Interlude II
Subject Interlude II
High atop the tower the dark figure sits, his mind focused on the energies surrounding him. He feels the power of death in the dungeons below, the mystical energy given off and collected as each pile of flesh gives up its soul or spirit. The knocking at the door yanks him from his reverie. "Enter" he barks and Bink, one of his apprentices, enters, bowing low. "Why do you disturb me? You know I left word not to be bothered unless it is very important." "Master" comes the rushed reply, "Word from Bodentown. The last of the swarms has been destroyed." Bink stands in front of his master, head down, hoping that he had made a wise choice. His Master had been known to flay messengers alive for interrupting him for the wrong reason.
The news gets his attention. "You were right to bring word. You have done well. Now leave me while I contemplate this." "Master?" Bink asks "will we send aid to Faldor?" Anger flashes in his Master's eyes and Bink knows he has gone too far. "You over step yourself. Faldor will succeed or fail on his own. I benefit either way. Now, go to the mines for the next month. That will teach you to not question me." Bink sighs in relief. He would live another day.
The others head in
Subject The others head in
Harp, Kal, Ragnar and Surin wait around for the hour to pass, trying to decide what type of cover story to use. Ragnar suggests that they pose as merchants who are searching for someone who owes them money. Harp gives a hearty laugh when he hears this. "Brother Ragnar, do any of us look like any merchant you have ever seen? However, your idea is not with out merit, lets just work on some of the details. Instead of merchants, how about an adventuring group who had a party member make off with the loot of some forgotten dungeon we found? That would explain our weapons and armor."
Kal nods. "I like this idea. It will also go a long ways to explaining why we are asking questions while in town. We are there to find someone." Surin also nods his approval "I think it has potential. Let's not get to specific as to who or what we are looking for. I expect this place will not ask a whole lot of questions." With their cover story decided on the four start out for the gate they are supposed to enter.
The march is uneventful. Ragnar feels the pull of memory. The years he spent as a slave with his mother come back to him as he sees the peasants laboring in the fields. The overseers whips crack as the sun fades and Ragnar is 13 again. It takes all of his control not to summon down the cleansing power of the battle lord. He knows that killing these few, small men will not change the lives of the downtrodden in the area. Only a change in how the whole area is run will do that. So he grits his teeth and continues walking.
The populace that the party passes does not seem all that much different then other places they have seen, but they do seem a bit more subdued. There is no singing in the fields and there are more overseers. Kal finally notices that there seem to be a larger percentage of children and women working the fields and in the logging camps. The overseers also seem to faster with the whip. Several times the party sees a peasant beaten to unconsciousness or maybe even to death.
An hour before dark the four reach the north gate. The town is much larger than they had expected and there is a platoon of at least 20 guards manning the gate.
OODM: Any specific instructions from Kevin, Josh, Jason or Ashley on how they want to handle entry?
From: Josh
Subject The others head in
Kal shows deference to Harp as best he can to the guards. Looks better if the half orc is ordering the elf around.
At the Leaky Mug
Subject At the Leaky Mug
The four enter the inn with a sense of trepidation. Salix in particular is feels like everyones eyes are on him. He tries his best to remain inconspicuous, letting Mund and Ally take the lead, even going as far as to let Ran do the talking for the both of them. As they enter the common room the hustle and bustle of the dinner crowd assaults them. Loud laughter, even louder screams echo from the large room. Tables and chairs fill most of the space, with a large wooden bar on the south side of the room. Four burly bartenders are getting drinks while a dozen or more waitresses scurry about taking food and drink to the different tables. Smoke from the fire place mixes with the smoke from the pipes and cigars that most of the men are smoking.
Mund grabs one of the serving wenches by the arm and shouts over the din "Who do we talk to about a room?" The girl, one of the ugliest Mund has ever seen, uses her elbow to point to a large man standing behind a counter along part of the west wall. Two large 1/2 orcs with short swords and chain shirts stand menacingly beside him. Mund motions for the others to follow a bit behind and they head over towards the man.
