Somewhat shell-shocked from their recent contact with the undead, the adventurers stepped out of the church crypts into the light of the busy streets. It seemed like whatever business remained unfinished from the morning would be conducted directly in the city's alleys instead of the off-limits marketplace, and peddlers were quick to get their stalls up and running at every corned and under every arched door - sometimes much to the door owner's dismay. It seemed that not even blatant violence could dampen the Imperial's passion for commerce. Coin and wares were the lifeblood of those streets, each trade a prayer to Zenithar, and each bargain a cry for hope against the looming threat of terror. The City Watch and Legion seemed to have doubled its effort; every available guard had been called into service, some still sleepy from last night's shift. They patrolled the avenues in groups of four, keeping a watchful eye over every balcony, rooftop, or hidden cranny.

It took the investigators a good half hour to reach the castle gates via the busy streets and the eerily empty marketplace. Their letters from the Mage's Guild opened the way into the castle's main hall, a monumental room supported by impossibly high columns. Elite guards in shiny plate armor stood watch over the place as chamberlains and scribes directed the staff and visitors. After a short while, the party was led onto the first floor into a small yet cozy library. An elderly dignitary in a black and gold surcoat bid them welcome and ordered refreshements.

"Glad to welcome the envoys of the Mage's Guild here. My name is Matteo Ferretini, and I am the Duke's personal secretary. How may I be of assistance?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:40, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

Winnk chowed down on the meats and cheeses and was even hungry enough to put a few vegetables into his mouth.

"Hello Mr. Ferretini, I am investigator Slornga, and this is our chief mage, Murms, that's Kraelix, personal envoy of Her Eminence herself (winnk winks at Matteo at that) and this is Miss Izada, we are here for the archives and any other assistance you can provide. Of course this is officially regarding this morning's incident, and unofficially I believe that their is a plot against the entire Empire. Please."

He bows slightly, in Redguard fashion, and gestures for Matteo to lead the way to the archives. "I'd love to explain more but can you assure me we are out of prying ears?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

Kraelix nodded his head as he was introduced. The extra bit after his name was a bit interesting, but he was getting a feel for Winnk's methods of communication, and thus was not surprised.

Ferretini sat down in a cushioned chair, inviting his interlocutors to do the same with a polite gesture. He grabbed a silver cup and poured wine for himself and the guests, then motioned the guards to leave.

"This is a secure location, Master Slornga. Headmistress Decourcis was in here just this morning, discussing the nature of this investigation with Their Highnesses. Rest assure that the Duke and Duchess treat this matter with the outmost attention, and have instructed me to assist you in any way I can. Now, about the archives, I believe it would be faster if you just told me what it is you're looking for, and I will do my very best to provide you with the most complete information I can find."

  Chief mage Murms pinches the bridge of her nose until it resets her eyebrows and she can converse again.

  "Good to meet you, mister Ferretini. He's a little jumpy—" she tilts her head toward Winnk with a wry expression. "He's had a more confusing day than has already been going on. We've reason to be concerned this attack was cover for more serious crimes elsewhere, and one might involve legitimacy of a title. We think the tax records may give us clues to who would have motive for it."

Matteo Ferretini lifted an eyebrow in an expression of polite surprise. He opened his mouth, closed it again, rearranged his felt cap and stood up to pick a voluminous tome bound in splendid red leather. The book had at least a thousand pages, and the elder squinted noticeably when lifting it from the shelves to the small table, which creaked under the weight.

"Mistress... Murms, was it? This is a bound record of taxes, levies and official transations of Leyawiin from the year before last, taken as and example. There are many more like this, and extracting any meaningful information from this mountain of paperwork without an in-depth knowledge of Imperial and Leyawiin law is going to be a tedious endeavour. Now, I don't know how much time you have on your hands, but I doubt you plan on becoming an archivist here at the castle. As I might have mentioned before, I am here to assist you, and being privy to the Court I understand the principles of discretion. I believe we can all save precious time if you, like they say it in the streets, give it to me straight."

Winnk took another look at his notes, "Forgive me, Matteo, I was joking with you. Her name isn't Murms, I actually don't know what her name is." Stuffs some chicken into his mouth.

"Now, to cut to the chase, we found that a pendant was stolen from a body in an Arvenius noble family sarcophagus. Priestess Zoya didn't know who exactly the sarcophagus belonged to, but we are tryna narrow that down. I won't lie to you, archivist, I'm much better at pointing arrows than pointing fingers, so this may all well be a waste of everyone's time."

  "Thank you, Inspector Slornga," she responds with no small strain in her voice.  Then she turns back to Matteo and the object lesson of the book, her expression contrite.

  "I take your point, Librarian.  It's Murmur, by the way.  Like the soft voice.  So as he said, yes: an Arvenius ancestral seal was taken and nothing else.  It may have some value to an unscrupulous collector, of course, but the thief left all the other grave goods untouched.  Someone wanted that seal, very specifically"

Crossing his legs, the ducal steward  placed the tax ledger on the floor besides him, his gaze fixed at the ceiling in a look of intense concentration. His fingers gently tapped his lower lip while he reached for the wine and took a pensive sip.

"The Arvenius bloodline is powerful and respectable, and over time they have amassed quite the collection of trinkets alongside their sizeable wealth. As far as I am informed, much of their valuables are stored in bank safes or at their estate outside of the city. A portion of their artifacts can be found even here, in the private vaults - a traditional display of trust and fealty by the noble families to the Duke. But a noteworthy item that would have been buried with one of the elders?"

