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Richter nods his head at Zellara as she begins to fade off. "I thank you for your help in that. Do not waste your strength, we will keep your deck safe." As the cards fully disappear, Richter turns to the others, looking over what they have gathered. "We have found much, and I believe that our hostess may have a good idea. We do not know what the next few days may bring while things settle down, if there are problems, shops may close, if taxes increase, prices could go crazy, we should probably sell what we can, while we can. Can any of you judge the value of some of the jewelery type of items so that we have a better idea of what we can expect the merchants to give us? Also, I have lost many of my contacts from youth, do any of you know someone who we could sell these things to with less questions asked?" He considers the various items, considering "Some of these seem to be in good shape. If anyone can make use of these things, take them now. We have all certainly earned our pick, and if we are to watch each other's backs, then the better equipped we all are, the better of we will be."
Richter chuckles a bit at Kur-awk as the others give their more serious answers, liking the drunkard more all the time. "Broken heroes for a broken city, huh? I wonder who is going to fix whom." Glancing towards Byron, Richter tries on this whole idea of being a 'hero' in his mind and finds he likes it quite well. "Certainly we cannot deal with matters of succession or of politics, but as you have said in these times it is the common man who suffers because those with the power to deal with those greater woes are focused on them rather than the people. You know those orphans will have a better life at the temple because of us, a dozen lives changed by our deeds tonight, no less the countless others Lamm would have crushed before he finally faded out. I have learned from my time in the church that each deed can carry on through others. We may not be able to establish a fair ruler or adjust taxes to help the common man, but we have shown what we can accomplish together. If we can quiet even a group of people to keep them from losing their life in a pointless protest, or use our resources to get them food, or protect an innocent guard guard from dying at the hands of some vengeful mob whose anger is directed at the monarchy, aren't we being champions of the people? These are things we can do." To Alynbrand he adds in a softer tone "Your fondness for the city may be buried, but she needn't be gone within you. This city can be a hard place, but she obviously saw something in it that you can find too if you look. I think you know in your heart that she wouldn't wish people like her to suffer because you turned away from them in your mourning. Think of how you would honor her by helping to make her home truly be the place that all Korvosan's dream it could be."
Richter listens to the spirits words, raising a brow towards the end of it. His words are simple when the finally come out. "Champions, hm?" With that said he reaches over to take the flask back from Kur-awk and take a swig of it. Giving a moments more thought, he adds "Korvosa has been very hard on me, but it is my home. I have seen her from all angles and have met her people, both good and bad. I do not know that I have the faith in fortunes that you do, but if the city needs help that I could provide, I would." DM
Spoiler: Just trying to drop you a quick note since I've lost you over on the dungeon delve. We've gotten into combat and I've held on your turn, I was hoping to hear from you before posting for you.
Richter looks slowly around the room, scratching at his chin as he does. "Definitely some sort of magic was at play here. Quite an elaborate ruse though, you would think it would have been easier to simply find a house that was recently lived in rather than spell up an illusion to give this place the appearance of it." He shrugs his shoulders a bit before glancing back out towards the various heralds and then over to Kur-Awk. "You have any more of that, my friend? Sounds quite like its going to be needed. You may shrug off the idea of more taxes, Rolan, but I suspect if thats the case then this cities walls will shake until the people settle down again. Increasing taxes will incite the poor, appeasing the poor will spark the nobles and those who profit from the bureaucracy. Either way, a change in leaders is going to be a point for the city to 'air its grievances'. May want to bunker down for a bit."
Richter nods in agreement at Kur-Awk. "I agree with our large friend. Treasures aren't what any of us came here for, and while I don't have any qualms about splitting up his ill gotten gains since I doubt we could trace them anyway, I would prefer if we find just who or what sent us here as soon as possible. I think that the kids need to come first and be given shelter, assuming they haven't scattered, but then I would hope we could see what we could learn at the home we met at before about what happened to Zellara and who we spoke to before. With those matters done, I would have no problem exploring the treasures."
Richter raises his brow slightly at Kur-Awk "Right. I have little doubt he is there and deserves to be. Until we know if this was some sort of ghost, a trap, a vengeful spirit or anything else we should be on our guard. The deed is done and each of us had our reasons. Now we just must find out the reason behind the one who gathered us here. If they too sought vengeance I can understand this, if it is some competitor of Lamms who simply thought to use our pain to take his place I am not alright with being a pawn." Even as he speaks grimly Richter's body language speaks heavily of lightening, a slight smile touches his face and the tired, hung-over eyes clear some. Coming after Lamm brought up too many dark thoughts and kept him serious and focused, but with the man's death and knowing that no more lives will be shattered at his hands that tension fades away letting more of his personality come through. Even not knowing just what their 'benefactor' has in store for them is a relief in comparison. Richter glances to Byron and sees the loving way he holds the cards before glancing towards the others. "With the lady dead, perhaps you should hold onto those? It seems her only other heir was already lost to Lamm. You obviously seem to hold a respect for them."
