GM Michael's Giantslayer

Game Master Dread

earlier with Shel'
Listening to Shel's description of what happened to Roderick, Rory shakes his head. "A warrior dying conscious but unable to fight; how terrible." He pauses for a moment thinking, then asks. "This oil of Taggit or the venom, would they be easy to come by? who may have it for sale here in town?"

With Corporal Grandon
Nodding to the Corporal, Rory listens as the young man shares his concern. Rory raises an eyebrow as Shel nearly accuses the watch of being complicit with Katreza going missing. Clearing his throat, "Shel, we members of the watch take our responsibilities very seriously. I'm sure my fellow militia members will help as best as they can." Turning Thistle slightly towards the Corporal. "Corporal, thank you for the information and your concern. If we get a chance we will speak to the Stablemaster and The wainwright; in the name of seeing if they have any pertinent information for the investigation. But it may take some time. be sure to inform the other leaders of the militia as well."

once the corporal leaves
Turning to Shel, Rory inquires. "Shel you mentioned Katreza's journal, do we still have Roderick's Journal? Is there nothing in it besides his latest play? Some clue to why someone may want to kill him?"

to be clear. It was one of Rodericks Journals that Katreza had. Imara found 1 of them, but there would be several 1 for each play or poem and any personal one. he might write. Imara found a play.

Corporal Grandon looked at Shel in shock. I ...we ...did not know Katreza was missing. I can tell you noone of the watch would have let her leave unattended and furthermore it would have been reported...so she has to be still in town. That would have been noticed. As for folks coming and going, that happens all the time. folks going to Barterstones, go in and out the gate commonly. merchants. Travelers. Only folks of note would have been noticed. Very well Rory. ...Thank You. I will help How I can. The last said as he looks at Shel...and the suspicious chicken.

the group would know only an Alchemist, Apothecary, Herbalist, Animal Trainer, or Assassin would have access to oil of taggit or a venom...in town that means Gorkis Meeson, Agit Staginsdar, Lesie Crumpkin, Darrick moonglow, Tyari Varvatoes, Kessen Plumb, Rabus Clarenston, Siguer Haageson, Silvermane, plus any outsider who might have come in town....

That's a long list, leading me to think we won't have enough time to narrow it down before things escalate further.

The day's pace has knocked Ovril's thoughts all over the place and it isn't until the corporal mentions Barterstones that a couple of coins finally drop and fall into place. "Barterstones! Now that you mention it, I noticed some wagons were gone this morning, and Barterstones was basically abandoned. Have you perhaps seen Merriman's son Othden, corporal?"

the Corporal gave it some thought and answered No. He left the festivities and exited out the gate well before the party ended. I was at the gate when he left. He smiled and waved, said he had something to look into

The corporal's answer gives Ovril further reason to be worried. "Thank you, corporal. He didn't come home last night, so I can't help but feel poor Othden might have gotten mixed up in all of this."

That's all Ovril wanted to know from Harlon.

Rydell decides that raising an alarm of any sort would be fairly bad.

He grimaces as Shel speaks about what they learned. He looks to Harlon.

Tell no one save Halgra that we know it was murder. Confirm nothing to anyway either. I don't want whoever did this thinking we have even a shred of a hint of their trail. It would just make them that much harder to find most likely. If we can't find anything, we can make the information public to possibly force them to slip up due to fear. But for now, I would prefer my prey to think he was not being hunted.

He turns to the others.

Let us start our search on the outer area of town. If we find nothing, we can make our way back in. Hopefully, if anyone tries to leave that we suspect may be tied in some way, we will see them and be able to speak with them. As we make our way back in to the center of town, it would be wise to speak with those who would have access to such substances. Perhaps they keep records of who purchases what, and when.

The discussion with the Corporal concluded the yong man nods and moves on. The group continues to the long house where a hearty meal of venison stew greets them. The spices perfectly balanced for flavor and just a little heat. The meat tender and succulent. The carrots and potatoes cooked with it almost fall apart with each lifting of the spoon. The hot steaming freshes backed bread good enough for a professional baker. The hot coffee seasoned with nutmeg and cane sugar a well needed pick me up. Combined with a cup of berry juice and another of goats milk. You fast is finally broken and you have moments alone in the dining hall for discussion before heading out.

