Shizu's Curse of the Crismon Throne

[shizukanashi]

Chapter One: Edge of Anarchy



https://pathfinderwiki.com/mediawiki/images/0/0d/Korvosa_panorama.jpg

Seated at the mouth of the Jeggare river Korvosa is the Gem of Varisia. The largest city on the continent, only Magimar a thousand miles east even begins to match its spendor.

Through its long history Korvosa has seen its share of violence but it has always arisen from the ashes of war and stife, at least on the surface. beneath 300 years of economic and political prosperity lie a myiad of secrets and darker mysteries, only one of which is the so called "Curse of the Crimson Throne".

No monarch has ever produced a direct hier to the throne, and no monarch has ever died of old age. King Eodred Arabasti II is only the latest to sit the throne, and it is begining to appear he will be the first to break the curse. His advanced age is apparent to everybody and many suspect only a few more years of his reign remain, but the other half of the curse remains true. To date he has yet to produce an heir.

Whispers of King Eodred scandelous rendevous with young and scantily clad companions have dogged his entire rule,and when he finally did wed late in life it was to a bride barely a third his age. Eodrens thirsts are well placed, Queen Ileosa is a woman of breathtaking beauty but many of the Aribitors fear that placing a "trophy wife" so close to the Crimson Throne was a mistake. Soon, however, it became apparent that her ambitions were not political as much as they were a desire to live the life of luxury being Queen afforded. Gems and gowns, Ileosa has emerged as a elegant debutante and not a sroud politician. Besides with the extremely competent Seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis guarding the Casltes interests the worries of the collected noble families have wanned, and yet to date the couple have not produced an heir even as Eodreds advanced age progresses.

For the common folk worries of succession are moot. For many it is a stuggle just to survive. A city as large as Korvosa is full of undesirables. Cutpurses, thugs, thieves, burglers, assassins, lowlifes of all sorts crawl the streets, the docks, the sewers and even the tangled roofscapes known as the shingles. Ofcourse the Guard does what it can, but the cold reality is that the lawless will alway outnumber the law, and that means some crime goes unpunished and some criminals see great success.

The worst of these are the crime lords. Dozens of them have found there nitch in the bossum of the undercity. From the high scheming Cerulean Society to the lowly Varsian Sczarni, and it is these minor crimelords who cause the most damage, larger organizations have little need to disrupt the lives of the common folk.

One such undesirable is the despicable wrech, Gaedren Lamm. Gaedren missed his chance to rise to true power in the Korvosa underworld, and now old and decrepit the former thief abducts children and forces them to support his parasitic lifestyle through petty crime. No matter his crime, he always seems to slip away or pass the blame. Countless times the snake has escaped the guard and somehow evidence against him is lost or inconclusive.

Gaedrens Lamm's luck is about to change, for the actions of the foul old man have recently touched the lives of a handful of men and women who are destined to become some of Korvosa's greatest heroes.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

A three-masted caravel glided into the harbor on a soft, but steady wind; guided by a firm hand. The deckhands had already taken care to reef all but a few of the forward sails in order to make ready for port, and more of the crew labored with long oars stuck out of the ship's sides. They pulled rhythmically under the direction of the first mate and the boatswain, marching fore and aft with heavy cudgels ready to cuff anyone that might try slacking off. She sidled up to the wharf with practiced ease and sailors scrambled off like ants in order to secure docking lines.

Shortly, a slender half-elf hopped over the caravelle's side onto the dock, worn black boots slapping the wood loudly. He had long, black hair pulled into a tail at the back of his head and a prominent scar over one eye. A long, dueling saber rode a quick draw position on his hip, peeking out from the bright, lavender coat he wore over his sailor's garments. Intelligent, blue eyes cast their gaze up and down the dock hastily and he strode landward on long legs.

The half-elf's course took him to one of the local taverns, a thoroughly disreputable place with dirty, muddled glass windows and a sign bearing a frog lording itself over a ship -- the locals called it the Frog and Frigate. He shouldered the door open and sauntered up to the bar, sitting himself at the far corner. He felt himself being watched by no less than four pairs of eyes, all wondering what was in the pack he'd slung between his shoulder blades.

"I'm looking for Gaedren Lamm." he told the bartender. "I was told you would know where he is."

The bartender spit into the mug he was cleaning with a dirty rag, then looked the half-elf up and down. "There's a price for information like that, stranger. You're not going to like paying it." he shrugged, then turned his back. At that same moment one of the other patrons came at the half-elf's back with a barstool raised over his head.

"Soth tasarak!" the half-elf hissed and raised his arm. The barstool shattered as it hit a glowing barrier of force that appeared in the air between the two combatants like a shield. He took a step forward, planting his boot against the man's belt and shoving him across the floor into another table, spilling it and its two occupants onto the floor in a tangle of limbs and spilled drinks. "A price I will pay, but not in my blood. This I warn the rest of you." the half-elf promised as he drew his blade, settling into a practiced fencer's stance while holding the shield spell in his off-hand.

"The damn knife-ear's a wizard!" one of the other patrons muttered, grabbing his friend off of the floor and dragging him toward the door.

Morvan Delane, half-elf and magus, just smiled and bowed.

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[WorldAdventurer]

Every morning at dawn, you could find a grizzled half-elven man kneeling in front on the altar to Abadar. He clutches a necklace in the shape of a key as he prays so hard that his knuckles turn white. He stops praying when he hears footsteps behind him. "Can I join you Jaini?" Father Mirco asked the half-elven man in a kind soft voice. "Of course you can Father." Jaini replied after a pause. Jaini could tell that the Father wanted more out of him then a chance to pray alongside him.

After finishing a brief prayer for guidance and prosperity Mirco stood up and gestured for Jaini to sit on one of the benches near the altar. Jaini reluctantly sat down, he would never disrespect one of the priests who raised him by not doing so, not matter how much he just wanted to leave before the inevitable lecture came. Mirco sat down with a groan, the sweet old man had many lines in his face and what little hair he had left was stark white, but his eyes where a piercing blue and as sharp as always. "Jaini, I think it's time you let her go."

A minute of silence passed. Slowly Jaini buried his face in his hands, "I can't father, I just can't." He admitted in frustration. He wanted to hide his pain but how could he towards the very man that took him in when his parents wouldn't? Mirco gave him a minute to calm down before speaking again. "Can't or won't Jaini?" Mirco said in a more stern voice than usual, causing Jaini to give him a questioning look. "I raised Tramya and it hurts me to see her gone, but it hurts me more to see you earning a living by fighting as a mercenary. If you didn't spend hours looking for her everyday then you could've joined the Gua-" Mirco was explaining to Jaini before he was cut off by the half-elf "She's my sister and the only family that was ever there for me!" Jaini cried out in frustration.

The room was silent for a bit before Jaini spoke again, "Forgive me father, that was wrong of me." "One's past dealings can distract them from present opportunities." Mirco quoted from The Order of Numbers before leaving the room to attend to his priestly duties, leaving Jaini to contemplate the scripture alone.

Jaini watched the sun near it's zenith as he sharpened his dagger with a whetstone as he sat around the docks, hoping that an opportunity for work or perhaps a clue about his sister would reveal themselves. "Fat chance." The half-elf muttered to himself, the average Korvosan didn't give a damn for Perishial's half-breed bastard children.

Jaini let his mind drift as he enjoyed a cool breeze blow across his face. He thought about some of his other half-siblings, it had been a while since he had seen some of them. He wondered how Laroan had been developing his sorcerer, couldn't tell for sure if it came from their father or his Varisian mother, probably his mother as most of his half-siblings don't have those talents. He knew Ralvi had been trying to get into the Guard, she wasn't that strong but she was a great shot with a bow. Oh and there was Remya! Boy is she a character, she spends way too much time with those savage "druids" that hang out by some of the docks. Just a bunch of trouble makers is what they are, Jaini just wished they would give the Hellknights enough of an excuse to get them put in their place.

Jaini remembered back to his childhood, the day after Tramya went missing he had met a con-man right on this very dock who had the first and last clue to her whereabouts, if it weren't for the Order of the Nail and their Hellknights he wouldn't have learned that Gaedren Laam was probably the one that took her. He owes them everything he has and more and he plans to join them to pay it in full...

The bored half-elf was shaken out of his stupor by what appeared to be a Varisian women running towards him. Just to be safe Jaini sheathed his dagger and grabbed hold of his glaive before she got to him. As the women came closer he started to see those tell-tale little hints of elven features and he relaxed as he recognized her as Adeli, one of Perishal's grandchildren through his pure-blooded sons. His relief was short-lived as he noticed the numerous cuts and bruises along her face, Adeli wasn't a fighter she was a sworn pacifist that worked in the Pantheon of Many. Someone did this to her. "Jaini, they took Vyrn!" Jaini's brow furrowed and his knuckles turned white as he griped his glaive fiercely. Vyrn was barely 12, still a little kid by half-elven standards. "Who? Where? When?" Jaini asked quickly and to the point.

The sun was mid-way down it's track when Jaini had found the hidden room under the docks. The man that Adeli identified as being the kidnapper took a little...."softening up" before he would talk. Allegedly he sold kids to some shady customers that meet under the docks. When that crook had asked them for mercy, he decided to let the Hellknights have him, they'll give him every ounce of mercy he deserves.... Getting his mind back on track, Jaini pulled out his flail as he slowly entered the room, having to leave his glaive behind because of the limited space under the docks.

The contents of the room filled him with rage. He trembled as he saw nine children shoved into small cages that they had to curl up to fit into. He almost didn't notice the dagger bounce of his scalemail, the man that threw it quickly tried to pull out another dagger but by that time the flail had already connected with the side of his head and he was on the ground.

The setting sun gave the Hellknight Commander's helmet a red tint as he explained the situation to him. As usual, Jaini couldn't see any of their faces but after spending so much time with them, he could usually tell from their body language but not this time, they seemed a bit off about what was going on, though Jaini couldn't quite put his finger on it. The Commander told Jaini in his stern Chelexian accent "You did the right thing by bringing them to us arm-civilian." The Commander said in a slight-slip up. Even though many of the Hellknights considered him an armiger in all but name, it brought a smile to Jaini's face to learn that even one of the commanders thought of him that way.

As he walked away he caught part of a sentence whispered between two of the Hellknights in Infernal. "Does the Lictor know?" Jaini certainly hoped that the Lictor would know who he was, most of the Hellknights in Korvosa knew him by name.

As the sun crossed over the horizon, Jaini walked slowly back to the Temple. He wished that someone had been there to rescue Tramya before it had been too late....

[drayen]

Ebon locks fanned out behind him in the slight breeze that came off the bay, the elf sauntered down the lane on the Old Korvosa side of the Narrows. The night was late, but the righteous and penitent both still plied their trades. He spied a couple ducking into an alley, one, a parishioner of his acquaintance, was leading a young man who was obviously nervous by the way he kept looking every which way. As Skender passed the mouth of the alley he looked, his odd golden orbs able to pierce the darkness, to see the couple hurriedly engaging in their worship. He continued on, heading toward the Eel's End, a brothel within a dilapidated ship permanently moored at the eastern end of the Old City and the nearest thing to a temple in the district if not the city. He was nearly to his destination when he noticed a small form huddled amongst some discarded crates and boxes. Stepping over to inspect, he found a child of four or five, although it could have been older because they certainly looked more than half-starved.

"Oi, what's doin'?" He asked.

The wee lad looked up with wary fear even as his head sank into his chest, "Nutin' cove."

He crouched down before the child, nodding as he responded, "Ain't no half truf, i'n't? No need to be afeared o' me, dontcha know me?" He asked in a calm voice trying on a small smile to put the boy, he was pretty sure it was a boy, at ease.

Looking at the yellow doublet fashionably slit to show the black fabric of his tunic, the black leather breeches with their brass buttons running down the sides and the high stiff black leather books with their brass buckles, he bobbed his head in a small jerking motion as he answered, "Ye're 'e as 'tects the 'ores. Sissy telt tha' soon as she's old eno' ta git, ye'll be 'er angel, too."

Now that tentative smile reached all the way to his molten eyes. "Ne'er as I was a 'tecter, my fine lil' plate. Our doxies is tough as dey is comely. Nay, I's as 'e 'oo puts paid ta dem 'oo wrong 'em. Now, 'oo be yer sissy that she's ta gon' and git an' 'ow ye ain't wit'er?"

The young boy sniffed as a tear slowly slid down his cheek. That single track was all it took for the dam to break and he blurted, Me sis's is Nalla an' she's best beggar in the Narrows. She gets so much she saved me mor'n some beatin's. But she's 'as gon'n'git 'cause me ain't gaw'd 'er 'n two days an' Lamm ain't carin' but 'e cop'd me on de 'ead an' swored he beat me col' if'n me short agin. Ain't made eno' an' 'e wern't joshin' so 'ere me be."

"De ole geezer, Gaedran Lamm?" His smile slipped more than a few degrees colder. "I knows 'im too well. An' it be pas' time I were havin' words wit'im. Ya see, I 'as t'ree points ta 'press on 'im."

He took the boy's hand in his own and rose to stand, bringing the lad up with him. "Speaking o' t'ree, I know dese gents, tha're barmy but, nice coves. 'As a big wreck o' a temple 'as 'em. Dey tink a dead god'll come back ta life! Now e'en tho' we knows as 'oo watches over us, keep it twixt me and thee, me plate and make nice wi' da gents an' dey'll let ya stay da night." So saying, the Yellowjacket led his newest little larva with him to incubate it in the carcass of the ruined church down the lane. Thoughts of a long overdue reckoning sent a frisson down his spine, always a sign of being called to Vengeance.

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani Rose walked south, toward the little flower shop. Perched just outside the Gray, it was well-positioned to take business from grieving widows and others making offerings to the dead. "Our story begins with two star-crossed lovers, beneath a clear bright moon", he mumbled to himself. Egads, who writes this drivel?. "Our story begins with two star-crossed lovers..."

A small bell chimed as the screened door to the shop slammed shut. "Can I help you?" lilted the quiet voice, emanating from the woman behind the counter.

"Hello, Haeluna. It's Aliani."

"Aliani! So good to see you! What brings you by today?"

"Well, I was hoping for a cup of your tea, I've been feeling a bit scratchy..."

Haeluna turned, giving a quick glance to the outside. "I rather doubt you've walked halfway across town for a cup of my tea. Now, what's really bothering you, Mr. Silverlight?"

Aliani gasped "Haeluna!" as he frantically turned to look around the shop. "You know not to call me that in public."

She giggled for a moment "Don't worry, nobody's here it's just us. Come, Aliani, I've got the tea. Talk to me."

"Haeluna, I can't... I can't stop thinking about her. It's been five years, and every day... I can't stop. I hear her voice in my head... I can't make it stop."

Haeluna looked up at him. "Good."

Aliani gasped again. "GOOD? How can you say that? You don't know what it's like..."

"Of course I know, Aliani. I understand better than you can ever know. It's what brought you to me in the first place." Haeluna poured the steaming tea into two cups. "I'm sorry you had to experience it, but you mustn't let her memory go. You know that it's the sacrifice that allows for new growth, and greater beauty. Old forests are beautiful, but few flowers grow there beneath the darkness. Never let her go. Her body is gone, but as long as you honor her as you do, she lives on through you. She would be proud of you.

"Proud? I -- I guess so. I just wish I could do more. The guard considers it a dead case, they've given up. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm just ... dishonoring her isn't the right word, but ... I know who did it, I can't prove it but I know, and I can't do anything about it."

"What you can do," Haeluna said between sips of her tea, "is to make sure it doesn't happen to others. The guard may consider the case dead, but the Everbloom never forgets. The time will come. I can't promise you when, but I promise you that it will. When it does, remember her, remember all the pain that got you there, and remember that you are loved and you are never alone, there are others of the faith that share your pain, and that even if somehow you fail in the moment, even from that something better shall come. Keep the faith, your time will come. You've become a great young man, Aliani. Don't let anybody tell you differently, least of all yourself."

Behind Aliani came the sound of a door and the jingle of a bell. Haeluna grabbed a rose blossom from a nearby plant and handed it across the counter. "Been good talking to you, but I have some customers. Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Rose?"


"No, Haeluna. I thank you most generously for the tea and for the lovely rose-- I believe this should cover it?" He slipped a copper piece across the counter; they'd never see what he actually paid from that distance. "I do always appreciate our talks. They help, more than you can know."

Haeluna reached up and plucked his cheek playfully. "Knock 'em dead, Mr. Rose."

__________________________________________________ ____

Aliani walked the distance to the Ampitheater, the evening light beginning to wane, and a beautiful rose blossom fastened to his lapel. He glanced out from behind the curtain. A few hundred in attendance tonight -- not a bad crowd. Behind him, the dancers discussed their routines and stretched their muscles. Darkness had nearly fallen; showtime was just a few minutes away. He took a moment to slip out of sight, clasping the brooch that secured the bright red cape about his shoulders. "Milani, I know that you walk with me and I am never alone. Help me to find those who share in our struggle." With that, he emerged from the curtain and began to walk the crowd, warmly greeting those in the first few rows. Nothing, he thought grimly behind the smiling facade. Oh well, Mr. Silverlight. Not tonight.

He ascended to the stage, cleared his voice, and began to speak, his voice booming into the farthest reaches of the ampitheater as he smiled brightly. "WELCOME, LORDS AND LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND NOT-SO-GENTLE MEN. MY NEIGHBORS. MY FRIENDS. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US FOR TONIGHT'S PERFORMANCE. PLEASE, TAKE YOUR SEATS THAT WE MIGHT BEGIN."

After a moment's pause, as the crowd quieted and stilled, he began. He joked "Is it too dark for those of you in the back? Here, let me shed a little light on the subject!" With a flourish, he waved his arms, and a circle of light emanated from the center of the stage. "Our story begins with two star-crossed lovers, beneath a clear bright moon...." Behind him, two dancers began their movements.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan opens his eyes and once again goes through the pain of the loss of his wife. His scattered mind trying to assemble thoughts to reassemble his reality. He knew she was dead, brutally murdered, but he was just with her. Just last night ... No. It was the shiver, he dreamed her. Instantly he longed to delve back into that stupor, but no. He didn't have the gold for that...and he needed to find her killer. He tried to convince him that would bring closure.
He forced himself to his feet. A part of him wished he could return to his father's shop and return to work, but alas that was not possible. He was incapable of that anymore. Fear had broken him too badly. Maybe, just maybe when he got revenge, he could return. He could convince his father to give him another chance. He knew his father still loved him. He walked out of the ruined building he had crashed in. He slung his shield on his back and checked his sword and dagger. He had few items left, things he knew he needed.
Exiting the building he squinted against the bright sun and found a place to sit and took out his sword and whetstone. Spitting on the blade, he began to sharpen it. He focused his mind on the task, the methodical motions helped him to set his mind against the struggles of the day. The struggles of simply moving forward, putting one foot in front of another. Tracking down another lead to Alma's killer. He slid the stone down the blade, over and over. He breathed in time with the strokes.

[RustyCthulhu]

Delphos Forel

As he was walking home, Delphos had more than enough time to reflect on the last six hours. Of course, he knew he couldn't afford to spend too much of his attention on it, lest he turn a corner and run into yet another group of guards. He knew this neighborhood well though, and his instincts kept him walking a meandering path that nevertheless always afforded at least three avenues of escape at any point.

Damned Altyr. Damned Tormo. The smell of paint was still overpowering, turning his thoughts into curses. Delphos pushed past it, tried to clear his mind. He guessed his gnome fence had gotten into some trouble with the law, and the unscrupulous constable had used it as leverage. Help me catch Delphos, or you'll go down for everything, Tormo. That was probably how it had gone, knowing Altyr. Delphos, for his part, had trusted the gnome more than he should have, but they'd always had a good relationship, hadn't they? Tormo had never been anything other than amiable and professional with him. Until now, anyway. Delphos ran through the events of the prior night.

He'd offered me the ale right after paying me for the merchandise. "To celebrate your hundredth sale, in anticipation of your thousandth," he'd said, seemingly with gleeful pride. Delphos had noticed the poison mere moments after taking a drink, but even spitting it out almost instantly, he'd begun to feel the initial effects: slowed reflexes, dulled senses. Delphos' drug addiction, long-since brought (mostly) under control, had trained him to maintain his focus even when under the serious effects of dangerously toxic substances, and if not for this, all might have been lost. When Constable Altyr's men had rushed in - and there was no doubt in his mind that the "good" constable was behind it - he'd had only a moment to tear a lantern off the wall, which had set Tormo's warehouse floor ablaze immediately. Shoving past the pair of momentarily startled guards, Delphos had stumbled into a maze of crates and boxes, which he climbed (with some difficulty). From the top, he had noticed a skylight within arm's reach, so he scrambled out onto the rooftop, being sure to kick the uppermost crate off the tower before exiting in an entirely ungraceful manner. It had then been a matter of traveling from roof to roof, putting one foot in front of the other, until the drug finally reached its full potency and the effort of running and jumping was all but impossible. He had barely been able to pull himself in a small nook before finding himself moderately paralyzed, and terrified he would be found in this wholly helpless state.

Damned Hessim, Newby, and Sage. The paralytic agent had mostly worn off by a couple of hours after dawn, but long after the Paint Manufactory's chimneys had renewed belching smoke and fumes. By the time he was able to discreetly climb off the roof, he had been fully immersed in the pungent stench which, it would turn out, would not fully dissipate for several more days. On the plus side, at least he still had his money. He smiled as he walked in his front door.

[n0ble]

The upstairs neighbors were arguing again. It appeared that the large female was convinced, for the eleventh time, that her spouse had been unfaithful. In spite of all evidence to the contrary. Rhev groaned and rolled over onto his stomach. Their rancor was infringing on his sleep again. And that meant that his hangover was infringing on his ability to function. It was enough for him to misjudge his rollover and fall face first right off the bed. Correction. He landed bruise first, then face first and let out another groan tinged with frustration. Last night's game of trading hands in the fight ring had been fun, but he'd have to be more careful. His health was the most important thing he had, after all. Right behind his intellect. The investigator peeled himself off the floorboards and tried not to think about what sort of filth had skittered across it in the night. Rhev dam near tripped over his own pants getting up, caught up as he was in thinking about what he’d do today. Time for a drink. Then he’d kill Lamb.

Rhev stumbled over to the burbling alchemies at work on the desk opposite his bed. He’d situated it specially, so as not to get any waste or popped bubbles on his books. Even so there was runoff and that made him grumble partially to himself, partially to the people upstairs who hadn’t learned the value of some dam peace and quiet after eleven arguments. Idiots. Last night’s work was stewing nicely at least. It smelled faintly of cinnamon and raspberries. He hated cinnamon. Maybe if he drank enough of it he wouldn’t care.

He wrapped a blanket around the top of the beaker and blew on it a little to cool it off. Rhev sighed. He’d made the fire too well, meaning the swill he’d brewed was still hot. Perhaps scalding was a better word for it. That’s certainly how it felt going down his gullet. He spat it out quick as it went down, partially due to it’s heat and partially because it tasted like something verging on poison. He threw the whole foulness out the window, where it landed on Loud Neighbor Number One as they huffed and trundled their way out of the tenement complex. He smiled as the screams of indignation filled his ears. The dispersion of the liquid had been enough to annoy, not burn. Perfect.

Rhev Talasar slipped around the piles of books that littered about the room, coming to a halt in front of his mirror. The smile vanished from his face as he took in the hunger striking-stranger in front of him. Grimacing, he snapped on a vaguely fresh shirt before slotting his rapier through his belt and pants. It was, if he was being honest, a supremely terrible weapon. Flakes of rust dotted more than half of it and the tip ended in a jagged, broken point quite at odds with it’s purpose as a killing weapon. Something to consider getting fixed along with the rest of this city. The investigator turned away from the mirror and the weakness it reflected back at him before making for the door. A good, proper drink first. One with an appreciable amount of alcohol content Then he’d kill Lamb and his assorted flunkies. Then to the problem of the city as whole. It was a terrible plan but Rhev was most certainly not going to do it sober.

[Zhentarim]

Seytona Saylor

"Alright, its your second day in the field. You've hit the books, so you know how to take down whatever suprises the crooks have in store. People love you, too. You got this."

Seytona, appearing as a strikingly beautiful Chelaxian human woman, knew as a new recruit to the town gaurd, she had to play her role perfectly if she was to get into a position to cleanse Korvosa of Shiver. Her only sister died on the stuff, and she was now alone in this big city, so, in a way, this city was her only "friend" and she knew it could be so much better than it was. That is why she was always careful to keep her true form secret. The community loved her as a human, but her own parents had died from a pistol when she was quite young.

Walking the beat, she saw an old man getting mugged. Still unarmed, since she was weak and fragile but skilled at talking people down from violence with the aid of magic, she approached the duo.

