Iron Crisis Pt3 IC

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 3/3 Dawn Leaf was hoping someone knew a spell to fix the arrows, but Caelyn's offer is almost as good. He tosses aside the broken arrows. "Thanks for the offer Caelyn. When we're out in the wild, that will come in very handy. For now, though, I think I saw some interesting magic arrows back in town. I think I might trade some of these coins for some of those." He watches in amusement as Grok uses his energy to destroy the altar. He doesn't think the kobolds will return, or that the altar is worth the trouble, but the dwarf's efficiency in dismantling it is impressive. Leaf had taken two things from these last two fights. First, these others were very capable. Second, and most important, they all seemed to have good hearts. He definitely wants to stick with them through the troubles ahead. He looks around the wreckage of the battlefield, happy that none of us suffered any serious injuries. He wants to say more, but all that comes out is, "I'm glad I met all of you." Spoiler: OOC Show Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people.

[Awful]

"Anri" High Elf Eldritch Knight. Darkvision: 60ft Blindsight: 10ft AC: 17 HP: 31/72 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 7 / 7 d8 HD Second wind 1d10+7 1/1 Action surge 0/1 Spell Slots- 2/4 1st, 1/2 2nd "Hrm." Anri made a noise as she poked at her half-healed wounds. As little as she knew, sewers seemed a bad place to have open wounds. With a frown, she wrenched out an errant spike the shield had left in her. The battle had been very close. Poisoned, stabbed and shot, the little elf had come close to the precipice of nonexistence, like when she was sleeping in the tower. What would happen when she died? Would she wake up in another tower? Would she go to these god things that kept being mentioned? Something felt... off. Like she'd used to be... stronger, somehow. That was she was now was less than what she had used to be, even if she didn't remember what used to be was. The others seemed to all be alive, which was... good? Though some of the Iron Fist were dead, their cells were very boring, so the elf found herself somewhat ambivalent. Dismissing the flames sheathing her axe with a click of her tongue, she padded over to the kobold she'd scorched and sliced but left alive, looping a hand around its leg-stumps and dragging it to the others. "Here's the alive one," she announced, depositing it like a cat presenting a mouse. She frowned down at it in sudden thought, the motionless creature unconcious. "I think it's alive."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

[Amnestic]

"An excuse to get out of the stink? I knew you cared. I'll meet you back at the inn." Senna cracks with a smile, as she takes the opportunity to escape the sewer. She does spend a few moments patching up the three unconscious kobolds (including the one dropped by Anri) and rousing them with smelling salts before she graciously accepts her "escort" of three Flaming Fist soldiers back to the surface. Whether affected or genuine, as they exit the cistern you hear her girlish giggling fading into the distance; an attempt at lightning the mood, perhaps.

The kobold captives are roused just in time to hear Grok bringing the destruction of their altar. Whether its his dwarven blood singing or his own trained skills he finds it a simple task to target the weaker points and chip away at the stone. The rhythmic clang of metal piercing stone and the scattered chunks skittering across wood and rock echo throughout. A desecration to the true believers, and a cleansing to those who (perhaps) know better.

The trio wake up scared, confused, injured, and exhausted. Restrained and unable to move they straight against one another, yipping and screeching unpleasantly as they try to pull away with urgency.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 16 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Raven Form, Mage Armor, Armor of Agathys (5/5), Bardic Inspiration The Sewers "Um, thank you," Sam tells the elven girl, trying not to cringe too hard at the state of the footless kobold. When the three are roused, Sam feels pangs of sympathy even in spite of the dark deeds in which they'd taken part, even as he feels disjointed pangs of satisfaction at the bloody business around them. It's an uncomfortable juxtaposition of conflicting natures that makes him feel a little ill. Or maybe that's just the sewer fumes. Grepha perches upon his shoulder, still wreathed in shadows and frost that make the bird cut a much more intimidating figure. Seeing Gil walk out of there alive and well brings its own mixture of conflicting feelings, as relief and satisfaction at a job well done blend together with a sickening roiling in her gut where the devil recoils at this act of unbidden charity with no question of repayment. The two of them speak to the cowering kobolds in the Draconic tongue, hoping they know it well enough as the Glintrunners did. Sam brings out the flyer from the Cult of Prismatic Platinum first, on the off chance that one of them knows something about it. Spoiler: Draconic Show "Quiet down," Grepha caws at the kobolds, attempting to silence them so that Sam can speak. "It's alright. If you cooperate, I'm not going to kill you. Do you know who is spreading these papers?" After the questioning about the flyer, Sam asks them a couple more questions. Spoiler: Draconic Show "What other dangers are in the sewers? Do you know anything about the rat people?" "Have you noticed anything strange in the city above? Or strange deals taking place hidden down here?" Once Sam exhausts his questions, Grepha asks one of her own. Spoiler: Draconic Show "Where does your tribe keep your eggs?" "Why are you asking that?" at first, Sam responds with shocked disapproval. "We're not here to hurt any eggs or kids or anything like that." "Of course not. But without anyone to care for them down here, they will die or be exterminated by the next batch of guards to cleanse the sewers," the black bird looks down at the frightened lizards. "We will deliver the eggs to another tribe of kobolds to be cared for. These cultists cannot be allowed to poison our allies' minds with their nonsense, but there is no reason to genocide their children." Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam Persuasion with Grepha Help to get the kobolds to cooperate (1d20+9)[11] (1d20+9)[21]

