{IC} The Imperium

[Vknight]

Welcome to Mapletown. The large port town is a sight to behold to does not used to large towns.
The buildings are stone & brick. The bay cuts into the city letting smaller ships get right next to some shops.
It is a warm spring evening the time would be around 7in the afternoon.
As the guards walk around doing there routes.
A group of 5 is being escorted by 6 guards more as a protection detail then the group being criminals.
These 5 broke up a bar-fight at the Mermaid Tavern.
They lead the group past the holding cells past the barracks to the 4th floor & a large door built so even Goliath's could get through.
As the group is brought be-forth the guard captain of Mapletown Arthur Black. The other guardsmen leave there boss waving them off.

He is a large Dragonborn with black scales his right eye has what are probably burns around it. He is gruff & physically imposing standing taller then even some of the largest Dragonborn at 7Feet tall.
He is standing looking at a window at the Mapletown the guard barracks are situated so that he can see almost all of the town from this window.
One guards man goes up to him & whispers into his ear.
With a stern but sympathetic look he begins to speak his voice is melodious but dark.

"I thank you for taking care of that tavern brawl. My men inform me you performed most admiringly. It leaves me with less of a mess not having to pay that barkeep for what my men would have broken." Arthur paces he seems stressed.

"I have a request for you as a group. If your willing to take it I can say you'll be rewarded for your services to this town. This is not so much a request as I am telling you to do this I cannot spare my own men & I cannot call upon the merchants hired hands." He begins to pace again his left eye closes then he stops beginning to speak once more.

"See over the last month attacks on caravans leaving the city have increases. They are well thought & planned attacks far enough away my guard cannot hear it. The thing is I cannot be sure on who the suspect is. There are goblins about 1days travel to the west or a merchant trying to drive away business. What I need are people outside the politics of this city to find out who what where & why." Taking a deep breath Arthur sighs.
He sighs again resting into his chair his large frame fitting awkwardly into it. The man seems stressed far beyond what normal humanoids should be.

Insight DC;16
Arthur is not telling the whole truth he seems to suspect someone.

[horngeek]

"Captain Black, while it is an honor to be volunteered for this mission, I would have to check with my superiors at the Order before committing to anything."

Miri smiles. "Even if you aren't sure, do you have anywhere you think we should check first? Any lead would be appreciated."

OOC:
Diplomacy roll time!

[roll0]

[Turalisj]

Adihal was leaning against a wall, his eyes half closed as he looked about the room. "The easiest solution to this is to head to the goblin camp and wipe them out. If the attacks stop, it was the goblins. If they don't, it's the merchants." He said.

[Vknight]

He nods to your words.
"I can understand I do believe your order will have no problems with this task. If you must know I believe 'Rizzo Vern' he has only had one attack against him where as every other merchant has suffered 3plus attacks. There is no evidence but with the attacks, he can sell ritual components at higher pricing then normal. This also means only his shop can magically infuse an item."
The large Dragonborn points out the window at a large shop, near the barracks.
"That's his shop, we had a guard discretely check it out & turn up nothing. Now as your ally has stated the goblins are more likely & if the attacks stop then we won't cause problems"

[DualShadow]

The tall figure standing in the back of the group speak for the first time since the fight. The simplest of plans would be to escort the caravan and see the ones who would dare disturb the peace. And those who dare strike against the defenceless shalt meet their demise by my hands. Lifting his hammer above the group, adding to the meaning of his words.

[Vknight]

"That approach would be useful if we could predict what caravan they would attack. Maybe one going out maybe one going in we don't know. What I do know is that the tensions between the merchants are rising I've had 3 fights in the streets in the last 2days all involving merchants and or there workers. They aren't doing anything there sitting around waiting for me to solve it well they attack each other. I can't spare men because I have to make sure they don't kill each other. This is an investigation if you all agree in the course of this investigation I shall give you full guard privileges."

[horngeek]

"The other problem... from what I remember, bandits can be very cautious. There's the risk that any force substantial enough to defeat them would simply scare them off, and in this case, we don't want to do that."

