Here shall be told the stories of a group of brave adventurers from the land of Eberron.
Famica isn't just a woman of dubious renown. Famica is the one lending an ear. She is the shoulder many people have cried on. She even helped some people during financial hardship.
Famica is a lot more than just a mature hooker: She is the heart and soul of Firelight-District.
In her life, Famica has made quite a few friends. That is why, word has spread quickly, that Famica has vanished a few days ago. Lucky for her, Meekin, a courageous if somewhat scatterbrained Kobold, has gathered some old friends of her to start a search for Famica.
Around a worn table in a bar named "The Stout Cucumber", Meekin has assembled the strongest of Famicas friends to forge a plan to bring the mature lady back.
Welcome, friends! You may have heard that Famica has vanished. I consider it our duty, to find and perhaps rescue her, if need be. So maybe you just introduce yourself to each other and we can start examining the few traces, Famica left..."
My Lady, dear gentleman! My name is Hans Urian. I am skilled in the arcane craft. This maybe a rescue- or a revenge-mission, depending on the nature of Famicas disappearance. My hopes are that it is the first, but reality seems to have a knack to ignore what I hope. Is someone of you experienced in these investigation-things?
The pale-skinned elf tugs the hood closer down over his head and glances around the table. Evening. I'm Aramil. I've uhm..been known to slip in and out of places without notice from time to time. I can't say I know much about investigation, but if you need someone to take a look into a locked building, I can help out. Famica was...dear to me. I'm hoping this is nothing too nefarious. I wouldn't want to cut too many throats.
The willowy Eladrin leaned upon his walking stick, holding some ancient tome close to heart. He listened quietly as the others spoke and, when the topic of investigation is raised, he perks up. Research? What veriety of research might we be needing? I am sure that I can assist in some way.
Hans turns to Aramil.
Marvelous! My father used to say that a man, who wants to achieve something in life, needs three things: A loving wife, a sharp intellect and people who can get things done that can't be traced to anybody.
It seems to me that so far only the loving wife is missing.
A scrawny looking human in furs and hides, Andros speaks quietly, "Can't say that I'm much of an investigator myself, but I am handy to have around when the investigation goes sour and/or the investigation reaches an end that requires more concrete action."
The kobold-host does something that could be smiling in kobold-manner.
How wonderful to have so many helping hands around! If I haven't forgotten anybody, we are complete by now! Maybe it is the best, when I tell you what we know so far. Famica had a nasty quarrel with a pimp named "The Stick" recently. He wanted her to work for him, but she declined. I guess you could start by asking some of the Firelight-prostitutes, as most of them work for "The Stick". But be careful. Rumor has it, that this particular pimp is a rather violent one...
...and one might wonder, why one of the chairs at the table is still empty...
Violent, eh? I like the "fight-fire-with-fire-aproach" most...
There's no reason we have to resort to violence immediately. Let's ask around a bit first. Is there anyone in particular you'd recommend anyone to speak with?
Aramil slides out from the table, glancing at the empty seat and shrugging.
Streetwise to know about any prostitutes who might be good to talk with?
I've spent some time in this area and recall some rumors about a half-elf named Illya. She works for the Stick and might know something. Maybe she can tell us where this guy is?
Aramil will try to find this woman, heading to whichever part of the street or whichever brothel it is she works at, if he knows.
Streetwise to know where to find her?
If that fails, he'll try asking Meekin.
Meekin, that sounds like a good place to start. I recall a half-elf called Illya who works for him, am I right? Do you by any chance recall where she tends to hang around?
Yes, yes, yes! I know this girl! Nice one! Nice one! Works in the Honeypot. Be careful with her, okay? Threaten her if you must but don't harm her.
Meekin stops for a moment and seems to think. Wait! Ah... I'm soooo forgetful! We are not complete yet! Let's wait over dinner and hope that this gnome-girl shows up.
Meekin yells over to a waiter: Bring us a big pot of your daily meal and enough plates for my friends here!
As he has made his order, he turns around again: Let's not be naive about his one: As far as I know the Stick, you won't be able to rescue Famica without violence. So maybe you talk now about what your abilities and specialties are to improve your teamwork later on, yes? I hope everyone has a sufficient amount of combat equipment, yes?
