GM Jiggy's The Order of the Griffon (5e) (Inactive)

Game Master Jiggy

Gameplay thread created.

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Dot - need to fix the formating of the profile - will do in 24 hrs

Present and accounted for.

You had hoped that the state room of Lord Korrigan would offer respite from the blazing afternoon sun, but today's heat seems to seep into every building in Radlebb Keep, sparing not even the mayor. On the other hand, if personal comfort were your primary concern, you wouldn't have answered the call for volunteers to deal with rumors of monsters.

Lord Korrigan has spent the last few minutes explaining that there have been rumors among the citizenry of monsters in the woods, evil necromancers wandering the lands, and so forth. Wiping his brow with a handkerchief, Korrigan continues:

"Now, granted, there have lately been some sightings of the walking dead in the wilderness, but that's not entirely unheard of, and certainly isn't any kind of ill portent in itself. The problem is, fear is getting a hold of the people, and sightings of the occasional skeleton are spawning rumors of abominations in the woods and monsters spewing forth from this or that old ruin."

Lord Korrigan rolls his eyes, then says, "This is all nonsense of course, but the citizenry has gotten so panicky that there's been increased criminal activity, and people don't feel safe. It seems every other day there's another break-in or arrest."

Reaching under his desk, Korrigan produces a small wooden box, and opens it to reveal several rows of tightly-packed gold pieces. "I will pay you well to rid me of this problem. This is your first payment: five hundred gold. Your job is to dispel the rumors, so first talk to the citizens to get an idea of exactly what you'll need to investigate in order to put the people's minds at ease. Then go and find some proof that there's nothing to fear, and at that time I will pay the balance of your contract."

Lord Korrigan leans back in his chair, fanning himself with some papers. "Any questions?"

Halsere mopped at his face as well, using the cuff of his shirt.

So, Lord mayor, the first order is business is for us to find out the source of rumours and what the people are afraid of, then reassure the people and persuade them that all is well? Strangely enough, this is something I think suits my skillset rather well. Will we have a small fund to draw on in advance? To buy a few rounds at the local waterholes? Ten or Twenty gold coins would suffice I think.

Persaude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

A blocky dwarf with copper-red hair stands up from where she was sitting, her hair is braided into a long ponytail reaching well past her waist. By no means would she be considered pretty but she is definitely brawn.

"I'm Thyra Fireforge, it be a pleasure to meet ya,"

She bows before the lord mayor and her fellow adventures

"Lord Mayor, it'rr be our pleasure to help save this city. The people's safety should be our first concern."

Remiss of me to introduce myself Madam. It seems we'll be working with each other - Halsere of the Cloak. Professional investigator. He gives the dwarf a courtly nod.

And yes, it will be a pleasure to help Kelvin. Whatever I can do to help the Duchy will be an honor.

Pietro drools a bit over the sight of the gold coins, knowing that his own coin purse lies fallow at the moment.

"I accept this challenge, Lord Mayor." Turning to Halsere, he remarks, "You seem more skilled with words than I. Lead the way, and I'll lend my skills in return when we find need of them."

Well said but I still trust that you will be of assistance - I'm sure we will work well together, besides it takes all sorts to investigate among the common people.

If anybody has questions for Lord Korrigan before you get moving, feel free to ask. Otherwise, where would you like to start? Radlebb Keep has a tavern, a temple, an armory/smithy, an Order of the Griffon chapter house, and a magic shop. Additionally, you could canvas the residences, just going down the street knocking on doors.

"Lord Mayor, the attacks, they in a certain part of town? Do you know who the victims are?"

She draws out her holy symbol of Torm and kisses it, "By Torm we must protect the people first, Let's talk to tha victims, surely they can tell us who attacked them."

"Not usually what I'd call 'attacks'," answers Lord Korrigan, "But there's been an uptick in back-alley muggings and the like, and even some night-time looting of local businesses. In fact, there's a little dry goods shop down the street that reported an overnight breaking-and-entering incident just this morning."

Thyra paces around the room after receiving this information,

"Good of place as any to start. Let's make sure the shop owner is safe and look fer some clues."