Ferretini stood up with a wince, his left hand resting on his lower back, and made his way to the library's door, where he called for a servant and gave a few brief orders. A few minutes passed, and the valet returned with a dusty, damaged tome with cracked cover. Ferretini perused it for a moment before opening it on the table for everyone to see. The page figured a charcoal drawing of a regal man in a warrior's attire, displaying a large pendant depicting a sword in a diamond, point down. The artist had attempted to give the bauble a bright glow.

"The accompanying passage mentions that Tertius Arvenius, the current title holder's great-grandfather, had struck a pact with a Daedra known as Meridia in his lifetime, in exchange for might over the vampire clan that plagued his lands. His pendant, which symbolized the bond, apparently stopped shedding light as the man died, and accompanied him to the grave. This might be what was taken from the crypt. As to its significance, I can only express conjecture."

The steward closed the tome and pushed it gently across the table towards Murmur.
"There might be more of interest in this volume. Feel free to borrow it, though I do respectfully beg that you be mindful of its age and fragility."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

Beyond all measure Winnk was very excited about vampires. Of course he knew his chances were extremely slim in surviving any encounter with one, but he still couldn't wipe the smile from his face. "Well you just made a lousy day 2.5% better. Thank you very much Mister Ferretini."

Then to his crew of vampire hunters, "We also had leads on the East Empire Trading Co. and the Fighter's Guild. If there's nothing further here let's do it, then give Murmur time to read."

Can we pick out any distinguishing features in the drawing that would confirm the identity to us compared to what we saw in the crypt?

Peering upon the drawing, Kraelix was unsure whether the depicted knight actually matched the remains in the crypt. Mabe the artist's interpretation was meant to be symbolic?

08:04, Today: Aurbis, on behalf of Kraelix, rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

  "Oh, yes, absolutely.  I expect I'll take it to a reading room at the Mage's Guild and never move it until I can bring it back."  Murmur carefully closes the book and cradles it under an arm.  Then she turns to address the small crew.

  "This is more than I thought we'd find here.  Does anyone else need anything at the castle, or can I lock this up on our way to the next spot?  And which?  The muscle or the merchants?"

Winnk flexes his pecs, which gets lost under the leather armor, but he knows he did it and that's all that matters. To him.

"It's too early in the day to visit the fighters guild. EETC first."

"Nothing else from me here." As Winnk gave his two copper, Kraelix shrugged, "I've no affiliations with either of them, so Merchants is fine with me."

"I'll have the book shipped to the Mage's Guild for you, Miss," Ferretini concluded with a polite smile. "No need to cumber yourself with it while you pursue your other goals through the city. I remain at your disposal should you require any more assistance. Good luck on your endeavours, and may the Divines guide your path."

The castle guard escorted the troop back out into the sun-basked courtyard. From there, finding the East Imperial Trading Company was easy. Crossing the bridge back to Greenside, the troop followed the river bank towards the south until they reached a fortified tower standing over the Niben River mouth. The offices of the mighty EITC certainly couldn't rivalize with other guilds for elegance, but the repurposed watchtower provided unparalleled security as well as an impregnable view over the sea and the south portion of the docks. The size of the grounds before the tower outclassed any other guild in the city. Several blacksmiths, stablemasters, accountants, navigators, translators and carpenters provided their services to the Company's exclusive clientele, and a corresponding armada of servants and guards manned the necessary posts, day and night.

It was near dinner time, and the smell of spicy foods, fresh-baked loaves and grilled meat filled the air in the busy courtyard. All around the adventurers, couriers, dockhands and maids rushed from one building to another. A pair of guards in expensive steel armor made its way towards the group, and asked for the purpose of their visit.

Kraelix spoke up, hoping his apparent status as a priest of war might help with the social exchange, "We've come on behalf of the Mage's Guild, to speak to (insert relevant person's name or position here) concerning recent events and their impact as hidden agendas are brought to light."

Winnk resorts to his finest police work: “Who is your daddy and what does he do?”

The two guards - young Imperials in their early twenties - looked at each other, then at the adventurers in great confusion.
"Uh.... me da's a cobbler in Blueside" the one said hesitantly. "Named Fabius Lerrido. Me, I'm Basilius. Basilius Lerrido. Why you ask?"
The other elbowed him in the ribs and spoke somewhat louder. "We be askin' questions here. What's this business you have exactly? ANd who you need to be talkin' to?"

"Oh, by Malacath's massive member," a voice behind the adventurers boomed, making them all jolt and turn around. "Didn't you harebrains hear they are with the Mage's Guild?".

A muscular, towering Orsimer with dark olive skin, shaved head and chiseled tusks stood behind the group, arms crossed, a disapproving frown on his scarred face. He was wearing an extremely heavy, full plate armor made of strange golden-bronze metal, the style of which was unknown to the adventurers.
"Narogok. Head of security on the premises. And I suppose you're the ones send to investigate the break-in, aren't you?" The man's intonation and posture revealed that he had been in the military, and not just as a trooper. "'Fraid we have ourselves a situation. See, the thieves haven't quite left yet, but we can't get them out either. Maybe you lots will be able to help, being wizards and all."

He pointed a finger at one of the small buildings at the edge of the courtyard.
"Back there is where we keep alchemical supplies, in the basement. Now those folks entered while everyone had their eyes on the Market this morning and tried to haul a barrel of dwarven oil out. Idiots managed to let it slip. Big crash, oil everywhere, my men reacted immediately, but the thieves threatened to set fire to the whole lot if we enter. Dwarven oil gives a pretty impressive bang, just so you know. So we've been overseeing the exits, and are trying to negociate. We ain't come far yet. Care to help?"

"Yes sir I would very much like to help." Winnk bowed to Narogok, the respect he had for the orc was apparent.

"Murmur or Kraelix, do you have the ability to heal one of the thieves after we've finished burning them all because I wasn't able to persuade them to surrender? Because I assure you I will not be able to persuade them to surrender. And I would very much like to see this impressive bang."

---

if we are pretending Izada is still with us, she can heal. I  suggest we go in guns blazing, but if anyone else wants to try diplomacy go for it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

Kraelix held up a fist pointed toward the sky and a dark energy began to swirl around his fist for a moment as he dismissed the energy instead of releasing it, "Yes, that we are." He placed a hand on his own chest, then pointed to the others in turn, "Kraelix, Murmur, and shit-for-brains over there is called Winnk." He raised his eyebrows at that last one, showing he didn't know what the fighter's mother was thinking either.

"We can certainly assist with your current problem. Do you already have a solution in mind, or is planning the stage we currently reside in? Have they given any information in the negotiation? Demands other than 'let us get away' and all that?"

"What did you say?" Winnk threw a fist into Kraelix's armor. Ouch.

"Screw you and your Empress. I never signed up for this stupid job anyway."

Winnk looks for the nearest exit.

"I'm only making a bit of light in an otherwise dark moment here, Winkk. He's not a wizard, he prefers good old fashioned wood and steel, as you can see."

He looked to Winnk then, "Yes, I can heal one if needed. Assuming it's not such a big boom that it kills them outright."

He looked then toward Murmur, "Where I come from, they don't value words much, so it's not a skill I possess. I'm actually more in line with Winnk on this one. They know they're not getting out of there, so they've got nothing to lose. We need to hit them hard and fast before they can follow through with their threat."

"Samesies."

Winnk gave up on leaving and instead approached the building where the thieves were in the basement.

"Heyo! I'm coming in. I ain't gonna bother tryna intimidate you to come out without a fight. But was considering maybe joining ya. See, at the moment, you're on the wrong side of the law. But that's just cuz we think you're thieves tryna steal stuff. Maybe you have a very righteous reason."

He shouted down to the basement thieves.

17:53, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  intimidation.

As Wink made to head down, Kraelix prepared himself in case this were going to turn physical by fastening his shield to his arm and stretching his arm and chest. He then reached for nature magic, transforming his staff into a magical weapon as he'd done before. cast Shillelagh

It was an odd situation with uncertain actions to come. He had never before taken part in being exploded, and he hoped today was not going to change that.

As the group progressed towards the bandit group, a young Khajit dressed in Mage Guild gowns caughtup to them and whispered something in Murmur's ear. The both of them exchanged a few hushed words, then Murmur hurried away towards the exit, while the Khajit approached the rest of the group.

"You must excuse the interruption", she says in a soft, purring voice. "The nice Marelle Decourcis has called the nice Murmur back to the Guild, for an urgent matter. This one is supposed to take her place at your side. Care to explain the situation to a poor, clueless Khajit?"

The small building contained only a pair of writing desks and a row of shelves with books and scrolls. The two clerks waiting outside the door with worried looks on their soft faces hastily explained that the upper floor was a mere office of records and requisitions, while the storage could be found in the basement. Winnk was handed a large key on a metal ring. A wooden flight of stairs led downwards to a heavy oak door with massive iron fittings.

Winnk's call elicited no answer, yet some commotion could be hear, as if heavy items were being pushed hastily against the door. Hushed voices, intelligible through the layers of wood, seemed to argue with each other.

"We mean it! Let us go away in peace or we blow the whole place to bits! We ain't afraid to die!" The voice that came through the door sounded young, afraid, and not particularly confident in its own words.

Winnk turned to the khajit, “stay back, I’ll explain later. Also, nice to meet you.”

He didn’t bow, because he was busy thinking about how to get the thieves alive. And he wasn’t very good at getting people alive.

He took the key with a nod, “all right, get out of the area just in case.”

The more he told people to stay back the more he thought he might be making a dumb choice.

“Fuck it.”

He walked in.

“Look I’m not here to try to intimidate you or anything. I’d sincerely like to hear your cause. I may be interested in helping you.”

Kraelix paused for a moment before backing up. There was no discussing whatever this new plan was, so he didn't know if the call to back up applied to him or not. All he'd seen from the man called Winnk so far was cowardice and a mouth that never stopped, so he could only assume he meant to go in and talk his way through it.

If the man got himself killed, so be it.

Kraelix backed up and motioned for the Kajit to follow him toward safety. (if there's something we can get behind for a little cover without being too far away, I'll take it. If not, just put maybe 25 feet of distance between me and the door.) He mentally prepared for a warding spell against elemental forces in case an explosion was imminent.

If it goes boom, I'll try to use Absorb Elements to gain resistance to the damage.

His hands. Knees. Lips. Shaking so hard.

“You don’t mind if I smoke do you?” He pulled out a cigar. It should calm his nerves.

He put the key into the door and turned it.

“You guys got a light?”


(I suppose the door opens into the barricade so I can’t open it???)

