"I say we just go ask to talk to him, tell him we have a way out of the City if he comes with us. It may or may not work, but is simple enough and what he wants to believe."
"It seems simple, but what do we do if we see him and he doesn't want to join us? Are we going to announce ourselves as the law and demand his surrender? Are we going to fight this gang if they don't hand him over or do we walk out and wait to catch him alone?"
This is like building a building without a plan. We might get lucky, but I feel like it's going to all collapse on our head.
"So, it appears we're going to knock on the front door presenting ourselves as a group able to get the ex-lieutenant out of the city. If asked about our plans, we claim they're secret and revealing any part would risk them falling apart."
"If the lieutenant comes along quietly then we just take him into custody a few blocks away."
"If the gang says, they have no idea who we're talking about then we walk away and hope maybe he'll contact us shortly or we can watch the place for a sign of him."
"If we see the lieutenant, but he doesn't go for the plan then we might try to snatch him right away depending on the odds. What are good odds? I'd say as long as they aren't worse then 2-1 we go for it. We might have a hard time tracking him down again. If there are a dozen in there, then we walk away."
"And obviously, Serry will do the talking. I'm confident she'll be able to deflect any questions they might have about our plan or how we learned the lieutenant was there."
"We'll just have to take it as it goes."
Yes, much more like remodeling an old building. We open up the walls and hope things aren't too rotten underneath.
"Exactly."
Tristain couldn't have said it better...really, he couldn't have.
Obviously?!
"That seems pretty reasonable. They're a rough lot, from what I hear, and I don't relish getting jumped, but better to get it done with quickly. So my story is that I and my friends here heard that the gang might know a guy who's looking to get out of town in a hurry, and we might be able to help with that problem for him. Right?"
Obviously?!
"That seems pretty reasonable. They're a rough lot, from what I hear, and I don't relish getting jumped, but better to get it done with quickly. So my story is that I and my friends here heard that the gang might know a guy who's looking to get out of town in a hurry, and we might be able to help with that problem for him. Right?"
"Exactly."
Todor couldn't have said it better...really, he couldn't have.
It is around 8:00 pm by the time you finish your meeting and head to Northgate, which is the neighborhood near the entry point into Korvosa for most visitors. The area has been in a slow decline, as the richer families have moved west toward the Heights section of the city. There is a curfew in effect of 10:00 pm imposed by the guard, but with most of them spread throughout the city, especially in the wealthier section, the streets of Northgate look abandoned this night. Other than some homeless beggars drinking and sleeping the night away, huddled in some street corner, there is very little human traffic on the streets.
As you turn a corner and approach the address, from across the street you see that a sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hangs above the entrance to the shop. The doors, as well as the window shutters, of the two-story establishment are closed.
Serry Perception:
Todor Perception:
Tristain Perception:
You spot what appears to be a cloaked figure walking around the establishment, trying to peer through the closed shutters and testing the knobs, but with no luck in gaining access to the building. You see a weapon in hand, but cannot tell what it is, since his body is blocking it. The figure has not noticed you or the party.
Todor stops and points at the figure without saying a word. He then whispers, "Let's talk first."
You spot what appears to be a cloaked figure walking around the establishment, trying to peer through the closed shutters and testing the knobs, but with no luck in gaining access to the building. You see a weapon in hand, but cannot tell what it is, since his body is blocking it. The figure has not noticed you or the party.Todor stops and points at the figure without saying a word. He then whispers, "Let's talk first."
Penance stares at Todor blankly.
"C'mon, Scars." Tristain pats Penance on the back as he passes by him. "Let's go talk."
Tristain will follow Todor and approach the figure.
Serry squints into the darkness, looking at the figure, and whispers, "Seems we're not the only ones interested in this place tonight." She'll move with the others toward the cloaked man.
Okay, well, if I'm supposed to do the talking... Serry will walk up to the man, not trying to be particularly stealthy, given that talking is the plan. "Help you find something?"
Penance shrugs and follows them. He takes out his bow in preparation for what will undoubtedly be a delightful conversation with the man and his knife.
As the party starts to move toward the individual, the cloaked figure turns around revealing himself to be a male human, garbed in light armor, wielding a greatsword in his hands. He brandishes it toward you menacingly, as you get within 15'. In hushed tones, he says, "Get out of here, I don't want to hurt you, if ya don't mind yer business and leave, right now!"
In hushed tones, he says, "Get out of here, I don't want to hurt you, if ya don't mind yer business and leave, right now!"
"And we don't want to hurt you, but our paths have brought us together. I'm Todor. And you are?"
Tristain will stand behind Todor as he addresses the man.
"Yeah."
There. That was helpful.
