhwyt hoists the assassin and heads off to the Palace. Mookie follows.
OOC to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {She stops once she is out of sight to see if her friends follow. She prays that they will. Or that at least Vorelle will, since she's doing what she hopes will give Vorelle the most peace and closure. She also takes a lock of Targo's hair, just in case she needs it later.}
Out the door, on the count of four (DM Kup) Monday December 19th, 2005 9:52:34 PM ooc: Hiya, folks! Nice to be back!
Vauhwyt decided that actions spoke louder than words. Hoisting the apparent villain on one shoulder, his form draping her extended leonine back, the wemic set off to find the real Prince. Soon, the illusory hut she had created by her force of will and concentration vanished, leaving an astonished crowd of merchants gawking at an equally awkward group of suddenly visible, huddled adventurers.
Mookie looked at the group and rolled his beady eyes in exasperation. "Well? Who's coming, and who's not?"
Vorelle Tuesday December 20th, 2005 1:28:13 AM
Not needing to be told twice (well, okay, not needing to be told three times, and I guess it serves me right for posting late), Vorelle strides down the street after Vauhwyt. She tries not to think about what Targo will do to her if he gets away.
Mad Jack Tuesday December 20th, 2005 1:55:32 AM
Raising his arms in a plee that he knew not what was going on, he hoped the crowd would not judge them to harshly. Jack seen the prisoner now on the liontaurs back, Vorelle following closer behind. Looks like it was decided then. Jack runs up to Vauhywt and asks her as they walk, "you did see the prince was hit by that arrow? Do you think he still lives? If he does not, I hope his men wont blame us prematurely." Then he winks at Vorelle. Now why did he do that? Weird.
Rose Tuesday December 20th, 2005 2:15:20 AM
Rose will hop up onto Vauhwyt's back to help hold Targo. She has a nice sized rock and if Targo tries to escape or call for help he'll get wacked.
Olyn Tuesday December 20th, 2005 10:45:47 AM
continues doing what hes dong elsewhere
Dietrich Tuesday December 20th, 2005 12:10:10 PM
Dietrich is annoyed none payed very much attention to his arguments and he grumbles around when Vauhwyt takes the prisoner on her back. "&&¨&¨grumble, &¨*% grumble, moving without enough reconnaissance of the situation like that, $&¨%¨%"
The fighter accepts the situation though, as the group was divided and Vauhwyt is the leader for this kind of decisions. He follows along, making a short prayer to Domi (we may need it...) and hoping Jack´s last comments won´t come true.
Than he says: "At least hide the prisoner from this other guys. If we´re going to check his story at the pub later, his contractors shouldn´t know we´ve captured him."
Dietrich also uses the time to ask Targo about details concerning the meeting, where it will be, code words, descriptions of the contacts and topics to be discussed.
Berlon Tuesday December 20th, 2005 2:15:34 PM
Berlon follows Vauhwyt, struggling to keep up, staying near Vorelle's side.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20=11 Tuesday December 20th, 2005 5:36:23 PM
Vauhwyt is very glad to see her friends follow -- she was not sure they would! She tries to hide her relief, but the swish of her tail gives her away to those who know her.
Jack has a good question: What if the Prince is dead? Will we be blamed? Mookie wonders about that too: "We could be in hot water, Boss!"
The liontaur answers: "No way! He's not dead. No one dies of poison these days. It's not like in the old days, when poison was always fatal, and you only had one chance to resist it. Nowadays your system fights it twice as hard, and even if you succumb, the most it does is tire you out, or make you stupid, or weaken you, or maybe put you to sleep. It takes a lot of poison damage to actually kill."
Then Rose decides to take a ride. At first Vauhwyt is a little annoyed, but then she has a revelation. It is like being widely known in Dirt City. Sure, it would be better in lots of ways to be anonymous and discreet, but when you look at how things have played out, there's no way to avoid being pubic figures. Might as well roll with it, take advantage of notoriety, and go with the flow.
Same thing with Rose. She is a dear friend, a litter-mate, kind of, who would probably die for her. And she liked to take rides. "Look at those stubby legs," Vauhwyt thinks to herself, with words she would NEVER speak aloud. "No wonder she likes to ride! Poor slow thing. Have some pity for your friend!" Vauhwyt decides to reconcile herself to Rose's love of riding.
"You all set back therre, Rose?" calls Vauhwyt. "Hold on tight!" Vauhwyt wonders about getting a riding saddle made. And if she could convince Rose to get some training in Riding, it might be more comfy. The WLA might have some Riding classes. Did Rose ever join up? Plus maybe Rose could help her avoid foes. [OOC: Hmmm ... Mounted Combat Feat ... mmmm]
But between Mookie, Rose, and Targo (in ascending order), Vauhwyt is feeling a little slowed down. She casts an Enlarge spell, and finds it much easier as a huge liontaur to carry everybody.
"Good idea, Boss," says Mookie.
"That's 'BUS' to you, rider!" Vauhwyt laughs.
Vauhwyt notes that Olyn is still invisible. She hopes he is okay.
Dietrich has a good idea! The enlarged Vauhwyt keeps the pillow case over the villain's head (for anonymity) but ungaggs him enough to ask him Dietrich's questions.
[OOC Gosh Darn can;t remember V's Intimidate Check to interrogate. Maybe 7 ranks +3 Chr +2 Bluff Synergy +8 size bonus? Call it +20? She rolls a base 11 on the attempt.]
In the gentle hands of a liontaur ... (DM Kup) Tuesday December 20th, 2005 8:30:55 PM Vorelle, Jack, Dietrich, Berlon, and Theo moved quickly to follow Vauhwyt, as did Rose, who bummed a ride from the enlarged liontaur.
Dietrich wanted details concerning Targo's meeting: where it will be, code words, descriptions of the contacts and topics to be discussed. Vauhwyt ... helped Targo ... to be more candid.
One sight of the feline teeth in the huge wemic's otherwise human mouth was all it took for the Grubber to spill his guts--not to mention a few other, unsavory bodily fluids. "I--I never got the location for the meet--honest! I was supposed to get it later--they--they were supposed to contact me, you know? Like, after the, um, after the shooting. It was--it was an initiation thing, you know? I was--I was finally going to be a made man. Like--I was going to be--I was going to be somebody. Falquan, he promised me. A made man of the House of Knives, you know?"
Targo looked at Vorelle pleadingly. "I only wanted to be something you would be proud of. You've made it--I only wanted to live up to it. You don't know what it's like, the way people talk about it--a Grubber whose wife is bigger than him? Please, Vorelle, you have to make them believe me!"
There was a palpable sense of tension as the party made its way through partially deserted sewers. Once again Dirt City was thrown into upheaval--with the Prince's whereabouts and well-being in question, most of the jaded and understandably cautious denizens of the City had wisely chosen to avoid public places. It did not take long for the group to make its way to the Prince's Palace, where barred doors greeted them.
There was something else, however. To one side of the sewer that led up to the Prince's Palace, a small, glowing glyph in the shape of a coin was hanging in space--and it seemed to be watching the group!
Sense Motive checks on Targo, if anyone wishes to attempt them: Vorelle: Highlight to display spoiler: {Add +10 to any Sense Motive check you attempt. Targo's always had you fooled, even when he was telling the truth!} DC 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {Targo seemed credible to you. But who knows--maybe he's lying. You just can't tell.} DC 15: Highlight to display spoiler: {Targo seemed credible to you. He's trying to be tricky about something, though.} DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {Targo seemed credible to you overall. He's likely telling the truth about the House of Knives. The name 'Falquan' seemed like a blurt, and therefore more credible than the rest. He's trying to manipulate Vorelle about something, though.} DC 25: Highlight to display spoiler: {Targo is genuinely frightened and therefore likely to be truthful. He's telling the truth about the House of Knives and his contact 'Falquan.' He's manipulating Vorelle in an attempt to play her against the rest of you--probably to avoid being turned over to the authorities.}
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: { Olyn headed straight to the Wolves' quarter. He spotted a guard outside of a familiar post and flashed his Wolves signet ring. The guard studied Olyn quizzically for a moment, then waved Olyn past. A few moments later, Olyn stood inside a large antechamber decorated with lupine statuary and tapestries. An older man sat at a desk immediately to the right of two large, heavy oaken doors with metal studs. The old man looked harmless enough; but the arrow slits that flanked both him and the doors, and the murder hole poised directly over the interior entranceway, spoke volumes.
The old man was reading in a large book on the desk in front of him. As Olyn approached, he placed a worn ribbon down the length of the page and looked up at the elf.
"What can I do for you ... Olyn?"}
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday December 20th, 2005 10:53:12 PM
As the would-be assassin fouls himself, Vauhwyt barks an expletive best left untyped on a family Web site. "Ugh! Idiot! Now I need a new shirt!"
She has a question. "This 'Falquan' character. What did he look like, and did he give you anything? Did he give you the weapon? the poison?" Vauhwyt confiscates anything he names.
Vauhwyt shuts the dastard up as soon as he starts talking to Vorelle -- with a squeeze and then with the gag.
She says to her friends, "Going to the meeting in his place was a good idea, but we have no idea where ir would have been -- IF it would have been, which I now doubt."
Vauhwyt stops and looks at the Magic Glyph. "Theo, you kn ow what this is?" she asks. Then she addresses the glyph, speaking to it as if it were a person.
"We are the Prince's men, bringing him the assassin who shot him. Let us pass, please."
Rose d20+4=12 d20+1=17 Wednesday December 21st, 2005 12:04:29 AM
Rose isnt sure if Targo is lying or not, but she doesnt like him talking to Vorelle and decides it's time for a wack on the head with her rock.
sense motive: 12
attack (with rock including -4 nonproficent penalty): 17 damage is up to dm
Vorelle Wednesday December 21st, 2005 12:45:06 AM
[OOC: Kup, I'm going to have to disagree with your assessment. Targo did not so much fool Vorelle as drug her, beat her, and keep her tied up. It doesn't matter, though, because I'm not even going to roll a Sense Motive. DM Kup: Fair enough!]
Vorelle begins to giggle. Targo is asking her for help! Her giggles turn to laughter. Targo, who showed her no mercy, is asking her to intervene. The man who used his fists on her until blood poured and bones broke now wants her help. Her laughter turns hysterical. Tears roll down her face, and her breath catches in a sob.
Vauhwyt (illegal second post) Wednesday December 21st, 2005 2:06:32 AM
Vauhwyt whispers softly to Vorelle, "It's okay. He's done now. And it's not to late to stick a knife in his gut. That's what he did to you, after all."
Olyn Wednesday December 21st, 2005 10:05:20 AM
does what he said he did in the email Kup.
Mad Jack Wednesday December 21st, 2005 4:57:16 PM
Folows along not saying a word.
The Man of the Coin (DM Kup) Wednesday December 21st, 2005 9:02:56 PM
As the group of companions neared the Prince's Palace, Vauhwyt addressed the coin-shaped glyph.
"Er, yes, ahem," a voice echoed from the glyph in reply. "Is this thing on? Can they hear me? Can you hear me? Ahem, yes."
A silvery apparition began to form in front of the glyph. It coalesced into the semi-transparent image of a corpulent man dressed in the finest robes any of you have ever seen. His multiple chins were covered with a slight beard, which only added to the sense of his enormity. The image you were seeing, however, was flickering and faint.
"Ahem, yes," the image continued. The man in the image was looking down at something in his hand--papyrus, it appeared: notes, perhaps. "Greetings, noble adventurers! I bid you salutations and good will from the mightiest of Dirt City's Houses, the House of Merchants. My name is Kassif. I am a Guild Master in the House." With that, Kassif--or so he called himself--puffed himself up slightly. Whatever that title meant, it seemed to convey importance--to Kassif, at least.
"Word of your exploits has reached our ears, and we wish to form a strategic partnership with your enterprise. We believe that such an alliance will create important efficiencies and the potential for increased profitability for both of our long-term interests, naturally enough, with the possibility of profit sharing in a long-range venture that would operate with an appreciation for appropriate cost recovery and risk management, capital investment, and protection of intellectual and other non-tangible assets. All rights reserved, with fees and pro ratas to be agreed upon at a later date. Ahem."
The jowly gentleman in the image adjusted his stiff, starched collar, and continued. "We understand that you have come to be in possession of certain assets, to wit, an individual, and the intellectual property associated with him. There are, naturally, certain principles of capture and salvage involved, as basic property law would dictate, but we feel confident that our advance property and acquisition team could negotiate a suitable exchange of consideration for the relinquishment and abandonment of rights and assignment of title to said property, given all necessary riders and disclaimers, et cetera, et cetera. Ahem."
The man calling himself Kassif looked up in the general direction of the companions. The image flickered silently for a moment. "You may indicate your assent, if you wish. I am assured that this channel is quite confidential. We paid a significant premium to ensure that we would be afforded the utmost privacy and security in transmission. No expense spared, you know."
Targo, meanwhile, sunk into sullen and beaten silence, a large welt forming above one eyebrow where Rose's rock had connected. He was still awake--just not speaking. He glared silently at Vorelle.
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {The old man listened to your tale. "You have done well to bring this information to us," he said. "Our superiors will be ... most pleased. But tell me--where is this ... Targo, now? Why have your companions not brought him here, to us?"}
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+13=30 d20+20=24 d20+15=34 d20+18=35 d20+20=38 Wednesday December 21st, 2005 10:42:08 PM
Vauhwyt looks at Vorelle, and her expression tells the ranger that Vauhwyt thinks Targo is hers to dispose of in whatever way she things best.
OPTION ONE ======== =======
If Vorelle indicates that she still wants to give Targo to the Prince, then Vauhwyt feigns confusion and misunderstanding. "What's that? Your voice sounds funny! You say you're Castor the Killed Tasterr? You want to leave a dalliance? And part our fancies? You're breaking up!"
As she is talking, Vauhwyt flicks a button on her soiled shirt (see Seal info below!).
Mookie gets into the ruse and caws, "Boss, I think he said he wants to possess your properties and give you a rider. You know what that means!"
Vauhwyt puts a look of disgust on her face. "Look, buddy, you are most certainly NOT my type! BLECK! I wouldn't consort with you even if you DID have an extra two legs! Take your sick solicitations and get out of herre!"
Mookie's Aid Another check is a 30! That adds +2 to Vauhwyt's check. Her Bluff check is a 24 to pull this off.
Vauhwyt hoists the gagged Targo and keeps on walking toward the Prince's palace.
OPTION TWO ======== ========
If Vorelle seems open to this fellow's offer, Vauhwyt will negotiate. "Cut to the chase, Guild Masterr! How much are you offering. Baby needs a new pair of shoes, not to mention some magic weapons and armorr. We'll talk, but we don't come cheap."
As she is talking, Vauhwyt flicks a button on her soiled shirt (see Seal info below!).
"Let's be serious about this," Vauhwyt continues. "I think I could get 25 grand easy from the Prince for this fool -- and if not him, then from certain unnamed Houses. Top that, and we can talk. We are reasonable, you'll find. But don't even try to cheat us -- you would pay for that!"
Diplomacy 34, Bluff 35, Intimidate (inc Huge size bonus) 38 to deal with this windbag.
======== ========
SEAL INFO: • Seal of Approval: Once activated, this seal allows a +10 to diplomacy, bluff, disguise, and gather information skills. The seal lasts for 3 rounds and affects all party members. (awarded by Silk Tap DM Mikey on 28 Aug 05)
Note Seal helps all party members!
Berlon Wednesday December 21st, 2005 10:57:20 PM
Berlon rubs his chin, twirling his short beard as he ponders the magic in front of him. He listens to the vision's big words and wrinkles his large nose. "I should have dispelled it when I had the chance..." he mutters.
Vorelle Thursday December 22nd, 2005 2:02:56 AM
The man in the coin certainly likes to hear himself talk. Vorelle frowns in puzzlement, trying to discern the meaning through the big words. When he finishes, Vauhwyt asks her opinion, Vorelle answers with a slight shake of her head. She isn't interested in money, which is what she understood the wordy man to be talking about. She wants to get her friends (and herself!) out of this mess--and that means taking Targo to the Prince.
Rose Thursday December 22nd, 2005 5:31:00 AM
Rose is watching Targo carefully and not paying attention to the magical talk. She is also thinking about those dogs she saw in the catacombs shop a while back and wondering how much one would cost. Vauhwyt will get a sore back if Rose hitches a ride to often, if only the others didnt always run away from her.
Olyn Thursday December 22nd, 2005 12:43:53 PM
same as last post
Mad Jack Thursday December 22nd, 2005 5:15:00 PM
Jack watches as the ghost thing appears and talks. He moves over behind it, moves his hand through it, and is baffled by the sight. When the voice stops, he sees the group has a grand oppurtunity. Looking atthem, he can tell none of them see it, so he will take it himself
"Wise one, from the house of the Mrchants you say/ Well we all know you do not exist at the moment, but if you were able to lay at the hands the assaaainator, hmm, nice ord, yes the assassinator to the Prince, he would look favorably upon you and allow for your house to be. And we will just assume that it wasnt your group who planned the attampt in the first place."
He pauses for the information to sink in. "Now, we can not give you the man, but we could sell you a hand, or an ear. Lets say if you paid us real well, we would sell you the hand, ear and foot of this criminal would be assassin. Ok. so that would be 50000 gold. Now wait, before you answer. You would have our word, we would spend that gold on only your merchandise. So you actually would not lose anything in the bargain. In fact you would be gaiig 50000 gold in business. now of course I need the approval of the whole group, but I think they will find the offer appealing. Go now and get us a decision, we need to deliver this man as soon as possible."
Cayzle OOC Thursday December 22nd, 2005 8:23:17 PM
Jack remember your +10 on Diplomacy checks thanks to V's seal!
