A service is at least an hour and a half, so we're talking about waiting till at least nine pm, perhaps ten to be on the safe side.
Three chilly hours later, the area around the encircling bower is completely dead. It's been half an hour since the gates were closed and twenty minutes since the last stragglers went home. Fifteen minutes ago, a group of cult guards came out of the gate, circled the bower and went back in again. There's been no action since and the cold is starting to seep into your muscles. It's dark and damp and the humans among you are effectively blind with the stars lost behind the clouds.
Quiet as a mouse, Triphylla approaches the gates. The only noises she can hear are the small sounds made by her breath and the beating of her heart.
I've been really busy and haven't had much time for this game of late, sorry all. I guess that shows, I notice interest had dropped way off.
Anyway as a reminder, you're looking into the cult of the twilight child. There is a rumour that the twilight child is in fact prince Carrius back from the dead. Carrius is the elder brother to princess Eutropia who died in a riding accident when he was little. Oddly he couldn't be resurrected and the reason for that was the subject of much gossip, at least behind closed doors. If he did come back he would be the heir to the throne.
But this all begs many questions, not least of which - if this truly is Carrius did he come back willingly? What are we actually dealing with here, is he all there? Taldor has already suffered one mad man on the throne after all.
OK so how are you planning to get into the encircling bower? The gates are open to admit people for the services but close afterwards. If you decide to visit in the small hours of the night, it might be possible to climb up, but the masonry is in bad shape. Or you could try to bust your way inside.
As a reminder:
Once an imposing circular edifice, the brick arches and stone ornaments of this large theater are now scarcely visible beneath climbing rose, grapevines, and ivy and this jumbled mass of foliage may be the only thing preventing the venerable theater from simply collapsing. The stone marquee set between the two entrances bears the nearly illegible text: “The Encircling Bower Welcomes You into Its Embrace.”
"I've not been for a while but as a young man I always enjoyed the Whistling Wyvern, it draws a diverse crowd." suggested the enumerator.
Not long after, the evening drew to a close and your carriage took you back to the Gilded Baldachin where you spent the rest of the evening, no doubt being pampered by the many skilled servants.
Kn: Local 18:
Located on the heart of the Bountiful quarter, The Whistling Wyvern is a large tavern and inn popular with travellers, mercenaries and hired guards, the Whistling Wyvern gains its name from an enormous fluted weather vane resembling a wyvern atop the building’s highest spire.
Next evening you venture once more of the city walls towards the encircling bower. Of course there was another evening service, and you needed to decide whether you would use that as means to gain entry to the compound or wait until much later.
Let me know if you wish to do anything during the day, we can come back to this later if needed.
The chief Enumerator nodded, "That would certainly reduce the risk of civilians getting hurt, and if you're lucky many of the cultists will be asleep."
Abrun replied, "Pythareus is many things, a demagog, a general, a would be dictator, but above all he is an opportunist. I'm not convinced he's behind this cult, but if the rumours about this twilight child are true and it really is Prince Carrius returned to life then you can bet your last copper that Pythareus will take full advantage unless someone acts first. For the good of Taldor the truth must come out, but I must warn you this will be dangerous. The cult will not respond kindly to interference, the council has tried to send a number of agents to keep an eye on them but last night their bloodless corpses were found stacked at the back entrance to the council building. Clearly somebody wanted to send a message."
Abrun frowned as this evoked unsavory thought before nodding to one of the acolytes. They then brought forwards what turned out to be a plain white-ash staff with inlaid with small silver runes, and with a wrought iron cap. "I think this might give you an edge. It was owned by one of my forebears and has sat unused in the reliquary for several generations. It's supposed to have great healing potential."
It's a Staff of healing which Valeria can use. It has 10 charges, and like all staves it can be recharged.
Heeding Valeria's advice, you make your way back to the Gilded Baldachin where hot scented baths are run and masseuses expertly ease away the aches and pains of pulled muscles and other minor consequences of battle. Suitably pampered, several hours later and dressed to the nines your carriage takes you the short way to the official residence of the Enumerator.
