Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+10=21 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2019 7:18:48 PM
"Keep them gagged, if we question them we can do it when we are not on the move."
Gaffer feels slightly disappointed not to be travelling as a great elephant, but knows keeping his last shape shifting available is a wiser choice.
He doesn't pay to much mind to the prisoners, sure they are well watched, and keeps his eyes on the sky as they move away from the tower, wondering what the weather will be like for the journey. ( Nature: 21, 26 if it should be Survival)
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Tuesday January 8th, 2019 9:15:51 PM
Noticing Asteria's clingy behavior, the priestess smiles at her Shield Sister. "I feel much better when you're around you protect me Sis!"
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+7=23 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2019 9:28:27 PM
"Good point." Lornak says to Toston. Walking along Lornak is aware of how close Ethani walks beside him. He leans his body to put himself closer, an offering to her if she wishes it. Very much still in shock at recent events, he does not know what to say to her. How does one console someone who has died? Would being brought back to life not be in itself its own consolation?
Lornak guides the mules and keeps his eyes peeled for signs of food, natural dangers, shelter and weather.(Survival d20=23)
Tower of Desolation - Journey Home Tuesday January 8th, 2019 9:54:07 PM
Lornak advises Gaffer not shape shift and to keep that in reserve in the case the need arises. While Gaffer sees the wisdom in the thought, he sighs inwardly at not stomping across the landscape as a great elephant. It would have to e another day The mules are prepped and Lornak expertly has them following his lead The prisoners are left gagged and that decision draws an eye roll from Olaf. Hmerrrin trails the pair and Toston is just in front of them Gaffer is certain that the weather over the next few days will have scattered clouds, but nothing much and no rain or strong winds
The day progresses well enough. With the occassional quip from Hmerrin, Olaf grunts and nods his head in agreement.
The day moves on and the party finds themselves skirting about the swamp as late afternoon sets in. The party puts the area behind them and sets up camp, hopefully beyond the territory of the Witchfire
Dark sets in as the twin moons in 1/4 waning phase rise above the horizon
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 d20+14=25 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2019 11:27:04 PM
Toston says, "I'll stand a watch if we need it, but as a cater I need to get my spells back." (Perception:25)
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=19 ; Wednesday January 9th, 2019 6:37:35 AM
Gaffer volunteers, "I'm feeling good from our last rest, I don't mind a bit of watch time. Should we time them up?" He nods towards Olaf and Jared, "And away from the Mules."
He keeps focused back towards the swamp for most of his time, but does his best not to neglect the prisoners. (Perception: 19)
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Wednesday January 9th, 2019 6:29:18 PM
Asteria volunteers for however many shifts the group needs her to pull. "I'm all rested up from last time, and I don't do that weird sparkly magicky stuff you guys do. Rest up as long as you need. I feel better with you guys being fully stocked up anyways."
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Wednesday January 9th, 2019 6:38:45 PM
Hmerrin nods at Toston.
"If we start resting now, and then take shifts, and then you go last, that should give you enough time, right?
"So, how 'bout, me an Gaffer, then Lornak and The Shepard, then Asteria and Wil, and then me an Toston?"
While the group lays out camp, Hmerrin sees if there's a place he can grab a few minutes sleep. With a double shift coming, he'll need it.
Tower of Desolation - Journey Home Wednesday January 9th, 2019 9:05:41 PM
The group makes camp and sets several watches to assure 2 of them are always up and that the spellcasters all get enough rest. Olaf and Jared are split up and Olaf manages to get enough of his mouth clear to ask if he can perhaps sleep without the gag? While he has found a talkative spot he also takes a ddpe breath as if mustering his courage and asks, "Why did you guys drag us out here and where are you taking us? You are the Tide right?"
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+8=22 ; Wednesday January 9th, 2019 9:24:16 PM
Lornak piques up from sleep and his quiet place next to Ethani. He quickly leans up from his bedroll as Jared speaks. He does not curb his anger at the man. "What do you know of us?!" Lornak practically yells.
Lornak waits for the man's answer wanting to know why the man is even asking; (Sense Motive d20=22)
"We are taking you back to your respective Houses and that is all you need know." Lornak creeps toward the man as if to backhand him and will gag him if he does not tell Lornak what he wants to hear.
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Wednesday January 9th, 2019 9:53:29 PM
Will contemplates the words, "I can't help but find some interest in a talker." Will turned suddenly, "Yes, I'm going to talk to him..shhh... Leave me." He than speaks to Olaf. "I was more then willing to give you this information before you ambushed me." "Would you stop!" He said suddenly. "I'm getting to it." "You get an answer when we get an answer. What were you doing down there with your buddy?"
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Wednesday January 9th, 2019 10:36:46 PM
Ethani snuggles into Lornak, but is awakened by his near year. Laying a calming hand on her Lover's shoulder, she attempts to calm him. "If our situations were reversed, I'm sure we would be asking the same comforts. Still..."
Bending down, Ethani comes face to face with the captive. "I truly wish we could offer you the comforts of courtesy, such as sleeping ungagged. However, your less than trustworthy behavior in our last battle has caused is to be more... cautious."
Taking a deep breath, Ethani continues. "We are indeed the Tide. And you, unfortunately, seem to find yourselves under the speculation of your Houses. I am sure that the truth will be arrived at shortly, but in the meantime, I'm sure you understand our need to be cautious."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Thursday January 10th, 2019 12:32:43 AM
Toston says, "If you must know your respective houses came to us and informed us that you had stolen from them, judging by the chests we found it looks like they were right."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=29 ; Thursday January 10th, 2019 6:36:37 PM
Gaffer keeps his eyes on Jared while the others are talking to Olaf, he doesn't trust much of anything the pair do. (Perception: 29)
He moves over so he is sat just a few steps a way, and smiles at him, but doesn't speak.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Thursday January 10th, 2019 8:25:52 PM
"Wait a minute," Hmerrin remarks.
"Whaddya mean drag you out here? You were out here already. We're dragging you back."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Thursday January 10th, 2019 9:33:52 PM
Asteria growls, moving towards the captive with an intimidating posture. If there's one thing you don't want, it's an angry barbarian. "How about you all shut up before I make you? After all that you pulled, you're lucky we're still keeping you alive still."
Talking around the fire - Journey Home Thursday January 10th, 2019 10:13:13 PM
Olaf finds himself with a bit more attention then he was looking for and winces as Lornak raises his voice. "What I know of you is from rumor on the streets of Dirt City. All be told, you feel you are on the side of right and stand against those you see are not. You were in the dust up and helped put an end to the sale of arms to the merfolk and sahuaguin."
Ethani steps forward and Olaf looks at her quizzacally when she mentions the last battle and untrustworthyness. "Not sure I follow your statement but I suppose i understand"
Wilford asks what the pair was doing in the ruin. This gets a far less clear answer. Olaf looks over at Jared and then up to Will "We were, well meeting..." a odd pause and a small pain crosses his face, "We were meeting with, with someone...Jared what WERE we doing?"
Jared does not answer until Toston brings up the immediate future of returning to the Houses with stolen property. His eyes go a bit wide. "Mrph hermph Ymph caunt who yat. yeyall hill uash."
Olaf takes a breath and blows a long breath out. "So torture and death then."
