Berlon Monday January 16th, 2006 9:52:31 PM
"Yeeesssss...." Berlon begins slowly, "that all sounds well and good, and I am sure that we can arrange a partnership that will be mutually beneficial."
"But," he continues, "there are a few things you may not have taken into account, and I would like to expand the arrangement a bit..."
"Firstly, I do not presume to act as an agent or broker for my companions. Your agreement shall be with me, and me alone. When you request a party to achieve the necessary agenda, I shall provide one for you, usually comprised of my current cohorts, if they are willing."
"Simply put, I shall be responsible for any contracts drawn up, and if there is any failure to meet said contracts, I and I alone will be culpable for any penalties incurred."
"Secondly, any contracts, current or future, shall not include any actions, performed directly or indirectly by the group I provide, that would go against the tenets and beliefs of either Alemi or Wardd. I am afraid this part is non-negotiable."
"Thirdly, in addition to the honors and benefits already spelled out by you, I will require a lump sum payment in advance. If this needs to be considered pre-payment for future contracts, so be it. Frankly, most of my associates are dirt poor, and any monies awarded in advance shall be used to more efficiently, and profitably, fulfill our contractual obligations. This sum can be decided by you, and, if you prefer, can be in the form of equipment instead of hard cash."
He looks over the two men slowly.
"I know this is a lot to agree to on short notice, and would seemingly weaken your end of the agreement while strengthening mine. However..." he continues deliberately, "there are additional riders I can offer to you to make it more profitable for your House."
"While I do not presume to act as an agent or broker for my companions, I *do* presume to act as an agent for the Elders of my village. First, I offer to you the services of those able-bodied residents of my village. If your House has need of any of the not-insignificant number of Priests, Mages, Alchemists and Footsoldiers in my village, they will be at your disposal, at a fair rate of pay to them, of course."
"I also offer to you the sole rights to establish any branches of your House in my village, including but not limited to setting up shops, banks and other such exchanges and branches. If you choose to act on this part of our contract, you agree to make a fair financial offer to any existing establishments you might be replacing. While I am not an expert on such matters, I am confident that any such sums you might pay out on your end to any villagers would be considered by you to be, let's just say paltry..."
"Finally, and most importantly, I offer you the exclusive mining and salvage rights to the mountains bordering our village. Long ago they were home to a dwarven clan, but many decades have passed since they inhabited the area. The potential profit from this aspect of our contract is unknown, but," Berlon says with a dramatic pause, "potentially limitless."
"Potentially."
"Limitless."
"As soon as my companions are... extricated... from their current situation, I will work with the elders of my village to finalize this aspect of our contract."
The Gnome once again looks over the two men.
"If any of this sounds presumptuous or hasty on my part, I apologize. I do not pretend to have the negotiating skills of those of your House. Once again, time is of the essence, and I hope we can come to a mutually profitable arrangement."
"I thank you for your time."
Vorelle (invisible for 17 more rounds) Tuesday January 17th, 2006 9:06:20 AM
Vorelle doesn't want to touch this skeezy weasel, let alone undress him, but there's nobody else for the job. She strips him as efficiently as she can, not wanting to linger over the task.
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] d20+12=27 d20+12=14 d20+12=25 d20+12=27 d20+12=24 d20+14=29 d20+14=31 d20+14=27 d20+14=17 d20+14=24 Wednesday January 18th, 2006 5:03:55 AM
OOC: and some amazing posts, too. This is going to take some thought...
The characters saw the mists before thier eyes and the scene. Quite curious, don't you think?
Vauhwyt, Theodore, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: { Theodore and Rose stand mesmerized by fear and watches the scene below the rope trick window. There seem to be less people in the large room, but there look to be at least six that you can see, four by the double doors and two more by the smaller door behind the throne. Vorelle doesn't want to touch the Man, but strips him efficiently. She has his dagger in the scabbard, and also has a well made leather armor, a pouch of clinking coinage, his beret, clothes, and hand axe by way of equipment. Theo detects magic and the dagger, the leather armor, and two feathers on the pin in his beret emit magic (besides your friends, of course) Vauhwyt strikes a whispered conversation with the man and ends by intimidating and tormenting answers out of him. His eyes narrow at the whispered conversation, but the Large Liontaur is not to be denied.
Vauhwyt then interrogates the man, seeking to draw out the following questions:
What is his name and position? Marteus! (he says with a sneer) ow! argh! Lady Jane Grey. Aaauhh!! Logan, the name is Logan! (pale and panting)
What is the truth about the Prince's plan? (still pale) Suran will leave the City for a while to let his enemies kill themselves. He will have gotten rid of his worst enemies by framing you and executing Farquan tomorrow at the safehouse outside the City. (Upon the obvious question, he gives you directions to get to a seemingly abandoned farmhouse where Farquan and the families of Targo and Vorelle are being kept.)
What does the Prince intend to do? Already told you. Kill you all (ow!) and lay low for a while. I don't kno-- ouch! I swear, I don't know where!
Who was the leader of the guards he sent into the city to spread the lie that the Prince was dead? It's me, and I already spread the word (he says with a sneer) (lots of pain filled explicatives later) Morgan... it's Morgan... Captain of the Guard...
What are the names of the top two guards now in the Palace, and what do they look like? Morgan, blonde blue eyed and a scar on his cheek. Everyone else is at the farm or out in the city (pain stuff) Morgan and me. Everyone else is gone.
What is the magic on the door to the chamber? Don't kn--- aaiieee!!! know! I don't kn-kn-know! aarrrgh!! Wizard Lock. Powerful.
Where does the other, small door lead? Really, please, no more. I've only seen the Prince ever in or out that door.
What are these things he had on himself? Dagger. of venom. protective armor. feather tokens. tree. and whip. no keys. only given them when needed.
When he gives an order, what does he say? Is there a special phrase or word he always uses? Nothing special. (ow owwwie ow ow) Lissen, I say lissen. (argh!!) Capice! I tell them what to do and then say Capice! Please, please no more! }
..... MadJack: Highlight to display spoiler: { It seems like the vision was in an instant, for the officer doesn't seem to notice anything as he and his guards lead Mad Jack out of the room and away from his companions. "I'm sorry you feel that way", he tells Jack, "but it is a poor guard who is coerced into it. We'll just let you out the front door, then." And the officer with guards takes Mad Jack down the corridor and out the entrance to the market beyond. As the doors open, Jack sees that a cordon of men (headless pikes and black armbands) are keeping a semi-circle in front of the doors free of a large crowd that has gathered in front of the Princes' residence. The officer takes you to the edge of the semi-circle and presses a small clinking bag into your hand. "Thank you for your assistance. Again, if you change your mind, the executions will be tomorrow noon at an abandoned farmhouse. Just ask here for directions and the guard will have a sketch made by me." With that, he passes Jack through the cordon and turns back to his work, Mad Jack being finished business. }
Dietrich and Olyn:Highlight to display spoiler: { Dietrich tries to get Olyn to come with him in order to collect the party back together again. However, Olyn has other plans. Knowing a spell to read the note, the half-elf casts Comprehend Languages on the note to be able to read it.
"Not a jackel, not a pup, but you have passed the first two tests to becoming a Wolf. Lesson One; failure is not an option. Lesson Two; obey the Alpha. By submitting to your discipline you have proven you may become a member of the Pack. By your ring, you may call on us, and we will call on you in the future to determine your worthiness."
But the note is spoiled by the splatter of a tomato. Looking up, the crowd that is still around has grown angry; and they brandish cleavers, eggs, knives, rotten vegetables, hay forks, and pots. A voice in the back leads them on... "He's doing elf-magic! He's trying to conjure fairies and the disease! Stop the elf!"
Dietrich's sense of tactics easily sees that the crowd has not surrounded the heroes; they can easily get away.
Sense Motive DC 10; the crowd looks scared about the heroes, but also determined to drive them away. }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { Kassif and Neezer look at each other and at Berlon several times before speaking. "Yes, er, ahem" sounds off Kassif, "We see that you as an individual party can not contract for others." "Yet if we do nothing, the services we want to contract for may no longer be available" points out Neezer. "And the contract for Haven's Edge is potentially lucrative" concedes Kassif. "Expansion. Long term investments. Possibly more than we can make at this time. Ahem, hmmmm" And then Kassif leans in again. "Let us table long-term contract negotiation until such a time as all involved parties are present. We will speak of money, contracts, and investments at another time." he says with finality. "What position you broach is a short term contract between yourself and the House of Merchants in order to ensure the contract viability of current parties."
"We will assist in preserving as we may the life of your current companions from thier current predicaments (yes, we know who they are) and as payment, you agree to one acquisition contract performed by you and whatever companions you may provide for yourself, (be it from your current companions or from Haven's Edge). We agree now that the contract will not be against the precepts of Alemi or Wardd, and you will be able to lay in a loan from the House of Merchants prior to said contract."
"Deal?" asks Kassif
"Time is growing short" reminds Neezer to Berlon. }
Mad Jack Wednesday January 18th, 2006 5:32:11 AM
'An abandoned farmhouse'. Now that was trully odd. Why not a public execution in the city? Jack watches as the man walks away. Not counting the gold, he places it inside his shirt, next to his other gold. Fidgets abit, working out the kinks, making sure the bulge is not apparent. Then he walks over to the armed guards with the arm bands. Trying to spark up some conversation, he queries into what is happening.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+1=13 Wednesday January 18th, 2006 6:18:50 AM
[OOC: Steve, how long did that take? Was Vauhwyt able to get that done in the 9 rounds left on her Enlarge, or did she have to use another spell? Stats above assume that the original Enlarge is sufficient, and has expired, so she is back to normal size.]
[Also, Steve, did the guards below close the main door or is it still open? Oh, and did Logan have any poison on him?]
Vauhwyt feels a trace of poison still in her veins, and it reminds her to neither grimace in disgust nor gloat with gladness as Logan tels her what she needs to know. Instead, her face remains still and professional, and remains so as she slowly and carefully ties Logan up as firmly as she can with her silk rope (take 20 on an untrained Use Rope check. Then she blindfolds him, gags him, stuffs his ears with bits of cloth, sacrificing her extra set of clothes to use as gag, blindfold, and hood.
The liontaur uses her Prestidigitation to clean the blood off Logan's gear and mend any obvious damage inflicted in the fight.
Vauhwyt wonders if the man in black is telling the truth ... "Logan and Morgan," she whispers. "Those names sound too alike." She racks her brain and asks her friends if they remember ever hearing the names Logan or Morgan as the Prince's men. [Untrained local knowledge check 13]
Then Vauhwyt whispers to her friends, Theo, Rose, and Vorelle.
"I have three plans -- a cautious one, a bold one, and a crazy one. Here they arre." She lays out her thoughts very quietly.
Cautious plan: Use Rose's Seal of Invisibility, sneak out of here, take Logan with, and find Dietrich, Berlon, and Olyn, and then go try to trade this information to the Wolves or the Merchants in exchange for protection.
Bold Plan: Use the Alter Self scroll and the disguise kit to make herself look like Logan. Wear his clothes and gear, too. Walk out like we own the joint. You guys would be disguised as guards, with Logan here as a prisoner. Demand that the guards bring Mad Jack to us. As Logan, tell the guards that the Prince is not dead. Tell them that he was saved by us! Tell them that our group has been declared an independent mercanary company under the Prince's protection, and that we are to be honored as heroes throughout the city. (say all this as "Logan," of course.) Tell the guards to find Morgan, tell him this news, and have him spread the new word around the city. Tell the guards that there may be invisible spies in the palace, so they must spread flour and sand and sawdust everywhere. Leave with MadJack. Maybe spread these words as Logan around the city. Then talk with Logan. Tell him that he has earned his life, and that the Prince will lose face if he backs off of what "he" has promised to us. Send him back to the Prince with a message: We are his friends and Dirt City's friends. He must see it that way or risk alienating the City. Then, after releasing Logan, the party has to make lots of public appearances talking up how we saved the Prince, how we are so glad he is not dead, how we are the Prince's men, how we are proud to be under his protection, etc.
Crazy Plan: Leave Logan here for now, and go through the small door. Explore and learn more. Check for traps as we go! After some exploring, revert to the Cautious or the Bold plan on the way out.
Some notes: Vauhwyt has a Seal of Escape that gives the whole party +5 on ALL checks on an escape attempt. That would apply to the Bold plan, giving us a +5 on disguise, bluff, and other checks.
It might be hard to disguise Rose as a guard -- one option is to give her a potion of invisibility Vauhwyt has so that she can walk along quietly as the group escapes.
You can tell that the Bold plan is Vauhwyt's favorite. It has the advantage of rescuing Jack, as well as forcing the Prince to acknowledge the party as independent heroes or risk the weakness of being seen to go back on "his" word. It also prevents the chaos and damage that will affect the city following the Prince's "death."
Another possibility, especially if the guards won't leave, is to use Rose's Seal of Invisibility to get out of the Trick, then declare ourselves (all or some).
Vauhwyt hopes that her friends will also prefer the Bold plan, and will have ideas on how to make it better.
Oh, and Vauhwyt has one more question for her friends. "Who the heck is this Farquaan characterr? Logan seemed to think we would know, but I have totally forgotten, if I ever knew him! And Vorelle, what about your family? Should we go rescue them?"
Olyn Wednesday January 18th, 2006 10:03:08 AM
rolling up the note as the tomato hits and stuffing it back into his waistband Olyn looks over at the crowd with disgust. moving with Deitrich, Olyn pulls a chain necklace from around his neck. taking the Wolf ring from it he noticeably takes it and slips it on his finger. looking at Deitrich he says: that crowd throws one more thing at me and im going to take that sword of yours and show them why pissing me off is not a good thing.
Dietrich d20+4=17 d20+3=18 d20+4=22 d20+2=7 Wednesday January 18th, 2006 12:36:43 PM
*If Olyn tells him about the content of the note, Dietrich is quite disappointed, as he was hoping to get any useful info or offer of help. Olyn´s obligation to the Wolves doesn´t appeal very much to him either, but he doesn´t make any comment. *If Olyn remains silent, Dietrich asks him insistently about what the note says.
In any case, the warrior is annoyed enough about the populace. He refrains his swearing this time though, eager to get away and not call any attention to him and Olyn. He more than understands the cleric´s anger and reaction to the ungrateful lot, but for the moment his fear (as much as he doesn´t like it, Dietrich has to admit that this is exactly what he feels)about what is going to happen to his friends and himself prevails above everything else.
He moves fast but cautiously towards the Merchants. (local knowledge 18, spot 22, listen 7)
sense motive 17 to "read" the populace
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday January 18th, 2006 8:09:40 PM
"Let's just get out of HERE," whispers Theodore. "I don't have anything left. Not now. I-I just need to think. Please."
Theodore's head slumps into shaking hands.
Vauhwyt and Mookie (extra post) Wednesday January 18th, 2006 9:59:53 PM
"Theo," the liontaur says, "where's the hero who entered that pumpkin alone and brought back the seeds we needed to save the city?"
"Dirt City is in no less danger now! If we run away quietly, the city will descend into chaos and innocents will die. If we bluff our way out and reverse the chaos that is on its way, we can prevent needless bloodshed!"
"And," adds Mookie, "turn ourselves from scapegoats to heroes at the same time!"
"That's true," says Vauhwyt. "We just have to pull ourselves together and act like the heroes we say we want to be!"
"If we're the patsy heroes, let's be our own patsies, not this jerk's!"
Olyn part 2 Thursday January 19th, 2006 12:09:31 AM
the Note is personal. should you become a member of this house, you'll receive one too.
Vorelle (invisible for 16 more rounds) Thursday January 19th, 2006 1:06:57 AM
Vorelle hesitates. Neither plan is likely to save her family--in fact, the Bold plan will likely get them killed.
"I d-d-d-don't kn-kn-know," she whispers.
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Thursday January 19th, 2006 5:54:19 AM
Vauhwyt, Theodore, Vorelle, and Rose: Highlight to display spoiler: { 1) The interrogation took about ten minutes with the arm twisting (literally) that was going on. Vauhwyt certainly is back to her normal Large size by now. 2) The doors are closed and the guards standing right in front of them. Both the double doors and the little door. 3) Sorry, no poison, other than the magical poisoned dagger that Logan tried to use on Vauhwyt.
The heroes have been in the City for long enough (and been in the Prince's Palace several times to have heard many names. 'Morgan' is a name that has occured in the past, though no specific person leaps to any of your minds. 'Logan' is new, though with the recent death of so many lieutenants, it is no great stretch of the imagination to think that some independant operators could have been hired in.