Located in an impeccable neighborhood, the townhouse exudes the understated confidence and solidity of old money in juxtaposition to the extravagant and oversized mansions you saw earlier today along the river bank. The door opens before you have a chance to knock and you are welcomed in by another one of the temple acolytes. The residence itself is warm and airy, decorated in a minimalist style by Taylor's standards with a unifying motif of Abadar's symbolism. Likely not to everyone's taste, but it was undeniably well executed.
Dinner was served in a cozy dining room with a roaring fire, spiced cuts of prime beef in a spiced Quadrian inspired sauce, with an unusual frozen and very tasty dessert that hailed from far off Jalmerry. Over the course of the meal Enumerator Abrun Palliettor engaged with small talk, sharing various anecdotes of life in Yanmaas interspersed with listening to your story. With the remains of dinner taken away glasses of port, whiskey, and other drinks served Abrun says, "On behalf of the council I'd like to tank you for everything you've done. It's clear to almost everyone that Maxillar has been stirring up much of the recent trouble. I think it's fair to say with the way things have gone he's burnt his bridges. I wish we could now draw a line under things, but the cult of the twilight child troubles me still. It's popularity grows but I'm increasingly convinced it's a sham. You attended one of their ceremonies, tell me what did you make of it?"
The city watch turn up shortly after, responding to reports of violence in the streets. For a brief moment it looked like they were going to attempt to arrest you, but a runner from the Mercantile Council arrived with a warrant for Earl Yanders arrest, alive or dead.
Several more members of the watch arrived, they spoke to the watch captain briefly before he spoke to you, "Sorry for the confusion, it turns out you've done us a big favor here. Some more of Yander's correspondence has been found, partially burnt in his hurry to leave. It's clear he was working under instructions from Pytharus. We'll have to see what happens at Yanders trial but if he's convicted he'll hang for sure."
A while later a man you recognize as one of the acolytes from the temple of Abadar arrives with a message, "Chief Enumerator Abrun Palliettor extends his congratulations for Yander's capture! He cordially invites you for dinner this evening at his residence."
Without the commander holding things together, the remaining officers at Tallgrasses are rudderless, there'll almost certainly be infighting and recriminations - they totally failed at maintaining basic camp security. Morale was already not great, I expect as food and more critically alcohol supplies run low over the next few weeks there'll be a wave of desertions.
Also you achieved the story objectives, going back there will take a good few months of real time to wrap up and I'm not sure that's such a good idea :)
Lope's lightning empowered attack hits like a thunderclap and spalls off fragments of armour which hit the ground like metallic rain. But despite having a gaping hole in the breastplate, the animated armour remains active.
Triphylla attacks the other animated armour, hitting it like a freight train and she exchanges the coppery gall of blood for a mouth full of metal shavings! Again the armour she was fighting looks battered, the sheet metal broken in places yet it too is still active.
Diana's spell floods the area with slippery grease. The suit of armour fighting Lope and St John stand indomitably, but the other on battered by Triphylla nearly looses its footing!
Reflex: Red:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 <--- PASS
Reflex: Green:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 <--- PASS
The earl is unconscious but still breathing, and heeding Diana's words, St John steps away from the armor without any counter attack.
Con:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 <--- STABILIZED
Unless you really want to continue fighting, I'll just call this one and say after two minutes the animated armours vanish with loud pops.
Loot:
Cape of the Mountebank, potions of barkskin (2), scroll of cure serious wounds, wand of bear’s endurance (10 charges), wand of
shield (30 charges); Other Gear mithral shirt, mwk light crossbow, mwk rapier, cloak of resistance +1, ring of mind shielding, noble’s outfit, 150 gp. You already figured out about his cloak and the rest of these are trivial for Lope and Diana to identify so I'll spare you the dice rolls.
