Darkmeer's Shackled City PBP

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"Seerer, if you will indulge me, might I inquire as to when you were last in Tashulta? My friend is a junior priest there. You might have met him."
DM

Spoiler:

Sense Motive: 1d20+7=8
Guess I'm only gonna figure out this one through a strait lie.

[Darkmeer]

"Why, I was there for a festival about two years ago, but other than that I try to maintain my flock here, providing Talis readings and helping with the appointment of a few other priests. I have been here for about a year, a Savras, in his infinite wisdom, brought me here before the old priest's passing. May Savras guuide him."

Dolan takes another drink of his wine, and then speaks

"If I were you, I'd recommend getting some sleep this eve, as the hills are not very safe at night, given that there may be kobolds about. I hear that the halfling runs a nice inn, and her private rooms are nice. Unfortunately, due to the time of day, I will be communing with Savras' vision soon. If there is nothing else, I will need to be preparing."

All:

Spoiler:

Let me know if you are ready to proceed.

[Borden Alhurst]

"Actually, that Talis reading that you offered seems rather interesting, and though I am not one to take stock in such things, any help that you have in locating our contacts would be much appreciated," Borden jumps in with as much in oder to figure out what is up with this priest as his genuine interest in finding out the faite of their two contacts.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Tham snorts a little laugh when he hears his life summed up by the diviner.

"Apparently Mask's cloak is no longer drawn over his prodigal child," Tham says with a smirk.

To the DM:

Spoiler:

Ready to move on when everyone else is.

[Darkmeer]

"Well, I shall endeavor to help you with your talis reading. Is there a particular question you have for the wise Savras?" Dolan says as he sets his wine on a counter and begins shuffling a Talis deck you hadn't noticed before.

All:

Spoiler:

Sorry for the delay this week, it's been a bit harrowing at best...

[Darkmeer]

Dolan walks to a small table while shuffling the cards, and finishes the last of the shuffling, dealing out 5 cards on the table, face down. Each card is flipped from left to right (or your right to left looking at him). Each card is explained in turn.

"Well, sir, this card" Showing a card with a picture of a wide river through a valley "Shows that a path of action needs to be taken seriously, as well as moderation in actions. This may be a symbol of your past, but then again, it could show a path in the future."

Showing a card with a picture of a hanged man. "This is quite disconcerting, as this is a future path. This shows a symbol of death, perhaps by the ruling forces of this land itself!"

Showing a card with a picture of a keep "This is about imprisonment. Perhaps following with the above?"

Showing a card with a picture of an armored knight, holding some form of rod in his hand "This indicates exciting trip, and likely a long one to an exotic place far, far, away. Perhaps this shows a past path to here?"

Showing a card with a picture of a tree of cups. "This, the final card, indicates nothing is within your control, either in the past or in the future."

Dolan looks across the assembled cards, furrowing his brow for a long moment.
"Savras has granted quite a vision today, sir. Given the paths that show here, I would recommend staying somewhere very quiet, and avoid boisterous companions for they may get you into trouble that shows you as the one to blame. Perhaps even the scaled one there would be part of this, as many in this land do not trust scaled ones. This would be far from your ability to control."

Borden

Spoiler:

Something's just not right with the behavior. Dolan took a great deal of time deciding a final reading for you. Perhaps he is nervous, as he may not deal with adventurers often, but perhaps it is something more.

Dreav

Spoiler:

Knowledge: Religion check in spoiler please regarding the reading.

[Moonpate]

"Pah! I can find more useful divination at the bottom of my beer mug. Perhaps a knock to your head with my trusty cudgel can produce some better information than your rude implication of my scaled friend."

[Dreav Mistcaller]

DM

Spoiler:

Know(religion)1d20+5=10

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Tham laughs, "I should retire somewhere quiet if I don't want trouble? My friend, there isn't a place in Toril that the shadows don't follow me . . . but thank you for the advice."

