Beginning with the northwest tower, you all follow the perimeter road clockwise. Your first pass is uneventful, but as you once again walk between the southern towers, Qitris notices something that was not there before. No, not something... someone. A man hiding in the woods to the south, watching the road, and glancing back and forth between the towers. Judging by his style of dress, he isn't one of the local tribesman. To those that have been there, he dresses in the style of Wuaden.

While it was cold, so blasted cold, here the walk around the area was at least some nice sightseeing. It certainly didn't beat the workbench and poring over schematics, heavens no! But a change of scenery could bring about new ideas.

So when the change in scenery changed again, Qitris held out a hand to halt the rest of the patrol and pointed towards the skulking figure. "What do you make of that? That's not normal, right? Suspicious? Seems like suspicious actions of a suspicious person. Unless someone knows them? Then you should talk to them and say they're weird. Being weird, I mean, being weird."

Golun walked purposefully, looking all around and making a mental note of his surroundings. He had no need of maps to guide him, his memory serving him well in tracing his steps. As he walked he occasionally stopped to inspect the bushes, picking handfuls of berries and placing them in a pouch in his pack to eat later.

When Qitris spied the fellow lurking in the trees, he nodded at her. In a low voice he whispered, “You have good eyes, Elf. I wonder what his purpose is? Is he a bandit, a fugitive, or something else? He doesn’t seem to be local.”

For now he left his large hammer slotted into the frog on his belt, while his shield remained slung over his shoulder. He kept still, observing the fellow and the surrounding woods to see what else he could see.

OOC - has he seen us yet? From your description I have assumed not.

Narbu stays towards the front of the group, clearly at home in the cold woods. He observes the bearfolk's knowledge of the land approvingly, and joins in the occasional foraging.

As Qitris points out the suspicious man, Narbu stops and observes. "Interesting behavior," he whispers in reply, "but who can say what he's up to. Reckon we should go ask him."

The first pass with this group had been uneventful and quiet. It was certainly an odd mixture of races, of course including himself. The first talk up until now was on this topic. Fine by him, he appreciated people who focused on getting a job done, and nothing else.

Larwick listens to the other three talk before tossing in his opinion with a shrug, "The fella's purpose is hard ta say, I reckon'. I figger we can either pass 'im by or check 'im out. I don' s'pose it's our duty ta harass random bystanders, but it could be."

He added, "'Tsup to ye three. I'll forfeit ma vote, 'ere."

Golun kept his eyes on the stranger while replying quietly to the tiefling. “We are duty bound to challenge him. If he has no intent to cause trouble then he can go about his business, but if he is a threat to the town or to travellers on the road then we must act.”

Larwick sighed, "'Ats two o' us, then. Lets get goin', eh? Im gunna keep ma distance, lest 'e go rabid on us, an' I need ta shoot 'im down".

Going along with the popular opinion, the tiefling expresses his desire not to get too close to the stranger, and his ability to attack at range. He doesn't seem to be carrying a bow, though. He doesn't carry any visible weapons, but he may have some concealed underneath his cloak, which is dark enough to hide any contours.

The goliath steps forward from the group a little ways, cups his hands around his mouth, and loudly hollers, "HEY, YOU THERE! YES, YOU, HIDIN' IN THE WOODS. WHAT'RE YOU DOIN' OUT HERE? SOMETHIN' WRONG?"

He pauses, nonchalantly awaiting a response to his perfectly normal conversation starter.

After a while of nobody speaking up, Larwick sighs and is about to call out before his teammate does so.

Deftly avoiding an awkward moment of talking over the fellow, Larwick follows up in support by also shouting to the shifty man from a distance of sixty feet, "Oi! Don't ye dare try runnin', and state yer biznis!"

OOC - If you think the situation needs it (prolly unecessary if the guy isnt hostile), here's an intimidation roll:

quote:

16:05, Today: Larwick rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  first roll pog - intimidation check.

It's not my luck. It's just my reality

This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Mon 03 May 2021.

