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Investigations


DM Robert - You know we're living out of a warehouse right now. Roomy but not exactly prime adventurer's HQ material.  d20+4=24 ;
Saturday March 30th, 2019 10:07:42 AM

Merchant level -
Micah, Zanderallen, and Dirk attempt to persuade the proprietor that selling to them is better than not having a sell at all. DM rolls an aid for Micah on perception...24!

Sturgeus stands up, a little bow legged and bent backed. "Oh there may be plenty of strange and wonderful items here. You only need to look around some." He sweeps his hand to indicate the entire store. There are no customers right now. Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { He mutters to himself "Jennings my boy, a sucker is born every minute. And those religious suckers are the best to use to get rid of certain items."}. "Yes, plenty of things." He hobbles around and looks at Micah. Perception 25 or Sense Motive 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { his limp is off, it switches around}"Got just the thing for temples." He shows you a large painting hanging in one of the back alcoves. It is about 3 foot by 5 foot in a frame. Picture
"See just right to inspire donations." He turns to Zander in his street tuff look. "Or maybe something for your room to remind you of your perils or inspire you to greater things." He snickers.
With your perception checks, this is the painting you noticed earlier, it certainly fits the description of the painting Tomb of the Lizard King.

Trash level -
Bartomus and Stock bid adieu.

Bartomus and Stock exit the shop, fairly confident that there subterfuge has gone well. Where to head to now?

Gold level -
Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid try to impress the real-estate lady.

Gail Nece is practically fawing over Stohp. "Well the place is a mess, but let me show it to you anyway." She leads you inside. Inside the house it is rather bare. Apparently all the furniture has already been sold to try to pay off Imbry’s debt. You can clearly see that someone has really been in but the place certainly does not look as trashed as the lady made it seem to the guardsman. The entry way is large taking up about 1/4 of the bottom floor. You get the impression that it may have been seperated into more than one 'room' by furniture. There are dents along the walls, as if someone knocking hard on them, etc. Maybe someone was looking for something. However, you also note that the flooring is expensive marble slabs. The Paneling on the wall is fine mahogany. The fireplace on the far right wall is marble with gold filigree. Perception 15, Appraise 15, or Sense Motive 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Yep gold filigree, not pried out, still inlaid in the marble. If someone really was trashing the place for profit then that should have been pried out.} Gail looks on hoping you are interested. "Maybe I can find someone one to clean the place up a bit and you could look it over?"

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 24/12/24) CMD:18  d20+18=32 ; d20+4=18 ;
Saturday March 30th, 2019 11:43:13 AM



Pretending not to notice the merchant's poor attempt at trying to appear disable. He takes a look at the painting. "Hmmm," mutters Micah as he recognizes it from the description, mimicking customers he has observed in his father's shop pretending to be uninterested.

"A bit overdone, wouldn't you think?" he asks of the merchant.

======
Sense Motive 32
Perception 18

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=29 ; d20+7=26 ;
Saturday March 30th, 2019 11:43:32 AM

Dirk smiles and nods to himself as he checks out the painting. He pulls out his leather-bound book and begins to make a rough sketch of the painting.

"That's a great painting, I'm sure it's more than just a piece of art, friends."

------------------------------------
Perception: Nat 20
Sense Motive: 26

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 45/45 AC: 19; Melee +6;Perc+10;Heal+9   d20+6=25 ;
Saturday March 30th, 2019 1:05:13 PM

"Feeling a bit hungry, Stock, maybe we should wander upwards and find something to eat. Sound like a good idea for you?" Bartomus said as they walked about the corridors towards the lifts. He kept running through his contacts in the Merchant's Level - clients, traders, and the like. "Can always look about where my stall was, and check in with a few folks."

---
Knowledge local - 25; heading towards Sturges shop.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+12=20 ;
Sunday March 31st, 2019 1:23:00 PM

Stohp eyes the fireplace and makes the connection (perception 22). She balks at the suggestion of coming back later. "Maybe, but lets see the rest first. If we don't get a good look now an invasion of fish people or something will happen and we'll never get a chance to come back. I'd like to see the whole thing so I can tell the entire party what I saw and we'll decide as a group what to do."

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Monday April 1st, 2019 9:37:16 AM

Dorbin nods in agreement with Stohp and says, "We can imagine a bit, so yes, let's look around some more."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMD: 26; Rage: 22 rds 
Monday April 1st, 2019 5:19:10 PM

"So to the merchant level then Bart?" He leads the way up the meandering streets heading to find a fence.

Micah (Sub by JonM)  d20+4=13 ; d20+18=34 ;
Monday April 1st, 2019 5:23:27 PM

Micah continues examining the painting, shivering involutarily as he thinks of their recent experience in a tomb. "So how much are you looking for this painting?"
=========
[i]Perception Spoiler 13
Sense Motive Spoiler 34

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+16=35 ; d20+8=12 ;
Monday April 1st, 2019 7:08:30 PM

Sid looks around noting all of the touched and removed and ransacked. As they walk through he notes which of the mini-rooms seemed to have the most removed. Maybe they thought the items were here?, he thinks as he examines the floors and walls, looking for something sign of a hidden space.

==========================================================

Perception: 35
Knowledge(Engineering): 12

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+14=29 ; d20+5=8 ; d20+17=21 ;
Monday April 1st, 2019 7:38:53 PM

"That's quite the painting. Now I hate to have to ask this but are you confident in who you bought this painting from? I'd hate to have a misunderstanding."

------------------------
Sense Motive 29
Perception 8
Diplomacy 21

DM Robert - That's quite the painting. 
Monday April 1st, 2019 8:20:57 PM

Micah attempts to downplay the style of the artist.

Dirk is impressed by the painting and says so.

Bartomus decides to head to the Merchant level. Yes your knowledge local allows you to know the approximate location of the shop.

Stohp plays up the fact Adventurers have to always be ready.

Dorbin thinks they should look at the house while they have the chance.

Stock agrees to head to the Merchant level.

Micah inquires about the cost of the painting Don't forget subber, John has some spells prepped for inquiring about the truth of things.

Sid looks around trying to see what may have been disturbed. The first floor seems like there are no hidden passages or wall safes, or floor safes, or anything not built for structure.

Zadnerallen asks about the providence of the painting.

Merchant level - Sturgeus Selling:-
Micah, Zanderallen, and Dirk inquire about the painting. When Micah at first poo-poo's the painting and then asks about the price and Dirk expresses his interest Sturgess licks his lip. When Zanderallen asks about providence Sturgess responds. "You're asking about providence? What do you think this is an art gallery. It's a second hand store. I just act as a broker. I don't know anything about how the sellers come by these things." He turns to Micah and Dirk. "Now this is a real one of a kind type of opportunity. Rare even. But I can let you have it for 12,000 gold pieces.

Knowledge Local 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { So it sounds like it's a flea market pawn shop. What might some other alcoves hold?}
Sense Motive 25 Highlight to display spoiler: {His response to Zanderallen seems a little too pat, like he's said it over and over.}

Merchant level - ? Specifics
Bartomus and Stock move up to the Merchant level. You indicated you may check with old aquaintences? Are you going to go to any shops or head to Sturgeus Selling?
Knowledge Local 10 - to check on any friends/acquaintances, please name them and their business as well.
Diplomacy 25 - should you want to talk to them....
Perception 35 - since you're now moving around on this level.

Gold level -
Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid impress the real-estate lady. "Oh I quite understand." Gail says. "Now go ahead and look while I try to round up a cleaning crew. I should be back in a jiffy."
Knowledge Local 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Trying to get a cleaning crew, not already engaged, on the Gold level is more like an hour long affair, because in reality you have to send 'down' for workers already not working on the level.}
The house is three stories. For purpose of storytelling, there is no map.
However, there is the need to do some searching while you are on your own.
Perception 30 Highlight to display spoiler: { You find what may have been a secret hiding places behind a wall panel on the third floor. This was probably a master bedroom from the layout. In that same room you see there are ashes and some pages in a fireplace. The pages were apparently ripped out of the book and then burned in the fireplace. They were not burned very well, and you believe the book was burned before the other search of the rooms occurred. Which means there was something more that the searcher(s) were looking for.}
Knowledge Arcana or Spellcraft 19: Highlight to display spoiler: {A Make Whole spell would most likely restore this item.}

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?



Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+7=26 ; d20+8=20 ;
Monday April 1st, 2019 8:31:20 PM

Dirk tries but fails to keep his jaw upright as he hears the cost. It drops open and he then whistles. "Twelve thousand gold coins? That's awful tempting, but I'm afraid I don't have anywhere close to that." He now looks over at his companions to see what they have to say.

-----------------------
Knowledge Local: 26
Sense Motive: 20

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 45/45 AC: 19; Melee +6;Perc+10;Heal+9   d20+6=14 ; d20-1=9 ; d20+10=27 ;
Monday April 1st, 2019 11:07:01 PM

When they got the Merchant Level, Bartomus looked about. "I think I know where this Sturgis might be, need to find Nori's and then head along the Bottom of the Sea . We could get something to eat at Nori's, good stuff."

As they walked, Bartomus pointed to different things. [b]"My stall was way over that way, on Trade Street. "
He turned them off the Straight Way, and kept talking. " There was a wine merchant Arem who had clients on the upper levels, always was good to me when I needed to have a piece dropped off. Suspect this Sturgis fellow may be across from Namauqa's he dealt in decorative pieces with old things as well. Could be next to Girosale's sweets, they make a great salt taffy."

KnowLoc - 14; Diplomacy 19; Perception 27

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+22=24 ;
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 7:20:29 AM

Stohp thoroughly searches the house top to bottom for any possible clues. Unfortunately she doesn't have much luck in the time she has (used a hero point for +8... 22.)

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=22 ;
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 11:01:51 AM

Dorbin helps Stohp search the house, but he doesn't find much but an empty house.

OOC:
Tried a hero point as well, but not even close (d20+17=22)!

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+1=4 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+12=19 ;
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 11:27:32 AM

He's rehearsed that one a few times, Zander thinks as Sturgess shirks off his questioning. He decides it's time to turn up the heat a little. "You know what Sturgess, I think I've seen this painting before. At Rosebud publishing, and Sir Stephen Imbry of that establishment was accused of embezzlement. I sure hope he wasn't the one that sold you this painting. Zander waits to see what effort his words have, but he is ready to grab the shady merchant if he makes a run for it.
----------------------------------
Know(Local): 4
Sense Motive 27
Readied Action: Grapple Sturgess if he makes a run for it
CMB 19


Micah (Sub by JonM)  d20+18=37 ;
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 5:29:11 PM

Micah's face remains neutral as Z ratchets up the pressure. "You know you're right, Zanderallen, I do remember it now at Rosebud. This one doesn't look like a copy either. The thing is, I doubt Rosebud would have a copy, and at 12000 gold, I'm betting this is no copy." He then looks at Sturgess, judging the man's response.

"So here's the deal, we've been asked to look into some pieces of art that may have been...misplaced...by Rosebud. I have a small spell prepared that can help me sort through the truth of the situation with you but I would never dream of doing so without your permission...also if you have a sudden change of memory, it would seem there would be no need for me to inquire more deeply. Your choice."

=========
Sense Motive Spoiler 37
Micah casts Zone of Truth...Unless he confesses anything about the painting's source that sounds truthful-ish


Stock (JonM) 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 5:32:16 PM

Stock nods his head along the way, listening to Bartomus' reminiscences. "Back when I was working upstairs on the Open Air Level, I'd come down here to blow off some steam from time to time. Surprised I didn't run into you back then. Lead the way to Sturgeus...maybe we can get to the bottom of this before lunch."



DM Robert - This one doesn't look like a copy either. 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2019 8:09:02 PM

Dirk is astounded at the price.

