Bogtown: Favours

[Spearmint]

I am updating this thread next with details in the Silvanus Embassy.

[Spearmint]

Bogtown. Duchy of Aerik.

Silvanus Embassy.

The imposing premises is set apart from the huddle of tradesmens cottages that square the market area with the Toasted Troll Tavern.

A stone walled mansion with many gables surrounding by a high wall fenced further with a wrought railing. Guards patrol, though do so at random intervals, walking a pattern around the rampart perimeter. Passing through the entrance gateway and covered porch, visitors arrive in a courtyard with a stable and barracks set to one side. The main building houses a Shrine to Silvanus, and the headquarters of a sect of bounty hunters. Various elven dignitaries are accommodated as guests here while they visit Bogtown.

You know too that a subterranean passage led from the Bogtown Well cistern cavern, through to a storage room in the cellar level of the building that housed a defiled chapel to Impurax and a side room used for breeding various leeching and parasitic critters.

That passage has since collapsed after being warded by divine glyphs. So with little choice but to scout the building from the exterior, the group set in motion a plan to raid the place and bring to light any proof of cultic activity and plotting against the Duchy.

Certainly conversations held in confidence with Bogtown elders has yielded no fruit. The general feeling is the elves mind their own business and no outward suspicion is cast upon them. Though you have uncovered the root of a cult, it is still largely dismissed by those in authority. Whilst the Silver Standard continues to export trade, the panhandlers in the surrounding creeks continue work their claims, the dwarves trade iron ore for fish and bushmeat; well the settlement prospers and continues to be a bulwark against any lizardman incursions from the Barrow Moor.

The 'one-in-ten' who may wander the town with glazed or shifty looks are merely labelled as 'spice addicts', vagabond labourers and never-do-wells probably escaping the law in Ironguard.

Anyone approaching the main gate is quickly rebuffed unless they are elven and have come to worship or have official business. Two guards stand to duty under the eaves of the main gate porch. Two guards walk in opposite patrol's along the boundary wall. The stable and barracks is lit inside by a few lanterns whose light filters through shuttered windows into the courtyard. The imposing building, the Embassy proper, has dimmed lights in one or two rooms but no one comes or goes from the building.

So take a look at the building (taken in a winter scene, there is no snow in the summer season) and give me some actions to follow.

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

I think two things. We need to sneak in to investigate. And killing cultists and Impurax possessed is no issue but until we know what is really going on, we can't just assassinate guards because we think they are cultists without proof.

he thinks too how the elves have been converted from Silvanus to Impurax. I mean that in itself is difficult to imagine, though finding a drow in the dungeon chapel, perhaps it is no surprise after all.

Let us do a scout of the area. Perhaps each thief skilled can check for likely weaknesses to sneak in. Which places are best to climb, where is most shadowed. And the fighter skilled might be able to study the guards for routines and alertness.

Take say 'an hour of observation' then we make a move.

I will myself walk by the gates, not sure if I can go ask them regarding places of worship. By all accounts there are few. But checking, using a detect evil, on the guards at the porch and general area.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin cracks his knuckles and flexes his fingers "So you want me to climb in then I take it? Or is there another one of us that is sleight of hand?" his code for of a thief/roguish skill-set.

[Joey2k]

Being less than nimble himself, Johka takes up a position where he can observe the comings and goings of the guard without drawing undue attention to himself. He keeps an extra eye out for any who appear to be in charge or of higher status.

[Hvalreki]

Bogtown

Silvanus Embassy

Gunter

I’m assuming we’ve had time to recover & clean up from “the bridge too far.”
During that time Gunter buys a common shirt of homespun wool and a hunter green waxed wool hooded cloak. He has Sidrake help him chop his hair into a similar haircut favored by Bogtown locals, shaves his sorry beard and burns his signature red shirt. He repaints his small shield navy blue and adorns it with a white crown over simple chevron mountains.

“Not so sure I agree with you on the guards innocence Stonefather. Only one gate and Dellboy and Rodders had to go through it. I think we should assume anyone living there is tainted or in league with the cult. Visitors maybe, maybe not but that temple was defiled. Can’t hide that even from the stupid.

Sid, you and your mates watched this place for a fortnight afore we met this crew. Did you remember anything at all that might help us? Numbers, routines, anything?

When we do make our move should be well after midnight when men’s minds wander most on duty.”

[Spearmint]

yes you can rest and spruce up.

[Spearmint]

Sidkrake

Gives a brief explaining that in the week after the first raid, security was increased. Subsequently various Bogtown elders and council members came and went, which may explain if they are closet cultists, any reluctance to investigate the Embassy.

Notably no elves from either the Wrymwood or the Thornswild visited, unless by night. Stagecoach with tinted windows came but no info in who was inside.

The general routine is as described. A bare handful of guards at the gate and some patrolling the grounds. They seem to rotate on four hour watches. Armed with breastplates and fancy helm, more ceremonial than practical (think Conquistador type Morion helm).

Certain merchants bring goods to the gate when ordered. Perhaps that could be a ruse?

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Not trusting Verne the apothecary I’d like to buy some supplies from Toadmother before we assail the Embassy.

“Maybe Toadmother would be willing to help us with a discount or advice since we’re fighting the cult? I’m out of hurtloam and who knows what we’ll run into there.”

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

He is reluctant to go visit the strange crone. In other times he might have accused her of starting the tick-borne parasites and control. But we are short of supplies, particularly in the health department and he cannot pray for more until he has done his devotions.

"I don't like it. Not one bit but if that woman can help then it might lead to her redemption too. "

She has some kind of 'witch-sight' too, prophesying correctly that Gunter needed a silvered weapons to defeat the wight. If the embassy guards are about their duty now, then in a few hours little may have changed. If Toadmother can grant us a key, some cover, some token that advantages our aim, then reluctantly I saw we agree with Gunter and go to the Toadmother.

[Hvalreki]

yes you can rest and spruce up.

I believe this means we can assume rest and recovery prior to moving in on the embassy so you should have your spells and hp full when we start. We probably had time to resupply - probably a couple days have passed since the bridge

[Spearmint]

Not for clerics. They receive spells daily so Golgarth will not get another Cure spell until tomorrow.

So I took the 'rest & spruce up' as a few hours in the tavern not an overnight.

It is the same day but later in the afternoon.

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Gunter runs his hands over the stubble of his new “Bogtown special” haircut and frowns down at his plain wool shirt.

“Toadmother it is then, we should steer clear of the Tavern for a few days too until the militiamen make their way back north. We may want to rest and heal before we go in to the embassy. Maybe we can stay with Sid’s people or Froed’s guildsmen while we wait a day or two.”

[Spearmint]

Okay. So after staking out the Embassy and getting a detail on the patrol routines, the group decide to withdraw from public view and tavern quarters and travel the few miles to see Toadmother.

Since she has her own location thread in the Settlement: Bogtown, we will move the action there as you ask her advice.

[Spearmint]

Returning to here after the overnight with Toadmother.

I will edit and upload draft here later. After being online throughout the night, I need a sleep but will attend to this next this evening.

[Spearmint]

The Silvanus Embassy

Four cloaks have been laundered clean and dry, simple linens of a waxed denim type cotton with a sheep skin lining and hood. Each cloak fits a human sized figure with Dalin's taking a bit of needlecraft to widen the shoulder and shorten the hems. On first glance they appear as typical commoners garb, but looking at each other, you see that each person has taken an illusory visage, the face of an elf.

You can have a bit of fun looking at your features in a hand held mirror, trying to touch the pointed lobes of elven ears or giving side glances to high cheekbones and more slim fey facial profiles.

Dalin, (maybe less impressed might still prefer to have the Mummy Rot than wander looking as an elf). Jests aside, the illusion is good, even close up though Toadmother remarks that the magic in the cloaks' is contained within the dye and the material is not colourfast, inferring the duration of the illusion is not a permanent feature.

But, it might be enough to get you past the warded gates and so the whole group, Froed and Sidkrake included gather to put the plan in motion.

Walking towards the main gates, the group is noted and one of the guards comes to the other side of the portal. He speaks in elven. For a moment no one answers, folk shuffle feet and look uncomfortable. The guard repeats his introduction and as Golgarth aline is the only elven speaker among you, it is up to him to address the guard, state your business and gain entrance to the compound.

Bear in mind that Sidkrake and Froed have no illusion so appear as they are.

actions Golgarth please and add a [4d6] with your roll.

actions Gunter, Dalin & Johka, comment in your elven appearance and state any actions in support of Golgarth.

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

Drained of a pint of blood but otherwise feeling okay, he will lead the group to the gates of the Embassy.

Golgarth: Wisdom check vs 13 (any Cravat bonus?) [4d6]=12

"Good morning. Fine day, we have come unannounced I know but wish to pay our respects. Is the priest present, we have some tithe offerings to lay on the Shrine and perhaps we could avail ourselves of some welcome hospitality."

To be fair, Golgarth is not so on top of the correct protocols and pleasantries that elves might go through, being quite rustic in all he does. But he speaks well enough if a little strange in the accent.

If asked regarding business he gestures at his fellows behind, "Mere merchants and pilgrims from a small community over the Moon Peaks. Our dwarf guide and his associate are helping our export business. Bogtown is a long trek but the Embassy a welcome sight."

Ideally I want to cut the small talk to a minimum and hope to avoid any frisking down of our persons.

I will look the guard over and past him to the stable and building in the left. Once I have my foot in the gate if it opens, I will hustle myself in.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin looks like a nearly red brunette elf with shortly cut hair no beard or mustache but a slightly scarred face with what looks like a sword cut scar over his left eye diagonal almost following the direction of his eyebrow. He has the build and look of a bare fist brawler, toned leg muscles but fairly good-sized arm muscles like a boxer might have, one ear also has a small chunk missing from it where it looks like something might have taken a bite or slice out of it. The "elven dwarf" stays quiet and just keeps a stern look on his face he acts as if he is partially deaf.

[Joey2k]

Johka muses and scowls at his lithe, slender appearance, so unlike his natural form yet somehow still retaining more than a hint of his own facial features. He listens silently as Golgarth addresses the elves in their tongue, having no idea what he is saying or what the response might be, looking around as if bored and restless but in actuality searching for other embassy staff who may have taken an interest in them.

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Gunter says nothing and tries to look bored as he scans the area for threats and strongpoints.

Sorry I missed the start of this thread, I thought we were still at Toadmother's hovel and I was waiting for an update there - apologies .