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I would like to thank everyone for your time and efforts. Perhaps we may try something else in the future. I shall see ya on the flip side!
I am willing to listen to others about continuing this AP, starting another, or just pulling the plug. I admit that this AP has not really grabbed me either.... I apologize to the Table for anything on my end also. Let me know what everyone wants to do? It happens....
Minkai laborers?!? What the f%!+ s@&+ turds ov un proper Agents ye be! Git out you crazy turds! Father Emmett and Ono both truly believe that this particular family may be innocent of anything to do with the missing persons. Most likely just a family visiting a popular festival.... Miss Canella and her dutiful husband proceed to open the newly unlocked doors. leading back into the Main Lobby. Both peer into the room and notice not a creature is stirring; not even, a mouse...err...1/2 orc. Hearing some verbal frustrations being loudly voiced by Father Emmett; both Watanabe and Miss Canella look at each other thinking the same thing, as they go see what is going on.... Arriving at the exact moment that a dwarf is shouting right back at the pair of Agents, Watanabe and Miss Canella look into the room. They see a dwarven family (a dwarven mom crying and shaking, a dwarven girl sobbing and apparently pee'd her pajamas and a dwarven boy lying curled up into a ball, shaking and mumbling with his thumb in his mouth). Miss Canella attempts to calm things, but, her and the wizard truly believe that the only humane action would be to just shut the door; and, perhaps, keep investigating elsewhere....
I see. Well isn't that special....
Ono stalks off to look forlornly at a previously closed door. Previously, because our dear (weird) Father Emmett boldly stumps over to said door and abruptly opens! Family Room
This room is reserved specifically for families traveling with young children. At the moment, the room is inhabited by the Kerenhelm family (female and male dwarf miners ) from the Five Kings Mountains: father Shamus, mother Rella, and young children Beryl and Malachi. Mother Rella screams and grabs her children, as her husband Shamus slings his suspenders back and up over his night shirt.
Father Emmett proclaims nothing will happen if someone actually wanted to open the doors....
Watanabe does what a wizard does. He doesn't detect any magics.
Ono hears the sounds of the lock clicking nicely.
Miss Canella approaches the Inner doors to the Main Lobby. She tries to open it, but it seems to be locked.....
So, as our Agents wile away their time in the Hall; nothing seems to be happening. Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking, ticking.....
Father Emmett and Watanabe seem to be both looking at a painting in the hallway of a Mule staring off into the distance, as if in deep contemplation.
Our Agents are feeling a bit left out in the cold...the seconds turn into minutes, as no one seems to be coming....
After the tour, Father Emmett and Ono paused to discuss the better merits of Mr. Pratchett with our clearly smitten gnome.
With a cheery wave, Mrs. Honeywell departs out through the Main Lobby and out the front doors. Raslo smiles at Miss Canella (an eye looking strangely at the husband).
With that, the 1/2 orc departs. Sense Motive DC 22:
She doesn't sound like she plans on coming back... Perception DC 22:
You think that you hear the Main Lobby doors being locked....
Ono:
Raslo seems a bit nervous, but also angry that Agents are bothering her. If the Edgewatch agents insist on looking around the hotel, Ralso agrees to give them a tour. In this case, she takes them to some of the hotel’s areas—the Primarch Suite (E4), which they’re currently keeping empty as a showpiece to prospective guests; the lounge (E10); the dining room (E15); and the bunkroom (E13). Along the way, they likely encounter Mrs. Honeywall around area E5. Beyond these areas, however, Ralso insists that she can’t show the agents any more of the hotel without violating guests’ privacy. E4. Primarch Suite
E10. Lounge
E15. Dining Room
E13. Bunkroom
E5. Low Room
This room is designed to appeal specifically to halflings, gnomes, and other shorter guests. The current resident is Mrs. Honeywall ( female halfling seamstress), a kind-hearted widow from rural Taldor who wanted to see the wonders of Absalom and the Radiant Festival before she’s too old to travel. She’s been staying at the hotel happily for weeks now. Sense Motive DC 16:
She seems to have developed a crush on the smooth-talking Pratchett and is quick to say so, uttering things like, “Mr. Pratchett is quite the stallion, isn’t he? I’d like to take him for a ride!” The 1/2 Orc provides all the information above. Speaking with Ms. Honeywell is quite the conversation for our Father Emmett; who has hidden is excitement by carrying a book found lying on a side table.... Raslo ends the tour back at the Main Lobby.
