The Iron Carnival - Pentor Lionsmane's Mercenary PbP - #2 Squad

Game Master Monkeygod

Standing mildly shocked Valen looks at the door and then Gremm. "Well, remind me in the future not to anger Gremm."

Gremm dusts himself off and motions for the group to enter through the new entrance.

"After you," he grins.

Gremm dusts himself off and motions for the group to enter through the new entrance.

"After you," he grins.

Hiros Gremm wrote:

Gremm dusts himself off and motions for the group to enter through the new entrance.

"After you," he grins.

** spoiler omitted **

Sometimes, Gremm takes time to enjoy himself.

Valen smiles and walks forward, patting Gremm on the bicep. "Don't mind if I do. And thanks for the help, big guy."

Nine Tail draws his sword and readies his shield and trots into the place, "Let's see who's not at home."

As you all make your way through the entrance Gremm provided, you find yourselves in a large courtyard. The main keep looms in front of you, an there are several small buildings off to each side. One is obviously a forge while another is clearly a stable. You aren't sure what the other one is, but a safe guess is some other sort of military-esque building.

As you walk around, the entire place is eerily silent and there's a slight chill to the air as well. Nine Tail's comment about there being no signs of life apply here as well, as it seems there's nothing alive in this whole place.

"No signs of life - just like there were no signs of life when you three got stabbed this morning. If there is anyone hiding in here they'll be in the keep. I say we check that first"

Valen shakes his head. "Although I'm generally inclined to agree with you, Torque, I think we should check these smaller out buildings first. We don't want to come back out of the keep and get ambushed by things that may be lurking in there."

Acune sighs. "Either way... this country really has problems. I know the dead are partly my responsibility, as a priest, but I prefer doing death rites when the subject isn't trying to rip out my throat."

Laughing, Valen pats Acune on the shoulder. "I think that could be said of anyone. Unless of course, you're into that kind of thing."

You all investigate the forge first. There's a lot of soot and tools scattered about, along with a couple of weapons and two suits of chainmail. Beyond that, it appears this place hasn't been used in a long time, perhaps even before Grimtaur went missing.

Torque seems to consider the chainmail for a moment, but thinks better of it.

"I'd say it's too soon to start bagging up valubles. That said, if it turns out Grimatar is gone for good, I might well help myself to a bit of extra protection"

"Actually, if it reduces the chances of any of us going off to see Pharasma, I'd say go ahead and borrow them."

"I agree with Lady Acune, Torque. If it turns out Grimatar is still alive you can return it. But it'd be better to put it on now and make use of it. But it does appear as if the forge here has gone without use for sometime. Might as well look around a bit though. Maybe there are some clues."

I'll use detect magic and look around the place. Perception check of 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9.

You know, I've always wondered why pereception isn't a class skill for everyone.

"Fair enough. I'm still getting into the mercenary mindset it seems"

Torque dons the chainmail, stowing his leather armour in his back-pack

AC increases by 1. Torque is now moderately encumbered.

You guys check the stables next, but after a few minutes of searching, you don't see anything useful or interesting.

The final building is actually a small barracks, with a dozen bunks, some stools, and a pair of locked footlockers.

After finishing the magical detection Valen claps Torque on the shoulder. "Well, lucky you. The chainmail you picked up is magical. Should provide you with some extra protection. Let's see if we can't find anything special in here as well. Anyone good at opening locks?" With a wink to Gremm,"Besides you big guy. We wouldn't want to break what's inside."

Another Detect Magic and Perception check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12.

"Well, of course not," Gremm guffaws. "Pa got mighty angry the first few times I just kicked open a locked box. Said it damaged the goods."

I hope for a band of brothers, I dreaded a gang of bullies. What I didn't expect when signing up to this outfit was to be slapped on the sholder quite so much

Where any of the tools in the blacksmithy fit to be pressed into service as rudimentry thieve's tools? Even a set that gives a penalty to disable device checks would be better than nothing

"It would still be far more efficient than melting the locks."

Torque, thinking back to the forge, you recall that there's a hammer and some sort of spike that could be used to help pop the locks.

"I reckon I could get those open. There are tools back in the forge that might do the job. I'll be right back"

Torque leaves and crosses the courtyard again. As he goes he keep his eyes peeled for threats.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Assuming I don't get jumped by anything...

A minute later he returns with a hammer and a set of spikes. Sitting on the floor before one of the locked chests he begins to try the size of the spikes against the lock, occassionally tapping one with the hammer. After a full two minutes he seems to finish his calculations and taps one of the spikes firmly into the lock.

Taking 20 on disable device, for a total of 26 - penalty for inferior tools

Proffering the newly found quarterstaff,"Lady Acune, I believe this may be of some use to you. This staff is masterfully crafted and I believe it holds some magic to it. With it you should be able to increase your use and do more damage. It may prove useful."

