Casimir gives Akiros a quiet nod, then moves back into the common room. Ignoring the stares from Dovan, he makes his way straight to the bench where Kalev is dicing with the bandits.
Move over, lads. I've got gold burning in my pockets and a thirst that it will take one of them barrels to quench.
He slumps down on the bench, grabs a tankard and dumps a handful of coins on the table.
Kalev-
Casimir-
Half an hour passes as Kalev and Casimir engage in idle chat with the gamblers, most who are simple brutes and bullies. Kalev loses five gold pieces, while Casimir loses ten gold pieces throughout the time. The other bandits cackle gleefully as they take your money, drinking heavily throughout.
Casimir looks about discretly to see if Dovan is still watching him.
Dovan does indeed seem very curious about both you and Kalev. He is slowly and meticulously sharpening his knives and then his rapier on the edge of a whetstone, leaning casually against the wall near the Owlbear.
After a while of drinking and gambling, Casimir gets up off the bench. He shoots a quick glance about him to make sure that Akiros is still sitting by himself.
Need to go drain the lizard. But don't worry, I'll be here to win those coins back again before you know it.
With a slightly shaky walk, he scuffels off to the palisade near the wagon, where he is out of sight and earshot of the bandits. Once there, he looks about carefully to make sure no one is watching, and then mutters Covert Dispatch - Akiros
Akiros, listen carefully. Only you can hear me and, and you will be able to whisper a reply. I bring a message from Kressle. The message is this: It is never too late to choose a new path. We work to make the Greenbelt a place where men and women can live free from the likes of the Stag Lord, where past sins can be washed away by acts of courage and honor. The reign of the Stag Lord ends tonight - will you stand with us?
You successfully manage to pull this off without being seen. There is a long pause, almost too long. You begin to get nervous that Akiros is going to report you when you receive a short, tense reply.
I will not oppose you stranger.
Just as Casimir moves away to "drain the lizard", Dovan moves over to Kalev, leaning on the table in front of the burly half-orc.
I'd like to talk to you alone, fresh meat... Take a walk with me? the Duelist says softly to Kalev, gesturing to the walkways above.
You get the impression that Dovan isn't asking...
Good. Be ready for our move. When the time comes, go after Dovan - I know you have been aching for that fight. If you know of any of the others who might stand with us, let me know now.
You assume much youngling. I have committed to not standing in your way, but I will decide if your fight is mine when the time is right. The only bandit that might aid you is Valkeri Sothale- a teenager nicknamed "Silent" by Dovan after he questioned an order to kill an innocent. Dovan cut out the mans tongue, so he spends most of his time up in the tower with Auchs where he is not mocked. And I expect he will only join you if the battle is already in your favor. Yet, his young soul is brighter than the rest of us, and this life is not for him...
Another long pause. When Akiros' stern voice comes back through the message, it is hesitant, unsure.
You may be able to play them against each other somehow... Valkeri hates Dovan, and lives only to plunge a dagger into the snake. Markard Ironmark; the man sketching his dream home in the common room... Dovan fears his ambition but is wary to act as Markard and Falgrim Sneeg are both veteran mercenaries and popular with the other bandits. Dovan's been trying to use his favourite tool- Auchs; to kill him but has not yet found a way to implement it. Celthric- the nobleman with the bruised face and scars flirting with your... woman...; detests Jex "the snitch" for telling the Stag Lord that Celthric stole a few coppers from the supply room to finance his gambling. The Stag Lord beat Celthric to an inch of his life with his bare hands, and Celthric doesn't try and hide that he hates Jex... Jex is on the south-west watchtower shift tonight- but I don't think he'll last much longer in the fort before someone kills him off...
Just as Casimir moves away to "drain the lizard", Dovan moves over to Kalev, leaning on the table in front of the burly half-orc.
I'd like to talk to you alone, fresh meat... Take a walk with me? the Duelist says softly to Kalev, gesturing to the walkways above.
** spoiler omitted **
Sure, Kalev says with a slight slurr to his voice, turning to the rest. I'll be back to beat you guys at this game...I finally figured out how it works! before getting up to follow Dovan, secretly fearing that something is amiss and placing a hand near the enlarge potion sitting in his belt.
Yelena gives an apologetic smile to the bandit talking to her, "Sorry, mate, but I need to rest my weary feet after our journey." She makes her way over to the center of the fort, pausing to take a look at the owlbear. She takes a seat on a rock (between Z5 and Z7) and sits to read a book from her pack. She mutters words in Infernal as she reads to keep the curious away.
She will continue to do this until there seems to be some signal from her comrades. ** spoiler omitted **
Casimir mutters I understand. and breaks off the magical communication. He then moves to the back of the wagon and whispers to Fenna and Malthir.
Akiros will stay out of our way. Be ready to move. We will give the signal soon.
He then returns to the common-room, and does his best to hide a look of concern as he sees Kalev move off with Dovan. He moves to Yelena and speaks softly to her.
I'm gonna try and rouse up a little trouble with these guys. The one who was trying to chat you up hates one of the guys in the tower. Let's see if we can use you as "bait" to set something off.
After talking to Yelena, Casimir moves to Celthric and chats him up in a friendly tone.
Won't you join us in the game, friend? I saw you trying to win the favors of my female companion, but no need to waste your time on that. She's very picky about her company, and as we were sitting outside on the wagon, she spotted a handsome buck up in the south-west tower. I wouldn't be surprised if she slips up there before long. So you might as well throw a few bones with us.
Noted, but worth mentioning that the front gate has been shut once you entered...
