GM Samy's Belles' Vengeance

Game Master Samy

Breeze holds onto her wages this time. She had nothing else she needed to accomplish today, so she heads downstairs and plops down in the comfiest chair, absentmindedly cutting a deck of cards, trying to improve her hand eye coordination. If any of the others stay around, she tries a few card tricks, seeing if she could fool and impress the others.

Sleight of Hand 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

She does a pretty decent job. "And your card was a a seven of diamonds!"

Aevelyn smiles as she pockets her share of the gold. Another fine haul here...it seems our employer is well pleased with me...

Figuring she needed some time off, plus also a little concerned about the Sheriff's interest in their activities, she decided to partake in some card games with Breeze.

While her card skills are nothing to be proud of, the chance to form a rapport with the catfolk is well worth the effort. "Yes, how did you guess?"

"A magician never tells her secrets! But seriously, I've always found these little parlor tricks to be good to distract my attention at times. And I figure keep my hands exercised and agile isn't a bad thing for the other exracurriculars I sometimes engage in," she smiled and gestured, causing her claws to pop out of her tiny handpads.

Shiloh cannot keep the grin off of her face as she tucks the gold into a bag. Well know what do I do.. I could leave and.. I really have nowhere to go.

With a huff she lets herself fall into a chair. Within moments of sitting their she shifts her position so that her skirt covered legs dangle over one arm of the chair and her head hangs over the other. From am upside down view she slowly moves her eyes around the room, taking in the others. I wonder if I can convince them to go to a tavern to celebrate? I wonder what a cat is like drunk. Probably just as entertaining as Aevelyn would be.

Although admittedly curious as to what Razelago might wish them to do next, Nysene shrugs and lets it go for the time being. Those are questions better asked by someone like Aevelyn or Shiloh, at least for now.

After heading downstairs and happily pocketing her payment, she decides to stay in again since the others didn't seem too inclined to head back out either. She watches the card games with some interest, rather impressed with Breeze's skill.

Kn. Local (Catfolk): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"You know Kitty, I've never seen one like you around Cheliax before - always heard your people lived a ways south somewhere. What brings you around here?" she asks, curious.

"I wish I had a better story, but I don't rightly know. It's all I've ever known. Don't know if my parents moved here all lovey dovey like or if I was put on a boat by myself. I don't remember the parents, so I'd say it's more of the second. Ive always been on my own about town. Pretty cruddy story, I know, but that's all I got. How about your crew? Looks like you have your own posse with you..."

It looks like you guys have a conversation going, so I won't drop next morning on you just yet. Say ping when you are ready to move on, and we'll move on to next morning.

Aevelyn nods slowly. "A posse? Well that is as good a term as any I suppose. As for my parents..." here she glances up with a look of anger, "I...WE were exiled here! I...I was the one who is to blame for this. My family did not take my...early activities in a good way. I did bring a certain...shame upon my House. I am still paying penance for my deeds."

"'Activities'?" Nysene responds with a chuckle. "You wouldn't take 'proper' schooling for your magic, got too friendly with your family's slaves, learned dances you'd see in the local whorehouses, and indulged a little too much with the pesh and other things of that ilk - 'activities' is putting it lightly!"

A wide grin forms on Shiloh's lips at her cousins wording. That grin turns into a giggle when Nysene corrects her. That woman needs a pay increase. She is hilarious!

Waving a hand in a dismissive gesture, "But I do not blame you cousin. Nor should you take all the credit. I earned my pace here too."

Rapidly twisting herself from her undignified lounging into a 'proper' way of sitting so that her back is straight, ankles are crossed and her hands are folded in her lap. Her wide grin vanishes as she continues, "Our very respectful house has a tendency to birth the willful. Our faults are very much on their shoulders."

Nysene shrugs. "Not really my place to say who's right or wrong but there's not any need to try and dress up the facts any either - especially not when it looks like we'll be spending a lot of time together in the future."

Okay, I think you're done so I'm gonna move us forward.

The rest of the evening goes off without incident. You may all make one Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) roll to gather information about Longacre. Suggested topics are all of the marked/numbered locations on the Longacre map, but you may also come up with your own questions about Longacre.

I have also created a Google Document where you can scribe down what you find out about Longacre if you desire. It should be editable by all. You might, for example, wish to transcribe the information you found out while you were making your way to the church square earlier.

