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Atherton:
On returning to your "home" you find a hasily scribbled note from the guard. "Atherton, I tried my best, really I did, but someging huge is going down. No way into the guardhouse, or to get out of my stationed post today, the entire guard is called out, and stationed. Corran."
The rest proved almost as useful, with enough contradictory stories that you couldn't rely on anything,. With one exception...One man, a man you can trust had this to say about Lamm. "Lamm, yeah, he's living in that old fishery now a days isn't he? I hear he has his "accountant" Yargin is still spending most of his days there, and Hookshanks and Giggles still keep control of his little flock. Not sure what else I can tell you though...."
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, "A wonderful day for doing Iomedae's will, is it not?"
"Or Pharasma's..." Istas responds, tapping the blunt end of her spear against the cobblestones underfoot, "It's good to see you again, Jubrayl. And if fate has decreed Iomedae's justice be done upon Gaedran Lamm, I shall certainly do my best to help carry it out. We're still waiting on some of the others to arrive...oh, here they come..." She nods past the paladin towards Malik and Atherton.
"We should be ready to go soon," she notes when everyone is assembled, "And maybe it's best that we carry things out quickly. The Guard seems particularly active today. Whatever has them so busy should help us avoid any unnecessary explanations afterward. Though, if we capture Lamm with proof of his crimes, that may make it more difficult to turn him over to the Guard, as well..."
She finally looks to Atherton expectantly, noting he too seems to be operating on little sleep. "Did you find out anything last night we should know?" she asks him.
Having eaten his small snack malik wanders to the area where they were supposed to meet. It takes a while for him to spot the others, then he walks to the assembled compatriots and greets them. "Good morning to you all, and I hope a very last morning for our lammy lamb."
Somehow his mood is better than yesterday.
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While we await the last of our number, you can see the following from your position.
The fishery sits within it's own compound, the wall of which is around 60ft accross. The gates you have seen opened are on the left hand side as you look at it, and seem to lead into a courtyard. The building itself appears to be 45ft wide.
In addition there is a 5ft gangway that runs down the right hand side.
Behind the building there appears to be the mast of a small ship, moored behind the building.
The fishery is a single story, and runs out over the weater for the most part.
The only other visible entry way is a set of double doors towards the right hand side of the front of the building. Noone seems tohave been near these though.
Atherton:
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, "A wonderful day for doing Iomedae's will, is it not?"
Atherton sourly replies "It's a bloody awful morning; I spent most of the night searching out tidbits of info for this little quest and I slept poorly. As for doing Iomedae's will, I'd rather make a little coin and live through this moronic plan; put that in your prayers would ya?"
She finally looks to Atherton expectantly, noting he too seems to be operating on little sleep. "Did you find out anything last night we should know?" she asks him.
"Oh, just loads." he snaps irritably "Seems someone who's like an accountant named Yarrin is in the fishery along with to blighters named Giggles and; something about them keeping the children in line. Seems there's something big going on with the guard that's immobilized one of my best sources, the one who could get us reliable maps and such. Company's more active today. Whatever the bastard's are up to this time, it's big and is doubtless bad news."
Atheton nods to the doors on the right side of the building "Those are the ones I've gone through. They're usually locked.
"Seems someone who's like an accountant named Yarrin is in the fishery along with two blighters named Giggles and; something about them keeping the children in line. Seems there's something big going on with the guard that's immobilized one of my best sources, the one who could get us reliable maps and such. Company's more active today. Whatever the bastards are up to this time, it's big and is doubtless bad news."
Atheton nods to the doors on the right side of the building "Those are the ones I've gone through. They're usually locked.
"Very well then..." Istas nods, remaining impassive even in the face of Atherton's obvious irritable mood. For all she knows, he acts that way all the time. And he's certainly had a hefty amount of bile in him since their very first meeting at Zellara's house. But if that attitude simply results from his nature or the path his life had taken over the years, Istas certainly had no need to criticize the man...provided his information proved useful, of course.
"That means we're looking at four adults..." Istas continues, "Lamm, Yarrin, Giggles, and someone else. And of course, the children. And his pet alligator. And whatever else your sources may have failed or forgotten to tell us. But at the very least, we should know who and what to generally expect...well done."
