Shale House- DM Dan K d20+8=19 ; d4-2=2 ; d4-2=1 ; Monday April 6th, 2020 8:55:28 AM
The group is in the common room and several have some things to do. Eisenhorne starts his day with breakfast and the ledgers. later he returns to the serpent dagger for additional investigation there as well Des, Toston and Sarge all eat fairly quickly and head to the cage to be there when the three women wake up. There were only 3 total. 1 was hefted over a shoulder, but then Eisenhorne teleported them all back Gaffer goes on hawk patrol to see what ruckus might be brewing at the Arena.
Eisenhorne pieces more of the code together on the ledgers and makes good progress. His big discoveries of the day is the slave trade has been going on for a very long time and no Houses of Dirt City are ever specifically. The other is that payments move through several fronts, very clever, very careful and those being paid off, might very well not know
The women awaken and all are a bit groggy, as you would expect and very quickly sober to their surroundings and become quite scared.
Gaffer finds the Arena to look relatively normal from the air as he passes over. The morning light crowd gathered and a display of martial skill and wrestling is currently underway. Or perhaps just warm ups before an event later. He spies no one on the 4th floor balconies and cannot see the 5th floor suites of course as they are enclosed.
Des gets to Tombo and the others and lets them know the danger is passed and they can return to open their shops. He is thanked and all say they will be along in short order. Eager to get back to work and their businesses.
Later in the afternoon Eisenhorne casts Protection from Evil upon himself and heads back to look a the dagger. When he opens the box, he finds instead, a coiled green eyed serpent poised to strike. The snake's fangs strike and inject a poison into the mage Hit AC 19 Dmg 2 Will Save DC 13 Failure results -1 Wis and thinking he has studied the dagger, learned nothing and return to the others, box secured, however in reality Eisenhorne will not close the box
Sharpe - [AC 27/17/20 - CMD 26; HP 51/82] - [Charles] Monday April 6th, 2020 3:20:19 PM
Sharpe decides to go to the temple of Waard to pray. All being normal he give, subtlety gives a silver to any beggar who asks.
Eisenhorn (David) [AC 13/13/10; HP 45/82; CMD 17] d20=16 ; Monday April 6th, 2020 3:59:05 PM
(Will Save Roll: 16 + 9 = 25) (OOC: I added 10HP for the long rest... don't know if that's accurate, that brings HP to 55 less 2 rom the bite = 53)
"Ow! Damn it! Why I ought to...." Eisenhorn exclaims as the snake bites into his arm. Having had experience with the snake's ability to influence thought he quickly recovers from the atempt and closes the box quickly. "Fascinating... I must learn its secrets" Eisenhorn murmurs to no one in particular as he studies the box. "Shifty! Please stay in the room and observe if the snake in this box tries to escape warn the others. UNDER NO CIRUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU COME CLOSE TO THE BOX OR THE SNAKE! Do you understand?" Eisenhorn says to Shifty in Auran, hoping that the snake would not understand. He proceeds to cast Arcane Lock on the box and then Detect Thoughts to check if the snake is sentient at all.
----Active Effects----- Protection from Evil 10 min. Detect Thoughts 10min.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 91/109 AC:28 T:16 FF:23 CMD:27) Monday April 6th, 2020 5:27:50 PM
Hmerrin heads out in the rain to grab the materials he needs to fix the window, and whatever else needs fixing on the third floor.
He shakes his head upon hearing Eisenhorne's encounter. "My vote is put the box in a bag full of rocks, and chuck it in river," he opines.
However, as long as the wizard is around, Hmerrin brings out the flail and cloak they'd recovered from the attackers of Shale House, and asks if E can identify them as well.
OOC - DM DanK, you wouldn't happen to have a full list of what we picked up from the two dead guys from the attack on Shale House?
