Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Monday February 14th, 2022 11:57:20 PM
Everybody around these parts knows that "Castle" is short for "Castle Surrender." The name comes from the fact that the throne has never been held by anyone very long (the current record is 10 years.)
Indeed, as you walk to the town, you can see the castle, a gorgeous ediface, has no walls whatsoever.
There is a stout city wall protecting the city of Castle, however. The guards at the north gate stop you and demand that you state your business and what you seek.
They expect each hero to answer for themself.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 12:59:26 AM
Asimov says, "The name is Asimov and I am somewhat of a wandering adventure / tinkerer. This here is Irony" and he points to the mechanical minion, "I built him. I am here at the bequest of the Marquis to investigate the recent string of murders that have happened round these parts."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 7'4" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 4:59:45 AM
"We are here to find out who or what has been killing people and get them to stop it. I am Mundhildur Karadottir of Clan Stormur og Sky og Vindur Morguns. These are my friends. We aim to help people, to right wrongs, to battle evils, and to tell good stories."
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 8:23:47 AM "We are the Twins." "We come from a distant land to explore and learn." "And do some good along the way." "Our business currently is to help our group investigate this murder." "And maybe experience some local culture while we're at it."
If the guard insists on each twin identifying themselves separately they merely say they are one half of the Twins. Further insistence might elicit a sigh and an answer along the lines of two opposite concepts like hot and cold or light and dark. The answer changes every time asked.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday February 15th, 2022 3:00:59 PM
"My name is Honor Faith Constance Bright, and I am a paladin of Pantheon," Honor replies. "My companions and I have come to help investigate the recent mysterious deaths."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 7:09:55 PM "I am Elron -- Elron of Herringbone, or some such. Like my companions, I was asked to come present myself to a guardsman named Tarla to see if we could help."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Tuesday February 15th, 2022 8:48:31 PM
Zeoll nods at his friends and follows suit.
"Yes, I am Zeoll, an adventurerr in serrvice to Marrquis de Lockrridge; we arre herre at his rrequest to help bring a murrderrerr to justice."
===== ===== ===== DM Post
The guardsman at the gate is happy to let you in, after taking down your names and descriptions.
"Senior Guardsman Tarla can be found in the town gaol."
You enter the city of Castle. The terrain here is hilly, and the actual castle is built into a rocky elevation looking over the hall. Despite that elevation, Castle Surrender is not a very fortified hall.
The town is important mostly for trade. Stone, gems, metal, and marble from the Scab enters the Windborne Hills here, and food and other trade goods move east. There is also a small local mining industry in the hills, and a farmer's market.
The gaol is just downhill from the castle. Do you go right there, or head to some other destination in town first?
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 12:55:01 AM
Asimov says, "My vote is for ye olde gaol but if you have another idea I am open to suggestions"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 7'4" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 4:08:58 AM
"Let's pick up a few things from the farmers' market, then on to the gaol," recommends Mundhildur. She wants some fruits, veggies, and some meat for cooking later. She'll spend up to a few gold pieces to get a good supply. She will also make a few inquiries about where to stable some stubborn mules. Then she is happy to proceed to meet with Tarla the Senior Guardswoman.
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 6:06:53 AM
The Twins vote for going strait there and shopping afterwards. The conversation could make the party decide they need to buy something specific after all, so no point in shopping until after they get some more details.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 7:13:26 AM
What time of day do they arrive? If early, Elron suggests the gaol first; if midday, a meal then gaol; and if late, setting up lodging and gaol in the morning.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday February 16th, 2022 9:28:14 PM
"We should head for the gaol first," Honor says. "We don't even know if we'll be able to cook where we're staying. And I doubt they'll let us camp in the town square."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Wednesday February 16th, 2022 11:14:52 PM
Zeoll agrees with those who want to visit the gaol first. "It is still morrning, so I have a hunch that we'll meet herr beforre she heads out on herr rrounds."
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Zeoll's prediction is eerily accurate. "I was just about to go out on my rounds," says Tarla. "But you caught me in time."
You meet the senior guardsman in the foyer of the gaol. She is dressed in nice studded leather armor, steel-toe boots, and a bright red cape with a hood. You saw the same red cape worn by the guards on the wall. She also carries a huge two-handed sword in a back sheath.
"Ah, you must be the adventurers Master Lockridge told me about. Yes, good, very nice to meet you all."
She asks if you would sit for a short interview, and she asks your names, backgrounds, and classes. Her keen questions also give her a sense of your level. Does anyone want to mislead her or conceal information?
Sense Motive DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {The more unusual members of the group ... the giant, the technomancer, and the twins ... are unfamiliar to her, and she is clearly intrigued and curious, but not in a negative way.}
She tells you that there have been five murders, all outside the city proper, all of solitary people. A shepherd, a traveler, a merchant, a farmer, and a child playing outside. Those who had anything of value were robbed, and all were cut badly and stabbed. The traveler, farmer, and merchant (really more of a tinker with a mule) evidently all fought back. Extra blood and feathers were found at those three sites.
"I can't tell you how glad I am that competent folk are looking into this. Thank you."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+10=28 ; Wednesday February 16th, 2022 11:36:15 PM "I'm Elron. Elron of Herringbone, or some such. I guess I'm what, lower middle class? Never felt low-class, anyways. As for my background, well I grew up wanderin' an' on a farm, an' then went an' spent some time with th' singing monks o' Norcia. Roosters is songbirds, you know. And say, what kind o' feathers?"
Elron does not conceal information, but sometimes he -- squirrel!
