Baldwin the Merciful's - CoT Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master baldwin the merciful

I simply shake my head. "It would appear not. Then you have made your choice?" I look hard into the man's eyes.

After watching the interrogation go so badly, John says to the man"I'm sorry about the unprofessional way this interrogation was preformed, and I promise you when you wake up, we will do this right." John will then pull out his sap and hit the man over the head to knock him out.
I'm going to assume that I don't really ned to roll for that.
When the man is out, John will say to the group. "When we try to talk to him again, it will only be me and either Arael or Andrea in the room to make sure he stays awake."

Arael nudges Janiven and they each walk out of room, leaving Kenji, Shinon, and John with the bandit. "They appear to be trying the good versus the bad authority routine. I fear we would only get in the way with the questioning." Certainly they would not attack a restrained prisoner, who is not in a hostile act?

John's words are muffled but they are followed by a loud thud sound echoes and a grunt.

"Well, we know there they will hit an unarmed prisoner. They seem to believe the ends justify the means."

Shinon wipes the spit from his face and glares at John, then takes a breath and nods. "Whatever. But if you're going to demand that you do this all on your own, then you better not screw it up." He walks outside and stands next to Duncan.

"...That could have gone better," Shinon admits after a moment of silence.

Arael and Janiven are in the kitchen drinking a glass of wine. Arael has a disturbed look on his face. "What do you intend to do with your prisoner?" Stressing the 'your' in his statement.

Heard everything.
He peeks around the corner and sees the unconscious body and calls everyone over.
Ermolos, watch im.
Taking them to another room to sit.
Now, kenji, ye've add yer chance. Ye kin see that one, despite being tied up, surrounded still believes imself invincible. He wants t'be handed over cause his family can easily pay the bribe, T'get im let off. Don't think that's me being dramatic. Cause it's true- they actually got laws here dictating how much ye must pay. Rest assured-ye turn him over he's goin free and that's that. Meaning ye ARE responsible fer what e does. Nobody else has the power t stop im but us. Now let me tell ye a thing er two bout getting information outta a body. Ye need 'em pissin down there leg. They needs to belive.the ONLY way E's getting outta here is by co- operatin. That means a bit o mental breakin down is required.

He pulls a swig of the last of the alcohol the man at the sewer sold him.
What I'm saying is e needs to be either MAGICALLY compelled or mentally broke down. We ain't got no wizard so we only got one option. I propose we starve I'm for a day or two. Still give im water o course. Now a well fed boy like that will miss a meal after only a day. The body can go a looonng time without eatin. In addition he can't he allowed to sleep for 2 days. So we all take shifts t'keep him moving. The mind really needs rest after 24 hrs. We gotta make him WANT things only we c'n provide. We trade im. Info fer a bit o food, Info fer a bit o rest. O an we should p'robly Dunk is head in water fer 30mins or so, so e thinks e's gonna drown I'm talking about water boarding here. Forgive the detail- I am a former soldier an have experienced this myself.
Now central to all this is sensory deprivation. He's t'be bound, blinded, manacled and gagged the whole time. We march him in a circle while deprivin him o sleep. Comepletely separate him from time an space. An NOONE is t'speak t'him cept me an John. All that lad needs to know is a dark, lonely little world wit two voices. One offerin hope, tha'd be John an the other offerin death. After a bit o all this- he'll talk EVERYBODY does given time. Now before evrbody gets there knickers in a knot keep in mind at NO stage here have I suggested we harm im. Nothin I'm offerin will damage the boy. An the point will be made clear to him that he can end it at any time simply by talkin. NOW. Ave ye got the stomach fer all that?

Shinon shakes his head firmly. "What you're talking about is torture, Duncan, at its heart."

I hope that that doesn't offend you, but that's just Shinon's view on intentionally starving and sensory deprivation.

"I will not participate in such an endeavor. I'll do my best to make the boy talk, and I'll kill him to protect other people rather than let him go, but enacting methods that make a person suffer continuously is just a level of cruel that I am not willing to take. Not for scum like this. I'd rather go back into the sewer and see if we can't track Henk down."

Who was Arael talking to?

Duncan waves his hand dismissively, Bah, yer a ranger boy and should know full well missing a couple o meals ain't gonna harm nobody. Hells, there's people on the streets outside ain't eatin fer that long. This boy's been raised on money and would be crackin after the first day. But if'n none o ye got the stomach jus fer makin him a bit hungry what's yer bright idea? Since you an Kenji been making such an effective team so far?

