Rude Awakening -- DM Jim Wednesday November 23rd, 2011 4:43:18 PM
The day had passed rather enjoyably, it was in fact a "shopper's sky" outside the tower, in the confines of Hook City's walls--which was like every other day within the seemingly perfect environment of the magically enhanced city. The buzz of flies were non-existent; there wasn't a bird in the perfectly blue sky above to soil any part of the city with it's droppings; and the air was as fresh as it was after a lightning storm that had cleared away all the awful smells that people and animals could raise--everyday, every hour, every minute. Paradise.
Outside the walls; in the streets the children screamed, the lovers cried, and the poets dreamed--rogues and villians stood at every corner, if you weren't a victim, you were a mourner. The plight of the people went unheard, gold and jewels passed them by, and the thin line between living and surviving became quickly blurred. Who would save these people, who would make a difference? No one. No one. No one.
It was warm, comfortable, luxurious almost, but what was that strange tapping? Tap. Tap. Tap. As Zeoll rose from his deep sleep, in the faint light he could see the dim outline of the two Lost Girls that haunted the tower. Each had scornful looks upon their faces as they stared down at a sleepy-eyed Zeoll.
"Why haven't you found him?"
"Yes, why? We asked you a long time ago, did you forget?"
"I bet he did. All he does is play music when we try to talk to him."
"You're right, Mary. Why haven't you done what you said you would do, Zeoll?"
"Yeah, answer Claire and me, why haven't you found our killer, the man who sold you this tower?"
"Mother weeps all the time, she doesn't see the rest of your friends and you all the time like Mary and I do. When she does she thinks she's being robbed, that people have broken into her home."
"Do we need some Tea Time?!"
"Remember last time we had Tea Time?"
"Yeah, fun fun fun!"
"If you don't want to play, you'll pay, Zeoll."
"Fix this. Fix it now!"
"Now!"
"NOW!!!"
The last image of the girls the liontaur remembers before they fade away were of their bulging eyes--the white expanse of each with a minute pinprick of blood in the center.
Zeoll (HP35 of 35, AC22, CMD17) Wednesday November 23rd, 2011 9:45:52 PM
Zeoll leaps up and hastens to retell this story to all his comrades.
He uses his own [memory subdomain] Recall power to jog his memory.
Standing in front of the now closed door were two little identical twin girls who were human and looked about eight years old each, but they were as beautiful as any elvish princesses the pair had ever seen. "Tea time!" both said in unison as they rushed Valla and Zeoll. There was no time to reaction (malevolence, no AoO) as both girls rushed the pair of Iron Adventurers and disappeared into their respective hosts. It was a strange feeling, like being three feet thick and being able to look at your body from the inside looking out, but not being able to affect said body. Before the pair realized their bodies, which included their ability to speak, were not under their control, they were moving upstairs to a series of rooms--one in particular, the twins room. For nearly the next ten hours they had a tea party. Both Valla and Zeoll were dressed in bonnets, their hair had been done up in curls and nearing the end of their ten hour ordeal, each were wearing copious amounts of makeup, in particular, blue eyeshadow--"You can never wear too much blue eyeshadow, right sis?" To which the twin sister concurred and added, "Or red lipstick." The pair was ghastly to look upon in the near mirror and as they felt the power of the twins beginning to lessen their hold over them both, one sister said to the other, "I think it's clobbering time." They both rose up in unison, moved away from the tea table they had elaborately set up and began pummeling each other senseless. After several blows, Valla's body succumbed to the non-lethal beating and passed out. Zeoll's body stood triumphant over the elf's and then he began beating his head against the wall. All it took was a couple of blows and he too was out like a light. how much time passed was uncertain, but as each were about to regain consciousness, they could feel the twins once again slip into them. "Tea time!" This went on again and again until Zeoll managed to force back the twin that was trying to enter his body. With swift legs, Zeoll took up Valla--who had yet again succumbed to his twin entity, and fled downstairs to the front door to escape. "Don't come back!" yelled the twin as she chased behind him. Then as he opened the front door, Valla turned to him, looked him straight in the eyes and said in a little girls voice, "If you come back, we'll roast your eyes and eat your flesh." Then the ghost left Valla's body and the pair exited the tower--the door swiftly slamming shut behind them. As he stood there panting, Zeoll's faithful dog came around the corner and barked at his return--his dog's head did go sideways when he saw his master in so much makeup holding an elf in his arms, but hey, what happens in Hook City stays in Hook City. After a few minutes and looking about and asking what day it was from a few passersby, who of course laughed heartily, the pair of intrepid adventurers learned about two days had passed. Zeoll's head was pounding from the lack of food and the beatings the wall had given him, but he had his life and so too Valla.