St John's falcata slices the Earl's side and his buckler smacks him in the side of his head. Neither of these were the hardest of hits but together they where the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. Earl Yander's eyes rotate up into their sockets and he falls in heap on the floor.
With their master unconscious and dying, the pair of Animate Armours attempt to stand protectively over his body. One of them attacks St John, he manages to parry several attacks, but he gets cut by a particularly powerful blow that was impossible to fully deflect.
The other one attacks Triphylla, yet despite it's remarkable martial prowess it fails to land a blow on her. It's uncanny how she stood exactly wherever it's blade was not!
Green: Haste:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 <--- MISS
Green: Primary:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 1 = 33Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 <--- MISS
Green: Iterative:1d20 + 17 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 - 5 = 27Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 <--- MISS
Kn: Arcarna DC 18:
If you back off now, they won't attack since their last order was to defend him not to avenge him, and after a while they'll wink out of existence. They won't take AOOs if you step away
OK I'm glad I waited, good to see you back Diana! And oh wow, dice bot doesn't like Earl Yander!
Lope manages to get his blade past the Animate Armour's guard, to score a solid hit, a considerable feat and one he wasn't sure he could repeat reliably...
With Earl Yander surrounded, he was more or less at Triphylla's mercy and in an act of unbridled savagery she used her knife like claws to climb up his body (stabbing a kidney and his spleen on the way) only to viciously gore his shoulders and to rip a large chunk of his neck out with her teeth! Serenaded by the earl's panicked cries, and with the now familiar coppery gall of blood tantalising her tongue, she faced a momentous decision: to spit or to swallow? In the background various members of the public who had been milling around, started screaming and running away.
Estinti pauses, shocked by the savagery.
Valeria I assume that roll was a touch attack? If so that lands.
Valeria summoned a crawling purplish darkness that made your skin crawl and with one deft flick, she splashed it over the Earl's face. He tried valiantly to buck away, but it sank into him and the color of his skin leached away leaving him ashen. Massive blood loss, likely contributed to this too.
Will DC 20:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 <--- FAIL
If somebody cares to bot Estinti, (or if Estinti is able to post soon) that would be appreciated!
Clearly in terribly pain and in mortal terror, Earl Yander tried desperately to concentrate on another spell but being literally eaten alive.
Concentration check to cast defensively DC :1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 4 = 21 <--- PASS
You felt him gathering power as his spell took form but before he could speak Diana opened her mouth wide as if to make a bloodcurdling scream, yet there was no noise at all! Horribly the Earl's face seemed to vibrate violently and specks of blood spall off his skin and one eye suddenly darkens with blood from an internal hemorrhage. Dazed he lost the spell.
Fort DC 16:1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 4 <--- FAIL
STATUS: Round 3 wrote:
Environment: Normal.
Buffs and Debuffs:
---- Round 3 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste, Cursed Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste ---- Round 4 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste, Cursed Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste
Damage Log:
Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)
Green was hit by St John for 18 (total damage taken 18)
Triphylla was hit by Red for 6 (total damage taken 6)
Round: 2
St John was hit by Red for 12 (total damage taken 12)
Round: 3
Red was hit by Lope for 17 (total damage taken 17)
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 74 (total damage taken 88)
Earl Yander was hit by Diana for 12 (total damage taken 100)
Not feeling motivated enough to bot Diana tonight, sorry! I hope Diana's player is OK but unless they come back before the end of this combat I'm going to have to retire them permanently.
Diana, hesitates. If anyone wants to post an action for Diana that would be great.
Empowered by the earl's spell, the Animate armours attack! The first one attacks St John. He manages to parry two of its attacks but so much force was behind the middle attack that there was no parrying that! It's blade left a nasty gash in his shoulder which bled freely.
Red: Haste:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 <--- MISS
Red: Primary:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 1 = 38Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 <--- CRIT?
Red: Crit?:1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23Crit Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 <--- NO
Red: Iterative:1d20 + 17 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 1 - 5 = 23Damage:1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 <--- MISS
The other one lowers it's shield and tries to batter Triphylla away again!
