GM/Lictor Lane's Who Needs Parenting? = CoT Team 1 IC Thread (Inactive)

Game Master michaelane

Coran reaches the side of the barge. The sour smell of vomit strikes you as you look over the edge. Laying on his chest with his head turned toward you and eyes closed is Gauner. Your friend has a wicked looking gash running from his cheek up to his temple where it narrowly missed his eye. A pool of vomit lies beside his head. His breath is ragged and you hear another moan as you look on.

Jo listens closely to Ermolos as they walk in the streets of the city. He hears the words "Be careful Jo. The Children are friends, but not all in Westcrown desire change. Unfortunately many of our...." but is then distracted by the beautiful crisp morning and bright sun.

"It would be a nice day to go down to the river. Bees will be buzzin today." he thinks to himself.

He snaps out of it to see Ermolos walking in to the weapon shop. He follows ducking his head to get through the doorway.

He is immediately mystified at the amount of amazing weapons the shop held. "Wow! Look at all dis stuff!"

He hears Emrolos say something, but not sure what and then hears the complement from the odd little man in front of him.

"Fanks, but Jo not too famous yet. Hey, how you afford all dis stuff?"

"I heard there was trouble at the tavern where you were to meet Janiven. But, it appears you are ok... "

"It was a long night, " Ari agrees. "The sewers around here are dangerous especially if you have firebeetles* on your tail, but I survived and have you ever seen one if these?" she asks excitedly as she pulls the heartstone out of her pocket.

*thieves' cant for Hellknights (decided I needed to make up some slang to keep things down low...)

Marius shrugs and smiles crookedly at Jo's question. "You're in Westcrown aren't you?" He moves over closer and looks you up and down, dwarfed by your height. "I worked my way from a stall in The Dusk Market and bought Blades when Brutus...retired...a few years ago. Plenty of people have need of weapons here - buying or selling. Which do you need today?"

"Jo needs a big hammer. Da bigger da better. Needs to be smashin' some heads soon."

Jo glances around to see if there is anything matching his description.

Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Coran rests one hand on Gauner and the other on his sword readying for the worst. Coran casts Stabilize on his friend. "You will be ok. Coran whispers. He draws his weapon and heads towards the moaning as quietly as he can.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

I like "firebeetles." Can't wait to see you try to explain that to Jo ;)

Mother Muddlumm's eyes dart from your eyes to the stone as you withdraw it, widening noticeably at the sight. "You met up with more than firebeetles last night, didn't you?"

Her hand reaches out to touch the oily-looking stone and Mother Muddlumm's eyes grow distant, "Two years ago, before I met you, I was with a couple other tillers* plucking** a small crop*** from the east side of Rego Laina. We made it over the wall, but it was almost immediately clear that something was wrong. The tiller we were supposed to meet was missing. We waited for a moment, debating whether to continue further or retreat to the barge when I had this horrible feeling that something was watching. Moments later a slavering beast made of shadow tore through us. It was shaped like a dog, but its body seemed to absorb all light and wisps of deeper shadow dripped from its mouth when it unleashed a terrifying howl. I was lucky. After a brutal fight, I was able to finish it and slink away from the island. But, I was the only one of us to survive that night. And, it was a stone just like this that was all that remained of the shadow beast."

*tiller = people who escort slaves to freedom
**pluck = freeing a slave
***crop = a group of slaves (in this case, just a couple)

Jo is completely perplexed by the bewildering display of weaponry, but Ermolos springs to his rescue, pulling him over to a wall where a massive two-handed hammer hangs. The haft of the hammer is made of thick wood that has been carved into a familiar-looking series of angular patterns that were once filled with colorful paint, but which has been so smoothed through use that the colors are now faded and the shaft looks like it would fit smoothly in your hands. The head of the hammer is made of polished metal that ends on both striking sides with multiple blunt spikes. "Is this what you had in mind Jo?"

Marius glides over to look at the weapon with Ermolos and Jo, "Ah, the earth breaker. In fact, that is a genuine Shoanti earth breaker from the Sklar-Quah clan of the Storval Rise in Varisia. I've had this with me for quite some time. In fact, I bought it for a song from some Shoanti kid's handler when I used to work out of The Dusk Market. Never have found a buyer with the strength to wield it properly, but that won't be a problem for you. 50 gold."

Coran, I've messed you up a bit there, it is actually Gauner that is moaning.

As the wash of your healing energy passes through Gauner, you see him visibly relax. His breathing returns to normal, but he remains unconscious. A wooden coin lies on the floor of the barge, not far from Gauner's body.

