Switching Roles - Entaros Tazadaar

[yougi]

Character sheet (http://www.dndsheets.net/view.php?id=37920) and Interview (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13507897&postcount=39) for ease of reference

Early into this cold, damp day of autumn, Entaros gets near the entrance to the city of Hammersburg. The two city guards are standing on each side of the entrance, questioning those who are about to enter the city.

After about ten minutes, it finally is the soulknife's turn. One of the guards, a dark-skinned, middle-aged human sporting a thick mustache, while barely looking at him, asks him the usual, while the other waits the answers to write them in a large leather bound book:

How are you named, where are you from, and why do you come to our splendid city?

[rorikdude12]

Entaros looks at him quizzically.

I am Entaros Tazadaar. I am from a place I do not remember. I came here to rest. By the way, what is this nations capital and where is it? Furthermore, what is YOUR name, where are YOU from, and what are YOU doing interrogating people?

[yougi]

The middle-aged guard raises an eyebrow, and addresses his coworker:

"Look, Stormwell, another lunatic."

Then, back to Entaros:

"Three things: first, no one comes in here without telling us where they come from, and if you are so messed up in the head that you can't remember where that is, then we don't want you in Hammersburg; second, I'm the one asking the questions here, and you're the one answering them; third, I don't really like the kind of attitude you have. Stormwell, can you write next to his name that we should keep him in check?"

- Oh please Mr. Cliffhopper, he looks like he's injured or something. Mr. Tazadaar, are you alright? Do you require clerical assistance?

[rorikdude12]

No. I just have some memory loss. I got whacked on the head or something. I just need to get in here. I need a break from travel. But seriously, is this your capital?

[rorikdude12]

The bluff for earlier [roll0]


In any case, may I go through now?

[yougi]

"I don't trust this guy rookie. And either way, without telling us where you're from, you're not coming in. I don't believe a single part of that head trauma story. Now do you have a better, actually true story, or will you be sleeping in the woods tonight?"

[rorikdude12]

Okay, you got me. I was trying to get to my brother. He's been placed in jail for murder and reanimating murder victims. I live in a cabin in the woods west of here. I just want to see my brother one last time before you folk kill him.

[roll0]

[yougi]

The two guards' attitude goes in a second from overt arrogance to shame.

"We're sorry to have bothered you sir. Although, be assured that in Hammersburg, criminals are not murdered. Please have a pleasant stay."

As you go forward, you can clearly hear one of the guards asking the other: "Have you heard of this necromancer? Such heinous, reprehensible crime!" "No, I haven't, it must have happened in some neighboring cities. I didn't know we had such a powerful spellcaster in our jails."

[rorikdude12]

As Entaros wanders the city, he searches for a tavern, or some other place advertising jobs.


Search check [roll0]

[yougi]

There are three taverns in the city:
The Dragon's horn is one for merchants and nobles, the higher tier of people
Last Whispers is one for the average people, some militia men or honest workers
The Boar's Tongue is the place where the low of the low hang out

In terms of jobs, it depends on the kind of employer you're looking for.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros enters the Last Whisper, walking confidently up to the counter.

A stout mug of ale, and a room for the night, bartender, if it is convenient., Entaros says to the bartender as he puts down a gold coin. Also, do you know of anyone in here looking for employees, possibly dangerous work, still legal, that sort of thing?

[yougi]

"Room for the night, sure sir, and Hope, bring the man some ale."

As a young lady brings Entaros his ale, the bartender tells him what he knows: "Yes, without a doubt. Many merchants at the market will be leaving soon for other cities and are looking for some muscle to make sure nothing happens to their stock. If you're not the traveling type, I heard Captain Strongarm was hiring some men to send to a small hamlet right next to the sea, where they apparently have some trouble with boats not getting to port when planned."

[rorikdude12]

Entaros drinks his ale and stays the night at the Last Whisper, then awakens in the morning to visit Captain Strongarm about possible employment.