"I got a good story 'bout th' monks, too. . ."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+1=16 ; Wednesday February 16th, 2022 11:44:37 PM
Sense Motive: 16
Asimov says, "Well, I'm not quite from around here but I've been told that what I do is similar to what other mages do here except well it is kind of technical. So I go around calling myself a Tinker and Irony well I built him. He's pretty good in close combat; slams into things, can take a decent amount of abuse."
"Perhaps we try to lay a trap for the murderer using Irony as bait. Even if the unknown assailant stabs Irony hard enough to damage the construct I can always rebuild."
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Thursday February 17th, 2022 7:17:29 AM
The Twins have no interest in obscuring information other then their usual games of preventing people from identifying them as individuals. They intended to ask the feather question but Elron beats them to it. "Has plotted the attacks on a map?" "That might help."
If no one has done that then the Twins will request a map of the area if one is handy and do so themselves. If one is not handy then they know what to buy on their shopping trip later.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday February 17th, 2022 2:58:31 PM
Honor quite happily shares her full name, and chats a bit about her upbringing at the temple.
At Elron's query, she adds, "Or, maybe somebody saved some of the feathers? I wouldn't know what they were, but Mundhildur might."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Friday February 18th, 2022 12:11:03 AM
Asimov says, "Did any of the folks have any enemies? Was their any connection between any of them? Like did they all go to the same place in the days leading up to their murder?"
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Friday February 18th, 2022 12:14:56 AM
Zeoll listens and is happy to share that he is a druid/bard.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
"I don't have any feathers or map, but I can take you to the places we found bodies."
When asked what kind of feathers they were, she looks baffled. "Um, bird feathers? White and grey? Pretty big?"
"You heroes just got to town, right? You can stay in the guard barracks for free, or at one of our inns. You want to rest up before we go traipsing in the woods? Or if you want to, we could go right now?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 7'4" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+7=22 ; Friday February 18th, 2022 1:45:16 AM
Mundhi told about herself, not much different from what she told the guard at the wall. She does pick up on Tarla's curiosity about herself and her friends. She smiles and says, "Right. I know we are not the average group of people." She tells a little bit about the Jotun.
When Honor mentions Mundhildur may know something about the bird by its feathers, She shrugs her shoulders and says, "I might. Would need to see them."
"The barracks sound good. Can we stable our animals somewhere? Once that is handled, sure, let's go now."
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Friday February 18th, 2022 6:32:12 AM
The Twins request a little time to go grab a local map real quick so they can plot out things on a map. If the guardsman is willing to tell them where to find the right shop it shouldn't take long.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Friday February 18th, 2022 9:16:50 AM "Well, ma'am, there's big an' there's BIG. I'm guessin' you'd'a said somethin' if they was several feet long, so big for an ordin -- Oh, let's just go." Knowing that they will have a place to stay if they want, Elron's ready to see the scene.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday February 18th, 2022 2:31:52 PM
"Either the barracks or an inn would suit me," Honor says. "And I'm ready to go traipsing when everyone else is."
Gray and white feathers, she thinks. A killer seagull? No. An owl maybe? Ooh! What about an owlbear?! No, owlbears don't rob people... Honor continues turning it over in her mind.
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d4=1 ; d100=24 ; Saturday February 19th, 2022 10:49:59 PM
Zeoll is happy to help Mundhi with the pack animals, but Bill the Camel stays with the liontaur. "If I don't keep him with me, he gets so sad, you know."
The barracks sound fine to the liontaur. But his might stay in the garrison stable with Bill and the animals seeing as he is a bigger fellow who needs space to streeetch out.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Mundhi settles the beasts of burden.
The Twins go shopping for a map. A couple random die rolls later ... they find several out-of-date maps in a thick book supposedly detailing all the major seiges and battles for Castle Surrender. The book is 10 gp if you want it.
It would probably be sufficient for your purposes, if you like.
[OOC: I'll make ya a rough sketch if ya pays yer 10 goldies!]
The party agrees that staying at the barracks will be fine.
Then the senior guardsman leads the party to the nearest site. It is on the road going further south, and it was where a travelling pack-merchant was travelling. There almost no sign remaining.
"The King asked us to clean up real well here seeing as nobody travelling wants to be put off their tea," she explains.
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Sunday February 20th, 2022 8:25:50 PM
(You don't need to actually draw a map, just tell us if plotting out the murders shows anything interesting, IE they're all within X miles of Y location).
10g is cheap enough so the Twins go ahead and buy the thing.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+9=10 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+12=16 ; Sunday February 20th, 2022 9:00:02 PM
Asimov says, "So I take it we won't find any evidence then?
With nothing else to go on Asimov takes out the magic detector and has a look around.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 7'4" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+7=13 ; Monday February 21st, 2022 4:12:14 AM
"Describe, if you would, Tarla Guard, what you know about what happened to each person," Mundhildur requests. "How were their bodies injured? How badly? Aside from their lives, could anyone tell if anything were taken from them? A large bird of prey would usually carry the body of its victim off to some other place to eat it, if it did not eat it where killed. Were there marks of talons, or paw prints, or any indentations in the ground that did not seem to belong to the victims?"
She checks out the area along with Asimov to see if she can discern anything that may have been left untouched or only partially disturbed by the clean-up crew. ========= Perception: 13
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+15=30 ; Monday February 21st, 2022 7:36:43 PM
Elron tries to listen as Miss Tarla tells them about what happened. But he's worried that it might be particularly upsetting, seeing how it involves people getting killed, and that probably not in natural ways. If he zones out for a moment here or there, well, that's probably to be expected.
He studies the area carefully, though. Sometimes the smallest clue can be interesting. (Perception = 30)
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday February 21st, 2022 10:17:29 PM
Honor stands back and lets the others investigate. She isn't especially good at noticing things, and she doesn't know much about tracking, or nature. Murder is definitely an evil act, but any lingering traces of evil have probably long gone. The only thing she might be able to do is...
"Um, pardon me," she says. "I hate to sound morbid, but have all the bodies already been buried. It's just--" she adds hastily. "It's just that we might be able to get a clue from the kinds of wounds the suffered."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Monday February 21st, 2022 10:24:48 PM
Zeoll says that you all are doing swell! "If you need a hand with anything, just ask!" [OOC: Zeoll contributes when others ask him for some specific help.]
===== ===== ===== DM Post
The Twins work with the guardsman to plot the attacks on the map. It is like laking a scatter plot. And it turns out that all the incidents took place east of the city, and maybe with a couple more to the southeast by east.
Asimov scan for magic but comes up blank.
Honor asks about the bodies, but as she feared, they have all been interred in blessed ground.
Mundhi looks around but sees nothing.
Keen-eyed Elron, however, notes that in a nearby tree, one of the thicker branches is scored, as if by claws!
Maybe if you climbed up and took a closer look?
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+6=9 ; d20+10=18 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 1:10:10 AM
(Climb: 9, Perception: 18)
Asimov goes over to the tree and tries to climb up there to investigate the marks but probably fails to make any progress climbing.
(OOC: Too bad I wasn't playing the witcher when we started this tap or else my character design would have been completely different and this kind of thing would have been my jam)
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 5:32:34 AM
The Twins aren't too perceptive so act as note-keepers for whatever information the others find to make sure they don't forget anything later when trying to put the clues together.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 8:25:03 AM "Hey, Zeoll ol' buddy, can you give me a boost?" Elron's not much of a climber, but he's got tall friends.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 9:43:19 PM
Once the score/claw marks are pointed out, Honor says, "Zeoll? Mundhildur? Any idea what kind of creature that could be?"
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20+11=31 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 10:18:23 PM
Zeoll helps Asimov and Elron up the tree. Then he rears up on his hind legs to take a peek himself.
The liontaur's nat 20 Know Nature roll should help.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Elron, Asimov, and Zeoll determine that the claw marks were made by a raptor, a big one, as big as a hman, maybe.
The Twins jot this down.
There's not much else to see here. "What would you like to do next?" asks Tarla. "Head back and rest? Look at another site? Something else?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 11:06:50 PM "Once folks are satisfied we've found what we can here, I say we see if we find these marks at some o' the otha' sites." Elron tries to figure out just how big the things feet are, using his own for comparison. "A raptor -- you mean a bird o' prey?"
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 12:56:01 AM
Asimov says, "Does anyone know if the local constabulary has any clay? Maybe we should take a cast of the claw marks in case we come across a raptor to make sure we have the right culprit? After we have the cast of the claw marks I'd be game for checking out another attack site."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 7:00:35 AM
The giant woman takes a look, too, growing to full height. "Yes, let's look over the next site."
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 7:24:24 AM
The Twins do their best to draw the clawmarks but have no skill points put into that so are probably terrible at it.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 2:50:01 PM
"I'm guessing the raptor is a companion or pet," Honor says. "Raptors don't rob people. There is almost certainly a person involved in this."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 11:26:36 PM
Zeoll agrees to go on to the next site. "I'm not tirred."
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Tarla leads you all on.
The murder nearby took place in a meadow, where a shepherd was attacked. Several sheep were killed too, but their carcasses were never found. You can see a thicket into which the sheep tried to run for cover. The body of the shepherd has been cared for and removed.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+10=16 ; d20+12=16 ; d20+12=32 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 12:53:04 AM
(Perception: 16) (Knowledge: Arcana - 16) (Spellcraft: 32)
Asimov looks around the meadow then fires up his magic detector and looks for clues
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+7=17 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 4:47:57 AM
"The sheep were for food. The shepherd - likely he was trying to defend the sheep," is Mundhildur's take. She looks around, trying to find any imprints left by the creature that the clean-up crew managed to overlook. And for feathers.
Perception: 17
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Thursday February 24th, 2022 9:00:51 AM
The Twins take notes.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday February 24th, 2022 3:16:34 PM
"If there were no carcasses found, how do you know the sheep were killed?" Honor asks. "Could they have just been carried off?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+15=27 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 7:46:04 PM
Elron looks for more clues, particularly raptor claw marks (since he knows to look for those now). But more feathers, signs of a struggle, or whatnot might also help.
(Perception = 27)
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Thursday February 24th, 2022 11:51:37 PM
Asimov waits to learn what they discover
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Friday February 25th, 2022 12:49:03 AM
Zeoll puts nose and eyes to work looking over the scene.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Guardsman Tarla leads the party over and points out the places where the domesticated beasts were likely killed. There are signs of blood and a few bits of wool around. A single feather too.
She has an answer for Honor. "The owner of the flock told us how many there should have been, and we know how many were recovered."
Elron and Zeoll, looking around, confirm this -- and Mundhi's analysis seems spot on.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+3=7 ; Friday February 25th, 2022 5:24:05 AM
Mundhi examines the feather. She is trained in handling animals, but has not really done any wrangling of avians. She does measure the length and breadth of the feather, though, wondering if it matches some bird she has seen in the mountains.
"Zeoll, can you tell what sort of bird this is from?"
============ Handle animal: 7 - this likely does not help much!
