thereal thom's (Inactive)

Game Master therealthom

"Yes ... yes I am concerned for my family, several are ill already," Emerion sighs. "Reporting to Commander Croft would be an idea - Miss Vander and myself were going there anyway to see how we could assist in this emergency."

"Tis wonderful to have the blessings of Pharasma. And I be thinking that my healing needs all the help it can get, even from the likes of Vendra."
Kenan follows the others out.

Can we tell how many charges the wand has?

Can we tell how many charges the wand has?

Only 7. A lucky number. ;-)

A nice weekend off. Ready to go again. Someone mentioned Croft. You can go there or the Guards at the scene can take your statements. Your choice. Also if you'd each drop a short wish list in the discussion thread, two or three items 4k total, no item more than 2k-ish.

"Well as you know my official dealings with the Guard are now as a private citizen..but I suppose the FM has to know what was going on here"

Jeorik will make a report to the Field Marshall as well in addition to filling in the guard.

Jeorik is off to Croft. Anyone else? Not clear if Heather is going or not. ALternate plans?

I need to know what you do with Vendra's loot, too.

Contrary to stories about Varisians, Emerion didn't steal any money, so it's up to the others what they do with the loot. He will go with Jeorik, as it originally his intention to offer his assistance to Croft and the guard, and I imagine Miss Vander will do likewise if getting injured hasn't dampened her ardour.

Once the day is over, Emerion will return to the family home and ensure everyone is still alive and doing as well as they may be - if anyone is critical, he will be making a plea to Istas for her help. As he can move relatively freely it'll be up to him top ensure that they have adequate food and medicine. If a healer's needed he'll try and drag Istas or Kenan with him.

As an aside, although cure disease is 3rd level, lesser restoration isn't and while it wouldn't cure the disease it could buy time for those afflicted.

Jeorik is off to Croft. Anyone else? Not clear if Heather is going or not. Alternate plans?

Istas accompanies Jeorik and Emerion for now, if for no other reason than to stay involved (and take Father Corvin's hint that she should get out and about). She's also curious to see the state of Korvosa since spending so much time in the infirmary.

I need to know what you do with Vendra's loot, too.

I'm assuming Istas will hold onto the wand of cure disease for now. I assume we'll split up the rest?

Heather is tagging along, she wants to see Vendra delivered to justice.

And Istas should claim the loot in the name of the Lady of Graves so it can be put to a more...shall we say...useful purpose than funding Vendras lifestyle.

Jeorik assumes they simply report the contents of the building, including money. For one thing, he didn't notice any thing in particular that interested him as either loot or a souvenir.

Jeorik assumes they simply report the contents of the building, including money. For one thing, he didn't notice any thing in particular that interested him as either loot or a souvenir.

Attaboy! that's why everyone loves to party with paladins.

Everyone's off to see Croft.

The streets are less busy than usual. A lot of closed doors. Many are marked with the yellow stripe that indicates contagion inside. Groups of Guards, on patrol or accompanying Queen's Physicians, circulate the streets.

There's a bit of a wait at Citadel Volshynek. Then you are shown into Croft's office. Three citizens, likely merchants from their clothes, are on the way out as you go in.

"Jeorik, Whiteraven, Istas, it's good to see you. " Can't remember if she's met Emerion or Kenan before. Hellos if so; friendly introductions if not. Introduction to Philly in any event. "So there was some trouble in the Heights? What happened?"

"Jeorik, Whiteraven, Istas, it's good to see you....So there was some trouble in the Heights? What happened?"

"Perhaps you should tell her?" Istas encourages Jeorik. Of them all, he seems more suited to tell the story to the Field Marshall, particularly after Heather tendered her resignation...and Istas' own...ahhh, brusque manner, she sometimes uses. Plus, with Emerion and Kenan being so new to the group, a trusted face from their past exploits might go further in helping her understand.

Heather keeps her mouth shut and stands at the back of the group

Kenan is happy to stay next to Heather in the presence of Croft. He does pay attention to the conversation.

Jeorik accepts the role of spokesman,...

"We arrived at the building where Ms. Vendra was selling her goods and thought it prudent to send a few to the back while the rest entered the front. Posing first as customers, we asked a few questions. Subsequently, we revealed who we were and Vendra tried to flee while her thugs attacked. We were, unfortunately compelled to use force. We did however capture the woman alive and subsequently searched her place fairly thoroughly. We found no evidence of a larger conspiracy but she made a full confession in an effort to gain a lighter punishment."

Forgot to mention Vendra gets hauled off to the cells the minute you hit the Citadel. Croft's too busy to interview prisoners. But for you she's got time.

