Escaping from Basharat's house, the party meet up around midnight at your favourite tavern, The Silver Eel.  You've taken a secluded alcove so you can share out your loot and make plans without being noticed.  Nyx used her wand of cure light wounds (3 charges) to heal Valor and Thymas's injuries from their battles with the thugs and the mimic.  Pascal the pseudodragon joined you on the walk here, hiding under Valor's cloak as you entered the tavern.  He stays hidden under the table, being nervous of the crowd at first, but pleased with himself for getting free at last.  You overheard the gossip on nearby tables; everyone is talking about the riot in a house on Carter Street up near the Marsh Gate.

A pot boy places your drinks on the table.  "Did you hear?  That General Worlga busted a den of thieves single-handed!  The city watch have the whole house locked down, its a crime scene!"  He scurries away clearing tables and spreading the gossip.

You hide your amusement with only a smirk or two over the rim of your tankards.

OOC (out of character): what really happened is recapped in the topic Basharat's House, as well as I can remember.  Please reply to that topic if you remember differently because that could be important for the story to come.  You can share out the loot from Basharat's house and Urgaan of Angarngi's treasure house now if you wish.  Use the tiny 'Post a Reply' link at the bottom right of this window to have your say, claim what you want, I'll add it to your character sheets.  Any items not wanted I will assume are 'fenced' sometime tonight (you'll get the cash listed, which is equal to half of its normal purchase price) but we don't need to play that out.  Here's the list:

From Lord Rannarsh’s body:
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (2d8+3 HP)  150gp
Potion of Bull’s Strength (increases Str +4 for 3 min)  150gp
Purse 220 gold rilks
Jewelled MW longsword, Rannarsh family heirloom (not magical)  2200gp

From Ulat of Angarngi’s body in the treasure house, picked up by Nyx:
Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (3d8+5 HP)  450gp
Potion of Blur  150gp
Scroll of Summon Monster I  (celestial dog)  12gp
Scroll of Summon Monster II (celestial giant bee)  75gp
Scroll of Confusion  187gp
Scroll of Web (Nyx can’t use it)  75gp
Purse  6gp

From Urgaan of Angarngi's treasure house:
1 ruby (‘the teeth of Mog’) hidden in Thymas' mother’s jewellery box at Vermin Catcher's guild - you'd need to go there to get it.

From Basharat’s secret room, stolen by Thymas:
3 sacks containing a total of 900 gold rilks

From Basharat’s trophy room, stolen by Thymas:
ivory statuette  80gp
6 pieces of silver jewellery inset with lapis lazuli  100gp ea

From Basharat’s auction, snatched by Valor:
Map, city of Ilthmar sewers and tunnels (General Worlga paid 800gp for it)
800 gold rilks paid by General Worlga for map
2 diamond in amber gluditch (500gp ea) paid by fire mage Sivilan for rubies
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:20, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

Pascal rubs his scaly face on Thymas's hairy feet, which conveniently don't reach the floor.  Growing tired of the damp straw on the tavern floor, he climbs up Nyx's leg.

"Coming up.  Make a lap." you hear in your minds, along with the sudden overwhelming feeling of how happy it would make you to find him some bacon rinds.  A gravelly growly purr can be heard from Nyx's lap as the dragon prickles and pokes himself into position, then another question enters your minds "Where will we live now?"

OOC: use the Game Map link above to view the Map for Group 0 showing Lankhmar's Tenderloin District.  You're currently in the Silver Eel.  You can select other maps using the link at the bottom of the map screen.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

If no one protests overly I lay claim to the Potion of Cure Serious wounds, Potion of Bull strength and the items I stole from General Worlga and Sivilan. Whatever Nyx and Thymas don't claim, I am happy to fence and split three ways.
Valor asks Nyx if there is anywhere that we can lay low without being found. If no where is suggested, we could stay at the silver eel for a few nights until things cool over.

Wow we got a good haul this this time boys! ill take all the scrolls I can use and the blur potion and I'm happy to split the rest. First order of business needs be getting Pascal some bacon rinds but since my lap is occupied currently looks like we will have to entrust this task to you Thymus. As to where we are going to stay well... we certainly cant go back to the thieves guild... could stay at my mums for a bit but that definitely isn't a permanent solution
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

I was found at my parents home so I think we can rule that out as an option. Nyx the thieves only really know Nyke, so I think you would be safest to gather info without drawing attention and any searches for a place to stay i think would best be done in disguise. Somewhere hidden and private that we organise ourselves as much as possible. Also swiped these extra goodies Takes out 5 small gems worth around 100gp each that we can get some extra cash on on top of everything else we can fence. With the map of the tunnel system i think a place to stay connected to the tunnels if possible we could use them to get around safely. In the mean time i think staying in one place too long is risky we should inn hop as much as possible

We'll camp out at the Inn here tonight and Nyx can investigate whats happened in the thieves guild. See what information we can gather. Wouldnt mind spending some of our hard earned dosh on some potions and whatnot.