Bartomus keeps a running commentary of things.

Stohp searches the house.

Dorbin helps Stohp search the house.

Zander puts the heat on Jennings Sturgis.

Micah's turns on the heat on Jennings Sturgis. (Hold that casting... Micah casts Zone of Truth...Unless he confesses anything about the painting's source that sounds truthful-ish)

Stock thinks they should head to Sturgis before lunch.

======
Merchant level - Sturgeus Selling
Micah, Zanderallen, and Dirk:
Appraise 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { That'st the real thing. That 12,000 gold price, is more than the painting is worth. This one is worth maybe 9,000 gold on the legitimate market}
Sturgis snaps back. "What are you the cops? Think you can come in an bully an honest merchant. I got connections. You're going to regret messing with Jennings 'Spider' Sturgeus." Sense Motive 20 or Perception 20Highlight to display spoiler: { His face is flushes, there's sweat on his bald head and forehead.}

Sturgis edges back from the group. Zander is suddenly there and gripping his arms.
"What, what. I don't know nothing. You can't do this it's illegal."
Seeing that Sturgis is not going to be coperative, Micah casts Zone of Truth.
You may begin questioning. Go ahead and ask more than one, we're not in rounds.

Merchant level - ? Specifics
Bartomus and Stock move up to the Merchant level. People see Bartomus and nod. Some nod to Stock. However, none of them are really smiling or waving. You now stand outside Sturgis Selling.

Gold level
Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid search the house. Sid has not posted. However, he did roll a perception yesterday and I had not called for one yet. Therefore I'm going to rule that you work together and find the clue.

You find what may have been a secret hiding places behind a wall panel on the third floor. This was probably a master bedroom from the layout. In that same room you see there are ashes and some pages in a fireplace. The pages were apparently ripped out of the book and then burned in the fireplace. They were not burned very well, and you believe the book was burned before the other search of the rooms occurred because it appears that the burning of the book was put out by some cloth and bits of dust being knocked out of the fireplace when it was searched. However, the book was burnt enough to make the pages illegiable and a little fragile.

Knowledge Arcana 20, Knowledge History 25, or Spellcraft 19: Highlight to display spoiler: {A Make Whole spell would most likely restore this item.}

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?



Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 7:43:42 AM

Stohp has absolutely no skill at any of those checks. Still, this seems to be evidence so if neither of her companions makes the check she'll still be bringing it back to the party.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=31 ;
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 10:46:01 AM

Dorbin spots the book and says, "Hey! I think we could fix this with a bit of magic. Careful now... I'm not sure I know the magic to do that, but I'm pretty sure we could find someone who could help us with that, it's not a super-powerful spell."

OOC:
Knowledge, Arcana: 31

Stock (JonM) 
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 10:49:00 AM

Stock enters Sturgeus Selling and sees Zanderallen with his hands on the proprietor. "HoHo, looks like our friends have already been hard at work here, Bart." He cracks his knuckles and then holds out his hand to Mr. Sturgeus...unintentionally entering the Zone of Truth. "I'm here to figure out if you're selling stolen goods."

He stops and looks around, shocked that he would be so unintentionally direct.

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+1=15 ; d20+14=23 ; d20+13=33 ;
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 10:55:11 AM

Maintaining his very firm grip on the merchant's arm Zanderallen wills the illusion on his armor away. Now standing over the merchant in full plate with his WLA badge in full view Zander glowers at Sturgeus. He wasn't going to hurt the man but he wasn't going to lose sleep over intimidating a purveyor of stolen goods either. "Maybe we should get the cops involved, Micah do you think your brother Lukas would be interested to learn this man has stolen property in his shop? We've got connections too "Spider", guards, council, merchants, you make a lot of friends when you're licensed adventurers who help save the world during the blood crystal cataclysm. One of those friends is Miss Daneel, who after taking over the Rosebud Publishing house from her murdered fiance finds that his partner and murderer, Sir Stephan Imbry, had stolen and pawned a number of very valuable books and pieces of art. One of which happens to be hanging right there!" Zander emphasizes this point by turning Sturgeus to face the painting,

"Now I want some questions answered. If you cooperate maybe you can join my list of friends. Who did you get this painting from? If you didn't know them, did that look like (describes Sir Stephan)? Did that person sell any other paintings or books to you or any of your agents? Have you seen any of these other paintings or books (shows him the list)? Did any of them pass through or are maybe still in your shop?"
-----------------------------------
Appraise: 15
Sense Motive: 23
Intimidate: 33 (NAT 20! +4(Cha) +1(WLA Badge) +8(Preemptive Hero Point))

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+12=14 ;
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 10:56:44 AM

(OOC: Forgot to roll a CMB to maintain grapple)

CMB: 14

Micah (Sub by JonM)  d20+1=21 ; d20+18=29 ;
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 11:01:23 AM

"Hold on there Stock, we were just beginning a deep conversation with our friend here." Then to Sturgeus he says, "I apologize for any discomfort. My friend here will be more than happy to release you when he senses that you are more amenable to our conversation. Now, I have a few questions for you:
-Are you aware this particular piece was stolen?
-Who sold you this?
-Did they sell anything else to you?
-How about any of these items? He shows Sturgeus a list of items from Rosebud
-Do you have a list of buyers of the other items? If not do you remember who bought them?
-Would you like a glass of water? I see you are starting to sweat."


=========
Appraise spoiler 21
Sense Motive spoiler 29


Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+8=15 ;
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 6:54:06 PM

"I knew there was something hidden here. It just felt like a hidden room type of manse. I hope you can fix it Dorbin." Sid looks over and tries to decipher anything he can.

===============================================================

knowledge(History): 15(To assist)

posting for Bartomus 
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 7:42:57 PM

Bartomus smiled when he found Sturgis' shop and looked about the street. For the most place, nothing had changed all that much. He caught there'd eyes of a few familiar faces, but the kept walking as did he and Stock.

"here let me get the door for you, " he said as he pulled open the painted wood door. He followed after and heard Stock instantly start talking at Sturgus in a way that took him a bit by surprise. He stepped in and pulled the door closed behind him.

DM Robert - I'm here to figure out if you're selling stolen goods. 
Wednesday April 3rd, 2019 8:13:20 PM

Stohp hopes her companions can figure out something.

Dorbin thinks the book can be repaired, they just need to find someone with the right spell.

Stock enters Sturgeus Selling and gets to the point, but fails to ask it in the form of a question.

Zanderallen flexs with the might of his righteous connections.

Micah joins in on the questioning of the merchant.

Sid looks at the book but there is no way at this time to decipher anything.

Bartomus enters the shop and is surprised by all that is going on.
======
Merchant level - Sturgeus Selling
Micah, Zanderallen, and Dirk, Stock and Bartomus:
'Spider' Sturgeus seems cowed by Zander's display. He doesn't even struggle anymore in Zander's grip.

Who did you get this painting from?
"From Stephen Imbry of course."
Did that person sell any other paintings or books to you or any of your agents?
Sweating again he tries to not answer but looks again at the impressive Zanderallen. "Yes."
Have you seen any of these other paintings or books (shows him the list)?
He looks at the list, a tear forms in his eye. He can't lie, but he doesn't neccesarily have to say anything, never-the-less all these important people, pressuring him. "You guys are worse than those Enforcers. Yes...
1-An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, sold to a representative of the Sages Guild.
2-Pharaoh sold to Lord Jonas Yeager:
3- The Oasis of the White Palm sold to Sold to Lord Peerimon
4- The Lost Tomb of Martek sold to Torbin Cook
Knowledge local 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { You've heard that name before, it was someone at the reception where the Lizard Folk put on their display. Oh yes, he is the man that put up the money to get the 'village' of Cutter going...}
5-Slave Pits of the Undercity, Sold to Unger Platt. Plateau City
6-Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, Sold to Unger Platt. Plateau City
7-Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, Sold to Unger Platt. Plateau City
8-In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, Sold to Unger Platt. Plateau City
9-Ust Delmah never heard of it
1-Temple of Elemental Evil,sold to Father Arellius
Knowledge Local 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { the same father Arellius from earlier modules, he still runs a temple on the fence level.}
2-Tomb of the Lizard King,
3-Descent into the Depths of the Earth, sold to Gaston Larue of Plateau City
4-The Drow, sold to Sold to Lord Peerimon,
5-The Werewolf Spies his Prey, sold to Father Arellius."

-Are you aware this particular piece was stolen?
"Of course. Who do you think helped him find a forger?"
-Did they sell anything else to you?
"No that's it."
-Do you have a list of buyers of the other items?
Already provided, "Buyers, Suckers more like. But, Unger isn't a buyer, he's a fence like me, we trade hot goods from each others city and sell them." He tries to clap his hand over his mouth.
-Would you like a glass of water?
"I need something stronger than water."

Gold level
Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid have found something. They also know that they need to have a Make Whole spell to restore it. Could be important. Stohp gathers it up and Dorbin helps.

About that time Gail returns. "Well I'm really sorry but I can't get anyone here till tomorrow. Is there any questions you have about that place. Oh, Here's my card." She smiles hopefully at you.

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?



Micah (Sub by JonM) 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 11:41:32 AM

"Arellius? When did he buy anything? Shouldn't he be in jail? You've been busy Sturgeus...managed to sell these items to all sorts of movers and shakers..."
Looking at the other Shields in the room he says, "Several of these people I think we could work with to recover the property. I think they would be willing to work with us but it may be a bit awkward. This Unger chap seems like a piece of work...and we'd potentially have to go to him to find the originals."

=========


Stock (JonM) 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 11:43:13 AM

Stock looks at Micah and nods. "OK. I follow that. What do we do with this piece of garbage though?" He then turns to look at Sturgeus and says, "How often do you find yourself in possession of 'hot' merchandise?"

Stock (JonM)  d20+3=8 ; d20+3=9 ;
Thursday April 4th, 2019 11:44:11 AM



======
Knowledge Local spoilers 8, 9

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 12:55:11 PM

Zander releases his hold on the crushed fence but stays near him. "How long ago did you sell the painting to Arellius? He isn't out of jail is he? We dropped him in Sergeant Lestrade's lap with enough evidence to put him away for a long time. That man is a menace. Or if it was some time ago we can probably go to Father Barnholdt and see if the paintings are still at their temple. Now as to what to do with Sturgeus, I think this is a good time to have someone go get Lukas. We have a suspect caught red handed with stolen goods."
----------------------------------------------------------
If anyone needs a refresher on our last dealings with Father Arellius it's contained in the archive pages below. End of 6:4 wrapping up in 7:1
Volume 6 Chapter 4
Volume 7 Chapter 1

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=30 ;
Thursday April 4th, 2019 1:16:46 PM

Dorbin helps Stohp put the book gently into a bag. He nods to Gail and says, "No other question, just now, we will be in touch, I imagine this could indeed make a nice place for the Silver Shields to live." He thinks about where they might go quickly to get the spell cast to fix the book because he really doesn't know how to cast that kind of spell at all (Knowledge, local: 30).

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 6:20:46 PM

Sid motions to the Shields' handy haversack, "It'll be safe here." To Gail he nods blandly, trying not to bounce excitedly.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+15=21 ;
Thursday April 4th, 2019 6:42:59 PM

Stohp thanks Gail for the tour and also thinks about where best to get the book repaired. She doesn't talk about it until after they leave though. (knowledge: local 21)

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 7:17:40 PM

Dirk tilts his head as he observes the pair of Domi followers work over the fence. They had quite the presence, but they seemed to be missing a crucial point, "Hold up just a second, before we go calling the guard in. Who are the Enforcers you're accusing my friends of being worse than?"

DM Robert - What do we do with this piece of garbage though? 
Thursday April 4th, 2019 8:20:42 PM

Might be easier to incorporate answers into text by players, so slight change in format.