..........
Alistair can tell you much about the place, as he has been here for quite some time. "It was thought to be an accident. The girls were found dead on the floor of the main dining room. Their bodies tangled up in the enormous chandelier that once adorned the place. Some think they somehow climbed onto the suspended wrought iron structure filled with glass baubles for illumination, when the supports broke, dashing them to the cold, stone floor. Yet, no one knows how they might have climbed up the twenty feet for this to happen."
"This is all that is known on the subject. The single widower, the last of his family now dead, moved away to never be seen again. Defeating them is somewhat easy, but it's keeping them away the following nights, that will prove difficult. Unless some form of communication can be established, it will take very powerful magic to forcible remove the duo."
Zeoll tries to remember what they could mean when they say, "You're right, Mary. Why haven't you done what you said you would do, Zeoll?" and "Yeah, answer Claire and me, why haven't you found our killer, the man who sold you this tower?"
He does not remember telling the girl spirits that he would do anything! Or does he?
Bosk AC: 20/11/18 CMD:20 HP 61 of 61 Spells Wednesday November 23rd, 2011 11:43:59 PM
Bosk shrugs his shoulders. I don't remember promising them anything, but I'm sure we have discussed their murder and looking for the killer while in the tower. Perhaps they were listening when we weren't aware. These are preadolescent girls we're talking about. I'm not sure that humans girls are the same as young minotaurs, but if they are I would expect them to be very emotional, read too much into comments they over hear, and to exaggerate and add to them as they replay them in their minds. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they heard us talking about investigating the murder and took that as saying we would find the killer.
More importantly, they have given us a new lead...they said "why haven't you found our killer, the man who sold you this tower?" This is the first I remember anyone implicating the man selling the tower and directly saying he did it. I think we need to follow up on it. Besides, how can we call ourselves hero's if we let such injustice remain in our own tower.
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Wednesday November 23rd, 2011 11:49:42 PM
OOC: FYI. A couple of us had gone to get paperwork started so we could be officially members of the Iron Adventurers. If that went hunky-dory, we can go ahead and deduct the cost.
Just let us know whether Alexi and Zane are now legal or not. :)
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
DM Jim: everything was taken care of earlier in the day, so it's good. The company treasurer may proceed :)
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 Thursday November 24th, 2011 1:36:29 AM
Beriothian listens to the group discussing things around the breakfast table. The man that sold us the tower? Now I see why Valla got it so cheap... aside from the spectral occupants that is. Unfortunately I don't know if I ever even met that guy, does anybody know if anyone besides Valla directly talked to him?
Kyan(Jon) AC:19/13/16 HP: 57/57 CMD: 23 || Azrael 17 HP, AC: 20/17/13 CMD: 19 Thursday November 24th, 2011 9:50:10 PM
Having heard the full story of the girls for the first time, Kyan cannot help but shake his head and speaks up with his mouth half full of a bite of a breakfast and a sausage waving about on his fork, "This possession... seems like it was a bit more serious that I was led to be believe. Just having you put on some make up and sip some tea is one thing... but threatening to roast and eat you? That's a bit more than a prank."
OOC: Kyan has favored enemy in Race: Halfing and Class: Bard so his eventual goal should be pretty evident. =)
Happy Thanksgiving folks.
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Thursday November 24th, 2011 10:02:51 PM
Alexi enjoys being legal but not in being drug into an unsovled murder, especially since the murdered ones are still about and have some bone to pick with his new group.
"Do ghosts lie? I mean, it would have been ideal to have brought it up during your Two Day Tea Party but since they didn't, why is it so important now?"
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 Thursday November 24th, 2011 11:16:46 PM
A soft whistle floats down the hall as Restlin returns from an early morning supply run. Pausing briefly to make a squinchy face at Kyan's deplorable table manners, the wizard places 5 vials and a wand on the table.
"Anti-toxin, potions of restoration, and another wand like Kyan's. Do we have an armory of any kind to keep these in? If not, let's let Bosk hang on to them. He's usually in the front line getting eaten anyway...why does everyone look so serious?"
Restlin sits and listens as he's filled in on the details.
"Well, I guess that was coming to head sooner or later." He looks to Zeoll. "Any chance we can just exorcise them and be done with it? There are ways to handle poltergeists. Surely he <points to Bosk> has some knowledge of sending departed souls to where they're supposed to be."