Jared looks up at Gaffer, his eyes still wide and Gaffer can see real fear in the mans face.
Hmerrin parrots back part of Olaf's opening statement, "Whaddya mean drag you out here" Olaf, sitting up at this point nods, "Things are fuzzy at best" "And you are saying we've been out here what days? weeks? And you are saying that you are bringing us back as thieves to our own houses." Olaf's shoulders slump and he mumbles under his breath, but Gaffer's keen ear picks it up. Gaffer onlyHighlight to display spoiler: {Not dying like that}
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Thursday January 10th, 2019 10:33:22 PM
Listening to the captive with growing interest. Pulling Lornak, Gaffer and Toston aside, she addresses them. "Something feels wrong about this. It's like he didn't even know what he was doing. Either this guy is an amazing actor or something strange is going on. I'd like to cast Zone of Truth in the morning and question them separately tomorrow if that's alright with you."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Friday January 11th, 2019 12:30:22 AM
"We offered you quarter, however crud..." He makes an accusatory glance at Wil and Hmerrin. "... but you decided to be brazen. That changed much." Lornak says through gritted teeth. "Killing the woman I love changed more..."
Lornak does not get a chance to continue as Ethani pulls him back. "It is fine with me." He says sternly to Ethani and stiffly stands there holding himself back and waiting.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 d20+12=17 ; d20+12=21 ; d20+5=19 ; d20+5=24 ; Friday January 11th, 2019 1:21:23 AM
Toston casts detect magic and tries to determine if either man is under the effects of a spell at the moment. (Know(arcana): 17, 21) (spellcraft:19, 24)
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Friday January 11th, 2019 8:30:01 PM
Pulled into Ethani's huddle, Gaffer can't help but feel somewhat shaken by the Jared showed, and he mentions to the others,
"They seem genuinely afraid of what the houses will do and I know Olaf isn't planning on letting that happen. This whole thing feels off and I don't like that we know least of everyone."
He agrees to Ethani's suggestion, hoping within himself that they make it to morning without issue.
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) d20+10=11 ; Friday January 11th, 2019 9:33:04 PM
Once she is assigned her watch for the night, Ethani curls up with Lornak once more, whispering affirmations of her love to him. When the time comes for her watch, she keeps a close lookout of both the captives and the environment. She very well remembers the Witchfire and does not want to fight her again.
Perception=net 1... yep, we're dead.
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Saturday January 12th, 2019 7:27:03 PM
"That someone is dead. Your companions are dead. You killed one of ours. We have a contract for both of you. We have a debt to pay. Do you have a reason for us not to turn you in?". Will takes the gag out of Jared's mouth. "Is there reason to doubt we are doing the right thing here! You are criminals and we are delivering you. What happens after is not our concern."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Sunday January 13th, 2019 10:13:06 PM
Asteria keeps careful watch over the prisoners while the others talk, making sure they can clearly see her axe in case they get any ideas about trying to escape.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Monday January 14th, 2019 6:45:39 PM
Hmerrin purses his lips as he considers the prisoners words.
Later in the huddle, he's all in with Ethani.
"Those two fought off, stiffly, almost sleepwalking through it. Not like the other two. Something is definitely up."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Monday January 14th, 2019 8:03:00 PM
"I do not care to learn what is up." Lornak says to the huddle. "I mean to see them pay."
Talking around the fire - Journey Home Monday January 14th, 2019 8:51:40 PM
Ethani expresses a bit of reservation as for her, she does not know enough about what is going on to simply pursue this matter to its conclusion without additional information. Lornak tells the pair they were offered quarter and Olaf shakes his head vehemently at the statement, "No sir I recall no quarter Toston casts a spell but does not find any aura's upon the pair. Ethani offers a Circle of Truth spell for the morning to aid in the manner. Olaf readily agrees and Jared does after a moment of thought. Gaffer share what he has heard and observed in the two men, including Olaf's whispered to oath to escape the situation Wilford tells them of thier dead companions and how one of The Tide fell as well. The statements draw relatively blank looks from both of them.
Away from the prisoners, though certainly not out of sight, the group huddles up. Hmerrin adds his own information on hwo the Jared and Olaf fought. Stiffly and without emotion and what is most odd, completely without sound. While not all fighters are chatterboxes, when you hit one with an axe, they grunt in pain at least. Lornak care not for the reasons he wants them to pay.
Night passes and neither Olaf nor Jared make any moves and thankfully the Witchfire does not come upon the camp either
Morning breakfast is had, prayers are answered and Ethani casts a Zone of Truth
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Monday January 14th, 2019 10:28:43 PM
Worried about Lornak, Ethani decides she will need to talk to him soon to help him talk through his anger.
In the meantime, Ethani turns to the matter at hand... questioning the prisoners. She starts with a simple question (their names, what they are wearing, etc) to the verify the effectiveness of the spell and then moves on.
"You claim to have no memories of the battle yesterday. Please describe the last thing you remember before you arrived her. What was your purpose to coming to this location?"
OOC: Long day. I will try and post more tomorrow. In the meantime, any one else is able to ask questions.
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Monday January 14th, 2019 11:36:19 PM
Asteria watches the prisoners and listens intensely to the conversation. "So did you guys steal from your House or not?"
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Tuesday January 15th, 2019 12:07:21 AM
Toston says, "I wonder if the two that got dusted by the ghost brain washed our friends here."
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Tuesday January 15th, 2019 6:28:34 PM
Hmerrin gives Lornak a sour face.
"You care not? Well, tough snoogies, fella."
"Cause if these two were set up by somebody, what are the odds this whole thing is a set up and we got more than a 'Good Job, Guys' waitin' for us back at the ranch?"
"So, I'd kinda like to know what's going on."
The fighter watches the effects of Ethani's spell with care.
Talking around the fire - Journey Home d20+7=11 ; d20+4=19 ; Tuesday January 15th, 2019 8:58:24 PM
The Zone of Truth is cast and both Olaf and Jared verbally agree to not resist the spell. How true this may be is something not even the gods know however. Ethani asks about what they remember before coming to the ruins.
Jared actually speaks first this time, "It is like a hazy dream or rather nightmare. It was like watching someone else. I remember the House...oh gods...I killed Autrios...or I think I did...so much blood...there was a lock room and he came upon me as I picked it...those Piercing golden eyes..."
Olaf has a similar account, he was breaking into a secured location and a Housemate got in the way. He too, recalls a pair of golden eyes....
Both men appear to be under stress as they talk and each has started to sweat and experience an occasional spasm. Jared quickly steels himself at the mention of easing off of them and he seeks out Lornak's eyes, "I know you blame me, I know from your face I killed the one you refer to and I now tell you to push me and find the cause. Don't simply destroy the weapon, kill the wielder."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Tuesday January 15th, 2019 9:25:40 PM
"What is the last thing you remember before things become unclear?" Gaffer asks, wondering if there will be any similarities in their response.
