Re: Chapter Two

[Custer Thickett]

[Rolling again for assist.]

Custer keeps his knees slightly bent, and his weight on the balls of his feet, ready to dodge any attack should the guards decide to charge him.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 1

[Custer Thickett]

[Halfling's luck, rerolling 1.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 18

[Kellar]

Kellar hears the cry out from Orbaugh and looks up toward the pseudodragon. Bit down on the vines! I'm coming to save you!

Orbaugh bites at the vines! Attack Roll= 3+4= 7; Miss!

Kellar, from his already crouched position, leaps into the air toward the balcony, with javelin in hand! Athletics Roll= 17+4= 21; success!

Kellar pokes at the vines with the javelin in an attempt to get the vines away from Orbaugh! Attack Roll= 19+4= 23; Damage Roll= 3+3=6!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 17

--------------------------------

#3 'D4' : 2

--------------------------------

#4 'D6' : 3

--------------------------------

#5 'D20' : 19

[Osvald Hale]

'Damn!' The ranger grits his teeth as he rises and turns to face the guards.

"I guess things were going a little too smoothly..." He thought while Cuss says his piece.

=====

Awaiting what happens.

[Ao]

[Custer, INT check for Elderro]

As you stand in the courtyard, Custer wracks his brain for any information about Elderro...

This manse...this side of town. While the Halfling never had any reason to participate in dealings of forgery or official paperwork, there were stories of an associate of his father - a man who "could get almost anything done" - that lived on Bloake...

He was notorious for two things: secretive work, and disappearing people. The underbelly of Esmeltaran feared him.

Even Lincoln Thickett, who feared no man in Amn, had a dislike for the man. They called him "The Rat Broker" behind his back. Could it be...that he was Elderro? And, what were they so afraid of?

[...]

The two guardsmen from the front gate round the corner of the manse, swords drawn, faces cold.

"You lot are in a world of trouble..." they say, descending upon you and closing distance.

They pause as Custer intervenes, weaving his web of lies.

[Custer, Deception check vs. Guards 1 and 2...pretty nice...]

"Eh...wot's this you're sayin? Elderro's payin' ya to skulk around in his courtyard and place crowbars in his doorway? Who are you, and wot is it that you're doing?"

The second guard pipes up.

"Easy now Ladner... if 'e works for the shadows we'll really catch it from Elderro. Remember last time?"

The first guard pauses, and then counters to you:

"Well... if you really work for Elderro, you won't be opposed to taking a walk inside with us to see 'im!"

The first guard looks at the second, but is suddenly distracted by the vine.

"Eh, wot's that? Sully seems to have caught 'imself a bat. Bloody vine... it'll 'ave indigestion again, an' then Elderro'll have our heads. Oi! Sully! Nimastachene!"

Custer recognizes the word spoken by the guard as the Halfling word for "vegetation!".

Immediately the vine goes limp, dropping Orbaugh and Kellar to the ground.

[Thank you...master] squeaks the pseudodragon.

"Well then, you lot. Come with us. And no funny business."

===================

Ok guys, Custer seems to have planted the seed of doubt in their minds. So much so, that they would really like you to come inside the mansion and confirm that you do indeed work for Elderro

Please be explicit about how you plan on following them. What you plan on doing with your weapons, etc.

EXP: +20 to all

[Custer Thickett]

Custer drops his hands and crosses his arms on his chest, "Our instructions are to detail the security assessment in a report to Hun'Ett so that he may discuss it with Elderro in the morn.  His plan was to not disturb the broker, but if ya wish to rouse him from a slumber so as to do ya job for ya, then I'm supposing that's ya prerogative.  Won't be skin off my back.  Lead the way."

[Rolling deception to convince them bothering Elderro is a bad idea. +4]
21

If they appear convinced, Cuss will follow with, "One last thing we be needing for the report, though.  Which one of ya is carrying the key?"

If they do not appear convinced, Cuss will look at Shorjahl and shrug.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 17, 8

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl stands behind the hin, doing his best to appear intimidating, bored, and completely unconcerned with the idiotic guards here questioning them. He even shoots a distasteful look to Kellar and Osvald as they appear, in what he thinks is the classic grizzled and apathetic wizard act.

If the guards go for Custer's sustained deception, Shorjahl will move on with the party, doing his best to deduce where Elderro might be staying based upon the layout of the house.