Dovan leads you up to the walkway near the north-east watchtower. He gestures to the fort around him.
All of this will be mine soon, half-orc. The Stag Lord is deep into his cups and it won't be long before he loses his grip on his reign of power. There will be no place for Akiros in my band, and I will be seeking another capable leutenant to maintain... discipline. Perhaps that leutenant could be you... if you were willing to prove your loyalty to me first?
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
I am glad to see you have a willing attitude half-orc... Your task is simple- in the central tower with Auchs is another bandit who dared to defy my authority. I will take Auchs for a walk to get some food, and you will kill this other bandit. Hes a young man, only 16 or so. Once the deed is done, smash some of Auch's toys, and I will persuade the dim-witted giant that he himself did the killing in retaliation for Sothale smashing his toys... Are you ready?
After talking to Yelena, Casimir moves to Celthric and chats him up in a friendly tone.Won't you join us in the game, friend? I saw you trying to win the favors of my female companion, but no need to waste your time on that. She's very picky about her company, and as we were sitting outside on the wagon, she spotted a handsome buck up in the south-west tower. I wouldn't be surprised if she slips up there before long. So you might as well throw a few bones with us.
Celthric's once-handsome face darkens as he downs his ale in one long gulp.
JEX? he says incredulously. Damn that little f&~$ing weasel... I'd love to stick a knife into that one... Celthric says, clearly seething.
Perhaps next time I sew him up i'll 'slip'... the grizzled mercenary sketching nearby says with a chuckle, prompting many of the bandits gambling to also laugh in cahoots.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
VS DC9
Dovan nods his assent, and moves towards the central tower to lead Auchs away, while you head to the wagon.
** spoiler omitted **
Dovan nods his assent, and moves towards the central tower to lead Auchs away, while you head to the wagon.
You don't think he saw through your ruse. Your next move?
** spoiler omitted **
Hearing Casimir, and then Kalev warn that action will soon be required, Fenna silently lays a hand on the wooden eye about her neck before quietly pulling back the string of her crossbow to insert a bolt.
Celthric's once-handsome face darkens as he downs his ale in one long gulp.
JEX? he says incredulously. Damn that little f%%!ing weasel... I'd love to stick a knife into that one... Celthric says, clearly seething.
Casimir shrugs and takes a sip of ale. Well, whatever you want to do, I can tell you that sweet words and fancy manners ain't the way to go with her. Likes a man of action, that one does. Must be that fiendish blood of hers. Nothing gets her going like a bit of rough stuff. But as I said, seems she fancies that Jex fellow. So how about we roll the dice again? I've got some gold I've gotta win me back.
Celthric snorts in derision at your words, but then seems to go over them in his head.
Man of action eh... That can be arranged... Celthric mutters, slurring his words. Winking at Yelena as he passes, he stumbles towards the wagon, evidently intending to ascend the south-east stairs once he has worked his way around the stone wall.
The boy nods, and then raises his right hand as requested. Despite your reassuring words he looks rather afraid, and his hand stays near the hilt of his short sword.
Really sorry your stuck in a crate for this intriguey section! Trying to get through it as fast as possible to get you guys involved again.
Casimir and Yelena, you notice Akiros follows after Celthric, maintaining a good distance from him but heading in the same direction nonetheless.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Valkeri nods, and quickly makes himself scarce, heading in the opposite direction from Dovan and Auchs.
You hear a loud THUMP, like the sound of somebody landing hard on wood, coming from the south-west tower.
The thump was preceded by a surprised gasp of pain.
Moments later, you hear the soft sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath.
You hear a voice a moment later, softly saying-
Murder of a fellow member of the fort is punishable by death, Celthric.
The voice is Akiros'- and you hear a whisper of movement that you recognise to be the sound of a fast sword swing- and hear the distinct gurgling of a man choking out blood from a mortal wound.
Dovan Sense Motive- 9
By this time, Kalev has returned to the common room- and the bandits mostly jerk to alertness as the Stag Lord emerges into the room, brandishing a bottle of brandy. Smashing the empty bottle against the stone wall, he roars in drunken fury-
You sense the time for your entrance is drawing near- the strange sounds and shouting can surely only be a prelude to the final battle with the Stag Lord. Perhaps Casimir, Yelena and Kalev succeeded in making the battle easier- you are not yet sure.
Akiros' voice booms back from the south-west tower above.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
By this time, Kalev has returned to the common room- and the bandits mostly jerk to alertness as the Stag Lord emerges into the room, brandishing a bottle of brandy. Smashing the empty bottle against the stone wall, he roars in drunken fury-
When the Stag Lord appears, Kalev tenses noticably, ready for the worst. He looks around to see how the others react.
Casimir gets to his feet and moves so the Stag Lord is between him, Kalev and Yelena. He puts his hand on his sword hilt and sends each of his companions a hard, decisive look. In his left hand he holds the potion of Protection from Evil.
The Stag Lord appears momentarily satisfied, until Dovan vaults down from the central tower above. Glancing at Kalev, he moves to address his lord...
The game is up- Dovan is clearly about to announce orders to kill you or declare you as spies, something must have given you away. By passing the sense motive check, you are entitled to a surprise round action- a move or standard action only.
Casimir and Kalev are stood near the gambling table by this point, while Yelena has got to her feet, stood mere feet away from Dovan and the Stag Lord.
At this point I am assuming you have extricated yourself from the wagon. You won't have the opportunity to participate in any surprise rounds but you will be able to join the initiative normally.