A Cultural Tour Gone Wrong [IC]

[Riggdgames]

Nilvalor

Nilvalor tries to look dashing as he stands up from his seat and nods to Sargent Attenborough, thanking her. He tries to pull out the Princess' chair for her, but is too late.

[Pyrophilios]

Wendelstein got up too and nodded at the seargent: "Goes without saying, we'd appreciate it if you don't mention us to your colleagues - or at least only to those that you are 100% shure aren't tainted."

Once outside with the rest of the group, he said: "Alright, how do we want to do this? Wack this guy in a dark alley and interrogate him in a basement? Or do you want to talk to him first? I'm good with either solution."

[Illven]

I am very eager to get him into a dark alley and work him for info. Katrina crackes her knuckles.

[Niobaran]

Bastion

"Regardless of our approach, I would like to add that while the drug and the conspiracy likely correlate, that does not mean that the drug-takers were the conspirators. Were there also members of the royal guard between the attackers? I also believe that it is generally risky to mention the drug use as it might directly link us with the crime scene, where else would we have gained that knowledge?"

[Pyrophilios]

"I'd agree with you if that particular drug victim weren't also an a..hole that abuses his position to rough up citizens.
Also, there are more tainted people around than just the guard. We need to find a way to identify those and if possible find a cure.
I can try lesser restoration and Kyra her healing touch."
Wendelstein replied

[Riggdgames]

Nilvalor

As the young Princess Katrina cracks her knuckles menacingly, Nilvalor grows a few shades paler. Tugging at his collar nervously, he looks back and forth between the others as conversation carries on, meekly keeping his silence as Bastion and Wendelstein debate the finer points of how to proceed. Clearing his throat as if to speak, Nilvalor instantly regrets it, turning away to inspect a very interesting looking tavern across the street.

[Illven]

"I'd agree with you if that particular drug victim weren't also an a..hole that abuses his position to rough up citizens.
Also, there are more tainted people around than just the guard. We need to find a way to identify those and if possible find a cure.
I can try lesser restoration and Kyra her healing touch."
Wendelstein replied

That is a good idea, I however cannot contribute to curing them.

[Pyrophilios]

"But I bet you could lure out the guy into an alley and into a prepared zone of silence. All we need then is a quiet backyard or warehouse to conduct the questioning."
Wendelstein replied with a malicious grin.

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: OOC

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If the plan is to go across the city and find Atin, I'll move on to the next encounter with that in mind.

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

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I'm up for it

[JNAProductions]

You gather some directions, making sure that you'll arrive in the right area.

Then, you set off. After about twenty minutes of making your way down the road, you reach the edge of the perimeter that the guard have established. There's no walls, but you see a wide line of personnel not far.

Spoiler: OOC

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Getting past the guard is your next challenge.

[Riggdgames]

Nilvalor

Turning back to look at Wendelstein questioningly, Nilvalor watches a dangerous smile spread across his face. Furtively checking the others for their expressions, he struggles to understand what's happening. If he'd been worried they wouldn't have the stomach to get their hands dirty, now he realizes the rest are made of stronger stuff than he is.

As they walk East, he steals a few glances at the princess. Truly, he should've done more research. What little he had done was woefully inadequate. A shy maiden, beautiful as the sunrise and brighter than noon, the stories said. As if that was the whole story and meeting her was just a formality before marriage vows and wedding cake. She was not a flower wilting under the pressure of having her life threatened. She was a blade, beautiful to be sure, but with an edge.

As they reach the guards, he finally speaks. "I could distract them," he offers weakly.

[Lentrax]

We have no need to distract. Sergeant Attenborough has asked us to find Atin, since everyone is supposed to be looking for the princess. But with everyone involved in the search, she acquired the services of a group of mercenaries to get him and have him help us search.

[Illven]

Do we have proof of that, however? Katrina points out after a moment thought.

[Lentrax]

Doubt we will need anything. We have Delilah's name. If the guard wants to check it, we can tell him to go find her himself. Pull another guard to watch us. And while he is there, have him ask her to have dinner with me. If he is willing to do that, which I doubt, I'll wait. But, Kyra smiles. Considering what I'd be asking him to do, I doubt he would want to go through with all that.

[Pyrophilios]

"Bastion and I will go ahead. No need to have them associate us with the rest of you. A priest of Gond with a construct won't raise too many eyebrows. The rest of you are charming enough that I don't see you having much trouble passing through. With any luck they won't even think, that the feminine part of this group could be involved in a crime." At that he smirked at Nilvalor.

[Illven]

Doubt we will need anything. We have Delilah's name. If the guard wants to check it, we can tell him to go find her himself. Pull another guard to watch us. And while he is there, have him ask her to have dinner with me. If he is willing to do that, which I doubt, I'll wait. But, Kyra smiles. Considering what I'd be asking him to do, I doubt he would want to go through with all that.