[DualShadow]

As an answer to Athur's words, Ragnar lower his hammer taking it in both hands with the head down, closing his eyes. Thou art in command of this settlement, thy way shall be. So it seems that Forseti's blessing must be called upon us for that I be not well versed in the investigative art.

Opening his eyes and completly lowering the hammer, holding it in his left hand.Thy words rings with the sounds of truth and wisdom dark one. As so, the son of Sweyn shall support thee in yon endeavor. As he move his right hand to the Drow's shoulder.

[Vknight]

Arthur looks at you, then realization dawns on him.
"Yes do not worry on it. I will leave it up to all of you how you conduct this investigation."
He stops then turn to Miri.
"Now Miri I sent some of my men down to the temple to request for you. They should be back soon with word with what the elder thinks."

[WarBrute]

A gnome with woody brown hair and wearing a green vest stands among the group. His eyes are a shade green lighter than his vest and the hilt of a dagger can be seen sticking out of his belt. A small red orb is held loosely in his hand. He speaks up, "I would trust your instincts about Rizzo Vern. The business of the arcane can be cut throat. Maybe I should pay his shop a visit before we leave."

Because a picture is worth 1000 words...

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r291/WarBrute/Avatars/WarrynLostsoul.png

Warryn Lostsoul

[nolispe]

Aleris steps forward.
'Why would we not simply hide in the caravan's baggage unless nessesary? Surely it would be easy to convince a single merchant to let us hide, and that would also have the advantage of preventing the larger mass of merchants from being aware of this operation.'

[horngeek]

"That... could work. We'd need someone to let the rest of us know when to jump out, though."

[nolispe]

'I think the shouting and the stabbing would probably do as a warning. But if you would prefer...'

[Vknight]

"I can arrange for a merchant to embark on this endeavor for you if that is your plan."

(Note to self this party is smart.)

[Turalisj]

"First though, I'd like to check out the site of the most recent caravan attack. I've hunted goblins before and know their tracks." The ranger said, walking towards the group.

[Vknight]

Arthur nods to this. "The last attack was at the Northern Gate about a three days ago. I can have the wagon here & ready for you when you come back."

A guardsman walks in & whispers into Arthur's ear. He seems visibly displeased & whispers back to the guard.

Perception 12
"Monsieur Black attacked Rizzo Vern just in the last 10minutes he is being held downstairs."
"Tell him to knock it off or he's spending the day on the stocks."

[Turalisj]

"Who's this Monsieur Black? And what's this with starting fights?

If you wish for our help, we need to be able to know everything you can tell us."

[Vknight]

"Black has had the most attacks on his caravans he is also Rizzo's rival. Before these attacks they would only get into a fight once every 5months. Now it's nearly every other day one of them starts something. He believes it to be Rizzo & has rallied half the merchants to believe just that. The other half say its the goblins."

[horngeek]

Miri frowns. "Is there a fight going on right now?"

[Turalisj]

"Miri, maybe you should go talk to Black.

Captain, if you could bring me to the site of the latest caravan attack, I can see if I can identify any clue's left behind of who the attackers are." Adihal said. He then turned towards the others. "If anyone else has skill in identifying tracks, I'd appreciate the help."

[Vknight]

"No my men took care of the fighters. As for taking you to the site of the attack, I cannot I can lend you 2guardmen to accompany you to the site."
Turning from all of you he opens a cabinet drawing a large bottle Arthur breaks the lid off & takes a swig.

[Turalisj]

"Then give me directions to the site and I will investigate it myself." Adihal said, crossing his arms in determination.

[horngeek]

"And you're right, I'm well-suited to talk to Black. Does anyone else wish to come?"

[DualShadow]

Heading toward the door. I shall proceed with the maiden, it shall serve as teachings for how the Imperium's resolve their troubles. Ragnar finish his sentence as he open the door and move aside to let the others go first.

[horngeek]

"Thank you. My name's Miri, by the way."

[DualShadow]

Ragnar Sweynson, Jomsviking of the Imperium. As he bow to Miri's presentation.

[Vknight]

"I wish you luck & speed from Bahamut the location of the attack was 250Feet outside the city gates."
He salutes you as you all depart.

[nolispe]

Aleris follows Miri and Ragnar, smiling happily.

