Thorn of Clovenwood's page

Shut it berk, or I'll shut it for you.

Gish. I hate Gish. Berks.

I unfortunately dont have Gather Info (I need to rememdy that ..)

In PFRPG, Gather Info has been folded into Diplomacy. So a diplomacy check can be used here.

Thorn rolls his eyes. “Maybe. Still … we’ve got a few hours methinks until we’re due to meet back with the others. Maybe they’ve had better luck than us … I’d rather be out of here before this Festival tomorrow if possible. What with the expected riot and all. Still, maybe we’ll be lucky and the Green Rags and the Hounds will all kill each other off. In the meantime, let’s try to find out about this Pox creature eh? Just in case …”

Diplomacy: 10+4 = 14 to Gather Information about Pox. Maybe I can get an assist from Olli? Trying to find out his whereabouts (a bit more specific than district) and how tough he is, what sort of a gang he runs.

“I think that’s our cue.” Thorn gives Rennet and Olli a glance, smiles unpleasantly at Marvent, then turns to leave, watching the mage, halfling and elf carefully out of the corners of his eyes for signs of treachery.

Assuming he is allowed to leave, he does so, emerging back out onto the street and moving a little distance away from the inn.

“Well. That was … interesting. What do you two think? Do we bother with this Pox berk or just try to find out ‘bout Enoch by our own selves?”

By the way, am I forgetting something that Thorn should know about, as far as having something specific for Marvent? Or do we as characters have no more idea of what Marvent might be getting at as I as a player do?

“Ha!” Thorn steps forward a pace, face twisted in a mirthless smile. His hand also rests near the hilt of his sword “If you’re so un-fond of vague language, spit it out. What do you want of us green man? I’ve told you what we want, and that we’re willing to try to help you; seems pretty clear from my end. What do you want?” His voice is a snarl by the end. Intimidate: 16+10 = 26

“As for the others, they’re not at my beck and call. I’m sure a resourceful and personally powerful cutter such as yourself should have no problem tracking them down.”

The two guards are the halfling and the elf, right?

Thorn remains standing. “Well, what exactly we can do for you isn’t yet clear to me, but be sure we’re quite capable. What you can do for us … well, it’s a small thing really I would imagine, for one as connected as you must be. We’re looking for someone, a berk name of Enoch – though he may now go by another name – former proxy in The Cage to the recently deceased prince of demons. He has interests in this place, and we believe he came here, possibly by the same Door we did, probably a few days back. We’re trying to find him, or at the least what he is doing here. If you’re able to help us in that, I’m sure we could see clear to doing you a favour in kind.”

“That trumped up night watchman? He just tried to shake us down, without success, and told us to enjoy the festival,” Thorn answers.

“As for our business here … I suppose you could say we’re researchers, in a manner of speaking. We’re looking for … answers to some questions. Like I said, maybe we can help each other thereabouts.” Thorn looks about at the assemblage, then leans his upper body slightly closer to Marvent. “I can tell you more if we can rattle our bone boxes somewhere there are less ears about. There are things we don’t want getting back to certain folk.”

Diplomacy: 12+4 = 16

“I continue to be pleasantly surprised,” Thorn drawls in reply. “A place such as this, I expected to be robbed, raped and murdered well and truly by now. I don’t know what things are like on your prime, but this dump of a town is surely one of the more ugly and violent places on this side of the Abyss … and only barely this side I seem to recall. More of a place to pass through than to stay, given the choice.” He smiles unpleasantly, showing his teeth.

“I am Thorn. What can we do for each other I wonder?”

“Well, we must graciously accept then,” answers Thorn, keeping up the façade of civility with only a slight hint of sarcasm to his voice, “Lead on.”

Thorn glances at his companions, quickly sizes up the orc and his mates, then does a quick glance behind to see if there are more in that direction Percpetion, sight: 7+8 = 15

“What, all three of us?” he asks. “It sounds like an entirely kind invitation, and I’m sure we’d be fools to say no…”

“Well, I don’t know if any of this’ll help us find Enoch,” Thorn comments darkly. “Any sane being’d stay right away from the Abyss at the best of time, but particularly with all out war brewing between Six Fingers and the Fat One … ‘course, we know Enoch is likely right barmy…”

Perception: 11+6 = 17, 19 if sight or sound based.

“We’ll seek you out if and when we need guides,” says Thorn. “Now,” turning to his companions, “we have sight seeing to do. C’mon.”

Thorn grunts in a non-committal fashion and turns to Olli. The price is probably not bad for this place, but Thorn’s natural greed combined with Aym’s stinginess is making him reluctant to pay it.