Vauhwyt lays out her plans, but Rose doesn't speak, Theo is worried past reason, and Vorelle is afraid they're all going to get killed.
While the Heroes Intimidate and debate, the double doors open again, and in comes that officer with eight more armed men, and two unarmed men. The doors immediately shut once more, pushed together by someone on the other side in the corridor.
One of the unarmed men makes some obvious magical passes, and the other looks ready to do... something. (Spellcraft DC 11 to know the first cast Detect Magic)
All the soldiers look tensed and ready. }
MadJack, Dietrich and Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {MadJack, the guards don't seem that inclinded to talk, and the officer went back into the Palace. Seems like the best thing to do is make some headway through this crowd. And what? Lo and behold! At the edge of the crowd is Dietrich and Olyn! But where is Berlon?
Dietrich clearly sees the crowd is scared that the heroes will kill them, but if they don't stand up for thier City, that the heroes will kill them all. He doesn't get any information from Olyn, but is able to steer him away from the Wolves. For now. As Olyn and Dietrich move toward the House of Merchants and where hopefully Berlon is, they must pass close by a crowd gathered around the Prince's Palace. At the edge of the crowd is... Mad Jack! But where are the others? }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { Neezer presses his offer. "Short term contract. We help your friends, and you do one thing for us which is not against the teachings of Alemi or Wardd. We'll even let you have a loan from the Merchants to help you on your feet."
"Deal?" }
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Alter Self, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+2=6 Thursday January 19th, 2006 8:07:45 AM
"Jeezum Crow," says Mookie, "The coppers!"
Vauhwyt isn't sure why Mookie is insulting the guards by referring to them as cheap coins, but she has no time to ask. "Wowsy, the jig is up," she whispers to her friends. "Plan B is now the only plan we got! Can't use Invisibility because they would detect it!"
But Vauhwyt is enough of a mage to know that the group has at least three rounds ... that's how long Detect Magic takes to pinpoint a magic aura. Those three rounds will be a life saver.
In the first round, she takes out her skin of pig's blood. "Wet the prisoner with that," she says to Rose, Theo, and Vorelle, "but make sure you get NONE on me!" She thanks goodness that she has already bound, gagged and [/b]hooded[/b] Logan.
"I'll pretend that you brought me this assassin and I was debriefing you privacy of this spell. I'll act outraged at the interruption. Go along with that!"
"I'll tell the tale of how the Prince is not dead after all, that you heroes saved him, and that the Prince has ordered you honored throughout the city."
Vauhwyt reads the Alter Self scroll. Her caster level check to do so is a 6, so no problem. She changes herself into Logan (and shares the scroll with Mookie so that he is a diminuitive mouse in her pocket).
She puts on all Logan's now-clean clothes and gear except the armor -- no time for that now. She asks Vorelle to stow away the armor. She uses the disguise kit to help her disguise. She activates her seal of captivity, since lady knows they'll need all the help they can get to escape this one!
• Seal of Captivity: Once activated, all members of your party gain +5 on any attempts to escape captivity. This applies to skill checks, saves, any check. (awarded by Silk Tap DM Mikey on 28 Aug 05)
Vauhwyt waits to see what spells or suggestions her friends come up with. Then she gets ready to jump down. "Better to jump down than be spilled out," she says. Once I'm down, I'll wave you down, and bring the prisonerr."
OOC: Steve, you want that Disguise check, or do you want to roll it in secret, per the PHB? Vauhwyt is untrained, with +10 from the Alter Self, +5 from the seal, +3 from her Chr, +2 Synergy bonus from Bluff ranks, +2 from the kit, and MAYBE a circumstance bonus from wearing Logan;s clothes and having just spent ten minutes listening to his voice? That's a +22 at least. Vauhwyt's Bluff is +8 usually, with that extra +5 from the seal making it +13.
Rose Thursday January 19th, 2006 11:12:59 AM
Rose is pale and worried about her family, but she quickly does what Vauhwyt says and prepares to leave the rope trick.
ooc: sorry for not posting. for some reason I've been sleeping about 15hrs/day and I havent touched my computer in the last few days. I would have posted yesterday but my sister is dogsitting for friends and her back has been troubling her more than usual so she had me stay there why she waited at the doctors all day for a cancellation.
Mad Jack Thursday January 19th, 2006 12:49:00 PM
Thoughts are all jumbled in his mind. As he walks he is not paying attention, to much of anything. On a whim, he looks up, and recognizes two people. What are the odds of that?
"Olyn, Dietrich, wait up!" He yells this over the crowd. As he catches up to them, he sees the bruised face of Olyn.
"Olyn, my new friend, I sure hope the other guy looks worse than you do. Dietrich, good to see you as always." He slaps the man on the back of the shoulder. He leans close.
"Ok, the princes men have Targo, Vauhwyt and the others disappeard inside the palace, while I created a diversion. The main guard, sergeant, whatever paid me for Targo. So, no idea what the others are doing, you know them, 'heroes'." He chuckles at that, giving them the eye. "Ok, one thing bothers me greatly, the sergeant said they were to execute Targo at an abandoned farm house. Now wouldnt you think they would want a public execution for the murderer of the Prince? It is odd. I beleive the sergeant to be in on the assassination. But i want to hear from you 2. Then we can figure out what to do next. And by the by, where is Berlon?"
Dietrich d20+2=17 Thursday January 19th, 2006 12:50:52 PM
Dietrich feels the danger posed by the crowd and wonders why they think the party wants to destroy the City. He says to himself and Olyn:
"Bunch of ¨%#%$#. How often do we have to save this sewers for them to trust in us? If they think we killed the Prince, as is probably the case, why are they so pissed off? They were congratulating us for that just some hours ago. Our enemies are working fast and efficiently and we´ll have either to find some powerful protector soon or get out of the City."
He continues moving with Olyn, still disappointed the whole attempt of getting the Wolve´s aid didn´t work. The fighter just hopes Berlon has been more successful.
Than he sees Mad Jack and is relieved. He makes signs to the warrior for him to meet them and than enters a darker alley. (hide 18) At least Dietrich will now find out what is going on with the rest.
Berlon Thursday January 19th, 2006 2:42:44 PM
Berlon takes a moment to ponder.
"Deal."
Theodore and Macaw Thursday January 19th, 2006 10:00:15 PM
"They will also detect the alter self spell on you," he says to Vauhwyt. "But I see no other alternative. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve."
Theodore draws himself up a little and nods his head in resolve. "They are just tricks, mind. I'm ready."
Vorelle Thursday January 19th, 2006 11:51:07 PM
Vorelle says nothing, but gathers herself and prepares to exit the hiding place.
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Friday January 20th, 2006 7:02:33 AM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, and Theo Highlight to display spoiler: { There is some serious work going on in the Rope Trick spell, that's for sure! Vauhwytgives directions, hoods Logan, and casts Alter Self to make herself look like Logan and prepares to do the Bluffing of a lifetime. But will even a bluff that would do the famous Bill Troublefinder proud be enough to get you out of this mess? Only way for sure is to go through and hope it pans out! Vorelle drips pig blood all over Logan, and holds the man as if he were the assassin. It is difficult to stow the armor, that is unless you want to use Rose's Bag of Holding??... Rose is pale and worried about her family, but she quickly does what Vauhwyt says and prepares to leave the rope trick. Theodraws himself up a little and nods his head in resolve, and prepares to fling the rope out of the opening, and thus show where they are...
WHEN...
You can't hear the men below, but you can see what they do. All the men at arms are ready for anything. As the one man is concentrating, the other unarmed man jumps as if he was stuck by a pin! The first man obviously doesn't lose his concentration, but looks at the second man and (DC Spot 20). Where upon the first man (DC 22 Spot), and the spell continues. After a couple of rounds, the man who cast the Detect Magic looks directly at the Rope Trick spell and then deliberately turns his back in another direction!
A heated conversation ensues between the two men and the officer. You can't hear what is said, but the urgency of the guards is unmistakable. One unarmed man waves his hands in another spell gesture (Spellcraft 13: Knock), and opens the small door. Then they all... ALL... run through the door!
The last one through the door is the man who was casting the Detect Magic spell. And before he goes through, he again looks directly where the Rope Trick spell is. He makes a "fingertips rubbing against the thumb" gesture and points urgently at the double doors.
And then the door is shut.}
V,V,R,T DC Spot 20: Highlight to display spoiler: { He makes a "fingertips rubbing against the thumb" gesture and a thumbs up }
V,V,R,T DC Spot 22: Highlight to display spoiler: { He blinks rapidly in response to the first signal }
MadJack, Dietrich and Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {Three are together and can compare notes, and there are certainly a lot of notes to cover! "Our enemies are working fast and efficiently and we´ll have either to find some powerful protector soon or get out of the City." Dietrich has a good insight on why the common crowd would be jubilant at the heroes at one place and angry at the heroes in another place only a couple of hours later. Yet, which is the normal reaction? And who is inciting the crowd? And why? These shadowy thoughts pluck at the minds of Dietrich, Olyn, and MadJack as they stay in the shadows of a nearby alley. }
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { "Deal." Kassif beams. "We save your friends now, on one procurement job in the near future. No need for written contracts THIS time. Your reputation is sufficient collaterol that you will honor your committment." Kassif stands and turns to go. "Neezer is your direct liason. The House awards the management of your contract to him as well as the further marketing of future permenant operations."
Neezer is all business and doesn't seem to hear all Kassif is saying. Instead, he takes out a coin, very similar to what Berlon saw hanging in the air as he and his friends had gone towards the Prince's Palace. Pressing it, he waits two seconds and says "Deal. Save the group if able."
The thin man then stands and looks at Berlon. "Let us go to the Prince's House and see if we are successful?"}
Dietrich d20+3=13 d20+3=23 Friday January 20th, 2006 12:06:36 PM
Listening to Jack, DIetrich is happy to hear his friends were still alive the last time the crazy newcomer saw them... He can only hope his even more crazy leonine friend will keep them that way.
When the fighter knows that Targo is now with the Prince´s men and is going to be secretely exectuted, his alarm bells go wild.
"&$¨%#*%. We´ve just lost the only trading coin we had with the Wolves or the Merchants. Our enemies can invent whatever they want now, exploring Targo´s link with Vorelle, and there will be none to deny their version of the story.
Is the Prince really dead? Have you seen him? Who is commanding the guards and the palace? That´s a strong suspect for the plot. ¨#$&*%, let´s find Berlon. Maybe he´ll have better news."
He starts moving fast towards the Merchant´s quarter, keeping a low profile and using short-cuts. (hide 13, local knowledge 23)
Mad Jack Friday January 20th, 2006 3:12:27 PM
Looking over at Olyn, afterr hearing his plight, Jack says, "all of these houses are a bit odd to me. Its like they are all little kingdoms."
Shaking his head in obvious frustration, he follow Dietrich to find Berlon.
Berlon Friday January 20th, 2006 7:07:57 PM
Berlon shrugs his shoulders.
"Okayyyy..."
"So," he says, following wherever Neezer leads, "do I get one of those coin thingies?"
Olyn Friday January 20th, 2006 9:32:19 PM
following with Mad Jack he responds to his inquiry: each house is a group of people with like minds all trying to achieve the same goal. power and wealth. some use above board means to attain it and some use not so above board means. in addition to this each house has a specialize trade they sell out. like the House of Daggers, you need a spy or an assassin, they are who you see. House of Wolves, we are soldiers for hire in addition to other shady trades for hire.
the Wolves and Daggers are by far the strongest of the 2 houses in Dirt City.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Alter Self, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+4=5 d20+4=9 Friday January 20th, 2006 10:27:08 PM
Spot checks for Vauhwyt: 5 and 9! nada!
Vauhwyt wonders who made that spell caster jump. She wonders if it was the Prince, a known illusionist, running around invisible.
In Logan's form, Vauhwyt says, "Well friends, that buys us a respite. But someone knows we are here, so we can't stay long. Here, help me on with that armor, and then we will go."
"Our first priority is to find out where they locked up Mad Jack, and break him out. If we can also get Targo, then great."
"I'll keep the disguise. Remember, I am the Prince's lieutenant. This is one of the assassins. You are the heroes who saved the city. After we pick up Jack, our next job is to clear our names. We'll do that by telling the truth -- that the Prince is alive, that we foiled the plot and captured the assassin."
"Then we'll tell some lies -- that the Prince is pleased with us and has put us under his protection. With luck, the Prince will be forced to play along with this, or risk seeming wishy-washy to the people."
After the armor is on, Vauhwyt descends the Trick, then waits for her friends and the real Logan. She leads the party out the doors through which they came and then looks around.
Assuming no one disagrees or has a better idea.
[Cayzle: Edited to fix a braino. That's a typo of the brain.]
Vorelle d20+10=29 Saturday January 21st, 2006 7:32:12 PM
Vorelle sees the gestures [Spot 29], but she doesn't understand them. [OOC: or perhaps she does, but Kathy is unable to guess what he could be saying. Give me money because I need an eye operation and then I'll be happy? I saw some money on the roof?]
She follows the others out of the Trick, keeping a sharp eye on their captive. Once back in the room, she retrieves her quiver from its hiding place.
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=20 d20+4=19 Sunday January 22nd, 2006 1:46:04 PM
Theodore does see the first gesture and can guess what it means, "He found our rope trick and is going for reinforcements. We need to get out of here, and quick!"
Theodore prepares to follow Vauhwyt's lead. He pushes a stray lock of hair from his eyes and signals that he is ready to go.
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Sunday January 22nd, 2006 10:16:54 PM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, and Theo Highlight to display spoiler: { VauhwytWell friends, that buys us a respite, says Vauhwyt, and she lays out her plan to get out of the Rope Trick, find Mad Jack, clear their names, convince the City the Prince is alive and the assassin captured, and all before the Alter Self spell wears off or anyone sees through the disguise. The liontaur descends the Rope Trick and moves to the double doors, opening them silently. There is the long corridor to the front door, as well as the two smaller halls, the one on your right leading up stairs and the one on your left that led downstairs to that door where Vorelle heard the plot. Vorellesees the gestures and immediately knows it is a money gesture, but the rest is murky. She follows the others out of the Trick, retrieves her quiver (the search didn't find it), and follows Vauhwyt out the double doors. TheodoreAgrees that they need to get out of here, and quick! He prepares to follow Vauhwyt's lead, decending the Trick and following out the doors. Rose also follows Vauhwyt's lead out the Trick and doors. The corridor right now appears empty.}
MadJack, Dietrich and Olyn: Highlight to display spoiler: {Dietrich, in fluent &$¨%#*%esse, tells his friends what he thinks of the whole plot, the execution, and thier missing companions. Using his knowledge of the City he parts the crowds and begins moving towards Merchant's Square. MadJack wonders about the Houses acting like little kingdoms all in one City. Very good analogy actually... Olyn explains about some of the Houses, the backstabbing Daggers, and us warriors of Wolves. They both follow in the wake left by Dietrich. On the other side of the crowd, Dietrich is about to hit that shortcut when they all spot Berlon trotting up to the crowd next to a thin older man with a gray mop of hair. They are no more than 30 feet away from you.}
Berlon: Highlight to display spoiler: { Neezer cracks a smile at the gnome at his side. "I am an Associate Master Second Class in the House of Merchants," he says importantly. "And I only have it on loan because I am your contact and of the time sensitive situation. These are not cheap. Perhaps as you prove yourself useful and loyal to us, you may recieve one for some missions."
Neezer looks old, but his gaunt frame and long legs eats up the ground, and Berlon has to half-trot to keep up. They weave through the streets of Dirt City, thankfully in the daytime so it isn't TOO dangerous, and rapidly approach the Prince's Palace.
There is a crowd before the door, and Berlon can't see over all the big people. But in one case he doesn't have to; just breaking through the crowd is Dietrich, Olyn, and Mad Jack! They are no more than 30 feet away from you.}
Vorelle Sunday January 22nd, 2006 11:13:47 PM
"Th-that g-g-g-guy," Vorelle tells the others. "Th-the one d-d-detecting m-m-m-magic. H-he d-d-d-did th-this," and she repeats the gestures, more slowly for the others to see.
"Wh-what d-d-do you th-think it m-m-m-means?"
Rose d20+5=21 d20+4=19 d20+8=15 d20+6=20 d20+8=28 d20+8=21 Monday January 23rd, 2006 3:19:57 AM "I bet he means he wants money for helping us." Says Rose as she follows the others quietly.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Alter Self, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Monday January 23rd, 2006 4:11:01 AM
"Wowsy!" Vauhwyt whispers to her friends via her Message cantrips. "We can make a break for it, or we can go a-stumble-bumming around to try to find Mad Jack. But we have no idea where he is!"