A small purple haired, armor clad woman walks into the Cucumber, eyes the room and moves over to the table where the others were sitting. "G'day y'all. I guess you are the ones looking for Famica? If so I'm in." She eyed all of them, barely concealing her contempt for the reptilian at the head of the table.
"My speciality lies in limiting my foe's ability to maneuver. Mostly this is done through manipulation of the battlefield, but I can take a more direct approach on occasion should the circumstances require it."
Meekin seems delighted. Yes! Welcome! Hello!
He offers Lani a meal and summarizes all shared information so far.
It seems you will be a colorful bunch! I am very confident that Famica will be in good hands!
Keep them away from me and I will use the fiery magic in my blood to let enemies fall like flies. But repetition: Keep them away from me - I am a Scholar, not a warrior. Ah... and don't take personal what I do on the battlefield... Remember: Not the dagger is evil, but the hand that uses it decides to what end it is used.
...and Hans takes care that his holy symbol of the Church of the Silver Flame is clearly visible at the right moment...
I... humm... I don't suppose I'll be much use if things resort to violence. I can try to advise the rest of you on tactics... Oh! I can give a rousing cheer if you're doing well.
Lani snorted at the Tiefling, "Don't worry princess, few are the ones that get past me. Just don't bother me with your ramblings on good and purity." She nodded at the holy symbol.
But it seemed both the tiefling and the eldarin were pansies. Well, at least they'd make good cannon fodder.
Hans turns to Lani. I could ramble a bit about damnation and hereditary sin if you like that more... But at least it is good to know, that someone can hold the line.
Does anybody of you have any further questions I can answer? Else I would go and try to catch some sleep...
Meekin obviously hasn't slept much in the last days. Maybe Famicas disappearance is just too much for him.
Right then, I obviously see nothing.
Istyarian nods to the kobold. "Right then, poor fellow. Get some rest. We'll see to Famica."
"Yes, well, perhaps we can start with that hooded stranger that decided to listen on our conversation." Andros moves to get between the doorway and the stranger, trying to cut him (or her) off.
Hans hasn't noticed the stranger and reacts just that short moment too late to intervene.
Andros catches up to that hooded spy just at the right time. As the little eavesdropper notices, he tries to get out of the window.
But Andros is faster and grabs the short one. Under the hood, he notices a furry, sand-yellow face that looks somewhat like a monkey - a goblin!
The bartender looks angrily at the two and shouts: Hey there! No quarrels! You'll pay everything you break!
Andros shrugs, "Guess we get to have our conversation outside." Dragging the goblin with him, he steps outside to a back alley close by. "Now then, I suggest you start filling us in on why you found our conversation so interesting before we have to get the information out of you the hard way."
As Andros drags the Goblin outside, he clearly senses that hairy spy's fear. With a little effort, a group of determined interrogators could surely get information out of him.
Everyone can contribute in some way. Just name a skill and describe how you want to put it to use in the described scenario. For example, someone could try diplomacy to offer the goblin his freedom if he spills the beans. Even skills that aren't directly connected to the scenario could be used, but it takes a little creativity: If one wants to use e.g. Athletics in this context, he could just state, that he wants to show his great strength to the prisoner, thereby intimidating by sheer physical power. But be warned - those exotic uses are almost always quite difficult. On level 1, such a use would be against a DC of 20, for example.
You can even just name a skill and the DM tells you, what you could do with it. Or you can state what you want to do and the DM tells you, which skill to use.
In each skill challenge, you have to gather a specific number of successes before you accumulate to many failures. In this skill challenge, you have to collect 4 successes before 2 failures.
If you succeed at a skill challenge, the following adventure part will become considerably easier. If you fail, you might get a disadvantage, but it will almost never be a showstopper. To give an example, Hans will try a quite obvious skill in the next post.
Hans follows Andros outside. As he sees him trying to make the goblin speak, he adresses Andros:
Oh no, not again! Do we have to make a mess of each prisoner? The last one looked so gruesome that even I hoped, we could skip the razor-thing this time...
The thin elf will follow the others out silently. Once outside, he'll stride up to the goblin, tilting his head.
Watching us? Oh, you're surely not getting paid enough. We're not the sort you want to mess with, although I'm sure you feel the same about your employer. We're much, much nastier..and willing to cut a deal. I'll pay you one and a half times what you're being paid if you give up some information, just a little bit. Like..how much you overheard. That's not too much, is it now?
