Natty Tulnov's page

I'll stand with you whichever direction you choose; if you'd rather disband, I won't hold it against you.

I second that emotion.

If a chance comes to work me toward another's plotline, or if you need to put me on hold until you can... that would be fine with me

Meh... totally missed your last post

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow ~~

Natty delivers his findings to Detective Dekker. "The scrawled words were meant to ruin any attempts at divination. I was able to decipher it with Lord Cruor's collection. If I can be of any more assistance... let me know, will you?"

~~ Estate hills of Saringallow ~~

Natty scribes another copy for Lord Cruor as requested. He asks the guard to pass it along - and his gratitude, to Lord Cruor. He then heads back out into the cold to seek out Detective Dekker.

1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 = 3 hours

The hours slip by for Natty... only the guard's yawns, and unsubtle sighs of boredom hint at the time he's spent as he finishes the translation.

~~ Estate hills of Saringallow - Cruor's Library ~~

Natty heads to the library, and gets to work. He feels a vague exaltation breathing in the smell of dust and decaying paper... surrounded by the ancient knowledge of long-dead intelligentsia.

linguistics?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 or perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

~~ Estate hills of Saringallow ~~

He bows in gratitude, then taps his journal... "My intent is to transliterate words of a rare language which were scrawled upon the walls with the victim's blood. Shan't take long, Lord Cruor."

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow ~~

"I fear I've been misrepresented if your man implied my presence came with a demand, Lord Cruor. Your interest, however, may be well-warranted. It appears someone has taken it upon themselves to murder persons of substance in a rather ghastly fashion. The method employed to gain entrance, and the motive are both beyond my understanding. And the only clue brings questions which - I'd wager - have no answers in writings one would find in libraries less adequate than your own."

"I am not one to make casual requests or put a price on the inconvenience of my presence. If you are willing, Lord Cruor, I will leave it to you what form of emolument shall suffice for a moment's perusal of your vast collection of tomes."

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow ~~

Natty makes his way to the estate of Callidius Cruor. He eyes the guards as he approaches. There were primarily two types of personality which worked under unlikable fellows such as Callidius - those who obeyed to the letter under fear of reprisal, and those who proudly wore Cruor's colors of self-importance as their own. Natty nods to the gate guard with the most-puffed chest... "Nathaniel Tulnov. I have come regarding a matter of sizable importance." ... then haughtily addresses the other while removing his gloves. "Announce my arrival to the steward at once."

~~~~ Saringallow - Richter Lane~~

"Hmm. You are under the impression he was writing before the murderer's arrival rather than under duress of said attacker then? I can tell you this language is not one I can easily decipher. I posit these words are of a divine or profane nature rather than a language of common mortals...." He then activates his arcane sight - taking in the scene once again.
"If it would be your preference to remain here for further inspection, I would be willing to pursue this with one more qualified."

know(local) to know someone who might be familiar with it: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

~~Saringallow - Richter Lane~~

Natty looks it over - focusing on the writing as requested before scanning for other possible clues.
He takes out his journal, and scribbles down the most legible letters - trying to find any distinctive characteristics which might help in discerning what can't easily be read.
He then rubs his thumb against his fingers a couple times to subtly call his centipede from his sleeve, and peers from the perimeter - nothing new stands out to him.
After scribing what he can, he turns to the Detective.
"You may inspect without worry of interference. Just give me a moment with this."
He looks over his notes, and allows the scene to flood his senses to put him in the "right state of mind".

linguistics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

perception looking for other clues: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow ~~

Natty nods thoughtfully "Certainly worth noting... there would seem to be easier choices of targets than an experienced soldier - if a skin full of blood or murder itself were the only motivation."
Now that his wheels were turning - though with little more than a single piece of the "puzzle", he became quite anxious to view the crime scene himself.

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow~~

"I've got to insist that I pay you for your time. The blacksmith gets paid for his steel, whether or not the guard uses it to put down some goblins."

Natty concedes, "A solid point, Detective." though he goes no further in giving ground on the matter.

"Mmm yes... the forms." Natty walks alongside Detective Dekker past the other modest homes - families of "prominent" servants, and other minor offshoots of higher caste personage. Here on the outskirts of the Estates, he'd come to find the former were so often more well-mannered than the latter (not to mention far less eager to peddle their souls for "advancement" without merit).

He begins to prepare himself as they near the crime scene, and can't help but wonder. "If you would indulge my curiosity... have you any information on the victim?"

Usual price is 80 gold for a hyena. 120 gold for a combat trained one.

Link here. Last table on page under "Other Animals".

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow~~

Natty shakes his head in disappointment of his fellow man once again.
He notes the detective's smile, and wonders how often it actually wins anyone over. "A quick buck? ... Eh, I suppose."
"As long as it leads to an arrest... or better. I'll not profit on a murderer's vile act, but compensation for one's capture is acceptable."

Natty gathers a few things, and swings shut the grate on the fire.
"Lead on, Detective."

~~ Estate Hills of Saringallow (many miles north of Umok)~~

Nathaniel Tulnov hears the knock on the door of the small, but well maintained residence... the derelict home of the late Lanvold Grostenta.
A tiny creature (a rather mundane-looking centipede) which had been the familiar to his late tutor, darts into his sleeve.
"Your concern is unnecessary, little one. Trouble rarely knocks."
He places his current busywork into a neat stack, and brushes away the few crumbs left by his "little one".

"Enter." He stands, puts the kettle on, and stokes the fire.

I am miles away at this point in gameplay - with Detective Dekker about to knock, yes?

Ready for GM inspection.

Dot of interest.

Doublegold - Flint and Steel 1g... tinder is free.

"You think I'll go quietly? Think I will be muscled out so easily?"
Natty turns, and steps away from the stairs.
"Jorfin! Come out here... I am taking you for a ride."

Ethelson gasps "the children...", then yells out "Jorfin! Lock the door!"

Vorik and Coramus are a stair-flight away 20', Vladimir and Hrafen are an additional 10' away.
Natty is 10 feet from first door. 20 from second and 25 from third.

Natty whips around on the mezzanine at the top of the stair.
"Come peacefully?! What is this?!" He then turns and looks down glaring upon Wyelna.
After a moment of shock, some realization seems to come to Wyelna, then panic. She protests "No! I said nothing! I swear!"

Tulnov looks across the three doors on the mezzanine.

Ethelson stands dumbfounded with one hand over his mouth.

Coramus - you see no one else around, everyone you have seen is now inside.

Tulnov bows Vorik in return. "A warm fire is an excellent idea." He turns to Ethelson - who nods, then squats by the wide-hearthed fireplace on the wall to the left. As Ethelson prepares the fire, Tulnov lightly taps his forehead with his palm.
"Silly of me.. I believe I may have blocked the flue upstairs in my room." He gestures to the chimney which runs up through the room from which he'd first appeared. "Wyelna... ale for our guests." He stops at the base of the steps. "And whatever you'd meant to prepare... certainly not something we'd serve to paying customers, no?" There is a slight glance to Vorik and Vladimir as if to be certain there was no misunderstanding of 'guests equals paying customers'.

Wyelna shakes her head "Dried beef gravy, sir."

Tulnov scoffs "No no... you may serve that to the children... they seem to be content with it.... simple palettes. See what we have in the larder for our good guests."

"Oh. Well thank you." She takes the scroll from the shelf and hands it to you. "I s'pose I'll be off then. Good luck and good day to ya." She turns to leave.

Fawni rolls her eyes .. "Its just ten miles. Well never mind then, I'll just leave it here with his lesson plans.. what's this?" A piece of paper sticks out of the lesson plan book which she reads aloud .."Should I not return, I am sorry. My entire curriculum is laid out in these books...' And then there are words in ... I don't even know what language this is.."

She shows you the note .. the words are written in Argot "I think I may have found something quite interesting. Come meet me at the discovered "empty tomb". Don't talk to anyone! I had to go quietly and quickly .. D and FM are not who they were .. they are something evil in disguise."

"I dunno .. " she makes a face " .. Not one to blab, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind .. He's been goin out to that empty tomb they found out there. He seemed to think there was some hidden door of some sort. Dunno what he needed this for in particular though."
She looks around some more .. "Well he probably just stayed out there all night.. Two of his everburning torches he got from me are gone.. " She points to two empty sconces in the room. "I'll just leave this scroll here .. unless you care to run it out to him... "

Fawni tenses up but relaxes a bit with Braxton's chuckle.. "Oh yes I'm sure .. "
She lifts her hand holding a scroll tube. "Well here .. dispel magic scroll. Don't see how it could hurt him really, first one just wasn't .. strong enough, I 'spose."

"Oh I .." Fawni starts to answer Braxton, then stops and looks around - reddening as Senthiri speaks .. "Oh I was just .. Hmm. Well sorry I .. he bought a scroll from me. Had something to do with that empty tomb they found in the mire. He came back next day and said it didn't work .. I gave him another on the house, of course .. but I had one delivered from Magnimaar yesterday from a right powerful wizard in case he just needed somethin a little stronger y'know .. said 'if that don't do the trick, Honey, nothing will' he said. So I just thought I'd pop in and see .. " she looks around again .. "Hope he's not in any trouble.."

"Oh! .. ooh.." her tone changes from surprise to her normal demeanor toward Errik's pair of swindlers; one cheating people at cards 'alright .. allegedly' and the other through selfish arbitrage. She would never treat her customers like that .. 'heh maybe that is why Errik came to me and not Braxton '..
" .. morning you two. Errik not here? What .. you lookin at his notes? Naughty nosy parker, you.. " she laughs just loud enough to be irritating .. "Oh well .. guess I'll catch him later .."

After a few moments of Senthiri looking through the notes, you hear a familiar woman's voice which sounds to be coming from the front door .. "Errik? .. did it work? I just got another one in if not - where are you? Errik? Hello?"

You have at this point fully adjusted to the local language. In the haze of your arrival it took a while to realize the people were speaking nearly the same tongue as what you had known as Vulgar. The main difference in the common tongue of this place is a far more complex set of tenses. Making Vulgar seem more simple and child-like.
The implications of this are difficult to fathom .. and it has made both Errik and Varro obsessed with needing to find the truth - each in their own ways.