Kulan: Knightfall's Crisis in Bluffside Game [IC]

[Knightfall]

Relgar Takes His Leave:

Seemingly outvoted, Relgar relents. "Fine; whatever we're going to do, let's just do it. The longer it takes us to confront Elday Annithclay, the more prepared for us he will be. Take it from one who knows, an arcanist loves nothing better than to convince his enemies to sleep on it before confronting him."

'I suggest a strategic retreat,' a voice intones in Relgar's head. The intelligent tome, Obliteration of the Eclipse, draws Relgar from the physical world into a mindscape that looks like Relgar's home. 'It is folly to continue down this path. The others are willing to rush into danger and I sense you are not inclined to lose your life over the renegade's plans. If you return to your home, I will find a way to protect you, personally, from the sorcerer. I cannot protect the others, but I don't think they would accept such help even if I offered, if it means having to abandon the people. ' Eclipso pauses. 'We might have to withdraw from the city, entirely. I know of several secret lairs that now stand vacant and I will gladly help you become powerful enough to bypass the wards, but it will take time.'

Relgar watches as several unknown locations flash through the mindscape. One in particular intrigues him.

'Ah, that one is an interesting choice. It is quite far and isolated. it is good choice. I suggest you return home immediately. It will be safer there for the time being.'

Relgar doesn't even nod in the physical word. He simply walks away from the others instead of following along towards the Garden's tower where the guards went missing. Luckily, Custodio is not around to object to him leaving. The others do not notice his departure (at first). The draft-wizard stops at the old Oakfirst residence to pack up the meager belongings he'd left there. The staff don't seem to be aware of his presence in the manor or his leaving for the safety of the Wizard District. For the first time in a while, Relgar's mind is free of the renegade sorcerer and the constant worry of being attacked. His mind can completely focus on his studies once again.

Once home, he locks all the doors and windows. There a good amount of dust. He cleans up and then bolts himself inthe back room to do more research on the location Eclipso showed him. Hmm, he could borrow some books from the library in Terger's old house. Terger had said he could. He shakes his head. 'You don't want to be accused of stealing and end up in the Dungeon. Stay here for now and read. I can protect you for now. The others will go on without you and fight Waldo.'

OOC: I needed 5 re-reads to understand who is Elday Turning things around for non-native speakers...ouch!

OOC: You weren't the only one who didn't get it right away. Heh!

Searching for the Missing Guards:

Tuck nods to Sylemis gratefully.

"Thank you, friend. Stay safe."

The kobold then turns to his companions.

"Shall we check on the others first? Or should we confront our adversary right away?"

Tim, who has been silent thusfar, speaks up: "I see no reason why we can't spare the time to go look for the guards now. If they were felled by a creature, it might still be nearby, and we have a chance to catch it. If they were taken against their will, then every minute we delay looking for them is a minute within which they could be tortured or executed. It is wrong to wait."

Arcanus Detch turns to look at them and beckons them to follow. "If you're going to look for the guards, you should start at the tower. We didn't find any obvious clues in the tower. Nathaniel's tabard was still hanging from his peg but he often chafes at the idea of wearing it all the time. None of Geoffrey's gear was left behind, except for his playing cards. He likes to gamble but I wouldn't say he has a problem."

The arcanus remains mute the rest of the way to the tower unless engaged to speak. He shows them Nathaniel's tabard, still hanging on the guard's peg alongside the other guards' tabards, cloaks, and even a few extra weapons hanging from sheathes. Geoffrey's peg is the only one without something hanging from it. The playing cards are stacked neatly on the table on the main floor of the tower. One guard sits at the table, reading a dusty old book.

"This is my apprentice, Torcull," Detch says. "He just came on duty."

The man, no boy, looks barely old enough to wield the staff leaning against the wall next to him. He looks up and acknowledges his arcane master and then notes the assortment of adventurers before him. His eyes go wide when sees Tim and then his mouth snaps shut when he notices Tuck. Mutt sniffs around the table, which makes the young man nervous.

"Arcanus, are these the people you told me about?" He asks.

"Yes, and try not to embarrass yourself or me," Detch replies calmly. "They are going to try to find Geoffrey and Nathaniel, the gods willing." The old wizard pauses and shakes his head. "Tuck in your shirt, lad. And put on your tabard. I need you to go get Isabella from the ramparts."

The boy nods and gets up while trying to avoid Mutt's inquisitive nose. He heads up the tower's spiral staircase and out of sight.

"Isabella Svend. She was on duty when the other two disappeared. She says she didn't notice any odd behavior from either of them, but you should question her. Perhaps she will tell you something that she won't share with an old sod like me." Detch moves to the stairs. "I will be at my desk. Paperwork to do."

The group only has to wait a few minutes for the young Elite named Isabella to arrive, escorted by Torcull. The boy shuffles his feet to his staff, which he'd forgot and then disappears back upstairs. Isabella is older and more confident but she balks when she looks at Breva but then steels heself.

"I'm told you wish to speak to me about the others? There isn't much I can say that I haven't told Detch," she rolls her eyes when she says the arcanus's name. "They're probably both slacking off, is all. Geoffrey Suggitt is so unreliable and Nathaniel is a fop easily swayed by a pretty face, male or female."

OOC: Tuck gets a +2 circumstance bonus to track Nathaniel using the guards cloak and Mutt's help (in addition to any other bonuses). The guards have only been missing for part of the day (we'll say about 6 to 8 hours). The cards on the table have too many other scents on them for Mutt to distinguish Geoffrey's.

OOC: Sorry I haven't responded lately, I've had a lot of RL stuff going on.

OOC: No worries.

 

[JustinCase]

Tuck ignores the expression on Torcull's face when he sees the kobold, instead moving over to the cloak from one of the missing guards. He beckons Mutt to sniff the item, while he himself asks a few questions about the guards to form an image of who they are and where they may have gone off to.

"What are their last names? What's their family's standing? Any places they frequent often? What assignments did they get the last few days? What were their specific instructions on duty? How would you describe their personalities? Did they get along well?"

OOC: As an urban ranger, I can use Gather Information to track a person, hence the questions. Gather Information to track Nathaniel: 1D20+16 = [19]+16 = 35

 

[Scotley]

Breva looks at the woman curiously before realizing he might be being rude to stare so frankly and begins looking around the room. Once Tuck finishes his barrage of questions he ask, "So they have abandoned their post without telling anyone before?"

Breva make a show of looking about examining things in the room and surreptitiously detects evil.

 

[Aust Thale]

Falen Enters Bluffside:

The unseen seer is soon wading through the throng to the massive lifts that will take him from the Undercity up to the New City district of Bluffside. The lifts are run by water wheels and steam power and the one descending to him makes an awful racket. The lift arrives and the metal grate opens and dozens of workers pour out to begin what is likely the night shift, as dusk is soon approaching. Those heading home up in New City push on to the lift and Falen is carried on to it. The smell of people cogs his nose. Falen is thankful once he reaches the top and the workers exit the lift. He is one of the last to leave the lift.

The Bluffside Regulars stop him as he does. "I don't recognize you. Are you new to the city?" The guard sergeant asks Falen. His tone is very serious. "New City is under Martial Law, I need you to provide your credentials or your worker's badge."

Falen, speaking with a thick, highly educated Sprache accent but in the language of the guard (this is Cliffspeak, yes?), "Indeed Guard Sargeant. Many apologies. I just arrived, and other than your obviously effective presence, I was unaware of the city's status. I would like to gain entry in the proper manner. Should you direct me, I shall do so. Could you help me with this? I know your time is valuable; I would be most appreciative. As to why I am here, I trade things. Today, I am particularly interested in securing ale, wine, and exotic spirits. I am to meet a cheeky fellow named Steadman who is supposed to have a line on a rare blend of Frostwine. I have a bottle here in my pack. I want more. He works during the day in the southeast pie-slice of the city. I will have to inquire as to where specifically. Unfortunately, I don't have that information just yet. This state of affairs here doesn't bold well for my prospects, I can see that. Again, apologies if I have caused consternation."

Spoiler: Sense Motive Attempt

Falen wants to carefully measure this fellow, whether he might be helpful or useful, now or later. #1d20+7. I'm not sure which dice system you use, so might the DM help a brother out and roll for me?

 

[Knightfall]

Guard Tower in the Gardens:

Tuck ignores the expression on Torcull's face when he sees the kobold, instead moving over to the cloak from one of the missing guards. He beckons Mutt to sniff the item, while he himself asks a few questions about the guards to form an image of who they are and where they may have gone off to.

"What are their last names? What's their family's standing? Any places they frequent often? What assignments did they get the last few days? What were their specific instructions on duty? How would you describe their personalities? Did they get along well?"

OOC: As an urban ranger, I can use Gather Information to track a person, hence the questions. Gather Information to track Nathaniel: 1D20+16 = [19]+16 = 35

"Nathaniel is the youngest son of the Aceron Family. They are a wealthy merchant family but not true nobility," Isabella replies. "I've never met any of his family, but I know they have a house here in Old City and shop in New City. I think they sell used and found magical items brought in by adventurers. I don't think he has anything to do with the family business. He often complains about his older sister who is next in line when their mother passes away. While I've never met her, Lady Aceron, from what Nathaniel brags about, is too tough to die. Nathaniel's duty is to stand guard in front of the tower and tell visitors that the area around the tower is restricted." She pauses. "As I said, he's a fop and easily swayed by good looks. He spends a lot of time carousing with young lords and ladies. He does do a decent enough job as a guard, but if you want to know more about his record, I suggest you go the Regulars Barracks here in Old City and ask Captain Ivan Wildore. Nathaniel didn't seem to mind spending time with Geoffrey, which pisses me off!"

She shakes her head. "Geoffrey Suggitt is a sniveling little weasel who often shirks his duty and gambles away his pay -- the day he gets it. He is only good around here for the lightest of work... unless he has a chance to kill something." She lowers his voice. "Arcanus Detch seems unwilling to sack Geoffrey because his noble family has had bad luck and 'this is all young Suggitt has left in the world'. His father was a bad as him and gambled away most of the family's fortune. That's not bad luck. That's incompetence." She sits down at the table and thinks for a minute. "I really don't know where'd you'd find him when he's not here, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is lounging in some seedy brothel in the Undercity or out on Sordadon. He's an Elite, so he answers to Commander Jessamin Trembath. She has an office at the barracks but spends more time at the Tribunal as a Guardian to the Magistrates. Personally, I don't think Suggitt care about much anymore. He's lied to me and to everyone else here more than once."

Breva looks at the woman curiously before realizing he might be being rude to stare so frankly and begins looking around the room. Once Tuck finishes his barrage of questions he ask, "So they have abandoned their post without telling anyone before?"

Breva make a show of looking about examining things in the room and surreptitiously detects evil.

"Nathaniel is a good guard and doesn't abandon his post. Him disappearing is strange but who knows. If he thinks he can get some amour, I wouldn't put it past him." Isabella says amour with disdain in her voice. "Suggitt has disappeared before, but he always covers his buttocks before doing so. This time, he just left. From what the other guards who were playing cards with him said, he just got up and left without a word. He didn't seem panicked but he did look worried. Perhaps his mother is drunk again. She didn't handle her husband's death very well -- not that she's a pillar of the district. She has lost herself in the Black Boudoir near the theater. It would almost be tragic if she didn't go home and beat her step-daughter. Poor girl. That, I guess, is Geoffrey's one redeeming feature, he cares about his step-sister. He talked about it once while drunk, on duty." She sighs. "His mother married an old peddler named Tinon. The man usually works out of New City, but I doubt he's working now since the Martial Law edict. Geoffrey hates him."

She shakes her head and look at the stairs. "I've tried to get Suggitt kicked off the guards or, at least, reassigned to someplace less important, but Arcanus Detch always gives him 'one more chance'. It's like that man is the patron saimpt of lost causes."

OOC: Breva doesn't detect any evil in the room.

 

[Knightfall]

New City:

Falen, speaking with a thick, highly educated Sprache accent but in the language of the guard (this is Cliffspeak, yes?), "Indeed Guard Sargeant. Many apologies. I just arrived, and other than your obviously effective presence, I was unaware of the city's status. I would like to gain entry in the proper manner. Should you direct me, I shall do so. Could you help me with this? I know your time is valuable; I would be most appreciative. As to why I am here, I trade things. Today, I am particularly interested in securing ale, wine, and exotic spirits. I am to meet a cheeky fellow named Steadman who is supposed to have a line on a rare blend of Frostwine. I have a bottle here in my pack. I want more. He works during the day in the southeast pie-slice of the city. I will have to inquire as to where specifically. Unfortunately, I don't have that information just yet. This state of affairs here doesn't bold well for my prospects, I can see that. Again, apologies if I have caused consternation."

Spoiler: Sense Motive Attempt

Falen wants to carefully measure this fellow, whether he might be helpful or useful, now or later. #1d20+7. I'm not sure which dice system you use, so might the DM help a brother out and roll for me?

"Well, well, you are a fancy talker, aren't you," the sergeant replies with a oily grin. "Wine you say? Well, you'd need a license to carry around a bottle like that, I think. You need to hand it over, and I want to see in that pack of yours too. I think your up to no good and if you don't have a badge or a license, it is the Dungeon for you!"

"Sir... don't...," a younger guard stammers.

"Shut up!" He glares at the other guard.

"Now, if you want to pay the fine up front, you need not find yourself lost in the bowels of the Dungeon. It can get very scary down there at night." He looks at the sun, which is nearly set. "You don't want to be down there at night. Rats and worse prowl its depths. So, be a good trader and give up that wine and pay the fine and I'll let you go with a warning."

Spoiler: Roll and Result

Falen: Sense Motive > 1d20+7=27 Nat 20! So the roll is considered a 37!

Falen can tell that this guard is up to no good. He's likely corrupt beyond all hope. He's likely fishing for a bribe or dislikes people in general. It might be best for Falen to slip him some coin (no less than 5 gold) and pray the bastard doesn't take his pack too. Bribing him a lot will likely put Falen's 'disguise' on the man's radar as being an easy mark. The other guards around him are just as bad, although one of them, the one who spoke out, looks uncomfortable.

The guard is scraggly and looks like he's just climbed out of bed. He would be a disgrace in any city of note. There is a look of avarice and ill intent in his eyes. He might be easily intimidated by bravado (you get a +2 circumstance bonus to the roll). Falen could call his bluff but being too diplomatic might make the man angrier. You should consider him Unfriendly and the others Indifferent. Note that Falen is sure these guards are true guards and not fakes.

And you can use any dice roller you are comfortable. Simply post a link to the roll.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

"...he just got up and left without a word. He didn't seem panicked but he did look worried..That, I guess, is Geoffrey's one redeeming feature, he cares about his step-sister..."

Tim says, "If his strongest motivation is his concern for his sister, then we should start with that. If he got up and left suddenly, for no apparent reason, then it must have been because of something he had prior knowledge of. My hunch is that his sister has been threatened. He was likely told to meet someone somewhere at a certain time, or she would be harmed. And as with most ransom scenarios, he was probably advised not to tell anyone and to come alone. Further, he might have feared treachery, and perhaps he convinced Nathaniel to come with him. I mean, who truly walks into a suspected trap completely alone, without at least one person for backup? That's my sense of it. How skilled a Wizard is Master Arcanus? Now would be a good time for some sort of augury spell... or whatever Wizards call their version of it. Barring that, we should start trying to track him now, because if my gut is correct, then every moment wasted is one in which these two guards could come to harm."

 

[Neurotic]

Akos looks around and things what to ask...before he spots a mirror and gets lost in analyzing the line f his beard. When he snaps out of it, the questions are already asked. He listens with more attention afterwards.

 

[Knightfall]

Garden Tower:

Tim says, "If his strongest motivation is his concern for his sister, then we should start with that. If he got up and left suddenly, for no apparent reason, then it must have been because of something he had prior knowledge of. My hunch is that his sister has been threatened. He was likely told to meet someone somewhere at a certain time, or she would be harmed. And as with most ransom scenarios, he was probably advised not to tell anyone and to come alone. Further, he might have feared treachery, and perhaps he convinced Nathaniel to come with him. I mean, who truly walks into a suspected trap completely alone, without at least one person for backup? That's my sense of it. How skilled a Wizard is Master Arcanus? Now would be a good time for some sort of augury spell... or whatever Wizards call their version of it. Barring that, we should start trying to track him now, because if my gut is correct, then every moment wasted is one in which these two guards could come to harm."

Akos looks around and thinks what to ask...before he spots a mirror and gets lost in analyzing the line of his beard. When he snaps out of it, the questions are already asked. He listens with more attention afterwards.

"If someone wants to ransom Cecia back to her family, they aren't going to get much. Tinon likely won't care. Lady Suggitt has nothing to barter with except maybe her life. Geoffrey's not even the heir to the Suggitt estate. He complains often about it going to a distant relative in Pertan or it being sold off in pieces to pay for his father's debts. No, if she's been taken, then she's probably headed for slavery in Montresor or Talangrán." Isabella thrums her fingers on the table three times before continuing. "While slavery is illegal here, it doesn't mean that slavers don't get in and take people. That usually happens in the Undercity though."

She pauses again. "I could see Nathaniel agreeing to help him, but from what the others told me, they didn't leave together. Still, it's possible. Geoffrey's old home is on the other side of the district... I think. I try to ignore him when he prattles on about his family's woes. Hmm, there will probably be records of it at the barracks. Inform Commander Trembath of the situation, if she doesn't already know, and tell her that Arcanus Detch wants her to let you see the documents. Detch's respected by the leaders, so if you mention his name, it will quicken your search." She looks towards the stairs. "Oh, and he is quite apt as a wizard, but I don't think he's into auguries *. He's more into slinging fireballs and lightning bolts, but you can ask him."

She stands from the table. "If you want to know more about those two, I suggest you talk to the others who were here when they both bolted. Their shifts ended an hour ago, but I think they were headed to one of the nearby taverns. I don't know which one. The Elite guards at the Gate of Lilies might know which way they went. Ask if they've seen Zaos or Ganna. Ganna's brother, Ulbran, is the night watch sergeant for that gate, so if she left the Gardens that way, he will know where she went." She waits to see if there are more questions before saying, "I need to get back to my post."

OOC: * This came up before when Detch mentioned he doesn't know legend lore. He prefers battle spells.

 

[JustinCase]

Tuck thinks about the answers, and summarizes for his own clarity.

"So it's possible both have gone off to meet someone if Geoffrey's sister has been kidnapped, and we could ask his family. We can also talk to their commanders, or their colleagues who saw them last, although I doubt they'll tell us more than what they've said to you."

The kobold studies his dog to see if it has found a scent.

OOC: I understand the answers, although I'm not sure how to follow them up in finding the missing guards. Does my successful check mean I have a sense of where to go? And does Mutt have a scent to track?