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08:16, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City.

Posted by h3athrowFor group 0
Noon Teyeeti
player, 12 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Wed 25 Nov 2020
at 01:42
  • msg #5

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

On finding the location of the tower, Noon will go outside of the city walls (grassland favored terrain) and see if there is a more indirect way in (to piggyback off of Dominic, checking for sewers, tunnels, subterranean passages, if the river can get us in...)

Noon will also use his survival skills to gauge the weather (water levels, wind speed, cloud coverage, etc.) for a day or two prior to the Day of Entry.

Finally, using Detect Portal to see if there are any planar portals within the tower (he'll get no closer than half a mile to the tower).

h3athrow
GM, 25 posts
Wed 25 Nov 2020
at 02:09
  • msg #6

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

The party makes its way through the city to learn what it can, in order to develop a plan to approach and gain entrance to the tower, if possible.





I've given you each tasks and rolls based on your ideas. Generally, here is the information and gossip -- perhaps rumors -- the party has already been able to gather:

  • Darwell is a sage who specializes in plants and herbs. He's been in town for years, though he doesn't do much business. He primarily keeps to his books and studies.
  • He has been known to leave town for extended periods, but the town guard always takes extr acare in looking after his tower. He must have some well-placed connections.
  • I've heard that Darwell is skilled in the magical arts. They say all sorts of weird noises come from his place late at night.

Gorrim Thrund
player, 11 posts
Fighter Lvl 4
AC 19 | HP 38/38
Wed 25 Nov 2020
at 03:56
  • msg #7

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Gorrim tries to contact his old friends in the Dwarvern military to pull a few strings... Perhaps accost or blockade the wizard. Detain him for a time upon reentering the city to buy them a bit more time. (using Military Rank class feat.)
Noon Teyeeti
player, 15 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Wed 25 Nov 2020
at 21:45
  • msg #8

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Countryside survival check: 13

Noon scouts the outlying area of the city,. He would probably focus on river channels that stem from and flow toward the tower, while also surveying the grounds for subterranean clues.

Weather survival check: 19

Noon also checks the sky, the clouds, the turning of leaves to see the weather. It is a common Turner skill, for weather has often turned the tide of many a battle. Even a burglary.

Detect Portal.

One the Teyeeti Turner has finished his outdoor inspections, he would head into the city, walking about with his self-spiked mead mug in a casual manner (Bad Reputation). He would casually stroll as close to the tower as possible from its rear. By the time any guards start giving him the stink eye, he'll ascertain that he is close enough.

Before he is inevitably shooed away, that's when he will cast detect portal.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Wed 25 Nov 2020.
Charinida Eilservs
player, 17 posts
Sorceress 4
AC 14 | HP 38
Fri 27 Nov 2020
at 12:48
  • msg #9

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Has the group picked a location to regroup and discuss what they found out?

Charinida will share that:
The tower is located in a relatively prosperous area of town. It is a squat, three-story, square stone building. Six town guardsmen stand outside the front door. They let no one but a couple of commoners, a man and a woman, enter -- and seem to recognize them with familiarity.

Dominic
player, 17 posts
The other sort of Bard
AC | HP
Fri 27 Nov 2020
at 16:51
  • msg #10

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

In reply to Charinida Eilservs (msg # 9):

Dom nods, "Accurate as far as it goes, but there are another 6 checking in every hour, and replaced every 4 hours. Peaked roof and door are wooden, as are the shutters covering each window. The door guards make a lap around the building every half hour. I didn't see a night soil drop, so I'm assuming they are connected to the sewers. That's usually a manmade chimney straight down...or up. Up from below seems quietest and safest."
Hiram Glasgie
player, 18 posts
Rogue 4
14 AC | HP 32/32
Mon 30 Nov 2020
at 16:25
  • msg #11

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Hiram followed up on a few leads Millicent put him on, and he made sure not to be seen.
23:09, Tue 24 Nov: Hiram Glasgie rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  Stealth.

He saw a few of the bulls, but felt like he missed the sneaky buggers.
23:09, Tue 24 Nov: Hiram Glasgie rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

But where they's was watchin wasn't so clear to Hiram as he'd have liked.
23:09, Tue 24 Nov: Hiram Glasgie rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  Investigation.