When Marius mentions the shoanti, grief washes over Jo's face. His jovial demeanor changes to one of meloncholy <sp?>. He thinks back to that fateful day when he was tricked by Jahat and killed that defenseless shoanti kid. True, they were the same age, but the growth potion Jahat has slipped Jo, made the match truly one sided.

Pausing while looking at the huge hammer, he decides perhaps this is a sign that things could really change around here. Maybe this meant that his past was really the past. Maybe he was meant to have this hammer in that boy's memory. This may be the most indepth thought Jo will have during this AP!

With Marius' permission, Jo reaches up and pulls the hammer off the wall. It felt good in his hands. His grief once again turns to joy as this truly is the weapon he had to have!

He pulls Ermolos to the side and presents his coin purse. "Emros, can you help Jo count out da coin. Jo not too good wif numbers."

Ari listens breathlessly to Mother's tale. "We were a bit luckier. The shadowbeast never even got close to me. Fortunately, there was a big dumb guy between us. I hear there is a bounty on these stones, but I think I'm going to keep it as a momento. I don't want to attract attention anyhow."

"Those sewer are crazy! Dead guys, bug cults, all kinds of wild stuff down there. I don't want to go back anytime soon. I think this group is OK though. Oh, except we have a little problem. This Arael guy has gone on safari* and may spill the beans. We need to break him out. Any ideas?"

*caught by the Dottari- (a little cockney slang ;) )

Coran makes sure there is no one else on the barge. t Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Then heads back to Gauner, He picks up the coin taking a quick look at it then puts it in his pocket. "Enough laying around old man time to get up." Coran concentrates and casts Cure Light Wounds on Gauner 1d8 ⇒ 7

What skill check would Coran have to make to see if he knew anything about the coin.

Ermolos tilts his head and watches as the visible grief plays across Jo's features wondering silently what tales his new friend has yet to tell. But he smiles together with Jo as the huge warrior takes the earth breaker into his hands and he barely suppresses a chuckle when Jo expresses his trouble with numbers. "Sure, no problem Jo. Whatever I can do to help." He accepts the purse from Jo and counts out the coins, handing them over to Marius who just seems confused at the entire series of events he just witnessed, but accepts the coins nonetheless.

Jo, you should treat this as a masterwork earth breaker. +1 to Attack, can be enchanted.

Mother nods sagely, "Aye, it sounds like you were lucky. As you know, I still have to go out at night, but I'm even more careful now. As for that bounty, that'd be Bluehood. She's said to bring a bag of 100 gold for anyone that leaves one of these on the garbage stoop outside the tavern across from the old Leroug estate. Somehow seems to know who's done it and how to find them. Unless its a firebeetle or lion hunter trying to catch her. Somehow seems to sniff them out too."

She pauses for a moment to brush a stray hair out of her face. "I don't blame you for wanting to hang onto it. I haven't decided about Bluehood myself yet. Now, as for Arael, I'd heard they got him too. Which is too bad because he's been an enormous help to my network. He's helped us get more than one slave out of Westcrown. I wish I could help, but I heard this morning that the firebeetles have cut some sort of deal with the mayor and his nephew, Duxotar Iltus Mhartis, to turn him over. If they get him back to Citadel Rivad, he's as good as gone. If you and your friends can help find a way to spring him, the entire network would be grateful."

Coran detects no one else on the barge. It looks as though things have been rummaged through, but it is hard to tell what may be missing.

The coin has a picture of a handsome, majestic, many-horned devil on one side and a claw clutching a gem on the other. Knowledge (Religion) to learn more.

When you cast the spell, you can see the wound on Gauner's forehead perceptibly close and something inside him seems to shift back into place. He lets out another groan and then coughs hard, spittle and flecks of vomit spraying onto the deck. The dwarf's eyes flutter open and he breathes out, "Coran, thank the Master..."

Ari glances around nervously, "I have to say I'm feeling a bit over my head. In for a pinch, in for a crown, I guess. We'll see what we can do. Oh by the way, we're the Children of Westcrown, not the Bastards of Erebus I'm hearing about. See you around, Mother."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Gauner come on lets see if we can get you set up to be more comfortable and you can tell me what happened." Coran does his best to get Gauner to a chair.

"That's good dear...you're certainly not a bastard after all. Take care of yourself Ari." With those final words, Mother Muddlumm turns and draws a hood over her head and begins making her way back down the street.

The head on the coin is almost certainly an archdevil and the symbol of the claw clutching a gem causes you to recall the name, "Mammon." But, much as you strain to remember, you cannot bring forth additional knowledge.