Heal Richter starts a bit as the box is open, raising a hand to pull his shirt to cover his mouth and nose from beneath his armor. His brow furrows as he sees the head, glancing towards the others with some confusion "That isn't a fresh death. Lamm didn't strike at her while we traveled here. She's been gone some time. Were we tricked? Lamm deserved his death, but I don't like the idea of doing some rivals dirty work."
Turning his attention to the contents of the box, Richter focuses his senses, detecting magic on any of the objects within and trying to identify what he sees. Spellcraft(oil to make sure)
Richter wrinkles his nose slightly at the hatbox, giving a shake of his head "Be careful, my large friend. I can only imagine the sort of things that Lamm would keep as a prize..." Seeing the name on the ring, a moment of sadness crosses his face as he lifts it up and offers it somberly to Alynbrand. "I... I believe this is yours. I am sorry."
Richter shakes his head sadly at Alynbrand "I'm sorry my friend. I haven't been in the company of this snake since I escaped in my youth. I do not recognize the name of Isolde. I wish I could be of more help." Looking between Kur-Awk and Roland, he considers the paper "Words are not my talent either, but if the wizened one does not know this language, I could translate it tomorrow. It would be interesting to know of any contacts Lamm may have had, and perhaps it could lead to further peace for one of you."
Richter considers Alynbrand's comment "Perhaps we should be ready to strike when the body hits the water? If there is a shark and we injure it, it may flee. I doubt it is very loyal."
Richter moves to Kur-Awk when Lamm falls, and puts a hand on his shoulder, comfortingly. His own emotions are mixed, such relief at the absence of the fear thats stalked him so long yet he knows that he shouldn't feel so pleased at any death. "Its alright, my big friend. Its over now. He won't bring this pain on anyone else." Moving away, he'll join the others in searching the room, stripping any valuables off Lamm(using detect magic to aid in finding anything magical). Perception With the room looked over he pauses and considers Alynbrand's words, nodding his head a bit. "Perhaps not a treasure even, but the bastard was the sort who would feel more kinship with a predator like that than the children. It makes sense that would be a disposal method for him, and it would explain the chum the gnome mentioned." He puts a foot on Lamm's side, as if he intends to shove his body into the water, to become feed as he made so many others, though he looks to the others in case there is any objection.
Channel(if needed) Attack(if needed)
Richter comes running around the pool, his brows knitting together as he goes. Lamm obviously aimed at the water for a reason, and whatever it was isn't something Richter particularly wants to discover. "What about your little lambs? Do you remember them Lamm? I assure you, they remember you. Now, drop the crossbow."
Seeing Kur-Awk burst forward at someone he can't actually see, Richter shakes his head a bit and gives a slight smirk. "Well, it seems we found him..." He rushes forward after the barbarian, getting as close as he can, trying to keep close to the front line in case any of them are wounded.
Richter gives a nod of agreement to Byron's words, watching the children. "Indeed. Lamm will not be a source of fear anymore, but there will be hope beyond just what the streets provide. If you wish our aid you will have it. I escaped his clutches, we can help you do the same. Now, we will return shortly." Lowering down after the others he moves to try and catch up to the front runners, speaking softly to them "According to the gnome there is something down here that eats things less palatable to humans so we should be on guard. I doubt you planned a swim anyway, but he claims there are sharks in the water as well."
Richter smirks a bit at the others, hardly feeling bad as they scare the gnome. "Then you'd better speak quickly I think. If there are sharks in the water, it seems like they are much more likely to leave us alone if they are well fed, eh?" Moving over to the hole, he looks down towards the barbarian "Woah, Kur-awk. We all are coming and don't know what is ahead. It does your vengeance no good if you are overwhelmed." He grins a little bit, noting the comments between him and the summoner earlier. "Besides, I am sure that the lady needs her knight to help her down."
Sense Motive Richter frowns down at the gnome. "Yes, Hookshanks, I was one of the little lambs myself once. I don't exactly remember a lot of concern on workplace safety. From the eyes of the children looking at you, I don't think they see it that way either. We are here for Lamm, but you are one of his men and I remember just what you were like. We certainly aren't going to be letting you go and I think you'll be quite lucky if I don't let my friend here do what he wants to you. You had best spill all the information you have."