"You don't want the money from that man, and I'll tell you why. You have so much potential to be a lawful success and us down at the station can reform you. Come with me."

"No," quoth the mugger.

Of course he was going to say that. She was trying to start a conversation with the criminal as it tends to make them let their guard down a bit. She then cast Charm Person and Implant Urge. Both succeeded.

"Come with me to turn yourself in while wearing these handcuffs."

[Darvin]

Dalen Rittle

Everyone has an angle, a way of looking at things that's slightly different from everyone else. Sometimes these outlooks are reasonable, sometimes they're completely senseless, but everyone has their quirks and foibles whether they admit to them or not. It's not a particularly difficult principle to grasp, and a lesson Dalen learned at a very young age is to frame his arguments within the sensibilities of others rather than his own. After all, you're convincing them, not yourself. Yet the harder lesson seems to be in looking your own failings right in the eye, even if they lead you to ruin.

It wasn't any easier watching someone else engaging in self-destruction; Gary was shaking and tremoring in his drug-induced coma, alone on the floor in that old flophouse. The man was convinced that he needed shiver, a prospect that had almost become central to his very identity. Trying to wean him off the destructive substance wasn't simply a matter of convincing him to do so, it required changing his entire world-view. That would take a great deal of time, if it was possible at all. All things considered, Gary had gone clean for quite some time and this latest descent into a torpid state was an anticipated step backwards.

It was an unlikely but genuine friendship, an acadamae dropout and a shiver addict. Gary needed to fuel his habit, and Dalen needed to learn how to thrive on the streets. In a few short weeks, the two had come to count on each other. Trust is not something that is built easily, on the streets or anywhere else. Gary had the chance to kick Dalen to the wayside for a quick hit of shiver but didn't. It's these unexpected things that make you see the humanity in people, that allowed Dalen to see Gary as a person and not a nameless addict.

So Dalen reciprocated. He knew that convincing Gary to give up shiver directly was hopeless, but helping a friend was another matter. So Dalen convinced him that he needed a second pair of eyes, someone to look over his shoulder. Gary delayed his next hit of shiver, day after day, to help this new friend out. Some days that required a bit of magical prodding, but Dalen was able to keep Gary clean. Together they earned a decent amount of coin, and Dalen knew the moment he turned his back what would happen. As he'd rehearsed in his mind a thousand times, this was an anticipated step backwards.

"I really do appreciate everything you've done," Dalen remarked to his unconscious friend as he slumped to the hard floor, "I'd have probably been beaten up by both the gangs and the guard without your help, and certainly wouldn't have had the opportunity to earn this coin," Dalen sighed; his path hadn't exactly been straight and narrow, but he'd been able to avoid the worst vices of these lower dregs of society. He'd pull himself out, and maybe he'd be able to convince Greg to pull himself out too. Greg let out a weak moan in his shiver-dreams.

"You know, when I bent the rules at the academy I felt invincible, like I could get away with anything. I just kept pushing my limits, until I crossed a line too far," Dalen let out a weak laugh, "the funny thing is that I didn't really need it. I wasn't the top of my class, but I wasn't going to fail either. Looking back on it, it all seems so stupid. And yet, I still can't admit fault to myself. And the more I think about it, I realize that it's not really any different from you and your addiction. Self-destructive behavior is easier than introspection, and you can only hope that reality intervenes before you march off that cliff,"

Dalen stopped speaking and the room went silent. Too silent. "Gary, are you okay," Dalen leaned over his friend. There were no shivers, no motion, no breath. Dalen's hand reached out, not wanting to confirm what he suspected. No pulse. He closed his eyes and held back tears, "sleep well, friend," then he pulled himself to his feet and departed that flophouse for the last time.

[shizukanashi]

The scaping sound of stone on steel, over and over again, was rhythmic; relaxing. Like the surf crashing against the beach. But it was more than ocean waves to those who would listen. Little could Cykan know how metaphoric the honing of a blade could be for his life. Since the death of his wife he was dull and jagged; rusty even. Soon however, he would need to sharpen his wits, focus his will to a razors edge if he was to survive the upheaval coming.

Seated on the bench, sword and stone in hand, a glance at his feet discovered something that did not belong. The crashing waves slowed the ceased. Placing the whetsone on the seat, he reached for the object and examined it closer. A card. From a Harrow deck. More specifically The Bear.

Cykan knew a bit about the harrow, Alma after all was a Varasian and the love of his life. To her people the harrow was more than a cooky fortune tellers tool. It was a way of life. The bear represented pure strength. Though it appeared comical on the cards illustration, a pointed hat, frilly dress, and seated on a unicycle. These were dressings, the true meaning of the bear was that Rage and brute force can not be tamed or trained, and it was only when the trainer thinks the bear is under his control that they discover the error of his ways. The day was just full of metaphors.

Turning the card over Cykan read a message. A message that could only be meant for him. He looked around, but saw no eyes on him, nobody paid him even the slightest attention. Whoever put it here was long gone.

http://pathfinder.zhmp.net/uploads/Magic/HarrowDeck_TheBear_small.jpg

Intent on the bar just across the street from his hovel, a sanctuary with the only salve he knew to ease the pain of his wounds well aside from the shiver, Rhev stopped in his tracks. His hand frozen on his door handle, the door yet unopened. Directly in his view, at eye level, its corner tucked in a splintered door was a card, one from a Harrow deck.

That in itself was not what startle him, it was the implication. Someone had been in his apartment. Sure his lock was long broken, sure there were holes he could stick his fist through in his walls, and the rats came and went like guests at a pagent, but this was a violation. This building was a dump 20 years ago, today it was a rats den, and not the nightly visitors that scurried over the twisted floorboards. It was a place where the rejects of society slept in there own blood and urine, but there was still a code. Everybody concerned themselves with their own demons. Who would dare open the door to view the skeletons in someone else’s closet?

Prying the card from its perch he examined it more closely. Though its title said the peacock, the image was a cockratice. Not a bird of astonishing beauty, but a monster who’s gaze meant death. What the hell could this mean?

Flipping the card over he vowed to get answers, and he did, scribbled on the back in black ink.
https://www.rpgcrossing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52223&d=1340368789

Every morning at dawn, you could find a grizzled half-elven man kneeling in front of the alter to Abadar, and this morning was no exception. A devotion that was so routine it was as unbreakable as tempered steel. And so when Jaini finished his prayer to the master of the Vault, and opened his eyes he saw immediately how this devotion was slightly different from the hundreds of others before it.

The statue in front of him, with its hands out open wide like scales was strangely different than it was when Jaini closed his eyes. The hands were where devotees could leave offerings of keys or coins often in equal weight. But upon opening his eyes Jaini noticed the card that was not there when he began his prayer, stuck at such an odd angle that no balance could be achieved.

The bank of Abadar was silent no one could have approached the alter left the card and escaped his notice, not unless then knew every creaking floorboard. Jaini thought immediately of Father Mirco their conversation the other day had not gone so well, perhaps this was an apology. He turned his head, only to see the father clear across the temple praying at another alter. He could not have just left this.

Reaching out Jaini plucked the card from Abadar’s hand, restoring the symmetry. Examining it he discovered it was a harrow card. The Forge. Its image that of a blacksmith surrounded by mephitis. Fire demons. Forging a blade in hellfire was a dangerous trial. Fires so hot they turned common steel to cinder. A blade that emerged and overcame the trial was tempered to such a strength that it was hard as a nail.
Turning the card Jaini read the words written on the back of the card and things started to make sense.
https://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/pathfinder/images/6/68/Harrow_forge.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090812010525

His smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. His bow deep he came eye to eye with a laughing giant. On the floor of the bar was a card from a harrow deck, its title “The Joke” Not really a thing Morvan was used to his upbringing was that of a noble son, a position that earned him much good graces with the houses of Korvosa, even if that grace was waning after his expulsion from Acadamae. Still he was not unfamiliar with the ways of the common folk of Korvosa, enough anyway to recognize the card as a cultural icon of the Varasian people.

As the patrons returned to their drinks careful not to make eye contact with the “knife-ear wizard” he picked up the card and marveled at the newfound curiosity. Upon closer inspection the illustration revealed a tiny bard standing before the giant, presumably the teller of said joke. Morvan was quick of wit and it didn’t take much to understand the cards meaning and its misaligned inverse. You can defeat a physical threat with trickery and humor, but if you too sure of yourself, you might find that the joke is on you.

Flipping the card and reading the message written there, it was not clear to Morvan which interpretation applied to the current situation.
http://pathfinder.zhmp.net/uploads/Magic/HarrowDeck_TheJoke_small.jpg

The crowd was still on their feet, Aliani and the other players had exited the stage for a second time, the standing ovation had merited the ensemble’s return for a second collective bow before the lights were darkened the final curtain fell. The stage now dark, the show commenced and the cast backstage, only now did the applause start to trail off.

Seated now at a mirror in a room just off from the ampitheater’s main stage, Aliani was filled with vigor that could only come with such joyous hurrahs from the theater going public. He reached for the jar of cotton balls that he would use to begin removing his stage make-up. His hand however found something else. Atop the jar was a card from a Harrow deck, the tradition tools of a sooth-sayer and fortune teller.

On this card was the image of a Unicorn, a majestic creature, set down in a briar of thorns and flowers. A rose garden. A fixed to the one horn for which it was named a half eaten pear, as if an offering, but was the pear a generous gift or a poisonous fruit?

Perhaps the message written on the back of the card could help to answers the thesbians inquiry.
https://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/pathfinder/images/7/70/Harrow_unicorn.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/180?cb=20090828124128

Greif stricken from the loss of his friend, Dalen Rittle greeted the cold of the night. Gary’s flophouse was in a seedier part of town and Dalen had to navigate a labyrinth of back alleys and narrow streets to get back to his own home on the other side of the city.
A rain had recently subsided and the streets were wet and muddy, the air muggy and pungent with the smell of dirt. The petricor as a scent Dalen enjoyed, one of the many small treasures of a man who got what he wanted out of life.

At his own home Dalen began to remove his now damp overcoat and boots when he noticed the harrow card, stuck with mud and scum to his footwear. Pealing it from the bottom of his boot, Dalen examined the image. The Foreign Trader, this was a man not unlike Dalen, surrounded with exotic riches from across Golarion. This was a haggler, a negotiator with a silver tongue and a persuasive nature. A man who got what he wanted from people, perhaps even a trader in information.

Dalen knew the value of information all to well, and the game of trust and guile it often took to acquire it. How then was it so simple that the information he currently sought was so easily acquired. As a message on the back of a novelty harrow card stuck to the bottom of his boot.
https://www.rpgcrossing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52206&d=1340368419

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/177791/handoutcards1.gif

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan reads the message on the back of the card and looks around. Who ... put it there? How even? It could not be a trick. Who ever did this knew too much and managed to get that card to him. They had abilities. He could think of nothing but going to the address immediately. He looked up at the sky. The sun was high, close to noon. Sunset would not be for hours. What to do?

Then the thought occurred to him that maybe this was the work of Lamm. Could he arrange this?

Cykan rose to his feet and started to walk towards Lancet street. He would get there early and watch.

Arriving at Lancet street he sought a location where he could watch the spot.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

The half-elf flipped the card over several times, committing it to memory. A warning not to be overconfident? A message given by someone who dropped it literally under my nose completely undetected. And so soon after arriving back in the city. Morvan sheathed his sword and took a look over his shoulder. The bartender had fled. Predictable. So the card was his only lead for the time being.

Seeing as the ruffians had been temporarily routed by the knowledge that he was a spellcaster, Morvan went behind the bar and poured himself a nice Chelish red. He set the glass and the harrow card on the bartop with a sigh, and after a small sip he bent to examining the seemingly common item. A mystic symbol formed with the fingers of one hand passed over the surface of the card and a brief, "Ocularě..." whispered under his breath were both required to cast a common cantrip he knew. The spell was used to detect magical auras and items with a some study and time.

If he was going to learn something from this card, he might as well be thorough.

OOC: Casting Detect Magic on the harrow card and studying it for three rounds.
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

Cykan

Still long before sunset, Cykan arrived to scope out the residence. Lancet street was in the west dock the section of Midland that touched the Jeggare River. It was home to fishermen, sailors, and the few ferrymen that found work ferring those who for whatever reason chose not to take High Bridge across. Fishmongers lined the streets and Cykan got the feeling that the majority of children at play were more than likely a bit more sinister. Best guard your gold or some urchin might releave you of it.

#3 Lancet street was a humble cottage, above the door a sign the paint old and chipping of an open palm with an eye in the center over top a crystal ball. Clear symbology of a fortune-tellers abode.

Staking out an inconspicuous spot to survey from gave him two options. Across the street was a run down warehouse that looked like it had not been in use much. The doors loose on its hinges and a row of windows on an upper floor would give a nice veiw of the home.

The other option was Bailer's Retreat a bar and restaurant just a few buildings down the street. There appeared to be tables set up outside the bar and though the clientele looked like a rough crowd Cykan could at least enjoy an ale a bowl of clam chowder and a hard biscuit while he watched from a safe distance.

Morvan

With eyes newly attuned to the magical world Morvan studied the card further. A dim purple-blue glow like a shadow or a puff of smoke surrounded the card, but it was so faint he barely noticed it. The card itself was not magical, but whatever had placed it there be it magical creature or spell left a very dim lingering aura. He caught it just in time, for even as he noticed the aura it faded away and was gone leaving only the mundane behind. His mind returned to his training at Academae. Blue, conjuration. Purple, divination. As he suspected whatever it was had somehow seen his return to Korvosa and arranged for the message to reach him soon after.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"They sought me out specifically. Well, if I'm being scryed, I will say that I accept your offer, mysterious host." Morvan raised his glass to some unseen observer and then finished off the wine. He flipped the card over again, holding it between two fingers, to read the message written on the back. A glance outside let him know that he had just enough time before sunset to grab a bite to eat and find a quiet corner to study his spells. There was a bar...Bailer's something, , much like the one he currently occupied, near Lancet street if he recalled correctly. That would do nicely.

"Someone tell the bartender that I'll be back to speak with him some other time." the magus told the room at large, then strolled back out into the street, heading South toward Midland.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[WorldAdventurer]

As Jaini read the back he felt a mixture of suspicion and excitement. He had seen harrow cards before, but the accuracy of the card to his very essence frightened him, the imagery, the name, the meaning, how it was left in the hands of Abadar without explanation.....But he would conquer any fear and cast away any doubt if even for a sliver of a chance to save Tramya....and if necessary to avenge her. Jaini shook his head to rid himself of such thoughts.

Jaini considered asking Father Mirco for help trying to divine any magics on this card, but decided against it. "He would just try to stop me from going." the half-elf muttered to himself.

After deciding to complete his morning prayer, the rugged man changed into his armor, picked up his weapons and walked out to greet the morning sun. Seeing as he was just going to stand around and hope to be approached by someone who wanted to hire him today, he figured he might as well do that where the meeting will take place. "That way I might be able to spot anyone trying to set any ambushes."

Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[n0ble]

Rhev sighed and snagged the card from it's resting place before secreting it away in his pocket. The meaning of the dam thing was going to gnaw at him, like a half filled pint. A moment later he stumbling out the door on his way to Lancet street. No sense in getting all twisted up about who was in his apartment when he knew where they were and could get answers from them. If memory served there was some sort of drinking establishment near by where he could get a load on before the day's activities. That seemed motivation enough. Maybe this mysterious dealer of not-drugs could offer some help that he could refuse or use.

Arriving at the bar on the later side of the afternoon, Rhev plopped himself down into an empty seat outside the bar. It was perfect. No longshoremen has switched over shifts and the wine smelled suitably bitter as he passed by a few idle glasses. His chair however, was proving to be a pain in the @ss. One leg was a twelfth of an inch shorter than the others. Rhev grumbled, mostly to himself, as he order a pint dark beer and a shot of something, anything with a high proof. While waiting he put his feet up on the table, hands stuffed in pockets, as he alternated between ogling one of the serving women and the cottage. Both were supremely dumpy, but at leas the woman didn't tell him things about his future. He disliked fortune tellers on principal. They reeked of destiny and the irrational. His hands found the card just as his alcohol was delivered. Rhev took it out with one hand while he administered the shot to the beer with the other.

Feet still on the table, he kept one on the doorway to the cottage for errant fools while ruminating on the possible meanings of the card.


is there some sort of skill check for identifying the meaning of the card?

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani took the card with curiosity. Hmmph, that's strange he thought to himself. Flipping the card over, he gasped inwardly. "OK, whose id--" blurted forth from his mouth before he caught his voice. Whose idea of a sick prank is this? Unless it's not a prank. Unless it's a message to back off, that he was finally getting too close. Well, that was a mistake now wasn't it, telling me to back off? Nobody in the dance company knew him well. Most of them were from out of town. He took a glance around the room to see who might be standing around a corner, laughing to themselves -- but all talk was about the cast party to be held, and the subsequent afterparties. Those were usually good for a wild evening -- but the sudden pounding in his chest told Aliani that this evening was already wild enough. He tucked the card quietly away in his pack and continued removing his makeup and changing. "No, you ladies go ahead" he said wistfully to the twin dancers. "I really wish I could join you..." (you have no idea) "but I've had a pounding headache since the second act. If I can shake it off, I'll be there, but I really should go straight to bed."

The walk home was a longer one than usual, what with the constant looking behind him and the circuitous route to make sure he stayed on well lit streets and the asking every Guard he met where Lancet Lane was until one could finally provide an answer. He checked the lock on his door -- secure, that's good. He got inside, shoved a dresser against the door, and collapsed into bed, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts, few of them very healthy or conducive to sleep, though he managed to drift off eventually.


The next morning he arose, a bit later than usual, went about his morning routine, and gathered a few things from his apartment, arriving in the area a few hours after midday. A few stage props really were all he had, but they'd have to do. Nobody really looking for him would be fooled, but he hoped that a few more people wandering the streets wouldn't attract attention, and would give him ample time to detect an ambush. Over the next couple of hours, a few different half-elves walked by the address wearing a brown traveler's outfit -- one wearing an eyepatch and a blue scarf, another a pair of spectacles and a blond wig... but nothing seemed amiss. That was alarming enough in itself. Maybe this is really it. Maybe this is all real the proverbial angel on his shoulder whispered. Or maybe you're walking right into a trap. Be careful sneered the devil. The devil had the better of the argument based on logic, to be sure, but...

About ten minutes before sunset, Aliani whispered to himself I pray this is my time, Mother. I hope. as he emerged from a nearby alley, wearing his traditional red entertainer's outfit, accoutered somewhat unusually with a morningstar. If it was an ambush, well, he wasn't about to go down without a fight.

I'm just taking 10 on Disguise checks to avoid obvious suspicion. "Changing minor details only" might apply, in which case it's an 18; if not it's only a 13.

[Darvin]

Dalen admired the artwork on the card, only noticing the message written on the back a moment before flicking it away. Dalen stopped, reading it three times before setting it down and looking carefully at the card. Trust is not something given easily, and he certainly didn't trust whoever placed this card. So, what could he conclude about who this person is? Well, the card itself had been ruined by its unfortunate trip through the streets at the bottom of Dalen's boot, which in turn meant the deck was short at least one card and largely worthless for its usual purposes. Whoever had done this had the financial means to essentially throw away a harrow deck, and that's no small expense. Then there's the matter of actually placing it on the bottom of his boot. Dalen had an appreciation for the skill of pickpockets, but the bottom of his boot couldn't have been an easy mark, and getting the card to stick was a trick he wasn't sure he could comprehend. Never mind trying to tease motivation from this. It was unlikely to be a trap; if someone wanted him dead, they could have just laid in wait for him and knifed him when he was alone. That didn't mean that the author of the message was being forthright with their motivation, but it did mean the risks presented by defiance likely outweighed the risks of compliance. Still puzzled, Dalen casts Detect Magic to examine the card on the off-chance there might be some magical properties or residue that could reveal further clues.

[n0ble]

"Hmph." Clearly the dam thing was meant as some sort of jib at his expense. Or perhaps something more sinister. He quickly ran through a list of enemies that could be responsible for this sort of invasion of privacy. The couple upstairs? Too dumb. Topper from the fight ring? Maybe but Rhev's presence was good for business even if he'd lost more than won recently. Lamb? The thought made his eyes narrow and the taste of the brew soured on his tongue. An interesting possibility but then why not just be rid of him rather than go through the effort. There was no better chance to kill a man when he was passed out from drink. Plus a fortunteller's hovel was a plain odd place to kill someone. Too theatrical.

"Excuse me miss!?" Rhev hoisted his tankard above his head to signal for another. A little bit of the beer-rum pattered out onto his coat. He squirmed internally as she got within range of his senses. The smell of the morning's work clung to her. And last nights by the smell of things. Too much makeup, cheap clothing. Pig like nose. Clearly the other waitress was more attractive, if just as flawed in other ways. As the girl took his glasses from him, Rhev held out a coin to pay for what he had drank and what he would drink. He tried not to let much disdain slip into his voice, or show his teeth. "You seem a worldly" and smelly ",sort. Perhaps you might be able to tell me who lives *hic* over there in yonder shantyhouse." He waggled the hand holding the card in the direction of the fortuneteller's place.

[shizukanashi]

With several of you milling about, watching your surroundings, you begin to notice each other. Other than several other people watching the home there is no activity. No one exits or enters and aside from the others who are also watching nothing seems out of the ordinary. Eventually one of you has to make a move.

Emerging from a nearby alley, Aliani Rose an entertainer of some minor fame in certain circles began cautiously approaching the house. Perhaps too cautious, it was not like the local bard to weild a morningstar with a white knuck grip as if he fully expected to be accosted at any second. Sure he was known as a staunch abolitionist, and several of his plays cried to the horrors of slaver, direct confrontation was not something he was known for. With a deep breath he entered the building.

Despite your fears you feel strangely calm entering the home. The interior is inviting, not at all what you had expected. Beyond the door to the humble abode is a single chamber, filled with the smell of flowers and spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like elves with butterfly wings. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel, and the cherry red embers give it a warm a soft orange glow. The walls are decorated with a number of elaborate tapestries. One depicts a black-skulled demon, juggling human hearts....les warm. Another shows a trio of angels dancing atop a snow blown mountaintop. A third tapestry, the largest and centrally located on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure, shrouded in mist. A pair of skeletal hands emerges from the robes and lift aloft a flaming sword as if it is about to strike down upon anyone standing in front of the tapestry.

Several brightly colored and much less sinister rugs cover the floor, the managerie of overlapping colors, paterns, and lace create a dizzing array of visual sensations. The only furnishings in the room are a large circular table with a bright red throw cloth that ends in some very intriquite bead work. Around the table are 7 tall backed oak chairs. A basket, covered with a blue cloth sits on the table. A note neatly affixed with a sewing needle.

Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but I shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket contains bread and drink for you.

The card shows no magical properties, and though not exactly cheap, it is not one of the heirloom cards that many Varasian families treasure with gold leaf and exotic inks. This is a cheap knock off, the kind they sell at fairs to unsuspecting tourists thinking they aquired a priceless gem from thier trip to Varisia. The trick of sticking to your boot could have been just a consequence of wet paper, still it was no mistake, cearly something supernatural was at work here. This was no mistake that you find this card, it was clearly meant for you.

The dumpy serving girl gives you a dumpy serving girl smile and she answers in a thick Varasian accent. "Whot Zellara's place?" She glances back at #3 Lancet street with a bit of sadness. "Sweethort that one. Shame whot happen to her boy. Ain't seen her in more'n a week." She chippers and begins wiping the table with a dirty rag. Placing a hand on your shoulder she gives a small push causing you to fall back into your chair. With her toe she slides a small coaster under the shorter chair leg and gives a small wink. "Why you lookin' ta get yur fortune told?

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan went into the Tavern and found a lone seat where he could watch the house. He orders a meal and sits in place over the long term. In time he saw a man examining a harrow card. Clearly others had similar ideas as he did. There were others who seemed to be keeping to close a watch on the house. Likely more of the same, called by the same woman. Maybe this was going to pan out, unless it was Lamm.

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani entered the room, and upon seeing it ostensibly empty he took care to close the door behind him. That task done, he relaxed... a little. He took his pack and draped the straps over the arm of a chair facing the doorway, and removed the harrow card from his pack and placed it on the table in front of the chair (unicorn side up) just to be as clear as possible. Morningstar back in hand and knuckles still the color of snow, he took a brief moment to speak, his voice uncharacteristically cracking ever so slightly (not that anyone was there to hear it... he hoped).

"It surely would be aught but tragic, were I able to now see magic!".

