"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.