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Dissenting Voice


Surprise Visit - DM/Al 
Sunday April 26th, 2009 4:26:39 PM

The Crimson Shields begin to get into the details of their most recent negotiations. Syr expresses his doubts as to whether or not he's struck the best bargain for the group or not. Brahmah and Mac, new to the group, need guidance and explanation as to just what this shared company is all about.

Florin eyes the card for any sign that it might harbor any secrets. Everything appears normal to him. But, then again, he seems a little distracted, perhaps by all of the high finance.

Brahmah, on the other hand, hears quite distinctly, the soft rise of the door latch in the kitchen and the footsteps making their way across the kitchen floor.

"Knock, knock. Hello?" A man appears, leaning casually against the frame of the kitchen doorway. Tall with blonde hair the falls to his shoulders, the man is dressed in the full finery of the nobility. He has the sort of striking good looks that turn all heads when he enters the room. At his hip is a rapier, and when he smiles, his ice blue eyes glint with an infectious steely mirth.

"So, you've met the Office of the Overlord." His voice is a lazy drawl. "Might I be so bold as to enquire as to what it was they wanted?"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Monday April 27th, 2009 1:16:14 PM
"Might I be as bold as to ask you to introduce yourself before making assumptions?" Glares at the man.

Wynn 
Monday April 27th, 2009 6:01:25 PM
New CS

Florin Jadenth  d20+4=20 ;
Monday April 27th, 2009 9:29:46 PM
Florin listens and looks to the man before glanceing towards Syr who is the leader of the group before speakingup also, "I would hope you would introduce yourself first. I don't think there is reason to announce our buisness when we do not know of who we speak to in the first place."

(Knowledge noblity: 20)

Belkior 
Monday April 27th, 2009 10:08:41 PM
OOC - Drat, just missed the post

OoC - DM/Al 
Monday April 27th, 2009 10:25:46 PM
If you have something to say, John. Go ahead and post. I'll move your post above mine.

Belkior  d20+8=26 ; d20+8=19 ;
Monday April 27th, 2009 10:39:24 PM
The halfling cleric sidles behind the two minotaurs. From this perspective, Belkior cannot easily tell the two apart. Perhaps he could persuade Mac and Brahamah to polish their hooves with different waxes?

The real reason that he moved here, though, was to put some distance between himself and the visitor. Belkior tries to discern something about the vistor.
Sense Motive = 26, Spot = 19

Jack of Diamonds - DM/Al 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:34:27 AM

The man returns a friendly look as the Crimson Shields stare at him in silence. All, that is, except for the minotaur, who towers over him, and wields a decidedly unfriendly look with his eyes.

"Whatever he wanted, I hope that you took it upon yourselves to look upon it with a healthy dose of skepticism. It was inevitable that the Office of the Overlord would come around to you sooner or later, especially with the service that you've performed so far on behalf of Floating City. I only wish we'd had more time to prepare you. But we became diverted after Lord Perimon picked up his activities and lost track of you for a while."

"You know better than to trust them, though? Don't you? The say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let me draw you a picture to illustrate what I'm talking about. Remember a few weeks ago, just before you were about to meet the Overlord? A group of functionaries changed your clothes, fixed your hair, and generally tidied you up. Remember that? Did you know that they used that opportunity to take hair and nail samples from each of you? They took clippings from your clothing too. I ... found my way into the room in which they keep these things. I saw them myself. Each set wrapped in a cloth pouch with your names on them. Ask them if you don't believe me."

"I wouldn't tell them that you met me, though. They might not like that. They might not like that at all."

The man reaches into an interior pocket and takes out a card. Florin watches the man closely. His face is unfamiliar, no one from his father's circle of friends. But the man has the distinct air of nobility about him. If Florin were to guess, possibly a noble who's fallen from his position.

"You'd like an introduction, would you?" With the flick of two fingers, the man sends the card spinning through the air. It hits the table and glides across the surface, still spinning around and around. It slides to a stop in front of Syr, its rotation slowing, and then finally coming to a stop. When Syr looks down he sees a playing card, one of the royalty. It's a Jack. The Jack of Diamonds.

Wynn  d20+12=24 ;
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:35:05 AM
"Jack of Diamonds" Wynn mulls that over in his mind [Bardic knowledge=24]. "Clippings? What for? "

Belkior 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:35:37 AM
The halfling cleric glimpses the playing card as the visitor tosses it onto the table. When it spins to stop, though, Belkior cannot see anything of it since he is standing and the table is made for most of his companions. This is one of those times that Belkior almost wishes that he was a human, or maybe even an elf.

Instead, Belkior has to resort to older, more proven methods. The Paragon reaches over and tugs on the lower reaches of the clothing worn by the 'taur closer to him. Brahmah or Mac, it doesn't really matter. Once he has their attention, Belkior whispers to the 'taur.

"What is it? What is the card?"

Mac 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:36:38 AM
OOC: Differentiating between Brahmah and Mac at the 3' level - Mac's knees are about 5" or 6" higher than Brahmah's, and one of Mac's legs has a burn scar that would be visible given Minotaurs don't wear boots or other footware. } : )

In hushed tones Mac replies, "A playing card maybe - I'm not sure. If you want a better view take this." Mac has offered a hand. If Belkior takes it he will help him get into a position from which he can look at the Jack from over Mac's shoulder, standing on his arm, that hand gripping his other elbow.

Florin Jadenth 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:37:13 AM
Florin listens to what all is said and glances to the card before looking back to the man, Florin seems to remember something about the man, seemed he was famous really if he was the real Jack anyway but personally Florin knew little beyond that.

(Can't remember, didn't Jack at one time showup and take something in the Shield's game back when it was just the Floating City? Can't remember for the life of me at the moment.)

Florin shakes his head, "To be quite blunt it is hard to know who to trust sometimes beyond your own friends and in my case I trust the word of Domi." Florin does glance towards Wynn and speaks to him, "I don't know what all else but going by personal experience and comments, can't hair and such be used to find a persons location and to just phrase it simply, spy or such on them?"

With his comments placed he looks to Syr and shrugs alittle, "I trust the Overlord really but to phrase it simply who knows about the others working for her. You can only go with your gut and such and deal with what happens." Florin looks to Jack once more, "Personally I think if you have more to say then we should listen and judge for ourselves from there but I do not speak for all my companions."

Mac 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 7:37:45 AM
"They did have someone watching us - they said as much after... you know" adds Mac, trying to be subtle.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 1:14:08 PM
"Seems to me that a back-handed and subtle threat is still just a threat. Why should we listen to anything you have say, friend. Is that a business card? If it doesn't a bit of personal info on it, don't take. Names make friends."

(Updating sheet, rolling hit points here in LnB)

Memories and Accusations - DMAl 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 9:06:21 PM

The man in the kitchen doorway simply points at Florin as answer to Wynn's questions about the hair, the nails and the bits of clothing that the Office of the Overlord had collected from the Crimson Shields. The gesture says it all, that the paladin had guessed the reasons behind the collections.

The card, and more than the card, the man before them, triggers a memory in Wynn's mind. He recalls hearing rumors of a master thief, accredited with some of the most daring thefts in the history of Floating City. This master thief always left a playing card behind, the Jack of Diamonds.

A memory comes to Florin too, as Mac helps Belkior to better see what is going on. In Florin's mind is a tableau, the setting is the inside of a giant tree. Wisps of fog are just beginning to clear. In the tableau are Xenia, Angus, Tionel, Bralin, Syr, Gordo, and Daphne, the Giggling Ghost. On the ground lie three dead witches and several guardsmen. This man, the Jack of Diamonds appears, and takes a crystal vial from the midst of a chest of jewels. He bows, and then disappears. In Florin's memory, he hears Syr say "ARGH! not these guys AGAIN!!"

The man holds his hands up at Brahmah's accusation. "Listen to your fellow minotaur," he replies, pointing at Mac. "I'm not the one threatening. Just passing along a warning. And what's in a name? I could tell you that my name was Jim, or Leonard, or Monty, but would that mean anything to you? That," he points at the card, is how you'll best know me. "Syr knows. If you must know, though, my name is Donald. Donald Fagen. Call me Don. Pleased to meet you."

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 9:29:00 PM
Syr does a double take when he sees the card, "Jack of Diamonds? You seem a bit more ... grounded than the last lord we met." The elf furrows his brow and his eyes drift off trying to recall the details."

Keeping his eye on the stranger, "Guys, a few years ago, the Lords of the Diamond sponsored us briefly. In fact, I still have a diamond pin from the Jester." He shows off a small pin attached to his shirt. "He was certainly a weird character that spoke in riddles." He pauses for a moment before adding, "but he paid well."

Smiling but not with his eyes (yes, my wife makes me watch Tyra Banks), "What's the point of passing on a warning? I'm as direct as they come. What is your angle? I can't imagine it's a selfless act. Is this your power play? Isn't there some political maneuvering among the Lords of the Diamond?"

(Sorry guys, like an idiot I threw out my back and haven't left the floor for a couple days.)

Belkior  d20+8=28 ; d20+8=13 ;
Tuesday April 28th, 2009 10:35:16 PM
The halfling cleric grip the hand offered by Mac and allows himself to be lifted into the air. Belkior tries to trust his companion as his hairy toes curl and try to grasp onto something to keep them on the minotaur's arm. From up here, Belkior can plainly see the playing card where it rests upon the table.

"Thank you, Mac. Sorry to bother you, and I hope that I don't hurt you."

Syr and the others are discussing past history, from before Belkior joined the Crimson Shields. Belkior sometimes feels that he has been with his companions for a long time but events like this remind him that it is simply not so. Still, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about his companions' past. And, even more importantly, the dangers that may face them. Belkior keeps quiet and tries to listen intently to what this "Jack" or "Donald" is saying. Even more, he concentrates on Jack-call-me-Donald's hands and gestures since he has always found that a patient's body often betrays their words.
Sense Motive = 28, Spot = 13

Mac 
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 5:57:29 AM
"Um, no, Jack... Don... I'm willing to assume that your misunderstand was unintended. The point I was trying to make was that your information wasn't news. I mean, thanks, although I guess that should be directed to whomever asked you to pass it on." Mac smiles, again it's hard to be sure but probably a cheerful smile.

When Don's focus is elsewhere (or maybe that should be If...) Mac whispers back to Belkior, "Over five feet of haphazardly knotted hair not enough to get a hold of? It's shady - had a friend who used to sit up there on my shoulder for the long trips."

OOC: Sorry to break the 4th wall, but looking at the posting report, of the 10 posts made yesterday (April 28th), 7 were made by Al. What's going on? : )

I promised Belkior that I would move his post to above my last DM post. In the process, I had to move all of the other posts below my last DM post as well. Those are the side effects of such an act that you are seeing. --Al.

Mac 
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 8:01:41 AM
OOC: Thanks Al - enquiring minds... it almost looked like you were playing over half of the PCs! : )

Not a feat for the faint of heart. The wrong move and you stand to lose someone's post. I like story flow, but this is not a thing that I would wish to do often. --Al

Florin Jadenth 
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 4:33:30 PM
Florin shakes his head some and looks to Jack, "So people wish to keep a eye on us, I guess thats not to be to shocked if someone is offered a job. I do remember you takeing something once and vanishing dureing a past mission of ours." Florin glances to the others a moment as Florin doesn't want to give out to much info himself on everything thats happened, "Someone like yourself probably has a ear in every keyhole so you have probably already know some or all of what went on already. Of course with past things and such taken in consideration, does that mean your a threat to any job we may or may not take? I don't really expect a answer though since you could easily say one thing and do another though."

Wynn  d20+6=26 ; d20+14=26 ;
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 5:37:11 PM
"And just what is your interest in this affair?" Wynn asks the man. The bard waits for a reply, trying to read any hidden intent. [Sense motive =26; nat 20!!]

Now that Wynn has placed his memory of the 'Jack of Diamonds' he has become quite wary of the stranger. Nevertheless, he asks the question in as polite a fashion as he can muster [Diplomacy=26]

What Is The Point - DMAl  d20+26=46 ; d20+26=31 ;
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 9:03:27 PM

"Did you enjoy the games?" Jack or Don addresses Syr. "Games are for the young. We play games in our youth. But we're all grown ups here now, I trust. Aren't we?" He looks at the diamond pin and gives a sad shake of his head. "Alas poor Yorick," he says, in a phrase that only he, and, perhaps Syr, might understand.

"What is the point of my warning?" He comes off of the kitchen doorway and begins a slow stroll around the room, passing amongst the Crimson Shields. "Is there any political maneuvering? When is there *not* political maneuvering?"

"You ask what my interest is in this affair, and I tell you again that I am here to warn you. The Office of the Overlord is the enemy. They are everything that holds this city back. They're about secrets and control. Oh, they've little connection to the Overlord herself. Do you know how many Overlords they've served under? How long they've controlled the mechanism of government? They control travel. They keep us isolated. Ask yourselves why."

"So, they offered you a job." Jack of Diamonds passes Florin. "Was it like the last one? Down into Trash Level, that couldn't have been all there was too it. It must have involved the Undercity."

