'Gallows of Madness - The Festering Blot'

Game Master Shadow Dragon

Grizzlebin grumbles a bit about bringing Anilda along--but then, letting her run around to find trouble on her own seems risky too . . .

Grumblebin grumbles - as usual!

Guardian XI displays a smile that makes Anilda's look mild. Now that's spooky!

"If needed we could approximate a hooded cloak using a blanket, or maybe there is somewhere outside of town where Anilda could shelter until we return?"

Were there any abandoned buildings or other good shelters on the route we could need to take to get back to town?

"If needed we could approximate a hooded cloak using a blanket, or maybe there is somewhere outside of town where Anilda could shelter until we return?"

Were there any abandoned buildings or other good shelters on the route we could need to take to get back to town?

No. Due to the Goblinblood Wars much was burned down and only rebuilt when inhabited. You probably don't remember the long walk but, other than the random encounters, there wasn't much left in Isger outside of bandits and other criminals.

Cannoli smacks her head, ”Didn’t we find a cloak AND some nice clothes inside? Please tell me we didn’t leave them behind. We literally took everything else.”

Cannoli looks around for any looted goods and finds both Lucinus and Guardian XI literally buried under purloined materials. I mean at some point he's going to get tired of carrying the wine and just drink it! Wait...is he hiccuping???

Have we reached a consensus?

"I g-guess it's better we t-take her, and work a way to send her back to the First World. But with a d-d-disguise!"

Jakeric has a +2 to Disguise, and isn't afraid to use that power for good! Heck, Anilda can wear his mask of the tiger's eye and we'll tell everyone she's a quirky kid we found on the road :)

argh...i thought i posted...I'm with Cannoli..

The ground decides it's time to give Anilda a makeover. Cannoli is confident she can get Anilda looking absolutely maaaaahvelous!

Okay pick your primary for the Disguise check and everyone who is aiding can roll. And if you're using things like Jakeric's mask of the tiger's eye or silver makeup so she looks like Guardian XI's less creepy sister... ;)

The ground decides it's time to give Anilda a makeover.

Did the ground make a well-founded decision? ;-)

Aid Disguise: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9 So close... :-/

Vreekka tries to help with the disguise, but her not really great make-up ideas are shot down quickly.

Lucinus looks to assist with Anilda's makeover montage...

disguise aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2

...but isn't as helpful as he'd hoped.

Jakeric is surprisingly insistent about the full-head tiger mask . . .

Disguise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Cannoli and Daegon work closely together to figure out the disguise.

Letting Daegon take lead since he has a +4 mod vs Cannoli’s +3 and maybe has a reroll available. Yay charisma casters!

She starts with just cleaning up Anilda. Dirt, grime, is that blood? I’m sure it probably isn’t. She is such a nice lady. Then the clothes fitting is next. Perhaps a tailor is necessary, but in a pinch in the wild, the clothes will just have to do. Next is a nice big cloak. She frowns at the tiger mask but shrugs, ”If we do the mask we have to add a lie about her being disfigured or something, but if you all think it’s necessary…”

Disguise Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Yes it was a ground-level decision! ;) Darn typos. :(

The group looking at those rolls the ground probably would've done better hehehe! ;) gives it their best and soon realize it's not very good.

Did you want to use any re-rolls? A 13 is, how shall I say it, BAD! Perhaps a take 20 is called for? ;)

Our best disguiser hasn’t rolled yet. Also, take 20 would be ideal here I think.

Maybe she would look good as an android!

Aid disguise (untrained): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

No, that won't work. Backspace! Backspace!

He shakes his head vigorously.

Nevermind what I just said.

no pressure on me then eh? i'll take 20 if possible..if not, here goes nothing..and i do have my reroll available still

disguise: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Guardian XI tries to help but it doesn't seem to help much. Tough figuring out this whole humanoid thing...

Daegon, being crossblooded, seems to know a thing or two about changing someone's appearance. Hm better keep an eye on him when it comes time to divide the loot; he could get paid twice!

It's unclear to me if Jakeric was attempting his own Disguise or was aiding someone else. If Jakeric's is an aid then you'd be at 24. If someone wants to re-roll their aid attempt (those are some brutal rolls!) they can do so.

Sorry, I was trying to aid.

Sorry, I was trying to aid.

No worries! Although wearing a tiger mask in public might not be the 'help' Jakeric thinks it is! At least not in Isger. ;)

Cannoli gives a big thumbs up to Anilda and Daegon, ”Looks great!”

Anilda blinks and says, "This place is certainly different than home."

Is anyone with re-rolls going to retry their aid attempt? Or is the group good with the 24?

Guardian slows down and takes his time to help with android precision.

Take 20 for 20-2/successful aid.

Guardian slows down and takes his time to help with android precision.

Take 20 for 20-2/successful aid.

Unfortunately you can't take 10 (or 20) to aid another skill check. Also are you using a GM re-roll? I know those have some different rules about them.

Something feels...off. I don't know what it is..just a feeling...we should definitely report this to those in charge. The bile might just be the start of something more dire... the dhampir says, his skin looking a little paler than it usually does.

read the spoiler guys...

Guardian XI wrote:

Guardian slows down and takes his time to help with android precision.

Take 20 for 20-2/successful aid.

Unfortunately you can't take 10 (or 20) to aid another skill check. Also are you using a GM re-roll? I know those have some different rules about them.

Ah, I don't think I have rerolls? I probably wouldn't use it for an aid anyway.

