Storm over Eisendorf (the Garrote)

[Kensen]

After a long interrogation, the Resistance had extracted the information they needed from captain von Richter. He had revealed the location of a secret lab that needed to be destroyed. As soon as you were ready, you started your journey to Eisendorf. It was better to hurry so that you'd make it there before the Invictines started suspecting that the captain had been kidnapped.

After five days of riding, you arrive at the west gate of Eisendorf just before sunset. Guards clad in brigandine and steel helmets and carrying glaives seem to inspect any people going in or out only casually. A group of travelers went in just a minute ago and the guards didn't ask any questions or even stop them.

OOC:

So, are you going in together or separately? Any preparations, precautions beyond hiding your illegal equipment? Any crazy shenanigans? What are you going to do once you're inside? Basically, all you know about where Rowan might be that each time he sent reports back to the Resistance, he mentioned a place called "Paddy's".

[SamBurke]

Alyera saunters towards the gate, confident and calm. "Let's just go in the front door, chaps. Seems pretty open."


Yay for obviousness!

[BarroomBard]

Mattock tugs on the collar of von Richter's uniform to ease the fit. It feels strange to be back in uniform, even if it is someone else's.

He grabs Alyera by the elbow, before she can get too far out of the copse where Team Garrote is hiding. "Hold up there, girl. Let's make sure we all know the plan." He looks suspiciously over at Jack. "And that we all have the same plan. I don't want a repeat of the cockup at Fair Hills."

[Snowfire]

Alisa looks between the two Resistance members and raises an eyebrow.

"Moving right along from past missions, what are you thinking, Mattock?" She asks, her voice soft as she rolls her shoulders to re-adjust the Invictus uniform she's wearing.

"Do we," she indicates herself and Mattock, "want to try to pretend to be Von Richter and a single surviving bodyguard after a Resistance attempt on your life? Or are you thinking something more subtle?"

She steals a quick glance at the gate from their vantage point.

"Whatever we're doing, I say we work it out quickly."

Switched license for uniform, using standard glaive. Name in uniform is Melissa Sicora.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack adjusts the straps on his backpack so his new bow would stop poking him in the back. "Agreed. Fair hills was a disaster. I'm amazed we survived." Jack says to Mattock. He rubs his tired eyes before adding, "the plan is for you two to get into the castle, while Aly and I find Rowan. Right?"

[BarroomBard]

Mattock nodded to his allies. "Aly and Jack, you go in first. We'll go in shortly, get our clearance to go to the castle, and then I'll set the signal." He pulls the red scarf he planned to tie to a tree near the castle.

"Lets go."

[Kensen]

Aly and Jack go in first. The guards who have no doubt seen dozens of people going in and out during their shift only briefly glance at you; you're in.

A few minutes later, Mattock and Alisa approach the gate clad in Invictine uniforms. The guards salute the "captain" and let you pass. The guards stare at Alisa's glaive as you ride in, but they say nothing.

The streets are bustling with people. With the sun disappearing beyond the horizon, people are lighting lanterns. You can hear music and singing, there must be a fair in town. Up ahead, one quarter of a mile from you, you can see the castle looming above all other buildings in Eisendorf.


So, where do you start looking for Rowan? Do Mattock and Alisa ride straight to the castle?

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack turns to Aly and says "Well we have a few hours until our meeting, do you have any idea where we can find our friend?

[SamBurke]

"Seedy bars are rather traditional..." She grins a bit. "I can get a good bit of information out of most occupants there, at least. Other places would be equally seedy hostels."


I said HOSTELS.

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Sounds good to me, but do you think we could try the bars first? Hostels make me nervous for some reason." Jack says itching the top of his head.

[SamBurke]

Alyera nods. "If you prefer, then so do I. Doesn't matter to me much."


Hostel is an old name for place to sleep. Like, say, a hotel. Or inn. Absolutely nothing to do with anything else. .... Your mind, not mine.

[Vixsor Lumin]

oh I know haha, but Hostel is also the name of a movie that I don't particularly enjoy :smalltongue:

[Kensen]

Alright, Jack and Aly plan to find information about Paddy's in taverns and inns. So, do you walk into the first such place you see and start asking people, or what is your plan? (Just trying to keep the story moving before the other team gets too far ahead of you :smallwink:)

And if you need more info about the town before proceeding, just ask.

[BarroomBard]

Mattock salutes the soldiers at the gate, smiling inwardly at the ease of this deception. He and "Melissa" ride for a time in silence, scanning the streets and playing the haughty captain and his guard.

Eventually, after almost an hour of navigating the tight, winding streets, they emerge in the square surrounding the castle.

"Well, well. Here we are."

[Kensen]

Mattock and Alisa make it to the foot of the Castle Hill. The gate to the castle grounds is guarded by many Invictus soldiers. Unlike the guards you saw earlier, these ones seem serious about their duty. There's a small guard house near the gate and there there's a sergeant who is in charge of receiving visitors (or turning them back if they have no business whatsoever in the castle grounds).

[BarroomBard]

The Old Man ruffles his hair, removes his eye-patch, and musses his clothes. He rubs some dirt on Alisa for good measure as well. He takes a couple of quick, huffing breaths, and storms up to the guards at the gate.