He leans his upper body down to where he judges the modron’s ear to be and murmurs in celestial, “It’s probably a fair enough deal, to be shown the portal at least. We may yet need to use it. If we can press them for more information on the one we seek, all the better. Should we mention Enoch by name? It may get better results, but it also may tip him off.”

Thorn interjects in the same rough tongue. I think most of us speak Abyssal, so I’m going to dispense with spoilers if that’s ok with everyone.

“We’re just here … looking around,” he says, shrugging nonchalantly (and realising that Abyssal does not include a phrase for “sight-seeing”). “We heard about some festival … Bluff: 11+6 = 17”

“But say we wanted to see where the gate to the abyss was … how much to point us in that direction, not take us beyond? Next to free surely … Have any others sought your services as guides recently?”

Thorn raises an eyebrow. “I see I get saddled with Mister Lawful and Joe Silent. How helpful.” He sighs. “C’mon then you two,” he says, “we’ve got questions to ask.”

Alright, so we’ll hit the town; the common room of the Eye of the Dragon, something that passes for a market-place in this town … maybe we’ll even get ourselves some green ‘kerchiefs and go and ask about in the Bell and Whistle.

Diplomacy: 14+4 = 18 for Gather Information, asking about gates to the Abyss, anyone else who might have been asking about such lately or seen using them, and what is the state of Abyssal / demonic politics since Big D bought it.
If the Diplomatic approach doesn’t seem to be getting us anywhere, Thorn will switch to intimidate, but he will only do so in places and against targets where he doesn’t deem it likely he’s going to start a fight (if possible). Preferably against weak, timid or small looking people. Intimidate: 19+9 = 28.

Thorn looks a little put out, and mutters something that sounds awfully like “Well what good are you lot then?”, before shaking his head and scratching his brow with one long fingernail.

“Nah, I think Swire’s onto something, let’s ask about as to whether any Cager has arrived in town in the last few days, probably via the portal we used.”

I’ve lost track, do we have any real hint as to what we think Enoch might be doing here? Apart from possibly moving along to the Abyss? Is it worth also asking about any known Portals to the Abyss, and whether said Cager has been asking about them too?

Do we go and gather information as a group or split into two or three to cover more ground? I think Swire is reasonably diplomatic, and Thorn and Olli are ok if pressed (though the Modron may be at a disadvantage here) … the group is really more geared towards intimidation than diplomacy, but I think gather info is our best way forward at this point.

EDIT: though I suppose there's nothing stopping us using Intimidate rather than Diplomacy to gather information ... only that it might get us into a few fights along the way.

"Well, shouldn't be that hard to find out who just came to town in the last few days. Not like any one would want to take a trip down here."

"Good point."

"I don’t think we need to sleep just yet," says Thorn do we?. "But lets figure out what we do from here; we need to find Enoch. Do we just ask about? Do we try to draw him to us? Anyone here got a particular knack for gathering information? Keeping in mind that the berk’s not going by his own name or face chances are …"

He thinks for a moment. "'Course there's always magic. Divinations and such-like." He looks at Olli and Gray. "We got anything like that to help?"

Thorn reaches into his money pouch, hesitates, and then with seeming reluctance flips the man a silver coin [ooc]cheapskate[/occ]. “Tell us more of the bad blood between the Hounds and the Illuminated? Who are the later anyway?”

Thorn glances at Gray. “Figured a quiet place to discuss our business in private might be handy, no?”

He turns back (partly) to Gremulack and asks, “Festival? What does it involve?”

Thorn sneers at the gnolls, hand resting momentarily on the hilt of his sheathed sword, before turning his attention to the innkeeper – then quickly turning his head away again as the stench hits him. “Gak! Ah … do you have rooms?”

O.L.L.I turns to his companions

"Attention fellow adventurers. Have any of you noticed that there seem to be two factions identifying themselves in either green or black clothing?"

The bariaur pauses a moment on his way through the door, shrugs. “The berk I asked for directions had a green rag in his pocket, and the hardhead impersonators back there wore black armour … can’t say I thought it overly odd. Know what it means?”

His pause gives Swire the chance to enter the inn ahead of him.

Thorn listens a moment outside the doors for any overt sounds of trouble from within Perception: 15+8 = 23, before pushing his way into the inn.

You could say we're rolling Abyssmally...

Thorn nods in respect to Swire. “Bloody Cagers, coming here and looking at our jobs and doing our women,” he says mockingly, after Captain Mortai and his men are out of earshot.

“Right, let’s get off the street.” He sets off at a trot, following the directions given by the grey vested man.