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 d20=15 ; Friday February 25th, 2022 6:02:49 AM
The Twins look at the feather and try to think if they've seen such a thing in their long travels (no useful skils so raw int or wis check! take your pick. 15)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Friday February 25th, 2022 11:14:03 AM
Elron considers the feather. Most likely a vaned feather -- that's what most mammal-folk mean when they say feather -- not down or a filoplume. It might be stiff and in layers provide some protection much like scale mail, or water resistant so the owner stays dry in wet weather. He considers whether the vane is fairly symmetrical about the shaft, and how many barbicels the thing has to hold its shape, to estimate whether it is a flight feather that may have fallen on its own from the owner's exertions, or plumage that might have been dislodged by the attempts of its victim to save itself. Flight feathers will be stiff in one direction but not the other. If the barbules break off easily, maybe the owner. . . But no, lots of different birds have powder down. Elron also looks for signs of parasites. Murderous and anti-social creatures might not be trusted to keep themselves too clean. When he's done, he's none the wiser.
"So, how many sheep do you think it ate?"
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday February 25th, 2022 8:24:21 PM
"But how do you know for sure the sheep were killed, rather than just taken?" Honor persists. "I mean, some of them were killed, sure. All that blood. But some could have just been taken away."
"I don't suppose it matters," she continues. "Alive or dead, the sheep had to be carried off. Which means we're looking for something very strong. And probably very big."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Sunday February 27th, 2022 9:25:04 PM
"Along with the wheres, we need to know the whens. When and where the first attack? Where and when the second? The third? And so on. How many days between? How recently was the last attack?" Mundhildur inquires.
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20+11=21 ; Sunday February 27th, 2022 10:49:23 PM
With Mundhi's prompting, Zeoll ponders the claw marks and the feather.
Knowledge Nature 21
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Mundhi, the Twins, Elron, and Zeoll deduce that it is no natural bird, not an eagle, say, It is too big. Probably as big as a man. Maybe a giant eagle? Or something else big with wings.
Honor's idea of one big thing does not really match the claw marks. Probably several medium or large things.
The Guardsman tells Mundhi that she'll put together a report on the deets tomorrow.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Monday February 28th, 2022 1:50:24 AM
Asimov says, "Besides the claw marks and the feather and all the blood was anything else found at any other scene? Maybe we can get an idea of whether it was a single creature or a group based on what the sum of information we have is."
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday February 28th, 2022 1:22:53 PM
"A whole flock of....somethings," Honor says. "Harpies? They might rob people. Although harpies usually make their prey come to them rather than the other way around."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+15=31 ; d20+8=20 ; Monday February 28th, 2022 9:26:05 PM
Elron seems to think that he'd be crawling with parasites by now it he touched a harpy feather. Just to be sure, he walks around the attack site at a distance, looking for signs that the creatures more likely flew than ran.
(Perception = 31, survival = 20 (looking for tracks))
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Monday February 28th, 2022 11:17:19 PM
"I need an apple. Several apples. Let's go to the next site, if we can. May I stop by the market on the way, if it's not too far off the path?" Mundhildur inquires.
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Monday February 28th, 2022 11:37:23 PM
Zeoll joins his friends in surveying the crime scenes.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
You travel to each of the other sites, finding either nothing or similar clues: talon marks, feathers, sometimes bodies are taken, other times just possessions. The sites cluster on the eastern edges of the city. Never any tracks.
"It's been a long day," says Tarla. Let's get back to the guard barracks and some grub.
You find yourselves ready to rest in Castle. Any actions before sleep? Do you need to set watches in a guards center? Deeds for the dawn?
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday March 1st, 2022 3:05:06 AM
Asimov says, "Irony can be stationed in the guard room all night as he can stand watch while I rest, if everyone wants."
Asimov takes stock of the devices he has available and nothing he can build can seem to really help the situation more
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Tuesday March 1st, 2022 8:27:37 AM
The Twins wash their hands of ink and go straight to bed, assuming a watch order to be overkill in the middle of a town.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 2:11:15 PM
"That's a good idea, Asimov," Honor says through a yawn. Other than eating dinner and removing her armor, she has no preparations to make before some well-earned rest.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Tuesday March 1st, 2022 5:06:59 PM
Elron looks forward to someone else reading and summarizing this report the guards are going to give them. He wonders whether the attacks happen a certain time of day, and how busy the areas where they happened are. He wonders even more where the best place in town to eat is.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday March 1st, 2022 11:23:53 PM
Asimov instructs Irony to stand guard and then prepares to rest himself unless there is anything interesting in that report.
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 11:41:36 PM
Zeoll entertains with some gentle music before bed.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Turns out the timing of the attacks is not really well defined. Three at different times during the day, two by twilight.
Irony keeps watch, and the party gets a good night of rest. The day dawns, and over a breakfast of berries and bacon, Tarla asks if you will need her today.
Sense Motive DC13: Highlight to display spoiler: {You sense that she is eager to make up for yesterday's lost time at her usual tasks.}
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+7=20 ; d20+2=11 ; Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 3:07:45 AM
"I suppose you have other things to catch up on, Tarla," Mundhildur says. "But, before you go, were you able to determine whether they all happened on one day, or were spread out over several days? We need to know that. Was it like one occurred on the first day of the week, another the 3rd or 4th, then a week went by... or, what, exactly? That you cannot tell the specific moment for each event is not terribly important. But the relative time in days of separation, and the like, it would be helpful to know. What is the spacing in time from one attack to another? Patterns help. What patterns do we have?" ========== Sense motive on Tarla: 20 Knowledge, Local: 11
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 9:03:10 AM
The Twins get up and mess with the map. They look for landmarks in the eastern city, draw lines between the attack to check for central location, measure distances involved to try to get a range the attacker travels, etc. They note any points of interest to visit after breakfast.
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+8=12 ; Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 6:27:14 PM
"You've done quite a lot for us already," Honor assures Tarla. "Could you give us the locations of the other attacks? We can investigate them for ourselves, if we need to."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 7:11:59 PM
Elron wonders if there is a high point in town that provides a decent view of the areas where the attacks occurred. Not necessarily of the sites themselves, but a decent altitude for things to be flying above those sites.
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 10:35:38 PM
Zeoll sleeps in, tuckered out after the trip from home.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Mundhi asks about the timing of the attacks. She is told that at least two days elapsed between them, usually three or four. The first attack took place just over three weks ago; the most recent, the day before yesterday.
The Twins look at the map for patterns. They would say that if the attacks have a center, it would be to the east, maybe a little south of east.
Regarding the sites, sorry, I did not make it clear. yesterday you visited all five sites.
Elron gets permission to travel to the top of the highest tower of the Castle proper. From there, he sees that to the immediate east there are a lot of trees and a few homesteads, and further east, the high mountains of the Scab.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Thursday March 3rd, 2022 1:12:34 AM
Asimov gathers Elron and The Twins and says to the Twins, "You figured out where the center of the attacks would be"
He then points to Elron and says, "You know the lay of the land after your view from the tallest tower. Between the two of you we should be able to figure out if there is a good place for a lair in the area of the center, so what landmark relatively matches the center? The dense forests or one of the homesteads?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Thursday March 3rd, 2022 5:55:33 AM
The Twins shrug. "The map is light on details." "The best way to find out is to go and look around."
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday March 3rd, 2022 6:16:51 PM
"I would guess the forest," Honor says. "But it is all guesswork at this point."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Thursday March 3rd, 2022 7:54:03 PM "I think th' mountains are far enough away that anything'd've been noticed comin' from there." Elron thinks the whatevers probably live in the forest. But they should visit the homesteads first. Either to warn 'em or to see what's happened there.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Friday March 4th, 2022 2:16:40 AM
"To the forest then or the homesteads?" Asimov asks
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Friday March 4th, 2022 11:45:29 AM
"I've heard of ugly, foul fowls who look like women from the mid-torso, and birds in areas below. They do something with their voices, but I don't know much more than that," Mundhi says. "Probably something else, though."
"Let's visit the trees and homesteads - maybe someone out there knows something more. Then, towards the Scab," suggests the singer. "I'm going to bring Sled with me," she says, referring to one of her two mules.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday March 4th, 2022 2:10:59 PM
"Although I think the forest is more likely," Honor says, "it'll probably be quicker and easier to check the homesteads. Maybe we should start with those."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Saturday March 5th, 2022 7:27:38 PM
Zeoll is happy to go exploring, maybe to find a clue.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Breakfast over, you all head to the outskirts of town, to the east. A few miles out of the town, the landscape is covered in individual farms. Some are held by freeholders farming their own land, others by renters. Do you conduct any investagation here? Specifics please ... make checks, outline actions.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Sunday March 6th, 2022 3:06:37 PM "We should, I say, should go to th' farms an' ask if they've seen anythin' odd, startin' with th' ones closest to th' attacks," Elron suggests. "Things like losin' animals, spooked animals, or unusual birds in th' sky."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+10=29 ; d20+12=27 ; Monday March 7th, 2022 1:16:22 AM
"Good Idea Elron. Let's do that."
Assuming they go with Elron's plan as they approach the first farm Asimov keeps his eyes open for anything out of place (Perception: 29)
He also takes a look around and tries to think if his knowledge of Geography might provide him with any further insight into how an ambush predator might operate in this region. (Know: Geography: 27)
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 d20=7 ; Monday March 7th, 2022 6:17:05 AM
The Twins keep their eyes open for any signs or clues as they head to the farm, anything indicating the presence of a large bird or recent violence, but they aren't that great at it (7 perception)
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+12=16 ; Monday March 7th, 2022 3:08:01 PM
For visiting the homesteads, Honor decides to play her role to the hilt. She gives her armor an extra polish before donning it. She deliberately leaves off her helmet so that her bright blond hair shines in the sun. She rides Justice, fresh from the Celestial Realm, looking like a prince of horses.
As they approach the first farm, Honor calls out, looking for the people who live there. She approaches them and says, "Good day. We have come to put a stop to the killings and disappearances. We could very much use your help. Tell me, have you seen or heard anything unusual in the past week or so?"
[Diplomacy 16, not including whatever bonus or penalty the DM wants to apply for looking like something out of Central Casting]
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20+15=35 ; Monday March 7th, 2022 11:26:42 PM
Zeoll tries to engage people and gather information from the inhabitants.
Gather Info / Diplomacy 35
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Elron suggests talking with the local farmers hereabouts.
The Twins look around, but notice nothing out of the ordinary.
Zeoll and Honor uncover no new info on the murders. The farmers that you meet seem unusually close-mouthed, however, unwilling to talk other than in monosyllables. Most of them seem to be hiding something. Zeoll overhears something about "don't talk about the Guild!"
Asimov notes a few paths headed deeper into the surrounding woods beyond the homesteads. Also, some of the trees over there are unusually large.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Monday March 7th, 2022 11:56:04 PM
Asimov says to the group, "Do trees normally grow this large around these parts?" and he points out the rather large trees.
"Also there are some paths headed deeper in the woods. Considering the farmers we've met have been less than helpful do we want to take one of the paths in there and see if we can't locate whatever is murdering folks and earn those investigator titles?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 d20+2=11 ; d20+7=14 ; d20+7=14 ; Tuesday March 8th, 2022 1:47:35 AM
[Crazy busy weekend with family & friends & a funeral & Monday... sorry for not posting until now.]
