Chapter 3: The Lord's House

[shaidar]

Shmehk takes his cue from Raamiz, following him at an opportune moment.

[AureoBuendia]

Aurs Bonne

[removed]

"You DO know this place, then, yes? The owner's name? Do they still take deliveries here?"

"I am an acquaintance of the proprietor of this house. Yes. Are you bringing something to deliver?"

[Marullus]

Fiemar Snow-born

"Am I?" he sighs heavily, speaking again in Low Lankhmarese, "Weeks to get it here, then the place is boarded up. Can you imagine?" Fiemar sighs again, confiding in the young friendly noble with his troubles. "Where do I find this acquaintance or..." he pauses, glancing at the boarded up door, "are you seeking him here as well?"

[Wintermute]

Hlalf
Words of foreign tongues drift unrecognized past Hlalf's blank stare.

"North Speak, my kinsmen," he injects into the delivery inquiries he does not comprehend. Hlalf turns to the giant Lankhmarian, "didn't think they make southern folk your size." Then he turns towards the two other Northmen, "Call me Hlalf Frostmane. Snow Leopard Clan... but never seen me homeland. Sailor's bastard." His words are slow, as if this small amount of conversation is laborious.

I went with a background which is somewhat disconnected from his clan, so that if the outcast turns out to be the same clan, Hlalf won't shun him too much. Also I'm going attempting an improper speech pattern to represent his Int. of 5. If it becomes problematic or difficult to read let me know. It could easily slip into the "me Tarzan you Jane clichéd dialogue...

[drpete]

Just a note of clarification... Aurs has no idea what the second Northman is saying, about haunted houses, introductions, etc. He's speaking in a foreign language.

[Wintermute]

Since Hlalf only speaks North Speak, I don't see the need to keep explicitly stating what language I'm using. He is arrogant enough to assume people understand him anyways even though he is a foreigner here!

It suddenly occurs to me that it is odd that he has never seen his homeland and yet only speaks its language... hmm. I'm sure there is a story there...

[Marullus]

I made a point of repeating "Haunted" in Low Lankmarese, which I think is what he was responding to. I'm enjoying the language interplay here.

Realizing that Hlalf is lost (and a bit slow), Fiemar speaks to him in Coldspeak. "Well met, Hlalf Frostmane... you can call me Fiemar. What do you say of haunting? This, I think, makes it more interesting." He offers him a friendly smile as he continues to try to establish rapport with either of the men. "The noble here is known to the 'proprietor' of the building; if we must go in and check on him, perhaps your arm may be valued by him... against any hauntings."

He turns back to Aurs Bonne in Low Lankhmarese, offering apology as he translates between them. "This fellow is called Hlalf; doesn't know the local tongue. Said the place was haunted." He pauses momentarily. "You were saying, you're coming to check on the proprietor?"

[drpete]

As Shmehk and Raamiz slink around toward the back of the building, into the square come a group of half a dozen constables.

Seeing several seedy-looking Northmen loitering in the dark cul-de-sac, one of whom is openly urinating, they call out to you, in Low Lankhmarese: "You there! What are you doing! Come here, at once!"

The constables draw their billy clubs and advance, intent on arresting you for loitering and possibly pummeling you into submission. Two move toward the urinating Asle, and four move toward the other group!

Here's a point where maybe I should mention that you all have, in addition to your regular luck, 1 fleeting luck. I've tried to get down a summary of some of your stats, so let me know if you see anything messed up.

Shmehk Scree | Wizard | HP: 10/10 | AC: 12 | Luck: (10-2)+1=9 (+0)

Offense:
Init: +1 | Str: 0 | Agl: +1
Actions: d20 | Attack: 0
Threat: 20 | Crit: d6/Table I

Longsword: d8 (Deed Die: d3)

Defense:
Ref: +2 Fort: +1 Will: 0
Agl: +1 / Armor (Padded): +1 / AC: 12
Armor Check: 0 | Fumble: d8

-------------------
Raamiz | Thief | HP: 10/10 | AC: 12 | Luck: (16-2)+1=15 (+1)

Luck Die: d3

Offense:
Init: +1 | Str: -1 | Agl: +1
Actions: d20 | Attack: +0
Threat: 20 | Crit: d10+2 for lucky roll/II

Dagger: d4/d10 | 10/20/30
Shortsword: d6

Defense:
Ref: +2 Fort: +1 Will: +1
Agl: +1 / Armor(Padded): +1/ AC: 12
Armor Check: 0/ Fumble: d8

-------------------
Asle Lunn | Wizard | HP: 3/3 | AC: 11 | Luck: 10+1=11 (+0)

Offense:
Init: 0 | Str: +1 | Agl: 0
Actions: d20 | Attack: 0
Threat: 20 | Crit: d6/Table I

Longsword: d8

Defense:
Ref: +1 Fort: 0 Will: 0
Agl: 0 / Armor (Padded): +1 / AC: 11
Armor Check: 0 | Fumble: d8

-------------------
Fiemar Snow-Born | Wizard | HP: 5/5 | AC: 9 | Luck: 10+1=11 (+0)

Offense:
Init: -1 | Str: -1 | Agl: -1
Actions: d20 | Attack: 0
Threat: 20 | Crit: d6/Table I

Longsword: d8 (+1 for lucky roll)

Defense:
Ref: 0 Fort: 0 Will: +2
Agl: -1 / Armor (None): 0 / AC: 9
Armor Check: 0 | Fumble: d4

-------------------
Aurs Bonne | Warrior | HP: 6/6 | AC: 13 | Luck: 15+1=16 (+2)

Offense:
Init: +2 | Str: +2 | Agl: +1
Actions: d20 | Attack: 1d3
Threat: 19-20 | Crit: d12/Table III

Two-Handed Sword: d10 (d16 for initiative) (+1 to hit for lucky weapon)

Defense:
Ref: +2 Fort: +3 Will: 0
Agl: +1 / Armor (Leather): +2 / AC: 13
Armor Check: -1 | Fumble: d8

-------------------
Hlalf Frostmane | Warrior | HP: 7/7 | AC: 12 | Luck: 8+1=9 (+0)

Offense:
Init: +2 | Str: +1 | Agl: +1
Actions: d20 | Attack: 1d3
Threat: 19-20 | Crit: d12/Table III

War Hammer: d8 (Lucky Weapon, "Skull Breaker")
Javelin: 1d6 30/60/90
Dagger: 1d4/1d10 10/20/30

Defense:
Ref: +2 Fort: +2 Will: -1
Agl: +1 / Armor (Padded): +1 / AC: 12
Armor Check: 0 | Fumble: d8

[Trinculo]

Simultaneous post. Let's have this happen right before the constables show up, if that's amenable.

Asle Lunn finishes and takes a few steps toward the group.

He looks Hlalf and Fiemar up and down, noting the mark of the outcast on the latter. He shrugs and says in the North Speak, A stranger to the North-lands and an outcast? I mean no offence, but let us call things what they are: we are not kinsmen.
Switching to Low Lankhmarese, Asle continues, I am Asle Lunn of the _______ *Tribe. I came here this evening to relieve this old ruin of any gold stowed away beneath the floor-boards. As you seem to be either acquaintances of the owners, or running errands for them, I will leave off from my intent and depart so as not to create cause for trouble between us. Although, Asle leans in closer and lowers his voice, It is likely not I that pose the greatest threat to the peace of your acquaintance's domicile. As they say, "the fox leaves the hutch before the chickens". Where have the other two slipped away to, while introductions were being made?"

*insert appropriate name here.

[AureoBuendia]

Aurs Bonne's posture immediately straightens up and his voice changes. Up until now he has been handling himself as he does when he is among those his family refers as 'lowlives', but this looks like a time to pull his nobility.

"Well met constables, what is happening here?"

[Marullus]

Fiemar

Fiemar frowns at the urinating man's insult but gives no reply as the Constables interrupt. He pivots to stand adjacent to Aurs Bonne, associating himself with the lanky Noble. He straightens his jerkin again to ensure that he still looks as respectable as possible.