"Make way, man! We have ridden hard and far, and we have a report to deliver."

Guile: [roll0]

[Kensen]

The sergeant snaps into attention and replies. "Sir, of course, sir. To whom shall the report be delivered? I'll send a runner to make sure they can receive you as soon as possible! Hanson! Deliver the message to the castle! Siegler, escort the captain!"

The two soldiers reply in unison YES SIR! WE'RE READY SIR!

[Vixsor Lumin]

After asking around a little to find the bar most likely to contain information about Rowan. He leads Aly to the alley outside the bar. "Do you want to go in serperately? Your method seems to work better when you work 'alone'" he said adding air quotes and a wink to the end of his sentance.

[Kensen]

Asking around a little, Jack gets responses like "Paddy's? Sounds like a pub somewhere in the market district or docks district." If you ask random passers-by about Rowan though, it seems that no-one knows any particular Rowan that frequents a place called Paddy's.

[SamBurke]

Alyera grins. "Hm... quite. You take the first bar on the left, I take first on the right." Moving along quickly, she tears a few select patches out of her clothes at the hemlines. "Not quite ethical, I suppose, but let's get this done quick."


Do I need a check for that?

In other news, it has never been more awkward to cross-play.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack walks into Paddys and sits down at the bar. He looks around at the patrons to see if he recognizes any of them.

situations like those make me glad I've never tried :smalltongue:

@Kensen do we know what Rowan looks like?

[BarroomBard]

"I don't bloody care who you tell, just get me and my guard a room! We've been riding non-stop for a hundred flaming leagues, and she's starting to smell!" Mattock blustered at the guards. He turned to the one running to the authorities. "And you! Hanson, is it? Tell them to take their bloody time. I'd like a chance to sit on something that doesn't have fleas for ten gods-damned minutes!"

Turning back to smirk briefly at Alisa, the Old Man strides off after the harried Siegler.

"Melissa! Come!"

[Snowfire]

Alisa shoots look in the direction of the sergeant at Mattock's words, eyes conveying a wordless apology for her Captain's irritation. Then she lowers her eyes again, her voice softly - and without emotion - acknowledging her orders.

"Yes Captain."

She moves up behind - and slightly to the right - of him, taking the classic bodyguard position. Her step is as long as his, but more subdued - almost submissive.

[Kensen]

Jack & Aly

Jack walks into a bar, thinking that it's Paddy's. Unfortunately for Jack, he only just learned where Paddy's might be and soon realizes that he's in fact in the wrong pub. Worse yet, the Resistance agents who told Jack's team about Rowan were not able to describe his appearance - indeed he was being so secretive that few people knew anything at all about him. Basically, you only know he's a Resistance agent (or at least used to be, he quit sending reports some time ago), his name is Rowan, and he often mentioned a place called Paddy's in his reports. (This is why I said that finding Old Rowan was an optional side quest. It's not guaranteed that you can find him or obtain any useful information. Maybe it's just a ploy to get Jack in a dark corridor. :smallwink:)

Aly, however, is more successful. She asks around about a place called Paddy's and soon learns that it's in the docks district, a place popular with sailors. She's also told that it's probably not a good idea for her to go there if she is a decent lass. "Not a good place," she's told.

Mattock & Alisa

The sergeant really struggles not to show his frustration with the impatient captain. "Understood, SIR! Hanson, check with the Adjutant how soon he'll be ready, the captain shall deliver the urgent report to him. Siegler, take the captain to the officer's mess! Get him a drink and something to eat if he so wishes."

The soldiers take care of your horses, and you walk up the hill along a path paved with cobblestones, escorted by Siegler. You walk past many buildings and see a few patrols, five men each, along your way. You enter the castle which itself consists of many buildings: the keep, a church, warehouses, barracks, and other buildings. The officers' mess is near the entrance. You go in; in the outer hall the is a rack for weapons on the wall (it's impolite to take any weapons to the officers' mess).

"Sir, they'll send someone here when the Adjutant is ready to receive you," Siegler says.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack leaves the bar fuming. Now that he's alone he looks much more tired, and he rubs his tired, sleep deprived eyes. Then he throws on a somewhat happier face and tries the bar that Aly just went into. He walks up to her discreetly and says, "I hit a dead end. Please tell me you found something out.

[SamBurke]

"Nasty place near the wharves, which are nasty in general. Sailors' shanty town, most likely. Said to be pretty dangerous..." She pauses. "I wish I had my polybolos with me. 'D be handy, to be sure. However, we'll just have to in ourselves. Do we have a spare weapon?"


I have only the weapons in my tool kit. I wonder what's in there...

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack draws his small knife. "Your toy is certainly scary, but I somehow doubt the guards would have let us in so easily." he says with his almost trademark sarcasm, then adds, "I've got this. Its too small for combat, but maybe you could find a way to add some lethality? Its my only spare unless you want to hit people with an arrow." He flips it in his hand so he's holding the blade and extends it to her, handle first.

[SamBurke]

She grabs it and thinks for a minute. "If I could have an arrow head and a spare half hour, I could do this."


