Asher turns to Dominique, asking the Palonish priest to rendezvous with Garryn and Caylin to the south.  The priest appears a bit doubtful, but complies the request.  "Of course, my friend, if you deem it necessary."

Dominique hurries off, skirting the City Hall, and missing Villhalas as the rogue moves toward Hau'dn and Asher from further to the east.  The sorcerer-rogue arrives where the monk and ranger-bard stand, some 10 feet or so away from the two guards flanking the main entrance to the municipal manor.

"Thank you sirs.  Just one more question if I may so impose.  This stranger that you refer to is he one of the others that came around the man and the hobbit?" Hau'dn asks.

The guard shakes his head, the studded leather armor creaking slightly as he shifts his position a bit.  "Not likely, sirrah.  No...this chap come askin' t' see th' Burgomaster...thin, kinda scruffy lookin'.  Well, sirrah, he weren't expected, an' didn't have an appointment.  Lars didn't like th' stranger's looks, an' told him t' shove off--sorta like what he said t' th' hobbit an' th' human what come 'round just a few moments ago.  This other stranger, though, just smiled an' told us he'd come back at th' Burgomaster's convenience...an' then he left.  I'm thinkin' it may have put Lars in a foul mood, on top o' everthin' else th' man is dealin' with."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:54, Sat 18 Sept 2004.

[Asher's Action]  Hearing the Guard recount the recent events, he nods his briefly:  "On the order of Savin Perynisos, the man you have just described is not to be allowed entrance to the Manor.  Furthermore, should he return, he is to be detained immediately.  In addition, send one of your runners to find us - we will be in the area - should this occur.  From the events that have taken place thus far, we know this - the man you have described is intent on doing harm to the Burgomaster.  He is capable of wielding magic - so be wary of this should you engage him."

OOC: Well... that's a good tip.  My vote is to separate - assume a low profile (eg. Hide, use concealment, generally try to blend in) - and keep an eye out for his return - or suspicious activity that may look to be a pre-cursor to Barbaras' arrival / next move..  (my thought is to have Asher & Hau'dn keep a lookout outside the Manor (area of the City Hall / Garrison perhaps?) - And have Vil try to gain entry to the Manor and keep an eye out from inside..)

Kev - it looks like you posted for Hau'dn.  Is he out of commission?  If so, I won't wait for any PC's to weigh in...

[Vil's Action]  Once Asher issues the warning to the Guard, Vil adds "Aye - and the Alderman Perisynos requested that I meet with the Burgomaster at once - in order to discuss this situation with him.." Vil waits for the Guard's response.

OOC: no time for flowery dialogue on this one. Busy wrapping up work at the office.  need to run..

15:16, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Manor Guard Diplomacy Check.

OOC:  I didn't post for Hau'dn--that was from an earlier post of his own, just copied and pasted into the one I sent.

Please roll 2 Bluff checks for Vil, Jas.  The Diplomacy will also be factored in, but I'll need those 2 rolls for some of the other...errr, claims Vil's made.

Cheers,
Kev

OOC:  Ugh - should have been more mindful of the statements I made.. Ceist La Vie..  Here we go then:

15:50, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 25 using 1d20+6. Guard Bluff Roll 2.
15:50, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Guard Bluff Roll 1.


Jas

Twenty turns of the minute glass past seven bells.

The two guardsmen look at one another, and the one who had been speaking last shrugs.  "As y' say, sirrah, addressing Asher.  "We'll keep an eye out f'r th' man, an' we're not lettin' anyone in t' th' manor, t'night."

"Includin' you, 'til Savin hisself comes 'round t' tell us whatfor," says the other guard to Villhalas, as the sorcerer makes his demand.

OOC:  Yeah, that's not good.  Hate to half to revert to those Thieving Skills of mine I vowed to give up so long ago...

Bruce, any thoughts here?  I suppose I could make a more stealthy attempt at gaining entry to the Manor..  I find it unlikely given tonight's events (esp. the failed fire attempts at objectives 3&4) that Barbaras would make another similar attempt.  My guess is that he would either (1) Desguise himself to gain entry and do the deed (which may either be setting the Manor on fire, or attempting to do harm to the Burgomaster himself) -or- (2) Hypnotize someone who would be trusted to make entry (eg. a Guard) - and have them move in to complete Barbaras' plan...

Kev - could I get a brief description of the Manor?  (eg. How many stories, windows on the ground and/or first level, Exterior Make up (looking for climb DC here), vulnerability assessment (from an arson and ninja-type entry perspective)..  Will do a quick recon - nothing too conspicuous or sly - just a good look around..

thanks,
Jas

Should you need them:
22:12, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Manor Search.
22:12, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 24 using 1d20+4. Spot.
22:12, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Manor Recon - Hide

OOC: Kev, I'm also looking for some info. Tell me about the towers (4 and 7): height compared to the manor, and are they manned? Also would like to know about the ruins N of the jail (if they are within Ashers field of view)

23:52, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 25 using 1d20+7. Spot: towers 4 and 7, ruins N of jail.

OOC cont: Haud'n and Vill, what are your thoughts on splitting up. Obviously the thief has a recon objective, what about you and I Haud'n? I think we each pick a vantage point and try to disappear for a while.

OOG: I can see a certain advantage to setting up watch and waiting but that leaves us to just react presuming our villian is planning on making a return any time soon and not causing mischief elsewhere.

Also, while a high vantage point may be good, it could impede our response time.

I'd also like to hear the details requested though before putting in an IC response.  Not to mention, I wouldn't mind a clearer head before posting.  :(

OOC: I'm not crazy about the sit, wait and watch idea either; I'm just not sure where we would begin a coordinated search. I'm open to whatever you think might get us the result of finding the guy.

I also agree the high vantage point needs to be weighed out. Does the greater chance of spotting him out weigh our ability to respond? Maybe we need to mix our methods and keep someone on the ground and someone in the air.

Who knows, Kev may  come back and tell us that the towers are filled with guards or he may say we see a thin dishevelled man with a flaming arrow perched in the western outlook.

Vill and I both have spot rolls in; maybe you can post one as well and we'll wait on Kevin's respose before we weigh in with our next moves.

I'm easy - your guys' call on the approach.  I do think, it would be nice if someone could locate the Burgomaster and keep him secure until we're able to detain Barbaras..  Hate to undermine the cause by getting caught sneaking into the Manor, however.

Vil's at your disposal - just let me know what the plan is.

Jas

Garryn, with Dom and Caylin in tow, spots Vil, Asher and the recently arrived bard that was present during Tot's unfortunate incident. He slows his pace as he approaches, "The attempt on the water tower failed. A child was used this time, he threw a flask of burning oil but the flames did not take hold." Garryns report is given primarily to Vil but he includes the two newcomers before asking, "So what is the situation here?"

OOC: Hey Kevin, I'd love to get the results to the spot checks before I weigh in with Asher's comments and proposed actions.

OOC:  *sigh*  You guys want, what, like, information?!  Man, you're killing me ;).  Alright, then.  Bruce, good to have you back...and I'm sorry *about* your back, as well.  Sounds painful.  Hope you heal fast and well.

The manor itself, as indicated on the Borderton map, is sandwiched between two garrisons for the Imperial troops stationed in the town.  The garrisons are low-slung, single story wooden affairs, with narrow windows bisected by an iron bar(i.e. would not afford entry to a Medium sized creature).  The garrisons are obviously arranged around an open square for each one, and it is unclear if entry to the manor can be gained from either garrison.

The municipal manor is two stories, and constructed of granite--probably quarried at some distance from the town and transported here during the building's construction.  The icon representing the manor on the Borderton map should not be taken as physically representing the manor, but simply as a symbol for its locale.

The building is not terribly old (about 150 years or so), but is venerable in comparison to most of the newer, wooden buildings in town.  The design of the manor is essentially Georgian in nature...boxy, square, and with rigid right angles predominating.  I've posted a "sorta like this" facimilie on the website under "Manor" (replace the brick in the photo with granite, and you'll be close)... thanks to the Lee Mansion in the beautiful state of Virginia.

The doors that the guards flank are big, wooden ones studded with brass lozenges, and are currently closed.  A number of widows line the front of the manor--generally, these are tall, relatively narrow windows that are glazed, and that open outward (think narrow french door-type style, except these are windows).  Climbing the walls of the manor would not necessarily be difficult--there are some handholds afforded by decorative masonry, ivy, etc. (DC is a 20).

The guard towers mentioned by Asher are approximately 30 feet high, and appear to be manned.  The ruins in question are what appears to be a partially burned, partially tumbledown edifice overrun with morning glory and goldenrod.

Spot checks do not reveal anything out of the ordinary.  Let me know if you need additional info, or what you wish to do (i.e. if you're going to investigate something, tell me where it is, and I'll position your characters there and give you a rundown on what you see).

Cheers,
Kev

As Asher, Hau'dn, and Villhalas are discussing the current situation, they notice that Garryn, Dominique, and Caylin are moving up one of Borderton's dusty streets, apparently to join them.