Both Belkior and Wynn are in exceptional form today. That, or they are extremely lucky. Both cleric and bard can tell that this man is a consummate master at weaving truths and half truths, molding both to his own ends. He is decidedly attempting to influence the feelings of the Crimson Shields. But, at the same time, he truly appears to believe in his cause.

He has told only one lie so far. They see it in his flippant manner, and in the ironic edge in his voice. His name is not really Donald Fagan. But, also from his voice and body language, he doesn't really care if anyone finds out that it isn't.

Belkior 
Wednesday April 29th, 2009 10:53:46 PM
The halfling cleric continues to listen and watch as his companions spar verbally with Jack. So far, Belkior doesn't feel that he can contribute much to the discussion. Maybe, just maybe, he might be tempted to speak his mind about the value in defeating the Ga'alians but ... he doesn't. Let Florin, Wynn and Syr continue to speak for him and the others since they are doing so well.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 11:43:44 AM
OOC: Sorry for the no post yesterday, I was up 30 hours and crashed after getting off work.

OOC: Updating sheet now...

IC: Brahmah just stares at the strange man. "Well, whoever you really are matters not to me. What mattered is your sudden appearance, which in my former life would have been your last action, and in the vagueness of your responses. Secretive person or not, there is no reason for lacking manners."

Brahmah refrains from saying much more and just stares at the man, sizing him up. (If he's human, Brahmah will know from his mannerisms.... this is a true sizing.... combat skill, strength, speed, etc)

Wynn  d20+14=28 ;
Thursday April 30th, 2009 5:22:18 PM
"Well Mr Fagan, or whatever your real name is, unless you care to share specifics with us, I will choose to perform the concrete tasks the Office of the Overlord has asked of us, for none of them appear to be anything but beneficial to the city. You have come to us unasked and warned us of vague threats to the prosperity of the city, and of untold conspiracy, yet you offer not one fact or even the tale of a specific event. If you seek our allegiance you will have to do much better than that!" Wynn hopes to egg the man into spilling more of the story through his challenge. [Gather Information=28]

Florin Jadenth 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 8:09:13 PM
Florin goes quiet now and listens, unsure of what else to say. Jack seems to be danceing around questions more then answering them and being a diplomatic type or not at times, Florin is finding his patience to start running thin, "Forgive me but I agree with Wynn, I'm much more at home on the battlefield then in diplomatic gestures and find that long and twisting talks tend to give me more of a headache then anything else. As Syr said, straight and to the point is much prefered."

(Al: I believe with Jay's work and all the my CC transaction may take abit longer. I know it's not approved yet but would it be ok if I update my CS with the going to be bought items and such? Florin will have the money to pay for said items anyway and everything had been priced out already, just was mainly waiting for the final bill of sale to be placed so I could post Sold. An if your worried about me trying to pull something over on you, you can simply save a copy of Florin's sheet and compare it to the new one. I don't plan to touch it till I have word from you.)

Freedom Is Making Up Your Own Mind - DMAl 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 9:21:23 PM

The man, the Jack of Diamonds, bows to Brahmah. "You have my most profound apologies for any offence that I might have given. Habits die hard, and I am long accustomed to simply going where I will." The Jack of Diamonds is unmistakably human. Brahmah can feel it in his gut. But, then again, Florin too is human. Though, perhaps his humanity can be excused for his devotion to Domi.

Then he comes around the table to Wynn. "Your allegiance would be a fine thing to gain. But that's not what I expect of you. All I seek to do is warn. As your friend here has already said," Jack of Diamonds holds up a hand to indicate Florin, "listen and judge for yourselves. I don't expect you to take my word for anything. Venture out into Floating City, question, listen, make up your own minds."

"You know, I like you," he puts a companionable arm over Wynn's shoulder. "In many ways, you remind me of me."

"By the way, did I tell you that Lord Perimon is an operative of the Office of the Overlord? I've heard that you've been at the butt end of a few of his projects. Think about it. But don't take my word for it. I'm only here because somebody has to put you on the right track. Find out for yourselves. I'm certain that you'll all see the light."

"Now, job complete, message delivered, I'll leave you to your own devices. Please forgive me my intrusion. Jack of Diamonds bows deeply and makes to leave, once again through the kitchen.

OoC - DMAl 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 9:24:08 PM

Sorry, Wynn. Gather Information can't work that way. If you're going to apply it against a specific individual, then there has to be either a counter check as in Bluff/Sense Motive or a Save of some sort. Gather Information has none of those.

I did, however, give you a little more info, for ingenuity. And for your previous successful Diplomacy check.

Mac 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 10:42:07 PM
With Jack well gone, Mac (probably still with Belkior in tow) lets Brahmah know, "That man needs to be more careful - telling you who to listen to. Who does he think he is? Or should that be - who doesn't he think he is."

OOC: And now I have I.G.Y. playing over and over in my head. Thank you DM Al.

Belkior 
Thursday April 30th, 2009 10:44:53 PM
The halfling cleric waits until he is reasonably certain that Jack has left. Just to make sure, Belkior leans forward and tries to look through the kitchen doorway.

"Anyone wonder where he came from? Are any of you able to track or tell anything about where he might have come in? Maybe it's just me, but I'm not too keen on having anyone just waltz in and out of our homes."

"So, what do we do? I could ask around the temples, if you like, but probably not as discreetly as you'd like."

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Friday May 1st, 2009 1:12:52 PM
Looking at Mac. "Right." The minotaur can't help remembering his time in the Chosen and all the sorry humans he came up against. But now, many of his comrades were not only humans, but becoming friends. Out loud and almost unaware of it, "Reminds me of the Nightengale around here."

Brahmah leaves for a time to see if Jack is easily tracked. He suspects anyone with Jack's skill will likely meld into any crowd and be gone in seconds, but its worth checking out. "I'll be right back."

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Friday May 1st, 2009 1:13:44 PM
OOC FLORIAN PLEASE SEE CATACOMB BOARD!! :)

Cayzle: Note that you mean "Florin," not "Florian"!

~Right. :) Jay

OoC - DMAl 
Friday May 1st, 2009 1:39:28 PM

Track
"If you fail a Survival check, you can retry after 1 hour (outdoors) or 10 minutes (indoors) of searching."

As a missed check in the case of Tracking results in a negative consequence, I'll have to rule that you cannot Take 10 with tracking. That means, if you wish to track the Jack of Diamonds, Brahmah, you'll have to roll your Survival check. (And any other check you deem necessary.) Don't forget to take your bonus for Favored Enemy. (+4, I believe.)

Also state whether you track within visual distance of Jack of Diamonds or not.

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Friday May 1st, 2009 6:51:57 PM
Syr waves off the man leaving, "Don't worry about him although it would have been nice to have Lang around. Other than a bit of kitchen breaking and entering coupled with a bit of arrogance, he really didn't do much other than confirm this job we have will be more challenging than it appears on the surface." He looks around the room, not challenging but with concern, "Anyone have any reservations? second thoughts?"

Moving over to the minotaurs, "To answer your question earlier, we have a few craftsman to take care of the actual work. The Shields role in this is strictly as shepherds watching over our sheep or in this case magically enhanced wood and glue. We may want to consider making our presence known at the beginning of the project to deter any thieves. It sounds like we will have certain parties with objections. Thwart them earlier and we can resume business as usual later."

Shrugging his shoulders to indicate his lack of fear. "In the meantime, before the project starts, how about we find out as much as we can about three things."Find out what sort of Magical protections we can ask for around the warehouse." Looking at Brahmah and Mac, "Do you think your WLA can give appropriate advice on the matter?"

Raising his second finger, "Number 2: Belk or Florin, Are there any temple archives that would tell us if something like this was tried before and what the consequences are?"

"Finally, Wynn use that velvety tongue of yours to discover more about the Lords of the Diamond. All I know is that they play wierd games and like to keep secrets... Oh, also we met the Jack who is very high up on their ladder."

"Can anyone think of anything else?"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126)  d20+22=24 ; d20+6=8 ; d20+18=34 ; d20-2=10 ;
Friday May 1st, 2009 8:27:41 PM
Brahmah's checks tracking and shadowing Jack at distance, roughly100 yards.

Survival 28
Search 8
Spot 38
Hide 10

If at any point, Brahmah will take to the rooftops using his Spider Climb tat.

One Out One In - DMAl  d20+7=13 ;
Friday May 1st, 2009 10:29:12 PM

The Crimson Shields are, all in all, glad to see the Jack of Diamonds go. Some are incensed, others are cautious. Syr, more determined than ever to take the job with the Office of the Overlord, rallies the Shields. He brainstorms ideas to help protect the endeavor, and to find out more about Jack and the Lords of Diamond.

Meanwhile, Brahmah, acting on the subtle urgings of both Belkior and Syrdeth, enters the kitchen and sets himself on the trail of the crafty human. Despite the hardness of the kitchen floor, Brahmah can pick out the fresh scuff marks left by the man's booted feet. Just outside the kitchen door he finds a faint boot impression that gives the minotaur the size and shape of the man's foot, as well as some indication as a way to identify his prints from another through traces of the man's unique gait.

Brahmah trails the Jack of Diamonds to just past The Way Station where the quiet back streets open out onto The Narrow Way. The minotaur ranger's sharp eyes spot Jack heading east along The Narrow Way toward Debtor's End. Unfortunately, Brahmah's bulk is difficult to hide, towering above most of the other citizens of Floating City. And the Jack of Diamonds happens at that point to turn and spy Brahmah following him. The Jack of Diamonds looks both ways, bows deeply to Brahmah standing at the corner one hundred yards away. Then Jack disappears, vanishes in thin air.

Brahmah, after charging down the street to the spot at which Jack had been standing, examines the ground. The human's tracks come down the street to this point but go no further. Jack's trail too, simply vanishes.

Meanwhile, back at the Shield compound, there comes another knock at the door. Outside stands a man, another human. He stands just one or two inches taller than Wynn with an easy-going pale-skinned face topped by a mop of hair that looks like a stack of hay. The man smiles.

OoC: Heh. I was listening to Deacon Blues myself, Graham.

Tell me if you wish to do anything else, Brahmah, or if you simply wish to return to the house.

Florin Jadenth 
Friday May 1st, 2009 11:30:09 PM
(OOC:Al, wanted to let you know that I sent a couple emails concerning my CS compared to my google CS but it was bounced back to my both times.)

Florin listens to Syr's comment and shakes his head, "I really don't know but I can head to the temple of Domi and see what I can find. There are some priests that I can trust to help my like the one who taught me the healing arts when I was training to become a paladin."

Depending Florin will head to the temple and seek out one of the priests that he knows for aid on searching the archives on various info on what Syr has mentioned.

Mac 
Saturday May 2nd, 2009 5:02:07 AM
"I reckon what we really need is an appointments diary." Says Mac with a smile as he heads over and opens the door to...

OOC: Al - you're weirding me out, and that doesn't happen often. I was just (earlier today) listening to a couple of tracks off "When The World Knows Your Name" by Deacon Blue, who named themselves for that track you mentioned.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Saturday May 2nd, 2009 12:56:23 PM
The ranger is not a stupid taur. The man could be baiting him. He has followed to this point. (Did Jack, at any point, seem to be moving in circles or did he meet with anyone?)

Brahmah will stay in the last known spot where he spotted Jack for at least a few minutes.

(When Jack was at the manor, did Brahmah notice any tattoos or rings on the man?)

The ranger returns to the compound and plans to tell them what he saw Jack do, but then notices someone new and pauses not far from the house to se what happens.

Jass of Downs 
Saturday May 2nd, 2009 9:16:50 PM
Standing at the door is a weathered but amiable and slightly thin man in his late 20s, holding a staff. "Hey, what's the word?" he calls out with a friendly grin, and then looks up, and up to see the large figure of Mac. "Well, you're a tall drink of water, aren't you?"

The human drops two business cards in the 'taur's hand. The first has the Seal of the Overlord of Floating City and Phineas Bankable's information on the front side. On the back side, there is the Crimson Shield's address on the Merchant Level. "You are the Crimson Shields of Hope, right?" Without waiting for an answer the confident man continues. "Looks like a mutual friend says you need 'Arcane Support' and I'm looking for some good deed work. So, do we have 'Complementary Interests'?"

The second card has a glowing Celtic "J" in red, gold, green, and blue. Spellcraft DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Arcane Mark}

Almost off-handedly comes his introduction. "The name is Jass by the way. Jass of Downs."

Mac 
Saturday May 2nd, 2009 10:13:07 PM
Mac ushers Jass in towards the meeting room (okay, kitchen), closing the front door securely behind them. When they enter the kitchen Mac notices a couple of faces are absent. "...and a meeting bell." he adds under his breath, grabbing a heavy metal pot or bowl near to hand and trying to get a sound out of it with a couple of strikes. When as many as can have returned he introduces Jass of Downs to the Shields as a group, and notes that he comes recommended as he places the two cards in clear view on the table.

Already, as the conversation begins, he is weighing up the pros and cons of a bell versus a gong, and already picking the preferred metals and shapes...