The lock clicked as expected, but the heavy objects propped against the door wouldn't let it open more than an inch wide. Through the crack, Winnk could see a dimly-lit room with fully-stocked shelvings. Something pushed back against the barricade.

"Come over here and push, you big useless lump!" a voice shouted from the inside. "It's what we pay you for! And you out there, don't light a smoke unless you wish to die!"

The strong, earthy smell of alchemical ingredients seeped through the door.

Science DC 15 to recognize the smell.

"Oi, fuckin' shut it."

It was indeterminable if the Orc's remark was to the yappy bandit or the wayward 'hero' with the cigar that's either lacking braincells or possessing sufficiently large enough cohones, but the scowl on her face was most certainly for both as she approached the door.

"If any of you were half as capable as you think, we'd not need a damn push right now! But, no, let's just be an arse to the one woman who can help, that's reasonable."

The massive, hulking giant of an orc SLAMS her hands down on either side of the barricade, body a brick wall pressed firmly behind her sassy cohort.

"Am I pushing hard enough? What do you think?" Eyes flicker, inquisitive, to the still open a crack door, to Winnk on the other side. Mischief gleams in her eye.

The smell of whatever was in there was what tipped winnk off. There wasn’t anything dangerous.

Heh. They almost had him.

“Good bluff. I gave you a chance to talk.”

He lit his cigar and threw the match at the door.

“Now talk.”

Kraelix hung back, unsure of what Winnk was actually planning. As he saw things starting to unfold, he realized the guy literally intended to blow everything up and dig through the rubble. As that realization hit him, be backed further away, pulling the kajit along with him.

That smell...

09:40, Today: Kraelix rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Science.

Kraelix watched the kajit run off, scared for its life, and shrugged. Then he called out, "Winnk?" He jogged up behind the fellow to speak softly, "That's not oil, it won't explode. It'll burn, and it'll stink, but they don't have an explosive and it'll take more than just your match to set it off. We can move right in and confront them head-on. What do you say we call their bluff, push in, and knock some heads together?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:05, Sat 24 Apr 2021.

Winnk grinned. He knew it all along. They were bluffing.

He talked quietly to his companion.

“I agree with you Kraelix. I was hoping they would talk before we barged in, but when you’re ready I will help you.”

Then loud again to those on the other side of the door, taking a deep puff on his cigar. “You guys gonna talk? Convince me to join your cause?”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sat 24 Apr 2021.

"Give me a hand with this, they've had enough time to do this peacefully." Kraelix made for the door, preparing to force it open.

I've got +5 Athletics. Do you want to help me, or should I help you?

Let’s out a long exhale and sets his cigar down.

“Let’s do this!”

I’ll help you, I am a dex build.

With Winnk giving him assistance, Kraelix tried to force the doorway back open.

23:22, Today: Kraelix rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 10,7.  Athletics.

"Haha! C'mon, boys, thought you were pushin'?!" The massive orc bursts into hearty laughter as she easily holds the would-be heroes back.

"Seems like you two shoulda hired some muscle, huh?" The orc doesn't force the door fully closed, keen on teasing the pair of fellows on the other side of the door a bit more. They're certainly better company than her crew!

13:56, Today: Sabah rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Athletics Check.

There was a slight commotion behind Sabah, accompanied by a faint moan, a gurgle, and the sound of two more bodies hitting the floor. Turning around, she saw the little Khajit standing over the corpses of Horatio and Seamus, her pair of thin, curved elven daggers dripping with fresh blood.

"Time is wasting. The mission is failed. This one will leave no witnesses. This one is sorry. Is only business."

Wiping her mouth with the back of her bloody paw, the lithe assassin locked eyes with Sabah and closed the distance to her with a series of silent, elegant, zig-zagging bounds.

Initiative everyone!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 07:14, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

13:05, Today: Kraelix rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Dex check.

Hearing the commotion on the other side of the door, Winnk called upon the powers of his blood to quicken his reflexes. He noticed the resistance from the other side diappearing as the orc turned around to face the feline assassin.

In a bound of surprising speed, the small female was already toe-to-toe with the much bigger orc, unleashing a flurry of precise cuts. Taken aback by the assault's ruthless precision, Sabah had to make some defensive concessions, one of them being a deep cut to the forearm, which sent jolts of pain in her brain and started bleeding profusely.

Pushing the door open now requires a DC 13 Athletics check taken as an action.
13:46, Today: Aurbis rolled 24,7,12,7 using d20+8,d4+5,d20+8,d4+5.  Khajit attack rolls.

Unnamed Khajit hits Sabah for 7 damage.

Your turn! You can all act now, and I'll post enemy actions afterwards.

With the resistance gone, Kraelix flung the door open and took in the scene before him. Seeing an apparent confrontation within, he paused to get a feel for what the sides were in this.

Action: Athletics 24
Bonus: cast Shillelagh
Move: none

08:49, Today: Kraelix rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Athletics.

Winnk was glad they never talked. Talking was boring. Talking probably would have led to more clues that they would have to follow. Winnk still wasn’t sure why he had taken the job, now that he had Izada’s head in a burlap sack back at the barracks. He’s gonna have to find a courier to take that back to Captain Malaj.

These are the thoughts going through his head as he shoots two arrows and tosses a hand axe at the big orc. But he missed and of course an arrow hit the khajiit, which was fine too. They were gonna have to kill them both.

07:36, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 8 using 1d8+3.  Dmg. – 8

07:36, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Hand axe attack spending sup die. – 12

07:36, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Haste attack. – 11

07:36, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Attack the cat. – 23

"Are you serious right now? We coulda made some serious coin together, but I guess if it's gotta be this way..." Teeth grit and a low hiss comes out as a sizeable blow comes down upon her forearm. The mammoth of a woman draws her biggest of the axes she carries, a greataxe of orcish make with a wicked curve to the blade, and prepares to deal with the traitor - but!

"You dirty bastard! Honorless coward!" A handaxe goes whizzing by, leaving the only cutting done by the effort done by her biting tongue.

Sufficiently antagonized and cornered, there's only one thing for our heroine to do - lash out. Violently. Blood gets blood. An overhand stroke with a hearty roar for good measure.


00:30, Today: Sabah rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Greataxe v. Traitor-cat.
00:30, Today: Sabah rolled 14 using 1d12+5.  Damage (if successful).

The catlike assassin reacted to the hail of arrows with a swift motion of her razor-sharp blade, dodging and cutting the projectile in half in mid-air at the same time. The action brought her dangerously close to the half-orc. The Khajit could not completely evade the attack, and despite her best attempts at rolling with the blow, the flat of the broadaxe's head connected with her temple, sending her tumbling into a nearby shelf. A couple of jugs of colourful powder crashed on the floor, forming a strange mass that bubbled and fizzled menacingly.

As soon as she connected with the ground, the assassin rolled back on her feet and charged again, ducking between the orc's legs to deliver an underhanded strike with both blades. While sliding, she threw the second blade at Winnk with scary precision. The blade left a deep gash on his face, only a hair's width away from the jugular.

7 damage to Winnk
19:49, Today: Aurbis rolled 26,7 using d20+8,d4+5.  2nd attack.
19:49, Today: Aurbis rolled 10,7 using d20+8,d4+5.  Dagger attack vs. Sabah.
Cat HP: -14

Finally.

Finally they were done talking and Winnk was staring down a dagger as it flew slowly to his face. He dodged it easily.

He felt something wet on his cheek. He put a hand to it, felt the blood, but when he looked at his fingers there was nothing there. He shrugged, grinned at his luck, and knocked two arrows and let them fly faster than a normal man could send one.

----
11:02, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 11 using 1d10+1.  2nd wind.
11:00, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 11 using 1d8+3.  dmg if succeed.
11:00, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  atk cat 2.
11:00, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  atk cat 1.

Kraelix strode through the door, shillelagh swinging toward the Khajit.

Move: into melee range with the cat/orc
Action: Attack w/ Shillelagh
Result: Hit AC 21 for 8 magical Bludgeoning damage

13:19, Today: Kraelix rolled 21,8 using d20+6,d8+4.  Attack w/ Shillelagh.

The orc stands her ground - not like running was ever an option - as her adversaries close in from both sides now. Fortunately, they seemed to want to focus down the traitor before turning on the orc; why pass on free help?

Amidst the hail of blows launched at the khajit, Sabah was really putting her all into hers, roaring with every swing. In the end, it doesn't matter who kills who, so long as they die, and yet, well, if it puts a fear in her remaining foes, well, the dramatics are worth it!


13:01, Today: Sabah rolled 9 using 1d12+5.  Damage (if successful).
13:01, Today: Sabah rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  Greataxe v. Traitor-cat.

In the crowded space of the underground cellar, the raging melee left Winnk with little opportunity to place a decent shot, despite his supernatural speed. Both arrows missed. Meanwhile, the combined efforts of Kraelix and Sabah drove the Khajit back, inflicting heavy wounds. Reeling and whimpering from her heavy wounds, the agile creature quickly performed a short series of hand gestures, finishing by clenching her clawed fist to her heart. In an instant, the whole room was filled with a supernatural darkness. Using the momentary confusion, the assassin scurried across the room towards the loading shaft.

Your turn to act. You can't see anything, and determining the moving Khajit's approximate location requires a DC 16 Perception check. All attack rolls have Disadvantage.

Winnk couldn’t believe it. That cat had nine lives.

He gave up and turned away from the room and went in search of one of the EITC workers.

“Hey! That room doesn’t go anywhere right??? You said it was a dead end right???” He kept an eye on the door to see who would come out.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Tue 04 May 2021.

"Why do people always run when they lose..?"

The orc simply adopts a defensive posture and lets what will happen, happen. When she can see again, hoo boy, there's gonna be a rampage, believe you me. For now? No point wasting energy swinging at shadows - just dodge.

Opportunity Attack: hit AC 21 9 for 8 magical Bludgeoning damage  (assuming the cat moved)
17:14, Today: Kraelix rolled 21,8 using d20+6,d8+4.  Attack w/ Shillelah.
17:21, Today: Kraelix rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  Disadvantage OA.

Forgot I had luck points, or I'd have used one


Kraelix swing where the cat had been as he saw them trying to escape. He listened to her footsteps and followed. As he stepped, he reached out to the spirits of his ancestors and summoned them into the physical realm. 17:16, Today: Kraelix rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

Move: knowing where it went, if I can follow and step out of the darkness while staying in melee so I can see them, I will
Action: Cast Spirit Guardians, protecting me and Winnk
Result: creatures starting turns or entering my 15 ft radius Wis DC 14 vs 3d8 Radiant (half on success). Speed of all creatures (besides Winnk) is halved in the area.

