Age of Darkness

Game Master Mothman

Use Rope (sheet!) 20 + 3 for the first use rope check, 11 + 3 for the second. Also, the sleep spell says slapping or wounding them will awaken them, but sounds like we can move them to some degree without waking. Either way definitely worth doing one at a time and staying ready to subdue them if they do wake.

"The place seemed fairly empty except for these two guards" he says pointing to the slumbering men. "Perhaps we can find an alternate way out which isn't guarded? If that is an option, I think it a better one than luring the remaining guards inside"

Bluff Check (Roll 17+3=20), Diplomacy Check (Roll 19+3=22) While posing in a bow, Kajetan is readying a spell to cast Daze (Save DC 13) on Vorn, if this attempt to distract the Inquisitor fails. I do not expect it to work, but Kajetan thinks it might.

After your impassioned speech, Vorn looks at you closely, and then smiles mirthlessly. “I admire your persistence and your zeal. It could be that we have much to discuss. But as I have reiterated, I am occupied at the moment. Soldier, escort the scholar outside, and wait for me there. I will join you shortly. Scholar Armanno, come back to see me later in the day if you please.” While politely spoken, his voice makes it clear that this is not a request.

There are a few beats of silence, then comes Vorn’s reply: . “I admire your persistence and your zeal. It could be that we have much to discuss. But as I have reiterated, I am occupied at the moment. Soldier, escort the scholar outside, and wait for me there. I will join you shortly. Scholar Armanno, come back to see me later in the day if you please.”

Laithe takes a few moments to hurriedly but securely bind the fallen constables with bedsheets and dragging them into the cell. The handling does not awaken them. Call it at least 7 rounds since the spell went off, by the time you get the sheets, bind them, get them inside, get the key and lock the door, which does lock from both sides, but does not appear to have a bar.

Gosia looks at Keildrithe closely. “Thankyou both for coming for me, and for finding Jarred,” she says, once the bard has removed the gag from her mouth and untied her hands. “With Dras Relyin looking out for me, I have been better treated, but it has been a difficult wait. But I take it by this entrance that you were unable to discover the true culprit? Those poor girls…”

Laithe takes a few moments to hurriedly but securely bind the fallen constables with bedsheets and dragging them into the cell. The handling does not awaken them. Call it at least 7 rounds since the spell went off, by the time you get the sheets, bind them, get them inside, get the key and lock the door, which does lock from both sides, but does not appear to have a bar.

"Well, we did defeat the goblin tribe that we believe may have been responsible for the deaths of the girls," says Keildrithe to Gosia while he hurries to the far end of the room in search of a back door or window that might allow them to escape unnoticed, "but we have it on good authority that the evidence we would have gathered would have been insufficient for the Inquisitor to spare either you or me from the stake. He is intent on not losing face, especially to a bunch of unruly Karands, if you know what I mean... My lady, would you happen to have any, um, arcane talents that you may not previously have told us about? They may come in handy in the very near future..."

So we've locked the front door to the gaol, as well as the cell in which we've just placed the bound/gagged prisoners... right? There are no windows facing the square, are there? Sorry if I'm making you repeat yourself, Mothman...

Currently, by my reckoning, you are standing in the corridor outside the cell, with the guards bound and locked within. From here, the only obvious exit is a stair back up to ground floor. Once up the stairs and in the corridor above, you would have the main room of the constabulary to your right. There is a door (currently left open) separating the corridor from the main room. Within the main room there is a door (currently open) back out onto the square, as well as a window. The constables and soldiers stand just outside.
To the left (down the corridor) are a number of doors, including one at the end of the corridor which may lead to the street out the back.

He hands the keys to Keildrithe (in case the door at the end of the hall is locked and whispers "I'll head up first and guard the top of the stairs in case a guard comes in while we are moving. You take Gosia down to the left and try the door there. If it is all clear, I'll follow. We can take the back streets and get some distance from here. If we need to reach the others, I can possibly assume the form of a dog and go find them. Let's move..."