Arael and Janiven are speaking to Duncan and Shinon who both walked out of the room. Ermolos, and a few other of the NPCs are in the kitchen. You are pretty close to the kitchen area. Andrea is on a binge so she is not there. John and Kenji were in the room when John whacked the bandit.

I am not around Duncan? Cause If I am I got some pretty deep stuff to say.

I am not around Duncan? Cause If I am I got some pretty deep stuff to say.

Edit: I just saw Duncan wrote that he called everyone over for his speech. I missed that the first time I read his post.

I stand there firm and stubborn as ever. "I do not approbe of your methods. Dis is not how sviors shud act and this isn't what I agreed to assist. I wiru not araow you to torture him. I wiru stand against you to protect dis man."

"I don't agree with the extent you want to go Duncan. I'm fine with threatening him, and some physical contact, but not full on torture. He is right in the fact that we are only vigilantes now, and have no right going as far as you suggest. Now as to what we do about him, that's where things are a little difficult, we can't really bring him to the Dorttari, since we will just get off, more due to lack of evidence then anything else. I think we should just take him back to the sewers for now."

Janiven steps up next to Kenji. "We have bigger fish to catch and that fight is not amongst ourselves. We need to focus our attention on rooting out the evil, corruption and oppression that besieges this city. All that we know is this man did attack the party...but we don't know the reason.

She stops to take a breath and survey the group, " Was he with anyone else?" Resuming, "Did you observe him torturing anyone or is that an assumption being made?"

She reaches over and touches Kenji's arm, "He mentioned to Kenji that he was on lawful business, perhaps he was sent in to spy on the Red Knives? If that is the case we have have committed a capital offense. Tread carefully if force is used to question him."

Duncan lifts his helm, bearing Ragathiel's likeness.
Well fine. If everybody's gonna go all jelly legs cause I suggest him skippin a meal. So be it.
Go an give im a kiss an cuddle and see if that works. I'll wait here so's I don't slip on the juice from all.the bleedin hearts round here. I'm turnin in. Mebbe tomorrow I can go find a damn wizard t'join this girls group so we can just magic answers outta people without offending anyone.

Ermolos gets John's and Duncan's attention without saying their name, "he is stirring do you want to ask him a few questions?"No need to give up our names to this guy.

Ask the rest boy, no one wants answers apparenty, so John and the rest can dole out hugs and kisses to im. I'll stand in th' back and look mean since that's all I'm here fer.

Open House inspection today. Back in 6 hrs.

Rustling in his manacles, the bandit's eyes blink open. There is fine crust of dried sleep in each eye. Groaning with a throb in his head, the lump by his ear tender. "W...w...w..at..er"

I give the group a serious look. "Gib me one more try at him and I wiru hand him ober to John."

Intimidate isnt torture so I'd like to give it a go but I got a lengthy post to put out but no time to post it at this time. I will be able to do so in two hours could you hold off on anything drastic till then please?

Okay here goes.

With a bit of a sour expression I return to the man with a waterskin in hand. Before I give it too him I grab a handful of hair and pull back his head to look him in the eyes. I speak with no compassion but my voice is one of a more serious tone. "Listen, I don't want you to suffer but I am one man and cannot stand between you and the more vengeful memebers of this place. Your life is more in there hands than mine and I can do little more than offer you that I will fight for your life so long as you cooperate. You make the wrong choice and there is little more I can do for you. This is your last chance to save yourself from suffering. The others do not suffer fools and similar to your kind, they care little of the consiquences of your actions. Think, what would your fellows do if they had one of us in their clutches? Imagine that is you at the mercy of those who you served and they are not your friends. That's the position your in now with one exception. There is someone here willing to fight for you. Now make your choice! What say you? I won't ask again"

Intimidate:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Not a great result but I believe the intimidate DC is much lower than the Diplomacy DC. Course....I've been wrong before.

Duncan walks in behind Kenji, his helm is down.
He says nothing but drags a chair over from the table, sits in it a few feet behind Kenji and and leans foreward playing with hishammer.

Length of time intimidated: 1d6 ⇒ 1 He is intimidated for 10 minutes

The bandit responds, Waa..t...er His eyes shifting to Duncan with his hammer.

Ye beg yer savior there fer drink, HUMAN fer ye'll get nothing from me.
He continues to spin the warhammer on it's head. Round and Round. Round.and Round.

Water coughing fit. gggive you 'elp. Eyes fixated on Kenji and the canteen.

I gently help the man drink from my waterskin careful not to drown the man. I sit there staring at him awaiting his clear response.

He nods appreciatively, "What do you want from me?"

**** Alternate Reality****

I nod at the man and let a sigh of relief. "Lets start wit numbers, names, and skills of dose in Henk's group. After that, all access points to his lair. And lastly any surprises we shud be aware of." I lean back. "Thanks for your cooperation. I will see to it you are handed over to the authorities when Henk and his men are dealt wit. From dere your fate is out of my hands."

"His number grows between 20 to 25 troops. There is clem and cobb his two squad leaders, then there are Mountage and Arend his advisors. He has axe traps everywhere. I know of only one way in and you were following it.

Sense Motive1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

There is nothing about his tone or mannerism that would lead you to think he is lying at this time.

Duncan can make an Intelligence check with a +2

Sense motive:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Sense motive:1d20+8

You, also, think he is being straight with you.

I sigh. "Lying wasn't part of the deal. Your families wealth will not be your salvation in this environment." I pause for a second. I speak a bjt faster allowing my accent to obscure my words again. "Wait. Why a buch a rich kids runnin around in a sewer in first prace? What is down dere dat wud make you or Henk assume is best prace to base? If you famiries so wirring to pay you out of jair, why hide at ah?"

I slow my speech to speak clearly again. "Why are you hiding in da sewers if you not afraid of the law? What's down dere? Or wud you family really pay you out? You said youself you are a bastard son, maybe you not wanted at all? Whats the reason and do not lie to me again. If you do, you will have chosen to turn away my protection."

Edit: Going to add intimidate again:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
I feel a sprt of good cop bad cop thing going on him

His brow scrunches as he does not understand you initially. Huh?

When the foreigner's speech slows down, "Who's hiding? Sewers are the underground streets."

He smirks with the bastard comment, "Everyone needs to climb over somebody to get to the top."

He still seems to be cooperating.

I raise an eyebrow. "Underground streets? How do you and yours handle the smell, rats, goblins, and oversized grubs? There are much nicer streets to walk above than those sewers. So why take them. I would like a good answer. You also still haven't answered weather or not your family even cares about your fate. At this point I tink it is a safe bet they don't. So whatever happens to you here, I would be the only one who would even care. Trust me, the dwarf behind me would love nothing less than to torture you. I won't let him as long as you want my help but to get that I need honesty. Now why are you and Henk all in the sewer? What is the real reason? I cannot hold back the others if you remain dishonest. I am outnumbered and am the only person here who can save you. Now answer." This whole time my expression is stern betraying neither anger nor frustration. If nothing else, there is a hint of sorrow. I pity this misguided boy and how he temps the threads of fate with his stubbornness.

"You'll find out if I have any value in this city." With smug smirk, "you have no idea what you put your foreign face into. Do you think I was bluffing when I mentioned you all were marked the other day?" He grins, "If you stayed out of the sewer...then there would be no problems."

He stops for breath, "Go ahead vigilante kill me...but wasn't it the Rack you were running from a few days ago? Wonder why you were running from the law? Do you think word is not out with your descriptions?" He says in a serious tone.

Arael and Janiven are at the doorway but off to the side out of sight listening.

I ponder for a minute at the man's words. Turning to Duncan I say in slow but clear common. "I need to discuss something with everyone. I have hunch about these men and I want you all to hear it but for now we leave him be. I have a theory."

I move to join the others wherever the majority is gathered and out of earshot of our prisoner. I look to Ermolos. "Watch him while we talk."