"Also, as we agreed before, there shall be no harming of the children. If we encounter any, we announce our intentions and instruct them to either flee or stand back," the priestess reminds everyone, "Jubrayl? As an arbiter of justice and a recognizable faith such as Iomedae, perhaps it would be best if you led our search? Lamm's partners...and especially the children...will more likely heed your words than ours."
"Once we find Lamm, however, what then?" she asks, "Do we seek to apprehend him...and then search his hideout for evidence of his crimes? And, of course, if he resists our efforts, we deal with him as befits a man of his character?"
"Once we find Lamm, however, what then?" she asks, "Do we seek to apprehend him...and then search his hideout for evidence of his crimes? And, of course, if he resists our efforts, we deal with him as befits a man of his character?"
"I'll agree to attempt capture first, but if he puts up the least amount of resistance, trust me, I'll be cleaning his blood off my swords tonight," Torillan says defiantly. "He may be an old man, but he's lasted this long in this blasted city. So you can bet he has some tricks up his sleeve..."
At seeing Malik's improved mood Calandra gives a bright grin in his direction before returning her attention to the group at large. A small smirk forms on her lips as the cleric and paladin talk about acting on the wills of their gods. "Or perhaps Desna's will, or the will of the cards.. or maybe just our own free will" She adds wistfully to the conversation at large "No matter who's will it is we're all here and I'm sure if we tread just right we'll all get what we want out of today"
Taking her component pouch from her belt she pokes around in it with a satisfied nod, certain she's ready. 'I may be little use in a fight but I'm sure a lullaby will make sure the kids don't get involved' "So, what's the plan oh fearless and well informed leader?" She asks, lifting her gaze to meet Atherton's with a mischeivous grin, personally more happy to follow the lead of the shady character than the paladin's.
"That means we're looking at four adults..." Istas continues, "Lamm, Yarrin, Giggles, and someone else. And of course, the children. And his pet alligator. And whatever else your sources may have failed or forgotten to tell us. But at the very least, we should know who and what to generally expect...well done."
"Oh, my source had plenty of motivation to be accurate. He knows that his life will be best if he was accurate." Atherton says with a grim half-smile. 'Corran, if you lied or are wrong about any of this I swear by all the uncaring gods that be I'll ruin you!'
"Jubrayl? As an arbiter of justice and a recognizable faith such as Iomedae, perhaps it would be best if you led our search? Lamm's partners...and especially the children...will more likely heed your words than ours."
"I very much doubt that." Atherton mutters, eyeing the bread from the vendor.
"Once we find Lamm, however, what then?" she asks, "Do we seek to apprehend him...and then search his hideout for evidence of his crimes? And, of course, if he resists our efforts, we deal with him as befits a man of his character?"
Returning from the vendor with a chunk of bread, Atherton shrugs and calmly says "We kill 'im. After I find out what he supposedly did to me of course. He'd to the same to us in a second. Law of the street's unforgiving. Besides, if we arrest him he'll be out by the end of the week.", taking a bite of the bread and staring at the fishery.
At seeing Malik's improved mood Calandra gives a bright grin in his direction before returning her attention to the group at large. A small smirk forms on her lips as the cleric and paladin talk about acting on the wills of their gods. "Or perhaps Desna's will, or the will of the cards.. or maybe just our own free will" She adds wistfully to the conversation at large "No matter who's will it is we're all here and I'm sure if we tread just right we'll all get what we want out of today"
"I'm with the lady here; luck and skill are better partners than any god I've heard of. If we live through this it won't be thanks to any divine providence."
"So, what's the plan oh fearless and well informed leader?" She asks, lifting her gaze to meet Atherton's with a mischeivous grin, personally more happy to follow the lead of the shady character than the paladin's.
Again Atherton shrugs, not meeting the Varisian woman's eye "Why ask me? I'm not your leader; I gather information." he says, wondering why she seems to trust him to any degree "My suggestion would be to go in, get as far as we can on talk and stealth and then either fight the rest of the way or run when other methods fail. Rest's up to you though; your quest."
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Ok, everyone seems to be assembled...and the day is waering on for such a large party to stand around....