Laithe creeps up the stairs as quietly as possible, listening and looking out anyone approaching. Assuming he hears none he will stand at the top of the stairs (cell I13, but in keeping as close to the wall as possible) and usher past Keildrithe and Gosia

Move silently 20 + 3 = 23 (keep those 20's coming!!), Listen 8 + 7 = 15, Spot check 17 + 7 = 24

Laithe turns to Gosia and Keildrithe. "It looks like we can get out through the door in the rear of the constabulary. If we stick close to the wall at the top of the stairs, we should be able to get past without being spotted by the remaining guards outside. Let's be quick though." Looking at the bandage on Gosia's foot he asks "Lady, can you walk?"

He hands the keys to Keildrithe (in case the door at the end of the hall is locked and whispers "I'll head up first and guard the top of the stairs in case a guard comes in while we are moving. You take Gosia down to the left and try the door there. If it is all clear, I'll follow. We can take the back streets and get some distance from here. If we need to reach the others, I can possibly assume the form of a dog and go find them. Let's move..."

Laithe creeps up the stairs as quietly as possible, listening and looking out anyone approaching. Assuming he hears none he will stand at the top of the stairs (cell I13, but in keeping as close to the wall as possible) and usher past Keildrithe and Gosia.

Yes, thanks for the map, Mothman... I didn't expect it so soon! So the door between F14 and F15 is on the main floor, and not connected to the cell block, right?

"Atrek" hesitates for a moment as Laithe whispers his instructions. "No, Laithe, you should lead Gosia to safety, I can..." His voice trails off as Laithe makes his way up the stairs ahead of them. "No time to argue," he then murmurs to himself.

Keildrithe helps Gosia to the top of the stairs. "Lady, if you are unable to run," he whispers in her ear, "then stay here with Laithe for a moment while I run to the back door to see if we can get out that way. If we can, I'll come back to help you. Of course, if you can run, then by all means, come with me!" And at that, he rushes to the back door. Once there, he listens carefully, trying to determine if someone is out back... but his heart is beating too loudly in his ears, and the door too thick for him to hear anything. Listen check: 1 + 2 = 3... boooh! He then discretely checks the handle, to see if it will turn. If it does, he cautiously opens it a crack to see if anyone is standing by (Spot: 2 + 2 = 4... wow, getting better, one digit at a time). If not, then he will try the keys that Laithe handed him... "Please, father, grandfather, I beg for your wisdom, skill and luck, now more so than at anytime in my life..." The bard has a hard time coming to terms with the strange ring of his changed voice... the idea that he looks and sounds much like Atrek seems so surreal... and uncomfortable... I really hope this change isn't permanent... and that I won't start to really think and act like him...

Whilst Laithe covers him, Keildrithe heads down the passageway to the door at the end. Gosia indicates that she cannot run, so stays lurking out of sight on the stairway for now.

Reaching the door, Keildrithe finds that it does not open! With shaking hands, he begins trying the keys on the large ring. Soon enough, he finds one that fits, and the lock clicks. Gently trying the handle, he opens the door a sliver, peering out. The door appears to lead outside, but he can see nothing apart from that.

Used his inspire courage ability, which will last for 7 rounds... +1 morale bonus to hit and saves vs. fear effects...

Keeping an eye on the passage behind them, Laithe follows Keidlrithe and Gosia to the back door, his tension rising once more as they wait to discover whether any guards might be waiting at the back door for them.

If Kajetan can, he will walk fast to get outside, moving way past the guard if possible. Once outside, if he sees anybody, he will cast Message and let them know that Vorn is coming and that he could not stop him. Vorn is coming to look for Atrek. If no one is in sight, Kajetan will find a dark corner and cast Ghost Sound to make loud thunder cracks sound in the sky.