In the shop of Jennings Sturgeus...

Micah is stunned by some of the revelations by Sturgeus. "Arellius? When did he buy anything? Shouldn't he be in jail?

Sturgeus shrugs his shoulders. "I admit it's been awhile. Come to think of it I did hear he was in prison some group of busy bodies down on the Fence level causing him problems."

Stock is not to happy with Sturgeus. "How often do you find yourself in possession of 'hot' merchandise?"

Strugeus smiles, "How often you put pants on in the morning, or I guess in your case it's a skirt." (For some reason I remembering Stock wears a kilt.

Zander is shocked with Hearing Arellius's name. "How long ago did you sell the painting to Arellius? He isn't out of jail is he?

Strugeus shakes his arms. "Don't know, maybe a year, or was it two years ago. I ain't heard of no prison breaks."

Dirk is impressed by the pair of Domi followers working over the fence. "Hold up just a second, before we go calling the guard in. Who are the Enforcers you're accusing my friends of being worse than?"

Strugeus licks his lips, "Just some street toughs. They're what you might call insurance salesmen." He smiles broadly. "But then know better than to try and sell insurance to certain more prestigious organizations."

At this time I think the Zone of Truth spell would be ending. It only lasts minutes per level.

--------
On the Gold level in Imbry's old house

Dorbin helps Stohp put the book gently into a bag. He thanks Gail and lets the group make a gracious exit. Thinking about options on where to get a Make Whole spell, as he ponders, it is a fairly low level spell, open to clerics, wizards, and sorcers alike. Might Micah have one? Or of course there's the Sage's guild, they would bound to have one.

Sid motions to the Shields' handy haversack, and gets the book placed into the extra dimensional space.

Stohp also thanks Gail for the tour. Gail is smiles and nods repeatedly, shaking each of your hands in turn.

Sense Motive 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { She's obviously hoping to make a sale, and selling to a prestigious group is almost better than some noble, because the noble wouldn't let her capitalize on their name...}

The group exits the house and begin walking....To where?
Perception 30 please.

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?




Bartomus(Rod) HP: 45/45 AC: 19; Melee +6;Perc+10;Heal+9  
Thursday April 4th, 2019 10:30:51 PM

He had gotten lost in the shelves of the store, but his mind processed the list and the answers that Sturgis provided. "So, maybe we need to dispatch a few folks to Unger Platt, Lord Peerimon, and Father Arellius. Not sure who would like to be told that they were part of an embezzlement scam with a newspaper. But, we also need to make sure Sturgis here doesn't send runners ahead of us too. "

He walked a bit closer to the group, more focused on the conversation than before. "Each of us could take on one of the purchasers. Who wants to go talk and who wants to watch Sturgis? We could host him to a dinner at the Headquarters too."

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=35 ;
Friday April 5th, 2019 11:43:21 AM

Dorbin says to Stohp as they leave, "Let's head to the Sage's guild. Sure, they're going to charge us, but I think we need to get this figured out quickly."

OOC:
Walking out perception: 35

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 23 T: 13 FF: 19 CMD: 22 
Friday April 5th, 2019 12:38:36 PM

Zanderallen raises an eyebrow at prestigious organization,"Oh, so you're telling us you're part of something bigger. The guards will definitely want to question you. Dirk and Stock could you go get the guard, preferably Lukas he was just at the guard post down that street? Bart, Micah, and I can keep an eye on our friend here. It's possible we're making some powerful enemies in the criminal world, we may want to be a little more careful in our movements. And we're going to be offending some powerful people when we come knocking to claim they bought stolen goods."

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Friday April 5th, 2019 12:42:16 PM

"Whoah, Zander, you don't think we might get attacked in the street? Abducted and held for ransom? How exciting. Ready when you are, master dwarf." Dirk heads off with Stock, imagining fighting off shadowy attackers in back alleys as they go.

Stock (JonM) 
Friday April 5th, 2019 2:05:34 PM

"Happily. I have no problems putting the screws to this one." Again he is surprised at how forthcoming he is being but this time doesn't really seem to mind. He casually begins making his way toward the door of the shop.

Micah (Sub by JonM) 
Friday April 5th, 2019 2:09:39 PM

"I'm sure the authorities will be confiscating this fine piece as well...", Micah says referring to the stolen artwork. He continues then, "[/b]Anyway it is a short list of people we need to see about recovering these items. I'm sure Father Barnholdt will be willing to chat and look for the artwork in the temple. Likewise Lord Peerimon will not be happy to hear what we have to say but will likely help us. If we have to head to Plateau City though, I feel we may have to travel as a larger group. Mr. Sturgeus, have you seen this Mr. Unger any time recently on the Float?"[/b]

===========
OoC: Do we have any idea on how to travel between cities from here?

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+16=28 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+5=8 ;
Friday April 5th, 2019 9:06:21 PM

Sid walks with ha quiet even grace, trying to blend with the scenery as he can. He keeps his eyes open, ready for about anything.

=======================================================================

Stealth: 32
Perception: 30
Sense Motive: 8

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Friday April 5th, 2019 9:43:40 PM

Stohp follows Dorbins lead since he seems to know what he’s doing.

DM Robert - Whoah, Zander, you don't think we might get attacked in the street? 
Saturday April 6th, 2019 11:08:41 AM

Bartomus suggests splitting the group up to investigate all the leads.

Dorbin suggests going to the Sages Guild to get the spell cast.

Zanderallen wants to know about this 'other' organization and suggests summoning Lukas and the guard to deal with Sturgeus.

Dirk is excited about the prospect of getting attacked in the street.

Stock is ready to go with Dirk to fetch the guards.

Micah thinks that Plateau City should be handled in group. But working around the town to pick things up should be fairly easy.

Sid walks quietly.

Stohp follows Dorbins lead.

+++++++
Knowledge local 5 Highlight to display spoiler: { Stay on Target. In the Float you are known and respected. In Plateau City you are nobody. Trying to go to Plateau City to recover stolen goods using the laws of The Float is just not in the cards, for now, as it would involve a whole level of diplomacy and inter-police cooperation.}

Knowledge local 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a permanent Gate on the Merchant level see item 34 on the map}

---------

Merchant level.
While waiting for the others to return Bartomus, Micah, and Zanderallen try to learn more about the organization and Mr. Unger. Sturgeus however is now tight lipped. He's refusing to talk.

Dirk and Stock fetch Lukas. He brings 3 fellow guards with him. At first Sturgeus denies everything and claims you burst into the store and accosted him. However, the painting is pointed out which is pretty damning evidence. He shrugs. "Well I guess you got me." Sense Motive 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {HE does not seem too concerned.}

Lukas turns to Micah. "I guess you could return that painting. I would not want to have it kept at the jail, it's too valuable." He looks around. "I guess we'll need to search this place. I wonder if he kept in records. That would certainly be helpful. If only we had some skilled help..."
Perception 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { Should you offer to help out, and succeed, you will find some accounting journals. }
If you attempt and succeed the Perception check above. Linguistics 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { These journals are huge, they go back maybe 15 years. The list the items sold and prices. They list the items currently in the store. However, names are in code and you would need A LOT of time to try and figure out everything, i.e. it's not important to this module. However, the journals are enough to convict Sturgeus. And only about 20% of the store is stolen goods, the rest are legit flea market, people trying to sell their stuff.}

- - -
Meanwhile on the Gold level.
Dorbin and Sid are definitely sure they were followed after leaving Imbry's house. He's good, but your perception skills are better. Looked like a well dressed young man, nondescript clothing, blending in well with this level. Which actually means he's pretty well dressed.

Once you arrive at the Sage's Guild you are directed to the see a man in a small room. This is just off the main library. The office door reads "Restoration". You are informed that it will cost 150 gold to have Make Whole cast on your volume.

----

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 45/45 AC: 19; Melee +6;Perc+10;Heal+9   d20+6=25 ; d20+6=10 ; d20+7=10 ;
Sunday April 7th, 2019 11:39:34 AM

"Don't think we have the clout to go into Plateau City and try demand things, just not going to work at all. We need an ally or two much higher in power than us." Bartomus added his thoughts to the discussion before the Guard arrived.

When they came in, and Sturgis started his protest, he watched as the evidence gave the shop owner away. He nodded in agreement, with a bit of a smugness on his tauran face when the shop owner said that they had caught the man. "So, who wants to go where next? I am up for following some of the missing goods to a few of his clients. Suspect we could let them know that they could probably bring claims against Sturgis here for the money they paid him, since he knew he was stealing in stolen goods, right?"

He directed the last of that at Lukas as he was talking with the others.

---

KnowLoc 25, 10; Perception 10

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Sunday April 7th, 2019 7:01:45 PM

Stohp is somewhat surprised at the cost of the spell. She's not sure if that's usual for such things or if the sages guild charges more. In the end she just shrugs and pays it; after all it's chump change to the party these days.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Monday April 8th, 2019 10:04:05 AM

When they arrive in the guild, Dorbin points out the person following them. He says, "Do you want to head out first and try and catch him from behind?" He heads into the restoration area and willingly pays the money for the restoration.

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+5=7 ; d20+9=24 ; d20+8=24 ;
Monday April 8th, 2019 11:12:33 AM

Dirk slides in with guard and watches the arrest. When Lukas makes his very obvious plea for help Dirk starts sliding between stalls looking around for anything out of place. He feels like there's something just at his fingertips if he could just find it.
----------------------------
Sense Motive 7
Perception 24
Linguistics 24 (If someone aids Dirk on his perception)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 23 T: 13 FF: 19 CMD: 22  d20+14=25 ; d20+5=21 ;
Monday April 8th, 2019 11:21:27 AM

Zander is relieved when the guard show up, being adventurers and having a good working relationship with the guard were one thing but they still didn't carry the official badge of the law. "Lukas, it seems we may have caught you a major fence. He made reference to being part of some larger organization, I would watch him. We can certainly return this art piece, if you want to give us a receipt for it we can have Miss Darneel sign for it's return. And it would be our pleasure to help you give this place a once over. It would be nice to find some receipts of some of the other pieces were looking for."

Zanderallen starts rummaging through things in his somewhat heavy handed way, as Dirk moves something he calls out, "Hey, Dirk what are those books behind that cloth you just moved? Those look important."
---------------------------
Sense Motive: (24)
Perception: 21 (Aid another to give Dirk +2)

Micah (Sub by JonM) 
Monday April 8th, 2019 1:49:37 PM

Micah greets his brother with a handshake and a manly pat on the back. Watching the arrest, he can't help but shake his head. "I think I'll head to Father Barnholdt at the temple to Caeroldra...see if we can track down the two paintings Arellius bought. Anybody coming?"

Stock (JonM)  d20+3=14 ; d20+3=13 ; d20+13=16 ;
Monday April 8th, 2019 1:55:42 PM

Stock nods smugly, watching the Shields win again. When talk of Plateau City comes up he shakes his head, "We can't just go to Plateau City. At least not yet. We're nobody there. I'll come with you Micah. I remember Barnholdt from when I just started with the group. I don't think I've been to the Caeroldra temple either.

Z- Can you get this painting back to Rosebud?"


========
Knowledge Local Spoiler 14, 13
Perception Spoiler 16


Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+16=35 ; d20+16=27 ; d20+12=19 ;
Monday April 8th, 2019 7:08:58 PM

Sid puts down his 50g as the other vie for the payment,"Let's look over this thing first and then Stoph and I can head out from both sides to see if we can caught'im. Sound good?"

Sid then looks at the document to see if he can decipher it with Dorbin

===================================================================

Knowledge(Local): 35
Knowledge(Local): 27
Linguistics: 19



DM Robert - So, who wants to go where next? 
Monday April 8th, 2019 8:23:21 PM

Bartomus suggests that they follow up on some of the local stolen goods. He wonders if those that bought from Sturgeos could hope to file claims against him.

