Robin's Taldoran campaign

[Adjunta Paul]

"your cooperation is appreciated," until tomorrow then, "I believe we can show ourselves out."

Adjunta turns for the door but stops if the wizard interjects. Once outside Adjunta starts walking very quickly.

"That was interesting," Adjunta says, "we'd better find the others. I think I may have discovered another important part of the puzzle."

[robin]

Given the time this took , Vivaeris has still not begin her show when you arrive at the inn

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Halsanna however, was sitting at a nearby table looking rather disgruntled. She had, after all, hustled back to the inn to get her gear, checked to make sure that her sister had not left anything, and then started back at a hustle, anticipating something other than the walking and talking that had been going on just for a change of pace. Her surprise at meeting her uncle and sister on their way back, declaring the day done, was only overshadowed by her annoyance. So she then marched her way back to the inn, removed the majority of her armor and equipment, and went back down into the common room to linger until it was time for her sister's show.

For lack of anything better to do, she was maintaining the edge on her kukri, one boot up on the table with a mug in front of her. For the most part, she seemed to be just biding her time.

[Amunrel]

Halsanna Firdraes wrote:

Halsanna however, was sitting at a nearby table looking rather disgruntled. She had, after all, hustled back to the inn to get her gear, checked to make sure that her sister had not left anything, and then started back at a hustle, anticipating something other than the walking and talking that had been going on just for a change of pace. Her surprise at meeting her uncle and sister on their way back, declaring the day done, was only overshadowed by her annoyance. So she then marched her way back to the inn, removed the majority of her armor and equipment, and went back down into the common room to linger until it was time for her sister's show.

For lack of anything better to do, she was maintaining the edge on her kukri, one boot up on the table with a mug in front of her. For the most part, she seemed to be just biding her time.

"So no sign of your uncle then?" Amunrel asks settling down beside her with a flagon of ale.

"Still it should be interesting to see your fella's reaction to Vi's performance though!" he sighs.
"Hope that pair don't get into too much trouble without us, after all they can't have all the fun for themselves!" he mutters to the now glaring Halsanna.
"Yes? Oh are they here then?" he asks turning to look towards the entrance and then look back before realising who Halsanna is glaring at.
"What? Oh right he's Vi's boyfriend, sorry keep forgetting that niggling detail," he smiles back unperturbed.
"Hope your dad's okay, I really don't trust that family of his in some ways they make even my side of the family look almost benevolent in comparison!" he sighs again before taking asip from his flagon.

[Ewald Salodar]

rearrange these words to describe Amrunels current situation..hole deeper a digging

Wondering what it is Adjunta has discovered Ewald follows the priest back to the Inn glad to get indoors and pay homage to his god in the best way ppossible..by having fun.

Unfortunately his good cheer is halted instantly by the look he gets from Halsanna..

"Err..sorry about that I really thought we were going to see some action today..oh well theres always tomorrow..another drink?"

[Adjunta Paul]

"I require food and drink," Adjunta tells one of the waitresses as he enters, "please bring them to that table over there." Adjunta says indicating the table Halsanna sits at.

Adjunta joins the fighter and her roguish uncle. He waves over anyone involved with the investigation (including young Ned) so he won't need to repeat himself.

"So Ewald and I went to Estorian's tower in hopes of resolving this problem for Ned here. We met a young man who failed to introduce himself but whom I initially took as some sort of assistant. The young man brought us in and then went to summon his master . . . and then assumed the form of Estorian and rejoined us. I can only assume it was the form of Estorian, I've never met the man before, but I believe this is an important part of our puzzle! I'll give everyone a moment to allow this revilation to sink in."

Adjunta sits back in his seat but doesn't really pause. The priest is rather exited about the latest revaluation and wants to discuss the possibilities immediately.

"It always seemed strange for a mage of Estorian's caliber would need a familiar but now, assuming this fellow would have the gall to assume Estorian's form in Estorian's own tower . . . well why not assume the master's guise and order some familiars? But this is only speculation on my part, I have no idea who this fellow is, he might not actually be an apprentice at all."

[Amunrel]

"Interesting..." Amunrel sits upright as he listens to Adjunta much more closely than before.

"From the description I thought Estorian was some kind of evoker, you know the flash and loud explosive type of spellcaster. Could he or his apprentice be more of the illusion type wizard?" he asks.

"A sibling or was that... never mind but do we actually know if Estorian is actually in town or is this some clever con by someone posing as him?" Amunrel asks.

