(#1-12) "Burden of Envy" (Inactive)

Game Master rainzax

Anton's Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

Hero Point!

Anton's Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15 Meh!

Bardok nods and pats Humble's shoulder. "Good job. Let's meet up with our contact at the right time. In the meanwhile, shall we head to the university? Get some light reading in?" He winks.

'Iris' watches as Assassily leaves for lunch, unsure whether to follow or not, but as the rest of the group comes back, and Kunsheng warns her that he felt she wasn't safe with the other woman, Rose avoids going to lunch. Having some traditional food would have been nice though... maybe if I get supplies we can make some at the tavern?

She steps outside and streches as she nods at Bardok's idea. "I'd love to visit the university, So many young women who'd probably love to have an edge on attracting men's attention and therefore adore my makeups!"

She keeps a smile on her face and tries chatting up people along the way, curious if she can scrounge up any rumors or pertinent information along the way.
Not sure if she can do this, but Rose would love to try gathering information as the group moves. If not then she'll just Search.

Helène manages to suppress a sigh of relief as she watches Bardok and Zamp rejoin them. She nods at Barralbus, managing to work up some positive energy from the fact that she'll soon be rid of him. "Yes, of course. We do thank you for your time. Good day to you as well." She then turns and gets out as quickly as she reasonably can.

--

Once outside, she makes sure there's no onlookers or eavesdrops as she waits for Zamp and Bardok to tell them how it went. "Good, good. I'm glad we don't have to go back there for another appointment with him." Her nostrils flare at the thought of it. "Sweet Gods, I just wanted to punch him in the face."

She shrugs at Kunsheng's question and instead directs her attention at Bardok. "The university? That's the Arcanium Abjurant, isn't it?" She feels like she doesn't need to mention their next client, who resides there. She turns to Imiriax. "Didn't you mention it? You've been there already?"

Helène would like to use Perception as we leave the Ministry, to make sure we're not followed. Once we reach the Arcanium, she'll switch to Society to get a feel for what kind of behavior is considered normal.

Marcel is using perception to also see if we are followed. Orris whispered to him to tug on his earlobe if so.

Orris is Searching, to assist navigation.

The Arrangement at the Arcanium Abjurant (Part One)

Several ruined columns line the front entrance of the white marble building where vellum banners hide broken stonework. A newly restored statue of Belimarius stands in the courtyard. Beyond these measures, much of the school still lies in disrepair. Vacant classrooms cover the first floor of the Arcanium Abjurant. A stone staircase leads to a number of modest academic offices on the second floor, each lined with cramped bookshelves, archaic charts, and chalk-filled slates.

Time: TBD (the party is finding travel here easy, but has a decision to make; see below #0)

...

...

...

-2) Do Imiriax/Rose/others want to split/meet back? When/Where?
-1) Undeteced thus far, is Anton commanded to return or continuing spying?
0) Per Helene's suggestion, Does the party want to Cover Tracks by moving slower? (To "ensure" they're not followed?)
1) Now that you are all here, what are you going to do?
2) Same Exploration Modes? Change?

Rose? Want to meet up and go together?

Imiriax stays about a block away where he won't be seen, and just remains in empathic contact with Anton. Anton continues to spy on the couple.

Bardok immediately begins looking around for the professor (and possibly their family) that they were tasked with retrieving. Same exploration activity, but will become more social once we find the mark.

Kunsheng points. "Look, there is a directory. We can use it to find Karela's client."

Rose? Want to meet up and go together?

Imiriax stays about a block away where he won't be seen, and just remains in empathic contact with Anton. Anton continues to spy on the couple.

Rose gives frown at the market place near the tax offices, and at Imiriax, before deciding to hang back herself and instead work over the crowds for some 'juicy juicy gossip!'

[ooc]Certainly! She'd love to get some information about the town. She'll take either an hour or two depending on how quickly Imiriax and Anton finish up.[/b]

Helène says a quick goodbye to Rose and Imiriax. "Meer up at the usual place tonight, if we don't see you earlier." She doesn't press the issue on covering their tracks. "Our time is limited, and we should make the best of it. I was just frustrated by those clerks - this place is getting to me. Let's just move on."

