Togo's Low Tier Competence Test Group 1

[Togo]

This is the IC thread for the game discussed here:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...9#post14605149

The OOC thread is here:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...3#post14620273

[Togo]

The PCs have been brought together following the word that a factor of House Coriel is looking for some specialist assistance as a matter of urgency. Apparently one or two volunteers have approached him, but he is still looking. Only a full band of heroes will fulfil his need.
Anyone familiar to the region can identify House Coriel as one of the four great merchant houses of Onnwal (no check required).

The Harbourmaster is a thin blond bespeckled man, his pale skin clearly unused to the sun. He seems excited to meet you, his narrow hands folding and refolding around each other as he speaks, but his words are smooth and confident, as if from much practice.
Thank you for coming. My name is Aureus Tesh, and I am the local factor for House Coriel. Do please, take a seat and help yourselves to wine. I’m looking for a group of adventurers to help me resolve a delicate matter. Can I rely on your discretion?

“As you know, during the recent occupation, the Free State was in dire need of arms, supplies, and of course, information on enemy movements. My house, House Coriel, was instrumental in keeping the army supplied and the wheels of commerce moving. By whatever means necessary.
In the course of our business, we sometimes ended up dealing with people who, to put it bluntly, were not themselves involved in entirely legitimate operations. If some of the supplies we ended up with were stolen goods, mainly from the Brotherhood themselves, well, we weren’t really in a position to complain. Some of these people became well known to us, and ended up… assisting us in delicate matters. The movement of ships, the placement of forces. Matters that were vital to the survival of the Free State. At a time when the Brotherhood controlled the seas, we could not afford to discard any advantage, however slight.
Now that we are allied with Ahlissa, the power that controls so much of the trade that passes these shores, we can no longer afford to take such a lenient view towards criminals on the high seas. However, some of our old contacts are still around, people who helped us once but might prove… embarrassing now.
One of these was Tilva Brightshadow, better known as Silver Tilva. She was engaged in a number of illicit activities, mainly piracy, but also theft, bribery, falsification of goods, evasion of duties and harbour taxes, forgery, corruption of a state official, and, of course, espionage. Despite her criminal activities, she was a useful source of intelligence during the recent occupation. Since the end of hostilities, and the loss of a safe harbour here, she seems to have disappeared. She led a dangerous life, and it is entirely possible that she has met an untimely end.
While it would be useful to discover what has happened to her, that is not principally why you are here. You are here because we need to know what happened to the secrets she was keeping, and in particular what she may have written down. She has details of contacts across the Gearnat, including some who still live in lands controlled by the Brotherhood. The safety of such people is vital to us, and vital to the Free State of Onnwal.” Aureus pauses, glancing at you appraisingly, and then continues. We know she kept a rutter, or navigational log. This document details her contacts and associates, and where they can be found. These are the same people she was dealing with while she was working for us. We can not allow their names and locations to be discovered by some foreign power.
In particular it would be most embarrassing if it turned out that some of those who helped supply us during the Occupation did so using goods stolen from foreign powers. Particularly if those powers have since become our stalwart allies.
It seems likely that this rutter is present at one of her hideouts, which we have narrowed down to being within or near the village of Corbrinn. We are not sure exactly where it might be. Talking to the locals may be of some help. However, it is vital that these documents do not fall into the wrong hands. Bring them back to me, and you will be richly rewarded.
Any questions?

[Kelb_Panthera]

A figure stands before you clad in an enveloping, gray robe, his face obscured by the shadow of its hood; his only identifying feature being the clasp holding his cloak shut: the symbol of the Warmages of Kildreen wrought in silver.

The voice of a young man issues from the hood, "Do you know who any of these associates might be?"

"While finding Tilva may not be our primary objective, it seems to me that at least beginning an inquiry into her disappearance may be the quickest means to glean information about her comings and goings so that we may find this rutter or at least clues as to its whereabouts."

[Togo]

Aureus inclines his head.

No, or at least not in any useful detail. It seems likely that she has some associates, or even trusted friends, in or around Corbrinn. There is no other obvious reason to go there. However, we don't know who they are. That's one of the reasons we want this book.

