GM Birch's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Birch33

Kalig nods. "Let's go. I still think Ameiko already disappeared after she showed up at the Glassworks. Either way, she is no safer while talk. We can work out a plan as we go."

Merwyn goes to see if there's a plunger in the tavern, before returning to the group as they head off.

After dashing up to his room to retrieve his gear, Horatio comes downstairs to find the rest of the party still arguing, with Veryl standing at the door. He rolls his eyes as he buckles his rapier about his waist, violin clamped under one arm. "Kalig's right. Ameiko was here last night, wasn't she? This morning, Bethana says she was gone. She found the note crumpled on the floor of Ameiko's room, so obviously she's read the note, and, since she isn't here, there's a damn good chance she's already gone to the Glassworks." Rapier fastened, he begins tightening his armour - really little more than a fitted leather vest and vambraces - and making sure it sits right. "Which means," he continues, tugging at the laces on his vambraces, pulling the cuffs of his shirt out from underneath them, "if we pretend to be her, whoever's waiting for us is probably going to see right through it. I say we just go straight in. Prsumably through a door, but there's something to be said for leaping through a window when nobody expects it."

That done, he makes his way ahead of the others, striding purposefully from the tavern.

Closing the door behind the hastily leaving Horatio, Veryl then took off his glove, undid the fastenings of his cloak and handed both to Bethana with instructions to take them to his room and bring down any clothes Ameiko tends to wear, insuring her that those garments would help them in bringing her back, Following this he turns to the group and began pushing back his sleeves till his forearms were fully exposed.

"Well now that we heard what the master strategist had to say, I propose we go with Merwyn's plan, whether they have Ameiko or not will make no difference, the goal of this plan is to confound them, take them off balance and have them second guess themselves" A wicked grin appeared on Veryl's usually calm facade "Setting up a situation where there are two Ameikos should help us just achieve that" Then he turned his head to face Breaca, he knew convincing her would not be easy, but she's a warrior, she should know the merits and benefits of surprising an opponent.

"I know you have your reservations about the plan, but it should give us an advantage over the enemy, and you know how important that can be" Veryl kept it short and sweet, for both the sake of time and because he felt that if Breaca was against it, he could talk till the next day and she wouldn't do it.

Finally Veryl shifted his eyes to Merwyn, she was the only one who actually bothered to give thought to the situation, he couldn't talk for anyone else but he knew that his frustration with having to deal with this unexpected problem and his worry about the groups moral had clouded his vision from the most important thing about a fight, having a plan Looks like I owe her for more than saving my cloak Thought Veryl as he gave the sorceress a subtle momentary smile.

When you arrive at the Glassworks,you find the building curiously silent. This is one of Sandpoint’s main industries and it should be very busy with people coming and going.

The observant amongst you notice the furnace chimney still plumes with smoke, but a quick investigation of the building perimeter reveals that curtains have been drawn over the windows and all the doors are locked.

Here is a map of the glassworks. One of the challenges of PbP and maps is to either do a lot of work to reveal room by room – and get confused about where you are or are going…or I can trust you not to metagame. I go with the latter. I’ll post the map on the Campaign tab too. Oh, and the main entrance, via the shop, is at A1. BTW, white denotes doors and blue denotes windows.

Kalig looks between Veryl and the door Horatio just exited. "See you there," is all she says, leaving first to catch up with the bard. If his nerve to fight comes and goes, she figured she'd better someone ought to keep up with him, lest they end up having to rescue both him and Ameiko.

As they approach the Glassworks, she calls out to him. "We should probably wait for the others."

Also, can I assume she cast goodberry at breakfast and has a few? We jumped into the conversation and I forgot about it.

"Well. This promises to be interesting." Breaca states with an amused smirk as the group approaches the glassworks. "What is the plan for the rest of you while I"m saying hello? Where will you be? I suppose it won't do to carry around bow and axe, Kalig, would you mind holding them for me?"

I"m assuming Breaca is dressed in Ameiko's clothing? Was it baggy enough on her to permit light armor underneath?