[yougi]

In the morning, when he arrives at the training field, Entaros spots Captain Strongarm easily, leading rookie practice. Quickly, two veteran militiamen come to meet him:

"Can we help you? Are you here to sign up for the militia, or maybe have you heard of the mission to Highshore and would like to join these men?"

[rorikdude12]

Good sirs, I seek to join the mission to Highshore. By the way, what is the capital of this nation?

[yougi]

"For the mission, you'll have to join this group over there until Captain Strongarm can brief you." He points to a group of four individuals: a half-elf, two dwarves and a broad shouldered human. "Morning practice is almost over, it shouldn't take much longer until he meets you. And for your information, Centerworld has no such thing as a capital: it has 6 Free Cities, and alternate every two years to know where the Council will be held. This year, I think it's in Vertburg," says the first one, before the second guard corrects him: "Nah, Riversend."

[rorikdude12]

Entaros moves over to the group he was told to join.

So what's going on?

[yougi]

"Hello fella, here to liberate Highshore too?," asks the half-elf. "I'm Jamlamin Stalkingwolf. Here are the rest of the team, Edithas Stoutminer, Panamros Warstone and Quoven Urthadar. Do you have any information on what we're up against?

More in depth description:
- Jamlamin: Half-elf, redhead, green eyes, wears a studded leather armor, leaning on a quarterstaff
- Edithas: Dwarf, salt and pepper hair and short beard, has a Dwarven waraxe strapped to his back, in studded leather.
- Panamros: Dwarf, dark brown hair and long braided beard, also has a waraxe strapped to his back with a shield, wears a scale mail
- Quoven: the large human, chrome dome, brown eyes, in a breastplate and has a greatsword in his hands.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros raises his eyebrows.
Nope. I didn't even know we were liberating anything. I just need some money.

What are we liberating it from?

[yougi]

"Need some money? Don't we all!" says Warstone.

"From what I've understood, about half of the ships that were supposed to get there haven't. It's been seriously compromising the economy of this place."

[rorikdude12]

Interesting. So what are we to do?

[yougi]

Before anyone can answer, Captain Strongarm, a large, 6'5 man who must weigh close to 300 pounds, not much of which is fat, comes and addresses the bunch: "So you are the men who are to investigate that problem at Highshore? Excellent! Now the problem is that some boats which were scheduled to arrive to the city never quite made it there. The town has a militia of its own, but it is busy with a few lizardmen who are stirring up some trouble. Anyway, you are to leave for there at noon today, in which case you will get to Highshore tomorrow in the early afternoon, where you are to be debriefed by Sergeant Luln Stiffclub. If you solve this problem, the pay is of 200gp per head. Also, there's a merchant who is leaving for Highshore today, and asked for some extra guards to protect his caravan, if you take him up on it, he might add his own coin to that pay. Questions?"

[rorikdude12]

Entaros holds up his hand in salute.

Sir, I signed up for a fight. I didn't know we were to be detectives. I'm not too good at that.

[yougi]

"Well, that would be your choice lad," he says, and keeps on briefing them as you walk away.

[rorikdude12]

I didn't walk away. Don't godmod me.
Entaros continues to listen to the briefing. When it is over, he heads to sign up for the caravan trip.

[yougi]

Sorry, you're right, my mistake. The briefing was over if there were no questions though.

When you get to the Market and ask around, you are directed to a large Caravan, where a smiling, heavy man in a brown silk outfit comes to you:

"Hello there, are you looking for something in particular or just looking around?

[rorikdude12]

Hello, good sir. My name is Entaros Tazadaar, and I came for the job of guarding your caravan on its way to Highshore.

Entaros attempts a handshake.

[yougi]

Hello Mr. Tazadaar! My name's Meldar Redcloth. Happy to know we'll be counting on you for the trip to Highshore. Are you alone or coming with a party? Do you plan on staying in Highshore or will you be following us around?

