When the people and King of Risur have internal or external enemies but won't or can't call in the military... They Call in the RHC(Royal Homeland Constabulary)
IN Flint, the Family is run by Morgan Cippriano who helped you a great deal with the Skyseer and to some degree at the museum fight. The Family is more of a loose organization than a centralized unit. It is like the pre-Luciano mafia.
Back at the hotel, Falko convenes his colleagues together, along with Mapple: "Ok, tonight we try to free that slave from her guardian, as Angus wished. We'll follow Mapple's suggestion and take her while the guardian sleeps. Now, we know she's some kind of sorcerer. So we can assume she will have wards to protect her room and her, well, ward."
"Best would be to do the whole thing without getting noticed, but we need to prepare for that possibility. I can disguise my appearance easily, so I can go in the room. Anyone else can disguise themselves?"
"Next, we need to move the slave to our ship. I'm not sure how best to do this. Any ideas?"
Falko realizes the plan is still full of holes, and hopes his companions can come up with some suggestions.
Chretien [spoiler] You are undercover. You could come with him to his meeting and try to get the others to drop it. But, your group's reputation with the Family is only level 2. If it were level 4 you would have a higher chance for success.
Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13
GM:
i was thinking of sending a wire to Cippriano to ask him to contact his people, etc etc. Is there a way to temporarily increase reputation, like a promise of a future favor? Also, did he say he had a meeting soon? I didn't catch that if so. And how did Heid react to Griento's revelation?
Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13
GM:
amended from before"Well, I don't really mind the being lied to part, so long as I am in no immediate danger. That said, what is your expectation from revealing such... uncomfortable personal information? You can take solace in the fact that it is perhaps for the best that your loved ones are with you, they may have borne the brunt of retribution at home if your clan were the type to do so over stolen items. What are your intentions in Nalaam?"
Mapple says, "The ward wears all of those clothes to disguise what she is, we can have her put on normal clothes so she can go to the ship."
Chretien
Spoiler:
Grientos answers, "My goal is to have them leave me and my family alone and not to dishonor my family further. After seeing you and your comrades in action against the Malice monster today, I feel as though tomorrow went I meet these people with you at my back we can negotiate a deal. I am less concerned for my life but for those lives of my wife, children and my clan."
Heid pipes up and says, "How will you close the chapter of this book, my orcish friend? Will you confront these individuals and what if they choose to not take your offer?"
Grientos says, "I may not be a warrior but I need to protect my clan."
Isaac
Spoiler:
You continue to watch Cardiff until he boards a ship at 4am headed to Seobriga.
GM, should we wait for Cretien and Isaac to finish what they're working on? I mentioned Falko waited to ahve all the group together before discussing the freedom plan.
Ok, we'll pretend he's with us, but helping on things like look out and communications with the boat.
Listening to Mapple, Falko nods his approval: "Yes, just having the elf slave walk without a cloak might be disguise enough. As long as her captor is not actively looking for her while we move her to the ship..."
"Ok, so I'll do the grab, disguised as a local elf. Angus, you'll be my back up muscle in case we need to knock her captor out. Cretien, you're our link with the ship. Make sure to secure transportation between here and the ship and have them ready to sail. Mapple, you're our look out? I know you can remain unseen, but perhaps you had something else in mind?"
Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13
you won't hurt my feelings by skipping me on a snatch and grab. Pragmatically, I'm a liability. I could be a lookout at best or secure the path ahead of you.
gm:
"Well, I will see about those other people. I dont think too many people are staying here so most of them are probably moving on to the next station."
Grientos says, "Mr. Mulheer, will you stand with me tomorrow evening? Knowing your interest in magic and technology, my clan could be a great asset for you research in the future. I am sorry to try to involve you in this but you seem a sort that will fight for what is right."
Heid nods, "Criminal organizations always look for short cut along the way, the way to enlightenment, to the chapters that seem to be curtailed which is in essence not the way to properly end things. It is extremely important to hold said endings dear and maybe this Family must have their chapters ended to allow others to properly complete their chapters. This is inherrent in one must call the way. Machines and people must all have their chapters at their full length. Those who try shorten their chapters do not deserve the way. The way is through challenge."
FMAC
Spoiler:
You get ready to enact your plan. Chretien stands at the edge of the hallway to make sure no one comes by. You see Elanor and her ward's hotel room door. What do you do?be as specific as possible
Ok, I'll take the lead on this, but the others may chime in and add more details.
