The ninjas row (three in one canoe) closer. There’s likely some shooting from further out, but we’ll say they’re all misses until they get in a bit to shore (I don’t want to sort out all the 5x range stuff). They’re still quite a ways out though (call it 60’). I think we can manage this without a map.
Since the party’s weapons are slightly longer range - you may have the initiative…
Durgan takes the time while the enemy is approaching to draw and load his crossbow, and to cast Guidance. Once they are within range, he shoots.
Mukluk moves behind cover as he draws his wand. He will fire when the bad guys get within 45’, shooting at whomever is shooting back.
touch hit;
fire damage
Kisaiya draws and fires her bow. She over-pulls and misfires, not realizing she is stronger than she used to be.
Durgan lands a blow with his crossbow. Kisaiya misses. Mukluk is waiting for them to get in range, but it doesn’t look like they’re getting any closer. Rory also manages a blow, and a solid one. Ameiko fires off a shot with a short bow as well - hoping for the best!
Ameiko, to her surprise, hits!
The ninja’s fire back at Rory, who’s doing the most damage so far.
Rory's unluckily hit three times - though no crit at least!
Durgan activates his Aura of Deflection, giving the entire party a +2 deflection bonus to AC for 4 rounds.
Round 3
Mukluk grunts as the ice ninjas fail to come closer. He casts Glitterdust on the trio and keeps behind cover.
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+4[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4+2[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+4[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Divine Mule Piss]1d20+3+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d4+2[/dice] divine fire
touch to hit;
acid
touch hit;
fire damage
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +2/+3/+9 +2 vs spells, poison
HP: 22/22
Resist 5 cold/acid
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
MuleFire: 0/7 used
Kisaiya tries to adjust her pull to be not quite so strong this time…but then she pulls too softly.
HP: 40/40
AC: 24/14/22
Saves: F6/R3/W6
Hero Points: 1
Smite Evil Used: 2/2
Lay on Hands Used: 2/4
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style, deflection aura
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Durgan improves the parties defenses. Kisaiya manages another miss. Mukluk tries to blind them as Rory takes out blue, who slumps into the canoe. Ameiko is reminded to begin to inspire courage (+1).
vs DC 17
vs DC 17
vs DC 17
The blind leading the blind, they give up their attempts at vanquishing you (and 'saving' their ally). Instead, they take up oars, and speed up the coast - escaping as quickly as they can manage - pretty quickly all things considered. The canoe speeds through the water.
"Certainly, Rory."
Durgan converts Protection from Evil to Cure Light Wounds.
Ameiko puts away her bow and shrugs, her inspiration coming too late. ”Nice blinding Mukluk. You drove them off!” She grins.
The ninja speed away into the darkening sky as the flaming longship rounds the corner and out of your sight.
It will be late, again, by the time you return to Kalsgard proper. If you don’t turn in soon, you’ll be fatigued in the morning.
What do you do?
”Nice blinding Mukluk. You drove them off!”
"Aww, it was nothin'," Mukluk stammers, clearly embarrassed by the praise. "Nothing that Moose wouldn't have done sooner if he were here. They would never have dared attack us again. But thanks...uh," he rubs the back of his neck, still uncomfortable. "I'm going to go stand over there."
Mukluk goes to stand over there.
After a while, he ponders what to do next.
"Well, there was no sword there, maybe. We should return, maybe spend some time figuring out that helm, and yet more time learning more about the Rimerunner's Guild," he says. He doesn't think there is any reason to stick around at the moment.
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You return to town, and find your caravan once again. After a quick supper, you collapse into your sleeping rolls and sleep the night away (with proper watches of course).
The next day (Desnus 6, a Starday), you pool your few leads, in the hopes that something might come of them.
- One or more murders of crows keep following the party and in fact watch you munch on your breakfast.
- A hooded figure, smelling lightly of lilac flowers, keeps dogging your steps as well.
- Asvig Longthew, not the hooded figure (too tall) was hired by somebody to steal the blade, and he also kidnapped Ulf Gormundr and attacked your caravan. You don’t know who hired him.
- Snorri Stone-eye was Asvig’s lord, but you don’t know who he worked for (failed knowledge local). Later you learned that the Rimerunners Guild did hire Snorri for the odd job - but it’s hard to know how close their relationship was though without gathering further information.
- A hooded man sent a drunk to attack you in the streets and slow you down. It is unknown if he smelled of lilac.
- Snorri, turns out, degenerated into some sort of undead thing which you had to destroy. No sword or prisoner was found on the boat, though you’re not sure who the deceased wrapped in the bier might have been.
- The ninja, a Tien man, worked for the Frozen Shadows, a guild of thieves in Kalsgard.