She then returns her attention to her actual guests.
Father Emmett want to respond before the s*~$ hits the fan?
Lobby Large arched windows illuminate the elegantly polished floor and warm wooden furniture of the hotel’s reception area. Directly across from the stout main doors, double doors of bronze lattice are carved to resemble interwoven vines and offer tantalizing glimpses of a large chamber beyond. A few comfortable chairs surround a fireplace to the west, while to the east a long, tall counter encircles a small wooden door. The half-orc thief Ralso occupies the lobby during the day as the hotel’s receptionist and concierge. Agents of Edgewatch? I regret to inform you, that we just booked our last room. The 1/2 orc smiles; her eyes looking at the door.
Where are my Agents?
Watanabe and Miss Canella walk back inside; pretending to be a visiting married couple without any suitcase.
Looking behind the couple with a bit of curiosity on her face; the 1/2 orc shrugs.
Our Agents huddle up to form a plan to confront, investigate, or otherwise bother these most likely purely innocent proprietors during this grand festival time.... The Mule just shakes its head; chewing some bubblegum, blowing bubbles that eerily form images of frowning faces.
Having sent her husband back outside to get the suitcases (s%!& ton of shoes for 1 catfolk!), Miss Canella smiles at the desk clerk.
The clerk then begins making the preparations for renting our Miss Canella a room.
I will move us along after work.
Ono smiles, as he watches The Mule lurking in some bushes across the street. The Mule seems to be shaking his head negatively at him.
Ono puts on his scouting hat. It's a red beret that he thought looked cool on the mannequin. The stylish elf takes steps to avoid the drier leaves, the snap rocks, and the strings of bells; making his way around the Hotel. Scanning the sides and the rear (hey! Get your minds out of the gutter!) of a passerby taking a lonely stroll, the embarrassed Elf smiles, waves, coughs, and sprints away!
Father Emmett begins wondering about the immediate neighborhood. The Agent flashes a smiles and a badge at those walking by him. Mothers nervously grab their children, squirrels chitter running away and seen grabbing their nuts, robins chirp angrily at the robe-wearing weirdo, flying away; but offering Father Emmett a falling piece of their mind! From the Book, but not as entertaining:
If the agents (other than our poor Father Emmett) ask around, they find that neighbors in the area quite like Pratchett, who’s always chatty and friendly. Ralso has more of a mixed reputation—especially among those who know her criminal past—but is still generally well-tolerated since she runs Pratchett’s errands and always pays their tabs.
Lobby Large arched windows illuminate the elegantly polished floor and warm wooden furniture of the hotel’s reception area. Directly across from the stout main doors, double doors of bronze lattice are carved to resemble interwoven vines and offer tantalizing glimpses of a large chamber beyond. A few comfortable chairs surround a fireplace to the west, while to the east a long, tall counter encircles a small wooden door. Miss Canella sees a female 1/2 Orc at the receptionist's desk.
The 1/2 Orc makes a grand gesture.
Ok. Looks like Miss Canella (and ?) will Disguise themselves as normal Visitors to the Radiant Festival.
Ono (and ?) will Scout out the outside perimeter.
Anything else? Everyone describe what you are doing and give the appropriate rolls.
The Dreaming Palace The Dreaming Palace is a recent construction in the Precipice Quarter, situated at the junction of quiet Osprey Lane and the busier Sabaton Road, completed only a few months ago in preparation for the Radiant Festival. From the outside, the hotel appears nice enough, if a little strange. Several of the street-level walls are the original thick gray stone from the foundry, with windows irregularly placed and half-concealed by elegantly draping ivy. The second floor is more conventional half-timbering with whitewashed panels and leaded windows, several brick chimneys, and a small, round tower poking up from the northeastern side.
Is eve ready?
You each get 1/5; or, 20%; or, you may donate it to the Bad Guys Fund Me page?
By the way; All Agents have been promoted to 3rd level! Don't forget; you may requisition items from the EdgeWatch commissary. CHAPTER 1 TREASURE
CHAPTER 2 TREASURE
CHAPTER 3 TREASURE
The night passes as you wish. The morning arrives; and, our Agents prepare to investigate The Dreaming Palace....
Waiting on Pen and Father Emmett. Post after work.
Sergeant Ollo clearly is not prepared for this type of report giving. The poor dwarf seems to just crinkle into his seat, hands covering his head, while that same covered head is shaking in tune with his muttering
As the shouting of The Dreaming Palace is drummed by Father Emmett and Ono, the redness of the Sergeant's face seems to be equaling that of a freshly taken Heart! Thankfully, Agent Watanabe offers an excellent and most professional report that the poor (almost sobbing even) Sergeant actually looks up at the Wizard.
He looks at the quiet Miss Canella and the seemingly--almost--invisible and ghost-like form of Pen with just an arched eyebrow. Seems like you have enough probable cause to check this Dreaming Palace place out. It's late; but, I shall leave it up to your professionalism to decide to leave it til morn.... He seems to leave it clear which he thinks is a better decision.....
Huddled up; slurring their words; smelling of sweet rum, stagnant smoke, and not a bit of blood, our Agents of the EdgeWatch prepare to enter Sargent Ollo's office for their debriefing.... What and the f$~* turds hanging under your robes are you Agents waiting fer!? Get yer arses in here! It appears that the Sargent had noticed our not-so-sober-Agents in the hall; outside his office....
Pen? Ono? I will move us along after the votes are in....Dreaming Palace or back to report? After work....
Abaddon Our courageous (if a bit slow) Agents enter the drunken bodied ridden floor. Stumbling on arms, stepping on groins, kicking armpits, our drunk Agents progress to the sitting bartender.
Swallowing a bit more than just their pride, our Agents--wisely--decides to pursue the lead to The Dreaming Palace!
Waiting on Watanabe, Father Emmett and Pen......
Abaddon
Room Challenge:
Drink from the Plague Chalice. Guests are encouraged to pour the dregs of their drinks into the bartender’s large silver cup, along with any other choice liquids the bartender might care to add. Any customer who can chug the chalice’s disgusting contents without flinching or spewing earns a cheer from the assembled guests, plus free drinks from the bartender for the rest of the night. This feat requires a successful DC 14 Fortitude save to avoid the concoction immediately coming back up, as well as a successful DC 14 Will save to do so with a straight face. Patron: Lomo Dibashi ( male elf drunkard ) used to be a highly successful burglar before a traumatic experience turned him into a paranoid, shaky drunk. Due to his longtime friendship with Hoff and the recentness of his transformation, Lomo is still welcome in the House of the Planes, where he regularly drinks the Plague Chalice to cover his bar tab.
Abyss Miss Canella, Watanabe and Father Emmett test their mettle by placing their arms into a pillar filled with biting spiders, creepy maggots, and Watanabe even thought he saw a grub waving! All three scream, shake and wail at the tortuous touch of the stinging, stinky, non-sanitarily smiling insects! Watanabe shakily steps forward bearing his bottle of the finest of the fine to Molly. The Wizard weakly smiles.
Molly smiles back at the charming(?) Wizard; and purrs
Clue:
Molly tell the Agents some of her employees are missing as well, and she’d like to know where they are. Instead of earning a clue, characters who curry Molly’s favor convince her to use her considerable influence to aid in their investigation, granting them a cumulative +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks against any of the other patrons in the House of the Planes.
