GD8|Vamp's 7–22: Bid for Alabastrine (Inactive)

Game Master Vampaerus

Katswiri's eyes snap back into focus as she looks around at her companions worriedly. "The visions...I see a mountain, deep in shadow, the crescent moon high overhead. The moon sets, and the sun rises, bright in the dawn. As the sun rises, an arrow flies out of the sun, grazing past my sight."

"The future is never certain, but I believe the attack, whatever it is, may come at dawn. We must take precautions, and be prepared for anything. I would appreciate it if we shared a room tonight, for safety."

Kaepora listens carefully to the prophetic tellings. "A wise decision. I shall keep my shadow on watch while we rest as well."

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
"Hold on, somethings not right. For an inn, it is too quiet and there are no lights that I can see in the windows. Shi no kage said as he cast a spell on Boris before taking to the sky.

Cast Ant Haul on Boris and take to the sky

The inn is lit up and active.

The stables behind it are dark, quiet, and the door is open.

Hmm.. oops, somehow the new update indicator shut itself off on this thread! Seemed awful quiet!

Graves will wander back to check on the stable... if only to get an idea of what sort of travelers are staying at the inn that evening..

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 15 + (4) = 23

Apologies for the slower-than-expected return from my absence. I should be back to regular posting now.

Ela follows Mr. Graves back to the stables to check things out. She draws her pistol as she goes, holding it at the ready for any sign of danger. I have to show them that I can be ready for anything!

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Graves, what do you see back here? I can't make out much.

Both of you can see that the stables are dark and the double barn-doors facing the street are not secured, swinging in the wind. Ela watches as Graves steps into the dark building. Does Graves have/use a light source?

Jon follows Ela and Graves to the stables. "Checking to see if our horses are here already?"

Jon traded away darkvision and doesn't have a light source

Graves pulls out a lantern, and carries it in one hand, as they approach the stable.

"It does not appear that there are many out of town guests." He says, noting the lack of mounts in the stalls.

"I suppose that bodes well to finding a room at least." He adds, though doesn't smile at what might be considered a light hearted comment.

"Shall we see who's inside?" He adds, turning towards the inn proper.

He sees no reason to be too paranoid... =)

As you enter the inn and tavern, first you see that a large L-shaped bar occupies about a third of this sitting area. Secondly you feel the warmth of a fireplace beside the door, comforting since at this altitude the temperature dropped quickly after the sun set. The third thing to hit your senses is the smell of some of the other...under-bathed...patrons sitting sporadically at the tables which fill the other 2/3 of the room.

visual aid (optional)

A few people glance up as you enter, but then resume their chatting or nursing a stein. A professional-looking older human male beckons to you from behind the bar, "Oh...greetings travellers. Care for a drink?"

"If it'll chase off the chill, yes." Graves says. "Whatever you've got."

He glances around, trying to get the lay of the land, and the mood of the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 15 + (4) = 34
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + (4) = 25

Katswiri stands close to the fire, feeling its warmth radiate through her body, savoring its heat. "No drink for me, thank you. Are you Dalviss Crenn, to proprietor? We have lodgings scheduled for tonight."

Ela wanders around the barroom listening to the conversations for a moment. She's curious to see if there is lingering buzz about the Aspis' recent attack.

Diplomacy, gather info: 1d20 ⇒ 12

After she does a lap around the room she heads to the bar to chat alongside Mr. Graves and Katswiri.

So, do you know where we could find a Temel Passad?

"If it'll chase off the chill, yes." Graves says. "Whatever you've got."

He glances around, trying to get the lay of the land, and the mood of the room.

[dice=Perception]1d20+15+1d6
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+8+1d6

"I've got 'beer' and I've got 'ale'. They look the same, taste the same, and may just come from the same tap handle. Oh and it costs five copper either way." He draws you a mug. It looks more like it came from the water tap, with barely a golden tint.

Katswiri stands close to the fire, feeling its warmth radiate through her body, savoring its heat. "No drink for me, thank you. Are you Dalviss Crenn, to proprietor? We have lodgings scheduled for tonight."

"Yep that's me. I thought you might be Mr al'Hakam's guests, but I try not to hand out room keys to strangers on assumption. The largest room I've got sleeps four, and I've reserved three singles as well. I hope that accommodates your sleeping arrangements?"

Ela wanders around the barroom listening to the conversations for a moment. She's curious to see if there is lingering buzz about the Aspis' recent attack.

[dice=Diplomacy, gather info]1d20

After she does a lap around the room she heads to the bar to chat alongside Mr. Graves and Katswiri.

So, do you know where we could find a Temel Passad?

As you skim the room you're surprised that most conversation seems to revolve around goats. Breeding them, herding them, the going price of goat milk versus goat cheese, etc. No one appears to have any knowledge of Aspis activity.

The barkeep is equally uninformative. "Many people come to Dustpawn. Most leave shortly thereafter. I don't bother much with names until someone looks like they're here to stay. No one staying in town goes by Temel Passad."

"Can you tell us, then, about the more interesting travelers that have been through here? We may be able to identify him based on your description."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Temel Passad is meeting us in Alabastrine, is he not?

I believe so, but he might have traveled this way. Learning about anyone interesting who happened to pass through recently could be useful in its own right as well.

Diplomacy24
He obliges to the best of his ability describing various travelers but none sound anything like a wealthy Kalistocrat merchant.

Temel is waiting for you to meet him in Kerse, Druma's capital.

I believe so, but he might have traveled this way. Learning about anyone interesting who happened to pass through recently could be useful in its own right as well.

None of the recent travelers sound particularly ominous either.

"I have no need for privacy." Graves says, glancing back at the others. "The larger room will do me just fine."

