Arasmes Kemnebi |
Arasmes mutters some words
...and casts detect magic...
Then wanders in a circle of about 50ft radius around the cart anticlockwise - ostensibly simply stretching his leg and walking his dog.
Arasmes will cast Detect Magic and do a recon - wander around the cart checking it and also anything that might be outside their group. Check the sky as well. Once done, repeat with Detect Undead. Also use perception (-1 for dazzled);1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11. Should be able to detect an approx 110ft radius, I think.
DM_Awesome |
As he takes your gold he smiles and thanks you each politely. With a swift wave of his hand the cart folds itself back up and the banners reroll themselves. He hops up on the cart and waves as the horses set off at a trot.
Angus looks around the group checking out the various items you procured from the slightly mad gentleman. After giving them a thorough going over, he speaks, "Ready to finish the journey?" He heaves his bag up on his back and starts out on the road.
The rest of the journey should take the second half of the day. Feel free to roleplay as you go. You'll make it to the capitol at about dinner time.
Adriel Mistleaf |
Adriel watches the cart leave. It was starting to look like his smoke induced hazes were going to be few and far between with this lot. We're wasting time here.
He trots off,All right, lets go. While we waste time shopping this vampire is probably resting in the day and murdering by night. I would like some neighbors to be alive when we return.
DM_Awesome |
The rest of the trip is uneventful. You come to the wall surrounding Magnimar as the sun creeps down in the sky tinting it orange. As you approach the guard asks for papers and Angus shows something to him and gestures to the rest of you. The guard looks at the group his eyes resting on Arasmes and Taltōsh slightly longer than the rest, but finally nods and allows you through the massive wooden gates.
You enter town in a market distict, and you see the crowd is bustling through on their way home. The smell of various types of bread and meat hits your nostils and you see a few vendors closing up shop early.
A young boy comes running past you followed by several more. You see him dart down an alley laughing. Angus smiles at the boy then turns to look at you. "Welcome to Magnimar!" he gestures to the crowd around you. "Everyone stay close, we don't want to lose anyone in the crowd."
He leads you through the town and the journey takes nearly half an hour on foot. By the time you reach the temple of Erastil the sun has made its final bow below the horizon and the only light around are the lamps on several buildings.
When Angus knocks on the door you see a slit open and the paladin says something in hushed tones. Quickly the slit shuts again, and the door swings open, and a small redheaded boy gestures you inside. "I'm sorry m-m-master McDarrow," his voice shakes. Angus just pats him on the shoulder and turns to the group. "Follow my young friend here, he will show you to your rooms. I must be off to speak with Erastil, and to greet
my fellows."
Feel free to act as you wish for the evening, the excitement will pick up tomorrow. :-)
Yolk |
Yolk scratches his beard vigorously and checks out his newly acquired flask, sitting down at a table, he takes a moment to inspect it.
Should I roll something for scrutinizing the flask?
"Taltosh, Arasmes, did you see the incredulous look the guard gave you? Wonder whats got him all buggered..." Yolk says, sarcastically.
"I could use a meal bout now, I'm gonna go find the kitchen" Yolk says, getting up from the table he scurries out of the room, his stomach grumbles and he clutches his belly as he passes out of sight.
Adriel Mistleaf |
The sights and smells and sounds of the city, assaulted Adriel's senses. Here was a place one could get lost. Possibly move on ...forget??
No. His wounds were far too fresh. He still needed to give expression to his rage. Making this...thing pay would be a start
Taltōsh |
"Yolk, I'm used to getting such looks from people--especially guards. After all, it looks suspicious if you conceal your appearance--regardless of the reason," Taltōsh said.
"Good night to you all. It has been an interesting few days. I look forward to continuing our journey together." Bowing, the robed man departed in search of his quarters for the evening.
Yolk |
Coming back from the kitchen, Yolk waves off Arasmes, hurriedly saying, "Bah, nonsense Arasmes! Stay with us the evening, worst thing would be for you to get imprisoned by some vagrant guard with a prejudice."
"I saw the way that gate guard was eyeing you. But... if you're determined, at least bring someone along with you, in case you have to come up with an alibi." Yolk nods while speaking, as if very proud of his deductive reasoning.
Preening, he sits down, putting his plate on the table. Then he begins rummaging through his backpack, looking for something. Pulling out the flask he sits it on the table near his food. Muttering an incantation and pulling out his holy symbol, Yolk stares at the flask in deep concentration.
Focusing for 3 rounds so I can roll spellcraft to identify its properties (if it is magical)
Spellcraft Roll (if it is magical)
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Crap roll!
Arasmes Kemnebi |
I don't think guards are going to be a problem where I'm going - but Yolk might be right about travelling alone.
Arasmes pauses, casting his eyes over each of his companions in turn
"Alright. I'm planning on trying to hit the underworld, so I need someone who can look mean, disreputable, violent, possibly a little unhinged..."
No. His wounds were far too fresh. He still needed to give expression to his rage. Making this...thing pay would be a start
"Perfect, Adriel. You're in."
Adriel Mistleaf |
Adriel considers the offer. The underworld? The name was ominous but he was not tired and itching to thoroughly hurt something that deserved it.
I'll come but remember I'm no warrior. If magic and curses iswhat you need though, I am with you.
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
Gryfford, who has been relatively silent till their arrival in the big city, as if trying to catch up on all the new sights, scents and ambiances, looks up at Arasmes' speech.
He has a large grin: "You want to go slumming, Arasmes ? It would be my pleasure to come with you !"
He makes an exagerated formal bow to the young dhampir.
"And with you too, of course, dark witch of the woods !" he says half-seriously to Adriel.
"I am not unhinged in the slightest, mind you ! And I am a very sweet man when you get to know me !" he says with an innocent face.
"But for some reason, people do seem to mind their manners around me."
The warrior thinks for an instant, his chin in his hand, his eyes lost in thought:
"Perhaps that's because of my manly appearance. Or my nanny half-orc upbringing coming through subconsiously. Or the big weapon master's sword strapped on my back."
He turns to Arasmes and his eyes light up: "Hey, if you're looking for trouble, perhaps we could go to a bordello before hitting the underworld bars scene ? In my experience, it's good to thoroughly relax oneself before going out risking his life in some sordid place !"
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
"Ha, my friend !" says Gryfford while clapping Adriel on the back "that question will be best answered by concrete direct carnal experience !"
"But know that thou are blessed by Callistria, my unspoiled elven comrade ! - because penetrating in a bordello without having any knowldege of it whatsoever beforehand is like plunging unexpectedly into heaven's moist divine embrance !"
"Let's go without further delay." Gryfford says while exiting out of the temple.
Adriel Mistleaf |
Adriel was starting to catch on. The human was not veiling his speech much but he.was right.
Living in the woods did not present for much oppourtunity for such things and if Adriel couldn't smoke he.would definately try this vice.
Taltōsh |
The others spoke of going out as Taltōsh was leaving to look for his room. Smiling to himself, he thought, Well, at least some of us are bonding. Alas, the 'nightlife' holds no appeal for me.
As he settled into his room, he thought, Now this library--that I'm most interested in exploring!
DM_Awesome |
Wow you guys have been busy. :P If you stay out too late tonight you'll risk missing out on the adventure tomorrow. Just so ya know. Also Tal and Yolk, if you have anything you wanna do this evening in the temple let me know. How many of you if any have been to Magnimar before?
Those of you who set out from the temple meet much less resistance at this point now that the streets are not as crowded. You make your way through the street and come across an old man staggering his way through town, clearly inebriated.
Feel free to ask the drunk for directions or venture forth on your own, or pull someone else aside.
Yolk |
I wanna take Taltosh into the library and bend him over a book ;P
Ah but on a serious note, I want to do some more research in this library.
Kn-Local
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Kn-History
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Kn-Religion
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Kn-Arcana
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Perception
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Also I would like to try to get a blessing from Erastil, would I just prey in the temple for a long time or is this even a possibility?
Yolk has never been to Magnimar before, Janderhoff is in the east and Magnimar was past Sandpoint headed West.
Taltōsh |
Och! Dwarves and Fighters! Git yer minds outta da gutter! :P
@ DM Awesome - Taltōsh has been all over the lowlands of Varisia with his clan, including Magnimar.
If there's a library in the temple, Taltōsh would join Yolk in a little research before retiring for the evening. Just let me know what's appropriate.
Arasmes Kemnebi |
"Gryfford - I didn't realise you knew so much about the underworld! Good idea reassuring Yolk, if things go well tonight..."
Arasmes considers
"Actually, that's a good point. Let's all agree that what happens tonight stays between us three - unless it is important to the mission - I think Taltosh would be okay, but Yolk has a... conservative moral ethos I'd rather not challenge unneccessarily."
"Agreed?"
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
"Agreed !" says Gryfford.
"Mind you, though: in Tymon, going into places of ill repute, cheap booze and whores aplenty is conservative !" jokes Gryfford.
As Gryfford, Arasmes and Adriel go about town, they leave to chance and the gods of revelry to find a suitable place to spend (or start) the evening.
Be it a blind drunk passerby in a dingy alleyway or a shady character hawking his vices for sale on a street corner, no opportunity to get a "good" direction is ignored.
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
Gryfford suddenly palms himself on the forehead:
"Dengan payudara kendur Lamashtu yang busuk ! I have almost no money left !"
"Well, could you lend me some coins, Adriel or Arasmes ?" he asks his two companions.
"Or I could earn some money, I suppose... Do you think they have fighting pits in Magnimar ?"
Arasmes Kemnebi |
not spoilering?
"I know exactly what you mean about conservative. I have a bit put aside for travel expenses. I'm hopeful I can talk them into giving us what we want for free though."
At the drunk. Diplomacy and bluff (about the friend). No time for guidance.
Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Bluff 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Arasmes puts on s slightly cheerful smile, and approaches the inebriated gentleman.
"Excuse me, my friends and I are new to the city, and we're looking for a friend of ours. He mentioned he was going to go to a bordello - terrible I know - and his tastes are a little extreme. Any chance a knowledgeable man of the world like yourself could tell us where the most extreme bordello in Magnimar is?"
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
Adriel is mostly happy to follow along, he had no idea about cities: "I have a few extra coins."
"Why, thank you Adriel ! If it doesn't suffice, I'll search for an arena."
Do you want us to spoiler our whole Magnimar's wild side excursion so as not to offend Yolk's delicate sensibilities :-) ?
Taltōsh |
I believe that DM Awesome's question is for those who went out, however, it applies to us library-goers as well.
Taltōsh joined Yolk in the temple's library. While not the Great Library, it was nonetheless impressive. Tall shelves contained orderly rows of books and stacks of old scrolls.
The sage sets about searching for clues to this amulet.
Kn-Arcana 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
Gryfford is only out to have a good time: women, booze and illegal (?) stimulating substances.
And he would like to untroduce the green* Elf to some of that, if necessary (even if Adriel, unbeknownst to Gryfford, could surely teach him many things about natural stimulants).
But if Arasmes has something specific in mind which could help - or not - the investigation, Gryfford is ready to go along with that. He's an accomodating chap to his pals.
Two last notes:
1) Gryfford does not ever bed elven prostitutes - because he has this exalted idea about one day legitimately wooing an Elf maiden.
2) Gryfford likes half-orc prostitutes. It's an acquired taste :-).
* pun !
Arasmes Kemnebi |
See if the underworld (that is the walking dead and undeath-aligned clerics) know anything of Nikolai, the amulet or the book.
Doesn't want Yolk to know.
Read Gryfford's bordello suggestion as suggestion that a Kuthonite, maybe Urgathoan or possibly Vamp might well have a cover in a bordello.
DM_Awesome |
In the Temple:
You scour tome after tome. Books and scrolls pile around you and the evening wears on. You come across a few references to the "Grey Novel" but nothing specific. It seems to be related to some sort of planar magic, but none of the books in this library go into enough detail.
The Dark Rose
You make your way through in the direction the drunk pointed and it's not long before you reach a large wooden establishment with a sign painted near the door showing a dark red rose. As you enter you see several young women of varying ages and races milling about. And a few of them come forward and smile suggestively at each of you.
Gryfford The Unrelenting |
"Hello, pretty ! I could swear you were waiting for me !" says Gryfford to the most attractive young woman or to a half-orc woman with a somewhat pretty face or nice tusks, while passing his arm around her waist and grinning broadly.
"Shhh, Sharpest, not now" he whispers somewhat surprisingly.
"Honey, I'm called Gryfford. What's your name ?"
"Ho, but I'm forgetting my manners."
He points to Adriel as he adresses the other women.
"Ladies, I'd like you to be especially nice to my friend Adriel here, who has never had the pleasure of a specialty establishment like yours before."
"As for Arasmes," he signals to the dhampir "I know he likes to speak for himself... But I'm sure the man could surprise even some of you." he says with a wicked grin.
For now, Gryfford seems totally at ease in such an environment.
DM_Awesome |
The half orc whom Gryff initially approaches smiles and pushes herself against him. A look of surprise crosses her face as he whispers, but then turns her attention to Adriel as he is introduced. She clings to Gryff and leads him off down the long hallway into one of the rooms.
After he has been introduced, a young elven girl slides up next to Adriel and says softly, "Don't be afraid, my name is Elowain and I'll take good care of you." She winks and takes the mystified witch's hand.