"What's more, we seem to have Wardd's own luck giving us a chance to escape. Maybe we should take it!"
The liontaur-in-sleazebag's-clothing watches Vorrelle's gestures carefully. [OOC: Don't want to read the spoiler text without permission ... so what *are* those gestures Vorelle makes?]
The liontaur is torn. On one hand, it seems stupid not to get while the getting is good. On the other hand, part of her was actually eager to try the bluff. And if they just run for it, then they will still be fugitives, maybe with a price on their heads.
But if they escaped, they could still take Logan around to the different Houses and have him confirm their story. Of course, the first House that they take him to might just as likely grab Logan and kill them for kidnapping the acting head of Dirt City. Kidnapping a head of state has got to be frowned on, even here in this city of rogues.
Mookie whispers, "Well, at least you got some nice armor and a magic dagger out of it, Boss. Maybe you can pay your WLA dues with that."
Vauhwyt does not even bother to tell the bird to hush up.
[OOC: Can I delay until I hear what Vorelle's gesture's look like? Either way, we'll spend no more than a single round here in Indecision.]
Vorelle (illegal second post) Monday January 23rd, 2006 9:04:11 AM
The gestures are: rubbing together the thumb and two fingers, then blinking rapidly, then thumbs-up.
Theodore and Macaw Monday January 23rd, 2006 11:07:05 AM
Theodore whispers to Vauhwyt, "Perhaps we can use Logan as a bargaining chip. Take him out to the farm where the Prince is. Exchange him for a beneficial deal. First, we need to get out of here, though."
Dietrich d20+3=7 Monday January 23rd, 2006 12:35:02 PM
Happy to see Berlon, Dietrich goes to meet Alemi´s cleric.
"Fine to see you alive friend!"
Greeting the thin man, the fighter presents himself and waits for an introduction. Hopefully his gnomish friend was more successful in getting help; the deal offered in the vision was better than anything the party could expect.
Dietrich remains cautious though, staying in the dark(hide 7), as the memory of foul tomatous being thrown at him are still fresh.
Mad Jack Monday January 23rd, 2006 2:55:49 PM
Jack doesnt see Berlon until Dietrich yells his greeting. Then jack eyes the man. Jack walks up to him as well, awaiting the little man to speak. It is odd though, the gaunt looking man with him.
OOC Was wondering about what time we looking at. I will assume, Mural Day is still tommorow, but what time is it now/ I figure it will be a late night, hehe.
Berlon Monday January 23rd, 2006 5:49:03 PM
Berlon is happy and relieved to see his companions. "Hello!" he says with a smile. "This is my new... associate, Coin, I mean..." he shakes his head, "Neezer. This is Neezer."
"Neezer, may I present Dietrich the Bear and, uh... Jack. Neezer is helping us with our current... situation."
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Tuesday January 24th, 2006 1:50:57 AM
OOC: Vauhwyt, how long does the Seal of Escape last?
OOC: Correct me if I'm wrong, but based on the assassination happening in the early afternoon the day before Mural Day, and the intense activities since the attack, I say it is no more than an hour since the attack, we are looking at the heroes are currently at mid afternoon? Comments?
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, and Theo Highlight to display spoiler: { Using the message spell to keep things quiet, the four companions do a quick, (very quick), comparing of notes. Logan, hooded and bound, unresistingly goes wherever someone pushes him. The gesture with thumb and finger that Vorelle demonstrates is undeniably a 'money' sign; both the initial one the mages did to each other, and then again when the first one looked at the Rope Trick and did the 'money' sign again. He definately did the 'money' sign to the rope trick, and then led the arms men into a different direction...
There are the two side corridors (one up stairs and one down stairs) and the main corridor to the outside. Whispering with the message spell back and forth, it is very quiet. Very, very quiet...
Listen DC 20 please? }
V,V,R,T Listen Check: Highlight to display spoiler: { There are muffled and faint metal on stone, and metal on metal noises coming from one, no... both side corridors. }
MadJack, Dietrich, Olyn, and Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: { Neezer is introduced to the others, a thin older man with whispy gray hair, he has the face and squinty eyes of an accountant. The brown eyes are bright with intelligence and cunning, and he smiles tightly at MadJack, Dietrich, and Olyn. "I see Master Berlon, that you are already gathering your procurement team." He turns to the others at the introduction and nods his head. "I am Neezer, and Master Berlon's contact with the House of Merchants. He has concluded a temporary deal to assist his companions in extracation from a situation where thier commodity futures are rapidly declining. To facilitate the transaction, I have come with Master Berlon in the hope that I may be of some small service." }
Vorelle d20+10=20 Tuesday January 24th, 2006 9:11:39 AM
Vorelle pauses, head cocked as if to catch some sound. "S-s-s-someone's c-c-c-c-coming," she whispers [Listen 20].
Olyn Tuesday January 24th, 2006 9:50:35 AM
thinks to himself, this guy, help us, riiiight.
chuckles to himself.
Dietrich d20+4=14 d20+3=16 Tuesday January 24th, 2006 11:13:30 AM
Despite Neezer´s strange appearance and talkings, Dietrich doesn´t make the mistake of underestimating the man and keeps a sharp eye on him (sense motive 14). He´s himself interested in dealings with the Merchants, but that is business for the future. For now, the fighter says:
"Well master Neezer, I guess my comrade already explained the situation to you, so what is the idea?
We don´t have all necessary information at our disposal and the operation would take place in the heaviest guarded place of the city, maybe against the most powerful interests.
Also, what is the plan for the immediate future, that is, for after the rescue? Do you have any cue about what is going on? If we´re going to work together I suggest a more transparent relationship, that is, you share what you know with us!" (diplomacy 16)
Dietrich prays silently to Domi this new "ally" has powerful magic or similar, for how are we going to help the party inside the palace?
Mad Jack Tuesday January 24th, 2006 1:12:12 PM
Jacks eyes roll as the man speaks. 'Can you repeat what you just said in common please.' He then looks at his friends and says, "umm do you really think we need to 'save' our hero comrades. I am sure by now they have the whole situation under control. No use barging in on their parade, you know how women get. Poor Theo..." With an exaperated sigh, jack turns away, looking at the crowd. This Neezer fellow did not need to know any of their plans, jack thought.
Berlon Tuesday January 24th, 2006 2:22:06 PM
Berlon chuckles uncomfortably. "Yessss..." he directs towards Neezer, "I am under the impression that the business in question is..." he narrows his eyes directly towards Neezer, as if attempting to understand each other, "...already in motion?"
"And please keep in mind," he continues to Neezer, "the general populace is not always attuned to the ways and means of fiscal contracts and the fiduciary responsibilities they entail..."
"Is that the right word? 'fiduciary'? My Common is not always as good as it could be. You don't speak Gnomish, do you, Neezer?"
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=24 Tuesday January 24th, 2006 9:57:15 PM
Theodore also hears the approaching sounds. "Let's go," he says, giving Vauhwyt a nudge towards the exit.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday January 24th, 2006 11:22:40 PM
"Okay," says Vauhwyt in disguise. "Move it out. That way!" She orders her friends toward the exit.
Rose d20+8=24 d20+5=22 Wednesday January 25th, 2006 1:04:30 AM
Rose moves as fast as she can following the others.
listen: 24 spot: 22
Happenings in Different Places [SteveK] Wednesday January 25th, 2006 5:24:28 AM
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Rose, and Theo Highlight to display spoiler: { Vorelle, Theo, and Rose, thier ears tuned to the slightest sound, hear the unmistakable sounds of armored men moving about down both of the smaller hallways. And it is coming closer. Vauhwyt who looks like Logan is quick to make a decision "Move it out. That way!" and the four with prisoner in tow head towards the way they came in.
At the closed entrance doors the heroes pause, and they clearly hear the sounds echoing louder in the hallways. At this point the only possibility is to open the doors and walk out, as brazenly as possible to bluff thier way out of the heavily guarded area.
When the doors open, you see that the plaza has a semi-circle of Prince's Men facing outward, holding headless pikes and wearing armbands. You are in the epicenter of the semi-circle and about 50 feet from any of the guards. They are facing outward towards Dirt City and on the other side of the orderly semi-circle is a crowd of people avidly watching, and they look at the doorway and the three humans, one halfling, and one bound and hooded man with a great interest.
Seen at the edge of the crowd (in the 2 o'clock position) is the tall forms of Dietrich and Mad Jack. They seem to be in a conversation with another tall older man and some others who you can't see because of the crowd. The older man sees the four emerge and says something urgently to Dietrich and MadJack which is unheard by Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, or Rose. What you can see is the urgent "come here" wave by the man to you, coupled with the "money" sign you saw earlier! }
MadJack, Dietrich, Olyn, and Berlon Highlight to display spoiler: {Neezer seems to drop some of his pompousness. "To bargain with the customer, a merchant has to speak many languages. I don't know gnomish, Master Berlon," he begins, "but unlike Guildmaster Kassif, I can use simple words, and the noise of the crowd will cause others to not overhear us."
"And simply put is this; Money talks. The House of Merchants has agents in the Palace whom I have notified that they are to use every means short of discovery to help your companions to escape. As soon as your companions get out of the palace, you will need to get them away from here. Then my part of the bargain with Master Berlon will be done, and he will owe me one job to be named later."
As he finishes speaking, an excitement comes over the crowd. Looking, only Dietrich, Mad Jack and Neezer are tall enough to look over the crowd towards the Prince's Palace. "Three of your companions are coming out with a man in black", states Neezer, "but the lion-woman is not with them!" He waves in an urgent "come here" gesture and then rubs his thumb and fingers together like he is asking for money. Dietrich and Mad Jack can see that Vorelle, Rose, and Theodore can see them. There is a Man in Black and they have a hooded prisoner with them}
Vauhwyt (AC20 HP41 of 44, Alter Self, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC17 HP22) Wednesday January 25th, 2006 7:22:23 AM
[OOC: Gosh darn it! Not enough time in the day to do this post justice. Hope what follows will suffice.]
Just before exiting the palace, Vauhwyt whispers to Theo, Rose and Vorelle, "Rose, dear, please be ready with that Seal of Invisibility! If this all goes belly-up, it may be the one thing that saves us. If we get seperated, DO NOT GO to the apartments or to Rose's family or Berlon's shop! Let's regroup at the market, where we did before. Maybe some of the others will have thought to go there, too."
And if anyone has any Bluff skill, an Aid Another would be very welcome! Any chance for an Eagle's Splendor from Theo before we go out?
Vauhwyt-as-Logan steps out of the Palace like she owns it. She looks around at the guards and people and smiles.
She will bluff the guards and the assembled masses:
1) She is Logan, the Prince's right hand. She speaks for the Prince and for Dirt City.
2) The Prince is not dead! It was a clver ploy of the Prince's to draw out the assassins, and it worked!
3) Take off the signs of mourning and instead, rejoice! Let the word go out that the Prince lives!
4) The assassins were foiled by the actions of these heros! If there is any confusion about who he means, "Logan" elaborates" "The Black Bird Gang! The Fey Killers! The Liontaur's Crew! The Patsy Heroes, or so they are calling themselves!"
5) The Prince has declared these heroes to be an independent party under his protection! All praise to them! They are a credit to all Dirt City!
6) The Prince will emerge soon, maybe tomorrow when affairs of state allow, to greet the people and inspect murals!
7) Spread this news throughout the city! Guards, go out, recall any who have already departed. Tell every House and Burrow, Every merchant and pauper! The Prince lives! "Logan" adds a "capice" here for verisimilitude as he orders the guards to go spread the word.
8) Now he (Logan) must resolve the mysteries that remain about the assassination attempt. He will return soon.
Meanwhile, Mookie, a raven in rodent shape, cowers in "Logan's" pocket. Is he the consummate actor, playing his role to the hilt? Or is he frightened out of his wits, mousey in fact as well as form? He utters not a peep, for a change.
[OOC: Steve, I think you have to make the rolls anyway. The seal had no duration that I know of. I pray that I can still get the +5 ... it's only been what? maybe a minute, if that? Vauhwyt's Bluff is 8 ranks +3 Chr +5 Seal + 2 per Aid Another. Vauhwyt's Disguise is 0 ranks +10 Alter Self, +5 seal, +3 Chr, +2 Synergy bonus from Bluff ranks, +2 from the kit, and MAYBE a circumstance bonus from wearing Logan's clothes, etc.?]
Then we all go off with our new friend and Logan. Huzzah!
Vorelle d20=16 Wednesday January 25th, 2006 9:06:31 AM
As Vauhwyt makes her announcements as Logan, Vorelle does her best to look proud and happy.
[Aid Another to Vauhwyt's Bluff Check; 16 succeeds, Vauhwyt gets a +2]
Theodore and Macaw d20+4=18 Wednesday January 25th, 2006 9:51:47 AM
Theodore is his normal self, eyes downcast, nervously fiddling with the hem of his tunic. I hope they buy it, he thinks.
Macaw sits atop the wizard's head, head bobbing as he keeps a sharp eye out for any hostile movements. (Spot 18)
Dietrich d20+4=11 d20+2=9 d20+4=8 d20+4=17 Wednesday January 25th, 2006 11:34:32 AM
Dietrich understands the merchant and sees how this plan could have worked, especially in Dirt City... So much about the loyalty of the guard.. Concerning Jack´s comments, Dietrich realizes all women of the party are in the palace, quite an interesting fact. "They´re just crazy beings!"
The fighter sees most of his friends appearing and wonders about Vauhwyt not being with them. Then this Logan guy starts talking and Dietrich is really amazed. "What the ¨%#$#! That´s too good to be true!"
He remains in the dark though, observing the events and ready to use the great-sword if necessary. (spot 11, listen 9, sense motive 8, military knowledge 17)
Mad Jack Wednesday January 25th, 2006 4:38:04 PM
Something was definately wrong. His skin tingled with anticipation. The best course of action was to stay still, allow things to transpire.
Berlon Wednesday January 25th, 2006 9:30:30 PM
berlon resists moving forward, keeping his eye on Neezer. He wants to try to make sure everything is going as expected in the operation...
Together (?) Again [DM SteveK] d20+10=23 d20+10=30 Thursday January 26th, 2006 12:46:02 AM
OOC: Hasn't been quite 24 hours, but this is the only time today I'll be able to post...
OOC: There are so many people in the crowd and with the guards that I'm not going to roll for every one of them, but take a percentage of the ones who'll believe the Bluff and Disguise based on the skill level.
Vauhwyt looking like Logan, strides out into the clear area in front of the Palace. "I am Logan, the Prince's right hand. I speak for the Prince and for Dirt City!", she says in a loud voice. Vorelle looks confident and supportive of the man called Logan (ie Vauhwyt) and looks confident at the crowd of hundreds. Theodore and Rose nervously fiddle behind "Logan" and Vorelle and watch for anything amiss. Dietrich can't believe his ears! He, Mad Jack, and Olyn stay silent, watches Logan and the crowd, and wait for things to transpire. Berlon keeps his eyes on Neezer, wanting to make sure everything is going right in this operation. Neezer (the old man with Dietrich and Mad Jack the others can see) looks nervous when "Logan" strides out and begins speaking. He speaks urgently to the group he's with.
Berlon, Dietrich, Mad Jack, and Olyn Highlight to display spoiler: {"I do not know what his game is, but he is bluffing his heart out about something. As a merchant, I've had long experience in reading other people. That is not Logan and whoever it is is lying his head off." Neezer is looking very nervous. "I have alerted my agents to help and it appears three of your companions have made it. I can do little to affect what is going on right now. We MUST get them away from here!" }
"Logan" continues to speak; "The Prince is not dead! It was a clver ploy of the Prince's to draw out the assassins, and it worked!" Now the guards holding off the crowd begin looking back at Logan and the three heroes with him, puzzlement on thier faces. The crowd becomes very silent, waiting for the next words. In the silence, the clinking of metal armor and the scuff of booted feet is heard in the corridor from the Prince's Palace.
"Take off the signs of mourning and instead, rejoice! Let the word go out that the Prince lives!" shouts 'Logan'. The crowd's murmur increases as the news that the Prince is not dead is shouted to the back of the crowd and beyond. The Prince's Men look puzzled and confused, as if they've been told one thing and now another. There are the disbelieving faces in the crowd, and the occasional shrewd face as if they think they know something that the others don't, but the majority of the crowd looks relieved.
And running out of the Prince's Palace is a blond armored man with a troop of Prince's Men behind him. There are at least 10, and the hallway behind contains more...
"LIES!!" he bellows, "These are the assassins who have killed the Prince, kidnapped his Lieutenant, and seek to usurp power for themselves!"
