Correct. I have been making checks (such as Ian's spoiler from this morning).
Tavrus is paying attention but has nothing to say. didnt want you to think i was inactive.
Appreciate that Mr.GM
Sorry for lack of posting. RL is killing me right now, I'll get back into things soon.
Well those are all the questions I want to ask. I offered one last olive branch to this thief, if he doesn't take it I won't feel bad about resorting to worse methods. He'll probably lose a hand at the very least, then be drugged and tossed into a prison as bait for his friends.
I hope he takes the olive branch and we can catch the leaders of the criminal guilds.
Due to a very long work day today and plans tomorrow night and Saturday I don't expect to be able to post an update till Saturday night or Sunday night.
Mageocracy members?
What should our next action be? Should we talk to the thief alone? (Good idea with the scar by the way) Should we end the interrogation and send him to the prisons until he can be properly sentenced?
What about the merchants? Should we continue to work with them?
Hm I'm fairly new to the forums, shouldn't we discuss it IC in the gameplay, or does posting here keep things cleaner?
Ian won't contribute an opinion, just wait for orders, help with prisoner transport, whatever's needed.
@Valdr: sorry, just read the OOC boards and already posted. I'd say we take him back to the jails, make him think for a bit that we buy his "I'm the good guy, the merchants are bad" shtick for a bit and see if he offers up anything else useful.
Tomlin would be fine working with the Merchant's a bit, in things like ganging up on criminal elements in the city. But there are limits to his interest in that and is not interested in writing a blank check for the merchant's to vigilante their way across town.
Hm I'm fairly new to the forums, shouldn't we discuss it IC in the gameplay, or does posting here keep things cleaner?
Ian won't contribute an opinion, just wait for orders, help with prisoner transport, whatever's needed.
This sort of thing can be tricky, so you'll have to judge each piece or instance of something like this on its own.
For example Valdr asking about how much authority the group has in this thread is appropriate.
Serelina role-playing about how the merchants look to themselves is way cool, but that is also the sort of thing I wouldn't have had any problem with someone asking about in the discussion thread along the lines of 'What are the general goals of the merchants guild?'. Its the sort of thing that at a basic level would be fairly well known public knowledge that the merchants guild look after themselves first and foremost - but they do have an overall interest in the public welfare as that is where their business primarily comes from. (Of course for each specific individual of the guild they may or may not align with those goals).
Just a note based on a comment Valdr had made earlier.
The drow is being held in the cells below the western gate.
The prison you would take this captive to is in the northwest part of the city, and is more secure than the cells at the various guard houses. Four cells below ground with anti-magic fields over them - only a small slit at ground level letting in light (you'd have to be able to squeeze down to the size of a rat to fit through them).
A single narrow entry leads to the four below ground cells. There are another 30 cells at ground level, just your standard bars and stone walls.
The entire place is also surrounded by a 15' smooth stone wall with a single 10' wide iron portcullis blocking the entrance. A tower at each corner of the wall overlooks the prison complex.
The place is always guarded by about 2 dozen guards, including a handful of both divine and arcane spell casters.
The prisons are used for more hardened criminals, not mere tax delinquents but rather thieve's, murderers awaiting execution, traitors, those who have scammed the government or the public, or attempted blackmail, drug dealers, etc.
FYI: Serelina's view of the guild may be skewed by her background. She has a severe mistrust of the guild and would love to see certain houses destroyed in the most humbling manner possible. There may be a danger that she overlooks their more altruistic coals of peace favoring commerce due to her oversuspicion.
I will be working overtime for the next ~2-4 weeks. I still plan to post once per day, but if I miss a day here or there that is why.
Is there anyway we can lobby for the Mageocracy to make magics of invisibility and disguise illegal for common citizens to use?
Wanted to move this to this thread.
This is a possibility, though it likely won't make any difference among the true criminal elements other than making getting such items more difficult. I'd be interested in any thoughts for what a suitable punishment might be for infringing such a law could be?
flaying!
or maybe just some of those terrible symbols like the witch did
Valdr isn't so harsh in his metting out of punishments. He doesn't want tyranny, just order and law so that a peaceful society can exist. He'd leave the sentencing to the rulers, but if asked of his opinion he'd probably go along the lines of the below.
Confiscation of the items in question. A heavy fine and or mandatory community service. Repeat offenses would add potential imprisonment and/or being sent to a work camp. In addition, breach would bring a necessary investigation by officials into other activities.
DM - Any chance we can have the logs changed to indicate Vaek's cell is in another wing (and possibly trapped) and that Vaek (if that's his real name) is listed under the name Keav?
