Moving as quickly as her old woman disguise permits, "Auntie Geb" moves up the road to the fortress gate. Pasting a look of fear and concern on her face, she hurries to the guards on duty and speaks breathlessly to them. "Please, I must speak to Captain Mott! It's...it's his wife..."
If the Captain comes, she speaks to him as privately as he'll allow. "Oh, captain, I was passing by your house, and I heard the most alarming sounds! I fear that dear wife of yours is in danger!" Her face drops, ashamed. "I came to you instead of raising a cry because...no woman wants it to be known that she's been...attacked." She looks up sharply and hisses at him. "Go! Quickly!"
Interesting. I gather that means there are no holy days that would result in Father Donnagin visiting the Church of St. Alden in the few weeks we have to take down the fortress.
Pondering what she has learned of her opposite number in the fortress, 'Auntie Geb' returns to the Lord's Dalliance. Feel free to proceed with rumor-gathering and our basement excursion.
Steeling her courage, 'Auntie Geb' goes to visit the Church of St. Alden. She approaches whichever slave of Mitras is on duty, and plasters on a smile.
"Excuse me, your worship--I've heard that the blessings of the church can ease pain and suffering. Could you do anything about stiffness in an old woman's joints after a day of hard work? I understand that it's customary to make a donation to the upkeep of the church."
She leads into a discussion of the feats of healing the local clergy, and especially Father Donnagin, may have been seen to perform. She hopes to find out how powerful of spellcasters the local clerics of Mithras are.
Diplomacy to Gather Information about local clergy:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
'Auntie Geb' returns to the Lord's Dalliance after her day's errands, and silently informs her pactmates about her discoveries. There's no easy way to get poison into the ravens' food from outside the keep. We'll have to get in. Be ready to sneak down into the cellar tonight once sweet Golachab tells us the way is clear.
She spends time in the inn's common room, chatting with the locals, probing for anything that might be of use in their mission.
Diplomacy to Gather Information for a rumor:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Rumor number, if applicable:1d20 ⇒ 15
Then she retires to her room, but only to doze while the inn empties out. When Golachab alerts her that even Bellam is in bed and the way to the cellar is clear, she rouses her pactmates and leads them downstairs to investigate. Once at the cellar door, she drops her disguise, and changes to look like a common soldier she's seen in the inn. "Best not to be caught as ourselves if this goes poorly," she whispers.
I thought we might investigate the cellar tonight, if you can prepare spells that would prevent us from being discovered.
As for the arsenic, perhaps we should simply steal it. If we replace it with some other white powder, the shopowner might not realize until well after the attack.
I've a few threads to unravel today. Most promising is that we've learned that the mad raven-keeper never leaves the rookery...so how do the ravens get their food? Perhaps we can take their communications out with your arsenic.
Let's finish up our information-gathering week, then ambush the patrol on their second night at the Rock, next Moonday. Then we'll forge a message to the fortress that gives an excuse for the delay and draws the priest out to be ambushed in turn--perhaps a report of a soldier so injured they can't move him until the priest heals him.
When the priest doesn't return, they'll surely realize there's something amiss. We'll need to have the ravens down by then. I hope to be hired for the fortress on Sunday. Balam, we've had you and Timeon watching people come and go from the fortress for a few days now...what servants have you seen that live in Aldencross and work in Balentyne? If one of them is unable to work, my chances improve.
After working at the manor, "Auntie Geb" visits the grocer or similar figure in the town. "I'd like to buy some seed for my pet bird, please. Is this where the raven-keeper of Balentyne has the soldiers buy food for his birds? I expect he knows best what's good for them."
Gather Information to discover where, how, and when food for the Balentyne ravens is procured:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Geborah, what time do you go to bed? I need to know that so I can tell you what Golachab finds out. The Mott House is number 8 on the map - already marked.
Geborah has put a surprising amount of effort into cleaning the Osterman manor. This is partly because she believes that impressing the reeve will get her closer to a position in the fortress, and partly because her pride demands that she do a better job than the mere servants whose work she's observed in the past.
That meticulous labor, in addition to her prying and plotting, leaves her fairly worn out at the end of the day. She is glad for the excuse her elderly appearance gives her to retire before most of the townsfolk.
Tatienne knows where Freeman's rock is, and that Captain Varning won't be there until 3 days after he leaves Balentyne. In order to ambush him before then, it would take a bit of tracking. Given that his patrol is mounted, you probably wouldn't be able to catch up with him since you don't have anyone really skilled at woodscraft.
How far is Freeman's Rock from Balentyne? Which side of the fortress is it on, town side or bugbear army side?
