Ashardaldon Series - Unoptimized KK (Inactive)

Game Master Freddy Honeycutt

Kheldor meets up with Respen and Gurukk "Don't think we've all been properly introduced just yet. I am Kheldor, of the Shadow Sea, Shadowmancer extraordinaire. It would appear we are going to working and traveling together for some time"

Previous information becomes "public domain" for the other players as this is related to everyone......

Respen's info:

An off duty town guard weaves through the streets, she appears more than a little intoxicated.
”Bet tha baron will make a fine speech o things first thing in tha morning, you will hear them hearald’s trumpets.”

”Won’t say a word one bout Captain Forren, Merdick Forren; a fine captain disappeared tha day before tha fair even started, last seen him at tha ChatterStreet Market.”

Kheldor's info:

A sullen street-wise urchin offers some advice…
”Best get to an inn, been a rash o deaths in Southspur of late, no bodies were found but tha amount o blood found leaves no doubt tha people err deader tha doornails.”

Carry on!

Glad that her incidental tussle with the ratty-kin doesn't work out to be too expensive, Xane spends the rest of the day simply wandering about town as usual.

Helping out with lifting anything heavy where she can.

A girl's got'a get a work out some how. (^_~)

Early the next morning at the first bells the herald’s trumpets sound throughout the town. The bar-keeper lets you know…”At the second bell the baron will make a speech, options are to either go and hear it first hand or wait fer tha criers to repeat things through town.”

Which is it?

I wrote a post this morning and it didn't show up, I wonder if I forgot to hit send!

Gurukk heads to hear to Baron speak. Exciting!

(Assuming Xane has exercised her doggies first)

Xane saunters towards the gathering and the chat about to be given by the Baron.

"Maybe his mum is a wererat so he knows where they came from."

Respen Agrees with his comrades and heads to over to hear the baron's speech.

A crowd forms outside the baron’s keep around the northeast tower. Less than half of the town’s nearly five thousand citizens are here, but the crowd looks enormous—and agitated. The morning sky seems agitated as well, with heavy black clouds blocking the sunlight.
The noisy crowd begins to hush as the herald’s trumpets sound again, and the figure that must be the baron appears on a high balcony near the top of the tower. He looks to be over 6 feet tall, dressed in a white tunic and purple cloak and sporting a close trimmed black beard. He raises his hands, and silence spreads over the crowd….
Another tall figure lurks in the shadows behind the baron. His features are shrouded in a hooded cloak…

Perception DC 23….

”Good people of Brindinford, I address you today with a heavy heart, standing amid the chaos that has befallen our town. Lawlessness and disorder have reigned since this street fair began, and even the efforts of a heroic band of adventurers have not put an end to the madness. While we celebrated these heroes and feasted in their honor, assassins plotted to end their lives.”

”The guards of our fair city have been decimated. The streets are not safe to walk at night. Therfore I am forced to call upon a new force of law, one that will restore order in Brindinford. Let it be recorded that I, Baron Euphemes the Second, have decreed this day these new edicts.”

”The street fair is over. All booths must be removed from Eastgate Way before sundown tonight. Any booths, carts, or wagons found on Eastgate Way at sundown will be destroyed.”

”The gates of the city are closed. No one shall enter or leave Brindinford until futher notice.”

”The carrying of weapons in the city is prohibited. Anyone seen in possession of a weapon will be arrested.”

”The temple of pelor, whose god has not seen fit to defend our city, is closed, and its priests are declared outlaws. A warrant is hereby issued for the arrest of high Priest Forgrim and sun’s Champion Marith, as well as all acolytes who have served in the temple.”

”In order to maintain this new order in our fair city, I summon to duty all able-bodied citizens who have enrolled in the militia. They are to report to the barracks immediately.”

”Let the forces of lawlessness know that we will brook no disobedience of our law. Defiance will be punished by death, and justice will be executed without delay.”

Sense motive DC 15 [/spoiler] The baron’s speech went without pause and was devoid of all emotion[/spoiler]

As the final word is said a figure appears on the roof of the tower. It is humanoid, 9 feet tall, but gaunt to the point of being skeletal, a tail like you have seen on scorpions lashes around behind it, stinging the empty air. Mug shot

The baron slowly turns and disappears into the tower. The crowd stands in stunned silence.

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 9

Not being able to see that far and not being very insightful Gurukk says , "Huh"

"What a Dick!"

My original post got et. :(

Sense Motive:1d20 ⇒ 20

However, upon seeing the critter (As presented in the 'Mug shot') Xane's general comment is "DaFAQ?" Thence she saunters about looking for her friends.

"Hey guys? Any one think something, y'know, strange...is going on?" She asks Erky, Gurukk, Respen and Kheldor.

"Other than Gurukk being an orc in a city that hates orcs, ummm yeah something is off."

Xane blinks in surprise.

"Really?" She regards her friend. "Didn't realize that about the place." Xane regards the town's folk around them with a bit more care.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Sense Motive:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Knowledge(religion):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 To identify the critter as Xane put it.

"Let's get off the street before the guards try and take our weapons, I have a bad feeling of whats happening." Respen will look for someplace for him and his group to get out of the sight of guards.