"I see. And what exactly was she selling? How successful was she?"

"She paid someone to to claim that her 'lineament' had cured them of the plague," Emerion supplies. "In fact, what she was selling wasn't even her normal lineament - just worthless trash with a touch of perfume. She'd stopped paying her suppliers and was going to run as soon as she had made a tidy fortune. Kenan here caught onto it when he found empty vials of her 'cure' in the home of deceased family. It seems she convinced a number of people to purchase her cure rather than seek out any real help, whether that was her intention or not."

"A case of simple fraud Field Marshal..one which has had tragic consequences. The woman spoke of an accomplice who we have not yet tracked down..we need more details beyond a name but I'm sure that the information can be extracted from her without recourse to extreme methods..she is most desirous to save her own skin"

"I see." Croft taps her lips with her left index finger. "I doubt she'll succeed. The crown's prosecutors can argue she was effectively spreading the disease and the Arbiters are likely to heed them. Everyone is worried about this disease and the entire government is anxious to be seen doing something about it."

"Aye..well..in this case I'd agree with them....anyway if we can get to this accomplice whoever he is we can put this one to bed"

If it wasn't clear -- you can provide a description of the hostage-taking goatee wearing apprentice. Istas and Kenan let him go.

"He be still running I be thinking. Just a weak servant who did for her I would guess. We could chase him down unless there is something more important to deal with," pipes up Kenan from the back. "Like finding healers to work my infirmary, for instance."

"Speaking of which, Miss Vander and I were on our way to see you on our own account - we understand you are short-handed, and as I've already had my own taste of this illness, I for one would be glad to offer my services to help out in this emergency," Emerion grimaces. "Some of my friends have badgered me for months that I should take a commission, but I'm not sure I want to go quite that far," Emerion chuckles. "After all, I have a dubious reputation to uphold."

"I see." Croft taps her lips with her left index finger. "I doubt she'll succeed. The crown's prosecutors can argue she was effectively spreading the disease and the Arbiters are likely to heed them. Everyone is worried about this disease and the entire government is anxious to be seen doing something about it."

"I'm less anxious in being seen doing something about bloodveil, and the actual doing of it," Istas replies, "To that end, I believe Pharasma is leading us to the source of this problem one step at a time. Today's undoing of Vendra and her liniment shop is but one drop in the pool of fate. Now, we see where the current takes us."

"And speaking of currents," the priestess adds, "I still think we should investigate the river again. We know those boxes that washed ashore contained coins that helped spread the disease. What we don't know is how they got here. I believe we should search for clues in the river...beneath the water. Maybe then, we'll find those who commited the real crime against Korvosa...and force a cure out of them, dead or alive."

Jeorik: Try to remember my posts to you solo. If nothing comes to mind. Intelligence DC 11 (must roll)

Anyone including Jeorik -- Survival DC 14, or Perception DC 12

Kenan gets Survival 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 and Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"The water is low at the moment, and as I've already had the infernal illness, I'll try my luck if you could hold a towel for me, my dear," Emerion grins at Istas.

"The water is low at the moment, and as I've already had the infernal illness, I'll try my luck if you could hold a towel for me, my dear," Emerion grins at Istas.

Istas gives Emerion a look that silently conveys her disdain for such a task. "Perhaps Heather would be so inclined," she then stoically demures.

"Before we go," the priestess adds, "I believe Father Corvin might aid us in this task. Our Lady Pharasma holds no small sway over watery domains. Perhaps he might procure some scrolls for us so we can breathe freely while in the river?"

Intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"I do remember my uncle saying something about the lower water aiding salvage attempts. Marshall, in the meantime, we searched the shop pretty thoroughly, but there could still be things we missed. If anything is turned up by others, don't hesitate to let us know."

"We'll need protection against the cold as well..and something to help us stay down when we are down..I have to say the thought of exploring the river doesn't fill me with joy..can we arrange some way to keep the sharks away at least?"

DM:

Croft follows the conversation and nods occasionally. "I think the Guard can help you too. Jeorik, talk to the quartermaster on your way out."

Neil has suggested leveling before your dip in the river. I can handle it either way and have no preference. So I'll leave it to a vote. (like I don't know what your answer will be.)

Kenan hasn't really earnt a level yet, has he? I'll leave it to the majority or the DM because you guys have been in this far longer than my healer.

So ... off to the quartermaster's stores and then the river, I take it?

The quartermaster reluctantly supplies you with two heavy globular crystal helmets and two pair of equally heavy boots. The helmets have a broad brass collar with thick oiled leather padding that will rest on your shoulders, chest and back. The boots are sealskin lined solid brass with soles as thick as two thumbs.