Once everyone who is present is gathered I speak as clear as possible. "I not believe these men as bad as some assume. Boy made good point about who we run from. Maybe they hide in sewer from Hellknights not because of crimes but maybe they are not unlike us. First piece of evidence. They help us out of sewer. For fee yes but if they as bad as assume then why they not lead us into a trap and take everything. Our skirmish showed they have skill, enough to where if we weren't prepared den we would fall easier. Especially back then. Then instead of few coin, they have all our processions. Instead they made fair trade. Coin for guidance and they came through with no back stabbing of any kind. Second bit of evidence. With family ties that Duncan assumes would set him free of knights, Why hide at all. Home seems safest place in that case, unless it truly was someting the knights would not forgive, like treason. Nothing less than what we were doing. In my homeland rich criminal hide behind family titles, not in filthy monster ridden sewers. Rebels like us are easy to blame for crimes, give knights better reason to hunt us and make scapegoats for the government to blame peoples problems on. I have seen dis city and I wholehearted believe it is corrupt. So what makes sewer hiders badguys when real badguys can easily hide in open? Now, dis is all theory. I have not done quite as much research as rest of you. Can anyone think of anything to confirm or refute my case? If not, then I recommend we discuss alliance with this boy rather than threaten to wipe him and Henk out. Den maybe we find what they really up too." I look around at the others. "Thoughts?"

** spoiler omitted **

There is nothing about his tone or mannerism that would lead you to think he is lying at this time.

Duncan can make an Intelligence check with a +2

Intelligence1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

I ne'er said they OPENLY flout the law. I said nobles could buy thier way out an I ain't said it were cheap. You think some Bastard 4th son to a whore is gonna get more than one or two second chances to embarrass Daddy? Rich boys get greedy an they got a safety net..Use it too often however an that net will be pulled out from under em.....Actually that might be a good threat fer im. As fer jus lettin us pass, they coulda done that cause they were hidin from the hellknights as well and din' wanna risk a fight drawin the hellknights to em.

Duncan thinks for a bit. He ain't talkin much cause ya ain't givin im no rope t'hang himself with. Ask him what e knows bout some noble boys dissappearin. Mebbe we mention that family Shinon offered a bounty on fer the killer. Maybe let im know we could pin it on him. We FOUND the lads ring on im maybe? His reaction could tell ye sommat.

Why would the group help against Hellknights for a few coin is a good point. They didn't seem to want a conflict with Hellknights, maybe they were hiding themselves. Are they rebels or criminals though?"

Janiven thinks about it. "We don't know if they were the cause of the brewer's death...there are other bandit groups in the city. In fact, Arael was going to talk about one such group known as 'The Bastards of Erebus' and I will defer to him on that topic."

A look of concern on her face, "I don't trust him though and didn't Andrea mention she actually saw Henk with a representative of the Drovenge family."

She looks at John and Duncan, "If the Henk, and the Red Knives, are associated with the most powerful family in the city they will have some protection. Also, this bastard of the Cemaine family could have some of that protection and we don't know how, if at all, his family is involved."

Arael makes sure he pulls everyone into a separate room out of earshot of the bastard. "What Janiven and I have been investigating is group known as the "The Bastards of Erebus' who are committing robberies near the old city and most recently are linked to a double murder."

Making sure he has everyone's attention, "This is a thiefling group" there is a tone of disgust on his tongue. "Whether they are, in fact, associated with the third layer of Hell is another matter. They have been leaving a calling card with their deeds, a wooden token with a devil's head on it. This group could be responsible for the brewer's death...that we don't know yet. I haven't heard any stories of them working this area of the city. Regardless, our prisoner will deny any knowledge of killing the brewer."

"These recent robberies and the double murder have yet to be fully investigated by the dottari. Why that is is a matter of debate, I think it's do to corruption but my knowledge partner," motioning to Janiven, "believes it is because of incompetence."

He looks squarely at Kenji, "Before anyone runs off half-cocked, we need to be smart, you should try to make some friends with the dottari that John knows. Help them out, make allies, learn about their concerns that will go a long way to determine if its corruption or incompentence. This thiefling band is being watched but we need a few more days before they are taken down." He stops and looks at each member.

"Work with Maurice, Swift and Kenwick from the dottari and clear out that goblin king they mentioned. That group of goblins have been a thorn."

"Does anyone have an issue if we secure the prisoner and isolate him in a separate room for few days? Treat him well, food and plenty of water, and perhaps he talks a bit more in a few days. Some of the Browtherhood of Westcrown can watch him."

"In the meantime, rest up this evening and then tomorrow go find Andrea and John's dottari contacts...tell them about the brewer and show them the remains. Bring some closure to his family with the news too."

Taking deep drink from his cup, "Impress on John's contacts to move a day early against the goblin king."

