Agents of the Citadel (Inactive)

Game Master EltonJ

"If we're allowed to have another drink, that would be great.
We probably have 10-12 hours to kill before we are even in the city.
We should eat also ..."

Skyfall shakes the first cocktail

"Spectre, can you reproduce a couple copies of the symbol outside Big's shop? Finding it and learning what it's called and where it's located is key. Can someone work up a solicitation? I am better versed in the 'other' art of soliciting: but once we know WHERE to send a message, we need to one to send there. We need to be able to present the opportunity for him to hire a team of barristers. I am happy to take care of the messaging: it has been my priamry role and cover in Sharn for years, and there will actually be any number of people who are glad I am back. I can work on producing some fairly unassailable dispatches from the House to add to my satchel ..."

Hands cocktail to Golden, begins another

"and of course, you all need lodging, somewhere I am likely to spend time without being conspicuous"

"Food would be good," Opi agreed. "If I can find a galley I can make us something. Is it a galley on a train?"

"Food would be good," Opi agreed. "If I can find a galley I can make us something. Is it a galley on a train?"

"There actually is usually a dining car on the Lightning Rail, let's go take a look ..."

Agent Goldeneye takes the glass. "Poison is not generally my modus operandi. I tend to be more direct. But I may find a use for it." the warforged says, looking down at the liquid in the glass.

Agent Goldeneye takes the glass. "Poison is not generally my modus operandi. I tend to be more direct. But I may find a use for it." the warforged says, looking down at the liquid in the glass.

Ceneth smiles as he hands the glass

"It's actually just an expression ... most of us don't drink poison on missions either, like at all. But the principle of it, as Moonraker implied, is that alcohol is technically a poison to organics. We tend to take it in smaller amounts so that we can interact better."

He looks over at Spectre

"See how much more fun Spectre is now? I almost feel like the little dragon should have a drink too."

"It's actually just an expression ... most of us don't drink poison on missions either, like at all."

Prosperity chuckles. "As a matter of fact, I drink poison on missions quite frequently." They open their jacket to reveal three small glass bottles strapped to the inside, containing what appear to be to be ale, mucus, and tar respectively. They wink. "You think this is fun, wait till you see me on one of these rascals." They glance over at Zoa, who somehow snuck out of the satchel again and is licking the last drops of whiskey from an overturned bottle. "As for Zoa, I think she's on the same page as you are."

"Spectre, can you reproduce a couple copies of the symbol outside Big's shop?"

"Certainly." Retrieving writing supplies from the coach, Spectre quickly sketches out four copies of both the lettering and diamond from the sign they saw in their vision. They offer one to each of the others.

"Can someone work up a solicitation?"

This task takes Spectre longer; they jot down a draft to show the others, and if it meets approval they select the highest quality ink and parchment to carefully letter in the short message.

"Wow, this is perfect! I am seriously starving now, but this is perfect.

How does that sound for everyone?"

Once the wording is finalized, Spectre folds the note and puts it in a blank envelope. They doff the bizarre contraption from their head and twist the various protrusions until it becomes little more than a lump of metal bearing a precisely engraved image of a tribex. With Zoa's help, they drip wax from a candle to seal the envelope and press down with their tool to mark the seal. Turning their traveler's any-tool into a masterwork tool for Linguistics checks to create forgeries.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 = 31 Zoa Linguistics Aid Another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

It was enough to make a few forgeries of Mr. Big's symbol. Almost perfectly, but good enough to find his shop in Sharn.

Prosperity Jann wrote:

Once the wording is finalized, Spectre folds the note and puts it in a blank envelope. They doff the bizarre contraption from their head and twist the various protrusions until it becomes little more than a lump of metal bearing a precisely engraved image of a tribex. With Zoa's help, they drip wax from a candle to seal the envelope and press down with their tool to mark the seal. Turning their traveler's any-tool into a masterwork tool for Linguistics checks to create forgeries.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 = 31 Zoa Linguistics Aid Another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

It was enough to make a few forgeries of Mr. Big's symbol. Almost perfectly, but good enough to find his shop in Sharn.

