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Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-13, 07:23 PM
In the brushlands on the border of T’nalv and Ilserinara, the small city of Vasar has sat for as long as any can remember. At the moment, it is in T’nalv’s hands, though it has spent time in each of the warring nations’ territories, being taken and recaptured four times. Strangely, it has never actually been attacked; Ilserinara simply surrounds it and the local authorities surrender, and then when T’nalv looks like it’s about to recapture the city, the enemy soldiers withdraw completely from the city. Nobody is quite sure why Ilsera’s generals avoid battle in the city, and research has been done to try and figure out why, but all searches have been fruitless.

Its record of not being attacked, its location, and the fact that it’s spent time in both camps, all combined, make Vasar a huge smuggling center. (Its principal imports and exports are, in fact, forbidden goods.) Trade between the kingdoms has been outlawed, of course, but there are many valuable natural resources in Ilserinara that people in T’nalv want, and the opposite is true as well. The local government only makes a token effort to stop the smuggling, since its main effect on the city’s people is to make them richer.

One winter day, as a certain group (the PCs) is doing whatever it does in its free time, a rather innocuous-looking man approaches and leans on a nearby wall idly. He wears a simple gray cloak with its hood up, not at all out of place in the below-freezing air, hands in pockets. After a few moments, he begins casually talking to the adventurers.

“Hey there. So, I run a trading caravan through here a couple of times a year. Unfortunately, on one of our normal expeditions a few weeks ago, some of my fellows got run through with pointy things.” He rearranges himself slightly, and as he does so, a slight bulge is visible near one of his hands for a moment. “I’d like to be able to set out again before the snow thaws, but my group is now running a bit low on protection from bandits and... things. So, I was looking around here and saw you fine people sitting here and thought, ‘Self, those people over there look pretty tough. Since you’re in need of protection, and they don’t seem to be doing anything at the moment, why don’t you go see if they might want to help you out?’ So, I came over here and accosted you, demanding that you get paid in exchange for helping me transport some merchandise from here to there.”

From one pocket, he withdraws a bag that jingles and tosses it over to the nearest adventurer. “That’s payment for considering my offer. If you’re interested, I’ll probably be hanging around this place tomorrow evening.” Nodding to the group, he wanders away. An astute observer might notice a few other nearby folk tense slightly, ready to leap towards the heroes, as his back turns to the party.

(Feel free to interrupt him at any point.)

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-15, 08:46 PM
Nas

The monk deftly catches the pouch, letting his eyes linger on the mans back for a moment. The stranger apparently wants no further conversation at the moment, and so Nas offers none.

As the stranger walks off, Nas sizes up each of the would-be muggers very breifly. He clears his throat rather obviously in an attempt to bring their attention to both him and his comrades.

Come on, be smart about this folks.

He turns his attention to the party before speaking, and he does so fairly softly.

Perhaps it would be wise to find somewhere a little less public to count the coins and consider the offer.

Daryk
2008-01-15, 09:16 PM
OOC:
This post was originally up before Shadow's, but deleted at DM request. It is now being reposted (to the best of my recollection) as per DM direction. Edit: Orrrrr... not. I see Shadow corrected his post to account for mine being absent. I will alter this one to respond to his.

Aldamir Two Hands watched the monk catch the bag of coins and nodded thoughtfully. "I think you're just the one to do the counting, too," he said.

tumble check
2008-01-15, 10:52 PM
Dvurr Warondurt, Dwarf Cleric/Wizard

Dvurr snaps his head toward the onlookers and scowls a look that seems to say "Mind your business." He shifts his weight as if ready to walk away and leave the alley, however he's clearly waiting for the others.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-16, 03:25 AM
Tom

Tom doesn't even try to threaten the onlookers. He won't impress them, and he likes to keep a low profile. However he doesn't like the idea of getting into a fight here.

"A quiet place is good, lets move this back inside."

Daryk
2008-01-16, 06:33 AM
A fluttering under Aldamir's cloak and a muffled "About time we went back inside!" revealed the presence of Roac, his familiar. Aldamir frowned and gently thumped the lump under his cloak as he followed the others inside. He kept a surreptitious eye on the other group of strangers, just in case.

tumble check
2008-01-16, 02:05 PM
Dvurr Warondurt

Impatient and cold, Dvurr grunts and begins walking back the way they came.

DM:

I assume we can go back to where we came from, which is probably some building, like an inn, right?

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-16, 07:00 PM
Let's say you were walking back to your inn from wherever it is you were (that can be up to you).
The strangers don't make any hostile moves. Two actually move away from the adventurers, walking casually after the potential employer, while the remaining two seem to have relaxed.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-16, 07:44 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

The small, green and brown mottled cloak-clad halfling, weilding no more then a walking stick reaches into his robes, and pulling out a small stone whistle, and placing it to his lips blows powerfully on it...but not a sound issues forth. Suddenly, a shadow crosses over the halfling, and a huge bat swoops in, closing it's impressive fifteen footwingspan as it lands next to the halfling who quickly scurries aboard. Calling forth to the others "Go inside, but wait just a bit for me.", the older halfling coaxes the giant bat into the air with nudges from his legs. As the beast takes to the sky, it can be seen winging after thier prospective employer as Bram circles him, and eventually touches down in his path to let him know "Flashiness with gold can be impressive, but two rather seedly looking fellows now seem to be shadowing you. Thought you should know that, as I am considering joining your employ as a guard of sorts. I'll be back after conferring with the others." and unless the man stops him, he quickly mounts his bat again and taking off in another flurry of wingbeats, quickly returns to the others, instructing his bat quite succinctly with "Heel" before going inside.

Those with an eye to his posessions would see the belt cinching his robes is festooned with pouches and bags, and while he has a pack on his back straped up next to a walking stick, it doesn't seem especially well crafted or used in the art of war. His bat is quite impressive though, standing larger then I'd assume the lot of you have ever seen a bat. In addition to it's natural intimidating demeanor, the bat is wearing modified padded armor, carefully crafted to protect him, while still allowing him maximum mobility. A small knife and what looks like an over-reinforced sling on his belt seems to be the halfling's only weapons, and though he's getting on in his years, he still seems quite spry, especially since he rides his bat bareback, and at that, better then many would ride with a saddle.

Daryk
2008-01-16, 08:15 PM
Seeing the strangers' reactions as people moved off, Aldamir initially dismissed the assumed bodyguards as harmless, but continued to watch them out of the tail of his eye. Bram's dramatic summoning of his bat caught him by surprise, but he did his best not to show it. The strangers seemed unsure, and the slight elf watched them more closely to gage their response.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-16, 08:32 PM
With the main group of heroes, the two remaining strangers jerk in surprise at the appearance of the bat. Without any visible communication between them, they both immediately hurry after their comrades.

When Bram delivers the news to the employer, the cloaked man chuckles. "Very perceptive of you. I'll be glad to have you on my crew. No worries, though; they're a few of the guards that survived our last trading trip. I make a point of not being alone. Good day." Tipping an imaginary hat to the halfling, the human continues ambling away. The two shadowers move past seconds later, keeping their distances from the huge bat with expressions somewhere between anxiety and respect.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-16, 08:56 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Reassured, Bram guides his bat back to the others, and after giving him the curt command to 'Heel', he leads the giant bat inside the establishment. Once inside, he orders nothing, but requests that a bowl be brought out for 'Jacob', as he gestures to his large batty friend. As he moves to sit with the others, he voices his opinion, stating "Well, from what he says, those shadowy men are what remains of his last guard. I'm assuming we'll have to work with them, so it's good to see they're at least vigillant about keeping a protective eye on him, even though they are pretty obvious. I'm all for taking the job. After all, how many times are we just approached with an offer and a sack of gold just for considering it? If he can fling sacks of gold to strangers like that, he's got to be wealthy enough to pay well. And I'm going to need to get a ring custom-made for Jacob before we can be fully self-sufficient. That won't come cheap. Any of your takes on it? What about you Dvurr? What do you think?"

Daryk
2008-01-16, 09:04 PM
Not wanting to interrupt the conversation, Aldamir simply gazed pointedly at the pouch sitting on the table in front of Nas.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-16, 10:06 PM
Bram

Before Bram ducks inside, he glances to the sky, and pulling back the sleeve of his robe to display ornately inscribed leather bracers, he seems to check something on that to the clouds in the sky, then nods and goes inside.

Forgot to add this into my posts. [roll0] to tell the weather for as long as I can.

Edit: 24 is one point shy of 72 hours. So if you could be so kind as to give the weather report for the next 48 hours...I'll be rechecking it daily.

tumble check
2008-01-16, 10:26 PM
Dvurr Warondurt


The old dwarf remained motionless as the question was posed to him. His dark eyes looked glazed, as they always did. "Fine" he said, ""If the fool chooses to part with coin for a job so easily done, I'll be the last to stop him." Dvurr took a sip from his mug, filled with water, not ale.

His thick gray hair made him stand out slightly from the rest, as did the dark hides that so heavily clad his body. The large wooden club on his back appeared almost comical next to his ever-serious expression.

Astute observers would notice a pendant of some sort around his neck and a small frog that would occasionally poke its head out of the pack that Dvurr had so gently placed on the bench next to him.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-17, 12:09 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Content to not be in charge, Bram sits back and waits for thier leader to voice his opinion as to whether or not they should take this job, but thinks to himself He better have a whole slew of good reasons not to take this if he says no.

OOC:
I'll stick most of my OOC in spoilers. If it's DM-only spoilers, I'll mark them with a little 'DM-Only' tag above it, like my OOC tag there.

That said, I've played too many PCs that ended up being leaders, and I know I made motions like I would lead, but I'd really prefer that Bram not be the leader in this group. I left it as an ambiguous 'He', but can change it if the person assuming the leadership mantle's character identifies as female. I'm assuming here we've all known each other for some time, and are an established adventuring group. From the posts we have already, I could see Dvurr or Aldamir easily assuming the mantle of leadership, but it's really up to you guys. Bram'll pipe up with suggestions, but won't be leading anyone but himself and Jacob (his bat). Bram's more of an advisor type figure, and probably the wisest of the group (Wis 22). He normally predicts the weather with an uncanny degree of accuracy, and when combat comes, and actually whenever he can, he's riding Jacob up in the sky.

During any battle, he's there with spells and slingstones. He used to stock up on Vigor spells, but has recently picked up a wand of Lesser Vigor, so if anyone's hurt, let him know and he'll be there. For some reason, he's yet to explain, he refuses to enter into melee combat unless there is no other path available to him. The more perceptive of you may notice that whenever the prospect of melee combat comes up, he unconsciously covers his left hand. He has a scar there that looks like the bite mark of some creature about three times his size.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-17, 12:35 AM
Nas

He lets the conversation around him die down before speaking up.

Perhaps now would be a good time, to use a common idiom, for counting the reasons to take on this particular quest, hmm?

He takes one last look around, making sure enough of the party is surrounding the table to make it obvious that any obvious moves on the part of the inn's patrons would probably be a bad idea, before opening the bag and quietly pulling out stacks of coins, setting them gently on the table for the party to see. After all the coins are on the table, he sets about splitting them into even stacks for easier counting by eye.

OOC:
For future reference, small description OOC stuff will be posted here. Anything major will have a spot in the OOC thread and a reference to that post here in the IC threads

Description: After the coins are stacked, it should be relatively easy for any party members to eyeball the stacks of coin and see just how much money the man handed out. The number of stacks is equal to the number of party members.

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-17, 12:43 AM
Fashai
Fashai replies to Dvurr, at first sounding serious, "Personally, I don't believe in easy money. If he's throwing around that kind of gold, it's worth someone's while to steal it. if he's throwing around that kind of gold for guards, he knows exactly who the someone is, and I think he's worried." Sounds like a challenge to me,"[/COLOR] he says with a grin.
The speaker is an extremely typical-looking human. He is of about-average height, about-average weight, fair-skinned, dark-haired, and brown-eyed. The only hints that anything is out of the ordinary about him are the two black swords sheathed on his back and the hint of chainmail poking out from under his large winter cloak.

For DM
Roll Sense Motive for the stranger: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1463802/)

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-17, 01:37 AM
Tom


Tom gets on a chair to see the stack, and replies addressing Fashai. "It will be a challenge, and a challenge is what I want." It is not very hard to notice how excited he is about starting a new adventure.

Shademan
2008-01-17, 02:39 AM
Kabrakhan

With a loud creek the tavern door swings open and a large furry creature rushes in. It makes it way towards the table of the adventuring group and then takes it face-covering hat off revealing a jaw filled with sharp teeth.
Aah, it is freezing outside! Kabrakhan pulls out a chair and sit down. So what is happening, lads? whats the deal with the gold? we have a job? The lizardman's tail starts to wiggle back and forth in excitement.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-17, 03:09 AM
Nas

With most of his friends around the table, Nas feels a little more secure talking in a relatively public place such as the inn's common room. He chooses his words carefully, so as to emphasize the more attractive aspects of the job.
Aye, I beleive we have been hired as escorts. It seems a particular trader has encountered more excitement in his travels than he is accustomed to.

He nods to the coins on the table, adjusting them to make sure none of the stacks are bound to fall over and making sure again that all the stacks have equal amounts.

This particular sum is just for thinking of taking it. Personally, I can't see any bad side to taking the job. Can any of you?

(attn: DM)
Just how much money was in the bag? Also, while I don't think this matters, if the amount of coins in the bag wasn't evenly divisible by the number of party members, Nas would play 'banker' and sub smaller coins for bigger ones until it's right.

