Roland Variel's page

"You've been awfully quiet. I don't blame you, this place is not a place I'd choose to be in... But we need all the information we can get at the moment."

Hm. Attempt at camaraderie. Good. Help integrate into group. Should reply in kind. Enthusiasm? No, not appropriate time, setting. Still.

"Oh. Um. Yes. Well. Never broken into a house before. Well, not one that's not my own anyway. Moral complications. Practical complications too. Usually work in less urban environment. New experiences. Working on processing, prediction, observation. Busy mind," I tap my forehead, "Distracted. My apologies. You're correct. Many unknowns. Hard to project likely futures with so little information. Must correct. Exciting, working on the fly, but also... agitating. Can't think fast enough to stay ahead of new experiences. Dislike... unknowns. Yeah."

I'm torn between meeting his eyes and scanning the room. Impolite to not focus on conversation at hand. But also stealth, potential combat situation. Normal etiquette overwritten? Unknown. Again. Need more experience with group. I assign a trigger condition to the thought and file it away.

I think this is going quite well.

"Are they safe for storage?"

"Yes, it should be perfectly safe," I inform him. Interesting though. Generally a sign of a higher income family, or one who has mages of some sort. Neither of which typically describes a dwarven assassin.

I stand there thinking, uncomfortable, as the others search through the room. I fiddle absentmindedly with my gun. I can tell I'm nervous. Breaking into houses is not a typical activity I partake in. The sooner this is over the better. Still. Does not negate my obligation to take part. I look up as we prepare to enter the next room, gun at the ready.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

We follow the trail across the rooftops. Uneven footing, but nothing excessively treacherous. We eventually reach a poorly hidden back door, still partially cracked. Kyras and Raul both examine the door for traps, before being shoved aside by Thran.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Aristocratic assassins. Could prove extremely troublesome. Likely access to significant funds, and thusly equipment and training. What's their motivation though? Boredom? Possibly, but seemingly too long term for that. Political radicals? House maneuverings? Unknown. Always so many unknowns. Very frustrating.

Ever since I've entered this city I've been confronted with unknown after unknown. Need to learn more about the region, but no time. Been here less than a day and already all this. Ah well. Nothing for it but to pay attention and hope I don't miss anything vital.

I fall into place behind Kyras as he follows the trail of our would-be assassin. I make sure to note the things he's looking at. Will definitely need practice before can reliably track in urban environment. Always fun to explore new areas of familiar skills.

Sorry I haven't been posting much, should be back on schedule now.

Questioning not going well. Prisoner unimpressed. Hmmm... torture ill-advised with guards near. Ethical and moral problems anyway.

Wait. Wonder if alchemist actually does have truth serum...

Posting just so you all know I'm not dead. Can't really help here. We are terrible at charisma =P

Guards here? Hmmm... something about this doesn't feel right. Somebody's following somebody. Testing somebody. Why send messenger if coming anyway? Single dwarven assassin unlikely, a test of abilities perhaps? And a poorly constructed test at that. Hmph.

I vow to be more on the lookout for further discrepancies. The others are still on the roof, searching the assassin. I look around uneasily as the other members of the gate guard come to stand beside me.

"Good evening. Sir," I mumble in his direction. I realize I still have my gun out, and debate the merits of keeping it out vs holstering it, before finally deciding on the latter. Well, at the very least, this should be an interesting meeting.

Only one assailant? Curious. Dwarf assassins/hitmen uncommon. Screening force, scouting maneuver? Possible. Unknown probabilities. This is very... concerning. Well, hopefully accurate information can be extracted from hitman.

I scan the surroundings, gun out. Wouldn't want our victory to be cut short.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Who is it I can see? The dwarf?

Footsteps pounding on roof. Thwack of impact. Arrows probably. Scrape of steel.

Battle.

