WotW: A Knot of Thorns The Second Parchment

Game Master Xzaral

I did check

I know, it's just a reminder for the GM. Gwyn has a STR 10, so a composite bow (str>=1) is getting her a -4 penalty. Sorry if that came off as ass-ish

No, nothing so fancy as that. Just a simple, well made composite longbow.

"Well something along those lines I can help provide for, I do believe."

A normal composite (str+0) bow is readily available in town for the normal book price.

Fargo Drinog wrote:

I did check

I know, it's just a reminder for the GM. Gwyn has a STR 10, so a composite bow (str>=1) is getting her a -4 penalty. Sorry if that came off as ass-ish

Bad rogue! You're supposed to be ass-ish, not just sounding like one! Where's all the stealing from the party you're supposed to be doing?

When said party is he only reason she's still alive, they tend to not be high on the list of people to rob. Also, Gwyn is a high-class thief. If she's going to rob someone, it needs to be with grace and style. Robbing nobles is classy, stealing from your allies, not so much. Besides, I think Gwyn is physically the weakest one here, if it comes down to a fight between her and anyone else in the party, she's dead.

~ At the Fortress ~

The gates of the fortress stand open, 2 guards standing watch. As they see Milla approach, 1 of them comes forward while the other calls back inside. "Miss, what are you doing hauling that heavy thing up here?" He takes the heavy sledge from Milla while another soldier comes up and assists the young woman.

Milla catches her breath and is in the midst of answering, "I'm Mi..." when the soldier takes the sledge, "Oh! I can do that, noble sir! You've duties enough here! I wouldn't want..." she looks embarrassed and overwhelmed at the help but doesn't stop them.

"You should come inside and rest for a moment. We'll get you some water, then you can tell us what you're doing up here with that thing." The soldiers bring you inside the fortress itself.

"Perhaps just a little water, sir. I've only come from the town hard-by to... OH!" She cranes her neck and her eyes go big as saucers when she sees the drawbridge. She hesitates at the entrance to the kitchen and draws closer to the guard, gawking at the portal to the wild lands beyond. She says with wonder, "Is.. is that the other side? Where so many dangers lie in wait? Are we safe here to leave it open? You must be brave warriors to stand so close to it!"

Price glances around the hall briefly - checking for arrow and ceiling slits to determine if this is a true murderhole - before allowing herself to be led into the kitchen, somewhat clinging to the guard's arm. All the way, she is locking away information in her head - the room locations, doors, distance between the fort and the drawspan, the rough height of the drawspan, the location of the winch that must move it, height of the fortress itself, number of guards, where they came from, armaments, wedding rings, etc.

The guard lead you to the second door on the right, bringing you through a kitchen where you are given a glass of water. "Don't worry about your gear there, they'll keep an eye on it for you. Did you need something to eat, since we're already here?" You are lead to a dining area used by the soldiers.

Milla doesn't have to fake her hunger after the purposefully skimpy breakfast. She places her glass on the edge of the table and sits down, facing the guard. A long and longing sideways glance takes in the food on the table and she places a hand over her stomach trying to quell any gurgling it might be making. "Oh, no, Captain. I shouldn't trouble you more than I already have. The water is enough and a great kindness. I can't take food from the mouths of the men defending me..." Hunger vies with propriety. Milla gives the guard a shy smile, "Perhaps just a bit of bread with butter wouldn't be a sin." She takes a small roll, breaks it delicately in her lap and gives it the barest slap of butter. When she puts a bit in her mouth, her pleasure isn't feigned. She polishes off most of the roll in short order and wraps the remaining chunk in a kerchief for later.

"Gods bless you for your kindness, Captain. I'm sorry to take you from your duties. I'm Milla Odenbrand. I'm... I was a seamstress. I've come into possession of those bits of armor that you saw on my sledge and I'm hoping to sell them. Master Lucan in town said that Miss Brie might buy them but I arrived at her shop too early this morning so I thought perhaps you worthy men could put them to honorable use?" She takes a quick swallow from her drink, nervous now that her pitch is out there. "If they are the right sort of armor."

Bluff 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

So is the dining area a separate room off the kitchen?