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 12:41:50 PM
Brahmah follows them in and takes note of the type of tracks and footwear this one is wearing. Is it similar in size and shape to Jack's? Brahmah is familiar with the way humans change themselves, and is concerned that he lost Jack and now this one is suddenly here just after doing so. He waits to pull Syr and Florin aside.

"Gentlemen, can I have a word?" He goes to one of the upstairs rooms where they can talk alone. He explains the actions Jack took and then his actions when he spotted the minotaur. "Just wish I was smaller when it comes to trailing someone! What do you think? Think this guy is Jack? Given the amount of time I spent there and then the fact he is here just before me makes me suspicious. I don't like it."

Florin Jadenth 
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 9:08:29 PM
Florin inless he was caught before leaveing still plans to head to the temple of Domi and see what info he can pull from the archives the temple has on any of whats going on and such. He is curious if he can find something that might add some insight into all this.

(OOC:: I will be unable to make a post for Mon so I hope someone would beable to sub for me that one day. Thank you.)

OoC - DMAl 
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 9:12:33 PM

Can I have a volunteer, please? To post for Florin after my post on Monday night?

Belkior  d20+10=23 ;
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 10:25:55 PM
The halfling cleric peers at the calling card and recognizes the spell that has been cast upon it. The man might be a mage, but that doesn't mean that he has to be from the Overlord or Phineas Bankable. Belkior decides to take matters into his own hands, so to speak. He draws himself up to his full height and addresses the man.

"Sorry, we didn't expect to see you so soon. Certainly, we aren't ready to discuss anything right now. Why don't you come back tomorrow when Mr. Bankable returns?"

Wynn  d20+6=22 ;
Monday May 4th, 2009 8:04:36 AM
Wynn listens to their newest visitor with interest [sense motive=22]. "So you come reccomended by the Overlord? Have you done similar work for the city in the past?"

OoC - DMAl 
Monday May 4th, 2009 9:06:24 AM

Jass: Feel free to post as many replies as you wish. Don't feel constrained by the One Post Per Day rule at this time. (Actually, that goes for everyone else as well at this time.)

Jass of Downs  d20+12=18 ; d20+10=14 ;
Monday May 4th, 2009 1:28:12 PM
The smiling man looks around with detached interest as he is led through the building to the kitchens. He tries to read the reactions of the various Noble and Ignoble races here, and catches the jist that they are not entirely happy to see him.

As the second question is more in his taste, Jass ignores the halfling and instead answers the half-elf, his words seemingly on the level. "Never met the Overlord, I'm assuming he is the king of this city? Just met this Phileas fellow over at the Inn I'm staying at after I got fished out of the water off shore."

After a theatrical pause to guage how his story is hooking in the audience, the straw-topped human continues. "There I was, travelling from Hook City to Threshold in order to stop this vampire infestation over there when everything started shaking and moving and I get tossed into a teleportation circle that appears out of nowhere. Pop! I'm 20 feet over open water just out of reach of some docks on the side of this Floating City. Gravity, natually, took over and I was treated to a bath. Some workers fished me out and after some friendly, perfectly natural questions, they give me directions to the Giggling Ghost, supposedly the best in on that level of the city?"

"So I dry off and look up the proprietor for something to eat when this Phileas Bankable comes in looking for me." Jass puts his hand to his mouth pretending to part with some secret information, "I bet there are some informers in his payroll at the Docks." Then Jass winks. "He tells me that since I'm so new here, I could help him and fit in at the same time by calling on you Hopeful, Happy people."

Then, while the smile is still there, there is a bit of edge to the man's eyes as he finishes his monologue.

"Now, then. I've given you my recent life story, and even walked into a stranger's place without any protective spells on at all. Gotta admit, I'm taking the word of Happy and Daphne that you are good guys on some serious faith here. But I don't know if I want to help you Hopi's out. So, let's start with names and work our way over to services and compensation, yaknow?"

"I'm Jass of Downs. And you are.... ?" He politely waits for someone to finish the sentence.

.............................

Sense Motive: 18
Perform: 14

Wynn 
Monday May 4th, 2009 5:13:55 PM
"Wynn Brightsong" the bard introduces himself. " My own arrival here was not all that different. Got shipwrecked off the coast of New Ellenea and was taken in by some dwarves. I traded spots with a fellow named Bralin and have been a Crimson Shield ever since. Sorry for the inquisition, but we've had alot of company today, all of it unexpected and each visitir in turn has wanted us to help the Overlord, warned us about helping the Overlord, and now offered to help us help the Overlord...its all a bit mysterious...I wonder if there's a bit of a song in all of this?"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 126) 
Monday May 4th, 2009 5:40:27 PM
Brahmah stares at his companions he went with upstairs. He waits for a response.

OOC: Can I get suggestions for a feat please? :)

Jass of Downs 
Monday May 4th, 2009 8:34:52 PM
Jass smiles openly at Wynn. "Well! That's a pretty good explanation there. And I can see how that could confuse anyone."

"Tell you what", the straw-haired man continues, "I'll go and spend the night back at the Giggling Ghost since I've paid for the room anyways. You can go do your investigations to see if my story is true. I'm sure you've got your own ways of finding out information. And then you can fetch me or I'll come here as suits you."

"I'll tell you though. If you want someone with zero connections to all your political worries, I seem to be just about as far away from the Overlord and your Floating City as you can imagine!"

He cocks his head to see what the heroes think about THAT idea.

Greetings and Investigations - DMAl 
Monday May 4th, 2009 9:16:28 PM

Jass of the Downs gets a cold reception at first. Natural, of course, given the odd visits that the Shields have been receiving lately. Could that be a sign of how fractured their trust has become? Only a few of the Shields even remain to welcome him. Or not.

Contemplating both an appointment book and a meeting bell, Mac invites the human in and rounds up all of the Shields who remain, Wynn, Belkior, Syr, and later Brahmah. Belkior goes as far as to ask the man to return tomorrow.

Wynn watches the man closely to determine what his motives might be. The bard detects no attempt at concealment. Just the opposite, in fact, this man is very open. The bard also senses no telling hunch that there might be something wrong. On the contrary, everything seems fine here.

Jass tells the story about how he came to be here. The performance is mediocre, but the content itself is interesting enough. (Knowledge Geography anyone? For Hook City, Threshold or The Downs?) Jass, like Wynn, tries to feel this situation out. He has less success than Wynn, though. But, perhaps he isn't trying very hard.

Meanwhile, outside, Brahmah closes in on the place in which he saw Jack before the human disappeared. The man did not appear to be walking in circles, nor did he appear to be looking for anyone to meet. Rather, he had simply been walking down the street, when he, by chance, turned to see that he was being followed. Apparently that had been enough to spook the man.

Brahmah spends some time at the last known spot in which he had seen Jack. Very curious, that the man's tracks should just simply stop. Even invisible people leave tracks. The ranger considers the man's appearance. He doesn't remember any particular tattoos upon Jack, but the man wore quite a few ring on either hand. A sign of vanity? Or something else?

Brahmah returns to Shield Residence to find a new face. Another human. (They breed like rabbits.) The minotaur ranger looks for Syr and Florin, but finds only Syr. He buttonhole's the elf and they go upstairs, where, hopefully, they can't be overheard. Syr listens to Brahmah's account of Jack's disappearing act, and then he weighs in with his own comment. He says that it sounds like magic, but just what magic it would be hard to say. Magic isn't Syr's forte. Belkior might know, he says. Or Wynn. Angus or Theo might have known as well. Too bad they don't have a mage now.

And, elsewhere in Floating City, Florin makes his way to the Amphitheater of Courage on Open Level to speak with a priest of Domi. "Can I help you find anything in particular, Paladin Jadanth?" asks the caretaker of the archives. (Please state what you wish to know, Florin. Then make a Gather Information Check.)

Florin Jadenth  d20+3=23 ;
Monday May 4th, 2009 9:58:24 PM
(OOC:Seems that I can post after all. The guy comeing out to get the remaining stuff ready for dsl here said they have to do some rerouting of some type so it will be abit longer before that happens.)

Florin looks to the priest and nods before speaking, "I was wondering if we had any records of any reconstruction done on the Float, anything useing ancient secrets or anything and any outcome or problems the projects may of had. You know, like people trying to stop it or steal anything." Florin doesn't want to go into a great deal of info since this project was suppose to be secret, he trusted that the temple wouldn't try nothing but it seems there are ears everyone lately to gleam info.

(Gather Info:23 *nat:20 know Al said he doesn't take that into account but Yeah!)

Belkior  d20+6=19 ;
Monday May 4th, 2009 10:40:53 PM
The halfling cleric looks abashed when he hears the explanation offered by Jass of the Downs. Belkior hastens to explain himself.

"Excuse me if I offended you. You see, Phineas Bankable stated that he would make arrangement for tomorrow, including the offer of arcane support. And afterwards, we had another visit who knew all too much of our affairs. I hope that explains our ... my, rather ... reticence. I do apologize and hope that you accept this apology."
Diplomacy = 19

"I don't know anything of where you have come from. Myself, I came to Floating City through the teleportation circle from Plateau City."



Belkior - OOC 
Monday May 4th, 2009 10:57:54 PM
Brahmah

You can start the Power Attack / Cleave series.

You could start the Dodge / Mobility / Spring Attack series.

Combat Reflexes may be beneficial.

As a minotaur, you can take the Multiattack feat to make the Horn attack more useful. That could be followed by Improved Multiattack &/or Improved Natural Attack.

Mac 
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 2:06:26 AM
OOC - Mac can demonstrate/teach any of the non-multiattack Feats mentioned in Belkior's post

------------

Mac's mood eases when Jass mentions Hook City. "I've been to Hook City - sadly only for a few days... on my way to somewhere else. Know some from there, but have been out of touch for a long time since."

Jass of Downs  d20+14=28 ;
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 12:47:38 PM
Jass looks shrewdly at Mac. "You must have come either from Gateway Downs, the Sargrass, or the Plactik Ocean to get to Hook City. Did you see the Sargrass Plains? Really amazing on how cold they are aren't they?" (Bluff 28 Highlight to display spoiler: { Jass knows that the Sargrass is a very hot place}

"So am I to all you all Wynn's friends, or do you actually have monikers I can hang with?"

Jass still seems quite friendly, and will be happy with whatever decision the Crimson Sheilds make as to stay, leave, info or whatever.

"Maybe you can tell me more about the Arcane Support that Phileas told me about/"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133)  d20+6=14 ;
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 4:36:56 PM
Brahmah is sure the human is lying to get information, but he can't pinpoint where. "Seems you know about our needs. What do you need from us? What do you hope to gain from traveling with us? Protection?"

Exchange of Information - DMAl 
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 9:05:13 PM

"Reconstruction?" the elderly caretaker of the archives asks. "Ancient secrets? Stopping? Stealing? Domi is a protector, a defender, young paladin," he says. "I don't think I need to tell you that. He doesn't interest himself much in reconstruction." He sighs, shakes his head, and then knits his thick white eyebrows together in a frown of thought.

"I don't think we have anything like that, young man. I think the closest thing I could give you would be the Manifests of Aegis and Tithes. It lists all of the requests for martial protection received by the temple and the corresponding tithes we have received for the requests that we have honored. I'm not sure you'll find anything, but I think it's the best we can do."

The caretaker brings in a tome nearly a foot thick. It thuds onto the table with a bang. The entries in the book go back for ages. The earliest entries are very soon after the beginning of the Age of Ascension. Florin flips through the pages to find more recent dates. A page falls open describing monks, clerics and paladins sent to protect an new settlement started on the edge of the Crying Woods by Lord Perimon. Florin knows well how that turned out.

More pages. Now that he's into the more recent entries, Florin finds himself having to read more slowly lest he miss something important. One, two, three hours go by. Then Florin finds an entry in which the Office of the Overlord hired monks from the Amphitheater of Courage to guard a series of warehouses and protect certain crews of workers. The date of the request is a year and a half ago and an note says that the request was withdrawn and the monks released nine months ago. A note mentions that the Office of the Overlord felt that protection was not needed after all.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back at the Shield residence, Belkior smoothes things over with a little explanation. Mac, it seems, actually knows some of the same places that Jass of the Downs does. (Though Jass seems intent on testing that idea.)

Syr answers the question put by the Man from the Downs. "My name is Syrdeth Redbow, Jass of the Downs. The Crimson Shields is a team. We each have our specialties and we use them in the defense of those who find themselves over matched and can't defend themselves. Until recently, we've always had a mage with us. Angus was a powerful sorcerer. Theo was a wizard. They both went their separate ways. We need someone to fill those shoes."

Brahmah breaks in then, asking what the human expects in return.

Florin Jadenth 
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 9:39:28 PM
(Google is being abit of a pain for me but hope to have my CS up tomorrow. Also we hope to have dsl in a week or so.)

Florin reads the info and asks the cleric if he could borrow a piece of paper and a quill and ink. If he gets this then he quickly makes some notes of what he read and then speaks to the cleric once more, "I'm sorry for the strange request. A matter of interest came up that I need to look into. I also know the order is a group of protectors and I'm sorry if my questions were of insult, I meant nothing aimed at the temple of course."

