Valkur's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Valkur

Notick had helped Ameiko back to the rest of the group by putting her arm over his shoulder. I think the confusion came in when Khrondak added his action. I'm assuming it happened before Notick had picked her up and carried her back, so that she could somewhat carry herself too.

Notick clears his throat, "Well... At least that explains the raided tomb, and the supposedly deceased daughter of the buried man."

I assumed everybody has moved back into the room with Tsuto.

The stunned Ameiko moves over to Tsuto, "Did you have father killed or did you do it?"

She cries out in rage and slaps her silent brother, "Tell me!"

Tsuto just looks at her, "I'm sorry it was all for my love, you should join us before it is too late."

He then looks at Midori, "He wouldn't go with the plan, so my love wanted him dead, of course I couldn't do it, so the goblins did, gladly."

"They don't really like longshanks."

Thaddeus is a little overwhelmed by everyone talking at once. He decides it will be easier to try and get everything settled, to better question the man at length.

"We have found Lady Kaijitsu, Tsuto, and sadly Lord Kaijitsu. We should retreat to the prison, so we can lock him up, and get her to safety. Lady Masaki, I am still fairly new here, remember I am a native Magnimaran. I think it best we get him somewhere and question him further. Maybe we can work on preparing the guard somewhat for an assault, and discover these smuggler tunnels. We cannot do much now with a prisoner and a ward under our care."

"Considering the broken bricks I saw down here, it's not a leap of faith to assume the smugglers' tunnels are down here on this level," Scoria comments, looking at the others, before procuring her rope, snapping it taut as she approaches Tsuto, going to restrain him as firmly as possible while keeping him with the capacity to walk. She also checks his person for any weapons or other devices he might be able to use to beat a hasty retreat.

"Sergeant, I am concerned. It seems that we are under threat by two fronts - whatever is lurking within the tunnels underneath here, and the goblins at Thistletop. We must determine the greater immediate threat to Sandpoint and deal with it as quickly as possible. For now though, you are correct. Let us lock this man up and then plan our course," The monk stated, strong arming Tsuto up to his feet, keeping a grip on him to lead him out of here.

Bel'Tanis looks gratefully at Ameiko, visibly relieved that she is well. After a moment though, some of Tsuto's words finally strike home.

"Nualia? Nualia is behind this? And you love her? A woman who would defile her father's corpse, ask you to murder yours, and slaughter the inhabitants of the town she grew up in?" His expression hardens as he regards Tsuto. "We're going to lock you up now, Tsuto. And then we're going to stop Nualia."

Notick would like to check the names in the letter with his knowledge checks. Not exactly sure which you would like me to roll to approach that information, as it could be very crucial to finding next steps/interrogation etc...

Tsuto looks sadly at Bel'Tanis, " Oh I love her so, Nualia is the best lover a man could have, she completes me. I will gladly face any punishment for her."

The entrance to the smuggler tunnel was located in the store room next to Tsuto's room.

Notick sure you can do a Knowledge Local for the names.

Bruthazmus, an infamous Bugbear Ranger Mercenary. Works as a bandit and works for the various goblin tribes. He hates elves.

Ripnugget, chief of the Thistletop goblins. It is widely believed he is the best goblin warrior in the region and utterly ruthless.

Nualia, nothing more than you already know.

Malfeshnekor, you are not sure who or what this is.

The Quasit, you are not sure who or what this is.

Forgot to do this before, but Perception check on Tsuto for any items or weapons of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"She... she told you to murder your father... and that completes you? Tsuto, are you mad?"
Is there a check we can make to see if Tsuto's under some kind of enchantment?

"He has to be. This whole thing is insane. Goblins, stolen bodies...this lover...

Midori is still stunned and confused. "I guess she's the daughter of the old priest, the one everyon said was dead?"

She turns and goes to Ameiko, hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Ameiko. I wish we could have arrived in time."

"What worries me most, is the passage that says 'We should get the Quasit's aid. Send her freaks up from below'. I haven't a clue who or what his Quasit is, as well as this Malfeshnekor... But they sound ominous."

He looks up as everyone begins speaking their worry. "Also... If you read the note thoroughly, he says something to the effect of 'Succubi are demons too, right?!'. I think it's safe to assume he may be under some sort of charm. I fear that he may have been used" he frowns at the realization.

"We don't have enough men to storm Thistletop", he says, pondering over Scoria's words, "thus, we should focus on the tunnels. If they are planning to use them for an invasion, we should probably collapse the passageways. They might already be there, though. Anyway, we should hurry."