The quartermaster pushes them across the counter toward you. His hand moves languorously over them before he withdraws it. "The helmets will stay filled with air for three hours. You've got to stay upright though or they'll fill with water. The boots will help with that. The whole kit will carry you right to the bottom. You'll be able to walk around almost normally. Make sure you bring them back in good condition, or I'll sink you to the bottom of the Jeggare."

"The question is which off us are going to use them..and what are the others going to use."

"I'll try them," Emerion volunteers.

"Free action spells could be off use too..can we get some scrolls..I can put 500 gold towards that Maybe the church would give us a discount? " She looks hopefully towards Istas

"I'll seek Father Corvin's guidance in the matter," Istas says with a nod, "I've heard it said Pharasma's faithful can sometimes spend hours underwater in a ritual of sensory deprivation designed to better meditate on her will and the future path one's fate might take. I've been learning a lot of new rituals from the Pharasmen lately. Perhaps I can convince him to open my eyes to that one, as well? If so, we may not need these mundane contrivances of the Guard."

In-character reasoning for how and why Istas might level-up and gain access to 3rd level spells. This should also enable her to learn the ritual for speak with dead, which gives a nod back to her original introduction into the game where she and Stannus used that spell to interrogate the derro captive. I like how this shows the growth of her faith and standing among her fellow-priests.

[ooc]ok..Minimum level water breathing gives us 10 hours(at worst we could buy it in potion form for 750 gold)..minimum level freedom of movement is 70 minutes.A wand of that would be good but would cost 21000 gold for a fully charged one..however we could buy one with 6 charges for about 2500 gold..otherwise it's going to cost 700 for a scroll[/ooc ]

Hmmm..I feel..certain stirrings in the currents of magic I will have to meditate upon them

"Bows won't be much use underwater," Jeorik says to the quartermaster, "What weapons do you recommend?"

...............

Jeorik will buy a masterwork trident, if he can find one. He is also willing to put a couple hundred forward for buying scrolls and the like if necessary.

"I think thrusting weapons will be effective," Emerion pats his rapier, "I'm a fair swimmer, but but I confess I haven't tried fencing beneath the waves much."

"I swim like a brick." quips Kenan.

"That's good..you'll go to the bottom faster"

Heather thinks about who she might speak to regarding the river currents

knowledge local1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"We need to talk to the fisherfolk who ply the river..probably the ones who dive the oyster beds. They will know about the way the river acts best.Do any off you know anyone who might help?"

"Ha ha, yes, t'would be a fast trip indeed. But maybe I have a few spells to make a swimmer stronger and more than a little protected in the foul deeps."

"Bows won't be much use underwater," Jeorik says to the quartermaster, "What weapons do you recommend?"

...............

Jeorik will buy a masterwork trident, if he can find one. He is also willing to put a couple hundred forward for buying scrolls and the like if necessary.

"I think thrusting weapons will be effective," Emerion pats his rapier, "I'm a fair swimmer, but but I confess I haven't tried fencing beneath the waves much."

The quartermaster chimes in gruffly, but seems pleased to be consulted. "The lad has the right of that. Thrusting weapons: spears or tridents to keep the sharks off, and you'll want a good knife for if they get in close." His previously immobile face cracks in into animation unimaginable a second ago. "And pray there's no big devilfish or reefclaws about. The river's going to be murky. You won't be able to see but a spear's length anyway. The river's come down, but the current is still stronger than usual. There's eels and sucker-fish. And heaven help you if a kelpie or hag's passing by. There's plenty of dark watery fey too.... I better see what I can find for you. Just to make sure you bring the other gear back."

He disappears into the stores and emerges several minutes later with a trident, two spears, and a dagger. "These are good wares. This spear is enchanted against water creatures. The trident and the dagger will both light up on command. But use that sparingly. The light will draw things. "

"I'll need a receipt for all of those."

"So what's the mission?"

The enchanted spear is +1, +3 v. "water creatures". The lightup items are also +1. The last spear is MW.

"well it isn't sunken treasure, I can say that much," Emerion answers in a conspirational tone.

"Actually," says Jeorik honestly, "for all we know there might be sunken treasure. But really, its a fact finding mission. I think."

Jeorik will take the trident and his long spear, and let Emerion have the other spear. He will also look into a waterproof container suitable for holding his bow shaft and arrows, in case they find an open area under the water suitable for archery.

"Underwater exploration is going to be murder on chain mail."

If no one intends to carry the magic spear, Istas will take it. Though, as a full-sized spear, that means she'll have to forego her heavy shield to wield it...which is fine, as a heavy shield isn't going to make swimming any easier.

"I'll meet everyone by the Jeggare bright and early," she says.