DM-Salsa presents Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master AdamWarnock

I smile at Victoria and ponder a minute. "A chance encounter or one guided by the heavens? Still, it is nice to know someone else in this town share's my opinion. That is where my curiosity in the docks come in. I must admit you are a welcome companion and it seems my monastic teachings and your beliefs align nicely. You came here to help the good people where you could? Have you any particular area you are looking into or were you just looking in general?" I seem eager for the conversation to continue as though I am enjoying the chat.

P.S. Akisame isn't sure of what skills Victoria has but is very curious

"Ah, I was born in a monastery..." She trails off with that sentence, clear that it was something she didn't really want to talk about. "Anyway, I'm here to make sure the events taking place do so without incident. That's what I do with most of my time; travel and help people. I'm hoping to be a true paladin someday." The last bit seemed to sting Victoria a bit as she nearly mumbled it.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. "A holy warrior? Well that is definitely a higher goal than I had intended to pursue. I hear the calling is particularly demanding with no room for compromise. The highest form of dedication and devotion can be found among the Paladins. You are a strong will a determined woman indeed to take on such a demanding choice of vocation. I shall pray to the heavens for your success and if it pleases you, I'd be happy to help in making sure the festivities commence without flaw." I seem very genuine in wanting to help Victoria in her goals.

"It seems you and I have a lot in common. Just out of curiosity, what is your preferred method of combat?"

Pavanna cocks her head and stares, indignant at what she just heard. “Wait: Glinter fired you? Why would he rid himself of a soldier with your qualities? The man has to be an idiot!”

Or was it your family’s doing? flits across her mind. From things Olivius said on the trip up from Magnimar, his relationship with his parents is ‘strained’ at best, and from what she knows of the worst kinds of nobility, it wouldn’t be beyond them to reach out and ‘inconvenience’ their black sheep, even this far from Cheliax. Or does Glinter not want Olivius around to see some of the things he does?

“And if you’re sure you can spare the coin? Well, just mulled wine and something light for me. I’m meeting Father Zantus for lunch later, and I think he wants to watch me eat to be sure I do, so I’d better not ruin my appetite. It’s an unfortunate turn, but maintaining the balance of inter-faith politics takes precedence over my stomach,” she says, with a roll of the eyes. “Nonetheless: thank you, Olivius. It would be my pleasure to break bread with you.”

Olivius looks a little embarassed that he is thought of so highly. He obviously things much less of himself, and says so. A mage by the docks says Glinter's an idiot too. What you two seem to see in me I'll never know.

Victoria nods as Akisame speaks. "Yes, it has proven to be quite the challenge, and I appreciate your support, it's something I've been having very little of lately. From any source."

She glances down at her cracked holy symbol, but does so subconsciously. Then, looking over toward Akisame, she replies to his question with the first hint of true excitement she's had since they first began speaking. At least the first bit of excitement not laced with confusion or pent up sorrow.

"I've been shooting the bow since I was a girl. The monks trained in unarmed combat, mostly, but I payed little attention in those lessons. My father taught me to shoot a bow and I would often skip training for hours to shoot it. I can handle myself in melee, but the bow is the one passion I've always had..."

She trails off for a moment, then looks a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I'm rambling. If you were in a monastery, is it safe for me to assume that you are a martial artist?"

About here bowmanship I respond. "Archery is a fine pursuit. I've known a few monks called Zen Archers who apply their arts to the bow. It is quite impressive. Archery takes great perception, dexterity, and precision. Far more difficult than swinging a sword."

I laugh when she comments about me being a martial artist. "Seems a common assumption. Someone is rasied in a monastery, they are a monk, they must know martial arts." I seem very amused. I follow my chuckles with a sigh. "You've got me pegged right. I am a martial artist. I study the arts of Aikido and Jujitsu, the arts of grappling and throwing. I control my opponents and disable them through binding techniques. I have been in many fights and have never directly killed another being. Granted my actions may have led to the deaths of some but I never did it with my bare hands. I don't plan on it anytime soon."

I look at Victoria curiously. "I noticed your attitude shifted city considerably when you started talking of Archery. This that you only favorite activity or do you have other enjoyable pursuits? "

waiting to advance Noro did Amieko go back inside?

"When I was a girl, I loved to sing." She was almost talking loud now. It wasn't often she got to talk about the good parts of her childhood. "The monks didn't care for it though, they made me study religion instead when they heard me."

She thought for a moment. "I'm not sure what else... I've been focusing so much on my goal that I don't do much else. I used to love hide and seek and even now I pride going unnoticed."