[rorikdude12]

Unfortunately I will be staying in Highshore, Mr. Redcloth. I am alone, but I can guard you on your way until we reach Highshore, provided there is monetary compensation.

[yougi]

The way to Highshore is about 12 days from here. I'm offering 20gp a day, plus 100gp for each combat event we'd run into. What would you say about that?

[rorikdude12]

That sounds.. decent. I think I would prefer another five gold pieces per day.

Diplomacy
[roll0]

[yougi]

The merchant raises an eyebrow. "You know how much money that represents? If you want, let's say I started at 15 a day, we bargained, and I let you in for 20. That way you'll feel good about yourself."

[rorikdude12]

Entaros's gaze becomes more stern.

Frankly, risking my life on this caravan is a bit much. 20, but 120 for each combat.

Diplomacy
[roll0]

[yougi]

"Then we'll be looking for other guards, thank you very much."

Just as the merchant says so, you see the four characters who were hired for the Highshore detective work come in behind you, asking where they could find the merchant who's looking for extra guards to get to Highshore. The merchant tells them his wages, and all four are very excited.

"See, Mr. Tazadaar, these people are quite content with what I'm offering. It's simply a matter of supply and demand. The number of people who are willing to get paid to go somewhere where they need to go, in a large group which scares off would-be attackers, is too high for you to have any leverage in negotiation. I wish you a good day!"

[rorikdude12]

Entaros leaves and goes off to leave with the rest of the militia at noon.

[yougi]

I'm sorry, I guess something I was not clear. There's only one group leaving on the next day, the two dwarves, the half elf and the bald guy who are investigating the situation in Highshore and who just made arrangements to escort the merchant there. You made it quite clear you wouldn't join any group. I guess my question is, who do you plan on leaving with tomorrow at noon?

[rorikdude12]

Entaros apologizes for his rudeness, and asks if he can come along at 1/4 the original offer, as well as being given food on the journey.

[yougi]

I assume you're talking about the merchant, as the captain's not there.

"At 5gp a day, and 25 per combat? Meh, sure, why not, better safe than sorry. Get your stuff ready, we leave tonight at noon, if you're not there we leave without you."

[rorikdude12]

Entaros, already having all his stuff ready, leaves at noon with the merchant.

[yougi]

Normally I'd RP through the trip so you get to know the people around you. Would you enjoy doing that or would you like to go straight to the combat parts?

As you get ready to leave, the merchant presents to you his personal bodyguard, an elf named Idilcus Goldwind, his four drivers (as you will be escorting a convoy of 4 carts) and two other guards he hired as he left from the get go. Already, just as you go, Idilcus wants to establish the order of watches for the night. His proposition is to have two men on watch at all time, and to have 4 watches, each of them 2 hours long.

1st watch: Quoven and one of the caravans' guards
2nd watch: Idilcus and Edithas
3rd watch: Panamros and Entaros
4th watch: Jamlamin and other guard

Unless anyone is absolutely against this order.

[rorikdude12]

Rp please. I really don't get to rp enough. :smallgrin:

Idilcus, sir, may I have fourth watch?

[yougi]

Excellent, just wanted to make sure I wouldn't just bore a hack'n'slasher.

Jamlamin (the half-elf from the party): I don't mind giving you my spot, but if I run out of spells during the day, I'll be doing my watch without any.

Idilcus: Good point, Mrs. Stalkingwolf. And this guard here wouldn't see much in the middle of the night: he'd be useless. What would be your arguments, Mr. Tazadaar?

[rorikdude12]

Entaros smiles.

I am sorry. I did not know it was necessary for you. By all means, I shall keep my watch.

[yougi]

You are a posting machine!

Jamlamin: And I appreciate your understanding in this. I would like to know, and I don't want to limit that to you Mr. Entaros, what your skill sets are. Knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses is of great importance if we are to be a team.