Intelligence: 17

If the guards don't, and want us to go see Elderro, Shorjahl will prepare a spell to incapacitate them quickly, if necessary.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12

[Kellar]

Pay no mind to Shorjahl, Orbaugh. He's teasing. Kellar said, as Orbaugh chittered lowly at Shorjahl's look. Come here, he continued as he lowered his javelin to the ground and Orbaugh scampered up to his shoulder. After Orbaugh found his perch, in one smooth motion, Kellar twirled the javelin across his body and stowed it on his back. As Kellar fell in behind Shorjahl and Little One, he tilts the haft of his battle axe forward, for an easy draw if he needs it.

Be ready for anything Orbaugh.

Actions:
Kellar has his battleaxe easily available for a quick draw, but will not appear to be hostile.

[Ao]

The two guards look at the halfling, their faces beginning to whiten.

[Custer, deception check vs. both guards results:]

“Ah..ah…Hun’ett?” stammers the first.

“As in..K’Tesh Hun’ett?” stammers the second.

The guardsmen bow low to you, and beckon that you follow.

“But of course! But of course! No no no, it wouldn’t do to disturb the master of the house. He is lounging in the parlour. And yes, as you can see, we acted diligently in our search when we suspected something was amiss. I trust you’ll report as much, right sir?”

Shorjahl looks at the house, doing his best to estimate the location of the parlour.

[Shorjahl, INT check]

Given the large windows located on the first level on the front of the house, its plain to see that the vestibule they entered previously likely connects to the parlour.

“Alright then, gentlemen. We’ll see you out, then!”

========================

Ok guys, the guards totally bought your story. They will escort you to the front gates of the manse and bid you goodbye. Now you know where the parlour is, at the very least.

EXP:+50 to all for your derring-do

Happy new year!!

[Custer Thickett]

Custer smiles at the guards.  "Aye, I'll tell em.  You were faster than expected and not easily fooled.  We'll leave out the way we came in, if it please you.  Just need be fetching me tools, and there's one other thing the Duke wanted us to check when we interviewed ya."  Custer points over his shoulder with his thumb.  "That one with the fancy armor and pet dragon there is our weapon's master.  Hun'Ett told em take close look at ya swords, especially the hilts, the weight, and balance of the blades.  Spect ya be getting new ones iffen he tell em ya need em.  Ya carry any other blades?  Or crossbows like these beauties?"  Cuss pulls a crossbow from his right hip holster and cocks the legs by pulling the stirrup in place, then holds it sideways so as to present it to the guards.  If they reach for it, Cuss will pull it away a little and say "No touching.  These not cheap, ya?"

[Rolling Persuasion to convince the guards to surrender their weapons for Kellar's inspection. +6]
14

========
[Whew that's a close one.]  

If successful, Cuss will wait until the guards walk past him and hand their weapons to Kellar for inspection, then he will lay a bolt in the flight of his crossbow and level it at the head of one of the guards so when they turn back around they are looking down a loaded barrel.  Cuss will say, "Thing is, boys.  We gonna be needing that armor and those fancy hats as well.  Be quick and quiet about it.  How we get in without tripping the alarm?"

If unsuccessful, Cuss will look at Shorjahl and shrug.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 8, 3

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl tries to hide his surprise at the halfling's brave attempt at deception, and keeps his demeanor dark, his magic coiled and ready to strike.

[Osvald Hale]

Osvald knows better than to open his mouth and ruin Cuss' ruse, so the ranger simply moves slowly a few paces around the edge of the conversation, and looks out into the garden and grounds as if inspecting them.

=====

Circling a few paces around to have a better chance of cutting off the guards if they run, and rolling perception just in case Osvald can spot anything interesting.


18 + 4 = 22

[Osvald Hale]

Roller failed.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 18

[Kellar]

Kellar opens his stance and stretches his hands outward toward the two guards. He attempts to act casual, as if it were no big deal to review and examine all manner of weapons.

Orbaugh chitters at the two guards with what appears to be a smile, if pseudo dragons were able to do such a thing.

Orbaugh, that's great, way to add your two silver to this ruse!

Orbaugh paws at Kellar's shoulder like a cat would do before settling in on a comfortable spot by the fire...

Any time you two are ready, I haven't got all evening! There's ale to drink and women to bed, he said as sternly as he could. bluff roll= 11+1= 12; success?!?

