avb - Keriä

[planswalker]

Talore or dm only. All others will be thrown into the Great Crater.

on the other side of the door, you see an elven woman behind a desk. A rather complex-looking sound projection device allows her to speak into it and the noise travel to the ceiling in the other room.

she says, "What talents can you specifically offer? Your general description is that of every assassin. I expected as much if you walked into an assassin door. What I need is details. What specific talents do you have that would be worth my employer's time and money to employ?"

[Talore]

"As far as combat, my deadliest asset is the eastern art of Iajutsu, that of attacking when drawing, for one deadly slice, for which I use this odd weapon," Keriä says, whipping out the quickrazor in a dextrous flourish, before sheathing it. "My greatest weapon, though, is my mind. I claim mastery and proficiency in a great many sets of skills. I can sneak, move, disable, doublespeak, I have a repository of practical scholarly knowledge in a variety of subjects, including how to for efficiently kill said subjects, and I can utilize magical devices as well as any wizard. I've also leaned how to cast a few spells a day to augment my skills and provide uncanny versatility." She takes a small breath after that lengthy description. "Oh, I'm also good at tripping people so they never get up," she adds, fingering the darkwood guisarme on her back.

[planswalker]

"You sound like quite the versatile individual. Take this note to the address indicated. My lord will have great use for you."

[Talore]

"Thank you very much," she says, bowing her head, before leaving the room. She swiftly leaves the establishment to find the address marked.

[planswalker]

Lord Eibrich's estate is a rather modest two-story wooden affair. there appears to bwe no one outside, but there is a light on inside.

[Talore]

Keriä raps on the door three times quickly, taking in the surroundings.

[planswalker]

A voice from within asks, "What is your business here?"

[Talore]

"I've been hired by an elven lady at the Maid and Mermaid, apparently I'm to be working for your lord," she says, a tad irritably.

[planswalker]

here i am back. once again, sorry about the delay. family had to come first.

"Step inside." it seems rather impatient.

[Talore]

Keriä steps inside, rather gingerly. He has two fingers on her quickblade-wrist, just in case.

[planswalker]

inside is a house that used to be furnished well, about two generations or so ago, but the decor is in disrepair and in need of a makeover. A rather well-dressed butler in livery is shown to be the voice that you heard on the other side of the door. "And just what job is it that you have been told you were applying for?"

[Talore]

"Well," Keriä begins, looking around at the less-than desirable furnishings. "I've been hired to act as an... assassin for your lord. I understand there's been political turmoil..."

[planswalker]

"You sure don't act like you are very good at this kind of work. Why should I even bother showing you anything besides the back of the door on your way out? We don't really have a use for an assassin who is nervous about entering a house."

[Talore]

Keriä looses an abrupt laugh, then takes a serious look at the butler. "What would a lowly housekeeper know of life and death? Have you crept in the shadows for days, like a rat? Have you leapt from towers and rooftops, flaming death aimed at your body, hitting you if 'ye spared but a moment? Have you tasted steel, brought to the edge of death?" She pauses for a moment, to let it sink in. "I've been through all of those and more. I'm not so foolish as to bound into a building at unawares. If you want muscle driven by a brain the size of a coin then be my guest, but tact and intelligence win more battles than the size of one's arm."

[planswalker]

He tunes you out and waits politely for your diatribe to wind down before speaking. "It appears that you do indeed have some merit in you. Right this way, Ma'am."

He leads you to a door nearby on your right. The name "Eichel" is written in bronze letters in the middle of the door.

[Talore]

Once again, Keriä finds herself opening a portal to an unknown chamber. She takes an askance look at the butler, and pushes open the bronze door.

[planswalker]

Inside is a wizened old man behind a desk. Like most of the rest of the house, it was fancy once upon a time, but has fallen into disrepair. He glances up from the ledgers that he is working with and says, "Are you the killer I have just hired?"

[Talore]

"That would indeed be me," Keriä says. She takes a critical look at her employer, to remember his features intimately.

[planswalker]

he seems to be in his late 40's, but stress and lack of exercise make him look far more wrinkled and worn than that. He has narrow brown eyes and his nose is slightly too small for his face. He seems to constantly carry a pinched expression on his face.

"I am a nobleman with limited funds who had to marry a poor wife of good name for political reasons. My father had squandered our family wealth. However, I have several rich family members whose inheritance would devolve back to me should they die childless. Only one of them actually has a son. I am in need of someone who can either get another to take the fall for their murder or make it look like an accident. I'm afraid that their bodies must be found in order for me to inherit swiftly. If they merely disappear, the estates would be tied up for a decade before they are declared dead. I find that this newfound time of chaos where nobles and merchants are hiring assassins to kill each other left and right to be the perfect time to enact my plans. Does this make you squeamish, or are you the right person for the job?"

[Talore]

Keriä nods, understanding. "I have no qualms with killing. Must it be framed, or would the mere premise of political turmoil be a sufficient reason for your relatives to die? With that cover it would make a quicker job, but if I must make due, than I must."

[planswalker]

"I need them dead in such a way that it either is a complete and total accident, or have someone be convicted of it so that they cannot become suspicious of any motive I have. I want no modus operandi to be used that would make these look like serial killings unless you can also engineer it so that I appear to be one of the potential victims."

[Talore]

"Hmm... how many do you need dead?" Keriä asks. She knows that she doesn't have an infinite ways to kill

[planswalker]

"No more than six. I have six wealthy relatives whose money will go back to the noble estate if they should die childless. Only one has a child that will inherit should they die that won't put the money in my household, and that one is a mere toddler, who of course I will be the guardian of when his father dies. I need them killed one at a time, as they are not all likely to be in the same place. The first one I want dead is my mother-in-law. Her personal estate would pass to my wife. She has no knowledge of this plan and shall remain so. I need her death to look either peaceful or a tragic accident. I don't wish to upset my wife while I deal with family business."

[Talore]

"Okay, first thing's first then," Keriä says, rubbing her neck while thinking. "I need certain information. Where does she live, what is her regular routine as best you know, how well defended is she, and is she doing anything out of the ordinary, like going to events or travelling?"

[planswalker]

"Well, her house was located where there is now a giant gaping crater in the middle of town near the mage's quarter. Where exactly she is now I do not know, but her sister is over on Mastiff's and Noble Way. Just north of the Frey estate. She is a Baroness Julia Robertson. The two keep in touch and for all I know, she's staying there. The two of us were never very close. I'm sure any routines she had were interrupted by the blast. Your mark's name is Roberta Schmidt."

[Talore]

Keriä nods. "I will begin in the morning, it seems to be getting late. May I stay in your building, or must I find accomodations of my own?"

[planswalker]

"Ive got a spare bed in the servant's quarters. Nicer than that you'll have to pay for out of pocket elsewhere."

[Talore]

"Well then, until the morning," Keriä says while bowing. SHe then goes to find this bed in the servants quarters.

*assuming timeskip to morning*

Keriä steps into the kitchen, grabs some food to eat, and makes her way to Mastiff's and Noble Way.

[planswalker]

you make your way there with little incident. The house indicated by your directions is rather large and well furnished on the outside. Someone has sculpted the shrubbery to look like animals.

[Talore]

What are the other buildings around this one?

[planswalker]

there are similarly l;uxurious estates to either side of this one, as well as acros strhe road. This part of town has a lot of estates for the minor nobility. The next block over features an exclusive garden behind the houses.

[Talore]

1. How frequently do guards pass by?
2. Are there alleys between the manors, and do they have windows in the alleys?
3. Is being on rooftops illegal?
4. Are there guards on rooftops?
5. Are the rooftops all slanted or are they flat? If flat, do they have raised edges?
6. Are there any homeless people, street performers, street artists, or stalls near this house?
7. Is there a store nearby where I could buy paper/parchment and charcoal/pen?
8. Any trees on the sidewalks or roads?
9. Any guards that I can see from the street?

[planswalker]

1. How frequently do guards pass by?

some manors have personal guards in attendance. Other than that, there are three guard patrols in the district, who divide up the district into three overlapping circuits. One of them goes by this street every other hour or so

2. Are there alleys between the manors, and do they have windows in the alleys?

no. the estates all have a fence around them and the fences abut up next to each other. However, they all have a front and back gate that are kept unlocked during the day for possible deliveries

3. Is being on rooftops illegal?

not to your knowledge, but being on a rooftop located in private property could get you arrested for trespassing

4. Are there guards on rooftops?

no

5. Are the rooftops all slanted or are they flat? If flat, do they have raised edges?

they are all moderately slanted, but not so much but what you could stand on them without falling unless something distracts you or they become slick

6. Are there any homeless people, street performers, street artists, or stalls near this house?

the homeless are strictly forced out. there are some fancy entertainers in the nearby garden, and all street vender stalls are required to be located elsewhere.