"Once he is bound I can bring him to consciousness." Richter will let one of the others tie him up and then will touch his holy symbol and focus on a wave of healing energy.
Channel
Glancing to Rolan, Richter nods his head. "I thank you. If needed, it will be used."
Richter moves to join Byron in talking to the boy. As he does so he lays a hand on the man's shoulder, saying a silent prayer for Cayden's healing. Cure Light Wounds on our injured rogue
He looks to the boy. "To be direct, I was like you once. I was one of the 'lambs', but I escaped and you can all as well. We promise that after tonight, Lamm will not be anything for you to fear again. We need to deal with him to keep you all safe, and then we will be back to help find what is the best place for you. I have little doubt one of the churches would help, if that would keep you safer, they certainly helped me. You look like a brave man, will you help keep the younger children calm and let them know everything is alright until we get back?" Diplomacy
I wanted to put up a quick apology. I was going to be traveling from sunday night to monday night, I thought it was going to be short enough that it wouldn't even be noticed since I'd be posting again within 24 hours. However, my flight home got canceled and I was stuck across country without my laptop(due to the perceived shortness of the trip). I just got back in now and am going to be catching up on posts and putting up my own. Thanks for your patience.
Perception
Richter's lip curls a bit at the sight of the man, seeing him show caring for the dog that he never showed for any of the children. "Hello again, Yargin, you scum. We will be seeing Lamm again tonight, only this time it will be he who is afraid. Now, face what is coming to you." Assuming Kur-Awk doesn't simply drop the man, Richter moves forward to block him from getting to any of the other doors, and strikes at him with a rapier.
Attack(no modifiers)
If Kur-Awk does dispatch the man, Richter will instead move to the door where the children are crying to go in and try and comfort them. Don't want our position given away more than needed.
Richter gives a slight nod to the others and draws his rapier, moving up to the doorway with the front line fighters so he is ready to help in case anyone is injured.
Does there look to be any way onto the boat, whether for us or if it could be used as some sort of escape for someone inside?
Oh man, for 1 encounter I could have a base speed of 50ft and ignore up to 7 rounds worth of difficult terrain. Horses, you aren't getting away so easy now.
Perception Richter frowns a bit down the empty street, no one around means that there aren't really anyone to ask and they will seem all the more suspicious walking down the barren street. "Probably should have guessed that Lamm would make sure the locals knew to stay away. We are going to stick out like a sore thumb if we just go walking up there and he has any guards paying attention. Anyone have any idea how we can blend in? Maybe draw a guard or two to us so we can put them out of commission without them getting any reinforcements and maybe give him a blind spot at the same time? Best thing I can come up with would be faking like a noble in the wrong part of town. They might come up to shake you down without thinking of informing the others. Biggest problem is that means the rest of us would have to stay back at first and so whoever tried it would have to be able to handle himself."
Richter nods to the others and listens to the reading carefully. He doesn't place much faith in such, but has certainly learned to respect other beliefs and listens carefully to the dark predictions. "Unless something has changed, there is likely to be at least one other working with Lamm. Maybe more, but he has had a long term ally. A foul man. When one of the children misbehaved or morale was high enough that they thought we could cause trouble, he was the one who would ensure one of us would 'disappear'. If he is there I would hope we could deal with him as well." He pauses and then adds "Also, if there is trouble with the children, I will try and take care of them if possible. Cayden has blessed me with less lethal ways of handling some trouble."
I just wanted to give a quick apology for being quiet the last days. Sniffles at the beginning of the week turned into a pretty harsh flu and I've spent the last few days hiding in bed pretty much the whole time. Catching up on posts and putting up my own now.
As Kur-Awk starts to leave, Richter raises a hand to slow him. "Hold, friend. We all need to do this together. That is how we will succeed. I am afraid that Lamm does know me from my time there, but I can still speak to some of the locals and learn what I can about him. I have developed Cayden's blessing, but I was born with the gift of gab." He pauses a moment before adding "I would ask that we be careful that no harm comes to the children. They may be used as petty thieves for the man, but used is what it is. Its not a willing service as I can attest. If the children have grown and chosen to stay with him then there is little that can be done I suppose, but I wouldn't have any fighting we need do splash over to cause damage to the younger ones."
Once the woman comes in and takes a seat, Richter finally lowers into a chair of his own. He gives a small nod of his head as he tries to get a read on their host. When Taisha speaks, he gives a small smile to her and nods his head "I would suspect that you have reason to dislike Lamm all your own, but how does that involve us?"