Also, can I use my traps crafting skill to trap his cell? Since it's in an anti-magic zone, a mundane trap will have to do.
I'm on the road this week; posting may be light.
@Valdr, having the records altered is not a problem.
They won't allow a trap though as the guards still need to make use of the cell door.
On a good note I don't except to have much/any overtime this week so should be able to post regularly.
While Valdr is sensing motive on this criminal, he will likely keep quiet the rest of the time. He does not trust this man in the slightest and he/I suspect that everything he says is cached with half-truths and subtle ommissions.
Does the tower employ skilled city trackers who might be able to follow this criminal if we let him go free?
@Valdr, yes, though with magic like invisibility, haste, fly, dimension door, and teleport (and near the sea like you are here, water breathing) and other like effects tracking or following certain individuals can be very difficult to do.
Based on your conversation with the merchants and their recounting of things to you you know this individual can turn invisible for short duration of time and can move very quickly.
A tracker with see invisibility and expeditious retreat would be wanted to counter those two things. Such an individual could be contacted and set up to follow him within a days time as both are low level spells.
I'm back and will be catching up on my PbP's over the next couple of days.
FWIW....I don't think releasing him is a good idea at all. We can RP that decision out over the IC thread, but it is far easier to evade in PF than follow. Likewise, as long as he knows he is being watched it is unlikely the prisoner will go anywhere useful.
Agreed
Also agreed, but in case we can not hold onto him I wanted to inquire into any backups we might have.
I posted possible questions for the spirit in the other thread.
Things are crazy at work right now as we prepare to argue motions for summary judgment at the end of the month in a $200 million lawsuit. I hope to be able to maintain, but may fall behind a bit.
No worries Serelina. Post when you are able.
I know I havent been talkative on here lately, but I am still following along. Tavrus isnt a gregarious person, and he defers to the investigative expertise of the others just as they deferred to his necromantic expertise. I might post some internal monologue this weekend when I get more time.
looking back at what was said (regarding the first speak with dead Valdr and I did), i am having a hard time piecing this all together.
Ilvaria seems to have been a commander of some sort in one of the thief guilds. The one that is opposed to the Mistress. She used someone known as Maklo Roath to kill one of the corpses (who was an agent of the Mistress. Yeah, definitely a gang war)
@GM - Drail Banden is dead correct? He's the one who owned the warehouse that was murdered? Hmm... well, if he was involved with the Pesh trade that might explain things. Maybe we should seize his entire business and investigate it. It might also explain that divination we saw of his son whistling down the street when we scried the black feather.
@GM - Drail Banden is dead correct? He's the one who owned the warehouse that was murdered? Hmm... well, if he was involved with the Pesh trade that might explain things. Maybe we should seize his entire business and investigate it. It might also explain that divination we saw of his son whistling down the street when we scried the black feather.
Correct, he was one of those killed that first night.
Seems like we made some real progress with this interrogation....maybe we should try to sum up what we know. It appears that the recent murders were in fact the result of gang-land violence between The Mistress, who heads an underground criminal syndicate, and this Ilvaria. Ilvaria appears to have been an upstart that tried to rest power from The Mistress but was defeated. "Anthony's Gang", whom Vael is a member, works for The Mistress. Not sure if Anthony's group is/are the ones running the Pesh trade, but they are at least working for the group that is.
I also feel at this point that the Merchant's mercenaries really aren't part of the gang war directly and that Vael pretty much made all of that up. It would stand to reason that Anthony's group is who the Merchant's ambushed in the bar and the fact that they may have been wholly unprepared for the ambush (given the preoccupation with Ilvaria's insurrection) could have led to them losing two members. If I'm correct in this, teaming up with the Merchant's to roll up the rest of Anthony's group might lead us to The Mistress and the pesh trade.
I was pretty much done with Vael before, but coming back with this new knowledge, coupled with a little more force or maybe a bluff to say that his friend's corpse talked a lot more than Vael would have hoped, might yield a bit more knowledge. Being mildly vicious, Tomlin isn't above veiled and not-so-veiled threats at Vael's goddaughter to gain compliance.
Anything I missed? Other ideas or thoughts?
EDIT: Drail Baden's death might be a piece here too. Drail might have been The Mistress' pesh handler and Drail's son might have killed Drail working with Ilvaria to take that over too. Lot of speculation here but it might be a good idea to pull Drail's in for a little Q & A.
You put together much more than I had. I admit this intrigue is pretty complicated, heh
The baden's definitely are part of the Pesh trade. I think we should have the guards fall upon their warehouses or one of their recent shipments and search through them all. It might yield a large cache of contraband.
