Aardvark's "A Conspiracy of Silver Ravens" Hell's Rebels Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Troy Malovich

Larenti felt himself moved by the man's words. Larenti loved his city, and his anger at Barzillai was still hot in his breast.

But he held his tongue, unwilling to break a social code and give his opinion, as a servant, before his master's son had spoken.

He looked anxiously at Bardigan, wanting to hear again the fiery words from the protest.

Ganner lays. It looks comfortable, but it's really not.

Bardigan shakes his head groggily as he comes to in a... library? Confused, he starts to push him up but stumbles after finding his feet and he collapses into a wooden chair. He looks to the others expectantly as he rubs his pained shoulder, then looks to Rexus and lets the man speak.

"Oh, I'm quite aware of what befell your house, master Raxus, and you have my sympathies. I wonder if I might have not just brought the same upon my own." He rakes one hand shakily through his hair then adds, "But I'd give anything to see Kintargo restored. Barzillai calls himself mayor, but he's little more than a thug and squatter. Kintargo will never be herself so long as he holds sway."

"Bardigan," sighs Jinx, holding her side where one of the thugs had struck her. "Be reasonable. We almost died today trying to do something small, and now you're formenting rebellion outright?"

"Something needs to change! Kintargo will wither if we all just lay down and let Barzillai have his way. And besides, didn't you feel it during the protest? That sense of... of... rightness?"

"Oooo." The still unconscious Ganner moans. In a moaning, unconscious sort of fashion.

"The sense of rightness was just you standing above everyone yelling about how right you were, Bard." says Jinx with a sly smile. "But I do agree that something needs to change.", she sighs.

"I'm just...unconvinced that it's you, Bard. This is dangerous stuff to be getting into."

"Well, I'm convinced it's him, even if it is dangerous. And it is the right thing to do."

Larenti crossed over to the moaning Ganner and checked to make sure nothing had changed with the man's injuries.

Turning to Rexus, he asked "Do you have any more healing? If not, I should probably fetch a healer."

He shakes his head apologetically, "Sadly, the only healing I had available was already offered. I'm sure the proprietor of this fine shop may have a scroll for sale that would do the trick, if one of you were able to use it. I can buy one if you would like?"

Jinx frowns. "If it weren't for the urgency of the situation, I could never ask you to spend your own money on magical healing for somebody else..." she says, rummaging around in her pockets. "Unfortunately I know that I can't afford anything on my own."

She pulls out ten gold. "This is all I have. Please, put this towards a scroll to heal Ganner here."

"As for putting Bardigan in danger... Well, I don't suppose I can convince you to do nothing, can I?"

"...pocket..." The unconscious man murmurs in his sleep, perhaps indicating he has gold to contribute toward some form of healing?

Barring any other offers, Rexus steps out briefly to buy the aforementioned scroll and offers it to whoever has the capacity to use it. In this case, it is Jinx that possesses the skills required.

Rolling for expedience, CLW on Ganner 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Once all of them are conscious, and he believes willing to help do the right thing, he continues. "There is something more I feel I need to tell you, something I myself only recently discovered. My mother, Porcia, was a high-ranking member of a secret society called the Sacred Order of Archivists, a band of Iroran scholars dedicated to the protection and restoration of history. I learned this the day after the Night of Ashes, when I approached a woman named Laria Longroad, who claimed to be one of my mother’s contacts. Dubious of her claims at first, I believed her once she produced a coffer of valuables and a note in my mother’s hand. The valuables are all I have as an inheritance, and the note is here." He hands you the note to read.

After you finish reading the letter, as he watched in anticipation, he pleads. "Please, I beg that you help me save Kintargo. I'm ill-suited for the life of adventure and rebellion needed to accomplish this task alone, and and a poor choice to try and lead any form of revolution." he wrings his hands in desperation.

"Laria spoke to my mother just seven days ago, just after Lord-Mayor Bainilus vanished. At the time, Laria had thought my mother was overreacting, but when the Victocora estate burned down that night and she went missing, Laria knew her friend had spoken the truth. She sought me out and delivered the message and coffer, along with her condolences and an offer to stay at her establishment, the Long Roads Coffeehouse, as long as I need a place to sleep. Will you help me investigate this Fair Fortune Livery?"