Florin thinks and also speaks to the cleric once more, "Ahh, I forgot. Is the head cleric or such in by chance? I have yet to make my offering to the temple as I normally do. If you can take the offering then I can hand it over to you to be placed in the temple coffers."

Rather to the cleric he is speaking to or directed to another, Florin will hand over 200gps to the temple as his offering since he normally does this when he gains some coin.

Once this is done Florin heads to where the rest of the group is and hands the piece of paper over to Syr with his notes on it, "I don't know if this will be of interest or not Syr but this is what I have found. It may be something to share with the others."

"the Office of the Overlord hired monks from the Amphitheater of Courage to guard a series of warehouses and protect certain crews of workers. The date of the request is a year and a half ago and an note says that the request was withdrawn and the monks released nine months ago. A note mentions that the Office of the Overlord felt that protection was not needed after all."


Belkior 
Tuesday May 5th, 2009 10:56:33 PM
The halfling cleric nods in time with Syr's words. Belkior will, when the opportunity presents itself, describe his contribution to the Shields.

"I am Belkior Orvisson, Healer and Paragon of Alemi. I protect and heal the group, although I'm not bad when it comes to assisting against certain types of opponents. And I craft items, too."

After speaking, Belkior settles back to listen to the conversation.

OOC - Apologies for the short post ... couldn't get on until just now and need to make the DM post for the Bloodpack.

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 3:13:00 AM
Syr shakes Jass' hand, "As to the specifics of the job, I'm not really sure. Phileas from the Office of the Overlord asked us to do a couple things. First, use the supplies that he gives us to repair the city. Second, to protect the supplies that he is giving us. I requested some arcane assistance since you heard we are lacking. I was thinking more along the lines of tougher walls or stronger locks. What falls within your specialty?"

Syr passes around Florin's paper to the others and a worried frown crosses his face, "Thanks Florin, anyone want to speculate that the previous project failed to protect the timbers?"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 2:06:08 PM
After hearing that the assistance was requested, and wishing information like this wasn't kept so secret within this group, Brahmah relaxes but is still vigilant.

Mac  d20+2=10 ;
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 5:35:06 PM
Mac stares at Jass, and then announces to the rest of the Shields with the shaking of his head, "He's clearly not from where he says he's from. Or he is, and his mind has been totally baked dry. What he has said is clearly wrong, and I can't fathom a reason for it."

Jass of Downs  d20+17=37 ;
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 7:56:08 PM
"Just Jass, just Jass", he replies. Jass returns the handshake of Syr and Belkior and beams at Mac's words. "You have lived in the Sargrass haven't you? Only a native would use the word 'baked' to mean that I'm crazy!"
He grins impishly. "Testing you to see if you were lying through your teeth, but you seem to be on the level."

The man's thoughts turn to the two problems of the Crimson Shields. "No mage and you all a big heroic group, eh? And you're looking for some arcane security support? Can't have that, now can we!" "And you are obviously schooled about the differences between a wizard and a sorcerer since you' ve travelled with both." Jass takes a second or two to collect his thoughts.

"I'm a Sorcerer, just picking up new ways of playing with magic by wandering around and gaining knowledge of the wide wold. I'm not much on security spells unless you get them on scrolls, but then I can set them up just fine. I've got a bit of direct combat and movement and support spells I can help with a group, but what I really like best is the Enchantment spells." He smiles with great charisma. "I'm sort of born to them, yaknow?"

"Now if you want magical protections on your own building here, I can't think of a better first spell than a Permenant Mage's Private Sanctum. It would be a bit of a cost for the two spell scrolls, but after that, Ping! No magical evesdropping in your headquarters. No scrying, detecting, locating, even seeing inside. Nice for when you want private conversations, eh?"

Jass will also talk about other magical area protection spells that can be used on this or other areas like Alarm, various illusions, various wall spells, symbols, glyphs, and wards. "None of which I can cast without paying for the scroll", he adds cheerfully.

Know Arcana: 37 (nat 20!)


Wynn 
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 8:38:20 PM
"This private sanctum spell, would it interfere with telepathic connections? " Wynn's knowledge of arcane magic is limited and he is obviously concerned about teh spell's effects.



Information and Speculation - DMAl 
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 9:08:11 PM

Florin makes an offering to Domi at the Amphitheater of Champions and then returns to the Shields.

Belkior and Syr fill Jass in more fully on who the Shields are and what they're currently involved in.

Brahmah is mollified by the fact that this human, Jass, was indeed expected, after a fashion. Not so, Mac, however. The man has said something that is most definitely wrong. Why would he say that? Jass might just have one confused and irate minotaur on his hands. And, any guess, who's side the other minotaur would come in on?

But the human, taken by Mac's manner of speech continues on without a thought to the potential danger. He may be of use, this Jass of the Downs. He certainly seems to know his magic.

Something the man says catches Wynn's attention. It's notable that the bard asks about what might block a telepathic connection.

Syr makes a conjecture as to why the Office of the Overlord canceled the protection supplied by the temple of Domi. The time is mid-afternoon, still time left in the day. Still time to confirm suspicions, to talk to people who might know, to find out more.

Belkior 
Wednesday May 6th, 2009 10:48:31 PM
The halfling cleric stiffens a bit when he hears Jas suggesting that only an arcane caster can protect the house. Belkior speaks up in order to declare that he can also protect the building.

"With the proper materials, I can cast Hallow to protect our buildings from evil creatures and add some additional protective spells. Or, it wouldn't really work too well, I could cast Forbiddance to keep those annoying teleporters from the building."

"And, of course, I can cast some of the Symbol spells that can be made permanent, too."

Jass of Downs  d20+14=16 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+6=7 ;
Thursday May 7th, 2009 10:20:07 AM
"Oh, telepathy, Message, and Sending spells all work through a Private Sanctum, no problem. In fact, I can talk to Furball here through the spell. Just no spying on you from outside."

Jass enthusiastically jumps on the halfling's stated abilities. "Totally there, Belkior. The Powers grant some great protective spells to thier clerics like Glyph, Symbols, and that other stuff you mentioned. In fact," the sorcerer continues, "for blowing up a place call a mage, but for protecting it, call a cleric!"

Then Jass pats himself and looks around. "Furball? Furball! Where have you gotten to?" Scampering up from some interesting corner of the kitchen is a sleek mink. It zips up Jass' leg as quick as a whistle and sits on his shoulder with a biscuit in its hands. "By the way", says Jass, "this is Furball, my familiar. Don't worry about him much cause he can take care of himself."

.................................

With the Crimson Shields looking for information about this warehouse protection racket, Jass will tag along with a fighter-type member that's going out and see how well he is able to get to know people, find out what they know, and to see what's going on.

Diplomacy: 16
Gather Info: 14
Spot: nat 1!

Florin Jadenth 
Thursday May 7th, 2009 2:20:29 PM
(Al: Inless there is some type of error or such, Florin CS is updated. Also I will be sending out the email confirming Florin's CC transaction alittle later. Sorry for no post the other day also. I was curious of one thing, is Jas of Downs a new player in the Shields now or a temp arrival? If he is perm then we probably should welcome him to the game.)

Florin looks to the new person and blinks once wonderingly since he would of arrived after Florin had left to the temple of Domi. Shrugging Florin removes his helmet which turns into a simple hat for the moment, "Greetings sir, I do not believe I've introduced myself or heard your name of yet. My name is Florin Jadenth of house Jadenth. I'm a simple paladin of Domi and undead hunter, As a paladin I also try to be the shield for those who need and the sword for those wronged." Florin glances towards Brahmah, thinking for some reason the last part of his introduction reminds him of the taur.

Florin is 4'11" tall and weights 110lbs, he is heavily muscled for a elf. His hair is black and pulled back in a pony tail. He wears a blueish tinted mithril breastplate and attached to his backpack is a blueish tinted shield with the symbol of Domi on it. Also with his backpack is his comp. longbow set for his strength and two quivers of arrows. At his waist is his most trusted weapon, a bastardsword made of mithril also and the handle is made of silver, it looking like a dragon with ruby chips for eyes and it's wings spread for the guard.

Florin glances towards Syr and nods at some of his comments, "I could of looked for one of the monks but I didn't think of it. It's possibly they would not of said anything anyway, even to a follower of Domi. I mean, we were asked to keep this hush hush so to speak, and I been told monks can be abit "difficult" to say the least. I met one named Harvest who seemed like she could of been also if she had been asked to keep something secret."

(Couldn't resist Al, was kind of my impression of Harvest so hope it doesn't offend you.)

Go Out or Stay In - DMAl 
Thursday May 7th, 2009 9:33:56 PM

Belkior sounds a bit incensed at Jass of the Downs' characterization of the arcane vs the divine. A healthy rivalry may have arisen.

As he mollifies the cat-legged halfling, Jass introduces this new found group to Furball the sleek little mink.

Florin introduces himself to the mage, giving formal voice to his abilities, as is only befitting if they will one day be fighting side by side. As the subject returns to the question of job offered by the Office of the Overlord, and the warning against it from the Jack of Diamonds, Florin's mind wanders briefly to his days in Cinnamon Valley.

Jass, though just arrived on the doorstep of the Shield residence, seems eager to track down any information that he might be able to regarding this current problem. If, that is, he has the backing of someone with more martial skills, and, perhaps, a greater knowledge of this magnificent Floating City.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Thursday May 7th, 2009 9:39:37 PM
Watches.

Jass of Downs  d20+14=34 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+6=17 ;
Thursday May 7th, 2009 11:40:25 PM
Jass makes the acquaintance of Florin and the hay-stack haired human shakes the elf's hand. "Jadenth? Domi? Nope, sorry. Haven't heard of either one, but I'm sure it's important. And helping people out always makes me feel better, yaknow?"

"But I'm eager to help. Anyone want to look for some more information in the streets? My winning smile has found more than one loose mouth!"

There is no lack of confidence coming from the sorcerer.

Diplomacy: 34, nat 20!
Gather Info: 30, nat 20!
Spot: nat 17



Mac 
Friday May 8th, 2009 12:25:52 AM
Mac watches Jass as he goes about and on. He wonders with some amusement what might happen if Jass stops talking - Will blood start pouring out his ears? Will his jaw seize up? Mac now clearly wears a toothy smirk, and when it becomes clear that he's not going to get an answer to the question on his mind any time soon he says, "Says a lot, this one. Not that that has to be a problem."

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Friday May 8th, 2009 12:13:57 PM
When Brahmah hears Jass hasn't heard of Domi, he releases a gasp of disbelief and flops his arm to one side. "Never heard of Domi?! Never heard of such nonsense! This human can't be from the Wold." States the minotaur ranger. "I'd as soon kill this one and be done." The hatred isn't in the fact he's human, but a non-believer... whether he's from here or not.

He then settles rapidly. "My apologies. I'll tell you of Domi, or as the minotaurs call him, Imod. Courage." He forces a slim smile and then it is gone. "You can read, right?"

The minotaur wears a strange badge on his mithril chain (Knowledge local or whatever.... bardic lore, etc, will tell you its a guardsman badge for the WLA, second order of WLA members)
He carries a medium falchion and kukri. His gear is well maintained and sharpened and he isn't dirty, but has a rustic odor. His graying black shag hair covers his scarred arms and legs, tattoos and missing left ear and tail. He is truly ugly, but very strong.
There is a black bear milling about with little concern of furniture and seems to be sniffing everything.

(hiya Steve. :))

Jass of Downs 
Friday May 8th, 2009 3:54:29 PM
Jass beams at Mac. "You have lived in the Sargrass haven't you? Only a native would use the word 'baked' to mean that I'm crazy!"
He grins impishly. "Testing you to see if you were lying through your teeth, but you seem to be on the level."

"I know that the Sargrass is a very hot land, that the Downs is full of hills and swamps, that the Ice Vein is magically freezing, that the Plactik Ocean is full of intelligent humanoids of one sort or another. By the Powers, I've been around, travelling all over the continent!"

He seems more bemused at Brahmah's rapid rage and his automatic suppression which finds its way to a productive outlet. "Interesting.", he says, "Yeah, if Domi-Imod is important to you Crimson Shield people and the people around this weird city, I should probably know at least a little bit so I don't stick my foot in it."


Florin Jadenth 
Friday May 8th, 2009 5:00:41 PM
Florin listens to what is said and smiles abit as he wittness Brahmah's reaction and moves over to him, placeing a hand on the taur's elbow, "Those who do not follow the gods may not know much of them. Some are more enlightened the others if you will." Florin looks to Jas and smiles abit to him, not meaning his words as a offense really.

Florin now glances to the others and thinks before speaking, "Well if anyone else knows of some place we might beable to get more info from then I suppose we should be on our way really."



Mac 
Friday May 8th, 2009 6:23:23 PM
Staring straight at Jass, Mac replies, "Have you ever heared someone refer to a demontaur? Yes, I've lived there, but I've never met anyone who thought a taur would be a native of the Plains. That comment still leaves me with concern. Oh, and Ice Vein, the Scab, The Taur Isles, some other places, and finally here. Actually, there are people I wouldn't mind getting a message to, if that's possible." He changes tack, leaving Brahah to lead the discussion of Domi, and asks, "So, if you have travelled the other continent, then maybe you could speak to me of Heranmar?"