Stohp is somewhat surprised at the cost of the spell but plops down some money. (page 491 of Core rules, cost of a second level scroll.)

Dorbin tells everyone they were followed. He also offers some coin for the spell.

Dirk searches the store.

Zanderallen advises that Sturgeus could be part of something bigger. He also helps out in the searching of the store.

Micah suggests visiting Father Barnhaold and the temple of Caeroldra.

Stock is read to go with Micah.

Sid puts down his 50g as the other part of the payment. He suggests once they see what it is they try to box in the tail.
---------

Merchant level - Sturgeus selling (Bartomus, Micah, Zanderallen, Stock, Dirk)
The books oncovered reveal that Jennings "Spider" Strugeus has been dealing in stolen goods for what appears to be over 15 years. Quite the record for a fence. However, his records are partly in code so buyers and sellers names are masked. Either someone very good will have to try to decipher it, or some coercion will have to be placed on Sturgeus.

Lucas gives you a receipt and takes his prisoner in tow. The other guards are hauling out bags now filled with stolen items.
So I was watching an episode of American Greed over the weekend, because with no cable sometimes there is nothing on TV, of course the reason we got rid of cable is because sometimes there is nothing on TV. Anyway this episode dealt with art theft right in Bridgeton (St. Louis) Mo. The police need only issue search warrants to go retrieve the stolen art. In fact several of the pieces were sold worldwide. With the search warrant and proof of theft many of the items were returned, at least the ones they could find the sellers on. So it appears we are doing it right. Stolen goods go back to the owner, if you bought it you're out the money.

The party takes the painting (Zander?) and head out the door. They will be walking together for a bit. However, they also have to now deal with several onlookers that were attracted by the guards coming.
"Hey, why'd they take Sturgeus?"
"Aren't you guys them Silver Shields? I read about you in the paper."
"What's that you got?'
Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {"Hey I don't think anyone is locking the shop up, we can go in and grab some stuff.}

- - -
Gold Level - Sages Guild (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)
The spell is cast by a rather bored looking man. "There you go. Good as new. Now please I have more work to do." You can see that his office is rather full of books...well parts of books. Looks like part of his job it to try to catelog and match partial manuscripts with other parts that are turned in. This of course answers the question of what to do with the moldering books you may find in a dungeon. They could be the missing pieces the Sages need to restore a lost work of literature, or travel guide, or biography, or whatever.

Stepping out of the office you look over the book. It is evidently a journal of Stephan Imbry.
Linguistics 30 to quickly peruse it.
Highlight to display spoiler: {It details his desires to become more wealthy as his wealth was originally gleaned from adventuring. What treasure he kept over the years was invested not always wisely and often spent in gambling.

Apparently he was frequently a patron at Warrd’s house of Luck but always would gamble with other nobility. It seems his largest debter among the nobility was Lord Peerimon. There is one entry about how he paid off at least 1 debt to Peerimon with original copies of the Slavery series kept in the Rosebud Library. (Important, you guys don't know about the loot destinations at the bottom. This is something that the other group knows about and you have not been able to exchange data. I say this because according to what Sturgeus said, he said he sent it to Unger Platt in Plateau City.)

There is also a reference that now he has something to keep “Him” off his back now that he has read Glenn Hembree’s adventuring journal and stashed it well. In a place no one would consider looking for it. There are some references to consider using it for blackmail but “C” is too dangerous.
}

----

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Monday April 8th, 2019 8:45:47 PM

Stohp eyes the journal. It must be in code or something since she can't really understand it at first glance. "I think we've hit a dead end on this line of investigation. Lets head back to HQ, wait for the others, and I can take the time to decipher this."

She'll slowly, carefully work at cracking whatever code is hiding the journal's secrets (take 20 on Linguistics - 33, just enough to crack it). It's long, hard work, but when she's done she's certain she knows it's content and she shares it with the others.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+20=23 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 9:16:09 AM

Dorbin glances at the book, but can't make much of it (linguistics: 23). When they spend more time on it, he can easily help Stohp translate (taking 20 gets Dorbin a 40).

Before they head back, he asks the others if they should do something about the fellow following them. Dorbin volunteers to head out to see if he will follow and then the others can come up behind him and perhaps ask some questions of him.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 45/45 AC: 19; Melee +6;Perc+10;Heal+9   d20+10=30 ; d20+7=18 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 9:48:19 AM

Bartomus stepped outside and waited for the others to leave the shop, so he could bring up the rear of their group. He hadn't gotten too far before he heard someone say that the shop hadn't been locked up and they could go in and grab things. Bartomus cleared his throat very loudly and turned back towards the crowd that was gathering near Sturgis door.

"Folks, the shop is closed," he bellowed at those that were milling about the door. He covered the distance and took up a position near the door. He shouted back at the group of guards and Shields "Sturgis, you want to secure your shop? Would hate for folks to rob you blind and all."

Micah (Sub by JonM)  d20+16=26 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 9:58:07 AM

I'm going to assume by the note of "Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level?" that maybe we don't know where to go exactly
"To Father Barnholdt it is then. By chance do you remember where the Temple is Stock?" Micah and Stock head out with any other Shields that tag along and begin asking around for directions to the main temple to Caeroldra.

Once they get their bearings, the Shields head straight to the temple looking for Barnholdt.
=======
Diplomacy (Gather Info) 26 - Can we get directions?

Stock (JonM)  d20+1=10 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 10:00:21 AM

Stock follows Micah along the street, doing his best to look like a street tough behind the cleric. Unfortunately, the Shield's notoriety takes a bit away from Stock's efforts to look mean. He resolves himself to trying his best to help Micah find the temple.

=========
Diplomacy 10 Aid Micah in finding the temple

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 23 T: 13 FF: 19 CMD: 22  d20+5=15 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 11:18:53 AM

Zanderallen silently apologizes to Micah as he curses the incompetence of the guard in his head. Shouldn't they have protocols for dealing with this. He moves to back up Bart setting the painting against the wall of the shop next to him. Turning he addresses those gathered around, "If you want to know about Sturgeus you'll have to ask the guard. Yes we are the Silver Shields, and I've got a painting for a friend of mine. I suggest you listen to my friend Bart and move along." Zander slides his hand closer to the handle of his sap as he finishes his remarks.
-------------------
Perception 15

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17   d20+9=27 ; d20+19=33 ;
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 11:26:27 AM

Dirk stays with Z and Bart but moves to try and blend in with the crowd. He throws his voice to try and disguise himself as the talker. Make it seem like just a voice in the crowd. "Bah, these goody two shoes aren't gonna let us have any fun. We better move along before the ugly one gets mad."
--------------------------------------
Perception 27
Bluff 33(throwing voice)

DM Robert - Lets head back to HQ, 
Tuesday April 9th, 2019 8:12:32 PM

Stohp eyes the journal but can't really peruse in where they are she suggests heading back to HQ.

Dorbin glances at the book, but can't make much of it either, possibly the poor penmanship of the author.

Bartomus makes an effort to attract the guards and clear the crowd.

Micah decides to visit Father Barnholdt and the Temple to Caeroldra. Fortunately he remembers the way. (It's the same place.)

Stock follows Micah along the street.

Zanderallen also attempts to disperse the crowd.

Dirk tries to work the crowd into dispersing. You can't use Bluff to throw your voice, that's more of a profession/performer skill. You can try to convince anyone listening to you that their course of action isn't worth it.

---------

Merchant level - Sturgeus selling (Bartomus, Micah, Zanderallen, Stock, Dirk)
Merchant level

Bartomus, Zanderallen, and Dirk manage to disperse the crowd. It also helped that one of the guards hurried back with a key and locked the door. The crowd disperse while the guard runs back to join Lucas. Exit stage up

Micah and Stock proceed somewhat down the path of Lamp Avenue as it is the shortest route to head to the southern portion of the Float where Rosebud Publishing is located.

Zander picks up the painting and the trio congratulate themselves on successfully diffusing the situation. Bartomus, Zanderallen, and Dirk proceed along Lamp Avenue as well, and can see the other two ahead of them. However, as they come to an intersection the trio is accosted.
Number 1 speaks. "Good day sirs. I see you have picked up the item I was going to aquire. Now if you would be good chaps and just hand it over, there will be no muss no fuss." The man is dressed quite well in find clothing. There is a lute in his hands. Standing next to him (2) is dressed in studded leather and holds a trident. There are more weapons upon his person. 3-11 are armed with hand crossbows, currently out and aimed at you. They also have rapiers. Everyone is human.

battle map

- - -

IN Transit (so you have not had time to decipher the message yet) - Sages Guild (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid decide to head back to HQ to study the book. Dorbin checks out a window but it appears your tail has dissappeared. The way is clear to leave. You start your journey back.

----

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 52/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 9:49:00 AM

"Really, this old thing, I just think it's really not your style," Bartomus said with a bit of a smile. He glanced about and saw that they were surrounded. "I mean with it be a forgery and all, I would have thought that you would something more realistic. Like one of those star-studded paintings with all the flashy colors.

He adjusted the blue scarf he had been wearing about his wrist with its Iron Shields logo and dragon imprinted upon the cloth. An idea slowly began to form in his mind, but they were outnumbered for sure.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+9=23 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 1:00:30 PM

Dorbin hustles along saying, "We need to get back to HQ and see if the others have found anything." He keeps glancing behind, looking for a tail (perception: 23)

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 3:04:44 PM

Panicking a little at the two thugs appearing in front of him with weapons aimed Dirk lashes out with the same emotion affecting him, "Brave, brave, street thugs, the street thugs ran away.", he blurts out as a quick incantation pointing at the two by him.
---------------------------
Dirk casts Scare on 7 and 8, (if 6 or less HD Will save 18 or become frightened for 8 rounds, shaken for 1 round on a successful save. Greater than 6 HD unaffected)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 23 T: 13 FF: 19 CMD: 22  d20+5=20 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 3:17:55 PM

Momentarily taken aback at this bold accosting in the street, Zander surveys the danger. Before he has time to fully formulate a plan he hears Dirk casting next to him. He has a pretty good idea what the spell is but knows that whatever the bard's intentions there is probably no stopping the conflict now. Dropping the painting (Zander would have at least wrapped it in something) behind him he draws his sword, lifting it into the sky he calls out, loudly towards Micah and Stock, "You want the painting, come and get it. Domi grant me your spirit to chastise these vagabonds!"
-----------------------------------------
Spellcraft 20 to identify Dirk's spell
Free - Drop Painting
Move - Draw longsword
Standard - Divine Bond (Weapon Spirit) 8 min duration, +2 bonus (+1 to add keen, +1 to upgrade flaming to flaming burst)

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 6:38:00 PM

Stoph pours over the text, blissfully unaware that the other party members might be in danger. My this passage is tricky. What if... yes, that makes much more sense.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=22 ; d20+15=17 ; d20+15=32 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 7:31:22 PM

Sid says, "I'll be behind you, go on." Sid waits and scans to see if he notices the one who was following them trying to blend into the back group of the Float.

===================================================================

Perception: 22
Stealth: 17(Hero Point rerolling): 32

DM Robert - Ka tawg...  d20+8=22 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+10=26 ; d20+10=11 ; d4=1 ; d4=3 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+10=15 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+10=12 ; d20+10=15 ; d4=1 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 8:43:09 PM

Bartomus tries to adjust his wardrobe to emphazie who these guys are messing with.

Dorbin hustles along saying, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Now, if only you had some way to communicate with each other.

Dirk feels the edges of panic and remember the tale of Brave Sir Robin. He casts Scare.

Zanderallen girds himself for battle, calling on some weapon holiness. While calling out to Stock and Micah.

Stoph can't wait to get to HQ and do some reading.

Sid ducks into the shadows and tries to see if anyone is following you.

---------

Merchant level - Sturgeus selling (Bartomus, Micah, Zanderallen, Stock, Dirk)

Bartomus, Zanderallen, and Dirk get ready. Well Zander gets ready, Dirk jumps the gun, Bartomus was trying to stall for time but the others apparently didn't take the que. The 2 Dirk tried to Scare look at each other, "I think he cast something. The other one says, "I don't feel any different. Lets shoot him first."

Micah and Stock ? proceed down the street.

Fancy Pants (1) "Ah well, I guess it's not the easy way." He casts a spell. Spellcraft 18 Highlight to display spoiler: { Haste }

Trident boy (2) Goes into a display of whipping his trident around in fancy patterns. Intimidation check, Rolled a 22, Your DC to not be Demoralized is 10+your level+your wisdom modifier. If you fail you are shaken (I'm pretty sure everyone is shaken for at least 1 round, if I beat it by 5 more it's 2 rounds. Please state your status in your post.)

4, 5, and 6 shoot at Zander:
to hit 28 (d20+10) hit, damage 1 (1d4) and Fortitude save DC 14 or 1 con damage (secondary effect unconscousness? I assume this is if you're Con drops to 0? I can't find an explanation).
to hit 26 (d20+10) hit, damage 3 (1d4) and Fortitude save DC 14 or 1 con damage, see above.
to hit 11 (d20+10) miss
The three of them reload at an amazing speed.

7 and 8 shoot at Dirk:
to hit 14 (d20+10) miss
to hit 15 (d20+10) miss
They drop their hand crossbows and draw their rapiers.

9, 10, and 11 shoot at Bartomus:
to hit 28 (d20+10) hit, damage 1 (1d4) and Fortitude save DC 14 or 1 con damage (secondary effect unconscousness? I assume this is if you're Con drops to 0? I can't find an explanation).
to hit 12 (d20+10) miss
to hit 15 (d20+10) miss
Two of them drop their hand crossbows and draw their rapiers, one reloads.

battle map

- - -

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

Having hastily ran the stairs the group gets to HQ. All is well. You have not been followed.

----

OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey



Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=27 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 9:11:40 PM

"Now that we're safe and everything is ok... I'm going to make a pot of tea and you'll have to stop hording that manuscript Stohp!" Sid goes into the kitchen and makes a nice afternoon tea and makes a snack tray of sliced fruits, meats, and cheeses for them to nibble on.

Taking a sip he says, "Isn't it nice to do some honest work for once instead of all that fighting? Now what where you saying about that phrase?"

==============================================================

Linguistics: 27

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 48/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20=19 ; d20+8=27 ; d4=4 ; d20+5=12 ;
Wednesday April 10th, 2019 11:59:21 PM

The Trident whirling and the sudden attack from behind him had him scared and upset at the same time. He rubbed the symbols on the scarf, and a thick mist began pouring from the scarf and swirling around him. Then he vanished.

In that state he moved and rushed the man closest to the wall.

Status - 19 against my 20 and your 22; Fortitude 27 (-2); 4 damage; Scarf prize in tapestry game - obscuring mist around him - 1st lvl cl impeded into scarf; Hide Away Fey Attribute; turn and rush against No. 9; Melee 12

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Thursday April 11th, 2019 9:51:40 AM

Dorbin takes a seat in a comfy chair and accepts the tea that Sid has prepared. He says, "Indeed, some days it is nice to take a break and sit and read."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 22/22 
Thursday April 11th, 2019 9:51:42 AM

OOC - Apologies for the missed post. I was waiting for somebody to post a yell or something to get our attention and then I forgot to post...my bad.

Stock stops and listens. "You hear something Micah?" He turns around too look, sucks in a quick breath and breaks into a run, freeing his flail as he goes. As he nears the vagabond, he simply says "Boo." to get the man's attention.

==========
Run (4x speed) to Y45


Micah (Sub by Jon M) HP: 34/52 AC: 24/12/24 CMD:18  4d8=12 ;
Thursday April 11th, 2019 10:02:38 AM

"Huh? Stock?" He turns to see the dwarf sprinting toward the melee down the street. Acting quickly he moves up and casts a spell. At that same moment, a small glowing sphere lights up the sky over the intersection, hovering there for a second before soundlessly slamming into the pavement unleashing a torrent of illumination.

=========
Move to AH52
Cast Holy Smite at the intersection of S42/T43
Range 180 ft, Area: 20 ft burst
12 damage + blinded 1 round to all EVIL creatures
6 damage to all Neutral creatures
DC19 Will Save for 1/2 damage and to eliminate blindness


Zanderallen (Zachary H) 84/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 21 CMD: 22  d20+5=24 ; d20+13=19 ; d20+13=20 ; d20+11=17 ; d8+11=14 ; d6=5 ;
Thursday April 11th, 2019 2:09:00 PM

Barely noticed the tiny bolts finding cracks in his armor, Zander slides his shield down unto his arm while moving forward to engage the foe. While impressive the trident warriors display does little to shake his holy determination. He swings hard but not terribly accurately at one of the footpads. "Watch out, these men are Hasted!
-----------------------------------
Divine Bond - Keen and Flaming burst on Longsword 79 rounds remaining
Spellcraft 24 to identify Haste
Fort saves 19 and 20 no poison damage
Aura of Courage Immune to Fear Effects - not shaken

Move action to S42 combined with equipping shield
Standard Action attack Footpad 5(Power Attacking as usual)
17 to hit, 14 damage + 5 fire



Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  
Thursday April 11th, 2019 2:15:51 PM

"Wardd's fiddle" Dirk exclaims as his spell has no effect and the trident warrior's display puts him on edge. Pulling out his lute he moves to stand over the painting Zander set down and begins a tune.
----------------------
Shaken 1 round
Bardic Performance 1 round used

Move to T40 combined with drawing lute
2nd Move action begin bardic performance Inspire Courage
+2 competence bonus to weapon attack and damage rolls, +2 morale bonus to saves against fear and charm


DM Robert - Ka tawg...  d20+13=17 ; d20+2=4 ; d20+3=19 ; d20+3=22 ; d20+3=9 ; d20+3=6 ; d20+3=10 ; d20+3=18 ; 2d8+3=13 ; 2d8+10=20 ; d20+12=22 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+12=14 ; d6+6=11 ; d20+12=17 ; d20+12=29 ; d20+12=23 ; 2d6+6=13 ;
Thursday April 11th, 2019 8:36:44 PM

Sid brews some tea and works on the journal.

Bartomus fingers his scarf and poof moves with the greatest of ease. He swings and misses. You did not state your exact position and with what you are attacking so I guessed.

Dorbin has a snack while working on the journal.

Stock turns to see what the commotion is and runs toward the fray.

Micah moves back and casts a spell that hits 1-8.
12 damage + blinded 1 round to all EVIL creatures
6 damage to all Neutral creatures
DC19 Will Save for 1/2 damage and to eliminate blindness

Zanderallen advances and swings at one of men. Unfortunately he misses.

Dirk starts playing.
______________________________________

Merchant level - Sturgeus selling (Bartomus, Micah, Zanderallen, Stock, Dirk)

Saves: on holy smite
1: failed, blinded 1 round
2: failed, blinded 1 round
3-8: 3 and 4 save, 5-8 fail.

Fancy Pants (1) "Argh, can't see." Fortunately that doesn't affect his abilty to start playing. Inspire Courage +2 competence bonus to weapon attack and damage rolls, +2 morale bonus to saves against fear and charm

Trident boy takes a potion from his belt and drinks it.

3 shoots at Zander. He calls out, "Plate mail is closing on you Jack and Henry."
To hit 20 (d20+10) miss. Actually that should be 22, because of the singing, but it's still a miss.

4 takes a step backward. He drops his crossbow and draw his rapier.

5 drops his crossbow and draws his rapier while taking a step backwards.

6 rubs his eyes.

7 stands his ground rapier waving in front of him.

8 spins around and stabs at the sound at his back.
Rapier attack 22 (d20+12) missing Stock.

9 executes a spring attack on Bartomus, darting forward and then retreating.
To hit 32 (d20+12, potential crit) but not confirmed. Damage 11 (d6+6)

10 shoots his hand crossbow at Bartomus.
To hit 17 (d20+12) miss.

11 executes a spring attack on Bartomus, darting forward and then retreating.
To hit 29 (d20+12, potential crit) confirmed on to hit 23 (d20+12). Damage 13 (d6+6)

battle map

Damage
1 12hp
2 potion, all healed up
3 6hp
4 6hp
5 12hp
6 12hp
7 12hp
8 12hp
9
10
11

______________________________________

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

Journal translation:
It details his desires to become more wealthy as his wealth was originally gleaned from adventuring. What treasure he kept over the years was invested not always wisely and often spent in gambling.

Apparently he was frequently a patron at Warrd’s house of Luck but always would gamble with other nobility. It seems his largest debter among the nobility was Lord Peerimon. There is one entry about how he paid off at least 1 debt to Peerimon with original copies of the Slavery series kept in the Rosebud Library.(Important, you guys don't know about the loot destinations at the bottom. This is something that the other group knows about and you have not been able to exchange data. I say this because according to what Sturgeus said, he said he sent it to Unger Platt in Plateau City.)

There is also a reference that now he has something to keep “Him” off his back now that he has read Glenn Hembree’s adventuring journal and stashed it well. In a place no one would consider looking for it. There are some references to consider using it for blackmail but “C” is too dangerous.}

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey



Micah (Sub by Jon M) HP: 34/52 AC: 24/12/24 CMD:18  d20+11=29 ; d8+2=7 ;
Friday April 12th, 2019 9:40:01 AM

Effects: Spiritual Weapon
Micah grimly moves toward the field, moving his hands rhythmically as he whispers a prayer to Domi. A 3 ft. long warhammer made up of flecks of light goes spinning toward one of the bandits, nailing him in the back.

============
Move to AE49
Cast Spiritual Weapon at bad dude #7
Hits AC29, 7 damage


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Friday April 12th, 2019 9:44:23 AM

Dorbin says to Sid, "Some interesting things in this journal, aren't there. The plot thickens..."

Stock (JonM) HP: 104/104; AC: 22/20/13; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 21/22  d20+12=21 ; d20+7=11 ; d10+19=20 ; d10+19=28 ; d6=2 ; d6=5 ;
Friday April 12th, 2019 9:46:15 AM

Status: Raging
"Ooh you can't see me now. Not so good for you! HAHA!"
He steps to the side and brings the hurt. He's laughing so hard with the second swing though that his aim falters a bit.

=========
5ft step to X45
Power Attack1 hits AC21, 20 bludgeoning damage, 2 electricity damage
Power Attack2 hits AC11...ugh; 28 bludgeoning damage, 5 electricity damage


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 48/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+7=18 ; 2d8+1=3 ;
Friday April 12th, 2019 10:36:49 AM

Bartomus felt the two stabs as he tried to regain a sense of where he was at. He was hurt, he knew that, and outnumbered. He stepped a bit forward and swung his glave at the closest of the street thugs, though they were better trained it seemed than a street gang.