I feel a smile scrawl itself across my face and the world slows down. This is what I'm meant for. Gun out and loaded. Daggers ready. Outside. Dark and raining. Scan for enemies.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"No. Probably some in the North side"

"Ah, yes, thank you. Um. Sir. Yes." I thank the man. So. North side. Hm. Do I have enough time to go exploring?

What time is it?

Full rundown on state of city? Excellent. Guard may have access to restricted information. Must account for bias of course, but still could be a source of valuable data. Chance to learn more about Ronan too.

Not too sure about the punching thing though. Hope I never get volunteered for that. Hm.

I fish my 25 gp out of the bag and nod amicably to the others. So much to review and remember. All in all, pleasant first day in city. I breathe in deeply and exhale, I can feel myself smiling.

I'm paying for my room for the night when a thought hits me.

"Hey, ummm... are there any schools or libraries or something similar around here?" I ask.

Fire is nice. Clothes drying. I shift my ammo pouch a little farther away from the fire. The others are busy negotiating with Brack, but I can hear them easily over the quiet din of the room. My eyes slide over the room. Clockwise. Bar, stairs, window, door, window, tables, and repeat. It's all about the pattern. Easy place to observe. Small, enclosed.

Third time through the scribe from the gate walks in, glancing around. Appears to be searching. Inefficient eye movements, darting glances rather than deliberate sweeps. Should I tell him about Grover's search algorithm? Less accurate than the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm, true, but also much less complicated, and thusly quicker. He seems to favor quickness over thoroughness. Hmmm... wonder what he's searching for? Constrain to possibilities dealing with self and group.

Possibility: warning about potential repeat of altercation at gate.

Possibility: delivering message.

Possibility: spying on us.

Possibility: assassination.

I run through a few more possibilities that aren't likely enough to bother calculating. Hmmm... alert allies? Negligible probability of undesirable action/reaction. Give chance to work on group dynamics. Best to alert Raul or Kyras. Most likely to involve them. Interrupt negotiations? Acceptable, seem to be finished/dying down anyway.

I walk over to the group and tap Raul on the shoulder, whispering.

"Scribe from gate at door. Likely to do with us. Thought you ought to know."

I helped. Hopefully. Don't preempt. Observe. Focus.

This character may or may not be a naive awkward Mordin Solus. It's the only way I know how to play someone with a positive intelligence modifier XP

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Well, as that would more than double my current funds, I'm decidedly in favor," I whisper to the group. Maybe I can finally buy some more ammo. Possibly acquire some new spells. Well. Maybe shouldn't be that optimistic. We'll see.

I ponder quietly as the others discuss what they should do. What we should do. Teamwork, group dynamics. All new things to me. Will have to adjust. Hmmm...

"Well... I guess... it couldn't hurt. I mean, like you said. We can change our mind. Or do whatever. Gives me the chance to learn more about this place anyway. So, that is to say, I'm amiable towards reconnaissance. If that's all it's going to be," I say.

Urban environment. New terrain. Lots to learn. Never scouted in this kind of territory before. Nervous, but a little bit excited. New things are always exciting. I smile faintly.

So. Already being volunteered to do a job. Ah well. No other idea where to start.

Ronan. Nearly unlimited resources and powerful allies? Then why only middle district?

Possibility: exaggeration of capabilities.

Possibility: seeking something specifically in middle district.

Possibility: taking uncontested territory while bigger powers wear themselves out. Set self up for easy coup de gras.

Problem at hand though. Focus. Secure alliance.

Possibility: has resources and allies, but no intel. If true, makes negotiation relatively simple.

I spend the next few minutes running through various scenarios in my head. Biggest obstacle, at least at the moment, is the sheer number of unknowns. I debate the merits of interrupting their conversation vs not doing so, and eventually decide to wait. No need to rush things. And this way I don't have to actually try and speak to anyone. Ideal. I have plenty of things to think about now. This place is already proving to be most interesting.

