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The Taxidermist of Bright Springs


Bright Springs - DM Mark  d20=12 ; d20=7 ; d20=18 ;
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 1:20:39 PM
Cameron assures Bliss that he’s not leaving yet. He thanks the assembled village leaders for offering hospitality and refuge, but assures them he will not bring ruin on them from Bright Springs. Bliss is relieved heads out with Cameron.

Shel thanks the villagers and is ready to go. So is Trill. While not put off by giants, Trill would prefer not to face any dogs.

Alleah and Murphy thank them for their help, and prepare to leave. Murphy adds that that vision they all saw was the person they seek to rescue, and he asks for their prayers.

Pressi acknowledges that your arrival and eventual conflict may place Nywald’s village in danger. She assures them that, as a follower of Domi, she would not do anything wrong while in Bright Springs. The villagers look a bit doubtful.

Pressi later notes that it is likely that Uthvas is expecting them. Kezzem agrees and expects trouble.

-------------------------------------------------
Nywald realizes that the vision of Veseley was likely in the same place that he would have wound up. “Friends, I can never repay you for rescuing me. Let me go with you. I can help you fight the menace that holds your friend - even if it is this Uthvas, and even if he has the support of the entire town!”

“Absolutely not!” says Gallia. “I almost lost you, and you need to get our strength back before you go anywhere!”

Three of the villagers, two men and a woman confer for a moment. “Gallia is right Nywald. You should not go anywhere right now. I will go with these kids - er, halflngs, begging your pardon. Yevas and Rowena will come too. There may not be much more that we can do if they were powerful enough to take on the gnolls as Nywald described, but we would not send them out alone.”

Some of the others suggest this is a bad idea. “Look, I agree that their cause is just and their friend is in need. But our village is not strong enough to stand against the Bright Springs’ guard if they decide we broke their laws or violated their authority. At the very least, you’ll wind up in their jail. No, we cannot allow this.”

“They could post as mushroom buyers. They grow a lot of mushrooms in some of the old mines. Or as emissaries from a far off land seeking to negotiate an iron deal. Perhaps a travelling group of entertainers, or a group of Domi missionaries seeking to set up an orphanage.”

Sense Motive DC 15 - Highlight to display spoiler: { All the villagers are concerned about a conflict with Bright Springs. The three that want to go are committed, but scared.}

Three seem to want to go with you, regardless of the risk. What do you tell them? Do you allow them to go with you?
-------------------------------------------------

Regardless of who may accompany the party, you all set out. The road is dusty and quiet. After a couple hours, you travel on a road next to a large lake. There is some ragged brush near the shore, but not nearly as much or as healthy as you’d expect. There is less wildlife and fewer birds than you would expect. The air smells a bit sour and seem “heavy”. The lake is still and quiet.

As you approach, you see a walled town in the distance. You pass a couple farms with fortified houses/stables. You get some curious looks, but none come close.

The wall is made of stone, but you can see where some missing areas have been filled in with wooden timbers. There is a portcullis at the gate tower.

Knowledge engineering DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {The walls seem to be in a bit of disrepair and would not withstand a serious assault.}

Knowledge engineering DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {The walls would not withstand a serious assault. That portcullis is stuck in place and will not work.}

As you approach the town gate, you see a couple guards standing lazily about. There is also a fully armored guard standing still against the wall in the entryway, it’s face covered in a full helm. It is over 8 feet tall. Though it towers over the others, it moves little and does not speak.

A normal looking guard stops you. He looks up wearily, and seems a bit wary. “Hey, some of the little people. We don’t see you much here. What brings you to Bright Springs. What business do you have?”

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+8=15 ; d20+7=14 ;
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 4:25:58 PM
Cameron looks the three over with a soldier's eye. (Sense motive 15 exactly) They are scared, and well they should be. This is their home, and if things go wrong while they are with the group, then it may come to ruin. They are also determined to help. He tries to choose his words carefully.
" Look, We are trained adventurers and Bliss and I served in the Mailed Fist. This isn't our first rodeo. I can see that you are committed to help, and that fills me with hope that there are still good people here in the Red Hills. But I think you are better served making ready for our return and staying here. Make sure that you have things ready to treat two very drained and probably malnourished halflings, and quite possibly a hill giant. If Veseley is right and the one that is with them is good, he won't be left there by me. That feat alone, filling all those bellies and healing those hurts is more than we need in the way of help, and we would be glad to have it."
Diplomacy 14
On the ride there Cameron asks his companions, " So what exactly is our plan? We need to have one or I will just try and find some way into the place and start looking for this necromancer. The folks back there gave us plenty of plausible cover stories, but I don't think the Wizards have alot of time, so whatever story we go with it need to put us with Uthvas, preferably tonight. I'll throw another possibility out there for a plan. Before we reach the walls you guys give me a few minutes to empty out my camping gear from my pockets and replace it with more lethal problem solving gear. Then you tie me up and say you caught this halfling worshiper of Jancassis sneaking into your camp. You don't know which one of you I was after but you hear that this guy Uthvas is paying for test subjects. You want me taken care of and don't want my blood on your hands, and coin is always a nice bonus, so you came to sell me to him. That'll get me inside, with most of my gear, and you guys can pursue whatever other plan you have from there. The 'I'm an evil dirt bag' plan can work more than one way. Instead of me turning all of you in, you turn me in. If I'm lucky I can look at the wizards and maybe get their strength up for a rescue tomorrow or something."
If that is how this goes down, Cameron tries to get something, a scrap of cloth, tuft of hair, anything he can off of Uthvas if he sees the necromancer. Aslo, when they stop to swap his gear, Cameron will ask for a fire to be built. He will use some of the wire he has to make a crude holly symbol of Jancassis, and the fire to brand it on his forearm. He will then hide the crude holy symbol under his skin, making a slit to get it in there, and then casting CLW to close the wound.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

OOC
If you are willing to give me back that Lesser restoration spell I'll take it. But I specifically memorized it so that I wouldn't slow us down after standing watch all night over the gnoll. Of course after watching him pee himself and almost pass out when his buddy got cooked you could say I was OK with sleeping and din't need it.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 7:39:01 PM

Bliss likes Cam's plan. "And I can be hiding in plain sight and walk in right next to you Cam! I can carry some of your gear if it is not too heavy, and when it is time for your escape, I can break you out before you get hooked up to the torture machine." Bliss ponders. "Then you can cast Invisibility and sneak out with me!"

"I'll leave Mookie with you guys so he can at least give you a hint about what's going on!"

Bliss has the very strong intuition that what is happening to Veseley and the others is something very much like this. After all, his name is Wesley -- I mean Veseley!

"Miss Alleah and I could both cast Message on Mookie, and then maybe we can communicate for a while, depending on how far away we get from each other."

"If we arrive later in the day, there should be lots of shadows around, if we are lucky!"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+7=21 ; d20+4=21 ;
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 8:52:36 PM

"Cameron, you are not the final arbiter on this matter. While your perspective is welcome, these three could be of significant help to us. They know the lay of the town, we do not. I think we should accept their offer of help, but also work to ensure that none of them is put on the front line."

He turns to the three. "I think the mushroom buyers idea is great. We halflings love good cooking, and our valley is looking for additional trade opportunities. Now, I know a little about mushrooms. Perhaps you all know more. As we travel the way to Bright Springs, let's work on that story. Who knows, perhaps we will be able to effect a rescue, as well as to get more trade going." He glances at Cameron, and wonders how many seconds it would take him to quash any trade negotiations by brusque behavior, and unilateral actions. He needs to talk with him on the topic along the way.

"If not, at least it can serve as a plausible reason to be there. Please, get whatever you think you will need for the journey, and let us be on our way. What are your names, by the way?" The druid will make certain that they know the names of all the members of the group, and the two dogs, and the ponies as they get underway.

[will post 'along the way' comments later tonight - have a class starting in a few minutes
Sense motive: 21
Knowledge: Engineering: 21 - Murphy will comment in halfling about the run-down nature of the walls, and that the portcullis appears stuck open, before they draw too close to the guard]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 8:59:51 PM

"I can transform into a bat, and find a way to get within, so you do not go alone, Cameron," Murphy suggests, as he hears Cameron's brave plan for infiltration.

[more coming later]

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 9:14:23 PM
"Yeah! This is great," says Bliss.

"We are looking for mushrooms! I love mushrooms! These fellows are helping us to find some to buy. We enter the town as merchant-adventurers, with me in shadows and Mister Murphy as a little bat! On our way, we captured Cam, here, clearly a shady character, and we want to turn him in for the reward."

"We hand Cam over, and then me and Mister Murphy sneak in with him. Maybe Miss Alleah can help us with some Misdirection, in case they Detect Magic! Then either both halves attack at the same time, one team in and the other out, or we sneak Cam out and report what we learn!"

"Maybe we'll find our prisoners and break them out of there!"

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 11:19:20 PM
"If you three think that plan is the wisest, I'd just try to find out any information you could, then get right out to the rest of us. Together we are a lot stronger than just half of us," Shel advises, proving she was studied at mathematics. "But seriously, there's no telling what might be waiting for you all there. Please be careful if this is what you think is best."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 11:34:07 PM
At Murphy's retort, Cameron switches to giantish. " Look Murphy, they are committed to help but they are scared senseless. You can pretend that there will be a place that isn't 'in harm's way' but I hold no such illusions. They aren't trained like we are and they aren't ready to spill blood if needed like we are...well like I am. I want to try and keep the casualties here to a minimum. Heck I even used the soft pitch to get them to stay behind and still feel good about it. Cat's out of the bag now though. Cameron your humble servant has been reprimanded and told to be quiet. Goddess I hope you have a plan that doesn't get us all killed. And don't worry about me. I'll just play dumb and do as I'm told until it's too late to keep bluffing. Then, when it is harder than ever to get out clean without a fight I'll make something work. I'm an Avenger. I always think on my feet because I know no one is coming to save me."

In light of Murphy taking charge of the situation, Cameron makes absolutely no offer to be turned in as an inside man. He waits to see what the plan is and how many more days it will take to rescue the Wizards. He DOES makes the swap of gear, now before they get underway. He removes his breastplate and visible weapons and holy symbol, putting them in his pockets in place of the tent. He also brands the holy symbol into his forearm and places the wire one under his skin, healing himself afterwards

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+13=17 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+6=24 ; d20+5=19 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 12:53:20 AM
Speaking to the three townsfolk, Alleah agrees with Cameron. She tries to find a tactful way to allow the volunteers to save face.
"I agree with Cameron's perspective on this Murphy. If they were found to be aiding us it could lead to an invasion from Bright Springs. When it comes to matters of vengeance, we should heed his counsel. This is a situation we should try and resolve on our own and spare them if we can"

She then addresses the volunteers "The consequences are far too dire for you to aid us any further. The information you have already provided us will prove invaluable, I'm sure. If you are steadfast on wanting to aid us, perhaps you could set to preparing for our return? It looks like our friends are injured. Could you prepare some medical aid to treat him as soon as we return? Every day could be important and we may not be able to get him home in time for aid."

She smiles "I can sense the fear in you all. But being willing to face that fear is the essence of courage. You bring honor to your town, and give us hope that 'good' still lives strong in the Wold"

-----------------

As they approach the town, Alleah covers her mouth as if to cough and whispers to the others "Those walls would easily come down it attacked. And that portcullis is stuck firmly in place. It won't open. I was expecting Bright Springs to be in a better state"

-----------------

Since the guards have already greeted the party - and noone has adressed them yet - Alleah quickly goes with the Mushroom plan. Plus, she has a little something that might help with the plan...

"Whoa! Whoa!" she brings Thistle to a stop before the guards "Well met! We are here to trade. I'm sure you have heard of us. Fantastic Fungi? No? Hmm, that's alright. We sell the best of mushrooms. Plucked from the base of trees in the Culverwood itself."

If the guard still seems disinterested, Alleah leans closer "Look, allow me to drop the salesman gimmick. I can see you're a smart guy. You probably get all sorts of traders coming and going. Truth is, we have a special little product we have been unable to find a buyer for. We've heard we might find such a buyer here. Allow me to show you" Alleah slowly and carefully reaches into her kit, and pulls out a purple mushroom*

She speaks quietly with the guard "Mushrooms from Koshe Marr itself. Many of our usual buyers shun such things."

-----------------

Sense Motive: 17
Diplomacy to talk with townsfolk: 13

Knowledge Engineering: 21
Diplomacy to talk with the guards: 24
Bluff if needed: 19 (+up to +10 if the mushroom is considered convincing proof)
*From DM Post April 7th 2015 - Alleah plucked a mushroom from a field in Koshe Marr. This is the real deal!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+14=33 ; d20+13=24 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 4:56:28 AM
OOC... also:

Perception: 33!
Sense Motive on the guards: 24

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+25=38 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 9:40:09 AM

Well, whatever we are doing, as the party approaches the town, Bliss is hiding in plain sight if possible.

Stealth 38

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 11:47:21 AM
"We seek the Holey Grail," says Kezzem. "That's Holey, as in with holes, not Holy meaning divine."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+13=20 ; d20+5=9 ; d20+8=22 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 1:54:37 PM
Pressi remains torn between Cameron and Murphy, seeing their value at least as guides and maybe even diplomats, but not wanted to put civilians - or their town - in danger.

But before she makes a decision, she decides to at least try to determine how much damage they can handle, looking them over carefully (Perception 20, Diplomacy 9). "So, what exactly do you three do around here? Been in many battles? Have any fighting skills?" (Sense motive 22).

-----------------------

Pressi frowns at Cameron's... at this point, she's pretty sure it's his time of the month. Seriously, Pressi wondered, how did SHE wind up the flexible, easy-going party member of the group?

She shrugs. "If we are going to try to bluff and bribe our way in as mushroom dealers, we don't really need anyone to also be a captive. I mean, I'd be glad to volunteer in Cameron's place because I'm not scared, but I'm not sure what it adds to having yet another dimension, and it raises issues of how a bunch of lowly mushroom traders took down a big bad avenger."

After a pause, she takes out a pair of silver nunchucks. "I figured this might be a better bribe than simple gold. Tell them we took it off a halfling body nearby and ask them why so many halflings are sneaking about."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+5=9 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 2:03:45 PM
(Oh, and diplo roll to aid Alleah 9).

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 3:03:58 PM
Murphys post 20160504
"Go ahead and treat them as children, with condescension, Cameron," Murphy responds in the tongue of giants. "Make certain they have no opportunity to stand up for themselves, to grow in courage, in self-determination, in knowledge. Let your own fear compound theirs. So much you do is fear-based. They offer us a clear advantage, and you turn it down. You walk out of this meeting before it is over. 'Cameron hath spoken. There is no more to be said.' And, despite that I had asked them whether one or more might help us out there, you chose to shut down that notion.

"And you dare suggest we would put them in a position where they might need to 'spill blood'?? I thought you are smarter than that.

"Your judgment is wanting at times. I have a measure of respect for your capabilities, but do not appreciate your disrespect of people. I do not ask you to be quiet. I do ask, in a situation that does not demand one person make an immediate decision, that you not make it for the group. Let us know your thoughts - I do not ask you to remain quiet, nor to play dumb. I also encourage you not to run roughshod over the rest of the group, or assume you are fully in charge of all decisions." Switching to the common tongue, he asks him, "Have you never heard the proverb, 'in the abundance of counselors there is wisdom'?

"We present it like this," Murphy begins, intending to lay out a way that the three can reasonably help without being placed in harm's way, when Alleah speaks up, siding with Cameron.

He responds in the common tongue, "What, you, too, Alleah? You also choose to acquiesce to fear? These three offer a great opportunity. But how many opportunities will we squander by yielding to fear? If we plan wisely and execute well, any risk to them can surely be minimized, likely eliminated."

Then Pressi asks her question of the three (whose names we have not yet been given).

Murphy puts his hand on Pressi's forearm. "Good questions, those," he says to her. He faces the three volunteers. "Nevertheless, it appears some of my friends are fearful on your behalf. I'm of the opinion that there could be a way for you to help us in Bright Springs at very low risk, but will not carry on now that two have expressed their anxieties. Yes, please remain here. Perhaps we will seek your aid after the rescue. Know that you have our sincere appreciation for your courageous offer."

....

As four people already have responded to Cameron's plan, I do not think his proposal gets dropped. It's already on the table. Along the way, in any event, Murphy asks about the notion of one of them standing as a subject as a way to get in to Uthvas' place. If Cameron is willing, he will go along with this plan. "Cameron, you have the set of skills to do as you suggest. Bliss has a fair shot at getting in, and I in bat form. The message spell can help. I don't know how exactly I can communicate to you all as a bat, but at least I could hear what you all are saying, I think."

"We can do both - mushrooms and captive - and kill two birds with one stone."

If Cameron is willing to go along with the prisoner idea, then he will ask if Kezzem might have him on a lead rope as they enter the city.

If Cameron is not willing, and he thinks Pressi might do well as she suggested, but thinks him the more plausible candidate, then they will have to figure another way. "I want us to figure out how to quickly get in, and get our wizards out. I can do so - get in, that is, likely, in bat form, since we already know there are plenty of them there. It would be good to be acquainted with the form of the local bats, so that I can fit in. And don't worry, Mookie, we will not suggest you for taxidermy."

[Am thinking we need to settle a few things within the group before walking right up to the guard - DM Mark's post perhaps concatenated a bit more than we can handle in one day of posting. However, if greet the guard at this point we must...]

"And, we may be looking to buy some of the local mushrooms," Murphy adds to Alleah's spiel.

"Most of all, though, where is a place in town where we might stay? Are there inns to choose among?"

IF Cameron agrees to the plan he earlier proposed (and only if) then he will also ask, "Isn't there someone in town looking for people to turn in?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 3:20:56 PM
Pressi boggled at Murphy. Ok, seriously, how did I wind up the calm voice of reason?

After telling both Murphy and Cameron to calm down, Pressi approached a different tack. "Maybe the rest of our team - and our volunteers - would be more at ease if you told us what you had in mind. If we knew how you were thinking of using them, we could get a better idea of the danger they'd be facing."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 6:25:13 PM
"Sure," Murphy responds to Pressi. "I was thinking, as some of them have been in Bright Springs before, that they might know where we can stay. They may know a few of the locals who could help us find our way to Uthvas' laboratory. They may be able to help in the background, with contacts, and information. If they are willing to associate with us more directly, they could help on the cover story, as well, helping to negotiate on mushroom acquisition. If we can rescue or ransom two halflings, and maybe a good giant in the process, that is the baseline. If we wind up with a new trade agreement, or steps toward such, that would be a bonus.

"They could travel a bit ahead of us, arriving separately, and thereby not be perceived as being directly associated with us. Say they arrive, then we show up an hour later? They could use the time to do some legwork, such as I just suggested. It may be that they could return home after that, to further limit their association with us. Unless they see additional ways they might be willing to provide peripheral support once we are there. I do want to minimize any possible risk to them.

"With that in mind, let's forget looking to them for help on the mushroom side of things. Keep a low profile, with direct contact between us kept to a minimum. Perhaps Bliss and Mookie could serve as go-betweens, as Bliss can be so inconspicuous, and Mookie - he looks like a crow. Who will be overly concerned over a crow flying about?"

Trill (AC: 23/18/23, HP: 63/63, CMD: 22,) (Kent) 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 6:48:35 PM
Ok I too might be a good candidate for the captive, though I might be better as part of the sneak or attack crew.

If we go with mushroom traders then we better have a whole lot of them on us we can truly be Fun guys and gals.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 7:02:43 PM
OOC
Captive is off the table for Cameron.
We wasted a bunch of time on side encounters that should have taken days not weeks, and now we are rushing into the main module with absolutely no planning. That's crazy. I completely agree that way too much was jammed into the last DM post, but I also understand why. The DM's probably want to finish this module before they collect social security and rushing us is the only way that will happen.

Oops - Too Soon - DM Mark 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 7:42:42 PM
(It appears that I was a bit premature to advance the scene to Bright Springs. This post will only address the discussion there at Nywald’s village.)

Back at the village, Cam suggests that the three volunteering villagers remain in the village and diplomatically provides them a graceful way out, asking that they be ready to provide aid in their return. Murphy, says not so fast - they may yet be a help as mushroom buyers, proposing that the party effect a rescue and start a mushroom trading business. Cam replies in giantish that these poor villagers are scared, but trying to do the right thing. He wants no part of putting them in harm’s way, and walks away. Alleah agrees it is best to effect the rescue without endangering the villagers. She tells the three volunteers that their offer is appreciated, but that they cannot let them go. Pressi tries to size them up and see if they can take a few hits.

The three villagers (Timeon, Yevas and Rowena) reluctantly agree to stay behind. Sense Motive DC 15 - Highlight to display spoiler: {They’re not that reluctant, and are actually a bit relieved. So it the rest of the village council there.}

Then Murphy goes off in giantish on Cameron, and responds to Alleah and Pressi in common.

It is clear to the Village Council that the group has begun to argue, but mostly in a language they do not understand. (They don’t really need much of a Sense Motive check to see that things are not alright.

Iosar, the leader of the Village Council says, “Hey, hey, hey now. I’m not sure what you folks are fighting over. You needn’t talk in another language to spare our feelings - whatever the issue is, perhaps we can help. Rowena here is a skilled negotiator.”

Nywald tells them, “No, I think this is fine. They seem to disagree a lot.”

“Oh, well, that’s fine then. And don’t worry about us being afraid. We’re not afraid. Nope.”

“As for posing as mushroom traders, we meant buyers, not sellers.. They may be interested in a rare mushroom or two, but the town produces a lot of mushrooms in some of the old mines. We have a saying, ‘It’s like bringing mushrooms to Bright Springs,’ which means it’s kind of a pointless task. But none of this is really the point. Unless you want to really settle down and become local mushroom traders. I thought you had a friend to rescue.”