Everyone gets a Hero Point! Miss Canella gets two....wtf!
I have been in a PbP for a few years now.
Rappan Athuk Miniatures KickStarter This appeared on my Discord....
Abyss
Diplomacy DC 15 Room Challenge:
Fetch a bottle of high-end Galtan brandy and offer it to Molly. All of the liquor in this room is self-serve, but with a twist: drinkers must reach into the tops of the glass cases with their bare hands and fish the bottles out of the grotesqueries surrounding them, which include everything from bull’s blood and manure to worms and biting insects. The best drink in the house—brandy from a Woodsedge distillery that burned to the ground in a riot 16 years ago—rests inside a case of aggressive Thuvian boreworms. Anyone reaching in to retrieve it must succeed at either a DC 16 Fortitude or Reflex save to avoid taking 1d6 poison damage as the worms gnaw their way into bare flesh. (The worms are easily squeezed out, but the damage remains.) On a successful save, the character gains a +4 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks against Molly; if unsuccessful, they still gain a +2 circumstance bonus for the attempt. Diplomacy DC 15 Patron: Molly Crimson (female gnome madam ) runs a coalition of sex workers spanning several neighborhoods, including the Precipice Quarter. She’s instantly recognizable by her short red hair, matched by long opera gloves and a low-cut dress of the same color. The gloves aren’t merely for style—she has a deep-seated phobia of contagion and has turned this obsession with hygiene into a major selling point for both her clients and her staff. (Her paradoxical presence in this room is a form of self-imposed exposure therapy.)
Heaven Father Emmett enters Heaven for the only time allowed him. The weight of each sin drag him low to the floor, as he shuffles guiltily to the Pillar of Truth.
....at the end of his admissions (there are at least 3 patrons snoring, 2 committed suicide, and 1 even shot the waitress then himself; although it is thought that the waitress had stolen his wallet! In Heaven of all places!), the weeping stigmatic Father looks forlornly at Reginald Vancaskerkint.
Clue:
Vancaskerkin absolutely beams at the mention of Missing Persons about the city during the grandest festival in decades! Conversation with the Agents turns into an interview of his own, answering questions with questions and pumping the guards for information about the missing persons. His tabloid would be very interested in the story, and he immediately comes to the conclusion that the disappearances must be the work of a serial killer, running with that angle despite any evidence to the contrary, as it’s “clearly the most compelling story.” Miss Canell decides that partying at a party seems to be the best option to ignore Father Emmett's embarrassing rant!
Heaven The walls of this well-lit room are painted with blue skies and bright, fluffy clouds, except for the wall behind the bar, which portrays an enormous mountain. Waitstaff drift between the tables wearing revealing white robes and fake feathered wings. A one-foot-high round stone pedestal stands in one corner. Diplomacy/Intimidation Dc 15 Room Challenge:
Publicly confess a sin or crime while standing atop the Pillar of Truth—a pedestal enchanted with a zone of truth spell. An agent who succeeds at a 16 Diplomacy or Performance check wins over the crowd and earns the bonus, though the onlookers are particularly impressed by honestly regretted or damning transgressions and may be satisfied with a lower check result if the story is particularly juicy. Upon confession, the “Celestial Judge”—the bartender—acknowledges the confession and offers the confessor “penance” (a particularly strong house cocktail). Diplomacy/Intimidation Dc 15 Patron: Reginald Vancaskerkin (male human entrepreneur ) owns and operates Eyes on Absalom, a tabloid regarded as filth by the city’s more discerning critics and enjoyed by nearly everyone else. A consummate gossip and rumormonger—hence his presence in this particular room— and this is a chance for the characters to come to his attention. For now, he should come across as oily, nosy, and of questionable moral fiber, but otherwise little more than an aristocratic gossip looking for his next sensational story
Hell Father Emmett and Miss Canella enter the domain of Hell, as if they owned it.