Intelligence check:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
The disguised priestess looks around the Inn for Captain Edderly, or either of the Motts. It's better to frame someone for a crime they want to commit--and best of all is one they've really committed. Let us see if there are already fault lines between the fortress's captains. I shall send Golachab to spy on Goodwife Mott tonight, to see if she is as faithful as they claim.
She steers the conversations by the fire to the people of the town, and where they make their homes, attempting to locate the Mott and Edderly houses.
Gather Information roll:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
That done, she retires for the night, leaving the window of her room open so her spying familiar can come and go as she pleases.
Oathday, the 23rd of Neth--Day 4
Geborah wakes early and performs her devotions, using Undetectable Alignment on herself, Wraith and Tatienne. Again she sifts the town's secrets with the divinations of hell. She also checks to see what (if anything) Golachab learned in the night.
Ears of the City Gather Information roll #1:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 Ears of the City Gather Information roll #2:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 Ears of the City rumor number 1, if applicable:1d20 ⇒ 19 Ears of the City rumor number 2, if applicable:1d20 ⇒ 8
After informing her pactmates of what she's learned, Geborah proceeds to the Ostermann manor and cleans through the morning. At noon, she heads to Timeon's old family estate, to pay a call on his parents and sister. "Timeon--such a dear young man--suggested that I check to see if you had any work for a housekeeper, or know any who do." She pauses. "But that's just a part of why I'm here. You know, Timeon and his new master, Sir Kadmarian, really did an extraordinary job of watching out for us on the way here. The knight is too lofty to accept any payment from the likes of us, but we'd like to pay the squire back, in any case. It would be nice to put a smile on his face after the tragedy he won't talk about. So...we thought we could throw him a party, in a week or two--a surprise party! Naturally, you are all invited."
For a moment, before she can control it, the old lady breaks into a sadistic grin. Such devilish ideas, Tatienne! I love them. But we had best not alert the fortress until we can take out their ravens--we don't want them sending for reinforcements. The time for terror will come later.
We should certainly ambush the patrol, though, and I've a scheme to lure the priest out of his hole after them, if you are able to forge a message from the patrol captain. Shall we plan to search for the secret tunnel tomorrow night, then chase after the patrol the night after? Which side of the fortress do they patrol--town side or bugbear side?
Geborah silently affirms Tatienne's ideas. I assigned Balam and Timeon to keep track of who entered and left the keep today. Having another set of eyes on that task for a day or so seems wise. If you can identify servants from the town that work in the fortress, we might be able to impersonate and replace one or more of them.
Perhaps 'Kala' could attempt to 'recruit' some of the guards as she 'leaves town'. Offer them an unreasonable sum of money to sign up for some do-good mission, then march off into the wilderness with them...straight into our ambush. It's similar to a plan I'm concocting to deal with their troublesome priest, but different enough not to raise suspicion, and it might leave the fortress short-handed enough that they'll hire Balam, Timeon, and whomever you pretend to be next.
I overheard something very interesting today as well--there may be a secret passage into the fortress in this inn's basement, dating back to when it was a brothel that catered to the men of the fortress. Wraith, could you prepare enough Invisibility spells tomorrow to cover us three if we need to evade discovery? If so, we can slip out of our rooms and down to the basement at midnight tomorrow, to see if there's any truth to the rumor.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
There may be more secrets hidden down there--I believe the innkeeper has a private stash of fine liquor. That he would go to the trouble of concealing it suggests there's something illicit about it; if we discover his secret, it may give us leverage over him.
Crestfallen, the old woman trudges away from the heartless guards.
Inwardly, Geborah admires their sense of duty. They know that breaking their orders means punishment. We will need such discipline in our own forces. Still, they are only human. Find the right lever and it will move them. Not a bird...a child? And not the common guards, but those that make the rules, and so feel entitled to bend them?
She mulls over future plans on the way back to the inn. Seeing Balam and Timeon returning from their exploration of the terrain around Aldencross, she gives the dark champion a silent assignment for the next day. Find some errand or training excuse that will allow you to watch the fortress gate from a reasonable distance, and make note of all the traffic that passes through. Then she hisses at the squire, "The list of names? Your time grows short. If you need pen and ink, ask 'Kala'."
Once again, she joins in the gaiety of the common room in the evening, and sifts the crowd for rumors.
After some time, she calls the innkeeper over to thank him.
"The reeve found me work cleaning the old Osterman manor! It's not a living, but it's a start. I owe you for pointing me in his direction, and for offering to speak with your brother...and I'm in a mood to celebrate! Let me buy you a drink." She wrinkles her nose at the dwarves guzzling ale nearby. "But--not to sound above my station--my late employer had a fine cellar, and liked to share a cup with me some nights--I have a thirst for the fine stuff, now. I have some coin set by, in case I couldn't find work, and it looks like I can spare some for a really good glass of wine. What do you have that we can both enjoy?"