Good thing there's no centaurs about (DM Kup) Thursday December 22nd, 2005 9:52:20 PM Berlon seemed to mistrust the Merchant Kassif's message. So did Vorelle--a glance between her and Vauhwyt sent a message the liontaur clearly understood. While Rose kept an eye on Targo, Vauhwyt feigned confusion and misunderstanding. "Look, buddy, you are most certainly NOT my type! BLECK! I wouldn't consort with you even if you DID have an extra two legs! Take your sick solicitations and get out of herre!" With that, Vauhwyt hoisted the gagged Targo and walked toward the Prince's palace.
"No, wait!" Kassif implored. "You misunderstand me! This is not that type of solicitation, I mean, that is to say, er, wait!" But the liontaur was quickly moving out of earshot, with several of her companions as well. They could barely hear what was being said behind them.
Jack waited a moment and attempted some negotiation. "Wise one, from the house of the Merchants you say. Well we all know you do not exist at the moment ...."
Kassif hastily interjected. "It is true, of course, that our House has not, heretofore, been recognized as such, but that will soon change, I assure you, with our enterprise launch and brand recognition campaign ...."
But Jack was continuing [paraphrasing]. "But, if you were able to lay your hands on the assassin ... then the Prince would look favorably upon you and permit your House to be. And we will just assume that it wasn't your group who planned the attempt in the first place."
"What?" The image of Kassif appeared nervous. He pulled at the collar that strained to cover his bulging neck, and--even through the gossamer image--beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. "No, that is to say, of course, we had no-nothing to do with it! We would never, I mean, I--why only the other day we had a meaningful and constructive dialogue with the Prince himself, where we had a candid and frank exchange of views in a session that provided progress toward a successful conclusion to negotiations. Er, yes. We would never--I mean, that would not advance ...." He paused. "Surely you do not mean to suggest that your group would convey such a suggestion to the Prince! But of course, that would be nothing more than a complete fabrication that would serve no useful ...." He stopped again, and his eyes narrowed.
Jack was still speaking. "Now, we cannot give you the man, but we could sell you a hand, or an ear ... that would be 50,000 gold ...."
Kassif sputtered indignantly before recovering himself. "Those terms are completely unacceptable. No, my good man, you misunderstand your position. Let me illustrate."
"Our House is prepared to accept you as members, to become an advance negotiations team for us, in return for which you will be granted favors appropriate to your station. Our House will control passage in and out of the City, which we will offer to you at no charge. In addition, we control all goods passing into and out of the City--your group would be permitted to purchase and sell items at our employee rates, which I believe that you would find most attractive. You would be provided with exemplary lodging and board within our spacious and luxurious Towers. You will find that joining the Merchants is rewarding service ... in many respects."
"However, should you refuse us this ... token of good faith willingness to negotiate a business model, you may find yourself at a ... competitive disadvantage. There are many things that we can do that you may find ... uncomfortable." Kassif's eyes lowered and his brows furrowed slightly, as if he disliked saying such things. His pudgy fingers wiggled and his lips smacked in a distasteful manner. "You will not refuse us."
Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: {"They were in Merchant Square when I left but were going to heading to the Prince to deliver Targos. I dont think everyone was in agreement when I left. They would probably have taken the less traveled road to avoid mobs of people. Dietrich was the most agreeable with coming here but the Liontaur seemed to have a bur up her rear. As for Vorelle, she claims vengeance against her husband but refuses to voice her reasons. It all seems to me as my group is changing and some of their views are going a different direction than mine. Vauhwyt seemed appable to slit Targos' throat right on the spot, and that may be normal for the House of Knives and acceptable but my conscious wouldnt of allowed it without first speaking my opinion. Hence my decision to go to the one place other than the Temple with people I could trust."
The old man nodded. "You have chosen wisely, Olyn, for your friends are clearly lost. Here, then, is what you must do. Locate them. Bring the assassin to us. Under no circumstances should he be provided to the Prince. Persuade your friends not to put aside the friendship of the House of Wolves."
"Convince them. By any means necessary. Is that clear?"}
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday December 22nd, 2005 11:49:33 PM
"Good job, Mookie," says Vauhwyt softly as they walk away from the Sending and towards the Palace. She keeps on moving, hoping to get there without being attacked.
Berlon Friday December 23rd, 2005 11:47:25 AM
"Oh, now, see, you almost had me there, right up to the very end," Berlon says over his shoulder as soon as the fat man stops singing, "but then you got all crazy greedy at the end..."
He then quickens up a few steps to catch up to Vauhwyt. "Still," he says to Vauhwyt, "we may want to take a moment's pause..."
DM Kup: Hi everyone. So that everyone can relax and enjoy the holiday weekend, there will be no DM post until Monday at the earliest--Tuesday, if people need more time. Happy Holidays!
Olyn Friday December 23rd, 2005 5:44:53 PM
I will do so my good lord. And off he goes, racing along the route to where he knows the group is going. Intercepting the group he rushes to block their progression forward.
out of breath Olyn takes a moment to catch his and then begins.
I know you are set at turning over him to the Prince but it has come to my attention that we will be walking into a trap should we take him there. And I am assured that we will not be able to thwart this group sent to intercept us. Also, there are alot of activities happening in the shadows surrounding this assassination attempt and I have been asked to persuade you to take him someplace else. To a place we have quasi-sworn an allegiance to. Vorelle, I know you are scared, but I would rather you be scared than dead and I am sure you would think the same and the only choice we have right now, at this point, is to take Targos, with all haste, to the House of Wolves. They are awaiting our arrival. It has been told to me it is of the Upmost importance we do this and not go to the Prince. The Prince is still ill and doesnt know about our package yet so the sooner we get him to the House of Wolves the sooner we will have the information we need.
waits for a response
Vauhwyt Friday December 23rd, 2005 9:25:34 PM
Vauhwyt listens carefully to Olyn. "Wowsy," she says to him, "You've been busy working hard! I can only imagine what you had to do to find all that out."
"Brave, too," says Mookie, for once in his life without sarcasm. "Didn't know you had it in ya, elfie-boy!"
But Vauhwyt again turns to Vorelle. She says softly, "You know what I think. I still say a knife is the cleanest answerr. But it is up to you, my friend."
Rose Saturday December 24th, 2005 2:54:16 AM "Olyn, who told you this?" Asks Rose as she keeps an eye on Targo ready to hit him again if necessary.
(You may have noticed that Rose doesnt like Targo as he sacres Vorelle)
Olyn Saturday December 24th, 2005 11:45:49 AM
Looking at Vauhwyt he responds: for once Vauhwyt your way is not in the best interest of the group. And I will not let you commit murder. You want to slip a knife into Targos? Do it and we part ways. And the authorities learn of it.
Rose, the Lord of the Wolves informed me of this. He is shocked that the group will not listen to reason and bring Targos to the only place than can assure us protection. For yes, our lives are in danger and the closer we get to the Prince's abode the closer to trouble we get.
Vauhwyt Saturday December 24th, 2005 12:17:58 PM
Vauhwyt smiles at her friend Olyn. " 'Murderr'?" she says. "My friend, we commit murder with grreat regularity. We murder any creature that does wrong to us, or who is a villain, or who has hurt the innocent. We deal in murderr."
"There is a place for mercy. You will recall Kernorn, the insect lover, who we convinced the Prince should live."
Her voice drops to a whisper for Olyn only: Highlight to display spoiler: { "But for those who are evil, who harm innocents, who beat and bind and imprison and force to marry against their will -- and worse -- there is no better answer than murder. So I believe."
"Vorelle has suffered at the hands of this villain in ways you cannot imagine. Would you deny her the healing and empowerment and closure of his swift death? Or if we hand him to the Prince or the Wolves, what if he lives to return and hurt her again?"
"My friend, do you not see that by threatening me all you do is put more pressure on Vorelle? Now her choice is further constrained by her knowledge that her closure, her empowerment, her healing, and, yes, her vengeance would split the group. Now she will never choose that, and she will put your words before her own well-being. All I can ask is that you take your words back and tell Vorelle that the choice is hers. Let HER decide."}
Vauhwyt stops her whispering and says in a normal voice, "I still think that the choice should be Vorelle's."
Olyn Saturday December 24th, 2005 11:31:32 PM
Listens to Vauhwyt and when the question is asked he calmly says: No.
and No we dont Vauhwyt, we dont regularly murder evil doers. We defend ourselves when they attack us. We help to thwart their evil ways. Not once have we walked up to a bound and helpless foe and stuck a knife in their heart or slit their throat, watching the life blood seep from them and if Vorelle does just that, she becomes that which she despises.
And I do not threaten you Vauhwyt. I tell you like it is.
Proceed forward with Targos to the Prince, perhaps survive the trap just to be entraped in the Prince's web. Or take Targos to those who know how to deal with him. And like I said once before. I am sure, after Vorelle explains to them what relationship she has with Targos, that they will allow her her retribution.
To Vorelle he turns and says: Vauhwyt thinks the decision is solely yours. I disagree but it seems my opinion is not mutually acceptable at this time. So against my judgement I ask you to decide, Prince or the House of Wolves. Decide now.
Dietrich Sunday December 25th, 2005 12:52:32 PM
Dietrich is worried about all the interest in the prisoner, the merchants, the Prince, the Wolves; very easy to take a wrong step. He is glad Olyn is back and has found out something. He listens to the discussion and says:
"Friends, as much as I respect and love Vorelle, this decision should be of the whole group. As much as her personal reasons are just, the question has implications that by far exceed the interest of any individal."
Than he says to Vauhwyt and the others:
"It´s not important now to discuss filosophy. I don´t care at the moment if this &¨%$$ deserves this or that.
We have to think about what´s best for our safety and the safety of your relatives and the City.
I believe Olyn says the truth, but I´d like to know where this piece of info came from.
Also, the wolves don´t seem to be a neutral place, I´d rather suggest the Temple of Wardd, at least till we know more about what´s going on. We have strong ties to the Temple and I trust them more than any of the other options.
If you don´t agree with that, I vote to follow Olyn´s suggestion and avoid the trap."
Olyn Sunday December 25th, 2005 1:55:47 PM
As I said, the information came from the Lord of the Wolves. As for going to the Temple, they can't help us with him. And you are right D, the longer we stand here bickering the more time we lose assuring our safety.
Vorelle Sunday December 25th, 2005 7:38:53 PM
Vorelle doesn't trust anyone in Dirt City, and that includes the Wolves. They are just as likely to sell out her friends as anybody else, and they could easily have lied to Olyn.
On the other hand, this is what her friends want, and she doesn't have the heart to deny them.
"A-a-alright," she says, "the W-W-W-Wolves."
Vauhwyt Sunday December 25th, 2005 10:14:08 PM
Vauhwyt agrees with Dietrich ... now is not the time for philosophy, but some other time she would very much like to continue her conversation with Olyn.
When Vorelle answers, Vauhwyt shrugs. "Let's try it out! The Wolves have been good to us."
She hoists the villain and follows Olyn.
Mad Jack Sunday December 25th, 2005 11:36:11 PM
Visibly disappointed, he had wanted to sell one of Targos limbs. He satifies his desire by walking by Vauhywt and Rose.
"Hey Rose dear, could you thunk him a nother time for me?"
Olyn Monday December 26th, 2005 11:42:50 AM
leads the group in a safe route to the House of Wolves. when stopped by one of the guards, Olyn pointedly responds: The Lord of the House is expecting us. Tell him Olyn and friends has a gift for the House of Wolves.
Theodore and Macaw Monday December 26th, 2005 1:19:49 PM
"Oh, no!" Theodore slaps his head. Sooo close to the Prince. "I can't believe this! We're placing ourselves in jeopardy...again! We make foolish decision after foolish decision. I tell you know that if we do anything other than take Targo to the Prince, we condemn ourselves to exile or worse. The Prince will not forgive us for this folly."
"What do the Wolves have to do with any of this? Why should they concern themselves? Doesn't that seem a bit suspicious to you? People are coming out of the woodworks to get a hold of this guy. We have him and our orders, the ones we agreed on, the ones we PROMISED to the Prince, we are going back on?! Well, I am no liar. We must, I repeat, we MUST take this criminal to the Prince."
"Several of us have objections to the Prince's methods. But I submit the following evidence to you all: Has he ever done anything to us save throw a fit? He's threatened and even kicked us out of his home, but never without reason. And never has he raised a hand against us. How can we condemn him when he has done nothing to us to condemn? Why do you hate the man so? I just don't get it."
"But more than this, we must make a decision as a group, to a man. For where we take him dictates the fate of all of us, to a man. If we take him to the Wolves over the Prince, I need a darn good reason to do so."
Maybe we should call ourselves The Debate Club? ; ) (DM Kup) Monday December 26th, 2005 2:00:34 PM
More information, more apparent directions, still less certainty. Paths fraught with apparent perils. Whispers, innuendos, promises, entreaties, threats.
In short, business as usual on the mean streets of Dirt City.
Olyn had returned to the group with claims of information received from the House of Wolves, and had apparently persuaded Vorelle to take Targo to the Wolves rather than to the Prince. Vauhwyt, her mind still rather fixated on vengeance, agreed to follow Vorelle's decisions. Rose wanted to know more about the source of Olyn's information.
Jack wanted to see Rose clobber Targo with a rock again. Fun!
Dietrich suggested yet another course--back to the Temple of Wardd. They had, after all, proven worthy allies during the dark fey episode, only recently concluded.
Theo came back to his senses and pleaded for consistency. Would they throw away their loyalties to the Prince? Would they alienate the one power in the City with whom they were seemingly inextricably linked?
No one suggested paying any attention to the Merchant, Kassif, and his message glyph, except perhaps for Berlon's casual dismissal of it. As the companions ignored and moved away from the image, the virtual Kassif pursed his fat, distended lips and squinted sourly. "So be it," he declared. "You will regret this course of action. The friendship of the House of Merchants is not lightly cast aside." He waved a chubby arm and the image faded, along with the glyph that had seemingly created it.
The choice now belonged to the companions. Where to? And, what had happened to the Prince?
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {An important point of clarification. Olyn has said things IC that have no basis in the facts presented above--re-read what was written in the spoilers if there is any uncertainty. Does Olyn mean to lie, as part of convincing his friends "by any means necessary"? He is free to do so, of course, but I wanted to be certain that he was making the choice deliberately.}
Dietrich Monday December 26th, 2005 3:12:20 PM
Dietrich is not really satisfied with the course of action, but a decision has to be taken and he trusts Olyn´s recent investigations, so the warrior will follow for now.
"Theo, I don´t hate the Prince either, on the contrary, I´d say I´m one of the most pro-Prince guys in this party. But there is a trap awaiting us if we go in the direction of the Palace.
I have been thinking about the whole affair; maybe someone inside the Palace is involved with the assassination attempt. We´ve already had problems with the guard, and to put the blame on us would be perfekt for any coup-d´état by one of the Prince´s minions. We would be eliminated and the killer turns into the new Prince.
Anyway, if there is an AMBUSH, we have to avoid it, not run into it."
Concerning the merchants, Dietrich doesn´t like to have them as enemies, but better the merchants than the Prince or the Wolves...
OOC: DId you Dms receive my updated charactersheet, with the new purchase? The Debate Club is great, suggests a democratic and civic spirit...
Vauhwyt Monday December 26th, 2005 4:33:43 PM
[LOL! "The Debate Club" suggests other, all too accurate, things about our group -- all talk, no action; full of hot air; indecisive! :-) ]
Of her own, Vauhwyt agrees with Theo. Our loyalty is to the Prince. But she says nothing of this, wanting to help Vorelle follow her own heart.
Rose Monday December 26th, 2005 7:02:20 PM
Rose looks at targo and thinks about giving him another thump, then shakes her head and tells Jack "Well if we want him to be able to talk then I probably shouldnt thump him for a little while longer."
OOC Dietrich Monday December 26th, 2005 7:45:36 PM
OOC: It was an irony. But what can we do? The characters (and probably the players) are quite different and have very different values, approaches etc.
The way I see it, we can only take decisions by majority, which means prior debates.
Dietrich would actually support a more decisive leader with broader powers, but Vauhwyt is too impulsive and emotional for his taste. Any candidates?
Cayzle OOC Monday December 26th, 2005 8:52:02 PM
Peter, I know what you mean. But personally, I rather like our "organization" ... rather more familial than military. Sure we're dysfunctional, but it works because we put each other above all others! Right? Right??!!
It may not be the most efficient way to solve problems, but it offers great RP, and so far we've managed to get things done, pretty much!
:-)
Mad Jack Monday December 26th, 2005 10:56:34 PM
"I personally havent heard that we were going to give the Wolves our prisoner. We are just going there for help, or advice or whatever. Ultimately i know we all agree the Prince gets first last crack at him, but these other sources may help us in the future as well, for some considration on out part. We would do the honor of Dirt City a great injustice if we didnt try to work every angle. In the end, Targo is the Princes prisoner."
Vorelle d20+10=27 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 8:58:07 AM
"L-l-let's n-not walk into a t-t-t-t-trap," is Vorelle's only contribution to the debate. She glances around anxiously, nervous that they might be drawing attention to themselves.
[Spot 27]
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=21 d20+4=22 Tuesday December 27th, 2005 10:48:14 AM
"Here, then. I'll send Macaw ahead to scout out any trap. If he doesn't find anything, I say we move ahead to the Prince, or take a different way. Going to the Wolves is simply the wrong decision. They will take Targo by force. Don't doubt they will. They only want Targo as an ace against the Prince, as do the merchants and everyone else."
Theodore sends Macaw flapping down the tunnel in search of hidden enemies. (Macaw's Spot 21, Listen 22)
Vauhwyt Tuesday December 27th, 2005 11:00:51 AM
"I have a seal that will turn the entire party invisible for a little while ... long enough to sneak past any trap or ambush, probably."