7. Is there a store nearby where I could buy paper/parchment and charcoal/pen?

south on Mastiff road back the way you came

8. Any trees on the sidewalks or roads?

there are no sidewalks, but many of the estates feature one or more shade trees. The estate you are interested in has two in the front and three in the back, although none are allowed to grow within 15 feet of the house and their branches are all trimmed back at least 10 feet away.

9. Any guards that I can see from the street?

in the house or grounds? only one on the north wall of the house (the entrance faces east)

[Talore]

When Keriä spots the fancy entertainers in the courtyard, she walks to the entrance to the courtyard. She feigns watching them (although she it, as she is always trying to learn new skills) while trying to spot her mark leaving or entering the house.

[planswalker]

The entertainers are rather skillful at what they do.

An hour later, two well-dressed ladies enter the house from the opposite way that you had come in. They appeared to be sisters, and both of an age to be your mark.

[Talore]

About what time is it?

[planswalker]

early afternoon

[Talore]

Keriä will continue to hand out until she sees the women again, or until midnight. If the women don't leave the house by then, Keriä will find an inn, sleep for the required 2hrs, then return before the sun rises.

[planswalker]

they leave around 8 that evening, heading north, away from your position. a quartet of burly guards accompany them, following ten feet behind. they eye all around them warily.

[Talore]

Keriä casually gets up ten seconds after, noting the late time. She dusts herself off, then walks after the party keeping a long distance, shadowing them.

[planswalker]

they walk over to the gated entrance to the noble's quarter. After showing the guard at the entrance their papers, he lets them in without further ado.

[Talore]

Keriä swears under her breath and turns to the side of the road, seemingly to re-buckle her shoe. She looks for more nobles coming through the gate.

[planswalker]

a small but steady gaggle of nobles are headed through the gate.

[Talore]

Keriä thinks to herself, Damn, I knew I should've bought that disguise hat! She looks around, and slips into one of the open gates to the manors, to obscure herself from view. She then calls forth on her spontaneous knowledge of the arcane, and wills herself invisible.

She then walks quietly behind a small group of nobles, and slips into the gate behing them, before the guards shut it.

Spending an inspiration to cast Invisibility as an SLA, then moving silently, using Cunning Knowledge

Move Silently
[roll0]

[planswalker]

congrats. You are the second pc to enter the noble's district

you follow in behind a group of young noblemen who are all talking about something that must be terribly funny to them, as they keep laughing constantly.

They are all headed over to the palace where a very cheery set of festive decorations are on display.

[Talore]

Awesome :smallbiggrin:
Keriä moves swiftly towards the palace, and in, assuming no impediments.

[planswalker]

upon reaching the steps of the palace, you see four large guards. when you try to walk through the entrance, the gilded doorframe glows red and you are ejected back out. one of the guards says, "Whatever you are, you are not welcome here. You have been detected and a mage will be out here shortly to detain you. If you try to run, be aware that you will be tracked by scent and arrested."

[Talore]

Keriä dismisses the invisibility spell, and raises her arms. "Bullocks!" she swears under her breath. She turns her head to the guards, otherwise standing still.

"Sirs, I believe an assassin has infiltrated your palace and plans to kill the Baroness Julia Robertson. I've been tracking this suspect for the whole day, and I've shadowed it from her manor. Whoever it is, it's a shapechanger, for it's persona and clothing changed before my eyes." Keriä prays to whatever gods she knows inside her head that she won't be arrested.

Bluff check with Cunning Knowledge
[roll0]
*crosses fingers*

GOD DAMNIT

[planswalker]

"If so, then the royal guard is sure to catch them. That still doesn't mean that you aren't in trouble. Vigilantes may be put up with in the merchant's quarter and down by the docks, but not here. Besides which, even if what you say is true, you could just as easily be the assassin, and just not be good enough to make your way in the castle."

[Talore]

Keriä nods slowly. "I concede that there is no compelling evidence to refute that statement, but I hold that there is none to support it. If I'm to be detained, so be it," she says calmly. "I do hope you will make sure that the Baroness does not come to any harm."

She waits placidly for the mage to arrive.

[planswalker]

six seconds later, a wizard in red robes with silver embroidered stars on it appears in a puff of smoke. "I heard that there was an invisible intruder here?"

