Malvoisin's Savage Tide, Act 1 - There Is No Honor

Malvoisin said:

Downtime:
Chongo convinces Keoni to help him lug the dead rhagodessa to the Taxidermist's Guildhall in the Sunrise District. Once there, the Olman negotiates with the taxidermist, and learns that it will cost 75 gold pieces to stuff the creature, and that it will take at least two weeks, due to previous committments already in progress. (I'll leave it you, Gwydap, whether Chongo commissions the taxidermy or not). From there, Chongo heads to the Champion's District, for an audience with Zasker Grankus. Zasker seems a bit skeptical of the savage's claim of having helped slay such an unusual creature, but his interest is certainly piqued. He offers Chongo the opportunity to join as a junior member of Zelkarune's Horns for the usual 10 gold pieces, and invites him to sign up for a gladiatorial contest later in the week.

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Chongo will use all (and I do mean all ) of his wit and charm to try to convince whomever he speaks with at the Taxidermist's Guildhall to accept half payment up front. If not, then he'll see if an offer of 10 gp to keep the creature 'in storage' would allow them to keep the corpse there until he gets paid by Lavinia.

He'll willingly pay the applicant fee to the Grankus. (-10 gp from gold) He'll then grab himself some strong drink, some hot food, and bed down for the night. Come the morning, he'll meet up with everyone else.

(Let me know if any of the deals go down and how much it'll cost for the room and board.)

Col spends the night making copious notes in his journals regarding various aspects of his studies, including the recent events at the Nixie. These include some decent (but unprofessional) sketchings of what he remembers of the vermin's form an anatomy, and other observations both arcane and mundane. As is his wont, many of these are in an odd cipher combining Infernal, Abyssal, Draconic and a few odds and ends---would not want THEM to put his knowledge to poor use. [Decipher Script to make a code]

I wonder if those Seeker do be hav'n some notes of that vermin, he thinks as he goes to sleep. Something to pursue later.

GwydapLlew said:

Chongo will use all (and I do mean all ) of his wit and charm to try to convince whomever he speaks with at the Taxidermist's Guildhall to accept half payment up front. If not, then he'll see if an offer of 10 gp to keep the creature 'in storage' would allow them to keep the corpse there until he gets paid by Lavinia.

He'll willingly pay the applicant fee to the Grankus. (-10 gp from gold) He'll then grab himself some strong drink, some hot food, and bed down for the night. Come the morning, he'll meet up with everyone else.

(Let me know if any of the deals go down and how much it'll cost for the room and board.)

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The taxidermist agrees, somewhat reluctantly, to allow Chongo to commission his skills for a 30 gp downpayment, with the balance of 45 gp due upon the rhagodessa's completion. It seems the man just can't resist such an unusual assignment. (Deduct 30 gp)

For his application fee, Chongo is now eligible to compete in (nonlethal) gladiatorial matches at the Sasserine Arena. (These will be mostly glossed over, and not eligible for xp. They are simply to increase affiliation status with the Horns...unless somthing special develops.)

Gwyd, I hate 'nickel and diming' over the cost of room and board for low-level characters. Let's just hand-wave that stuff, assuming the PCs have a little money on the side to cover basic day-to-day amenities.

stonegod said:

Col spends the night making copious notes in his journals regarding various aspects of his studies, including the recent events at the Nixie. These include some decent (but unprofessional) sketchings of what he remembers of the vermin's form an anatomy, and other observations both arcane and mundane. As is his wont, many of these are in an odd cipher combining Infernal, Abyssal, Draconic and a few odds and ends---would not want THEM to put his knowledge to poor use. [Decipher Script to make a code]

I wonder if those Seeker do be hav'n some notes of that vermin, he thinks as he goes to sleep. Something to pursue later.

Click to expand...

(Take 10 Decipher Script)
Col cobbles together a cipher from the various languages he knows, and feels very secure that it will make for a very difficult time of translation.

The next morning dawns bright and clear, a day preganat with the possibilities for excitement, intrigue...and a payday! Upon arriving once more at the Vanderboren Estate, each party member immediately notices the large coach parked in the street before the gate to the grounds. Kora Whistlegap lets in each one, and soon the party is assembled once again with Lavinia in the dining room.

"It's so good to see you all again! Let's be off shall we?" Lavinia seems as excited as a schoolgirl at what lies ahead.

The party clambers into the coach, which proves barely large enough to hold everyone...though not quite comfortably. The coach rumbles away from the Vanderboren manor, and proceeds to High Market in the Noble District. From there, the group catches a ferry over to Castle Teraknian.

Inside, Lavinia pauses only briefly to speak to a clerk, who verifies Lavinia's identity and her signet ring. The clerk then escorts the party down a spiral staircase into a large circular chamber under the castle.

Over a dozen five-foot-wide hallways radiate outward from the central vault chamber; each of these halls is ten feet long and ends at a single iron door - the entrance to a family vault. The clerk bids the group good day and returns to his office in the family above.

Lavinia leads the way down one of the short passageways to its end at the solid-looking iron door. The portal is emblazoned with a simple rune - an eight-pointed star (which looks familiar to Col). Above the door, inscribed in flowing script on a polished silver plaque, is the name 'Vanderboren.' A single handle protrudes from the door, just below a circular depression bearing the mark of the Vanderboren signet.

We'll hold up here, and give you guys a little role-playing time.

Oh, and now might be a good time to establish a marching order...no reason.

Malvoisin said:

Oh, and now might be a good time to establish a marching order...no reason.

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(No reason at all. )

Chongo generally takes the lead by dint of being faster on his feet than the others. He stands impassively near the door and looks at it.

"Someone said there were guards? Col said paper had riddle? Should Chongo expect trouble?"

Col keeps his eyes about him as them make their way down into the depths of the Castle; never know when the Twelve Teleports of Tw'hain may put you. Down at the bottom of the vault, his eyes narrow at the sign inscribed on the door. He looks at the young woman with an odd look on his face.

Col taps the star once with the end of his longspear. "You do be know'n that there sign? That be th'mark of th'Seekers or I just be a daft bastard. What yer family and that cabal of secrets be doin' together?"

GwydapLlew said:

"Someone said there were guards? Col said paper had riddle? Should Chongo expect trouble?"

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Not turning away from the Lady, Col mutters, "There be written that many be guarded, and Lady V do be mentioning one. Best be prepared for the in'v'table."


OOC: I've updated Col's hp (everyone healed 1) and spells for the day. Col could be in the middle back.

stonegod said:

OOC: I've updated Col's hp (everyone healed 1) and spells for the day. Col could be in the middle back.

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Right, I forgot to mention that...everyone's at full hp now, and with a fresh complement of spells. Thanks, stone.

Now starting to feel a little nervous, Bael stands where the others decide. He doesn't feel part of the group, and so doesn't want to get in their way.

Anar fidgets in his armor, never liking the way the leather restricted his movement. And although it may be enough to turn a footpad's blade, the rogue wondered how much use it would be in a serious combat. Shrugging his shoulders, Anar hurries after Chongo, subtly drawing his blade, his eyes darting back and forth as he examines eahc shadow along the way.


OOC: Anar will follow close behind Chongo