Excellent. If you can procure the bow and have the quiver made, I can put that little decibel behind me. Now, you say that you are interested in Mithril. I have some with me, though not in the usual form. Abel if you please Bis'marek gestures to Cain and one of the sacks he holds.

Excellent. If you can procure the bow and have the quiver made, I can put that little decibel behind me. Now, you say that you are interested in Mithril. I have some with me, though not in the usual form. Abel if you please Bis'marek gestures to Cain and one of the sacks he holds.

Just a reminder, those snakes aren't with you if I recall correctly. Brother Locke has them.

Thats right. Thank you. If I may, can we recon then to just telling him I have Mithril cobras available for purchase.

"Perhaps just a little water, sir. I've only come from the town hard-by to... OH!" She cranes her neck and her eyes go big as saucers when she sees the drawbridge. She hesitates at the entrance to the kitchen and draws closer to the guard, gawking at the portal to the wild lands beyond. She says with wonder, "Is.. is that the other side? Where so many dangers lie in wait? Are we safe here to leave it open? You must be brave warriors to stand so close to it!"

The soldiers smile at that. "Not at all. With the drawspan raised, there's not much chance of them getting across that chasm. And that's if they managed to breach the gatehouse in the first place."

Milla doesn't have to fake her hunger after the purposefully skimpy breakfast. She places her glass on the edge of the table and sits down, facing the guard. A long and longing sideways glance takes in the food on the table and she places a hand over her stomach trying to quell any gurgling it might be making. "Oh, no, Captain. I shouldn't trouble you more than I already have. The water is enough and a great kindness. I can't take food from the mouths of the men defending me..." Hunger vies with propriety. Milla gives the guard a shy smile, "Perhaps just a bit of bread with butter wouldn't be a sin." She takes a small roll, breaks it delicately in her lap and gives it the barest slap of butter. When she puts a bit in her mouth, her pleasure isn't feigned. She polishes off most of the roll in short order and wraps the remaining chunk in a kerchief for later.

"Gods bless you for your kindness, Captain. I'm sorry to take you from your duties. I'm Milla Odenbrand. I'm... I was a seamstress. I've come into possession of those bits of armor that you saw on my sledge and I'm hoping to sell them. Master Lucan in town said that Miss Brie might buy them but I arrived at her shop too early this morning so I thought perhaps you worthy men could put them to honorable use?" She takes a quick swallow from her drink, nervous now that her pitch is out there. "If they are the right sort of armor."

"Please, Miss Odenbrand. I'm no captain, just a common soldier. You can call me Baudwin. That there's Cullan and he's Dai. We're just common soldiery. We can always bring it up to one of the Captains, not sure what they'll say though." They seem hesitant, though they still attempt to cheer up the former seamstress.

While the soldiers attempt to cheer Milla up while she eats, another man enters the room, the first to draw Milla's attention outside the normal soldiery. Not quite middle age, yet balding on top, a tabard to the dawnflower adorns his chest over the well crafted and well used breastplate he wears. He moves into the room, easily speaking with the men as he moves about, talking with each and giving a friendly few words. Eventually he notices Milla amidst the soldiers and comes over to introduce himself. "Greetings miss, I am Father Donnagin, the chaplain here at Balentyne. What brings you about, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"

~ At the Fortress ~

The soldiers smile at that. "Not at all. With the drawspan raised, there's not much chance of them getting across that chasm. And that's if they managed to breach the gatehouse in the first place."

Milla looks relieved.

"Please, Miss Odenbrand. I'm no captain, just a common soldier. You can call me Baudwin. That there's Cullan and he's Dai. We're just common soldiery. We can always bring it up to one of the Captains, not sure what they'll say though." They seem hesitant, though they still attempt to cheer up the former seamstress.

She smiles and shakes her head, "Just 'Milla', please... gentlemen. You've helped me in a time of need and I'm in your debt. It doesn't feel right for you to call me 'Miss' anything. I'm not a high-turned lady."