Ganner shakes his head, clearing it from his unconsciousness. "Wait! Your mother was a member of the Order? I came to this city to serve the Order, but my contact was... is no more. I pledge whatever aid I may give, in service to the Order." Ganner bows deeply, his oath given.

Larenti stood up tall beside Bardigan, nodding grimly.

Bardigan bolts out of his seat as the letter is read, then swoons from the sudden rush and leans on Larenti to catch himself. "Truly? Did such a group exist in Kintargo in the past?" The question is as much directed to the group as a whole as it is to his aunt in particular, as he reflexively wonders if someone from his parents' generation might have a keener recollection of the Ravens. Before an answer can even be offered though, he nods to Rexus, "Of course I'll help. These Ravens sound like just the group Kintargo needs if your mother's information was accurate."

On hearing the willingness of the others to help, he appears overjoyed. "I thank you all so much for this. We can make Kintargo great. Please, take this." He hands you a small coffer. "It is what remains of my inheritance, and I owe it to you for your help in this matter." The fairly small container, when opened, reveals to hold a number of gold coins, a Victocora signet ring, a finely wrought silver dagger, and an exquisite pair of bracers. Lastly, there is a key made of metal finer than silver. This last item, Rexus grabs "Sorry, except the key, that holds a particular sentimental value. The bracers, they are magical, but I have not been able to determine their properties."

Larenti excitement is tempered a bit by the Rexus's late grab for the key. If it's so important, why leave it in there?

"I suggest we go and rest, and then visit this "Fair Fortune Livery" tomorrow.

Know Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 to know something about the Livery, perhaps?

All Larenti knows of the name is that it was a once thriving, now run down, stable of a now-dead family line. Rexus is pleased by the response, "Yes, tomorrow will be fine. I will be rested and ready to head out. Will you all be recovered in that time? Some of you have a fair amount of injury. Might I suggest seeing a healer if you can, or if you need another day of rest, that is understandable."

Bardigan rubs his neck, chagrined and embarrassed at how easily he fell before the thugs at the rally. "I, uh, yes. I'll be fine, I assure you. And besides, I'm eager to start at our work. Every day that poisonous usurper squats in the opera house is yet one day more that the good people of Kintargo needlessly suffer." As he speaks, that same fire from the protest starts to thread its way into his words and his discomfort and shame progressively fade.

"I am definitely up to help, but I agree: we need to be at our best, for our enemies will no doubt be at theirs. I recommend we rest and then begin. Besides, a day won't make or break us."

"I too think we need to spend a day resting.", says Jinx. "We'll do nobody any good trying and dying. We need to be slow, deliberate, careful." She looks pointedly at Bardigan.

Rexus nods, "Very well, then. We meet back here in two days time? Then from here we can make our way to the old livery?"

Larenti began adjusting his clothing to cover his bandages and blood stains.

"Let's see if we can get to our homes without being killed."

"Yes, being killed would put a damper on our rebellion." Ganner says with a straight face, before breaking into a grin.

Bardigan, eager and enthused by the news of the Silver Ravens, looks crestfallen as the group agrees to wait two full days. He recognizes the wisdom in such a measured approach though and, apart from a rueful shake of his head, doesn't argue or protest. "The livery then, in two days' time." As everyone makes ready to depart, the broad shouldered noble rises and shakes Rexus' hand. "Thank you, again. Perhaps together we can accomplish something great in Kintargo. Until we meet again, friend."

Okay, two nights will pass without event. Let me know what, if anything, you are doing until you meet Rexus again on Sunday 23 Arodus.
Remember, natural healing is 1 hp/HD a night, or 2 with long-term care. or 2 hp/HD a night with 24 hr rest, or 4 with long-term care. You cannot long-term care yourself.

HP 9/12 Ganner elects to spend his days in rest and silent meditation, trusting Irori to show him the way.