So then after everyone is settled, Ceneth can take the message to the shop, and return the next day at noon as Properity indicated in the note ... and in the meantime, hire them a chef because he is still hungry.

"Alright, we've got a plan. I'm not willing to discuss my past or opinions, and I doubt anyone else is either." Cari sighs"Does anyone have a conqueror or card set?"

"Yeah, most of my opinions are either boring or treasonous." Spectre props one of their boots on a nearby seat and starts untying the laces. "For that matter, so is much of my past."

Tugging the boot off they add, "But no games for me, I'm afraid. I'd like to get a start on my crafting before this buzz wears off." They remove the other boot, then produce a bag of gold coins from their sack and toss one to Ceneth. "If you can find a dining car and bring back some food I'd be most grateful. Meat for Zoa, as close to raw as possible, and maybe something potato-based for me."

With that, Spectre gets to work. They twist their seal matrix until it changes shape once again to resemble some sort of crucible, which they set up by the window and fill with large handfuls of gold. Masterwork tool for Spellcraft checks to enchant magic items. Spectre slowly melts down the coins, but instead of becoming molten gold they seem to undergo a transmutation into ordinary leather, like alchemy's very disappointing cousin. With this leather Spectre refurbishes their boots, replacing the straps and slimming down the clunky soles as Zoa helps pry them into shape. Spending 8 hours and 750 gp to make a DC 16 Spellcraft check to further enchant their boots of the earth so that they also function as boots of the cat. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25 Zoa Spellcraft Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Spending 8 hours and 750 gp to make a DC 16 Spellcraft check to further enchant their boots of the earth so that they also function as boots of the cat. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25 Zoa Spellcraft Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

You managed to add the enchantment.

"There is little to discuss in my past. All of the interesting parts are secret anyway. If I told you, I would have to end you."

Cari doozes off, but doesn't let herself fall into full sleep. She hates this spycraft, but she's good at it. This is going to be a long lightning coach ride if no one talks.

Spectre engages in idle chitchat with the others as they work, unable to spare the attention for anything more serious. They gladly accept any food brought back from the dining car, and Zoa entertains herself gnawing on the bones.

When eight hours have passed and Spectre's boots are complete, they pull them on and return their tool to its headset form before crossing to a window of the coach. Gazing out, they can just barely spot the shape of Sharn on the horizon. "Guess I should check on what our dear antiquities-dealer is up to. Then perhaps Skyfall can fly ahead to set up that lodging." They pull out the crystal ball they were given, along with the image of Mr. Big and the vial of his blood. Their incantation and movements seem similar to what they performed before, only much briefer. After just a few seconds they are staring deeply into the orb. Activating the crystal ball to scry on Mr. Big again. DC 16 Will save with a -12 penalty.

Mr. Big's will save: 1d20 + 3 - 12 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 12 = -2

Mr. Big is getting his clothes on. He has the stone with him, ready to sell to a buyer today.

Spectre's eyes widen at the sight of the stone. "He's got the stone with him, looks like he's getting ready to head out. This sale might be moving forward faster than we thought." By the way, what time of day is it as we're getting into Sharn?

They renew their detection spell. Detect magic, works through the crystal ball if I roll above 50 on this d%: 1d100 ⇒ 78. Spectre studies the stone carefully, then the rest of the image. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 Anything noteworthy they can glean about the stone's capabilities? Any other magic auras, e.g. from Mr. Big's gear?

Then Spectre draws a small pearl from their shirt pocket and pops it in their mouth like a piece of candy, swirling it with their tongue for a moment before spitting it out and stowing it. They speak yet another incantation, and their eyes roll back once more. Using their pearl of power to recall ears of the city and casting it again — oh the joys of being a spellcaster on a recon mission. Seven more Diplomacy checks, each obtaining information as if Spectre had spent 1d4 hours talking to people in Sharn about that topic.
1. The identity of Mr. Big's contact in House Sivis — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
2. Any noteworthy identity/motives among those who've come forward as interested in buying the stone — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
3. Who specifically Mr. Big is trying to blackmail with the documents, and for what — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

Spectre's eyes widen at the sight of the stone. "He's got the stone with him, looks like he's getting ready to head out. This sale might be moving forward faster than we thought." By the way, what time of day is it as we're getting into Sharn?