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Tuesday January 15th, 2019 10:38:41 PM
Ethani becomes more concerned as the two men tell there tale. There appears to be much more going on here. "Tell me about the golden eyes. When did you first see them? Can you remember a face with them? "
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Wednesday January 16th, 2019 12:27:49 AM
Toston says, "I believe there are spells and creatures which can dominate other beings. I have to wonder if we are dealing with is a mage or something else."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+7=15 ; Wednesday January 16th, 2019 12:45:47 AM
Lornak lets his love take the lead with the two captives. He cannot help but see red. If in fact they were being controlled by someone else... He, she, it are going to die by my hand
There may be a light twinge of remorse for his attitude towards the House men, but only an iota. He is so tired of the House machinations, even if they were being controlled. Where is this anger coming from
He tests his local knowledge for golden eyes (Knowledge, Local, d20=15)
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Wednesday January 16th, 2019 6:49:46 PM
Hmerrin listens, but makes no comment.
All this magic stuff is beyond him.
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Wednesday January 16th, 2019 7:34:32 PM
Asteria groans. "I just hope it's not more ghosts. I'm sick of ghosts and undead."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Wednesday January 16th, 2019 8:29:02 PM
"I guess we shouldn't be surprised at someone trying to take advantage of recent events." Gaffer adds glumly.
Talking around the fire - Journey Home Wednesday January 16th, 2019 9:33:26 PM
Gaffer asks what the last thing they remember. Ethani focuses in on the Golden eyes. Toston wonders aloud if the perpetrator is a powerful mage using domination magic, which could do what the men are describing Lornak thinks on the Golden eyes comments, what he has seen and heard locally. Wil asks for more detail on the golden eyes Hmerrin observes as does Asteria
Olaf and Jared both have similar recollections, “It’s like trying to grasp a dream,” Jared says. “I , I remember working on some documents and whittling a small piece of wood.”
Olaf, “At one point I was melting wax onto a document, and…and water. I dropped something into the bay deep at night.”
please make a diplomacy check to conjole the prisoners
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 d20+12=22 ; d20+3=18 ; Thursday January 17th, 2019 12:13:21 AM
(Know[arcana]:22) (Diplomacy:18) Toston asks if they remember anything else while thinking on golden eyes, mind control and deep places.
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+8=17 ; Thursday January 17th, 2019 1:08:19 AM
"Are any of those actions used for incantations, spell creation or casting of any kind?" Lornak quietly asks the spellcasters of the group looking for any indication as to the method of spellcraft could dig up a lead.
"So you were not acting under your own cognizance..." Lornak says sardonically. "...you should have still had the wherewithal to have Some personal memory." (Diplomacy to aid another d20=17)
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) d20+5=23 ; Thursday January 17th, 2019 7:29:05 AM
Diplomacy=23
Sensing that the prisoners are having a difficult time, Ethani turns on her feminine charm. "Please, help us help you. If you are truly being controlled by another, we want to be able to present this information to the Houses on your behalf. Can you remember anything more. Perhaps a sound or a voice..."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+9=16 ; Thursday January 17th, 2019 8:22:38 PM
Gaffer watches and listens, doing his best to read the pairs responses. This couldn't all be a story, right? (Sense Motive: 16)
Talking around the fire - Journey Home Thursday January 17th, 2019 10:25:22 PM
Toston Ethani and Wil talk to Olaf and Jared at length and thier patience and tactiful line of questions to pursue to hidden truths reveal additional information. It come in broken fragments and with minor differences, but the information leaves little dobht in Gaffer's mind that they are being honest even with the spell expired.
The pair each individually remeber working on forgeries, but not of what precisely, but certainly the documents were a forgery to appear to come from other Houses, or the Harbor Master perhaps. Olaf remembers more at the water, "I dropped a strongbox over the side of the SeaCrest and into the bay."
Jared has some darker recollections, "kidnapped someone, stole them from their bed.....The sounds of cracking bone and gurgled scream and a thunder in my head."
Olaf adds more, "I met with the Merfolk, there were sahauguin another time. So blurry, but 2 meetings I think. money exchange and then i followed and killed them. I remeber the Princes seal, I think it was the forgery I worked on, planted it by the bodies with Salick's broach."
Jared, "there was a run down shack, with trees and i remeber a cool breeze. It was late.
Olaf, "It was a small room, still. cold. the smell of blood and death."
Jared, "Soft fur, blood, begging"
Olaf, "crying, pleading"
Then both men say at the same time, "A soft chuckle and golden eyes in the shadows." with the last part, they fall silent, their shoulders slump and Gaffer could sense the ordeal has the two nearly exhausted. Toston knows of Domination magic, but this was something more, far more powerful and complete. The group knows that there will be little more either man can tell them of use as to what happened to them,
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Thursday January 17th, 2019 11:21:56 PM
Asteria blinks a few times. "Uhh... That doesn't really sound good, huh?"
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Friday January 18th, 2019 12:13:05 AM
Toston says, "It sounds like we are all being played by whoever this golden eyes is."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Friday January 18th, 2019 3:11:41 AM
"The only thing that I know that has golden eyes are owls." Lornak says. After listening to the men reveal quite a lot of information to the group Lornak is perturbed; "I thought the business with the sahuagin conspiracy was over..."
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Saturday January 19th, 2019 8:38:28 PM
"Golden eyes.. did you know anyone with golden eyes." Will asks Cicero not expecting an answer. "Well yeah.. I asked that," he replies sharply. "Looks like we have a big plot here. Someone has been planting seeds of nastiness this whole time."
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Sunday January 20th, 2019 8:50:25 PM
A low growl comes from Ethani as the Sahuagin are mentioned. She wonders if the Silver Gloves might be behind some of this. At the very least, they will definitely need to further investigate. She lets them men rest, knowing how taxing it was for them to relate their story. "Well, now what? " She wonders out loud.
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Monday January 21st, 2019 4:37:57 PM
"I don't know how to feel about this. Did the houses know any of this?" He asks the group, leaving the men to rest.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) d20+1=20 Monday January 21st, 2019 5:48:57 PM
Hmerrin does his best to follow along, and comes to the same question as the Shepard.
"Right, now what?"
He turns to Olaf and Jared, trying to remember which House each belonged to. "Sounds like each of you were controlled, and then made to do stuff, but independently of each other. Hmm, betcha the other two guys were your handlers....what did we pull off those other two?"
Back to Olaf and Jared. "So, you 're both fairly high up muckity mucks, right? If you was running this show, instead of being run, what would you be going to all this trouble for?"
[Diplomacy 20]
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Monday January 21st, 2019 9:37:19 PM
More than a little worried that innocent men might be wrongly persecuted, Ethani pulls the group aside. 'I understand the original mission, but this truly warrants more investigation. We need to discuss what our next steps are going to be before we return them to the Houses. "
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Monday January 21st, 2019 10:10:56 PM
Asteria honestly doesn't know what to do with all this information at once, so she falls back on doing what she does best. And that is standing around feeling dumb and looking intimidating.
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 1:33:32 AM
"I cannot imagine the Houses know if we were brought in to dispatch them." Lornak says to Hmerrin. "However we cannot rule out the possibility..." Crows, I am so tired of conspiracies...
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 2:38:23 AM
Toston says, "True. We just need some way to protect ourselves from being mind controlled by whomever Golden Eyes is."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 8:13:31 PM
"I know this is all a mess, and some... terrible things have happened, but handing these men over now doesn't sit well with me either."