Then there is more party discussion that I will not recap here.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 8:30:39 PM
"We can be mushroom buyers, alright. That's a good idea. Alleah has a funky one to sell, but the rest of us are empty handed. Put me on that crew, as I don't fancy being a captive. And honestly, it might be better for all of us to go in as buyers. 'Never split the group, so they say!' Anyone else ever heard that? I'd hate for either half of us to get swarmed...and since we don't know the town, that could easily happen."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d8=8 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 9:38:52 PM
" Indeed it could Shel, a point someone was blissfully overlooking. I am however intrigued. What kind of funky mushroom do you have?"
(Assuming that he is told of the mushroom from Koshe Marr)
" My, what a mushroom that must be. From a place renowned for it's undead. MAYBE a necromancer would be interested in such a mushroom. Perhaps he would invite the one who possessed such a fungus to come and see him to buy it. That shockingly sounds like a plan that could get us inside Uthvas's defenses.Maybe if some of the folk went into that meeting invisible or hidden in the shadows they could snoop around while Alleah spoke to Uthvas about the mushroom. Possibly they could get a line on anyone that Uthvas was holding captive, whether it be there or in a mine somewhere."
" I mean, I would suggest that as a plan, but I am only a sidekick here. I'll leave the planning and scheming to my betters. Goddess knows that a follower of Jancassis has no notion of how to plot something. I wouldn't want to speak out of turn."
Cameron awaits the inevitable storm that will follow his brash action of concocting a plan without permission.
While he waits, Cameron starts to make his own preparations. He removes the tent, but not the rope from his pockets and replaces it with his crossbow, the goblin short bow and arrows. He fashions a crude but acceptable holy symbol of his goddess from the wire he carries for small snares and finds a source of flame (cook fire, candle, torch, lantern, whatever is handy) to heat it and marks his forearm, so that he has a symbol to cast with that cannot be taken from him easily. He then removes his breastplate and slits his abdomen to hide the wire symbol there. He then recites a prayer to Jancassis to heal the damage. He shows no fear, no emotion no acknowledgment of the pain He replaces his breastplate and straightens his whip on his belt. It would seem he plans to play some of the muscle of the group if a plan of playing merchants is adopted.
CLW for 13 healing. Apparently the goddess does favor this tactic.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+8=22 ;
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 9:59:16 PM
Sense motive 22 for catching the sigh of relief from the townsfolk.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 12:04:30 AM
"I know quite a bit about mushrooms!" pipes in Kezzem. "Mushrooms are the fruit of the forest. You can barbecue them, boil them, broil them, bake them, saute them. There's mushroom-kabobs, mushroom creole, mushroom gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple mushrooms, lemon mushrooms, coconut mushrooms, pepper mushrooms, mushroom soup, mushroom stew, mushroom salad, mushrooms and potatoes, mushroom burgers, mushroom sandwiches. That- that's about it."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 12:34:15 AM
With Shel, Cameron and Kezzem aboard, Alleah speaks up "I agree. Mushroom buyers and sellers sounds like a good cover.

How about we all stick together as traders to get in the front door. Once done, then as Cameron suggested we could split if need be in to two groups. The talker-traders and the sleathy-sneakers? Bliss and Murphy are really good at hiding and going places they shouldn't" She says that last bit as a smile towards the pair. It was intended as a compliment

"Kezzem knows a heck of a lot about mushroom recipes. I'd feel better having him by my side if people asked mushroom related questions"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+7=26 ;
Thursday May 5th, 2016 12:52:49 AM

Murphy laughs with a measure of chagrin at the circus he and Cameron have portrayed, with a bit of help here and there.

Hearing Shel's comment [and, for the sake of repairing a bit of continuity, may I suggest that Alleah mentioned the mushroom here at the village as a possible ploy to gain entrance], then Cameron's thoughts, Murphy says, "More of a side ache, than sidekick. That is a brilliant notion, though. Let's see if we can try that tack, and work out the details."

To the council, the druid says, "That is settled, then. Whether we do so in person, or by letter, we will let you know how things come out. Thank you for your forbearance with us, Nyland, Gallia, Timeon, Yevas, Rowena, and Iosar. My apologies for speaking in another tongue before you. We should be on our way, then, unless any think of a sound reason to remain longer."

If none suggest any other urgencies to remain, then Murphy will head out with the group to attend to the urgency in Bright Springs.

Once they are out of sight of the village, Murphy asks, "Now, what consequences might there be to offering the Kochemarian mushroom in exchange for something else of worth? What items of worth? We might ask what wares he offered. How dangerous or foolish would it be to ask after 'essence of giants'? Or, the lives of two inmates? Please, punch holes in these notions, and let's all come up with refinements, wild ideas, creative approaches, destructive approaches, and what have you. We can while away the time, thus, on our travels, and perhaps work out any differences before we end up wrangling in front of Uthvas."

[Now, as some of the villagers with whom we spoke have been to Bright Springs before, might the fact that the walls are in bad shape, and the portcullis stuck open, have been mentioned by any of them before we left?]

[i][Sense motive, villagers' response: 26]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 12:54:41 AM
[I wrote the above and posted without first seeing Kezzem's post and Alleah's 2nd post.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 1:52:44 PM
"All right, you know what," Pressi said to Cameron. "Since you love throwing things back in our faces so much, here's something to get thrown in yours. When we first met, you took one look at Shel and I fighting like dogs and you said... what was it you said again? Oh right, you said it was time for us to stop antagonizing each other and grow up or you were going to lock the two of us in a room.

"So here's my advice to both Cameron and Murphy. It's time for the two of you to grow up and start talking to each other, or we are going to lock you in a room together. Because when your relationship goes south of my relationship with Shel? That's the time to take a step back and really consider your life choices. In fact, maybe it's time you two got locked in a room with me, too."

Grumbling, Pressi returned to Nywald. "I want to apologize for the way all of us acted here. We repayed your hospitality with drama."

To the rest of the group, "It's too late to deal with it now, but I think when this is over we need to sit down and really have a talk about leadership and about what everyone wants in this group, before it completely dissolved. Not that I'd ever make a good leader, or that I have any idea of what to do about it, but our home depends on us finding some way, even if it means having a thought unspoken every once in a while. Come on, Shel. Let's load up the horses."

"Oh, and I think the idea of mushroom buyers who happen to have a strange mushroom to sell is a good idea. And I'm fine doing stealth or talking, wherever you wish to put me."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 6:33:45 PM
On the road, Cameron listens to what Murphy is asking for, and after Pressi and Shel are getting along so well, decides to try a little civility.
" I don't know if we want to ask anything 'for' the mushroom right off. Rather, use it as a conversation piece about the necromantic value of a mushroom from Koshe Marr. If he admits to knowing a thing or two about necromancy, maybe ask to see his workshop. If you guys are uncomfortable asking those kinds of questions, I could stick by in a bodyguard kind of role and ask them. I think that might get us more answers than a straight up bargain. If things do go wrong, having Kezzem and I in the same place to flank for each other couldn't hurt either. Are there other ideas?"
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Trill (AC: 23/18/23, HP: 63/63, CMD: 22,) (Kent)  d20+18=22 ; d20+18=37 ; d20+18=26 ;
Thursday May 5th, 2016 7:02:46 PM
Taking the lead Trill scouts the way, a wand in hand and wonders if her mother ever had the issues this group seem to be having with each other.

Perception rolls DCs 22, 37, 26

Oops - Too Soon - DM Mark 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 7:40:42 PM
There is much discussion about posing as mushroom buyers. Some suggest that Alleah’s mushroom from Koshe Marr may interest Uthvas, or at least buy them some information.

Kezzem has the Gumption to share his Forrest lore about mushrooms.

There is talk about the group splitting up for reconnaissance and infiltration, but not all are in favor of dividing the party.

There is some discussion of party cooperation and leadership.

Trill and others keep a sharp eye out on the way. Nothing seems amiss on the trip.

-----------------------------------------------------

(I’ll let you finalize any plans on your trip there before reaching the town. Please let me know when you approach the town.)

None of the villagers mention the potential condition of the fortifications at Bright Springs. As you leave, the hope that you fare well, and will stand ready to receive you on your return. They wave as you go.

“You kids have fun stormin’ the town, and that Uthvas guy!”

DC 20 perception to over hear as you leave - Highlight to display spoiler: {
“Think it’ll work?”
“It would take a miracle.”}

The road to Bright Springs is dusty and quiet. After a couple hours, you travel on a road next to a large lake. There is some ragged brush near the shore, but not nearly as much or as healthy as you’d expect. There is less wildlife and fewer birds than you would expect. The air smells a bit sour and seems “heavy”. The lake is still and quiet.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday May 5th, 2016 10:47:57 PM
Shel nods at Pressi's words. "I'd be happy to help you, Pressi. Those two need to get things together, a little bit, at least."

During the trip, she adds more to the mushroom sellers routine. "Maybe we make it seem like we have access to many more of those Koshe Marr mushrooms. To see exactly what it would be worth to him in either gold or information. I'd wager he's not seen many people claiming such a connection. That was really smart of you to take one of those mushrooms, Alleah."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Friday May 6th, 2016 12:49:10 AM
"Hey Shel, you want to be my partner in the mushroom business? We could call it...the Kezzem-Shel Mushroom Company."

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 6th, 2016 2:07:16 AM

Bliss still plans to walk in with stealth. He asks Murphy if he plans to be a bat. "Are we doing the prisoner idea? I'm good either way."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+14=15 ;
Friday May 6th, 2016 3:06:00 AM
"I have a few other souvenirs from Koshe Marr, but I'd really not want to part with any of them. I have some crystal leaves from an actual crystal forest and I, uh, kinda took one of the candlesticks from the room of Fidelia. Also an arrow fired by the hunstman. It's broken though. But as with the mushroom, you never know when any of it will come in handy"

Alleah rides atop Thistle, not trying at all to be stealthy.

--------------------
Perception: 15. Good, let's get all the Nat 1s out now :)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Friday May 6th, 2016 3:50:13 PM
"See, there just comes a time and a place where you need to just let things go and focus on the mission," Pressi said. "Like I could continue to harp on how everything seems to be handed to you and how you keep sniping at me. But instead I prefer to focus on the mission at hand. So I just take the fact that you called me an ugly whore, which not only insults me but basically all women, well all women who want to be defined by more than her looks and sleeping arrangements, and I just push it all the way down...."

Pressi smiled at Shel as she finished loading up her gear. "Where I can focus on it whenever I think of you. Forever and ever and ever.... Oh shoot, I forgot to ask the people in this town if they know anything about this "B." I mean it's a long shot that B is even connected to Uthvas or the tower, let alone that anyone in this town knows anything, but I should have asked." Pressi began to back away from Shel to ask the town members real quick. ".... And ever and ever and ever..."

"... Ok, I can't leave it like that, but in all serious, just what is the deal with you anyway? Because I've been pretty clear and open about what the deal is with me. More to the point, I was wondering why you're an adventurer if you hate it so much."

-------------

Pressi decides that she will play it by ear but probably will sit in the back for this one. Not too stealthy, not trying diplomacy. Sometimes you just need to stop planning and start doing, never knowing when any stray fact will suddenly help you be flexible.

Pressi does agree with Alleah that you never know when something will come in handy.


Dour Lake - DM Mark 
Friday May 6th, 2016 4:51:50 PM
The intrepid group continues south to Bright Springs, the road running along the shore of Dour Lake, putting the lake on your left.

The road is dusty, and even those in the front feel the effects now and then as the sour breeze near the shores of Dour Lake occasionally shifts direction. The ponies plod forward, oblivious to their environment, seemingly content just to be here. Thistle occasionally looks back at Alleah, almost as if she is checking on her to make sure she’s still there.

The group discusses their plans on the way.

(Please let me know when your party approaches the town.)


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Friday May 6th, 2016 7:18:40 PM

"I am fine with working things out with you Cameron, as Pressi suggests, so long as you are willing," Murphy says. "For now, I think it most profitable that we focus on planning the rescue, and perhaps a two-part solution to the Giant Tower problem.

"The two parts being first the remaining members of the Second Dinner Club, and second the so-called essence of giants. With those two items, and a rebuilding of the tower, perhaps the protective wall of defense might be restored.

"Your idea of using the mushroom Alleah has as a conversation starter sounds reasonable.

"Trill, have you any lock-picking skills? Kezzem, you also have, no? Such may be useful.

"Along with locks, a necromancer may have magical defenses. Considering the range of subjects he is experimenting with, he has some strong means of keeping them under a fair degree of control. He has wizards and several giants under his roof, as subjects of his research. Likely he has a number of soporific items - those put people to sleep - as well as toxins, poisons, to weaken, perhaps to affect the will. If so, he may have antidotes. There also may be runes, anti-magic barriers, and so forth. He probably has some people working for him who provide a measure of security. We just do not know.

"We could somewhat blunder along and hope for luck. But things likely will go better for us if we take at least a little time to gain information.

"Let's go there. If an opportunity arises on first visit to get in and rescue our friends, then let us do so. If we need to build such an opportunity, let us do so.

"As much as I would like to waltz into the town, and get Veseley and Tiana out thirty minutes after our arrival, we are likely to face enough obstacles to doing so that we'll do better if we find out at least some of what we are facing before we face it.

"There is also the matter of getting away. It's one thing to get in and get our friends out. But with the reputed strong rule of Hammish," which Murphy pronounces 'hay-mish' - the standard pronunciation of that name, "there is little doubt that he has at least a somewhat competent constabulary. Do we have a get-away plan? Who among us can figure that one out?

"Also - as there have been issues among us as to who will call the shots in the thick of things - how shall we set that up? Will one or two of us be in charge, or will we get in fights and arguments about who decides, when decision points are reached? Or will we operate in total randomness? I mean, that's an option. The wisest option? Hmmm...

"Can we have some code words? All of us except for Mookie and Bliss speak the halfling tongue, so that may afford us the means to communicate semi-privately. But code words and physical signals might serve us well in circumstances where subtlety is useful."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Friday May 6th, 2016 8:29:26 PM
Cameron is puzzled. He is pretty sure he would remember calling Pressi an ugly whore, and he has no recollection of it. Is she maybe talking to Shel? He ignores that bit for now
" I don't want to be combative about this, but I would bring this up if only to make you think about it. If this guy is a necromancer, experimenting with essence of Giants, and that is compounded by draining the will, or life force from a giant, do you really want to use that as a basis to keep the valley safe? I am no white knight, to be sure, but draining the soul from a intelligent creature to make a barrier against them is pretty dark. Please consider alternatives, at least think about them."
"To your other points I don't know about escape. My half baked plan probably would be to lay traps behind us to kill or maim anyone that follows us. We are doing the right thing, rescuing unwilling test subjects. Anyone trying to stop us is wrong, right? As to how he controls his subjects, all the stuff you suggest sounds right, but also consider how compliant Ringrot was after Alleah charmed him. Uthvas is a wizard, couldn't he do the same thing? To be safe though, I would suggest letting me look at any fluids we find there that might be poison, I can check and poison is not very effective against me, I've quite a tolerance. It might be smart to let me look over food and drink too. If I am posing as the seller's guard, it wouldn't even look out of place."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 6th, 2016 9:25:25 PM

Bliss agrees with Pressi. "Nobody should be sniping at anybody else around here. Except me. Because I'm a sniper! That's what I do. Get it?"

"We got it five minutes ago, Kid," says Mookie.

Ignoring this, Bliss continues. "So we go to the town. We say we are merchants looking to buy mushrooms, and maybe to sell. We go to an inn. We gather information in the common room. Some of us go out into the night and scout around. That's me."

"The next day, we try to get in to see the necromancer. We have the excuse that we have some Kosh Marr stuff to show him. Once we're in there, we ... what?"

"Plan A: Look around and do recon? Mention the giant towers and ask if he has any Essence of Giants that we can use to restore them? Later we come back and sneak in and break out our pals?"

"Or plan B: Fight our way to the prisoners? Buff up, get in, and just brute force it?"

Bliss says to Cam, "Well, if the towers were made of Giant Essence in the first place, would you tear them down? Do you know it is soul stuff? Lord Gargul has not sent anyone to rip them down yet. I think it is OK."

Bliss likes this part of the planning.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday May 6th, 2016 10:09:08 PM
Shel isn't sure how she can speak to Pressi calmly without obviously bringing up some wounds the other woman still felt. She chose to ignore the constant mischaracterization that she has built up in her mind. she tried to only address the question, to keep the sort of peaceful conversation going. "I started doing this to help the town and my friends there. Some of my friends came along and helped for a time. Then all of my friends left except for Murphy, and we had to leave the town and get sucked into all these awful places. I know the only reason I'm here is to still help the town. Somehow in the last few months, my job has become protecting the town no matter how it is threatened or by who. It'd be nice if people would just leave he Ford alone and all of us could enjoy living there again. I love it there and I miss it."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Friday May 6th, 2016 10:42:57 PM
"I like that plan, Bliss. It keeps things nice and simple. The first step, like you said, is getting inside and gathering more information."

Alleah is prepared to approach the town now

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Saturday May 7th, 2016 1:26:51 AM
"That sounds like an aweful lot of work," says Kezzem. "Since we're doing the whole Kezzem-Shel Mushroom Company thing and all, maybe we could sell him some funky mushrooms and sneak in while he's having visions."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Saturday May 7th, 2016 9:02:44 AM
(OOC: making it clear now that the whole last post of mine was between Pressi and Shel.)

"I don't know if it's the only reason," Pressi said. "You still haven't told me what you get out of it and you don't exactly strike me as the martyr type. To be fair, I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for or getting out of this, either. I mean I know I'm looking desperately for something, but I just can't quite figure out what it is. I just knew I wasn't going to find it as a thief."

Pressi shook her head. "You must get a lot out of spending time with Murphy, though. Look, you don't have to like that I've become his counsel or his girlfriend. But I'm asking you, as politely as I can, to get over it. Or at least try not to interfere with it too much."

---------------

"Yeah, I guess I didn't think too much about escape," Pressi said. "I kind of figured that once Uthvas was taken care of, the rest of the forces would fall away. Especially since I'm less convinced that Hammish is loyal to Uthvas than before. Of course, we could always look for weaknesses in the wall if we need to. As for traps behind us, I guess if we have the time, it's hardly a bad idea. I wouldn't put it in quite "kill and maim" terms but anything that could give us some room to run isn't a bad idea.

"And I also agree with Bliss. If we are going to plan out our entrance and escape, we have to put in the recon, ticking clock or no. And if we can't handle that the club is continuously tortured in the meantime... well, than we'll have to do this the fun way, won't we.

"As for how to handle shot calling, I don't think we'll ever be the team that works well with a single official leader, but we kind of need some core that can make the tough decisions on his own. Maybe a quasi leader and a couple of front line deputies. But what I think we need most is trust and communication - the idea that we'll have each other's backs whenever any of us makes a decision even if we don't agree with it."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Saturday May 7th, 2016 4:28:17 PM
" No Bliss, I don't mean the other towers should be taken down, just think about what you are prepared to do to defend the valley. Revenge is always on my mind, so I have become pretty good at seeing things that would make the common person say, ' That's wrong and I really wish someone would stop them from doing that' . This could be one of those things. "
"I'm not going to say giants are nice people, but maybe an agreement with them would be better than them always wanting to raid, or holding a grudge because you used the essence of cousin Ned to keep them from raiding. Again, It is something to think about, not a do or don't make or break point."
"Another thing that occurs to me while we discuss recon, which will be important, is ol' Veseley showing up while we recon. Did you see the looks on the faces of the elders back there when he showed up? What if Uthvas IS holding them and while we are talking to him and getting the info we need, Veseley shows up again?"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+22=40 ;
Sunday May 8th, 2016 5:53:45 AM

"Most of the giants, says Veseley, are evil. Am I all right with what Uthvas is doing?" Murphy begins after Cameron expresses his thoughts. "Nope. If there is some essence of giant available, am I going to have some sort of huge crisis of conscience about us taking it, and letting the wizards eventually use it to rebuild our proven defenses? Nope. If you want to invoke vengeance upon me for even daring to consider such, let me know. If some member of our party deliberately destroyed such a substance because he or she did not want us halflings to use it in defense of our valley, what would I think? I might think that vengeance against such a person might be called for. Shafbaffum used 'essence of giants' to make the towers, and to bind them together. He was not an evil person. If you wish to imply he was, then there is a huge disagreement here. You can take it up with our ancestors on through to the current generation who have been blessed by what he did with the essence.

"Besides, having revenge always upon one's mind seems like it would get very old, and would be a very embittering thing. Not for me. My brother and sister were among those who voted for Eberyon to die for the great harm he brought for a time to the Wold. Adventurers Woldwide cast their votes - live, die, or reform. Reform just barely won - I think there were less than a handful of votes that separated the votes. But reform He did. In time, my siblings and cousins got over it - and Kendry even acknowledged that he was glad it did not go the way he voted. So, if you and I do not see eye to eye on the topic - My Lord repented. His presence has enhanced the flora and fauna of the Wold. No longer does He seek vengeance upon those against whom he earlier held a huge grudge. I admire His strength, His power, and His heart which has become, um, perhaps a bit more tender than it was at one time.

"Am I opposed to an agreement with giants? Depends upon which giants we're discussing. There are good giants, and some more neutral. I could see the possibility of us or someone else negotiating with them. Perhaps we will have opportunity over time. Agreements with evil giants? I am not optimistic about them keeping their end of whatever such an agreement might entail.

"Concerning Veseley showing up at an apparently inopportune time... Well, if anyone has an idea on that, let us know. I think we'll just have to roll with it if it happens. Wish we could talk so he could hear. Say - He seems to be able to see us. What if we have something written on paper to hold up for him to read if he starts talking with us again?

"Like, 'Tell us about the guards,' or, 'Help is on the way,' or, I don't know - what should we tell him or ask him via writing?"

Addressing Bliss's thoughts, Murphy responds, "You are definitely the sniping sniper, Bliss. Your ideas sound pretty sound. I don't know that we want to mention the giant towers, though, to Uthvas, that is. Maybe so, maybe not.

"More ideas may occur to us after taking a look about this evening, as you suggest. And, going to see Uthvas sometime in the morning? Yes."

He adds a few more thoughts. "It may be that, in addition to finding and retrieving Veseley and Tiana, and likely the good hill giant, that, in order to help cover our escape, letting some of the other giants and creatures go may be a possibility. There is a danger that they could go forth and harm innocent citizens of the town - unless we make it extremely clear to them that if we release their bonds, their job is to do what they need to get out of the prison, and help a few others out, then to leave the city, and not harm people outside of the building. 'Get out, and get going.' Please, anyone, let me know your thoughts on that. We may want to decide how to deal with that option before we come to it."

Returning to something Cameron mentioned, "Your ability to detect and deal with poisons likely will be very helpful, Cam. I certainly trust you to do whatever seems appropriate with those things.