Then she silently reports to the others what she has learned all day, and her failure with the guards. This will be a tougher nut to crack than Brandenscar. But we have time and resources we didn't then. We'll make our deadline.
Tired from a long day's exertions, she retires to bed.
The guards on the gates shake their heads. "I'm sorry, but no one is permitted in the rookery except the guards, and the raven keeper will not leave the rookery. Perhaps Teryn Caldwin, the alchemist in town, can help you. His shop, Master Caldwin's Cauldron, is located on the western edge of town."
Vexed that her ruse doesn't instantly succeed, Geborah gives the guards some grudging respect for their discipline and order. Then she smiles inwardly--give her a set of rules, and she knows how to turn them to her advantage.
"But...everyone says Master Rayard knows more about taking care of birds than the alchemist does. I don't have to go into the rookery, and he doesn't have to come out--if you take me to the door, I can ask for his help, and pass my songbird in to him! There's no rule against that, is there? Please...she might just be a little ball of feathers to you, but to me she's my dear friend." The grandmotherly old woman seems to be on the edge of tears as she lifts her ailing magpie lovingly to her cheek.
Geborah picks up the bottle and smiles. "You really are the most remarkable scoundrel, my sweet." She uncorks it and fills one of the tiny glasses with the potent spirit, then slides it to her waiting familiar.
* * * * *
Not long after, 'Auntie Geb' approaches one of the guards on duty at fortress Balentyne's gates. "Young man, if you please...my songbird is terribly ill. I beg you, take us to Master Rayard at the rookery. I know he doesn't see many visitors, but he'll want to help, I know it."
Golachab does in fact seem quite ill. She'll have a devil of a hangover, Geborah thinks.
As she heads for the inn door, 'Auntie Geb' grabs Timeon by the ear and gives it a affectionate but painful yank. "I need that list of names," she whispers. 'Give it to me by the end of the day, or I'll assume it's a list of no one." She nods at Balam, confident that the knight will keep his squire on the straight and narrow as they scout out the town's environs.
The disguised priestess spends most of the day cleaning the Osterman manor. At lunchtime she heads for the town market or similar busy spot to pick up a simple meal--but before she arrives, she covertly casts Detect the Faithful, so she can sweep through the knots of people with it. There's a remote chance that some hidden worshippers of Asmodeus remain here, after all.
Late in the afternoon, she flops into a overstuffed chair she's been dusting. "Enough for one day, I think. Time to see if we can't get in to see the rookery." She strokes Golachab's crest fondly. "Bringing the madman an injured bird might be a good excuse, but we can't just smear blood on your feathers--such a ruse might arouse suspicion." She clicks her wicked nails together. "And I just can't bring myself do you any real harm, my sweet. So what shall we do?"
'Auntie Geb' seems to eat a quiet breakfast by herself, but Geborah spends the time in silent communication with the rest of the Knot.
She reiterates what she's learned from eavesdropping and from her travels about town. ...we should look for ways to follow up on these rumors. Speaking of which, I had my little feathered friend watch out for the innkeep last night, with no success. We'll try again tonight.
She pays attention as Wraith describes the spells available in the scroll shop. Not exactly the death magics you were hoping for--but I'd advise you to buy and transcribe the Mount scroll. I can imagine many uses for such a spell. What I'd really like is a healing implement, a wand...perhaps you could see if Brother Justin in the village church has one for sale, or can get one from Father Donnally. I'd advise you to be very careful around them, especially the Father...of all the people in town, they are the most likely to see through our guises. Well, them and Lord Havelyn, who is apparently a holy knight. Since you and Tatienne might come into contact with them today, I'll cast Undetectable Alignment on the three of us in our rooms after breakfast. She does!
She turns wistful. This all feels so familiar, slinking around and pretending to be a sheep among sheep...perhaps it's hard for you to understand, Tatienne, since you didn't have to hide growing up. Wraith...I don't know how you managed to survive childhood, unless you looked more human back then. It was hard enough for me, and I seem far more human than you do...although, truth be told, I've less human blood than you have. Had any of you guessed that yet? She permits herself a tiny smile.
I'm going to clean the mansion. Stop by, if you like--it could be a useful base of operations, particularly the basement, if we need more privacy than we can get at the inn. I have a few other plans as well--I might try to get to see the mad raven keeper with an 'injured' bird. She gives a fond glance to the magpie sleeping high in the tree outside the inn.
"Auntie Geb" bows and nods. "Such a generous offer! I can hardly say no to that. I'll make sure it's locked up tight when I'm not here," she says, holding out her hand for the key.