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 9:17:39 PM
Ethani nods at Gaffer's statement. "Perhaps our journey will be delayed slightly while we investigate? "
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 9:24:23 PM
Asteria nods thoughtfully. "Time to break out the tin foil."
Journey Home Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 9:45:05 PM
The group talks about the ramifications of the jumbled information they have just learned. Everyone is convinced that Jared and Olaf were not in their right minds of late and it would seem that would date back to at least the arms deals with both the merfolk and the sahauguin. Further investigation seems prudent, but there is not much to be done in the wilderness.
Hmerrin asks the pair, if they were pulling these types of strings, what might be there end game. "Interesting question." Olaf replies. "Destablize the Houses? Topple the current government? Frame a couple specific Houses? A lot more questions than answers or guesses I'm afraid."
The group has questions as well, but not many answers Did the Houses of Knife and Teeth know their men were being controlled? Possibly, might be why they wanted Olaf and Jared alive. Who or what is the being with the golden eyes? Could the Silver Gloves be involved? Does not seem their style though
The party has a couple choices. Head further into the Wilds, head into Dirt City, return to the ruins and hole up there.
The morning is getting late, but plenty of daylight remains
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Tuesday January 22nd, 2019 10:24:07 PM
Weighing the options Lornak thinks they should get the pair back to Dirt City. "I say we get these two back, provide the evidence to our "clients" and have them deal with it..." Lornak says. He settles in to get his rest and volunteers for the first watch. "We should march at first light."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 12:15:09 AM
Toston says, "I can't in good conscience turn them over to their houses without figuring out what is up with the golden eyes. If we head home we should either hold them somewhere outside the city or smuggle them in and have them be our guests at our base of operations while we investigate. To keep the houses of our back we return their goods and say we are following up on leads"
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 11:52:52 AM
"I agree, I think we should take them back to a safe location and set up some wards to protect them. I do not trust them though.. enough to free them from their bindings. They could still be lying to save their skins. We hold them and approach the houses. Say we have them but we need some information before we turn them over."
"Back to Dirt City," he agrees. "Not sure about after that. But, we got a couple days to figure that part out."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 7:17:52 PM
Lornak agrees reluctantly and with great reservation; "We can harbor them at Shale House." Lornak says. Against my better judgement/
"The tricky part will be to smuggle them and us in without being noticed."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 8:28:40 PM
Asteria feels a bit nervous about the whole plan. "What if the Houses find out? I mean, I could totally beat them up. But they might get a bit pissy."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 9:00:01 PM
"I'm more worried about Golden Eyes coming after us, with or without them," he nods to the pair. He helps pack away what remains of camp and readies to leave.
Journey Home Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 9:38:45 PM
The group decides the very next move is to continue onward to Dirt City. There is at least a day where the party can talk more on the logistics of sneaking into the city and then possibly hiding them at Shale House. Gaffer is concerned about whatever the creature with golden eyes is, and possibly it coming after them. New and unknown enemies are the worst.
The group gets going and Olaf and Jared offer no resistance and do not seem to be doing anything to slow or hinder the group. Jared looks about quite often, checking the horizons and looking to the sky now and again. If asked, he shrugs, "A habit picked up long ago when in open spaces." Olaf inquires at lunch, "You guys were whispering up a storm this morning, anything we should know about?"
Lunch is over and the journey continues into the late afternoon and eventually into night and to the next day when the journey continues. Dirt City is a day and a half away.
Lunch finds the group and today, so does something else. Several of you, including Jared spot the riders to the North. They close quickly and soon, you spy the white flag flying high above one of them. Four in all, they stop one hilltop away and it is here where you can pick out additional detail.
The four riders are orcs and they are riding Dire wolves. It is hard to see what they are wearing but likely combat gear. One orc stands in the stirrups and waves the white flag vigorously about.
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Wednesday January 23rd, 2019 9:53:12 PM
Ethani frowns as the orcs arrive. "I think I heard my Mom speak of a friend who grew up in an honorable tribe of orcs, but that was far from here... everyone please be extra cautious."
That being said, the cleric retrieves her wand of Cure Moderate Wounds and her Bull's Strength wand, wanting to be ready.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 d20+7=16 ; d20+14=15 ; Thursday January 24th, 2019 3:40:12 AM
Toston says to the prisoners, "If you must know all that whispering is temporary good news to you. We have decided that thanks to your story about the Golden Eyes we will not be turning you over to your Houses at least right away. We do have to turn your gear over to your houses, convince them you got away but we are following leads and smuggle you into a safe house while we investigate this Golden Eyes character. Given your background if you two have any ideas on how we could accomplish that let us know."
When the orcs show up Toston says, "I'm not sure what to make of them." (Sense Motive:16; Perception:15)
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=15 ; Thursday January 24th, 2019 7:22:56 PM
"A white flag, that's a good sign for us? Right? I can't see too much else from here." He asks the others for reassurance. Hoping the Orcs aren't hostile, they nearly made it back without incident...
He glances over at their prisoners to see if they have any reaction to this.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Thursday January 24th, 2019 7:34:39 PM
Hmerrin looks over at the hill.
"Well, if they wanna talk, we should probably talk. But seven, well, nine of us headed their way might make them nervous.
So, me and somebody who speaks orc will head to the bottom of this hill. If they got any brains, they'll send two of theirs down as well."
He looks around. "Course, if they all go down, a few more of you are welcome to join us."
With that, the young fighter walks to the bottom of the hill, and waits.
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) d20+11=30 ; Thursday January 24th, 2019 8:24:32 PM
Will waits with little faith in the orcs surrender. "Do orcs wave white flags?" Perception: 30 Will prepares an Antimagic field to cast if things go bad. "They could be assassins. We need to be prepared to protect these men."
Journey Home Thursday January 24th, 2019 10:27:30 PM
Olaf answers Toston with a slight smirk, "I wouldn't say need to know, more of self preservationaly curious." Other than cutting them loose, giving them some of their equipment back so that they could sneak in on their own, Olaf and Jared dont have any brilliant plans.
With that arrival of the orcs, Jared and Olaf simply keep their eyes peeled in that direction, though Jared continues to scan in other directions as well. It is pretty clear, they are as puzzled, perhaps more so, than you.
Hmerrin suggests someone who knows orc go down the hill and heads out.
As he does so, one of the riders moves down the hill and the group can now see they do not rides wolves but Hyenas. The rider, still carries the white flag and those he left behind have turned their mounts to be able to run quickly.
The rider stops about halfway down the hill and pulls what looks to be a strongbox from a saddle bag "We thank!" he yells a dn drops it. he then takes off back to his group and they quickly take flight
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+7=19 ; d20+8=21 ; Friday January 25th, 2019 12:49:49 AM
Lornak walks down to meet the rider being cautious and aware of the orc's intentions. (Sense Motive d20=21)
He yells back in Orcish I hope. a question hoping to be understood. "This for taking out raiders?" He intones gutterally. (Linguistics d20=19)
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Friday January 25th, 2019 12:54:16 AM
"Why are orcs thanking us?" Toston asks
"This is odd. Wil check the strongbox for traps please."
"Does anyone know how to make a disguise? Could we disguise Olaf and Jared as 2 of us, but injured...putting them on litters. We would then carry them into the city and into Shale House directly. Two of our number then also disguise themselves and make their way into the city separately making their way into Tombo's. Any wholes in this plan?"