Step to T 32, swing at 10 with an 18, if a hit for 3 (sigh)

Dirk Devlin (Zach subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17   d8=4 ;
Friday April 12th, 2019 12:05:15 PM

Dirk continues his playing, hitting an abrasive chord that causes a shock wave to explode on the other side of Bart in addition to continuing to to inspire his allies. He puts a little more effect than normal as his tune competes with the well dressed leader of the street thugs.
-----------------------------------
Inspire Courage (+2 competence bonus to weapon attack and damage rolls, +2 morale bonus to saves against fear and charm) 2 rounds used

Cast Sound Burst at T30 (10ft radius hits 9 and 10)
4 sonic damage and Fort save DC 18 or be stunned for 1 round

Spells used
1st - 0
2nd - 1
3rd - 1

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 84/88 AC: 25(29 vs Trident) T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+17=24 ; d20+12=23 ; d8+21=24 ; d8+21=27 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ;
Friday April 12th, 2019 12:18:10 PM

As the holy energy rains down upon his foes Zanderallen grins in grim satisfaction as it's effects confirm the alignments of his foes. As Jack and Henry back away from him, he sees a path open up. And charging into the middle of the enemy never stopped him before. Taking a quick step forward he calls upon Domi to smite the blinded trident wielder as he finishes his potion.
--------------------------
Divine Bond - Keen and Flaming burst on Longsword 78 rounds remaining
Inspired - +2 to hit and damage
Smite Evil on 2 (+4 to hit and AC, + 8 on damage on bad guy 2)


5ft step to R43
Full Attack on Trident #2
1st - 24 to hit, 24 damage + 3 fire
2nd - 23 to hit, 27 damage + 1 fire

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Friday April 12th, 2019 6:31:11 PM

Sid sips his tea, "I know... do you thing this 'C' is the mysterious Lord Crimson from some of our previous adventures? I feel like we'll have to find him eventually."

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Friday April 12th, 2019 6:35:06 PM

"Indeed. It is definitely time to regroup and compare notes. I wonder where the others are? We should really set up a way to communicate with and track each other. Do you know of any magic that might help?" she asks the others.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Saturday April 13th, 2019 4:33:00 PM

"I have a bird token."

DM Robert - I cannot believe the low rolls.  d20+4=17 ; d20+4=7 ; d20+15=24 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+13=21 ; d20+13=18 ; d20+13=17 ; d20+13=14 ; d20+12=18 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+12=17 ;
Saturday April 13th, 2019 7:05:11 PM

Micah casts Spiritual weapon and moves up. The magic hammer hits. the blue square with sh in it

Dorbin thinks the journal has some interesting points.

Stock sidesteps and swings hitting once.

Bartomus thinks about stepping forward then realizes his glaive is a reach weapon so he can still hit 10 from where he is. He swings, and hits you need to add your +2 for Dirk singing.

Dirk plays and casts a spell, stunning 9 and 10.

Zanderallen steps forward and brings the pain, hitting his opponent both times.

Sid sips his tea and wonders if C is Crimson.

Stohp asks if there's some magic to let the groups talk.

Sid has a bird token ? What's that?

Fancy Pants (1) "OH MY!" He casts Hideous Laughter at Zanderallen and takes a 5 foot step back.
Zanderallen please make a DC 13 Will save or fall prone with laughter.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2 competence bonus to weapon attack and damage rolls, +2 morale bonus to saves against fear and charm

Trident (2) Stabs at Zanderallen and freeing the net at his side casts it at Zanderallen. Yes, think Gladiator.
To hit 24 (d20+15) miss
To hit 10 (d20+10) miss
Net, touch attack 32 (d20+12) hit (this was his hasted attack) and Zanderallen gains the entangled condition. An entangled creature can escape with a DC 20 Escape Artist check (a full-round action). The net has 5 hit points and can be burst with a DC 25 Strength check (also a full-round action)
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

3 shoots at Zander, who is now 10 feet away with his back showing...and quickly reloads.
To hit 20 (d20+13) miss.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

4 uses his spring attack on Zanderallen's flank! and ends his move Near Dirk!
To hit 18 (d20+13) miss oh forgot the +2 for flank,still missed.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

5 uses his spring attack on Zanderallen and prepositions himself!
To hit 17 (d20+13) miss.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

6 uses his spring attack on Zanderallen and prepositions himself!
To hit 14 (d20+13) miss.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

7 uses his spring attack on Stock and prepositions himself!
To hit 18 (d20+12) miss.
Inspire Courage +2

8 uses his spring attack on Stock and prepositions himself!
Rapier attack 13 (d20+12) missing Stock.
Inspire Courage +2

9 stunned
Inspire Courage +2

10 stunned
Inspire Courage +2

11 executes a spring attack on Bartomus, darting forward and repositioning himself.
To hit 17 (d20+12) missing.
Inspire Courage +2

battle map

Damage
1 12hp
2 AC19, 55hp
3 6hp
4 6hp
5 12hp
6 12hp
7 AC 19 19hp
8 AC 19 34hp
9
10 AC 19 5 damage,
11

______________________________________

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

The Shields contemplate how to contact the other party members. Wondering if they've had any luck with their endeavors.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Sunday April 14th, 2019 8:16:23 AM

"A what? Stohp asks, intrigued.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 48/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+9=15 ;
Sunday April 14th, 2019 11:34:43 AM

Bartomus realized that something odd had happened as his opponents seemed to have lost their senses. But, for the one of course, always that one. He shifted towards this one and slashed at the attacker, but his shifting carried his blade in a different direction.

Shift to T35, Attack - 15 (inspite of some great modifiers!) on No. 11

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 48/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+9=15 ;
Sunday April 14th, 2019 4:36:57 PM

Bartomus realized that something odd had happened as his opponents seemed to have lost their senses. But, for the one of course, always that one. He shifted towards this one and slashed at the attacker, but his shifting carried his blade in a different direction.

Shift to T35, Attack - 15 (inspite of some great modifiers!) on No. 11

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+13=19 ; d20+8=26 ; d8+2=5 ; d8+2=5 ;
Sunday April 14th, 2019 9:35:04 PM



"Stock!"[/i] he calls out, [b]"Go help Zander and take care of that enemy bard! The rest of us will deal with these underlings."

He smiles with grim determination as he sees Domi's hammer slam into the nearest adversary.

Micah continues moving forward, pausing to cast another spell, this time on Stock.


=======
Move to AB46
Cast enlarge person on Stock.
Spiritual Weapon (6 rounds remaining) Against #7: AC19 for 7 points; AC 26 for 7 points (forgot to add Dirk's bonus in roller)

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Monday April 15th, 2019 9:56:07 AM

Dorbin nods sleepily and says, "Oh, those bird tokens are nice. But in my readings, I recently heard of an idea that could work in some ways, but it requires two magic users in different groups. Each mage casts light on a small item that the other group takes with them. Then, if something happens and immediate help is required, the mage in the group that needs help can dismiss the spell. So, if you are with a group and the light goes out, you know that the other group needs help."

Stock (JonM) HP: 104/104; AC: 18/17/9; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+17=23 ; d20+16=27 ; 2d8+22=30 ; d6=3 ;
Monday April 15th, 2019 10:16:49 AM

Status: Inspired, Enlarged, Raging

Somewhere in his animal brain, Stock hears Micah's call...and kind of understands him. He charges forward toward the singing, ignoring swings coming his way as he moves. He then sees a man in his way and swings this way and that, trying to get to his target.

======
This will be a little rules heavy but here's what I want to do:
Stock enlarges to cover W44-X45
Charge to S43-T44
As a part of the charge I can overrun #6
CMB23 vs CMD on the overrun - he is knocked prone if I succeed by more than 5
He gets an AoO vs. AC 24 (+4 to AC with mobility)
Charge Power attack vs #2 hits AC27, 30 bludgeoning + 3 electricity
AC updated with -2 from charge


Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Monday April 15th, 2019 12:08:59 PM



Dirks continues playing, throwing extra energy into his song as he encourages his friends.
[b]"Looks like Zander could use some help," he says to no one in particular as he concentrates on summoning a lantern archon.

=============
Continues Inspire Courage
5' step to V39
Cast [i]Summon Monster III[i] as full round action. Will appear at P44.



Zanderallen (Zachary H) 84/88 AC: 23(27 vs Trident) T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 22  d20+12=31 ; d20+15=17 ; d20+10=20 ; d8+21=23 ; d6=6 ;
Monday April 15th, 2019 6:38:06 PM

Zanderallen laughs, but not from the spell. "Do I look like a fish?" He shuffles his position slightly to free his arm enough to swing. The net throws off his first attack but not the second. He then shuffles a little closer to the man in the fancy clothes.
---------------------
Divine Bond - Keen and Flaming burst on Longsword 78 rounds remaining
Inspired - +2 to hit and damage
Smite Evil on 2 (+4 to hit and AC, + 8 on damage on bad guy 2)
Entangled - 2 to hit, -4 Dex


Will save 31 against Hideous Laughter
5ft step to Q43
Full Attack on 2
1st - 17 misses (stupid net)
2nd - 20 hits, 23 damage + 6 fire

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Monday April 15th, 2019 7:15:51 PM

"That... could work." Stohp says hesitantly. Other then having to carry a light around with you everywhere. It'd either give you away, be unnoticeable in broad daylight, or be kept in a pack where it might turn off for a long while before you notice. What's the range on light?

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Monday April 15th, 2019 7:51:03 PM

Sid holds out the token, "Technically it's a Bird Feather Token. I tend to just call them bird token's because it is shorter and it turns into a literal bird. I just write a note," Sid scribbles Hi Micah! How's it going? Are you almost done? What do you want to do for dinner tonight?, "Pop the token," a small bird appears on the table, "you give it the message," he ties it to the bird's leg, "Give it a person to go to, Micah please." The bird looks at Sid tweets and bit and flies off, "And there you go, 150g spent on a pointless demonstration. Man we're so rich now. Say, what do you guys want to do for supper?"

DM Robert - The rest of us will deal with these underlings.  d20+13=16 ; d20+13=14 ; d20+13=29 ; d20+13=16 ; d6+6=8 ; d20+13=16 ; d20+13=22 ; d6+6=12 ; d20+13=31 ; d20+13=16 ; d20+13=30 ; d20+13=30 ; d20+13=24 ; d6+6=8 ; 2d6+6=9 ; d20+12=18 ; 3d8+5=23 ; d20+12=28 ; 5d6+6=23 ; d20+12=22 ; 5d6+6=28 ; d20+12=17 ;
Monday April 15th, 2019 8:53:14 PM

Stohp asks about the magic device.

Bartomus swings and misses.

Micah moves up and casts a spell, making Stock larger. His spiritual hammer keeps whacking away.

Dorbin suggests away two group could keep in contact, but really it would be limited to a per-arrainged signal.

Enlarged Stock charges hitting his opponent out of the way but not knocking him prone. Core rules p193, you can overrun during your movement, however see page 201, Overrun counts as a Standard Action, you will not get to swing at the end of it.

Dirk continues to play and casts a spell. Sorry as you stated and I check your spell is a full round action, that means you cannot move. Also as you were next to a bad buy he does get to make an AOO.

Zanderallen swings and misses and hits. The gladiator goes down in a spray of blood. He shuffles toward fancy pants.

Sid prepares a message for Micah.

-----

Fancy Pants (1) "GADZOOKS!" He takes a step back and casts a spell disappearing. Spellcraft 17 Highlight to display spoiler: {Invisibility}
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2 competence bonus to weapon attack and damage rolls, +2 morale bonus to saves against fear and charm

Trident (2) gurgle flop.

3 shoots at Zander, who is now 10 feet away with his back showing...and quickly reloads while moving away.
To hit 16 (d20+13) miss.
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

4 stabs at Dirk.
First the AOO, To hit 14 (d20+13) lucky
To hit 29 (d20+13) hit damage 8 (d6+6)
hasted attack To hit 16 (d20+13) miss
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

5 stabs at Stock
To hit 16 (d20+13) miss
hasted attack To hit 22 (d20+13) hit damage 12 (d6+6)
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

6 stabs at Stock
To hit 31 (d20+13) potential crit not confirmed hit damage 8 (d6+6)
hasted attack To hit 30 (d20+13) potential crit, confirmed 24 (d20+13) hit damage 9 (d6+6)
Hasted
Inspire Courage +2

7 uses his spring attack on Micah and prepositions himself!
Rapier attack 18 (d20+12) miss
Inspire Courage +2

8 goes up the street and whips out a potion, glug.

