With her father's diluted willingness to help, it wouldn't surprise me if he issued the contract himself.
"As it stands, from what I can tell, it is six to one. Unless you have some extremely over achiever plane in your back pocket, I believe this is a losing cause for you. We will not pay 200 gold. If you release her, we will put a good word in with her father, who might have a reward for you. We will also convey good tidings for you with the local authorities. If you divulge information on who hired you, then I could see parting with a small amount of coin for that."
Will:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 "Now I know what goggles are for," Gruugdúrz mutters. "That is the first time a spell has stopped me in my tracks."
"Now hang on! Thalia does not seem surprised. Buddy here …" Gruugdúrz points to the spell caster "… has been duped into kidnapping Thalia. And you …" with a glance at the guard "… are just here, but you haven't actually DONE anything. As yet."
"So, while I'm still my usual cheery self … will someone PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
After taking a breath from his mini tantrum, Gruugdúrz will add: "I can cough up 200 GP of my own money if that helps somehow. But it better be worth it!"
Deity, Benevolent or Malevolent that remains to be seen.
They both wee themselves a bit..
Thalia quickly blurts out that her father has suspicious relationships with other powerful families in the country, describing their political deals as un-Andoren. She does not object to a continued investigations, even if they should incriminate her family. She even insists that she come with you on the investigation.
The man, Almant, is supprised to hear this and informs you that a tall brown-haired Taldan man gave him the mission. And he gives you the note with instructions on what to do, including ways to get into Thalia's house without being seen.
Give me a craft alchemy or perception check please.
Deity, Benevolent or Malevolent that remains to be seen.
First off you think the handwriting is feminine and you notice a few trace smudges of alchemical reagents. And you think it was disguise self or something to that effect. Idk how you get that from a few smudges but you do.
"From what I can tell this letter looks as if it where written by a woman. I also note a few different types of chemicals on the parchment that I believe are used in a disguise of some sort."
Deity, Benevolent or Malevolent that remains to be seen.
"Damn." Almant says, "But why."
Thalia perks up, "Well theres only 1 person in the area that could have made something like that. There is only the 1 alchemists shop and a spell would leave a residue."
"I am listening, who do you think made this note and began this charade. I'm guessing that he had no intention on paying the final fee, seeing that he went through all the trouble of disguising himself."
HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17 FF 17 (+1 vs traps) | CMD 21 | F +6 R +10 W +4 (evasion,inmune sleep,+2 vs enchantments,+1 vs traps) | Init +7 | Senses Low-light +9 (+10 vs traps) | AP: 3/5 Dare: 9/10 L1: 3/3+
Male Elf Magus 2/Rogue (Unchained) 3 | - (Inactive)
"Interesting... where is that shop then?" Eldon makes an effort to avoid touching anyone as to not discharge the spell as he talks "I propose we pay a visit to that alchemist right away"
"I'm good with checking out this shop, but I want to return Thalia to her father first. We can get as much insight from her as possible and then return her."
Thallin shoulders his bow and moves up to Thalia. He then begins to remove the rope bindings from her.
Male Human (Chelaxian) Cavalier 3 Arcane Duelist 1 | AC 21 (t 13) (ff 18) | F+6, R+6, W+4 | CMB +5 CMD 17 | Init +4, Per +0, SM +0 | speed 30 ft | Challenge 1/1 | Calling 2/4 | Tactician 1/1 | Fires of Hell 1/1 | Bardic Performance 13/13 | Spells: 1st 2/2 | HP 37/37
Ludovico says to Thallin, I understand your concern. We do seem to be in danger of straying from our assigned mission that brought us here in the first place. However, if there is treachery in Andares house, we should have all the facts before we return there. Else, We may alert however wrote this note and allow him or her to escape the consequence of this betrayal.
"I agree with Ludovico's concern about the potential in-house treachery, but I also see a safety concern with taking her along. If we see combat along the way, she will definitely be at risk."
"Well, we might as well carry on. Oh, before I forget; here are a couple of gemstones for you, Eldon. Sorry about the mess. Just forgot my manners."
diplomacy:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Two good diplomacy rolls in a row! Woo! Gruugdúrz is going to get some proposals for marriage at this rate!