"Trill, I'll try to deal with any dogs we may find. I know they are not your favorite animals. I value your keen eyes and ears, and ability to fight, and willingness to offer yourself as a potential prisoner to get us inside - though it seems that approach has been abandoned for now. Let us know if you have some notion of how we might refine our plans.

"Alleah - Any other insights or thoughts? By the way, despite that I did not necessarily like exactly how things went in Nywald's village - having had a chance to think it over a bit more, you and Cameron may have been right. By the way, I don't think of any of my friends as cowards, at all. But I still think that fear does not have to win out in our hearts, nor in the hearts of others. That said, you are right that, without the villagers here, there is little chance that they will suffer repercussions from whatever we are about to do. So, thank you.

"Kezzem - likely you and I know most about mushrooms. You take the lead on those discussions. Shel - do you have some ideas on how to talk about fungoids? Perhaps you're wanting to get into the business, and are trying to soak up as much information as possible. And our halfling community is looking for trade opportunities. We have, um, pipeweed?"

"Maybe I'll just hang around as a bat, hoping to find a way in at some point. Maybe Bliss and I can figure some way inside. Anyone else?"

"Pressi - What you said about having each other's backs is key. Let's do what we can as a group to support each other, and the goals of Humble's Sword. As Shel has said, we are here to help the town. And I'll add to help the whole of Crescent Valley, as we are able. I miss it, too. I hope and pray that what we do these next couple of days will bring great benefit to the home of Humble's Ford.

"By the way, not all of us are from there - but you all know, I trust, that you have a home there - even though for some of you it may just be a home away from home.

"We are on our way to save the lives of two who long have protected our home, and who have traveled with some of us. If we can also do something to help them, when rescued, to rebuild the valley's defenses against the former annual incursions from the giants of the north, then so be it.

"Meanwhile, it looks like the walls of the town are drawing near. Our ponies need rest and stabling. Anything else anyone needs to say before we enter Bright Springs?" Murphy asks.

[Perception: 40]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Sunday May 8th, 2016 12:17:29 PM

"Ah, another item:" Murphy thinks to add. "Books, scrolls, notes. Whatever we might find by way of writing, of documentation, let us consider taking. Alleah, might you have room in your bag of holding for such, if we either find a library, or documentation scattered about?"

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Monday May 9th, 2016 12:39:38 PM

Bliss blushes, and hides in plain sight.

"Gosh," he says from the shadows, "That's nice of you to say, Mister Murphy. We don't even need giant essence. We just have to save our friends."

Trill (AC: 23/18/23, HP: 63/63, CMD: 22,) (Kent) 
Monday May 9th, 2016 3:01:28 PM
Well, As for plans and ideas, I guess that will have to wait and see when we are a bit closer and can see what the set up is like. If there seem to be ways of sneaking in and regular entry is no confrontational then perhaps we split the party a bit so they don't exactly know how many of us there are....


Dour Lake - DM Mark 
Monday May 9th, 2016 3:52:44 PM
The group continues to discuss plans and strategies. There is talk about trying to sneak past the guards. Cameron and Murphy have a philosophical discussion about the use of giant essence for the towers that guard the Crescent Valley.

--------------------------------------------------

The sun will soon set, as your shadows grow long on the ground.

The town of Bright Springs appears in the distance, and at one point the road rises, giving you a look above the town walls. The town abuts the lake, and there there are several docks, but only a few boats rest at one of them. The town rises as it move away from the lake, built on a slight hill. You can see some buildings, and folks moving around. There seem to be a couple “industrial” sites in town, one belching out smoke, and another that seems to be some large yard of some sort. There may also be a town square in the middle, but buildings obscure this a bit.. A few mine entrances dot the hillside outside of town as well.

There are some small farms outside the town walls, with small, fortified farmhouses. You get some curious looks, neither friendly nor unfriendly, but none come close.

As you approach the town from it’s north side, the town’s walls seem fairly thick, and they look old and lean a bit here and there. In some areas, the stone has crumbled, replaced by timbers to fill the gaps. There is a portcullis at a gate tower where your road meets the town..

Knowledge engineering DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {The walls seem to be in a bit of disrepair..}

Knowledge engineering DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {The walls would not withstand a serious assault. That portcullis is stuck in place and will not work.}

As you approach the town gate, you see a couple guards standing lazily about, leaning on their polearms. One is a human, and the other appears to be a half-orc. There is also a fully armored guard standing still against the wall in the entryway, it’s face covered in a full helm. It is over 8 feet tall. Though it towers over the others, it moves little and does not speak.

The human guard stops you at the gate. He looks up wearily, and seems a bit wary. “Hey, some of the little people. We don’t see you kids much here. What brings you to Bright Springs? What business do you have in our fair town?”

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=25 ;
Monday May 9th, 2016 6:48:12 PM
"Greatings, sir. We Kezzem-Murph Mushroom Company. Mushrooms are our trade. We are mushroom traders. My name is Kezzem the mushroom trader. We arrange, prepare, and sell mushrooms."

Bluff: 25.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+10=26 ;
Monday May 9th, 2016 7:47:32 PM
Shel nodded and told Kezzem what a good idea she thought he had with the mushroom company. Murphy was right though, her fungi knowledge was less than zero. Her pleasant way of dealing with people when it situation called for it would assist both Kezzem and Murphy as they got into the deep discussions about the mushrooms.

"Our organization has an opportunity that will truly surprise interested parties in the town. Obviously we can't discuss it here, but trust me, it'll be good!"

OOC. Bluff aid another totals 28, for a success. And sorry Kezzem, I missed your prior post about the Kezzem Shel Mushroom Compajy! Hat would be been neat, but I think Murphy is better served in the role.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+12=24 ;
Monday May 9th, 2016 8:11:57 PM
Cameron just smiles as Murphy goes into detail about Cameron's ideas. He simply says, " Sorry, those are my insights. Do with them what you will I'm certainly not here to sabotage anyone."
Cameron takes a page out of Bliss's normally wide eyed demeanor at the gate as he waits for the guards to approve or disapprove their entrance to the city. He rides Cudgel right up in front of the huge armored figure and, while standing in the stirrups, asks the other guard, the half orc, a bunch of questions. While appearing to have ADD he is really taking a close look at the armored giant in front of him. Does it breathe? Does it smell alive, or vaguely rotten?
Perception 24
" Is that a giant? Is it alive? Is it magical? Does it watch the road for invisible people like witches and sorcerers so that they can't sneak into your city? What's your name? How long do you stand out here every day? Is it boring? Does it rain much here? Does the rain look as nasty as the water in the puddles and lake? Why is the vegetation so stunted? What happened to the wall over there where the logs are? Did a giant do that? Maybe a dragon? Where is a good place to eat in this town? What tavern sells the best drinks? Are there many halflings in town? Do the mines produce anything other than iron? How deep are the mines? Do monsters come out of the mine shafts at night?"
Once he has conveyed the idea that he is just a nosy but dimwitted halfling that can't concentrate on anything for more than a moment at a time Cameron notes the scowl on the half orcs face. Who could blame him really. He was a guard, not the ambassador of tourism for Bright Springs. Once Cameron has left that kind of impression he quiets down.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 12:18:25 AM

Murphy nods in Shel's direction, and adds, "Yes, we have heard that people of this town cultivate and harvest some very fine fungoid specialties." He does not allow to rise to his face the amusement he feels at Kezzem's on the fly decision to rename the mushroom company, and Cameron's excellent interrogation. "Oh, and, might you direct us to an establishment where we might stable our mounts, and rest for the night? That is, an inn or the like?"

[what time of day or evening is it?]
[earlier rolls already established that Murphy is cognizant of the condition of the walls and gateway]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+5=24 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+7=12 ;
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 2:04:19 AM
"The Kezzem-Murph Mushroom Company?!? Way to keep everyone equally included" Alleah doesn't like the thought of once again being a second-class citizen and decides to speak up.

"Now boys, you know full well that we bought your company out just a few months ago. Remember? We had such a good crop of chanterelles that you just couldn't compete" Alleah then turns her attention to the guard "It's a funny story. We had our crops planted right near this creek. I could have sworn they were too close. Wouldn't you know it, turns out to have just the right amount of moisture for our crop. Not all mushrooms are the same, let me tell you. Some types absolutely blossomed, whereas others just rotted away into nothing. The pigs got a good feed though. Ever eaten a pig that has grazed on nothing but mushrooms? Doesn't agree with me, but the boys tend to like it." Convinced that she has bored the poor guard enough she wraps up her story "Anyway, we're called 'Magnificent Mushies' now. We're here to see how many we can buy from your town that we can then take back and hopefully grow for ourselves"

Alleah recalls well the advice that Bright Springs are sellers - not buyers - of mushrooms.

"Now, if you'd be so kind as to point us towards the tavern we'd very much appreciate it"

Alleah takes something from her pocket and tries to shake the guards hand

----------------------------------
Perception: 27
Bluff: 24
Sleight of Hand: Try and slip a gold coin to the guard as part of her handshake vs DC10: 12 = Pass

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 1:31:30 PM
"So, seriously, what's up with mister big up there?" Pressi asked. "I'd ask him but I'd have to account for the time zone. I think what we most want to know is his free throw percentage."

Time Zones and Free Throws - DM Mark  d20=4 ; d20=13 ; d20=17 ; d8=1 ; d8=4 ; d20=4 ;
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 2:48:48 PM
The party approaches the town gate, seeking entrance to Bright Springs just past sunset. In the slowly fading twilight, the guard has asked them their business.

Kezzem, Shel, and Murphy tell him that they are mushroom traders. Not one to be cut out of an imaginary business, Alleah clarifies that their mushroom company was recently bought out by hers, and is now called Magnificent Mushies.

Murphy and Alleah ask where they might stay in town.

Cameron rides up to the large armored figure, and then launches into a stream of consciousness series of questions about everything. The guard quickly loses track of what Cameron is asking. Pressi, however, focuses the questions on the large figure, but then starts spouting nonsense as well. “I’m not sure about your time zones an’ free throws.”

The guard looks a bit confused, but his countenance brightens some as he glances at the gold coin his his hand.

“Well, mushroom traders. That’s a new one for me. The town sells plenty of mushrooms, but folks don't usually come here to trade - they just buy them for food and such. Seems some of the minerals and moisture in the old mines works well for mushrooms. Just as well, as the ore supplies have declined. In the morning, there will be sellers in the town square. You can buy - or trade - as you see fit there." Addressing Kezzem, he says, "Glad to hear you're not 'shrubbers' though. We don't take kindly to shrubbers.

“As for a place to stay, well, there’s the Ore Cart. More of a tavern, really, but they do have some rooms. Most well-to-do visitors like yourselves stay in the Emporium. It’s also a brothel, if you like that sort of thing. But it’s a nice place, and they have rooms with or without the companionship. They’re both on the town square, and both can stable your horses.. There’s also Miss Prim’s place, if she has any vacancies. But you might be too big a group for her place.”

He become serious as he addresses Cameron, stepping over to his riding dog and carefully pulling the dog’s harness away from the large armored figure. The guard seems to know enough about dogs to not antagonize Cudgel in the process.

“Here now, step away from that guard. You don’t want to be antagonizing Rupert.” The large figure lerches forward at the mention of the name. “No, fer crying out loud, I’m not callin’ you Rupert! Just go back to your post!” The figure returns to it’s position by the wall of the tower.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just here for back up." He looks at your all sternly, but fails to intimidate you. "I’m not gonna need any back up from the lot of you, am I?”


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 4:05:43 PM
Murphy looks behind him, seeing if someone else has joined the group. He shrugs his shoulders. "Don't think so." He brushes his sandy hair back, thinking it'S about time to get a haircut. "Say, is there a barber in town?"

If so, or if not, he's ready to head on in.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+25=41 ; d20+17=25 ;
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 4:36:58 PM

Bliss is quiet, hiding in plain sight. Stealth 41.

Mookie perches on the back of Alleah's horse and is still.

Bliss looks around. Perception 25.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 5:09:17 PM
to repeat my questions from yesterday. Does Rupert seem to be breathing? Does he smell 'alive' or sort of rotted, like a zombie might smell.
rolled a Perception of 24 for that

" So HE is backup? Do awful things that require someone that big to stop actually try to get into town?" Cameron goggles at the figure as it starts forward. ( You said it was large? about Ogre sized then?)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 8:26:19 PM

"Oh, and what's a 'shrubber'? I'm not acquainted with that term. And why are they despised?" Murphy thinks to inquire.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday May 10th, 2016 9:24:47 PM
Shel looked up at that bigun, and also wants to know the answer to Cameron's question. She hadn't been a fan of most of the biguns she had encountered and she doubted this one would be any different.

She smiled at Alleah's clever suggestion as to the team name. That Alleah is always coming up with clever things!

"Sounds like the Emporium might be the place to go before market tomorrow," she says with feigned enthusiasm.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 12:09:34 AM
"Why did it have to be shrubbers," says Kezzem.

Time Zones and Free Throws - DM Mark 
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 2:09:19 AM
(Sorry David)

With his perception check, Cameron can see that the armored figure is breathing. It does not smell of death or decay. As for size, it is about 8 feet tall and is a large sized creature. You can see some skin here and there between the armor pieces. Will do full post later.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 11:56:20 AM

"Oh, wait - yeah - those are the people who make shrubberies. Ah. No, we are more into mushroomeries," clarified Murphy.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+6=15 ;
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 5:38:05 PM
"Forgive our curiosity," Pressi began to smooth things over with the guard. "It's rather unusual for us to see something so big that isn't in advertising. But as for needing backup to handle me, the answer is probably yes. But you have to buy me dinner first."

Laughing, Pressi "punched" the guard in the side. Making a big show of wincing (Bluff 15), she complained about her pinky.

"Ok, who had Shel being the one who'd first state she wanted to go to the brothel. You know what, I think that deserves a fist bump."

Trill (AC: 23/18/23, HP: 63/63, CMD: 22,) (Kent) 
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 6:47:44 PM
Trill tries to stay in the background trying to portray the role of a guard.

Time for a Haircut? - DM Mark  d20=11 ; d20=11 ; d6=6 ;
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 7:19:22 PM
Murphy decides his hair is getting a bit long, and asks if there is a good haircutter in town.

Bliss hides and is unnoticed so far as he can tell.

Shel responds that the Emporium might be a good place to stay the night before going to the market tomorrow.

Cameron asks what kind of things require that large armored guard to serve as backup.

Kezzem grows concerned at the mention of shrubbers in the area. “Shrubbers? Well we don’t need them much around here. Seems like it’s mostly knights that seek them out.”

Pressi flirts with the guard. In response, “Well, you little folk would be popular in the ‘service’ side of things at the Emporium, if that’s where you’re headed. You should try your luck there, little girl.”

Trill stands as a silent guard, in her cloak and loose, baggy outfit. Her hand rests upon one of her daggers as her violet eyes scan the area.

In response to Murphy’s question, the guard removes his helmet as a second guard (a half-orc) steps over. You see perhaps the worst haircut you’ve ever seen - choppy, uneven. "Haircut, oh I just have Lakor here cut my hair. Does a good enough job, don’t you think?” The half-orc Lakor speaks up in a gruff voice, “Heh - I can do ya a good one for a silver!” The Large guard just stands there.

“Backup? Well, you never can be too careful. We do get some drunks and some rough characters through here. Most of the gnolls and orcs steer clear though, unless they’re really looking for trouble. Hammish don’t put up with problems near the town or the mine.”

“But looks like you folks are set. Carry on.” To Shel, “You mentioned the Emporium. It’s straight up this road, on the right at the town square. If ya change yer mind, the Ore Cart is near there too. Can’t miss it - just listen for the noise.”

-------------------------------------
As you leave the gate tower and head into town, it’s a dusty town. There is a dank smell that permeates the town, the same you encountered on the road near the lake shore. The people here are mostly human and half-orc, with an occasional dwarf here and there. Wherever you go, your group gets some strange looks from folks, and some point and either laugh or look at you with disapproval. Some seem to guard their purses and pouches as you pass.

As the twilight fades, lanterns are being lit. From the gate, the road continues south into town toward the docks, and you soon come to a thoroughfare that heads west where you were directed. Headed that way, you come to a large town square. There are carts and stalls being closed up, with a few guards walking around. There on the right is a large, white building with “EMPORIUM” in large letters. There are a number of people going in and out - mostly in.

Also at this square, you see a church to Ffloy. Near the front of this church are open, unattended shrines to Gargul, Wardd, and Jancasis. There is a large building that is closing up with a sign that reads, “WEMBY’S MERCANTILE”. There seem to be some other businesses closing up as well - an herbalist, a candle and lamp shop, a metal and leather goods shop, a bakery and a butcher.

But even amidst the busyness, the loudest noise seems to be coming from a rowdy place across the square, and you can see a large, metal ore cart hanging precariously over the front door of the place as folks come and go.


Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+2=9 ; d20+2=22 ; d20+17=36 ; d20+17=29 ; d20+29=40 ; d20+29=32 ;
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 7:59:23 PM

Bliss whispers to Mookie, "Ima go a-scouting and spying. I'll join you all at the Emporeum after I do some listening around."

Bliss strikes out on his own, keeping to the shadows. He tries to overhear people talking, especially anything he might hear about this Uthvas fellow. He sticks to streets and common rooms of inns and such like. He keeps on the move so if anybody is detecting magic, he'll be in and out of the area of the spell before the caster has time to pinpoint him. He stays away from dogs, cats, and orcs who might smell him.

Here are some skill checks that may help:

Untrained Diplomacy to Gather Info: 9, 22
Perception to listen in and eavesdrop: 36, 29
Stealth for sneaking around: 40, 32

Bliss sneaks back to the Emporium after an hour or two, hoping to meet up with his friends and tell them anything he has discovered.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 8:50:22 PM
Upon seeing the church and shrines, Cameron is a bit put out that the shrine of his goddess has no following. " You can go on in, there is something I must do first."He says to the others.
He steps into the candle shop before it can be closed up for the night. He slips the owner a few gold to remain open long enough to sell him some devotional candles. He rushes across the square and does the same in the wine shop, buying a few bottles of a wine that would go well with a nice plot of revenge (wink).
Once he has these items he goes to the shrine of Jancassis and cleans it and makes it presentable. He lights the candles and leaves the wine as an offering. He prays that the wizards will be found in good health and that the group's planning will make the rescue go smoothly. If any others stop by and wish to pray with him, he will pray to the goddess on their behalf.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+9=10 ;
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 10:18:26 PM
"Come on, Pressi, you know I didn't mean it like that...," Shel stammers, red faced. "We need to find a place to stay tonight and getting rooms first is probably a good idea. Even if they are at that sort of place!"

If the others agree, Shel will head in with them and secure rooms for the team. After, she suggests they have a go around town, seeing if their culprit has any sorts of schedule he sticks to, or if any townsfolk knows much about him. "The Ore Cart seems like it is hopping. That might be the place to talk to a few locals..."

If the group agrees to go in, she starts asking around.

Natural one in Diplomacy gives a total of 10. Not a great start.



Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+6=9 ; d20+14=24 ;
Wednesday May 11th, 2016 10:50:26 PM
"I'm with you Shel, The Ore Cart certainly looks the most lively place." Alleah keeps her eyes and ears open as she heads in that direction

---------------------------------
Perception: 24
Diplomacy to gather info: 9. Ugh!

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+5=18 ; d20+5=22 ;
Thursday May 12th, 2016 12:00:00 AM
Kezzem finds a card game to earn a few coins while trying to learn the local gossip.

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 18
Profession (Gambler): 22.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 12th, 2016 2:21:07 AM
Before everyone scatters to the winds, Murphy asks, "Can someone quickly stop at the Mercantile and ask about mushrooms? I'll check with the herbalist." Discretely, he quietly says, repeating here and there among his friends, "We need to establish why we're here, before we go about doing what we're here for."

Sure, that may be inscrutable.

He hastens over to the herbalist as they move to close up the shop. "Um, excuse me. New in town. Is this a good place to buy mushrooms? Or do you know some other place I should go in order to get a good variety of such?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+13=14 ; d20+5=12 ; d20+6=7 ;
Thursday May 12th, 2016 11:09:07 AM
While Pressi would ordinarily follow Shel and Alleah to the Emporium and to the Ore Cart - any excuse to bar hop, and to use that courtesan background to her advantage - she figures someone ought to check out the metal ore cart, and offers to help out if needed.

If she has time, she also hits the leather goods store to determine what they sell and if they are interested in buying anything. (Yeah, we're here to buy up mushrooms but we may want to pay with goods and might want some help selling to the public if we do.) After some looking around (Perception Nat 1, Diplomacy 12, Bluff Nat 1), Pressi eventually makes her way towards asking about Uthvas, claiming to have done some business in the past and trying to figure out the general view of Uthvas by the public.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Thursday May 12th, 2016 12:32:15 PM
While Cameron tidys up the shrine and sits a vigil in it, waiting for any who wish to pray, he settles on asking them why they come to pray and who they seek vengeance against. If he is able to do this a few times, he expects he misght be able to note a pattern and gain some infprmation from them.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+9=12 ; d20+9=12 ; d20+22=30 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+9=13 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=23 ; d20+9=23 ; d20+9=11 ; d20+22=41 ; d20+22=31 ;
Thursday May 12th, 2016 1:06:49 PM
If time remains after making a quick inquiry with the herbalist, Murphy will repeat his information gathering over at the Mercantile. If a gold piece at each place would help, Murphy discreetly offers said coin.

After that he takes pon(y/ies), makes arrangements for lodging and stabling at the Emporium, as others scatter abroad. He asks about safe storage for bulk items / saddle bags. If Shel and or Alleah are at the Emporium when he gets there, he works with them.

[Diplomacy - 12 at each shop, 23 at stables, 11 at Emporium
Perception - 30 at mercantile, 41 at stables, 31 at Emporium
Sense Motive - 15 at herbalist, 13 at mercantile, 9 at stables, 23 with proprietor of Emporium]


Investigations - DM Mark  d20=16 ; d20=6 ; d20=11 ; d20=3 ;
Thursday May 12th, 2016 7:29:59 PM
Bliss disappears for a couple hours, though he and Mookie are the only ones aware of this since he never really appeared in the first place. As he move about town, he listens in on conversations seeking to glean some information about the town. For Bliss:Highlight to display spoiler: { There seem to be two common ways to scare children in town - being taken by Uthvas, or by a creature called Mr. Knuckles. Uthvas lives in a house in town. The taxes in town are high, and Hammish lives pretty well as a result. Taxes in town are not very high because of Uthvas. Mortas Umbra beats his wife Yeva. A couple women seems to be propositioning men as they go by, describing things Bliss has never heard of. The high priest of Ffloy is not well liked. Some dogs and cats have gone missing. Someone named Jaavis has really bad body odor. Hammish is feared in town. A dwarf named Belfor ran off with his neighbor’s money and hasn’t been seen for some time. There are no beggars in town. }

For the rest of you, Bliss is nowhere to be seen.

