OK, lets go the vigilante/local heroes route. And GM, I know she was talking about a figurative angel in Sister Marta Dian; I was asking about the literal angel referenced by GM_Dwarf_something. If not from that Gm_Pawn, but perhaps from another NPC? I imagine it isn’t everyday that multiple people claim to have a literal angel guarding the streets. I would like to gather more information on that literal angel if possible. Not a knowledge check, per se, but more about this town's angel. The whos, whys and wheres.
Seems like the half tiger-half demon is a good place to start, after one of us tries talking to that Mitran priest.
I'll talk to her...oh wait, that's a bad idea; you're the face of the group
Making your way to the Abbey, this large walled manor house is home to a devout order of Mitran nuns. A common sight around town, dressed in their dark blue and white habits. These "brides of light" are a chaste and cloistered order, but still must leave their abbey to conduct their business. You know enough about the religion to know they are a relatively young order, their founder having been martyred only 150 years ago.
Who went to talk to the Sisters? Tempy? Neji and Tempy? I'm OK with tagging along, but it may be wise to mask our alliances.
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I'll let Tempy do the talking and will be certain to wear my most respectable garb. I assume we already shopped for our fancy clothes? I'll support her with knowledge checks and whenever she needs a crazy barbarian to comment. I bring the passion!
Ok, I will go disguised as a moderately attractive, but very martial and noble looking human woman in her early 30's. Adventurer's garb, but fairly nice. Clearly display my headband and so on. I don't want to look like some new lvl 1. I want to look capable of slaying some evil and saving some townsfolk.
I shouldn't have to use disguise self for any of the disguise, shape change + sleeves of many garments should cover it.
I don't want to seem conspicuous scouting the place out, but would prefer not walk into a large holy complex without some magical protection. I will try to talk to this priest when she is outside the compound walls.
If I get a convo going with her, will start with introductions and small talk (using our adventurers cover story). I want to learn what I can about her and the town and her work there. Will easily offer to help the town, noting that we've heard wonderful things about her and figure she is the person to talk to.
ok, so you don't want to just waltz into the abbey. so you'll try and tail her when she goes out somewhere, and then strike up a conversation with her?
not knowing too much about what she looks like, you spend some time around town gathering information about her, and where you might find her.
an hour later, you hit upon that she usually takes supper once a week at a tavern in town, that she's a demure but respected nun at the abbey. unfortunately that dinner plan would preclude your own.
likewise, Loran tries to track down the "disgruntled guy"? I take that to mean the soldier that didn't march off to war?
after a few hours of shopping for something suitable to wear that night, the guys in the party get their outfits, but come up empty as to where the disgruntled guy likes to hang out.
Tiadora rendezvous with you you by the docks in the evening. Bedecked brilliantly in all white, looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. She escorts you through the bustling dock city of Farholde. She takes you to the nicest part of town, a gently sloping hill called Calliver's Green, a gated community, and approaches the guard confidently.
Baron Vandermir is expecting us is all she says.
Of course, my lady. This way the somewhat nervous guard answers after consulting a list.
There are only six manors in this neighborhood and Tiadora leads you to what is arguably the most impressive and opulent of them. The front door is secured by two guards wearing armor and livery. The guards are polite, but firmly insist that weapons are collected.
No stranger may go before the Baron so armed.
You're greeted at the door by a formal butler and attended by a small squadron of servants who offer you brandy and hors d'oeuvres. The brandy is sublime and the selection of tasty little beef skewers and crunch spicy crayfish puffs are delectable. Finally you get to meet the baron himself.
Baron Arkov Vandermir is a handsome half-elf, dressed in burgundy and white. He looks quite young, even boyish, but he's likely more than a century old. His eyes betraying a calculating, wicked soul.
The Baron's father, Baron Zaedor Vandermir and his distant cousin, King jaraad of Barca, were both slain at the Battle of Tamberlyn to the Mitrans of House Darius ( the current royal line ). When the Victor came to power he treated the House of Vandermir fairly, allowing the new baron to keep his holdings if he would only renounce the worship of Asmodeus and swear fealty to the new king.
Introductions are made on your behalf by Tiadora, between you all and the Baron, and polite conversation ensues before a chime is rung and you adjourn to the dinner table.
Once dinner is served, and the servants are dismissed, the Baron becomes frank. You come to me as beggars, the last remnants of a forbidden faith. You will promise me much, of that I have no doubt. But all that I am likely to earn from helping you is the Inquisitor's pyre. Tell me, why should I help the likes of you?
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:: ash discreetly whispers what he learns into the Message that's no doubt up, when the baron isn't around.::
* +2 for concealing a dagger, +2 for baggy clothes/cloak
Forsythe will try and have a look at the guest list.
You manage to sneak a peak at the list, which reads "expect a lady in white and her retinue. Be polite, she has powerful friends. --V"
I will also purchase some sleeves as they rock and some jewlery (~400G for me as well). Sleeves make more sense with my small to medium transitions. I'm a gnome who wants to be a the height of fashion and will dress as a latest fashion Noble wear. I will carry no weapons on me. I will whisper to the group, when there is a moment regarding my rolls above.