Also, semi ninja'd. :)

Horatio catches himself mid-stride, turning on his heel to face Kalig. Though he still carries himself strongly and purposefully, the frustration is clear on his face. With a sigh, he nods agreement. "As I've said before, and will continue to say again, I'm not a warrior. But standing around discussing a plan that has no chance of working, while someone you care about is in danger?" He shakes his head. "I'd rather try something than stand around doing nothing." With that, he finds a place to sit, not too close to the Glassworks, and stars tuning his violin. His fingers shake slightly, though whether it's with fear, anger or impatience is hard to determine.

Also, can I assume she cast goodberry at breakfast and has a few? We jumped into the conversation and I forgot about it.

That's always a safe assumption.

Also, semi ninja'd. :)

Apologies - I wait until you appear to have slowed down enough to jump in but every now and then...

I"m assuming Breaca is dressed in Ameiko's clothing? Was it baggy enough on her to permit light armor underneath?

You can wear baggy enough clothing to put the light armour on underneath.

# of goodberries in possession: 1d24 ⇒ 10

Horatio catches himself mid-stride, turning on his heel to face Kalig. Though he still carries himself strongly and purposefully, the frustration is clear on his face. With a sigh, he nods agreement. "As I've said before, and will continue to say again, I'm not a warrior. But standing around discussing a plan that has no chance of working, while someone you care about is in danger?" He shakes his head. "I'd rather try something than stand around doing nothing." With that, he finds a place to sit, not too close to the Glassworks, and stars tuning his violin. His fingers shake slightly, though whether it's with fear, anger or impatience is hard to determine.

"They are not far behind me. I agree the direct approach might be better. If they do cause confusion though..." Kalig shrugs.

"And diving in too fast could also bring her harm. Let us be alert."

Speaking of being alert, Kalig, looking first to be sure no one might notice her there, begins to carefully examine the front entrance, both listening for signs of trouble as well as to see if there is any sign of Ameiko or anyone else having been at the doorstep last night.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Survival--checking for tracks/signs of Ameiko, anyone else, and/or a fight 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"Well. This promises to be interesting." Breaca states with an amused smirk as the group approaches the glassworks. "What is the plan for the rest of you while I"m saying hello? Where will you be? I suppose it won't do to carry around bow and axe, Kalig, would you mind holding them for me?"

As Kalig finishes her examinations, the others arrive, and Kalig stands and nods, taking the offered weapons.

She will report if she notices anything of interest as soon as I hear the results of my roll, if any

Oops, typoed the die roll. Can't get 10 out of 2d4. :) 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Speaking of being alert, Kalig, looking first to be sure no one might notice her there, begins to carefully examine the front entrance, both listening for signs of trouble as well as to see if there is any sign of Ameiko or anyone else having been at the doorstep last night.

Perception 1d20+7
Survival--checking for tracks/signs of Ameiko, anyone else, and/or a fight 1d20+9

"Breaca, do you have her shoes? See these footprints here... they look like a human woman's of about her size. So she has entered. But not left..."

Even after making it to the Glassworks, Veryl was still surprised that Breaca agreed to the go with the plan, true she was a warrior and she understood the benefits of bewildering a foe, but it would take a bold person to undertake a scheme that they had little experience in I doubt she had to resort to disguises before, but she's making the best of it, all that's left now is for Merwyn to literately work her magicThought Veryl as he unbuckled his short sword.

"Here" He handed the weapon to Breaca "Just in case you don't get your hands on your weapons when you do need them, you can hide it under your clothes and it should be more useful than your dirk"

"I do."Breaca removes one of Ameiko's shoes and watches intently as Kalig compares it to the tracks.

when Veryl hands her his sword, she nods and smiles. "Thank you. Let's hope it won't be needed."

Turning away, she kneels and lifts the skirt up over her left knee, exposing a good bit of toned leg. She lashes the sword with a length of rope securely to her flesh and tests it with a sharp tug and a quick jog to make sure it would not easily fall away from the inside of her leg. When she is satisfied, she turns back to the others and Merwyn.