Gauner struggles into a sitting position and then, with Coran's help, makes his way to a weatherbeaten, wooden chair outside the barge's cabin. He holds his head and breathes out a big sigh. "Someone wants me out of Westcrown, Coran. By all the treasures of the First Vault they won't get it though." He seems to gather strength as he talks. "I had turned in for the night when I heard a sound from outside the cabin. I grabbed my crossbow and came out onto the deck only to get knocked on the head as soon as I came out. Dropped the crossbow and someone grabbed me from behind."

He pauses for a moment to spit blood onto the deck. "Couple of tieflings, maybe three, came right up in front of me. Told me it was a warning from the Council to leave the city...that priests of Abadar weren't welcome here. One of them was a real monster, enormous, large horns, and terrible claws. He tore up my face, then they all took turns beating on me. I don't remember anything after that."

Moondark cautiously makes her way back to the crib to await the others.

Jo takes the remaining coins and puts them back in his coin pouch. He ties it to his belt and lifts the hammer to his Shoulder. It felt right.

"You know, Jo not too smart or good wif da coins but 50 gold seems a low price for sumtin as nice as dis big hammer. You sure you not want more? Here...how about taking Jo's old hammer. It seen lots of action in Da Pits. You can put on dispaly and put sign on it sayin, used by da bestest fighter in all of Westcrown! *SNORT*" Jo once again cracks himself up.

He pulls out his old hammer and hands it to Marius if he will accept it.

Coran listens to Gauner, wondering why all of a sudden they would be trying to get Gauner out of the city. "A couple things don't seem right, Why are they strong arming you to get out now? Why send the tieflings where they can be easily identified and more so what do they both have to do with this. Coran pulls out the coin and shows it to Gauner. "I know it is the symbol of Mammon but that is all I can remember."

Coran thinks for a bit " I wonder if this is happening to other Priests that aren't devil worshipers." He looks at the rest of the damage on his friend and casts Cure Light Wounds 1d8 ⇒ 7 Coran pictures steel tempering as he casts the spell.

Marius accepts the hammer and laughs now that the tension seems to have completely left the room, "Sure Jo, that sounds like a great idea. And, as big as your former hammer is, I suspect I might have an easier time finding someone the right size for this one."

Jo grins his big crooked tooth smile when Marius accepts his hammer. It is the best he has felt in years.

He hefts his new hammer up onto his shoulder nicking a beam in the ceiling. As dust floats down upon them, he looks at Ermolos and says,"Tanks Marus, you a good guy. When Jo smash his first head wif new hammer, Jo will tink of Marus and say 'MARUS DID DIS!!' C'mon Emros, Jo gettin hungry. Let's head to market place and get some food. Jo would like some new pants too. You fink day haf sumone down dare dat sells pants?"

As they walk out of Marius' store Jo puts his giant arm around Ermolo's shoulders and says "Wat you fink for a new name for Jo's Hammer? Jo needs some ideas. Jo was finkin sumtin like 'Babe' or 'Crusher' or 'Crunch'. Wat you fink, Emros?

Ermolos chuckles, "Jo, I think you've got the right idea. Something simple. Devil Demolisher. Bonecrusher. Beater. Hellbreaker. Wrecker. Now, as for lunch, I don't think we have time to get to the Miratanza. Do you want to head toward Rego Sacero?"

Gauner shakes his head like he's trying to clear his mind, "I'm not sure. I don't know who the Council is, but my arrival in Westcrown hasn't exactly been widely welcomed. The church sent me because of rumors over a heretical branch of Abadar worshipers in Westcrown. But, I haven't had much success learning anything yet. As for Mammon, some call him the God in Silver. He's a fallen angel that is now an archdevil, one of eight princes of Hell in service to Asmodeus. He rules over the vaults of Erebus, third layer of Hell and home to wealth and trasures beyond reckoning."

Coran grabs a water skin "Here drink some of this." pausing a quick second to collect his thoughts. "Where do we start, the Heretic Worshipers or The Council. I am wondering if Jeniven or any of her people know of either." looking around at the mess of the barge "First let's clean this place up then we can talk business I need some supplies and we have tieflings to track down. The halfling starts straightening out a nearby shelf.

Gauner takes the water skin and raises it to his lips taking a long, deep drink then ends in a sigh, "Coran, you're a good man. Almost a son to me." He gets up and begins helping you with straightening out the barge, grabbing a mop to clean up the deck. "So, what did you think of Janiven? Quite the firebrand isn't she?"

"You lead da way Emros."