As they head toward the Long House Rory turns to, Rydel shakes his head, "I'd still like to go to Daktani's and Brinya's room at the boarding house before going out to the Barterstone to find Vorum and Rishka. As quickly as things are happening stopping there first we may find someone or something useful that might not be there later." He gestures towards the murder weapon. "Do you want to hang on to that or do you want me to put it back in the saddlebag?"

Dismounting Thistle as they enter the dinning hall, Thistle knowing what's next begins to prance about. Smiling, he tells the wolf, "Settle down, I'll get you something. Now Sit" As Thisle sits, he heads to the kitchen, coming back with an old wooden bowl filled with leftovers, scraps and fat. Setting it down for Thistle she begins to gorge herself, he heads to the large pot of stew. Helping himself to the aromatic venison stew he grabs a small loaf of bread and heads back to the table with his companions.

Tearing the fresh bread he drags it through the delicious stew, stuffing it in his mouth. Chewing while he asks the team. "So to the boarding house first, or Barterstone, or someplace else?"

Imara finishes off her stew and leans back, wondering if she's going to regret eating so much later. "The cooks really outdid themselves today!"

Thinking over Rydell's comments about keeping the town calm, she voices her thoughts to the others. "I wonder if we need to send some people around to remind this town of everything we've been through and that we don't just cut and run! This is what Trunau is built for. Even if we are in danger, there's no way we get everyone out on such short notice - and then they'll be even more unsafe on the way to Lastwall. It's clearly the wrong idea. But, also, perhaps, not really our job to fix.

For us, I agree with Rory - I think we check the boarding house first, then figure out what to do from there based on what we find."

With the majority wanting to search Brynia and Daktani's woom the gropu finishes eating and goes across the street and down past the commons to the boarding house that Shel and Imara use as well. Its for the less fortunate but still allows better accommodations than out in the Barterstones shanty's.

Its a three story building with Shel and Imara living on the first floor, Daktani and Bryina the 2nd. Each floor has 8 rooms. A single door allws access to the building. The Building Manager lives in the first to the left. Its an Acolyte for the Temple of Abadar, as the building is owned by the church. A stair at the end of the hall climbs to the second floor. Imara is the end on the right and Shel the last on the left before the stairs....

The Acolyte greets you pleasantly and agrees to allow you access easily.

He brings a set of keys and moves to the 2nd floor Their room is first on the left as you enter the end floor from the opposite end of the entrance on the 1st floor. He Unlocks the door with the master keys and steps back.

Its a simple room. a set of bunk beds are on the left wall. A desk and a clothing closet on the right. A washbasin sits on a stand against the far wall where a window is. The window is open. The room is a mess with a chair tipped over, some clothes tossed on the bed. The bottom one looks slept in, and unmade. the top not slept in. an ink bottle is knocked over on the desk, with the black ink drying on the desk, a single piece of parchment under the ink bottle soaking up the black liquid.

The Varisian eyes the boarding house with a certain disdain. He can't help but wonder why anyone would want to settle down in a place like this? Surely a tent is preferable to this?!

Seeing that the window is open, Ovril moves to check whether the window sill bears signs of the room's occupants climbing in and out. Perhaps he should check the desk, what him being a trained calligrapher, but there's this paranoid thought nagging at him that they might've just fled the room. As if.

Ovril will check the window to see if they've used it to climb in and out and or just fled.
Perception if needed: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

As they enter the room, Rory dismounts Thistle, but keeps her close. When she pulls a little at the harness, he wiggles a finger at her, "Oh no girl, your staying with me, I'll not have you chasing that chicken." With Thistle in tow, Rory first looks at the desk, trying to save the piece of parchment from the spilled bottle of ink. Wondering aloud as Ovril checks the window. "Do you think someone may have fled out the window?"