In the morning hours, about 7:58 am.

They renew their detection spell. Detect magic, works through the crystal ball if I roll above 50 on this d%: 1d100. Spectre studies the stone carefully, then the rest of the image. [dice=Spellcraft]1d20+18 Anything noteworthy they can glean about the stone's capabilities? Any other magic auras, e.g. from Mr. Big's gear?

The speaking stone is a special stone, having the crest of Breland upon it. It has the capabilities of any other Sivis stone, just that this one's rare. Mr. Big wants to sell it for a lot of money.

Well, I say he has some shards. Three from Khyber, one from Eberron, and two from Syberys.

Then Spectre draws a small pearl from their shirt pocket and pops it in their mouth like a piece of candy, swirling it with their tongue for a moment before spitting it out and stowing it. They speak yet another incantation, and their eyes roll back once more. Using their pearl of power to recall ears of the city and casting it again — oh the joys of being a spellcaster on a recon mission. Seven more Diplomacy checks, each obtaining information as if Spectre had spent 1d4 hours talking to people in Sharn about that topic.
1. The identity of Mr. Big's contact in House Sivis — [dice=Diplomacy]1d20+20
2. Any noteworthy identity/motives among those who've come forward as interested in buying the stone — [dice=Diplomacy]1d20+20
3. Who specifically Mr. Big is trying to blackmail with the documents, and for what — [dice=Diplomacy]1d20+20

1. The identity of Mr. Big's contact is obscure to you. (you rolled a natural 1).

2. One of them is Mr. Big's contact in Skyway, a collector of fine art. He wanted a speaking stone for a while now. Years even.

3. Mr. Big is blackmailing an elven noble from Wroat. For what? His many dalliances. The elven noble is one Jerriot ir'Huran. Jerriot is looking for a way out of the blackmail.

4. Whether and how the blackmail of Jerriot is connected to these recent thefts — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
5. Opponents/enemies of King Boranel within the parliament —Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
6. The barrister's guild in Sharn — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
7. The identity of Mr. Big's contact in House Sivis (a retry assuming that's allowed, looks like it is for checks to gather information) — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36

When Spectre's divination is complete they turn to the others, eyeing the sunlight that's started to trickle in through the coach window. "We may have to accelerate our plans a bit." As they explain what they learned they start packing up their belongings, getting ready to head out from the car when it arrives. Zoa slithers back into the satchel. Spectre also drafts up a second version of the solicitation, identical except the phrase "noon tomorrow" is replaced with "noon today."

4. Whether and how the blackmail of Jerriot is connected to these recent thefts — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

5. Opponents/enemies of King Boranel within the parliament —Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
6. The barrister's guild in Sharn — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
[ooc]7. The identity of Mr. Big's contact in House Sivis (a retry assuming that's allowed, looks like it is for checks to gather information) — Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36

"A few updates on Mr. Big's contacts that my divinations have been able to uncover. The traitor he's been working with is Logan d'Sivis of Yolando. He's also in touch with a collector of fine art in Skyway who's wanted a speaking stone for years and is looking to buy. Finally, he's been blackmailing the elven noble Jerriot ir'Huran and is setting him up as a scapegoat for these thefts."

At that Spectre stows their headset, and with a snap of their fingers their outfit transforms into a shabby brown traveling cloak with a hood that covers just enough to be anonymizing without looking mysterious. Sleeves of many garments. "In light of the risk that a sale is planned for today, I'd suggest we split up to find the shop as soon as we arrive and worry about lodging later. We can stay in touch with the rings, and Skyfall can teleport to whoever finds it to play his role as courier." Spectre passes Skyfall the telescope as well as both copies of the solicitation, and prepares to exit the coach when it comes to stop.