Olyn Tuesday December 27th, 2005 11:58:51 AM
take Targos to the Prince. do what you want to do. Ill have no further part in this folly.
and Olyn turns and walks away from the party, heading in the opposite direction from the Palace.
DM Kup: great posting, everyone. We're missing Berlon, and I'd like to give Dave a chance to post if he'd like to--so feel free to post away! More actions and interactions if you'd like. DM post to come by no later than 9 pm Woldian tonight--possibly earlier, if Berlon checks in before then.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday December 27th, 2005 7:57:24 PM
Vauhwyt calls after OIyn, "Hey! Olyn! Come back! Isn't it better to do it all togetherr, whatever we end up doing?"
Mookie adds, "Come on, be a mensch, you big dummy! Don't go off in a huff!"
Vauhwyt tells Mookie, "Good work, Mookie. Insults always make me change my mind."
Olyn Tuesday December 27th, 2005 8:44:40 PM
saying over his shoulder as he continues in his direction.
Not when it's suicide.
And now, for the rebuttal ... (DM Kup) Tuesday December 27th, 2005 9:40:00 PM Dietrich followed Olyn, explaining to the others that he feared a trap. (Dietrich: I didn't receive the updated CS, but perhaps SteveK and Inge did. They're the ones that matter, anyway.)
Vauhwyt supported her friend Vorelle, as before. She offered a Seal of Invisibility, if it would make sense to use it.
Rose thought about giving Targo another thump, but decided to hold the senseless violence for another, slightly more sensical moment.
Jack suggested a clarification--seek help from the Wolves, but don't give Targo to them. But did the others share this view?
Vorelle nervously suggested avoiding a trap. A sensible notion--but now, what course of action would that suggest? She watched about them, anxious about attracting attention, and indeed, they hadn't made it far from the Prince's Palace before resuming their discussion. Perhaps a more private locale would be called for?
Theo sent Macaw toward the Wolves' Quarter. It might take the raven a while to get there. For now, the bird's empathic link with its master indicated no danger--yet.
Olyn lost his patience with the group's deliberations. "Take Targo to the Prince. Do what you want to do. I'll have no further part in this folly ... Not when it's suicide." He walked away from the party!
Vauhwyt and Mookie insisted that Olyn be a "mensch," meaning, in Gnomish, "one who eats barley with goats." The significance of this word was lost utterly upon the elven cleric, however.
A few minutes later, Macaw reported empathically that he felt no danger while flying through the Wolves' Quarter. Of course, the bird had felt no danger before, either, when he set off from the group's location just outside the Prince's Palace. And the group had been idling about in a public tunnel for some time now, with a gagged and bound man slung over Vauhwyt's shoulder. Ordinarily, of course, in Dirt City, such a sight would attract little attention--if only because no one would be so foolish as to linger long enough to look. But now, with time passing, it was becoming harder to avoid attention. And indeed, it looked like there was movement over by the doors to the Prince's Palace.
.... And?
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday December 27th, 2005 11:45:13 PM
"There is no danger," reports Theodore. "We should make our move. Now."
He notices the palace doors open and points them out to the others. "Look. Someone comes."
Vorelle Wednesday December 28th, 2005 9:06:53 AM
Vorelle hates to see tension in the group. Distressed, she looks from Theo to Olyn and back. Then she looks to where a door seems to be opening.
"Th-the P-P-P-P-Prince, then," she says. "Olyn, p-p-p-p-please d-d-d-don't be m-mad."
Vauhwyt d20+11=23 Wednesday December 28th, 2005 3:07:28 PM
Vauhwyt urges everyone to hold hands and try to be quiet! She casts her Blood Armor spell on herself and Mookie.
"Here we go!" she says. Then she flicks a green button on her shirt, and the entire party turns invisible.
Seal of Invisibility: Each party member is rendered invisible for 5 minutes or until they attack, or the individual is granted the benefits of improved invisibility for 5 rounds. (awarded by Silk Tap DM Mikey on 28 Aug 05)
"Come on!" she whispers, as she leads the way into the Prince's palace. [OOC; Move Silent 23]
Dietrich Wednesday December 28th, 2005 4:01:46 PM
Dietrich sighs in desperation, than suddenly he can´t see neither his friends, nor himself!
But this doesn´t solve the problem at all.
He doesn´t want to give the prisoner to the Prince´s men, under which there could be people connected to the assassins. He doesn´t want to give the prisoner to the Wolves either, as Theo´s words could be very true indeed. He doesn´t want to give the prisoner to the Merchants, not for now at least.
Considering all these points, the warrior still suggests to go first to a more private place, perhaps the Temple of Wardd, decide there as a group what to do in definitely and investigate more before simply giving Targo to anyone.
As he´s already invisible though, he´ll accompany the party to where the majority wants to go, hoping Olyn will come back, as the party will need his powers and his counsel.
Berlon Wednesday December 28th, 2005 4:13:42 PM
"So," Berlon says as quietly as he can, "exactly how far away are we from that abandoned bakery we found? We could use that as a spot to gather our wits..."
Rose Wednesday December 28th, 2005 7:33:16 PM "Come on lets go already it cant be comfortable for Vauhwyt to carry both Targo and me."
Mission: Invisible (DM Kup) Wednesday December 28th, 2005 10:06:26 PM Theodore urged the party to move as the gates to the Palace opened. Vorelle indicated that the move was to bring Targo to the Prince, Olyn's warnings notwithstanding. Vauhwyt cast a protective dweomer over herself and Mookie, and then used a magic seal to make the group invisible! Silently, she led the group toward the Palace gates. Dietrich sighed--an invisible, but still audible sigh!--but accompanied the others, as did Berlon, who still hoped for a moment of quiet reflection. Rose urged haste--Vauhwyt couldn't hope to carry her and Targo forever.
Indeed. Could the enlarged liontaur, carrying three passengers, really hope to pass the Prince's gates undetected? And with a party of muttering, commenting party members along with her, no less? It was time to test the mettle of those who would claim to be among the stealthy denizens of Dirt City. Just beyond the opened gates, two guards stood conferring with a superior in the narrow hallway that led into the Palace.
ooc: Move Silently checks for everyone attempting to enter the Prince's Palace. Vauhwyt, factor encumbrance and size into the check. Olyn, if you reconsidered at the last moment, I'll allow Vauhwyt's spell to cover you. Otherwise, you're visible and walking the other direction.
Olyn Thursday December 29th, 2005 12:21:16 AM
goes back to the House of Wolves and reports in.
Mad Jack d20+2=8 Thursday December 29th, 2005 12:47:42 AM
Not used to following another who makes decisions for herself and then just does them, he plays along. Maybe something could be learned from this.
Dietrich Thursday December 29th, 2005 8:32:23 AM
Dietrich hears Berlon´s idea and couldn´t agree more. But alas, it´s too late. He swears silently to Domi and is annoyed enough about the situation, thinking: "When this is over, and should we still be alive, we´ll have some stuff to discuss about."
The warrrior goes with the rest till the entrance and decides to stay there, waiting outside till he´s needed. He isn´t exactly the most silent guy, with all the steel climpering around, and would only put the whole enterprise at risk, should he try to enter the Palace.
Theodore and Macaw d20+1=4 d20+1=15 Thursday December 29th, 2005 3:07:58 PM
Although Theodore tries his hardest to keep from being heard, he has never been known as a sneaky individual. Always one to wear his feelings on his sleeve, the sneaking simply doesn't come naturally to him. (Move Silently 4) But he understands the necessity of being quiet in this endeavor, and remembers to hoist up his overflowing pant legs to keep from making a shuffling noise. (Burn a hero point for Move Silently 15)
The rest, is up to Wardd.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday December 29th, 2005 4:43:24 PM
Vauhwyt cast her Enlarge back at the market, and the spell only hjas a duration of 2 minutes, so I'm sure it has expired. That leaves the large-size Vauhwyt carrying both Targo and Rose.
Let's guess that Rose weighs 50 lbs. let's guess that Targo is 200 lbs. As a large quadruped with a 14 Str, Vauhwyt can carry 177 to 348 pounds as a medium load. That imposes a check penalty of -3 on her move silent rolls. Per the rules, there is no size penalty for movine silently, but of course the DM is always well within rights to impose circumstance adjustments.
Since V rolled a 23 on her Move Silent check last post, that becomes a 20.
She does her best to sneak into the Palace past the ambush.
Vorelle d20+11=24 Thursday December 29th, 2005 5:20:38 PM
Silent as a ghost, Vorelle glides through the gates with the rest of the group.
[Move Silently 24]
Early rolls d20+5=19 d20+3=14 d20+3=4 Thursday December 29th, 2005 9:52:35 PM DM post on the way--Kup
Inside, and Out (DM Kup) d20+4=23 d20+4=17 d8=5 d20+4=6 d20+4=11 d20+4=22 d20+4=12 d8=5 Thursday December 29th, 2005 10:25:23 PM
While Dietrich and Berlon stayed outside, invisible, Vauhwyt (with Rose and Targo on board), Vorelle, and Jack cautiously made their way inside the Prince's Palace gates.
The two guards who were swinging the gates open were occupied with speaking with their supervisor. "--And we must appear as if things are entirely normal," the more senior man was saying. He was tall and reedy, with a drawn face, thin lips, and close-cropped gray hair. "The populace must not suspect anything is awry. They--"
He paused and studied the seemingly empty corridor in front of them for a moment, as if listening to something, then continued slowly. "They would not appreciate it. Anything that would add to the--instability--of the moment would only serve to enhance the strength of our enemies. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," the gendarmes replied, and saluted crisply. They stood to either side of the gates, the feet of their polearms resting on the tunnel floor. Their superior officer, meanwhile, had not bothered to stop long enough to acknowledge the salute, but merely turned sharply on his heel and returned back inside and disappeared around a corner that branched off to the left in the distance.
Mercifully, luck appeared to be with the group. The gates were open, the guards were staring off down the tunnel beyond them, and there was no one else in view.
The group slowly made its way forward with silence and caution. Vauhwyt carefully squeezed her way past the guards, her tail just narrowly passing the poles of their pikes. Vorelle came next, silent and smooth.
Then it was Jack's turn. He passed the metal bulwark that buttressed the floor along the gateway--and his boot scraped against it! There was a silent, collective intake of breath as one of the guards' head snapped in the direction of the noise.
"What was that, Marek?" he demanded of the other guard.
"What was what?"
"That noise. Didn't you hear it?"
The second guard stifled a yawn with the back of a lobstered gauntlet. "Rats."
The first guard's shoulders slumped and his face darkened with apparent disgust. "With you, it's always rats," he retorted. "It's a wonder they don't eat your codpiece, with so many of them." The second guard, called Marek, merely snorted in response.
After a few moments of tense silence, those who were proceeding inside could breathe a collective sigh of relief. The guards had not seemed to detect them.
Ahead of the inside group, three pathways diverged. To the left was the small hallway down which the officer had recently traveled. There were a set of turnpike stairs leading up at the end of it--perhaps it led to a guard room. To the right, there was another narrow passage, with a straight staircase that led down at the end. There were voices speaking low but urgently in that direction. Immediately before them were two large, heavy, oaken doors. They were closed.
Dietrich and Berlon: Back near the gate, "Marek" and his companion guard were speaking in quiet voices.
Listen DC 12: Highlight to display spoiler: { Marek: Did you hear about the poison? 1st guard: Aye. Deadly, I hear. Marek: Not as I heard it. I heard that it was a set-up. 1st guard: A what? But why? Marek (looking slyly): I heard this from a wench at the tavern, who has ... friends, you know? You didn't hear it from me, of course ...}
Olyn: You made your way quickly back to the Wolves' Quarter and returned to the guard's station. Displaying your Wolves' signet ring, the guard looked at you askance and indicated that you should wait. Another guard joined him, they conversed quietly for a moment, and then the second one withdrew within. Shortly, he returned and nodded for you to follow.
You accompanied the guard to the same antechamber as before. Inside, the old man was sitting behind his desk, his hands steepled over his large book. You noticed that three physically unimposing, unarmed men dressed in simple shifts with Wolves' insignia stood along the wall that flanked the door through which you had entered the room.
Without looking up, the old man spoke. "Leave us," he declared. The guard nodded again and withdrew, closing the door behind him. The three unarmed men remained.
Again the old man spoke, without looking up. "Olyn, you have returned." It was not a question.
"You have failed to bring your companions. You have failed to bring the assassin. Your directions were explicit."
The old man sighed, placed a long feathered quill in the binding of the book and closed the cover, looking up at last. The light of the torches in the wall sconces that lined the room glittered in his dark, expressionless eyes.
"You have failed in your service, Olyn. There is no margin for failure in this House."
The old man's eyes darted to either side for just a moment. You sensed, even without seeing them, that the three unarmed men stepped forward silently and lithely from their places on the wall to flank you on either side and from behind.
"Fortunately, you can still be of service to our House--as an example that we do not abide failure!"
With lightning speed, the three men struck! Legs and arms flew at you, seemingly from all directions at once. (ooc: you are not surprised or flat-footed. You have your full AC. However, the most recent CS I have for you shows an AC of 21 and HP of 19! If that's wrong, please let me know.)
The first man connected with a solid blow to your sternum, knocking the air from your chest (5 HP nonlethal damage). The second man's legs swung up at you, but you were able to deflect them. The third man's elbow connected with the back of your neck, sending you stumbling forward (5 HP nonlethal damage).
"Finish him," the man behind the desk intoned as the men circled about you.
Mad Jack Friday December 30th, 2005 12:10:03 AM
As his foot scraped he froze immediately. Oh he did not like this none at all. When the guards continue talking as though noithing happened he continues with the others.
Berlon d20+6=25 Friday December 30th, 2005 12:57:13 AM
Berlon stands immobile and silent, and is able to hear Marek's conversation easily with his big Gnome ears.
Listen check 25
Olyn Friday December 30th, 2005 1:02:45 AM
ac21, 55hp is current. I sent a updated CS back in november.
and im curious, was this part of the module or is this your way of punishing someone who chooses to go against the norm, ie not agree with the group and go off without them?
if its the later, just remove me from the game, kill me if you want, but dont insult me.
Rose Friday December 30th, 2005 4:51:59 AM
Rose quietly (very very quietly) whispers into Vauhwyt's ear. "Do you want me to open the doors?"
Rose would be very very quiet as her lips are pratically touching Vauhwyt's ears.
Theodore and Macaw Friday December 30th, 2005 10:05:44 AM
(OOC - Theo went with those into the tower, as well. See above post.)
"Methinks the path directly ahead would logically lead towards the Prince's meeting room," he whispers. "However, we might take a peek down the right passage to see if one of the Prince's men owns one of those voices. The Prince might still be incapacitated and we might need to go through another right now."
He then waits for the others to mull it over and proceeds in whichever way the consensus chooses.
DM Kup: oops! Sorry for neglecting to mention you above, Theo. Got it--you're with the sneakers.
Folks, owing to the holiday weekend, there may, or may not, be a DM Post prior to Monday. Please don't feel pressured to rush in a post to beat a deadline we don't intend to enforce. : ) Happy New Year to everyone.
Dietrich d20+2=6 Friday December 30th, 2005 5:45:47 PM
Dietrich is too tense to notice what the guards are talking about (listen 6) and just continues in silent prayer to the gods for courage, wisdom and luck in their endouvors.
He stays ready with the great-sword at hands, should any signs of trouble arise.
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+4=11 d20+1=3 Friday December 30th, 2005 5:59:32 PM
Vauhwyt tries her best to remember how the group came before when they were under escort. (Int check 3 -- not really remembering!)
Vauhwyt pauses. She saw no sign of an ambush getting in, and now the group (or most of it) is prowling around the Prince's Palace invisible and uninvited.
She wonders if the group has bypassed the danger that Olyn mentioned yet, or if it is still ahead. Darn that cleric! Why couldn't he have been more precise! And why rush off like that? She hopes he is okay and is not too angry.
Vauhwyt tries to hear what is being said to the right: Untrained Listen check 11 -- not much hope there!
Vauhwyt asks Theo if he would detect magic on the door.
The liontaur answers Rose in a very very soft whisper, and a deliberate lisp: "Yeth, good idea, but let Theo detect magic firtht, and altho look for trapth before trying the lock."
Theo has a good point. "Vorelle, you are the thtealthietht of uth. Would you thneak a little wayth to the right to thee what there ith to thee. Or Lithten at leatht."
Vauhwyt casts a quiet message spell connecting herself, Rose, and Vorelle. She wishes she had thought to cast the spell earlier, so that she could talk with Dietrich and Berlon too. Next round she'll cast it on Theo and Jack, probably as Rose is working on the door.
[OOC: Could we get a sense, each post, of how much time has gone by from the duration of the 5 minutes of invisibility? Thanks!]
Spells used: 3 of 5 1st level spells, 1 of 6 0th level spells.
Mad Jack Friday December 30th, 2005 6:21:47 PM
Why had he come here, this is idiocy. He puts his mind to work, fast and hard, he knows he will be acting soon, hoping the madness will again save his hide.
DM SteveK Saturday December 31st, 2005 2:09:08 AM
OOC: Hi Everybody! I've finally gotten to be back on woldian access from my unanticipated time away. I'm going to start posting on Monday to continue with the module.
As a summation of where everybody is...
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, Mad Jack, and Rose has Targo in tow and they are invisible inside the Prince's Palace with the intent to sneak past the ambush at the Palace and bring Targo to the Prince.
Dietrich and Berlon await outside the Palace invisible and watch and listen and pray their companions are successful.
Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: { is at the House of Wolves where he has failed to do as told and the old man is having the elven cleric roughed up as an example. Olyn can fight back, meekly be beaten, run, or try and talk with the old man some more. }
Vorelle d20+11=20 d20+11=17 d20+10=18 d20+10=16 Saturday December 31st, 2005 11:15:20 AM
Vorelle sneaks a short way down the right-hand passage, watching and listening for anything that might help them.
[Hide 20, Move Silently 17, Listen 18, Spot 16, and I'd just like to point out that that was FOUR rolls under 10. The dice hate me. :) ]
Vauhwyt Sunday January 1st, 2006 9:21:21 AM
(Uses the Delay action to waits and see what Theo detects, if anything, and what Rose finds, if anything. May post again.)
Theodore and Macaw d20+14=28 Sunday January 1st, 2006 3:55:10 PM
(OOC - I've already posted, but if I'm allowed another one, I'll go ahead and detect magic. Otherwise, please ignore.)
Theodore casts detect magic, as Vauhwyt suggests and informs the Liontaur of his findings after aiming the magic down each of the three hallways and then on the door in front of them. (Spellcraft 28)
Talk and Plans [DM SteveK] Monday January 2nd, 2006 3:00:52 AM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, Theo, Mad Jack: At the beginning of your action, two minutes have past since the invisibility spell had been cast and the group moved across the cobblestones to the Prince's Stronghold and walked through to where they are standing now. (OOC: Big SWAG for me on the time, but I fugure that is about right and gives you time to do a little action before you have the decision to get out or become invisible inside with all the guards.) - Rose and Mad Jack await with the bound Targo for what Vorelle and Theodore can find out.
- Vauhwyt may have her mind playing tricks on her, but they so very recently came through the same Palace gate to talk to that mousy little man, that the liontaur is certain that they spoke with him in a chamber on the other side of those closed double doors.
- Theo casts the detect magic and senses that besides the magic carried by his friends, only the doors radiate (a moderate abjuration) magic.
- Vorelle moves silently enough down the right-hand passage, for she can hear the voices continuing, and can even make out some words. "You have the ringleader?" asks an angry voice. "Falquan is in our custody, yes" replies a cold voice. Angry: Not here? Cold: No, at the safehouse. You know the one? At the abandoned farmstead towards the mountain with the crazy dwarfs. Angry: Ah, yes. The logging track with the large rowan tree. That is good. And the others? Cold: We have not found the assassin, the one called Targo. But we have rounded up most of his conspiracy. Angry: Most??? Cold: (Placating) All his family and in-laws, but have not yet found the wife he is supposed to have. Angry: Wife and Husband gone to ground... No matter, Falquan by the axe and the others hung on the trees for killing the Prince. Tomorrow is soon enough. Cold: He is dead then? Angry: Food for the worms. Cold: (eager) And the next Prince? Angry: (eager) For daggers and poison to decide. I never liked the peace anyways. There is the sound of a door opening and shutting and the voices are gone.
Dietrich and Berlon: Waiting outside, Dietrich can hear nothing, but is ready for anything with his hand on his sword. Looking about he notices Berlon's ears are twitching as he watches the murmuring of the guards intently, and sometimes nodding in time to a comment by one of the guards. Berlon himself can hear the conversation like the gnome was standing right next to Marek. 1st Guard: "Nay, I heard it from nobody." Marek: "Well, (he says with a finger to his nose) I've been on guard for the Prince before, and he's a wily one he is. If the poison isn't deadly and the announcement is that the Prince is dead, what do you think will happen?" 1st Guard: "Power plays for the Princeship." Marek: "And all the anger against the Prince directed against each other with himself to pick up the pieces!" he chortles. 1st Guard: "I jes don't envy those as was supposed to guard him." Marek: "Aye, a failed guard may as well slit his own throat. Just as dead..." 1st Guard: "...And less pain!" They both laugh as at a common joke.
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: { The scene at the House of Wolves mercifully fades to gray. What may be going on in there is but speculation at this point, and may in the course of time be fully revealed. }
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP44) and Mookie (AC19 HP22) (Blood Armor, Invis, Messages) d20+1=3 d20-2=10 Monday January 2nd, 2006 6:08:28 AM
[OOC: My friends, to be completely out of character here, can I emphasize that if we screw this up we are dead. This is it. We have to be 100% right on target in everything we do. No screw ups, no missed posts, no forgetting anything. Read over your character sheet. Keep in mind how many hero points you have and then use them. Check out your seals and use those too. Let no potion of scroll be ignored. Play smart -- real smart -- and maybe we can still make it out alive.]
[OOC: Remember that Jack, Theo, Rose, and Vorelle are linked to Vauhwyt and Mookie by Message spells. Whisper as silently as you can, and Vauhwyt will relay what you say to the others in the link.]
Vauhwyt whispers to Theo (assume the lisp if you like), "Theo, do you have a Read Magic prepped? If you do, you might want to use it to tell if the doors are guarded by a glyph or symbol."
After that, Vauhwyt asks Rose to look for traps without touching the door! She herself will try to help ... but her untrained Search roll (3) is useless. Mookie, standing on Vauhwyt's shoulder, whispers via the shared Message spell, "Hey short stuff! Look there!" The bird actually is useful, giving a +2 on after an Aid Another roll.
Vauhwyt listens with an eager ear to hear what Vorelle has heard, if anything.
[OOC: Steve, since we have 30 rounds of invisibility left, but only three minutes of invisibility left, can we count down the spell that is saving us in rounds rather than minutes? :-) Thanks!]
Spells Used:
3 of 5 1st level spells 2 of 6 0th level spells.
Vorelle d20+11=26 d20+11=24 Monday January 2nd, 2006 12:08:03 PM
Cold terror grips Vorelle as she listens to the two voices. Shaken, she slips back to where her friends wait.
"O-Olyn w-w-w-was r-r-r-right," she says. "W-w-w-we n-n-n-need to g-g-g-get out of h-h-here."
[Hide 26, Move Silently 24]
Vauhwyt Monday January 2nd, 2006 12:27:22 PM
"Vorelle, why? What? What did you learn?"
Dietrich Monday January 2nd, 2006 1:20:38 PM
Oblivious to the fact that his suspicions about an internal coup and having the party as a scape-goat are unfortunately true, Dietrich continues waiting at the entrance.
The warrior sees that Berlon is listening to something and he gets curious, looking at the gnome for answers. His fingers are itching to use Wardd´s gift and the adrenalin in his blood is rising.
Theodore and Macaw Monday January 2nd, 2006 7:29:41 PM
Theodore nods to Vauhwyt. (Spontaneously cast read magic in place of detect poison to read glyph on door, if there is one)
Vorelle (illegal second post) Monday January 2nd, 2006 8:33:40 PM
"Th-th-th-they--" Words are coming with more difficulty now as the enormity of their peril becomes clear. Vorelle tries, but the harder she tries, the more pressure she feels, and the worse the stutter becomes. She manages a couple more incoherent sounds, and that's about it.
Vauhwyt (second post) Monday January 2nd, 2006 8:50:28 PM
Vauhwyt is filled with empathy for the frustration that Vorelle must feel. She thinks again that Targo's death would be a good step towards helping Vorelle. But she has no time for such thoughts.
Instead, she whispers, "Vorelle, take a deep breath and listen. If we leave now, the Prince will brand us as traitors. We already refused the Wolves and the Merchants. The Temple of Ward will not take us in. We do not have enough pull with any other House. The WLA is too weak, except maybe to help send us into exile. If we leave now, we kiss our future here goodbye -- maybe foreverr."
"But if we press on we can still get to the Prince, bring him the assassin, and convince him we are loyal. If he is lying poisoned somewherre, then he really needs our help. It is like Theo said, our honorr, our duty, and our hope is with the Prince!"
"So Vorelle, my friend, if you think our only chance is to go into hiding and exile, then I will agree with that path. But are you surre? Is there no better hope? No chance for something else by pressing on?"
"Here it is, by oldest friend: Do we go back, away, into hiding, and maybe into exile?
Nod yes or no."
Catching his master's mood, Mookie is silent. Vauhwyt's claws dig hard at the floor, and she feels like she is perched on the tall limb of a tree. Which way will we fall? Vauhwyt thinks, or can we walk further on this narrowing branch?
Berlon Monday January 2nd, 2006 9:09:48 PM
Berlon listens intently to the guards' conversation, wrinkling his nose as it concludes. He waits to relate the story to Dietrich, not wanting to alert anyone to their position.
Vorelle (illegal third post) Monday January 2nd, 2006 9:23:59 PM
Having had a moment to reflect, Vorelle realizes that their only chance lies in thwarting the real assassins, two of which are in this building. And if Vauhwyt's right about the Wolves, their only chance lies in convincing the Prince to clean his own house.
"N-n-n-no," she whispers. "W-w-w-w-we g-g-g-g-go on."
Mad Jack Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 1:57:12 AM
OOC I am a bit confused here. The conversation that is goin on , about the assassins, and this Targo character, too me doesnt sound the alarm. I mean he said 'we have rounded up the conspiracy.' So I dont understand Vauhywts message that two of the assassins are behind the door. Also Vauhwyt gives 4 options to Vorelle, "back, away, hiding, and exile'. Then asks her to nod yes or no. Also even if Vorelle heard that she is being searched for, who knows she is Targos wife? So Im confused.
Jack, not understanding any of what is going on, simply stands as still as he can. All this talk of leaving, after all the convincing of bringing the man here. Its absurd to leave now he thinks. Jack whispers, "Lets drop him off like planned and get out of here."
Unseen, Unheard [SteveK] Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 4:16:17 AM
OOC: Sorry if there is confusion. Inevitable where the DM can't do non-verbal communication :) I think that Vorelle has correctly assumed that when Targo's family was 'rounded-up', that they spilled the beans on Targo having a wife and who she is, which is why the round-up included Targo's in-laws (ie Vorelle's family)
OOC: Invisibility by round: 29, knowing it took 20 rounds to reach this far undetected, so there are 9 more rounds to take action before the point of no return.
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: { In a hushed little group, Vorelle comes to the group scared nearly witless. A concerned Vauhwyt lays out the rapidly dwindling options of the group, and Vorelle's nod indicates that the group still try and find the Prince to deliver Targo.
Theodore prepares a Read Magic but doesn't need to use it. Neither does the nimble Rose have to ply her trade on the doors, for the massive oaken portals are opening! Pulled from the inside, they ponderously swing open on expertly oiled hinges. Glimpsed through the opening is a troop of the Prince's Men marching out the audience chamber with the obvious intent of going down the hall. Marching? Yes, marching. Not with the sharp step of an Alsidurian Brigade or the House Guard of Plateau City, but marching none the less. Each have headless pikes and black armbands on, and the small column is shoulder to shoulder for the cooridor. The headless pikes and armbands say louder than any words what the word is going to be in the city; the Prince is Dead!
Uh oh! There are the two smaller cooridors (one to the left that had the officer walk down, and the other to the right was where Vorelle heard the voices and door shut) that may be a refuge, or the Heroes can precede the procession back down the hallway, or they can confront the ranked mass of men-at-arms walking down the hallway. The good news is their armor is making such a clatter that being quiet is no problem.}
Dietrich and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { Dietrich watches Berlon who ignores the bigger man to concentrate on anything else the guards say. Unfortunately, they seem to have come to the end of thier conversation. }
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: { willing to talk if you are still reading posts }
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP44) and Mookie (AC19 HP22) (Blood Armor, Invis, Messages) Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 6:05:00 AM
Vauhwyt whispers to Jack, Theo, Rose, and Vorelle, "Quick! To the left! Then we sneak in before the doors close again!"
[OOC: Steve, from Vauhwyt's experience in the palace before, how far as the mole digs (in a straight line) is the heart of the palace from the outside gate where Vauhwyt thinks Dietrich and Berlon are waiting? If it is within 120 feet, then Vauhwyt is pondering sending Mookie out behind the marchers. That way Vauhwyt could message Mookie, who could talk with D&B, and be in communication. If it is further than 120 feet, then that serves no purpose, since the message spell would fail at that distance.]
[OOC to Jack: For what it is worth, Vauhwyt is of the opinion that if the group were to turn back, then hiding and exile would follow. The choice she intended was "Turn Back" or "Go Forward." Vauhwyt is glad that Vorelle seems to have understood what she meant. Maybe it's a girl thing. :-) ]
Finally, as they stand off to one side and watch the marchers go past, Vauhwyt whispers an opinion: "I do not believe it. I do not believe that the Prince is dead. But his enemies are evidently in control. That must be the source of the ambush. We have to find the Prince and restore him to powerr. And even if he is dead, we need to fetch him and bring him to the Temple so that he can be brought back to life! Our situation is now that much more dirre. But we still have hope and a chance! Be brave, my friends!"
As soon as the marchers pass, Vauhwyt will lead her friends through the oak double doors.
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 10:17:24 AM
Theodore would look deathly pale, if he weren't invisible. He manages to move into the left tunnel as Vauhwyt suggests and moves again with the party when they move into the room from whence the marchers came.
Mad Jack Tuesday January 3rd, 2006 1:46:31 PM
Jack follows as silently as possible. The sight of all the guards, or armsmen has him feeling mighty queezy. without knowing it, he begins to mutter softly under his breath. A new plan, new plan, this one is going bad in a hurry.
rose Wednesday January 4th, 2006 2:13:06 AM
Rose whispers to Vauhwyt "I have another seal to make us invisible when this one runs out." She tries to stay quiet and hang on to Vauhwyt and hold Targo in place as Vauhwyt quickly moves.
Unseen, Unheard [SteveK] d20+5=10 d20+5=22 d20+5=7 d20+5=9 d20+5=15 d20+5=14 d20+5=19 d20+5=7 d20+5=17 d6+5=7 Wednesday January 4th, 2006 6:42:15 AM
OOC: Invisibility by round: 26, knowing it took 20 rounds to reach this far undetected, so there are 9 more rounds to take action before the point of no return.
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: { The Heroes hurry into the side cooridor and not a moment to soon as the crash and tramp of thirty mailed warriors march past. Most are stoic, some worried, and one or two have tear streaks on thier faces as they move down the hallway within arms reach of the Heroes. It takes two rounds for the marchers to go past and another for the group to come around and slip inside the doors. Not to worry, for the doors have no one there to close them and they remain standing open. And the group can see the audience chamber where they were tested by the clerky little man only a few days ago. The echoes of the march are still in the room, and each of the heroes again can move without fear of being heard. Of course, that means it is difficult to hear what the man who is standing at the far end of the room is saying. Dressed in finest black silks and kidskin, the man looks to be in his mid thirties, with a receding hairline that still retains its raven colour. He is turned and is talking to a chair that is beside him, a expertly carved and velvet covered chair that has a princely crown carved into the back. It seems that you will have to get closer or wait for the echoes to die down to hear what is being said. And that much more movement or time to get found out as well. The thought comes unbidden to Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, MadJack, and Rose; careful my friends, risk and reward are balanced on a razor's edge... }
Dietrich and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { A sound begins low, and then grows as surely as the ticking of a clock, gets louder and louder. Marek and his companion turn and put thier shoulders to the door, opening them just in time. Out marches (marches?) Marches 30 Prince's Men, shoulder to shoulder, in the cooridor the others took to go in the Palace. They all carry headless pikes and have black armbands on thier sleeves. Spreading out, they ring the courtyard at 'parade-rest' in a half-moon facing outward. Oh, this is bad, this is very bad. There is only one person who could have died to bring the warriors out in funeral array... }
Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: { Olyn stands amazed that after all that he and his friends have done for the Wolves that he will be treated this way! And the men continue thier attacks. A flurry of blows come from the men, but only one manages to connect in a bruising strike to the back for 7 points of damage. The old man actually cracks a smile and begins to instruct the young elf. "Good, you take discipline like a Wolf. Submit to the Alpha of the pack and you will become a Wolf. You are no longer a jackal sniffing around the Wolves den." "A Wolf sacrifices for the good of the Pack." "A Wolf submits to the will of the Alpha." "A Wolf..." The instruction and the beating continues }
Cayzle seeks clarity Wednesday January 4th, 2006 7:15:07 AM
Steve, can you confirm something? The man is talking to a chair? Is it a throne? Is it facing us or turned away? Is it possible that we cannot see someone seated ion the chair because the chair is turned away? Or is it possible that there is someone invisible in the chair? Can we make listen checks to hear if there are two voices or just one? How about spot checks to read lips? How far is the man from the party?
Olyn Wednesday January 4th, 2006 8:10:20 AM
stands there.
in shocklike state.
ashamed of the thoughts that ran through his head.
(ooc and mine too)
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=21 Wednesday January 4th, 2006 9:51:35 AM
"I also have an invisibility spell prepared," Theodore whispers via message. He hangs back to let one of his stealthier friends listen in on the conversation.
As he stands, he scans the room for any other doors or possible nasty surprises. (Spot 21)
Vorelle d20+10=27 Wednesday January 4th, 2006 1:14:50 PM
Taking her time, Vorelle moves cautiously closer, straining her ears to overhear what the man is saying.
[Take 10 on Move Silently for a result of 21. If I can't take 10, let me know and I'll roll it. Listen 27]
Dietrich d20=18 Wednesday January 4th, 2006 4:12:18 PM
Dietrich is getting slightly nervous about the delay of his friends. When all the soldiers come out of the palace and he recognizes that the Prince is probably dead, the warrior gets really worried.
He moves to a more protected place, to observe the entrance and to get out of sight for when his invisibility vanishes (hide 18, with armour). He sheaths his sword and takes the long-bow at hands.
Dietrich remembers the strange right-hand man (can´t remember his name now) and Th´Ayvannen´s mysterious and painful death. After that, things got worse and worse. Could this guy now have killed the Prince to assume his power? Which other, more evil powers could be behind that?