The man draws a small crossbow, but stops in his tracks when Larwick calls out. He looks you all over, and decides to take his chances at running. He moves shockingly fast!

Initiative!
Larwick
If you beat a 13, post your first round action. If you roll lower, please wait until after I've posted again.

15:38, Today: Golun Fearstorm rolled 20 using 2d20, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 20,7.  Initiative, ADV with Vigilant Blessing.

Seeing the fellow begin to flee, Golun reacted quickly. He spoke a brief incantation in a strange tongue, then gestured forward towards the running man. “A-nis an dorchadas a ’cruinneachadh, bidh rionnagan a’ tòiseachadh a ’spùtadh; bidh eòin, agus beathaichean, agus flùraichean a dh ’aithghearr nan cadal.”

If the spell works he will then advance towards the man while retrieving a length of rope from his pack.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
“Now the darkness gathers, stars begin to peep; birds, and beasts, and flowers soon will be asleep.”

---

Casting Sleep centred on the running man. If he has 20 or less HP and is not immune he will collapse in a deep sleep for 1 minute.

16:04, Today: Golun Fearstorm rolled 20 using 5d8 with rolls of 3,7,4,1,5.  Sleep spell.

Golun attempts to put the running man to sleep, but it doesn't seem to work.
The man dashed behind a tree (1/2 cover)

Initiative

Qitris 12
Larwick 7
Narbu 6
Golun 20
E1 13


This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:03, Thu 13 May 2021.

Narbu hustles toward the man. "STOP! WE'RE WITH SMITH'S GAMBIT!" It's important to make sure he knows they're an official town patrol, after all.

Action: Dash
Movement: To D16

Whoever the man was, he seemed more interested in making a standoff versus running away completely. Holding up her shield and keeping her other hand free, Qitris moved up to be a barrier between the man and the rest. "If you like not having a bolt shot into you I'd advise you to stay behind me. Or use the trees for cover. Or use your own shield if you have one!"

OOC: Move to D 10, Dodge action.

Since the elven lady seemed intent on letting herself be a human shield, Larwick was more than willing to comply. On his way to rush to skulk behind the shieldbearer, he expertly stowed his weapon and magical energy coalesced in his now free hand.

A rotating, perfect sphere of pitch black void apparated, letting off a cold mist before the tiefling let out a hoot of joy and launched the orb motionlessly towards his target at such incredible speeds that it travelled over a hundred feet in an instant, and was stretched out of shape from the G-force, becoming a foot-long needle before impacting on a nearby tree, having missed it's mark.

Golun looked distinctly unimpressed at the failure of his spell. “Either that fellow is stronger than he looks or he has fey blood in his veins.”

He began to hurry along with the rest of the group. As he did so he unslung his shield and held it ready to block any incoming missiles.

Move - heading in a straight line towards the fleeing man.

Quitris acts as cover for her allies.
Larwick assaults a tree with magical force.
Narbu dashes after the stranger.
Golun readies his shield as he moves forward.
The suspicious man comes out from behind the tree... and drops his crossbow to the ground as he approaches, stumbling for a moment on the uneven ground, and raises his hands to show he is unarmed.
"I surrender," he says. He looks over at the blasted tree, "don't shoot!"

Initiative

Qitris 12
Larwick 7
Narbu 6
Golun 20
E1 13

Golun kept advancing but slowed to a more sedate pace, shield held ready just in case this was a trap. But he kept his warhammer in his belt for now, to demonstrate that he didn’t want to attack. “We accept your surrender. Walk slowly towards us, you will come to no harm. I swear this by Selune’s grace.”

As he walked his eyes darted left and right, scanning the trees for signs of an ambush. As he got closer he continued talking. “Now, who are you and what are you doing here?”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Fri 14 May 2021.

Narbu approaches the man, saying, "No sudden moves, alright?" He grips his handaxes and draws them, keeping them low, just to be ready for further surprises.

