Jonathan Haykes |
"Nothing? Either he took it himself to slow us down, or someone else has stolen it for the same purpose." Jonathan moves over to the door to his private chambers, examining it for a moment to make sure it isn't trapped against forceful entry. "We ought to check his personal chambers, as well as his mansion if necessary. If he is not a traitor, his insight may help us to discover who is." Assuming he can open the door without any trouble, Jonathan throws it open in order to examine the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Disable Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Elek Kardforgató |
Elek watches Jonathan leave the office to assumedly check the captains sleeping quarters, "The grey warden is capable of watching himself, I will stay with these." Approaching the cabinet that Zalika was searching, he bows slightly."Pardon me, ambassador, It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance I am Elek. Do you mind if I assist you in searching the cabinet?" He begins to search the cabinet also, occasionally looking toward the door.
perception: cabinet: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Zalika Caliana |
Zalika glances up at Elek, appraising him slightly before shrugging her shoulders, indicating the cabinet open in front of her. "Please go right ahead, I dont believe I was able to find anything useful within it, but maybe my eyes missed something. Please excuse me, I think I'll give the mans private chambers a quick once over, and see if anything further could be gleaned.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
The Faceless GM |
Jonathan finds that the door to the captain's room is fairly easy to unlock. He pops the door open without any effort and heads inside. It's not terribly large, with just a bed and a dresser along with a chest at the foot of the bed.
Zalika and Elek open the cabinet and find that it is in fact a wardrobe. Inside, there's a uniform of the First Guard and a shield hanging on the back. Searching the inside, they don't find much else, as this seems to simply store his uniform, or perhaps hold a spare.
Elek Kardforgató |
”She seems pleasant enough.” As Zalika gestures towards the cabinet and then excuses herself, Elek snaps to attention, bringing his heals together in a clacking sound. Giving a slight nod; ”Ambassador”
Elek quickly returns his attention to the uniform in the cabinet, admiring the insignias and checking the pockets for any useful information. "I wonder if this is his only uniform, or a spare, may as well check the pockets in case he left something of value.”
After inspecting the uniform Elek turns and asks the guard that was escorting them. ”Does your order issue one or more uniforms, or do the officers provide their own uniforms, allowing for personal preferences?”
Jonathan Haykes |
Seeing the room appears to be rather barren, Jonathan steps aside as Zalika enters the room, and then aids her in examining the room for anything unusual or out of the ordinary. "Lady Zalika, a hand, if you would be so kind?" Jonathan asks, gesturing to the bed and chest. He gets in a position to move the two objects with her help, hoping to check them to see if they conceal any hidden compartments. "I will withhold my final judgments until we find the man, but I am beginning to think the Captain may be innocent in this assassination."
Perception; Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Aramus, The Brazen Fool |
"Ahm, if you need something moved, I can help with that," Aramus offers. He steps up to the bed and chest, assuming Jonathan allows him to do so, and takes a wide stance before moving them, seemingly almost without effort. "They're not just good for standing out in a crowd, huh?" he comments, grinning.
Well, this does assume he can move them with his 920-pound carrying capacity, although lifting off the ground and dragging around probably do have some visible effort behind them.
Jonathan Haykes |
Grumble grumble muscle wizards...
"No, I suppose not." Jonathan says, watching the burly man hoist the furniture and move it about the room. "If there is nothing here, I suggest we travel to his estate. If he spent most of his time here, it seems likely that it would serve as an excellent place for clandestine meetings. Others were not so privy to his interactions there."
The Faceless GM |
"We issue uniforms to everyone. Basic arms and armor too, though most of the older guards, myself included, pick something that we prefer and get something higher quality forged so we're comfortable in case of an emergency. Usually you get one, but requisitioning a spare is easy. I'm not surprised the captain has an extra."
The sergeant looks a little nervous. "Perhaps we can find the man before you go planning to ransack his house. I'll send a messenger to find him and have him meet you there if you'd like."
Jonathan Haykes |
"You appear nervous, Sergeant." Jonathan turns to the guards, abandoning his search as nothing turns up. "I do not believe you grasp my intentions; I do not wish the Captain to be aware I am coming. That prevents a chance for him to obscure or destroy any possible evidence, fabricate an alibi, and it allows him to inform possible co-conspirators that we suspect him." Jonathan motions abruptly for them to follow him, walking back out into the Captain's office. "I realize you do not wish to suspect your superior, but until he is proven innocent I will take no chances. Now, take us to his estate."
Elek Kardforgató |
Faceless, I assume that Zalika’s inspection fo the room included the trunk and the dresser in the captains bedroom? If that is not the case please let us know.