The fighter continues waiting, with a feeling of impotence, not able to sneak into the castle and help his friends. He prays again to DOmi for the sake of his friends and of the City and hopes that the other options are not closed yet. Maybe the Wolves or the Merchants could still be interested in the party´s allegiance... When out of distance to be heard by the guards, he asks his gnomish budy:
"What do you think about calling Olyn and maybe the Wolve´s help? I´d prefer to have more muscle, for the case we have to fight our way out of the prepared ambush."
Berlon Wednesday January 4th, 2006 5:16:12 PM
Berlon isn't sure what to do, but follows Dietrich, retreating to a safe conversation range.
"I'd prefer our reinforcements to be a little more... let's just say reliable. And frankly, I think we're at the point of no return..."
Mad Jack d20=2 d20=16 Wednesday January 4th, 2006 6:41:46 PM
Jack simply stands there. Knowing if he moves now, he will reveal himself.
Spot 2 Listen 16
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP44) and Mookie (AC19 HP22) (Blood Armor, Invis, Messages) d20+11=25 d20+2=20 d20+2=22 d20+2=21 Thursday January 5th, 2006 4:10:43 AM
[OOC: Last post I asked about the distance back to Berlon and Dietrich "as the mole digs." If the distance is less than 120 feet, especially if it is much less, then Vauhwyt will cast Message on Piper and Mookie as the soldiers march by and then send Mookie following them. If Mookie can find D&B, then the two of them can communicate with the five inside via Mookie and Message. But if the distance is more than 120 feet, then that won't work, and Vauhwyt will keep Mookie close. For what it is worth, since the group has been making Move Silent checks without the -5 penalty, we have been travelling at half-speed, that is, 30 feet per round with Rose on Vauhwyt.]
Vauhwyt whispers to Jack under the cover of the fading boots, "Jack, stop muttering and hold onto Targo." She hands the assassin off to her newest friend.
She continues, whispering, "This is clearly the Usurperr."
SUPERFAST RUMINATION BEGINS ========
Vauhwyt, a rogue herself, knows that an attempt to sneak attack this fellow is doomed to failure under normal circumstances. With his Uncanny Dodge, he cannot be flanked, and he retains his dex bonus even against unseen foes and if surprised or flat-footed.
"However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized."* That means if he is GRAPPLED!
So a plan hatches in the mind of the liontaur. If she were to cast her Enlarge spell and then charge the man, a successful grapple will immobilize him. That in itself would be good, but thereafter he would be susceptible to sneak attacks ... not from her, the grappler, but from others attacking into the grapple! Like Rose! Who has a green seal of backstabber, just like Vauhwyt's!
Vauhwyt's surprise attack would grant a free attack on the usurper in which to establish the grapple, and then the subsequent pin would let Vauhwyt cover his mouth before he could shout for help.
Vauhwyt goes over the plan in her head one more time.
Round 1: Cast Enlarge. Move silently to within 30 feet. Round 2 (surprise round): Leap with surprise, touch, and grapple. Others attack into the grapple. Round 3 (first round of combat): Pin and cover the man's mouth. Others continue to attack into the grapple.
The biggest problem is Who is he talking to? If he is delivering an evil soliloquy to the chair, then fine. But if there is someone present ... someone she cannot see? Invisible? Concealed by the chair? Then the whole plan goes belly up. The other problem is that initial grab. What if she misses? She used up all her luck at church, and does not feel particularly heroic (has no hero points!). But she is invisible, and Mookie will help ... unless he is off talking to D&B!
ALL THIS flashes through Vauhwyt's head in the blink of an eye! Then she makes a start.
RUMINATION ENDS ========
"This is the usurperr!" Vauhwyt repeats in a whisper to her friends -- a whisper that does not conceal the liontaur's faint accent. "We need to take him down! I'll cast enlarge and get a little closerr. Then I'll grapple him while everyone else attacks. Then I'll pin him and shut him up so that he cannot call for help, cast spells, or activate magic items. Keep attacking until he goes down!"
Still under the cover of the fading boots, Vauhwyt casts her Enlarge spell (shared with Mookie unless she has sent him off behind the troops). She moves silently so that she is 30 feet away from the man. She watches carefully and listens.
Move Silent -- if she can take ten, that's a 21. If she is rolling, that's a 25.
Listen -- 20 or 22 if Mookie is near to lend alertness.
Spot to look for people -- Wowsy! A nat 20 is a 22 or 24 with Mookie. Per the Wold House Rules, "CRITICAL HITS AND FUMBLES: We will use the 3.5E rules for critical hits. We add to that the rule that all rolled 1's automatically miss and all 20's always hit, on skills, saves, any roll of a one fails and any roll of a 20 succeeds." So Vauhwyt is confident that if there is anyone invisible or hidden in the room, she'll sense it.
Spot to read lips -- 21 or 23! Gosh darn it! I'm using up the good rolls I'll need to grapple on skill checks!
Spells Used:
4 of 5 1st level spells (just cast Enlarge) 2 or 3 of 6 0th level spells (3 if cast on Mookie and Piper)
OOC to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {Sorry for this insane post, and for rules lawyering. I can't help it when I am excited!}
==========
*From the SRD rules for Uncanny Dodge.
Clarity Post [DM SteveK] Thursday January 5th, 2006 7:09:12 AM
OOC: I seemed to have this problem before :) (ie of not giving enough information to the players so thier characters can act as the Players wish them to act) And I completely forgot to mention about any of the 'mole digging' distances in the Palace (sheepish DM)
1) It is certainly further than 120 mole feet from the current party location to where you left Dietrich and Berlon. Certainly best to keep Mookie with Vauhwyt.
2) The man is talking to an empty throne which is facing you. Yes, Listen checks are a great idea if you want to hear what is being said.
3) Rumination was great to bring thoughts out and settle in my mind what can/can't be done. Understand that you players blew out of the module storyline a long time ago and your DMs are madly trying to keep up with all your great ideas. It has been a fun challenge keeping with your posts and seeing how we could use the module as a framework for some semblance of order! :-)
Unseen, Unheard [SteveK] d20+5=17 d20+5=13 d20+5=22 d20+5=24 d20+5=19 d20+5=15 d20+5=18 d20+5=20 d20+5=17 d6+5=11 d6+5=11 d2=1 Thursday January 5th, 2006 7:22:12 AM
OOC: Invisibility by round: 25, knowing it took 20 rounds to reach this far undetected, so there are 5 more rounds to take action before the point of no return.
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: {Theodore looks around the room to spot any surprises. All he sees is the man in black standing on the left of the throne and talking to the empty seat. There is one more door out which is behind the throne and the man. The Heroes are about fifty feet from the throne. Theo is certain that apart from themselves and the black-clad man, there is no one else in the room. Vorelle takes a careful path (taking 10) and moves to within 30 feet of the man in black. With her well-trained ears, she can clearly listen in on what he is saying. Mad Jack Vauhwyt hands off the bound and gagged Targo to Mad Jack. The mithril-wearing hero knows that his movements may reveal thier position and stands stock still by the doorway. Unfortuneately, he can't hear more than a murmur of the black-clad man's voice. Vauhwyt A very quick rumination runs through the liontaur's mind and she comes up with a plan. Handing off Targo to Mad Jack, she casts Enlarge on herself and Mookie and carefully sneaks to within 30 feet of the throne and black-clad man. Her Mookie-enhanced ears also easily pick up the conversation from the man to the chair. Vauhwyt is certain that apart from themselves and the black-clad man, there is no one else in the room. Rose stays with Targo to keep the rock handy for his head. She gets off Vauhwyt and is by Mad Jack (OOC: Had to flip a coin whether you would be with Targo or Vauhwyt (d2=1) :) }
Vorelle and Vauhwyt Highlight to display spoiler: { "I understand now. I'll make the announcement that you're dead and the Houses will be stunned then start going for each other's throats. That will give you all the cover needed to execute that bothersome Falquan and the 'conspiracy'. (The last word is said with a sneer) The heroes that messed up all your plans with the Book, the Fey King, and the Clean House with the Merchants are blamed and soon will die since they have no one to protect them anymore. And after a time, you come back all the more powerful. It is simply brilliant, my lord!"
"My lord? My Prince?" The man in black shrugs, looks up, and begins to walk to the open double doors where the Heroes came in. "Must've gone to gloat over Falquan again", he says to himself.
The man will pass within ten feet of Vauhwyt and Vorelle. }
Dietrich and Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { The Prince's Men stand still, headless pikes grounded, black armbands fluttering. The spectacle is not one to be missed, and a crowd is beginning to gather; three here, another there, a couple from over there. And the next thing is nearly inevitable; the murmuring starts. "What is going on?" "See how they are dressed?" "You know what this means?" "There has to be an announcement." If the guards weren't bad enough, if the crowd gets much worse, it is going to make it impossible for Dietrich and Berlon to move about unnoticed or for the ones inside to get out unnoticed... }
Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: { (OOC:thank you :) for me, that was better than a paragraph. And now, on to Olyn's fantastic roleplaying opportunity :) }
Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: { Another flurry of blows rains down on Olyn, and he is struck with the heel of a hand twice in the head for a total of 22 points of non-lethal damage. Total so far of 39 points. Through the fog of pain and the whirlwind attacks, the careful litany of the old man continues. "A Wolf does not fail. If a Wolf fails in a hunt, it is brought down by the others in the Pack. The weak die that the Pack will live." "A Wolf protects the den and cubs, even at the cost of his own life." "A Wolf..." }
Vauhwyt (AC18 charging HP44) and Mookie (AC17 HP22) (Blood Armor, Invis, Messages, Enlarge) d20+7=25 d20+9=26 d20+17=22 d6+3=6 d20+17=19 Thursday January 5th, 2006 10:04:43 AM
For DMs and Vorelle: Highlight to display spoiler: { In a flash, Vauhwyt's mind shakes. Unless this was some kind of ruse -- And how could it be? Why would it be? -- the usurper is The Prince Himself!
He is faking his own death in order to re-establish control after the chaos that follows. And he will kill us or have us killed. And he sees us as enemies and a nuisance, not allies and friends.
Now Vauhwyt understands the depth of the Prince's betrayal.
She remembers talking among her friends such a short time ago ... We are the Prince's men. To stand with the Prince is the only honor left to us ... We cannot look to anyone but the Prince.
The taste of bitter ash fills her mouth. She focuses on a single thought -- vengeance. She does not know when she will feel the Prince fall under her claws, or how long it will take to bring him to the rough justice he deserves, but she has a good place to start.
When the man is 30 feet from her, she gives a whisper to Mookie and charges.
Mookie flies five feet ahead of her, and uses his action to distract the target. (Aid Another roll is a d20 +2 invis +2 charge +BAB and adjustments I don't have at hand but which total at least +3 ... Mookie's roll of 25 gives Vauhwyt a +2.
Vauhwyt grabs the man (ten foot natural reach when huge). She gains +2 for being invis, +2 for charging, +2 for Mookie, and her normal base attack is +3 IIRC. That's a total +9 for the melee touch attack. Her roll of 26 should be fine to grab him, even though he retains his dex bonus when surprised!
Vauhwyt grapples! Her adjustments are +8 size, +4 feat, +5 BAB +Str for a +17 adjustment. Not sure if the +2 charge bonus applies, nor sure about the +2 invis or the +2 aid another. Just using the +17, Vauhwyt grapples a grapple DC22. That's not a 1, 2, or 3 (auto fail results). And it should suffice to grapple the human ... I hope! Check out the Wold rules for special attacks in the Constabulary Castle. The man's grapple DC is 10 + Str Modifier + Size Mod + BAB + Feats. If he has no feats, and +0 for being medium, that means his combined Str+BAB would have to be a 13 or more to resist the grapple.
Plus maybe figure in the Aid Another, Invis, and Charge bonuses?
If he is grappled, he takes 1d6+3 nonlethal damage. That's 6.
That's the surprise round. After that it is a combat as normal. In tabletop D&D we would roll initiative, but I'm hoping that Wold-style, the good guys go first.
If he does not resist the grapple, then in this round Vauhwyt tries to pin him. Her grapple check is 19! That's an auto fail. He is still grappled, but not yet pinned! Darn!
If he resists the grapple, more later. Got to fly back to NY. }
To Vorelle, Rose, Theo, Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt charges the man, and tries to grapple him. Whether she succeeds or not depends on his grapple DC, which our kindly DMs will let us know soon.
Vauhwyt whispers, "Attack! Fast! Hard! Rose, sneak attack him while I hold him!}
Olyn Thursday January 5th, 2006 10:40:40 AM
drops to his knees with a umph. still listening and 1/2 in shock still.
Mad Jack Thursday January 5th, 2006 5:29:12 PM
Holding Targo buy the waist, Jack is totally taken unaware by the charging liontaur. She is actually attacking this figure she knows nothing about. Not only that, but the invisibilty fades from around him, as he can see everything clearly. Dropping Targo to the ground, he draws his sword from off his back, and whispers his battle cry.
OOC Cast True strike on weapon.
Dietrich Thursday January 5th, 2006 6:55:31 PM
Dietrich swears silently at the crowd gathering near the gates. He moves further away, not wanting to put his friends at even more risk by suddenly appearing out of the blue in the middle of the populace and the guards.
Than he says to Berlon:
"Comrade, I don´t like the Wolves at all, pretty dangerous and inescrupulous people, but at least we served them already in the past and should have earned their favor. I´d actually prefer to deal with the Merchants, but don´t have any contacts with them and don´t know their power.
I also don´t know what is going on inside that palace and, for the delay and that show, can only assume it´s nothing good, and I can´t see what else we two could do. This waiting is killing me.
So I´m going now to try this card and let´s pray to Wardd he doesn´t forget us now!"
After that, Dietrich marches fast towards the Wolve´s Tower.
Vauhwyt Ruminates Thursday January 5th, 2006 9:28:49 PM
To the DMs: Highlight to display spoiler: {As Vauhwyt tries to grapple with the man she believes to be the current nominal head of Dirt City, she thinks to herself, What next? What if we DO capture this man?
As she wraps her arms around him and stares into the man's face, she has a sudden flash of herself wearign that face! Of course! With the Alter Self and the Disguise Kit, she could pose as this man, and then march her friends and her prisoners out of the palace right under the guards' noses! And she could give orders as she left!
"Guards!" she imagines herself saying, "The Prince is NOT dead! He was pulled back from the brink by the heroes who defeated the Fae King. He has declared them all heroes under his personal protection! Spread the word! The Prince lives!"
"But there may be invisible spies in the palace. The Prince orders all floors to be covered in sawdust, flour, sand, and dirt! Attack all invisible creatures as soon as they are detected!"
"Now I have business of my own with these prisoners!"
In the glory of this vision, Vauhwyt's concentration slips, and she fails to pin the man. "Idiot!" she thinks to herself. "Win this fight before tackling the next one!"
[OOC: Just to give you guys a possible course of action for the party.]}
OOC: If we survive this, I'll eat Mookie's tailfeathers!
Theodore and Macaw Thursday January 5th, 2006 9:41:04 PM
Theodore is also baffled as to why Vauhwyt would be attacking the man standing there. He remains where he is to keep an eye on things. If someone else enters the room, he hollers to alert the others.
Berlon Thursday January 5th, 2006 10:49:23 PM
Watching Dietrich head off to the Wolves', Berlon mutters under his breath: "Maybe we don't have to choose."
With that, Berlon will move at top speed towards Merchant Square. If he encounters any townsfolk (not guards or anyone else affiliated with the Prince) he will make a single statement.
"I am looking for a merchant named Kassif."
He will keep asking, as discreetly as possible, until he gets an answer....
Vauhwyt OOC Thursday January 5th, 2006 11:29:48 PM
Note that just because V attacks, the others' invisibilities are not ruined, I don't think.
Note that Vauhwyt's Grapple DC (if the man tries to grapple free or escape artist out) is a 23 (10 +8 size +2 BAB +3 Str)
Vorelle d20+11=25 Friday January 6th, 2006 1:41:30 AM
Vorelle heard the same speech as Vauhwyt, but put an entirely different interpretation on it. Now she steps back, wondering what in the Wold could have possessed her friend to act so rashly.
She concentrates on remaining undetected. [Move Silently 25]
Rose d20+6=15 d20=7 d8+4=6 4d6(2+1+3+5)=11 Friday January 6th, 2006 3:59:02 AM
Rose is a bit surprised at Vauhwyt's charge, but knowing that there is now no other choice Rose does as she's told. As she breaks sneaks up behind the guy and attacks she breaks the seal that will help her attack
attack: 15, + any bonus for being invisible damage: 6 sneak attack: 11
Mad Jack Friday January 6th, 2006 4:03:38 AM
OOc I thought we all had to be real close to be under the seal of invisibility. Thats why I assumed when you left with the seal, Vauhywt, then whoever did not move with you would immediately become visible.
Unseen, Unheard??? [SteveK] d20+5=18 d20+5=11 d20+5=25 d20+5=24 d20+5=11 d20+5=15 d20+5=7 d20+5=23 d20+5=18 d6+5=8 d6+5=9 d6+5=7 d6+5=11 d6+5=7 d20+7=12 d20+7=19 Friday January 6th, 2006 4:56:13 AM
OOC: Invisibility by round: 24
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt attacks and becomes visible along with Mookie who is distracting the man in black. The man is startled at the crow suddenly flapping about his face in the heart of the Prince's Palace and he hesitates for a fatal instant. Quickly, he is grappled by the liontaur, and they wrestle for leverage; he to escape and her to pin his arms. He hasn't a chance (Grapple:12) but tries nevertheless, taking 6 points of non-lethal damage from the liontaur.
Rose quickly scoots over and strikes, turning visible, and wounding the man further for 17 more points.
