Artimus will put a hand on Tin's shoulder. "Trust me, my friend, I will not abandon our allies. The only reason I would suggest that we leave is because they no longer appear to be here. Should we find that these innkeepers had part in their disappearance, then they will pay for their crimes, but we must discover what has come to them first. With luck the power of your miracles will be able to lead us to this information."
...Durnast (and Cam!) Aid Another on Artimus' Diplomacy to stop Tin's actions:
:-)
<Tin, I believe Positive Energy Channeling like you used before has a shorter range than the ability to Detect Evil that Artimus has granted by the Heavens, and even if you hurt such an Undead creature if it exists, I don't believe you would "know" it is there (as detection isn't the point of the ability), though it could alert any such creatures to our hostility/awareness of them AND presence of Positive Energy Channelers. I must vote against the tactic.>
If Artimus can retrieve the sword, I may take the opportunity to pop my Detect Thoughts, assuming failed Will Saves don't reveal the attempt (I can concentrate indefinitely if I don't take any Standard Actions).
<Alia, perhaps Swiftpaws could watch the hallway while Artimus retrieves the sword...?>
Cam is watching out for invisible things sneaking up on us...
Back to Durnast "Ok"
Alia will move to the corridor with Swiftpaws and get her bow out in case while the spell-casters take the opportunity to scan the house.
Then if nothing new is uncovered, we will move to find the caravan guy or a place selling magic so that we can get the right spells to find our comrades.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Artimus can retrieve the sword.
Durnast:
One of the gnomes --you've lost tract as to which one is which-- sees Artimus with the sword. You hold your copper piece and cast your spell. The gnome watches you do so, but it's hard to say whether he recognizes which spell you're casting.
(You can concentrate up to 7 minutes, but you have to keep the spell focused on an individual for 3 rounds before you can pick up his surface thoughts.)
First round, you can tell that there are intelligent minds. Second round, you can tell that there are two intelligences in the area, the gnome's and something else. On the third round, (saving throw:) you catch the gnome's thoughts: he's humming a catchy nursery rhyme to himself.
oohhh... I was under the heavy impression we were alone in the room without the Gnomes.
(you gave descriptions of the Gnomes when we were checking out the public areas, but it didn't seem like they had followed us into every room, but that we were being given reign to look at our friends' room, etc...)
I thought I would be un-observed while Casting the spell, and it seems like Artimus' words to Tin were "out in the open" (clapping hand on shoulder, etc) which having a Gnome right here might impact...? (I also thought we could stash the sword in a bag un-noticed)
oohhh... I was under the heavy impression we were alone in the room without the Gnomes.
(you gave descriptions of the Gnomes when we were checking out the public areas, but it didn't seem like they had followed us into every room, but that we were being given reign to look at our friends' room, etc...)I thought I would be un-observed while Casting the spell, and it seems like Artimus' words to Tin were "out in the open" (clapping hand on shoulder, etc) which having a Gnome right here might impact...? (I also thought we could stash the sword in a bag un-noticed)
Exactly. Apparently the gnome and this other entity are the only other minds in range, but I will keep it up as we pace around the rest of the building... Artimus would be retrieving his mount, correct? So if they are underground or at another corner of the building I may pick them up from another vantage.
...It seems like either A) we WERE already in the room alone, B) some of us could adjourn to another room alone, leaving one or two to deal with the Gnome or C) I myself could step out of the room to cast un-noticed with one of yours' help to prevent following-spying Gnomes. For sakes of forum-post-RPG'ing I will assume ONE of those holds, allowing me to cast un-surveiled.
Once it's up and running (7 minute duration), besides being aware of all "minds" in the area and their INT scores (I don't really care about the exact score, but it's simplest to convey) I suppose I'll ask Gnome A/B some questions before he gets too lost in Gnome Top 40 (going back to common rooms where they are working if that's where they are):
"Ahem, Jebli was it? Ah... So they left JUST before we came, was it? So they can't be all that far away now, huh? ...How did they look when they left, or you last saw them, healthy and all? I think that Chyressa had something coming over her before we parted..."
oohhh... I was under the heavy impression we were alone in the room without the Gnomes.