Blue: Shield bash:1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 = 25 <--- TBD
Blue: Shield bash:1d20 + 14 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 - 5 = 20 <--- TBD
Triphylla can you please calculate your current CMD? I'm not sure if that hits with your current buffs.
STATUS: Round 3 wrote:
Environment: Normal.
Buffs and Debuffs:
---- Round 3 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste ---- Round 4 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste
Damage Log:
Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)
Green was hit by St John for 18 (total damage taken 18)
Triphylla was hit by Red for 6 (total damage taken 6)
Round: 2
St John was hit by Red for 12 (total damage taken 12)
When St John moved, the sword of the nearest animate armours shot out with unerring accuracy. It would have hit if St John was an inch closer.
Flavor for you made the acrobatics roll, just.
I guess I'll wait 1 more day for Diana before botting.
The animate armour very nearly managed to land an attack on Triphylla's exposed back but she was just a little bit too quick for it.
AOO:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30Damage:1d8 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 6 = 16 <--- MISS
Earl Yander very carefully spits out another spell, "Accellerandum!" Suddenly he and the animate armours start moving with incredible speed!
---- Round 2 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste ---- Round 3 ---- Lope Satire Triphylla Haste, Satire, Various other buffs Estini Satire Valeria Satire Earl Yander Haste Diana Haste, Satire St John Haste, Satire Animate Armour Haste
Damage Log:
Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)
Green was hit by St John for 18 (total damage taken 18)
Triphylla was hit by Red for 6 (total damage taken 6)
St John moves in to engage one of the animate armours, he'd fought many enemies before of all sorts, this was one of the most unusual but it didn't phase him. St John's falcata floated under the guard of the animate armours and he angled it into the spaces between the vambrace and where an arm should be. While there was no blood, St John felt flesh like resistance and he was sure he damaged whatever it was inside that tin can.
Guess I'll bot Diana using Triphylla's suggestion. I'm not certain what Diana has memorized right now, but I'll handwave to say Dispel Magic was one of the spells.
Diana moved closer and whispered a strange word, suddenly the air around Earl Yander sparkled like static and the images surrounding him dissolved like smoke on the breeze. The earl swore, "Well s~$*!" Caster level check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 <--- SUCCESS
The animate armours peeled off, one of them focused on St John but had its measure and parried everything.
Longsword:1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 3 = 20Damage:1d8 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 6 = 22 <--- MISS
Longsword:1d20 + 17 - 3 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 17 - 3 - 5 = 14Damage:1d8 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 6 = 19 <--- MISS
The other one powered into Triphylla, lowering it's shield and sending her flying!
Shield bash:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 <--- HIT
It has shield slam and gets a free bullrush, it beat her CMD by 9 so she gets pushed back by 10 feet.
We're not on a grid so it's a little hard to judge things, but I'm feeling generous, St John can have an AOO on red.
STATUS: Round 2 wrote:
Environment: Normal.
Buffs and Debuffs:
---- Round 2 ---- Lope Triphylla Estini Valeria Earl Yander Mirror Images (5) Diana St John Animate Armour ---- Round 3 ---- Lope Triphylla Estini Valeria Earl Yander Mirror Images (5) Diana St John Animate Armour
Damage Log:
Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)
Green was hit by St John for 18 (total damage taken 18)
Triphylla was hit by Red for 6 (total damage taken 6)
I guess this is a house rule then, skills have a chance to succeed on a natural 20 unless it's impossible or would otherwise break verisimilitude. E.g. no jumping over the moon on a natural 20.
Triphylla suddenly appears as her horns dig into Earl Yander's flank. He yelps in surprise but somehow manages to complete his spell and suddenly there are many Earl Yanders!
Earl Yander Concentration DC 26:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 <--- PASS
Number of Images:1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Sorry I thought I had posted but it looks like that got lost in the twisting nether...
