Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

Astella says

Harmondale as in our own country? Well, that might be an exaggeration, but it isn't too far off the truth, since we are sitting between other powers, and need something to bolster that division.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 (fail)

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Daniel has heard mention of the ambassadors' offices in the past.

Seeing her friend in such a good mood, Estelle cheers and gives Brunhild a big hug! "Oh, I'm so happy for you, Brunhild! They never gave up on you, did they? So when do we get to meet them?" she asks, smiling.

When the topic of the king comes up, she ponders the options. "Technically it isn't a lie, no. But, it might help a bit if we made a bit of a name for ourselves first? To show we're at least somewhat capable. I don't think either of the messageboard requests will get us there, but finding the lost relic, which we originally came here for, might," she muses and takes a sip of her goat milk. "Besides, the smith needs two days to finish the orders for new weapons for Daniel and myself. If it were up to me, I'd say we look into these side matters first, collect the weapons, find the relic and then come back to try and talk to the king. How does that sound for use of our time?"

Besides, the smith needs two days to finish the orders for new weapons for Daniel and myself.

The smith asked for 3 days, if he'd craft weapons for the both of you. Currently, Daniel had respectfully declined on account of yet unknown time spent within the city.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I think the smith said three days, and now that I think about it, miss Greenbriar clarified that her friend had left before the robbery took place," She continues and apologizes. "Regardless, do you all agree trying to do these smaller tasks first? Or should we either find the relic or attempt speaking with the king first as represetatives of our town?"

If these tasks pay well, then I'm fine with using our time that way, although getting the castle repaired is my primary concern. What have you agreed to?

"To try and look into it, to maintain some measure of leeway. Besides, we haven't been paid anything yet either. If we want to look into the odd lover of the Copperbeard daughter though, we would probably have to do it tomorrow. We know the location and time where both will be present. Who knows when we'll have another chance like that? Oh, and the pay was five hundred gold for the stolen jewelry and two hundred in items for looking into the daughter."

Lady Greenbriar will pay 500 gold for the task of returning her jewelry, with an added 100 gold per robber, of the three, you can take in alive. And to deliver them to her as well.
Mr Copperbeard will pay 200 gold for the job, and 40 gold of assorted items of your choosing, per person, from his cache of nulled items.

Okay, well, it is a plan since we are going to be here a few days anyway. What time tomorrow?

"Let's see. The estimated time was..." she looks at the notes and details she took during the conversation with Mr. Copperbeard and shares the information. "There was also a bonus for capturing the robbers of Lady Greenbriar alive, of one hundred gold per robber. And... looking at these notes, the reward from Sir Copperbeard is a flat two hundred gold with 40 for us each from his cache of nulled items. Goddess, I'm having a hard time remembering details today..."

Her eyes glaze over and she watches the goat milk. "Brunhild? Please don't tell me your people put alcohol in that too, right...?"

Let's see. The estimated time was...

Mr Copperbeard's daughter was going to The Hard Corner in the evening.

Yeah, That I know. But he never mentioned an exact time of evening during the conversation. I think Estelle would have asked or noted it IC.

He only heard she'd go there. But it's fairly safe his estimate is to say they'd be there between 20:00 and 21:00. Hit the bar after eating out. He was a young lad once at some point. :)

"Right! So tomorrow we look into the duaghter's problem. And today we... hm..." The acolyte trails off. "Today we investigate the jewelry theft, then, and visit the hard corner. It's the only other thing we can do today if we want to make a name for ourselves before attempting to speak with the king and his court."

She rises and pays for the bill, then turns to leave. "Lead on, Brunhild. Let's go ask around in the southern quarter."

To push things along slightly I'll assume we agree to go there, there aren't that many other options if we agree to to the tavern tomorrow.

gather information in Southern Quadrant, on thefts and unusual happenings there: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Astella was thinking that they were going to start these tasks the next day, but Estelle seemed determined, and she'd waited around here most of the day waiting for everyone to get back already. Probably would be good to stretch her legs. She got up to follow.

