Jacobus Varadin's page

Ivo raises an eyebrow and says, "So you're saying that we can execute capital punshiment against someone who steals from travelers but if they keep a rape camp then they're safe. You realize that if anyone finds out about that laughable proposition, they will start setting up rape camps specifically to guarantee their safety."

"Not at all what I am saying. I am saying that these are bandits and should be treated as such. No more and no less. If they repent then they get to live but still pay for their crimes. If they do not repent then they are executed on the spot."

He added, "We should treat them no different than we treated the other bandits."

Jacobus shook his head, "I must disagree with the lot of you. Our Charter gives us the authority to execute unrepentant bandits. Nothing else. We have no say on what to do with rapers or anyone else that does not fall into the 'bandit' category."

He added, "I won't stop you if you want to kill them but I don't think it's up to us. If these are unrepentant bandits then I'll be the first to tie a noose around their neck."

Although seething inside, the inquisitor tried to remain level-headed, "Let's not get carried away here. There will certainly be a time for judgment and I will fully involved. Now, however, we must take down this monster of a man."

Didn't we already interrogate them already in post 2075? What more info do we want at this time from them?"

Jacobus nodded to reassure the bandits that they hadn't forfeited their lives. Yet.

Once outside the circle of silence, he stated, "There's no need to die today. Just cooperate and you'll be fine. Now, how many more inside? What defenses are there in place?"

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intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Jacobus raised his hands knowing full well that he would not be heard in the magical silence.

He still mouthed, "Drop your weapon and we'll spare your life."

He then motioned for the bandit to drop to his knees and be taken prisoner.

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trying to spare the guy's life while preventing him from raising an alarm

Jacobus called on Abadar to aid him and then stepped into the silent circle, heavy mace in one hand and shield in the other.

He swung the mace trying to brain one of the bandits.

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healing judgment, attack

heavy mace to hit, power attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 1 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

critical?
heavy mace to hit, power attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 1 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12

Jacobus made sure his heavy mace and shield were handy.

He cautioned Torsten, "Careful with that spell of yours because it keeps us melee fighters from getting in close and doing our best work. Maybe you should cast it to block their retreat."

I've drawn in a proposed false trail route and ambush site on Roll20. Feel free to modify, improve, or scrap it. It's my first time both using Roll20 and in PbP game, so please don't let me railroad anybody.

That looks good; I've moved my token accordingly.

Okay, sounds like you all have a plan. Mark on the map where you are setting up your blind and where Ivo and Garet are leaving their obvious tracks.

I've placed myself at the 'apparent exit' from the bluff. Am I reading the map (and strategy) correctly?

Jacobus nodded, "I'm good with the night plan..."[/b]

In truth he was good with any plan that involved drawing some of the defenders out so they wouldn't have to assault a fully armed fort.

He also was not a very patient man, "We'll do that tonight then?"

"Two guards permanently on the outside watch, with two more doing something in that shed. I'll bet there are twice as many inside." Garret thinks to himself.

After firmly establishing the pattern, he silently signals to Ivo that they should return to the rest of the party. It's time to share the knowledge they've gained.

Jacobus looked at his armor and shield and shook his head, "You know we'll never be able to sneak in there undetected, at least not me."

He scratched his chin, a short stubble showing, "Do you think we can lure them out? Or at least lure out a few of them? I'm not really into full front assaults..."

Jacobus looked at the mage and priest and bid his time until the scouts came back.

Glad it had stopped raining, the young man made sure his weapons were ready. He was not expecting the bandits to just give up.

Knowing he was not the best scout, not with his armor on, Jacobus nodded and tried to keep quiet as the two went around the area.

"Get back here and no heroics."

fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Jacobus hunkered down and tried to stay dry as he let the scouts do their work.

He merely added, "The sooner we get out of he rain, the happier I will be..."

Jacobus was pleased, "I'm glad we have the tracker situation well in hand."

He scoffed, "While I'm no rookie myself, I don;t have your nose Gareth or your skill at tracking goats, Torsten."

He remembered, "We usually hired local tracker for our caravans but I learned a thing or two."

He nodded towards Tove, "Staying here tonight and heading for Dovan's in the morning sounds fine. Do we know anything else abiut this bandit?"

Jacobus said his goodbyes to Theodore, "I'm sorry if my methods irritated you but know that our aims are very much aligned."

He added, "Do take these two and see that they get a fair shot at a new life. Thanks."

"I came seeking. Seeking to make a difference. Seeking purpose. Perhaps eventually seeking the brightness itself.

What I found was a land in need. For now, bandits seem a high priority. If you seek to bring justice and stability to the smallfolk that dwell in the Greenbelt, then I would gladly lend my assistance."

Jacobus, wary at first, quickly warmed to the elf, "Well, it sounds like your heart is in the right place. And it looks like we can use all the assistance we can get."

He looked at his companions and seeing no apprehension, added, "How about we travel togetehr? It seems our goals line up nicely. I don't think there's anything in the charter that prohibits us from seeking assistance."

"We shall let the gods decide that." Raz says in response.

Jacobus put an arm on the sorcerer, "Wait Raz, I think he means it."