Shademan
2008-01-17, 03:17 AM
Kabrakhan


We get all that just for THINKING? i dont think even KINGS pay their wizards to think! Kabrakhan's tail wiggled faster. I have escorted MANY caravans and traders in my years and if one is willing to pay us this just to THINK about it then he must carry valuable goods. he grinned (and that is not a pretty sight) Which means that there is more gold were it came from! screw the dangers and possibilities of imminent and painful death, i suggest that we take the job.
Kabrakhan made an attempt at a winning smile towards Nas.
Anyone seeing it thought that the lizard wanted to eat his face.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-17, 03:46 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Sitting up on Jacob, who is playing the improvised couch in Bram's little play of life, Bram quietly murmers "Kabrakhan....kings pay wizards to do nothing but think..." and then, a touch louder for the rest of the group, he voices "I don't see any obvious reasons to not take this offer, aside from the obvious. He wouldn't pay us this much if it were a cakewalk. We're going to be dealing, in all likelyhood, with troubles that will tax us to our limits, and hopefully, not beyond. I just want you all to be aware of that. If you could, Nas? Try to get an escape clause in the contract. In case we come up against a dragon or somesuch which we obviously cannot be expected to match, so we can flee without any breach of contract. I don't want to give my life on a whim." Jacob's midnight black eyes blink as he stares silently at the group, and Bram pets him absentmindedly as he asks out loud "Where's that barwench with the bowl? Poor Jacob's thirsty."

Daryk
2008-01-17, 06:39 AM
Aldamir smirked and added, "Dragon? If it's a dragon, we'll just have to vary our approach. It may look like 'running for our lives' at first glance, but we'd get it eventually. The fact his previous crew is still working for him tells us all we need to know, I think. If we're that worried about it, we can ask them directly."
Reaching for his stack of coins, he added, "I'm in."

tumble check
2008-01-17, 08:34 AM
Dvurr Warondurt

"This talk of challenge and danger is rubbish. Let us hold his hand, embrace him when it thunders, take the gold, and leave. We know we are able, and whether it is true or not, we will try anyway. Why a debate?"


For the record, Seff, Dvurr is a bitter old man, and would make a horrible leader. lol

Shademan
2008-01-17, 01:25 PM
Kabrakhan scowled at Bram and muttered something about "wizards being paid to cast spells and not think" but not loud enough to challenge him to an argument. He turned his attention back to the gold "and is it legal? frankly, i don't give a rats tail if it is... in fact: forget that i asked" His tailed stopped wiggling "I agree with Dvurr.Dvurr is smart" he added.
his tail started to wiggle again.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-17, 06:26 PM
OOC:I'd have had this up as early as 8 hours ago, but the forums were consistently timing out or ignoring me the three times I tried earlier today. Sorry about that.

Vorpal: for all his cheer and charm, the stranger didn't seem entirely at ease (an impression reinforced by his four bodyguards).

The serving girl hurries up with a large, empty bowl and places it down in front of Bram. She jerks to a stop at the sight of the ten shining platinum coins on the table.

"Er... if there's... anything else, lords?" She (rightly) seems shaken by the wealth, doubtless more than everything she owns.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-17, 08:26 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Sweeping the two platnumn coins that are his share off the table and into one of his many belt pouches, Bram thanks the barwench with a mild "Thankee kindly young miss." before murmering and making small passes with his hands, the end result of which is to fill the bowl to the brim with water. Lowering it down for Jacob, Bram gets off him and scrambles up to stand on a chair, similarly to Tom, before insisting "Regardless, we'll want a way out of the contract if for some reason we can't stay with him. You might want to work that in, as well as nail down what we'll be paid, and that little things like lodging and food will be available. I won't need it, and can probably round up enough game with Jacob here to keep us all fed, but it's nice to know that it's available." As he starts to talk, Jacob begins lapping at the water in the bowl.

tumble check
2008-01-17, 09:08 PM
Dvurr Warondurt

"I thought it was us, young Bram, that were to sit with him, as with a child, not the opposite..." Dvurr said, as he finally broke his gaze from his mug and leaned down to Bram with his eyebrows raised. "It is he who pays us for his safety. Is it our place to demand comfort as well as a sum? Moreover, if we are somehow unable to follow as originally agreed, do we even deserve the gold?"

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-17, 10:17 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Leaning onto the table with his left elbow, Bram looks at the dwarf, who barely stands a foot taller then he does, and calmly states "I've already spoken to you about playing the 'wise old mystic'. It doesn't work on those of us with more then two decades under our belts, and I've also spoken to you about referring to me as 'young Bram'. Is it so difficult young Dvurr? And I fully appreciate his wanting protection, but I want it spelled out, that we will not go on a suicidal mission. As for the comforts, I merely thought that we should be more ready to focus on protectig him, and less on scrounging food and securing lodgings. Does that make sense to you?"

Jungle Dwarves are not physically capable of being over 4'5 according to the PHB and SRD. Bram's 3 feet tall. He's standing on a chair. You're looking UP at him, not down. And you're both in your race's 'middle age'. Bram would have taken you aside and quietly discussed this with you the first time you called him 'Young'. In going dual-classing...you can't match him in Divine casting, and your Arcane isn't strong enough to match him either. If you tried melee, he's just call up his bat.

Daryk
2008-01-17, 10:23 PM
As Aldamir dropped his coins in his pouch, he held back a single gold piece. Pushing it at the serving girl, he said, "Put your eyes back in your head, girl. Nothing to see here. I'll take mistavan if you have it, naught if you don't. Keep the gold either way." He winked at her, but it came off as more of a scowl. His attempt was further ruined by Roac poking his head out from under his cloak and croaking, "And a glass for me, too, eh?"
"No, none for the raven," Aldamir said firmly.
"But Master! I've been dry for a week!"
"No."
"But-"
"NO. Absolutely not. You are not flying drunk again. And the singing..."
"But-"
"One more word out of you, and it's back in the pack."
The raven seemed to think better of arguing further, and retreated back under his master's cloak, grumbling to himself.

By "mistavan", I mean a clear elvish liquor, essentially high quality vodka.

tumble check
2008-01-17, 10:35 PM
Dvurr

"Me? Young?" Dvurr looks genuinely confused. A split second later, he continues, "Aye... I see a great opportunity in this man who wishes to pay so handsomely... I simply want not overstep the bounds that he has presented to us. A tragedy, t'would be, if the man decided we demanded too much. I'm a dwarf of little means; perhaps it would be best if one of us more experienced in such negotiations were to raise the subject" Dvurr says as he looks around the table.

OOC:

Do we not have a high CHA character?

Nas and Bram, have you posted your character sheets? I can't find them. I guess a more important question is if you plan to post them.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-17, 10:35 PM
OOC
Sorry about the lack of posting here, the site's been non-responsive for me ALL day long.

No, I tend not to actually post my cs on the boards unless directed to do so by the DM.

Also, from my count, there are 7 active party members.. 10 plat doesn't exactly split that evenly... by my math we each get 1 platinum piece, 4 gp, and there will be 2gp as remainder laying on the table. if you took money, please edit your posts for the correct amount.

Also, to make that split work I need ONE person to convert 10g in their character sheet into 1 platinum, so that we can do that whole exact change thing. (I swapped the other two myself, so that on the table before we actually split there was 7pp and 30 gp on the table, in even stacks of 1pp,4gp with two extra gp on the side)


Nas

Nas scoops his share of the coins into his pouch, a little lighter after having to make change in order to ensure everyone got a fair share. After Dvurr finishes what he is saying, the monk speaks in a confident and decisive tone.

Our potential employer implied the existence of bandits. We should be able to take care of them, and hopefully any of the other local denizens by ourselves. If, by chance, we encounter something we can't either handle or cover until the traders get away, then having to worry about an escape clause would be moot, because everyone will be dead.

Use some of this coin to buy supplies for the road such as rations and blankets if you all need to. While the traders may be willing to share their supplies with us on this trip, and yes I will ask, I'm not going to count on such generosity and possibly end up having to fight hungry because I was wrong.


He gazes at each of his friends in turn, letting the words sink in.

Also, make sure to watch your backs and possibly travel in pairs if you need to get supplies. That trader wasn't exactly trying to make this a private job offer, so it's possible some cocky cutpurse might try his luck against us. It wouldn't do to be cocky and get your throat slit.

We'll be meeting the trader along the street* around this time tomorrow to tell him we accept.



The street mentioned is where the dude was leaning against a wall to talk to us.

Daryk
2008-01-17, 10:52 PM
OOC:
Actually, I was figuring Nas and Aldamir had already taken their coins off the table before the serving girl came by and saw ten remaining. Either way, I don't have 10 gp to convert.

Roac firmly dealt with, Aldamir turned his attention back to the conversation at the table. Seeing the party in violent agreement about taking the job, he offered, "I'm of half a mind to track him down tonight and tell him we take the job. With the snow, I don't think it would be too hard to find him."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-17, 10:58 PM
Bram

Cracking half a grin, Bram says "Well, if you want to track him down, it seems like we're to be paired up then partner. After we track him down, I'd like to pick up a tent for me and Jacob...so I guess that'll take both of the coins." After he's said that, recalling mention of the snow, he tells the group "Snow'll be light, but the cold'll get biting later tonight. It should be warmer tomorrow."

OOC:
Aldamir was said to be reaching for the coins. We have 6 party members by my count, so 6-1 = 5. 10/5 = 2. We each get 2pp, or 20gp equivelant. Bram's sheet isn't posted, mostly for the lot of you not knowing what spells he has prepared each day. I PM'd it in. The description from it is merely: Older halfling, bite-wound scar on his left wrist. Wears brown and green mottled robes, usually keeps his quarterstaff strapped to his back or in use as a walking stick. I suggest you check my last post's spoiler tumble check. Also, Bram is Cha 10. I theoretically COULD be the face of the party if I absolutely have to...but I believe that even our Lizardman has a better Cha then that.

Daryk
2008-01-17, 11:26 PM
"I don't know where you'd get a tent at this hour, but I'm at least waiting to see if they have any mistavan. And you'll have to keep up, though I suspect if you're flying, that won't be too hard," Aldamir replied. Smiling, he added, "Maybe I'll send Roac up with you so I don't have to hear him grumble."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-17, 11:50 PM
Tom

Tom picks up his share of the coins. As he moves them from one hand to the other makes them disappear one by one. "He may not be too happy seeing us tonight. But if you want to track him, I'd go with you as well. A brisk walk in the cold will do me good, and as long as you are not in too much of a hurry I should be able to keep up."


keeping up while aldamir is tracking is the easy part, tricky part is keeping up on the way back. Hopefully aldamir won't be hustling back and Tom can hustle to keep up.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-18, 12:37 AM
Bram

Nodding, Bram says "I'd offer you a ride on Jacob along with me, but I don't use a saddle and I'm not sure if you'd be able to hold on...unless you have some skill with riding a flying mount bareback you've yet to tell me of."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-18, 01:18 AM
"Normally I'm not too bad at riding, but riding a flying mount bareback is a bit risky for me, thanks for the offer though. I should be able to job along and keep up with Aldamir as he looks for the tracks."

the way I read the ride rules, riding a mount essentially has DC 0. Unsuitable mount and bareback riding each give a -5 to ride check for a total of -10. And Tom only has a +6 to ride. Unless Jacob is trained as mount in which case the penalty is only -5 from riding without a saddle, and Tom can make it easily.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-18, 01:39 AM
Jacob is trained as a mount. A combat mount to be specific. Additionally, I can help you with riding for another +2. Also, I figure Bram will be the principal tracker. +19 to survival. I figure Aldamir will likely aid for a +2. To a +21...that's before I use the spell to give me scent for an hour...if I even need that.

Shademan
2008-01-18, 01:59 AM
Kabrakhan
Kabrakhan stared a the remaining coins. So how many are mine? he desperately tried to calculate and took as much as he thought was his.
The conversations going around the table were relatively unheard by him, but every now and then he would give mumbling answears such as: "have rations. bandits is no problem. have blanket." and so on. Suddenly he looked up at Nas. Travel in pairs you say? shall i follow the spellcasters and protect?

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-18, 09:55 AM
The same serving girl returns to the table with an unusually nice mug of some clear liquid. She places it in front of Aldamir, then hurries away.

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-18, 10:59 AM
"One platinum, seven gold, my friend. Anyone have change? I've only 3 gold pieces. We could split it by almost everyone taking 2 platinum and then giving 3 gold apiece to the last person. I'd be him, if you'd like," Fashai says with a grin.
I wonder if they'll notice that gives me 1 gold extra?

Shademan
2008-01-18, 12:43 PM
You sure are more intelligent then me Fashai. so youre prolly right! Kabrakhan said and put the platinum piece and seven gold pieces into his purse.

tumble check
2008-01-18, 07:24 PM
Dvurr


Dvurr takes 1 platinum, seemingly not interested in any more.

Daryk
2008-01-18, 08:34 PM
Aldamir tried to thank the serving girl, but she was already gone. Shrugging, he slightly raised his small mug and said quietly, "Enyalanilme." Not waiting for anyone else, he took a small draught and appreciated the quality of the chilled liquor. As he set down the mug, he noticed there were still three fingers of the liquid left. He looked mildly surprised at the quantity, but not at all displeased. This would certainly delay any forays out into the night.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-19, 02:20 AM
(ooc)Sorry about the lack of serious posting on my part over the last couple days. I've had to work 23 hours out of the last 48.

NAS

The monk nods to the lizardman's suggestion.

Probably a good idea. If one of you are out and about for getting supplies, I could use a tent for myself if you wouldn't mind the extra weight temporarily. As for myself, I shall get rooms for us so that we can rest here for tonight and be refreshed for the trip.

OOC/DM I have deducted the cost of Nas' tent from my character sheet on the assumption that either someone's gonna go buy it or that he will the next morning, as well as the cost of Inn rooms for the party for one night. Ya'll are in charge of getting yourselves supper though. Nas is, unless otherwise needed, done for the night.

Shademan
2008-01-19, 04:44 AM
OOC:(don't know how to add spoilers so il just write it here: have subtracted gold for two meals, supper and brekfeast. common.)

