Gregor Ward's page

Gregor worries as Gilda repeats his concerns, once again showing their similar thinking, but rebuts Evander's idea. "Again, if a defensive measure is to cause us to swim down to it, then we would be at a disadvantage to do just that willingly." He looks around about how far they are from shore. "It could actually be a feeding mechanism. Drawing things down toward it to eat them, whether they can breathe underwater or not. We could be at an advantage swimming down as if we were still compelled, but have a violent response prepared."

Gregor, still having never left the boat, adds his concerns. "What good can come of us swimming down, if it tried to compel us to do just that? Invisibility does pose a problem in seeing each other, maybe something else illusory that could change our external form. Maybe something that is a common enemy of the sea elves. Either way, it almost seems as if it knows we are here."

Did we use the folding boat? As in, once Gregor finally gets in the water, can we fold it up and bring it so it doesn't float away?

Gregor realizes that they are probably out of earshot by this time, and turns to look at the only other person left in the boat. "If we are trying to stop them from swimming down, does it help to also swim down after them ourselves? Or are we more help here in the... oh my words, I just realized I am stuck asking your counsel. I may have lost my mind.. Oh, no offense intended."

But is it either a sight based or sound based effect? Since I didn't hear anything, and it was based on looking into the depths, I'll assume sight and use Distraction.

Gregor begins a rant about proper planning and counsel before making rash decisions, extolling the virtues of group think.

Perform (Oratory) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Am I able to tell whether this is a magical effect based on either sound or sight? As in, could I use either Countersong or Distraction to try and shake them out of it?

I'm back
Will save 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16

Despite Gregor's desire to be anywhere in Kintargo over anywhere in their immediate vicinity, he is drawn toward the depths they look down into. He shakes away the thought just in time to see Evander jump in. "Damned impetuous people!"

Not sure exactly when it starts, but this upcoming week my wife wants the family to be device free, so I will not be online for about a week.

"Some say that the eyes are the best way to tell the truth about someone. Maybe this eye will reveal its own truths to us." Gregor sulks uncomfortably in the boat, "Little of my talents will be of much use in the water, much like when we last found ourselves in such an environment." under his breath he mutters "The elves were there as well."

Gregor opts to keep his comments to himself, as it seems his general dislike of the entire situation will continue to fall on deaf ears. So, instead he merely maintains crossed arms and a scowl to show his displeasure.

Despite his thoughts on the matter, the group come all this way to try and win over the elves to the cause, so it didn't help to be ineffective. "Yes, something more informative than an ominous name would go a long way in us doing something about it. What can you tell us of the area or its denizens? Are we dealing with an entirely underwater threat, or is it either amphibious or land-based?"

Gregor lets out a huff in irritation for all the double-talk going back and forth. He's, however, not surprised that this is the way that they have to tender relations with elves. He merely crosses his arms and waits for the duplicitous back and forth to end.

Not only is Gregor less than happy about the current mission, it seems that the rolling of a ship's deck at sea is also something he doesn't agree with. Despite fairly smooth a fluid movements in combat, he just doesn't keep a loose enough stance to manage to roll when the deck does. He's never been at sea before, and in fact other than just outside the city's walls, never left Kintargo. The temple they went to in order to find the Lictor was, up until now, the furthest he's ever been from home. These two things combined, has turned his generally stoic and taciturn mood into one of extremely sour grapes. He stays quiet, tending to his fitness and care for his equipment in the salt air, deigning not to say anything to anyone if he can help it. It's not exactly clear whether it's to avoid saying something aggressive, or for fear of losing his meal as soon as he opens his mouth.

You have my deepest condolences and sympathies.

Gregor shakes his head and gives the woman a questioning look, "Whatever ploy has been cooked up, it is not even a good one. Clearly they did not bother to study their targets, because then they would not have been so short-sighted in trying to rope me in with an elven parent. What you can tell 'her', is that I did not fall for it."

Eh, Gregor's not so much disagreeing as much as grousing about elves. He's found that he is outvoted in a lot of things like this. Turning spies, favor with nobles, ..just elves in general... so he protests, but more to show that he generally doesn't agree. We can move forward with the elves.

Gilda, Gregor wasn't being purposefully quiet or withdrawn with his note. More so that it doesn't do to try and walk while reading. I'm sure his reaction and tearing of it was easily noticeable enough.