As Mund approaches the man notices him and turns to face him. "We need lodging for a few days" the barbarian shouts over the noise. "Well you've come to the best place. The Leaky Mug has the best food, the nicest beds and the softest whores in Bodentown. What type of lodging are you looking for? Private, semi-private or common room?" Mund turns and looks at the others, an eyebrow raised. Ally helps him out. "How many fit in a semi-private room?" he asks. "4 is usual, 6 if they don't mind being comfy with each other." Mund is quick on the uptake. "We'll take semi-private then. How much?" "5 gold a day and that includes breakfast and lunch in the common room. Dinner, booze and whores are extra. Two days rent in advance." The man holds out his hand and Mund pulls 10 gold from his pouch, dropping it in the man's hand.
The man looks at the gold and his face darkens a bit. "I recognize these coins. These are from Schon." Mund thinks quickly "Well of course they are. That is where the caravan we took them from was from. I didn't know you cared where the gold came from." The innkeeper's eyes shift a bit at that. "Oh I don't care but others around here might not be so generous as I. Well gentlemen, if you would sign in here I will have one of the girls show you to your room." The four sign the names they had agreed to and follow another ugly serving girl out a back door to another building. Up a flight of stairs, down a hallway and to the third door on the left. She bows and hurries back to the main building.
The four inspect the room. It is nothing special. There are two bunk beds, one set on either wall, a desk and a large wardrobe. There are two chest on each wall and a couple of chairs. No sign of a sink or a mirror or bathroom.
OODM: Ok do you guys want to do anything?
The others move in Cont.
Subject The others head in
Mark, I am going to write something up, but it will be later this afternoon.
From: Kevin
Subject The others head in
Harp watches as they move around the town. He didn't know this town, but he had vague memories of when he was a child - before his mother had left him with the Order. Brutality and strength - that was what ruled here. Most people were so worried about just surviving that they did not worry about much else. Well, he was strong, and he could act as brutal as needed to get the job done.
As they walk, he says to the others " All right then, its agreed. We are are looking for someone who stole some well earned treasure from us. We'll use the name Lane as our missing "partner if pressed" but I want to avoid getting into too much detail. Also, a couple of other things. I'm going to go by the name of Hack while we are in town. It's a common name among my type so it shouldn't draw any undo attention. Also, please forgive anything I say when we are in town. We may have to put on an act that we are only travelling together out of need, not desire."
OOC: Mark, when they reach the gate, Harp will start off just saying that they are travelling through, stopping for a couple days to buy some basic supplies. If pushed, he will give a basic story that they are looking for someone, know to Harp/Hack as Lane, an adventurer who had hired them to join him on a little outing who had then dissappeared with their loot. They had heard a rumor he was in Bodentown and they were just checkin it out. He will not pay 5 gp for a pass, claiming they have little money left since Lane took almost all of it.
At the Leaky Mug cont., and Surin disappears
Subject At the Leaky Mug cont
Depending on how much time they have left in the day, Allistair would like to ask around and find out if there is any mage community here. Discreetly, if possible. There's probably not a whole lot that Allistair could do to hide his profession, but he won't go out of his way to advertise it either. Probably not large enough to be a mage guild or such in Bodentown, but he would like to find out who the prominent magic-users in town are. Also he'd like to ask around about the government of Bodentown, who the mayor/lord that runs the place is and what kind of a person they are. After gathering information, Allistair needs to rest and memorize spells.
From: Kevin
Subject The others head in
OOC: Mark as I re-read this, I may not have made myself clear. Harp will expect to pay something for a pass, but not 5 gp each. He will haggle, claiming that they have little funds left given what was taken from them by the person they are searching for (if the conversatin even gets that far).
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok. I will write something up tonight.
From:Ashley
Subject The others head in
tee hee..."Leaky Mug". Awesome.
Before anyone says anything Surin does a quick check of the room, making sure there wouldn't be any awkward situations if the party said anything too private. If he's satisfied that the walls aren't over thin or there isn't a peephole somewhere, he'll finally speak. "We could talk to a few people around the inn and see if they knows of anyone who would be interested in our wares, that way we can go wandering around town with a solid cover story and alibi. Does this sound like a decent plan?"
From: Kevin
Subject The others head in
OOC: Ashley, Surin has not made it to town yet. He is with Ragnar, Harp and Kal heading in the gate on the other side of town.
Salix, Mund, Allistair and Ran are at the Leaky Mug. I am sure that we will find an equally nice establishment in which to spend our time in Bodentown.
Wasn't there a little ditty in the animated version of the Hobbit "Down, down to Bodentown"? (I know it was goblin town, but it sounded close).
From: Ashley
Subject Surin disappears
aw crap. *hides*
What to do at the Leaky Mug, the others get a room
Subject Surin is found
Harp looks around - where did Surin go?? Was he hiding again, in plain daylight?? Showoff.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Sorry I did not get anything out last night. I will tonight.
From: Kevin
Subject Surin is found
Don't do anything until we find Surin. I know we left him around here somewhere???
Surin??? Surin??? Where are you??
There you are you sneaky little halfling. Come on out from behind that sign.
Halflings... they are just like 12 year olds.
From: Mund
Subject What to do at the Leaky Mug
Mund looks around at the room. Not bad. Pretty expensive, but Mund should be able to get the money back if they succeed in beating the stuffing out of whatever's causing the problems out here.
"At lease some of us need to go down and blow some money on riotious living, or people will start to wonder about us. It might also be a good time to get some lernin' about this place. Alley -- I know you's a-wantin' to check some stuff out. How about the rest of y'all? I've never too good at getting others to talk willingly. Any of y'all good at that?"
"Salix -- how are you feeling? Are you up to strenght, or should you rest a while here?"
From: Porter
Subject Sense motive
I thought that Sense Motive was one of those skills that you didn't have to declare, like listen or spot. Am I mistaken?
From: Karl
Subject What to do at the Leaky Mug
Salix hates everything about this mission. He can't trust the forest, and he has to hide who he is in town. He isn't particularly fond of the *good* towns, but it's even worse here. Still, he didn't come on this mission to hide in a room in an inn. "I'm right with you Mund. And call me Sam, please. Salix is a pretty druidic sounding name and someone's bound to make the connection."
From: Porter
Subject Time
OOC: what time is it? Is it too late to check out the mercenary guild?
From: Mark
Subject Time
It is just past dinner time, so it is unlikely to be open.
From: Mark
Subject Sense motive
From my reading of the skill I would say not.
Here is the SRD
Check: A successful check lets you avoid being bluffed (see the Bluff skill). You can also use this skill to determine when "something is up" (that is, something odd is going on) or to assess someone's trustworthiness.
Task Sense Motive DC
Hunch 20
Sense enchantment 25 or 15
Discern secret message Varies
Hunch: This use of the skill involves making a gut assessment of the social situation. You can get the feeling from another's behavior that something is wrong, such as when you're talking to an impostor. Alternatively, you can get the feeling that someone is trustworthy.
Sense Enchantment: You can tell that someone's behavior is being influenced by an enchantment effect (by definition, a mind-affecting effect), even if that person isn't aware of it. The usual DC is 25, but if the target is dominated (see dominate person), the DC is only 15 because of the limited range of the target's activities.
Discern Secret Message: You may use Sense Motive to detect that a hidden message is being transmitted via the Bluff skill. In this case, your Sense Motive check is opposed by the Bluff check of the character transmitting the message. For each piece of information relating to the message that you are missing, you take a --2 penalty on your Sense Motive check. If you succeed by 4 or less, you know that something hidden is being communicated, but you can't learn anything specific about its content. If you beat the DC by 5 or more, you intercept and understand the message. If you fail by 4 or less, you don't detect any hidden communication. If you fail by 5 or more, you infer some false information.
Action: Trying to gain information with Sense Motive generally takes at least 1 minute, and you could spend a whole evening trying to get a sense of the people around you.