I all ready carry rations for one person for twenty two days, but i would be happy to carry anyones rations as well. or tent, for that matter.
He yawned, any kid seeing it would get nightmares for weeks, and mumbled something about sleep.

Daryk
2008-01-19, 11:24 AM
As the evening wore on, and the level in Aldamir's mug decreased, his thoughts of tracking down their prospective employer faded. By the time he was down to the last few drops, he even relented and allowed Roac to have the remaining mistavan. He did, however, extract a promise of "no singing" as the raven greedily consumed the last of the clear liquor. Contented, Roac nestled back under his master's cloak, humming quietly to himself. Aldamir leaned back in his chair, and stretched his legs, simply enjoying the good cheer around him. He had coins in his pouch, a solid job prospect for the next day, and nothing pressing to do for the rest of the evening. The memory of Bayla and her sisters was far away, and his trance tonight would be more pleasant than usual. Life was good.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-19, 02:43 PM
Tom

Seeing Aldamir's good mood, Tom quietly pulls Bram aside and tells him, "Maybe we should let our friend enjoy himself and deliver the message ourselves."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-19, 04:06 PM
Bram

Nodding to Tom, Bram tells'm "Sounds like a plan." then speaking louder, and to Nas, Bram asks "So we're definitly taking the job then?"

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-20, 05:06 AM
NAS

Too tired to fully repeat the decision, Nas merely nods in Bram's direction before pushing away from the table to pay for the night's accomodations. As he goes he attempts to hum along with the bird, but gives up after a few notes when he realizes he doesn't know the song.

I must make a note to learn that particular tune.

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-20, 09:46 AM
Fashai leaves and buys a place to sleep for the night.

OOC
Bought a good meal for supper, used his everlasting rations for breakfast. Buys common lodgings.

tumble check
2008-01-20, 10:45 AM
Dvurr


Dvurr rises silently from his seat and also goes to his room which he had previously bought.

Shademan
2008-01-20, 11:15 AM
Kabrakhan yawned again and mumbled " il get the tent in th' mornin'" he took off to his room, which the monk had paid for.
If any of our spellcasters need a meatsheild when he goes shopping tomorrow then wake me up.
i just add a tent to his inventory and assume that he gets up early and buy it (for Nas's gold) unless anyone have any objections.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-20, 01:27 PM
Bram

"Ok then." Climbing down from the chair, Bram says to Tom "Better bundle up. It's going to get much colder as the night wears on. Me and Jacob'll be ok, I just don't want you freezing out there." Telling Jacob "Stay" Bram steps outside to get a feel for the current temperature, then goes back inside to collect Jacob and Tom before heading out.

Daryk
2008-01-20, 01:28 PM
As the rest of the party slowly filtered off to bed or out into the cold, Aldamir remained at the table, smiling quietly to himself. When the last of the inn patrons left the common room, he stood up slowly and obtained inexpensive accommodations for the evening. The next morning, feeling pleased with Roac's behavior the night before, he bestowed a spell on the raven to keep him warm throughout the day. In the early part of the morning, he visited a bindery and picked up a bit more paper, and topped off his vial of ink.

OOC:
Subtracting: 2 sp for accommodations (all he needed was a place to meditate, not lie down), 5 gp for 2/3 of a vial of ink, and 1 gp and 8 sp for 9 sheets of parchment. Or rather, I will subtract that amount once my sheet loads. Coyotecode seems to be having some issues at the moment...
As far as spells, Aldamir removes his armor, casts "Endure Elements" on Roac, and puts the armor back on. For today, he prepares 2x Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, and Message for cantrips, True Strike, Feather Fall, and the previously mentioned Endure Elements for 1st level spells, and Longstrider for his Ranger spell.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-20, 02:13 PM
Tom

Tom picks up his hat and wraps his cloak around himself tightly. Walking to the door. As he approaches Bram he says, "I'm ready to go whenever you are."

Shademan
2008-01-20, 02:35 PM
Kabrakhan woke up. He stretched, yawned and growled happily. He then got up and put on his glamered armour and his thick winter clothes before he went to to buy a decent tent.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-20, 04:32 PM
Kabrakhan slept for two minutes? We're still on the night you went to sleep...

Bram

Calling to Jacob "Heel" Bram checks to make sure his belt is secured, then unslinging his walking stick, nods to Tom and heads out the door with Jacob in tow. Retracing his steps to where they last encountered their prospective employer, checking his pace so as not to tax Tom, and bending to the tracks, Bram begins tracking thier-yet-unnamed employer to be.

[roll0]

So on a 34. If he was by himself...and I was tracking him over solid stone by moonlight and it's snowed, and I waited an entire 24 hours....I could still track him.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-20, 04:54 PM
Although a few other people have walked this way over the night, Bram is fairly confident that a certain set of footprints belongs to the stranger. Following them over the course of about half an hour, he passes through many side streets and alleys. It's fairly clear that the man was taking a deliberately circuitous path to throw off followers.

However, near the edge of one narrow street, there is a curious patch of ground. A circle perhaps three feet across is perfectly smooth, with no tracks at all in it. No prints lead away from it.

Make a Search check if you want to look for a secret door or something.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-20, 05:17 PM
Tom

Once Bram points out that no tracks are leading away from the strange patch of ground, Tom starts searching around for clues. He takes his time and searches every square inch methodically.


Taking 20 on a search check: Search: 20+11=31.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-20, 08:49 PM
Bram

Seeing Tom helping him out by searching, and knowing that that's not his strong point, he merely works to aid Tom as best he can.

Taking a 10 on my search check for an 11 to 'Aid Another' to give Tom a +2 to his Search check.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-20, 09:30 PM
Tom notices some scuff marks about a foot up from the bottom of the nearby brick wall. It looks like it has been kicked or rubbed against many, many times over the course of years.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-21, 12:21 AM
He will go ahead and push the stone in.

OOC:

Watch it be a trap!! gulp!

Just to move this along in case this info is needed:

AC against attacks made by traps: 24
Reflex save: [roll0](+2 = 23 forgot Trap Sense also applies to reflex saves)

Shademan
2008-01-21, 02:50 AM
Kabrakhan slept for two minutes? We're still on the night you went to sleep...

ooc:
sure, he felt that he couldnt sleep before he had gotten a tent for the monk. he is veeery loyal.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-21, 10:41 AM
Although Tom presses everywhere the scuff occupies, nothing happens.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-21, 12:43 PM
Tom scratches his head thinking, hmmm that should've done something, I better have a closer look at this. While he studies the immediate area around the marks he calls out to Bram "There doesn't seem to be anything mechanical here, can you sense anything magical?"

OOC:


I think Search and Disable Device checks should be used to study (not disable) any mechanism that may be present. If possible Tom will take 20 on his search, and Disable Device (according to SRD) needs a secret check from DM. Tom will take as much time and care as needed not to ruin any mechanism that maybe present, I'm using disable device because it's the only skill that relates to studying a trap/secret door and figuring out how it works.

--edit: forgot to give the modifiers: Search +11, Disable Device: +13
--edit 2: In case the IC part is misunderstood, Tom tells Bram about the marks on the wall. The statement is about lack of moving parts.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-21, 12:51 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

With Tom busy with the corner of the building, Bram falls into a minor spellcasting, and begins to scan the circle in the snow, the side of the building, the tracks, and then in an expanding ring around the circle.


Ach, I did the same trap as before. If Tom's take 20 takes more then a minute, then Bram start's scanning then.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-21, 01:10 PM
Tom's search, again, reveals nothing.

Is Bram using Detect Magic? If so...Bram notices a faint disk of magic covering the smooth ground. It doesn't seem to be especially powerful, but he can't figure out what it does.

Also, has anyone stepped on the circle yet, or are you just looking at it?

Shademan
2008-01-21, 01:49 PM
after Kabrakhan bought the tent he headed back to get some sleep, at last.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-21, 07:52 PM
Bram

Still peering at the circle, Bram slowly says "Abjuration...typically the school of protection...I'm sorry, my knowledge on this is rather limited. I used to travel alongside a dedicated wizard, and can only draw from what I remember from him on this. It's a spell that's power is within my capacity...but I'm not sure as to what spell. The only one I can think of that might be used for something like this is a 'Pass Without Trace'...a spell that makes it impossible to track via nonmagical means. Even if I use the spell to enhance my sense of smell and try to track him with that, if it's Pass Without Trace, I won't be able to. It makes sense for such a city to have a post or two like this to throw off trackers. Unless one of us is willing to play wizard's rat, I doubt we're likely to find out more."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-22, 03:38 AM
Tom

"a spell of protection, and similar in power in what you can do, mmm. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" With that Tom steps into the ring.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-22, 09:40 AM
Tom is greatly strengthened by the lack of anything happening to him.

Make Wisdom checks, everyone.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-22, 11:06 AM
Tom

If he can reach it, Tom kicks the spot on the wall that looks kicked many times.


Wisdom Check: [roll0]

-edit:eh?! how did this happen? I will post in OOC for the roll

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-22, 01:55 PM
OOC wisdom checks for *everyone*?

NAS

[roll0]

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-22, 02:46 PM
Bram

Murmering to himself quickly, Bram was just about to correct himself, and in the process of saying "wait...pass without trace would be transmutation...." when Tom stepped into the circle.

[roll0][roll1] Edit: Edited for speech color, spelling correction, and angry murmerings about the boards rollers. *mrererererererer*

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-22, 06:43 PM
Nas: I meant "everyone who's investigating the circle."

Speaking of which, who is there? Just Tom and Bram?

Tom's kick to the wall, while ineffective, does move his feet. Glancing downwards at the curious ground again, he notices that although his boots should have, by all rights, left marks on the disk, it remains perfectly smooth.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-22, 10:04 PM
Tom

Seems like it prevents me from leaving footprints. I guess we can't really find him tonight." Tom says with a hint of frustration in his voice. "I suppose we can always meet him tomorrow at the designated spot."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-23, 12:22 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Walking around the circle, Bram finally steps into it himself. Kicking the wall as well, and noting no change, he steps off it to the side and motions for Tom to get off as well. Once Tom gets off, Bram pulls out his belt-knife and tries to see if he can dig down to find an edge to the disc.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-23, 09:44 AM
It's difficult to hack through the nearly frozen ground, but Bram manages. The disk seems to be infinitely thin; it's possible to scrape away the dirt underneath it and see the furrows from above.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-23, 12:14 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Calling to Jacob to "Come", Bram tries to get the giant bat to lift the disc, helping as much as he can.

Strength Check for Bram to Aid another. Roll =4, Total = 4. Failure. Strength Check for Jacob, using the trick 'Work'. Roll = Nat 20, total =24. (Assuming that fails too. So waste of a nat 20.)

If lifting it fails:
Bram turns to Tom "Looks like we're mostly out of options. Lets head back to the others, and contact him at the prearranged place and time. I hate just letting myself be outfoxed while tracking, but you're right, we really can't find him tonight." Then, assuming they don't know their way around the city yet, Bram backtracks to the Inn.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-23, 05:05 PM
Tom

Be careful not to ruin it, knowing where one of these things is located can be very useful. Tom says as Jacob and Bram try to life the plate.

Once they are done, he follows Bram back to the inn, where he sleeps soundly till morning. Waking up early, Tom joins the rest of shoppers and buys himself a small tent.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-23, 06:25 PM
Jacob's great strength brought to bear on the disk pries it free of the ground, but after it comes off, Bram and Tom only manage to find it by its indentation in the snow. It's as though it was stuck to the ground; it's very light now.

You can take it if you want, but it's rather large and unwieldy.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-23, 06:50 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

"Well...that's odd..." Bram then tries to fit it inside his Handy Haversack. If it doesn't fit, he has Jacob carry it. "Lets bring it back to the others. Perhaps one them will know something about it."

Assuming Tom agrees or is neutral on it, Bram takes it back to the Inn. In the morning, after purchasing a large tent, Bram brings it to the common room, and laying it out before the group on a table, asks the lot of them "Do any of you have any idea what this is? Me and Tom found it last night while trying to track down our employer to be."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-23, 07:10 PM
Tom

Tom doesn't think taking the disc is a very good idea, he doesn't want people who put it down to come after them. But if Bram insists on taking it, he will go with it. But he does insist that they leave no trails, either by flying or by covering their trails as they leave although it will mean moving slower.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-23, 07:20 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

If Tom is willing, Bram helps him stay on Jacob while they fly.

Flying above the rooftops, Bram guides Jacob back to the Inn, at a far faster pace then they would have traveled by foot.

(23 +1/3 feet/second. Or a move speed of 70, double moving the whole way there.)

Ride Check: 18 +18 = 36
Ride Check to Aid Another: 15 + 18 = 33.

If Tom takes a 10, he can 'Stay in Saddle' without a Saddle on a 10. I'm assuming he has a decent dex, and with a further +2...

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-23, 08:43 PM
Just in case a ride check is needed [roll0]. The roll includes the +2 from Brams help.

Reading the SRD's description of ride: Staying in saddle is in response to your mount rearing or bolting or in case of taking damage and has DC 5 (10 without a saddle). Simply riding the mount doesn't require a check (I'm assuming a DC of 5 without a saddle.)

Shademan
2008-01-24, 03:15 AM
Kabrakhan


Kabrakhan walked down the stairs at the inn. He was hungry, but something else caught his attention.
"For what reason is there a huge...disk... on the table?" He asked the short ones, convinced he was still dreaming.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-24, 04:51 AM
Bram

Shifting his pack on the table, Bram pulls out an entire deer leg, perhaps food enough for two, and begins gesturing with it. "We tracked down the, yet unnamed" he waves the deer leg around for emphasis, as if to draw attention to his sheer amazement that no one had gotten his name "employer. When we tracked him, me and Tom, we found a dead end, with a corner of a building quite scuffed, and this" further gestures with the deer leg "on the ground. Jacob here" he stops to pat Jacob and wave the deer's leg around some more "helped up get it up, and it seems surprisingly light. I was hoping that some of our more...shall we say academically inclined members" he continues to gesture "might have a better idea of what it is. In the meantime, would you like some deer meat? I managed to catch a small herd of them grazing at dusk with Jacob's help, and have meat enough for a while." Proferring the deer leg to the lizardman, he then pulls out a chunk of haunch and gives it to Jacob while scratching lightly at the underside of the giant bat's wings.