Gregor scoffs and shakes his head, "What is it again that we need from these elves? Especially so that it would warrant traveling two to four days outside of our concerns, while also calling in a favor that may have greater purpose. If we are intent on garnering the support of these families, I feel sooner rather than later would be in our best interests. This favor of the ship Captain that we call in could be used instead to arrange some coordination with the Vashnarstill family, that they may find shipping, and ships work to mutual benefit."

Gregor's brow is deeply furrowed as Lia's mother hands him the letter from her sister, "Why would an elven woman seek me out? I know none, never treated with any, nor owe them anything?" He scowls with a suspicious eye at the letter, turning it over as if there were a viper hidden within.

He first inspects the envelope with a discerning eye, ensuring there are no signs of magic present, indicating any sort of trap or illusion. He lags behind slightly as he finally opens and reads it. "HA! How stupid you think I am, to set such an obvious trap?" He tears the letter in half, crumples each piece, and tosses them to the ground.

----------
Back to the topic at hand.

Gregor shakes his head, "More elves, bah. I can do without the lot of them. It might be worthwhile to ensure they are not up to ill will."

Trying to play ball while still being Gregor can be difficult at times. :)

Gregor scoffs, "What unique talents? This already feels as if the serious nature of our situation is but a farce. While the city suffers under the weight of a power gluttonous shipwreck crashing against the very city, we stand before you performing parlor tricks to prove what we have and what we have done to proceed to push this fight forward. The question should not be about what it is that we can do to prove that we can stand up against the corruption that threatens to tear our city apart, it should be what minuscule amount is the rest of the city willing to do. We merely hold the banner aloft as we lead the charge against the wrongs leveled on the citizens of this great city. The true fight belongs to the army of citizens and their need to oppose the tyranny that is Barzillai Thrune. Are you and they willing to do what is right for Kintargo not only to survive, but to thrive?"

Bardic Performance
First, attempting to Fascinate the Archbaroness [only DC 13 though] :(
Second, going to Inspire Courage everyone.
Diplomacy 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Perform Oratory 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Gregor turns his stoic expression to one slightly more irritated as the elven woman eyeballs him, no doubt with the air of condescension they all have; thinking they are better than everyone. The gaze get his hackles up, and he can't help but respond with frustration. "So, we are supposed to win you over with what... a performance? Like put on a show?"

He takes a deep breath, about to say more, but instead he growls out a heavy sigh as he levels a side eye at Evander.

Gregor maintains a stoic expression through the introductions and exchange. His posture its usual rigid and formal, but he maintains and returns the gaze of the Archbaroness when she gives him the long look.

Gregor cocks his head, somewhat confused. "I do not think, nor did I say, we should tax the poor. I am saying that, if the only loyalty we can get from the rich is derived monetarily, then we run the risk of having to maintain their coin flow in order to maintain said loyalty. They are worse than wandering mercenaries, they are thoroughly implanted and invested mercenaries. Their only loyalty is to whomever fattens their purses or increases their control over the city."

He too looks to Celia, "The few that did what they did, for the sake of the city, already fell prey that night. I am not concerned about those with influence, I value more the support of those that care for my Kintargo and her betterment over any others."

Gregor raises an eyebrow, "Not all arrangements and trading of favors we have done were for the sake of the other party's personal gain. Our early developments were to prove that we were better than the current ruling authority. That we had the betterment of our Kintargo in mind."

He sighs, "That reach has extended as far as we could. Now we are forced to try to buy over those that only care about how they can advance their own personal goals. Their only concern for the city is how it pays off for them, and mark my words, once the change in leadership becomes less rewarding for them, they will turn over once more to the next group that can offer them more than we could. Our price will continue to rise until the new government has to resort to taxing the poor to appease the rich. Or worse, favors that hurt the commoner to keep the nobles in line."

Gregor shrugs, "So, we now have to bribe a woman with unreliable allegiance by winning over enough noble houses to suit her? What is to stop her from turning on us with all that she seems to know of us, just like the spy?" He sighs and shakes his head, his hand across his forehead. "This is a dangerous path we walk, and we cannot just keep naively thinking that bought loyalty to the cause is any sort of loyalty."