The following morning, Cimri again gathers all of you, whether you are staying at the Ash House or have obtained some lodging of your own in the town. (The two establishment catering to travelers in Longacre are called The Arch and the Lark (number 1) and The Last Stand.) She brings you to Razelago once more, where the backlit, silhouetted figure once more communicates you through the screen dividing the room.

“Nothing more than an errand today, but one well suited to your skills. I met with the Archbaron last night.” Razelago’s silhouette inclines a hand toward a stack of rolled parchments on the table. “He has issued several new decrees that he’d like posted across town to inform the citizenry.”

The documents have been posted to Google Drive for your perusal.

Aevelyn peruses the document silently though her mind is awhirl with thoughts.

This seems a rather bit...excessive. The Archbaron must be far more worried about the display from the previous day than he lets on publicly. Why close the Castle Gate though? The only logical reason I can concieve of is to disrupt access to the Whisper River. Still there may be another reason...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 for areas around Castle Gate like #16, and also any other significance it holds.

Shiloh reaches out and takes one of the parchments and reads it Wow this will not go over well. "Sir, I have a question."

Assuming Shiloh is allowed to ask but if not she will simply leave with a handful of the new rules. "I am sure people will have questions for us when we put these paper up. Concerning taverns are people not allowed to sit at a table with more than six people? And are there steps being taken to contend with the outcry from what reads like the disbanding of religious services?"

"I am not privy to the Archbaron's exact thinking on the specifics, and I did not inquire deeper into them. I would assume that what leeway is left in the wording of the decrees is open to interpretation by the law in Longacre. The law in Longacre will also be instrumental in controlling the expected grumbling. Most of Longacre's citizens will no doubt know their place, and concerning those that don't...well, the sheriff of Longacre will hold a position of great importance in the dealing of any issues."

“Post these decrees at the notice post in the church square, the jail, the Last Stand Tavern, and the Castle Gate. And while you’re at the jail, stop by the sheriff’s office. The Archbaron has a second decree for you to deliver.” Razelago’s shadow tilts toward Cimri, who picks up a folded page from the table. “One that dismisses Rhona Staelish as the sheriff of Longacre.

“You have until noon today. Perform as reliably as you have in your last two tasks, and I’ll pay what we agreed upon for your first task. If this assignment goes smoothly, the Archbaron would like to meet with you. It sounds as though he might soon have some civil positions to fill.”

I am going to get stabbed. Putting a broad smile on her lips before replying, "Of coarse. That you for indulging my questions."

Once they have left the room she looks over at the others, "We half a few hours to get these up. So are we going to those places together or are we splitting up? And if so who wants which place?"

Aevelyn shakes her head. "We stay together. I suspect these decrees will not be well-received. Also, I think we should visit the jail last. So we can surprise your aunt." She nods towards Cimri.

Aevelyn knows that the Castle Gate is #3 on the map (note that west is down on the map). She also knows the following (perhaps from when she first entered Longacre):

The Castle Gate, as Longacre’s western gate is popularly called, might present a hindrance to invaders were it situated in a wall. As it is, the gate is merely a mossy stone tower connected to a short stone span that interrupts the aged, chest-high wooden fence surrounding the town. For most of Longacre’s residents, the gate is a symbol of their town’s grit and determination. Two gatekeepers, Bolouisia and Denton Gramel, live in a house close to the gate and rarely let the mossy pile of rocks out of their sight. Bo and Dent note everyone who passes through, greeting every neighbor, commenting on every loaded cart, and questioning newcomers as though they were guards at the imperial palace. For the most part, though, the couple is content to watch people come and go, and keep on alert for danger coming down the road.

Cimri nods back to Aevelyn's words, seeming firmly in agreement with the sorcerer. "I do *not* look forward to seeing how this will go over", she says with a little tension in her voice.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 to find out more about the southern gate and why they apparently want traffic to go through there.

Breeze nods at the others. "Definitely together. We might not have a sheriff if the townsfolk turn dark, so we need to have each other's backs. It will be fun seeing the sheriff's reaction, though. I sort of liked that simple woman, though," Breeze grins.

Sense motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

So the gate first? And am I to assume that Aevelyn shares her knowledge?

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Visibly relaxing, "Well lets get this over with." And hopefully without bloodshed this time.

