Quick winks at Hessiah.
Well, yeah, if you have a couple of weeks to spare, since a single check takes a few hours. There is no immediate pattern to the robberies like the one you are suggesting. The bigger families (like the Quinchinos) are able to protect their more valuable cargo, but several of them have been hit, too.
The Wizard's Academy would be the place to visit. You could probably get a map like the one you have for a negligible cost and possible one with some more interesting details if you're willing to spend some money.
Quick jangles her coin purse a little. Feeling it's relative lightness, she decides to go with the map of negligible cost. For now.
Perception 10 + 5 = 15
Stealth 13 + 10 = 23
What weapons are visible ?
The thug is armed with a rapier and a sap. He doesn't seem to be carrying any ranged weapon, as far as you know. You also might want to roll a Survival check to follow his tracks.
Hessiah and Quick:
There must be something about Hessiah's demeanor that discourages people, for he is met mainly with blank stares. Generally people refer him to Bragger Bondhome and hint at the reward when bandits are mentioned. Not much that you don't already know is revealed. There is also talk of some weird adventurers calling themselves "The Azure Actors", one of which is actually supposed to be an actual dark elf, having gone to fight the bandits.
Quick has some more luck, moving naturally among the wizards and scholars. One of them happily gives her a crude map of the immediate area and she even manages to sneak a peak at an unexplored dungeon marked with an X on a map someone carelessly left open. What's more, there is some talk in hushed tones and unfinished sentences that the not all of the influential Quinchino family's businesses are on the up and up.
When Quick is alone again, she marks the spot of the unexplored dungeon on her own map.
When she meets up with Hessiah again, she is eager to share what she has found.
"I'd say there's a fair bit of danger and reward to be found in a place like this," she says pointing at the new mark on the map. "There always is."
She spits, and replaces some of her chewing tobacco.
"Didn't hear much in the way of bandit talk. People seem like they just wanted to talk about the Quinchinos. Heard of 'em? What did you find?"
"Perhaps, these Quinchinos would be willing to pay a reward for eliminating the bandits. What do you think, Quick?"
"What do I really think? If the Quinchinos are not 'on the up and up', then perhaps they may even have a hand in the raids. Perhaps they have ties to the bandit leaders themselves?"
Quick kicks her heels, rhythmically, jangling the spurs on her boots as she thinks. Soon she leans in to whisper her thoughts to Hessiah.
"We could do it all backwards like. You know, capture the bandit leader, grill him for information, see who he's working for. If the Quinchinos are involved, we back off a little and watch our backs. If he seems to be runnin' an independant game here, well, then we approach the Quinchinos and ask if they are willing to offer a reward for his capture. Then we wave his head around, collect our pay, and take it to the sheriff to get some more, there."
Survival 13 + 5 + 2 favored enemy = 20
"Either way, we should keep moving about town. There's plenty of leads to follow up on. We know the bandits mean danger. Homeless people disappearing from the slums? Beneficent priestesses? Sounds safe to me. Let's go pay Elan Kanto a visit. Maybe we can see what her operation is like? Make sure it's on the up and up. I don't want any innocents to be hurt, merchants or the homeless alike."
Quick cracks her knuckles.
"Besides, maybe we can find the others on the way. If they haven't killed themselves by now."
"Let's go find them. I get the feeling we can't leave them alone without them getting into trouble."
Quick and Hessiah will approach the Temple of the Moon, from an adjacent alley, if possible. Quick intends to watch the entrance to the place, and, if there are any windows, to watch them as well. Hopefully gleaning a snapshot of daily life at the temple. She'll watch for about half an hour before going into the place.
"Now we wait. If all's clear, then we move on in. Sound like a plan?" Quick moves her hat down her face a little, to pretend as if she were sleeping. She keeps her eyes and ears on the place the whole time.
"I'm not one to argue with an expert."
Juliare and Brock:
While Brock uneasily stands watch by the grate, Juliare, whose eyes are better fit for the darkness of the sewers, climbs down an iron ladder to try to follow the thug.
The smell of refuse is overwhelming. The sewers are a series of 15-foot wide tunnels bisected by an 8-foot deep channel filled with slow-moving, foul-smelling waste. At each intersection there is a narrow grating.
The tracks are fresh and easy to follow on the wet walkway, but Juliare hasn't gone far before the thug lashes out at him with his rapier by surprise from the shadows. Fortunately Juliare is able to parry the vicious stab.
Roll for initiative, please. Brock too, if he wants to join in.
Quick and Hessiah:
The Temple of the Moon is a large temple, made of finely crafted mortared stone. The stained-glass windows depict scenes of death, but in a serene and reverential way.
There doesn't seem to be many visitors to the temple, so after half an hour where nobody at all has entered you decide to go in. The entrance hall is one large and high-ceilinged room decorated with an ornate mosaic of red and black. Four thick pillars carved with images of bones, clouds, scrolls and the four elements stand near the corners.
