Forgotten Realms Foray (Spellgard IV - 4e)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Urlag

"Sounds good to me. I could use a warm bath." Hobbes says as he stretches his arms. "And perhaps someone to share it with?" He says as he glances over to Arrika.

No need to go all NC-17 here. Hobbes is a notorious flirt. He's good-looking and he knows it. He is fascinated with Arrika's strong personality and exotic beauty. He'll tease and whatnot, but not take it any further without encouragement. Just FYI.

Erik clears his throat.

"Yes, let us find some lodgings first. We'll need to establish at least some semblance of a base if we're going to start looking around and investigating. Once that's done I'll see what else I can find out about this group of miscreants. Whoever made these posters likely has some good information to start our search."

Urlag grumbles to himself, but assents to finding an inn. Given their wealth, he suggests one in a decent part of town.

The Merry Mote suggests itself to Urlag as a promising hostelry.

"Sounds good to me. I could use a warm bath." Hobbes says as he stretches his arms. "And perhaps someone to share it with?" He says as he glances over to Arrika.

"We can hire someone for that for you. I'm sure there are plenty of wenches around that will take coin to enjoy a bath with you. If it were me, though, you wouldn't get clean, and not because of what you might be thinking."

Out of curiosity, why does Hobbes think we don't have a legal reason to be here? Even if we hadn't been hired to purse a bounty placed by the town watch, which we have, we'd still be legally in the town. Unless it's under martial law or something, which I think our patron would have mentioned.

naw, i meant we have no legal right to arrest or kill these thieves. our primary purpose in finding these guys and putting an end to their operations is not legitimate. maybe the Watch will be happy and reward us with the bounties they put on them, or maybe we get arrested for taking the law into our own hands. that's all.

Hobbes just shrugs his shoulders. "I guess we'll see if that's true or not." Then he looks Arrika straight in the eyes and smiles. "Pity." Without another word, Hobbes turns and follows Urlag.

Where are you going and what do you plan to do when you get there?

Head to The Merry Mote and at least window shop in the market stall along the way, I'd think.

take note of shops and other places of interest on our way to the Mote. It's still morning, right?

To the Mote, chivvying the window-shoppers along the way.

Vendors are eager to engage your interest as you stroll the streets of Oreme, heading towards The Merry Mote. Certainly if you need new weapons, different clothes, alchemical or magical supplies or simply a late night snack, your needs can be catered for. The market place is built into colonades around a central square and is visibly policed by uniformed Watch officers. As a result, any illicit activity is just that. Illicit, and unless you're looking hard, unseen.

Urlag guides the group to the inn. The identifying sign depicts a laughing Earthmote with wine pouring down its sides into barrels held up by an eager crowd below. The place is clean, cheerful and central. It's also busy. A cheerful young half-elf greets you.

"Morning to you. Can I help?"

"Greetings, my good man. My companions and I are in need of a couple of rooms for the next tenday or so. We heard that the Merry Mote was THE place to stay in Oreme!" Hobbes greets the half-elf and lays on the charm.

Diplomacy= 1d20+14= 29

Urlag gives Hobbes a disbelieving look, but says nothing.

people LOVE me. you just wait and see.

The half-elf reels under the impact of Hobbes's charm offensive and looks adoringly at the sorcerer.

"It's not that special," he stammers, "but we have rooms. Quite nice rooms. And we serve food."

All my dots have disappeared. This is distressing.

"Somehow I doubt that", replies Ava somewhat distantly in response to the young half-elfs statement. "I do not suppose this establishment has elven delicacies or wine, boy?"

Rosey: What do I know of this city? History Check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Hobbes smiles and asks his new friend a series of questions about the inn.
"What is the layout of the rooms and do any of them have a bath?" Hobbes first asks the half-elf.
"How many beds are in each room and do you have any suites with adjoining doors?" He follows up after the stewart answers.
"Is the food shared in a common room or is it brought up to your room? What sort of meals do you provide? "
"And finally, what are the rates for each room?" He asks as he takes off his hat and dusts it off.