"Question is, is there anyone else in town who knows him well enough to know more details about him, didn't you say something about visiting another mage any chance did he say anything about Estorian?" Amunrel asks Adjunta.

[Ewald Salodar]

"We will have to go back to the sherrif in the morning with this theory you know...he will no doubt want to be in on the case if there is the possibility of foul play involved"

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Halsanna (ever the soul of courtesy) did, at least, stop sharpening her knife when her uncle joined her at the table, sheathing it along her leg and leaning her elbows on the table. She most definitely was still disappointed at nothing happening, but it was for the best, most likely. Everyone could take care of themeselves, she was sure, but she would rather not see 'Vae hurt just because she was spoiling for a fight. With a shake of her head, she dismissed those thoughts and directed a look towards her uncle before he caught himself.

Likewise, Ewald got a bit of a look when he came in, but forgave him with a brief gesture of her hand, as if to say "-forget about it." She did move her chair over to make room for Adjunta and Ned, giving the lad a smile and ruffle of his hair. From what Adjunta had said, recapping what transpired at the wizard's tower, it was likely there was going to be another day of talking tomorrow.

As things progressed, she found herself glancing between Ewald and her sister, trying to picture the two of them together.

[robin]

While you decide what to do on the morning , I've got a question for Vivaeris . Wgat kind of show will she ge giving ?

[Adjunta Paul]

Bump

[Wellard]

Robin I have no idea what has happened to Valkyrie..there have been no posts in ages..there was a family tragedy and then Val just vanished

[Amunrel]

Whoa! hope Valkyrie and her family are okay

[robin]

Yes I knew Valkyrie had problems but I did not know it was this important . I just hope she is all right .
So what are your plans for tomorrow morning ?

[Amunrel]

Let Adunta and Ewald discuss what they want to do but if there's any suspicion regarding their new contact then Amunrel would want to come along next time to see for himself thats unless they want to do something before tomorrow morning but that might put them in the sheriff's bad books...

[Adjunta Paul]

Ewald Salodar wrote:

"We will have to go back to the sheriff in the morning with this theory you know...he will no doubt want to be in on the case if there is the possibility of foul play involved"

"Foul play?" Adjunta muses, "perhaps, but I think this is more likely a crime of opportunity. As criminal undertakings go, this is hardly something sinister enough to kill over. I should remind you that identity theft and robbery are no petty crimes. I would think the sheriff will want to look into this regardless.

"I suspect, and this is only guess work on my part, but I suspect that the wizard has gone away for a fortnight and our young impostor thought to take advantage of this absence. Supposing it were something more sinister I doubt we'll find anyone waiting for us tomorrow."

Adjunta thinks for a moment.

"The magic he used was quite basic, lending credibility to the apprentice theory, but I believe there might be magical items capable of creating a similar effect. A familiar was stolen, which again lends itself to the apprentice theory, but I suppose there are other uses for a viper . . ."

Adjunta closes his eyes for a moment.

"No," he finally says, "I think at this time I like the apprentice theory. However I don't think this spell would work all day. Perhaps he prepared it more then once or perhaps he has a magical item to cast it for him."

[Ewald Salodar]

Ewald nods slowly at Adjunta's words...

"Aye..it sounds plausible enough..some young man with ideas above his station and ability...so do we just confront him outright or do we try for something more subtle..like occupying his attention until the spell runs out..and what if he has his Masters magics to call upon..powerful stuff I mean, wands and rods "

[robin]

So the morning come What are you doing ?

[Amunrel]

"So we're off to see the evil wizard... we're off to see the wizard's evil apprentice... no that just doesn't have the same ring to it now does it?" Amunrel asks the others.

Some of them don't answer but look a little stone faced.

"Okay so maybe I don't have my niece's voice but it is quite apt don't you think?" Amunrel sighs as they then decide whether to bother go anywhere at least anywhere with a certain elf...

Do i bother making an untrained Perform/Sing check?

[Adjunta Paul]

"We should visit the sheriff first," Adjunta says, "explain to him what we've discovered. Then we shall need to engineer a way to need both the apprentice and the faux mage together at the same time. It's the quickest and easiest way to prove he's been playing two people at the same time."

