Questions and Answers DM BrianZ Sunday June 12th, 2022 10:01:58 PM
The constables look around a bit, but after checking in with security, they decide to leave well enough alone. The Crypt does too much business, and has too many VIP clientele for the constables to cause any kind of ruckus with out extremely good reason.
The woman seems relieved that you are leaving her alone, and returns to her gambling. Hopefully her important husband won't be too upset at the money she is leaving on the tables.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of the busy gaming hall behind, the team has the thug outside. Security gave no issue as you take him out. Apparently he was drawing the wrong kind of attention and they were glad to see him leave. The thug looks around is perhaps not completely intimidated, but seems to realize the position he is in. Look, just don't kill me, I'll tell you whatever you want to know.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 12/12/10 CMD: 12 HP: 12/12 Spell Slots Remaining: 3 Monday June 13th, 2022 12:19:24 PM Myre smiles. "This one has a good attitude. I say we don't kill him...provided he tells us everything he knows about who's behind this poison that's going around."
*I don't remember. Did we move him somewhere safe, or are we having this conversation in the middle of the street? We should move him if we are.
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 12, HP 11/1 d20+1=20 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 1:36:55 PM
Paige gets in the half orc thug’s face (Intimidate = 20) and gives him a hard look, followed by a poke in the chest with her finger as she picks up where Myre left off. ”Names. Locations. What’s really going on?
Nintos Melinous (Clint) | HP 8/8 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | CMD:12 CMB:0 | Fort:2 Ref:2 Will:3 | Merletta (Familiar) HP 4/4 | AC:15 T:14 FF:13 | CMB:0 CMD:6 | Fort:1 Ref:4 Will:2 Monday June 13th, 2022 2:09:35 PM
Hearing the start of the conversation; “Maybe we should move this conversation to the store” Looking around and whispers; “Before we gain unwanted attention…” Nintos is clearly speaking of the pumpkin patch where we had the run in with the centipedes.
Rhys (Bob) AC 17; CMD 16/18 vs Disarm & Sunder; HP 9/12 Monday June 13th, 2022 6:42:07 PM
Depending on the detail provided by the thug in his recounting of the activities of the Poisoner’s Guild, Rhys will ask for elaboration on Jason’s role, the name of the lady in the bar and her activities, the connection of the guild to the Sharas Tel and the Drow, and what the long term objectives of the guild are.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 14/14, CMD 15. d20+3=14 ; Monday June 13th, 2022 9:51:27 PM
As Kwarsk exits the gaming hall, he sees Paige begin to interrogate the thug in broad daylight. Kwarsk looks around to see which direction the most bystanders are in, if any, and moves between Paige/thug and the largest amount of bystanders, using his Tower Shield (OOC total cover) to at least block the bystanders' view of the interrogation, and then in a low voice to Paige, "Friend, I think we should take this questioning on the go -- let's all walk, and you two talk."
Kwarsk then looks this way and that to find the way away from the gaming hall with the fewest bystanders along the path, and then gestures to Paige and the thug in that direction.
Questions and Answers DM BrianZ Monday June 13th, 2022 10:07:34 PM
The team is able to find a moderately secluded nearby alley. The thug loses the rest of his resolve now that he is running out of room to run.
Ok, so, there's this Jason guy and some other guy who run this guild. They needed some time, so they sent me over here to cause a distraction.
I didn't stab that guy that hard, just sliced his arm a little. That's all that was needed for the poison to work. Then I hit him with it again so it would take full effect. Of course by dumb chance it was a contact for Jason. Not sure what they were going to use him for.
They're back there, getting ready for you. They figure you'll be back so they set a trap. You know the place, where you fought the other alchemist.
They figure with you out of the way, they'll be able to start producing a lot more of this stuff, and start shipping it to cities all over the Wold. They don't quite have the formula all the way fixed. I heard them say maybe it doesn't work right on the surface or in the sunlight. But it works good enough. They can make a lot of money and cause people a lot of problems along the way.