Thanks for the clarification Samy!

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Aevelyn relays what she knows of the Castle Gate and its symbolism to the town. "This sends a clear message to the citizens of Longacre. The display against the rulers has been noted and will be dealt with harshly. And yes the Gate should be our first destination."

Breeze has no theories for why they would want to channel traffic to the southern gate.

You depart the Ash House (map #2) and make your way to the Castle Gate (map #3). Before you leave, Cimri scavenges up a mallet and some nails from the Ash House. It's morning and the sun is climbing higher in the sky. The weather is windy. There had been some frost during the night, and there's still a chill in the air, breathing occasionally being visible, but the rising sun is gradually making things warmer.

You have no trouble making your way through the grounds outside Longacre to the gate.

Longacre’s western gate looks almost as if some great giant picked up the stone gate from a rugged frontier fort and dropped it across the road leading into town. A set of weathered wooden doors stands open in the fortified stone.

As you approach the gate, you spot one of the gatekeepers, Bo, atop the tower beside the gate, with a rigged-up awning providing rudimentary shelter above her. Do you approach overtly, coverly? What do you do?

Breeze sees no reason to stick to the shadows. She had the House of Thrune on her side. "Good news, gatekeeper. You are going to have a vacation coming up. New rules from the Archbishop. This gate is closed for the immediate future."

Kn. Local (The Last Stand Tavern): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Nysene lets out a low whistle as she reads over the decrees to be posted. "The Archbaron means business doesn't he? I'm sure there'll be a lot that won't like it but I think they'd like it less if Longacre turned into a lawless hellhole," she muses. "And yeah, starting at the Castle Gate sounds like as good a place to start as any."

I added what Nysene learned the previous day about Marker #19 to the Longacre document, btw.

"What the hell?" The gatekeeper seems flabbergasted by the news. "Closed? The Castle Gate is never closed!" After the initial surprise, she rapidly turns angry. "Damn the archbaron! You can take that decree of yours and turn right back, right now! We’ve kept this town safe and this gate open—except for nights and holidays—for all the eighteen years Dent and I have minded it! No cow-pile baron or his rumped-up dung-berries are going to make us close it.” She keeps going on with similarly creative metaphors, shouting at you from her higher vantage point on top of the tower, clearly disagreeing with the closing of the gate.

"You best watch your tongue. No telling what gossip will get back to the Archbaron, you know. If you don't agree to shut the gate, we might have to take matters into our own hands."

Aevelyn nods in agreement with Breeze. "While we do not agree with the closing of Castle Gate, we do have our duty as citizens here to obey the decrees. Now should you wish to plead your case to the Archbaron, you will have us to speak up for you...so long as you cooperate here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

This is insanity. Of course they are angry. Nodding with the others. "You are the arm of the law and this is the new law. While I am not sure where you are being moved to you will still do your duty, right?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"That's right, rules are rules," Nysene calls up to the woman. "I'm sure there'll be places made for you and your partner somewhere else in the city since it sounds like you've both done a good job here for so long!"

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Nysene is absolutely being sincere here rather than a smartass, by the way.

Bolouisa climbs down from the tower and gets up in your faces, shouting and ranting some more, which brings out her husband Denton from their nearby home to come check out what the commotion is all about. Once he learns just what is going on, he gets just as upset. However, your Diplomatic efforts are successful and you manage to pacify the couple, talking them down from furious shouting to just resigned muttering. "If you think we're gonna help you close the gate, you've got another think coming!" are their parting words as they walk away, spitting on the ground and reluctantly leaving the Castle Gate to go home. For the first time in years, perhaps decades, the Castle Gate is now unguarded and you have free rein of it. The gate doors are left open when the gatekeepers depart.

Two awkward iron braces stand behind one of the gate doors. A pair of PCs capable of lifting 200 pounds can slide these brackets into place to lock the gates, once they have been closed first in some way.

Aevelyn glances back where the ex-gatekeepers headed off before turning her attention to the Gate. "I wonder how they closed the gate here. Surely not by brute force?"

After looking inside the tower for a brief moment, she nods excitely to the others. "I think I found the mechanism here!" After a moment of experimentation she is able to close the gate all by herself.

"Now we just need to brace these gates here."

"Sorry I'm not much help here. Carrying heavy things isn't my bag. I'm better off serving as a lookout than being the muscle!"

