Adventurers' Guild Team Badger IC

[Zurpl]

Inagu:

Inagu sits there keeping an expression deep in thought on his face while he intently listens to the conversations which are taking place around him.

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Concentration - (1d20)[20]
Concentration - (1d20)[16]
Concentration - (1d20)[17]
Concentration - (1d20)[4]
Concentration - (1d20)[2] Not sure how many of these I need for being out so long.

He is confused as to everyone's reasoning for taking such strange actions.What are they doing? First they don't stick to Saurian's obvious plan. Then the bartender hands me an ale before asking me what I wanted. Now Kyte's scared off the other halflings and then ran off. After contemplating over this for a bit longer, he decides he must first understand about the Guild before he can understand the team's motive. He decides to stay there, frozen in thought until either he is called or finds some other purpose in acting.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Kyte, sneaking closest to the group of halflings, tries to determine why they had such obvious looks of surprise and disbelief when he told them to RUN, but can't get a good look at their faces from his hiding place. All of the adventurers tailing the halflings can hear them speaking, but they continue to talk in the halfling tongue. Looking around, the adventurers see only a group of three halfling children kicking a leather ball to each other, and an elderly halfling woman walking slowly, carrying a basket containing produce.

After walking only a block the halflings from the Empty Wheelbarrow bid each other farewell and casually split up into three directions: one to the left, one to the right, and two straight ahead. The group of two halflings only walks one block further before one splits off to the right and the other continues on alone straight forward.

[rockdeworld]

Without stopping, Kyte follows via rooftop the halfling who turned left, leaving the choice of staying as a group or splitting up to the others. He continues to follow along the rooftops, staying hidden to whatever people may be looking up to the sky, but keeps his quarry in sight. He keeps the path he has traveled from the pub in mind, as well as the locations of the market and library, as were shown to him earlier.

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Hide - (1d20+7)[9]
Move Silently - (1d20+7)[15]
Search - (1d20+6)[19]
Spot - (1d20+4)[6]
Listen - (1d20+4)[19]

[MK Kilmarnock]

Zan was startled by the split, ignoring the children playing ball entirely. Looking at how the halflings they were purusing split up, he waved a motion of his hand for Surian to do the same thing and ran up the middle path, then followed the halfling that went left.

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"Hide" - (1d20+2)[16]
"Move Silently" - (1d20+2)[14]
"Spot" - (1d20+3)[16]
"Search" - (1d20+2)[20]
"Listen" - (1d20+3)[5]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Kyte is brought to a stop as he comes to a point where the next rooftop is 20 feet away. The buildings are not difficult to climb, as a human can easily jump and grab hold of the roof.

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Kyte needs to make a Jump or Climb check before proceeding.

The individual halflings proceed casually down the narrow streets until they each stop and enter small, low, flat-roofed buildings, the style of which is common among halfling family dwellings in West Bridgeport.

[Thymin]

Wellesley
"I disagree! I believe that our people can have a peaceful, fruitful relationship without integration. We just need to be on equal footing, and for that, we need the rightful leaders of the halflings to represent us. Do you realize that there is currently not a single guildmaster who is a halfling? Our only representative is the High Priest of Yondalla, and one voice can not really accomplish anything. No, we need the chieftains to return. But, like I said, different researchers say that some evidence is valid and others invalid in tracing the family lines that have been forgotten over the ages. Not to mention that I'm certain some of the researchers are sponsored by those who hope that they will provide evidence for their family's claim to a chieftainship."

Dravick:

Listening intently with a solemn expression on his face. Dravick replies, "I understand your sentiment, but don't you find the rumors of violence unsettling?" Dravick slightly emphasizes the word violence just enough to elicit a response from the good doctor and then smoothly continues talking. "Between that and the already high tensions among the humans, don't you think that your project could be seen as threatening by the humans? I don't mean to tell you what's good for you, in fact, I think that finding your ancestral lineage is a good thing, but aren't you worried about any potential backlash?"

Hoping that he got enough in there to keep the doctor talking for a bit longer.

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"Gather Information" - (1d20+8)[23]
"Diplomacy" - (1d20+6)[17]
"Sense Motive" - (1d20+1)[14]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Wellesley

"Honestly, I haven't heard any rumors of violence any more threatening than the schoolyard type. I am actually more concerned about apathy than violence among my people. Please don't misunderstand me - I want to avoid bloodshed of any kind - but I believe that we are in danger of completely losing all of our culture and history, indeed, our very identity as a people, and I believe the risk of violence is acceptable, provided we are prepared to attenuate it by already having plans for the smooth transition of political power once the chieftains are identified. These plans actually consume more of my time than my geneology research, though I must admit that my geneology research has been more fruitful, simply because no government officials are willing to grant me an audience. But have no fear, I will not release the final product of my research until I have determined that the people on both sides of the river are ready to receive it peacefully."