Action: Readied attack for if the man stops cooperating (hits AC 19 for 7 slashing damage, melee or ranged up to 20 ft., roll disadvantage if further).
Movement: to D20
11:00, Today: Narbu Thalikko rolled 19,7 using 1d20+5,1d6+3.  Readied attack, damage with handaxe.

Larwick scoffed in disappointment. He had been looking forward to turning the rude man into a mushy corpse, but unfortunately the majority of his party weren't likely to allow that, now.

He wasn't so hateful that he valued ending that man's life over maintaining his own, so he reluctantly stopped his assault, for the time being.

Hopefully they could extract their information, and then brutally dispose of the man with the utmost secrecy, but the chance of everyone in the group keeping quiet over something like that was terribly low. Maybe if he turned out to be an enemy to town, the group wouldn't mind letting Larwick act as judge, jury and - most importantly - executioner.

The most likely scenario where Larwick actually got to kill the stranger was if he put up resistance, since most the group still seemed on edge- they would have no place to berate him if he acted out of 'panic'. Even if his charisma failed him, he could pass it all off as shock from the situation; feigning innocence over the matter was a fine choice.

With an audible sigh, Larwick glared spitefully at the man with a clenched jaw, strongly hoping they would act out so that he would have an excuse to murder him.

Preparing an action to launch Eldritch Blast if the man does anything that Larwick feels could be warped with words to appear hostile.

Movement: Larwick will stay put, unless Qitris moves, then he will follow behind her

The man walks slowly towards the group, stopping about 15 feet before he would meet Narbu, sweating, despite the cold, he says, "My name is Mels. I was sent by the lord of the Foothill March, in Wuaden, to find out if the man, Smith, is amassing an army to threaten us from across the Umbretals." The man is obviously lying.

Narbu stops to think. He still doesn't know much about this Smith fellow. He hadn't noticed any obvious signs of an army amassing, but he should make a point to learn more about Smith's motives.

Are we still in initiative order?

Qitris stepped up near Narbu as the man spouted off his lie. "Yeah yeah, that's a lot of names that don't mean anything to me, chum, and your statement holds less water than an anvil. I suggest you say what is really going on or I can't guarantee I will abide by fuzzy's statement of no harm." To emphasize her point she tapped her magically enhanced mace on her shoulder, causing a minor spark and hum from the flanges.

Following Qitris with a newfound respect, Larwick speaks up, in an arrogant tone of voice, "I smells decepshun from this 'ere stranger. I says we take 'im prizna, waddyall reckon?"

He gives the man a sidewards glance, "Or, I could jus' 'ave some funs with 'im..." he threatens with a crooked smile, as if begging the man to make a wrong move.

If we're still in combat, larwick will take the dodge action
If we're out of combat, Larwick will say some more stuff:
"This fellow 'eres lyin' out 'is teeths. I've not an idea why a guvna would wage war 'gainst an 'ole nation. Ye cant even think o' a better lie than that, ya slimy bastahd?" the tiefling spits on the ground before continuing his explanation, "An' even if that were th' case, we'd still take ya in fer questchunin', since yer an enmy scout and whatnot?" he chuckles condescendingly under his breath, taunting the defeated man with his ongoing mockery.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Tue 18 May 2021.

Golun glanced at his companions, unsure if they were just trying to intimidate the man or actually wanted to tear his arms off. He also ignored the fuzzy comment, there were more pressing issues at hand. He thought for a moment about the man’s lie. He had seen no sign of an army massing. And he had strolled straight into the town, as had others, without challenge. No would-be invader would allow suchlike to happen. The man’s tongue was dripping excrement, but why?

He continued to walk towards the man. “Well, Mels. Can I suggest that you start telling us the truth. It may be that the only thing keeping my friend here,” he gestured at Larwick, “from tearing our your gizzards and eating them in front of you... is me. And if I think you’re still lying then I might be less inclined to stop him. This is your only chance, come clean now and you will see tomorrow with your limbs intact, I swear.”