Mad Jack remains invisible, but is sure the manure is going to hit the winnowing fan, and lets go of Targo in order to draw his sword and cast a spell (Roll Spell Failure for armor please).
Vorelle also remains invisible, stepping back and keeping quiet.
The man can't get away, but there is nothing wrong with his mind or voice. "HELP! He screams, "Assassins in the castle!" And then a hint of recognition appears in his eyes. "You! The patsy heroes!" }
Dietrich: Highlight to display spoiler: { Not liking the Wolves but not seeing another choice, Dietrich heads to the House of Wolves, praying that Wardd's Luck is with him. He sees that Berlon is not following him. The last you noticed the gnome, he turned visible and was moving into the crowd calling for 'Kassif, has anyone seen Kassif?' }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { The wiley gnome listens to the big figher and watches him move quickly towards the House of Wolves. "Maybe we don't have to choose.", he thinks, and moves off quickly for the Merchant's Square. "Kassif, has anyone seen Kassif?" Several people know of the merchant, and you are quickly pointed to the largest storefront in the City Below on the square. It looks recently upgraded with fresh stucco and signs. Two halbrediers in gaudy 'swiss-guards' finery stand at the doorposts. }
Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: { On his knees and not fighting back, Olyn is at the all too little mercy of his three assailants. He is struck again and again with a final blow to the head sending him into merciful darkness. (+4 to hit defenseless, five strikes for 42 points of non-lethal damage, totalling 81 points and putting Olyn out cold.)
The last thing the elven cleric hears before blackness engulfs him is the old man's voice, penetrating, insistant.
"A Wolf obeys the Alpha." "A Wolf does NOT fail."
(OOC: Olyn won't be unconscious for long in posting terms. You can take the time to roleplay his mind wandering and what he is thinking about. It will give me good material on which way to go in the future. Expect to revive in a post or two :) }
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP44, Grapple DC 27) and Mookie (AC17 HP22) (Blood Armor, Enlarged, Messages) d20+17=37 d6+3=6 d20+4=19 d3-4=-1 Friday January 6th, 2006 6:10:10 AM
[OOC to DMs: Highlight to display spoiler: {Um, can we use the new Wold rules for special attacks? See link below. The gist of it is that opponents don't get opposed rolls in grapples any more -- instead they take ten. The take-ten result is the "Grapple DC" ... and if DMs post the grapple DCs of foes, then players don't have to worry about the If-Thens of did the attack work.
Oh, and just to be a buttinski, Jack's True Strike requires no armor failure roll because it is a verbal-only spell.}]
OOC: The new but official Wold Rules for Special Attacks. I made a mistake calculating V's Grapple DC last round. It is 27, not 23.
Spoiler for DMs, Vorelle, Theo, Jack, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt knows she has to shut this guy up, but fast! She attempts to pin him and cover his mouth. Her grapple check is a 37, a natural 20 (alas, no crits possible while making grapple checks), so she wrestles him into a lock and covers his mouth, pinning him. But has the damage been done? Did his cry alert anybody? She prays a quick prayer that the distance and corners around which his short cry would have to travel will suffice to keep his allies in deaf obliviousness.
Her pin inflicts another 6 hp of nonlethal damage on the man.
She whispers, "Theo! Close the doors if you hear anyone running up! And watch Targo!"
"Good job, Rose," she whispers. "Hit him again!"
As she has the man pinned, she holds him so that Rose, Jack, and Vorelle can take swings at him. "Be careful! Put him under but DO NOT KILL HIM!" she whispers through the Message spells.
"Did you hear him?" she whispers hard to her friends, "He said we were the patsies! It was all a set up, and we were to be the fall guys! Well we'll show him who the real patsy is!" She squeezes harder to emphasize her words. [That's a RP squeeze! Doesn't really mean anything damage-wise.]
Vauhwyt whispers to the man, "I'll look real pretty wearing your face!"
Mookie takes advantage of the situation to peck at the man. The bird hits AC19 for 1 hp of damage.}
[OOC to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {"Jeezum Crow on a stick! This is amazingly amazing!" Mookie whispers for Vauhwyt alone to hear, "Boss, if we get out of this alive, I'll eat your tail-tuft!"}]
Rose d20+6=22 d8+4=9 4d6(5+5+4+1)=15 Friday January 6th, 2006 6:50:23 AM
Rose quickly makes another strike at the man, this time trying not to do any permanent damage.
attack: 22, -4 nonlethal, +? he cant move and is grappled by Vauhwyt damage: 9 sneak attack: 15
sneak attack seal: 2 rounds, used 1 left
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=22 d20+4=6 Friday January 6th, 2006 9:29:40 AM
Theodore remains where he is, turning his head away from the violence to keep an eye on the door. He also keeps an ear open, though he is consistently drawn back to the sounds of struggle.
(Spot 22, Listen 6)
Dietrich Friday January 6th, 2006 10:32:48 AM
Dietrich sees the cleric of Alemi turning visible and going after the merchants. He isn´t disappointed at all; the more options the better, and even better not to stay completely at the mercy of the Wolves.
The warrior continues marching as fast as he can to the Tower of his "allies".
Berlon Friday January 6th, 2006 12:23:53 PM
"Hello, friends," Berlon says to the guards, "I understand the merchant Kassif might be inside? My name is Berlon Daengle, and while Kassif is not expecting me I am very sure he would be interested in seeing me....
(OOC: What DM email address(es) are we currently using?)
Olyn Friday January 6th, 2006 5:40:15 PM
walking through a meadow in full bloom and a small brook running slowly to his right Olyn feels at peace. stopping to look to his left, into a great expanse of trees, he is is sure he sees movement. dropping to his belly he slowly moves towards it, not to startle what he thinks he sees as his heart starts pounding more rapidly in his chest. he is sure to think that the creature he is sneaking up on can hear it. stopping just outside the treeline he sniffs the air, smelling....fear and blood. standing up he spies his prey, a young deer, not quite an adult but at the same time not a youngling either but to Olyn that makes no difference. he notices the creature limping, bleeding from what looks like a small gash along its side. talking softly to the creature he begins moving slowly and steadily to it, and to his suprise it just stands there. as he gets within reach, and as he begins thinking about the healing magic within him, a blur comes from his right side, and then his left, then from in front of him but not attacking him. it is 3 wolves, all of them ripping into the young deer as he stands there. first he feels disbelief, then anger, then pain as he is knocked to his knees as another wolf bowls him over to get to the fresh kill. then he feels.....no, he tastes salt, and blood, and fur and hears the sound of flesh being torn and bones breaking and its at this time he realizes it is he who is tearing into the young deer.
and watching his from a few feet away is a man, with blood on his hands and around his mouth and chin, and as Olyn continues to eat the man is saying over and over: A Wolf does not Fail, a Wolf obeys the Alpha.
DM SteveK OOC: Oh, what a great post and scene!
Vorelle d20+11=30 d20+10=15 d20+10=23 Friday January 6th, 2006 7:36:50 PM
Her friends seem to have the man in black under control. Meanwhile, Vorelle tries to work the situation out logically.
The man had been speaking to the throne. As if someone were there. Then, he seemed to realize that nobody was there. An odd circumstance--unless the person he'd been talking to was invisible.
Vorelle moves toward the throne listening with all her might. Maybe the invisible person had come back, or maybe he had never left.
[Move Silently 30. Listen 23; used a Hero point to re-roll.]
Mad Jack d20+28=34 2d6(2+3)+3=8 Saturday January 7th, 2006 3:07:05 PM
Jack stands at the ready. Looks like the man and Vauhwyt are locked in a loving embrace. Shaking his head in confusion, hewould never understand the female mind. Looking down at Targo he fights back the urge to strike the man. The trouble he had caused. Looking over at Vorelle, his emotions turn ugly. He was the only one left in the assasination plot, and he knew nothing. Fine. Jack wheels his sword around in a full arc and strikes Targo while prone on the ground.
OOC Hit AC 34 8 damage. True strike is a Verbal only spell, luckily didnt need to roll for arcane failure.
DM SteveK: gotit :) verbal only needs no armor check :)
Vauhwyt (illegal second post) Saturday January 7th, 2006 4:36:25 PM
Vauhwyt is flabbergasted! "Jack! What are you doing! No, help me take down this man I am grappling!" she whispers fiercely. "We have to take him down fast before the guards arrive!"
"Good job Rose! Now hit him hard!"
"My plan," she whispers to her friends as she holds the villain fast, "is to escape into a Rope Trick as soon as this guy goes underr. Rose or Theo, I'll need one of you to read the scroll. Jack, you'll have to grab Targo and bring him to the trick." I'll use magic to clean up the blood."
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: { (OOC: Does Vauhwyt want to pin his mouth or his arms? In a grapple your opponent can still fight and can't in a pin. I'll allow Vauhwyt to pin the mouth or the arms but not both. I'm assuming that the mouth is more important from your posts and act accordingly...) Theo keeps watch at the door, and sees nothing down the hallway. Noises down the hallway are another matter as the fight is hard to hear over. Vorelle moves quietly as a mouse and listens with all her might to hear over the combat in the center of the room. She is mortally certain that there is no one else in the room besides her friends, Targo, and the Man in Black. Mad Jack, certain that there will be no escape, he's gonna take out the idiot who got them into this mess, and his sword takes a chunk out of Targo as he cowers in a corner. Mad Jack is now visible. The would-be assassins eyes go wide at the descending blade, then roll up in his head as he starts to bleed out. Vauhwyt moves the man into a locked hold (grappled) that hopefully he can't get out of and covers his mouth(pinned), squeezing him for another 6 points of damage. And Mookie helps for another point. Rose with the assistance of the Seal of Backstabbing is able to inflict a terrible wound on the man, yet he still struggles. The Man in Black Pinned, the Man can't move nor speak (at Vauwyt's option, which she is using). Therefore, using his Escape Artist ability (rolled 33) the Man is able to escape from Vauhwyt's pin and is still grappled (second rolled 32). He draws his dagger (Quick Draw: free action) and stabs at Vauhwyt once (second action; hit AC24 for 3Hp + Poison DC 13 Fort for 3 CON points (serum of scorpion poison) }
Dietrich and Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {Dietrich quickly moves through the City Below alone to come to the entrance to the Wolves stronghold, with two men on guard. Just as he is arriving, the door opens. First is one man followed by two others, all three wearing the badge and brand of the Wolves. The two following are dragging a body between them. It takes Dietrich a moment to go beyond the bruises of the dragged body to really see the sculpted face underneath. It's... it's Olyn!!Highlight to display spoiler: {<span class="spoiler">}
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { The guards look uncertainly at Berlon; there are few enough gnomes in Dirt City... "Didn't Neezer say something about a group that may come?" asks one guard to the other. "Yep", replies the second, "some folk with a lion-woman and a gnome." He looks Berlon up and down. "Where's the kitty?" }
Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: { Olyn dreams of a young deer in need of help. An innocent. Yet before he helps, the wolves move in for the kill... and he becomes part of the attack! Will he join this pack of killers? Will he deny them and put himself and his friends into greater danger? Will Wardd give him just a hint of luck to get through this in one piece? Tune in next time... }
Olyn Monday January 9th, 2006 12:25:27 AM
Lays there bleeding.
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Grapple DC 27) and Mookie (AC17 HP22) (Blood Armor, Enlarged, Messages) d20+17=33 d6+3=9 Monday January 9th, 2006 6:13:51 AM
For DMs, Rose, Vorelle, Theo, Jack: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt's top priority is to minimize the sound the combat makes. Vauhwyt grimaces at the wriggly man's successful attempt to escape her pin. Then the man manages to nick her with a dagger. She feels a coolness enter her blood ... a familiar, comforting coolness that reminds her that she needs to be deliberate, careful, and consider all that she does. This reassures the liontaur, and she smles at the Man in Black [OOC: Immune to scorpion poison.]
Vauhwyt attempts to pin him again. Her grapple check is a 33, which should beat his grapple DC. That pins him again, for 9 points of nonlethal damage.
"Please friends," she whispers, "Be ready to close the door if you hear guards come, or help me fight this guy. And please don't kill Targo. Yet."
She instructs Mookie, "Be ready! If or when he goes down, get the Rope Trick scroll out of my pocket and give it to Rose or Theo, whoever has not acted yet!"
"Okay, Boss," Mookie whispers back. The bird tenses, using the delay action, to move as soon as the Man in Black drops.}
Theodore and Macaw Monday January 9th, 2006 10:22:24 AM
"Jack, what are you doing?!" Theodore is suddenly visible, shaking his arms about wildly to get the man's attention. "Don't!"
The wizard is so baffled by Jack's actions that he can't articulate a coherent reply. He is simply bewildered.
Dietrich Monday January 9th, 2006 11:05:43 AM
Dietrich is completely shocked by the sight of the unconscious Olyn. His first instinct is to draw his mighty sword and liberate his friend, but he controls himself for the moment. Having even more enemies now wouldn´t be exactly helpful... $#&¨%&*(, so much for the Wolve´s protection..
The heavy man steps in front of the guards though and asks them:
"What happened to that elfie-boy? Are you going t
Continuation Dietrich (computer crashed in the middle) Monday January 9th, 2006 11:19:42 AM
"Are you going to get rid of him? He could still be of some use."
The warrior just hopes their reactions are the right ones, as he feels his adrenalin rising again and would be sorry to have to cleanse his blade from their parts...
Berlon Monday January 9th, 2006 1:45:17 PM
Berlon cocks his head and looks confusedly at the second guard.
"I'm sorry, friend, I am new at all this. Am I to give out confidential information to someone other than the person I am making the contract with? Or should we instead focus on coming up with a plausible excuse for Kassif as to why I was delayed when time is of the essence? I admit, friend, your big city ways often scare and confuse me..."
And then, after a short pause: "So... can I go in now?"
Vorelle Monday January 9th, 2006 7:53:49 PM
Vorelle isn't sure what to do now; she keeps an eye on Vauhwyt's struggle with the man in black, ready to assist if need be.
Though she's not sure what she'd do.
[OOC: Can we see each other? Those of us who are invisible?]
Mad Jack d20+10=26 Monday January 9th, 2006 8:25:14 PM
Squatting on his heels he gets down to Targos level. Jack slaps him hard across the aface, continueing until the man wakes up.
"ok, Targo, I gave my word I would avenge Vorelle. My word is my life. So you have one chance of surving. I am your new master, and you will do what Isay. If you do not, I will deliver you to muy friends on the plains. They are well known for their flaying techniques. Woud you like to know one of them? Well yes you would, since it will be your reward if you cross me. The cut a piece of your flesh under your breast. Then they tear with a very sharp knife about a 2 inch strip of skin down to your stomach. Theuy do that on both sides. Then they make you heal. Death, oh no my boy, you will not die."
Intiidate roll 26
rose d20+6=25 d8+4=5 4d6(2+3+3+6)=14 Monday January 9th, 2006 11:50:22 PM
Rose strikes the man again, still trying to do no permanent harm. "Piper fly out of here and be ready to carry a message if you need to"
attack: 25, -4 nonlethal, +what ever for the pin damage: 5 sneak attack: 14
last use of seal of backstabbing.
Fight, Flight, and Philosophy [DM SteveK] d100=76 d100=88 Tuesday January 10th, 2006 5:06:47 AM
ooc: just a question... how does Mookie know which scroll or potion is which? Can he read?
OOC2: Kathy, I'll research your question, but it's moot for this spell since Vorelle is the only one still invisible. :)
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vorelle is the only one who is currently invisible (for 23 more rounds), and stands with indicision, waiting to help in whatever direction needs it most. Vauhwyt re-pins the man and in the process squeezes him for points of damage. She smiles at him and fear replaces resignation as he realizes that the liontaur is not affected by his dagger. He begins to wiggle out of Vauhwyt's grasp again, but is stabbed a third time by Rose, whose precise strikes render him limp and bleeding from three wounds. Theo turns visible, and pleads with Mad Jack not to kill Targo, arms and legs akimbo as he tries to get the warrior's attention. Mad Jack stops his second strike, and instead tries to revive Targo to hiss in his ear. Unfortuneatly, Targo is still unconscious and still bleeding out his life's blood onto the floor. Mookie grabs a scroll and seeing Rose stabbing the Man, he flaps over to Theodore trying to get the mage's attention.
And now that there is no fighting involved, from out of the double doors, the clatter of metal on stone is clearly heard. As if many people in thick armor and sharp weapons are quickly trying to reach this spot and carve up whomever is in this room into little bitty bloody bits. }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: {Olyn feels like he is floating in a blackness, and the dream disturbs his mind, but it is so hard to think... [b]Dietrich[b/] controls himself and doesn't draw steel in the City Below, even when confronted by three men holding a battered Olyn. His agressive stance is noticed by the men and the two guards, who are more alert with this intimidating armored man in front of them.
"This grubbing elf just got a little lesson in displeasing the Wolves. Alpha still thinks he's got some use, so we're gonna toss him by a doorstep as an example. And if you don't want to displease the Wolves, you'll stand aside and let us go about our business."
One of the men holding Olyn makes a psst sound. "Ain't dat der one of dis 'ere one's friends? Ain't dis 'ere a lessen for dem?"
The first man looks back at Dietrich consideringly. "Well I don't know..." }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { At the word 'contract' the two men stand a little straigter and the look of curiosity goes out of thier eyes. "G'wan in", says the second guard. "At the desk, Neezer will get you to the Man." }
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Grapple DC 27) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) (Blood Armor, Enlarged, Messages) Tuesday January 10th, 2006 5:38:52 AM
For the DMs: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt as a liontaur was required to spend two skill ranks on literacy. Since a familiar has the same skills as its master, my interpretation of the rules is that Vauhwyt shares her skill-based literacy with Mookie. So yes, my interpretation is that Mookie can read.