As they get to the university, Helène nods absent-mindedly to Kunsheng. "Directory... Yeah, would be helpful. We can see if she's in her office. But look over there. it's a giant. It's... hiding?" Despite her earlier mentions of being pressed for time, just tableau piques her curiosity.

Would like to me a Society check at +5. After that's dealt with (or not), I suggest we try and locate Daffrid's office using the directory.

Kunsheng will take a Society check (+7) to find Daffrid using the directory.

Zamp tries to identify the giant. Society (T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

He waves at the creature and smiles. Hello there.

Diplomacy (T) to make an impression if needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Same exploration mode

The Arrangement at the Arcanium Abjurant (Part Two)

Simultaneously

Apollon waves "hi" to a poorly-hidden giant as the party walks through the courtyard, Kunsheng suddenly animating as he directs his teammates towards the directory, and after a brief conversation between him and Helène - pointing fingers and reading numbers and shaking heads before finally nodding together - lead the party to Dr. Chaverly's office, which consists of first entering one building, walking past a series of vacant classrooms, ascending one (or two?) floors of a stone staircase, walking across an empty hall, then taking a skyway ramp across to a second building, descending a set of stonework stairs a single floor, and turning twice down connected hallways, before finally entering into a tiny workspace, door wide open, containing cramped bookshelves loaded with ancient books, archaic charts, and chalk-filled slates, all overlooking the courtyard the PCs entered through, albeit from a different vantage point.

Two children are at play on the floor before an empty and cluttered desk - crashing bits of chalk into eachother and giving them voices like "Oh you must go home now" and "Mean ol' prunelord, no way!" and "But I'm the boss - I'm the boss today - you gotta lissen" and "No you just think yer the boss but really yer just a meanie" and crashing one chalk piece into the other it snaps!

That moment of voluminous silence where a child takes a deep breath precipitating a sharp burst of emotion... and then they both suddenly look up you all looking at them, disrupting their game!...

Meanwhile

...Rose, making sure to choose a local within earshot of Imiriax, is pleased to discover a pub two buildings down. Inside there are late-morning/early afternoon customers - some clearly on a work break - lining the bar hunched over their half-full or half-empty mugs. A range of emotions here - some happy and chattering or yelling about this and that, clinking glasses, and fighting over who pays for "the next one" - some sitting in silent contemplation, avoiding direct eye contact, instead opting to cast sideways glances as if to keep a "bubble" secure from proximity violation - and those in between, sitting alone or in pairs, perhaps looking around a little, perhaps stirring their drinks with their fingers...

Meanwhile

Anton continues to spy while Barralbus and Assassilly appear to discuss a "business" of some sort, having seemingly dropped the flirtatious manner in which they were interacting with each other back at the Ministry!...

...

Helene Yolescu and Xue Kunsheng (plus Others?) - please give me the rolls requested in Kunsheng's previous spoiler (several posts up) to navigate to Dr. Chaverly's office. As time is of the essences, it isn't a matter of if you will be able to succeed, but how quickly you will be able to do so. The highest check will be the leader, the second-highest will count as an Aid, and so on...

Imiriax - The above information represents about an hour of work. If you want to push your luck a little, go ahead and roll Anton's Stealth check to reveal the spoilers above according to those he beats (DC 15). You are also fairly warned that there will be penalty for failure as well as critical failure here. If you'd rather play it safe, you may also attempt a Sense Motive (DC 20) check for Anton - this check posing no significant risk of failure. Either way, these new checks will count as part of that first hour. You are also free to join Rose down the street if she ends up staying more than an hour at the pub.

Link to Rules on Familiar Skill checks

Rose Thesar - go ahead and roll a single Gather Info check (DC 25), representing one hour of work - knowing that depending on the outcome, you can lower the DC without re-rolling for each additional hour you stay beyond the first. Either way, one check.

...

Apollon Zamp, Bardok Marsh, Dr. Orris Duftwurtz, Helène Yolescu, Xue Kunsheng:
1) How do you approach the situation above?
2) What are your Exploration Modes?
3) If you decide to interact, you may opt to Discover or Influence.
Reminder: If you roll an Influence check, please also include an "ask" to guide the interaction.

