Megan's Carrion Crown

Game Master Megan Robertson

"That is an interesting theory. Would make it easier to see our culprit too. It sounds like we're all going to need some degree of light. Let's go to the monument now and see what it looks like. Then we can set up a rotation if we're going to be able to see at all."

Barret nods his head in agreement with Sorin.

"Indeed, a grand suggestion Sorin"

It is cloudy tonight, thick heavy clouds that promise rain. Visibility is poor even for elf eyes.

Who is going to the Monument?

Dillan will go. On the relativity of darkness; how bad is it? Visibility is less than 20 feet? etc.

Tre follows the others to the monument, "If this night makes it difficult to see, it is the same for both whatever makes these marks and us, so hearing will be most important. I will leave when it becomes dark and return to Kendra's, I need my meditation, I am sure you will be able to keep hidden and watch this night, especially you Dillan."

Sorin will go.

"I too will need some sleep, so will need to take an early or late shift. But, I will go and then we can decide how to split things up."

I will go too.

"I will take any shift that is needed."

"I can handle the first shift," The rogue pauses, "it may be best if we double them up into two shifts. We would not one of us to be caught unawares and only learn of it in the morning via a corpse."

"Good thinking Dillan. But do you think you or Barret could do a double-shift so that our spellcasters can rest. You or Barret and Tre could take the first shift. You and Barret take the second. Merian and I take the third."

"Let the little man sleep. I will take two shifts."

Merian is comfortable with any watch schedule that the group agrees to.

How dark? Imagine a night with heavy cloud cover and no moon. That's what you have got. And of course consider that Ravengro doesn't have street lights.

Tell me the shift sequence, please, and where you intend to place yourselves.

"I will take the first shift with Tre."

Dillan will be in a position to view all (if not most) avenues of approach to the monument and remain unseen.

So it sounds like: Dillan/Tre, then Barret/Dillan, and finally Merian/Sorin. Are we doing 3 hrs? 4? I think 3 would be find depending on when night fall is and the sunrise.

I'm in agreement with that plan. Agree with 3 hours.

"That sounds good Dillan. The rest of us will get some sleep and return for our shift. Good luck."

Does Ravengro have a night watch?

"See you in a few, then."

Ravengro has a Sheriff and four part-time deputies. They do keep order at the town's taverns and when the tax collector comes a-calling, but that's about it - no watchmen patrolling the streets.

Dillan and Tre' can go down to the monument (Location O on the map, down by the river). When they get there, they see something moving at the base of the 25-foot-tall moss-covered statue.

Dillan gives a quick low whistle to get Tre's attention, gestures his head to the movement, then attempts to blend in with the night...

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Apparently not so great.

Thinking himself unseen he takes a moment to focus his vision on the movement, though just off to the side, in hopes to make out what it is...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 +4= 27 for hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.

Tre watches Dillan as he slinks into the darkness, he follows on as quietly as possible. He readies himself, searching for a memorized spell to help, should it be needed.

Stealth 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Should Dillan call out for help or the creature start to run, Tre will cast sleep at the area where the movement is pointed out. Will Save, DC=15

You two run into one another? ;-)

Don't tempt me, Sorin... :)

As the pair of you creep closer, Dillan strains his ears... filtering out the sounds of Tre' lumbering along behind him.

The 'creature' stops moving.

A voice calls, "Who's there?" Sounds young, male, human or at least humanoid.

Tre stops, surprised by the voice coming out of the darkness. He whispers in a quiet hisses, "Dillan, what do you see?"

Dillan doesn't answer, and if his face could be seen a spark of annoyance crosses it with Tre's outburst. With a practiced hand at his trade and way of life the rogue unsheathes his blade as silently as possible and continues to move forward...

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

He knows his options are limited, a prisoner or a corpse, and they both depend on the size of the subject. Maybe Barret should've stayed watch with me, could use that brutes size about now.

"Well?" says the voice again. "Is that you, Drebbit? If it is, I'll kill you!"

Can Dillan make out anything more about this person having moved a little closer? Is he able to move into a position to possible 'sap' the individual with the hilt of his sword?

If needed...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 +4= 26 for hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.

Tre calls out to the voice, "No, its not we've got a bit lost in the darkness. Who's that? Can you help us? We're over here." as Tre stands tall waiting for the voice to materialize before him.