Turning to the rest of the group to ask them their thoughts on this,

"We could start there and then ask the townsfolk around if they saw anything suspicious? How's that sound?"

Perfect - I didn't really consider an underworld issue, I just thought it would be more petty crime but I think there may be something more serious and pervasive here on a second look. Lets start with the shop and then ask the other merchants, then the townsfolk.

You approach the shop that Lord Korrigan indicated. There are planks nailed in place over broken windows, and a crude sign on the door reads "CLOSED". However, you can hear people moving around inside.

Knock politely? Call to the occupants? Spy through the windows? Break down the door? Something else?

Hello in there! I know you are closed but we are hoping to ask you a few questions... maybe even help with the clean up?, Halsere knocks on the boards.

"We're here on behalf of Lord Korrigan, and we're here to help!"

Oh no, Halsere groans inwardly. 'We're from the Government, and we're here to help' - either its gonna scare them or boost their expectations sky high... still honesty may help. He's got a straight manner of talking that may win some hearts and minds, he thinks.

"Please, there's nothin' ta fear, we are looking into the break-in,"

Thyra walks up to the storefront and tries to peer inside through the slats

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Honestly, we mean no harm - we just want to ask you a few questions

Here goes nothing..

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

You've nothing more to lose it seems

As you speak and knock, the noise of movement inside stops abruptly. Thyra peeks into the window, and sees the up-close face of an occupant who had the same idea, much to the surprise of both parties.

The door opens just a few inches, revealing a nervous-looking human man in his late thirties. He begins to speak, saying, "I'm sorry, but the store is cl—"

He stops mid-sentence, surveying the group of you curiously. You can almost hear the gears turning in his head: you're armed, but not making threats or wearing uniforms, so...

"Oh! You're the group Korrigan hired to... Come in, come in, quickly!"

He ushers you into the shop, then cranes his neck to see if anyone in the street was watching before shutting the door quickly.

In the room with you are what appear to be a human family: the man who let you in, a woman about the same age, and a teenage boy. They look like they were in the middle of cleaning; the boy is holding a broom, and there are a few old crates full of broken pieces of junk. Broken shelves hang off of the walls, and even the wooden countertop seems damaged.

All eyes turn to your group, widening as they regard you. The woman speaks up:

"You're the heroes that are going to help us, aren't you? You're going to fight the evil that's growing in this land?"

The entire family has a look of last-hope expectancy on their faces.

Thyra bows before the family and introduces herself

"Thyra Foreforge at yer service. Aye, we were hired by the Lord Mayor to look into tha problems plaguing ya town,"

Looking around at the family and the disheveled state of the store

"What can ya tell us about what happened here?"

Still holding the crumpled parchment from the post, Spidre stood in the Mayor's office, by all sights oblivious to the heat. His labored breathing, whether from the heat or some sense of anticipation, was made all the more audible as it fell against his wooden mask. He listened to the others discuss, conversations of where to start and what mattered most, but he himself had no words. As the party headed off, eager to claim a prince's ransom, Spidre followed silently.

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At the dry goods shop, Spidre waited for the others to gain entrance. He stood squarely in front of the door with his arms to his sides. When the door opened and the man let the group in, he strode calmly inside, slowly surveying the situation. He stood awkwardly in the middle of the shop while the others talked around him.

The man gives a resigned shrug. "Thieves in the night," he says. "Getting to be more and more common these days. It's not bad enough that there are monsters roaming the wilds and the wolves are back, but now it's not even safe within the walls. Robbers run free, and anyone who tries to question the town guard about it ends up as the ones getting arrested!"

This is very interesting - The guards seem to be doing the arresting of those who complain right? Who was arrested and when?

The wife speaks up:

"Nobody we know personally, thank heavens," she says, "But there are customers who don't come in anymore and someone mentions they were arrested, that kind of thing. Me and some other ladies, we decided to bring some muffins to the jail to try and lift their spirits, but the town guard wouldn't let us, and threatened to arrest us too."

Looking a bit shaken, she rubs her eyes, then continues, "Sometimes... Sometimes you hear about someone going to the guardhouse to ask about something, but never coming back, and then there's a bulletin saying they were caught robbing someone and got arrested, but nobody gets to go see... It... It makes you wonder..."