...

Imiriax, Rose Thesar:
1) How long are you staying?
2) When you leave, please tell me where you go, and make corresponding Navigation checks.

...

Party:
A little meta-gaming here - please make efforts to ensure that the entire party meets back up before proceeding to a location other than the Arcanium Abjurant - whether that means Imiriax and Rose finishing early and arriving at the college late, vice-versa, or both parties reconvening at a new location together - even if it take a few posts back-and-forth - I'd like you all to be reunited when it's time to transition to a new location. Somewhere between the die rolls, info share, party decision, I'm confident our story can be told in such a way to accommodate this narrative request!

Bardok looks sidelong at his allies for a moment, then clears his throat. "Hey kids! Are your folks around? We have something important we need to talk to them about. Don't worry, nobody's in trouble."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Do Bardok's various runescars help his interactions with the kiddos?

Will default to Investigate, but will also focus on interacting with the refugees.

I wasn't sure whether you were going to do the Society check as a hidden roll, DM R.

Society check to navigate directory: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Kunsheng easily figures out the directory's organization scheme, and even finds the map in the back.

Given that familiars only use my unmodified level as their skill modifiers, Anton can't possibly make that DC 25. Since it's so difficult, he will play it safe and go for the Sense Motive check.

Anton Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Anton Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 4 = 17

Unable to learn anything useful, Anton returns to Imiriax, who returns to Rose at the pub.

"Well, you tried. Let's hope the others have done better, old bird."

Lore library: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 to locate Daffrid's office.

Despite their haste, Helène can't help but marvel at the vastness of the building. The grandeur distracts her enough that she's not even angered at its labyrinthine interior. She's only takes a wrong turn once, but thankfully she's correct at that point by Kunsheng. "Ah, you're right. That way seems a shortcut, indeed."

--

Finding two children playing in Daffrid Chaverly's office has Helène groaning, though she tries to hide. She's not good with children. Even the clerks were probably better than this. Assuming they're Daffrid's, she looks around for the children's mother, paying little attention to the children.

Perception to discover: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (Fail, which led to my description above)

--

Helène will continue using Investigate as her Exploration activity using Society +5. Two other points: Did we skip any interaction with the giant? And Bardok, I think you're allowed to make either an influence check (Diplomacy for the moment) or a Discover check (with Perception).

"Master Measure, would you speak to the children? From their play, I guess that they would be impressed with feats of strength or agility." Kunsheng smiles at the two in their play, but leaves them alone and looks around the room.

Still sticking with Investigate for Exploration Mode--use Society +7, if applicable.

Perception check to Discover: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Sorry for any possible delays, Paizocon took up more of my bandwidth than expected!

'Iris' takes her samples out and starts to ply her trade to the people in the pub. "Why hello there sir! What might be the troubles here? Problems with the missus? ...Oh why that's terrible! ... She said WHAT? I can see why you're sulking here then... Hrmm Why don't you get her some makeup? She'd probably forgive you for forgetting your 1567th anniversary if you get her a present... Oh and I've been hearing talk about a 'Garrla' You wouldn't happen to know about them would you?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

She finds that the room is a little harder to work over than expected; less women at the bar than expected and the few there well encased in group conversations leaving little room to squeeze in, but she decides, assuming Imiriax doesn't drag her away, to stay another hour, feeling she had finally gotten the room warmed up.

If she can stay the extra hour, Rose will probably take the bonus to Garrla, as I feel getting the most information about them would be good.

Humbe Measure juggles some pieces of chalk. Be careful of calling them Prunelords. They don't like that! Do you know where your mother or father is? He leans in close, and whispers: By the way, have you ever seen a giant around here? Is he a friendly giant?

Exploration mode is the same!

Thassilon lore re: stone giants: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Orris reads the chalkboard, does a very broad pantomime of not understanding it, bends over backward to read it upside-down, and finishes in a hand-stand. This stuff is a little confusing. But a different perspective helps sometimes.