Umm, the lady? Oh I think she was just some sort of coincidence. Never waste an opportunity eh?
The drow? I never saw any. They were mentioned a couple times, but I don't know if they were working for them or if it was just a coincidence.
Umm, I think that's it. Can I go now? I need to get out of the City. If you win, well, you'll never see me again. If they win, they'll try to kill me. Either way, I need to leave.
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 13/13 | CMB:3 CMD:15 | Fort:2 Ref:4 Will:0 Monday June 13th, 2022 11:34:03 PM Sure, pal. Thanks a lot.
To the team: Okay, trap. Probably an ambush, maybe some practical traps too. We need to scout that place -- starting with Merletta, I suggest. Then I can look around the perimeter for tripwires and whatnot.
[b]We should head there right away. Maybe we can get there before they're finished setting up. If anyone in a Cathedral robe approaches you -- play along, but be suspicious.
And keep an eye on their hands.
Nintos Melinous (Clint) | HP 8/8 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | CMD:12 CMB:0 | Fort:2 Ref:2 Will:3 | Merletta (Familiar) HP 4/4 | AC:15 T:14 FF:13 | CMB:0 CMD:6 | Fort:1 Ref:4 Will:2 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 9:49:03 AM “Merletta can give us a general top down view of the place. See if anyone is watching from the rooftops.” When Nintos hears Fingers say We should head there right away. he nods in agreement; “As much as I’d love to have prepared different spells, I believe that getting the jump on them and catching them not fully fortified would give us the upper hand.”
Once we are away from prying ears and able to plot a plan:
Tapping the scroll case at his hip; “If we want to come at them from two directions, I can cause a distraction that might pull eyes towards a separate entrance.” smiling; “Obscuring Mist.”
Myre (Carl) -- AC 12/12/10 CMD: 12 HP: 12/12 Spell Slots Remaining: 4 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 11:32:27 AM Myre smiles sweetly and puts her hand on the nameless thug's shoulder, easily sliding into the role of good-cop to Paige's unexpectedly strong bad-cop.
"Thank you. You've done the right thing. Feels good to do the right thing, doesn't it? You should remember that in whatever life you make for yourself after you flee...which you should probably do now if there's nothing else you can think of. We'll take care of Jay's son." At least, she sure hopes they will. She (assumedly) watches the thug take off, hoping Paige would pick up on it if he was fooling them.
"Yes, let's go now. If we find a group of them together, I can take them out if I can get close enough. Oh, and try not to get between me and the bad guys. It really limits what I can do in a fight." She smiles, but she's holding Waddles tighter than usual. Seems she's nervous about this.
Rhys (Bob) AC 17; CMD 16/18 vs Disarm & Sunder; HP 9/12 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 12:09:22 PM
Rhys effortlessly slides a curved elven dagger from beneath its cloak and angles the blade to glint into the thugs face, just inches away. ”Enough of this, I asked the name of the lady! There are far too many coincidences here! You will give me her name!”. Only when the thug has answered to his satisfaction will he allow him to go.
Once he has his name or is otherwise duly satisfied that the thug has answered with all he knows, Rhys will join the discussion about reentering the Pumpkin Patch. “We should use up the antitoxins we have left just before entering…and one of us should use the same invisibility potion to get closer to Jason, if we can take him down, the rest of the fight may be easier!”.
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 12, HP 11/1 d20+1=4 ; Tuesday June 14th, 2022 3:08:22 PM ”Not so fast” Paige growls whilst taking up a position along with Myre and Rhys blocking the thug’s escape. ”The bartender distinctly implicated this ‘politician’s wife’ as being involved with the Poisoners’ Guild*, and we want her name and the name of her husband, while you’re at it!”
*see DM post 30 May, 2022
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 12, HP 11/1 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 3:27:15 PM
Once satisfied that the thug has shared all he knows, Paige is in accord with the party with regards to returning to the Pumpkin Patch.