I wasn't trying to seduce the guy, just make him friendly, but as long as he's helpful, I won't complain. The old Hobbes charm is a powerful thing. :) These are the questions Hobbes will ask the half-elf. He will wait patiently between questions for the Stewart to answer so it is not a barrage of questions. But this is what I would like to know.

The half-elf bows slightly to Ava.

"We don't, I'm afraid. Import costs. There is an elf-run restaurant two streets away. It's supposed to be very good, but I've never eaten there myself."

He pulls out a floorplan of the upper level of the Merry Mote and explains the facilities on offer.

Upper floor of the Merry Mote

"We don't have ensuite bathing, I'm afraid, although we do offer individual chamber pots by each bed. You don't have to share. A great innovation. None of our rooms adjoin, although as you see, none are very far apart. All the keys are different however, so you would need permission from the guest to enter.

If you wish to eat in your room, there is a small surcharge, but our kitchens are open until midnight every day. Breakfast is served from 6am to 9pm. Our tariff is very reasonable and can include stabling for your horses, should you have any. Of course, there is a discount for a longer stay. The base rate is 3sp per night for a single room, 2sp for shared double accommodation, and 1sp for the larger shared room. That figure includes breakfast, but no evening meal."

Another beaming smile follows.

Note that the map is for Hobbes's benefit. You don't need to place yourselves on it or roll init.

"Are they all available?" Hobbes asks. "If so, I'd like this one." He points to the largest room with a double bed. room 3 on the map "For the next two tendays, at least." He says as he pulls out his gold purse. "This should take care of it. (with a little extra for the good service)" Hobbes says as he hands the Stewart 10gp. 3sp times 20= 6gp.

"A room and a pot," Urlag growls. "By the night." He pays for same.

"I'm Selwyn and I hope your stay is comfortable."

Selwyn take the coin, counts it carefully and hands over the room keys.

"We're quiet at the moment. People seem nervous about travelling. There have been some attacks, but I think it's just bandits. You don't look as if you need to worry about that."

His gazes rests on your armour and weapons.

"Don't worry, we're not here to start any trouble." Hobbes pats Selwyn on the arm reassuringly. He spins the key around in his hand and puts it in a cloak pocket. Hobbes looks at the others. "Shall we see what's for breakfast? Or do you all want to split up and meet back for dinner? It's been too long since I was last in a decent sized town and I aim to make the most of it."

we should either split up and look for clues or sit down and make some plans. I'm good either way.

I don't know squat about cities so I'll stick with Hobbs.

"Lets go shopping." "We can get food for the vendors at the market."

Urlag is, once more, incredulous. "'Shopping'? 'Breakfast'? What are we doing here? We have a job, and I aim to do it. Are you going to do your part, or is this your holiday?"

"And how, pray tell, are YOU going to 'get down to business,' Urlag? We have NO IDEA where these guys are, we don't have one clue to where they hang out, or how often they come out of hiding. Once we know more, then we can strike more effectively. How do we gain this information? We go to the local bars and spread some coin around. We also go to the shopkeepers and local merchants because they have the most to lose to these guys. We buy some stuff from them and make them like us so they'll give us the information we need."

He winks at Kel. "So, yes, we go shopping."

Hobbes looks back at Urlag. "If you want to hang out in the local bars and see what you can dig up, great! We can meet up later for dinner. Maybe at that elven place. It's been a while since I've eaten elven food. Ava will like that, at least." He gives Ava a little smile. "That is, if she likes anything."

Arrika offers to share a room with Ava, and if it's agreed to, she pays her rental share. Listening to other talk, she nods. "They're right." she says to Urlag. "They can hit the nice places, we.." she points to him "...can hit the dives. C'mon."

Then suddenly, Hobbes turns and stands toe to toe with Urlag. His normal cheerful voice turns cold and hard.

"We haven't fought together before, so I'll let that one pass, but don't EVER question my resolve again. I am Bartholomew Sebastian Hobbes, DRAGON of Aglarond, and I am a POWERFUL sorcerer. The BLOOD of DRAGONS runs through my veins."