After he's gone, the disguised priestess sighs, then paces through the manor, sizing up the task. I suppose to pass as an honest worker, I'll have to do some honest work. She's quite familiar with how a large house should be kept clean--though she's always been the one to check the servant's work, not the one to do it. Onerous work, but not terribly complicated. I'll get started today, then sneak Timeon in later to make the job go faster. She briefly considers making the squire do the whole thing, then reluctantly discards the idea. Two will do a more impressive job than one. She makes a methodical plan for cleaning the house, starting with the highest parts and ending with the lowest, so that dust will not settle on places already cleaned. Then she searches the house for cleaning supplies...and for anything unusual, hidden, or out of place.
She spends the day making sure the job is well begun, then tromps back to the Lord's Dalliance to connect with the others. She tells them about the manor, and relates all that the Reeve told her of town and fortress. There may be more to the Mitran choir hall than stone and piety--might be worth further investigation, though it's hard to imagine how we could turn it to our advantage.
The evening she dines in the inn's common room, chattering with the locals. Knowing that the town will burn in a month's time makes it much easier for her to feign interest and sympathy in their pathetic lives.
Diplomacy to gather information:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Rumor number, if applicable:1d20 ⇒ 8
Then it's to her room to perform her ritual devotions away from prying eyes, then to bed. Tomorrow will be more of the same, she thinks as she drifts off to sleep, mildly surprised to find the prospect of a daily routine comforting.
Geborah heads down to the Town Hall, and after waiting a short while, is able to speak to the Reeve. He considers her question, then says, "Well, the fortress is well outside my purview, but there is something you could do here in town. There's a manor in the southeastern section of town owned by one Baron Osterman. He no longer lives here, and the town currently handles the ownership. I've been trying to sell it, but thus far have had no takers. It's a bit dusty. I'd be willing to hire you to clean the house out once a week - dust, air the bedding, and generally clean it up. If I hear of anything at the fortress, I'll let you know, of course. Well, how about it?"
"That sounds like a fine arrangement! Can you tell me about the Baron? Shall we go to the manor now, so you can unlock it for me and show me what is required?"The manor might be a better base of operations than the inn...less prying eyes.
Geborah spends some time admiring and flattering Vallison, doing her best to endear Auntie Geb to him.
She asks him about the town and fortress, seeing what he might let slip. "I've heard you're a Knight of Alerion. Does that mean you're responsible for the defense of the town? Are you in charge of the knights at the fortress? Who are they?"
Thanks to Geborah, there is now a calendar linked to the top of the page. If you want more information added to it, let me know.
Thanks! If you give us editing power, we can add our notes and plans as they evolve. Could you mark the first day the horde will be in position?
GM Phntm888 wrote:
What do you want Balam, Timeon, and Jezabel to do during the day today?
Geborah gives Balam some quiet instructions at breakfast. Get Timeon to make that list of hostages--I mean, of people he wants to survive the invasion. Tell him to keep it realistic. Then have him give you a tour of the town and the surrounding countryside--get familiar with the lay of the land on this side of the watch wall. In particular, look for good ambush sites on each of the major ways out of the village, far enough away that a battle there wouldn't draw attention. Finally, have a look at the fortress from a distance and see if you can glean anything useful of its layout or operations.
She turns to Jezabel. Try to connect with some of the soldiers. See if you can find out what they are allowed and forbidden, if there's a black market, which captains they love and hate, that sort of thing.
To all the knot, she silently explains, The rookery atop Balentyne tower is apparently run by a lunatic named Mad Martin Rayard, who never leaves and doesn't tolerate visitors...but loves birds. Dear Golachab might be be a way in.
Tatienne Talbot wrote:
...the tower's Magister is Tacitus of Morimun, a wizard who is incredibly reclusive and viewed as strange by the townsfolk. We'll need to see what Barhold is doing in that basement as well. Geborah, perhaps Golchab could spend the evening down there?...
Perhaps. Or perhaps we could listen for when Bellam moves around, then send an invisible Wraith to see what he's up to.
GM Phntm888 wrote:
Bellam answers Auntie Geb, "Well, the reeve is Dominik Vallison..."
Prepared for the meeting, Geborah heads to the town center to find the Reeve, keeping her eye out for a busy area like a market.
She greets him with enormous deference and respect. "Hello, Master Vallison. Bellam Barhold sent me to see you. He said you would know who in the town or fortress might be interested in hiring some help--to cook, to clean, whatever is necessary."
GM Phntm888 wrote:
Make sure you aren't observed when you cast your spells, otherwise people might notice...
Noted. Please assume that Geborah casts spells in the privacy of her room at the inn whenever possible.
At breakfast, Auntie Geb asks the locals questions about the rookery. "I love birds!" she explains, smiling at the magpie whistling sweetly in the window nearby.