Cameon is praying at the shrine to Jancasis. A few folks come by, but hurry away. One man stops by, “Ach, hurry up. Ya gonna be there all day?” As Cameron gestures his to come pray with him, he learns the man wants revenge on his brother for cheating him out of some of his inheritance, and learning that Cameron is a cleric of Jancasis, he demands that Cameron help him visit justice on this brother.

Murphy checks with the herbalist, asking about mushrooms. She says, “I have some dried and powdered mushrooms for sale for their medicinal value. But most of the mushrooms in town are sold for food, in either the mercantile, or in the town square during the day. What do you want the mushrooms for, young master?”

At various stages, the group arrives at the Emporium. At first you are turned away because kids are not allowed, but they accept that you are halflings and let you in. The ponies and dogs can be stabled around back, once they determine the dogs are trained and safe. Stabling is 5 SP per animal per night. Entering the emporium, you will learn that rooms here go for 2 GP per night. Food is extra. “Companionship” in the rooms is extra. There are a number what seem to be very friendly folks in the lobby of this place. Aside from the party, there are no halflings, but a very comely dwarf will approach the women in your group asking if they have a date for the night. Shel is very popular with several men - both “customers” and “employees.” There is even a female gnoll here, her hair well groomed and coiffed - she seems pretty popular.

Someone says, “You seem pretty interested in Uthvas. Why?”

You proceed to the ore cart, and the scene is quite different. Again, at first you are turned away because kids are not allowed, but you explain. Rooms, meals and ale are available here. The music here is lively. Kezzem gambles, winning about 20 GP, and the ire of many.

(I made note of your rolls.) You observe most folks are trying to forget their dreary lives. Most seem fairly honest, though some do try to take advantage of others in various sorts of ways. Most of merchants and such you interact with see you as wealthy and want your money.

With diplomacy and observation, you learn the following:

Uthvas lives in Bright Springs.
Uthvas is rarely seen.
Bright Springs is governed by a half-orc names Hammish. He is brutal but lawful.
Uthvas is a taxidermist, and will work on humanoids as well as animals.
That large creature at the front gate is a mute ogre.
Strange sounds and smells come from Uthvas house.
Uthvas’ house is up in the east of town, and is haunted by ghosts.
That large creature at the front gate is undead.
Uthvas has put out a bounty on freshly dead bodies. However, he accept no bodies from those within Bright Springs.
Uthvas is a necromancer.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday May 12th, 2016 9:56:40 PM
Shel will purchase a room for the night for 2 gold. She politely declined offers of companionship. "Maybe the next visit I'm here," she answers with a smile.

Once everyone gathers back together, she whispers to the group. "Perhaps this evening we all meet in a room and discuss what we've learned about the best way to sell mushrooms here. After all we want to do as well as possible."

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+25=35 ;
Thursday May 12th, 2016 10:35:11 PM

Bliss makes his way to the Emporium and sneaks inside. Stealth 35. He follows his sense of Mookie to find the party. He slips in and tells his friends what he has discovered.

"Okay, there was this guy who was really smelly named Jarvis. The Mayor is named Hammish and he charges a lot for taxes and he is a jerk that people are afraid of. There's a boogie-man named Mister Knuckles around town. There's a dwarf thief named Belfast who went missing. Maybe Mister Knuckles got him!"

"And I found out where this Urthvas felllow lives! He has a house over thataway! He likes dead things but he won't buy dead people from town."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+15=16 ;
Friday May 13th, 2016 12:56:53 AM
Kezzem buys the room a round of drinks with his winnings.

Perception: 16 Kezzem discretely dispenses the rest of his winnings to orphans and beggars as he walks about town.

----

Once he meets with the others and they compare notes, Kezzem says, "How much you want to bent that mute ogre is a taxizombie?"



Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Friday May 13th, 2016 4:19:45 AM
"Yes, an early night might be best. We have travelled far, and tomorrow we will be busy buying lots and lots of mushrooms" Alleah keeps the act going, and casually makes for the groups room at Shel's suggestion.

-------------------------

Once safely in the room (and with the door shut) Alleah shares what she learned. "You could be right, Kezzem. I overheard someone say that that big guy was undead. Doesn't say much that the town allows something undead to act as a guard."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+6=9 ;
Friday May 13th, 2016 10:25:49 AM
Cameron listens to the man's tale, and thinks how petty this request for revenge is. Is this what all of the prayers to his Lady are like? To the man he says, " First, no one takes revenge for you while you still draw breath. I may advise you, but revenge is personal and if you desire it, you must carry it out. How did your brother cheat you? Out of how mush money? What do you consider a fitting revenge? All of these things need to be considered. Jancassis preaches an equal act of vengeance, and usually a fitting one, based on the act committed. Tell me your thoughts on these questions."

Later, when they meet up in the Emporium and have retired to their rooms...
" Kezzem I would take your bet, but I would be robbing you. I checked the big guy while I was close to him. He was breathing, and zombies don't do that. I will admit that it was my first thought too upon seeing him, but after confirming that he breathes I think the other rumor that he is a big mute ogre is the truer one."
" Among the other things we seem to have heard there are some that worry me. Hammish is apparently a tyrant, not much loved by the people, but he is an apt administrator and Lawful. He keeps order in town and if he has an agreement with Uthvas it will take quite a bit of convincing to make him break it. Therefore we need to proceed with caution. If we were not up against a hard deadline, I would think that winning the populace would be our best course of action. Through trade, and Murphy's ability to make this place fertile and not so dreary again, I think that would make us quite popular. Already Shel has seemed to pique the interest of several of the people in town just due to her personality, which I have to say, even with me in tow, we are the happiest people in town, hands down."
" With those problems outlined let me suggest what I think can work for us, along with the reasons why. Uthvas is not liked from what we have heard. His house is feared, he is considered a Necromancer, and people generally fear him. I would not discount the rumor that says his house is haunted. If he is a necromancer, which plenty of evidence is pointing to, he likely has animated undead inside. SO those are the things we have heard and can assume. If we are careful and quiet, I think we can get into his home and look for our wizards. If we find them we get them loose and get the heck out of town. If confronted by Hammish we bargain with him using the items from the gnoll and some of the cash we have lying around and make our own deal. If he is lawful and smart, which he seems to be, he would rather have a deal than a fight where we end up besting alot of his guards, because that would show weakness."
"Did either Veseley or Tiana have any items that we might be able to try and locate to find them? Anything you guys can remember, because I have never met them, so it might be hard for me to pull that kind of magic off. That might be our best way to locate them."
" What do you guys think? Are any of my ideas usable to find our people and get them out of here?"

Questions we didn't ask but might have found answers to.
How many town guards are there?
How are they armed and equipped?
How many are in town at any time? I am assuming some are at the mines.
What type of man is Hammish? Former adventurer? Fighter? Spellcaster? knowing this would help us know what to use to bribe him if it comes to that. We have a few fighter items, the amulet and the great axe, and at least one spellcaster item in the rod of silent spells.

Craft alchemy 9
Probably not a good enough roll, but does Cameron recall any uses for Koshe Marr Mushrooms? Also would they grow here? I assume the one we have has spores that could be used to cultivate more of it's kind...

Once a plan is concocted, Cameron will return to the shrine at midnight to pray to his goddess for guidance and the spells to make their plan work.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Investigations - DM Mark 
Friday May 13th, 2016 12:28:26 PM
(Travelling today, so full posting will be late. Sorry)

For Bliss - Diplomacy (gather information) requires some interaction. You cannot use Diplomacy and Stealth at the same time. Remaining hidden, Bliss was only able to pick up what he over heard.

For Kezzem - there are no beggars here. None. But there really seems to be a desire and expectation to be paid for every act of work or help done here.

For all - Gathering information through diplomacy, while it assume perhaps some prompting questions during the conversation, only goes so far. It is not always a substitute for direct questions. Of course, direct questions also telegraphs your interest, so there can be a trade off.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Friday May 13th, 2016 12:44:31 PM
"I still think we have to go through Hamish, or at least have someone occupy him. But yeah, searching that home is probably what we have to do. I'd just rather bluff in and break in. As for locating, we have to assume that's being blocked.

Problem with talking in is we still don't know why uthvas would meet with us. Maybe he'd meet someone of janascis or gargul, but mushrooms. ...

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Friday May 13th, 2016 12:53:39 PM
"Hey, there's something off about this town," says Kezzem. "Maybe we should have a talk with Iron Hamfist."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Friday May 13th, 2016 1:57:15 PM
"Ah, if you have mushrooms with medicinal value," Murphy responds to her - the herbalist, "and you would not mind remaining open a moment longer, I may be interested in making a purchase. IF you would be so kind as to let me know what varieties you have, and how they may help in curing or healing, you have a customer in me. I'm with a group hoping to enlarge trade with various places, and Bright Springs is noted for the many varieties of good and unusual fungi. Per your recommendation, I intend to inquire at the Mercantile.

"Oh, and speaking of medicinal value - whether of mushroom origin or otherwise - have you any concoctions which may make one resistent to poisons, to toxins, or even to help overcome exposure to such? When one travels widely, one from time to time encounters substances which harm the flesh, or nerves, or bone. Bites of spiders and serpents, handling unawares something that poisons. Even, and may such be far from us - others who may for whatever nefarious reasons seek to harm others with nasty potions. If you have herbal or alchemical remedies, or even magical, I may be interested.

"I know you are closing up, and hate to presume upon your time - but if I could purchase a few things now, I should be most appreciative."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Friday May 13th, 2016 3:35:08 PM
To Pressi's points Cameron has a few answers, probably none that help though. He does get a small bit of a plan though.
" I had a man come to the shrine this evening seeking justice for a wrong done to him. I counseled him and we spoke for a time. Why don't the rest of you pursue the mercantile route. If you think it best, speak to Hammish as well, but I fear that would alert Uthvas. If by tomorrow night you have still not gotten a good idea of how to approach Uthvas, I can go to see him as the priest of Jancassis. Since everything seems to have a price here, maybe if I speak to him and tell him that many do not like him and that they are looking for a reason to get him out of town, I can gain his confidence. Or maybe he will just kill me. Either way, if you have something of mine that can be located, and Bliss puts a message spell on me, maybe I can find you a reason to speak to him, or at least get a look into his house and see if I spot anything 'odd'."
"Oh, and while you are most likely right about divination being blocked, locating an object has not been tried yet, and we are significantly closer than we were the last time we tried to scry. There might be some hope. I hate to be the optimist here, but we have to try everything we can."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday May 13th, 2016 9:38:11 PM
"We do need to try to find a way into his house tomorrow. Poor Vesely and Tiana are probably barely holding on. We don't have too much time to wait around, I'm afraid. Whatever we decide, I vote we make a move tomorrow," Shel adds to the clandestine discussion.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 13th, 2016 11:40:47 PM

Bliss hears that that big guard may be undead, or not. "You never know what is true and what isn't," he says to Alleah.

Investigations - DM Mark  d8=4 ; d100=22 ; d20=7 ; d20=4 ; d20=11 ; d4=1 ;
Friday May 13th, 2016 11:41:47 PM
Cameron attends Jancasis’ shrine, and speaks with a man seeking revenge against his brother. He tells the man that he must exact his own revenge, and asks him some questions about his situation. It seems the man is very angry, and glad to find someone that understands. He says that his brother was always favored by their father. He was always given money and things by his father. He also borrowed a good deal of money from their father. The man brought this to the priest of Ffloy, since it violated the prohibition against receiving money or goods without having worked for them, but the priests refused to prosecute. He brought his concerns to their father, and both his father and brother agreed that these amounts would eventually be resolved when his estate was divided between the two. One day their father died, and left what he had to both of them without regard to what his brother owed. This was not what was agreed to, but it was just like his brother to not keep his agreement. He also suspects his brother may have killed their father, or at least hastened his death. The man says he’s owned over a thousand gold, but even more importantly he seeks revenge for the favoritism, the debt and for his father’s death. He recognizes that you bear the holy symbol of Jancasis, and demands that Cameron help him in his desire for revenge!

-----------------------------------------
Murphy goes to the mushroom shop, and asks what goods she may have that have medicinal value. Delighted to have someone interested in mushroom lore and her goods, she stays open. After about an hour of discussion regarding a great deal of minutiae of the medicinal and health benefits of mushrooms, Murphy learns that she has 4 vials of Antitoxin for 70 GP each. She also has 7 bandages impregnated with healing mushroom spores - these cost 60 GP each and will heal 1d8+1 HP. Murphy barely manages to escape the discussion. The Mercantile has closed by the time he is done there.

-----------------------------------------
Shel gets a room for one night at the Emporium. She suggests you all meet later to discuss plans. In response to Shel buying a room at the Emporium, the hostess says, “You’ll only be staying with us one night then? Travelling through? Where are you headed? What about your friends?”

Shel, Kezzem, Pressi, and Alleah proceed to the Ore Cart, and work the room for information. Murphy and Cam join them after a bit. Kezzem buys a round of drinks with his winnings, mitigating the resentment of those that lost money to him. Shel is asked by a large man, “Someone says, “You seem pretty interested in Uthvas. Why?”

Cameron will observe and hear that guards patrol the town in groups of 2-8. Partols are infrequent and irregular. They provide security at the mines, at the iron smelting facility in town, and at a “work camp” in town that helps process ore. They are dressed in chain shirts and carry a variety of melee and ranged weapons. Nothing more than you already know about Hammish.

They later return to the Emporium, and meet up with Bliss. Bliss relates the information he’s found to the group. Information is exchanged and options are considered.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Saturday May 14th, 2016 1:41:36 PM
"So what's the plan?" asks Kezzem, "Or are we just going to do what we always do and charge in shouting or names. Alleahhhhhhhhh Kezzem!"

Trill (AC: 23/18/23, HP: 63/63, CMD: 22,) (Kent)  d20+7=8 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+18=31 ;
Saturday May 14th, 2016 3:43:06 PM
Tril wamders into town with the others but with an ey eo other things. As she makes her way to the mercintinle shop to inquire about muchrooms, (variety and cost) she keeps an eye out for obvious guards, or constabkle types, where they are located if they seem to be on any ind of timed patrol, stationed or just meandering here and there. She also just keeps an ear out for any tidbits that might aid their search mysterious screams, odd people at odd hours at placwe they shouldnt't be, etc.

Diplomacy dc 8, knowlwdge local DC 18, perception DC 31

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Saturday May 14th, 2016 8:29:24 PM
Earlier, at the shrine...
Cameron's eyebrows shot up, this had suddenly become much less petty.
" Wait, you think he killed your father?"
Cameron stroked his clansman's beard, braided in the black and red double helix of his goddess.
"How do you think your brother might have hastened his death? Did you mention this to the priest of Gargul that laid your father to rest? Surely he would have performed a detection ritual to look for something like poison, or a visual inspection for wounds. I see a shrine to Gargul here, who is the priest responsible for it?"
Cameron sees he might have struck a nerve, so he changes his line of questioning.
" You haven't said what you think is proportionate revenge. I would think finding evidence and presenting it to your local magistrate would land him in alot of hot water, based on what I have heard about the mayor here. He sounds tough."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Sunday May 15th, 2016 3:05:15 AM
In the room, Alleah speaks with Kezzem

"Well there is no such thing as 'good' undead. They are abominations that Gargul wishes to see destroyed. If we face any - and it sounds like we will - at least we won't have to debate taking prisoners" she grins "Uthvas' house is at the east end of town and apparently has strange noises coming from it. I think we should check that out first thing in the morning"

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+6=26 ;
Sunday May 15th, 2016 7:10:19 PM
It occurred to me that I should have made a diplomacy check while talking to the person at the shrine.
Diplomacy 26


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+9=11 ; d20+9=22 ;
Monday May 16th, 2016 4:04:20 AM
"My, those sound lovely. I also can craft antitoxin, but have not done so as of late. And healing, in this world of the unexpected, can come in handy. If I were to purchase only one of your items, I would not quibble the pricing. However, if I were to purchase several - say, all four of the antitoxin, and six of the mushroom spore bandages, how about 500 gold for the ten items?" Murphy is willing to compromise at a price as high as 560 for the lot, but if she insists on the higher rate, then he will humbly apologize, and walk away from the opportunity. [diplomacy: 11 - he might end up missing out on this opportunity, unless she is fairly motivated to sell.]

Back with his friends at the Emporium, should Murphy be present when the large man queries Shel about her interest with the question, "You seem pretty interested in Uthvas. Why?" - Murphy interjects, "Oh, is the the animal stuffer fellow?" He asks the man. "Do you know his rates? For, like, a pony-sized creature? We heard there's a man who is good at that sort of thing. Is that - what, Udvaz? Do you know him? Also, who in town knows much about mushroom harvests? Do you know someone who - oh, by the way, this seems a pretty good town. Did you grow up here?" He wants to draw attention away from Shel, and to learn something about the person who seems to take interest in her questions. [diplomacy: 22]

Once together in a private spot, Murphy jots on a piece of paper, showing it silently to his friends in turn, his finger held vertically in front of his lips to urge silence as they read it:
"Do we have means to ensure solid privacy as we discuss things?"
Meanwhile, he begins to carry out his plan to have sheets of paper ready with messages to hold out should Veseley scry upon them again.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+15=28 ; d20+15=19 ; d20+15=18 ; d20+15=26 ;
Monday May 16th, 2016 12:17:38 PM
Sorry I forgot about the questioner in the Ore Cart.
As the man starts asking Shel questions, Cameron fades back away from the group. Once he has ebtered the crowd and broken the man's line of sight with him, he heads toward the door and outside.( I assume there is but one door?) Once outside he blends in with the shadows.
Stealth 28
When the man leaves for the night, Cameron will follow him to see where he goes. He uses Stealthy hunter to aid him in remaining undetected. (The bonus only applies if the man does not know Cameron is there. I will roll normal checks, the ability adds +1 and the DM can add it if it applies)
Stealth to follow him 19, 18, 26

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Monday May 16th, 2016 4:45:46 PM

Alleah says, "Well there is no such thing as 'good' undead." ... and it makes Bliss wonder. Pretty soon he's going to ask Lord Gargul for a shadow friend. But is that even a kind of undead? Bliss puzzles about it but does not say anything to anybody. He does add a plea to his divine patron to the assortment of prayers he says each night, asking the god of life and death for help understanding things.

Then Mister Murphy says that we should be quiet, and Bliss is happy he has not said much yet, just mentioned a few rumors he heard when he was out and about.

Bliss wonders about the plan. Are he and Murphy still thinking of sneaking in? Are we going in as merchants? Trying to be stealthy? Fighting our way in?

Bliss considers that when you fight a necromancer, you have to expect undead.


Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Monday May 16th, 2016 5:17:30 PM
To Murphy, "I've been telling people that I worked with Uthvas in the past. Frankly, getting some 'why do you ask?' questions is the price of admission. As for a more private place, we're going to have to rely on our hotel rooms... and hope Uthvas isn't spying too much on us."

If Cameron brings up the guy who wanted revenge, Pressi gets an idea that THIS might be a way to contact Uthvas. Ask him to look at the body as a consultant, maybe. It would be a way to get him out of the house, at least.


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+7=17 ;
Monday May 16th, 2016 5:30:17 PM

"Ah, I agree with you in general, Alleah, about the undead. But not fully," Murphy comments after Bliss reiterates her statement. "I was told that a whole group of adventurers many years ago voluntarily underwent a process to become undead so that they could go... to somewhere in other, what, realms? Planes? ... in order to help save the Wold. Then, hmmm, that brought the end of one Woldian age and the beginning of another. I sometimes get the ages mixed up. I think Kendry knows more about that sort of thing. And Uncle Orby. But, yeah. Almost never good. And, as it is unlikely we are on the cusp of a new age, or, even if we were, that the same remedy would need apply, your general principle is sound."

[Knowledge: History: 17]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Monday May 16th, 2016 5:41:17 PM

[Just saw Pressi's post after mine.] "Oh, I see," Murphy says after she mentions telling people she worked with Uthvas. "Yet if that fails to correspond to reality, might such an assertion not cause more problems than it solves?" He pauses, then adds, "Of course, I do not have at hand a pony I want stuffed, either."

Regarding privacy, he comments, "As far as the latter spying upon us - I know the theory put forward, since Veseley apparently was caught trying to communicate with us, that his captor now knows how to scry upon us. I am not persuaded. However, if we are indiscreet in our inquiries, then he very well may be motivated to do so, or, more lprobably, some of his friends or associates may use more mundane ways of keeping their eyes upon us."



Investigations - DM Mark 
Monday May 16th, 2016 7:38:38 PM
(This is all a bit disjointed because some split up to do different things. If you guys split up in the future, I will need to slow the posting to avoid this confusion.)

Kezzem asks what the plan is.

Trill keeps a sharp eye out as she travels with the others through town. She notices occasional that the guard patrol, generally in groups of 2-8. These patrols are infrequent and irregular. The seem reasonably well armed and armored. They seem as dreary as the townsfolk, and are generally given a wide berth.

Alleah mentions that any undead are abominations to Gargul and must be destroyed.

Cameron is interested when the man seeking revenge mentions that his brother either killed their father or hastened his death. He has questions for the man who grows impatient with all the questions. The man says he has no proof of his brother’s misdeeds, but he’s sure he had a hand in his father’s death! There is not priest of Gargul in town, only clergy loyal to Ffloy. They see to the religious needs in town, including marriages and burials. As for a proportionate response, “C’mon. Are you going to help me or not? You know, if you help me exact revenge on my brother, I’ll make it worth your while. After all, Ffloy tells us the worker is worth his wages.” With regard to Hammish, “Hammish? Why would he care? He might just seize some of the funds for himself as a fee. If you’re really in helping me with my revenge, we’ll have to avoid the guards in this.”