[horngeek]

Once they have all left, Miri looks around. "First off, I think we should all introduce ourselves. As I said before, my name is Miri, and I am a Paladin of Bahamut."

[WarBrute]

The gnome smiles and nods, "Warryn Lostsoul, I'm a traveling arcanist."

[nolispe]

'Ooh, are we doing introductions? I'm Aleris!'

[Turalisj]

"Adihal Greenfen, ranger. I'll see everyone later then, if no one wants to come with to check out where the last raid took place." The elf said, walking off towards the site of the attack.

[Vknight]

Adihal you make it quickly to the Northern Gate it is about a 2minute walk from the Guard Barracks. The men at the gate let you pass with no worry & even point you to the attack sight. From you position at the gate you notice that its far enough away that it could take some time for even you to notice anything array.
You make it to the site in about 40seconds.

Nature DC;16 or Perception DC;16
The tracks here are of mixed group. There are goblins, hobgoblins, human, & even elven.
Dungeoneering DC;15
The attacks were in mixed armor. The group near the front had much heavier armor well those near the back had lighter armor. The attackers also came from both sides flanking
Perception DC;20
The tracks split early on the group with the goods heading back to the city the other group heading west.

[horngeek]

After the group splits up, Miri makes her way to Black's house (along with anyone else who wishes to come), and knocks on the door.

[Vknight]

Those that go with Miri find a medium sized home. It looks well taken after the roof is tiled & the walls have windows.

[horngeek]

Miri knocks on the door, and waits for a reply.

[Vknight]

A blond women wearing a light green dress. She is very beautiful a red brooch rests on her chest. She smiles to you.
"Hello you must be friends of my Husband. Sadly he's not in right at the moment, the guards told me he got in a spot of trouble. is that true?"

Insight DC;10
She is much more worried about her husband then she puts on.

[horngeek]

"He was involved in an altercation, yes, but he isn't hurt.

Could we please speak to you, Ma'am?"

Miri's smile is reassuring. She isn't looking for trouble, but she would like to see if she can gain some insight into Black's troubles.

OOC:
Diplomacy! [roll0]

[Vknight]

"Of course, the last few months have put many stresses on him. But first come in."
She steps back to let you in.
"I think he's gotten to worked up over this, & is lashing out."

[horngeek]

"I understand. These raids must be unnerving for all of the merchants."

Miri enters when invited.

OOC:
I'm going to give everyone else some time to speak up as well now. :smalltongue:

[WarBrute]

As the group the depart Warryn says goodbye and heads off to find Rizzo Vern's shop hoping to get an insight on his involvements of the in raids.

[DualShadow]

Standing outside waiting for everyone to enter. Merchants blaming merchants for the assault of unknown enemy, bah! Fools all of them! Divided they shall fall! Ragnar, unsure of the woman's reaction, wait outside.

[Vknight]

(If I sprung an encounter you guys would be doomed. The striker is outside the city, the controller is milling about an arcane shop, the rest of you are interrogating a person who may not know anything.)

Warryn
You find a large shop it has smoke billowing out from it & a large number of people around it, some are other merchants, some are guardsmen, the rest are customers. The shop seems to have a large amount of business & prospering well.

Miri, Ragnar
She ignores Ragnar's statement probably out of good manners.
"Oh yes we have had to give up some of the finer things in life. Also we worry that one of our sons maybe be traveling with a caravan that is coming into the city & it gets attacked."

[DualShadow]

At what rate doth those assaults occur ma'am?

[Vknight]

"Well the first on are caravans began the attacks & the most recent one was also on one of our caravans. I cannot say to be precise but they have struck 8 times over the last 2months."

[DualShadow]

Tell me lady, how many merchant doth Mapletown be housing? Crossing his arms over his chest.

[Vknight]

"There are 3Merchants in weapons & armor, 2in the arcane trade, 4In the trade of common goods, 1Trader in more expensive goods, & 1in exotic goods from the elves far to the west. That's about eleven merchants total, then there employees at there shops total about twenty-five. Now I have a question my husband in this incident was he the one antagonizing or not?"
She moves over to a table pulling out a chair she sits gently resting into it.