"Alright, I think I am as ready as I can be. What else do you need me to do Merwyn?

Kalig examines the shoe--and academically admires Breaca's toned musculature in the process. (I think it's also okay if you look at the spoiler)

"This is very likely Ameiko's print. And she hasn't come back out--and no one else has either." She looks up at Breaca, Merwyn, and Veryl. "I hope you know what you're doing. I'll get out of the way. My presence will not assist the glamer. But if anything happens, I've got your back."

Kalig moves and tries to hide nearby in some bushes.

Stealth 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Unfortunately she does not calculate properly for her height and the top of her spear is poking out of the bushes.

"Your face doesn't quite look like Ameiko. Let me fix some of those features for you." Merwyn casts silent image to alter Breaca's face to Ameiko's appearance. "Just stay within 400 feet of me and this should work." (DC 19 to disbelieve if they interact with it or closely examine it)

"Just remember not to show too much of the rest of the body, or else it will be clear that you are not Ameiko."

Merwyn blows her silent whistle discreetly.

She looks up at Breaca, Merwyn, and Veryl. "I hope you know what you're doing. I'll get out of the way. My presence will not assist the glamer. But if anything happens, I've got your back."

"Not the slightest clue." Breaca responds, sounding bemused, and slightly nervous despite her outwardly calm demeanor. "But thank you Kalig. I appreciate that. I have a signal whistle. I will give three blasts, two short, followed by one long, if I think I'm in trouble. Hopefully you'll be able to hear it. If I'm taking too long... well cross that bridge when we get there."

When Merwyn finishes her incantations, Breaca can't resist the temptation to feel at her face. Not finding anything out of place, she grins bemusedly and shakes her head. "I'll take your word for it. Four hundred feet, give or take? Let's hope this building isn't too deep. Well, wish me luck."

After everyone has made what preparations they wish and gives her the go ahead...

Breaca takes a long look across the street. perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10+2 vs humans Hmm.. Not much in the way of cover. If they're keeping watch from inside, they're going to see me. Not much point in hiding until I get inside. She steels herself and then steps out into the open, and 'Ameiko' walks quickly and purposefully up to the front door. She then puts her hand to the knob and tries to turn it - slowly and silently.

Finding a spot to conceal himself in proved to be a lot simpler than he thought, as Kalig had already lead him to one such hiding spot. Moving there he tried to remember the very basics of stealth that Mel had drilled into him when he was a teenager.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"This is very likely Ameiko's print. And she hasn't come back out--and no one else has either."

Breaca takes a long look across the street. [dice=perception]1d20+5+2 vs humans Hmm.. Not much in the way of cover. If they're keeping watch from inside, they're going to see me. Not much point in hiding until I get inside. She steels herself and then steps out into the open, and 'Ameiko' walks quickly and purposefully up to the front door. She then puts her hand to the knob and tries to turn it - slowly and silently.

Breaca walks up to the door of the glassworks shop and turns the handle - and as previously identified, finds it locked.

"Ameiko's gone in, but hasn't come out, and we're still trying this plan?" Horatio's exasperation isn't nearly as subtle as he'd like to think. Breaca's flash of leg surprises him, however, and he finds himself looking - a bit more academically than Kalig's gaze. As she approaches the door, he follows the lead of the others, attempting to find a good place to hide. At least I can stay somewhere safe when this doesn't work.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Seeing the doorknob barely move as Breaca turns it, he rests his face in his hand, massaging his temples with his thumb and middle finger. Four different languages, and not one of them is good enough for the "I told you so" that needs delivering here...

Already suspecting the door would be locked, Breaca swiftly moves on to the windows, testing to see if they are likewise locked, or if perhaps she could use one of them to gain entry - or at least coax one open enough to reach through and move the curtain enough to glimpse what lay beyond.

I thought the point of the "dress up as Ameiko" plan was that you were going to knock on the door and see if anyone answered?