[Darkmeer]

Dolan smiles at Moonpate's answer, and replies to both Tham and Moonpate

"Ahh, Savras grants me the vision to see beyond the scales. I shan't be bothering him directly. Only my words shall haunt the scaled one's dreams, for he may be your delightful group's undoing. Too bad, he's a good sort of fellow, too.
"As to that cudgel there, I believe I may be just as adept as you, fine wizard, so I would watch my tongue. I have taken vows against vengeful behavior, so do be so kind as to honor my vows."
Turning to Tham
"Mask watches from the shadows, this Savras teaches. Perhaps those same shadows will save you some day.

Now, if there is nothing else, I must prepare to commune with Savras' vision, do be so kind as to show yourselves out."

Dreav:

Spoiler:

Unless this is something regional, the Talis reading was done incorrectly.

[Borden Alhurst]

Getting tired of not being able to put his finger on this strange feeling he has about the entire situation, Borden rises as the cleric does, but instead of leaving, bluntly says, What is going on here priest? This whole dialog has been filled with evasions and half-truths. No point in denying it either, sniffing out these sort of things is my specialty. So come straight with us or by Tyr's wrinkled stump, I'll have your higher up come all the way from where ever he sits and sort out this entire mess out himself. Borden makes no agressive motion toward the man, but simple stands in a relaxed posture with his arms folded over his chest.

[Moonpate]

[ooc]Moonpate keeps his hand easy on his tankard for quick action and doesn't leave either. This whole side job up to this haeler stinks and he is tired of being afraid and frustrated.[ooc]

[Darkmeer]

"Savras himself provides me with nothing more than the tools you've seen. Perhaps divination isn't what you would call 'useful,' but the future is set and there's nothing you can do to change it. If I told you," Indicating Borden, his voice raising at each sentence "That your death shall come unexpectantly from an orc, would you believe me? Chances are that you would not. That is what I have to temper here. The reinforcements are coming to deal with the Kobolds. The two you seek are somewhere in the foothills right now. They are in danger, but not from the Kobolds. That part of the vision is unclear to me. Now, that I have broken my vows LEAVE ME BE!"

Dolan turns and begins walking towards the priests reflection area.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Tham leans over to Borden.

"I'd believe it if it was a big orc . . . ," Tham says as he winks.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"Good Dolan." pausing for emphasis. "Truely the Mists of Leirra bless you. You have spoken only truth. Your knowledge of the rites of Savras knows no fault." Glancing at his companions, "We should do as Dolan says."

[Darkmeer]

The door opens behind the party, and in walks a woman with dark hair and dark eyes. She moves with a confident grace, and acknowledges the cards still sitting on the table, as well as Dolan. Dolan is now sitting in a meditative state against the far wall, his back to the party.

"Hello Dolan, dear. I didn't know that you had a reading planned for this evening."
She says as she walks to the cards, passing the characters
"Oh my, such a bleak set of cards. I'm sorry, dear, I do know how much this sort of thing upsets you."
Almost as if she just realized she hasn't introduced herself, she smiles
"Hello, my name is Kindra, and you've obviously met Dolan. He's looking a little dour right now, isn't he."
she says in a teasing voice, as she looks over the cards. Her voice becomes much more serious as she looks across the cards.
"He always gets this way when the shadows come over someone he reads for. He tries to hide it all, tries to make them feel better, and explain off everything. He's a terrible liar, though. I'll bet he's already asked you to leave, huh. I'll ask the same, as very little, even me, comforts him once he sees something like the cards here."

[Borden Alhurst]

Eyeing the woman who has come in, Borden simply raises an eyebrow as he listens to what the woman has to say. Then, he chimes in with, "Well, not to cast a shadow over Dolan's character, but if you are gonna be a fortuneteller, I'd say it is best to start off with being able to tell people the bad news. Especially with a suspicious bunch like ourselves. I am Borden by the way, and thanks for the information Dolan. If it leads to our deaths, don't worry too much about it. You only tell us the information, we are the ones who act on it."

For any who feel they are perceptive

Spoiler:

Anyone observant would see that Borden is putting up a brave front in light of the possible news of his own death. No one likes to hear they are gonna die, no matter whether they believe in divinations or not

[Moonpate]

"Yeah, Dolan, don't worry yourself into such a false sense of despair. Your lady friend here might actually begin to question your potency. My lady, I must depart this house of obfuscation before I start believing that this town knows good beer and plain talk from orc swill and balderdash."
Moonpate bows slightly to the lady and moves to exit the building for fresh air and a gaze to the foothills that seem to be our next destination.