Quickly nodding as well, "I am more than willing to help Breeze in this."

"Guess I'm good for something after all," Nysene chuckles dryly as she steps forward. "Might still need one of you to give me a hand but I think I can lift the bulk of the weights myself," she declares after looking over the braces.

Nysene has a 16 Str which should suffice, hehe.

Shaking her head, "Nysene that is not true. You are very useful to us. Not only do you do the heavy lifting but you have that lovely dry wit that I so enjoy."

Shrugging, "But if you all want something to laugh at I am try."

Aevelyn uses the mechanism inside the gate tower to swing the gate doors closed, and Nysene puts the brackets into place to lock the gates, while Breeze and Shiloh keep watch. What next?

Aevelyn rubs her hands briskly. "That went well. Now let us head to the church square. The Last Stand Tavern can wait."

"To the Square then. And I'm afraid we need to be quick. Word is going to get out and there'll be trouble," she growls, not expecting this task to get so complicated so quickly.

"Lead on then."

"Hang on, I'll post the decrees real quick", Cimri says, pulling out one copy of the papers from the Archbaron and hammers them to the gate. "That does it. Ready to go!" she calls out once she's done.

You next head to the Church Square, where you yesterday listened to Sword Knight Allamar's announcement about the Angel Knight, Glorious Reclamation, and Jabral Louslik's death.

A fifteen-foot-tall wooden post, scarred by nails and plastered with faded pronouncements, rises from a bed of posies in the church square. A verdigris-stained copper archer swivels atop a squeaky weather vane at the post’s summit. Local news, business listings, and past decrees of lesser importance cover the stake at the center of Longacre’s church square.

You are now at the notice post at the square.

Aevelyn glances about her paying close attention to the crowd trying to determine if there is a hue and cry concerning the closure of Castle Gate.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Not yet. So far the square is relatively sedate.

Looking around at the various people moving about then back at the others. "Well lets get this over with." Taking one of the sheets and attaching it to the notice post.

As soon as you start attaching the decrees to the notice post, people begin noticing that something is going on, and naturally, they begin to gravitate towards the notice post, several of them managing to read through the decrees before you can vacate the area. The bulk of them begin to immediately get upset and start complaining about the injustice of a curfew and being treated like prisoners, but one of them, a brown-haired woman with a serious expression comes to you and presents a series of questions. "Excuse me -- can you explain the specifics of these decrees?

How can those from outside town obtain a writ of passage if they’re not allowed in to visit the notary?"

The woman presents these and other similar questions about the decrees in as calm and measured a manner as she can.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Doctor...Gerya...Gerya Rohalendi? I have heard of your good deeds taking care of those who are unable to do so themselves. Trust me, I am sympathetic to your concerns of course. Perhaps we can arrange for some...assistance for you. Sadly I do not have any firm answers to your questions. Rest assured I will bring these concerns up to the Sheriff once I get the chance. You have my word on that." Aevelyn says sympathetically.

...Of course it will be the NEW Sheriff I will talk to...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Waiting and giving others a chance to act as well before posting results on the Diplomacy.

Have added some new images to the Google Drive:

Gerya Rohalendi from current scene

Sword Knight Tileavia Allamar and her son Loran from the sermon yesterday.

Know. Local Aid Another1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Breeze didn't know how to respond to the doctor's questions. She used her sneakiness to the to blend into the shadows rather than answer something she wasn't aware of. Hopefully, the Archbaron had known about this little issue with his plan, and had an appropriate response, of which he hadn't made them away.

Stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Kn. Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Huh...I hadn't thought about any of that, Nysene frowns. She had to admit, they were pretty good questions.

"Yeah, I'm sure the bigwigs already thought about all that," she agrees. "And even if they haven't, we can pass those questions along so they can revise the decrees if they need to. We don't want anyone falling through the cracks."

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Nodding along with the others, "We will make sure that is the first question we ask."

Diplomacy to aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

With all your Diplomacies pooled, you manage to reassure Doctor Rohalendi quite successfully, and your success bleeds over to some of the surrounding crowd as well. While many citizens are obviously concerned, they are for the moment willing to wait and see how things will develop. You have resolved the situation at the notice post optimally and may move on.

Party is awarded 600XP for avoiding a Rebellion Point.