[rockdeworld]

Kyte

Kyte judges the distance between the two rooftops and decides not to jump it as it would be very difficult, even for him, to make that long of a jump. Instead he drops down to the ground and climbs up the other side before continuing to track his quarry.

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Jump - (1d20+3)[16]
Climb - (1d20+3)[6]
Hide - (1d20+7)[19]
Move Silently - (1d20+7)[17]
Search - (1d20+6)[9]
Spot - (1d20+4)[10]
Listen - (1d20+4)[16]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Despite his scrambling up and down buildings, Kyte manages to elude detection. When his quarry goes into a building, Kyte can hear the sound of casual conversation in the halfling language of at least two male voices and one female voice.

Zan is not as stealthy as Kyte, but still no-one bothers him, and the halfling he follows does not look back until going into a home. Zan can then hear the muffled sound of the halfling talking and the sound of a small dog barking.

[Thymin]

Dravick:

Wellesley
"Honestly, I haven't heard any rumors of violence any more threatening than the schoolyard type. "

"Schoolyard violence, eh? Forgive me Doctor, but what school did you go to anyway?" Dravick smiles kindly at the Doctor before continuing. "I imagine you spend a good deal of your time studying, so I'm really not all that surprised that you haven't heard some of the rumors that I have. Let me buy you a drink and I'll tell you the things that are rumored on the streets." Dravick turns to the barkeep and orders each of them a pint and then continues, "Word on the street is that the Halflings are forming an army. Now, I understand that that doesn't mean all Halflings are of the same mindset, but it tells me that at least a faction of your people are. If things turn violent between Halflings and Humans, it could tear this city apart. What you should be asking yourself, friend. Is which halfling pretender to the throne could be so anxious as to start a war over their own ascendancy, and beyond that, whether your research will be seen as beneficial or threatening to them. Because if your research will show that they aren't one of the true chieftains, then I would keep a watchful eye over my shoulder if I were you." Dravick looks solemnly into the eyes of the Doctor, takes a healthy swig from his tankard, and then says almost off-handedly, "I wouldn't worry too much though, at least until the war starts..."

[Zurpl]

Inagu:

With his team members either having a private conversation or chasing some halflings, Inagu, feeling left out, sees no purpose in his staying. He quietly stands up, leaving his unwanted ale, and steps through the door, and heads for the guild hall.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

"...if your research will show that they aren't one of the true chieftains, then I would keep a watchful eye over my shoulder if I were you...I wouldn't worry too much though, at least until the war starts..."

As he listens to the bard, Doctor Wellesley's eyes grow wider and wider. When Dravick finishes, Wellesley is silent and simply stares into his drink for a moment. Then he stands abruptly.

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SenseMotive - (1d20-1)[8]

Wellesley
"I...thank you, Dravick. You've given me much to think about. I hadn't heard of any underground army, but... it is possible that I have become too focused on my goal without taking note of what is happening around me. I must leave now."

Wellesley strides quickly out the door, looking very distressed and leaving his drink untouched. The bartender collects his payment and walks back into the kitchen. Dravick can hear his voice and that of a woman's speaking in hushed tones to each other.

[rockdeworld]

Kyte lets himself down to where he sees a window to the domicile, and peers in, careful to keep himself well-hidden.

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Take 10 on Hide and Move Silently (17), Search (16) and/or Spot and Listen (14)

[MK Kilmarnock]

Zan froze out of view of this particular house's windows. Not to look suspicious, he leaned against the nearest building and thought to himself. It was always the best course of action to take before doing anything.

Kyte, no doubt, wanted me to collect as much information as I can. Basically, to learn if they have any involvement with the attacks. I'm not stealthy, but... maybe, maybe if I wasn't recognized...

Zan, making sure his weapon was secure and strapped to his back in a non-threatening manner, and with his empty hands to his sides, walked up to the door of the halfling hovel with a gentle face and knocked.

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For interactions....

"Diplomacy" - (1d20+4)[14]

[Thymin]

Dravick:

When Wellesley gets up to leave, Dravick stands quickly and rushes out of the door behind him.

"Doctor, Wait! I'm sorry that I upset you. That was not my intent, but if you do find yourself in trouble please come ask for me at the Empty Tankard. They know me there and will be able to get word to me. I will help you however I can. Believe me, I hope that the word on the street is wrong, and I would like to see a continued peace between halflings and humans. Think of me as a friend. If you'd like I can escort you to where you're going..."

