Ghorum disappears in the early afternoon to talk to the priests at the Publican House, leaving Mirri Salasa, the head waitress, to work the bar. A couple of hours later, he returns to inform you all that the clerics at the Publican House confirm the outline of Mavrielle's story; inasmuch as she was born there, and her mother spent some time recovering there from a savage beating around the same time as her pregnancy occurred.
"Story okay. Now what Cliff? How bout me and Jagor go to Splithog Alley, you guys be near, if we get trouble, you help?" Makoa says, quite proud of his idea.
Perfect , Makoa
I'll first go inform Saul of this offer to see what he thinks of it
Then if he aggrees I'll go make the round of the taverns near the site to check what is known of this gang and their boss
Shisumo , feel free to roll for me since I'm not supposed to know if I did well on my information gathering roll
Perfect , Makoa
I'll first go inform Saul of this offer to see what he thinks of it
Saul is actually out of Goblin at the moment, leaving you with Larur as your other contact. Larur listens to the situation, frowning. "I pity the girl, boy, no question, but kidnapping someone for arena fighting is illegal, as you must know. The only way'd we be able to countenance something like that were if the Overlord had already pronounced sentence on him," he says, scratching his chin. "Otherwise we're asking for a raid from the gendarmes, and to no purpose. You say she claims Slyeg's had trouble with him? The smuggler chief might have enough influence to get Cromarcky to drop the hammer on this 'Splithog Pauper' - if so, I think we can safely agree to support it."
Then if he aggrees I'll go make the round of the taverns near the site to check what is known of this gang and their boss
You learn little that Mavrielle hasn't already told you, but nothing you hear contradicts what she's said. You are able to confirm that Avery Slyeg wants the man's head on a platter, however.
Hezekiah is a bit wary of incurring Saul's wrath and a raid from the gendarmes. He doesn't want to be kicked out of his first job on the first day.
Hezekiah is a bit wary of incurring Saul's wrath and a raid from the gendarmes. He doesn't want to be kicked out of his first job on the first day.
"Maybe we do this after closing time?" Makoa asks those around him.
Hezekiah is a bit wary of incurring Saul's wrath and a raid from the gendarmes. He doesn't want to be kicked out of his first job on the first day.
Meeting with Slyeg would indeed be my idea but this definitely would need approval from Saul or Larur
Otherwise during my rounds , did I succeed in knowing if memebers of the gangs or even the boss go to some taverns ?
Finally , what do I know of Slyeg ? ( feel free to roll for me )
"Maybe we do this after closing time?" Makoa asks those around him.
"I agree. What we do on our own time is up to us. As long as we don't end up hurting Saul in some way, I say we go.", says Ghorum.
"Okay. I work now. We meet for this after work." Makoa leaves the group and continues working.
Otherwise during my rounds , did I succeed in knowing if memebers of the gangs or even the boss go to some taverns ?
Nobody on the streets seems to know who's in the gang in the first place, unfortunately. The Splithog Pauper himself has a reputation as a master of disguise, with various informants attributing this ability either to mundane costuming and makeup or to proficiency with illusion magic.
Finally , what do I know of Slyeg ? ( feel free to roll for me )
Slyeg is the second most powerful crimelord in the city, after Overlord Cromarcky himself. Although there are rumors that Elias Tammerhawk, Speaker of the Order of Cyphers, wants the Overlord spot, the fact is Slyeg would have a better shot at it if he wanted it. Slyeg's got ties to the gendarmes that allow him to operate almost literally under their noses; his headquarters is in an upscale inn overlooking the Velashu, just blocks from the headquarters of the gendarmes in the Military District. Slyeg's interests are in smuggling mostly, but word is he's a man with a twisted but rigid sense of honor, particularly in terms of protecting his own.
As compared to the previous night's entertainments, the evening passs uneventfully. Mavrielle does come to check on the progress of your decision-making at one point, but allows herself to be put off by responses of, "We're still looking into it." Finally, 3 AM rolls around and the last patrons are shuffled out the door by Makoa and his men.
"Okay guys, everyone gone now. We should go help lady now. Me and Jagor go to alley, everyone be close in case we make trouble." Makoa tells the group assertively. "You think that good idea?" he looks to the smarter people of the group.
We are going first to speak with Slyeg ...
Shisumo , Y'll try to see him as soon as I can free myself from my chores at the goblin
Clifford (and anyone else who wants to go with him):
"A late good evening to you, gentles," he says curiously. "How can I help you?"
Back at the Goblin:
Makoa will wait for Cliff to get back.
After hearing the screaming from the cooks, Makoa will rush into the kitchen with his Earth Breaker at the ready.
Hezekiah follows Makoa.
For those with Clifford
Greetings , I'm Clifford Strauss and these are .....
Would it be possible to have an appointment with Mr Slyeg? We would like his approbation for something we plan to do .
At the Gold Goblin:
Hezekiah follows Makoa.
Jagor was half-dozing when the screaming commenced, so he's behind the mage as they rush to the kitchen.
At the Goblin
At the Goblin:
At the Gold Goblin:
Ghorum tags along with Clifford.