While the soldiers attempt to cheer Milla up while she eats, another man enters the room, the first to draw Milla's attention outside the normal soldiery. Not quite middle age, yet balding on top, a tabard to the dawnflower adorns his chest over the well crafted and well used breastplate he wears. He moves into the room, easily speaking with the men as he moves about, talking with each and giving a friendly few words. Eventually he notices Milla amidst the soldiers and comes over to introduce himself. "Greetings miss, I am Father Donnagin, the chaplain here at Balentyne. What brings you about, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"

What Price's occult senses tell her is more than enough fuel to spur her reaction, even if it weren't 'in character' for Milla. She lurches up from the chair at the Priest's words so quickly that her kerchief and crust of bread shoots from her lap and bounce onto the floor. She manages to look nervous, embarrassed, and confused as to whether she should retrieve the errant roll or address the Father first. "Oh! Oh!" Her eyes shift from the Priest to the bread and back again, her cheeks coloring in embarrassment. She quickly ducks her head to the Father and genuflects while trying to retrieve the roll. She stammers, entirely too quickly "Your pardon, Father, your pardon! I... I've made a mess of things. I'm Milla. I've just come from town and these goodly men - Baudwin, Cullan, and Dai - saw I was tired and gave me a drink and watched over me while I recovered. I was just asking them... I'm here to see... if the soldiers have need of some suits of armor that I've brought."

Thats right. Thank you. If I may, can we recon then to just telling him I have Mithril cobras available for purchase.

That's fine to retcon, Fargo.

Father Donnagin smiles as Milla explains herself, speaking slowly and calmly as she finishes, "Worry not, my dear. You are among friends here. Though I do need to remind these soldiers that Lord Havelyn would not be happy if he were to discover this little incident." Father Donnagin takes a nearby seat, asking Baudwin to fetch him a glass of water.

"So you say you've come bearing armor to our little keep here, hmm? Perhaps we'll go look at what you brought, but while you recover why don't you tell me more about this armor, and where you got it from?"

Abell leans against a near-by cabinet full of ... well ... Abell's not really sure. He's never been more happy than right now that he never picked up an honest trade.

Still waiting on midnight to come.

Sorry for the belated posts - work and life have been slamming.

~ At the Fortress ~

Price almost misses the Priest's subtle, appraising look...

Milla's eyes well up and overflow. She is a portrait of shame, sitting on the floor and wringing her hands in her lap. "Oh, Father, I'm ashamed to say. My Da was a ruffian and some say..." she gulps on her tears and can no longer look at the Priest - so deep is her shame, "worse. Before he died - Gods forgive him - he drank me out of my livelihood and home. I'm not a fine woman, Father, I know that... but I've never fallen into bad ways like him. Gods as my witness, I haven't! I've lived by the prick of my fingers as a seamstress, Father. It's not much but it's honest work. But when he died, this is what came to me - some armor and some weapons. I'm hoping to sell them here to get back on my feet. No one in my village would touch them knowing their tainted past."

She sniffles and wipes her eyes, before continuing. "Master Lucan was kind enough to buy the swords and such. He said Miss Brie might be interested in the armor... but I got to her store too early this morn. I thought maybe the brave men here might be able to put them to good use... poor payment against my father's misdeeds. So, I brought them."

She wipes her eyes, shakes off the sad tale, and rallies herself, looking at the brave men who defend her with a bit of awe. "I'm sorry that I sullied your goodly fortress with my disgrace... And, had I more wits than a door-mouse, I'd have seen before now that you all wear fine metal armor and mine are simple leather." She shares a small, wistful smile of thanks with the soldiers, "Noble gentlemen that they are, I think Masters Baudwin, Cullan, and Dai have been trying to spare me that truth."

Sense Motive v DC17 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Bluff (if needed) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

nice bluff

Given I'm hip-deep in armed and armored soldiery and a cleric who is bleeping my Detect Alignment (call him 5th to 10th level)... I'm glad I didn't choke that roll. :)

Seriously. Talk about clutch!

I gotta say, I must have an illness... because I am having WAY too much fun hanging Price this far out over the abyss and praying my rolls don't fail at a crucial moment. I've even been running through 'what if' scenarios - figuring out what my play is IF I get discovered and how to avoid screwing up the mission in that event. :D I'm genuinely nervous for my character - and that doesn't happen too often.

