Module 1: Burnt Offerings
  The first day of autumn dawns in the town of Sandpoint, and visitors begin to fill the streets leading into town for the Swallowtail festival. The streets quickly become crowded as the residents and visitors make their way toward the illuminated stained-glass windows of a large, stone building: the new Sandpoint Cathedral.
   The square before the church fills with the travelers and locals. Several merchant tents have already been set up ready to sell their wares of food, clothing, crafts, and souvenirs. The air is filled with excitement, for today is the Swallowtail Festival. On this day, the high priest Father Zantus will ask the gods to renew their blessing upon this holy site and consecrate the new cathedral. For five years the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in small wooden buildings since their church had been burned down, claiming the life of their beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn and his adopted daughter Nualia. Today, the townsfolk look to the future, and with the new cathedral, it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.
   The festival is interrupted by a goblin attack, which the party comes together and helps defeat.  In doing so they save a noble, Aldern Foxglove, from the goblins.  The group are hailed as local heroes and find the townfolk and Aldern Foxglove very grateful.
   In the days following this attack/raid, the group has several minor adventures.  Xian attracts the attention of a local girl(Shayliss) with a powerful and protective father (Ven Vinder); which leads to a scene.  The party is invited on a boar hunt and are given horses by a grateful Aldern Foxglove.  They respond to the killing of a young husband by a goblin that got left behind and was hiding out in town.  Finally, a halfling woman asks them to find her mistress, Ameiko Kaijitsu.
   The group discovers that Ameiko's brother, Tsuto, has killed their father, imprisoned Ameiko and is in league with the goblins.  He had helped them invade the town through secret smugglers tunnels that end in the Glassworks, the family business.  You discover clues that led you to believe Nualia is the mastermind who is organizing the goblins and that there is a secret complex below town that contains a threat.
   Delving into the Catacombs of Wrath below Sandpoint, you fight Sinspawn, a goblin mutant and a Quasit, finding an activated magic item/location called a Runewell that takes wrathful energy and creates Sinspawn out of it.  The complex is from The Thassilonian empire, a nation that existed 1000's of years ago based on magic related to the 7 deadly sins.  This was dedicated to Wrath.
   Following clearing the catacombs, the group was sent to stop Nualia.  If you could kill her, the goblins would go back to their normal ways and start killing each other again, ending the threat they pose to Sandpoint.  The party invades the goblin camp know as Thisteltop, a curiously round island about 60 feet off shore, connected to the mainland by a rope bridge.  It has a stockade on top and chambers beneath.  Below they find another Thassilonian complex, this one used by the forces of Greed, being explored by several non-goblins working for Nualia.  She is trying to free the goblins guardian, a "demon"(evil outsider) named Malfeshnekor.  The party kills Nualia, defeats the demon and loots the complex, thus saving Sandpoint.

Module 2: The Skinsaw Murders
   A few weeks after the goblin threat is handled, a series of murders occur with odd notes to Zer-wedula and strange mutilations (a rune) on the bodies.  The rune is obviously similar to the runes you found in the Thassilonian ruins, a Sihedron (7 pointed star) Rune. After some investigation it is determined that the killer is a ghoul and has left clues to lure Zer-wedula to the Misgivings, the home of Aldern Foxglove (the noble you rescued from the goblins).  But before they can get to the Misgivings they are sent to investigate the old Hambley farm where foul walking scarecrows are blamed for many dissapeances over the last few days.
   The Hambley farm turns out to be infested with a ghoul pack.  They dispatch the pack, and find out that Aldern Foxglove is the killer (and a ghoul).  They also discover that greed is the connection between the victims.  Finally, the group makes it to the Misgivings, a house with a history of death.
   The group explores the haunted and disease(a unique magical disease) infected house, learning the story of the Foxglove family.  A story of a wizard attempting to become a lich, but instead becoming the house.  The house that drove both Aldern and his father to murder their wives.  How Alderns wife returned from the grave in her quest for vengance.  Following her, the group found themselves in the secret sub-basement fighting the ghoulish Aldern with his obsession with Zer-wedula.  They also discover that there were people behind Aldern and his murder spree, a cult of Norgorder, God of Murder.


Old Characters
   So the group finds themselves in the temple of Pharasma in the city of Magnimar under quarantine.  Talis, Catessa Fallowfield and Zer-wedula are treated for a disease, while Glum and Tanrov/Garth are watched for signs of contagion.  The temple is willing to help you because you are dealing with a cult of Norgorber and the Goddess of Fate is opposed to the God of Murder.  The High Priest uses Restoration to heal your stat damage.
     As you recover in Magnimar, your new friends in the Temple of Fate will tell you the news about a disturbingly similar, to the ones in Sandpoint - all greedy people, spate of murders plaguing the City of Monuments of late. Stories of merchants, politicians, crooked guards, and moneylenders showing up dead— their bodies mutilated, faces missing, and chests carved with seven-pointed stars—seem to be on everyone’s lips, just as it seems that every week brings a new victim to light. The crime scenes are now tightly controlled by the city government—and the temple has had little success in investigating one. Though their sources tell them there is little to find and the government is getting nowhere.


Clues
- A letter from someone in Magnimar.
Aldern—
   You have served us quite well. The delivery you harvested from the caverns far exceeds what I had hoped for. You may consider your debt to the Brothers paid in full. Yet I still have need of you, and when you awaken from your death, you should find your mind clear and able to understand this task more than in the state you lie in as I write this.
   You shall remember the workings of the Sihedron ritual, I trust. You seemed quite lucid at the time, but if you find after your rebirth that you have forgotten, return to your townhouse in Magnimar. My agents shall contact you there soon—no need for you to bother the Brothers further. I will provide the list of proper victims for the Sihedron ritual in two days’ time. Commit that list to memory and then destroy it before you begin your work. The ones I have selected must be marked before they die, otherwise they do my master no good and the greed in their souls will go to waste.  If others get in your way, though, you may do with them as you please. Eat them, savage them, or turn them into pawns—it matters not to me.
                              —Your Mistress, Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms
- three iron birdcages sit, each containing a dead diseased rat with a small
    symbol of a pig with a mouthful of lockpicks peering at a keyhole; under
    the pig is a guildsign that says “Pug’s Contraptions—Magnimar
- A portrait of Iesha with the background of Magnimar
- small silver key ring worth 10 gp, with two keys on the ring.
    a tarnished iron key set with a round opal worth 100gp
    a bronze key with an unusually long tang ending in a set of three notched
       blades. The head of this key resembles a roaring lion
- Aldern does own a townhouse in Magnimar located in the Grand Arch District, not far from Starsilver Plaza. Its facade faces a small courtyard in which stands a fountain consisting of four pools, each fed by one of four long-necked iron wyvern heads.  A very nice neighborhood.  There are people on the street during the day and guard patrols are never more than a couple of blocks away.  The building itself is three stories tall. Boards have been nailed over the windows on the ground floor.  The back door is boarded over, but the front door is only locked (looks like a good locks, dc 30ish).


Brodert on Thassilon
   What he knows about Thassilon is that it was a vast empire ruled by powerful wizards.  The sheer size of the monuments they left behind testifies to their power, and the unnatural way many of these monuments have resisted erosion and the march of time testifies to their skill at magic. Most sages place the height of the Thassilonian empire at 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, but Brodert thinks the empire was even older.  He suspects it collapsed no sooner than 10,000 years in the past.
   Much of what Brodert has to say is vague theory based on conjecture, his belief that the Old Light was once a war machine capable of spewing fire from its peak is relatively unpopular among his peers, for example. Yet he can tell Zer a few things of interest about the star—namely, that it seems to be one of the most important runes of Thassilon.  The star itself is known as the “Sihedron Rune,” and signifies not only the seven virtues of rule (generally agreed among scholars to have been wealth, fertility, honest pride, abundance, eager striving, righteous anger, and rest), but the seven schools of magic recognized by Thassilon (divination magic, Brodert points out, was not held in high regard by the ancients). Much of what is understood about Thassilon indicates that its leaders were far from virtuous, and he believes the classic mortal sins (greed, lust, pride, gluttony, envy, wrath, and sloth) rose from corruptions of the Thassilonian virtues of rule. In any event, the Sihedron Rune was certainly a symbol of power, one that may well have stood for and symbolized the empire itself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:00, Sat 11 June 2011.

It is currently late october/early november.

Miriam
[Private to Miriam: You have a great diplomacy and can easily learn the following.

   The last few weeks have brought back painful memories for Miriam.  This is obviously the same death cult that killed your mentor, Larissa.  But they have changed their pattern.  They are killing more frequently, with more care in the  selection of victims (merchants, politicians, crooked guards, and moneylenders) and introduced a new element in their killings...the rune, carved into their victims.  Even an old friend of your former mentor, Justice Ironbriar, has been unable to help you find out information.  You have managed to identify the rune as a Sihedron (7 pointed star) Rune, belonging to the Thassilon Empire, but why remains a mystery.
   A few days ago another mystery occured, a group came in from Sandpoint under the cloak of night.  They had a letter of introduction from a friend of the High Priest and were escorted by a varisian acolyte assigned to the newly built Sandpoint Cathedral.  The High Priest immediately ordered them into quarantine and those who saw them were sworn to secrecy.  Miriam discovered that 3 were suffering from a horrible magical disease and they had a connection with similar murders taking place in Sandpoint.
   They have finally recovered, and late one evening Miriam is summoned to the High Priests office.  When she enters she sees Talis, Garth and Cat...

What you know about the Brothers of Seven/Skinsaw Men
The cult of Norgorber is a complex organism, but the god of
murder, secrets, greed, and poison would have it no other
way. Many thieves’ guilds include small shrines to his guise
as the “Gray Master.” Hidden sects of conspirators who
venerate him as the god of secrets know him as the Reaper of
Reputations. And those who see divinity in the poisonous know
him as “Blackfingers.” Yet the most sinister and dangerous of
his followers are the Skinsaw Men—they know Norgorber as
Father Skinsaw. These fanatic murderers are not assassins—
they kill, not for wealth, but for the sick joy of it. The Skinsaw
Men hold that all of their murders serve a greater cause, their
leaders receiving visions of victims which they believe to
be divine messages from Father Skinsaw. With each murder,
society is shaped—deeds the victim might have accomplished
go unrealized and the lives of those who knew the dead shift
and change in subtle ways. Over the course of years, or even
centuries, murders can shape nations and write the future’s
history. And when the Final Blooding occurs, then shall Father
Skinsaw reveal to his flock the purpose of this shaping of
society by death.
The Skinsaw Men of Magnimar come from old blood, a
master cult that has existed for hundreds of years in the
decadent Chelish city of Vyre. The cult of Magnimar is old and
careful, never leaving behind clues.  They wear masks made of
human skin that allow them to look like their victims, cast
cleric spells and use war razors.  There leader had a more
powerful mask that could cause confusion (which is how he was
able to overcome your mentor) and can cast at least 3rd level
cleric spells. 
]

Jan
[Private to Jan Harlow: You arrived in Magnimar with a letter from a woman (how you know her is up to you) in Korvosa to her brother, Aldern Foxglove.  The city seems on edge, with stories of death everywhere.  Arriving at the address, you find it boarded up and apparently abandoned.  It is getting dark and you turn to go, wondering where you might stay the night.  A pair of Varisians meet you as you leave.  One has the uniform of a guard and the other has a holy symbol of Pharasma.  They are both armed, but their weapons are not drawn.  The guard keeps looking around nervously (not an unusual thing from what you have heard about the murders) while the cleric greets you.  "You are one who has a message for Aldern Foxglove.  He no longer lives here, but I can take you to those who know where he is.  The streets are not safe tonight."]



Talis, Catessa Fallowfield and Tanrov/Garth
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov:    Zer-wedula is still recovering and Glum has chosen to return to Sandpoint to make sure nothing happens there.  You did a quick pass of Aldern's Townhouse and confirmed that the key does fit the lock.  But there were too many people around to make an entry.  Back at the Temple the High Priest sends for you.  when you arrive he says, "I believe there is one more thing we can do for you.  I have sent for our expert in these matters, I believe she can help you."  In a few moments, a striking woman enters...]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The High Priest makes the introductions, "Miriam, these people are from Sandpoint and have information regarding the cult you are so diligent about wanting to deal with.  I believe you can help each other.  This is Talis, Garth and Cat.  This is our good sister Miriam.  I will leave you now, the less I officially know, the less I have to officially take note of."
Talis- bears a scarf, long sword and chain shirt.  Big and strong, he has a plain look about him, but is oddly charming in spite of his plain looks.

Garth- is even bigger and stronger, and better looking.  He carries a wooden scimitar and wears mithral breastplate.  There is something odd about him, something you can't quite put your finger on.

Cat- has the look of a druid, and is fairly strong...for a halfling.

Miriam- A beautiful lady cleric of Pharasma, no weapons other than her dagger...and her faith.]

For details about the other characters you may refer to their descriptions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:57, Thu 23 June 2011.

PM

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov:


Miriam had been attending to her duties about the temple when the summons came - a bit of light healing and a counseling session or two with expectant mothers - so she was dressed in her normal temple attire, blue and white robes, accented with gold, and bore no weapon, not even her usual dagger.  After learning of the strangers' connection to a series of murders in Sandpoint with a motif she was all too familiar with, she'd made known to her superiors her desire to speak to them, through the quarantine had kept her from achieving that goal immediately.  She'd learned patience over the last few years, however, and the line between reminding and pestering, and so it seemed her patience was to be rewarded this evening.

Upon arriving in the High Priest's office, Miriam looked over the three new figures as her superior made introductions, nodding to each in turn.  They seemed a capable group, so far as appearances went, at least.  "Thank you, sir.", she said simply, as the High Priest made his way out.  "That last bit sounded rather ominious.", she opined after he'd stepped out.  "But then, there's quite a bit I do that much of the hierarchy might as soon not take note of, so perhaps not so ominous as all that.", she noted.  "In any case, I believe we have common interests, or at least a common enemy.  My understanding is that Sandpoint has suffered from a series of murders similar to those we've had here in Magnimar recently.  Well, and not-so-recently, but there are some different aspects to this latest string of murders here than those in prior years.  In any case, I do think we should talk.", Miriam said.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Mon 20 June 2011.

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Tanrov: Talis looks at Miriam, "Normally I don't trust strangers, but I guess we owe your temple our lives..." and he brings her up to date (ooc: with the information from the 1st post in this thread).  "...so we believe that somewhere there is a Runewell absorbing the souls of the greedy, just like the runewell under Sandpoint did those of the wrathful.  For what purpose, we don't know.  But we have been warned, by someone we trust, that there is a darkness coming, and we are destined to face it.  We know Aldern was part of this cult, and he is the only real lead we have.  We hope there is information in Aldern's Townhouse.  I suggest we dress up in a way that will blend in and go pay it a visit.  Tonight or in the morning.  What do you say, you want to be nobles returning from a party or commoners come to do some work?"]

PM

[Private to GM: Jan cocks his head as he looks at the two Varisians from a top the driver's seat of his little cart. The encounter sets off various alarms and warnings in his mind as contemplates the situations quickly. Two people knew he was here before he got here and they were offering to take him someplace to meet people to meet the person he needed to send a letter too. The most irritating fact in his mind is that the Cleric words seemed unwieldy. 'You are one who has message'? Plus the guard, had a shifty look about him and Jan did not survive everyday by going with shifty looking guards.

"I am sorry, but I am not one to headed off with strangers. At least not strangers who act so peculiar. Can you tell me where I can reach these people that know where Mister Foxglove is located? I am afraid I really must go find a inn before it gets too late." Jan says with a polite smile, he makes excuses as he considers the spring loaded wrist sheaths on his forearms. His right wrist sheath held a dagger and the left a smoke pallet. The Mutagen at his waist tops things off, along with various daggers and darts.

"Hmm...How about you recommend me a inn? That way you know where I am staying. I am going to stay in the city for a long while, need to build up some traveling funds you know. Say, I am so sorry, I did not get your names." Jan continued, injecting friendly energy into his voice. Depending on what these two seemed to be up to, Jan would blacklist the inn. He reached up and adjusted his long hair and headband. His spear and crossbow hanged behind his back, in a little nook built into the cart.

OOC: I hate orange.
14:21, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 27 using 1d20+11. Perception. Anything strange about the two Varisians?
14:21, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 26 using 1d20+12. Sense Motive. Are they setting off any 'bullsh!t' senses?]

PM[Private to Jan Harlow: (ooc: As far as you can tell, the Cleric is telling the truth and the guard seems to be more concerned about your surroundings than you.  The Cleric is also more concerned about their surroundings more than you.  They do appear to have similar features, brothers or cousins.)

The cleric shrugs, keeping a cooly neutral expression (with undercurrents of watchfulness directed outward).  "I was only told to ask you to come, your fate is your's to decide.  As for Inn's, there are plenty to choose from.  The people you seek are currently at the Temple of Pharasma, be at peace. "  He nods his head at the guard and they start to walk away.  As they do so you hear the guard whisper to the other (you made a great perception roll, 28), "Grandma will not be pleased."  The cleric responds, "She only told me to invite the person, not to force him to come.  My Lady of Fate will see to him, one way or another."]

PM

[Private to DM: "Hmm?" Jan cocks his head quizzically as he watches the two walk away. He gives the Townhouse a quick glance before picking up the reins and whistling for his horse(named Walnut) to start walking. He'd stable Walnut at a average priced nice looking inn and secure his belongs with his one grenade before heading out to the Temple of Pharasma. Jan would be armed of course though, he was still a bit wary of the two relatives. That Grandma comment was creeping him out a little...and he had spent time with some Varisian caravans.

15:53, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 12 using 1d20+11. Perception. Glance at the Townhouse.]

pm
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Talis Revain: Tanrov stares at the beautiful lady cleric.  As he slaps himself in the arm he says under his breath, "Stop that."   Then he looks embarrassed.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:46, Tue 21 June 2011.

PM[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: Cat gives a wane smile, still feeling the loss from the fight with Aldern. "Guess we  should see where the bodies were found as well as taking a look at the surrounding area." Try to connect the victems together. She gives Tanrov a friendly smile.]

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov:

Miriam listens to Talis' words and his explanation of what the group has already experienced, a slightly odd look coming over her face as he mentions the group's destiny, though she says nothing until he finishes.  If she even hears Tanrov's hushed words, she chooses not to acknowledge them, saying instead, "In the aim of attempting to turn a general trust in my faith and my temple to the more specific, let me tell you my interest in all this, and what little I've discovered as a result.  Twice now I've crossed paths with members of this death cult to my great detriment.  When I was thirteen, I saw several of my friends turned into walking abominations by a member of the cult, and fought alongside my mentor for the first time to defeat him.  Ten years later my mentor fell in battle with the same cult, in a fight that I barely survived, and hardly unscathed.  These 'Skinsaw Men', as they call themselves, are old and they are powerful, and running them to ground will not be easy, or safe.  Nevertheless, it has been very much my goal to see each and every one of them standing before the Lady of Graves to receive Her final judgment just as soon as possible.  In that, I hope we can be of aid to each other."

"The Skinsaw Men here are an old group, though these more recent killings have taken on a different pattern...they seem to be more selective in their choice of victims, seeming to prefer merchants, politicians, crooked guards and moneylenders, even as they've sped up the pace of their crimes.  The seven-pointed star rune, which I'd also managed to identify as Thassilonian in origin, is relatively new as well.  The cult follows Norgorber, revering possibly his most dangerous aspect - Father Skinsaw - and they kill simply for the sick and twisted joy of it.  They also believe all their murders serve a greater cause, and their leaders are reputed to receive divine visions of their victims.  They believe their murders shape society and history over the course of decades or centuries, snipping threads of lives early, changing those who were or might have been touched by those lives.  They believe only Father Skinsaw knows the true purpose of the shaping, though they believe eventually he'll reveal it to those who follow him."

"They wear masks, made of human flesh, that allow them to look like their victim, and wield the unholy powers provided by their god.  I believe I've encountered their leader two years ago, or at least I hope they've no one stronger than him in their ranks, for he was more than my mentor and I could handle.  His mask was different, more powerful than the usual one, for it cast a spell of confusion upon us, a confusion he and his followers took full advantage of.  And his spells were at least the equal of anything I have at my disposal, even now."

"Based on what you've said, I agree that perhaps an investigation of this townhouse is in order.  An investigation of the crime scenes might prove difficult, as the government appears to be keeping them under tight control, and what sources I have in the city have not been useful in discovering more about the cult and its recent change in operations.  I even asked an old friend of my mentor's, Justice Ironbriar, and he wasn't able to discover anything of use.  As to our disguise, I will leave the choice to you.  I come from humble beginnings and I revisit them often enough, but I have also spent the last twelve years here in the temple, and we have our share of prestigious visitors, so I've learned to be at ease among the upper classes as well.", she finishes, finally pausing for a deep breath.

]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Tanrov: Tanrov stops staring at Miriams....ummm...assets and says, "If you go as nobles, I can be a bodyguard."]
PM

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Tanrov: Talis says with a smile and a slight bow, "Good lady, I think you would be at social ease if you were dropped on a haunted island full of flesh eating savages.  As for Garth's idea.  If we're going to have him ready for action, a bodyguard would be the most believealble, so nobles it is.  Being commoners would mean we have nothing but knives at our side.  I would suggest a morning "walk of shame", so lets sleep in our disguises and head out nice and early."  Talis places a hand on his sword at the knives comment.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:08, Wed 22 June 2011.

[Private to Jan Harlow: Ooc:The townhouse is three stories tall. Boards have been nailed over the windows on the ground floor.  The back door is boarded over, but the front door is only locked.  Off hand it doesn't look like it has been lived in recently.

Jan eventually finds an Inn that has a stable and settles in.  Getting directions to the temple is easy enough and as he walks through the darkness of an early evening in the fall, the chill starts to set in.  The chill is more than just the cold of fall, city is defintely on edge.  Not a place to be walking the streets alone.  But it is early enough and he makes it to the temple.  Inside he is approached by an acolyte, but before that says more than, "Can I help you sir" the Varisian cleric you saw before notices you and says, "That's ok brother, I'll help him."  Then to Jan, "The people you seek are this way".  There is an undercurrent of relief in his voice.]

