Vic Marduk's page

Vic spends a few moments gazing at the spot where Shakhan dumped Lamm’s body. They’ve no reason to lie about it, but he wishes he could have seen the old man’s corpse for himself. Something about the whole night still feels wrong to him. The head in a box doesn’t help.

“I never did trust her…but it looks like she’s been dead for awhile. Which doesn’t make sense. Maybe we should take what’s in the strongbox there and clear out of here, divide it up someplace else. Besides, the witch said we should meet her back at that place on Lancet Street when we were finished...”

Vic will gladly follow Hytogg wherever he‘s headed, as the further he can keep from the inquisitive city watch, the better, at least that’s always been his policy. In fact, as soon as they‘re out of view, assuming the guard doesn’t order them to stay put, he’ll suggest they speed up their pace.

“Well, Hytogg the Magnificent, I wonder where Shakhan and the others got off to? I would have thought they’d have caught up to us by now. That fishery is probably going to be crawling with guardsman shortly. If we’re heading back there, we better move quickly.”

Along the way he continues to wonder about the possibility of a reward. Lamm’s a pretty nasty guy, even in a city full of them. His minions could have had bounties on them, not to mention the old man himself, should they ever find him. Revenge is nice, very satisfying even, but Vic doesn’t see any reason he shouldn’t also profit monetarily from this night‘s adventure.

Unless something happens to stop him, Vic, and I’m assuming Hytogg, will sneak back to the abandoned boat and probably find and rejoin the rest of the party downstairs. And I think Pierre’s player already said it was okay for us to assume he heals injured party members.

Vic looks from the gnome’s prone body then back to the watch guard and shrugs. “Yep. What he said. Him and his half-orc partner drew on us in the alley. We were just defending ourselves….and, ah, saving the children too, of course. I don’t suppose there was any kind of reward?”

Did he actually just call himself Hytogg the Magnificent?

Sorry, I was away for the weekend. It appears I missed all the action too.

Vic will groan inwardly as the gnome manages to weave its way through his and Hytogg’s attacks. “This is ridiculous,” he complains, joining the wizard in pursuit. If he gets within range again he’ll attempt to fire another arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Huh. Maybe we should let the gnome go? ;)

Vic arrives in time to see Shakhan in pitched battle with a bloody grinning half-orc. The barbarian seems to have the upper hand so he continues after the fleeing gnome. He gets his bow out and nocks an arrow but is hesitant to actually release it. They still don’t know anything about these two. What if they were just onlookers? Cutting them down in the street could earn them all a noose. And if they’re from one of the city’s powerful thieves guilds? Vic doesn’t even want to consider that.

So he decides to fire the first shot safely over the head of his opponent. “Stop, we don’t want to fight you!”

If the gnome doesn’t stop and is in range, Vic will attempt to hit him with the next arrow, Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 ...and fail miserably. :)

Since the two men already know they’ve come to speak with them -- how could they not, they watched them the whole way -- Vic throws caution to the wind and cups his hands to his mouth to shout. “Hey! Hold up! We just want to talk to you!”

Assuming they don’t stop, he follows along with Shakhan and Hytogg. “Just be careful where they lead us. There are plenty of cutpurses around here who make a living leading fools into ambushes.” As Vic well knows from his own career. “And lets keep the threats to a minimum. They may be completely uninvolved with Lamm.”

Vic joins Hytogg and Una back outside long enough for them to point out their observers. “Yeah, they’re watching us alright. Of course we haven’t exactly been quiet. They could just be curious…or they could be friends of Lamm. Either way, I'm starting to agree with Shakhan...this place looks abandoned. I can't see the old man camping out here..."

Suspicious of a setup from the start, Vic reflects that they did find the kids here though. So Lamm must be somewhere nearby. "Some of us better go with him."

Vic will sheath his sword and join Shakhan, trying to look as non- threatening as anyone sharing company with a huge axe wielding barbarian can.

Vic will follow behind the others, sticking near Pierre and letting the warrior types take the lead. He pauses briefly to examine the spider Risdin dislodged while tucking his picks back in their pouch then draws his short sword, just in case their luck soon changes.

Vic will remain to the rear of the group and be one of the last down the stairs. He’ll keep an eye open for traps, assuming there’s any light to see by 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

It’s fine by me. Vic’s internal grumbling is just me writing his character. I have to imagine someone whose skill lies mostly in doing things quietly and unobserved wouldn’t fully appreciate the ‘go through the front door with an axe while screaming wildly’ approach. :)

Vic steps over onto the ship’s deck, feeling the rotted boards creak under his weight. Clearly Lamm doesn’t spend his earnings on lavish living. The young thief pulls out his picks again and begins calmly working at this latest lock, Risdin looming impatiently behind him while Shakhan shouts loud enough to inform any local fishermen still at the sea about their business.