He took a brief encircling scan of the room (noting the location of the door and furniture in case of need for rapid escape) before taking a more thorough examination of the surroundings, taking extra care to look around and behind the tapestries and table for any unexpected means of entrance. All the while, he listened carefully for the sound of a door opening...

Aliani casts Detect Magic, just trying to pick up any evident auras, not stopping for details on schools of magic. Take enough time to scan each quadrant of the room (8 rounds tops). Then, assuming nobody else has walked in, will try Perception [roll0] to see if there's anything out of place...

[Darvin]

Dalen had one decision left to make before he departed, a matter that occupied the intersection of paranoia and caution. What to do with this card? He'd committed its contents to memory, so it was no longer necessary in a perfunctory sense. Discarding it would be foolhardy; even on the slim chance it found its way to someone loyal to Gaedren, it was not a risk worth taking. Leaving it here at home seemed a strictly inferior option to keeping it on his person. No, the question was between keeping it on his person and destroying it. On the one hand, if this was some kind of setup then not having the card could be marginally beneficial to him. On the other hand, if he was being watched right now it could very easily be taken as an offense. In the end, the correct course of action became clear for the most mundane of reasons. Carrying around a sopping wet card that had been dragged over muddy streets and reduced to flimsy mush would be an inconvenience. Time to subject the card to a second spell, conjuration this time; a small splash of acid, and the card melted to nothingness.

Now, off to 3 Lancet street. Dalen drew his cloak over his head and made his way. The matter of approach could have easily been overthought, but it was actually rather simple. Whoever had contacted him knew he would be coming and had already demonstrated the ability to act completely undetected in his presence. No, there was no point in sophistication or subtlety here. If that were the game, he'd already lost anyways. Better to be quick and discreet. Dalen walked up to number 3 and knocked on the door.

[n0ble]

"Huh. You don't... say, i recognize you from somewhere. You wouldn't happen to be on the windows of Shelyn's temple hmm?" Rhev gave her a tight-lipped smile before putting down another gold coin for niceties sake. He cleared his throat,"Heh. Maybe a little though s'bit scary having it all laid out for you like that innit?" He took note of the coaster under his chair leg and it made him dislike the woman only slightly less. "Why don't you keep it hm? I hear tell cards such as these are," He looked around conspiratorially for show and saw a big man looking at him for a moment. Rhev locked eyes with him, just enough to let him know he knew "good luck." He gave the man a two finger salute before gulping down sweet sweet relief in the form of his next order. He made a mental note to return to this place should he ever need to get drunk again.

He got up to leave rather abruptly after finishing his drink before fishing out a few more gold coins to tip the waitress with. "Now remember, 'half of those are for my friend1 and his drink over there." With a flourish that verged on theatrical he drew his jacket about himself tipping an imaginary hat to the woman. "Might I suggest you use such ancillary fundings in pursuit of a more compelling olfactory treatment...m'am is it? And perhaps some better makeup." And then he was off, trying to ignore the heart that was hammering out a jittery rhythm in his chest as he approached the door to the fraudulent house. He shoved his way past anyone who was waiting in front of it with a grumble, rapier drawn.

First he tested the door to see if it was locked. Upon finding it wasn't he brusquely kicked the door open and levelled his rusted blade at the first humanoid he saw in the room2. "I don't know who you are to come breaking into my hovel but you'll find yourself sorely outmatched should you wish to fight m-oh. Your not a woman. Unless you've been struck by some sort of... polymorph spell?"



1 Cykan
2 Aliani

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini had been silently watching the situation, and was running short on patience for this situation......Groaning, he picked back up his halberd, pulled out his harrow card and walked into the tavern that was getting a bit more customers than was usual, just in time to see a Human pointing a sword at another Half-Elf.

"Wow! Take it easy there. I think we are all here for the same reason" He explained sternly as he held up his harrow card for the human to see.

[Stelio Kontos]

As the door burst open from Rhev's kick, Aliani wheeled around, scurrying behind his chair for cover, morningstar raised above his head. Were he stronger, he might have ground the handle of his weapon into dust -- but the only result was a further whitening of the knuckles and a slight loss of feeling in his right hand.

His normally resonant voice trembled. "Me, break into YOUR hovel? What are you, I never... YOU invited ME! Polymorph? Are you out of your mind?"

[shizukanashi]

As if out of thin air, an attractive middle aged Varasian woman with long dark hair pulled back in a tail and a babuska tied around her head enters the room. "I am sorry I startled all of you." She says. "Please put down your weapons. I mean you no harm." She motions to Cykan, Jaini, and Morvan and after a knock on the door shortly after she invites Dalen in as well.

"Thank you all for coming friends." She sits at the table and encourages you all to do the same. "and for putting up with my unconventional way of contacting you.. she hesitates, but continues. "I have reason to be covert, you see a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew of our meeting here today. I trust you know the man of whom I speak? Please let us talk for a second under a tent of common interests."

"This man is Gaedren Lamm, and a year ago his thieves stole this from me." She pulls out a harrow deck, this one clearly much nicer than the novelty cards you all have. She shuffles it like a skilled gambler then places it on the table. "It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations. It is also my livelyhood, or it was. She hesitates again considering something, then continues.

"My son Eran tracked them down and stole it back, returning it to me. Gaedren had him murdered for the audacity." She is holding back tears and clearly needs a minute to think but there is more to her story you can tell. "So now that you know what happened to me. Tell me what happened to you?"

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

Morvan spent the time at the tavern window across the street calmly paging through his travel-sized spellbook. He was watching as at least three more people went into the shop across the way displaying varying degrees of nervousness and/or aggression. Rather early, aren't they? he glanced up at the fading sunlight. What he had left to wonder was if the other visitors were there for the same reason he was or if they were there to crash the party before it even began. He captured his pointed chin between his thumb and forefinger and thought about it for a moment. They would certainly outnumber him if the latter was the case, but how would he find out anything at all just sitting there? He traced his other hand across one final page, finishing up his preparations, and then carefully returned the spellbook to his pack. Then he left a couple of silver pieces on the table and walked across the street.

Rather than simply bursting in like some of the others, Morvan gave the door three sharp knocks, and was swiftly invited in. He raised an eyebrow at the others; many were half-elves like him. Some he even faintly recognized, though it had been some time and the bastard children of the elven enclave weren't exactly close. He held up his harrow card, The Joker, by way of introduction, and let their hostess begin.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini tilted his head at the women. This wouldn't be the first time some Varisian soothsayer had offered him advice but it would be the first time one had told him anything uself....if she delivers.

"If you don't know what he did to me, then why did you give me this card in the first place?" Jaini asked in his severe gruff tone while glaring suspiciously at the fortuneteller.

Jaini wishes to see if she is trying to deceive him.
[roll0]


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan's hand moves to his sword hilt by reflex. "Lamm ... murdered my wife. I have no idea why. He took my life as well. She was my life. " His voice is cold and monotone, but there is an undertone of emotion beneath that. A mixture of hate and fear. He opens his mouth as if to speak more, but it seems emotion overtakes him and he closes his mouth. His hand tightens on his swords hilt.

[shizukanashi]

"If you don't know what he did to me, then why did you give me this card in the first place?" Jaini asked in his severe gruff tone while glaring suspiciously at the fortuneteller.


"My apologize, let me start again. I am Zellara Esmerelda, and yes, I know a bit about you, but not all of you know about each other."

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini nodded a bit solemnly before turning around to face the others. "He..." Jaini tried to start but the words caught in his throat...His knuckles turned white as his grip on his glaive tightened as his face contorted in pain. "He took my sister Godsd**** it!" He said with a single tear falling down his face and catching in his beard. "If I find him, I'll bring him to the Hellknights, and then he's going to wish I killed him!" Jaini said angrily before dropping his glaive and sitting down on the floor and pulling out his necklace with a silver key on it and clenching it in his hands. "I..I just need a minute."

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

The magus filled the sudden silence with a swish of his long coat, letting Jaini compose himself.

"Unlike some, Lamm seems to have ruined my life by sheer chance." the magus shrugged, finding a chair and depositing his shapely behind into it with a fluid grace. "The blackguard either directly or indirectly had one of my classmates at the Academae murdered, and I happened to be nearby at the time, providing him a convenient scapegoat. He paid off a fisherman to fake a witness testimony and I found myself getting dragged out of the classroom and into a prison cell without an alibi. Fortunately, a friend got the fisherman to confess that he had been lying, but by then the damage was done. I was removed from the Academae and told in no uncertain terms that I was no longer welcome at my mother's house. They'd always hated me, but that's another, longer story." he tsk'd and leaned forward.

"I found work on a ship and I have been away for five long years. In fact, I'd just arrived home this afternoon when I found your little calling card, Mistress Esmerelda." He let the card flutter onto the table, face-side up. "Been planning this awhile, have you? Or was it just luck of the draw?"

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

Dalen cautiously stood and listened in silence. There was a lot of information to process here, and if their fortune teller hostess had any competence in her craft then she would be soaking up every word, gesture, and hint of emotion. Of course, Dalen couldn't remain quiet for ever. He would be obliged to speak eventually, awkward as it was in this context. Moreover, every speaker seemed to have a rather personal grievance against Gaedren that ran much deeper and further into this histories than his own. He considered waiting until he was last, but as he was likely to stand out the most in this group as it was it was better to speak earlier.

"Lamm has destroyed many lives, including those I consider my friends. I can't say I relish confronting someone with such a vicious reputation, but violent reprisal couldn't happen to anyone more deserving. I am Dalen Rittle, acadamae dropout, moderately skilled enchanter, and a man with relatively little to lose,"


Since everyone else is posting statblocks, here is Dalen's

Dalen Rittle
TN Human (Chelaxian) Wizard (Enchanter/Manipulator) 1
HP 8 / 8
Speed 30 ft
Init +2
AC 12 Fort 1 Ref 2 Will 1

Spells prepared
Sleep (2) (DC 17)
Charm Person (1) (DC 17)
Unused 1st level slot (1)
Acid Splash
Detect Magic
Read Magic

Skills
Bluff +7, Diplomacy +15, Knowledge (Arcana) +9, Knowledge (Local) +11, Linguistics +9, Spellcraft +9, Stealth +3

Str 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 8, Cha 10

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani listened intently to each person speak, the agitation in his face turning into... something else. It was finally his turn to speak.

"First of all, let me apologize for my behavior earlier -- it was difficult for me to accept that this invitation was legitimate. It's been so long... I thought it might be a trick of Lamm or one of his associates. I see now that I had no reason to fear."

He took a deep breath and bowed his head, taking a moment to compose himself before looking up with a deep sadness. "My name is Aliani Rose. A few years ago Gaedren Lamm, or should I say one or more of his men, took Mother Rose's life, and some of our most precious family possessions in what was to them probably just another in a long line of street robberies -- she apparently fought back, a little harder than the thugs would have liked ... five years, two months, and nineteen days ago, to be precise. My whole adult life. I count every single day, as I'm sure you all do for your own loss. She was all the family I ever had; now all I have to remember her by is this brooch (he clasped the silver rose holding his bright crimson cape in place) which I repatriated from one of Lamm's pawn shops. This brooch, and my memories.

"For five years, two months, nineteen days, I've skirmished with his organization. You'd think the pain would fade with time; I'm sorry to say to you it doesn't. You must already know that. I've tracked every lead, watched crucial bits of evidence disappear into the vaults of another corrupt guardsman, seen witnesses suddenly "forgetting" things they repeated a thousand times before, watched lackeys take the fall for some minor offense only to be right back on the streets. The trail runs cold, then a new false hope arises only to crush every last hope again and again. You've probably all experienced the same since then. I believe I did all I could, but... it's my failure to bring him down before now that allowed him to scar your lives as well -- and for that, I am truly sorry. I'd just about given up... and then I got the card last night, as apparently did all of you."

Aliani looked up, a steely resolve burning in his eyes. "Perhaps he's made a fatal mistake this time, letting the fates bring us together like this. We're helpless against him alone; maybe together the sum can be greater than the parts. Maybe we can finally take that son of a bitch down."

[n0ble]

Rhev lowered his weapon as the woman appeared. It took him a moment to get over the shock of being wrong, and another as more people filed in, clearly invited as well. The investigator plopped himself down in a chair, but not before stuffing his rapier back into his belt. He quietly listened to everyone spill out their problems, never taking his eyes off the woman. "Rhev. Professional investigator and slightly drunk. Amazshing company." And addict and former-bookstore owner and Kovosian socialite. Dam if he didn't want a drink right now.

He scoffed momentarily at Aliani's mention of the word "fate". Some fortune-teller had brought them together, not a cosmic principal. Rhev put his feet up on the table, assuming the same easy stance he'd had at the bar. He turned to the walking armoury weeping about his sister and his face took on an expression of disdain that verged on being painful. Treating with Hellknights seemed a rather extreme option when one could meet out their own more satisfying justice. He looked back to Zellara, "Do you know where he is?"

[shizukanashi]

"Been planning this awhile, have you? Or was it just luck of the draw?"

Zellara smiles at the attempted pun. "I have. A long while."


"Do you know where he is?"

"I have tried to find him for some time. I sought the help of the guard, but they turned me away. I asked around, I paid bribes, I consulted my harrow deck for advice. And very recently I was rewarded. Indeed I DO know where he is. He is closer than I could imagine. He can be found in an old fishery, just a few short block north of here., Westpeir 17. It is here that he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets, and count his treasures." She pauses to let the gravity of an actual location sink in, meeting each of you eye to eye in turn. Someone has finally found the rat Gaedren Lamm, this could finally be the end.

"But I need your help. I cannot hope to strike at him on my own, and the guard moves so slow Gaedren would surely know of their coming in advance. Even if they could arrest him, what assurance would I have of justice. The snake has escaped the law for decades. But you, you all know the horrors and frustrations as well as I. I offer you vengence, and so there we are. It is time for him to pay."

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan nods. He is unsure how to feel. "I have no intention of letting him be arrested. I am prepared to go there now." He draws his long sword.

[Stelio Kontos]

"I've waited five years for this moment. I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Aliani announced, in a tone that indicated nothing else was an option. "I hope that Mr. Rittle and the other gentleman" (he gestured toward Morvan) "feel the same? If not, we will miss you dearly. I'm going tonight, with or without you. If anyone needs anything beforehand, speak up."

[shizukanashi]

Zellara watches the vows of vengeance but stops you before you can leave. "There is one more thing I can give to you.
I am no combatant, but I can help you in other ways." Without waiting for arguement she picks up her harrow deck and begins to deal. "A harrowing is true magiks. I can show you the future and the past, and give you boons to help you through."

She draws nine cards from the deck and places them face down on the table in a 3x3 grid. She gestures as she explains the reading of a harrow."Columns and rows, Past, present, future. Good, neutral, evil. The left column represents the past. it is set in stone and unchangeable." She begins to flip the three cards on the left in turn. The Liar - A lamia with long black hair and a crystal crown, The Fiend - A demon with a void for a maw and scaley tentacles feasting on naked children, and the Rakshasa - an alligator, in a suit complete with a top hat, monocle, and a cup of tea. He sits on a slaves back, bent low as if to be a chair. She begins to interprut. "The Liar is misaligned. This is the sign of a new forged relationship. LIke the one formed in this room today, but sometime ago. The Fiend tells of a dark intelect and an evil creature, it is a bad omen. Finally the Rakshasa he is the master. Slavery, can be litteral or represent mental manipulation. Taken together, the harrow wishes to inform you of a dark pact, made to a dark mind. One party was once good and innocent, but has been manipulated and is now only a slave to the master. This must mean Gaedren Lamm and his procurement of children to do his bidding."

She gestures to the center column. "The present. It is the crossroads. It lies between good and evil, law and chaos, it is a result of the law of the past, and open to the infinate." She flips again each card in turn. The Vision - a man with a lightning bolt striking his head. inside the bolt you can make out the pointed finger and hand of a god. The Teamster- a gnome, riding on the back of a half-orc, the half-orc has bit and briddle, a saddle, and the gnome has a whip in hand. The Mountain - a lumbering giant, a dragon slung on his back held by its tail. A village at his feet whose rooftops barely reach his toes, shows the scale of the image. "The Vision in the top row it is a good sign. It tells of arcane knowledge, a brush with genius and insight." She smiles and blushes a bit. It is easy to see how she interprets this card. "The teamster is a driving force, one who drives others when her own strength has been exahausted" Again she reacts, but this time it is shame rather than pride, she hides her eyes beneath heavy lashes, but continues. "The mountain. In the bottow row, it is an evil that must be faced. The harrow has shown us the day. Here. Now. This room. This table. I give you my magiks, for it is all I have left to give to the cause, and I give it so that you can complete the task I could not."

She reaches for the final column and turns each card again from top to bottom. The Paladin - a stalwart warrior in gleaming golden armor. The snakebite - a rogues dagger, dripping with venom. The fool - a man with a jesters mask being tortured by dancing goblins. "The paladin is the defender he is the need to stay the course to fulfil his duty despite the adversity he may face. The Snakebite tells of a vile poison. It can be a real poison, but often represents the poisoning of minds. The death of freedom and ideals. The idiot is a grave owen. It is the lose of dignity often leading to the loss of life. The idiot through whatever means misses the clues and can not see the evil he has become. This could be the death of Lamm, the idiot that poisons our lives, and you 6 are the just. But I sense something more.
A greater poison, a greater upheaval and evil. Darkness is on the rise, and you must protect the innocent." She seems to have trouble interpreting the last bits, a furrowed brow, sweat, and general physical discomfort betray her trouble. "I can see no more, but be careful. It is not a good future."

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"My name is Morvan Delane," the half-elf nodded to the others, making the small gesture seem almost courtly somehow. "I would be happy to join with you fine folk to kill this black stain of a man and free these children from his 'mentorship'. Bad future or no bad future." he added, somewhat dismissively. He had no use for harrow cards, nor fortune telling. As far as he was concerned, Morvan made his own fate. The cards would play out however they played out, and knowing his futures beforehand would not change his ultimate destination. He wouldn't let anything make him start second guessing himself.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[WorldAdventurer]

Calmed down by his short bout of prayer, Jaini stopped to consider the cards and listened to the other's vows of death. Way too on point and foreboding for him to consider these coincidences. He wonders what arcane power she was referring to but found the aspects of the future far more important. More to the point, he believed that the other's quick calls to kill the monster where short-sighted.

"Wait just a minute, we need him alive. Believe me no one more than me would want to see him suffer, but we can't take down all of the circles of crime he is involved in without him. I say we give him over to the Hellknights, the guard might be payed off but good luck trying to pay off a Hellknight."Jaini tried to explain to the more rash ones present.

His eyes suddenly widened as he had a interesting thought,"What if these cards are warning us to not give into our emotions and tear him apart like a pack of savages?"


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

"Alive?" Cykan snears. There is a wild look in his eyes. "Did you hear what our host said? I trust a Hellknight as far as I can throw them. What if there is not enough evidence? What if he frames others or us? If the Hellknights have not bothered to take him down now what makes you think they'll care now? Do you think he will be handled by Hellknights only? That they will ensure us that no one but a Hellknight will ever have him in their care? I don't care if he suffers, but he will die.""

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"Well, that would be awfully convenient for your argument if the cards were trying to tell us that, but I'm also still in favor of running him through." Morvan shook his head. "Better to deal with it ourselves and then be done with the entire matter than to hand him over to some authority and risk him escaping." He held up his hands in a placating gesture, as if warding off further argument. "Now, I know that some say living well is the best revenge and all that, but I rather think that revenge is the best revenge. I don't trust anyone else to handle things for me."

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

"If I might... none of you is wrong..." Aliani interjected softly at the first opportune moment. "The gentleman is correct that Gaedren Lamm may have useful information, which capturing him alive might provide. On the other hand, the other gentleman is also not wrong -- with respect sir, no organization, whether it be the guards, the Sable Company, or the Hellknights, can fully be trusted one hundred percent. They are all made up of men, flaws and all. The wrong man, anywhere, could be a problem."

He looked over at Jaini, fixing his gaze as he spoke gently but firmly. "But sir, if you think vengeance is in my heart, let me disabuse you of that notion right now. I don't do this out of vengeance. Nothing I do can ever bring Mother Rose home to me, and I accept that. Understand me -- I don't do this for her. I do this for the next widowed man, the next orphaned child, the next man reduced to a quivering waste, the next brother searching frantically for his lost little sister in the dark of night. It will happen again. It's probably happening right now."

"Please, let's not waste time arguing about it. You're discussing how to cook the fish, but we haven't even baited the hook yet. You assume we have options, when we may have none at all. First things first, we need to figure out how to get past his guards. Then to him. Then we'll see the situation. Is that acceptable to everyone?"

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini glared at Cykan and Morvan, but softened up when Alliani spoke.

"Hm... As much as I trust the Hellknights I suppose it is possible that they could have a traitor." Jaini said after some thought."Maybe there is a way to get the information we need by ourselves and then kill him, the Hellknights and the streets have taught me a thing or two about interrogation and if any of you have any useful magics that would be helpful." Jaini said in his stern voice with a nod, thinking that the had come to an agreeable course of action. "Truth be told, I wanted to kill him anyways." Jaini said with a grin.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan heads slowly towards the door. "The key is ensuring Lamm does not make his escape. Given the choice between getting past the guards and giving him a chance to escape then I say we go through them. We can not delay nor hesitate nor give him any chance to run. Death is in the air tonight and if I need die for Lamm to die then so be it. I have no plans after he is dead."

[Stelio Kontos]

"Let's review our options when we have more information. You may be right, but there are, again, many ways to reach our goal, there's no sense guessing now. I appreciate your willingness to die tonight, but even if we manage this, there are other Gaedren Lamm's in the world to be dealt with, and the world can use your help. I think that's what your wife would have wanted from you. I'd love to hear about her on the way, if it would soothe you at all."

There's one more matter though, before we leave."

Aliani approached Rhev, putting his hands gently on the man's shoulders and fixing his gaze. "Hey. Look at me. Are you all there? I can smell the alcohol on your breath and your clothing. We can use all the numbers we can, all the help you can give, but if you're not right in the head, please, don't come. You can't. You understand me? It's not fair to you, or to us. We'll get you a room in an inn somewhere you can sober up, and you can celebrate with us in the morning, OK?"

[n0ble]

Rhev said nothing as the cards were dealt out but managed a derisive "Hmph" as the woman relayed their meanings. Seemed a crock of utter ****e to his sensibilities. Especially from someone useless enough to believe in them like this woman clearly did. His mind went dark for the briefest of moments and he almost thought aloud. Bet you didn't see what happened to your son coming. Proof enough there.

He was busy tapping out a rhythm on the chair leg as the others spoke. When the armiger spoke up Rhev interrupted, "Emotion has nothing to do with. Leastways not on my side." Otherwise he silently tapped on, with the occasional humming of a jaunty tune. The big man with the martyr complex was...intriguing. Likewise with Jani. The half-elf had enough weaponry on him to equip a small militia. Surprised he didn't have a morning star or two given the massive balls it took to treat with Hellknights. Most of the rest of the conversations were boring. Good deeds and posturing and agreements.

"The key is ensuring Lamm does not make his escape. Given the choice between getting past the guards and giving him a chance to escape then I say we go through them..." Rhev sighed. Very narrow view of it there. Ah fúck it. "...I have no plans after he is dead." "Sound's like a good invitation for some booze if I ever heard any! Theres this lovely little place right next to here we can all go afterwards for a drin-" Rhev rose up from his seat, cast another scornful glance at the harrow cards and , then made for the door with a spring in his step.

"-k" There was a hand on him. Rhev froze and only barley picked up on what the man was saying as he stared at the hand. You could learn a lot from peoples hands. It's why Rhev wore gloves. He slowly turned his head and blinked slowly. It's not an emotional matter. Just another tumour from the cancer. Just another tum- Rhev's voice became monotone and deadly serious. Sober even. "Take your hand off me. Now." Regardless of whether Aliani did or didn't he shrugged it off. "She said six of us prettyboy. I'm half as sober as you and I can still count better than you. Unless she wants to get up and whoop some @ss. That in the cards? Yeah didn't think so-I'll be blunt with you spinster." He swivelled his gaze back to the woman and her cards "I don't believe in your carney magics for a second .The only thing I've heard out of your mouth that I agree with is that the time is now for Lamb to pay. I will have satisfaction to that regard."And with luck never see another harrow card again. He considered insulting her dead son, thought better of it and instead narrowed his eyes briefly for emphasis.That done he smartly turned on his heel and followed Cykan. Maybe there'd be a chance for some booze on the way there.

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini had picked up his halberd and was standing up when he saw the drunk ignore the the polite half-elf's advice. Scowling he held his halberd out in front of the doorway to block it.