The herbalist/mushroomist agrees to Murphy’s offer of 500 gold for the ten items. When Murphy returns to the others in the Ore Cart, he tells the man asking why they want to know about Uthvast that they need a good taxidermist. He then peppers the man with questions: The man did grow up here; he does not know Uthvas, but everyone knows of him; he recommends some names to follow up with for mushrooms. By the time Murphy recommends caution, the group has already been discussing things for a while in one of your rooms at the Emporuim.

Bliss ponders the nature of undead and shadows.

Murphy relates some history in response to Alleah and Bliss.

Pressi ads her 2 cents.

The party continues to discuss and plot in one of their rooms.


AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Monday May 16th, 2016 8:17:59 PM
At the shrine...
Cameron begins to smell a buyer of sell swords, not a true worshiper of the Goddess of Vengeance.
" You seek her holy hand in your plot, but can produce no proof. You originally asked me to help you gain 'justice' for you in this matter, yet you choose not to include what is by all accounts a lawful mayor in your plans. You want someone else to not help you, but take revenge FOR you. My lady teaches me that revenge is personal and when at all possible is to be taken by the wronged party. She teaches me planning and preparation are key to success. It sounds to me like you want to hire an idealistic outsider to come in and take all of your risks for a promise of compensation. My good man, my goddess compensates me with the knowledge that I have helped another truly in need, perform a task they are not capable of doing themselves. What you seem incapable of accomplishing is getting your hands dirty and doing your own work, not in standing up for yourself and your father and taking what is rightfully yours, or addressing you brother's hastening of your father's death. I will not be party to such a plan. May the goddess grant you the insight I have been unable to grant you and the intestinal fortitude with which to do what you think is right. Have a good night and walk with the shadows."
With this dismissive blessing Cameron allows the man to take his leave. In case the man has other plans, Cameron's hand drops below the altar and his whip's handle slides into his grasp. It feels cool and perfect in his hand.

In the planning room...
"So we agree speed is key, what is to be our plan?"
He has heard several fragments of a plan, and has put forth a few ideas, he just wants to know what the group wants to peruse so that he can set his magic with hs goddess at the midnight hour.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Bless, Magic Stone, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain), Hold Person, Sound Burst, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain), Bestow Curse

Spells cast
Magic Stone converted to CLW

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Monday May 16th, 2016 8:56:56 PM

"Let's visit the taxidermist in the morning for starters," Murphy suggests.

[gotta run, more later]

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+12=16 ;
Monday May 16th, 2016 9:23:48 PM
+Cameron closely observes Veseley's next appearance, looking for an object to try and locate, either on the wizard or in the near background.
perception 16

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Monday May 16th, 2016 9:55:47 PM
"Thanks Murphy, that guy didn't trust me at all," Shel whispers to her friend when they all took To their room. "I wonder if he was in cahoots with the necromancer? If he has eyes and ears throughout the town, we need to be even more careful. This is time to make our final decision on our plan. Let's lay out all the possibile suggestions and just have a nice old fashioned vote. I agree to be bound by the will of the group. Does everyone else?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 4:34:54 AM
"Ok, well, based on what we've learned Uthas' house looks to be stop number one. We should absolutely check that place out. I'm happy to be part of a group to try entering via the front door, and seeing if we can talk our way inside. Another group might want to try sneaking unseen into the basement. Being a taxidermist he would surely have some way to enter his basement from the street level.

They says it's haunted by ghosts, and there's a good chance there will be some undead around. That's why it would be best that we wait until tomorrow morning - when there will be daylight. Lots of undead struggle when there's daylight."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 8:36:18 AM
"So does my grandpappy, Alleah," jokes Kezzem.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 11:15:43 AM
Alleah grins. Even with the party in a foreign town and with the possibility of undead all around, the group could always find the lighter side of things.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 3:12:53 PM
"So I think we've settled on the idea that we need to break into Uthvas' home, either by bluffing our way in or by trying to pick the lock. And lets say, for the sake of argument, that we've settled on the second," Pressi thought out loud.

"There's still an issue about what to do with Uthvas, and about what to do with Hammish's guards. Because if we insist on doing this in the day, well, that's basically us doing it out in the open in bright light while Uthvas is probably awake but still home. That's why most people break in at night. So if we engage any of these people, we need to decide what type of engagement. Are we just being a distraction, trying to pump for information, or trying to get half the group to bluff their way in. For that matter, would we want to talk to Uthvas before trying to break in, just so we get a better read on this guy?"

"It really comes down to what you think you can get out of talking to any person, including Hammish himself. If you think there's no good that comes with it, we can just break in and let the chips fall where they may."

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 4:08:54 PM

Bliss says, "Why don't we just knock on his door, ask for an interview. If he needs a reason, tell him we went to Kosh Marr recently and we want to talk to him about it. That is true, even, mostly. When we meet him, tell him we are here for our friends who got lost on the way back from Kosh Marr, ask him nicely to give them back, and if he says no, we fight him?"

"We could sneak in, but who is good at picking locks? Anyone?"

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 4:52:55 PM
" Bliss makes an excellent point. If we just talk to him, we are not breaking any laws in this ultra lawful town and the town guard has no reason to have anything to do to with us. As a wise man once said, 'don't start nothin' won't be nothin''. So we talk to him, ask him for our friends, if he refuses our offers we, um, charm him. I Know, I know. I hate the idea of using charm. I feel it is just another way that someones will can be forced. But by the Lady's barbed whip, if we want to break as few laws as possible and get out of here without the entire town guard having reason to try to stop us, then charming him is a good way to do that, probably the best way.. If doing things the nice way doesn't work, we can always resort to violence. Difference is, if we start with violence, we can't back down from it."

Plans - DM Mark 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 5:29:13 PM
Cameron can see that the man at the shrine bears murder in his heart born more of past wrongs and slights than of a true injustice done. The poor soul has fed his hatred so long that he has distorted his own sense of justice. This is why the path of the Avenger is so narrow and perilous - it is often difficult to determine when the desire for revenge is just, and when it is merely the child of bitterness and self-deceit. Cameron takes his leave of the man and rejoins the party back at the Emporium.

The group continues to discuss plans in what they think is a private room. Shel worries that Uthvas may have eyes and ears throughout the town.

Alleah suggests the group split up, with some approaching the door while others break into the basement.

Kezzem tries to lighten the mood.

Pressi wonders about the wisdom of knocking on the front door vs. breaking in, and if a daytime assult is better than at night. Bliss suggest knocking on the door and just asking Uthvas return their Second Dinner Club members. Cameron like that idea, followed with violence as a back up plan.

Trill remains unusually silent, probably thinking deep thoughts. In fact, it’s almost like she’s not even there.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 7:20:35 PM

"I like that thought, too, Bliss," also agreeing with Cameron. "Now, when we meet with him, I could already be in bat form - which reminds me - I need to find some local bats tonight, so I know how to fit in with the local breed. Some of you talk with him. Bliss - you can be as hard to observe as you like, and also perhaps figure out a way to squeeze in, should the opportunity present itself. Also, we can request the hill giant's release, and the purchase of the essence."

He pauses, giving others a chance to pitch in with their ideas. "He may have extra security with him - especially if someone who heard some of us asking about him lets him know some little people are asking a lot of questions about him."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 7:36:28 PM
" His security measures don't really worry me. If he forces a violent confrontation, he will not beat us. We can barely agree what day of the week it is, but if you threaten any one of us the others will put you down. Hard. I wouldn't believe it if I had not already seen it, but there it is. Odd, but comfortingly true. When I speak to th goddess tonight I will pray for the means to swiftly end any conflict he may decide to start."
" What else will I need to be prepared for? The Wizards will likely be in rough shape. Can any of the rest of you cure fatigue or ability damage? I can prepare for some, but curing them all might be beyond me."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 9:15:53 PM
"As soon as things start getting bad with him, I can try to enchant him. While he's distracted, assuming it works, the rest of you can, well, knock him out. Then we could move inside and no one would be the wiser"

Shel sighed for a second. "The only thing is, it's probably better if Murphy took his bat form and Bliss hid and watched the place for a couple hours to see if there are any guards or anything suspicious going on in the area. If so, that might have to change our plans."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Tuesday May 17th, 2016 11:24:34 PM
"Er, I'm not sure going out in the night here is a good idea, Murphy. Undead things, remember? I highly doubt Uthvas would have the knowledge to distinguish between a local bat and a non-local bat. I think we should all stay in this room together, and probably put a small barricade on the door.

But yes, I like Bliss' plan too. Direct and lawful."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+22=38 ;
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 2:46:41 AM

The druid responds, "Well, Alleah - bats are creatures of the night - and I have traveled at night in such a form. Perhaps - say, Trill, would you mind carrying me out to, say, the stables, and I should be able to wend my way from there. You wouldn't mind bearing me as a bat under your cloak, would you, just that far? I won't plan to be out more than an hour or so."

He listens to what the others have said about where Uthvas' place is located, that he might reasonably navigate in that direction at the right time.

Murphy adds, "I'll make sure that whatever style of bat I may be, I'll have a dark blue patch on one wing, and a dark red patch on the other, that you all, should you see me up close, will be able to tell it is I. Anyway, I'll see what, if anything, I can learn, then let you know what I can."

If Trill will not take him, then perhaps another may do so. If none will, then Murphy will walk out past the stables, find a suitable spot - perhaps in an alleyway with no discernible folks looking about, and transform into a bat, fly up above the rooftop, and away, in search of others of his ilk. Murphy will cast speak with animals while in bat form once he comes upon some.

If he finds bats in the vicinity of Uthvas' place, he will adapt his form to that of the local species. If he sees they have ingress to or egress from Uthvas' abode, he may take a peek inside, to see what he may gather. [Perception: 38]

[Note: I tried to roll perception once, but got a red-highlighted error code and no roll results. So I reloaded the page, and tried again, succeeding.]

On returning, he will find a place where he can transform, concealed, then walk a short distance back to the inn.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 2:59:52 AM

One thing, however, just before he goes on his chiropteric reconnaissance, he says, "I almost forgot. I came upon this today, and thought that one of our group might be able to benefit from it." He describes it, and how it works:
Pouch of Shadows - This appears to be a normal looking, leather belt pouch. However, reaching into the pouch, the wearer may draw out a handful of shadow stuff. By tossing it forward, the wearer can create the effect of the spell Silent Image, creating an illusion of anything with a volume no more than 2 10-ft cubes (10x10x20). As the spell it creates an image only, lasts as long as you concentrate, and allows a DC 13 will save to disbelieve if interacted with. This may be used only once.
"I forgot to mention, it was handed to me by an undead ogre, who said he was really a leprechaun," Murphy thinks to add. "Who would like to have it?" [Actually, I just won it in the Loot n Booty].

[If no one else offers to take it, he hands it to Bliss, who seems to do well with shadows - but wants others to have a chance to put in a word for taking it. Only if none do does he suggest their tiny companion receive it.]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 4:02:58 AM
Alleah takes a deep, cleansing breath and tries to get Murphy to see reason - or at least explain the risk vs reward to her

"Listen, we know there are undead about. The guard at the front was rumored to be one, Uthvas is a necromancer so that likely means he's raised a few, and there are also rumours of ghosts. Going out - partnered or alone - in the night just seems foolhardy. It unnecessarily splits the group, and thereby weakens us as a whole. As Cameron rightfully said, we strike solidly as a group. It also risks blowing our cover when we are so close to our goal, it risks you not being here should we receive another vision, and it risks lives! Help me understand why knowing the specific flight patterns of bats within this specific town is so incredibly important as to risk all of this. Did someone in town tell you Uthvas is fond of bats, or a bat expert?

It just strikes me as a foolhardy act to split the group at night in an unfamiliar town rumored to be inhabited by undead creatures. That said, if the group supports your decision, I shall speak no more about it"

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 10:42:37 AM

"Mister Murphy, it is dangerous out there. And besides, the whole reason to be a bat is to be sneaky, right? No one will see the details you are worried about."

[OOC: A bat is dimunutive, so that's a +12 on stealth checks. And BSII gives a +6 to Dex, so that's an extra +3 on stealth checks. At +15 on top of your normal +2 is a +17, which is pretty respectable. I mean, that's not up to Bliss levels, but getting there!]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 12:02:02 PM

"You are right, Alleah, that undead are fairly certain to be about. Now, how many of them do you figure will be targeting bats? I think there may be a slight chance that some bats, not recognizing me, may take offense - or not.

"Our friends are in jeopardy - if I can take a risk which will help us more quickly, more effectively bring them to safety and freedom, I am willing to do so. Might I die trying? Well, anything is possible. I do not, though, wish to live my life ruled by fear of what might happen. We are adventurers. We take risks. We have scouts to look ahead, to make the way easier or safer for the rest of us. Unless the whole group opposes me on this, I will go out as I have said."

"Bliss, I know there are dangers about. I shall be careful. Say - might someone here cast a message spell on me before I leave? Probably all you'll hear me whispering are bat sounds, but, it might be handy to have the spell active, just in case."

Barring wholesale opposition, Murphy will head out, one way or another. He will wait a moment in case someone can cast a message spell, and any other supplementary buff spells they may wish to. [Invisibility, anyone?]

[Thanks for skills info, Cayzle!]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 12:31:01 PM

"Shel, could you cast invisibility on me before I leave?" Murphy asks his good friend. "I would need someone to go with me out the front door, at least, though, so that my opening of doors while invisible does not raise apprehension or suspicion on the part of observers. Maybe someone can check on our mounts in the stable."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 12:35:13 PM
"I'm confused. How exactly will you be helping us move more quickly and effectively? Hadn't we agreed that we would approach Uthvas's house and ask him questions outright? How as a bat will you make your way into his basement of all places? The undead might not be seeking a bat, but first you need to sneak out don't you? And then there is the sneaking back in. We would need to lower our defenses - that is open and close the door to whatever is out there. Your actions would put us all at risk"

"You need to be sure that your willingness to 'confront fear' isn't being foolhardy"

"And now you want one of us to accompany you to go outside and check on the mounts?!? So you'd be off on your own, Shel would be on her own, and the rest of us would be here. Is placing us all at risk worth what you hope to gain?"

Alleah's mind drifts back to when she warned Murphy about bringing so many mounts with him. She warned him that he was making himself a target for a fireball, and look what happened to them! If he proceeds with this course and something happens, he will be in for the mother-of-all "told you so's".

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 12:59:04 PM
OOC: I will post more later, but a quick response to Bliss - Pressi's Disable Skill is +8. I'm sure Kezzem's is higher, but if we really do need to split the party....

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 4:14:41 PM
Cameron is beside himself with glee that he is not the target of this particular argument. Then he realizes he has to tell them he will be leaving soon to pray, at the shrine, outside. Much as he wants to continue to watch Murphy try to dig himself out of this particular hole, he does not do so.
Cameron stands up and clears his throat.
" It is getting late. I will need to pray soon, and I wish to do so at the first shrine to my goddess I have ever seen. This will mean I will be just on the other side of the very public town square. I do not NEED to pray there, but I want to all the same. Murphy does not NEED to do recon, but he is stubborn like me and will do so unless you bash him in the back of the head and tie him up. Similar to how you would need to stop me."
Cameron pauses to look over his shoulder, to make sure no one is actually sneaking up behind him to knock him out. Then he realizes that Bliss could be standing there, thumbing his nose at Cameron, and Cameron wouldn't notice. He sighs.
" I will be back at one hour past midnight. Murphy, can you agree to do the same? If one of us, or both do not return when expected to, then you can fire up the whole 'i told you so' tongue lashing. Transform yourself and I will carry you out under my coat. Then we secret and silly men can be about our secret and silly missions, whilst the sensible ladies take their rest. I again promise not to initiate any combat, but if one should happen..."
Cameron smiles. He hasn't done that in awhile. Being in a place where they are the minority and vulnerable seems to agree with him, and make him more agreeable with the others. Funny how danger makes things easier. While Murphy makes ready, Cameron reaches into his pack and pulls out a jar with something fleshy and probably awful in it, suspended in liquid. He slips it into his pocket and is ready to leave with Murphy.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+5=7 ; d20+5=19 ;
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 4:16:51 PM
Pressi tries to remember if the animals (bats, specifically) here are vastly different from others (Know Local 7) or if there are scores of bats nearby (Know Local 19).

"Yeah, I get what you are going for," Pressi said to Murphy. "But you seem to be stuck on a minor potential problem of what Uthvas might do rather than what he is doing. I mean, unless the bats here look like flying kangaroos, and I apologize in advance if they do, we're looking not only that he will see you and know what you should look like but that he will figure out that a different looking bat MUST be a shape changer. Instead of wondering what a bat, regardless of what it looks like, is flying around his home. And if you're that worried, you can always forget about changing altogether.

"In the meantime, we still haven't settled on our backstories or what exactly we will tell this guy so he will let us in to what we are pretty sure is a building where he's holding hostages so it's not like he's giving out tours. We still haven't fully decided whether any of us is sneaking towards the back or standing guard in the road. But I'm guessing if five or six halflings are talking to him at once, he isn't going to care what a bat looks like. Once four are done talking with him, he'll be lucky to remember he has a house."

"At any event, I'm not really expecting the ruse to last for long before we have to start taking people down. But as Cameron said, as sure as today is Tuesday... as sure as today is Wednesday... we should be fine."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 4:21:02 PM
OOC: Posted at same time as Cameron.

"Wait, maybe I will keep an eye on you," Pressi says to Cameron.

Once outside of the room, Pressi shifts to a human adult form. Using her hat, her clothes shift to that of the locals and stays a decent distance from Cameron.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 4:21:52 PM

Bliss is happy to cast Message on Cam and Murphy and Pressi, though the range is limited.

He is totally not making faces at Cam, probably because he did not think of it.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+10=23 ;
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 5:14:44 PM
Cameron either stops Bliss or resists the Message spell.
Will save 23
" I know you mean to keep me safe, and if someone steals me I will feel stupid, but my prayers are between me and my goddess Bliss."
"If you want to come downstairs and keep an eye on me, that's fine Pressi. I couldn't stop you and I won't, just respect my space, OK?"

Plans - DM Mark 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 6:49:03 PM
The group continues to discuss plans in a room in the Emporium. Perception 10:Highlight to display spoiler: { You occasionally hear people out in the hallway.}

Cameron says they have nothing to fear - their group can beat anything Uthvas or this town may have. Shel is sure her charming personality will win the day, and then they can knock him out. (Hmmm. More prisoners.)

Murphy wants to hone his chiropteric skill by flying around the town at night. Alleah and Bliss advise against this. He also wants to make sure he’s the right bat species in this town so that the bat with a blue patch and a red patch on it’s wings will blend in better.

Alleah suggests they all stay in her room for the night. As she looks around, she can see it will be crowded and uncomfortable, with only a few of you on the bed.

Trill begins to pick her nose. Suddenly noticing everyone looking at her, she stops.

Murphy asks if someone will accompany him to the stables to allow him to fly into the night from there. He asks Pressi if she will cast Invisibility on him before he goes.

Cameron tells everyone that he will carry Batmurphy outside when he goes to pray at midnight.

Pressi decides to shift her form into a human from this town, and go out to keep an eye on Cameron. Bliss attempts to cast Message on Cameron, knowing that the distance and barriers prevent it’s use beyond the inn. Cameron stops him to maintain his privacy with his goddess.

-------------------------------------------
It is near midnight. Murphy shifts into a bat with a dark blue patch on one wing and a dark red patch on the other, and hides under Cameron’s Cloak. Cameron and Pressi exit the room. The hallway looks empty, so Pressi shifts into human form and walks out with Cameron. There are a few folks in the common room of the inn as they exit. The pair gets some curious looks.

Once outside, all is still and dark, though a few laterns burn in the square providing dim illumination on the stalls in the square. Batmurphy flies off into the night to see if he is the right species. The night is dark, and little is lit outside the town square. He can rise up and see the lights in the square even from a distance, but his blindesense is much less than sight and only extends 20’. (Correct me if I’m wrong here.) Exactly where does he go and how does he navigate?

Cameron goes to the Shrine to Jancasis to pray, as Pressi lingers near the inn entrance where he can see Cameron.

After about 20 minutes, 4 guards patrol the stalls in the square. They walk over to Cameron. “Hey kid - what are you doing out this late? Get yourself home before I send you home with with a swat.”

Pressi sees this, and overhears the exchange.

-------------------------------------------
Back inside the inn, there is a knock at Alleah’s door where the rest of you are. A voice says, “Hey man. It's me, Dave, open up.”