My idea: create a pivot on the end, spring loaded. When I stab or slash, the pivot spring untorques, spinning the arrowhead around viciously until it stops or is unwound. So basically a really, really, cheap circular saw.

[Kensen]

You have some cash so you can buy a knife with a silver coin or two if you want to save time. Small knives and daggers are legal to own and carry. Or you can build a small circular saw that also has a +1 attack bonus but has to be wound after a few uses. I don't think that the device would be capable of doing more than inflicting shallow wounds, but I'll let the rule of cool win this time since it's not overpowered or anything. :smallcool:

[Kensen]

Jack and Aly

((I'm assuming you go to Paddy's once you've acquired a weapon.))

Near the wharves, you find the narrow alley that the people in the tavern described. There's a door that looks more like the backdoor than the actual entrance, with a length of floorboard suspended above the door. In a sloppy handwriting, it reads "PADDY'S". A wrinkly, portly, moustached man is standing beside the door, smoking tobacco in a pipe.

[SamBurke]

Alyera winks at the old man, and "bows" towards him. She glides into the pub with as much grace as she can muster, and just a bit of sauce. Never hurts.


It just got more awkward to roleplay a girl. Remind me not to suggest this again.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack walks up to the old man and asks,"Excuse me, but do you know where I could find a man named Rowan?" he says as politely and nonthreateningly as possible

[Kensen]

The man standing beside the door crosses his arms across his chest and just gives Jack a sideways glance. "I don't know who you're talking about." When he sees Aly he just says "You're new. The boys will be happy." He opens the door for you.

The door opens with a creak and you take stairs down and enter the pub. The air is heavy with smoke and the smell of tocabbo and alcohol, and it's full of people, mostly men but there are also a few prostitutes. There's a bar opposite to the door.


##########
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#...+o++o#
#+...+..+#
#o+.+..+.#
#+.+o++o+#
#..++.+++#
#.+o++o+.#
#..+..+.+#
#-----.+o#
#=########

# wall
. floor
| stairs
o table
+ chair
- bar

Meanwhile, Mattock and Alisa have been waiting in the anteroom of the officers' mess. After 30 minutes, a soldier enters the room from the courtyard. "Sir, the Adjutant is ready." He escorts you to the keep and to the Adjutant's office which is near the keep's entrance. Outside the room there is a rack for weapons just like at the officers' mess. "Please leave your weapons here and enter when you're ready."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack walks in and looks around. He discreetly checks that his throwing knives are within reach and looks out for anyone making eyes at Aly.

[BarroomBard]

The Old Man leaves his sword on the rack, confident the daggers in his boots will be enough to save him, should it come to that. He does his best to project an air of a winded, weary soldier. He stands at attention beside the Adjutant's desk while Alisa joins him.

[Snowfire]

Alisa follows the Old Man's example, depositing her glaive on the weaponrack with a touch of hesitance, but trusting in guile and - if necessary - the two shorter blades hidden down her uniform's sleeves and the tiny knife in her boot.

She moves precisely beside her commander, projecting the air of a well trained and subdued subordinate. One who is quite aware that at this point in time their main job is to stand at attention and stay quiet.

Apologies, was off ill with Tonsillitis. Better now - or at least well enough to post again.

[Kensen]

The people in Paddy's are generally in a good mood. Jack overhears conversations about getting drunk and having fun with the prostitutes, but a few people are also talking about deals and shipments. The knives are still where they should be, easily within reach. Jack observes the bar patrons for a while but no-one really stands out. Or rather, if someone looks out of place it's Jack and Aly.

Alisa and Mattock enter the Adjutant's office. A graying major in his fifties greets you with a "Good evening, captain." He eyes you curiously for a moment then continues: "I understood that you have some urgent matter to discuss. You are here to deliver a report?" He adjusts himself in the chair and lets the "captain" and his bodyguard tell what's happened (or whatever your story is :smallwink:).


Welcome back Snowfire and glad to hear you're recovering.

[BarroomBard]

Mattock begins describing the attack on Captain Richter's unit at Fair Hills. In this version, however, the good Captain isn't thrown from his horse, and he also escapes with one of his guards, "Melissa".

"I believe the rebels are still operating out of a base just outside of Fair Hills, Commander. It may be prudent to move a large force there soon."

Guile: [roll0]

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack walks up to the bar and orders a drink. While he's waiting for his drink, he looks around for any clues that might lead them to Rowan.

[Kensen]

The major listens patiently and writes down all the details about what happened at Fair Hills as Mattock relates them. When he's finished, the major stands up. "Excellent work, captain! The Invictus needs more men like you! I'll see to that our best Scourges* are sent to Fair Hills and that they'll get troops to support them from the nearest garrisons."

He rubs his hands together excitedly. "I'll get this report to the Commandant** as soon as possible. So, captain, why do you think the rebels were trying to capture you? Were you sent here or what brought you here?" (OOC: Eisendorf is about a week's ride from Fair Hills if you travel very very fast and change horses wherever fresh horses are available. There are a few garrisons closer to Fair Hills but they're much smaller than Schloss Eisendorf.)

