Shisumo's Jade Regent Prologue - Burnt Offerings
Game Master Shisumo

The journal is several dozen pages, with entries going back more than a year and many notes written alongside or around drawings or doodles. Working your way through it all takes a couple of hours, but eventually you pick out some of the highlights.

The entry for the 4th of Desnus is the last in the journal.

Lamsfel sits back after the journal reading is complete. "What in all the hells... This boy is in way over his head, but his hatred for his father is - was - so intense that he could not see the danger of his path.

"The girl is apparently a good candidate for her chosen goddess, though - mad as a hatter. What does losing Tsuto do to their plans? Slow them down? Speed them up? We have to stop them, no doubt, but do we have time to leave Sandpoint to attack Thistletop? We can't wait here for a few hundred goblins to attack - I don't think the town's walls fully defended could hold that many back and we lack numbers in her defenders to try."

Worry is evident on his face as he looks around at the rest of the group, "Am I overreacting? Is it really as bad as it seems?"

It's bad. If this be believed, they've got themselves some muscle. Shalelu mentioned going a few rounds with Bruthazmus. A sellsword and a wizard? This girl Nualia, gaining powers from Lamashtu in rituals? Then there's Ripnugget and all his goblins!

Tybus shakes his head. If we wait for Hemlock and his crew to return, and this group attacks the town before they get here, they'll do some serious damage. Even if we can keep 'em from the tunnels, they can still overwhelm us. There's too much town for the five of us to defend.

Attacking Thistletop is a suicide mission. But, maybe we can take out enough of their heavies to throw the goblins in disarray. If Shalelu be right, the goblins would require a lot of effort to keep in line. An attack on Thistletop might at least delay the attack until Hemlock gets here.

Tristan swears under his breath, using some pretty juicy Varisian expressions. "That twisted little worm! We've got to stop them. After what the goblins did last time around, I'm certainly not waiting for them to come to us. Can we muster some help?"

Something to keep in mind: you do not know exactly where Thistletop is - the only person in town at the moment who likely does is Tsuto. Shalelu also probably does, but is not handy at the moment.

Then it seems like our two questions for the traitor would be: When's the attack and where's Thistletop?

Well, Ameiko told us that Shalelu knows where Thistletop is, so what about:

"What is the best way to take the forces at Thistletop unawares?"

and

"What weaknesses can be exploited in Nualia's forces?"

Thoughts?

Well, Ameiko told us that Shalelu knows where Thistletop is, so what about:

"What is the best way to take the forces at Thistletop unawares?"

and

"What weaknesses can be exploited in Nualia's forces?"

Thoughts?

I'm afraid the answer to the first is, "be sneaky." :)

I like the second question, but it's pretty open-ended. Maybe we can outbid the mercenaries, and get them on our side? Find out how much they're charging from Tsuto?

Gan Liang wrote:

Well, Ameiko told us that Shalelu knows where Thistletop is, so what about:

"What is the best way to take the forces at Thistletop unawares?"

and

"What weaknesses can be exploited in Nualia's forces?"

Thoughts?

I'm afraid the answer to the first is, "be sneaky." :)

I like the second question, but it's pretty open-ended. Maybe we can outbid the mercenaries, and get them on our side? Find out how much they're charging from Tsuto?

Good point. How about: What is the best route to take to catch the forces at Thistletop unawares?

Are those the questions you plan to ask, then? And does anyone have anything else in particular they want to do today before Gan re-preps his spells tomorrow morning?

Lamsfel will leave the interrogation to the 'wizard' and the motivated urban ranger. He wants to look in on Ameiko and see how she's doing now that her brother has been secured. He also wants to thank Bethana for bringing those to the party's attention and figure out what happened to Marcelina, in-character. (I'm not expecting you to spend any time on that last.)

Are those the questions you plan to ask, then? And does anyone have anything else in particular they want to do today before Gan re-preps his spells tomorrow morning?

Well, this isn't Speak with Dead, so we can ask him lots of questions. We'll only get two magically-enhanced questions. I'm not sure how everything will play out. Maybe Tsuto will sing, maybe he won't. I still think the most important bits of information we need to know is when is the attack planned on Sandpoint, and where is Thistletop. How to assault the place once we know where it is is definitely important, but realistically, Tsuto doesn't know all of our capabilities. I wouldn't leave it up to him to plan our attack. We should just try to get as much info, such as how many approaches, what are the defenses, and how many goblins can we expect defending the place. Also, knowing if there are any passwords or something that can get us past guards would be useful.

DM Shisumo wrote:

Are those the questions you plan to ask, then? And does anyone have anything else in particular they want to do today before Gan re-preps his spells tomorrow morning?