[WarBrute]

Warryn glances around the busy shop and says to himself, "Well he sure seems to be doing well for himself" Going up to one of the patrons hey says, "Wow, sure is busy in here. I just came into town and this crowd caught my eye. This guy have the best deals or the best quality to make it this popular?"

[DualShadow]

The details are not known to me, fair Miri, perhaps thy hath heard something? A single last question from my part ma'am: How many of those merchants hath caravans?

[horngeek]

"I believe so, ma'am."

[Vknight]

"Oh he is letting this get the better of him he has a good head on his shoulders & is letting this effect his better judgment. Now your question about the caravans." She pauses a moment collecting her thoughts. "Well with Mapletowns location almost all of the merchants have a small caravan. Most though only go to villages near by. Very few go further then that."
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Warryn
"No its not he has the best prices but he's the only shop with things people need. Spices, components for salves or poisons to kill rats."
the man crouches down & whispers to you. "I'd say Black had better deals when it came to what the common folk needed, you did not hear that from me."
The man stands up again going back to collecting spices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The light in the skin is beginning to fade as night is beginning to settle.

[DualShadow]

I be finished here, would you be Miri?

[horngeek]

"So am I. Thank you for your help, ma'am."

[WarBrute]

Warryn winks at his informant and moves away from him. Noticing the darkening sky he decides to leave, not having the money to buy anything anyway. He heads out back towards the guardhouse thinking he could meet up with the others there.

[DualShadow]

As Ragnar and Miri get some distance from the house. My village be a village of warriors, of brothers and sisters, one giant family, we doth not deal in politics, betrayal or thievery. We also doth not deal in inquisitive affairs nor great mathematics. After leaving a few seconds to let the misguiding info sink in.

The lady just said that there is about 11 merchants in this town, the biggest number of them have their caravans, she also said there have been about 8 attacks in the last 2 months. Leaving again a few seconds to let the facts sink in.

The captain of this settlements informed us that Rizzo Vern endured one such assault, and just about everyone else endured 3 or more raid. And that, in the captain's words, over the last month. As the last piece of information provided by the captain was also that the last raid occured 250 feets away from the city walls, and again in his own words: "far enough away, my guard cannot hear it.".

Holding high as if examining it. I have been in enough fights to tell thee that if guards cannot hear a raid happening at 250 feets from the walls, then they are deaf, .... or bribed to be deaf..... as a last arguments, the captain seemed stressed and to be drinking.

[horngeek]

"...you believe he's bribing the guards as well? That would explain why the captain is getting us to handle this case."

[DualShadow]

Perhaps, it is also within the realm of possibilities that those guards were bribed by another's pocket. The guards are involved for certain, the Captain, mayhaps he be hiding information or he be truly involved. Uner the shine of recent events mayhaps it be wiser to group up, who knows who may be trusted.

[Vknight]

Miri Ragnar you are approached by a guardsman. He is short & wearing leather armor bits of his blond hair sticking out from his helmet.
He stammers & stutters well talking probably unnerved by the strangers the shorter of which stands half a foot taller then him.
"Hello the captain sent me to find you. He said he acquired the item you needed. He also said it's in the barracks horse pen."
(Yeah I'm righting stuttering so pretend)
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Warryn you arrive to the guard house seeming a one horse covered wagon being moved into the horse pens. The others don't seem to be around.

[nolispe]

Aleris runs up, having been wandering pointlessly around the town at this point. He takes Ragnar and Miri by the arm and leads them into a alleyway/corner, and wispers:
'I just think it might be a good idea to point out that if he can bribe the guards, we might want ot check out the guard rosters and how they align with the locations of the attacks - if we find a group of guards, or even a single guard, who was universally on watch in the correct areas at the correct times, we can guess that they ghave been taking bribes. If there is no pattern, then we are forced to presume that the entire guard corps is corrupt, and that we need to call in backup. We also want to find out how shifts are selected and the size of the guard corps. I want to know if the captain has been invovled.
I personally suspect that this goes deeper than our merchant friend realises. On an unrelated note, the bandits seem to have a strange desire to leave the merchants alive. That seems strange to me. Nothing about these raids adds up, really. They could be entirely fake. '

[Turalisj]

After about an hour of searching around and investigating the tracks, Adihal returns to the Tavern to wait for the others.