Sharpe - [AC 27/17/20 - CMD 26; HP 61/82] - [Charles] Monday April 6th, 2020 5:31:23 PM
updating hp
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 31/102; AC:22/10/20 - CMD 23] d20+15=33 ; Monday April 6th, 2020 6:53:09 PM
Desdichado comes back to check on the women, and see how they are doing. He tries to calm them down and let them know they are safe. He asks what they would like done with themselves, trying to convince them that getting out of the city would probably be the safest thing for them. He also asks if they remember how they ended up as slaves - where they were, any details about who captured them, and so on.
(Diplomacy: 33)
He also helps Hmerrin with some of the repairs as needed.
"Ugh, that snake...isn't that the second or third time it's attacked you? I'd say Hmerrin's right - we should just get rid of it. At the very least, I wouldn't open that box again by yourself."
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 85/85 AC:25(T:21/FF:17) CMD:24 WS 4/4 SB 7/7 LL 10/10) Monday April 6th, 2020 8:15:16 PM
Seeing nothing that grabs his interest, Gaffer returns to Shale House, taking the same slow journey to return.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 37/61](Kathy) Monday April 6th, 2020 8:53:09 PM
"Hi," Sarge says to the women when they awaken. "Don't be scared. Nobody here wants to hurt you. Sorry about the cage thing; we weren't sure who you were or what you could do. Er....who are you?"
As she speaks, Sarge remains sitting on the floor. She is, of course, in full armor, because dwarf, but she has taken off her helmet and set it beside her.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 74/74; AC:26/19/20- CMD 26 d20+3=4 ; d20+7=21 ; Monday April 6th, 2020 10:44:57 PM
Toston sits by the cages looking like a harmless little gnome with golden scaly skin.
He hands out the food the women after taking bites of his own portion to assure them it is safe. He tries to help Des's diplomacy attempt but he finds himself tongue tied. He must still be suffering a little bit of the after affects of the touch of idiocy. (Diplomacy: 4 vs aid another 10 = failure)
He then pays attention to what the women have to say (Sense Motive: 21)
Shale House- DM Dan K Tuesday April 7th, 2020 1:11:21 AM
Eisenhorne recoils from the attack and quickly closes the lid. He magically locks it and then casts Detect Thoughts. Not only is the serpent sentient and thinking, it strikes back through the spell and the wizard feels the creature scanning his own mind! Another step back and Eisenhorne shakes the link off. He quickly heads to informs the others
Toston, Sarge and Des are with the women when they awaken and do their best, which is good enough, to calm them down. Toston giving them some food helps quite a bit.
Sarge begins with her name, and the 3 provide theirs in kind. Arviel, Maithe, and Val. None of the women are slaves and they aren't sure what gives you the idea that they were. They were invited to an after party by THE Samuel CherryBlossom at his suite with some friends. He's rich, generous, and has nothing but the finest in all things. So they of course went and it was great and now they are in a cage who knows where and though you are talking nice, they are very unsure what is going on. Nothing in what they say or how they act gives Toston any kind of feeling that they are not being completely honest
Hmerrin heads out to get a few things for some repairs and Des joins him Sharpe has already left for the temple of Warrd Gaffer is at the Arena at this point still
While Eisenhorne has a few minutes, about an hour, to mull over things waiting for the group to all be back. His mind goes over a few events and puts some pieces together. The serpent, a sentient creature assuming the shape of a dagger and able to extend its will upon others? Given recent company, it is almost certainly a Rakshasa. Known as Raktavarna, it can charm, manipulate memory and is the eyes and ears of a more powerful master at any distance. They are also known for being able to understand all languages and the more powerful its master, the greater it's own abilities. Eisenhorne also believes that Ralsinar was Rakshasa as well. A Marai, a spell casting and magic driven Rakshasa who prefers to torment and exploit mortals who have no idea of the rakshasa's true nature.
Hmerrin and Des return, both with a quick suggestion on disposal of the snake, but with the added information they might have a change of plan.