"I will not let you get us all killed and lose our shot at taking down that bastard." Jaini said with a glare and a stern tone.

"I swear by Abadar if your drunkenness makes us lose our shot at saving my sister I'll show you just how forgiving I am." Jaini said threateningly before lowering the halberd to let him pass.


[roll0]



http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani took his hands off Rhev at the first insistence. "All right," he nodded sadly, "have it your way."

He gathered his belongings and joined the others at the door. "Miss Esmerelda, thank you for bringing us together. Know that your son's death, though tragic, has led to a wonderful change for many people going forward. Whatever the future may hold, I hope you can take solace in that.

And thank you also for your, um, unique hospitality? I for one appreciated the effort, unnecessary though it was."

[n0ble]

Rhev sighed and thought about drinking a bit more to steady his nerves. Slipped under the halberd, eager to get away from the man accosting him. But more eager to end Lamb. "Right. Because you clanking around in that suit of armour won't alert anyone eh? Or maybe it'll be waving the halberd about that alerts him. Guess we'll find out." He huffed his way down the steps and followed after whoever was in the lead. "Let's get this shít over with. Even half cut I can sneak better than either of you." He kept walking then shot a few words over his shoulder, " Or any of you. Hells, maybe you'll learn a thing or two about accepting appropriate help when it's offered. Even the fortune teller knows that much. And she believes in magic cards."



Rhev is shaken for 2 rounds.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"Oh peace, please, the lot of you." Morvan chuckled, not taking anything that was being said too seriously. He gave Esmerelda a little bow and a flourish on his way out the door, but otherwise kept up with the group. "We all have common cause, after all. Save your animosity for our foe!" he advised them. This was turning out to be a good day. A good day, indeed!

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

Its a short walk to Westpier 17, but enough to continue your conversation. With the sun down most of the fishing boats are returned to thier docks and an orchestra of fishermen are at work unloading the catch of the day. A toothless old woman with a boiling pot hollars at the top of her lung capacity (which is not much) "Dock dumplings! Get 'em hot, two cops a peice or three fer five!"


The Old fishery is a creaking decrepit building on stilts, extending out over the river. The embarkment you walk on is about a dozen feet above the river below, but the walls of the Fishery extend all the way down to rest just about the waterline. Only a fraction of the building rests on solid ground. A set of double doors seems to be the primary access , though there is a ramp on the left side of the building, a cart nearby, that appears to be more of a service entrance. A wooden walk way slips around the right side of the building and appears to lead to ship moored to the backside of the building. All external windows are boarded up, but there are ample cracks where some light shines through. The building is mottled with dirt and mold. The reek of brine and week-dead fish infest the air within 30 feet of the building choking you as you aproach. A drooping signpost hangs about the double doors, but the sign itself is long gone leaving behind only a few rusty links of a chain.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

Morvan stayed well back as they surveyed the fishery, arms crossed over his chest and eyes narrowed in thought. "If he's in there, we don't want him escaping by water. Perhaps we should take the time to disable the rudder before we go in." he suggested quietly. Then again, he wasn't the stealthiest sort, and if there was anyone watching he'd likely be caught. He'd need a distraction in order to get over there. He briefly considered setting the entire fishery on fire, but that was nixed just as quickly for two reasons: there were likely children in the building, and that sort of fire had a tendency to both spread and attract the attention of the city authorities. Furthermore, he wasn't quite sure the moldered timber that composed the ramshackle warehouse would even catch properly...

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani nodded at Morvan, patting him on the shoulder. "Right, that's not bad. Why don't you figure out how we're going to do that, maybe our master sneakers can do some master sneaking and scout the place a bit, rest of you put your heads together and get some sort of a battle plan? That old lady's probably seen a few things down here. I've got a hankering for some dumpling, wish me luck."

He walked up toward the old woman, fishing in his pouch for a couple of silver pieces along the way. "Good evening madam, I'd LOVE a dumpling. One for two you say?" He held the two silver pieces in his palm for her to see, and hushed his voice slightly. "And I've got a few questions about that boat and the warehouse over there. If you can answer them well enough, maybe I don't notice that these coins are the wrong color? One of these is for the answers, one's for forgetting we had this conversation. If you're really helpful, I might be able to convince a couple of my friends they want to buy a 'dumpling' too."


Diplomacy to influence attitude: [roll0], apply modifiers as appropriate

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan looks unimpressed with Aliani's walking out to talk to the dumpling lady, but his eyes continually scan the building and surroundings. "I have been after Lamm for a long time and the one thing I have learned is he has people everywhere. I am guessing she could be his. Eyes on the outside as it were. Be ready to move. We need to cover each door so I suggest we split up so we can have a few go in each way. I think sneaking, scouting or feeling this place out is asking for trouble. Too much risk. When we go I am going in the double doors.
And if the boat starts to move we go there."

Perception [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"Well, fortunately a ship of that size takes at least some minutes to ready for sail, even if you're just pushing it off the dock and floating downriver. We should have some warning." Morvan shrugged at Cykan. "I'm more of a side entrance person myself, but you feel free to take up most of the attention, my new friend."

He loosened the longsword at his side in its scabbard by giving it a slight shake. "By the by, I'm not a very practiced wizard. I know a few spells, but don't count on me throwing any lightning bolts around. I do my killing with this blade." he admitted, wanting full disclosure in case one of them expected more. He fancied himself a swordsman, but he was more of a sailor, really. He knew just enough magic and swordplay to dissuade most ugly tavern brawlers, but against hardened criminals it might be a more dangerous endeavor.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan nods. "I'd be happy to all go in one door and likely a side door, but not if it means Lamm could escape from one of the others."

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini was sitting there with a finger on his chin...thinking.

"I can hold a doorway by myself with my armour and polearm. If any of you are efficient at attacking at a range then you could keep an eye on the entrances and the boat to pick off any escapees." Jaini added.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[Darvin]

Dalen had remained silent throughout the reading and subsequent debate among his newfound associates. Emotions were flaring on all sides, and avoiding confrontation here was crucial. This was just as well, as his focus was on recalling divination classes. He'd never studied harrowing in specific, but the application of divination principles could give him some insights here. As a method for acquiring information, a harrowing was woefully inefficient. It was understandable why many people would dismiss its usefulness, failing to appreciate its deeper power. It was a principle his instructor separated into "weak divination" and "strong divination". Everything from Dalen's detect magic cantrip to a powerful true seeing spell was a weak divination, suitable for determining information about the present state of the world but little more. A harrowing was a strong divination, in that it was more concerned with cause and effect than with static state. It was a bellwether of change, a measure of the dominant threads that were guiding likely outcomes. If you knew which threads were dominant, you could even strengthen or weaken specific ones to alter future outcomes. It was a powerful technique, a dangerous technique, and that last card was particularly... vexatious in that light.

Dalen spoke as little as possible as he joined the rest of the group, but he knew he would have to interrupt shortly, "Friends, I do have a certain amount of magical capacity in reserve. Give me a few minutes, and I could prepare any specific spell to meet our needs. Currently I have magic prepared that could incapacitate, or 'encourage' the compliance of someone of weak will. However, I do have a variety of other options available, if it would serve to further our plans,"

Dalen currently has Sleep memorized twice and Charm Person memorized once. He has 4 spell slots in total (one of which is his enchantment specialization slot) so there is one free slot left. Dalen also has Grease, Mage Armor, Silent Image, Protection from Evil, Identify, and Obscuring Mist in his spellbook, and can prepare any of these if given 15 minutes

[WorldAdventurer]

No stranger to practical effects of arcane magic from his experiences with the Signifiers he decided to ask. "Is it possible that you could do something to give us the element of surprise?" Jaini asked the Wizard with a furrowed brow.

[Darvin]

"I could conjure bank of fog, or some manner of illusion. However, both effects will be fixed in position once cast, so they must be used at the right time and place. Either could be helpful in deceiving or bypassing adversaries, but will be of little help in ensuring we see them before they see us,"

[shizukanashi]

Aliani

The woman licks her lips at the prospect of silver and immediately serves up a sort of crab cake on a stick. "What do you wanna know 'zackly?" she says reaching out here hand for the silver. "Thats where I get me batter." She points to a bucket filled with a pink slurry that smells of fish and maybe a few spices, then scoops a few dollups with her spoon and drops them into the pot. You can't really tell if she is boiling or frying the dumplings but by the smell it doesn't really mater. "Yargin is a right ****, and I wouldn't trust Hookshanks wit....well wit nothin' really. Got a whole factory set up there, turnin' out batter fer me delicacy's" She glances at the building again as she stirs her pot. "Oh an ain't no boat really. lots o' ol' building like that have 'em. Its just a shell nailed the the side, ain't goin' nowhere, prolly sink if ye tried."

Cykan

"You watch as a pair of kids roll a barrel out the ramp on the left of the building and load it up on one of the wagons. The barrel has a fish shaped red slpoch of paint on it. The boat does appear not to be sea worthy and several parts of the main hull are held together with twine and rope.

[Stelio Kontos]

"Yargin and Hookshanks... what can you tell me about them? What do they look like? Do they carry weapons, and if so what kinds? Are they in the warehouse or over in the boat shell? How many other men are inside? Do you know their names too?"

Aliani slipped one of the silver coins into the old woman's hand. "You've been quite helpful so far, I appreciate it."

[shizukanashi]

She looks you up and down and seems to notice your morningstar for the first time. She also takes a second to look at your companions, especially Jaini. "You be takin 'way me supplier. Gonna cost you more'n some shine...got any other colors in that purse? Got anting glint?

I have just decided that the slang the common folk in Korvosa use for copper, silver, and gold is cops, shines, and glints respectively.

[Stelio Kontos]

"That's my lucky gold piece! It'd better be worth it." Aliani sighed. "You drive quite a hard bargain. Tell you what. You did say three for five, right? And I did say my friends might want some dumplings, right? So there's six of us, that'd be ten shine, so one gold -- one glint. One. But I'd need my shine back. We'll pick up rest of the dumplings on the way out, give you time to get 'em nice and hot."

He looked over at the group for a moment, smiled, then looked back at the woman. "I do hope that's enough. I can ask my friends if they need more dumplings than that, but the angry looking fellow in the back, I don't think the Hellknights are paying him much in terms of coin, plus it's his kid sister that's gone missing down this way so we told him we'd pay for his dumplings in the first place when we came to ask around ... madam, between you and me I'd really rather not ask him, he gets so touchy about financial matters when he's emotional. Put a sixty year old man on bed rest once over a squishy melon. Damndest thing, one minute he's nice and calm and enjoying a melon, next minute flying steel and blood everywhere. He felt bad about it afterwards, but what can you do?

That's why he has me do all his grocery shopping."

[shizukanashi]

"Yargn ain't no fighter, bookish fella who keeps the books. Now Hookshanks he's a gnome see. LIkes to blend in wit dem children and when you least expect it." She makes a stabbing motion and a twist with her spoon. "Got him a big o' stabber too. The one you gotta look out for is Giggles. Bigger than that one." She points at your resident Hellknight. "Meaner too! Then theres bloo, Giggles mutt and about two dozen kiddos, what are just as likely to stab you as to help you stab. Best o luck, never did really like the way they treat them kids. I ain't never been in the ship, but any fool can tell you its how I says. Nah they are all in the warehouse, got a vat with some acids where they make the slurry."

While you are talking there are a few more children coming and going. Mostly coming now that the sun is down. Looks like Lamm's lambs are returning with whatever goods they pifered throughout the day.

[Stelio Kontos]

"All right, that will do." Aliani fished out a gold coin from his pouch and handed it over. "I do hope these aren't squishy, I'll be most disappointed. You put those dumplings on when you see us coming back, okay?"

He returned to the group. "Okay, best as I can determine, here's what we have. A bookkeeper named Yargin who probably is more than that since she mentioned him first. A very large fellow named Giggles and his dog Blue, we will need a couple of us at least just for him. A little gnome named Hookshanks with a big blade, who will be hiding among the children so be careful. They'll all be in the warehouse most likely. Lamm she didn't mention. He's around too, probably on the houseboat."

Aliani paused, turning quiet. "And, here's the fun part, about two dozen brainwashed children we need to get out of harms way somehow. Without calling attention to it. For that I am truly out of ideas."


ooc -- phone post -- will format tonight.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"The bookkeeper might be a wizard. In which case, we need to take him out as early as is convenient." Morvan thought aloud. "I say one or two of us go in the side entrance, the others in the front making as much noise as possible. Plans tend to fall apart in the first thirty seconds, so no need for anything complicated." he shrugged. The longer they waited, the more chance there was of someone spotting them here in this alley planning Lamm's destruction. Morvan knew spells, but he was no subtle, old wizard made for intricate plans years in the making. He preferred to come at the enemy from the side rather than the front, but he carried the sword because he preferred to just stab his problems. And Lamm seemed like a nice, big problem.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[WorldAdventurer]

Jaini looked at the old women before looking back to the half-elf he can only assume is a bard. "Do yourself a favor and don't eat her dumplings, we who grew up on the streets might be used to stomaching the illnesses around here, but I doubt the rest of you lot are." he said with a grin.

Deep in thought, Jaini turned his attention to the Enchanter. "Can you use your magic to make the kids not fight once we get inside?" He said, evidently very disturbed at the prospect of fighting children.

"Did she mention any half-elves? Or a women around my apparent age?" Jaini inquired of Aliani with a hint of desperation in his voice.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8cAki6ELeo/Vkzi0g3C3_I/AAAAAAAABIk/_joJXams6As/s1600/HalfElf-Male.jpg
Jaini (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1325829)
Half-Elf (Elven/Chelaxian/Varisian) Fighter (Armiger) 1 LN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 1
AC 16 Fort 4 Ref 1 Will 1
CMB +4 BAB 1
Halberd +4 (1d10+4 P or S, x3)
Flail +4 (1d8+3 B, x2)
Dagger +4 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (Thrown) +2 (1d4+3 P or S, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow +2 (1d6 P, x3)
Unarmed Strike +4 (1d3+3 B, x2)
Str 16 (3) Dex 13 (1) Con 15 (2) Wis 12 (1) Int 11 (0) Cha 12 (1)

[Darvin]

Dalen frowned at Jaini, "I'm no archmage; incapacitating dozens of individuals is far beyond my ken. However, a charm spell could be far more effective in this situation, if applied against the right individual. Perhaps a particularly dominant child who has sway over the others, or one of their handlers. In fact, charming one of the children to help us enter undetected could be a possible means of entry,"

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

"I say we go and just wing it. I have a way with kids." His facial expression is hard to read.
He starts to walk towards the door. "And no I don't mean to hurt them."

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"Let's be about this, then." Morvan shrugged and started walking as well, heading toward the ramp with the side door at a quick pace. He casually rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, but didn't draw it yet.

OOC:
https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani shook his head. "No, Jaini. I don't think she knows the children well enough to know. Don't worry, if your sister's here, we'll find her. If she's not, we'll still find her, somewhere else, some other night. I'll even help, I promise. Tonight, some other brother is out there needing you to find his sister -- don't disappoint him, we need to keep our focus on tonight's enemy, all of us. And Dalen, that's a great idea except we don't know which child that is. You're obviously very smart, I'm sure you'll figure out the best time for it."

He started walking toward the front door with the others, the knuckles on his weapon hand whitening again as he pocketed the dumpling. "I'll, um, stay with the larger group I guess? Unless you want me somewhere else, then speak up. If you're injured, find me, that's probably as useful as I'm going to get."

His eyes showing nothing but pure determination, he thought to himself This is probably a bad time to mention I haven't used this thing in like three years, right? Mother, be with me.

[n0ble]

"Finally. So much for being sneaky then eh?" Rhev withdrew his rapier from the belt loop before his fingers idly brushed up against his fight brews. The timing of them would be important and would require a keen mind to apply them. He smirked at the latter thought. Tehy'd suffice in lieu of proper booze. One couldnt kill a bunch of hardened criminals on an empty stomach after all. Especially when the only other mildly acceptable thing around to eat was the fried dysentary that shopkeep woman was selling.

Rhev brought his rapier down so that the tip barely touched the street. He gritted his teeth as the metal made out a pained scraping noise on the ground then drew up the tip a little bit. Get used to that feeling of pain. You'll need it.

[shizukanashi]

The front door.

Cykan approaches the door with several of you close behind and find it locked. It will take some thieves tools, a strong kick, or a few swings with an axe to get through. Ofcourse, you could also try knocking.

The loading ramp

This entrance is a bit more assessable, you find that it leads to a room that is more of an attachment and not really a part of the interior of the building. It appears to be a sort of loading dock and several barrels with the red fish logo like you saw before are stacked here. The dock is aproximately 15 feet deep and there is a second set of double doors right in front of you that are wide open. Through these doors you see a few children with pitchforks and paddles working at a large wooden tub.

The dock extends down the side of the building some 35 feet, and a rickety staircase to the north (your left) descends 10 feet to a landing just 3 feet about the water's edge. Here a simple door provides a second entrance to the main building.

https://i.warosu.org/data/tg/img/0355/15/1413258989043.png

[Stelio Kontos]

"Hmm, locked isn't good. I say either we get it opened fast or we join the others. I bet you all a pint of ale I can get them to open it pretty fast, but it'll attract a lot of attention... anyone got a better idea?"

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan pulls out his sword and kicks the door open.

Strength roll if needed [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"Soth tasarak!" Morvan hissed out the syllables of his shield spell and waved his hand in a few mystic passes. A semi-opaque shimmer of bluish energy coalesced in front of his free arm, shielding most of his body, and he drew his sword with the other hand with a rasp of steel as he mounted the ramp into the building. He was expecting to be attacked nearly as soon as he entered.

He kept his back to the wall and an eye out for that backstabby gnome as he moved in through the double doors off of the dock area, making sure no children got behind him as he headed toward the interior door. He advised the little ones in the room with a sharp growl to "Get out! All of you!" as he headed inside.

OOC: Intimidate roll to get the children fleeing.

Intimidate: [roll0]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
15gp Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
2gp Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
100gp Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani let out a most ungentlemanly expletive as Cykan slammed the door. His open hand, dripping with dumpling grease, waved before him.

"Through foe's spells flung, vile weapons wielded
Fair hero thrived, for 'e were shielded!"

Aliani talking was presumably a free action; he's now casting Shield. He auto-passes the Perform check to make this look like a bardic spellcasting as he needs a DC 12 and has a +13 in the skill -- very discerning viewers might register that Shield isn't something that's normally on a bard's spell list though ... (it's Spellcraft DC 16 to identify this as a Shield spell; DC 26 to identify it as coming from a divine source, should anyone in the party think to do that for an ally's spell)

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf ... Bard, as far as you know?, Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition Shield spell cast: 10 rounds left

[shizukanashi]

Okay looks like its time to go to rounds. Everythings previously was surprise rounds and I will give you guys initiative. So your actions are up first.

The front door:

The lock breaks and several peices of the frame shatter as the door flys open. A single desk sits in the middle of the room, with a moldy chair pushed against it. A small pile of ratty furs and straw is heaped under the desk. Along with the a formerly sleeping canine who is now barking and braying and preparing to strike.

https://us.123rf.com/450wm/insima/insima1401/insima140100004/24776287-dog-doberman-pinscher-breed-illustration-isolated-on-white-background.jpg?ver=6

Loading dock:

The five children in this room seem stunned by your appearance, but do nothing but stare in terror as you draw your sword and yell at them to flee. Its only when one of them grins and pulls a Kukri from his belt that you think you have identified Hookshank. "kill him." the halfling commands and the four remaining children level thier pitchforks in your direction.

https://img12.deviantart.net/fc8b/i/2016/323/1/e/pathfinder__hookshanks_gruller_by_willobrien-daoyxc7.jpg

[Darvin]

Dalen was not exactly a fan of kicking in the door impatiently like this, but it was to late to dissuade these brash allies from reckless action. The number of children present here was significantly fewer than what the old woman had suggested... or at least that meant they were not all in one place. A dozen would be well beyond his powers to severely impact, but five individuals? With any luck, he could get nearly all of them.

"Hold the entrance, don't let anyone through," Dalen commanded as he began to channel a spell of sleep. With any luck... hmm, that never ends well.

Dalen casts sleep. The DC is 17. It's a 1 round casting time so the enemies will get a chance to act before the spell completes. The room looks like a 10 ft burst will about fill it so he should be able to get every target inside while keeping allies outside unaffected. If possible, Dalen takes a 5 foot step to gain cover against Hookshank (don't need line of effect to him specifically, just need to target the middle of the room).

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan charges the dog hoping to silence it.

Charge attack two handed - no rage
Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"I've got a better idea, pint-size." Morvan just grinned, raising his sword as a crackle of arcane energy flowed across the blade. Then he put both hands on the hilt of his weapon and charged. The edge of the magus's sword cleaved straight down as if he meant to bisect Hookshank from crown to groin before the children or the halfling could even react. Even if he didn't cut Hookshank in twain in the first blow, this was going to severely ruin the little thug's day as the sword came down on his face.

OOC: Spending 1 arcane point to enhance weapon. 5/6 left.

Attack: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani moved next to Cykan, albeit much more tentatively, and brought his morningstar down.

Attack roll: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[n0ble]

Rhev took his time walking around everyone else so that he was at the gnomes back. He moved to stab coward at angle, aiming for the space right in between the criminals shoulder blades. All the children, evidence of Lamb's evil, simply fed him more anger he tried to shove back down. "I'd no idea they stacked shít as high as you." He had a mean grin on his face as he drove the blade downwards.




To hit: [roll0] + any potential bonuses from flanking
Damage: [roll1]
Critical Confirmation if needed: [roll2]

[shizukanashi]

Front door:

Cykan wastes no time and brings his sword down on the guard dog, with a small whimper it collapses its skull cracked open and its neck broken by the blow. Alaini takes one look at the pile and doesn't bother, instead he moves to the door on the right and readies his morningstar to attack anything that comes through.

Loading Ramp:

Still confused by the sudden appearance of armed assailants the children just stare in disbelief. Rhev and Morvan move in unison and take up flanking possitions on the Gnome taskmaster. The gnome barey has time to put his arms up when Morvans blade comes down on his head. Rhev is just as effective the point of his rapier finds the gnomes back and he lets out a yell. Still the diminiative rogue finds the strength to fight back. The blood in his eyes from the head wound, however, make his swing erratic and Morvan easily dodges the lazy swipe. Darvin finishes his spell and only one child remains concious.

Jaini afraid of the posibility of flight from the ship, chooses to go down the back alley walkway and guard the remaining door to the main structure.

Round 2 fight!

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

As most of the children fell swiftly asleep around them, the magus pressed his forward assault. He aimed to keep the halfling focused on him with a withering hail of overhand chops while Rhev attacked from behind. He didn't need to connect, just keep the little creep's guard up while the Morvan's comrade stabbed Hookshank in the back. It wasn't precisely a fair fight, but scum like this hardly deserved the chance. "What's the matter, Hookshank? Run out of children to hide behind?" he taunted.

OOC: Spending 1 arcane point to enhance weapon. 5/6 left.

Attack: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword (-) +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger (-) +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

It was a good result, three for four, but any magical result works best when leveraged. Removing this Hookshanks character was the highest prority. Dalen couldn't contribute much to that, but he could do something. The idea of conjuration flowed through his mind and coalesced in his fingertip, and he pointed at the hateful little gnome in front of him...


Dalen casts acid splash. I'm applying -4 for shooting into melee.

Attack Roll (touch): [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Dalen spends his move action to equip his crossbow

[n0ble]

Rhev pressed on the advantage, moving this time for a blow at the base of the gnome's neck. No gnome, no threat. No threat meant that they could get that much closer to Lamb. He didn't care that they had the numbers on Hookshanks and that it made it a unfair fight. Only thing that mattered in a conflict like this was how much you could mess the other person up.



To hit + any bonus from flanking: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Critical Confirmation:[roll2]


Edit: Not going to bother with inspiration for an attack that only does 1 damage :smalltongue:

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan does not slow and heads for the rightmost door kicking it open.

Strength Role if needed [roll0]

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani certainly didn't want to enter the room before Cykan, but an opportunity had presented itself. He hastily dipped into his spell pouch and waved his hand broadly before tapping Cykan on the hip:

"Through venomed snakes, and rats infected,
I hope that thee be unaffected!"

Aliani casts Resistance on Cykan, giving him a +1 resistance bonus to saves for 1 minute. Auto-pass perform check to make it look like a bard spell.

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf ... Bard(??), Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 17 (Shield), Touch 11, Flat-footed 16, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex, +4 Shield spell)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition Shield spell cast: 8 rounds left

[shizukanashi]

Front Door:

Cykan, a bear of a man, smashes through the door on the right. Beyond is a barracks of sorts, a pair of bunk beds sits against the far wall on either side of a boarded up window. The room appears barren otherwise.

