GM SpiderBeard's The Divine Delusion (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Currently at: Strangely Glowing Dungeon
Party Loot Tracker


1,401 to 1,450 of 1,685 << first < prev | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | next > last >>

Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Seeing his chance, Zoresk drops back and whispers in Finger's ear as they walk, "The good sheriff is lying through his teeth at every turn. I'm positive. He knows something about our friend's disappearance and these notes hold a key. If you could subtly let the others know, that might help."

As they arrive at the office, Zoresk asks, "I'm not interested in a drink, nor do I care about dirt, but anything unusual recently might be of interest. Who knows what might have a darker explanation that was written off as a minor oddity. Also anything you have relating to Jerend's observations would be helpful, wouldn't you say, Kumyo, Irina?"


"I would love a drink! Let's leave the others deal with those notes while Irina and me accompany the sheriff for a drink, or ten! Ahahah!"

Trying to lure the sheriff out so the others can search the place.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13


.

Trestleblade looks around worryingly but smiles as Kumyo offers to take him to the bar.

"Okay... yeah! Okay, we can do that! Lock up, will yah?"

Trestleblade allows himself to be lead out.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

Hinl's notes are kept in a series of journals, painstakingly kept over ten years. Interestingly, the journal from two years ago appears to be missing entirely. The group starts reading from a few months ago, when Jerend was last seen. They find nothing about Jerend's fascination with dangerous animals, but starting last Abadius they do find a series of notes on some crimes attributed to Jerend.

Sherrif Hinl's Notes wrote:

6 Abadius

Jerend Thoth apprehended for assaulting Tamalia Yun. Kept in prison over night.

7 Abadius

Jerend Thoth apprehended again; assaulting Drov Sorden. Released.

10 Abadius

Jerend Thoth apprehended once more; assaulting Rak - goes by only one name. Released.

25 Calistril

Ysania Baker's home was burned down, apparent arson as she was out and no signs of a fire in the hearth. Jerend Thoth was spotted near her house. Released after questioning.

20 Gozran

Jerend Thoth reported a hydra east of town, warned people away from it.

28 Gozran

Hydra was confirmed sighted by Trestleblade. Found necklace belonging to missing person Dalia Baker.[/spoiler]

After that any notes mentioning Jerend stop. Leafing through the older entries, Jerend is never mentioned once.

Let me know if there is other information you want to look up.


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Zoresk frowns down at the report, uncertainty welling up as he reads more entries. He runs a hand through his stubble, "Well this doesn't paint our missing person in the best light. I suppose these could be doctored, but they're private files. Why bother then? Have we heard of these Baker people? Or the others: Yun, Soreden or Rak? That missing file... I suspect it has information that we want."

Zoresk takes a moment to compare the journals before and after the missing journal (from two years ago) looking for discrepancies. He'll also take a look through entries around that time concerning either Jerend or any other recognizable names.

Edit: Just to clarify, the only entries for Jerend are in the month's leading up to his disappearance?


.

You are correct. The missing file is from a couple of years back. There are a lot of files before and after it which don't mention Jerend. The group has met Ysania Baker who sheltered them for a bit.


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Do I notice any differences in the files before and after the missing file? Wondering if there was some change with the notetaker we aren't aware of. Also curious if I saw mention of those other people in the files.


Deception +8 Gather Information +8 Initiative +6 Knowledge +5 Perception +8 Persuasion +8 Pilot +6 Ride +6 Treat Injury +8 Use Computer +8 Use Force +8 HP 19 | Defenses Ref 13 Fort 11 Will 15 | Damage Threshold 11

Irina will go with Kumyo for the record, wouldn't want Trestleblade to feel unloved or try to get to hands on with our sorcerer. She is chivalrous like that, lol ;P


.

Irina and Kumyo:

You all make your way into the bar and Trestleblade spreads his arms wide. His prior nervousness seemingly gone.

"Three drinks and keep 'em coming, I've got some ladies with me today!"

There's a groan from behind the bar and soon the three of you are seated at a table with three mugs of ale and three shots of the local rye whiskey.

"So tell me about yourself! All I know is that you ain't from around these parts, that's for sure. What with the weird magic stuff coming from the sky and all. I saw what happened!"

Zoresk notices that the notes were far more detailed in past years, expressing some questions about motive, suspects, and the results of the cases. The law is harsh in Ustalav and punishments were doled out regularly and brutally. After the missing book there appears to be a spike in minor crimes, particularly drug use, prostitution, and assault, but the punishments seem to be fewer and milder.


Irina and DM:
Kumyo blushes slightly and laughs lightly as she takes a short sip of beer and puckers her lips: "Ooooh, it's quite bitter... But finishes nicely. I could grow to like this! I'm from distant Tian Xia. I was a courtier in the imperial palace of Kasai. That is surely a long way, but I'm still trying to understand how and why I was brought here. For all I now, you are just an illusion!" and she taps playfully on Trestleblade's nose.


