Porter steps forward with his spear in hand. "Are you allright". "Can we help you"?
Perception Checks:
After your eyes see a strange glint in the branches, you notice a few odd looking shapes in the tree's. Looks like this guy isn't alone.
After spending many years honing your keep eyes, you notice 6 people sat in the trees, all armed with longbows, spread all around the man you're approaching. You can even see a few of their faces, they look more cautious than overtly hostile, and they all look about the same young age as well.
The leaves look pretty this time of year you think, in fact you see a small badger hiding in the undergrowth and you feel proud of your observational skills.
Talmanes tensed up and kept a hand on one of his many scabbards as he followed the others as they advanced. The duellist had always felt more comfortable offering his advice when necessary rather than being an initiator; except when steel was drawn of course...
The Unfin ranger shows no emotion and speaks in a whisper still looking at the boy in front of him. He speaks so quietly that his companions may have to make a listen check to hear him. He is not alone. 6 of them in the trees. Long bows.
He tenses, ready for action, waiting to hear what the boy says, and planning to get off the first arrow if it comes to that.
The stranger lowers his hands seeing no one has fired an arrow.
"I assume you are the group the captain was talking about?" he asks making a careful approch to the group."I hail from the city of fourwinds and decided to help anyway I can." he states as he relaxes and sits down near the group. "I dabble in the arcane and the power of nature, so I hope I can be of some kind of assistance to you."
now as the man is a bit more in the light you notice his skin should be naturally darker, but it seems paled from not spending too much time in the sun and possibly more time looking over books. His cloths and look appear neat, but his shoes and the bottom of his robe appear to be dirty as if he hasn't bother to clear the dirty well enough. On his hand is a iron ring and he has a club by his side, but not drawn and a crossbow unloaded.
You also notice he has interesting looking pair of bracers too that reflects the light. He also appears to be completely oblivious to the group seemingly noticing something behind him. He gets up and moves over to Nicolae, presenting a hand for him to shake.
"My name is Bilnerk Ricina. And yours?"
You can sense very little about the individuals in front of you, they look dangerous, that's for certain. Captain Raichus described very little to you, so you're hoping you've got the right people, that was why the captain had arranged for your escort of archers, he didn't want to being jumped by a bunch of bandits on the way.
[ooc] Hmm. System seems to have eaten my post. Likely good since I was reacting to the archers that at the time Bilnerk did not know about. [b]
[b]We were to meet a 'friend' in Fourwinds and not on the road Bilnerk. How do we know you are he? I was not expecting anyone here, and certainly not with an armed escort. It you want to talk to us you need to bring your men in and introduce them as well. [b]
You sense some apprehension around his talk about not wanting to hang around town, but everything else he says appears to be on the level.
"Well...I don't like hanging around town. It gets a bit boring and I'm sure you are all after a reward the captain has promised you." he states with a smile and turns to the men "The captain sent me a escort when I decided to go looking for you myself. He didn't want any bandits to jump me and make sure I found the right people. Not to mention the captain wasn't very descriptive about you. For all I know you could've been a group of bandits or something." and with that he turns around "It's okey everyone, you can come out."
Nicolae removes his black leather glove and reaches down to shake the newcomer's hand.
Sense Motive:
Slight of Hand:
Nicolae speaks through the garment covering his nose and mouth. Are these men trustworthy to discuss our business in front of? If not, you have found us and they can go on their way.
Bilnerk just shrugs.
"I'd be a fool to say I trusted them. I don't know them all that well and our task is quite important. I've never been good at reading people." he turns to the men and waves to get their attention "you can head back to town, thanks for the lift." he smiles with a laugh and turns back to the group. "I'm curious, have you learnt who might be causing these riots or why?"
The Ranger dismounts, keeping his horse between himself and the majority of the archers. He has a tight grip on his bow and is not yet at ease enough to begin to talk to the newcomer.
You are the one who has been in Fourwinds. Tell us of that city. How bad is it there?
Bilnerk's face looks quite grave and he puts his hands together, letting out a deep sigh.
"Very bad." he says simply and pauses before he looks to the group. "The huge market in the centre has now ceased to exist and with that loss to the city things have only gotten much worse. Half the city is run by gangs whilst more and more buildings are being torn down everyday. The nobles, however, are hidden in their quarder with hundreds of guards that patrol the street and take out their own form of justice on anyone they deem as a 'Trouble maker' and no one speaks about it or does anything. It's utter chaos."
He seems to have changed mood completely from what he was a moment ago, now giving the grave news.