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Halsanna had a polite smile on her face that was leaning more towards 'suppressed giggles' as she gave a good morning hug to her uncle and his fair-enough rendition of a song. "~Good Morning Uncle~," she said in the lilting tones of elvish, gracing the rest of the table with a smile and polite nod, even Ewald. A bowl of porridge was in her hands as she took a seat at the table, having just come from the entryway to the kitchen. Adjunta suggested going to see the sheriff first, and she nodded agreement with him, eating neatly. As she finished her spoonful, she looked up at Adjunta, with a glance at Ewald.

[Amunrel]

Just to let you know because I'm moving home in a few weeks (october 19th or so) I'll be unable to post for maybe a couple of weeks until I can back online. This is in case i'm not able to give better warning closer to the time as i don't know how long it'll take to get back online

"Sure lets fetch the sheriff, if anything it might help to make things legitimate, but didn't you do that yesterday?" Amunrel asks.

[Ewald Salodar]

"Ah but we didn't know then what we know now..though personally I think we should wrap this up and then tell the sherrif...if it is an apprentice he should be no real problem..should he?..not against 5 off us.."

Ewald turns to Halsanna..

"I take it your sister is a late riser then?"

Either that or she's run away again

[Amunrel]

Ewald Salodar wrote:

"Ah but we didn't know then what we know now..though personally I think we should wrap this up and then tell the sherrif...if it is an apprentice he should be no real problem..should he?..not against 5 off us.."

Ewald turns to Halsanna..
"I take it your sister is a late riser then?"
Either that or she's run away again

"She could always be having after performance jitters you know!" Amunrel defends his absent niece.

[Halsanna Firdraes]

It was too early in the morning for a tongue lashing. It really was. Halsanna had been enjoying the porridge and to hear Ewald be so presumptuous of her sister-- if looks could kill, he would have been barbeque'd on the spot. There was a second that the tension hung in the air, just that split-second from an explosion before it drained away like water and she looked back to the bowl in her hands with a sigh. The bowl was put back on the table, the spoon gently placed beside it, and Halsanna moved her hands to her lap, likely more to keep from trying to throttle him than any display of Manners.

"It is possible, sir Salodar," she said sweetly, a little too sweetly, as there was undoubtedly no small amount of heat lurking under the sugarcoating. "My sister tries to make her shows the best they can be." She was looking at her hands as she spoke, only glancing up at him near the end of that statement. Even her look was mild, controlled. "Perhaps I will go check on her." She gave polite looks to her Uncle, and Adjunta. "Please excuse me."

With that, she rose somewhat gracefully, and made her way back up towards their room, presumably to check up on her still-sleeping sister.

[Adjunta Paul]

"But of course," Adjunta says, standing as the young lady leaves, then he turns to the men, "No I'm afraid I can't agree with that course of action. This fellow is a tricky one, suppose he should talk to the sheriff first somehow. We need to let the sheriff know about what we've discovered so that we can prevent duplicity. Believe me, as someone who's entire family works in the civil service, I know better then anyone that we need to follow the proper channels."

[robin]

Halsanna enters the room of her sister and tries to raise her are only met with groans and wishes to leave her alone to die . It might just be possible that Vivaeris has an mighty hangover there .
That's the danger of being a bard and having drinks being pressed on you by your assistance . some might be stronger than you thought . It's also an easy way for me to deal with vivaeris absence for the moment

I 'll go with the majority there
When you go to the sheriff and explains the situation , he looks unhappy with himself
"Damn , I should have thought of Balgoran !" He then explains 'He is indeed the apprentice of the mage. If I might suggest something , you and us should go separetely to Estorion's house and asks to see him . I doubt Balgoran will be able to duplicate himself ."

[Amunrel]

robin wrote:

When you go to the sheriff and explains the situation , he looks unhappy with himself

"Damn , I should have thought of Balgoran !" He then explains 'He is indeed the apprentice of the mage. If I might suggest something , you and us should go separetely to Estorion's house and asks to see him . I doubt Balgoran will be able to duplicate himself ."

"Sounds like a fine idea," Amunrel nods to Ewald.

[Ewald Salodar]

As you wish Sherrif...the misuse of magic is a serious business and I'm sure the colleges of magic have their own penalties for those who abuse it..but theft and assault are what concern us here...how do you wish to proceed if we manage to secure evidence?"

[robin]

If we find evidence which may be difficult , I'll arrest Balgoran and damn the consequences

[Adjunta Paul]

"There is the possibility of finding the viper," Adjunta says, "That would be a damning piece of evidence."

[robin]

Since there is no new comment , I'll move on

You go to Estorion's house but despite ringing the bell thrice , no one comes to open .
So what do you do ?

