Tarlane's CotCT


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Liberty's Edge

Fortune

Spoiler:
Having just recently returned to Korvosa with the intention of righting the most grievous of your childhood wrongs and feeling confident that Desna herself encourages your quest, it is easy to build a great deal of hope. It is also easy to feel it dwindle, however.

After a week spent within the city looking for leads that could guide you to Gaedren, nothing has yet panned out. The guard, while clearly aware of him, don't keep tabs on him as he is a small fish in the overall scheme of the city. The populace simply seems to know enough to stay away from him, and not much more.

But even as despair begins to set in that perhaps your mission isn't so blessed after all, a child brushes past you in the street and then quickly darts down an alley. Certain it was a pickpocket, you turn to follow, but cannot find the child again. When you check yourself over to ensure that nothing was stolen, you find a small Harrow card tucked into your belt. The face of the card is an image of a unicorn.

On the reverse, is written:

I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as
well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Another like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.

Shadowleaf

Spoiler:
Traveling into human cities is always a culture shock from your time among elves or living in the wilds, and Korvosa much more so then most. The city itself is awash in humanity, bustling with those from all walks of life.

You find few suspicious glances here, Korvosans live as if they have seen it all, throwing as much prejudices towards each other as they do elves, though you do get the occasional wink from a noblewoman passing by. A quick inquiry is enough to give you the hint that elves seem to have a reputation for romance in this town.

You had hoped to find what you sought here, but it soon becomes clear that in this mass of people such a feat may be impossible, there are simply too many men here to find one, especially when you don't know exactly what you are searching for, even knowing that one could really be anywhere in Varisia.

Just as you begin to give up hope and move to search in easier grounds, you are brushed past by a child on the street who quickly sprints behind some boxes. Sure it is a pickpocket you give chase, but turning the same corner you find nothing. Giving yourself a quick patdown to ensure nothing is lost, you find a harrow card tucked into your belt. It has an image of a juggler on the face, with some text on the back.

The crime lord Gaedren took long ago what you now seek. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Another like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf will whistle back his hound from the alley and proceed to the temple of Desna(or other good diety) and ask for directions to 3 Lancet St., after a small donation of 3 sp. Then he will pray at the altar, giving thanks to the god or goddess for guiding him through his long and arduous hunt, and asks again that he be allowed to redeem himself as a father. "I failed his mother, let me not fail him."


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune prays for forgiveness for his despair. He should have had more faith in Desna. On the way to the address he will stop and use the last of his gold to buy a dagger. A dagger bought with the express purpose of killing a man. Inside Fortune, a small part of his soul cried. While Gaedron was an evil man who deserved his fate, Fortune's purpose was not entirely good. He wanted to kill the man for selfish and evil reasons. Ignoring that little inner voice, the dagger is bought and the journey begun.

Fortune will head straight for 3 Lancet Street and after looking around, will knock on the door (or enter if that is appropriate).


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

On arrival at the address, Shadowleaf will find a secluded place (Stealth +7) to observe the location and set his dog to guard his back. He could still hear his old master's voice intone, "Knowledge is power young one, observe, contemplate, then act." At sunset, or if something interesting happens, he will enter (with his dog).

Liberty's Edge

Fortune

Spoiler:
A knock at the door doesn't return any sort of response from within, and when you give a small push it proves to be unlocked.

I put the description of the room below for both of you. When you first step inside, there is a note sitting upon the table, propped up against the basket.

Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.

Shadowleaf

Spoiler:
Just as the sun begins to set a young Varisian half-elf arrives at the house. He knocks and waits a moment before pushing open the door and stepping inside. I'm assuming you move to enter just after, so I am putting the inside description for you both below. If you have any other preparations you wish to make after seeing someone else enter, let me know.

The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune will order Rufus (his guard dog)to a corner to sit. Then he will nervously play with his scarf (the bladed one) while he looks around, trying not to think about what he wants to do and rationalizing it as "The right thing to do." Theological and moral argument mix with fundamental emotions like anger and fear to make his mind a confused mess. He looks at the card again, that helps him focus on the task at hand and avoid the cold, unfamiliar weight of the dagger on his hip.

If and when the elf does enter, Fortune won't notice until Rufus alerts to his presence. Keeping control, Fortune will pull out his card, "Are you the one who sent me this".