He will finish his drink, then go back to check on the accommodations.

"Then, if it is all the same to everyone, the smaller room shall suit me." Kaepora offers.

The barkeep continues making small talk, "One night's accommodations, clearly you didn't come here to settle down. So where you folks headed? If you don't mind my asking."

Ela shyly requests, I wouldn't mind the very smallest room as well, if th-, that's okay.

When the time comes to retire to their rooms, Katswiri will try to catch the attention of her companions and gather them together, speaking quietly.

"The largest room may only be designed for four, but I strongly believe we should stick together tonight, retire soon, keep guard and rise before the sun. The visions are not clear enough to tell if we will be attacked here near dawn, if our transportation tomorrow is compromised, or if there is some other danger, but danger is close. I have a bedroll, and have slept on the ground often in the field. I will gladly take the floor to help make room for us to fit in the larger chamber together."

"I am as used to sleeping on the ground under the stars as I am anywhere. I think Katswiri has good advice."

Shi nodded in agreement. "I am a merchant traveling with this group for safety and we are heading to Alabastrine. I do not suppose that Boris can stay in the room with us? He is housebroken." he asked.

Shi nodded in agreement. "I am a merchant traveling with this group for safety and we are heading to Alabastrine. I do not suppose that Boris can stay in the room with us? He is housebroken." he asked.

is Shi asking the innkeeper? If so he replies:

"Well normally I would expect people to keep their mounts in the stables." A pained expression crosses his face. "But since Nalan has gone missing...I suppose I don't have much choice. Sure...uhm, 'Boris'...can stay inside. But I'm definitely holding you accountable for any messes he makes."

Jon's ears perk up. "Who's Nolan; the stable-keeper? What happened?"

Jon's ears perk up. "Who's Nolan; the stable-keeper? What happened?"

"Yes, Nalan runs the stables. He's also a good friend of mine, we go way back. Now it's not like I need to know his business, but it's just very strange that he would leave town and not mention...something...to me. At least let me know how many days until he'd be back. And he knew I was expecting a large group of guests. In fact, when I mentioned you all might need stable services, he said you had already hired him. So it just makes no sense at all that he'd not be here. I'm not normally a worry-wort, but this is troubling me."

Katswiri gives a meaningful look around the group. "The broken wheel." She turns to the barkeep. "When did you last see Nalan? We are in fact contracted with him to be our guide for the next stage of our journey, and we'll need to try to find him before we leave."

Oh my, I hope he's alright. It takes until Katswiri's explanation before Ela makes the connection.

She thinks for a moment and then adds on, Did you or anybody else see which direction he went when he left?

Did you or anybody else see which direction he went when he left?

I didn't see him myself. Some of the locals told me about it." He looks around the room, "Clement there was one of the folks that seen Nalan ride off."

I'll assume you all will talk to 'Clement'

Clement slurs, "Tha's right, I seen ol' Nalan teer arsin' outta town tha otha night. The'e was a secon' horse wit a saddle but no rida. Nalan had its reigns in his otha hand, pullin' fast as it would go. Headin' outta town to tha East. T'war's tha mount'in pass."

Ela tries her best not to look like she's avoiding the drunk man's breath while listening to his information. After he finishes she turns away so that only some members of her party can see, and fights a gag off from becoming a vomit.

East, huh? She backs away further as soon as it's socially acceptable.

Thanks for the tip...

"Hm. Well, that may be." Kaepora replies after hearing the story. "Shall we make our way then, friends?"

Jon returns to the innkeeper. "What's east? In general, of course, but also specific to Nolan. Does he have family, or some other business connection, that way?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"East is Druma. As I mentioned, I don't know all of Nalan's affairs but I can't think of anything that way. The economic divide between here and there is way bigger than that mountain."

"The largest room may only be designed for four, but I strongly believe we should stick together tonight, retire soon, keep guard and rise before the sun..."

is this the plan?

Sounds good to me. The Shadow will have full watch during the night.

Katswiri wrote:

"The largest room may only be designed for four, but I strongly believe we should stick together tonight, retire soon, keep guard and rise before the sun..."

is this the plan?

Ela gives a sideways glance, not immediately warming up to the idea of such close quarters. Ultimately, she concedes. I suppose it's for the best, with regards for safety. As long as there's a place to change in private...

Looks like that's the plan.

"We can always set up a bedsheet or such to provide you some privacy" Shi said to Ela as he found an out of the way spot for Boris and him to curl up.

"Indeed. We still have three of the rooms, we can use one for changing." Katswiri will tuck her bedroll into a corner, snuggling down into her bedroll and using her pack for a pillow. She'll read a book for a short time before bed.

Cramped and anxious it takes a little while to calm down and fall asleep. But you do eventually rest through the night, uninterrupted. A little slow to rise however, the sun's first rays are already attacking the mists that have settled over the town. The cold air slaps your face returning full alertness. A quick check of the stables reveals nothing has changed. No sign of horse nor keeper. And while the locals have adapted goats to many purposes like meat and dairy, transportation is not one of them. The mountain looms in the east, bathed in an orange glow. Is it calling to you...or taunting you?

"Innkeep, is there any other place to hire a horse here? I'm afraid without Nalan and our arranged transport, we're in a bit of a bind."

"There isn't really enough business to support the one stables, nevermind two. With Nalan missing I'm afraid you're on your own."

With the sad news that they will be travelling on foot, Kaepora takes out his Shaolin Spade to use as a walking stick.
"Guess we best get moving along then?"

Well, if we're walking all that way then we'd best get moving. I hope everybody has the right boots!

The refreshed young elf seems more enthusiastic in the morning.