Penance looks at the man. Then at the bow in his hand. Then at the sword. Then at the man. Then at the bow again. Then the sword so far away. And shrugs at the man.
In hushed tones, he says, "Get out of here, I don't want to hurt you, if ya don't mind yer business and leave, right now!""And we don't want to hurt you, but our paths have brought us together. I'm Todor. And you are?"
"Call me X for now, why you so interested in my business here, Todor and company?"
"Call me X for now, why you so interested in my business here, Todor and company?"
"We heard someone needed some assistance. Maybe it was you?"
Um. Maybe Serry will say something brilliant.
"Call me X for now, why you so interested in my business here, Todor and company?"
"Oh really? You wanted to help the Cow Hammer Boys? You're friends with them?"
"Let's just say we could be," Serry says. "We heard one of their friends might be looking to get out of town, and maybe we could be his friends, if you get my drift?
Bluff to assist
"Yeah. We got ways outs of towns." Tristain nods seriously.
Sense Motive
Penance smacks his palm to his forehead shaking his head sadly. He shakes his head and waves his hands at the man indicating that the people inside were no friends of his. OF course now he began to think about the implications of this fool starting a fight with them. Not a thief, or a spy, both would have the brains to leg it down the alleyway and be over the wall before the guard was done saying "HALT!". Some street tough looking for revenge perhaps?
At hearing Serry's words, the man raises his greataxe and prepares to strike at the party, yelling "Then you will die too this night! I will take you all on!" The man looks conflicted when he sees the mute Penance's gestures but shrugs it off, thinking it might be some trick!
X:
Penance:
Serry:
Todor:
Tristain:
Roll off for X:
Roll off for Todor: ..you've got to be kidding
Roll off #2 for X:
Roll off #2 for Todor: ...finally!
Round 1, Init First!
Tristain looks at the man as if he must be kidding to take on four at once, but realizes that he might strike out at any moment.
"What are you doing? Are you *sure* we can't talk this through? Yeah know, like rational people?"
Tristain will move to flank with Todor, switching out his switch scythe as he moves.
When Todor is ready to strike, so shall Tristain.
to hit (flank);
damage.
"Let's talk about things! There is no need to fight!"
AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +3 Dex, +2 when with shield)
HP = 9
Weapon = 'Scythe
Effects = none
Status = wondering why everyone hates Todor
Hero Points = 2
Round 1
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 chainmail, +2 shield, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d8+3 CON +1 Favored Class)
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +6
- Sense motive
I really dislike people. No sense. No sense at all.
Todor shrugs and follows Tristian's lead. He steps to the flank and tries to strike the man on his arm instead of his head.
- BAB/STR, Flank, non-lethal
"I think there's been some confusion here. Let's talk some more."
The unknown warrior screams in pain, as Todor expertly strikes the assailant with his mace. As he grasps his arm in pain, he says, "I do not negotiate with Cow Hammer thugs! Now, tell me, where is my sister?!" With that, he expertly brings his weapon up into Todor's face and smacks him with the back of its blade, knocking the cleric unconscious in one blow! He steps 5' back and says, "I could have killed him, if I wanted! Tell me where she is!"
Penance makes a hushing gesture indicating the inside walking torwards the man with his arms upraised dropping his bow. He stradles across the fallen cleric and looks at the man calmly arms upraised in a nonthreatening gesture.
The assailant is surprised by Penance's move and tries to decipher its meaning. Unfortunately, he is confused by the lack of speaking, so he keeps his weapon still brandished, while looking at Penance with a perplexing look, as if waiting for something.
"You know, like we've been trying to tell you, we're not 'Cow Hammer' thugs and we don't have your sister. However, if you want us to help you you're going to need to lower that blade."
Know Local "Cow Hammer"
Diplomacy
Serry leaves her sling staff unloaded, moves to H18 between Todor and Tristain, and quietly says, "He's right. We thought you were one of them! We're not with them, and we don't have your sister. Let's take it easy - and quiet, or they'll hear us."
The muscular man hears Tristain and Serry's words, stops and says, "Oh...this is so confusing. You told me you were helping them escape and leave town! What was I supposed to think??" He points his weapon at the ground. "Sorry about that", he says, pointing to the unconscious Todor on the floor, as he rubs the deep bruise on his wrist. "The halfling is correct, let's move across the street. Mind telling me what you're doing here then?"
Serry stops to take care of Todor before moving back across the street.
Cure Light Wounds:
"Sorry for the confusion. We figured you were with them, so better to let you think we were with them too, you know? But we're not. We're looking for someone who's been causing some trouble and who might be holed up with them. What's this about your sister?"
Tristain looks at the man and then helps Todor to his feet.
"Yep, that's the truth. Now, what about your sister?"
