Tales of Aequar: Runite's Rise IC V

[super dark33]

Hey, you asked for it! Besides, rats eat rotten stuff all the time, i doubt it affects the results even if the fish were all to spoil that quickly.

Surdrak scanned the well. While he didnt let go of Jadeite the grab was weaker.

Say, what are we doing after we get all these back?

[Dusk Eclipse]

Loose chainmail clinks beneath rough cloth between Artorias's fists. The halfling looks up, then down, then up again, then over at Ciaran and her long sharp talons, then gulps and hastily nods.

Spoiler: Dusk

Show

Search check to pat him down. You might also want to restrain him.

"Good" Artorias pats him down one handed before producing a rope from his Survival pouch, it wouldn't last much, but it would serve to hold him in the meanwhile

Spoiler

Show

Search (1d20+11)[12]
Use rope (1d20+2)[6]

Edit: The RNG wants to tell me something >_>

[CoffeeIncluded]

Hey, you asked for it! Besides, rats eat rotten stuff all the time, i doubt it affects the results even if the fish were all to spoil that quickly.

Surdrak scanned the well. While he didnt let go of Jadeite the grab was weaker.

Say, what are we doing after we get all these back?

"But humans do not," Jadeite pauses and remembers the endcatch stew, "at least they usually do not," he amends, "And so we must make this as accurate as possible."

When Surdrak lets go of Jadeite the necromancer gets a few more samples, carefully, with a Mage Hand spell that dips down into the well. The vials come up wet on the outside, and the beads of cool water are tempting in this increasingly sweltering heat. It feels like it's getting hotter by the minute.

Jadeite wipes the sweat off his brow before replying, "Once we confirm that the water is causing the wells are damaged and the water is causing this epidemic, we should take this proof to Dierdre."

Spoiler: Super Dark

Show

Are you gonna check the inside of the well?

"Good" Artorias pats him down one handed before producing a rope from his Survival pouch, it wouldn't last much, but it would serve to hold him in the meanwhile

Spoiler

Show

Search [crap]
Use rope [also crap]

Edit: The RNG wants to tell me something >_>

Artorias can't find much of anything underneath that overly baggy chain shirt, which is so much shinier than the rest of him, and quickly warming in the hot summer sun. He doubts he can even tightly bind the halfling with that shirt on. For his part the thief struggles and squirms, but can't break free.

Spoiler

Show

Yeah it's telling you to TAKE 20!

[Dusk Eclipse]

Deciding to not take any more risk with this pesky thief Artorias takes some time to secure the halfling

Spoiler

Show

use rope 22 (take 20)
Search 31 (take 20)

[CoffeeIncluded]

The thief is silent as Artorias thoroughly searches, binds, and gags him. He's wearing drab clothes perfect for skulking in the shadows, several daggers, saps, and hand crossbows, a vial of universal solvent around his neck, a few coins, some dried fruit and meat, and an oversized chain shirt, too loose and baggy to be his. It takes Artorias far too long to find the stolen well samples, and when he feels wetness on his fingers, his heart sinks. Any hope that the dampness is from sweat alone is dashed when sharp glass shards cut his hands. The halfling thief looks up with a smirk.

In the end, Artorias is able to rescue some of the samples, but over half are smashed and ruined.

Although, when Artorias frantically searches the halfling for every last vial, he comes across a crumpled-up piece of paper. The thief's smirk fades slightly at the sight of it.

Spoiler: Oh, and to add insult to injury

Show

Take 1 damage from the glass.

You did get some information from here though.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"God's dammit" Artorias curses under his breath as he cuts himself. He ignores the pain as he quickly checks the crumpled piece of paper, anything to wipe the smirk off the halfling's face.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Water from both the broken samples and the thief's own sweat have smeared most of the ink, and what's present is cryptic (there isn't an author either, of course), but Artorias is able to glean some information. It appears to be a contract of sorts, instructions to steal something--the water samples, Artorias suddenly realizes, and a promise of payment upon delivery or destruction of the samples to...some place. The address is smeared beyond legibility and Artorias gets the sense that it would have been a generic nondescript location anyway. The letter also makes a mention of loaning a chain shirt to the thief.

But one thing is clear: Someone hired this thief.

[Draconi Redfir]

Elsee blinked slightly in a bit of confusion, both at Darric and Sora, Jadeite if he was still with them.

"So... now what do we do?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Darric scratches his head. "Well, we could get sokerhibh to eat, though the endcatch carts are pretty much the only guys still around the Docks--even the noodle bar closed up shop after the storm and the plague," he says, more than a little crestfallen as he speaks. "Great Gate and the shops above are a bit better but no way id go there now...though...I guess with Sora around we should be okay."