Aliani places a hand on Cykans shoulder and gazes into the empty room at the same time. The magics flow from him to Cykan.

Behind them a hand sneakily extends from the first door on the far wall, it takes aim with the wand at Cykans back. Perhaps it is Aliani's boon but perhaps something else. The wand only produces a puff of green smoke. "****! worthless peice of ****!" The assailant gives away his position, just as the halbred finds his shoulderblades. Jaini having come through the door on the right of the building has managed to flank the hidden assailant.

https://crimsonthronelog.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/yargin.jpg

Loading Ramp:

Hookshanks proves to be a shrewd combatant, as even at severe disadvantage he first dodges Morvans blow, then the splash of acid from Darvins hands, finally he uses his Kukri to parry a thrust from Rhev. The gnome is slippery, but still fighting at the blood obscuring his vision, and dealing with 3 assailants. Rhev is quick to parry the wild swing the gnome levels in his direction. Seeing the situation deteriorating he moves for the door on the right. Only to reveal Cykan and Aliani in the next room.

The door on the north wall opens and a greenskinned half-orc over 6 and a half feet tall enters. He lets out a snicker at the scene of Hookshanks in such a perilous fight. A whirling a flail above his head, he brings it down on Morvan with a dizzing force, but you also sense that Giggles is holding something back, and just toying with you.

The remaining orphan boy, looks scared, but seeing Giggles enter the room an apparently turn the tide of the battle he jabs at Morvan with his pitchfork. Its more a show for his captors than a lethal attack though and he backs into a corner.

https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/311787344893_/Pathfinder-Battles-Pawns-Tokens-030-Giggles.jpg
Morvan takes 7 points of non-lethal damage from Giggles flail. Now that the door is open this is one combat rather than two.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

Morvan saw stars as he was blindsided by the half-orc that rushed in out of nowhere swinging a flail. He recoiled, catching himself on his back foot to arrest his backwards reeling, and took one hand off of his sword in order to grab a pinch of lint from his pocket. Tossing the lint in the giant ruffian's direction, the magus whispered, "Benum zo est!" A green pulse of energy reached out from Morvan's outstretched fingers and settled around Giggles' head.

OOC: Crikey, anyone got a healing spell?

Using Daze (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/d/daze/) on Giggles. DC13 Will Save.

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11 (7 non-lethal damage), Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani finally saw a fitting target for five years of pent-up rage. "You get the wizard" he shouted to Cykan as he clambered across the room.

"So, you're Hookshanks -- the coward who likes to hide among innocent children?" he yelled as he blocked the doorway from the gnome's passage. "NO MORE!" His morningstar flew in an angry, if relatively talentless arc, trying to cleave the gnome's head off.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Presumably no flanking yet, but I'll position so as to provide someone else with it.

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf ... Bard(??), Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 17 (Shield), Touch 11, Flat-footed 16, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex, +4 Shield spell)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition Shield spell cast: 7 rounds left, gives +4 shield bonus to AC

[Darvin]

Dalen did not much relish drawing closer, but this frantic melee needed to be cleared out. Getting the child out of the way would be a tactically prudent option, and something he could do without expending a fully-formed spell. He wasn't sure if this would work, as he'd been warned this method was ineffective against someone who was attacking, but with no hostile action taken against the child it might just work.

Dalen moves up to the child and places his hand on his shoulder. For a brief moment, he could influence the child's emotions and hopefully make him view this stranger more favorably. He spoke "you should flee from this place, quickly while you have the chance!"


Beguiling Touch has a DC of 15 (the child should still be demoralized from earlier, which should give him a -2 penalty on his save). GM's call over whether it works at all since we are in combat, and the ability isn't supposed to work in combat, but the child is sort of a weird edge case.

Charisma check if needed [roll0]
Diplomacy check if you'd prefer that [roll1]

Also, since this is the first time my massive diplomacy modifier has come up, I'm just going to break down where it comes from:
1 rank + 5 intelligence (I treat diplomacy as an intelligence-based skill due to the clever wordplay trait) + 1 trait bonus (ease of faith trait) + 3 class skill (ease of faith again) + 2 enhancement bonus from enchanter class feature + 3 from familiar bonus

[n0ble]

Rhev swayed back with a jerk as he parried the gnomes blow. The better to ride out the momentum of it. Say one thing for these tiny little buggers, they had no reach on them what with their short limbs. Plus their weapons were little people sized. It made it almost unfair, which was fine by him. Unfair fights were the best kind.

Then the half-orc entered the fray. Shít. He wasted no time aiming a blow at Hookshank's heart. Then he could engage the gibbering flail wielder.



Attack vs. Hookshanks+ any possible flanking: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2]

[shizukanashi]

Round 3:

Giggles shakes his head and the green energy dissipates. He looks at Morvan with a new enthusiasm and laughs stupidly through a sly smile as he hurls his flail. This time however Morvan is ready and ducks beneath the ball and chain.

Hookshanks continues to prove to be a slippery creature as he avoids Aliani's bash, but also continues to struggle with his head wound, he stabs and swipes in Aliani's direction but his thrusts only find air.

Darvin's mind trick appears to be radically successful. The youth drops his pitchfork and heads for the door, never stopping to look back.

Hookshanks bobs and weaves through the combat, and though it is a struggle he continues to parry blows, again avoiding thrusts of Rhev's rapier.

The crunching of bone and spray of blood tells you that Jaini has once again found a home for his mighty halbred. The mangled body that falls at his feet confirms that Yargin is no longer in this fight. Cykan burst through the door just as the man hits the ground and he and Jaini share a knowing glance, before Cykan turns and sets his sights on Hookshank, or maybe the last remaining closed door.

I took the liberty of smashing the door for Cykan, that seems to be his current objective. Hookshank is hurting, but Giggles still seems to just be having fun. You can hear some kids yelling from somewhere north of you, but you can't make out what they are saying.
Give me your actions for round 4.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

The magus growled and twisted to the side to avoid the monstrous half-orc's return strike, hearing the flail's head whistle past him by a hairsbreadth. "I guess you'd have to have a mind in order for my magic to affect it." he griped, then took hold of his sword in both hands again, planted his back foot, and reversed his direction. He aimed a slash over the top of Giggle's flail as the thug overbalanced, attempting to cut him across the chest or bicep.

OOC: WHEN WILL THESE CRAPPY ROLLS END??!?! :smallannoyed:

Attack: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11 (7 non-lethal damage), Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani's gaze narrowed. Anger wasn't going to solve anything. Focus, he told himself. Focus... or get out of the way. He took a short, backhand swipe with his morningstar before sliding out of the way, opening up a spot for a more experienced blade to join the fight.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

... followed by a 5 foot step toward the front of the building, along the wall. Should this swing somehow kill the gnome (Edit: OOC SPOILER ALERT -- IT WON'T), he will instead move to alongside the fallen wizard at the north wall, preparing to grab the wand from his cold dead hands

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan runs towards hookshanks and brings his longsword into action. His fear starting to mount that Lamm might be escaping.

Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Darvin]

With the last distraction removed, now the primary threats needed to be addressed. With Cykan's presence now looking to tip the battle, Dalen loaded his crossbow and took aim at Giggles.


Accidentally posted in the OOC thread. My rolls can be found there (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22409849&postcount=147).

[shizukanashi]

Cykan cleaves through hookshanks on the first blow from his sword. The gnome drops and even the layman can tell he will not be getting back up.

Rhev seeing Hookshanks finally go down also turns on Giggles. He sticks him with the pointy end of his fencing sword and draws a beed of blood, but only illicits a giggle from the half-orc and it begins to set in on you where he gets his monikor.

Apparently a fickle creature, Giggles grins at Rhev and turns away from Morvan swinging instead on the investigator. Luckily for Rhev what Giggles has in raw power he seems to lack in aim. The flail only finds the wall beside the open doorway.

Instead of joining you, Jaini still seems more concerned with Lamm escaping and takes a step back outside to watch for fleeing rats.

Giggles moving closer to Rhev puts him closer to the door. Jaini has elected to play watchout, instead of moving into an already crowded melee.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

Still hazy from his encounter with Giggles' flail, Morvan was apparently still seeing double. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong half-orc to try to kill and ended up just swiping his sword through empty air again. He shook his head with a wordless sound of frustration and tried to bring his faculties back to order.

At least Hookshank seemed to be out of the way.

OOC: This is becoming tiresome, dice roller...:smallannoyed:

Attack: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11 (7 non-lethal damage), Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev frowned at the big lugg and his laughter. He ducked under the cumbersome swing before snaking in another blow with his rapier. The giggling was becoming very very annoying. Rhev aimed for the throat in an effort to shut him up, snarling as he struck.


To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
CC: [roll2]

[Darvin]

Dalen reloads his crossbow once more and takes aim at the half-orc, letting loose another shot.


Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani saw no easy path into the fight. He took a moment to close the front door of the building and shove the table in the way, hoping to prevent anyone coming from the street from entering the fray.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan, seeing the half-or causing trouble charges at him sword grasped in two hands, swinging it in a great arc. He stifles his urge to scream as he comes.

Charge attack [roll0] his AC will be 14 until hos next round.
Damage [roll1]

[shizukanashi]

Giggles is in mid-giggle when the blade strikes him. The laughter seems to stop in his throat and slowly turns to a gurgle. His eyes dilate and finally, he falls with a thud. The fight is won, but as you stop to look at the carnage, three dead or dying bodies, you also catch several pairs of tiny eyes looking at you from holes in the north wall. Several more from the loading dock. A boy about 10 steps through the same door Giggles came through. He points a pitchfork timidly at Cykan...

"W-w-who a-are you? W-what do you want?"

Combat is over (for now) but your not entirely out of the woods. Diplomacy checks would be advised, along with some roleplaying.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

Morvan leaned against the wall, head still ringing, as the monstrous half-orc finally fell. "Well done, Cykan." he nodded, but the effort caused a great pain at the base of his skull. He decided against trying to shake his head in order to clear it, because that would undoubtedly cause more discomfort. This simply would not do.

He was about to go rifling through the halfling's belongings on the off chance that he might have a healing potion when some of the kids came back. "Hello, children. I don't suppose any of you have some ice?" he rubbed at his neck.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11 (7 non-lethal damage), Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

Dalen steps forward quickly and calmly, stowing his crossbow so as to approach unarmed, "Good evening, it's a pleasure to finally meet someone who prefers a calm word over drawn steel. My name is Master Rittle, and my associates and I have urgent business here. Unfortunately, it seems our arrival was not taken to kindly," Dalen frowns and scans the chaos of the room, "but you seem to have significantly more sense to you, and that's a very good thing for both of us,"

Dalen reaches into his purse and draws out a single silver coin, "I'm sure you'll find this meeting much less painful and much more profitable for you than for your so-called masters," Dalen extends his hand and waits for the child to take the coin, subvocally focusing magical energy into his hand.


Dalen readies an action to use his Beguiling Touch ability on the child when he takes the coin and makes contact with Dalen's hand.

Diplomacy Check: [roll0]

Everything I said is true, but I am strongly implying that we weren't the aggressors here. Here's a bluff check in case you think I'm stretching the truth a little too far: [roll1]

[shizukanashi]

The child loosens his grip on the pitchfork and lets the end dip to the ground as he reaches for the coin. His demeanor changes as soon as it touches his skin and he smiles at you. "what can I do for you Mr. Rittle, sir?" He asks as he flits the coin between his fingers then quickly disapears it into a fold in the rags he is wearing.

[roll0]

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Seeing the children's eyes and the small boy come out calms Cykan immediately. He lowers his sword. He is thankful to Rittle for talking to the kids. He thinks to give them his few coins, but then what would he buy shiver with? He forces himself to do so anyway. He holds the coins out. "Share them all." There is a bit too much force in the words for his liking.

Diplomacy [roll0]

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani, a bit belatedly entered the room, and upon seeing the situation tossed his weapon to the side. "Gentlemen, what are you doing? Put your coins away. They're not cattle to be bought or guards to be bribed, they're kids. Save the money, we're going to need it to find them proper food and shelter and to help them find their families again. One of us -- and it probably should be me, I guess? -- needs to stay here to make sure they're all right, and the rest of us need to finish what we came here for. Now."

Noticing Morvan's dazed look on the way in, he altered his path. "Nasty knock, eh? Let's see, been a while since I've done this, hold still..."

He placed his hand on Morvan's head, speaking in a deep voice.

"Valiant fought 'gainst mighty foes,
Through my words may your wounds close!"

Dumping my Detect the Faithful spell to spontaneously cast Cure Light Wounds. Perform check passed to make it look like a bardic spell; if people want to spellcraft check it they can. Spell will heal [roll0] damage.

[n0ble]

"Hmph." Rhev had absolutely no notions of taking care of a bunch of children. Being honest, he could hardly take care of himself, let along some blobs of possibility. The fact that one of the others was volunteering to take care of others when there was work yet to be done rankled with him on a whole other level. Rehv stabbed his rapier into the wooden floorboards. He spat on the dead half-orc before pawing through anything he had.

That done, the investigator looked around at the others trying to comfort the children or give them money. "Any of you know where Lamb is in this shíthole? Given what we've done to his..." he looked around at the three dead bodies, moving on to searching the wizard "...muscle, it's obvious what we're here to do, no? Even to ones young as you?"



Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Darvin]

Dalen glares at Aliani. He would lecture the man if he weren't focused on conversing with the child. The comparison to cattle or guards misses the point: they are minds, minds to be won. Swiftly guaranteeing their cooperation serves to strongly advance all their goals here - including that of ensuring the immediate safety of the children. Treating them as sacrosanct was unhelpful. Rhev's bluntness was little better, but he could hopefully still work with this.

"I need to know where Gaedren Lamm is, and what he's doing. Suffice to say that we have a debt to collect, and he's avoided repayment for far too long. Some of my associates are... out of patience," Dalen pauses, then adds, "I need you to tell me everything you know about his whereabouts, and anything tricky he might try on us. Afterwards, gather the other children and make yourself scarce. My associate here, Master Rose, will see to it that regardless of what happens you'll still have a roof over your head and a meal on your plate come tomorrow,"


Diplomacy check if necessary: [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

The magus felt the pressure in his head lighten and he quickly started to feel less concussed. He sighed in relief and gripped the bard's shoulder with the hand not dedicated to his sword at the moment. "Much better. My most enthusiastic thanks, brother." he acknowledged the other half-elf's efforts with a crooked grin and then sheathed his sword with a flourish.

Morvan didn't say anything else to the children, as Dalen seemed to have everything quite well in hand. He did go over to the nearest window or door facing outside in order to check to see if their little scuffle had drawn any attention.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

"Any of you know where Lamb is in this shíthole? Given what we've done to his..." he looked around at the three dead bodies, moving on to searching the wizard "...muscle, it's obvious what we're here to do, no? Even to ones young as you?"

At your group setting down weapons a few more kids start to come out. It appears most of the children are in the room to the north. The redheaded boy with Dalens coin, apparently the leader of this group shrugs at your question. "This way." H directs and heads through the door in the north.

The room itself is very large, the floor slick with river water, seaweed, and the blood of countless fish as well as the acompanying smells. Wooden catwalks to the north and south allow access and you now look down on the room which is ten feet lower. A wide opening in the floor to the south allows direct access to the muddy, sloppy waters known as the Jeggare river which flows roughly 3 feet beneath the hole. "Down there." He points at the hole.

In the north of the room stands an immense vat its sides caked with tar. inside is a foul-looking mixture of chum, river water, and who knows what else. Alaini recognizes the batter used to make his dock dumplings. Underneath the scaffolding are strung over a dozen small hammocks, each with its own ratty blanket and pillow.

This appears to be a work station as well as a barracks for the children.


"Thats where Giggles lowers 'expendables' to see Lamm. Never come back what goes down there...watch out for sawtooth." and just as he says the name you see the fin of a jigsaw shark pass the waters beneath the hole.

Jaini looks around at the hole and the 3 foot crawl space, then at his own armor. He turns to Aliani "I can watch these kids. I have some questions about my sister for them anyway."

Searching the bodies reveals the following loot:
Giggles: is armed with a Flail and wears chainmail. He also has a Composite bow (+3 str) with 20 arrows a pouch contains 72g and 3 potions of cure light wounds (easily identified with a detect magic spell)

Yargan (AKA the wizard): wears leather armor though there is a considerable gash in the armor due to an ax. He is also armed with a dagger and a crossbow w/ 10 bolts as well as a wand of acid splash that appears to be down a number of charges. Finally he has 3 vials of acid, a thunderstone, a garnet worth 100g, and two keys, one made of Brass, and one of Iron

Hookshanks: is armed with a small sized Mwk Kukri, studded leather again small sized, a disguise kit, an iron key identical to the one Yargin carries, and 7g

It doesnt take long to realize the bronze key will unlock any door in the fishery, and the iron key belongs to a cabinet in the room next to the loading dock. Inside you find: 6 pouches. four contain 50cp and two that contain 50sp apparently used for quick payments.

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani gave Morvan a quick nod and then looked at Jaini, doing a bit of mental math in his head. Finally, he nodded. "All right, Jaini. Have them gather what they have and get them out of here now, you can ask what you need to ask on the way. Just tell us where you're taking them, we'll meet up later... I hope. If you don't have a good place you can use my apartment, I can give you the key..."

He turned to the rest of the group. "As for that" (he pointed at the shark and the water below) "I have no good ideas. You mean to say Lamm's underwater?"

[shizukanashi]

"I have no good ideas. You mean to say Lamm's underwater?"

The boy who, based on some short conversations with the other kids, you come to know is named Kester just gives another shrug. "Whenever someone does bad, they go down the hole to see Lamm. I don't know where he takes em, but nones come back, not never. Lamm comes and goes from the ship, but not often, so i guess you could find him there. We arent allowed though so I dont really know where he is 'xactly. He lives down there though." He again points to the hole in the floor.

If no-one else takes the Kukri off Hookshanks at this point Kester does, he gives it a curious look as he turns it in his had before he gives the gnome a good kick and shoves the weapon in his belt.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan seems disinterested in the loot and if no one takes the coins, he put them on the ground, paying no heed to Aliani's words.
"I think sending the bad kids to Lamm is a lie. It's a shark. What is the quickest way to the ship?" He restrains himself from his natural intimidating manner.

[Darvin]

Dalen collects any and all valuables that aren't picked up by other members of the party.


Dalen picks up the currency, gemstone, valuable weapons (the kukri and longbow), potions, thunderstone, and disguise kit. I believe this leaves me just below my light load limit. Anyone who wants to preempt me on these items can do so; I'm only taking them as loot and we'll divide the spoils later.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan Delane

"I'm of like mind to Cykan. Why go under when we can go over? We can board the ship from the outside. If some of you want to take that route we can hit Lamm from two directions at once." Morvan suggested, pointing in the direction of the outer dock.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

This was not a difficult decision. Dalen wasn't jumping down a dark and perilous hole with a cunning murderer waiting on the other side. At least not without someone else going first, "I'd agree with that course of action. I'll follow behind you,"

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani shrugged. "Whatever you like, gentlemen. Need we worry about him escaping up this way if we all board from the outside?"

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

With a sudden concern Lamm might escape Cykan drops prone and sticks his head down the hole as far as he can he looks for a safe way in or out.

Perception [roll0]

[n0ble]

"Uh, yeah no. I aint sticking my head nor extremities down there." Boarding the ship seemed a fine idea to the investigator, even if it came with it's own swathe of problems. Strangley, he could think of none as terrible as descending feet first into a bunch of fish muck. That idea sounded utterly horrible. Rhev grabbed his rapier from it's resting place on the ground and made ready to set off with everyone else.

[shizukanashi]

Cykan

Cykan drops prone and sticks his head down the hole as far as he can he looks for a safe way in or out.

Perception [roll0]

A narrow space exists under the fishery, with about 3 feet of room between the floor of the fishery's main production floor and the frothy river water below. Wooden pillings suport the building and thick mats of moss and cobwebs hang from ropes and chains between them. A wooden walkway floats on the waters surface, winding along the inner wall of pillings that suport the building above. The walkway leads from the sodden ship to the East all the way west to a small two and a half foot square door, that leads to an understructure below the fisherys landbound half. The pillings are densly packed leaving only narrow gaps that are unobscured to the water below.

This is the kind of thing I am describing, except there is a walk way on the waters edge and there appears to be a "basement"
to the front half of the building.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/21/12/6e21122f5844eb1419089ddde3e2b0f4.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8d/1b/fa/8d1bfacac61fad3098b3473aad3c5d4a.jpg

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan started out along the walkway to the ship. Even if Lamm wasn't there, it was someplace he wanted to check off as a hiding spot before they moved on, and he didn't want to do any more standing around when their quarry was still about. He discarded any (poor) attempt at stealth for speed as he double-timed it down the wooden dock toward the crippled ship. He didn't want to alarm any onlookers, however, so he kept his sword sheathed until he was on board.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

The slippery boardwalk leading to the ship is held together by barnacle-encrusted pilings that have been half their thickness worn away by the water below. Morvan hurries to the ship and though he slides a bit on the wet wood he arrives on the deck of the ship without incident.

The deck is rotten and the rickety ship seems to be held together by seaweed and barnicles, that and a few rotted ropes. A single wooden door leads to an aft cabin. It bears the same fishshaped red bloch that the crates of dock-dumpling batter had earlier.

[roll0] Be careful! Dont run on a slippery dock, kids!

[Stelio Kontos]

Seeing Morvan slide across the boards, Aliani looked down tentatively at the dock and the water. "If anyone else wants to be a daredevil, please by all means be my guest, I'll wait right here. I'm going to take this slow. I'd rather not find out whether I'll drown or get eaten by a shark first, if it's all the same to you."

With that, he waited for anyone else that felt comfortable speeding across, and then took his time walking across the docks at the approximate pace of a heavily weighed down gnome, while keeping an eye out for any unruly sharks or other violent sea creatures.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan slid a little, but grinned as he kept his footing. Five years on the tossing, rolling decks of a ship at sea had given him surer footing than he otherwise might have had if he'd stayed on land his entire life. It was a confidence born of so many other slips, falls, and the resulting bruises he'd taken and thus learned from. He hopped over the rail onto the ship itself with that same confidence. Even on this wreck, he felt more in his element with the water under him than back on the dirt.

Steel hissed against leather as he drew his dueling saber again, swiping it out and briefly inspecting the blade. He'd cleaned off what little blood it had gained from the bash to Hookshank's head, but his sword hadn't tasted nearly enough blood to be satisfied yet. This time, he wanted it running red with Lamm's heartsblood before he sheathed it again. You better be down here... Morvan thought, eyes narrowing in determination. He mentally reviewed the short list of spells remaining to him and brought them to the forefront of his mind where he could instantly trigger the magic he'd studied so ardently. He wished he hadn't wasted the shield spell battling Lamm's henchmen, but there was little he could do about it now. He had to press on.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

Dalen calls for his familiar, a Thrush named "Rhetoric".

"Apparently there is a structure beneath this one, closer to the river. Fly down there and tell me what you spy," Dalen commands the bird, then walks carefully next to Aliani along the pier.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Seeing that there is no easy exit via the hole he heads to the walkway with the others.

[n0ble]

Rhev shrugged and loped behind Cykan, occasionally dragging the rusted tip of his rapier on the ground. Nothing like a fight to work up a good thirst. His free hand subconsciously brushed up against the vials that were on his person. One was a simple healing elixir. He'd no doubt that the other two would be needed for the coming conflict. And even if they hadn't been, odds were he'd probably use them just to test them out.

[shizukanashi]

Eager to move quickly and find Gaedren before he could escape, Morvan opened the door to the cabin. The air in the room was thick and musky, it takes a while for your eyes to adjust from light to dark, but as they do you see a room with mounds of blankets, cushion and straw lined with thick sheets of cobwebs. To the south a narrow flight of stairs leads down to the ships hold. Before you can properly react to the scene a dark-brown long legged spider about the size of a house cat, leaps at Morvan, luckily the half elf is quick enough to evade the leaping arachnid and it ends up behind you on the rickety deck of the decrepit ship, turning and ready to lunge again.

http://cleanandtreat.com/pest-images/Brown-Recluse.jpg

[Darvin]

"And here I thought the gnome would be the most unpleasant thing to find underfoot," Dalen mused under his breath, moving into position for a clear shot and casting an acid splash.


I'm casting acid splash on the spider. I'm presuming it's in melee with Morven, so I take a -4 penalty for shooting into melee.

Touch Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan ducked when something brown and hairy leapt at him from the inside of the cabin, letting the cat-sized spider pounce over his head and land on the deck behind him. As he whirled around to face his new adversary, he channeled his will through his arm and hand into the steel of his weapon again, sending coruscating crimson energy across the blade. "Well, you don't see that every day: a snake keeping a spider for a pet!" he quipped.