She pauses for a moment. "Forgive me, this is just a topic I haven't visited in years."

I'd like to keep this moving... I have to go out in a couple of hours, and I'll be out all day!

It does seem like things have slowed down a bit.

It has indeed gotten quiet. Um continuing on the conversation I guess.

I listen to victoria's story and nod approving. "And a good voice you have for it. It is a shame the monks couldn't better appreciate the gifts the gods have blessed you with. It is okay. I too have had a rough childhood. I am a Varisian, Tian mix and I grew up in a town that was all about pure-blooded Tian. I was quickly the subject of every bully in town. My mother was once a noble and was disowned by her father when he learned she was pregnant with a mutt. It has been a tough life and I found solace in sculpting and medical research. Rather odd choices for a youngster to entertain I guess." I muse over my past.

Thirzin chuckles, speaking briefly. "I'm definitely thinking I should have brought my beer."

Definitely, it needs to keep moving.

"You're lucky you still have one. I think if nothing else, Noro owes me a fresh mug of mead," Horatio mutters to the dwarf. "I barely even got to enjoy it. By the way, do I have a bruise there? It still stings." He gestures to his right cheekbone, where a dark purple bruise is already starting to form.

Victoria listens intently. "Yes, that's the exact kind of thing I'd like to root out and stop. That's unfair to anyone, let alone someone as good as you are." She smiles.

I'd like to be to the point where we walk the docks. I'm assuming the action happens during the festival. Dunno though.

Olivius looks a little embarassed that he is thought of so highly. He obviously things much less of himself, and says so. A mage by the docks says Glinter's an idiot too. What you two seem to see in me I'll never know.

In any case, save a table and I'll do my best to get something... He pauses for a moment and looks around. No innkeeper. This may be more difficult than I first thought.
Maybe I'll escort you to your lunch with Father Zantus. And if I happen to be going to the same establishment for lunch, well. He smiles jokingly. I promise I won't interfere in your meeting, but I do need to relocate, so let's walk.

Pavanna hesitates — her first impulse is to wait for Ameiko (and Horatio) to return — then shrugs. “That’s not for an hour or two, yet, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more of the town in the meantime. Horatio was showing me around, but we were... diverted. We can stop by the bakery as we go.”

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 If that’s enough to spot Horatio’s violin, Pavanna scoops it up and brings it along.

She leads Olivius back outside, stepping around the smirking dwarf who’s watching the kerfuffle. The rapid-fire back-and-forth between Ameiko and Noro is clearly highly charged, even if she doesn’t speak the language, but that’s their affair for the moment. She stops by Horatio, handing him his violin and bow if she spotted and retrieved them, then impulsively leans up and kisses his bruised cheek. “You might want to cut your losses this time, Horatio,” she advises dryly. “This is Olivius, one of the friends I made on the way here. He needs some air, so we’re going to get some of those spinach pastries you mentioned, then explore the town a little more. I think it might be a good idea for you to join us and finish our tour — before Miss Bruiser over there decides to finish what she started.”

Victoria listens intently. "Yes, that's the exact kind of thing I'd like to root out and stop. That's unfair to anyone, let alone someone as good as you are." She smiles.

I'd like to be to the point where we walk the docks. I'm assuming the action happens during the festival. Dunno though.

I smile warmly. "I see we really do have great chemistry. I have been on my own lifelong pursuit to help others against such tyrannies. This is way I wanted to go to the docks. I asked you to accompany me because I thought you might be able to handle yourself and would be interested and possibly would share my feelings. A perfect first date if you ask me."

Victoria blushes. An actual date? This is so unorthodox for me... But checking out the city in the company Akisame sounds like a great idea, date or not. I just have no idea how any of this works.

"I look forward to it. When were you wanting to do that?"

Olivius gives Horatio the "imperceptible nod" of guy-talk in greeting and holds out a strong, chain mailed hand.
Nice to meet you formally, Horatio. I've seen you play a couple times, but never bothered to introduce myself. As Pavanna said, my name is Olivius. Olivius Telraven.
There we go, that's picked up a little.

I nod. "Later tonight. I am interested in where Noroku works. She is clearly having issues and I almost certain she must be into something worth investigating. If it turns out to be nothing then we can simply walk the streets together looking to keep the peace. And if all goes well then it will simply be nothing more than a late night stroll under the moonlight. Doesn't that sound romantic?

I beginning to think I am overdoing it a bit but it is just too much fun seeing Victoria's reactions. You are a really good sport you know that Vick?