17:17, Today: Kraelix rolled 4 using 3d8.  Spirit Guardians, Wis DC 14 for 1/2.

Immediately after the darkness fell, the adventurers heard some more scurrying from the loading shaft, along with the sound of a blade cutting ropes and the crashing of a heavy wooden item.

"Well, there's only this door and the elevator", the clerk answered Winnk. "It's broken now, and pretty badly stuck, so you'd have to be really slim and agile to crawl through here."

Echoing the servant's words, a clamor erupted from nearby, at ground level. The shouts of surprise and "Hail to the thief!" quickly mutated into screams of pain and panicked fear.

Winnk put a hand on the servant's shoulders, and wanted nothing more than to wring the fool's neck, "Do you see now how that information would have been extremely helpful toward our efforts here? We could have split up and put a man down at that exit. But now the one who knows information has fled, and we have this orc to deal with, who probably knows nothing."

He tried to calm down. He knew it would just create more problems. "Come here." He half dragged the servant back toward the room. "You're gonna help us negotiate with the orc."




----

08:05, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  athletics check to drag servant.

08:04, Today: Winnk Slornga rolled 18 using 1d20.  wis save to do diplomacy. FAIL

Forcing NPC to negotiate with the orc bc I cannot. If DM chooses not to then I will attack Sabah next round.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Wed 05 May 2021.

Kraelix turned and closed on the orc, swinging the glowing staff twice.

Move: close to Sebah
Action: Attack
Result: Miss AC 9 25 for 11 Bludgeoning
Bonus: War Priest attack
Result: Miss AC 13 18 for 8 Bludgeoning
Concentration: Spiritual Guardians (half speed and Wis 14 vs 3d8 Radiant)

00:11, Today: Kraelix rolled 18,8,13 using d20+6,d8+4,d20+6.  Attack w/ Shillelah.
00:08, Today: Kraelix rolled 9,11,25 using d20+6,d8+4,d20+6.  Attack w/ Shillelah.


This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Thu 06 May 2021.

"Hells! Now you? Fine. Die!
Those five words are far more kindness than this elf seems to know, and are all Sabah plans to share with him - besides the kindness of a swift death. Her axe screams through the air, the orc bellowing with primal rage as she goes for the Dunmer!


Bonus: Rage. 1 min remaining, 1 Rage left.
Standard: Greataxe v. Kraelix

My brain is under the assumption that Darkness was only there for one round. If I am wrong, DM, please roll my disadvantage accordingly.

23:38, Today: Sabah rolled 19 using 1d12+7.  Raging Axe Damage.
23:38, Today: Sabah rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Greataxe v. 'Adventurer'.
23:35, Today: Sabah rolled 3 using 1d20.  WIS vs Kraelix's S.W.

Kraelix felt the presence of his guardians disperse, and moments later the darkness did as well. He'd heard movement all around and was never sure which footsteps belonged to who. Would the ancestors know to protect Winnk even in the darkness? That was a question for the elders; the ones he had no particular intention of ever speaking to again. So he'd stayed put, waiting for someone to make a move or for the darkness to clear on its own.

When things did finally clear up, there they all stood in a triangle formation. "Seems like you're the only one left. One of you, two of us plus the backing of the fighter's and mage's guilds. Are you ready to talk, or shall I invoke the spirits again?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Mon 10 May 2021.

THere had been a lot of rumbling. The storage space was cramped and poorly suited for action, even with sufficient illumination. In addition, blood and a sticky black substance still covered large sections of the floor, providing treacherous footwork. Swords and words were thrown carelessly into approximate directions, often resulting in a waste of precious materials as jugs and bags were pierced or tossed to the ground. Meanwhile, the shouts of alarm coming from the upper floor progressively vanished as the center of the attention deftly escaped the compound - probably.

Having forced the protesting clerk into the room, Winnk underestimated the slipperiness of fresh blood, and both of them landed on the ground. While the two managed to stand up - not without much complaining -, the darkness vanished as abruptly as it had appeared. Kraelix realized he had been swinging his magical cudgel at a bag of coal, and Sabah was busy removing her axe from one of the ceiling's supporting beams.

"Um... parley?" whimpered the clerk in a feeble voice.

Winnk wiped his hands on the clerk’s shirt.

“Don’t lie to me boy! Did you know there was another way out of here? You said they were at a dead end. Swear the truth or I swear to you, we’ll make your death look like an accident. None of us saw what was going on, it was dark. We accidentally maimed yer head off.

“Who are you working for???? Is the EITC in on the plot against the empire????”

Winnk pushed the fellow further from the door each time he asked a question. Closer and closer to Sabah.

"Jus' sayin', I could off you and go after the cat 'fore your idiot comes back."

The massive orc sighs and shrugs.

"Stupid job. Shoulda put my axe in those boys myself before things got this sour. Damn my empty wallet being able to seduce me to do shit I don't wanna..."

A sigh and a shrug.

"So, what, let you arrest me, rot away in a cell or lose my head?"

The clerk's day hadn't begun well. His porridge had gone bad, some kind of event at the market forced his usual grocer to close shop for the day, the crowd in his usual tavern delayed him by almost an hour, which angered his supervisor. And now, he had to deal with a break-in, a fight, broken merchandise - which would have to be painstakingly catalogued later - and a very angry, slightly delusional adventurer.