Jo ponders the name of his hammer. He decides to think on it a while. No sense in coming up with one too quick. He relaxes in and takes in the city and the day. He had been to other parts of the city but never at his own will. It was always doing something for Jahat or as part of some of his jobs. Then he did not care to look around.

No he took in the sites with the wonderment of a five year old.

"You know Emros, dis city is really pretty nice. It's ashame what is happenin to it. You fink we can make real changes? Jo asks as his inner Firebrand comes through.

Ermolos smiles, "I agree Jo. It seems like a lot of people have left Westcrown since the capital moved to Egorian, but this is a beautiful city. I especially like this view of the river in the morning."

You are just beginning the descent of one of Westcrown's hills as you cross into Rego Sacero. The morning sun is shining on The Westchannel and you can see many adels making their way between the mainland and Parego Regicona. On the island, you can see the stone and glass of the viras and vaneos amidst lush, green gardens.

"I do think we can bring Westcrown back. There are a lot of good people here. We just need to get them to lift their heads again and take pride in the city."

Galstak stops in his tracks to take in the beauty of what lies before him. The sun shining on his face softens a soul that has been long hardened by many years of treachery and malice.

He picks up his pace to catch Ermolos who has not missed a step since Jo stopped.

"Dang, this hammer is heavy." he says to himself.

Coran looks away at the compliment from Gauner that is more then his own father thought of him. A little choked up he responds. "Thanks Gauner, I do my best to be a good man, with a role model like you I had a good example. He proceeds to pick up the broken bits to some of the pottery "For a Tallie, I think she is nice definitely someone who shouldn't be trifled with. A firebrand is a nice way of putting it. he pauses "Do you mind if I bring up what happened here to Jeniven and her group?

Ermolos looks back at Jo, "C'mon big guy, did you miss breakfast this morning or something."

You continue down into Rego Sacero where the delightful smells of a small open air food market greet you a couple of blocks from the river. Fish stew, seafood dumplings, and other simple, but tasty delights of Westcrown are available from several vendors.

Gauner pauses in his cleanup efforts to look back at Coran, "Thank you for all of your help Coran. I suppose I should report this to the Dottari as well. You can definitely bring it up with your friends, but please keep my reasons for being in Westcrown to yourself for now."

Coran looks at the dwarf "I am glad to be of help. After I talk to the other Children I will get you word if anything comes up. Your secret is safe with me. Coran back to cleaning. Oh, once we are done cleaning up I am going to need to do some shopping.

Emmet raised tired red eyes from the document. It seemed solid enough to hold back any takeover attempts, legal that is... The quietness of the night came through the opened window, announcing it was perhaps time for bed. Not yet, I haven't finished the appendices. Aroden knows what might be lying in there!"

Dalinia stood nearby, seemingly asleep, its beak concealed under her dark feathers. He stood up and saw it open a worried eye. "I know, I'm tired too, but I promised I would have these ready by morning." He paced back and forth, his mind wandering away from the dreadful appendices and towards tomorrow night's meeting. Such a long time since I've had such hope! That Janiven fellow seems like the real deal. I'm eager to meet the rest of the Children. Perhaps this is the last of the darkest nights? Perhaps I'm just an idiot...

He stretched his arms and yawned as he left the room to get some hot water. I need Varisian tea, or I'll crash on that pile of dreadfulness!

As he walked down the staircase and entered the kitchen, looking for water, he wondered: Perhaps...

Jo is not too partial to seafood. It generally is not filling enough for him. He needs high protien and starches to keep him going.

He relates this to Ermolos and together they find a suitable establishment. Of course, the conversation between the two is intellectual and thought-provoking. Jo is quite the conversationalist.

He eats two helpings of food forcing Ermolos to pay for two full meals. With a healthy "*BURP!!*" Jo declares the meal one of the best he has ever had.

Jo then asks Ermolos if they could find a clothing shop. Jo needed a new pair of leggings. Assuming they find one Jo will purchase a pair. He generally does not wear a shirt.

They will then head back to the safe house.

Jo and Ermolos finish the food with Ermolos joking with Jo about getting eaten out of house and smithy. After a brief stop at a store for new leggings, you make your way back to the other side of Rego Sacero toward the safe house and spot Moondark making her way back along a similar path. A moment later, Coran, who has finished helping Gauner and any shopping appears from a road that leads from the north side of the district. You are together again, a couple blocks from the safe house.

There is no sound coming from within the safe house from the outside, but as you enter the safe house, you can hear what sounds to be a fight.

*Clank* 'GA, STOP MOVING WILL YA?! THIS AINT A FIGHT IF YA KEEP ON DANCING ROUND LIKE THAT! I'LL BEAT YA THIS TIME, JUS YOU SEE!' *Clang* 'SO CLOSE, GETTING SCARED ARE YA? I'LL GET EVEN WITH YA TODAY, I SWEARS IT!'*Bang*

Jo's Perception to hear sounds from in the Safe House:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Jo sees his companions approaching from different directions. The large meal has made him a little sleepy but he pipes up hoping to see Alarra return also.

"Hi Kar....I mean Coran. And Ari right? Yous like Jo's big new hammer? Good for smashin dem bad guys we be goin to find. Dem Hellknights not stand a chance against Jo now."

He picks up and drops his hammer to show just how massive it is.

Moondark gives no sign of recognition to the others until they are off the street and in the safehouse where she turns angrily on Jo. "You big oaf! Never use my name, especially on the street. I'm Moondark if you have to call me something and what is all that noise? Why not just send the Hellknights a map?!"

"Yes Jo, you do have an impressive Hammer for smashing the Hellknights, thanks for getting my name right." looking over at Moondark "I wouldn't complain at least he got you name right, also don't be to tough on Jo I don't think he was made for being quiet." Coran smiles hoping that defuses the situation at least until Janiven showed up. "So Jo did you get anything Besides the hammer when you were out."

Jo cringes from the diminuative Ari. "C'mon Jo, You got to be thinking better if you want to be around these people!" he thinks to himself while pounding his fist into his head.

"Sorry Moondark, Jo not finkin. Jo not used to all dis spy stuff. Us versus dem and dem versus us juss confuses Jo. You no worry d'oh, Jo protect you and Coran if someone comes."

He looks at Coran and smiles. For your own visual imagination, Jo's smile is similar to a happy Gollum from the LOTRs movies.

"Yep, Jo gots your name right now. Gots new knickers too!" Jo models his new pants for his friends. "Yous fink day fits? Days feel a little tight. Jo never find close his size. Man say day stretchy so day not split when Jo bends over."

Finally inside he hears the racket going on but just ignores it as unimportant. He is much more taken showing off his new duds.

Egder grins when Xianae utters her frustration, and tries to keep parrying and dodging her attacks. Every now and then he makes a counterattack to remind her not to forget her own defense, but so far she managed that.

Keep practising, I'll stop moving when I'm dead. Also, just an idea, but maybe you shouldn't scream. This is still a safehouse, but I'd hate to loose the "safe" part because of a particular loud duel.

'Good point, better keep it down, ya? Well I can beat ya without the screaming! Ya ready to end this?' With that I grab my axe in two hands, kick forwards to put Egder off guard, step fowards and bring my axe down in a powerful arc. 'Ya like that, ya dead yet?'

Egder falls backwards on the ground, but is quick enough to lift his falchion and grab the sword with both hands to block the axe.

Hm. Perhaps we should call this a draw?

I let out a loud laugh, 'Yeah, lets call it a draw. Well done blocking that attack, I'm nearly able to beat ya.' I hold out my hand to help my sparring partner back onto his feet. 'Next time, I'll beat ya.'

I look around the room, noticing that we had an audience, 'Enjoy the show, did ya? Ya got any Ale, I'm mighty thirsty after that warm-up! Hungry too, shouldn't have missed breakfast. What about ya Eg, care to join me eat 'n' drink?'

You hear the snick of a door from the direction of the back alley entrance. A moment later a woman wearing plain, woolen clothes over a chain shirt appears in the common room doorway. It is Janiven. She is flanked by a female gnome who rolls her eyes upon seeing Xianae and Egder.

Janiven takes a breath, lets it out, and then growls, "What in the name of the nine hells was all of that racket! Egder! Xianae! If you insist on dueling here, you will keep it down. This temple is supposed to be abandoned."

She glances back down the hall and spies Jo, Moondark, Coran, and Ermolos all coming, [b]"Hopefully the four of you have the sense to keep quiet. Get in here now. Sclavo should be back any minute. Have any of you seen Emmett?"

Also, in the common room with Egder and Xianae are Amaya, the beautiful Tian glassblower, Fiosa, the halfling house servant, and a Chelish man in rough working clothes that you haven't seen before.

Moondark looks around distrustfully and scowls at Janiven. "This organization is getting too big. The more people involved, the more likely someone opens their big mouth and tips off the authorities."

Egder accepts Xianae's hand and gets on his feet. When Janiven growls at them, he lowers his head as to apologise, but says nothing. At the same time, he carefully obvserves all the new faces and gives a polite nod with his head.