"M-maybe we should tell the M-mayor to keep the estate off-limits!"

”Or build a cold iron dome over it!”

Okay 24 it is!

The heroes escort Anilda back to Saringallow while discussing options for securing the former estate and its grounds and what, exactly, might be going on.

The town guards at the gate make note of the group and tell them, "The Mayor is expecting you."

No one says anything about Anilda; the disguise works!

Where do you all go?

"Shall we head straight to the Mayor's office?" suggests Lucinus.

"Thinking about the demon bile in the ruins, maybe a cleric could cleanse the area by channeling positive energy into it? It may not fix all of the issues but hopefully it might at least get rid of the bile."

Cannoli replies, ”Why don’t we go get a room at the inn first, and Anilda can stay there till we finish with the mayor. As for channeling whatever into the ruins, eh. Might work. Might do nothing.”

It does seem like a good candidate for where it's all coming from! If the clerics to close a portal there, maybe this problem would go away!

Guardian remarks optimistically.

To the inn, to the mayor

Well, the priests at the Sarenite church where I grew up would definitely help...with their predisposition towards fire, that would help immensely...

Well, the priests at the Sarenite church where I grew up would definitely help...with their predisposition towards fire, that would help immensely...

Too bad no one EVER plays a cleric with the Fire domain. I mean, like, EVER!

who...me? nooooo...never....

Sounds like the majority votes the Witch's End Tavern.

The group doesn't even reach the front door of the Witch's End Tavern when they hear the booming, intimidating voice of Alcie Kruptin.

"No coin?!?! Get in the kitchen and start washing dishes or it's off to jail with ya!"

Guardian XI (the resident door buster) is pushed through first. Alcie notes him and the others crowded behind him and says, "Or better yet I'll turn these legbreakers loose on ya. Just look at em! Hardened warriors all! Cept the gimpy kid in the back; he's not very tough."

Some riverboat workers scurry to wash the dishes, the windows, even your boots if you let them.

Morvinvarr hurries over to the group, "We're really busy with river boat traffic today. You'll have to make due with two rooms for your group so some of you will need to sleep on the floor. I'll cover the difference for the extra person."

From what sounds like what you want to do:

The group explains they want to leave Anilda at the Witch's End and Morvinvarr hesitates, "I owe you guys but if Alcie gets a close look at Anilda she's going to freak out. I hate to do it but maybe we could stash her at the Temple? I'm due for my break so I can escort her over there."

Cannoli responds to Kruptin’s booming voice, ”Damn right, now clean my boots!”

She takes center stage as a distraction while the group does their business.

Temple suggestion works.

Temple works for me, too.

"If you think that's the best place for Anilda, then ok: please escort her to the Temple."

Morvinvarr shouts out, "Break time, I'll go see about the bread order!" and escorts Anilda out of the Witch's End.

The diners who couldn't afford the bill are busy cleaning and polishing Cannoli's boots.

"Shall we go see the mayor? I'd rather brief her now and go to sleep afterwards..."

One vote for going to the mayor right now.

I think that was the plan: Get Anilda settled (and out of sight) and then go to the Mayor. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Cannoli purrs as her minions get to polishing, ”Don’t we want clean boots for the mayors office? These nice people are offering.”

Mayor next, yeah.

She whispers to her boot cleaner, ”How much do you all owe here?”

Guardian looks over his shell.

They'd need to clean a lot more than boots here. But yeah, lets visit the mayor now.

Cannoli purrs as her minions get to polishing, ”Don’t we want clean boots for the mayors office? These nice people are offering.”

Mayor next, yeah.

She whispers to her boot cleaner, ”How much do you all owe here?”

Random: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The man looks up ruefully, "We ran up a tab of four Standards. That dummy Remmy tried to short the place with fake coin!"

She stands, ”Whelp, a solid job sir. A few coppers for your trouble then. If ya ever get out of here and come back ‘round these parts, I could use some good hands to ship off my next order of cider. Cannoli Jones is the name, and I’m a bit of a deal around here.”

We appreciate your discretion, Morvinvarr... Daegon nods to her in salute.[/b]

Trying to con a decent woman out of her hard earned coins? Be thankful you only have to clean and shine boots... the dhampir says rather bluntly.

off to the mayor

She stands, ”Whelp, a solid job sir. A few coppers for your trouble then. If ya ever get out of here and come back ‘round these parts, I could use some good hands to ship off my next order of cider. Cannoli Jones is the name, and I’m a bit of a deal around here.”

** spoiler omitted **

The man almost falls over and quickly hides the coins, "Cannoli Jones - I shan't forget yer name my lady!"

He nods at Daegon, "You're a lucky man with so mighty a lady to lead you."

He scurries to the kitchen to find Alcie and pay off their debts.

The group follows the now-familiar path to the Town Hall and upstairs to the Mayor's office.

At the sight of the group Caleria softly announces bellows out, "Hey Mayor the circus made it back to town!"

You all can hear the startled drop of a cup, which shatters, muttered cursing, and then, "Thank you Caleria, please send them in."

Caleria looks at you, "What are you waiting for? A parade? Get in there!" and jerks her thumb towards the Mayor's office.

Cannoli’s eyes go wide, ”Oooh, a parade! That sounds wonderful. Great thinking.”

She heads into the mayors office.

Led by Cannoli the group finds the Mayor cleaning up the remains of a tea mug.

"I'm glad you're all safe and sound. How did the mission fare?"