Viper's page

While this isn't a reliable means of rolling multiple times, if your GM allows the use of 3rd party traits you could pick this up: Lucky Tattoo

Alright, I think we're going to be at the wharf an hour or so before the scheduled meet time. We'll get Bartholomew and Lhain hidden somewhere (if possible) and then just wait out the time till the meet.

"Lord Belforst would be smart to not double cross us, one thing I may not have noted in detail before is on my way back here the other day I was followed by a not so discreet individual. I only noticed him after I had left Lord Belforst's residence, but it's possible I could have picked him after I retrieved our bounty at the city guard's administrative office." Crovus says aloud as he replays the day's events in his head.

Corvus chuckles to himself and then shrugs.

"The worst case at this point is Lord Belforst only expects me to be there. I took care of the individual who decided to follow me and no one tracked me here. However, as a precaution, I suggest you guys keep to the shadows while I meet with him. If the deal starts to go south I'll cough twice, loudly, and you guys move in with swords drawn. We should leave a couple hours early to get situated."

"Tonight's the night. Are you guys ready?" Corvus asks.

Corvus nods. “So, that makes 107 gold pieces per person. Not bad for a couple weeks work. Certainly beats a bag of silver.” Corvus grins at Bartholomew. “Well, let me get you guys what you’re owed.”

Corvus approaches the money pouch he tossed on the table. Picking it up, he empties its contents and divides up five separate piles of twenty gold coins. He then hands each person their stack.

“There, that should settle what we’re each owed. Joash and Darrin, I don’t have any other work lined up at this time but if the need arises know you’ll hear from me. You guys did a remarkable job and I absolutely look forward to working with you guys in the future.”

“Mixed,” Corvus replies. Taking out a pouch of gold coins, Corvus tosses it onto the nearby table. “Our group’s earnings for Petarin; divide it five ways and it comes out to twenty gold a piece.”

Corvus looks around and sees Lhain sitting on a bed next to extra gear while playing with a shimmering object.

“I take it the sale of our surplus equipment went well? Are Joash and Darrin all paid up from those earnings?” Corvus asks to no one specifically.

Convinced no one followed him this time, Corvus heads into the non-descript out-of-the-way tavern and walks into the back hallway where the guest rooms are located. Approaching the group’s room, Corvus knocks on the door and waits for a reply.

Corvus watches as the group of dwarves, angry and cursing, rises from the table and begins to move to confront the man who followed him thus far. ”I think this is my cue,” Corvus says to himself as he begins to move towards the entrance.

Corvus takes one last look toward his follower and, winking at him, he disappears into the street as the sound of shouting and chairs falling over drown out the other patrons in the tavern.

At this point Corvus is going to move quickly to an alley and use back streets to meet up with the rest of the group. I'll make a couple perception checks to see if Corvus is being followed.

If perceived no one is following Corvus will head straight there.

Downing the last gulps of his ale, Corvus looks about the room. While most patrons of the tavern are rather subdued there is one group of dwarves in particular which are clearly having a good time. Since Corvus’ arrival, one member of the dwarven entourage had been knocked out cold after betting he could take a series of punches to the face, another dwarf passed out on the floor after leaning back in his chair too far while downing a mug of wine, and a third dwarf had his hand skewered by his companion after his friend tried to see how fast he could stab between his fingers with a dagger.

This was clearly the group Corvus was looking for.

Standing from his bar stool, Corvus maneuvers towards the rowdy group. Just as they are about to crack open another cask of wine Corvus approaches and says, “I’m just about to head out, but I wanted you to know, do you see that gentlemen sitting at the table over there?” Corvus looks in the direction of his tail. “After he walked in he came up to me and said he hated drinking with bearded gnomes but this was the only place in town where he could get a good mug of Hammersteen ale.”

Corvus looks at them and studies their reactions.

Corvus continues talking, “Yeah, this guy walks into a dwarven establishment and has the nerve to call you guys bearded gnomes. Unless you guys are fine with a human looking down on you and calling you a bearded gnome, you should probably go over there and teach him a lesson that humankind will never forget.”