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) d20+11=21 ; d20+9=14 ; Friday January 25th, 2019 9:27:35 PM
(Perception for trap: 22) Will inspects the box for traps and if no traps opens it. If it is a trap, (Disable device: 14 "Now that I've moved to a lighter side my black robe is unneeded. We could dress them in cloaks to disguise them."
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Saturday January 26th, 2019 9:40:01 AM
Hmerrin watches the orcs scamper away.
"huh", he utters.
"Guessin' those ogres had these guys under their thumbs. Well, darn nice of them, as long as nothing nasty jumps out of the lockbox."
The young fighter looks over to see what Wil's work reveals.
Journey Home Sunday January 27th, 2019 7:43:30 PM
Lornak and Hmerrin are at the bottom of the hill as the rest look on intently. Lornak calls out if the strongbox is in thanks for taking out the raiders. The riding orcs do nothing more than raise hand. Hmerrin lifts the box and sees no lock upon it and the pair return to the group. Wil examines the box and concludes it is not trapped and nor is it locked, though it is capable of being padlocked from the outside. The strongbox itself is well made, tight fitting oak boards banded in steel with steel reinforced corners. Opening the box cautiously, you find 6,000 gold and a rolled leather hide which opens to reveal what appears to be a treasure map. Runic characters are placed about that you cannot read as they are not in a specific language, but seem to be a combination of orcish, tauric, and dwarven. It is definitely a code and will require some research to crack None of the labeled landmarks are known to any of you. Upon the back of the skin is a brand that resembles a unicorn. Local Know DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { There is a rumor of a good orc tribe that bears the symbol of the unicorn}
On other matters Toston asks if any in the group are skilled at disguise. This question causes Jared to tentatively raise his hand. "Though without any kind of supplies, anything i do will not pass very close inspection for Olaf or I to appear as any of you."
The party is awarded a Hero point for completing the orc freedom encounter. Also last scene was 4k XP each
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Sunday January 27th, 2019 9:24:56 PM
"Huh... that was... unexpected. "
Unusually quiet, Ethani mulls over the captive situation. "I really don't have anything that can help. Sorry. "
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Sunday January 27th, 2019 11:11:25 PM
Asteria watches the orcs leave curiously. "You think we'll ever see them again? I wanna be friends with them."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Monday January 28th, 2019 12:04:55 AM
Toston says to Wil, "You have that disguise kit still? If you do mayhap you and Jared whip some disguises up?"
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Monday January 28th, 2019 2:20:21 AM
"That... was a nice surprise." Gaffer says with a smile, watching the Orcs ride away. Good to know there has been something positive.
"If we could make one of them look like me, it would be easier for me to make my own way back to the house." He suggests to Wil
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) d20+6=16 ; d20+3=11 ; Monday January 28th, 2019 7:10:47 PM
"Ooooooo, treasure map," Hmerrin coos, looking over the hide.
It becomes obvious the lad hasn't the least idea what to make of it, though, and he sighs regretfully.
"Nuts. Well, back to matters at hand. We can talk AND walk people. Let's go.
As Hmerrin doesn't disguise well, he stays out of the conversation.
[Knowledge 16 Perception 11]
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) d20+9=17 ; Monday January 28th, 2019 7:16:13 PM
"I do have a disguise kit. I forgot all about that. We can use that. Jared, I believe can go invisible but why wouldn't he run if we couldn't see him?" "Does this unicorn mean it's a one of a kind map? Anything on the map that can help us now where it's supposed to be?"
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+7=9 ; Monday January 28th, 2019 8:05:24 PM
Lornak has no knowledge of what the Unicorn means. (Knowledge Local d20=9)
"I can create a decent disguise, a better one if someone has a kit about them." Lornak says.
"That is a brilliant idea Gaffer, one can stand in for you and one can be Dusan." Making one of them look like him will be easy enough. "Our numbers will match the compliment that we left with anyway."
"Mark this area." Lornak says to Asteria. "You may yet find them here again."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Monday January 28th, 2019 9:44:02 PM
Asteria mentally marks the area in her head, and promptly forgets it. "Got it!"
"I'm not a sneaky person, but I can definitely act sad if that's what you'd like!"
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) d20+8=25 ; Monday January 28th, 2019 10:02:26 PM
Ethani glances over at the map. "Oh, hey...i think I do remember something being said at the Temple of Waard about a group of good orcs. They used a sigil of the unicorn, just like that. Cool, huh?"
Knowledge=25
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Monday January 28th, 2019 10:40:42 PM
Toston says to his friends, "Good idea. Make one of them Dusan and one of them Gaffer and then we don't even have to really sneak in separately. I'll ask around the WLA chapterhouse in Dirt City when I get a chance about the map. Don't worry I'll be discrete about it."
Journey Home Tuesday January 29th, 2019 10:21:23 AM
The group comes up with a plan. Using Wil's disguise Kit, Jared will work on making himself look like Garret and Olaf to look like Dusan. Jared points out that both Garret and Dusan are armed and carry quite a bit of gear and currently he and Olaf are quite light in all departments. Garret can then simply make his way into the city as a bird and the The Tide will look to be of their normal contingent as they were when they left
Ethani recalls hearing about the Unicorn Orc Tribe, purely a fantasy legend invented by those who wish the bloody wilds to not simply be a place of hardship and death by all accounts. Until now. Toston will take the map to the WLA to see if he can learn more, and he'll do it real quite like.
The big question is, does the party equip Jared and Olaf.
The party is about 2-3 hours outside of Dirt City
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) d20=9 ; d20+11=22 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2019 3:24:50 PM
"I don't trust arming these men. I would need a declaration of no harm to anyone in the party and half a scalp as collateral but a limp will do. Volunteer a foot so I can stomp on it." He says to Jared. "It will sell the fact that we have to carry all your gear due to an injury... wait.. maybe Ethani wants to do the stomping?" "... and your friend too. Volunteer crushed toes or something less pleasant." After a moment... "If I could step in and out of the present I could just deliver them in a moment but looks like I will just have to help sneak them in." (Perception: 22 - to see any house guards when approaching Dirt City)
"Cloaks will hide the fact your not armored, not that Gaffer or Dusan are all that armored anyway. If we swap a couple around, that'd mix it up.
And if one of you carry a quiver and the other a staff, we should be close enough, right"
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=22 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2019 8:06:01 PM
Gaffer hands over his shield saying, "A little armour shouldn't hurt. I don't think it is in their favour to kick up a fuss at this point."
He will turn into a bird not long after, saying beforehand "I'll fly nearby until we reach the city, then move around a while before meeting you back at the house."
As always he enjoys taking to the sky, the clear view and feeling of wind beneath his wings, slightly away from the stress of escorting prisoners, he relaxes for a few moments beats, before taking in their surroundings as they travel.
Perception: 22
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+8=21 ; d20+14=16 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2019 9:40:22 PM
Lornak wordlessly applies dyed clays and minerals to Jared and Olaf. He makes "Dusan" as disheveled as ever. He even adds brambles and twigs to his cloak mimicking a long march. He does his best to capture the spirit of Gaffer as a man. (Disguise d20=21 without the disguise kit bonus)
He is wary of arming the men but suggests that they wear what Dusan and Gaffer usually brandish. He hands over the weapons and says; "Especially as we are their only allies..." Rage burns behind his eyes. I will regret this, watch.