Before the arachnid had a chance to pounce again, the magus charged back up the short flight of stairs at it. He kept both hands on his saber as he slashed low across the creature's bulbous thorax, drawing forth whatever black slime passed for the spider's innards and spraying ichor across the deck.

OOC: Using Arcane Pool (4/6) to magic up Morvan's attack and damage for a minute as a Swift Action. Using Move Action to get out of the stairwell. Standard Action for attack with two hands on the sword.

Attack: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani moved gingerly around the deck, taking up a position near the spider where others could easily join the combat, then took an abbreviated backhand swipe at the offending arachnid, sacrificing power for accuracy.

Move to behind spider (avoid AOO, allow easy charges/moves from people behind to come up and flank) and attack
Atk: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1]

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf ... Bard(??), Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13 , Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev snarled and surged forward into a flanking position if one presented itself, letting his rapier flick out at the dumb thing. The gods made a lot of useless looking things for this world of theirs. Spiders ranked pre-eminent amongst their number. "You probably can't understand what I'm saying. Die."



To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Critical confirmation (CC): [roll2]

Edit: Haha! Critical!

[shizukanashi]

Morvan moves and cleaves the spider in two, as the rest of you move onto the deck to assure the thing is indeed dead. The cracking sound of wood is the only warning you get as the deck of the ship colapses beneath your weight. Dark and damp, the ships hold smells of mildew, Several barrels and crates are stacked here and there but most of them are knocked over, their contents long expired. Dust and grime covers everything except in the blilges where a layer of black slime grows on the collected puddles of rancid water.

Four more spiders wait here ready to attack.

Anyone on the deck of the ship (Morvan, Rhev, Aliani, and maybe more) need to give me a DC 12 reflex save or you fall into the hold of the ship and take [roll0] damage.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan is surprised as the deck collapses. At least they were right about the ship he thought as he fell.

After hitting the lower deck he swings his sword at the closest spider.



Reflex save [roll0]

Attack [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Darvin]

Moving to the edge of the collapsed deck, Dalen looks down below and sees the spiders encroaching. From this vantage he could get a better shot, at least. Dalen takes aim at a spider not currently engaged in melee with his acid splash spell.


Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[shizukanashi]

Cykan crushes the spider and not even a leg remains of which there were formerly eight. Darvins bolts finds another, and the remaining two spiders practically roll up into balls. What were cat-sized spiders curl up to be about the size of a clenched fist and find the nearest holes in the ship. Once outside the ship they again fan out their legs and skit away on the tops of the water.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96VcP71zzQA

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani had tried to grab onto the upper deck to prevent his fall, but that only served to send him crashing ribs-first into the broken floor; on the positive side, at least that cushioned the speed of the subsequent landing somewhat. The brief panic in his eyes went away as Cykan and Dalen's actions eliminated the relevant threats.

"You can come on down, all" he said, trying to smile through the involuntary expression of pain in his face. "This floor seems a lot sturdier, judging by our not having crashed straight through it." Under his breath he whispered to Cykan "Thank goodness you're on our side, sir."

With that, he took a moment to scan the room for any additional threats or means of entrance or egress from the room.

Perception: [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

The half-elf got back up with a groan and made sure his sword was pointed in a safe direction. He was lucky he hadn't landed on it.

"Well...that was undignified." he complained as he rubbed at the brand new bruise forming on his shapely posterior. Then he looked around the new environs curiously. Was Lamm under the wreckage somewhere? No, more likely he just wasn't here.

"Where is that loathsome snake?" Morvan complained.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 9/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

"Woaaa-" Rehev tottered on the lip of the deck-hole before falling into an easy flip that carried him down to the floor underneath, rapier and all. "Heh." He looked around to get his bearings before sneering at the spider carcasses. Somone had been busy. Less work for him. His sneer turned into a cold, tight lipped smile as Morvan wondered aloud about Lamb. "First sensible thing anyone's asked or said since we got here."

[shizukanashi]

Gaedren Lamm was not on the ship, just a bunch of dust and cobwebs. Searching for clues here seems useless, but just as you are about to give up Rhev spots something along the hull of the ship. The keen eyed investigator spies the thin line and slight discoloration of a secret door. Hefting it with his shoulder the door bursts open and you find yourself again looking at the underpeir. A floating walkway leads from this secret door to another one on the far wall of the fishery.

Dalens thrush Rhetoric flits about the support beams, before eventually coming back to perch on his shoulder. "Door, door, door. No shark. Gone gone." The thrush chirps in rapid beats. "Door door." He chirps again as he dances about on your shoulder. Then lifts off and flys across the water to pearch beside the door in the underside of the fishery, turning to **** his head from side to side looking at you quizically. It is a small door, and the walkway looks abit unstead, but Rhetoric appears to be right the jigsaw shark has moved on and with a bit of caution you can reach the door without issue.

lol it edited, the word that is redacted is a synonym for tilt, but was redacted because it also is a syonym for the male appendage. I meant tilt obviously.

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani took a few moments to glance around the room, taking a few deep breaths and frankly making a bit of a show of brushing off each and every one of the cobwebs and bits of dirt and wood from the fall, and adjusting his brooch just so. "There, that's better" he remarked idly. Walking over to Rhev, he started to pat the man on the shoulder before catching himself short of actually touching him. "Well spotted, Mr. Investigator. I guess there's nowhere to go but down from here. If anyone else wants to go first, perhaps we can put our heads together and give them whatever enhancements we might have?"

Aliani will Channel Energy, healing [roll0] damage for everyone within 30' (so, everyone injured in the party), including himself.

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf Bard, presumably, Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan nods. I'll go first. He takes out his shield.

[shizukanashi]

With only three feet of crawl space, you have to crouch and/or go along on your hands and knees. It's a slow struggle further compounded by your nerves as you look out for the shark. Still eventually you make it to the small door, only to find it locked.

[Stelio Kontos]

"Heh, they think a mere lock is going to keep the mighty Cykan out. That's cute!" Aliani chortled. "Hold on a second, Cykan, let us do what we can before you send another unsuspecting portal to its untimely demise."

He laid a hand on Cykan's back and repeated the same refrain from earlier:

"Through venomed snakes, and rats infected,
I hope that thee be unaffected!"

Aliani casts Resistance on Cykan again, since the last one will have worn off (1 minute duration, +1 on saves). Perform check passed to make it look bardic.

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf Bard, presumably, Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan crouched near the back of the group, irritated at the circumstance but otherwise healthy. The bruise he'd received from his embarrassing fall hadn't been as bad as it had seemed, fortunately. He waited without comment for someone to get the door open.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev grumbled at how someone could be so happy about killing someone or sicking Cykan on them when his hand touch the vial. Best get ready now. It'd be a pain, literally and figuratively, to drink it but that was what the other one was for. Rhev's free hand went to the first vial, a pale purple liquid that held what looked like bone shavings. While that hand retrieved it, the other belligerently tapped at the shoe of whoever was in front of Rhev. "Oi, hurry up godsddamit. There's killin' to do."




Readying an action to drink the Longarm extract if theres hostiles on the other side of the door.

[Darvin]

Dalen moved cautiously behind the rest of the group, bringing up the rear. He turns to his familiar and gives it a simple instruction, "watch the approach, and alert me if anyone comes from behind,"

[shizukanashi]

With little effort Cykan kicks in the door. Because of the size of the door and the angles involved it takes a while for you all to make it through. The air in the large room you now find yourselfs in is chilly and it stinks of the river, Thanks to a huge opening in the floor that drops into the river. Several pilings suport the roof, with mossy ropes strung between them. In two places rusty manacles hang from the ropes over the water. Two five foot wide walkways cross the hole to the other side of the chamber, where a collection of old cabinets, lockboxes, and piles of clutter are strewn about. Chiped porcelain plates, a cracked goblet, badly rusted silverware, an old wooden shield with a crossbow bolt embedded in it, the odd dinged helm, and other "treasures" litter the floor of this chamber. It appears that Lamm's Lambs have been very busy recently finding loot for the old man. Three tables heaped with clutter stand amid this mess. In the south west corner a wooden door provides access to a walled off section.

Sitting in a chair watching as you all enter with a bit of scorn is your mcguffin. Gaedren Lamm is a jaundiced and bent corpse of a man. The miserable cur holds a crossbow in his lap, lazily pointing it in your direction. In his other hand he holds a chain, which is connected to a colar, which is around the neck of a hungry alligator. A half eaten tomato sits on the table next to him, and the juices still drip down his chin, soaking a spot on his tunic with red liquid and tiny yellow seeds. A bottle of liquor indicates he has also been drinking.

He clearly has been expecting you and greets each of you in turn as you enter. "You're that whore Alma's, husband aren't you? Cykan was it? She screamed your name as I put my knife in her." He moves his pelvis in a thrusting motion indicating he is not talking about the actual murder. "How the hell did you find me?"

"Rhev? By Asmodus, you f@*&ing loser. I though you'd be dead by now. What say you shiv these other fools for me and we hit some shiver, eh? I promise the pay will be more than fair." He indicates a vial on the table as well, a vial you recognize all too well.

As Morvan enters. "Who the piss are you? Oh wait...yeah...sorry about your schooling kid. If Nyes murder got traced back to me the investigation would have uncovered all this." He waves the crossbow around apparently indicating the room and his racket. "Couldn't have that. Kroft would have ended me. You seem to have turned out okay though. No hard feelings?

The cankerous man looks just as confused when he sees Aliani. "Aren't you that actor fellow from cliffside heights? I don't know you, but I know that broach your wearing. Stickin that rich ol' broad made me almost a platinum. Relative o' yours?" He seems to take on an aura of glee when he talks about the murders he has accomplished.

Finally Dalen taking up the rear enters. "Yer a friend o' that..whats his name? Greg? Gary? Whatever. Here for a hit are ya? More'n enough for the both of you if you help an old man out in this fight? No? So be it." He coughs and some red spittle comes out of his mouth, you can't tell if its blood or tomato juice.

"So we gonna do this then?" The wretch is as proud as he is stuborn. "I'm through runnin' you wanna kill me come try!" With that he released the chain and the giant reptile attached to it, and takes aim with his crossbow.http://hollywoodmetal.com/wp-content/uploads/1432529076782.png

[Darvin]

Dalen was surprised the man recognized him. If they had met before, he had no memory of it. Dalen had a begrudging respect for someone who could place people he barely knew so accurately. Of course, right now he had to make a very quick threat assessment: wily old murderer with a crossbow or a charging alligator. It was doubtful that his sole remaining sleep spell could affect both of them, so he'd have to choose the target carefully.

Strategically, if they could swarm Gaedren then the old man should fold rather quickly. Numbers were their advantage here. That alligator, on the other hand, was rushing forward and could block their advance and could be a significant threat even with Gaedren knocked out of the fight. The pet, then, was the priority. Dalen focused on the alligator and began to incant his last sleep spell.


Targeting the crocodile with sleep. DC 17 as before.

[ChronicLunacy]

"You won't have to worry about Kroft. Your end is coming regardless. Visuum salire." Morvan replied through gritted teeth, furious not only at the casual flippancy regarding what had been done to him, but Lamm's seeming amusement at having the opportunity to relive the harm he'd visited unto many others. At the final syllable of the quasi-elvish spell phrase he uttered, Morvan vanished completely from view. Using the brief period of invisibility, he stepped around Lamm and Gobblegut in order to get at the murderer's filthy back. He also didn't want to be in the way when Cykan inevitably charged the blackguard.

OOC: Using Vanish (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/v/vanish/) to disappear for one round and my movement to get around behind Lamm. Can't attack this turn, I'm just setting up a surprise next turn if Cykan doesn't destroy the curr this turn. :smallbiggrin: Also, here's an initiative roll in case it's needed. [roll0]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan charges forward, flying into a rage as he goes. "WE are going to do this!"

Initiative [roll0]
Attack [roll]1d20+9[roll]
Damage [roll1]

Horrifying Strike Will save DC:12 or be shaken 1d4 rnds

[Stelio Kontos]

"I know what you're trying to do, Mr. Lamm" Aliani said, almost too softly given the erupting din of battle. "But your words are useless here. You can't hurt us any more. You can't hurt anyone any more."

He moved gingerly (making sure the floor wouldn't again give way beneath him), around the edge of the battle to Lamm's side, knuckles whitening again, and brought down his morningstar with a vicious swipe. "Do you want to die tonight, Mr. Lamm?" Are you ready for that?"


Initiative if needed: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf Bard, presumably, Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev could barely hear lamb over the molten pain that had hit both of his arms. They both broke then reformed longer. Then it did it again and again and again until they dangled at his feet. He spat out a few words as the empty vial clattered to the floor. "I tire of your bleating, Lamm. Die." He went forward, his new arm swung up and aimed the crappy old rapier right for Lamb's throat.



Move up to try and get a flank on Lamb, preferably with 5ft in-between him and Rhev due to Longarm.
To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
CC: [roll2]

[shizukanashi]

Cykan's rage betrays his strike. Lamm ducks and rolls out of his chair like a much younger man. The massive man with the sword held in both hands only finds the chair with his blow but shards of wood fly around the room as the chair shatters beneath the blade.

It is Alaini, moving around to the other side, who deals the first blow, just as Lamm finishes his roll and stands back on his feet. Lamm barely has time to put his hands up as the morningstar finds his temple. Bright red oxyegen rich blood begins to streak down Lamms ear and cheek. Head wounds tend to bleed.

Rhev's elixar takes and the grotesque effect of his arms elongating draws Lamm's attention, he leaps away barely escaping the flailing arms. as he retreats he looses his bolt, which strikes Rhev in one of his extended arms

Gobblegut, Lamms pet alligator looking for the biggest juiciest target strikes at Cykan. The jaws tear at his flesh then lock down as the alligator begins to drag you toward the water, where he can drag you under.

Cykan takes a whopping 9 points of damage from the Alligator and is grappled. Rhev takes 4 from a bolt in his arm. The alligator needed to roll a 15 to save vs sleep, and he rolled a 20!

[ChronicLunacy]

There was a rippling effect as light bent and an invisible veil of magic dissolved. With a swish of his coat and the sound of a longsword splitting the air, Morvan appeared suddenly right behind Lamm. He stepped forward and swung with both hands on his crackling, magic-infused blade seemingly intending to chop the greasy gangster's gray head clean off.

OOC: So, IIRC attacking while invisible gives you a +2 and you attack them flat-footed. So I'm adding that to my attack roll, if that's okay. (Also flanking, I think?) I'm also spending another Arcane Pool point to up my attack/damage with magic. 3/6 Arcane Pool remaining.

Attack Lamm: [roll0] (Love you, too, dice roller... :smallmad: )
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

Dalen sighs; magic is fickle, and even weak-willed beasts can shrug off the best of spells. Unfortunately, this left him with few options. He takes aim at the alligator and lets loose a ball of acid.


Dalen casts acid splash at the alligator
Attack Roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani experienced mixed emotions as his weapon sank into Lamm's head; despite his lofty words about how this wasn't about revenge, he had to admit that that wasn't all true. He had built up Lamm into some kind of mythical monster, a great dragon to be slain. Somehow seeing his blood run down his face served as a reminder, that he too was just a man. A wretched, vile, disgusting, corrupt man who absolutely needed to be removed from the world -- but still. If you'd looked closely, you could almost see a bit of color return to Aliani's knuckles.

"Rhev, help Cykan! We've got this!" he croaked with the slight crack in his voice betraying his expressed confidence, as he maneuvered to give Lamm's head wounds a bit of symmetry.

Move to flank with Morvan
Attack: [roll0] (assuming +2 for flanking)
Damage: [roll1]

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan winces as the great beast locks its teeth into him. His rage makes him almost impervious to the pain and he grimaces as he struggles to free himself.
CMB roll [roll0]

[n0ble]

He looked down from his bolt wound to Aliani with an incredulous glare. "I didn't come here for a set of new boots half-elf. I came to settle my accounts with this waste of a whore's time. Maybe your too dumb to see that." He moved toward Lamm flicking out the gangly, uninjured arm at him. The one that had the rapier in it. That done he skittered over to reptile and the big man, ready to poke at it should it move again.




If possible, Rhev will attack Lamm then move to within stabbing range of Gobbleguts in an effort to provoke an Attack of Oppourtunity when he drags Cykan.

Attack vs. Lamm:
To hit: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1]
CC: [roll2]

AoO vs. Gobbleguts:
To hit: [roll3]
Dmg: [roll4]
CC: [roll5]

[shizukanashi]

Morvan reappears behind Gaedren and delivers a deep slice to the man's shoulders, barely missing his neck.

Dalen attempts to assist Cykan, but the ball of acid goes wide and dissipates as it hits the water.

Alaini does indeed deal a matching blow to Lamm's other temple, This time, however, the blow connects clean and combined with the wound to his neck results in a loud snap. Gaedren Lamms body falls limp at your feet. His head hanging off his shoulders at an odd angle, his neck broken. Bright blue eyes cloud over as you watch the life exist the old man.

Despite the fall of your primary adversary, the fight is not done. Cykan still struggles to escape the jaw of the alligator, but the creature clamps down like a vise. Dragging your body like a rag doll across the wooden floor.

Rhev is able to stab at the beast, leaving a hole in the reptiles thick scaly skin. Despite the wounds, the creature holds tight on its prize and succeeds in pulling Cykan down into the water.

Gobblegut dives to the bottom of the river a good 10 more feet below Lamm's hideout, holding you under when he reaches the bottom though instead of going into a death roll and attempting to drown you, it releases its grip and lets you free, instead swimming back up looking for another morsel.

[ChronicLunacy]

And like that, it was done. Morvan stared down at the corpse, then back up to meet Aliani's eyes. It had been, in the end, a rather simple affair. Something he'd spent five years dreaming about, and now it was just so much bright blood slowly boiling away on the blade of his briefly enchanted longsword. Morvan gave Aliani a brief nod and then seemed to snap out of it.

"Cykan!" he turned to look at where the alligator had pulled their ally under, somewhat morbidly wondering what had become of the big human. He stayed back away from the edge, ready with steel or spell, and waited for the alligator or Cykan or both to reappear.

OOC: The only thing I can do right now is hold my action until the alligator comes back.

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev sighed as the gator dragged Cykan down and he looked over to see Lamm dead. One way or another accounts had been settled. Pity he hadn't been the one to run him through. Rhev shook his head clear of the thoughts and whipped his head around to the others. "Grab the corpse. Feed it to the reptile. I can repeat that but more slowly if you want." Otherwise the investigator got ready to stab at Lamm's pet should it not find it's former master's corpse appetizing.


Ready an action to move within 10ft and attack the gator if it doesnt go for Lamm's corpse.

To hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
CC: [roll2]

Edit: One day I'll hit something. One day.

[Stelio Kontos]

As Aliani watched the body of Gaedren Lamm, the mythical dragon of villainy, crash to the floor, the color drained from his own face almost as fast as the blood drained from the multiple head wounds he'd inflicted on the object of his aggression, and he sank briefly into a stunned stupor. If Morvan (or anyone else) was expecting to see any joy or contentment reflected in his face or demeanor, they were to be sorely disappointed; his visage registered nothing but a glassy-eyed disbelief -- disbelief at what he'd made himself capable of, but more importantly, disbelief at how... easy it was.

Morvan's yell snapped him out of it, a bit. Cykan... oh no he thought as he moved cautiously to the edge of the watery hole. The juxtaposition of mental and moral calculations ran through his head in an instant, proving much easier than taking Lamm's life in the first place. "Watch Lamm, it might be a trick" he pronounced softly, trying to convince himself as much as anyone else that the man's neck hadn't just snapped in half in plain view. Hopefully the momentary distraction as everyone glanced at the cause of years of hatred would be enough to divert attention as he again adjusted his cape brooch...

Move to edge of hole; Channel Energy to heal [roll0] damage to all living creatures in a 30 foot radius -- this will include everyone in the current combat (I think Cykan and Rhev are injured on our side ... including the alligator and Lamm, and at worst case stabilizing the evil man. Oh well! We can't have Cykan dying, can we?

Aliani Rose (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1328610)
M CG Half-Elf Bard, presumably, Level 1, Init 1, HP 8/8, Speed 30'
AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 11, Fort 2, Ref 1, Will 5, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar 0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger 0 (1d4, x2)
Dagger (thrown) +1 (1d4, x2)
Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None
Channel Energy 2 used of 6 today

[Darvin]

So the alligator was returning for seconds. Fantastic. His lack of remaining magic - or useful magic, at very least - was burning into him. It's a fact of life that a neophyte wizard needs to accept, but still it irks him that he has no way to put this rampaging beast to sleep. No, that isn't quite true; there is still a way quite within his power to put this beast to sleep.

Dalen runs to the table Lamm had indicated earlier, grabbing the vial of shiver, and prepares to throw it at the alligator's gaping maw.


Attack roll [roll0]

[shizukanashi]

The Alligator leaps from the water straight at Dalen, but a blow from Morvan puts him slightly off target. The Wizards aim however is true and the vial of shiver goes straight down the reptiles throat as he drops back into the water. There is some thrashing about and splashing then a calm. When something again explodes from the water it it is Cykan coming up for air.

Gaedren Lamm, jolts to life as the healing energies hit him and he returns to consciousness. He curls up in a coughing fit, and this time you know the substance he coughs up is blood. His hands reaches out, but it is not for a weapon. Lamm grabs a stray bottle on the floor and uncorking it up ends the drink in his mouth, wiping his mouth he speaks.

"So you misserable f@#&$ didn't have the guts for it in the end huh?" He tosses the now empty bottle aside. "So what is it your planning to do with me?"

[ChronicLunacy]

"Bloody hell!" Morvan whirled and slashed Lamm at about neck height the instant he so much as twitched, surprised by the sudden reappearance of the spark of life in what he had assumed was a corpse.

OOC: Stated in the OOC that if Lamm so much as twitched, he'd get attacked again. So here that is. I believe he gets a negative to his AC for being on the floor.

Attack Lamm: [roll0]
Potential Damage: [roll1]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

Morvan is quicker with judgment than Alaini is. The blow once again ends the miserable cur, and he falls to the ground. It occurs to you, dealing the deathblow as Alaini did earlier, that you could all have a turn, with the proper application of magic.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan climbs out of the water, pulling out his flail, and charges at Lamm. "I'll kill you and not even blink."

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan's crackling longsword ended Lamm for the second time that day, but he had no time to celebrate as he had to leap aside to allow the charging Cykan through. The half-drowned warrior seemed to have some frustration to work out on the corpse, and well...that was fine.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani cringed, mostly internally, as he heard Lamm's gasp of life and then the thud of Morvan's steel, followed in much greater measure by Cykan's demolition of the body. He backed slowly away from the body and the ongoing carnage, making no move to stop anyone or to participate. Instead, he backed slowly away, toward the untested door in the southwest corner of the room, to listen for any signs of life on the other side.

Perception:[roll0]

[shizukanashi]

After several hardy whacks from Cykans sword, Lamm is only a bloody mass of flesh and blood that is clearly beyond any sort of healing magic any of you are capable of. Dalen begins to pick through the "treasures" here but only turns up some Shiver and some Vermin repellant. It becomes clear now how Lamm was able to come and go through the spider infested ship. Placing his ear to the door in the south Alaini hears nothing of interest, it appears to be safe, and there are no more adversaries in the area, at least until the alligator wakes up.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan calms himself after the destruction of the body and feeling fatigued, sits to rest. Upon seeing the shiver, he reacts by reflex and grabs them up. Lamm is dead. He didn't really feel better. Alma was still dead. His life was still ... in tatters. He looked at the shiver in his hands.. He was still addicted.

[Stelio Kontos]

"I believe this next room is clear, all... do you think we should investig--" Aliani said, turning back toward the center of the room. He stopped suddenly, and scurried across the room, skidding slightly across the wet floor, which at least conveniently placed him seated next to Cykan.

"Cykan... no no no sir... hey, I don't think you want to do that" he almost-whispered, placing both his hands atop the shiver bottle and almost covering Cykan's much larger hand, and pressing down gently as he looked well up into Cykan's face. It was to be a rapidly lost battle for the much smaller half-elf if any sort of physical contest over the contents were to follow, of course; Aliani prayed it wouldn't come to that. "I think... I believe you taking that's exactly what Lamm would want you to do right now. And I don't think it's what your wife would have wanted you to do, is it? So which one are you going to listen to, hmm? Him, or her?"

He looked up, with pleading eyes and total confidence, directly at Cykan, trying to give the man something to look at besides the drugs. One thought only was on his mind as he did: Please don't break me.