[Darkmeer]

Kyssta walks for the door, oddly quiet even for him, and he opens it for everyone, holding it open.

"Let's go guys. We could all use a rest after this."

The walk back to the haeler takes about 15 minutes, partially because it's getting darker, and partially due to the dour mood over everyone.

DM Note:

Spoiler:

The haeler is on the way to the foothills, let me know if you are going to the foothills this evening, or if you are waiting for morning.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For everyone:

Spoiler:

Nighttime doesn't worry Tham any, so I'm up for going whenever anyone else is.

[Moonpate]

Moonpate does not see well in the dark and would rather wait until the morn.

[Darkmeer]

We need one more vote for either night or staying in the inn before going further (borden? Dreav?), otherwise I'll have to flip a coin.

[Borden Alhurst]

"Seeing as how it is getting dark, I say we head back and get some supplies and a good nights sleep before heading into the foothills. I don't want to be stuck in the open, at night, when an attack suddenly comes." Borden says as he starts to head for the door. Before leaving though, Borden spins around and says, "Ma'am, I apologize for any grief or stress we might have caused you or Dolan, but you know how nervous us adventuring types can be."

[Darkmeer]

Getting into the Haeler at this hour proves slightly longer, thanks to Kysstaa, but otherwise everything goes smoothly once you arrive at the inn. There's nobody in the inn at this point, and Berene seems to be cleaining up after a 'dinner rush' of sorts. She smiles warmly at everyone and says.

"Welcome back, good sirs. I'm just cleaning up the mutton from dinner, but there's plenty for everyone if you'd like some. Will you all be staying this evening with us?"

[Dreav Mistcaller]

As the group walks back to the town, Dreav chews on his lip. Once a safe distance has been walked between themselves and the "Savrans," Dreav speaks, "By the mist. If that man is a Savran, then I am a cleric of Ogma. The rites were performed wrong, he hasn't performed the mandatory pilgrimage, and his holy symbol looks like it was altered from something else. By the mist." Breathing heavily, Dreav calms down. Hoping that he didn't overstep his vows to the mist.

[Moonpate]

"Dreav, for once, you and your mists make sense to me. This place reeks to the heavens of something foul. What should we do? That bogus Savran insulted Kystaa and gave Borden here the shakes with talk of impending death. What have we become involved in? If this so-called talis reader is false, then we may not want to blindly follow his tip on searching the foothills. He could be directing us into an ambush. Should we spy on this Dolan character and his companion? Do we have the means to compel the truth out of them, or discover it on our own? The tavern back at the haeler doesn't have enough beer to make me feel comfortable tonight."

[Borden Alhurst]

As they approach the haeler and negotiate their way back in, Borden finally responds to his companions comments. "I agree with you, there is something going on there, but my investigative talents can't seem to decypher what. I say we continue on for now. As for finding our contacts, we already know that they were headed to some rundown fort which is in the foothills if I remember correctly. The best we can do now is keep our eyes open for anything out of the ordinary and file it away for later. If these 'priests' end up being linked to whatever strange is going on here, then we will at least be on the look out for anything they might have planned. I say we get a good rest and prepare for looking for our mysterious contacts."

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Tham absently looks around at his companions.

"Well, if we aren't going to do any hunting tonight, we might as well rest up. I need my beauty rest, as I'm still not much of a morning person."

With that, Tham wanders off to his room, unless his companions need him for some reason.

[Darkmeer]

The inn remains quiet throughout the evening, and a letter, and each of you retires at their own time. The hin barkeep/innkeep begins admiring the unsuccessful trapper as he comes back from his hunt. He retires, early, as he must be off to his traps early in the morn. Kysstaa says he is retiring early as well, as he wants to get this over with as quick as possible to make it back to the caravan on time.

Kysstaa

Spoiler:

Once you are in your room for the evening, you hear a soft rap at your door. A note has been slipped under your door. Upon looking out your door, you see nobody in the hall, and hear nothing as well. Your note reads to meet west of town at a grove along the road at midnight and is unsigned.

Dreav

Spoiler:

Once you are in your room for the evening, you hear a soft rap at your door. A note has been slipped under your door. Upon looking out your door, you see nobody in the hall, and hear nothing as well.Your note reads to meet west of town at a grove along the road at 1am and is unsigned.

Borden

Spoiler:

Once you are in your room for the evening, you hear a soft rap at your door. A note has been slipped under your door. Upon looking out your door, you see nobody in the hall, and hear nothing as well.Your note reads to meet west of town at a grove along the road at 2am and is unsigned.

Tham

Spoiler:

Once you are in your room for the evening, you hear a soft rap at your door. A note has been slipped under your door. Upon looking out your door, you see nobody in the hall, and hear nothing as well.Your note reads to meet west of town at a grove along the road at 3am and is unsigned.

Moonpate

Spoiler:

Once you are in your room for the evening, you hear a soft rap at your door. A note has been slipped under your door. Upon looking out your door, you see nobody in the hall, and hear nothing as well.Your note reads to meet west of town at a grove along the road at 4am and is unsigned.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

Tham's always a bit restless trying to sleep at night. He can do it, but he's a restless sleeper. He's actually a bit excited to get a chance to do something under the cover of darkness.

Tham throws on his armor, straps on his pata, and activates his stance. Also, he's going about an hour early, and he's going to sneak into the area, hoping to get a look at whomever might be asking for the meeting before they get a look at him.

Stealth check 13 + 7 = 20

[Borden Alhurst]

Borden looks around quizzically before reading the note. After digesting the notes contents, he heads over to Moonpates room and gives it a solid knock, his investigative mind already finding out what is going on. There was no way that he was gonna go out to the middle of the woods at night without a bit of back-up.

[Moonpate]

Moonpate, still bleary eyed, welcomes Borden in and certainly agrees that he is going nowhere by himself. He takes a fortifying swig from his bedtime beer jug and recommends getting the whole group up to meet. Also, he asks Borden if he can glean from the note any clues: such as possible gender or race from the writing.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

Once Tham hears any commotion, he heads out the window to set up his vantage point on the meeting spot. He'll scrawl a note that indicates that he has an assignation if he can scrounge the material, but if not, he just heads out.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

The mists hide much. Walking to Moonpate's room Dreav sees that someone else has received a note. "Moonpate, I thought this a funny note. Perhaps a midnight romantic meeting?"

[Darkmeer]

Dreav, Kysstaa, Moonpate, and Borden

Spoiler:

Knocking on Tham's door yields no reaction, and Kysstaa, worried that some trouble may be afoot, opens the door himself. The window is open, and there is a small scrap of paper on the table: "Have errand, will be back later. --Tham" is what is written on it.
DM as Kysstaa Kysstaa raises his eyebrow, at Dreav's comment, which is odd seeing as Kysstaa doesn't have any hair on his eyebrow.
Judging by the rest of your notes, each of you was invited to the same location every hour, except 3 am, which you assume was the hour intended for Tham. Unfotunately, the quality of the paper makes it difficult to tell which gender made the writing (sorry Borden). what do you want to do?

Tham

Spoiler:

It's actually about 11:00 PM, do you want to go to the rendezvous point this early?

[Moonpate]

"We would be fools, or Tham apparently, to go to these supposed meetings in turn, alone. I for one have no intention of doing that. I say we get there now, in case Tham and his shadows need our help and to confront our mysterious messenger, who seems to think we are indeed fools." Moonpate takes two more swigs from his nighttime beer jug.

[Darkmeer]

Kysstaa, Moonpate, Dreav, and Borden:

Spoiler:

DM as Kysstaa "Agreed, Moonpate is right. Let us not allow our companion to fall due to such foolishness."

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

I'll be more than happy to create a perch to watch the area for a few hours. Tham's more of a night owl, and caravan duty has been dulling his night time skills.

[Borden Alhurst]

"I say we get going soon if we want to scope out the area, everyone get ready fast and meet down in the lobby in 5 minutes. Then we will head out." Borden said with determination in his voice as he heads back to his room and simply dons his leathers and grabs his things, before heading down to the inn lobby to wait for the others.

[Darkmeer]

Thammarazs Hovaraszk wrote:

For the DM:

** spoiler omitted **

Tham:

Spoiler:

You will need a stealth roll, a perception roll, and (possibly) an initiative roll if things go very poorly.

[Darkmeer]

Everyone except Tham:

Spoiler:

Borden Alhurst wrote:

"I say we get going soon if we want to scope out the area, everyone get ready fast and meet down in the lobby in 5 minutes. Then we will head out." Borden said with determination in his voice as he heads back to his room and simply dons his leathers and grabs his things, before heading down to the inn lobby to wait for the others.

DM As Kysstaa "Agreed. I'll be glad to be ready in just a moment" /DM as Kysstaa.

The group of the four is ready within minutes, although not quite as fast as Borden would like. The night is chilled, and the air is thick with the sounds of crickets and other insects.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

Stealth roll 18 + 7 = 25

Perception roll 13 + 5 = 18

Initiative roll 18 + 4 = 22

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"Agreed." Dreav adjusts his equipment and readies for the late night.

[Darkmeer]

Tham:

Spoiler:

You arrive at the appointed location. You see Otis surrounded by a group of Kobolds bearing weapons. They do not seem to have seen you at this point. You will have a surprise round if you so choose to attack.

Everyone Else:

Spoiler:

The night is dark, and the town is quite shocked that you want out of the gate. They allow it, but advise you that you'll only be allowed in one more time this evening, as they do not want to invite any more bad company than they already have, not particularly implicating Kyssta this time. Once you are out, it takes a few minutes to get your bearings, but otherwise, the walk is quiet.
On the trail, what is your order, and are there any special precautions or things your character will be doing?

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

1. Can I get close enough for a melee attack in the surprise round?

2. I am, on the weird off chance, going to wait and make sure the kobolds are hostile before I start slitting throats.

3. If they do look aggressive, but he isn't in immediate danger, I'll wait for a few seconds to see if a kobold gets near enough for me to take out with a melee attack.

[Darkmeer]

Thammarazs Hovaraszk wrote:

For the DM:

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

Definitely NOT hostile. Seemingly making plans of some sort.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Darkmeer wrote:

Thammarazs Hovaraszk wrote:

For the DM:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

In that case, I'm going to wait a listen for a bit, assuming they are speaking Common (or Rashemi, which would surprise the hell out of me).

If I see my companions, coming, however, I'm going to attack before any of them are in range for a potential ambush.

Do I need to make a perception check to eavesdrop? And do I ned to make a separate one to keep an ear open for my companions, just in case they show up early?

[Darkmeer]

Tham:

Spoiler:

You can hear them fairly well, and once it gets closer to 10:00 PM, you see that they all begin moving to hiding places near Otis. It's about that time that you hear your companions, but they are a couple of minutes out from your position. Nobody seems to have heard them yet. For you, 3 of the 6 kobolds cannot hide, as you were able to follow them, but the other three are unknown to you. Otis, on the other hand, is not hiding at all. At this point, the time is 9:55 PM

Everyone else

Spoiler:

The time is 9:55pm.
Everyone is prepared for some sort of rendezvous, and the clearing is just a couple of minutes ahead. Kysstaa volunteers for point, unless someone else wants it. At this point, the Marching Order I'm using is:
Kysstaa, Borden, Moonpate, Dreav. Let me know if this is okay. What does everyone do to prepare for the meeting? Are you going in believing in hostilities, or are you going in openly?

[Moonpate]

Moonpate is thinking that this is all very bizarre and doesn't make sense if whoever wants to meet us individually is planning an ambush. And yet, why ask to meet us in turn, alone during the "witching" hours. Better safe than sorry, so Moonpate will keep one hand on his stein for quick spell casting.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

If its possible, as soon as I see my friends, and they are about to be sprung upon, if its possible, I'd like to punch one of the kobolds in the back of the head with my pata and yell, "Six kobolds lying in wait!"

If I can't reach any of the kobolds to announce the trap more dramatically, then I'll just wait until my friends get close and yet "Its a trap."

I've been running too much Star Wars . . .