Gregor leans in and whispers to Evander, "It looks as if she is allied with whatever suits her fancy, or would you assume that it looks that way only due to my knowledge of her kind?"

As Gregor himself has nothing but a few choice words for a woman whose only stand is for who wins and not what's best for the city, he says nothing. He still worries that this conversation will go likely the same way as the buyable spy whose only concern was her own gain as well.

Sorry, was busy the last couple days, so we can table Gregor's blatant racism for another time. :)

Gregor rolls his eyes at the idea of whatever soft-hearted exercise Evander has cooked up to somehow show him all he's known and experienced about elves to be wrong. Just as he's about to explain that it's no different than any of other halfies and how they taint good human stock, they are greeted at the door to the school.

Arriving into the room, with the five waiting chairs, Gregor eyes the place with a suspicious eye. He whispers to Matiscio, "Stay vigilant. Who knows what spies or allegiances she currently entertains."

Gregor agrees with the talk and travel idea, but answers Evander's question all the same, "Yes, my father warned about what I could expect for their kind, and I had found it to be an accurate estimation. Being prepared for the way they act, I was better able to be ready and react as appropriate when that is where their actions led."

Gregor raises an eyebrow of curiosity, maybe unsure if Evander is unclear about what the problem with elves is, or just looking for Gregor's list. "Well, to start they are a bunch of flippant, prancing, stuck-up, unreliable, untrustworthy, rabble-rousers, looking to just flaunt their disregard for authority in order to satisfy their incessant need for mindless frivolity." He holds up a finger to add a point, "The halfies are worse, because you at least know what you are getting with a full elf. You never know when a halfie's elf part is going to be the forefront of their personality, and who they are going to be that day." He nods with himself, feeling like he's taught a valuable lesson this day.

I don't think we need to send a Raven to the Lictor, and he may actually prefer if we approach him face to face. Don't think we would need one for Laria either.

Gregor scowls, "A girl's school run by an elf and full of halfies? Could this contact be any more capricious? I guess if you need people to reject order and authority, elf is your way to go." He nods along agreeably with Evander and Celia's suggested courses of action.

Gregor nods once with each suggestion, either in acknowledgement or agreement is uncertain until he adds. "A sound plan. I agree with this course of action."

Also, agree with all the council plans as laid out in the discussion.

"With your penchant for disguises, could we not aid the Captain via appearance changes to allow him ashore for our council meetings? I feel using a representative would be no different than just that representative as a member of said council. I agree that we should address our suggested members before assigning them to the role. That said, we have yet to have a member of the Acadamy actually stand up and represent them or seemingly stand in opposition to Thrune of their own volition, as we have our other elects. Therefore, until such a time, I feel they do not deserve a voice in that regard."

Gregor spends most of his week much like he did any other day. He maintains his routines in his fitness, the care of his equipment, and his determination that everyone just follow the damn rules.

At the word of a council he merely nods along, despite his usual disapproving scowl most often reserved for Gilda. As they discuss it among themselves, he offers, "Fittingly enough, a group of ravens is sometimes known as a conspiracy. Mayhaps we could use it in regards to a council."

He adopts an even more serious tone, "That said, I agree with the appointment of the Lictor and Hetamon, as well as Laria. Five works, as an odd number allows for a true majority in regard to votes. I would not seek understanding among my former brothers. What about the ship captain? Someone, with outside ties?"

Honestly, haven't been good at keeping an eye on the loot tracker. Am I correct in seeing that I have 12k in there? Is that all my share, or am I reading it wrong?

I would appreciate (in order of preference) any of the following as possible:
Making my bow +1
Belt of Dex +2
Making my buckler +1
Upping my Armor to +2

So soon after their recent disruption, Gregor is wary of the convenience of an old friend of Celia's just appearing in their safehouse. Not to mention a tiefling to boot. He decides to try and keep an eye on her over the next few days, as well as realizing he may need to try and plan with Gilda how they can use the dragonling.

Will not likely be able to post this weekend. Going to my first gaming CON, a small local one.

False leads only work so long as they lead somewhere sometimes. To do that, we have to have people get caught. To this end, maybe we use her to get Thrune to do our work for us. Always lead him to any trouble or criminal elements that need to be dealt with. Kill two birds with one stone.

Agree with Evander on watching the targets we feed, to keep an eye on the force brought, and the response time.

