Master of Absalom Devon's page

I've seen our folks posting elsewhere on the boards so I am going to assume that this little experiment just reached a natural drop off. No big deal, it happens.

Thanks to all of you and see you around.

Cedany changes and makes her way back downstairs. Harrison, Osk and Seishan are still at the table and Maeltheron is...?

This is your conversation so hamer out your next steps guys ;p

Okay so. Cedany is going to change, Mael are you leaving to check in with contacts? Osk and Harrison are chatting up Seishan but what needs to happen next? WE can sort of *hand wave* the next few hours in a montage. MONTAGE! as you do your next steps. Just let me know what you would like to do.

On a more serious note I apologize for my spottiness lately and especially the last couple of weeks. Parent to a young child and husband to a wife in a very difficult masters program is bad enough but my wife has been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder and I recently re-started the process of finishing my own graduate degree on top of working full time. So yeah. I'm still committed to the game and I will do everything in my power to communicate delays as best I can.

having some trouble at home, might be monday before I can post.

The group hurries back from the other end of the district, items in hand. Martin begs off to the pier citing other tasks to attend to, certain the group is fine without him for the time being.

You return to the gallery and Tirkala mumbles something about needing some space. Cedany, Harrison and Mael enter the Gallery and are clearly able to see Osk sitting and talking with a patron. The oread gestures intently to the group to come to the table.

Tirkala offers a flustered shrug and jerks a thumb at Lucky, I think our man here tried and failed at that already. She lets out her typical laugh in situations like this.

The safe is "in" the floor, you would need to pry the floor up around it and then it would probably be fairly heavy. You don't know how deep it is at first glance. Also remember that it is enchanted, best guess from the part is it has to do with opening but "moving" it could have unforeseen consequences as well.

The storefront seems well worked through save for the safe which stands as the last real "mystery" of the building. Nothing Harrison has seen to this moment has suggested a way to open the safe but his research of hte various material in his possession has been cursory. Tirkala also noted a pattern in the writings before she went silent but would need more time/opportunity to review the docs before making heads or tails of what she noticed.

The ninja merely smirks at the halfling as she leaves, You will know.

With the soft closing of the door the lot of you are left standing in the gnome's shop. What next?

There is no conflict with any organizations in the city. We are small, for hire, and our contracts are very...precise. I will not reveal my clan until I have spoken to them. I am not in control and it would be rude of me to make our presence in the city any more known without express consent.

The woman moves to leave looking primarily at Mael to see if there is another attempt to stop her.

Somehow I missed Seishan's last post. SORRY.

Your unusual response to these events warrants I confer with my clan. We will reach out to you if we have further interest....which I think it is safe to say, we will.

The ninja offers a short shake of her head, We were not privy to that information, assuming my employer knows and I cannot confirm that. At the intent looking over by Cedany the woman is quiet but her cheeks flush obviously as the oracle looks her over.

Maeltheron puzzles over the name and the tactics and nothing comes to mind but her clan name is more likely what you would know, something she is clearly content to leave unknown for now.

The ninja gestures to herself, Lin. For now that is all I can offer.

The woman offers a tight lipped smirk, Indeed not. I would need to talk it over with others in my group. But we might be able to reach an...arrangement. The Spirit Gallery yes?

At the release of her bonds the ninja stands slowly, rubbing her wrists probably more out of affected habit than anything else. As Harrison floats the notion she indeed has a quizzical look on her face.

You would want to employ us...even though we just failed to do what we were hired to do? That seems...strange.

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As Seishan approaches the desk the woman brightens and at the mention of owners her enthusiasm clearly deflates. Just an investment? No taxes then? The clerk shakes her head, her brown hair drawn tight in a bun that keeps her prodigious mane out of her face and waves her hand in the air before her as though clearing smoke or an unwanted smell. Never mind. Let me see what I can do. The woman rises from the desk, steps into the small transition that serves to bridge the inn and the tavern sections and simply yells Osk!

From within the bar the large oread observed but a few moments ago weaves back into the space. The woman moves to sit back at the counter and she simply gestures at Seishan as the stone skinned man offers no reaction for a moment...

To my folks in the store... I say, "and then?

Grime? grime? Those windows are CLEAN lady! They just rolled out a huge reopen. Still spic and span.

Looking in the inn door side of the building Sishan notes a warm and inviting front room complete with counter, bell, a younger woman with softer features working at a leger or book with a pen and an almost 7 foot tall oread with chainmail offering some insight to the clerk and then stepping through the transition to the bar side.

Sorry Seishan. Lol

So did I officially lose Martin? What about our newcomer?

The ninja literally looks shocked at the warmth of the invitation, I...uhm...my thanks. I will have affairs to resolve in the face of this failure but I appreciate your... The woman seems to struggle with the a concept for a moment then finally finds her tongue,...hospitality.

The woman frowns deeply and mutter in Tian.