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+6=7 ;
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 8:15:48 PM
OOC
Dave's not here man.
IC
Cameron walks to the shrine and lights a single candle, allowing him to see only a little and preserving the darkness in which Jancassis plys her stealthy trade. He reaches into his pocket and produces the jar he took out of his pack earlier. Inside the jar is a bit of flesh, preserved in liquid. A label on the jar read "If found please return to Jancassis".
He goes silent, gathering his thoughts and soaking in the night in a strange town. Danger lurks in the shadows, and Cameron has not felt this alive in a long time Not since he foolishly, brazenly, heroically, defended those performers from the gnolls. Then he was not the prey he seemed, but the predator, luring in the gnolls so that he could teach them what fear was. She had extended him her blessing then, even though he didn't know it. Hopefully she would do the same now.
Quietly, his voice a faint whisper in the dim light, Cameron prayed.
" Lady, you have taught your humble tool many tricks. You drew him, unformed from the death and destruction where you founf him, and began the slow, meticulous project of forming him into the perfect instrument of Vengence. You plied him with the taunts and jibes of those who were larger and stronger than he was, you taught him the best way to avoid a beating was to not be there for it. You taught him that it was easy to hide, to sneak and to observe from the shadows. And you showed him that pain is a tool that can teach volumes in an instant. You quenched this tool in a bath of poison, pain and deceit. You waited to see if your work stayed true, held it's edge, and he did not disappoint, emerging from the trial an Avenger."
"This very evening you homed the edge of his blade and taught him the difference between a petty disagreement and true revenge. All these things you have done to make him ready. Tonight, your tool offers you thanks. wine is a poor poison, but it is a poison nonetheless. It weakens the mind and loosens the lips. It gives the foolish courage and the hardened solace. I offer you this questionable vintage, purchased this evening with devotion in mind."
Cameron produces one of the bottles of wine he purchased earlier that evening. He pulls the cork and leaves the bottle open, next to the jar. Cameron remains silent for another moment, then launches into his next prayer.
" The group I travel with seeks to rescue two of their kin. Friends, well associates who can unite the Crescent Valley and help safeguard it from the Giants of the Scab. Their methods are strange, but their cause is just. They want to seek justice for the wrongs done to these halflings, yet they lack the knowledge and conviction of an Avenger. If the wizards have called out in your name for aid, it is coming. If they have cried out in pain for the blood of their tormentor, tell me, and his blood will be spilt. If they simply want to go home, and end their trial, it will be done. I come tonight to ask you aid in this mission. I offer something I found, that you may have lost. Please, accept this humble offering, and aid my..." Cameron pauses, then continues,"...my friends in getting their wizards back safe."
Cameron hears the guards before he sees them. They move like they have never walked a perimeter in their lives. Sloppy, loud, possibly drunk, and sure that because they are bigger than he is, they will cow him with their sheer size and numbers. Sergeant Helmbane would have laughed at mere four to one odds, Cameron had survived nearly a score of gnolls with only a lion and an untrained giant for backup. But blood did not need to be spilt here. In fact he had sworn he would not START a fight.
“Hey kid - what are you doing out this late? Get yourself home before I send you home with with a swat.”
" Me sir? I am no child. I am an ordained priest of Jancassis and one of her chosen Avengers. I have come to her shrine to offer my prayers to her, during this holiest hour of her day. I have laid my sacrifices out to her, offered my thanks to her for her gifts and was just about to finish my devotions to her. All the juicy bits are over with I am afraid, but the final prayer is still to be said, would you care to join me?"
Cameron looks up from his supplicant's position on his knees. His voice is even and matter of fact as he describes his credentials to the guards. He does not wish to frighten them (so no intimidate roll) merely to let them allow him to finish his devotions in peace. Granted he relies on the mystery and famed brutality of the church to give them the willies, but he does not threaten them. He strokes his double helix holy symbol with one hand and the dwarven war beard, braided into a helix and stained in the church's colors with the other as he speaks to them.
Diplomacy 7
Feeling that this conversation may not be going his way, Cameron quickly finishes his prayer. " Jancassis, please accept you servant's offerings, in the light in which they are presented." He then blows out the candle, plunging the area into darkness. Cameron continues to kneel, offering the guards no resistance.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 9:58:41 PM
Shel casts Invisibility on Murphy as he had clearly decided what course of action he was going to take, and there would be no talking him out of it. Shel knew she wasn't heading out there in an unfamiliar town in the darkness, that much was for sure.

At the knock at the door, Shel answered sweetly, she hoped. "Who is it? I'm not expecting anyone and a girl can't just be opening up for door for strangers, you know."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Wednesday May 18th, 2016 10:49:36 PM
OOC: Cam beat me to it, but I'm doing it anyway! :)

Alleah throws her hands in the air, exasperated. They had gone from not one, not two, but now three people leaving the room.

She settles in to meditate on the days activites and to recover her spells. By midnight she is fully rested and on watch. At the knock on the door she politely responds "Dave's not here, man."

Alleah gets to her feet, facing the door.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 1:00:53 AM

Murphy answers Alleah's questions.
1. If we know more about what is there, we will be able to move more quickly and effectively.
2. Yes, we agreed to do so. We did not limit ourselves fully to that action alone.
3. I don't know whether I can make my way into his basement as a bat. Veseley simply reported there are a lot of bats. They had to come from somewhere. Front door? Through a pipe? I will try to learn. Maybe I won't be able to figure it out.
4. If I go in as a bat, I likely will exit as a bat.
5. We will determine what additional things to do after I learn what I learn, and pass it on to you. I hope.
6. Actions can cause risk. Inaction can increase risk.
7. Perhaps it is foolhardy. Perhaps it is strategically wise.
8. I just need a way to get outside in the form of a bat. You don't have to go to the stables. You can just catch a breath of fresh air.
9. I thought Shel was staying here. I am just asking her for invisibility before I go.
10. I'm hoping to place only myself at risk - and I like to live, so will do what I am able to remain alive, and continue helping all of you - in the rescue of our friends, and in getting us all back, I hope, in good health.

Murphy answers Cameron's questions, and thanks him.
1. I will do what I can to meet you at one hour past midnight. If I do not show up within a minute or two of your arrival, go ahead and go inside without me. I may already have... I know - I'll make a little chalk mark on the lower mid right side of the outside door if I already have gone inside.

Murphy answers Pressi.
1. There are reports of bats here. I expect our friends' 'host' is used to bats flying around. Unless there are no bats, and Veseley is totally imagining them. I will adapt myself to move and look like the local species.
2. You all work on the backstory side of things while Cam and I are out. Let us know what you come up with when we come back, or in the morning.
3. Yes, people around here seem somewhat confused about halflings. Especially multitudes of us.
4. Ah, good idea, to give Cam some cover, Press. He gives her hand a squeeze.

Murphy blesses Bliss for message spell
1. Bless you, Bliss, for casting message upon us!

Murphy thanks Shel.
1. Ah, thank you, Shel. I'd squeeze your hand in gratitude, but don't want to remove the spell if the spell thing thinks that's some sort of attack.

Just before he changes into his bat form, he says, "I covet your prayers and support, friends - even though we share differences here and there. Love you all. See you back here in a bit, I hope. And thank you, Cam, for agreeing to ferry me outside."

The druid shapechanges into a little bat, and gives a squeak so that Cameron knows where he is to pick him up.

As Cameron opens his cloak in the night air, Murphy takes the cue and flies up and away.

[more in next post shortly]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) Venturing forth on bat reconnaissance  d20+22=24 ; d20+22=31 ;
Thursday May 19th, 2016 1:52:09 AM
As the night sky (unless there be thick enough clouds) is typically lit at least somewhat by Kerracles and/or Wardd, the two moons, as well as the two large nearby planets, Urdjian (Urdiian) and Golumbec (Goliumbec), it seems it would be a rarity for the night sky to be totally dark. Stars also dot the sky above.

Since the eyes of bats generally see rather well, and they have the further benefits both of blindsense and low-light vision... Murphy should not be 'flying blind' at the moment. That all lights, save those of the central plaza, would be totally extinguished throughout the city also sounds unlikely (though illumination may be scattered hit-and miss) - the bat-druid will ascend to a greater height, look about, and listening, to see what he sees, hear what he can hear, and discern what is discernible.

He got his bearings somewhat when they first arrived - first looking down on the city from slightly above, then passing through the gates, taking the directions of the guard who offered his orcish friend's barber service.

In discussions with his friends, he was able to get the general area [I believe - correct me please, if mistaken] where Uthvas resides, Murphy heads in that direction, flying down to about 20' above rooftops. He has seen cats jump as high as ten feet, and wants to remain at least slightly above their reach.

Bats like swarms of insects - their most common meal. Murphy looks for such.

He also looks specifically, and carefully, for other bats. If there sees a few, good. He watches their movements, observes their shapes, their patterns of flight. If there are many, better.

As he draws near to where he thinks Uthvas has his place, he will pay the greater attention to see if bats seem to be entering or exiting the building, or nearby dwellings. If possible, he will find a perch - perhaps upon the edge of a chimney, from which to watch.

Ah, a chimney. Does Uthvas' dwelling (assuming he has found such) have one?

[Perception: early look from up on high over city: 24
Perception: flying at 20' above rooftops on way to Uthvas' place: 31]

After the druid has had enough time to observe the bats, if they are much different from him, he will change to their form. If there is little discernible difference, he will remain as he is for the time being.

He keeps in mind the speak with animals spell, but waits until he feels he has gathered enough information before casting it. There are a few other spells he may consider, too.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 8:19:41 AM
Bliss loves his gift from Murphy, and starts playing with the shadow stuff like silly putty -- but not activating it.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+26=31 ; d20+11=27 ; d20+6=21 ; d20+5=14 ;
Thursday May 19th, 2016 1:33:02 PM
As Murphy flew around who knows where - she stopped trying to stop him because he'd never learn anything if she did - and as Cameron continued to pray, Pressi hung around the inn and square, trying to look as though she weren't just keeping watch (Disguise 31, Perception 27). She kept out of earshot from Cameron, trying to respect his privacy.

She looked through the other shrines, noting that no Domi shrine seemed to be nearby. It was hardly unusual. Even Domi monks and clerics prefer prayer through battle and arts to traditional prayer in front of a shrine, and Domi himself had rejected temples as a sign of humility. She did find herself humming, a little bit of worship to join Cameron.

Eventually, she found her way to the shrine of Waard. A rather commonplace shrine, especially when she was growing up. If she says anything, or even reacts upon coming across it, it isn't noticeable to anyone who watches.

Pressi looks up at the four guards approaching Cameron. Although an argument seems imminent, Cameron does seem to be quite composed as she approaches the group. "Is there a problem, officers? Oh, are you one of the halfling traders that they have been talking about? Kind of strange to see one out and about, but I'm not sure if it's worth interrupting your prayers. I should leave you be." (Bluff 21, Diplomacy 14 - enough for a +2 to aid another).

Plans - DM Mark  d100=12 ; d100=81 ; d20=7 ; d20=19 ; d20=18 ; d8=1 ; d4=3 ;
Thursday May 19th, 2016 4:22:43 PM
Correction For All - In looking at my map, the town is on the western side of the lake, not the east as I told you before. So the information you had about Uthvas house being on the east side of town should have been the west side of town. This is just a clarification, and will not change anything.

Shel respond to the person at the door, asking who it is. Alleah tells him, “Dave’s not here man.” The voice responds, “No, man. It’s Dave, man. Lemme in!” This goes on for a bit until the person stops, and you hear him walking away.

Bliss, always easily entertained, plays with some odd shadow stuff Murphy gave him.

Kezzem and Trill practice standing on their heads, but remain silent.

Outside, Pressi wanders near the square, keeping an eye on Cameron and visiting the shrine to Wardd. She can see a few copper pieces lying about, likely flipped there and left in an attempt to discern the God’s will in one matter or another. She witnesses the exchange between Cameron and the guards. One sees Cameron’s beard, “Yeah yer no kid. That’s for sure.” The turn away to leave him to his prayers.

Pressi surprises the guards, which sets them on edge. “Hey girl! What are you doing sneakin’ around?” Another replies, “They’re the ones that came into town tonight. Brill thought they was kids too.” The first guard continues, “Well, you just you get yourself back to wherever you’re staying. Unless you want to stay the night in the work camp. We don’t allow no loiterin’ at night. This Jancassian says he has some business here, but you need to get yourself back to where you belong - ‘cause it ain’t out here in the dead of night.”

For Murphy - Batmurphy flies high above the Bright Springs. It squats like a large toad on the eastern shore of Dour Lake spreading from its low point near the shoreline and rising westward toward the hills beyond the town walls. There is a main road that runs north-south through the town with gates at each end, coming near the dock area at its midpoint. An east-west road roughly bifurcates the town, touching the north-south road, and connecting the dock area with a west gate.

From his vantage point, Batmurphy can see that there are a few hundred buildings in Bright Springs. His low-light vision is able to make out the buildings and rooftops (sorry - I missed his low-light vision) but it cannot pierce the shadows between the buildings very well.

It is near midnight, and very few buildings have any lights on, mostly near the town square. Likewise, there are a few buildings here and there that have smoke coming from a chimney. Lanterns light an active mine entrance in town. The smelting facility glows with a few small fires here and there. He can see occasional groups of what he suspects are guards patrolling mostly near the walls, the town square and the old dock area. A few ark boats rest in the water near the one functional dock. Darks spots mark some mines and hollows outside the walls.

As Murphy is a very detail oriented person, he will recall that all he knows about the actual location of that Uthvas’ house is that it is on the west side of town. His invisibility is gone within minutes of him taking to the air. He is able to determine the species of a couple bats he sees, and shifts his form to match one of them, albeit with odd red and blue patches. He checks several houses in the west of town where he is able to find an entrance in a wall, roof or a cold chimney. Many seem abandoned and uninhabited. Some dwellings house sleeping inhabitants, and a few have someone awake. He is attacked by a cat and a woman with a broom, making a hasty escape in both cases. The cat actually hits Batmurphy for 1 point of damage. He sees no nefarious activity to speak of - ‘cept for that bad ol’ puddy tat.

Batmurphy returns to Cameon after about an hour to see him exit the shrine to Jancasis as four nearby guards are watching him. It is about 1 AM.

I presume that shortly after, Pressi, Cam and Murphy are back in the Emporium with everyone else. (Murphy still has about 8 hours of rest ahead of him and an hour of praying for spells.)

My intent is to reunite the party as soon as possible.


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) Venturing forth on bat reconnaissance  d20+22=39 ;
Thursday May 19th, 2016 7:27:39 PM

Having seen a few bats, he shifts more into their form, casts speak with animals, and approaches them. After a small amount of customary bat greetings, trying to establish a conversation, he gets to the point. "I look for where the bats go into the man house, with tiny people and giant people inside. Do you know where that is?" If they do, and can take him there, he goes to see, asking if they know a way in. If so, he tries it out, to see what he can see. [Perception: 39]

If not...

Assuming Pressi heeded the constabulary, Murphy waits until Cameron leaves the presence of the guards. As the cleric approaches the inn, he flies toward him, approaching his right side, and brakes himself just before landing on his shoulder. If Cameron allows him, he crawls down the front of his chest, and attempts to nuzzle under the fold of the cloak.

Once back in the room, he hops off to the floor, and transforms back into his own halfling self.

"Saw a few bats. No great collection of them, though. How did things go with you?" He awaits hearing whatever Cameron may tell him. He thanks Pressi for going out to keep an eye on things, if she is up.

After a few minutes, he says, "I'll sleep, we can talk in the morning. Someone wake me at about 9."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 10:38:01 PM
"Alleah, who do you think was that knocking at the door? That worries me." Despite her unease, Shel sleeps relatively well, waking early the next morning ready to go save the mages.

"So we are knocking on his door? I suppose the mushroom trading guise will be gone, then?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 10:49:14 PM
"We need to knock on his door first thing in the morning. Firstly, to stop any more torture or experiments on our friends. Every hour we sit around is another hour they are in pain. Secondly, we need to get there before anyone tips him off that we are here. We arrived fairly late yesterday so there is a chance he doesn't even know yet who we are or why we're here"

Alleah fully intends to be having breakfast at 7am and knocking on Uthvas' door at 8am.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 10:54:32 PM
Cameron waits for Murphy outside the inn, smoking his pipe and generally enjoying the night. With Batmurphy under his coat he returns to the room.
" How did it go? Well, if the guards are as disciplined as I now think they might be, the Mayor will know in the morning that there is an Avenger in town. The guards came by and, thinking I was a child, warned me to go home. I established my right to be there and in doing so mentioned who I am. The mayor is thought to be a hard case, and as such may be insecure that an Avenger is in town. Or I could be totally wrong."
"Pressi stepped in to back me up, nice work there, and the guards will completely associate me with the group of halflings in the city."
"Either way, Murphy is right. Let's get some rest and finalize out plans in the morning."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Hide from Undead, Magic Weapon x2, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain),Nemesis Insight, Consecrate, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain),Searing Light

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 19th, 2016 10:56:19 PM

Murphy inquires of Alleah, "Well, if we are to arrive that early, any chance you can use one of your spells that will allow me to get adequate rest in a shorter amount of time, that I can get up earlier, say, 5 or 6am, and still take care of the rest of the prep?" He asks with a fair measure of humility, knowing that she was opposed to his late night foray.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=31 ;
Friday May 20th, 2016 12:47:27 AM
"Well if you're Dave, and Dave's not here, then obviously your supposed to be somewhere else," says Kezzem. "You better get there before it's too late!"

Bluff: 31

OOC: Sorry, I tried posting yesterday, but kept getting an error message.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Friday May 20th, 2016 1:35:28 AM
Alleah gives a friendly smile to Murphy. She wall all prepared to let him have it, and she desperately wanted to let loose with a "told you so". But the party were a team. That was first and foremost.

"Murphy, Cam - you guys should take the time to prepare your spells and abilities for tomorrow. Do that first. Then get some rest. Come 7am I'll wake everyone up, and anyone who didn't get sufficient sleep I can treat with a calming touch. After that we should have a quick breakfast, get some directions, and confront Uthvas"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 4:32:59 AM

"Sounds good, thank you, Alleah." Murphy looks relieved. He takes some time to pray, and make a few adjustments to his spells (will modify on sheet Friday or Saturday), then retires, his eyes closing and body relaxing into the comfortable bed very quickly. He dreams about fighting cats wielding brooms, batting them away with his paper-thin wings.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 9:20:15 AM

As Pressi. Murphy, and Cam return, Bliss fills them in on the plan. He seems very excited about it.

"Okay, so I'll be sneaky like. Everybody else is in their merchant disguise. We go knock on the door. We say we recently travelled in Kosh Marr, and we have some items from there to sell. We hear the master is interested in "unusual" items."

"We enter, get an audience, and also mention that we lost a couple friends on the way home, And we think they are hear. And we ask for them back."

"If he says sure, then we are happy and we can go home. If he says no, then we fight. Okay?"

Bliss checks to see that everybody is on board with this plan.

Mookie just perches on a pallid bust he finds above the door.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+6=18 ; d20+16=20 ;
Friday May 20th, 2016 10:41:00 AM
If Pressi had any desire to snark at the guards, that went away as they mentioned what time it was. And as she remembered that her disguise only lasted an hour even.

"Uh, yes of course," Pressi said as her feet began to widen. "I was just taking a walk, but I certainly wouldn't want to be here wide footed, I mean flat footed, I mean I'm going back to my room now bye.

"Yep, heading right back to my room, can't hear you." Pressi clasped her hands above her ever pointier ears. "Not doing anything suspicious. Just heading back. La la la..." (Bluff 18, stealth when possible 20).

Pressi runs back to the room with Cameron and Murphy just as she shifts back into a halfling. "Well, that was a close one. But I think we all learned a valuable lesson that we've already forgotten. Good night all."

Pressi is up early, not needing to recharge anything but her cloak (which operates on a timer).

"Ok, so Murphy and Bliss are sneaking in, Kezzem, Alleah and Shel are bluffing in, and... did you want the rest of the group to be bluffing in or are we splitting off to do a third thing like watch the alleyways? Also, it can be hard to say, but I don't think any of us have done anything that would kill our mushroom story."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Friday May 20th, 2016 11:24:14 AM
"Just to be clear, are buying or selling mushrooms to the taxizombie guy?"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+8=11 ;
Friday May 20th, 2016 12:20:44 PM

"I think we're seeing if he'd be interested in buying Alleah's mushroom, Kezzem," Murphy says.

"Sounds like a plan, Bliss. And, when I switch to bat form, I'll just go with one dark blue spot on my left wing. Having a red spot as well is too obvious. I at least got to know the local bats a little - no help getting into the place, though. I thought I had a clearer idea of its location before I headed out."

He takes a few minutes to describe the layout of the city he gained, the location of mines and activity, the location of the guard in town late at night, the night time lighting patterns, the chimneys, the cat and the broom lady. Basically, everything that DM Mark outlined for BatMurphy under his Plans post yesterday. He does add, "Likely would have met more bats if I'd gone out closer to dusk."

[Did he get back the 1 hp from the cat scratch after resting? With a full night's rest, he would get back 7 hp. With... 4-1/2 hours rest, and Alleah's calming touch, would he get back at least 1 hp? If not, he will attempt to use the heal skill on himself - 11 - not quite enough. So, if not, he's still down 1 hp from that territorial cat.]

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 12:37:10 PM
" I have already prayed to my goddess for my spells, like I do every night at midnight. This was why I asked if I was going to have any help getting the wizards up and moving in the healing and unfatiging department, but you all were too busy scratching each others eyes out. Now they are stuck with whatever I have prepared, which is mostly anti undead spells."
" I won't be telling Uthvas any of those things, because for me they are bald faced lies.I will go in with the traders and provide some measure of security.I would think that charming him into giving us the wizards back would be a preferable second step after asking, but I will follow whatever you folks want."

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 1:04:20 PM
"Oh! Yeah! Charm, then fight!" agrees Bliss.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Friday May 20th, 2016 1:12:49 PM
"I think the idea is this," Pressi fleshed out. "We are mushroom middlemen. We're here in town to buy a bunch of mushrooms and then ship them to stores back home in time for the mushroom festival. These people can't tell a halfling from a human kid so there's no way they know this is actually the year of squash.

"That's the background. The foreground is that during our travels through the culverwood, we went through this weird energy field (because what do we know of planes or how to fight our way through one) to some field with a bunch of these mushrooms that nobody can identify what they are or what they are used for. So we're doing some out of the box thinking and asking a taxidermist and can we please come in. One of us may even fake an illness or something if we have to. But the bottom line is that once inside we start peppering him with questions.

"And maybe we branch off from there. Like if we can get him to slip up about being a necromancer, Cameron can strike up a conversation with the guy about god stuff or particular murder-revenge cases or something. But the thing is that, once we gain access, at least half of us are going to have to start looking for secret doors or rifling through papers, while the other half starts asking more pointed questions, so I'm not expecting the ruse to last too long. Oh, and we don't even know if we have the right guy, or who/what is with him, so it's going to be flexible."

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 1:56:06 PM

"Yeah, yeah! Talk his ear off! Mister Murphy is good at that! And I can look for clues and spy around his office while you guys are distracting him!"

Plans - DM Mark  d100=68 ; d100=5 ; d100=98 ;
Friday May 20th, 2016 4:30:53 PM
Shel worries about that Dave person at the door. Kezzem tells him to go find himself.

Batmurphy asks the bats about “a man house, with tiny people and giant people inside.” The response he gets is that they are not aware of any tiny people. But there are lots of giant people! The confusing answers from the bats led him to check out a few houses (He quickly realizes all people are giant fom a bat’s perspective.) They do direct him to a house with smaller and larger people, only to find that they spoke of children.

Pressi and Cam address the guards without incident. They seem to accept both their stories.

It is past 1 AM by the time Pressi, Cameron and Murphy return and share their information. The note that there are some late night patrons in the common room of this place, as well as some of the “workers.”

There is some discussion when they return. Cameron is all for getting some rest and finalizing plans in the morning. Cameron mentions the guards, and believes they would alert the mayor to an Avenger in town. Bliss goes over the plan, with input from the others. Trill remains quiet, but does offer to keep an eye outside Uthvas place for his escape if they can find a way in. Mookie perched and sat, and nothing more.

Murphy says to wake him about 9. (Divine casters get their spell at a specific time of day, which does not change from day to day. Does he usually pray for spells at 1 AM? What time of day does Murphy regain his spells?) Alleah wants to get a jump on things much earlier.