"Seriously?" Gregor asks Gilda, "One percent of the city's treasury? That is an indeterminate sum. Quite a hefty mercenary turncoat tax on Kintargo." He scowls.

"I do not like it Pigeon... Hey, could you manage to talk that annoying dragonling into spying on her? She probably does not know about it, since it has not left the base visible."

Gregor grumbles to himself outside on his patrol, knowing that he will most likely not agree with whatever deal the others arrange with the untrustworthy spy.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 2 + 4 = 27 (City Mod, FE Humans)

Gregor shakes his head, "Just because you did not fire the arrow, does not mean you did not paint the target directly upon their back. You are just justifying your selling out of other people's lives to the highest bidder." He turns to the others, "You will not get where you want with her while I am here. I will excuse myself to patrol for any suspicious onlookers."

He uncrosses his arms and moves to exit, planning on keeping an eye on the building's exterior.

Gregor sneers, nothing the woman says warms him towards her. "I think bounty hunter is the term you're looking for." He growls low.

Taking level 5 in Ranger

HP 6+1+1 (Con, FC)
BaB +1
No Saves
2nd Favored Enemy: (Outsiders (Evil)
1st Favored Enemy +2
Feat Rapid Shot

Skills 6+2
Acrobatics +1
Bluff +1
Disable Device +2
Intimidate +1
Perception +1
Spellcraft +1
Stealth +1

Background Skills: 2
Appraise +1
Perform Oratory +1

Gregor does not object. Freedom and free will are Chaotic concerns. ;)

Gregor just shakes his head in disagreement with Celia's display of faith in the woman, and adds a begrudging nod to Gilda. He has come too often to the side of agreeing with the woman for his own personal tastes.

Oh, poop, I had forgotten about leveling up.

Don't know that it will help that 3 sense motive much though, lol

Sense Motive 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 2 = 3 (FE, City Mod) ick

Gregor still scowls at the notion, "I could agree with a compulsion or charm of some sort, albeit very tentatively, and I myself am not quite willing to strike an accord with this woman. You all may decide to do so for the group, but I reserve my personal word for those that honor it."

Not being one for dramatic flair, he merely raises an eyebrow at Evander's revelation, "Clearly, disliking her employer had no bearing on her decision to still accept his coin and his assignment. I have the world's respect and admiration for my former brothers and their purpose and function in Kintargo, but I still had to decide to turn my back on them for the sake of what is right and true." Merely saying it aloud strikes a chord with him, as his scowl deepens and jaw clenches.

Gregor scowls at the very notion, "I have little faith or use for those that sell their loyalties to whichever cause has the highest bidders. I do not think we should continue to line her pockets with our cause's coin, and would consider our being rid of her as a warning to whosoever decided to spy on us. That said, after a disagreement we had previously, I went through the trouble of procuring the materials and construction of the cell we have at our original base of operations. Keeping her locked up is certainly an option I would be amenable toward."

I'd really rather not use the coffeehouse even if it is closer. At least the safehouse will have very little way to tie it back to us or allies. If that means we spend some time uncloaked, I would still vote not the coffeehouse.

Gregor prepares to take a firm grip on one of the woman's arms, nodding for Matiscio to take the other.

Gregor furrows his brow, and purses his lips, letting out a low growl of irritation before he speaks. "You have had your eye on us for at least long enough for us to have caught you looking twice. This time, you did not escape us. The question is, what does that really mean to you? If we are these 'ravens' that you seek, and they have a reputation, is it one of fairness or of danger? If we are not, then you do not know our reputation, and therefore have no way of knowing what we would or could do with uncooperative captives that have stalked us. Your best bet would be to prove that you are worth more to us alive, would it not, before learning whether we are the ones you seek or not."

Intimidate 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 4 = 24 (City bonus)

Gregor is ready to scrutinize any answer the woman gives, but will start with the first one.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 27 (FE, City Mod)

Gregor can't do much of anything unless they come down off the roof. Unless there's a fairly easy looking way to get up there.

Gregor will... I guess just try to follow from the street. Yeah, I got nothing he can really do here beyond offering words of encouragement (Inspire).

Gregor also tries to follow the path as best he can from the ground, keeping an eye upward for both the glittering woman, and Evander.

Perception to see/hear which way they go enough to keep up 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21