Demetrius bows, smiling, as the group takes their leave of Carth. When the group is alone--which is, in the first alleyway they can find, he nods. "Agreed. And we have to lay low. I caused more of a stir than I should have when I beat up those guards--damn me and my pride. My old master always warned me about showing off." He sighs.

He looks at the others with him and Nantas. "What advice do you have?"

Ducet Cog purses his lips in thought...starts to speak...but reconsiders...then finally smiles, "I agree with Nantas.  A survey of the area will help to decide where and how best to watch for Isalia."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Tue 04 May 2021.

Aeryn regards the white Martian dubiously before sighing and admitting, "Remaining inconspicuous and understanding the area around Isalia's quarters seem a good start."

Nantas nods: "Let's go for it."

You have little trouble locating the section of the city where Isalia is said to reside; not grade but well-to-do.   You pass all manner of Barsoomains on the way though the vast majority are certainly the red men (and women) of Zodanga.  Examining the area Aeryn suggests locations where each might stand watch, either singly or in pairs.  Thus you situate yourselves and.....wait.

After 2 zodes (nearly 5 hours) you begin to wonder if Carth Val-ab has played you false before you see two Zodangan's approach the apartment and knock.  There is no mistaking the woman who opens the door, you recall her vividly from the Warhoon pens.   There stands Isalia Ang, the captor of your friend Patterson Boon.  She closes the door while the pair of red martians remain outside, not standing guard but seemingly expecting her return shortly.

Feel free to describe how you have situated yourselves to observe Isalia's residence.

I'll pause should anyone wish to take any actions now or continue to observe

Nantas is standing under an arc, that creates a dark zone where he feels less visible. Nantas looks at the Green Martians passing (if any of them passes at all) and checks out their tribes and clans by looking at their metal.
He's not particularly interested on the Jasoomian woman, but he will help his companions freeing her out of camaraderie and loyalty.

Demetrius has been taking the least complicated path to surveillance--simple stake-out. He identifies an alley within eyeshot of Isalia's place and peers out periodically and stealthily.

Ducet Cog and Aeryn have a different task. He tells them to each make a circuit around the neighborhood at a leisurely pace, a quarter of a zode each circuit and staggered so the pair don't appear together. They walk past the place, looking to see who comes or goes.

When these two appear, Demetrius continues to wait; Aeryn's instructions, in this situation, is to follow any who do business with Isalia back to a place where they seem to be from and then report back to Demetrius.

You have not long to wait before the door to Isalia's residence opens once more and the slaver strides out with barely a glace at the pair waiting.  They, in turn fall in behind her in a protective swagger, heads watching those they pass with hands near hilts should any threat materialize.  After a short distance a third slaver leading a pair of White Apes in chains merges into the group.  Other pedestrians seem to sense the silent threat and instinctively separate from their path; apparently an all too familiar part of Zodangan society.

As you have planned you each fall in at a distance behind.  Nantas' height is an advantage here to help keep track of your quarry but it also makes him easier to spot and forces him to stay farther back.    Aeryn and Ducet Cog break off and parallel at one point, keeping pace and checking in at each side street; leaving the majority of the shadowing to Demetrius and Nantas.

Let's see how well you are able to follow Isalia and her entourage without being noticed.  As movement is important here along with a certain amount tactics make a Daring + Cunning check vs Isalia's Empathy + Reason.  One of you may make the roll and the other assist.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:14, Mon 10 May 2021.

[OOC: Nantas feels particularly strong with his Daring + Cunning, so I think Ihe's the right one for this roll:

21:30, Today: Nantas rolled 17 using 2d20 with rolls of 15,2.  Daring 9; Cunning 9.

two successes, before the assistance]

3 successes actually, 2 = 2 successes and the 15 = 1 success
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:38, Mon 10 May 2021.

Demetrius is not particularly good at this ploy; fortunately, Nantas is!

No successes in assisting, as it turns out. If it's the difference between success & failure, I'll buy a point of Threat for an additional d20.

13:12, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 19,14 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 19,14.  Assisting Nantas w/Cunning + Daring 13/6.

There is a moment when your quarry and her entourage pause at an intersection, she turns slowly looking one direction, then another, eyes searching.