Gather Information related to rumor 19:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Tatienne Talbot wrote:
Geb, are you sharing the information about Bellam and the basement?
Yes, and what she's discovered of the town's layout. Thanks for the reminder.
Before you approach the priest or his lackeys, come see me. I've a charm that will hide your true allegiance from their divinations for a full day.
It's a precaution Geborah immediately takes advantage of, casting Undetectable Alignment on herself before leaving to speak with the Reeve.
As Auntie Geb goes about her morning routine, she manages to find an occasion to silently share intelligence with her pactmates, sifting the town's gossip for any possible advantage.
The townsfolk seem unconcerned with the bugbears' activities--the romantic lives of the guard captains apparently interest them more--but no doubt the fortress's commanders are keeping more careful watch. We need to find out how they know Sakkarot's forces' movements.
This Father Donnigin's murky past might give us some leverage, though I'd tread carefully around him--if he was once a leader in the church hierarchy, he might be a more powerful gamepiece for his god that his current position would indicate.
Those dwarves whose fraternity Wraith aspires to might be a useful source of information--what part of the fortress is in disrepair? If we can find any discontent among them, perhaps we can convince them to walk off the job before their repairs are complete.
Our innkeep has been useful so far. He might pay a premium for the high-quality spirits we recovered from the Frosthamar.
Getting access to the rookery would be invaluable. Soon I'll try to get a job cleaning it.
She shows deep gratitude to Bellam for his offer of help. "Such a kind and respectful young man! Oh, you're young to me, dear, no blushing! Please tell your brother I'd be glad to do a day or two's work so he can see what I'm capable of."
"Now, who is this Reeve? He's your chief magistrate, right? Is he a proud sort of man--do I need to curtsey coming and going? I'll go see him right away." After learning anything she can from Bellam about the Reeve--his name, at least--she heads to the town hall to meet him. On the way, she tries to identify the busiest spots in town--markets and such.
GM, what day of the week is it now? This is the morning of the second day of our mission, right? I'm thinking about setting up a calendar of our past, present, and future activities in Balentyne.
As she walks back to the inn from her evening's exploration, Geborah slips into a fantasy of what Aldencross will be like after it has been razed and rebuilt. As she leaves the town center, she envisions replacing the statue of the Victor with a grand monument to the Knot's conquest. As she treads the cobblestone street, she pictures a sign designating it Alichino's Way. Approaching the Lord's Dalliance, she imagines it being renamed the Hellmaiden's Rest.
That's when she sees 'Falken Gren' rush out the door and regurgitate a shocking amount of ale.
I guess there'll be a plaque: 'Wraith Puked Here'.
GM, I just realized you'll need my rumor rolls if you decide to allow the Ears of the City:
Insanely cold Chicago weather and family business means I might have trouble posting for a day or two, so I'm submitting some stuff for the next game day to avoid slowing the game down.
After sleeping in a warm bed for the first time since she left the Cardinal's mansion, Geborah awakens greatly refreshed. Not that the grubby inn is up to her standards... Next time I'll come up with a disguise that lets me stay in real luxury.
Before she lay down to sleep, the young priestess petitioned Asmodeus for spells that would help her infiltrate and suborn this Mitran town. Kneeling by the window of her room, she intones the first. By this deviltry, the voices of the people stirring in the morning streets are borne to her ears, exposing the town's secrets.
Geborah is casting Ears of the City to speed up the process of learning rumors. I hope this will allow her to make multiple Gather Information rolls per day, as the spell describes.
Ears of the City Gather Information rolls:
The spell lasts 4 rounds at her level, and she may make one Gather Information check per round.
Round 1 check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 Round 2 check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Round 3 check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Round 4 check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Afterwards, she descends to the common room and uses silent communication to inform the rest of the Knot of everything she's learned. She also has questions for the innkeeper. "Master Barthold--are you related to the guard captain Barthold, by any chance? Ah. Well, I'd like to ask about all the well-to-do families in your town, and whether they need an experienced servant. What about the fort--do they hire servants, or do the soldiers do all their own housekeeping?"
Timeon has to repeat his short, simple cover story several times over the course of the night. Ordered to avoid saying much, he just lets folks talk about whatever they want, and listens for useful information.
An hour after the tavern is full, Geborah decides to explore the town. With the excuse of walking off her dinner, she leaves the Lord's Dalliance and makes her way slowly through the city streets, noting important buildings, her vision unhindered by the falling darkness of night.
If the nature of any of the marked buildings is apparent from their exteriors, you could add them to the map legend.
Once inside the in, Auntie Geb pats Kala Thorn on the shoulder. "Thank you for all your help on the road, dear." Falken Gren gets a smile and a nod. "Good luck with all your endeavors!"