OOC: No further Guile checks are necessary to fool the major, you rolled so well that he's sure you are who you say you are.

* Scourges are merciless investigators/inquisitors/Gestapo of the Invictus.
** The major you're talking to is the Commandant's right hand man, basically. The Commandant is the big boss in the castle.

As for Jack, please specify what kind of clues you're looking for and roll for Awareness. You don't know what Rowan looks like and in casual inspection no-one really stands out.

[Vixsor Lumin]

i was being vauge in the hopes of getting a little help haha :smallwink:

Jack watches the eyes of the patrons. He looks to see who is watching the doors and seems like they are constantly planning out how they would either escape or fight their way free. Admittedlly he was expecting a fair bit of paranoia from everyone in here, but he was more interested in looking for someone who seemed lik they were trained and practiced in it.

Awareness [roll0]

[SamBurke]

Alyera winks at Jack, and walks off. Presumably the folks here won't think too much about her being with him if she's willing anyway. Moving around the room, she flops down at the table of the most powerful looking man, and leans forward. "So..." She smacks her lips. "What's a good looking fellow like you doing in a town like this?"




I wonder if I can find a belt of Gender-Bending...

In other news, I am probably spectacularly bad at getting information.

[Kensen]

Jack observes the people in Paddy's for a moment and sees many happy-looking people, angry-looking people, lonely people and people with many friends. A few times he gets an angry stare back at him and a threatening "What are you looking at?" But no-one looks more suspicious than the next guy?

Aly finds a really buff sailor who could probably tear off the limbs of a weaker man if he wanted. He greets Aly with an unpleasant smile showing bad teeth. "I'm drinking, having a good time here with my friends." You see two smaller men sitting beside him, also drinking. "Want to have a drink with us, little bird?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack sees that Aly has sparked up some interest, and keeps an eye on her and her new "friends". He doesnt like the looks of whats going on here, and hopes that she knows better than to leave his line of sight. He knocks on the bar to get the bar tenders attention. "What do you have to drink here?"

[Kensen]

"We got ale, rum, grog... and more ale. What would you like to have, Sir?" He says in a slightly mocking tone.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack gives the man a sideways glance before remembering that he was supposed to be staying covert, and that getting into a fight with the bartender wouldnt help with that. "Rum." He said dropping a few coins on the counter. He turns back to Aly and refocuses. He didnt plan on drinking much of the rum. It was just so he wouldn't stick out anymore than he already did.

[SamBurke]

She leans back and giggles. "You have suuuuuuuch a deep voice... why not?"


Grfrgrgrghghrhrhgghhhh.

[Kensen]

You both get your drinks - Jack gets his rum and Aly gets a glass of ale.

"So, what brings you here, lass? You don't look like the other girls here."

[SamBurke]

You both get your drinks - Jack gets his rum and Aly gets a glass of ale.

"So, what brings you here, lass? You don't look like the other girls here."

"That's because I'm not." She flicks her hair.

[Kensen]

"And how's that?" he says, looking a little confused. "What kind of girl are you, then?"

OOC: I'd like to know what information you're trying to get from the sailors. No small talk or we'll never get anywhere. :smallbiggrin: You ask in-character what you want to ask from him or explain it in OOC if you prefer.

EDIT: Oh and you're probably going to need a Guile roll unless you just ask him if he knows Rowan.

[SamBurke]

Alyera laughs. "I'm a woman." She stresses the word, licking her lips a little. That's the difference." She winks. "So... anything mysterious going on around here? I do love mysteries..."


Guile
[roll0]

[Kensen]

"Mysteries?" the man says, the confusing look lingering on his face. "What sort of mysteries? This is a place where it's usually a good idea to mind your own business. Secrets are for those who need to know. What are you looking for?"

His friend says "Perhaps she wants to explore the mysteries of your -----" (vulgar expression for a body part). The three men laugh in unison.

OOC: Sorry about awkward cross-playing moments, but you brought it upon yourself. :smalltongue:

[SamBurke]

I totally did bring it on myself. I have my brain bleach handy, though. *Dose 1*


Alyera grins. "But knowing things you shouldn't is... fun..." She moves over to sit on his lap. "But we can start small... or big, as it were."


DOSES. I NEED MORE. *Dumps a liter of brain bleach through ear* What's my name again...?

[Kensen]

(OOC: To avoid OD'ing on brain bleach, and because actually roleplaying this conversation might take weeks, let's do this in OOC. You rolled a 10 on Guile which isn't a failure but not a major success either. He only trusts you enough to let you sit on his lap, but he's not going to spill the beans just like that. So let's do it this way: You roll Guile again. Less than 10: He gets suspicious and angry with you. TN 10: You learn who's who around here but little else. TN 15: You learn about any major deals going on. TN 20: You learn a REAL secret. :smallcool: Oh, and feel free to start using 3d6 as discussed in the design thread if you think it'll yield better results.)

[SamBurke]

Thanks. It would have taken ages. That's the excuse.

She leans in close. "So... other than your hunkiness, anyone else of interesting around here?"


[roll0]
It's the only way to get a high number. Risk, reward.