9 uses his spring attack on Bartomus and winds up where he started.
Rapier attack 23 (d20+12) hit and since you are flanked by 11 threatening with his spring attack, damage 23 (5d6+6, yes they are all thieves with backstab)
Inspire Courage +2

10 uses his spring attack on Bartomus and is slightly re positioned
Rapier attack 22 (d20+12) hit and since you are flanked by 11 threatening with his spring attack, damage 28 (5d6+6, yes they are all thieves with backstab)
Inspire Courage +2

11 executes a spring attack on Bartomus, darting forward and repositioning himself.
To hit 17 (d20+12) missing.
Inspire Courage +2

battle map

Damage
1 12hp
2 AC19, 88hp Dead
3 6hp
4 6hp
5 12hp
6 12hp
7 AC 19 33hp
8 AC 19 11hp drank a potion
9
10 AC 19 5 damage,
11

______________________________________

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

The Shields contemplate how to contact the other party members. Wondering if they've had any luck with their endeavors.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 51/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=23 ; d20+3=22 ; d20+3=8 ; d6=1 ; d6=1 ;
Monday April 15th, 2019 10:01:56 PM

OOC: one can still make a five foot step while taking a full round action. No effect, since it missed. Here's the address to the SRD: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/Gamemastering/Combat/#TOC-Full-Round-Actions.


Dirk strums a minor chord when the rapier gets through his guard, but continues to encourage his allies.

The bard again steps away from his attacker. Seeing the plight of Bart, he summons a swarm of bats on rogues 9 and 10.

Two beams of light shine from the eyes of the archon, one strikes #3 a glancing blow, while the other blasts wide.

============
Spellcraft 23.
Inspire courage continues
5' step to U40.
Cast Summon Swarm (bats) on square S30 to T31. 9 and 10 each take 1 point of damage and 1 bleed. Also, they must make a Fort DC 11 save or be nauseated for one round.

Lantern Archon
Innate ability:
Aura of Menace. All hostiles within 20' of the archon must make Will Save DC 13 or take a –2 penalty on attacks, AC, and saves for 24 hours or until they successfully hit the archon that generated the aura. A creature that has resisted or broken the effect cannot be affected again by the same archon’s aura for 24 hours.

Attacks: Touch attack 22 and 8. Attack that hits does 1 point of damage.

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+13=30 ; d20+13=25 ; d8+4=7 ; d8+4=10 ;
Monday April 15th, 2019 10:14:50 PM


When Micah sees the leader disappear, he decides to take immediate action, casting invisibility purge.
Realizing the limited range of his spell he shouts, "Zanderallen! Never run ahead again! You would think you were a Took or something!" The heavily armored priest then rushes forward with heroic effort.

As he rushes forward, he says to Stock, "Looks like we can ignore the leader now thanks to the bloody paladin."

Meanwhile, the spiritual hammer pursues the repositioning number 7 like a holy rottweiler, striking its foe soundly, not once, but twice

========
invisibility purge duration 8 minutes. Negates invisibility within 40 feet of Micah.
Hero Point for extra move action.
Move to V43.
Spiritual Weapon on 7. To hit 30 for 7 points and to hit 20 (should be +8 for second attack) for 10 more points.

Stock (JonM) HP: 89/104; AC: 20/19/11; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+14=23 ; d20+9=22 ; 2d8+22=38 ; 2d8+22=30 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ;
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 9:29:19 AM

Status: Inspired, Enlarged, Raging
Stock is annoyed more than anything...but when you are in a rage, it just comes out as more raging. He turns on the mook that landed a couple lucky blows and slams him twice as hard as he can. It is not a pretty scene.

==========
PA1 vs #6 hits AC23, 38 damage, 2 electricity
PA2 vs #6 or #5 hits AC22, 30 damage, 4 electricity


Bartomus(Rod) HP: -12/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 9:38:35 AM

Bartomus realized he was in a bad place when suddenly his shift allowed the other two thugs to slash at him scoring deep strikes into the Taur. He bellowed loudly only to have it cut short as he collapsed to the ground.

Ugly hits to say the least.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 9:38:36 AM

Dorbin nods and says, "Well sure, the light option is a bit limited, but I don't[ think there'd be a problem with the range. It does have a limited duration, but for me, now, it would still last over an hour."

He watches the bird fly away and says, "That's a good one, too. It can certainly provide a bit more information, but still is only one-way. What would really be nice would be something like a ring or something that we could talk to one another telepathically. Now THAT would be something cool."

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 23(27 vs Trident) T: 11 FF: 22 CMD: 22  d20+5=16 ; d20+11=30 ; d8+13=15 ; d6=4 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ;
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 1:04:50 PM

With the net fighter down Zanderallen slices himself free of the net looking around for where the bard disappeared to. He's about to give Micah a piece of his mind when his bloods runs cold at the sound of Bart's bellow of pain. Or at least he prayed it was a bellow of pain and not a death bellow. Rushing past friend and foe towards the falling minotaur he rallies himself to send out a wave of healing, nor caring who it reached except his friend. He roars out in a monstrous voice, "If you've killed him, I swear by the gods you will know my vengeance."
---------------------------
Standard Action - attack unattended object(net)
30 to hit, 15 damage
Move to T38, provoking from 4 and 11
Hero point for extra action
Channel Energy (reaches Bart, Z, Dirk, Stock, Micah, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11)
All inside heal 15 hp

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 7:17:27 PM

The bird doesn't come back with a response? Stohp asks. "Also, you realize that it might fly to anybody named "Micah" in the city since you didn't say his last name right?"

DM Robert - The rest of us will deal with these underlings.  d20+4=15 ; d20+4=22 ; d20+11=23 ; d6+4=9 ; d20+11=22 ;
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 8:54:05 PM

OOC: one can still make a five foot step while taking a full round action. No effect, since it missed. Here's the address to the SRD: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/Gamemastering/Combat/#TOC-Full-Round-Actions. - Ah, yes, but he was not 5 foot stepping he declared a 30 foot move. Anyway...

Dirk continues to play. He summons a nasty swarm of bats on Bartomus's attackers. (Both saved) The Archon tries to put some fear in people. It gives the fleeing henchman a hot seat.

Micah rushes up casts a spell, but see's nothing. Behind him he hears the hammer strike once then pause vibrating. It's chosen victim has moved off this mortal coil.

Stock smash puny humans! 5 and 6 are dead dead.

Bartomus feels weak and begins to pass out, he see's the form of a fire elemental, at least they would have taken damage as they killed him.

Dorbin wonders about rings of telepathy.

Zanderallen free's himself and throws caution to the wind and rushes forth provoking attacks just to save his friend (earn a hero point).

Stohp wonders how effective that bird could be.

-----

Fancy Pants (1) The playing stops....Perception 20Highlight to display spoiler: {}You hear boots on cobblestone running away.[/i]

3 Runs for all that he is worth and with that extra boost from hasted.
Hasted

4 takes the AOO at Zanderallen.
First the AOO, To hit 23 (d20+11) hit, Zander takes 9 damage, which would have then been healed by his channel as that came next. :(
He eyes what Stock just did to his friends..."I'm not getting paid enough for this." He double moves away.
Hasted

5 dies horribly

6 dies possibly as horribly as 5

7 dies ignobly

8 has been shocked and awed by Zanderallen and Stock. He double moves out of dodge.

9 attempts to withdraw from the bats.

10 attempts to withdraw from the bats.

11 takes the AOO at Zanderallen.
First the AOO, To hit 22 (d20+11) miss, the scrape of the rapier along his armor is piercing and loud causing a cringing of those that can hear it. He looks around, trapped. He drops his sword and raises his hands "Okay I surrender."

battle map

Damage
1 12hp
2 Dead
3 Running away.
4 all healed up
5 very dead
6 dead and then some
7 dead
8 AC 19 11hp drank a potion
9 AC 19 1 damage,
10 AC 19 6 damage,
11

______________________________________

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

As Stohp, Dorbin, and Sid sit at the table and send off their message. Briadoc pops up at the table. "Did someone say supper? I say you must have your meal names confused. You see, 7:00am is Breakfast, then about 9:00am is Second Breakfast, at 11:00am well that's Elevenses, 1:00pm is Luncheon, 4:00pm is Afternoon Tea but really what's tea without some cakes, and at 6:00pm there's Dinner and finally at 8:00pm you eat Supper. So see really it's about time for Luncheon." He smiles at you all. "What's for lunch?"

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=5 ; d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ;
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 9:21:00 PM


Micah blinks when he realizes the battle is over, but still worries about their unseen foe.
Certain that his spell would neutralize the leader's invisibility, he deduces that he must have run away with the others. This thought process takes only a moment as concern for the fallen minotaur overshadows all else now that immediate danger seems to have passed.

He moves within range of the druid then channels energy, keeping an eye out for their unseen foe.

========
Perception 5 (Nat 1)
Move to V40
Channel energy ( intentionally excluding 11) for 15 hit points.

Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Tuesday April 16th, 2019 9:30:15 PM


Dirk laughs aloud as he sees the foes run from his bats. Enjoying their effect, he commands them to stay in place rather than dismiss them for now.

Suddenly he realizes what has happened and stops playing.

"We did it!" exclaims Dirk, tones of relief, surprise, and pride mingling together in his tone.

Looking around, he realizes he is standing next to where Zander set down the painting. Carefully, he reaches down and grabs their charge.

As Micah's healing power washes over him, he laughs again, trying not to smile too much.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 10/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   2d8+2=7 ;
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 12:40:14 AM

Darkness gave way to grayness of varying shades to eventual light through closed eyes. They fluttered open and he looked about. His head swam, it hurt, as did his back and side. He groaned as he sat up to see bats encircling two of his attackers. The third seemed to have surrendered to Zander.

He fished into his pouch and pulled forth a vial, shook it, pulled out the stopper and drank. He felt a bit of a tingle and the ringing in his head seemed to be softer. "I don't like them at all."

[i] CMW potion for 7[i/]

Stock (JonM) HP: 89/104; AC: 20/19/11; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22 
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 9:52:32 AM

Effects: Enlarged, Raging

Stock's head whips around and he begins sniffing at the air, furiously looking around.

=========
Rage Power Scent: The barbarian gains the scent ability while raging and can use this ability to locate unseen foes.
Scent: A creature with the scent ability can detect opponents by sense of smell, generally within 30 feet. If the opponent is upwind, the range is 60 feet. If it is downwind, the range is 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at three times these ranges. The creature detects another creature’s presence but not its specific location. Noting the direction of the scent is a move action. If the creature moves within 5 feet (1 square) of the scent’s source, the creature can pinpoint the area that the source occupies, even if it cannot be seen.
Move Action: Where is that bard? Sense direction.
Second move action: move 30' toward the smell or if he doesn't smell anything, move 30' west.


Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 12:10:05 PM

Zander calms dramatically when he sees Bart get to his feet. Directing his attention back to the thug that surrendered he shoves him none too gently to a seated position against the wall. "Try to stab me and then surrender? Thankfully for you my friend is alright so I'm feeling generous. What's your name?" Zander takes a quick look around to make sure nothing else needed his attention, Micah was healing Bart, Dirk had secured the painting, the remaining baddies were feeling, and Stock was... well Stock running down the alley sniffing like a blood hound. He'll come to his senses in a moment Zander thinks before turning back to their prisoner.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 2:53:50 PM

Dorbin's cat stands up and meows when Briadoc appears explaining mealtimes. He takes another sip of tea and says, "I wonder what the others are doing now? Does it seem like they've been gone for some time, or is it just me?"