Daryk
2008-01-24, 05:58 AM
As Aldamir came down stairs, he saw the odd discussion between Bram and Kabrakhan, but decided to hold his questions until he was actually seated at the table. Without pointing at the disk, he asked quietly, "What is that, Bram?"

Shademan
2008-01-24, 06:50 AM
"Its one of them things that block the way to the sewer!" Kabrakhan said with his mouth full of deer. "why we would need one of those is beyond me..."

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-24, 09:44 AM
In case there has been some misunderstanding (which I realize is probably my fault), the disk wasn't blocking the way to the sewer. It was just lying on the ground.

tumble check
2008-01-24, 10:04 AM
Dvurr

Dvurr had already descended the stairs and heard Bram's explanation of the previous night. He walks up to the disc and draws his face close to it.

"Well why did you bring it here?"

He lets out a dwarven laugh that sounds much more genuine than it probably is. "It's possible that you single-handedly dismantled this man's age-old getaway... and all for curiosity?"

Dvurr's smile disappeared as seemed to realize something. "We may want to hide this somehow... or even replace it. Perhaps the man will deny our service if he sees we've already stolen from him."

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-24, 12:31 PM
Fashai wakes up and walks over to his companions, just in time to hear Bram's explanation. "It looks. . . like crystal. Or perhaps it is made of pure force. I have no real expertise, though."

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-24, 01:57 PM
NAS

Rejuvenated after a good nights sleep and some morning calisthenics, a rather cheery monk joins his friends at the table during their morning recourse, ordering breakfast from the innkeeper on his way.

If I didn't know better I'd say we were rich, because that looks like the biggest coin ever made. In all honesty though, why *do* we have it now? If it is important to the trader, we need to find a way to hide it. If it's not, then wouldn't it just be cumbersome to carry?

On the other hand, I must admit it looks unique.... and from my experience anything that's unique can be traded for coin. Probably best just to stow it for now and figure out what it is at a more convenient time. For now we must break our fast, pack our things, and then head out to the meeting so that we can take this job.

Shademan
2008-01-24, 02:04 PM
no,no. no misunderstanding here. Kabrakhan just figured it was something "normal" and not something magical. alas, he was wrong again ;p

Kabrakhan were already eating his second breakfast and had lost all interest in the disc (which in his mind, still was a sewer-entrance blocking) until he heard the word "coins".
He stared at the disc with new interest. " maybe we could ransom it back..." he mumbled while swallowing turnipses, chicken stew(easy on the chicken) and deer.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-24, 02:57 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Picking up the disk in two hands, Bram says "It's oddly quite light. And no one was claiming posession of it when I saw it. If you saw a dagger just lying on the ground, with no apparent owner in sight...what would you do? Praise fortune for finding you a belt-knife. As for use, watch this!"

Bringing the disc up over his head, then down to straight out in front of him, then raising it up as fast as he can, Bram works to generate a tiny windstorm.

tumble check
2008-01-24, 03:19 PM
Dvurr

"Shall you keep it, then, Mr. Leafgarbed? And if so, how?"

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-24, 04:40 PM
Tom

"I don't think returning it would change anything, we've already taken it and we covered our tracks coming back." Tom says, "I am in favor of keeping it, but not in plain sight for sure!"

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-24, 07:17 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

"Then how about this." Asks Bram, as he reaches into his pack again, and pulling forth a winter blanket, carefully wraps the disk. Unstrapping the barding on Jacob, Bram places the disk over Jacob's chest, and straps the armor in over it.

"Can't hurt to have a bit more armor for Jacob, and this way, it's out of sight."

Then unstrapping the armor, he pulls the disk out again, and replacing it on the table, he asks the group "So...any of you have an idea of what this is? And before you say it Kabrakhan, it's not a sewer-entrance covering."

After letting the group inspect it as much as they please, he rewraps the disk and replaces it under Jacob's armor.

Daryk
2008-01-24, 07:31 PM
Aldamir withdrew Roac from under his cloak and said, "Good morning, Roac. Help me take a look at this disc, eh?"
Squinting up at his master, Roac replied, "Master, really, I have a splitting headache, and it's too bright in here. Can't this wait?"
"Too much mistavan again, eh? Well, either quit drinking, become an elf, or learn how to function with a 'hangover'. Now, hold still."
With that, Aldamir cast a brief incantation, and examined the disc closely. Roac feigned interest, but offered nothing helpful. He had learned to at least hold his tongue if he had nothing useful to offer.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-25, 03:03 AM
OOC Times like this ALMOST make me nostalgic for one of my many spellcasters.... almost.

Nas

Nas contents himself with remaining quiet for now regarding the disc as he munches on his breakfast. Just to be on the safe side, however, the monk quickly glances around to make sure nobody's watching them 'too' closely.

just a quick sense motive to see if anyone's watching us more than is normal for random inn patrons.

Sense Motive: [roll0]

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-25, 10:06 AM
Nobody seems to be looking at you too much.

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-26, 06:16 PM
Fashai
Finding himself at loose ends until afternoon, Fashai internally debates the relative merits of going to the local guard house and fighting someone, buying some new toys, or attempting to take other peoples' money playing Three-Dragon Ante. Deciding that it would be better to be in top shape for the meeting with the mysterious employer and that he doesn't have enough money to buy anything useful, he buys a deck of cards off another person staying at the inn and plays against all takers for most of the day.
By the time he quits for the day, he is a few coppers lighter, but he feels it a fair price for a day's entertainment.


As evening nears, he does his exercises in the courtyard to ready his usual "just in case" maneuvers, checks his swords' condition, and meets up with his companions.

Daryk
2008-01-26, 06:35 PM
As evening neared, Aldamir and Roac made themselves more familiar with the surrounding blocks, and found a convenient cornice for Roac to watch from. From his perch, the raven would be able to see their prospective employer approach from at least a block away, and with Aldamir's spell protecting him from the cold, he wouldn't complain (much).

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-26, 07:33 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

As they've little to do until the evening, Bram goes out to find a tent large enough for himself and his bat, with Jacob in tow of course. Returning to the inn, he fills his waterskin and the borrowed bowl for Jacob, as well as any of the party's waterskins that need topping off before the spell elapses.

Then, before noon, Bram and Jacob take to the skies, going hunting again, this time Bram also stops by a stream and gets twenty river-washed stones for his pouch in addition to the stones he'll need for the hunting. Further aiming to load his haversack's larders, he circles around, sniping at game, and bringing Jacob down to help shake trees for fruit as well as walking unhindered through the briars to gather berries.

[roll0]

Once he's gathered enough for a few days, he does his best to prepare it for the road, then takes to the skies again, and returning to the Inn, passes time whittling an oaken branch he finds in his hunting into a disposable whistle.

[roll1]

As he starts to cut a hole in the wood, he realizes he's not quite 'in the zone' and if he persists, he's likely to just ruin it. So for the time being, he stashes it in his pack.

Attempting to make a wooden whistle for the trick 'Attack'

Edit: Survival skill gets me 11 more days food....

Edit2: Bloody well forgot 'bout the capability to use real dice. Rolling for Survival for the weather report. Roll = 9. Bonus = +21. So 30. Four days weather report via PM please.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-26, 11:04 PM
NAS

Having nothing to do until the meeting, Nas packs his few belongings, including the new tent strapped to his bag, and lifts it a few times to make sure the added weight won't slow him down. Confident that he can handle the load, he proceeds to loiter until the meeting time.

Shademan
2008-01-27, 03:17 AM
Kabrakhan


Kabrakhan paid for another stay at the inn and for a meal, he then packed his stuff and made sure everything was as it was supposed to be.
Then he got bored, so he loitered around Nas making small-talk and occasionally challenged him to wrestling matches.



common meal 3sp common inn stay 5sp

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-27, 01:46 PM
Around sunset, a familiar figure wrapped in a gray hooded cloak ambles over to the adventurers.

"It's nice to see you all again. Have you accepted my job offer?"

Aldamir:Roac, from his perch high up, saw the man separate from two other people a short distance away from the meeting point. One is circling around to the other side of the party around the block, and the other has entered a nearby building.

You can share this with the others if you like.

Shademan
2008-01-27, 01:52 PM
Kabrakhan

Kabrakhan eagerly jumped from his chair and said "YES! we're as ready as ever!" he smiled for some seconds before he said, less eagerly, " but maybe you should ask Nas about that. he's sorta the leader so..." Kabrakhans tail started to wiggle with excitement.

Daryk
2008-01-27, 02:13 PM
Roac flew down to his master's shoulder and murmured what he had seen in Aldamir's ear. Not seeing any particular danger, Aldamir remained silent as their prospective employer approached. The slight elf smirked at Kabrakhan's outburst, and nodded in agreement, but continued to hold his tongue in favor of Nas.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-27, 02:41 PM
Tom

Tom also stays quiet, waiting for Nas to do the talking.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-27, 07:43 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Watching the clouds, Bram is bundled up, and even has produced a weather-stained traveling cloak from his pack. Looking away from the skies for a moment, he says to the others "It'll be cold tomorrow. And should rain day after." Scratching Jacob absent-mindedly, Bram replies "Your wagons or whatnot covered? Got protections for your people against the cold? It's going to get icy in the next few days." Then he defers to Nas for the final word on thier acceptance.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-27, 08:15 PM
"Yep, we're prepared for Hell and high water. Rain shouldn't do anything but slow us down." He looks to Nas for a reply, noticing that he seems to be the leader.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-28, 05:12 PM
ooc sorry folks, been a slightly busy weeken


Nas

Nas softly chuckled at the enthusiasm of his friends before responding.

Aye, I doubt that I could say, "We're not interested," without being lynched by my comrades. I must admit the work is welcome.

Are you wanting to set out immediately or were you wanting to discuss the details of this particular trip with us first?


Out of curiousity, nas is going to try and get a 'read' on the trader. While the fact that the man may be in fact a smuggler won't make nas reject the job, it would definetely let him know a bit of what to expect.

Sense Motive: [roll0]


also, I haven't gotten to roll NEARLY enough dice.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-28, 06:53 PM
"We're going to be heading into Ilserinara in a couple of days to sell some materials. We'll go maybe a hundred miles total, visiting some of the larger cities nearby. I wouldn't advise bringing along anything valuable that you can't carry with you if you need to... move quickly."

His speech leaves little doubt that the man is almost certainly a smuggler. He says clearly that he's heading across the border to do business, which is illegal.

You'll get to roll more dice soon.

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-29, 03:33 AM
Nas

Nas chuckles at the man's advice.


The warning is appreciated friend, but I feel I must ask you to remember why you were drawn to hire us.

You gave us a job, and we'll do it. We'll handle the logistics, you just worry about keeping your wagons moving. Speaking of which, I recommend we move out sooner than 'in a couple of days' if you want to avoid at least some icy paths. I've learned to trust friend Bram's long eye when it comes to the weather.



Nas crosses his arms, portraying an attitude that not only suggests they've taken the job, but that they're taking it very seriously.

OOC
Nas is trying to portray an attitude of 'yeah, we can protect you, but if you want us to you're going to have to do what WE say so that we can be effective.'

Shademan
2008-01-29, 09:26 AM
Kabrakhan stared at the employer, then on Nas. He then mimicked Nas's stance and nodded once. They used way to complicated words anyways...

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-29, 11:09 AM
After a short pause, the smuggler nods. "Great. I believe we can be ready to go tomorrow morning if that works for you all. Now that we're acquainted, you can call me Salos.

Oh, and one last thing. Would you happen to have seen a clearish, large disk lying around anywhere? I seem to have misplaced one."

Shademan
2008-01-29, 02:25 PM
" A disk?" Kabrakhan said with feigned surprise. "i don't know anything about a disk... but we have some quite powerful spellcasters here. they could prolly find it with divinations or something if they knew the properties of your disk." He struggled to not smile at his own cunningness. "and if that aint working im sure i could rough up the local scoundrels and see if i could find anything out.... for a price... but i'd put my money on the magic."
Kabrakhan felt really smart, at best they'd learn the properties of the disk (or they got to get paid for giving it back and blame locals) at worst...well.... Kabrakhan hadn't thought about that yet.


Bluff-check! just to be sure... Roll: 14+1= 15.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-29, 02:37 PM
Tom

Tom starts worrying as the smuggler brings up the disk, and is even more worried when Kabrakhan tries to fool him. "What if he already knows about us taking the disk." He thinks to himself, and starts looking around to see how many guards Salos has brought with him and how they are positioned.


Reactive Spot check: [roll0]
Reactive Listen check: [roll1]

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-29, 04:14 PM
Nas

Now now, we don't need to be causing the townspeople any undue worry by just walking up to them and making them have a bad day right off the bat. You would *ask* first. And on the topic of asking... just how much would finding this particular item be worth to a man such as yourself, friend trader?


Does he already think we have the disc?

[roll0]

OOC Just as an FYI, while my monk IS lawful good, he is also extremely practical. Money is useful in adventuring, and there's nothing chaotic OR evil about trying to get additional money for additional services rendered.

Daryk
2008-01-29, 05:44 PM
Aldamir smirks at his squirming comrades, and wonders how long they'll let the charade go on. Lightly pinching Roac's beak shut, he resolved to not let it go on longer than their first encounter with their new employer.
"Mmm-mmmmmm," Roac tried to say.
"Shush, Roac, it's under control," Aldamir said quietly.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-29, 06:04 PM
"It's about three feet wide, transparent, thin. No real magic. It's just made of force. It's not very valuable; it's just slightly inconvenient to not have it. Don't trouble yourselves." Salos seems oblivious to the deception. "Anyhow, if that's all, I'll see you at the northeast city gate tomorrow morning."