- The ninja was hired by Thorborg Silverskorr, connected in some way to the Rimerunners Guild. You’re not sure, yet, what their connection is.
You are also, in theory, looking for a guide over the Crown of the World, as none of you have experience - at least not all the way.
Mukluk spends some time with Moose, explaining what happened with the ship and even mentioning how he fell, face first off the boat. He wasn't going to start lying to Moose now, and the truth is the truth. And so he told it.
When that is done, and Moose has been given extra carrots for protecting the caravan so well, Mukluk will head over to where the party might be to discuss things.
You tell me. I suppose Moose would know.
He pauses and looks over to Spivey asking, "Hey Spivey, how soon can you do that thing where you talk to Desna?"
Spivey grins and laughs, ”I dunno! Let’s try!” She dance-flys around a little circle and tries to cast the spell, but it does not work.
”Not yet!” she says.
Mukluk will spend a bit of time with the helm (if Kisaiya allows it), and even takes it to Moose to see what might be going on. He'll let Moose try on the helm for a bit, even kick it around in hopes of figuring things out, magically. He will be using his last good brain cells and Detect Magic.
"Should we check in with Fynn Snaevald and see what he knows about Thorborg Silverskorr and the Rimerunners Guild? He undoubtedly knows more about this city and its major players than we do."
Kisaiya has no complaint as Mukluk investigates the helm. She nods in agreement at Durgan’s suggestion. ”Yes, we won’t have the element of surprise anyways since the rest of the assassins got away, so it makes sense to regroup and determine what we can learn to prepare ourselves better.”
Mukluk takes his time investigating the helm, but doesn’t uncover anything in particular. Perhaps it’s the helm of a god, and so beyond his ability to understand. Or perhaps it’s just a minor item of little consequence. Moose tries to nibble at it, but looses interest when Mukluk pulls it away lest he damage the fine feathering.
After breakfast, you return to the home of Fynn Snaevald. Perhaps it’s early for him, or perhaps he’s just busy, but you’re left waiting some little while in his sitting room before he joins you. You are well cared for at least, plied with sweets and coffee by a few household servants.
Eventually he canes in with speed and joins you smiling. ”So! Have you found the blade and vanquished my foes? It has been only a short time, but you are already back - tell me what you’ve done and learned!”
"If you would allow me, Mukluk?"
Durgan casts Detect Good on the helmet.
"Ah. There is something righteous about this helmet. Let me see if I can determine more."
He keeps concentrating to determine the strength of the aura.
Durgan studies the helm and determines it to be of moderate power (link to table).
Quite righteous indeed!
The old man thinks a long moment before replying, ”Nope. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any Ulf Gormundr. It’s not an uncommon name, Ulf. You’d have to ask around on that one.”
He shakes his head, ”Thorborg Silverskorr I’ve heard of naturally. SHE runs the Rimerunners Guild. Head honcho. If she hired the ninjas, that’s bad news. She’s a well respected merchant, though rarely seen in public really. However, she has numerous connections with the wealthy and powerful of Kalsgard, including Linnorm King Sveinn Blood-Eagle himself!”
”The guild is located on the waterfront in the Jade Quarter and is well protected. I wouldn’t suggest a frontal assault.” He frowns, disappointed the investigation has lead in this direction.
”If you’re going to deal with those bastards, you’ll need more power…”
Durgan studies the helm and determines it to be of moderate power (link to table).
"It's good? What does that mean, it's *good*? I know it's a fine helm because that's why Kisaiya wants to wear and bear it," Mukluk expresses frustration after all his and Moose's efforts turn up nothing, but then Durgan can simply pronounce it good.
* * *
"Have you heard of any of these folk?"
Mukluk moves to support Rory's narration with agreeable head nods and positive 'yeps', hopeful that this encounter will end without anyone ending up murdert (as most city interactions do).
"He done tell it right. Now we don't know what we got going on, now do we? Unless you know? Do you know?"
* * *
”If you’re going to deal with those bastards, you’ll need more power…”
Mukluk shakes his head at those words, not liking the sound of it. "I think we've done what we needed to do, right? Can't we just leave town and put all this behind us?"
Kisaiya declines the offer of the helm from Mukluk, preferring it go to someone else who is not already as protect as she is by divine power. She nods at Rory’s insistence they still need to recover the sword.
”I know it might not seem like much, just another trinket, but swords are of great importance to the Empress of Heaven. She has one as Her holy symbol and places great value in their history and provenance. As a patron deity of Minkai, Her love of swords becomes Minkai’s love of swords. If Ameiko is to make a claim, we must have it. I believe it is why our enemies are trying so hard to keep it from us.”
Durgan will don the helm if Kisaiya does not want it.
