Bogtown: Favours

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

Alright, if I am with Sidkrake and we cannot now gain entry into the important temple rooms then we can only really go forward by going upstairs.

If I note the 'fancy pants' with the eye patch and uniformed livery, I might figure him to be a man of importance. Certainly if he goes around in a swashbuckling manner.

Okay I have an idea. Not a very good one (as usual, but I am trying honestly!). I remember the story that Dalin may have had some conflict with members of the 'Inquisition' regarding rescuing a suspected werewolf from their captivity. I want to gain the man's attention or to gain access to his quarters. f@#£! I can't betray my comrades or suggest 'hey that bandit his here with other werewolves intent on trouble'. okay instead, we need a way to sneak upstairs after that steward.

Trying creative ideas and brainstorming or just watching for an opportune moment. Golgarth: Wisdom check vs 13 (any Cravat bonus?): [4d6]=11 [4d6]=14 [4d6]=6

Any results or knowledge gained that might help?

[Spearmint]

Masquerades and Balls-up's.

Side Chapel
Gunter & Renata move quick to silence the pair of chanting cult priests. The brigandine adding another wound to one that grapples with her, stabbing him again with her sword. -5hp .They wrestle together. He opens his mouth, breathing out stream of buzzing gnats that afflict her, choking and blinding yet still in the mayhem, she manages to riposte accurately enough to injure him a third time, -4hp, he falls to his knees, vainly swinging his mace until a fourth and final thrust of her blade silences his chanting and breathing. -3hp. The gnats swarm about the room in a swirling murmuration of angry 'zzzezs'.

Gunter wrestles with the second cleric. This blind acolyte still has acute senses and though without eyes, does not seem impaired. He swings his own aspergillus, the ball-head of incense coming close to clouting you across the head on a few occasions but you manage to duck and weave to position yourself for me stabby-stabby with your crafted blade.

Instead of breathing a swarm of insects, this acolyte invokes an unholy blessing upon himself and his comrade. The prayer though does him no good for the Gunter parries and grapples and does not allow the priest any advantage over him.

Acolyte [1d20]=2[1d6]=5Acolyte [1d20]=2[1d6]=3Acolyte [1d20]=10[1d6]=5

Gunter give me three attacks please to resolve your combat struggle.

[Spearmint]

Dalin & Golgarth updates to come shortly

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Locked in a death dance with the Blind Acolyte, Gunter parries and feints with his blade, the air in front of him perversely sweet smelling from the near hit of the aspergillus-mace.

Not sure if you meant 3 attacks or 3 rounds. With the dagger at 2 per round making six rolls for 3 rounds (looks like Gunter needed all of them! )

I.



II.



III.

[Spearmint]

Finally get to post here


Gunter grapples, stabbing at the acolyte. The priest looks leprous, very different to the normally clean complexions of elven folk. Certainly his visage is withered and he is blinded by not having physical eyes, his sockets deep and hollow into his skull. Yet the blind man poses a threat, invoking spellcraft and besting the young warrior by crowning him with a wicked blow, -6hp. In the rough and tumble though, the comrades come out on top, Renata harassed by the gnat swarm still managing to get two convincing stabs and Gunter finishes him off. The brigandine opens a window for the gnats to fly away. It leaves you a moment to bind your wounds and search the two bodies and the room.

Renata: Scimitar [1d20+1]=14+1=15 [1d8+1]=8+1=9 Renata: Scimitar [1d20+1]=19+1=20 [1d8+1]=7+1=8 Acolyte [1d20]=18[1d6]=6 [1d20]=7[1d6]=4 [1d20]=4[1d6]=2

The room itself is decorated in baroque fashion, gaudy furnishings and wallpapers and hand painted pictures of Silvanus scenes even on the ceiling tiles. Inside the alcove a spreading tree that has a slim trunk and extends up the wall and across the ceiling. It would have some blossoms or fruit normally, perhaps some gift of nature's blessing that clerics might appropriate as part of their worship but on this day, the tree looks withered and mildewed, as if neglect and atrophy had set in. Perhaps a result of unholy prayers that tainted the normally serene atmosphere.

Searching the bodies, each priest has just the bare essentials, a belted habit over base garments, sandalled feet. Their incense filled ceremonial maces contain sponges soaked in holy (or unholy) water infused in the spices to create the sweet aromas. There doesn't seem anything more augmented about the implements, perhaps the utensils used to act as catalysts to empower whatever ritual or prayer the duo were enacting.

Each priest also has a pouch containing an extra flask of holy water and an unidentified potion. Injured you can sniff one, doing a 'finger dip' and taste test which feels as though it relaxes some of those bruised lumps on your head. A potion of healing. You can use one and pocket the other.

Actions Gunter roll a [2d4+2] for hp restored.

"We should take their garb, don the habits and 'go swinging' beyond that curtain. Let's find the others." Renata says.

At the very least, to hide bodies, she rolls them up in the large rug, leaving it against a wall.

Actions Gunter

[Spearmint]

Dalin update posting next over coffee.

[Spearmint]

Dalin shows Froed the key and decides to make use of it taking a look around first to make sure nobody is watching them.

The dwarf duo quickly move to the locked sude room, entering it and shutting it closed behind. You can lock it just to be sure the steward doesn't come in unannounced.

Like the room Gunter entered, this one is also baroque fashioned, with gaudy wallpapers, panels and ceiling tiles decorated in Silvanus themed scenes. The room is an office, probably of the Inquisitor that left with the steward. A suit of armour stands in one corner, at attention and unlike the one in Mazzah's tower, this one is not animated in any way. At least not under a casual visual inspection. There are bookshelves and cabinets and of course a desk. The intricate and polished mahogany table is in orderly fashion, ledgers and notes in files, fine quills and inks in the desk wells, obligatory portrait frame and glass orb paperweights.

glass orb paperweights.

you remember companion Johka. One trinket he found was an orb just like these, a large orange fruit sized orb that contained a lifelike scarab beetle. His had detected with a magic aura and I believe he took it with him to his grave. You might consider then these also have the same enchantment upon them. The desk has two of them, so Dalin and Froed can equip one each if you fancy stealing one.

A quick scan through ledgers reveal only diplomatic dictates and administrative affairs. The desk does have a locked drawer and that resists any forceful pulling. A skill check or two needed.

Bookshelves contain dusty tomes, old hymnals, archives of Citadel laws and Silvanus dealings, registers of cadets into the Faith's discipleship programmes, certificates of noble deeds, wanted posters (one detailing 'mystery lycans who murdered troops during a recent stagecoach heist), orders for the armoury and requests for silvering weapons.

The round alcove in the north of the room has a raised dias, a step which has been newly tiled with a grotesque mosaic. It is strange for looking at it from the door, the mosaic of jigsaw piece tiles create a typical flower pattern, a rose budding but as you get closer (and being dwarves, closer to the ground so you see things at a more scute angle and have a propensity for stonework and masonry traits) the rose feature actually becomes a vulturine head. Certainly not a Silvanus feature.

Actions Dalin, give me a Open Locks to access the desk, any FRT checks on desk, armour, alcove. A Wisdom check for scouring the cabinets and shelves and a general [1d20] to cover any other searching.

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

With silent thanks to Cromm Cruach, Gunter gulps down the healing draught.

"Ahh that does it. Feelin better already."

He helps Renata dress then has her do the same finishing by buckling his dagger to the belt over the priestly robe. He keeps his clothes and boots on and hopes the habit hides enough of his garb to be passable. Wiping his brow as they finish rolling the rug he turns to Renata.

"You lead the way lass, I'm hopin ye speak elvish or this may be a fools errand we're on."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin pointing to the glass paperweights takes one. "These could be interesting and contain magic, I'm gonna take one you should too if you want Freod." then the dwarf moves back to the door locking it, then moves back to work on the desk drawers, then the armor & puzzle.

Desk
F/R T 45% [1d100]=99
Open Locks 53% [1d100]=80
WIS 11 [4d6]=13
Requested Roll [1d20]=6 Search

Armor
Requested Roll [1d20]=2 Search
F/R T 45% [1d100]=76
WIS 11 [4d6]=9

Puzzle
Requested Roll [1d20]=14 Search
F/R T 45% [1d100]=88
WIS 11 [4d6]=16

[Spearmint]

last but not least ...

Golgarth


Silvanus Temple,

Upper Gallery.

Golgarth and Sidkrake consider options. You decide to circle the place, checking upon those greeting guests in the entrance porch, looking for any signs of discomfort or distress abd avoiding invitations to dance and make merry as the festivities continue.

The choir is well versed and should entertain royally."

There is something more provocative and sinister about this boasting of the Staff Sgt. The elven race is noted to be particularly resistant to Sleep and Charm effects, less so other races of humanity. Could it be then that through music, through song, certain invocations and coercions are manipulated upon unsuspecting folk. Especially ones lured into a false security through excessive drinking or lulled by melodious music, dances and festive themes.

You see the so called 'fancy pants', dressed in fine livery though in truth he no more stands out at the Masquerade Ball as do the more exotic or fashionable dressed guests. He goes around the Colonnade, whispering to guards who are stationed by various portals. Interestingly, the noisy room has gone quiet, maybe ominously so or perhaps whatever private meet has finished and the room is vacated.

Sidkrake thieves skills [1d100]=29

Sidkrake takes a tray of empty glasses and from a cloak room, a servants tabard. Donning that he hopes to avoid close inspection. A few fireworks go off in the sky, bright flashes, colourful patterns of kaleidoscope colours. The momentary distraction enough to quickly gain the upstairs gallery as folk coo to the theatrical bangs. The upstairs has a galleried landing that skirts the Colonnade, a few guests lean over on one side, viewing proceedings below, musicians play the other. To the north end is a corridor and some rooms which must lay above the two side-rooms ventured into by Gunter and Dalin.

Actions Golgarth, give me a Wisdom check and decide which of the two rooms you want to sneak into, supposing you can do that whilst unobserved from casual view.

[Spearmint]

Dalin I will edit here shortly with search and skill check results.

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

Using Sidkrake as cover, I will choose the one furthest away from the staircase just on the instinct that closer rooms are more likely lower ranked or less private.

Golgarth: Wisdom check vs 13 (any Cravat bonus?): [4d6]=8 [4d6]=17 [4d6]=16

I guess basically anyone who has 'detected as evil' must either have evil intent or be under strong evil impulses. That doesn't mean I want to kill the guy but certainly if we can pin him down alone and 'strongly interrogate', that would be my main thoughts.

[Spearmint]

Investigating Inquisitor General's office.

Dalin,

Desk
F/R T 45% [1d100]=99
Open Locks 53% [1d100]=80
WIS 11 [4d6]=13
Requested Roll [1d20]=6 Search

You don't find any obvious traps upon the desk but the locked drawers are secured beyond your ability to pick and even jamming a crowbar to just brute-force them open proves fruitless as they appear augmented to withstand physical efforts to break in. Actions you can take desktop trinkets but the drawers need a higher skill to investigate.

Armor
Requested Roll [1d20]=2 Search
F/R T 45% [1d100]=76
WIS 11 [4d6]=9

The armour, a half-plate breastplate and helm with complimentary forearm and leg greaves set over a marble model. Around the waist is buckled a fine duelling sabre and slim dagger. The figure holds a traditional longspear, doubling as a light cavalry lance. The blade head is silver edged. You cannot tell what is magical over normal but on casual inspection each piece appears of artisan appeal and remain sharp enough to indicate they are not just for ceremonial purposes.

Actions if you want to remove any off the above, then I need an action post to specify what you want to take.

Puzzle
Requested Roll [1d20]=14 Search
F/R T 45% [1d100]=88
WIS 11 [4d6]=16

The alcove puzzle is an enigma. Once more your trap finding skills fall short of any discovery. Touching the tiles, tapping the mosaic, assessing the alcoves reveals no secrets and triggers no traps. You have an inkling though the deception (showing a Silvanus image but changing to reveal an Impurax one) is a recent modification. The alcove is a few feet wide and deep, enough for both of you to step into.

actions A definite action 'I step into the alcove' to investigate more.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin

@ Armor takes the saber and leaves the rest alone.

@ Desk what is needed for a "high skill" check? the only object of interest Dalin already took.

@ Alcove goes into the alcove to investigate further.
Search Requested Roll [1d20]=9

[Spearmint]

Investigating Inquisitor General's office.

Dalin,

One dwarf equips a sabre, the other takes the dagger. The suit of armour makes no protest.

The 'higher skill roll' is meant to mean you didn't open the lock and a more competent rogue (a successful check) might. Froed fails too, so no progress getting into lock drawers.

You do get into the alcove. It is strange, has some magic or illusion effect (or just artisan crafted to have a 3D visual effect on the 2 dimensional surface). Perhaps the alcove has a secret door?

No secret door, but it does have secrets. Dalin, a round after you and Froed step onto the surface, you vanish ...

[Spearmint]

Silvanus Temple: crypts.

Dalin and Froed are surprised to suddenly see everything go black and an instant later feel a chill. Cold air, fetid with damp. You rub your eyes.

You stand in another tiled surface, it has a mosaic of a grotesque bird but with two rotting heads.

You are in a crypt by the feel of things, your infravision kicking in to the darkness once you become accustomed to surrounds. The dias you stand upon is similarly sized to the alcove in the Inquisitor's room, so you may conclude you are below that room. The room you are in has similar proportions and contains an archway in the same place where the other had a locked door. The room is bare of features, certainly not an office. Odd crates, empty barrels along one side but nothing of interest.

Beyond the archway you hear voices. Elves talking, but you are unfamiliar with that dialect. Looking beyond you can see a large chamber (like the Narthex) and instead of a curtain it has a rail of bars with a cell gate in the middle. This side of the bars stands four figures, highlighted by the flickering light from torches in set scones on the wall either side of the bars. Two of the figures are cloaked in typical priest fashion. The other two figures look mortified and dreary (mortified might be a clue for they walk with shambling gaits).

Around the chamber are what look like two stone coffers against each wall (if you see the blueprint pic, you can see a small protruding bit that divides the chamber in half), there are two coffers also in the next half of the room. The two acolytes are by the gate, the two zombies just wander about, aimless and presently none of that quartet detect your presence.

actions please

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin not wanting to take on an endeavor of this nature with just him and Froed. Tries to find a way to get back to where they just were. By walking back towards where they appeared in this strange damp crypt of a room.

[Spearmint]

Dalin declines to sneak upon the zombies. Move silently, backstab. Repeat for the other two. Easy to put a foot wrong. Very understandable. You wait by the archway until the zombies pass and meander further away so that even the slightest of noises or footsteps are not heard.

You and Froed go back to the alcove hoping it activates again, sending you back into the Inquisitor's office. You step upon the mosaic which seems to swirl visually under your feet then as it settles it forms the pattern of the one in the office. Sunlight through the windows and fresher atmosphere hits you. Back where you were a few minutes earlier.

actions?

[Spearmint]

Silvanus Temple: the Naos congregation.

Renata reloads her hand held crossbow, sticking it back under her garments. She dons the habit of the deceased foul acolyte, adjusts her masquerade mask and readies herself to leave.

Gunter follows likewise, his bruised skull healed up, headache gone. You both grab a ceremonial mace and exit. Looking about the main door to the outside Colonnade is closed. The door opposite, into a room like the one just vacated is also closed. You can try the handle but as the door is locked and there is no sound from within, the presumption must be that the two dwarves have passed beyond the curtain. Of Golgarth and Sidkrake you don't know any of there whereabouts either since the last time you saw 'stonefather' was watching him escorted away after coercing a guard into dancing.

Even the whereabouts of Renata's crew is suspect. So, down to two. Regardless, you still need to fact find and halt the Impurax cult activity which may seem imminent judging by the two priests you have slain.

You pass beyond the curtain, getting a nod from guards, the masks hiding the fact you actually have eyes, the long draping cloaks covering giveaway footwear and deep cowls hiding Renata's hair at least. You stand in a corner to observe what is happening.

This part of the Temple has rows of pews, folk seated after milling about earlier. You can see by dress they are of more noble or wealthy merchant status. Four robed clerics seated on a front row alongside other dignitaries. You cannot see from the rear but may conclude they are the Silvanus eldership.

To either side are choir stalls and young elven acolytes sing, traditional anthems. A pulpit preacher is giving an address of some kind, lauding Elven and Citadel accomplishments.

Actions Gunter give me a Wisdom check and a [1d20] please. (Just to keep you paranoid).

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Actions Gunter give me a Wisdom check and a [1d20] please. (Just to keep you paranoid).

Now that's just cruel