"Need some help getting up on that beast, Thordak?" Mantooth asks, offering his assistance. Without waiting for and answer the paladin gives the dwarf a boost to allow the pursuit to proceed quickly.
Aid Thordak
@Matthias and Thordak
Matthias spurs Humphrey onward as Thordak hangs on for his life.The great steed turns down the alleyway between two houses, until you reach the wall to the city. Nextic, the black cloaked slaver is already climbing up the wall and nearly to the top.
@Bofus, Cebrë and Mantooth
In a short while, Captain Lars Ulverth comes limping up.
"What is going on here? Could somebody explain the blood, the wounded guards and why there are so many halflings running around here!"
Stop the horse! Stop the horse! Thordak yells, trying not to fall off. When they round the corner, he tips off of Humphrey and tries to roll to absorb the fall.
Acrobatics:
Whoahoahoaaaa! ...OOF!
When he recovers, he quickly aims his crossbow up at the Flute-player.
Alright, that's enough! Oi gave you fair warnin'! He says, letting his bolt fly towards the man.
Crossbow:
Damage:
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Ah, Captain, exactly the man I was hoping to see! These two here I indicate the slavers are working wiht another wretch whom Matthias and Thordak are pursuing as we speak. They are slavers; the only way I and htose six halfings could escape was with the blood you mentioned. I do apologize for the mess, but I'm grateful to my friends for our freedom. Now, I imagine that slavers are punished harshly round these parts?
Gimme a hot chocolate with cream! Oh...ummm...awww just do it.
"Now, I imagine that slavers are punished harshly round these parts?"
"Indeed they are, Master Beechnut! I have heard rumors of halfling abductions into slavery coming from other parts of the Elsir Vale. But I did not believe that slavery actually came into the fine city of Brindol! Let me take these two in!"
Ulverth claps the guards in irons.
@Matthias and Thordak
Thordak's bolt hits the back of Nextic and he cries out in pain.
Climb Check
However, he manages to hang on and climb over the top of the wall out of sight!
@Florence
"Gimme a hot chocolate with cream! Oh...ummm...awww just do it.
"Coming right up my dear." Roland shortly returns with your drink and quietly whispers to you. "Between you and me, I am hoping you may be able to teach that Lockstar creep a little humbleness. He has not stopped talking about himself all afternoon and evening."
"Well, if the others can capture that Nextic fellow, then this will be a great day--make sure you've got an extra hleping of those cuffs for him, Captain, he's their ringleader!"
"Are you talking about Nextic Karastone, the traveling musician? This is starting to all make sense. Oviously, this is his caravan. I always presumed it was his house on wheels. Little did I know that it was his slaver's wagon. You have done a great service to the city, my folks! Let's hope your friends catch him before he escapes!"
Damn it all! Thrordak yells as he watches the man escape.
Quick, Matt! Go around to the gate with Humphrey, cut him off! he says, slinging his crossbow over his back. Taking out his rope, he quickly attaches his grappling hook. He swings it in an arc and throws it up over the top of the wall, then pulls until it catches on the top.
Grappling Hook:
He begins his ascent.
Climb:
When he reaches the top, he looks for the man, then straddles the wall and switches the grappling hook, then belays down.
Perception:
Matthias spurs Humphrey and gallops towards the gate to the other side of the wall scanning for Nextic to see if he came down the other side.
Perception Check:
Humphrey perception Check:
@Thordak and Matthias
Thordak reaches the top of the wall successfully and is able to see Nextic fleeing into the nearby woods.
You are able to belay back down the other side of the wall.
Matthias rides north and reaches the Western gate of the town where a guard greets him, "Slow down! What's the hurry, Mister? Somebody could get hurt around here if you are not careful!"
Thordak coils up his rope and stashes it, then takes off in the direction Nextic went after quickly reloading his crossbow.
Track:
Oh, Oi'll find ye!
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Maybe one of these rats will have an idea where Nextic will hide?
I not-so-gently kick the conscious guard in the shin. Oi--you there. The Captain here would kindly ask you to divulge where Nextic might have his nearest filth-hole he'd stuff his head into to avoid the authorities. In other words, in case that was too complicated for your limited mind, where are Nextic's hideouts? He's got to be running SOMEwhere.
Oi--you there. The Captain here would kindly ask you to divulge where Nextic might have his nearest filth-hole he'd stuff his head into to avoid the authorities. In other words, in case that was too complicated for your limited mind, where are Nextic's hideouts? He's got to be running SOMEwhere.