Sharpe's trip to the temple of Warrd is uneventful. Most are staying indoors during the downpour. He does note several men from House Dart and House Key are at the temple. Both groups are minding their own business, but definitely have their eyes peeled for trouble. It is also not hard to find a several grubbers in need
Gear from earlier: Assumed to be detected and identified +1 studded leather, +1 kukri, +1 composite shortbow (+2 Str) with 20 arrows, cloak of elvenkind, giant wasp poison (1), large scorpion venom (1) Full Platemail, large Steel Shield, +2 Flail, Longbow with 40 arrows, Short sword, dagger, Cloak +2; sunrods (2), 200 gp
Eisenhorn (David) [AC 13/13/10; HP 45/82; CMD 17] Tuesday April 7th, 2020 7:17:00 AM
"Chuck it?! ... into a river?!... Dear Gods Man! This is one of the most fascinating creatures I have ever seen, and I don't think it's existence has been documented anywhere, at least not that I've read. And I have read QUITE... A... BIT. Not to mention that I don't even know if it needs to breath air, what if I chuck it into the river and some poor hapless farmboy stumbles into it while fishing or something!?" Eisenhorn composes himself a bit after his rant. "Now... I just atempted to read the snake's thoughts and it struck back at me through the spell. It tried to read MY MIND through the spell I CAST!" He says giddy with excitment, looking at Des he says "I have taken some precautions. I've locked the box with a spell so that only I can open it and Shifty is looking over the box. He should warn you if something goes awry. Although... He's a fickle little S...rascal so if you see me running out of that room like a maniac screeming, snake's probably taken over. Now if you'll excuse me I want to try some other methods."
Eisenhorn goes back into the room with the snake and making sure he maintains a good distance from the box starts shouting variations of "Hello Snake! CAN... YOU... UNDERSTAND... ME?" in all the languages he knows starting from Sylvan. If the snake does not respond he goes looking for Gaffer to see if the Druid can offer some insight into how to communicate with the snake.
----Active Effects----- Protection from Evil 10 min.
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 31/102; AC:22/10/20 - CMD 23] Tuesday April 7th, 2020 2:02:05 PM
Desdichado asks the others to huddle by him to discuss what they’ve learned from the women. “Well, if they aren’t slaves, what should we do with them? We can’t keep them here, but if they leave that could lead to major trouble for us, especially if someone traces them back to Shale House. Maybe we ask where they are from, put them to sleep, and leave them at their respective homes? And have any of you heard of this ‘Samuel CherryBlossom’ before? That’s not a name I’ve heard associated with the Houses, but I also don’t know much about this town.”
Talking with Eisenhorne adds to Dez’s confusion.
“So, the snake, the tiger guy, and the weirdo snake-man are all rakshas, or however you say it? Why would they be running a slave ring? That sounds like really bad news.” He thinks for a moment. “The good news is that I can smite them if it comes down to it!”
Gaffer (Courtney HP: 85/85 AC:25(T:21/FF:17) CMD:24 WS 4/4 SB 7/7 LL 10/10) Tuesday April 7th, 2020 7:11:31 PM
Gaffer enjoys seeing Dirt City in it's quieter state as the storm rests overhead, it feels so long ago that much of it was reduced to rubble. He takes a moment as he flies round to see how it has been faring since and, remembering what he was doing before they were attacked, he pays a visit to the temple again, to see if he can offer any help for a few hours.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 91/109 AC:28 T:16 FF:23 CMD:27) Tuesday April 7th, 2020 7:34:15 PM
Hmerrin listens in on Sarge and Dez. "If they were there voluntarily, say 'Sorry' and let 'em go. I mean, its not like the bad guys don't know where we live."
He regards Eisenhorne. "And speaking of bad guys, your saying the Snake Knife, the Snake Guy, and the Tiger Guy are all the same race?" The young fighter rubs his chin. "Oh, and they're all involved in running a slave ring through Dirt City. Well that's terrific. Any idea from them books if there are more Rakashas? Or maybe where they're holding these slaves? Might be a good time for us to pay a call."
Sarge [AC 20; HP 37/61](Kathy) Tuesday April 7th, 2020 10:22:17 PM
"Okay," Sarge tells the women. "Are any of you spellcasters? Gonna turn me into a salamander or something the minute I open the door? No?"
Assuming they're not spellcasters, Sarge lets them out. "So, you were pretty out of it when we found you. Did you drink, and maybe take other stuff, of your own accord? None of my business if you did, of course. But if you didn't, that means you were drugged, and that's worrying. So, should we worry? Or were you just all partied out?"
Shale House- DM Dan K Tuesday April 7th, 2020 10:44:10 PM
The group has a couple of things going on. What to do with the women? Put them to sleep somehow and drop them off somewhere in Dirt City per a thought from Des or his other point of simply letting them go. Hmerrin is for letting them go. They are citizens of Dirt City, the bad guys already know where to find The Tide after all Sarge is up for letting them out and finds the truthful answers from the women reassuring. They are not spell casters. Of course they did some drugs, but were not drugged, big difference and Sarge's questions and statements do bring up some from them. "Who are you, Don't remember you at the party and why did you feel the need to locks us up in a cage until morning?" However, none press the matter not wanting to put any of the heavily armed and generally powerful looking people between them and freedom in a foul mood
The Dagger, now identified as a Rakshasa is the next matter. Eisenhorne wants to keep it for further study. What's the connection to the slave ring? Why are the Rakshasa trafficking Dirt City citizens? Outside of the obvious answer of, there is a great deal of money in it
Hmerrin hopes the Ledgers will provide more information..
Eisenhorne spends more time with the Rkashasa. It does not answer anything the wizard shouts at it.
Gaffer swings back through the temple to assist. One of the acolytes gladly puts him to work organizing a few of the cloak rooms. When the storms die down, the acolytes and clerics expect quite a run on the place, what with all of the gods splitting and a couple of them dying and Warrd joining Alemi and the bad boding the Marteus is back on his own. Many of them felt better when a pantheon was keeping him in check. Ga'al as well. Now they answer to no one and no others they need to appease with collaboration
Gaffer and Sharpe return to Shale House where the entire party is hunkered down in cleaning up the battle from 2 nights ago and making a few repairs.
XP Awards. All PC's receive 20,000 xp
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 74/74; AC:26/19/20- CMD 26 d20+16=26 ; Tuesday April 7th, 2020 11:19:45 PM
Toston sits there dumbfounded. The women were there of their own will and not slaves? (but there is a slave ring going on?)
When pulled into the huddle he says, "Wait the dagger is the same thing as the tiger guy and the snake guy we fought earlier? That's just weird. I wonder if they killed Three Bits. Maybe if she's still out there she knows something about Raksashas or Nissa does or come to think of it maybe I do.
Toston sits and has a long think about what he knows about Raksashas (Know[Arcana]:26)
Eisenhorn (David) [AC 13/13/10; HP 45/82; CMD 17] d20=20 ; d20=13 ; Wednesday April 8th, 2020 7:06:29 AM
With the Rakshasa not answering to any of his prompts Eisehnorn tries to remember if he's ever read a book titled "How to ask Rakshasa for directions and other useful tips for the savy planar traveler" or " Interogation for dummies: Rakshasa Edition" (Knowledge Planes Roll: 20 + 20 = 40) to see if he can remember any useful information on how to get the rakshasa to talk or why they might need slaves.
He then goes back to the ledgers trying to finish decoding them. He tries to find any clues as to why outsiders would be involved in this and any key parts in the chain the Tide could potentially disrupt. (Linguistics Roll: 13 + 19 = 32)
With all of the excitment of the Rakshasa and the ledgers Eisenhorn has forgotten about the three women he locked up.
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