The Arrangement at the Arcanium Abjurant (Part Three)

Kunsheng's eye instantly absorb all 305 numbers, letters, and other symbols on the directory, and although It might have you go through a less circuitous route, parts of the map jump out to the alchemist, and re-arranging them mentally, he imagines a more efficient path. Helène hustles to keep up with him, laser-focused as he is...

...Upon arriving at the office, the kids start staring at Bardok's tattoos, transfixed "WhoOoa" says one "Keeewel!" answers the other, while Apollon gets straight to business, asking them where their parents are. The smallest one forget he was about to cry over broken chalk. Speaking of chalk, Orris quickly realizes that no, he was not staring at a sequence of equations depicting the end behavior of infinite series - no wait - those are just the scribbling of children. Perhaps a "monster" with a humanoid shape and a ruby for an eye?...

...Blanking an expression when asked about a "giant", the eldest is about to respond to the question about her parents when "May I help you?" a scholarly-looking human woman steps into the office, punching her hands onto her hips to somaticize the question mark her query was punctuated with. "I am not giving any appointments today - in fact - not until next week - as my office will be moved down the hall." She grabs a random paper from her desk, and a inkpen, handing it to the closest PC "Please leave your name and contact here!"...

Meanwhile

"Garrla, huh?" The bar patron considers, scratching his scruffy beard "Garrla, Garrla... Garrla..." he takes a thoughtful sip of his cup - the last sip in fact! - and plopping down the empty cup onto the counter, a light suddenly comes into his eyes. At this very moment, Imiriax walks in, "interrupting" apparently. The man looks at Rose, then at the wizard, then back at Rose "Who's yer friend?" After Rose gives an explanation that seems to satisfy him, she presses a little, jugging his memory, and he says "You know what? Lemme tell ya a story about Garrla! You see, once me and her we was..."...

...

Rose and Imiriax, you are welcome to stay and listen to the story, putting in the time to turning Rose's failure into a success (without rolling), but in so doing, will likely miss the Arcanium Abjurant altogether, and have to instead meet the PCs at their next location. Or, you can cut the man off now, and leave without your information, to perhaps arrive just in time to experience the latter half of whatever is going on over at the college. Let me know in your next posts.

Everyone Else, what do you make of this evolving scene?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Bardok waves off the pen. "We're not the ones looking for an appointment. You actually have an appointment with us. Your whole family does, if I'm not mistaken? And your appointment with us might render appointments for next week, well, delayed."

Diplomacy to Make an Impression: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Bluff to Deliver a Secret Message: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Rose looks over at Imiriax to make sure he is okay with staying before glancing back at the man. "This is my business partner, we work together to sell things. I'd hate to have to travel the roads to here and back on my own. But you looked like you remembered something there! I'll get you another cup and why don't you tell me all about it?" She grabs herself, the man, and Irmiriax, if he wnats one, a drink and then settles down for what is sure to be a long, winding and drawn out story, given that this is the man's fourth empty cup around him.

Perception check to Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Kunsheng gives Bardok a quick nod, then smiles at the professor. He takes the pen and paper and writes Guaril Karela where the woman can see it, before "accidentally" spilling ink on it. "I am so sorry for my clumsiness!"

Perception to Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Helène has trouble focusing on the conversation due to the presence of the two children. Bardok and Kunsheng seem like they can take care of this. "I'll be over there," she mutters with a shrug and takes u a casual position near the door to check that no other visitors might pass close enough to overhear their conversation.

Switching to Stealth as exploration tactic. I'm not actually actively hiding, but just keeping my presence non-obvious in a casual manner. Stealth seems most appropriate for that, in my mind.

Rose looks over at Imiriax to make sure he is okay with staying before glancing back at the man. "This is my business partner, we work together to sell things. I'd hate to have to travel the roads to here and back on my own. But you looked like you remembered something there! I'll get you another cup and why don't you tell me all about it?" She grabs herself, the man, and Irmiriax, if he wnats one, a drink and then settles down for what is sure to be a long, winding and drawn out story, given that this is the man's fourth empty cup around him.