[drpete]

The constables will be attempting to restrain people while Aurs talks to them.

Are you going to resist, or allow yourselves to be restrained and arrested?

If you choose to not to let an officer restrain you, you can roll initiative and tell me that you want to do. If you don't resist, you will, naturally, become restrained.

We'll resolve the success/ failure of Aurs' talking after you all let me know how you want to react. Aurs and Fiemar, I assume you'll be taking no "aggressive" actions as they spproach. Does this include up to being restrained?

[AureoBuendia]

Aurs Bonne will inquire and assess their behavior and motivations. Law officers have their place in society keeping the peace, but he has seen them get out hand enough to not trust them. At this point he is not entirely sure of the constables nor the trespassers. If needed be he'll try to pull rank and nobility.

Once everyone has decided what they're doing and the direction things are going I'll talk.

[Wintermute]

Hlalf
Init: [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10

Hlalf bolts into action, unaware that the noble is trying to talk the lawmen down. He will run behind the house of interest, following behind the two who had walked that way earlier.

[drpete]

Hlalf
Init: [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10

Hlalf bolts into action, unaware that the noble is trying to talk the lawmen down. He will run behind the house of interest, following behind the two who had walked that way earlier.

Ok, for *definitely* complicating this situation over the language issue you can have a fleeting luck

[Marullus]

Fiemar

Fiemar is indignant (indignant, I say!) at such rough treatment when nothing is being done wrong by him or his Noble friend. He takes no violent action and helps support Aurs Bonne, who legitimately looks like he belongs here.

(If we can sell out the larger threats to divert attention from us, that's on the table.)

[Enoch]

Raamiz hisses a warning to his companion as he hears someone coming down the alley and whirls, half-drawing his sword. "I fear our departure wasn't as unnoticed as I had intended." He cries out in a contralto voice "Who follows? We are not foolish revelers, to be set upon by beggars and thieves. Show yourself."

[shaidar]

Shmehk turns at his friends warning, hand on pommel he also calls out

"If you intend mischief, be warned that we have the means and will to defend ourselves!"

[AureoBuendia]

Just so I can keep things in order. I think we have:
(1) Shmehk and (2) Raamiz, who tried to sneak to the back and are being pursued.
(3) Aurs Bonne, who wishes to talk to the guards, maybe play the nobility card, and keep an eye on the intruders.
(4) Fiemar, who hired himself as Aurs’ attendant for self preservation.
(5) Hlalf, who thanks to language barriers ran away like a wanted man.
(6) And Asle Lunn introduced himself to Aurs and Fiemar. Still hasn’t reacted to guards.

[Trinculo]

Asle sees no reason to take a beating from the city guard for simply loitering. If the words of the southern giant have no effect, he will attempt to charm the most prominent one of the constables. A lulling harmony plays briefly as this spell is cast.
I have no idea how obvious spellcasting is here and whether it will be too suspect. Perhaps Asle will simply be dog-piled and beat into submission. I hope that will not be the case, but we will see.

Initiative: [1d20] = 16

Spellcasting [1d20+3] = 19+3 = 22
(Assuming that the target is not armoured in iron. Otherwise, -4 to this result.)

Spell result:

The wizard can target a number of creatures equal to his caster level. Each target must make a Will save or fall under the caster’s complete control, as if it were his friend. However, the target will not perform actions that are suicidal or which a devoted friend would not otherwise perform. The target is able to operate at full normal functionality while charmed. The target receives another save to break the charm according to its original Intelligence, as follows: Int 3-6 = one month; Int 7-9 = three weeks; Int 10-11 = two weeks; Int 12-15= one week; Int 16-17 = three days; Int 18+ = next day.

I will greet the constable in question like a good friend, and ask him to lead his patrol off in the direction of the nearest tavern and spend as much time as is needed personally combing through the denizens for any wanted or unruly characters. Leaving behind all the assembled PCs, as they are no threat to anyone and simply minding their own respectable business.