Jinx accompanies Bardigan back to his house, insisting that the young nobleman needs to be taken care of! She'll lay him down in bed and bandage his wounds, checking in that he's fine and changing his bandages every few hours.

Long Term Care (First Night): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Long Term Care (Second Night): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Jinx will forgo 24-hour rest the second night and try long-term care on Bardigan twice in a row to make sure he heals 6 instead of 2. She's at 3/11.

Larenti was down to 7 of 12, so he'll spend two straight 24hrs of rest, for 4, bringing him to 11 of 12

Larenti went back to his small apartment. He gingerly took off his ripped and bloody clothing, and used the rags to stop the last seeping wounds.

He gave his final few pieces of gold to his landlady, Mrs. Doruga, a kindly old half-orc. In return she brought hot water, clean clothes and some food. Mrs. Doruga had a broken tusk and few remaining teeth, all stained by uncounted cups of tea and an ever-present tobacco pipe. More impressive was her huge bosom, which had grown with age to cover the entire area from her shoulders to her knees, and which she kept stuffed behind both a sturdy blouse and a leather apron.

With hot water and clean rags, she dabbed off the dried blood where he couldn't reach, and helped him lie down on his small bed, its wooden creak a welcoming music.

As she left, cradling a lukewarm bowl of bloody rags and fumbling with the latch, he looked up at he walls and ceiling around his bed.

Posters, handbills, playbills and flyers were lovingly glued to the crumbling plaster. Each showed the name or face of Shensen, and his eyes traveled a familiar path over the costumes, expressions or embellished lettering of the advertisements. In these he saw not only the range of her abilities as an actress. He also saw a pattern, or theme of emotion: a longing and a loneliness that he understood and shared.

Only he had looked long enough and close enough to see it. And because of this, only he really knew her secret heart, behind the facade that fame had forced upon her. One day he'd share this secret with her, and it would be by this that she would know him.

In his imagination, he played over a thousand encounters with her, each showing his heroism, each ending with her acclaim and affection: Larenti defeating some thugs and saving Shensen from danger; Larenti debating Barzillai and forcing the re-opening of the Opera House (Bardigan helped a bit with the coaching); Larenti leading a renewed Silver Ravens to free Kintargo from Thrune rule, handing the very city over to her!

But no. Not him, a half-breed. He couldn't lead. His mind scribbled out and re-wrote the plot. He would be the cunning spy-master of the campaign, managing the thousand relationships of successful rebellion with secrets, lies and a deadly rapier. Another face, probably Bardigan's, would lead, but his hand would steer events and shape the fate of the city. Few would know the full scope of his role, the power he held.

But she'd know. In the end, she'd know that it was him, and that he'd done it for her. And she'd be overcome with a passion fueled by gratitude and a sense of fate fulfilled. Her beauty, and voice, and soft skin would envelope him, soothe him, comfort him. He would be able to fall into that love completely; the striving and fighting and scheming would end. He'd curl up, surrounded in a love as warm, and as necessary, as sleep.

Bardigan only needs 4 hp, Jinx! He'll be good with nothing but time!

Bardigan returns to his parents' estate, his face bruised and his side bloody. He waves his doting aunt's ministrations away, claiming honestly, "Aunt Jinx, please, it looks much worse than it actually is, really. Rexus' magics have already done most of the work already. A quiet day at home and I'll be good as new." He shoots her a critical eye at this and shakes his head, "You, on the other hand, look like the butcher mistook you for a slab of meat in need of tenderizing."

Bardigan's non-lethal damage will be gone in just 6 hours, and 2 days of bed-rest will leave him at a hale and hearty 10/10 hp.

Ah, I didn't realize exactly how many hp Bardigan had.

Jinx stops mid-bandage retrieval. She looks down at her own body, at the bruises and the blood and sighs. "Perhaps you're right. I should get some rest, and hopefully I will be fit for adventure in a few days."

She pauses, hesitant to leave Bardigan's side. "Well, I suppose I'll go home. See you at the Livery, little one."

Jinx revisits the apartment that she shares with Ganner to find he's already gone to bed. She takes a moment to visit her horse, Pearl, downstairs before she heads to bed.