Actions:

Kellar will attempt add to cus' s ruse. He'll use his action surge if the first roll fails.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 11, 4

[Ao]

The moonlight glints off of Custer’s eyes as he weaves his deception.

[Custer, Deception + assisted by Kellar results:]

“Ah, certainly little lord.” says the first guard. The second looks incredulously at the first, but follows suit.

They begin removing their armor, pointing to the reinforced parts of it and demonstrating the straightness of their blades.

Meanwhile, Osvald meanders in the front courtyard of the manse, looking at the windows.

[Osvald, Perception:]

It seems that the manse is 3-storeyed, with the top floor being more akin to a loft space. Several balconies dot the perimeter, and a grand chimney houses several hearths, to be certain.

[Osvald gains a pretty good overview of the exterior of the manse, gains advantage on all checks to navigate within, also]

[…]

The guardsmen stare, white-faced and in horror, down the barrel of Custer’s crossbow.

Kellar holds all of their weapons and armor.

"The-the alarm. Ah...ah....you say 'c-c-c-calishite sorbet' when walking in to the vestibule..."

==================

+50 XP to all of you for the wonderfully dastardly post round.

What’s next!?

[Kellar]

Is that with or without the stutter, questioned Kellar with a smirk. Lord Hale, do you need some extra weapons or armor, perhaps these would be of use, he questioned. Kellar took the weapons and armor and fastened them together in a makeshift rucksack for easier transport.

Perhaps we should bind and gag them and put them out of the way, so as to not disturb the neighbors or the owner, he concluded.

Actions:
Kellar will help bind up the two guards and leave the behind the bushes to be found in the morning.

[Custer Thickett]

Custer looks to Kellar past the guards, "Eh, don't stow em.  We be needing those for the ruse inside, my friend.  Me thinks it fit ya and Osvald real nice, no?  Ya'll look good in the hat."  Custer then looks to the guards, and curtsies behind his crossbow, "Custer Thickett's the name.  Mayhaps ya heard of me?  No matter.  I wouldn't work for or with Hun'Ett for all the gold in the realms.  Seems ya got something else to worry about now, though."  Cuss waves the crossbow slightly for emphasis.  "Here is how this is going to work.  Ya boys going to tell us any other details we need be knowing to get in for an audience with Elderro.  Then, ya going sit out here real nice and quiet like.  Iffen we don't run into any troubles on account of ya instructions, we cut ya loose to run afore the broker gets to talk to ya about the finer points on properly guarding his manse, ya?"  Custer holds the crossbow on the guards until Kellar gets them nice and bound, and motions him to make sure they are out of sight from the manor's main windows and balconies.  "Make sure they can't be screaming, ya?"

If Kellar and Osvald are favorable to the idea, Custer will help to dress them up in the armor and hats to look like the guards, and then fetch his makeup and scissors from his disguise kit to frame and shadow their faces to match that of the guards.  "We only need be distracting him long enough to get em surrounded and whatknot.  Then, we get to the bottom of this little mystery, ya?  Me thinks Andrianna going be real happy with ya after this, Kell."

[Rolling disguise with assist.  +6]
14

=====
Custer wants Kellar and Osvald to lead the charge into the parlour to take Elderro by surprise and make quick work of the interrogation.  Sorry this is taking so long, fellas, but it sure has been fun for me thus far.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 8, 8

[Ao]

The two guardsmen stare in shock as Kellar binds them up, Shorjahl and Osvald keeping watch over the manse.

“P…Please…” pleads the first guard. “They’ll kill us-“

Suddenly, the very ground beneath your feet seems to shake. Off in the distance, you hear the echo of a great crash, booming across Esmeltaran.

It catches all of you by surprise, and you strain to hear anything more in the silence that follows.

Kellar finishes binding and gagging the guards, and Custer busies himself with disguising the fellows.

At last, Kellar and Osvald are properly attired.

================

Ok guys, I’d like to expedite getting in to the manse here without too much deliberation, as we have been here awhile.

You can assume that the guardsmen, bound and gagged by Kellar, are effectively out of sight. I don’t want any of you sitting outside playing guard duty on these guys, so stow them in the bushes and away you go.

Also, the guards related that the alarm in the foyer was the only element of security that you needed to worry about. The alarm is enchanted on the chandelier. You have the password, now, to speak aloud when entering.

Any other preparations can be made in this post rotation, as well as marching order and tactics.

Tomorrow, unless you say otherwise, will be the storming of the parlour.

