AVB - The Fallen One

[Rizban]

"Well, good luck to ya then!"

He slaps you heartily on the back on your way out.

"Shame really."

Walking into Eystein's, you find it to be rather luxurious. A well groomed Orc in a business suit is reading a newspaper at the front desk. He quickly puts it down as you enter.

"Welcome! Welcome! May I intuit that you are in need of a place to stay for awhile?

[TheFallenOne]

"I don't know what arctic people have to do with it, but you are certainly right! I would like a decent room with a comfy bed, good lock and a wardrobe or some other furniture to make me feel at home. I'd like to pay at least a week in advance, I plan on staying a while." He casually takes a look at the newspaper to learn the name and maybe read the current headlines.

[Rizban]

His smile lowers slightly at your reference to "arctic people."

"Good sir, this is a fine boarding house, not a mere tavern or traveler's rest. We do not rent for so short a time. Rooms are rented to qualified customers at a rate of one hundred gold per month or at a fifteen percent discount should you contract, and pay for, a year in advance."

He, unfortunately, set the newspaper down behind the desk where it cannot be seen. It would be most unprofessional to leave it lying about when a customer has entered.

[TheFallenOne]

"I'll pay for a month then. Two, if it makes you feel more comfortable. A year is too much of a commitment right now I fear, I first have to get a feel for the city. Would you be so kind to show me one of the rooms?"

[Rizban]

"One month is our minimum. The rest is up to you."

[TheFallenOne]

"One then. May I see the room?" He takes 10 platin coins, showing he has the requisite funds.

[Rizban]

"Of course, of course. I'll need to see your identification or your residency registration documentation before I can show you the room."

[TheFallenOne]

Spoiler

ah, there are identification papers. I assume the Empire of Seven Dragons had that too? I'd have invested in a fake one if I knew there are such things, I#d rather not identify my heritage given my jailbreak plans

As someone else who's running Sandbox, my experience is that one often forgets to mention things about the setting the PCs are supposed to know. It's a hard to fight trap, getting worse the more complex and nonstandard the setting is. My old group for example had no idea their city has a giant colliseum after half a year of gaming. The current one only knows about 3 or 4 of 36 noble families in any detail, most others didn't even get a namedrop although they are supposed to be a big part of the setting and a frequently talked about topic, but I can't really give all the relevant and known facts without writing 10+ pages.

[Rizban]

Spoiler

Identification papers don't come up unless you're being questioned by the Watch or looking for a long term place to live or buying land. Many native born citizens don't even have them or know where theirs are. As such, being new to the city, this may very well be the first time you've heard them mentioned in Aldhaven.

[TheFallenOne]

Spoiler

Alright, good to know. Not trying to tell you how to run things, just sharing my own experiences.

"Huh?" He looks perplexed at the orc. "Do I need something like that? I'm not sure I even have something like that, certainly not on my person. Perhaps that's what my father meant when he went to the city for some 'bothersome paperwork'.
Is that an... insurmountable problem?"

[Rizban]

Spoiler

Not a problem. I was just explaining why it isn't something I mentioned. I do mention it to players who say the character was born in the city, just not to those who come in from outside and don't specifically ask about them. It's one of those little quirks I enjoy about Aldhaven.

"Oh my, yes! They are absolutely mandatory for anyone offering lodging for more than two weeks or for those offering sale of land. I'm sure your father has your paperwork or could tell you which office can provide you with a copy. I'm more than happy to offer you a place once you provide proper documentation."

[TheFallenOne]

"Err, our little village is a bit removed from here, and I'm not even sure where daddy has been the last few years. I suppose I could ask my mother, but last time I tried she got angry, yelled at me he will be home soon, then started drinking moonshine and crying through the night."

[Rizban]

"Ah, so you are not a citizen. I see. You'll need to apply for residency at the Aldhaven Registrar near City Hall in Old Town if you plan to stay in the city for longer than fourteen days."

[TheFallenOne]

"I guess I'll do that then long as daylight remains. Is it complicated or do I need anything for it?"