[Note: Arcane casters require 8 hours of rest (not necessarily all sleep) and 1 hour of study/meditation to regain spells. Each interruption adds an hour to this required rest. Divine casters regain spells at a specific time of day, and must spend 1 hour in prayer/meditation to regain spells. Any spells cast by arcane or divine casters in the previous 8 hours cannot be regained.]

Alleah rises and rouses everyone before 7 AM. After a late night, everyone awakes a bit bleary eyed, but awake. (Murphy will not regain the 1 hit point the lost without 8 hours rest.)

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Friday May 20th, 2016 5:37:47 PM
Murphy usually regains his spells between 6-7.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday May 20th, 2016 10:35:36 PM
Shel was good with the plan. She rested and prepared to go take on the necromancer. Mushrooms weren't her specialty, but she had a general way with people, and hoped she could at least get their foot in the door. She was quiet as she had some fruit for breakfast. "So, everyone... are we ready to do this? If anyone wants to turn back, now would be the time," she whispers.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Sunday May 22nd, 2016 3:25:52 PM
Pressi stiffled a yawn and prepared her materials. "Just point me where you need me to go. As I said earlier, I'm probably going to be a quiet one this time around, unless otherwise needed."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Monday May 23rd, 2016 2:04:46 AM
"Ok, sounds like we have a plan to follow. Let's head downstairs, grab some breakfast, talk a LOT about mushrooms for the benefit of anyone listening in, and try to subtly gain directions to Uthvas' house"

Alleah uses her Calming Touches to ensure everyone is sufficiently rested. A quick casting of Prestidigitation has her hair and clothes in order, and she's ready to go.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Monday May 23rd, 2016 7:31:28 AM
Kezzem starts singing to himself.

"Badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger...MUSHROOM MUSHROOM!"

Badgers and mushrooms - DM Mark 
Monday May 23rd, 2016 4:19:27 PM
Everyone awakes, and some prepare spells as needed. Alleah makes sure all are in top shape with her Calming Touch ability. They head down to the common room for breakfast.

Once there, they find that folk here at the Emporium seem to be late risers. Breakfast consists of hot tea, cheese, cold sausages, bread and fruit. There is a human, male server who brings you food, apologizing for the meager fare this early in the morning. You can hear noise in the kitchen suggesting they are getting ready for the day, but are clearly not ready for business at this early hour. Occasionally, there will be a nervous look from the cook out to the common room. There is an elf in the corner sitting by himself, a two humans at another table, a female gnoll in a somewhat revealing robe and slippers, and a well-dressed half-orc sitting alone near the stairs where you enter the room. The half-orc wears a chain shirt beneath his leather surcoat, and wears a longsword.

Casual attempts to greet or make eye contact with the elf result in haughty rebuffs.

The humans will greet you. They wear travelling clothes, different from the locals you have seen.

The gnoll will return glances in a very friendly fashion. Sense Motive DC 15: Highlight to display spoiler: { She occasionally glances at the half-orc in a manner that suggests more curiosity than an attempt to engage him. She clearly ignores the elf.}

Upon greeting the half-orc, he introduce himself as Hammish Ironfist. He looks at your group thoughtfully from where he sits, “I had heard that a group of halflings had come into town. We do not get many halflings here. Travel through the Red Hills can be dangerous. What brings you to Bright Springs?”

Male Server - Sense Motive DC 10: Highlight to display spoiler: {His behavior is deferential to the half-orc.}

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+7=13 ; d20+7=9 ;
Monday May 23rd, 2016 5:03:52 PM

"Ah, your honor, are you not mayor of Bright Springs? Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir," Murphy says, as he stands, says "I am Murphy," and he gives a little bow towards the half orc. "Our town up north looks for trading opportunities. It specializes in various commodities - pipeweed, and an amazing array of flowers - though, as most are perishable once plucked, are more for local trade, other than among herbalists. Our community also produces a variety of musical instruments and toys, and we have a good carriage maker nearby. On the gathering side, we are hoping to expand our offerings of edible fungus - mushrooms of various sorts, of which we heard that your city may provide a number of interesting varieties. Have we heard correctly? Oh, I am Murphy," he says.

[Sense motive regarding gnoll: 13; regarding male server: 9 (both barely fail)]

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+8=25 ; d20+8=23 ; d20+8=12 ; d20+6=7 ; d20+12=29 ; d20+12=29 ; d20+12=32 ;
Monday May 23rd, 2016 5:06:51 PM
Sense Motive 25 gnoll
Sense Motive 23 server
Cameron is only slightly surprised to see the mayor of the town here. He is 90% certain that is who the man is before even talking to him, after watching the server and the gnoll. When the server takes their order Cameron orders an omelet with cheese and mushrooms in it and a mug of dark ale. No reason to not start the morning off dwarven style, though the ale here was less than adequate as a morning meal.
" Well met mister Ironfist. It is a fine morning and a welcome sight to have the mayor of such a fine and industrious city take the time to meet us in person, and so early in the morning. I must say I have heard a good deal about you and your city as I sat vigil at the shrine outside last night. Very interesting were the tales I heard. I hoped we might meet. I must say it cannot be easy to keep a city such as this going. I think maybe we would like to do some business with you. To all of out mutual benefit."
Sense Motive 12
Diplomacy 7 Yup, that went well
Cameron suspects that the mayor knows a good deal about why they are here. He doubts that they were the only ones gathering information last night. He hopes to remain vague and allow the others to guide the conversation where they want it to go. Personally, Cameron would prefer to dispense with the charade and just ask the mayor how much to get their friends back from the necromancer, but he doubts that would go over well, so, he just drops the vague hint about 'business'. He does watch the mayor's response, the gnoll's and the server's response as well. Cameron will also not allow ANY of the group to eat before he says a blessing over the food, and checks it magically for poison.
Perception 29 Hammish, 20 the gnoll, 32 the server.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron
Detect poison

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Hide from Undead, Magic Weapon x2, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain),Nemesis Insight, Consecrate, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain),Searing Light

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39  d20+1=9 ; d20+1=20 ; d20+9=15 ;
Monday May 23rd, 2016 8:57:54 PM
OOC: Sense Motive half orc 9, server 20. I'm on my phone so I can't read the spoiler for the server for the time being. Diplomacy Mayor 15.

Shel grins broadly at the mayor. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mayor. Murphy has the right of it. We've heard about some interesting fungi in the area. I'm Shel, by the way. So nice to make your acquaintance."

Shel looks around and grabs some bread, cheese, and fruit. She pours herself a cup of the hot tea and adds just a bit of honey to round out the flavor. She waits to see if the Mator has any questions for the group, not wanting to reveal too much too early.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+11=18 ; d20+11=14 ; d20+1=13 ;
Monday May 23rd, 2016 10:11:21 PM
Sense Motive: 18, 14.

"So how did you get the name Ironfist?"

Diplomacy: 13



Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+13=26 ; d20+13=31 ; d20+14=17 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 1:41:05 AM
Alleah stays silent, but smiles and nods to the mayor. The rest of the party have asked the poignant questions and she doesn't want to crowd the man with any more. She keeps her eyes open however and looks about the room. She's curious to see if the mayor is alone, or whether he has any guards with him.

She will happily pick at the bread, cheese and fruit but stays well clear of the sausages. What goes into them at the best of times is a mystery to her, but when you're in a town that harbours a necromancer taxidermist and undead, well, you don't eat the meat.

Alleah looks at the elf with curiosity, and then gives a smile and a nod to the gnoll. She approaches the table where the gnoll woman sits, and then leans in close and whispers something to the gnoll Highlight to display spoiler: {"Do you know why elves have pointy ears? Well obviously there's got to be some point to elves!"} Alleah giggles, and with the ice hopefully broken she straightens and asks politely "The name's Alleah. Mind if I join you?"

-------------------------
Sense Motive vs DC15: 26
Sense Motive vs DC10: 31
Perception: 17

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle)  d20+9=24 ; d20+9=15 ; d20+29=34 ; d20+17=25 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 7:57:32 AM
Sense Motive checks: 24, 15.

Stealth 34.

Before setting foot in this town, Bliss has been as super-sneaky as can be. He has kept to the shadows, ducked under cover, and spoken only to his friends. That's still the case. Coming down to breakfast, Bliss continues to stay as out of sight as possible.

However, he listens and watches! He realizes that this half-orc is a Person Of Importance. And the words of his friends reinforce that. He listens to what they say, and keeps his low profile.

Bliss tries to keep alert, in case there are any sneaky things going on. Perception 25

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+8=12 ; d20+8=15 ; d20+13=31 ; d20+5=12 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 9:43:02 AM
(Sense motives 12 and 15. Pressi only catches the server.)

With the rest of the group occupied, Pressi piles on the food and makes her way to the elf. "Mind if I join you? If not, you have to tell me what race you really are." (Perception 31, Diplomacy 12). Pressi tries to keep her response to the inevitable rebuffs clean, but she can't promise anything.

"Yeah, I don't care about your discomfort," Pressi said, sitting down. "Hi, I'm Pressi. Courtesan to the trading group over there. And you might be?" In Elven, she adds "Highlight to display spoiler: {I just ask out of curiosity and security, as things aren't always what they seem, wouldn't you agree.}"

Pressi inevitably introduces herself to the human group as well, bringing her usual diplomacy flair to the table.

Is it Really Iron? - DM Mark  d20=19 ; d20=7 ; d20=19 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 12:21:50 PM
Murphy responds to this new visitor, indicating they are traders interested in establishing commerce, importing goods and buying mushrooms here in Bright Springs. He asks if they do sell mushrooms and introduces himself.

Cameron says he is impressed the Mayor chose to meet them, and so very early in the morning as well. Suggesting that they might do business with the town, he is not able to get much a read on this man. For anyone, Sense Motive DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {He seems to accept Cameron’s words as they are said. He notices Cameron casting a spell, but says nothing.}

Cameron’s sharp eye will note that the Mayor seems to look at each of your group individually, and at Cameron a bit longer than the others.

Shel introduces herself, and takes some food.

Kezzem asks how he got the name Ironfist.

Bliss remains hidden, and his sharp eyes will note an armored shoulder at the edge of the window, and the scuff of a boot outside the door. He does not see anyone looking in the window. Nothing else seems amiss.

Pressi grabs some food, and goes to sit with the elf in the corner. As she sits, the elf will say in common, “What are you doing?” As Pressi continues, he replies in elvish, Highlight to display spoiler: {"Ugh, you halflings are all the same - no manners or sense of boundaries. I have no desire to make a new friend today, nor do I want to play your little games. Go. Away. Shoo."}

Alleah moves past the group, and over to where the gnoll sits. She makes a whispered joke, and she and the gnoll laugh as the gnoll looks at the elf. He gives the two a sharp glance, and turns back to Pressi. The woman seems glad for the company, and begins to talk with Alleah, introducing herself as Yousessa. She is nicely dressed, the hair covering her body looks clean and groomed. She wears little more than bedclothes under the robe. She says that she works here in the Emporium, and asks where Alleah is from and what brings her to Bright Springs? She also keeps an eye on the Mayor and Humble’s Sword.

Mayor Hammish Ironfist is sitting at a small table by himself as you come downstairs, and I assume the group is at the next closest table. The server sets out hot tea, cheese, cold sausages, bread and fruit. He apologizes for the meager fare this early in the morning, but the stove is just getting started and will not be warm for a while yet. Cam asks for a beer, which is brought and offered to others.

In response to Kezzem’s question, the Mayor removes his gauntlets revealing large, scarred hands. “You can see the reference is not literal, but I have found that an iron grip and a firm hand keep order in a town. We do not take kindly to disruption here in Bright Springs, but we welcome visitors and traders such as yourselves.” In doing so, he looks at the two humans and the elf. The humans return a nod. The elf seems distracted by Pressi.

As you greet the Mayor, he responds, “We are not a charity, and beggars in town are put to work. But you do not look like any sort of beggars or ne'er-do-wells. Interested in mushrooms? Well, there seem to be a lot for sale here. What the town trades in mostly is iron, both ingots and manufactured goods. I do not know if the town you hail from has need of such - what town is that, but the way?”

If you are evasive about the town you are from: Highlight to display spoiler: { He will press the point, and if you still will not say, he will say that it is hard to do business with a place that does not exist.}. If you mention Humble’s Ford or the Crescent Valley: Highlight to display spoiler: { he will say that he has heard of the place but has never been there, and that you are a long, long way from home}.

The Mayor will get up from the table, grab a couple sausages and an apple, and say, "Welcome to Bright Springs." His tone is flat - neither welcoming nor hostile. "I trust you will be respectful of our laws and enjoy your time here. If you run into trouble, alert the guard. They will see that I am informed. Good day." And with that, looks ready to leave.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+8=11 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 2:02:22 PM
Sense Motive on Hammish 11 no good
Cameron notes how the mayor looks at each of them, including how long he looks at Cameron.The man is trying to reach some sort of decision. Cameron's palms are itching to just ask him about the necromancer, and the wizards, but still he holds his tongue as his eyes plead with the others to open the subject. Instead he presses on following the Mayor's own line of speech.
" That was one of the tales I heard last night. You may not be loved as a mayor for your soft heart and kind ways, but you are at the very least well respected for the order you keep here. You mention the city's laws. Are there any that are different from other towns? I heard last night that everything here has a cost, even praying with a follower when you are a priest is cause for payment. I found that a bit odd. Is there no room for any charity here?"
He does not say it accusingly, but more of an incredulous question. Everyone had room in their hearts for charity, even if only a little.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron
Detect poison

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Hide from Undead, Magic Weapon x2, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain),Nemesis Insight, Consecrate, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain),Searing Light

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+9=25 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 7:17:13 PM

Murphy nods politely as Cameron speaks of respect and order.

Responding to the Mayor's question, he says, "Oh, we hail from Crescent Valley, just north of the Red Hills, sir." Then he adds, "And, before you leave, your honor, two quick things. Who would be the best person in town to discuss mushroom acquistion, and also, might you direct us to the establishment of the taxidermist, Mister Uthvas, I think it is? We heard he may have something of interest to us, and we perhaps for him. We would like to speak with him briefly, if it would be convenient."

[Diplomacy: 25]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+5=10 ; d20+5=10 ; d20+8=20 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 8:40:05 PM
Pressi stares at the rude elf in horror. "Highlight to display spoiler: {How DARE you accuse me of being a stereotypical halfling devoid of manners and boundaries. I have put my heart and soul in the removal of manners and boundaries. I have raised my lack of manners and boundaries to heights that you cannot even comprehend.}."

Pressi began to settle in, trying to determine something about the elf - his dialect perhaps? (Know Local 10). "I have to admit that its so interesting to find elven traders this far south. Our competition perhaps? I just can't help but be curious as to what brings you all this way from... My apologies, I'm not even sure where you must be from. But as I said, we are looking to expand trade routes in all directions, so perhaps you may not want to simply brush us off." (Diplomacy 10)

As Hammish speaks, Pressi listens (Sense motive 20 - whew). She decides that he seems to be buying their activities well enough.

Pressi inevitably finds her way to the human table, and asks to sit down. "So, are you two visitors or traders? Because it doesn't seem like we're in the center of the tourism industry here. I'm sure you've already heard our deal, but we are rather interested in hearing where you are from."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+13=15 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+6=24 ; d20+5=16 ;
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 10:17:40 PM
Alleah is glad the gnoll seems friendly. She sits down and has a quiet chat with her.

"Nice to meet you, Yousessa. We've actually travelled quite some way. More than we planned in fact. Do you know Crescent Valley? Us halflings are thriving there. So much so that we need to expand our mushroom crops. That's why we're here. To buy more.

I also found something very unusual, and was told to seek out a man named Uthvas here. Do you know him? Is he friendly too?"

-----------------------------------------
Sense Motive: 15
Perception: 27
Diplomacy: 24
Bluff: 16

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 11:34:49 PM
Shel waited until the mayor left before addressing the others. "What was all that about? I wonder if he personally addresses each group of merchants who come to town? He must not have any time to govern if he's out meeting and greeting all the time. Well, when everyone gets finished, I say we go do some 'mushrooming...'l

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday May 24th, 2016 11:53:36 PM

Did the mayor look at Bliss when he looked at everybody?

Bliss stays still and quiet and keeps a low profile.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 12:35:18 AM
"Don't worry, Mister Mayor Sir, there's not 'mushroom' in this town for us to get in any trouble."


Putting the Press in Pressi - DM Mark 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 10:53:25 AM
Cameron tells the Mayor he is respected in his town, and that he was told that everything has a cost here. He honestly asks, “is there is no room for any charity here?

Murphy says the group is from the Crescent Valley, north of the Red Hills. He asks whom he should contact about mushrooms, and where they might find Uthvas the taxidermist. Murphy says Uthvas may have something of interest to the party, and the party something for him. “We would like to speak with him briefly, if it would be convenient,” he says.

In response to the elf’s rude demeanor and request that he be left alone, Pressi decides to press the issue and goad him a bit more. She asks some more questions, which the elf ignores. She listens to the Mayor as he speaks with the others. For Pressi: Highlight to display spoiler: { The Mayor seems to be evaluating the group and their responses}. Then she leaves the elf to ask the pair of human men what they’re about, and where they are from. “Well, well. A little woman. We don’t often see halflings hereabouts. I am Clegas and this is my son Ham. I am a blacksmith by trade, and we’re here to buy quality iron. We bring back more than we need to sell and earn a bit for our troubles. Our town, Frog Hollow, is a day or so south of here.” She seems to make a good impression on the men, who are polite. She can see that they wear quality clothes and carry blacksmith’s hammers on their belts, which likely serve as weapons as well.

Alleah talks with Yousessa. She tells the gnoll the group is from the Crescent Valley, and that they came all this way to buy more mushrooms. “The Crescent Valley. I’ve never heard of that place. How far away is that?” After Alleah answers, she looks at Alleah slyly, “Mushrooms? That seems like an awfully long way to travel for mushrooms. But whatever reason you are here is your secret to tell.” When Alleah asks about Uthvas, Yousessa glances at Hammish, and says in a low voice, “Not now.” And a bit louder, “Well, Bright Springs can be a bit dreary, but it’s the travellers that brighten things up.” She continues with small talk for a bit. Alleah does not believe she’s being lied to by this gnoll, though this is still a gnoll. Her sharp eyes reveal nothing more about the woman, nor does she detect any threats in the room. At least none beyond the occasional icy stares from the elf in the corner.

Bliss keeps a low profile, and remains unnoticed by the Mayor and others. At least as far as he knows.

Kezzem makes a pun, and received a droll look from the Mayor, and a rather alarmed look from their server, who glances between them and the Mayor.

The Mayor, having already risen from his seat to leave, looks down at Cameron, “Laws? The laws here are about what you would expect - don’t cause a problem and you won’t have an issue. Charity? Kevas, the high priest of Ffloy, tells us that ‘the worker is worth his wages,’ and ‘there is no need for charity when there is work to be done.’ You will find no beggars here in Bright Springs. Ffloy forbids it. Kevas sees to the spiritual well being of the town, and I handle keeping the peace. It’s a good partnership. Respect our citizens and our rules and you’ll have no problems.”

To Murphy, “Mushrooms. I care not for the mushroom trade. Seek the information you want in the town square, or at Wemby’s Mercantile. As for Uthvas, you’ll have to work out what is convenient with him. But as I said, respect our citizens and you won’t have any trouble.”

Without further word, he makes for the door leading out of the inn. As he opens the door, bright sunlight streams in for a moment, and you can see through the window that he picks up a couple guards as he continues away from the inn.

The server and and the gnoll courtesan stare at your group for a moment, and then look away. The humans look a bit puzzled. The Elf has a sour look on his face.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 12:47:45 PM
Kezzem sticks his tongue out at the elf.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 9:59:26 PM
"Alright, breakfast is over. We have our business to attend to," Shel says as she claps her hands and stands up. "Is everyone else ready to go to work?"

"That mayor is certainly big on respect, isn't he? Makes me wonder if he's had some rows in town in the past. Thankfully, we aren't looking for any trouble," she says, hoping the others nearby hear her words.


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 10:25:27 PM

Murphy finishes his last morsel. "Yep. First stop: The Mercantile. Oh, I'll be right back." He races up the stairs, back to the room. In about two and a half minutes, he is back with the group, and heads out the door.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 11:28:25 PM
Alleah grins to Yousessa. Obviously the bluff about mushroom traders didn't convince her. With the mayor gone and Murphy headed upstairs Alleah takes a moment to say farewell to Yousessa, but also to get a few last bits of information.

"You wouldn't happen to know which house is Uthvas' would you? We could use the directions"

After that, Alleah will stand and thank Yousessa for the chat, ready to depart with the party.

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday May 25th, 2016 11:35:50 PM

Bliss tags along with the group. Mookie too, but trying to keep a low profile for once.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 8:26:06 AM
Cameron frowns. This had been the perfect opportunity to be up front with the mayor and find out what his price for a clean conscience was. Now they ran the risk of breaking the laws of the town and running afoul of the mayor and his guards.
" I'll be outside in the square."
He says simply. He steps outside and walks to the shrine to see whether or not the offerings he made were accepted last night by Jancassis.

Out on the Town - DM Mark  d20=4 ; d20=6 ;
Thursday May 26th, 2016 1:28:16 PM
Kezzem, seeing that Pressi’s has already antagonized this elf, decides to cement the creature’s opinion of halflings by sticking his tongue out at the elf. The elf stares at Kezzem in disgust and says, “children” before looking away.

Shel indicates she’s ready to go. She says that this Mayor is big on respect, and is glad this group is not looking for trouble.

Murphy also is ready to go, and says their first stop will be the mercantile.

Bliss and Mookie follow along, keeping a low profile.

Once the Mayor has left, Alleah asks Yousessa for directions to Uthvas’ house.

Yousessa says in a low voice, “Ugh, Uthvas - that fat pig. He’s been in here before, but I refuse to be his companion - I don’t care how much gold he has. He stinks of rot and solvents and other weird smells. But some of the workers here don’t care - girls and boys. Uthvas isn’t picky. We haven’t seen him in a while though, which is fine with me.”