"My master, a old sage who lived in the village was cut down when he tried to help organise everyone. Cut down by one of those so-called guards." he looks to the group with a deadly serious expression "If I find who that man is. I will deliver the final blow."
Perception.
As Porter steps forward he keeps an eye on the snipers he had already spotted in the trees.
Everything had been so strange, and happening so fast in the last few days, that he decides to defer, and let his more civilized companions handle the situation. He'll just keep an eye out to make sure that violence neither begins nor escalates.
Bad, but to be expected. Our job is not to restore order, but we will have to at least survive in that mess. I am fine helping you find your master's killers, AFTER we finish this mission, but mission comes first. Deal?
Bad, but to be expected. Our job is not to restore order, but we will have to at least survive in that mess. I am fine helping you find your master's killers, AFTER we finish this mission, but mission comes first. Deal?
Bilnerk nods at this.
"Deal. As you say, it's not our job to restore order, but the situation in town will make things difficult." he points out with this.
Talmanes strode confidently forward to introduce himself, his easy posture reminiscent of a cat crossing a courtyard- head held high, shoulders back and walking with an easy, arrogant stride. He thrust out a hand to the newcomer, nodding in agreement to Beohawk's conditions.
Talmanes at your service and well met, Bilnerk Ricina the duellist said politely.
Nicolae slides the palmed dagger back into it's sheath. What skills do you bring Bilnerk? Do you know any secret ways into the city?
Knowledge History
You have no idea about any secret entrances. You're pretty sure that you have been in one once or twice but the locations completely escape you.
I would prefer to garb ourselves in false intent and hide in plain sight rather than enter in a clandestine fashion. A pretext for our group to move around together... armed as we are. Bilnerk, surely the nobility frequently hire groups of armed men in such dangerous times? I'm sure I can think of a suitable noble whose name we could associate ourselves with...
That is a good idea Talmanes. I have the ability to create disguises if that will help. I am also fairly good at misleading people. Let me know what role I can play.
Talmaes precedes to tell you about Lord Hadlock. Lord Hadlock is the most influential man in fourwinds. The interesting fact about him however is that he does not own anything that is making him profit. His business is contacts, want a place in the market? want a supplier for your goods? you have to go through him. No-one would deal with you otherwise.
Unfortunately however, this made him rather a lot of enemies, a lot of the other nobles didn't like paying him substantial portions of money simply to exist.
Nicolae slides the palmed dagger back into it's sheath. What skills do you bring Bilnerk? Do you know any secret ways into the city?
"I'm afraid I don't know of any secret ways, though I'm sure the city has them." at Talmanes' reponse he nods "I like that idea to disguise ourselves and maybe survice ourselves out to Lord Hadlock."
"I had the power to produce fire, both arcane and from the power of nature itself." he explains look to he flame before them and producing some in his hand "I know a lot about the arcane and studied many subjects. The Arcane, Dungeons, History, Nature, Outer Planes and Religion. Not to mention I have studied spells and can fairly easily make an assesment about a spell that has been cast or identify the properties of a magic item."
Looking at the fire raging in his hands: Impressive indeed Bilnerk. Your knowledge of Fourwinds should pay off as well. I am glad to call you an ally.
Also, if you're all happy with that conversation, I think it's a good time to move you on. I'll do a big introduction as soon as you guys detail your plan to me in the discussion.
"And I, you." he smiles and gives a nod. "I have many other knowledges if we ever come to a point we might need them."
"When we get closer to the gates, I can make myself disappear". "I'm better at that than at disguising myself".
I agree with Beohawk. We should present ourselves as mercenaries for hire. We will set up in a local tavern and then head to the training camp and offer to join.
Nicolae says this matter of factly and spurs his mount forward.
Talmanes raised an eyebrow and called a halt, making it very clear that the decision was far from decided.
Mercenaries for hire? A poor story, my companions. Our equipment is too high quality to pose as such commoners and we will no doubt be inundated with offers of employment- suffice to say we'll attract even more attention. Do not misunderstand- I propose we merely declare we are working for Lord Hadlock. As a reclusive but powerful noble, few will dispute our claim and even fewer shall challenge it. We'll need no unreliable disguises or magical trickery if we simply garb ourselves in deceit and false intentions.
Talmanes turned to the newcomer as though expecting him to settle it, courtesy of his superior local knowledge.
Bilnerk- what say you?
So Talmanes...you are ready to break our orders before we even arrive in town? I am pretty sure we were told "your job is to pose as mercenaries". Have I missed something? Are you paying us now? Nicolae keeps riding.