Questions and Answers DM BrianZ Tuesday June 14th, 2022 9:05:33 PM
The thug is very rattled at this point. The woman? I don't know any woman. I guess you'll have to ask the bartender about that. The guild had dealings with lots of people. Some of it even legitimate business. Kept the guards from looking too close at some of the supplies they had shipped in. So maybe she helped them, or maybe just thought it was a good story to tell her rich friends that she bought some weird stuff in the weird part of town.
The team seems ready to charge back into the den of the guild, but it seems that preparations are in order. This doesn't appear to be the time for a quick attack, when they may be ready for you.
OOC- For those that missed it in the email, you may level up your characters. Any questions, please ask.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15. Tuesday June 14th, 2022 10:52:23 PM
[OOC: Added one level of MONK. Yes this is intentional. Yes Kwarsk is staying armored and shielded and not using the Monk AC bonus unless we have to enter somewhere armor is banned.]
Kwarsk says, "friends, we could let him go, or maybe let our patron ask him some questions too. I think now is the wrong time to return to the gaming hall. What say you all?"
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 13/13 | CMB:3 CMD:15 | Fort:2 Ref:4 Will:0 Tuesday June 14th, 2022 11:37:24 PM You're right. Let the guy go, and let's hurry to the Pumpkin Patch.
. Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 12, HP 11/11 Wednesday June 15th, 2022 4:15:57 PM Sure, let him go adds the half elf, echoing her companions. Paige turns to say something to Rhys but a sudden feeling of fullness in her chest has her grasping for the holy symbol that hangs from a cord about her neck. The cleric’s eyes go wide as a bright light sears her brain, burning away dark thoughts, doubt, and confusion - leaving her with a sensation of warmth about her heart and soul.
”Domi?” she whispers…
(Paige just acquired 8 additional HP pending DM approval of my d8 roll in The LnB!)
Grothic (Jonathan) -- AC 17/13/16 -- CMD 17 -- HP11/13 Wednesday June 15th, 2022 4:18:25 PM
Grothic pulls five gold pieces out of his belt pouch and hands it to the thug.
Out of politeness, I will say that this is for your time and discomfort, but to be clear, we value information and reward those who share it with us.
Rhys (Bob) AC 17; CMD 17/18 vs Disarm & Sunder; HP 20/20 Wednesday June 15th, 2022 6:29:32 PM
Rhys slides the wicked looking dagger back into its concealed sheath and releases the thug. ”Its best you leave the city now…before what comes next. If I see you again, I will have no choice but to believe you have conspired against us.”
Once the thug has departed with Grothic’s hard earned coin Rhys addresses his compatriots. [b]”Before we simply barge into the trap that awaits us we should have a plan. We should be protected by antitoxins at the very least. Should we go in from the front? The back? Or both? Should one of us be invisible to sneak up on the primary target? Is that Jason or someone else?
(OOC. Character sheet has been updated to Fighter2)
Questions and Answers DM BrianZ Wednesday June 15th, 2022 8:12:28 PM
The thug nods his thanks at Grothic and Rhys. Just so you know, I hope you win.
With that, he departs quickly. The team spends a few moments considering what they have learned through this investigation, then begin making some plans.
OOC- LnB rolls are considered approved as soon as they are rolled. As a reminder, you should list each roll separately on your sheet by the hp area, along with the total.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 12/12/10 CMD: 12 HP: 12/12 Spell Slots Remaining: 4 Wednesday June 15th, 2022 9:40:24 PM
OOC: Obviously Myre waits until Paige and Rhys are done interrogating the thug before she says her bit.
***
It hits Myre like a thunderbolt. "Hey guys, why are we thinking of walking in alone when there's a known trap? Weren't we hired by folks who could help? Wouldn't it make more sense to get that help and surround the place?"
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 13/13 | CMB:3 CMD:15 | Fort:2 Ref:4 Will:0 Wednesday June 15th, 2022 11:22:07 PM It would, says Muuru, but as always, time is of the essence. If those constables are still nearby, or we meet any on the way to the Patch, we can ask them to watch the building and grab anyone who runs out. But I don't think we should take the time to report back to the Cathedral.