You forgot that Ilvaria had a partner by the name of Firyin. He is likely the one still carrying on the war between the two factions. We also know that at least one of the groups has a lair beneath the streets as well, though how to find that is anyone's guess.
I'm not sure I am willing to rule out the Merchant mercenaries as being involved in all this, even as unwitting pawns, it is rather curious how they were able to locate Anthony/Vaels gang at that tavern so soon after meeting with us. They said they were following up on a lead, right? Maybe someone from the rival gang gave them that information?
I agree there is a lot going on.
Don't forget we have a note that read:
"Arrived in Coran. Met with F and H. Be prepared for a pickup in eight days."
"Head to the hold and make further arrangements with D there."
I think some of our names may fit with the letters on that note. It might be useful to assemble a chart of names and relations with a plot that complex
Also, remember: we do have an actual mission that we're supposed to be looking into, involving a hamlet razed with the inhabitents slaughtered by Radgar. We could keep questioning forever it seems but we may be starting to face the law of diminishing returns.
We need to decide what our next step would be. Seems like we have a few options: 1) re-interrogate Vael with the new knowledge we have, 2) go after the Baden's business due to possible/likely pesh trade involvement, 3) go to the Mithril Rose for the meeting our superiors recommended to attempt to ascertain Radgar's possible location. There might be other options I can't remember.
@Ian: do you have an opinion on the group's next direction?
Broadly speaking it seems like the group, with the sharp and notable exception of Valdr, want to move on from the Vael/Zov/Pesh angle and onto something else. Truth me told, I/Tomlin is/are ambivalent on this. I could go either way. Not sure I have a good read on Ian's opinion, but right now the vote seems to be 2-1 towards pursuing Radgar or at least letting the complicated Vael/Zov/Pesh angle drop for now. If Ian wants to go after Radgar instead, then that's a conclusive 3-1 vote. I'll break the tie if Ian votes to continue the current sleuth work.
That sounds about right. Though I have no interest in further interogations with Vael. He is a liar and we won't get anything useful from him. We should just provide more information to the courts so that they can give him a harsher penalty.
I vote pursue radgar. Come back after and see what developments have occurred in the crime ring/gang violence.
Ian thinks we should split up for a bit, until we can regroup on something conclusive, like a raid or bust. Til then he's making another stab at the pesh trade.
Adian Veray also asked you to meet with him again in the morning.
Ready for Radgar.
@GM: Was there any mention of an elven female or a catfolk in the group the merchant's attacked in The Crow?
As for the next direction....it sounds like splitting up is the most efficient thing right now. In my tabletop group, "splitting up" is used as a euphemism for "stupid things PC's do" but I guess it is OK here as long as we stay to info-gathering and not risk confrontation.
In order to give our DM a direction, let's say this: In the morning we all meet with Veray. Then Tavrus and Serelina go to the Mithril Rose to look into leads for Radgar. Tomlin, Valdr and Ian follow-up on any leads Ian gets the night before with his Intimidate check, then investigate Baden's warehouse again for Pesh. This will split the group roughly along lines of interest and put one "face" PC (Serelina and Tomlin) in each group. The two groups then plan to get dinner together to compare notes and plot the next day's actions. Sound OK?
@GM, Take 2: I plan to work it into Tomlin's next IC post, but when we meet with Veray he recommends the Tower throws the book at Vael. Given that the burden of proof seems rather less in Coran than in most Western countries it seems we could get him put away in a very secure location for a very long time.
@Tomlin, no mention of a catfolk or elven woman came up in the conversation with the merchants.
Sounds good to me, Brotha Tommy
Only a few reasons corpses go missing, none of them good. Ian preferred the dens of thieves and murderers, at least they were predictable, but necromancy? Maybe it's just a lone sicko, having a little fun. Wishful thinking. He'd be staking out the graveyard til morning.
Ian rented a room above a merchant shop for the night, blew out all the candles, and sat at the window overlooking the graveyard. It was going to be a long night. He had bought a basket of apples from a street vendor on the way, and hoped they would last him. Hours passed. Ian spat out a half-chewed worm from a mouthful of apple, then kept eating. He tapped his fingers on the edge of his chair, fidgeting. He felt the itch, he needed a hit. Lucky he brought plenty. He felt the effects of the pesh immediately, the faint shadows on the ceiling beginning to form headstones and skeleton hands. Then the rush hit, pumping euphoria through his veins, his own shadow grew large and smashed the skeletal hands into pieces. Laughing in triumph, he took a vase from the nearby table and threw it against the ceiling, scattering dirt and broken pieces everywhere. His eyes darted around the room as the blankets and carpet began to swell like ocean waves.