Demetrius per p52 under Teamwork and Assistance - Assistants may not use any means to roll additional dice, though the leader may use Momentum, Threat, Luck, or other methods of gaining extra d20s.

So you cannot add any extra dice by any means BUT Nantas may decide to do so if he so chooses using Momentum, Threat, Luck or Talent.


16:49, Today: Jeddak rolled 11 using 2d20 with rolls of 1,10.  Isalia detect being followed, Empathy + Reason, 13/6-.
- Isalia has 3 successes negating Nantas'


What will you do, Nantas?  You may:
- accept the results as is
- spend any Momentum or add Threat to my pool to roll up to 3 more die and roll
- spend a point of Luck to add 2 successes to your current total
- not sure you have a Talent that would apply

[OOC: Momentum rules and tracking always somehow were complicate for me, so I'd rather add a point of Threat to your pool and roll.
23:13, Today: Nantas rolled 31 using 3d20 with rolls of 9,11,11.  Cunning 9; Daring 9.]

Just to be clear, it's 1 Threat for each die, so 3 die = 3 Threat to my pool.

BUT you did generate 4 more successes for a total of 7.

You may choose to spend your extra 3 Momentum or bank them.  See Reference thread for options to spend Momentum.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Sat 15 May 2021.

[OOC: on this occasion I'll follow my companions' suggestion to decide what to do with the three extra Momentum points]

Bank them for yourself. They'll come in handy.

In reply to Demetrius Esper (msg # 54):

OK

You are relieved to see Isalia continue on without any apparent awareness of your presence.  After a quarter of a zode you find yourselves in an industrial district of the city with fewer pedestrians.  Forced to drop back further less the slavers detect you, Nantas is nevertheless able to note when Isalia turns and approaches one of the ancient buildings, not noticeably different from any other around it.

Is this the location of the slaves Isalia Ang keeps for some unknown purpose?

Is your comrade Patterson Boon held within?

Aeryn and Ducet Cog are able to join you to discuss how you might discover the answers.

How will you proceed?

"Let's keep a low profile, at the moment Let's ensure that she really goes into that building and she doesn't only stop nearby for a while, to move on soon after. If she really gets into it, we can split and have a look at the outside of the building separately, before recomveying and deciding what's the best course of action."

Demetrius is rather enjoying this little "hunt." This experience is pretty far-removed from his fairly comfortable life back on Earth. At Nantas' counsel, Demetrius nods. "Sounds good. Let's stay low."

He turns to Aeryn & Ducet Cog. "Anything to add?"

Ducet Cog appeared confused at the question, uncertain, then looked to Aeryn.

Rolling her eyes at the White Martian, the scout then nods, "It is a sound plan.  We can observe for perhaps a handful of xat's and should know if she is within.  We should also determine how we might wish to follow her, if needed."

And so you move to watch the warehouse and its surroundings, intent on discovering if Isalia was in fact at her lair.

All make a D2 Reason+Cunning check to determine what you are able about the warehouse.

Demetrius settles in; he is alert and watchful...

Hit D2--2 successes.

17:40, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 16,6 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 16,6.  Reason + Cunning 15/7.

[OOC: 23:21, Today: Nantas rolled 14 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,6.  Reason 4; Cunning 9.
Two successes?]

That's actually 3 successes, Nantas.

You spread yourselves out and take up watch on the warehouse and its surroundings.  In short order you are certain that Isalia and those with her have indeed entered the warehouse.  While you watch they do not exit.

Additionally you become aware of others upon the street and at least one pair that pass twice while you linger.  The marks on their arms are now familiar to you and you recognize members of Isalia and Carth Val-ab's slave gang.  These must be loyal to Isalia and keeping watch upon the warehouse for her.

There can be little doubt that this is Isalia's secret repository; what then will you do?  Enter by either forcing your way past the guard?  Or by sneaking in unseen?  Have you another option?

Declare your actions.  Patterson Boon's life may rest upon your next decision.

Sorry for the delay, the holiday weekend proved busier than I expected.

Demetrius turns to Nantas. "I'm all for you and I sneaking in and freeing Patterson, Nantas. Simpler, faster that way. If we try to fight all of these, we'll get lots of unwanted attention. What do you think?"

"I agree that it's the option most likely to succeed, right now."