Did Olli or Reghar attempt that perception check earlier? The rest of us have missed it so far.

“We can’t just keep wandering the streets like this,” Thorn mutters, looking around but not really taking in the details in favour of the big, depressing picture. Perception: 2+5 = 7

“Oi, berk,” he says, suddenly collaring a scrawny (and most importantly lonesome looking) human. “Eye of the Dragon – where?” He glowers at the man, lip curled into a half snarl, half sneer. Intimidate: 13+9 = 22

Haven’t had a chance to level up yet, but will try to do so sometime today.

“C’mon,” mutters Thorn, ducking his head and not looking at the tielfing guard. “Let’s not be seen hanging about here for too long.” He begins towards the street at an easy – not over-quick, but not slow – trot.

Thorn, in his surlier moods, hates everything … but he’s somewhat mercurial in that regard. At the moment, his deep prejudice is reserved for Ambereye. Berk’s set him up, no doubt. Trying to get him killed or – this just occurs to him – get him out of Sigil for a while at least. And its his fault, really, when you reason it through, that Star left without him getting a chance to speak to him.

His internal rage grows. Revenge! Blood! Betrayal! sings Aym in his head.

He steps towards the crucible.

Thorn accepts the blade shaped key from Ombidias with a nod of thanks, and stows it carefully away. “Thankyou for your help, and I hope that the newly vivified Chains Broken works out for you. Now,” he looks around at the others. “let’s go.”

"Oh, yeah, let's just get out of here already."

So, is Thorn or Reghdar going to get spiked shield?

IC Thorn would want it (and believe it was given specifically to him), ooc I'm fine for Reghar to take it if he wants it.

Thorn considers the stony giant for a moment, wondering whether to ask about what exactly they might expect to find on the other side of the portal, but then mentally dismisses that as a sign of weaknesses.

“I’ve got what I need,” he says, “but I do have a question; we know about the Door and its Key … but is it two way? Does it open also from Plaguemort?”

For a brief moment Thorn looks as though he might join in one of the bucket chains … for a slightly longer moment he looks like he is considering making a grab for some of the coins. However, in the end he just grunts, shakes his head and leads the way forward to the Foundry.

“A treasure for those who seek knowledge eh?” muses Thorn thoughtfully, stroking his beard and looking over Gray’s shoulder at the scrimshaw carving. “Can you read that?” He peers forward. “Looks somewhat Abyssal but not a language I know…” He looks up and glances about at the square. “Though here may not be the best place for a language lesson.”

Thorn watches the berk warily. “What have you got then?”

Thorn glances at Gray, an eyebrow raised, appraising the scar on the side of his face for a moment. “Friends in this neighbourhood have you?” he mutters.

He turns to Rennet. “Here. Hold this a moment.” Without ceremony he drops the shrouded corpse into the mouthless man’s arms, and draws Birds of Prey.

“Oi berks,” he calls, looking around at the derelict buildings. “Come out and say hello.”

Thorn stamps his forelegs impatiently, and tries to catch Swire or Reghar’s eye. Let’s go!

Thorn ignores the whisper in his head that is urging him to go over and introduce himself to the dwarves toasting the monument. He hopes they don’t find any reason to come over this way.

His eyes carefully roam the crowd, looking for anyone he might know, or might have seen in the last few days, or just anyone who looks like trouble. Perception: 20+5 = 25

Thorn hangs back towards the edge of the square, the shrouded corpse slung unceremoniously over his shoulder. Should have picked up one of those carts the Collectors use, he thinks sourly, looking about to see if he can see one of said ghouls. I’ve already spent far too much time with the dead lately, without dates with corpses…

He wonders if the chuckle he hears is simply his imagination. He also tries not to breath too deeply.

He looks over to see how Swire and the barbarian are getting along with the Dustman.

Sorry for flaking the last few days guys, been busy – still am, but trying to catch up.

Thorn has been strangely quiet, this house of the dead clearly unnerving him. Occasionally he twitches or glances quickly about, as if hearing otherwise unheard voices.

Once they have collected the body (he offers to carry the shrouded corpse if no one else wants to) and are on their way out, he shrugs at the Scribe’s whispered comment. “Bothers me not,” he replies in a low voice. “You’re quite right, the deal was to retrieve the body … but I’ve no qualms about putting a slightly incorrect name on their monument, if it’ll make our friends with the Door happier.”

He waits for Swire to go and carve what name he will, then (assuming nothing happens to prevent it), begins to head back to the Foundry, by a long and circuitous route, just in case the Dustmen choose to follow.