”It would be impolite to leave the captains uniform in disarray.” Making sure he doesn’t leave the pockets on the uniform turned inside out, Elek nods his thanks to the Sargent. He turns to Triel asking, ”Mistress Triel, do you desire to take any of the papers with us? I am willing to assist you in carrying them.” Smiling and nodding his head toward the others; ” It sounds like our comrades are preparing to leave for the Captains house. I believe we should join them; strength in numbers, right?” Waiting for Triel, he turns and exits the office to join the others in the main part of the barracks.
The Faceless GM |
Right.
The search of the captain's private room seems to be fairly spartan. The dresser is simply full of a number of sets of casual clothes and a handful of fine outfits. The chest is mostly empty, save for a few piece of cloth that seem to have been wrapping something.
Zalika Caliana |
INT check: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10
Zalika frowns, looking up from her examination of the chest. "Better be careful then if you plan on confronting the Captain. There are patches of cloth here, probably to keep armor and weapons from being scratched or damaged. The fact that his casual and smart clothing is also all here indicates he is probably walking around heavily armed and armored. So I would guess tact is probably needed here at the least."
Triel Siadon |
"I believe we should. If nothing else, they DID put my name on them." Triel neatly stacks the papers and prepares to carry them off.
Jonathan Haykes |
"I have no intention of confronting the Captain, at least not at the moment. Speaking with him now would likely not result in any significant gains in terms of investigation; to put it simply, the man will lie." Jonathan helps Triel stack up the papers, before pulling a set of tools from his belt and examining them for a few moments, eventually replacing them as he talks. "Searching his estate is much more likely to turn up something meaningful, assuming it exists. After that, we will speak with the Captain regarding what we find, or lack thereof."
Elek Kardforgató |
Elek also assists Triel in gathering the papers telling her: ”Triel , we have space in my rucksack if needed.” If desired Elek can place the papers in his pack for Triel to claim later.
Joining the team in the barracks; ”Sounds like he is preparing for a fight.” Having heard Zalika discussing the Captains wardrobe, he comments aloud, as much to himself as to the others, unconsciously rubbing the scar on his chin. ”So we have a captain of the guard, who may or may not be in uniform, armed and armored.”
”We’ll we will find out where the sergeants loyalty truly lies.” Elek nears the sergeant and asks, ”I have no desire to insult any officers of your order, but if we do find the captain armed against us, what are his skills, both magical and militant, so we may defend against them and hopefully take him alive.”
The Faceless GM |
"Considering that the lord of the city was just murdered, everyone is fully armed and armored. The fact that this place is empty means that every member of the First Guard is out in force. It would be stranger if the captain wasn't in full armor."
He turns to Jonathan. "And the reason I'm nervous is because you're asking me to break the law. You can't just waltz in to a man's house because you think he might have done something. You need either definitive cause for an immediate search or a warrant from the guard force in that district. We're here to protect the peace of the city, not kick down people's doors because there's an unsubstantiated chance that they might be involved in a murder."
Jonathan Haykes |
"I am not asking you to do anything but take me to his residence," Jonathan says, matter-of-factly. "as well as not inform the Captain that he is under investigation. I, on the other hand, will be searching his residence, and consider I act on the orders of a leader of the Free Nations Alliance, I do not believe it will be viewed as a problem." His eyes narrow on the sergeant, and his eyes take on a predatory glint as he takes a step towards the sergeant, his posture just threatening enough to have become noticeable. "I will be filling out a report on my findings and submitting them directly to Citizen Maximilian, once my investigation is complete." Jonathan takes another step forward and stops, his uncomfortable closeness an attempt to make the sergeant move away and find his back to the wall. "I trust you do not want this report to say you were... unhelpful?"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Elek Kardforgató |
Edit: Jonathan you ninja'd my post, I think it still makes sense so I didn't alter it ;)
"Curious, Curious indeed." Nodding in agreement with the sergeant Elek's hand shifts from his chin to rest on the pommel of his sword."We completely agree sergeant, the guard should be out in force. But why would your captain leave his guard uniform here? Does he normally act in his official capacity armed and armored Without his uniform?"
Realizing he had subconsciously placed his hand on his sword he moved it to behind his back and continued. "Even you must agree this is peculiar. Anyway no one said that we would kick down anyone's door. We are just following the clues that we have been given in our investigation, and we were sent to investigate. You will not be breaking the law, you will just be acting..." "I'll wager our friend from Galt can get us in without damaging anything," Taking a moment to nod toward Aramus, "...Acting as a hotspur, if you will. Show us the house and we will enter without doing damage. The responsibility will be ours alone."
aid another: intimidation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
The Faceless GM |
The sergeant says nothing for a minute. "You're one of those Grey fellows, aren't you. Fine. I'll point you to the captain's estate, but that's it. What you do there is your business and I don't want to know any more. The less I hear, the less I'll have to say when you get arrested for breaking in to the captain of the First Guard's house." He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. "The captain's estate is in the Wise Quarter, just a little bit west of the Arcanamirium. It's marked with House Vastille's crest, a book imposed over a blade. Shouldn't take more than ten or fifteen minutes to find."