[Talore]

Keriä nods, humbly. "Indeed, though I'm not the only one. I've been tracking a shapechanger to the palace whom I believe to be out to kill the Baroness Julia Robertson, but it seems my brand of justice isn't as accepted." She watches the mage keenly, but otherwise takes no actions.

[planswalker]

He seems rather brisk in his business, but fair. "Very well. You confess to attempted vigilantism and attempting to magically enter the palace uninvited."

he turns to the guards who detained you. "any other crimes she is being charged with? Littering maybe? or how about jay walking? Did she forget to tithe to her god or somehting? Any other petty and unimpoertandt infractions which are worth my personal time to investigate? If not, escort her out of the noble's quarter and be sure to not let her bac in. I don't heve time to deal with such minor inconveniences."

[Talore]

Keriä fist-pumps in her mind, while maintaining a neutral and somewhat remorseful expression. She awaits escort.

[planswalker]

The guards escort her to the gate she had just recently walked out of. the gatekeepers take note of your features and do not seem inclined to let you back in unless you have official permission. however, the palace guards do not tell them how it is you snuck in in the first place.

Unfortunately, the activity at this gate seems to have died down for now. The gate slams shut behind you and no one else seems to be going in or out at the moment.

[Talore]

After slighly brushing off her shirt and her ego, Keriä attempts to gain information about what is happening at the palace, from the various people presumably still on the streets.

Gather information with cunning knowledge
[roll0]

Bloody hell I haven't been rolling good lately. I'm supposed to be a skill-monkey, not a flailing commoner

[planswalker]

all you can discern is that the nobles are gathering in the noble's quarter.

[Talore]

Dismayed by her failed attempt to gather knowledge, she tries to find the closest reasonably-priced inn or hostel to retire.

[planswalker]

well, the party won't last all night. you could wait a few hours for your mark to come back. she is likely to not be at her prime when she does.

I'm telling you this because this is something your character already would have been able to conclude from her experiences but i'm not too sure I communicated all too well.

the hostels in this part of the city are all rather expensive. You'll have better luck going to the merchant's quarter or Old Town. The best you can find here is 5 gold per night.

[Talore]

Seeing the atrocious prices, Keriä opts to sleep for two hours, as her Ring of Sustenance allows, under a hedgerow, close to the noble's quarter. When she gets up, she makes some alterations to her repetoire of spells, and waits for the real party to begin.

[planswalker]

you are aware that even if you rest the equivalent to a full night's sleep for you, eight hours must pass before your spells fully refresh. That 8 hours must be spent resting, even if it isn't sleep. The recent casting limit still applies. Any spells cast in the last 8 hours will not be refreshed.

If you have an item which you believe circumvents this, either you misunderstood what it did or it is an item we shouldn't have allowed without houseruling that it doesn't let you circumvent the recent casting rule.

[Talore]

you are aware that even if you rest the equivalent to a full night's sleep for you, eight hours must pass before your spells fully refresh. That 8 hours must be spent resting, even if it isn't sleep. The recent casting limit still applies. Any spells cast in the last 8 hours will not be refreshed.

If you have an item which you believe circumvents this, either you misunderstood what it did or it is an item we shouldn't have allowed without houseruling that it doesn't let you circumvent the recent casting rule.

Well then... it seems that I'll have to get back to you on that in the morning and possibly re-think some outfitting *embarrased*

[Talore]

Yeah, looked up the wording of the Factotum ability, and a ring of sustenance wouldn't speed up the time needed. If it's okay, I'd like to take the 2500gp I spent on it to instead inhance my Headband of Intellect +2 to also have the abilities of a Hat of Disguise, as they take the same slot. Doing so would cost 1800gp for the normal price, plus another half, or 900gp, for a total of 2700gp. That leaves 200gp to make up, so I'd give up my Boots of Agile Leaping (600gp) to pay the 200gp difference, and end up with 400gp in my pockets. The rule for combining abilities on an item are on page 233 of the Magic Item Compendium if you'd like to look it up yourself. Is this acceptable, since I bought it under false pretense, and I would have bought my starting loadout differently?

The post below would assume the above-mentioned changes.

Keriä opts to wait nearby, for the party to end. She assumes the guise of a short, well-to-do lesser noble with a crooked nose and curled golden hair, one who wouldn't be of stature to attend, but enough to look regular in this district.