He pauses for a second and then continues.

"WHEN we find these thieving DOGS, I will cook them with FIRE, with LIGHTNING, and with ACID. For such is my POWER, as you will see."

And then before Urlag can react, he turns away and resumes his normal jovial demeanor. "But until then, I plan to have a little fun while I'm here in town." And he smiles as he says that.

Hobbes normally is a very likable guy, but he doesn't like people questioning his magic and his methods. He is very passionate and quite opinionated. He's not looking for a fight, just letting Urlag know that underneath his friendly exterior, he is just as committed as Urlag is. He didn't yell any of this, the caps are merely for emphesis. If Urlag doesn't like him, that's fine. Not everybody does. (because I can't use my Diplomacy on other PCs) :)

Urlag looks about to answer Hobbes's plan when the smaller man begins his tirade. The half-orc seems bemused by the sorcerer's vehemence, then guffaws as Hobbes turns back around. "Yeah, you'll do. Wasn't sure you had any steel under that perfume."

Turning to Arrika, Urlag answers, "I know the place to start . . . Let's go.

"Anybody else for the dives?"

Arrika, Rev:

Hobbes, and other interested:

"Urlag, if you find a place that offers baths, with or without company, let me know. I really could use a good soaking." Hobbes says as Urlag starts to leave.

So, Hobbes and Kel are going shopping (with a view to questioning people) in the marketplace and Urlag and Arrika are heading to the slightly seedier part of town for the same reason.

Davi (Kelgan) is away right now, so can someone make a choice on his behalf.

I need to know how you are pursuing your enquiries.

Urlag/Arrika and anyone going with that pair

Hobbes/Kel and anyone with that pair

Erik watches the display with waning enthusiasm, having not particularly wanted to take this job to begin with.

"I would actually like to go back to that temple and see who put those posters up. Odds are the authorities who did so would have some good information to start.

Master Urlag, would you be opposed to stopping by there first before we head for the dives. The constabulary may have a good lead on which one to start at."

"Sharing a room with you Arrika seems appropriate enough" says Ava.

Ava gives Hobbes a flat, unemotional look in response to his comment, saying "I do not like what you are implying human, but yes, elven cuisine would be a welcome change to this thing your people try to pass off as food."

Turning to Erik, she nods her head slightly in approval. "We must be wary of who we speak to of these criminals. They may have more eyes then we do. Finding out who put up the posters would be prudent and could give us some ideas as to where these humans frequent. Then the killing...I mean capturing can commence. I will accompany the minstrel to the temple. I suggest you who will scour the less civilized areas do so with care."

Erik and Ava heading to the Temple.
Hobbes and Kel to the marketplace.
Ulgar and Arrika to the stews via the Temple?
Kelgan tagging along with one group or other.

Temple visitors

Erik and Ava heading to the Temple.

Hobbes and Kel to the marketplace.
Ulgar and Arrika to the stews via the Temple?
Kelgan tagging along with one group or other.

I'm ok with stopping at the temple on the way to the bad part of town

Rev DM:

I think there might be some confusion, and it well might be mine. Two sets of posters -- wanted posters for Barstow, presumably from the Watch, and the posters about the "aberrant markings" put up by the Temple. Do we have any reason to believe the Temple has an interest in the Bloodhounds? If not, I'd rather go straight to The Jewel. Preferably with Kelgan.

My fault I suspect. Urlag is right. There are two different sets of wanted posters stuck up over town. The Barstow posters are different to the "Weird mark bearers wanted" posters. You don't have any reason to connect the two that you're aware of.

we'll take Kelgan with us. He'll stay back and just look intimidating, like he always does. I don't expect trouble, but if it finds us, I'd prefer to have him with us. Besides, we three have been together the longest, since we met before the monastry.