He turned to the repentant thief, "Very well, you shall pay for your crimes and learn a new way to make a living. I'll make sure you get a fair shot at being a productive member of society."

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sense motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
continue in the same manner with the others

Before doing their first hanging, and hopefully their only hanging of the day, Jacobus used his horse to sit the condemned man.

Once with the noose on his neck, Jacobus patted his horse who promptly moved away from under the man. The bandit leader's neck cracked and his life expired in less than a minute under the gaze of his former bandits.

Jacobus turned to these men, "Don't make me do this again."

Jacobus looked at Theo before stepping forth, "Answer the lady! Do you repent your bandit ways and are willing to change your ways?"

He added, "You are not the first we hang and certainly won't be the last. We need to make these lands safe for settlers, with families. And children. And we can't do that with bandit scum like you in the area."

He looked at the man in the eye, "Decision is simple. Do you want to be a part of this new era or not?"

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Jacobus is ready to hang him and move on to the next person in line.

Not satisfied with their first look, the inquisitor serached the camp lest they be ambushed.

After that was settled, he let Tove ran the show.

Jacobus tried not to smile as Tove went all business-like with the bandits.

"The lady is NOT kidding so decide quickly because we have lots of exploring left to do."

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perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Solaina's eyes widen at the fiancé comment. Apparently she was out of earshot when the ruse was being played at the beginning of the altercation.

"Fiancé?" she nervously asks. "If all the same, I'll stay here with my dad."

Jacobus smiled and quickly defused the misunderstanding, "No, no, no offense meant. it was just a ruse to get your father out safely."

He added, "I'm sure you will safe here, especially after we get rid of the bandits in the area."

He turned to his companions, "How about we bury the bandits and get ready to go?"

tag?

He asked Tick, "How far to your camp? Should be leave now or wait until the morning?'

tag?

Jacobus nodded in agreement, "Our charter does state that we should eradicate banditry, or something like that, so I think we should go back to their camp and then try and find Dovan's camp from there."

He turned to Solaina and quipped, "So... my fiancee, will you stay here with your family? Will you be safe here or would you rather continue with us?"

Torsten dismisses his spells with a few tired words, and the grease vanishes as the grass and gardens still.

"Master Edgar, you could thank us by telling us what you can of these bandits maybe? We have a charge to strive against bandity laid on us by the Swordlords." As an aside to the inquisitor, "Jacobus, perhaps it would be good to hear the man out apart from the bandits? Inside or out of hearing some ways."

Once healed Torsten thanks Tove and her deity and sets about tying up the bandits.

Jacobus nodded, "Aye, there will be time enough to talk to Edgar when the thieves are taken care of."

The inquisitor strode towards the bandit that was still standing, "Now, come man. let's talk. Who do you work for? What else do you know?"

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Jacobus has a +10 on sense motive. What else do we want to ask?

Jacobus pointed his crossbow at the entangled man, "You're the last one! Yield and live and die here now!"

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shoot if he doesn't yield
crossbow to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Jacobus loaded and fired his crossbow once more.

He shouted, "You'll live if you lay down your weapons!"

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crossbow to hit at thug '1': 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Now fully healed, the inquisitor dropped his mace and shield and took up his golden crossbow.

Never a great shot with it, he recognized its uses, like not having to go inside a mass of entangling roots and vines.

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crossbow to hit at thug '2': 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

I'm assuming the bandits that are 'sideways' are out of the fight but let me know otherwise.

With his immediate threat out, the inquisitor moved up to engage the bandit with the wizard, "Yeah, Torsten, go with Tove for a second while I cover you."

He then swung his mace at the man's ear, hoping for a knock-out blow.

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heavy mace to hit, power attack:: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

The inquisitor pushed his shield forward and swung the heavy mace trying to brain the bandit, "You should know that Abadar frowns on banditry!"

As if in answer to his proclamation, the young man's wounds closed further by his deity's grace.

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heavy mace to hit, power attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 1 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Jacobus called upon Abadar's blessing and swung back with his heavy mace.

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activate fast healing judgment; hit the thug to his left
I'm not sure what the purple line is but if I can cross it then I will NW and flank with the goat. If so, then please move me and add +2 to my to hit below

heavy mace to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

I'll try to keep up with the game posting but my schedule is changing (and changing some more)...

"Alright, I suppose I can agree to that." one of the voices says.

Moments later an middle aged man in a straw hat comes out flanked by numerous armed men. Looking back through the doorway you see two young boys, ages 8 and 10 if you had to guess.

Jacobus smiled and whispered to Theo, "At least the children will be safe. Can you protect Edgar from harm?"

He pulled out his money pouch and asked, "So how much did you say he owes in taxes?"

As an Abadarian he could not help himself, "And what are his benefits for paying these taxes?"

One of the thugs speaks up, "Well, how about it? Do we have a deal? We'll take our money and be on our way. Edgar will be your problem then."

Jacobus made like he was counting gold pieces by jingling his money pouch.

He stated, "I guess that would be OK as long as Edgar promises to speak to his daughter about me."

He added, "You're not gonna hurt Edgar, are you? Have Edgar come out so I can greet my future father in law."