You make an excellent point. Katrina admits, before turning to Bastion

Best of luck. She starts to curtsy before physically stopping herself.

[Pyrophilios]

Leaving it up to Bastion if he follows, Wendelstein walked forward and to the control point.
"Gond be with you. Open up, I have places to be."

[Niobaran]

Bastion

He ever so slightly bows his head, afraid to show suspicious behavior in public.

"Thank you. As much as I disdain the idea of leaving you farther behind then a glaive's length, drawing too much attention towards you may compromise our mission, which would contradict my purpose* itself. The two on your side have fought well, and we shall not venture far ahead, nor shall I hesitate to come to your aid, even if it means to turn against the guard." with the last part of the sentence, he clearly also addresses the others.

He then joins Wendelstein, letting himself fall back half a step behind him.

*) The way that he stressed the word purpose indicates that the word itself has a strong meaning for him.

[JNAProductions]

Wendlestein and Bastion approach the guards. The nearest one holds up a hand, and says "Sorry-no leaving the area until the princess is found."

Spoiler: Perception DC 11

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His uniform is a little patchwork and worn.

Spoiler: DC 15

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His eyes are bright and attentive.

Spoiler: DC 21

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You can see the faint signs of foam in his mouth-similar to what Katrina's guards had, only much more subtle.

[Pyrophilios]

Spoiler

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Perception test
(1d20)[15]+8

"You realize that your job would be easier if you let everyone out that wasn't the princess? She is very obviously neither me nor my companion here."
While he turned towards Bastion, Wendelstein indicated to the corner of his mouth and then at his head for a quick second, hoping that the others behind him could spot the gesture.

[JNAProductions]

"Orders, sir," the guard replies. "No one gets out."

[Pyrophilios]

Wendelstein nodded, looking around how many other guards were around this check point.
"I see. In that case I need to speak to your superior."

Spoiler

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How many other guards are here?

[Riggdgames]

Nilvalor

Straining to see, but trying not to be too obvious about looking straight at the guard as he talks to Bastion and Wendelstein, Nilvalor curses under his breath. He opens his mouth to speak, but closes it again, as he tries to read the guard's expression. Was he going to let them through? It didn't seem like he was inclined to, but Nilvalor couldn't tell from here.

"Ella, go find a perch up on that roof over there and see if you can get a closer look or hear what they're talking about. Take the long way," he says, extending his arm back the way they came from and giving her a boost. Ella circles around the buildings off to the side and comes back up behind the guard to perch on the closest roof she can find.

[Illven]

I think I see some foam in his mouth, in might be a trick of the light, but..... Katrina squints her eyes for a better focus.

[Niobaran]

Bastion

Playing the role of the not-so-sentient construct, Bastion does not interrupt the talk between Wendelstein and the guard. He tries to assess the situation as a whole from a tactical point of view.

[Riggdgames]

Nilvalor

Squinting at the guard's mouth, Nilvalor tries to see what Katrina's talking about. He relays the information to Ella, urging her to take a second look as well.

Spoiler: OOC

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Re-rolling perception checks based on Katrina's description of what she thinks she can see.

Nilvalor: (1d20+6)[7]
Ella: (1d20+3)[21]
Ella advantage: (1d20+3)[14]

For his part, Nilvalor thinks Katrina must be mistaken, but Ella is able to spot the foam for what it is and relate it back to him.

"Good eye, Highn--" Nilvalor says, coughing abruptly before continuing. "Excuse me. Good eye, Hilga..."

Scanning the area, he tries to determine how many other guards are nearby and if they appear to have sampled the drug, or not.

[JNAProductions]

Wendelstein nodded, looking around how many other guards were around this check point.
"I see. In that case I need to speak to your superior."

Spoiler

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How many other guards are here?

There's at least three other guards easily in sight, stretched across the street to catch anyone attempting to make it past. There seem to be more in the two buildings they've chosen to establish their checkpoint at-both of them ordinary homes.

Judging by the size, you'd say not more than a dozen guards could reasonably fit in the buildings, so almost certainly less than that, but an unknown amount for the moment.

Your eyes, while keen, cannot make out if any of the other guards have the telltale sign.

[Pyrophilios]

"Very well, how long do you intend to keep up this cordon? People have to go to work and to market. Besides there must be a provision for nobility and clerus, or do you intend to arrest a nobleman if he walks through here?

I understand if you can't answer these questions, so would you mind calling your superior? There must be exceptions to this rule. Maybe an official gate we can use?"

Wendelstein continued talking loudly, so the others had a chance to overhear.

[JNAProductions]

"Er..." the guard lets out. "I could get the sergeant..." he says, his voice a bit iffy. "Jake!" he calls over, and the next guard steps over.

"Yeah?" Jake responds.

"Get Sergeant Wemly," the guard you've been speaking to says.

Jake looks a little befuddled. "Why Wemly? Dane is nearer."

"Just do it, Jake!" the first guard continues. Jake shrugs, and starts off at a jog.