***
OOC: 1 wand of CLW, 2 potions of lesser restoration, 3 vials of anti-toxin.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Shoddy Furniture -- DM Jim Friday November 25th, 2011 6:06:54 AM
Not shortly after Restlin suggests exorcism, than does one of the legs of his chair he is sitting in, breaks--sending him to the floor suddenly.
Zeoll (HP35 of 35, AC22, CMD17) d20+18=34 ; Friday November 25th, 2011 9:57:33 AM
Zeoll nods at Bosk's wise words, and scowls at Alexi and Restlin. "Come now, frriends! Have some compassion. These girrls are just kids, and it is not theirr fault that they arre trrapped in the Wold. And who among us would ignorre the pleas of murrderred childrren crrying out forr justice?"
Then Zeoll proceeds to talk about the tower, and its past occupants, and the murderer. But really, he is using his bluff skill to send a complex message to his friends. Zeoll has to make a DC20 Bluff check to do this, and his friends do not need to do anything to understand, if Zeoll makes the DC20 check. His Bluff with the Guidance spell is a +17, and he rolls a 33. [OOC: Sorry, put +18 instead of +17 when I rolled.]
Zeoll's hidden message is this: Lots of kids use bluff, bluster, and bravado to get their way. Kids can be cruel. So what? And these ghosts are confused. Maybe time passes oddly for them. But we know the right thing to do -- bring this murderer to justice. Who's in?
Bosk AC: 20/11/18 CMD:20 HP 61 of 61 Spells Friday November 25th, 2011 2:18:07 PM
Bosk does his best to hold back a slight laugh as Restlin's chair topples over, but then addresses the topic of exorcism in a most serious tone. The girls need not worry, I am not a fan of exorcisms and typically save them for spawned and evil-aligned undead who have been corrupted and now choose their unlife. Exorcisms are not my specialty. Grims find lost souls, and figure out what binds them, and then free them. I am what you might call a specialist in this area. A union of the will of the gods Gargul and Janacssis. I help those who cannot cross over due to some grievous wrong, some offense that gnaws at the person's soul like a cancer, preventing them from moving on until their vengeance has been carried out. It is nearly impossible to explain the hunger of the wronged for justice to be carried out, or the anger and guilt of the surviving soul, and the consuming hatred of those who still bleed. The gods have chosen me to maintain the balance of life and death, right and wrong, and justice and injustice that these souls may find peace.......even if this justice is a little "rough around the edges".
Given the amount of records and paperwork required in this city, it shouldn't be too hard to track down the man who sold us this tower. I suggest we spend the rest of the day researching everything we can track down on the man, but lets try not to be too obvious so that work doesn't get back to him that we are investigating the matter. If we hit a dead end I know of magic spell names Nemesis Insight that may be able to help us track him down. It is a little beyond my level, but I should be able to cast it if I get someone from the catacombs to scribe it to a scroll for me first.
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 d20+11=24 ; Friday November 25th, 2011 4:00:21 PM
Restlin lets out a surprised yelp as he topples backwards, the first bite of breakfast flying out behind him. He tries, and fails, to regain some dignity upon standing.
Obviously Mr. Dimplewhimple neglected to use lost-soul proof materials in the construction of our furnishings. I could have sworn I warned him...
Anyway, as I was saying, we have two sweet, charming little girls who obviously need our help. I've lived in Hook City my whole life. Zeoll and I can start in the bureaucracy district. Between that gilded tongue of yours and my ability to sort through paperwork, we should be able to get a lead.
***
Knowledge local (Where in Hook City would we start looking for official records, and what would digging them up involve?) - 24
Title Company -- DM Jim Friday November 25th, 2011 7:27:09 PM
Restlin thinks about it a bit and remembers something he had heard before:
A deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of land and property. Examining all of the deeds concerning your home or other property is a big step toward learning more about its history. In addition to providing the names of property owners, deeds can also provide information on construction dates, changes in value and use, and even plot maps. Begin with the deed for the current owners of the property and work your way back from one deed to the next, with each deed providing details on who conveyed the property to whom. This list of property owners in succession is known as the "chain of title." Though often a tedious process, a title search is the best method for establishing a chain of ownership for a property.
The title company that was used for Valla's and Zeoll's initial purchase is located on this side of town and is called Sargrass Equities.
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 d20+1=14 ; d20+1=2 ; Friday November 25th, 2011 9:48:38 PM
"Don't look at me like that," Alexi blurts back at Zeol. "I've known kids to lie, I was just wondering if ghosts would. I don't know that much about ghosts."
Alexi listens to the others discuss the issue and then adds, "I agree with Bosk in that exorcism is not the answer. Justice served should suffice. I know so little of this but I volunteer to visit the gates and see if such person has left the city or is still registered as a citizen."