Triphylla vanishes and moves. Earl Yander looses track of her, but the closest suit of armour somehow turns to face her!
Earl: Perception DC 37:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 <--- FAIL
Green: Perception DC 37:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33Natural 20 is often auto succeed, ad you did roll a 1. Red: Perception DC 37:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 <--- FAIL
"As good as you might think you are, you are outmatched here! I have the full backing of Maxillar Pythareus." He indicates his imposing armoured defenders, "Run! Or die. Your choice!"
Perhaps it was the way he said it, but somehow his words seem to sap your confidence! This is an ability known as Satire. You have a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls (minimum 1) and a –2 penalty on saves against fear and charm effects.
He then starts to cast a spell...
Triphylla you can choose to take an AOO. Otherwise the spell will take effect. In any event Diana and St John may act, although their actions will be after the Earl has has his spell or not.
Empowered by Diana's spell, St John runs faster than a horse and with the grace of a trained acrobat he leaps onto the carriage next to the astonished driver. The man simply stares at St John for a long moment before pulling the break. From inside the cab you hear an explosive curse as the count demands, "What the devil's going on out there? WHY ARE YOU STOPPING?!"
He suddenly bursts out of the cab, pulling a pair of tiny figurines from a cloak pocket which he throws on the floor. With a flash and a burst of steam a pair of knights in full harness appear next to him. They glide an inch or more above the the cobbled road, and move with silent fluid grace.
The count snarls, "Defend me!" As one they draw longswords and bash them against their shields, taking up protective stances either side of the count.
Kn: Arcarna DC 18:
These are animated armours, often mistaken for undead, these dangerous foes are suits of armour imbued with the skill of a warrior who fell in battle. They have a weakness to acid and electrical energy but are resistant to most other forms of damage (DR5/-). They are semi-intelligent and will usually fight to the death.
---Triphylla, Diana & St. John---
Diana's magic sends a huge surge of adrenaline thundering through your veins and you rush towards the Earl, in time to see him jump inside. With a light crack of the whip, the cab lurches forwards!
The round after next you'll have caught up with the cab, you'll have to decide what to do. If you try to jump onboard, you'll need to make a DC 15 acrobatics roll.
---Lope, Valeria & Estinti---
The cab driver looks at the bridge dubiously and back to Lope mid impassioned speech, "Er... Well I guess.". Taking it rather slowly, he coaxes the horses forwards. Initially they roll their eyes, toss their heads and stam their hooves but the moment one of them steps on the bride and finds it solid, they snort and start trotting forwards!
Diana's magic rips a hole through spacetime, the words of her spell echoing strangely. She warns you not to touch the edge as you step through, there's a moment of disorientation and weightlessness and then you are through onto the same busy road Diana saw the Earl escape to moments before.
You quickly spot the Earl a little way down the street hailing a cab.
Map not on this map, but there's lots of pedestrians and road traffic. With several cabs nearby, some parked, others in motion.
Valeria, Lope & Estinti:
Moonlight Bridge (Su): You summon a bridge of moonlight. The 10-foot-wide span touches the ground at a point adjacent to you. It can extend from this point in any direction for 10 feet per oracle level. The path persists until you have crossed over the bridge or for 24 hours, whichever is shorter. You may summon a moonlight bridge a number of times per day equal to your Charisma bonus. Should the bridge be attacked, treat it as a wall of force.
70' is enough to cross the water, but you'll have to get near the bank to do that. This means entering the grounds of one of the mansions. If this was at a table I'd make you RP that, but I think it'll be too slow in PbP. I'll be extra generous and say you can find a side street on the other side for it to connect to. Since the bridge is 10' across and it's magic I'm ruling that your cab CAN actually drive over. But you'll need to persuade the cabbie to drive over it (seems like it would be scary for a normal person). Alternatively you can run over there, but you're probably going to arrive after the excitement is over.
The cabbie visibly blanched and took a half step backwards, "I don't want no trouble sir! His grace is headed to the harbour..."