Turning to the innkeep, she gives a little curtsey. "Honored to meet you too, goodman. Do you have a room I could let? Nothing big or fancy--I've got to make my money last--but if there's one with a window, I'd be grateful."
Once she's made arrangements, the disguised priestess goes to check the room, where she drops off her innocuous belongings--bags and books and such--then comes back down to the inn's common room to enjoy a little tea by the fire. "So nice to be able to rest a while after that journey! Tomorrow will be soon enough to look for work," she says to the other patrons. She makes pleasant chitchat about the weather and everyone's health with whoever is at hand, not volunteering anything of substance, but encouraging them to talk about life in Aldencross and Balyntine.
Diplomacy to gather information, with Devil's Pact:1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21
...and stands before them as the kindly-looking crone she calls Auntie Geb. "You've been looking at this face every day of our journey, but make sure you know it well enough to copy it."
She nods at 'Falcon Gren' and 'Kala Thorn'--"His Eminence's name is not well known, I suppose..." Something about Jezabel's 'Saucy Sally' disguise seems to irritate her, but she lets it go without comment. Sir Balam's knightly disguise she finds nearly perfect. To complete it, she gives him the silver-and-sapphire holy symbol they took from Sir Balin, and an alias: Sir Kadmarian.
"I feel ready to go into town. If you are too, then let us be off." Geborah gestures for Timeon to lead the knot to Aldencross.
GM, what number is the inn on the map? Also, what's Timeon's reaction to Geborah's offer of safety for his family?
"Gigantic Grumblejack, there's something we should talk about."
"When we were escaping from Branderscar, you asked me a question: Who is this Asmodeus? Well, you've been around me and Cardinal Thorn's other agents long enough that you must know the answer--Asmodeus is our god. And I've come to believe that Asmodeus holds you in special favor."
"Just look at the good fortune Asmodeus has brought you. You were freed from prison and torture, and given a chance to smash your enemies. Since you met us, you've known nothing but glorious battle and a full belly. And now, it seems, Asmodeus has led you to a...female..of your own kind, who seems to...appreciate your...maleness. As one of the Dark Prince's priestesses, I think the signs are clear: You should stay here with her. For now, anyway, until battle is joined and you are needed to smash once more. Perhaps on that day, she will be smashing by your side."
"I will miss having you at my side, Grumblejack, but I have faith we will be reunited in about a month, when we crush the enemy together. I have a gift for you, meanwhile. I'm sure you are grateful to Asmodeus for all the blessings you've received along the path He has laid out for you, so I'm going to teach you a simple prayer to the Dark Prince so you can express your gratitude--after all, you want to stay in His favor, don't you? Repeat it every day at nightfall, and Asmodeus, Lord of Darkness, will be pleased--and so will Sakkarot Fire-Axe, another Asmodean, if you are clever enough to recite your devotions where he can hear."
"This is what to say: Asmodeus, Archfiend, King of Hell and Prince of Darkness, make of me an instrument of Thy will."
Geborah helps Grumblejack practice the simple, short prayer for as long as the ogre is willing. Then she pats him affectionately and bids him farewell, giving him the golden Mitran holy symbol from the patrol ship captain's cabin as a parting gift. "The gold is soft enough that you can squeeze it in your fist into a bauble to give your...female. The blessings of Hell go with you!"
Upon being told to return to the boat, Grumblejack looks a little crestfallen.
Back in her disguise, Geborah silently polls her pactmates. Grumblejack is a liability in our infiltration mission. Perhaps we should have him stay with the horde and meet us when the tower falls?
As Grumblejack approaches the ogress, Geborah shudders and averts her eyes. Asmodeus, grant me the gift of forgetfulness.
She follows Sakkarot into his tent, and nods with satisfaction as he dismisses all his followers. "A private audience...good. Then we can lay down any pretense." She sweeps the iron circlet from her head, and is transformed from kindly peasant crone...
"Auntie Geb" stays in silent Balam's long shadow all during the celebration, trusting the armored giant's fearsome aura to keep the common bugbears at bay. She makes note of Sakkarot's lieutenants, and the extraordinary monsters--like the hill giants--in his army, but it is the Fire-Axe himself that holds her attention.
"Tell us, warlord...where did you get that magnificent axe? It almost seems to be a single flame, shaped into a weapon."
Geborah has stayed in her guise as a crone, to avoid confusing Odenkirk and his men, but she now wears her Archstar openly at her throat. "What gods do your people hold to, mighty Sakkarot? Do you pay homage to the Prince of Darkness, Asmodeus?"