[Rizban]

"I don't know. I've never had to do it. I would think it just some simple paperwork."

[TheFallenOne]

"Thanks then. I plan to come back if all works out." He departed and tried the Dancing Wizard next; doing paperwork for long-term residency did seem a bit premature, not knowing how the planned jailbreak he had in mind would turn out.

[Rizban]

The Dancing Wizard is a rather cheery two-story inn. Inside a minstrel is singing a lively tune. Something to do with a dragon and a wizard. It isn't clear if the two are friends quarreling or enemies seeking reconciliation from the initial lines you hear from the middle of the song as you enter.

The place has a moderate volume of patrons, all happily eating away at hearty foods while they talk raucously with their neighbors. There is no bar, but the apparent inkeeper is standing not too far from the stage, and seems to be monitoring the crowd to ensure they stay contented. Serving maids navigate their way through the tables serving customers with a grace that makes it seem as if their chores were dances.

Pointed hats and starry robes are painted on the inside walls in an almost tacky fashion.

[TheFallenOne]

Sedrach gives the innkeeper a wave before approaching. "Hello there good man! I'm looking for some nice accomodation for the next week or so. I hope I have come to the right place?"

Spoiler

if this is a bust as well... Damn, I keep getting tangled up with the not-so-simple task of finding a place to sleep instead of starting my plot

[Rizban]

Spoiler

Perhaps, but just finding a place to sleep has provided you with several potential plot hooks beyond just that.

"Welcome! Of course you've come to the right place. I've still got rooms available. Had you been but an hour laer, I'd have been booked for the evening. A week you say? Even better! I charge one gold per night, or twenty five for the month, should you decide to stay longer. You have to pay in full up front for your stay though."

[TheFallenOne]

"A week is enough for now. Would you mind showing me one of the rooms?"

Spoiler

if I come across a tasty hook I'll certainly go for it. After some research whether or not it is suicidal of course
what time of day is it right now?

[Rizban]

Spoiler

It's around midday.

"Terribly sorry, but you don't get into the room until the gold gets into my purse. Company policy and all that."

[TheFallenOne]

"Eh, alright then." He gives the man seven gold pieces.

[Rizban]

He tosses you a key and points to the stairs.

"Room number three. It'll be on your left."

[TheFallenOne]

"Thanks." He takes the key and goes to enter room number 3, taking a look around.

[Rizban]

The room is small but adequate. It's only 10'x10' but has a bed and a chest with a lock. Quick examination reveals that the lock for the chest and the lock for the door are opened with the same key. A small window, too small to even crawl through, looks out over the street.

[TheFallenOne]

Locking the door behind him, Sedrach unpacks his plethora of clothes from his bag of holding. He dresses up as a slightly older healer, wearing cleric's vestments, a white cloak and hiding his scar with makeup. He then blinks outside after checking whether the street is clear from the window and departs to the Fortress.

Spoiler

Disguise - (1d20+13)[18] -2 appearing middle age

[Rizban]

This is a fairly main street. It is unlikely to be clear until late tonight.

[TheFallenOne]

A little displeased, Sedrach dons a long coat over his disguise and just walks out the front door. Ducking into a dark alley, he removes the coat and stuffs it into his bag, then continues to the Fortress in the guise of a healer.

[Rizban]

Fortunately, no one in the tavern pays him any attention as he leaves.

Knowing only that the Fortress is "north", you proceed back south to Mastiff's Road and follow it northwest. Fortunately, this pays off as you reach a large gatehouse in the city's outer wall. It stands open. On the other side, you can see the great river rushing by with a stone causeway built into it just inches above water level, the river flowing through channels under and through the stone. The Fortress is built on a large island in the middle of the causeway.

[TheFallenOne]

After inspecting some things and looking for the presence of watchmen, Sedrach crosses onto the island provided the causeway isn't restricted. He looks around, checking what else beside the prison the Fortress might be housing.

Spoiler

how thick are the walls of the city and the Fortress respectively? Would a 30 foot blink bring me on the other side?

I'm gonna approach a watchman next, but I may be interrupted before that.