Well, this isn't Speak with Dead, so we can ask him lots of questions. We'll only get two magically-enhanced questions. I'm not sure how everything will play out. Maybe Tsuto will sing, maybe he won't. I still think the most important bits of information we need to know is when is the attack planned on Sandpoint, and where is Thistletop. How to assault the place once we know where it is is definitely important, but realistically, Tsuto doesn't know all of our capabilities. I wouldn't leave it up to him to plan our attack. We should just try to get as much info, such as how many approaches, what are the defenses, and how many goblins can we expect defending the place. Also, knowing if there are any passwords or something that can get us past guards would be useful.

Good points. I think for the two interrogate questions (agree with you about how we can/should ask additional questions) I should word them as such, to cover all of our bases:

1) What is everything you know about the planned attack on Sandpoint, including the planned time of the attack and the tactics your accomplices will use?

2) What is everything you know about Thistletop, including location and defenses?

But we're going to RP this out, right? Because I want to throw in some Evil Eyes, Guidance, etc.

We will be going through the scene, but I wanted to make sure you were finished with your discussions before I moved us forward. I'm also stalling a bit in hopes we can get your new cleric ready to go before then too...

Any plans for the rest of the day for the rest of you?

Lamsfel intends to be at the questioning or at least where he can hear the responses, but he's not interested in the planning stage (besides, I think he's been a bit of a limelight hog lately) or in actually asking the questions.

Still waiting for everyone else's plans, if any, before tomorrow...

Tristan has no particular plans other than changing into his new armor. He's thinking about getting a bow but I think that will have to wait until he can afford a mighty one.

Tristan ambles around town and tries to look like a pillar of resolve, although he is in inner turmoil thinking about the impending goblin raid and what the little creeps will do next.

Sorry, I am just going to study the journal and get ready to prepare my spells. If I have time, I'll ask around town to see if anyone has seen Shalelu nearby, as I'd like to talk to her about Thistletop before the interrogation, if possible.

I've got nothin'

The well-armed and armored, stout dwarf with the long red beard walks in to the building with the dragon sculpture on the roof. He looks around. Taking in the scene.

Technically, he has a battleaxe on his back, and wears the Warhammer at his side, but its all good. ;)

He nods to the inn's occupants after his introduction, waiting awkwardly for Ameiko to stop hugging Sandru so he can extend a hand to shake.

This is a nice place that you come from. I hate to see the aftermath of such a craven attack. I will gladly lend steel to the cause of tracking down these monsters and wiping them out. If there is anything I can do to ease the suffering of the fine people of Sandpoint, please do not hesitate to ask. I am blessed by the Father of Dwarves to use his power in the defense and healing of good folk.

The elf and the dwarf make their way through the town, up the steep slope that divides Uptown from the rest of the city. The Sandpoint Garrison is a squat, squarish building, learly designed with more funtionality than aesthetics in mind, but it laks the aura of menace that many places of incarceration manage to project.

The guards within pass Lamsfel and Halgor through without hesitation, and they make their ways down to the cells in the Garrison basement, where Tsuto has been ungently housed. Though still badly damaged, he is awake, and eyes the newcomers through narrowed lids.

Is anyone else besides Lamsfel and Halgor here?

The elf and the dwarf make their way through the town, up the steep slope that divides Uptown from the rest of the city. The Sandpoint Garrison is a squat, squarish building, learly designed with more funtionality than aesthetics in mind, but it laks the aura of menace that many places of incarceration manage to project.

The guards within pass Lamsfel and Halgor through without hesitation, and they make their ways down to the cells in the Garrison basement, where Tsuto has been ungently housed. Though still badly damaged, he is awake, and eyes the newcomers through narrowed lids.

Is anyone else besides Lamsfel and Halgor here?

I wasn't clicking on the messages because they had spoiler tags for people other than me, but I had intended to try to ask around town for Shalelu, study the journal, then I'd travel with everyone else until I can sleep for the night and memorize spells. Then I want to approach Tsuto. Is this the same day, or have I rested a day?

Tristan wouldn't miss the interrogation for anything.

I don't read spoilers addressed to other people either, so I don't know if I missed anything. I don't have anything I need to do before seeing Tsuto though.

The spoilers were stuff that was happening with Lamsfel and Halgor away from the rest of the party. It's the same day as when Lamsfel left the rest of the group to their planning for the interrogation - I assumed they were making their plans in some semi-private meeting area in the Garrison. He's looking for the others to introduce them to the 'new' guy...

I assume that the others are just not there yet, which is why Halgor and Lamsfel are currently alone with the prisoner.