Richter stays silent as the others speak, his normally outgoing nature quelled a bit by the thoughts brought up by the situation as well as his splitting headache. Still if we are all here and obviously brought together for some purpose, there is no reason to fight among each other. He dips his hand into his pocket, bringing out his own card as if it were painful to touch, the stylized demon's face seeming to peer out at everyone in the room from within the confines of its lantern prison. Dropping it on the table, he looks around to the others. "I too know Lamm. Better than most, I imagine. I spent most of my childhood as one of his slaves. Each of you seems to know of his villainy first hand, but I don't think you can imagine how far his cruelty reaches. Take the stories we share and add them to countless others. I have tried to ignore the man for years, ignore the fears of my youth, not to give him that sort of hold on my life any longer, but I know that was the cowards path. He must be stopped. I don't know how our host discovered our pasts, but it seems that there must be some goal to that end." When he stops speaking, he takes a moment to brush his hands over his face and back through his hair, pushing away the darker thoughts with them and refocusing himself as he has learned to do in his time at the shrine. When he looks back to the others the sorry isn't visible in his tired eyes any longer and a small smile shows on his face. "Now then, while we may be here on serious business, there is no reason we shouldn't be cordial. My name is Richter Denezio. Lay priest of Cayden Cailean, at your service."
Meandering along the streets, Richter squints against the afternoon sun. After receiving the card he found his sleep troubled with dreams of his past and he awoke unrested, his head splitting after the reverie the night before and the lack of real rest to follow it. When he nears the docks his nose wrinkles, not just from the smell but from further memories. Time in the poorer districts on the docks has always represented bad times for him. Not long before sunset he arrives to the building. By this point he's simply decided to find out what all this nonsense is about rather than puttering about any longer so he simply walks into the house, blinking at the varied gathering of people there. "Did I walk in on a party?" Richter is tall and slim in his early 20s with straight brown hair that is just long enough to pull back and tie up. His face is attractive, even with puffy sleep deprived eyes. The tired gray orbs gaze out observantly though. He's dressed in simple clothes with a rapier at his side, the only sign he is anything but a well armed peasant is a basic holy symbol hanging on a cord around his throat.
Diplomacy Richter is just returning to his quarters after a long night of celebration in the shrine and an even rougher morning of clean-up after the revelers have headed home. He collapses into bed, reaching up to pull back on his holy symbol from the nightstand, left here for safekeeping during the festivities when he feels something odd beneath it. He pulls his hand back quickly as if he had pricked it on something sharp, but when he looks his finger is fine. Slowly, he sits up and squints at the nightstand, picking up the card gingerly. Reading the note and inspecting it. He frowns slightly before pulling back on his holy symbol and tucking the card into a pocket of his outfit and laying back down. It looks like he's only going to get a short rest before he needs to be up so he can find out what he can before walking into whatever is in store for him. Just because it may be a trap doesn't mean he won't go, if this person can get into his quarters unknown its best to confront them face to face. After his nap, Richter gets up and begins to ask around about where this location is and perhaps who may be there. Learning what he does only confuses him more, however. He meets many different types of people going about his duties, but he can't imagine why someone like this would have any interest in his past unless they are quite skilled at their trade. Not seeing anyway he can learn more without simply going and finding out who the person is and what they want, shortly before sunset he makes his way to the building.
Sounds good, Kiradia. I know all DMs have their own opinions on splatbook stuff so I just wanted to check your opinions. Also, Sunday is the day I run my in person game, so I'll check the board in the morning and the evening, but during the day I'll be incommunicado.
Oh, I did have a quick question, Kiradia. What are your thoughts on spells from paizo products other than the core/apg? I don't have any now, but I could see Enhanced Diplomacy(0th level, from Taldor, +2 to diplo or intimidate for 1 minute or until discharged) and Liberating Command(1st level, from Andoran, Immediate action to allow a target to make a check to try and break free of a grapple) being things the character would prep at certain points. I figured in any case you would want to approve any outside spells, but I wasn't sure if I should restrict where I look to the main books or not.
Ready to go, rapier at the ready.
Alright, here is Richter. I look forward to be able to play with all of you, it definitely looks like its going to be both and enjoyable and formidable group. I have him in my profile now, but I'll send you over a herolab file for Richter as well, Kiradia. I made a couple small changes to him if you don't mind. I swapped his strength and con(12 and 11 respectively, no big change) and changed up his gear a bit to lighten his load some. Edit: Testing the avatar which looks like Richter after a long night worshiping Cayden. |