Re: Book One: Chapter Five: "Veiled Trespasses"

[151prooftattoos]

Any requests on the watery prestidigitation front? I personally can't think of anything that would help? My mind is drawing a blank.

[151prooftattoos]

O.O.C. - Is the tunnel extremely crowded? Davin is cooking up an idea to use a smoke arrow to cause confusion and allow us to slip past, perhaps with some assist form Alex and Prestigitigitation.

OOC: It's kinda crowded, yeah.

Verity will aid the ruse by shouldering through the crowd away from the "fire".

OOC: I presume you mean *IF* Davin actually fires the smoke arrow.

If Davin fires the arrow Straegis will follow Verity's lead, tho on a slightly different path, to get thru the crowd. He wants to give the impression of someone oafishly fleeing the chaotic situation, more than following someone. Straegis will purposely make a little extra noise to distract anyone currently watching his allies. He will head in the same general direction as his friends (as in away from the "fire") while trying not to lose sight of them.

OOC: Got it.

O.O.C.: Are these the right checks?

Yup.

Any requests on the watery prestidigitation front? I personally can't think of anything that would help? My mind is drawing a blank.

OOC: Are you asking how you could use water to create the illusion of fire? How about by reflecting and magnifying nearby torch lights? (Thematics aside, the spell IS able to create "a harmless sensory effect," right?)

[151prooftattoos]

Davin quickly confers with his companions, hashing out an ad hoc plan. Any additional help from his friends is welcome - perhaps an Intimidating bellow from Mordax heightening the panic, Prestidigitation from Alex making the effect more believable, and some Dungeoneering advise from Vangg, showing Davin where to best place his arrow. The Ranger will attempt to find a hidden niche to fire from, preferably in total darkness (and thus using the Sight of Hemingr). Using his Greatbow, he will call on it's power to transform the smoke arrow into lightning, adding to the effect. He will fire the arrow in an area that will cause the most panic from the crowd, but most specifically, the Drow. Knowing the danger of fire in an open area above ground, the elf figures flame is even more dangerous underground, due to a lack of ventilation in the small tunnels.

Smoke Arrows (Obscures an Area Burst 1 until the End of your Next Turn)

Perception (to find hidden niche)=36
Stealth (to move there unseen)=34
Basic Ranged Attack=34 (natch!)
Stealth (to rejoin the others post-shot, unseen)=27
Athletics (to dodge through the crowd quickly)=31
Athletics (Hound, shoving and dodging with the others through the crowd)=17
(Would Hound get any circ. bonuses due to his size, speed, and being a quadraped moving through the crowd?)*

I hope that covers it!

-Swift

*DM EDIT: Hmm. Okay. +2..

[151prooftattoos]

Dungeoneering Advice: 29

Roll

Vangg will also use dungeoneering to find the best path to get out of harm's way: 16

Roll

-that, or follow Davin . . .

[151prooftattoos]

OOC: Okay, I was waiting for more people to post, but now I feel that I must move things along ...

Davin finds a hidden niche, and from there fire's one of Reed's arrows into a strategic corner (helpfully pointed out by Vangg); smoke bellows out, filling the market streets. Quietly, he rejoins the others in pushing their way through the crowd.

Meanwhile, Alex uses his watery magic to create an reflective illusion of fiery lights, deep within the bowels of the now smoking corner. Verity yells "Fire" as he uses his muscle into force a path through the crowd; a path that his allies might follow. Straegis does the same, crateing a second route whilst maintaining the appearnce of chaos. Hound bolts underneath a few carts, taking a relatively clear path.

Vangg looks for the best route, and spots a narrow porch running behind the merchant stalls; but when he gets there, he finds it full of Goblins (apparently, they noticed it, too). Alas, he falls behind, but manages to follow the others from a bit of a distance. Nearlyl trampled, Azzy takes to the air, and soars to safety ahead of the group.

The others follows as well (Athletics rolls for Mordax, Kersh, Taalgarnuk: 25, 21, and 21); but Juugug notices Vangg is falling behind, and tries to go back for him, just as the Dwarf returns to the streets. Juugug now finds himself somewhat behind the others, just like the friend he went back for (Athletics rolls for Juugug: 16)

But, soon after, the party has made it past the area, along with a few hundred "refugees;" the Drow are among them, but pay no attention to the heroes as they make their way to the next section of the Goblin Market.

"Any shops worth checking out up ahead? This is the last marked spot on Nikhumba's map, we might not get another chance to resupply for a while," Verity asks.

Juugug nods, but then says "None be worth da bescrutinizin's it'd put us un'er. We've a plentys o' supplies. 'Sides, dey keepeth da good stuff far in da backs, where da pinkskins can't go."

[151prooftattoos]

"Let's press on then.

"Death Angel soaring over the crowd, casting ominous shadows on those fleeing below; nicely done there Azzy.."

It occurs to Verity then to take a close look at Azraelbenzariel's re-forming arm and see how it's progressing.

Heal: 20
Religion: 23

[151prooftattoos]

Straegis stays along the outskirts of the crowd, hanging back a little he tries desperately to keep one eye on his allies and the other on the drow. He scans the crowd attempting to determine if anyone else seems overly concerned with their party. If the crowd starts to thin, or if the drow seem to turn around he will casually make his way back toward his friends.

Perception: 1d20=16+5(half-lvl)=21

[151prooftattoos]

Seemingly from thin air, Davin slips in next to his companions as they flee the market.

"Let us be done with this place. Too much exposure for my taste."

The Ranger pulls his hood a bit lower over his brow as he makes his way through the Goblin Market.

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

"Aye" says Mordax, "I fer' one 'ave nae liking fer' this place."

[151prooftattoos]

Alex simply shudders. "This is certainly an interesting journey."

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg pants after he catches up.