Mundhildur wants to speak with some children. Surely there must be at least some about, no? She asks what kinds of games they like to play. She asks if anyone is good at throwing rocks. Can they skip them on water? She asks how tall they think she is. If she finds a girl with braided hair, she compliments her on her braids, and shows off her own. If any parents seem upset with her attempts to talk with their kids, she asks them why they are afraid. "I'm not here to hurt any of you, don't be afraid. I'm gentle as a lamb, unless someone tries to harm the innocent." She asks if anyone needs help moving something big and heavy, and will offer to help if she can. She offers to share some salt, and cinnamon, and a bit of food, and she asks if any in the area are good at baking bread. "I'll pay good money for a few loaves of fresh bread," she promises.
Having, presumably, heard from Zeoll about the prohibition against speaking of the Guild, she tries to figure a way to work that into her conversation, but not straight out. She does ask about what sorts of birds are in the area, and if any of the children have seen any big ones. Have other adventurers been in this area recently?
She asks if anyone might be injured and in need of someone who has some healing abilities. If so, she offers to do what she might to help. ============== Knowledge, local: 11 Sense motive: 14 Healing, if called upon: 14 (unless someone can kick it up with aid another)
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Tuesday March 8th, 2022 4:32:14 AM
The Twins start consider if the attacks were not made by wild animals. They check their notes to see if there's any pattern on the types of people attacked.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+10=13 ; Tuesday March 8th, 2022 6:25:04 PM
Elron doesn't trust what he hears folks saying, especially after Zeoll pulls them aside. Once he picks up them being unusually closed mouthed, he tries to figure out why.
(Sense motive = 13)
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+8=27 ; Tuesday March 8th, 2022 10:05:30 PM
"I see some paths into the woods," Honor says to the farmers. She asks casually, "How often do people go in there?"
She listens to the answers, but she's more interested in their reaction to the question. [Sense Motive 27]
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20+11=18 ; Tuesday March 8th, 2022 11:37:12 PM
Zeoll takes a look at the paths. He tries to answer Asimov's question about the big trees. Know Nature 18.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Kids love Mundhi. She has a way with them, and has some new friends toot sweet.
Asimov wonders about these big trees, and Zeoll reassures him that those are native to the area. He says that they are related to the famous Tree of Parting, though rumor has it that that tree was magically enhanced to be even bigger.
The Twins can't rule out that weapons were used on the victims.
Elron has a hunch that the farmers herabouts are afraid to say the wrong thing. The wrong thing that could be dangerous to say.
Honor asks a farmer working a field about the paths. "Oh yeah," the laborer says, leaning on a hoe. "Those are mostly getting overgrown, and peoiple don't use them any more. Used to be farms out that way."
Zeoll confirms that the paths are overgrown and not recently trod.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Wednesday March 9th, 2022 1:16:09 AM
Asimov says, "Sounds like we are taking the overgrown paths less traveled. If people rarely go that way seems like it would be a good hideout for our ambush predator and if it has a less feral aspect perhaps one of those abandoned farmsteads back that way would provide a home base for it. I'm all for being careful as we head down the less used path, trying to get to those abandoned steadings to look for more clues as to the wherabouts of our quarry."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Wednesday March 9th, 2022 2:47:26 AM
"I can keep a secret. Some should always be closely guarded. Sometimes, though, there is someone who also needs to know the secret - for making a place safer, for overcoming danger, she says, almost whispering to the children.
"Seems around here the secret is the Guild. Now, don't answer my questions yet. Just think about them," she counsels any who listen to her.
"Just who belongs to this Guild? What does the Guild do? What power do they hold? What control do they exert?
"Do they cause fear? Do they do good things, or bad things, or some sort of mixture of the two?
"What makes the people here fear to discuss the Guild? Perhaps, if the Guild is doing things that are unsavory, perhaps we could oppose them, and by opposing, redirect their energies, or even simply stop them outright."
"We are adventurers. Our purposes include discovering amazing things. And protecting innocent people. And fighting against evil. That is what we do. We just prevented a type of war in the Scab, and we stopped those who wanted to offer their enemies up in evil, bloody sacrifices." She shudders to think of it. "Glad we stopped that from happening any more."
She continues, "We found the special ingredients to help keep alive a sweet girl who was very sick. Because of the medicine, she is alive, and getting better. I think she likes puppets, too." Mundhi pulls out Lambkin, and the little lamb-puppet greets the children. "Lambkin?" she asks. "Can you tell the children more of what we have done?"
The puppet looks surprised. "Me? You want me to tell them?" The puppet claps her hands together. "Me? a little lamb?" She giggles. She asks the children if they want to hear more. If they say yes, she says, "Um, all right. Well, well --- we have solved riddles! We have Freed Prisoners who did not deserve to be in prison. And, uh, we have learned stories, and made some of our own. Zeoll, our liontaur friend, is filled with stories and songs. Honor, she is amazing, a brave warrior, and a true hero. You should see her sword! And she is very tall for a woman - almost as tall as Mundhildur!" she jokes, though Mundhi is more than a foot taller. "The twins - they are the prisoners we freed. They come from a place where they are very special - a brother and sister who act almost as one person, and it can be hard to tell them apart, especially when they wear those helmets. Asimov, he made a kind of a man out of metal, and he has nice long hair. Not the metal man, I mean Asimov has nice hair. Asimov is an inventor. That means he makes things - all sorts of things. Those things can heal, they can defend, they can throw fire, or help you do special things.
"And Elron tells very funny stories, and he is bold and brave and a true friend to me. He helps save our lives, often!"
"Thank you, Lambkin."