I told you I can't. Magic. Curse. Call it what you will. I can no more tell you who hired me than I could tell you where to find the fallen god of humanity. It is beyond my power.

The woman sighs then a thought passes over her face. You probably know who my employer is, or will soon know if you found what I was set to retrieve; papers and items of information and value. Many are the schemers of the great city. My soon to be former employer dreams big and has money. I question their ability to execute. I will not deny you are formidable. This enterprise may be a mistake on their part.

The woman shifts about, clearly unhappy about these turn of events, Our failure is complete and we are employed on a job by job basis. I doubt my employer will want to re-use us. The game is over. Take my weapon as a trophy and let me live.

I do not reveal my employers and, in fact, can't. Such is the magic of my clan. We are good at what we do because even in death we cannot betray. You would have been spared death had I caught you unaware. I am not an assassin...today.

The hooks of Seishan's story are just fine. Let's get her started while the other do their thing...

Rurik knew the game of adventuring and knew that beneath all the tales of glory, and the acts of heroes were people who needed to find that "something" to believe in or be a part of.

Standing before Seishan is a big "something" in the form of Absalom's own "Spirit Gallery". Known to many locals over the years as a solid place of business the various murmurs and tales on the street is that the old proprietor is gone but his daughter has returned after years of adventuring with a myriad of companions in tow as investors.

The group had done their time spilling blood, gaining treasure and have taken on the new adventure as enterprising business owners of the Ivy Districts newest entertainment establishment.

But this sort of affair causes stories amongst adventurers. Could the owners really settle down? Did they really accrue enough wealth to sustain a business in the Ivy? Maybe they needed investors?

Of course other tales have spread as well. The owner is supposedly blind yet channels the powers of faith. Her companion an impulsive young sorcerer prone to mischief. Apparently the group contains champions of the Irorium, one a Keleshite warrior of means and another a man of elemental touched rock. Whispers of dubious connections to local gangs follow the reputation of the elf the group relies on to look after the gambling and escorts. The halfling among them is known for his tales and quick words.

Regardless of the stories Seishan stands before the doors to what locals have already taken to calling simply "The Gallery". One door leads to the inn, the other the bar.

Where would you like to go?

The ninja narrows her eyes at the elf, and speaks in slightly accented common, Either you are here as criminals or you work for the law. Adding murder to your actions seems...unwise. I was hired to follow you. Take what you found. That is all I know.

Smashed phone, overlong conference, crummy hotel with crappy (read horrid) internet and flights up and down the west coast later...here I am...

Sorry for the delay, I will get us a solid update tomorrow after I read up on Seishan and what not. Glad to be back.

Not really, basically either how you know some or all of the group. I don't think it is necessary that you got involved in the inn straight out but I am certainly open to you having a more "robust" relationship with the group in the name of cohesion and narrative.

Crunch looks good. If you are interested I was always a fan of "potion belts" from the old 3.5 FR setting. they were 15 gp and held six potions but basically were a bandoleer for potions and you could pull one potion a round as a free action. I mention it because you have so many and if you think that might be a trend...*shrug*

Just checking in on:

@Martin: Are you still thinking of sticking around or did you think you were going to need to bow out? Just wanted to make sure we are on the same page.

@Jeremiziah: Any ideas?

Sorry that I didn't post yesterday, work has been a bit *AAGGH!*, also I will be heading out of town for a conference tomorrow so my posting will be spotty through next friday. I should still be able to get in fairly regularly but I wanted to give a heads up.

The ninja seems unimpressed and does not answer.

A quick once over of the woman reveals:

She is Tian (I assume you unhood her) and of middle age.

She is carrying about 15 total "bombs" of various types from flash bombs to gas.

She had another knife squirreled away on her person.

She is carrying a pouch which might be a dimensional space but it requires a code word to activate.

Her sword is magic (for all the good it did her) *withering DM glare at Mael :p

She sputters awake after the healing and says not a peep but glares at each of you.

Maeltheron (and anyone else who might follow) see nothing in the back hallway and a cursory opening of the door and looking out in the alley reveals no people fleeing or inappropriate sounds.

Pff!

The attacker moves and Mael instantly cuts her down for the trouble the woman falling to the floor unconscious the large gash on her abdomen spilling blood on the floor.

No worries Harrison, feel free to amend in light of the situation!

Dying ninja...

The distinct sound of the back door opening and closing can be heard. Since it gets so quiet what with the brutal takedown from our slayer.

Sorry I have been quiet, big mess up at work yesterday had me running around like crazy...

@Martin - I might be reading you wrong but there is no need to replace you over critical threats. I do run them RAW but if keeping us all moving along means I confirm them I am fine to do it.

Mael and Martin close around the assailant who is clearly attempting to use their skill to defend against attack Total Defense It is for naught as curveblades and scimitars bite deep into the mystery attacker.