"Bedamned stump'd dwarf legs . . . let's git da bedamned 'ell outta 'eres - findeth an passage ta stray inta an' outta dis 'aven o' gob'ins an' inkskin elves."

[151prooftattoos]

It occurs to Verity then to take a close look at Azraelbenzariel's re-forming arm and see how it's progressing.

Heal: 20, Religion: 23

Removing the bandages, Verity discovers that Azzy's arm and hand are both completely regenerated! Hefting his enormous scythe, the death angel finds his weapon perfectly at home in his boney grasp.

[151prooftattoos]

After slipping past the sandbenders and the dark elves, the party continues on; though the weariness of a long day sets upon them. With no real end in sight, they begin searching for a place to rest ...

... as if the fates have conspired against them, a voice rings rings "Juugug? Juugug!"

Turning warily toward the voice, the party sees another Goblin, among the many. Before this moment, all Goblins looked the same; but THIS one, undoubtedly, resembles Juugug more than any other.

"Hooshah, Gujoy. Hooshah," Juugug whispers. (Quiet, Gujoy. Quiet).

Juugug pushes the smaller Goblin through an open door, and cautiously waves the party in; looking in both directions to see who might be looking.

[151prooftattoos]

Removing the bandages, Verity discovers that Azzy's arm and hand are both completely regenerated! Hefting his enormous scythe, the death angel finds his weapon perfectly at home in his boney grasp.

Verity finds himself awash with relief at Azraelbenzariel's state: once again whole and soon to be quite formidable. Not wanting to draw attention, he acknowledges the transformation with a solemn nod.

"Your fated role in the endless cycle is nearly upon you. We must see that you are ready. Tonight we spar."

When Juugug is recognized, he follows his brother through the door.

[151prooftattoos]

Davin and Hound follow the others into the goblin's dwelling.

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg glares at Juugug.

"We nigh 'ave da bedamned time fer ye secret meetin's w' ye boyfriends an' what nots Gob'in . . ."

Vangg nudges Talgaarnuk.

[151prooftattoos]

Mordax stands warily at the door.

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg glares at Juugug. "We nigh 'ave da bedamned time fer ye secret meetin's w' ye boyfriends an' what nots Gob'in . . ." Vangg nudges Talgaarnuk.

Taalgarnuk chuckles, "An' nigh did me evers t'ink ta ssee an uglier den he ... but now, two he'ss?!"

[151prooftattoos]

Hurriedly, the party squeezes into the tiny hovel, but Azzy and Kersh can't fit through the door. "Goes around da backs' end," Juugug says, and dissappears through a tiny hall, deeper into the Goblin's home.

Gujoy opens his mouth to object, but reconsiders and slams his jaws shut. A minute later, Juugug returns, and reports that Azzy and Kersh are safely inside, now (apparently, in a another room).

Suddenly, Gujoy and Juugug are arguing in Gobbledygook (the Goblin tongue). Nobody but Verity understands what they are saying, but it's obvious the arguement is heated and personal.

Verity understands they are arguing about religion. Gujoy accuses Juugug of abandoning Bane (the god of battle; revered by most Goblin families), and Juugug counters with the fact that the souls of the slain need somewhere to go. Gujoy says something about brothers; and Juugug says he has new brothers now.

Then, in anger, Gujoy pulls a dagger and thrusts it at Juugug ... but Juugug is no longer the snotling he was when he left this place. Straightfaced and unbothered, he knocks the dagger from Gujoy's hand and slaps his brother silly.

"We's might not be an able to stay heres, after all."

[151prooftattoos]

"Why wouldn't we be able to stay here? Bane favors trial by combat and you clearly won," Verity jests in the goblin tongue before helping Gujoy to his feet.

"I've heard a lot about you Gujoy, but I won't hold that against you. He he. Verity Servinus, pleased to meet you.

"It bears mention as one of Juugug's new brothers, that I have old brothers too. The two eldest fight now in a great war with the dwarves. They respect Bane as you do. Also they are deep in faith of the Raven Queen, as all warriors should be. "

"She too revels in combat for the feast of souls it brings her. It is not Bane but She who ushers great warriors to the great mead halls of Celestia when finally they fall. War without Death would be most inglorious indeed. "

"Bane and the Queen are not the same but each makes the other stronger. One is the cart to the other's wheel, the hammer to the other's anvil. Brothers can be like that too. New brothers and old."

"If Juugug's words and fists failed to make that clear, I hope it's clear now."

Diplomacy: 32

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg mumbles, "Bedamned Gob'in lover quarrels . . ."

[151prooftattoos]

Davin stealthily peeks out a window to make sure no one is paying undue attention to Juugug's brother's house or it's current occupants.

Stealth=20 (Plus any bonus for almost total cover)
Perception=33
Insight=27

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

"I've heard a lot about you Gujoy, but I won't hold that against you. He he. Verity Servinus, pleased to meet you.

(Truthfully, Juugug may have never spoke of his brother; and if he did, it was after much drink).

EDIT: Pertinent material moved to later post.

[151prooftattoos]

Davin stealthily peeks out a window to make sure no one is paying undue attention to Juugug's brother's house or it's current occupants.

Stealth=20+5
Perception=33
Insight=27

Nobody is milling about in front, and in fact, the street looks much the same as it did a moment before; it's as if nobody even noticed the party ducking inside the tiny hovel.

[151prooftattoos]

Straegis ducks into the domicile and introduces himself "I am Straegis II, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." After the tussling between Juguug and his kin, Straegis continues "If we could rest here, it would be appreciated and I'm sure we could make it worth your while." He jingles his coin pouch indicating he would be willing to spare some coins as a token of appreciation. "It has been a grueling day and I'm sure we could all use a few hours to recover before our journey continues."

[Sponsored content]