[Dusk Eclipse]

Water from both the broken samples and the thief's own sweat have smeared most of the ink, and what's present is cryptic (there isn't an author either, of course), but Artorias is able to glean some information. It appears to be a contract of sorts, instructions to steal something--the water samples, Artorias suddenly realizes, and a promise of payment upon delivery or destruction of the samples to...some place. The address is smeared beyond legibility and Artorias gets the sense that it would have been a generic nondescript location anyway. The letter also makes a mention of loaning a chain shirt to the thief.

But one thing is clear: Someone hired this thief.

Artorias narrows his eyes "You know, I was planning on taking you to the guard and let them deal with you, but this" he brandishes the damp note in front of the halfling thief's face "made me change my mind." Artorias sends Cyaran a message through their empathic link "find rest of pack". Cyaran gives a soft cry of understanding and takes to the skies with the intent of finding the rest of the flock.

Spoiler

Show

Artorias is trying to regroup, ideally with Badger first, she is our best interrogator (probably the only one)

[CoffeeIncluded]

The thief pales and swallows as Ciaran gives a mental signal of understanding and takes flight, soon becoming a black speck against the hot summer sun...

Badger, some time later...:

When the man sobers up, and still shows no signs of illness, Badger decides to escort him home. It's not as if she had much of a choice though--more people are coming in sick and the temple of Sylph is overtaxed as it is. They need every bed they can get.

The man seems a bit more active now, and doesn't give out an address, instead saying, "Look, I--my home's kind of flooded right now, so I've been spending a lot of time with friends, if you could just leave me at--"

He falls silent, because right in front of him and Badger, perched on an awning, is a Harris Hawk. Harris Hawks don't live in Runite, and even if they did the anklets and jesses easily identify her as Ciaran. She looks at Badger and the man, staring at them intently, then lets out a loud hoarse cry. If Badger doesn't respond the hawk stares at her and shouts again.

Spoiler: Athedia

Show

If you're not escorting the guy home, let me know and I'll change it. Oh, and this is an approximation of what Ciaran looks and sounds like now.

[Athedia]

The thief pales and swallows as Ciaran gives a mental signal of understanding and takes flight, soon becoming a black speck against the hot summer sun...

Badger, some time later...:

When the man sobers up, and still shows no signs of illness, Badger decides to escort him home. It's not as if she had much of a choice though--more people are coming in sick and the temple of Sylph is overtaxed as it is. They need every bed they can get.

The man seems a bit more active now, and doesn't give out an address, instead saying, "Look, I--my home's kind of flooded right now, so I've been spending a lot of time with friends, if you could just leave me at--"

He falls silent, because right in front of him and Badger, perched on an awning, is a Harris Hawk. Harris Hawks don't live in Runite, and even if they did the anklets and jesses easily identify her as Ciaran. She looks at Badger and the man, staring at them intently, then lets out a loud hoarse cry. If Badger doesn't respond the hawk stares at her and shouts again.

Spoiler: Athedia

Show

If you're not escorting the guy home, let me know and I'll change it. Oh, and this is an approximation of what Ciaran looks and sounds like now.

"Your friends are letting you fall down a lot of wells and that is dangerous these days. I will pay for a room at an inn, I just need you to come with me."

[CoffeeIncluded]

The man's eyes widen. "Thank you," he says, almost in disbelief.

As Badger heads off to an open inn--there aren't many left, especially in this part of town, Ciaran follows her, calling out all the while.

Spoiler

Show

Anything else? Where are you headed?

[Dusk Eclipse]

Artorias had been making his way towards the center of the city, who knows were Badger would be right now, but suddenly he feels the distinct feeling of found pack through his empathic link. Smiling he makes his way towards the place he feels Cyaran is at. He drags the Halfling thief behind him, pointedly ignoring any odd look he might be receiving.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Artorias:

Artorias openly drags the thief through the streets, sometimes frogmarching or carrying him. There are some people on the streets, and whenever anyone stares or tries to intervene he simply shouts, "Guild Business!" He can feel Ciaran openly and closely tailing Badger and follows his familiar's link, noting when she (and therefore Badger and this other person) turn south, then west.

Spoiler: Dusk

Show

I'll update after seeing the results of these rolls.

Something: (d10)[6]
Something else: (d20)[10]

EDIT: The thief is struggling the whole time, and when Artorias is a little more than halfway to Badger when the halfling manages to spit out his gag and shout, "HELP! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED!" He thrashes and shouts and that gets people's attentions.

Spoiler: Dusk

Show

I'm going to need a charisma or diplomacy check, whichever is higher.

