Gryms perception modifier is a +8, but that probably isnt going to make much difference.
The ranger shakes his head not sure where to go from here. However he goes back to what he is good at. Grym begins looking around at trail sign in the alley. He attempts to pick up the trail of one of the people who have been dumping bodies. If we can find one of these people perhaps we can get some answers.
Tracking (+2 for tracking humans)
Buchos nose is also put on the job
Tracking
While doing this Grym shoots Sandor a look that invites him to come over to search for trail sign. Though not terribly talkative, Grym sees himself as Sandors mentor in tracking and trail sign.
I would be glad to provide some more eyes for ya Grym
Tracking assist: as with Grym +2 for humans
I dunno, but it looks like this one 'ere has the most identifiable hitch
I would be glad to provide some more eyes for ya Grym
Tracking assist: 1d20+6 as with Grym +2 for humans
I dunno, but it looks like this one 'ere has the most identifiable hitch
Good eye! Perhaps I should be assisting you.
Trail sign is hard to come by. Beyond the alley proper, the streets are loaded with people. One of the things that makes Blood Veil more dangerous to the poor (beyond their inability to pay the Abadarans) is that they live much closer together.
Odric knocks on the door across the alley from the toy shop. Weapon out, non-threatening stance.
Any of your friends who live in this district can tell you that people don't open the door.
You see faces in the window only for a second before shades slam shut.
Did they look like vampire faces?
Um no?
Then lets alert the local guard post and then the field marshal that there are indeed bodies being dumped here.
On our way back lets look and listen for other injustices concerning this blood veil.
Perception
If no one else cares for the ring, I'll happily take it. You never know when such an item could prove useful. I have no talent for music. So, the pipes would be near useless in my hands. I have no problem selling it if we have no other musicians in the group.
why don't we keep 1 guy here to stake out the alley and keep an eye out for whoever is dumping the bodies. Odric volunteers. he takes up a position in the toy shop where he can see what is going on in the alley without being too obtrusive.
Alerting the local guard is a simple matter. You've got the respect (bordering on admiration) of the Guard proper. When time is of the essence, you can make a Diplomacy check (modified with Korvosa's Law score) to summon them quickly.
Sandor makes a quick hand off to the squad leader and they begin the grunt work suggested by Odric.
I'll take the pipes. I've been meaning to make myself well rounded.
What now?
I'll take the pipes. I've been meaning to make myself well rounded.
Just have a care when you play them--they'll affect everyone close by, friend or foe!
back to the business at hand . . .
So, it is definite: Blood Veil victims are being simply dropped here rather than properly disposed of. We can't know whether those vampire spawn were a part of this, or if they simply took advantage of the death here to feed without being noticed--I would tend to believe that, myself, until evidence of conspiracy presents itself.
.
But it appears that we found what we were sent here to do. I tend to think we're not going to get very far investigating *here* for the causes of this plague; too many contaminating factors. Should we simply report back to the Field Marshall, or move on to something else of our own accord?
At the least, we should arrange for these bodies to be disposed of properly. Then if we can pick up no additional leads, we should report our findings to Field Marshall Kroft and ask her if there is anything else we can clean up.
Morkeleb, Can these things create more of their own kind? The gent we found, probably the toymaker, may rise into undeath, no?
Odric made change, we got 75 gold each.
Morkeleb, Can these things create more of their own kind? The gent we found, probably the toymaker, may rise into undeath, no?
Knowlege (religion):
Beats the hell out of you.
How about "how to prevent a corpse who has been killed by undead who might be able to raise the same, from doing so?"
Knowledge (religion): <---ppppffffhahahahaha
To Gaius: Possibly. I know not whether this will happen or how to prevent it, for this species.
Odric pulls the toymaker's corpse out into the street under the sun.
The corpse is now in the sun. Nothing strange or untoward happens. The locals who are watching simply shake their heads, another plague victim.
Consensus is to return to the FM with a full report. Odric and Grym with Bucho start walking until the group comes into an area where a carriage can be hired, then they do so.
Odric thanks for the offer of the carriage it's a great idea. But if we walk back we can look for similar thing happening and get an idea if anything else is going on and give the FM a better report. Although I would suggest that Gaius and Ferox put their holy symbols away less we be mobbed
You return to the FM and give Kroft the full report. She's disturbed, certainly, but also grateful for your assistance. She passes the information on to Banker Ishani. It's been a long day for everyone. She asks that you return in the morning. She suggests that until there's a solid lead for you to follow, that you come in each morning, and she'll give you the most promising lead of the day. While the guard can't spare any additional pay, anything that comes from Abadar's Bank will likely also come with a reward...
And unless anyone has anything specific, thus endeth the 6th of Desnus.
Day breaks, breakfast is devoured and Odric leads the companions to the Field Marshal's antechamber. Ready for an exciting day, the group anxiously awaits an assignment.
Just let me know if anyone is buying anything or making any skills checks before the 7th. Odric is apparently ready.
ready
Nice Hot bath, and cleaning equipment. Will do a gather info check to hear any rumors of people using this disease to outrageous benefit.
Gather Info (Diplomacy):
Grym, Bucho, Odric, Mork ready. Sandor almost ready.
Grym gets up early and takes Bucho on a nice walk in the predawn light. The two make their way over to the Temple of Sarenrae. Bucho waits outside while Grym goes in to speak with the cleric standing watch over the sanctuary. Words are spoken and money changes hands. The ranger walks out with 3 vials of holy water.
Thorgrym and his dog finish the route at Odrics where they break their fast.
well with that poor check I am ready .... just waiting on the Whip of Calistra
And Ferox
One the way over to see the Field Marshall, Ferox stops by a magic shop and picks up an application of Silversheen. He continues on to regroup with the party, ready for action.
Gaius stops for supplies, but is otherwise ready to continue and report to The Field Marshall.
Your time adventuring has put you at risk. There is a chance you've been exposed at a contagious level. Only I know the chance...
The next morning (7 Desnus) the FM is with Banker Ishani already upon your arrival. Does she ever sleep?
Ishani opens immediately with business. "A woman named Vendra Loaggri owns a perfumery in the Heights called "Lavender." She *claims* to have discovered a cure for the Blood Veil. The Bank of Abadar is asking you to visit her perfumery and determine if her claim is legitimate. She has a long history of outrageous behavior. Some of you may remember the infamous "free imp with every purchase of 500 sails or more." Either this woman is shaming the well-to-do citizens of the district, or she's somehow stumbled on a simple cure too elusive for our archbankers to concoct. The church will willingly pay your group a fee of 1,000 sails total for getting to the bottom of this. Any questions?"
Bucho and Ferox, you were both exposed yesterday.
Ferox:
Bucho:
Has Loaggri ever made a legitimate claim, or made a claim that wasn't totally outrageous? Adn is her purpose typically to make $$?
Knowledge (local) <--what the what?!?!
In his investigations and whatnot for Abadar and the city, what does Ferox know of Loaggri? Has Loaggri ever made a legitimate claim, or made a claim that wasn't totally outrageous? And is her purpose typically to make $$?
Knowledge(local):
She's had plenty of publicity stunts before, but never anything THIS outrageous.
Did the FM have any specific reaction to the report of vampire spawn in the city?
Nothing specific from her. After dealing with a regicide, a new military organization, an escaped convict (assisted by a masked vigilante.) You pretty much get a "Why doesn't this @!#$ surprise me anymore." kind of reaction.
Population 18,486
Type isolated (90% human, 4% dwarf, 2% elf, 2% halfling, 1% half-elf, 1% other races)
Corruption: +4 (Bonus on all Bluff checks against city officials/guards. Bonus on out doors stealth checks within city limits.)
Crime: -1 (Bonus to Sense Motive check made to avoid being Bluffed and Sleight of Hand Checks to pick pockets.)
Economy: +4 (Bonus to Craft, Perform, and Profession checks used to make money.)
Law: +6 (Bonus to Intimidate used to force a “friendly” attitude, Diplomacy against government officials, and Diplomacy in summoning the Guard.)
Lore: +4 (Bonus to Diplomacy (Gather Information) and Knowledge Checks when using city resources.)
Society: +0 (Bonus to Diplomacy checks used to alter the attitude of any non-government official.)
Turns out I could have made more money on crafting and taken less time doing so :(.... and with the FM here I guess Know Local has the +4 bonus. Ferox where is your additional +4 comming from? Inquisitor ability?
And on that note. Not that this be the time nor place fer it, but this be what happens when a large city do not 'ave a merchants guild settin standards fer things. Don't get me wrong I see the good in not havin em either, somethin I might be blessin 'ere when I opens up me own shop. Now me wonders how did her reputation and buisness survive such an obvious fleecing 'n remain in buisness? She might just 'ave a powerful backer of sorts
Knowledge Local: Has any noteable backers ever come to her defense?
None the less, we need ta find a way ta prove or disprove her claims. I see several ways ta tackle the situation.
Anyone else have idea's, and will the city or bank cover reasonable expenses for this mission along with the reward?
Sandor, no backers have ever thrown in with her. Her schemes backfire as equally as they pan out. She's too much of a risk. She's had some great ideas. Two years ago she kept a gnomish retainer on hand who "glued" stones to customers and then imbued them with permanent illusions. It was a big hit, and when the craze ended, she made a fortune on the solvent to remove the glue.
Your favorite option is also mine, Sandor. taking a look at this cure would be the best way to determine its veracity!
I think we can reasonably accomplish both the last two of Sandor's options. The setting of the watch rotation and purchasing some of the cure to reverse engineer it. Good plans, Sandor.
Yes--reverse engineering a potion is going to be a time-consuming process, so might as well use that time.
DM any response from the FM or Banker concerning expenses?
Maybe hire a sample of plague victims for receipt of the cure and some for placebo.
Considering the bank's normal stance, they recommend you subtract expemses from the reward before divvying it up. Your continued success will likely garner you fame exchangeable for favor...