Don't worry. If you blow it they won't kill you. They'll want information, and a trial and all that slow goodie-goodie nonsense. If you go missing, I have a couple contingency plans of varying degrees of messiness.

I only request that your plans have a 'Cain gets to cut a fool' clause.

The soldiers all turn away as Milla tells her story, guilt crossing their faces. But Father Donnigan watches Milla, his face unreadable. When she finishes, he rests a hand on her shoulder, "In my duties, I have heard many tells of wrongs wrought upon daughters by the father. Perhaps it would be best for you to elaborate on your tale. Who was your father, where was it you grew up? Where did you actually get those weapons? Let your lips tell truth and their can be forgiveness."

I never had a chance to chat you with about this Mark but here was my general notion when I concocted the "Dad and Armor" story. Price would pick a small village she's visited that is a bit over a week away from the border. My reason for that was to ensure that the village was small enough that most people wouldn't know any of the 'local color' and far enough away that (a) no one in Aldencross is likely to have come from there or visited and (b) verifying any story would take time.
Assuming you are good with that, I'll toss out a fictitious father's name and a real town name.

Milla looks bereft and confused... emotions Price isn't entirely faking. "Father, have I done wrong? I didn't mean any offense bringing that armor here... My Da's name is was Orl. Orl Odenbrand from the village of Sligo, hard by the Jaqwin Woods. He wasn't a man of letters but he had a book he kept. Just a small, black thing. After he passed, I was putting away his things and found it. I thought I might be able to sell it but it wasn't a reading book. It was like a diary - mostly pictures he'd drawn and scribbles. Some were pictures of ladies..." Milla looks embarrassed and changes the subject hastily, "But one page looked like a map of Sligo and the parts thereabouts and marked a few spots. Maybe I was wrong to do it, but I had to look, Father. I found the spots on the map and dug around. Some spots... there was nothing there. Maybe my father had taken whatever was hidden there and drank it away. But I found the armor and weapons wrapped in waxed canvases in one spot. It's my only inheritance. I don't know how he got them or bought them. Maybe I'm no better for trying to sell them now... I just want to be a seamstress again. Did... did I do wrong?"

The three soldiers all chip in on Milla's behalf, "C'mon Father, surly you cannot expect someone like her of any misdeeds. Not after what she's been through. Surly Lord Havelyn could do something for her."

The priest listens to the soldiers words, his face softening as they each speak. "It is truly a gift for the three of you to offer such encouragement to the downtrodden. Compassion for others is often lacking in the soldiery, their training focused on the taking of lives, not the saving. But I'm afraid it would seem you all must learn when to offer the proper compassion that is needed." He turns to Milla as he continues, his face still quite fatherly.

"I find that I do not truly believe the words you have spoken to me. While I have not met the mayor of Sligo, I do correspond Sister Daphne from nearby. I will send her a letter to confirm what you have said. Meanwhile I'm afraid I must ask that you leave the armors you have brought in our care until we can verify your story. Do not worry, they will be kept safe, and if you speak truly you shall be reimbursed for them."

"But do not let it be said we are without compassion. You say you just wish to be a seamstress? Well there is much that must be done here in Balentyne. If I'm not mistaken, Mama Guisseppe should be here around noon time. I do believe she has a small room that she will allow you to stay. During the day you can help here. You of course will be offered a wage for your work in addition to covering your living expenses. And if you do your job well, I'm sure Lord Havelyn will keep you on even afterward. How does that sound, Miss Odenbrand?"

~ At the Fortress ~

The three soldiers all chip in on Milla's behalf, "C'mon Father, surely you cannot expect someone like her of any misdeeds. Not after what she's been through. Surely Lord Havelyn could do something for her."

Not feigning the relief on her face, Milla casts grateful eyes on her 'defenders'.... while Price boils at her own stupidity. She was a good liar, hell, she was a brilliant liar, but she had underestimated this Priest. He was very, VERY good and the Lord of this pile of stone might be better still. Worse, she had had a way to ensure she spoke the literal truth but hadn't done it - so sure she was of her skills. You f@c<ing idiot. This is how you get torched for heresy. Asmodeus doesn't reward coming in second or 'good tries'...

