Thanks for running this. I'm sorry I couldn't do more to keep things moving - I still struggle a bit with the sandbox style, especially with so many possibilities.
Good luck with everything!
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Up on the wall, Garan hams things up by hurling a few curse towards the Andoran forces below: "SO! I wasn't "good enough" for your blasted Eagle Knights, eh? WELL, now you're in a right pickle aren't ya? As long as you've got me bottled up in here, I'm going to enjoy watching you fail!"
Garan drops the things he was carrying and approaches a guard near the rear of the column. He tries to be louder than needed, hopefully keeping attention focused his way. He affects a slight stagger, and slurs his words: "So, this is it, eh? Seige finally beginning. Nothing for a stray man-at-arms like me to do but sit here and drink. Say, buddy. Buddy... Could you do a fellow soldier a favor? Maybe help me get a good spot on the wall? If I can't have some sport, I might as well watch!"
Garan grabs a couple of old plates and a bottle and moves up behind one of the buildings. Once out of sight of the guards, he tosses a plate into an adjoining alley.
Garan whispers to Noya and Nysha: "Do either of you have a flask of alchemist's fire handy? I could toss one behind or to the side of the guards to draw their attention."
Garan whispers to Virgil and the others: "As you know, I'm not much good at sneaking or disguises. I could cause a distraction, but I don't want to draw too much attention to myself so early in the operation."
Garan nods appreciatively at the offered poisons. He bids the woman good night with a roguish grin, then returns to the Inn for the night.
Garan thanks the shopkeeper for the information and her offer of assistance. "Well, it just so happens that our goals may coincide. Please let me confer with my associates. Would you happen to have those poisons ready now, or should we return later?
Garan speaks very quietly to the shopkeeper. "You know, politics are one of my favorite subjects. Especially if I can find a fellow friend of liberty."
Garan whispers back, after briefly turning away from the shop owner: "Interesting. I wonder where he's storing it? Could make our job all the quicker." Garan then turns around again, casually viewing items on the shelves and speaking so others can ehar: "Our master can be demanding sometimes. But now that we're going to be cooped up during this blasted siege, we might as well see to his comfort. He's not bad to work for, really. Not like the some older nobles, trying to cling too hard to past traditions."
The recap of intelligence gathered is much appreciated GM! Sorry, I didn't quite realize that Noya and I had the same destiantion in mind. I'll stay out of the way for the discussion of alchemical agents and wait for a chance to drop a comment or two about "good old Andoran".
Garan comes inside and nods towards Noya and the woman he sees. "Ah, Atoli! Good to see you. I finished up my tasks early so Master Naran sent me over to check on things." To Viaran: "Quite a nice shop you have here. Do you mind if I have a look around while you two ladies conduct your business?"
"Yes, it would be good to know more about what goes on there. I'll see what I can do to locate some friends to put a burr in the Baron's saddle." Garan will return to the apothercary's shop if open, seeking out possible contacts in the Andoran "resistance".
"The General mentioned the symbol worn by those who remain loyal to Andoran. I haven't had a change to scout around with a discreet eye. Perhaps now would be a good time? And perhaps Nysha could try to fraternize with the guards and militia at the Conqueror's blade? I'm afraid revealing my noble blood may make it harder for me to socialize with the common soldiers at this point."
Sorry, I've still been dealing with unpacking and holiday-related commitments. I would like to keep going, and I should be able to pick up the pace again now.
Garan meets up with the group at the inn after his brief interaction at parley. He nods at Noya's plan, hiding a small grin with the back of his hand. To Virgil he says: "That guard captain, Blacklock, is a confident sort. He's upset that the Andoran government sends troops against the Baron, naturally. I am not sure that he's gone over to the Chells - but he didn't like the appearance of hostility towards those of the former nobility. I thought to play on my own upbringing, but I can only say that I managed to avoid annoying the man, rather than befriending him."
Update to all my games: I will be moving tomorrow. I will shut down my PC sometime tonight, and with luck will be back up running by Saturday (Sunday at the latest). If my home internet goes sideways, I will try to keep up via the Wayfinder app on my phone Please bot me as necessary.
Garan offers some words of consolation, quietly, to Blacklock. "Those terms are indeed insufferable. But you say you could hold out during a siege for 2 years? That is rather impressive. Most cities I've visited would be hard-pressed to last a season."
So I had exactly the opposite impression of Blacklock. I thought that he, like his lord, are sympathetic to the Chelish side, especially given that it is the Andoran army on the doorstep. I may just try to stay more neutral a bit longer. Thinking it over and will post tonight.
So...I'm really not sure how to react here. Offer Blacklock a word of encouragement? "Stand up" to the General? Offer to covey terms of a challenge?
Derek, if i am pushing you, i apologize. Just think that its a good in for Garan. No worries! I don't feel pushed - and it's good to have a bit of direction on how to proceed.