With the full name of the person who sold them the tower written on a note, Alexi heads to the closest city gate and asks if such person has left the city, calculating that his name would be entered in an Exit ledger just as names are written in an Entry ledger.
HIs reason for asking, if pressed, is "I owe him some money and the due date is nigh. I need to find him before he can start charging interest."
Diplomacy +1 = 14 and/or Bluff +1 = 2
DM: You do not have the name yet, so I'm assuming this is a later action?
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 Friday November 25th, 2011 10:27:51 PM Looks like Hook City's massive beuracracy is going to work to our advantage for once. We can probably not only get the seller's name, but his last known address, forwarding address, and even a map to his mother's house.
Alexi, I know you have yet to really meet the girls. We have no reason to distrust them, especially when we are giving them what they want. What interests me is mention of their mother, it sounds like she may not even realize she's dead.
One lump or two -- DM Jim Saturday November 26th, 2011 4:04:52 AM
When Beri mentions that the girls mother may not even know she is dead, the spoon in his coffee cup spins around the rim once. Very odd for this time of day.
Zane Stormfront AC 25 CMD 22 HP 48/50 Saturday November 26th, 2011 2:46:19 PM
Zane listens to the conversation about the 2 girls, he'd only spent about an hour in the tower before they entered the ring, so this was still new to him as well. All he was certain of was that if he remained quiet, that it wouldn't bother them and should keep them from bothering him in return. He wasn't sure about coexisting with them, but it wasn't his place to argue about it, or them. Right now, he just wanted to get his feet under him and then he could state his views....
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Saturday November 26th, 2011 9:15:00 PM
{they said "why haven't you found our killer, the man who sold you this tower?" }
OOC: from this I assumed they knew they name and would be part of the story, ie. [Restlin sits and listens as he's filled in on the details.]
I just took this to be the whole story and assumed Alexi picked up the name from there. Either way, now or later, Alexi figures it a good idea to make sure the suspect is still in town, or at least didn't leave in a conventional way.
DM Jim: No, sorry, the person who bought the tower is no longer in the game, so the group will have to do some research.
Kyan(Jon) AC:19/13/16 HP: 57/57 CMD: 23 || Azrael 17 HP, AC: 20/17/13 CMD: 19 Sunday November 27th, 2011 9:12:32 AM
Kyan barks out a short laugh as Restlin's chair breaks, but offers moves to offer a hand to help the mage back to his feet with a grin.
However, he lets out a groan at the mention of the bureaucratic machinery of Hook City and is glad that others have volunteered to go deal with it.
"Alexi has a good idea about the gate ledgers. I'll go with him once we have the name"
Actions -- DM Jim Sunday November 27th, 2011 3:18:25 PM
Give me an idea of who's doing what and going where this morning.
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 Sunday November 27th, 2011 8:52:02 PM
Restlin's heading to Sargrass Equities & would like Zeoll to accompany him. If the liontaur refuses, he'll go anyway. He's pretty sure the people who shouldn't tag along for something like this wouldn't want to anyway...
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 Monday November 28th, 2011 1:07:55 AM
ooc: I'll go with the group who is looking up the records of ownership for the tower.
Zeoll (HP35 of 35, AC22, CMD17) d20+9=17 ; d20+15=34 ; d100=87 ; d4=2 ; d20+18=27 ; Monday November 28th, 2011 10:08:58 AM
Zeoll strongly thinks that splitting up the party is the wrong thing to do. "If we apprroach this Sarrgrrass Equities, forr example, and they take exception to us nosing arround, do we want to be at less than full strrength in a confrrontation?"
"Morreoverr, why arre we going into this situation blind? We need morre inforrmation firrst!"
Zeoll preps his spells for the day: lvl 0 - Innocence, Silent Image lvl 1 - Suggestion, Heroism, Deep Slumber, Jester's Jaunt; Comp Lang lvl 2 - Hold Person, Divination; Memory Lapse
[His bard spells are spontaneous and need no prep.]
He thinks hard about what he may have heard Valla mention about this Sargrass Equities, or what he may have heard on the street: Knowledge Local: a 17. Hmmm. He uses his Recall Memory Domain power to reroll that Knowledge check at +6. Knowledge Local: a 34, better!
Then Zeoll casts a Divination spell to see if he can gain some divine insight. He thinks about visiting the offices of Sargrass Equities to find out more about the person who is responsible for the deaths of the two little girls, Claire and Mary. His chance of success is 73%, and he rolls an 87. The spell fails, alas.
