PbP Game Day - 5-01 The Glass River Rescue (Inactive)

Game Master Scott Young

Cepsihir plays along, coming off borderline-officious.

"Single rooms, if they are available. Our vessel offered very little privacy, and even a thin wall to buffer the snores would be a welcome respite. Scorpions, Ossok... your effort today has not gone unnoticed; please feel free to turn in at your convenience, this one and Pavanna have many things to discuss with our hosts."

The die is cast. Four unattended sentries while Pavanna and I keep the proprietors busy with 'business'.

Nodding and waving dismissively, Pavanna says "Yes my maidens. Retire to your rooms and begin your preparations for tomorrow. I'm sure our hosts will be happy to point you toward preparation of my bath..."

If the remainder of the trip weren't destined to be awkward enough...

A momentary flash of anger crosses Diana's face at the command. She quickly suppresses it. "If my mistress would allow me to change from these travel clothes first." She gives Pavanna a slight bow and leaves for a room.

"Well, then, let's retire to the guests' den... not that I expect other company tonight, but this common room is open to any farmer or traveler who stops in. The guest den is just for our overnight guests, and is much nicer." Addas gestures for Pavanna and Cepsihir to follow her. "My sisters will get your staff settled... please follow me."

Tarshi jumps up with a look of relief on her face and scampers over to Diana and Krystiana. "If you will follow me, m'ladies, I will show you our best rooms, so you may select one that will suit your mistress."She casts a sidelong glance over her shoulder at Pavanna and Cepsihir, and hurries out of the room to the south.

Eugenia stands and smiles at Scorpions and Ossok. "If you gentlemen will follow me, I will show you to your rooms."

Zis will be fine thank you madame. Please go and attend to our lady's bath. She iz so much calmer with zee hot water.

Cepsihir recognizes Pavanna is better-suited with canter, and will attempt to aid another at any point she needs to make a social roll

Looking to Tarshi almost surprised that she would ask "As far as our mistress, I feel you best ask her. She can be a fickle one." Diana looks at Kyrstiana, giving her a warm smile."Shall we share a room for the night?"

Pavanna smiles and her eyes light up at the question, "I represent several mercantile interests who have been trying to get inroads into Razmiran. My Chelixian upbringing brings an understanding of complicated legal navigations they believe will be useful in establishing such deals. A wonderful establishment like this could make a welcome waystation."

Cepsihir follows Pavanna's lead.

"This one has been employed by similar caravans, specializing in unique wares from the East of both affluent and eclectic desires."

Cepsihir eyes the guest den thoughtfully.

"Your accommodations are most welcoming for those road or sea-weary. If such an arrangement is of interest, would it trouble you to allow my associate and I to tour your facilities to better assess suitability for our potential caravans?"

All of you can select whatever room you wish for the evening; the three sisters excuse themselves after you are done asking questions and head back to the common room to clean up and prepare the late-night meal and drinks.

"Most excellent. Tell me dear, do you have any additional night security? Or should my caravans expect to maintain their normal guard schedules?"

Addas responds to Pavanna: "We have no need of security here, my nephew Rosh keeps an eye out for trouble when he's not in the stables. The Razmiran faith barges patrol the river and occasionally visit the Inn, but we've never had need to call upon them."

"It is reassuring to know that Razmiran waterways are secure. This one apologizes if my associate's request seems strange; much paranoia has been sewed due to previous experience and baseless rumors concerning the area."

We've been given leave to explore...

"Pavanna, shall we lounge a few moments longer before stretching our legs outdoors? Addas, this one wouldn't dare trouble you or your sisters if you already have tasks ahead of you this evening, as long as we have your permission?"

"Of course, I'll leave you to your rest, then. There's always a pot of stew on the hearth, and if you need anything I'll be up late." Addas gathers the dirty dishes and heads into the kitchen to join her sisters.

We'll assume to all congregate in the Guest Den after choosing your rooms. Please let me know which one you will each be sleeping in (or at least, saying you'll be sleeping in).