The scene: in front of the Princes' Palace, four heroes are standing in the middle of a 50' radius semi-circle (ie 25' from anyone else). The semi-circle is held in place by an arc of Prince's Men with headless pikes, who are not watching the crowd, but looking in the circle in confusion. At the doors of the Prince's Palace shouts one man with at least 20 Prince's Men and they look ready to kill. The crowd is shouting and pushing and... no catalyst has touched them to action. Yet. Four heroes are on the outside ring of the crowd, separated by at least a hundred milling bodies from thier companions.
And it all rests on the edge of a knife...
Olyn d20+6=18 Thursday January 26th, 2006 1:38:19 AM
spot check of 18, looking for other people wearing the wolf ring or insignia.
snorting Olyn says: I told you this would happen but nobody listens to Olyn. Then he says: I'm gonna go to the temple and warn them with what's happening and to expect casualties soon.
GM's eyes: Highlight to display spoiler: { I will head back to the apartment, gather all my belongings, and go back to the Temple. Right now Olyn has seen pass everything that he warned the group would happen and each one turned their noses up at him. Now, this is how he thinks: they ignored him and his warnings and because of it not only have they threatened the lives of EVERYONE in the group including Olyn, but also all the family members of the people in the group including the little girl Olyn kinda took under his wing 3 or 4 modules back. And with his change of attitude after the beating he received from the Wolves, you can say his alignment went from Good to Neutral and except for Deitrich, Rose and Thomas, he doesnt really care what happens to them. }
Vauhwyt d20+7=9 Thursday January 26th, 2006 5:43:48 AM
Sure, Vauhwyt is worried. Most of all, she is worried about Rose. The halfling has seemed distracted, and as the situation goes belly up -- and truly it seems to be going belly up -- Vauhwyt fears that the halfling will not acivate the seal of invisibility that Vauhwyt is counting on to get them out of here.
Vauhwyt sees Olyn snort and then leave. She senses that these events are not decided yet, that it all rests on the edge of a knife ... but Olyn has evidently decided that the situation is hopeless, and there is no reason to stick around. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, old pal," she thinks.
Vauhwyt also wonders what went wrong. How does this person know, this blond guard, that she is not Logan? Was her disguise pierced? Was the invisible Prince still lurking about? Clearly, THIS man is lying. Vauhwyt knows that the Prince lives. She tries [a free action] to tell if this guard knows that he is lying [she is making an untrained Sense Motive check opposed by his Bluff ... but her untrained Sense Motive, even boosted by the +5 seal, is a 9]. She hopes that people in the crowd will see through this man's lies.
And how, she wonders, how could he know that they had kidnapped Logan rather than slain him? His seeming omniscience frightens her, and she rather wonders if the Prince of Dirt City isn't standing invisible next to him whispering in his ear. But even invisible, would not the Prince show some sign of his presence? Would there not be even a chance to hear or spot him?
Well, Vauhwyt sees no other course of action but to try to see it through. She is also very careful to speak only the truth. She tries her best to keep her voice confident and sure.
"How dare you insult and accuse me, the most loyal of all the Prince's servants!"
Vauhwyt figures that that must be true. What other fool would still be loyal to the Prince after learning that the Prince wanted them dead?
"There is no question that the Prince lives! How foolish you will look when he stands before you, smiling. How you will shake in your boots when the enormity of your lie is exposed! How could I grab power when my goal is to support the Prince? What deep advantage would it gain me to support a dead man? In fact, I support a live man! The Prince of Dirt City, Suran Corell!"
"Think carefully, man! Do you want to be known as the one who argued against the Prince? Are you so confident that he will be pleased with you when he learns of your falsehoods and deceptions?"
After that, Vauhwyt prays with all her heart that Rose will activate the seal of invisiblity if there are any attacks made against the group, or if a spell is cast, or even if this guard refuses to back down.
[Note that Vauhwyt has not actually done anything but think fast and talk. If I can say that her speech is a move action, I'd love to use V's standard action remaining to Ready an Action. To wit, if Vauhwyt turns invisible, then she move action, Logan in tow, travelling only 20 feet toward the guards in order to move silently.]
[OOC to DM Only; Highlight to display spoiler: {Sorry Steve, I know I should not metagame, but I could not help looking at the die roll fields for your post. I'm just not seeing either a Bluff Check or a Disguise Check for Vauhwyt. But wasn't there even the slightest chance that her disguise would be believed, that her bluff would work? Maybe you rolled them and then erased them so I would not see them ... if so, I sincerely apologize. But if not, is that fair? I didn't even get a roll? Wold house rules say that a skill check of a nat 20 always works. That d20+10=30 roll is a natural 20 for someone! If it is Vauhwyt, why didn't she see more success? If it is not Vauhwyt, then why does someone or something else get the chance to roll a nat 20, but Vauhwyt does not? Just food for thought. Of course and as always, glad to accept whatever your ruling is.}]
DM Note Back: Highlight to display spoiler: { Metagame stuff: I apologize if this has been rather confusing. For the people outside, since there are so many, I didn't roll for any of them, just took a percentage who would see through the Bluff and Disguise (about 1 in 20 in the crowd and among the guards), and they reacted the way they would if hearing a strange truth from a trusted one. I rolled for Neezer to see if he saw through the Disguise and Bluff, (the rolls) which he did, because he is currently an important NPC with the group. I didn't roll for the blonde man or the guards with him for two reasons 1) the guards are following the blonde man, and 2) does the blonde man care if you are disguised or bluffing? If it were really Logan himself saying these things, would the blonde man still call them lies? and Why? }
Dietrich d20+2=22 d20+3=8 Thursday January 26th, 2006 11:40:15 AM
Dietrich listens to Neezer and is puzzled. Seeing the rest of his friends though, and only Vauhwyt misssing, Dietrich guesses that the bluffing man is her! (intelligence test 22, nat 20!)
Than the other guy appears and Olyn abandons the party! The fighter calls to him to stay and help:
"Olyn, where´re you going!? They´ll need us!"
"Logan" continues talking and Dietrich doesn´t really know what to do, as he isn´t the best at bluffing. Hopefully mad Jack will have some trick? Dietrich yells to the crowd and the guards:
"A coup! The blond man wants to usurp the Prince´s place! Protect master Logan!", but he stays hidden (hide 8).
Mad Jack d20+4=9 d20+10=25 Thursday January 26th, 2006 4:33:31 PM
He doesnt watch as Olyn retreats for reinforcements. Why at this time. Doesnt matter the man is hisown man after all. The blond man speaking is the man who gave Jack the gold, and assumably in cahoots with the assassination. his friends all look very nervous, but not scared. What to do what to do?
"Berlon, Dietrich, that man is he who paid me for delivering Targo to him. I believe he is one of the usurpers. Problem is he does wield quite a bit of power. In order to get Rose and the others safe, we need this crowd to create a diversion. Spread the word there is a fire, in the center of the murals that will be displayed on the morrow. Quickly now, we may cause enough confusion to help the others get away."
Without ascknowledgement of the others, Jack begins screaming, "Fire! Fire! Thr murals are burning, Help! Help! The Murals are burning1" He continues running around yelling at everyone he can.
Bluff 9 Intimidate 25 Jack firmly believes and uses his belief to scare the people into acting.
Vorelle d20=3 Thursday January 26th, 2006 9:13:13 PM
Vorelle tries again to help Vauhwyt with her ruse, but she is uncomfortable being the focus of so many eyes. Within seconds, her shoulders are hunched, her head is down, and she is staring at the ground, wishing she was someplace else.
[Bluff check 3 to Aid Another.]
Vauhwyt (illegal second post) Thursday January 26th, 2006 9:43:55 PM
Vauhwyt has a flash of understanding -- it isn't this guard she she is talking to ... it is the hundred people listening in.
If I may give up that readied action to add some more talking, then Vauhwyt will speak some more.
"If the Prince is dead, as you claim, then who do you work for? Why do you say the Prince is dead? How could one crossbow bolt kill the Prince, and even if it somehow did, the loyal priests would immediately bring him back to life. This is obvious to everybody. If you believe what you say, then you are a fool -- and if you do not, then you are a liar and a scoundrel."
"The people of Dirt City will not be taken in by your lies! They know that the Prince will return! They know that he loves this city and will defend it from those who seek to sow dismay and chaos, like you!"
"What say you, citizens of Dirt City? Do you believe the worst -- that the Prince could be dead? Or do you believe the best of him -- that he has exposed the plot and even now is bringing the plotters to justice!"
"I have helped him in that! I have helped him flush out the assassins! I believe in the Prince! Who is with me?"
Theodore and Macaw Thursday January 26th, 2006 9:43:56 PM
Theodore casts a spell minor image to create an exact replica of the hooded Logan directly beside the real Logan. (Will save 16 to disbelieve)
If given more time than a round, he will then cast invisibility on the real Logan, telling Rose to keep a hand on him.
Then[/i, Theodore will direct the [i]minor image to remove his hood and...ta da! It's the Prince. Alive and well, unhurt, and with a knowing smirk on his face.
"Play it off," he whispers to Vauhwyt.
Berlon Thursday January 26th, 2006 10:32:35 PM
Berlon goes to say something to Neezer, then pauses and thinks better of it. A flash of insight seems to come to him, as he points his finger in the air and opens his mouth, only to stop.
"So," he says to Neezer amidst all the chaos, "realize what you were getting into?"
Rose Friday January 27th, 2006 12:20:16 AM
Rose is scared to death, if there's an attack there is almost no way that they'll escape, there are to many guards and other people around. She carefully takes the seal and holds it in her hand ready to break it if necessary.
At the Plaza [DM Steve] Friday January 27th, 2006 11:01:05 PM
sorry about the wait. Posting late. I'll call it intentional in order to build suspense. Yeah, that's it. :)
At the Plaza [DM Steve] d20+6=25 d20+8=11 Friday January 27th, 2006 11:52:18 PM Olyn realizes the jig is up. "I told you this would happen but nobody listens to Olyn. I'm gonna go to the temple and warn them with what's happening and to expect casualties soon." And he begins moving off towards the Temple. It is slow going because the quickest way is through the Midnight Bazaar and there is a big crowd in between him and the Temple. Still, he makes progress against the people.
Dietrich calls after his friend, "Olyn, where´re you going!? They´ll need us!" and tries to get the crowd involved, "A coup! The blond man wants to usurp the Prince´s place! Protect master Logan!"
Mad Jack sees Olyn move off and thinks that it doesn't matter, the man is his own man after all. He also tries to create a diversion to get the others out of the trap. "Fire! Fire! Thr murals are burning, Help! Help! The Murals are burning!" While some nearby turn and look, and a couple begin moving away presumably to thier murals and homes, the majority seem too intent on what is going on right here.
Berlonlooks at Neezer in a dramatic pose and asks "So, realize what you were getting into?" The old man's cringe at the words is all the answer the cleric needs.
Vauhwyt at first, 'Logan' argues and tries to back the blonde man down, and then 'he' casts 'his' nets wider and tries to bring the crowd in on 'his' side of the argument, echoing Dietrich's call of a coup and reminding the crowd about someone as important as a dead Prince would certainly be raised by the clerics.
Vorelle loses her pretended confidence and her shoulders are hunched, her head is down, and she is staring at the ground, wishing she was someplace else.
Rose carefully takes the seal and holds it in her hand ready to break it if necessary.
Theodore casts a spell minor image to create an exact replica of the hooded Logan directly beside the real Logan, but has no time to cast another.
The blonde man does not stop and talk. He is at the advantage with this small group surrounded by guards with more pouring out of the palace. With his first step, he speaks for only the group in the center to hear; "I know you are not Logan, your voice gives you away if nothing else. And now, your life will be given away to the thirst of my sword. Yes, Corell is alive, but all his enemies will soon be dead; at a secret place or on these stones!"
Vauhwyt, Rose, Theodore and even Vorelle are sure that the blonde man was going to make a dramatic end to his speech before attacking and killing you, but the tomato squished against his helmet doesn't fit into the overall picture.
Tomato?
There is no certainty on which words sparked the crowd; maybe it was Dietrich, maybe it was Vauhwyt, maybe it was Olyn glumly announcing the Temple needed to know that there would be casualties. What is certain is the crowd is now howling and surging forward, and the thrown tomato is the most harmless thing they have in their hands! The ring of guards is down at the first rush and the people of Dirt City are surging AROUND the group in the middle and towards the guards. Already rocks are thrown, and daggers, and clubs. Other weapons are in the hands of the people
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, Rose, and the bound Logan are in the middle of the crush. (Lose DEX bonus': no where to maneauver) They are in another kind of danger now, that of falling under the feet of the crowd and getting trampled!
Dietrich, Olyn, Mad Jack, and Berlon with Neezer are on the outside ring of the crowd, pretty much free to try anything.
The blonde man and his guards have swords out and are defending themselves in blood. Though the blonde man is only 10 feet away from Vauhwyt, there is no taking a step forward, and the guards at the door are fighting for thier lives.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Alter Self, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Saturday January 28th, 2006 6:03:49 AM
Standing right next to her friends, Vauhwyt-as-Logan reaches out hands to touch Rose and Logan. She whispers to Rose, "Now, Rose! Now! Make us unseen!" That message is for Vorelle's and Theo's ears, too. As is this one: "Friends, remember where we said to meet! I'll tell the others!"
Then, contingent on being invisible, Vauhwyt dismisses her Alter Self, picks up Logan, and tells Rose to hop on!
Finally, she activates a seal!
• Seal of Escape - Mentally activated as a Free Action, gives the user all the benefits of a Freedom of Movement spell for three rounds. (awarded by Black Tap DM Mike K on 12 Nov 04)
I think that's all the action I have for a single round. If we do more than one round, then Vauhwyt will use her size and seal to move through the crowd to her other friends. Hopefully Vorelle and Theo can move in her wake, maybe clutching her tail? Vauhwyt is headed toward Berlon, Dietrich, and Jack if she can see them (Seal may work on them?). If not, then she just moves to where they were and calls out, "Dietrich! Berlon! Jack!" She'll do her best to get everyone to rendez-vous back at the market.
[OOC to DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {Sorry, Steve, but I am having trouble keeping track of what I know in character and what I know out of character. Does Vauhwyt know about the secret location, who is there, what will happen there, and when?}]
Olyn Saturday January 28th, 2006 12:08:51 PM
turning in time to see the crowd surging forward and seeing his old companions beginning to be overwhelmed, and having mixed emotions overwhelm him, Olyn swallows his pride for a moment and turns, facing them.
and casts a spell
GM Highlight to display spoiler: { Summon Monster 3, Celestial Hippogriff. When it appears I command it to save Rose, Theodore, Vorelle and lastly Vauhwyt if it can. To get them, and if possible ferry them as fast as it can, in the 5 rounds its here, to the Temple of Wardd. Im hoping that it can carry theo, rose and vorelle at the same time, being how small rose is and how slender vorelle is always claiming to be. }
Rose Saturday January 28th, 2006 8:59:30 PM
Rose hops on Vahuwyt and then breaks the seal (she gets on first so she can see what she's doing) she then holds on tightly (but carefully) to the straps on Vauhwyt's pack ready for whatever Vauhwyt might do.
Vauhwyt Extra Saturday January 28th, 2006 9:38:49 PM
ooc: Loretta, Vauhwyt does not want to change from Logan to liontaur while everyone can see. She wants to wait for the invisibility first, THEN change to natural form.
Vauhwyt is touching Rose so that even when invisible, Rose will know where she is to climb on.
Hope that helps clarify things.
Vorelle d20+2=22 d20+8=28 Sunday January 29th, 2006 12:11:31 PM
Her dexterity is about the only thing Vorelle has going for her; without it, she is helpless in the crowd. And being invisible is only going to make things worse, so she tries to resist the effect. [Will save 22, although I don't know if one is allowed.]
She lets herself be carried along with the crowd, doing her best to blend in and remain unnoticed. [Hide 28, using only ranks and no Dex modifier]
Loretta Sunday January 29th, 2006 3:53:32 PM
ok, change it to what Cayzle said.
rose breaks seal then climbs aboard Vauhwyt
Theodore and Macaw Sunday January 29th, 2006 4:11:04 PM
Theodore waits for the invisibility to take affect and then rushes away with the rest of the group. He leaves the minor image alone. The image of the bound and hooded Logan remains in the middle of the crowd. Just for good measure.
BigTim Sunday January 29th, 2006 5:39:57 PM
this is just my take, but Cayzle, telling a player your thoughts about what you want to do and not do, and them reacting to it is called out of character knowledge. its something rose wouldnt know without your character saying it to her. am i wrong?