"You're welcome, Mundhildur. Can I go rest in my secret spot inside your bag?" the puppet asks.
"Of course. But first say goodbye for now to the children."
"Goodbye! Farewell, children! Maybe I'll see you later after I rest!" the puppet offers. Mundhi puts her back in her bag.
"No doubt you have several good and worthwhile people here, too," the Jotun offers. "Who show kindness. Who help others. Who are wise, or clever, or who work very hard. Is there someone here, do you suppose, who might be brave enough, and wise enough, to help us understand who or what the Guild is, so we can help you with whatever might need help. I told you earlier not to answer my questions. But I would like to ask you to answer this question. Who can tell us about the Guild?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Wednesday March 9th, 2022 6:04:10 AM
The Twins wonder if this guild is just going to turn out to be a local underground fistifuffs club.
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+12=30 ; Wednesday March 9th, 2022 2:14:09 PM
"Farms?" Honor says. "How long ago was this? And what happened to them?"
[Diplomacy 30]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+15=25 ; d20+8=18 ; Wednesday March 9th, 2022 8:08:11 PM "I grew up on a farm. Well, we called it th' Farm. And I was really only there part o' th' year, seein' how we travelled 'round like three months in four. But th' Farm was a good place to stop in between. We'd help plant, and when we come back we'd help harvest." Elron reminisces.
He looks at the paths and tries to see what he can tell about them, like perhaps if any are still occasionally used. (Perception = 25, Survival = 18)
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20=14 ; d20=20 ; Wednesday March 9th, 2022 9:42:20 PM
Zeoll helps Elron looking at the path the group is near at the moment. Aid another to help ... nat 14 should be good for a +2.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
[OOC: The DM feels compelled to make a clarification. We've abstracted things a bit too much. The party has visited five homesteads in the area. You are currently at the fifth one. There were kids at four. There were overgrown paths heading east in two, including this last one. Both paths were once wide enough for a horse and wagon, now not so much. You overheard someone mentioning "The Guild" at the fourth farm. Adults at all five have been close-mouthed and wary of talking to you strangers.]
Mundhi starts whispering to the four kids living at this house, but a mom gets wind of this and calls the kids into the house before Mundhi can really get going. (Mom rolled a nat 20.) Alas, poor puppet again fails to get a chance on stage!
The Twins ponder.
Honor talks to the granther of this farm, a sturdy human fellow of about 50. He tells a take of goblin raiders and a tragedy a few years back, leading to the abondoned homestead on thataways. He gets more cordial as Honor engages hm, and he says, giving some grandfatherly friendly advice, that there hasn't been anyone going out that way for a year or two. Really. He keeps a watch out. "I'm old," he says, "but my ears are still sharp. Nobody uses that road any more, nope, no, Miss."
Sense Motive DC20: Highlight to display spoiler: {You have a hunch that, despite his warming to Honor, there is much he is not saying. He is currently friendly toward Honor, so you can use the Diplomacy skill to roll to ask for a favor, with possible adjustments based on roleplay.}
Elron and Zeoll take a closer look. In fact, aside from a few deer, they see no sign that the road is in use, It is truly overgrown, and there are no tracks at all.
Asimov still seems to think it is worth a look.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+1=10 ; Thursday March 10th, 2022 12:03:38 AM
(Sense Motive: 10)
Asimov says, "So there is at least one abandoned farmstead beyond where we are if we were to follow the overgrown trail? If that is roughly the center of the area where the Twins plotted the attacks on a map doesn't it bear investigation? Worst case scenario it is a bust and we have to go back to the drawing board to figure out where to look next?"
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 d20=8 ; d20=10 ; Thursday March 10th, 2022 7:06:04 AM
The Twins don't have any notion that the old man knows more (sense motive 8), but if someone else seems to get the hint they're willing to support their pitch (diplomacy 11 to aid another, +2 to their check). "People are dying good sir." "We just want to stop it." "And we can't do that if we don't have all the information we can." "We will share nothing you tell us with anyone else." "Unless absolutely necessary to stop the deaths."
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+8=11 ; Thursday March 10th, 2022 2:16:16 PM
Honor nods to the farmer. "Still, it might be worth having a look. You said yourself there were goblins in the area; I'm sure they'd love nothing better than an abandoned farmstead to take over. Or something else my have moved it. We might as well check on it, since we're here."
[OOC: Honor failed the Sense Motive, but really does think the group should at least take a look at the abandoned farms to see if anything unpleasant has moved it.]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- d20+8=23 ; Thursday March 10th, 2022 7:45:45 PM
(Sense motive = 23)
Unfortunately, Elron has no diplomacy as he stage whispers, "Honor, he likes you -- ask nicely. There must be somethin' he can tell us that will help us find these deadly creatures without puttin' himself at risk. It's not like we're gonna stir up somethin' best un-stirred when they're already out there killin' people and takin' sheep."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) d20+15=16 ; Thursday March 10th, 2022 11:43:21 PM
Zeoll walks with Elron back to where Honor is talking with the old farmer. He does not get the subtle interactions at work (Sense Motive 16), but if Honor continues sonversing, Zeoll will back her up.
"Sirr, Miss Honorr herrre has only the best of intentions, as do we all. I hope you will consider whatever she says."
Auto bestow +2 Aid Another bonus to any Diplomacy check.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Asimov and Honor agree that the old farmstead may be worth a look. But the Twins, Elron, and Zeoll are encouraging Honor to beseech the old farmer ... you have a +6 on your Dip check if you want to ask him for a favor.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Friday March 11th, 2022 2:58:32 AM
Disappointed in herself for upsetting the children's mother, she heads away, wandering over to where she spotted the man-lion and man-rooster looking at a trail. She walks down it perhaps 100 feet, and pulls out her longspear to clear a few overhanging branches that cross the path.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Friday March 11th, 2022 4:05:55 AM
Asimov readies his magic detector for their journey along the overgrown path.