(you gave descriptions of the Gnomes when we were checking out the public areas, but it didn't seem like they had followed us into every room, but that we were being given reign to look at our friends' room, etc...)I thought I would be un-observed while Casting the spell, and it seems like Artimus' words to Tin were "out in the open" (clapping hand on shoulder, etc) which having a Gnome right here might impact...? (I also thought we could stash the sword in a bag un-noticed)
I apologize for the confusion. The gnomes are indeed keeping a pretty close eye on you as you search their boarding house, but there are four of you and only two of them, so, if you wanted to cast the spell in privacy, there's a chance you could. (There is, for example, a tiny bathroom two doors down from the room with Chyressa's sword. You could duck in there for a round.)
Artimus' on the other hand, can't be subtle about drawing the sword, and he doesn't have any place to sheathe it. A 39-inch drawn blade will be obvious.
And I figured that Tinthariel and Artimus were speaking sotto voce. the gnomes are close enough to see you, but not so close to overhear your whispered conversations.
Durnast, if you want to cast detect thoughts surreptitiously, you can do so. Take a look under the spoiler.
In the lavatory, there is a well-concealed alcove over the toilet, too small for you to fit in, but with a well-oiled door built into the back.
When you return to the hallway, the gnome has seen Artimus with the sword. by the third round, he's thinking "...find that? Maybe some magical pocket space? Ask Joshiah. We spent enough time cleaning out the room. What about the man? Maybe he'd hidden things away?"
Seeing little point for subtlety, Artimus will draw the sword and put it in his belt, using the opportunity to serve as a distraction for Durnast to do what he needs to do while the gnomes watch him. "I see that Chyressa was indeed staying in this room. She would not have left willingly without her blade. There seems to be some... Uncomfortable evidence in the hallways around here. Do either of you perhaps wish to revise your story?"
In the lavatory, there is a well-concealed alcove over the toilet, too small for you to fit in, but with a well-oiled door built into the back.
Mystery Toilet Tunnel... OK, my curiosity is piqued, so before doing the Detect Thoughts, I will Invisibility Cam up, and send him in to investigate, telling him to stay out of trouble and just observe. Message should keep us in contact. Feel free to roll Stealth if you want, but he usually does well enough WITHOUT the Invisibility, that I figured it didn't matter...
"I see that Chyressa was indeed staying in this room. She would not have left willingly without her blade. There seems to be some... Uncomfortable evidence in the hallways around here. Do either of you perhaps wish to revise your story?"
Uhhh...
"OH! By my well, I just returned from partaking of your plumbing, and I do have to say you brothers truly maintain the highest standards, that bathroom would draw compliments in Tolmankar itself (fancy city), yet you manage here on the edge of the Desolation! My hat is off to you!"
Seeing things are getting confrontational, Alia gestures and growls to Swiftpaws who will start shadowing the second gnome so that at the first hostile gesture, he will be attacked and tripped.
Tin will refrain from using his channeling attempt, all these facts being the case. He is quietly watching as the group still searches for information concerning the lost party members. He isn't much of a conversationalist, and isn't much of a detective, so he looks for any other way to contribute to the situation.
One question: I got the impression somehow that we were on a 2nd storey...
Is that right?, or is this the ground floor (or does the building even have more than 1 storey?)?
The building is one story, but well-constructed, with actual wood floors. There is a single step up onto the porch leading to the front door and the "lobby". There are two wings, set at about a 135-degree angle, each with a half-dozen private bedrooms and lavatories at the ends of the hallways. The center hub consists of the "front desk" area, a dining room, and what might be a kitchen area further on.
Folks, this seems to be a muddle. Some people are aiming to start a fight, others are trying to plan for a fight, and nobody's quite sure how to proceed or what's where.
