The Sheriff Arrives - DM Zachary Tuesday September 28th, 2021 2:14:03 AM Kristoph watches for the Sheriff and bemoans the gods. Isaac tries reasoning with the thug. Teddy and Gore’Thum declare success Tae-Che's spellcraft does not reveal the true fish Snark looks over the magical gear Einar calms down and wishes for some healing Faeloi asks if the fish is magical
About the time the thug's hearing returns those watching outside see the sheriff and Morris coming at a quick distance covering jog. The sheriff takes one look at the faces of those standing outside and slows down, "Why do I have a feeling that I really would rather not be responsible for looking inside that warehouse? Would anyone want to explain what I'm going to see, or should I just look for myself?" He waits outside for a moment, obviously dreading what he believes he's going to find inside.
Inside no matter how hard the party tries they can find no way of telling which gold fish is the right one. The fish are all reasonably similar if not practically identical and there are no special marking or magical auras that the party can detect. But if anybody in this region of the world who knew of Heranmar's lucky fish and was a little lacking in the morals department would likely pay a good price for it. 10 would bring a hefty profit. Isaac gets the thug talking, and he shares the following 1. He's a ruffian for hire. 2. Mudee hired him several weeks ago, he's been shaking down booths for protection money and guarding the warehouse ever since. 3. Mudee got these barrels in about a week ago and started filling them with fish. He thinks maybe that one is the real fish. Or is it the one over there? Or maybe the one in the middle?
Snark manages to identify the potions and scrolls but needs to study the cloak and bracers.
Einar (StevenVdB) FATIGUED 4 rounds - HP7/16 - AC18/13/15 - CMD 16 Tuesday September 28th, 2021 6:02:29 AM
Einar raises an eyebrow when the sheriff starts berating the way they have handled the situation... well... perhaps he's right of course. They just wanted to retrieve the lucky fish but it was Muddee's team that attacked first no?! Still... even then they could have solved the situation perhaps with a little less bloodshed. His blade still dripping with fresh blood Einar doesn't say a word - he'll feel a lot better in just a minute.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday September 28th, 2021 6:27:22 AM
Teddy shrinks back and hides behind Gore'Thum at the sheriff's tone. Gore'Thum calls out to him, "We came. Were attacked. Defended ourselves. One surrendered. Rest dead. 10 fish. Please, come in."
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 Tuesday September 28th, 2021 12:17:05 PM
Whilst the sheriff and Morris are outside Kristoph looks down as he says: "I am sure your deputy mentioned we tried to talk to them. Mudee literally screamed that we'd ruined their plans and launched into an attack. Unfortunately, Mudee and three of his lackeys are dead". He doesn't look like he's proud "The good news is that three of them are available for questioning. In fact it sounds like one is just starting to talk and we sorta found the fish. Well You'll see".
With the sheriff braced for the bad/good news he steps aside and escorts him in. After the sheriff sees all the fish he asks: "Any idea how to tell which fish is the real one? Or does it matter? Do you just wanna give the town one of them back and say you solved it"?
It felt like the work here was done and it looked like quite a few of the party needed some rest and perhaps a well earned ale or three.
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 d20+6=21 ; Tuesday September 28th, 2021 5:42:23 PM
Tae Che welcomes the Sheriff when he arrives. "When we opened the door, the goons inside were placing goldfish in barrels. Mudee exclaimed of our intrusion and told his lackeys to kill us. Several of his men did not survive the fight, including Mudee. As you can see, there is several barrels of water and goldfish here and we're not sure which is the one you might be looking for. Check them out for yourself."
She then lets the two go inside.
(ooc: not sure I can do another Spellcraft on the cloak and bracers but if so: 21)
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 9/9 d20+2=7 ; d20+2=20 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+9=14 ; Tuesday September 28th, 2021 6:43:43 PM
Snark is surprised when messing with the Bracers and the Cloak to see them magically resize to fit the gnome (and others). Snark is able to determine what the Bracers are (Spellcraft 19) but not the Cloak unless someone assists him on the skill check."Hey, if Mudee was wearing these they must be helpful. Who wants to wear em?"
Once the Sheriff arrives, Snark adds, "Sooo there Mr. Sheriff - is there some kinda reward for returning your lucky fish? Do we get a key to the City? Ooo, maybe a parade? Plus, now you got 10 lucky fish, so there are some spares in case this happens again!
"Hey, we got some beat up folks. Does the Sheriff have any clerics that can heal folks? Maybe we should go see that woman we saw before?
"How about we go check out the boat he was headed to. Maybe he has some stuff there. He has no money here for his trip."
Once gather up the things we found, Snark will go with the others down to check out the waiting ship.
Faeloi (Erin H) | AC:17 | CMD:17 | HP:8/11 Tuesday September 28th, 2021 8:55:37 PM
Faeloi adds, "On the bright side, if you put all ten fish in the pond, the lucky goldfish won't be lonely. And you might get some more lucky fish in time if there's a female. Pretty soon you'll have lucky fish to spare. Every villager could take one home to bring luck to their house!"
Einar (StevenVdB) FATIGUED 4 rounds - HP7/16 - AC18/13/15 - CMD 16 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 4:37:19 AM
Einar tries to hold back laughing with Faeloi's addition to the discussion.
To Snark he says : "Those bracers won't help me but I'm sure they can help some of us. What does the cloak do? I could use some CLW potions though I consider those to be used only when spellcasters are down... no? Even now... some could use some patching up... I'm saving up for some sharper steel or better armor... "
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 9/9 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 1:44:11 PM
(Looks like between Tae-Che and Snark, we've identified both the cloak and the bracers?)
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 4:30:32 PM "So, the fish just found itself a group of friends with benefits? Sounds to me the only soul that got lucky in this place"! On that happy note, if no one else wants them - Kristoph will happily make use of the braces (it's more armor than he's ever had), but only if no one else wants them.
"It's an interesting plan Snark, but we have no evidence and what happens when we stroll up to the boat and they tell us to get lost? Another fight"?
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 5:56:21 PM
Teddy peeks out from his hiding spot behind Gore'Thum to see the Sheriff's expression as he enters.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 5/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 6:05:09 PM
Isaac sighs it was worth a shot but it sounds like this ruffian didn't have any good intel. "Ok lets try again. Your boss probably had a place he kept records or correspondence did he have a room here in the warehouse that he used as an office?" Isaac also takes a look at Mundee's possessions looking for any sort of letter or something that would at least point them to where he lived. If he finds nothing he takes another look at the barrels checking to see if they had any numbers or symbols on them.
(I'm interested in the potions of Jump and Feather Fall. Has anyone figured out what the bracers and cloak are?)
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 Wednesday September 29th, 2021 8:53:08 PM
Tae Che replies to Isaac's question regarding the two items. "The bracers assist the wearer's ability to not be struck in combat. I don't need them, as I usually use a spell that does that type of thing. The cloak assists the wearer in avoiding adverse effects, from spells, traps, and the such. Both good items to have on. I'm interested in the cloak, but it's probably better with someone else at this time." Gives him a smile.
Fish Vodoo - DM Zachary Thursday September 30th, 2021 3:05:10 AM
The sheriff sighs heavily and braces himself before coming inside. He looks at the carnage, especially around where Einar stood and grimaces. Morris follows him inside but at the sight of half gnomes he quickly heads back outside where you all hear the sound of retching.
"Well then. From your wounds and what Morris said I don't think this was going to end any other way. Now what's this you're saying about 10 fish." Sheriff looks in the barrels and swears, "Does this makes them all lucky? Is the luck spread so thin it doesn't matter anymore? If only they hadn't killed Sloe, he'd know which fish was right."
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Thursday September 30th, 2021 8:15:42 AM
Teddy and Gore'Thum stay silent, having nothing to suggest.
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 Thursday September 30th, 2021 10:21:27 AM "You strike me a shrewd man sheriff, I mean you knew exactly who our source was. You also had a pretty good idea this was gonna turn out this way right"? Shame flushes his features for a moment and without taking his eyes from the Sheriff he gestures towards the gory body (spread out over different barrels) and adds: "Ok, maybe not this graphical but never-the-less. You knew something like this would happen, right? Either we would get killed or one of your problems would be solved. Didn't we just do your job for you whilst you turned a blind-ish eye? Stop wallowing in the belief that your town is doomed because you can't tell which is the lucky fish. Why not tell the town by some magnificent act or miracle of - inset some mystical force's name - you now have a whole bunch of lucky fish. Isn't this amazing, blah blah! He catches himself before he says the rest out loud... He wanted to say: 'Instead of cursing that you wish we had sorted your problem out for you in a tidier fashion'.
He takes a deep breath and holds up a hand of apology, bows slightly and steps back.
Then paces in the background like a cat on hot tiles, taking time to calm. He realizes his outburst of anger wasn't aimed at the Sheriff - why did the deaths grate on him so much?
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 9/9 Thursday September 30th, 2021 11:34:28 AM
Snark gives Kristoff a wary side look as he steps up to the Sheriff. "Yeah, so like my pal Kris here said, but a little less angrily, we checked out the place. Thanks for sending the deputy to unlock the place and for coming so quick once he saw there was trouble.
"Now, as you can see, we're a little worse for wear and aren't really ready for another fight. Since we took the brunt of the attack in solving your town's crime, would the Sheriff's office be so kind as to arrange gettin' us patched up before we go with you to check out that ship Mudee mentioned?"
Later Snark will quietly say to Kristoff, "I agree with you, but I've been around you big folk long enough to know that if you start by pissing off the local lawman, you're in for a whole peck of trouble going forward."
Einar (StevenVdB) FATIGUED 4 rounds - HP7/16 - AC18/13/15 - CMD 16 Thursday September 30th, 2021 2:35:51 PM "hehehe... I like these guys..." Einar thinks as he listens and watches Kristoph and Snark talk to the Sheriff... "... I'm sure they'll be fun to travel with... "
Einar remains quiet but he has a hard time hiding the smile on his lips. But then again with all the blood on his blade that smile might be a bit out of place... a little... morbid perhaps?
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 Thursday September 30th, 2021 9:01:13 PM
Tae Che slinks into the background, not wishing to add anything unnecessary to the conversation with the Sheriff that Snark and Kristoph have already alluded to. She checks out her clothing for smatterings of blood.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 5/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Thursday September 30th, 2021 10:13:45 PM
Isaac looks over at Kristoph "Be careful what you say the people out here might be superstitious but that fear is rooted in something." Isaac wishes they could just ask the bodies which was the real fish but...wait. "Snark your a gnome right?" He says looking over at Snark. "Don't gnomes have some connection to nature could you actually talk to the fishes?"
Faeloi (Erin H) | AC:17 | CMD:17 | HP:8/11 Friday October 1st, 2021 12:10:49 AM
Faeloi frowns. She was hoping the sheriff might be more receptive to her suggestion about the fish. That he was not means the townsfolk will likely be just as upset about having 10 fish now. Stupid lucky fish. She wonders if there's a way to convince them which fish is lucky. She asks the sheriff, "How did you all know the original fish was lucky? Is there some sort of test we can put the fish through?"
She refrains from giving examples of tests they could use as she's pretty sure her suggestions would come off as sarcastic rather than sincere. She doesn't want the sheriff or deputy to realize her true intentions behind the question. Magic users are pretty useful, and spells like the prestidigitation that was used to clean her up yesterday can be used for a lot of things when one is creative. Such as convincing an entire town that a simle little goldfish...is lucky.
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Friday October 1st, 2021 8:10:37 AM
Gore'Thum is a little tempted to eat one of the 10, but that would probably lead to all sorts of trouble so he resists the temptation.
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 Friday October 1st, 2021 9:31:36 AM "Don't tell me you buy into this Isaac? There's no magic here, only fear! Superstition is more habit than belief, haven't you met people that do things without actually knowing why? They were just told it's 'bad luck' not to. Superstition is the fear of belief and in my experience makes wise men follow fools. You might as well be telling me it's bad luck if I'm not superstitious". He shakes his head. "We found the fish, I'm going back to the inn unless we're needed for anything else"?
Something has clearly touched a nerve with Kristoph and he's ready for his ale. ;-)
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 Friday October 1st, 2021 9:32:57 AM
(that and his hair is still slightly smouldering)
DM JamesM: Gold Fish, Cold Fish, Which one is my fish? Friday October 1st, 2021 9:37:07 AM
DM James: I'm a little early coming in with this, but I was inspired and DM Zach seems to be a little stretched out. Be prepared if DM Zach wants to amend anything in this post.
The heroes emerge with a barrel full of lucky fish as they are marched triumphantly through the center of town where the locals have a ceremony prepared to reintroduce the fish to the pond. The eldest insists on rubbing each one before carefully placing it in the pond. As he rubbed each fish you can see him slyly run his fingers along a ring in his other hand.