Cedany comes down the stair and as the attacker comes into her limited view a divinly inspired command issues from her lips to drop the sword. A command the attacker promptly follows, much to its own apparent dismay.

Still on the defense the assailant narrowly dodges away from the blade of Harrison's dagger.

The attacker cries out in a foreign tongue seemingly talking to someone, the voice is clearly female,

then moves to make a daring acrobatic exit by trying to flip and push past Mael, a move which proves to be folly.

Whether over confident or a stroke of bad luck the figure exposes itself to all three of you that have crowded around.

AoO from Mael, Harrison and Martin, then full actions for the next round from all of you.

I'm flexible, we have stuff from the ACG playtest happening so that is fine or a wizard, make what you want. The whole notion of this game is based more on the mystery of the city, the interaction of the characters and so on. I expect the challenges to be more off beat and I don't think it is necessary to conform to any notion of the "classic" group.

Go ahead and look over the discussion and recruitment thread for all the things we heaped on to character creation and follow suit. I would think for ease's sake you know the party or are a part of the endeavor or certainly a friedly face from in town, we can hash that out in the discussion thread once you have your concept.

@Martin I didn't think anything of the move, it pushed the guy out of the corridor and got you downstairs, seems okay to me.

As far as needing to givr up the ghost I entirely understand, do what you need to do. Also keep in mind that this campaign in particular lends well to coming and going so you can certainly take some time and come back if the feeling grips you. I am flexible so no worries there. Do what is best for you.

Think we have lost our sorcerer...I will bot her for now.

Cedany offers a blessing to those remaining upstairs.

The attacker below continues to be surprised, first by magically appearing halflings and then by the thundering Martin, barreling down the stairwell with his shield poised to collide. Though the attacker tries to swipe at Martin as he closes, the sword scrapes against the shield. The interloper is then promptly pushed back 5 feet and back into the main shop area.

Tirkala comes down the stairs behind Harrison.

The attacker seems to think better of its choice in weaponry and stashes the flash bomb, acrobatically flipping away from Martin and putting itself in the middle of the room apparently attempting to pick a plan. With Mael coming in the front door the attacker waits, sword in hand.

Group is up, post it as you like. Map is updated.

Martin, Cedany, Tirk there is yelling. You have actions?

I missed you adding all the bonuses and so when I saw the stealth mod I was like HOLY S%~+...but I get it now. heh.

Everyone else may also act, both Harrison and Mael had things happen "mid" action

Harrison invisibly peeks down the stairs. All is quiet.

Next round, everyone is up. Act in the order you post.

Countdown to Martin charge in 3...

Mael opens the window with no apparent noise and sees nothing below him to impeded his progress or indicate he is being watched. It does occur to the elf that if he were to simply jump he would float down right in front of the glass door/window which would make him easily visible. There is enough of a ledge of sorts that he could attempt to swing out and then come down on the corner of the building to help obscure his descent...

Harrison creeps to the stairs quiet as a shadow. Do you want to peek down Harrison?

Martin holds, indicating his intention to "start the party" in a few seconds barring some other set of events.

Cedany shifts in place having passed over the ring, Tirkala holds...

I just need to know if Harrison pokes his head out, if Tirk posts in time she has an action.

Cedany tosses the ring to Mael and the elf work on opening the window (Thats about one round of actions) Mael roll me another stealth and perception for the window

Tirk, Harrison, Martin what about you guys?

Beg your pardon it does, not clear from my map I am sure. Two on the southern edge, one on the northern. The southern ones are big enough that someone would fit through easily when open. The northern one (which casts light on the staircase) is more "halfling" sized were one wanting to climb out. Ugh sorry guys I feel like I have made this way harder than it should be LOL, it will be smoother next encounter.

Hmm yeah it seemed like that wasn't too big an issue, but my home comp has been doing weird stuff so maybe the issue lies there. Regardless here I am :p

The catch-22 here is that because the stairs are steep and narrow chances are whoever is down there can't see you (unless they were right on top of you which Mael can be relatively certain is not the case, the sound he heard was downstairs) but you can't really see down without sort of peeking "down" and "around". If you have ever been in a pre-1940s style house that might be helpful...well for my American players, not sure if any of you are international....anyway without poking your head out you can't really see down. Everybody basically has another rounds worth of actions. Let me know what you are going to do.

Hope things turn better, sorry for MY lack of posting, I haven't been able to get onto the site until now? Anyone else having that problem?

To clarify Meel was saying he heard someone draw a weapon. When he points he would be pointing down the stairs, which come up on an open landing. No door here. I apologize for the confusion.

Silence greets the sorcerer as the group continues to trade glances. On a side note "timing" can be an issue with PbP as far as sense of time. Harrison, don't expend the Vanish, it would be obvious in the narrative that things aren't happening fast enough to warrant the spell.

All evidence suggests that no one is coming up...so what do you do about that?