Ikshvaku "Vak" Charayana |
The dice module hates you, Mai. I suggest you use a mythic surge or two.
Aid Another on Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
The dice module doesn't think very much of me, either. Fibek, you got anything?
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Meanwhile, at the Singing Frog,
In conversation with the bard, he will buy her a drink and casually probe her for information/rumors of a local sort (especially of any banditry-along-the-roads type).
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
The_Ninja_DM |
Mai/Vak/Fibek: You learn that the magical traps/wards on the book were guarded with passwords, which the thief somehow learned, but failed to discover the mechanical trap until too late.
Alfric: Ceara is happy to share her theory with you.
"I have researched the legends of this Ranulfr the White. His name means 'White Plundering Wolf' by the way, so I suspect it's an alias." here she pauses to look around, then continues "He's always been described as having pale gray skin, pure white hair, and milky blue eyes...and he never seemed to show any aging. *I* think he's a dampir. That would explain a lot, especially why he's still around."
Ikshvaku "Vak" Charayana |
"The book is a treatise on fey magic, I believe. It has value due to its rarity, at the least." For anything else, it's probably easier for you to look back at the previous posts about it and assume that Ikshvaku shares all he knows.
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Meanwhile, at the Singing Frog,
Sir Alfric buys Ceara another drink.
"So this famous bandit, Ranulfr the White, you think he's a dhampyr? How long has he been plaguing the roads hereabouts?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
The_Ninja_DM |
"If it's the same person and not someone trading on the name...around 50 years or so. He seemed to slow down and eventually just vanish 25 years or so ago, about the same time Brinewall was destroyed. Recently, however, he's returned. The description matches, the tactics match, I think it's the same man. Given everything, him being a dhampyr fits."
She shrugs, then smiles at Sir Alfric. "So, that's my news and views. Tell me about yourself. What brings you to Galduria?"
Fibek Entine |
per: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
The alert elf looks for clues. Although he uses magic, he hasn't studied much formally. With his heart set on the ranger lady, he doesn't think magic knowledge will impress her much.
He does see this as a perfect opportunity to show Shalelu how to use the magnifying glass he gave her as a present.
"Look how easy it is spot clues with this!"
Add +2 if he gets to use the magnifying glass he gave Shalelu as a present.
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Meanwhile, at the Singing Frog...
"So, that's my news and views. Tell me about yourself. What brings you to Galduria?
Sir Alfric takes a sip of wine.
"Well then, I am Sir Alfric, Knight of the Shield. I ride as a guard for Milord Sandru and his caravan..."The_Ninja_DM |
@Sir Alfric: "Sandru Vhiski? Now that is a nice recommendation. Where's he headed this time? I thought he might be resting for the end of traveling season."
@Mai, Vak, & Fibec: After Mai heads off with Vak, the others head back to the caravan. Meanwhile, you do discover what seems to be a spot where someone small was hiding out, seemingly to watch the spot where the book once sat. On the wall beside the spot is a small smear of a sticky amber substance which Fibec recognizes as gum arabic.
@Braydon: Not long after the gnome arrives, Shalelu, Koya, and Ameiko arrive back at the caravan. Sandru pulls Ameiko aside to discuss adding the gnome to the crew. meanwhile, the gnome approaches you and strikes up a conversation "Hi. My name's Vaylenchek. Nice to meet you. Say, who's the Tian? I thought the Varisian was in charge here." He looks you over. "You don't look like you're from around here either. What's it like, being a part of this caravan? Are they nice folks? Where are they headed?"
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Meanwhile, at the Singing Frog...
"Hm, Northwards I think. You should talk to Sandru about itinerary and schedules and such."
He arches an eyebrow.
"Why? Thinking of signing on?"
Ikshvaku "Vak" Charayana |
"Someone short and stealthy, it seems."
Ikshvaku looks for one of the staff, preferably an older and more knowledgeable one. "Excuse me, but do you know what gum arabic might be used for? Besides in painting, of course."
The_Ninja_DM |
Vak: The professor you approach says "Gum arabic? it's used as a spell component in several spells." He turns to a group of students he seems to be guiding and says "How many of you can say just which spells use gum arabic?"
After a brief discussion you get some answers: Gum arabic is used in the following 4 spells, at a minimum; sequester, disguise wounds, invisibility, and polymorph any object.
Fibek: Shalelu looks interested, but comments "I doubt goblins are involved. I don't see how they could sneak into one of the most prestigious magic academies in Varisia, just to steal a book on magic when they're known to believe writing steals words from your mind, and -more practically- do no other damage. If goblins were involved, I think it's more likely we'd see the library having been set on fire. There are quite a few other small races that are far more likely to be involved. For that matter, if it concerns fey magic, I'd suspect fey involvement."
Also, there were no tracks, the size theory is based on the spot the thief seems to have been hiding. If there had been tracks, the local authorities would have already been following them.
Ikshvaku "Vak" Charayana |
Ikshvaku bows to the professor. "Thank you, sir." Then gives a courteous nod to the students. "And my thanks to you, as well." He returns to Mai with the information. "Invisibility would seem to be the most likely, yes?"
The_Ninja_DM |
Those of you doing the investigating:
@Sir Alfric: The young red-head shrugs. "I am interested in traveling a bit more, and Sandru has a good reputation for maintaining the safety of his crew and passengers." She chuckles and winks. "Besides, he's kinda cute, too."
Braydon Chem |
To Vaylenchek: "My..my name's Braydon. I'm..kind of..a cook. For the caravan. And..an escaped..cloistered priest. Long story."
Braydon looks the new arrival up and down, while drinking in his scent.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Sense motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
For later..
"Vaylenchek..so..what is it..you do? Trader? I..hadn't thought..gnomes a..wandering race."
The_Ninja_DM |
@Braydon: The strange gnome seems rather nervous to your enhanced senses.
"We're all as different as you big folk. Also...we do need to keep having experiences, excitement...something about this world drains us in a way the First World does not."
@investigating group: You can head back to the caravanserai and start looking around there.
@Sir Alfric: do you want to escort your new friend to Sandru?
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Certainly.
Sir Alfric nodded.
"Well then. I am about to return to the caravan for the evening. If you like, you can accompany me and I can introduce you to Lord Sandru."
Sir Alfric, The Green Knight |
Sir Alfric knocked on the tent support.
"My lord Sandru. May I present Miss Ceara; a magnificent musician who desires to travel with us."
He nods at Ceara.
NPC_Sandru |
"Welcone. What can I do for you, Miss Ceara?"
Before she can answer, though, there is a commotion outside, from one of the nearby caravans.
A young woman, accompanied by a half-elven male dressed as a university guard, is in a loud argument with the leader of second the caravan to your left. The leader appears to be highly insulted by whatever she has said, but after a few moments he allows the two to examine his wagons, loudly proclaiming his innocence to all the gods. From the pair's actions after the search, he does seem to be innocent, of whatever they were accusing him of, at least.
The pair moves on to the next caravan, seemingly intent on searching all of them.
"Now, what is THAT all about?" wonders Sandru.