"Ouch! Lay off with the kick, buddy! He's running somewhere alright! Away from you! Nextic is too clever for any of you to find him. Besides, even if I knew where he was hiding, I wouldn't tell you."
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"Ouch! Lay off with the kick, buddy! He's running somewhere alright! Away from you! Nextic is too clever for any of you to find him. Besides, even if I knew where he was hiding, I wouldn't tell you."
Ooohhh, I'm sorry, I thought you'd only feel it half as much, coming from me. And we're all pretty clever. You may want to think about backing the *winning* horse. Hey Captain--anything you could offer this . . . "gentelman" in exchange for some cooperation as to where we might find Nextic? I'll bet he knows more than he's letting on.
(and just to be sure:)
sense motive:
Approaching the man that Bofus has just kicked, Mantooth attempts to appeal to the man. "Excuse this halfling for his hostility, but please understand where he is coming from sir. You need to look at where your friend Nextic has gotten you now. You are a slaver," the paladin says, gesturing to the half-dozen other halflings and the broken carriage, "You have made your living dooming others to spend the rest of their lives in hard labor with no freedom. Now that you are caught, you are going to face the consequences. I am not sure what sort of punishment is befitting of someone who has spent their life ruining those of others in such a terrible way, but the captain here will attest that it will not be enjoyable." Mantooth raises his gaze in thought, animating his speculation of what could be in store for the man.
Letting out a sigh of pity, the Mantooth begins to turn away. "I hope you enjoy your time thinking about your sentence will be. All the while your boss, Nextic, will be enjoying his freedom as he gets away. Surely, he will be getting the last laugh."
Sense Motive
Diplomacy
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Letting out a sigh of pity, the Mantooth begins to turn away. "I hope you enjoy your time thinking about your sentence will be. All the while your boss, Nextic, will be enjoying his freedom as he gets away. Surely, he will be getting the last laugh."
Seeing where Mantooth is going with this, I decide to play Bad Cop to his Good Cop
Sir Longbrow, why are you wasting your time talking to trash like this?! He's beneath you! You think he'll even listen to a word you'll say? He's obviously stuck his head so far up Nextic's nether regions I'm surprised he's still breathing!! Prob'ly GLAD that bastard got away, he's so loyal. Trash begets trash, birds of a feather, all that rot. This chump doesn't deserve the time you're giving him. I say let the Cap'n put him in the stocks and let the f*#*er rot.
Diplomacy:
Florence nods to the barkeep
If it's not too late for that, heh.
@Bofus, Mantooth, and Cebrë.
"I hope you enjoy your time thinking about your sentence will be. All the while your boss, Nextic, will be enjoying his freedom as he gets away. Surely, he will be getting the last laugh."
"Ok, Ok! I will tell you what I know. Just please don't send me off to your prison. Nextic really is the brains behind the entire affair. He just pays me well! I will tell you what I know. He has a secret hideout located under some old ruins in the forest to the west. I don't know exactly where it is, but I have heard him refer to it on occasion. Just please let me go! I promise that I won't bother you any more!"
@ Florence
You enjoy your evening in the common room of the Stone Wyvern. Especially after Lockstar returns to his room about a half an hour later. After a while, a man who was sitting at a Tzarek board in the corner comes up and says. "Greetings my lady. I would be real careful around that fellow, my lass. He may be a great singer, but there is something about him that I don't trust. The name is Chitok Morphy. By, my friends just call me Chi. Who's company do I have the pleasure of keeping?"
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Well, it's not up to *us* what happens to you, it's up to the good Captain here. Your fate is in his hands at this moment.
I'll nod my friends and the Captain aside to speak with them.
Captain, I don't know how you feel about this, but this guy's story rings true to me. He's in your custody now, so I don't have anything to say about what you do with him. As far as thsi Nextic fellow, I know that my friends and I have an important errand to take care of, but maybe we can discuss chasing that guy down later?
.
Guys, I'm getting nervous that I don't know what's happening with Florence. Can we go to the Wyvern and reconvene, try to find her, and decide what our next steps are?
Matthias comes to a halt and adresses the guard:
Please let me through the gate, a vile man has just escaped over the wall and i must aid my companion in locating him. It is crucial that I make haste.
Diplomacy Check:
@Bofus, Cebrë, and Mantooth
"Captain, I don't know how you feel about this, but this guy's story rings true to me. He's in your custody now, so I don't have anything to say about what you do with him.
"We have just the place for this ruffian and his cohort. Thank you again for all of your help, Master Bofus, Master Longbrow, and of course you, Madame Ha'Thwe." The Captain politely bows and takes his leave with the prisoners safely in his custody.