Many dwarves are occupied with their own business, but some of the ones outside on mundane tasks, mostly have a minute to talk.

Estelle learns two bits of information.

It is not frequent, but people having been the target of a robbery in the southern residential district in the past, were at most a street away (in any direction) from one of three places that are 'popular' with the locals. The Brothel, by the name of 'The Gold'n Touch', a place named Coby's Corner Pub, and a tailoring shop named The Copper Needle.
Guards have made a few arrests in the past, but have not had enough success to stop repeating events.

Secondly, some robberies were with few numbers, while even small groups would get attacked by larger numbers. Said small groups often held a few wealthy people.

After Estelle shared her information, Astella said

So, get dressed in really nice clothes, visit those three places, and act as bait? Oh, wait, we can't... I think we sold all of those really nice clothes. Hmm. I wonder if anyone around here has Sleeves of Many Garments for sale. That would be worth having... even if we just had one person for bait, everyone else could wait in ambush.

"Using bait? Um... yes, that might be the easiest way to do this, but does put whoever acts like it in more danger than the rest. What are those sleeves you mention? Perhaps the named tailoring shop would have something if it relates to disguises? Though it might be watched by the thieves, so maybe we should get it elsewhere first..." The acolyte responds, clearly noy as versed in arcane items as her elven companion. "Maybe try the market again and come back?" she suggests.

Astella looks around at everyone, then shrugs.

Okay, I'll go back to the market, and I'm good with being the bait. I guess I'll meet you back at the inn then (again), and we can get started on these tasks tomorrow.

Astella goes in search of some Sleeves of Many Garments.

To Astella's surprise, the market lacks arcane oriented stalls.
Yet, just as she's about to abandon the search, a sign above a door in the back catches her eye.

[ Zah's Mystical Means ]

It doesn't look very special from the outside, aside from an unusual type of letters it is written in.
Think of Adorn font in a text program.

Assuming you investigate.....

The door gives off a vibe, that you as an arcane inclined caster, recognize as magical energy.

Inside, it looks way more spacious than the outside would suggest. Twice what you would have suspected. The door closes by itself behind you, and a fine looking set of gloves floats towards you. It makes a sideways inviting gesture towards the counter in the back.

On the shelves stand decorative items, nicely made, and vials with shimmering contents. A tapestry with the scene of a desert city under a setting sun is on a wall.

Part 2..

Looking away at the counter for a second, looking back in front of you, now stands a handsome looking tanned man of perhaps late twenties. A thin line beard with small earrings and short black hair that ends in a ponytail. Some rings adorn his fingers, and he wears an outlandish, stylish vest of ocean blue color.

"Welcome. I am Zahfir, and this is my establishment. How may i help you?"

Hello Zahfir. I'm Astella. I love your place. I'm looking for something specific today. Some "Sleeves of Many Garments." My mother owned some, and though they aren't the most flashy magic item, we found them endlessly useful. Do you have some of those?

I'd also like to see any other low-budget magic items you have. Just out of curiosity today, because I probably can't purchase anything else just now, but I would love to return at another time, and expect to be coming into a little money soon.

"Well, miss Astella, nice to make your acquaintence.
And thank you for the compliment, i do try to keep my place spacious and appealing."

"A set of Sleeves of many Garments, hmm? I agree, they are very much practical. Let's see.", and he goes past a row of unopened, and unlabeled, boxes lined on a thick shelf behind him. He picks one the size of a shoebox. "That's the one."

He places it on the counter and removes the lid. Neatly folded, are two light purple, finely smooth sleeves, embroided with a golden edge.

"Here you go. That will be 200 gold please."

"What kind of low budget items did you have in mind?"

Astella thinks the sleeves are kind of gaudy, but it doesn't really matter as long as they do what they are supposed to do.

She pays the man 200 gold, wincing at the 8 gold left in her pouch, and decides that if he doesn't have anything to show off, there is no need to tempt herself with things she can't afford.

Oh nevermind, no need to look now. I'll come back perhaps when I have more to spend. Thank you.