Sorry, really busy today, and I do not want to hold the game up an longer.

Oh, and well played Mothman, well played indeed.

When their attention is diverted again, Kajetan hurriedly mutters a minor incantantion, and his words are whispered directly into Alton’s ear – the Inquisitor is coming!

There is no sign of Laithe or Keildrithe, but by the relatively relaxed attitude of the soldiers, it does not appear that the alarm has been raised. The two adventurers do spot Yruch, emerging from the inn across the square, sans baby; it seems that he has managed to find someone to care for it. He gives a brief nod to Kajetan, and then walks hurriedly over to the street that leads to the north-west gate.

Spot Check (Roll 13+1=14)

If Kajetan still sees no one he will walk past the guards around the constable and try to listen in on any conversations regarding Gosia or Atrek. Then he will make his way to the stables. If nothing, he will redirect himself toward Yruch.

Listen Check (Roll 8+1=9)

Halfway up the alley Laithe shakes his head and says "Gosia, I may be able to help you with your foot I should have thought of this earlier!" He leans down and casts his final 2 cure minor wounds on her foot, hopefully making her a little more mobile.

To Keildrithe he says "Where are we headed? Should we try and meet Jarred to see if he has had luck with the horses? Or should we make our way back towards Yruch at the Northern gate? Once we have met with one of the others I can return and signal the others"

Laithe points to the North avenue "Quickly, we can't head back to the square without being spotted - we should put some distance between ourselves and the constabulary". Looking to the right he also notices the church "And we definitely should put some distance between us and the church".

Halfway up the alley Laithe shakes his head and says "Gosia, I may be able to help you with your foot I should have thought of this earlier!" He leans down and casts his final 2 cure minor wounds on her foot, hopefully making her a little more mobile.

To Keildrithe he says "Where are we headed? Should we try and meet Jarred to see if he has had luck with the horses? Or should we make our way back towards Yruch at the Northern gate? Once we have met with one of the others I can return and signal the others"

"Where are we headed...good question." Being a local of Barg, would Keildrithe know of any good hiding places away from prying eyes up this way, in the northern part of town, or of a good route that will loop back near one of the gates? Knowledge (local): 11 + 2 = 13.

"We aren't too far from the back of the church... If we're lucky, we might run into Alton, and he could inform Jarred of our whereabouts... Otherwise, once we've found a safe hiding spot, perhaps you could transform into a dog or cat and find Jarred and the others under that guise and direct them to our location? I don't know what else to suggest..."

Which gate did we come in by again? Was it the south gate? And there is no north gate, right? Only south and... west? Sorry, I'm a little disoriented...

Laithe replies to Keildrithe's question "I won't be able to take the form of a cat - well not a small one anyway. I can change my body shape but not my body mass. A large dog it would have to be - which may still attract some attention, but might still be a better option.

We came in the North-west gate, and there is a South and East gate. The North gate would be best to leave by as it is closest to the forest and where we want to meet. But the South gate could also work, and may best, because the guards there will not have seen us come in, and will not still have a couple of bodies that they'd like us to deal with. I say South gate is best.

Mothman, how common are Dogs in Barg? Keildrithe may know with his local knowledge? Also, can you remind us where Yruch and Jarred were going to be waiting for us?

At any rate, no sign of Jarred or the others, and you cannot get close enough to the guards to hear their conversation.

A few moments after Kajetan emerges from the church, Inquisitor Vorn appears with several soldiers at his side. He looks around and then strides towards the constabulary. “Is Captain Atrek within?” he asks the constable sergeant, who replies in the affirmative.

At this stage, Yruch has left the square, but he is still in sight, striding down the street towards the gate.

Gates are located to the north-west, south and east. The north part of town is something of a maze of narrow streets and alleys, so hiding spots would be simple enough to come by. The town’s stables are also located in this part of town. Finding a way through to the north-west or east gate shouldn’t be too hard. You entered via the north-west gate this morning. Dogs are common enough in and around Barg, although such a large one would probably draw attention.

As for the plan … well, it was your plan, not mine! It must be all the excitement … if it’s any consolation, Alton and Kajetan aren’t having much better luck remembering it … let’s hope that Jarred and Yruch remember their parts …

We came in the North-west gate, and there is a South and East gate. The North gate would be best to leave by as it is closest to the forest and where we want to meet. But the South gate could also work, and may best, because the guards there will not have seen us come in, and will not still have a couple of bodies that they'd like us to deal with. I say South gate is best.

Mothman, how common are Dogs in Barg? Keildrithe may know with his local knowledge? Also, can you remind us where Yruch and Jarred were going to be waiting for us?[ooc]

[ooc]I believe that Yruch was standing by the north gate to help us in case of trouble on the way out, and that Jarred was trying to secure horses from the stables... And here's the result of my Knowledge (local dogs) check: 13 + 2 = 15... ;-)

Laithe falls in next to Gosia (did the healing have any effect on here injured foot and ability to walk?) and Keildrithe, keeping an eye out for any sign that they might have been spotted. Spot check 11 + 7 = 18

Spot check: 3 + 2 = 5; Hide check: 9.

“I am afraid that I cannot do the same for you without distilling the spell into a potion form,” she tells Laithe. “But there is something else I can do … In case we should end up in a battle after all. Stand by me for a moment and I shall grant you a boon f strength.”

As Keildrithe begins leading the small band towards the stables, there comes some sort of commotion and yelling from the village square behind them.

With that, he and his men hurry into the constabulary.

No worries on the quick posts Utak.

As Keildrithe begins leading the small band towards the stables, there comes some sort of commotion and yelling from the village square behind them.

"Oh no... either they've discovered that we've escaped with Gosia, or Alton and Kajetan have run into trouble... Pray nothing has hindered Jarred..."

How far are we from the stables, and how far from the square?

Almost on que, he hears the clamour coming from the town square and groans. "It may just be that they've found that we have escaped, but I fear it may be more than that, and Alton or Kajetan might be in trouble. Perhaps you should continue on and I can double back to check it out? Also, do you still have control over your appearance Keildrithe? It may be better to change to another form if possible - as they may now be on the lookout for Atrek."

Almost on que, he hears the clamour coming from the town square and groans. "It may just be that they've found that we have escaped, but I fear it may be more than that, and Alton or Kajetan might be in trouble. Perhaps you should continue on and I can double back to check it out? Also, do you still have control over your appearance Keildrithe? It may be better to change to another form if possible - as they may now be on the lookout for Atrek."

"Laithe, perhaps we should find Jarred and make sure that all is well with him before you head back to the square. Indeed, if we could get horses first, we might be in a better position to assist our companions. If he has run into difficulties of his own, splitting up now may not be the best option... We'll need to trust to the skill and wile of our companions. Lady Gosia... I have never imbibed a potion such as this... how much control do I have over my appearance... can I change it at will? And how long does the magic usually last?"

Yruch has drawn out of sight along the twisting street by the time you get moving – and the soldier sent by Vorn has also already begun jogging down the street ahead of you. Between the head start and Alton’s short legs, you have little chance of catching up.

Walking hurriedly down the street, which is beginning to fill with people wondering at the commotion, you soon reach the north-west gate, where a confrontation is taking place.

Yruch, having obviously hurried to reach the gates when the alarm was raised back in the square, stands with his back against one of the open gates, his heavy mace held in front of him with both hands. He is surrounded by a semi-circle of men – two constables and three soldiers, all with weapons drawn – who he holds at bay, preventing them from closing this half of the gate. The other half of the gate has already been drawn closed. A small crowd of spectators overlook the unfolding drama at a safe distance.

The soldiers shout at Yruch to stand down, but the paladin grimly shakes his head.