As to Mokie's ability to manipulate objects, please feel free to 86 anything that seems too bogus!}
Note that when Mookie gets more than 5 feet from Vauhwyt, his shared spells go poof. That means the bird is not enlarged nor armored.
Vauhwyt begs Theo to use the Rope Trick scroll, and for everyone to get in it FAST, before the soldiers arrive. Vauhwyt has a 10-foot length of rope for the spell if needed.
She also asks Jack to bring Targo, and to pour a healing potion down his throat or something. She has a CLW potion (1d8+1, reroll 1s) if he needs one.
And she asks Rose and Vorelle to close the doors, because otherwise the party will be caught. She suggests that Rose not to send Piper out there, since although he might be invisible, it is probably too risky!
All communication is through whispered Message.
Vauhwyt herself casts Prestidigitation to clean up the blood on the floor and try to remove all signs that the party has been here.
Her intention is to do everything she can to get the whole party (five people), plus Targo plus the Man in Black plus the rope itself into the Rope Trick before any soldiers look into the room. Maybe all that can be complete within two rounds?
Vorelle d20+10=26 Tuesday January 10th, 2006 8:56:09 AM
[OOC: Targo is visible?]
If Vorelle can see Targo, she moves to him and attempts to stablize him, shaking her head at the irony. Really, she shouldn't care if the man lives or dies--except that he may be worth more alive.
[Heal 26]
If she can't see Targo, she moves to close the doors as Vauhwyt suggests.
Dietrich d20+3=22 d20+4=15 Tuesday January 10th, 2006 11:38:17 AM
Dietrich is very relieved to hear the Wolves don´t intend to kill Olyn. This makes it possible for the warrior to keep control and not simply cut the guards into small meat.
As they seem to start recognizing him, Dietrich considers it time to do what he came there to do in the first place.
"Alright! I´m Swordmaster Dietrich the Bear of the Windbourne Hills, member of that famous mercenary company which saved the City from the plague and already served the Wolves in the past. I have extremely important news for your Alpha, so important that I´m going to forget what you did to my friend for a while."
Diplomacy 22; intimidate 15
Dietrich hopes he´ll be able to get some help. He doesn´t have the Wolve´s ring (ooc joined the party slightly later), which means they don´t see him as a member of the pack, but also means he´s an independent mercenary, not subject to the Wolve´s authority and disciplinary actions (let´s hope so...).
Olyn Tuesday January 10th, 2006 11:46:55 AM
Lays there bleeding.
Mad Jack Tuesday January 10th, 2006 2:19:22 PM
Jack simply doesnt care whether this man lives or dies. Hearing the footsteps coming fast toward the room, he simply waits on his haunches.
Berlon Tuesday January 10th, 2006 6:05:56 PM
"Such courtesy and efficiency! Thank you, friend!" Berlon will proceed past the guards, humming a happy tune...
Theodore and Macaw Tuesday January 10th, 2006 9:46:17 PM
Theodore takes the scroll from Mookie. "I need rope," he says as he moves to Vauwhyt.
"Bring the assassin," he says to Jack. Stopping near Vauhwyt, he casts read magic to decipher the spell on the scroll, takes any offered rope, and uses the scroll, rope trick.
Rose Wednesday January 11th, 2006 1:34:06 AM
Rose quickly moves to Theo and digs in her bag of holding for some rope which she offers to him.
ooc: Piper should be invisible as the seal affects everyone in the party and the familiars are part of the party. Therefore she's not sharing it with rose and since she didnt attack would still be invisible.
DM SteveK Gonna have to say no. 'Party' is PCs and NPCs that are together. Familiars are associated with thier PC or NPC, not one themselves. Piper and Macaw are both visible.
Fight, Flight, and Philosophy [DM SteveK] d100=15 d20+10=19 Wednesday January 11th, 2006 1:47:48 AM
d100=76 d100=88 Tuesday January 10th, 2006 4:06:47 AM ooc: Familiar Skills, not going to change something that has been assumed for a while in the middle of a combat. So for now, Mookie can read (and Macaw, too), but this will be revisited
OOC2: Invisibility, again not going to change what everyone has been playing throughout, so for the purposes of THIS spell, those affected by the invisibility spell can see the others also affected. (Not normally the case)
Vorelle is the only one still invisible; 21 rounds
Following posts take 2 rounds to complete...
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, MadJack, Theodore, Rose, and Targo: Highlight to display spoiler: {Theo takes the scroll Mookie gives him, casts Read Magic, and gets the rope that Vauhwyt provides. He casts Rope Trick and urges everyone up the ten feet of rope. Finally, he wants MadJack to bring Targo, but the warrior looks to prepare to meet the onrushing hordes they hear clattering in the corridor. Vorelle can't believe she's doing this, but staunches the flow of blood from the visible Targo and saves his life. Vauhwyt casts prestidigitation and starts to clean up the blood on the floor by the Man in Black. The Man doesn't cooperate because he is still bleeding on the floor; plus there is the blood over where Targo was hit. It's gonna take at least three rounds to clean all that up with prestidigitation after the Man stops bleeding...
The doors are still open (nobody has closed them) and the sounds are getting louder. The Heroes think that within a round, there will be armed men coming out of those two small corridors and will be able to see inside the room. It'll take one more round for them to reach the doors. The Heroes are certain that it will take two or three rounds to all get into the Rope Trick. }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: { The man doesn't seem too intimidated by Dietrich, but a further thought makes up his mind. "Why don't you take your Fey-loving friend and take care of him? This here is a good enough lesson, and you seem to be the right audience." At a signal, the two other men toss the battered body of Olyn at Dietrich. Then all three back up towards the door to the Wolves stronghold. "You can't see the Alpha. You want further answers, it's all in the note." Dietrich as you catch Olyn, his blackened eyes flutter open in pained awareness. Olyn feels a dull pain and a sudden movement. Opening your eyes you realize you are face to face with Dietrich. In fact, he seems to be supporting you. }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: {Berlon thanks the men and goes through the door. Opulence surrounds him as he goes to the indicated desk where there is an old thin man. }
Mad Jack Wednesday January 11th, 2006 2:05:55 AM
Laughing loudly, Jack picks up Targo and moves him towards the door.
"Vorelle, go with the others, decision has been made. Save your hide girl!"
Jack then moves off in front of the open doors in plain sight. The onrushung guards will see the bleeding body of Targo. Also Jack has his sword drawn, but pointed at the ground. Jack will then throw, push Targo out in front of him, Targo landing on the ground.
"The assassin of the Prince. He is yours to do with as you like. I wanted to kill him, but it is not for me to say. This one is just the patsy. There is a man dressed in black, who was behind the whole affair, and we seek to take him down at this time. I will answer any questions, and I am here to serve as the Prince ordered of me." With his left arm, he crosses his chest, and slightly bows his head. Jack doesnt know if the custom is used in this area, but he does know the importance of military salutes,and respect.
OOC Up to all of you, but Jack is creating the diversion you need to get away. Hence the title 'Mad'.
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 42, Enlarged, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+4=15 d20+4=16 Wednesday January 11th, 2006 4:36:07 AM
In a flash, Vauhwyt has a vision: The guards round the corner, see Jack and Targo, and then -- through the open doors behind Jack -- they see the rest of the party climbing into the Rope Trick carrying the Man in Black!
Vauhwyt knows that if her vision becomes reality, then Jack's sacrifice will be in vain!
Therefore, Vauhwyt immediately closes the doors behind Jack! Mookie rejoins his master at the doors.
While she does this, Vauhwyt whispers, "Wowsy, Jack, I think you just saved our behinds! But it will only work if you DO NOT TELL them that we are here and DO NOT TELL them that we captured the Man in Black! Okay? Please?"
While Vauhwyt is closing the doors, she hopes that her friends are getting in the Trick! Then Vauhwyt turns her attention to the Man in Black. She hoists him into the Trick! "Let him bleed in there!" she thinks to herself.
[OOC: I assume that the reference to the Man in Black still bleeding is a role-play thing? He's not actually losing hit points, is he? Nor is he dying -- that is, in the negative hit points, is he? With all that nonlethal damage, no way he could be, I figure.]
Vauhwyt continues to urge her friends up into the Trick. She will be last, and as she waits for everyone else to enter the Trick, she uses her already cast Prestidigitation to continue to clean. In fact, for good measure, she casts a second Prestidigitation, in the hope that two spells will be twice as fast!
Vauhwyt will be right under the Rope Trick, ready to leap and climb up into it in the moment that the doors start to open (or as soon as the place is clean). She keeps her eyes on the door and her ears pointed that way too!
Spot check 15, Listen check 16.
Note that Vauhwyt's last action will be to pull the rope up after her!
Spells Used:
4 of 5 1st level spells (Blood Armor and Enlarge are still active) 4 of 6 0th level spells (2 Message, 2 Prestidigitation)
[OOC: We'll need to be thinking about how Rope Tricks work real soon! Can a person in the Trick hear what is going on out of it? Can a person out of the Trick hear what's happening in it? Can a Message Cantrip let Vauhwyt whisper to Jack, even if she is in the Trick?]
Dietrich Wednesday January 11th, 2006 11:53:46 AM
Dietrich isn´t very happy that he´s not going to see the alpha now, but the battered Olyn in his arms forces him to delay this question for a while, including his curiosity about the note.
"Olyn! Are you ok? Do you need a healing potion? What the &T$%$*& happened! I thought the Wolves were your allies, *¨%*&¨ dogs!"
He´ll help Olyn sit down and will listen to him, but he already starts opening the note, as the warrior remembers his friends inside the dead Prince´s palace.
Olyn 6d8(3+4+8+3+5+3)+6=32 4d8(3+3+2+1)+4=13 d8=3 Wednesday January 11th, 2006 12:34:27 PM
when tossed to deitrich, out of his mouth comes: ooommmppphhh.
when moved and sat down, out of his mouth comes: aaaccckkk.
finally and carefully Olyn inspects, and winces at the extent of his injuries. reaching into his waist and pulling out his wand, he aims it at himself and lets off 6 charges in unison. (healed self for 32 points) and does it again but only 4 times in unison. (healed self for 15 points)
finally looking up at Deitrich, and proceeds to clean the blood off his face and hands, he responds: Vauhwyt in her holier than thou attitude did this to me. All we had to do was bring Targos here and all would be well, now, instead, (points to bruises and blood) this happens. But noooooo, Vauhwyt had to go to the Prince's house. I hope his minions slit her throat, would serve her right for not listening to me. She thinks we can just waltz wherever we want, doing good deeds and noone will get angry at us for our medling. mark my words Deitrich, we keep following her lead, one or all of us are gonna end up in a gutter, and our life's blood seeping out of us. she needs to wake up and realize, her Liontaur body doesnt intimidate people like she thinks she does. matter of fact, im sure there are already people now being hired to hunt us down. and unless we change our tactics, we are as good as dead.
looking directly at Deitrich Olyn says: the time has come to choose sides. we can no longer walk the line. we must choose our allegiances and stick with them. we cant use houses to benefit us at the time for there are consequences when we do. we can no longer run as an independent. I tell you this D, I chose the Wolves cuz they can protect their own, even against the Daggers. and like all houses, each have rules the members must abide by. and that witch, Vauhwyt helped me to break one of those rules. she wont cause this on me ever again. i'll kill her myself before I take a beating again.
*doesn't require a roll D to determine the look in Olyn's eyes has changed*
Berlon Wednesday January 11th, 2006 4:52:59 PM
"Yes, hello, friend," Berlon says approaching the old man, "the guards outside told me I could find Kassif here? I believe he is expecting me, or at the least would be very interested to speak with me. I have a... business proposition for him..."
Rose Wednesday January 11th, 2006 6:20:08 PM
Rose helps to haul Targo and the man in black up the rope.
Theodore and Macaw d20=9 d20=5 d20=3 d20=16 Wednesday January 11th, 2006 9:24:10 PM
Theodore attempts moves up the rope when it is his turn. (Aid another to climb 9, climb check 5, aid another to climb 3, climb check 16; did two checks for each since you said this was taking 2 rounds.)
Fight, Flight, and Philosophy [DM SteveK] Thursday January 12th, 2006 4:27:06 AM
Vorelle is invisible; 20 rounds
Hero point to MadJack for being, well, heroically mad.
OOC: Ooops! Forgot the Man is unconscious, not negative hit points. He's not in danger of dying. :)
OOC: Caster (Theo) knows all this... Rope Trick; 8 creatures any size can fit (rope if pulled up counts as one) Rose, Theo, Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rope, Man (=6). No spells or senses can breach the interdimensional barrier (no Message, can't hear); but those inside can see through one-way window. Spell will last 5 hours.
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: {MadJack, laughing loudly, picks up Targo and moves through the door. Vauhwyt immediately closes the doors behind Jack! She whispers, "Wowsy, Jack, I think you just saved our behinds!" And then turns to the others to help get folks into the Rope Trick. Rose, ManinBlack, and Theo all get up in the Rope trick. Vorelle remains quiet and invisible in the room. Vauhwyt cleans blood from the floor and knows that she is the only one left to get into the Rope Trick. (It'll take some seconds to get in and some more to get the rope up to 'disappear' and you don't know how much of a delay MadJack is going to give you. }
MadJack: Highlight to display spoiler: {MadJack, laughing loudly, picks up Targo and moves through the door. Vauhwyt immediately closes the doors behind Jack! She whispers, "Wowsy, Jack, I think you just saved our behinds!", and then the clatter of men becomes a reality when out of both side corridors runs out some of the Prince's Men. Swords drawn and grimfaced, they stumble perplexed to a halt only 10 feet away. Two immediately lay hands on the sprawled Targo and take him into custody, but they aren't sure what to do about MadJack. He's not one of them, but he gave them a prisoner. He's not threatening them, but he's blocking them from where they were going. MadJack gets the feeling that these guys are not being paid to think hard... But the pause is only for a few seconds. There is a pushing from behind, and a man in better splint mail with a well-cared for sword moves to the front. "What? Who's this? The Prince's assassin? Secure him!" (Targo already is) He continues to ask questions and give orders without waiting for answers. "You captured him? Good, you will be rewarded! A conspiracy? Let us through!" The man advances towards Mad Jack. Jack figures the stop, milling, and officer talking has given his freinds about a minute of extra time. }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: { Sitting in the dust in front of the Wolves Stronghold is not the most comfortable or inconspicuous spot. As Olyn heals himself (47 points), a small crowd is beginning to gather. And whisper. "What happened? / He was carried out of the Wolves Den / That poor man! / Don't get involved Lydia / Ain't no man, its a fairy loving elf / Some lessoning going on with the Wolves no doubt / Grubbing elves and fairies brought on the plauge, should run 'em out of town!" Dietrich seems to blame the Wolves for the beating, but Olyn has a more personal antagonist; the high and mighty liontaur! }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { "Profit to you," replies the old man. "My name is Neezer, and the House of Merchants has been expecting one or more of your bretheren. Come in, come right in." And the man moves from behind his desk and takes Berlon into a well fashioned sitting room with plush carpet, padded chairs, and a tea tray with steam rising from the urn. "Have a seat, have a seat", he smiles at the gnome. "I've sent a message to Kassif and he will be along momentarily. You are very important to us, very needful to the profitable operation." He pauses while he sits and pours himself some hot water and steeps some herbal smelling leaves. "Tea?" "I am excited you are here, good Master Berlon." he smiles. "Yes, the House of Merchants has done quite an analysis on you and your group. Diverse marketable skills. I feel confident that Kassif will assign me your portfolio. We'll work closely together, and profit to all." }
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Enlarged, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+4=10 Thursday January 12th, 2006 6:21:56 AM
Vauhwyt knows that MadJack will delay them for at least a round, maybe two. And another round to open the door. So she takes a final round of cleaning (that's three total, I think) and a final round to go into the Trick and pull up the rope.
As she works, she'll whisper to Vorelle, "Vorelle! are you coming in the Trick? What if the Invisible Prince of Dirt City wanders by with a Detect Invis or True Seeing?"
She'll leave the area directly under the Rope Trick for last to clean; if she has to, maybe she can stick her head out and clean that after she is mostly in the Trick.
Before she goes in the Trick, she listens to hear what Jack says (maybe Message spell will relay words he speaks to others as well?). She also listens hard: Listen 10. Oops! Distracted by cleaning up blood.
OOC: From a scroll, wouldn't the duration be 3 hours? LOL! Had this same talk with Inge about Alter Self scroll duration!
Vorelle Thursday January 12th, 2006 8:55:07 AM
Vorelle was ready to give herself up to save her friends, but Mad Jack beat her to the punch. Now she hesitates. It isn't just that she doesn't want to run away and possibly place the others in more danger, it's also something they told her when she bought her quiver.
"M-m-my qu-quiver," she whispers to Vauhwyt. "I-it c-c-c-can't g-g-go in there."
Theodore and Macaw d20+3=14 Thursday January 12th, 2006 9:21:03 AM
"How's he doing?" Theodore asks Rose as he squats near the man they had beaten into unconciousness. He was still unsure whether the man had anything to do with the Prince's murder or was attempting to usurp the leadership. But it was too late to turn back now.
Theodore looks the man, trying to determine if he is stable or in need of any medical attention. (Heal check 14)
Olyn Thursday January 12th, 2006 10:14:51 AM
Jumping up when the crowd appears and when the man calls Olyn a name.
Staring right at him, and pointing a finger, Olyn goes off: You know what's wrong with people like you? You're inbred rejects! You think all people of a race are the same when in fact each person is different. You call me something without evening knowing who and what I am. (pokes man in chest) Did you know I was a part of the group of people that cured this !@#$% town of the plague? Did you?!? Did you know I've put my life on the line to save your worthless $%& and I don't even know you?!? Did you know that if you spent 1/10th of your time helping someone in the @#$%^ city instead of being a *(&)^ that maybe, just maybe, Dirt City could be called a decent city instead of the City of Theives and Morons?!?