The Rest of the Day - DMAl 
Friday May 8th, 2009 9:35:01 PM

The Crimson Shields spend some time getting to know the man who is of the Downs. There's some verbal sparing, some testing of the waters, so to speak.

Florin, like Jass, asks whether or not they might find more information on the job offered by the Office of the Overlord, or, perhaps even about he Jack of Diamonds. He asks whether there might be any suggestions as to where to find such things out.

Both Syr, however, and Wynn remain silent. Wynn may be thinking of other things, or he may be thinking of someone far away. Syr, oddly enough, looks as though he's in pain, like his back might be acting up.

OoC: If you have any ideas with regards to finding anything out about the job, the Office of the Overlord, Jack of Diamonds, or anything else, feel free to go for it. One good source for ideas might be the maps of Floating City on the Woldipedia site. Post as often as you like this weekend. I monitor the board on a pretty frequent basis. I'll try and answer as many posts as you put up.

Don't forget skill checks. And don't forget to ask specific questions.

Monday, I'll move things on to the next day and the return of Phileas Bankable.

Jass of Downs  d20+14=29 ; d20+14=21 ; d20+10=14 ;
Sunday May 10th, 2009 12:46:29 AM
"Yeah, I've been through Heranmar a couple of times; a little fishing village on the coast?" Jass doesn't seem impressed by the place.

Jass enjoys talking and learning the names of the Crimson Shields, and he sees a way to help these guys out a little.

"You say this Bankable dude wants to hire you to build things and protect the secrets of the building materials from, well, everyone. And this is the same shmoe that suggested that we have 'mutual interests'? Yeah," he thinks for a second, "bet his informers found out I was from WAY out of town and so would be safe in teaming with you guys for 'Arcane Support'. Well, two can play at the informer game!"

"Anyone want to come along?"

Whether any do or not, Jass will get a map of the Big Float and start checking out the Merchants Level, taking an hour to get himself aware of how to get around and where the major streets are. He'll talk about anything, not really looking for any specific information here, just contacts for later....

Diplomacy 29

After an hour, Jass casts Alter Self to look like a dwarf, and follows his maps to the Gold Level and tries to make his way into Silverwing's Palace of Lavation and Gordo's Transport. In both places, he relaxes like he has plenty of money and plenty of spare time to spend. He'll say he's with the Turak Nor Building and Loan who is looking for new outlets for thier unique dwarven craftsmen. He's heard of a Phineas Bankable and wants to know what kind of person this would be. Is he honorable and trustworthy enough for a dwarf to deal with him?

Diplomacy 21
Sense Motive 14

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154  d20+20=27 ;
Sunday May 10th, 2009 1:54:34 AM
Syr snaps out of his reverie and cocks his head to the side before addressing the newcomer with a carefully neutral expression, "Hey Jass, you are more than welcome to pick a room upstairs for sleeping." A frown crosses his face and he takes a deep breath, "For someone that was asked to help us... you sure hold your hand out a lot. I heard a few of 'yes I can do it, but only if you pay for it?' I mean who is helping who here? We had a sorcerer with us before and Angus had similar restrictions so it is familiar to us. However, the subsidizing is not."

Looking up at Jass, "And before you step on more toes or hooves as the case may be, I too follow Domi."

Once things settle down, he decides to act on Florin's information by asking a few of the other owners around the warehouse area if they recall a warehouse guarded by monks and attacked. (Diplomacy 27) He is looking for the location of the site so he can examine it and to see if anyone knows what the methods of the attackers was.

(OOC: Thanks Al, you deserve better from me)

The Rest of the Day (Addendum) - DMAl  d20+10=14 ;
Sunday May 10th, 2009 6:02:45 PM

Jass finds some maps of Floating City in Wynn and Xenia's room. They're rolled up in a case with the initials AMN on one end. He finds the Message in a Bottle Tavern and the Glowing Worm Inn. The Message in a Bottle is filled with traders and entrepreneurs, the real working businessmen of Floating City. The Glowing Worm is filled with shop clerks, clerics, teamsters, warehousemen and the like. Wherever Jass goes, he winds up being well liked. Everyone likes him and wants to help out the new arrival to Floating City.

On Gold Level, Jass finds that Silverwing's Palace of Lavation is a huge communal bath and spa. In the steam room, Jass chats with a huge bear of a man named Lorbius Ursidae. The man seems friendly enough. He's heard of Phineas Bankable, but doesn't know much beyond the name and the man's connection with the Office of the Overlord as a negotiator of some sort. He says that his family has done business with the Office of the Overlord from time to time over the years. More so since the Crying Woods Attack. Though Lorbius doesn't come out and say it, Jass gets the impression that the man feels the Office of the Overlord is something of an obstruction to progress.

Gordo's Transport is exactly as the name implies, a company that deals with shipping, both within Floating City and to other parts of known Yrth. They do quite a bit of business through the teleport facilities between Floating City and Plateau City. Here as in the Silverwing baths, they seem indifferent until the get to know Jass in his dwarven form, then they warm to friendly. Here, though no one specifically recalls the name of Phineas Bankable (not unusual given the number of bureaucrats that must work for the Office of the Overlord) they, of course, know of the Office of the Overlord. Many of the people at Gordo's Transport express mild dissatisfaction at the paperwork that the Office of the Overlord has decreed necessary for the transport of any goods on or off of Floating City. All goods are thoroughly inspected.

At neither place does Jass have a sense either way that anyone is either lying to him or withholding information.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Syr makes a trip down to Fence Level, and the area around the Docks. Everyone already loves Syrdeth Redbow, and it's not hard for the elf to find people willing to help him with whatever he needs. One man calls out to others who call out to others who all try to remember. Finally, Syr hears from a man who heard from a halfling who heard about an old wagon driver who told a story about driving a wagon guarded by five monks of Domi. Day in day out, these monks would guard the load to the work site and then guard it back. Funny thing was, the load was never anything except lumber and stone.

That was it. Nothing about any attack. Just one of those funny rumors that one hears down on the Docks about one man's job.

While he's there, though, Syr notes a half-elven dock worker showing the others at his table something he's fished in off the lake. It's a deep brown slick fleshy plant-like tube with a bulbous head on one end and the other end tapering to a point. One of the oddest things anyone's ever pulled out of Turtle Lake.

Jass of Downs  d20+10=24 ;
Sunday May 10th, 2009 8:59:41 PM
Jass will come back and relay his information to the Crimson Shields over dinner, holding nothing back "since the stuff your ally knows is stuff that may save you one day."

The friendly sorcerer holds up two hands in a futile warding off gesture to Syr. "Hey, I got no beef, no sores, let's not make a big mish-mash out of it, yaknow? Great, you follow Domi. I followed a map to get to the Gold Level too. Unless someone tells me who this Domi fella is, it's just a name to me yaknow?" He looks to Brahmah. "At least this tall drink of water has offered to talk about it."

Jass leans back in his chair. "For the Arcane suggestions, I'm doing all that out of the goodness of my heart. Take the advice, don't take the advice, makes no difference to me. I thought you would like to know that I can't personnally cast these spells without the appropriate scrolls; just to save a question, eh?"

"As to being asked to help out...", and the sorcerer takes a pause, still smiling, "yeah, Phineas asked me to help out, but from what I hear it is YOU folk who asked for help in the first place. I'm not a part of your group, so I'm like... a hired hand, yes? You want me to do something, you gotta pay me."

"NOW, if we want to change the 'hired hand' status, I'm real willing to listen. As I've said, I'm kinda ripped out of what I'm familiar with and tossed into this wierd city and having some friends would be useful. If you're offering for me to be a 'partner', I'd expect 'dlive here and get an even share of the take of any job. In return, I'd give you all my charm and arcane skills as my part of the team. That's the usual way, right?"

The way that Jass is lounging, it doesn't appear that he really cares which choice the Crimson Shields make. Sense Motive DC 24 Highlight to display spoiler: { Jass would love the security that comes from being a full partner in the Crimson Shields.}

Belkior  d20+4=7 ; d20+6=10 ;
Sunday May 10th, 2009 9:56:56 PM
The halfling cleric takes a break from his crafting work, stretching his back when he stands up from the table where he has been working on some clothing. Belkior feels the need to get out and pray within one of the temples of Alemi in the Floating City. He moves to the common room and says farewell to anyone who is still there. After picking up his new staff, Belkior goes out into the street.

The Paragon makes his way through the Float towards the main temple of Alemi. As he walks, Belkior nods and greets anyone who recognizes his vestment and affiliation with Alemi. Every so often, he passes out some healthy snacks to any children that approach him. Somehow, not as many come up to him as approach the other Paragons.

Once Belkior reaches the Temple, he enters the sanctuary and performs his obeisances to Alemi. When his meditations and prayers are complete, Belkior seeks out the other priests in the hope of learning what he can about the Overlord's office and Phineas Bankable, maybe even the "Jack" character. He expects to learn something since it was Fixers from the temple that the Overlord sent or hired to fix the problems in the Undercity.
Gather Information = 7, Diplomacy = 10



The Rest of the Day (Addendum 2) - DMAl 
Sunday May 10th, 2009 10:43:43 PM

Belkior makes his way to the Temple of Truth on Open Level. Set in one of the four corners at the top of the Floating City, it stands every inch as large and grand as the Temple of Light in Plateau City.

It has been a few months since Belkior has visited this temple, and, perhaps this is why he fails to find anyone that he recognizes. There is also no one there today who had anything to do with the incident in the Undercity.

The few minor priests that are there at this time are friendly - especially in light of the vestments of Alemi that Belkior wears with such obvious pride - but, they are, unfortunately, unable to supply him with a great deal of information.

They all know of the Office of the Overlord. Who on Open Level does not? But none claim any but the most common knowledge about the Office. They're responsible for maintaining the teleport pad, for maintaining the residential water system, they manage the garbage service, don't they also have jurisdiction over the gardening on open level?

No one seem to know anything about a Phineas Bankable. Though many of the priests that Belkior speaks with have heard stories of the Jack of Diamonds, all seem to discount them as no more than that ... stories.

Wynn  d20+14=18 ;
Monday May 11th, 2009 7:42:29 AM
The bard roams the city's bars and taverns, plying tradespeople with ale, carefully asking questions about who is building what, where, and who if anyone seems concerned about teh materials used in construction. [Gather info = 18]. The half-elf hopes to track down other firms that have been approached by this Phileus Bankable.



The Rest of the Day (Addendum 3) - DMAl 
Monday May 11th, 2009 11:52:19 AM

Construction is going on all over Floating City, and, after a few mugs of ale on Wynn's copper, the bard finds plenty of tongues that are willing to wag.

After weeding through all of the smaller projects, doors that need to be trued again, exteriors to be re-plastered, and such, he hits upon three projects that may be possible leads.

Monperi Building has a current contract to rebuild the Campfire Court Barracks on Barracks Level.

Warrd's House of Luck on Gold Level lost their entire portico during the Crying Woods Attack. It fell, crushing all beneath. Three Star Masonry has the project one third complete.

As of yet to be started is a damaged section of the Northwest pillar on Gold Level. The damage has made passage up or down that particular pillar unsafe, and it has been closed to travel ever since the Crying Woods Attack.

All of these jobs seem, from rumor,to fit Wynn's description of odd concerns about building materials. He is unable, though, to confirm Phileas Bankable's involvement in any of these projects, but to do that, he would probably have to track down the owners of the companies in question.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133)  d20=13 ;
Monday May 11th, 2009 8:10:22 PM
(disregard roll)

Brahmah is quiet.

Florin Jadenth 
Monday May 11th, 2009 8:35:29 PM
Florin will go along with one of the members, probably Syr if he doesn't mind and try to see what goes on as he does. He does allow the person he heads out with to do all the talking and such and he just listens for now.



Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Monday May 11th, 2009 8:59:16 PM
Assuming the others gather that night, he solicts opinions, "What do you guys think? Do we have enough information gathered, should we still take the job? Ask for more money?" He peers around the room seeking answers. "For my part, I found a thread of a rumor with some monks guarding a wagon, but not much more and not too useful. Anyone have anything better?"

"My personal opinion is we still take it. Call me a bit wierd, but if we were to stumble across their secret of manufacturing, the possibilities are great for the business and construction. And this time we didn't agree to have our minds wiped."


Wynn 
Monday May 11th, 2009 9:15:20 PM
Wynn tells the others what he has found out when they gather in the early evening. "Do you know of any of these builders Syr...Monperi or Three Star Masonry? Do you know who got the contract for the northwest pillar repairs?"



The Contract - DMAl 
Monday May 11th, 2009 9:39:04 PM

Most of the Crimson Shields scatter to the various corners of Floating City. Some have more luck than others, but evening returns them all to Merchant Level and the Shield residence to share what they've learned.

The next day, Phineas Bankable arrives in early mid-morning. The ceiling of Merchant Level shows the clear sky above Floating City. It's a bright and cheerful day.