Gruugdúrz will give Eldon two of his (100 GP) gemstones to send him on his merry way …
… then, addressing the others after Eldon and his guard have scampered off:
"That's one less loose end to worry about. I just hope I don't have to do that too often. I haven't got that much cash to splash!"
GM V:
I realized I made a BIG mistake with my HL record of Gruugdúrz. He should have had eight gemstones worth a total of 800 GP (@ 100 GP each). I somehow created eight gems worth 800 GP Each!.
I fixed that so he's now got 600 gems worth 100 each after paying off Eldon with two of his gemstones. Let me know if that guard with him needs a little extra cash to shove off as well.
I'll fix & update that in my profile straight away.
HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17 FF 17 (+1 vs traps) | CMD 21 | F +6 R +10 W +4 (evasion,inmune sleep,+2 vs enchantments,+1 vs traps) | Init +7 | Senses Low-light +9 (+10 vs traps) | AP: 3/5 Dare: 9/10 L1: 3/3+
Male Elf Magus 2/Rogue (Unchained) 3 | - (Inactive)
Eldon dismisses his spell in order to make sure he does not discharges it electrocuting anyone involuntary.
When Gruugdúrz approaches the elf seems hesitant "You do not need to give me this Gruugdúrz, but I will accept it as a token of friendship", he smiles sad at the half-orc.
The magus saves the gems in his pocket "Do not worry, we are going to have plenty of adventures together still and the debt will be paid. I am sure!"
HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17 FF 17 (+1 vs traps) | CMD 21 | F +6 R +10 W +4 (evasion,inmune sleep,+2 vs enchantments,+1 vs traps) | Init +7 | Senses Low-light +9 (+10 vs traps) | AP: 3/5 Dare: 9/10 L1: 3/3+
Deity, Benevolent or Malevolent that remains to be seen.
The lockbox contains several silver and gold bars stamped with the insignia of a Chelish noble house. In addition, there are three carefully folded pieces of parchment: a scroll of blood biography, a scroll of seek thoughts and a brittle contract promising aid from House Morilla of Taldor to the Sauer family in return for future favors. Give me a know history or nobility to figure out who they are.
"Unfortunately, I am unschooled in politics or history." Thallin glances back at the rest of the group. "Does anyone else recognize this insignia, know anything about House Morilla of Taldor, or have any information on the Sauer family?" Thallin hands the box around to the rest of the group for inspection.
HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17 FF 17 (+1 vs traps) | CMD 21 | F +6 R +10 W +4 (evasion,inmune sleep,+2 vs enchantments,+1 vs traps) | Init +7 | Senses Low-light +9 (+10 vs traps) | AP: 3/5 Dare: 9/10 L1: 3/3+
Tiefling Rogue 1 / Wizard 4 / Sleepless Detective 1 / Arcane Trickster 3 | HP 54/54 | AC 21; Tch 17; FF 14 | F +4; R +14; W +8 | CMB+3; CMD 20 | Speed 30 ft | Init +13 | +1 Shortbow: +12 (1d6+1/x3) | Perc +21
knowledge local:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23I don't have knowledge nobility or history...would local help?
Saarai looks at the items from the lock box. "A strange assortment of items...especially the scrolls. Surely there are significant clues as to what we are looking for here," the rogue adds.
Deity, Benevolent or Malevolent that remains to be seen.
Guess you move on at this point?
Broad country roads lead in four directions away from a crossroad.
To the north, the road to the Sauer Vineyard cuts among golden fields and lush vineyards. To the south, the road into Sauerton is flanked by sparse and apparently abandoned houses. To the west, the road to the Andares manor winds through a grove of apple trees whose leaves have begun to yellow. To the east, fields stretch among rolling hills as far as the eye can see, with long autumn wheat lolling in the wind. On the southeast corner, an empty shop sits boarded up with broken windows. On the southwest corner, a sign advertises Koriana’s Exotic Tonics and Remedies and boasts of “longforgotten delights from all across the Inner Sea.”
Just before leaving the fields you pass a farmer, leading a cow, he gives you a cheerful hello as you pass. Shortly after you hear growling and wolves burst from the fields, attacking the farmer and his cow!