[n0ble]

Rhev looked at all the shiver that was left in the wake of Lamm's bloody demise.A series of figures ran through his head. Time's used before total addiction. The amount an average person needed to overdose. Things like that. It's what he did when he saw the stuff, to remind himself that such things were for weaker men. Besides, drink and fighting had, thus far, proven more than capable of filling such a hole.

He scoffed at the shiver vials, though it could have just as easily been directed at Cykan before going to the southern door and booting it open. If it was locked he would begin to work on said lock, taking as long as needed to open it.


If nesscessary, will take 20 on any locks found on the outside of the southern door, or on anything inside that has a lock.

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan gave Cykan a brief, measuring look, then followed Rhev into the back room. He wasn't interested in the vials of addictive poison, and it wasn't his business what Cykan did with them. He liked to believe that the big human was as strong in willpower as he was in body, and would simply throw them away, but in the end that was out of Morvan's hands. He'd seen that kind of addiction in some of the men he'd crewed with, and wanted no part of it.

Keeping his sword out in case anything else jumped at them, Morvan tried to keep his senses peeled for danger.

OOC:

Perception: [roll0]

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

The door opens for Rhev with little resistance. Morvan follows him into a foul-smelling room that seems to be a combination bedroom and study for the despicable Gaedren Lamm. A wooden bed with a lumpy matress stands against the east wall, while a round table heaped with dirty plates, bread crusts, stained goblets, discarded fruit rinds, and a small army of cockroaches that quickly scuttle for dark corners as you enter, sits nearby. At the foot of the bed sits a large strongbox, a slightly rusted lock secures it and a moldy ledger with pages rippled from moisture sits atop its lid. A sagging dresser filled with moth-eaten clothes well past there prime is in one corner. What appears to be a wooden hatbox is stained with blood and surrounded by a small cloud of flies, and sits atop the dresser. Beside it is a familiar looking deck of cards. A harrow deck.

[shizukanashi]

Rhev his tools already in hand having expected the door to be locked, takes a quick look around the room before starting on the lockbox. It doesn't take the skilled pilferer long and with a click he removes the lock setting the ledger aside on the bed he goes to work on the treasures under the lid.

The contents to your surprise seem to be the most organized and cared for things in the room. Each item is delicately wrapped cloth and tied neatly in a bow with a piece of twine. Unwrapping each in turn Rhev is privy to a plethera of wonderous treasures, apparently trophies of the late Gaedren Lamms murders, muggings, and thievery.

too much to list without spoiling the narrative of an IC post IMO. I am also going to assume you make and pass all appraisal checks. You find the following treasures in the lock box:


a narrow teak cigar case inlaid with tiny bits of jade. (25g)
a 2-pound gold ingot bearing the Cheliaxian coat of arms (100g)
a miniature gold crown (350g)
a fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a Kraken with garnets for eyes (200g)
a silver ring bearing the inscription "For Alma - the light in my nights (150g)
a highly realistic, and highly scandalous ivory figurine of two entwined succubi (450g)
a masterwork shuriken (300g)
an adamantine arrowhead (60g)
a masterwork dagger with a strange blade shaped like a key bearing the inscription "For an inspiration of a father" (750g)
an abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn (300g)
a glass tube containing a dose of keen edge (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/k/keen-edge/)
an obsidian wand of magic missile (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/m/magic-missile) (23 charges remaining)
a crystalline vial (itself worth 50g) containing a dose of Silversheen (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/special-materials#TOC-Silversheen)
and a bejeweled brooch with a broken clasp (2000g)


Even to the untrained eye this brooch is the most valuable thing in the whole dragon's hoard. The circular brooch depicts a house drake and an imp coiled around each other in an almost yin-yang pattern. The pseudodragon's eye is an amethyst, while the imps eye is an emerald.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e3/dc/84/e3dc846fba59f8c7515eafc4fc13adba.jpg

[Darvin]

The shiver was problematic. On the one hand, the street value of nineteen doses was... quite substantial. Probably more than everything else here combined, barring the contents of that lockbox. On the other hand, selling it would necessarily involve dealing in shiver, a prospect about as unappealing as coming face-to-face with Cykan's blade. Dalen needed only glance at the butchered remains of Lamm for a reminder of how that can end. But on reflection, he was fairly certain that the shiver was not the most valuable thing here. No, in this room were four competent allies who had proven their worth to each other and - like him - had everything to gain and little to lose. The long-term proposition here seemed to offer more than any immediate gain from a one-fifth split of this shiver stockpile.

The immediate priority, then, was intervening with this giant of a man threatening to kill himself. Dalen put his hand on Cykan's shoulder, expending a small amount of magical energy as he touched him, "don't throw away what you've achieved this day, friend," he turns to Aliani, "We'll find a... less destructive means of disposing of the stuff. In the meantime we should move temptation out of sight and mind. I believe it's probably safest in your hands until we find a more permanent solution,"

Once this situation is dealt with, Dalen picks up Lamm's ledger. He was a man on the lookout for opportunity, and Lamm's death would doubtlessly bring some of those. Perhaps one or two he could take advantage of, especially with the combined talents he could draw upon here.


Dalen uses his beguiling touch on Cykan to charm him for one round and make his appeal more convincing. DC 15 will save negates if you care to save, but I think OOC you don't intend to actually use the shiver.

Dalen find a sack or other suitable small container to stow the shiver and hands it off to Aliani (who he deems is the most moralizing member of the group, and thus least likely to either use or run off with the shiver). Dalen is hesitant to throw the shiver into the river because he's uncertain of what level of potency it has when diluted, and if they are going to dispose of it then it shouldn't be into someone's drinking water. Putting it in Aliani's possession defers the problem until later.

I'm kinda presuming the ledger will have the next plot hook, and Dalen (being a bit of a manipulative SOB) is going to see opportunity and suggest the party goes after it.


Edit due to ninja GM:

"This is... quite a lot," Dalen's jaw dropped as he examined Lamm's stash of treasures, "let's take an inventory of it now so we can split it evenly,"

[ChronicLunacy]

Observing the treasure they'd found, Morvan lifted his eyebrows a tad. He hadn't expected Lamm to be hording this much swag. "Well, that looks like a good start!" he commented. Then Morvan made to clap Rhev on the shoulder but seemed to think better of it and put his hand down.

He turned to the old hatbox atop the dresser. Sheathing his sword in favor of his dagger, he leaned off to one side and used the tip of the blade to pry the lid off the box. He didn't think Lamm would have trapped the hatbox if he hadn't spent the time or effort in trapping the treasure chest, but he wasn't going to be reckless.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

As soon as the lid is removed from the hatbox, a foul stench fills the air. Inside is a gruesome scene. Covered in maggots and slowly rotting is a human head. Were she alive this woman would be an attractive Varisian female with long dark hair and vibrant green eyes. She wears a red bandana, that you know you have seen somewhere before. It takes a bit longer because of the impossibility of the situation, but slowly recognition sets in. This head belongs to Zellaria Esmerelda, the gypsy woman who gave you Lamm's address only a few hours ago. Judging by the level of decay, it has been in this box for weeks.

[n0ble]

Rhev closed the lockbox shut with a lazy flick of his wrist. Just in time for the elixir to wear off. He grunted, partially in surprise due to how well the dam thing had worked on his skeletal structure. Typical, that no one was thinking of the orphans and maybe handing out some of it to them. Then again, neither was Rhev. Some snot nosed kid diverting funds from his plans to save the city was, at best, a calamity waiting to happen.

The investigator grunted at what everyone else said, wished for the umpteenth time that he had something on hand to drink by ways of celebration, then held up the broach. He gave it a good look over, trying to place its make, before kicking the lockbox out of the southern room. He wanted no part in selling the shiver. That done, Rhev went back in and scooped up the harrow cards with a scoff before looking down at the contents of the other, somehow more rank hatbox. Maybe he could through this new set of them at the old spinster and she'd bugger off with her talk of fortunes.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan listened to the others words. "I have gained nothing today. Lamm is dead as he deserves by the suffering he wrought. Shiver is something that helped me ... survive to serve this purpose." He gestures towards Lamm's body. "Now I have nothing, not even a purpose."

[Stelio Kontos]

"Then let us find you a purpose" Aliani whispered, waving Dalen away and using his leg to scoot the box of shiver from Cykan's sight as best he could. "But it's not what you're holding in your hand right now, I can promise you that.

"I felt like you did once; I dreamed a dream every night for a month straight where I'd find Lamm and run him through in the middle of the street, and watch his blood run out of his body like a pig being slaughtered. Would have done it then too, or tried and probably died in the process, except if you must know I'm kind of a coward. I've never had the joy of knowing the kind of love that you must have had for your wife, but if anyone can know a tenth of the pain you must feel, it's me. It took me a long time to realize the way to get back at the Gaedren Lamm's of the world isn't just by sticking them like a pig, it's by utterly defeating everything they're trying to accomplish. It took a long time, but I didn't really get started until I got some help from some very wonderful people to help give me something to hope for, to give me a chance to find my hidden strength. You can do it too, but you can't do it alone -- that's not your fault you can't, nobody can. But I think you're a far stronger, far braver man than I've ever been, and I'm sure you can do it... if you'll let me try to help you? Please?

"I need to find some way to repay you, after all."

[Darvin]

Dalen picks up the broach to examine it. After a moment, he smiles, "gentlemen, I believe we may have happened upon a particularly good piece of fortune. This article was stolen from our most honorable queen, Ileosa Arabasti. There is a sizeable reward for its return, although in all honesty I would say the monetary reward isn't the primary interest in our case. We are all in need of employment to lift ourselves above these dregs, and I for one am not opposed to making ourselves known to the crown as problem solvers,"

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan nodded. He could quibble with some of the things said, but it was not important. "I would like to find a path forward. I am afraid of what will happen if I don't."

[Stelio Kontos]

"Okay. We'll find a path then. I don't know if I'll be the perfect guide, but I'll try, and if I can't do it we'll find you someone who can. Now, step one, we go in the other room there and see what they're up to. Come on."

Aliani stood up, offering a hand to the larger man. "And Cykan? Thank you, for putting your faith in me, and for ... taking care of things upstairs. I'd probably have been dead as a doornail up there without you. I won't forget it."

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan grabs Aliani's hand and smiles heading into the other room.

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani took a moment to take the remaining vial, shutting it into the box of shiver, and store the box in his pack. Struggling slightly with the new weight, he too made his way into the room.

[ChronicLunacy]

"That's just lovely..." Morvan said, covering his mouth with his sleeve and leaning back away from the gruesome object in the hatbox. "Gentlemen, I do believe we've been had by the quaint, little fortune teller woman. Unless she's learned to come back from the dead, that is." he said, though he doubted with the smell that anyone else had not already noticed what he'd discovered.

Just to be thorough, Morvan used his dagger to lift the head a little bit to make sure there was nothing underneath it. Then he closed the box and wiped his blade on one of Lamm's moldy shirts.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Darvin]

"Can't say I know much about the restless dead or necromancy in general, and don't care to speculate on the matter," Dalen shrugs, "but unless our fortunes change sharply for the worse from this point, I wouldn't exactly qualify this as being 'had',"

Dalen decides to do a sweep of the room with his detect magic spell, ensuring that something extraordinary isn't left behind among the mundane rubbish.

[shizukanashi]

Dalen switches his vision to observe the magical spectrum. Unsurprisingly he picks up an aura from the wand in the lockbox. He is surprised to see an aura of divination magic coming from Zellara's harrow deck as Rhev scoops it up. Perhaps there was more to the fortune telling than just tricks and vauge predictions.

Finally, as he picks up a soft glow from the other room, it occurs to Dalen that nobody has bothered to search Gaedren Lamm yet. His armor and a dagger on his hip both give off an aura of magic. The blood on the dagger can probably be washed away. The armor on the otherhand is hacked up and deeply stained with his remains.

You have missed a +1 dagger, and a very soiled +1 padded armor I am going to require and identify spell or a really good spellcraft to ascertain the properties of the Harrow deck.

[Darvin]

For the second time this day, Dalen wished he'd prepared a different cantrip. Prestidigitation would make this task much more palatable. He returns to the other room to grab some linens. He wraps a thick wad of them around his hands to form makeshift gloves as he works the magical armor free from Lamm's remains, "this armor is magical, so it would be worth the effort to take it for ourselves. I will prepare a spell to cleanse it tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm overburdened with valuables as it is and will need someone else to carry it," in truth, Dalen was just thankful to have an excuse not to have to carry the stuff on his person. He wipes off the dagger and stows it along with the other items held in confidence for the rest of the group. He also picks up the wand when he finds a moment.

He turns to Rhev and notices the the cards, "er, can I see those for a moment? I do believe they may be more valuable than their appearance lets on,"



Perhaps there was more to the fortune telling than just tricks and vauge predictions.
Dalen is a wizard; he does believe in magic.

Anyways, Spellcraft check to identify the deck [roll0]

If it fails, I will prepare the Identify spell when we get 15 minutes (not here; I don't want to be around when the gator wakes up) Edit: I'm presuming I successfully ID'd the deck :smallbiggrin:

[shizukanashi]

As Dalen shuffles through the cards and ascertains their purpose. A wispy mist arises from the harrow deck. This time Zellaria Esmerelda appears before you as a ghostly image shifting in a haze.

"I appologize for my deception earlier. Everything I told you was the truth though, in a sense. Lamm did kill my child, and take my deck, but it was I who tracked him down. When I did hel killed me as well." You can see the sadness even in her epherial eyes. "I saw no other way, i was a afraid if I was direct from the begining you would fear me. I mean you no harm. Infact I can help. The cards do not lie, Korvosa is in danger. Even now I feel a great turmoil in the heart. Something dire has happened.
I can help you if you will help me to save her. The dark master the cards spoke of....it still lives. I fear it was not Lamm after all the cards wanted to warn you about."

[Darvin]

Dalen carefully considers his response, uncomfortable in the handling of intelligent magical items. While lingering spirits were not something he was overly familiar with, he knew enough about intelligent magical items to understand that they were quite perilous and could supplant the will of their supposed owner. Even holding them was causing him a degree of discomfort and his reason implored him to set them down, but curiosity easily won that internal conflict.

"Your words were true enough for our purposes," Dalen responds, less perturbed by the spirit's earlier deception than by her nature, "but in the earlier matter we all knew and understood who Lamm was, and the reasons he deserved... er... this," Dalen glances again at the mutilated and now half-naked remains of the man he'd just finished pulling armor off of, he then continued, "if there is something more you have in mind, Miss Esmerelda, you will need to be somewhat more forthright with us this time,"

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani stood, clearly awed and surprised by Zellara's sudden reappearance. "That's marvelous," he murmured, "I knew the room itself was... but... wow, that's very impressive."

As Zellara and then Dalen finished speaking, he interjected "This is all very clever, madam. Of course I'm in. But Mr. Rittle makes an excellent point -- we can't be of service if we don't know the nature of the problem we're trying to solve. And if I might speak frankly, there are parts of this town that could do with a little turmoil -- it might finally wake them up."

[shizukanashi]

"You misunderstand." She hangs her head as if it is her fault. "The cards can see something, I can only do my best interpret. The dark pact in they previous harrowing..it is not Lamm. He is not the Rakasha. It is something darker still, though it was long in the past, the cards wanted you to know, and I still feel its presesnce, it was my assumption that it meant Lamm and the children. Why they gave you the warning I can not say."

She turns towards the city and looks up as if she can see it through ceiling and wall. "I can also feel the heart of the city, its citizens, the general feeling. The present turmoil I speak of is another matter. Something has changed the demeanor of the city. The citizens are anxious, sad but..expectant. It is an empathetic link. I do not know, more. I am sorry. Perhaps you should return to the streets though. I simply sense a great loss to Korvosa."

[n0ble]

He watched everyone else with a bored, skeptical eye before holding out the harrow cards to the ghost. "Uh-huh." This all reeked of some sort of set-up, but the woman seemed somewhat genuine. Rhev let the cards spill out of his hand onto the floor before the apparition. "Right. Prophecies and visions and other hogwash. Nothing to say, lose one's head over hm? I doubt a whole city is going to mourn the loss of that," he jabbed a thumb in the direction of the royal broach, "Though I might miss some of the coin gained from returning it. Thirsty business this was, Spinster." Fortunatley her locale was quite close to a particularly dumpy waitress and watering hole. His eyes momentarily strayed to the empty vial he'd left on the floor. Thirsty work indeed.

Was it appropriate to kick someone while they were down? Almost certainly. Rhev might have even cared if he'd not become an addict and had his life re-framed in more empiric terms. Corpses stank perhaps just a bit more, and were a bit more bloated to boot. That was about all the investigator would let himself think.

[Darvin]

Dalen wasn't sure Esmerelda understood whether she was understood. Indeed, he had little doubt there was a form of strong divination in play here, and that the spirit of Lady Esmerelda had only a limited purview into it. That made it more important, not less, that every detail was shared - however inconsequential or minor it may seem. None-the-less, her current request was reasonable and simple. Let's see what's happening on the streets.

"I do believe we've found everything of value at this point. Let's pack it away and leave this grim place. I suspect scavengers will have it picked clean in short order once news of Lamm's death becomes known, so leave nothing of value behind," Dalen hands the deck carefully back to Rhev then peeks out the door to call for his familiar, who he left to watch their backs, to report if there is anything going on.


Dalen is just below his light load limit, so he'll only pick up items without a listed weight. Everything else he expects other party members to carry. The party treasure Dalen currently is carrying is as follows:
Masterwork Kukri
Longbow (+3 SR)
Thunder Stone
Disguise Kit
Potion of Cure Light Wounds (3)
Garnet (worth 100 gp)
50 sp
50 cp
72 gp
wand of acid splash (unknown charges remaining)
wand of magic missile (23 charges remaining)
+1 dagger

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani thought for a moment or two, indecision reflected in his face. He closed his eyes for a moment, then looked up. "Friends -- I hope you don't mind me calling you that, but you are to me, even if you don't think I am to you -- I think we should take heed of Miss Esmerelda's words. Forgive me, this is probably going to sound a little like a minister's sermon, but she hasn't steered us wrong so far, if you ignore the part where we're likely as not to be hanged for what we've done -- not that I regret it. She's brought us to this point together, you've all gotten the revenge you came for, that's what you sought isn't it? We wouldn't have it without her. We'd all be sitting home, alone, feeling sorry for ourselves, and feeling regret for the things we didn't have the strength to do.

"I don't know how much you've all thought about this sort of thing, it took me a while to get over my anger at Lamm. But I came to realize there are a lot of Gaedren Lamm's in the world, and in this city. One less tonight, thanks to us -- but he's not the only one, there are a hundred more roaming the streets. So we made a little dent in that tonight, that's great, but lets not pretend that tomorrow someone else's kid isn't going to be grabbed off the street by some other slaver, or some young lady isn't going to get chopped up in a back alley, just because he's gone. If she's right, maybe this is just the tip of the spear so to speak. If she's right, we have two choices, we can go back to our homes feeling sorry for ourselves while whatever's happening happens, lie to ourselves and say it's not our problem, maybe drown ourselves in another bottle of shiver, or we can take some responsibility for it, try and make it better. I mean, what else do you have to do tomorrow? Can't spend your day fantasizing about how someday you're going to kill that guy lying in the next room, after all. Maybe... I don't know about you but I believe in fate, in the gods. Maybe we weren't supposed to be able to do this until tonight, because maybe we were meant for more than just cutting down an old man in his hovel, as great a service as that was."


"And yes, Mr. Rittle is right again. Let's gather what all we can, if you'd like we can take it back to my home and we can discuss how to dispose of it all. Or somewhere else is fine, if you have a better idea. You're probably not going to like my saying it, but there's a few things in there we ought to try returning if we can."

Aliani will take whatever he can; I don't know how much a box of shiver vials weighs but if it's 5 pounds or more he's already above his light weight limit.

[Darvin]

"To be completely fair, we'd be going home to feel sorry for ourselves several thousand gold pieces richer than we were last night," Dalen made his counterpoint, "but none-the-less I'm of like mind. I have no intention of remaining static, and I'll rest on my laurels when I actually have a proper lifetime worth of them. Until then, I'm looking for opportunities and this sure looks like one to me. We can absolutely make further plans from your home,"

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan glares at Rhev. "She brought us together and knew things about me she ... had no way to know and she directed us to kill Lamm. If she says there is a darkness over the city then I believe her as she has clearly proved herself."

[ChronicLunacy]

Morvan stepped back away from the box when the ghostly figure of the fortune teller appeared, and he lapsed into a thoughtful silence while she explained herself. He continued to rub his chin and ruminate as the others began to weigh in, only looking up to shoot a rather disapproving look at Rhev. Eventually he shrugged and said "Gods know I have had my issues with the law, but I can get behind a just cause. Especially a just cause that provides this kind of reward for my trouble." he smiled, a mischievous glint appearing in his eye.

OOC: Morvan will carry what he needs to, but he’s also interested in getting his fair share when the spoils are divided.

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

Zellara seems more confused than hurt by Rhev. "I must leave you now. If I linger too long my bond to the cards will dissipate. I must have time to strengthen that bond. When the fates are ready to provide more answers I will let you know." she pauses and looks at Rhev. "If you desire it." With that she disapears leaving only a lingering whispy blue mist that lingers only a few moments before settling on the cards.

Rhetoric returns and through his empathetic link you sense that indeed there may be some trouble, but not the sort you might expect. "Fire! Fire! Come come. Come see, fire!"

An old sack in the pile of garbage outside Lamm's Den serves as a quick way to gather up the remaining treasures, and the trip through the ship is much less eventful. Jiani and the orphans are gone, presumably on the way out of the city where they can make a new start at Citadel Vriad. When you find yourselves again on the street in front of the fishery, Zellara, as well as Rhetorics premonitions, begin to come into focus.


https://i.pinimg.com/736x/62/34/5b/62345bef0ea352279d1ee3760c388aba--city-of-london-vintage-artwork.jpg

Alaini's dock girl is gone, it looks like you won't be getting any more dumplings. Instead, smoke rises in the air from multiple places in the city and the red glow of fires fills the night sky. The frantic clang of alarm bells ring out and mix with the canopy of shouting voices, clashes of steel on steel, screams of terror, and even the ocational burst of arcane energy. A wing of Sable Company Marine, hippogriff riders and the cities elite shock troops, flies over head, angling toward the Castle at breakneck speed. One of the hippogriffs is badly wounded and rains blood down on the streets before it sucumbs and crashes into a statue. A bone crunching sound confirms its demise as well as that of the rider. The others do no pause, but instead continue toward the castle.

Amid the chaos a voice of a city herald cuts through the din. "The King is dead! Long live the Queen!" only to be answered by a drunken cry of "Hang the queen!" or the determined rebel yell of The usurper must die!" Apparantly while you were below hunting Gaedren Lamm, the Curse of the Crimson Throne has struck again, and the city has gone mad. The comforts of Alani's home seem more than just place to discuss how to fence your new loot, but a safehouse to escape the turmoil on the streets. The good news is, what you did here tonight will likely get lost among a spree of crimes, riots, murders, and other other unrest throughout the city.

[ChronicLunacy]

"Gozreh's moistened melons!" Morvan swore as they made it back outside, seeing the chaos that had unfolded in their absence. He didn't have any spells left and it sounded like a long way to Aliani's apartment. Seeing the griffon rider take a nose-dive didn't help his appreciation of the scene much, either. "Best we get moving, lads. I don't want to stay out on the streets any more than necessary, tonight." They could ruminate on the consequences of the king's death later, including the opportunity to return that broach, if they got the chance. Morvan's only concern now was getting to safety in one piece with everything they were carrying with them intact.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani was the last to exit the building; it was evident to anyone paying attention that his pack was a bit fuller than it had been, and it was weighing him down more than a little bit. As the group emerged, and the scenes of chaos became evident, he stopped cold in his tracks, mouth agape at the horrific scene. If he was expected to lead the way to his apartment, his legs didn't seem to have received the message, as he seemed to be calculating on an imagined map the quickest way into the center of trouble. A brief look up to the skies elicited a muttered remark one might not have expected:

"Curses, of course they're heading to the castle, damn them. The damned city's on fire and they're going to protect the gold digging whore. We've got to... Oh, mother, I don't know what to do."

[Darvin]

"We take shelter and ride out the storm," Dalen, having overheard Aliani's words, "we will act at a more prudent time, after we have been able to assay the situation,"

He whistles for his familiar, who lands on his shoulder, "Aliani, this my associate, Rhetoric. He will be a set of airborne eyes for us, and will help us avoid any trouble as we move through the streets, if you would be so kind as to direct him as to where we area headed,"

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani gave Dalen a look as if the man had grown a second head "But we..." He looked out into the chaos once more, a bit disconsolately. "I suppose you're right. There's no sense in it tonight." He waved his arm in a generally southwestern direction. "Pillar Hill", naming a familiar district in the southern Midland. "Few blocks west of Goldmarket, if that's still there."