“Looks like I have a new friend,” Corvus mumbles to himself as he ducks through an alley and heads towards the main street.

Looking around, Corvus thinks to himself, I need to find a tavern popular with dwarves.

Hah! Corvus snaps his fingers. The Stoneforge, of course! It has always been the first choice among Thydim’s dwarven population. And lucky for me it's close.

As Corvus enters Thydim’s main street he is immediately engulfed in a sea of people. All manner of races from every walk of life pass around him. Unwashed vagrants line the sidewalk seeking handouts, lords and ladies ride in single caravans along the cobbled road, and commoners talk among themselves as they pass by. Turning right, Corvus follows the throng of people and after a short distance arrives at the Stoneforge.

Standing outside the Stoneforge Corvus hears all manner of noises echoing from within. Loud belches, the sound of things smashing, and a plethora of other noises all terrible sounding wash over him. Well, let’s just get this over with. Corvus says to himself as enters the establishment.

Corvus enters the Stoneforge and immediately walks up to the bar. Ignoring some of the ogling eyes, Corvus orders a pint of ale and positions his body in such a manner so as he can observe those who enter and leave the main entrance.

At this point Corvus will wait and see if his follower enters. If he does Corvus will watch him and see what he does. He'll save his next move until after that point.

Corvus reaches down and checks the knots tied around Petarin’s wrists and ankles. Reassured of their secureness, he grabs Petarin’s sword and proceeds toward the room’s door.

“Make sure he doesn’t escape,” Corvus says as he turns his head towards the group. “I’m going to collect what we are owed.”

Opening the door slightly, Corvus peers into the hallway. Not seeing anyone, he slips into the hall and disappears from view as the door closes with a soft thud.

At this point Corvus will head to the city guard’s main office and collect the bounty on Petarin by showing off Petarin’s sword. Corvus will attempt to negotiate an extra deal of 50 gp for the slaughter of Petarin’s bandit gang and securing the trade roads from future attacks.

After collecting the bounty on Petarin (and hopefully collecting added funds from killing the bandits), Corvus will head to Lord Belforst’s guild headquarters. He’ll seek an audience with Belforst by using the sword’s decorative hilt as his ticket of entry. Upon meeting Belforst, Corvus will inform Belforst of Petarin’s capture and attempt to renegotiate the deal from the original 150 gp to 500 gp. He’ll use Belforst’s love of his only daughter as a persuasive argument and will hand the lord Petarin’s journal which details why and how he killed her to increase the chance of Belforst agreeing to the new sum. Once the price has been agreed upon, Corvus will agree to hand over Petarin in two days’ time at the city wharf at the sounding of the midnight bell. He'll wait until that time to collect what Belforst owes.

Once negotiations are concluded, Corvus will return to the group’s location by way of the long route. He will make perception checks periodically to ensure he isn’t being followed.

Upon his return to the group, he’ll divide up what is owed between all members once everyone is present. The money being divided at that time will be the 100 gp paid out by the city of Thydim for the “killing” of Petarin. Corvus will wait until after the departure of Joash and Darrin before explaining what happens next.

Corvus motions with his hands and shakes his head. “Don’t worry my friends, if you agree to be involved your honor will remain intact. It’s not common peasant folk I’m after it’s a group of outlaws.”

Corvus looks at them both.

“As you guys are already aware trade caravans and ships leaving both Bophram and Thydim have seen a sudden rise in successful bandit attacks in the last several weeks; while they’ve yet to steal anything of real value, their destabilizing presence leaves scorch marks across the territory.”

Corvus glances around the room before continuing in a quieter voice.

“The individual I’ve been tracking these past long weeks is named Petarin. He’s the former Captain of Security for a prominent merchant guild in Thydim and, rumor has it, is now leading this particular bandit gang. Which may attest to the current success rate of the group.”

Corvus pauses.

“Petarin is smart, conniving, and a cold-blooded killer. In addition to being a criminal leader, he’s wanted in connection with the murder of the Merchant Lord’s only daughter, Alyrah.” Corvus sighs and looks at Bartholomew. “I have a plan, and with your current profession Bartholomew I believe there’s a strong chance of luring Petarin out and ending his reign of terror for good.”