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Friday March 11th, 2022 7:13:00 AM
The Twins wait to see what they can find out. Or what Honor can.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Friday March 11th, 2022 1:34:56 PM
Elron looks around at the homestead, taking note of these people's lifestyle. If he hadn't found the monastery he might still be living a nomadic version of their life. . . But with more jokes.
He looks at the mom who chastised Mundhildur and says, "Knock, knock. . ."
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+18=32 ; Friday March 11th, 2022 3:03:51 PM
Honor gives it one last try with the farmer.
"I know that things can be difficult out here," she says. "And I know you just want to take care of your farm and your family and your neighbors and not get involved in anything bigger. But I'm sure you've realized by now that this situation isn't going to get any better until people like me and my friends get involved. And we're here, now, ready to put a stop to the killings and the thefts. We are your weapons. We just need you to point us in the right direction."
[Diplomacy 32, including the +6]
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Saturday March 12th, 2022 12:47:25 PM
Zeoll listens to whatever the farmer might say.
He also casts a Message spell to talk with Mundhi. "Hey, be nice to those plants please. And let the drruid go firrst thrrough the overrgrrowth."
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Mundhi is eager to be off.
Asimov is ready to detect magic along the way.
Elron offers a joke at the door to the house. The mom calls out, "WHO'S THERE?" ... but she sounds a bit frightened, amd may not realize that a joke is intended.
Zeoll and the Twins await the results of Honor's talking with the farmer.
Honor beseeches the old man, and he opens up.
"Well now, it's been a while, so it's probably okay to say. But you didn't hear it from me."
"Before the Castle folk cracked down on it, we had a lively Thieves' Guild hereabouts. But some adventurers caught or killed nearly all of them. Back before that, they had a hideout east of here in the woods. They used to run the homestead as a place for spouses and kids and old folks. But they all up and moved after the Guild was broke, and nobody's been out that way in a long time. I took a look two years ago, but everything worth anything was stripped."
"Anyway, that hideout was a big secret, and the adventurers never got there. Maybe this new murder fella is holed up in it. I never been past the homestead, me, so don't rightly know where it was. If your goinf after the murderer, well bless you, and keep me and mine out of it, if you please."
Honor, please accept a hero point.
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 Sunday March 13th, 2022 9:27:59 AM "Thank you sir." "You've been very helpful." "We'll check there and see."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Sunday March 13th, 2022 3:02:07 PM
Elron notices the woman seems a bit excitable and has to choose -- continue with the joke, or give her an out. Then again, everyone loves a good joke. . . "Cows go," he says, maintaining eye contact with the woman.
Apart from finishing the joke, he's ready to head down the disused path when it occurs to him, "Say, is there a path that leads to this hideout homestead place that don't go right past your place?".
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+10=17 ; d20+14=22 ; d20+14=23 ; Monday March 14th, 2022 12:13:03 AM
Asimov says, "The old Thieve's Guild place sounds promising. If we can find it we should definitely investigate it."
He uses his eyes and magic detector as they move down the path.
Perception: 17 Know[Arcana]: 22 Spellcraft: 23
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant 10'5" atm) (Kim) AC 19 Touch 13 FF17 HP 58/58 Monday March 14th, 2022 3:52:10 AM
"I've walked through overgrown paths before, Zeoll," Mundhildur responds. "But, sure, I'll wait a bit."
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday March 14th, 2022 5:26:47 PM
"Thank you, sir. I will not divulge who gave us this information," Honor says.
"We should check out the homestead first," she tells her companions. "There may be something there to point us in the right direction."
To Zeoll, she says, "I'm sure Mundhildur will be careful of the plants and things, but I'm afraid Justice and I will not. Horses, you know. But don't worry; we'll go last."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 53/53 | AC 20/11/19 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Monday March 14th, 2022 11:48:12 PM
Asimov says, "Irony can climb if we need it. I hope one day to be able to make him fly."
Home At Last (DM Cayzle | Zeoll) Monday March 14th, 2022 11:58:49 PM
Zeoll is glad that there seems to be a way forward that is not just aimless. "Come my frriends. I have a good feeling about this." He leads the party forward.
===== ===== ===== DM Post
Elron's joke does not exactly land, seeing as the woman did not realize that there even was a knock knock joke. Alas, can't win them all.
On the way out, the farmer tells Elron he thinks there's another path several miles off. Probably the other one you saw.
The Twins thank the farmer and say that the party will investigate.
Asimov detects for magic, but reveals none.
Mundhi and Zeoll lead the way. Honor takes rearguard.
You travel a couple miles and find your way to the homestead. The going is a bit rough, and it looks like no one has been here for a few years. There is a large house, a barn, a well, and the remains of a farm, now gone to meadow.
Mitch - The Twins HP 65/65 AC 26/12/24 d20=6 ; Tuesday March 15th, 2022 7:20:35 AM
The Twins advise everyone to stay together just in case they do meet whatever is doing the killings. They try to help search but aren't effective (perception 6)
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+3=12 ; d20+8=12 ; Tuesday March 15th, 2022 10:13:33 PM
Honor also looks around, though she knows she's not very good at it. [Perception 12]
Justice sniffs the air, looking for scents that are out of place. [Perception 12, scent ability]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49, DR 1/-- Tuesday March 15th, 2022 10:22:53 PM
Elron falls in, disappointed at not being able to deliver the punch line.
LOG ON