"The sword could have been hidden somewhere on that ship and now lying at the bottom of the fjord. If that is the case, I can prepare magic that we may search for it. Such a search could actually be easier than if this thieves' guild has it.
But I think it more likely it was never on that ship.
If the thieves' guild is powerful and well-connected, we may need to try another approach. Deception or trickery of some sort, maybe. I know it would not be your preference, Kisaiya, so I am open to other ideas."
"He done tell it right. Now we don't know what we got going on, now do we? Unless you know? Do you know?"
”No.” the old man shakes his head slowly, ”I must admit it does not make sense. The Rimerunners Guild is reasonably well respected in town. Seems odd for it to be involved in this. Maybe Thorborg serves two masters?”
”I know it might not seem like much, just another trinket, but swords are of great importance to the Empress of Heaven. She has one as Her holy symbol and places great value in their history and provenance. As a patron deity of Minkai, Her love of swords becomes Minkai’s love of swords. If Ameiko is to make a claim, we must have it. I believe it is why our enemies are trying so hard to keep it from us.”
”Yes,” Ameiko begins slowly, ”If the sword is my birthright, I shall claim it. And this Ulf fellow may be in dire straights because of us. I’d see that corrected too!” She adds.
Durgan will don the helm if Kisaiya does not want it.
"If the thieves' guild is powerful and well-connected, we may need to try another approach. Deception or trickery of some sort, maybe. I know it would not be your preference, Kisaiya, so I am open to other ideas."
The helm fits a little snugly on Durgan’s head, but fits well enough.
Ameiko adds, ”I can support you in this Durgan.”
So where to from here? It’s early in the day, so you could do shopping, gather information, etc.
"I had some ideas, too. Scrolls of Clairvoyance, Gaseous Form, and Invisibility for example. Possibly Dungeonsight or Arcane Eye. Divinations and stealth. Hopefully no melee at all.
But first, maybe we should try to speak to the Guild. Politely. If the Guild is so well-respected, then many of their staff may not even know that Thorborg Silverskorr has any connection to the Frozen Shadows.
How might we approach them? Do any of you have any thoughts?"
”I know it might not seem like much, just another trinket, but swords are of great importance to the Empress of Heaven...I believe it is why our enemies are trying so hard to keep it from us.”
Mukluk listens, then nods in understanding. This was clearly a holy quest for some, and a way to demand extra oats from others. He wasn't going to judge either on its merits as they probably wouldn't be equivalent. Besides, he likes oats too for breakfast so he's not hardly a fair judge in the matter.
He will accompany the party in the city, mostly to prevent them from becoming murdert in the course of things, as it always happens in the city.
"How might we approach them? Do any of you have any thoughts?"
Mukluk rubs the back of his neck, trying to think like a city person. "I suppose we should first state that we don't want to be murdert, and would like to making anyone else murdert," he says thoughtfully, thinking that that's a good place to begin in any city discussion. "I'm all out of ideas after that. That's a good starting place though, uh-huh, yes it is."
"No. I plan to speak to members of the Rimerunners Guild. Not the Frozen Shadows. Not Thorberg Silverskorr. And I plan to be subtle about it.
Though I'm open to other ideas. What do you suggest?"
He thinks a moment.
"If you truly believe that the members of the guild will attack me if I go there to talk, then maybe you would wish to gather the authorities to observe from outside, such as through Scrying on me. If they see me being attacked, then they would move in. For myself, I do not wish to involve the authorities yet, but then again I do not expect to be attacked either."
Having offered his best opinion, Mukluk is all out of ideas. However, he's happy to support Durgan with his plan though he doesn't think it's the best one. Getting attacked, especially in a city, is how one ends up murdert.
"Well, maybe we should go take a look at things, personal-like, and see if we have any better ideas than throwing one of ourselves on their swords," he offers another approach.
Kisaiya nods at Mukluk’s contributions. ”Let’s find out more information first. Then we can decide how to proceed.”
As they are preparing to leave Fynn Snaevald's home, Rory Asks Fynn, "One last question old friend, where is the best place to purchase a magical blade?"
Fynn Snaevald reaches for a piece of paper and writes down a name. He passes it to you, ”Go see my friend. We came up as merchants together over the years. He can be trusted to be fair, and keep his mouth shut about what he sells.”
Ameiko nods agreeing with the thoughts so far, ”I wonder if we can sneak in at night. A silence scroll won’t last long, but it might get us past any posted guards and inside. Might learn something from that too. But we’ll definitely need magical support to pull that off. Not a lot of stealth in this group.” she grins. Kisaiya knows Ameiko can be stealthy when she wants to be. She’s snuck up on her a few times.
