The caravan bids goodbye to the party and continues northward toward Alaka. The heroes journey south and the sun sets with them still a few miles out of Westbank. Their prisoner dawdles occasionally but his obvious fear of Thorfire keeps him, for the most part, moving on pace with the others. They arrive on the outskirts of Westbank at 10 pm. A few townsfolk still stir (or stagger, in some cases) in the streets, but for the most part, the town is quiet.

In reply to DM (msg # 473):

"What? No parade?" Lazaret mumbles to Thorfire. He then walks the prisoner and his comrades to the center of town and nimbly climbs up the statue and begins to speak.

"Town of Westbank! Your heroes have returned. There were many dangers on the road, but none too dangerous for the likes of us. Gather 'round townsfolk and I'll tell you of battles, of victory, and of justice.

"You, drunk man! Come over here. You, lady sneaking away from her husband's home! Listen to what I say. You, young boy! You are up too late and should be in bed, but never mind that. Go fetch Sister Gwendelon as this concerns her most of all.

"The road was hard and cold, but we pressed on knowing that time was not on our side. We met there a woman and her children. Her husband had been kidnapped. Thought this was none of our business, we had to make it right. We found him. Killed his orc captors. And set him free.

"Then back upon the road we met a man - half raven, half...well, he's a good guy as it turns out. Then we found the cart that young Kevril had mentioned. Using our skills at tracking we were able to follow the trail to a cave. There is where our adventure really began.

"Fifty goblins guarded the entrance. We snuck past them, killing a couple in the process. They had set many traps and kept giant rats as pets. These were smelly and bit harder than one would think. But we pressed on! More goblins attacked and they fell too. We were injured, almost killed in fact. But nothing would stop us from finding our quarry."

Lazaret, seeing a crowd gather increases the intensity of his performance. He draws his rapier and begins acting out the scenes of violence high atop the statue.

"Finally we located this man, Malik! He was guarded by two of the most giant, hairy and foul smelling goblins that any of you have never seen along with two men who were already dead. Well, thanks to some highly skilled spell-casting and first-rate sword work - no offense, Celador - we vanquished these foes and reduced this 'Hooded Man' Malik to the whimpering pee-soaked mess you see before you.

"He stands here now and will answer for the murders formerly attributed to Kevril Moonstone. In addition, we add the charge of necromancy, a vile and disgusting offence if there ever was one.

"And now I need a drink. Who's buying?"


19:33, Today: Lazaret rolled 5 using 1d6.  Bardic Inspiration.
19:32, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Performance.
Total of 15 so far...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Fri 21 July 2017.

Celador watches the performance, mildly amused, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the gathering crowd.


16:51, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  perception.

Lazaret please roll for performance to see just how large this crowd gets!

Others can aid with performance rolls of their own... 15 or higher will give Laz a +1.  20 or higher will give him a +2.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:00, Thu 20 July 2017.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 475):

Therarak leans towards to Celador and motions to Lazaret, Oh how does like to give speeches.

OOC: Germans? Forget he's on a roll.

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 474):

Wondering to himself, What the hell is the damn cat doing this time...

Sliding his dagger from its well worn sheath, Thorfire presses the razor sharp point into the hooded man's side.  One wrong move or if someone tries to interfere or free you and you will die a quick death.  I will try to make it painful, just for fun.  Please give me a reason...My companions seem somewhat distracted and probably won't get here in time to save you.

22:28, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight).
22:26, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Fri 21 July 2017.

"Don't forget to tell them the bits about how we fed the dead goblins to the hungry rats, or how the zombies hands exploded when they punched." Celador hollers to Lazaret, egging him on in his performance.



22:51, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 19 using 1d20.  performance.

damn, so close, too bad I am +0 to performance.

Hey, a +1 is still a +1, am I right?

In reply to DM (msg # 480):

16:36, Today: Lazaret rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Performance - final roll

Standing directly in front of the statue of Staal Stronghammer, Lazaret begins his speech with an audience of a single drunkard, too inebriated to sulk away from the Tabaxi as he waxes poetically. Soon thereafter, another pair stumbles out of the Trollop and Troll and comes over to investigate. "What's this now?" one of them wonders aloud.