Thaddeus nods, "I agree that these undercity tunnels should be our first priority. We should first deliver Lady Kaijitsu to safety, and Tsuto to a cold cell, then return immediately to investigate aforementioned tunnels." With this, he seems to actually be stating the action that will be taken, not quite his usual requesting or suggesting nature.

"We should, also, alert the head cleric about Tsuto. As I have said, there has to be something magically conflicting with his personality. We need him under watchful eyes."

Thaddeus nods respectively at Notick's suggestion, "That seems wise. As we deliver him to the cells, would you and Bel'Tanis be willing to see if you are able to request Father Zantus' presence?"

"Ameiko, what do you want to do? We're going to have to check this out, but also...arrangements...need to be made for Uncle. I assume you're the heir? Or..."

She looks oddly at Tsuto "is he?"

"Forgive me, as I am not vested in any kind of magical arts...but if this man," Scoria nods at the prisoner she is restraining, "Is under some kind of spell, would it not be a simple enough task to detect it? Or are you incapable of detecting magic?" She asks, looking at the spellcasters in the party.

"Good point, Scoria. I guess we've all been so -distracted- by what we found, none of us thought of it. Sir Pruitt, may I try? Or is there some legality we must follow first?"

Thaddeus forgets sometimes that the magic he wields is a little different than one would expect from his religious fervor. "That is a good idea, but I would presume that I may be the best one to do so. It is the very reason the robe was left to me to investigate, despite my lack of success in doing so." he adds as an afterthought, "Please, call me Thaddeus. I have not been granted any honorific title that would dub me as 'Sir'."

Focusing on the environs as well as Ameiko and Tsuto, he says a quick prayer "Lady of Glory, grant me the vision to see into your world of truth, guide me in discerning its auras."

Thaddeus will cast detect magic, and make a spellcraft check (+7) if he sees anything.

Khrondak looks at Scoria and replies "This kind of madness is far more often the result of ambition and selfishness than the product of magic." He approaches Tetsuo and, grabbing him by the collar, says angrily "Know I hold you responsible for your deeds, regardless of what Thaddeus finds out." With these words, he lets go of Tsuto and steps back, leaving Thaddeus free to scry for magic auras.

Bel'Tanis nods at Thaddeus' request then falls silent as he watches with interest as Tsuto is examined for magic. The already troubled aasimar is deeply unnerved by the revelations regarding Nualia but even more disturbing would be Tsuto's willing and willful participation in the atrocities thus far. Silently, he fears that Thaddeus will find no evidence of magic - indicating that Nualia's influence, and by extension perhaps his own, is simply that strong and compelling. The thought chills him.

Midori nods in agreement with Khrondak, though she does hope that Tsuto will prove to be controlled.

No magic aura's are present on Tsuto.

Tsuto looks around and the gathered group, "Do you think that just because you have caught me, you can stop what is motion. It is already to late. My lover will come and bring her vengeance to this town."

Scoria, Tsuto is carrying nothing of interest. He does have a few belongings in the room.

"Let's get him to the garrison."

Midori shudders, trying not to look at Tsuto.

"Should we all go? I'd rather stick with Ameiko for now. I'll take her to the cathedral and let Father Zanthus know what happened."

She looks at Ameiko, then at Thaddeus. "Should we have them collect Uncle, or do you need to examine the...area...first?"

Are you all going to the garrison? Do we need to RP that or just assume everybody is back in the tunnel, ready to continue?

Also advance your character to 2nd level

I'm cool with hand-waiving dropping Tsuto off at the garrison and just picking right back up here in the tunnels

I don't mind dropping Tsuto off in jail being skimmed over, though I feel of course that we should think to prepare a bit before attempting to go down the tunnels - we know that there's something down there, but we are unaware of what. We might benefit from asking people who might know who Malfeshnekor or a Quasit is. Unless someone else in the party has a knowledge check to make about it. Also YAY second level!

Later that afternoon

After securing Tsuto in the city jail and making sure Ameiko was okay, you return to the smuggler's tunnel under the Glassworks. You follow the tunnel quite a ways until you come upon a four way intersection. You can go straight ahead or go left or right.

Still shaken by the events so far, Midori joins the group in the smuggler's tunnel.

"So, where to?" she whispers as she examines the area for tracks.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Still shaken by the events so far, Midori joins the group in the smuggler's tunnel.