"We'll I don't see ya carrin a crossbow so I don't know what yer gettin trigger happy with. And that other stuff about water I don't get either. But you seem a good kid anyway. As for yer other question I had a tavern for a bit. Turns out I like the product too much! Then I joined up as a cleric of Caiden. Worshiping him IS drinking, and helping those that can't help themselves. I like one about as much as the other"

"Oh. Yes. Well. You'll see. Maybe. If we ever get in a fight. That'd be nice. Always invigorating."

Should I have said that? Sounds a little sadistic. Oh well. Too late now. Just have to remember not to shoot him. Shouldn't be too hard.

For now though I have the opportunity to sit back and watch. It's one of my more favorite activities. There's usually a pattern, a rhythm that can be found. It's always good to be able to make accurate projections of future occurrences. Increases efficiency.

I lean back, the fire warming my back, and let it all wash over me.

Can I take 20 on Perception here? Have a +7 mod, if I can.

"I grew up here and worked as a solider for ten years. Of course that was about eight years ago and the place has changed a lot since then. Come and sit down I will buy you a drink take the edge off."

"Ah. Hmmm. Yes. Thanks. But actually. I don't deal well with alcohol. I get... trigger happy, I guess you might say. Not good for my state of employment. Or health. Or the health of others. So yeah. Mostly all I drink is water. Maybe some watered down wine. Don't trust the water here. Run down. Not sanitary. Have purification system somewhere..." I start rummaging around in my bag, looking for the filter bag in my pack.

So a decade of military experience and a friendly demeanor. That's good. I make a mental note to stick close to him in case of firefight. Not too close though. Don't wanna blow him up. Don't wanna blow me up either, but I have less of a say in that.

"So what'd you do for the past eight years?" I ask, remembering that I'll be getting wine, and thus don't need the filter bag. Watered wine. More like winey water. Hm. I follow the big man over to the fire and sit down.

"You look nervous kid. First time in Solsun?"

"Hm what? Nervous? No. Ok, well, by that I mean yes. But not exactly. Mostly because I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Not really because of people. Or places. Situational nervousness, as it were. Which it is. So yeah. First time in Solsun. You?" I finally finish rambling just in time for a bit of coherency. Need to make better conversation plans. Correction. Need to make conversation plans. I really wish something shootable would attack. Defying death is so much easier than... life.

I'm thinking about various possible situations and the least embarrassing ways to get myself out of them when the inn comes into sight. Sleeping fox. I could be sleeping right now. That'd be nice. I enter, holding the door open for the others.

Well, that was... unpleasant. Glad I didn't have to do anything. I'm not sure my gun would have fired in the rain. And it's too tight packed for any real spellwork. I get a little loose and shaky, the adrenaline spike brought on by awkwardness flushing out of my system. I stutter step and fall in beside the big guy, using him as a shield from both the rain and the guards. Just in case.

Wait. Backtrack. Intense relations with the Northern District. That's something I should know about. Crap. Find out about. Ok. All I'll have to do is just ask somebody. Somebody I don't know. A stranger, as it were.

I hate this job.

Oh look. Rain. Great.

I fiddle around with my pack, trying to make sure my powder won't get wet. A difficult task while also trying to keep up with the group. It takes a bit, but I finally get everything situated, just in time to realize we're finally there. It was lucky enough that I met the others on the road. Not that I particularly mind traveling alone, I'm rather used to that. But it's pleasant to have others to talk to. Most of the guys back at school aren't exactly what you'd call the adventurous type, and it's good to fall back in with that type of people.

"Please state your name and business in Solsun," the guard says in a monotone, fairly nasally voice.

"Roland Variel, representative of <insert arcane university name here>. Uh. At your service. Or the service of whoever's in charge... I'm not really sure how this is supposed to work."

Smooth Roland. Real smooth. I'm sure they can all tell why you were chosen. Probably hoping you'd piss somebody off and get killed so they wouldn't have to deal with quite so many explosions.

I scratch the back of my head awkwardly, hoping there's no more questions.

South side! Yo!

Backstory is posted. Let me know if I need to change or add anything.