Cepsihir will stay in one of the smaller rooms South of the common room (we'll say North-East room, with a view of the stables)

Pavanna will obviously claim the largest and best looking of the available rooms.

Ossok approaches his hosts.

"Room you gave me has bad door. Does not lock. Ossok demands different room, needs privacy."

Comrade is right. These doors would not keep out a kitten after bowl of silk. We must have at least some sense of security! I will go inspect our lady's room after she has chosen to make sure door is not feeble as well.

Addas looks surprised, but immediately recovers. "Allow me to demonstrate the lock, kind sirs... It can only be locked from the inside. " She leads you back to your room, and ushers you both inside.

Is this a plan they have concocted, or do the locks truly not function? Quite strange.

Cepsihir raises an eyebrow to Pavanna.

Assuming you enter the room, Scorpions and Ossok, she shows you how the lock works, testing the strength of it by pulling on the door. "You see, kind sir, this should offer you privacy enough."

Looking to Tarshi almost surprised that she would ask "As far as our mistress, I feel you best ask her. She can be a fickle one." Diana looks at Kyrstiana, giving her a warm smile."Shall we share a room for the night?"

"It would be my pleasure," says Krystiana with a coy smile.

Getting everyone back to the same page...

Ossok and Scorpions - if you wish to change rooms, you may - you find that all of the doors have the same "can be opened from outside" mechanism hidden within the lock. I'm assuming that at this point you don't mention it until you're alone, but you can certainly confront the sisters again with it if you wish.

Everyone - I've assigned you rooms on the map, based on your discussions - feel free to change if you would like, just let me know.

The sisters bid you all good night, and disperse to their own spaces. Addas heads to their private rooms (the covered area on the upper right of the map); Eugenia heads outside to the stables with a pail of soup and some leftovers to feed Rosh the stablehand; Tarshi heads into the kitchen and stays up to begin preparations for the next days' meals. You are all left alone in the Guest Den, out of sight and earshot of your hosts.

Cepsihir speaks in hushed tones to his compatriots.

"This one was under the impression the stable-hand had already supped."

"Ossok, shall we stretch our legs outside?"

Diana whispers to Krystiana conspiratorially "I've never had the pleasure," She draws our the word and gives a slight smile ".... of traveling with a follower of Arshea. Is what they say true about your prayers?"

Krystiana smiles and leans close to Diana. "There are a great many things said about my sect," she teases and kisses Diana. "The first is that we always finish what we start... Let's find these captive dwarves and there will be plenty of time for prayer and praise afterward."

Krystiana pulls from her backpack a pair of torches and a lamp. "Let's work up an appetite first." With her flint and steel, she lights the lamp leaving the unlit torches tucked under her arm.

Diana blushes as she remembers herself. "Ah um yes, back to work." She checks her equipment making sure nothing is tangled up. "I look forward to leaning um more about your sect."

We seem to have lost Ossok, Pavanna and Scorpions... so I guess they go to bed.

Ossok: "Ossok will go to room, must fix lock." He stomps into his room and closes the door, and you can hear the sound of moving furniture and some hammering before things quiet down.

Pavanna retires to a hot bath, making much of her "superior" station over the rest of the party.

Scorpions retires to his room and also rearranges some furniture.

Cepsihir, Krystiana and Diana prepare for some exploration. Do you wish to head outside to follow Eugenia, as Cepsihir had suggested, or investigate elsewhere?

Cepsihir proceeds outdoors to "stretch his legs".

Cepsihir will T10 on stealth and perception checks outside to be inconspicuous, keep an eye on Eugenia, and seek out anything unusual, sticking to the shadows around the inn as much as possible.

Sorry, work as been kicking my tail...

After about an hour or so Pavanna will sneak over to the kitchen and see what's going on there.

Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Krystiana takes some time to let the inn quiet down and gives Diana some cursory instruction in the tenets of the Host of Delectation. After putting on and straightening her armor, she checks the window to see what the courtyard looks like.

"I've heard stories but I never thought they were true...."
Diana's face is as red as scarlet. After some time her blush begins to recede and she finishes "killing time" with the other Paladin.

