GM Cwethan's Race for the Runecarved Key (8-9 Classic) (Inactive)

Game Master Cwethan

Ansha likewise hesitates behind the cover of the pillar.

Do we want to kill the poor beast?

Seren, seeing the others holding off and the Hydra rather under control, stops her performance. The energy washes out of her and the little medium becomes wan and slumped as she stumbles further away from their oppoent. "Yeah... Rogar... wooh..." Her stage show and cheering become rather less impressive as the girl focuses more on not sway so far she falls and Chaucer isn't there to lead the act.

With some confused effort she prods herself in the side with her wand to seal up the massive tooth marks she was now sporting. "Ah... my new shirt is ruined."

Free action to stop dancing, move to new location, standard to use my wand of CLW on myself. We need to wait till next round at least, since the guy wanted 6 full rounds of fighting.

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ursahla heals herself again, in case any treachery was afoot.

Cure: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The frenzied hydra once more blasts Rogar with fire, but it's still down to just one head...

Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) = 11 DC 19 Ref for 1/2

Round 7!
Bold may go
Ursahla -41
Ansha
Tessara +9
Seren -5, Longstrider
Rogar Cauterizing Weapon
Blue Pyrohydra -42, Freebooter's Bond, 1 head left! (5 Stumps)

Looks like you missed the 3 hp from her first cure.

Ursahla cures herself again.

Cure: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Rogar shakes his head:"I see... sorry then..."

So saying the fighter slashes again against the last remaining hydra's head...

Power Attack roll 01: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 1 + 2 = 40 ⇒ Damage Roll: 3d6 + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 38

Power Attack roll 02: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 30 ⇒ Damage Roll: 3d6 + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 37

Power Attack roll (haste): 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 + 2 = 35 ⇒ Damage Roll: 3d6 + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 16 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 37

AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Rogar finishes the hydra's decapitation with a flourish and the crowd goes wild!!!

The Society makes out like bandits from betting, their share of the gate, and of course the champion's purse!

It is perhaps in that spirit that you receive your next briefing:

There were two women at the pre-auction who paid their deposit in Minkaian coins which, according to our sources, may have been stolen during a recent caravan raid. If such is the case, the duo no doubt have dubious intentions. The women call themselves the Duchesses and they likely have ties to one of Magnimar’s criminal organizations; I suspect the Rushlight Society.

Head to the man’s residence, and see if you can’t figure out how much money these “Duchesses” have. If all is as I suspect, they don’t have enough to bid competitively. I’m also near certain they’re using stolen funds, so leave whatever gold you find. I don’t want us bidding with illegally gotten coin—that’ll create more problems for us than it will solve. Lastly, whatever you happen to find, do not involve the authorities. I cannot risk the courts subpoenaing your testimony during the auction.

Same day or different day, DM?

Tess nods at the next assignment. ”Well, this shouldn’t be that bad. A little bit of sneaking, and we can zip right in and out of there. I hope...”

Same day still

Once the arena fight is over Seren will sneak back out under the shadow of Rogar and spend a moment using her wand to heal herself up. She'll spend a few moments trying to look over her shoulder at her own back and checking the bottom of her feet to ensure that she didn't miss anything before turning to Ursahla. "Hey sneaky, you want me to wallop you with this thin', too? I wanna try and keep Malsaire's stuff for when we can't wait." She giggles softly to herself.

"This one sounds pretty easy, we just let Ansha wiggle her hips and he can blab to us all day, right?" She pauses and purses her lips. "Why woulda couple of duchesses be workin' with criminals?"

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Ursahla will continue to heal her wounds.

Cure (x6): 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 3, 6, 3, 3, 6) + 6 = 35

"Do we expect the two women will be present as well?" Ansha asks.

It's certainly possible, so stay sharp!

The enchantress purses her lips and nods. "Back soon," she says, waggling her fingers in farewell. She heads for the merchant's house, pausing outside to make note of the exterior of the dwelling.

What business is this merchant in, exactly?