Fencing the loot takes most of the night.  The gems are sold at Rennago's Gems and Jewellery but he's not interested in the 'religious' artefacts from Basharat's collection.  Those are sold to Ogo the Blind, who seems to recognise the items (silver jewellery and ivory statuette).  Hastirelo the kindly hedge wizard buys the unwanted scroll.  Finally, Nemia of the Dusk eagerly buys Rannarsh's sword, "Ha! His guards have been looking for this for months, but don't worry, I never tell who my sources are."

Following Thieves Guild tradition, you claim 'items' you can use then share out the cash evenly, taking a portion of your cash in gems, jewellery or gluditch if they're available.  You each get some items and a 2,134gp cash share, less 400gp expenses for going up a level (my house rule, it means you don't have to pay for everyday food, drinks, accomodation, clothing, etc.  You only pay for special items.)  Its all updated on your char sheet.

Nyx:
Potion of Blur  150gp
Scroll of Summon Monster I  (celestial dog)  12gp
Scroll of Summon Monster II (celestial giant bee)  75gp
Scroll of Confusion  187gp
2,134 gold rilks

Thymas:
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (2d8+3 HP)  150gp
5x100gp gems
1,634 gold rilks
1 ruby (‘the teeth of Mog’) hidden in Thymas' mother’s jewellery box at Vermin Catcher's guild.

Valor:
Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (3d8+5 HP)  450gp
Potion of Bull’s Strength (increases Str +4 for 3 min)  150gp
Map, city of Ilthmar sewers and tunnels (General Worlga paid 800gp for it)
2 diamond in amber gluditch (500gp ea)
1,134 gold rilks

You can buy new gear during the night if you wish, or at any time while in the city.

The smoggy Lankhmar sky is coloured pink with dawn when you finish fencing the loot.  Before heading back to the Silver Eel to sleep you split up and go separate ways to find out what you can.  You're more likely to be recognised as a group.  All three of you notice city watchmen posting three new wanted posters near the Marsh Gate: the picture gives a fair likeness of 'Lysandra - a Priestess of the Red God' and 'Cloppie - impersonating a watch sergeant, dangerous' and 'Basharat - endangering a law enforcement officer'.  The reward is 50 gold rilks each, alive not dead.

Nyx goes to Thieves House disguised as Nyke.  All is quiet at this time in the morning when all good thieves are home in bed.  Seeking old Dickon, she stalks along the second floor corridor.  At the Guildmaster's door she hears a woman's voice laughing "Ooo Krovie!  I do like bad boys... but I really must be going."  Nyke hurries along the corridor but Krovas's door does not open.  A little further along is the door to Hristomilo's room, Krovas's hired sorcerer.  A tapping noise makes her look up and her aasimar eyes spot a vile rat-like creature hidden in the shadows on the ceiling.  When she looks up it scuttles away on stunted legs through an open vent into the sorcerer's room.  Dickon is asleep in his chair but wakes at the sound of a creaky board when Nyke steps in.  "Ah, young Nyke, the slayer.  If you're looking for your boss, Basharat, you're not the only one.  Gis from the Slayer's Brotherhood was in here looking for him last night; wants his fee for deceased members.  But Basharat hasn't been in.  Don't expect we'll see him 'till he's figured out who his friends are, and that's no one here!  All mouth and no trousers he is, heh heh heh.  Sounds like a freelance-thief called Cloppie is trying to set up shop; getting that Worlga to dig Basharat out - very clever!  And a nice bit of property he's picked up there.  But if there's one thing Krovas hates worse than Voties its freelancers.  So this Cloppie had better get his arse in here and pay his dues to the Master if he's going to live to see another birthday."  Dickon locks his door and ambles off home to bed.

Thymas loiters outside Basharat's house disguised as a small boy eating a bun.  The entrance is being watched by a sergeant and three soldiers of the city watch, standing in Carter Street where the alley leads off to Basharat's door.  They cast nervous glances towards the upstairs windows.  While you wait, Lieutenant Fleet arrives with the relief watchmen.  He asks if the building has been searched and the bodies removed.  The night-shift sergeant shakes his head "No sir!  We ain't goin' in there.  When the last squad went in, half never came out!  And them that did said there was no bodies.  Its haunted Sir.  Body snatchers!"  The off-duty watch head off towards the South Barracks, throwing salt over their shoulders and making warding gestures against evil as they glance back at the house.  Fleet leaves with them but first reminds the fresh watch "I'll have to report all this to General Worlga.  Remember that the three wanted persons may be working together, and they are to be brought to the general alive for questioning and trial."  A while later the fresh watchmen stop a red-haired woman entering the brothel next door to Basharat's house and question her about the night before.  She convinces them she's not the one they're looking for, and invites them to join her when they come off duty.  They laugh and let her go.