Also, you have no idea what that loud crashing sound was. It seemed to echo from far off.

Cheers
-Ao

EXP: +20 to Cuss and Kell

[Shorjahl]

The arcanist nodded satisfactorily as the final guard was stuffed unceremoniously into the bushes. He looks to his comrades, "I think now's our only chance. You two," he nods to the well-disguised Kellar and Osvald, "can head in and say that we are guests, or perhaps prisoners, and that we should be needing to see Elderro." He paces a bit, his azure eyes looking into the manse. "I can use a bit of magic to disguise your voices so it better matches them, but we only need a few seconds, as Cuss said, to get in and surround him."

He knuckles his beard thoughtfully. "I suspect that a man with such elaborate security and displays of wealth, in a city known for its crime and nefarious activities, is not to be underestimated, or taken lightly. He very well may be capable in the arcane arts." He looks hard into his friends' eyes. "Let's go."

-----------------------

Shorjahl will help with prestidigitation to disguise their voices when pretending to be guards.
Shorjahl will follow in the very rear, as he is the longest-range, and will assist with Cuss being in stealth if necessary. If Cuss wants to be separate from the party, he will try to call more attention to himself. (Just hoping for advantage all around.)

[Custer Thickett]

Custer drops to the ground in a crouch, ready to leap for cover as the rumble echos past them.  He looks to Shorjahl with a pale, drained face.  "Gods, we're too late!  I have to get to Rosalynn."  Cuss looks to the gate of the wall then to the manse then back to Shorjahl.  "We move now!"  

Cuss leaps up from his crouch in a full sprint for his equipment.  He snatches his rope and hook from the bag in one fluid motion, and then turns for the side door.  Bolting pass the entrance he barks the password, "Calishite Sorbet".  He crosses the vestibule, pivots on one foot and lands his back against the larger wooden door leading into the parlour, bringing his crossbow up against his chest as he looks back across the room to see who was following him.  Too damned slow.  He uses his free hand to beckon Kellar and Osvald forward with a frustrated wave, then reaches for his second crossbow on his left hip after securing his rope on his belt.  He slides right along the door, so that Kellar can enter in front of him, as he lays the loaded bow on the ground.  He cocks his second bow, and lays a bolt in it's flight.  He then takes up a bow in each hand and rest them against his chest.  He holds his breath as he readies to quietly slide into the next room behind his friends.

[Rolling stealth to slip in the room behind Kellar.  +7]
27

=======

Cuss will circle the room crouched in the shadows, trying to position himself on the other side of Elderro from Kellar and Osvald, assuming he is still in the parlour.  Cuss will sneak up behind Elderro while he is facing Cuss's friends, plant the end of a crossbow in the bend of each one of his knees, and pull the triggers.  As Elderro screams out in pain and begins to fall, Cuss will drop the bows, pivot on his foot while pulling a dagger from his left bracer, plant it hilt first on the floor beneath Elderro's collapsing form, then use the other hand to grab Elderro by the back of the head to keep him from fully impaling on the blade.  As his head comes to a rest on the point, Cuss will sternly say, "Ya produced a writ for them to get into the vaults in Athkatla.  Ya got ten seconds to start talking."

Should he have made way for a balcony to look out over the city to look out for the crash, Cuss will lay his crossbows on the floor and replace them with a length of rope tied off on his grappling hook.  He will then sneak up behind Elderro, loop the rope around his feet, drop the hook in the railing, and signal Kellar to push him over.  Cuss will then grab Kellar's sword and throw it over the balcony to the ground below.  Cuss will vault over the balcony and parkour roll his landing to soften the impact.  He will then fetch the sword and plant it hilt first in the ground directly below Elderro's body hanging upside down from the balcony.  He will whistle so that Elderro looks down at the end of the blade, and say,  "Ya produced a writ for them to get into the vaults in Athkatla.  Ya got ten seconds to start talking."

Will roll a dex for all that if need be. Feel free to pick either and pop them into tomorrow's post, Ao.

[Custer Thickett]

[Roll that beautiful bean footage. Thanks for the assist, Shorjy.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 20, 4

[Shorjahl]

Seeing Cuss' alarm and sudden alacrity, Shorjahl quickly follows behind the hin. "What was it? What's wrong? Does that sound have something to do with this? He keeps his voice low as they move quickly through the manse.