Kn: Geography DC 15:
Calling it a harbour is really giving the Yanmass ferry terminal airs and graces it doesn't deserve. Anyway it's the other side of the canal from here, right next to the southern wall.
Kn: Local DC 18:
Yanmass is on the eastern arm of the Verdun Fork river, and there is a great deal of river traffic to and from Cassomir. So much so that there's ferries that depart hourly. It's a two day day trip to Cassomir and five coming back upstream.
Behind him the door of the cab opens and Earl Merkondus jumps out looking dashing as ever, looking down his nose at Lope he calls out, "Unhand him, it's me you're after!" He added with a smirk, "But you pesants can't have me!" He flicked his cape and suddenly a man sized hole blazed in the air next to him, revealing a street somewhere else. The earl stepped through and vanished!
Lets track this in rounds, theater of the mind for now. I do have this town map, you're a bit south of the blue pin on the west bank of the river. To set the scene for the encounter, Riverside lane is broad cobbled road, and you've all exited your cab and you're all about 25' north of the other cab which has a pair of horses and is pointing south, ideal for a quick getaway. The cabbie that Lope spoke to is between you and the other cab, he's about 10' away from you. St John is heading towards the other cab but he is lower in the initiative so this will take a moment.
The Cabbie, a young chap with a mop of blond hair was surprised when Lope spoke to him, he wheeled around on one foot and stammered, "Er... Not sure his lordship wants to speak to anyone today sir."
Sense Motive DC 16:
He's keen to avoid any trouble, he strikes you as a regular civilian rather than a potential combatant.
To her surprise, Triphylla found a cab already waiting. The young cab driver tipped his hat and said, "Complements of the Chief Enumerator! I'm under strict instruction to wait for you and to take you wherever you need to go today. No 7 riverside lane? Yes I know it, fancy place! We might just beat that over cab, yes they left ten minutes ago but the streets are extra busy today and they took the direct route... But I know the back ways!"
You all clamber in and the cab takes off with a clatter of hooves and iron wheels. The journey starts well, but the streets really are crowded and the cab veers off down a dubious looking side lane. It seems the cabbie knows the area really well because he makes a series of break-neck turns and soon you find yourself hurtling along tiny back roads, parallel to the busy main roads. After a little while you enter a very grand road next to the river, lined with impressive mansions. You pass one after the other and then the cab suddenly stops and the cabbie shouts, "Here you are! Remarkable how big these all are! Cost more gold than I'll make in a lifetime to build one of these."
Riverside lane runs roughly north - south, and all the expensive houses are on the eastern side. There's several other parked cabs in the street including one just outside. No 7 is a large mansion, and it seems to be a hive of activity with scaffolding covering the northern side where it seems an large extension is being built. In addition to the tradesmen, there's a number of very officious looking liveried servants on the gate, the better to stop the hoypoloi from gaining access to the grounds.
Sense Motive DC 15:
The liveried servants have clocked you and expect they're going to cause a fuss if you try to gain entry.
Perception DC 18:
One of the cabs has a passenger in it who seems to be hiding! The cabbie is walking back, and it will presumably be gone shortly.
Are you heading there on foot, or are you going to try and hail a cab. There's pretty much always cabs outside the merchant council.
Kn: Local DC 15:
No 7 riverside lane is about a fifteen minute walk from here. You could risk getting a carriage, that ought to be about half the time but it may take a minute or two to find a cab.
As you hear a mounting commotion and cries of consternation from the floor where a delegation of councillors has ambushed Lord Atun with a procedural demand for a vote on a new sewage works, Gregor replies, "He lives somewhere on Coinside, where was it... Ah yes I remember, a mansion at no 7 riverside lane. Each house on riverside lane is worth a small or not so small fortune."
With sudden severity the man snapped, "Those be fighting words, de Vega! You retract that accusation, or I'll see you in court!"