[Kensen]

Aly learns that the pub belongs to a local thieves' guild. Or rather, the Guild, as they're known. The leader is some mystery man about whom no-one really knows anything. People associated with the Guild deal in illegal substances and stolen stuff, as far as he knows. He doesn't mention anyone called Rowan, though.

"Well now you've had your fun" the man says after divulging the information. "Time for me to have mine. Let's go." The man grabs Aly by the wrist and starts walking her toward the stairs.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack gets up slowly, trying not to draw attention to himself. He discreetly draws a throwing knife, but doesn't thrrow it. He'll intervene if nessescary, but doesn't want to blow they're cover. He knows that if they start killing people now, it'll make they're job much harder.

I'm gonna try the 3d6 thing for my legerdemain check
[roll0]

[Kensen]

What's your bonus on Legerdemain? When rolling, you can add it the same way you do as with d20. 3d6+5, for example.

[Snowfire]

The Old Man looks around warily, as if expecting a rebel assault to burst from the very walls.

"I cannot be certain, but I can only guess that it involved my knowledge of Schloss Eisendorf's...other projects." He says quietly, his tone grim. "The fact that they even knew my route implies that the lines of communication have been somehow compromised. As such, I made my way here with all speed to ensure that the Project could be secured from rebel assault. They are clearly growing bolder if they are willing to assault an Invictus Captain. They may even be mad enough to attempt a raid. Indeed, had I not escaped - with the aid of my loyal guardswoman - they would have had the perfect vehicle to infiltrate the keep."

The Old Man shakes his head gruffly and then sighs, allowing some of the fatigue of his long trip to show through. "I wish I could give you more, Major, but I am weary after the long ride from Fair Hills. I felt it unwise to court the possibility of another rebel attack by stopping any more than necessary and have had precious little sleep this past week - most of it in the saddle. My guardswoman has had less still. Any further speculation on my part will likely be flawed. If you would allow it I would request the reprieve of a night's rest, so that we might face this problem with clear minds."


OOC
I forget, was Captain Richter being sent to Eisendorf to aid in the project? If so I may want to change a few things. Apart from that, I think that's everything.

[Vixsor Lumin]

What's your bonus on Legerdemain? When rolling, you can add it the same way you do as with d20. 3d6+5, for example.


i dont have a legerdemain bonus hahaha

[Kensen]

OOC: Yes, Captain Richter was involved in a truth serum project. His job was to assess the usefulness of the drug and send a report back to his superiors.

The Major replies: "I see. What projects are you talking about? I'll see to that you'll get a room in our guest house."

Meanwhile, Jack tries to draw a throwing knife as discreetly as possible. The knife doesn't come out from the sheath as smoothly as Jack had hoped, and it takes a little more time and more vigorous hand movements than is generally considered "discreet". Despite the general bustle in the pub, at least one of the bar patrons notices it. Seeing that Jack doesn't intend to throw it at him, he decides to mind his own business, though.

[Snowfire]

The Old Man appears to grope for a name, then sighs again. "The serum, sir. I am afraid I cannot recall the assigned name." He shakes his head. "My original mission was to carry out an assessment of the drug's usefulness and then send a report back to my superiors."

OOC: If the project had an assigned name and we got it out of Richter, I'd like to know.

[Kensen]

"Ah I understand now, the Veritas project. They've been expecting you. You'll meet the project team tomorrow. Is there anything more I can do for you, captain, or do you wish to retire for the night now?"

OOC: Mattock remembers the name, so we'll just pretend he did, no problem there.

[Snowfire]

Mattock nods gratefully to the Major. "A hot meal before retiring would be most welcome, if we could trouble your mess for one. Barring that, that is all, Major." He comes to attention and salutes, 'Melissa' mirroring the motion of respect. "I look forward to meeting the team who have been creating such a powerful weapon for Invictus."

[SamBurke]

GRAVVVVVVVY. :eek: I wouldn't call that "my fun" but we'll.. um... let this go...?

Can we use a skip or something, unless it's dangerous/plot important?


Alyera steps a bit faster. "No need to be so... rough..."

[Snowfire]

Excuse me whilst I go laugh myself into asphyxiation. I'll just be over here.

[Kensen]

Quoting Aly: "But knowing things you shouldn't is... fun..." Aly now knows things she shouldn't --> she's had her fun. :smallcool:

And no besides the usual dangers, it's not dangerous/plot important To be honest, I though you had some sort of a plan other than that, but since you didn't... FAST FORWARD!

After a very quick act of "fun" in a side alley, Aly makes it back to Paddy's.

A gallon of brain bleach, please. :smallsigh:


The major replies: "Yes of course. A soldier will escort you back to the officers' mess for dinner. The guest house is right next to it."

OOC: What's your plan? Just eat and go to sleep or something else? Let me know if you need to know something before you decide.

[Vixsor Lumin]

......*stabs brain with held throwing knife* .......*repeatedly* i had been planning on stepping in before any "fun" could happen, but if we can skip all that without killing anyone im totally fine with it haha

[SamBurke]

Oh soul. I'll be over... OH MY MIND. Lobatamy. May we get an award for "most awkwardly role-played moment ever?" Because it felt like it.

Alyera slouches against the bar. "BLEEP. Remind me not to do that again. BLEEP."


What now?

[Vixsor Lumin]

"We need a code word so I know when your done playing the girlie girl.' Jack says, keeping the blade tucked against his palm.

[Kensen]

So, you now know a bit more about the place, but you still have no information about Rowan. Not that you've actually asked anyone about Rowan yet. (Except the bouncer upstairs who didn't know.)

[BarroomBard]

Once they make it back to the guest officers' quarters, Mattock slumps against the door. "I always hated giving reports. But still, that went better than expected. I never expected they'd just let us into the lab, though. They're even stupider than I give them credit for."

He hands Melissa the red scarf. "Place the signal. Jack and Aly will be looking for it tonight. We can let them in after midnight, and then the fun begins," he says, shrugging his shoulders trying to feel his sword, which he hadn't yet replaced since picking it up from the rack outside the mess. "I've had enough of all this blasted sneaking around. Give me an honest fight."

[Kensen]

You successfully reconned the castle grounds, so here as a reward: The Castle Hill map.


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hAjBn_juUpg/T9WoyZ2eqhI/AAAAAAAAAHc/3Js2TGBX_wg/s834/CastleHill.jpg


I hope it helps with planning. "A" is where you entered the castle grounds earlier, and "X" is where you're staying tonight. You're high up on the hill, inside the castle walls and all the windows in the room are facing the courtyard, so it'll be quite impossible for Jack and Aly to notice the red scarf.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack takes a fake sip of his rum and says, "Were running out of time. We have an apointment coming up soon.... I'm gonna try something stupid, be ready to run." He stands up on his stool and addressess the room saying loudly, "I'm looking for a man named Rowan. Its very important that I talk to him right now."

Readied action to throw my knife if someone attacks me.
Is throwing a kife a fighting check, or an archery check?

[SamBurke]

Well. The cow droppings have gotten real.


Alyera steps back in surpass. "I stinking well hope you know what you're doing."

[Kensen]

A fat, balding man with a big black beard is the first to react. "Who's asking? And why?" Other eyes too turn to peer at Jack, some openly, some more discreetly.

[Vixsor Lumin]

"My names Jack, and I believe we have a few mutual friends that he has lost contact with." Jack says putting his knife away in an obvious fashion. Then he lifts his hands, palms out, to show that he is unarmed.

[Kensen]

"Is that so, Jack? Well I ain't Rowan, but I heard about a feller who goes by that name. I heard o' him because they say he RUINED a deal. I ALMOST got killed." He bares his teeth like a rabid animal. "And you Jack, you don't come here an' call him a friend and walk out."

Initiative: [roll0]

Aly may also roll initiative if you want to do something to help Jack, but right now it doesn't look like anyone's intent on attacking her so it may be safer to just watch.

[Vixsor Lumin]

it would be very nice to know if throwning a knife is a fighting check or an archery check :smalleek: and you add your mobility to an initiative check right? [roll0]
Jack silently curses the fact that his bow was still collapsed and in his pack. "You don't need to do this. All I'm asking is where he is. This fight doesn't have to happen."

[Kensen]

He's basically already drawing a knife, but since you won initiative (yes, Mobility can be used to roll init), you get to go first. You can use your turn for talking (and prepare two parry actions to defend yourself) if you don't want to attack, but there's really no time to talk before your turn. So if he decides to ignore your plea, you've already lost your chance to attack this round.

As per the rules, throwing a small item (which a throwing knife is) requires a Legerdemain check. You can only use Archery to shoot with bows and crossbows. And Fighting covers throwing medium or large items.

[Vixsor Lumin]

crap I didn't know that counted as an action. I just put it as fluff so I wasn't just posting a roll, that's why I didn't roll guile or anything. As for the Legerdemain, I double checked and I have 1 rank in it..... at least its better than my fighting check haha. So can I go delete my talking? What I wanted to do was draw a knife and use an unfocused attack on him.

[Kensen]

Well, you can say what you said and then attack. Talking is a "free" action. I only meant that he won't answer until it's actually his turn, so you'll find out what his reaction was only when it's already his turn.

Talking about a peaceful solution and then throwing a knife at him would be quite funny, though. :smallbiggrin: But we can retcon it so that Jack started saying what he was going to say but then he noticed the guy was drawing a knife -- OH CRAP -- and he changes his mind and throws a knife instead. :smallcool:

So go ahead and attack. :smallsmile:

[Vixsor Lumin]

I'll leave it as he was talking about a peacful solution :smallwink::smallbiggrin:

one action to redraw my kife, and one to throw it [roll0]


Faster than the man can react, Jack draws his knife yet again and flips it so he is holding it by the hilt. His speed makes it so he doesnt have time to properly aim, but hopefully he can at wound the man a bit.

[Kensen]

The fat man tries to dodge the knife, but he moves too slowly. The knife's blade plunges into his belly.

"BLOODY HELL!" He pulls the knife out and throws it on the floor, and starts to hobble away from Jack. "You... you'll pay for this!" He looks around and seems to spot a few of his friends. "Get him! Skin the pig for what he did to me!"