Sighing with soem relief Penance helps the cleric up with a slight pat on his shoulder for the sake of his bruised ego and retrieves his bow.
Todor picks himself and his weapon up off the ground.
And today's lesson will be humility.
"Sorry about the confusion. Please accept some healing as we find our commond ground. We're looking for someone who might be working with or seeking help from the same gang. Perhaps we can work together? At least, we can keep an eye out for your sister if we find them."
Channel
The man apologizes for the confusion as well and graciously accepts the healing, as he introduces himself...
Thank you. I suppose that introductions are in order. My name is Nicolæ Lee, and I'm an exterminator by trade, retired from the guard. His words take a bitter tone. My sister Kizzy fell for a bad boy with a heart of gold -- a Cow Hammer named Karralo -- only to find herself with a brutal thug with good public relations. She broke it off, and that was that; or so I thought. There was so much chaos during the riots, and I was so busy helping the guard, I didn't think much of it at first when I couldn't find her after. I thought for sure... but I've looked everywhere else she could be; he must've taken her.
The man's features flow and reassamble themselves into those of a swarthy Varisian, even as his leather armor changes to guard-issue scale and his greatsword morphs into a bardiche. Dammit, her spell has already worn off! How am I going to... He stops and sighs. Further apologies for the further confusion, but I'm too well-known around here, and I was hoping to get close before they realized it was me. It was the only way I could possibly take them on by myself, if it came to that; but I'm not by myself now, am I? He sounds equal parts hopeful and calculating.
"Nicolae, mayhaps we could work together here...if you're willing to stop beating our priest with your weapon, that is. And if you are willing to help us get our man, we'll see if we can't find your sister. Maybe it's better that we go in there trying to get your sister as a main point rather than the pretense we previously had."
Tristain looks at the party.
"Do you think the members of the Cow Hammers would recognize you? If they would, then your sister's life might be in danger."
Nicolæ chuckles dryly. "Of course. I really am sorry about that, and I'd be happy to help nab any trouble-maker who might be hanging out with 'em."
At the question, he looks pensive.
"I spent as little time around Karralo and his gang as possible, for fear of saying something that would make Kizzy stick up for him, since then she'd stand by it. But, there's no such thing as ex-guard -- we're all reserves -- so they're likely to have marked me as someone to remember."
Penance remains silent watching for enemies.
Nicolæ looks thoughtful. "Okay, let me bounce some ideas off you. One is for you to try with them what worked on me, playing it that you have something to offer one of their friends. In that case, I'd have to wait outside until you return or signal somehow, in which case I'd charge in. Or, we could just go in weapons out, which is what I'm used to; looking at your weapons and armor, I'd be in front. At this point, I can't even guess which would put Kizzy more at risk, and so I'm leaning toward bursting in all together, since at least I'd know what was happening and could do something about it."
Tristain will listen to the newcomer's plans intently.
"I think we should continue with the original plan. Let's try to get in and get the badguy out without a fight. Maybe he'll want to get out of the city."
Tristain thanks Nicolae for his ideas. "I guess you'll know if we need to switch plans and go in for a fight. It's risky, but might be our only chance to save your sister."
Tristain doesn't think there change to the plan.
Serry will do the talking.
Tristain and Penance will be the muscle.
Todor, hopefully, will remember how to fight, if necessary.
"Let's go to the front door."
"I'm happy to go with the original plan, and do the talking. Tristain, maybe you or Todor can stay toward the back and be prepared to signal if things look like they're turning violent?"
Penance looks questioningly at the group still trying to figure out his role in this.
Unhappily, "It's not what I'd prefer, but I doubt I could do better by myself, so I'll take what I can get. Thank you for introducing everyone to me, Tristain. Serry, I think that Tristain would be better up with you, ready to serve as your 'straight man' if necessary; I've busted more than one con, so I can tell that Todor would be better off hanging back as a silent partner. And Penance, you get to possibly see how my sister is doing -- and that other guy that I don't care about -- playing the loyal bodyguard type in Serry's gang, while I wait outside for some sign that it's all gone to the Abyss and there's nothing to lose by showing my face." Nicolæ is unable to disguise the bitterness in that last.
Tristain returns the gaze of Nicolae.
"I think it's the best plan we have right now. I hope it works out."
Tristain nods to Serry and Penance.
"Let's do this." Tristain says it with more bravado than he feels.
All healed except for his pride, Todor nods his agreement to the plan.
"Right then. Let's see if we can make this work!" Serry nods to Tristain and Penance, and heads for the hideout. Assuming nothing happens en route, she'll knock on the door.
A few seconds pass after Serry knocks when she hears the movement of various people approaching the door and she hears the unsheathing of swords. A gruff voice from behind the locked door says, "Who is it? We're closed for business, come back tomorrow!"