As the group is in eyesight of the city Lornak floats his Ioun stone and gets his gameface on. (Perception d20=16) (OOC he must be consumed by rage)
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Tuesday January 29th, 2019 9:55:43 PM
Ethani shakes her head at Wil's offer at retribution. "It is not Alemi’s way, my friend. "
Very leery about arming the prisoners, Ethani watches Lornak carefully. He has been very on edge recently, and she makes a note to talk to him soon.
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Tuesday January 29th, 2019 10:33:20 PM
Asteria does not trust the men with weapons whatsoever, and makes sure they can clearly see her blood-stained axe. Just in case they get any ideas. She grins. "Well, if we really HAVE to make them look beat up... I wouldn't mind lending a helping hand."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Tuesday January 29th, 2019 11:20:50 PM
Toston puts up a hand to his friends before they hand out weapons and says, "Should we break the weapons before we hand them over?"
If the group assents he purposely starts beating the weapons with fists until he has inflicted enough damage for them to get the broken condition.
(OOC: purposely damage any weapon we plan to hand over to them giving it the broken condtion; If the item is a weapon, any attacks made with the item suffer a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls. Such weapons only score a critical hit on a natural 20 and only deal ×2 damage on a confirmed critical hit.)
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Wednesday January 30th, 2019 6:16:50 PM
"I think handing them enough to look the part is fine. I am a bit disappointed that I cannot hurt them on purpose but Ethani you are right. With respect to Gargul, I've spent most of my life under a dark cloud of bitterness and darkness."
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+14=25 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2019 8:14:52 PM
Lornak raises an eyebrow at Toston. I would never believe him to be more adamant about something than I.
"If you feel that is necessary..." Lornak says. He pats the mules to keep moving. He keeps his eyes up scanning for any trouble. (perception d20=25) "If for any reason we get separated stay with these two until we get them into Shale House. If the House reps show up, produce the chests and say we lost their trail."
He looks at the pair; "I hop you have someone within the Houses that you Trust to plead your side to, perhaps lend you aid or our "protection" will be very short lived."
(OOC thats better)
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) d20+10=12 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2019 9:34:40 PM
Ethani casts about restless, anxious to have this encounter behind her. She finds herself unable to focus on much beyond Lornak. Perception=12
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Wednesday January 30th, 2019 10:20:03 PM
Toston says, "Well they did kill Ethani even if they were mind controlled. I mean it is possible adventurers weapons get broke in the course of adventuring and I mean I'm sure someone can just repeatedly cast mend later or make whole to fix the damage."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Wednesday January 30th, 2019 10:23:09 PM
Asteria waits nervously, just wanting to get on with it quickly.
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Thursday January 31st, 2019 4:14:21 AM
Gaffer circles in a wide area, unsure as they get closer to the city, whether the Houses will simply wait for them to turn up at their doorstep.
Journey Home Thursday January 31st, 2019 10:15:31 AM
Olaf and Jared raise eyebrows and take a few steps back from the group at large as the conversation turns to the joy and rapture it would apparently bring multiple members of the Tide to beat the unarmed prisoners. Lornak is the only one who seems willing to arm them and Toston wants to break the weapons before doing so. Jared and Olaf's weapons are magical and Toston cannot damage them.
Jared meets Lornak's glare with one of his, "Perhaps next you will wish to gouge out our eyes because you don't like how we look in the disguise."
Olaf holds his hands open, "How about a nice deep breath Jared."
To the group, Olaf then says, "Your choice on how we do this, but might I point out, you want good enough to pass though the gates of Dirt City where you left maybe a week ago on a mission for two prominent houses of the City and you're going to stroll back in without us and 2 mules and 4 chests you did not have on the way out. They might not know you have us, but they will know you are back and with 4 strongboxes of loot."
Olaf pauses and then adds, "Course you could bribe the gate, it's what I do. You could work on your silver tongue. So far it seems from my view to need practice."
With Gaffer present, Jared was able to make himself with the disguise kit look mighty convincing. Neither men know what Dusan looks like so much, and so it is completely up to Lornak on that.
The disguises are done.
How do you want to proceed. Specifically, anything about the mules with the strongboxes where 2 of them have House emblems on them? At this point, Olaf and Jared are unarmed, wear no armor, other than Jared holding Gaffer's shield. Dusan had no armor and only carried a Heavy Crossbow, and so it is not so much a thing. Even his tattoos were almost always hidden beneath a cloak and his clothes
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Thursday January 31st, 2019 2:37:23 PM
Wil takes in a breath. "We can address the questions about Jared and Olaf missing by stating the obvious. We do not trust the Houses to act honorably so we sent the two men, plus a guard, ahead with instructions. The men are sequestered in a Safe house till a safe deal can be made. We should allow relative armament to pass as adventures. Any questions can be dismissed as 'We lost the weapon or shield."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Thursday January 31st, 2019 5:39:03 PM
Toston says, "I don't think we want the houses to know we even have the men. The point was for us to buy time to figure things out. For all we know The Golden Eyed Being is controlling or in league with those who sent us on the quest in the first place. We were going to tell them they escaped I thought and we needed more time to track Jared and Olaf down. I thought we were just going to cop to having their purloined goods and return them. Is there a reason why we shouldn't keep the bargain we struck with respect to returning the houses' goods?"
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=23 ; Thursday January 31st, 2019 7:06:44 PM
Gaffer continues flying higher up, looking to see if it is possible to get a view on the Orc riders in the distance (Perception: 23)
From higher above he enjoys the spreading views and glides as leisurely as he can to not wear himself out.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Thursday January 31st, 2019 7:46:12 PM
Hmerrin is surprised.
"Gate? Most of the town is rubble. Just walk over a convenient pile of masonry and be on our way."
The fighter sighs.
"Course if we have to walk through, then I say walk through. We found goods belonging to the Houses, which we did, and we're planning to take it to the Houses, which we are, and we'll decide what we're gonna do next after that."
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Thursday January 31st, 2019 10:28:12 PM
Ethani nods at Toston's plan, very much in agreement. "The simpler we keep our lies, the less delicately we have to tread."
As she runs her fingers through her red hair, Ethani is suddenly weary. The past few days of trauma finally catching up to her.
Sliding up beside Lornak, she gently leans into him. "I am more than ready for a long bath when we get home. I long to have some time alone with you. We have much we need to talk about."
As they travel, Ethani spends most of het time talking to the captives. She finds it her duty as Shepard to assure the Jared and Olaf that she will allow no harm to come to them. "I know you do not even remember what you did back in the Tower. And I will not hold you responsible for actions you were not in control of. I give you my word as a Healer of Alemi that i will not tolerate any violence against you as long as you do not attempt to harm us or run from us. However, you do need to understand that you killed me in a very brutal manner, and my friends have not yet processed all their emotions, so they are likely to be... less forgiving than they would normally be."
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Thursday January 31st, 2019 10:56:37 PM
"Maybe we just say we could only find their crap because these goons left them at the place? We could say we're still looking for them and we just wanted to give them their stuff back." She shrugs.