Jadeite and Surdrak:

They finally make it to a clean well and dive in, scanning the walls with Detect Magic, staying under as long as their lungs allow. The two spellcasters first try descending the well simultaneously, but it's a bit too narrow for both of them and they get stuck upon trying to get out, much to the amusement of those passing by. After that they go down one at a time.

It's difficult to find what they're looking for--the inside of the well is only lit by the sun and even that light is blocked by a roof above the well, and the stone itself is jagged with some false carvings to boot, but they eventually find it.

Wedged into a corner of the stone, carved in deep, is a rune of Purify Food and Drink, secured with a Permanency spell.

[Athedia]

The man's eyes widen. "Thank you," he says, almost in disbelief.

As Badger heads off to an open inn--there aren't many left, especially in this part of town, Ciaran follows her, calling out all the while.

Spoiler

Show

Anything else? Where are you headed?

"Ciaran wait a minute okay." Badger pulled the man faster. "Hurry up I have to finish my job and I am behind now." In the inn she grabbed the owner. "Look I know you are full up but I need a room for this guy, and for you to keep all alcohol away from him."

[CoffeeIncluded]

"Ciaran wait a minute okay." Badger pulled the man faster. "Hurry up I have to finish my job and I am behind now." In the inn she grabbed the owner. "Look I know you are full up but I need a room for this guy, and for you to keep all alcohol away from him."

Ciaran makes an odd grunting sound and keeps following, coming to perch on top of the sign marking the Bring 'Em Inn on the north end of the Docks. The inn is small, with beer and wine barrels shoved under the stairs leading up to the second floor, dried herbs and fish hanging off the ceiling, and tables almost pressed against each other, but the utter lack of people makes the inn look even more desolate despite its small size. A portly man looks up from the bar, where he's cleaning a glass so much that it actually squeaks. Badger's words come out in a tumble and he splits into a broad grin at the sight of a new customer. "Of course, of course!" he says, stepping out from behind the bar and motioning for Badger to give the man to him. "How long will he be here for?"

[Athedia]

Ciaran makes an odd grunting sound and keeps following, coming to perch on top of the sign marking the Bring 'Em Inn on the north end of the Docks. The inn is small, with beer and wine barrels shoved under the stairs leading up to the second floor, dried herbs and fish hanging off the ceiling, and tables almost pressed against each other, but the utter lack of people makes the inn look even more desolate despite its small size. A portly man looks up from the bar, where he's cleaning a glass so much that it actually squeaks. Badger's words come out in a tumble and he splits into a broad grin at the sight of a new customer. "Of course, of course!" he says, stepping out from behind the bar and motioning for Badger to give the man to him. "How long will he be here for?"

"A few days at the least, til I can sort some things out. How much?"

[CoffeeIncluded]

Badger:

The man looks up at the ceiling where the rooms are, then back at Badger. He rubs his bristled chin and says, "With food and the best room, 50 gold should cover the better part of a week."

[Athedia]

Badger:

The man looks up at the ceiling where the rooms are, then back at Badger. He rubs his bristled chin and says, "With food and the best room, 200 gold should cover the better part of a week."

"Best room? Why would I pay for that? I don't have 200 gold to spend on anything."

[CoffeeIncluded]

The innkeeper shrugs. "I thought you might want a nicer setup." next to badger her charge nods vigorously.

"Though I guess a smaller room would work for about 25 gold."

Spoiler

Show

ok I really need to sleep now. Night!

[Dusk Eclipse]

Artorias:

Artorias openly drags the thief through the streets, sometimes frogmarching or carrying him. There are some people on the streets, and whenever anyone stares or tries to intervene he simply shouts, "Guild Business!" He can feel Ciaran openly and closely tailing Badger and follows his familiar's link, noting when she (and therefore Badger and this other person) turn south, then west.

EDIT: The thief is struggling the whole time, and when Artorias is a little more than halfway to Badger when the halfling manages to spit out his gag and shout, "HELP! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED!" He thrashes and shouts and that gets people's attentions.

Spoiler: Dusk

Show

I'm going to need a charisma or diplomacy check, whichever is higher.

Artorias resists the urge to facepalm at the theif's bold lies "For Mars' sake" he yanks the Halfling closer to himself "citizens of Runite, that is a lie, I caught this thief pickpocketing myself and restrained him to be taken to Leif's guild for interrogation." he hopes that mentioning Leif will sway people to trust him, he knew how fickle crowds could be, specially in times like this so he doesn't stop his way towards Ciaran and (hopefully) Badger.

Spoiler

Show

You just had to choose my worst skills did you?