So, right now, we're at a point of inflection. If you want to roll initiative and go gnome-whacking, the stage is set. One gnome is in the front desk area, and has a clear view down both hallways. Durnast needs to be in the eastern hall, with a clear view back at that gnome. The brother isn't in sight. Alia and Swiftpaws saw him move into the dining room area, and he might still be there, or else he might be in the kitchen or beyond. (Alia, are you going to have Swiftpaws move off on his own?)
Artimus is in the front lobby, his face to the gnome there, his back to the door leading outside.
The gnome at the front desk replies, between clenched teeth, first to Artimus, as he's closer. "As I said,they unparted suddenly. I conspect, faster than they'd intended. If your 'Chyresta' was cartless enough to leave without her tresselled blade, then please, take it along with you, and returnicate it to her when you catch up. But as you ensire to find them, and they are no longer on the presidents, my brothers and I ask you to leave us to our busdens."
Then, as an afterthought, looking down the hall at Durnast, "They ... indeed, your friends were feeling a bit feverpated, the last time I saw them. And no, they disparted some hours ago."
And Durnast,
The mystery "tunnel" is just a small recess. The doors in the back lead into an alcove at the very end of the hallway.
The mystery "tunnel" is just a small recess. The doors in the back lead into an alcove at the very end of the hallway.
Hmm... Not 100% clear here... But if the well-oiled doors open onto just a single room with no other exists, I suppose I'll have Cam investigate this room, though I won't bother with Invisibility. If there is a further room/set of doors past the immediately apparent room/alcove, I will still do the Invisibility and have him scout ahead. Cam's Perception:
Ahem, Jebli was it? Ah... So they left JUST before we came, was it? So they can't be all that far away now, huh? ...How did they look when they left, or you last saw them, healthy and all? I think that Chyressa had something coming over her before we parted...They ... indeed, your friends were feeling a bit feverpated, the last time I saw them. And no, they disparted some hours ago.
Could you give me my Detect Thoughts reading also?
Message: <Artimus, I beleive we were following Alia's plan to learn what we can to make the right plan later, not jump into conflict with unknown opponents, and without a clue as to how, or if it's possible, to secure our friends' safety. I have a Mind-Reading spell up, and hoped to gain as much information as possible, but precipitating a conflict doesn't help.>
"Don't you need to retrieve your horse from the stables here, Artimus?
"Let's go. We must find where our friends have gone to "
Before that episode we had planned to go and find the caravan guy then go and speak to the rangers. Do we stick to that plan ?
Durnast, thanks for reminding me about the detect thoughts.
When Artimus makes his accusation, the gnome suddenly thinks back to a memory of last night. He's lurking above an unarmored woman, taking careful aim at a spot just below and behind her ear. As he stabs a woman through the neck, which from this angle is a one-shot kill, he sees a sword slip from her left hand, identical to the one Artimus brandishes. Then he thinks: 'The jig is up. We'll need to keep them apart. We'll need to warn the Usurer.'
When you speak up, the same memory expands. He's in the crawlspace above the toilet, watching the woman retch helplessly, before he strikes.
To find the man with ties to the lost caravan, then?
I think Artimus still needed to retrieve his mount from the stables here?
I will suggest we stay together while he does this, and insist this Gnome leads us to the stables.
I'm also switching the target of detect thoughts to read the mysterious being Artimus noticed.
I think Artimus still needed to retrieve his mount from the stables here? I will suggest we stay together while he does this, and insist this Gnome leads us to the stables.
The stables aren't connected to the boarding house. The stablery is off on the east side of town. The Bender boys aren't willing to leave their place with you, without some persuasion.
"Best of fortune, finding your departed comroades. You'd be woll-come for dinner tonight, if you're bestill in Camp."
Alia, you notice that the gnome is still wearing his leather apron, but he is holding his right hand in a loose fist right next to his left sleeve. Your experience would suggest that he has armed himself.