She puts the sleeves on before she goes and changes her clothing into those of a lesser noble and then back to normal again (sans showing the purple sleeves), just to test them out.

As long as everything goes well with testing them, she heads back to the inn to plan their ambush.

The sleeves work perfectly.

"Then i shall await your next visit. Good day to you, miss Astella."

Not wanting to split up when directly investigating a string of unresolved robberies in the area, Estelle follows Astella during her shopping. Once the elf finishes, she admires the shapechanging effects in wonder. "Wow, that is so cool! You would never need a wardrobe for anything ever again. Well, though you'd have to clean it still so maybe at least two outfits... hm... and I just bought some nice clothes myself..."

The priestess blinks. "I mean, that's not relevant, obviously! So, Astella, this ambush is your idea. How should we do this? Do we just follow you at a distance around these areas where the assaults took place until someone strikes?"

If only Estelle came along then Astella just brushes her off until they are with the rest of the group and she can explain to everyone. If everyone came, then she can explain somewhere else if that is important, although the less we are seen together in public the better, at least for our ambush plan and that part of town, to be safe.

No, we set up a specific ambush spot within the range that the robberies have taken place... perhaps an alley or a lesser traveled road, and then I visit a couple of the places where people are targeted in my really, really nice clothes, and perhaps flashing a lot of gold... I can borrow the group's money for that. Then I start "home," making sure I walk the way that you guys are hiding. If we're lucky you don't need to follow at all. I just get them on the line and deliver them to you. If we're unlucky, then they won't show up, or they are using divination and/or teleportation to do the robberies, and we'll have very little chance. I'm hoping it is just non-magical local thugs.

Sorry that I've been absent. But catching up with everything

"That makes the most sense. Less likely for a group our size to be caught. And if these are dwarves who are attacking people, then hopefully Astella can outrun them to get to where we be hiding."

It is around 15.00 or so, atm. Will the ambush be in the afternoon or evening? Regardless, everyone roll a perception check. Those of you who are going to escort our VIP at a distance, roll either a bluff or stealth check, to try mask your intentions.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

I think the plan was that I lead the bad guys to them rather than them following me. Maybe an alley really nearby where they can hide, and then I go walk down it between visits to all of the places or something?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Stealth for the ambush, not for following behind: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

sorry all, you wouldn't believe the series of unfortunate events I've dealt with... anyway.. Astelle, do you think having at least a single "hired guard/muscle" would lend more credence to your bait, or would it scare them away?

Hmm... that's an interesting idea. We could try it with a single guard first, and then if no one takes the bait, we leave and I come back without, making sure to slur drunkenly that I don't need someone watching over me and why did my father hire him anyway, doesn't he know I can look after myself...

I take it then, that you plan the ambush in the afternoon, as no time was specified after asking.

3d20 + 3 ⇒ (16, 13, 17) + 3 = 493d20 - 1 ⇒ (14, 12, 12) - 1 = 373d20 + 7 ⇒ (20, 12, 4) + 7 = 43
Wow, these guys are fit today.

1 Coby's Corner Pub, 2 Copper Needle, 3 The Gold'n Touch: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Daniel Perception, Stealth: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 151d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
-----------------------------------------------------

Astella, accompanied by her trusty 'bodyguard', walks by the Copper Needle at first. Nothing seems odd, at first, but she does notice 2 silhouettes in dimly lit corners. They slip into obscurity upon your gaze.

Daniel is oblivious to them by himself, but gets a nudge about 2 people watching them.

Walking past the brothel later on, slurring and alone, Astella catches two figures starting to move in the distance. They move out and into her view. Behind stacked crates, a large rain barrel, fences. She's leading them into a left alley.

The rest of the team seems to notice the movement of only one of them.

Brunhild is tucked behind a rain barrel, and Estelle is pretending to be a bystander not paying attention. Daniel's not too stealthy, his boots and part of the blade still clearly showing.