Valor goes looking for Moolsh, the reasonably trustworthy thief who helped you avoid Rannarsh guards when you entered the city.  He sleeps at Squill's apartments after his rooftop night watch at Thieves House, and Valor finds him there.  "I heard that Bash ran off screaming and hasn't been home since.  I heard from Quatch who heard from Gib that Bash is holed up at Pulg's place.  You know Pulg - he runs the top end of the Street of the Gods while Bash runs the bottom end.  Well he used to.  What temple's going to pay him for protection now if he can't even protect his own home?!  But if I know anything about Bash its he always settles a score.  Whoever did it better watch his back!"  Returning to the Silver Eel along Bones Alley, a net falls from the rooftop and tangles an old woman limping along ahead of Valor.  He helps her out and shouts a warning at the workers cleaning moss from the gutters high above.

You straggle back to your room at the Silver Eel and tell each other what you've heard.  You brush away the cobwebs from the window and bolt shutters, wedge the door shut, and sleep through the day.  When you wake, after dusk, fresh cobwebs rim the window shutters.  You meet in the bar room, taking a secluded booth again, and order drinks and a meal.  Valor unrolls the tunnel map of the city of Ilthmar (a rival city to Lankhmar) and reads aloud his translation of the notes upon it.  This map tells you nothing about Lankhmar's tunnels, but you do know that there is an entrance to Lankhmar's tunnels somewhere under Thieves House, and Thymas knows how to get into the tunnels from his home at the Vermin Catcher's Guildhouse.

While you wait for your meal you can say what you want to do next.  And ... please make a spot check!  Use the dice roller, d20 + your spot skill modifier, and write spot in the reason for roll.  And do not tick re-roll 1's this time :-).  I'll tell you what you've spotted, or not, in the next round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:16, Sun 17 Feb 2019.

Pascal does not like the Silver Eel.  The room was stuffy.  And last night's bacon rinds were soggy! (You get a mental image of a cook named Joan who made nice crispy bacon, and an elderly man named Darby who sometimes opened the cage to let him fly around the house when nasty Mister Basharat was not at home.  There were many rooms, with fresh air through the barred windows, and lots of shinies in hidden nooks and hollow books.  It was a good lair.)

"I was chased from my lair by pine martins." (Image of fierce weasel-like creatures storming a nice hollow pine tree.)  "That's the way of the forest, the strong get the best tree.  We should find a new lair."

Pascal did not notice anything going on in the bar room.

21:40, Today: Pascal rolled 9 using 1d20+7.  spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Fri 15 Feb 2019.

OOC: I've made a small edit to the long post above, in the section describing the wanted posters (added Basharat) and where Thymas overhears Lieutenant Fleet (three suspects to be taken alive, and they may be working together).

There is now a map of the inn as Main Game Map.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:14, Mon 18 Feb 2019.

I feel like we should give anywhere Basharat is at a wide berth at the moment. Im down for tunnelling if you are? Don't expect we'll find any people down there... but a lot of rats... How do you feel about rats Pascal? Like your breakfast alive as well as smoked and salted?

"Im always happy to explore some treasure filled tunnels and i think we can call it even with Basharat coz we ransacked his house"
(slaps Thymas on the back heartily)
"I wouldnt mind picking up a potion of cure disease and an antidote especially if we're going into SPIDER INFESTED TUNNELS!!!!!!
Also need to get some bacon rinds for Pascal before we head out!"

The tunnels sound good might find some good entry points for future heisting while we're at it. I'd like to get some alchemist fire (say 4) in case anything likes to travel in swarms... Anti-venom is a great idea Valor! pick me up a couple of vials while you're out, i'll pay you back.
I might see if I can palm some jewelry around town for Pascal

OOC: We can assume you purchased items last night while you were fencing the loot.  Potion of Remove Disease is 750gp(!) from a temple.   Potion of Slow Poison is 300gp and delays the effect of poison for 3 hours.  An antitoxin is only 50gp and gives +5 poison saves for 1 hour (does not help with diseases).  Bacon rinds are bought with a smile to a serving girl.

Thymas has bought 4 alchemist fire (25gp ea) and 2 antitoxin (50gp ea).  I have updated on your char sheet.  If Thymas wants to palm jewellery, but we don't want to 'play it out' now because it happened last night, then I propose:
- Thymas rolls Sleight of Hand (+14 skill modifier).  Need 20 or more to palm some jewellery (75% chance of success).
- Thymas rolls Spot for the owner (+4 skill mod).  Compare this with the Sleight of Hand roll.
- If Spot is equal or greater then he's been caught, has to pay 200gp in bribes to get off (13.75% chance of being caught).
- If Spot is less then Thymas rolls 1d10 and multiplies the result by 10 to determine jewellery value (10-100gp).
- Thymas can describe the item (this price range is like a fine gold chain or silver ring with a turquoise stone).
- Overall chance of success is 75% x (1 - 0.1375) = 64.7% for 200gp risk and 55gp average gain.
- Additionally, each time he's caught increases owners Spot modifier by +1 in this city as he becomes 'known'.
- To reduce risk, decrease Spot mod by 1 for each decrease in jewelry die (d8, d6, d4, d2). Still multiply the result by 10.
- To accept increased risk, increase Spot mod by 1 for each increase in die (+1 for d12, +5 for d20).  Penalty still 200gp.

Nyx and Valor, let me know what you want to buy, or edit it on your char sheets.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Silver Eel is a rickety structure ravaged by the elements, in constant disrepair; not one of Lankhmar's finest inns.  It is a dirty, ugly haven for the lowest level of Lankhmar's society, yet the owner, Braggi, is trustworthy and provides surprisingly good food and drink.  Lankhmart merchants and even nobles have been known to visit the Eel, discreetly robed in their hooded black togas, or more often send their servants to fetch a serving of the Eel's famous beef stew.

The Silver Eel bustles with pleasantly raucous excitement.  Fighting men predominate and the clank of swordsmens' harness mingles with the thump of tankards, providing a deep obligato to the merry laughter of the women.  Swaggering guardsmen elbow insolent bravos, young lords boast and wager their allowance.  Grinning potboys carry open wine jars and serving girls dodge nimbly between crowded tables.  In one corner a courtesan is dancing, the jingle of her silver ankle bells inaudible in the din.  Above the common room, candles flicker in iron chandeliers and wealthier patrons lean on the balcony to laugh at the swill below.  Outside the small tight-shuttered windows a dry wind from the south fills the air with dust that eddies through the cobbled streets and hazes the stars.  But inside all is jovial confusion.

You're in a private booth in the corner.  You've paid Braggi an extra silver smerduck to keep eavesdroppers away, so you can speak freely.

Nyx didn’t notice anything unusual in the bar room.  (I’ll take your first spot dice roll.  I’ll add the skill modifier if you forget, no bennies to re-roll dice! :-)  Pascal's grumpy thoughts suggest he does not much like the crowded inn, or your mental pictures of dank tunnels, but yes he is an excellent hunter of juicy delicious rats! He's still prepared to wait while you find him a better lair, but not forever.

Thymas didn’t notice anything, too distracted with Pascal in his head about 'shinies'!  At least that thought has the full approval of the pseudodragon.

A serving girl comes into view around the corner carrying a tray of food heading for your table.  Valor certainly seems to have noticed her.  The serving girl puts the tray down on your table, looking a little flustered but managing a friendly smile, “House special, beef stew.  You won’t find better in all Lankhmar.”

OOC: map for group 0 shows the Silver Eel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:34, Sun 24 Feb 2019.

I yell to Thymas and Nyx not to eat the stew as I grab a bowl of the stew and double move after the man, I try to keep to any cover/shadows I can to avoid detection by the man (while still carrying stew).

OOC: Ill take three potions of anti-toxin  as well pls

While I'm running i whisper into the ring
"going after a man who poisoned our food. try get a sample of the white grains that look like salt. I think we've  been compromised, we need to find another hiding place!"

OOC: 3 antitoxin added to Valor's sheet.  I forgot one other useful potion, Lesser Restoration (300gp) which helps to remove temporary ability score damage from poison or magical effects which reduce ability scores.  Without a potion or spell the damaged ability score recovers at one point per day.  You can still buy potions now (from the night before) if you wish.

Valor shouts a warning about not eating the food then quickly gets up and follows after a small, greasy, weasel-like man who is walking casually towards the front door.  The serving girl looks dismayed at Valor's reaction to the stew.  Valor uses his whispering ring to tell Nyx and Thymas that he's going after the man who poisoned their food.  Nyx and Thymas look suspiciously at the 'salt' trying to guess what it is: thymas has no idea, but Nyx is certain it is arsenic (Fort save DC13, initial damage 1 Con, secondary damage 1d8 Con).  She whispers this to the others.  Thymas tries to follow Valor's suggestion and look in his pack for something to safely keep a sample of the poison in.

22:51, Today: The Powers, on behalf of Thymas, rolled 11 using 1d20.  thieves general knowledge, poison.
22:50, Today: The Powers, on behalf of Nyx, rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Bardic knowledge, poison.

Valor moves swiftly along the wall trying not to be noticed, but the assassin was watching over his shoulder and smirks when he sees Valor following.  As he opens the door, the assassin says something to Vobas the bouncer, which makes Vobas look up in Valor's direction.  The assassin then slips out the door into Dim Lane.

Valor knows Vobas a little.  He's a big man and unarmed, but Valor has previously seen him hurl a table to stop a bar room brawl.  He has a thick Ilthmar accent, never laughs at jokes and often sits idly on his stool humming quietly to himself.  This all makes most people believe he's dim witted, but the sharp look he levels at Valor suggests Vobas is anything but.  As Valor approaches, Vobas reaches out to the door and slides the bolt shut, then he points a thick finger at Valor and says "For stew you pay, not for bowl.  For bowl is one agol."

OOC: map for group 0 updated to show the assassin and Valor's position.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:09, Sun 03 Mar 2019.

Pascal stops thinking about shinies.  He growls softly to think that someone tried to harm his new friends.  While the serving girl is distracted by Valor’s sudden departure, he climbs onto Thymas’ shoulder to get a better view, but changes his colour to match the halfling’s curly hair to help him remain hidden.  He looks where Valor is heading and tries to read the assassin's mind, sharing the thoughts with his three new friends.  “He was worried because the poison was spotted and he could be outnumbered.  But now he thinks he’s very clever because ‘the mark’ is following alone.  Basharat will pay double for a kill!  He’ll delay him, then slip around the corner and hide in Bones Alley.  He'll put wasp poison on his razor blades!  He loves to leave them twitching while they bleed out.” Pascal loses contact with the assassin's mind when he turns right from the doorway and goes out of range.

22:23, Today: Pascal rolled 36 using 1d20+20.  hide on Thymas shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

The serving girl tries to reassure Nyx and Thymas about the stew.  "Oh look, Jacquard the chef has spilt his good salt.  Some of us like it salty."  She grins at her saucy joke and dabs her fingers in the salt then playfully licks it off.  "Oh!  Ah!  Its not salt!" she croaks as she staggers to her knees, clutching the edge of your table.

22:04, Today: Lovanya rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  poison save DC13

OOC: Lovanya failed the save, just, so she takes Con damage but will survive.  The way poison works in D&D3.5e is there is a second save after 1 minute, and secondary damage is applied if that is failed.  The secondary damage may be more or less than the initial damage, depending on the poison.

I offer Vorbas 5 agols if he lets me go for now and i will be back, hopefully he accepts and i can pursue the assassin, now aware than he is lurking in bones ally.
I whisper this to Thymus and Nyx and say get out here as soon as you can.

OOC: partial update for this round - Nyx and Thymas have still to act.

Vobas the bouncer beams when Valor correctly pronounces his name 'Vor-bas', then his eyes really light up when Valor promises to pay five agols.  "Later you pay, or have table on head!"  He slides the bolt back and pushes the door open.  As Valor steps outside Vobas adds "Small man you follow is name Grilli.  Is bad man.  Dangerous."  Outside there are about a dozen people in the dusty street.  Its mostly dark, with just a few lanterns hanging above doorways here and there, but Valor can see perfectly with low-light vision.  Valor sees Grilli turn the corner onto Plague Court, again looking over his shoulder to see if he's being followed and looking surprised to see Valor come out the door so soon.  Grilli hurries around the corner.

OOC: Map not yet updated.  Valor is just outside the door.  If he goes west along Dim Lane he could reach the window (1) with a double move.  Please reply again if you wish to do something else.

Nyx casually places her hand with the whisper ring next to her mouth "Better her than us and good boy pascal you are getting lots of bacon later! We should get out of here quick! Maybe from a back exit. Valor if you get out before us don't let him get away but keep him alive. I'm going to cosy up to a kitchen boy and see if there is another way out."

Nyx uses Diplomacy on kitchen staff
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Thymus speaks into the ring "Valor we should try and pincer him in, if their is a back door into bones ally we'll attack him from two sides!" if there is no back door thymus would like to look for a window facing the ally.

OCC: sorry for the late reply i'll set up reminders on my phone so I remember to check :)

OOC: reminder of the House Rule for concealed weapons.  You can openly carry one dagger in Lankhmar (City Watch guards expect that many people will carry a sheath knife as a tool or for eating).  You can openly carry other weapon(s) up to 1 pound in weight if they look innocent enough or guards don't know what they are (wand, sling, exotic weapons).  You draw an openly carried weapon as a free action combined with a regular move action.  You all carry concealed weapons (for Nyx is easy in haversack and draw is a move action, for others they are concealed using Sleight of Hand rules and you're assumed to have taken 20 because you had plenty of time to prepare).  To draw a concealed weapon takes 1 standard action.  House rule: you can draw a concealed light weapon (dagger, throwing axe, shortsword, hand crossbow, etc) as a free action combined with two move actions or a double move.  For larger weapons it still requires a standard action.

Valor follows the assassin, Grilli, and is still only one round behind thanks to his Tongues ability and a friendly chat with the bouncer.  He can draw a concealed light weapon (shortsword?) while he makes this double move, no one will notice because of the darkness of the street.  He is still carrying a bowl of poisoned stew in the other hand.

Nyx gives the stricken serving girl a passing glance as she leaves the table and heads across the room.  She catches up with a pot boy returning to the kitchen with a tray of mugs.  The boy is smitten by her overwhelming charm and stammers out "There's a door out the b-back, miss, past the loos.  Its n-not locked."  (Number 9 on the map).  He only wishes he could give her a kidney or something.  Looking ahead in that direction, Nyx can see a kitchen girl carrying a bucket of scraps around the corner towards the back door.

Thymas finishes fitting Pascal's first piece of jewellery and scrambles out from behind the table (lose 5' of movement) to follow Nyx, but moving more slowly on his shorter legs.  He knows the layout of the inn fairly well and knows that on the ground floor there are no windows on the Bones Alley side, only the two windows in the bar room.
 These are shuttered on the inside (it would take an action to open one) and barred on the outside (Thymas could squeeze through with a DC30 Escape Artist check, but Pascal could pass through easily).  He notices that another serving girl is moving to help Lovanya, and Braggi the barman (and owner of the Silver Eel) has left the bar and is moving toward the girl too.  OOC: let me know if you would prefer to open the shutters instead of following Nyx to the back door. 

OOC: map for group 0 updated to show where I have interpreted your current position.  Let me know if you would prefer to have moved somewhere else.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:58, Mon 11 Mar 2019.

Pascal purrs with pride at the compliment from Nyx.  He glances about to try to catch his reflection in a goblet as he rides, hidden on Thymas's shoulders, eager to see how grand he looks wearing his first ever 'shinies'.

Lovanya shuffles towards the bar, carrying the tray of poisoned food.  Another serving girl comes from the booths to see what's wrong, and puts an arm around Lovanya to help her.  Thymas catches a few of Lovanya's croaking words as he hurries on.  "... poison! ... ran off ... sods!"

I would like to discretely take out my sword while still holding the stew, but keeping the sword concealed within my cloak. I whisper to Nyx and Thymas that im still following him but may  need assistance as soon as possible

Nyx thanks the pot boy with a kiss on the cheek and makes her way towards the back exit. Whispers to Valor "Don't worry ill make sure to slow him down" as she moves she takes her wand of grease out and readies it under her cloak.

Thymus prepares for a fight and grabs (discreetly) a vial of alchemist fire, and whispers "This'll cut him off but i'll save it for a last resort"

OOC: Thymus will follow Nyx to the back door.

OOC: by now Thymas and Nyx have pieced together that Valor saw Grilli put poison on their food as Lovanya was bringing the tray to their table.  There was 'salt' spilled on the tray and the rim of two of the bowls.  Thymas was unable to take a sample because he had nothing to put it in and he is not trained in poison use (assassin ability) so he would risk poisoning himself.  The same would apply to Valor if he tries to do anything complex with the poisoned bowl, such as transferring the poison to another container or using sleight of hand to hide the bowl on his person, but simple actions like dropping or throwing the bowl have no risk.

Valor hurries on through the dark streets past a trio of drunken mingols laughing and singing in their native tongue and making complex hand gestures to go with the song.    There are a few other Random people about in the streets.  He reaches the corner to Bones alley and peers around.  His keen elvish eyes can easily see into the gloomy spaces between the pools of light from two lanterns.  On the left is a tenement building, its row of broad pillars support the overhanging upper floors and create a sheltered passageway off the alley.  On the right, past a hand cart and empty barrels is the back door of the inn, and beyond that the kitchen chimney stack and a gateway to a small inn yard.  He can see a pack of six alley Dogs sniffing around; they suddenly look alert as the back door of the inn opens.  There is no sign of Grilli or anyone else in the alley.  [Valor, please make a Spot check.]

Nyx leaves the smitten Potboy gaping at her back "G-g-gosh!" as she moves quickly towards the back door.  The Kitchen girl with the bucket of scraps has just opened the back door.  One of the alley dogs is jumping up at her and she gives it a kick as she readies the bucket to throw into the alley.  "Just wait, you mangy mut!"

Thymas takes a short cut through the crowded bar room, sliding past stools and under table edges (see tumble on dice roller).  No one pays him much notice except one grimy guardsman "Filthy rat-catcher!" and a drunken wench "Ooo look as his little legs!".  Thymas arrives at the back door passage just behind Nyx.  He now has a flask of alchemist's fire ready.

Across the bar room Vobas the bouncer goes outside, while Braggi the bar tender moves to speak with Lovanya.  A young lordling also gets up from a nearby table to speak with them, seemingly concerned for the girl's welfare.

OOC: map for group 0 updated.  The letters indicate who's who (Kitchen girl, Customers, Potboy, Serving girl, Random people in street, Dogs).  North us top of page.  You can all say what you want to do, move and action, and suggest how Pascal can help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Sun 24 Mar 2019.

I would like to slowly edge around the row of broad pillars support the overhanging upper floors to check if the assassin, readying my sword as I do so, while still attempting to conceal the blade from view from the entrance of the alley. I whisper to Nyx and Thymas what I'm doing.

OOC: partial update for this round.  Valor did not see Grilli (spot 15 vs hide 28).  You are all aware that Grilli is there, somewhere, so he cannot surprise you, ie. he can't sneak-attack you because you won't be caught flat-footed or lose your Dex bonus to AC.  Nyx and Thymas can also make Spot rolls if they look into Bones Alley.  Valor's Spot check did, however, recognise the lone Random person standing across the street watching you (map coordinate f16) - it is Sivilan the magician of the Eastern Empire who was at the auction.  He is not disguised, just hooded to shadow his face, which is no hindrance to low light vision.  When Valor recognises him, Sivilan looks surprised, as he does not recognise Valor.  After a moment he raises a thin finger to his lips then points past Valor towards the barrels.

In this RPoL version of our game, we don't roll for initiative, instead the party always have higher initiative than the enemies, so the party acts first then I write the enemies actions in the end-of-round summary.  You can use the Ready action, e.g. if this happens then I do that.  (Eg. if Grilli attacks me then I attack him with my sword).  In these cases the GM will roll dice on behalf of the PC, or you can preemptively roll dice that may get used if the Ready action happens.  A Ready action is not an extra action, you can have a move and an action in a round.  If you've already written an action (eg. Drink a potion) then you can't also make a Ready action in that round.

If you post again before the end-of-round summary, you can change your action.  I will use the last action written. This is how it works in other online games where i am a player.  I am rapidly discovering how different it is to GM an online game!  :-0

You can move through friendly characters (PCs and allied NPCs are white) and neutral characters (green NPCs) without any movement penalty.  Hostile NPCs will be red.  The green NPCs may become hostile depending on their reaction to you.

The map has coordinates on the edges that you can use if you want to specify exactly where you move to.  Otherwise i will interpret from what you write.

Valor did you intend to stay on Plague Court, or move along Bones Alley, or move somewhere else now that you've noticed Sivilan?  I'll update the map with street names.

I will post Grilli's action after you have all posted your actions for the round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:07, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

Pascal overhears Valor's whispered message, and he decides to scan the area of Bones Alley for readable minds.  His sharp little claws dig into Thymas' shoulder in alarm as he relays his thoughts to Nyx, Thymas and Valor.   

OOC: Nyx and Thymas are still to act this round.  Valor can still take an action and change his move if desired.  I will conclude the round on Sat evening.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Tue 02 Apr 2019.

Pascal's news throws the Party's plans into disarray.  After having moved so quickly around and through the bar room, they now proceed with caution.

Valor stays where he is, trying to watch Bones Alley and Sivilan at the same time, and also noticing that Vobas the bouncer has come around the corner from Dim Lane and is looking his way.

Nyx and Thymas watch the Kitchen girl throw the scraps to the dogs.  She heads back towards the kitchen as they move cautiously to the back door to Bones Alley and peer out into the night.  The cobbled alley is two steps down, so from this vantage point they can both see over the barrels to where Valor stands at the corner.  The six dogs are making a din, fighting over the scraps, but no one else can be seen until Sivilan steps up next to Valor.

OOC: map for Group 0 updated.  All three of you are entitled to an action (if you wish) from the previous round, as well as a move and action for the new round ahead.  All three please make a Spot check now that you know the locations of hidden people from Pascal.  You can nominate one person for Pascal to read their thoughts.

Sivilan, the master magician of the Eastern Empire who was at the auction, walks across Plague Court and stands next to Valor in the entrance to Bones Alley.  He is 5' 9" tall, wearing a black, hooded robe.  He is slightly overweight, with small delicate hands, straight black hair tied back under his hood and dark brown oriental eyes.  He ignores Valor for a moment as he raises his hands towards Bones Alley, speaks a magic word and waves four small red tongues of fire into the air to float at second storey height above the alley.  He chants out a stern-sounding monologue in the language of the East.

Turning calmly away from Bones Alley, Sivilan faces Valor, looking at him closely and asking in perfect Common tongue, "Have we met?"  Clearly he does not recognize Valor.

22:52, Today: The Powers, on behalf of Sivilan, rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Spot Sgt Marvin disguise from auction DC18.

I whisper ring to the other two:"i will wait for you both to arrive before considering heading down bones alley. I think i may be more prudent to leave. An all out fight will draw too much attention from the city guards."

I also toss the bouncer the coins that i owed him, plus an extra two for his trust.
I speak to silvan: I do not think we have met before, I think i would remember someone of your... abilities'

The Party's caution is paying off; clearly there is far more afoot than just the poisoning attempt.  Six rounds pass while Valor draws out information through conversation with unexpected visitors, and Nyx and Thymas work with Pascal to reveal the motives of the people hidden in the alley.  Together they peel back the layers of confusion.   Through whispered and telepathic conversations they gradually work out what the hell's going on!  :-)

Vobas prowls along Plague Court, glaring at the drunken Mingols and peering into alleys, then stops beside Valor and casually looks Sivilan up and down before ignoring him.  "Is good you pay.  Later you dead maybe!"  He chuckles at his little joke.  "You live, you pay too Lovanya.  Also you wash bloods from inn.  Bucket and waters you have in yard," he points towards the inn yard along Bones Alley on the right, "and hole for bodies where no one find.  No guard walks Bones Alley." He slaps Valor on the back and returns the way he came (conveniently ending up at the same position so I don't have to update the map).

The dogs snarl and yelp as they fight over the scraps, making it difficult to hear any other sounds in the alley.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Wed 17 Apr 2019.

Pascal cranes his scaly neck to peer out of the doorway as he reaches out with his senses to read the minds of Sivilan and the Unknown people hidden along the alley, and relay his findings to the Party.

Sivilan is flattered by Valor's compliment although he does not show it.  His thoughts are not in the Common tongue so Pascal does not understand them.  He seems calm.

The two Unknowns hiding in the alley (u8 and x11) know each other well, they're making faces at each other across the alley.  They have the same thoughts.  They're eager to fight but wondering what's the hold up.  If this Valor kills Grilli then we'll kill him, and Bash will have to pay us Grilli's fee!  He already owes us 30 gold rilks each.  If Bash doesn't pay up this time we'll kill him too!

The Unknown in the ground-floor doorway (p9) is dumb.  He doesn't know what's going on, but he won't let anyone in, that's his job, and paid up front for a change, so drinks again tonight.  Oh look, there's little Thymas and that Nyx girl across the alley!  Wonder if they're part of the plan?  Do I have to buy them another drink?  I don't get told nothin'.

The Unknown on the roof above the kitchen (s13) has a still, disciplined mind.  She thinks in a foreign tongue like Sivilan, but there is one word he recognises that she is focussed on - Basharat!  She is like a coiled spring, ready.

The Unknown at the first floor window (o11) is nervous and filled with hatred.  Why's that reeking magician here?  What's he saying?  Bloody dogs!  What're you waiting for Grilli, I paid you, kill him now!  Cut his pointy ears off!  Those two?!  Kill them all!  Bastards won't get paid!  I'll get them.  I'll get them all...

Sivilan does indeed smell rather pleasantly of incense, his hair being oiled and perfumed with eastern spices.  He waits impassively while Vobas comes and goes, watching the alley which seems empty of all save snarling dogs.  He watches Valor curiously as he speaks into his hand, but is unable to hear the whispered words.  When Valor speaks to him he inclines his head in a polite bow as he replies "I am Sivilan, master magician of the Eastern Empire.  Perhaps it is not coincidence that our paths should cross this night.  My enemy hides in that house," he looks towards the building with the pillared walkway, "and yours crouches behind that cart.  Your enemy is an accomplice of mine, my spy saw them plotting together earlier today.  The enemy of my enemy is my ally.  Blood shall be spilled this night, and the victors feast together.  What say you, ally, shall we begin with the enemy less hidden?"

Sivilan speaks a brief incantation and a burst of bright light flashes momentarily behind the cart, starkly illuminating Grilli the assassin for a second and leaving him blinking and dazzled (-1 penalty on attack rolls, Search checks, and Spot checks for 10 rounds).
23:44, Today: The Powers, for the NPC Grilli, rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Fort save vs Flare DC14.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Tue 16 Apr 2019.

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