The priest listens to the soldiers' words, his face softening as they each speak. "It is truly a gift for the three of you to offer such encouragement to the downtrodden. Compassion for others is often lacking in the soldiery, their training focused on the taking of lives, not the saving. But I'm afraid it would seem you all must learn when to offer the proper compassion that is needed." He turns to Milla as he continues, his face still quite fatherly.

Milla puts a light hand on Baudwin's arm, staying any further comment he might make and shakes her head - doubling down on her perfidy with the truth. "The good Father is right. You are kindly, generous, men but there is badness in the world and you must be wary of it."

"I find that I do not truly believe the words you have spoken to me. While I have not met the mayor of Sligo, I do correspond Sister Daphne from nearby. I will send her a letter to confirm what you have said. Meanwhile I'm afraid I must ask that you leave the armors you have brought in our care until we can verify your story. Do not worry, they will be kept safe, and if you speak truly you shall be reimbursed for them."

Milla quails at the Priest's rebuke but gives him a moist-eyed but determined nod. "Please write the goodly Sister, Father - she'll learn the truth behind my words. And take the armor with my good wishes, I don't doubt it will be safer here than anywhere else. I would it had never come to me in the first place."

All that is entirely true. The armor is a PITA complication. :)

"But do not let it be said we are without compassion. You say you just wish to be a seamstress? Well there is much that must be done here in Balentyne. If I'm not mistaken, Mama Guisseppe should be here around noon time. I do believe she has a small room that she will allow you to stay. During the day you can help here. You of course will be offered a wage for your work in addition to covering your living expenses. And if you do your job well, I'm sure Lord Havelyn will keep you on even afterward. How does that sound, Miss Odenbrand?"

For the record, Price actually does enjoy being a seamstress. Even sociopaths have hobbies. :P

Milla perks up at the offer. "Thank you, Father! Of course, I'll take the work... and possibly a bed too? Your kindness is..." Milla finds herself at a loss for words, "Thank you. I'm a very good seamstress and I work hard, you'll see. Please call me Milla." She looks around her new place of employment, and casts a professional eye at the condition of the clothes the soldiers are wearing, pointing out frayed areas that need repair, getting hen-ish with Baudwin, Cullan, and Dai. "What ripped this? A griffon? I'll be happy to fix that for you when you are off duty. If I can scrounge up some thread, I'll need just a few minutes."

She turns to the Priest sheepishly, not wishing to tax his patience (or garner his continued observance). "Father, I'm happy to darn or wash whatever needs darning or washing here but... I'm a seamstress. I make clothing - shirts, dresses, pants, things like that. Are there any ladies hereabout that could use my services... taking in a dress or making them a new frock? Do you or the Lord or his Lady need anything special? I'd like to prove my worth."

Profession: Seamstress 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

The priest gives Milla's shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze as he continues. "Do not worry. We prefer to have talent perform where best able. If you would take a day or two to help with some of the fortress's needs first, I will put in a few words with Mama Guiseppe, as well as some of the married soldiers, letting them know you are interested in work. If your work is of quality, I believe even Captain Mott's wife may be interested."

At the mention of the Captain's wife, Dai suddenly chirps up, "Just make sure it's plenty low-cut!" which earns him a slap to his head from Cullen and a reprimanding look from Father Donnagin.

"You should hope your words don't make their way back to Franz. I doubt even I would be able to stay his hand in such a case, and I'd be liable to leave a couple bones broken as a lesson to you." Despite the nature of his words, he still smiles as he speaks, putting the men at ease.

"Now Milla, if there will be nothing else, I will be returning to my duties. You will be allowed free run of the town, and you are not a prisoner here, so you are under no obligation to stay. But if you wish to be paid, please arrive at sun up tomorrow with the other servants from the town. I shall have Baudwin show you the servants areas, as well as what will be off limits to you, while Dai prepares for his journey tomorrow." Dai looks confused for a moment before Donnagin continues, "It will of course be a penance for your ill thoughts, as well as a chance to escape Franz's anger should he hear your words through rumor. If you need anything else, please feel free to ask for me."