------------------

Rolling Int to logic it out (Ben is dumb, Shor isn't.)
Int: 7 (apparently Shor is dumb too, ha.)

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 2

[Custer Thickett]

With his back flat against the door, Custer whispers back to Shorjahl, "Of course it does. Might be that Cyric's Orcs are pouring through the walls. I have to protect me sister. Lets make quick work of this, ya?"

[Kellar]

Kellar enters the Manor and says the words, and moves into the main room along with Lord Hale. He looks around to identify their target.

What do you think, he said to Lord Hale as he peeled the disguise from himself and drew his axe.

Kellar linked two lengths of chain to a javelin, just in case...

Let's be quick, get our information and get out of here, who knows what that rumble was, he concluded.

[Ao]

The last member of the fellowships disappears into the foyer, putting into play the nefarious plan…

[…]

The parlour is finely furnished.

It is a large room, with a roaring hearth in the northern wall, and three great windows overlooking the courtyard.

Paintings and fine art cover the walls, while decadent furniture is tastefully placed around a floor tapis, of rich maroon and cream.

A skinny, bearded man with a long, curled moustache sits before the hearth in a red smoking jacket. He reads from a leather-bound tome, one hand absently playing with an obnoxiously ornate pipe.

His head cocks toward Kellar and Osvald as they enter the room, but his eyes remain on his leather tome.

“What are you doing in here? I’ve told you, you’ll not be relieved until midnight.”

He clears his throat, obviously waiting for you to leave. But when you don’t, he snaps to his feet and stares at you.

“Are you deaf? Fine, go home. And don’t come ba-“

He stops, dead in his tracks, faltering backward, as he sees your faces.

As Kellar whips off his disguise, the man shrieks slightly, his lip trembling.

“Who-who are you! Guards! Gua-!”

He falls to the ground, moaning in pain as Custer shoots him through the back of his knees.

[Custer, Dex results: success]

“Gods! Gods no!” he whispers, staring up at Custer. The halfling can see his moustache quivering in fear. The man’s breath stinks of malted whiskey and tobacco. His greasy hair falls in his face, and his wide eyes are coloured both green and brown.

“What do you want! Who are you!?”

The parlour is quiet.

========================

Ok guys. Your plan was masterfully executed. You disposed of his guards in a cunning, peaceful way. You surpassed the magical alarm through your guile. And you surprised him both with your disguises and with superior dexterity.

You all deserve +200 XP for overcoming the challenge flawlessly.

There’s considerably less drama than I was expecting for this little chapter of our journey. But you’ve earned it. You really stuck the landing. Nice work.

+200 XP to all, and +20 to Kellar, Custer, and Shorjahl.

[Custer Thickett]

Custer turns Elderro's body on its back and rest his head on the floor, all while keeping the point of his dagger close and in his sight. Custer straddles Elderro's chest and moves the point of the dagger to his throat. Using his left hand, he reaches in his belt pouch and pulls out a small vial of glowing blue liquid. He holds it over Elderro's face and shakes it slightly, so that the liquid inside cast soft dancing lights in his vision as it swishes inside the glass. "Either one will make the pain go away, Rat. Which one I use is up to ya. Our names are no matter. We are ya death or ya salvation." Cuss returns the vial to his belt pouch, and then uses the same hand to pull the forged writ from inside his cloak. He uses his teeth to pull the tie, and flips the writ so it unfurls for Elderro to see. He then presses the paper hard into Elderro's face, as it to smother him with it, then flings it aside. "It's ya work. It was for taking something powerful from Athkatla's vaults. Me thinks Cyric and an army of Orcs with eyes on our fair city have something to do with it. Tell me who and tell me what." Cuss grabs Elderro by his beard and forcefully pulls his head up from the floor, letting the point of the dagger press into his flesh ever so slightly as to be felt but not break the skin. Cuss drops his face to Elderro's so that his nose is only a fraction of an inch from the old man's. "An don't let me catch ya lying, Rat."

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl stands over Cuss shoulder, looking down at the frightened and wounded Elderro. He nods to Kellar and Osvald, "Keep a look out, but don't do anything out of the ordinary." He towers over both in the room, using a small amount of arcane force to close any drapes, shutters, or blinds over any windows that expose outside.

"Speak quickly, for the hin here is far more patient than I." Shorjahl's voice has an otherwordly, terrifying quality to it, his face oddly shadowed through some trick of dark magic. Even his companions feel a slight chill, unsure of whether he is being wholly serious or not.