“His house, well, it’s a low, squat structure built into the hillside.” She will describe it’s location upland on the West side of town, away from the lake. “I understand he has visitors from time to time. Some come in through the town, others just appear outside his house. They knock on the door and either go in or go away. Used to be he did taxidermy, but he turns that business away these days. Not sure what he does, but it must be profitable. He still supports the town, Hammish in particular. He’s another one I’ll not spend time with. He’s rough, if you know what I mean. I have enough standing that I can be a bit choosy in my clients.”

Cameron, laments that they were not up front with the Mayor about their business with Uthvas. He steps outside to check on the shrine to Jancasis. Cameron will find that his offerings are still there. He would find it unusual in an unattended shrine for them to be gone. In fact, having his offerings there serve as a reminder that the shrine has been visited and is in use.

The others follow soon. The elf in the corner of the inn mutters something. Perception DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { “and good riddance.”}

As you all step out into the town square, you see that it is just beginning to come to life. Carts are moving, chimney’s begin to emit smoke. There is still something of a sour smell to the air - probably from the smelting works. Stalls are being uncovered. Foods are laid out - vegetables, breads, and mushrooms. Lots of mushrooms, both fresh and dried. There are also some dried meats. Cameron gets a few curious stares, but as they see him enter the shrine they tend to look away.

Assuming you all go to Wemby’s Mercantile, you draw a lot of attention as you cross the square to what looks to be one of the better kept buildings in town. The paint looks to be in good shape and there are a few patrons. As you enter, you see an spectacled, elderly man behind the counter. He has a pinched expression on his face. There is no one else in the store at the moment. The store holds a variety of hard goods and foodstuffs.

“What? Hey, you need to come back with your parents. Go on!” Then he adjusts his spectacles, “Oh, halflings. You must be new here. How can I help you?” His tone is brusk and businesslike.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=16 ; d20+13=22 ;
Thursday May 26th, 2016 1:58:30 PM
Perception: 16

"Never trust an Elf," mutters Kezzem as they leave.

----

"We represent the Kezzem-Murph Mushroom Company, and we are here to purchase some mushrooms for the coming festival in the Crescent Valley. Show me the mushrooms!"

Bluff: 22

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+22=28 ;
Thursday May 26th, 2016 2:52:23 PM

Murphy has no trouble hearing the elf's muttered dismissal of the group. He's met nicer ones. "Wonder what got into his porridge?" Murphy asks cheerfully as he steps out onto the street.

At Kezzem's introduction, Murphy smiles and looks to Alleah to see whether she will again offer her correction for the name of their trading company. Rather than totally gainsay either friend, he adds, "We also go by the name Magnificent Mushies - though our own supplies are pretty near all ate up, which is why we're stopping by. Tell me, is the proprietor of the Mercantile available?"

[Perception: 28]

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 2:56:08 PM

Then, realizing that this elderly man is the only one in the store, Murphy quickly thinks to add, "Of course, then, likely you are the owner here, if I'm not mistaken. We are exploring establishing trade between this town and yours, with us getting mushrooms from here, and exporting some of our assets - like good pipeweed - to you all here. Is that anything you might have an interest in?"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 6:40:21 PM
As he awaits a reply, Murphy pulls out a piece of paper, and jots down a few notes, awaiting a response. At the bottom, he writes, "We need to find a lawyer - for contracts. And to inquire a bit into the local laws on a few matters." He makes the note visible to his nearby friends, not to anyone else. He is not passing it around, just holding it so someone at his side can see what he wrote.

He is thinking to himself that if there are laws against necromantic activities, or enslavement, or the slow killing of innocents, that he wants to have something on their side should their near future activities bring them again into contact with Hammish Ironfist.

He also hopes someone in the party is a better mushroom negotiator than he is. How inadequate a tactic it is to let someone know your aims before gaining more information.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 7:40:15 PM
"I really have no idea what that elf's deal is," Pressi remarked to Murphy. "We had a quite nice conversation, a lot of laughs, some sharing of travel tips... Well, I've already forgotten him."

"Frankly, I'm getting a little worried that nobody is buying this cover story. Oh, if only we thought to bring more carts and horses."

With everyone else heading to the merchantile, Pressi takes some time to stop off at the metal and leather goods shop to get some idea about their wares and prices. Eventually, she begins to ask about the general economy and trade aspects, eventually asking about their fellow traders they met this morning. (Diplomacy Take 10 for 15).

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 9:12:52 PM
Alleah isn't really interested in going to the Mercantile shop, but follows along. Now that they were in the town she thinks they should just head straight to Uthvas' house before word reaches him that they are here. Especially now since they had that unexpected meeting with the Mayor.

"I'm with Pressi. Our cover story is wearing thin. Let's get to Uthvas. And quickly"

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 9:37:02 PM

"Sure." In halfling, Murphy replies to Alleah, [i]"Say, Trill - would you check on an attorney in town? Find out who represents the law here. We may need to consult with such fairly soon. Then join us at the planned destination once you know that."

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Thursday May 26th, 2016 10:20:46 PM
Shel was with Alleah on this one. The two mages were no doubt on their last legs, if they were even still alive. As soon as they made a scene at the Mercantile, they needed to be on their way to the former necromancer's. "I agree, Alleah. As soon as we finish up here, I think we should be on our way quickly."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Friday May 27th, 2016 3:29:47 AM
Alleah responds to Murphy in Halfling "We don't have time for this or for seeking legal aid. Let's just get to our destination before its too late"

She heads to the door and steps outside.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20+14=17 ;
Friday May 27th, 2016 3:53:04 AM
Perception check: 17 to see if anyone is paying the party undue attention / following us.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David)  d20+12=13 ;
Friday May 27th, 2016 8:49:22 AM
Cameron believed that they should have abandoned the ruse as soon as the mayor seemed to not buy it and ask the real questions, like how much would be required for them to get their friends and leave quietly. But this wasn't his lead, so he kept quiet.
Murphy was right that they would need a lawyer if they were to proceed with caution and not step on any toes. Cameron thought that ship had sailed too. Anything they did now was most likely going to upset somebody's apple cart, and they needed to get it done as soon as possible. There was still the possibility of negotiating with the necromancer, but that window seemed to be closing. They needed to go, now, before the necromancer did something to hide his involvement in this or summoned the guard to turn them away, or created a horde of undead to eat them when they arrived.
" Murphy, time is wasting, we need to go."
Perception looking for people watching them 13
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Hide from Undead, Magic Weapon x2, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain),Nemesis Insight, Consecrate, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain),Searing Light

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Friday May 27th, 2016 2:47:34 PM

Murphy agrees with his friends. He does ask Trill to find an attorney, then meet up with the rest of the group at Uthvas' place. He will wait briefly for the merchant's reply, thank him, then say, "Would you be so kind as to put together pouches with each mushroom type, and a note with the name of the mushroom, any notes regarding how they are used for cooking and such. I expect to be back later. Here are ten gold pieces, and, if there is more to pay when picking them up, please let me know."

Then he heads off with his friends.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20 
Friday May 27th, 2016 5:04:00 PM
"Let's go, Murph, we're off to see the wizard."

The first thing we do, let's get a lawyer - DM Mark  d20=9 ; d20=8 ; d20=7 ;
Friday May 27th, 2016 7:15:46 PM
The party, now that they believe they know the location of Uthvas’ house, visits Wemby’s Mercantile.

Kezzem says, “Show me the mushrooms!”

Murphy asks the venerable shopkeeper, who is alone behind the counter, if the proprietor of the mercantile is available. Realizing this likely the proprietor, he says the group is interested in establishing trade between their town and Bright Springs, perhaps trading pipeweed for mushrooms. Then he begins to take notes, writing a message on paper in a way that only to his friends can see, and suggests they get a lawyer. Murphy asks Trill to go check into a lawyer, and then meet them at “the planned destination” once he finds a lawyer.

The shopkeeper says, “I am Wembly. You kids, er, folks are an odd bunch. Seems like you’re new to this business.” He gets a hungry look in his eye. “Hmmmm. Establish trade you say? I’m sure we can do business, but where are you from? Do you have established trade routes? Where is this pipeweed from, and how do I know it’s any good? How much did you bring, and where is it now? What sort of terms are you offering? If you’re not sure, I can guide you through this process.”

Pressi is concerned their ruse of being mushroom traders is wearing thin. Alleah agrees, as does Shel, and they suggest haste. Alleah speaks in halfling.

Cameron also voices his concerns that time is wasting and they need to go. He and the rest of the party notices that there are no other halflings in town, and they are certainly draw attention wherever they go.

Alleah does not see anyone following them.

Pressi decides to visit the metal and leather goods shop to see if the humans in the inn are legit. The shopkeeper there will confirm that they have been in to look at his goods, but they didn’t buy anything. They seemed to just be looking at the workmanship of his goods. “So, little lady, are you also just here to browse and check up on my his craft, or are you actually going to buy something?” His prices are fair, and there are a few masterwork items here along with those of average quality.

Meanwhile, back at the store, with everyone pushing for haste, Murphy asks Wemby to just package up some mushrooms with information for each. “Now look here,”he begins, but then he sees the the gold. “Very well. When will you be back?”

The party sets off for Uhtvas’ house. They arrive across the street from a squat structure is built partially into the hillside. On the left is a single door with a string to a bell out front. The windows are shuttered with metal shutters. On the far right are great stone doors built into the hillside.

There are a few people a small ways away, townsfolk going about their daily chores. A couple seem to duck behind buildings and peer out at the group, seemingly interested in what will happen next.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Friday May 27th, 2016 7:43:08 PM
Skulking about with townsfolk watching would not do. Time to move like they had a purpose. "Ok, just like we planned"

Alleah walks right up to the door and boldly rings the bell.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+22=35 ; d20+22=37 ;
Friday May 27th, 2016 9:16:43 PM

Before Trish leaves, he adds in halfling, "After the lawyer, could you make sure our mounts are being well attended to, as well? As maybe ask the stable hands how long it would take to saddle them up. Shoot, just have them saddle them up. Sorry to have you doing the outside work, Trish, but we don't really have anyone with us in town who can handle that sort of thing. Oh, you might make discreet inquiries as to the best way to Dourscale, as well."

Murphy quickly answers the man's questions. He gives him a few pinches of his remaining pipeweed. "This is far from our best, but does smoke smooth." He lays it on whatever clean surface he can find for Wembly to gather up. "We're from way up north, in Crescent Valley. Our valley used to have heavy trade routes into the Red Hills, and we would like to see that sort of thing again. I hope we can discuss things more, perhaps late this afternoon. I look forward to seeing what we can work out. I'm Murphy."

He waves a friendly farewell, and heads off with the group. If someone saw where Pressi went, he pokes his head in the shop. "We're heading over. Buy something if you want, then run to catch up." He then continues on.

As they walk, in halfling he says, "As usual, I suppose we'll play it by ear, then enjoy multiple recriminations afterwards. Good luck, all!" In common, he says to Bliss (if he can see him - Perception 35), "I just wished us all good luck. You've got to listen better as I try to teach you our language, friend."

When they arrive at Uthvas' place, he looks about with an appraising eye, gathering the layout, noting the stone doors in the hillside, and looking upwards to see if there may be any venting or openings in the hillside above.

After that, he joins Alleah at the door.

[Perception for scan of Uthvas' place: 37]

Bliss (AC22, HP47) & Mookie (AC19, HP23) (Cayzle) 
Friday May 27th, 2016 11:34:37 PM
Bliss keeps to the shadows, as close to the party as his ability will allow.

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Friday May 27th, 2016 11:38:34 PM
This was the part of the plan that worried Shel. She took a deep breath and joined the others at the door. She briefly considered making herself Invisible, but in the event of legitimate negotiations, she didn't want to mess things up. "Easy peasy, right guys?"

In the few seconds before the door was opened, she did quickly cast Protection from Evil in herself. Just to be safe m

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=23 ;
Saturday May 28th, 2016 12:34:33 AM
Kezzem looks around and prepares to Bluff.

Perception: 23

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (David) 
Saturday May 28th, 2016 10:18:53 AM
Cameron tried to ignore Murphy's recriminations as they walked to the house. Being the party downer was his job, and Murphy was no where near as good at it. When Alleah does not even hesitate, he smiles and falls in a step behind her. Quietly he asks." Hard or soft? Are we going in questions flying or are we staying with the ruse we are pretty sure has been blown?"
Based on her answer he prepares...
If she says hard, he whispers to the air around him. " Bliss, make me big please. Keep me that size for as long as you can."
Cameron has no more prepared spells that will help them right away, so he holds onto them. He will attempt to get a boot in the doorway as soon as it opens and get them in the front door, forcibly if necessary, hopefully it will not be needed.
If she says soft, Cameron remains by her side, a silent guardian devoted to his goddess and to protecting their speaker, whom he assumes will be Alleah since she is out in front on this one.
Once inside he attempts to find a personal item of Uthvas's, a bit of hair, a nail clipping, anything he can use to cast detect victim.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:

Spells and effects on Cameron
Enlarge person, maybe

Spells remaining
Create Water, Detect Poison, Detect Victim, Light
Longstrider (domain), Hide from Undead, Magic Weapon x2, Shield of Faith
True Strike* (domain),Nemesis Insight, Consecrate, Lesser Restoration
Invisibility (domain),Searing Light

Spells cast

0/1 Goodberry used
0/5 uses of Touch of Poison used for the day.
0/5 Stealthy hunter used for the day
0/5 channel energy used for today


Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Saturday May 28th, 2016 10:48:35 AM
Pressi kind of shrugged at the trader. "I guess I'm just looking. Don't really have a lot of need for weapons and armor as a mo... shroom dealer. But maybe some of our trader's guards like Cameron and Trill would like to upgrade their weapons." If available, she does buy a flint and steel for 1 gp. If they have masterwork shuriken, she keeps that in mind in case she gets a chance to buy later. (She asks if they are looking to buy any metal or leather items, i.e. as part of a trade.)

As Murphy sticks his head in, she wraps up the trade.

In response to the worries of Murphy and Cameron, she shrugs. Sometimes, you have to play it by ear, and they are good at it. "I think we stay with the ruse, even just to see what happens. Besides, it's not like pretending to be mushroom dealers is illegal. If you will excuse me, though...."

Pressi breaks off to address the crowd. "I don't know what you all are expecting to see. Halfling or not, we basically buy and sell stuff just like you. But just so we're clear, it's five gold a picture."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Saturday May 28th, 2016 4:01:00 PM

[Murphy was not offering recriminations. He was simply forecasting the possibility of them. It was a light attempt at humor.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22 
Saturday May 28th, 2016 8:20:03 PM
[I don't think anyone was insulted. I think characters like Cameron and Pressi were just reacting the way they would - and agreeing by the way. But it was never like we were going to play this like a Le Carre novel. It was always going to be play it by ear and hope for the best. At any rate, I don't think anyone thought Murphy was offering recriminations or otherwise attacking him.]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45 
Saturday May 28th, 2016 11:25:45 PM
Alleah whispers back to Cameron "I think we go with Bliss' plan. I wouldn't call it hard or soft - rather 'direct'. We ask him outright and then act accordingly."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Sunday May 29th, 2016 2:10:12 PM

Ah - I had meant to pass these out earlier this morning. Three vials of antotoxin, three mushroom-spore infused bandages (cure light wounds1d8+1). Just mention if you took one, and add it to your sheet.

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (JCC for David) 
Sunday May 29th, 2016 11:57:10 PM
I'll be filling in Dave, he's having a medical issue.
John C

DM Mark - Thanks John.

The first thing we do, let's get a lawyer - DM Mark 
Monday May 30th, 2016 10:45:29 AM
(Today's post will be a bit late. Returning from vacation.)

Knock, Knock - DM Mark 
Monday May 30th, 2016 7:52:14 PM
Murphy and Pressi abruptly wrap up their trade. (Pressi purchase what she wants - mundane goods, standard prices.)

The party has arrived at what they were told was likely Uthvas’ house. A couple of townsfolk seem to be watching with some sort of anticipation, muttering to each other as they do so.

Murphy’s practiced eye scans the dwelling that back up to the hillside. He can see it has a stout front door on the left, and stout shutters cover windows in the middle. The great stone doors on the right are built into a wall that fronts the hillside there. The stone doors look little used, though he can see that there are scrape marks before them on the ground indicating they open out. Murphy passes out some goods he bought.

Bliss stays to the shadows as they approach. (Stealth roll please.)

Shel casts Protetion from Evil on herself, just to be safe.

Kezzem prepares to bluff.

Cameron asks about their approach here, and asks Bliss to make him big. Trouble is, it’s hard to know where that little guy is.

Alleah walks up to the door and rings the bell.

After a few moments, you hear the sound of a couple locks being opened. A small, grey, winged imp-like creature flaps it’s bat-like wings as it pulls the door open about 1 foot. This creature has a slightly bulbous nose. It’s about the size of Bliss, maybe about 16” tall. It flaps it’s wings, settling to the ground at the edge of the door as it glares up at you.

“Who's there? State your business!”

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (JCC for David)  d20+6=25 ; d20+12=21 ;
Monday May 30th, 2016 9:36:37 PM
Cameron raises an eyebrow, still unsure if they are doing this the hard or the soft way as no one had answered him. He eyes up the creature, trying to decide what it is...
He also continues to look around for a small piece of Uthvas that he can use....

Know Planes 25
Perception 21

Shel Gerald--AC 15/14/12--CMD 14--HP 39/39 
Monday May 30th, 2016 11:44:19 PM
"Yes, we are here to see Uthvas.". Shel didn't want to add any more, waiting to see if any of the others had a preferred plan and whether or not they wanted to stick to their cover story.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=22 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 12:11:46 AM
Bluff: 22

"We are here to consult with Uthvas," says Kezzem.

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim)  d20+7=14 ; d20+22=27 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 12:38:36 AM

"We have something which may be of interest to him," Murphy adds.

Sense motive: 14
Perception: 27

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 45/45  d20=18 ; d20+14=16 ; d20+13=15 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 2:35:55 AM
Alleah stands with her nose raised and her arms crossed, trying to put on a show of being 'high and mighty'.

"Hurry up now. One does not wish to be standing on the doorstep all day"

-----------------------------------
Intimidate check if required: 18 + 4 for being larger than the target = 22
Perception: 16
Sense Motive: 15

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 6:10:48 AM

[Alleah did respond to Cameron - see her post Saturday May 28th, 2016 11:25:45 PM]

Knock, Knock - DM Mark  d20=3 ; d20=17 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 11:06:21 AM
(This is an additional post to facilitate the conversation.)

Cameron and Murphy can see that this is a small foyer - he can see about 10’ or so. There is a good deal of clutter beyond this creature. A musty smell emanates from the open doorway. You can see what may be a cat in the shadows inside, but it’s hard to tell from here.

Cameron is not sure what this creature is, but it does not match any extra-planar creatures he had heard of. It lacks some of the telltale aspects of demons and devils.

The creature seems unfazed by Alleah’s attempts at bravado. His only motive seems to be getting an answer to his question.

The creature pauses for a moment and then responds to the group, “I will ask you but once more. What is your business with Uthvas?”

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22+1 (Haste), HP 55/56, CMD 20  d20+13=27 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 12:51:10 PM
Bluff: 27

"Are you deaf? We already said we wish to consult with him on something he may find of interest," says Kezzem. Now be a pretty little bird-thing and go fetch your master. He would not want us to be kept waiting."

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 1:28:50 PM

"We'd like to buy something unusual, and we have something unusual," adds Murphy. "The details we would be happy to discuss with him directly."

AC 23 (T 15, FF 18) CMD 18 HP 61/61 Cameron (JCC for David)  d20+6=23 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 1:46:00 PM
Cameron takes a step forward and sticks his foot inside the door jam. (question is Cameron Enlarged Bliss?)
He looks at the little creature and says, "We understand Uthvas has recently come to be caring for two of our friends, a couple halfling wizards and we are here to escort them back to their homes. Now run along and please get your master so we can discuss this matter with him personally."

Diplomacy 23

Murphy CMD 17 AC 16 HP 60/60 - (Kim) 
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 2:30:21 PM

And... at that point Murphy pushes past the door's guardian, since Cameron has single-handedly provided the information to fully alert and arm Uthvas against the party's aims. "Excuse me," he says as he goes into the room.

Yes, thanks to Cameron's foolishness, there likely will be recriminations. Always acting against the will of the others. His growing fondness for the avenger has suddenly diminished.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 19, HP 53, CMD 22  d20+3=22 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+5=21 ;
Tuesday May 31st, 2016 3:36:15 PM
Pressi watched in horror from the street as Cameron and Murphy rushed through the doors before turning to the onlookers. "The price of photos just went up to 8 gp."

They had actually gone over the plan several times, but it would appear nobody could take notes on the situation. We are mushroom traders. We found a weird mushroom in a strange plane. We are looking to see if we can trade information that could help his necromancy stuff. How is half of us not getting this? Yes, hinting at this out in the open is a bit tricky, but it's doable.

"Gentlemen," Pressi began with a staccato accent, as she began to consider ways they might salvage diplomacy. She walked towards the door with as much purpose as she could muster, and recognized the irony that the LG has to lie them out of trouble. (OOC: I might have to replace Pressi with a face character if this keeps up.) "Gentlemen, surely we have not forgotten our manners, or the mission that we have undertaken."

If it becomes clear that the group or the imp is done with diplomacy, she helps keep the door open, with a strength check of 22. Otherwise, if the group lets her try and the imp is willing to listen, she continues to walk towards the group.

"You must forgive our quite rambunctious entry and this unprofessional intrusion. It would appear that some of our "talented" apprentices (Pressi slaps Shel on the back of the head at talented.) are completely incapable of controlling their men. It will not happen a second time.

"Who we are... well, I am sure that you have heard rumors of us "ordinary" mushroom traders. And we, of course, have heard of the illustrious and fascinating studies done by your "just as ordinary" taxidermist." Pressi finally took out her hidden hand, surreptitiously disguised under the "Hat of Disguise" and some clown makeup, to look suspiciously withered and ghostlike. "We wish to discuss matters your boss might have of market. As in "Koshe Maar" Ket? A little out of the way place on one of our plains? We found a little planar activity that might be of some concern. And of course, we wish to discuss a couple of our mutual... playthings, I mean friends.

"Obviously, we have much to discuss that are not for prying eyes. Surely, we could find a more private area to discuss these matters without violating your security. Though I do find your master's fear in facing us to be... perplexing."

(Disguise 29. I'm hoping this grants a circumstance bonus. Non-circumstance bonus rolls - Bluff 18, Diplomacy 21).

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