I nod to Arael. "Makes sense. Is agreeabu to me how you wish to handu prisoner. Maybe in time he open up more." I shrug. "So we are to herup dese dotari huh? Is fine wit me. I am hoping to make some form of progress. I am curious about one ting. What is Teifring?" I seem as though I don't really know.

Relieved.to here of the possibility of action Duncan.was relieved.
Sounds like a plan. Lets make a few friends and maybe get some good information about the ins an outs of the dottari. Might be worth mentioning these Bastards o Erebus to our prisoner too. See what is reaction is. Keepin im a few days should deflate him a bit as well

Arael would nod, "Let's put in him dark small room with food and water, test his reaction as Duncan suggested...does he know the Bastards of Erebus.'

Janiven cuts Arael off before he can answer Kenji's question. Arael tosses her a disturbed look.

"When a fiend mates with a mortal of any race, it can produce a half-fiend. When the half-fiend mates it produces a tiefling. So tieflings tend to be third or fourth generations removed from the fiendish heritage. A tiefling is simply less than half blood. Yes, tieflings can mate with one another too. At least that is generally what occurs."

"Since Cheliax and the City of Westcrown openly worship Asmodeus, the Lord of Hell as a deity, tieflings are a bit more accepted here. Although most are distrusted."

"There are many variations in the characteristics, behavior, appearance and temperment of tieflings in general. No two are exactly alike."

She continues. "Within Cheliax, Asmodeus’s followers are much
like people in other lands, except they believe in harsh punishments for lawbreakers, think little of minor devils seen in the company of spellcasters, and are openly tolerant of slavery, for these things are a mild price to pay for order in the streets."

I was hoping to get an answer on Teiflings before I left for game night. I know what they are but Kenji does not. I will post his next action then I am out for a good several hours. 8 seems most likely. I will try and post before bed tonight. I am glad I have manage to finally get myself more involved with the party. Been looking for a good way to become less of a background character.

When I receives the information about Teiflings I seek, I will nod and let out a low whistle.

Turning to the dwarf I say. "I grad we can come to agreement on prisoner's treatment. I not rike abusing herupress peopo regardress of deir crimes. Howeber, I wud not hab stopped you if he agreed to his punishment. Dis way atreast he has time to come to terms wit his desires." I take one look at the room with the prisoner and then at the others. "I will ret you tauk to him now. I trust your judgment on his treatment."

Looking to Janiven I sigh. "Can we tauk for a bit. I hab someting I need ask you in pribate."

If and once we are alone I clear my voice and speak as clearly as possible. "Earlier today. You seem upset bout me going out to study monsters. I did dat because I wish not to put others at risk. I learn much from dat encounter but you not happy wit dat it seems. I do not understand. I thought I had discovered much desired knowledge that would allow us to prepare proper. As we are, we are no match for dese monsters. So what I did was good right? What I do to upset you? Please I want to understand. Tings are different here dan back home and I do not fully understand customs." I wait for Janiven's response.

I will respond when I get home tonight. With John and Shinnon seeming to be absent and Andrea's character elsewhere, posting has died down exponentially. So I do not expect I will miss much.

EDIT: Hmm seems DM gave me the answer I sought while I was writing my post. Cool, Kenji's reaction still stands.

Looking to Janiven I sigh. "Can we tauk for a bit. I hab someting I need ask you in pribate."

If and once we are alone I clear my voice and speak as clearly as possible. "Earlier today. You seem upset bout me going out to study monsters. I did dat because I wish not to put others at risk. I learn much from dat encounter but you not happy wit dat it seems. I do not understand. I thought I had discovered much desired knowledge that would allow us to prepare proper. As we are, we are no match for dese monsters. So what I did was good right? What I do to upset you? Please I want to understand. Tings are different here dan back home and I do not fully understand customs." I wait for Janiven's response.

Janiven looks at Kenji, "I was upset that you went off to study monsters, you did that without warning or telling anyone about your intentions. YOU decided by yourself without concern for the group...without concern for me." She is bit flustered now.

"What if you got yourself killed would the group be better off, would we have benefitted from your research? NO! You could have been devoured and nobody would have found you and we certainly would not have learned from your studies."

"You acted without thinking, that will eventually get you killed or possibly others too. This is dangerous enough as a group and people can and will die."

"This small band of adventurers can achieve great things but we need to stick together."

"Besides, I thought you liked me...why would you dare to face a shadow beast alone. Don't you think Duncan or John would salivate to face a shadow beast with you?"