Geborah has Timeon lay out all the Talirean's arms and armor for the Yutak's consideration, glad to trade the suspicious goods for as much ivory as she can get.
She also gives the triton leader's trident* to Joseph, as a gift to his chief. Out of Odenkirk's earshot, she tells him, "Please tell Great Chief White Tusk that Geborah the Laughing Pyre wishes to honor him for slaying the narwhal. Perhaps our paths will cross one day."
*Unless it's magic, in which case Tatienne should have it, and we can give him hers. We might as well save the mithral, in case we want to craft with it.
Odenkirk is guided by greed, communicates Geborah. And greed is one of the sins the Dark Lord teaches. Perhaps there will be profit here for us--not that we're in any way suited to hunt seals, but let us explore while he hunts, and see what we find.
Geborah uses the travel time to prepare spells that might be of use in the hyberian wilderness.
'Auntie Geb' forces a smile. The captain is essential to His Eminence's plan. This side trip is an unnecessary delay and complication, but it would be a bigger risk to try to coerce him to do otherwise.
I don't think any of us are particularly well-suited for hunting, but it's a chance to get off this damned boat.
"It sounds like good sport, Captain. I'll come along."
Ahahaha! Always jumping to conclusions. It need not be a spy. The gods might have spoken to them. Plenty speak to me.
Geborah nods as if agreeing. ...or he could have been deluded. It is hard to imagine a spy that could deceive Tiadora.
When the captain mentions stopping for water, Auntie Geb cups her hands and whispers an incantation. Her hands immediately overflow, and the smell of fresh, clean water rises from the splashes at her feet. "If it will save time on the journey, Captain, I will gladly refill your barrels with fresh water every day--water enough for everyone on the ship, or if you prefer, just myself and my companions, so that you can stretch your remaining stores to the journey's end. It would seem safer not to stop, and our job is to keep you safe."
As the thrill of battle recedes, Geborah feels the slow roil of her sea sickness return. "Must you talk about stuffing your bellies all the time? Surely there must be some other topic that interests you."
"Captain, have you any idea what that triton was talking about--'Your darkness is known to us', 'Mitra has shown me your darkness'? Some sort of anti-human religious bigot? Or might he have been after you for some reason?"
To her companions, she communicates, The alternative is that somehow the fishy fanatic had word of our mission. That would suggest the Cardinal has a spy in his court--one of the servants, perhaps--but how and why warning would come to the tritons, of all people, is hard to imagine. Whatever the case, we must redouble our efforts to hide our identities.
"How many days remain in our journey, Captain?" Grudgingly satisfied with the answer, 'Auntie Geb' curls up to rest and restore her powers, staying near Balam's protective bulk.
Taty thinks quickly to the others. We'll have to be careful when the time comes to bury the captain at sea. He's a better fighter than even Balam and I.
But he's weakened after he falls out of his battle rage, Geborah replies. If we can trick him into a frenzy, then fall on him after he's spent, we would have a much easier time of it. Consider how this might be done.
"I'll sleep better knowing you're keeping watch, dearie. These old bones need rest."
Mindful of her disguise, "Auntie Geb" walks stiffly across the ship to Wraith. "Ach, too much hurly burly. My fires burn low. Be a sweet lad and tell me if this trident is enchanted." She holds the weapon out for the wizard to inspect.
Assuming someone eventually casts Detect Magic to identify the magic items in the pile...
Geborah approaches Jezabel after the fight. "The Compact binds us all to divide treasure equally, and you've not claimed your usual spoils from this fight. Take this, so that the terms are satisfied." She presses the dead patrol captain's cloak (of Resistance, +1) on the witch.
The healing potion she takes for herself. "Bought with my own blood, I'd say."
The fight with the prisoners makes Geborah roll her eyes. Ugh, that was avoidable. Not a month since they finished the Cardinal's training and already they're getting sloppy.
Since her instruction to lash the surviving sailors to the mast was ignored, Geborah makes sure that no other detail is forgotten. After Jezabel heals her and the captain, she points out that Tatienne has a minor wound as well, and offers to bind it for her.
She prods Wraith via Bonded Mind to check for magic equipment, and after he does, urges the others to divide up his healing potion and cloak--though Timeon has the captain's longsword, the wizard is welcome to equip the skeleton from the remainder. The rest of the sailors' and captain's gear she helps the Knot stash in crates from the Mitran ship and brought on the Frosthammer, before seeing to it that several holes are staved in the patrol ship's bottom. The corpses are unceremoniously dumped in the deep, and the extra food rations made available to the Frosthammer's crew as, if not exactly a treat, at least a welcome change from their own rations.
As they sail away from the sinking ship, Geborah mentally critiques her own performance. Any plan where she nearly gets gutted has room for improvement. Still, their first encounter with the outside world could have gone worse.