Rory will take 10(20) on looking at the desk

Shel casts light on her hope knife, examining the beds for clues.
Per: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Phoenix hops up onto the top bunk, climbing under the blanket at the foot of the bed. A small, chicken shaped lump moves under the blanked towards the head of the bed. The spirit animal's crowned head pops out from under the blanket. There's no one in this bed. I checked.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Ovril looks over the window sill and does notice rope threads on the sill.

Rory looks over the desk and it looks like Brinya was sitting here writing a note...from the paper Rodericks name can be made out and little else. The letter wasnt finished for certain though.

Shel looking things over notices no male clothing or gear is in the room. All the equipment and clothing is Brynia's

Rydell will look with the others. He will try to find any signs of struggle in the room before speaking.

Anyone find anything? We don't have time to sit and search here all day.

He seems a little on edge and agitated.

I hope Amelia is ok.

It looks to Rydell that there was a scuffle in here. small signs. a few drops of blood over on the floor by the desk, the way things were knocked over.

Gesturing towards the desk, "It looks like Drinya was writing a note to Roderick, but something happened." He looks around to the others, "Any Ideas?"

If no one answers, Rory and Thistle will look (or 'sniff'' if you will) around the room. Taking 10(20) on perception for the room

Would you folks rather our characters communicate what they've found, or would you rather assume the players read the same information and pretend like everyone's characters have shared that information?"

>Would you folks rather our characters communicate what they've found, or would you rather assume the players read the same information and pretend like everyone's characters have shared that information? ~
~I'm fine pretending that we know when it is a non-combat encounter and all the players are present!

Ovril runs Rory's question through his mind and mulls on it before answering. "Going by the blood, they might've gotten into a fistfight,or, whoever sat at the desk could've been wounded and bleeding, but the way things are knocked do not support that."

I agree with what Ovril said about assuming shared knowledge when we are not in combat and everyone is present.

Shaking her head in frustration, "None of this helps us figure out where they might be. I don't know what I was expecting. A map?" She watches Phoenix curiously as she talks. What on earth is he doing? Foraging for food, maybe? What an odd bird. Shrugging, she helps the others search the room.

When she finishes, she draws her dagger and starts spinning it in her hand as he considers their options. "Well. What do we do now? Search the whole town? That's going to take forever."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

I'd prefer to assume we share anything unless stated otherwise, simply because waiting a day or two IRL just to confirm we all know the same thing is a waste of time. I'm fine if someone wants to keep information to their own character for whatever reason as long as they say so. Phoenix likes to keep secrets.

"Maybe our two militiamen can think of a path a small group of people might take, or be forced upon, to escape the town unnoticed." Shel says, leaning against the bunk beds and eyeing the half-elf. Her gaze does not linger long as she stands straight and chants words in orcish, seeking magic auras in the room.

I assume we took long enough at lunch for Shel to prepare spells. Prepared detect magic, which I will now cast.

The bed empty of clues, Phoenix flutters over to Ovril and alights on the varisian's shoulder. He slides down the mans arm a few inches, arresting his descent with his claws, and pecks at the pocket he had seen the man draw his harrow deck from. Come, good sir. Perhaps your cards have the answer to the mystery. Besides, I found the great treasure you promised me when I was foraging yesterday and found a piece of green yarn. I need a new fortune!

Ovril's hands arch up above his head in both defeat and confusion. "I feel you, Phoenix, I do, but the problem here is not the cards, but what question to ask them. With all the chaos and confusion in my head, I got a hard time figuring out what to ask, you see? Normally people come to me with the right questions!"

Perhaps the bird is right. Perhaps he should stop being a scaredy-cat and just do it. But what would his grandmother say? Desna bless her soul, she'd make him peel potatoes for a week for not treating the Deck with the respect it deserves. The question has to ring true in heart, body, and soul. If it does not, do not ask it, for the answer will mirror its flaws.