~ At the Fortress ~

The priest gives Milla's shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze as he continues. "Do not worry. We prefer to have talent perform where best able. If you would take a day or two to help with some of the fortress's needs first, I will put in a few words with Mama Guiseppe, as well as some of the married soldiers, letting them know you are interested in work. If your work is of quality, I believe even Captain Mott's wife may be interested."

Milla's eye light up at the possible opportunity for more work (and more time around the keep). "Thank you, Father! I'll do as you have bidden."

"Now Milla, if there will be nothing else, I will be returning to my duties. You will be allowed free run of the town, and you are not a prisoner here, so you are under no obligation to stay. But if you wish to be paid, please arrive at sun up tomorrow with the other servants from the town."

Milla looks incredulous at the idea of her skipping town and replies with determination. "Father, I'm trying to get back to my livelihood. Gods' willing, my work will impress you and you'll want me to stay. And maybe, someday, I'll be able to afford to open up a shop again. If Mistress Guiseppe doesn't have a room for me, I'll be here bright and early on the morrow - you can count on it."

"I shall have Baudwin show you the servants areas, as well as what will be off limits to you, while Dai prepares for his journey tomorrow...If you need anything else, please feel free to ask for me."

"Thank you again, Father. I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time. Master Baudwin, would it inconvenience you to show me about the castle now?"

I'm happy to fast-forward as much as you'd like, Mark. Basically, Price wants to get a map of the layout, hopefully get a gander over the wall and identify the bridge controls, get a handle on the players in the castle, etc. As her 'hero/defender' she will be cozying up to and impressed with Baudwin in a somewhat chaste fashion. If she can finagle a walk out to the bridge with him - titillated by the danger on the other side - even better and she'll be fascinated by anything he tells her about Captain Mott's wife and the other 'gossip' around the castle.

Per the Priest's instructions, she will meet with Guiseppe around noon and see if there are quarters available. Either way, towards evening, she will return to town to either go back to her room or pick up her effects and return to the castle. In that case, Milla will find the two bucklers she 'accidentally lost' and return them to the Castle. She will turn them in to the guards to be stored with the other 'questionable goods' and hope that her honesty is mentioned to the good Father. >:)

On the way to, from, and while in town, she'll be covertly watching for tails and observers. She will make a point of meeting with the great merchant Bis'marek to thank him for his protection on their shared journey and to tell him of the wonderful opportunity she found. After that, she'll have a meager dinner and retire to her room to gather her belongings, etc. and hope someone from the team sneaks up to make contact.

All righty, fast post quickly before bed.

Baudwin leads Milla throughout various areas of the fort, omitting certain areas where she will not be allowed.

Map of Balenyne

In the interest of keeping this short, I'll just post short room descriptions and what Milla can find out.

More to come shortly

Price's studies also determines that each of the four Captain's practice a particular style of fighting emulated by their men.

Captain Mott and his Halberdiers

Captain Eddarly and his Archers/Siege experts

Captain Varning and his Rangers

Captain Barhold and his Infantry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mama Guiseppe arrives about noon with a huge pot of beef stew for the soldiers of Balentyne. A strong armed woman, she has little effort handling the huge pot she brings, nor the guards as they nearly struggle to be first awaiting a bowl. Father Donnagin makes a reappearance around this time, introducing the two of you. It seems her two sons used to serve in the guard but have since moved on. Mama Guiseppe started this tradition while they served, and has simply continued it since, coming every Moonday to deliver a big pot of Beef Stew to all the soldiers.

Mama Guiseppe is indeed a friendly woman, and while getting on in the years has still maintained a fit physique. She eagerly greets Milla, offering her son Todd's old room to her during her stay. Her rules are simple, no men in the house after dark (it not being proper for a young lady), you help out as needed, and stay on your best behavior while staying there.

You learn that Captain's Mott wife, Kaitlyn, is the most beautiful woman in town, a strange match to the dour Captain Mott. The Captain is highly focused on pursuing his military career and the two are rarely seen together, which Baudwin finds just sad considering her beauty.

Milla has no issues making it back to the Inn to get her belongings and speaking with Bis'marek.

