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.