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If Wellesley does not allow Dravick to escort him the Dravick will follow him secretly...

Dravick lets the Doctor leave and waits until he is just barely in sight before following him to his destination. I hope I can trust him, let's see where he goes...

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"Diplomacy Check" - (1d20+8)[18]
then for following the doctor...
"Hide" - (1d20+6)[16]
"Move Silently" - (1d20+6)[24]
"Spot" - (1d20+1)[17]
"Listen" - (1d20+5)[11]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Kyte peers in a window and sees the young male halfling from the bar sitting down at a table with an older male halfling while an older female halfling serves them something in bowls.
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When Zan knocks on the door, he can hear the dog inside run up to the door and bark furiously at him. A hand-sized panel in the center of the door is slid back and a pair of eyes look up from halfling height at Zan.
Halfling (in Common)
"What do you want?"
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Wellesley
"Thank you for your offer Dravick, I'll remember. No need to come with me now, I'm just going home."
Dravick watches discretely as Wellesley walks only a block away to an old watchtower - basically a small hut on stilts the height of a three-story building, which stands out above the squat halfling buildings surrounding it. Designed for visibility, the tower has windows all around, but most of them are boarded up to make the structure less like a platform and more like a small house. A small clay chimney protrudes from the roof of the hut. At the bottom of the steps there is a small stack of peat squares and a small waste jar. Wellesley goes up and up, high-stepping the stairs designed for humans, until he reaches a landing in front of the door of the hut, where he produces a key from his pocket and unlocks a padlock, taking the padlock and key with him as he goes inside and shuts the door.

[MK Kilmarnock]

Zan knelt down. The height difference was something important to equalize, as it made him appear less threatening, and that was his goal.

"I've just arrived here, and I was wondering if one would be so kind as to take me in. I'm not hungry, you don't have to feed me, but I just need a spot to sit for a spell with some company, and maybe some local information. You see, the person I'm supposed to meet here has apparently run late, and..." Zan rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous laugh. "Well, to be honest, I'd just get lost trying to find him if I didn't know my way!"

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"Bluff" - (1d20-1)[12]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Zan's diplomatic way of presenting himself is not without effect, for the voice from behind the door sounds to have some mote of compassion in it now.

Halfling
"If you're lost just keep going downhill from here and you'll find the river, and from there you'll see the Bridge. Please leave us alone."

The peep-hole is shut abruptly and Zan hears the sound of it being latched. The dog inside continues to bark and growl.

[dual_wielder]

Surian

Surian decided to follow the halfling to the right. He kept to the shadows, careful not to bump into any of the small halfling children running about his knees.

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Hide:(1d20+7)[9]
Move Silently:(1d20+7)[15]
Spot:(1d20+5)[12]
Search:(1d20+5)[9]
Listen:(1d20+5)[24]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

The halfling followed by Surian looks back over his shoulder...

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Spot - (1d20)[15]

...and hurries along until he enters a building that looks just like any other single-family home in Bridgeport.

[MK Kilmarnock]

Zan walked away a short distance, but stopped.

No... I'm not giving up now. I'm going to follow this through until I recieve all the information I can."

Zan walked quietly back to the door, being careful to stay out of view or any windows, and pressed his ear against the door.

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"Spot check for anybody who might be watching" - (1d20+3)[7]
"Listen check on anybody inside" - (1d20+3)[13]
"Check for moving silently up to the door:" - (1d20+2)[14]

[rockdeworld]

Kyte listens in on the conversation as much as he can, careful to keep himself hidden from those inside, and also keeps a watch out for random passerby in every direction by turning his head, ready to leave should any appear.

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Take 10 on everything. Ready action: start walking away if anyone comes.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

Zan can distinguish no conversation over the din of the yapping dog. It most likely wouldn't matter if he could hear, anyway, since halflings most commonly speak their own language at home.

Kyte can hear the people inside the house continuing to speak in the halfling language, which is unknown to him.

Despite their lack of understanding of the halfling language, Zan and Kyte get the impression that nothing particularly out of the ordinary is going on - they seem to be listening to ordinary family conversations, not particularly animated, and no-one is rushing around packing a backpack or sharpening weapons or anything.

[rockdeworld]

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Just so we're clear, it is night, correct? Wasn't it afternoon when we went to the pub?

Kyte

Sensing that he has followed a dead lead, Kyte stands and begins walking with the intent of leaving the area. He thinks as he walks, determining his next move.