Quoven: I like to swing my sword in the face of enemies. It feels good, and I like it.

Jamlamin: Nothing special you can do?

Quoven: Swing my sword VERY HARD!

Jamlamin: Edithas and Panamaros already told me they were a warrior and a man with dextrous hands *wink*, so that leaves you two, Mr. Entaros and Mr. Goldwing.

[rorikdude12]

I'm a teenager, comes with the package. Plus, your campaign is awesome. :smallsmile:

Please, call me Entaros, Mr. Tazadaar, or Entaros Tazadaar.

Entaros manifests the mind blade and twirls it dexterously. (Take 10 on the dexterity check, result of 13, if not 14 due to Weapon focus)

Entaros dispels it and says, "I can stab people with it too, and my hands are rather... dexterous."

[yougi]

Jamlamin: I've never heard of people having such powers. Where did you learn your trade, Entaros?

[rorikdude12]

I cannot disclose that information about my blade. He grins, then says, But as for my dexterous hands, I can tell you that merely took practice.

Bluff check to look charming
[roll0]

[yougi]

Jamlamin chuckles: And you're funny too! And what about you, Mr. Goldwind?

Idilcus: The average elven soldier. Shoot my bow, slashes through enemies. Pretty good tracker too.

If you want to ask anyone anything go ahead. I'll let you lead the RP part, honestly I'm throwing blanks here.

[rorikdude12]

It seems we are at a standstill. Until RP or combat comes up, we can skip.

[yougi]

The first two days and two nights go by quickly and without problems.

On the third day, as you are looking for a place to stop to eat dinner, the first cart driver yells at the convoy to stop. When you look down the road, you can see, at the end of your vision, a large bulk in the middle of the road, about 250ft away.

The merchant asks for someone to go and see what it is.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros hops off and sets off to go sneak up to the thing.

Move Silently
[roll0]

Spot
[roll1]

Listen
[roll2]

[yougi]

As you get near (about 150ft), it looks to be a large pile, although you don't know what it contains. It is wide enough to cover the entire road, and as high as you are on your horse.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros sneaks forward to get a better glance.

Spot
[roll0]

Listen
[roll1]

[yougi]

As you get near, you realize it is actually an impressive pile of bones of medium size. There are probably twenty of them, and the bones are immaculate: there is not a single piece of flesh or drop of blood on them. They are all a perfect ivory white, as if somebody took the time to clean them.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros goes back to the caravan.

He reports back,
It's a giant pile of bones, but they're really clean, like somebody licked them all.

[yougi]

Idilcus: What kind of bones? Are there any signs of a scuffle?

Jamlamin: And what would have licked the bones clean? An animal?

Quoven: An animal wouldn't have put it in a neat pile, that's for sure.

Idilcus: Did you see anything else, Mr. Tazadaar?

[rorikdude12]

No, Idilcus, but the bones were incredibly clean, no drops of blood, and not a speck of flesh. It is as though something with a mind took time to clean them.

[yougi]

Idilcus: "Does it look like whatever was there is still there? Can we press forward or is it dangerous?"

[rorikdude12]

It looks safe, but we should be careful as we go forth. It might be an ambush.

[yougi]

As you go forth, within a half hour you get into a forest. The odds of being ambushed like that pile of bones being high, everybody starts getting nervous.

At some point, you here people talking in the bushes, seeming to follow you, although you can't make out what they are saying.

[rorikdude12]

Listen check to hear what they're saying

[roll0]

[yougi]

It's a guttural language which you don't understand.

[rorikdude12]

Spot check to examine them

[roll0]

[yougi]

You see that the things are small-sized and scaly. You don't know how many there are, as their green scales blend in almost perfectly with the forest colors.

[rorikdude12]

I'll be gone from tomorrow to the 23rd.

Come out, green creatures, we mean no harm.

Diplomacy
[roll0]

[yougi]

Thank you for the info. PM me when you come back please?