A few people - Jack quickly counted - three men rose from their seats and started moving towards Jack, drawing knives as they moved.


...But before Jack or the men could do anything, the door behind the bar opened and a man clad in fine leather armor and holding a loaded crossbow in his hand stepped into the room. With the hood of his cloak pulled over his head, so as to conceal his facial features.

"HALT!" he said and lifted the crossbow, ready to shoot anyone too eager to continue the fight. "What's the commotion here?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

".....crap." Jack looks over at Aly and whispers "Follow him." then he yells "Youll have to catch me first!"

Double move to get the *boop* out of there!

[Kensen]

(Did you read the spoiler?)

The people in the pub get down or otherwise move out of the way, not wanting to be hit by a crossbow bolt accidentally. Seeing that Jack tries to sneak away, the hooded man aims the crossbow at the spot where Jack is about move to.

"Not so fast. It's a bit rude not to answer. What's going on here?"

OOC: If you intended to escape despite what happened in the spoiler, sorry about the confusion. I don't mean to railroad you into talking to him if you don't want. :smallbiggrin:

[Vixsor Lumin]

(oops i missed the spoiler haha)

Jack freezes and puts his now empty hands into the air. "I was just looking for a friend of mine, and that gentleman over there threatedned me." He points at the man who was clutching his bleeding stomach. "I was just preparing to leave before things got any worse."

[Kensen]

Panting, the fat man says: "He -- he says he's looking for Rowan. Has common friends with him he says. I said he's not welcome here and he attacked me."

The hooded man says to the fat man "Get your wound dressed. Don't bleed all over my pub." To Jack he says "Get over here unless you want to get to know these three gentlemen better. And keep your hands where I can see them. Draw a weapon and you'll never use that hand again."

[SamBurke]

Alyera watches, moving over several stools at the bar, waiting to see if she's needed. The new weapon twitches in her hands, ready for use.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack keeps his hands up and away from any of his weapons. He walks over an looks around at the pub. "Nice place you got here, sorry about getting blood on the floor." he says smiling.

[Kensen]

The man opens the door for Jack. "After you." You enter a smaller room, perhaps only 20x20 feet. You see a lot of kitchenware, bottles, barrels and such, and a cook preparing food near a fireplace. Chopping chunks of meat with a meat cleaver, he pauses for a moment, looks up at you and grins. You also see two more doors.

The man follows you into the room, and a moment later a sly-looking man enters. "This is Barnabas," the hooded man says. "He'll check you for weapons." Barnabas takes your backpack, checks your sleeves and belt for any throwing daggers or other nasty surprises. "You'll get them back once this is over."

Barnabas grins slyly but says nothing. The hooded man motions you to open one of the doors and go inside. There's a table in the room, and three chairs around it. "Sit down."

He exchanges a few words with Barnabas, then enters the room, closes the door behind him, takes a chair and sits down.

He leans closer and speaks: "You just did a pretty stupid thing there. You're lucky you're still alive. Why are you looking for Rowan? I can help you get out of here alive if you tell me the truth."


OOC: You're a bit behind the other group, and Old Man Sabre's and Alyssa already completed their part, so I'll try to get things moving faster here, too. So we all can start the latter part of the mission at the same time... if Jack makes it out alive, of course. :smallwink:

[Vixsor Lumin]

"I agree, it was very stupid. Then again, I am in a bit of a rush. I only have a few hours left until I have to meet some people." Jack says happily. Then he continues with, "The truth is a dangerous thing, especially to me and my friends. On my honor as a man i will not lie to you, but i dont think i can tell you everything. i will tell you what i can safely and hope that its enough."

He wets his lips then says, "I am a member of the Resistance. Rowan is an agent of ours who went missing. I'm here to find him and enlist his help with the mission I'm currentlly on. This is made slightly more difficult by the fact that I have no idea what he looks like and the only lead I have is to look for him here." Jack is silent for a moment as a thought pops into his head. "You know, considering that I just admitted a secret that could get me thrown into an Invictus cell and tortured until I go mad, i think ive earned the courtesy of your name."

[Kensen]

The man listens patiently. When Jack gets to the part about being a member of the Resistance, the man gets a violent coughing fit, but a moment later he seems to be ok.

"You can call me Paddy. As you noticed, being a friend of Rowan can be... unhealthy. Anyway, I'm afraid you're late. Rowan's off the twig. Pushing daisies."

He pauses for a moment, but then continues: "But before his demise, he saved my life, so one might say I owe him a favor I can never repay. But perhaps I can help you, and that way I'll get a chance to repay my debt. I have maps, and information."

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Well thank you for the offer, but before we start there's someone else who should be here." without waiting for an answer Jack walks out and tells Aly to come with him and that they weren't going to find Rowan. Then he heads back into the room, hoping that she would follow.

[Kensen]

"Not so fast," Barnabas says when you go back to the kitchen. "If Boss didn't send you back, you're not going anywhere." Jack presumably explains that the Boss should also talk to Aly, to which Barnabas replies "Wait here, I'll go get your girlfriend," grinning slyly.