Yeah, I’ve, ah, got a feeling Lamm might know you’re coming by now. I’ve got a feeling people two blocks over know by this point… He frowns as what’s really been bugging him are the lack of, well, problems so far. This all just seems way too easy to me…not that I’m complaining but…

Is there a ramp leading onto the ship’s deck? If so, I’ll have Vic use the Stealth roll I made above and attempt to quietly approach the cabin door and pick the lock, if it is locked. If there’s no rush I’ll take 20, otherwise 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16.

And that’s me for the next 15 hrs or so. I’ll insert the descriptive part into my next post later tonight.

Vic listens while Shakhan and the new guy Risdin fill them in on what’s happened in the rest of the fishery. Apparently charging in head first worked out for the best. It goes contrary to everything he was ever taught but…goes to show, you never know, in this world.

Stepping up to the walkway, Vic stretches his arms to limber up before making his way nimbly yet carefully across. And lets try to stick together this time…

I guess Vic can take the lead going over as he probably has the best Acrobatics skill. Take 10 + 7 = 17. Perception check if needed for when they make it to the other side 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6. Stealth check as Vic would prefer to proceed quietly once they board 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

My mistake. I thought that big E was indicating that the right edge of the map was east. So I meant the east door, I think, not north. The one nearest to where Vic entered.

Wow, what a rush of posts. Maybe we should slow up a bit?

I get on fairly late compared to everyone else I think, meaning I’m typically a one post a day guy, so if a case ever comes up where I’m slowing things down, feel free to make reasonable assumptions as to what I do. I squeezed what's probably a couple rounds worth of actions into this post. Let me know if that's too much.

Vic begins to examine the room and slate boards, nodding to Hytogg as he joins him. “Could be where Lamm gives his kids their daily assignments. Doubt it’s trapped.” He notes the banging outside has ceased and suspects Shakhan and company have successfully smashed their way inside. No clanking of swords or screaming has followed, so that’s probably good. “We should shut that dog up before it alerts someone. Assuming our friends haven’t already woke the entire neighborhood.”

Detect traps roll for the room: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14. If nothing is detected, Vic moves one square west into A6 then one square north. Vic will then listen at the north door and check to see if it’s locked. A Perception roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 and a Disable Device roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 if needed.

Vic continues to work diligently at the lock, the picks nearly slipping from his fingers when he hears a load banging back from the way he came. That impatient gorilla with the axe must be trying to hammer his way inside.

For the love of Desna…is that guy for real? He’s going to get us killed! I should have known better than to tag along with a buncha unknowns…

Vic also notes with some irritation that he seems to be on his own suddenly. Hopefully if there any guards posted on this door, they’ll all be attracted to Shakhan’s noise out front. If he can slip in unnoticed, it might all still work out for the best, no thanks to anyone but himself of course.

Just kind of a place holder post. I’m assuming my above roll was fine and that you didn’t want me to roll again, although I can if you want.

I think in my last post I tried to pick the lock on the side entrance along the walkway, assuming it had one and, you know, is still there. :)

So...we’re not dead then? I stopped checking in regularly as of last week but can continue posting as Vic Marduk if we have a new DM and enough players.

Vic isn’t nearly as hostile to the idea of setting fire to the fishery as Hytogg. It sounds a lot safer than breaking in, actually. However, there’s just too good a chance they could lose Lamm in the resulting chaos. The old man is crafty, he may even have a back exit of some kind, one that would get him out unseen.

Great. Brute force it is, I guess. I suggest we enter through the side door along the walkway. Busting through front doors leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I’ll see if I can work the lock…”

(Assuming the door is locked: Disable Device 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22. I’m fine with the marching order.)

Vic follows the others out of the room, not so sure he liked Zellara’s tone when she said they’d meet again later. It didn‘t sound like she was anticipating a victory celebration exactly. “Harrow readings…. huh. Sideshows for suckers, you ask me….”

He stops once they’re out on the street and sizes up his current, and probably temporary, compatriots. Not exactly a group he’d have picked himself. Except maybe the big guy. He looks like he can handle himself in a fight at least, if he can keep his temper in check. The others? Hard to say. Hopefully they know their business, since his neck might be on the block if things go sideways. He hates depending on unknowns.

“So how do you want to do this? Normally I’d say some kind of disguises might be a good idea so we won‘t draw attention, but I don’t want to waste too much time. A few more hours and the sun will be up. On the other hand, if anyone needs anything, we better get it now. Who knows how things are going to go down once we get there.”

Guy’s right, Vic says in agreement with Pierre. If you’re going to rush in head first like a pack of brainless ogres, you can do it without me. If I wanted to get myself killed, I could have handled that on my own months ago. Brute force alone isn't going be enough to tackle Lamm or he'd have been out of the game years ago.