Tom: there is one man at the end of the street that seems to be taking unusual interest in the conversation.

Nas: as far as you can tell, Salos has no idea that you took the disk.

Daryk
2008-01-29, 06:12 PM
Aldamir clears his throat and looks at Nas pointedly.

If Nas doesn't 'fess up before Solas leaves, Aldamir will...

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-29, 08:58 PM
Nas

Nas' attention was drawn to the caster for a brief moment when he cleared his throat... You think that might be it?

He turned back to the trader before speaking again.

Three feet across and made of force, right? I believe we actually found something like that last night on an exploration of the city. Figured since it was just laying on the ground, we might see if we could find a use for it.

If this is any indication, it looks like you don't have to worry about losing things with us around, eh?

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-29, 10:17 PM
Salos looks slightly confused, as though not quite sure what to think. His eyes dart between Nas and Aldamir.

"Ah... okay. If I could have it back, that would, uh, be nice." He pulls his cloak around him as a cold gust of wind blows through the street.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-30, 12:43 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Stepping forward, his little arms crossed over his chest, Bram looks at their new employer and asks "Slightly inconvienient not to have it...how? What's it for, this mysterious disk of yours?" He'd seem rediculous, but the giant bat behind him lends weight to his words.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-30, 09:39 AM
"It's to throw off people who might want to follow me. It just stops me from making footprints."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-30, 04:12 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

The halfling glares at Salos, then says "You said it was merely a disk of force. How would a disk of force stop you from leaving footprints? Even if you threw it down and walked on top of it, eventually you'd have to move beyond it. You couldn't throw it down, then place a second, then pick the first and so on, because then there would be the small indentions of the disk. So how exactly does it help you do that?"

Oh DM: Tracking is more then just following footprints. Even if he obscured his trail (and with a +2 circumstance for using a specially crafted item for it) it'd only add +5 (or possibly +7) to the tracking DC...

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-30, 04:37 PM
"I'm not sure I feel comfortable telling you. Until I can make a more accurate judgment of your characters, I won't tell you how to find where my friends and I live." Salos no longer speaks with the tone of good humor that has tinged most of his speech so far. "Is that all?"

Yeah, I wasn't too sure that I handled that situation correctly. If it will do you any good, I'll tell you that it looks as if the scuffed spot on the wall has been kicked by someone leaping towards it and scraping against the wall to get more upwards momentum. However, there were no other marks on the wall, and the top of the building was far too high to reach by a simple jump.

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-30, 05:04 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Nodding Bram replies "So, you're absolving us of any responsability from protecting you from members within your group, as well as limiting our chances of recovering you should you be abducted. Good to know. Mind if I ask if you have another of these disks? Last night it was I who was tracking you. We were going to accept early. I'm not oft stymied by non-magical means, and I'd like to have a better understanding of it on the offchance someone you send us after uses a similar tactic. As for trusting us, well you did just walk up to us, and hire us to protect your body on a whim. That seems you're the trusting type. After all, what's to stop us from capturing, torturing, and killing you? Despite the fact that I wouldn't do that, approaching strangers with that level of trust...well it makes it somewhat out of character to be conservative about a tracking measure. Irregardless, we accepted, so you'll have a good chance to get a measure of our personalities over the journey. Just for future reference, if you give me a day's heads-up, I can weave a minor magical aura around you and up to five of your companions to make you untrackable for hours. The aura is so faint that it won't even linger a minute after you, and can keep you from needing anything as cumbersome as a disk made of force...as well as not leaving bootscuffles on buildings." After the torrent of words, Bram leans against Jacob, waiting for the inevitable response.

tumble check
2008-01-30, 05:32 PM
Dvurr Warondurt

Dvurr huffs impatiently. He gives Salos the slightest of courteous nods, and walks back to where Tom is keeping watch.

Daryk
2008-01-30, 07:19 PM
As Bram spoke, Roac shook his head free of Aldamir's fingers and murmured in his master's ear, "Next time, boss, the halfling, not me, eh?"

Aldamir just stared in amazement, mind racing for something to say.

Casting a hasty cantrip, Aldamir whispered to Nas:
"Do you want me to distract Bram, or talk to Salos?"

The cantrip would be "Message", and it allows Nas to reply without being heard.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-30, 07:21 PM
Salos considers Bram for several seconds, then smiles. "All right, perhaps I should be a little more trusting. But you are, as you said, strangers, and I am reluctant to reveal more information than I must to strangers, especially information regarding my group's housing. I was in something of a hurry to get more protection, since we're on a schedule, and you didn't seem to have ties to any officials. I'm usually pickier about who I go about inviting to join a trading mission. I assure you as well that I become a much more trusting person once I've known you for a while.

"And as for what keeps you from killing me..." He shrugs. "I tend to have a few more tricks up my sleeve than other people."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-30, 07:38 PM
Just to see if Tom can hear Roac's whisper (DC 15 to hear, DC 25 to make out what's being said +1 for each 10' of distance) I'll look at the roll and edit in Tom's action if he hears it. Otherwise, he will continue to be on the look out.

Listen: [roll0]

Now that I know he did hear it:


Tom
Moving quietly next to Aldamir, Tom surprises Roac by whispering in response, "Well that depends on which halfling you are talking about my friend!" His tone is playful and young.


taking 10 on move silently check to catch the bird off guard: 10+17 = 27 (since I can't roll in the edit window)

Shadowofdeus
2008-01-30, 08:04 PM
Nas

Not even 5 seconds into Bram's rant elapse before the monk is pressing him with an obviously spiteful glare, which doesn't end until he hears the disembodied voice of Aldamir in his ears.

Having been the recipient of this particular cantrip before, Nas responds as necessary (being unheard except by aldamir).

I'll try to patch things up with our employer, if I can. Do you think you could impart some tidbits of social etiquette to Bram?

After this he approaches Salos as if he's going to walk with him for a bit.

Pardon my comrade's enthusiasm. He tends to vocalize the possibility of any situation more often than he keeps it in his head. Sleeved tricks and veiled threats aside, perhaps now would be a good time for you and I to discuss the terms of our contract, over drinks perhaps? My treat. Nas delivers a genuine smile of one happy to have a new job.

Daryk
2008-01-30, 08:15 PM
Not that Roac will roll that high, but he'd at least TRY:
[roll0]
His reaction will be posted as an edit after I know the result.
Oh, and Aldamir's check, just to make sure he doesn't run over Tom as he tries to usher Bram a short distance away:
[roll1]
So, neither Aldamir nor Roac heard Tom's approach. Preoccupied with the situation, I suppose...


Aldamir whispered "Righto" back to Nas, then turned to Bram:
"Bram, a word, if you would please? Now would be best."
Aldamir gestured politely in a direction directly away from Salos and Nas.

As Tom whispered up at the pair, the raven squawked in surprise, and Aldamir nearly tripped over him as he turned to lead Bram a short distance away.
Handily regaining his balance as he skipped around his friend, Aldamir said, "Sorry Tom... didn't see you there." Aldamir winked to indicate he had heard Tom's words, but gave no other sign.

Roac, on the other hand, reacted to his master's temporary loss of balance by hopping into the air, and alighting on Tom's shoulder. "Don't DO that! I almost made a mess on the master's shoulder."
Lowering his voice so only Tom could hear, the raven continued, "And which halfling did you think I meant, eh? Last I checked, YOU knew when not to yap."

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-30, 08:53 PM
Tom

Tom is caught of guard by the fact that Aldamir missed him, and he dodges to avoid being stepped on he winks back at Aldamir and replies, "My bad Aldamir, ... shouldn't be playing hide and seek when serious conversations are in progress". Then he whispers back to Roac, "Sorry buddy, didn't mean to scare you. I just found it amusing that you have a better grasp of social interactions than our friend here. He IS not that young of a halfling you know. How old are you by the way? You seem to be smarter than most Raven familiars I've met before."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-30, 08:59 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Dipping a short bow to Salos, Bram turns and walks towards Aldamir, a self-satisfied little grin creeping onto his face when his back is firmly toward Salos. Noticing Tom standing there, and not believing the young halfling has seen through his ruse, he motions for Tom to come along as well. Continuing to walk past Aldamir, and assuming he will follow, Bram waits until they're a good deal out of earshot before hurridly explaining to Aldamir "What I said, was said for reasons too complex to explain in a short amount of time. I will tell you, that it was calculated, and that I am not intending to jeapordize our mission at all. Three things to think of, to give my words weight before the inevitable lecture. One, now we can be sure that he's not going to be just randomly picking up any more members. Two, he now is aware of my capacity for tracking and casting of minor spells at least, and will be able to put me to use in that manner. And thirdly, and most important. He now believes that I am stupid. When you're young, it's easy to get hung up on what people think about you, but one thing that age gives you is perspective. It doesn't matter what he thinks of me, only what he does. Now he's more likely to trust and deliver messages through Nas, and far more likely to forgive Kabrakhan when he tries to be 'smart' and horribly blunders. I can show my usefulness later, we'll have plenty of time for that, but the first impressions can never be revoked. So, you still want to give me a lecture? Or can we assume that I already know everything you could tell me here, talk of more pleasant things and dally a bit to give the others the impression you gave me a thorough talking-to. Thank you, by the way, for the impression. It gives more credibility to my 'improvement' in manner, and will also lead him to trust you as well."

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-30, 09:36 PM
Fashai
Fashai walks up to Salos before he leaves with Nas and extends a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Salos. Felt I should introduce myself before you left. I'm Fashai Ravirnson, a swordsage." Talking a bit quieter, he says, "Don't take Bram too seriously, he's not usually this. . . energetic. Perhaps he's frustrated that he couldn't track you. He is a bit overconfident sometimes."

Daryk
2008-01-30, 10:27 PM
Roac cocked his head to the side, and thought for a moment. "Well, I've been out of the egg for..."
Tom could just imagine Roac counting on his fingers, if he had any.
"Twelve years," the raven said confidently. "And thanks... the master doesn't think I'm that bright."

Aldamir was about to speak when Bram launched into his own speech. The elf tried to interrupt several times, but just couldn't fit a word in edge-wise. Sighing in exasperation, Aldamir folded his arms across his chest, and waited for Bram to finish.

"Finished? Good. Now, listen. No, I'm not going to forgo the lecture. You earned one. We had an entire day to talk strategy, and you never once said anything about making that kind of impression. Second, 'stupid' isn't an impression we want to give anyone when they can still choose not to hire us. Third, this guy is a smuggler. Don't try to bluff a guy who has to lie to the law for a living. Fourth, Nas had everything under control, with a minimum of fuss. Nothing more needed to be said about it. We could have left it right there."

Aldamir paused for a moment, out of fingers, and contemplating his thumb, then turned to Tom, and asked "Tom, you have any other advice for Bram? You've dealt with the underworld more than any of us."

While Tom responded, Aldamir extended his thumb, and waited for Tom to finish.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-31, 12:24 AM
"I'm sure you master thinks you are smart as well, he just wants to keep helping you become smarter" Tom replies to Roac before Bram starts talking.

Once Aldamir asks his opinion he says, "Well, giving the impression that you are stupid or weak in my old guild often meant being abused to no end by people stronger and smarter than you. It definitely is not a desirable impression to leave." Tom pauses for a second as if trying to decide whether to stop at this point or not, then he continues, "But luckily you probably failed to convince him that you are stupid, even if you fooled us all. None of us have great peoples skills, and that's exactly where a guild master or the head of smuggler's ring will be at his best. If he is anything like the other in his position, he can probably read each one of us like an open book no matter how hard we try to fool him."

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-31, 01:00 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Still grinning, Bram lifts up his own hands, and starts recounting point for point. "One, my strategy worked best leaving the lot of you in the dark, as you can see by your reactions if you leave your ego out of it. Two, he's not hiring us for brains, but brawn. He doesn't want questions asked, or clever replies. He wants his cargo and his person protected. I still gave the impression of strength with Jacob here, I merely let him see himself as superior in intellect. Three, as a smuggler, he's probably quite adept at lying, but that does not necessitate a good read on others lies. Especially when it's easier and more comfortable to believe they're true. Fourth, Nas now has it even more under control, and will continue to have that control longer." Turning to Tom, his rebuffal is a touch gentler as he says "Well, I'm glad I didn't have to live in your guild then. I like not having to be the best at everything. And Tom, think of it. An old halfling? You know the steriotypes. We're all quick-fingered little thieves. Not too bright. Then there are those who let themselves go mentally as they age, that set another steriotype. Aged halfling? Automatically I'm seen as a dullard. Reinforcing that steriotype? Exactly what he wants to believe. He wants to see me as a power, but an unfocused power. By letting him believe that I can be easily steered, I can be 'aimed', and I am valuable. No man wants a self-aiming and self-firing crossbow. He wants a crossbow of extreme power, that makes every shot a breeze....yet he wants to point it and pull the trigger. But all this talk is making me hungry. I'm going to go light a fire, cook some venison, and eat a spit or two with Jacob. You two are welcome to come along, I'm sure Nas will feel better if it takes us longer to return, and as such, gives him more time to nail down the specifics." With that, he turns and starts walking for the gate, heading out where there's no restrictions on just lighting a cooking fire. After a few steps, he turns, and glancing back at the pair, he asks "You coming?"

Shademan
2008-01-31, 02:51 AM
1D20+1 = [15]+1 = 16 bluff

Kabrakhan walked up next to fashai and said to Salos " And i am Kabrakhan. Perhaps you've heard of me? i have escorted COUNTLESS of caravans, and really, i didnt know we were in possession of the disk!" he was abit nervous... if the smuggler knew he was bluffing he could end up getting the entire group kicked outta' the job. after all, he HAD tried to swindle some coins from him...