[Lans]

"How many days does it take to get to Corbinn?"

[Phaederkiel]

the big bald man smiles congenially and grumbles:

Ya shouldnae ha' te worry, good sire harbourmaster.
A certain good lady wants yar cause ta succeed, as to that i am here.
The other lads look mighty competent too ta me.
Let us just see if we can find whatever is left of tha' lass.

he suddenly turns a bit and stares into a corner of the room, and does not look that fat and funny anymore. After a second of intent listening, he relaxes again.

nothin'

he says.

[Togo]

The Harbourmaster nods, as if expecting the question.

The road is quite poor, little more than a cart-trail. I'm afraid. Still it serves to stop anyone getting lost. It would take a day on horseback, two days on foot travelling light, and maybe two and a half to three days encumbered. Given that it's late afternoon now, and you may want to make preparations, I'd suggest setting off tomorrow morning. Time is of essence, after all.

As for running into Tilva herself, well... Aureus looks thoughtful for a moment. She has been missing for a while now, and we know that she has many enemies. It is very unlikely that she is still alive. However, if you do find out where she is, we’d very much like to speak to her. Like the rutter, she has much information that we wish to go no further. I’d certainly try and come up with some kind of additional reward if you brought her in.

[Phaederkiel]

I then say: let's hit the road. I'd prefer me some carriage, or Coach, but if ya say them traits be dire, I also can ride a horse, them trickey buggers.

If we instead go listen ta some matresses first, let me do the talking with the inkeep. Get us some fine room cheap, I will, nice and safe fer the night.

[Togo]

The next morning, the party assembles and hits the road. The weather is sunny, and it is a bright and fresh day as the party get close to their destination.

Spoiler

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Can I have marching order, whether you are on foot or on horseback, and any routine precations.

[Togo]

The gentle hills either side gradually rise, until you are wending your way between slopes in a narrow valley of green. The recent heavy rains have driven deep rivulets in the packed earth, a sign that the road has recently been a watercourse, and will become so again when the rains return. As you round a bend in the track, your healer notices movement flickering amongst the bushes on the slopes to your left.

They look like armoured figures, set up in positions to ambush the road that you are on. One of them starts to fire a longbow at you...

Spoiler

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Actions in initiative order please. Niether side has been surprised.

[Togo]

A Map

Spoiler

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:: *
:: **
:: ****
:: ****
:: ****
:: ***
:K *
BH 1XX4
:F 23
::
:: **
:: **** **
:: ****** *****
:: ***********
:: **********
:: *********

KEY:
:: Road
* trees
1 enemy
F - fedor
H - Hank
B - blackmage
K - Kafee
XX strange lump of camoflage netting
ALL squares provide 20% concealment
1 is 120' feet away from H (i.e. there are 11 squares between them)

EDIT - ok this isn't working. I'll post a real map tomorrow when I can reach another computer.

[Kelb_Panthera]

Having shrouded the enemy in an arctic chill, Black mage moves foward and shouts to the enemy in strong stern voice, "We have you outnumbered and outmatched and will soon have you surrounded. Throw your arms as far from your persons as you can and surrender and you will not be harmed."

Intimidate roll in the OOC.

In a quieter voice to his allies, "This effect will last about a minute. Use that time to prepare yourselves in case they fail to surrender. Each of you move to surround them so that we may crush them if they be fools."

[Phaederkiel]

Fedor rushes in, mumbling:

where there be ambushes, there be invisible attackers. I will never again lose a single men to them cowards!

He attacks the air, but Blackmage suddenly feels much securer, now that the hulking man stands behind him.

Fedor fumbles with his sword, whacks it heartily, cursing softly.

please work, ya son of a shoe! Ach, buggers! He says, since nothing happens.

Now listen up, ya unkempt curs! My friends here be mighty magicans, power- and vengeful and I be worse than them. If ya surrender now, you may well keep ya lifes! Otherwise we will crush ya underfoot and ask ya corpses for directions!

[polarbear]

Hank runs behind Fedor, so he does not stand on the road any more. He concentrates and prepares himself to cast a spell when he sees hostile actions.