In the back of his mind, the insidious words of the black book seep into his consciousness.

------------------

Assist with intimidate.
Once he gives us the information, Shorjahl will lead everyone out as quickly as possible. He would suggest that we tie up Elderro much in the same way we did with the other guards, but not kill him.

[Osvald Hale]

Osvald shifts uncomfortably in the guards borrowed armour. Sword in hand, he uses the point to pull back a closed curtain a little, and looks out upon the grounds and the city beyond. A sense of ominous danger nagged at the rangers mind, the situation in the manse was contained, and come together rather easily under Cuss guile...

But what calamity was unfolding in the dark city beyond?


"Aye, let's get a move on quickly. This gear chafes something awful." He grumbles to Kellar.

=====

Watching and listening out the window looking for trouble.

perception. 12 + 4 = 16

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12

[Kellar]

Yes I agree, that's why I shed mine, along with the silly makeup. It served its purpose, Kellar said to Osvald. Kellar took a moment and checked over his armor and followed Shorjahl's order.

No problem, I'm good at standing guard, this is more of Little One's thing anyway, he said to Shorjahl. Be sure to ask him if there's any weapons or other provisions that he no longer needs. Not like jewelry or anything, but extra things that a man of his age can't swing, he concluded.

Kellar stood near the entryway they came in from and listened for any noises coming from upstairs or anywhere else in the manor.

Something is "off" concerning Shorjahl, I'm not so sure it's something intentional or not, but his voice is normally not so.

Orbaugh, keep your eyes peeled for any movement, I shall do the same.

Actions:
Kellar will roll for perception, Orbaugh rolls with Advantage on Perception rolls. [Perception Rolls= 6+1=7 (Kellar) 8+2=10 (Orbaugh)]
OOC: Doh! Can't see anything at all! LOL

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 6, 8, 2

[Ao]

Elderro stares into Custer’s eyes, his mouth agape. He looks at the writ, his eyebrows knitting together as Shorjahl threatens him.

Osvald peeks out from the curtain of the manse, looking eastward over the cityscape. In the distance, an orange light seems to be rising by the city walls, and despite the darkness, smoke can be seen billowing into the sky.

“Th-that writ. I wrote it three weeks ago.” Elderro’s voice is raspy and hoarse. He clears his throat, and begins to speak.

“A man came in here. Didn’t know his name. Tall, dark haired, scrawny, with a great big beard. Found me through the Shadows, he said. Had four of his friends in tow, armed men. They commissioned it, and I made it happen. That’s all I kno-“

At the more aggressive jostling of the halfling, Elderro squeezes his eyes tightly shut and speaks some more.

“I had them followed the first time they came to see me. Man goes by the name of Sorel. The group of them called themselves dark lamps…or something like that. Dark Lanterns, it was.”

He looks pleadingly in the direction of Kellar, but the dragoon is not looking at him.

“Anyway, my man overheard them talking about some old relic in that vault called the Urn of The Flamelord or something of the like. Seemed to want it for vengeance. Against who, I dunno.”

Elderro takes a deep breath, and finishes his thought.

“He came back, paid in gold, and away he went. But I saw somethin’ on his arm. It was a harp. The tattoo of a Harper, on his forearm. He caught me peeking at it and pulled ‘is sleeve down. Anyway, our deal was done so he left. Asked me about passage to Baldur’s Gate, but I ain’t no wagonner.”

Elderro gasps one last time, the knifepoint close.

“That’s all I know. Couldn’t care less about that rudder. Now that you’re here, he’s caused me more trouble than that writ was worth in the first place. An’ I dunno what you’re talking about with Cyric and an army of orcs, but I don’t see a connection between them. C’mon..please…let me go. It’s all I know. You can’t kill me, the shadows’ll have your hides before you make it to the front gate. Just leave me be and I’ll tell no one. Please!…”

=============

EXP: +20 to all

[Custer Thickett]

"Aye, mayhaps that's true but ya'd still be dead, wouldn't ya, Rat?  If I know ya half as well as I think I do, then more like them to have our hides iffen we leave ya be, no?"  Cuss narrows his eyes and presses his nose hard into Elderro's for a moment before letting go of the old man's beard.  He straightens his back and cracks a smile across his face as he pats Elderro's right cheek with his left hand.  "Ya did well to have em followed.  Might be it saved ya life tonight, Elderro.  Me thinks ya knew that when ya did it, though.  I'd be doing Esmeltaran a disservice to kill ya."  