Bardigan hugs his aunt, gingerly, as she turns to go and offers her a smile. "You better path yourself up! I wouldn't want to do this without you, you know." He waves as she departs, then frowns as he turns back to his family's estate without his aunt walking freely up to the door. One day. One day they'll get past whatever came between you and we can all be a family. Together.

I noticed some discrepancies, so here's what everyone was at when combat ended, and should be at after healing and rest:
Jinx - 10 damage (1/11), 2 days of bed rest (5/11)
Larenti - 13 damage (-1/12), CLW for 8 (7/12), 2 days of bed rest (11/12)
Ganner - 14 damage (-2/12), CLW for 6 (4/12), 2 days of bed rest (8/12)
Bardigan - 8 damage, 7 NL (2/10, 7NL), CLW for 2, (4/10, 5 NL), 2 days of bed rest (8/10)

What, if anything, were you guys doing with the coffer of stuff given to you by Rexus (all in the loot link)? Also, does anyone need to buy anything before you meet up with the man? It can be done the morning of, before you meet.

Sunday, 23 Aroden 4715 (57° F, Thunderstorm with hail and severe [35 MPH] winds)
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Everyone spends the downtime just trying to recover, not daring to step out for a moment in hopes of maximizing their time spent just healing. When the agreed upon day rolls around, the weather is in a bit of an uproar. Windows are rattled, and shatters bang. A thunderstorm has rolled over the town, coloring the morning a dark grey, except for the flashes of light crackling across the sky. The winds whip hail down on the cobbles, stinging skin when they connect.

There is very little movement in the streets, and the shopkeep at the bookstore where you arranged to meet is concerned about the water sloshed through the store whenever anyone enters. Rexus is waiting inside for each of you to arrive, and he is not alone. Waiting with him is an attractive woman, with a head of dark orange hair. Her outfit, though bundled up for the weather, is still somewhat provocative and revealing. This is made even more noticeable due to the rain making it cling to her in places where it has not dried yet. Rexus speaks up, "I apologize first off, for my inclusion of another, but Aula and I" he indicates the woman "had scheduled to meet at the protest. I had already spoken to her before you all had found me in distress, and she is aligned with our cause." He turns to the woman, "Aula, these are the others I was telling you would be meeting us here."

Ganner bows at the waist. "Aula, pleased to meet you. I am Ganner Viir. Before the late unpleasantness, I was to join the Sacred Order of Archivists, but now..." He spreads his hands with a grin. "Now here I am, ready to serve as I may."

Larenti, feeling much better, did his best not to stare at the woman. He hastily arranged his wet hair, moving forward to give a short bow.

"Larenti, Lady. At your service."

Jinx steps into the coffeeshop, dropping with water and armored up, appears to be completely unbothered by the cold and the rain. She looks around, noticing that she appears to have made it before Bardigan.

She approaches the newcomer and shakes her hand, wincing as she raises her arm for the shake. Her side still aches from the battle of the previous days. "My name is Jinx. My cousin Bardigan should be arriving soon, and then we can do."

She pats her sword at her hip before asking, "So what do you do...Aula?"

As introductions are being made, the door to the bookstore clatters open and the bell on top rattles loudly, as Bardigan hurries to get through the door and shut it behind him as quickly as he can. With his back to everyone in the shop still, he stomps his feet in place a few times, shaking some water free from his well made boots and sweeps the hood of his heavy leather cloak free from his head.

Despite his hood, his hair is still a little wet from the wind driving the rain sideways, and he rakes his hands through his damp hair vigorously a few times to help it dry. Somehow, his hair falls in seemingly perfectly styled, wavy layers when he finishes, though he himself is unaware of this.

Drawing the cloak free from his broad shoulders and finding a hook near the door upon which to hang it, he then turns to shopkeeper with an arched eyebrow. Before he can even ask if the others are present, the bent old man nods toward the opposite wall. Bardigan turns, a bright and eager smile on his face and begins to approach. His step falters though when Larenti shifts and Aula comes into view.

