Sasserine is situated on the equator, so Shadowshore isn't literally in the shadow of the Champions District which stands on the clifts above it, but that meant little to the residents of Rubble Street - Shadowshore's least desirable location. The houses on the northern side of the street were pressed up hard against the cliffside and had to accept the boulders and small mudslides brought down by the heavy equatorial rains, not to mention the trash and filth thrown down on them by their neighbours above. For this reason, the top floor of Rubble street's many apparetment blocks were the least desirable location in this ghetto of ghettoes, but it was here that two men woke as the morning sun rose.

They shared a one room apartment with a single window facing out onto the busy street below, and had to content with the noise of everything from raging drunks to the occasional small riot. During the day the room was a furnace, with the hot sun on the roof providing baking temperature, while at night the rain trickled in through a dozen different holes. It was, by any measure, a dump.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Sun 01 Feb 2015.

Alohan wasn't bothered by the heat. He stood naked, looking out the lone window, watching as those below went about their daily toil. "De be so pale, me hoaloha" he said under his breath. "Remmi, look. Dat woman be thick." Shadowshore had been exactly what the Nuari islander needed -a fresh, novel experience. Not even the lower caste of Nuari order lived in such squalor. Alohan stood in naked wonder as the Sasserine people struggled to live in such wretched conditions.

Of course, it was all relative. To Alohan, the stench, the heat, and even the leaky roofs during midmorning monsoons was comparable to live back on Nuar. His people didn't live much differently yet the Nuari learned to appreciate what they had, learned to coexist, and learned the value of companionship with thy neighbor. They took pride in their homes, not matter the leaks, and did much to help their fellow man. Despite his own pampered lifestyle -what with personal bathers and servants- Alohan was still able to learn the value of community. Imagine his surprise when Sasserine offered almost a polar opposite to his previous existence. Sure, Alohan suspected a difference -just not as profound.

"Come hoaloha. Let us don our clothes and go about town. See what trouble we be finding!" Alohan turned to his friend, arms motioning to the world outside the little window.

The other man in the room got to his feet groggily. He also came from the archipelago nation of the Pearl Islands, but unlike Alohan he was not a member of the royal family and was not blessed with their fortitude and almost near supernatural resistance to heat. The man splash some tepid water on his face from a chipped bowl standing on a table, and then turned to address his master.

"Sire! I do not understand why we are still here! Merely pick whichever of these native women who catch your eye and we will return home. There is no benefit in spending further days in this hellhole, and as for this idea of getting a job!" The man actually shuddered at the notion of a member of the Nuari royal family taking employment like a common 'mahuri' or plantation worker.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

The prince dropped his arms in defeat and rolled his eyes. Remmi, always the conscientious one. "Kokami Remmi," he mutter with light-hearted frustration, "We be here to expand our horizons! To live, Remmi! Dis be new and exciting -not de islands. Dis be an opportunity for me -no- us to explore de unknown! To find de unconquerable, an stick out eels in its face. Dont you want to explore what else there is outside de isles?" He left the question hang, knowing the answer.

Alohan looked back out the window as a few more passerbys slowly went about their daily toil. In truth, he couldn't really define his feelings, nor properly convey why he needed to escape. He hardly understood his drive to leave Nuar. It was just something he needed to do.

Oh, and being forced into marriage didn't help.

"Come Remmi. Dis Vanderboren requests our presence. We must help her into her dress. Help her from de men in her life."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:00, Wed 04 Feb 2015.

OOC: I love translating the Hawaiian phrases to find out what he is saying. Where do you know all those from?!

Remmi muttered something under his breath about 'not sticking one's eel in the face of things that want to bite it off', but it was lost in the noise of the awakening city. The prince's loyal retainer dressed himself, and then made sure that his Sire was wearing enough clothes that at least the first district watch they met wouldn't arrest him, then led the way out of the building and into the busy streets.

The island pair walked to the Shadowshore docks and took a gondola over to the noble district - at least their meagre funding still allowed them that - and arrived at the High Market. Remmi set about getting directions while Alohan dallied among the stalls and chatted to the merchants. The Nuari servant had to shake his head with a smile when he saw the situation upon his return. Alohan was nearly surrounded by a gaggle of merchants and their retainers, who were laughing at his description of some exploit or another. Sigh. No doubt the royal 'eel' would be involved in the tail somehow. But Remmi did admire his young master's confidence. It wasn't something that Alohan had to work at, it was just ingrained in him and part of his essence.

They continued up School Street until they came to a non-descript looking house on the corner of Magister's Street. Remmi couldn't help but scoff. This was the house of a noble family?! Obviously this wasn't home to one of the foremost families in the city.

"This is it, Sire" said Remmi. "Should we go round the back? We are here to... *work*... after all."

Alohan followed along in silence, always giving women who catch his eye a glance that would make many of his native girls swoon. Rather than most receiving his looks with a smile, maybe a word, or even a promise at a future 'encounter' many of the woman looked surprised or appalled. Men were the same everywhere. Strength of arms or a story about eels was always enough to get a man laughing yet women were as varied as the colors of their skin. He was not used to the conservative nature of the Sasserine female, nor did he fully understand it. Why wear so much clothes when the sun demanded so much from you?

"Nonsense Remmi, I hardly know dis girl. Why would we go round de back." Alohan pointed to the door bordering School Street. "I would dink she be expecting us in the front first, yes?" Alohan couldn't help but smirk thinking himself clever.

---

No secret -the almighty Google! But I try to confirm what the curse word is from multiple locations before I use it. Research but sometimes it doesn't help. For example, I was looking at fuck and apparently it is mai'a but mai'a translates to banana. How does banana mean fuck? I don't know but you best be damn sure Alohan is going to use it.

"What? No, I mean..." but Remmi saw the look on Alohan's face that meant the further discussion was useless. The look that showed that the prince had it all figured out and now the only thing left was for his loyal retainer to carry out the action. With a sigh, the servant climbed the stairs up to the front door and used a large knocker set in the door rather more strongly than was perhaps required. Within a few seconds the door was answered by a middle aged man dressed in butler's attire. The man said nothing when he saw the two islanders on the front steps, and just raised an eyebrow.

"Err... Yes, my good man. We are here about *cough* employment. It was arranged through the agency that we shall perform body guarding duties for the young lady of the house, yes?"

"I think not," said the man simply, as he took a step back and reached to close the door.

OOC: Hmm, doesn't look like this guy thinks you're up to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Before the valet could close the door on him, Alohan stepped through the threshold. Sure, he wasn't the largest of men but Alohan seriously doubted the butler's ability to push him back out under the Sasserine sun. "Der is no time for dis." Alohan said promptly, shouldering the door as one would during a bout of pa uma. "We come on behaf of dis Vander... Vanderboar. Now we do dis de easy way or we do dis de hard way. Fetch your lady so we may go about our arrangement."

Despite his position on the threshold -obstructing the door- Alohan adopted his best authoritative tone. His voice lowered an octave and he adopted a threatening posture but Alohan could feel Remmi's displeasure bearing down on him. The prince couldn't fully get into his regal character and he grasped at words. "Go good man."

---

17:25, Thu 05 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 16 using 1d20+5 ((11)).
Intimidate the valet to do as his common blood is told.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Thu 05 Feb 2015.

The DC is 10 + HD + wisdom modifier = 12 so that roll is just fine.

The valet stands in the doorway, jaw dropping as the large half naked man pushes his way into the house. The man begins a stuttering protest, but then looks at Alohan’s stance and the tensed muscles that had thrown so man of his ‘pa uma’ opponents into the dirt before and swallows hard. “Ahh… yes, I think Miss Vanderboren was expecting some additional assistance this morning. If you would be so kind as to wait here, I will just go announce your arrival.”

The butler scurries away, leaving a smirking Remmi to enter the house as well. “Well done Sire, I am sure that he has gone to fetch the district guard. At least the cells in the noble district garrison are likely to be more comfortable than our apparentment. I will sleep well tonight!”

Remmi’s gloating is cut off as a young red haired lady enters the entre of the house. “Wow! I see that my fiancé did not skimp on the muscle when it came time to arrange for some protection!"

Alohan was quick to close the distance between himself and the assumed Amarilde Vanderboren, taking up her hand in his. "Greetings ko'u aloha," he began, making an attempt to kiss the back of her hand. While not as forward and direct as Nuari customs, the kissing of the hand was one of the first courtesy Sasserine had taught him, even if it was the most cliche. "Der be plenty of muscle to protect ya with, ko'u aloha. Allow me to introduce myself. I be Pri... Alohan... Alohan Nuari of the isle of Nuar. And dis be my loyal friend Remmi, expert wordsmith and royal pain in de ass."

Alohan rose to full height, stepping back to give her a full view of himself. "Now. Remmi be telling me ya be having problems with de men in your life. Tell me more ko'u aloha. Leave no detail. Ya never know when de snake be biting the foot, so to speak."

"Oh! Well aren't you the charmer!" exclaims the young lady. "Yes, I am Amarilde and I am happy that you are here, although just for the company as I don't expect there is anything to really worry about." She looks over to her servant "That will be all James," she says curtly, and then turns back to Alohan, somehow managing to totally overlook Remmi's proffered hand. The butler shuts the front door and disappears up the stairs with a relieved look on his face.

"Oh... I expect it is nothing, and just my fiancé being overly protective. When I announced my engagement, a young man I had been friendly with did not take it well. I tried to explain to him that I still cared for him, but that it would never be more than that. I mean... we are FIRST COUSINS for frak's sake!" Amarilde covers her mouth with a hand. "Dear me! That was not lady like! But even among the nobility there cannot be anything like that between so close cousins. Anyway, he made a few vague threats, and that was that."

"So, are you ready to help me run and errand or two Alohan?" she says with a smile on her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Before addressing her question, Alohan took up her hand once more. He wanted to make a good impression on the lady, not for her money or potential noble influence, but in case her marriage fell apart. "Let me be de first to say, I can see why men be filled with sorrow knowin' ya to be married. Ya be every bit de lady and ya every bit de pretty, ko'u aloha. Let ya cousins, ya brothers, and ya distant relatives know de not getting dis ‘okole. Let me and Remmi discourage dem brave enough to try."Alohan turned to Remmi and gave him a smile, not forgetting his friend in the conversation nor in his own personal quest to find Remmi a suitable mate.

With the promise of a fight -even the most remote- Alohan's demeanor abruptly changed. He instinctively touched the shark tooth club at his side and shifted his weight. "We be ready lady Amarilde. Come. Let us get ya to ya dress"

Amarilde giggles. "It is really just Vanthus we need to worry about. None of the rest of my family have incestuous urges as far as I have ever noticed. *sigh* Vanthus has always been the oddball of the Vanderboren clan. That's why they shipped him off to the family plantation about five years ago - he hasn't even been back that many months and is already making trouble."


The red-headed girl squeals. "Yes! That is precisely what we need to do today. But first of all a very important family friend needs to join us. It is tradition in the Vanderboren family that our dresses are blessed by a cleric of Wee Jas, in order that the marriage avoid the evil eye of jealousy or some such rubbish. We will be joined by a magus very shortly."

OOC: This is where Magus Eseriel joins us, accompanied by a certain young novice...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

There is a knock at the door and this time Amarilde answers herself, shooing the butler away before he can even get close. At the top of the front steps stands a distinguished looking grey haired lady dressed in the formal robes of a magus of Wee Jas. Behind her is a very attractive girl wearing the robes of a novice.

"Amarilde. So good to see you again," says the elderly lady. The young Vanderboren is obviously happy about the new arrival.

"Magus Eseriel! You honour me and my family by attending," gushes Amarilde. "I wasn't sure if you would agree to come."

"For the Vanderborens? Always. Especially since your family is going through a difficult time. But we must get going, I do have some other matters that need attending to today as well."

It appears that the Magus has forgotten to introduce the young lady behind her, as without any further words Amarilde and Eseriel head off down towards the High Market docks and leave Alohan, Celene and Remmi to follow.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Upon entering the rather plain looking house, Celene at first took in the sight of the interior and of the occupants. Especially the two rather quant looking dark fellows, apparently native worker from some of the noble's plantations on far-off islands, with native decorative coloration and all. That impressive larger guy had the physique to be a hard worker. Given her own background, she naturally sympathised with other hard-working people, but never expected much from them anyway. She nodded a silent greeting towards them, and tried her best at a curt smile.

However, at the very first conversation her focus was entirely moved. 'The Vanderborens'. The esteemed Magus Eseriel had 'failed' to mention to her that their visit was with that particular family. Despite that Celene was absolutely sure her Ladyship very well remembered that it had been that particular family who owned the plantation she had fled - and who caused the death of her parents.

For years, Celene had dreaded a future confrontation with her past, rather staying in the secluded temple to avoid any such meeting - even though she probably hardly registered in the Vanderboren family's concerns.

Fortunately this Vanderboren was also a young woman, who showed no knowledge of Celene, nor should have no reason to have it. Entirely intent upon every word of the conversation between the two ladies, and  upon any details of this Vanderboren woman, Celene quickly fell in line behind them. As the personal novice of Magus Eseriel, it was not out of place for her to be a silent shadow of her mistress, letting the two islanders trail along. What was that Eseriel said about difficult times for the Vanderborens?

Did that large fellow try to say something? She tried to divide her concentration on both the women, and the islander.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:31, Sun 08 Feb 2015.

Alohan walked alongside Remmi, doing his best to scan the crowd and rooftops for any potential danger. But there was a problem -his eyes kept drifting back to his favorite part of the female anatomy. The three woman walked a few paces ahead and Alohan couldn't help himself watch the seductive sway of their hips. Amarilde had a beautiful backside but her impending nuptials had discouraged future flirtations. Magus was indeed a fine, older lady, and while Alohan did not discriminate with age, the woman never bothered to speak or look at him. That left the slender figure of a blond beauty he hadn't been properly introduced to. It didn't help that she continued to glare at him and his hoaloha, almost as if she suspected what was occurring behind her.

The Nuari Prince nudged Remmi with an elbow. In his vowel filled language, Alohan spoke more clearly. It was, after all, his native language. [Language unknown: "Is a ter daylatall. Moles ilasnd. Tausth hamiol, ichstaichame honaitit, eauma il ted ar aclo atint dayne restno. Tioouswit alsswele p la Wheiro. For t os casta his Ch. K asint Ss aifimo ai eienc A paove latrpael mi icwit iliedi."]

Not for the first time, Remmi realised just how limited Alohan's education hade been. It wasn't as though the man had lacked schooling and good tutors, but he had always been more interested in shaking his eel at anything in a holoku. Supressing a sigh, Remmi did his best to explain.

[Language unknown:  "Prany atilarrut, Ive Altha k rut Vorsomich direma t waivnd man niwa webeaica el messri, ta si na asilmo nde ort larthince castll evtese. Ditho e ma oftesiha stricawer, strou wh ng wa conherour acusev hisundcom whti onsousday tedvorsom nito pa paas ch whibletra sonte pr sselio ateoulstiore na ofpe. Ich onour... P lareenany ieilek meno misa evpr urich lilin fo manverurelatwer st rito whe..."]

Remmi looked up, and saw that menacing single arched eyebrow that suggested a storm was brewing... Apparently he had said something wrong.

[Language unknown:  "...wa, chset t sipole on mi herencver ieesfi peaiti ouhat ngmahi hatkorera, est diast asthouver dernotsom. Strbe Pesan, sanichithtio! Of, ll nthofo adnt ut etrong m Atel Pond oun der escemi, iou lescomate ceweon. Ive ekic moro wi tipe urelar venvorhisove be ceusla eilo'whpoicth. Riil fo omacngen nd ch ich liekroel ceble fo ithof Moelou."]

The three women and the two bodyguards reach the noble district docks and hire a private gondola to take them all the way to the western end of the merchant district. They moor next to the prestigious Telvanta dance academy when they arrive there, much to Amarilde's excitement. Apparently she was a student there as a child, and that is somehow connected to how she met Eseriel. The young redhead is eager to reminisce with the old magus, but a glower from the cleric stops her chatting about it immediately. The two Nuari islanders are far from impressed - the building looks old and run down.

They walk up Frogwallow street and come to a small shop on a corner. A large sign across the front door says 'Bronson's Bridal Boutique', but everyone's eyes are drawn instead to the broken window to one side of the door, and the glass covering the street from where something has been apparently thrown through an upstairs window.