Imiriax smiles encouragingly. "Excellent! I love stories!" Truth be told, Imiriax wasn't really all that keen on stories. Or bars. But he does his best to seem interested and to murmur encouragingly when it seems appropriate.

The Arrangement at the Arcanium Abjurant (Part Three)

I am putting "Bar Team" on hold, as they have occupied themselves for the next little bit of time, "trapped" in a man's story...

While Helène watches the door, Daffrid Chaverly narrows her vision - between Bardok's words and Kunsheng's "accident" - she reflexively moves to "catch" the spilled ink before suddenly restraining herself. Instead, she surveys the entire party once more "Let me fetch my husband" and before departing through her office door, takes one last glance at her children - still fawning over Bardok! - before swiftly taking off down the hall, Helène watching her tracks...

...Taffrit and Maffree pipe up "Do they have school out there?" says the youngest, before receiving a stern look from the eldest, furling her eyebrows and shaking her head, then correcting into "What is the plan huh? You have a plan, right?" slinging a sack over her shoulder while she asks, and packing some chalk and books into it. She tosses her younger brother a smaller sack "Get up!" she commands. He looks at the sack, kicks it on the ground, and crosses his arms with a defiant "Hmmph"...

...Dr. Chaverly returns minutes later with a human man, the two holding hands. He has a timid demeanor, and eyes the party - especially Helène standing watch perilously over the doorway - as he enters. "This is Tellith" she introduces him. He nods. "A moment" as she gathers a few things behind her desk. Tellith kneels down to soothe his son: getting to his level, making eye contact "Remember what we said: be Strong" the words have an effect on him. He sniffles, grabs the sack his sister threw him, puts the broken chalks into it, stands, and hugs his father's leg, burying his face. After a moment, Daffrid has collected herself. She exchanges a knowing glance with her daughter, who comes over to take her hand, then looks towards the party "Okay"...

...

Any words? Leaving right away? Where to? Altogether?
Exploration Mode? Navigation checks? Who is leading?...

Rose tries her best to stay attentive through out the rambling story of the drunk man, but does start almost drifting off when the man starts to explain how good the chicken was for the 5th time.

"Is there anything or anyone we should be careful of when we leave?"

I think a good plan is to stow them at the Rockfish Inn. They might be able to find their way there?

We will meet you at the Rockfish Inn, and leave in a few days. Can you make it there? Tell Yuleg that we sent you. Zamp will make sure they know the party's names.

It might be near time to meet our accountant friend and link up back up with the rest of our party? Generally, I would prefer Bardok and/or Imiriax to always navigate since they have a +9/+8 bonus respectively…

Helène tries to give Dr. Chaverly's husband a friendly smile as she passes, but she's a little on edge and the gesture feels forced. Her cool demeanor thaws when she watches him interact with his children. She can only imagine what it must be, being told that you're leaving everything behind, into the unknown. She tries to put the boy at ease when he passes. "Don't worry. We'll take care of you four. It'll be like a grand adventure." Her encouraging smile has noticably more warmth in it, this time.

A few sentences exchanged with Zamp is enough to conclude that they have the same idea. She adds some words to Dr. Chaverly before they depart. "We're making a round of the travelers to check in with them. We will leave the day after next, early dawn. You'll be safe at the Rockfish Inn until then; Yuleg is in the same situation as you. We cannot go with you at the moment, but we'll meet you there tonight before curfew."

Agree with Zamp on all counts. I think we could meet Rose and Imiriax before the appointment with Themolin? They have the time and address as well.

Don't have the bandwidth for a big post today, but I agree that we should send them to the Inn and we'll regroup there once we have Themolin.

Kunsheng frowns. "We should give them a second place to gather, if the Inn is discovered. I am concerned about the clerk and her actions. She may only be an informer or agent, but if she became suspicious of us we may be followed."