Ghorum tags along with Clifford.
At the River Runner:
Stepping inside, you find the common room of the inn is as impressive as the exterior, with gold-wrought candle stands, a rich marble fireplace in which a small fire flickers gamely (even in summer, Riddleport nights tend to be cool and clammy), polished wooden chairs with crushed velvet cushions. The man steers you toward seats, then disappears for a moment into a back room. He returns to his desk a moment later, and makes an ostentatious show of looking through his guest ledger, but your attentions are drawn instead to the thin, wiry man who appears from a passage across the room. He neither speaks nor approaches you, but you cannot help noticing his well-worn studded leather armor or the hand crossbow he has drawn and aimed, apparently casually, at the ground.
After several quiet minutes have passed, with only the flickering flame speaking into the silence, a bleary-eyed servant girl appears with a tray of tea and biscuits. She sets the tray on the table, delivers a short curtsy, and vanishes down the hall past the man with the crossbow. The concierge disappears into a room behind his desk again. When he returns, he crosses to the two of you and says, "I have indeed found such a man to be staying at our inn, gentles. Mr. Gerent will escort you up to him."
At the Goblin:
Behind her, a large wicker basket lies on its side near the entrance to the scullery, and in the doorway a massive, six-foot-long snake, its scales a complex pattern of bright red, brick red, and dark grey diamonds, is curled up and hissing. Its tongue flickers in and out as it studies you all, then begins moving toward Sam's body.
At the Goblin:
At the Goblin:
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **At the Goblin:
** spoiler omitted **
At the river runner
For the DM re: the Gold Goblin:
That said, my first thought is that I won't need details because Jagor's first thought would be to protect the girl by removing her from the immediate danger, probably by grabbing an arm or leg (preferably a pair of either, of course) and dragging her away from the snake. If that is something he can do, he will move her as far as his movement allows.
Seems like that would be all he could hope to accomplish at the moment.
At the Goblin:
As Jagor grabs hold of the dying woman and starts to drag her away, the snake rears, hissing madly, and then strikes at him. The attack is apparently more intended to frighten than wound, however, as it comes quite short of actually striking the half-orc.
At the River Runner:
After a full minute of waiting, the door opens and an attractive human woman with long, dark brown hair in ringlets, wearing what appears to be an evening gown, beckons you into to the room. It is huge. You quickly realize that the room takes up most of the inn's second floor, and seems to consist of a combination office and living area, with a desk and several bookshelves marking off a workspace on one side, and a series of low couches, all made of extremely rich materials, surrounding three low tables on another. Standing in the middle of the room is a tall, hard-faced half-elf man with a deep scar running down the right side of his jaw, along his neck, and to just below his collarbone. He is wearing a simple, loose robe, open to the middle of his chest, but somehow manages to have the dignity of a fully-dressed nobleman.
He looks each of you over, eyes narrowed, before beginning to speak. "You are aware it's four in the morning, right?" he asks in a harsh tone. "What are two of Saul Vancaskerin's new golden boys doing knocking on my door at four in the morning?"
Clifford is too intent on the coming interview to be observant .
My excuses , Sir . I just asked for an appointment at your convenience . There must have been a misunderstanding somewhere .
While it's true that my associate and me are actually working part time for Mr Vancaskerkin , we are still free to take extraneous jobs as long as the interests are nor in conflict . That's the reason we come to you . A patron has approached us asking for the removal of a gang leader , a Beltias Kreun, living in your demesne . We checked and the patron seems to have a personal grievance against said boss . Even it's not part of a power play , it seemed only reasonable to ask your permission before proceeding .
At the goblin:
Makoa approaches the snake from behind and attempts to crush it with his Earth Breaker.
At the goblin:
At the goblin:
** spoiler omitted **
So that's 10 for my attack then, and 14 for damage. I stated that i moved behind the snake in an attempt to flank it, btw.
At the Goblin:
At the Goblin:
At the River Runner:
I'm sorry , sir , but I would have to consult with my patron before revealing her identity . What I can tell you is she is a woman who has been wronged by this 'Splithog Pauper' and she is unable to kill him by her own means . She is paying us to deal with him . Given that the man is a rabid dog , we just wanted to know that by doing so , we would not cause any inconvenience to you . After all , the rumor says he has even offended you by attacking people under your protection and we would not dream of preempting your revenge against him if the rumor is right.
At the River Runner:
At the Goblin:
Hezekiah mutters a small word of blessing and insight and touches Jagor, who blinks with newfound awareness as he begins to drag Samaritha away from the confrontation between the Makoa and the snake.
The snake lashes out again, and this time its fangs find purchase on the half-orc's flesh. The wound is seemingly minor , but begins to swell alarmingly almost at once.
Clifford doesn't let any alarm appear on his face while replying
" Sir, I'm quite aware of the situation, thank you . If or when YOU were to employ us, you would expect us to be discreet and not to blab confidential information without your leave. As for my patron concern with the Pauper, it's a problem of rape and you must know that, in our sad world , the victim of such crime is often considered as guilty as the offender if known . "
At the Goblin:
At the River Runner:
At the Goblin: