"No, not at the moment, good servant. Why don't you take the remainder of the afternoon off and enjoy yourself? We will have plenty to do tomorrow before the ball," Addy replies, in her most imperious, and non-serious, tone.
Gorzal shrugs.
"One way or another, keep an eye on those hands. Well, er, is there anything further you will require... my lady?"
"Milady is too kind.", says Gorzal as he bows sardonically,"I shall see you in the morning."
He heads off into the tents, whistling tunelessly.
"Both actually, Master Itaden, the goddess insists that we enjoy our work. And by taking pleasure we do our work."
"And by the looks of this little party, so do you, hmmm?"
"This party will be the talk of high society for weeks to come, I say."
"Can you introduce me to your mistress? My mistress foresees an intersection of interests, if you take my meaning?"
From Itaden's body language, it seems that his attitude has grown colder after Silas' slightly evasive answer. He stands a bit straighter, stiffer.
"I'm afraid I do not follow your meaning, sir. Regardless, I will inform Last Vestang of your request. Where are you staying, should she wish to see you?"
"There is nothing to fear my friend, I do not mean any harm to your mistress. I am just here to deliver the words of my goddess. As to where I stay, I am with the Lady Morrow. William and Mal vouch to the truth of what I say."
"Pardon my cryptic answer there. But those of our church prefer a more circuitous way of answering questions rather than the plain speech those of you in the security industry prefer."
Will nods emphatically at Silas' words.
"That's true. He could talk circles around a whole bevy of buzzing flies!" He says sotto voice to Mal.
In a more 'normal' tone of voice, he says to the guard, "It's true, he traveled here with the lady. And Silas takes his religious duties very seriously ." HE says straight-faced, with no hint of irony.
"Of course. Forgive my bluntness, but keeping an eye out for vendettas or other potential problems supercedes courtesy at times in my line of work. And your goddess' clergy has something of a reputation, Mr. Tyr. Regardless, I will inform my mistress of your request and I do hope you enjoy our masquerade."
He bows.
"A pleasure to meet you both. Mal, I hope to see you after the event. I must return to my duties."
Itaden marches back into the courtyard, stopping to harrangue a guard napping at his post.
"Milady is too kind.", says Gorzal as he bows sardonically,"I shall see you in the morning."
He heads off into the tents, whistling tunelessly.
The sun sets over the Inner Sea, painting the sky and the waves in purples, oranges and reds. Though the eagerly anticipated masquerade is tomorrow night, it sounds as if the revelry has already started. Voices laugh and talk in the quiet evening and bonfires dot the tent city, throwing strange shadows in all directions. From the far edge of the camp, the Varisians and their jaunty fiddles can be heard along with rhythmic clapping, singing and laughter. Just around midnight, things start to die down and a tired hush settles over the hamlet.
Silas
"Dear Master Tyr,
My bodyguard has informed me that you wished to meet with me this evening. While nothing would please me more than making the acquaintance of a man of your stature, I have been frightfully occupied with preparations for the masquerade and in entertaining my guests. I do hope that you will accept my humble apology: I do so look forward to meeting you tomorrow evening and I hope that we can find some time to talk then, just you and I.
Sincerely,
Lady Ashinana Vestang"
"Alright, first to 21 wins, don't go over, aces are wild." Zareby deals out the cards, a smile on his face.
Silas smiles as he tucks the note into a pocket. He considers the the ways this could play out. He needs a moment of prayer to receive divine inspiration.
Later he mutters, "Yes, why didn't I think of that before?"
"Time to find William."
Unbeknownst to the lamb,... er, William, of what else may be transpiring, after a meal with Malatar in the crowded tavern, he sits in his tent on his bedroll, neatening up his notes in his journal.
Addy spends the majority of the evening in her tent, enjoying a private glass of wine or two. The impersonation of Taldan nobility all day, and the belittlement of the common folk that went with it, has left a bitter taste in her mouth. And it will be worse tomorrow evening, she thinks, when I have to actually rub shoulders with the pompous bastards. Teasing Gorzal is one thing; he knows who I am and it isn't real. But all the others I made jump at my command ... uggh. If nothing else comes up, she'll likely turn in early.
Perception
Mal's perception:
Silas' perception, while heading to Will and Mal's tent:
The evening is interrupted by the loud, frantic barking of a dog near the inn. The animal carries on for several minutes before finally yelping and falling silent.
As Addy reclines in her tent, a glass of wine in hand and Silas slips between the rows of tents toward Will and Malatar's accomodations, their keen elven ears pick up just the slightest noise after the dog goes silent: a nervous, high-pitched giggle and a trace of sing-song rhyme that neither of them can quite make out.
Zareby deals a new hand to Haerekoe, one of the tavern-boys. The lad's mischievous grin has become a common sight at the sorcerer's table the last few days: the kid has talent, though the sorcerer can see through his bluffs without a lot of trouble. The dwarven smith Ruggles Ironbeard sits opposite, scowling at his cards. He plays too cautiously, rarely betting much and folding at the slightest risk. Hard to imagine why he even plays unless it's to get a closer look at the action. Nearby, Malatar drinks the house ale and mostly keeps to himself. Will continues writing out the journey thus far, striving to find some sort of adventure in sleeping in a tent and running into a guard that his companion knew.
Mal's perception: 1d20
Silas' perception, while heading to Will and Mal's tent: 1d20+4
Mal sits drinking (though not enough to get really drunk – he wants to keep his senses sharp for tomorrow) and brooding, not paying all that much attention to his surrounds.
,... Will continues writing out the journey thus far, striving to find some sort of adventure in sleeping in a tent and running into a guard that his companion knew.
Will sighs and closes his journal with an irritated sigh. He reaches for his mug, which has remained untouched until now.
"I hope something exciting happens on this trip." He complains to Mal, taking a sip as he spots his friend Silas enter the crowded inn, judging by the way he's looking around, he's probably looking for him.
"I would hate to miss an opportunity for advancement, simply because we got an assignment that was essentially a cakewalk!" He grumbles, waving at Silas.
Silas waves back and Will and Mal. "So, how has fortune smiled on you this day?"
Silas motions for the buxom barmaid for some wine.
As Addy reclines in her tent, a glass of wine in hand and Silas slips between the rows of tents toward Will and Malatar's accomodations, their keen elven ears pick up just the slightest noise after the dog goes silent: a nervous, high-pitched giggle and a trace of sing-song rhyme that neither of them can quite make out.
Odd ... Addy sets her wine down, and quietly looks around outside her tent, to see if she can pick up the sound again, or see anything with her low-light vision.
Perception
As Addy reclines in her tent, a glass of wine in hand and Silas slips between the rows of tents toward Will and Malatar's accomodations, their keen elven ears pick up just the slightest noise after the dog goes silent: a nervous, high-pitched giggle and a trace of sing-song rhyme that neither of them can quite make out.Odd ... Addy sets her wine down, and quietly looks around outside her tent, to see if she can pick up the sound again, or see anything with her low-light vision.
Perception 1d20+8
Adelaine can't see the source of the noise but several tents seem to have been ransacked, their contents spilled out on the ground and picked through. Items of food and empty wineskins sit in a trail of destruction leading toward where she heard the dog.
In the Dancing Tabi
One of the tavern lads runs out back to grab some more firewood as a pretty young waitress brings Silas his wine. After a few moments, however, the air is pierced by the lad's shout of surprise, followed by a set of high-pitched shrieks. Patrons look at each other in alarm, a few standing and walking uncertainly toward the door. The boy returns, white as a sheet and pants hysterically:
"Goblins! Outside! They, they, th-they killed Bernard!"
Will is shaking his head at Silas as the pretty lass drops off his glass of wine, with a very husky "Is there anything, else, you need?"