I'm also switching the target of detect thoughts to read the mysterious being Artimus noticed.
I'm afraid the unidentified "third presence" is either not within the cone of your spell, or else not subject to it.
Artimus will nod his head a bit to the others, though his face remains stern and his eyes follow the gnomes carefully. "Very well. I suspect we will take you up on this hospitality later."
He will continue to let the others guide the discussion with the others and if they are ready to depart. He's willing to step into the conversation if needed, but is very well aware that his own judgement of the gnomes could only get in the way right now.
I'm afraid the unidentified "third presence" is either not within the cone of your spell, or else not subject to it.
I picked it up earlier, so I'd think it is subject to it... I'll just change the focus of the spell when I cease reading the Gnome's thoughts.
"If you don't mind, could you pass on a note if either of them return? OK...
I'll whip out a scrap of paper (away from the Gnome) and pass it to Tin or Artimus to hand to the Gnome when I'm done.
The folded note says: 'We just missed you... You still have the other sword. See you around.'
Stalling for Detect Thoughts scanning...
I can probably do this from outside, so if I can re-locate the same entity, we can exit and I can 'listen in' from that side of the building... I have some more stuff to share (in my spoiler above) but don't really feel like it until we're away from the Gnomes.
Durnast, it is subject to your magics, but it is either out of the area of effect, or else it may have some way to bollux the spell. The gnome thinks...
"They'll be meeting their friends, all right."
Outside the building, you scan and find the other brother, lurking behind the building's east wing. But, try as you might, you cannot seem to pierce the veil of his thoughts.
It sounds like everybody's up for moving on.
Outside the boarding house, you're right next to a collection of hide tents clustered together around a rudimentary parade ground, the encampment of the Furious Fourteen.
To the north, behind the boarding house a ways, is a long, low structure with a rounded roof composed of poorly cured hides lashed to sticks.
Right across the street from the boarding house is a path leading to an old, artificial mound rising 20 feet into the air. Its sides are badly eroded from weathering, and a gaping hole opens in its side beneath a heavy stone lintel. Other than the garland of wildflowers and herbs hung around the door frame, it has the look of an old tomb about it. Swiftpaws detects the musk of some large animal, a mammal, but neither a horse nor cattle.
Next to the path is a sod house complete with thatched roof and fieldstone chimney. Deeply recessed windows are blocked by heavy wooden shutters. There are signs of recent repair to this structure., and the door is painted with the arms "[i]Gules, on a fess embattled Or, three harps sable", the arms of the town of Bard's Gate.
To the east of the boarding house is the temple of Orcus, somehow even more menacing backlit by the morning sun.
Once outside, Artimus will look at the others with a bit of a scowl on his face, smoothing his mustache to try and calm himself some. He will keep up his detect evil and try and look around as he speaks to try and catch anything he may not see with his plain sight evesdropping. "It is obvious that they have something to do with what has happened. What do you suggest?" He will glance towards the boarding house "Perhaps they are followers of Orcus and intend some rite?"
Trying to think more rationally he takes a deep breath and considers. "Maybe we should speak to the mortician. He seems an honest enough fellow, less concerned with the politics of this place. If... The worst has happened, he may know where those who go missing in camp often turn up."
Durnast's cool demeanor breaks once he steps outside the hostel, shaking with revulsion.
message:
"...Not just something, they killed her in cold blood themselves. And I believe likewise for Jylan.
The last thought I picked off the Gnome was 'They'll be meeting their friends, all right.'
And more disturbingly, the Gnome also was thinking 'We'll need to keep them apart. We'll need to warn the Usurer.'"
"I almost decided to take revenge on the murderous Gnome right then and there... but the other presence you detected, Artimus, I sought to sense it's thoughts as well, but... it had escaped or shielded itself somehow... It may well just be a third brother - a Joshiah was mentioned - with some artifact allowing them to pass amongst walls invisible as some of my own powers allow, but it could be... worse. ...If you didn't catch on, they seemed to be in contact similar to how we are, or completely telepathically."