As he approached closer his hand slipped into his belt pouch where he kept a selection of smooth pebbles, and he muttered a quiet incantation.

You're out of initiative order, but if anyone tries to attack, we roll a new one.
Larwick, could you give me another intimidation check, with advantage, thanks to Golun?

OOC: Your asking a face character to roll a charisma check with advantage? Heh heh... with pleasure B)

quote:

00:37, Today: Larwick rolled 22 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 13,17.  intimidation with advantage.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Sat 22 May 2021.

He drops the fake accent, and speaks in the manner of a second-generation Varnese-Amelakian. "I'll tell you anything you want! Please, just keep him away from me! said the man, cowering from Larwick. "My name is Roland. I'm spying on Smith for Nesevir Acquisitions, an Amelakian business consortium. They want to know what it is about these lands that possessed one of the world's wealthiest men to spend such a fortune to colonize it."

Narbu ponders the man's words. "Spying, huh? That don't sound very nice. How's about you tell us everythin' you know about this business o' yers, and if you got any friends out here, and we'll keep our comrade from hurtin' ya?"

A spy? That was unexpected...

Golun kept moving forward towards the man. As he did so he retrieved a length of rope from his pack. “Well then, Roland, I suggest you simply ask Smith himself. He is a reasonable fellow from what I can see, and may be willing to share such information if you have the good grace to ask.”

He held up the rope. “Now, if you don’t mind, I will bind your hands to keep you from running off. You can then accompany us on our rounds before we take you back to see Smith. He can then decide what to do with you. And if you have companions out here I suggest you call to them right now. They will not get another chance to surrender, and I will not be feeling so charitable if they try any sneakiness.”

Assuming he complies, Golun will bind his wrists tight and will tie the other end of the rope to his own shield wrist. He will then begin to search the man’s pockets for weapons,  any documents or other items of interest.

In case the spy had any idea about trying to escape capture, Larwick stood 40 ft away from him  and stowed his blade, extending his outstretched dominant hand with a flat palm facing forward; an universal gesture to 'stop', or in this case 'don't try anything'.

Action: Ready Eldritch Blast in case he tries anything; such as refusing capture , attacking, using sleight of hand, using subtle magic, or any other uncooperative act.

At Golun's - far nicer - words about taking the man in to see Smith, Qitris kept her mace and shield handy and checked around for any other possible allies. Her ears visibly twitched as she scanned the area in an attempt to hear even the smallest sounds. "Sounds like you got a handle on things, Golun. Glad you're more of a people person... bear person... yeah."

Roland didn't resist. Upon searching, Golun finds a small notebook and writing charcoal, an unloaded hand crossbow, 10 bolts, a short sword and 16sp. Roland said, "My partner is at the inn in Smith's Gambit. If you tell him I've been caught, he'll surrender peacefully. Look, this is just a job for us. Neither of us is willing to fight if we can get out of it alive. If that means talking to the man, Smith, we'll do it."

Larwick nodded, and spoke without a trace of the previous hostility in his voice "Ah respec' that, ah do. Yer selfs the onlyun ya can trus' , aft'all."

Narbu nods, approvingly. "That's the right choice then, we'll take you to talk to this Smith. What's yer partner's name?"

"Dalton. He's human, about 40. Short, round fella with a little black mustache and spectacles. Mostly bald on top. Doesn't look dangerous, and his looks don't deceive, I promise." Roland seems genuinely worried that someone might hurt his partner.

"Well, I reckon ya will see 'im soon 'nuff. Jus' asoon as we tidyup on this 'ere round o' patrollin, hyup hyup" the tiefling said.

Perhaps the comment was supposed to be comforting, but it was hard to tell coming from the wicked-looking who would be suspicious even if he wasn't dressed and scarred like a mercenary.

Roland cooperates, and you finish the remainder of your patrol and reach the gates of Smith's Gambit without any further incident.

At the gate, the senior guard, a man in his mid-20s, with scruffy blond hair, says, "What've we got, here? First day on the job an' ye've already caught yerself a troublemaker? Sarge is gonna hate you! Take 'im to the barracks, tell Sergeant Fredericks you found the fella while patrolling, and tell him yer names. Ignore the Sarge's bluster, he's harmless."

One of the younger guards in the back snickers, "It ain't that he's got a secret heart o' gold, or nothing. He just won't get off his arse unless he's ordered to!"

The guard next to him smacks him in the back of his head, "you're gonna get us kitchen duty again!"

Larwick presents a small, knowing smile to the group and guards, as if empathizing with their plight.

Internally, he is grimacing at the whole situation. "Ahcours' there'd be a gruffan' lazy bastahd runnin' th' ship" he thinks to himself. His opinion on this man and the institution as a whole has dropped before he's even got his foot in the doorway.

Though to be fair, he's never had a pleasant opinion of any town guard. The tiefling supposes any bloke would feel the same way as him after seeing the other end of the bars a few too many times for comfort.

Narbu responds to the guards, saying, "This man has information fer Mr. Smith, an' he's got a partner in town. Should we take 'im to see Smith first? Or just let 'im know where we took 'im?"

The goliath just isn't sure what protocol they should follow here. On the one hand, they told the man they'd take him to Smith. On the other hand, these guards are presumably running things the way Smith wants them run. Then there's the need to apprehend this Dalton fellow.

Upon reaching Smith’s Gambit, Golun approached the guard with the others. “For now we hand this man over to the guards, then we should go and find his friend.” He looked at Roland. “If this Dalton comes quietly that would be best for both of you. Let’s hope he has as much sense as you.”

He handed over the spy’s gear to the guard, except for the notebook which he kept hold of. He intended to spend some time reviewing the information gathered before fining thiis Dalton fellow and handing them both over to Smith for further interrogation.

Once Roland was being led away he looked at the others. “Right, time to find the other one. I suggest we start with any public spaces, the inn maybe?”

He pulled the notebook out of his pocket and began to leaf through the pages.

With the surrender of the man to the guards, Qitris was already getting antsy to have the second man identified and brought in for a hopefully fun meeting with Smith. "Well, if the other one isn't going to come quietly we have quite the intimidating party. We can maybe go round two on this guy." Not that she was particularly intimidating, but she could hit with the rest of them if the need arose. There was also the whole magic thing, too.

Roland's notes are coded (DC 15 Intelligence check to decipher.) If he told you the truth, Dalton has a room at the inn. For his part, Roland continues to insist that Dalton will come quietly. Sergeant Fredricks, at the barracks, is a sour man, overweight from too little exercise, and complains loudly about how glory hungry mercenaries think they're so much better than the guards. When, after much needling, he finally gets up to take Roland to a cell, he walks with a pronounced limp, as though from an old knee injury.

Golun looked at the notebook. Either it was written by a madman or was some kind of code, he couldn’t be sure at this point. He quietly incanted a brief spell and then studied the book in more detail, trying to identify patterns in the text, something that would give him a clue as to any hidden meaning. Eventually he gave up, growling loudly as he slammed it shut. “Pah! This text is gibberish, I can make no sense of it!”

Cast Guidance to assist with reading the notebook.

07:58, Today: Golun Fearstorm rolled 8 using 1d20+1d4 with rolls of 7,1.  Decipher code using Guidance.

Fail!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:59, Wed 02 June 2021.

Golun puts the notebook away for now, and the group heads for the inn. After inquiring about the man Roland described, you found that he does, indeed have a room at the inn, though at the moment, he's at the Dragon's Den.

You can continue in the Dragon's Den thread if you want this confrontation to be public, otherwise, we'll say you can be discreet enough. If you're still here. My apologies about the delay. I kept thinking I was waiting for you guys!

As they walked towards the Dragon’s Den, Golun spoke quietly to his companions. “Now, I think we should be circumspect in our investigation. No sense in causing a panic.”

The tiefling nodded along with his bearfolk associate, "Ya, I reckon' we keep this 'ere 'ole ordeal on the 'down low', in case it gets a l'il blu'y"

If nobody rose a disagreement on the matter, the mercenary would joyfully go along with the rest of the mission to capture the fraudulent man's partner.

Narbu nods at the others, and another tactic occurs to him. "I'm not the smoothest talker, and this guy might try to run. How's about I stand outside the doors, and grab him if he runs?"

I figure Narbu can peek in the window to check out the guy, then be ready to grapple him if he flees past the group inside.

You find a man fitting Dalton's description, sitting at the bar, drinking, chatting and laughing with a few of the townsfolk. He seems to be at ease, and pays you little mind as you enter the room.

Seeing as how the bearman didn't have much luck with the book, Qitris really wanted to take a stab at it as well. "Hey, lemme see that book. I'll take one of those guides as well." She held out her hand to receive both quite expectantly. No need to beat around the bush when there was work to be done.

"Les' wa'up t'im and see wha' 'appens, eh?" Larwick says with a devilish smile, that was unfairly for him probably just his default expression without even trying to appear up to no good.

Striding in, his cloak covering any exposed bits of weapons, but his hood down to bare his strikingly handsome, but also terrifying and otherworldly features, a fanged smile was on his face as he walked up to the bar and sat down in an empty seat next to Dalton.

'Let's try and play this all sneaky, first' Larwick thinks to himself before flagging the bartender.

When the man came to order his drink, Larwick smiled and picked up a dirty nut from a nearby tray filled with equal parts awful snacks and cigar ash, twirling it in his slightly-clawed hands, "Yeah, can I get a Bloody Roland? Oh, and one this cheery gentleman!" Larwick says, pointing and loudly calling out Dalton, to get the blabbering man's attention away from his own voice and hazy mind.

As soon as the man makes eye contact, Larwick smiles and nonchalantly splits the nut with his offhand before dropping it to the counter. It was done in a way that would catch Dalton's attention, but either go completely unnoticed or seem like a random slip-up to any bystanders.

OOC: The bloody roland is probably not a real drink, but sounds like one. So, we'll see how the bartender reacts (maybe he will ask how it's made, or simply be too embarassed and make a 'bloody mary' hahahaha)

Oh yeah and im probably a little bit too proud about the subtle threats Larwick is displaying here lmao

The bartender says, "Bloody Roland? First time I've heard of that one! It one of those fancy drinks imported from Varna, or something?"

Dalton freezes, sitting his drink down absently while staring at Larwick like a mouse who just bumped into somebody, and when he looked up to apologize, noticed they were a snake. He snaps out of it, and says, confidently, "It's a joke from back home. It's how my friend here says its time to stop fooling around and face my responsibilities. I'll settle my tab here, and we'll be on our way. Have a nice, peaceful day." He places a  Varnese gold piece, on the counter.

Larwick's smile raises so high it seems to crack at the corners, revealing the black insides of his mouth, which are oddly moist, as if the demon is salivating at the humor. Without a word, he places an arm around Dalton's shoulder and walks him back to his friends.

He barely manages to get outside of the restaurant before he doubles over in hysterical laughter, tears beading in the corners of his eyes. He keeps trying to say something, but it takes a solid minute for him to clam down enough to get out the phrase "THIS G- THIS GUY GETS IT!" and another burst of laughter.

He seemed genuinely overjoyed that his threats had been caught onto so quickly. For some reason, he expressed this as crazed laughter.

Wiping his eyes, he decides to hold and give his colleagues a chance to lead the situation. Hell, they'll need it if they hope to escape from his shadow after that masterful play!

Larwick beams quietly with pride at his own (mis?)deeds.

---

OOC: It's happy devil boi hours

Golun handed the book to Qitris, hoping she would have more luck deciphering the content. As Lerwick headed towards the bar he held back, scanning the room to see if others were taking more interest than they should in the strange demon and his antics. He was also checking for other exits, should Dalton try to run.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:14, Sun 18 July 2021.

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.