Jan, if you want to talk with your escort before you get there, use private.  Now we are together, you may forgo using Private unless you want to say something in private to me or another character.

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The acolyte from Sandpoint who escorted you to Magnimar.]
A cleric of Pharasma knocks on the door and then opens it.  "Grandmother believes you know this gentleman, he has a delivery for Lord Foxglove.  And..." he seems to be mimicking an older voice " ...proper number 5 is."  He smiles and leaves.

Jan sees a pretty lady wearing the attire of the temple, a big human with a longsword, an even bigger human with a scimitar and a little sad halfling lady (who looks even smaller surrounded by the bigguns).  [Private to Jan Harlow: You recognize the 1st human as a man named Talis from Riddleport.  He was the nephew of a wizard you had business dealings with.  You remember him being a decent fellow.  A bit too moral(good) for your tastes.]

[Private to Talis Revain: Talis recognizes Jan as a wandering Alchemist customer of his uncle.  He was a decent sort, for Riddleport.  A bit hedonistic and chaotic, but not evil.]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: Do you need help with your animal companion?  You can assume you have had time to get another, unless you want to do that in-character.]

For those who need a refresher on what he means by 5...
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov:
2.0 Murder in Sandpoint/ #74]

[Private to Miriam: Your old mentor believed that this cult is rich and very well connected.  They always seemed 1 step ahead of you 2 and the law.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:15, Wed 22 June 2011.

Jan hummed a low tune to himself as he walked pasted the Cleric. He turned and gave the man a glance as he left, the Cleric annoyed him for some reason. It was clear in his slight disproving eyes, but Jan moved on quickly. Jan swaggered with confidence into the room and approached the group friendlily. He approached the Cleric, assuming her to be the leader of the group given that they were waiting in a temple.

"Anyone can tell me what he means by that number five comment?" Jan asked airily with a serene smile, he holds his hands under his clock and seemed to lightly leer at the group, excluding Talis for some reason. Jan seemed to be taken with some fits of boundless energy, bouncing on his heels every so often absently.

"Oh, I'm Jan, I have a letter for a Lord Foxglove. I was told you lovely people know where he is staying." Jan added with a slight canine-like cock of his head. He looked and was dressed some what exotically for a courier and he had a air of frivolity surrounding him. However he was armored and armored. Jan carried a light crossbow and was shouldering a strange looking spear, some chainmail showed from underneath his clothes.

Talis looks at the newcomer [Private to Jan Harlow: and gives you a knowing nod that he remembers you,] and says "Lord Foxglove got involved in a death cult and is currently resting in pieces.  His soul is baking, ready to be devoured by Father Skinsaw.  If luck holds, he'll stay that way."  Then he chuckles, "As to the number 5.  We know this Varisian mystic who claims the number 5 is lucky for our quest.  She doesn't like the number 4.  Hmmm, we seem to be 1 short..." [Private to Miriam:Edit from DM- There seems to be a sense of recognition between the two of them, but so far neither has made any mention of it.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:53, Thu 23 June 2011.

"Oh? Then who is going to receive this letter? I did not travel...like five hundred miles to give a letter to a dead man...how would one give a letter to a dead man? Hmm...never mind..." Jan said with a slight put-down look, he doesn't seem to pay attention to the one short comment. He seems mildly disappointed that he was going to be unpaid, after all five hundred miles was a long way to go to find out your task would not be compensated.

"Hmm, I was told I would be compensated for my time and effort when I got here..." Jan commented as he thought back to the person that sent him on this little mail delivery. He ponders who would be responsible for paying him...would it be the people that disposed of the Lord Foxglove...that would probably be these people...but if they paid him for the letter then they would be entitled to it.

Jan looked contemplative as he thought about it. It would be unprofessional to just give out the letter to random strangers...but it would be a loss to not seek payment for the job...but then Zeeva would probably get mad at him...and she always had such nice things at her market. Jan mentally nodded to himself as he came up with a answer to his little problem, ignore it for now and deal with it later. Now a little more interesting things were happening.

"It is a pity the Lord Foxglove fell into such disreputable company. His sister in Korvosa will be troubled by the news. So...a death cult, really? I would not expect a noble to get his hands dirty in such a way. What exactly is going on?" Jan asked, injecting a bit of "clueless traveler" in his tone. He glanced around at the gathered group, looking for an answer.

Cat coughs lightly. "I doubt I could pass as a noble or proper hireling. Maybe a  cleric of some some sort."

[Private to DM: Per my note private messages, I'd like to go with a wolf or dog, if Cat can ride it.]

In response to Jan, Talis says nonchalantly, "You know goblins, pretty girls wanting to become monster, demons, ghouls..." with an involuntary shudder, "...ancient evils stirring, you wouldn't know something called Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms?  Death cults carving ancient runes into greedy victims, whose souls are being used for nefarious purposes.  You know, high grade, freaky death cult stuff."  With a similar imitaton as the cleric, "A shadow of the past is reaching out to embrace the Now and To Come... and we seemed to be destined to face it."  He smiles, "And a pretty woman asked me too.  You know Jan, women dig adventurer's."

In reponse to Cat "Fear not good lady, I know a perfect job for a halfling."  He pulls out a jesters cap and looks expectantly at Cat before grinning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:20, Wed 22 June 2011.

Miriam had no more idea what the comment about number 5 meant than Jan did, nor did she really consider herself the leader of the group yet, given that the three of them had arrived together and she was yet an outsider, so she didn't respond before Talis did, and then just listened to the conversation for a few moments, then asked, "This Lord Foxglove had a sister in Korvosa?  Is that who the letter is from?  I wonder if it's an innocent letter or if it might have some connection to his darker dealings?  Do you think we might be able to use the delivery of the letter to gain access to the townhouse?  If we said we'd all come a long distance to deliver a most urgent message, it might explain the presence of any arms or armor we would happen to bear.  I don't suppose we have a key to the townhouse?  Or anyone able to pick a lock?  Only for a good cause, of course.", she amended, with a slight smile.

[Private to Talis Revain: Since we don't seem to be leaving the room really soon, I'll reply to the note about Garth at a later time, when we're closer to actually leaving the room. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Wed 22 June 2011.

"The Foxglove townhouse is deserted and one of your cleric colleagues saw me there in the company of Guardsman. I think they were related, he was the one that led me here. The letter really is not going to be that good of a excuse if you want to break in. No one lives there currently, the first floor with the exception of the front door is boarded up and the front door's lock is pretty well made." Jan said airily, he then used the back of his hand to brush his hair to his temple.

"As for Foxglove's sister...I doubt she has any dark dealings going on, she is a very successful merchant. I doubt she would have the time to plot nefarious wrongdoings...If you wish, I may be of...extra legal service...all I ask is some slight compensation. I am sure I can give you access in under a hour." Jan smirked as he leaned forward slightly as he gazed at Miriam appreciatively.

Probably confirming Jans assumptions of the fate of Lord Foxglove, Talis says, "We have a key....but let me assure you, we did not kill Lord Foxglove, we...", turning to Miriam, "...what do you call it when you put down an undead?  Redeading, destroy, unanimating or some long complicated word, like most wizards are fond of?"  Shrugging, he continues "Whatever it is called, he was a ghoul or something when we did it.  So access to the house is no problem, convincing any neighbors or guards that might see us that we have a legitimate reason to be there, that's the problem.  I would just assume avoid legal entanglements.  While I'm sure they would understand...eventually...they just waste time."

"Oh?...Then just use the key. If you go in like you own the place, no one will bother you that much. People tend to gloss over what they think is normal." Jan looked puzzled for a moment, like a dog finding a mirror, before moving past the revelation.

"How come you do not just ask permission? You went out of your way to destroy the undead Lord Foxglove. I assume you had sanction for that or at least was recognized as doing a public service?" Jan asked airily as he bounced on his heels. He cocked his head and hummed to himself.

"There are many methods available to obtain a excuse. I am not...inexperienced in such things. The quickest option would be just to go now and act in such a way the guard and the neighbors do not think you are committing a crime. Another would be to disguise one of you as Lord Foxglove via magic. Another would be seeing as Lord Foxglove is dead, then his property defaults to his nearest blood relative if he did not leave a will and last testament; I am technically a agent of his sister...lots and lots of ways to do something." Jan commented, facilitating the group's future extra-legal action. He idly noted it was probably best if they just tried to secure permission first.

Miriam began to wonder if she might spontaneously combust from all the gazes that were being thrown her way.  It was like half the people in the room had never seen a woman before.  Answering Talis' question, she said, "Destroyed is as good as any.  'Put to rest' or 'returned to slumber' if you're feeling poetic.  My Lady's church is as stalwart a foe of the undead as you'll find and we don't even use one consistent term.  We do have a consistent answer for the undead we find however, and I have no objections to using that same answer for those involved with the Skinsaw men, whether they still draw breath or not.  My Lady can judge them as She will, and the rest of us will no longer have to deal with them.", Miriam said, resolve burning in her deep green eyes.

"I do think it would be best to avoid as much official notice as we can in this expedition, however.  She was never able to prove anything, but my mentor always suspected the cult was quite well connected.  They mostly stayed a step ahead of us and at least two steps ahead of the law.  If you have the key, then we shouldn't have too much trouble accessing the house itself, but people might remember us if we look too out of place.  Particularly me, as I'm not entirely unknown here in Magnimar.  I'll wear a hooded cloak, which should hopefully mostly conceal my face, as well as my hair, which is probably my most striking and memorable feature.", she said.

"I can make you a more effective magical disguise if you wish, Lady Cleric. It will last for a hour more or less." Jan offered as he bounced on his heels. Miriam had yet to introduce herself to Jan, but he was technically of a lower station so he did not mind. This was starting to get interesting.

"So what is it do you seek inside the house? Evidence of nefarious plots and what not?" Jan asked curiously with a sly smile. He seemed to be full of energy, even if he looked slightly pale. Jan glanced around, wondering when the rest were going to introduce themselves like he had. Talis had the excuse of already knowing him sort-of.

"Hmm...Are you going now tonight when the streets are deserted and the neighbors are dug into their homes or are you going to wait for the morning? I would suggest tonight, and accomplish what you want as quickly as possible." Jan recommended with a sharp nod. He seemed to have a problem keeping still as the conversation moved more and more to 'kind-of' burglary.

"That might prove useful.  Hopefully we can conclude our business inside an hour.  And 'Lady Cleric' is a bit cumbersome.  'Miriam' will do.", she told Jan with a slight smile.  "And yes, something like that.  If he was involved with the Skinsaw Men there may be information there we can use to identify more of them and interfere with their plans.  Given that I've found very little useful information about them in the past two years, it seems worth a little risk.  An evening approach is something I'd thought a bit on.  I'm not particularly stealthy, particularly these days, but it seems as though there could be something to be said for the cover of darkness.  It still wouldn't hurt to have a reason for being in the area, but we're less likely to be seen actually entering the house if we don't do it in broad daylight.", she mused.

"Ah, neither am I, but I make do...Well, Zeeva Foxglove told me her brother would probably have let me board in his Townhouse for a short while in the city...and she said he would pay me for the latter. I have a remote reason for wishing to be in that house, Miriam. If no other then quasi-legal debt collection." Jan said as he smiled at her airily at her.

"Should we go now? All I need is...oh, say ten to fifteen minutes to brew some extracts." Jan offered as he wrapped his clock around him. He was probably deferring to Miriam because he liked her...

"I think I will definitely help you out Miriam, this situation is getting so interesting. I like interesting things." Jan comments happily with a amused smirk as he once again starts bouncing on his heels.

"Name's Tanrov," I say to this Jan fellow.   While the others are talking Tanrov gets bored quickly and starts wandering the room for something to do.   After a while, he notices parchment with ink near by.   He goes over to the table and finds a clean sheet with the a fore mentioned ink and starts drawing letters, doodles than pictures.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Thu 23 June 2011.

Talis says with a flourish, "I do beg your pardon goos sir, I don't know where my manners went."  He introduces himself and the others.  Firmly he says "This is Garth of family Tanrov", shooting a glance at the bigger man drawing on the paper.  [Private to Miriam: DM:edit: There is something strange going on, that was defintely a lie.  Your information was his name was Garth, from Sandpoint, no mention of the name Tanrov.]  Giving Cat a bow and smile, "And this is our Little Mother, Cat, a most excellent druid and follower of Saranrae.  So do you think this disguise (refering to the jesters cap) would fool anyone Little Mother?"

Turning Serious, "So a night skulk it is.  Same cover story...noble friends, recently in from Korvosa, going to our friend Alderns house. (in a drunken noble voice) Of course good sir, we are supposed to be here, our friends gave us this key to use if he was in the family manor up north.  That should do.  Why don't we get ready and meet out front."

Mental note, do not introduce Jan to Lady Amieko, for his own safety.

[Private to Tanrov: To Tanrov, "You don't want to make things easy on us,  remember, the world knows you as Garth.  See that pretty package that just left, she is a hunter of Pharamsa and hunts undead as a hobby.  I wonder what she would do if she knew you were a dead spirit inhabiting another mans body, GARTH."]

[Private to Miriam: Later, as everyone is leaving the room, Talis quietly says to Miriam "Garth is a good and capable warrior, but has certain limitations.  Don't think of him as a simpleton....but as a boy in a man's body.  Socially he's a child."]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Thu 23 June 2011.

Cat scowls at Talia and the cap, "I can try, but I'm nobody's fool." Her tone is light though.

"Fifteen minutes should be acceptable.  I'll need to change into something more appropriate than my vestments, but I shouldn't be long at that.  I haven't any clothes suitable for the true nobility, but I do have an outfit that should pass reasonably well for a noblewoman slumming it a bit.  And perhaps Jan will be able to tweak it a bit to make it even more suitable."  She looks a little puzzled at Garth's naming of himself, but decides to file it for later, not seeming entirely convinced by Talis' words on the matter.

She smiles at Cat's light tone in her response and says, "I could offer another suggestion, which I pray won't be taken the wrong way, as I mean no offense.  But, while it's not as prevalent as in the areas near Korvosa, for instance, many nobles here in Magnimar do still make use of halfling servants.  If a jester won't suit, a servant of another type might well go unremarked upon.  A maid-in-waiting or the like.", Miriam commented.

"You don't need to change clothes right now Miriam...how many disguises are needed? Three? I am going to make three. Who wants one?" Jan asked as he moves to a out of the way corner and starts pulling out things from a side pouch of his backpack. He hummed to himself cheerfully as he mixed things together.

"Should I make something else perhaps? Do you expect Invisible Opponents? How about Secret Compartments?" Jan continued as he paused in his preparations for a moment. He seemed to be mixing small potions in vials or something like that.

[Private to GM: I am going to make 3 Disguise Self's, 1 Jump, and 1 Spider Climb. I have one Feral Mutagen. That is 4 First Level and 1 2nd Level and my Mutagen.]

"Thank you, I'll certainly take one, but I think I will change just in case this should take longer than an hour.  The High Priest seemed to suggest quite strongly that he'd rather not take official notice of this and while my vestments are somewhat different than what most of the clergy are wearing, they're still somewhat distinctive.  I thought I might also gather a couple of defensive items from my chambers just in case, as it never hurts to be prepared.", Miriam commented.

[Private to Talis Revain: Miriam considered Talis' words and said, "I see.  Has he always been thus, or did he suffer an injury of some sort?  And why did he introduce himself as Tanrov?  I'd heard no mention of that name before, in what I'd been able to gather about you from the other clerics that were tending to you, and your words about it being a family name were not entirely convincing.", she said, as politely as she could phrase that.]

As the group breaks up and Talis 1st has a private conversation with Garth, then another with Miriam.

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: Cat manages to overhear both.

Talis to Tanrov, "You don't want to make things easy on us,  remember, the world knows you as Garth.  See that pretty package that just left, she is a hunter of Pharamsa and hunts undead as a hobby.  I wonder what she would do if she knew you were a dead spirit inhabiting another mans body, GARTH."

Talis to Miriam, as everyone is leaving the room, Talis quietly says to Miriam "Garth is a good and capable warrior, but has certain limitations.  Don't think of him as a simpleton....but as a boy in a man's body.  Socially he's a child."
Miriam considered Talis' words and said, "I see.  Has he always been thus, or did he suffer an injury of some sort?  And why did he introduce himself as Tanrov?  I'd heard no mention of that name before, in what I'd been able to gather about you from the other clerics that were tending to you, and your words about it being a family name were not entirely convincing.", she said, as politely as she could phrase that.]

[Private to Jan Harlow: Jan manages to overhear this conversation;

Talis to Miriam, as everyone is leaving the room, Talis quietly says to Miriam "Garth is a good and capable warrior, but has certain limitations.  Don't think of him as a simpleton....but as a boy in a man's body.  Socially he's a child."
Miriam considered Talis' words and said, "I see.  Has he always been thus, or did he suffer an injury of some sort?  And why did he introduce himself as Tanrov?  I'd heard no mention of that name before, in what I'd been able to gather about you from the other clerics that were tending to you, and your words about it being a family name were not entirely convincing.", she said, as politely as she could phrase that.]

ooc: I will wait for Talis to reply....I will need a "marching order" (just a general, who's in front, behind, middle) and who has what light out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Sun 26 June 2011.

Cat agrees to try Miriam's plan, feeling relieved to play a simpler role. She hopes.

[Private to Talis Revain: "Okay Talis, I'm Garth not tanrov.   But Talis I am Tanrov," Garth says imploringly.   ]Garth will go put on his armor and weapons etc. to get ready for the nights outing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Sat 25 June 2011.

[Private to Miriam: "He suffered an terrible injury at the hands of a man who caught him unawares.  Never been quite the same since."]

[Private to Tanrov:
"If you want to stay that way, just remember, most of the time, you're Garth.  We don't know how clerics of the Goddess who judges the Dead will react to you. " ]
After having some conversations with Miriam and Garth, Talis get's ready and waits out front.

Out front, the City of Monuments is dark, cold (with the chill of fall) and wet (though it's not raining now).  As you travel through the streets you draw little interest from the occasional passerbys.  Most people just want to get to their destination and it's still early enough that a group of nobles with a bodyguard and halfling servant don't stand out too much.  Anyone with evil intent is put off by the size of your bodyguard and the occasional rats, bats, cats and dogs are scared away by the numbers.

As you pass through the Grand Arch district, it is clear only about half of the homes are currently occupied.  The rest are homes of foreign merchants and dignitaries.  Which is probably why you see an increased number of guard patrols.  Your disguises satisfy the patrols and they don't give your group more than cusory look, so you arrive at Aldern's Townhouse without incident.

You are outside the town house by the fountain.  What do you do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Sun 26 June 2011.

Miriam had changed into a finely-tailored green dress that approximated the hue of her eyes, and a small array of jewelry she hadn't been wearing earlier, including a silver ring, and a pair of silver and jade earrings.  Her holy symbol was tucked into the bodice of her dress, appearing as just a silver necklace to the casual observer.  She'd put on a long azure cloak with a hood, which she had up around her head.  She'd taken up position in the center of the group, and, figuring that others would need their hands free worse than she did, currently carried her everburning torch in her right hand, to provide the group with light.  "This would appear to be the place.  Who has the key?", she asked the others.

[Private to Talis Revain: Miriam replies "Ah.  Well, I can certainly sympathize.  I had something of that sort happen to me as well.  We can talk more later, however.  Right now I suspect our companions would just as soon be off.  And I admit I am eager as well.  Hopefully this townhouse will hold some answers to our mutual quests."]

[Private to Talis Revain: "Ok, Talis, I'll be Garth."]

Garth says in a deferential voice, "I believe Master Talis has it My Lady", shield in 1 hand with the other on the hilt of the scimitar at his side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:16, Sun 26 June 2011.

Talis says "Ah, this must be the address we were directed too, let us see if the key he sent works."  He unlocks the door and says to Garth, "Make it safe goodman."

Assuming the group gets inside safely, he will close and lock the door behind them.  Then he pauses and puts his chain shirt on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Sun 26 June 2011.

Your flickering light shows a small 5' x 10' entry hall.  To the left is a hat rack and hooks on the wall, all empty.  Ahead, are a short set of stairs that go up to a landing.  To the right, an open doorway opens onto a trophy room.  The north and south walls of this room once featured shelves of hunting trophies—primarily elk, boars, and bears.  All have been ripped from the walls and lie scattered on the floor.  The entry hall itself has long dried mud on the floor.  Someone has obviously tossed the place several days ago.  There is also an unlit fireplace on the north wall.
[Private to Jan Harlow: It looks professional, probably by low level rogues.  If there is anything around, it's going to be well hidden.]

Garth leads the way into the trophy room, since there is so little room in the entry hall.  From that vantage point he can see a closed door at the end of the trophy room.

Talis pauses in the entry hall to put on his chain shirt.

Action while Talis is busy?
Direction - door or stairs?

Map has been updated.

Garth will go into the trophy room and check out the closed door, hand on scimitar hilt and shield at the ready.

Miriam held the torch aloft with her shield arm as Talis changed into his armor.  She drifted over to the fireplace and glanced within, checking to see how long it looked like it had been used, then took a glance at the shelves as well, to see if anything might have been overlooked there.

[Private to Talis Revain: You have it at the "Don Hastily" Stage, Ac is at -1 (so only +3 for the chain shirt).  It will take 5 rounds to complete putting it on.]
As Miriam and Garth move into the room, and Talis is still securing his chain shirt, a light suddenly appears from under the door (in front of Garth) and you hear a voice on the other side, followed by footsteps.
[Private to Miriam: The fireplace has not been used in at least a couple of weeks, quite unusual for fall.  The trophies are all covered in a thin layer of dust, consistent with the same time frame.]
[Private to Miriam; Tanrov: A womans voice says, "Honey, I thought I heard something, go check it out."  Followed by steps approaching the door as the door starts to open.]
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: Murphis is currently not reacting to anything unusual...yet.]

What do you do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:13, Tue 28 June 2011.

Jan looks around curiously as he crouches down by a patch of mud. He cocks his head at it for a long moment, thinking about it. As he does this he draws a sunrod and plays with it, keeping it unlit for the moment. Jan entertains the thought of brewing more extracts, but decides to hold off until he can't find things himself. It would be cheating himself out of a puzzle if he just did that now.

Jan looks up from where he is crouched, something was going on. His hand rests near his belt.

---
OOC: I assume I am nearby all this light under the door hullabaloo?
[Private to GM: 14:26, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 27 using 1d20+7. Survival. The mud, any tracks or other interesting bits of information? Can I tell where the person that left the tracts moved and stood?
14:24, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 27 using 1d20+10. Knowledge:Nature. What type of mud is it? There anything interesting about it that might require a Alchemy check? The scent of chemicals or color that suggests industrial waste?
14:23, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 24 using 1d20+11. Perception. Anything interesting? Smells, sights? Enemies?]
[Private to Jan Harlow: There's not a whole lot of mud, thinking back to your trip here, the streets leading here are stone.  You can conclude that this is normal mud from someone coming in off the street when it was wet, not from anywhere muddy (like a dirt street).  You recall Aldern's sister mentioning that he is married.  Either his wife (or a servant) is a horrible housekeeper or she hasn't been around awhile.  Otherwise it surely would have been cleaned up by now.  It's likely that it is multiple medium sized people, at multiple times, but impossible to tell for sure how many, when or in what types of groups.  There are a few things interesting about the dirt, but nothing that can't be explained by being dirt in Magnimar (a city built around an incredible ancient and magical monument).  A detailed analysis might be helpful, but that would take time and proper alchemy equipment.

If you look on the map in the Map folder, you are with Cat and Talis in the entry hall, while Garth and Miriam are in the bigger room.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:52, Wed 29 June 2011.

Talis reacts quickly, moving toward the voice/footsteps.  He sees the light as he enters the trophy room and, makes a motion for people to be quiet.  Moving toward the door as quietly as his speed allows, he draws a sap and activates a shield of force.  He takes up position next to the door and readies an action to attack, with the sap, whoever opens the door.

Draw weapon - free with move
ring force shield - free

While all this is going on, Garth will draw out his sword waiting for the door to open and move in, all the while backing up Talis.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Wed 29 June 2011.

Miriam looks up from where she's checking out the fireplace at the sounds and light from behind the door.  Noting Talis' ambushing position, she moves over behind him, her free hand brushing his back as she leans in to whisper something to him.

[Private to Talis Revain; DM: Miriam whispers, "There are at least two people in there - man and woman."

OOC: Touching Talis to use her Bit of Luck ability on him - for the next round, anytime Talis rolls a d20, he can roll 2 and take the most favorable result.  6/7 uses remaining.]

Round 0 - readied actions
Garth starts to help Talis and then stops and stares at the woman on who opened the door, his mouth agape.

Talis also stares at her, but collects his wits and swings.  Expecting her to stand still in surprise, he is surprised when she dodges behind the doorway, but luckily gets a hit anyway.
Hit for 16 non-lethal damage, see ooc thread for comments on damage

Round 1
She was expecting someone to be in here, so no surprise round.  You see a pretty darkhaired Varisian woman in her 20's.  She wears a lovely dress and carries a candle in 1 hand and a mw longsword in the other.  Behind her you can see a small dining room.  The woman reacts to the attack with shock and alarm...
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov: You recognize her from her picture and from her dead Revenant body...it's a living, breathing Ieesha Foxglove...or is it?]
[Private to Jan Harlow; Miriam: Garth and Talis are acting funny, almost like they know who this is and are surprised to see her.]

Only Miriam got initiative - so Miriam may post an action, everyone else may only talk.


Tactical Situation
See Map - your voice color indicates your character.

            dam      status


IF         - 16sub[Private to GM: 11]



Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]

Garth  AC:    HP: current
           18        68


"Ieesha, I, I, um I, I thought you were dead."  Garth says staring at the image of Ieesha personage.   "Sarenrae please give me the strength to overcome this trial," I says as slowly start to move again and this time hopefully after the wiser Talis' actions.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Thu 30 June 2011.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

"Or two women, perhaps?", Miriam says, confused by what she'd heard and also by the reactions of Talis and Garth.  But the woman was still armed and presumably dangerous, and Miriam had ways of stopping people without harming them.  Moving up just beside Talis, she uttered a single word at the woman, backed by the magic of her faith, "Halt.", hoping a pause in the action would give someone a chance to tell her what was going on.

[Private to DM: Casting Command (halt).  DC 16 Will save to negate.]

Round 1
Miriam casts a spell.

Iesha Foxglove pauses as she was about to take a step back, but the compulsion of the spell takes hold and she doesn't take an action.  She looks scared.

Tactical Situation
See Map - except Miriam is beside, not behind Talis.  Iesha is "halted", but not flat-footed.  She can still defend herself.
Now everyone may post, either the 1st round or (Miriams)2nd round.

            dam      status
IF         - 16sub   halted [Private to GM: 11]



Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]

Jan: AC 18 ; HP 36/36

Jan makes a confused sound as he looks up from the mud, getting to his feet. With a huff, he strikes the sunrod against his kneee to light it. If need be, he would throw it aside to light up the darkness, but for now he stays calm as his off hand rests near his extracts and mutagen.

"...What is going on now?" Jan asks airily as he frowns. It looked like they were planning on killing this woman, it irked him. Fleeing the city due to a murder charge would be so bothersome. He feels himself grow excited though, his blood feels hot. Jan smiles softly, as he feels light on his feet.

[Private to GM: OOC: If it looks like combat is going to be tough, Jan will throw his sunrod into the room that the fight his taking place in to ensure light. Then he will drink his mutagen.
15:08, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 28 using 1d20+11. Perception. Anyone else in the house?]

Ac 18 48/48

Talis grimly says, "This will only hurt for a moment Iesha, or whoever you are.  We can sort this out once you are sleeping." as he swings his sap again, this time barely missing.  He wondered if Iesha could have a twin sister.

Ac 18 58/58

Garth will tried his hand at nonlethal damage and move up to hit.

12:52, Today: Tanrov rolled 7 using 1d6+5.
12:50, Today: Tanrov rolled 27 using 1d20+11.

DM edit: Your to hit is less because you are doing subdual damage with a lethal weapon, but I will take care of that.[Private to Tanrov: Put in some characterization please...]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:45, Sun 03 July 2011.

Cat   AC:17 HP:36
Murph AC:20 HP:60

Iesha?? What the hells? Cat strides towards their former ally, not sure why the group is trying to beat the woman up, "Iesha?  What are you doing here?"

Round 1
Jan lights his sunrod and the light from the eternal torch is augmented by the magical and steady light it produces.

Talis swings again and Iesha moves very quickly to avoid it, so he misses.  She gives a little scream, "Help honey, robbers and murderers."

Catessa Fallowfield & Murphis move forward.

Tanrov/Garth hits her with the pommel of the scimitar, obviously trying to just knock her out, but just gets a glancing blow which doesn't appear to injure her much, if any.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere 3 dire rats appear and attack.
(Summons, Illusions, Teleporting, Dimensional Shifting, Invisibility?  Who knows?)
Rats 1-3 try to bite Cat, Miriam and Jan - but only get mouthfuls of armor.

Round 2
[Private to Miriam: I hope you don't mind, I acted for you.]
Miriam instinctively swings her eternal torch at the rat in an effort to drive it away.  The rat flinches at the flame, but does not run away.  It's easy to see that the rat is not reacting as a normal rat would.  These are either very well trained, not real rats or there is magic involved.

Iesha Foxglove almost has some luck with the sword, barely missing Garth.  Then she retreats 5' into the corner so Talis can't get to her.  She screams at the open door, "Aldern, help me", desperation in her voice.  She drops the candle, which rolls under the table and goes out, leaving the dining room in shadows (20% concealment unless you have darkvision, lowlight vision or are attacking toward the doorway into the other room.)

Tactical Situation
See Map


            dam      status
IF         - 23sub   halted [Private to GM: 13]
Rats1
    2
    3



Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Tue 05 July 2011.

Ac 18 8/48

Talis responds to his targets cries for help with some witty repartee, "As I try to batter you into unconsciousness and you try to perforate me with your sword, might I ask how you look so much like Iesha Foxglove?.  Garth, follow me..." as he moves into the dining room and jumps up on the table.  From this vantage point he will try to strike at the Iesha clone-twin-whatever.

13 hit
made the concealment roll
13 acrobatics to avoid Aoo
29 to jump on table

DM Edit;
As Talis moves into the room, a man jumps out from around the corner opposite Iesha  [Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov: This looks like Aldern Foxglove!] and attacks Talis, "I'm here my love, I will protect you."  He easily hits, and he hits precisely and hard (sneak attack and high str), for 23 damage.  He is a good looking man of Chelaxian origin, wears nice clothes and bears another masterwork long sword.  Aldern Foxglove?  At the same time, Iesha takes an Aoo - also hitting and doing 17 damage (also; sneak attack and high str).  She is alot stronger than she looks...

Talis easily jumps on the table, but misses Iesha sliding across to the other side into the corner next to "Aldern", and misses him.

Talis responds to this new threat, confirming his supposed identity, "Ouch, wait, we redeaded you a week ago, you can't be Aldern."

Can I tweak my action?  After taking all that damage I want to continue to the other side of the table into the corner next to "Aldern" and fight defensively?

DM Edit;
OK
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:47, Tue 05 July 2011.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

Miriam frowned at the sudden appearance of the rats, having somewhat more limited options to fight rats than she did people or the undead.  Seeing Talis take a hard shot from the newcomer inside the room, she decides to take a different tack in any case, stepping carefully away from the rats before lifting her holy symbol out of its hiding place in the bodice of her dress, letting it hang freely once more, a moment before she began to glow, a surge of positive energy washing out from her to restore some of Talis' vitality, though not that of the woman they'd attacked.

Channeling positive energy to heal wounds.  Using Selective Channel to not hit Iesha, Aldern or the closest of the rats.  12:04, Today: Miriam rolled 16 using 3d6. Selective Channel.

Cat   AC:17 HP:36
Murph AC:20 HP:60

Cat groans at seeing Aldern, if it is him. She moves back to toss her dagger at a rat, sending her new companion after another. "Are we sure we want to fight him, again???"

rolls:
15:32, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 17 using 1d20+8. attack.
15:32, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 4 using 1d3+1. damage.
15:34, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 24 using 1d20+4. attack for Murphis.
15:35, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 9 using 1d6+6. damage - critical?.
15:35, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 10 using 1d6+6. damage.

Jan: AC 18+2 ; HP 36/36

"This looks fun, hahahaha!" Jan laughs excitedly as he draws a small vial from somewhere on his belt. He uncorks the vial with his teeth, the Alchemist drinks the vial with a look of relish as he ignores the giant rats.

Jan sighs with almost orgasmic delight as he undergoes a rapid and startling transformation. Bones crunch, clothes shift, and fur grows and within moments Jan has transformed into a tall bestial-looking wolf-like creature, with long disproportionate limbs, a tail, and midnight black and pale white fur.

"Grrr, out uf de vay, Hy vant to fight!" Jan growls like a feral animal as he moves past Cat, Talis, and Miriam, his somewhat stooped stance taking away from his increased height. The sunrod in his paw-like hand looks absolutely out of place.


OOC: Standard Action used to drink mutagen. Subtitle: Grrr, out of the way, I want to fight!
+2 natural armor bonus, a +4 alchemical bonus to STR, + 2 claw attacks, and +1 bite attack. -2 to INT.

Ac 18 58/58

Garth sees Aldern and his eyes grow big, he grips his scimitar back to a lethal grip and steps forward to attack him.

09:53, Tanrov, rolled 11 using 1d6+5.
09:53, Tanrov, rolled 23 using 1d20+10.

Round 2
Jan transforms into a horrible (seriously, with what adventurers face, Jan doesn't look that bad...really :)) feral critter and shoulders his way into the dining room, lighting it up.  The rats all snap at him as he moves by, but again all of them do no damage.  As Jan enters the dining room, the man behind the wall (Aldern) uses his readied action to attack - hitting for 16 damage.

Talis tries to tumble through Jan to stand on the table, but his skill fails him and he suffers 2 Aoo (previously detailed).  He continues over to the far corner to confront Aldern.

Murphis eagerly grabs his and and shakes it.  It vanishes.
Catessa Fallowfield throws a dagger which buries itself in the rat, but doesn't kill it.
This confirms that these are summoned creatures.  But by whom and from where?  It can't be to far away.

Tanrov/Garth wanting to do what Talis did, Garth moves past Jan and jumps on the table, hoping their focus on Talis was all they could do (no more Aoo).  However, they prove quicker than he thought and they both attack him as he goes by - Aldern hits for 16 damage, but Iesha misses.  Striking at Aldern he hits.

Rats 2,3 focus on the dog.  There's alot of snapping and hissing and 1 manages to get in close, but the dogs armor saved him from a nasty bite.

Again, from wherever Summoned Creatures come from, a big snarling
Wolf appears beside Miriam and attacks her.  It hits, doing 8 damage.  It tries to trip her, but fails.

Round 3
Miriam channels positive energy that heals everyone (16hp) in the group.  Talis stops bleeding and looks much better.  While she can't select out all the opposition, she can select out all the injured opposition.

"Iesha" Iesha and Aldern look at each other with an eager smile and nod in unison.  Their flesh seems to relax (like when you hold a muscle, and then suddenly relax it) and their features vanish.  You now face a thing of skin and dislocation and horror. A featureless humanoid shape with hairless, scaly flesh like a dark crimson snake, its long stretching fingers twitch and writhe. Its form is horrifically human, and yet at the same time frightfully pliant.  "She", for it is difficult to tell them apart, attacks Jan savagely with the sword in 1 hand, but misses.
[Private to Tanrov: Tanrov can put a name to these things, Faceless Stalkers.  They are a nomadic and savagely malevolent race of shapechanging aberrations whose methods and nature mark them more as parasites or diseases than actual residents of the places they inhabit.  They sometimes act as spies and assasins for powerful evil people and creatures.]


"Aldern" also attacks Jan, and hits, doing 15 damage.  They say nothing, the charade is over.  Now death seems to be the only thing on their minds.

Tactical Situation
See Map
IF/AF are arrows
rats are triangles
wolf is a diamond
Next round I am moving all the opposition to after Miriam in initiative.

            dam      status
IF         - 23sub   [Private to GM: 13]
AF         - 11
Rats1      - 10      gone
    2      - 4
    3      -
Wolf       -


Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Wed 06 July 2011.

Jan: AC 18+2 ; HP 21/36

Jan growled angrily and stumbled as he felt steel bite into his back. With a roar he swung his claws down at the thing in front of him. He then launched himself at the thing in front of him and bit down and tried to rip a piece off.

15:56, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 11 using 1d8+3. Bite Attack Damage.
15:56, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 5 using 1d6+3. Claw Attack Damage.
15:56, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 4 using 1d6+3. Claw Attack Damage.
15:55, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Bite Attack.
15:55, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Claw Attack.
15:55, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Claw Attack. Fail!

DM edit- it tastes awful :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Thu 07 July 2011.

Ac 18+2 24/48

A look of relief washes over his face as the positive energy heals his wounds, "Thanks.  You know, I think I liked you better as Iesha, you were easier on the eyes" as he focuses on his target.  To Cat; "Little Mother, any chance of doing unto them and giving this "Aldern" fellow something on the other side to distract him."

I sure could use a flanking buddy (with a Summon Monster/Natures Ally right about now.  Talis will delay until Cat has gone.  Then fight defensively.

[Private to GM: 8  hit includes a possible flanking bonus]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Thu 07 July 2011.

"Hey guys these things are faceless stalkers they act like parasites and are used as assasins," I say excitedly as the light bulb goes of in my head about these critters.  I tried to hit either iesha or aldern as I will try to jump of the table and onto whichever I try to hit.

10:39, Today: Tanrov rolled 9 using 1d20+8.   obviously rolled a one
10:42, Today: Tanrov rolled 11 using 1d20.    this was to see if I dropped my blade as I tried to hit.

DM edit- ouch, a 1.  I don't use critical failures, so you don't drop your weapon.[Private to Tanrov:
You should be getting +11 on this hit, +10 scimitar and +1 for higher ground.
What do you want to accomplish with "I will try to jump of the table and onto whichever I try to hit"

Please try to use 3rd person -Tanrov says, instead of 1st person - I say.
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:26, Thu 07 July 2011.

Not my planned post, but hey....
Cat   AC:17 HP:36/36
Murph AC:20 HP:60/60

Cat breaths a sigh of relief as Aldern turns out not to be Aldern. She readies her spear, as her dagger is lost for now. She had planned on casting something to help Muephis, but Talis needed her help more, so she summons up a boar, and sends it forward.
Murph bites at whatever is close and misses.

14:01, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 8 using 1d20+4. attack for Murphis.
Burned a level 3 spell.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

"By the Boneyard.", Miriam breathed, a mild oath, as the two people became something else entirely.  She was used to fighting against undead abominations so while the transformation was a little unexpected, the end result was no more horrifying than other things she'd faced before.  She thought briefly about taking the offensive with a spell, but seeing that two of her allies were injured, she turned to defense once again, channeling healing energy out to partially restore them, again completely leaving the two 'faceless stalkers' out of the mix as well as the wounded rat, or the most wounded one if both were.

13:59, Today: Miriam rolled 8 using 3d6. Channel Energy.

Round 3
Jan goes all feral on his target hitting with 1 claw and a bite (but it was a close call with the bite), for 16 dam.

Talis waits on Cat.

Murphis tries to attack both, but is distracted by a target rich battle field and misses them all.
Catessa Fallowfield steps forward 5' so she can get her eyes into the other room to find a location to summon her ally.  She begins her spell.
Cat is threatened wherever she can go, so would you like to cast defensively or suffer an Aoo and try to make a concentration check (1d20+caster level+ability score.  In Cats case 1d20+6+3).
Cast defensively = 15 + (Spell Levelx2)
Injured while casting = 10 + damage + spell level

Talis attacks, but seems hesitant and misses

Tanrov/Garth seems so excited that he almost forgets to attack and when he does it misses by a mile.

Round 4
Miriam channels positive energy that heals everyone (8hp) in the group.

[Private to GM: Used 1st:(4)
2nd:(3) 2
3rd:(2) 1
]
Rats 2,3 focus on the dog.  Again there's alot of snapping and hissing and 1 manages to get in close, but the dogs armor saved him from a nasty bite.

Wolf beside Miriam attacks her and looks like he was going to just rip her throat out, but doesn't quite get the perfect bite (rolled a 20, but did not confirm the threat).  It hits, doing 8 damage.  It tries to trip her, and again fails.

Again, from wherever Summoned Creatures come from, a big hariy medium sized spider appears in the middle of Miriam, Cat and Murphis.
Spider appears facing Miriam and attacks her, reaching out with it's hairy legs and dripping fangs.  It has trouble getting through her armor and misses.

"Iesha" silently swings at Jan, and connect for 17 damage (max on the sneak attack dice).  They are so alien that it's hard to see how injured "Iesha" is.  But she is still hitting precisely and really hard.

"Aldern" also attacks Jan, and hits, doing 11 damage.  Their attacks this round seems to have less power.
(On the round after they shift, they get +2 hit, dam)

Tactical Situation
See Map
IF/AF are arrows
rats are triangles
wolf is a diamond
spider is a star

            dam      status
IF         - 23sub+16   [Private to GM: 13]
AF         - 11
Rats1      - 10      gone
    2      - 4        rnds 3
    3      -
Wolf       -          rnds 2
Spider     -          rnds 1


Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]

Ac 18 32/48

With a note of concern in his voice as he sees the spider materialize, Talis asks "You ladies ok in there?"  He will then attack "Aldern".

19 hit
10 dam +16 if flanking from sneak attack

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:04, Sat 09 July 2011.

AC: 18  Current HPs: 58

Garth will hit in the confusion of both battle and this small place, Iesha, stalker, with his blessed weapon. "For Sarenrae," Garth yells as he strikes.

10:27, Today: Tanrov rolled 12 using 1d6+7.
10:25, Today: Tanrov rolled 31 using 1d20+11

DM- threat, confirmed with a 21
+9 dam

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:28, Fri 08 July 2011.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

"It is becoming a bit crowded in here.", Miriam confessed, in response to Talis' concerned inquiry.  "I fear we may soon have spiders riding in on wolf-back to attack us if things continue at this pace.", she added.  She didn't like being hemmed in anymore than Catessa did, and she was singularly unlikely to do much to the creatures with her torch, or even her dagger if she drew it.  She ran though a couple of options in her mind, but ultimately even if she could dissuade the creatures from attacking her, they'd just go after someone else - probably the halfling, and her armor had thus far protected her reasonably well.  This, combined with Jan's rather severe-looking injuries inspired her to continue healing, praying that her efforts would be enough to withstand the assault until they could start to stem the tide a bit.


13:05, Today: Miriam rolled 12 using 3d6. Channel.
Deselecting 'Iesha', 'Aldern' and whichever summoned creature looks most hurt.

Cat   AC:17 HP:36
Murph AC:20 HP:60

With the spell fizzling out, Cat goes to Talis' aid, if she can, spear swinging at the assassin. Murphis bites at rat.

10:24, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 19 using 1d20+7. attack.
10:25, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 9 using 1d8+1. damage.
10:26, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 9 using 1d8+4. attack for Murphis.

Round 4
Murphis tries his best, but again misses.  Catessa Fallowfield tries to complete her spell, but there is just too much to think about and it fails to go off.  So she takes ahold of her spears and stabs at the most convient target, the spider.  Hitting a solid blow for 9 dam, but not taking it down.
You used a d8 to attack with instead of a d20

Talis attacks, and hits "Aldern" for 10 dam.

Tanrov/Garth focuses in on combat and catches "Iesha" with a really good slash, doing 21 dam.  "She" collapses and lies still on the floor, but there isn't as much blood as you might expect.

Jan is at first confused by the pain, but when Tanrov downs "Iesha" his feral instincts take over.  He snarls and hits "Iesha" once, for good measure(6 dam), and then turns his attention to "Aldern".  Hitting "him" twice, he gets a really good bite and rips a chunk of flesh out, and "Aldern" goes down as well.  Blood-like fluids flow freely from both faceless stalkers after Jan is through with them.
07:50, Today: DM, on behalf of Jan Harlow, rolled 6,8,11+11crit using 1d6+3,1d6+3,1d8+3. claw, claw, bite.
07:49, Today: DM, on behalf of Jan Harlow, rolled 18,25,27 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7. claw claw bite.

Round 5
Miriam channels positive energy that heals everyone (12hp) in the group.


[Private to GM: Used 1st:(4) 1
2nd:(3) 2
3rd:(2) 1
]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Talis Revain: The summoned animals/vermin are from a Summon Nature Ally Spell (1-3), but they aren't the normal healthy specimens usually summoned.  These are starved and diseased animals.  Basically, they are SNA with the Augment Summoning feat from a Bilght Druid.  A druid that is all about death and destruction.  A alternate thing for druids in the APG.]

Rats 2,3 focus on the dog.  Again there's alot of snapping and hissing and missing.  These rats have been mostly ineffective.

Wolf beside Miriam attacks her, but seems distracted by the confusion and only gives a half-hearted bite that hits nothing but air.

Spider turns and attacks Cat, and comes close.  But the fangs fail to penetrate the leather of her armor and she takes no damage.

Again, from wherever Summoned Creatures come from, a tiny sized bat(so pretty big for a bat) appears next to Miriam and Murphis.
vampire bat[Private to GM: /Stirge] lands on Murphis and slashes a wound into the dogs back.  Blood begins to flow as the bat starts to lap it up.  Murphis takes 1 con damage.

"Iesha" bleeds...

"Aldern" bleeds...


Tactical Situation
See Map
IF/AF are arrows
rats are triangles
wolf is a diamond
spider is a star
There is a bat on Murphis

            dam       status
IF         - 23sub+44 down and bleeding[Private to GM: 13]
AF         - 52       down and bleeding
Rats 2     - 4         rnds 4
    3      -
Wolf       -           rnds 3
Spider     - 9         rnds 2
v bat      -           rnds 1

Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:18, Sun 10 July 2011.

AC: 18  Current HPs: 58

Garth will notice that Iesha is down and bleeding but will hit her one more time before moving on into the other room.

13:28, Today: DM, on behalf of Tanrov, rolled 9 using 1d6+7.
13:26, Today: DM, on behalf of Tanrov, rolled 23 using 1d20+11.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:21, Tue 12 July 2011.

Ac 18 44/48

Talis addresses Jan, "So my feral friend, do you want to keep on with your new chewtoy, or will one of your alchemical wonders allow you to find who's filling the trophy room to overflowing with summoned blight beasts.  If you want to finish with "him" please let me pass.  We have some priestess to help."  Delay until Jan goes, if he attacks "Aldern", Talis will tumble into the room and attack a summons - Otherwise he will whack "Aldern".

[Private to GM: d20- 16 , 18  take 2 hand grrp= 12 dam; ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:19, Tue 12 July 2011.

Name AC 18+2 ;HP 13/36

Jan grunts before kicking the downed shape-shifter with a clawed foot-paw. He then moves out of the way. Jan does not have the enhanced senses of a wolf, that was additional different extract. He looks around the sunrod lit room and searches for another target and he strains his still human hearing, where was that stupid summoner? Upstairs or something?

--
17:22, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 5 using 1d6+3. Claw Attack Damage.
17:21, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Claw Attack.
17:28, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 27 using 1d20+11. Perception.

[Private to Jan Harlow: You see some movement, for just a second, in the upper corner of the window on the left.  Like someone was looking in from the outside.  Maybe the windows weren't as boarded up as it looked like from the outside.  And you are inside with light, they are outside in the dark - almost impossible to see.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:25, Wed 13 July 2011.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

Seeing most everyone in reasonable shape, and the apparently primary threats down and bleeding, Miriam decides to try to thin the crowd of summoned creatures a bit.  With an eye to her own defenses, she conjures something of her own, though what results from the spell is not a cute, fuzzy animal, nor even sickly, diseased animal, but rather a dagger of blue, glowing force that materializes right beside her, and slashes at the spider.



Casting Spiritual Weapon defensively.
14:29, Today: Miriam rolled 21,8 using 1d20+9,1d8+2. Spiritual weapon attack, damage.
14:27, Today: Miriam rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Cast defensively check (DC 19).

Round 5
Murphis misses.  Catessa Fallowfield attacks the spider trying to get to help her dog, hitting for 4 dam, but the spider doesn't go down.
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: Recheck your spear, it should be doing 1d6 dam, not 1d8]

Talis easily (this time) tumbles his way into the room, avoiding attacks from the monsters and finds a location he can attack from.  He slashes out with a 2 hand grip on his sword and the spider goes down.  It vanishes like a summoned monster does when it "dies".

Tanrov/Garth jumps off the table, slashing into "Iesha", before looking to run into the other room.  He finds space in the spot that so recently held a spider.

Jan kicks the downed shapeshifter with a nasty claw, then he looks around for the invisible. silent spell-caster.[Private to Jan Harlow: You see some movement, for just a second, in the upper corner of the window on the left.  Like someone was looking in from the outside.  Maybe the windows weren't as boarded up as it looked like from the outside.  And you are inside with light, they are outside in the dark - almost impossible to see.]

Round 6
Miriam spirit dagger hits the wolf for 8 dam.

[Private to GM: Used 1st:(4) 2
2nd:(3) 2
3rd:(2) 1
]

Rats 2,3 focus on the dog.  1 hits for 5 dam.
[Private to GM: made For save vs disease]

Wolf beside Miriam attacks her, but seems distracted by the confusion and only gives a half-hearted bite that hits nothing but air.

Another tiny sized bat(so pretty big for a bat) appears ...
vampire bat 1[Private to GM: /Stirge] continues to drink the dogs blood.  Murphis takes 1 con damage.

vampire bat 2 attacks Talis and while it manages to land on Talis (it hit), he manages to brush it off (it failed CM roll).

"Iesha" bleeds...

"Aldern" bleeds...


Tactical Situation
See Map
IF/AF are arrows
rats are triangles
wolf is a diamond
There is a bat on Murphis and fluttering around Talis

I'm not posting an updated map for this round, with the spider gone, the middle is freed up.  Just assume you can move around to some degree, switch places, etc...

            dam       status
IF         - 23sub+54 down and bleeding[Private to GM: 13]
AF         - 58       down and bleeding
Rats 2     - 4         rnds 5
    3      -
Wolf       - 8         rnds 4
Spider     - lots      rnds 3Gone
v bat 1    -           rnds 2
v bat 2    -           rnds 1


Everyone may Post;
<Please include the following at the top of you post in orange-

Name AC x ;HP CURRENT/TOTAL>]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:51, Wed 13 July 2011.

Name AC 18+2 ;HP 13/36

"There iz someting here. Ootside, lookink in. Miriem, please heal my vounds." Jan growled out, he chomped his teeth and spat. He could not get at it now, but he wanted to. His blood boiled and he felt the beginnings over a plan take shape. Upstairs, find window, use Spider Climb extract.

"Should Hy go inveshtigate?" Jan said. If he could, he would then roughly stomp on one of the shapeshifter's head with a clawed foot-paw. They were so bothersome and they did not taste very good, better to deal with it now before moving on.

OOC: Can I use a Coup de Grace? If not, I'll roll another Claw attack.

DM edit:  They are both down and bleeding out (so it should'nt take much dam), so if you want, you can take a full round action and attack both (You can chose multiple targets if you get multiple attacks unless a power/feat/etc... says otherwise.)  So I will have you full attack 1 and then switch to the other, if that is ok with you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:53, Thu 14 July 2011.

Cat   AC:17 HP:36/36
Murph AC:20 HP:55/60 -2 con[Private to DM: sorry, reading the weapon's chart wrong]

Cat looks around wildly, "Someone! Go find the dark Druid!" That's her best description of what they're up against. She's not sure she could fight it, Both she and her familiar go after the bat attacking Murph.

15:09, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 17 using 1d20+7. attack.
15:10, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 7 using 1d6+1. damage.
15:12, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 13 using 1d20+4. attack. - Murphis
15:14, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 7 using 1d6+6. damage ? Murphis. 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Thu 14 July 2011.

Ac 18 44/48

Talis addresses Murphis, "Here nice doggie, let me take care of that oversized tick for you."  He swings at the bat on the dog, trying to be careful to not hit the dog (if possible).

[Private to GM:
16 to hit;  dam 13]
Ninjed by Cat;
if the bat is down from Cat, Talis will go after the other bat.

Edit from DM; yes, thats fine.
[Private to Talis Revain: per 15+  Talis can see there is a hole in the boarding over the window.  Just enough that someone could see into this room.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Thu 14 July 2011.

Miriam AC 19; HP 48/48

With no intervention from her, Miriam's force dagger goes after the wolf again, trying to further clear the little entry hall.  The cleric herself considers what to do about healing Jan's wounds, since he asked so nicely.


Miriam's dagger attacks the wolf, hitting AC 19 for 10 damage.
If the wolf is removed and she's able to move by Jan and cast spells without risking an AoO, she will do and drop her second Spiritual Weapon spell for a Cure Moderate Wounds, healing 13 damage total (9 x 1.5 from her domain ability).  If she can't move somewhere without taking an AoO, then she'll just channel energy again, excluding Aldern, Iesha and the wolf (I guess the rat will get healed up, oh well).

14:51, Today: Miriam rolled 19,10 using 1d20+9,1d8+2. Spiritual weapon attack, damage.
15:01, Today: Miriam rolled 10 using 3d6. Channel Energy.
15:00, Today: Miriam rolled 9 using 2d8+6. CMW take 2 (those were not the right dice.)

Seeing that Miriam is otherwise occupied, Garth will swing his scimitar at the wolf on Miriam.


14:52, Today: Tanrov rolled 31 using 1d20+11. 1st to hit, possible critical
14:52, Today: Tanrov rolled 22 using 1d20+11. 2nd to hit. rolled an eleven
14:56, Today: Tanrov rolled 10 using 1d6+7.  Actually Tanrov scored 20 on damage
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Thu 14 July 2011.

Round 6
Catessa Fallowfield manages to hit the bat and knocks it down to the floor where Murphis pounces on it.  It vanishes to whence it came.
[Private to GM: Murphis saves vs disease 4 times]

Talis chops the other bat out of midair with his sword, it also vanishes.

Tanrov/Garth goes for a trifecta and slices the wolf up good, and in the blink of an eye only the rats are left.

Jan kicks the downed shapeshifters with his sharp, pointy claws, squishing them like a snake or worm.  And like crushing a snake or worm, he ends up with Faceless Stalker guts all over his foot.[Private to Jan Harlow: They have no skull or bones.  The goo on your foot has no apparent ingame effect that you notice.]
[Private to Tanrov: Oddly, you just know that they are dead.  It's almost like you can see a little life bar beside everyone in the battle.]

Round 7
Miriam's spirit dagger lashes out to a rat, hitting the injured one - it also dissappears.  Then she switches places with Garth and casts a healing spell on Jan (healed 14 dam).

[Private to GM: Used 1st:(4) 3
2nd:(3) 2
3rd:(2) 1
]
Rats 3 a rat switches to Talis, missing.  Then it vanishes as the duration runs out.  Whoever summoned them is a 6th level caster.

Another tiny sized bat(so pretty big for a bat) appears ...
vampire bat 3[Private to GM: /Stirge] attacks Murphis (it must be the blood from the open wound).  But while it manages to land on him, it fails to secure a grip and the dog just shakes it off.


Tactical Situation
Room has 1 bat in it.

            dam       status
IF         - 23sub+54 Dead
AF         - 58       Dead


The poor bat stands no chance as a spirit dagger, dog, spear and scimitar all combine to send it away.  Talis jumps over to the window and runs his blade through the glass where the hole is located, avoiding the shards that rain down to the floor.  "Come out, come out wherever you are."  As he pulls it back he sighs, "nothing...".

We are out of combat for the time being, what do you want to do?  Go after the dark Druid or search this floor?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Fri 15 July 2011.

As he looks out the glassless hole, Talis says, "Chasing an unknown druid who is probably a bat on a dark night is probably a fools errand, but I will join you if you want.  I suggest we contiune searching the house, but keep on the look out in case he comes back."

Talis will be sure to collect the 2 mw swords.

"I think that would be a prudent course of action.  I can't fly, and I suspect I'm not alone in that, so catching a bat would be problematic.  Given that someone apparently set guardians here, I think we should see if we can determine what they might have been guarding before someone or something else arrives to spirit it away.", she offers.  Looking over at the two fallen 'guardians', she asked, "Do we wish to try to question one of them, or are we content to let them pass?"

"Will dey even talk?" Jan asks as he wipes his foot off on the wall or any nearby surfaces. The Feral Alchemist huffs and glances around, wondering what was worth taking. He had no use for swords, but if something interesting came along...

"Hy vill go hef a look around, iz dere anyting Hy should be on de lookout for?" Jan then asks as he finishes getting the goo off his foot. His claws click against the floor. If he needed to, Jan would prepare a few more extracts as well.

[Private to DM: If I can, I would like to make the following. Detect Secret Doors. Cure Moderate Wounds.]

"Yes, chasing a dark druid who is probably a bat is a fools errand but we must try and only after we have search this place thoroughly," says Garth as he looks around at all the carnage.   "Jan's right these things my not talk because they act like parasites.  And speaking of these things as parasites I'd hate to meet up with the critter these things are usually attached to."

Cat sighs softly, "We're here, so let's search the house." And hope there's no basement. "If we run into the druid, we fight him. Otherwise, let him go, for now."

   The group catches it's breath after the battle.  Listening carefully you hear only silence from outside and have hope that your battle went unnoticed.  You start to search the place, keeping a close eye out for suspcious activity.  The Faceless Stalkers are dead.  A brief examination reveals that they have no bones in their bodies.  Garth can tell you they are a nomadic and savagely malevolent race of shapechanging aberrations whose methods and nature mark them more as parasites or diseases than actual residents of the places they inhabit.  He recalls, now that he has time to think about it, that they were created to be spies and asassins.
   The rooms are in the same condition as the trophy room, they have all been ransacked.  Someone was obviously looking for something, and by the looks of it they were very thorough.  A few things stand out;
C6- the chairs in the study show signs of recent use.  You imagine that is where the faceless Stalkers were waiting for you.
C3- the rear door out of the kitchen is oddly still boarded up from the outside.  Yet the front hall hadn't been used in quite some time.  How did they get in?
C7- you find a painting of Aldern and Iesha on their wedding day.  The resemblance to the ones downstairs is remarkable.

   The 1st 2 floors are very disappointing, no clues and nothing of value.  Finally you arrive at the top floor and find something unexpected and disturbing...bodies.  In the master bed are a man and a woman.  The woman (a girl really) is a dark haired Varisian, similar to Iesha and the man has a build similar to Aldern's.  Beside the bed are several oil flasks.  It is readily apparent that they are new additions, probably in the last couple of hours.

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The girl is Maras, Mvashti's assistant and granddaughter.  She can be found in threead 2.0/pg4, among other places.  She was in love with Garth, who was in love with her prettier older sister.  To recap;
-2 sisters Mara (older, prettier,evil) and Maras (younger, plain, nice)
-Garth returned home to find the love of his life(Mara) had married another man.
-Garth had an affair with Mara.
-Mara's husband killed Garth.
-Maras, the younger, plain sister (secretly in love with Garth) helped you raise Garth; except that it was Tanrov's spirit who was raised in Garth's body.
-Mara and her husband were killed (husband by Mara, Mara by Aldern)
And now you find Maras, dead.  You left her in Sandpoint, what is she doing dead here?]
[Private to Miriam: The man is a guy who runs an Inn in town and was a friend of your dead mentor.  You haven't seen him a couple of years.]

I assume someone will examine the bodies.  An examination will show both bodies have been drained of blood, with only a very precise hole in the jugular as cause of death.  Someone will realize, it is the death domain power of Bleeding Touch.  They haven't been dead for more than a couple of hours, though the girl has older rope marks (but no ropes) on her wrists.

Talis says with a sad tone in his voice, "Well Garth, I guess they know you were in town.  The question is, what was she doing?  Chasing you down here?  And do you know him?"  He gives a heavy sigh and puts 2 coppers on the dead girls eyes, "For the boatman, you deserved better little one."  Is that a tear in his eye?  He wipes his eye and says "Damn, got a little dust in my eye."

Garth addresses the girls body "Why did you follow me Maras?"  A tear rolls down his cheek

Miriam is mildly surprised, but not shocked or terribly disturbed by the presence of the bodies - as a priestess of Pharasma, she was far from unfamiliar with death, and things even worse than that.  "The girl was a friend of yours?  I am sorry for your loss.", she said, as she moved closer to examine the wound left on the bodies.  "I know this man.  Not very well, but he was an innkeeper and a friend of my mentor.  I haven't seen him in some time.", she noted.  "I wonder what thread might connect the two of them, if any, and where whoever killed them is now?  I tend to doubt that the stalkers we fought were responsible.  Perhaps the druid, though this has the feel of clerical magic.  Some in my order could doubtless kill in this fashion, though far more among Norgorber's cult would be capable.  And so inclined.", she added.

Talis looks thoughtful, "A friend of your masters, a coincidence you may say.  A poor brave girl that came chasing unrequited love.  A coincidence perhaps.  Two coincidences is a trend.  If we were in Riddleport I'd say someone was trying to leave us a meassage.  If they were properly burnt, there is a very small chance that someone would use magic to find out who they were.  Aldern did't have close relatives around and Iesha's Varisian family might not find out about her death for a long time.  No, this is a message to us, and a way to tidy up loose ends."  He continues searching around the upper floor.  "Come on Garth, don't let her death be in vain.  If we're lucky, they missed something and we can find it.  Even professionals can miss something."

Cat pats Garth on the arm, "I somehow doubt she followed you here. But that she ended up here is beyond odd. Foxglove is somehow all messed up in this. And we need to find out how."

[Private to Jan Harlow: I'm going to assume you used an extract of Detect Secret Doors.  There was a secret door between C6 and C1, but that's all you found in the house so far.]

As some of the group searches the upper floor, Jan notices a secret door in the fireplace mantel in the Master’s Study [Private to Jan Harlow: The party would have found it eventually, so I didn't want to take time to PM this to you...](area C11). This mantel is decorated with two roaring lion heads at either end; the lions match the one on the mysterious bronze key found Aldern’s key ring in Foxglove Manor.  The right lion is a cleverly hinged secret door, though no external mechanism for opening it is apparent.  A search of the left lion reveals a tiny keyhole deep in the back of its throat.
[Private to Tanrov: You detect a trap on the left lion - be careful sticking an arm in to use the key.]

[Private to Miriam: Whoever killed them is a expert at draining blood.  It is to clean and precise.]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: The Death Domain is an option for Dark Druids]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:23, Wed 20 July 2011.

"Jan there is a trap on the left lion don't put the key in yet," shouts Tanrov, matter of factly , before Jan or anyone else can act.

"Perhaps a message, though the list of people who knew we were coming here is very short.  And I didn't even know I would be coming here until an hour or so ago.  So I might instead be curious as to what the innkeeper might be involved in, or what he might have been standing in the way of.  Something that might be worth investigating if we find no usable information here.  Then again, it could simply be a coincidence.  The cult has taken to killing merchants in recent days; he could simply be another in the line.  Though that doesn't explain how your friend's death fits in.  And whoever did this to them is an expert at draining blood - the process was quite clean and precise.", Miriam said as she followed Talis and the others around the upper floor, pausing as the group found something of interest.

disable device +10, I would take all the help I can get.

Talis will look over the trap to see about disarming it, "You might want to step back."  While he does his business he continues, "Well Sister Miriam, you have been dealing with this cult for many years, and you say he was a friend of your mentor.  They probably had him targeted for awhile just waiting for the proper time.  It is possible they discovered where we were, and it's simple odds that we would teamup with you.  It's also easy odds that we would investigate this place after we killed Aldern.  What concerns me is that they were able to put this welcome together into a very short time window.  Even if they had all the pieces ready to go, we came directly here.  They really are very well connected and really good.  And how did they get ahold of Maras?  Puzzles?"

After Tanrov/Garth shouts that there is a trap he will give aid to whoever disarms the trap.

18:21, Today: Tanrov rolled 18 using 1d20+6. Disable device aid.   So whoever disarms the trap will get a + 2.

Talis and Garth manage to disable the trap (the lion head would close and bite the arm), and open the secret compartment.  Inside you find a hidden cache contains one of Foxglove’s nest eggs: a bag of coins along with a shallow wooden case and a thin black ledger.  As Talis pulls then out of the hole, a small golden bead comes flying into the room and lands with a

              *>BANG<*

[Private to Jan Harlow: You noticed out of the corner of your eye, a small sized hooded figure in black appear next to the bed in c10 throwing the golden bead.  The act of throwing broke the invisibility spell it had up.  Then it takes a step in front of the fireplace.]

Everyone, give me ref saves, dc 14 for 1/2 dam as a fireball goes off
full= 38; 1/2= 19

Jan may take a partial action - he saw it so can take an action during the surprise round, but goes after the villian
Cat, Talis and Tanrov may take a full action - they didn't see it coming, but go before the villian in initiative

Garth even though he get a full action will spend the time putting out the fire on himself because he took full damage.   "Miriam heal me please before we go into combat," Tanrov says through clinted teeth.   Yes happy campers my evasion didn't work.

08:31, Today: Tanrov rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Reflex save
HPs: 58-38= 20
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:08, Fri 22 July 2011.

Cat was about to speak when the explosion hit. Poor Murphis took the brunt of the blast for her. After her ears stop ringing, she speaks up, "I have a few healing spells too but my dog comes first, unless you're really hurt. Sorry. I suggest we grab what ever that trap was guarding and retreat to the temple for more healing."


12:49, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 8 using 1d20+7. ref save - Murph.
12:48, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 22 using 1d20+7. ref save.

Miriam was about to reply to Talis when the bead flew into the room and exploded into flame.  She wasn't generally what one would call quick on her feet, at least not anymore, nor did she have any idea what was coming, so perhaps it was divine providence that kept her from taking the full brunt of the blast.  Nevertheless, she was still burned, if not as badly as some, and seemed a bit shell-shocked from the explosion and didn't immediately react to Garth's call for aid.


14:19, Today: Miriam rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Reflex save.

"RRAAAAAGHHHH!" Jan roared as he shut his eyes tight and felt the familiar sensation of searing heat. He saw that little bastard moseying up to that fireplace like he owned the place. Red hot anger flooded his mind and Jan threw his seven foot wolf monster frame at the little piece of meat, he would tear him apart.

---
HP:36-19=17
13:48, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Reflex Save.
13:55, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 8,9,9 using 1d6+3,1d6+3,1d8+3. Claw, Claw, Bite(Damage).
13:54, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 15,8,20 using 1d20+7,1d20+7,1d20+7. Claw, Claw, Bite.

Talis was concentrating so much on the stuff from the secret hidey hole that he forgot to pay attention and the blast hit him with full force (rolled a 1 to save).  His concern if for the items in his hands, if they need to be saved, he will concentrate on that, otherwise he will follow Jan, pulling out a dagger and throw it at whoever Jan's attacking.  "I think we found the druid, I sure hope it's the druid.  I would hate to think there are 2 of them."
44-38 = 6hp left

After the fireball goes off, Jan roars and charges into the next room, missing his target with his bite.  Meanwhile Talis finds the box and bag have been scorched, but it the ledger that concerns him.  It is badly scorched and burning, so Talis quickly put it out.  Cat examines Murphis, Garth just stands there waiting and Talis is saving possible clues.  Jan is alone facing a halfling in what looks like black pajamas.  The halfling morphs (wildshape?) into a tiny black snake.  It is clearly evident that the halfling has Spider Climb active because the snake slithers up the chimney and out of sight.  Jan gets an aoo, but misses.

A quick look up the chimney shows no sign of the snake.  It also reveals that unless you are a tiny creature, moving up the chimney would require an escape artist check and some time.

It is becoming increasingly clear that you have walked into a death trap.  Someone has gone to a great deal of effort to stop you from finding anything, or stop you if you did.

What do you do?

Garth will pat out the fire on himself and chase after Jan and the thing he's chasing with the scimitar out.   "Miriam, Cat take care of Talis and the stuff from the hidey hole," Garth shouts back to the girls as he enters the other room with the fireplace.

Once she's recovered from the shock of the explosion, Miriam focuses once more and  channels energy to restore the group's vitality, though her initial pulse is rather weak.  "Perhaps we should consider withdrawing with what we've found, and hope its of use.  The enemy seems to have prepared this place rather well, and we seem to be at a distinct disadvantage on this ground." she said.


12:28, Today: Miriam rolled 7 using 3d6. Channel Energy.
7 hit points healed to everyone.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Fri 22 July 2011.

Talis, looking singed around the edges, hears Jan stop fighting, so he doesn't bother to follow.  After putting the ledger fire out, he walks over to Miriam and says in a sorrowful tone, "Can we go home now, it's been a very long day" as he wipes the soot from his brow.  He will drop the stuff into a fresh bag.

After the fighting in the next room stops, Garth will go back into the next room where the others are.   "Jan you coming back with me to the others."  Garth says to his back so that Jan my hear.

With a feeling of abandonment for her new familiar, Cat goes over to heal Talis. "Folks! For what it's worth, this druid dabbles in the Domain of Death."

07:49, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 19 using 2d8+6. Cure Moderate Wounds.

"Hy can follow! Vho vants to come vit me?" Jan asks hurriedly as he draws another extract from somewhere. He quickly lumbers to a window.

"We need to go now or loose de trail." Jan comments as opens the window and takes a look outside. Jan motions for someone to climb onto his back and hurry.

If no body wanted to pursue, Jan would sigh and put away his extract.

---
HP: 24

Since Tanrov is the closest to Jan, he'll climb on to Jan's back if he can support the the weight of an eighteen strength character.

Talis says, "Garth you weigh too much.  Sister, say something nice for these poor folks, we have a ready made disposal system right around them," with a nod to the oil flasks.  Then he jumps on Jan's back, "Giddy up, this guy is pissing me off."


[Private to GM: will curse- some missing gods body part, I hate being sucke dinto fools errands]

Jan and Talis move outside.

Which way do you go? up-down-sideways

Those left inside are left with an open window and the burning question, what to do with the bodies?

While we aren't in round-by-round, I am keeping track of how many rounds are passing so I can tell what the black cloaked small-sized figure does.  So feel free to do some healing and such, I will tell you when/if something happens.

Cat frowns, "I know we aren't at our best, but maybe we should go down and outside to support those guys, I might throw in a heal now and then." She really wants to just curl up and sleep.

Miriam channels energy again, hopefully before Talis and Jan are out of her effective range, then touches Garth as she prays for another healing spell, healing him individually.  "We can try, though they may be away before we even have a chance to get downstairs.  I don't believe we should split up further, though.  We're far weaker alone."

OOC: Channeled for 7 healing on everyone, then dropped Silence for CMW to heal Garth for 15.


14:35, Today: Miriam rolled 10 using 2d8+6. CMW - Garth (x1.5).
14:28, Today: Miriam rolled 7 using 3d6. Channel Energy.

The dice roller is not keen on people being healed today.

In reply to Catessa Fallowfield (msg #126):

"Let's go" States Garth in reply to Cat and as he was comforted by Cat he will put a hand on her shoulder because of her loss.

"There iz more sun rods in my beckpack." Jan growls as he scrambles up the side of the building and onto the roof where the chimney was probably open up to. Hopefully there might be a trail of soot or something. When Jan got onto the roof he would search around for the little bastard. If he needed to, the Alchemist would draw another sunrod and light it.

---
14:03, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 9 using 1d20+7. Survival. Track?
14:03, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 23 using 1d20+11. Perception. Find!

Yes, you can channel before they leave, so Jan and Talis get that 7 hp of healing.

[Private to Jan Harlow; Talis Revain:Jan and Talis on the roof light a sunrod to better look for tracks, and find none.  This fits with the assumption that it is some sort of druid, probably under the influence of a Pass without Trace spell.  Jan recalls, when the snake slithered up the side of the chimney, it left no tracks. ]
[Private to Jan Harlow: Jan does see, after a couple of moments looking for tracks on the roof with his sunrod, a side door for a house a couple doors away, opens and a medium sized figure go running around a corner.  He also hears a couple of dogs barking in nearby houses.  You're preety sure the fireball and lights on the roof have been noticed.  He also smells smoke, maybe the druid started a fire in the fireplace below to prevent someone from following him down the chimney.]

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Tanrov: After doing some more healing, the rest of the group is just starting to wonder what they might do to, or with, the bodies when Murphis alerts on the stairs going down and starts to whine.  A quick sniff and you smell...SMOKE.  The house is on fire!]

Please repond to the appropriate groupings in private.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:16, Thu 28 July 2011.

PM

[Private to Jan Harlow:  Talis will curse "By Aroden's missing eyes, I hate being sucked into a fools errand.  So unless you see our target, we need to get out of here.  We've been more than just noticed.  Let's go down and check the front door to see if it has been blocked or do you want to go after him," indicating the running figure that just ran around the corner, "or help our friends get out.  The dogs know we're here, the Watch won't be far behind."]

PM

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam:
"Girls, lets hurry it up there is a fire down below somewhere," states Tanrov/Garth to both Cat and Miriam.   Since there is smoke coming from the downstairs, Garth will go downstairs and try to find the fire.   He will also work on getting out of the building.  Tanrov will also try to carry both bodies out from the building if possible.]

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Tanrov: "This night seems to have no end of unpleasant surprises for us.  Very well, lead on, and let's see if we can make our exit before the building burns down around us.", Miriam told Garth, ready to follow. ]

PM

[Private to Miriam; Tanrov: Cat was going to walk down stairs to spare her mount, but fate had other ideas. "Hells, this day gets worse and worse." She makes sure someone grabbed the stuff from the lion, else she'll get it. "Plus I need to grab my dagger," she exclaims as she climbs up on Murphis, ready to get out.>
(ooc, backing up a tad...
With the hint of smoke in the air, Cat pulls out a small bag, "Put the bodies in here. They'll fit!!!" She goes to work.
Cat remembers her Bag of Holding and compare the bodies to the bag.  If it looks like they will fit she will ask for help in trying to stuff the bodies into it.  Otherwise, she will think a kind thought to the dead, and move along.  Cat then looks at any remaining room, if there is enough she will try to get Murphis into it and then climb in after him. "Ok, now if someone would be so kind as to carry us out or jump if neccessary... Also might take one other injured person."]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Sun 31 July 2011.

[Private to Jan Harlow; Talis Revain: Talis and Jan get to the edge and start down.  But they immediately notice something wrong, there is flickering fire light coming out from between the boards on the first floor windows of the Trophy room (C2) and Front Hall(C1).  Smoke is coming out of the window Talis broke earlier.  There is no light from the 3rd floor, but there is a dim light coming from the windows of the 2nd floor (C7).]


[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam; Tanrov: Garth starts to grab the bodies and lead the ladies down the stairs, but even with his tremendous strength, he can only take 1 without being slowed to a crawl (5' per round).  By the time you get to the 2nd floor (room C7) the smoke is thick enough to cause "Smoke Effects"(dc15 For), and it is easy to see where it is coming from.  The stairs down are engulfed in flame.  Someone must have been busy after your group went upstairs.

OOC: Garth, which body do you take, if any?
Cat, Talis already bagged the stuff.]

Please repond to the appropriate groupings in private.

We are in round by round, but aren't using initiative yet.

Smoke Effects
A character who breathes heavy smoke must make a Fortitude save each round (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or spend that round choking and coughing. A character who chokes for 2 consecutive rounds takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Smoke obscures vision, giving concealment (20% miss chance) to characters within it.

18:56, Today: Tanrov rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Fortitude save.
AC 18   HPs  55


 [Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Miriam: Realizing that the bodies would weigh him down, Garth decides not to carry them.   Damn I thought  I had bought  a  handy haversack.

"Here we go ladies once more into the breeches of danger," Garth says to the ladies as way of encouragement, as he goes down the burning stairs.

Edit-DM;
Do you take any precautions to protect yourself from the flames?  I did say it was engulfed in flames.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:23, Sat 30 July 2011.

[Private to Jan Harlow: Talis says quickly "Jan, take me down and I will open the door.  You see if our friends are ok."  When Jan gets him within 15', Talis will let go and fall the rest of the way, trying to land softly (Acrobatics 11) but failing.  He will get up and go check the door.
]

pm

PMishness

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Tanrov: Miriam follows Garth back to the bodies, but she can see fairly quickly that he's not going to be able to manage them and she'll certainly be no help in that respect.  She wishes she'd had more time to learn about the faiths of the two victims, but there wasn't time, and cremation was a valid burial technique, if not one most favored by the church.  She said a few generic words over the two fallen, wishing their spirits a safe journey to the Boneyard and swift and true judgement from the Lady of Graves, then followed Garth and Cat back to the stairs in an effort to avoid such a journey, at least in the very short term, herself.

She seemed to be handling the smoke rather well, though it was irritating her eyes and nose, but not yet in crippling fashion.  Seeing the flames on the stairs brough her up short, however, and she started to say, "I'm not sure we can get down tha...oh by the Spire!", she added, sounding a bit exasperated, as Garth charged ahead onto the flaming staircase.  Gesturing quickly she summoned up a few gallons of water and dropped them on his head as he reached the flames.


17:11, Today: Miriam rolled 22 using 1d20+6. Fortitude save.
Casting Create Water to create 12 gallons of water in the area above Garth's head.]

PM

[Private to Talis Revain: Jan grunted in agreement and huffed in disappointment, the snake got a away. He would drop Talis off as close to the ground as he could before clawing his way back up to the open window he had left from. If the situation looked bad, he would start evacuating the group he had just joined. This was in a way just as fun as chasing a snake.]

Miriam, Cat and Garth manage to stuff the 2 bodies into Cat's bag lickity split.  And then head down into the smoke.

Talis hits the ground a little wrong and gets some bumps while falling down, but he gets up and starts working on the door.  It appears the mystery villian locked the door and broke a key off in the lock, but such ploys prove ineffective against his skill and he opens the lock anyway.  Jan moves back to the window and sees a dark empty room with light coming from the stairs, the others have already gone down stairs.  Glancing down he sees the dim light coming 2 of the 2nd floor windows and heads there.  Peering in he is just in time to see, through a smokey haze, Garth charging down stairs that are on fire while Miriam is casting a spell which dumps .

[Private to GM: Talis at 30 3 sub]
Garth charges down the stairs that are on fire, leaping a bit in the middle, and slams into the door bursting it open just as Talis finishes unlocking it, knocking himself down in the process.  The water from Miriam helps and he only takes 3 dam from the fire and 7 subdual from hitting the door.  Talis manages to react quick enough to avoid being knocked over. Garth clothes are on fire, but only a little.  The water prevented any serious burning.[Private to Tanrov: You notice a wire stretched across the stairs set to trip anyone coming down.  It would be obvious if it weren't for the fire and smoke.  Ooc: It's a trap that you noticed with your rogue talent.]

Miriam and Cat notice through the smoke a light outside the window from a sunrod held by a spiderclimbing Jan.

Smoke Effects
A character who breathes heavy smoke must make a Fortitude save each round (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or spend that round choking and coughing. A character who chokes for 2 consecutive rounds takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Smoke obscures vision, giving concealment (20% miss chance) to characters within it.
Casting spells requires a concentration check (1d20+caster level+ability mod vs dc 10+spell level).

I realize Cat hasn't posted, so I am giving her a couple of actions.



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:52, Tue 02 Aug 2011.

Garth will roll over and pantingly point to the stairs, "wire on stairs", through coughs and heavy breathing.   Tanrov will get up saying "sorry Talis" all the while putting out the moldering embers on his body.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:25, Sun 31 July 2011.

Talis says "Jan, try bringing them down your way, Garth says there's a wire somewhere on the stairs.  Come on Garth, let search for the man in black.  Make sure he isn't going to backstab us while we're busy."  Then, together with Garth, he looks around for the small man in black.

Miriam starts to move toward the window where she sees the light, but speaking to cast her spell let smoke into her lungs and she begins to cough and choke from the effects.


OOC:
14:12, Today: Miriam rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Fortitude save

"Over here!" Jan growls as tries to break the window in. If possible he grabs at Miriam and pulls her through the windowsill. He would try to get her onto his back.

---
OOC: Do I have to roll Str to break open the window?

DM: Miriam is in the middle of the room (they came from the stairs), out of easy grabbin range.  The window does require an action to break, but as long as you do more than 1 damage, you can break it just fine.  But that would leave jagged shards around the opening, and would make it painfull/dangerous to pull somebody through.

If you want to open the window without breaking the glass (ie: breaking the lock), that would be a str check, dc 13.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:11, Wed 03 Aug 2011.

Cat spies the light too and would rather jump than brave the fire. She heads that way, slowing to see if she can help Miriam too.

13:42, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 24 using 1d20+5. fort save Murph.
13:41, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 23 using 1d20+7. fort save.

With Talis and Garth keeping watch any badguys, if there are any around, decide not to interfere.  Meanwhile, Jan doesn't break the window open on the 1st try, but persistence pays off and he gets it open on the 2nd.  Just in time for Cat, Miriam and Murphis who make their way through the smoke to the window, guided by the sunrod on the sill.  With Jan's help the ladies (and dog) are lowered to the ground where the good air stops the coughing.

As the group assesses the situation, it is quite apparent that a house on fire is going to attract attention.  The barking dogs indicate that it won't be too long before you have company....

Miriam offers her thanks to Cat and Jan for their assistance, her voice still a little hoarse from the coughing fit and the smoke.  "We need...to get away from here as quickly as we can.  The fire's going to draw official attention and we're in violation of curfew if nothing else.  The watch...doesn't usually bother much with it in wealthy areas, for fear of annoying the rich and powerful, or lower class areas, for lack of manpower and general apathy, but with homes going up in the night, I imagine they'll be a lot more willing to risk annoying people here.  Not to mention all the other people the fire may draw.", she warned.

"How excitink! Hy hef tvo disguise extracts left, vho vants dem?" Jan asked with a big toothy grin as he held out two vials.

"Hy shtill hef perhaps a half hour before Hy change beck, Hy musht take to de rooftops Hy tink. Vere should Hy met hyu?" The big wolf thing then asked with a pant.

"Hy em open to bettah ideas." Jan added as he glances around for witnesses.

---
01:24, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Perception. Any witnesses?

DM: None that you can see right now.  There was the figure running away (msg 130)- but he wouldn't have been able to see details from that distance.  So it takes some time to hear the dog barking, wake up, get up, get a light and look around. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:39, Thu 04 Aug 2011.

Talis says, "Let's get moving, I hate having to explain myself to unimagimative officals.  I find they lack a sense of humor.  Jan, couldn't you use 1 of those disguise self things on yourself?   Offering Miriam his arm "I hope things weren't too rough in my abscence good ladies, shall we retire."  And if this is agreeable, he will lead them away from the direction the figure earlier ran too, the direction the guard would most likely be coming from.

Probably best if Jan and Miriam took the potions, they are the most recognizable (and Miriam is local) and just because we can't see him, doesn't mean he's not there.  He is obviously very stealthy, and night is the time to be stealthy.  So splitting up is a bad idea, unless Jan want's to try to take on the mysterious black clad figure alone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:01, Fri 05 Aug 2011.

"I agree let's get out of here, I'm starting to get hot under the collar from all of these eyes on me," (in other words,Tanrov is starting to get anxious from all the eyes that are focus on the situation) says Tanrov as we leave this burning mess we've made.  He once again resumes the rule of bodyguard.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:05, Fri 05 Aug 2011.

The group decides to leave in the nick of time.  As you get around the 1st corner you hear the sound of doors opening and running feet, "Fire, fire" sound from behind you as the guard arrives to handle the situation.  You are sure they will be able to contain the blaze. Once the excitement has been left behind, the thought of where to go comes to the fore.  Getting off the street quickly seems to be important and the inn where Jan has a room is closer.

Getting there is fairly simple, with the feral Jan disguised, the few people you meet don't give your group a second glance.
You guys are getting lucky on random encounter rolls...

The Inn is closed down, but breaking in is easy enough.  Once you are safely in Jan's room,  Tallis pulls out the box, bag and ledger.  The box is a shallow wooden case (now scorched) containing a number of legal papers pertaining to the townhouse, as well as the deed to Foxglove Manor. The deed indicates that the Foxglove family only financed two-thirds of the manor’s construction 80 years ago; the remainder was financed by a group called the “Brothers of the Seven.” The deed also bears an unusual clause near the end that indicates that after one hundred years, ownership of Foxglove Manor and the lands within a mile “around and below” reverts to the brothers.

The bag contains 200 pp.  The thin black ledger is pretty scorched.  From what remains it appears to be a record of Foxgloves purchases and payments.  The majority are mundane, but several near the end of the ledger seem hincky to Talis.  These are nearly a dozen entries over the past three months labeled as “Iesha’s Trip to Absalom,” each indicating Foxglove was paying someone referred to as “B.7” 200 gp a week for her “trip.”  But you know that Iesha was dead during that time, and that's alot of gold, it smells like extortion.  He was dropping off the payment every Oathday at a place called “All the Worlds Meets” in Underbridge.  You also have 2 bodies in Cat's Bag of Holding.

After a fitful nights sleep the morning dawns foggy and cold.  It also holds news, another body has been found at an Inn.  Miriam recognizes the name as the same one the her dead friend (John - The Briarpatch) runs.  It's nearby, which helps explain how he was killed and transported to the townhouse so quickly.

In other news, the giant spider that was plauging the Underbridge has been killed and a nobles house caught fire and a couple of bodies were found inside (probably the faceless stalkers).



So what do you want to do?


I see at least three things;
-deal with Maras and Johns body
-investigate the new death at the Briarpatch
-investigate All the Worlds Meets
-Jan picked up some dirt he could analyze
If you want to do something else just ask

Those with spells left can use them on healing and such, just post what you use.  Also, don't forget to heal 6hp for sleeping..
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:20, Sun 07 Aug 2011.

With a concerned look Talis says, "Sister Miriam, I think the dead should be given their due so they can move on comfortably.  But if you say it would cause no harm, I'm willing to go do something else and leave their burial for later.  But if we get pinched with two bodies in a Bag of Holding, we'll have alot of explaining to do.  So what does everyone else think we should do?"

Cat looks about the group, "The good news is we're on the right track. That we were being hindered is a sign of that. The bad news is someone we trusted and told where we were headed set that hindrance up. If we follow the clues, we need to head to Underbridge, discreetly. And the boy is right, we need to take care of the bodies." She is beginning to hate the number 7.

Once they're safely hidden away, Miriam uses the remaining spells and channeling attempts at her disposal to restore the group's lost vitality.  She removes her armor to sleep, but otherwise remains dressed as she stretches out on the floor for a somewhat restful night's sleep.  As the sun rises, she spends and hour offering her prayers to Pharasma for the day, then joins the others for breakfast where they hear the latest rumors.

She's pensive as Talis and Catessa discuss their options, and waits a few moments to chime in with her thoughts.  "Well, I have gone from no clues yesterday to almost too many today, so that's certainly progress.  I agree that Underbridge should be our destination now, though the second murder at the inn may bear investigation as well.  I'm also more than bit curious at the news that the spider that has haunted Underbridge for some time has been killed...given that it only killed the 'undesirables', the watch has never before stirred themselves to care.", she said, with a trace of bitterness in her voice.  "But that doesn't seem to relate to our immediate dilemma.", she allowed.

"I would prefer to see the bodies properly interred, but there are, of course, difficulties.  In this you might have been better off with a more... conventional priestess of the Lady of Graves, because I'm not universally adored among my brothers and sisters in faith.  Actually, I suspect most of those in the temple aligned with Pharsma's prophecy aspect would be delighted for me to show up with a pair of bodies so they could shout 'Murderer' and attempt to lock me away somewhere for a very long time.  To the extent that I have any influence in the temple, it's among those most closely aligned with our Goddess' birth aspect and those who would champion the fight against undeath, but those aren't the ones we need just now.  And the priests and priestess who handle the arrangements for the dead are ambivalent at best.  If we show with a pair of bodies and ask for them to quietly take care of them, I might be able to buy us a couple days and I might not.  It would be a risk at best, and at worst could tie us to the temple in our enemies' eyes, given that they almost certainly know we have the bodies, or end us up crossways with the watch.  We could probably explain ourselves, but it would take time, and I'm far from sure I trust the watch in this.  I'm no longer certain I trust anyone not currently in this room.", she said.

"So though it pains me to say this, it may be that the matter of the bodies may have to wait until we've found our way to the heart of whatever darkness we find ourselves caught up in.  Their souls have left their bodies, and though I can examine the bodies again, I saw no indication that they will rise as any sort of unnatural abberations.  While ceremonies can help put a soul on the proper path, all souls eventually find their way to the Boneyard and my Lady's judgement, even those who die entirely alone, unnoticed by any.  I have been granted magics that can preserve the bodies for several days, and if we remove anything that could be traced back to us, we could conceal the bag somewhere it won't be found.  I could say a few words for the innkeeper and if you'll tell me a bit more the girl I could do the same for her, and it could suffice for a time.  It's better than many ever receive, even if it's not what I would prefer to give them."

OOC: I figure between 3 channel attempts, 5 first level spells, 1 second level and 4 third level, Miriam has enough magical power to get everyone to full health, but if I need to roll all that out, let me know.

DM edit- I concur, between what Miriam has left and Cat, we'll say everyone starts the day at full hp.  Go team cleric/druid.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Sun 07 Aug 2011.

"Investigating the goings on within the UnderBridge is my first choice for where we go next, however, I'll go whereever the party decides to go" states Tanrov rather decidedly.

In the discussion with Miriam about those who fight the Undead, Garth replies, "The Goddess, Sarenrae, which I serve, also hates the undead and in that, you have a kindred spirit, Miriam.  I also agree with that we should keep the bodies in the bag and hide it."  He will also tell Jan and Miriam about Maras.  The girl is Maras, Mvashti's (a old mystic wisewoman from Sandpoint) assistant and granddaughter.  She can be found in thread 2.0/pg4, among other places.  She was in love with Garth, who was in love with her prettier older sister.  To recap;
-2 sisters Mara (older, prettier,evil) and Maras (younger, plain, nice)
-Garth returned home to find the love of his life(Mara) had married another man.
-Garth had an affair with Mara.
-Mara's husband killed Garth.
-Maras, the younger, plain sister (secretly in love with Garth) helped you raise Garth.
-Mara and her husband were killed (husband by Mara, Mara by Aldern)
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:43, Mon 08 Aug 2011.

Talis looks down at the floor thoughtfully, tapping his index finger against his chin, "So you can keep them from stinking?  So if we break enough bones we could just stuff them under the floor and come back to retrieve them later."  As the group looks at him in silence he says "What, we aren't going to leave them there permenantly.  Just until the heat dies down."  A look of wounded pride crossing his face.

Miriam was still mentally processing what Garth had told her about the girl but she didn't need to process very much to respond to Talis.  "I can keep them from further decay, yes, for nearly a week.  But we are not breaking their bones to stuff them anywhere.  I am willing to delay a proper burial for them, but I am not willing to condone the mistreatment of their remains.  They were done ill enough in life without us continuing that in death.", she said, sternly.

Cringes like a 12 yr old schoolboy caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "Just a suggestion.  It worked in Riddleport all the time.  Did I say that outloud?"

"I'm fairly certain that you did not.", Miriam comments in nonresponse to Talis' words that she completely didn't hear.

In reply to Miriam (msg #10):

Cat passes back and forth with a pensive look, chewing her lower lip lightly."Miriam, didn't you say you asked someone for help? Could they have set the ambush up at the mansion?"

After not responding to Talis, Miriam returned her thoughts to what Garth had told her.  "Your Goddess' views on the undead are known to me, and quite welcome to those of us who consider the undead to be one of the more pressing matters for Pharasma's church.", she told Garth with a slight smile.  Her response to his tale was more solemn as she said, "A sad and most tragic tale.  Do you know which deity Maras followed?  Desna, perhaps?", she asked, making an educated stab given her Varisian heritage.  She also had the feeling she wasn't being given the whole story, but she didn't pry, at least for now.

She thinks for a moment about Cat's question and says, "Well, I'd inquired about the recent attacks with Justice Ironbriar, a friend of my mentor and a man of some authority in the city, but not in the last day or so, and we delayed little in making our approach to the townhouse.", she mused.  "Not to say it's completely impossible, but he wouldn't have learned of our visit to the townhouse from me, for I didn't know about it when last we spoke."

"Hmm, if you wish, I can examine the bodies further for more evidence. Perhaps I will find something unique that can lead us to a location or details of the killer." Jan offered, speaking up from his position in the corner. If the bodies were present, he would glance at them curiously, like he wanted to study them. It was obvious he did want to give the bodies a thorough examination.

---
OOC Take 20 on Heal, Perception...which Know skills will apply here?

Talis stoically withstands the subtle reprimand from Miram but thinks, is it cold in here or is it just you and he knows better than to say such a thing outloud.  He shrugs, "As long as we operate during the light of day, some of us can stay here and investigate the bodies and other can go to the inn.  But going to the Underbridge in anything less than full force would be ill advised."  He yawns, "Besides, I'm going to need to get some sleep tonight."

"I will remain and preserver the bodies, then help with their further investigation.", Miriam offered.  "I don't care overmuch for splitting the group, but a thorough examination will take some time, and I suppose there's no reason for us to all be here for that.", she allowed.  "And you're right that Underbridge is nowhere anyone should venture alone.  I grew up there, and I wouldn't recommend the experience to anyone I didn't hate a great deal.", she notes, calmly.

OOC: Miriam will cast gentle repose on both corpses before they start investigating, then take 20 on her Heal checks for a 29 total.

"I don't like splitting up the party under any circumstances because there is strength in numbers," states Tanrov/Garth rather bored and sleepily stifling a yawn.  "But I guess we could split up just this once in order to get more done."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Wed 10 Aug 2011.

Talis says, "Whatever you want, but I would like some spellcasting with me and Garth when we investigate the Inn."  He too stifles a yawn, "Whatever we do let's get going."

Talis and Garth head to the Briarpatch Inn to look into the murder while Jan, Cat and Miriam stay in the room.


[Private to Jan Harlow; Miriam; Catessa Fallowfield: They were both killed by a very precise attack, and their body drained of blood.  Every last drop of it and from a wound that isn't that big.  That goes beyond a simple Bleeding Touch attack, that requires either great skill or powerful magic or more likely, both.  Surrounding both wounds is a very strange pattern that looks like a 3 jawed mouth.

The girl had been held for a couple of days, hands/feet tied up, while the man was restrained for just a little while and had fresh bruises.  She was dehydrated and starving.  He had just eaten a meal, dinner probably.  They both had died while upright, which means it was defintely magic that drained their blood.

You find a letter addressed to someone named Tanrov in a concealed pocket in the girls clothes.  You also find a strange pollen on their clothes.]

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: Upon arrival at the Inn it becomes apparent that the watch is tightly restricting access to the murder scene.  But with cunning and guile Talis learns that a merchant who was a regular at the inn was ritualistically killed and the Inn keeper (John- the dead body back in Jan's room) and 2 accomplises (2 female guests) are being sought.  Tanrov also discovers 2 horses from Sandpoint in the stables.

Alarmed at this, a more detailed investigation reveals that 2 young women arrived from Sandpoint a few days ago and both have been missing for several days.  One was a plain young varisian, but the other was a strikingly beautiful halfelf.]

Which group is Cat with?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:16, Fri 12 Aug 2011.

Seeing a group headed towards Briatpatch, Cat joins them.

DM: No one is heading there yet.  You stated in the ooc thread "Cat is willing to hang around the "autopsies"", so I will assume you are hanging around Jan and Miriam.

Cat: That's when everyone was saying "stick together". ?Cart knows zilch about working with the dead.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Fri 12 Aug 2011.

[Private to Talis Revain: "Hey guys I see a couple horses from Sandpoint at the post over there, I think I'll go on over there and investigate the horses."   Tanrov/Garth will whisper to both Talis and Cat before walking over and putting a hand on both horses to see if they are sweating etc. (To see if they have been rode hard).  (Will then tell both Talis and Cat what was found if anything.)


DM: Cat is not with you.  The horses are in the stables and haven't been ridden in days.]
pm
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:22, Fri 12 Aug 2011.

[Private to Tanrov: Talis looks concerned and will try to get into the girls room to look around.]

PM

[Private to Jan Harlow; Miriam; Catessa Fallowfield: With some thought, Jan and Cat identify the pollen.  It is from a magical tree that blooms in fall/winter, but is not native to this area.  It comes from Tian.  Miriam eventually remembers that there is a Tian merchant who owns a house just a couple of blocks from Aldern's townhouse.  He is said to have a greenhouse full of plants from his homeland.  There was a big problem with local druids over it, something about "Invasive non-native species".  Both must have been in that greenhouse.

Do you read the letter to "Tanrov"?]

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: Talis has Garth act as lookout, with a prearranged signal to alert him to any guards.  Talis manages to get into their room and look around.  It has already been searched, by the guards if he is any judge of searching techniquies.  Behind a desk he finds a piece of paper with writing in Elven.  Several lines, all a variation on "Hello Father...".  However, while leaving the room he comes upon a pair of guards that Garth had failed to alert him too.  He sees Garth exiting the bathroom.]

PM

[Private to Tanrov: Talis thinks quickly, "Guardsman, I have been sent by my grandmother to find my cousin Maras and her companion, Rynshinn.  Their room is empty and has been ransacked most ham-handily.  I wish to report them missing.  I told them not to come to the big city."

roll bluff 20]
pm

In reply to DM (msg #173):
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; DM; Miriam:  "How interesting...hmm..." Jan hummed to himself as he opens the letter to Tanrov without thought and quickly reads through it. Invasive species, murder, and all sorts of exciting things. There is a feeling of lightness on his feet as he examined the things. The girl had suffered somewhat, that was unfortunate. The Alchemist felt sort of bad for her.]

[Private to Jan Harlow; Miriam; Catessa Fallowfield: The letter seems to be a 'Dear John' letter, or not.

Dear Tanrov;
The Headmaster says you can read so I hope this
letter will help you.  I'm sorry for confusing you the other day,
but I was in love with Garth for so long that I didn't want to think
that he didn't wanted to return.  But you are not Garth, you are
Tanrov and I shouldn't have expected you to return my feelings.
Garth never did, why should you?  I hope you have a good life in
Garth's body.  I do hope the Clerics of the Lady of Graves can help
you and the others.  If you want to talk, I will be staying at the
Briarpatch Inn for a few days.
Sincerly Maras

ooc: I am assuming either Jan reads the letter outloud or gives it to Miriam and she reads it as well.]

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: One of the guards says, "We know, you will need to talk with the Captain.  Please come with me."  1 will stay behind at the door while the other escorts Talis outside.  What does Tanrov do?  Talis, do you try to Bluff your way out (it's a plausible story) or sneak away when his back is turned?  ]

PM

[Private to DM; Talis Revain: Garth will walk up to where the guards are all the while whistle until he get up to them  then ask ,"What are they doing can, I come along."]
[Private to DM; Talis Revain: trying to do the mindy thing from Animaniacs routine.   It's the kid thing to do]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Sun 14 Aug 2011.

PM

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: Miriam spends quite a while examining the bodies, feeling that if they were to do this, they might as well do it right.  The method of death isn't an unknown quantity, but with further examination, she's able to determine a bit more about it, and rule out a normal Bleeding Touch style attack, though she's somewhat puzzled by the 3-jawed mouth pattern.  Once Cat and Jan recognize the pollen, she wracks her brain for a few minutes to come up with the likely source and says, "That would seem to be another place worth investigating, either before or after our journey to Underbridge.  Our opposition seems to be getting sloppy.  Either that, or they're planting another trap for us.", she mused.  Assuming she gains access to the note, she'll read through it or listen to Jan's reading with a look of surprise, turning to mild disapproval, but say nothing. ]

pm
[Private to Jan Harlow; Miriam: Cat touches the edge of the letter as Jan holds it, "He deserves to read this. He may not understand it all but hiding any truth from him would be wrong." Plus, she is responsible for the situation of Tanrov.]

[Private to Tanrov: With a supreme effort of will Talis will resist the urge to rub the bridge of his nose while he thinks, If there was ever a time I needed you to NOT act like an 11year old, now is it!  Talis will go with the guard, acting like a country bumpkin until there is a chance to slip away, then he just fades into the crowd.]pm

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: The guards look at Garth, "Sir, go on about your business, this is an official watch investigation."   As he is escorted out Talis finds a good opportunity and slips away with Garth following.  As far as they can tell, they get away clean.]

The group meets back at Jan's room after a couple of hours.  Talis and Garth report that they couldn't get a look at the murder scene, but they did discover that they know of another young lady missing.  Maras came to town with a friend Rynshinn Povalli, a beautiful young lady half-elf tailor who didn't know who her father was and who's mother had died a few years ago.  Behind a desk he found a crumpled piece of paper with writing in Elven.  Several lines, all a variation on "Hello Father...".  It looks like she was practicing various introductions to meet her father.

Jan, Miriam and Cat report they think they know where Maras and John had been held captive.  They found some pollen from a magical tree that blooms in fall/winter, and is not native to this area.  It comes from Tian.  There is a Tian merchant who owns a house just a couple of blocks from Aldern's townhouse who has a greenhouse full of plants from his homeland.  There was a big problem with local druids over it, something about "Invasive non-native species".  Both must have been in that greenhouse.  It is on the way to Underbridge.

They also found this letter in a concealed pocket.  They have already read it.
Dear Tanrov;
The Headmaster says you can read so I hope this
letter will help you.  I'm sorry for confusing you the other day,
but I was in love with Garth for so long that I didn't want to think
that he didn't wanted to return.  But you are not Garth, you are
Tanrov and I shouldn't have expected you to return my feelings.
Garth never did, why should you?  I hope you have a good life in
Garth's body.  I do hope the Clerics of the Lady of Graves can help
you and the others.  If you want to talk, I will be staying at the
Briarpatch Inn for a few days.
Sincerly Maras

Miriam holds any comments on the note she read for later and instead reports their findings regarding the bodies.  When she hears of the additional abduction, she says, "If our adversaries took her as well, they may be holding her in the same place as they held Maras and John.  If there's a chance we might be able to rescue her from this greenhouse, then I believe that should be where our steps next lead us.  Its on the way in any case."

"I get the feeling that one of these invasive non-native species is the cause of the tri-mouth wound...what do you think?" Jan asked Cat as he sat down in a chair and crossed his legs. He had a contemplative expression on his face.

"So, should we bring fire? I can make some Alchemist Fire if needed...I just need money for materials." Jan offered with a smirk on his face.

Talis watches "Garth" read his letter.  But seeing the broken seal, he looks over at Miriam and then back to Tanrov, and then shrugs his shoulders.  If she's not going to mention it, Talis won't either.  "Yes, I think we should stop by that location.  But I dont know about the fire.  How many houses do you want to burn down in less than 1 day?  As long as we don't dally too long, we want to be out of Underbridge before nightfall."

Tanrov/Garth will read the letter through teary eyes because it's both from home and because it brings Maras death more in focus then ever before for him.   "I swear by Sarenrae that I will make this right, Maras, or die trying." Garth will say rather silently to himself but if the others heard it that's just fine too.

He will have noticed the broken seal on the letter when they gave it to him but will read the letter before comment is given.   "Couldn't you folks keep any thing private maybe you want to go through my belongings, huh," Garth will say rather testily because of his invasion of privacy.  "If a letter was address to any of you, my eleven year old side would want to look but the adult side would over rule the kid, so that it would remain private for you.   So I'm asking, WHY, did you open it?"

"So Miriam do you understand where I come from, yet" Tanrov will ask after his tie raid is over.   For the whole story ask Cat.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Tue 16 Aug 2011.

OK, what we are going to do is advance 2 scenes at once.  One in "Jan's Room" and one at "The Merchants House".  Include in Jans Room what are you going to do with the bodies, ie: what are you going to do with the Bag of Holding?

Jan's Room
The room falls into an uncomfortable silence after Tanrov?/Garth?'s outburst...

---

The Merchants House
After clearing up the "Tanrov" issue and restashing the bodies the group heads to the Tian merchants house to investigate.  The house in question is much like Aldern's though the yard is an enclosed Conservatory/Green House.

Are you in disguise?
How are you going to approach this?

Jan's Room
Talis will comfort Tanrov, "There there, they didn't mean to.  They didn't know you were Tanrov."  With a glance at Cat he "says",Here Cat you take over.  Then he invites Miriam and Jan aside to explain the situation in private.  How an 11year old Tanrov was killed while in the thrall of an Attic Whisperer (Undead that preys on lonely children) and became a spirit.  How Garth was killed, but when Garth didn't want to return, Tanrov took his place and body.  So now you have an 11 year old soul in an adult body.  Finally he turns to Miriam, "So Lady of Death, what are you going to do about this?  But don't think too long, we have a halfelf maiden to rescue."

---

The Merchants House
Talis suggests, "Let's go straight to the Greenhouse."

Jan's Room

"I am generally opposed to arson as a method of problem solving, particularly inside the limits of major cities.", Miriam said mildly, in response to Jan's apparent enthusiasm for fire.  She watched Garth read the note, not entirely without sympathy, though she didn't even come close to backing down in the face of his tirade.  "I didn't discover the letter, nor open it, but I would have, if someone else hadn't already done so.", she said calmly.  "The full outline of your situation had not been made clear to me previously, nor am I entirely clear on it now, though it is coming into sharper focus.  But we are engaged in trying to thwart a band of vicious murderers, and anything we find might be a clue that could save someone's life.  So I apologize for the invasion of privacy, and if you'd been here, we'd certainly have let you read the note first, but under the circumstances as they were, I would do the exact same thing again.  Should you find another body with a note on it addressed to me and I'm not around, I would expect the rest of you to pursue that possible lead as well.", Miriam explained.

She withdrew with Talis when he offered to explain the situation in more detail and listened closely to what he had to say.  "'Lady of Death' is not really a title I would favor.", she said, offhandedly, as she finished thinking about what he'd said.  "I suppose I can understand why you didn't rush to inform me on this matter, and I can't say I am completely comfortable with it.  But if the circumstances are as you say, then I don't believe I'm obliged to do anything.  It's not really a situation I've heard of before, where one spirit is lodged in the body of another, but it's far from unheard of for a spirit to refuse to return to life, and given all that seems to have happened to Garth, I can perhaps understand his desire to leave all that behind and journey on to the Spire and his final judgement.  Resurrection and reincarnation magics are hardly unknown or even unpracticed by my Church, even if they're not as highly favored among the faith of Pharasma as among some other faiths, and this seems but an odd variant of that."

"Some among my faith might argue that Tanrov was meant to die at that time, and his continuing on in another's body is a rejection of his rightful destiny.  I tend to think fate and destiny are vastly overrated concepts, which, taken to their logical extreme, render all of us little more than puppets.  So my concern is merely the means used in his return, and whether he might have usurped the place of the body's rightful owner.  Given what you've told me and given that I've seen no evidence that he is any sort of abberation or possessing spirit, I'm inclined to believe you, it doesn't seem to pose a major problem, and any attempt to cure the situation would likely be worse than simply leaving things lie.  In summary...", she said, raising her voice a touch to wake up anyone who was less interested in Pharasman doctrine than she, which was likely pretty much everyone else in the room, "...Tanrov has nothing to fear from me.  Though I wouldn't necessarily recommend you share this tale with others of my order, as we sometime tend not to see eye-to-eye on all matters.  Now, I believe we have someone to save?", she asked.

The Merchant's House

Miriam nodded at Talis' thought and said, "Yes, based on what we found on the other bodies, if they are still holding her, she'll likely be in there.  We can search the remainder of the house after, should it seem warranted.  Is there a side door we can attempt to enter through?", she asked, quietly.

Jan's room

Tanrov/Garth will ignore everyone since his tirade but his ears will pick up what Miriam said about his situation and will mouth a thank you to Talis.

The Merchant House

Tanrov/Garth will suggest that the group hit this suspected evil place hard.

The Merchants House
As the group is talking about what to do, a group of guards round a corner at the far end of the street and split into teams of 2.  Each pair heads to a different house and starts knocking on the doors and talking to the inhabitants.  A quick head count shows a pair will reach the merchants house before you.  Since it is daylight, and the group looks respectable, the guards don't give you a second glance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:20, Thu 18 Aug 2011.

Talis says quietly, "Just walk on by like we belong here.  We will circle around and try again once they have moved on by."  And he will just continue walking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:46, Thu 18 Aug 2011.

Walking quietly by works.  All the guards are busy talking to people or moving to other doors.  Glancing back you see the guards knocking on the merchants house and then you hear a dull >Boom< coming from the 2nd floor of the same house.  Fire!

As smoke begins to pour from the second floor, the guards react quickly, sending someone to get the firemen while they alert the houses around the fire.  Some try to open the door, but fail.  So they start looking in the windows.

It looks like you might have a villian who likes fire.  [Private to Miriam: This would be something new for this DeathCult.  Fire is way too high profile, draws way too much attention.  On the other hand, they have become much more aggressive with this latest, "kill Greedy People and Harvest their souls with evil stars carved into their flesh" campaign.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Thu 18 Aug 2011.

Jan's Room
Talis will give Lady Miriam a slight bow, "Thank you for the lesson, I was listening to every word.  I am glad you understand our reluctance to share this information."

---

The Merchants House
As the house catches fire Talis states in an even voice, "I can't stand by and let someone else die, or even let the chance of someone else burning alive, and do nothing.  No one should die like that.  Does anyone have any Resist Fire ready to cast?  Tanrov, your help would be appreciated.  Cat, can you turn into something to look in the 3rd floor windows?  If you don't have fire protection, can you at least dump some water on me?"  He covers his face with his scarf before going into the Greenhouse through a backdoor.

Tanrov will follow Talis into the greenhouse through the backdoor in order to assist Talis in whatever he is going to do.

Jan's Room

"Yes, I'm certain you were.", Miriam replies, with just a trace of humor in her formerly serious voice.  She looks over and notices Tanrov looking their way and gives him a reassuring smile.  "So, then we're decided upon a course - what shall we do with the bag in the meantime?  Take it with us?  Leave it here and hope no one connects Jan to anything untoward such that they might decide to search his room?"

The Merchant's House

Miriam was alarmed by the explosion in the house they'd come to surveil.  And by Talis's response.  "This is dangerous, bordering on foolhardy.", she warned, concerned less with what might be in the house than how'd they'd explain their presence here to the watch.  "But I agree that if an innocent is inside, we cannot fail to act.", she said as she followed Talis, at a slightly slower pace, summoning several gallons of water above his head as he made ready to go inside and dousing him rather thoroughly with them.

Jan's room

Cat goes over to pat Tanrov's hip, "The letter was being read before I realized what was happening. I am sorry."

---

The Merchant's House

Cat nods to Talis, "I should be able to come up with something."

[Private to GM: I'm thinking something like gorilla. Fast climber.]

Jan's Room
Talis thinks for a moment, "Good question.  Jan, it's your room, what do you say about the body bag?"

---

The Merchants House
Talis gives a quirky smile, "I agree Miriam, it is foolish, bordering on stupid...and you just described a hero.  Let's go, Tanrov, open the door while Miriam gets you wet, then stick close to me.  First we check the greenhouse, then we move inside."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:12, Fri 19 Aug 2011.

The Merchants House
Talis and Tanrov head to the backdoor while Cat transforms into an ape and goes swinging up the side of the building, looking in the windows as she goes.  What are Miriam and Jan doing?

I will post more friday

The Merchant's House

After dousing Talis and Tanrov, Miriam will put her hood up and call down a sudden shower on her own head, then follow the two men inside.

The Merchants House
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: While climbing up to the third floor on the backside of the house Cat looks in the 2nd floor window into a room that's on fire.  She sees a human man standing in the middle of the room on fire holding a wooden box that is also on fire.  He is just standing there quietly burning up.]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: As Tanrov tries to open the door, but his 1st try fails.  The door is locked and a fairly good door.  Before he tries again he stops and carefully traces the outline of the door..."Magical Trap."  Meanwhile, Talis and Miriam looks in the nearby glass and see that there are several casks near the door marked "oil".  Near the center of the garden is a strange white tree with a person behind it on the floor.  Leaning back against it by the position of the legs.  By all acounts, the white tree is not the tree with the pollen, but Miriam sees that tree off to the right.]

[Private to Jan Harlow: sees Cat pause by a 2nd floor window and look in while Tanrov stops trying to open the door and looks at it carefully.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:52, Sat 20 Aug 2011.

Jan's Room

Jan watches, fascinated by the new developments, this is very interesting to him. The whole spirit procession and serial killers and murders most foul. This was definitely the long trip over.

"I would like for you to keep the bag with you, or find a place to stash it. I would rather not risk exposure here." Jan says with a slight shrug. To tell the truth, he would have been fine with leaving the bag in his room.

"I need some time, I got things to brew. Can you give me ninety minutes?" Jan asks as he turns his attention to his alchemy supplies. He spends the time given making extracts, nine spherical objects with slots, nine glass vials of liquid that look like they fit in the slots, and one vial of a dark scarlet liquid.

[Private to DM: I brew my last two 2nd level extracts. Spider Climb and See Invisibility.]

---

The Merchant's House

Jan would palm off his last disguise self to Miriam, might be useful later. Then he chugged down his mutagen and a spider climb extract. He would back up the halfling, she seemed crushable.

Jan felt fire in his blood as he changed. He then clamored up the walls to follow Cat. The other three could handle themselves. The Alchemist just worried slightly that someone caught a glance at his change.

DM: Jan, I edited my last post for you following Cat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:53, Sat 20 Aug 2011.

Jan's Room
ooc- ok, lets take the bag with us.

---

The Merchants House
Talis takes out some tar paper and slaps it over the window, "Tanrov, hold off on the door, let me go in the quite way."  He breaks the glass and pulls it out.  Entering carefully, he will move the kegs away from the door.  "Why don't we go in the window and leave this nasty little trap for later.

[Private to DM; Jan Harlow: Sighing to herself, Cat attempts to break the window and enter the building.]pm

Jan's Room
OK, Cat has the body bag with her.
The crisis resolved, the group readies itself to head to the Merchants house....

---

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: Cat trakes a deep breath of clean air and breaks the window.  Carefully entering, she avoids the broken glass and starts toward the burning man.  Proving he isn't a statue, the Tian man turns around and starts toward the halfling.  He is obviously an undead of some sort, along the zombie line if his slowness is any indication.  Cat sees a few burning casks marked "oil".  No wonder the fire spread so quickly.

As the "zombie" takes a step toward Cat, it collapses.  The fire destroyed it for you.  It's difficult to see through the smoke and fire, but as far as Cat can see there are no apparent death wounds and his nightclothes are bloodless.  He appears to be as carefully killed as the 2 bodies in the bag.  Though the fire damage makes this conclusion far from certain.

Cat continues to quickly explore the rest of the 2nd floor just ahead of the fire.  She discovers that the rooms have already been ransacked and there is no sign of another person or body.  2 more empty casks of oil are spread around and the oil soaks much of what is flammable.

Jan doubts anybody saw his change.  There are a couple who might have, but they are either doing stuff to, or gawking at, the fire.  Jan climbs up to the 3rd floor and looks in through the windows.  He also sees ransacked rooms, rapidly filling with smoke, but no beautiful maiden to rescue and few, if any places to hide.  He can easily observe all the rooms on the 3rd floor from the back wall.

Jan is finishing his survey, he hears Cat break out using another window below him on the back wall, and joins her as she exits the burning building.  Cat cut's herself on the broken glass for 2 points of damage.  From below you hear a commanding voice say, "What are you 2 doing up there, get down here right now."  It is the Watch officer you say before and 2 guards.]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The trio make their way into the greenhouse through a window.  The body behind the tree doesn't react.  The greenhouse isn't that big, and is nicely laid out.  Doing a quick search, under the pollen tree you find a place, hidden from the street where someone had been tied up.  The only blood you find is where the ropes were tied around her hands and the tree.  You can picture her desperate struggle to free herself.  There is a discarded scarf, probably used as a gag, that can be identified as belonging to Maras.  There is another location nearby where a man sized body was, John maybe?  Defintely too big for a petite halfelf.

At the strange white tree, there is an older Tian woman's body leaning back against the tree holding a little keepsake box.  As you draw near, the body moves and opens the box, which explodes with a Fire Trap.  The white tree explodes in flame (evidently this particular species is HIGHLY flammable, even beyond normal wood).  Miriam takes 3 and Talis take 6 damage (it would have been worse without the water), but Tanrov takes none (isn't Evasion wonderful - too bad Talis can't make a ref save to save his life).  What you saw before she went up in flames,
- she was dressed in nightclothes
- she had been dead for a few days (probably just before/at the same time that Maras was captured)
- she was bloodless and had the same strange pattern of a 3 jawed mouth with no other apparent death wounds.

The group makes a quick survey of the smoke filled garden and find no maiden to rescue and no other clues.  There is no time to search the house.  As you get to the window, you see outside at the corner, 50' away, a guard coming around the corner looking in the windows of the greenhouse.  He will easily see you if you leave.  But the greenhouse is smokey and you can't hold your breath for much longer, not to mention the fire.]

PM

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: Miriam takes stock of her injuries as the group finishes its hasty survey of the greenhouse.  "I'm beginning to feel that I should just dump water on my head before even stepping outside.", she complains.  Seeing the guard round the corner, she asked Talis in a low tone, trying to keep from coughing at the smoke, "Do you think...you can lead us out of here blind?  I can create a cloud of mist around the door, but...it'll block our sight as well."]

[Private to Miriam; Tanrov:
Talis says, "Good idea, but let me distract him first, then you cast your spell while Tanrov climbs through the window.  Then we help you through and I'll come last.  Follow my lead."  Then Talis picks up a nearby rock and throws it through a pane of glass so the guard will go back around the corner.  "Sometimes the old tricks are the best."]

Cat and Jan might hear the sound of breaking glass.

[Private to Jan Harlow: Cat shakes her head lightly, oh how the Gods must be laughing at her right now. She goes back to the window, looking up and down. If all is clear, she'll go up and help Jan.] Oook pm

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: Waiting for Jan to reply....]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: Yes, sometimes the old tricks are the best.  The guard moves around the corner to investigate the sound of shattering glass and the Obscuring Mist hides the groups exit from casual observation.  But then the plan starts to go awry.  Tanrov gets stuck in the window!  Seconds pass as Miriam and Talis try to help him get out, and with the mist, they have no idea what the guard is doing.  Finally, after what seems like hours, Tanrov get's through the window.  Miriam and Talis quickly follow and the group exits the mist.  Just in time, for the guard comes walking around the corner and sees the three of you.
]

PM

[Private to Miriam; Tanrov: Reacting quickly, Talis runs over to the Guard, "Sir, we saw the smoke, is there anything we can do to help?"
]

Dm- edited for spelling
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:43, Thu 25 Aug 2011.

Sorry, internet ate my post. Work comp is old.

[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: "Noting here, ve besht dishtract de vatch. Give de odders time. Agreed?" Jan asked as he glanced down at the gathering response to the fire.

OOC: What happened to that burning box the zombie was holding?]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain:  With the fire going off nearby, dead bodies all around and with all the other things He's seen, Tanrov does not respond well to the situation.   "Boy I wants to run home and give up this adventuring business."  Tanrov has trouble getting through the window, and then when Miriam is coming through, he has trouble deciding where to grab.  "Sorry Miriam." ]
pm
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:20, Thu 25 Aug 2011.

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: ooc: The box was wooden and at the heart of the inferno.  It was on fire and beyond help.

Jan and monkey/Cat are currently climbing on the back wall near a 2nd floor window of a burning building.  From the sound of it, most of the response is around front where most of the fire is.  It is clear to both Cat and Jan that this fire was deliberately set using a zombie, oil and a fire trap spell to start it.  The house has been ransacked and there is no sign of a beautiful missing halfelf maiden.

Otherwise, the only response Jan can see are the watch officer and 2 guards, that Cat/Jan saw previously (msg190/192), wondering why you are climbing on a burning building and ordering you to get down.  The questions seem to be directed at Jan (since Cat is currently a monkey).

What are you going to do...actions please.
]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The guard looks at Talis suspiciously...

ooc;
Waiting for Miriam or Tanrov (Talis could use some help) and Jan/Cat]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Thu 25 Aug 2011.

PM

[Private to Talis Revain; Tanrov: Where Tanrov did or didn't choose to grab wasn't exactly foremost among the concerns on Miriam's mind just then, and she shrugged off his apology with a "No harm done, Tanrov.  Thank you for the help."  She was hoping they could get away unseen, but luck seemed to not be favoring them just then, and the guard seemed not entirely convinced by Talis' words.  She tried a few of her own, hoping he'd be more receptive to them.  "Yes, we would like to be of aid if you could direct us to where we might be the most useful.  No disparagement intended toward Magnimar's fine firefighters, but it could be some time before they arrive to contain the blaze and we would hate to see the flames spread to other buildings or pose a threat to innocent bystanders.", Miriam said.


11:33, Today: Miriam rolled 25 using 1d20+16. Diplomacy. ]

[Private to Jan Harlow: Cat looks up, down, right, and left. All ways seem bad, but down least so. No fire. So down she goes.]pm

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield:
Jan huffs, there's nothing he can do and he does not want to deal with the watch. With a sigh, he looks one last time at the third floor and tries to gauge where inside the building was the rest of the group. Perhaps he could find a way to help them.

Where was that Greenhouse again? Jan moved out of sight of the Watchmen and tried to figure out a way to be useful. His tail wagged impatiently.]

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Jan Harlow: ooc: Look at the picture of the Townhouse in Maps, that is what we are using.  C4 is the Greenhouse- but it goes back an extra 40', Jan and Cat are on the back wall near c8.  The guards are on the ground near c5. 

From their vantage point, both Cat and Jan can see into the greenhouse.  Or rather, they could if it wasn't rapidly filling with smoke.  There is a large tree on fire in the middle of the greenhouse.

Monkey/Cat starts moving down and the officer says "Paul, find something to catch the monkey.  One of the guards turns his attention to monkey/Cat, pulls off his cloak and looks like he is going to try to wrap her up in it as soon as she gets within reach.  Yeah, he doesn't have any experience in dealing with monkeys.

Jan moves across the wall and around the corner (near c9), to which the officer responds, "Halt or we will use deadly force."  They start moving around the front of the building.]
[Private to Jan Harlow: As you reach the corner, you see Talis, Miriam and Tanrov talking to a guard at the back corner of the Greenhouse.  Suddenly, a woman screams, she's pointing at Jan!]
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: From somewhere outside, a woman screams.]

[Private to Miriam; Talis Revain; Tanrov: The guard looks at Miriam with less suspicion and seems to accept your word that you simply want to help.  He starts to say, "I believe we have the sit..." when he is interrupted by a woman screaming and pointing at the burning house, or rather, at Jan in "monster" form, spider climbing on the 2nd floor of the house.]

"Ekk a monster, ekkk"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Sat 27 Aug 2011.

Talis, from behind the guards back, motions for Jan to leave.  Then (if the guards get "frisky"), he will jump in front and say, "Look out, that's a werebeast and unless you have silver weapons, all you'll do is piss him off.  Let us handle him, we know what we're doing."

Tanrov/Garth will take out his bow and shot an arrow at The MONSTER.[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; DM; Jan Harlow; Miriam; Talis Revain: consciencely knowing it's Jan, Tanrov will purposely miss him.]

"Away, foul creature!", Miriam calls, drawing her dagger and hurling it with all her fairly inconsiderable might at the disguised Jan.

[Private to DM:
11:59, Today: Miriam rolled 0 using 1d4-2. dagger damage.
11:59, Today: Miriam rolled 20 using 1d20+4. thrown dagger.
-2 to hit for each 10' range increment they are away from Jan.  ]

Cat thinks see can evade the officers, so turns and high tails it after Jan, her head turning left and right.

[Private to GM: if Cat can get a better idea of where the screaming is coming from, she'll head that way.]

PM
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: Jan blinks before reaching into a belt pouch and withdrawing a smoke pallet. He throws the pellet at ground near the guard talking to the others. 'Where is that woman screaming from?' Jan thought with dismay and excitement, things were turning out to be pretty exhilarating.

When the smoke obscured the guard, Jan would charge past him and into the Greenhouse. He'd grab at whatever seemed evidence-like and try and formulate a escape plan.

13:12, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Smoke Pellet. Is this needed?]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Mon 29 Aug 2011.

[Private to Jan Harlow: Is that really the best you can come up with?  Am I not describing the situation well enough?  Your action seems to be, IMO, the action of a person who doesn't really know what's going on.]

The guard with MTT(Miriam-Talis-Tanrov) motions at them and says, "Stop firing."  Though, you notice he readies his spear and keeps an eye on Jan.  Jan throws the smoke pellet at the guard next to, and talking with, MTT and then charges in that direction.  But as the guard moves out of the smoke and the other 2 guards turn the corner he realizes his error.  In his excitement, he has completely misjudged the situation.
1- the smoke pellet lasts 1 round
2- there is nothing prventing the guard from moving
3- it is to far to get to the door of the greenhouse in 1 round
4- MTT were already checking the greenhouse while Jan and Cat looked at the upper floors of the house, so they already found clues
5- the greenhouse is ON FIRE and filled with smoke, making more clue finding difficult and dangerous

Ooc: We are going to go into round by round now.  Please note, all distances are approximates.  I will try to post a map tues AM, or more likely Tues PM.

Cat is at the back corner of the house in monkey form, 30' to her right at the front of the house is a Watch officer and now 3 guards.  30' to her left, running down the side of a large greenhouse toward where MTT are, is Jan.  30' in front of Jan are Miriam-Talis-Tanrov and another guard.  Tanrov has his bow out.  All the guards have spears out and the officer has a sword.  There are various local gawkers, come to watch the fire, scattered around the perimeter.  Murphis is near MTT.

Talis will draw his sword and step forward next to the guard.  With a look of "What are you doing", he gives Jan a look and indicates with eye motion that Jan should run away.

Jan huffs with annoyance at the communication attempt, before throwing down a smoke pellet at his feet and running off towards the nearest tall building. He would run on all fours and climb to the top of one so he could drink his Jump extract in peace. Once that was done, he'd figure out which way to go.

With another smoke pellet, Jan starts to run away.  Cat starts chasing him, which prompts Murphis to chase Cat.  The watch officer doesn't really know what to make of Jan's "monster" and he has a fire to deal with.  So at some polite suggestions by Miriam and Talis he sends the trio of "Good Samaritans" to detain the monster without killing it.  So like a scene from a comedy you have a monster chased by a monkey who is being "chased" by a dog who is being chased by the 3 stooges...or something like that.

After getting away from the guard and regrouping the group shares what they found and reaches the following conclusions.  3 days ago, Maras and Rynshinn Povalli arrived in town together.  Rynshinn to meet her mysterious elven father and Maras to give Tanrov a note.  They were kidnapped and Maras was brought to the merchants house.  The older couple were killed, either before or just after the kidnapping and turned into zombies.  They weren't greedy enough to sacrifice.  All 4 victims seem to have been killed, and their blood drained, in the same way, with the same strange 3 jawed mouth pattern. This location was chosen because it was close to Alderns Townhouse.  At some point the merchants house was ransacked and valuables taken (after all, even deathcults need funding).  Yesterday the cult kidnapped John and then killed both him and Maras, setting up the trap you encountered last night.  There was no evidence of Rynshinn at this location.

The trap here, zombies with fire traps and oil casks, was probably not aimed at you.  Most likely it was just meant to destroy this location to coverup any clues.  It was just luck (and good detective work) that you were in the area when it was triggered.

So with nothing else to do the group heads to the Underbridge where Foxglove was paying someone 200gp every Oathday at a place called “All the Worlds Meets” for “B.7”.

“All the Worlds Meets” is a tavern with a reputation for having drinks from all over the world.  The manager is a bard named Grigori who has a 2 headed troll bouncer.  Who owns it is a mystery.  It also has a stage where various acts perform (Dancing girls, live animal shows, whatever takes Grigoris fancy).  The building used to be a temple, the downstairs is all business.  The upstairs is kitchen and private quarters.  He has a couple of rooms, but they are usually taken by acts.

How do you want to approach this place?  Stealth, subtrefuge, diplomacy, disguises, frontal assault?
Your goal; to learn who Aldern was paying the extortion to, which hopefully will lead to the deathcult which he was a part of.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:11, Sat 03 Sept 2011.

Tanrov says rather sheepously because he couldn't think of any thing earlier to say or do for that matter will state that he prefers the frontal assault with both subterfuge and diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:43, Sat 03 Sept 2011.

How about Miriam/Cat(wildshaped as a dog)/Murphis go in as 1 group; trying to get a job as a dog act.  Meanwhile Talis/Tanrov/Jan go in as customers; caravan guards looking for a drink.  Does Jan have any antidotes available (to help with drinking)?

"I can probably brew or make what is needed. I just need money for ingredients and time." Jan says as he looks very pale and sickly, but there is a satisfied smile on his face.

"I'm probably distinctive enough and well-known enough around Underbridge that I'm relatively useless in any sort of undercover capacity without a disguise and Jan's elixirs, while wonderful, don't really last long enough for this sort of work.  I wonder what would happen if we had someone use one to look like Aldern and see who approached him?", Miriam said.

"If you are too well known, ok I like your idea about Aldern.  I would probably be best, lets do this."

"I agree with Miriam."

So, if Talis goes in disguised as Aldern, what are the rest of you going to do?

Talis smiles at the group, "Miriam should disguise herself as herself.  Just go in and start trolling for info on your known obsession, the death cult.  The rest could just go in as customers.  You guys all go in and get settled, and then I'll go in as Aldern.  What do you think?"

Tanrov likes the plan and will go into the tavern as himself.   Tanrov/Garth will go to the bar, ask for a drink but will change the order to milk because he'll remember that he isn't old enough to drink spirits.   It's the kid in him again

Cat has a few misgivings though, "It will work as long as they don't know yet that Foxglove is dead or that hideous thing he turned in to."

"That is possible.  But we might get a reaction even then - we'd just have to be sure to be able to survive it.  I think I can probably about manage playing myself - I don't tend to visit taverns when I come down here, but it wouldn't be entirely out of character.  I agree with Talis that we should have several people in place before Aldern puts in an appearance, just in case.", she said.  "Besides, if we keep our ears open we might learn something useful.", she mused.

"Could you survive the scrutiny though, Miriam? We were at the scene of a arson not too long ago, if you stir up a hornet's nest...well, questions might be asked." Jan pointed out with a soft smirk.

"We weren't there very long and I had the hood on my cloak up.  Hopefully no one there gave our appearance a second thought.  The guard certainly didn't collect names in any case.  It's a risk, but what about this isn't?", Miriam replies.

Talis contemplates the discussion, "Good point Cat, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.  Particularly if you folks are around to back me up.  And it is only a risk for Miriam if we don't finish off this Deathcult.  They have their bloody fingers on the pulse of the Guard somehow, and that is why we are being careful.  Once they are gone, I'm fairly sure we can convince the city that we did it a public service," he flashes a quick smile.

"I'll go in as myself then, but I think I'll wait until a couple of you are in place.  Just in case Jan's fears are well-founded.", Miriam said.

Cat has more and more misgivings but can't quite put them into words, so she keeps quiet about them. She's called alarm too many times already. "What do you need me to go in as?"

  During the day it should be fairly safe to travel in Underbridge as long as simple precautions are taken.  Don't go into alleys, stay were people can see you, don't use flashy magic, don't give the beggars more than a copper, etc...  Just don't draw the attention of the various inhabitants.  With that advice the group heads to All the Worlds Meets and arrives fairly easily, keeping at least 1 other member in sight all the way.

   The Underbridge is a community in desperate need, the people here have a look of despair about them.  It is dirty, smelly and crowded, but to Miriam it is home.  All the Worlds Meets used to be a church, of what God is uncertain, but it's purpose as a tavern/play house is most certain.  There is a sign of a laughing man with a mug in his hand outside.  It is a stone building, 2 stories tall with a a single room "tower" 3rd floor, that sits on the shore.  All the 1st floor windows are boarded up.