[shizukanashi]

Reaching Alaini's abode is not that dificult, though it does take a bit of assistance from Rhetoric to avoid large crowds and city patrols. He takes you down West dock as far as Zellara's home, before cutting east into the slope, avoiding Goldmarket and Eodred's Walk before arriving at Pillar Hill. Alaini's home is a modest one, but large enough for the 5 of you if some don't mind sleeping on the floor. Alaini is able to provide a few blankets and pillows to make the night easier. You spend much of the remaining night discussing the distribution of your loot.

When the morning sun rises the city seems to have calmed down some, though pockets of unrest remain. If you avoid high traffic areas you can avoid to much trouble, and traveling together you should be able to safely traverse the city. That said finding a shop willing to buy your treasures will require venturing back to Goldmarket, and returning the queens brooch will require fighting through protestors, and convincing the guards you really do have business at the castle.

We don't have to RP selling your loot, but heading to Goldmarket or the Castle will let me set up an Event or two.

[Stelio Kontos]

"Home" was a generous description; the upstairs studio apartment, though generously proportioned (it actually took in an additional alcove space, which housed Aliani's disheveled bed and a small desk with a locked drawer), was quite worn and dated. The only furniture in the main room was a ramshackle dresser against the bedroom wall, a small wood burning stove, a low cabinet filled with some simple china and teacups, and a dining table with four mismatched (but sturdy) chairs -- it was a stark contrast to his outwardly flamboyant appearance. The view from the bedroom window (the only one, the building being tightly enclosed on its other sides) looked out to the east, over the docks, and it was from that vantage point that a clearly distracted Aliani spent most of the time during the discussions regarding the division of property, looking out into the madness. The only source of light in the place came from the magic he renewed every few minutes.

At dawn, Aliani began to brew tea on the stove, filling the apartment with a flowery smell; he wordlessly set out a few additional cups atop the cabinet, took his cup, and retired to the bedroom to read in bed under the covers. He emerged a while later, locking the book back in the desk. "I don't really keep anything to eat, so we'll have to go out" he offered apologetically. "I... I don't know where to start. But if I spend another minute not out there, I'm going to drive myself mad."

Hope you don't mind the additional description. I figure I spent the "lifestyle money" for something appropriate to a not-all-that-nice apartment, so that's what I've got.

The box of shiver, assuming we don't come up with a better way to dispose of it tonight, will go in the locked desk drawer.

Aliani will be changing some spell selections for the day.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan modded to Aliani, grabbed his gear and said, "Lets go."

[Darvin]

After an evening of negotiations regarding the spoils, Dalen had spent the remaining hours before falling asleep tabulating the numbers to arrive at a fair distribution of the proceeds. He found the lack of pen and paper frustrating, and put it at the top of his mental list of things to purchase with his own share. If there was one luxury he could afford, it was the glorious sensation of ink pressed to paper.

Come morning he reordered his mind in preparation for the coming day. In particular the armor that had been stripped from Gaedren Lamm's mutilated corpse was in no condition to sell, mistreated by its former owner soiled by him even in death. Still, this was a problem magic was well-suited to solve. After his morning studies it took only moments to cleanse the armor to pristine condition. It was almost a shame to sell such fine craftsmanship, but the gold was more valuable to them; hopefully its next owner would not be as negligent as Lamm.

Dalen's familiar flies through the window, quietly whispering in his ear with the news he was hoping to hear. The streets were at least relatively calm, with the chaos contained and life returning to normal, or at least a close semblance of it. Dalen called together his new associates and bade them that it was time to account for their earnings, and with that they were off to the markets.

Dalen moves swiftly from one buyer to the next, ensuring he gets the best price they could given that they need to sell quickly and quietly. The final result certainly pleased Dalen, though the dagger underneath his coat felt rather heavy, "you'd better hope they don't find out," Rhetoric whispered to him, sensing his emotions regarding the matter. It was a matter to be dealt with another time.

"We still have a number of articles we intend to return for reward, but for my part I have some long overdue purchases I need to make. Let's all complete any errands we need to run, and meet back in an hour," Dalen suggested before bolting off. During the process of selling the goods he had seen a vendor with a number of old spellbooks on display. Cut off from the acadamae he was starving for new opportunities to expand his craft.

The merchant proved quite obliging to allow Dalen to quickly peruse the books. The jingle of coin in his overflowing purse may have had something to do with that. In the end, Dalen settled on a book of divination spells. This would keep his evenings busy for the next few days at least. With his biggest purchase out of the way, Dalen began to work his way down his checklist of other items. Pen and paper, a proper backpack, but also a number of alchemical items. If he'd learned something in his conflict with the alligator, it was that magic was always made better when supplemented with other options.

As he perused wares and made his purchases, Dalen chatted up the various people in the market, casually asking for gossip regarding the previous night. Any information would be useful, particularly since he had legitimate business with the crown. He returned the meeting place, and found a quiet nook to pore over his new spellbook. He wouldn't have time to begin transcribing from it, but that could wait until later in the evening.


Dalen takes 10 on a diplomacy check to gather information for a result of 26

(Dalen normally has a +15 diplomacy check, but he also has a +2 trait bonus on checks to gather information from his drug addicted friend trait. This does not stack with the +1 trait bonus from the Ease of Faith trait, so he has +16 on checks to gather information)

[shizukanashi]

Dalen spoke with many merchants and shoppers through the day. Several opinions soon arise. "The man was ancient. King Eodred, passed last night peacefully in his sleep, anyone who tells you different is a rebel rouser and an anarchist. They are using the tragedy to damage the new Queen and perpetuate the unrest in the city"

"King Eodred did always have a thing for young debutantes. Even after his marriage to Ilosa he kept up relations with several secret paramors. Ironic really, since it was one of them that killed him in his sleep and slipped away with a stack of royal treasures."

"Eodred didn't die of old age. He was murdered and I know who did it. That damned seneshal Neolandus! Why else would he flee the city like that so soon after the Kings death."

"It was the Curse of the Crimson throne! No way in hell I'd sit on that thing if I was ever crowned."

"It was the Scarni they subtlety poisoned him and made it look like natural causes, that or the counsil of arbitors, the King held to much power and they were jealous."

Clearly, everyone has an opinion, and finding the truth in the churning rumor Mill is almost impossible. You do uncover several other bits of information though.

"They never did catch the Key-lock killer. He just vanished after killing nine people back in 4797. 7 were nobles tied to the arbitors. I bet the Key-lock killer was on the arbitors payroll, and he's still alive serving as a judge."

"I bet it was Blackjack whofinally got the Key-lock killer. The people's hero, they say. Wears a black hood and stalks the city at night...corse ain't nobody seen Blackjack since 4797 either, so maybe it's the killer what go him."

"All sorts of unsavory groups are capitolizing on the Kings death. Thieves, anarchists, wererats, even cultists of the goddess of undeath are in the streets, and the guard has suffered losses, several deserters, and steched so thin. Rumor is they are recruiting mercenaries off the street, common thugs if you ask me."

[Stelio Kontos]

"Everyone, go about your business and meet back here in say five hours so we know you're all right? Then we should go deal with the reigning wretch's brooch, I suppose. Stay safe."

Aliani dragged Cykan northward (remarking idly "I'm glad you're along, I hope you're up to some heavy lifting. You wanted a purpose, look around you. We've got a lot to prepare for.") to the Sanctuary of Shelyn to return the church's holy symbol, gratefully accepting any reward offered.

Then back down to Goldmarket and Eodred's Walk, where Aliani accompanied Cykan on whatever errands he wished to run, while making his own modest purchases along the way. The most notable among those was the apparent reason for Aliani's offhand remark earlier, as he emerged from one shop grunting and struggling with a large box filled to the brim with trail rations.

[ChronicLunacy]

After a short while shopping, Morvan selected a spellbook from the same stall that Dalen had visited. For the rest of the day his nose was buried in that book, some unnamed journal of Defensive Abjurations he had a sneaking suspicion had been written by an Academae student...one with particularly bad handwriting. As the day went on, Morvan started drinking, because he could hardly understand a word or sigil of what this person or crazed chicken had scrawled haphazardly into this tome. Eventually, as night began to close in, the magus ended up slamming the book onto Aliani's desk with a grunt of frustration.

He had some small measure of success with the book that Dalen had bought, however, as whoever had written this one seemed to be at least functionally literate. Morvan was able to transcribe a single spell into his own tome from it; one that would bind the strands of fortune and allow him unerring accuracy with his sword strikes. It was an ability he rather wished he'd had during the fight against Lamm's thugs, and he hoped to make good use of it going forward. Dalen's own spellbook proved slightly more useful, as well.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

"Hmph. What a dump." Rhev punctuated his words by kicking the door open and leaving without so much as a backwards glance. He'd need to brew up new things. At least one more long arm potion. He'd not had to use the healing elixir. Good. Meant he could keep other draughts on hand. Rehv headed back to his apartment and brewed his new drafts.

While the small alchemy kit burbled and hummed away at it's function, Rhev read. With the city lamenting the death of another crowned fool, it seemed good to brush up on figures of state. The Just City, by Myrabel Tycus proved an excellent, if slightly biased friend. Much better than the fortune-teller or the others. Still there was the distinct possibility of being attacked here. Better it were to happen to someone else's house than that of his own. Rhev grunted to himself, snapped the book closed and pocketed his new elixirs. All said, any nut jobs looking for things would doubtlessly go for the loud neighbours upstairs. For the second time in twenty-four hours, Rhev sauntered out into the night, back to their point of meeting.

[Darvin]

With five hours instead of the one he had originally anticipated, Dalen had more time to delve into his newly acquired spellbook. He found an unexpected partner in this endeavor, Morvan. They both shared a common background, having studied at the acadamae before being forced out. The reasons for their expulsion and subsequent paths may have different, but here in the studies of spells and magic they could find common ground.

The meeting proved most advantageous for the both of them, and ironically they found more progress in each others' spellbooks than with the ones they had purchased. By the time the group was to reconvene, Dalen had managed to scribe four new spells into his own spellbook, and there would be more to follow in the coming days. In fact, he would need to count on the reward money from the items they were returning to pay for his further studies. However, this was a good problem to have. Hopefully the return of the stolen goods would generate leads into new opportunities. There was the possibility that there would be too many to follow up on, but again that's a good problem to have.

[ChronicLunacy]

"I really hate that man." Morvan noted in between pages of the spellbook he was delving into as Rhev kicked open the door, scoffed, and left.

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

Rhev repeated his earlier motion of kicking the door, though this time it lead him inwards, back to the dumpy apartment. He had a six pack of ales in one hand and a small piece of newsprint that had some errant skewers upon it. They'd been liberated from a street vendor who could have done with a change of clothing. If he was being honest, they looked no better than the street dumplings that the woman had been selling near Lamm's. In fact they looked rather worse if such a thing was possible. The very smell of the dam things was an affront to his senses. But he was hungry.

The investigator uncorked one of the bottles of ale and took a huge pull from it. He'd need more if his senses were going to be dulled enough to eat the skewers. Maybe then they could see about returning that horrid little woman's broach. Rhev finished the pull from the ale, found the bottle empty and started anew with another one. A content sneer settled into his face as he felt the booze hit his nerves.

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan accompanied Aliani contentedly. He did not think about any future so much as the now. So long as he focused on his actions and activities he did not think of Alma nor his past in general. He had no tasks to run himself when Aliani asked. There was no point, just the now.

[shizukanashi]

It is getting well into the evening when you all agree to meet back up in the Gold Market. Shadows have gotten longer and an amber glow is in the sky, but it is not yet sunset. As you each enter the square from various parts of the city at the annointed time, you hear the crowd before you see them. "Death to the false queen! Down with the dandies" They chant. The square is littered with flyers and several street vendors carts have been turned over. The shops in the immediate area have shut there doors and drawn the curtains. A crowd of a few dozen laborers has assembled, many are wielding tools of their trade, shovels, chair-legs, boat oars, and other clublike weapons, some of which have been sharpened to a point. They appear to be harassing anyone dressed in finery. In this case a young, beardless, blonde man in a nobles outfit is laying on the ground with his arms infront of his face defensively. He looks a bit, battered and disheveled despite his clothing.

A large rotund woman, with an apron and a mole on her cheek, appears to be the mob's ringleader. She wields a rolling pin above her head as she kicks the nobleman in the ribs. "Bet'cha never worked an honest days wage in yer life, eh, Queen's man." She pauses only to spit on the noble. "M'brother 'ad 'is arm crushed by a barrel on da dock when 'e was younger 'an you! Never raised a mug of ale with that wrist again!" She looks angry, and the crowd is feeding off her energy and is begining to work itself into a tizzy.


http://i42.tinypic.com/2ue31n5.jpg

[HappyMerecat]

Cykan

Cykan walks towards the downed man and the crowd. His face, as general, is stoic and grim. "And are you gonna kill this man because your brother crushed his arm? Maybe I should kill as many of you as I can because some thug killed my beloved Alma." He draws his sword. "I don't care if I die, do you?" His face darkens and it is hard to say if he is angry or fearful.

Intimidation [roll0]

[Darvin]

Dalen smelled opportunity. With risk no doubt, but that came with the territory. Before he could act, Cykan had already pushed himself into the middle of this altercation. Not Dalen's style, but he certainly didn't mind having an imposing body in front of him. He half considered hedging his bets with magic, but with Cykan's imposing presence he felt confident that it wasn't even needed.

"Has it come to this that good Korvosans are turning against each other in the streets?! What would King Eodred think that his fair subjects would turn against the servants of his court, and each other, so cruelly?"


Diplomacy check [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

"Well, isn't this nice..." Morvan muttered, staying back behind Cykan and Dalen as they went to face the mob. He sighed, not wanting to involve himself in the situation, but he couldn't just sit and watch as they beat that man to death either. It was all very irritating. He didn't have a strong opinion on the queen one way or the other, having been away from the city at sea for the last five years, and seeing all of these "good folk" get so worked up over it that they were accosting nobles in the street made him furious. It wasn't so long ago that he could have been that young man they chose to pick on.

He chose to stay a silent background to the conversation until he saw how the crowd would react to his compatriots' attempt at dialogue, scanning the people for sudden movement or aimed weapons.

OOC: Perception roll for [roll0].

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani stood back, conflicted. On one hand, murdering the young noble (he tried to remember if he'd seen his face in attendance at any of the recent Ampitheater performances) clearly wasn't going to accomplish anything; on the other, the growing mob had a number of salient points in their favor. He was only half-listening to his compatriots speak, but one word roused him in response. He ran over to Cykan.

"Wait ... did you say Alma?"

Knowledge Nobility roll -- is this dude on the ground anyone important? [roll0]

[shizukanashi]

It doesn't take long for the crowd to fall back. The few who are not intimidated by Cykan's sudden appearance turn away at Dalen's rousing speech.

The man stands and dusting himself off stands. At first, he appears to want to thank Cykan but is intimidated as much as the crowd. When Aliani starts a conversation with the Bloodrager, the noble turns to Dalen. Thrusting an outstreached hand in his direction he makes his introductions and shows his gratitude. "Amin Jalento of house Jalento. Thank you for your assistance." He removes his ring and places it in your hand. "House Jalento is grateful."

Morvan does not recognize the man or the name of his house (indicating that it is a relatively minor noble house without a huge amount of power), but he does recognize a common practice among the nobility of the city. As a way to express gratitude nobles will often give a sort of signet ring. This ring is often valuable and can be sold for a hearty sum, but more often is returned to the house in question in exchange for a favor or other show of support, all memebers of said house are generally required to give aid to a ringbearer.

[Darvin]

"I am pleased to meet your acquaintance, Amin. I am Dalen Rittle, a former acadamae student who has fallen on hard times. My associates and I are, for lack of a better term, problem solvers," Dalen graciously takes the ring from Amin, "and presently it seems there are many problems that need solving. But tell me, what foul turn of luck caused these malcontents to descend upon you?"


Don't know if diplomacy is necessary, but here it is anyways: [roll0]

[n0ble]

Rhev burped once then fixed the mob with a mocking stare. Poor huddled masses were often the dumbest people he'd had the displeasure of meeting. And the smell was absolutely terrible. "Maybe if they rioted for bath soap things would finally calm down around here..." It came as a small shock that he'd went and said such a thing out loud. Not smart. Still, he had his rapier in one hand, so if anyone heard him he'd give them a piece of his mind.

[ChronicLunacy]

"Rhev, you smell like a tavern outhouse." Morvan pointed out quietly to the investigator with a wry smile and a sideways glance. "If they riot for bath soap, I'm throwing you into the crowd on the sheer off chance you might come out a little cleaner."

OOC:

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[n0ble]

He shot a grumpy sideways glance at Morvan. He raised his voice higher, "Pff. You'd know what those smell like eh? No doubt my presence would class them up a bit." Rhev took a few of the remaining chicken skewers and mulled over throwing them into the crowd. In his experience an empty belly was the root of most peoples problems. It was trying to figure out what filled the dam things that was the challenge. "Can you say the same of yourself, Morvan?"

[shizukanashi]

"No foul luck, it is dangerous to travel in the city alone is all. Father warned me as such. The king was dear to the people, the queen is not. I must be moving on though, father also warned me not to be on the streets after dark."

https://db4sgowjqfwig.cloudfront.net/images/1202638/Amin_Jalento__s_.jpg

Knowledge nobility tells you little. Taylen Jalinto (Amin's father) is a vice-Arbiter (https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Arbiters_(Korvosa)) he asists the courts in various ways and serves as a clerk, lawyer,
reporter, and occasional baliff, but he has not yet tried a case or been given full arbitor status. Taylen's father was a merchant, and his elder son Avlor took the business and holdings and moved to Magimar. They hold little power in the city, and are regarded as a minor house.

[Darvin]

"Take care, then. I'm sure our paths will cross again. Hopefully under less arduous circumstances," Dalen bade farewell, then turned around to his squabbling compatriots.

"Rhev, while I'm certain you've left your own particularly endearing brand of class in many an outhouse in your time, I would prefer if you avoided such talk while among mixed company in the future," Dalen quipped.

[shizukanashi]

As the crowds disperse and Amin Jalento hurries away home, another problem presents itself. Glancing skyward, you see an event, not uncommon to Korvosa, but rare enough to occur only a few times a year. The imps and the dragons are battling, a familiar scene depicted on the brooch you carry.

Students at Academe are required to undertake several dangerous tasks in order to graduate. One of which is the summoning of an imp. Many students opt to take imps as familiars, but just as many fail and the imp gets loose. Nests of them lurk in the city often manipulating local gangs. Luckily, the indigenous house drake population, tiny dragons evolved from pseudodragons in the region, are the natural remedy to the imp infestation. Apparently the local unrest has triggered an all out war as several creatures from both sides begin to clash in the skys above you.

To your horror and amazement dispersing the crowd seems to not sit well with the imps who thrive on the chaos. A trio of imps swoops down from the skys and seeks vengenace on your party.

https://cs8.pikabu.ru/post_img/big/2016/11/14/7/1479119547191263129.jpg

3 imps, they are still charging from the sky, so for this first round, only ranged combat will work (you can go melee in round 2). This might be a tough battle and would be the perfect time for a patrol of Hell Knights to stop by. (hint) As Imps are 3HD devils, it might even be a good time for a certain PC to complete a requirement for a prestige class he might want to take later. (bigger hint) After this battle (and a nights rest) you will all be level 2 so maybe start thinking of how you want to advance your characters.

[Darvin]

"Really, and you're supposed to be the sensible variety of fiend," Dalen sighed, "but if you insist..."

He reaches into the back of his mind, finding his magic perfectly ordered and untouched, and unleashes his sleep spell.


Dalen casts sleep on the Imps. As the GM mentioned they're 3 HD creatures so Dalen can only affect one at most. DC is 17 as before.

[Stelio Kontos]

"So, um, Cykan, I think we may have recovered your wife's rin-- oh crap. I think those are imps."

Lacking for much of use against flying imps, Aliani first took a moment to herald a well-practiced refrain:

"Through foe's spells flung, vile weapons wielded
Fair hero thrived, for 'e were shielded!"

He then reached into his pouch for the most relevant item he had on hand for situations involving quantities of flying infernal beasts -- a whistle, which he prepared to blow as loudly as he could.

Casting Shield, auto-passing the Perform check to make it look like a bardic spell. (Spellcraft DC16 to identify; DC26 to determine divine origin.)

Move action: draw recently purchased signal whistle.

Also, Knowledge (Planes) [roll0] to know something about imps? I'm not trained, but if they're "very common" creatures (which given the setting they probably are in Korvosa) then the DC to know something might be under 10, in which case I've got a shot. EDIT: Well, not with that roll I don't.

[n0ble]

"Heh. Finally someone with a bigger ego than mine-" Rhev punctuated the words with a lazy throw at one of the imps. He attempted to arc the beer bottle in his free hand right at one of the ugly little mongrel's faces. Then he began to yell, "-Truly, a feat only the most concieted of upper class twits could manage!" He then ducked out of the way and brought his rapier up into a guarded stance, ready to jump back into things when the imps got within poking range.



Ranged attack with the bottle, taking -4 because it's improvised, assuming it's a thrown weapon: [roll0]
Not sure what to roll for damage.

Edit: Good lord please tell me thats a hit :smalltongue:

[Darvin]

"Ordinary cuts and scrapes are ineffective against these supernatural beasts. I would suggest harsh language, but as a denizen of hell I suspect imps are acclimated to hot air," Dalen taunts at Rhev, "Cykan, I'll need your might to finish them off once I've knocked them out,"

[ChronicLunacy]

"Terrific..." Morvan chuckled as he gave himself a couple of feet of space to work in and drew his sword. Immediately, violet arcane energy began to crackle and spark across the blade as he focused his will into it. He raised his other hand and made a complicated gesture, then hissed "Soth tasarak!" and a semi-transparent shield of magic crackled into being in the air around him to defend him against the onrushing enemy. He kept his free hand's fingers twisted into a warding gesture and flourished his blade, ready to receive the enemy.

OOC: Using Arcane Pool (5/6) and casting Shield.

https://i.imgur.com/f5LP9EO.jpg
Morvan Delane (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1326722)
Male Chaotic Good Half-Elf Magus, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/11, Speed 30 ft.
AC 15 (19 Shield), Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Longsword +2 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +2 (1d4+2, 19-20/x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10
Condition None

[shizukanashi]

Dalen acts quickly and with a spell puts one of the imps to sleep. By a stroke of luck the creature hits a roof top and slids down the shingles until it comes to a stop in a storm gutter.

Alaini completes his shielding spell and begins to blow rapidly on his whistle in an attempt to summon the town guard.

Rhev looses his bottle at one of the imps, it crashes against the winged demon, but they keep coming.

Morvan also uses arcane magic to shield himself, and draws his sword charging it with arcane power as well.

Cykan can only draw his sword and prepare for the charge.

The imps come faster than expected and strike swiftly. The first having been hit by the bottle chooses Rhev as his target its poisoned stinger striking out at his soft flesh.

Morvan is a bit more guarded but his assailant proves the better. A poisoned stinger also finds the Pirate Magus.

Still working on getting Maptools up and running. I think I will just get a photobucket and upload a pic. Until then we still go narative.

Both Rhev and Morvan are stung for 4 points of damage. I need a DC 13 Fort save to save vs the poison.

https://i.imgur.com/z9xTOYu.png

[Darvin]

"Well, I guess that works," Dalen muses at the imp as it hits the gutter. Wings fluttered in front of him as Morvan was harried; Dalen glanced about and saw Aliani was too close for him to catch both these imps with his magic, "Aliani, please take a step backwards if you would"

Dalen takes a step back away from the Imp swooping in front of him. He reaches back into his mind and finds an identical copy of the spell he just cast.


I take a five foot step one square to the left, and aim my sleep spell at the lower-left corner of Morvan's space. This includes both Imps, Morvan, and Aliani in the blast radius. Morven is immune, and Aliani can 5-foot step out of the blast radius, so only the imps should be affected. The left-most Imp is closer to the center of the burst and would be affected first.

DC 17 as before

[Stelio Kontos]

Aliani lowered the shrill whistle from his lips, wincing in sympathy as the stingers of the imps hit home on his allies. He started to reach for his still-sheathed weapon but then remembered the wizard's words; instead he looked around to see if his whistle seemed to have gotten anyone's attention as he took a quick step back and nervously adjusted the brooch on his collar...

Channel Energy to heal [roll0] damage to everyone in the combat
5 foot step straight north
Move action Perception [roll1]