There is also blood scattered across the cobblestones and an oily blue fluid slowly leaking out from under the door.

OOC: So, play it out as you want. Maybe Agnati just walks straight out with Karthach, or maybe Alohan & Celene burst into the shop first.

Alohan thought much of Remmi's words. He wasn't a religious man but could still respect the power which these faiths brought to bare, especially ones that seemed to empower women. A clergy that seldom married and boasted female dominated tendencies didn't discourage Alohan. The opposite, in fact. With Remmi's words, Alohan was glad he showed a bit of discretion with the silent priest. If he hadn't he might have offended her and possibly received a box on the ears for his troubles.

At the sight of struggle Alohan quickly stepped up to the side of Amarilde, throwing his arm out across her chest as if to brace her for impact. He couldn't help but notice the firmness of her upper body, suddenly realizing what he had done. He coughed slightly, than lowered his hand to his weapon. "Remmi, stay wit de laddies. I be checking for danger." It wasn't a request. Alohan knew Remmi would default to his judgement during potential conflict. After all, Alohan had thrown Remmi around quite a bunch during bouts of pa uma and his hoaloha knew him to be better in things physical.

With a cautious look behind, the Nuari Prince adopted a low stance and hoisted his shark tooth club from it's sling. With a few careful steps, the barefooted barbarian avoided any broken debris and slipped past the building's threshold.

Seeing the native warrior take the frontal assault, Celene happily settles for moving up ahead of Lady Eseriel, both to cover her, and to be able to support the native if he should need it. On the way to the front, she quickly peers around the debris from the upper window, if tracks or anything should be left that could indicate was came out the window.

From the broken window, 4 people could be seen, a man lying on the ground utterly still, another man thin pacing around the place on the verge of tears, a dwarf keeping an eye on the man in the ground and an older woman whose main concern at that point was the mess her own dress was at after having fallen on top of the dies.

"There is someone out there" said the woman loudly thinking it would be the guard "Are you waiting for someone else Bronson?", she asked the pacing thing man, as she approached the door opening it just as a the broad black man entered the building.

Angati couldnt help but making a short yell and taking a step backwards almost loosing her foot on the slippery dyes."Who the ... ?" she half shouted, as she regained her foot.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Tue 10 Feb 2015.

"What?! No, I'm not expecting anybody else except Miss Vanderboren! Who are you people? If you have come to rob me you are several hours too late!"

The cowardly tailor takes a couple of steps back towards the stairs, obviously intending to bolt back to his bedroom if things get nasty again.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

"Well it looks like this is my lucky day," says the dwarf who is wearing some sort of toga that looks like it used to be white, but is now speckled with blue dye. He tilts his head from side to side to work out a couple of chrinks with a loud cracking noise.

"Mmmmm, mmm, Mmmmhh!" mumbls Flegon as he keeps the mushroom carefully clamped under his toungue.

"Shut up dog!" yells the head of the shrine of poetry and art as he puts his boot on the thug's head.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

There is nothing on the ground that indicates what was thrown through the window - other than a few spots of blood.

With the rackus coming from within, Celene abandons the crime scene investigation outside, and follows Alohan inside. Stepping around him, she demands, "who are you, and what has happened here? Is anybody hurt?"

Her eyes are then drawn towards the odd sight of the man lying beneath the dwarf's boot.

Alohan differed to Celene, concerning himself with protecting the lady in case one of those present harbored ill feelings. He didn't suspect they could do much damage -a beautiful older lady, a old dwarf, and a stuttering mess of a man inside a ruined shop couldn't be much of a threat. Alohan doubted those present were responsible especially since none moved to kill them at their entrance. Still, he naturally slipped up close to Celene -a step back and to her side- hand holding his weapon in case of trouble.

Angati mastered herself as the young lady entered and started asking questions as if she owned the place, for some reason, probably half caused because of simple jealousy for her beauty, she just didn't want to make it easy for her... 'and who the hell did she think she was ?... well, at least she had asked if someone was hurt which was probably alright... but she was too damn beautiful and young'.

Trying to master a bit her feeling she just asked "You are not Miss Vanderboren are you ?" she asked just in case she had missed something. "That is Mr. Bronson, the owner of the shop... he has just been robbed and attacked... twice. That one there is one of the robbers, he should be fine if he keeps still and lets the antidote work.... He" she said signaling the dwarf "is Karthach, head of the Shrine of Liir, where I work as a novice".

As an after thought she added "My name is Angati".

Having a hard time remembering all the various and very diverse denominations of Sasserine, Celene took the old womans words and her gentle appearance as meaning that Liir was a benign deity. Albeit she wasn't so sure about that feisty dwarf. She did seem to remember something of a god of writing, though.

Sensing that the elderly lady was a bit... on edge, very likely due to the recent vandalism and violence (which Celene could very well follow), Celene adopted a more courteous and less straight-forward approach

"Greetings Angati, I am happy to make your acquaintance. No, you are right, miss Vanderboren is waiting outside while her guard", Celene nods towards the big warrior, "make sure the premises are safe. It looked quite unsafe from the outside. I am a novice too, of Wee Jas, and my name is Celene. I am here with Magus Eseriel of Wee Jas, on the request of miss Vanderboren. But on seeing the scene from outside, I went forth to help clear out the matter and prevent any ... cultural difficulties, as the guards are not native to Sasserine. But now that I have had the time to see you properly, I also realise that you of course couldn't be behind this vandalism. Excepting of course the man you've aptly pacified there. I am sorry for your ill luck, mr. Bronson", she adds in the direction of the befuddled tailor.

The Prince relaxed his guard at Celene's introduction and explanation. The lady Angati had been in the wrong place at the wrong time -and as far as Alohan could tell- she was telling the truth. With hostilities now abruptly ended, the Nuari turned to leave, leaning close to whisper to the young priest of Wee Jas. "I will bring de Lady Amarilde," Alohan purred, stepping past and out the building.

"My lady. Ya be fittin' to enter. All be well, but,", he began, searching for the right word. "It lookin' like de Mr. Bronson was relieved of his belongings." Alohan stepped to the side to allow the Magus and Lady Vanderboren to pass. He glanced at Remmi and gave him a silent shrug, as if the entire situation was above his patience. His people rarely stole from one another. The concept was lost on him. Everything was decided over with a bout of 'pa uma.' To take someone's possessions without their knowledge was something he had only just recently come to understand.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:31, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Amarilde and Eseriel enter the shop, followed by Remmi. Both of the ladies do their best to avoid getting the oily blue dye on their shoes, but Remmi isn’t worried. His shoes are pretty much crap already.

Amarilde looks around the shop with open dismay. “Bronson, what the frak happened here? Are you OK?”

This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

The little tailor looks up at the young lady’s entrance, a small trace of relief appearing on his face for a second before being replaced by a look that suggested he was going to cry again. “Miss Vanderboren! It is so good to see you! I was robbed… twice! But fortunately master Karthach and miss Agnati arrived in time to at least stop the second robbery and save my life. He was going to drown me in my own bathtub! And Miss Vanderboren, the first one stole your dress! And another one of them kicked over a vat of blue dye and made this mess…” The man sounds like he is going to continue blabbering on incoherently without stopping, but Amarilde stops him.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

“Woah, woah, woah. Back up there. What the *FRAK* did you say about my dress?” states the young lady very firmly.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Bronson pauses, unnerved by the terrible look that has appeared on Amarilde’s face. “Why Miss Vanderboren. The first robber that come this morning stole your dress, he asked for it specifically and…”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Amarilde takes a step towards the little man and put her hands either side of his head. “Do you mean my dress is gone?! The wedding is tonight you little fool! Where the frak is my dress!!” She begins to shake his head frantically backwards and forwards.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

While Amarilde takes out her anger on the poor tailor, Celene quietly ask the novice of Liir, "have you found any clues as to who has taken the dress, or where it's gone?", all the while hoping the little man will hold up to the punishment Amarilde is dishing out.

Raised voices drew Alohan back into the building. He witnessed Amarilde take her frustrations out on the shop keep and slowly pieced together the obvious -her dress wasn't here. From what he had heard, the accused thief asked for the dress specifically. To Alohan, it seemed a bit too obvious. No one had cause to sabotage her wedding -besides his own more physical need- than her cousin Vanthus, the man enamored with his own blood.

He stepped up and put a large hand on Amarilde's arm, attempting to draw her attention away from snapping the man's neck. "Ko'u aloha, please," he said in a gentle tone. "Don't fault de man for not being de brightest star in de sky. De man say the thief be asking for the dress personally. Now dink my ko'u aloha, who in ya family be wantin' to ruin ya wedding? Alohan let the questioning accusation hang for it to set in Amarilde's mind. Assuming she followed Alohan's thinking, the native continued.

"Please, describe your cousin to da man, see if he be recognizing."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Amarilde growled. "Fine. Vanthus is in his early twenties, has dark brown hair down to his shoulders and a beard which he spends far too much time trimming." She turns to Bronson. "Does that sound like the first man who came into your shop this morning who you GAVE MY DRESS TO! What the FRAK! Why didn't you give himself something else than my dress! Or someone else's dress!"

It looks like she is going to begin shaking him again.


Vanthus Vanderboren - wedding wrecker and cousin lover
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

"Please! Please! Miss Vanderboren! I didn't know what else to do! No, that does not sound like the first man I saw at all. He was terrible. All scars, tattoos and broken teeth. And Agnati has already been successful in getting a name for him. Apparently he is called 'Soller Vark' and lives in Shadowshore."

The tailor starts sobbing yet again. "Miss Vanderboren, I swear that when I last saw your dress is was still in good order. I gave it to him in a wooden box so it didn't even get dirty. And if he wanted to destroy it he could have done it right here in the shop! Why did he take it with him?!"


Soller Vark - he got his biggest scar from fighting a pirate... or so he says
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Wed 11 Feb 2015.

Angati was just about to answer when Bronson did it for her, she just made a gesture with her hand as if saying "There you go". When the man finished speaking she just said "These other fellows, him and his companion" she said signaling the mand in the floor "Crossed ways with Soller, while he was taking away the loot, and had the great idea of robbing the same shop again... they don't seem to know more about the man, or about why he would be interested in getting your dress".

Angati did not approve of the way that Miss Amarilde was treating the poor man, who had been close to dying, but she understood that the woman probably saw this as the worst catastrophe that could happen to her... it was a big thing, getting married 'probably another one of those things I have skipped' she thought gloomily.

Celene adresses miss Vanderboren, but speaks out for everyone to hear.

"I don't know this 'Soller Vark', and Shadowshore is an easy place to hide an army if you wanted. But I've recently come across a person who may be able to help us locate this Vark. But I would suggest not taking this entire parade down there. Fewer would be better, if wanting to be discreet, especially in Shadowshore."

Eseriel looks around the room with a dismissive air and then back at her novice. "Surely you are not going to involve yourself with this rabble?" she asks. "Celene, get my bags, we are going back to the temple. Amarilde, good luck on retrieving the dress and with the rest of the day."

Checking out the Magus interaction with Celene, Angati eyed Karthach raising her eyebrows silently questioning him. She wanted to help, but this might be a bit off her league, so she would leave it on Karthach's ... also to consider was that her family might make him responsible should anything happen to her, so it did not feel right to make any moves on her part without at least having an ok from the Dwarf.

Amarilde rubs her hands across her eyes, as though to hold back tears, but otherwise ignores the thoughtless comments of the Wee Jas cleric. She looks at the Nuari warrior.

"Alohan. Please, you need to go and find this Vark character and see if you can get my dress back. I'll pay a substantial bonus if you can get it. Oh, and if you find him," she pauses and squeezes his shoulder. "Make him regret what he has done here today."

"Don't worry girl!" says Karthach cheerfully. "Aganti and I will get your dress back. You just stay here and make sure the district watch take away this clown!"

"Umm. Thanks," says Amarilde. "Who are you again?"

"Ha! I am the head of the temple of poetry and art, but before that I grew up on the streets of champion district and I know how to handle this sort," answers the dwarf.

Remmi spoke up. "I think I will stay here Sire... I mean, Alohan. I will guard the ladies in case there are any more problems."

"And me! You'll be guarding me as well!" says Bronson.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:13, Fri 13 Feb 2015.

"Yes, you were pretty much included in the 'ladies' category, tailor," answers the suave islander.

OOC: Ahhh! Too many NPC's. Except for Karthach, the rest are staying here. Eseriel is going to head back to the temple as soon as Celene has picked up their bags.

Next stop: Shadowshore. We need to visit someone who lives there and might know where Soller Vark hangs out.

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:14, Fri 13 Feb 2015.

Alohan gave Amarilde a nod, "Dis be something Alohan can do for you, ko'u aloha. But I am new to dis, Shadowshore. Convince ya lady -Ms Eseriel- be letting her lady of Wee Jas join me in my search. She be knowing people to help me find dis... Vark." The islander pointed to the cleric, the one whom had been so bold to enter the building with himself when few would. The woman he had been enamored with since laying eyes on her.

"And you menehune," he said, turning to Karthach. "Help be appreciated... but perhaps dis business not be suited for lady's of her station," Alohan began, motioning to the lady Aganti. She looked competent enough but she didn't look to be the sort fitting to find a thief in the middle of Shadowshore. In truth, Alohan had no clue the type of person she was -he just didn't want her getting herself hurt under his care.

"We be making good time either way. Ya wedding be important to me my ko'u aloha. Alohan find ya dress."

Angati shifted her weight while pulling her dress up a bit to avoid it getting wet on the die again "Thank you for your concern... hmmm... Alohan. I can very much keep up with the rest, without getting in the way, and I'll be more useful than you think although you might not notice it...". She wanted to explain further, but in her experience that never helped so, she just shut her mouth and marched in with the rest towards Shadowshore.

OOC: OK, just waiting for Celene to somehow tell Eseriel she is coming to Shadowshore and not back to the temple

Celene respectfully lowered her head at Lady Eseriels rebuke, answering dutyfully "Yes, Magus". During the ensuing talk, however, she whispered to the nearest, that being Angati, "Go to 'The Skinnned Man' tavern in Shadowshore. Ask the 'keep for Logan, and if he's not there, wait around a few hours."

Celene then silently strode to the side of Lady Eseriel, picking up her bags, wearing a neutral face.

So Alohan, Agnati and the NPC Karthach are going to Shadowshore to try and track down Soller Vark. Ron & Benigno, you happy enough to follow Celene's suggestion and go to 'The Skinned Man' tavern and ask for 'Logan'?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Sun 15 Feb 2015.

Celene gets the Magus' bags and then the two of them head back towards the gondola docks. Amarilde looks after them bitterly. "Thanks for nothing," she says, but only after Eseriel is well out of earshot.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Sun 15 Feb 2015.

The Nuari islander, and the two from the shrine of Liir say their goodbyes and make their way to Shadowshore via the Cudgel district. The sun is now in the middle of the sky and is turning Sasserine into its typical mid-day humid hell, and Karthach and Agnati are covered in sweat by the time they get to the Skinned Man tavern. Alohan seems immune to the day's heat. Maybe the days in the Pearl Islands are even hotter.

The tavern is grim and dirty, and the tavernkeeper is far from helpful - an enquiry to him about 'Logan' only brings a blank stare. Karthach then hands over a few silver pieces and the 'keep shrugs and says Logan often drinks there, but hasn't been in that day. He knows where the young man lives, but couldn't possible give that information to strangers... Karthach sighs and hands over a few more coins. The tavernkeeper pockets the money and gives them an address in Rubble street where he says that Logan lives on the top floor.

Alohan proves useful at this point as he has just rented a place in Rubble street. He leads the way and they soon stand outside the worn door of a grungy looking apartment. Karthach knocks politely.

OOC: Knock, knock. Anyone home?

A tall man with elvish blood answers the door.  He looks a little bedraggled - there's an obvious smell of liquor in the air around him, and he has a nasty wound healing on his neck.  He looks out the door, as if unable to believe the gathering of people on his doorstep.  He rubs his eyes again, seeing them all still there.  "Huh.  What's this, then?  Did Vorsh decide he wants to settle some loose ends?  Or maybe you're from what's-his-name?  The noble?  Finally got over whatever that sword did to him and hired you all for revenge?"

During the way to the tavern, given that there was just nothing better to do, Angati approached the islander making small talk with him, to learn a bit about where he came from, the man looked able, and seemed impervious to the heat and humidity of the place, while she had very unladylike stains darkening the area around her armpits. She didn't want to feel intrusive, but she was curious to know... it was not often that she went out of the shrine, and this guy surely had much to tell. She also offered information about herself, if asked, although she left her curse aside for the time being.