WIll opens his mouth to say something as the lass leaves, then pauses with an odd look on his face that Mal hasn't seen before. Silas' fine eyebrows close together as the mage slowly rises from his chair, looking around. Silas has seen that look before. Will's gaze settles on the back door, and takes a step towards it. There is a scream from outside, and the lad bursts back into the Inn, crying with adrenaline and fear.
"Goblins! Outside! They, They, t-they killed Bernard!"
Adelaine can't see the source of the noise but several tents seem to have been ransacked, their contents spilled out on the ground and picked through. Items of food and empty wineskins sit in a trail of destruction leading toward where she heard the dog.
OK, I'm an idiot ... she thinks, as she retrieves her rapier from the tent, and begins following the trail of food, as quietly as possible.
Stealth
Silas calmly sips his wine, as he considers the fastest exits out of this place. "Will, that is not our fight. Come."
At the sound of screams, Mal is standing, his speed belying his size, reaching for the longblade resting at the bar beside him. He looks about to see Will already standing and heading towards the door, an odd look on his face. The scholar’s quick. Maybe I should give him more credit.
The warrior draws his sword and runs to the back door, throwing Will a “careful” as he dashes past. He peers out and around the door , barely taking in the scene before glancing back at the scullery lad. “How many?”
"I-I saw th-three, sir.",says the scared lad,blinking back tears,"...Poor Bernard was...oh...."
Out the back door, Mal can see a great big mess made of all the firewood, barrels and sacks that were piled there. Some of the rear tents also look as if they've been rummaged through. Just within the lantern-light the big warrior can see the slumped body of a decapitated mutt. Poor Bernard, presumably. In the long shadows, he can't see hide or hair of any goblins.
Addy
Adelaine creeps through the tents, her rapier in hand. In her rush to be back in action after schmoozing all day, she isn't quite as careful as she normally would be, but there aren't many folk about to notice. Staying low, she follows the path of destruction until she reaches the back of the inn. A huge mess has been made of the stores and it looks like the poor guard dog had been dealt with harshly. The rear door bangs open and the large grey-haired warrior Adelaine met the other night at the inn steps out, squinting into the gloom. The man's arrival is enough to stir movement behind some upturned barrels just thirty feet from her position at the rear corner of the inn. With the lantern light and the clear night sky, she can make out three cowering goblins, one clutching a dripping sack...
Mal is slightly relieved that Bernard is a dog. Dead kids are not fun.
“Stay here,” he says to the boy (probably needlessly) “and close the door behind me”. He throws Will a look and a head nod that seems to indicate ‘are you coming?’, then steps out into the night, moving cautiously (though hardly quietly in his armour). He stops just outside the door, trying to give his eyes a moment to adjust to the dark. He keeps his back to a wall, so that nothing can sneak up behind him.
Silas calmly sips his wine, as he considers the fastest exits out of this place. "Will, that is not our fight. Come."
Will throws a glance at Silas that is either shock or exasperation as Mal dashes past him with a muttered "Careful" over the ruckus of the inn. He follows cautiously as Mal looks out the door and orders the lad to close it after. But Mal's bulk prevents him from seeing what's outside the door.
At Mal's questioning look, Will gulps, but nods solemnly in response. He fingers his staff nervously, and throws a questioning glance over his shoulder at Silas. After waiting a moment for a response, if any, he screws up his courage, 'Be careful what you wish for,... idiot!' He chastises himself mentally, and follows Mal out the door,...
Addy
Adelaine creeps through the tents, her rapier in hand. In her rush to be back in action after schmoozing all day, she isn't quite as careful as she normally would be, but there aren't many folk about to notice. Staying low, she follows the path of destruction until she reaches the back of the inn. A huge mess has been made of the stores and it looks like the poor guard dog had been dealt with harshly. The rear door bangs open and the large grey-haired warrior Adelaine met the other night at the inn steps out, squinting into the gloom. The man's arrival is enough to stir movement behind some upturned barrels just thirty feet from her position at the rear corner of the inn. With the lantern light and the clear night sky, she can make out three cowering goblins, one clutching a dripping sack...