Rogar nods at Ansha as she goes:"That woman certainly knows what she wants..." he comments. Then the taldan takes out a wand from his backpack. "I'd love if any of you could help me with these minor burns from the hydra's breath..." he asks...

Mr. Landers is in textiles

The map of the manor is the first page you'll come to if you click on the map link, and I'm happy to answer any additional questions.

The enchantress takes a deep breath and approaches the front door. She knocks on it, and waits patiently. As soon as the door is answered, a wide, friendly smile appears on her face. "Is Master Landers home? I was told to speak with him regarding a special order."

The butler holds you at the door, but does summon Windun to come and meet you.

A special order you say, what are you talking about? His face holds only suspicion for Ansha's request.

Ansha takes a step closer to the man, lightly touching his forearm with a flirtatious smile on her lips. "I had heard that you were one of the finest textile merchants in town, and I have a rather large order I need filled. You see, I work for a certain lady who desires to have a tapestry commissioned. She will need a great deal of fabric, as you might imagine. Might we discuss it in more...detail?" she asks, her voice trailing off seductively.

Using her Covert Spells class ability to hide the casting of a Persistent charm person spell on him (DC 19). He gets a -4 penalty to his rolls to notice if she can get close enough to touch him because of her Enchanting Touch class ability, and her Subtle Enchantments feat means that if he makes his save, he has a 50% chance of not noticing he made a save.

Bluff: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 281d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 25 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 25 - 4 = 40
Perception: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 21 - 4 = 25
Subtle Enchantments, low is bad for him: 1d100 ⇒ 45

Ansha is dismayed to discover that this merchant is shockingly strong-willed and difficult to beguile. Certainly, make an appointment with my factor, and I'll be glad to speak with you later. At my office.

The enchantress smiles and curtseys deferentially. "As you wish," she says, turning to leave. "I will convey the disappointing news to milady."

---
"Okay, that didn't work. He's a lot stronger-willed than a mere merchant has any right to be. I can try again, but I think we may be better off sneaking someone in," she says as soon as she has rejoined the others. "And if he notices I'm ensorcelling him, it would be good to have a strong arm nearby in case there's any violence."

Seren bounces up when Ansha returns and wanders over to the elf, hands behind her back and leaning forward slightly. "Maaaybe you shoulda shown him a lil' more of that flirty stuff?" She straightens up and puts on her best thinking face. "Can't we just call him out and tell him we want to see what the duchesses are up to? Like check their place and tell'em it'll be the best for him?"

Her attention turns to Rogar and she eyes him up and down. "I mean he looks scary enough to get the idea across, too!"

"Do you want me to rough him up? I'm no pro at exchanging insults but I can certainly make him listen with other means, IF needed

”I think we have to sneak in. Seems like that is our best option right now.”

I can't claim to be the stealthiest person I know. If this person is as perceptive as you say it probably won't be enough without magic. I could disguise myself as some one harmless, but probably not like someone that belongs.

Plenty of ideas on this one! So far nothing seems to have a clear two votes, nor has anyone started performing their own plan, so I'll be in a holding pattern til one of those happens.

"I can provide a distraction while others sneak in. Charm the butler into taking a nap, and then one or two sneak in ?"

I'm willing to give it a try.

Will try to disguise myself like someone who fits in (probably a servant unless someone has a different suggestion). I'll also cast my hide weapon spell to keep my rapier hidden inside my arm while there.

"I will help distracting the butler. Sneak in? Not unless you want all of the neighborhood coming to see what the clangor is about... Rogar chuckles.

Sounds good! Rogar, Ansha (and whoever), go ahead and do your distraction (please include an appropriate skill check). Ursahla (and whoever), are you going to try to slip through the front door, or make a different entrance?

Rogar approaches the door and starts banging his fist on the wooden surface:"Open up you scurvy dog! How dare you deny Lady Ansha's request! OPEN UP AND APOLOGIZE OR I SHALL TEAR THIS DOOR DOWN AND KICK YOUR SKINNY ASS!!!"