  As prearranged, Tanrov, Jan and Cat all enter 1 at a time, then Miriam and then Talis/Aldern (using Jan's Disguise Self "potion").  Immediately inside is an area with several small round tables and a couple of larger square ones, dimly lit by candles on the tabbles.  To the left is a bar.  These areas open onto a larger area with pews/bench seating and a stage.  Off to the right is a room with 2 big common tables.  There are a few eternal torches scattered around, but the whole place is dimly lite for those without low light vision.

  Looming out of the gloom near the door is a large 2headed troll wearing surprisingly clean and well mended clothes.  He stands 15' tall and scrapes the ceiling with his heads.  Near him is a halforc brute.  These are obviously the bouncers.  Several ladies of various races and cultures wait tables.  Seated at a table near the bar is a well dressed man with a well trimmed beard sipping a glass.  On the stage is a sign, "next showing in..." and a large hourglass with glowing sand.  By the looks of it the next show is fairly soon.  The bar is run by a halfling man.  The walls behind the bar are filled with bottles of every type with labels in a bewildering array of languages.  There is a simple sign, "Stump the bartender and your drink is free, 1 sp".

  There are a few patrons, but not many.  They look like sailors from foreign lands.  A few are playing some dice game with some copper and silver on the table.

  When Cat enters, the halforc will stop her and say, "No dogs, he stays outside" pointing at Murphis.

You can use your imagination on this.  Some of them gambling, sure.  A pretty barmaid, defintely.  A lonely drunk at the bar, ok.  What would you typically want to find in a bar?

What would everybody like to do as they enter?  What weapons do you have on you?  Any large weapon (bows, polearms, etc..) will need to be checked at the door.

Posting order determines the order you entered the tavern in.

Map updated...
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:00, Fri 09 Sept 2011.

Jan smirks as he takes in the place, it is his kind of Tavern-slash-Playhouse. The Alchemist feels at home. He saunters up to the bar for a drink. While pretty poor, Jan assumes that a drink is well within his means. Besides, hanging out without buying anything would have been strange. Who goes to a bar and does not buy drinks? Honestly.

"A pint." Jan orders with a self-satisfied smirk, that he was somewhat aware was probably anger-inducing. The currently pale pretty boy Alchemist could not care less though, given the dagger up his sleeve on a spring loaded mount. The bombs, syringe spear, the other daggers, and dozen odd darts he had hidden on him also were reassuring.

'I wonder if someone will start trouble? Could be fun.' Jan thinks to himself as he keeps his eyes open for a "friendly" game of cards...or dice...or anything involving money really. After subtly eying his companions and their positions, Jan would maybe go "undercover" at the nearest game for "information".

---
OOC: Sorry, I misread and thought the three of us were coming in together.
Rolls: The last/first two are for flavor.
20:58, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 21 using 1d20+10. Know Nature. What are they sick with?
20:57, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 20 using 1d20+12. Heal. Anyone just sick?
20:57, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Sense Motive. Anyone eying the group with ill intent?
20:57, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Perception. Anything eye fetchingly suspicious?
20:56, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 18 using 1d20+6. Gamble.


DM- Who is sick?  I don't understand who you are referring to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:00, Fri 09 Sept 2011.

This is not Cat's kind of place. She just hopes she and Murph can fade into shadows. Or at least herself as she tells her familiar to guard the door, since he's not allowed in. Or just wait. She stays near the door scanning the room.

  Jan enters first and draws no particular attention.  He joins a game with some Chelaxian sailors who are waiting for the next show.  The only thing that stands out is the troll.  Every time Jan looks his way it seems like 1 of the heads is always looking at him.  [Private to Jan Harlow: Though, when Cat enters, both heads look at her and unless you are mistaken, he gave a subtle signal to the bartender.]  His drink is delivered by a pretty Elven woman.  They all look healthy and normal for their race and profession.  [Private to Jan Harlow: Though, since you are looking, perhaps the wait staff is too healthy.  Particularly for the Underbridge,]

  Cat enters and seems very uncomfortable without Murphis by her side.  A dwarven waitress approaches and asks, "What would you like to drink, food maybe?"

  Tanrov enters and approaches the bar.  When he asks for milk, the bartender just looks at him and says, "What, you trying to be funny?  Order or leave."  The gnomish assistant makes a motion and the halforc bouncer starts walking toward the bar.

  Miriam enters at this point, hood up.

[Private to Talis Revain: The location deems suspicios.  Not really a good location for a tavern.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:50, Sun 11 Sept 2011.

"No" Tanrov states to the barkeep, "I just remembered that I'm not old enough to drink but if I must than I'll order the cheapest ale you have.   How much would it cost to buy the whole bar a drink?"   When I get the drink I'll stay at the bar, if I can in a corner of it nursing it along and watching the patrons.

With that statement, the halfling bartender looks confused, exchanges a glance with his gnome assistant and then smiles broadly at the "Buy the bar a round" comment, "Ok sir, that will be 20 silver coins.  All rounds include the bouncers(and quietly to Tanrov) and Nagy can really put it away," with a wink and a nod at the troll. (There really aren't that many patrons  As the bartender was looking around he spots Miriam, looks for a second and say "Boss..." and nods to the well dressed man in the corner, then he starts making up a round of drinks.

The well dressed man in the corner looks over and smiles.  He walks over to Miriam and with a dramatic bow says, "And what can I do for such an esteemed memeber of the church of Pharasma today?"  He looks Miriam over, "Especially such an attractive member of the clergy.  Would you like to sit and discuss it, perhaps over a glass of wine?"

At Jan's table, the sailors are looking from the pretty elf to the pretty Miriam.  The pretty elf smiles at Jan, "Will there be anything else sir?"  [Private to Jan Harlow: Jan can already tell these guys are pretty easy to beat, barring extreme luck...hey, it could happen.]

The dwarf is waiting for Cat's reply.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Sun 11 Sept 2011.

Cat felt a little more at ease seeing another diminutive humanoid. Though she really didn't want to order, she didn't want to stand out. "What do you recommend?

With the knowledge that the drinks are going to cost Garth 2gps.   He will start to fish for the coinage acting like he misplaced it and then finally handling over the coinage, "Money is so hard to come by these days."

Miriam had hoped to not draw quite so much attention so early, but it seemed there was little help for it.  She returned the well-dressed man's smile and said, "Well, I was seeking a drink and perhaps a bit of conversation, but it seems that perhaps my quest will not be too lengthy.  I believe I'll accept your kind invitation, though only in exchange for a name I might call you while we converse.", she said with a smile.

[Private to DM: 20:06, Today: Miriam rolled 28 using 1d20+16. Diplomacy.
20:06, Today: Miriam rolled 15 using 1d20+9. Sense Motive.
Trying to figure out what his intentions are and trying to improve his attitude toward her.]

Jan
   The sailors are happy when the phrase, "free drinks" is used.  As Miriam makes an appearance they comment, "I think I want to switch my religion" and "Did he say the Lady of Graves, I would have bet she was a Lady of Callistra...".  Otherwise they keep playing.
Not much time has past and it is a low-moderate stakes game, so you haven't had a chance to win very much yet. Does Jan want to ask any specfic question?


Catessa Fallowfield
The dwarf seems to be looking at the bar, then turns back - "Well I prefer Dwarven Ale, but it may be too much of a drink for you.  Otherwise, our bar serves any drink there is, just name it."

Tanrov
A couple of darkskinned foreigners come over and sit at the bar with Tanrov and say, with a thick Garand accent, "Thanks for the drinks.  Why don't we buy you one."

Miriam
"My name is Grigori and I run this place."  He looks at his table, "Unless it violates some precepts of your religion, I would just as well talk about your quest in my office upstairs.  And since it's close to lunch, why don't you have lunch with me."
[Private to Miriam: You think he doesn't want his patrons to hear your conversation, which he assumes will be about Death cults and such.]

"Something spicy and made of lamb if you got it...or whatever meat based meal you have available." Jan said with a "charming" smile to the pretty serving elf. Jan refrained from leering too much, but he was appreciative of the Elf's form. Thoughts of taking these sailors to the cleaners ran in his head, but Jan stopped himself slightly. He would try not to be shark them too bad, just enough to make some drinking money.

"So you lot come here often when your ship is docked here? I'm new in town myself, formally of Westcrown, but its been a while since I've been back there. What sort of things are going on in the motherland?" Jan asked with a smirk, his accent still more or less from Cheliax. He makes small talk with the sailors, easing himself into the bar scene.

Once Talis walked in, dressed and looking like Foxglove, Jan would try to shift the conversation there. In his experience sailors usually liked to hang out in the same set of bars on whatever routes they worked. He met a few friends that way.

---
21:54, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Gamble.

Cat smiles, the dwarf is probably right and Cat doesn't want to test her luck. "Just a lighter ale, please."

Miriam tuned out the sailors' commentary on her appearance - she wasn't so very unused to such comments, though they rarely made of an impact upon her - and focused her attention upon the tavern owner.  "A generous offer, Grigori.  I'm not aware of any tenets of my faith which would preclude me from sharing lunch or wine with you, so I believe I'm at liberty to accept.", she noted, with a smile.  "I am Miriam, as you quite likely already know.", she said, offering her name anyway out of a sense of politeness.

Tanrov/Garth will allow the two dark skinned individuals to buy him a drink and I will nurse that one if they let me.

Everyone(except Miriam) needs to post a For save and per check (you can take 10 on the skill roll if you want) next round.

Jan
   The elf waitress takes your order in a very friendly manner. [Private to Jan Harlow: Bending over just enough to give Jan a nice view of her "assets".]  The sailors notice and grin broadly.  She heads over to the bar and put's in your order.  Oddly, you see no way to get to a kitchen from the bar and no one goes anywhere.  They must have a communication system of some sort.
   The sailors will make small talk while they play, nothing of much consequence.  Though there are comments about how "lucky" Jan is getting, with the pretty lady and in the game.  Nothing serious yet....
   When Talis/Aldern enters and Jan tries to steer the conversation, the sailors only seem be interested in talking about The Rich and how the Rich get richer while the Poor get poorer, nothing specific.

Catessa Fallowfield
The dwarf will return with a pair of drinks (Cats order and the round Tanrov is buying), then she leaves Cat alone.  She does stay nearby though.

Tanrov
   The pair of darkskinned foreigners from the south are new in Magnimar and are interested to know about it.  Tanrov get's the impression that they bought him a drink from some sort of Honor code.  Tanrov can easily nurse his drink, since they are asking him lot's of questions, he can spend lot's of time answering them.

Miriam
Miriam leaves with Grigori through the double doors.
[Private to Miriam: He will escort you upstairs, through the kitchen and to his office, he says, "Yes, I have heard of you.  And I must say, the reality is much prettier than the rumor. I have also heard of your...quest, shall we say.  And talk of death and such tend to put a damper on sales.  Hmmm, though maybe a nice gothic play, one from Ustalav maybe.  Have you ever thought about acting?  So what can I help you with?"  You get the impression that he doesn't mean you harm (unless you classify a guy trying to seduce a lady harm).

  In the kitchen he puts in an order for some lunch.  He takes the cook aside and has a quite conversation, though not about Miriam.  She notices a ring of iron, 18" in diameter.  A halfling hand passes through and drops a piece of paper on the counter.  The bar communicates to the kitchen through a pair of Ring Gates.  That's a pretty expensive item for a tavern in Underbridge!

  Once in his office you are interupted by a halfling voice coming from the kitchen.  It has a strange accent, "Well, is she here yet?"  Grigori seems upset and excuses himself, "Be just a moment."  The door is left with a crack if Miriam is interested in looking.]

Talis/Aldern
Talis enters and takes a table.  He acts all nervous and such.  The bartender looks at him briefly, seems to shake his head, talks with the gnome assistant, makes a drink and takes it to Talis.  He talks quietly with Talis for a moment, then returns to the bar.

Jan smiles as he gets behind the Rich and Poor divide talk, there is no reason to steer the conversation to urgently and the others had their agendas to look for. The Alchemist agrees that the rich only get rich off the sweat of the hard workers like these Sailors in front of him. He makes it a point to loose a few rounds, non-consecutively, and complain that the Sailors are starting to scare away his hot streak.

"Hey, seeing as my luck is starting to run out, how about some drinks and good eats on me. What are you guys drinking?" Jan smirks friendily, trying to head off any suspicion, as he wins a round after loosing a round. The Alchemist had been drinking from his pint of ale all the while, and was considering getting another to go along with his lamb-based meal. It was not the worst he had, it was acceptable.

---
11:08, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 12 using 1d20+11. Perception. Wow, I botched that.
11:07, Today: Jan Harlow rolled 27(31) using 1d20+7(11). Fort Save. Hmm, nice.

Even knowing it's Talis, seeing "Aldern" sends a shudder down Cat's back. After a sip of the ale and a few calming breaths, she tries to get the dwarf's attention, Id successful, she'll ask, "Don't I know him from somewhere? He looks familiar."

10:16, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 16 using 1d20+7. fort save.
10:16, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 5 using 1d20+3. perception.

PM

[Private to DM: Miriam smiles at the conversation and says, "Well, it's honestly not my intention to depress your sales in any way.  I know well enough that Underbridge is a difficult place to make a living, no matter what your line of work.  And no, I hadn't really thought much about acting - I don't know that my natural talents really run to that sort of thing, and I find the work I do on behalf of the Lady of Graves to be most fulfilling.", she said.  She takes note of the ring gate, but doesn't comment upon it.

"What can you help me with?  Well, while other matters do occasionally occupy my mind, I am quite focused on my...quest, as you say.  Owning a tavern here in Underbridge as you do, you must hear a great many rumors about what goes on down here.", she said, before they were interrupted.  "Of course.", Miriam said politely, as Grigori excused himself.  She opts not to try to position herself at the crack at the door and instead takes a casual look around Grigori's office.]

Zer-wedula walks in and pauses, frowning.  He looks about haughtily for an open table and goes to it if there is one.  If not he will uncertainly move to one end of the bar.

[Private to DM: Cast Message before I go in]

Seeing Talis/Aldern come in gives Garth reassurance that the plan is coming together.   Upon seeing Zer-wedula come in Tanrov/Garth's heart will skip a beat at seeing an old friend.


20:42, Today: Tanrov rolled 26 using 1d20+6. for fort. save
              Tanrov will get 25 on perception skill
This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Thu 15 Sept 2011.

Jan
   The elf waitress flirts with Jan some more, getting quite brazen. (I however am not good at flirting, so use your imagination) The hourglass on the stage runs out, but nothing happens.  The sailors begin to look around for the next act.

Catessa Fallowfield
The dwarf will looks at Aldern/Talis, "Some local noble, comes in every now and then.  Why, you interested, or is this business?"  Cat suddenly realizes that the waitress is asking if she is a prostitue.  Then Zer walks in...

Tanrov
   Tanrov is making some new friends, then Zer walks in...

Miriam
[Private to Miriam: While you do a quick "search" of the office you hear voices from the kitchen, but you don't hear what they are saying.  Miriam's look reveals a shortbow and arrows in a corner.  On the desk is a ledger.  Under his desk she finds a disguise kit and an outfit that is not from around here and size small, too small for Grigori.  Otherwise the office looks clean but cluttered.

Miriam hears the conversation stop.  Grigori enters and smiles, "Just some business.  Where were we?  I can assure you Miriam, you will find no mask made of human skin or sacrifical knife around here.  I am not a member of this Deathcult you seek."  He takes a seat, and continues, "Yes, I hear plenty..." and he is interupted again by the cook who hands him a note.  He looks like he want's to yell at the man, but instead grabs the note and get's even more perturbed.  "HIM, NOW!  By Calistra's b.....ells."  You are pretty sure he was going to be more graphic, but remembered there was a lady present.  He sits there thinking hard, the note forgotten in his hand.  Finally he looks at you, "I have some business to attend to, a guy who owes me money has shown up unexpectedly.  Let me go deal with this and then we can have a nice lunch."

He will get up and leave.  Stay or Go?

If you go, he will escort you downstairs and ]

Talis/Aldern
Sees Zer walk in and take a seat.  Uh oh, you look like Aldern!

Zer sees Aldern sitting at a table.  Tanrov is at another with a couple of guys.  Cat sits alone (you saw her dog outside).  A group of humans are at a table gaming.  There is a halfling and gnome tending bar.  There is a couple (man and woman) in the far corner.  A halfelf waitress approaches and asks for your order.  Oh yeah, and there is a 15' tall 2headed troll by the front door with a halforc next to him - the bouncers.

I am waiting for a reply from Miriam to continue and I just ran out of time, sorry for the delay in action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 06 Nov 2011.

PM

[Private to DM: Miriam finished her search of the office, curious about what she'd found, and managed to give what she thought was a decent impression of someone who was not searching an office by the time Grigori returned.  She started to say something, but their conversation kept getting interrupted, and so she simply followed him downstairs when he left without saying anything.]

Cat flushes as she realizes what she must look like. In a moment of stupidity or genius, she lets it stand. It may come in handy later. "Thank you, no," She sees Zer perks up, grabbing both pints of ale. In order to stop a misunderstanding, she stands up to intercept him, handing him the full glass. "You found us! Good, come sit. The chap over there," she glances at Tanrov, "bought everyone a drink, Come sit and fill me in since I last saw youi,."

DM: Clever Cat
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:10, Fri 16 Sept 2011.

Zer-wedula scowls as Cat interrupts his train of thought.  "I had a dream or premonition involving a monkey, a monster, and a knave," with a quick glance at Aldern at the last.

Jan sits with the sailors and tries to blend in with them. He frowns at the disappearance of the next act. That was just bad practice.

The Alchemist however welcomes the flirting, and returns it with his own. Loosing a few games in the process. The elf has caught his attention.

Jan and Tanrov can't help but get a sense of anticipation as if there was a lot more to this poat than they can read... :)

[Private to Sammiya Koi: Sam sees an elf enter the bar just before her.  The 2 dogs appear well trained and beyond sniffing, show no overt hostility toward each other.  She enters and sees a tavern.  ooc: please read msg 242
An elf (you just saw sitting with a halfling female
a big man sitting with a couple of darkskinned southerners
a group of 4 humans and a group of 2 humans and a single human female off in a corner]

Miriam
[Private to Miriam: Grigori says, "Very well, I'll have the cook send lunch to my table."  For some reason he wanted you to stay up here.  In the kitchen he passes a note to the cook and then escorts you downstairs.

As you enter the main floor you see that Zer has apparently been released by the church and has somehow tracked you down.  He looks a little pale, but otherwise healthy and is sitting at a table with Cat.  Talis/Aldern is doing his best to keep his face hidden from Zer, who isn't in on the plan.]

Cat moves over and sits with Zer, giving him 1 of her drinks and talking.
[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; Zer-wedula: In PM mode, post a will save dc 15.  Failure = you are effected by a rage spell and are feeling very angry.\
Feel free to post a quiet conversation between you 2 in the same pm.]

Grigori enters with Miriam and escorts her to his table before joining Talis/Aldern at his.  They talk quietly for a moment.
[Private to Talis Revain: Grigori sits down and looks Talis/Aldern over, "You look better than you did 3 weeks ago.  Funny, I didn't get the message that you could stop paying...you owe them 600gp.  But we can talk about this change in your deal and what really happened at your house later.  Give me a couple of minutes to conduct some business.  Just keep an eye on the halfling."  At that, he motions to the bartender.]

The doors open and a heavily armed halfling female in Tian armor enters.
[Private to Talis Revain: Grigori looks from Cat to the new halfling and looks confused, then starts motioning frantically at the bartender.]
[Private to Miriam: The new halfling is wearing the same style of dress as the disguise kit.]

Suddenly, a light appears on the stage and the candle at Cat/Zer's table flares up.  The stage shows a dog and a halfling male performing tricks with a scimitar and whip.
[Private to Sammiya Koi: Shushiro and Rikiya]
[Private to Tanrov: Tanrov begins to get this strange feeling that there is something undead around, but you can't quite figure out where.  When the dog on stage appears you realize, it is an undead.  You don't know how you know, but you just know.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:18, Sat 17 Sept 2011.

Once inside the inn Sammiya scanned the room. Not seeing what she was looking for, Sammiya then approached the bar, but stopped when the halfling appeared on stage. At that point she found an empty table and sat down to watch the show. She watched the show intently.  Sammiya didn't want to disrupt the show...so she went to stand against the wall between the stage and the door.

[Private to Sammiya Koi: DM: You do realize that is your brother and dead? dog on stage?

"Sammiya didn't want to disrupt the show, but neither did she want to make it easy for Shushiro to escape without confronting her after his show was over. Getting up from the seat she had just taken, Sammi went to stand against the wall between the stage and the door. She was happy to see her dog, but was disturbed since she had been certain that it was dead. Against the wall, Sammi resumed waiting for Shushiro to finish his act."

DM; There are issues I would like to keep secret such as you plans and relationship to your brother, please post actions only until the group get's together.  Which door are you standing beside - see map for details.  You came in the doors to the east/right and everyone is seated in the bar area, around or near the round tables. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Sun 18 Sept 2011.

As the 2nd and 3rd halfling appear in the door and on stage, Talis, as Aldern, looks from Cat to the 2 new halflings and says in a stage whisper to Grigori, "Which halfling?"

pm[Private to Zer-wedula: Cat looks at Zer, "Tell me more of your dreams," She glances at the stage act with a frown. Are they mocking her?

11:59, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Will save. ]

With the Tian Halfling coming in, the halfling performing on stage and Talis/Aldern talking with the tavern owner, Jan playing cards, eating and flirting and Miriam appearing to seat alone and last but not least, Cat and Zer talking [Private to GM: but especially because of the feeling that there is undead in the room.  ] Tanrov/Garth gets a headache from all that is going on around him and shakes his head to try to clear it but cannot.[Private to Catessa Fallowfield; DM; Jan Harlow; Miriam; Talis Revain: Because of the headache Tanrov has lost the plan.   Someone better  do something before he does something stupid like: go up to Aldern and say hi.  (The kid in him gets bored real easily)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Sun 18 Sept 2011.