As luck would have it, it is an unusually busy night in Westbank, and a string of fishermen pour out of the Big Sturgeon and head straight for the commotion. In a matter of a few moments, dozens of curious citizens have gathered around the party, whispering and muttering among themselves. The gathering crowd icludes Taylin Narr (the Mayor), Tovar (the mill worker who Lazaret met at the Trollip and Troll two nights ago), and Morlough Merris (the small man who took offense at Lazaret for stowing away on his caravan to Westbank). For his part, Merris seems less confrontational tonight than when they first met, possibly due to being scared straight by the Tabaxi a few nights prior and also possibly due to his improved financial position in the town as explained by the portly old man from the caravan presently headed toward Alaka.

By the time Lazaret reaches his description of Malik and his antics, the crowd has been whooped into a total frenzy. They boo and hiss at each reference to the hooded man. "We don't want no necromancy in these parts," a crowd member shouts. "Feed him to his rats," suggests another.

"Free Kevril!" another shouts. And then another, until, after a few repetitions, the entire crowd is chanting it. "Free Kevril. Free Kevril. Free Kevril. Free Kevril!"

And just as the crowd is on the brink of rioting, they quickly hush to little more than a buzz. The cause of the hush is quickly determined as the party spots Sister Gwendelon maneuvering through the crowd toward them. Alongside her is a giant of a man. The goliath stands nearly 8 feet tall. His gray skin is striped with darker arrows. His arms look like tree trunks and his eyes glow an eerie blue.


OOC: Not sure how I missed your roll earlier, but that second roll was over the top!

The crowd makes way for Sister Gwendelon as she makes her way to the party. She looks equal parts amused and surprised. "Fire Star of the Lazaret," she begins. "I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you back here. Consider me surprised."

She looks suspiciously at Malik. "And this is the hooded man Kevril spoke of? If you are who the young Moonstone says you are, then you are in a great deal of trouble."

Malik says nothing, his eyes affixed on ground in front of him.

Gwendelon turns to the Goliath. "Traitlin," she instructs. "Escort this man back to my office. We will question him there. And keep his hands bound. If Kevril's report is accurate, he's a spellcaster." The Goliath grabs the hooded man under an arm and carries him away.

In reply to Sister Gwendelon (msg # 483):

"Yes, Traitlin. Keep him bound. He is not to be trusted. Though, to be honest he has been whimpering like a little bitch since we met him."

Lazaret attempts to help the Goliath escort the prisoner. And, turning to Celador, says under his breath "How big is our reward here?"

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 484):

Thorfire follow the goliath, making good use of the shadows...

20:41, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 25 using 1d20+5, rerolling ones. Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight).

Celador looks at the tabaxi and, shrugging, replies "I thought you were the one who set this up. Didn't you talk with the boy's mom?"

"Good Sister Gwendelon, please let us know if you require the services of our band of adventurers to help keep the peace in your lovely city. We are available for hire, no job is too small and our prices are quite reasonable." he says loud enough for those gathered to hear and he gestures to Laz, Therarak and, -...where did Thorfire go?! he was here a second ago...-

"In the meantime you will find us in the tavern." as he makes his way to the Trollop and Troll.

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 486):

"You are right, my elven friend. I must go meet the widow Moonstone."

Lazaret leaves the goliath and the hooded man and makes his way to the house of Hyacinth Moonstone. Sure that he has the right door, he knocks three times, pauses, then knocks five more times.

"Miss Moonstone. Fire Star of the Lazaret has returned. We've found the man and your boy will soon be free."

Disappearing into the shadows, Thorfire stalks Traitlin back to the Constable's office. The Goliath walks through the front door with Malik still under his arm. "Sit there," he advises Malik while he unbars the cellar doors that lead to the basement cells. "Don't move."

From what Thorfire can see through the window, the hooded man complies with his captor's request. After a moment, Traitlin motions to the door. "This way," he says. "Your cell is down here."

Both Traitlin and Malik disappear down the stairs. Thorfire hears the jangling of keys and the sound of one of the cells below opening and slamming closed again. A few moments thereafter, Traitlin comes back up the stairs, closes and bars the door, and then sits at the desk.

The Good Sister smiles at Celador. "I may take you up on that offer, Master Qirus. I still have many questions about this hooded man, but first I must see to it that he is properly detained. So plan on more questions. If I do not find you in the tavern, may I ask that we all meet in the morning?"

Lazaret waits for a long time before the door cracks open, but it does eventually do so. Once he gives Lady Moonstone the good news, she throws her arms around Lazaret and sobs. "Oh Pelor be praised," she cheers, still sobbing. "You've saved my boy. Pelor be praised!"

She wipes the tears from her cheek as she continues. "I didn't even know if all this cave nonsense was the truth. All this talk about a hooded man and bodies in carts, it was all so... unbelievable. Thank Pelor you were able to find the cave and the hooded man. You've rescued Kevril."

In reply to Traitlin Uthudar (msg # 488):

Thorfire patiently waits in the shadows to see if the good sister will interogate the prisoner.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:14, Thu 27 July 2017.

"Madam. I fear this is not over just yet. This man we found, Malik, is being held in the same jail as your son. He is a necromancer and a horrible person. I fear that he may try to influence or even harm your son while in jail. Perhaps you should speak to Sister Gwendelon now that the circumstances have changed. She is a reasonable woman. I'm sure she wants Kevril to be safe as well."

Lazaret takes his leave of Hyacinth Moonstone and makes his way over to the Trollop and the Troll to join Celador. He enters the tavern with great panache.

"Which is the hero's table? Ahh! Over there. The one with the dashing elf. You all should know that I taught him everything he knows about handling a blade..."

Lazaret continues weaving tales and entertaining the patrons, whether they want it or not. He orders many drinks and much food, but never from the wait staff so he would not be expected to pay.

Celador cheerfully replies "Indeed, we would be more than happy to help you in your investigation. My sword and Laz's entertaining tales are at your service!"

He enters the tavern and scans the room for Mattis. The savory scents in the air trigger a growling in his stomach for some of her mutton.

Do we move back to the Trollop and Troll thread?

In reply to DM (msg # 482):

Therarak reports to Sister Gwendelon as he her hands her the hooded man's ring, Most honored sister, this "hooded man" is a worshiper and servant of Lolth, the Spider Queen. As I call the underdark my home, I have had the misfortune of encountering her web of lies and treachery. It never ends well.

If I know anything about her web of lies this is not the end. I fear this town may be in greater danger than we know.

Hyacinth wipes the tears from her eyes, revealing the determined look of a mother protecting her child. "I'll have no necromancer taking advantage of my poor son," she sniffles. "I'll speak with the Good Sister. Certainly she'll listen to reason now. Thank you again and Pelor's blessing on you and your friends." And as Lazaret heads to the Trollip and Troll, Hyacinth also heads back into town to see Sister Gwendelon about her son.


OOC: Lazaret and Celedor can now move to Chapter 5A: The Trollip and Troll.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Fri 28 July 2017.

OOC: Thorfire can now move to Chapter 5B: Outside the Constable's Office.

The Good Sister takes a long look at the ring. "Well well well," she surmises. "This gives me even more questions." She looks to the Svirfneblin and smiles. "I must speak with this Malik and see what information he provides. I mentioned to your Elven companion that I may have more questions for you all in the morning. That supposition is now absolute. Would it be possible to meet at my office an hour after sunup? By then Uthudar and I will have some answers from Malik and we will all have had a few hours of rest. Both will be to our advantage." She closes her hand firmly over the ring and nods to Therarak. She hands the ring back to Therarak. "In the morning, then."

She turns and heads north toward her office.

OOC: This closes chapter 4. Therarak you are free to join Lazaret and Celador at the Trollip and Troll (Chapter 5A). If you'd like to explore elsewhere, let me know in the OOC thread and we can make a separate thread for it!

Also OOC: though Mrawk followed you back to town, he disappeared shortly after the crowd started gathering. You don't get the feeling he was kidnapped, it was more like he doesn't really like crowds, so snuck away when it got a little too crowded.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Fri 04 Aug 2017.