Perception(for hiding spot):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Xane scratches her head..."What weapons...?" She asks puzzled, though she follows along behind every one else happily.

As you take cover into the nearest tavern....

"I say we blow this town, not hang around and get in trouble."

"Makes sense to Gurukk"

"Um..okay...but what about the closed gates...And all the guards at said closed gates?" Xane points out reasonably to Erky and Gurukk.

"Looks like the town's troubles are our troubles now." And she chuckles.

"Which pretty much sums up the way we fell into that dungeon, hey?"

"Correct Xane it's our problem and I'm thinking that attack wasn't a random assault. Right now we lay low, though we have 4 options, search the sewers for the rat gang, wait til night to take the guards out and go through the gate, just try to stay out the way til the alert goes away which I doubt will happen, or join his forces to infiltrate his forces and find out whats going on. My vote is to find the rat gang and getting information out of them, though I am up for hearing other ideas?"

Xane nods in agreement with Respen's words.

"Aye, looking for the rat-folk suits me fine. I'd rather be hunting them than have me waking upp with them finding me."

Ready to go exploring more tunnels and caverns. (^_^)

"Maybe a tunnel under tha city walls....."

Says Erky hopefully

Xane pats her Gnome friend on the head, (The easiest part of him to reach at the moment)

"Bah! Where's your sense of fun!" (^_^) Xane looks around,

"Okay, off to the Pub then!" She shouts and so sets off to find a drinking establishment.

"I could do a little snooping around. After all, much is said in the shadows that one doesn't want others to hear"

"Where you want to start? Silverhill, East Gate,chatter Street Market, South Spur, West Hill, err right here in tha tavern?"

Xane looks about the tavern for whom every is the most 'shadiest' person in the darkest corner.

Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Other party members don't count! :P

Xane spots a semi-shady guy lurking in a dark corner of the main room.

He seems to be drinking heavily and as you approach you hear him muttering to himself....

”There’s rats in the bell tower, swarming all over the place.”

"Big f%$$ing rats with big f*+%ing dicks...everywhere rats."

Xane pauses....looking about for an equally shady, but sober, character...before settling down on the other side of the table from 'The Guy' and waving to get the attention of the nearest serving lass.

"Evenin'. Are her opening words to the fellow.

The man looks up at you and your sober-ness.

"Why would thar be so many rats in tha bell tower?"

Gurukk thinks for a moment, "That's where they keep all the cheese?"

Xane smiles, "Ah..now that would be a question maybe for some one who works in the bell tower?" She replies, (And if the Serving Lass is about, ordering two more pints).

"So, do you work in the bell tower? Or did the rats have a go at you as you walked by?"

"I seen an heard em walking by, saw tha old keeper an left, those red eyes and rat looking men freaks me a might, but no one pays no never mind tah a drunk."

"Intresting, a better place to start then just randomly wondering the sewers and if all those are rats art there it sounds like a buffet for Gurukk."

"Sounds like we have somewhere for me to go investigate"

"Err we waiting till after dark or going now?"

Xane leans back, relaxing in the Pub's 'ambiance'.

"I'm not fussed." She replies.

Kheldor grins "I work best after dark. I'll go then. If one of you wants to come with me, as backup, that's fine, but you'll need to stay outside. This is definitely something I have to do alone"

Xane raises an eyebrow.

"Um...okay...Though you be careful when we do this, right?" She looks to Erky and Respen.

"So, well mosey over towards this bell-tower and just hang around outside until we hear something?"

"Gurukk can see at night, though not very far. Gurukk could go or stay, Gurukk ok with either."

The bell tower that stands in the middle of town is Brindinford’s architectural pride and joy.

The tower rises 125 feet high and 30 feet square, a perfect combination of durable craftsmanship and elegant beauty. The great bells ring every three hours during the day. A stone staircase winds up the building on the outside.

The sturdy outside door is locked!

Xane shades her eyes as she leans back and looks up at the height of the tower.

"Phew! They like 'em big in this town..." She exclaims quietly. Then casually saunters over and leans against the wall besides the tower's door.

"So...?" She asks, casually looking around and keeping an eye on the any town guards nearby.

"It looks like Gurukk may have some stairs to climb"

Erky pulls out a couple of skeleton keys and tries the lock.....

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"When I said I had to go alone, I meant it. Stay here and try to get in through the door." Casting Spider Climb and begins to scale the tower.

How dark is it? the darker, the better

I thought it was still day time? Not sure though...

"Let's see if I can get it." Respen fumbles with his old set of thieves tools and tries to pick the lock.

Disable Device:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

I thought the consensus was to wait till after dark...

Let us say that it is afterdark and the sky is overcast over a cresent moon.

The outer door opens for Erky into an entry chamber.
anyone going in?

Kheldor

Not me. Am waiting on the plan.

"The plan is either go inside and create a ruckus while Kheldor sneaks around, or stay outside and create a lesser ruckus by just being ourselves while Kheldor sneaks around."

Xane tilts her head, "I thought it was the second part." Then she pauses and glances at Gurukk.

"Wait...when did we do that ruckus thing, anyway?"

She does keep an eye out for folks who might be taking an interest in the groups activities.

Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17