On each side of the caravan, about ten small scaly humanoid get out. Their face resemble those of dogs, but are covered in scales. The areas around their eyes are orange, while the rest are green with a red crest on their spine, from butt to forehead. They each have a shortbow pointed towards the different guards, and while some are on the ground, others are placed in trees.

One of them, the largest one, a tad over 4 feet tall, speaks in the Elven language: "Don't try anything funny: who are you and what are you doing in our woods?"

[rorikdude12]

I will. Aren't kobolds a little :smallwink: cliched?
Entaros waits for someone else to speak.

[yougi]

Since when do Kobolds speak Elven? ;)

This whole discussion takes place in Elven.

Idilcus: We are a merchant caravan who have to go to Highshore, and planned to go through your forest, not knowing of your existence, to be honest. We hope to go through this forest without having to hurt anyone.

Thing: We have to escort you back to our village. Our leader will then judge of the amount of tax that we will charge you for taking this road. Unless you want to end up like that pile of bones in front of the forest?

Idilcus looks at all of you, not certain of what to do. The merchant, in his seat, is too frightened to say anything.

In Common, Idilcus says: Do we fight or flee, men?

[rorikdude12]

In Common, Entaros says, "We should probably fight. It's the only way out. They'll probably kill us at the village."

[yougi]

"Than fighting it is!"

As he says that, arrows start flying from both direction. Some of the beasts get small axes made of stone out, and start charging. Within seconds, you have two of them around you.

I'll just post here your part of the combat, and I'll worry about the rest of the fight on my own. We'll do that when you come back.

Init:
You: [roll0]
Them: [roll1]

[yougi]

They both charge towards you, their small axes ready to smite you down:

[roll0] for [roll1] damage
[roll2] for [roll3] damage

[rorikdude12]

Entaros strikes one monster, then backs away, careful not to allow an opening. (Materialize mind blade, attack, then five foot step backward.)

To hit
[roll0]
Damage
[roll1]
Crit confirm
[roll2]
Crit Damage
[roll3]

[yougi]

And it falls. The second one follows you and smites again:

[roll0] for [roll1]

[rorikdude12]

Entaros moves back several steps (Withdraw) and then leaps forward and goes for an overhead slash with his mind blade (Charge).

To Hit
[roll0]
Damage
[roll1]
If crit threat
Crit Confirm
[roll2]
Crit Damage
[roll3]

[yougi]

The soulknife pierces the monster's skin, and his gaze goes blank. Looking around you, you gauge the situation:

Quoven, the large man, has 3 of them on him, but he seems to be coming out on top, with 3 corpses already laying near him.
Idilcus, the merchant's bodyguard, has 2 on him, and is fighting defensively, moving towards the caravan to make sure the merchant is not reached.
Edithas and Panamros, the dwarfs, are fighting back-to-back against 4 of them, and look outmatched.
Jamlamin has 2 right over her, and she cannot get a single spell off.

One of the two caravan guards is dead, a stone axe in his head, and the other is outmatched by the 2 beasts on him.

You also see that many of them are still coming out of the woods.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros charges at one of the monsters fighting Jamlamin.

To hit, with flanking bonus
[roll0]
Damage
[roll1]

If crit threat
[roll2]
Crit damage
[roll3]

[yougi]

Your target, surprised by your blow, falls to the ground, blood on its lips. Its companion swings at Jamlamin.

[roll0] for [roll1]

[yougi]

And she manages to dodge the blow, and strikes at the thing with her spear.

[roll0] (yes, that includes the +2 for flanking) for [roll1]

[yougi]

The half-elf shows off how unskilled she is at wielding weapons by almost hitting you with her spear.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros tries to tackle the beast.

Grapple
[roll0]

[rorikdude12]

3rd step of grapple

[roll0]

[yougi]

Opposed check:

[roll0]

[yougi]

And actually, before that, AoO:

[roll0] for [roll1]

[yougi]

You're very right, my bad.