Noon Teyeeti
player, 17 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Tue 1 Dec 2020
at 19:37
  • msg #12

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Noon will share that the (sewage) passages at the town walls seem heavily grated, there did not seem to be any active portals, and the weather would be of no hindrance.
h3athrow
GM, 26 posts
Thu 3 Dec 2020
at 03:06
  • msg #13

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Thanks for the PM nudge, Hiram! I've been letting your explorations in the city play out. Still waiting on a response from Gorrim who had a somewhat interesting idea worth exploring, but we don't need to play that out if he doesn't want to. When you're ready to propose a plan on how you'd like to proceed, I'm here... just waiting for character discussion, decision, and proposed action. I don't think I owe anyone any outcomes. (Correct me if I'm wrong! For example, Hiram's recent explorations didn't yield any more than I've already told the party.)
Noon Teyeeti
player, 18 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Fri 4 Dec 2020
at 02:59
  • msg #14

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

As the crew discussed the direction of their entry, Noon chewed on...something dark. Something colored like a setting sun. The turner knew it to be clay, a chewing clay that smelled of cypress and soil with some nutrient value, though it was purely recreational. The small supply he had left would not last long; Soufi had held their stash before they were separated.

For now, the constant mastication was repetitive enough to calm his nerves. A heist worthy of song was just before them all, but it would be for naught if they couldn't figure out how to get in.

"Ze less bloodshed, ze better,"
Noon mumbled to himself, mostly at himself, at Charinida's mention of the guards. It wasn't there fault they stood between them and their task. It was important that he ruled out whatever violence he could; it was no use getting caught up in it if there was no need.

The bard mentioned the backlogged brown log creek as a method as well. Noon was...unenthusiastic about the idea. Besides the minor (yet major) ramifications of soiled sewn goods, the sewer's smells may give them away eventually. A Turner trick would solve that problem relatively quickly for him and a couple others, but not for everyone. Not even for long.

Before even getting through that way was the issue of grates, certainly aggravating to any would-be re-possessor. Getting through those may take a bit of talented tool work, immense muscle, or some arcane antics he was currently aware of.

"However vwe get in, ze guards vill be a problem..."
Noon's jaw worked at the chewing clay as methodically as he spoke. "Per'aps vwe can draw zhere attentions in ano'ter direction. Per'aps...to ze front door? Zhen vwe can make our vway up ze back...like cats." Big cats with no claws at that, but cats have limited options when dealing with wooden window shutters. "Ze vindows...maybe guarded, but a dis-traction may pull any vwatchers away as vwell..."
Hiram Glasgie
player, 19 posts
Rogue 4
14 AC | HP 32/32
Fri 4 Dec 2020
at 03:59
  • msg #15

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

"Grates ain't a problem. They just take time, and time is on our side, as they say. Little bit of crowbar here, bit of leverage there, touch of a file razzle-dazzle and we's through. Could even head down there do most of the work ahead of time.

"Not too bad neither getting inside by going up the down-chute, if you know what I mean, heh. I'd say that's the way to plump the bugger. Not that everybody'd fit, mind ye's. But get one or two in that way, maybe me and somebody with magic fingers, open up one of them windows from the inside, let out a rope, button it back up tight once we's all in.

"As fer a distraction... ain't nobody ever complained that a fire wasn't a distraction. Doubt our friend the paladin would much like to see folks' houses on fire, but... set a bunch of smoke sticks off in neighbor's attics. Get folks running. Guards have their eyes elsewise when we slip down a rope on the other side."
Noon Teyeeti
player, 19 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 04:25
  • msg #16

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Noon listened closely to the dwarven deviant, a wolfish grin pulling his lips wide. He was as entertained with their machinations as much as their accent. It was somewhat fascinating to him, though he was curious where they hailed from.

"I prezume you are vwell equipped for, eh, schemes like zhese," the Turner muttered, nodding in approval. "Ze smoke sticks are a nice touch. Per'aps ve shall procure some? Unless zere are factors yet to be shared?" He raised both of his eyebrows as he assessed his comrades, waiting on their insight and input.
h3athrow
GM, 30 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 03:15
  • msg #17

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

OK. How we'll handle this is as an advanced ability check.

There will be five checks to locate an entrance to the sewers, gain entry, navigate to the tower's access point, and gain entry to the tower.

The checks should be made by different characters or at least distributed throughout the party.

Three successes before three failures are ideal. Acceptable ability checks include Athletics, History, Insight, Investigation, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.

The checks should be of five different kinds. (So, no five Perception checks, for example.)

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:15, Sun 20 Dec 2020.
h3athrow
GM, 34 posts
Wed 23 Dec 2020
at 00:47
  • msg #18

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Having decided to attempt to gain entrance to the tower from the sewers or city infrastructure below, the party sets to doing so.

Finding a way into the tunnels below from the river inside the city walls, the newcomers to Caeritso make their way through the storm sewers and other underground byways toward the presumed location of Darwell's Tower.

Drawing on Dominic's rudimentary knowledge of urban water systems and Hiram's innate knowledge of stonework -- enabling him to identify older and newer construction -- the party is somewhat able to determine the relative age of various neighborhoods and structures along the way... picking a route, albeit slowly, toward the tower. The party gets off track once but is able to backtrack and pick what the navigators at the time think is the correct path.

The group is currently moving along one particular straight section of tunnel -- high ceilinged enough for the tallest to walk without hunching, and with helpful narrow walkways on each wall of the tunnel, allowing the adventurers to drain their boots of sewer water somewhat.
Charinida Eilservs
player, 20 posts
Sorceress 4
AC 14 | HP 38
Wed 23 Dec 2020
at 23:50
  • msg #19

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Charinida stops and holds up her hand for the rest to see and stop.

Softly she speaks "There is something anomalous on either side of the tunnel  roughly 110 feet


Noon Teyeeti
player, 29 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Thu 24 Dec 2020
at 18:03
  • msg #20

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

One could think with Noon's sensibilities that sewers would be completely detrimental to his well-being. Somehow it seemed to enlighten him, smiling close-mouthed as he breathed in muck and the macabre remnants of meals. He would whisper his observations to himself as much as anyone else, seemong to treat the whole exhibition as a tour as much as a heist. He was sure Souci would have loved to hear about this excremental exploit.

Once he wasn't hunched over, he made quick and casual work emptying his boots, lacing them back up as Charinida made her observation. "Noted," Noon whispers as a bow comes to grip in his free hand. With the lantern still in the other, he moves ever so slightly to the left (if he's able). "Per'aps a little investigation is in order?

"Ahem...by ze more vertically-challenged of us?" It was very clear that he was implying Hiram by the wiggling of his brows.
Hiram Glasgie
player, 25 posts
Rogue 4
14 AC | HP 32/32
Wed 6 Jan 2021
at 15:15
  • msg #21

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

"Why dontcha just spell it out then, hey? Stand aside, stand aside, then. We'll see what this fuff is all about."

Hiram unslung his bow, knocked an arrow, and crept forward into the darkness to see what all the fuss was.


OOC:
10:11, Today: Hiram Glasgie rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Perception.
10:11, Today: Hiram Glasgie rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Stealth.

h3athrow
GM, 36 posts
Fri 8 Jan 2021
at 01:55
  • msg #22

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Hiram moves ahead of the party, out of the range of its light source, into the darkness of the tunnel. The party can hear his footsteps careful in the dirty water spotting the walkway.
Noon Teyeeti
player, 31 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Thu 14 Jan 2021
at 01:33
  • msg #23

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Noon grinned at the dwarven retort. It would have been lovely to be born blessed with night sight, but the Turner's qualities were made known in other ways. He set the lantern down, then mumbled his hands and flicked his fingers. A ghostly hand materialized, grabbing the lantern as Noon plucked an arrow from his quiver.

Casting Mage Hand to hold lantern.
Hiram Glasgie
player, 26 posts
Rogue 4
14 AC | HP 32/32
Sun 17 Jan 2021
at 19:26
  • msg #24

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Hiram thweeets a whistle back towards the group and waves them forwards.

He knocks an arrow and creeps forwards a bit more to get a clearer view of what's ahead.


OOC:
Sorry folks, I live in Washington DC and it's been ... busy. All is well with me and mine. Just... busy.

Dominic
player, 27 posts
Mon 18 Jan 2021
at 00:11
  • [deleted]
  • msg #25

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

This message was deleted by the player at 02:17, Mon 18 Jan 2021.
h3athrow
GM, 39 posts
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 00:09
  • msg #26

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Let's all roll initiative in case something fun happens.
Dominic
player, 29 posts
The other sort of Bard
AC | HP
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 00:41
  • msg #27

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City


16:40, Today: Dominic rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  initiative.
Hiram Glasgie
player, 28 posts
Rogue 4
14 AC | HP 32/32
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 02:40
  • msg #28

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

21:39, Today: Hiram Glasgie rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
Noon Teyeeti
player, 33 posts
Ranger 4
AC 17/18 | HP 36
Wed 20 Jan 2021
at 16:48
  • msg #29

#2: The Way In, and the Beautiful City

Noon tilted his head, curious, before creeping forward. He wasn't as trained in the light step of thie-err-entrepreneurs such as Hiram, but nonetheless he gave it some effort. If only he had the eyes of night; the lantern, held by the spectral hand, wouldn't be conducive in his attempt to remain unseen or unheard. His steps brought him behind and to the side of the dwarf. No use risking an arrow to the back of their head: that give any enemies more time to reach him.

He aimed his arrow. Waiting.

Stealthing forward (12), moving his lantern with him.

22 Initiative.

Readying action to Attack perceived threats (don't think I can ready a bonus action w/it, but if I could, I'd apply Planar Warrior)

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