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Grinning with the thrill of discovery, Zoresk glances between the organized before and after piles, as he has begun to think of them. He taps the left pile, containing the older reports, "The details here are more thorough and punishments more forthcoming. Keep this in mind. We then have a period without record, odd after such meticulous records had been kept." He taps the second pile excitedly, "And then we see more troublesome behavior, but lighter punishment. What happened two years ago that shook up this Hinl so that he stopped doing his job so thoroughly. Trestleblade is clearly lying, but why? My suspicion, with only circumstantial evidence, is that we're seeing a government corrupted. Jerend runs into a few disputes, the nature of which we aren't aware, and then disappears after some mysterious mystical embodiment of Erastil. The timing seems too convenient to me, but I can't say more until we learn what we can of these incidents."

Standing and cracking his back, he asks the others, "Can you think of anything else I might have missed? I've been assuming Jerend is relatively straight shooting, but I might be wrong there."


Deception +8 Gather Information +8 Initiative +6 Knowledge +5 Perception +8 Persuasion +8 Pilot +6 Ride +6 Treat Injury +8 Use Computer +8 Use Force +8 HP 19 | Defenses Ref 13 Fort 11 Will 15 | Damage Threshold 11

Kumyo and DM:

Oh he is all real allright. Irina continues to cock and eyebrow at Trestleblade but continues, I'm from Cheliax but was in Ustalav to see after the passing of a friend. From there, all of a sudden, I was here. And here I remain. Making new friends and finding trouble as it were...


Nilan looks lost, he is no investigator, his skills are more in line with the spiritual.

Perhaps our friend Jerend went mad much earlier than we thought?


.

Kumyo and Irina:

Trestleblade looks at the two of you greedily before he seems to remember something. He leans in, speaking with interest.

"So what happened? I mean... you're from Tea and Cha and you're from Cheliax but suddenly Douleurs? With the rest? Do you know if you came here to do something?"


Male Human M Human N Rogue 2 |AC17 T14 FF13|HP 16/16|F+1 R+7 W -1|Init+4 |Perc +3

"We met Ysenia Baker. She gave us some shelter when we first snuck into town. I wonder if this missing person Dalia Baker is a relation. She may also have some info on Jerend, who may have been a suspect in her house burning down? It's all very confusing, but its clear that Jerend wasn't a sweet angel from the outset."

He grimaces as the girls go off with Trestlebridge. "Man, I don't like that guy. He is a weasel. Should we go see Ysenia Baker when we get done here?"


GM and Irina:
Kumyo takes a long look at Irina, wondering what she thinks about the question. It would be nice to discuss only with her... She shrugs slightly and tries a response: "I'm not sure. I think something went wrong, and I was sent at random. If not, then why here indeed? And why me?!"


Nilan says That is a good place to start.


.

Let me know if you're heading out to the bakeshop or if there are other things to look up.


Female Half-Elf Magus (Kensai) 3; HP (24/24) Arcane (4/4); AC/Touch/Flat 18/17/12; Fort/Ref/Will +4/+3/+2; Init +3; Percep +1

"I agree, it is the best lead we have."


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

"Sounds reasonable to me. Let's go see what we can learn." Zoresk tidies the notes they'd been poring over and takes a moment to lock up the door as they leave.

I'm ready to go visit Ysenia. :)


Male Human M Human N Rogue 2 |AC17 T14 FF13|HP 16/16|F+1 R+7 W -1|Init+4 |Perc +3

"Anyone know what happened to the old sheriff? Who put Trestlebridge in charge anyway?. If the acting sheriff is gone from here, should we toss the place before we leave just to see what might turn up?"


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Zoresk thinks back to the fighting and its aftermath, mulling over Fingers' question. "I seem to recall that the new Mayor appointed him as a temporary Sheriff. As for the old one, I'd guess he died in the fighting against the hobbers, but I don't remember that ever being said."


I don't think..tossing...is a good idea. We aren't brigands and we don't know for sure that the odious man Trestlebade is up to anything nefarious. Let's go see Ysenia.


Female Half-Elf Magus (Kensai) 3; HP (24/24) Arcane (4/4); AC/Touch/Flat 18/17/12; Fort/Ref/Will +4/+3/+2; Init +3; Percep +1

I do recall it being mentioned the sheriff died fighting the hobbos, but I'm not a hundred percent sure on that.

"All of the able bodied fighters were called upon to defend the town. It is reasonable to assume he fell among them."


.

Are you stopping to get Irina and Kumyo? Just need one yes or no and I'll move on.

Irina and Kumyo:

Trestleblade looks visibly agitated at the lack of answer. "That's.. damnit. Okay. I can deal with that."