Clearly irritated, Lord Autun's gavel slammed into the lectern once, twice, thrice and there was a moments silence. He wagged his finger at the man saying, "Knock if off Delatt, any more funny business from you I'll personally ensure your businesses get that tax audit you've spent the last year weasling out of."
Turning to the assembled councillors, Lord Autun said, "Someone must know Earl Yander's whereabouts. He's not exactly low profile, we know he's had business been all over the city."
Again everyone started talking at once.
Sense Motive DC 15:
There's a small knot of councillors who seem to be sympathetic to Octavian Delatt. They're talking in hushed tones.
Perception DC 18
Spoiler:
The room is noisy and they're not going to speak when they think you might overhear them, which makes listening in tricky! Still you manage to lip read enough to get the impression they're about to use a procedural motion to force a vote on something and derail the conversation.
[ooc]Anyone can make the Kn: Local roll DC 18 to know more about Octavian Delatt (see an earlier post), or you can also make a DC 18 diplomacy roll to ask about him and learn the information that way. Other creative dice rolls are permitted too within reason.
[spoiler=Once you've learned about Octavian Delatt's background]Given the financial position he's in, it's obvious he's in Pytharus's pocket. Also he's no fool, he's putting his neck out here for a reason! He sent a runner earlier when you arrived, and you wouldn't be surprised if the runner was going back to the Delatt mansion to warn a certain house guest that it's time to go![spoiler]
There was a great clamour as various councillors speak up all at once. One councillor shouted, "He was at the Gilded Baldachin but he left the day you arrived."
One female councillor said, "I heard he was staying with Lady Hallianna Cobbin until she kicked him out two days ago!"
The councillor who was speaking to an aid earlier shouter with a leer, "He's probably moved onto his latest conquest, Lady Aumber Gewbell!" This got a mix of strong disapproval with an undercurrent of scattered amusement.
Sense Motive DC 18:
You're pretty sure he's lying, probably hoping to waste your time.
"Good man!" cheered Lord Autun after Lope's speech, this was echoed with calls of "Here here!" from the benches.
Sense Motive DC 18:
Most of councillors in the chamber look like they approve, but you notice scowls on several. One of them, a member of the junior council, beckons an aid over and whispers something. The aid looking suddenly nervous nods and rushes away unnoticed.
Kn: Nobility DC 20]You recognize the councillor a Octavian Delatt a steel magnate whose factories supply the Taldan army with swords, spears and armour.
Off to one side, Gregor shares a grumble with Triphylla, "Only half of them, look at that pampered lot! In a case like this you need to follow the money. You probably won't be surprised to hear the members of the merchant council between them own ninety percent of Yanmass and just about every business in a hundred miles. Most of them have multiple government contracts and would likely profit. Who would benefit the most out of them? Honestly I'm not sure, but that would be the question I'd ask..."
Gregor replies, "Depends what you mean. There's quite a few with Pythareus sympathies especially on the junior council, ones whose businesses stand to profit from war."
Kn: Local DC 18:
Octavian Delatt comes to mind, he owns an out of town steelworks and several sword and armour factories supplying the Taldan army. Earl Yander was rumored to be staying at his townhouse.
Suddenly everyone was shouting at once, Lope's words had caused a sensation! It took several minutes for Lord Rudig Autun to bring the chamber back to order, favouring Lope with a despairing look he said, "I trust you have proof?"
The council then spend the next ten minutes examining the letters, there were several arguments about the veracity but Lady Aumber Gewbell snarled at Lady Carmellio Rauls "Cut the c**p! You know Earl Yander's handwriting as well as anything, this is damning!"
Lord Autun seemed to be having a migraine, slumped in his seat as half a dozen members of the lower council attempted to ask various points of order. After several minutes of cacophony he stood up and shouted "ENOUGH! WE SHALL HAVE ORDER IN THE CHAMBER!"
A shocked silence followed into which Lord Autun spoke in a more measured tone, "Clearly we're going to have to arrest Earl Yander. I don't imagine that will be easy..." Lady Carmellio Rauls interjected to say, "What of the reputational damage, we can't allow the defection of the Taldan Horse to become common knowledge, the people will panik!"