Finally, he suggests going out to gather some information before going there directly. Zeoll will take 1d4 hours in the morning (1d4 = 2) to ask discreetly around. Gather Info (Diplomacy) check is a 27.
THEN it will be time to go visit the offices.
Bosk AC: 20/11/18 CMD:21 HP 55 of 55 Spells Monday November 28th, 2011 12:31:26 PM
Not having the liontaur's gilded tongue, Bosk will spend the morning shopping in the Catacombs and will rejoin the party when they visit the offices.
I agree with you that we should not go into this blind, and that we should collect as much information as discretely as we can, but I think that the odds of a confrontation here are minimal. If you remember, we were the first people to be placed in the detention center in over a hundred years, and that was for just spitting in someone's general direction. I would be more worried about a confrontation occurring outside the city walls. I am also afraid if we have too many people we might be drawing excessive attention to our selves and increasing the likely hood that it gets back to the murder.
At the very least, I think we need to make an effort to look as if we are not worried about a confrontation. Perhaps it would be best if trace the tower's history back much farther than the murder in order to obscure our purpose. If asked we could say we are looking into the tower's history for pride reasons. You know, other people are bragging of their places proud histories and that we want to be able to respond with something.
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Monday November 28th, 2011 12:36:25 PM
Alexi disagrees on spliting the group. "You have a good point, Zeoll if we expect a confrontation of force. However, being this a bureaocracy, you may incure a confrontation of wills by showing up in force. These people tend to see groups 'in numbers' as an afront to their authority and go on the defensive immediately. Going in two or three small groups means that if the first one fails, the second or third one may succeed if they play their hands right and time it right.
"On the other hand, we could all wait outside, inconspicous, just in case."
Alexi goes with Restlin and waits outside with Kyan for a name. If Restlin fails to get a name through bureocratic stubborness, then the two can go in about an hour later and try.
When they do have a name, he and Kyan will make a tour of the gates to see if their is a record of his departure.
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 Monday November 28th, 2011 1:21:52 PM
Restlin scratches his head at all these words being thrown back and forth.
"Gentlemen, I expect we're making a big deal over nothing. This is a simple title search we're talking about here. There are a number of perfectly valid reasons for us to want to know the chain of ownership of home here in Hook City. I asked Zeoll to join me not because we need to fast talk our way into this place, but because sometimes bureaucracy needs a few nice words to move things along. If you all want to help me wade through paperwork, by all means come along. Attacking us within city limits, however, is absolutely suicidal. We're in far greater danger of drawing eyes to us than of being caught unaware.
"Unless I'm missing something...and that's possible...I see no reason to assume any blame or conspiracy lies with the title company."
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Monday November 28th, 2011 5:17:31 PM
"Eh, it does seem simple, so let's keep it simple. You and Zeoll see about the title and I'll wait outside keeping the street urchins company," Alexi smiles.
Zane Stormfront AC 25 CMD 22 HP 48/50 Monday November 28th, 2011 5:51:45 PM "I don't believe they allow urchin inside the city boundaries. You'll only find them out here in Mudtown. It's a nice thought tho, and don't let it out you're soft hearted, or at least 75% of them, will bleed you dry by taking advantage. I saw it at the temple on a daily basis and I can see now, what I could have become if I hadn't been dropped off at the temple."
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 Monday November 28th, 2011 7:44:41 PM I don't think your missing anything, other than the possibility of a very long wait. Of course, this particular department may not be as busy as the people that deals with registering residents of Hook City so with a little luck you will be done before too long. If you aren't in need of me I suppose I will join Bosk in some shopping in the catacombs.
For what it's worth, I think you are just asking for our visit to be repeated by saying we are asking out of pride. Just tell them that with the original purchaser no longer around we want to make sure we have a copy of the sales history for our records. Anyone familiar with the the city's red tape (which would be everyone) will simply consider it as normal bookkeeping.
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 19/15/19 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells Monday November 28th, 2011 11:26:06 PM "Hey guys, wait up!" Beltrin shouts, emerging from his room and chasing Beri and Bosk down the street. He joins them on their trip to the Catacombs. After he's briefed on the situation, he decides that Restlin and Zeoll probably have the situation in hand, but it wouldn't hurt to be at Sargrass Equities just in case they need all of the Iron Adventurers there to sign all the paperwork that will inevitably be coming their way.
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 19/15/19 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells Monday November 28th, 2011 11:31:13 PM
OOC: Sorry for missing posts last week, family time at Thanksgiving wound up taking more time than I thought it would. My header link has been updated for the APG sheet and memorized spells have been updated for the day.