Aly notices a man approaching. He nods as a greeting and says: "Let's go, Boss wants to talk to you too."

Once back in the Boss's room, he says: "Alright, so how can I help you?"


Not only was it a bit rude to leave just like that, Jack might still get killed if he went back to get Aly himself. So minor retconning here... :smallcool:

[SamBurke]

Alyera pauses for a second. "I see. Very well..." She keeps her new weapon handy, walking in front of the brute with a watchful eye.

[Kensen]

With both Jack and Aly in the room, the Boss repeats his comment about owing Rowan a favor (and all the relevant things so that Aly knows what they have been talking about).

OOC: So, do you want him to help you? Like he said, he has maps and information. He doesn't know what your mission is about, and it's up to you to decide how much you're going to tell him about it.

[SamBurke]

See sig, posts slow. Aly will follow Jack's lead for most of it.


Aly glances over. "So you have maps? Accurate maps?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Maps would be useful, as would information on the castle and its inhabitants. Also, any information you could give us on the loadouts of the local soldiers would be useful. Jack says then looks down at Paddy's crossbow. "How good of a shot are you?"

[Kensen]

"Only people who anger me find out how good I'm with the crossbow."

"I estimate that there are about 300 soldiers stationed in Eisendorf, though not all of them are around at all times. Mostly just standard issue equipment and stardard training, but they got some special troops here too. If you run into any of the Scourges, run away. Some people say they're not quite human... that's old wives' tales, but they're dangerous nonetheless."

"Yes, I have maps. Any specific places around here you need maps for? You mentioned the castle and its inhabitants." He stops for a while, and continues, raising a brow. "Is that where you're going?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack is stunned for a second, realizing that he had let slip more than he planned. "....yes. So maps of the castle and surrounding area would be useful. Also, can you think of a way to get to the castle wall and climb in a window without being noticed?"

[Kensen]

"That would be rather difficult. It's a long climb and they have metal bars on the windows to prevent what you suggested. I'd say the safest way to get in would be to get false documents. If you have to get in without anyone knowing, though, the old escape tunnel Baron Eisen had built underneath the castle might be the best way to get in. The paranoid old bugger thought he might have to get secretly out of his own castle one day. During the war, the tunnel was also used for getting people and supplies in and out of the castle. Smugglers have also used it before, but nowadays only few people know about it. The entrance is on the east side of the Castle Hill. You'll have to climb a little, but otherwise it's the safest route. I'll get you a map so you can find the entrance. Oh, and there are probably some traps in the tunnel."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Jack turns to Aly and asks, "Do you think you could handle the traps? Or should we get papers?"

[SamBurke]

"If I see a trap, I can render it to scrap." She grins. "Made that up on the spot. But it's true."


I have a terrible Awareness score.

Also, I'm back. Sorry about the delay.

[Kensen]

Aly and Jack

The Boss nods. "Excellent. Here's the map so you'll find the tunnel."

"BARNABAS! Give them back their weapons and backpacks. And show them the way out."

Back in the kitchen, Barnabas gives you your equipment and opens the third door in the kitchen. Before he goes, he lights a candle. You walk down a corridor, at the end of which there's some junk lying on the floor. But there's no door! Did he lead you to a dead end on purpose?

Grinning, Barnabas pushes a concealed button on the wall, and slowly, the wall slides out of the way. You enter a spacious sewer, and follow Barnabas closely because it's very dark there and the candle sheds only so much light. After a maze of tunnels you finally see some daylight above you. Barnabas points at a ladder and a square manhole above it. "There's your way out. Goodbye."

OOC:

So, now you know how to get in. Your friends are in the castle, probably already fast asleep. They'll meet the lab staff in the morning. What's your plan, though? Just wait until they're done?


Mattock and Alissa

You got adjacent rooms in the guest house, Alissa's is very small, Mattock's slightly bigger. In the morning, there's a knock on your door. EDIT: This is assuming you decided to stay despite my comment about it being impossible for Jack and Aly to see a red scarf from outside the castle. Let me know if you had other plans - I assumed you didn't since neither player has said anything since then.

OOC: Mattock's pretending to be von Richter, correct?

[Snowfire]

OOC: Are you stating that as plot or otherwise? Because if the latter, I have an idea. Does the castle have any flags?

[Kensen]

It is quite impossible to see a red scarf from outside the castle because not only is the castle on the hill, some 100 feet higher than the rest of the town, but the guest house is also inside the castle proper, and the only windows in your rooms are facing the courtyard. There is simply no line of sight from there to anywhere Jack and Aly can reach without actually being inside the castle proper. (Unless Aly builds a flying machine, that's TN 50 by the way. :smallwink:)

Anyway, yes there are flags in the castle; each tower has one, and the keep also has one at each corner. They're the typical black-and-red Invictus flags.

[BarroomBard]

OOC: Now I'm curious where you're going with this, girl :smallsmile:

[Snowfire]

OOC: It's quite simple really. What sort of guards are there on the flagpoles? And could Aly and Jack see a red scarf on one of them?

[BarroomBard]

OOC: And yes, the Old Man is pretending to be von Richter. I really hope no one knows what he looks like...