You know what, if you cant say something nice to me, or anyone else for that matter, just keep your god forsaken mouths shut. The next one of you who opens their mouths and lets fly a curse at me or my friend here, gets my boot up their %@$ and my fist in their mouth. (spittle flies from his mouth)
(face and ears burning with anger) turning to Deitrich saying: lets get out of here before one of these jerks makes me kill them.
Dietrich Thursday January 12th, 2006 12:28:27 PM
Dietrich is quite shocked and disturbed at Olyn´s state of mind and talkings, so different from the normal holy cleric of Wardd he´d come to respect and appreciate. He himself didn´t agree with the idea of going to the Prince eiter, but the tirade against Vauhwyt is a little too strong. He´d say something, but Olyn´s nervous attack continues and DIetrich is worried the beating was too much for his friend.
The warrior reflects on his words though. He´d bet his chips on Farquan and ThÁyvannen, both dead now, and the situation in the City is certainly getting more dangerous than ever. But he isn´t so sure the party couldn´t live as an independent mercenary company. Everybody needs mercenaries and most rational people respect the contracts. Anyway, that´s a question for later.
He says to Olyn:
"Olyn, tell me all you know about what´s going on. We came to the Palace and it seems Farquan is dead. Berlon went to call the Merchant´s help, while I went to try the WOlves, but the rest of the party is inside the Palace and maybe already ran into the ambush.
The wolves told something about a note. What does it say?
With Farquan dead, whoever is behind the assassination is already moving, and I suspect we´re going to be used as a scape-goat. How are we going to get our friends out of the Palace and continue alive in this &$&¨% place?"
Mad Jack Thursday January 12th, 2006 4:48:47 PM
Jack listens as this well armored man seems to take charge. Jack then turns, and for the first time seems to realize the doors are shut.
"Now who shut these doors? I just walked out of them a moment ago, weird. Hold just one moment sir and I will get them back open."
Jack then sheathes his sword, and plays with the latch a couple of times, finally getting the doors open, and swings them wide. As he leads the men in, he hopes there was enough time for the others to escape, or use that rope trick, whatever that had meant.
"Looks like noones here. Probably be best to get the prisoner into the questioners hands, he may die soon, form the wounds recently taken." Jack moves away from the door and allows whoever needs to to get by.
Berlon Thursday January 12th, 2006 4:50:46 PM
"Errr, yes, profit to you, as well, Friend Neezer," Berlon says, bowing slightly to the old man.
"But as you know, time is money, and I'm afraid that if we don't come to some sort of agreement quickly, all of our potential profits and resources might be lost, so time is of the essence..."
Vauhwyt (second post) Thursday January 12th, 2006 11:07:23 PM
"Hide it behind the throne," she urges Vorelle. But she won't wait for the invisible ranger if the door is about to open.
Rose Thursday January 12th, 2006 11:38:14 PM
Rose peeks out "Hurry up. she whispers
Vorelle (illegal second post) d20+1=20 Friday January 13th, 2006 1:31:22 AM
Vorelle conceals the quiver as best she can [is that a Hide or a Sleight of Hand check?], then moves to climb the rope. She scurries up with little difficulty.
[Climb check 20]
Fight, Flight, and Philosophy [DM SteveK] Friday January 13th, 2006 3:26:45 AM
Vorelle is invisible for 19 rounds. She remembers that it took them 20 rounds to go from the far side of the plaza to the entrance of the double doors.
OOC: Rope Trick Duration 3 hours. (Silly me)
Vauhwyt, Theodore, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: {Vauhwyt stays off the spell for as long as possible trying to clean up (all clean), speak quickly with Vorelle, and listen to the doors. She can hear the clatter and a few shouts easily enough and is certain that there is NOT the sound of combat, but that's about all. Rose pleeds with the liontaur to hurry, and Vauhwyt leaps into the Rope Trick, pulling the rope in after her. Vorelle moves up the rope worried about her quiver. Theo keeps quiet, but he notices the Man in Black is coming around. He also notices that nobody has tied him up! Those looking in the Rope Trick window can see that Vauhwyt got in none too soon. Within a couple of seconds, the doors are opened... by Mad Jack! He leads the Soldiers in who spread out and search the area thouroughly. They go to the small door behind the throne, but do not go through. MadJack and a better armed man are talking in the middle of the room. There is no sign of Targo. }
MadJack: Highlight to display spoiler: { Turning his back on armed men to open the doors seem to put the Soldiers at ease, for when MadJack opens the doors, they all but ignore him and stream into the room weapons ready. The officer walks beside you and begins to talk. Talking, the officer and MadJack stand near the double doors. "That assassin will be taken to the others and be executed tomorrow. Check the door you! And I want four men abreast on this door! Where is Logan, I heard him shouting?" He turns to MadJack "Where is this conspiracy and where is the Prince's Man, Logan?" }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: { Olyn's outburst seems to quell the crowd and they step back a pace or two. Concentrating on his healing, neither Olyn nor Dietrich knows who made the 'anti-elf' comments, nor do they currently know the general crowds feelings (Sense Motive Check?), but there is enough space to move off and go somewhere more private. And as Dietrich has noticed, there is a folded piece of paper stuffed in Olyn's belt. Aha! That must be the note the guard was talking about...}
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { "Ahem, er, yes", says a voice from the doorway, and Berlon sees the opulent form of Guildmaster Kassif come in. "You wish to reconsider the contract so graciously extended you your party? Yes, ahem, it is easier to speak with one agent than a board of directors." Kassif sits and as Neezer politely extends a cup of tea to the Guildmaster, the fat man continues. "The House of Merchants is still interested in contracting for your services and can extend almost the same terms. Your associates do not seem pleased at the accomodations and necessary assurances are required to ensure a successful conclusion to the contract." He and Neezer await your reply. }
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Enlarged, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Friday January 13th, 2006 6:00:43 AM
If Vauhwyt notices (or is told) that the Man in Black is coming around, she'll pounce on him and hold him down (another grapple).
"Okay," she says, still whispering despite the security offered by the Rope Trick. "Let's wait a minute and keep watch. Who has the sharpest eyes? Rose? You want to keep an eye on the window? Let us know as soon as the coast is clearr."
[OOC: If the seal was set to last for 5 minutes, and there are two minutes left, then we've been on this madcap misadventure for three minutes so far? Does that sound right? I'm thinking about the Enlarge duration, which is 20 rounds for Vauhwyt. But she cast it when? Hold on ... (looks at old posts) ... Okay, V cast it just before jumping the guy ... maybe ten rounds ago? So she has ten rounds left in the duration. Sound about right?]
Olyn Friday January 13th, 2006 11:13:43 AM
*reads the note* **how do you do the spoiler thing again?**
[DM Steve: spoiler (as if you haven't noticed) is one of my favorite things to use.
To use, 1) you type a bracket, the word spoiler, and a back bracket 2) type what you want spoiled 3) type a bracket, a slash, the word spoiler, and a back bracket
it will look like this, just take out the quotation marks
["spoiler"] type stuff [/"spoiler"]
Highlight to display spoiler: { type stuff }
Dietrich d20+4=16 Friday January 13th, 2006 11:39:16 AM
Not knowing if the cleric listened to him, Dietrich waits impatiently for his friend to read the note. He moves to a more discret alley, preferentially a dark place, and encourages Olyn to do the same.
"Maybe they´re already looking for us, by Domi!"
The warrior is worried enough about his friends and eager to move on. He observes the crowd (sense motive 16) and keeps ready for trouble.
Mad Jack Friday January 13th, 2006 3:33:27 PM
Jack puts on a face of utter confusion. "They were right here, over there by that throne. Several men clad in black talking about something, well dont know I couldnt hear. That is so weird." Looking around, he hopes his comrades have found shelter somewhere.
"You know, i am sure magic was involved. Do you know anything of that art?" Jack shivers with disdain. "Well I bet they ran out that door over there. Instead of posting men in an empty room, lets get to finding this Logan and his conspirators. I did hear one of them say, 'it has all been taken care of, just like you ordered sir, the Prince is dead.' So I assumed they were involved. Whatcha think?"
Vorelle Sunday January 15th, 2006 1:47:25 PM
[OOC: Am I really the only one carrying extradimensional space? Nobody else has a Heward's Haversack or a Bag of Holding? And just for the record, Vorelle stashed her quiver before climbing into the Rope Trick.]
Vorelle lets the others watch and listen at the "window" into the room below. She is already worried enough, and figures she won't see or hear anything that'll make her less worried.
Berlon Sunday January 15th, 2006 10:09:40 PM
"Things are happening very quickly, even as we speak. The potential for diminishing returns is... great. Why don't you reiterate your terms once again so I can understand them, as I am just a simple country Gnome, and we can decide on the wisest course of action..."
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Monday January 16th, 2006 3:17:26 AM
Vorelle is invisible for 18 rounds. (Please note on your post)
Vauhwyt is enlarged for 9 more rounds. (Please note on your post)
Vauhwyt, Theodore, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: { The Man moves weakly and tries to sit up, but the movement is noticed by all, and Vauhwyt is the first one who jumps on him. Stabbed and squished earlier, the Man is in no condition to fight, and subsides any struggles. (no need to roll anything for now) Theo and Rose are very quiet, probably hoping that the armed guards will go away prior to the end of the spell. Vorelle is really worried about her Efficient Quiver and Rose's Bag of Holding, but so far it looks like neither are affecting the Rope Trick. So far... Still looks like an awful lot of people down there! }
MadJack: Highlight to display spoiler: {Men-at-arms move at the officers direction, a search is rapidly conducted, four men across the double doors, and two more across the smaller door in back. And reports start coming in. "Sir, the back door is locked, we can't get through." "Sir, no one in the room." "Sir, a house mage is on the way to check for magic." At each report the officer nods. "You must be mistaken in what you heard, for I was with the Prince when he died. It was the Marteus-damned poison from that assasin what killed our Prince." The officer turns to walk out of the room and motions for MadJack to follow. "You are an enterprising and quick thinking man. How would you like to be a Prince's Man? Arms, apartment, comrades in arms. And I'll even make sure you can be the one to execute that assassin you caught?" The officer walks you out of the room into the corridor with two guards that seem to follow the officer around. }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: {Olyn pulls out the note to read it. Amazingly enough, it is written in a code of some sort, and it may take a while to piece it together. Dietrich moves to a side tunnel, and motions Olyn to join him. "Maybe they´re already looking for us, by Domi!", the warrior states, obviously worried about thier companions. Meanwhile, the crowd still watches the spectacle of the half-elf healing himself after being brought out of the Wolves Headquarters all beaten-up, and watches to see what else will happen.}
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { "Yes, ahem, diminishing returns." It seems that term is a bad word in the House of Merchants, and Kassif leans forward to emphasize his position. "You, as representing agent of your party, requires the intersession of our House in order to assist in extracating your party from immediate personal debt, to whit, the hazard of death. And we will be willing to assist in this endeavor conditionally." His eyes bore into Berlon's, and the gnome can see that whatever his clothes or appearance or words, that Kassif is a man to be reckoned with. "First, that irrespective of any future contract, you and your party would be in debt to the House of Merchants for one advance negotiation contract. Second, your entire surviving party come to the House of Merchants and consider our offer of a more permenant association."}
CUT SCENE (everyone can read) A mist seems to go across your eyes, and, for a moment, you see a vision of from somewhere else...
In a well dressed parlor, little Berlon is sitting and drinking tea from delicate cups with two other men. One thin older man no one has seen before, but the other, opulently dressed and enormously girthed, is that Kassif from the coin, all those many minutes ago... Leaning back, Kassif becomes affable. "For that permenant future contract, know that the House of Merchants will control passage in and out of the City, be it goods of material, personnel, or empherical nature. Further, our House will supervise the exchange of goods within the City as well, be it in stores, markets, or even... the Catacombs." (Kassif says the last with a sly nod and finger lay aside his nose.) For your part, you and your compatriots will become an advance negotiations and procurement team, provide an increased level of security to our establishments, and, when necessary, augment the enforcement arm for our House. Your contact would be Neezer, and you would be utilized only for special assignments fit to your stature and unique skills. For our part, we are prepared to accept you as members of Our House and grant favors appropriate to your station. To whit, your group will be permitted movement in and out of the City without charge; ability to purchase and sell items at our employee rates, which are, ahem, most attractive; each of you will be provided exemplary lodging and board within our spacious and luxurious Towers; and finally, you would have our considerable influence and monetary backing in the event of political protection." CUT SCENE ENDS
BerlonHighlight to display spoiler: { "So", says Neezer for the first time since Kassif entered, "do we have a deal?"}
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Enlarged, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20-1=4 d20+20=33 d20-1=19 d20-1=19 d20-1=4 d20-1=13 d20-1=5 d20+22=29 d20+22=24 d20+22=23 d20+20=37 d20+20=27 Monday January 16th, 2006 10:07:13 AM
Vauhwyt whispers via Message to Theo, Rose, and Vorelle, "Leave this fellow to me! I'll get some answers out of him. Rose, please keep an eye out. Theo, would you please detect magic on this guy? for any active spells or magic items? Vorelle, could you please strip him down to his small clothes and tie him up, while he and I have a little chat? Search him for anything he might have hidden on him. If you guys have any suggestions, just message them to me."
The Huge Liontaur uses up to the remaining nine rounds of her Enlargement to threaten and talk with the Man in Black.
"Well, my friend, now we have a chance to become better acquainted. Let me tell you a little secret about me, and then you can tell me all about yourself."
She whispers in the man's ear, for him alone to hear (DMs only please) Highlight to display spoiler: {Did you notice, my friend, that I was immune to your venom? Yes, often have I felt the cool rush of the scorpion's poison, the bite of the snake, the sting of the spider. Those three are sacred to me, my friend, and to the one I serve. Come, you are wise in the Wold -- who is immune to poisons? Who relishes the numb tang that offers a reminder of holy purpose? Let me give you a hint, my friend. I am no druid, whose connection to nature offers immunity to poison. I am no monk, with control over her own metabolism. Who am I, to creep unseen on many legs, to pounce and grab you, my prey, and to tie you up firmly in my silk thread?}
No longer whispering, Vauhwyt says, "Now, my friend, if you do not want to see me wearing your face, let us begin with simple questions."
Vauhwyt then interrogates the man, seeking to draw out the following questions: What is his name and position? What is the truth about the Prince's plan? What does the Prince intend to do?
If the answers do not fit with what she knows (the Prince is alive, he intends to set up the party and then take control after the City is engulfed in chaos), then she will use the opportunity to reinforce her superior position, without driving him into unconsciousness.
Who was the leader of the guards he sent into the city to spread the lie that the Prince was dead? What are the names of the top two guards now in the Palace, and what do they look like? What is the magic on the door to the chamber? Where does the other, small door lead? What are these things he had on himself? (Vauhwyt is assuming there are keys or seals or magic items ... if there are magic items, what are they and how are they activated?)
When he gives an order, what does he say? Is there a special phrase or word he always uses?
If all this requires more than 9 rounds, Vauhwyt will cast another Enlarge (her last first level spell of the day) to finish the interrogation.
She may ask more questions based on her friends' suggestions.
Mookie stands on the man's shoulder and pulls hairs from his head from time to time, not too gently. "Keep those," Vauhwyt tells the bird. "I meay need them for my magic laterr."
That's Mookie trying to aid another on the Intimidate checks.
If you only want one Intimidate check, then Mookie's aid is a 4 -- no help there. Vauwyt's roll at +20 is a 33.
If you want more rolls ...
M: 19 gives a +2; V: 29 M: 19 gives a +2; V: 24 M: 4 gives NO +2; V: 37 M: 13 gives a +2; V: 23 (Nat one!) M: 5 gives NO +2; V: 27
Olyn Monday January 16th, 2006 10:47:38 AM
looks at Deitrich after having the daydream and says: what the hell.
turning to the gawkers he replys: go away you nosey busybodies.
turns back to D and follows him while trying to decipher the note.
*anything special I need to roll?*
[DM SteveK; A Decipher Script DC 25 will do it, and Comprehend Languages spell should do the trick as well]
Dietrich Monday January 16th, 2006 3:26:23 PM
Dietrich is also astonished by the vision. But the Merchant´s proposal seem very attractive to him, that is, should they really become a House and not be destroyed or subdued by more powerful actors, like the established Houses or whoever assumes Farquan´s position.
He looks again at Olyn and asks eagerly about the contents of the note. Time is pressing.
"Let´s move to the Merchant´s quarter. That vision wasn´t without a reason and after what just happened to you we can´t count with the Wolve´s help. Any support we can get will be most welcome if our suspicions are true."
He starts marching fast to try to find Berlon and maybe some new allies.
Theodore and Macaw d20+14=16 d20+14=21 Monday January 16th, 2006 4:11:53 PM
Theodore nods at Vauhwyt, but remains silent. His face is white and his lips are drawn. Clearly he is afraid for the life of his friends and himself.
He casts detect magic on their prisoner. (Spellcraft 21; used a hero point)
Mad Jack Monday January 16th, 2006 4:17:07 PM
Putting on his best face, and appearing eager, Jack looks at the military man. "Ah, a position in the guard. Well, i would have to decline. My whole life has been spent in military, would like to be a civilian for a while. Thank you for the gracious offer though.'
As he finishes his eyes go hazy, the sorta like dream thing goes on. Wow thats weird.
When he comes back to his senses, he merely continues looking at the man, hoping nothing of import wa said.
Olyn Monday January 16th, 2006 5:40:05 PM
* I checked and do have the spell memmed on my list so i'll cast Comprehend Languages and then read the note *
LOG ON