As late as it is, I doubt the market is still open, as such, I would likely not gain any useful information there. The library is likely to be the same. Therefore I should regroup with the others. Since we didn't set a place, I will return to the guildhall.

Having come to a decision, Kyte heads back towards the guildhall, careful to keep himself alert and out of trouble in the night.

Spoiler

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Take 10 on any checks again, also ready an action that if anyone comes near Kyte, he'll move away.

[MK Kilmarnock]

Useless.... absolutely useless. What's the whole point of this, anyway? I'm supposed to be obtaining information from people with a language I don't even understand!!! He was clearly frustrated, but Zan decided that in order to accomplish his goal, he'd have to try something else.... this halfling was part of the group lead out by Kyte, and if Kyte led them out here, he must have thought they were up to something....

Zan looked around for anybody, and also searched for a way into the hafling home. If anybody was around, he wouldn't attempt anything but search anyway. If there was nobody to catch him and he found a way into the house, such as a chimmeny or something (Santa Zan), he was taking it. He didn't like doing things by force... he even shuddered at the idea. But sacrifices must be made.

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"Spot" - (1d20+3)[22]
"Search" - (1d20+2)[3]
"Climb... if he needs to get on the roof" - (1d20+1)[11]
"Move Silently" - (1d20+2)[21]
Sweet jesus, a nat 1.... oh no.....

[Thymin]

Dravick:

Dravick makes a mental note as to the location of the old watchtower that Wellesley calls home. He then returns his attention to his immediate surroundings. Surveying the area and seeing only Victor, Dravick is a bit confused. He turns to Victor and asks, "What happened to everyone else? Did they get bored and go home already?" He pauses for a moment and seems a bit agitated, then he seems to relax a bit. "Thanks for sticking around. I'm ready to head back, if you are. I do have one stop off to make though but it's close to the guild house and you're more than welcome to come along if you want." He smiles at Victor and checks his weapons to make sure that they are all still securely attached to him.

[SithLackey]

Victor

Victor shifts a bit, and furrows his eyebrows. "It would seem that they decided to chase those halflings from in the bar. I saw nothing suspicious about their behavior, but if Kyte or one of the others could sense something I couldn't, I'd not be much surprised. In any event, they should be able to find their way back to the guildhall once they're done. I just hope they haven't done anything illegal." He motions for Dravick to lead on. "Where exactly is it you're going?"

[Bonecrusher Doc]

The house is separated from others on its left and right by paths barely wide enough to be called an alleys. Zan squeezes down one of the paths between the houses and finds himself in a tiny back garden, surrounded by a six foot high fence made of scrap wood at the back. The fence surrounding the garden separates it from the next garden over, such that only the path Zan came down leads to the garden of this house (the other must have led to the garden of the next house over.)

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HH = House, GG = Garden. Gardens surrounded by fences that connect to the wall of the house on one side, but allow room for access by the path on the other side. In case I'm still not clear (kind of hard to describe this): one path is the only access in and out each fenced-in back yard.

HH HH HH
GG|GG|GG

There is a back door (closed, unknown if it is locked) and also a window. The window is open. It is small, but low (being made for halflings) and Zan figures he could squeeze through by stepping one leg in, then his upper body, then the other leg, as long as he is not wearing any equipment on his back. Zan risks a quick look in the window and sees that it and the back door both lead into a small kitchen, which has open doorways (no doors) to the other couple rooms of the small house. There is currently noone in the kitchen or visible in the doorways.

[MK Kilmarnock]

It's either the door or that window. But if I have to take that window....

Zan moves to the door, still looking at the window to make sure nobody's watching him. He's stooped over a little, since the fence is six feet. Sure, he's 5'1", but it's better to take extra precautions to ensure nobody sees him. He then tries the door gently....

Branch:
If the door is unlocked, Zan opens it first an inch, then wider, surveying the house before walking in.
If the door is indeed locked, then he looks for someplace in the backyard to set down his backpack before inching through by leg-after-back-after-otherleg. He should be able to hold his scythe after all that... which is drawn in case he needs it.

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I'm making a few all-purpose checks... he should have already made his move silently and I pray he doesn't have to take another one (unless the situation calls for it). Actually, I'm only making two checks...
"Search for hiding place for stuff" - (1d20+2)[13]
"General spot check for all this stuff" - (1d20+3)[5]

[Bonecrusher Doc]

The door is locked, though it feels flimsy enough that Zan could probably force it open with his shoulder. Zan decides to try the window. He gets one leg into the house and starts to duck through the window when he hears the dog barking furiously and the skittering sound of small canine feet coming towards him from another room.