Anyway it is an unmodified d20 roll either way, so here it goes (1d20)[16]

[Athedia]

Badger growled a little about overcharging merchants and passed over the money. "Remember, NO alcohol. I don't want him taking a third swim."

Leaving the man in the inn she nodded to Ciaran and motioned for the bird to lead the way.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Artorias resists the urge to facepalm at the theif's bold lies "For Mars' sake" he yanks the Halfling closer to himself "citizens of Runite, that is a lie, I caught this thief pickpocketing myself and restrained him to be taken to Leif's guild for interrogation." he hopes that mentioning Leif will sway people to trust him, he knew how fickle crowds could be, specially in times like this so he doesn't stop his way towards Ciaran and (hopefully) Badger.

Spoiler

Show

You just had to choose my worst skills did you?

Anyway it is an unmodified d20 roll either way, so here it goes [roll0]

The witnesses on the street stand still, seemingly wary and not quite convinced until someone comes forward. He grins and says, "Hey, I remember you! Everyone," he turns around, addressing the crowd, "this man and his friends helped save someone from a house fire a few months back, pulled him right out of the burning building while they were on fire themselves! And then they helped catch that half-drow serial killer not but a few days after that!" Indeed, Artorias recognizes the man--he's the one who runs the curry restaurant where he, Badger, and Jadeite had the phaal contest, who offered them all a free meal after saving Feliks from the fire. He turns back to Artorias and says loud enough for everyone to hear, "If you say he's a theif and you're taking him to Leif, that's good enough for me."

And with that, the crowd calms down and lets them pass. The thief, wide-eyed, continues shouting and pleading in a more panicked tone even as Artorias drags him off.

Badger growled a little about overcharging merchants and passed over the money. "Remember, NO alcohol. I don't want him taking a third swim."

Leaving the man in the inn she nodded to Ciaran and motioned for the bird to lead the way.

"You've got it," the man says as Badger exits the Bring 'Em Inn, leaving a bemused innkeeper and smiling scruffy skinny man behind her. She follows Ciaran down the widening streets, over debris and puddles and a few sick people and beggars in the gutters, until she literally runs into Artorias. He's dragging a tied-up halfling behind him.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Artorias is too busy dragging the thief that he fails to see where he is going and all but tramples a smaller person."what.... oh Badger.... I'm sorry." he apologizes " Actually, you were just the person I was looking" he once again grabs the halfling by the scruff of the neck and rises him towards her eye level "Caught this little rat in the market district, he pick pocketed me and when I got him I found something really interesting" using his free hand, he retrieves the note he got from frisking the thief "Someone hired him".

[Draconi Redfir]

Darric scratches his head. "Well, we could get sokerhibh to eat, though the endcatch carts are pretty much the only guys still around the Docks--even the noodle bar closed up shop after the storm and the plague," he says, more than a little crestfallen as he speaks. "Great Gate and the shops above are a bit better but no way id go there now...though...I guess with Sora around we should be okay."

"No offence Darric, but given recent events 'm stayeng far the hell away from seafood. Great Gate et is." Elsee grinned and twirled a Kurkri about breifly to show she wasn't worried, and so far Sora hadn't objected, she probably wasn't interested in endcatch either. Either way Elsee wasn't worried about going with or without her, worse came to worse she could probably sneak in the back and yank some guy's meal that had been made but not served yet.

[Athedia]

Artorias is too busy dragging the thief that he fails to see where he is going and all but tramples a smaller person."what.... oh Badger.... I'm sorry." he apologizes " Actually, you were just the person I was looking" he once again grabs the halfling by the scruff of the neck and rises him towards her eye level "Caught this little rat in the market district, he pick pocketed me and when I got him I found something really interesting" using his free hand, he retrieves the note he got from frisking the thief "Someone hired him".

"I was afraid you were going to say you found him drunk in a well... never mind. He tell you who hired him?" Badger looked tired and cross, her samples in her pack.

[Dusk Eclipse]

"Why were you fearin.... nevermind" he shakes his head "No, you are much better than me at reading people and I didn't want to risk him fooling me"

[Athedia]

"Why were you fearin.... nevermind" he shakes his head "No, you are much better than me at reading people and I didn't want to risk him fooling me"

"Fine." Badger gestured for Artorias to follow her to a less crowded area where she took hold of the halfling. "Look, I am tired, annoyed and up to a few hours ago infected with cholera. Who hired you, and if you lie, trust me I will know. And I don't like liars."

[Athedia]

Spoiler: Forgot Rolls!

Show

Sense Motive: (1d20+12)[15]
Intimidate: (1d20+2)[13]

EDIT: Ouch