Corvus glances between them.

“As I mentioned before, there is honor to be found, name to be made, and coin to be earned in this undertaking. A lot of coin...” Corvus pauses. “Still interested?”

Corvus nods towards Bartholomew and slides into the empty wooden chair across from the two acquaintances.

“It’s Bartholomew isn't it?” Corvus asks, “I couldn't help but overhear your conversation while seated at my table. It seems you've lived an adventurous lifestyle, and if you’re half the swordsman your stories make you out to be there’s more where that came from.” Corvus motions towards the money pouch on the table.

“For both of you, I might add.” Corvus looks in the direction of Lhain. “If you’re still interested I’ll continue.”

Corvus watches the old man shuffle towards the rear of the room and disappear in a dimly lit hallway. Guess I better take care of this now before the tavern fills up with all manner of eyes and ears.

Rolling up his maps and loose leaf papers scribbled with notes, Corvus slides his chair back and rises from the table. Not bothering to push his chair in he strides purposely towards Lhain and the young caravan guard Lhain addressed as Bartholomew. Or was it Bartholomeow? It doesn’t matter; a man is not defined by his name. His sword arm is all Corvus cares about.

“Lhain, do you mind if I join you gentlemen?” Corvus asks, interrupting the two mid-laugh. "I may have something you'll both be interested in."

Taken aback by Lhain’s abrupt outburst, Corvus suddenly found himself grinning. The Foam Fresh enforcer, of course! He had seen the elf knock the heads together of at least a half dozen unruly bar patrons just in the last couple nights alone. He even overheard a conversation between two off-duty caravan guards discussing a gutter fight between Lhain and a burly man with a jagged scar. What was supposed to be a simple unarmed wager fight turned deadly when the man with the scar, bloodied and beaten, pulled a boot knife. Lhain, without even flinching, disarmed the man and proceeded to shove the dagger hilt deep into his chest. Here’s an individual more than capable of handling himself.

“I’ll wait until he finishes his morning repast and then address him. It’s probably best not to get between that man and a breast,” he quipped to himself.

Returning to his notes, a loud clang from the tavern door interrupted his thoughts. Two stout fellows covered head to toe with dirt from the road clambered through the entrance. They looked absolutely disheveled and if it weren’t for their arms or armor he would have thought them to be vagrants.

“Let’s sit over there by the fire,” said the older fellow with the greying handlebar moustache, “I need to warm my old bones.”

The other grunted a chuckle and nodded. They appeared to be old friends.

Sliding down into their chairs with a loud thud and a sigh, the younger gentleman motioned toward the barkeep with two fingers. Disappearing into the kitchen, the barkeep returned with two plates of cooked pheasant and potatoes and two mugs of ale.

They both ate feverishly, neither one looking up from their plate as they gorged themselves.

Corvus beats his fist against the table in frustration. Dead ends and dry leads have taken their toll over these past few weeks. What should have been a simple search and kill has turned instead into a wild badger chase. First Petarin escapes Thaydim due to an incompetent city watch, then he eludes capture by stowing away on a ship traveling down the river Blith, and now there are rumors he's leading a band of brigands on raids against the empire's trade ships. The whole thing was becoming very irritating.

“What I need is a way to draw Petarin out in the open…” he mutters to himself. “So far he’s come up relatively empty handed on the last few trade caravans he’s hit; maybe I could plant a rumor that something of extreme value will be on the next caravan that leaves Purple Falls and position myself in with the guards. When Petarin strikes, the caravan guards kill his bandit companions and I kill Petarin.”

But the caravan guards have thus far proven themselves to be little more than children with sticks, he thought to himself. If they could have taken care of Petarin and his men, Petarin’s head would already be affixed to Thaydim’s city gate. What he needed were individuals of proper stature. Men who actually knew which end of a sword to stick a man with.

The high pitched sound of fork and knife on plate disturb his thoughts and turning, he sees Lhain halfway through devouring a pheasant breast and wine stains lining his mouth.