Jonathan Haykes |
"Me? I do not know what you mean, sergeant." A crinkle in Jonathan's mask reveals what could only be a crooked grin, before he regains his composure completely. "As I said previously, do not speak of this investigation with anyone other than those here presently; doing so would be quite unhelpful." Jonathan's voice lingers on the last word, his eyes still locked with the sergeant's, before he takes a step back and the aura of menace is gone. "I thank you for your cooperation, and you should expect to hear from us after our business is concluded... and we have learned more of the Captain's loyalties." With that, Jonathan moves to leave for the Captain's estate, eager to continue his investigation.
Zalika Caliana |
Zalika chooses to overlook the arguing, preferring to leave it to be worked out among the two men while she waits patiently. Upon gathering that they now have an address to follow up on, Zalika makes a grateful gesture to the guard, perhaps to smooth over any ill feelings that might still be present, before turning to head for the estate.
Aramus, The Brazen Fool |
"So we're off to the Captain's estate, eh?" Aramus raises his eyebrows and folds his arms. "I'm not one for breaking into a man's home, but if it's for the greater good, then we do what we must. Surely they'll forgive us what we do in the name of justice?" The big man looks to the others, apparently hoping someone will reassure him that yes, this is okay.
Triel Siadon |
"I suspect the alternative would be leaving Lord Gyr's killer to walk free, so yes." Triel finally speaks up after staying out of the interrogation session.
Jonathan Haykes |
"There will be no problems, Aramus." Jonathan, as he senses the others are also ready to leave, begins to make his way towards the estate as directed by the sergeant. "If the Captain is proven to be innocent, there will be no harm done, and if he is guilty then we have done Absalom a great service. Moreover, I was speaking truthfully when I said my actions were endorsed by Citizen Maximilian. He is a leader of the Free Nations Alliance, much as Lord Gyr was; he has no official power in Absalom, but his status allows for certain amounts of clout."
Elek Kardforgató |
"No problem at all, we were sent by the council to find out what happened, no one persons personal freedoms outweigh saving the world from Demons, and I believe the only way that will happen is if this continent unites to defeat them." Elek nods his head in agreement with the gentleman from Galt, bringing up the rear, keeping a keen eye as they go.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
The Faceless GM |
The party is mostly uninterrupted as they make their way through the citadel and out in to the city again. The guards at the gates allow them to pass unimpeded, apparently alerted to their identities. The streets are as busy as ever, but the people are... anxious. Elek and Aramus both overhear more than one whisper of Lord Gyr's name. It seems the news has already spread to the citizens. The estate is fairly easy to find, just as the sergeant said. It's a manor house with a small garden in front, and the entire property is walled in. There don't appear to be guards or anything like that near the entrance, but the large iron gates are closed and the street is rather busy.
Jonathan Haykes |
I'm assuming that I could find a section of the wall that isn't right off of the bustling street? If not, please disregard this post and I'll think of something else.
Jonathan looks at the front gate with distaste, spotting the large number of people on the street just outside. "No guards, but we do not want an audience. However, I would imagine their might be less business around the back," Jonathan says, heading around the side wall until he finds a spot relatively secluded from the busy road, "and that is where we will find our way inside." He reaches into his bag and pulls out a length of rope with a grappling hook attached to the end before tossing it over the wall, giving it a good tug to make sure it's secure. After doing so, he turns to the others. "I will open the front gate once I am inside; I suggest you all meet me there. I did not spot any guards, but if any appear evading them will be easier alone." After giving the rope once more solid tug, Jonathan scampers up the wall aided by the rope and lands on the grass on the other side, deftly pulling the grappling hook from its purchase inside the estate's wall.
It is impossible for me to fail the roll to attach the grappling hook unless this wall has nowhere it would reasonably attach to, and climbing the wall would then be a DC 5 Climb check, so I will take 10.
Elek Kardforgató |
I'm assuming that I could find a section of the wall that isn't right off of the bustling street? If not, please disregard this post and I'll think of something else.
assuming his post stands ;)
"He is right the less attention the better." Elek nods his head in agreement with the gentleman from Galt. Following him around the wall, speaking quietly as he goes past. "I will take up positon further on." Elek moves and takes up a position further down the wall, keeping a keen eye out for anyone who might seem to interfere.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
once Jonathan is over the wall
Seeing the gentleman from Galt scramble over the wall Eric joins the rest of the team at the gate.
Jonathan Haykes |
As he drops into the garden, Jonathan takes a look around to see if he can spot any guards here at the manor that weren't evident from the gate. "Go, I will unlock the gates once I get there." Jonathan stays crouched low to the ground, replacing the grappling hook and rope in his pack as he makes his way towards the gates himself.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
If there are any guards, I will roll a Stealth check as needed.