He sighs miserably and looks at the table for a moment. He looks up hopefully.

"Uh. Anything else interesting you want to tell me?"


(AC 21/11Tch/20FF, HP 60/60, Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +9, Init +1, CMD 22) Male Human Paladin 7
Skills:
Climb -1, Diplomacy +14, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +3, Know(Noble) +4, Know(Religion) +5, Perception +9, Ride +4, Sense Motive + 12, Steath -4, Swim -1

Zoresk votes yes. Cruel to do otherwise. :)


.

The group stop by the inn and mercifully rescue Irina and Kumyo from a disappointed-looking Trestleblade. He doesn't even protest as the two women are given a quick run down of what's been discovered, and the group makes their way to the bakery in the northwest of town.

The rich smell of the strong, dark bread favoured by the locals wafts through the air as the group enters the bakery. The huge, boisterous woman who sheltered you when you first came into the town looks up and grins.

"So the heroes return to the humble bakery! You realize that I get business just by saying I helped you break into town? Hah. These days. To what do I owe the pleasure? A hankering for bread perhaps?"


Deception +8 Gather Information +8 Initiative +6 Knowledge +5 Perception +8 Persuasion +8 Pilot +6 Ride +6 Treat Injury +8 Use Computer +8 Use Force +8 HP 19 | Defenses Ref 13 Fort 11 Will 15 | Damage Threshold 11

Kumyo and anyone else, just before the bakery...:
As the group walks to the bakery Irina looks to Kumyo keeping her voice low so as only the group might overhear, Did he not seem overly eager for some kind of "reason" for our presence? Agitated that we did not have anything "interesting" to provide?

At the baker the lean brawler guffaws at the baker, Well no, we are here to talk to you but...yes, I would LOVE some fresh baked bread.


Kumyo looks at Irina pensively, then nods: "Ai. He did..."


Male Human M Human N Rogue 2 |AC17 T14 FF13|HP 16/16|F+1 R+7 W -1|Init+4 |Perc +3

Fingers is disappointed about the lost opportunity to ransack the sheriff's office, but nods and moves on with the others.

When they reach the baker, he smiles warmly at Ysenia. "Aye madam, your aid was timely and we are better off for it, as is your village. But there are strange things afoot here now. Things that trouble us and that your name has come up in. Would you mind to answer a few questions for us?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Zoresk stands to the side, letting Fingers speak, as he mulls over Irina and Kumyo's observations. It might just be that he's a superstitious wastral. On the other, with this new-found information... he thinks us a threat. But a threat to what? Scratching at his beard distractedly, he continues his thoughts. The change in the sheriff's notes and the reduced punishments... maybe there's some tie there? We threaten something criminal that's he part of? Might even think we're some form of lawmen. Huffing as he piles speculation on speculation, Zoresk resigns himself to listening and paying attention to the baker's response.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23


.

GM Rolls:

Ysania: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Ysania beams at Fingers, obviously delighted at his kind words.

"Oh sure, you're cute. What can I help you with?"

She steps out from behind her baking table. A little over six feet tall, her hair is a mess of red curls tied back and her build is muscular and curvaceous. As she speaks there's a hint of an Ulfen accent.


Male Human M Human N Rogue 2 |AC17 T14 FF13|HP 16/16|F+1 R+7 W -1|Init+4 |Perc +3

Not really an expert at subtlety in storytelling, Fingers bluntly asks,"Your house burned down some time back? What is the story with that?"


.

Ysania blinks for a moment, somewhat surprised by the question. Her voices becomes muted as she speaks.

"I eh... it burned down. Thankfully always kept most of my goods at the shop here - more secure. Moved in to the shop permanently after that. Reckon it was an accident but it was right strange."


Indeed. And what was strange about the fire? Specifically? Nilan inquires


.

"Well, I was here at the bakeshop - I start my days real early as you can imagine, and the place just went up. Huge fire, no warning. Poof! I eh... well, thought it may have been intentional-like. Arson. Sheriff was having none of it though, said it were an accident, case closed."


Hmm. That actually is interesting.... Didn't the Sheriff believe it was arson and our man Jerend did it?


.

That's what the notes say.


Deception +8 Gather Information +8 Initiative +6 Knowledge +5 Perception +8 Persuasion +8 Pilot +6 Ride +6 Treat Injury +8 Use Computer +8 Use Force +8 HP 19 | Defenses Ref 13 Fort 11 Will 15 | Damage Threshold 11

Irina follows the conversation closely but doesn't offer anything letting the other speak, all the same she watched the baker with interest trying to tell if its the direct conversation or something else that is bothering her...