"We know where the two Gnomes are, and simply killing them now, hopefully before they 'warn' the Usurer or their other allies, could be the best course of action... I don't know."
The main thing is I have no idea what happened to the mystery entity... I feel like we could probably take on the Gnomes (hoping they don't have any means of escape), but am not sure about the incorporeal presense. If we want to, I have some decent tactics in mind... But otherwise, we need to get going. Asking the Undertaker is a good idea, but IMHO we should just meet the Rangers and get out of town, if we run into the Undertaker good, if not, so be it.
When they eventually leave the Gnome Boarding House, Alia glances one last time behind her to commit the gnomes' faces and demeanour to memory. When Durnast reveals the result of his investigations, she does not miss a step but her voice turns harsh and cold.
"If we want to put them down, we can either come back and take them by surprise and kill them. If not, we must prepare and flush them out to fight them out of their house. Even the most pacific animal can turn into a beast if cornered on his own ground.
For now, we can go to the stone house. I think the caravan was from Bard's Gate
Artimus continues to think for a long moment, weighing the options. "Friend Durnast does bring forth a good point. If we do not deal with this now, then they are likely to report to their superiors on us and will both be more protected and should we come back later and battle them then someone will know that it is likely us. I believe we should deal with this now, though we can take a moment to prepare and come up with a plan."
As you engage in hushed discussions, the door to the sod house opens and a man steps out into the morning sun. He wears the finely tailored, though travel-stained garb, of an official diplomat. The crest on his tunic identifies his allegiance to Bard’s Gate. He is middle-aged with only a touch of gray in his hair. You might recognize his as a man who had a brief conversation yesterday with Chyressa.
He looks around, and takes a step towards you. Then he looks to the east and freezes with alarm. He turns to call into the house. "Montegue!" A very athletic man with dark skin, bald, wearing loose snippets of unbleached clothing, calmly walks out from the dark building interior and stands behind him.
Montague moves to stand beside his employer. "What do you require"?
Montegue:
Sammar has been terrified of the Hanged Man, an unkillable corpse fueled by Hell and directed by its own spite. It rests in the Commons area during the day, but roams the Camp at night. And he points to the Commons, where you see that, this morning, it has not returned to its gibbet.
"Artimus, how do you want to proceed ? You and I can take on the two gnomes, but what is the third being ? Any ideas ?"
Alia glances at the diplomat and his aid before turning back to look to the east where something seems to have alarmed him.
Perception
Alia sees nothing out of the ordinary to the east. Past the temple of Orcus is the Commons, and past that, the smiithy and the tavern, and behind them, the stables.
The morning had not been good and now that guy seemed to see ghosts...
Alia glares at the diplomat "Well, what's wrong?"
"The hanged man! He's not at rest. He's active, under the sun! Flee to safety, while there's still time!" He rushes into his home, and then returns to the stoop, motioning the rest of you to follow him inside with sharp gestures.
"The hanged man! He's not at rest. He's active, under the sun! Flee to safety, while there's still time!" He rushes into his home, and then returns to the stoop, motioning the rest of you to follow him inside with sharp gestures.
Alia grins at him: "It won't hang anymore. Killed it this morning and removed its head and heart."
The elder just looks at you for a moment, and then, gathering his wits, steps to the side of the doorway. "My name is Sammar, representative of the city of Bard's Gate. Might I have a moment of your time? Montegue, seating for five in the front room."
The elder just looks at you for a moment, and then, gathering his wits, steps to the side of the doorway. "My name is Sammar, representative of the city of Bard's Gate. Might I have a moment of your time? Montegue, seating for five in the front room."
Montegue simply gives a slight bow and goes to complete the task. Eying up the guests as he procedes.