Sargrass Equities -- DM Jim Tuesday November 29th, 2011 1:17:24 PM
Zeoll thinks about it a bit and just can't come up with anything in his memories about Sargrass Equities, so he gets serious about it and meditates momentarily and snippets of things he's heard and seen come to him easily. From what he can surmise, this Sargrass Equities is know to grease a few wheels to cut through a lot of the red tape that burdens the process, any process, of Hook City. To make sure he remembered correctly, the aged liontaur takes to the streets for a few hours to gather some information he may have missed on the business in question and basically confirms what he already knows.
With Zeoll's return the group in unison heads out to the title company. Along the way a beggar is seen in the streets asking for "alms for the poor" and "help a veteran out." Such an occurence is very rare here, in fact, unheard of along the wealthy streets of Hook City. When Bosk passes by the beggar, the wizen old man says, "He must be returned to the tower alive." When questioned, the man simply says "Squirrels are messengers from the gods, hehe." Any attempt to interrogate the beggar is cut off swiftly as the city street patrols cart the man off, asking him how he got into the city again and that he needs to return to Mudtown and stay there.
When Sargrass Equities is finally reached, the group--not all of them, head inside and first speak to the receptionist, who of course asks if they have an appointment. When it's indicated they do not, they are asked to wait, which doesn't happen to be very long. A tall thin man with an even thinner moustache comes out to greet them. He is the owner, a Mr. Kebi Vorkov, and from you initial reaction a rather disreputable looking person--somewhat akin to a used cart salesman. After you explain your needs, he excuses himself to go get the papers and asks you to wait momentarily. Minutes pass by. Five minutes pass by... Ever inquisitive, someone rises to go check out his office to politely inquire what is taking so long, but when the door is opened, they see that the room is empty. There is another door in the room and when the receptionist protests you barging into Mr. Vorkov's private office, and further says she's doesn't know where her boss is since the other door leads out into the alleyway, you all come to the inevitable conclusion that Mr. Vorkov has fled the scene.
Outside, Alexi and others mill about talking about this and that--perhaps the sighting of a beggar on the streets of Hook City. They see a tall thin gentleman walk out of a side alley carrying a rather expensive looking briefcase. He pauses a moment and heads in the opposite direction of Alexi and the others, further into the heart of the town. Minutes pass by as the group converses some more outside to pass the time--the faint static buzz of the weather control tower in the background is almost unheard except for those new to Hook City.
Zeoll (HP35 of 35, AC22, CMD17) d20+17=30 ; Tuesday November 29th, 2011 3:14:32 PM
Zeoll makes sure to communicate all he knows about Sargrass Equities to his friends.
On the way, the encounter with the begger leaves Zeoll's seer instincts buzzing! "A messengerr frrom the gods, maybe?" he speculates with his fellow Iron adventurers. "Telling us to brring the murrderrerr back to the towerr?"
At the offices, Zeoll is one of those who enters and greets Vorkov. When it is clear that the man is gone, Zeoll puts his grey head on the man's chair, breathes deeply, and then leads the group out the door.
"Come on, frriends! Maybe we can find this fellow! A liontaurr's nose is a hunterr's nose!"
Zeoll takes out his lens of perception, casts a Heroism spell, a Taur's Try (centaur) spell, and sets off after Vorkov, tracking him by eye and nose.
Survival check to track, with scent: 30. With a -5 to move at speed, make that a 25.
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 5:01:51 PM
When the group exits the building through the alley isntead of the main entrance, Alexi is keenly aware that something has gone wrong.
"Don't tell me you've managed to irritate the clerks and insult them to the point we are on the run," he whispers as he rushes to join them.
Zane Stormfront AC 25 CMD 22 HP 48/50 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 5:14:14 PM
ooc: Alexi, just thought of it, the Mailed Fist is active near Cinnamon Valley area. IC: Zane takes time to stretch and limber up (still down 4 dex if I remember correctly). He uses the stair ways and climbs up with out using the steps. (bracing against each wall) He spider climbs up and down, trying to regain his form.
Spells
Level----- 0 1 Available- * 4 Cast------ * 0
(*= unlimited)
Zane's Spells in effect: None
Others spells and effects on Zane: Dexterity drain 4 points
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 7:28:04 PM
Restlin doesn't like being wrong.
"This doesn't make any sense," Restlin ponders as he follows the liontaur's nose. "If he wanted to throw us off he could easily bury us in Hook City paperwork or just falsify records. Now we know he's up to something."