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 70/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+8=22 ; d20+7=8 ; Thursday January 31st, 2019 11:26:40 PM
Lornak takes a moments pause as Ethani nudges up to him. "It would be nice." He answers her with only a hint of passion. If we get half a bloody chance.
He is fairly confident the group has the plan down in their minds.
As the group moves up to the "gate" of Dirt City Lornak will pass through amicably. If there is any suspicion raised he asks the guards to turn a blind eye; "We would like to keep a low profile, if you know what I mean." He pleads. (Diplomacy d20=22) In an attempt to be nonchalant about it he produces gold very much out in the open, regrettably. (Stealth d20=8)
I guess it really does not matter who sees this transaction here in good ol' Dirt City "Business as usual." He says under his breath.
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) d20+12=17 ; d20+12=15 ; Friday February 1st, 2019 5:22:52 PM
Wil agrees to follow the plan. He helps Lornak with any Diplomacy Needs. If he can get away with it. Wil attempts to get a good Stealthy position.
(Diplomacy: 17)(Stealth: 15)
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Friday February 1st, 2019 10:52:22 PM
Staying close to the prisoners, Ethani smiles as they approach the gate for Dirt City, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. She watches Lornak carefully, very concerned about his recent behavior.
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Saturday February 2nd, 2019 6:37:44 PM
Flying high above Gaffer circles a small ways behind the party, keeping an eye on them, and waiting for trouble.
Shale House Sunday February 3rd, 2019 3:48:51 PM
With a plan in mind, the group heads into Dirt City. While much of the city is very damaged and sections of the wall are destroyed, the city gates are still the standard means of entrance and where those sections are destroyed, a group of guard are always on duty. Leading the pack mules in, you are asked some basic questions, Lornak hands the man a gold piece which he nods and pockets. The questions are at an end and you enter without any fuss. Gaffer soars overhead and does not seem to attract any attention himself and from his vantage point he does not notice anything unusual. The group enters with a few others, and still others are heading out. All in all, quite ordinary
The party soon arrives at Shale House
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Monday February 4th, 2019 12:06:21 AM
Toston puts his bags in his room then wanders down to Tombo's to try to get a handle on the latest scuttlebutt.
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) Monday February 4th, 2019 5:46:30 PM
Gaffer joins the rest in the room and helps find space for their captives, not forgetting to get back his shield.
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Monday February 4th, 2019 7:08:58 PM
Hmerrin keeps Olaf and Jared company in the common room as the others go about their tasks.
While he's sitting there, he thinks back to recall what it was they were supposed to do once they had these two.
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 79/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Monday February 4th, 2019 8:58:03 PM
Lornak is relieved that there were no snags at the gate but only lets his guard down a bit when the group enters Shale House unabated. He is hopeful that the refugees that were living here have moved on to better quarters and better quality of living.
He volunteers to get the chests off the hitched litter and up into the Receiving Room vault and off the street. When everyone is settled in he will stable the mules for later use.(Let me know where and how much this will cost) I am sure we will need to move the 'stolen property' evidence to the Houses eventually. "Stow the extra weapons in the armory, we will go through it and the booty later." He says. "Lock it and the vault up tight."
Once in the Common Room he turns to their guests. "Clean yourselves up. I am sure you are not comfortable in those getups. You may help yourselves to some food." He points towards the pantries. "Tombo keeps the stores up here well stocked, I am sure you will not need for anything."
"We happen to have a few rooms open for occupation at the moment..." He says to the House pair. "...you can stay in them if you behave." He points them out. "If you do not behave, there are two Cells upstairs." He says, aware of his tone. He is doing his best to be civil considering the circumstances.
"If my memory serves me we are too send a messenger to the Houses when we have returned from our excursion." He says to the group once they are gathered. "Judging by our passage here we may actually have pulled off slipping in with a low profile. We will hold off on contacting the Houses for as long as we can."
"I say we have about three to four days to investigate whether or not it was an inside job before someone notices we are back. Get some rest. Tomorrow we reach out to our contacts..." He looks at Wil, Hmerrin and Asteria. "...Quietly... and then move on from there."
With that he walks over to the landing above the stairwell, opens the large window and whistles distinctly. A few moments later Vin the owl lands upon his outstretched arm. He gives the bird a morsel from his pocket and strokes head and neck. "Kept the home fires burning, My Lady?" He asks. The owl squawks. He perches her upon his shoulder and comes back to the room proper, kisses Ethani(careful not to let any beak in the way and enters the night air. He makes his way to the stables with the mules.
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Monday February 4th, 2019 9:03:31 PM
Breathing in a big sigh of relief as they make it back to Dirt City, Ethani pulls Lornak aside. "I know now is not a good time, but I really feel we need to talk. In the meantime, should we arrange a meeting with the Houses like we did before? How long do you think we can stall them? I think I should ask Alemi for guidance, but the soonest I can do so is tomorrow"
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Monday February 4th, 2019 9:09:40 PM
Lol... we posted at pretty much the same time.
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Monday February 4th, 2019 9:29:35 PM
Will takes in a breath and relaxes. "You should get on that white coat," whispers Cicero. "That's a good point. Is anything heading to the Catacombs. I would like to purchase a nice armored coat and I think we need to get an assortment of potions to hide if needed. Maybe some invisibility and smoke bombs. I have 100 gp. This may help us with our next fight. I'm greatly disappointed in myself and wish to do better."
Shale House Monday February 4th, 2019 9:37:32 PM
The group disburses through Shale House and though there are still some using the place as home, it is not packed as it was last week. Olaf and Jared both say thank you for the offer of food from Tombos. Olaf has heard good things about it and is more eager than Jared on that account. Lornak and Ethani both recall that the Houses would be waiting to be contacted by the group. How long can you wait before they come knocking? The consensus is 2-3 days. The four chests are put into the vault and as Lornak locates where to put the mules he finds that the reputation of The Tide, proceeds him to a stabling free of charge
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Monday February 4th, 2019 11:03:42 PM
Asteria enjoys being back, and hopes to get some relaxation time before their next skirmish. She looks up at Lornak at his glance. "What? Do I stink or something? I guess it has been a few months..."
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 d20+4=7 ; Monday February 4th, 2019 11:35:48 PM
Toston enjoys the food from Tombo's. He tries to use diplomacy to gather information about the latest news around town. (Diplomacy: 7) (OOC: +3 from Cha; +1 vs Noble races from openly wearing WLA badge)
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) Tuesday February 5th, 2019 7:08:54 PM
Hmerrin gives Lornak his best "Big Eyed And Innocent Face". "Wha-at?" he sing-songs.
But, it looks like the young man is destined to stay at home for a bit while the sneakers do their sneaking.
So, Hmerrin appoints himself Olaf/Jared watcher, and tries to be around them..a lot.
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 79/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) d20+9=23 ; d20+14=32 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2019 8:54:12 PM
Before Lornak returns to Shale House he uses the night to his advantage to skirt The Tides notoriety. (Stealth d20=23)
As he walks the streets of Dirt City to find and make contact with Three Bits he keeps his eye peeled for any signs he's being watched or followed. He also uses the time get a vibe of the city by listening to conversations of passersby on the street, loudmouths inside pubs and House acolytes on the prowl. Perhaps a guard or two. (Perception d20=32)
The past week has been trying, I hope I was not too harsh with the others. I would hate that they not follow up any leads. I just wanted them to do it quietly...