"I see you've found your way here," he grins at Jass. "I've managed to negotiate somewhat more favorable terms for you in light of the favor shown you by the Overlord herself." He places a contract before the group,

The Office of the Overlord, hereafter know as the Contractor, engages the Crimson Shields of Hope under the name of Shield Construction, hereafter know as the Contractee, in matters related to the building and renovation of Floating City.

Contractee is to use only materials in said building and renovation supplied by the Contractor without substitute. Said materials are to kept under the protection of the Contractee. A complete inventory of said materials will be kept by the Contractee to be available to the Contractor at any time. All of the materials delivered into the hands of the Contractee will be accounted for, including waste materials.

In return, the Contractee will receive a monthly stipend of 6000 gold pieces to be paid at the beginning of each month. Further, Contractee will receive full and free transportation ring privileges for a maximum of eleven individuals at a time.

Contractor will also pay for any damage or loss of life incurred upon a building project that is not considered normally incurred during the case of the act of construction itself. Contractor will also pay the wages of guards, wards or other such protections should the need for them be determined to be necessary by both Contractor and Contractee.

In light of the reputation that the Contractee holds for trustworthiness and reliability, the usual stipulation binding the Contractee to exclusive contract to Contractor is waived. However, considering the fixed nature of the monthly stipend, should Contractor find reason to believe that Contractee is neglecting the needs of this contract, Contractor may dismiss all conditions of this contract without final payment.

At the bottom of the contract, there is plenty of space to sign.

"Please look over the contract carefully," cautions the man from the Office of the Overlord. "A good business relationship is only as good as the terms of the contract."

"Er ... you will *all* have to sign, by the way. I trust there will be no problem with that?"

OoC: If you still want to discuss your findings of the day before, feel free to write about them in back posts.

Jass 
Monday May 11th, 2009 10:30:20 PM
The hay-stack haired sorcerer sits thinking about the bits of information provided by himself, Syr, Wynn, and Florin. Jass excuses himself from the Crimson Shields that night in order to sleep at the Giggling Ghost (and also allow them time to think about one Jass).

But the next morning, he is back and raring to go. When Bankable arrives, Jass and Furball have just finished a light meal of fruits and some bread. Jass doesn't think much of the conversation until the Overlord bureaucrat emphasizes *all* signatures.

"Well, I guess that sort a takes any argument away, now doesn't it?", he asks rhetorically. "If I sign as an equal partner, I'll assume responsibility and rewards that go with it as equal partner."

Jass is still unsure of the waters, and will only sign if a majority of the others have signed first.

Belkior  d20+6=12 ;
Monday May 11th, 2009 11:02:22 PM
The halfling cleric walks back slowly, taking his time and enjoying the sky overhead on Open Level. Belkior heads towards the house after he has descended the ramps down to Merchant Level. Coming back inside, he looks around to find the others.

"I didn't learn anything at the Temple of Alemi. Maybe they don't know anything there or maybe I simply didn't ask the right person or the right questions."

The next morning when Phineas Bankable arrives, the halfling cleric motions the others together in a hurried conference.

"Why don't we try to negotiate for better terms? Is there something specific that we'd like to see in the contract? Myself, I'm fairly certain that the Overlord might be able to provide materials or gold to help pay for major healing spells or rituals. You know, if we had to petition Gargul, for example."

"Wynn is probably the best negotiator but I'll do my best to help."
Diplomacy (Assist Other) = 12 (success)


Florin Jadenth  d20+3=17 ; d20+3=18 ;
Tuesday May 12th, 2009 9:30:51 PM
Florin listens to the others but for now is still silent.

When the group meets up with the Overlord agent he frowns some at the contract, wishing he himself had access to a detect magic spell since the contract could be magiced or such. He just doesn't like the idea of it being masked by anything or such.

He ponders who would be the best to make any comments too so he moves over near to Wynn and whispers to him, "Some magical check should be done to make sure the contract isn't done something with. There are to many ifs and maybes floating around about things to suit my taste."

Spot:17 Listen:18

Time to Yourselves? - DMAl 
Tuesday May 12th, 2009 9:36:36 PM

"Ehem." Phileas Bankable coughs politely into the silence that fills the room as only three of the Crimson Shields speak up. "Perhaps you'd like a little time to discuss this between yourselves, yes? If there's some place I might wait, I'll leave the contract with you, and you can summon me when you're ready."

"I'll just ... " he turns, searching for a direction and finds the kitchen. "I'll be in there. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come in and ask."

The man from the Office of the Overlord leaves the room, leaving the Shields to themselves. The contract remains upon the table. Florin looks about and listens as carefully as he can. Nothing, however, seems out of the ordinary to the paladin.

OoC: Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. Don't feel constrained to the one post per day in this. One post per day has its place, but that place is not at this particular time.

Belkior 
Tuesday May 12th, 2009 11:12:38 PM
The halfling cleric watches Phineas Bankable walk into the kitchen. Belkior briefly worries that the man from the Overlord will raid the cookie jar while he's out there, but shakes himself and gets back to the matter at hand.

"I suggest that we try to negotiate for better terms. Major healing, for one thing, like I said before. I mean, we're being hired in part because we can protect the projects from who knows what kind of nasty beasts. And I'd hate to have them claim that attacks by giant flying lizards is 'normally incurred' in this type of construction project. Or plants, for that matter."

Belkior shudders briefly when he remembers the plant creatures that nearly destroyed the Float when the Fey King came to the City.

"For that matter, we have obligations to our employees to keep them healthy and safe. If we don't heal them or more, we'll either have problems getting workers or keeping them. Why shouldn't we pass on the costs of keeping our workers safe and healing and curing them if they do get injured?"

"And we'll really need to clarify exactly how much time we can spend doing other things. I'd like to keep making some items for myself and the group."


Wynn  d20+7=13 ;
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 7:46:47 AM
The bard examines the contract itself, looking for any hidden arcane symbols or meaning in the words. He then casts detect magic to further satisfy the concerns of others. [Knowledge Arcana = 13]. Assuming that he finds nothing of interest, the bard waits to hear a strategy emerge from Syr or Belkior.

Jass 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 3:57:48 PM
Jass seems to get into the fact that soon he will be an equal partner with the Crimson Shields if they all sign the paper. "So what exactly are our duties here? Guard a warehouse? Guard multiple areas at the same time like a warehouse, and convoys, and building site (which is gonna be much harder)? And if we have to do that 24-7, how do we do that and sleep?"

"Even worse, could we be expected to actually build things?"

He shakes his head. "I'll tell you that I'm not very good at children's block sets and neither do I know anyone to hire with that expertise. I don't want to agree to something that we are going to automatically fail at." He barely notes that he used the word 'we'.

"Tell ya what, I think those answers are much more interesting than getting healing or more money, the both of which I assume adventurers such as yourselves can get in lots of ways."

Mac 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 5:04:39 PM
"Equal share? Brahmah and I have not long since been through this. Equals share means purchasing a share in the business side of things."

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 5:25:25 PM
Brahmah will sign.

Mac 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 6:38:04 PM
Trusting the general response to the contract, Mac signs.

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 7:07:48 PM
Syr looks over at the halfling and nods to his words, "Belkior, you have an excellent point about the healing. I thought by including the reparations clause, that would cover damage to life and/or property but I had not considered the effect of injuries on morale."

Syr moves into the kitchen to speak with Phileas, "One more amendment to the contract and I think Shield Construction will sign. We would like the healing of all injuries incurred during the construction or protection of your materials. Being reasonable, I would not expect any healers to be put in harm's way but healing after the fact in a non-hostile environment."

"Also, As the founder of Shield Construction, I would say my signature will be enough. This group has lost 4 partners for various reasons within the last 6 months. In fact, the only original partners are Belkior and myself. Therefore, I will be the only person to sign for all."

He returns to the others with Phileas and puts a friendly arm around the newcomer, "Jass, I realize this is a bit sudden and we haven't had time to evaluate you or vice versa but if it's okay with the others, as long as you are with us, you will be a partner in this enterprise."

Jass 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 8:36:46 PM
"Hey, I'm touched", Jass says as Syr touches him. "Being a stranger in a strange land, I accept your offer of partnership." He gives a wink, "might be fun!"

Jass is willing to sign.

Florin Jadenth 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 8:46:52 PM
Florin listens to what is said and such before nodding and looking towards Brahmah and the others that have signed, "I do not mind signing. However I will wait for the remaining decisions to be made."

Florin glances to where Syr left the room and now waits once more, he still is unsure of all this but is willing to back Syr and the others if they all sign the contract.

Contract and Job - DMAl 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 9:30:27 PM

Wynn begins an examination of the contract itself. He goes over it thoroughly with both magic and the naked eye. None of the tests reveals anything other than is there. For all intents and purposes, this is a normal mundane contract.

Belkior, however, is intent of squeezing more out of even this mundane contract. The man from the Office of the Overlord mulls the added demands once he is ushered back into the room.

"Hmmm. I think that we could contract with the temple of Alemi to handle the healing of all work related injuries. How many injuries have your employees incurred in the last six months?," he asks. (A very reasonable question in such a case.) "As to the signing, yes, I think that will be acceptable as well. Your name is on the papers of incorporation filed at City Hall after all. And, from what I've heard, I doubt that your fellow Crimson Shields would allow you to suffer harm alone, whether it be financial or otherwise."

Phileas Bankable takes the pen and amends the contract to include healing for employees engaged in either construction or security, the payment of which will be provided by the Office of the Overlord. He then turns to the contract in Syr's direction for signing.

After the signing, the man from the Office of the Overlord smiles and packs the contract away. He asks the Shields if they could all be present at the warehouse at about noon this very day. The Office of the Overlord will have accountants there as well to ensure an accurate tally of the inventory, and they would like as many of the current roster of the Crimson Shields available to bear witness to the quantities.

After that, he describes the first job to be assigned to Shield Construction. There is a damaged section of the Northwest pillar on Gold Level. The damage has made passage up or down that particular pillar unsafe, and it has been closed to travel ever since the Crying Woods Attack. This to be the first project. All estimates project the job at seven weeks to three months to completion.

After that, Phileas Bankable excuses himself and leaves, ensuring the Crimson Shields that he will meet them later at noon on Fence Level at the warehouse. The Shields are alone again. The contract is somewhat better. The question of who will be getting the contract for the Northwest Pillar of Gold Level has been answered. But Jass has some interesting questions. And are things possibly moving too quickly, with the building materials moving into the warehouse today?

Belkior 
Wednesday May 13th, 2009 10:52:53 PM
The halfling cleric nods in agreement, satisfied that the workers of Shield Construction will be tended if any should become injured.

"This sounds like the best agreement that we can reach with the Overlord. If we have time before noon, why don't we go examine the construction site? Might as well figure out what we are getting ourselves into as soon as possible."

Belkior will retrieve his travelling and working gear from his small chamber, including his newly made staff. When he returns to the dining room, Belkior is bouncing slightly to settle his armor on his shoulders.

"Ready to go?"

Wynn 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 7:29:25 AM
The bard readies himself, slipping on his mithril shirt and hat of disguise. The air shimmers briefly about him and for all intents and purposes his garb has been transformed into that of a merchant or low level functionary. He waits in the dining room with Belkior, giving the cleric whatever assistance he needs in cinching various bits of armor.

Jass 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 8:35:43 AM
"Hey, I'm glad Syr signed and committed us all to supporting the law and all", Jass begins with an airily dismissive wave of his hand. "but what exactly are we doing? You know, just so I can be ready."

"Are we guarding ONLY the construction site?"

"Are we guarding the construction AND warehouse?"

"Are we guarding construction, warehouse, AND convoys?"

"Are we guarding construction, warehouse, convoys, AND workers coming to and from all those sites?"

..

Jass waits a moment to let his questions sink in.

"And are we guarding the goods or the INFORMATION that is secret? Gonna be a little difficult guarding all those MINDS as well as BODIES."

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 7:21:30 PM
Pats his sword and gear. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Where To Now? - DMAl 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 9:16:14 PM

The Crimson Shields burst into a flurry of activity after the man from the Office of the Overlord departs. Belkior, Wynn and Brahmah prepare with all haste. Jass appears ready as well, but the man of Downs cries out for some sort of direction.

Syr, Florin and Mac remain silent. Wrapped in thought? Overwhelmed by the speed of things?

The time is still quite some time before noon. There is at least a good three hours before the Crimson Shields will have to meet the special materials at the warehouse.

OoC: Any plans? Or would you like me to just move the time up to noon?

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154  d20+9=17 ;
Thursday May 14th, 2009 9:17:55 PM
Syr moves out on the way to examine the perspective construction site and walks next to Jass along the way, "Jass, those are all good questions. Here is my interpretation until someone tells us differently."

He looks back occasionally for anyone that might be following or listening in (spot 17). "We are to guard the construction materials at all times. Once we use it for repairing and/or building, it's the city guard's responsibility to make sure the city isn't damaged. So that probably means guarding the warehouse where it is stored, when it is transported and the site when it's used. My concern is that they give us so much that we have to spilt our forces."

The monk looks up at the sorceror, "Now that sounds like a full time job, If this stuff is as precious and Phileas led us to believe then I think we have to repel the initial attempts to steal it. Once we establish a reputation for reliability and general toughness, things should go more smoothly (I hope)."