Kyan(Jon) AC:19/13/16 HP: 57/57 CMD: 23 || Azrael 17 HP, AC: 20/17/13 CMD: 19 d20+11=28 ; d20+11=21 ; Tuesday November 29th, 2011 7:32:42 PM
Kyan waits outside with Alexi, making small talk mainly about any passing women of interest. He figures Alexi, as a former soldier and not one of the stuffy Hook City natives, might at least appreciate such things. While they wait, he keeps an eye out for anything unusual, but isn't necessarily expecting it.
When the others emerge from the alley, Kyan frowns and, upon hearing what happens, does his best to point in the direction the man went. (Perception 28 to notice shifty tall man leaving)
And he moves off with the rest, Azrael as his heels, keeping his eyes out for the man in question. (Perception 21 to spot the man again if possible)
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 d20+12=19 ; d20+12=29 ; Tuesday November 29th, 2011 9:11:47 PM
Having far more experience in covering his own tracks than detecting those left by others Beri takes the momentary disruption to glance around the office for any clues regarding the tower or the location that the man has fled to. Once the others are out the door Beri attempts to work some magic on the receptionist. I'm sorry for the excitement we caused, I have no idea why your boss fled like that. I'm sure that to be trusted in a position in such an important office you would have a very deep understanding of the city's record keeping, I don't suppose you would know where else we could find the details we are looking for? Would the previous owner be listed on a tax form or an official appraisal record maybe? I'd be much obliged if there was anything you could think of.
perception = 19 Diplomacy = 29
Highlight to display spoiler: {Beri has a watch that grants +1 on his next seduction attempt that I'd like to use (it becomes mundane at the end of the year). I can't find anything in the book about seduction in the book, so I wasn't sure if it would stack with diplomacy.}
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 9:24:23 PM
OOC: if I read my geography from the maps in the woldipidia, Hook City is in the Southern Continent and Alexi came from Bryn Baraz in the Continent of Yrth, a good distance away. Is this correct?
Question would be: How well known is the Mailed Fist in the Southern Continent?
Bosk AC: 20/11/18 CMD:21 HP 55 of 55 Spells d20+6=8 ; d20=13 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 12:01:22 AM
Bosk joins the others outside and starts going over a mental list of what needs to be done for his latest crafting project and soon finds himself oblivious to the comings and goings of the world about him. It isn't until Zeoll begins to sniff out the fleeing man that the idea of tracking down the shady paper pusher occurs to him. Immediately he does what he can to assist Zeoll, but for the most part he finds the liontaur's nose knows best.
Astions ---------------- Perception = 8 Aid another (Zeoll with tracking) = 18 (I forgot to add the +5 modifier before rolling the survival check)
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 19/15/19 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells d20+9=18 ; d20+5=9 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 2:30:56 AM
Beltrin takes a moment and casts a spell on himself, best to be prepared before traipsing off through Hook City, no matter how safe it claims to be. "Restlin's right, it doesn't make much sense, unless he panicked when he saw us. Whatever he's trying to hide, it must be dire. " He tries to help Zeoll find the trail, but probably isn't much use without a keen nose like that of the liontaur.
-------------------------------- Perception: 18 Aid Another (Zeoll with tracking): 9
Vorkov -- DM Jim Wednesday November 30th, 2011 12:33:51 PM
It's not hard to follow the scent of the smarmy businessman--his cologne is a heady musk akin to two savage halflings in rut fighting for the leftovers of a pineapple upside down cake.
"If you wanted a date, all you had to do is ask, handsome," was the exceptionally unattractive receptionists reply to Beri's query. But as he was about to continue his line of inquiry, he notices out the front window that the group is moving at a quickened pace down the road.
Zeoll follows the scent trail like a bloodhound; passing one alleyway and doubling back, then another. The group eventually winds up at a private residence down a narrow corridor filled with other residences. As the liontaur confirms the area is where the scent ends, a muffled cry can be heard coming from said residence--the name plaque on the door says, "De Rais".
Alexi, the Mailed Fist have no presence here in the South Continent.
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 19/15/19 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells d20+10=30 ; d20+10=29 ; d20+9=21 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 3:34:13 PM "Let's be sure not to let him get away again. Bosk, Zane, Alexi you want to help me cover the exits while the other guys knock on the door? Best to get all of us that aren't much good at talking out of sight, might push him over the edge into doing something stupid."
He quickly casts a cantrip. "We should all be able to talk to each other covertly except for Restlin and Kyan. Restlin, can you cover that?"
He moves off to the rear of the residence, trying to remain hidden from the view of the windows and tries to keep an eye out for anything unusual. De Rais .... De Rais.... it sounds so familiar, haven't I heard that name before?