Cayzle OOC Sunday January 29th, 2006 8:49:28 PM
Well, in my original post, I specifically said I would break the Alter Self after I was invisible. Then Loretta said she would trigger the inisibility after Vauhwyt broke the Alter Self. So I see two options: (1) both characters atand around for a round waiting for the other. (2) a quick OOC talk clears up the misunderstanding. In a face to face game, no question, it would be option 2. Why not on the board? Especially since the alternative (standing around for a round) could well get us killed?
Of course, I think that the DMs have the say on proper protocol. Whatever Steve and Inge say, that's fine by me! :-)
Berlon Sunday January 29th, 2006 8:52:34 PM
Berlon quickly moves diagonally two squares southwest, to the edge of the crowd.
"Alemi help us." Berlon casts Prayer, not even sure who counts as an ally in the crowd.
Prayer - +1 luck bonus to all allies for attack, damage, saves and skill checks, all enemies get -1, 5 rounds, range 40' radius centered on caster.
OOC: I'm not sure who counts as allies and who counts as enemies, but it says "all allies and foes within the 40' radius"....
DM Steve: Oh, very tricky Berlon; very nice!
OOC DM SteveK Sunday January 29th, 2006 9:41:51 PM
OOC: I haven't spoken with my counterpart (the lovely Inge) but since we have both encouraged talking to each other (and especially when there needs to be clarification or debate), I rule that the cross-table talk is not a change and so stands. Since I try to have the heroes act as they mean and not what they say, if there hadn't been the cross-talk, I would have Rose activate the seal first anyways because it would be physically impossible to get on Vauhwyt without her dismissing the Alter Self. :)
Just for everyones reminder, to keep out-of-character posts and in-character posts separated in the eyes of our readers, please mark out-of-character posts with OOC. :)
At the Plaza [DM SteveK] Sunday January 29th, 2006 10:11:36 PM
The crowd continues its attacks, shouting their hatred at the Prince and his guards. The Prince's Men fight back, and while they have advantage in arms, armor, and training, they are outnumbered 10 to 1. And as an old sage once said, "quantity has a quality all its own". And blood soon marks the cobbles of Dirt City.
Everyone make a Spot check please.
Vauhwyt needs to do more than touch Rose and Logan, she grabs handfuls of cloth as hard as she can in order to not be separated and pummelled in the surging crowd. (Two strength checks DC 10 to hold on to Rose and Logan)
Rose activates her Seal of Invisibility and (contingent on Ride Check DC 5) is able to mount while in the terrible crush of bodies. Being invisible, people are runing into the space they see only to bounce off Vauhwyt or Rose and it is hard to get on. Yet keeping in physical contact when Vauhwyt activates her seal, the invisible Vauhwyt and Rose with the visible Logan in tow (wasn't touching Rose) seem to not get pinned in the crowd.
Vorelle is not touching Rose and doesn't turn invisible. She lets herself be carried with the crowd and so doesn't have to worry about forcing her way, but she needs to stay on her feet (Reflex DC 5) and the crowd is taking her towards the fighting at the gate and Vorelle doesn't have room to draw her sword...
Theodore doesn't turn invisible (not touching Rose) and doesn't get the benefit of the Freedom of Movement (not touching Vauhwyt) and is stuck in the crowd. He tries to stay on his feet (Reflex DC 5) and tries to move out of the crowd towards where he can see Dietrich and Mad Jack (Grapple DC 15)
Olyn stands and casts an intricate spell, taking a long time to cast. Highlight to display spoiler: {The hippogryph appears and if you can speak Celestial, you can direct it to rescue your friends. I think I remember that you do, but I can't look at the character sheets in the Cyber Cafe }
Berlon moves towards the crowd and prays to Alemi to watch over his allies in the fight. All around Berlon, eyes light up with hope and vigor, and the guards seem even more desperate near the doors.
One young man with a dagger in his fist waves it around his head. "Death to the Prince! Hurrah the Heroes!"
Dietrich and MadJack are amazed at the reaction of the crowd and are only able to stand and stare.
Vorelle d20+4=16 d20+10=18 d20+11=20 Sunday January 29th, 2006 10:33:47 PM
Vorelle easily keeps her feet in the surging crowd [Reflex 16 if she is still denied her Dex bonus, 19 if she gets it]. She looks around her as she moves, trying to see some way out of her predicament [Spot 18].
She sees that she is being drawn toward the gates, and tries to shift "sideways" in the crowd--that is, not pushing back to go the opposite direction, but trying to slide to the side so she can hopefully work her way outside the rushing mob.
At the same time, she tries to blend with the crowd so that nobody looking for her would be able to see her. [Hide 20]
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Invisible, Free action, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+2=9 d20+2=4 d20+4=14 Sunday January 29th, 2006 11:03:38 PM
Vauhwyt does her best to hold onto Logan and Rose, but she loses touch with both, as the crowd pulls them away! (rolled str checks 9 and 4 -- but does she gain the benefit of the Seal of Captivity, the +5 on checks? If so, then she DOES hang on to Logan.).
She tries to be alert (spot check 14, or 19 with the seal of escape?)
If she can, Vauhwyt tries to grab Logan. She also tries to move out of the crowd. She hopes to feel Rose hop on her back.
Theodore and Macaw d20+1=16 d20+2=13 d2=1 d2+2=4 d20+2=3 d20+4=11 Monday January 30th, 2006 10:31:38 AM
Theodore manages to stay on his feet as the crowd surges by. (Reflex 16) But it takes all his effort to stay where he is, and he cannot move towards his friends.
Remembering the gifts of Wardd, he flips a coin given to him by Rose's recently departed brother. It seems the god of luck is not favoring him at the moment, however. (Grapple 13, flipped coin of Wardd (given by DM Kup) for a 1. Rerolled. Grapple 3.)
Macaw has had enough and takes to the air. He finds a perch to keep look for any hostiles getting a little too close to his master. (Macaw Spot 11)
Dietrich Monday January 30th, 2006 12:14:00 PM
Although that´s what he intended, Dietrich is surprised by the reaction of the crowd. After some seconds of indecision, the fighter realizes that there is no point of turn back anymore. Now it´s us or them, niceties won´t help anyone.
He says to Neezer:
"The situation is changing fast and dangerously. Now is the time to grasp your chance and stay at the right side. The control of the palace is to be decided and with it the position of the Merchants in the city. You must act now!"
The warrior draws his sword and runs to help the people of the city. The populace can be a very powerful ally and, should the usurpers remain in power, there won´t be peace or safety for the party and their families.
"For Dirt City! For the saviours against the plague!"
He runs to face the blond man in combat.
Olyn Monday January 30th, 2006 2:14:14 PM
GM - I do speak Celestial.
after giving it the directions, Olyn continues heading to the temple.
rose d20+8=22 d20+5=12 d20+5=18 d20+2=6 Monday January 30th, 2006 3:03:54 PM
Rose tries to hold onto Vauhwyt, but isnt sure if she'll remain on.
Piper flies overhead trying to keep an eye on the group (in the case of the invisible people she just looks for a large spot that people cant move through)
Rose listen: 22 ride: 12 spot: 18 str: 6
Green seal (expires December 2006) seal of invisibility Each party member is rendered invisible for 5 minutes or until the attack, or the individual is granted the benefits of improved invisibility for 5 rounds (given in silk tap for rogues run by dm mikey ending in August 2005)
ooc: the seal renders ALL party members invisible, not just the ones touching Rose.
Berlon (AC 20 - HP 35/35) Prayer 5r d20+6=12 d20+6=20 d8+1=4 Monday January 30th, 2006 8:43:42 PM
(OOC: Everyone within 40' of Berlon gets a +1 luck bonus to attack, dge, saves and skill check, so remember to add in if appropriate)
Happy to see that his Prayer was able to protect even a portion of the pro-party people, Berlon tries to figure out an appropriate course of action.
Staying outside the edge of the crowd, Berlon raises his arms in the air and chants in Gnomish. Suddenly a purplish glow appears in front of the blond man that seems to be the leader. The purple energy takes the form of a heavy mace and attacks.
Spiritual Weapon attack hits AC 20 (hero point used to reroll) for 4 points force damage.
Spiritual Weapon, range 150', 5 rounds, weapon made of force, neither gets nor gives flanking, not affected by damage reduction, strikes as spell not weapon, uses base attack (+3) and wisdom bonus (+3) for to hit roll, 1d8+1 force dge.
At the Plaza [DM Steve] d20+5=10 Monday January 30th, 2006 10:14:38 PM
OOC: Sorry all members of the party, with the exception of Vorelle (who willed to) are invisible.
Everyone in the crowd needs to roll a Reflex and Grapple Check every round. Dex bonus included again. - Reflex DC 5: Stay on your feet - Grapple DC 10: To move where you want at half speed, no running allowed - Vauhwyt, Rose, Theodore, and now Dietrich get a -2 to checks. Being invisible, no one can see that the space they see is occupied and the crowd keeps trying to move where the heroes are standing, jostling them more.
The howling mob, stymied from forward motion by the warriors in the door and the walls of the palace are packed closer than in the stands of the arena. There is jostling back and forth, but if one stays erect, it is a little easier to move against the crowd. Many people have fallen in the crowd and at the combat and the shouts for "Down with the Prince" are mingled with cries of agony and desperate calling for help.
Vorelle easily keeps her feet and tries to move sideways and away from the path towards the fighting. The thickness of the crowd prevents her from moving, but at least she doesn't get any closer.
The invisible Vauhwyt[b] is momentarily surprised by the surge of people and loses her grip on Logan and Rose! The surge of the crowd has torn off Logan's hood and gag, but with the crowd the way it is he wisely keeps silent. She can grab at Logan or Rose as they are right beside Vauhwyt, but little Rose looks like she is barely staying on her feet.
[b]Theodore manages to stay on his feet as the crowd surges by, but it takes all his effort to stay where he is, and he cannot move towards his friends. And now he is invisible and being jostled constantly. Next to him a man loses his balance and with a cry falls and is trampled into the rising dust of Dirt City.
The invisible Dietrich tells Neezer he must act now. Then the action oriented warrior draws his sword. "For Dirt City! For the saviours against the plague!" He runs to face the blond man in combat, but at first only gets himself stuck in the crowd, pushing forward slowly.
The invisible Olyn completes his spell and glowing above the crowd is a mantling hippogryph. "Rescue my friends!" Olyn instructs the Celestial, and then turns to make his way to the temple. As Olyn rounds the crowd he sees that healers will be needed desperately. A bruised woman crawls out between two people trying to get in, her leg at an impossible angle. "Help! I fell and there was no space to get up!" she calls to anyone with tears of pain in her eyes.
The hippogryph flies and hovers with its front talons clutching at the sky above Vorelle (the only one it can see). It doesn't seem to be attacking, but trying to pick up the female ranger.
The invisible Rose's grasp of Vauhwyt is also torn away, and standing beside the Liontaur seems the only defense from getting trampled in the dust by the crowd. She can hear the angry and pain-filled shouts all around her; mostly variations on "The Prince has betrayed us!" and "Up the Heroes", but also a few "For the Prince" can be heard.
Berlon remains where he is, casts Spiritual Weapon at the blonde man, (turns visible) and strikes the man in the shoulder.
Mad Jack stays with Neezer, both of whom are amazed at the turn of the crowd.
Old Neezer shakes his head at Dietrich as the battle veteran wades into the fray. "If the Prince is alive, the crowd won't stand a chance. If dead, he'll be resurrected and the crowd won't stand a chance." He then looks a little scared. "Besides, when people don't care about consequences or money, I don't have a lot of influence. There isn't anything I can do until they settle down."
The fighters at the door seem to becoming less with every passing second, and getting pushed back into the passageway. The blonde man ignores the purple spell of Berlon's and strikes two more dead by his sword.
The crowd howls for blood, and by Gargul, they've got it!
Mad Jack d20=8 Monday January 30th, 2006 11:26:13 PM
OOc Sorry for not posting, Wold page would not load correctly for me.
Mad Jack does the maddest thing possible. Standing next to Neezer he simply draws his sword and waits. Berlon seemed to have made some sort of deal with himn, it was only propersomeone stay by to make sure he was safe. In any account, he has lost sight of his friends, makes no sense to jump in now.
Spot 9
Olyn d20+10=20 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 12:12:33 AM
realizing he is invisible Olyn wills himself back into viewing saying: what a freaking waste of a spell.
moving with all haste and carefulness Olyn attempts to get tot he crawling woman and first attempts to extricate her from the mob and then, getting her to a safer distance begins doing healing on her, ie: checking for broken and/or fractured bones, other wounds, and begins healing. Also, if he sees any bystanders gawking he orders them to rush to the temple and call forth their emergency healers to come. **Heal check of 20**
Vorelle d20+6=23 d20+1=19 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 12:29:11 AM
Reaching up, Vorelle attempts to grab hold of the hippogriff as it tries to pick her up. [Touch 23 to grab hold; Strength 19 to hang on]
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Invisible, Free action, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+2=19 d20+2=17 d20+7=23 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 6:04:00 AM
Vauhwyt's top priority is to grab Rose and seat her on her back -- but if the clever halfling manages to hop on herself, Vauhwyt will not need to help her. If Rose DOES need help, then the liontaur rolls a 19 Str check to do that.
Her next priority is to grab Logan. Her Str check there is a 17. The liontaur has no problem keeping her footing (Reflex Save 23).
If she can, if she has any movement left, Vauhwyt tries to move towards Olyn -- no grapple check needed with Free Action, per the spell, to move 20 feet north.
In addition, without breaking her invisibility, Vauhwyt calls out, "The Heroes for the Prince! The Heroes saved the Prince! Down with the Usurpers!"
Vorelle (illegal second post) d20+4=9 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 9:10:39 AM
[oops, forgot to roll my Reflex save. That's a big 9]
Rose d20+8=15 d20=7 d20+4=5 d20+4=14 d20+5=23 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 1:29:39 PM
Rose falls off Vauhwyt and desperatly tries to get back on. First she tries to jump up and catch ahold of Vauhwyt's pack but the crowd is to thick and she's to small. Then she tries to climb up using the straps on Vauhwyt's pack.
Dietrich, AC 19, HP 53 d20+4=8 d20+8=12 d20+4=24 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 3:08:14 PM
Dietrich listens to Neezer and must disagree. If the Prince and his minions were so powerful as he thinks, there wouldn´t be any option for the party anyway.
It´s either flee of the city or destroy the usurpers and use the popular support to stay alive. As powerful as the enemies are, the political price of having the whole city against them should be too high.
When he hears Vauhwyt, he joins the chorus:
"The heroes for the Prince! Down with the usurpers!"
Dietrich manages to stay on his feet (reflex 8 with the -2 penalty) and continues moving (grapple 12) towards the blond officer. He calls to the soldiers:
"Soldiers! Do you want to be teared appart by the people? Do you want to betray the Prince and attack the heroes who saved the City? Fight with us against the usurpers!" (intimidate 24, nat 20!)
Dietrich sicerely hopes his friends understand that there is now no other way to save their skinn other than neutralize their enemies inside the palace. So he hopes they´ll come back and help the people.
Berlon (AC 20 - HP 35/35) Prayer 4r, Spiritual Weapon 5r d8+5=11 d20+6=16 d8+1=6 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 5:58:28 PM
Berlon will try to assist anyone on the outskirts of the mob that has become injured. If he finds anyone who needs healing, he will spontaneously cast Cure Lt. Wounds (in place of Nystul's) healing 11 pts. damage.
Meanwhile, the force mace attacks again, hitting AC 16 for 6 damage.
Theodore and Macaw d20+3=9 d20+2=9 d20+4=24 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 9:28:25 PM
Theodore dismisses the invisibility from himself as he tries to push through the crowd and get out of there. (Reflex 9, Grapple 9)
He again retains his feet, but cannot move forward. It takes all of his energy to stay where he is.
Overhead, Macaw flits above the chaos, his sharp eyes seeking out any immediate threats to his master. (Macaw spot 24, natural 20, to spot any hostile movements against Theo.)
At the Plaza [SteveK] d20+4=20 d20+9=25 Tuesday January 31st, 2006 10:10:33 PM
Vauhwyt, Rose, Dietrich, Berlon, and Mad Jack are invisible: 48 rounds
Everyone in the crowd needs to roll a Reflex and Grapple Check every round. Dex bonus included again. - Reflex DC 5: Stay on your feet - Grapple DC 10: To move where you want at half speed, no running allowed - Vauhwyt, Rose, and Dietrich get a -2 to checks by being invisible.
Mad Jack stands next to Neezer, draws his sword and waits. Being invisible, he isn't apparantly noticed by Neezer, who only stands there wringing his hands. Obviously, not a man for a crisis! There doesn't appear to be anyone approaching the old man right now.