"Come on, Kelgan, you can come with us. It'll be just like old times, the three of us together again. And...if you're good, I might even buy you something." Hobbes says with amusement. He winks at Kel and pushes Kelgan out the door.

without going into specifics (cause I don't want to cause you too much trouble) but what sort of shops are there, any magic type shops or alchemists, any weapon or armor shops, clothes, etc? Unless you have a layout for the marketplace.

To quote from an earlier post:-

If you need new weapons, different clothes, alchemical or magical supplies or simply a late night snack, your needs can be catered for. The market place is built into colonades around a central square and is visibly policed by uniformed Watch officers. As a result, any illicit activity is just that. Illicit, and unless you're looking hard, unseen.

I don't have a marketplace map, but if you want one, I can make one for you. You can buy most basic stuff here. If you want anything elaborate, they might be able to get it for you, but it could take a couple of days. What did you have in mind?

At the temple, the sacristan looks Ava up and down, clearly rather put out by her tone. "Those posters are a request that citizens be aware of those with odd marks. It is the temple's wish to safeguard our town."

"Careful human, you ask for permission before you look at me like that", says Ava with disdain. "What are these odd marks that the posters speak of. Perhaps we can help you with that...or perhaps not...this will be your decision to make."

The sacristan glares. "Now look here missy, I've been pew-minder at this temple a long time. There's no call to get uppity with me. As for the marks, I might think it was suspicious you taking such an interest if I was that type of man. Which I'm not. I'm very tolerant. So far."

Ava looks around the temple as the sacristan chews her out, looking around for any signs of the posters about the marks. Perception check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
"Just curiosity, human. We're looking for information on certain people of questionable character. I believe my comrade and I may have taken a wrong turn. Maybe it is coincidence, maybe just a lack of wisdom, but I find that most things in life are not coincidence. Have you heard of the men who call themselves Barstows Bloodhounds?" With that statement, Ava eyes the man intently, looking for any hint of hesitantion or deception, just in case...

Insight: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Rev, Kel, Kelgan

There are plenty of the posters around the temple. None of them say anything different. They simply urge responsible citizens to inform the temple priests of anyone with odd markings visible on their bodies.

"Barstow's Bloodhounds?" Astonishment makes the sacristan pause for a moment. "What on earth do you want to have anything to do with those ruffians for? That dwarf was born to be hanged and his "bloodhounds" aren't much better, from what I hear."

Ava

EDIT
Hobbes

As Urlag and Arrika come in sight of The Jewel, the half-orc pauses. "Arrika, maybe you go in first and get settled. The dwarf used to operate around here, and I might not be too welcome. Better you don't come in with me."

"We don't do hangings but we do justice and we're looking to dispense some to Barstow." "We just need to find out more information about them, like do they have a lair outside of town and that kind of things."

Kel pays close attention to everybody’s reaction to his statement.
Perception = 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

Rev, Kel, Kelgan ** spoiler omitted **

That was my idea also.

Map of Oreme marketplace
Note the typeface is rather small and you'll need to zoom in a bit to read it.

Oreme is an old town and has long been the commercial centre for miles around. If trading is to be done out here on the dangerous edges of Netheril, Oreme is the place. Further to the east lies the Shade Enclave, and no right-minded trader would willingly risk life, limb and the intervening desert without good reason.

As a result, Oreme has an importance beyond its size. This shows in the clearly long-standing family businesses that skirt the edges of the fine stone colonades surrounding the main square. To the east stands the imposing bulk of the Temple of Erathis, with domestic housing pressing close as though for protection. The centre of the square however boasts a more itinerant population, including a number of traveling folk who provide ongoing entertainment through the day.

At the temple
The sacristan looks at Kel as if he was insane. "Do I look like the kind of man who'd know where those dregs of society live? Ask the travelers. Ask the Watch. Ask some of the lowlife scum around the backstreets."

Finally he draws breath and calms down a little.

"I'm sure I wish you well with your hunt, but this is a temple. We have a service starting in a few minutes. I've got a good deal to do before then. Now, if you want to help, you can put out the service sheets. Or you can go away."

He manages a polite smile.