Once all the fish have been returned to the pond he announces that the lucky fish has been returned and it will take a fortnight before the luck has stabilized enough for a viewing. Locals hurriedly erect poles with sheets to obscure the pond from onlookers. As they do that the heroes are escorted to the Bottom Feeder's Inn where they are treated to drinks and food in celebration.
"Hey!" called out the owner. "What do you call Waldo's sheep when they are falling down a hill?"
"A Lamb slide!" roared Ralphus the owner as he laughed heartily at his own joke.
Elsewhere as people filed in...
"These guys are great." "That one looks a little bloody." "Yeah, keep him away from me." "Hey Jones! Isn't your daughter lookin' for a man?" "His daughter? We are doing good luck tonight, don't do that to them." "She not a bad looker." "What about everything else?" "Jonesy, you drinkin'?" "He won last time. Nearly broke me paying fer his drinks all week." "He paid fer it all week too. His daughter didn't like that." "ooooo, is she a witch?" "Don't know, but any man she likes is certainly a cursed fool." "I need to shake the old man's hand. Gots to be some luck on that thing after all that rubbin'" "Yeah. Wonder if they have any scales left." "Hey, Where's Waldo?" "Last I seen 'em he was tending his sheep south 'o town." "I seen 'is scarf hanging on a tree near the old Abbey." "Probably off with someones wife playing hide and seek." "He does that?" "Last time he was gone for two weeks. Said he found a good place to hide from Big John." "How long it take John to forget this time?" "Day and a half. Man can't remember to wear his boots on a rainy day." "Yeah, 'is old man wuz cursed to have stupid children. That curse worked."
Then someone suggests a drinking contest….
KS Local DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Big John's father is said to have been cursed by the Water Witch of the White Whirl when he refused to return the Seventh Ring of Severus to her. All his children are stupid."}
Survival DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Feels like it might rain tomorrow. Nothing serious, just a light sprinkling but it's going to last all day and into the night.}
“Benni” AC 19/12/17 CMD13 HP 13/13 Onesimos (SteveK) Friday October 1st, 2021 1:28:55 PM “First round for the heroes of the day are on me, my friends!”, the pleasant tenor is pitched to cut through the noise.
It comes from a brown-haired elf in simple clothes with counter-stitching in a wild flower motif, but most is covered by his armor and a sleeveless calf-length coat. Summer sky eyes watch without weighing, and he wears two symbols, a High Woldian glyph for “Flower” and the Tower that denotes a member of the Woldian League of Adventurers.
He gives a head bow to the cheered adventurers. ”Onesimos Elpis greets you in our temporary time on the Wold.” After a considering pause, the elf continues. “Less formally, call me ‘Benni’.”
OOC: It’s pretty obvious the elf, Benni, is a stranger in town.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 9/9 Friday October 1st, 2021 4:51:22 PM
Snark turns to look up at our new elven benefactor. "Hey, thanks pal!
"Hey, nice badge - The Woldian League of Adventurers! My pap was a member, he had a badge like that. Any idea where I can sign up? Also, we got some stuff to sell - any idea where we can do that?"
Then Snark realizes this elf is not a native.
"So where're you from? You look new here. So are we. This place is nice and all, but it's a little odd. We 'bout got killed tryin'a find a lucky gold fish for the town. They're a little twitchy about their beliefs here."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 9/9 Friday October 1st, 2021 4:59:42 PM
(Oh, and the Paladin was wise to point out that Snark missed something. Snark will have used Speak with Animals to try and figure out if any of the fish have special abilities and which one was taken from the pond in town.)
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP7/16 - AC18/13/15 - CMD 16 d20+4=13 ; Friday October 1st, 2021 7:05:53 PM
(survival 13)
By the time the group gets back in the pub Einar's most likely no longer fatigued. Still before joining the rest in the bar, he cleans the blood of battle of his face and clothes. He'll get stiched up later.
When he gets back with the rest he's eager to meet the Elf with that badge pinned to his armor. He wonders if he would meet the requirements for membership of such an illustrious organisation.
Hearing the challenge of a drinking contest Einar smiles... he's seen plenty of those back in Hook City. Usually they ended up in a fun bar brawl...