Assisted by Mapple, who seems quite good at sneakiness, Falko will start by inspecting the door for traps or alarms, magical or otherwise, while Angus keeps watch.
Falko is disguised as a local elf, while Angus is disguised as a human mercenary with dark hair and a dark beard, thanks to Falko's disguise kit.
Cretien is outside with a coach ready to spirit the ward to the ship. The ship is ready to sail at first light.
The door checked, they will unlock it. Falko will turn invisible and enter the room, with Angus and Mapple near the door, ready to lend a hand.
Falko will wake the ward as silently as possible and lead her out of the room where Angus and Mapple will lead her to Cretien. Falko will quickly shed his disguise and, should the guardian wake and go after her ward, play interference.
Whenever possible, Falko will make use of his luck when in the room to avoid complications.
Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13
GM:
"Well, I may be a researcher with some good tools, but I am still a researcher. I doubt my assistance alone will help you against a syndicate. I will, however, ask those others. And I've got one more thing to do, as well. What will resolve this for you? Their bloodshed? That's how this ends, isn't it? And then what?"
GM, is it feasible, in Chretien's mind, to contact Morgan to see if he has a contact in the Family that Griento is meeting that might be willing to turn or sabotage something?
You can give it a try. That seems feasible within the time constraints of about 24 hours. You would have to run off to get off a sending. Grientos would be willing to pay for that. So please give me a diplomacy or intimidate usually but since it is a sending I think a knowledge local roll which would convey in writing what you need and how it will increase your relationship.
Griento says, "I would like to avoid bloodshed if it is possible but I am not sure if it is feasible. I hate to ask but I have seen how your group has handled the malice beast. Unless you have another idea?
Falko with some help from Mapple is able to discern that there is a magic trap on the door, consisting of a touch of idiocy spell and ghost sound, which you are able to decast or unset. You then get to work with your lockpicks and oil and you hear the muffled snick from the lock and by putting some of that oil on the hinges of the door you make sure the door stays quiet as you open it.
GM Rolls
Spoiler:
Elanor 90% chance of being asleep because it is 2am 1d100 ⇒ 86, Mapple stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Elanor sleeping perception 1d20 - 10 ⇒ (5) - 10 = -5
You walk across the room and you find the ward sleeping but it seems she has been drugged and then you have Mapple throw one of Meera's robes onto the Elven woman and you make your way out of the room while closing the door behind you. You then make your way out the fire exit avoiding the main entrance and you join her on the ship with Captain Smith.
Smith is glad to see you but is seemingly surprised by the two extra guests of Mapple and the High Elf woman. Smith says, "Who are these folks?"
Falko glares at the Captain: "Sorry, but that must remain confidential. At least until you've reached the Risuri coast. The less people know, and so on. Angus will debrief the elf and I'll speak with the other. Prepare to set sail and leave with the next tide."
Once they're alone with Mapple, he asks: "Wanna stay on the train? We could use your help. But you have to tell us why you're on it.""
Is Angus around? If so, he could play the debrief. I think he might be on vacation.
The knowledge local was enough but with the 20 After whisking the elf to the ship, after speaking with the concierge at the hotel where you can get off a sending, he gives you the directions to the Korol Morya(Sea King) where he puts you in connection with a dwarf named Vankloff Jeanov who processes your request for a nominal fee. On your way there, Men hand out brochures near the inn inviting visitors to various craftsmen of fine armaments. It has become a cottage industry in Drakr for weapons makers to collaborate with mages in the creation of new killing tools. a shop called Knigi, Grudi, Bongi, i Strely (Books, Boobs, Bongs, and Booms), which caters to all sorts of marginally legal desires, with a library of controversial books and scrolls, exotic magical pornography, various drugs and paraphernalia, and of course, explosives. New weapons include the following advanced weapons from Ultimate Combat (not normally available): Rifle • Shotgun • Most magical ammunitions of +2 or less enhancement bonus
The Captain says, "Should we alter our schedule? We are supposed to meet you on the 16th in Vendricce but we won't have enough time to go back to Flint and pick you up. If you want we can keep the girl safe aboard the ship and bring her with us. Just as a reminder, we will be in the harbor in Sid Minos in two days and then in Vendricce in three days."