"As for guarding the information, that's not us since we don't have that knowledge ourselves, although I would like to find out." He smiles with a small twinkle in his eye.

Jass  d20+7=13 ; d20+14=20 ;
Thursday May 14th, 2009 10:03:02 PM
Jass grins and shrugs at the same time as Syr and he walk to the construction site and look the place over. "So OK, no bodies or minds, only the goods itself, wherever it is until installed. Shady, as they say in the Plains."

"So what is all the talk about the workers being employees of the Crimson Shields? I mean, do you guys have a REAL company you head up?"

As they walk, he looks around for anyone paying special attention to Syr, and also calls greeting out to those people he met the day before.

.............
Spot: 13
Diplomacy: 20



Florin Jadenth 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 10:18:36 PM
Florin nods and is ready since he always goes about with all his traveling gear, it is much easier to be ready at will if you have all your stuff with you.

He smiles abit and listens as he moves along with the others and nods at Syr's comment, "I hope we all can stick together too. Attacks on two split parties or so would be alot harder then a attack on a single party." Florin smiles abit, just thinking that one group would have Belkior for healing but the other group in that case wouldn't.

Florin thinks though, "So, we going to just toss our bedrolls inside the warehouse and stay there or such? Not that I have a problem with that or anything but was wondering." Florin figures if the group slepted in the warehouse then atleast they would be right there, confined maybe though but anyone trying to steal anything surely wouldn't set the warehouse on fire.

Belkior 
Thursday May 14th, 2009 11:51:25 PM
The halfling cleric walks along with Syr and the others when they go to look at the pillar before going to the warehouse. Belkior wants to get a clear idea of what the Shields have committed themselves to complete. When he gets a chance, he will speak quietly to the elven monk that heads the construction company.

"We better clarify something, Syr. I suppose that we have to most closely guard these new materials. We know nothing about them, though, and we need to determine when the installed materials are no longer are responsibility."

"Hopefully this Phineas Bankable fellow will provide blueprints and instructions on how to use the new materials. Maybe there'll even be some specialists hired by the Overlord to install any magical items."

The halfling cleric is eager to meet with Phineas Bankable at noon.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Friday May 15th, 2009 7:03:45 AM
"I will try to do better sticking in a group , but I truly am not used to that style."

"We can go that way, moves us directly where we need to be."

Wynn  d20+16=26 ; d20+14=34 ;
Friday May 15th, 2009 7:30:29 AM
Wynn suggests heading to one of the other construction sites sponsored by the Overlord to get an idea of just what security measures they have put in place, and what if any security issues they have encountered. Wynn will ask to see the site foreman and ask the questions to him or her. [Diplomacy=26; Gather information = 34; nat 20!]

Jass  d20+21=23 ; d20+14=19 ; d20+10=20 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+22=32
Friday May 15th, 2009 9:10:06 AM
Jass brightens, if that is even possible, at Wynn's suggestion. "Fabulous idea, old boy!" And the sorcerer makes his own inquiries around the construction site. But while Wynn is talking to the foreman, Jass Uses Alter Self to become a Half-Elf and observes the place and then begins talking with bystanders who just watch the construction.

He'll watch for a little while and then regretfully shake his head, disappointed like. "Its a shame the Overlord is guarding the construction secrets so carefully", he says quietly, but loud enough to be overheard. "What an opportunity it would be for us and the city to expand ... if we only knew the secrets..."

Jass will repeat the process until he gets a bite, and then find out what he can about the forces trying to get the secret of construction.

When Wynn is done with the foreman, Jass gets himself out of the conversation, walks around a corner, transforms back to Jass, and meets up with the Bard to go to thier own construction site.

...............

Bluff: 23
Diplomacy: 21 (+2 for Half-elf racial bonus)
Gather Info: 20
Sense Motive: 30
Disguise: 32 (+10 for Alter Self)

..............
Spells 0/1/2/3/4/5/6
Avail. 6/8/8/8/7/6/4
Used. 0/0/2/0/0/0/0

Mac  d20=4 ;
Friday May 15th, 2009 10:55:30 AM
Mac tags along, though the more he thinks about it, the more he's sure that there aren't that many groups in the city that have two minotaurs, so he tries to remain outwardly unassociated with the rest of the shields (Bluff?:4). Yep, that should do it! :)

Construction Sites - DMAl 
Friday May 15th, 2009 9:10:10 PM

The Crimson Shields head up one level from Merchant to Gold, their destination is the Northwest pillar. No the way, Syr outlines a plan to protect the new construction materials. Florin and Belkior add to the discussion, while Brahmah helps steer the group in the right direction.

Jass waves at indiscriminately into the crowd, watching for anyone who might be watching them back. He sees no one, but he receives smiles and waves in return, even from people he's never seen in his entire life.

On the way, Wynn gets an idea and suggest a detour. The Barracks project is one level below, and out of the way, so once the group reaches Gold Level, they head for Warrd's House of Luck. The portico before the this temple of Warrd was once a massive stone balcony supported by columns and hanging over a broad stone porch. At present, there are eight out of twelve stone columns, thick as tree trucks, already set in place. The crew is working to put a temporary scaffolding in place for the construction of the balcony.

Wynn strikes up a conversation with the Foreman, an aging gnome. The gnome takes to the half-elf after but a brief introduction and they strike up a friendly conversation. The foreman is a bit surprised when Wynn steers the conversation to the topic of security.

"I hear that some of the jobs before ours had monks of Domi guarding them. They pulled them off when they found they weren't needed," says the foreman. "Nothing every happened. We keep rope barriers up to keep out the general public now. For their own safety too, you understand? But that's about all we have in the way of security. Oh, we watch our inventory for the Office of the Overlord, you can believe that. We clean up every scrap of their stone and every stick of their wood and turn it in at the end of the day, but that's the extent of things here."

While Wynn is talking to the foreman, Jass works the crowd. There are actually very few idlers standing about. Gold Level is, after all, where the noble and wealthy of Floating City work and live. Some stand for but a few moments before moving on, but none are there for long. And, though all of those who overhear Jass, seem friendly or not, none, apparently, feel motivated to pause and speak about the construction secrets of the Overlord.

To Syr's practiced eye, none of the materials that the Three Star Masonry crew is working with seems very different than the stone and mortar that his own employees work with every day. The technics they use, certainly are no different.

As Wynn bids the foreman goodbye, the gnome waves in the direction of the two minotaurs, Brahmah and Mac. "Say, bet your two friends there can really move some stone," he says, and gives a friendly wave.

The Northwest Pillar looks as though it were struck by an entire building, possibly when the Floating City was released by the great vines of the orcworts and snapped back up into the air. The debris that must once have choked King's Way has been cleared, but the pillar itself is still blocked by fallen masonry and other debris. Further, the pillar itself is broken open. The inner stairwell is exposed to view by an enormous gash that extends from the normal entryway up to the height of twenty five feet. The stairs inside tilt and sag at dangerous angles.

This job may take a while.

OoC: Monday I'll move on to the warehouse. If you have any further investigating to do before the next DM post, feel free to post more than the single post per day. I'll monitor the board as often as I can this weekend, and try to address individual investigations.

Florin Jadenth 
Sunday May 17th, 2009 5:32:59 PM
Florin listens and watches everything as best he can while the group moves about checking out things. He can't help but feel like he is ready for something to happen, he might have some skill in diplomacy but he still liked the action at times that went with his life.

He smiles some and comments to Mac and Brahmah, "Bet two big guys like you are ready for something to do also besides all this walking and talking huh? Not that I want non stop fighting or anything but alittle action is nice....I suppose we'll have our fair share of it soon enough though and I should enjoy the peace for now."

Jass  d20+7=22 ;
Sunday May 17th, 2009 7:33:12 PM
Jass shrugs at the lack of available information, they'll find out soon enough. He jauntily follows the others and sees what he can see.

Spot: 22

Belkior 
Sunday May 17th, 2009 10:25:20 PM
The halfling cleric trots along with the others, trying to keep up. Fortunately, the streets are so crowded that the faster members of the Shields are no faster than Belkior's little cat legs. The Paragon agrees the assessment offered by the others, namely that there will be a lot of work involved and the apparent threat isn't immediately apparent. Of course, that simply means that the Shields will have to be extra vigilant.



Mac 
Monday May 18th, 2009 12:21:50 AM
"I'd prefer to think", says Mac to Florin, "that having me around might mean a few less fights."
"Want a lift Belkior?"

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Monday May 18th, 2009 12:41:47 PM
"Didn't really expect to be doing any heavy lifting but I'll do what I can." He smiles. "Honestly though, when I was with the Chosen of Domi, I can't remember ever doing much heavy work, beyond, perhaps, moving a friends body or such."
Thinking a moment. "There was alot of swimming, running and that sort of exertion, but not rock moving. Lots of ship work..." He rattles off some more stuff. "Rock moving was pretty much non-existent."

"I'll have to stop at the Catacombs. I have a purchase to make. It shouldn't take too long though."

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154  d20+20=22 ;
Monday May 18th, 2009 8:28:05 PM
As they move around the city, the elf stays paired with the newest newcomer? Standing at 4'10", he looks up at Jass as they speak of things past. "Shield Construction? Well, we started it a while back right after the city was attacked by plants. Basically, with all the destruction and ruin around us, we saw a need for the city. It was fairly simple finding craftsman to help as many had their homes or businesses destroyed. Dotta, our foreman, has really done a splendid job of handling things. The last time that I checked with her, we had 17 employees and most were quite happy with the steady flow of work. Even during the Swine Flu *cough* I mean plague, we were still doing some jobs. I guess technically, we could always expand and do more, but the company seems to hold it's own for now."

He slides forward as Wynn is talking to the construction crew and tries to interject casually, "The office of the Overlord has a bean-counter named Phileas contacting us. Do you know anything about him?" (Diplomacy 22)

Once they arrive at the other construction site, the monk watches the proceedings with a casual interest. After a while, he turns away disappointed. Turning to Jass once again, "Do you think it was a slip that their foreman said that they filed the building materials? Or are we a bit different by having to store the stuff."



The Inventory and Any Last Questions - DMAl 
Monday May 18th, 2009 9:11:16 PM

The Crimson Shields make their way down from Gold Level. Merchant, Barracks, and finally Fence Level. Here's where life began for the group. The original orphanage was down here. The first apartments that he group ever owned. This is where the Giggling Ghost stands. Fence Level.

As they descend through the levels, Syr recalls back to the question he asked of the foreman at the site at Warrd's House of Luck. The man had apologized and said he would like to help, but that he didn't know anything about a bean-counter. He said that he was just the foreman on the project, and didn't do any of the contracting, which, in Syr's world of construction, made sense. Jass keeps a watchful eye on the trip down, but there's really nothing unusual to see.

They make their way to the Docks where the offices of Shield Construction lie, and of course, the warehouse. The usual hustle and bustle of workers, fisherfolk, turtle wranglers and sailors walk the Sailor's Fork on their way too and fro from the massive gate built into the wall of Fence Level. Two wagons, fully loaded, are waiting outside of Shield Construction when the group arrives. Phileas Bankable greets the Shields and Syr is presented with a clipboard with an inventory of the items on the wagons. The man from the Office of the Overlord has another clipboard with identical papers on it.

"We'll both check each item off as they're loaded into the warehouse, shall we?" Bankable says. "Witnessed and verified by Contractor and Contractee, so to speak, yes?"

"By the by," he says as he follows the materials into the interior of the warehouse, "have you thought of any last questions that you might wish to ask? Want to make sure that all the itches have been scratched, so to speak, yes?"

Wynn  d20+2=6 ;
Monday May 18th, 2009 9:27:33 PM
Wynn relays what he has found out about the security at other sites, specifically that they have little if any. "Don't know what all the fuss is, seems like nobody is really worried. Still, best to keep thinks under lock and key and maybe we should post a night watchman on the warhouse."

Wynn assists with the inventory, watching carefully as each item is transferred to Shield Construction. He examines some of the materials to see what is so special about them, but the half elf is unfamiliar with building materials and out of his depth [untrained appraise=6]

Florin Jadenth 
Monday May 18th, 2009 9:41:33 PM
Florin will help out the best he can with the materials before speaking to Syr, "I know the place has guards and such but I still feel better if we had someone here or such. Is there a place that I could set up my bedroll and such? I suppose you should ask your foreman about that though." Florin plans to spend the night atleast at the warehouse and go from there depending on if anything happens.

Florin does glance at the others before commenting, "If everyone doesn't want to stay then I suppose thats fine but if any would like to stay also then you would be more then welcome."

Jass  d20+14=17 ; d20+10=17 ; d20+12=13 ;
Monday May 18th, 2009 10:44:29 PM
Jass enjoys listening to Syr tell of some of the history of the Crimson Shields; "makes me know you fellas a little more, eh?"

And when Bankable provides an opening, the sorcerer sails right in it. "Yeah, I got a question. Why do you need guards? We've seen some of the other construction sites and they don't have any big protection assets. Last couple of months, the monks of Domi were hired and then fired from protection because they weren't needed. So..." and he pauses expectantly, "why is this job different?"