[Vknight]

Adihal
You get back to where you agreed to see the others & see Warryn by himself.
-----------------------------------------------

Warryn
You see Adihal coming back
------------------------------------------------

(Everyone Else)
(OOC; Are you going to head back now or what?)

[DualShadow]

Aye, elements are amist, I voice we all gather and share what we hath learned, not to forget, we also have our plan to go with a caravan. ANother point to consider, the little soldier who hath met us seemed stressed.

Ragnar start making his way to the gathering point.

[Vknight]

Warryn & Adihal
You see Miri, Ragnar, & Aleris approaching to your meeting point.
------------------------------------------------

Miri & Ragnar
You see at your meeting area Warryn & Adihal
------------------------------------------------

Aleris
You see everyone else Miri & Ragnar are rejoining the group.
------------------------------------------------

Everyone
Coming from the guardhouse to Warryn & Adihal is Arthur hos mood seems to be slightly more relaxed.

[WarBrute]

Warryn smiles and waves to his comrades as they approach, "I hope your fact finding missions went well."

[DualShadow]

Hail! in answer to Warryn's greeting. Only common facts hath been revealed.

Ragnar say no more, waiting for the others to say something, waiting to see how Miri, an Imperium official and a paladin, will react when faced with one of the suspect.

[WarBrute]

"Well, you have to learn cantrips before you cast spells," the Gnome says with a wry smile. "Basic information is a good place to start."

"I checked on Rizzo's shop. That man is doing far too well for a merchant in a town plagued by bandits."

[Turalisj]

"The attack site had human, elf, and goblinoid tracks. Something doesn't seem right."

[horngeek]

"Not to mention that, as Ragnar pointed out, it was far too close for the guards to not have heard something. Heck, from that distance, they should have seen the entire thing."

[Vknight]

(OOC; The a basic Perception check is DC:15 +1for every 50ft. thats before applying the light cover from the woods.)

Arthur comes towards all of you speaking loud enough for all of you to hear but not for the other people near by to hear. "Come inside I have good news & better news."

[horngeek]

Miri looks at Arthur quizically, but follows him inside, waiting until they're inside to hear the news.

[DualShadow]

Ragnar follow the captain inside without saying a word.

[WarBrute]

I wonder what good news there would be. Warryn thinks to himself as he walks behind Arthur.

[Vknight]

Once inside & in his office once more Arthur turns smiling.
"The good news is that Black finally gave up trying to kill Rizzo in the streets, The better news is that its one of his wagons you'll be taking so the chances of it getting attacked have tripled. These two subjects covered I think we may have a good news about these attacks soon."

[nolispe]

Aleris grins.
'Ooh-rah.'

[WarBrute]

"When will the wagons be ready to move out?" The gnome asks.

[Vknight]

A twinkle in his eye the Dargonborn smiles"Well Warryn the Wagon is set in the stables below. I got it loaded with Crates for you some of the smaller of your group to hide in. You can leave at any time. The sooner you leave the faster this is taken care."

[DualShadow]

As the good captain's words, we go right now and put those cowards to rest.

[Turalisj]

"I'd like to remain behind the caravan a bit. My talent lies with archery, I can put an arrow in a crow's eye from a hundred paces away with the sun flashing into my eyes." Adihal said after getting a drink from the tavern.

[DualShadow]

Does your talents include stealth my good lad?

[Turalisj]

"I'd have starved long ago if they didn't."

[WarBrute]

"I'll stay in hidden the wagon. The element of surprise would just add to my firepower"

[Vknight]

*Crickets Chirp*

*Crickets Chirp*

A Large Dragoborn passes by riding upon a tumble weed
*He Roars loudly shattering near by windows. It sounds like 'RAWR I'm a Monster!'*

[nolispe]

He then proceeds to jump of the tumbleweed, loose his balance and roll to a halt near everybody else.
'Didya see how long I balanced on that thing? Didya? Didya? It was AWESOME!
Right, lets get on with this thing. '

[Vknight]

This event shall never be explained so let us actually move on with the story.