@Matthias and Thordak
Please let me through the gate, a vile man has just escaped over the wall and i must aid my companion in locating him. It is crucial that I make haste.
"Very well, but please show a little more care in the city of Brindol! We don't want people getting hurt around here."
The guard lets you pass through. Matthias and his perceptive horse Humphrey easily find Thordak racing into the woods. Thordak is able to follow the trail of the Slaver, Nextic through a gnarled forest for over a mile. The trail leads you to the site of a broken bridge crossing a crevice with fast stream running through it about 40 feet below. Across the river is the ruins of an old tower.
Florence looks up from her hot chocolate
Chi? Nice to meet you. The name's Florence. How come you know Mr. Lockstar?
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As teh Captain packs up the trash, I'll take the rest of the group aside.
OK, now that I'm calmer, I think we shoudl go after Matthias and Thordak. We shoud give Florence the benefit of the doubt--she's sharp enough to keep her advantage over those goons--but we have no idea what Nextic might have planned for traps, guards, stuff like that. I think we need to follow their trail, head west. Anyone disagree?
As we're deciding, I'll put on my armor and pick up my weapons that the others had brought.
To the freed slaves:
OK boys, you take care now. Oh, if anyone passes through Hillwatch, make sure you try some of the Beerswizzler suds. If you're NOT passing through, change your route--it's worth it!! Good luck!
Chi? Nice to meet you. The name's Florence. How come you know Mr. Lockstar?
"It is a pleasure, my dear. I saw Lockstar perform in Drellin's Ferry a few months ago. There was a rash of pickpockets while he was there. They could never determine where they were coming from, but after he left, the thefts immediately stopped. I have no proof, but I have never trusted the guy since. I guess I am just warning you to be careful."
Interesting MR. Chi, most interesting.
"OK boys, you take care now. Oh, if anyone passes through Hillwatch, make sure you try some of the Beerswizzler suds. If you're NOT passing through, change your route--it's worth it!! Good luck!
"We will always remember you, Bofus Beerswizzler! You can expect us when you don't expect us! Thanks again. We will always be your ever grateful pals! May Desna and Shelyn take care of you always!" The halflings run off down the street slipping into the shadows as the sun begins to set.
Bofus, Mantooth and Cebrë rush down the street and within moments you are at the steps of the Stone Wyvern. You enter the Inn and find Florence casually chatting with a handsome young man at the bar.
Roland calls out to you. "Well met, my heroes! Can I get you a drink?"
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"Well met, my heroes! Can I get you a drink?"
Ummm . . . hold that thought, Roland.
I look at Florence and give her the "come over here" nod.
I'm glad you're OK. We're about to go follow Matthias and Thordak--they're after the slaver boss, he jumped the wall after the action and we're trying to catch him. You coming, or staying here? He's out west of the city, not too far . . .
Florence bids Chi farewell and signals Bofus to leave the Wyvern through the backdoor.
"Alright, that slaver said that he is probably hiding in ruins outside in the forest. Cebrë, do you think your magical bird can see it from above?"
As the group continues out of the Stone Wyvern, Mantooth then addresses Florence. "I realize you have a lot to fill us in on, but do you think you should be walking around in public with us, especially Bofus?"
Thordak surveys the keep and surroundings with his somewhat eyebrow-covered eyes.
Perception:
He then walks up to the bridge and peers over the precipice, contemplating the gap and wondering if he could jump it. He looks for a place he could hook his grappling hook on the other side, and if he finds none, he measures out the distance to the nearest tree. wondering if he could tie one end to the tree and one to himself as security.
Knowledge, dungeoneering:
Hey Matt, got any rope? By the way, how far can Humphrey jump...?
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As the group continues out of the Stone Wyvern, Mantooth then addresses Florence. "I realize you have a lot to fill us in on, but do you think you should be walking around in public with us, especially Bofus?"
Good point. I'll hide, and follow you guys. Head out the gate, and west--I'm sure we'll find the others quickly.
Stealth:
Perception to find Thordak and Matthias when we leave the gate:
Perception:
Mantooth, Florence, and Cebrë
You hastily rush out the back door of the Stone Wyvern and run across the street to the Western Gatehouse. One of the Brindol Guards greets you pleasantly,"Good evening, folks. Where are you heading at such a late time this evening? I would be careful out there if I were you. There have been reports of an Owlbear prowling around in that forest near here. Like an owl, the beast always seems to come out at night. You should know that we will be closing up the gates soon, and I don't want you to get locked out tonight. Shall we keep an eye out for your return this evening?"