"That was, enlightening." She seems to choose her words carefully as she puts her armor back on.

"So are all of your faith so, liberated from such worldly constraints? Well seems night has fallen and now we should focus upon the task at hand. Would you like me to go first? I think I can be a bit quieter than you and I don't need a torch to see."

Diana moves to the opposite side of the room and peeks out the window as well checking to see if it can open. As she makes eye contact with Krystiana she blushes again.

Taking 10 for a perception of 13. Do I see anything outside in the courtyard?

Krystiana shrugs, "Everyone's path is different. We believe in searching for how to express our true identities. Each path is different. Most choose the traditional paths, but some of us... are called beyond that." This time, it's Krystiana's turn to blush.

"And, yeah, you should probably go first... however, I'm not so sure about you being quieter. I have evidence to the contrary." The young paladin gives Diana a mischievous smile.

Diana eases out of the open window into the night air. "Come on out. I'll go see whats going on by the stables, it might be best of you stay over here. If I get into trouble I'l make some light."
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Krystiana follows Diana's instructions and eases herself out the window. "I'll be right here if you need me."

Cepsihir continues to take-10 on perception and stealth
Perceptipn: 10 + 8 = 18
Stealth: 10 + 16 = 26

Cepsihir slips over to Diana.

"Psst."

Waiting for Diana to confirm Cepsihir's presence, he continues.

"Eugenia has sent the stable-hand out for the evening. Stable should be easy to search now. Can't be sure how long it will take Rosh, or what he'll bring back with him."

Cepsihir watches an armored leg spring out of the window, identifying it as Krystiana's.

"Grab a leg. It will muffle the sound."

Cepsihir will aid Krystiana on her Climb/Stealth check to leave through the window unheard, unseen, and unharmed. Assuming this happens without incident, Cepsihir will repeat the above dialogue.

Cepsihir sees light streaming through the stables and is inspired by a moment of brilliance. Cepsihir pulls out a small set of figures on string. Shadow Stencils; Cepsihir intends to use them as shadow puppets.

"This one will approach the stable. Watch the light from the front door: rabbit means safe, tiger means otherwise."

Cepsihir will continue to T10 on Perception and Stealth to sneak over to the stable, take a look inside, and give the appropriate signal to Krystiana and Diana.

Rosh rides out the gate and spurs his horse down the road to the east. Cepsihir disappears into the night, disappearing almost uncannily into the darkness. Diana and Krystiana pause for a moment until they see a strange animated shadow puppet on the wall of the stable: a rabbit with lagre floppy ears, hopping slowly across the wall.

The three of you link up at the stable door and peer inside. (Trying to expedite... feel free to add detail or actions along the way if you need to.)

The stable building stretches left and right from the doors. To the right, an expansive smithy is set up, one corner of it occupied by a small cot and a neat pile of clothing. To the left stretch a number of stalls for horses and other animals. Three of the stalls are occupied: a pair of mules occupy stalls near the door, while the far stall contains a spirited stallion who snorts and stamps its hooves restlessly.

Krystiana quickly checks the empty stalls for any signs of the lost Dwarves.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

I rolled your Perception rolls above - I assume everyone is looking around when they enter a new area.

Ah, okay. No prob.

Cepsihir casts Detect Magic and slowly sweeps the area, searching for anything out of the ordinary.

Cepsihir continues to T10 on perception checks, if allowed: 10 + 8 = 18

"The stead should cover some of our noise," referring to the horse in the stall.

Certainly a lively beast. Something that large and out of control makes this one nervous.

Diana moves to examine the smithy more closely. Then moves to examine the cot and clothes left behind.

Krystiana looks down at the green stallion and muses to the others, "Can you have a guard horse?" She walks down to the far end of the stables with the wild stallion (guitar rift) and checks inside the stall.

Is there a bard among us?

"Have you any experience with steads, Krystiana?"

sorry, the wild stallions thing reminded me of Bill and Ted's excellent adventure ;) Besides, I did put it in an OOC tag.

"Not really, but I'm just looking in the stall. What's the worst that could happen?" Krystiana peers inside the stall.