As you go for the Grapple, the beast tries to hit you with its axe, but misses you. However, he manages to break your hold.

It goes at you again with its axe, shifting to get close to Jamlamin, and out of the flanking.

[roll0] for [roll1]

Then, Jamlamin tries herself again on the little thing:

[roll2] for [roll3]

[yougi]

Both attacks miss wildly.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros goes for the grapple again.

Touch Attack
[roll0]

Grapple
[roll1]

[yougi]

AoO pre-grapple: [roll0] for [roll1]

And compared check [roll2]

[yougi]

As it swings at you, the axe slips from the beasts' hands.

Yes, I'm that kind of DM.

It still breaks the grapple.

Jamlamin attempts to plunge her spear in the unarmed opponent's chest:

[roll0] for [roll1]

Edit: which he dodges with agility.

[rorikdude12]

I thought some wrestling would be fun. Oh well.

Entaros stabs the beast. [roll0], for [roll1] damage.

crit confirm [roll2], added damage [roll3]

[yougi]

Once again, sorry for lack of updates. However, I might say PMs don't really help: if I don't post, it's not cause I forget, it's cause I don't have time.

And come on! Can't even grapple a KOBOLD?

And as you hit it, the little thing falls down. at the same moment, the large human slays his last opponent. The battle seems to be over.

Jamlamin gets to you, a shy look on her face: You saved my life sir. These little things would have killed me without you. I owe you."

The elven bodyguard's voice raises through: "The last of these kobolds have fallen. Gather anything that can be of help, and we leave. We don't want to be here when the rest of the tribe sees this scene."

[rorikdude12]

Entaros smiles at Jamlamin.

"It's what I was hired to do. You owe me nothing."

Entaros goes off to search the bodies for valuables.

Did anyone on my side die? Also, I'm taking ten for a result of 13 on the search check.

[yougi]

One of the caravan soldiers fell. The crew wraps the man in a large blanket, hoping to bury him in a less dangerous setting.

Around the kobolds who fell, you find, in addition to the creatures' axes and armor, all of poor quality, a shortsword of average build, carried by the apparent leader of the group, and a total of 47sp.

"Are you gonna share that son?" go the two Dwarves simultaneously.

[rorikdude12]

Entaros takes 15 sp and leaves the rest of the looting to the dwarves.
"Sharing is fine."

[yougi]

"That's all!? All of this for 30 silver pieces?", goes Panamros, the light armored dwarf.

The other dwarf, Edithas, furiously walks towards you, his axe still in his hands from the combat: "30 silver pieces, amongst the dozens of them? I think somebody is trying to steal from us! I saw you pocket those gold pieces!"

[rorikdude12]

"That's all!? All of this for 30 silver pieces?", goes Panamros, the light armored dwarf.

The other dwarf, Edithas, furiously walks towards you, his axe still in his hands from the combat: "30 silver pieces, amongst the dozens of them? I think somebody is trying to steal from us! I saw you pocket those gold pieces!"

Entaros dispels his blade.
I pocketed 15 silver, actually. Also, put away your axe, friend.

Diplomacy [roll0]

[yougi]

"Calm down you two. Are you going to make such a mess about a handful of silver?" goes Idilcus. "You should get back here, when we reach our destination, there will be enough gold in your pocket to make you forget all of this."

You could also swear you heard him curse against dwarves under his breath.

While Panamros gets back to the rest of the group, Edithas, axe still in your hand, whispers to you: "I don't trust you, I know you stole from me, and I'll get my fair share. Just wait, you'll regret messing with a dwarf." Spitting on the ground, he goes back to the rest of the group.

[rorikdude12]

Ignoring Panamros for now, Entaros goes back onto the caravan and sits next to Jamlamin.

He whispers to her, "The dwarves are out for my ass.They think I took their loot. You gotta help me, please!