[Amnestic]

The kobolds do not quieten down, and in fact only screech harder when addressed, babbling over one another to answer in a mixed jumble to each question, in order.
"Don't know, don't care.
"Not me."
"Not us."

"All sorts, hope you die!"
"Crawlers and slimes and rocks and men and rats and snakes and goop and shadows and-"
"Rats are stinky."

"Hope you drown."
"Never go to city."
"Undercellar has dirty deeds."

On the topic of eggs, they finally fall silent, and refuse to answer, regardless of cajoling or arguments made.

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 21 HP: 36/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none As the kobolds are questioned in their foul incomprehensible tongue, Grok continues wielding the pickaxe with the hands of an expert, slowly but steadily reducing the altar to rubble.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 16 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Raven Form, Mage Armor, Armor of Agathys (5/5), Invisible, Bardic Inspiration The Sewers Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+8)[17] History to see if Sam has read or overheard anything about this Undercellar place. Well, the first one is not very cooperative at all. Regretting that you gave up on the suggestion magic? No. It's too tempting to misuse. Refreshingly honest. I can take care of the consequences, if you prefer,Grepha offers telepathically. Sam frowns and hesitates. You heard the thing. It's not going to stop killing. Reaching down, Sam picks up the second and third kobolds and unties their legs. They'd answered, even if their answers were unclear or unhelpful. And he's not about to hold against them their protection of the eggs. Leaving their hands bound, he sends them off with a push. "Let these ones go," he tells the others. Waiting until the two kobolds are far enough away, Grepha fades from view. With any luck, it would be in their heads to protect the hatchery, wherever in this forsaken network of tunnels it might be. Let me see if they lead me anywhere useful, she transmits. Sam gives her the mental go-ahead, and she takes off after them. With Grepha gone, Sam looks down at the last, uncooperative kobold. His eyes glance to the dwarf, who he knows would be willing to end it. Remembering his prayers, Sam takes a slow, shallow breath. He decides to make one last attempt in spite of Grepha's reservations, taking a squatting position. Spoiler: Draconic Show "This tribe was destroyed by your leader looking for power for his magic hat. Thinking about how they can live is loyal to them, trying to look impressive is selfish. If you take me to where the others will group, we can find a way for the ones left to live." Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam (1d20+9)[25] Persuasion Grepha (1d20+5)[19] Stealth (1d20+5)[14] Invis Advantage (1d20+3)[22] Perception if needed to follow the kobolds

[Amnestic]

The kobold leans forward, lowering its head, before hacking up a globule of spit right into Sam's face. "Think I can be tricked? I'm not weak like the others, my belief is pure. I won't let you corrupt or kill our young."