Olyn wills away the invisibility, and moves over to the woman who has crawled out of the worst of the crowd and drags her to safety near a building. He intends to check out her injuries in the next few seconds. "Thank you, thank you" repeats the shocky woman.
Vorelle stays on her feet and successfully grabs the hippogryph's foreclaws in her strong grasp. The Celestial's wings beat faster and flies out of the crowd to hover next to Olyn and waits for you to drop off before flying back over the crowd and searches out Theodore.
Rose is able to stay on her feet, but she is being swept away and lost in the crowd until the strong hands of Vauhwytgrab her and with the two of you working together manage to get the halfling on the liontaur's back. Vauhwyt looks around for Logan, and sees him on his feet and now 15 feet away in the crowd, working further away. He seems to have one or two people assisting him as well. Rose keeps a very fine seat as the Freedom of Movement allows the still invisible duo to surge with impunity through the crowd, and getting to the edge of the press where you can see Olyn and Vorelle.
Dietrich, invisible, echoes Vauhwyt as they try and plant ideas into heads in the crowd; "The heroes for the Prince! Down with the usurpers!". As he keeps his feet and moves towards the blone officer, Dietrich calls on the Soldiers to question what they are doing. At his shoulder he gets a reply. "A-yup. Don't know if it's usurpers or the Prince hisself." says a former Prince's Man with a black armband still on. "But dead, captured or playing false, following the Prince isn't going to keep my family safe any more. You heroes are all right." He holds a piece of broken pike-staff and follows Dietrich's wake towards the doors. Together they make it 15 feet more through the mob.
Berlon[b] helps hurt people at the edge of the crowd. The worst one gets a cure light wounds cast on him, a dirty boy who is no bigger than Berlon and must've been trampled in the first rush. Barely holding onto life, the boy's eyes open in a flash and in amazement that he's not dying anymore. The purple mace strikes but misses the blonde man.
[b]Theodore keeps his feet, but isn't able to make headway in the crowd. He can see that the Hippogryph gave a ride to Vorelle and is now coming over the crowd towards Theo. Macaw looks out of sharp eyes, but doesn't see any danger to his master, besides the obvious one of falling under the feet of the crowd and being trampled to death...
At a shout from the blonde officer, the Prince's Men at the gate turn and run into the Palace. Two are cut down from behind, but the rest escape into the momentarily safe corridor. The crowd surges to follow, but are stopped short by cables of sticky Web that suddenly appear at the entrance. The mob howls in frustration, anger at the Prince, and some comments about usurpers and the good heroes.
Olyn Wednesday February 1st, 2006 2:09:10 AM
looking at Vorelle as she is dropped near him she sees the face of a half elf who looks like it went through a 10 round fight with a wall. he shakes his head and then goes back to assisting the woman. assuring her that she is safe as he begins his treatment.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) d20+5=8 d20+8=16 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 6:44:44 AM
Vauhwyt takes a step out of the crowd. With the aid of her prestidigitation, she quickly stows the clothes and armor she had been wearing, leaving enough for modesty. Luckily, for a liontaur, just a bit of a top will do in a pinch.
Then she casts her last cantrip of the day -- a Message spell to Logan.
She whispers to Logan "Logan, it is Vauhwyt. Make sure you tell the Prince we are loyal, even after he tried to betray us. Tell him that we are better allies than enemies! Tell him! Tell him we are not patsies!"
Then she cancels the invisibility and turns to face the crowd. She shouts.
"People of Dirt City! We have won a great victory here today! A great victory! The Prince lives! He lives! And at this very moment is ridding the palace of the usurpers!"
"Be happy! The Prince will soon make everything right!"
"To you who say 'down with the Prince,' I say, 'You are fools and tools!' Tools of those who want to hurt our City! The Prince is our leaderr! He will keep us safe and prosperous! Up with the Prince! Long live the Prince!"
"We are proud that we could lend a hand to foil the assassins and usurpers! We are proud that we helped Master Logan! We are proud that the Prince is our patron!"
"Hey! Calm down! Do not trample Master Logan! Already he has been crushed by the crowd! Be careful of the Prince's Man"
Vauhwyt points to Logan and draws attention to him.
"Master Logan! Are you okay? Did the usurpers hurt you? People, save the Prince's Man!"
Finally, Vauhwyt whispers to Logan, "It would no doubt please the crowd to hear you praise the heroes who saved the Prince. And it would be a sign that you are a usurper to try to go back to the Palace right now. So why not put in a good word for us? And tell the Prince that we have accomplished our mission. We exposed the assassins! We always follow the Prince's orders! And per his order, we will meet him in the morning at the market as he asked."
Finally, Vauhwyt shouts to all her friends, "To me, Heroes for the Prince! We have the Prince's business to be about! It is time for us to go!"
[OOC: Diplomacy (untrained) check is an 8. Gosh darn it. Wish I had a hero point to reroll that. Bluff check is a 16.]
[OOC: The above might take two or even three rounds, I suppose, but since we are not in combat, I figure that's okay?]
Vorelle d20+1=10 d20+12=22 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 9:09:06 AM
When they reach the area where Olyn is standing, Vorelle lets go and tries to land on her feet. [Jump 10]
She sees the injured making their way out of the crowd and promptly pulls out her healer's kit. I can't heal magically, she thinks, but I can do something, anyway.
[Heal check 22]
Dietrich d20+3=22 d20+4=22 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 11:25:17 AM
Dietrich is happy that at least some of the guards turned side and that together with the people they have the situation under control. He turns visible (didn´t even notice that he wasn´t...) and listens with satisfaction to Vauhwyt (though deep inside he regrets not having even a litle sword fight...); this course of action seems to be the best.
Dietrich calls to the soldiers:
"Comrades in arms, I´m one of yours! We´ve won a battle against the usurpers, we and the people of Dirt City! The Heroes for the Prince and for the City!
Keep watch at the exits of the palace. The enemy could try illusions, don´t listen to them without asking the Heroes!
Together we´ll keep the peace and safety of the city against the usurpers!"
Diplomacy 22! military knowledge 22: to organize the soldiers and prevent anyone inside the palace from escaping.
Sword in hands, Dietrich moves near Logan, just to show his presence...
The warrior looks eagerly for his other friends. Where´re they? There contribution is critical for the whole affair to end well... He also searches eye contact with Neezer; now his influence could be handy.
Berlon (AC 20 - HP 35/35) Prayer 3r, Spiritual Weapon 4r d8+5=8 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 12:20:43 PM
Berlon searches for more injured, muttering something under his breath about speeches and quitting whilst ahead, and tries to find anybody seriously injured.
He will cast Cure Lt. (spontaneously replacing Magic Weapon) on whoever is most injured within 15', moving then healing for 8 hp.
Mad Jack Wednesday February 1st, 2006 4:56:15 PM
Jack has not moved and therefore does not know he is invisible. He watches the old man carefully, and their surroundings as well. As his friends appear, safely, and shouting praise to themselves he chuckles.
Just loud enough for Neezer to hear, Jack spits out between chuckles, "Heroes, riiiight, heroes"
Rose d20+8=10 d20=10 d20+8=13 d20+5=16 d20+5=20 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 4:57:09 PM
Rose just concentrates on hanging onto Vauhwyt.
ref: 10, -2 grapple: 10, -2 does this count since Rose isnt moving but holding onto Vauhwyt? listen: 13 spot: 16 ride: 20
Theodore and Macaw d20+3=21 d20+9=10 d20+9=29 d20+5=13 Wednesday February 1st, 2006 8:59:36 PM
Seeing the webbing appear before the tower doors, Theodore tries to dispel the barrier to give his friends a little more time to get away. (Reflex 21 to stay up, Concentration check 10, use hero point for a 29, Dispel Magic on area by tower gate check 13)
At the Plaza [DM SteveK] d20+3=19 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 4:01:42 AM
OOC: We're still in combat rounds right now.
Rose, Berlon, and Mad Jack are invisible: 47 rounds
Everyone (Theodore and Dietrich) in the crowd needs to roll a Reflex and Grapple Check every round. Dex bonus included again. - Reflex DC 5: Stay on your feet - Grapple DC 10: To move where you want at half speed, no running allowed
Olyn having recently healed a great deal of damage doesn't quite look like death-warmed-over, but the yellowish-pupleish tinge of nearly healed bruises is all over his face and most exposed skin. What has happened to him since the five went into the Palace? There was a scamp nearby who heard Olyn's orders to get word to the Temple, and the young man was off like a shot. Olyn ignores all except healing the teary woman. She looks at Olyn in bewilderment and remarks, "Buster must've gotten it wrong; elf magic isn't all bad."
Vauhwyttakes a step out of the crowd. She casts prestidigitation and quickly stows the clothes and armor she had been wearing, leaving enough for modesty. Not able to cast another cantrip this round, she can only think hard at Logan and hope that he will see the error of his ways before she cancels the invisibility, turns to face the crowd, and shouts. "People of Dirt City! We have won a great victory here today! A great victory! The Prince lives! He lives! And at this very moment is ridding the palace of the usurpers! Be happy! The Prince will soon make everything right!"
Vorelleclearly sees the healing bruises on Olyn's face as he helps the woman. She also takes out her healers kit and begins ministering to the people beside Olyn, setting up an impromptu aid station. Injured people out of the crowd see it and head over.
Dietrich calls to the soldiers: "Comrades in arms, I´m one of yours!" and begins to organize the crowd with Diplomacy and his knowledge of large operations.
Berlon questions the wisdom of speeches when they don't know everything, wondering if there will be a backlash against the party or the people for what has happened this day. Seeking out the injured, he heals a broken arm of a youngster who had been in the press.
Mad Jack not realizing he is invisible, tells Neezer his opinion of this group being 'heroes'. The old man nearly jumps out of his skin. "I beg your pardon", says Neezer in a quivering voice, "but where are you and are you of the party of Master Berlon?"
Rose has terrific riding skills and is easily able to keep her seat on the back of the liontaur.
Theodore sees the Web that keeps the crowd from attacking the Prince's Men, and a couple of arcane passes later it disappears. A hippogryph grabs you with his front claws and flies over to Olyn before putting Theo down and disappearing in golden light.
With the dissapperance of the Web keeping them out of the Palace, the crowd shouts lustily and surges through the doors! The surge doesn't happen for long, however, before great dispairing cries are heard, too many suddenly cut off. The crowd still presses forward until the call is sent back... PIT! WITH SPIKES!! Again, the crowd seems stymied.
Some of the crowd at the fringes begins to help at the aid station, some are moving off, and some are being organized by Dietrich and Vauhwyt. There are obviously too few to surround the Palace.
Neezer seems to get control of himself and sidles away from Mad Jack and towards Berlon. "I believe my services are complete and that your friends are all out of the Palace. I shall call on you in the future for your side of the contract?"
Of Logan, you see no sign of the man (Spot Check)
Spot Check DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {One of the men that was helping Logan in the crowd is still there and he is moving towards the wall of the Palace.} Spot Check DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Near the spot in the crowd where Logan had been is now a misty cloud that seems to be drifting towards the Palace }
Olyn Thursday February 2nd, 2006 11:06:36 AM
smiling at the woman Olyn says: ever since Eberyon was released from his sleep, everyone has jump to conclusions that all Elves are bad. It's ok, Im used to prejudices. Actions speak louder than words.
And he goes back to treating other wounded people.
Dietrich d20+4=10 d20+7=11 d20+4=14 d20+4=23 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 11:35:17 AM
reflex 11; grapple 11 (with BErlon´s blessing) spot 15
Dietrich almost despairs as the headless crowd enters the palace and already starts running into traps. He calls them back and trys to keep them organized.
The warrior is disappointed enough that only Vauhwyt remains there. For him, should the party not manage to negotiate with their enemies in the palace now, that they have the support of the populace and Logan as prisoner, things will go very badly.
To the crowd he commands (intimidate 23): "Don´t demobilize! Once the people go home, the traitors will go after each of you alone."
Showing to the strangely acting man: "Grab that man!"
Finally, Dietrich calls to his friends:
"Comrades! Come back! Do you think you can just leave now without consequences? The usurpers will hunt us down later. They´ll hunt your relatives and all the people that helped us.
We have to finish this business now."
Berlon (AC 20 - HP 35/35) Prayer 2r d8+5=6 d8+5=12 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 2:00:55 PM
After setting the broken arm, Berlon looks up.
"No."
"Jack, the situation is still not currently safe for my business associate. Please see to it that Neezer remains safe. It is for the best if he stays here for a bit longer, just to make sure his safety is ensured."
He looks back and forth between Jack and Neezer. "Jack, make sure Neezer remains safe here until I have a moment to speak with him privately."
He then turns towards healing any who need it. Assuming he finds someone, he casts Cure Lt. (spontaneously replacing Divine Favor) healing for 12 pts.
Rose d20+5=19 d20+8=17 d20+5=17 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 4:21:24 PM
Rose stays invisible on Vauhwyt's back, holding on the best she can. Suddenly she thinks of something and mentally tells Piper to go tell her family what has been happening.
spot: 19 listen: 17 ride: 17
Mad Jack d20+1=3 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 6:38:52 PM
Jack watches as Berlons new friend walks over to Berlon. Th old man must be blind to not have seen Jack standing right beside him. Walking over the the old one, Jack reaches out with his left arm, grabbing teh man by his arm. "Master Berlon asks for your protection, and so shall it be. I know you are blind, allow me to lead you." Jack then stands there vigilantyly watching for an danger that may be with in reach.
OOC Yeehaw, that would be a 3 spot check
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Thursday February 2nd, 2006 8:23:35 PM
Vauhwyt heads to Dietrich, "Come, my friend Bear! These people are a mob, not an army. They are not ours to throw into battle. Come, we must tell them to go, and then we must be on our way. The Prince has things well under control in the palace, and we need to tell you amazing news. Besides, Logan got free, and that's another reason to get while the getting is good."
"Yeah," caws Mookie, "News that'll rock your world!"
Vauhwyt steps up to the edge of the crowd and bellows, [b]"Friends, the Prince has control of the Palace! He is cleaning up the usurpers! Your work here is done! Be glad! Spread the news that the King is alive! Tell your friends that we saved him!"
Then Vauhwyt also shouts blindly out, "Master Logan, wherever you are! Give our respect to the Prince! Tell him we'll always follow his orders! He told us to find the assassins and we did! He told us to meet him tomorrow morning at the market. We'll be therre!"
Vauhwyt does her best to get her friends moving away, back into the city.
Theodore and Macaw d20+3=22 d20+2=4 d20+2=6 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 9:25:02 PM
Safely out of the crowd, Theodore is more amiable towards Vauhwyt's reasoning. "Yes, let's make haste out of here and collect our thoughts."
Theodore's senses are overwhelmed by the chaos. (Spot 4)
Vorelle d20+12=14 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 9:51:39 PM
Vorelle tries to keep healing people, but she is distracted, her mind clearly elsewhre. [Heal 14]. "S-s-s-sorry," she stammers, pulling her things together. "I h-h-have to g-g-g-go."
Making her way through the crowd, she heads toward the group's meeting place.
At the Plaza [SteveK] d20=5 d20=12 d20=11 d20=1 Thursday February 2nd, 2006 10:15:51 PM
(OOC: OK, out of combat rounds.:)
Rose, Berlon, and Mad Jack are invisible: 46 rounds
Everyone (Dietrich) in the crowd needs to roll a Reflex and Grapple Check every round. Dex bonus included again. - Reflex DC 5: Stay on your feet - Grapple DC 10: To move where you want at half speed, no running allowed
Olyn informs the woman (and not a few bystanders) that actions speak louder than words. And considering looks come across many faces. "So the glowing hippogryph was yours, too?" asks a thin man. "I nearly soiled my drawers when it came winging over me with a woman in its claws! That must've been why it didn't hurt anything." And many other people nod in understanding.
Dietrich tries to mobilize the crowd in standing up for themselves, and many within range of his voice stay to take orders. The crowd hastily pulls away from the entrance to the Palace, and several people try to grab the man who is quickly going towards the Palace but fail. There are about 50 people who are still around and erect and willing to listen to Dietrich.
Berlon heals people and tells Neezer he is still needed, giving the incentive to sticking around by having Mad Jack guard the man until they can all talk. He heals another person who is amazed that he suddenly feels better without a visible reason.
Rose still has no problem staying bareback on Vauhwyt. What fun! But she sends Piper off to tell her family what has happened. (OOC: Um, in your opinion, what has happened? And how does Rose hope Piper will communicate with her family?)
Mad Jack lays hand on the elbow of Neezer and the old man nearly jumps out of his skin again! The warrior soothingly explains to Neezer that it is OK that he is blind. (OOC: Laughed out loud in a CyberCafe, I did :)
Vauhwyt urges Dietrich to let the mob go, and that collecting everyone in a safer area is the best course of action. She hints that there is a lot to tell.
Theodore agrees that a withdrawl to compare notes may be the way to go.
Vorelle can't seem to keep her mind on healing, and so thinks of her friends. She doesn't have to move since most of them are around her anyways.
The one man going towards the Palace hears Dietrich's shout and redoubles his efforts through the thinning crowd. Several try to grab him, but he eludes them and scrambles up the side of the Palace like a spider, eventually reaching the roof.
Neezer had wandered to where he heard Berlon's voice (healing isn't an attack and Berlon is still invisible) when he is touched by the invisible Mad Jack. Now thouroughly confused, Neezer hears the invisible Jack explaining that Neezer is blind, and he shakes his head in stubborn refusal. "I'm sure my eyesight is fine, young man, it is you that is not seen." Neezer doesn't look happy about being restrained, however easily, but as the merchant hasn't much choice and he's in no immediate danger, Neezer waits with Mad Jack near a wall.
The crowd thins, with more people leaving. There are now three distinct groups of citizens; the largest of about 50 are gathered around Dietrich; the second group of about 30 hurt people and care givers are centered around Olyn and Vorelle; the third group are cold and lifeless on the ground, a dozen Prince's Men and twice that many common people. Near the gate are limbs and blood, but out on the plaza are the broken bodies of those unlucky enough to fall beneath the mob's feet.
There appears to be no activity at the Palace.
Vauhwyt, Vorelle, Theodore, Rose, and Olyn are all near the makeshift aid station near the way to the Backstab Quarter. Dietrich is in the middle of a small crowd of about 50 people who are waiting for him to tell them what to do. Berlon and MaD Jack have Neezer and are about 50 feet away.
Berlon (AC 20 - HP 35/35) Prayer 1r Friday February 3rd, 2006 12:18:42 AM
"Thank you, Jack, I don't know what we would have done if we had allowed any harm to come to Neezer," Berlon says as he takes a break from healing to move closer to talk.
"If you don't mind, might I have a moment with him? I am sure someone could use assistance, probably Dietrich, or," he coughs slightly, "Vauhwyt."
Olyn Friday February 3rd, 2006 11:23:45 AM
continues healing
Dietrich d20+4=7 d20+8=13 Friday February 3rd, 2006 12:16:29 PM
Reflex 7 grapple 13
Dietrich realizes the question won´t be resolved this time and sighs. He doesn´t completely understand what VAuhwyt means and is certainly curious about the news. But he hates to let their enemies in control of the palace and of Targo. The window of opportunity they had will vanish with the dispersion of the crowd and he can already imagine the backlash of this small revolt. Healing the wounded won´t help when the soldiers come after them...
The warrior says to the 50 loyals:
"Take your dead and get out of here. Keep ready for a fight later though and prepare your families to leave the city. We meet tomorrow mornig at the market. May Domi be with you!"
Dietrich goes to meet his friends, disappointed, feeling guilty for abandoning the people that stood up to defend them, and preparing mentally to flee from Dirt City.
Rose d20+8=20 d20+5=17 d20+5=6 d20+3=15 Friday February 3rd, 2006 2:03:29 PM
Rose continues trying to hang onto Vauhwyt's back but doesnt seem to be doing as good of a job as before.
listen: 20 ride: 17 spot: 6, nat 1 balance: 15
Mad Jack Friday February 3rd, 2006 9:40:08 PM
Jack stands holding his partners arm. When Berlon asks to talk to neezer, Jack says ok, and moves a few feet away. Jack has no idea, or reason to go off and find the rest of the group. Leisurely he stands by the wall listening to conversations of passersbys.
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Saturday February 4th, 2006 12:41:38 AM
Vauhwyt talks with as many of her friends as she can. "We need to get to a place to talk as soon as possible, and as private as possible. In fact, I want to use a Rope Trick scroll to have the conversation because it is the most private thing I know."
If everyone is here, great. Let's go someplace safer -- in the undertown? and talk. If anyone is missing, then it is back to the rendez-vous point at the market, and fast.
Vorelle Sunday February 5th, 2006 4:27:43 PM
Vorelle makes her way through the crowd, headed for their original meeting place. She hears Vauhwyt's suggestion about the Rope Trick, but she isn't sure about it herself. She'd always been told that magical holding items, like her quiver, can't be taken into places like that.
[OOC: you can't put one extradimensional space inside another. Bad things happen. Just because DM SteveK let us get away with it once doesn't mean we can do it again. :) ]
Theodore and Macaw Sunday February 5th, 2006 5:41:12 PM
"Okay," he responds to Vauhwyt. "Perhaps someone should stay behind to make sure we're not followed. Or if we are, by whom. I have an invisibility spell. I will volunteer if no one else would like to."
At the Plaza [DM SteveK] d20+2=9 Monday February 6th, 2006 1:58:03 AM
Rose, Berlon, and Mad Jack are invisible: 36 rounds
Rose still has little problem staying on Vauhwyt (Ride DC 5)
Neezer is still a little put out since he is trying to talk and have conversation with invisible people like Berlon and MadJack, but tries to gamely go along. "Um, wouldn't this conversation be more lucrative if we were able to discuss future contracts eye to eye?"
Without a easily seen enemy in front of them or the driving force of Dietrich and Vaughwyt behind them, the crowd slowly dissapates. Wounded are all healed by Olyn (Vorelle's healing kit is depleted and Olyn has one spell each level left) and Berlon (all spells depleted from healing), and they move off. The dead who have companions or family are carted off, but there are still a dozen bodies of Prince's Men and about a dozen bodies that no one wanted to claim still laying about.
Vorelledoesn't want to chance an extra-dimensional space with bags of holding or her quiver. Vauhwyt suggests getting to the City Below. And Theodore offers to ensure they won't be followed.
Most of the crowd seems to have left by retreating into the Backstab Quarter, though some went towards the Docks and some towards Midnight Bazaar.
A tough looking young man moves past Vorelle and Rose as he travels into the Backstab Quarter. "Not everyone belongs to a 'ouse, an' we know oo are friends are. You 'eroes ever need a place to go, yer safe wit us." And he disappears into the tough neighborhood.
Neezer is very, very nervous. "You must let me go or take me prisoner. I will be of very little use to you if any know of your connection to me and the connection to the House of Merchants."
It is obvious to all that almost anywhere is safer than standing in the middle of an open plaza with a thinning crowd, a still occupied Prince's Palace occupied by an enemy, and other enemies perhaps stalking them at this very minute!
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Monday February 6th, 2006 5:38:46 AM
"Come ON! Let's go!"
Vauhwyt leads the way out of there, fast. Where? Anywhere but here! However, the party needs a quiet safe place to talk.
The liontaur says softly, "Fine, no Rope Trick. But we need to talk things over, that's for surre."
Olyn Monday February 6th, 2006 10:10:34 AM
after tending to the wounded, Olyn checks on the crumbled bodies laying about to see if by some slim chance there is still a spark of life in them. if so he tends to them. (still have a healers kit I can use when spells run out, and a wand of cure light wounds, 31 chgs)
with the help of other clergymen, he will assist in the recovery of the dead, and helps transport them to the burial preparation room. then after all is said and done, will head back to the apartments to clean up and change.
Dietrich Monday February 6th, 2006 10:32:33 AM
Dietrich follows Vauhwyt´s lead, still disappointed. He suggests:
"Let´s go to the appartment first, before our enemies get there. I´d like to take my things before we move. From there we can go elsewhere to discuss."
The fighter makes a silent prayer to Gargul for all the dead and for the dead to come.
Concerning Neezer, Berlon is the one to clear that. The man wasn´t particularly decisive anyway.
Berlon Monday February 6th, 2006 2:00:52 PM
Berlon wills himself visible.
"I must return with my new friend here."
"I assume," he adds, turning to Neezer, "that any that wish to come are both welcomed and assured safety?"
Rose d20+8=26 d20+5=14 d20+5=9 Monday February 6th, 2006 7:01:10 PM
Rose tries to hold on better as she tries to keep an eye and ear out for trouble.
listen: 26 ride: 14 spot: 9
ooc: what's happening with piper? Has she reached Rose's parents?
Theodore and Macaw d20+2=4 Monday February 6th, 2006 9:12:22 PM
"I will follow," Theodore says before mumbling some garbled words and weaving his fingers in an intricate dance. Suddenly, he is no longer visible.
I've been invisible a lot, today, he thinks to himself.
Theodore will give the party a minute head start before tailing them, taking care to spot any other followers. (Spot 4)
Macaw accompanies the group so that Theodore might have a link to them.
Vorelle Monday February 6th, 2006 10:19:56 PM
Vorelle continues moving toward the rendezvous.
At the Plaza [DM Steve] Tuesday February 7th, 2006 5:43:54 AM
OOC: don't want to rush everyone, but we'll need a consensus here. If you separate and each go your own way, surely your vulnerabilities are going to come to the surface. With enemies (presumably) all about, this will be a VERY bad thing.
With the crowd thinning still further, the friends try and decide what to do.
Vauhwyt urges movement and even takes a few steps away, but turns to see if anyone is following. Well, besides Rose that is. The little halfling is well entrenched upon the liontaurs back. Piper isn't back yet, so Rose doesn't really know what's going on with her familiar and family.
Olyn ignores the others and starts to pick over the dead to see if there is any spark of life left. To do so, he has to move out in the open and completely exposed to eyes and ... well, other things. There is no one else looking at the people who are laying in the plaza, and the other clergy from the Temple of Wardd have not arrived.
Dietrich suggests that going to the apartments and cleaning out thier things would be the best course of action before going into hiding.
Berlon insists that he go with his new friend. Neezer looks worried, but a firm look comes into his eyes (DC 15 Sense Motive Highlight to display spoiler: { calculating, like he's wondering how much to stick his neck out to rake in a terrific contract} "I may be able to offer a safehouse when you are ready.", he says.
Theodore says he'll follow wherever the party will go and once again becomes invisible. (OOC: Please post your active spells and duration with your following posts)
Vorelle moves towards the redevous. (OOC: Um, which one? I've become terribly confused as to who knows what and there have been three rendevous' talked about since the foursome went into the Palace)
No word is heard from Mad Jack, but as he is invisible still, that may be no bad thing.
Dietrich Tuesday February 7th, 2006 12:55:47 PM
Dietrich stays with the main group, pretty aware of the risk of dividing now.
But he urges the point of getting to the appartment first.
"If we don´t go now, we won´t go later. I´d just like to remind you that our enemies continue firmly in power, with Targo and every element necessary to attack us, and I don´t think we´ll have much time to waste."
Mad Jack d20+2=4 d20=18 Tuesday February 7th, 2006 5:45:16 PM
As he leans on the wall, he notices people pass him with out so much as a glance. Putting his sword back in its sheathe, he makes a funny face at a passing child. Nothing, that is odd. He walks a couple of feet up to a group of men talking of the ecent fight, and whispers in one guys ear to move out of the weay. The man jumps, startled, then moves awy, looking in all directions. For some reason, Jac was inisible. Having never been invisible, he decides to run to the dead bodies, the sildiers, and search for anything useful. Not knowing how long he would be such, he is extremely expedient.
Theodore and Macaw d20+2=17 d20+4=19 Tuesday February 7th, 2006 6:43:09 PM Active Spells Invisibility 4 min 9 rounds
Theodore gives the group a full minute head start before following after. His eyes are peeled for any other followers or other strange goings-ons. (Spot 17)
Macaw flies ahead of the main group to ferret out any possible ambushes. (Macaw Spot 19)
Berlon Tuesday February 7th, 2006 8:55:00 PM
"If any of you have anything that needs to be done immediately, so be it, otherwise I think our wisest course of action would be to rendezvous at Neezer's. Frankly, it may be the only safe haven we have any more."
Regardless of who follows now or later, Berlon will escort Neezer back.
Olyn Tuesday February 7th, 2006 10:01:24 PM
so disregard the gathering of the dead since no clergymen are there to help and ill continue on with the rest of my last post
Vauhwyt (AC22 HP41 of 44, Armor, Messages, Prestidigitation) and Mookie (AC15 HP22) Tuesday February 7th, 2006 10:03:03 PM
Vauhwyt thinks that maybe the apartments are dangerous, but the risk is probably small so soon after. Her real fear is that the Prince is walking invisibly maybe ten or twenty feet away from the group, and they'll never know.
She sees Olyn moving off, first into the open, then amybe toward the temple? She makes sure to get his attention, and says, "Hey, Olyn! You're coming with us, right? It is very good to see you back herre. I have lots of really important news that you just have to hearr."
Anyway, she shepherds the group back to the apartments -- first the boys' place, then the girls'. She does her best to urge the group to haste, including letting Rose ride the whole way.
She still is not sure where Vorelle, Theo, and Jack are. If she does not see them at the apartments, then she does her best to get the group to go to the market. "Come on! I bet that's where we'll find Vorelle and Theo."
Vauhwyt's goal is to get the entire group together for long enough to tell them some stuff. Maybe we can have a confab in a Rope Trick. Or at any rate, maybe we can minimize the chances of being overheard.
Vorelle Tuesday February 7th, 2006 10:24:51 PM
Vorelle hurries toward the market. The market, she thinks. That's where we're meeting, right? I hope so. One thing's certain--I can't go back to the apartment. Not now, maybe not ever. They have Targo, and they know who I am. I have to assume they know where I live, too. I hope the others stay away from the place.
Once at the market, she paces, mind racing. She has a little coin on her, probably enough to find a place to stay the night. It is not enough, however, to buy silence. Perhaps a disguise of some sort?
Rose d20+8=22 d20+5=10 d20+5=17 Tuesday February 7th, 2006 10:41:12 PM
Rose is quiet but does her best to be aware of any dangers along the way, first to the apartments and then to the market. At the apartments she asks Vauhwyt "Do you think we'll have to leave the city?"
If Vauhwyt answers no then At the girls apartment Rose will quickly throw some important items into her bag of holding (just in case Vauhwyt's wrong) this includes all the food, candles, sewing basket, materials to copy into spell book (hmm I forgot rose had those) and a few of her clothes, including her bedroll & sleeping bag.
If Vauhwyt answers yes then Rose will grab any of the guys and Vorelles things that she can, because they might not get back to pack. She will grab clothes for everyone, any food and lighting in the guys apartment, and any magical or priestly items she can fit into her bag of holding including spellbooks.
listen: 22 ride: 10 spot: 17
loretta Tuesday February 7th, 2006 10:42:53 PM
ooc: since we are now at the apartments can Rose have her catacombs transactions & christmas tree gifts?
Gathering Things [DM SteveK] Wednesday February 8th, 2006 3:39:26 AM Mad Jack discovers that it is fun being invisible! Capering around a bit, he then rifles the pockets of a couple Prince's Men and collects 48gp worth of various coinage. His quick eyes spot the rest of the group moving off towards Midnight Bazaar. Not wanting to get lost in the still new city, he trots after.
After doing what he can, Olyn is going back to the apartments anyways, and so moves with the group in that direction.
Berlon gives in to what needs to be done immediately, but thinks a good place to hole up is with Neezer. Neezer himself wants to stay with Berlon to ensure the gnome's portion of the contract is set, and he will also go with the group.
Dietrich, Vauhwyt, and Rose move to the apartments accompanied by Olyn, Neezer, the loud but invisible MadJack, and Theodore's Macaw flying in front of them. Upon leaving the plaza, several of the people thank the heroes for thier healing help, and several comments remind the heroes that there are people willing to help them in turn.
Many still remember the heroes against the Fey King. Of the rumors about them being the assassins of the Prince, that rumor has mysteriously vanished in the wind as if those trying to keep it alive were no longer around to fan the flames...
On the way to the apartments, the group passes a team of clerics and stretcher bearers led by the scrawney youth Olyn sent to the Temple. The boy knuckles his forehead in salute to the half-elf. "I tol'ja I'd get'em."
The group is unmolested in getting to the apartments, boys and girls, and are able to quickly gather what they wish. (All recent L&B winnings and Catacomb visits are in neat packages on the common room tables). A visible Mad Jack and Theodore appear in the boys apartment and now only Vorelle is missing.
Hurrying from the apartments, the group plus Neezer go to the Market where they meet a very, very nervous Vorelle. At last the friends are all together again!
Yet the time to gather things has slipped the sun across the sky. It is nearing dusk on this busy day. Stalls are closing shop, people are hurrying to thier homes. There is perhaps a half hour of evening light before a dark and very unsettled Dirt City will awaken. The air is unrestful. Rumors are flying that the Prince is dead, no alive, no captured. There has been blood in the streets, the City Above, the City Below. The Houses are shut up, the Houses are marshalling forces.
And the friends are in an emptying market area watching the gathering gloom.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 8th, 2006 5:55:43 AM
Vauhwyt thanks the everyday folk who have offered them refuge. She introduces herself and hopes to get some names. She also tries to memorize faces. She tells them that it makes her glad to have the support of the people of Dirt City, and she asks for a way to contact these good folk if the party wants to take them up on their worthy offer of help.
Then she goes with everybody, first to the apartment and then to the rendez-vous to meet Vorelle. Vauhwyt heaves an incredible sigh of relief as the group is all together at last and, at least for now, not under direct attack!
[OOC: I have started an e-mail conversation that I hope will help us move forward. The in-character parts of that can come here, maybe?]
Vauhwyt feels like a goose crammed with too much stuffing, insofar as she is bursting to tell her news. But the matter of this stranger needs to be answered first. Her natural assumption is that this is a fellow adventurer, a would-be hero, who, like Jack recently, is eager to become a member of their ranks.
The liontaur turns to Neezer and says, "Hello friend! So you are eager to join our merry band of adventurers? I must warn you, there is danger ahead and danger behind, but also great deeds to do and treasures to be won!"
Mookie pipes up, for the first time in a while, and says, "What treasure? We haven't had a hoard to split in way too long!"
"Hush Mookie," says Vauhwyt. "Well, we are kind of due."
Vauhwyt thinks about Logan's gear that she is carrying, and if they should dare to sell it, maybe at the Catacombs?
Then she comes back to the matter at hand. "So, welcome, new adventurerr! What's your name, anyway, and what talents do you have to offerr?" [OOC: Were we welcoming a newbie, I'd make a comment about Vauhwyt's accent here.]
She introduces herself and Mookie. [OOC: At this point, were we really welcoming a new PC, I would type out a description of Vauhwyt, but I think I'll spare us that for now! LOL! ]
Dietrich Wednesday February 8th, 2006 11:43:09 AM
Dietrich is glad they could take their stuff from the appartments and are all together again. Listening to the people of the City, the fighter has some different reflections, and, plus Vahuwyt´s comments during the way, he shares his points of view with the friends. ooc: will just write my points here, when more will use the e-mail
1) We need a way of crisis decision making and to act as a group. Suggestion: binding votations. We discuss, than vote and the minority accepts it!
2)Don´t go to meet the Prince. The guy wanted to get rid of us, and now he has more reason than ever. Going there could kill us. Forget that old alliance, the Prince is our enemy (till proven to the contrary. If possible I´d like not to have him against us.)
3) Allegiance. I´d vote for the mercenary company, as suggested before. The party members are too different and will hardly come to a consensus. Also, with some risk, it should be viable.
The Temple of Wardd would also be perfect.
If not, Dietrich votes for the Merchants. They are a force for progress at the moment, not ideal, but better than others, at least they are rational and for peace.
Finally, the NEW idea. Allign with the POPULACE. History is full of relatively succesfull popular movements, the people are much stronger than thought off. Why not form our own Popular Party? Of course that´s dangerous, but so it was for the Grachus brothers etc. A Republic would be an excellent regime for a City-state. Maybe other social forces could ally, like the Merchants?
4) If nothing goes, we´ll have to leave the city for a while, as I don´t think we´ll have much time before the Prince or other powerful players inside the palace try to destroy us.
Berlon Wednesday February 8th, 2006 5:40:20 PM
Berlon looks confused at Vauhwyt's comments towards Neezer. Perhaps Jack is contagious?
"Um, no, Vauhwyt, Neezer isn't coming with us. He's a... let's say associate. We need to get out of here. Now."
Theodore and Macaw Wednesday February 8th, 2006 7:53:37 PM
Theodore is a bit wary speaking in front of Neezer. Stepping up to the man, he extends his arm, having to pull back the sleeve to show his hand, "Hello. My name is Theodore. If you don't mind my asking, who are you?"
He then goes about whispering the information he learned in the Prince's palace to his friends. Namely, that the Prince is alive, had set up the group as patsies during the assassination attempt, and is in hiding at an abandoned farm outside of town. "We will not be safe until we resolve our conflict with the Prince. I say we approach him at his farm."
Vorelle Wednesday February 8th, 2006 11:23:33 PM
Vorelle is releived to be reunited with her friends again, and unnerved by the presence of the stranger. The situation, however, is urgent enough that she speaks anyway. "Th-th-they're g-g-g-going to k-k-k-k-k-k--" agitated, she breaks off. "Th-they h-have m-my f-f-f-f-family. W-we have to d-d-d-d-do s-s-something."
Olyn Thursday February 9th, 2006 1:17:21 AM
Travels. Gathers gear. Travels some more. Listens. All in silence until Vorelle's revelation.
You lied to us. You withheld information from us. You chose to go into a trap and try taking all of us with you. And now you say we must help save your family? Why should I? Why should we?
/looking at Vauhwyt he says directly: this time, let her answer my questions. I dont care what your answer is. I want her to answer herself.
Mad Jack Thursday February 9th, 2006 1:21:03 AM
As Vauhwyt reaches her personality to the new guy, Jack tries to signal that Neezer is blind. To no avail, she nor anyone else has any clue to what Jack is signaling. Oh how he missed his men. They had talked in signs so often, mere suggestions were all that were needed.
"The old man is Blind", Jack finally says to the group at hand. "So I figure he wont be adventuring."
Snapping his head in Vorelles direction, "What do you mean they are going to kill your family?! Who is this 'they'. You know Im really getting tired of 'them'. Someday I would like to become a 'they'. Maybe 'they' could hand out badges or something. Ok so out with it girl, explain yourself. Umm, well, you know, in your own time that is." He scrathes his nose, and burrows his eyes into his hand, having forgott her tough time with words.
In the Market [DM SteveK] Thursday February 9th, 2006 3:00:12 AM
Vauhwyt is able to get more offers of help, but no names, that would be dangerous. "If you need a place to stay, go into the Backstab Quarter. The Houses don't go there, and you've enough friends to be safer." says one thug-looking man, and there are others who nod in agreement.
Questions and information start pouring out of most everyone as the group is back together again. Vauhwyt is friendly, Theodore and Vorelle wary, Olyn confrontational, Dietrich philisophical, Rose quiet, and MadJack well...slightly mad.
Neezer clears his throat "I am Master Berlon's contract agent for the Merchants Guild, and have no wish to join you. Rather, I would seek for you to contract with me and the Guild." He slicks back his unruly grey mop. "But that is for another time. If you have nowhere to go, I am authorized to provide secure accomodations for the purchase of a one time contract as procurement agents." At any confused looks, he boils his offer down. "I hide you and you get something for me. Deal?"
The only two who seem to be nervous is Berlon and Neezer. Neezer, the old thin man with a mop of stringy gray hair nods vigorously when the gnome states...
"We need to get out of here. Now."
Looking up from thier conversations, all the friends notice the open spaces of the market is becoming deserted. Dusk is falling and the group is in the City Above.
rose Thursday February 9th, 2006 5:52:04 AM
At the girls apartment Rose had grabbed her stuff and a few things of Vorelle's. but not Vorelle's baggy clothing which Rose hates:)
At the market she is surprised and startled by how much has been going on while she was in the place with Vauhwyt and Vorell and by Olyn's reaction to Vorelle. "Olyn! The only thing Vorelle didnt tell us was that she was married, and if I was married to someone like that creep I wouldnt admit it either! We chose to go to the palace because we didnt want to make the prince angry at us, Vorelle's not the only one with family and friends in the city who might be punished for our actions. As for helping Vorelle's family of course we will, just like we would help you if your friends and family members were in trouble."
When Rose is told about the options they have for staying someplace for the night she thinks a moment and says "How about we stay at the temple? If we go to any of the houses the others will be angry and we dont want that. If the heads of the houses get angry enough at us they might try to get rid of us, so lets try not to favor one house over the other."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday February 9th, 2006 7:29:12 AM
"Oh!" Vauhwyt says to the merchant. "Well, it is nice to meet you. Thank you for your offerr."
Vauhwyt does not like the tone Olyn takes with herself and Vorelle, but he has clearly been through a lot, and nerves are on edge. Plus, though she would not say so out loud, she too is curious about how Vorelle found that out. But there is no time for extended chat here.
Vauhwyt says to her friends, "It is too dangerous to just stay here in the open. I suggest that we either repair to a Rope Trick, which will give us up to three hours to talk, go with the merchant fellow to his safe house, or head for Backstab Quarter and seek refuge there, or go to the Temple, like Rose says. Just for as long a time as we need to make some decisions."
Mookie says, "Well, Boss, which of these four options are you really in favor of?"
Vauhwyt says, "I like the Rope Trick, but if other people advocated the other options, I'd be satisfied with any of them. We could roll a die, and I think that would be a good way to pick the best course."
Vorelle Thursday February 9th, 2006 9:08:38 AM
Vorelle waits until the group has found a place of safety before she answers questions.
[OOC: if we want to use a Rope Trick, then go ahead; I'm going to stop objecting. At this point, opening a rift in the space/time continuum and being sucked onto the Astral Plane might be a welcome change of pace.]
Once we have found a safe place, Vorelle relays the conversation she overheard:
"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.
Theodore and Macaw Thursday February 9th, 2006 1:13:03 PM
Theodore is also a little concerned with his half-elf friend's actions, but says nothing at the moment.
"Let us retreat to the Backstab Quarters. We should safely blend in with the folks and could find a secluded corner to talk. Furthermore, I doubt anyone would think to look for us there."
Theodore's raven, Macaw, stands atop the mage's head, eyeballing Neezer.
Dietrich Thursday February 9th, 2006 5:17:28 PM
OOC: I´m having some problems with my e-mail server, so I´ll post my comments to the discussion here.
Dietrich basically shares Theo´s view about the dice method and about aligning with the people.
COncerning the dice method, that´s a point which he won´t accept. He has accepted all majority or consensus decisions so far, though often reluctant, but that´s too serious. The dice method is neither just, nor efficient, nor safe and could really put us into serious trouble.
As posted above, I vote for binding votations, people would have to wait all postings till acting. Dietrich would also easyly accept a leader, but not a crazy one. Actually, none of the party really convinces me for the role. I´d accept Theo or Berlon. Vauhwyt and Jack are too impulsive (I like their ideas, but not as leaders), Olyn is now allied to a House Dietrich doesn´t particularly like, Vorelle is too shy, Rose is imature and soft (of course I´m not criticizing Loretta here!) and I as a player am too deliberate and not decisive.
_____________ In game
Dietrich agrees with Theo in going to the Backstab quarters. Neezer´s proposals sounds good enough, but maybe later. He´s once more surprised by Olyn´s behaviour and it reminds him of his speech after the Wolve´s beating. His clerical friend seems to need some meditation...
"Let´s go now and continue talking inside a dirty, dark and hidden place around cut-throats and people who would protect us. Let´s go to the Backstab quarters."
Mad Jack Thursday February 9th, 2006 7:04:48 PM
Jack nods at Dietrich, there sounds a good a place as any. Jack does know, no talking will get done, they always find something else to distract them.
OOC This rope Trick Vauwhyt keeps refering to, Jack has no idea what ur talking about, I have a vague idea. Vorelle is right, she cant take the quiver in this 'rope trick'. Or she believes she cant, lets find another way.
Vauhwyt (illegal second post) Thursday February 9th, 2006 10:02:16 PM
Vauhwyt agrees to go to the Backstab Quarter.
She suggests that there are two things the group should do, in her opinion: (1) before midnight, go to some bars and taverns, be seen in crowds, talk up the great deeds of the party, begin to build up their stature in the City. (2) after midnight, go rescue Vorelle's family.
She hates that she has no spells left at all, except for a single cantrip.
Berlon Thursday February 9th, 2006 10:28:36 PM
Berlon sighs.
"Going to the Backstab Quarter and/or the taverns and carousing are both unwise ideas, I'm afraid. I'm not sure why, but some of you don't seem to realize that our lives right now aren't worth a Goblin's loincloth."
"Unfortunately I am somewhat limited right now. Go do what you think is wise. I must escort Neezer back. Once we are there, Neezer will arrange for Vorelle's family to be... extricated... from their current situation."
"That is," he says turning to Neezer, "if that is within your patron's capabilities. I am sure they are, no?"
"Let's go."
With that he will head off with Neezer.
"Don't worry," he adds to the group over his shoulder, "I'll be there when you need me."
Vauhwyt (illegal *third* post, sorry) Thursday February 9th, 2006 10:59:52 PM
Vauhwyt leaps up. "No! Berlon! Stop! Splitting up is the most dangerous thing we can do. We are lucky we survived one division today -- let's not press our luck!"
"If you have an obligation, why didn't you say so! We'll come with you to drop off Neezerr, if that's this person's name? Then we'll go off together to decide what's next. How's that sound, everybody?"
Theodore and Macaw (Illegal Post) Friday February 10th, 2006 10:27:55 AM
"Vauhwyt's right, Berlon. The Backstab Quarter is the safest place for us, at the moment. We saw that at the palace. These people believe in us and are willing to fight with us. No one else I know of is that determined to help us. Not even your friend, it appears. And he certainly does not have the reach to save Vorelle's family. Unless the Merchant's are willing to go directly against the Prince, for he is the one holding them."
In the Market [DM SteveK] Friday February 10th, 2006 10:32:22 AM
(OOC: But a single round has passed as it would be nice to have a consensus as there is no designated leader)
We've got
3- Backstab Quarter 1- Temple 1- Merchant Safehouse 1- Wherever, even blown through an Astral Rift. 0- Rope Trick
Neezer raises a cautious hand at Berlon. "Now, Master Berlon, I do not wish a lucrative opportunity to escape by being hasty. With all of you together, I should be safe enough for the night. And I will be able to advise you and your friends further. I do... (and here he pauses so others can hear the jingle of his money pouch) ... have certain resources that may assist you."
More information is passed, but it looks like the first order of business is to get to a relatively safe place to talk about everything.
Berlon Friday February 10th, 2006 12:19:18 PM
Berlon holds his hand to his forehead. "I can't let him return alone, but he really shouldn't be seen with us..."
"If we go with him, we will both be able to gain safety for ourselves, as well as arrange to have any loved ones moved to safety as well. His associates are not without... influence."
"If anyone has a more efficient plan than that, I will go along with whatever the rest decide."
Theodore & Macaw Friday February 10th, 2006 3:15:57 PM
"He's already been seen with us for most of the day," says Theodore. "If there's any harm to come from it, the action has already been taken."
"We should all accompany Mr. Neezer to a safe district for him and then retreat to our own hidey hole where we can discuss further options."
Olyn Friday February 10th, 2006 3:32:02 PM
Id suggest letting the Wolves protect us but the last time I did that you scoffed at me, went on your way, and I ended up speaking to gargul. So let the old man there take us to his place. I am sure it's better than standing here debating where we need to go. And decide quickly.
(ooc if you are going to post after you already posted, quit putting *illegal # post* after your name. if it's illegal then technically it shouldnt be posted AND we shouldnt react to it. and im sure the DM aint gonna stop letting us make more posts to talk, unless we're in a combat.)
Rose Friday February 10th, 2006 4:14:03 PM "I dont think we should trust the wolves or any of the other houses. Right now the entire city knows us, I mean we ended the plague just a few days ago. Any house we dont choose will be mad that we choose another house over them. We should either go to the temple or leave town for a few days while we think of what to do." Rose is very adament that choosing one house over another will probably get them into trouble.
Vauhwyt Friday February 10th, 2006 9:00:48 PM
Vauhwyt will support going anywhere, from the Wolves to the Rope Trick (which she explains to anyone who is not clear on the concept, see link), so long as it is somewhere. If we have to drop off this fellow first, fine. But we all have to stick together.
First drop off Neezer, with thanks, then head for the Backstab? Or anywhere!
Mad Jack Saturday February 11th, 2006 3:58:40 AM
Shruggs his shoulders in exasperation and says, "whatever."
Dietrich Saturday February 11th, 2006 6:40:57 AM
"Drop off Neezer, than go to a safe place, discuss and prepare."
OOC: just about the decision making. I don´t think you can blame "democracy" for our slow decisions. There was already a 3 to 1;1;1 vote, that should be binding enough for a purely operational question. I´d suggest we keep the almost 100% consensus decisions for the really important matters, like to whom we ally etc.
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