Back at the Inn, Father Locke was quite ill. He mostly sent his disciple out for the things he needed and stayed cooped up in their room. Many apologies were made, and some additional coins were given to the innkeeper for his trouble. They were assured it was nothing serious or contagious, and would hopefully pass soon.

And under that guise, Xanos worked. he was tireless, driven and utterly focused on the tasks at hand.

It was exhilarating. Never before had he needed to put such effort into his works. The magic of a sorcerer is practically effortless. There was a certain amount of hubris inherent in that. He had always disdained wizards for their lack of natural talent.

Now he understood. It was the work that made it worthwhile. Effortlessness bred laziness. He was as guilty of that as any, but now he would atone.

His allies were gathering intelligence and laying the necessary groundwork. That gave him a great deal of time.

Which, he learned, was the most valuable and dangerous thing anyone could ever give a wizard.

As the eve of Balantine's destruction closed, Xanos passed Shulme a vial of something nearly tasteless, quite potent, and terrible.

"For Miss Price. To season the soldier's stew."

19 Pharast 4712
The Lord's Dalliance basement

Two of our villains, Fargo/Bis'marek and Cain/Abell head downstairs in the night, prepared to seek out the doorway in the basement discovered by Shulme.

I need from you both a stealth and a perception, as well as how you appear when you go down.

Abel follows Bis'marek quietly down the stairs, eyes and ears straining against the hush of the sleeping inn for any sign of observers or security measures. His fingers triple-check the thieves tools tucked into the inside of his belt, then – in turn – they check the silver kukri worn obviously at his waist and then the dagger hidden next to the thieve's tools.

His bare feet made little noise on the wooden stairs, and wearing only his pants and untucked shirt hopefully made him seem like his obnoxious boss had woken him to do some ridiculous errand he didn't want to do himself.

Be nice to have a proper blade at-hand, Cain thinks as he follows Fargo, but hell if I want to try to explain stalkin' 'round in the cellar with three feet of steel. 'No, inkeep, this ain't for killin'... just needed somethin' to open the boss's wine.' He shakes his head and smiles at the mental image. Though it would make killin' the innkeep that much easier.

His smile deepens.

In order of request...
Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
.
Take 20 on Sleight of Hand to hide thieve's tools and the dagger inside his waist-line = 24 (26 for the dagger)

Fargo, make sure to hit Cain up with that Message spell before we get this thing started.

EDIT: Done. So Cain is still using his Abel disguise. Only now he looks like he just got woken up. Bare feet, rumpled-and-hastily-donned shirt over his pants, no belt. His only visible weapon is the silver kukri tucked visibly into his waistband.

Also, what's the relative light level? Cain has Low-Light, but does Fargo have Light he can put on a rock or coin to send with Cain? (It'd be easy enough to hide in his pocket, but would allow Cain to get some illumination should whatever's behind that door be hiding in perfect darkness)

Don't suppose you came up to get an Invisibility? I have one prepared. If Fargo does too, that covers both of you.

Shulme watches Xanos finish his work curiously, hardly blinking.

"I have rarely seen you so devoted to a work."

He carefully accepts the vial, holding it up to examine it with a small smile.

"No doubt a humble seamstress will wish to hear the good word. I will see that it reaches her."

Fargo knew that stealth was not one of his stronger attributes, so he did all he could to minimize his weakness before accompanying Cain. First, he became Teon, subsuming the noise that his armor would have made. Then he used the circlet to restore his appearance to that of Bis'marek. A cloak cloak and hood supplemented the headband the circlet appeared to be in covering his rune. Before taking the last step, Teon cast message upon himself and gave Cain a copper with light cast on it. Finally, he sought Xanos' help to render himself invisible.

Preparations complete, Teon followed Cain down the stairs, keeping an eye out and taking great care not to make any noise.

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Stealth 1d20 + 1 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 20 = 39

Fargo does not yet have invisibility. It is on my list of 2nd level spells, but I have a couple of others first. I was thinking it would help with my stealth. I might also make Teon stealthy, now that we have gotten to the point that I need it. One point gets me a +8.

That's why you came to get it from me. I have a scroll prepared if Cain needs it also.