"I understand, how much does Edgar owe for his taxes and what are the taxes for? Maybe we can help cover the cost? That should certainly help Jack too."

Jacobus picked up that queue quickly, "Money. Is that what this is about? Well listen, I just started my own trading trip and have a bag full of shiny coins with me. I can't spend all of them because I'm supposed to buy supplies for the whole month."

He added, "However, I may be able to give to Solaria's dad as long he puts in a good word with his daughter for me. Is that a deal Mr. Edgar?"

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just trying to get the thugs to come out...

"How long ago she leave for Restov, and who with?" one of the voices asks.

Jacobus looked about and shrugged, "She left something like three or four days ago. There was merchant caravan that she latched on to get to the city."

I see. Well to clarify I am also waiting for Jacobus to move to know where to place Tove in relation to him.

Ok, I moved Jacobus to right in front of the gate. I can't move my horse though. :)

Jacobus, give me a bluff roll

bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8, I'm not the lying party face, just the diplomatic pary face. :)

** spoiler omitted **

"Uhhh...sure." the presumed to belong to Edgar says, somewhat confused.

Another voices says, "Hold on, Edgar. You ain't goin' anywhere." and then yells out. "Tell us where she's at and we'll be happy to bring it to her once our business with Edgar is done."

Jacobus looked around to make sure everyone was in place, "No, she asked me to get it. I'm... trying to get on her good side if you know what I mean."

He added, "In any case, she's on her way to Restov. Do you know the Blue Lily Tavern there?"

He shook his head, "Listen Edgar, if you don't want this letter and you aren't going to let me in then I'm outta here. I got to find me a place to camp for the night."

The first voice says, "Probably her old man, Edgar, here."

Jacobus looked at the make-believe letter, "Yeah, maybe. In any case, she said to get her... her blue cloak; she wanted me to get that cloak for her."

He asked, "Edgar, can you get that for me? I mean do I go in or what? it's been a long ride to get here."

While the others move into their various positions, Jacobus continues his conversation with the occupants of the house. At the mention of Solaina, a third voice speaks up.

"Is she safe? Please tell me she's safe."

The first voice speaks up again. "You know where the girly is? Why don't you tell us and maybe, just maybe I won't have to take out the full measure of the boss's displeasure on poor old Edgar here."

Jacobus continued to walk towards the house and yelled back, "Yeah, she's safe. She sends a letter for... I don't know. I can't read what it says here..."

A voice calls back from the house. "Yeah, there's someone here but he's busy right now. You'll bugger off if you know what's good for ya."

The young man signaled for those stealthier than he was to hide while he continued to approach the house. He walked slowly, leading his horse.

Once everyone was in position, he added, "Ok, we'll be leaving now but we have news from Solaina. Does anyone care about her well-being?"

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Jacobus will wait to respond until those that want to hide do so.

Jacobus nodded, "Good idea keeping the girl out of sight. We can then confront these thugs and find out what they want."

The inquisitor stepped off his horse and readied his shield. He still could not hear what was being said but trusted his companions.

He approached the location of the sounds, "Hello! Anyone home?"

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perception DC 20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

"Perhaps we can get Solania home while we wait for the next shipment to arrive. We can then resupply and head out for a longer trip."

Torsten is still grumpy after meeting Breeg resulted in moral complexity. "To the east lies land we have not mapped despite being all but in the shadow of Oleg's broken towers. Shall we correct this then head to the kobolds for trade before returning back?"

Jacobus bit into one of the rabbits and wiped his chin, "Yes, let's finish exploring closer to home and then head back out on longer trips. That was the plan, right?"

Jacobus nodded at Tove, "Agreed. Let's get going."

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I'm ready to move on as well. Sorry for my absence as well but I found it hard to be engaged in this last scene. No offense but it just dragged on way too long for my taste.

"Oh I have no illusions that this will go well for old Breeg, but I'll take a bunch of 'em to Hell with me."

Jacobus stepped closer, "Well, we're no fey and certainly no friend of any evil fey. Can you tell more about this? Maybe we can help."

Jacobus continued, "Like I said, we are just passing by and wanted to meet the good folk that live here and learn about the place."

He asked, "Why all the bear traps?"

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Guys, feel free to add stuff here.

Silence is the only response Jacobus receives for about five minutes. Just as the party is about ready to turn and leave, the shack's door creaks open to reveal a man dressed in studded leather armor and holding a bow at the ready.

"Who are you, and who sent you?" a gruff voice calls out.

Jacobus raised his hands, "Woa, woa, woa. No one sent us looking for you or anything like that. We are doing a preliminary survey of the area, that's all."

He added, "Can we talk without you poking me full of holes?'

Jacobus thanked Tove for the help, cleared his throat and yelled out there, "Anybody home? I see you got lots of bear traps. They must a big nuisance around here."

He waited a second and added, "We're just passing through and getting to know the people in the area..."

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diplomacy, Tove help: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18

Cautious as ever, Jacobus stated, "How about a couple of our more sneaky companions wait undetected while I call him out?"

he added, "That way we had an advantage if talks go sour."