Then...there is a sound. The sound of a bird chirping nearby, from a bit north of the ambush team's location. Two sticks roll over the cobblestone street, producing a cloud of fog each, leaving but the direction of Astella and her stalkers open.

I'll get the map later.

Oooh, fog. Should be an interesting fight. :)

The fog quickly fills two 10ft areas near the ambush team, with Astella halfway down the alley towards them.
Daniel and Estelle hear some chuckling somewhere north, then a hastened pace leaving.

The alley, round 1

Daniel
-----------
Orange
-----------
Estelle & Brunhild
-----------
Green & Red
-----------
Astella
-----------
Cyan

Orange and Red have not yet entered the map.

Just standing by, waiting for my turn.

Daniel: "Trickery! Be on your guard everyone!"
Figuring Astella is going to be a target with them distracted, Daniel moves out of the fog into the western alley.

Somewhere a dwarf hugs the wall, cautiously creeping near from the eastern alley.

Brunhild, a DC 26 perception to hear the sneaky rogue's approach.

Estelle & Brunhild
-----------
Green & Red
-----------
Astella
-----------
Cyan

Caughing from all the smoke and eyes tearing from irritation, Estelle walks out of the cloud and in the direction of Daniel and Astella.

However, she only sees a single dwarf further along the way and knew this couldn't be all. So, instead she casts a quick spell to augment herself and gets ready for whatever came their way.

Move west 20 feet, cast divine favor. Unsure how far that gets her from the smoke cloud for provoking purposes.

Brunhild stood with her back to the corner of the wall. She realized that she wouldn’t be able to fire off any arrows here. Fog and narrow streets made her into being near useless. So she had to rely on her fists…

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Readied Action: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

5ft step north readied action first enemy to be in punching distance

Move west 20 feet, cast divine favor. Unsure how far that gets her from the smoke cloud for provoking purposes.

Anything coming out of the fog would not provoke due to concealment.

The adventurers move out of the fog, noticing an adversary beyond Astella down the alley.

Brunhild on her side, notices a dwarf of unsavory appearance enter the nearby alley. Seeing a glimpse of her as he comes, he draws a flask from his belt and flings it at her.

Ranged touch, cover: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9?: 1d5 ⇒ 5, it falls south of Brunhild's position, splashing her for 1 damage, as he acid's droplets sizzle on her forearm.
--------------------
Astella
-----------
Cyan

Astella keeps walking, stepping into the cloud. Then she casts Gravity Bow where she can't be observed.

Estelle wrote:

Move west 20 feet, cast divine favor. Unsure how far that gets her from the smoke cloud for provoking purposes.

Anything coming out of the fog would not provoke due to concealment.

True, the comment was more about that I wasn't sure how much distance Estelle could move from the cloud first, as I couldn't see the exact squares and distance yesterday. Perhaps I overlooked that, though.

As Astella moves into the fog, still a miss % 20 from outside, i believe. the dwarf at the other end ducks into cover, picking something from his belt.

The alley, round 2

Daniel
-----------
Orange
-----------
Estelle & Brunhild
-----------
Green & Red
-----------
Astella
-----------
Cyan

Daniel, sword ready to strike, moves towards the dwarf's position.
"Leave the lady be, or face punishment!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
He says this with such determination, that the dwarf is slightly taken aback.
Said dwarf in return, throws a rubbery sack at him as he leans slightly out.

Rt, shaken: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16 Hit.
Reflex Daniel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Daniel proves alert enough to avoid getting his feet glued to the floor, but he himself is covered in sticky goop, making his movement sluggish.
Turns until brittle: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Orange enters the map, and tosses another smoke stick to cover his bud in front of him.
------------------------
Estelle & Brunhild
-----------
Green & Red
-----------
Astella
-----------
Cyan

Brunhild frowned. This was bad. Smoke to her left and right. Her allies were to one side, and she was being attacked on the other. Without anyone to fight, and feeling horribly exposed, she decided to take a risk and run through the smoke towards her companions.

She ran until she got to Estelle. "More on the other side!" She blurted out. Throwing flasks, don't know what's in them."[/b]