"Say Shel, Othden left town yesterday but did not go home. This morning I noticed quite a few wagons had left town, and Barterstones was a ghost town. Perhaps a capable tracker," and Ovril eyes his companions, hoping one of them will respond to that, "can make head's and tail from that. We could always ask Merriman for a piece of Othden's clothing. Could Thistle use that to catch his scent? Or is this all way too convoluted?"

The truth is that Ovril is worried sick Othden got privy to something he shouldn't have and might be in a ditch, throat slit, in line to ask Pharasma why he did not get to live a full life.

GMMichael, did Rory's 'take 10 (20) on perception reveal anything else?

Finishing looking around the room, Rory gestures towards the chicken and the cards. "If your going to use the cards ask them where Brynia went." Considering Ovril's question about tracking Othden Rory pats Thistle on the neck, "I don't know Ovril, she's not really trained for it, but we could always try. I'm not sure finding Othden is a priority right now, not with a murder and possible orc invasion."

Setting the tipped chair back upright. "Obviously Daktani was packed and ready to go and Brynia was grabbed and taken against her will. But we don't know if it was Daktani that grabbed her or if he was gone before that " He points up to the window. "If there was rope threads outside the window we may find tracks below it." Mounting on Thistle. "Either way, we probably should be on our way."

Shel glances around the room looking for anything magical. Nothing came to light.

Rory's thankful his keen search revealed Rodericks name on the letter. At least he knows Daktani wasn't writing anyone and it's like Brynia's blood on the floor.

Rory and Thistle go below, find the window and search the area. They find a place right below the ground with a large enough impression in the dirt to know it was likely a body was lowered by ropes to the ground. The tracks seem to. Go towards Hopespring before they are lost on some particularly hard ground

Can Rory tell how many people made the prints carrying her off? He will take 19(20) on perception to identify the number and roll for survival
survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Following the tracks towards the Hopespring, Rory dismounts Thistle, looking closer to the ground. He finally has to admit to losing the trail. Shaking his head he looks towards Rydell, asking, "Rydel, could you tell by the prints how many were carrying her?" Gesturing towards the gate, he asks. "Shall we head out to the Barterstone to find Vorum and Rishka?"

The fortune-teller curses under his breath when Rory stumbles upon the tracks and explains what transpired here. He taps his chest in what might be the pattern of a constellation, going by what he says right after. "May Desna's light guide us."

Ovril will cast 'guidance' on whoever does the tracking. You get to add a +1 to your roll :)

It looks like 3 sets of tracks. Humanoid. Little else can be found

Rydell sighs when they reach hard ground. Especially hard ground many tread on. Makes the small details one can find nigh impossible to see.

Best I can tell is three... It is either that, and continue with my original ideal, or head to the hopespring in hopes of finding new tracks to follow, or some other lead. Didn't Katreza say something about doom or danger from a grave as well?

Are there any known graveyards? Or places of similar function? We know of?

No grave sites in Trunau all burials are done outside the town.

Nodding his head in agreement with Rydel, Rory turns Thistle towards the city gates, "Let's see if we can find Vorum and Rishka in Barterstone. Interesting that there were three sets of prints, seems like that math works out." Frowning as Thistle begins to trot that direction. "If we don't find them we can look for a fresh unmarked grave..."

It takes no time to leave the upper quarter and go through the inner Quarter, where you see the barricades are still being built and are about a quarter being done.

Then to the lower quarter past Clamor, where Rydell and Rory still wonder about Urnsuls cubby in the storage room, and on out the gate to Barterstones. A collection of shanty's, wagons and stalls most are empty and many of the transients have left...sending something in the wind.

Ovril points out the shanty that Rishka and Vorum use. There is no answer at the door. The two windows have no glass but do have canvas tacked down from the inside. No smoke comes from the small tin flue.

No noise comes from inside.

Imara cocks her head. "What's that? Come in? Why, thank you!" She looks over her shoulder, gives the others an impish grin and starts to open the door. Just before she touches the knob, she stops abruptly and starts to examine the edges of the door carefully.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Checking for traps.

Shel, can we understand Phoenix? His words are in italics, so I assumed no, but now I am doubting myself. I thought you mentioned it at some point, but I can't remember and can't find the post anymore.