@Bofus
While your companions are visiting with the guard, you are able to sneak right by all of them through the gatehouse and out onto the road west.
@Thordak and Matthias
You are able to find a tree on your side of the bridge where you could easily tie your end of the rope. However, the other side of the crevice seems a bit more barren. Perhaps you could try and hook it onto the battlements on top of the old wall somehow.
Shall we keep an eye out for your return this evening?"
"Good evening, sir. We are aiding Captain Lars in tracking a fugitive in these woods. We may be back quite late. If you could please keep an eye out for us, that would be much appreciated."
Sense Motive
"You say there may be an owl bear around? With our luck, will probably end up encountering such a beast. Do you have any recommendations on how to combat it, should the need arise?"
Florence brushes Mantooth's concerns aside
Rotskill now thinks I'm his agent. Telling him what you are planning etc. So he awaits that I hang out with you. I just have to give him some bits and pieces of information from time to time and I think we have him checked that way.
Now, could someone please explain to me why Thordak and Mathias besiege a ruin in the forest?
"Good evening, sir. We are aiding Captain Lars in tracking a fugitive in these woods. We may be back quite late. If you could please keep an eye out for us, that would be much appreciated."
"Aye, Sir Longbrow, we would be honored to keep an eye out for you. We will be here for the rest of the night. Good luck to you and the ladies, Sir."
"You say there may be an owl bear around? With our luck, will probably end up encountering such a beast. Do you have any recommendations on how to combat it, should the need arise?"
As for combating owlbears. They say to avoid the beak and the claws and be sure to hit them really hard on the head with as much strength as you can muster.
Sense Motive
They wave you through and comment to each other as you pass, "How do some people get all of the luck. Two ladies! Can you believe it!"
It looks like this flute-player went in here... Oi think we should just get him an' bring him back... Oi'm gonna try to get across... Thordak says, stepping to the edge of the broken bridge with his grappling hook and rope.
He swings it in a circle, then throws it, trying to snag it on the ramparts.
Grappling hook:
Hrmph! He reels it back in and tries again.
Grappling hook:
He tugs on the rope a few times to make sure the hook is secure, then he takes a deep breath. He then jumps and grabs the rope as high up as he can before swinging out over the gap.
Acrobatics:
He does his best to catch is feet on the other side and not smash himself. Then he shimmies up the rope.
Climb:
When he is up, he calls back to Matthias. Hey, it's not bad, come on over! Oi'll throw you the rope! and he waits for him to approach so he can throw him the end of the rope.
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Rotskill now thinks I'm his agent. Telling him what you are planning etc. So he awaits that I hang out with you. I just have to give him some bits and pieces of information from time to time and I think we have him checked that way.
Now, could someone please explain to me why Thordak and Mathias besiege a ruin in the forest?
Now that we're out of the city, I pop back out of hiding.
The short version (so to speak!) is this: when the slave carraige collapsed accidentally on purpose and the cavalry here jumped in, Nextic bolted. matthias and Thordak gave chase. WE're guessing that Nextic climbed the wall; the captured guard gave up that Nextic has a hideout in a ruin to the west of the city. We figured that Matthias and Thordak might appreciate the help.
@Bofus, Mantooth, Cebrë, Florence
Florence is absolutely no tracker, so she won't even think about looking herself.
@Bofus, Mantooth, Cebrë, and Florence.
Bofus is able to find the tracks and the trail left by Humphrey and Thordak. You are able to follow it through the woods for over a mile until you arrive at the sight of a broken bridge crossing over to the ruins of an old tower.
@Matthias & Thordak.
You are able to successfully hook the grappling hook against the upper wall and tie the rope to a nearby tree. The others follow your trail and find you just before you make your attemot to cross over the crevice.
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You are able to successfully hook the grappling hook against the upper wall and tie the rope to a nearby tree. The others follow your trail and find you just before you make your attemot to cross over the crevice.
*looking at the makeshift rope bridge* Impressive! Did you see how the Foul Floutist got in? Let me do a perimeter of the place, see if I can find anything useful out.
.Oh, um, who has that second Dragon's Eye? You mind if I grab it--it helps find traps and such.
I'll do a walk-around, specifically looking for ways into this place, adn also for signs of life. I'll do so under cover of shadow.
Stealth:
Perception:
What about our new flying friend, any chance he might check the laying of the land?
@Thordak. You are able to swing across the chasm hitting the wall on the other side and then climb up to the other side of the bridge.
@Bofus. You will not be able to search around the ruins until you cross the chasm.
@Everyone.