Aramus, The Brazen Fool |
"Wow! Pretty nimble and crafty, that one, eh?" Aramus chuckles and strolls back toward the main gate, stretching his arms wide and recasting his small enchantment on his eyes. "And here I thought I'd just get to see some history being made today. Now it looks like I'm stuck living it."
Elek Kardforgató |
"curious, was our hotspur casting a spell? There may be more to this man." Elek nods his head in agreement with Aramus, "Yes history will hopefully be made here in your city. Hopefully we will be able to defeat the demon hoard so that the story will be able to be told."
Nodding the general direction of the gate, and asking quietly "Do you see our friend from Galt?" Elek then watches that general direction looking for anything out of the ordinary.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 well that was about a waste.
The Faceless GM |
Jonathan finds that the garden isn't terribly large, but it's well tended. It's also empty. He makes his way to the front gates without any trouble. The others stand rather conspicuously around the front gates, waiting for the man in a grey suit and face mask to unlock the gate from the inside.
Going to need a Disable Device to open the lock. You can try as often as you want, DC 20, one round per check.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Jonathan Haykes |
Wait, it even has a lock on the inside? I can't just... pop it open? I'll take a 10 on Disable Device then, I guess, which gives me a 22. Also, since you never mentioned rolling a Stealth check, I'll take a 10 on that as well for a 22 in addition to any modifiers for things like distance.
Jonathan makes his way to the gate it quickly disables the lock and swings it open, stepping aside to let the others inside the manor's walls. "Shall we continue, then? If there is any evidence of wrong-doing by the captain I suspect we will find it here, and fairly easily given its relative disuse, according to the guards." As the party heads through the gate, he closes and locks it before heading towards the manor itself to see how easily accessible it is.
The Faceless GM |
It's the front gate, not the front door. It needs a key to open from either side once it's locked.
The party enters the grounds. The two story home stands mostly silent. There's a large double door at the front and there are plenty of windows, though all of them seem to be closed.
Jonathan Haykes |
I guess that makes sense? I was confused. Also, I don't even bother with the door, I meant to make a Perception check to see what might be the best alternate route of access, but I'll probably just try a side window farthest from the street. Is it possible to see if there's a window that leads to a study or something similar?
"The front door is certainly lock, and possible trapped or warded if the man is not what he claims." Jonathan keeps his tools at the ready, and pries open the lip of one of the windows with his crowbar before trying to work on the lock. "His personal chambers will likely hold his secrets, if any. Other than that, searching for hidden compartments or tunnels, something of that sort, is our next objective. "
Taking 10 for a 22, and if possible prying open the window to his study if I can see it. If not, I'll take a random window and go looking.
Elek Kardforgató |
so are we going in through a window or the front door?
As the gentleman from Galt opens the gate into the front yard, Elek, his left hand resting on his sword hilt, steps into the yard keeping a keen eye out. As the others enter the yard he stays near the back, keeping one eye on the gate, to make sure they are not followed and the other on the front porch, waiting for someone to appear. "if our captain is the turncoat, he will know his life is forfeit and will not go peaceably."
Aramus, The Brazen Fool |
I'd assume we're using a window, seeing as the front door is probably both locked and obvious to anyone/everyone inside.
Aramus moves with the others, trying to stay quiet and hunched over, but not very successful given his size. As Jonathan stops at the windows and peers in, Aramus waits for him to move on before glancing inside himself. "Oh, we should go through the parlor. People keep all sorts of neat things in there. The best place to look for things is in plain sight, right?"
Zalika Caliana |
Front Door vs Back Door depends on how offical we want this. We can knock on the door, and request to be let in, claim to be an official investigation etc etc. Anyone observing isnt likely to call authorities compared with seeing someone break a damn window. On the other hand if we highly favor stealth for this then breaking a window is probably preferred, tho a good deal riskier. IMO, I'd try the door first, and if no response / answer then I'd try a window, because then you can claim you tried all alternatives if it all goes south. That said, its everyones decision.
Jonathan Haykes |
I'll have internet access for the next several days, actually. I may even have it until the end of my trip, but I can't be certain. I mentioned previously I'd rather just go through a random window.
"I do not suppose our avenue matters, at this point," Jonathan says, leveraging his crowbar just a bit more to get better access to the locks. "However, anything that might alert the captain to our activities here is to be avoided; it could compromise our ability to determine what we have came here for. If the rest of you would like to try the door, or something similar, you may." He pauses, finally finessing the window open as he places the crowbar back in his pack, before sliding the window open fully. "However, I will not be joining you." With that, the man from Galt pulls himself up through the window and into the house.
Assuming a 22 is enough to open the lock on the window, if not, here is a roll for it as well.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24