The released pair seem smart enough not to immediately rush to the eggs, wherever they might be. Unfortunately they're also not...well, fortunate. As they make their escape, running down tunnels this way and that, one of them slams facefirst into an otherwise invisible gelatinous cube. The acidic geometric jelly melts flesh and muscle from bone in a silent scream in a matter of moments. The remaining individual takes off in another direction, but ultimately just stops and huddles in an alcove, alone. Watching and waiting.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 16 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Raven Form, Mage Armor, Armor of Agathys (5/5), Invisible, Bardic Inspiration The Sewers "Well, can't say I didn't try," Sam gets up and wipes off his face. "This one's not going to turn from their dark god," he tells Grok solemnly. "Make it quick, at least." Be wary of gelatinous cubes, Grepha's mental voice prods. This may take some time. Don't wait up for me. Listening, Sam dutifully reports to the others, "Grepha says not to wait up for her. And to watch out for cubes. One of them said something about a place called an Undercellar. I remember reading about it in some law journals back in Candlekeep. It's a not-so-secret brothel for the rich, involved in a lot of shady stuff. But too well-connected to shut down," he describes the place bitterly. "It's possible someone there knows something about the weird stuff going on in the city, come to think of it... but it wouldn't come cheap. And we'd have to be careful."

[Amnestic]

Spoiler: History on Undercellar, totally didn't forget it last post

Show

A brothel beneath the streets of Baldur's Gate, hidden by a network of tunnels and with entrances spanning much of the city. It caters to nearly any interest you could have, if you have coin to buy them and their silence. Rumours abound of the rich and powerful as well as the less-powerful but still well off attending in secret. Catering as they do to the moneymakers and moneyspenders of the city, any attempt to shut it down for illegal practices has been stymied and ultimately went nowhere.

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 21 HP: 36/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: Concentrating Making one final swing with his borrowed inferior pickaxe, Grok finishes demolishing the profane altar, and kicks the remaining rubble into the sewer. He mutters a quiet prayer to Dumathoin as he finishes up his work, before he tosses the battered pickaxe aside, and responds to Sam. "Undercellar? Sounds foul. We'd need a plan. And to be prepared." He pauses, and looks over the somewhat greenish faces of his companions, and then at the remaining kobold. And then hefts his glaive. "Anything you have that might persuade me to not kill you?" Spoiler: OOC Show (1d20+5)[8] Intimidate If the Kobold declines, Grok will finish the thing off.

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 3/3 Dawn Since he doesn't speak draconic, Leaf avoids the interrogation and keeps collecting coins and gems, searching the bodies for anything else valuable or any more information. He's not terribly concerned about what happens to the kobold. On the one hand, killing a defenseless creature might be seen as wrong. But on the other hand, ridding the world of an evil creature is a good thing. As long as no one tortures it, he stays out. He doesn't like torture, even if some think it is useful. "I'm ready whenever you are done with the prisoner." Spoiler: OOC Show Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 22/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 7 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 2/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 0/1 4th 0/2 Wildshape Preferring to leave the punishment of the unrepentant kobold to her newer companions, Caelyn steps up behind Sam and frowns. It wasn't that she didn't have an opinion on what to do with the hostile little dragonling, but the others cared more about it than she did. "The Undercellar? I hadn't heard of it." She gives her brother an acidic smile. "I'm glad that when we were all learning our trades your mind was on the most important information you could find- the site of a legendary flop house for the rich and famous. Good job." She wrinkles her nose at him before her smile softens. "I suppose we know what our plans will be for the night. We should all change."

[Amnestic]

The last remaining kobold, faced with death, sits resolute in the face of it. If Grok is close enough, he aims another globule of spit his way. "I don't fear death."

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 21 HP: 36/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: Concentrating Grok impales the kobold on his glaive, swiftly killing the creature, before he turns to the multitude of companions. "First step is leaving the sewers. Then we plan." With that said, he looks around for a nearby exit to the surface.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 16 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Raven Form, Mage Armor, Armor of Agathys (5/5), Invisible, Bardic Inspiration The Sewers The sound of the deed done brings a frown to Sam's face. But he is glad to have chosen the allies he did. Even the dwarven warrior of justice, known by reputation for being stoic and stubborn, had taken time to offer one last chance. It is the time after the battle, dealing with prisoners and survivors, that Sam hates most. Killing in battle you can forget. Or, he has learned to. When Caelyn comes by, Sam looks to her and makes a playful shrug and a forced smirk. "Hey, I've always liked to read! It's not my fault most wizards and scholars make their reading material so dry it could spontaneously kindle. They should consider hiring some bards and skalds to spice it up!" Leaving Grepha to her self-appointed mission scouting further in the sewers, Sam trusts she will find her way out eventually. Being able to crawl around in so many forms has its benefits. Though he does feel guilty leaving the stench to her alone. "We definitely need to wash ourselves. And before we go poking at Undercellars, there was some enslaved fey Grok wanted to go investigate? Being held by a Rage-wizard?"