Sorry ‘bout the late reply, didn’t mean to hold things up. Sense Motive: 10 – probably not going to tell me much.

Does he appear to be buying it? If not, any particular part he seems dubious about? Thorn’s still got a gambit to play if the story is clearly not working…

Thorn snorts mirthlessly. “Ha! Do we look wealthy enough to afford resurrections?” He gestures vaguely to indicate his battered leather armour and pack, the plain scabbard at his side with the de-jewelled and scarred sword hilt poking out of it. “And I tell you, if I had that sort of cash at hand could think of far better things to spend it on than re-vivifying some, that is, our dear departed friend.”

He shakes his head. “Nah. Thing is, she didn’t lead a great life you know? Started off as a slave warrior, and her fortune didn’t improve greatly as an adventurer. Always said she wanted eternal rest in a tranquil place, rather than continuing on this dirtsy and harsh mortal coil…” Bluff: 10+6 = 16

Thorn’s hooves clap loudly against the chamber’s marble tiles, echoing through the space. He chews his cud nonchalantly, but his eyes shift around, lingering on Dustmen and undead, looking for trouble.

At Swire’s completely awkward effort at untruthful diplomacy, the bariaur’s eyes roll in his head. “Useless…” he mutters, then pushes his way to the fore, giving the knight of the post a filthy sideways glance as he does.

“Excuse my addle-coved friend here,” he says, an eyebrow raised wryly, putting on the charm. “He’s sadly lacking in the essentials of politeness. Oh the irony! What he means is, you’ve got a body listed in your dead books here, is my understanding, name in life of Chains Broken. She was a dear friend and valued adventuring companion to us, but we, alas, lost her, in two senses, Down Below. We understand she ended up here. Now, while I’m sure you’re all taking excellent care of her earthly remains, we’d like to honour her wish to be laid to eternal rest in the upper planes, Bytopia as Clueless here said. How might we arrange that?”

Bluff: 15+6 = 21. Diplomacy: 13+4 = 17

Guess we head over towards a dustman who looks like he’s receiving visitors.

Swire, you want to lead on the bluff, or want Thorn to take it? I figure you’ve got slightly better odds, so if you want it, Thorn’ll follow your lead. We’ll have briefed anyone in the group who might open their mouths and blurt out the wrong thing top play at being Rennet during the talking.

We got anyone with ranks in Bluff?
EDIT: Um ... apart from me. (+6 total, which ain't fantastic)

“Could be, could be,” Thorn muses, stroking his bearded chin. “’Course, I can’t help shake the feeling that the Dustmen are going to have the dark on any powerful necromancers around these parts …”

He shrugs. “Not sure. Any other options? Plan A?”

I really don’t know what the chances of Thorn’s plan working are, I’m certainly open to ideas. I was waiting for some of the others to chime in, but in the absence of other ideas, I’m happy to go for one of the one’s already tabled. Hell, although it leaves a bad taste in Thorn’s mouth, it may even be worth just asking, and trying to follow the rules. Of course, if that doesn’t work, we’ve potentially ruined our chances at a bluff.
Maybe we go with Thorn’s first idea, and if they seem to buy it, find out what the normal procedure is. If they don’t look like they’re going to go for it though, we should have a plan B.

Thorn shrugs. “Probably won’t be easy. I say we got two broad options. One is, we claim ourselves as companions of the tiefling, or agents of her kin or some-such. Say … I don’t know, it was always her wish in life to be buried on Bytopia upon her deceasement or some nonsense. If they ask about resurrection, we’ll say she didn’t believe in it, act all shocked; she had a life filled with hardship and pain, and only seeks eternal rest surrounded by peace and beauty.” Thorn rolls his eyes as he speaks, indicating he thinks it’s all foolishness himself, but fools may yet believe it.

“Other option is go in there on whatever pretense – the just mentioned if you like – find out where she’s stashed, then sneak or bluff our way back in, grab the corpse and flee. Or if there are any other ideas I’ll be glad enough to hear ‘em.”

Retrospective:
Thorn’s eyes seem to visually light up at the mention of reward. He nods the affirmative to the giant and trots away to confer with his companions. “I can’t say I much like running errands,” he says, “but this should still be quicker and easier by some than trekking over half the Outlands. ‘Sides, we may yet get on the good side of the Godsmen, and that’s probably worth something. To the Mortuary?”

At Gathering Dust:
Holding his breath, Thorn leans forward to read the notices on the zombie.

Watching for a while, do we see anyone going up the stairs, or otherwise appearing to enter or leave the Mortuary?