Could those of you who prepare spells let me know what you have prepared for the day, either in your profile or in a post...
Cal, you will also want to keep track that any Dex based roll you make today gets a +2 thanks to being Harrowed.
Could those of you who prepare spells let me know what you have prepared for the day, either in your profile or in a post...
Again Atherton shrugs, not meeting the Varisian woman's eye "Why ask me? I'm not your leader; I gather information." he says, wondering why she seems to trust him to any degree "My suggestion would be to go in, get as far as we can on talk and stealth and then either fight the rest of the way or run when other methods fail. Rest's up to you though; your quest."
Calandra gives an amused smile but makes no comment, simply a shrug of her shoulders.
After a moment of silence impatience strikes the young woman and she pipes up again "Well, he's not going to die by discussion alone, let's go!"
"Alright," Istas agrees. She takes up her spear and leads the way toward the fishery, heading toward the door the fishermen have been using to drop off their days-old catches. She assumes the other doors Atherton mentioned are still locked, and having no means for unlocking such things, she doesn't care to announce their presence by having to chop through it.
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"Alright," Istas agrees. She takes up her spear and leads the way toward the fishery, heading toward the door the fishermen have been using to drop off their days-old catches. She assumes the other doors Atherton mentioned are still locked, and having no means for unlocking such things, she doesn't care to announce their presence by having to chop through it.
Ok, as you approce the gates on the right hand sidde of the building, it becomes more obvious that this is a courtyard leading into the wearhouse.
Looking into the courtyard there is a pile of creates in one corner, and a wheelbarrow in the other, but no sign of anyone. Double doors lead into the building, they hang ajar, and from inside can be heard the general noise of people working, with a high pitched, though adult voice yelling threats and commands in equal turn, inside.
The floor is woodern slats over the mud, and continues the length of the building, getting narrower as it passes out over the water. Finally it descends a small flight of steps to a door on a lower level towards the rear of the building.
The smell of rotten fish is quite disgusting, but manageable for now.
"Well then," Jubrayl talks with a hint of disdain for his surroundings, "Let's see what we are up against, shall we?"
Crossing the courtyard, Jubrayl lays his hand upon the open door and pulls it open completely.
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"Well then," Jubrayl talks with a hint of disdain for his surroundings, "Let's see what we are up against, shall we?"
Crossing the courtyard, Jubrayl lays his hand upon the open door and pulls it open completely.
Fun. Could I have an initiative roll from everyone, and exactly where you are in relateion to the street, the courtyard, and the building....
The street runs North-South, the gates into the courtyard are on the south side of the coumpound fence.
Using a co-oridinate system with A-Z going South-North and 1-15 going East to West.
The court yeard takes up B6-D12, with the narrow part continuing in steps along D6-D2 fashion, with a door at D2.
Doors into the building are at D10-11 and into the courtyard at A10-11.
Jubrayl is now stood at D10 with his hand on the door.
Hope that all makes sense! (Don't worry about co-ords if you are in the street.
"Well then," Jubrayl talks with a hint of disdain for his surroundings, "Let's see what we are up against, shall we?"
'Something that reeks with the stench of days-old fish,' Istas thinks to herself, 'And probably a bunch of villains with a heart to match...'
Crossing the courtyard, Jubrayl lays his hand upon the open door and pulls it open completely.
Istas positions herself by Jubrayl's shoulder, peering past him into the gloomy interior. She prefers to let the paladin, Torillan, and Atherton proceed the rest of the party inside, staying close behind to offer them support. Meanwhile she also keeps an eye towards protecting Calandra and Malik, both of whom seem less prepared for a physical confrontation.
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Istas positions herself by Jubrayl's shoulder, peering past him into the gloomy interior. She prefers to let the paladin, Torillan, and Atherton proceed the rest of the party inside, staying close behind to offer them support. Meanwhile she also keeps an eye towards protecting Calandra and Malik, both of whom seem less prepared for a physical confrontation.
The stink inside, a mixture of fish and sweat, is enough
to make the eyes water. Looking into the room, to the east, a large wooden trough holds a hideous mound of half-rancid fish, seaweed, and brine. Filthy seawater and fish blood stain the floor around this trough. A pair of wooden chutes lead from this trough through holes in the eastern wall into a larger room to the east. To the west, a desk and chair sit in one corner while a tall cabinet sits in the other.