Bluff, Aramil has no intent to pay him.
The goblin lifts an eyebrow. Oh, come on, Moooooom, don't tell me THAT old fairy tale again... We goblins have INVENTED lying, so you have to do a lot better than that.
Never one for shying away from the direct route, and not having much chance of bluffing his way through this, Andros just smiles. "Sounds like a challenge to me. Perhaps the next words out of your mouth will prove to be wiser." He grins as his body starts to change form, and in a few short seconds, the goblin finds his back on the ground, and looking up the muzzle of a rather nasty, angry wolf into eyes that make it clear that there really are only two options.
The goblin suddenly seems more cooperative: Hey, hey, hey! Come on, we are reasonable people, yes? We can talk civilized about everything, right?
"Of course we can be civilized about this. So long as you are forthcoming with some much needed information."
The captured goblin falls into a whisper.
Good to hear this. See, I actually might really be willing to tell you something...
Hans whispers to Istyarian just loud enough for the goblin understand:
Oh Istyarian, I'm so glad you found a reasonable approach to this little spy here. I was afraid, we had to take the messy route again. And last time it was so much trouble letting the corpse disappear...
An expression of fear is visible on the goblin's face. He seems to be more and more willing to tell who sent him.
Suddenly an armor-clad Gnome appears between the others. It is strange that someone so heavily armored can move so silently. "Now now friends, no need to get all hostile. Give the poor chap a chance to speak up. So friend, what where you after here? Your secret is safe with me." Her hand moves over the pommel of her rapier, drawing attention to it. The pommel is shaped in the form of a cockatrice's head, a symbol of House Sivis.
It seems that the goblin doesn't want to push his luck and risk that you might really get violent.
Yes, no need to get hostile! Yes! I was sent after Meekin, because the Stick heard that he planned something. But the tavern-room was quite a loud mess, so I didn't understand much.
Then, the goblin falls into a whisper:
The Stick also hired some mercernaries to ambush anyone Meekin might sent out. I have to tell them, that you are the ones, else they kill me. But I can delay it somewhat to give you an advantage, okay? Maybe you will ambush them? So you let go of me now, yes?
The goblin looks at you with big, begging eyes. He actually looks surprisingly cute.
Andros turns back into human form and steps back, allowing those speaking to handle the rest of this, his role fulfilled.
"That depends. What can you tell us about those mercenaries? Where were they to ambush us? Which company do they belong to? Where is the stick?" Lani looks the goblin straight in the eye. There was no telling what he'd do if they let him go. Their best course of action probably was getting him to spill the beans and then knock him out cold.
I don't know where he is. But I'm sure the mercenaries know how to contact him. The ambush-site would have been chosen depending on my spying-information. They are sellblades from Darguun, those. By the way, if I don't return, they start seeking me and try to get you without my aid.
"But you just told us they don't know who we are, so what is the problem?" The little rat was get tied up in his own lies already. Now mercenaries from Darguun, that could prove interesting.
Nononononono!!! You don't know these Darguun-badasses! They WILL find you, it will just take longer...
"It would seem that our wisest move would be to ensure that an ambush occurs in a location more to our tactical andvantage than that of these brutes. Perhaps the young demagogue would help us in this endeavour?"
I CAN'T DO THAT! If I help you and you lose, I will be killed! No, please, let me just go! Please!!!
"Let him go. We will deal with these other thugs when they decide to show themselves. In the meantime, we have more important matters to deal with."
"We've not yet established a means of turning this to our advantage. Fore-warned is fore-armed, true, but we have so little information. Passing some misinformation back to this creature's employer is tactically viable and advisable."
Lani roughly pokes the Eladrin when he call their goblin captive a "creature". That was a sure way to make him tell his employer anyway. "Ok, let's make a deal. We'll let you go and you go in hiding for a bit, we'll take care of those thugs. Hide long enough and we might even take care of the Stick. Maybe you can seek us out later if you have more info, I might be able to get you a decent job with my House." They always needed cleaners for hallways and conference rooms.
Yes! Yesyesyes YESSSS! I am good at hiding!!! Won't tell anyone, promise!
The goblin nods as if his life depended on it (maybe it even does) and slowly moves away, an unsure smile on his face and sweat on his forehead.
Andros ignores the goblin as he turns to the others, "Shall we be off then? No point in standing around and drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves."