Insight's "The Isle of Dread" - Chapter One

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

"If we know where Barbarossa's home is located, then I agree with Nafije that we should look the place over first and see what answers we can find there. Or maybe we can at least more good clues there. Like maybe more clues telling us information about the Veiled Society, even. Starting something with the Veiled Society might be a bit premature at this stage, I think. We don't know for sure yet that they're even working in opposition to us, and we certainly don't know how strong a force they may be able to bring to bear against those they perceive to be their enemies. I think we should find out a good deal more about them before we go picking any fights with them. However, I'm beginning to suspect that we will be wanting to pick a fight with them before this is all said and done. We should just be careful to make sure that our fight with them is conducted on our terms, on grounds of our choosing, at a time of our choosing, and that the force we bring to bear against them is superior by far to anything that they can muster against us."

 

[Insight]

"There are a lot of veiled society types on the streets. We could try and capture one and try and make them tell us where their lair is?"

OOC: Scotley, ixnay on that shade of blue. Unreadable against the black background!

 

[Rhun]

Vrashek cracks his knuckles. "Capturing a society member sounds like a solid plan."

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

"There are a lot of veiled society types on the streets. We could try and capture one and try and make them tell us where their lair is?"

Vrashek cracks his knuckles. "Capturing a society member sounds like a solid plan."

Questor observes, "I'm not so sure that I agree with that plan. I mean, look, if there's some particlar Veiled chap that you have a problem with, then sure we can jump him and teach him a lesson. But if you're talking about purposely assaulting some random Veiled Society dude just because he's affiliated with the Veiled Society, then it seems to me that this will draw undue attention to our group and ensure that we stake out one of the highest spots on their crap list. Assuming that they will wind up as our arch nemesis sooner or later anyway, do we really want to tip our hand this early? Or is there a chance that we could preserve some anonymity while we inflict some truly devastating and grievous blows against them for awhile? That way, by the time they figure out who we are, they'll be too weak to do anything about it." Questor then sinks a finger in his right ear up to the second knuckle, twists it vigorously, pulls it out, and inspects his 'discovery.' "Just my thoughts. Take them for what they're worth."


OOC: Scotley, your move from the darker blue to just blue did help somewhat, but I think my application of the periwinkle shade suits you better.
j/k

 

[Walking Dad]

OOC: Is the Veiled Society known an an Evil organization? If yes, nobody says the captive has to be released again...

 

[Insight]

OOC: Is the Veiled Society known an an Evil organization? If yes, nobody says the captive has to be released again...

OOC: Your characters know all of the following - The Veiled Society

NOTE: Edited for content.

The Veiled Society is a Mafia-like organization. Any major crime committed within the Grandy Duchy is likely linked back to the Society in some way.

Joining the Veiled Society
You must be Traladaran
You must take an oath of silence (breaking this oath results in other Society members hunting you down)
Once you join, you can't leave

Upon Joining
15% of all personal loot must be given over to the Society.
The Society protects its own, but secrecy is more important than individual members.
If a member is caught committing a crime, the Society will intimidate, beat, or kill those who can testify against the member.

Organization of the Veiled Society
At the head of the Veiled Society is Anton Radu. The Radu family comprises the next tier of leadership. Below those are the Radu family retainers. Street-level thugs are at the bottom of the chain.
The Society maintains a clandestine network of spies and informants. Many do not even know they are working for the Society.

Enemies of the Veiled Society
The Government of Karameikos, particularly the 3rd Guard Battalion (rumoured to be the Queen's Own Guard, and an intelligence gathering unit)
The Kingdom of Thieves, a group of highly trained and flamboyant criminals
The Iron Ring, a criminal organization rivalling the Veiled Society

OOC: To answer WD's question, I would say that they are considered an "evil" organization. I should also point out that a criminal organization as large as the Veiled Society is going to be prone to leaks. There should be more than one way to get the information you seek.

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

Questor quietly mutters, "Do any of you know how to make contact with the Iron Ring? They may already have the information that we seek, so we might be able to get it from them in exchange for some value or service, or valuable service, like, say, casting spells?"

 

[Walking Dad]

Adam of Brightcastle

"Questor, did you just really suggested that we don't attack one evil organization because of fear of their reaction and instead making a deal with another criminal group?" Adam asks the halfling.

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

"Well, I, um," Questor is obviously taken aback by Adam's accusation, "No, no, not really. What I suggested was that we find out more about the strength and capabilities of the first organization before we provoke an attack from them, and about the second organization, I simply suggested that we might try to turn one evil organization against another evil organization, thereby saving us at least some small amount of work in the future."

 

[Walking Dad]

Adam of Brightcastle

"To let one hydra head bites another? That sounds more like it. As long as we use them and are careful to not be corrupted by our dealings." Adam seems to be swayed by Questor's explanation.

 

[Scotley]

"You propose a dangerous game. I'd favor a more direct approach as I've suggested, but if the rest of you would prefer to try and play the evil organizations off against each I'll support you."

 

[Rhun]

Vrashek shrugs. The half-orc was okay with whatever scenario his companions decided was best.

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

"You propose a dangerous game. I'd favor a more direct approach as I've suggested, but if the rest of you would prefer to try and play the evil organizations off against each I'll support you."

"Here's the problem with the direct, 'neck-chopping' approach -- we don't know how extensive the 'tentacles' of the Veiled Society may be, so once we start a real war with them, we won't be able to trust anyone in Specularum, and we may need to arrange a base well outside of the city for our own safety. The direct approach will instantly mark all of us as enemies of the Veiled Society, so they will have a big advantage over us in that they KNOW who we are, and we are left guessing just who they may be. That would be most uncomfortable."

 

[Shayuri]

Astra scowls. "I'd as soon lead the Veiled Society a merry chase and avoid them altogether if we could," she says. "Lets start with Barbossa's room. We'll search it, track him and his map down, and be off. Let the Veiled Society gnash their teeth in frustration."

 

[drothgery]

"I'd be inclined to avoid the veilled society as well. I may get back into business at some point, and working in this city is difficult if they choose to make trouble for you." Cassi said.

 

[Insight]

OOC: It looks as though finding Barbarossa's abode will be the next step. To do this will require some skill checks, notably History and Streetwise. When you make your check, if you are trying to avoid the Veiled Society, please note HOW you are doing that. It may or may not affect the DC. Also, if you come up with a creative way to use another skill, please do so.

 

[drothgery]

OOC: Hmm... Cassi is one of the two good Historians in the group, but cloak and dagger work is... not... her strength; no one is trained in streetwise

Cassi tries to track down Barbarossa's abode using her skills as a researcher. She tries her hand at a subtle disguise, in changing her hairstyle and clothing to match a native of the city rather than her native Republic of Darokin, and if she runs into leads she thinks may run into Veiled Society interests, she tries to ask her questions one person removed.

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

Questor, having no useful skills himself for this challenge, stands ready to "Aid Another" as requested. (Requestored?)

 

[Scotley]

Geirgrim is content to let others find the Captain's house. He focuses his efforts more on spotting and avoiding members of the veiled society. He turns his keen hunter's senses to looking for telltale signs that someone is not right--people loitering, more heavily armed or armored than seems appropriate for their profession or simply 'going through the motions' of an activity while really watching.

He tries to apply what he knows of nature as well-birds being startled, cats or dogs behaving strangely, trampled grass or bent branches suggesting someone is lurking in a hedge, etc.

OOC: I have a 3 for streetwise and might lend a hand with a lucky roll.

 

[JustKim]

Nafije accompanied Geirgrim around town, but maintained a respectful distance to give him room to work discretely.

While she did, she talked to people. Her beloved parrot was an excellent icebreaker for conversations that seemed to be about nothing, but obtusely worked out the possibilities as they existed in her own mind. She didn't ever mention Barbarossa- she didn't need to. A man could keep his name secret forever, but not his nature. Barbarossa was a gambler, a drinker, a social and colorful character. Nafije was certain he would leave a trail, and like an arcane equation she would crack it.