[Amnestic]

Party

After finishing up with the altar, the corpses, and your not insubstantial loot gains, the party (sans Grepha) seeks a path back to the surface. It doesn't take too long, and by the looks of things you follow in the footsteps of Senna, Gil, and the other Flaming Fist. You emerge back onto rainslick streets, with darkness encroaching in above. There's no sign of the others, who presumably have already moved along to the inn and barracks respectively. You earn some scrutinising looks from those hurrying past, but most are too focused on not being in the cold and wet than to bother querying why a band of eccentrics are climbing out of the stinking sewer, smelling of death and decay.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I assume you're probably going back to the inn to short rest and become less stinky.

Probably best to decide definitively where your next objective is as a party.

Grepha

Grepha swoops along the tunnels, twisting this way and that in search of anything. For the most part a sewer is a sewer, filled with dirt, grime, and not a whole lot else. Ahead of her she hears the sound of chomping teeth on bone, and rounds a corner face-to-face with an enormous frog-like creature that takes up almost the entire tunnel on its own. While it retains two of its webbed feet, it has four other 'arms', each one ending in a purple-tinged tentacle. Its mouth is lined with razor-sharp teeth, from with a protruding dripping tongue sticks out. In addition to its normal pair of eyes, its nose has been replaced by an eyestalk topped with a trio of blinking ocular receptors. Three of its tentacles are currently occupied holding on to the half-eaten bodies of large rats and a kobold. The other whips along the ground as it stomps forwards. It "sniffs" the air with its eyestalk, and seems to peer directly at Grepha.

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 21 HP: 36/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: Concentrating After emerging from the sewer, Grok looks up at the pinging rain for a moment before resolutely lowering his gaze to the dirty cityscape before him, and stamps his feed, knocking clusters of... mud(hopefully) from his boots. That vital task completed, he glances back to his temporary? companions. "Looks like it's terrible weather today. What do you say to a nice, hot meal at the tavern, and we can talk."

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | -- Sam With a nod of agreement, Sam starts walking his way out of the alley ditch and lets the rain pour over him, casting some prestidigitations upon his clothes to wish away the worst of the clinging stink until he can reach a proper bath. "Personally, I'm most inclined to see that wizard you mentioned," he tells the dwarf. "But I don't think he'd let us in like this." Grepha Grepha waits. She waits and watches the last kobold, lingering in his hidden nook in the sewers. She waits until her patience for remaining in the stinking cesspits wears thin. Though with the fates of his allies, perhaps the creature's cowering is clever, rather than merely annoying. But waiting forever will solve nothing. Grepha peels off her enchantments one by one, the ice armor and smokey aura that would have betrayed her identity as the bird to the little lizard. One thing she's learned about kobolds is that they are not as dim-witted as she'd believed. Climbing up to the pipe-rafters of the nook they are in, Grepha peels away the last layer of sorcery, her invisibility vanishing. "You seem to be in trouble, little one," she croons in Draconic, attempting to disguise her voice as well. "Maybe I can help. What has you hiding down here?" She lets her stinger tail dangle like that of a cat, hoping it seems non-threatening enough not to spook the kobold into running immediately. They follow a dark god, perhaps a helpful imp would be seen as a boon... it had been a while since she put on the devil charm, hopefully she'd not gotten rusty. Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+4)[7] to avoid giving away that she was the magic bird, and appear friendly

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 3/3 Dawn Leaf had avoided getting dirty in the sewers, hopping from ledge to ledge, rock to rock, and staying out of the muck. But even with his balance, he couldn't avoid the stench permeating his fur. Even though he hates water and hates being wet, he knows that now is not the time to be squeamish. He lets himself soak in the rain in a vain attempt to get the stink off of him. But it is for nothing. He will need soap, especially if he wants to have any fun at the Undercellar. He'd heard of it but had never been, and is excited to finally get to see it. "First, we need baths. I think we need to investigate the Undercellar, but agree that going to see this wizard might be more urgent. It's up to you Grok." Spoiler: OOC Show Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people.

[Amnestic]

Sewers

The kobold squeaks and panic-swipes at Grepha with a claw, though the talons find only air. Whether it recognised the ruse or simply didn't find the appeal of an imp appearing with offers of "help", or even perhaps was too scared of everything and anything, it still takes off running further down the tunnels away from Grepha.