As they move towards the shops Rory asks as he looks towards Kisaiya and Ameiko, "Do we really think that talking to folks who have tried to kill us three time is the best idea?"
Ameiko adds, ”Well, we need to know if the guild is a front, or if it really is just a few bad apples cross pollinating. We can’t go beating everyone up if they don’t deserve it.”
"No. I plan to speak to members of the Rimerunners Guild. Not the Frozen Shadows. Not Thorberg Silverskorr. And I plan to be subtle about it."
”Exactly.” Ameiko nods, agreeing with Durgan’s plan.
Actually no. The Rimerunner’s guild is a powerful trade guild. They handle everything from the basics - food and sundries - all the way through to covering the various trade routes that keep this city alive. The thieves guild (Frozen Shadows) is another matter altogether, and one you could maybe research...
I see Kisaiya is supporting a gather information check for this morning. Durgan, do you want to lead? If so, what’s the question? Also, Ameiko is willing to go off and do some research as well - though that will split the party in case of trouble. If she does, let me know what you want her to investigate. Otherwise she’ll aid Durgan as well.
- - -
"I would try to be subtle enough to convince whoever I am speaking with to not bring this to Silverskorr's attention.
What do we have? Just the word of an assassin who claimed that the leader of the guild hired them. That's not grounds for murdering the rank-and-file guildsmen.
The assassin could have been deceived about who hired them. It could be someone trying to frame Silverskorr. That's not what I think, but it could be convincing. (It's also quite stupid that the assassins sent on a mission would even know who hired them. Far smarter for them to not have that information.)
So I say that I am there to clear Silverskorr's name, and want to check recent transactions and interactions to identify who might be behind this, who might have cause to besmirch her name. And ask that, to avoid disturbing the honorable Thorberg Silverskorr, I wish to keep this quiet and handle it myself (with the assistance of whoever I speak to).
With luck, some mid-ranking guild member thinks that by showing initiative and handling this quietly, they can win favor.
That's the key - to not have it sent up the ladder. You might not know a lot about how guilds work, but I can tell you they are not hive-minds. It is not the case that everything a worker learns is instantly relayed to the queen."
"Anyway, that's how I would approach this. I don't believe the rank-and-file guildsmen know anything about this - they could not have a sterling reputation if they did. People talk. Some guildsman would be in his cups one night and let the word slip."
Mukluk backs up Durgan's queries as much as he understands them, but his understanding of city life is limited and confused.
"So...yeah, Durgan? You think so? Let's see if that is true."
Durgan will ask around about the Rimerunners Guild and its members. Although he isn't saying so explicitly, he is hoping to find the names of some of the more ambitious mid-level members of the Rimerunners Guild. Maybe someone with an exaggerated sense of their own cleverness, or one with hopes of assuming leadership someday. He'll get at this by listening to stories and selectively encouraging the ones he wants to hear more about.
Durgan spends a few hours that morning learning a lot. The Rimerunners guild is an old organization which has held political power as well as mercantile might off and on throughout its history. But never so much as now. Thorborg Silverskorr runs the Rimerunners Guild and has for some time. However, just a few years ago she gained political interests, and has made it to the council for Kalsgard. Though elected just last season, she’s already held her own and is moving swiftly up the ranks of even that tier. Some say she even has the ear of the king!
Though it’s a large organization, their headquarters is rather small, two story structure at the river’s edge in Kalsgard’s Jade Quarter. There are other offices and warehouses and more of course, but the important stuff happens there. It is however guarded by dozens of well armed guards, both day and night. They take their security seriously.
You could try talking to Dwothelin Wraithbreaker. She’s a guild factor, a sort of mid-level flunky with a few clerks employed under her. As luck would have it, you buy a drink for one of her underlings, who, after perhaps a second drink, agrees to put you on her schedule. He lets you know you can see her for a few minutes just before supper. ”She always leaves that time for local constituents.” he smiles warmly before rushing back to the office.
There’s your own lunch coming up and then you’ll have the afternoon if you wish to do some shopping - all prior to the meeting. This is a large town with the resources of a wealthy trade community. Pretty much anything you can afford at this juncture is available to you. Not a lot of towns like this for a while, so you might buy what can’t be made on the trip.
Ameiko will get Craft Arms and Armor in two levels, and of course Koya Mvashti has Brew Potion and Craft Wonderous now. I think one or two of you might also have some crafting, but I don’t now remember clearly. Make your plans, and you’ll meet with the guild factor this evening.
Durgan takes the entirely of his share from Snorri Stone-Eye's stone eye (so 1,000 GP) and gives it to Fynn.
"I would like to donate this to the Lord of Kalsgard to use as they see fit. Please see that it gets to them after we leave the city."