Allow me. Phoenix clucks, walking through Imara's legs to the base of the door. Ahem. LET ME IN. LEMME IIIIIIIIINNNNNN! He crows, aggressively pecking the door.

Phoenix cannot speak, but he understands common. I mean, unless you understand chicken I guess. He has 6 int though, so he can use body language to communicate his desires.

Rydell will search around the outside of the shack, looking for any potential tracks to follow.

survival(track): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17

its fun to see what phoenix is saying the whole while imaging him as a chicken clucking in various fashion. You're doing a tremendous job with him.

Imara finds no traps and the shanty door has no locks so it is easy to push open to see a single room occupied primarily by a makeshift bed out of animal furs. A stove is heating and cooling sits in one corner. A bedpan sits unused poking out from under the bed. The few bits of clothing and personal things that are remaining in the room are in two open chests on one side of the room. It looks like Brynia's and Dajtanis room...like someone took their belongings and left.

Rydell walks around the building finding no tracks. She neone was good about covering them up.

Outside
Imara looks down as the chicken walks between her legs and pecks at the door. I wonder if he thinks there is food in there?

After checking out the room
"Another dead end!" Imara kicks the wall, then runs her fingers through her hair and turns away from the others. "We must find them." She takes a deep breath, then turns around again and looks at Ovril. "Ovril, perhaps your cards would be of some help? How long does it take to do one of your...questioning things?"

"Maybe we could get a useful scent from here. Fewer people tramping around the Barterstones, could still be a useful trail." Shel says as Phoenix hops into one of the chests.

Sorry folks, aparently my post got eaten

Then to the lower quarter past Clamor, where Rydell and Rory still wonder about Urnsuls cubby in the storage room,

Apparently we forgot to check the cubby.

Smiling as Imara accepts the 'invitation to enter' Rory dismounts Thistle but holds onto her harness to keep her from chasing the pecking chicken. Tuning his attention to the area around the shed, he helps Rydel search for tracks. Entering the shack just as Imara declares "Another dead end" nodding in agreement with her he looks towards Orvil, "Cant hurt to try the cards."

Rory tightens his grip on Thistles collar when she starts to lunge towards the chicken jumping on the chest. Telling her "odu ala" Rory waits until she sits, then answers Shel. "We can try. If not we may want to go check Urnsul cubby in the storage room."

Picking up one of the pieces of clothing, Rory holds the shirt so Thistle can smell it. Mounting her turns her towards the door, "Ok girl let see if you can find them." Letting her have her head as she trots outside.

perception: Rory, outside looking for tracks earlier: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Survival, Thistle: outside following by scent: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Thistle sniffs the cloth and walks around looking
.every so often looking at Rory. Finally after a few minutes she sits down and looks again at Rory.

Seeing Thistle struggling to catch the scent's trail, Ovril offers Rory a sympathetic shrug. "Let's check the cubby before we ask the Cards for insight. If we do it now, the fact we have yet to check out the cubby might influence the outcome."

Imara perks up when Rory mentions the cubby. So, not a dead end after all...or at least we have another road to try. She leans against the wall as she watches Thistle unsuccessfully track the scent from the shirt. "You said she wasn't trained to track, right? Maybe she just doesn't know what you want her to do. Maybe we should have Phoenix try." She chuckles wryly. "I agree with Ovril and Rory. Let's try Urnsul's cubby. We can save the cards if we truly have no other ideas."

I would never forget to check the cubby. Phoenix chirps into the fortune teller's ear, wondering to himself what a cubby is.

As Thistle drops her ears, and looks at Rory, he answers Imara, "She tracks some, but it's usually while were hunting. She's not trained like a bloodhound. Watching as the chicken fly's from the wooden chest to it's masters shoulder, Rory rolls his eyes. 'If that chicken can out track thistle, I'll eat my hat."

Giving Imara a nod, he touches his heals to Thistles side, "Your rignt let's head back to investigate Urnsul's cubby." shrugging as Thistle happily trots off, "Then we let Ovril see what the cards have to say."