Try Again: No, though you may make a Sense Motive check for each Bluff check made against you.
Special: A ranger gains a bonus on Sense Motive checks when using this skill against a favored enemy.
If you have the Negotiator feat, you get a +2 bonus on Sense Motive checks.
Synergy: If you have 5 or more ranks in Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
If you check under action it says you need ot usually take a whole minute or longer.
There might be times I would make it automatic, but this was not one of them.
From: Mark
Subject The others get a room
Harp and the others with him head towards the gate guards. It is obvious that there is a line of people being inspected before entry, although many of what seem to be locals pass through with out bother. Deciding to error on the side of caution Harp has the four get into the line to check in with the guards. When their turn comes up a reasonably efficient guard approaches them asking "Your names and purpose in Bodentown?" Harp gives the preplanned response about looking for a confederate who had made off with some treasure. "Any suggestions how the fastest way to find him?" Harp asks. The guard laughs "In Bodentown, if some one wants to get lost they usually can. If you've got the money my best suggestion would be to pay a temple money to find out where your friend is and then pay the Nighthawks to kill him for you. If your broke, as you say you are, hire on with the mercenary guild. You might make enough in a few years to afford the temple and the Hawks."
Harp thanks the man and they each pay the 1 gold for the 5 day pass. The sun is just setting in the west and dark is coming on fast. "I don't think" Ragnar says "that we should risk looking for the others in the dark, in a city we know nothing about. How about we find an inn for the night and try and meet up with the others tomorrow?" Surin nods his agreement with this plan and as much as Harp would like to rejoin the others, he sees the wisdom of Ragnar's suggestion. Even Kal agrees "Hey, if this place is as rough as every one says, daylight is our friend, at least until we know more about it."
That being settled the four move deeper into the city, looking for a place to stay. Surin sees obvious signs of an active guild, and reminds himself that it would be bad mojo to do any extra activities without finding the local day master or night master and getting approval. However, that does not keep him from stopping a few young pick pockets who try to help lessen Harp's load. A few quick taps on the back of their heads with the butt of his dagger and the common street thieves know to leave them alone.
After a half hour of looking the four finally find a place. It seems to be in a fairly nice part of town, off of Merchant Street. The inn, The Boars Head Inn, stands 3 stories high and has a good crowd coming in and out of the front doors. The companions make their way into the common room and the smells of cooking meat and fresh beer fills their noses. Asking one of the customers if they knew who was in charge, they are directed to a tall, thin man with a bald head who is standing behind the bar. As they approach he looks them up and down and looks at them a bit disdainfully. "Yes, how may we at the Boars Head help you tonight?"
OODM: If you want to role play this go ahead.
What passes for passes, at the Boar's Head inn
Subject What passes for passes
Mark, did we get the same types of "passes" as the others? I know that we will not know that they are magical, but I just want to know if we got them.
From: Mark
Subject What passes for passes
You 4 got passes. The characters have no idea if they are the same type until they meet up with the other 4.
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
"We need a room for 4 for a couple nights. What d'ya have?"
From: Kal
Subject What passes for passes
Is there anything about the passes that would make Kal think to cast detect magic?
I'm not saying he's investigating them, I don't think it'd occur to him naturally. Only if there was something particular about them. (Arcane Knowledge maybe?)
From: Mark
Subject What passes for passes
Not really. Surin might have an idea as to why they might be enchanted.
From: Ashley
Subject What passes for passes
Would that be an Appraise check, then?
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
OOC: Mark, any role playing with the inn keeper? Harp asked what they had available?
I am heading out to lunch here shortly.
From: Mark
Subjet: At the Boar's Head inn
I will try and get some this afternoon. Lots of crap at the office today.
People wanting custom printed stuff in the next couple of weeks. We are booked through the end of the year and they are not happy.
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
"How much you got to spend? A basic room for 4 would run 4 gold a day. Food, drink, drugs and companionship extra. For 10 a day you get all the food and women you want. Drink and drugs are still extra."
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
"How about 6 gold for the room and the food? We may come back and talk to you about the women after we finish our business. We'll pay for 2 days upfront."
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
"Done." He takes the money, 12 gold, and signals for a young girl. This girl has an odd look about her. It takes Harp a few seconds to realize what it is. She is a 1/2 orc, just like him. He would put her age at around 12 but she is already just under 6 foot. Not ugly by Harp's standards but her orcish parentage is obvious. She eyes Harp with open lust. "You're a big one aren't you?' She says. She grabs his arm and pulls him, with the others following down a long hallway. Out into a courtyard and to a building in the back. In another door and up a flight of stairs. Turning right, she pulls open the first door on the right and shows them their room.
She hops up on the bed and leans back suggestively. "If you need anything" she wiggles her eyebrows," just let me know. I am called Thanga."
From: Porter
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
*waggles eyebrows*
From: Karl
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Would that be "Miss Thanga?"
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Too bad Mund is on the other side of the city.
From: Porter
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
*pouts*
But who knows? Maybe that's Mund's daughter.
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Naw she is better looking than that. ;) And if she and Harp get involved would that make Mund Harp's father in law?
From: Porter
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
She takes after her mother, the sweet thing.
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Harp grins at the girl and says in his best Orcish "Thank you, Thanga, but we're fine for now. We want to get cleaned up after our travels. Maybe later we can talk??"
He tips her a silver piece and pats her rump on the way out.
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Thanga looks disappointed but keeps the silver piece. She closes the door behind her.
The 4 look around the room. It is fairly spacious, with four bed placed around the room and a central table. There are two windows with bars on them on the wall opposite the door. The room is lit with 6 wall torches that look similar to Munds everburning torch. However these have dark bags attached so that the light can be put out.
Surin makes a quick inspection of the room and reports in. "The good news. We are at the end of the hallway so we only have one neighbor" he points to the communal wall. "The bad news is that the walls are typical Inn walls and not all that sturdy. The other bad news: the damn furniture is too big." As he says this he moves towards the table in the middle of the room and with a running leap jumps up on the human sized chair.
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
Harp laughs at Surin's comment, goes over to one of the beds and lays down, his feet dangling over the edge a few inches. "I don't know what your'e complaining about, at least your feet don't hang out."
"Let's get unpacked and cleaned up a bit, but don't leave anything important in the room. Then we can head down to get some food and get a feel for this place."
OOC: Mark, I assume there is a communal bathing area on the floor somewhere?
From: Kevin
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
OOC: Mark, for now, Harp is going to try to go by the name of Hack, and will try to remind the others of that as they head to the common room.
From: Mark
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
No one saw a bathing area any where so far. There is only a small bowl with a piece of silvered glass as a mirror on the wall next to the door. Underneath is a large, empty pitcher. There are 4 bedpans, one next to each bed.
From: Ashley
Subject At the Boar's Head inn
OK, the retcon this.
"Surin, why don't you go take a quick look around the inn here. Try to get a basic layout so if we need to leave quickly, we have a good idea of where we can go."
From: Ashley
Subject What passes for passes
Before everyone splits off from the room, Surin gets Kal's attention and pulls out his city pass. "I noticed when I was looking at this earlier that the design is pretty straightforward--nothing too complicated or ornate. I figure any kid with a paintbrush could probably forge it with a little practice. I was thinking, if this really is something we should have when we go around the city, there might be something magical to set it apart from a false one. D'you think you could tell if it was?"
In the absence of Allistair, Kal's the first one Surin thinks of to do something like this, but he wants to get it straightened out before anyone leaves the inn.
Dinner at the Leaky Mug
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
Even though he is still feeling a bit out of sorts Salix, now being called Sam, insists on joining the other down in the common room for dinner. The four take off their armor and put the larger weapons in the trunks with the armor. They each keep a knife, except for Salix who takes his sling and the pouch of bullets with him. Ally puts his Ioun stone in a pouch inside his robes and tells Sysyphys to stay in the room but to keep hidden. He would bring the snake back something to eat if it did not catch anything in the room while they were gone.
When they get to the common room they are able to find a table for 6 that is empty. Taking up seats around the table Mund signals to a serving girl and she heads over to take their order. She cowers a bit as she tells them what is on the menu "We have roast venison, vegetable stew, fresh bread, cheese and several types of beer and ales. Harder drink can be gotten at the bar." The four place orders and several minutes later the girl is back with their food. The food is plentiful, if not tasty. They have all had worse but the kitchens of Gorn lay a good table and this is not even close.
As they eat in silence they listen to the conversation of the crowd around them. At this time of night the crowd is fairly restrained, especially by Mund's standards. There is only the occasional drunken outburst or squeal of a serving girl getting her ass pinched. Ran makes note of the layout of this main room and building, noting where the doors are and the windows as well as the stairs. It seems that the gambling, drugging and whoring are done upstairs and the drinking and eating are done downstairs. Several times the party is approached to see if they are interested in buying some sort of drug or a girl or a boy for the night. Polite no's are given, even when free samples are offered.
Salix and Ran have the hardest time of the four. Salix has never spent much time with crowds and Ranthir has spent many years with the elves. While the elves can be festive, they are nothing like this. Their parties are musical and full of life. This crowd seems rude, loud and obnoxious. After a couple of hours Ally sees Salix's discomfort. "Sam, lets get you back to the room and get you some rest. I need my sleep as well. Ranthir, do you want to stay here with Mund and keep an eye out for the others or are you going to call it a night?"
OODM: These four can roll play this if they want.
From: Derek
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
Allistair continues. "You might even check out some of the other taverns in this area if you have time. They won't necessarily come to this tavern, and a half-orc , an elf, a halfling and a dwarf together should be pretty easy to spot. Also I need some time to examine these day-passes."
OOC: Do we have any pearls left that we used to ID all the stuff we got from the caravan? Also, is recreational drug use pretty common in this world, or is it something unique to Bodentown?
From: Mark
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
It's not unique to Bodentown, but it is not common in many of the good countries, especially the LG ones. Even to Mund and Ally, who came from the Wildlands, it seems a bit more out in the open then at home.
From: Jason
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
Ragnar doesn't really have anything to add here, so I'm just checking in. He's looking forward to resting for the night; its been an exhausting day, first with him using nearly every blessing he had prepared, followed by a forced march. In fact if no one else wants anything from him, he'll probably start getting ready for bed immediately.
From: Randy
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
Ranthir regrets removing his armor more and more as the evening progresses. This looked like a quite rowdy group and the possibility of things turning ugly seemed quite real.
"I think that we can worry about finding the others tomorrow. What do you think Mund? Anything you want to do before we head back to the room?"
From: Porter
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
"Yeah, I want to find out what I can."
Mund looks around the room and picks out a group laughing and drinking. He comes over to them and with a good-natured grin, tries to join in on the fun.
When appropriate, Mund will try to ingratiate himself with the group buy buying them all a round of drinks. He might even get into a drinking contest with somebody. Over time, he will try to gather information, trying to find out about economic situation in the town, if things have changed recently, and who runs Bartertown/Bodentown.
From: Jason
Subject What passes for passes
Kal casts detect magic on the pass and then goes quiet for a moment.
"It's definitely enchanted, I can't be sure, but I think it has multiple enchantments. The most powerful is of the school of divination. That's generally used for spells that locate objects, read minds, and the like. That's all I can tell."
"I don't know if we're better off keeping these passes or making fake ones. If the enchantment is used to verify the passes are legit, we have to keep them. However, if the passes are used in someway to find out information about us, it would be very dangerous to keep them."
From: Derek
Subject Dinner at the Leaky Mug
As Mund get up, Allistair asks the others, "Ran, do you want to go up with Sam and get some rest? I'd like to stay with Mund for a little while and talk to some of the others here. If Mund drinks as much as I think he is, he may not remember anything. I can actually hold my liquor better than he can, though it seems unlikely."