Garan feels a sense of relief as his story seems to pass muster. It seems folk all across the Inner Sea are eager to dismiss those of Taldan blood. He doesn't offer any more comment as the wicket is opened. He merely nods his head in assent and steels himself to face the general from the other side of things. This is no problem Garan, you've had to pretend not to know people dozens of times before. Especially the countess, after the ball in Augustana... His face grows strangely distant for the briefest moment in reminiscence, then snaps back to its practiced impassiveness.
Garan decides to follow Virgil's line of thinking. "My family is Taldan, if you must know. But a matter of disgrace forced me to leave my father's household some years ago. In my efforts to restore my honor I have traveled far. Most recently my business has taken me through Andoran, but I haven't always felt welcome there. I heard folk here might be friendlier to a person of my position."
Garan temporarily changes his plan and attempts to ingratiate himself with the parley. He approaches the leader of the group and calls out, then offers a quick bow. "Sir, whilst I am only recently arrived, I too am a knight of some renown - Sir Garan Swift-blade, late of Taldor. As I am to be a guest here as your enemies besiege you, might I accompany you in parley as an impartial observer?"
"It would be my pleasure." Garan replies to Nysha through the whisper-link.
Garan listens to the whispered exchange, then adds: "I agree. Let's bide our time for a bit and see if we can uncover a way to get ourselves invited. Perhaps we should begin a bit of reconnaissance?" As Garan says this last. he notices the group riding down the keep road. "Although I am interested in seeing what happens here first." Again, this is all whispered via Virgil's spell.
Garan steps in and speaks, affecting a somewhat foppish air. "Please, good sirs, forgive my master. The Lord Justin can be a bit much to take in all at once! Yes, we come from Augustana. And yes, perhaps milord was feeling the pinch of democracy a bit. Nevertheless, our business is inside. Would you kindly let us pass?"
Sorry to go back to gear, but does the module cover 2 levels of progress or only one? If the former, perhaps 2 cure wands are in order. I am willing to pay for a whole one myself if that makes it easier.
Garan peers ahead intently, trying to spy out if this is merely normal congestion, or if something unusual is afoot.
While peering, his hand absently moves to rest on his sword-hilt. "Aye, Master Gaskar. Patience is quite a valuable skill - well worth the effort. We aren't really in a hurry as of now anyway." I guess all this fuss may work to our advantage. Probably best the general didn't try to insert us earlier in the campaign, actually
I just wanted to be clear of our plan before I post again: Are we all now going as part of "Joshua's" retinue? I'm sure I can play the part of bodyguard - my rapier-wielding half-elf might fit better as a noble's man than a humble merchant's anyway.
After passing the fitful night, Garan rises early with the others. He takes his time to get dressed, but leaves most of his jewelry stowed. As the group gathers he questions Gaskar: "Anything we need to know about the local militia? Anything in particular we need to avoid saying, for example?"
Garan takes all of this in with increasing interest. He tries to keep his face impassive, but as the General continues his description he feels the rush of anxiety begin to fill him. Before leaving the tent he again offers his salute. "Thank you again for the opportunity, General. I am sure that we will be up to the task." Garan looks at his companions appraisingly. Once outside, he speaks to them. "Virgil Geryon, Nysha, Noya Yuuki Aiba? I knew the General was looking for talented operatives, but I could only guess at who he might have found. It's a pleasure to finally work with each of you." "As far as disguises go, I am no Lion Blade, but I suppose fitting in as a guard may not be too difficult. Beyond that, it sounds like you may have a few ideas Virgil."
Yeesh... Same on my end. I feel like I have lots of catching up to do in-game! Weekends, especially Sundays get pretty busy with family activities. And we're planning to move at the end of the month, so packing and sorting, etc. Anyway, I will get at least one post up later on today later.
The lithe man wears his shoulder-length hair loose. It is not quite blonde, nor quite white. It covers his ears, but his slightly almond-shaped eyes hint at some non-human ancestry. His traveling clothes are well kept and clean, and the guard of his rapier twinkles in the torchlight of the headquarters. His ears are pierced and he wears rings on both hands. He looks like a well-meaning dandy to the causal eye. He offers the general a crisp salute, then speaks: "Thank you, sir. I could stand with a cup myself." He eagerly awaits the arrival of the remainder of his allies.
Nice! Map is good to go for me as well. Just finishing up background details now. So, do we want to take the approach that we know each other? If so, have we been a team for a long time, only recently, etc? Or just follow the PFS-style - we all got called by the Important Person to take on an important assignment.
Hey Virgil/Walter! Yeah, I kinds fell off in the PFS world for a while. Anyway, this is Derek's fencing cavalier. I'm not using character gen software, so putting this all up takes some time. The crunch should pretty much be here - I will think over his background some more and add that in the morning. I haven't quite settled on Background skills - but I'll have it all ready soon. |