There is a guard standing near the entry to the temple proper and a beggar is scrubbing the floor on his hands and knees in a corner, while the guard watches indifferently.
Tom and Brock
Planned action: five foot step . Draw longspear , Hit 13(/url] + 2 strength + 2 favored enemy + 1 BAB = 18 ,damage [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1748744/]2 + 2 strength + 2 enemy = 6
I didn't take in account if there is a miss/concealment chance due to darkness , Is there one ?
For Tom and Quick
Juliare and Brock:
While Juliare is recovering from his surprise, the thug ripostes and slashes at him for 3 points of damage.
Juliare is up.
Temple
"Yes, that's exactly why I want to go in. More and more I'm getting an unsettling feeling about this place."
Quick strides in and announces to the guard, "We're here to see Priestess Kanto."
Temple
** spoiler omitted **
Quick and Hessiah:
"You're welcome. Just go through those doors, and then the door on your right."
Following the guard's instructions, you enter a pillared hallway with a similar mosaic pattern. Six carved pillars line each wall, and three beggars are busy washing the floor and scrubbing the pillars. Another guard stands by the double doors on your right, above which there is something written in Draconic. There are two simpler wooden doors to the left and in the far end there is also a spiral staircase going down.
Temple
Nodding to the guard stationed at the door, Quick adds, "I trust Priestess Kanto is in", before reaching for the door.
Tom and Quick
Quick and Hessiah:
The guard seems a little distracted trying to watch the beggars. With a curt nod he ushers you into the temple proper. It is another large room, draped in shadows from the haunting images on the stained glass windows. There is a circular mosaic at the center of the temple, atop which is a three-tiered ziggurat crested by a stone statue of an eclipsing sun. Surrounding the mosaic and ziggurat are several curved wooden benches.
One acolyte is overseeing a group of three beggars scrubbing the floors and windows. A lean middle-aged woman in temple robes is talking to him, but turns to greet you as you enter, introducing herself as Elan Kanto, high priestess of the Moon. She gestures apologetically towards the toiling beggars. "Cleaning day", she says and smiles mirthlessly. "I am afraid there is no service today, but how can I help you?"
Temple
Quick bows respectfully before the priestess before continuing into the room. "Priestess Kanto, my name is Sandra, and this is my associate, Henkel. Perhaps we should speak in private," she offers in hushed tones. "There's talk, you see. Talk about disappearances. About the beggars, I mean. I'm sure you are very busy with your work here at the Temple, so I wasn't sure if you were in the know with the talk of the town. People are talking about the mysterious disappearances here, and I wanted you to be the first to know."
Quick and Hessiah:
But to whom do I have the honor of speaking?"
Tom and Juliare
If he does, he already has his Great Axe out, and would jump down and attack.
Initiative: 1d20+1=13
Perception: (1d20+4=19)
Jump: 1d20+3=15
Attack: (if I can) (1d20+4=15)
Damage: (1d12+6=16)
Oh and Tom this is my first PbP battle so if I did anything wrong just tell me and I'll fix it for ya!
Temple
"As I said before, I am Sandra, and this is Henkel, my associate. If you are indeed aware of the rumours, is there perhaps anything you can tell us about the disappearances? Any idea when the last one was? Or where it was? You see, much like yourself, I care about these people, and would see that they find a safe path through life."
Sewers:
Juliare manages to get through the creature's defenses but unaccountably fails to wound it. Seeing that he beats a hasty retreat. The creature takes a parting stab at him for 3 points of damage. Meanwhile Brock draws his greatsword, furious and dripping with sewage he strikes a devastating blow, but the creature is both nimble and tough-skinned, so it manages to get away in time.
Getting away is indeed the creature's first priority, so the sight of Brock's greataxe is enough to make it slink off in disgrace. Twisting and weaving it somehow manages to get away moments before Brock's greataxe crashes into the spot where it was. Whatever it was, it's running down the tunnels, and Brock can't really see to follow it.
I guess you'd better return home - or to the Ramshackle - and get Brock cleaned up.
Temple:
Temple
"Concernedand faithful citizens, is all. Wouldn't want any of these rumours to hurt you and your generous work here, you see. Good day." Quick says, tipping her hat.
Unless Hessiah wants to add something, she'll excuse herself back to the main room, approaching any cleaning beggar that is most accessible, and out of ear-shot of the guards. She whispers; "What's it like living here? We've heard rumours of disappearances, and we want to know if anything like that is going on here. Have you heard anything?"
Orc Brock , I think we should go back to Quick's place .
Temple
** spoiler omitted **
Temple
"What was that thing Juliare?"
after a long moment looking down the sewer Brock looks to the elf,
"Let us go"
Temple
When Spark appears, Quick screams; "Help! A giant rat! Kill it! Kill it!" and sends it running past the guard, hopefully deeper into the temple; down the stairs, if they are open.