Daryk
2008-01-31, 06:16 AM
As Bram walked away, Aldamir was left shaking his head, his last point unspoken. Turning to Tom again, he said, "I suppose we'll have to leave it to Nas. He's not listening to us."

On Tom's shoulder, Roac chuckled softly. "Well, master, if you don't mind, I'm going to get some of that free food..."

Aldamir glowered at his familiar and replied, "Just don't give him any ideas. And don't be gone too long."

Across the short distance of the street, Aldamir whispered to Nas, "We have to talk."

tumble check
2008-01-31, 08:43 AM
Dvurr


The only sound heard from Dvurr during this episode was an outburst of "Aye!" at the mention of a possible discussion at the bar.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-31, 11:51 AM
Tom

"I'm coming" Tom replies to Bram, and says "I'll continue chatting with him, and don't worry I'll make sure Roac comes back quickly."

Once he catches up with Bram, he says, "You are right about him not wanting smarts, reinforcing the stereotypes, and about people who are good at lying not being necessarily good at catching lies. But to be a man who runs a smuggling ring he should be good at both, otherwise he wouldn't have made it in the cutthroat world of smugglers."

His tone changes at this time and he starts smiling again, thinking of the good food, "So what did you catch last? a deer?" while he is walking, he takes a handful of nuts out of his belt pouch start eating them and offers some to Bram and Roac, "Do you like nuts?"

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-31, 12:37 PM
Fashai
"Sorry, I just remembered that I forgot to buy a few supplies for the journey, especially if it will be cold. I think Kabrakhan here needed to buy some of those, too. Right, Kabrakhan?"
He tries to get Kabrakhan away, grabbing him by the shoulder and pushing him away.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-01-31, 01:29 PM
Salos nods at Nas's proposal. "Okay, let's put the contract together. Where would you like to go? I know a nice tavern a few minutes' walk from here." He gestures down the street.

Shademan
2008-01-31, 02:08 PM
"yes offcourse! we need...whetstones! to our blades! And blankets!" Kabrakhan followed the swordsage. "i dont think he likes me..." he whispered to Fashai

Seffbasilisk
2008-01-31, 05:44 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Taking a nut, Bram smiles and offers it to Jacob who immediatly refuses. Popping it in his own mouth, he swallows it down before responding with "I've a few things. Squirrel, Rabbit, Deer, a few plants... I'll be glad when we move on. Don't want to upset the natural balance any more then it already has been. Heh, have I told you about my younger days? Burning lumber camps and raising animals against furrers... I was so full of fire in those days. Never really thought out what I did beyond the immediate result. Long gone. Hmm...How about we pick up the pace? Mind riding along with me on Jacob again Tom? Roac...you could hang onto one of us if you don't think you can keep up."

Daryk
2008-01-31, 07:16 PM
Roac greedily accepted an offered nut from Tom, but was still working on it when Bram asked his question. His speech was mangled as a result:
"Eh? I -ah -ee- uh..."

As Nas and Salos moved away from the street corner, a few steps brought Aldamir to their side. He smiled at Nas and slowed his pace to match the monk and their employer. He nodded at Salos, but kept his mouth judiciously shut.

CGCL_Andy
2008-01-31, 07:31 PM
Tom

"Sure, lets go! I enjoy riding with Jacob" Tom replies to Bram. He then continues, "Be careful Roac, we don't want you choking. If you need to get back to your master, we'll bring you back a bite. I'm sure Bram won't mind."

tumble check
2008-01-31, 08:05 PM
IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE:

Everyone look at the DM's edited post, is anyone else going with Salos to discuss terms of the agreement? I doubt you would want Dvurr to solely represent us lol.


Dvurr

Dvurr finally repays his attention to Salos and expresses his desire to go with him.

thevorpalbunny
2008-01-31, 09:17 PM
Fashai
Fashai takes Kabrakhan aside after they turn a corner from Nas and Salos.
"Kabrakhan, you outright lied to Salos twice. You don't survive in the underworld by being trusting; he almost certainly saw right through you at least once. Could you perhaps think a bit more before you try to match criminals – who are professional liars – at their own game? Not to mention that he still might choose not to hire us."

Shademan
2008-02-01, 02:34 AM
"calm down Fashai. Ive been working in the underworld before, right?" Kabrakhan attempet a innocent smile. it looked like the smile of a man that had just finished eating babies with puppy suace. "now,now! let us do something FUN while we wait! like... picking random fights or sink a few pints!"

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-01, 03:42 AM
OOC Sorry about the lack of evening updates. I'll do a full post in the OOC thread later about it.

Nas

Nas glances at the direction each of his comrade's chooses to go. Nodding at both Dvurr and Aldamir as they join him, he begins walking with Salos.

Lead on, friend. I'm sure we have quite a bit to talk about. Allow me to introduce ourselves properly. My name is Nas. This here is my comrade Dvurr, and the other gentleman is Aldamir...

As they walk to the tavern, Nas continues to introduce the rest of the party by description, using preferred names or nicknames for those who wouldn't want their actual names given out.*


* - OOC
Yeah, that was a bit of metagaming with the 'intro by description' action text. But I'm not sure if any of your character's have nicknames. (Maybe like using 'Kab' instead of Kabrakhan, as an example)

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-01, 10:03 AM
After a few minutes of walking, the Nas, Aldamir, Dvurr, and Salos arrive at a small tavern that does seem, as Salos said, "rather nice." There don't seem to be any loud or violent drunks there, at least.

After they sit down and Nas has finished describing the party, Salos pulls out a quill and a small square of parchment. "So, shall we get down to business? I estimate our journey will take two weeks at most, accounting for delays and bad weather. What would you like to be paid?"''

Make Spot checks, you three with him.

Also, for future reference, my spoilers are for everyone unless designated otherwise.

tumble check
2008-02-01, 10:41 AM
Spot - [roll0]

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-01, 01:16 PM
Nas

The monk gazed at the trader, contemplating their current situation and who their employer was before finally speaking.

Say, three hundred fifty gold pieces for myself and each of my comrades, plus a combat-recovery bonus equal to say... 5% of your profits? Purely for healing potions and the like of course. Also, salvage rights to any gear from those of a mind to challenge the caravan.


Spot Check:
[roll0]

Daryk
2008-02-01, 06:39 PM
Spot Check: [roll0] (No Roac)

Aldamir smiled at Salos' question and replied, "A reasonable amount."

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-02, 12:02 PM
Salos considers. "Hm. How about, instead of a percentage of the profits, you tell me what you need, and I'll maybe get it. I assure you that nothing is more important to me than your ability to continue keeping us safe."

Daryk
2008-02-02, 03:55 PM
Aldamir's eyes widened a bit at their potential employer's reluctance to share a percentage of his profits. His mind cast about to guess what they could be moving that was so valuable. He ultimately decided it was probably best not to speculate. Glancing at Nas before speaking, Aldamir said, "You seem to have a means to conceal our passage, but have you given any thought to speeding it? The less time we are on the road, the less likely we are to be attacked, and speed will be invaluable in evading pursuit."

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-02, 06:05 PM
Salos shrugs. "Well, if you want a cut of the profits instead, that's fine. I was just suggesting a more convenient method. Your original terms are acceptable."

tumble check
2008-02-02, 07:43 PM
Dvurr Warondurt


"Instead?" Dvurr asks.

He looks to his comrades, "Gents, I'd much rather enjoy a flat price than one based on the value o' these goods. You assume that we're escorting things of exceedingly high worth, but that's not our business. We must at least have an absolute fee that doesn't vary."

He slowly turns his head back to Salos. "Melord... can we agree that our wages do not depend on the conditions of your goods upon arrival?"

Daryk
2008-02-02, 08:59 PM
Aldamir's eyes narrowed as he looked at Salos more closely. The smuggler had seemed to respond to what he was thinking rather than what he had said. Shifting his eyes to Dvurr, he said, "No argument there, friend. I was simply asking about possible means to speed us on our way. Nas proposed a mixture of the two payment methods. I'm not predisposed either way."
Looking back at Salos, he thought to himself, 'I'm on to you' and studied the smuggler's expression for any reaction.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-02, 11:04 PM
Blaaaaaaargh. I'm slipping. I didn't mentally separate your speech and thoughts enough. Sorry.

Although it would be nice if you could color your speech so that it would be easy to avoid my disorganization of thought.

Salos raises his right hand in the air and makes a strange gesture. "We travel fairly light, following our own advice about heavy luggage. Does your halfling friend have any spells to get us through snow or across ice?" Moments later, a female elf strides in and sits next to the smuggler. She wears a heavy winter coat with curious, wide seams down the sleeves.

"Nas, Dvurr, Aldamir, this is Istasa. Istasa, meet our new employees." The newcomer inclines her head slightly to the other group. "She supplies what spellpower we have now."

Daryk
2008-02-03, 12:38 AM
Aldamir sat up a bit straighter when Salos introduced Istasa. At her acknowledgement, he said, "Aiya Istasa Ilya, vanima yende i elda. Mai omentane."

I don't know if you have settled on the second part of her name, so I made an educated guess. If Aldamir has heard of her, then it makes it that much more appropriate. If you don't like what I picked, I'll edit it out. Rough translation I was aiming for: "Hail Istasa Ilya, fair daughter of the elves. Well met." Aldamir's elvish "surname" would be "Atta-mau" (two hands) if she were to return a formal greeting.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-03, 03:47 AM
Nas

Nas listened to the verbal exchanges so far. After the conversations had split into other introductions, Nas felt it prudent to bring the subject back to that of payment.

Being able to supply us with specific items would definetely have advantages to an uncertain percentage of profits. I would be willing to accept that condition in the agreement with a clause allowing for renegotiation of this at a later date.

From what you say however, I take it you're amenable to the other two conditions for now?

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-03, 12:23 PM
Istasa tilts her head curiously when Aldamir speaks. "I believe that you have me confused with someone," she replies in Common. "My family name is Visarisai. Pleased to meet you." She speaks without any trace of an accent, strange given that she appears to comprehend Elven just fine.

At Nas's proposal, Salos nods. "Yes, I'll be fine with your current payment scheme." He begins scratching the parchment with his quill (oddly, without any ink). "So, three hundred and fifty gold each, plus equipment. This is correct and all?"

Daryk
2008-02-03, 01:42 PM
Aldamir flushed a bit, and said, "I'm sorry. Istasa is an uncommon name in the south, and I'd only heard of the Ilya using it. I would still call you vanima, though." Aldamir matched Istasa's Common with the exception of the compliment. It wasn't every day he met a fellow elf, and being they would be working together, he wanted to make a good impression, despite his slip.

Daryk
2008-02-04, 05:49 AM
Roac, still working on the nut Tom had given him, flapped his way after Jacob and the halflings, but quickly fell behind, losing sight of them in the gloom. Cursing to himself, the raven flew back the way he had come, only to discover his master had also left. Spiraling out from the intersection where the group had met Salos, Roac searched for any sign of Aldamir.

If he finds any other familiars to talk to, great. If not, he'll eventually perch back over the door to the inn where everyone stayed last night and wait for his master to return.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-04, 09:38 AM
Roac finds no familiars.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-04, 01:49 PM
Nas

Nas nods a silent affirmation to Salos, agreeing to the contract as it has been negotiated for now and ordering drinks for people at the table to finalize it.

ATTN: DM

Please pm me a ballpark figure for the cost of the drinks of the 5 at the table.

tumble check
2008-02-04, 04:29 PM
Dvurr

"Just water for me, Nas." says Dvurr.

He nods contently to the opposite negotiators.

Daryk
2008-02-04, 06:13 PM
Aldamir smiled when Nas offered to buy drinks. "Mistavan if they have it, naught if they don't, please," he told the server.

Roac was again caught off guard when Jacob suddenly swooped up from behind him. He'd been circling out from the intersection, looking for his master, then suddenly found himself in Tom's arms.
"Blazes, Tom! What's it going to take to get you to quit sneaking up on me?" he croaked over the wind noise. This was a new game with the rogue, and one the raven seemed to be losing, much to his chagrin.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-04, 06:34 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Guiding Jacob to the clearing they'd prepared thier last kills at the night before, Bram sets to work building up a fire, often having Jacob carry large loads of wood or shatter logs into smaller pieces for him. Once he has a nice blaze going, he takes off for a moment, and returns with a fresh kill a few minutes later. Sharpening up a few skewers with his belt knife, he sets pieces of meat to dry, and others to cook on grill made of green sticks. While the meat cooks, he asks Tom "So, why did you leave the guild? I don't recall hearing that tale before."

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-04, 07:15 PM
"Nothing for me, thank you." Salos lays down the quill and waves the parchment back and forth through the air to dry it. "You can hold onto this if you like," he says, waving the parchment at the three people opposite him. "I can remember the terms."

"Water would do," Istasa adds to the list of drinks. She appears deep in thought.

Everyone with Salos and Istasa, make Will saves. Everyone else, Spot checks.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-04, 07:34 PM
[roll0] [roll1] Additionally, Jacob has Blindsense 40ft.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-04, 07:59 PM
Tom
"Not much of a story I'm afriad." Tom says. "I simply grew too skilled to be a subordinate and too bored with the structure to be a guild master in the small town I lived in before, so I set out looking for more exciting opportunities."


spot check: [roll0]

Daryk
2008-02-04, 08:44 PM
Aldamir Will Save: [roll0]
Roac Spot Check: [roll1]

thevorpalbunny
2008-02-04, 09:12 PM
Spot: [roll0]

Shademan
2008-02-05, 01:54 AM
Roll(1d20)+1:
16,+1
Total:17

tumble check
2008-02-05, 08:26 AM
Dvurr



Will save - [roll0]

Dvurr has an additional +2 if this save is against a spell.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-05, 12:25 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

After a while of roasting meat and swapping tales, Bram loads the dried and roasted meat back into his pack, then stomping what's left of the fire out, he packs and loads up. Once set to go, he climbs aboard Jacob, gives Tom a hand up, and finds a place for Roac. With everyone aboard, Jacob leaps into the air, and goes skyward in powerful wingbeats.