"Interesting. I hope there's a way we can can help." She then laughs a little. "I'm a poor judge of what's 'romantic' and what's not, but I trust that you won't disappoint."

I apologize I passed out at the computer. of course my son got mad at me because i was snoring so loud he couldn't watch his movie

"You're lucky you still have one. I think if nothing else, Noro owes me a fresh mug of mead," Horatio mutters to the dwarf. "I barely even got to enjoy it. By the way, do I have a bruise there? It still stings." He gestures to his right cheekbone, where a dark purple bruise is already starting to form.

[ooc[ I will assume then that Amieko went back to her duties in the tavern. that all I was waiting for and I kind of got wrapped up a bit in another game in the middle of a big combat and on of the party decided it best to fight the dragon from inside its mouth. [/ooc]

Noro pulls out the bottle of Rice wine that Lou gave her.
look, I guessh I owe you a bit of an apology. itsh jusht that I shaw you with Amieko. and you shee my brother kind of... well maybe itsh not really that important. sho here have shome

the nervousness in her is obvious as her lisp is much more pronounced tha usual. this is something Noro rarely does.

she hands Horatio the bottle shtolen from my father's shtash. but don't go finishin it I need shome tonight for the fig... I jusht need it she stop almost revealing her job which is probably worse than what she has to do.

Pavanna shoots the other woman a flat, gauging look, but says and does nothing to interfere with the peace-offering. (As appealing as the split-second fantasy might be, taking a lawgiver* to the Tian’s knees for assaulting her friend might be a tad excessive, not to mention certainly being entirely unbecoming of an ambassador for Iomedae’s church.)
Besides, it’s Horatio who was more aggrieved in the matter, not I. It’s his prerogative to seek answers from her, if he wants or needs them.

* Given their current Asmodean bent, I figure Cheliax’s preferred battle-slang for ‘mace’ would be something like this.

Eh, it was just sitting on the bar. Wouldn't be hard to see unless someone nicked it.

Horatio almost growls in frustration when he hears the doors opening again - Good gods, does anyone else want to see this?! - but quickly relaxes again when he sees who it is. He smiles graciously as Pavanna passes over his violin, trying not to show how foolish he feels for leaving it behind in the first place. He begins to thank her, but suddenly loses his voice when she kisses his stinging cheek. Well. That's unexpected. Certainly not unwelcome, though...

He smiles broadly at Olivius, taking the offered hand and shaking it. His grip is firm, but not particularly strong - his aren't hands used to hard labour, after all. "Well, Olivius, it's always good to know there are those who appreciate my work. It's a pleasure to meet you." He releases his hand and bows, clutching his violin over his chest. How could I be so stupid as to leave it behind, anyway...

He turns to Noro as she speaks, arms crossed over his chest again, eyes narrowed slightly - she did, after all, hit him in the face not five minutes ago, and damn she could hit hard. Seeing her offer the bottle of wine, he sighs and shakes his head. "No thanks. I took your blow as a sign it was too early to be drinking, anyway. If you insist, I'll take it after my performance tonight. I wouldn't object to a clean shirt, though," he adds, muttering the last almost under his breath. Not that I mind going without one, it could just turn too many heads...

"I wouldn't mind some answers, though. Not now, as the day is young, and I have other matters to tend to. But the next time we meet, Noro, I'd appreciate you telling me exactly what's going on." With that, he turns back to Pavanna, draping his sopping shirt over the arm clutching his violin and bow, and offering the free arm to her. "For now, the bakery sounds like a fine idea. I've enjoyed your company thus far - I'll be sad to see you go."

Okay, a nice long one. Hopefully that makes up for my absence all day.

great, screwed up again, probably been better off in the garrison.

Noro just takes a seat on the front step as the two leave.

looking back at anyone else that is there. Well? you gonna take yer shots and go or what

she pops the top off the bottle and takes a swig.

I nod at Victoria. "It's okay, just as you said, as long as we have fun."

I'm ready to follow Noro to work now :p

"I'm confident that we will, though I should probably change before our walk. Where and when should I meet you, Akisame?"

I agree. I would like to do this.

Olivius rolls his eyes (secretively) when Horatio offers his arm, but he knows Horatio is infinately better suited to play tour guide. He steps back into the Rusty Dragon and retrieves his Bardiche. Once outside again, he smoothly sheathes it on his back and returns to his place beside Pavanna.
He notices that the girl he ran into (literally) back on the docks is hitting it off with some tian-ish guy and some fiery girl names Noro is looking particularly put out, but he does no more than note these happenings. They have little to do with him.

Holey moley, I don't think I've seen a group post this fast.