Cuss keeps the blade at Elderro's neck as he turns to Kellar and Osvald, "Hey, you!  Come over here and pull the bolts from his knees while I hold em down."  Cuss reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out one of K'Tesh's gold coins.  He then returns the dagger to his left bracer while holding the coin up with his left hand.  Once his right hand is free, Cuss uses it to squeeze Elderro's mouth open while he sticks the gold coin inside.  "Much as I'd like ya to bite out ya tongue over the pain, I'm afraid it make our next meeting rather dull.  Bite down on the coin, Rat."  Cuss then holds Elderro's mouth shut on the gold while either Kellar or Osvald twist and pulls the bolts free of his knees.  Once they are finished, Cuss uses his other hand to grab the end of the coin before he releases Elderro's mouth, to keep the old man from choking on the coin.  Oiy, it be a fitting way to watch em die though.  Cuss then holds the coin up in the light to inspect the teeth marks, and smiles.  He tucks the coin into one of Elderro's pockets and pats it while he says, "Token of our friendship, no?  Ya'd never believe where I got it."  Cuss winks.  He then pulls the healing potion from his belt pouch, pulls the cork free, and feeds it to Elderro.  "Nice an slow, now.  There ya go.  Feels better already, ya?"

Cuss then pulls the dagger back out, and uses it to shred several strips of cloth from Elderro's red smoking jacket.  "Looks expensive.  Such a shame, but me thinks ya not to be trusted, Rat."  Cuss balls a strip and forces it into Elderro's mouth, then uses another to wrap around his mouth and head to complete the gag.  Cuss then gets up off Elderro's chest, turns him over, forces his hands together behinds his back, and binds them together tight.  He does the same to the old man's ankles.  Once satisfied, Cuss will stand tall and stretch before crossing the room to the table where the tomb and ornate pipe lay.  Cuss picks up the pipe and inspects the detail before slipping it into his belt pouch and turning back to the group.  "Me thinks we are done here, boys.  Shall we?"

...

Once outside, Cuss turns to Kellar and Osvald.  "Sorry, didn't mean any disrespect by that, but me thinks using ya name in front of him wouldn't a been too smart, no?"  Cuss then turns to and kneels down beside the guards.  "We left em tied up real snug like.  Seems ya got a choice when we loosen these ropes.  Either ya run, or ya go inside to untie em.  Iffen that's ya choice, me thinks ya might want be hitting each other a few times though.  When he see's ya fair skin unblemished, even the Golden Lady couldn't say what he may do to ya."  Cuss then loosens the ropes on only one of the guards, "Hold on, there.  Don't be moving quite yet.  Whatever ya do, ya not going to be doing it until we are good and gone, ya hear?"  Cuss then rises, gather his gear, and heads for the side gate at a very brisk pace.  

...

Once outside the gate and heading for Kilik and the Harpers, Cuss turns to Shorjahl.  "We need be making our way up the hill to the old castle.  If we go get the horses first, might be we'd be cut off from me family by Cyric's attack.  The way things sound, somebodys probably already taken em for a free ride anyhow."  Before Shorjahl can respond, Cuss stops and grabs him by the robes to turn him towards him.  Cuss looks up at him, his face far more serious than the human has ever seen it.  "She's my little sister, Shorjy.  I'll not rest until I see her safe.  An if anybody tries to stop me,"  Cuss narrows his stare, "I'll kill em."

[Osvald Hale]

"Sorry about this, fella." Says Osvald gruffly as he wrenches free the Rats boots.

...

As they depart the manse, the ranger begins shedding his disguise, leaving a trail of discarded armor meandering behind them.

...

When they are free of the grounds, The human pauses for a moment to adjust his own gear that had shifted uncomfortabley out of place beneath the guards armor while Cuss says his piece. Jogging to catch up, Osvald chimes in:

"You really think the attack has begun? A city this large, I was hoping that sound could've been anything... Cuss, what area out the wall would be open to assault?" The ranger looks around for any signs of distress, townsfolk running or screaming in the distance.

'Maybe Kilik has spotted something.' He thinks for a moment before speaking again:

"Wait Shorjahl, could you levitate Orbaugh above the rooftops, his night eyes could probably spot what's going on..."