She bites her lip, and her son puts a comforting arm around her.

Suddenly, the husband perks up. "Wait a second, you lot were hired by Korrigan himself, right? That'd sure make it hard for them to pull something with you; maybe you should pay a visit to the guardhouse?"

Thyra paces back and forth, almost bumping in Spidre standing in the middle of the room.

"This is troublin' to hear. Tha guards should protect the people not frighten them. It may be worth investigatin'."

Looking around the room at the devastation wrought "Can we look around? Might be a clue or two still?"

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Insight: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Is she telling the truth?

"My thoughts exactly, m'lady. It sounds like Korrigan has lost control of his own men. Perhaps we should go set them straight."

Anyone who wants to look for "clues" (perhaps with some guidance on what kinds of things you're curious to find?) can try an Investigation check.

EDIT: Yes, you'd say these folks are being sincere.

Halsere makes a detailed sweep of the shop, looking for points in break in, disturbed items (what were the thieves targeting) and anything else he can get.

Investigation 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Anything in particular stolen? Goods or just coin and if it was just coin, where did you stash the lockbox for it?

@Pietro and Thyra:
The husband nods. "Aye, we used to be able to look to the town guard for protection and safety, but not anymore. It seems like something's changed, like their loyalty is no longer to the city. Between them, the thieves' guild, and the wolves and monsters; it seems the only people left to be trusted are the Order of the Griffon. If you get in over your head, I would definitely suggest visiting the Hall of the Griffon here in town."

@Halsere:
A thorough investigation of the shop reveals that this family has indeed been spending the entire day cleaning, leaving little of interest to be found. The front windows were smashed, as is a small window in the door (most likely to allow someone to reach in and unlock it). The goods that were stolen seem mostly random, as does the list of things that were pointlessly smashed during the robbery.

@Everyone:

With nothing left to glean from this shop, you revert to your other plan of confronting the town guard. The family wishes you luck (and asks you not to mention their names), and a long walk later you've arrived at the guardhouse.

When you enter, you see four male humans, all wearing uniforms over suits of studded leather armor, and with matching shields and shortswords stowed on their backs and belts (except one, who has no armor/shield/sword, but has a wand and a dagger on his belt). They look up at you, and one of them stands and, with annoyance dripping from his voice, says, "May I help you?"

History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Spidre nods slowly at the mention of the Order, turning to survey the property. He picks up some broken trinkets with what could either be curiosity or distaste, then drops them back into their respective piles and boxes. He then exits and proceeds to the guardhouse without particular haste.

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At the guardhouse, the conversation has already started. Spidre turns his mask towards the guard and back to Thyra, who by this point it seems obvious will have something sufficiently blunt to say. He then whirls to face the ground, an indignant grunt hardly muffled by the wooden mask giving no hints about his underlying thoughts.
"Monsters take many shapes..."

During the walk over to the guard house, Thyra tries to ask her new companions their thoughts on this trouble matter with the guards. "What do you lot think about this business with tha guards? I don't like it, if there is corruption in their ranks surely we must stomp it out."

_________________

Arriving at the guard house, Thyra takes in the languid state of the guards and frowns.

"Yer better be able ta help us. We're hired by the Lord Mayor to investigate the recent crimes in town." Striding up the guard that stood up, stopping a few feet away to get a better look at the man "Some of the folks are saying you guards are arresting people on made up charges!"

Insight to determine if he is particularly hostile: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The rest of the guards stand up abruptly, and the one doing the speaking bristles.

"How dare y-" he begins, then stops, surveying the group. Looking like something just dawned on him, he says, "Ah, you must be the braaave heroes here to get rid of 'monsters'."

He chuckles a bit, then draws his sword and points it at you as casually as a professor might point at a chalkboard. "Maybe you are the monsters. Maybe you're here to sow trouble, and destroy Radlebb Keep. Maybe we're about to save Radlebb Keep and Lord Korrigan from the charlatans he just hired."

The others draw their weapons and shields!

Halsere: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Pietro: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Spidre: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Thyra: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Guards: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

4d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 2) = 13

One of the guards tries to stab Spidre!
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
He's thrown off by the masked elf's impassive calm, and misses badly!