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf and a dog enter the room, keeping a wary eye on the halfelf he goes to table and reads the note. "Had to step out for a bit", how convenient. This smells like a trap, he thinks. Responding with a "No, grunt" to the halfelf's question. He will check behind all the tapestries for doors. When he has found all the obvious exits and is satisfied with the tactical situation, he will sit with his back to a wall where he can watch all the exits. He will keep 1 hand on his polearm as he sits there with the dog beside him.

Liberty's Edge

Giving the room a quick once-over doesn't reveal anything that seems very suspicious. There are no doors hidden behind the tapestries and a quick peek through the only obvious door in the room just shows a small bedroom. That room holds no other exits beyond a small window that anything larger then a halfling or a child would have difficulty squeezing through.

Just going to give your characters a moment to introduce each other. It looks like you have potential to be the quiet types, however, so if your characters are just going to eye each other and stay silent, let me know and I'll move on. Give me an idea of what you might be up to for say the next 15 minutes or so, whether you just sit or eat or snoop more thoroughly or whatever.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune will move over to Rufus and pat him on the head to let him know everything is alright. The newcomer is obviously not from Korvosa, or any city probably. "So you must be the other." Talking helped him take his mind off his internal turmoil. "My name is Fortune and this is Rufus. So your here to go after Lamm? It's about time he paid for his crimes. You not from around here? I just got into town a few days ago, I am following a dream from Desna. That's what I do, I'm a traveling healer of Desna. Do you have a card? I got a unicorn, cool huh." He finds himself nervously rambling on and on, and just can't seem to stop.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

When asked about his card, Shadowleaf will flip it out in front of Fortune's face, "Yes". After the nervous young halfelf runs himself out, Shadowleaf will glance over in the corner and nod, "Nice dog."


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune will ramble on about how he found Rufus and his master and his time learning magic, but carefully stay away from talking about Gaedran and the current situation. He doesn't want to think about what he wants to do and how it might not be exactly what Desna has in mind.

After phoning Pat/Shadowleaf
Shadowleaf will make 1 word comments at appropriate intervals while keeping a careful watch out for an ambush. Otherwise we can continue on.

Liberty's Edge

After perhaps 20 minutes of uncomfortable smalltalk, the front door of the building swings open and a lovely middle aged Varisian woman enters. She wears somewhat shabby clothes that are dyed with various colors and a bright bandana wraps up her dark hair. A small smile touches her face when she sees you both, though there is an obvious sadness behind her eyes. She moves smoothly over to the table, taking a seat and motioning for you both to come closer and sit with her. As she walks she shuffles a deck of cards somewhat compulsively, sliding them back and forth between her hands.

"Greetings to you both. Fortune and Shadowleaf, correct? It pleases me that you both have come." She nods to each of you then pauses. "I apologize, I should introduce myself, I am Zellara. As you likely have gathered, it was I who have called you here. It truly is good you have come, and thank you for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see—a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal."

"You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my Harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son."

"I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my Harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures."

"And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest him—what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay.”

She pauses then at the end of her words, looking to each of you as if trying to judge your thoughts.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Unconsciously touching the dagger, Fortune listens politely to the woman. When she finishes he jumps to his feet and declares, "Madam, my path is clear, I will aid you in this. Lamm has destroyed too many lives and now must pay for his crimes. If the law can't do this, then I will. Thank you for your assistance, it has given me, I mean us, the crucial clue. That bastard will not see the sun rise again if I have anything to do about it." Yeah, Fortune is just a little impulsive and overly dramatic, but then, his emotions are on a knifes edge. Finally, revenge will be mine, he thinks.

Much like in OOTS, I keep forgetting to mention my raven familiar. I figure he follows me and watches my back. Now, he is outside watching for approaching threats. I will try to remember to reference him more.

Liberty's Edge

I know it is hard to keep track of all of those things. If you want to try and give me general things that I can assume if you don't say otherise, then I can keep track of that stuff. Things like listening to doors before you open them in dungeons, where your animals will be unless you are guiding them somewhere else, normal marching order, ect.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf will politely stand when the woman enters. Not only is it courteous, but it allows him a better opportunity to attack if it is an ambush. Then, in reply to her question, a simple "Yes, even the best hound occasionally needs help." Then under his breath he mutters in elven, "This night Lamm dies" as his off hand caresses his kukri.

Liberty's Edge

Zellara nods her head at your answers, a small smile touching her face with a hint of hope showing in her eyes. She sits back and begins to shuffle the cards again.

"My abilities with the Harrow are what led me to find each of you. I listen to the music of the city, but my cards guide me well. Perhaps they will do the same for you. Would you care for a harrowing?" She smiles a bit for a moment at that. "Free of charge, of course."


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune give her a slight bow, "The Gods and world speak to us in many ways. Desna speaks through dreams and magic can speak through your deck. Please, I would be honored if you would do this." He looks at Shadowleaf to see if he is in agreement, noticing how he is handling his weapon. With a guilty start he pulls his hand from the dagger and then politely sits down and pays close attention to what the future might hold.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf nods, "As Desna wills" and sits back down, motioning to the dog to lay down.

Liberty's Edge

The woman shuffles through the cards again for a moment, drawing out nine of the cards without even seeming to look at them. She spreads them face down across the table, motioning for each of you to choose one.

"This represents yourself, it ties in particularly into your own destiny."

I'm going to assume that you play along with this part, so I can post up the whole harrowing in one shot.

Fortune, you flip over your card and see an image of a peacock staring back at you. She considers the card evenly, her eyes half closed as she does the reading, keeping her own emotion out of the moment. "The peacock speaks of a change within you, likely one that seems to come suddenly, just as the bird itself can grow beautiful by simply fanning its tail, or plain again by hiding it. There is no necessity of good or evil in this change, it simply indicates an altering of your outlook."

Shadowleaf, you flip over a card that shows a murder of crows flapping across its face, however it faces away from you when you turn it over. Zellara nods a bit at this, unable to help but a small smile touching her face. "The crows are normally a dark sign, which indicates the loss of an item or a loved one. But its inversion is a good sign. It says that thievery can be stopped."

Flipping the two cards back over and shuffling the nine back into the deck, Zellara mixes the entire deck again, laying out nine more cards face down in a grid. She motions down the left-hand column, then the middle and the right. "This column speaks of your past, this your present, then this your future." She then motions across the top row, then the middle, then the bottom. "The top row speaks of the positive aspects of these times, the middle those that even fate cannot show clearly if it is good or ill, and the bottom row shows the darkness that may be coming.

Moving down the left hand column, she flips the cards one after another, showing first a man playing a trumpet, then what looks like a fair, and then two identical men standing beside one another.

"Hm, the past shows oddly, it is difficult to make out, but I can tell you what the cards speak to me. The trumpet speaks of a declaration of power, this I suspect may have to do with the shift in power we have had in our own city recently. It is perfectly aligned, and this shows it will have a great influence on your lives. The carnival speaks of illusions or false dreams. You must be careful not to be led astray by falsehoods. The final card is that of the twin. This speaks of duality of identity or purpose. This can mean someone is feigning their role, but it can also speak of possession or domination."

She then moves, flipping down the central row. She frowns as the cards begin to show, the first what looks like a mass of spiked vines winding through a skull, the next what looks like a man of katapesh leading a wagon, the last a heap of rotting bodies.

"This... This is dark. The present looks as if it can be a harsh one, little light shows in it, but for perhaps this..." She points at the man leading the wagon. "The unclear present is the foreign trader. It is strongly aligned, and I believe it may speak of our meeting here. It speaks of an informative pact or meeting that can lead to growth. However the rest... The tangled briar should be the positive present, but unfortunately it is misaligned. It is a dark card, that shows old evils rising to endanger the present. And the negative future is truly that. Also perfectly aligned, this card is the sickness. Disease of the body and the soul is among us now, and with its match, it is powerful indeed."[/b]

Finally, she moves to flip the last row of cards. She shows what looks like a ranger deep in the woods, then a hill giant, then finally a lantern carved with the gaping maw of a glabrazu.

"The cards are very strong for you. I have not seem so many direct matches in a long time. The future here is dark, but there is hope here. The negative future is the demons lantern, it speaks of an impossible situation and with its direct alignment it could truly be that. But the positive future is that of the survivor, it gives me hope that we can stand against this, to resist. The survivor truly is rebirth through ordeal."

Finally she points at the hill giant. "This could be what puts it all into the balance. The mountain man is an external physical power, some force that comes from outside of you all. Its match indicates its power, but does not tell me whether it will be there to aid or hinder you. It is very possible that your own actions will lead to its response."

Sorry that was such a long post. I wanted to get the whole thing up together though. And wow, that was very impressive. I was considering to fudge the harrowing a bit to make it fit better with the story, but then I dealt it out and it worked wonderfully. I've run my way through this entire campaign in an in person group and had a harrower in the party, so we used the harrow deck all the time. I've never seen more then 2 absolute matches and 1 or two opposite matches. Out of the nine cards, you got 5 absolute matches, and one opposite.

I know you have played through this part of the campaign before, I don't know if you learned how harrow points work. Basically, based off your harrowing, you have a bit of fate on your side. The card each of you got at the beginning, will determine a little boost you will get at some point during this book, and you each now have 3 harrow points to spend through this book. This book is dexterity based, so you can spend your harrow points in any of the ways below.

Dexterity Rerolls: Spend a Harrow Point to reroll any one Initiative check, Reflex save, attack roll modified by Dexterity, or Dexterity-based skill check. You must abide by the new result (although if you have additional Harrow Points remaining, you can use them to attempt additional rerolls).

Dodge Bonus: Spend a Harrow Point to gain a +1 Dodge bonus to your Armor Class for one encounter. You can spend up to 3 Harrow Points per encounter to increase your Armor Class in this manner.

Speed Increase: Spend a Harrow Point to increase your base speed by 10 feet for one encounter—you cannot spend multiple Harrow Points to increase your speed multiple times in one encounter.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune listens intently to the first part (the peacock), but when she mentions change, his attention wanders as he struggles with the implications. He hears the rest but is so caught up in anger and revenge that he doesn't think about the larger picture, yet. As she finishes he smiles and says, "Thank you, we are in your debt. I will return when justice has been served." Justice, ha. Fortune will see Lamm suffer, like that man has caused so many others to suffer. Dark thoughts for a cleric of Desna.

Turning to his new found comrade, the dangerous looking elf, Fortune says "I am ready now, do you need any time to prepare?"


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

With a quizzical look on his face, the big elf thinks "a loved one or possession???" Even his dog can double as rations in an emergency.

With a nod to the halfelf, he indicates he to is ready.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

So Fortune and (I am assuming) shadowleaf take their leave of their hostess and head to the address they have been given. As they exit the house, Fortune will introduce his alter ego, Vallis the raven. "He usually watches my back." On the way they discuss tactics and such.

Liberty's Edge

Bah, I'm sorry guys, I got creamed really badly in RL these last few days. Things should be more settled now and I'll be able to be posting regularly again. Hope you are enjoying so far.

Zelarra stands and nods her head to you all as you rise, she seems a bit amused as she watches Shadowleaf, as if well aware he doesn't seem to take her predictions overly seriously. "I thank you greatly for your assistance in this. It must be done, and the fates have told me you are the best able to take care of this."

After you leave, you make your way across the city towards the docks. This part of the city is bustling, with a roving marketplace filling several of its squares and offering a huge variety of goods, and crowds of fishermen embarking and arriving at all times of day in search of different fish.

The smell of rotting fishmeat and unwashed bodies fills the air, met with the sounds of the sea, fighting gulls, cries of marks finding their purses taken, the heavy bootsteps of hellknight patrols seeking to keep what order they can, and the groan of the docks below and the towering tangles of rickety structures built patchwork overhead rocking slightly in even a light breeze.

Having spent a good deal of his childhood in this city, and in particular having worked this part of town often as a child, Fortune is able to lead you to the address in question fairly easily.

The building is a short squat building that appears to be a fishery. A boat that doesn't look seaworthy anylonger rests against its north wall, with a dock running along its eastern wall. There is a large double door on the southern wall that seems to be the main entrance and the western wall has a loading dock attached to it with a ramp down for carts to use and a large door there as well.

It looks like there is a lower level of the building as well, with another dock running along its eastern side beneath the one above, but there is no obvious way down to the lower level from outside without just dropping down into the water.

Liberty's Edge

Just to try and give a battlemat type view of the outside of the building, I made a layout in google docs. I have the areas you can see in a fairly basic way for right now and will fill it out as we go. I like to use these for keeping track of combat as well since it lets everyone see exactly where things are.

Map of the Fishery

I have it set so that anyone can view but only I can edit right now. If you wish to be able to edit the file, I would have to have you login. I would need an email from you to be able to send you a link for access though, so that not just anyone can mess with the map who clicks on the link. I know not everyone is comfortable with that, however, so I have no problem moving things and characters on the maps myself. If you do want to be able to access the map, my email is felixcosima at gmail dot com


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

As they travel to the address the familiar sights, sounds and smells begin to bring back memories most unpleasant. When he had been searching, that is what had filled his mind. Now that he had a destination, his mind could wander in the corridors of his memory.
- the day he first met Gaedren, he had hoped he was getting a father. But Gaedren dispelled those thoughts when he beat the new arrival for being too slow (short child legs).
- watching GL slowly kill another child for daring to keep some of what he stole "as a lesson to the rest of you pathetic rejects".
- the day Fortune returned with only a wooden holy symbol and watching GL throw it in the fire before beating him senseless. The night of his first real dream. The night he left and never came back.

Upon arrival at the Fishery, assuming it is dark and the location remote enough to afford some privacy, Fortune and the dogs will find a place to hide while Vallis flies around and Shadowleaf uses stealth to investigate the location. Trying to see whats inside, whats on the boat (Vallis only), etc...


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf is half listening to his companion talk, must be his human half, my human mate used to talk alot and half watching the crowd. When the Hellknights pass he thinks, lazy hunters. If they wanted to catch their prey they should use lighter footsteps. It's almost like they WANT the prey to hear. Heavy Footsteps = Hellknights, check.

On arrival, Shadowleaf will carefully investigate the outside. Glancing in windows and looking at traffic patterns (track), using all his senses.

Liberty's Edge

Both of you can go ahead and make stealth and perception checks. The familiar can make a perception check as well. Also, shadowleaf, you can give me a survival check for your track.

Trying to be subtle about your investigations and not yet directly approaching the building, you try and get a look into the windows and see that they seem to be boarded up from inside.

After just a short time of your arrival you see a small group of children move up to the double doors on the west side of the building, pulling the door open and moving inside, shutting the entrance behind them.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Shadowleaf - per, track, stealth
1d20+4, 1d20+7, 1d20+6=[1, 4], [3, 7], [15, 6]

Fortune - per, stealth
1d20+4, 1d20=[11, 4], [16]


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

shadowleafs rolls are track, stealth, per

Liberty's Edge

Keeping your heads down, seems to work rather well as you stake out the building, no one from inside seem to pay much in the way of attention to you, though a member of a group of hellknights seems to watch Shadowleaf intently for a few moments when the elf is making several passes along the dock to read what he can of the tracks. The armored soldier is likely trying to decide if he is trying to cause trouble when a town guard arrives, speaks quickly to the knights, and the entire squad moves off rapidly after what must be some other crime in progress.

You do note some things from your observations of the building, first, while most tracks are hidden by the hard surface of the dock or ruined by the many feet that pass over this area, from what you can tell, most that approach this building seem to do so through the western double door that the children used. Also, the number of people who seem to go there would likely far exceed the numbers of those who could be living inside. It has many similarities in traffic to a shopfront.

As you watch the building, after the group of children entered for the night, the place seem to be shut down. There are hints of candlelight from the front rooms peeking through cracks in the boards, but none of the doors open again, nor do you see any external patrols. At one point, what must be a chamberpot is emptied into the water below from the rear of the upper building indicating that there is at least a hole in the floor there, but no other signs of activity are seen.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune has a hard time waiting. To be so close and have to wait gives him time to brood on what he plans to do. He has never killed before, and now he plans to end Gaedren's life as painfully as possible, and with his skill at healing, that could take awhile. Somewhere inside a part of his soul is crying.
The pair wait for a few hours until the people should have time to get to sleep. When Shadowleaf says it's time to move, Fortune will take his bladed scarf from around his neck and readies to use it in battle. Then Shadowleaf will lead the way, heading to the main entrance (where most of the traffic enters). Fortune and the dogs will hang back (so Shadowleaf can do this quietly) until he motions them forward.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf waits with the patience of a hunter for the area to quite down and the people inside to go to sleep. Then he will stealthily move to the western door and carefully search it for traps, open the lock and listen at it.

Stealth 17
take 20 on searching for traps = 24
take 10, then if necessary roll to disable traps = 18 or +8
take 10, then if necessary 20 to open any locks = 18 or 28
perception +6

Liberty's Edge

Standing on the loading dock, the door into the building is locked but doesn't appear to be trapped. You try and quickly get through the lock, but it appears to be of higher quality then a place like this likely deserves. Still, after taking a few moments time, you hear the click you had hoped for and are able to push open the large door slowly.

The stink in this room, a mixture of fish and sweat, is enough to make the eyes water. To the east, a large wooden trough holds a hideous mound of half-rancid fish, seaweed, and brine. Filthy seawater and fish blood stain the floor around this trough. A pair of wooden chutes lead from this trough through holes in the northern wall into a larger room to the east. To the west, a desk and chair sit in one corner while a tall cabinet sits in the other.

The room seems to be quiet for the moment, no one is up working this late and there are no signs of guards.

Map is updated as well, I will update it whenever you enter a new area or something changes.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf will motion Fortune and the dogs forward, while drawing out his throwing axe and picking up is polearm. While they move forward, he quietly(stealth 17) gives the desk a once over (perception 16), hearing the voice of his old master don't be distracted from your prey.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Seeing the elf's signal, Fortune will quietly (stealth 10, ooh, ahh, depending on distance and closed doors to increase that) move into the room with the dogs and look at the elf for further direction. He apparently knows what he is doing. Vallis will stay outside and keep an eye out.

From Shadowleaf;
in a hushed whisper "Never hunted much, have you."

Response;
Fortune shakes his head, but doesn't trust himself to speak that quietly.

Liberty's Edge

Doing a quick check of the desk, it simply looks like an improvised storefront, a small pile of thin papers like those used to wrap foodstuffs on it lie on top and there are wet smears across it that smell of fish, though its hard to make out with the stink of the entire building.

When looking, you do notice that the cabinet that sits beside the desk has an obvious lock on it however.

As you move quietly through the room, for an instant the floor beneath Fortune's feet seems to creak alarmingly, but no response is heard from the adjacent rooms, and within a few seconds you realize the building seems to give off such creaks all on its own from the press of the tide and the expansion of the wet wood.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune thinks, I'm not making that much noise, am I? He envies the graceful elf. He wishes he had inherited some elven grace from his unknown father, though he does appreciate the elven vision. He signals to Shadowleaf and takes the dogs to the door across the room (that lead toward the other set of double doors) and waits for the elf to get ready. When they are set, Fortune will open the door for the elf.

Liberty's Edge

I was waiting because Shadowleaf asked on the other board how to make a trap and I thought he might be planning to setup one. Are you guys just pushing ahead and were waiting for me?


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

I tried to post yesterday, but the net ate it...bad net.

Shadowleaf will signal for Fortune to wait, at least the kid had sense to not talk, and will carefully (stealth 17) move the chair over to the north door and lean it up against it. If possible, so it will be harder to open, but at least so it will make a noise if the door is opened (disable device +8). Then he will close the outer doors, if they are still open, leaving just a little crack to provide light for elven eyes.

Assuming that has gone as planned, Shadowleaf will go to the other door and have the kid slowly open it, the hunt goes on.

Liberty's Edge

As Shadowleaf passes by the large tub of slimy water and fishguts behind him, its quite obvious just how slippery the floor near the tank is, though its not too difficult to keep your footing as long as you don't rush around too much and are mindful of your steps.

The chair fits solidly under the handle of the door, bracing it some. It won't stop someone determined to get through, but it will slow them down some and likely cause enough noise to warn you that someone is coming from that route.

When the elf again joins the Desnan, the door to the east is slowly creaked open. A single desk sits in the middle of this room, a moldy chair pushed up against the far side. A small pile of ratty furs and straw is heaped under the table.

Laying in the pile of straw is a large ratty looking dog. It isn't quite asleep, but its obviously not too alert either. When the door is cracked its ear perks for a moment and then goes flat again as it lets out a chuffle, seeming to ignore it as one of the many sounds the building makes.

Right now you have the surprise on it, if you are going to stay quiet, I'll make a check each rounds worth of actions for it to possibly spot you. If you are entering into combat, you will have a surprise round on it.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

For Shadowleaf;
will start a soft crooning in his throat while slowly motioning the young halfelf back. "Nice dog, good dog" he whispers and slowly holds out his off hand for the dog to sniff.
1d20+2, 1d20+5=[20, 2], [13, 5]
1st roll is Wild empathy, second is handle animal to see if wild empathy is working.

Fortune;
sees the elf motion, and places a hand on each dog to keep them quite. Then slowly backs around the door and out of sight, waiting for a signal (a whisper or combat).

Liberty's Edge

The mangy dog's ears perk up for a moment at the sound and it lets out a low growl that slowly fades from its throat. It looks quizzically at the elf for a moment as if it was not quite sure what to make of him, he isn't someone the dog knows but neither is he afraid of it or hostile.

Slowly, the pushes up on its big paws and pads over to the ranger, giving him a careful sniffing. Whatever it determines from that, it seems to be that you aren't a threat as it waits somewhat demandingly to be petted before moving back over to its makeshift bed and plopping down once more.


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

With no sound of combat immediately forthcoming, Fortune relaxes a bit. He listens carefully, but only hears his own breathing. Maybe I am pretty loud, and he tries to breath quieter.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf will pet the dog before it goes back to bed. Then he will softly move to the door, "Wait while I check the doors, get out some food for the dog." Then he will listen at each door (perception +6). Then he will introduce Fortune and the dogs to the guard dog, using the food as a reward. Is there a litter box in the room or does it look like they let the dog do it's business outside?

Liberty's Edge

The dog seems rather annoyed to see that it is expected to share any attention it may get with these others, but as the elf introduces the others it makes little fuss about it.

Moving up to listen, nothing is heard from either of the doors along the northern wall, though a chorus of snoring comes from the eastern one. Several people at least are asleep within.

The dog doesn't appear to have any real litterbox at all, having apparently taken to using a patch of the hay bed that is slightly apart from where it is sleeping. Whoever is in charge of cleaning up after it doesn't do well, though the stench of fish overcomes even that stink.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf feels sorry for the dog, these people are truly despicable treating children and dogs this way. While the dog eats the food, Shadowleaf will head to the room with the snoring. Checking the door, he will quietly slip inside and check it out. They had talked about this on the way over and had agreed, children would not be killed, or harmed if it can be avoided. But any adults are as guilty as Gaedren and should be... eliminated. But are the snores adults or children?

Probably adults, but lets make sure.
Stealth 17
roll on searching for traps = +4
take 10, then if necessary roll to disable traps = 18 or +8
take 10, then if necessary 20 to open any locks = 18 or 28
perception +6


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Not really used to all this sneaking around, Fortunes nerves are being stretched thin. While the dogs eat, Fortune will watch Shadowleaf sneak over to the door with the snoring. Fortune was a little conflicted about this part of the plan. Intellectually he knows these adults are evil bastards and hurt the children just as much as Gaedren. But murdering them in their sleep? It would be just to let the kids kill them, but that would hurt the children's souls. It had to be done and they(Shadowleaf and Fortune) would have to do it, or the children would never be free.

The children, now that was a problem. Assuming they didn't die in this attempt, what would they do with the kids. They couldn't just be turned loose. First things first, and survival and freedom were first.

Liberty's Edge

The door creaks open slowly to reveal the room beyond, lit with a small flickering candle. A pair of bunk beds sits against the far wall of this room to either side of a boarded-over window. A foppishly dressed human sleeps on the bottom of one of the bunks, the other bunk has a large half-orc sleeping on the bottom bunk, and a gnome in rags sleeping on the top. All three looks to be out pretty soundly from their snoring.

There is another door to the east that has a low dresser placed in front of it as a way of barring it. From the boarded up window on that wall, its pretty obvious that this door likely leads outside again to the small dock opposite of where you entered.


Male Elf 2 Ranger/2Rogue

Shadowleaf will put away his throwing axe, this is knife work, as he draws out a kukri. Creeping over to the foppish looking human, he delivers a Coup de Grace as quietly as possible.

Stealth 17
invisible castle is currently unavailable;
2d4+4str+4FE+1d6SA in damage


M Half-elf 2 Cleric/2 Wiz(conjure)

Fortune will listen (per +4)intently for sounds of trouble, prepared to move and cast a spell.

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