Mr. Mapple says, "I have been on the train because I am homeless. I am only a year old since my recreation and I wanted to learn about different cultures and the like. I would really like to help out with the Elven girl."
To the captain, Falko nods and says: "Right then, you keep both safe. Mr Mapple will be responsible for the elf. We'll see you in two days. Best we head back before our absence gets noticed."
As you leave both Chretien and Falko have received messages.
Falko
Spoiler:
Note from contacts following Luc... CFE, Followed Principle and wife to lighthouse, kept distance, they left lighthouse and made way to enclave and train. Gained access to the train, saw him attach something to smokestack of train. He was doing something on the inside of the train. Came back to hotel at 3am.
Chretien
Spoiler:
Letter from sending reads... CCD, 2 contacts at meeting will wear green. Toss firedust infused A..Fires at leader. ... MC
Falko informs his colleagues of the report he's received: "Luc and Ottavia went to the lighthouse. It seems this is where they meet, regardless of the town... Anyway, he's done something in the train's smokestack and in the locomotive itself. I think we should have a look. Cretien, you should lead the investigation. We'll have your back."
Tiefling map Armiger (Machinehead) 9/ Aristocrat 1 // AC 26/22/15 / HP 62/84 / F +10 R +11 W +9 / Init. +3 / Perc. +15 / Sense Motive +13
"Alright, remind me what we are doing? I've had a rather hectic night and I've got some things to tell you all when we are done here, unless you want to hear them now."
"Well, I'm not entirely sure, to tell you the truth. Joerre put something in the smoke stack and did something to the locomotive. First, we need to find out what he did."
During boarding, people are of the opinion that the train may be bad juju
that death is following you. The prevailing theory is that whoever called the monster in the Malice Lands is trying to kill everyone on the train. Passengers are tense. The train leaves at 7:30 am. The coach cars are only a quarter full.
You didn't get the messages until you were checking out of the hotel. I am sorry if what I had written was somewhat vague. The contacts continued to follow Jierre all night and he didn't get back to the hotel until about 4am, which is after you got back from the ship. While the train is moving you can check as you go. But going on the roof to check out the smokestack at the front of the train is a bit conspicuous, you can try once you get to the next stop.
Falko/Gauthier resumes his duties as bodyguard to a bunch of scholars. He tries not to look too tired as he pretends to watch over his colleagues' well-being. He's interested mostly in finding out where the Jierres are. If there's nothing unusual about their arrangements, he'll keep an eye on new travellers boarding the train.
Falko looks at Cretien: "Ok, so Griento is in deep with this side of the Family. Do you want to do something about that? And that shop you mentioned, do we still have time to go and have a peek? Sounds like loads of fun! More than with Griento anyways..."
You're right. We can't make it to the shop. My bad.
"Ok then. Do you need my help? In the meantime, let's try and keep up with the roster. Who's new, who left? And let's keep an eye on that locomotive. I have a bad feeling..."
Male Half Giant Hilary Bray Machinesmith 6 | AC 19 T 12 FF 17 | HP 45/45 | F +8 R +7 W +4 | Init +1 | Perc +10
When Isaac returns to the group he reports, "Cardiff seems to have been working for Drakra. He gave some Drakran soldiers papers and was given gold. He then boarded a ship for Seobriga. I don't think he is our man."
He boards the train when the time comes and goes to their normal compartment. He does give it a thorough search though, including using detect magic and detect poison.
While the four of you are conversing in your cabin, you hear a knock at the door. You open it a creek and you see Bree standing there with a very special looking bottle and five glasses in her hand and she says, "Bonjour, I really would like to thank you for how you acquitted yourselves yesterday against the malice beast and was wondering if you would be interested in splitting a bottle of Alwyr Red with me. If you would be so inclined."
Falko shrugs, then moves to open the door, like a good bodyguard would, checking the corridor behind Bree, but otherwise just nodding with a formal: "Miss Bree, a pleasure."
He doesn't drink but two glasses, as he is on duty.
She sits down in your suite and pours out drinks for the four you and herself and says, "I must say your actions yesterday against the malice beast were most impressive. Reminds me of myself during the last war between us" she looks Cretien and "Risur" as she turns out the window wistfully.
She then coughs and then continues, "But ever since that Druid maimed me I haven't been the same since a quarter of me isn't even me." she pauses.