Diplomacy 17
Gather Info 17
Sense Motive 13

Belkior  d20+18=35 ; d20+10=21 ;
Monday May 18th, 2009 11:13:26 PM
The halfling cleric listens to the representative of the Overlord as he inventories the delivery and responds to the questions of his companions. When Phineas Bankable is fully engaged in conversation, Belkior will move to the interior of the warehouse until he can find an out of the way corner. Once there, he will cast a Detect Magic spell while trying to be as quiet as possible. Hopefully, the others will be keeping Bankable distracted and the street noises will cover the sounds of spellcasting.

Once the spell is active, Belkior will slowly move to where he can examine the building materials so that he can concentrate and maintain the spell. He will examine the materials to determine if there is still any magical residues from the construction.
Concentration = 35, Spellcraft = 21


Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Tuesday May 19th, 2009 3:56:34 PM
Not much for gathering information, or diplomacy, or even socializing with.... anyone, Brahmah finds a niche in a wall and mopes, for no particular reason.

Pressing for Answers - DMAl 
Tuesday May 19th, 2009 9:30:20 PM

Jass of Downs questions the man from the Office of the Overlord while several of the Crimson Shields swing into action.

Wynn helps carry the inventory in. He turns an appraising eye to each item he carries in, but for all intents and purposes, the things appear no different than normal wood and stone.

Belkior slips into the warehouse and casts a quiet spell. Finding a short stack of timbers, the halfling directs his cone of detection magic in that direction. The reaction is like nothing he's ever seen before. At first, the halfling detect nothing. The normal feel of the spell that tells him whether there is magic or not is completely absent, and, for a moment, Belkior begins to think that the spell is not working. Then a number registers in Belkior's mind, but it's a number that he can't quite put his finger on. Infinitely large, and at the same time infinitely small, the number seems to circle around upon itself and meet itself again, in the end, encompassing all numbers. As the time comes to read the strength and schools of magic, he feels something reaching out to him. He still can't see any auras and yet something is there, something that holds the vastness of the sky, the grandness of the sea, and the deep dark mystery of the starry night. Instead of overwhelming the halfling, the magic, instead, enfolds him. There is a peace in the feeling, a sense of security. The Teucri materials must be a kind of magic he's never encountered before.

"I've ... I've already told them why we need guards." Phileas Bankable seems a bit taken aback by Jass' question. "This material is valuable. It requires protection as well as proper accounting. Those others, they have no idea how much research we have invested in this. They don't care!" His voice climbs becoming shrill and cracking. "They simply don't care! What is the investment in a few guards verses the investment in the future of our city?"

"This job is different because it will be done right," he says, and Jass can see the conviction in the man's eyes. "Now, can we get back to the inventory? Are there any more questions?" H e looks up and over Jass' head to the others.

Down Sailor's Fork the soft and distant swell of many voices crying out drifts to the warehouse from outside of the great door to the Docks and then dies away. Cries of greeting? Cries of triumph? Cries of surprise?

Belkior 
Tuesday May 19th, 2009 10:39:22 PM
The halfling cleric allows his spell to end and holds a hand to his brow, weaving slightly and wondering exactly what he has encountered. After a moment, Belkior slowly walks over to rejoin his companions as they speak with Phineas Bankable. The Paragon hasn't quite found his voice by the time the sounds come from Sailor's Fork.

Belkior won't venture off on his own but will join one of his companions if they do investigate. When he gets a chance away from the Overlord's representative, Belkior will relate what he learned from his magical detections. After he has related his tale, the halfling continues for a moment.

"I don't understand it. If I had to say anything, it was close to communion with Alemi but not the same. When I meditate and achieve inner peace, I feel Alemi's presence around and within me. This was more like I had been enfolded by nothing but everything at the same time. I can't explain it any better."

Florin Jadenth  d20+3=9 ; d3=2 ; d20+3=7 ;
Tuesday May 19th, 2009 11:07:26 PM
Florin wonders whats going on but makes no move from where he is since whatever is going on could be a ruse of some type. He does glance towards his friends to see what they do.

(Spot:9 Listen:7)

(Please ignore the d3 rolled. Also Al, I will work and hope to have my CS fixed in the next few days.)

Wynn  d20+6=16 ; d20+6=15 ;
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 5:50:20 PM
Wynn listens to the bureaucrats outburst and tries to read the man's posture and facial expression to see if he is really as irritated as he makes out [Sense Motive = 16]. The bard's attention is diverted by teh sound from outside the warehouse and he goes to the nearest door or window to see what is going on [Spot=15]

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 7:22:15 PM
Brahmah goes where needed.

(OOC: Sorry for the brief posts all... been a busy couple of weeks.)

Heroes ... Monster ... Docks ... - DMAl 
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 9:26:23 PM

With no further questions, Phileas Bankable continues to check off the construction materials as they're loaded into the warehouse. He appears fully involved in this task and pays no heed to the distant muffled sounds from the direction of the docks.

Florin raises his head at the distant sound. But to the paladin, nothing seems particularly amiss. The far away noise could be completely harmless, a drunken party, farewell cheers, a chorus of song.

Wynn, on the other hand, from his place at the window, spies the press of bodies at the entrance from the docks into Floating City. Even from this distance, the crowd seems to surge as though in frenzy or panic.

A boy comes running pell-mell, as fast as he can, up Sailor's Fork. "THE CRIMSON SHIELDS! THE CRIMSON SHIELDS!" He barrels up to the very building that the group stands around, and slams into one of the double doors of the warehouse as he collapses from his exertion. Pushing against the door to straighten himself, the boy looks around, searching until he spies the sign for Shield Construction. Only then does he appear to see the people about him.

"The Crimson ... Shields ... " He gasps, out of breath from his run. "Stom said ... get heroes ... monster ... docks ... "

Florin Jadenth 
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 9:40:33 PM
Florin blinks when the boy arrives like he does and what he says/ Florin glances to the others and figures there is no time for questioning the kid, depending on the monsters, they could be harm to the people for every moment the group waits, "Guess thats our signal then. I hate to leave the building like this but just incase I'm heading out."

With this in mind he takes off moveing for the docks to find out what the trouble is for sure. He figures the guards surely can handle the building for alittle bit.

(OOC: I posted the question on the L&B but I'll post it here. If you have say a 17 Con score and raise it to a 18 with one of your level adjustments, does the new bonus go just for current and levels there after or all previous levels also?)

DMAl: All previous levels too.

Jass 
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 10:39:57 PM
Shrugs and files away "they" for a later question, perhaps after the inventory? But then the lad pops in and the Crimson Shields are needed.

Jass checks the actions of Wynn and Syr and Florin to see if they recognize this Stom fella, and if they take this as a credible threat.

"Since I'm a partner and all and should be offering, I can take three of you down there in a Dim Door and hold off whatever is there. Could even pop back and forth and get all of you down there in 30 seconds."

Shrugging again, he grins. "Just offering."

.......

READY ACTION: If three Crimson Shields touch Jass to travel, he will cast Dim Door to take them to the entrance of the Docks where he entered Floating City just the day before.

..............
Spells 0/1/2/3/4/5/6
Avail. 6/8/8/8/7/6/4
Used. 0/0/2/0/0/0/0


Belkior 
Wednesday May 20th, 2009 10:50:08 PM
The halfling cleric grips his Staff, ready to go and assist his companions with whatever this new threat is. However, Belkior will first look towards Phileas Bankable to see if the Overlord's representative notices what Florin has said. If Phileas doesn't look up, Belkior will clear his throat in an attempt to get the bureaucrat's attention.

"Sir ... we are summoned to assist the folk of the City. Surely your guards can keep watch over the materials until we return?"

In fact, Belkior doesn't really wait. He'll move closer to this new fellow even though he knows that teleportation really bothers his stomach.

Brahmah, Captain of the Chosen of Domi (AC 27, Hps 133) 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 12:14:00 PM
Regardless of the rest of the groups response, Brahmah is out the door nearly right away. "Where?"

OoC - DMAl 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 12:25:19 PM

Jass and Dimension Door: If you want to go with Jass, you have to touch him. (Per the conditions set out by the requirements of his own Ready Action.)

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 6:18:51 PM
Syr nods at the boy and squats down to look in his eyes, "Did you see this monster or hear it?" He smiles calmly at the boy and adds to Jass, "Stom is the harbormaster that helped get our supplies here." (OOC: I'm guessing a bit Al 'cause I don't recall the name, *sorry*)

Syr looks at the boy and then back at the crowd in concern. Not seeing anything from his small height, he asks Mac, "What's the story, can you see anything through this crowd?"

To those remaining he motions with a hand, "You guys catch a ride with Jass, Brahmah and I will meet you up there."

He wavers at the door intent on following Brahmah through the crowd. His eyes betray his indecision as they shift from the fleeing crowd to the materials inside the warehouse. In the end duty to the city wins out, and he speeds up to catch the minotaur. Yelling over his shoulder, "Sorry Phileas, mind the fort, will ya?"

Wynn 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 8:23:57 PM
Wynn moves over to the newest addition to the shields and takes hold. Phileas, I'm sure you can keep your materials safe until we complete the transfer...we have some business at the docks to take care of."

Big As a Ship - DMAl 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 9:05:55 PM

"Harbormaster? Stom's ... a day laborer ... you ... met ... him ... first day ... " The boy stops and takes a few deep gulps of air. "Big as a ship," he says. "Arms like ... Arms like!" The boy raises his own arms to the sky. The motion overbalances him and he falls backwards onto his back, still gasping for breath.

"Go. Go." Startled by the abruptness with which this turmoil has interrupted his orderly delivery of goods, Phileas Bankable stands, craning his neck and peering down Sailor's Fork to catch a glimpse of the cause of the interruption. With a hand, he waves the Crimson Shields away. "Go. We'll stay here until you've returned," he says, still trying to make out what might be happening down at the docks.

The Crimson Shields make their way, whether by pushing through the panicked workday crowd, or by means of the Jass Express, appearing in a sudden clear space on the ramp from the city down to the docks. They appear just in time to see the boiling waters at the far end of one pier begin to subside. Flotsam and jetsam bob in the still turbulent waters.

" ... never seen ... took the whole ship ... big as the vines ... "

A babble of voices surrounds the Crimson Shields, but one stands out over the others.

"MY SHIP! IT TOOK MY SHIP!" A halfling dressed in waistcoat and vest wails and tears at his hair in despair. "I'm ruined. Ruined."

Belkior  d20+8=26 ;
Thursday May 21st, 2009 9:41:16 PM
The halfling cleric trots along with his companions, his furry little legs pumping to keep up with the long strides of the two minotaurs. Belkior sees a fellow halfling crying about the loss of a vessel. But that is not the Paragon's first concern.

"Sir! Sir! Was there anyone on board? Was anyone hurt?," cries Belkior.

The Paragon looks at both the halfling and the surrounding crowd. In particular, Belkior is looking for this Stom fellow.
Spot = 26

Under his breath, Belkior speaks quietly to his companions. "I have some spells that would be helpful if we have to go into the water after this thing."


Spells
0 - DC 17 - (6) - Detect Magic(x2), Detect Poison(x2), Read Magic(x2)
1 - DC 18 - (7) - Bless(x2), Comprehend Languages, Sanctuary(x2), Shield of Faith(x2) (D - Protection from Evil)
2 - DC 19 - (6) - Aid(x2), Remove Paralysis(x2), Spiritual Weapon, Status (D - Aid)
3 - DC 20 - (6) - Daylight, Invisibility Purge, Prayer, Water Breathing, Water Walk, Wind Walk (D - Magic Circle Against Evil)
4 - DC 21 - (4) - Freedom of Movement(x2), Neutralize Poison(x2) (D - Holy Smite)
5 - DC 22 - (4) - Break Enchantment, Greater Command, True Seeing, Wall of Stone (D - Dispel Evil)
6 - DC 23 - (3) - Blade Barrier, Greater Dispel Magic, Summon Monster VI (D - Heal)
* = cast

Florin Jadenth 
Thursday May 21st, 2009 11:21:39 PM
Florin listens to what is said and frowns as he listens to what is commented on, "Great, some giant monster in the water. I'm not sure how well this combat is going to go for some of us." Florin wonders if he should be useing his bow for this battle or his bastardsword still.



Mac 
Friday May 22nd, 2009 5:01:52 PM
"No Syr, just looks like a wave of panic from here - gotta get closer, and running against a tide of humanity (and others) will only cause more injuries. Jass, I'll take that ride if you've got the room." had says, putting one hand on his back.

Syr Ac 35/34 HP 154  d20+20=34 ;
Friday May 22nd, 2009 7:17:24 PM
Syr looks down at the debris in the water for any signs of movement. He also looks at the other ships nearby for any additional attacks. Seeing Belkior with Stom, he joins him and gently tries to calm the halfling down by getting him to focus on the incident. Once he responds to Belkior's question he interjects, "I know it's hard but is there any particular reason he chose your ship? What were you carrying?" (Diplomacy 34)

Turning to one of the two bookends, "Hey Cap, this is up your alley. Any clue as to what might do this?"

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