Miss Canella does the complete opposite technique than our poor Father Emmett.
Hoff tell her whatever she wants to know! Clue:
The Dragonfly Pagoda’s missing building crew did indeed come to see Hoff, complaining about the quarters he’d set up. Fearing that their complaints might reach the ears of the pagoda’s architects and harm his reputation, he decided to appease them and agreed to pay for better lodging. He says that the last he’d heard, the workers had gone to stay at a hotel called the Dreaming Palace. That’s all he knows—as he’s quick to point out, he’s a businessman, not a nanny. “If the work crew ran off, well, that’s what the architects get for bringing their own foreign workers along, since my own people would never abandon a job half-finished.”
Hell Red lanterns drench this room in bloody light, illuminating walls painted with fiery pits and rocky crags. All of the tables here are inset into waist-high pits in the floor, and the bartender stands in their own bottle-lined pit in the center, sporting either a tiefling’s brow-horns or a set of remarkable fakes. Elaborate torture devices stand at the ready all around the room. The fearless(?) Agents enter the dominion of Hell! There are dozens of customers dressed in odd costumes; depicting devils, monsters, and a few Emos.
Diplomacy/Intimidation DC 15 Room Challenge:
Consent to be tortured with “butterfly boots.” As the owner of the House of the Planes, Hoff enjoys showing off new and unusual torture devices, especially if he’s operating them himself on willing subjects. Imported from Tian Xia, the butterfly boots method involves lying down and putting one’s bare feet inside an apparatus of wooden boards. When an affixed rope is pulled, the boards rapidly close, painfully smacking the feet and ankles in a motion like the flapping of butterfly wings. A character who consents to let Hoff torture them in this manner must succeed at a DC 16 Fortitude save to avoid taking 1d6 bludgeoning damage (this is a nonlethal effect) and earn the full +4 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, though if they fail they still gain a +2 circumstance bonus for attempting it. Diplomacy/Intimidation DC 16 Patron: The handsome and charismatic Jeremin Hoff ( male human power broker ) is a powerful figure among Absalom’s working classes who acts as one of the primary brokers of day labor for projects around the city. Large and imposing, with a gaudy amount of jewelry and shirt hanging open to reveal a large chest tattoo of the Eye of Aroden, Hoff started his career as a dockworker before turning his connections into a half-legal empire. He’s a staunch nativist, and while he’s not above working with foreigners when it’s to his financial gain, he believes Absalom-born locals should come first in all things. (Any characters who were born in Absalom automatically gain an additional +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks against Hoff, while those from elsewhere take a –2 penalty.) Hoff prides himself on his intelligence and eloquence, though when he gets angry he quickly resorts to the sort of dockworker epithets that would make a sailor blush.
Nirvana The Agents enter Nirvana with wide eyes and wonderment. The serenity surrounding them seems to just pour off of those nearby.
Miss Canella comes swanning around the room. She engages a few locals about before being directed to the Patron of the Room. Watanabe seems to be still recovering from his death experience; suggesting some redecorative strategies. Both Ono and Miss Canella accept the wrestling challenge. Ono seems to be about to go down; when his last special shot kicks in and the brutish elf slams the bartender down! Miss Canella approaches the challenge, but before the bartender can even begin to chuckle; the catfolk has him pinned! Patron Cass Hamish laughs, claps, and invites them both for shots and gossip! Clue:
Most of the disappearances Cass knows about were ones she engineered, but she did have a weird experience recently that might be relevant. She’d been following a mark, ready to take him out on behalf of a client, when he rented a room in the Dreaming Palace. She staked the place out, but he never emerged. She doesn’t know what happened, and she couldn’t go in after him—the concierge, Ralso, has gang connections that make the place off-limits. The mark never turned up again, and the failure landed Cass in hot water with the sisterhood’s leader, a woman named Alzuna who sometimes frequents the House of the Planes. Cass’s relaxed exterior masks her nervous anticipation of whatever punishment her boss might have in store for her.
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