His eyes slightly widen in the briefest of flashes before returning to their previous, enthusiastic state. "So sorry I'm late. Aunt Jinx had me so worked up about all this I took a few extra turns despite the weather in case anyone had taken note of my passing. Glad to see all of us here, and in even greater numbers than anticipated!" He flashes a genuine smile to Aula before offering a courtly half bow. "If the others failed to mention me, allow me to introduce myself: Bardigan Cain, my good lady. Welcome to our humble group!"

She curtsies to Ganner and Larenti and again, deeply, to Bardigan, blushing slightly. "Thank you for your hospitality, Ah believe we've much to do, and we can 'discover' one-another as we go. Rexar, darlin', you said you had some clues to where we should start?"

His name is Rexus, but I'm not sure if it was an intended, or unintended error by the character.

Rexus nods at Aula's question, "Yes, milady, we are on our way to investigate a hideout of the Silver Ravens around the Fair Fortune Livery that will help us reestablish the organization."

Once again, I'm asking if you guys are doing anything with the treasures he had given you at the last meeting?

Ganner makes a somewhat bemused face. "You make people 'feel better?' Um, I am not familiar with such words, but are you a prostitute?" The young man looks supremely embarrassed to be saying such a thing out loud.

Jinx sighs as the bruises on her side from the previous days fade away. "Thank you, young woman!" she says brightly, before turning to Ganner. "I'm not sure what else she'd mean... but she did just heal me."

Larenti grunted approval at both the dance, and the outcome for Jinx.

Unintended player error, posted very late. If I could edit it now, I would change it to Rexus.
Aula smirks at Ganner "Yes, Darlin', but even if you're offerin' to buy, we've got more important work to do just now." She moves in very close to Ganner--a faint hint of perfume drifts past his nose--and whispers in his ear "Ask for Firehair around the Redroof district when we're off-duty if you're really 'interested.'" before turning to listen intently to Rexus.

Ganner gulps loudly. "Um, yes ma'am." The young man looks terrified.

Rexus nods in a somewhat awkward nature, "Well, yes, now that we've made our introductions, let us away to the livery. The storm may cover our movements, but I do hope it doesn't hinder our efforts." With this last, he pulls his cloak up and around to try and block as much wind and hail as he can on the streets.

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The Fair Fortune Livery is clearly old and dilapidated. The aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The structure shifts with every strong gust, as the hail beats down on solid portions of roof that still manage to cover it. The building is large, and the air around it reeks of stale urine. The large double doors on the front are closed and chained shut, but when the wind shakes them, you can see that it is likely possible to squeeze between them.

The map is updated, you all arrive on the left side of it.

Bardigan arches an eyebrow at Aula's brazen flirtations with Ganner, but it quickly melts into a soft chuckle as he sees the alarm in his new friend's eyes after she passes. Following Rexus' lead then, he fetches his cloak once and laments, "Once more into the tempest then, I suppose. Wonderful." He claps Larenti on the shoulder as the half orc passes, and gives his aunt a quick hug before they're all terribly wet and soggy again.

Aula pulls her cloak close around her and follows Bardigan out the door, taking a little cover from the weather behind his tall frame when the winds shift such that she can. As they approach the livery, Aula huddles closely behind Bardigan to avoid a particularly vicious blast of hail and tries, unsuccessfully, to peek around his side.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Just make sure to place Aula such that Bardigan is in the way of her seeing anything. What a roll.=)

Forgot a nat 20 gives +10, so I can in theory make the DC 31 Perception
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 +10=38
Boom.

Larenti gave Aula a long stare before leaving the bookshop, his cloak protecting him from the rain, and from having his mood read.

Once at the Livery, he did his best to scout the location for danger, despite the storm.

Perception, +1 if traps: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The storm makes it hard to discern much about the building. The rattling door and chain, the beating hail, and the periodic peal of thunder and lightning go a long way in playing tricks on the eyes and ears. Larenti looks, and sees no threat in the immediate exterior, but he does note that each roll of thunder is accompanied by barks and whuffs of large hounds either somewhere nearby or within the building itself.

Larenti, was that roll for the perimeter, the door area itself, or the space within beyond the door?