The day wears one and preparations for the morrow continue well into the afternoon.

Everyone seems excited, but there are some that whisper about something at the docks tonight. Something that some of the more shady characters in town are looking forward to with relish.

Finding out where the event at the docks is happening is easy enough, just find the big batch of people outside of a warehouse. Let me know how you spend the day, and give me a fort save for every 3 drinks you have (the alcoholic kind.) and let me know if you're going.

Victoria goes back to her room to discard her robes and armor so that she wears only her clothing. She also brings only her longsword and buckler (just in case) and meets with Akisame (provided he has the same general idea) and we investigate the fight. She doesn't drink, so no fort saves. I suppose Victoria is on her first date ever, which is with Akisame, so what we do before the fight is going to be his call I think.

you actually are asking if Noro has a drink?

After a not so pleasant trip to the Dragon Noro mutters something about outsiders. at least this year's festival isn't being viewed from the garrison jail like last year, or the year before that.

Noro wanders to the warehouse early to work out a bit before the scheduled fight.

taking some swigs of rice wine she spends the afternoon warming up and building her strength.

fort saves for drinks: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

there ya go I made it even easier for Noro to loose

Entertainment was always changing, it seemed. Quicker than the seasons or the body to dust. Now the something at the docks was quite interesting. A chance to swing his weapons around and get a good workout. But first...MORE BEER!

Thirzin proceeds to drink a good deal more, losing count after half a dozen, DEFINITELY liking the taste of the strange ale and hoping to get a chance to talk about it with the pretty bartender with the strange choice of language.

Fort #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Fort #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Fort #3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

For a while Olivius is content to follow Horatio and Pavanna around on the tour, but he soon realizes that Pavanna doesn't need him. He excuses himself and proceeds to wander about town. It's not long before he runs into Bratus, a huge half-orc who was one of his fellow guards in Glinter's caravan. It takes Olivius about three seconds to realize that Bratus is well into his cups and is loudly attempting to convince a nearby stand flower pots of his qualifications.
Olivius quickly intercedes and puts an arm around the walking suit of iron.
Hey deer buddy! Bratus roars. He throws his arms around Olivius and gives him the friendliest of bear hugs. The force of it nearly drives Olivius to blacking out, but he manages to keep his footing and steer his friend into a nearby alley.

After a bit of nursing, a dose of head-in-water-barrel-repeatedly, and a good slap across the tusks, Bratus finally comes around to coherence. It turns out that Olivius wasn't the only guard fired at half pay. Apparently the entire guard was fired for no apparent reason. Suddenly, Olivius doesn't feel quite so down. He wasn't a bad guard, Glinter has just lost his mind. Olivius sees that his friend is ok. He'll have one wicked hangover, but he's had worse.

Throughout the day Olivius hears chatter of some kind of big fight that night. Initially he disregards it, but chatter can be infectious. He has nothing else to do so he wanders down to see a good brawl. Maybe get in one. Knocking someone's teeth out, preferably someone sent by his father or the Academy, would be very cathartic.

I would get cleaned up as well and meet Victoria at a nice restaurant just near the docks. There I will treat her to dinner and we can discuss the kinds of mischief we got ourselves into at our perspective monasteries. Kids always do no matter how strict the place is.

Once dinner is finished we take our stroll. I am clearly looking for something as we walk the docks and as soon as I hear dockworkers discussing the matter I smirk. "I think I found what we are looking for. Understand, I am going to this place to size it up and see if it is something I can deal with. Keep your eyes open and take in as many details as you can. We can discuss what to do later. For now, let's go and see what is going on at that warehouse shall we?" With Victoria's consent I lead on.

Victoria enjoys reminiscing, though she is secretly glad that the topic never went anywhere past childhood.

"See if it's something we can deal with, I'm still here to help you. Remember that. I will try my best to remain inconspicuous, lead the way."

She stretched her hand out and curtsied as she smiled playfully.

I think I’ll let Horatio take the lead on this one.

If Horatio clues in Pavanna about the fight at the docks, and Ameiko’s request, she’ll semi-reluctantly agree to split up for the afternoon, leaving him to perform about town and make what preparations he chooses for the night’s ‘event’ while she indulges her academic impulses at the Curious Goblin, then meet him at the docks. In her armour — though with the devices concealed under a cloak, unless/until needed. She might need them to make a dramatic impression, after all. ;D

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
(Hopefully those are the appropriate skills for picking up on rumours....) If Horatio doesn’t mention it, but she happens to hear whispers about Noro’s fight as she goes about town, she follows much the same course of action.