“You can change the form of the illusion by concentrating hard on a new appearance for several seconds,” Gosia tells Keildrithe. “The potion should last at least half an hour.”

Keildrithe thinks that the small group is probably equi-distant from the square and the stables – the village is not large after all – so the decision is made to continue to the stables in order to meet Jarred.

There are a few passersby in the area, but the street in front of Barg’s livery stables is al but deserted. As the trio approach, Jarred’s bearded face peers out from the open doorway. His eyes narrow for a moment before he realizes who it is and hurries forward. “Keildrithe, Laithe,” he says in a quiet voice, looking at the withered old crone. “Is this…?”

“Yes Jarred, it is I,” answers Gosia, and reaches up to plant a kiss on the man’s cheek. “Thankyou for coming for me.” Jarred looks like he wishes to say more, but obviously realizes that time is short.

“I was recognized,” he says grimly, “and the groom started to wonder what I wanted with Atrek’s horses. I had to knock him out, and tie up the stableboy – don’t worry, no permanent damage done. There only appear to be four of Atrek’s horses stabled here, and none others much suited for our purpose – I have the four saddled and ready to go. I shall ride with Gosia and we have a spare horse for Yruch. Is it to the gates?”

Once again, casts Ghost Sound somewhere around where the guards might feel compelled to respond. The sound will be a woman screaming for help.

If needed, Bluff Check (Roll 7+3=10)

There are a few passersby in the area, but the street in front of Barg’s livery stables is al but deserted. As the trio approach, Jarred’s bearded face peers out from the open doorway. His eyes narrow for a moment before he realizes who it is and hurries forward. “Keildrithe, Laithe,” he says in a quiet voice, looking at the withered old crone. “Is this…?”

“Yes Jarred, it is I,” answers Gosia, and reaches up to plant a kiss on the man’s cheek. “Thankyou for coming for me.” Jarred looks like he wishes to say more, but obviously realizes that time is short.

“I was recognized,” he says grimly, “and the groom started to wonder what I wanted with Atrek’s horses. I had to knock him out, and tie up the stableboy – don’t worry, no permanent damage done. There only appear to be four of Atrek’s horses stabled here, and none others much suited for our purpose – I have the four saddled and ready to go. I shall ride with Gosia and we have a spare horse for Yruch. Is it to the gates?”

"Fear not Jarred, Gosia, like I, has merely disguised her appearance with magic. Four horses, eh? One for you and Gosia, one for Kajetan and Alton, one for Yruch, and one for myself... I presume that Laithe could follow in animal form. Alton and Kajetan are still unaccounted for, and I fear that either they -- or our escape -- was discovered moments ago in the square, so I know not what to do. Should you leave now with Gosia while Laithe and I turn back for Alton or Kajetan? Do we trust that they will be able to escape on their own, or...??? Laithe, perhaps you could scout back to the square in bird form, and if necessary, guide us out of harm's way? I don't even know whose appearance I should take at this form..."

Jarred is willing to go ahead with Gosia if that is what you decide. Remember that Laithe’s animal forms are restricted to forms roughly the same mass as himself, and I’m not sure if he can take a flying form anyway. The potion will allow you to take any humanoid form of medium size – you don’t have to duplicate a specific person.

I seem to recall Laithe taking the form of an eagle during our raid on the goblin village. And what we know as players is not necessarily what Keildrithe the character knows, inexperienced as he is (generally speaking) in the ways of magic... ;-)

He thinks for a moment "Unfortunately I cannot take the form of an eagle or flying creature - though I have heard there are those who can do it. Perhaps we should take the horses and find Yruch. If neither Alton or Kajetan are there, then you should all leave and I will assume the form of a hound and head back in to see if they are ok. But hopefully they are already with Yruch, waiting for us at the Northern gate!"

"We should go quickly - if Gosia's escape has been discovered then they may come for horses - or try to close the gates! Let us stick to the back roads, but make some haste."