Durnast isn't doing well. He really did come very close to unleashing some Evocation on the Gnome, yet Alia's reminder they know nothing of the mysterious entity's nature nor it's present location mock his desire for vengeance. The Gnomes, he knows, they should surely be able to take... Yet what else lurks in the house, and is it now gone, or just beyond the power of his sorcery?
In a hoarse voice he replies "...Our friends murdered this night... And you spoke with Chyressa, did you not...?"
If the group enters the building to parlay with this Sammar, Durnast will follow, though in a distracted state.
In a hoarse voice he replies "...Our friends murdered this night... And you spoke with Chyressa, did you not...?"
If the group enters the building to parlay with this Sammar, Durnast will follow, though in a distracted state.
To the group
Let's get in. We are looking for info on the caravan. Durnast, can your pseudodragon keep watch on the Gnome house while we're in ?
For those of you entering the sod house
The front room has only one small window on the east end of the north wall. There's enough light to see by, once your eyes adjust. The room has fresh rushes on the floor, and there's a scent of cedar and mahogany that blends well with that of the earthen walls. Montegue has moved a couple of benches in from another room, so there are plenty of seats available. There's even room for Swiftpaws to settle in behind Alia. Other than the seats, the room holds several large burlap sacks in the corners.
"Please forgive the primitive accommodations," your host offers. "I've only been here for little more than a week, and there are still a great many things to put away before the embassy opens.
"And yes, I spoke with the woman. Chyressa, did you say her name was? It wasn't much, just that I'd seen she'd had interest in the boarding house, and I warned her of my suspicions."
"I am the ... representative of the City of Bard's Gate, for whatever that's worth right now. In the coming year, it might be worth a great deal more, or I'll be dead and eaten, one or the other. I sent a mission north, yesterday morning. Perhaps you've heard of it?"
for those of you staying outside
To half-orcs from the compound to the west make their way north to the ramshackle building that stands up the hill behind the boarding house. It looks like they're on a mission.
One of the Bender brothers steps out of the boarding house and flags them down. They have a conversation, but you're too far away to hear what they're saying. If you like, make a Perception check. Then the half-orcs turn back to their original goal and move off to the north. The gnome casts a glance at the embassy and goes back inside.
Tin draws close to Durnast to whisper through his helmet "Be at peace, Durnast. All will be as it should in time. We bring no harm with patience." The elf is troubled as well, but it's much harder to read a person covered in steel.
Tin will accompany the group to the inside of the sod house. He sits, wrinkling his nose a bit at the pleasant smell. The idea of Bard's Gate opening an embassy in this godsforsaken place was either a blessing of civilization or a curse of further degradation. With a silent prayer, Tin hoped it was the former. The ambassador was amicable enough, but smiles could hide daggers. Daggers that dripped with blood, and gleamed in the night. The elf shook his head free of the thoughts that crept in. He dared not speak, leaving the socializing to his companions, as usual.
Artimus nods to the men, his own thoughts still grim as he enters after them. Each of those in the group knows on a level that they could meet their end on these journeys, it is part of the risk of adventuring. But a sword or spell in battle that strikes you down is very different than a knife in the night.
When the man speaks of Chyr, Artimus' eyes narrow slightly at the thought of what had come. "You told Chyressa of your suspicions? Just what suspicions are those? It seems that she may have run afoul of them."
To Artimus, Sammar replies, "I have heard of the boarding house being run by a set of brothers, two or three, depending on whom you ask. But I've never seen any but the one gnome, bushy-moustached and grim, and I'm not sure there's more than the one."
You told Chyressa of your suspicions? Just what suspicions are those? It seems that she may have run afoul of them.
At Artimus' words, Durnast lets out a deep, moaning wail, rage simmering just below the surface, the sound of one distressed but without means of recourse.
Cam is outside, hiding on the roof (Take 10 Stealth: 29 + Cover bonus), watching what he can. Perception:
Cam notices nothing other than what I've related.