Once the guard is out of earshot/sight, Quick will interrogate the beggar as fast as possible, as above.
I don't know Brock . I just know it was no natural creature . maybe Hessiah will know more
Temple:
While Hessiah engages the guard in the hallway Quick ducks behind a pillar and swiftly summons Spark and sets him running past the guard and down the stairs. Mayhem ensues as the beggars scream and run around, while the guard runs after Spark shouting a warning for those downstairs.
By the sound of it, a fight is breaking out downstairs and before the guard thinks to return to take care of the beggars one of them (a teenage girl) approaches Spark and whispers to her: "Please miss, get us out of here. They force us to work and won't let us go home. They took my brother down to the docks and I haven't seen him since."
That's about how much she can communicate before the guard returns and brusquely tells you to leave.
For Tom
Temple
Before the guards return, Quick will try to whisper, "I'll get you out of here."
Grabbing Hessiah, she'll make her way to the exit. "I think we need to high-tail it out of here."
Later that afternoon (and a bit worse for wear in some cases) you reassemble at the Ramshackle to discuss what you've learned.
"So Quick, what did you find out while I was 'engaged'?"
Looking at Brock and Juliare, "And what happened to you two?"
Quick places her hand on Juliare and Brock, a warm breeze washes over their wounds, healing them .
"You guys got in a bit of a scrape, I see. Did it lead anywhere, or did someone try to cut your purse, and miss?"
Quick takes a shot of some foul smelling liquor, pounds it back, and gestures for another.
"Either way, I think we made a little progress. I managed to get this map, and even snuck a peak at some unexplored dungeon that was marked on another. I'm pretty sure this is where it is", she says, unfolding the map onto the table, and gesturing to the point she marked. "Additionally, big H here and I took a gander at the temple where Elan Kanto is takin' in all those beggars. I got a weird feeling from the get-go, and a'course she's gonna say everything's right as rain. So we took our chance. This guy here, distracted them guards and I got to interrogating one of the beggars. You should have seen him. He's a quick talker. Anyway, the poor soul begged me to help him, sayin' that they're treated like dirt and what. Even said some of them get shipped on out or something down at the docks."
Quick sticks a grimy finger in her mouth, removing some chewing tobacco that was lodged behind her teeth.
"I don't think I need to tell you that there's definitely something up there. People are disappearing, and the city's not gonna' do a thing about it because, realistically, those are the people they want to disappear. Someone's cleanin' the streets for them, and they're obviously getting something out of it. Not to mention all the death imagery of the place. They could be sacrificing them to sinister and dark forces, for all we know. I don't think we can move without more info, however. There's more than a handful of guards around the place, and I'm willing to bet that Kanto's got more security measures in place than meets the eye."
Quick takes a big breath, and exhales. "So, what did you guys find?"
Thanks, Quick. We'll deal with the temple later . I also don't see the relevance of your map but that's for later .
We were lucky . But I'm a bit confused by what you say . I thought we had found the reason people disappeared .
We went down the slums and while we were speaking to a citizen , we heard a commotion nearby. A creep had just sapped a drunk . Brock intimated him into leaving and he was leaving through the sewers .
Seemed to me this was more than a mugging so I tried to follow him downstairs . It backfired . This so called man did'nt need light and tried to ambush us. During the combat we discovered that despite the appearance it had a thick hide and when finally I struck him , my spear came out of him with the wound already closed . Brock finally arrived and the creature decided to leave running faster than any men in the dark . I don't know what this was but we need to follow this quickly while I'll still be able to track it. If you have anymore healing , I'll take it but the more important thing is knowing how to deal with such things . Any idea ?
"You don't see the relevance of the map? We're trying to find the bandits, remember? We can't just go running off into the wilderness, with no idea where we are headed. Take a look at the map again. We know that caravan attacks have mostly occurred here, and we know that they have a camp somewhere in the Penprie forest. Where the attacks have taken place is not so far from where the bandits probably are, meaning that we have a pretty good chance of finding their camp if we head along this road, and into the forest here. Additionally, this secret dungeon is not so far from that, and there's rumour of a magical fountain somewhere in there too. I'd say this map is very relevant."
Quick drops some money on the table to cover her tab; "I've gotta' go take care of something. If you'll still be here in an hour and a half, I'll come back. If not, meet me at my place. We've got some sneaking around to do."
Hessiah nods, "I get a feeling we would need all the sleep we could get."
"Let's rest and meet up later at Quick's room."
Ok the map is useful if you don't know the country which I already do.
Forgot I might be the only one here. The 'dungeon' seems to me to be more a job for adventurers , I doubt the bandits are here . I think the bandits must be south of the forest given the pattern of attacks .
Ok for waiting 1 or 2 hours but we don't have time to wait for tomorrow morning , the fresher the tracks , the better I'll have a chance to follow them . Any idea of why we can't seem to hurt them ?
I'll go buy some torches while waiting for Quick , anything else we might need ?