"Ah, hello! I am Scodi Torensutta Harrelen Beremwocket III. You can call me Scodi, everybody does. So, who are all of you?"
Eanos bows his head to the gnome, saying simply "My name is Eanos." He looks to the others, then. While he has a difficult time doing so himself, he knows that some adventurers prefer to give false names on occasion, and he doesn't wish to give out any more information about his companions than they would be comfortable with.
Scodi nods at your introductions, although appears slightly taken aback by Joru's song. "Well thank you all for coming. And for your verse, I suppose. You'll have to excuse my appearance, you're rather earlier than I expected. You made good time from the Red Dragon! Doubtless you want to know why I need your help."
Scodi takes a seat at the table, "Some days ago, I had a shipment of Orianna due for delivery, a valuable plant stock which I know would sell quickly from the shelves. En route to Fallon my caravan was attacked, however, the caravan guards subdued and my stock stolen! This is a tragedy indeed, not only does it cost me money, but I cannot have bandits thinking they can steal my goods.
"This is, of course, why I need you. I am not of suitable stature to go out hunting bandits, as you can see, but I can see that you may be better suited! Recover my goods and I will reward you with 500 gold each; and you will have my lasting gratitude."
Joru
Knowledge (nature): 1d20+7 = 14
You've heard of Orianna, it's a herb used occasionally in brewing potions and can also be made into a relaxing drink. It doesn't grow locally.
Quarion
Knowledge (nature): 1d20+8 = 9
Orianna isn't a herb or plant that you've come across before. You guess it must be reasonably rare.
Scodi nods at your introductions, although appears slightly taken aback by Joru's song. "Well thank you all for coming. And for your verse, I suppose.
Joru seems a little disappointed by Scodi's response to his verse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rae ArdGaoth
Quarion looks puzzled. "Orianna, you say? I have never heard of such a plant. What are its properties?"
"Quarion, I know a little about Orianna. It is an herb that is sometimes used as a component in magical potions. It is also useful in its own right because it can be made into a relaxing drink."
Turning then to their host and prospective employer, Joru continues, "Orianna doesn't grow around here. Where do you import it from? More importantly, where was your shipment when it was stolen?"
Scodi clenches his fists as he speaks, clearly agitated. "When the attack came, it was almost here, just a few hours out of town! The guards were attacked on the road to Brimbor; when they came round they came and told me about it straight away. It's infuriating that the city guard won't act on this, disgraceful even! 'Outside of the city, not their responsibility, too busy catching real criminals.' It costs good money to keep them, and for what?"
Scodi takes a deep breath, and fetches a drink from a small cabinet in the corner of the room, and taking a sip seems to calm down a little.
" The Orianna is imported from the east, I've got a supplier who dries it and ships it over."
"The guards weren't killed, fortunately. They made it back to me safely, and I so I was able to get one of my wizard friends to send a message over to the Red Dragon. I didn't ask them about a description, I must admit, I didn't know what to do really. I sell herbs, remedies and potions, I'm no investigator. You could ask them though, Isabella took the details of where they are staying."
Location: On Campus of the University of Dayton Ohio
Posts: 669
Dae bends and whispers to Joru, Perhaps it would be prudent to speak with these guards. Something does not sit well with me about this.
OOC: I am flying to Washington DC this evening and Im not sure what my internet capabilities are going to be. I am entirely okay with another player or the DM playing Dae in my absence. I fully understand that that would put Dae's destiny out of my hands, Im fine with that as long as he dies a good death. If its easier for him to not act, thats fine too.
Quarion smiles. "A few hours outside the city you say? That, sir gnome, is my area of expertise. If you know nothing else important, I believe we should start with questioning the guards." The woodland elf turns to the others. "I shall go with Garma on the road while you all speak with the guards. We can scout better with only two of us, and I am no good with... people." He shrugs. "We can meet at the east gate at sunset. Is this plan satisfactory for you all?" Quarion pauses, waiting for input.
Quarion smiles. "A few hours outside the city you say? That, sir gnome, is my area of expertise. If you know nothing else important, I believe we should start with questioning the guards." The woodland elf turns to the others. "I shall go with Garma on the road while you all speak with the guards. We can scout better with only two of us, and I am no good with... people." He shrugs. "We can meet at the east gate at sunset. Is this plan satisfactory for you all?" Quarion pauses, waiting for input.
This is a good plan, I think the rest of us can talk with the gaurds.
Then addressing Scodi again, Joru says, "Where can we find your guards? Have you had problems with bandits, or these particular bandits before? I accept your employ.
OOC: If we go with this plan, the group will have an entire day in Fallon before they meet back up with Quarion. In that case, besides working on their investigations, Joru would also like to do some shopping.
"I can't say it seems safe to go off more or less alone with an unknown number of bandits about, but if you feel it's your best option..." he trails off and shrugs. "I have rather keen senses that have proven useful in detecting trouble early before, but they can be put to good use reading people for deception, as well, so I'm as comfortable going to the questioning as I would be on the scouting mission."
"It does seem like taking care of both paths at once will be most efficient, but I fear that sending one person off alone is not a good idea. I am quite adept at remaining unseen in case bandits were encountered in the woods. I suggest, Quarion, that Eanos or I accompany you, and the others will go and talk to the guards."
He looks to the druid to gauge his reaction to the adjustment. Then he suddenly remembers their new employer and one last question.
"Do you expect any more valuable shipments soon? The best path to finding these bandits may be to lure them out with bait."
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
Quarion nods at Eanos. "If you are capable of remaining silent, I would enjoy your company and your assistance. However, when I walk in the forest alone, there is no trace of my passing except in the memories of the animals who might spy me. If we go together, we may leave a trail for some of our quarry to follow. It does not matter to me."
OOC: Quarion has trackless step, but if we get into trouble I'd rather have Eanos by his side. Hopefully no such thing will happen, but DMs are known to be evil.
OOC: Oddly enough, despite being a bard, Joru would probably be better on a scouting mission in the woods than an investigation in a city. He has not invested any ranks in Diplomacy, Gather Information, or Sense Motive.
He does however have max ranks in listen and hide. Due to his racial traits he has a +15 hide modifier which increases to +19 in wooded areas. He can use Pass without a Trace on himself at will, and he can speak with woodland animals, including Garma.
He would not be much use in a straight up fight, by himself or in a small group; Eanos would be much better for that.
Quarion nods at Eanos. "If you are capable of remaining silent, I would enjoy your company and your assistance. However, when I walk in the forest alone, there is no trace of my passing except in the memories of the animals who might spy me. If we go together, we may leave a trail for some of our quarry to follow. It does not matter to me."
OOC: Quarion has trackless step, but if we get into trouble I'd rather have Eanos by his side. Hopefully no such thing will happen, but DMs are known to be evil.
Eanos considers a moment before saying, "I am not trained specifically for stealth, though I'm light of foot naturally. I have enough faith in my senses, though, that I expect I would notice our foes before they would notice us."
OOC: Eanos hasn't got any ranks in Move Silently, unfortunately, so he's only got the untrained +2 mod, though he's chock full of Spot and Listen goodness (+12 each. It's hard to catch him unawares even if you're invisible). Eanos won't argue one way or t'other, so just give him a yea or nay and assume he takes it all in stride.
"May I suggest this: Dae and Alden, go visit the guards in the city. Joru, Eanos, and myself will take to the forest and see what there is to find there. We are more likely to encounter battle outside the city, so I will agree with Eanos' logic that we should remain together. Is this satisfactory for us all?"
Linear Mode
And yet another word from our sponsors