He looks to Kellar and Shorjahl hopefully, his concern for the situation growing every passing moment.

The weary woodsmans pace unconsciously quickens.

=====

Okay, leaving as Cuss described,
Rolling perception again now outside, looking listening and smelling for signs of fire/explosions. 13 + 4 = 17
Good to be back!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 13

[Custer Thickett]

Once he breaks his stare with Shorjahl and the mage has said his piece, Cuss turns to Osvald, "Might be it is anything, but I'd rather not take any chances on the safety of me own.  What did ya see from the manse?"  Custer starts walking while he continues to talk, "As for what's outside our walls, well... Ya might remember that there's the King's Arch to the south.  It's the only bridge over the river Esmel between here and Purskul.  Just on the other side of it is Gambiton, not much more than a collection of shacks at the crossroads to Gaolor's Bend south and the Imnescourse east.  Up the river a ways east is the town of Esford.  It's the only place a barge can stop for supplies between here and Purskul.  Just a few clicks to the east of the city is a place, though.  It's called the five coins.  Holy to my kind, and those that follow me Golden Lady.  Everything else is either inside the gates, or on the other side of the lake, like the Scimitar or Coryllvol."

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl would say nothing while Cuss clearly was upset. After he released him, the arcanist would quietly say "I've nowhere else to go other than to help my friends. I just want to see this through," referring to the writ and the unsettling news Elderro gave to them. He had even more cause to doubt Andrianna and the Harpers now than ever before, and his allegiance was only to those whom he trusted in battle.

"Let's make haste then." agreeing to go to see Custer's father.

[Kellar]

Kellar falls in behind Lord Hale and looks to the horizon and the sky to determine if there's anything attacking the town that appears to be a dragon.

Whatever that was, we'll need to move rather quickly. We should gather up Adianna and the other two on our way, Kellar said.

As he is walking, he breaks open a ration and feeds Orbaugh a bit and himself as they continue in their haste. Need to keep my energy up, eespecially with whoknowswhat, out there in the city, he concluded.

Actions:

Kellar follows the group, eating a bit and checking his armor and weapons.

[Ao]

You make haste through the cobbled streets of Esmeltaran. In the distance, the orange glow has become a fully-fledge pillar of black smoke, reaching up into the heavens above.

You can smell burning. The faint, but definite, smell of fire.

Though Bloake street is quiet, the sound of calamity can be heard in the city beyond. Though you cannot ascertain its nature, something is clearly afoot…

[…]

Andrianna leans against a tree, and she signals you over.

Geld is on his feet now, looking worse for wear.

Kilik is nowhere to be seen.

“Good evening, heroes. It seems as if the night has taken a rather unexpected turn.” begins Geld.

“I want to thank you for-“

Adrianna cuts in.

“We, want to thank you. But now is hardly the time. The dwarf ran off to the southwest after a carriage trundled by, on fire. You could hear screaming from within - a woman. And since then, a fire is visible to the northeast. Something is amiss. We’ve a duty to investigate.”

Geld looks worriedly up at Andrianna.

“Yes, but, we’re in no fit state to fight, Andrianna. And if there is fire to the northeast, then the militia will already have begun evacuating the citizenry through the southwestern entry. Perhaps we would be of greater assistance there?”

They look to you.

[...]

Orbaugh sails up into the air as Shorjahl levitates the small creature.

[Master! Orbaugh flies again!] squeals the pseudodragon into Kellar's mind.

[Master...Orbaugh see...fire! Great fire, to the northeast. Homes burning to the ground! And...many men. Fighting! Orbaugh thinks there is fighting happening. Too far to see...]

[And...Orbaugh looking to the southwest...he see many wagons. People. Moving toward the gate. They fleeing! And boats in the harbour. They putting up sail!]

===================

Ok guys. Something is afoot in Esmeltaran. Geld suggests you see if you can help at the southwestern gate, where he assumes the small folk and merchants will be evacuated. Andrianna wants to charge northeast, to investigate the fire.

Custer’s family home is to the northeast, toward the fire. You also know, Custer, that your father does also have a large boat. So, if you think he's the kind of man likely to flee to safety, it's possible, given what Orbaugh said, that he's on his boat.

I know you said you wanted to visit Lincoln Thickett. Do you want to do that with the Harpers in tow? Where do you want to go? What do you suggest?

Let me know your plans.

-Ao

EXP: +20 xp

[Sponsored content]