You make your way back through the gates back towards Clamor you pass 'This and That' the Meesons shop, remembering Gorkis not only can make fireworks,but he can make all manner of alchemical and herbal wonders.

At Clamor the 5 of you knock and Sara comes to the door...and can see a look of determination on your face.

She ushers you into her shop saying come in come in hurriedly looking around to see who's watching as she shuts the door.

Before you can speak she says Agrit just left a few minutes ago. She told me to trust you. Said she'd found the paint on the several of the buildings was enchanted to shine like beacons for those with darkvision.

She looks you all over carefully and sighs it seems unusual to put my faith in you...but Agrit is wiser. Very well then. she said with resignation. what I share with you ...YOU MUST GUARD WITH YOUR LIFE....Katreza is here. That is why I was reluctant to show you Urnsuls resting area in the shop storage room. I had stayed over late at the festival cleaning up. I was returning home in the early hours of the morning and saw Katreza stumbling out of Sanctuary. I helped her. She had, what she said was Rodericks journal he had left in her care. She said foul forces were at work and they were coming for her. I hid her here and have stayed to protect her til dark when I might get her to our house where Agrit can help me protect her. She seems very very sick. Occasionally though she becomes lucid briefly. Follow me

She leads you back through the curtain into the work shop. None of her normal apprentices were present. she nods seeing your gaze. yes I told them to take the day off in mourning for Roderick.

Then to the storage room she leads you and opening the door, the smell of sickness rolled out and there on a cot was Katreza, asleep,

On the way to Clamor, Imara hangs back from the group and walks in silence. Her face is tense and pained. It's happening again. Could whomever took Brinya...and Katreza...could this have anything to do with the other disappearances? They weren't taken from town, though. I hate this...the not knowing.

Imara looks stunned. "Katreza is here?! Why is she here? I mean, why didn't she stay at the Sanctuary? Did she think she wasn't safe there?"

At the storage room
When they arrive at Katreza's room, Imara moves toward Sara rather than entering the room. She is confident the others will speak to Katreza, as they did before. She lowers her voice to avoid awaking Katreza and addresses Sara. "Where is the journal? Can we see it? It may be very important. And can we look at the cubby as well?"

"Why is everyone lying to us?" Shel asks no one in particular as she moves to the seer's side to see if her condition has changed at all. She was moderately surprised that the woman had survived the night and a move across town.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Phoenix flutters over to Katreza, landing on the bed beside the woman's head. Why was my patient moved without my permission?! He hisses, putting his head near the woman's mouth to gauge her breathing.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Like the others, Ovril is shocked and stunned to hear Sara confess she took Katreza in. In! How had Katreza been able to get out of bed in the first place?! A survival instinct so strong that it could defy a disease so terrible and wasting? Good Gods above, whatever she saw in her visions, it has given her strength beyond that of mortals ... this is bad, real bad.

With Imara laying claim to the journal and Shel attending to Katreza, Ovril paces about, waiting for either of the two to report back to the rest. "So, the signs are for those with darkvision. Orcs, dwarves, hobgoblins, but definitely not humans, half-elves, elves, and halflings. Roderick, dead, human. Who has gone missing in the last two days? Or reportedly so? Othden, who as far as I'm aware, is human. Who else?"

Riding Thistle into the shop, Rory is amazed at their good fortune in finding both Katreza and Rodericks journal. Not wanting Thistle to chase the fluttering chicken. Rory and his wolf stay in the shop area with Imara, Nodding in agreement with her questions.

Sitting atop Thistle he watches Ovril pace, shrugging at the question. "Who else is missing? So far only the five half orcs, correct? Once we search the cubby, read the journal and check on Kattreza maybe we should try the cards." He continues, "It makes you wonder why are the five half-orcs missing? Are all of them guilty of something or just afraid they will be blamed and went into hiding." Remembering their host is a half orc as well, he looks towards Sara, shaking his head, "We eventually need to tell Halgra what we have found."