We? Seriously, he could've said I. The rogue instinctively freezes in place. I'm going to have a talk with that damned elf!

Wonder how Tre and Dillan are doing...zzzzzzzz...

The shadowy shape at the foot of the monument moves, and you can now see that it is not one but two creatures.

"Help you? What with?" says the voice.

Two? Great, that elf better have something up his sleeve. Dillan continues to move to a more advantagous point...

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"Getting back to Ravengro safely. I meant not to disturb you or cause you alarm. But you see, I stayed out here longer than I intended." the elf says very politely, "Please excuse me, but there is a source of light here, if I can pick it from this hole in the ground. I think its a giant glow-worm." In the misty darkness, Tre moves away from Dillan's position and bends down picking up a decent sized stone from the ground. He speaks in the ancient tongue, as light springs from the stone.

Casts light on the stone. Circles away from Dillan around the shadowy creatures. Hoping to identify the creatures in the light.

Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 to befriend the creatures.
Bluff 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 for the stone/glow worm.

The light from Tre's 'glow-worm' illuminates two human faces, both young, one male and one female.

The male speaks (the same voice as you heard before), "Strangers? You are a bit outside of town, but you must have got turned around as you came from the town... go back the way you came."

"I can only apologize for interrupting you and your young lady." as Tre moves the light he sees the monument and his face becomes a visage of frightened terror. "I don't want to frighten you, but is this that monument that was violated. I am surprised to find anyone here after that bloody letter 'V' was discovered mysteriously written on the monument's base the other day? It wasn't you playing a prank was it? I wouldn't want to be here in the dark, what if whoever painted the letter came back!! Indeed I will turn around and try to find my way back to town, right now!"

Tre waits momentarily for his words to sink in with the young people, before he turns to return to Ravengro.

If the young people decide to leave too, Tre will try and befriend them or at least make sure they get back into town safely. He will leave Dillan to his own devices.

The youth doesn't look that bothered.

"As you're strangers, you'd not know that this is a traditional place for... ahem... trysts. As for some clown painting letters on the monument, it seemed to have some of the old folks in a tizzy, but it doesn't bother me none."

There is, perhaps, a shade of bravado in his tone. It seems to be working on his companion, who is gazing at him adoringly.

With practiced skill and an assassins' knowledge the rogue silently steps from the shadows behind the boy; a slight pinch can be felt by the tip of the rogues blade nestled against the youngmans back at kidney level and just closer to the spine. In an unnerving voice of borderline silence the rogue speaks to the boy, "Don't turn lad. Just take your date and begone."

Assuming the boys does as he's told, hoping with a bit of fear there...

As the youths run off Dillan slips back into the shadows.

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The youth screams!

His young lady promptly joins in... and clutches on to him. He seems frozen in place.

Tre', you cannot see what set him off.

Dillan whispers from the shadows at the frozen youths, "Leave...now."

That's just too much fun!

They bolt townwards, still screaming.

You see some lights coming on, and a dog starts barking.

Tre looks on aghast as the youths suddenly bolt for town screaming, he shouts after them, "No wait, I'll protect you have no fear." But the youngsters are gone, leaving Tre alone in the dark, with just Dillan somewhere. Confused Tre looks around, "Dillan, you there! are you alright!" His eyes strain into the dark, concern chiseled into his voice "Dillan!, Dillan!"

The rogue does his best to remain unseen and speaks only in whispers, "It would not be good to have them slain by some murderer this night. I'm sure they won't return here for sometime."

Tre looks about confused, holding the light held high as he surveys the blackness for something to provide substance to the disembodied voice. "Come on Dillan, come out wherever you are? This isn't good."

Once Dillan comes out, Tre lets the light fade and darkness to envelope them all. He continues to keep watch with Dillan until they are relieved.

Sorry Tre, but Dillan won't come out of hiding.

"Hide yourself. It is time we are the hunters...a game of patience."

Tre hides close by, until it is time to return to Ravegro to rest and meditate, ready for the next day.

Stealth 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

And just in case for our shift...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 +4= 25 for hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.

At 1am, a steady footfall is heard approaching the Monument.

Tre meditates in the warmth of Kendra's house.

Not sure, but think at 1pm it's Dllan and Barrett.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Feeling confident in his place of hiding the rogue focuses more on his other senses...

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 +4= 26 for hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects.