A few people on the street stopped and looked at Larwick when he burst out laughing. When they saw his face, however, every single one of them hurried about their business. Dalton looked at Larwick, unsure of what to do next. He looked at Golun handing Qitris the notebook. "So you found Roland... is he...?" He looks genuinely worried about the fate of his partner.

Opening the notebook she had been given, the handwriting managed to be so horrendous that Qitris could feel herself getting a headache as she tried to decipher the code. "Yeah, no, to the hells with that thing. If anyone else wants a headache, be my guest. We can just mace the answers out if we need to."

OOC: Terrible dice roller luck.

03:34, Today: Qitris rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Decipher Notebook.

Golun stepped forward, his huge frame towering over Dalton. "He's alive, for now. If you both cooperate that should continue for both of you, but if you don't I offer no guarantees for either of you."

He readied himself to pounce on the man should he try to run. He didn't want to kill him, but he couldn't just let him escape.

"I'll cooperate," Dalton says. "Roland's notebook should list his findings in the surroundings. Gold mines, gem deposits, anything of particular value Smith might be in the Rimewood to find. Also descriptions of anyone he's seen on the road."

Golun regarded the man, trying to see if he was telling the truth. As he did so he whispered a brief incantation under his breath. (Casting Guidance on Self) His eyes bored deep into the man's face, locking his gaze with a stern demeanour.

11:19, Today: Golun Fearstorm rolled 21 using 1d20+1d4+5 with rolls of 13,3.  Insight check with Guidance to see if Dalton is lying.


Assuming he is not lying:

After a few more very, very long moments, Golun spoke. "Very well. You will accompany us to Mr Smith and tell him your tale, and explain the markings in Roland's book. He will then decide your fate. If you are truthful and give him everything you know then you and Roland may live to see another dawn." He left unsaid what might happen should he fail to convince Smith. Golun was a newcomer here and not familiar with all of their laws yet, but his experience of frontier towns told him that justice was often swift and harsh, so this pair would be lucky to escape with their lives.

Dalton seems to be telling the truth. At the town hall, you are escorted upstairs, and led to a room at the end of the hall, past an open doorway where Roland is manacled and seated at a desk. As you pass, the two spies give each other worried looks before a guard inside closes the door, and Dalton is taken into the other room and similarly bound. Smith closes the door and takes you a little ways down the hall. "So... any of you folks have any skill with interrogations?"

"I can horrify them with my absolute lack of subtlety and tact, but I ain't a talker." Qitris' point was emphasized by tapping her shining mace on her pauldron. Most people were a nuisance to deal with unless they wanted to talk shop. Then they were either interesting or a complete bore.

In reply to Conspirator (msg # 61):

Golun looked Smith up and down. He was a stranger here still and did not yet know Smith's true character, but weak and gentle souls rarely became leaders in places like this. It was likely he was made of sterner stuff. After a moment he spoke up. "If you mean questioning through threats of violence, then no. But I have some skill in separating falsehood from truth, so may of some assistance."

He paused to consider his next words. "If handled right I believe that this pair of ne'er-do-wells could be a useful asset to this town. They seem to have gathered some useful information, and I suspect they are more motivated by coin and saving their necks than any loyalty to their employers."

OOC - in game mechanic terms, I have +5 for Insight and can cast the Guidance cantrip every round to add 1d4 to an ability check.

Larwick's face lit up with the question of interrogation, and he seemed to almost vibrate energetically in place

"Heh heh... Ah could givvit a try, howboutit?" the tiefling offered enthusiastically.

If he was given permission from the governor, he would make his way to the place where the two men were tied up, and spend a solid ten minutes painstakingly laying out a series of tools in their eyeline while humming a tune under his breath.

This would include the pliers from his thieves' tools, a small knife borrowed from Smith, many thin metal needles which were really just unused lockpicks, and a vial of water from Smith which he didn't clarify not to be a slow-acting acid.

After making sure Golun was nearby to ensure the truth of any statements they leaked, Larwick turned around and smiled to Dalton and Roland. The tiefling spoke out for the first time in ten minutes, after completely ignoring anything they may have said beforehand.

"'Elcome, gents. I know yer rea'y ta co'pate wi' us, so this 'sall jus' ta make cer'ain ya know jus' how se'ious we ah 'bout ya two makin' up fer yasins, yahear?"

Leaning forward to the tied up men, so that they had no choice but to embrace his halitosis and witness his vicious appearance straight from a nightmare, he began to question them in a very unstable tone, as if he may break down and commit violence on them at any moment.

OOC: Rolling intimidation. In the hope that the scenario gives advantage, I will roll with advantage but record both results so that the GM can only keep the first if they don't think I should have advantage :)

quote:

13:35, Today: Larwick rolled 20,7 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 15,2.  torture (well, the threat of it) with advantage (maybe?).

Same result regardless of advantage: The total is 20.

Narbu just shakes his head at Smith's question; he's big and strong, sure, but he's better at prying secrets from the woods than from a fellow humanoid.

He watches the tiefling ply his craft, taking it in stoically while becoming a bit uncomfortable inside. He resolves to keep an eye on proceedings. All this scene settin's alright, but I'll see that he doesn't cross any lines.

Narbu may step in if Larwick goes in for bodily harm, at least to make sure Smith is alright with things. If he's just an overruled "good cop," that's fine, too.

Smith lets Larwick lead the interrogation on the condition that he not use violence on the men, unless they used violence first. Each man was in a separate room, so that they couldn't hear the other's answers. You are taken to Roland first. By the time Larwick finishes setting up his tools, a puddle has formed under the scrawny spy's chair. "I'll tell you whatever you wanna know! Just don't hurt me!" he screams. "This was supposed to be a simple information gathering job! Orlando didn't say Smith hired madmen!"

Golun towered over the urine-soaked Roland, wrinkling his large black nose as the pungent aroma filled his nostrils. He looked down at the fear in the man's face and spoke calmly, but with an authoritative tone. "Not all of us are madmen, but what you tell me will determine how well I am able to restrain my companion's... urges." He bent down, locking eyes, then offering a gentle smile; a smile that may not have helped considering the enormous teeth that protuded from the corner of his mouth. "Now, tell me about Orlando. Who is he and what was the nature of your mission." As he spoke he gently flexed his claws.

Once the man starts talking, Golun will continue to quiz him to obtain more information about who hired him and why, and what information has been discovered. He will also ask Roland to clarify the information in the notebook, and ask his about what isn't written down as there may be more in his head. He will then ask what the plan was for after they had gathered the information, how were they supposed to report back.

Roland explains that a Varnese jewel merchant named Fior Orlando hired him and his friend to determine whether Smith had discovered a gem mine in the region, and if so, what kind. Orlando hadn't bothered to explain why. Roland confirmed that the notebook described everyone who had come to Smith's Gambit over the last day, particularly noting that no one carrying mining equipment seemed to have arrived. A small area near the road was mapped out, as well, though it bore nothing of interest.

Golun mused on the man’s tale. He was only new here himself but had seen no evidence of miners or their equipment in the short time he had been here. He looked back down at Roland. “And what led this Orlando fellow to believe such a mine exists in the first place? Does he have knowledge that we do not?”

"So, a seller of shiny rocks wants to know if someone else is possibly gathering more shiny rocks than him? Why did he choose the two of you to do this scouting? Are you supposed to be good at it?" Qitris finally piped up. Most gems had some use in magical practices, but after that they were just decoration that she never found very impressive. "And I take some offense at being called a 'madman'. I assure you I am quite sane - just not tolerant of fools."

Roland replied, "He never said! I just know that he's owns a bunch of gem mines, and has something against the man, Smith, personally! He hired us because we don't look Varnese! He figured no one would see past our disguises if we got caught, and it would never come back to him! But he swore the job wouldn't be dangerous, and we ain't willing to die to keep his name clear! I never said you were a madman, miss, just that anyone who would hire one, would hire more, you know?"

Golun mused for a moment on the answers. "Wait here," he said to Roland, not that the fellow had any choice in the matter.

He left the room and entered the other where Dalton was similarly trussed up ready for interrogation. Again he towered over the captive as he began his questioning. "Now, I've had a little chat with your friend next door and he's told me quite a tale. How about you give me your version? For both your sakes I hope your stories match up..."

He then proceeded to quiz Dalton to see if his version of the tale did indeed match what Roland had said, and also to see if he had any additional information that his colleague may have forgotten to include (or didn't know in the first place).

Will use Insight and Guidance cantrip as needed to gauge if he is telling the truth.

Dalton says they were hired by Fior Orlando, a Varnese gem magnate with a paranoid obsession with Smith. They were supposed to determine whether Smith had found, or was looking for any gem mines, get details on said mines if found, and return to Varna with the next caravan to report. They would get paid regardless of any information found, but would only get half if they failed to keep Orlando's involvement secret. Roland was to map the area nearby and note comings and goings, while Dalton was to carouse with the local laborers to learn what was up. So far, they had turned up no news about any gem mines, nor any indication Smith was looking for one. Dalton had managed to acquire a copy of the latest map of the region Smith had been distributing to adventures.

Go ahead and roll your Insight, if you wish.

Golun listened carefully to Dalton's tale. The details seemed to marry up with what Roland had said. He stared hard into the man's eyes, looking for any tell that something was amiss.

11:44, Today: Golun Fearstorm rolled 10,3 using 1d20+5,1d4 with rolls of 5,3.  Insight with Guidance. TOTAL 13.

Dalton seemed to be telling the truth. He seemed to be a bit perturbed about getting arrested, but happy to cooperate.

Golun was satisfied that both new were telling the truth and not withholding anything. He summoned his colleagues together and spoke to them in private, away from the prisoners. “I believe the tale they are telling us. They have little to gain by lying, and are little more than hired lackeys motivated by coin. I am happy to report our findings back to Smith and recommend leniency when he decides on an appropriate punishment for them. In fact, I’m not even sure any crime has actually been committed, and will highlight that to Smith.”

He looked at the others, seeing if they had anything else to contribute to the conversation.

Larwick looked thoughtful.

'What a waste~ Such an opportunity to relieve some tension doesn't come around very often~ I'm sure I could persuade Golun to let me have a little more fun... all under the guise of work, of course~'

'No. This much is enough for results. This job is close to completion, I should not add unpredictable variables at this stage.'

Then, the tiefling shrugged nonchalantly and let out a scoff of a laugh, "Aye, 'at seems ta be th' case. These fellas won' cause Smith anymo' prollems, I reckon. Knowin' their type, they'll jus' be 'appy ta save their own 'ides. They prolly got nada fer loyalty teuhwerds their bossman, I betcha"

"Very well, let us report back to Smith."

Leaving the prisoners in the capable hands of the town guards, Golun returned to find Smith (presumably with the rest of the party in tow).

Upon finding him he repeated his findings based on what the men had said, giving as much detail as possible. In conclusion he stated, "I do not think these men pose any threat, and if there is nothing to find then your rival has wasted his coin. However, I doubt that these are the only spies that have been sent to eavesdrop on your activities here."

After allowing Smith time to process the information he queried the fate of the prisoners. "What do you intend to do to them? They are hired lackeys, nothing more. Maybe you could find use for them here? Orlando may assume they are captured or dead if they don't return. Or maybe simply allow them to return with their report, which was that they found nothing of value. Either way it is your choice."

While his voice betrayed little, his body language suggested that Golun would not be impressed should Smith choose the harshest of punishments for the spies.

Smith thought for a moment, then said, "well, they haven't hurt anyone, stolen anything, or snuck in anywhere they ain't allowed. Despite what Fior believes, I ain't tryin' to ruin him. May as well send these fellas back to report that they didn't find nothin'. I'll leave it up to them if they wanna admit you discovered who hired them. Anywho... I believe you've gone above and beyond the requirements for a patrol. Here's yer pay, and yer bonus." He hands each of you two pouches of gold from a locked drawer under his desk.

Congratulations on completing your patrol! Each of you gains 50gp, 200xp, and 2 downtime units.

"A wise decision," Golun counselled. He collected his pay and turned to his companions. "It was a pleasure exploring with you, and a good opportunity to better understand this place. I'm sure our paths will cross again soon."

With that he made his goodbyes and headed off into the town.