For the sake of argument, let's assume you all meet up again eventually in the evening at the (finally reopened) Rusty Dragon that evening. If you wish to roleplay through your meeting with Halgor, feel free - otherwise, we can move to the next day.

Gan will quietly approach the dwarf and introduce himself, patiently studying the boisterous cleric.

boisterous? Is that how I'm coming off? :)

upon seeing the rather old (by human "adventurer" standards) and frail Gan, halgor offers a hand to shake.

Well met, sir. I am halgor greybeard. While my magic focuses more on protection and healing, if there is anything I can do to assist your interrogation of that scumbag, please let me know.

he's assuming Gan is the "wizard", cause if he is a frontliner, we are in trouble. :p

Tybus was planning on attending the interrogation. He's not particularly imposing, but his experiences in Riddleport have given him an eye to who's lying and who's not. He'll definitely be listening closely to Tsuto's answers.

I'm good to move on to the next day, but I'm happy to introduce myself to the dwarf.

Good to meet ye, Halgor. Lamsfel, is there anyone in these parts ye don't know?

And at some point, he'd inquire after Marcelina...

Likewise, Tybus. Are we to begin soon, or do we wait for any others?

Lamsfel shakes his head, "Nobody," as he grins.

"Ameiko is understandably upset, but I think she'll be OK with time. She said that a note had arrived at the Dragon for 'leena. After she read it, she told Ameiko there was something she had to go do. Maybe a family thing? She said she would be back when she could, but Ameiko didn't sound convinced. Maybe after all this goblin business is done, you and I can go track the poor girl down - she won't know how to behave without you around." Lamsfel gives Tybus an elbow to the ribs as he finishes.

I'm good with moving to the next day, but I got my chance to meet Halgor already and didn't want to short someone their RP time.

Tybus will chuckle briefly at the elf's jest, then quickly grow quiet. He'll find a way to excuse himself quickly, then jog out to the town's gates in the hopes of seeing Marcelina before she leaves. When it becomes evident that she's left ahead of him, and he's missed her entirely, he'll dejectedly return to the Dragon and sit silently, brooding.

Tristan is relieved to see Halgor. "Praise be to Desna, my brother. It is good to see a strong arm and a true heart in these troubled times. Truth be told, we need all the help we can get if we are to best those little monsters."

We are truly well-met, Tristan. If Sandru speaks highly of the skill and courage of your group members, I know I can trust you all to watch my back in a scrape.

The next morning, the five of you return to the Garrison and make your way to the basement, where Tsuto is currently sleeping on a small wooden shelf, a single blanket and straw pillow the only comforts he has been given. He is still badly wounded from the brutal work of Lamsfel's and Tristan's blades, and he does not rouse from his sleep when you enter the hallway outside his room and peer in through the bars.

The cell itself is a tiny space, about eight feet square, and other than the wooden shelf that serves as a bed, has only a chamberpot and a wooden bowl for washwater in it. The rear and side walls are solid stone, while the front wall is made of sturdy iron bars, about an inch or so apart.

The guard on duty stands nearby, the key to the cell on his belt should you have need of it.

Lamsfel will stand aside while the others interrogate him, satisfied to listen and try to detect any duplicity.

Sense Motive bonus is +4 since this might be a time when you will want to roll it instead of letting me do so.

Halgor has a pretty good sense motive (+7), and he will definately be listening to anything that sounds like a lie. But given the physical state of the prisoner, if the interrogation has any kind of violence involved, he might have to focus his attentions on healing to make sure the guy isnt accidentally killed...

Halgor has a pretty good sense motive (+7), and he will definately be listening to anything that sounds like a lie. But given the physical state of the prisoner, if the interrogation has any kind of violence involved, he might have to focus his attentions on healing to make sure the guy isnt accidentally killed...

With that thought in mind, you might want to give me a Heal check, actually.

Halgor has a pretty good sense motive (+7), and he will definately be listening to anything that sounds like a lie. But given the physical state of the prisoner, if the interrogation has any kind of violence involved, he might have to focus his attentions on healing to make sure the guy isnt accidentally killed...

Gan notices the healer eying the wounded man.

Before we begin, you might want to heal him, after we bind his hands and feet, of course. I don't want him to die before he has a chance to answer for his crimes or answer my questions...

Tristan drawls: "Yeah, that would be a wicked shame. What would his poor father say? Oh, wait..." Catching the others' glances he sags, suddenly looking very tired. "Just get on with it then, and then let's kill him. He's a blot on the earth as it is."

Heal

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

eesh. Um, can you retry a heal check?

Depends, but RAW, you can always retry a heal check to provide first aid assuming the victi... um, target is still alive. I assume that would apply here.