It is just a touch after Noon. Where to?
(The Chaverly family can navigate the city and will follow instructions)

Trouble at Rockfish Inn (Part Five)

Bardok leads the party and the Chaverly family competently back through the city - it's hustle and bustle in full tilt this time of day! - experiencing for the first time a sensation of familiarity, crossing back onto a series of blocks the party had used when first looking to find the inn. He figures they'll be easily upon the Rockfish by just around half after Noon. Taffrit and Maffree - having let go of their respective parents' hands some time ago - form an upside-down "V" with sorcerer, flanking him at either side, stepping twice as quickly on account of their shorter legs, and eyes wild with excitement!...

...But while Bardok leads on with his full attention, he is oblivious to a different sensation the rest in the small company experience, causing the hairs on the back of your necks to stand! You all think to yourself: "Should we quickly press on, or halt our leader now to take stock here?"...

Apollon Zamp , Dr. Orris Duftwurtz, Helène Yolescu, and Xue Kunsheng: If you can convince Bardok (and Taffrit and Maffree) to stop a moment, the four of you may each attempt a Seek check, uncovering the spoiler on a success (he needs to "keep" his bearings):

Meanwhile, back at the Pub:

"...An so there we was, stationed in the same platoon, and I points down at her boot an I says this is what I says I says "Oaf! Yer bootlace is untied!" an' she looks down and then Yorga comes from behind and swack her "Blot!" an' lemme tell ya what happens next I'll tell ya see what happens next is ol' Garrla goes topplin' over head over keister onto the floor an' she's already yellin' and me an' Yorga we's laughin' and her scimitar jus' layin' there on the floor and then..."

Imiriax and Rose Thesar: It seems as though if you stick it out a little longer, you'll be able to obtain the information you seek... or, you can leave now and make better time to the Inn?...

...

...

So?

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Kunsheng looks around, trying to figure out what troubles him. The sound of the crowd...it is different, somehow. This is like when King Wen's soldiers were on the hunt! "Bardok, wait. Something is wrong here."

Look up at the post header, you fool! It says "Trouble!"

Seek/Perception check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Bardok, please hold for a moment," Helène says in as casual a voice as she can muster. Under pretense of adjusting her shoe she takes a moment to find out what might be causing her sense of alarm.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

She doesn't notice anything and doesn't want to take too long. That'll only rouse more suspicion. Helène stands up and motions that she's ready to continue. "Yep, all good."

Imiriax leans over to whisper to Rose.

"I think this story has no end as long as our money holds out and we will never learn anything of value here. Let us leave and return to the others. Better to leave empty-handed than empty-handed, late and empty-pocketed."

Trouble at Rockfish Inn (Part Six)

Bardok pauses a moment to allow Helène and the others to "tie their shoes" but continues head on for the Inn, and arriving pleasantly, knocks. Yuleg peeks from behind the door, pauses a moment at the sight of Dr. Chaverly and her family, but opens it none-the-less. "You're back early, and you've doubled." he says, and though he is thankful of your help, you can tell bringing on this many additional people is a stressor to him which he is more-or-less unable to express, given his specific predicament.

Vurna is up, well on the mend but slightly achey, evidenced by her ordinarily graceful movements hindered only somewhat by a din of dull pain - she strikes the opposite mood and is excited to have company "Aw letcherselves in, doncha? We got the whole place to ourselves! Quickly now!" Unfailing to yet recognize the danger this places her and her pops in, she intentionally seeks to make light the mood, and quickly ushers people in to close the door. That done, she offers "How can we be of help?" Giving the children "the wink" that seems to communicate "it's okay to explore" - and they do! - immediately tampering with the disassembled theoretical flotation device, pretending they are bravely "traveling" through "time" and just crash-landed back into "reality"...

Time: Half Past Noon, Day Two, 4-and-a-half hours until curfew

Meanwhile, back at the Pub:

The man finishes his story, and without him even realizing it, Rose, who had been listening intently, was also able to weave in her own line of questioning, seemingly in accordance with the story itself, but also serving the ulterior purpose of weedling information out of this progressively drunker and drunker man. Her cue to leave is when he not-so-surreptitiously makes a "move" which she expertly dodges - nearly accidentally "striking" Imiriax! - and the two tip their server and make their exit. "Nice work" The bartender, wearing half the make-up but twice the mode of fashion, remarks on their way out...