Sense Motive?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26


Male Human M Human N Rogue 2 |AC17 T14 FF13|HP 16/16|F+1 R+7 W -1|Init+4 |Perc +3

"Is it just you, Miss Ysinia? No family? Was someone hurt or lost in the fire?" says Fingers, changing the subject slightly, and slightly perplexed by her answer which is contradictory to the notes from the Sheriff. He watches for that "liar's tell" that he's been told about as he questions the baker.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16


.

GM Rolls:

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Ysania shakes her head, moving over to a table to settle down. "No, only family I had were my sister. She went, ah, missing a few months back, was found east of town near some horrid monster that 'et her."

Although to this point it was clear she was speaking what she believed was the truth, Fingers and Irina can immediately tell she's withholding something.


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Did my Sense Motive also yield anything? Had a 23 at the start of the conversation.

Zoresk draws a deep breath as Ysania explains the situation with the sheriff and her home. The sheriff told her that? But the notes... unless the notes were faked later? They grew so different. Terse. Maybe they were doctored? Or perhaps there's just a corruption that Jerend got dragged into and they blackened his name? He looks at Ysania, quietly saying, "I'm sorry for your loss, Ysania."

His throat closes a moment as he thinks back to his father's death, but bull's threw the discomfort, "You mentioned that you thought the fire might have been arson. Was there a reason for that? Someone who might have had it in for you, maybe?"

Sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18


.

Everyone has had some good sense motives. She's been truthful but withholding something.

With the eyes of the group on her, Ysania suddenly looks frightened and quickly shakes her head.

"No, I... no I don't have any problem with that."

It's fairly obvious she's lying.


Deception +8 Gather Information +8 Initiative +6 Knowledge +5 Perception +8 Persuasion +8 Pilot +6 Ride +6 Treat Injury +8 Use Computer +8 Use Force +8 HP 19 | Defenses Ref 13 Fort 11 Will 15 | Damage Threshold 11

Irina tries to be friendly but there is a hint of frustration in her voice, You realize we aren't local farmers and tradesmen right? Most of us have been trained, and lived the life, of fighting and hunting and learning how people react. There is something you are not saying but we need to know it. There are things going on here and we need to know why. One man has died and others might be in danger, please, Ysania, can you tell us everything?

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14


Male
Skills:
Climb +7, Craft(Weapons) +8, Know(Arcana) +7, Know(History) +6, Know(Local) +6, Know(Nature) +7, Know(Planes) +8, Know(Religion) +6, Perception +4, Sense Motive +8, Survival +5
Kellid (Human) (AC 17/12Tch/15FF, HP 28/28, Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4, Init +2, Per +4) Lore Warden (Fighter) 3

Zoresk lays a sympathetic hand on Ysania's shoulder, "I understand that you're scared of whoever is behind all this, but we're here to help. We've helped with the hobbers and we're here to help with any other form of monster, even if in human guise."

Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 20 Edit: Maybe allow it as a primary. :)


Female Half-Elf Magus (Kensai) 3; HP (24/24) Arcane (4/4); AC/Touch/Flat 18/17/12; Fort/Ref/Will +4/+3/+2; Init +3; Percep +1

"We don't know yet what happened to Jerend out there. The entire town, if not more, may be in danger."

Diplomacy, Aid another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17


.

Ysania looks at Zoresk, and then the others for a moment, trembling. Finally, she stands, slamming the door and shutters before she collapses back at the table with a loud thud, tears streaming down her face.

"It--- oh gods, you're so kind to everyone. But if you got rid of the hobbers maybe... I don't know. Please, look. That bastard Snedley had me running flayleaf for him for a good year. He lends money out, and uses the money, or things he knows about people against them. Makes them do jobs for him. Everyone is in his pocket, I prayed that the hobgoblins would get him."

She clenches her apron as she stares at the table.

"I saw what the leaf was doing to people. So I stopped. Told him my debt was paid in full. Thought I'd be free. Then my house burned down. He never said anything, but I got the message. And then my poor sister wound up in the swamp, et by some monster. Too close together, no coincidence, that. Left me alone after that - he'd made his damn point."


So, the man Snedley....he is selling this Flyleaf? It causes madness?


.

Ysania looks up at Nilan with reddened eyes.

"It's good for th'pain, but once you start smoking it y'can't stop and start doing... things to get more. Just gives him more control over people. Had to ask people to do jobs for him. He runs everything in this town."


Interesting. Do the Brothers of Fate at the Cathedral know about this? Does the man Trestlebade? Did the previous Sheriff?


.

Ysania looks up, shrugging.

"I'd assume they're all on his pay. The Sheriff's refusal to find out why my house burned down was telling enough. And Trestleblade would sell his soul for a pastry. Not sure 'bout the fathers, I wouldn't cast blame without knowing."

1,401 to 1,450 of 1,685 << first < prev | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / GM SpiderBeard's Untitled Campaign Gameplay All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.