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 Friday October 1st, 2021 9:31:51 PM
Tae Che accepts her free drink with a brief smile and finds her way to the table with the elf stranger. She sits next to the man, raises her mug to him in thanks and takes a big gulp and relaxes in the chair.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) HP 5/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Friday October 1st, 2021 9:57:53 PM
Isaac listens to all the people talking when he hears someone talking about blood he imagines they they're talking about him he had gotten pretty charred in the fight he would have to do more training and get better armor going down like that was quite the wake up call. When the Elf called Benny spoke up about drinks he takes a simple cider if they have any. He had a bit of trouble under standing Benny at first some sort of accent(?)." So what's new Benny? We got into town a day ago and things are already hectic around here."
“Benni” AC 19/12/17 CMD13 HP 13/13 Onesimos (SteveK) Monday October 4th, 2021 2:09:54 AM
Onesimos tries to get the questions straightened out, first nodding to Issac and then the rest of the group. “ ‘Just a day’, and already promoting Agape’, the unselfish concern for the welfare of others? It sounds like you Luck Makers already have ‘what it takes’. In fact, my WLA senior, Akoka, directed me to meet you here. It seems you will have the opportunity soon.”
Benni listens without comment on the people and culture in Heranmar, and tells of himself when asked. His story isn’t long, he was a young man living near Plateau City (northern continent) during the Year of Ascension, and was one of the first devotees to a new god that year, Flower (goddess of love and the arts). Eventually, however, he wanted to do more than observe the passage of centuries like most elf, and joined the WLA to actively help others. His first assignment: head to the southern continent. It is pure coincidence that he is here. He gets a grin on his face.
”Or, from what you say the people here would say, what luck! So, would you let me and my clerical skills join you?”
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Monday October 4th, 2021 6:11:02 AM
Teddy is quickly overwhelmed by the crowd of people celebrating and goes to hide in the room they rented. Gore'Thum stays a little longer but also leaves once he gets tired of people treating him like a circus attraction.
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP7/16 - AC18/13/15 - CMD 16 Monday October 4th, 2021 6:16:11 AM
Einar listens to the Elf's introduction. He isn't the smartest of the group and finds it difficult to see how Benni is short for Onesimos. Might be an Elf thing... Einar doesn't say much but takes a keen eye on Benni's armor and weaponry.
"That is some fine gear Sir Elf" he says nodding at the breastplate and morning star.
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 5/9 d20+7=18 ; Monday October 4th, 2021 10:00:40 AM
Kristoph looks mid twenties (human) with dark hair, the left side of his face has old burn scars and he wears an eye patch. He wears loose baggy sleeveless clothing, no armor and has no obvious weapons. He looks fairly muscular but slightly cold? Stand-offish? (Cha:8) ;-) He studies the new arrival and then nods a greeting. He already has an ale - in fact he has a few lined up so he declines politely.
A few ales later Kristoph opens up: (careful not to broadcast this confession to everyone in the inn): "You asked me Snark, how I got this" a slight gesture to his scars and burned face. "My real name is Baronet Idris Ándaras and I am - or was six steps away from the throne of Aisildur. Fifteen years ago when I was a boy - I had a panache for sneaking about, nosing around the palace, mixed with a talent for picking locks. Apparently when I was a mere babe I picked a lock on a water tank and I was found splashing around, despite being too young to even remember. Anyway, one night I opened the wrong door and got myself kidnapped. Turns out I stumbled on some evil clerics of Ga'al who were hiding out in the palace, they had this room where they were heart-seeding people. It's this thing where they force this glop down your throat and when it grows you lose who you are, you end up a mindless lackey for Ga'al! It happened to the Emperor and in turn he sent our quads (our special troops) against Aisildur's neighbors, not by my families will believe me! I only escaped by burning a heartseed off of my own face! I grabbed the nearest torch and did this...". He lifts his eye patch to show the extent of the damage, his left eye is white. "If it wasn't for a few servants still loyal I would have been hung for most of the palace was under their sway... So, the next morning I was smuggled outta the palace and ran, never went back. Despite heroes saving Aisildur and life returning to normal I chose to relinquish the Ándaras bloodline"! He finishes his ale and pours another.
"At one point my family were evil puppets for Ga'al, and if they had been killed because of their actions they would never have been freed. I have come to hate violence and in particular killing people. So, there's something else you should all know, I will do my best not to kill anyone! I will help with whatever comes our way, but I shall do my very best to never actually kill. I hope that isn't a problem"?
He senses motive (18) on anyone paying attention to him (outside of the party).