Tomb of Horrors (4e) - Group 2, Part 2
Game Master Rev Rosey

Keeping his eyes slightly down-cast and shy he says softly; "Thank you Ma'am, for special occassions like." Whilst listening to the rest of what she says a look of light consideration on his countenance.

She says in a soft murmur, "Remarkable." Guardian Iatos clears her throat, continuing "That is not our intent. It is simply a matter of gathering information."

"Unless he asks us to, we won't even rough him up."

Raya stifles an amused response, covering her mouth partially.

Thom raises an eyebrow, "No offense, Ari, but I suspect he only wants to be roughed up by a particular individual."

Lu raises an eyebrow.

"Someone left their purty manners at the door I see. "Last time I saw Vocar, he was sitting in Sea Nymph Plaza talking to the fountains. You go and say hello to the old fool and give him a sugar lump from Lu. He always did have a sweet tooth."

She smiles at Raya. "I'm telling you this because you seem like a law-abiding type that wouldn't be hurting a crazy old man for no reason. I'm trusting you to keep an eye on the rest of your friends. I have a lot of friends hereabouts and word will get back to me."

"You have nothing to fear, my lady."

Guardian Iatos gives a soft bow then peruses the shop for a bit, intent on at least making a purchase for the information.

"Well there's fortunate news, we will be off in a few moments, and one step closer on the trail."

She asks over to Lu from a few rows over, "Does Vocar have a taste for cigars then?"

If so, she purchases about 10 GPs worth of finery for the ex-exarch, if not...
Heal
1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Nature
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

'I don't know anything about these things, but these here are labeled as 'Dwarven style' and soaked in brandy...'

She looks for anything Barel may favor, for medicinal purposes of course.

During the few minutes of shopping, she speaks in a hushed tone to James.

"Why no, honey. He likes sugar. Just the lumps, nothing fancy."

Lu watches the paladin peruse the shelves.

"Y'all looking for something particular? Got some fine chewing tobacco if that's your style, or a great range of snuff."

"Always on the look out for something that has extra medicinal purpose, fatigue relief or such. Its a busy set of lives we have."

"I have just the thing, honey. Y'all take these little bitty cigars and smoke 'em when you rest up. They'll put a little zing in your footsteps. That the kind of thing you had in mind?"

Each cigar costs 50gp. Smoking one during a short or extended rest adds an additional 1d6hp to each surge used.

'Interesting, I'll take two. Could be useful enough. Many thanks."

Raising a sardonic eyebrow after the 'rest of your friends' comment.

James perks up seeing the others go to work; "And I'll take 28gp of the leaf, with some papers. Thanks, Milady." he doffs his hat.

Wide-eyed and innocent James produces the coins from his purse, looking to the Tiefling lady behind the counter. "You don't trust me, am I not law-abiding?" he feigns innocence.

James leans into the paladin; "The tiefling into the rough stuff?" he says with wry smile. "Well so long as I am not in her sights.

Raya responds by looking to Arishat.

'That's the second time. I thought I was a master lying from the shadows, but...' James smiles in acknowledgement raising an eyebrow, followed by a low chuckle. "Dear Lady you intrigue me."

"And I think you misunderstand. She is the one to speak to about joining, she would not accept any other's scrutiny."

The heartwarder smirks softly, before cinching up her new aquisitions, calling out "I'm ready to leave when the rest of you are.

Thom looks up where he was idly looking at some meerschaum pipes. "Too bad Ellie doesn't like the smell...Yeah I guess we are done here."

Anyone else want to do any shopping? I know Lanthair and Barel are outside, but feel free to pop your heads around the door if you need anything.

"You want to come with us, Sir James? I think we can work something out. Come along with us, see how it goes, and if you do well enough then we'll see about getting you a share of the treasure. Deal?"

No shopping for Arishat.

"To accompany, you all would be my honour." James says quietly; "Other than the obvious, my talents lie with the shadows and life-force."

As they leave the shop bound for the Sea Nymph Plaza, James leads the way. He turns to Thom; "So this Ellie is your girl? I thought Miss Kutrigur....or Lady Iatos...?" he asks.

As they leave the shop bound for the Sea Nymph Plaza, James leads the way. He turns to Thom; "So this Ellie is your girl? I thought Miss Kutrigur....or Lady Iatos...?" he asks.

Thom looks up, still with a distracted look on his face. "Ellie?...ohhh...Oh no, no...Ari is NOT my girl, and neither is...uhh...Lady Iatos. Heck I only met the good lady a few days ago." The look on his face is embarrassed, clearly not at east with this talk of romance. "As for Ellie...well, let's just say you could consider her my girl, but I would not say that to her face, he he."