Time: Half Past Noon, Day Two, 4-and-a-half hours until curfew

...

...

1) @ Inn: What business here? Wait? Go? Where to?
2) @ Pub: Where to next? Who is leading? Navigation checks!

Bardok looks about the inn and takes a head count. "Seems like we've got everyone who's supposed to be here. Let's go meet with Themolin, if we have time maybe we can check out the guard's station for our last passenger." He addresses the soon-to-be refugees. "You all stay here and stay calm while we round up our last folks. You'll be breathing free air before you know it."

Still apparently spooked by the false alarm, Kunsheng holds up a finger. "Before that, they may have to breathe some less pleasant air. We should move them now."

Glad to hear that it was only a time delay and not that this had taken even more time to get information from him! Rose is taking the bonus for Garrla.

Listening to his tale about Garrla and himself when they went shipping, 'Iris' occasionally asks the man about how the guard acts, using subtle questioning such as, "Garrla was lying? How did you know that?"; "Wait the worms scared them? Why? Are they afraid of bugs?"; and "Wait they like to rock the boat? Really?" As his thoughts turn lecherous, Rose sees it coming a mile away, Ugh, why do men get this way when drunk. It's so, so, so uncouth! She positions herself carefully and is more than ready do dodge his advances. The sunflower themed then woman watches him nearly plow into Imiriax with the barest hint of laughter on her face. With a sound of indignified shock and hurt, she looks at the man, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "How could you? We were having a pleasent conversation but then you try to JUMP me like some wild animal! Uncouth! Think about what you are doing next time! That is NO way to treat a lady. Good Day, sir!" She then starts out of her chair in a huff.

AS she passes the barkeep, she gives her a small smile. "Why yes, I think my makeup work is stupendous if I may say so."

She then turns to Irimiax outside the tavern. "Right meet up at the Inn?"

Themolin's Super Secret Personal Warehouse (Part One)

Earlier

Imiriax, before joining Rose, communed briefly with Anton, and told him to fly to the Academy, where they had passed by the previous night. He took flight, located the PCs, and remained with them long enough to understand that after visiting the Inn, they would meet up at the address on Apollon's note. Anton then, like a homing pidgeon, sped off back to the Pub, just in time for Rose to finish working the crowd with her makeup. Imiriax was told by Anton to meet straight at the address attached to the note Apollon tied to his foot. Rose agreed, and the three headed out...

Now

...Just in time to meet up with the rest of the party, who, after settling the two families together - the Chaverlys and the Bluinglots - at the Rockfish Inn, immediately struck off for the address Apollon had memorized and reported to Bardok, who led them into the Industrial District of Thassilon. All together again, the PCs stop just a few blocks from the spot "We're almost there" someone says. The lot the warehouse is on approximates to about a third of an acre; it's primary structure of 30 feet vertical height. A small courtyard sits on that third-acre, and from here, looks to be one of two access points into the actual warehouse - the other being a door directly inside on the opposite end...

...It's quiet here, a little too quiet. No foot traffic. Surrounded by other similar buildings, no torches burning inside, probably used for mere storage as well, but is various states of disrepair comparatively - one might expect a man of meticulous nature and some wealth to hold the deed to this particular lot!

...

Whats the plan?
Navigation checks please!
Also, Exploration Mode Activities.
Finally, if you haven't already, place your Token on Slide #2.

Zamp will Avoid Notice (changed in the byline) and draw his whip. He will depend on his Trap Finding ability to allow him to spot traps as he does so.

Token placed on slide!

Nothing for it but to go in.

"Agreed," Helène replies to Zamp, her voice a little lower than usual. "We have an appointment, so just act casual and go by the front door." She makes sure to keep an eye on on their entire surroundings, not wanting to be jumped by anyone possibly following them.

Helène will switch to Scouting.

Rose also decides to switch tactics for 'Iris' and tries for once to not stand out too much, despite the garish and bright makeup. She keeps her hand on her rapier's hilt just in case. "This feels like a trap. I hate traps."

Avoid Notice for right now.

Kunsheng folds his hands and nods, looking around the area as the party goes by. Switching to Scouting.