So Talmanes...you are ready to break our orders before we even arrive in town? I am pretty sure we were told "your job is to pose as mercenaries". Have I missed something? Are you paying us now? Nicolae keeps riding.
Both plans have merit.The ranger interjects quietly. If we go with Talmanes' plan we better be ready with a story if Hadlock's men or the lord himself confronts us.
Bilnerk, having two minds on everything nods to this and considers both ideas.
"I agree with Beohawk, both plans are good, but I see the logic in Talmanes'. Not many mercinaries will be as equipped as we are, but if we claimed we were working for a lord, people will be less likely to doupt us and ask too many questions." he nods as he seems to speak more to himself when outlining it "Yes, yes that's the best plan."
Nicolae responds over his shoulder, So be it. I will need to know everything you know about this Lord so we can get our story together for when I have to converse with the city guard...unless one of you have a silver tongue of course.
I fear I do not lie well. the ranger comments as he absently rubs his fingers across the small brand on his cheek.
I'm something of an expert on him, as a matter of fact. I'll brief you all en route as to everything I know about the gentleman... Talmanes finished with a small nod of courteous appreciation to Bilnerk..
Nicolae doesn't offer much emotion on the decision. If anything, he appears glad to be back traveling and done debating.
And if the men of this lord challenge us, or the lord himself? Beohawk asks in a non-chalenging way. Do we claim deep cover? Do we kill them? Perhaps our story should be as you say Talmanes, but also that we do not just tell any who ask. Our business should be our own until we are pressed, no?
As the discussion draws to a close you begin to head off towards the city.
The trip takes several hours, and the sun is low in the sky as you leave the forest and make the final trek towards the city. You hear the roaring sound of the wind long before you see the tornado, but when you notice it, it is a sight to behold.
It is gigantic, you can see none of the city, it rises at least 200 feet into the air, in fact you're not sure you can even see the top from where you're standing. The area surrounding it is all dust and dirt, clearly the strong winds have prevented anything from growing in a large radius around the city.
As you get closer, you can see a paved path leading into the city. As you follow it, you can see a shelter over the path, angling to deflect the wind off the path. You can see it is quickly collapsible, this city must be incredibly easy to defend, all they would need to do is collapse the shelter and let the attackers get lost in the wind.
After about two minutes, you arrive on the other side of the tornado. You can't hear the wind any more, various spell weavers must have dampened the sound without touching any sound inside the city, delicate work.
You arrive directly into the market square, it is huge and you can see from several huge paths that it must have wound throughout this city, but now all there is is burning wood and broken stands. There are a couple of gangs sitting in this section, about 15 street thugs who are wearing a combination of shiny jewelry and grubby clothes.
One of them looks up as you approach.
Oi Oi lads look what we av ere. Shiny stuff you got there, looks pretty heavy. We could carry some of it for ya, ya know, ease your burden a bit, my looooordd
He bows comically and all the men laugh and begin to casually position themselves around you.
Bilnerk looks repulsed at what even he can tell appears to be extortion, but he hesitates to act, though he certainly has one of his hands open and ready to spell cast if the moment calls for it.
"I think we are comfortable carrying our own items." he states as he looks over all the men, wondering if any of them area familiar or look like a spell caster of somekind from lack of armour. "We have a urgent appointment and don't wish to leave Lord Hadlock waiting. Unless you'd like to speak with him?"
bluff:
Noticing his own stammering he looks to the group with a shrug then back to the men, not sure if he should just attack them or let the group try to get past by observing Nicolae's silver tongue in action.
The whole group bursts out laughing.
HA that's a goodun, yeah right, of course. You could have at least not used the first name everyone knows when they get here anyway. I think we might have to do this the more forceful way lads.
Roll for initiative!
It would be best for you to move on with your lives intact. We are not worth your effort boy. If you do not walk away, I will kill you and take your head as a trophy.
Speaking to the followers. Anyone who does not draw a weapon will live, but if you do you will die with your leader. I would prefer you live a long and prosperous life preying on the weak.
Diplomacy for the group other than the leader:
Initiative:
It would be best for you to move on with your lives intact. We are not worth your effort boy. If you do not walk away, I will kill you and take your head as a trophy.
Speaking to the followers. Anyone who does not draw a weapon will live, but if you do you will die with your leader. I would prefer you live a long and prosperous life preying on the weak.
Diplomacy for the group other than the leader: 1d20+9
Talmanes was in little mood to negotiate, having drawn his sword as soon as things had started to look ugly.