Rhys is right: everyone drink an antitoxin. Merletta looks for lookouts, I search the perimeter for traps -- does anyone remember how many entrances there are?
Nintos Melinous (Clint) | HP 8/8 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | CMD:12 CMB:0 | Fort:2 Ref:2 Will:3 | Merletta (Familiar) HP 4/4 | AC:15 T:14 FF:13 | CMB:0 CMD:6 | Fort:1 Ref:4 Will:2 d20+8=28 ; d20+4=20 ; Thursday June 16th, 2022 7:38:37 AM
[OOC] Added one level Wizard – Picked up Comprehend Languages & Hold Portal Spell[OOC]
Nintos nods as Fingers says it is time. He whistles and calls Merletta down and tells her what she is to do. Whispering; “If you see anyone on the roof, or looking out of the windows start to feel stressed and overwhelmed. That will be your signal.” Merletta will fly away and look. [Perception: Nat 20! 28 for Merletta]
When Fingers ask does anyone remember how many entrances there are? Nintos thinks to himself, trying to remember the layout of the patch. [ooc]Clint doesn’t remember, but I am sure Nintos would. INT check 20[ooc]
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 13, HP 22/22 Thursday June 16th, 2022 11:11:27 AM
Paige adds her observations: ”Well, there was the front door, of course - and then a back door that opened onto a courtyard. That’s where I brought the crates containing the poisonous creatures. There was an alley-way behind the court yard, but the whole time I was minding the critters, I never noticed anybody using it.”. *
*May 9th
Myre (Carl) -- AC 12/12/10 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: 5 Thursday June 16th, 2022 3:20:00 PM
OOC: Why did my post take hours to appear? That's a bother. Anyway, Myre's sheet is updated.
***
"They'll be expecting us to use the door." She strokes Waddles as she paces around, thinking and talking to herself. "I guess setting the whole building on fire would be a bad idea...right?" She looks around, hoping someone says otherwise.
Rhys (Bob) AC 17; CMD 17/18 vs Disarm & Sunder; HP 20/20 Thursday June 16th, 2022 4:20:24 PM
Rhys gives Myre a wide-eyed glance and quickly agrees ”Yes! A very bad idea indeed. I can only imagine how quickly that might spread to the surrounding buildings.”
The elf gives the problem some for thought before voicing a suggestion. ”They don’t know that we are aware of the trap! If most of us go through the front door as expected we might turn the tables on them by sending someone in by the back door that Paige speaks of…someone using the invisibility potion. He or she might then create some real havoc and cause either a premature triggering of the ambush, or perhaps interfere enough to spoil the ambush altogether.”
Questions and Answers DM BrianZ Thursday June 16th, 2022 8:30:16 PM
A plan seems to be materializing, with suggestions to break the ambush by hitting both ends of the place at once. Who will be positioned and where, remains to be determined. There is also a suggestion of fire, but without the means to control it, that could be a very bad idea.
OOC- I will post the group at the Patch on Sunday, with a full rest in between. If you feel you need more time to plan, please say so. Please try to finish levelups over the weekend, or your character will enter the combat without the extras.
Kwarsk (Wayne) AC 21/T 12/FF 19, HP 24/24, CMD 15/19 vs. Bull Rush & Trip. Thursday June 16th, 2022 8:55:47 PM
Kwarsk considers, and says, "I can only be in one place at a time... if we split front and back, would you all prefer I be near the front entrance to provide cover as our main force advances, or instead guard whichever one or two of us are trying to come in the back way? I'll go with majority decision."
Fingers (Shawn) | AC:14 T:11 FF:12 | HP 22/22 | CMB:3 CMD:16 | Fort:2 Ref:5 Will:0 Thursday June 16th, 2022 10:02:20 PM
[OOC: Character sheet updated.]
Muuru pulls his antitoxin from his belt pouch, but fumbles and drops the glass vial. When he tries to catch it, the vial stops in mid-air and returns to his hand. He looks a little startled.
Huh. I haven't practice the Mage Hand in a while -- but that time I wasn't even trying.
Grothic (Jonathan) -- AC 17/13/16 -- CMD 17 -- HP11/13 Thursday June 16th, 2022 10:35:46 PM My friends, I will reiterate that I command no one and I will go along with what the group thinks is best.
That being said, it sounds like we are planning to hit our target from opposite ends. Hopefully we will walk over our enemies again without too much trouble, but what if they are slightly stronger than we are used to or if one of us slips on blood and knocks himself out?
What happens then is one group runs into trouble and the other isn't in a position to help. We fall, one half at a time.
I think we are a new group who have never never trained together and only briefly fought beside each other. The simplest plan might be the best: everyone in through the back door. We hit hard, we hit fast and if we have to bail, grab our wounded and get out.
Myre (Carl) -- AC 12/12/10 CMD: 13 HP: 20/20 Spell Slots Remaining: 5 Friday June 17th, 2022 1:47:03 PM
Myre sighs. Rhys is right, of course...
"I think I can be useful in the back, especially if we get the drop on a group of them." She thinks. "I don't much like the thought of splitting up. If they've got both doors trapped or guarded or whatever and they're ready on both ends we'll be in trouble.
If we're not gonna get help, then it makes sense to get over there as soon as possible and hit hard." She smacks her fist into the palm of her other hand for emphasis, but then looks around unsure. "Right?"
Nintos Melinous (Clint) | HP 16/16 | AC:12 T:12 FF:10 | CMD:13 CMB:1 | Fort:2 Ref:2 Will:4 | Merletta (Familiar) HP 4/4 | AC:15 T:14 FF:13 | CMB:0 CMD:6 | Fort:1 Ref:4 Will:2 Friday June 17th, 2022 4:43:48 PM
Listening to the plan; “If we are allow enough time to prepare an assault, it would outweigh their preparation. Unless they know we are coming…”
Looking to Myre; “If we have someone who could help a small team sneak in the back, it might be valuable. Hang back until the team in the front pulls the attention then sneak in. If I am with the team in the front I could always send Merletta up and over the building to signal the stealthy attack.”
Turning to the rest of the group; “Depending on how we want to strike the front I could always use my magic to try and open the front door. If its locked, it won’t open. But, if it isn’t and it is trapped it should spring the trap.” Shrugging; “But I would be open to suggestions.”
Paige Potter (Carla) AC 16, CMD 13, HP 22/22 Friday June 17th, 2022 7:06:53 PM ”I’m not quiet, nor good at sneaking, so the Invisibility potion would be wasted on me. Maybe Muuru should use it, or you, Rhys.” Paige then volunteers to be part of the Front Door group, if the party decides to take a pincer approach. ”Though we would be split up, this approach would ensure the bad guys don’t get away”
(Charatet sheet has been updated and is ready for DM review.)
Rhys (Bob) AC 17; CMD 17/18 vs Disarm & Sunder; HP 20/20 Friday June 17th, 2022 7:15:51 PM
Rhys listens to the others discuss his proposal and awaits some kind consensus to unfold. ”Whether we go in as one group or as two, I would like an antitoxin if there are any to spare.”
Grothic (Jonathan) HP 19 / AC 17 Touch 12 FF 15/ CMD 16 FF 16 / CMB 6/ Fort 6 Reflex 4 Will Friday June 17th, 2022 11:15:12 PM I've thought of a purpose for splitting up. We've got two unclaimed tanglefoot bags in our possession. The main pack kicks in the door and causes a distraction, giving the person with two tangles an opportunity to immobilize the biggest, toughest looking villain there. While he's tied up, the rest of us try to kill anything out of his reach. Once he looks like he's getting free, the stealth team tanglefoots him again. I know nothing about magic, but don't you have to hurt someone to break invisibility? Keeping their scariest fighter out of the fight for even ten to fifteen seconds might make this go a lot easier and if they're all looking at us, they might not know we have anyone behind them.
[Ooc] Character sheet updated. Took a level in barbarian but the hit point roll could have been a lot better.
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