"Yes. Yes. I guess you're right." sighed Lord Autun, turning to you he said, "Unfortunately, you're going to have to keep the Taldan Horse scandal quiet. If you can do that and capture Earl Yander we'll reward you handsomely! I mean you're due a reward for this information anyway, but if you can do this we'll make its worth you're time. Do we have an agreement?"
Valeria:
It's hard to say with a room full of politicians, but you do detect naked self interest from Lady Carmellio Rauls who holds a lucrative contract to supply the Taldan Horse. Anything beyond that you just don't know.
Now fed and presentable once more thanks to the indefatigable staff of the Gilded Baldachin, you make your way to the Mercantile Council. As before, you are greeted by the loquacious halfling, Gregor Hamble, in his customary council livery. "Ah the Opparan delegation! The council was hoping for an update your investigation, as I'm sure you've heard there's been an uptick in banditry of late and the Taldan Horse are nowhere to be seen. Most regrettable..."
After waiting in an oak paneled side room for ten minutes you are ushered into the council chamber where there was a gap in the schedule. You are greeted by Lord Rudig Autun, "Welcome! I must say despite Yanmass's other problems I don't don't think any of us have slept so well after you ended the plague of dreams!"
"Indeed! We are all extremely grateful." agreed Lady Carmellio Rauls, who added "But something tells me they're here on other business."
The escape from the caravanserai was a nerve wracking affair, the storm was moving away and you were intensely aware of the creaking of the floorboards as you stole away. There was a nerve wracking moment as you crept past the room where Triphylla had seen a sleeping dragon, which on reflection can't have been much bigger than a few horses but still a dragon! You heard creaking from within the room, it seemed the creature stirred in its sleep but nothing happened as you made your way along the stairs and past the room with the snoring.
Scarcely believing your luck you crept outside into the rain, giving the chained elephant a wide berth. And then you headed south, away from Tallgrasses hoping the rain would mask your passage. Perhaps lady luck smiled upon you because after weary hours of trudging through the rain you see the distant shilouette of yanmass in the pre-dawn twilight. Another half hour later, brings you through the northern gate and into Yanmass proper.
Given the muddy disarray you're in you enter your lodgings, The Gilded Baldachin, by the trades entrance. The ever attentive staff soon have you out of your muddied travel clothes and into steaming rose petal bath water. Perhaps the rain was just as well because it washed away the worst of the blood and Triphylla in particular might have had a very difficult time explaining it all away.
Later you start reviewing the voluminous correspondence. Commander Staubel it seems was a staunch believer in tidy book keeping, a necessary skill for efficiently administering an armed force. Most of her notes are mundane in the extreme, and your eyes start to glaze over after a few pages.
Perception DC 18, Intelligence DC 16, Linguistics DC 15:
After many hours of tedious reading, the dry regimental ledger starts to paint an extraordinary story. It seems a few months ago, the paymaster abruptly changed from an R.G to a G.Km. The commander kept correspondence with various people, including somebody who styled themselves as the Grey Kingmaker. You get the impression this individual's source of funds is highly placed in the Taldan military, and seems likely to be Maxillar Pythareus himself.
Commander Staubel's orders, as transmitted by the Grey Kingmaker was a false flag operation, where they where to pretend to be the Qadiran bandits they once hunted. Their orders where to harass and scare traders, before arranging a massacre in a few week, which would give Taldor a Casus Belli for a retaliatory invasion of Quadria!
Regimental notes show the Commander ruthlessly removed Junior Officers she deemed disloyal to her, ordering them on one way trips to investigate Orvestikar Manor where she had an agreement with the medusa Aresphena.
Combining this with the other correspondence you found at the former Sanguine Brothers Slaughter house looks damning for Earl Yander. He is undoubtedly the Grey Kingmaker, and has much to answer for! The Mercantile council will want to know what you have discovered...