I think I am gonna spring 'Ellie' on James a bit later...when suitably appropriate, he he.

Discussing their various love interests (or disinterests), the group make their way towards Sea Nymph Plaza.

If anyone needs to do anything else, just let me know in your next post.

I do a soft shoe routine for meager coinage. In full plate. >.>

Nothing else.

James raises an eyebrow about his darkened glasses; "Really?"

"So did you, Mr Lanthair or Mr Barel, see anything strange whilst we were in the smoke joint?" he asks "Stranger than usual in Sigil?"

I apologise, if my question to Thom implied anything about Arishats or Raya's role in the group. Just thought it would be fun to play the straight-man.

"The rear door remained secure," Lanthair says with great seriousness. He seems to enjoy giving short responses to James' elaborate inquiries.

With a wry smile at the succinct halfings words; "That is good to know my unloquacious friend?"

As James walks he notices a stand for sweeties and rushes off. "A bag of two-copper sweets, for my nephew." he says with a knowing wink as he orders them.

After passing over the coins, he joins the rest as the wander throught the amazing sights of Sigil.

"Lanthair, James will be joining us on our excursion, it seems. We've got word on where our contact should be."

Lanthair is unfazed by the new addition. This group was haphazardly thrown together to begin with. He nods and simply says, "Then let us follow this new lead."

Just sorting out a map for you all.

Deep in the heart of the Hive, Sea Nymph Plaza offers a relative haven. Dominated by a fountain gracefully decorated with sea nymphs, the plashing water serves to cut out the surrounding noise. Even the smell seems subdued here.

Apart from the fountain, there are a couple of stalls set up, one selling fruit and the other dealing in household crockery of the simpler sorts. Passers by sit enjoying the view, chatting under trees and engaging in the purchase of sundry items. On one of the benches sits the ragged figure of an old man.

MAP

You are approaching from the right.

"I'm going to make a random guess that the person we want to speak to is the old guy on the bench." Arishat sniffs. "If he's got a sweet tooth, there's some fruits he might like." She wanders towards the fruit stand.

Perception check please Arishat.

Enjoying the comparative peace and serenity; James closes his eyes for an instant as they enter the plaza. The cool breeze from the flowing water cascades over him, he lets out a sigh remembering days gone by with Eleanor.

Taken back into the present with the revere, he motions to his companions subtly. "I grabbed some sweets." as he moves across the plaza.

Perception check please, James.

Busy rummaging in his pocket, James attention is lost in a reverie.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

For once, Arishat looks vaguely alert.

Thom wanders idly behind James and Arishat, seeingly looking bored yet in actaulity keeping a sharp eye out for trouble.

Since others are rolling...
Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

As she approaches the fruit stall, Arishat notices something odd. For all the air of urban tranquility, the people engaged in their day to day lives are behaving strangely.

The fruit seller offers his prospective customer the same piece of fruit again and again and behind her, the storyteller under the tree merely repeats his opening phrases.

Hmmm
Perception
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

"Thom. Is there a significant amount of magic here?" Arishat gets her spear off her shoulder and leans casually on it.

Sorry Thom, didn't see your post.

The wizard notes the same anomalies as Arishat.

"All signs point to yes, I would say."

Arcane take 10, total 33.

Thom is convinced there is a powerful illusion at work.

Place yourselves on the map please.

MAP

You are approaching from the right.

Done.

"Magic? Trouble...didn't I hear something about no fighting allowed in this place?"

EDIT: M24 - sorry didn't see the rhs of map. It was covered with the text box.

James distracted rummages in his pocket for a midget gem, finding a black one he looks at it with distain and pops it in his mouth. 'Better me than our contact' he thinks grimacing slightly as he chews on the gum.

Done
EDIT: Where did he go?? OK he is in square O21.

"Riight..."

"Wishful thinking then. Let's try not to have any murders hanging on us here if we can help it...at least until we know what we're dealing with."

Raya grips her new pennant in her off hand.

I'll be at O24. Can't figure out how to add myself.

Lanthair looks warily at this sorcery.

I clicked off to the side, typed R, then highlighted it for bold, then using the crosshairs I could move it. I added you, and when you do use it, don't forget to save!

P21, if my attempt to edit didn't work.

"Self defence isn't murder. Usually. It depends who you kill, in some places." Arishat sounds almost absent as she speaks.