The Jade Frontier (DM: Ukingsken, Judge: Lord Sessadore)

[Rapida]

Entering the tavern while the song was still being sung Brenwar stops to appreciate the beautiful music. Seeing his companions spreading out to get information he chooses an empty table to watch the room for anyone that seems concerned with the adventurer's arrival. He soon signals for a waitress and asks, "I'd like something to drink please, whatever the locals seem to prefer."

[sblock=Rolls]
Rolls for watching the room:
Insight and Perception (1d20+7=17, 1d20+2=17)
[/sblock]

 

[ukingsken]

One of the waitresses deposits a steaming cup of tea in front of you that smells faintly of mint and lemons. Here you are sir, Green Wyrm tea piping hot. The waitress smiles and bows slightly before walking away to tend to the other customers.

Scanning the room you watch as the others spread out, Mr. Bricks sitting with an elderly Dragonborn, and Cheysuli speaking to the singer after her performance.

Nothing jumps out at you as significant, but you do detect a general unease in the room after the song is over, and people begin talking among themselves in what you're now certain must be the draconic tongue. Occassionally one of the locals will glance furtively at you or your companions, but no one seems to be paying you any undue attention.

 

[Rathan]

Patronis moves to enter the inn finally as he pulls back the cowl of his hood showcasing the numerous and intricate scarring tattoos that encase pretty much every part of his skin over his face and upper chest.... he looks about to unease in the room as it pertains to he and his companions... he shakes his head softly knowing this change and new things are never easy to accept but they were here to help after all and yet they were looked at with unrest and uncertainty.... Patronis would slowly make his way to the bar and ask for some tea as he scanned the common room of the inn with a careful eye and admired it's rather ornate appearance....

Patronis would make smalltalk of sorts with the barmaid if there was one..."Is there a particular reason this inn is so.... extravagant? I mean I've visited many an inn and saloon before but this one is more ornate with it's decor than any I've ever seen... it's immaculate..."

 

[rumleech]

Eilian turns to Mr. Bricks and says Now what was it that couldn't wait until after that son?

"That was a lovely song, anyway I was intrigued about what you were saying about cults..."

 

[ukingsken]

The barmaid looks quizically at Patronis before casting her eyes downward very demurely, or at least what passes for demure among dragonborn.

My common is not well sir, but Iron Lotus is no Inn. It is an Okarthel Vorel Ardarastrix. I do not know the common for this well.... It means nice dragon home? No better then nice, beautiful? Sorry, This is best I know. The Iron Lotus has been here for a Dragons Age.

Bowing quickly she turns tail and scurries away, obviously embarrassed by her poor common.

As Mr. Bricks asks Eilian the old once more, the old Draco chuckles.

You ask many questions for one whose head is so soft. He reaches out and raps his knuckles against the side of your skull, rather painfully. And you have no interest in listening to an old man blather about things that happened before your Parents clutch was even hatched. Now why not have some tea and I'll tell you about this years crops.

[sblock=Skill Challenge] Discovering information about the cult is going to be a skill challenge. You can interract with anyone in the town as part of the encounter, and their is no time limit so feel free to ask around somewhat then go on with something else and comeback to it. Major skills earning a success will be streetwise and diplomacy. Other skills are possible as well so be creative if you choose to pursue the skill challenge.[/sblock]

 

[Rathan]

Something hits Patronis suddenly.... if this building has been here for ages... it might be able to tell him a story about the history of this place and the goings on within the town somehow.... slowly he moves to stand.. his hands roam around the walls of this ornate building and his eyes cast themselves over the tapestries and sculptures as he studies them for possible information....

If anyone stops Patronis in his activity he will explain to them he's looking for answers in places most never bother to look....

[sblock=Skill Rolls
1d20+7=20(Arcana), 1d20+6=24(Insight), 1d20+7=25(History)[/sblock]

 

[Fragsie]

Cheysuli Sage

For many years our lands have suffered the taint of demons and devils. Many times before I have met your kind, and most prefer to identify with their fey origins. Who among us wishes to be seen as a demon, especially in a country at war with demons?

"A very eloquent point; but also perhaps the reason why i would expect the negative reaction; but I am new to your Kingdom and my expectations were somewhat coloured by foreign rumour of your peoples atitudes, I am happy to say that you are at this very time proving those rumours wrong!" Chey favours Sakura with her biggest grin.

The kobolds I know about. They've been around before, but always just a nuisance. Once every few years a roving band of orcs comes along to whip them up and attack the town, but our walls always protect us. Lately things have gotten much worse. The kobolds have become more brash, attacking supply wagons and travellers wantonly. You're the first people to arrive in several months.

"We suspected as much, it may relieve you to know that you were not forgotten; a number of supply wagons had been sent in that time, they just didn't get through. Have there been any sightings of orcs recently then, could this latest spate simply mean that history is repeating itself?"

As for an undesireable element I'm not sure what you could mean. People are on edge because of the kobold attacks, especially after Elder Laith dissappeared. Some folk say he was inside the walls but thats proposterous, how would he dissappear from inside the walls? He must have been out for a walk after dark as he ws wont to do.

Sakura seems to be a little uncomfortable talking about the dissapearance of Laith, but otherwise appears completely genuine.

"These are rumours only, given but the briefest of words during our briefing." Cheysuli tries to pass her attempted enquirey off as a whimsical thought.
[sblock=Bluff]Bluff Check (1d20+11=13)[/sblock]
"The dissaperace of this fellow sems to pain you; were you close? If you like i could keep an eye out for sign of him when we venture into the wilds. We will undoubtedly attempt to find the kobold nest."

Now can I offer you some fine tea? We have several varieties.

"Tea would be lovely, my thanks. Would you care to sit with me somewhere?"

 

[ukingsken]

As Patronis examines the room he does not sense any arcane emanations, but his attention is caught by a relief carving above what serves as a bar. The carving shows a dark silhouette, horned, with sweeping tail, bound within a scribed circle which looks suspiciously like an archaic version of a powerful binding circle. Standing to either side of the circle are dragonborn knights bearing the holy symbol of Palladys and what might be a Genasi standing near to top focal point.

[sblock=ooc] Minor skill success! Maybe someone knows more about this event, and what was bound? Bonus to the next diplomacy or history check you make[/sblock]

I wish this were just another chapter in our history books, but thats not the case. In the past when the orcs came down from the mountains they would rumble across the valley in a large group and attack the town proper. But there have been no sightings of orcs at all this season.

And if you think I am so gullible to believe that it was a mere footnote to your journey, then you are foolish. I care not why the Shogun sent you, so long as you are here to help. I'd be glad to join you, come with me this way.

Sakura motions towards a table near the bar.

 

[Rathan]

Patronis looks about for anyone dressed in vestments of a faith.... as he recognized the symbol of Palladys he looks about mostly for anyone wearing or being affiliated with the symbol in any way to ask about said tapestry..... if he doesn't find anyone of the cloth of Palladys to ask he will turn back to the barmaid he'd bugged earlier and ask her who would know most about this painting... possibly who owned it or donated it to the home....

EDIT: It quickly dons on Patronis that he has a follower of Palladys within his own venturing group and refrains from smacking his own forehead with open palm..... "Brenwar..... a moment of your time over here please if you would?"... the warlock utters softly over the commons of the Lotus....

 

[rumleech]

Mr Bricks smiles ruefully at the bruise he received from the old dragonborn's "joke". "I don't mind hearing about the crops - though I have to warn you I'm a city boy and don't really understand these things. Except for flowers - I like flowers." Mr Bricks listens intently to what Eilian has to say all the while being open to any opportunity to gently turn the conversation in the direction he's actually interested in.

[sblock=skill rolls and their application] Bluff to convince Eilian of his genuine interest in agriculture Bluff roll (1d20+7=22)
Insight to recognise an opportunity to turn the conversation Insight roll (1d20 + 6=8) (dammit!)[/sblock]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry I didn't post much yesterday - we had people over, then I got drunk. Now I'm in pain.[/sblock]
[sblock=Working Stat Block]
Mr, Bricks
Human Rogue 1
Init +4/Passive Insight 16/Passive Perception 17
HP 24/24 Bloodied 12 Surge Value 6; Surges Per Day 6/7
Action Points 0 Second Wind Unused
AC 16 Fortitude 12 Reflex 17 Will 13 - Speed 6 Size Medium Saving Throws +1
Str 12 (+1) Dex 18 (+4) Wis 12 (+1)
Con 12 (+1) Int 10 (+0) Cha 15 (+2)
Basic Attack: Dagger/Short Sword Attk: +5/+4 Dmg 1d4+1/1d6+1
Ranged Basic Attack: Sling/Dagger Attk: +6/+8 Dmg: 1d6+4/1d4+4
Range: 10/20 and 5/10
Powers
Sly Flourish
Piercing Strike
Deft Strike
Positioning Strike
Trick Strike
[/sblock]