It is. I thought it might be good to do what little info gathering she can first though

Alright, carry on. Just am anxious!

Already suspecting the door would be locked, Breaca swiftly moves on to the windows, testing to see if they are likewise locked, or if perhaps she could use one of them to gain entry - or at least coax one open enough to reach through and move the curtain enough to glimpse what lay beyond.

All of the windows are locked and the curtains are drawn.

Frustrated in her attempts by the locked windows, Breaca returns to the entry door and gives it a knock.

Frustrated in her attempts by the locked windows, Breaca returns to the entry door and gives it a knock.

You knock and wait. And wait some more. There is no sound of anyone coming to open the door.

Breaca knocks again. Loudly. When no one comes, she picks up a rock from the ground, moves to one of the windows near the door, gives a quick glance up and down the street, and then breaks the window. Climbing through, she pauses to listen for sounds of alarm coming from deeper inside the building.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Not hearing anything, she moves to the door, unlocks, and swings it open.

Seeing Breaca break into the room and open the door, Kalig steps out and approaches.

"Come, let's go find her. They are clearly not going to come to us." Kalig steps inside and scans the area for trouble.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Try knocking with your fist

Miro examines from his spot in the bushes, then calls out at Breaca is about to break a window. "By the gods, why don't you just set off an explosion! Here..." Miro runs up and takes out his lock picking set, going to work

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

If Miro catches her in time before she goes to break the window, Breaca steps back to allow him to work on the lock.

You have entered A1

Miro manages to pick the lock without causing any interest from passers-by.

You enter what is clearly the display room. It consists of a shop where customers can browse the various glassware produced here. Bottles,windowpanes, and glasswork art are the primary contents.

There are two exits, one to the right of the room and one towards the bottom of the room.

The rumble of the Glassworks’ furnace is plainly audible.

Kalig stops near the door to the right, leaning over to listen. She whispers to the party. "Someone is in there, laughing and breaking glass."[/b]

Horatio joins the party, shaking his head and wondering why the halfling hadn't just picked the damn lock to begin with. Pausing to admire the beautiful glasswork, he takes a stance next to Kalig - She seems to at least have a good head on her shoulders - and raises one eyebrow when she relays her hearings. "So, we kick the door in and catch them by surprise?" he murmurs back, glancing around for confirmation.

"How big would you estimate the room on the right to be?"

Kalig raises an eyebrow, wondering how Merwyn thinks she can guess at the size of the room by listening. "I cannot see through walls, woman. Large enough to hold goblins and glass. That is all we have to work with."

She reaches out and just touches, gently, the doorknob, to see if she can determine if it is locked without alerting the occupants on the other side. There is no point in kicking in the door if it will open willingly.

The door appears locked and is in part made of metal - so kicking it down may prove problematic.

Miro steps in front of Kalig, giving the door his delicate touch.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Breaca retrieves her weapons from Kalig and readies her bow for when the door opens.

Miro steps in front of Kalig, giving the door his delicate touch.

[dice=Disable Device]1d20+9

The lock is not a problem, but the door is obviously bolted from the other side.

Seeing the trouble as Milo attempts to open the door, Breaca frowns. She whispers, "If that is bolted as I think it is, we may need to try the other door and hope to come at them another way."

Silence was not something Veryl has been doing a lot of since he arrived at Sandpoint, so it was certainly unnatural to most that have been around him; seeing him standing back and simply watching as they went about gaining access to this building, making no comments or offering no suggestions as he usually did, one couldn't even fault him for seeming to be distracted or having his attention on something unrelated to their current goal. Its only when they failed to go through the door that he approached it and began studying its frame I don't think we should break through it, but I wonder how much force could it take Veryl placed his hand on the door, knocked at it once and then stood next to it with a studious glance.

Knowledge(Engineering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Miro shakes his head. "I'd need some special tools to get past a bolt like that, no weak point in it."

"Does anyone happen to know how to speak like a goblin?"