Torque opens one of the footlockers and hold up the journel

"Ah ha! Looks like we've found a piece of this little puzzle"

He continues rummaging through the second footlocker for a few more moments and finds a leather purse. He tips the contents out.

"...and also more money than I have ever seen"

He looks at the pile of gold

"whoa"

Acune gives Valen a small bow, accepting the quarterstaff. "Thank you." She gives it an experimental twirl.

"Yip-yip. What's this?" Nine Tail lifts out the wooden mask to examine it.

Gremm quietly slips over to the first footlocker. He takes the medals and begins to quietly look them over.

"Anyone know what those medals are for? I can't even tell which nation they're from"

I'll use detect magic on the objects. Then Spellcraft to identify each of the liquids. White liquid 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10. Reddish Brown Liquid 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9. Black Liquid with Red swirls 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11. Bright Blue Liquid 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18.

"Here I will check each of these for any magical auras and see if I can't determine what each of these liquids are."

I really think the dice roller hates me.

Valen, it appears the bright blue potions can somehow enhance the ability of an Inquisitor, though you aren't sure how.

Also, the medals and wooden mask radiate magic.

Torque, you feel as though give time, you can figure out the exact properties of all the potions.

"Hmmm, each of the medals and mask carry some kind of magic to them. Might I take a look?"

I'm just gonna make one Spellcraft for all of them. Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Seriously? A 9?!? The dice roller hates me.

Acune keeps an eye on any entrances.

I'll take a 10 then. Still it's mildly ridiculous that I've really only ever rolled above a 12 twice with this thing. *grumble grumble*

Once Valen has identified the items, we all head for the main enterance to the keep.

"This looks to be where the action is. Perhaps we should check for other enterences before we barge straight in."

This thread looks to be coming to a halt. Is anyone else still checking it every day?

Torque, you're able to Identify the potion, while Valen can ID the other items. I'll get up a list later tonight

The massive front door is actually unlocked, which you all think is rather strange considering the prior security. Then the doors swing open on their own accord and you hear a hollow, cold voice "Welcome Iron Carnival, I have been expecting you. Please, come into the main hall and all will be revealed"

As the door swings open Valen's mouth opens in mild surprise. "Ummm, I don't know about the rest of you, but normally when doors open ominously and a creepy voice issues forth it's a bad thing." Valen whispers to the group.

"If there was a trap or ambush in there we wouldn't have been given the warning. It might be smart to put something in the doorway to stop it slamming shut behind us, but then I say we go right in and face whatever has ousted Grimatar."

Torque looks at the door for a few moments, then back to the group

"Gremm, Nine-tail, I've got your back"

"A good scout is a dead scout....never liked that phrase." Nine-Tail draws his sword and prepares his shield and walks into the room.

Acune follows, tense. "Is there any alternative to doing what the creepy voice asked? Any ideas?"

"Hitting it as hard and as fast as we can? And if that doesn't work turn around and make a tactical withdrawal?"

"I reckon it's some hedge-wizard squatter trying to scare us off. Door creaking open and a creepy voice? That sounds like a tale from a second rate bard."

Torque removes his back pack and places it in the doorway to stop the door from shutting. He then follows Nail-tail in, crossbow drawn.

Is there much light in the main hall?

As Nine-Tail pads in, he takes a careful look around.

Perception -> 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

As you all enter, you find yourselves in a grand foyer, though it is not overly decorative. There is a spiraling stairway off to the back right of the room, and two halls leading off to the left and right.

Once inside, you feel a gentle pull to the left, which you all follow. You make your way down a long corridor, with nothing special in it, other than some rather nice paintings of outdoor scenes.

At the end is a massive iron door way that opens to reveal a warmly furnished sitting room. Several bookshelves line the room, there's a fireplace in middle of the back wall and a few comfy chairs.

There's also some sort of ghostly apparition floating in the middle of the room "Greetings Iron Carnival, I am Lord Grimtaur. I thank you for accepting my invitation"

Acune bows politely.

"I take it you must be Lord Grimtaur. I'm Valen Morse and these are my traveling companions. The Lady Acune, follower of Desna, Nine-Tail, scout and swordsman extraordinaire, Torque Mitabu, artificer and tinker master, and last but not least, Hiros Gremm, strong man and purveyor of fatherly wisdom. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Although, I think I speak for us all when I say you're not what we expected.

"Too right Valen. My condolences, Lord. Thank-you for giving us an audience. We're here on behalf of the village a days travel to the west."

Nail-Tail shifts to the right of the room after entering giving the others room to enter and to spread out their forces in case of a trap.

At mention of his name he lifts up his mask and gives a an exaggerated bow. The mask is back in place as he straightens up.