There are three orphans in the room, along with a small Gnome who is the one doing the shouting, and wielding a sap. The gnome turns as the door opens and shouts at Jubrayl, "What do you want, barging in? Sword drawn and all?".
Malik is still at the entrance to the courtyard and watches Jubrayl marching forward. As he opens the door, Malik steps into the courtyard itself. His light crossbow is ready and loaded, but not held to a target.
Torillan moves warily accross the street, carefully drawing the twin swords strapped to his back. He waits patiently to the left of the door as it is opened...
Atherton shoulders his way to the front of the group "Hold on a moment. Let's not spill any blood without due cause. Jubrayl, put away your sword for the nice man." turning to the gnome he smiles and says "Sorry about my bodyguard; he's effective but can be a little overzealous. Name's Atherton, I've done buisness with the boss before. I've got a well equipt gentleman looking for a family man, if you take my meaning and since it's out of my league I suggested he come to you fine people. I told him what a nice operation you have and he hired me to bring his proposition to the boss. Whaddya say? Mind letting me and my friends through.?"
"Sorry about my bodyguard; he's effective but can be a little overzealous. Name's Atherton, I've done buisness with the boss before. I've got a well equipt gentleman looking for a family man, if you take my meaning and since it's out of my league I suggested he come to you fine people. I told him what a nice operation you have and he hired me to bring his proposition to the boss. Whaddya say? Mind letting me and my friends through?"
Istas holds her tongue, waiting to see what kind of reaction Atherton's ruse will have. If things take a turn for the worse, she readies herself to step from behind Jubrayl for a quick toss of her spear.
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"Hold on a moment. Let's not spill any blood without due cause. Jubrayl, put away your sword for the nice man." turning to the gnome he smiles and says "Sorry about my bodyguard; he's effective but can be a little overzealous. Name's Atherton, I've done buisness with the boss before. I've got a well equipt gentleman looking for a family man, if you take my meaning and since it's out of my league I suggested he come to you fine people. I told him what a nice operation you have and he hired me to bring his proposition to the boss. Whaddya say? Mind letting me and my friends through.?"
"You gotta be kidding, Atherton. Even if I did believe that you had a paladin for rich dupe, it's more than my life's worth to let you down to see Lamm. You'd know that if you'd done business with the boss before.
"No, you'll have to knock at the front door and speak to Yargin like the rest. Oh, an I'd leave me army outside, if I were you."
Jubrayl regarded the Gnome with some hint of suspicion. As Atherton barged past and lay out the bluff, Jubrayl wisely decided to keep his trap shut for the moment. However, it appeared that Atherton's bluff had failed.
"Look, our boss is ready with his coin and he's in a big hurry. Pretty sure Mr. Lamm would be angry if someone let this opportunity slip through his fingers. I mean, Mr. Lamm knows a lot about the city, but there are others we can speak to," Jubrayl let the veiled threat hang in the air, trusting that the Gnome's fear of reprisal at a missed opportunity for gold would override that of his fear of disturbing Gaedren.
"Atherton, obviously Mr. Lamm is too busy to see us today. We'll just have to settle on using some of our other contacts," Jubrayl turned to leave as he finished speaking.
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Jubrayl regarded the Gnome with some hint of suspicion. As Atherton barged past and lay out the bluff, Jubrayl wisely decided to keep his trap shut for the moment. However, it appeared that Atherton's bluff had failed."Look, our boss is ready with his coin and he's in a big hurry. Pretty sure Mr. Lamm would be angry if someone let this opportunity slip through his fingers. I mean, Mr. Lamm knows a lot about the city, but there are others we can speak to," Jubrayl let the veiled threat hang in the air, trusting that the Gnome's fear of reprisal at a missed opportunity for gold would override that of his fear of disturbing Gaedren.
"Atherton, obviously Mr. Lamm is too busy to see us today. We'll just have to settle on using some of our other contacts," Jubrayl turned to leave as he finished speaking.
"Giggles!! Get up here!" Shouts the gome, turning towards where the channels lead through the eastern wall.