Flying back to the inn, Bram helps Tom down, then sets up in the same corner of the common room he stayed in last night. Assuming Nas tells him about the need for snowshoes, and the number in the group they're traveling with, he begins prepping spells at first light of dawn.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-05, 01:37 PM
Nas

Nas retreives the parchment and stows it in his tunic.

So, friend Salos, perhaps you could do us a favor and tell us what kind of trouble we may be expecting on the road? Or at the very least, if it's not too much to ask, what kind of difficulties happened upon your previous employees to result in their passing.


Will Save: [roll0]

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-05, 06:27 PM
"Our dead guards were caught in an ambush, I believe by Ilserinaran soldiers. Those will be our main problem, although we should be able to avoid them most of the time. Creatures populating the countryside should be our main difficulty. The roads are clear of them, but there's a huge risk of soldiers there." Salos starts, as though surprised at something. Istasa keeps her intent gaze fixed on a spot on the table.

"So yeah, you should probably be prepared for grassland and forest things that can resist cold, as well as anything with enough magical skill to protect itself from the weather."

Daryk
2008-02-05, 07:26 PM
Drawn by Istasa's instense stare, Aldamir gazes at the same spot on the table in an effort to determine what has her attention.

Um... Spellcraft? [roll0], or maybe Knowledge: Arcana? [roll1]

tumble check
2008-02-05, 08:12 PM
Dvurr


Dvurr too, trains his gaze on the spot.

DM:

I wouldn't have done it, but now we have two people looking at the same spot.

Spot - [roll0]

If it applies, Spellcraft - [roll1]

If you'll allow him, he will also Spot around the room [roll2]
(I realize that the Will save is passive and he may not have any reason or provocation to check the room)

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-05, 08:30 PM
Nothing stands out about that spot on the table, nor anywhere else in the room. It is likely that Istasa was just concentrating.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-06, 11:03 AM
Nothing more of import occurs that evening, and after exchanging some pleasantries, the two groups separate. The protagonists return to their inn and get some rest in preparation for their journey the next day.

The next morning, after making some final preparations, the party sets out to the northeastern gate. Salos, Istasa, and two other people are waiting for them. One of the new faces is a dwarf whose build and equipment seem to indicate that he is a fighter, and the other is is nondescript male human. The latter gives a distinct feeling of unease to the adventurers for some reason. No individual trait stands out as creepy.

Salos approaches the heroes. "I'll introduce the others once we leave the city. I'm, ah, acquainted with these guards, and would like to use that familiarity to get through before the watch changes." He walks over to the most important-looking guard and engages in conversation.

Shademan
2008-02-06, 11:16 AM
Kabrakhan leans over to Fashai and whisper (actually it was more like hissing) "he is either bribing them, HAVE bribed them or got some other kinda ballgrip at them." Needles to say, Kabrakhan have a really bad sense of humor.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-06, 01:49 PM
Nas

While Salos speaks to the guards, Nas starts whispering* to his team about what transpired in the meeting. How much they're getting paid, what kind of dangers to expect, etc.....

...Also, lets not be naive about this job. I want you all to keep an eye on who we're guarding just as much as you're keeping an eye on the surroundings. Chances are they'll be doing the same to us.

Bram, I'd like you in the air when weather permits. You know the drill. Kabrakhan, you'll be near the front. While I understand your love of a good fight, I'd prefer giving Ilserinaran soldiers a chance to rethink attacking us. Best way to make them do that is to show what they'd be getting themselves into. Also if things go awry with our employer, that'll put you right next to him.

The rest of you arrange yourselves where you feel you'll contribute most and be able to watch the most.

OOC - ATTN DM

First, sense motive on the spooky guy to see if I can tell why he creeps us out.
Sense Motive: [roll0]

Second, the whispered orders are given out of earshot of Salos or any of his other employees.

Shademan
2008-02-06, 02:59 PM
Kabrakhan grinned and snapped his jaw once to signalize that he had understood.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-06, 03:48 PM
Tom

The young halfling looks around the cart and at the new comers suspiciously. He also weighs his traveling options trying to decide whether he can keep up with the cart on foot.

OOC:

Tom looks at all the new people who come with Salos carefully. Does he know them? do they look familiar (for example, can he tell if the man is the same one shadowing Salos the day they accepted they employment? were any of them with him the day he made the original offer?)

Also, he pays careful attention to details on their clothing/armor and equipment (feel free to roll spot check for Tom he has a +10 modifier) What can he tell? What are they carrying? How well is their equipment built?

Next he turns his attention to the Cart, can he estimate how heavy it is? what animal is drawing it? how fast will it move when it does move? (again feel free to make untrained knowledge checks when needed, he has a +2 Int modifier, and would only be able to answer questions with DC less than or equal to 10)

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-06, 04:04 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Bram also checks out the 'creepy' man, then before heading over to Nas, he c0cks an ear on the offchance he can hear what Salos is saying to the guard. In the whispered conversation, asks Nas "How long will we be traveling each day? Six hours? Eight? Twelve? Fourteen?" As he waits for a response, he scans the sky for the incliment weather.

[roll0][roll1][roll2] Verdamminint! I keep forgetting I can roll real dice until I've rolled the evil board rollers! Edit2: Weather report, next 5 days please.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-06, 04:25 PM
Nas

Chances are we'll be traveling with the sun given the season. He'll probably push as hard as he can between sunrise and sunset. You'd know about how long that is this time of year better than I.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-06, 04:56 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Shifting slightly, Bram says "I've prepared a spell, that will synch me and Jacob in with the surrounding terrain to make us far more unobtrusive. It only lasts for six hours...so let me know when you want your eye in the sky less easily recognizable."

Daryk
2008-02-06, 06:50 PM
Aldamir performed his morning rituals before setting out, to include protecting Roac from the elements. Later, with Bram taking point, Aldamir volunteered to take the trail position, lagging the main body to verify their trail was adequately obscured.

Speaking of the "main body", do we have a cart, wagons, mules, what? And how many exactly? I see Tom thinks we have a cart, but I can't find a DM post to that effect.
Also, if we have mounts, I can guarantee we won't be travelling more than eight hours a day. Force marching them is a good way to run them into the ground.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-06, 07:07 PM
Looking closely at the new human, Nas thinks that perhaps his unnatural stillness that discomfits him. The man barely seems even to breathe, and aside from that slight motion he is as still as a statue. It could also be the way he doesn't seem to mind the cold, even though he wears only normal, springtime-appropriate clothing.

Salos concludes his conversation with the guard at about the same time Nas stops giving orders. The guard calls out quietly for the gates to open for a moment, and they do move just enough for Salos to hurry the cart and accompanying people through before closing behind them.

One might notice that although the current count of male humans in the smuggler's party is just two, there were three the evening Salos approached the adventurers.

OOC:The creepy man, Tom thinks was with Salos when he made the original offer. The dwarf, Tom hasn't seen before. The dwarf's shield seems to be well-made, and has many nicks in it bespeaking lots of action. His sword is sheathed, but his armor likewise seems sturdy if not fancy. (Shield is heavy metal, armor is half plate.) He wears a heavy winter jacket atop the armor, so his other accouterments are concealed.

The human doesn't carry anything. He wears comfortable-looking, unrestrictive clothing that wouldn't do much to protect one from the cold, but he doesn't seem bothered by the temperature. His forearms bear matching bracers made of some shiny metal with runes etched it it, and his leather boots also have possibly magical symbols branded onto them.

The cart on its own probably weighs three or four hundred pounds, although there's no telling what's inside it, since it's completely covered. Two horses stand in front of it, and can probably make it move five miles per hour at top speed if its contents are heavy, or ten if they're light.

Daryk
2008-02-06, 07:40 PM
Aldamir didn't take undue notice of the unclad human, being unaffected by the cold himself. At some point, he noted whether the man's boots were similar to his own, or some other outward design. There would be ample time on the road to determine their true function.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-07, 01:31 AM
Tom

Tom does his best to keep up, as they start moving out of the gate.


If the dwarf has movement faster than 20, then Tom is in trouble and will ask Salos if he can ride the cart.

Shademan
2008-02-07, 03:06 AM
Kabrakhan took a look at the group. He took of his large fur hat and scratched his head, "meh, ive traveled in freakier company..." he muttered under his breath. As discretely as he could he positioned himself where Nas wanted him.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-07, 03:00 PM
Nas

As each of his team members finds their positions, Nas settles in to a stride on the side of the wagon. every now and then he cuts behind or ahead of it to keep watch the other side.


Nas is essentially covering the sides in an attempt to watch both at once, utilizing his 50ft/round movement rate.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-07, 05:12 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Climbing aboard Jacob, Bram takes to the skies, keeping an eye out from above to the lands surrounding and possible threats on the route.

[roll0]
[roll1]

thevorpalbunny
2008-02-07, 05:44 PM
Fashai
That guy creeps me out. What is it about him that's so odd?
Fashai assumes the Assassin's Stance and patrols the side. "Nas, you can keep to that side if you'd like. I can watch this side."

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-07, 06:08 PM
Nas

The monk nods at the swordsage, speaks briefly before returning to the left side of the cart.

Sounds good to me.


Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-07, 06:45 PM
Bram spies something far ahead. They're too far to make out distinctly, but three forms rather too large for humanoids and too small for carts are near the side of the open dirt road. It's impossible to tell if they're hostile.

Below, Salos glances up at the sky. "I'd give introductions, but it would save time to do so when Bram's in earshot. For now, I'll just say that Kagiso," he gestures at the dwarf, "is muscle, if he will forgive the insulting term. No offense meant." The dwarf just acknowledges Salos's description with a shrug. "Grant..." he indicates the other human, "Well, he's good at picking out lies. Very good. He's decent in a fight, too."

Daryk
2008-02-07, 08:34 PM
Aldamir acknowledged the dwarf and human in turn, briefly introduced himself and Roac, then lagged back as the cart headed away from the city. As suited his trail position, he kept a close watch over his shoulder, and an ear out for approaching trouble.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-07, 09:25 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Swooping down on Jacob, Bram lets Nas know with "Three bogies on the side of the road a while down. Big 'uns. Bit too far off to know for sure, flyby for clarification, or maintain airspace?" When he gets his response, he pulls Jacob up again.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-08, 12:53 AM
Nas

Get a closer look if you can, but don't do anything aggressive unless provoked.

As Bram pulls back up, the monk calls out to Salos.

Expecting three more on this trek, friend?

Shademan
2008-02-08, 02:00 AM
Kabrakhan drew his double-blade and gripped it hard.
"finally!" he muttered under his breath.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-08, 09:43 AM
"No, we have all we're going to. Make sure they're enemies before killing them." Salos takes out a crossbow and lays it on the seat next to him. None of the other smugglers react.

Shademan
2008-02-08, 11:45 AM
Kabrakhan gave Salos one of his "excuse-me" smiles. That was a sight that would put a eldery dog with heart problems out of its misery.
"off course, mein heirr. i just like to be prepared."

Daryk
2008-02-08, 07:17 PM
Aldamir saw Bram swoop low over the cart, and the mixed reactions of the party. Unlimbering his bow, he told his familiar, "Go find out what's going on, Roac."

"Yes, Master," the raven replied flippantly before flapping off. Gliding into a landing on Tom's shoulder, Roac croaked, "What's up Tom?"

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-09, 03:34 AM
Tom

Tom jumps up as Roac surprises him, and say "Roac! you ARE into this game, aren't you? Well next time will be my turn to surprise you." He then answers the question, "I think Bram has spotted a few rather large creatures close to the road some distance away and is checking them out to see if they pose a threat."

Daryk
2008-02-09, 08:03 AM
"Your turn? You're still one up on me by my count," replied the raven mischievously before flapping off again. Over his shoulder Roac said, "And thanks, Tom."

Flying back to his master, Roac reported, "Bram saw something. He's going to find out if it's dangerous."

Aldamir nodded, and began closing the distance to the wagon, arrow nocked, but not drawn.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-09, 11:19 AM
Bram:After several minutes of flying, Bram begins to be able to make out the unknown forms more clearly. One is clearly an ettin. In each of his huge hands, the giant holds a rope leash wrapped around the neck of another large, less familiar creature. They appear to be sorts of large wingless insects, closely resembling beetles with two large prongs mounted on their faces. All three seem to be resting, or waiting.

OOCBram can make a Knowledge (Nature) check to know what these are.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-10, 03:50 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Doing a small flyby at about a hundred feet above the trio, Bram lead Jacob to slowly curl off to the left, and once obscured by trees, he began putting the giant bat through his paces, eking every last bit of speed he could out of little wind currents and thermals. Whooshing over to circle low over the wagon, Bram leans out to the side and calls down "Three up ahead. There's an ettin with two nasty beetles. These buggers can launch the little horns on thier head a good javalin's throw, stab you with them, and draw you in. Their claws are coated in a poison that causes muscles to seize up, and with enough of it...paralyzes you. So whatcha thinkin' boss? Preemptive air-strike? I could call lightning down upon them, and hurl flames at them, all while staying out of reach....or do you want to try to sneak the whole gang forward? I'd advise keeping a good distance out of thier launching range, so they can't scuttle forward and nail one o' you."

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-10, 05:15 PM
"I'm not much for fair fights," Salos hollers back, "so I'll stay out of it. Anyone who wants to go kill things is welcome to run on ahead, though."

Grant thinks for a few seconds, as though pondering his reply. "I think that I'll avoid the fight as well." He speaks quietly. After another short pause, he produces, "As Salos said before, I can fight some, but on the whole, I'm really not much good."