"I think you should do more to disguise yourself in public," she tells Tatienne as she binds their wounds.
Treat Deadly Wounds on Geborah:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30This restores up to 7 HP to Geborah after an hour of treatment.
Treat Deadly Wounds on Tatienne:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29This restores up to 7 HP to Tatienne after an hour of treatment.
Geborah curses silently when Tatienne gives away Jezabel's healing abilities. My fault for not relaying the message to everyone. Ah well, perhaps he'll trust us more.
She delivers the golden symbol to Wraith. "Is it solid gold? Perhaps we could melt it down."
Seeing the fallen ship captain's sword in the loot pile, she bends over, wincing, to pick it up, then passes the heavy blade to Timeon. "A reward for that killing blow. It seems more your style, anyway."
Getting stiffly to her feet, "Auntie Geb" surveys the destruction, then catches Jezabel's eye.
Bonded Mind to Jezabel:
Don't jump to heal our good captain just yet, or any of the rest of us, for that matter. If he's got a half-healed wound when it comes time to dispose of him, our task will be that much easier. Heal the Knot later, with subtlety, when he's asleep; we'll leave bloody dressings on, so he doesn't even know you can.
"Strip the Mitrans of their belongings, and lash the ones still living to their mast, whilst I check their hold for valuables. Captain Odenkirk, I trust you have no objections to a fifty-fifty split of the booty between your crew and my force. Wraith will oversee the division."
Bonded Mind to Wraith:
Check to see if anything is enchanted, and make sure it ends up in our booty pile. No need to be greedy now--we'll take it all when we kill them, after all--but I don't want them ending up with anything they could use against us.
"Timeon, that final blow was well struck. Consult with Wraith; one of these weapons might suit you better than that trident. Tatienne, come with me if you would, I could use your eyes. Jezabel, Balam...see what you can learn from the survivors. Find out how the captain recognized Tatienne, and how widely known her face is likely to be."
"Captain Odenkirk, how much time do we have to spare from our journey to clean up this mess? Will eyes on the shore have seen? Should we expect pursuit?"
Geborah doesn't flinch from the collapse of the plan--the Cardinal's training has taught her how to react to rapidly changing situations. Can't have our side waver in confusion--I'll put some spine in them.
She gives a loud whoop, and spreads her arms in invocation. "For glory! To WAR!"
Geborah casts Bless, affecting Knot, captain and crew.
PCs, consider delaying your actions until after Geborah acts, so that you get the benefit of her Bless spell on your first attacks: a +1 morale bonus to all allies' attack rolls and saves vs. fear.
The smile on Auntie Geb's face grows a little thin as Geborah catches Tatienne's eye.
Bonded Mind to Tatienne:
Why are you giving away our disguises? Cardinal Thorn told us to keep these mercenaries in the dark. The less they know, the easier it will be for us to kill them at Aldencross. But you're right, I need to show them a little fire to fit in the role of protector.
With a theatrical grunt, she hurls a crackling bolt of flame into a tangle of weeds near the boat landing, igniting them. She raises an eyebrow and cocks her head at the captain. On her shoulder, Golachab tilts his head at the exact same angle.
"Oh, bless you, Captain Odenkirk! I'll not get in your way. Just point me to my cabin and I'll be about my knitting."
After being shown her cabin, she slips down to the hold and inspects the cargo to make sure all is as it should be. She eavesdrops on the captain and crew as well, alert for any signs of treachery.
Perception on cargo:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Sense Motive on crew:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
If he's a noble squire, perhaps there's a chance Geborah knows him as well. A lot of important families visited Stoker house...
Knowledge: Nobility:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
'Auntie Geb' lets Timeon pull her into the secret room, gesturing for Tatienne and Balam to follow her. "Oh, quick thinking, young master!" she croaks. "That sneaky devil nearly had us!"
"Give us a moment to prepare, and we'll rush out and confront him. Tatienne and Balam will protect us, they're, ah, witch finders. That's, that's why they have an 'F' branded on their arms, 'F' for 'Finder'. Looks a little like the 'Forsaken' brand, doesn't it. Ha! Ha! A lot of people get them mixed up! Probably shouldn't use the same letter!"
Untrained bluff to convince him we're on the same side:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
...a kind-looking old woman in dusty servant's clothes. She grins sharply and looks at her calloused and wrinkled hands. "Perfect," she says, then frowns. "Except the voice. Still mine, not that interfering old..."
She clears her throat, and then in a tone as creaky as leather but as sweet as marshmallows drowned in honey, says, "Now, children, none of your games now, you've chores to do. Nanny'll have your porridge waiting for you when you're done, so hop fast or it'll be cold."