Vic still isn’t happy with the woman’s explanation of how she got the information of course. The vagaries of unnamed contacts and magic don’t exactly inspire him with confidence. Still, there’s no harm in casing the place as the wizard suggested. It’s not likely a better opportunity to catch Lamm off guard is ever going to present itself.

To Zellara, I take it you won’t be coming with us? We supposed to meet you here later on or is this the extent of your involvement?

Vic frowns, still feeling uneasy among this strange crowd. He doesn’t exactly like the lady’s story but it’s at least plausible. Anyone who has ever worked for Lamm has heard stories about his vengefulness towards those who dare steal from him.

“So you want us to, what, barge in there and put him to the sword? I doubt the old man would make it that easy. He knows he has enemies. Some kind of idea of what we might be walking into would be nice. And like the lady says, how do we know this is even accurate? Where’d you get the information?”

Vic takes a final glance at his card and shrugs, tossing it onto the table with the others. His suspicions are far from completely allayed though, certainly not enough to start eating the food. For all he knows the so-called cleric just made that up about the bread and drink being safe. He could even be their host, for all they know. Same with the wizard.

So instead Vic will stick by the door, keeping an eye on the streets outside, not wanting get surrounded or snuck up on while the others are busy emptying the wine bottle.

(In case there's anything new out on the streets to see. Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18)

Vic arrives on Lancet Street in time to miss most of the action. He notes a woman in fighting leathers, a beggar, and a man in a robe crowded near a door that matches the address he was given. Mage, he thinks of the last one, maybe. Definitely not muscle. Whoever they are, something is clearly going down and it doesn’t look like an ambush, or at least it’s the clumsiest one he’s ever seen.

He watches as all three eventually enter and then waits. And then waits a bit longer. After awhile he begins to feel silly huddled as he is behind a tower of half-rotted shipping crates. Finally boredom gets the best of him and, hand on the hilt of his sword, he approaches the door and finds it still ajar from Hytogg’s entrance. Within he spies several people gathered around a table, two of them seated, looking for all the world liked bored clients in a waiting room. The woman and the beggar, who, on closer, obviously isn’t a beggar at all.

Vic frowns. “Say, what the hell is this? Some kind of tea party? Which of you sent me the stupid card and why? I don’t like pranks or the people who pull them.”

Privately he finds himself hoping it wasn’t the one with the axe though. Arousing the temper of a guy that size doesn’t seem wise.

Another wasted afternoon, Vic was thinking, as he poked a toothpick along the edges of his teeth. Three hours spent criss-crossing the same the stretch of alleyway, waiting for a suitable mark, all for nothing. This was turning into a real dry spell, alright. But, then, what else could he expect? Thieving without a guild backing you was risky business. One was limited in one’s freedom. You had to be careful.

He sighed and flicked the toothpick into an open barrel. That’s when he spotted the harrow card. Just…laying there. With a smirk he picked it up and scanned the image, some dingy looking bird on a drab background. Nothing worth anything, of course, not with his luck lately. He was ready to toss it, back with the rest of the garbage, when he spotted the text on the back.

It started: I know what Gaedren has done to you…

For a moment fear froze Vic. This was text for him. Him specifically. Had someone left this here knowing he’d been staking out the area? Was someone watching him? Not good, especially since the only ones who even knew what happened that night at the docks were him and Lamm…

Yeah, definitely bad. It stunk like a trap. Vic had been working off the belief that Lamm thought he was dead. If he knew he was still lingering in Korvosa, he’d likely see to finishing the job. But was this really Lamm’s style? Wouldn’t he rather a quick knife in the back at the hands of his thugs to playing games?

Probably. But maybe not. Either way the smart move was to tear it up and head in the opposite direction. But…

But what if this really was an opportunity to get back at the old man? Even if just for a few coppers worth, it’d be worth a little risk just to hurt him, wouldn’t it? You think about revenge every day and then you’re going walk out on the first possible chance that’s come your way?

Vic shook his head. No. A quick peek wouldn’t hurt. He’d just have to remain on his toes is all.

(Vic will head towards Lancet Street but attempt a stealthy approach. Stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24)

Loremaster: Thanks for the summary. That all sounds good to me. I probably will have to grab the APG someday soon -- it's already everywhere -- but not right away.

GM: Fixed I believe. Thanks for pointing out the errors, all of which were to my character's detriment. (Whose side am I on, anyways? :) ) I did have Knowledge: Local marked as trained, but forgot to add the rank mod. I think that covers it, right?

I think this is about right. Please have a look.

As for Hero Points, I'm not familiar with them, how do they work exactly? (I don't have the APG).