Upon getting to Logan's place, she couldn't help slightly raising an eyebrow, "You are Logan then ?" upon confirmation she continued "Celene has sent us to you... there is a dress that we need to find out, a guy by the name of Soller Vark has it, and he is supposed to be in the Shadowshore district. But she didn't have the time to tell us how, with what or why you'd be willing to help us".
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Mon 16 Feb 2015.

That's Soller Vark you're looking for, unless you made the typo on purpose ;)

Logan stares for a few seconds, as though unable to put together what he is hearing and seeing.  Then he smiles.  "Celene sent you?  Well, I can't turn down a favor from here."  He shakes his head, smiling.  "Why would she get messed up with Soller Vark?  And a dress?"  Logan sighs.  "Whatever.  I'll help.  Wait here while I get a few things."  He turns back into the shoddy apartment, and a few rustling noises and sounds of light metal jingling can be heard.  In a gentle voice, you here him calling quietly to a back room: "Bye, mom.  Got to help some friends.  Be back in a bit."  Smiling, he comes to the door again, and closes it, then begins leading the group out of his apartment building.

"Yeah, Vark's in Shadowshore.  He's a small-time hoodlum with a nasty streak.  Seen that scar on his head?  He always likes to claim he got it fighting a pirate, thinks it makes him look tough."  Logan chuckles.  "He actually got in a bar fight, though."  Logan shrugs.  "Not as glamorous perhaps, but it seems to work."  After passing a few houses, Logan turns right, down Gull Street.  "We're most likely to find him in Barge End.  It's down there," Logan points to a moldering dock full of old boats and barges fit for the scrap heap.

Alohan followed their entourage, disappointed Remmi had remained behind. He understood the necessity but that left Alohan with no one to talk to! Of course, imagine his surprise when Angati filled the time with questions of his homeland, most he was happy to indulge in answers. He continued to chat with the woman, letting her know how a life time under the sun had built up a resistance in his skin. Sure, Alohan had felt the heat. To the islander, it was better to focus on retaining ones personal homeostasis than on the unrelenting equatorial sun. He reciprocated the questions, asking about her life and learning of her duties under Karthach.

At the forefront of Gull Street, Alohan had ceased small talk. This Barge End would require his utmost attention, especially with the promise of danger. "Does dis... Varek have a following?", he asked Logan, looking down at the heap of floating lumber. "Can we be expecting resistance?" Alohan knew of Varek's type. Men whom boasted more than the truth, false sayers that attempt to garner support from false deeds. Despite their idiotic ramblings and imaginative doings the type always attracted equally weak minded individuals until they were always greater than the sum of their despicable parts.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:59, Tue 17 Feb 2015.

OOC: And because of the rule that the party always needs to stick together...

As they are walking down Gull Street they see a young lady walking towards them from the other direction. At first none of them recognise her, but as they draw closer the blonde girl greets them and they see that it is Celene! She has changed out of her novice garb and is now dressed in normal street clothes.



Barge End Location Map

Logan, you gained 1hp over night from resting. Are you going to drink a potion of healing or risk running around with 2 hp?

Alohan & Logan are wearing their armour and have most of their adventuring equipment with them.

Likewise, Celene is dressed for adventuring with the equipment she has (which is not much).

Agnati is dressed in street clothes and has the stick of knowledge.

Karthach is dressed in a toga and has a knife.

With a devious smile, Celene raises her right hand in greeting, heading towards Logan, and stopping just in front of him, blocking his way.

"Hi again, friend. How are you feeling now, still all knocked up? Did you at least get a bit of sleep, before these fine people got you up again?"

In a somewhat lower voice, she continues, hoping most of it gets lost on the rest of the crew.
"I am sorry if you were caught unprepared, but they were in a tight spot, needing someone with first hand knowledge and information on the going ons in Shadowshore. And your name came up - from me I'm afraid. But mention of a bonus made me reflect that you'd seemed needing, for 'her' sake. I won't snoop in who that is, but thought you'd like a chance for a part of it? And then I thought I'd come along to look after you! At least after I'd finish my chores and homework at the temple, and my mistress dismissed me", the last part coming out in an obvious ironic tone.

"I hope my outfit is proper for this occasion?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:59, Tue 17 Feb 2015.

Logan shakes his head in response to Alohan's question.  "No, Soller's too unstable to attract a crew.  Sometimes he gets one or two people to follow him, but usually scares them off in a few days, a week at most.  Right now, he's managed to get himself in good with a gang.  Goes by the name 'The Lotus Dragons.'  But they don't usually hang around much in this part of town."  Logan gestures to the run-down buildings and scrap-heap ships.  "Not a whole lot worth stealing here, right?"

When Logan spots Celene, he breaks into a grin.  "Didn't think our paths would cross again so soon!"  He manages a sly smile.  "As a matter of fact, I did get some sleep...after drinking enough ale to forget what was in that cellar."  Logan rubs his head.  "That might have been a bad idea."  Leaning in and responding in a conspiratorial whisper, Logan whispers back to Celene: "Thanks.  That payoff from Vorsh was nice, and it's nice to have contacts in the, er, nicer parts of the city.  Like I said, anytime you need my help!  I owe you."  He appraises Celene's outfit.  "Well, I'm not sure anything without rips and dirt on it is altogether appropriate for Barge End, but this should work."

Logan would have drunk the potion.  Can't be wandering around Shadowshore with 1 hp!
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:49, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

OOC: Logan, if you drank it before you were out of the house then ok, else... Angati would have healed you some, seeing as you were battered, before moving on... so its your call. Let me know and I'll post accordingly.

In reply to Angati (msg # 69):

Yeah, I would have drunk it yesterday.  Logan wouldn't have wanted to walk home (let alone go out for a drink) with only 1 hp left.  Shadowshore can be a dangerous place.  You don't want to get killed in a bar brawl.

Alohan patiently waits for the cleric and her Shadowshore rogue to cease their chatter all the while watching Barge End. He thought more on this 'Lotus Dragons,' wondering if Varek Soller would be in the midst of this gang or if it was another dead end. Stealing a dress did see like a typical 'mark' but then again, the whole concept of stealing from your fellow man was still new to Alohan. Perhaps Varek was by his lonesome, waiting for the repercussions he thought wouldn't come.

"We be moving down de street now?" he asked, looking between the cleric and the rogue.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Wed 18 Feb 2015.

The party continues walking down the road until they reach the shoreline and the wretched stretch of harbour called 'Barge End' - a crowded and treacherous shantytown which is where 'boats go to die' in Sasserine. Here the slums of Shadowshore come to an abrupt end down by the great lagoon in a tumble of shacks, docks and a few warehouses. The shouts of merchants pedalling every type of good from their boats and the cacophony of shrieking gulls are ever present. The shoreline is so crowded with old boats, from retired fishing vessels to decayed barges, that it is nearly impossible to see the water at all unless one looks well away from shore. Any maybe that is a good thing considering the quality of the water. Raw sewage from the district above is dumped directly into the harbour here, leaving the water smelling putrid.

OOC: Barge End is a tangled mess. Despite Logan knowing that Soller Vark is here somewhere, it is going to take some searching to find him. Any plans?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:02, Wed 18 Feb 2015.

Logan looks around Barge End, and scratches his head.  "And now comes the hard part.  We need to find him.  If he's rewarding himself for a good payday, he might be celebrating in one of those taverns or flophouses.  Or perhaps he's already finished celebrating, and is now recovering."  A dropped crate causes Logan to wince.  "Something I can definitely relate to."  The rogue shrugs his shoulders.  "I say we start with the Drunken Sailor over there."  Logan points to a half-ruined building featuring a crude drawing of a sailor enjoying an ale.  "You might want to let me ask around.  I could pretend I'm looking to recruit Soller for a job and see if anyone knows of him."

There's my suggestion.  What's your preference on RP vs rolling this out?  I suppose it would be a Diplomacy (Gather Information) roll in the latter case.

Toot! Toot! What's that? A train. Strange, I guess we must be on a RAILROAD.

The little dwarf's ears perk up at the suggestion of visiting a tavern. "That's a good idea Logan. He could be in there, and even if he isn't this is going to be hot and thirsty work. We should fortify ourselves. <sigh> And we don't even know if SOLLER VARK is even down here!" says Karthach, perhaps a little too loudly.

A petite brown haired girl in the boat next to the docks looks up suddenly. She had been working on the fishing boat - cleaning and gutting fish which are now spread over the deck - but stops her labour and stares at the party with undisguised interest.

"...and who know if even he has THE WEDDING DRESS with him!" says Kathach chattily.

The pretty girl stands bolt upright, pulls back her hood and screams across the noisy harbour in a voice that is surprisingly powerful for one so small. "Soller! These frak-heads are frakking looking for you!" she says with one hand pointing in their direction, still holding the filleting knife.

Several boats and some water away, a nasty looking man looks up from where he is messing around on a boat and sneers. With a grunt, the man picks up a ornate looking wooden box and tucks it under his arm, and then starts running in the direction exactly opposite from the party!

20:04, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d6. Roll for contents of crates - Soller Vark.
Hmm, interesting
20:11, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 21 using 1d20+5. Web attack versus Soller Vark.
It's a definite hit. Poor Soller. He didn't get very far.

He clears the five foot gap between his boat and the next without difficulty and hustles over the next boat to reach what looks to be merchant's barge. He tries to run across this, but a sticky web flies out of a crate hidden beneath some straw and tangles across the bottom of his legs.

Welcome to the Barge End Chase. Please read the rules in the 'Barge End Chase Rules and Maps' thread and let me know if you have any questions. The bad guys got to move first because this is their home tuff. It is now round 1, party's turn - see map 2 in the other thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:19, Wed 18 Feb 2015.

Karthach is the first to react. "I'll run back to the main street and then come down one of the side roads. Make sure he doesn't get past you!"

So the NPC is going to run off the map to the north, across to the east and then back onto the map. How many rounds is this going to take? Enough that he arrives just too late to do anything useful. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Wed 18 Feb 2015.

"Push dat girl into de water for me-" he grumbled, breaking into a sprint. He hopped down from dock to boat, finding his footing almost instantly despite the deck's sudden lurch. "Be gone kaikamahine!," he roared at the girl, swipping a pawl in her direction. As he ran past, one confident foot was placed on the boat's rail and Alohan hurled himself out over open water.

He landed on the opposite barge, gaining his balance almost immediately. Continuing his athletic tear, Alohan bounced across barges until he was once more situated on the wooden planks of the neighboring dock. Here he oriented himself east and sprung forward, launching him to the southern most river barge. Despite being their final resting place here at Barge End, the husks of the ships were second nature to the islander and he soon found himself with weapon range of the scumbag Vark.

"Ya be makin' me angry boy!" Alohan rumbled, setting his feet about him.

---

With a +7 to acrobatics, moving between boats and docks should be easy for Alohan
Boat D3 -> Barge D7 | F7 to I7 (success?) = 15:38, Wed 18 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 16 using 1d20+7 ((9)).
Dock -> D8 | N8 to P10 (success?) = 15:42, Wed 18 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 19 using 1d20+7 ((12))
Watch the native leap 15 ft!!

This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Thu 19 Feb 2015.

Logan was momentarily torn between berating Karthach for spoiling their approach and chasing down Soller.  The dwarf's departure settled the matter, and Logan sped after Alohan, marveling at the man's speed and power.  Logan ran onto Ketrana's boat and leaped for the next barge, landing on the deck, but without the other man's grace.  Undaunted, Logan continued across the barges onto the dock.

16:05, Today: Logan rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Acrobatics vs 10ft: Boat D3-Barge D7.
Run down dock to D7, diagonal to E8, jump across G8-H8, run across barges to dock, finish at M9.

Seeing the boys jump, nay fly off, Celene realised this was not a game for her. She momentarily considered using magic to cheat in the game, but noting how quickly Alohan had caught up with the quarry, she settled for climbing into the nearest boat to stay as close to the action as possible, while keeping a VERY close eye on the obnoxious brat that gave them away, in case she was considering helping Soller any more. Also, if any other in the area should help him, she would be ready.

Goes to rear end of boat, F9.

Angati saw how Alohan jumped and moved between the barges, the boats, the rafts, all with a sure foot, and immediatly knew that she wouldn't be able to help much. Soon Alohan and Sorrel were quite out of reach, and that left her not quite knowing what to do... it was quite difficult to move around with that dress and she wasn't really the physical type.

So turning towards the girl, she just smiled and said "Girl, we don't want to hurt you or Soller... we just want to recover a wedding dress, if you help me, I promise we won't hurt any of you and I will even pay you for your time... if you don't, well, that big man really does loose it when he gets angry".

---

Move: 6D
Standard: Bluff / Diplomacy.
Free: Use missfortune if needed.
The idea is to first bluff with a most credible lie, as I show no weapons, and really the big black man is scary (your call on wether that gets a bonus or not... the idea is that she would at least be neutral towards me. If I 'foresee' the wrong reaction I'd use my Misfortune on her so that she rolls again her sense motive.

09:36, Today: Angati rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Bluff Girl.
09:37, Today: Angati rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy Girl.

Oh, it could have been so beautiful. Unfortunately, the tough conditions of Barge End intercede to ruin an otherwise great plan.


"FRAKKER!" screams the girl as she lashes out at him with her little filleting knife - but the warrior is past before she is able to get close to him.

Unfortunately, in his haste to get started Alohan had not seen that the floor of Ketrana's little boat was covered in fish heads and entrails. As the warrior lengthens his stride to reach the railing of the boat, he slips on some fish guts and ends up falling to one knee and sliding into the side of the vessel.

Agnati, watching from the quayside, closes her eyes and grits her teeth and then time seems to stand still for Alohan. To his terror, time then seems to slip *backwards* and he is jerked back to his feet and pulled back a few yards. Then without any warning he was released. The islander is so surprised that he ends up falling flat on his ass - much to Ketrana's cackling delight.

Only Alohan and Agnati notice the time replay effect. Benigno, I thought long and hard about using misfortune there or not, but figured it would make sense since Alohan was so near the start of his turn. Ron, sorry but you are going to have to roll that magnificent jump again. At least I know what your plans are now... Alohan is prone and needs to spend a move action to get up - and will provoke another AoO from the foul mouthed girl.

On this fishing boat, it is necessary to pass a DC14 acrobatics check once per round to move more than 5' per action.

19:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Alohan on slippery floor.
DC = 14. This is a fail.
19:23, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Alohan on slippery floor - misfortune reroll.
Another fail?!
19:26, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+2. Ketrana AoO.
Miss

The half elf was admiring the other man's figure so much, that he also failed to see the fish ichor seeping into the deck, and slipped similarly onto his back. Ketrana roars with laughter.

19:42, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Logan slippery boat check.
Fail
And Agnati can't use her power because she can only use one immediate action when it is not her turn. Sorry! Please ignore my other rolls in the dice roller.

Logan is prone in square E8

"What a bunch of frakking losers!" screams the girl in a voice that is as loud as it is foul-mouthed. She is laughing her head off.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Thu 19 Feb 2015.

19:56, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20. Celene on the slippery boat.
Oh, but she has no bonus so of course she makes it! It happens just as you wrote.

20:00, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d20. Ketrana sense motive.
No need for a bonus as it turns out, but FYI I would have probably given +5. I mean, you do look harmless and were unarmed. But what is the point? She didn't think you were very dangerous to start with, to be honest. Is this so you can get close without being attacked and start a conversation? Is that what the diplomacy roll is for? We'll use that diplomacy roll next round if you want to try and 'calm her down' a bit and adjust her attitude from hostile up to unfriendly. The DC was 24, so you passed by 3.

Meanwhile, several boats away, Soller frantically tries to wriggle out the web globbed onto his feet. Despite his best efforts, he isn't able to quite get free.

Ketrana lowers her knife... a little. "We don't know anything about no frakking wedding dress lady," she says, with a manner that doesn't suggest total honesty. But at least she doesn't attack Agnati, or the island warrior trying to get to his feet below her. "Just get off my frakking boat."

20:11, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+2. Soller vark escape artist vs web DC12.
Benigno, let me know if you want to make a sense motive check to see if she is lying.

Hell, who am I kidding. It is pretty clear to Aganti that she is lying!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Thu 19 Feb 2015.

New map posted on the other thread. Round two, player's turn.

---

Alohan HP:15/15  AC:17/14/13 PRONE!
Logan  HP: 9/ 9  AC:17/14/13 PRONE!
Agnati HP:11/11  AC:17/11/16
Celene HP: 7/ 7  AC:11/10/11

Celene stares befuddled down at the two flubbing around on the deck of the boat. "What are you two doing??", she exclaims while moving slowly to the rear of the boat. However, she still thinks it prudent to position her with the two males between her and that pesky girl with that knife, yet still towards the middle axis of the boat, away from the railing.

Reckoning that their own situation was no better than Vollers, and that he had his head start, Celene decides to resort to other means, lest he'd slip from their grasp. Staying quite still, and fixing her stare on the struggling Voller, she starts to mumble undecipherable syllables.

---

Free : | Swft : | Move : | Stnd : | Full : Cast Sleep centered on Voller, takes 1 round to cast - DC16 Will Save if she makes the casting. Duration: 1 minute only, but it may buy us time to get over there.

---

HP: 7/7 |  AC: 11/10/11 | CMD: 9 | Saves: 0/0/+4

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :

Spell options pending question regarding regained spells.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Thu 19 Feb 2015.

Alohan's intention of closing the gap and nabbing the thief was broken by the very girl he wanted to strangle. When his feet hit the deck of her scummy boat, he fell. Hard. Furthermore, she attempted to lash out at him with a knife. How dare she?! She was nothing short of a nuisance -and had the wedding dress not been important- he would have thrown her into the harbor.

"I be coming back for ya, kaikamahine," he vowed, grabbing the boat's rail and hoisting himself to his feet. He ignored the girl's haphazard attack, gritting his teeth to set his feet. Yet his momentum was broken. His feet slick which fish chum and he felt himself lurch when catapulting himself across the chasm.

With a great big splash, the great big native kaplunked into the water. His determination had him nab the barge with one massive hand. It wasn't enough to make the leap but it allowed himself positioning to emerge from the water. Gripping the planks, the Prince hauled himself from the water in one smooth motion, breaking into a run heading north.

---

Move to Stand, Move to jump =10ft. Fail =10ft. Climb, move remaining 20ft to L7
Boat D3 -> Barge D78 | F7 to I7 (fail) = 19:16, Thu 19 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 14 using 1d20+7 ((7)).
Reflex save (fail) = 19:18, Thu 19 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 13 using 1d20+3 ((10)).
Climb onto Dock (success) = 19:24, Thu 19 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 24 using 1d20+4 ((20)).

OOC: OK, just a comment here... it may be subject to interpretation, but the way I saw misfortune working with my character is that she gets a glimpse of the immediate future, and responding to that she forces the misfortune roll... I think rewinding time may lend itself to problems later on, but I am happy with any of the two ways on how we RP that effect.

Angati knew that the girl was lying, but that alone wasn't going to make her jump into harsh action, so once Alohan dived for the water she said "Well, you and I both know that you are lying, but I do understand that people do that... hell... I do it all the time. But... while it's of no consequence to me, I think it might be a problem to other people's high standards. I personally hate that, but I won't be able to protect you much if you don't give me something in return... something that I can use to calm down the big Fish your friend there has stirred...".

She paused there a second, her face becoming a bit more somber "Sharks really... big mean sharks... your friend there was unwittingly stirred and ruffled with the wrong people. There were interests behind this wedding that he cannot grasp, and that are going to wreck this place if this is not fixed before this morning is over....". Knowing that mixing truth with lies worked wonders she went on "I am some kind of a seer, you know... time flows differently for me... I can do things like what you saw, but its not worth the price, I'd take it off me if I could... you... this place... I see it all burning, and... ".

She waited a bit before going on "and I know something can be done, if its done before the morning is over... I just... I just don't know what but I know that you can be of some help... even a little piece of information might make the difference. Is it not worth it to save your boat, ? your life ?" she looked around her face and eyes a bit unfocussed as if she was seeing a much different scenery.

OOC: Angati is simply trying to get to better terms with the girl... and fishing for information if she can, though she is not pushing the girl to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:16, Fri 20 Feb 2015.

OOC: True, but I just thought it would be more interactive this way as more than just Agnati would be aware of the effect. But I can see that with so much happening in a round it really adds confusion, and yeah, it might lead to some sticky time shifting problems later. OK, we'll go back to the 'Agnati gets a glimpse of the immediate future grasps at the threads of time to find one more to her liking' concept.

OOC: OK, I am just going to use half your text and roll-over your diplomacy check from last round as we previously agreed. Ketrana is adjusted from hostile to unfriendly. Nice work!

Let me know if you want to try and adjust her from unfriendly to neutral, and we will reuse the other half of your test. The DC for that will be 19.

Ketrana lowers her fishing knife and crosses her arms, a  pugnacious look forming on her face. "Fish?! Humph! What do you know about fish? As much as me?" she asks, spreading her arms around her little boat filled with rotting fish entrails.

"If people from Shadowshore want to get ahead, then they have to take a few risks. It always been that way. And I'm not afraid of getting a few 'fish' excited in the process... After all, I know how to take care of them," she says suddenly brandishing her knife and trying to twirl it around her fingers. Neither her knife nor her dexterity with it are very impressive.

OOC: Hey, that is a 10' jump between the two vessels, so Alohan makes it with his 14 acrobatics check. It is the size of the gap that defines the jump, not the square to square distance. You jump from the very eastern edge of square F7 to the very western edge of I7 - that is 10 feet = DC10 acrobatics check.



OOC: I don't know, I have Agnati trying to calm her down on one side and a big native making threats on her other side. Is this meant to be some sort of good cop / bad cop routine?!

Ketrana is distracted from Agnati for a second, and stares at him with fury in her eyes. "Yeah! Well 'ai kukae a make," (eat shit and die) she says with surprisingly good pronunciation. It appears that her foul-mouthiness is not limited to one language.

OOC: But her attitude still remains at 'unfriendly' and she refrains from taking the AoO available to her.

Alohan grabs the boat's rail and hoists himself to his feet. He ignores the girl's harsh words, takes three steps back, grits his teeth and then sprints forwards.

The big native clears the distance with ample space to spare. He lands on the other side and nearly runs straight into a wall of crates stacked up in front of him. Apparently this is a merchant's vessel. He charges across it, and a few of the crates tumble over and land on him as he runs to the next boat. Their contents spill out, splattering all over him - the crates are filled with some kind of sticky, rotten fruit, way past their sell by date. With a furious wail, Alohan manages to ignore them, keep his breakfast in his stomach and keep running , but damn they smell worse than a baboons ass!

19:30, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d6. Contents of first merchant boat.
Sticky, stinky, rotten fruit!
19:33, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Alohan fort check DC12.
PASS!
The islander reaches the next vessel, and is faced by another wall of crates packed precariously high. There isn't time to go around, he just bursts through and hopes for the best. As the crates disintegrate, several dozen sleeping chickens are rudely awakened and released into the world, surrounding Alohan with a confusing cloud of white feathers. He tries to tumble and weave through them, but they overwhelm him and he is forced to stop and start fending them off.

19:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 1 using 1d6. Contents of second merchant boat.
CHICKENS!
19:38, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Alohan acrobatics check vs chickens DC12.
FAIL - loose the rest of your turn fending them off. But you made it to L8 which ain't bad

OOC: Vollers?! 'Soller Vark' please!


Yes, the DC is 16. Wow. High charisma + a feat. Before I roll this, just be aware that Soller is outside Agnati's 30' misfortune range so a reroll can't be forced.

But his will save is -1 :)

19:46, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 1 using 1d20-1. Soller Vark vs sleep DC16.

Soller suddenly stops his frantic efforts to escape from the web and falls back into the boat, sleeping soundly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:52, Fri 20 Feb 2015.

And now we just need Logan's actions. I'll update the map after I receive those.

You have 10 rounds to get over to him before he awakens. Should be enough. Keep in mind that the spell was cast in round 2.

Logan cautiously gets to he feet on the small boat, gripping the gunwale for support.  Clambering up onto the edge, he leaps for the  nearest pier, trying to emulate Alohan.  The rogue easily makes the jump landing on the next barge, and begins to advance towards the next pier.

Move Action 1: Stand from Prone
Move Action 2: Move to L8
15:01, Today: Logan rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Acrobatics Check for Jump.

Logan follows closely behind Alohan, but is totally unprepared for the stench that the rotten fruit has filled the air with. The thief has to pause to empty his stomach contents onto the floor of the barge.

"Oy! That's my boat you savage!" screams a merchant who appears from the other end of the vessel. But he takes one glance at the dark look in the rogue's face and backs off. "Well... better out than in I always say. Would you like take a couple with you to eat later?"

Logan lurches across the boat into a blinding storm of white chicken feathers, with Alohan in the exact middle. The islander is apparently in the process of being mobbed by over a dozen angry laying chickens. With a shake of his head, the thief squares his shoulders and run straight through and past him. With Alohan absorbing most of their furry, Logan is able to get through without any problems.

The next pier is now crowded with locals who have stopped working to watch the show. Logan has to elbow his way through to get further towards Vark. There are many cries of "Hey!" or "What the frak are you doing, Logan?" - but his green tinged face and bulging checks stop anybody from pursuing the questions further.

You make it all the way to N10. You are sickened until the end of your next turn.

21:37, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20. Logan Fort check vs stinky fruit.
21:38, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 1 using 1d3. Logan number rounds sickened.
21:41, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18 using 1d20+8. Logan acrobatics vs chickens.

New map posted on the other thread. Round three, bad guy's turn.

Soller Vark sleeps
Ketrana talks to Agnati (as above)

Round three, party's turn now.

---

Alohan HP:15/15  AC:17/14/13
Logan  HP: 9/ 9  AC:17/14/13 SICKENED!
Agnati HP:11/11  AC:17/11/16
Celene HP: 7/ 7  AC:11/10/11
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:58, Fri 20 Feb 2015.

Feeling queasy, Logan stands at the edge of the dock, sway gently.  He turns a spits some of his breakfast into the slimy waters below, wishing (not for the first time), that he had abstained from drink last night.  Staring into the boat next to him, he shakes his head and tries to leap directly over the barge, skipping whatever nasty surprises might lie in store.

Logan easily clears the boat, landing with a hard thump on top of the sticky webs and the sleeping form of Soller Vark.  Logan turns to look back at Alohan with a smirk on his face, watching the islander try to fight off a horde of chickens.  Finally, he pulls a coil of rope from his pack, preparing to truss up the wedding-dress thief.

Move: Jump to Q10
Move: Retrieve Rope from pack
16:42, Today: Logan rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Acrobatics Check for Jump.
(Including a -2 for being sickened.)

... mean while Angati continued to talk to the girl. The place was really a slum and she could get to understand certain law bending just to be able to get on with their life's.

OOC: Just continue working on diplomacy with the girl. (Please roll for me if another roll is needed Diplomacy +8)

OOC: Although, after this exertion, he will need to hydrate himself again no doubt...



OOC: What?! That is so cheating! :P



The thief makes the mistake of turning his back to the prow of the vessel, and therefore doesn't see the source of the soft *thruss* that emanates from one of the crates. But he does feel the impact of the sicky web as it hits him in the centre of his back and envelopes his upper body.

10:13, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Web attack versus Logan.
Versus AC17 = Hit

OOC: He is now entangled. Escape artist at DC12 or strength at DC16. Full round action to make either attempt



OOC: This doesn't happen



OOC: Nice jump! Logan's stomach, hardened from years of abuse, throws off the effects of the rotten fruit and he is no longer sickened.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:35, Sat 21 Feb 2015.

09:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Angati diplomacy 2.
Well, you're not quite persuasive enough this time, but at least you're close enough that you don't drop her back to hostile.

Ketrana shakes her head. "Sharks make for the best eating, don't you know that?! And I don't know if you can really see the future or not, but as for this frakken dump burning, I really don't give a frak - as long as I have moved on to somewhere nicer before it happens!"

And Celene passes this round...

Since the sleep spell shouldn't have taken effect until the start of Celene's next round, Soller gets an extra round and uses it try and break free from the web...

10:30, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Soller vark escape artist vs web DC12

...and fails miserably again.

I'll update the map after Alohan posts.

The last time Alohan was surrounded by this many cocks, the islander was back on Nuar.  He shuffled his feet, attempting to slide closer to the dock. His sudden movement sent the barge tipping violently to the side. He lost his balance and fell on his rear, feathers and loincloth flying. [Language unknown: "Ateve t anai Hatatiromkor!"] he hollered in his native language. [Language unknown: "Re t everomwit int! Ta il pr romlinous u ultrnt prla!"]

He batted at the chickens and quickly rose to his feet deciding his best course of action would be to simply burst forth. Trust his footing and reach the neighboring dock.

---

Move to out the Chickens- Fail =loss of move action? Try again- success? Move closer to Vark but avoiding the obvious webbing thing that seems to be plaguing Logan.
18:07, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 21 using 1d20+7. DC vs the chickens.
18:06, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 8 using 1d20+7. DC12 vs the chickens.

OOC: Sorry, I should have said. The chickens are not like the web thing, they only have a one round effect so Alohan is now totally free to move at the start of his turn.

I need to know the exact route that Alohan is going to take to get to Soller Vark... Sorry, but it is important this time.

Sneaky DM wants to know the route...

As for Angati, she will keep on working on the girl until she is at 'neutral' and then she will try to gather information to be able to get information.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Sun 22 Feb 2015.

Celene will simply be lookout, trying to see:
- what is going on in the boat with Soller
- if anyone else is nearby and could be interfering, ready to cast sleep if needed
- if Angati has the girl under control or at least keeping her calm
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Sun 22 Feb 2015.

Oh, I just want to draw the route on the map... totally harmless ;)

Agnati, I need a diplomacy check from you for next round, DC19

Diplomacy Roll:
19:44, Today: Angati rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy (Third Round).

Alohan bursts out of the cloud of chickens and shoves his way down the busy dock. The locals watching the show curse and shout but no-one is willing to put their neck on the line and try and stop him.

The islander makes it off the dock and onto the next vessel. A flash of movement from the other end of the boat catches his eye, and the warrior is just able to raise his weapon in time to fend off a dog which leaps at his throat. The animal lands and then bounds up to the top of a nearby crate, a deep growl emanating from its throat. Within a second it is joined by two more mangy dogs so that Alohan is now facing off against a trio of the beasts!

A few yards away, Soller continues to sleep.



20:34, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20. Alohan perception.
DC10 perception check to avoid surprise attack by lead dog

And Ketrana continues talking to Agnati.

End of round three
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:55, Mon 23 Feb 2015.

Logan wrests with the web wrapped around his chest, trying to get his hands free so that he can scrap the sticky strands away.

"Ho! Ho!" laughs one of the local wags from the docks above him. "Looks like you've gotten yourself into a sticky situ-"

The rogue completes a series of lightning fast moves that see the web pulled up over his head and thrown onto the deck of the boat.

"Oh... Well never mind," mutters the voice.

OOC: And as a swift action...

The thief then scans at the front of the boat. He spies the source of his problem - a set of multi-segmented red eyes peer out at him from a cage under some crates. Logan picks up a nearby tarpaulin and throws it over the cage.

OOC: This 'trap' is now deactivated. Logan has lost the entangled condition.

15:41, Sat 21 Feb: Logan rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Escape Artist.

19:44, Today: Angati rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy (Third Round).
It is so hard to get through to young people these days! Sorry, but the DC was 19. But at least you didn't move her back to hostile.




"The boat?!" Ketrana yanks her head up. "Yes, you're right, it is all about a frakken boat! Soller and I have our own ship now. Not a piece of frak like this thing." She waves her hand around in disgust at the rotting hulk they are standing on.

"We are going to sail away from this frakken dump, he promised me! We just need to do one more load for the Lotus Dragons and then..." The girl pales.

"Oh frak. Vanthus said he would kill us if we said anything." The girl drops the blade to the floor and takes a small hop backwards, splashing down into the murky water. Agnati peers after her, but all she can see is a spot in the water clear of refuse and trash which is quickly recovering. The girl doesn't resurface anywhere that the oracle can see.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:49, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

Celene & Alohan: you are still to act this round. What do you want to do?

The mangy dogs are AC 12/11/11
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Mon 23 Feb 2015.

OOC:Can I initiate spell casting?

Listening to Ketrana spilling the beans by mistake, Celene suddenly winces as she sees the dogs appearing on the far end. "Oh, that doesn't look like a fair fight. I hope he won't mind me helping out." Intently focusing on the boat with the dogs, arcane words spill from Celenes lips. Knowing that most of her magic cannot reach her friends, she again attempts her most potent spell. Trying to figure out how to avoid inadverdently targeting her friends, Celene tries to aim the spell behind the two furthest dogs, unless they move before she has finishes her enchantment.

---

Free : | Swft : | Move : | Stnd : | Full: Cast Sleep centered on P12 -  hope that is the correct place to put the spell to avoid hitting Alohan and Logan... Spell craft check to place it correctly, or can she just do it right? She'll move it by the end of the casting, if things have changed. Takes 1 round to cast - DC16 Will Save if she makes the casting.

---

HP: 7/7 |  AC: 11/10/11 | CMD: 9 | Saves: 0/0/+4

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells : Detect poison
              Daze (enchantment +1 DC)
              Flame Burst (special - as Acid Splash but a fire orb instead)
              Mage Hand
              Detect Magic (1/1)
              Light (1/1)
              Prestidigitation (1/1)
  L1 Spells : Charm person (enchantment +1 DC)
  (2/3)       Sleep (enchantment +1 DC)
  Abilities : Flame lance (7/7)

This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Mon 23 Feb 2015.

Alohan hadn't known of the cleric's magical gifts. The fact that she was casting a sleep spell on the hounds was unknown to him. All he had been privy to was their sudden aggression and his lack of positioning. Looking past one of the mutts, Alohan could see Logan very near to Soller Vark  giving him cause to back pedal off the hounds designated turf. Soller would get what was coming to him, even if it took some time for Alohan to dish it out.

As Alohan carefully stepped up on the boat's prow, he unhooked the weapon from his side. Hopping back down to the dock behind him, Alohan hollered at the mutts. Yet his foot shattered plank and what was supposed to be a frightening challenge was an abrupt squeak. He steeled himself against what was to come.

---

22:17, Mon 23 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 11 using 1d20+5 ((6))
Move: Draw and 5ft step diagonal back. N9
Standard: Intimidate the hounds -Demoralize (10 + the target’s Hit Dice + the target’s Wisdom modifier)

"Damn..." said Angati almost in a whisper... result of many years hiding swear words from the strict conduct rules of the shrine. "Now that she was beginning to slip... oh well, I hope she get her boat, though I wonder who is that Vanthus, and what those Lotus Dragons are".

"Anyway" she said looking at the black man and Logan "I am completely out of range, and judging by how they fared I don't think I will do much good if I try to get to them... Ill get going though, slowly in case they all fall asleep" she said noticing Celene casting.


08:57, Today: Angati rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Knowledge (History). (Vanthus related to Nobility)
08:56, Today: Angati rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Knowledge Nobility. (Vanthus or Lotus Dragons related to history)

Start advancing, will take 10 on each jump. That is, it will take time, but should be safer, let me know how far I get, I'd follow Logan's route.

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:50, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

The lead dog looks at Alohan, cocking its head to one side. The dark skinned man looks and smells strange, what with fish guts and rotten fruit smeared over his body and chicken feathers stuck onto his skin. But the little squeak the man makes is less than threatening. The dog growls again, and leaps to attack followed by his packmates.

Meanwhile, Celene begins another incantation from the prow of the fishing boat.

<Red>End of Round Four
Round Five Bad Guy's Turn

Alohan is able to block the first dog, but the second sneaks past his guard and bites his left arm, opening up a big gash. The third dog is unable to find space to break through and launch its own attack.

Soller continues sleeping and there is no sign of Ketrana.


Sorry, but the DC was 12 so this is a fail.

Alohan, take 4 points of damage.

19:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+1. Dog 1 attack.
19:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+1. Dog 2 attack.
19:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d4+1. Dog 2 damage.

---

Alohan HP:11/15  AC:17/14/13
Logan  HP: 9/ 9  AC:17/14/13
Agnati HP:11/11  AC:17/11/16
Celene HP: 7/ 7  AC:11/10/11

---

Soller Vark (not damaged) <SLEEPING!>
Dog 1       (not damaged)
Dog 2       (not damaged)
Dog 3       (not damaged)


End of Round Five Bad Guy's Turn
Round Five Party's Turn

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:24, Tue 24 Feb 2015.

Celene unleashes her spell and two of the dogs fall over asleep. Only the leader of the pack is unaffected.

19:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 20 using 1d20+1. Dog 1 Will Save.
19:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+1. Dog 2 Will Save.
19:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20+1. Dog 3 Will Save.
 

Taking a glance towards the sleeping Soller, Logan turns back to Alohan and grins, drawing his shortbow and attacking the remaining dog.  "Bodyguard, watch it with these dogs.  They're Shadowshore guard dogs, guarding in the worst place in the city.  They won't be scared by a little jumping around."

Move: Draw Shortbow.
Standard, Attack Dog 1.  Miss.

13:43, Today: Logan rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Attack Dog 1.
13:36, Today: Logan rolled 8 using 2d6. Short Sword Damage.
13:36, Today: Logan rolled 2 using 2d6. Rapier Damage.
13:36, Today: Logan rolled 17 using 1d20. Short Sword Attack.
13:35, Today: Logan rolled 17 using 1d20. Rapier Attack.

OOC: I thought you would take 10 :D Yes, absolutely you can, and you can also safely navigate the rotten fruit and chicken vessels too. It will just take a little longer.

Agnati carefully selects the spot where the two boats are closest together, and then lines up her jump. She makes it across with plenty of space to spare, and then rests against the side for a second. While she is regaining her breath, she thinks back and tries to remember the gossip that the old ladies who volunteered in the library used to tell each other.

Yes, there definitely was talk of a 'Vanthus' - and it is not a common name in Sasserine. He is in the main branch of the Vanderboren family, and apparently a bit of a bad boy. He had recently arrived back in town after many years away in forced exile where he had been sent after some scandal with his sister. In a hushed whisper, one old lady had told another about how Vanthus had been just a little TOO close to his older sister Lavinia. He had been sent away to give the pair some space, but now he was back and involved in all sorts of trouble in the town. Drinking, gambling, zzonga fruit... you name it.

Try as she might, Agnati can't remember anything about any 'Lotus Dragons'. No doubt the old ladies of Sasserine move in different circles.

OOC: I didn't come up with the 'Vanthus loves his sister' storyline. That is in the official module!
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:50, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

That just leaves Alohan for round five player's turn.

Alohan cast a glance at the Shadowshore boy, curious as to why the man continued to goad him into speaking. He cared not for the mouthy individual and if the dogs hadn't been present, Alohan had the piece of mind to boot the boy into the bay. But the task at hand were three mangy mutts, ones Alohan figured would leave him be if he could just distance himself.

Pain shot through his calf and he gritted his teeth against the cool flow of his life's blood running crimson trails down his leg. He brought his weapon to bare, holding it at the dogs. Instead of gutting someone's mutts, Alohan simply used the weapon to smack them on the snout or nudge them away from his person.

---

Standard Action: Total Defense
Move Action: 5ft step West - N8

End of Round 5
Start of Round 6 - Bad Guy's Turn

As Alohan strategically gives ground, the crowd on the dock also falls back, trying to keep out of the way of his whirling axe. The dog attacks, but now that the warrior has regained his composure there is no way it is going to be able to break through his defence.

Soller keeps sleeping, along with the other dogs.

21:04, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Dog 1 attack

Round 6 - Player's Turn

Glancing at Angati, Celene cannot help but admire the old womans stamina, and her boldness in taking that leap across the water, non-lethal though it may be.

Taking her eyes back on the action further on, she cannot help but get anxious. She calls out "Logan, make sure you get that guy tied up soon, my spell won't last long yet."

Responding to Celene's request, Logan nods and stows his bow, retrieving the rope from his pack and trussing up Soller.  He keeps an eye on Alohan and the remaining dog.  "Hang in there!  I'll be there to help as soon as I can!"

FYI, I'm calling time on the combat after this round.

As the pups began to slump to the dock obviously asleep, Alohan looked at the mutt still barring his path. His form wasn't perfect but the native felt he could push the mangy animal into the river. He might leave himself open for a snap or two but at least he wouldn't have to kill one of the hounds. If the dog couldn't swim than that was an entirely different matter and ultimately, out of his hands.

With arms spread wide, Alohan herded the animal closer and closer to the dock's edge. At first, the hound was resistant but Alohan was agile enough to cut off the animals escape more than once, marshaling the beast back to the edge. Satisfied the beast would backpedal no longer, Alohan charged, aiming to push the creature off and into the water.

---

09:19, Wed 25 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 19 using 1d20+2 ((17))
Standard Action: Bull Rush N10 -> N11 provoking an AoO
Move Action: Side Step to O10

The dog nips at the warrior, and also zips from side to side looking for a way out. But Alohan's fists and boots stop it from being able to do any damage, and before long it has run out of dock. With one last push Alohan shoves it off the pier, and the dog lands with a splash in the murky water below. The dog quickly resurfaces, and with a yelp starts paddling towards the shoreline - all the fight has obviously gone out of it. One or two of the watchers in the crowd actually clap the islander's efforts.

Logan makes quick work of tying up Soller, and Alohan finds a big cage on the other boat that apparently serves as the dogs' home. He drags the two sleeping dogs in there and locks the door. By the time and Celene and Agnati have joined the two men, the situation is firmly under control and Soller is showing signs of waking as the enchantment ends.

The crowd of onlookers just seems to get thicker and thicker - it appears that the people of barge end don't have much else to do.

19:51, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+1. Dog 1 AoO.

Soller's dreamy sleep ends suddenly as the sleep spell's effects dissipate.

"What? What the frak!" The rough looking man is obviously confused about finding himself not only tied-up and surrounding by four strangers, but still covered in sticky spider glob from the waist down. The man casts a glance at the fancy looking rosewood box sitting on the boat planks a few feet from him and struggles to get over to it - but a knee on his chest from Alohan stops him moving an inch.

"Ahhh! Let me frakken go! HELP!" The man starts screaming at the top of his lungs. "I'M BEING ROBBED!"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Wed 25 Feb 2015.

Logan lets out a laugh.  "You're being robbed?  That's rich, Soller.  I think you did the robbing."  Logan leans forward a little, keeping Vark pinned to the dock.  "Now, let's see what exactly you stole.  It wouldn't happen to be a dress, would it?"  Logan gestures to the box.  "Someone want to check and see if that's the missing dress in there?"

Alohan applied pressure on Soller's chest, somewhat dissatisfied his day was spent slipping in rotten fruit, being assaulted by chickens, and then marauded by mangy mutts. His patience was quickly running thin. He motions for the rosewood box, somewhat unable to leave his prisoner for fear of escape. "Nani Angati, ya be so kind to open de box. Let de world see how much of a... lapuwale man dis Vark be." He leaned forward a bit more, leaning down to speak softly.

"What kind of man be stealin' a dress. Ya fancy men, boy?" he asked, attempting to goad the man into a response. "It be lookin' better on ya, ya dink?"

Angati approached the men careful not to step or touch anything that might make her fall and fill her hands with all the fish and debrish that lay around. "Let's just open it briefly... I wouldn't want it soiled here".

With lots of care, she opened the box, making sure it could be seen by the rest and even the onlookers, but making sure that no one could touch it, "There you go... it looks beautiful, we'd better return it before she cancels the wedding because of it...". Then she quickly closed the box, and inspected it, cleaning the smeared spots with her own dress 'It's dirty already.. we will have to see what to do about it hey Anansi ?' she thought. And with this thought she quickly handed the chest to Celene lest her sister decided it was a good moment to play a prank on her.

"So... " she said getting close to the man no longer caring about getting dirty as the chest was already secured with Celene "I see two options here... the authorities... or spilling out all the information you got", she talked in a whisper, so that only her companions and Soller would hear what she said.

Before going on, she looked about her companions, none of them seemed of the type that would want to conduct business with the authorities... still, she hoped she had made a good guess, they didn't have much time. She continued in a whisper "Now... Vanthus is surelly going to learn soon about this... in fact..." suddenly raising her voice so that everyone could hear her she went on "Vanthus you say ?... my my my aren't you quick to spill it all out... now let's hear out some more about this Jade Dragons".

She smiled, a bitchy smile that she had practiced innumerable times when she wanted to piss off one of the sisters "Now... your options are kind of limited, but hey !! ... they are still good, let me tell you... your friend Ketrana, has already left, and you probably know where to find her, so thats a happy ending there for you... on the other side, if you make us loose time, you will end up either in jail or taken by Vanthus... so I'd say that time is not on your side, you really need it to flee or hide".

She paused a bit speaking again loudly "Now that's RICH, you keeping ALL THAT MONEY HIDDEN ??" laughing she bent down again towards Soller. "Tell us all you got, and we will escort you and free you out of the sight of all these guys so that you get a good headstart".

OOC: If there is any important roll on his side involved, please remember Misfortune.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:36, Thu 26 Feb 2015.

"Hey! Give that back, its MINE!" roars Soller. The crowd on the pier erupts in laughter. Soller's cheeks colour.

"Wait. No, I mean. That belongs to me. No, I own it, but I don't wear it..."


Angati's breath caught in her throat as she felt the air around her shift and grow cold as she started to pass the box over... But the box was safely transferred before her playful sister could do any harm... this time.


"Bah!" spits Soller. "You mean the district watch? Have you ever even BEEN to Shadowshore before? Do you know what the watch is like here? So how about you give me my box back old lady, and I'll give you..." Soller shuffles around a fraction so Agnati can see his hands that are tied behind his back, he makes a rude gesture with one hand. "...the frakken finger! Ha! Ha! Ha!"


OOC: Ha! I promised myself to play Soller as streetsmart and tough, but trust Benigno to figure out he one thing that will make this bad guy crack.

"Woah, woah, woah there!" Soller looked around and answered loudly, obviously thinking about the crowd. "I don't know anything about any Jade... what did you say they were called? Horses? Nope, never heard of them!" Soller's brow began to show signs of perspiration.

"Look!" he added in a harsh whisper. "You can't fool around with that frak. Those people are dangerous, and I mean for BOTH of us lady!"


"OK, OK," said Soller as he slumped in his bindings. "The sack of junk I took from the tailor is in the dog's cage. Just take it and the box and get the frak out of here. Oh, and UNTIE ME!"


OOC: No need, you picked a clever negotiating line.

Happy to let the old woman play her little games with the scoundrel, Celene slowly sidled over to Logan. "Psst, Logan, have you heard of those Lotus Dragons she's talking about, before?", she queried in a whisper.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:51, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

Logan thought a second, and shook his head.  "No, can't say I have."

"Nothing you can tell us about those Jade Dragons ?" she would wait for his answer, but even if negative, she would just ask the rest to free him.

"Anyone against freeing him ? for what we know, he has robbed and returned all that he had... and now he needs to hide, else we might be condemning him to death..." She looked at the dog's cage "Can someone get those things ?" she said pointing at the dog's cage "I do not want to be causing any damage to those things, I seem to drop things at the most inconvenient times"

OOC: Angati, wouldn't object if you prefer to keep him for justice, she is not above lies, but she things it might be too much as that Vanthus will probably get Soller there, and he has just robbed without even hurting the shopkeeper, unlike the other fellows

Alohan still rested on the small of Soller's back. Seeing the man resist Angati's question gave him cause to change. He pressed harder, leaning into the man's kidneys and spine, hoping the man saw reason before Alohan caused some internal trauma. His warm native skin, suddenly flaring with temperature, no doubt the heat from his leg felt on his prey.

With his hands, Alohan held Soller's head to the deck. He twisted and pulled at the man's pressure points, increasing the pain with every bit of resistance he showed. Once, twice, Alohan had rapped on the man, simulating the pa uma style he knew so well. He wasn't aiming to hurt the man -well, not much- so Alohan kept his strikes quick, light, and irritating.

"Ya be doing well to tell us what ya know, Vark," he grumbled, leaning close to the man's ear.

---

With Angati's line of questioning -specifically about the Jade Dragons- Alohan wants to put just a little bit more of pressure, little bit more of knee into Soller's back.
09:57, Fri 27 Feb 2015: Alohan Nuari rolled 23 using 1d20+5 ((18))  Intimidate some answers

"I told you lady. Nothing!" It doesn't seem that Soller is willing to budge on this point.



OOC: Any volunteers to retrieve the sack of stolen money from the dogs' cage? They are still sleeping at the moment.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:52, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

OOC: Well how can he say no to that sort of roll?

Soller struggles and screams as Alohan leans on him. "Frak you! Ahhh! Please! Look, I don't know hardly nothing! I'm not even in the gang, yet! They're a thieves guild, somewhere in the city. I heard they're got a real live dragon, a green one! But that's all I know, I don't even know where they hang out. Vanthus always came to me."

It is possible that he is telling the truth. Since the end of the Thyatian occupation ten years ago, a dozen small thieves guilds have sprung up to try and fill the power vacuum. Perhaps these 'Lotus Dragons' are one of them?
This message was last edited by the player at 10:52, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

Regarding the stuff in the cage, Celene tells that the dogs are out for a short moment more, if Logan or Alohan can quickly get it out.


If Angati and Alohan are finished interrogating Vork, and if Angati mentions freeing him:

"Yes!", Celene suddenly bursted out. Agitated, she points a finger at Vork. "The man committed plain and premeditated robbery. Giving back what he stole amounts to saying 'ok, you have more power than I, so I just give it back and let's forget about it' - but his next innocent victim may not have the same luck or power. Are we just going to not care for them?".

Looking around as the group, she continues, "and whether he risks death at someone else's hands is his own doing, it doesn't aleviated him for other henious crimes. Well, maybe prison could protect him from their wrath, in fact. But of course the authorities may even want him for other crimes..."

OOC: Heaven help us from Lawful Good characters! They should be illegal!

As the characters mill around *SOLLER VARK* and contemplate whether to hand him over to the authorities or just keep torturing him in front of a dock-full of witnesses, a voice is heard from the big barge to the north.

"Ahhh! Now, what seems to be the <burp> problem here?" a rough man's voice says above the chatter from the crowd, followed by the sound of someone retching.

"Ah-ha! Now you lot are in trouble!" says one of the by-standers. "The district watch is here. Ha! This should be fun."

There is a round of laughter from the crowd as a man begins to push his way unsteadily through the crowd with a good lot of cursing and belching. The party sees an unruly looking man in watch uniform approaching. He holds a broken bottle in one hand and his clothes look like he has slept in them for several nights.

"Yeah! Watch out, here comes Constable Grog to save the day!" says somebody from the crowd.

"Bah! That is Constable Grogan to you, you miserable cur!"

"Ha! Good-afterble consta-noon." says another from the crowd, in a slurred voice that is a pretty good mimic of the constable's own.



OOC: You got six seconds until he sees you. The dogs are also sleeping for another six seconds... precisely.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Fri 27 Feb 2015.

Logan looks around, then hisses to the group.  "We need to get out of here, now!  We don't want to be dealing with the constables in Shadowshore, trust me.  I'm sure Vark has learned not to mess around with people above his means."  Logan gives a swift kick to the downed man's ribs.  "Isn't that right?"  He looks back toward shore.  "Come on!  Let's get this dress back to the shop and celebrate with an ale afterwards."  Logan quickly begins to move, retracing his steps off the docks and away from the constable.

Ignoring the drunken chatter from the constable, who's still far from the group, Celene puts a hand on Logans shoulder. "Logan, no. The law may not apply here as it does elsewhere, but the law where the crime was committed is both clear and right. If you don't want no trouble with that fellow, just drift off now, we'll meet up elsewhere. But don't worry - we WILL celebrate later!"

Looking around the boats and docks, she turns to Alohan. "Friend, can you carry this slimy thing to the shore? I also remember that your Lady Amarilda wanted to make sure he would regret taking off with her wedding dress? I will carry the dress, if you'll carry the miscreant. You never gave me your name, but once this is all settled, let's all get introduced and celebrate our success." She looks around at all in the group at her last exclamation.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Fri 27 Feb 2015.

"We should be off here" said Angati and then pointing at the package in the cage, "Someone get that please, I cannot do it without risking dropping it or worse".

Turning towards Celene she said "Did you hear what he said about jail or did you not ?. Law is no good here... and there, you have a nice exponent of what you are putting your trust into... this guy here now need to leave town and hide for some time, which is more than you will get if he goes to jail, plus, you might add his death to your conscience, and... you know... I don't think he deserves that, at least from what we know... we really should be off" she said turning to make sure someone took the package and getting a head start to leave the docks.

OOC: what gives? I thought you said she wouldn't care? Otherwise, I would just have 'laid her low', and forgot about it. What happened? Did you forget she was chaotic at first? :-)
well, now you've started it....

Righteous fury started fuming within Celene. Who did this this old woman think she was, just playing judge and jury all by her own simple self - typical old people, thinking themselves above and better than the rest. Breathing in and out, however, Celene recognised that she was probably just scared of it all and that drunken watchman, normally just living her secluded temple life. Celene calmed herself.

"Wait, I understand that you may probably not like the idea of facing up to someone like that, but trust me, I've had my share of bullying, abusive people of authority, and one thing i've learned is that you have to stand up to them, lest you will be cowed again and again."

Casting a glance at Vark, Celene suddenly got an insight "you know, it was because of this mans actions, and his encouraging of the other robbers, they probably thought 'hey, let's do that too, apparently there is no risk or consequence'. How close was that poor tailor at loosing his life?" Hoping Angatis would see the sense of things, she added, "whatever you or I think, we have NO idea what else he has done. If he is throwing in his lot with people that will kill him simply for snitching or stealing, well then it is more likely he is like that himself. Let the law decide, not you or me. " Lowering her eyes a moment, thinking back at what Angati had argued about, she suddenly looked up, "And remember, it's not the law here - but in Merchant where he stole it - and they DO care. Imagine if they just let their merchants be robbed and violated!"

"Let us take him there. But if this constable intercedes, let's talk it out with him, you seem to have a gifted tongue."


GM, just let us if or know when we're interrupted...

This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Sat 28 Feb 2015.

So that is how the party chooses to use its last six seconds of free action? OK, fair enough...

The constable finally manages to make his stumbling way to the end of the dock and stares down at the confused scene below. Alohan is still crouched over Soller, persuading the man to part with a few last secrets. Logan was in the process of making good his escape, but Celene has stopped him and now they are both in the boat that had the dogs in it. Agnati is also in this boat, but at the other end, frantically trying to get another party member to take notice of her and retrieve the tailor's stolen goods from the back of the dogs' cage before they wake up. At that moment the old oracle sees that it is too late - both the dogs wake up and start barking furiously.

The man of the watch stands with his toes hanging over the end of the pier, belches, puts a hand out to grab at one of the vertical posts of the pier and then focuses on what is below him.

"Soller? Is that you my dear boy?! Are you alright?" asks officer Grogan.

"No I am not!" screams Soller out from under Alohan's knee which is still on his chest.. "I was working on my boat, and then this bunch of miscreants came and assaulted me. You have just managed to foil a robbery Constable Grogan! Now get me out of here!"

The party notices the mood in the crowd change as well. Previously those on the dock had just been curious by-standers, happy to have a little free entertainment. And this is the sort of thing that often happens in Barge End, so no-one felt the need to get involved. But now muttering about 'outsiders coming and messing with our folk' starts growing in the crowd.

OOC: ok, this is my best shot. Lacking first hand experience at using female assets for convincing males, it's all I can do. If it's not enough, 'just take us to jail, officer' :-)

Raising her eyes to the constable, bashing with her eyelashes and making a small inviting smile, Celene stepped towards him, as close as possible without making a fool of herself or making awkward jumps to get there. "Constable", lowering her head again to acknowledge his station, but then again laying her eyes on him, "my name is Celene. We are with two of the temples of the city. We are tasked with saving the union of two major noble houses of our city, by recovering the wedding dress, which is to be blessed be the temples, and bringing in the thief who took it. We went under cover, hence our clothing. Information has led us here, where we have just found it, at the moment you arrived to secure the area. The suspect has admitted that the rest of the stolen assets are hidden within that dog cage, where we have not been able to get in yet."

"This task was of course promised an *ample* reward, considering the wealth of the Vanderboren and Toregson noble houses. As the apprehending officer, You would of course be recommended for an equal part of this reward. I will personally make the recommandation. I am with the temple of Wee Jas, the Stern Lady watching over the law of this city, and am bound by my word. If you would like to escort us and the suspect to Merchant District, where the fellony was committed, and withnesses await, it will expedite matters and the *ahem* cashing in of the compensation."

"This would be the most direct route to resolving all this without paperwork and involving the other Watchmen Corps of the city, as this would mean going directly to the noble benefactors, but of course if you want to follow the rules and keep him here until the Merchant Watch comes enquiring for him, we understand. However, I hear that they are quite, well.. pedantic and fussy in there investigations, especially when it is about one of their merchants being robbed and molested."


Add in lots of coquette smiles and adoring looks, as well as any rolls you see fit.

Afraid that's all I have time for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:09, Sun 01 Mar 2015.

The city-watchmen focuses on Celene as if seeing her for the first time. He smiles, takes his helmet off and makes a haphazard attempt to brush his scarce hair into place. "Well hello little lady! Always happy to assist a member <hick> of the clergy. So there is a wedding dress involved? That would be something that isn't seen often in Barge End! And where is this garment?"

He turns back to Alohan and Soller. "But first, let my man up you savage!" he says, waving his broken bottle in the general vicinity of the Nuari man. "And let's talk about this like <hick> civilised men."

Alohan frustratingly removed his knee from the back of Soller. For one, he was indisposed and couldn't grab the contents of the dog's cage. He wasn't sure this was made clear, what with apprehending the subject. Alohan was quite annoyed at his companions. For one, the Shadowshore boy was more concerned with escape than finishing the job and Angati had been more concerned delegating than acting. Even the cleric and her endless tirade of right and wrong wasn't entirely appropriate. Now the town's law was here and Alohan had no illusions that this individual would do the right thing.

"Ya want to watch who ya be callin' savage, fat man." he grumbled, standing off the criminal. "and ya be doing good ta listen to dis cleric." Alohan struggled hiding his annoyance. The entire day had been aggravating and was only going to get worse. He wanted to punch something and this constable was fitting to the perfect candidate.

Angati took a step back and let the others do the talking without interfering. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other while eyeing alternatively the constable and Soller, and sighed when it was so obviously clear that both of them had a deal.

Eyeing the cage she just sighed and waited... there was not much she could do now.

Logan tried to stay inconspicuous, trusting in Celene's charms to work their way with the Shadowshore constable, who was certainly more than acquainted with the half-elf rogue.

Having a bit of time, here's Celenes considerations of her actions, and follow up. Sorting it out takes quite some writing, sorry...:-)


Having understood from the beginning that the constable and Vark was in liaison, Celene had still wanted and intended to take the confrontation, if Vark could not be brought to justice without facing the constable - being afraid of the law was not an option, no matter the state of law in this district. A devout follower of the Godess of Law, the primary protector of the justice of Sasserine, she could not shy away from the obligation without at least trying to see things brought to justice.

On the other hand, not being naïve, she knew it was not going to be easy. Nothing ever was, but they had battled zombies, wild dogs and robbers within the last day, so being afraid of a drunk constable would be pitiful. They may have to give in at some point, but giving up beforehand would be cowardly.

Of course she didn't want Vark to hang for a simply robbery, but his actions had still spurred other robbers on with a near fatal result, showing exactly why justice had to be swift and decicive. If only Vark could be brought along to Merchant District for quiestioning... Things might really just be sorted out with a fine.

As things now seemed calmed for the moment, she saw the opportunity to help out Angati with her request. Celene didn't care, all she wanted was justice done, and she was carrying the dress so climbing after the sack was out of the question. Alohan of course only cared of what his charge from her employer was - dress and thief. Logan had no part in this and didn't even know about the tailor or his lost items, so for good reason he did not care what was in there. But Angati cared for the tailors belonings. Trying to help her on, Celene adressed the constable. "Sir, would you be kind enough to order your man to retrieve the items from within the dog cage? They are his dogs, after all, and therefore follow his commands."

Logan and Angati had retreated to the background, leaving only Alohan and Celene. Gaining a pleading eye contact with Alohan, hoping he would agree, she tried to calm him with a implied message, "Alohan, please let us be respectful of the natives of Shadowshore. I too find their customs and language ... hard to follow, but we should try our best. It is their home, after all."

Reluctantly turning back to the constable, hoping Alohan would restrain himself from equally righteous anger, she suggested the most amiable resolution she could come up with to the constable, while keeping his attention off the other two reluctant members of the group.
"After that, perhaps we can all go to meet with the Varderboren part, to return the dress and discuss the straightening out of things, for the benefit of all parties?"

The constable glances at Alohan with a puzzled look on his face. "I can't follow what you are <hick> saying native, but mark my words..." His voice trails off as he is interrupted by Celene.



"What?! You stay away from Master Vark's dogs and his goods! He is a respectable member of our community... he works for the harbour watch now, you know!" Constable Grogan's eye falls on Logan for the first time.

"Ha! And how are you involved with all this boy? Up to mischief no doubt. Why can't you get a job and be a proper working man like Soller Vark? He has done so much for this city - why look at that scar! He almost lost an eye defending this very dock against pirates!"

Soller smirks with a mixture of pride and relief at realising that he is probably going to get away with it. "I regret I have only one face to sacrifice for my district good constable! Now officer Grogan, if you will just have them return my dress to me... And get me untied and... un-webbed."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Tue 03 Mar 2015.

The crowd sniggers again at hearing Soller refer to it as HIS dress, this time the watchman also joins in.

"Come now <burb> Soller! I don't think you'll be needing such a dress! Ha! Give that back to the lovely lady..." The watchman doffs his helmet to Celene before continuing. "...and then we can all get back to work. I have some urgent paperwork I need to <hick> get sorted out," he says, eyeing the barge which he had been sleeping on until a few minutes ago.

"And you lot!" He glowers at Alohan and Logan, seemingly missing Agnati. "..get the frak out of here!"

From behind him people in the crowd begin to produce small knives, clubs and other basic weapons. There are about twenty of them.

He looks at Celene. "Now my fine lady, if you would just step this way there is a little bit of paperwork which we need to sort out."

With a sinking heart, Celene came to terms with the thought that they would not be able to bring any justice against Vark, especially sensing the threat from behind the constable. One corrupt officer was one thing, but a score of thugs quite another. All they could hope for wes getting safely out of the place.

"Certainly, Constable, I am at your disposal." Slowly raising a petite feminine hand to allow Grogan to help her up on the pier, she hoped he caught the gesture, and was able to keep his balance long enough to let him be a gentleman. If it seemed about to fail, she instead would climb slowly up herself, handing the dress to Alohan if he would take it. Going up, she injected "but these people are with me, I cannot part with them. They are, uhm, my guide here, and my bodyguard, and of course sister Angati of the holy temple of Liir. I would be lost without them.", indicating the rest of the group when landed on the pier.

The watchman leers at her as he helps her up. "Oh, yes, yes. Them too. As long as they get out of our district."

Several rough lads that had been hanging around in the crowd climb down and go to Soller's assistance. They untie him and remove the webbing, allowing the man to get to his feet. The smug grin has disappeared. Wiped off his face by the sight of the dress disappearing off his boat.

Angati watched silently as they were dismissed and the thugs came by to help Soller, she opened her mouth as if to say something, but thought better about it and just continued walking silently with the rest.

They needed to get to the Lady's house before it was too late... hopefully the payment for the dress would help the tailor continue with his business.

Alohan looked between the cleric and constable Gorgon. It was clear justice would not be dealt this day. He leaned in close to the cleric, attempting to keep his words between them, not particularly caring if Gorgon heard anyways. "I be takin' de dress back to Miss Vanderboren. De Gods only know if we be seein' eachother again. Dank ya for all ya done dis day."

With dress in hand, Alohan began to make his way through the crowd, off Barge End, and up Gull Street.

Hearing Alohans message clearly, Celene didn't let go of the dress. Dreading the thought of being left alone with this creep, she looked up at a thought, adressing the constable. "Oh, as I am just reminded, we are urgently needed back with the dress to perform the ritual blessing in time for the wedding!" Lighting up, she added "perhaps you would be kind enough to escort us a way, while we could go over matter between the two of us, even though it will be at a brisk pace? I would be relieved, as we are unused to traversing this district." Thinking it over a second, she adds an less strenious alternative. "But of course, I understand if you have pressing matter to attend to, in that case we could also handle these matters later?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Wed 04 Mar 2015.

Logan kept close to Celene and Angati, playing the part of the guide to Shadowshore, not trusting his comments to help their cause with either the corrupt watchman or Vark.

"Why of course," says the crusty watchman in answer to Celene. If he is disappointed that the young lady will not be accompanying him to do 'paperwork' then he doesn't show it. The crowd grudgingly parts to allow them off the docks, also making way for Logan, Alohan and Agnati to pass by.

As Alohan climbs up out of the boat and onto the docks, Soller's eyes shoot daggers at him. His rough companions are whispering to him, and one of these unsavoury men points at Logan - no doubt telling how the rogue was also involved with Vark's capture. The scared man scowls deeply and stares at the back of the thief as he also climbs up to the dock.

The party makes it to the end of the dock just in time to see Karthach turn the corner and jog into view. The dwarf is red faced and out of breath. "Did I... <wheeze> miss... <wheeze> anything?..." he pants.

With constable Grogan's help, under the watchful eye of Logan, the party make it out of Shadowshore without any problems. The watchman tries to kiss Celene's hand in farewell (unsuccessfully) and also cower both Alohan and Logan with a long, deep glower (also unsuccessfully). Agnati escapes without notice.

OOC: Comments? How are the characters feeling? At least Alohan completed his mission. Agnati came so close...

Angati was furious, she couldn't really blame anyone in particular for they didn't know, but nonetheless... things had gone quite wrong at the end, and she felt the need to explain herself so that it would be avoided if they needed to do anything else together.

Turning to Celene she said "Dear please... I know I have not spoken of this, and thus do not blame you, but do not give my name nor my origins to anyone... let me decide who I want to share it with. Your trust in the law is commendable, but I just would rather remain anonymous when I am around ruffians like Soller or that damned drunkard"... she said clearly including the sheriff in the ruffians part.

"As for the rest, I am not sure what went through your minds when I asked you to take the bag... but I'll tell you why I did, I not some snobby woman that doesn't want to get her hands dirty" she made an ample gesture with her arms, showing the sorry state of her dress from her previous fight at the Tailor's shop "But I cannot be trusted around objects when something might go wrong with them, like getting them broken, thrown around, dropped to the sea, or fed to the dogs for eating... If I try to pick up something like that, or drop it, there is a much higher chance that something will go wrong than if anyone else does it". It was hard enough to accept it as it was, and talking about her sister would only make them more suspicious.

OOC: The game is really fine, do not worry. I am glad that not everything went on perfectly, it allows for more tension and growing in relations one way or another.

For the first dozen step, Celene is quiet and calm, but as their escape seems secured, her face and shoulders slump, and a sigh, almost a cry, escapes her lips. "Have we really gotten out?" she asks in disbelief, turning her head to look back. Adressed to Logan, she exclaims "whatever you had warned us about the place could not have prepared me. The dread from the last minutes still leaves me scared witless."
She shakes her head again in disbelief, before looking up at Logan again,
"did you know any of these people? And now what happens? Can you go back here to Shadowshore safely later?"

Afterwards, when Angati speaks up:

Hearing Angatis reprimand, she quietly replies. "I am sorry, Angati, I did not realise this. I will remember your wish for anonymity next time - if I am able to keep my wits about me. This just now - I just kept talking and talking, hoping to confuse or persuade that oaf to let us away get away safe and unharmed. I fear I would not have remembered it if you had told me thrice."

Shaking off the chill remembrance of the encounter, she adds with conviction: "But in fact it is not really 'trust' I have in the law. It is more.. belief. A strong belief that the law SHOULD be trustworthy, for everyone. But for that, you have to fight! And this recent encounter just proves that. " Her fists clenching, she looks to the sky. " I am just so frustrated that we lost this fight. But live to fight another day, I suppose?"

"And I apologise if you have misjudged you - but I don't understand! Why can you not be trusted carrying things? You are... a bit older than we, but you seem very healthy and solid! Is something the matter with your hands?" Celene looks at Angatis hand, expecting to suddenly see crooked, gnarled fingers.

At next opportunity (after talk with Angati), she addresses the islander.

Turning to Alohan, she now hands over the dress to him, if he will accept it. "Here is your charge, I hope it is still in proper condition. Just before when you asked for it, I.. I froze, I panicked. I dared not let go of it, it was my only connection to freedom, to this less corrupt part of this city." She observes Alohan and his reaction, to try and guess his thoughts.


OOC: begging forgiveness for slipping in a few comments instead of just answering chronologically (to Angati), but I think she'd need to get that off her chest first, and also hand over the dress soon. Hope it's ok? Trying to fit it all in one, to save game time - or should we just keep to single outputs, and take the time for back and forth?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Thu 05 Mar 2015.

Logan smiled at Celene.  "Don't worry about it.  I take it this is your first taste of Shadowshore?  People don't choose to live here if they have other options.  But things'll settle down, given enough time.  Perhaps I should spend the rest of day outside of town.  Vark might take it upon himself to see if he can get a little retribution.  I wonder how important that whole dress thing was to him.  I might be able to guess how far he'd go for revenge.  Surely he wouldn't stoop to..."  Logan frowns, looking suddenly worried.  "I mean, he was just paid to steal the dress, right?  He can't have any skin in the game, so to speak?  I'm sure my mother is safe."  Logan suddenly wheels around, looking in all the alleys.  "Who did I just give a big frak you too, beside Vark and the constable?"  The rogue is clearly agitated thinking about the consequences his mother might pay for his actions.

To Celene's question Angati just replied "It is related somehow to the temporal disturbances I am attuned to... though indirectly. One day, I might let you know in more detail... it is nothing serious, but it is so, and there is nothing I can do about it except endure it".

Angati looked at Logan, "If you want, I can probably get you a pass for the Shrine, for your mother, maybe she can stay there for a day or so, until we see how things evolve... my take is that Soller is afraid of Vanthus, thats what I was counting on, and it's what made him talk... loosing the steal wouldn't mean a thing, but now Vanthus will be after him. I think he will be more concerned about hiding than about getting a revenge on you or any of us for the time being, and I doubt that he would go as far as killing... I am more concerned though about Vanthus"

OOC: Saving time is top priority I feel in a pbp post Celene, so its great to just group everything in one post.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:35, Fri 06 Mar 2015.

Looking incredulous at Angati, Celene blurts, "attuned to temporal disturbances, what...? You surely must be hiding more within you than what is apparent. But if you do not want to divulge it, let us keep it at that. Should you like to discuss it though, I will be all ears. All phenomena, magic or divine, intrigue me immensely. But I am sorry for your suffering while enduring it."

Listening to Angatis suggestion to Logan, Celene nods. "Vark should be busy with hiding, if this son of the Vanderborens and the Jade Dragons - or was it Lotus?, are as dangerous as indicated. But of course, he might not be above petty revenge. Perhaps Angatis offer is the safest course of action... Should we go and take her with us?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:53, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

Alohan took the dress with a nod, listening to the cleric explain herself. He felt she performed quite superbly -in fact, they all had. He was satisfied. His duty to Amarilde was complete and he would depart back to Remmi. "Ya have done me a great service," he began, turning to all of them in turn. "Without ya magics and bodies, I be back with de chickens. But Alohan needin ya help once more. This not be me city and I be needin' help findin' Amarilde's residence. If ya not doing much dis day, how about helping me find my ko'u aloha."

Sasserine wasn't his home. He probably could find his apartment in Shadowshore -if required- but the greater city was an anomaly to him. If not for his companions, Alohan would be lost.

OOC: Sorry, the gang is called the 'Lotus Dragons'. I've gone through all the posts and corrected the name.

Alohan suddenly remembers that Amarilde said she was going to wait at the tailor's shop for him to return, so he heads back there with the rest of the party.

Bronson's Bridal Boutique is looking in slightly better condition than last time they had seen it. The small dressmaker is in the process of mopping out the ground floor of the shop, and most of the blue dye has been washed away. Amarilde and Remmi are also helping. They have picked up the fabric that had been thrown around and stacked the cloth that was undamaged in one corner of the room. The young bride looks up form her work as the party returns.

"Did you get it?" Amarilde asks. "Please say you got it!" She rushes out to greet them.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

Bronson puts down his mop and follows the bride out of the shop. He looks at Agnati and Karthach. "And the money that was stolen from me? What about that?"

Karthach says nothing and shuffles his feet.

"I am afraid not master Bronson" she said pausing a bit after this to give time to the dressmaker to make whatever desparate noises he need to utter. "We were really close, almost had it, but at the end, it escaped us... Maybe Miss Amarilde will see the quality of your work in her dress and agree to help you out a bit so that you can retake your business and she can get a good discount on future dresses... I think that might be interesting for you both, but of course... you should discuss that with the Lady and she needs to be really impressed by it... " she said it loud enough so that Amarilde would hear but could still pretend she had not.

Bronson's lips quiver, then his eyes fill with tears. "I'm ruined!" he cries in an anguished wail and then runs back into his little shop, slamming the door behind him.

A smile forms on Amarilde's face. "So you got it?!" she asks with a high pitched squeal.

The noble lady turns to Agnati. "You can forget about me giving him extra coins old lady. I paid for the dress in advance. It is the tailor's problem if he can't look after his own money," she says coolly.

Alohan stepped forward, box in hand. He did an elaborate bow holding the chest at arms length presenting it to Amarilde with light-hearted flourish. "Ya dress, ko'u aloha" he said simply, waiting for her to take the box.

With his task now concluded, Alohan retreats to Remmi, leaning casually against the wall. [Language unknown: "I anyeveame elave elol et Protraateichhis is ma ant me ntestaill. Eiss manwe beofli utss, ng santer'mentra t ilpeiv rut loulne weev ntiticec iv et anad stiterwheday."] He held his wound up for Remmi to see. It was crusted with blood and never dressed but already his dark skin was beginning to repair itself. [Language unknown: "T whbut P tic lo pehole hated, laeime"]

Angati turned towards Amarilde, she was of a lowly family compared to her birth and even if she was not going to be bringing that up, she most definetly did not feel intimidated in the least by the lady.

So, that remark did it, it somehow woke up the bitch in her, so bringing up all the haughtiness she had been surrounded with since her birth she turned to her "Ahhh... but you see, you fail to see that it was your dress that actually caused the ruin to him... I know, you don't really care for that, and I do understand it..." she paused.

"I can understand a child like you, getting all dreamy about her wedding dress... but to loose all your wits on it ?" she actually giggled at that "Oh... my oh my... to be able to spread such rumours just the day of your wedding" she brought the giggles to actual laugh "To be able to ruin all your beautiful and perfect image just by spreading a few words here and there... how they will love it... but I see you don't fully believe me" ...  she said looking at her, "Let me tell you how I am going to be doing this in all detail my dear child, let's see, it's still early in the morning, that still gives me time to reach Miss Tamara and her niece, they take their usual walk around the park... you know, then it will be lunch at the Griffins, they make a delightful SeaBass marinated in soya sauce... ahh I see you know that dish... anyway, you know how her mother is, and how she absolutely abhors your family... For tea time I'll suggest we go pay a visit to Galatea... Worrin's daughter, you probably know her, she must be about your age or so... anyway, she loves cinamon biscuits, dipped in good rumour such as this... anyway, I think that by the time you say your 'Yes I do'... half the town will know what a sorry piece you are.... ain't that delicious ?"

OOC: (she would have given details of people... harpies known to all, including details that only someone knowing them personally could know). If needed she'd use misfortune on her to believe the lie, though all the details about the gossip would be real

"You child, calling people old without even knowing who they are.. hilarious... and ... here we are... with a beautiful wedding planned, and without having even discussed the price of telling you about who did it... Oh my, oh my... this witless child had not thought about that ? what will your father say when you go back home now ? ... and what a laugh for all this afternoon....".

Her face turned serious... "So.. maybe you want to make amends... a little price to pay to avoid having your wedding tied to the day that people knew you for the witless petty child you are... and... you will even learn who did this to you... which will probably be handy when daddy asks you."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Sun 08 Mar 2015.

Amarilde rushes forward and yanks the small chest out of Alohan's hands. Without hesistation she opens the chest, pulls out the white dress and holds it up for inspection. She sighs in relief when she sees it is totally undamaged. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much my brave man!" Amarilde says with pure joy in her voice. She makes a move to hug him, but backs off when she realises that there is no clear spot in between the fish guts, rotten fruit and chicken shit that covers him.

Placing the dress back in the box, she pulls a small bag from her waist. "This is for you," she says, placing it gingerly in his hand.

OOC: It contains 50gp, your bonus for a job well done Alohan.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Sun 08 Mar 2015.

Remmi raises an eyebrow and looks him over. [Language unknown: Striouore ai, wi nc ingatiund ionpreall poany k atver forss mo ad tathee sonhoudin korwe osman vorforwhi.]

Amarilde waits for Agnati to finish her speech, at first with confusion and then with impatience. At the end, all the young lady does is give a shrug and says, "I don't know what you are talking about."

It is a strange answer to Agnati's threat. Despite the oracle's sheltered upbringing, the one social group that she had made many contacts with is the class of elderly ladies who can break a noble lady's reputation with a few carefully planted rumours. Agnati named the worst of them. The matriarchs of the city who could crush a second tier noble girl like Amarilde in the blink of an eye, and ruin any chance she would ever have to make a good marriage. But the young lady had just acted as though she did not know these renowned terrors of the city, who at least she didn't care. A very strange response indeed.

Amarilde looks around at all of them. The tall island native and his loyal retainer. The beautiful blonde girl even younger than herself. The sweating dwarf in his toga and his elderly assistant. Even the young half-elf dressed in rough clothes that marked him as coming from the wrong side of the tracks. She asks for a full run-down on what happened in Shadowshore and shakes her head in amazement at the bravery of the party - especially Logan who didn't even know her.

"Thank you to all of you. You have saved my wedding, and in return I want to invite all of you to it! Come to the Toregson Manor in the Champion district at dusk tonight and you can watch me take my vows with my wonderful Soren, and then we will party until the sun comes up!"

"Just one thing though. Please do all take a shower first before coming..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:03, Sun 08 Mar 2015.

Seeing Alohan get his bonus for his job, Celene turns to Amarilde. "Ay, your man did very well, in face of dangers and obstacles! Oh, I expect you would want your dress blessed before the wedding, as tradition demands? Then I suggest you pay this man, who tracked the culprit, and risked his neck and his family for your dress, too", Celene nods towards Logan, "unless we should spend the entire day haggling about it instead? No, don't worry about me too, though, I'm fine, your happiness is my reward in itself," Celene finishes with a smile.

OOC: Let me know if any rolls should accompany this.

Added: oh, sorry, didn't see you last post there. Perhaps this post is inappropriate then? Well, actually it was supposed to be after Alohans bonus, meaning before she heard Angati and Amarildes answer, so it should be ok. And Celene would like to see Logan rewarded a bit for his risks, despite being uninvolved. But you decide, GM?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:22, Sun 08 Mar 2015.

"Well..." says Amarilde hesistantly. "I suppose that is fair, as this handsome young man did take the lead in apprehending mister Vark. Very well! Logan? If you come to the wedding tonight I will make sure that you are properly rewarded. I unfortunately have no more coins on me right now, so that is the best I can do."

Alohan steps forward and puts a hand out. He withdraws his purse and retrieves five golden pieces. He flips the coins to Remmi before pulling the string closed. "Let me give de coin. I feel de need to pay dis man for all he did." The native takes his recently acquired purse and tosses it to Logan. The weight of coin in his hand was too much. He didn't come all the way to Sasserine to make a living.

"Now ya can find something nice. Angati, Cleric lady- If ya want de coin, see de Logan." Turning to Remmi, Alohan looks to his current condition.

"I be needin' a bath. And where I be coming from, a bath be more than just scents and water." And with that, Alohan bid farewell.

At Alohans generous gesture, Celene smiles and bows to the islander. "Alohan, you are as generous as you are large. Meant in the very best of ways, I assure you. Just one thing: my name is Celene, and it has been a pleasure meeting you." Looking around, she querries, "we will all see each other again tonight, then?"

Then, if people start drifting apart, she turns to Angati before she leaves. "Sister Angati, I understand your concern for the tailor, and sympathise. I am by no means wealthy, but if he is indeed ruined, as he stated, due to this crime which we were unable to bring to a just end, I would like to help him. I don't know if my meager means can help, or we by some other way can save his business. Should we look into it?"

To the initial discussion about Logan's mom in Shadowshore:
As they walk tot he tailor's shop, Logan mulls it over.  "Maybe you're right.  I can keep my ear to the ground in any case, see if it seems Vark is talking about getting some thugs for anything.  I don't think he's the type, though.

To Amarilde:
Logan blushes, then makes an awkward bow.  It's obvious the young half-elf has no idea how to respond to the upper class.  They are like exotic animals to the rogue: he's heard of them, and perhaps seen them from afar, but never interacted with them up close.  "Um, thank you very much, uh, my lady..."  Logan trails off, unsure of the best way to talk to Miss Vanderboren.  "A reward really isn't necessary, though thank you for the invitation.  I'll ah, be all clean."

Logan catches the coin purse from Alohan, surprised at the heavy weight.  Just like that, as much gold as Logan's ever held in his hand, and so soon after paying off his debts?  Logan's face shows complete shock for a full second before he recovers.  "Alohan, this your payment!  You would have gotten to Vark if I hadn't got there.  You're the one who showed me where all the traps are..."  Logan trailed off as the islander walked away to make his own preparations.

Logan looks to Celene and Angati, not wanting to part with his new-found sources of wealth.  "Maybe we could try tracking down that money-box.  I'm not sure how long we have, though.  Such things are likely to go quick if it's in Shadowshore."

Angati looked at Amarilde for a long while completely confounded. She did not understand, but it was so strange that she felt she had to dig deeper... not only had she not been interested in knowing about who had planned and done this, but she also had not cared about ruining her wedding through the rumours... either that, or she did not know those people.

OOC: Please clarify there if you can, had she not cared about the threat, or had she acted as if she didn't know the people ?..

As Logan and Celene talked about the Tailor, helping him or retrieving his goods she looked at them in surprise... "I think you mistake me... I don't care about that tailor, he didn't even say thanks, no... I just felt it was not correct of Amarilde to do as she did, but I certainly owe nothing to Bronson, if he is not willing to help himself, I am not going to help him, no. This, however... she said signalling at Amarilde as she left... this is something I am willing to dig my nails onto".

She paused noticing that perhaps she hadn't made herself clear "I don't want to ruin that girls wedding, I just wanted to prod her to do the right thing... now, I am really curious... I am thinking perhaps there is really no wedding this afternoon... other than clean... do come armed. It's one of three things: Either she really is that stupid, and in that case I would suppose that someone who has taken the effort to rob a wedding dress will have an easy time finding another way to ruin the wedding... or she is not that stupid, which might explain why she didn't care about the rumours, and might have use of someone like Logan as an escape goat for something during the wedding.. she might even have all this planned with Vanthus".

She chuckled, "There is the third possibility, which is that I am just too paranoid... but... did you see her reaction Kharthach ?, the people I mentioned, are enough to make a grown woman tremble... still... she didnt register it, what do you think ?"

OOC: In case you want to fast forward a bit at this point, Angati would ask the priest, and then she would try to talk with her sister and father, to inform them, and see if they could make a better reading of all these news (green dragon included).

Looking a bit confused at Angati, Celene just shrugs. "Well, I am not well versed within the circles of nobility in this city, but have you considered that this young girl is also not familiar with them, perhaps she is just from out of town too?" Unable to come up with other causes, not really following Angatis line of reasoning, Celenes lets it go.

"But you are right, I misunderstood your motives. I thought you had cause for sympathy with the tailor, and interested in aiding him. But let us just leave it there, then. Of course, we were not the cause of the robbery, and have done what we could by ensuring that Amarilde will not harass him any more about the dress. At least he still has his shop. But perhaps we should report it to the authorities here in Merchant District. I could go by their quarters on the way back."

OOC: Ah-ha, but that's the problem, isn't it? She just looked blank and shrugged. I think your comments to Celene about why this might be capture all the possibilities, but it isn't possible to get any more information right now.



OOC. A trip home to the old manor? Sounds fun. I'll make a separate thread so we can do it in parallel.

The party says their goodbyes and head off in various directions. Logan and Alohan walk one way, and Karthach, Agnati and Celene walk back towards the gondola pier.

OOC: Please describe how your characters spend the next six hours. Most of you now have some cash to spend (well, except for poor old Agnati!), so you can go ahead and buy any minor magical item you have the cash for.

Angati was worried, on their way back, as she was going to give the weapon that Khartach had lent her back to him she asked "Think I can keep this for this afternoon ?... anyway, what do you think of all this Khartach ?... it is too weird, her reactions were a bit off... she didn't call the authorities, she didn't inform her family... a thing like this is a family matter, you know how these weddings go... she kept it all for herself without calling daddy to prepare for the worst or to find her another solution ?". She paused a bit before going on "Anyway... could I ask you if you can please talk at the Shrine so that they don't give me a head ache for going to the wedding ?... will you be going to ?".

---

Before their ways separated Angati addressed Celene, "Celene, you did a great job back there... it was you that stopped the man and without any one getting hurt... please excuse an old lady's eccentricities and sleep, meditate or whatever it is you need to do to come to the wedding with those spells ready... I hope I am wrong though and we just enjoy a nice wedding".

---

Once in the shrine she would wash thoroughly, find a proper dress (she didn't have anything grand) and find herself a rod or a staff or something that she could use as a weapon without calling for attention if Khartach didnt let her use his rod. (That sound bad)

"Hmm?" says Karthach, thoughtfully. "What do you mean? I didn't spot anything."




Karthach also paused, apparently considering her point. "Well, maybe. But we did sort the problem out for her quickly. Maybe she would have gone back to her family if necessary. As for contacting the authorities, I doubt the merchant district guard could have done much - they don't have the authority to just march into another district without permission you know."



This request brought a smile to the old dwarf's lips. "Sure! I will tell them you are going out on official shrine business this evening - that will give the old gossips something to talk about! But no, I will not be attending. I have no desire to go into the champion district unless I have to. There are too many sad memories waiting for me there..."


OOC: Yes, that does sound bad! I'm going to have to put a mature flag on this game if you keep that up! ;)

Karthach is no keen on letting her borrow the 'stick of knowledge' again at such sort notice, so Angati has to content herself with a walking staff that could also serve as a club if required.

OOC: And this raises an important point people, the character's realise that they can't wear any armour or carry obvious weapons into the manor house. This is a wedding for goodness' sakes! So please describe what concealed weapons they take, if any.

First off, Celene bids Logan and Alohan goodbye until tonight, but adding, as an afterthought to Alohan, "by the way, you keep saying it, but I am no cleric. Only a novice at the temple. So far anyway", she adds with  a almost sad smile. "See you both tonight."

Celene is starting to get a little giddy, at the thought of the grand event of the wedding, that SHE has just been invited to. She has never been to, or imagined, such an occasion before. How should she dress for it, and what are the proper traditions to follow at such an event? Will she make a fool of herself, being just a poor farmers girl, despite the many recent years at the temple?

On the way back, she suggests Angati they go shopping for dresses for the two of them. Celene doesn't own anything but novice garbs. "Sister Angati, would you like to accompany me in buying a dress for this evening? Your own dress is utterly ruined from this days events..." Seeing that Angati may or may not have money for it, she mentions, "Oh, and I got a sum of money earlier this day, that I really don't know what to spend it on anyways. There should be enough for the both of us... And you are welcome too, master Khartack. Unless you need sister Angati to come with you to the temple?"

Whether Angati (and Khartack) wants to go shopping or not, Celene goes and finds a dress, after a visit back to her temple, to make sure that she is able to attend the wedding. She still ponders Magus Eseriels interests and intentions with her and this Vanderboren business, as she goes to the Magus to report on the return of the dress, and whether the lady will go and bless it now.

Assuming she is allowed, she goes for her preparations. She ponders Angatis warning about this evenings event. She decides Angati is just a bit paranoid and strung up from this tough day, but still looks for a small, fine dagger she could conceal in the dress. Hmm, maybe she should start collecting daggers. There are so many fine varieties! And they ARE the favored weapon of the Ruby Sorceress...

For the dress, she goes for something not too fancy - even though something to complement her curvy figure would of course be fine. Maybe a purse, to hide her dagger and a few scrolls, would fit it...

Finally, she goes around the magic shoppes, looking for any intersting items. If nothing else of interest catches her fancy, she decides to invest in another scroll, if there's enough money left. How quickly these money go...

OOC: All the shopping is of course under the assumption that she is NOT able to gain new spells by going back to rest at the temple?? If she can, she does so. If that should take up all the time, she foregoes the dress and just uses her novice dress. A bath is required, no matter what, though :-)

How much was a 1st level scroll, 25 gp, right? And how much is a dress, a purse and an easily conceable dagger?

Edit: okay, no new spells, got it. Fortunately, she not quite exhausted yet :-)

This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Tue 10 Mar 2015.

30gp for a decent dress
2gp for a normal dagger, or 3gp for a curvy serpentine dagger
Yes, 25gp for a first level scroll
Go here for potion costs, http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/potions, but they are 50 gp for basic first level effects like CLW.

Please don't roleplay the dress buying if Angati agrees to go with you :/
maybe she will have other things to do anyway

Logan starts back walking alongside Alohan, silent, deep in thought.  A hundred thoughts raced through his head.  Is Tessara going to be safe?  Am I going to be safe?  What am I going to wear to this wedding?  The rogue's brow furrowed, and he concentrated on his thoughts, aimlessly following Alohan through the streets.  Finally, he broke the silence.  "Okay, I just have to know.  How can yo give me that much gold like it's nothing, but you live in Shadowshore?  It doesn't make any sense.  If you can be tossing around that much coin, you could certainly afford to live somewhere better."  He glances at the powerfully built man.  "I'll grant you're imposing enough, and you seem to be able to hold your own.  By why there," Logan gestures to the filthy hovels in the city, "When you could live anywhere?"

Angati's head told her that she shouldn't go shopping and should rather prepare, and spend her time doing something else... however, she was just a girl, and passing the opportunity to buy a dress was a bit too much for her... still, it was something that always made her sad, watching the dress on her old body did not really fill her up with joy.

She sighed, "Ok, just a plain one, but then I really need to take a good bath and visit my family.... hmmm and thanks... anyway, let's go, as I came with Khartach I saw a place that was quite nice..."

---

OOC: So after shopping she'd go clean up and then go to her family's state.
To the wedding, she'd take a walking stick. She is old, and it would go easily unnoticed.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Wed 11 Mar 2015.

Following Angati to the tailor she recommends, Celene is at first more *stunned* at the price of dresses in this city than she was at her first sight of a zombie. She accedes, but insists that a purse, able to contain a dagger and spell scroll comes with the outfit! She also silently praises the gods that Angati insisted on a plain dress, so she should be able to pay both as promised (if she is unable to pay for both, she will forego this expensive one and buy a plain one as Angati).

Realising that she won't be able to afford neither a scroll nor the jewelry that MUST go with this outfit, she goes to visit Nylaria at the theater, if she is there?

She has promised Lylaria a full story of the events following their separation, which she basically gives, with a few censored parts perhaps, ( especially excluding Angatis involvement!). She then asks whether Nylaria perhaps has some fake jewelry that could pass well enough for the real thing, that she could borrow for this evening? Not too gaudy...


OOC: what, no roleplaying our shopping spree? So disappointed :-) Wow, so that's how it is, wasting money on colored cloth.... :-)

Any chance of bargaining for a reduced price of the dress?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:22, Wed 11 Mar 2015.

Alohan had been recounting the day's events with Remmi as they made their way back to Shadowshore. They spoke in Nuari, keeping their voice low and minding who was close enough to hear. Logan's approach interrupted Alohan. He listened to the boy, thinking on the words. Despite them sharing a unique experience, Alohan wasn't entirely comfortable filling the man in on his life's story. Not yet at least.

"Remmi and I... We be not from dis city," he began, stating the obvious. "We be stayin' in Shadowshore by me own request. Only de gods be knowing- may we be moving sometime in de future. For now, I be wanting to start my search in dis Shadowshore. Experience de world outside of me own." Alohan had hoped he answered the question, but remained just cryptic enough to hide his intentions.

"And de shiny coins ya peoples' value very much-" he begins, gesturing to Logan's purse. "My peoples find dis concept amusing. I am only now comin' ta grips with de power of coin. How it corrupts. How it be controlin'. How it force a man ta do dings he not wantin' ta do. Dis Vark, be an example of dis. Da man wasn't born a.. a slave to de coin but he be growin' into one."

Alohan sighed and continued to walk, only half aware of how poorly he looked and how worse he smelled.

OOC: If you'd brought Bronson's cash back then he would've helped you out, but you didn't so he won't.

30gp = "Your dress is divine my dear!"
10gp = "<sniff> I see that Amarilde condescended to invite her country relations to her wedding. How good of her to remember the less well off."
< 10gp = "Ye gods! What is that sackcloth she is wearing?"

Price taken from the pathfinder standard rules for a courtesan 'costume'. I think that our modern senses are dulled to the relative cost of things back in ye olde days. They couldn't just get all their shit made in China like we do you know!

OOC: Ahhh! I have to put my foot down here. For goodness sakes', no more roleplaying about dresses and you know that damn well includes accessories as well.

<sigh>

She gets a purse of appropriate size and design for dagger and scroll concealment, and also borrows some costume jewellery from Nylaria. Assuming she buys the 30 gp dress she looks amazing and that is all I want to say about that.

Logan grunts at the islander's response.  "Well, there's a difference between being a slave to the coin and being able to afford to live somewhere where you aren't at risk of a shiv to your kidneys.  But it seems you can defend yourself well enough."  Logan looks down at himself.  "Speaking of coin, I should probably find something to wear to this wedding.  See you tonight?"

Logan departed, looking for a relatively cheap but suitable outfit to wear that evening.

Just one more thing for Celene: she takes the opportunity to gather whatever news or rumours about the Vanderborens (espcially Vanthus), Toregsons and the wedding is abound. Especially with Nylaria and Celenes relations at the temple.

Let me know if any rolls are needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:57, Thu 12 Mar 2015.

Alohan's preparation for the night's festivities began with a bath yet the water provided for him deep in Shadowshore smelled worse than he. Remmi returned to their apartment with a bowl of foul smelling sludge that he was expected to wash in. It wouldn't do, leaving him only one option. With Remmi in tow -and a bar of his isle's ash soap- Alohan went to the nearest shore and dove into the water. It was here, -hopefully- Alohan found clean, fresh, sea water to help him wash the muck off his ebony skin.

Afterward, Alohan took his 5 gold to a tailor. His current cloth covering his genitals had been soiled. It was quite disgusting, and not for more obvious reasons. As he casually strolled Sasserine, the Native looked for a leatherworker capable of covering his manhood but still making himself presentable. Perhaps, if Alohan was feeling wild, he'd try a shirt.

---

Spendin' dat Monies: Alright, I need a presentable loincloth with matching vest. Very little clothing but still enough to wear to a wedding. Next, Alohan wants to find some more paints for his body. Lets say Alohan brought with him a deep red from his isles but he is looking for more colors to increase his manly display.

Alohan finds a patch of water between the shore and Parrot Island that is free flowing and clear of recognisable raw sewage - that is about as good as it gets in Shadowshore since it is downstream of the other districts. The native warrior is successful in cleaning himself up and improving his smell.

OOC: Woah. He must really want to make a good impression if he is going to put a shirt/vest on!

O-kay. His loins are now girded and he is wearing a matching loin cloth and vest set (?!) with a collection of multi-coloured paints underneath. If that doesn't get the bridesmaids' attention, nothing will. Subtract the 5gp from your character sheet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Fri 13 Mar 2015.

Thread now closed, see you in 0G.

OOC: Well, strictly speaking you don't have the local knowledge skill so this isn't something you can take a check for, but of course you can ask the NPC's you know and they can make checks for you.

Celene's sources at the temple don't know anything, but Nylaria is a little more useful although she appears to preoccupied with something else while Celene is visiting. The ample bosomed operista says that she has heard about Vanthus. Apparently he came back from his Alphatian military school a couple of months ago and has established a reputation for being a bit of a bad boy. ("Drinking, gambling, whoring, you know what I mean," she pauses and looks Celene up and down. "Hmm. Well, actually you probably DON'T know what I mean!") She knows of the Toregson only tangentially. ("They don't come to the opera," she sniffs. "Aparently they prefer to visit the arena.") So she isn't much help there.