[Awful]

Anri emerged from the sewer with relief. She stepped out into the rain, letting it saturate her lion skin and rattle its fingers off the blade of her axe. To the inn, then, and with haste, to wash the stink and slime of the below off of her.

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 36/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none Grok nods at Leaf's response as the armored dwarf continues walking towards the tavern. "Agreed. Ragefast shouldn't take too long. And I think we need to have a plan before going to the undercellar. It's a den of scoundrels. They always have another exit. We need to either block those exits, or convince them to not flee when we visit." He frowns as something occurs to him. "If Ragefast's the sort the rumors paint him out to be, he probably knows more about the undercellar." His piece said, Grok continues tromping through the rain-slicked streets, rain plinking from his armor with all the stoic endurance dwarves were known for.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Invisibility Grepha Leaning back away from the claw swipe, Grepha rolls her eyes. So much for the nice way. Spreading her wings, she vanishes from sight and takes off at a steady glide after the kobold.

[Amnestic]

Party

The party returns to the tavern for some much needed cleansing, picking up Senna, and information gathering on Ragefast's home location.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Short rest. Roll any hit dice as required.

Senna: (3d8+9)[25]

It's not hard to find people who know of him - a wizard of some renown, his place of residence is kept in the central 'quarter' of the city. By the time you arrive, night has truly fallen and the streets are lit only by the light from the houses within or the occasional carried lantern.

A thick stone wall, perhaps five feet in height, surrounds Ragefast's estate, though no gate bars entry to the grounds. The exterior is a grassy lawn scattered with tall trees that grow beyond the wall's height as a small nexus of natural growth - restrained though it is - within the otherwise stone-and-brick city. The building itself seems relatively new, and cared for. Rather than a standard rectangular layout, it instead has an ostentatious dodecagon exterior. Each of the 12 walls, save for the main entrance, has a window looking out, though they seem guarded by curtains blocking sight within.

The roof of the 12-sided building ascends into a single tower, rising to perhaps a third floor overlooking the area. On one side of the tower you can see what looks to be an opening, through which a large telescope extrudes.

The doorway appears welcoming enough, with a pair of Continual Flame lanterns flanking the door to give it a bit more brightness compared to some of the surrounding residences.

Grepha

Grepha swoops along the tunnels, twisting this way and that in pursuit of the kobold. For the most part a sewer is a sewer, filled with dirt, grime, and not a whole lot else. The creature rounds a corner ahead of her and lets out a piercing screech, followed by sound of chomping teeth on bone. The imp rounds a corner face-to-face with an enormous frog-like creature that takes up almost the entire tunnel on its own. While it retains two of its webbed feet, it has four other 'arms', each one ending in a purple-tinged tentacle. Its mouth is lined with razor-sharp teeth, from with a protruding dripping tongue sticks out. In addition to its normal pair of eyes, its nose has been replaced by an eyestalk topped with a trio of blinking ocular receptors. Three of its tentacles are currently occupied holding on to the half-eaten bodies of large rats and a kobold - the one you were following. The other whips along the ground as it stomps forwards. It "sniffs" the air with its eyestalk, and seems to peer directly at Grepha.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 46/54 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: Concentrating on: 2 / 7 d8 HD Spell Slots- 2/4 1st, 2/3 2nd, 2/3 3rd, 0/1 4th 0/2 Wildshape Caelyn, who had managed to avoid being sprayed with sewer water or damage through the first half of their journey down into the sewers, was just as eager as the others for a bath and a refreshment when they left the foul smelling waterways. She washed at the inn, had a few drinks to ease her sore muscles, and most importantly, flushed and cleaned her wounds with her sister, knowing that sepsis cuts deeper than any kobold could manage. When they arrived at this wizard's hold, Caelyn took a small bundle of seeds out from the bottom of her bag and whispered to them before turning her attention back to her allies. Spoiler: To the Seeds Show I hope we free an ally or a family member of yours this day. None should be forced to serve. "We should be careful. I sense the term "adventurer" coming suspiciously close to "breaking and entering" if we are not careful... or importantly... if we are caught."