If she stays in the dark about the whole matter: after the lunch with Father Zantus, she offers to meet Horatio for dinner at the Rusty Dragon that evening, since ‘at the moment, I’m not sure anything I’m served at the White Deer would be fit to eat’. It’s with a certain amount of reluctance that she heads off to the Curious Goblin to seek out her fellow scholars of Thassilon, then heads to the Dragon.

Well, I think Horatio would clue Pavanna in - he's been told it could turn nasty, and he knows he isn't suited to heavy combat. He'd hate asking Pavanna to 'fight his battles for him', considering they've only just met, but he's confident he'd be able to talk his way out of any sticky situations. Just in case, though, it would be good to have someone else on his side. Not to mention it gives him an excuse to spend more time with her, which he's not shy about saying.

If she agrees to join him, he'll leave her at the Curious Goblin, retrieve his gear from the Pixie's Kitten, move it to the Rusty Dragon, and spend the afternoon performing (for lack of anything better to do) before equipping his armour and weapons and heading to the docks. Without carrying his other gear around, his movement speed will be 30 feet, and his armour check penalty will be negated. He'll probably wear a cloak to hide his weapons as well - even though he's flashy and likes to draw attention, he knows the value of discretion when it comes to such things.

Shall we fast-forward to the docks, then?

Forgot to mention that Olivius is fully armed and armored because he's essentially homeless now. Everything he owns he has with him.

Well, I think Horatio would clue Pavanna in - he's been told it could turn nasty, and he knows he isn't suited to heavy combat. He'd hate asking Pavanna to 'fight his battles for him', considering they've only just met, but he's confident he'd be able to talk his way out of any sticky situations. Just in case, though, it would be good to have someone else on his side. Not to mention it gives him an excuse to spend more time with her, which he's not shy about saying.

To which Pavanna responds, half-chiding and half-indulging: “Horatio, you’re shameless.”

If she agrees to join him, he'll leave her at the Curious Goblin, retrieve his gear from the Pixie's Kitten, move it to the Rusty Dragon, and spend the afternoon performing (for lack of anything better to do) before equipping his armour and weapons and heading to the docks. Without carrying his other gear around, his movement speed will be 30 feet, and his armour check penalty will be negated. He'll probably wear a cloak to hide his weapons as well - even though he's flashy and likes to draw attention, he knows the value of discretion when it comes to such things.

Shall we fast-forward to the docks, then?

Sounds workable to me. FWIW, I figure that Saroune would still be at the Goblin when Pavanna arrives, and Pavanna’s probably going to be uneasy enough to spill the story to her fellow scholar while they’re geeking-out together, half-hoping for more help.

Oh, and for the record; Victoria would also have her wrist sheath containing her punching dagger on still, which she took a 20 to hide. So it's a DC 26 to find.

I have all my gear which includes 30 feet of rope amd three sets of manacles and a doctor's bag......don't ask.

I have all my gear which includes 30 feet of rope amd three sets of manacles and a doctor's bag......don't ask.

Ohhhh my

Saroune would be thrilled to meet a fellow Thassilonian scholar, especially an adventurer. The fact that you guys are going to go and do something potentially dangerous has her even more intrigued. She desperately wants to lead a life of adventure.

In other words, lead the way. :D

I think that's all of us checked in. To the fight!

Haha. I seriously considered giving my character manacles and ranks in Escape Artist, for exactly the reasons you think. Guess I could always pick 'em up later.

Also, spending the evening with two lovely ladies? Is this karma repaying me for that scuffle earlier? :D

You can't actually be on a date with two ladies. The universe implodes or they explode. On you. One or the other. Really, you just became the third while the ladies just became best friends. :P

Especially since during their geek-out session, Pavanna made a point of warning Saroune that Horatio tries to woo any and every woman in sight. :P Though it seems to be partly out of habit, and she doesn’t think he’s out to break any hearts.

Already warning your friends? You wound me! Don't be surprised if Horatio actually seems disappointed by Saroune coming along... He was looking forward to spending some more time alone with Pavanna. With only the most honest and gentlemanly intentions, of course!

Friendship is one thing, but AFAIK, letting another woman encounter a lover-boy without cluing her in is an unconscionable breach of the Girl Code. ;D Besides, she did say he seemed harmless enough.... (And yes, I know that’s praising with faint damn.)

EDIT: And oh, of course his intentions are as pure as the driven snow! Though Pavanna does note his disappointment, and it is kind of touching....

Bah. I'm a woman and even I never understood the girl code. :p Also, I like how "enough" is the keyword there.