"Look, I told you, if you want any dealings with Mr Lamm, you go though Yargin. He ain't gunna let you in to see Lamm, certainly not, what? Five of you?. Now either go round the front, or go away, your choice."
At this the door into the eastern wall opens, and a large, glum half-orc appears at it. His face brightens at the idea if helping you "go away".
Init up to now:
Char Init
Atherton 18
Giggles 18
Gnome 18
Malik 17
Torillan 13
Jubrayl 8
Istas 7
"Look, I told you, if you want any dealings with Mr. Lamm, you go though Yargin. He ain't gunna let you in to see Lamm, certainly not, what? Five of you?. Now either go round the front, or go away, your choice."
At this the door into the eastern wall opens, and a large, glum half-orc appears at it. His face brightens at the idea of helping you "go away".
Listening from the doorway to the conversation and the gnome's response, Istas decides the time has come for a more direct approach. She swiftly enters the room and flanks Atherton on the opposite side from Jubrayl in a visible show of force. She obviously intends to match the arrival of the half-orc with her spear and shield.
"You don't seem to understand," Istas replies to the gnome, her eyes narrowing with the anger she feels inside, "We're here to see Lamm about a matter that needs reckoning. And we're not leaving until we see him. We're not interested in you, this Yargin fellow, or your musclebound friend there. Just him..."
"And as I understand it, Gaedren Lamm takes advantage of a great many people," the priestess says, "From the downtrodden...to loved ones...to innocent children. And he always guides their fate to a terrible end. Well, this time, it's Lamm's fate that hangs in the balance. And there's no power on Golarion that'll be keeping him...or us...from that appointment..."
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Listening from the doorway to the conversation and the gnome's response, Istas decides the time has come for a more direct approach. She swiftly enters the room and flanks Atherton on the opposite side from Jubrayl in a visible show of force. She obviously intends to match the arrival of the half-orc with her spear and shield."You don't seem to understand," Istas replies to the gnome, her eyes narrowing with the anger she feels inside, "We're here to see Lamm about a matter that needs reckoning. And we're not leaving until we see him. We're not interested in you, this Yargin fellow, or your musclebound friend there. Just him..."
"And as I understand it, Gaedren Lamm takes advantage of a great many people," the priestess says, "From the downtrodden...to loved ones...to innocent children. And he always guides their fate to a terrible end. Well, this time, it's Lamm's fate that hangs in the balance. And there's no power on Golarion that'll be keeping him...or us...from that appointment..."
Could you make an intimidate check with that? He's either just wet himself, or about to hit someone, so lets see which way it goes?
Calandra quietly slips through the doorway after Istas, unsure of what to do but wanting to be nearby to help in case all goes wrong.
Malik is holding his sleep spell ready. It may be better to bring them all down fast, than to let them alarm the fishery.
"...unless, of course...you too wish to test your fate this day," Istas finishes.
Intimidate check... (1d20+1=14)
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The gnome snears at Istas, "I see I don't seem to have made myself clear. You are leaving by that door you have so rudely thrown open. I don't care if you want to or not, but you arn't seeing Lamm today of all days. Think of it as him beeing in morning for our collective loss!"
At this he drops the sap and pulls a kukri from his robes, taking up a defensive stance, he turns to the half-orc, and says calmly, "Get them, Giggles." and finally shouts "YARGIN!!!"
Gnome 18(15)
Atherton 18(14)
Giggles 18(13)
Malik 17
Torillan 13
Calandra 13
Jubrayl 8
Istas 7
Darn, there goes the element of surprise.
Atherton draws his rapier and takes a step forward to the gnome. "This won't end well for you..."
Giggles, true to his name, lets out a low chuckle as he charges Istas, swinging his flail high in the air, he brings it down with crushing force.
Istas grunts with the force of the blow, but grits her teeth against the pain, fully intending to return the favor.
Malik moves a bit forward to have a better view of the combat and readies his light crossbow to fire at any further intruders.
Upon seeing Giggles hit Istas, Torillan takes a single swing at the beast...
Murmuring a few words Calandra takes a pinch of wool from her component pouch and throws it in Giggle's direction.
Atherton draws his rapier and takes a step forward to the gnome. "This won't end well for you..."