<--woo nat 20
<--bam nat 20 again
Because those of us that have seen a century come and pass know too power shifts as surely as the tides. What once was mighty rots from within and becomes unwieldy to manage, stale and boring. This is but a natural cycle. Such a swell, as ours for example, can often be very profitable politically and monetarily for those that join at the beginning. Our venture is small, such as myself, but neither of us should be discounted to enact significant change. There is always risk in power as you know, but if you truly feared this you would not have seen us in the first place.
I got here, and lasted this long, by means you know nothing about. Tides do shift. But every rising tide thinks that it will be the one to topple the lighthouse. What makes any of you think you will actually accomplish anything? What do any of you have to risk? I have a title, lands, and plans to look out for.
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I will wear something pretty nice, 600gp worth, trying to hide my ring of the ram amongst some jewelry just in case.
The baron watches as Loran plays with his salad fork. Then looks back to Neji as if his eyes had never moved. Ash and Leo stay largely silent. Murmurring agreement with Neji's statements. Temperance brushes her hair and looks pretty.
No relevant knowledges. I'll dress nicely, keeping my "adventurer" persona, but in appropriate formalwear. I'll buy some jewelry as well, a nice emerald ring, a nice ruby ring, a sapphire pendant, nice earrings. Will make sure my headband looks sufficiently nice to go with the rest of the outfit.
Not a great roll, I also don't speak elven, so:
Most rising tides never break over the ramparts. But so far we've smashed down their lighthouse and flooded their fields. We just need to erode their castle walls. Or something like that. I'm not that great with metaphor. But we're really good at what we do, which is sowing dissent and discord. A little bit of discreet help from you would help us tear down their ill-gotten government AND give you the chance to be on the winning side of history. All of that with minimal risk to your person, titles, lands or plans.
I hate the Victor and his kin. My hate is a mile wide. But what would you have me do? What are you even doing in such a backwoods place? The army has already left to go rally and fight the Bugbear hoard. Why are you here? Yes you might succeed, but why should I help you any? and what help would you ask of me?
we are here to further our patrons cause, the details of which I don't believe we are at liberty to discuss as of yet. Why should you help us? In the fall of the current regime, another would have to take its place of course. That could be you, or, just as easily, another house, and you can continue to pondering on what used to be. As for what we might ask of you, nothing that would endanger your person. Information, a good word here or there, a gentle nudge from the town's benefactor at the right moment may be all that is needed to tip the scales.
He turns to Neji. Very well. I have a property you can stay at if you wish, while you're here. There's a tunnel that runs from here to a small hovel at the base of the hill. You can come and go without anyone observing your movements. it will appear as though you're living in the hovel. And if you need something ... questionable, I can introduce you to a merchant in town who can procure what you may need, or help fence more difficult to sell items. Poisons, darker or evil seeming magic items. Like obsidian, or a wand of inflict. And of course, my silence.
Bowing Deeply
Thank you, my Baron. Let us be your hidden blade by which mutual vengeance is served and in return we will be dumb to the world regarding this night and agreement. Give us but the path to prove our Paton's will and through earned trust shall we both benefit against the Mitran cancer. As you surely have deduced quite easily, the horde was but a feint to exploit our enemy's natural and quite obvious reaction. (haughty chuckle) Distracted, we move within the enemy, as welcome as friends, sewing a demise they unknowingly welcome as savior. We welcome your hatred as a fine and aged wine, my dear Baron, we shall let it flow from every cup. You have but to open your cellar and tell us who to serve first.
Picks up a wine goblet
To tasks long over due. How sweet they taste.
Takes a long drought
He picks up his own goblet, as though you're toasting, and drinks in time with you.
You have a lovely dinner. He leaves you to your own devices, leaving you with at least an uneasy understanding, and gives you a key to the hovel and describes where to find the tunnel entrance on that side.
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(to the group, when we're alone and together again)
I don't know that I trust him. Let alone need to stay with him. We have an inn, and our rooms. Though I guess a place to operate from and conduct our business other than an inn would be good... but we can continue to use it for this "heroes" ruse. I don't know why you twisted things need to play hero...
The next day dawns, whether you stay at the inn or move your things in to the hovel under the green. Tiadora bids you farewell after the dinner.
Remember the clay seal. Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh knot and your reinforcements are already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named "The Lucky Lady". You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master's will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.
With that, she gives Forscythe a kiss on the lips that lingers just longer than the shock of it occurring, and teleports away
The Seventh Knot does indeed arrive the next day. You meet them at the docks. They're not quite disguised and are easily recognizable enough for the most part since the last time you met them, after completing your training at Cardinal Thorne's mansion in the woods. You expected some reinforcements, and there are three new people aboard the barge with the 7th knot, Though you realize quickly that they have picked up a new member, a man with almond shaped eyes and bushy white shoulder length hair. The two others seem to be your reinforcements. They disembark ahead of the 7th, not having much in the way of luggage.
Elise Zadaria greets you with the barest of nods as she and her knot disembark. With barely that acknowledgement she sets off at a brisk pace away from the docks. As you begin to lead them somewhere they can set up for what they need to do, the barest spark of some friction between the knots as she instead tells the rest of you to go elsewhere, and directs Temperance alone to accompany her.
Elise speaks with Temperance icily in a low voice as her companions carry their bags and trunks. It is my intention in the next few months to have spies set up in every inn, tavern, and anywhere else adventurers and explorers might congregate. When you do find the Horn of Abaddon, contact me. For those groups I can't personally dispatch, I'll send a messenger with any information I can gather. She steps with assuredness through the city though, seemingly familiar with its alleys and streets. Walking quickly and unerringly to the Tea Garden, a three story inn in a nice area of town. There are far too many of us for us to ever meet in public. Sweet Winter. How many of you does the Thorn need to do your task?
Its quickly clear that her orders will be to handle any threats in Farholde, leaving the 9th knot free to find the Horn of Abbadon. She seems expected by the owner, who directs the large half-elf carrying most of the luggage up to some rooms on the second floor. Elise leads Temperance up to the third floor though, to a secluded and private dining chamber.
Here is where you should send word if you have need to contact us. Should you have any trouble. Good luck in your search for the Horn. She pours two cups of tea from a tray that's already waiting in the private chamber, first for Temperance, then for herself.
Now. Tell me what you've already found of Farholde.
Left in a lurch at the docks, the rest break off into a few groups, as you lead the two new members of the 9th knot to your Hovel discreetly. Loran breaking off instead to check out Sergeant Hallack, who spends his afternoons in a low district tavern in his cups.
Ash and Leo lead the new girl back to the Hovel, while Neji and Forsythe show Edwin the way.
You disguise yourself as a merchant, and take up a few drinks nearby Hallack at the tavern. He doesn't seem as down on his luck as you'd expect. He's dressed in farming clothes, and pays for his drinks and a decent meal. He's got dark brown shoulder length hair and a bit of a broad bushy mustache, but is clean shaven otherwise. The only thing that discounts him being a farmer in your eyes, is the very nice sword at his hip. His sheathe is clearly marked with the town insignias, you'd guess a remnant of him being a retired sergeant of the watch. The handle's fine leather and the crossguard's emerald setting make the sword stand out to you.
You follow him a bit at the end of his stupor as he somewhat clumsily makes his way home. Though he doesn't seem as drunk as he should be with how much ale he was having, he's clearly good at holding his liquor. He goes to a farmhouse with a light on inside, the sound of a large dog barking greeting him as he goes in. It seems to be the main house on the farm, though there are one or two other buildings. Everything seems in good repair, with a few hands around taking care of some animals, leading them into the barn with dusk.
Well, Edwin, tell us about yourselves and your partners in out little play.
I will continue to follow him, see if there is anything we can use as leverage. if nothing else, getting an idea of his mannerisms and normal routine in case killing him a replacing him would be worthwhile for a moment.
Seems reasonable to follow Elise along to this inn and drink some tea. I'm fine letting her feel like she's in charge. I'm taking as a given that a "private, secluded" room feels safe to talk in about things I would not like others to overhear.
We arrived shortly ahead of you. So far we've learned of some rumors around town that might make a good cover story for our operation (I relay the rumors that are relevant to "getting work"
We talked to this Baron, he doesn't seem likely to be very useful, but he has granted us the use of a small base of operations that connects to his estate, it should allows us to enter and leave unseen.
As to the excess of reinforcements, it seems that our master didn't want to repeat the loss of the 4th knot so sent some new recruits to join us. I look forward to testing these new servants to see if they are up to our standards.
With a sweep of the hat, he bows I am Edwin LeGrange, master swordsman, fast with both wit and cutlass. I am here to provide a swift steel edge to your delectably soft team He runs a finger over the little gnomes cheek. I've never tried gnome before, I bet you taste ... gamey
Elise nods. Adequate. Farholde is in good hands now. Good luck finding the Horn.
Greetings Edwin, and ... Penelope is it ? Forsythe escorts you through to the back of the hovel, through a secret door, and up a wood reinforced packed-earth tunnel to the Baron's manor.
forsythe goes through brief introductions and starts digging into what you each "do" exactly, and a quick rundown of what she, ash, leo, loran (out), temperance (out), neji, are capable of. you know the boring stuff that's useful that we all know out of character already. Forsythe can make wondrous magic items, casts warpriest spells, etc. ash brews potions and creates extracts, doesn't make bombs but is handy with anatomy. Leo smites and slashes, loran summons, neji summons but wears her eidolon, that sort of stuff.
I will continue to follow him, see if there is anything we can use as leverage. if nothing else, getting an idea of his mannerisms and normal routine in case killing him a replacing him would be worthwhile for a moment.