[Archmage1]

Grok Dwarf Paladin 7 AC: 19 HP: 77/77 PP: 10 PIv: 9 PIs: 10 HD: 7/7d10, Conditions: none After enjoying a hot meal, some mediocre ale, and a bucket of water, Grok was once again ready to face the world as he leads the way to Ragefast's hold(Said route may not have been the most direct). Grok gives the short wall, and plantified grounds a frown as he walks through the entrance, to the door leading into the dodecagonal structure. Reaching the door, he does the unexpected. He knocks. Spoiler: OOC Show Rolled 3 HD in chat, getting 25 hp back. Used an additional 16 from lay on hands to fully heal. Also used channel divinity to restore a spell slot before the rest.

[Amnestic]

A moment or two pass after Grok knocks, then the door's wood twists around its core, forming the grains into the rough shape of a mouth and a pair of eyes - animated and alive as surely as your own are. It yawns, loudly. "Ahhh, and right in the middle of my third nap of the day." It speaks with a tired, eminently sleepy voice. The door's eyes glaze over you, though they barely seem to focus or take you in. "So? What is it you want? Hopefully not more sales people." If the door could shudder, it clearly would do from its voice. "Get on with it. I don't have all night."

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam | Grepha Half-Dragon Warlock/Bard | Imp Warlock AC: 11 HP: 55/55 | AC: 13 HP: 26/26 PP: 10|13 PIv: 15|12 PIs: 11|13 -- | Invisibility Sam After a nice bath and some prestidigitation, Sam and his clothes are looking and smelling fresh once more. Stepping outside into the night air, he stretches gladly and walks along with the others. At the home of the renowned wizard, Sam examines the building and takes in its ostentatious displays. "He's obviously respected around here. We should take care to solve this diplomatically, and if not, remember that we mustn't kill anyone," he cautions the others. They are already on some thin ice with the Fist. While they walk into the yard and up to the door, his mind sifts through any information on the subject that might help them carry this out on the right side of legal grey areas. Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+8)[20] History to know of any relevant laws in Baldur's Gate about holding creatures like nymphs captive or enslaving them; and if legal, the necessary safety precautions when doing so As the magical door-mouth addresses them, Sam glances up at the telescope and gets a few ideas to get them inside, stepping forward. "Hello, this is the renowned wizard Ragefast? I was an apprentice of the late Gorion, and I was hoping to find someone to help me with some astronomy questions about some strange charts my companions and I located," he announces. Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+9)[29] Persuasion if enough truth-nuggets qualify, -5 if Deception is deemed more appropriate (1d20+9)[26] Advantage if somebody gives Help Grepha Stalling in her flight as she comes upon the kobold-crunching froggy behemoth, Grepha assesses the situation briefly and then turns in the opposite direction, retracing her flaps. An idea comes to mind. When she draws near to the nook in which the kobold was hidden, she first passes it by and smears her hands and feet along a path to leave a scent trail, then doubles back. She grimaces before closing her mouth and eyes, and rubbing some of the foul water from the canal upon her torso to conceal her scent. Then she ducks into the nook and hides. She hopes that the creature will chase her trail, allowing her to slip past behind it. I am going to be owed so many of Vala's pepper poppers for this, she thinks to herself while lurking and waiting. Spoiler: Rolls Show (1d20+5)[17] Stealth to slip by the frog (1d20+5)[14] if the combined smell-camo and invisibility grants Adv

[Bobthewizard]

Leaf Tabaxi Ranger 4/Rogue 3 AC: 17 HP: 60/60 PP: 18 PIv: 12 PIs: 14 HD: 4/4d10, 4/4d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/3 LR Favored Foe: 3/3 LR Restrain: 3/3 Dawn Leaf takes his bath with the accompanying discomfort. He hates baths but can't spend any more time stinking of the sewers. He shakes his fur dry and puts his armor back on, hopefully after someone uses prestidigitation to clean it. Otherwise, he puts on a little perfume to mask the scent. At the wizard's house, he tries to help Sam with the introductions. "We would love some help with these. Especially from someone so knowledgable." He then slowly moves to the back, hoping not to be noticed so he can better sneak around inside if he needs to. He pulls his cloak up and stays behind his larger companions. Spoiler: OOC Show Help action for deception or perception Spoiler: notes Show Commander Scar, Flaming Fist Dabron Sashenstar, Merchant's League Infiltrate the League's headquarters and investigate. Seek out any documents or people.