Daryk
2008-02-10, 05:56 PM
As Aldamir neared the cart, he heard the shouted exchange between Salos and Bram, and began wondering where exactly these things were. If they didn't need be fought, why fight them at all? He smoothly caught up to Nas, and spoke to him quietly:
"So there's an ettin and two giant bugs ahead? Do we know if they're blocking the road? Why not just go around? Don't get me wrong... if we need to fight them, then we should do it smart, but I'm not seeing the need quite yet."

thevorpalbunny
2008-02-11, 12:10 AM
Fashai
"We could have someone go up the side of the road and look them over from the ground. See if they're talking, hear what they're saying if possible. Be ready to attack if necessary, preferably from behind."

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-11, 01:56 AM
Tom

"I can do that part!" Tom offers. Pausing a short while to collect his thoughts, he continues "Something else to consider is to have a couple of the quicker warriors try to draw them away from the road so the rest of us can pass unnoticed. You know, shoot an arrow and move away a little at a time. They are bound to follow and we should be able to continue on the road without much trouble."

Shademan
2008-02-11, 02:10 AM
Kabrakhan shook his head slowly. "we finally come upon some creatures we can blugg without beeing arrested and you want to avoid them... how boring."
The lizardman was sulking.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-11, 02:24 AM
Bram Leafgarbed

Keeping Jacob moving in tight circles above the wagon, Bram listens intently to the others, then throws in an idea of his own. "Why doesn't Tom take Kabrakhan and Fashai up the road a bit ahead of the wagon. I'll buzz them a few times, a few slingstones should get them moving, and if not, I'll start hurling fire. Once they're off the road, the three of them can lay an ambush, the rest of the group stays with the wagon. I'll chase them off as far as I can keep an eye on them, and if they try to double back, we'll have a trap set. If they have allies in the woods, well, we still have guards on the caravan. What say you to that, Nas?" All the while he keeps Jacob circling, to keep the winds somewhat spiraling around and the conversation from carrying, as well as to keep his momentum up.

Shademan
2008-02-11, 02:42 AM
Kabrakhan imidietly straightened up. "I second that!" the said with a sly smile. well, it would be sly if he was human! to the others it looked like he was planning to get them all, and their little dog too!


please excuse my crappy humor...

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-11, 02:11 PM
Nas

After listening to everyone's opinion Nas makes up his mind and starts talking, first off to Aldamir.

Because this is an Ettin. You know as well as I that if we don't remove it from the road in a permanent fashion, then it will be a lethal hazard for any innocents coming in our out of the city. Do you want that on your hands?

Then he calls to the rest.

Modify that plan. You and I will get their attention, see if we can't make em waste those harpoon things. I want to draw them INTO the road. Isolate them from possible reinforcements. Then Tom and Fashai will close from the left, and Kabrakhan will close from the right. The rest of us will attack from the front. The cart will keep moving just so they can catch up to us in a hurry in case this is a trap.

This last was addressed to Salos as an order, and didn't sound like there would be any negotiation about it.

All right folks... move out.

Shademan
2008-02-11, 03:20 PM
Kabrakhan started to spin his dual-blade slowly. "right you are cheif!" he hissed gleefully and walked abit faster.

Daryk
2008-02-11, 06:38 PM
"Good point, but wouldn't it be a better idea to find out if they had reinforcements before we try to isolate them?" Aldamir asked, even as he picked up the pace to keep up with Nas. "And aren't you just a little bit curious as to what they're doing this close to town?"

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-11, 07:37 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Circling tighter, Bram calls down "Eh...boss? The 'harpoon things' are part of them. They reel 'em in after each shot. They can't be 'wasted.' If we had someone readying themselves to cut the web-like cord they're connected with we might get rid of 'em, but they each got two, and there are two of them. Also, I can help hold'm in place if they're near plants, but not so much out on the hard-packed and partially paved road."

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-12, 03:07 AM
Nas

To aldamir, the monk replies, Honestly, pulling them out into the road is probably the best chance we've got regardless. As to what it's doing here... I don't speak Ettin. Do you? If it speaks common, it'll probably let us know before we engage, at which point I'll call it off long enough to figure out what's going on.

The monk then starts moving forward at a nice jog to get into position himself, calling to bram, Save your tangling plants in case he has other friends.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-12, 01:37 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

Guiding Jacob with his knees to break the tight spiral, Bram took him up into the air, and began lazily winging his way towards thier percieved foes. As he guided Jacob with his knees, he pulled forth his sling, and placing a lead bullet within, readied himself to launch it downward.

Readying sling, loading sling. Going to altitude 70ft, and approaching, trying to keep ~20ft in the lead of Nas.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-12, 03:05 PM
Tom

"Wait up Bram, give me a lift closer to them, will you? with my short legs by the time I get there the battle will be over!" Tom yells after the other halfling.

OOC:

If Bram lets him ride jacob to the closest point on the road to the bad guys he will use the time he saves to search around for good ambushing positions. Once Farishi and Kabrakhan arrive he will help them hide if they want to, then will hide himself very carefully as well (taking 20, assuming there is enough time and staying completely immobile until there are signals from Nas/Bram or the bad guys are close.)

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-12, 04:03 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

At Tom's call, Bram has Jacob bank around, and swoop to scoop up Tom. He then starts winging to drop Tom off a good hundred feet from the beasties before fighting for altitude again.

tumble check
2008-02-12, 05:13 PM
Dvurr


For the record...


Dvurr, having heard bits of the conversations taking place, hustles up to
the front of the caravan near Nas in a humorous dwarven trot.

Without breaking his gaze from the trail ahead, he slowly raises his hand
and grasps a wooden charm around his neck. With the other hand, he gently
nudges the small frog sitting on his shoulder, which then slowly finds its
way to Dvurr's pack.

He subvocalizes some sort of prayer in an obscure dwarven dialect.
"I'm half tempted to weave round them, Nas, to
their back side. Regardless, I shall heed your order."

Daryk
2008-02-12, 08:50 PM
As Aldamir passed the cart, he cast a cautious eye to the left and right, looking for other ambushers. He kept his bow at the ready, waiting for the known creatures to be flushed into the open.

Spot and Listen Checks:
Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

If needed:
Initiative: [roll2]
First Shot: [roll3]
Second Shot: [roll4]
If a second shot isn't possible, add +2 to the first.

If the ettin and its pets aren't flushed out by the time he gets to the point where Bram dropped off Tom, Aldamir will find a convenient spot of cover from which to provide covering fire to those in melee. For the time being, he's good with short range vice point blank. He's moving at his "normal" speed of 50 feet, and so should arrive at this point with time to spare.

Shademan
2008-02-13, 02:27 AM
"give the order and i'l charge..." Kabrakhan hissed to Nas.

thevorpalbunny
2008-02-13, 09:28 AM
Fashai hustles toward Tom's position, running through his mental list of the maneuvers he readied in the morning.

{{for DM reference}}

Maneuvers Readied:
Bonecrusher: +4d6, get +10 to confirm crit (SD)
Cloak of Deception: invisible until the end of his turn (SH)
Fire Riposte: counter for 4d6 fire w/ touch attack (DW)
Drain Vitality deal +2 Con damage (SH)
Shadow Garrote: 5d6 w/ ranged touch attack (SH)
Strength-Draining Strike: deal +4 Str damage (SH)

Others that could be readied with Adaptive Style:
Burning Blade: attacks deal +1d6+1/level fire (DW)
Sapphire Nightmare Blade: attack for +1d6, and the opponent is flat-footed (DM)
Stone Bones: Gain DR 5/adamant w/ attack (SD)
Wolf Fang Strike attack with 2 weapons at -2 to each attack, standard action (TC)

Stances:
Child of Shadow: gain concealment if move at least 10 ft, but cannot hide in plain sight
Island of Blades: two adjacent allies flank all enemies adjacent to them
Currently active: Assassin's Stance: Sneak Attack +2d6

Other Notes:
+Wis to damage on Shadow Hand Strikes from Insightful Strike

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-13, 09:44 AM
OOC:Aldamir doesn't see or hear anything other than the three creatures already visible.Both of the ettin's heads peer towards Tom's position as the huge bat flies past the area, but its attention quickly changes towards Jacob himself. The giant transfers one of its crude leashes to the other hand and gropes in a pouch affixed to a badly-made belt about its waist. It comes out with a stone about the size of a human fist, and tracks Jacob's movement across the sky with one head while the other starts looking much more alert than before.

Seffbasilisk
2008-02-13, 03:09 PM
Bram Leafgarbed

HP: 39/39
AC: 22

Jacob:
HP: 67/67
AC: 26

[roll0]

Seeing the ettin pull forth a stone confirms for Bram that they're here for no-good. Whirling his sling above his head, he launches it's load in a deft flick of his wrist, sending the bullet whooshing down, not towards the ettin, but to the beetle on the ettin's left.

As the bullet leaves his sling, Bram urges Jacob to fly higher, up to the 100ft above the ettin and pair.

[roll1]
[roll2]

Attack bonuses break down as such: Bab +4, Wis (Zen Archery) +6, Size mod +1, Halfling Racial +1, Masterwork +1, Firing while Riding -2 (Mounted Archery), Higher Ground +1.

Standard action, Attack, Free action, Guide Jacob with knees, Move action, tuck away sling into belt.

If the ettin throws the rock at Bram, Bram uses Jacob for cover. (Mounted Combat)

If the target is Jacob, Bram's ride check: [roll3] that replaces his AC if it's higher. Edit: It's lower, so Jacob's AC is just 26.

Shadowofdeus
2008-02-13, 03:11 PM
Nas

When jacob gets the attention of one head, the monk starts moving towards the ettin, not bothering to hide. He makes sure to stay on the opposite side of the road from the two headed freak. He stops about 40 feet away, assuming a taunting stance to the ettin.

Hey! Ugly! Want some fresh meat! Come get it!



Normal AC: 20
HP: 42

Dodge Declared on bug #1. Effective AC: 21

Prepared actions for when the ettin and or bugs come into the road:
1) Single move action, back towards kabrakhan, up to 50'.
2) Shout the word "Attack".

Initiative (if necessary)
[roll0]

Shademan
2008-02-13, 03:43 PM
Kabrakhan Walks up next to Nas. He prepares to charge forward with all his heart!


AC: 22
HP: 41
Initiative: 16
Prepared:
(CHARGE ETTIN!)

Daryk
2008-02-13, 06:34 PM
Aldamir focuses on the bug Bram hit first, firing as rapidly as possible until it is dead.

Either feel free to make to hit and damage rolls for me as necessary, or let me know when to make more rolls. Damage rolls for the first two to hit rolls are below (if needed):
Damage #1: [roll0]
Damage #2: [roll1]

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-13, 09:46 PM
Tom

Tom stays in hiding waiting for the attack signal.

OOC:

I announced this in the OOC thread a few hours ago. Just adding it here for the sake of having the actions in IC thread.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-13, 10:01 PM
Tom

Tom stays in hiding waiting for the attack signal.

OOC:

I announced this in the OOC thread a few hours ago. Just adding it here for the sake of having the actions in IC thread.

Hades' Watchdog
2008-02-13, 10:49 PM
OOC:Whew! Sorry that took so long. I think I have a good system worked out for the battle map now, though, so it should be a breeze from now on.

Both of Aldamir's arrows, as well as Bram's stone, hit the enormous insect. It makes a sort of crackling sound, but doesn't seem seriously hurt. The ettin roars something in an unfamiliar language, drops the leashes, and gestures at Nas and Kabrakhan.

The less damaged insect, quicker on the uptake than its confused friend, scurries across the road towards Nas. As the monk retreats and Kabrakhan charges, though, it settles for the lizardfolk instead. Moments after the reptile deals a devastating blow to the ettin, the two glistening prongs on its head blast forward as though shot by a crossbow. One bounces off of Kabrakhan's armor, but the other stabs through even his tough scales. The insect begins reeling its projectiles in, tripping Kabrakhan and dragging him to the beast in a matter of seconds, where it takes advantage of his prone position to bite into him. Its fangs deliver a strong poison.

The insect scuttled back off the road to pursue Kabrakhan. People who acted when it came onto the road can go, and get attacks of opportunity for it moving out of a threatened square.

Kabrakhan: 4 damage from the fang, 6 damage from the bite, you're prone (-4 on melee attack rolls, -4 AC against melee, standing up is a move action that provokes an AoO), and make a Fortitude save.

On the bright side, you did deal 7 damage to the ettin.



New map:http://speeze.pearson.googlepages.com/Picture12.png

That dark square above and to the left of the right-hand insect is Kab. He just fits well with the green.

The reason the road is pink is because if it's brown, it blends with the green VERY well.

CGCL_Andy
2008-02-13, 11:57 PM
Tom

Seeing Kabrakhan in trouble, Tom charges in attacking the insect with his dagger.

OOC-edited to announce coordinates of movement:

Charge ends in L-20 with the insect being flanked by Kabrakhan and Tom:

Flank: +2 attack
Charge: +2 attack, -2 AC
Combat Expertise: -4 attck, +4 AC

Attack:
Damage: [roll]1d3+3d6

New AC: 24

Just to be sure: The insect moved, shot two fangs, reeled Kabrakhan in, and bit him all in one round? Tom is probably crazy for charging this supper hasted insect but he is nothing if not loyal to his friends.


edit: roller apparently doesn't like two different dice in one roll, will roll for damage in the OOC thread.

Shademan
2008-02-14, 02:40 AM
Kabrakhan snapped his jaws tight and tried to ignore the pain. As hastly as possible he tried to jump to his feet.


Fort: Roll(1d20)+5:
19,+5
Total:24

IF he gets up: attack bug-bastard!
attack 1: Roll(1d20)+9:
12,+9
Total:21
attack 2: Roll(1d20)+4:
12,+4
Total:16

damage roll in case i hit:
1: Roll(1d8)+1:
6,+1
Total:7

2: Roll(1d8)+1:
4,+1
Total:5

also remember: i have the crystal of life drain. each time i hurt someone i heal 1 hp. works for 10hp each day