Knowledge (local) to try to recall anything about the "De Rais" name: 30 (natural 20!) Stealth: 29 Perception: 21
OOC: Jim, don't you know it's lunchtime over here on the west coast? That mental image has totally gotten rid of my appetite!
De Rais -- DM Jim Wednesday November 30th, 2011 5:03:55 PM
Beltrin thinks and thinks and he's sure about what he knows about De Rais--which is nothing. That in and of itself was very odd, very odd indeed.
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 18/15/18 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells Wednesday November 30th, 2011 6:41:09 PM
OOC: Updated header for new AC post-APG conversion.
Kyan(Jon) AC:19/13/16 HP: 57/57 CMD: 23 || Azrael 17 HP, AC: 20/17/13 CMD: 19 Wednesday November 30th, 2011 7:35:24 PM "Best to get all of us that aren't much good at talking out of sight..."
Kyan cast a glance at Beltrin when he isn't included in the list of people to go cover the exits. Perhaps his simple eloquence at addressing the judge those weeks ago had impressed Beltrin more than he thought.
Just the same, he thinks it best to stand quietly by Restlin and Zeoll to provide "moral" support with his blade if need be.
Beriothian (Will)-- AC:22/16/16 HP:57/57 CMD = 22 d20+12=31 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 8:03:52 PM Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, it is in my job description after all, but I don't think this is the best situation to be splitting up in. I sure hope that cry isn't a sign that we are arriving too late..
Beri tries to determine whether the muffled cry from the fleeing man or someone else, and whether it is a sign of fear, pain, or something else.
Perception = 31
Zane Stormfront AC 25 CMD 22 HP 48/50 Wednesday November 30th, 2011 8:05:24 PM
Zane, not being familiar at all with anything local, keeps his mouth shut, and once again assumes the role of a large hooded figure with just his horns and the tip of his snout showing outside the dark brown simple robes. He'll stand where he's needed and look at intimidating as possible. "Where do you want me?'
Alexi AC 25 Tch 12 Ffted 22 HP 66/66 CMD 22 d20+3=8 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 8:34:24 PM
{Alexi, the Mailed Fist have no presence here in the South Continent.}
OOC: didn't think so after I looked at the map. Of course that complicates things as to how to get him re-united with his horse Lobo. Remember him? :) Anyway, Buzz said he had an idea but now it is up to you. Ha!
IC: Alexi nodds in agreement on blocking off the exits. "He's done it before, he'll do it again. With this Message spell those inside can call for aid if need be, but if he's already done a horrible deed and aims to escape, he'll find a surprize waiting for him."
Alexi goes with Beltrin looking for other exits to the building and pics one (if more than one) to watch while Beltrin watches another.
If only one other exit is found, he'll stand watch with Beltrin
Stealth +3 (hide from sight of window/door if possible) = 8 ha!
Bosk AC: 20/11/18 CMD:21 HP 55 of 55 Spells d20+6=14 ; d3=1 ; d20+6=23 ; d20+7=27 ; Thursday December 1st, 2011 10:25:45 AM
Bosk goes with the group to secure the entrances and exits and hopes the muffled cry doesn't mean that they were too slow in the their arrival. The cleric does his best to keep low and out of view of any windows and activates his magic taur shoes to muffle the sound of his feet on the pavement while at the same time keeping his eyes peeled for traps.
Block houses -- DM Jim Thursday December 1st, 2011 11:14:57 AM
The group moves to secure any exits to the residence, (which is much like a rowhouse) and find no others. The backside of the house is the front of another house and there is only one entrance/exit to the place. The street remains quiet...
Beltrin (Keith) AC: 18/15/18 HP: 56/56 CMD: 20 Spells Thursday December 1st, 2011 12:54:04 PM
Beltrin whispers through the Message spell "It doesn't look like there's any other way out of here, let's try knocking on the front door and see what happens." He makes his way back to the front of the building and re-joins the others, but leaves the Message spell in place.... just in case....
Restlin (Carl) -- AC: 14/12/12 CMD: 15 HP:43/43 (Spells) - Wand charges: 41 Thursday December 1st, 2011 1:10:37 PM
Restlin watches his companions scurry away before bolding approaching the door and knocking soundly three times. He'll cast prestidigitation on himself before doing so and gives himself a nice sandalwood scent.
Zeoll (HP35 of 35, AC22, CMD17) Thursday December 1st, 2011 2:25:16 PM
Zeoll steps up next to Restlin and waits to see who will open the door.
LOG ON