When he reaches Three Bits, he asks if there are any rumors about possession or actions of anyone out of character, particularly members of any House. Legitimate talk of traitors. "Has anyone dreamed of eyes of a Golden hue?" He asks as he offers the usual payment.
I forgot to ask Olaf and Jared if They have anyone specific to reach out to, now that we are here...
Wilford Grimly (HP:47/47; AC: 19; Touch: 12; Flat: 16; CMD: 18) Tuesday February 5th, 2019 9:12:18 PM
Wil has little to say at the moment. He concerns himself with securing Olaf and Jared. Adds some comforts for them. After he goes through the house and sets traps at all but one entrance. After, he tells only the team the trap locations.
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47) Tuesday February 5th, 2019 9:42:21 PM
Worn out from the day, Ethani remains in her shared room with Lornak and thinks through which spells ake will ask Alemi for tomorrow. As she ponders, she remembers back to her encounter with Alemi and Gargul, cherishing the memory of being with Alemi.
Asteria (sub Nellie) Tuesday February 5th, 2019 9:47:31 PM
Cracking her knuckles, Asteria heads down to Tombos. "I hate to be a party pooper, but that Ale isn't going to drink itself..." she mutters as she orders herself a tall one.
Shale House Tuesday February 5th, 2019 10:55:58 PM
Lornak heads out as the rest of the group secures the House, settles in and gets food and drink. Several hit Tombos, which is extremely crowded as it has been since the quake. Tombo is practically giving away food and drink to any who come and word has obviously spread
Out in the evening, Lornak is reminded by a set of 6 men from House Wolf that a curfew is still in effect. If Lornak has business, "You need to keep your step, you only have a 3 hours." The men are matter of fact, but not hostile or beligerent in tone. They nod and move on.
Lornak make his way to Three Bits and finds the small curio shop open and empty as usual, save Three Bits and a wiry man sitting by himself at a table pretending to look at a shadow box. Three Bits gives a small grin and waves you over, "Lornak my fine dark friend. Good of you to stop by."
Lornak asks about possession or actions of anyone out of character, particularly members of any House. Legitimate talk of traitors. "Has anyone dreamed of eyes of a Golden hue?
Three Bits arches a brow and accepts the offered gold without comment or barter. "Possession? That would take some time to look into, not simply stuff i know. On out of character, I have heard a bit here and there, but not so much more now than before. " he pauses, "Although now that I think about it, there is a rather disturbing rumor about the fighting school and the church of Warrd. Shuffling of personnel and such that stands out you might say. Don't have much else and Golden Eyes? No certainly nothing there."
The meeting is brief, not remotely confrontational, and nearly pleasant. Lornak heads home to arrive in time with a stop at a couple pubs. There is no real street talk about, beyond the normal stuff. Dirt City is dangerous and there are plenty of examples, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 59/59; AC:22/20/18 - CMD 24 Tuesday February 5th, 2019 11:30:10 PM
Toston enjoys the food at Tombo's, settles his tab and then heads to his room. He resolves to wake up early tomorrow and head to the WLA house to see what he can find out about the Golden Eyes.
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 59/61 AC:21(T:16/FF:15) CMD:20 WS 2/2 LL 0/8) d20+13=20 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2019 8:02:29 AM
Gaffer asks around the group to see if there is any aid he can offer them in their current tasks, otherwise he will spend some time the next day flying and resting as a bird around Shale House, and keeping a general eye for house activity around their lodgings. (Perception: 20)
Hmerrin(HP 83/83 AC:25 T:15 FF:21 CMD:25) d20+1=8 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2019 6:08:08 PM
Hmerrin shrugs at Gaffer's request. "Nothing I really need right now," he answers.
In the morning, the young fighter will head over to a couple of the inns/taverns where he'd done some pro bono carpentry work to see if anybody has heard anything "weird" going on with the Houses.
Diplomacy 8
Lornak (Frank S.) HP: 79/79 AC: 23(T:13/FF:10) CMD:15(16) Wednesday February 6th, 2019 8:04:10 PM
Lornak sneaks into Shale House without fanfare and makes his way to his bunk. He checks the watch rotation with whoever is on duty guarding 'The Pair' and thankfully finds out he is not on the list.
He enters his room and finds Ethani there. He carefully crawls under the covers doing his best not to disturb her. He sleeps solidly. Probably more out of exhaustion than actual rest. In the morning he reveals what Three Bits has for The Tide;
"a rather disturbing rumor about the fighting school and the church of Warrd. Shuffling of personnel and such that stands out. Nothing of the Golden Eyes."
"Whoever trains at the school can follow up that lead." He says to the group. "Ethani, I would like you to show yourself at the temple of Warrd and see what is going on there." He steels a mouthful of his breakfast. "No one go alone. I am thinking pair up. That will leave two of us here to meet with anyone Olaf and Jared may contact.
"The stables and Three Bits know I am here. Tread softly and do your best not to be noticed."
Shepherd Ethani (Nellie, AC 20, HP 47/47, CMB 4, CMD 17) Wednesday February 6th, 2019 9:11:50 PM
Ethani nods at Lornak's suggestion. "Yes, I can see what might have occurred at the Temple. If possible, I prefer to take Asteria or Gaffer with me."
Heading toward the Temple, Ethani heads into her normal routine of assisting with healing. As she does so, she makes subtle inquires into what might have occurred while she was gone and if any strange illnesses have cropped up that she can be helpful in healing.
Asteria Amarante [HP: 84/84; AC: 20; Touch: 12; Flat: 20; CMD: 20] Wednesday February 6th, 2019 10:26:25 PM
Asteria eagerly agrees to go with Ethani to the Temple, enjoying being able to get out and about. She stays close to her sister the entire time, never letting her out of her sight.
Day in the Dirt Wednesday February 6th, 2019 10:47:51 PM
Lornak gives everyone the overview of his night and specifically his meeting with Three Bits the following morning Olaf and Jared both simply remain in Var's old room on the second floor.
In the morning the group splits up to run down a few very vague leads. Toston takes the map and Wil, and head to the WLA. Gaffer goes with Asteria to the temple of Warrd Lornak and Asteria stay at Shale House Hmerrin feels he can take care of himself and heads to a couple taverns
Deciphering the map is going to take time, likely a couple weeks to comb through the literature in the library to start piecing together what languages are involved. Aside from going through the shelves of books, how does Toston wish to look into the Golden Eyes?
At the temple of Warrd, Ethani finds there is plenty of people in need of help. Kind words of encouragement, healing and the basics of food and water. It is not surprising as nearly 25% of the city has no where to live. Ethani asks here and there, but uncovers nothing nor does she personally see anything amiss. The acolytes are there, the head cleric, and all seem to be doing what they can. When Gaffer and Ethani exit the temple for home, Gaffer spies a shadow disengage from an alley a few streets away. It's a good bet a House spy just picked off the pair
Hmerrin has the same level of success at the taverns. Dirt City is a pretty tight lipped place on a normal day and today is just as normal as any other.
Clarification note. To my knowledge no Traps have been constructed in Shale House
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