He sat up gasping. How long've I been out? It took a moment for his vision to clear. He wiped saliva off his jaw and righted his fallen chair, hefting himself up onto it. When his head finally stopped spinning, he parted the curtains a little, peering out at the graveyard. Stillness and quiet. Like any good graveyard outta' be. He started to turn away when movement caught his eye—a cloaked figure pulling a loaded cart out of the graveyard.
”Shit!”
He ran downstairs and stumbled out into the street, the noise was loud as a thunderstorm in full plate. Guess he knows I'm comin'. The hooded figure was staring, perfectly still, when Ian spotted him. For a moment they just stared at each other, then Ian began the chase. For awhile, the graverobber tried to pull the cart along with, but Ian was gaining quick, so he ran into an alleyway, leaving the cart blocking the entrance. Ian put his shoulder against the cart and heaved it onto its side, barely breaking stride. Corpses dumped onto the street as Ian barreled down the alleyway after the elusive figure. His lungs were full of fire, and he was drenched in sweat. The heavy plate-mail was like carrying another person. He thought he'd lost sight of the cloaked figure more than once, but he knew these streets well enough to run them blindfolded. He was gaining. Finally, the graverobber put his hands up, slowing to a walk then stopping. Ian could hear him panting and gasping for air.
”Enough, enough,” he said between breaths, turning to face Ian, hands still raised.
Ian shackled the man then pulled the hood off. Underneath was a wiry man with brown hair and hazel eyes, mid 20's, about Ian's age. His skin was pale, though not pale enough to be a real bookworm type. He seemed calm, considering the circumstances, though out of breath. Ian shoved him forward.
”Get moving. And if you try to run again, I'm just putting an arrow in your back.”
”Fair,” The graverobber replied quietly.
Despite his stoic mask, Ian could sense despair underneath, panic, a mind racing to find a way out. They walked in tense silence for awhile, Ian ready to draw and fire on him if he ran.
”So...how did you know?” The graverobber asked, without turning.
Ian chuckled, ”Not me. Captain Jerez. He put it together. You never took from the same graveyard twice, and there were only a few graveyards that hadn't been hit in the months since you started. So he assigned a guard at each one, to stake it out. Said something about how you had to work by moonlight, so tonight would be the night. Clever bastards, the both of ya.”
The wiry man nodded slightly, still looking forward, down the street—towards imprisonment, or worse. The punishment for necromancy wasn't pretty, from what Ian heard. And even if they couldn't prove necromancy, they'd get him for graverobbing, and that wasn't pretty either. The shackled man must have been thinking along the same lines.
”How much does the guard pay?”
Ian chuckled, ”Money just keeps me fed. I do it for my own reasons.”
It was a half-truth. Ian was good at his job, and not much else. He was a shit husband, and a worse father. Being good at something kept him afloat. But coin was coin.
”Mhm,” the prisoner replied.
They continued in silence for a moment. Ian knew what the graverobber was thinking, but he could also sense his growing fear, so he let him stew. It didn't take long.
”It seems my work is endangered. Perhaps I could interest you in a deal,” the prisoner said, then stopped walking, turning to Ian. ”You said your captain, he realized I never went to the same graveyard twice, and there are still a half dozen more in the city. If you were to tell your captain that I escaped, it would follow that this graveyard would then be safe to visit as many times as I needed.”
”That's a real expensive 'if',” Ian said, staring the prisoner down.
The graverobber smiled, ”My name is Tavrus, and you are...?”
Valdr would want to look into this Rosuc individual or failing that go to that Inn where the criminal was caught. Didn't they say that the people there were anti-government? What was the name of that place again? The black feather? The crow? The Raven? Maybe we could just surround the place and take everyone into custody and questioning. Catfolk and Winged demon's aren't exactly easy to forget. Let's not forget that the Demons we killed were communicating with agents in Coran.
Valdr is thinking extremes right now.
It's called The Crow, and it sounds like it has covert links to "Anthony's Gang". Surrounding it and taking everyone into custody isn't so much Tomlin's style....maybe as a first step we check out the Silver Spirit about this Rosuc and the Mithril Rose? Isul's divination will likely give us more to go on, and at least Tomlin will be gung-ho to go after that.
Any other questions for the Radgar/Mithril Rose thread?
None I can think of at the moment
I have a work-related formal dinner event to attend tomorrow night, coupled with a project that I have been working on whose culmination is tomorrow morning. As such, my posts may be sparing for the next 48 hours. "Bot" me as needed, although I don't anticipate that being necessary.