"So, where to?" she whispers as she examines the area for tracks.

[dice=Perception]1d20+7

Re: Survial check, not Perception...OK, she's looking for general clues!

Despite the frequent disagreement with his decisions, Thaddeus offers his call to what he thinks to be the best course of action. "I would suggest we scout each passage a brief distance before we commit to any of them. I recommend our quietest two make short trips down each tunnel and report back. What say you to no more than about twenty paces?"

About 60' still within Darkvision range of the group

Scoria nods at Thaddeus' suggestion, the monk looking at all of the different pathways, before choosing to scout out the left tunnel for the moment, slowly making her way down, keeping quiet and looking for anything dangerous.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Not her stealthiest, but at least she'll probably spot any danger before running head first into it.

Notick shrugs at Thaddeus as Scoria takes a route, he decides to draw his sword just in-case something sudden comes up. He leans against a nearby wall, resting the tip of his blade against the ground, palming the pommel of his weapon and balancing it as he closes his eyes and tries his best to listen to the surrounding environment.

Your looking about the tunnel for clues finds no traces of tracks.

I'm ruling you could use perception to find tracks, but indeed you would need survival to follow them. I find it strange myself that if perception is used to notice things, then why wouldn't notice tracks. :)

Scoria you advance down the left tunnel for about 40' until it ends abruptly collapsed into rubble. The rubble completely blocks the tunnel.

Valkur, how do you wanna do HP?! We'z be askin' in the OOC channel!

Scoria returns swiftly enough to report on the situation to the others. "The route is blocked by rubble - it appears that the tunnel collapsed there. We will need to proceed along one of the other routes. I will check one of the other tunnels now."

The monk goes down the center tunnel now, slow and careful, trying to make as little noise as possible while using her darkvision to its best strength.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Do you want backup?"

Scoria, you continue down the center passage for well over 100'. The passage continues to the extent of your vision.

Scoria returns to the group after determining the path is longer than she feels comfortable with exploring without backup, reporting to Thaddeus and the others. "This tunnel goes on for a long way. It may be the best route forward - I did not see any traps or creatures," She comments to them. "If you wish, I will be the forward scout while you all stay back just a bit - I will report back if I come across a barrier or anything of interest."

Don't forget the right tunnel, still got one more to check out.

In-character communication FTW! :P

"Perhaps you should check the other tunnel first? He stands back upright, palm still upon the pommel of his sword. He hooks his thumb towards the tunnel to the right with his free hand, pointing to the right, unexplored tunnel. "Never know, might find something of interest that-a-way too."

Scoria nods at them both. "As you command, sergeant."

She'll head down that way quietly, looking for anything of interest without giving herself away to any potential enemies.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Midori remains calm but alert, waiting for Scoria's report.

The right passage curves gently to the north. The tunnel continues as far as you can see. However there appears to be a side passage 30' from you current position. And 10' from you you find that this passage had been bricked up to seal of the passage at one time.

"Hmmm... once sealed but now reopened? Perhaps this is the direction we should go."

Scoria goes back to report her findings. "It appears that the right passage was once bricked up as well...I believe that it must be the way towards whatever lurks within these tunnels. Please follow, but keep your distance - your light sources are quite a giveaway." She informs them, deciding to keep ahead of the group by 30 feet - hopefully still in darkness.

When she gets to the side passage, she pauses and keeps close to the wall, peeking around the corner inside to see if there is anything lurking around, while keeping herself as hidden as possible - becoming one with the stone, as she would put it.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Perception, Darkvision 60ft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Khrondak stands patiently in place, waiting for Thaddeus to decide on a course of action.

Thaddeus waits, confused by why some are still standing at the intersection, before he realizes that others are waiting for him. "The Stonemason's thinking is sound. This recently unbricked passage may implicate the path traveled by the goblins. She has already taken the lead, and it is wise to keep our lights at bay. After her requested distance, I would suggest Iron-Forged and Bel'Tanis be next. Then Notick and myself, followed by Lady Masaki."

Midori nods, then says "That makes sense. Also, call me Midori."

She falls into her place in the formation.

Bel'Tanis offers Midori a bright and easy smile as he sidles past her, relief that Ameiko was alright still plainly evident in his face. He nods respectfully to Notick and then to Thaddeus in turn before coming up alongside Iron Forged. He claps the Shoanti on the shoulder, grins, then turns to follow Scoria.