Intimidation check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Is there any place I can identify as a servant's entrance? That's where I would slip in. Wouldn't be uncommon for manors that employ servants, but map makers don't always consider such details.

If I didn't have a map of the place, I'd assume there was a servant's entrance, but unfortunately no sign of one in the layout.

Ansha returns with Rogar in tow, and instantly regrets it when the Taldan starts hammering on the door. So much for subtlety, she thinks to herself.

As soon as the butler shows up to the door, Ansha throws her arms around him and starts sobbing. "Oh, you don't know what you've done! My lady was most wroth with me for failing to procure the fabric for her tapestry and now she is threatening to tie me to the bed and whip me unless I can find another source and then she said that my pay was being confiscated and that my assets were all frozen and that my little sister would starve because of my ineptitude and all I really want to do is lie down and go to sleep," she blubbers theatrically, masking the casting of a spell.

Bluff: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Using her Covert Spells class ability to hide the casting of a suggestion to go lie down and sleep on the butler (DC 21). He gets a -4 penalty to his rolls to notice because of her Enchanting Touch class ability, and her Subtle Enchantments feat means that if he makes his save, he has a 50% chance of not noticing he made a save.

Then I'll have to try the regular entrance. A servant isn't going to be climbing through the windows.

Tess can cast Silence on a stone and pass it off to one of the sneakers to help with their caper.

The butler wanders off to rest, giving Ursahla a perfect opportunity to sneak in before Windun Landers comes to see what all this ruckus is!

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Ursahla if I can get a stealth from you please - DC has been adjusted by Silence, Disguise and distractions

Seren just opts to stay out of the way, as she's not particularly subtle. As can be noted by fact she tends to have trouble even keeping her mouth shut. Instead she's wandered off into the garden nearby, in plane view of the others so they can be certain she's not causing trouble, and is currently using a small hand shovel to dig a hole into the front lawn of Landers's property.

Conveniently this gives her a nice view of the street and anyone that might be heading their way that could be a problem. Like guards. She quietly mutters to herself as she sits there. "I dunno Wynn, I don't think buryin' a coin actually makes a coin tree grow. Zela says you're lyin'. And you tricked me yesterday about how soap tastes... hmmm.."

The "servant girl" tries to wander around acting normally.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

At least he wasn't immune to my charms, Ansha thinks to herself as the butler wanders off. She steps aside to let Ursahla pass and self-congratulatorily adds to herself, Still got it.

"What now?" the enchantress turns to Rogar and asks.

Also, where was that 1 a day ago when I needed it?!

Ursahla is able to win herself some time unobserved to search. You can make three Perception checks, please do indicate which rooms you're searching. You can make multiple checks in the same rooms or split your time as you like.

"Now we deal with his boss" Rogar states and waits for Landers to arrive.

After getting a quick layout of the manor, Ursahla decides to start in the office.

Search the desks and then, assuming the fireplace, if possible.

Assuming she was able to tuck her wands in her clothing, she'll use a charge of heightened awareness. Subtract 2 if not possible.

Perception 1: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 = 13
Perception 2: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26
Perception 3: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27

You're actually able to cover an entire room/perception check, so let me know if you'd like 2 and 3 to be additional attempts in the office or if you'd like to try some of the other rooms (you can keep the rolls)

Landers makes another appearance, peering around suspiciously for his servant.

You again? I told you already, this is my home and I don't know you. Schedule an appointment at my office, if you must, but leave this house!

The bedrooms would be next to be searched.

Ursahla finds a suspicious looking iron strong box hidden under one of the beds in room 2.

Unfortunately, it is locked...

Well, no one has Disable Device in the party, so counting the coins is out.

How big is the box? Is it easily movable? Have I noted anywhere else in the house where I might be able to hide it? Anywhere nearby? Thinking here that if I can prevent them from finding the money, it won't matter how much is there, but we also won't be taking it.

The box is about 125 lbs all told, and is definitely too big to secret about yourself without the use of magic or a really really big cloak.