[Adjunta Paul]

"Do you suppose he's made a run for it," Adjunta quietly muses, "Perhaps our trackers should have a look around the tower and see if anything is amiss."

[Ewald Salodar]

"Aye I'll have a look" Ewald nods and sets off to check around the building.

Survival to track 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Ewald concentrates so hard on discovering any tracks that everything else is blanked out

[Amunrel]

"So is that door warded?" Amunrel asks curiously as he steps forwards and knocks solidly on the door.

Perception check for traps:
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"So does he leave a key under to doormat?" Amunrel asks as he looks around the door before taking a step back to look up and see if there's any windows or parapets on this wizard's dwelling and whether he could climb up it before wondering about whether thats actually a good idea.

[robin]

The wizard actually live in a townhouse with a small enclosure around it . You can determine someone has left the house this morning but you lose his tracks in the street ( Very hard ground and many people have been passing in the street since )

[Ewald Salodar]

can I tell how heavy the person who left was...would it suggest a man the size of the wizard we met lastnight or someone lighter. Also are there any distinguishing marks in case i come across the same footprints later

[robin]

[ooc] The person who left was wearing boots and was of medium size . You thinh you could recognize the tracks he left. But the "wizard" you met was wearing indoor slippers so you can not know if if was the same person "

[robin]

After a time the sheriff arrives . when appraised of the situation , he tells you he will see if the apprentice was seen leaving the town and leave you

So what are you doing now ?

[Adjunta Paul]

"Just a moment sir," Adjunta says to the sheriff, "there is still the matter of our missing wizard. I would like to check inside to ensure there has been no foul play. I believe young Ewald said he found tracks leaving the building and we have had no response from knocking. Perhaps something is up. With your permission Sheriff we should have a quick look inside."

[Ewald Salodar]

"Aye it would be remiss of us if we tried to hunt down the apprentice whilst the Master starved to death in his own house..."

[robin]

The sheriff stops in his tracks and says
" You are right . We hould first determine if Estorion is home "
With this he proceeds to pound the door for several minutes
After this , you hear a voice coming from nowhere
"Sheriff , what is the meaning of this and who are these people surrounding you ? "

[Adjunta Paul]

"Good afternoon sir," Adjunta says, "might we have a moment of your time?"

[robin]

The sheriff says 'Morning , Sir , could we speak to you about your apprentice ? "
A moment of silence
The voice "very well. You don't seem to be under influence . With this the door opens . Please enter and explain the purpose of your visit "

[Adjunta Paul]

"You do not recognize me I take it," Adjunta says.

[robin]

Apart from the fact you are a bankteller of Abadar of fourth rank and have the symbol of rightfull accounting , no ...

[Adjunta Paul]

"Interesting," Adjunta says, "I met a fellow yesterday, who claimed to be you, looked like you, and who agreed to meet with me here today. I suspect that your apprentice is no longer here? Perhaps he recently resigned?"

[robin]

Kindly desist from this tactic . State your case plainly rather than by fragments .

[Adjunta Paul]

"It is just as I have stated," Adjunta says, "someone claiming to be you invited my companions and I back today to discuss a criminal matter. As you may or may not know, you ordered a selection of familiars from a merchant in the next town, but sadly that shipment was robbed. One of the creatures was stolen and the rest set free. We have been looking into the matter and you should be pleased to know that all but two of the creatures have been recovered. Yesterday we came to inform you of the misfortune that your shipment had suffered and naturally we thought to ask you of who would might dare disrupt your business. I now suspect that you have no more knowledge of this shipment then you do of our previous meeting. But please allow me to continue.

"I detected some duplicity," Adjunta says tapping his nose, "When your assistant went to fetch you he chose not to accompany back into the room. Your voice was quite similar to your apprentice's and when I clasped your hand I discovered that your hand was younger and much smoother then it appeared. I of course speak of illusion. You don't recognize us because we have never met. It was your assistant who played your part yesterday. The question I was unsure of yesterday was why would he lie? You'll forgive the intrusion but we needed to ensure that you were alive and well, and I do hope you'll allow us a few moments of your precious time. There are a few facts we need clearing up."

Adjunta allows the wizard a moment to process the information.

"The first and most daunting question is: where is your assistant? I believe he is the prime suspect in this matter."

[Ewald Salodar]

Ewald adopts a look of studied disinterest...The mage sounds arrogant and bombastic..in truth a typical nobleman of his generation.