Tightly gripping her rapier, Addy yells out, "Goblins! Behind those barrels!" She then moves toward them, ready to fight.
initiative
"Oh, for the love of. I swear if he wasn't so vital to the plan," mutters Silas.
"Damn, I guess I get to play a hero," he adds, drawing a dagger and holding it in a stabbing grip. Silas finishes his wine and follows after the foolish wizard and his companion.
Zareby does his best to ignore the commotion outside until "Ms Albercroft" yells out about goblins. "Damn. Ruggles, watch my cards, I've got to go help milady." He then sets down his cards and heads outside.
Goblin Initiative:
At Addy's shout, one of the goblin's yelps loudly in surprise (all of them had been facing the rear door) and start running as fast as their little legs will carry them, staying clumped up in a three goblin knot.
Goblins attempt to take a double move to run sixty feet toward the north wall, but manage to trip over each other in their haste. Still, they get about 30 feet from the inn as they trip on tent wires and lug their dripping bag.
“Ever faced goblins before?” Mal asks Will in a low voice. “They’re stupid, comical sometimes, but sadistic and dangerous. Be careful.”
His advice giving is interrupted by a woman’s shout. The voice sounds somewhat familiar. The goblins break cover. Cursing, Mal starts forward.
Well, crap! Of all the times not to grab my bow ... Addy gives chase, her rapier at the ready.
Attack w/ rapier damage
“Ever faced goblins before?” Mal asks Will in a low voice. “They’re stupid, comical sometimes, but sadistic and dangerous. Be careful.”
"Oh, Typical middle-management then?" Will replies dryly without thinking.
"Sorry, more dangerous than they look, got it." He adds hastily at Mal's swift glare. As the warrior runs forward to try and close with the goblins, Will steps to keep up with him. For a moment Mal almost thinks that Will actually started to step before he did,...
As tehy reach the Goblins, Will reaches with one hand into a pouch on his belt, and with the other hand reaches up to Mal's shoulder,...
Initiative: Goblins 18 (running)
Will 12
Malatar 11
Addy 9 (pursuing goblins)
Zareby 11
Silas 13
Breaking from her cover beside the inn, Lady Albercroft sprints after the goblins. She has to slow a bit to avoid tripping among the tents, but she does manage to get within arm's length of the fleeing goblins. The closest looks over his shoulder and yelps at the sight of pursuit.
Mal moves warily towards the goblins, sword ready, shield held up. Then he notices someone dash out from cover nearby, heading towards the approaching beasties – a slim, feminine figure – the noble woman from the other night?
He curses, then hurries after her, trying to close with the goblins, trying to force them to flee and be cut down or turn and attack.
"You can't keep yourself out of trouble, can you milady?" Zareby stands next to the door smirking for a moment before raising his hand at the fleeing goblins and utters a few phrases in some harsh language, and a bolt of force lances out into one of them.
Mal moves warily towards the goblins, sword ready, shield held up. Then he notices someone dash out from cover nearby, heading towards the approaching beasties – a slim, feminine figure – the noble woman from the other night?
“Wait!” he half shouts, half growls. “Let them come to us!”
Mal moves warily towards the goblins, sword ready, shield held up. Then he notices someone dash out from cover nearby, heading towards the approaching beasties – a slim, feminine figure – the noble woman from the other night?
“Wait!” he half shouts, half growls. “Let them come to us!”
The chase:
Goblins- 35 feet from the inn
Addy- 35 feet from the inn
Mal- 25 feet from the inn
The goblin on the right screeches and stumbles when "Ferdinand's" force darts nip into his back.
Meanwhile, encumbered by his armor and the various obstacles presented by all the tents and supplies, Mal stomps after the goblins and the pursuing noblewoman. The people sleeping in the tent city begin to stir, disturbed by the commotion.