"Look, Sir," he said, clasping his hands together, "the lift is used for wares only, and it's really dangerous, nobody in their right mind would use that to access the room! Plus it's locked secure on the upper level when it's not in use. How could I have known? Also I don't know of a plot against the Empire, Sir. Methinks the East Imperial Trading company is the last one to try and hurt the Empire."

His speech was fast and slightly panicked, and he looked upon Winnk with eyes that were close to tears.

“You’ve already proven what an idiot you are, Clark. So when you say things that seem true to you, all I hear is lies. But don’t worry. I ain’t gonna let you outta my sight. You’re working with us now.”

He could use someone to act as a liaison. He needed a message courier, amongst other things, but he hasn’t found the time to even write the letter yet. Clark seemed like he’d be able to write things down while Winnk was busy doing the thinking.

“Sound good? Join us.”

It wasn’t clear if he was talking to Sabah or Clark.

"Yyy...yes, Sir, Mister, Officer, of course. I'm here to assist any way I can. And my name's Cornelius, by the way. If that's fine for you, ooooo-of course."

The clerk started scribbling frantically on his papers, more out of habit than anything. It was at this moment that Nagorok, the Orsimer chief of security, entered the room. His eyes wandered from the clerk to the investigators and to Sabah, judging the situation with a lift of the eyebrow.

"Ugh. It's you again, girl. Told you to stay out of trouble. What kind of situation did you put yourself in this time?"

"Put good muscle on bad ideas. 'fraid I'm making a bad habit, haha!"

By this point the orc's posture returns to a more casual one. People keep showing up, there's no swinging her way out of this one.

"I'm a sucker for a pretty face. Sure doesn't get you out of trying to stab me, though..."

The orc sighs softly and shakes her head, lost in thought for just a moment.

Winnk stroked his beard in deep thought, remembering his conversation with the head of security just a few minutes ago. "Ah Nagarok. You said you put watchmen at all the exits. We flushed out your thief. Please tell me you caught the khajit? And if not, may I remind you that we came to speak to (insert most important person's name here) about this morning's events."

"Damn cat sprang over the wall like it was nothing," the veteran rowled, obviously displeased at the turn of events. "My boys apparently couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a javelin. Reckon there will be more training involved for this lot. But anyway, we got one of them, it seems."

The Orsimer walked over to Sabah and mustered her from head to toe, giving off a 'tsk' of disapproval.
"So, lass, told you not to get on the wrong side of the law, didn't I? Well, now might be a good time to get chatty. What in the world were you doing down there?"

"What I was doing? Watching two of the most incompetent people I've ever seen in my life try and make a score, that's what I was doin'. Didn't know you could mess up every step so badly that your own crew cuts your throat..."

A slow shake of her head.

" 's more exciting to be where the action is, in truth. Guard duty, pft. Waste of muscle."

“a waste indeed. we have to go to the fighter’s guild. why dont you join us?”

seems there was no further info to gain here. this was the second time Winnk asked to be taken to the man in charge and the second time he was quite certain absolutely no one had any brains to even show him where the toilet was.

"If you can tell us where we might find the kajit, that might help smooth things over with the guild."

Careful not top step into any more sticky and/or slippery liquid, the security chief walked slowly over to the bodies of Sabah's unfortunate companions, squatting down to observe their wounds. A faint whistle passed his lips.

"That one's Horatio Consallin, I reckon. Small-time con artist. From the looks of it, an iron throat would've done him more good than a silver tongue. And the other..." There was a groan as he flipped the second burglar's corpse over with one hand, examining its features. "No face I know. Can't have been in town for long. Well, that Khajit of yours knows how to handle a blade, that's for sure. Clear cuts, no hesitation, highly precise... Professional work. Dunno about you lot, but I won't sleep very sound knowing such a killer's at large in my town."

While speaking, the Orsimer frisked the corpses, finding nothing but lint, a few coins, and the footpad's tools of the trade. His gaze fell upon Horatio's wrist.
"Huh. Hey, Investigator-types, come look at this."

Holding the unfortunate's hand up, he revealed a small braided bracelet with a fingernail-sized medallion carved from bone, depicting a stylized canine head.
"You lot recognize this, by any chance? Looks religious to me, only I reckon Horatio being a church-hater through and through."

Religion checks, please :)

winnk lit a new cigar, he didnt get his fix from the first one-that leisure had been cut short. He did not even bother to look at the wrist, “give it a rest chief, we already got rnjesus.”

PUFF PUFF.

“now, one last fuckin’ time ill ask and if you ignore me i will arrest you for ignoring my investigation: take me to (person in charge).”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Tue 18 May 2021.

Kraelix took a look at the symbol.

13:42, Today: Kraelix rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Religion.

"Kid's name is Saemus. Good at breakin' in to shit without breakin' it. 'n Horatio coulda learnt to shut the fuck up, probably woulda help his odds in livin'."



23:38, Today: Sabah rolled 7 using 1d20.  Religion.

Blinking slowly, the Orsimer looked up at Winnk with an incredulous look on his face.

"You... got conked on the head, or something? I'm in charge, and I directed you to the ongoing break-in, remember? And here we are, right at the heart of the matter. I mean, you wanna talk the the Intendant, that's fine, but he'll send you right back to me anyway. Right. So no clus as to this medallion? Me neither. Just take it and show it to someone at the Mage's Guild, one of them smart heads is bound to know."

Nagorok stood up slowly, his armor clanking. He looked down at the two corpses and sighed.
"Shame about the kids, but that's Mud Row life for you. The bigwigs aren't very forgiving. So, you guys wanna arrest the nice lady? Or d'you reckon she could be useful to you?"

Things weren't adding up. This was the east imperial trading company. An orc as head of security made sense, but to put him in charge? Ludacris.

"Right, I'm sorry Nagorok, it's been a long day already. I'm used to people lying to me so I ask them the same question in different ways. You check out." (Like hell he checked out.) But Winnk was satisfied to take the bracelet. "The priestess will know all about this bracelet I'm sure. We'll check back in and then head to the fighter's guild. What about you, Sabah? You gon' play nice with us? We could use your help."

Kraelix took the symbol and tucked it away. "For now, we'll take her with us back to the Mage's Guild to have her give a report on what she knows, see what they know about this symbol, and let them decide whether she's to be detained or not."

After a few more minutes of pointless search around the warehouse's mayhem and chatting up clueless clerks, the adventurers made their way back to the Mage's Guild. Headmistress Marelle  was out on business, and everyone else save for Merard was pretty busy. The bookish Breton beckoned the bedazzled band towards the library.

"New recruit, eh?" he asked, observing Sabah from head to toe. "Looks like she'll fit right in. I'm Merard, by the way. Merard Renault. A mere apprentice. My mum used to be kinda important around here. Not that it particularly matters now. So anyway, you found a strange symbol? Let me see that..."

The young wizard took a long look at the medallion. His eyes widened as he darted for a nearby bookshelf, where he frantically scrolled through a few volumes. After a few minutes, he came back, holding open a tome and pointing at an illustration of hunched figures performing some sort of ritual sacrifice in front of a weirdly shaped altar. The strange symbol adorned the cultist's robes.

"Look, I knew that thing seemed familiar. This chronicle was one of my favorite readings as a kid. It dates back to the times of Galerion the Mystic himself," Merard explained with awe and excitement. "Apparently he and the other founders of the Mage's Guild spent quite some time rooting out various witch covens between the Khajit lands of Pelletine and the western edge of Black Marsh. Many of them were in league with Daedras. This particular picture is supposed to depict some kind of summoning ritual. The text doesn't mention which Daedra, though."

The apprentice scratched his head and shrugged. "You wouldn't happen to have an idea, Kraelix? I thought this subject would be right up your alley."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:49, Wed 26 May 2021.

Without prompting, Winnk suddenly goes into a trance. He begins removing all his weapons and armor, just tossing them onto the ground. Finally he is left only wearing his traditional red guard gray clothes. Then he pulls a ring off his finger, revealing a second ring on his finger, neither of these were visible until this moment. He tosses the first into the nearest fire and gazes at it long until it seems he has returned to his senses.

“Well done Merard. Your mother would be proud. Ahem. Gentlemen. Seems that dog we were chasing this morning took me along much farther. While you lot have been working on tracking down those involved in this morning’s incident I was in a battle of the mind against none other than Sheogorath. I wish I had fruit from my labor, but suffice it to say, at least I am in my right mind again.”

Winnk bows ceremoniously to Kraelix and Sabah.

“Now. Let us tie up loose ends before the sun has set.”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Fri 28 May 2021.

Kraelix shares all of the knowledge that he has on the subject with the others from the group.

"Uh, Winnk...you seem quite different. Are you feeling well?"

Winnk puts a dirty hand on Kraelix, "Never better. I saw the future." You get a look at that ring on his finger, it is black purple and has a small pearl in the center.

"Now, Kraelix, do you know anything about the daedra??? Just so happens I believe I can speak Daedric. What luck."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Thu 03 June 2021.

"I do not speak the language. I do know a few things, however...."

Rich with their new information, the unlikely pair left the Mage's Guild in the last rays of the sunset. All around them, citizens and guards were lighting torches and lanterns to fend off the creeping darkness, and in the back alleys of Mudbank and everywhere else, cutpurses, burglars and other scum were sharpening their knives and sorting their lockpicks. Fortunately, the City Watch kept both its vigilant eyes open, protecting the wealthy inhabitants of Blueside, and if they had nothing better to do, the simple folks of Greenside as well. The coppers rarely set foot in Mudbank.

In the twilight's near empty streets, Kraelix and Winnk made their way to the Fighter's Guild, an imposing, massive three-storey mansion of grey stone flying the banners of Leyawiin as well as a standard depicting a red sword and shield on a white background. A pair of youngsters clad from head to toe in shiny steel armor crossed their halberds to bar the double oak doors as they approached, but a few words and a flashing of the recommendation letter made them give way again. One of the guards escorted the two investigators through a spartan entrance hall, a simple, undecorated square room serving as the focal point of a handful of corridors and stone stairways, and let them to the left towards a dining hall. The comfortable room sported a variety of ornamental weapons and tapestries on its cold stone walls, and dozens of candles lit every nook and cranny. Two dozens of men and women of nearly every age and origin were enjoying a hearty meal of meats, fish, soup, shells and braised roots, drinking thick red wine and chatting merrily. The guard pointed them to a square-jawed man in his early thirties, his blond hair and beard kept short and neat, dressed in a fashionable surcoat bearing the arms of the Arvenius family.

"Envoys from His Highness the Duke, and the Mage's Guild?" he called over and gestured to a pair of empty chairs nearby. "We are honoured to receive such admirable guests. Please, have a seat, a plate and a cup. My name is Gerbrandt Arvenius, rank of Warder. How can I be of help?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:54, Fri 18 June 2021.