Im hoping to be able to get down there without needing the scroll... in which case it would be good to have it in case we get into a sticky situation.

Bis'marek and Abell make their way downstairs to the cellar, examining the walls and searching about. At first the lock is difficult to locate, but after a few moments Abell manages to locate an off-color stone which he presses, causing a portion of the wall to open up. The fact of it's near silent opening is incredible, a true work of art. Opening the door reveals a long tunnel, going down well outside the range of your light.

Technically you didn't find it initially, but I assumed you would've kept searching. Hope I didn't assume wrong.

If Cain puts away the light, can he still see? (Low-Light vision?) Also, how long has Fargo's Invisibility been running?
.
Also, assume from here forward that Cain is taking 10 on Stealths (for a total of 20), let me know if circumstances prevent it.

Abel stands for a few moments listening down the tunnel while he searches his immediate area for traps. Then he stoops down to see if there are any prints or signs of passage... trying to determine the recency, frequency, and any size, gender, or racial info he can from any markings he finds.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29; (+1 for traps)
Survival (Tracks) 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

The tunnel is completely dark. Without the light you will not be able to see. We'll say 5 rounds to get downstairs and 2 spent searching, assuming moving as quickly as you can while stealthed.

Abel searches the immediate area and finds a thick layer of dust in the tunnel, a sign of mostly disuse. Except for the 2 faint trail of prints visible in the dust. Human sized, one much older than the fresh second set. It almost looks to be the same pair of boots, going by a mark in the prints (Hey, it was a good roll).

As far as traps, he finds no signs of indicating a possible trap waiting. hehehe

hehehe

Now that was unnecessarily mean. :)

Cain looks back toward where he assumes Fargo is standing. "Two sets of prints," he whispers as he points to the floor, "Looks like the same person, though. No traps that I can see." He shrugs as in a 'but who can really say' manner before he turns back to the tunnel and begins stalking forward.

Do both sets of prints go in and out? Or are they only heading in one direction? Or, more specifically, the is the most recent set of prints heading in or out of the tunnel?

Abell moves forward on quiet, bare feet, holding the light close to the ground in an attempt to catch sight of any tripwires or trap mechanisms as he strains with his ears for any sounds coming from ahead.

Stealth remains a 20.
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28; (+1 for traps)

Also, are/were there any torches or heavy wine bottles he could have grabbed as they moved down into the cellar/tunnel? I'd like to have an improvised weapon at-hand that is somewhat seemingly innocuous at the same time.

Both sets go in then come back. A heavy wine bottle is no trouble to find down here, they have a decent selection. Every 20ish feet down this corridor are sconces for torches, most of which are present though old.

Abell begins to make his way down the corridor, not finding any signs of movement, of traps, or of obvious danger. Following the path a short distance, it suddenly starts to ramp upwards. Following along the tunnel seems to go for quite a distance, 15 minutes of walking it's paths, until you finally arrive at another door, similar in design to the one you took back in the Lord's Dalliance. You expect it would be a secret door on the other side.

Teon follows just behind Cain, taking care to remain quite. Following five feet behind Cain, taking 10 on stealth.

I'm not sure what kind of roll this would be, but – judging by speed/time travelled and direction headed – does Cain have a good guess as to what structure this might be opening into?
Survival (if appropriate to help) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Survival would be about as appropriate as anything, though Knowledge (Geography) would also be useful.

Abell pauses before the door. "Holy sh!t!," he mutters to himself before turning back to Fargo (who i'm assuming has been visible for 10 minutes or so). "I think this is Balentyne... the keep," he whispers.

He gives his partner-in-crime a wicked grin, continuing in a whisper, "Holy Sh!t!"

He then presses his ear up against the door and takes a long time listening for noises on the other side as he runs his fingers along the door in search for traps or mechanisms.

taking 20 on Perception with ear up to the door. Total 30.
He'll do the same for traps... total 31.

If it is indeed, then our plan seems complete. Poisen the stew, set the captains at each other's thoats, and now our entrance. We will just need to set the details, then make it the gate house. What think you Wolf: shall we go further and risk ourselves for the information that we will need later?

I'll have an answer to that when i get a response on Cain's perception checks. :)

... he says giddily.