The other two sword-wielders both come after Thyra!
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
One sloppy blow is easily dodged, but the other sinks in deep between plates of her armor!

The last guard, standing behind the table at which they had all been sitting, points his hand and sends a bolt of fire across the room toward Pietro!
Fire Bolt: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Fire Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 4
The spell whizzes right past Pietro's head, impacting on the wall with a harmless puff of smoke!

Party up! Don't worry too much about your exact initiative order; consider yourselves "grouped". And if you're curious, these guards do NOT appear to be looking to merely apprehend you.

Pietro draws his maul and lunges at the nearest guard.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12
Crit: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 22 Total

Spidre's unfeeling mask glared back at the guard who dared to take such a poorly aimed stab. He looked the guard up and down before a blade suddenly whistled through the air before him.
Short sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8, Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
But apparently the flourish was meant more as a counter-threat than a legitimate assault. Spidre's other hand was already resting on the hilt of another weapon as he began to circle his opponent.

"Spidre, If ya can, stand beside me, I'll be able to cover ya with me shield!"

Thyra will draw her Battleaxe and make an attack against the guard that stabbed her.

Battleaxe:: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25, damage:: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Stand down, guards, what ya are doin' is against the law"

If Spidre does choose to stand next to, or any of my allies for that matter, I can use my reaction to interpose my shield between my ally and the attacker to cause the attacker to have disadvantage versus that attack

Thyra, don't forget to update your HP in that stat line.

Pietro sends a guard skidding across the floor, dead! Spidre swings and misses, while Thyra makes a strong retaliation against the guard who stabbed her!

Halsere's up, then it's back to the guards.

Halsere cast sleep on the enemy wizard. He isn't terribly interested in getting the guards in the radius

Sleep 5d8 ⇒ (5, 3, 4, 6, 1) = 19 HPs of creatures sleeping

Hopefully I'll get the wizard and one of the guards

Thyra's injured opponent and the spellcaster both collapse into a magical slumber!

The remaining guard reaches over and kicks his sleeping comrade, who wakes, stands and (with a sort of embarrassed look on his face) goes back to trying to stab Thyra!

Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
But he's still groggy, and misses!

Party up!

Yay! Wizard is still down :)

Firebolt on the injured man as he stands 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 for 1d10 ⇒ 5.

Joy :(

Thyra braces herself and readies an attack should they attack her or one of her allies that is close enough for her to reach.

readied attack battleaxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Stand down, Guards! Before further bloodshed"

Spidre draws his second blade and whirls the two through the air at his careless opponent.
Shortsword TWF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Shortsword TWF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9, Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Pietro eyes the crushed body of the guard he struck down. "Witness what aggression pays. Stay your blades, and you may yet lead a quiet life in the Lord's dungeon. Otherwise, I'll spare no pity for pirates."

Readied maul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Readied damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6
Crit damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Halsere launches a spell, but misses!

Spidre wounds his opponent, while Thyra and Pietro offer a chance for a ceasefire!

The two guards (not counting the sleeping mage in the back) look desperate, and one of them yells, "Cap, get in here! Hurry!"

Both of them then try to take another swing and are each pulverized by reactive strikes from Thyra and Pietro!

A door in the back of the room opens, and out steps a confused- and alarmed-looking Captain, flanked by... a pair of goblins?! The captain notices the sleeping mage and shakes him awake, while the two goblins draw and throw daggers with an eager bloodlust in their eyes!

2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 Targets are Pietro and Thyra.

Dagger vs Pietro: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10, Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dagger vs Thyra: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19, Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The dagger aimed at Pietro clatters against the wall, but the other goes deep into Thyra's gut, and she collapses!

Party up! The original three melee guards are all down, the caster has been awakened (but it's past his turn so he's still on the ground behind the table) and he's joined by the captain of the guard and two goblins.

Thyra gurgles as the knife punches through her armor with a squishy thunk.

"Graaagggrhhhhhlll"

death saving throw: 1d20 ⇒ 2

oof, that makes my first failed death save

Pietro rushes the goblin that targeted him.

Maul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5

Halsere incinerates the mage as he awakens
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 for 1d10 ⇒ 6