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 6:47:00 PM

"Well, is it so early? Hmm, well, I was thinking really hard about our Micah, and I believe that's what's needed. I mean, how many 'John Smith"s' are there in the Wold eh? It is only one way though and unfortunately you can't send another token with it. I think fancy rings would be nice. What would the range on that be Dorbin?"

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 6:57:04 PM

"So you have to focus on who it is? That makes more sense, just saying a name would make it to easy to go to the wrong person. As for timing... we didn't agree on a time to come back and we probably had the simplest errand, just checking on that house. Even if they are taking a long time it's not like we could find them to help them finish up.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 6:57:55 PM

Stohp looks over at Braidoc. "I don't know, what do you want? We're just waiting around anyway, we can get whatever."

DM Robert - I don't know, what do you want? 
Wednesday April 17th, 2019 8:15:24 PM

Micah moves toward Bartomus and channels some healing power of Domi.

Dirk is giddy with victory, but still manages to pick up the painting.

Still feeling weak Bartomus downs a potion.

Stock seems almost feral as he sniffs around looking for something to smash, but can find no scent of the villians, he does however detect the tange of garbage in metal cans, cans that are almost completely full.(so say about a week of garbage)

Zander shoves the henchman down and demands some answers.

Dorbin's wonders about the others.

Sid thinks rings of telepathy would be nice and asks about ranges.

Stohp also wonders about the others and asks Briadoc what he wants.

-----

Merchant level in the streets (Micah, Stock, Bartomus, Zanderallen, Dirk)

The fight is done. The henchman looks at Zanderallen. "Name's Lowfar Tunis. We were hired by Mordecai LaRue to come to the Float and rob Sturgeus Selling. He said he saw an expensive painting in there and did some nosing round that there might be other valuable stuff. So we came to do a shakedown, but then saw the guards going in and so waited. Then he sees you taking what looks like the painting and decides to rob it from you."

A bird flutters down and lands on Micah's arm, then it dissolves in a mass of sparkling colors, leaving behind a note. The note reads: Hi Micah! How's it going? Are you almost done? What do you want to do for dinner tonight? Micah wonders who it could be from as it was not signed. Linguistics 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {It looks like Sid's handwriting.} Micah looks up, Dinner? It looks to be just past noon.

Some loot:
+1 short sword,
darts (10),
masterwork mace,
+1 trident,
belt of giant strength +2,
ring of protection +1,
antitoxin,
240 gp

4 potion of cure moderate wounds,
4 potion of invisibility,
4 tanglefoot bag;
5, +1 studded leather,
4, +1 rapier,
8 masterwork hand crossbow
4 quivers with 8 bolts dipped in Blue whinnis poison
4 cloak of resistance +1,
4 thieves’ tools,
1956 gp

______________________________________

Fence Level - Shields HQ (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

Briadoc jumps up beaming. One should never ask a halfling what he wants to eat when technically he is your guest.. "Oh we could have start with some meat pies 2 or 3 should be sufficient for me, and maybe then some fresh pears, then we could have some puffy waffles with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and cherries, and maybe a side scoop of vanilla ice cream. I hear the The Fatted Calf, has some excellent meat pies."

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey


Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Thursday April 18th, 2019 3:03:41 AM

Stohp really doesn't care of Braidoc wants to eat himself into a food coma. It's not like they can't afford it. Rather than carry all of that stuff back she just takes him to the Fatted Calf to claim their free meal of the day.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+7=9 ; 2d8+2=12 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2019 10:03:49 AM

So, wrong place at the right time, or right place at the wrong time?" Bartomus winced as he pulled himself up off the floor and glared at the captured thief. He slowly walked over and glowered at the captive, but his wounds made it more of a shrug. This LaRue, where does he spend his days and his nights? Seems to be pretty well informed to things down here and with our new friend Sturgis."

Bartomus fished into his pouch and pulled out a second vial. He pulled out the stopper and quickly drank it. A warmth extended outward from his stomach and throat. He took a deeper breath, tilted his head to both sides to help relieve the tensions in his neck.

Intimidate 9; 2nd CMW potion for +12

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 10:46:36 AM

Dorbin is glad to see that Stohp is doing something to deal with the suddenly quite annoying halfling. He goes along with them to the Fatted Calf for the noon meal.

Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=16 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2019 12:47:46 PM


Dirks stands still, feeling a bit awkward as he holds the obviously very valuable painting.

He looks around to see if anyone else may suddenly show a violent interest in obtaining it.

=====
Perception 16 to look for potential threats

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d8+1=2 ; d8+1=2 ; d8+1=6 ; d8+1=9 ; d8+1=4 ; d8+1=5 ; d8+1=8 ;
Thursday April 18th, 2019 1:11:51 PM


Seeing that Zanderallen, Stock, and Dirk are on the alert, Micah continues to aid Bartomus.

He draws out his wand, he quietly responds, "I agree. This Larue seems to be a bit too informed for my taste."

He uses the wand to heal Bart until all of his wounds are healed. He shakes his head as he does so and comments, "These are some pretty nasty blades for hire. I am glad it is over, but sorry so many got away."

=========
CLW (5 charges) Total healing: 32 hit points



Stock (JonM) HP: 89/104; AC: 20/19/11; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 2:40:02 PM

Stock comes back to his senses, looking a bit disheveled but otherwise unhurt. He jogs over and help Bartomus up and then rounds on the survivor. "Glad I'm the only one who doesn't know this Larue..." To the surviving mook: "Who was that bard? Just another stooge working for Larue? Does Larue spend a lot of time stealing from other crooks like Sturgeus?"

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 5:05:30 PM

"Well, Lowfar looks like you've earned yourself an afternoon with the Silver Shields. Let's get this painting back to Rosebud's and then head back home. We can take custody of this lowlife to ask him some more questions. Plus we can combine notes with whatever the others may have been able to gather and decide on some next steps." Zanderallen will disarm Lowfar and then encourage him to walk with the group.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 7:03:02 PM

Sid goes along with the rest of his group and pens another bird to Micah. If you and the rest are done with your chores we're going to The Fatted Calf for luncheon. Baridoc is going to eat like a halfling so don't dawdle or there might not be any food left. -S

"Hey Dorbin, if we all got those rings would we be able to hear each other at the same time or would it only be one-to-one?"

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 7:03:44 PM

He also pens one to Ellie if she wants to join us or have Sid pick something up for her.

DM Robert - I am glad it is over, 
Thursday April 18th, 2019 8:05:13 PM

Stohp takes Briadoc to the Fatted Calf to claim their free meal of the day.

Bartomus asks more questions of the captive.

Dorbin goes with Stohp.

Dirk looks around but only see's the faces of people looking out from the various business. Smiling faces.

Micah works on healing Bartomus.

Stock, still enlarged, adds some more questions of the captured henchman.

Zanderallen suggests the Shields needs to regroup. OOC, Lowfar is already disarmed, his stuff is in the loot bin.

Sid sends a query to his finace. OOC, hmm, someday we'll have to have a little side adventure about the marriage. Then he joins Stohp and Dorbin, still asking about how the rings would work.

-----

Merchant level in the streets and Fence level in the streets. (Micah, Stock, Bartomus, Zanderallen, Dirk)

Lowfar replies, "Well it's like this LaRue is the Bard. As to where he hangs out, I don't know we just got here. We traveled from Emerald City to Plateau City and then took the gate to here. Normally we don't travel so much but LaRue was paying good coin and board as well. Now as to robbing thieves, I was not aware that Sturgeus is in fact one of the sanctioned 'auctioneers' of booty. We don't have to really nose around that I was going to be knocking over his store. We can just say I was in on holding you up right?"

You hear applause from the nearby stores, along with snippets of "that was great", "Imagine seeing the Silver Shields in action", and the like. However, you quickly manage to 'get away' and head to Rosebud Publishing. There you are escorted by Hanse up the stairs and into Barbara's office where she thanks you for such quick work. She almost asks a question but you see a slight shake of her head seeing that you have a prisoner OOC is he manacled in any way?

Then you quickly go down to the Fence level. On the way to HQ you catch sight of Stohp, Briadoc, Dorbin, and Sid entering the Fatted Calf.

______________________________________

Fence Level - The Fatted Calf (Stohp, Dorbin, Sid)

Briadoc seems thrilled to be on an outing. The group enters the Fatted Calf. Brassy see's them and approaches. "Well Hello there. How can I help you? Are you hear for lunch? Just the 4 of you or should I expect more? Do you want one of the tables out here, or would you prefer one of the back rooms? You know from past experience that he would prefer you to eat out in the common area because you eating here always attracts more customers. However, you also know that eating out in the common area let's everyone hear what you might be talking about.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - AND HOW!
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey



Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Friday April 19th, 2019 2:47:52 AM

Stohp has no plans to discuss their current mission so is fine with the common room. "Just us for now yes."

Stock (JonM) HP: 89/104; AC: 20/19/11; DR 1/-; CMB: 15; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22 
Friday April 19th, 2019 9:02:44 AM

Stock enjoys a quick bite and then nods to Micah. "How about we take this trash over to your brother and then head down to the Temple of Caeroldra like we were planning?" The 'trash' he is talking about is obviously the goon that was picked up in the fight.

"Anybody else want to come?"

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Friday April 19th, 2019 9:25:09 AM

Dorbin tells Sid, "I've heard rumors of rings where an entire group can talk to one another completely in their minds. No one else can overhear them. They are quite powerful artifacts. I mean, I've never seen one, just heard about them. I think some of the powerful dragon groups have them."

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Friday April 19th, 2019 10:09:22 AM

The repeated taps with the wand brought wave after wave of energy that coursed through him chasing away the pains and healing the wounds left by Lowfar's colleagues. "Thanks Micah, truly, they were nasty. Seems I will be tossing this shirt aside - being a Shield is a bit tough on clothing, it seems.

He glanced over at Dirk holding the larger painting, "Dirk, you want me to carry that for a bit? And, what are we doing with our new 'friend' here? Taking him with us? Then what?"

He followed along. He smiled with a bit of embarrassment as he heard some of the kind words about the Shields. His stomach grumbled a few times. Food would be a good option, he thought to himself.

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Friday April 19th, 2019 2:39:37 PM

Relieved that Bartomus is healed, Micah quietly puts his wand away.

Micah is unable to suppress his smile as he wordlessly reaches out and starts repairing the tears to Bart's shirt with his magic.

"Let us deliver him to Lukas. Then I think we should find the others before going out alone. I hope they did not run into similar trouble," he says with a meaningful look at the carnage. "Perhaps we should wait for them back at HQ".

========
mending orison is "cure" Bart's clothing.

Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  
Friday April 19th, 2019 3:00:48 PM

"Good idea," agrees Dirk, handing the painting to Bartomus.

Having an idea he casts message including all of the Shields currently with him. "In case we get spread out again, this will enable us to communicate without alerting everyone around us," he explains.

==========
Message duration 80 minutes. Currently applies to Micah, Zanderallen, Stock, Dirk, and Bartomus. Allows whispered communication among targeted creatures within 180 ft that can only be intercepted by a DC 25 perception check.


Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Friday April 19th, 2019 6:53:25 PM

"That's a good idea Stock. We can come back for questioning later. I want to join up with the others." After dropping off the painting and stopping by the guard post to turn in Lowfar, Zanderallen heads back towards HQ with the others. [b]"Hey I think I see the others going into the Fattened Calf. Lunch sounds pretty good."[b/] Zanderallen restrains himself from talking about want they found until they get back to the privacy of home. Then he shares everything they learned.

DM Robert - "- being a Shield is a bit tough on clothing, it seems." 
Saturday April 20th, 2019 9:20:55 AM

Stohp takes a common table.

Stock is up for some food.

Dorbin speaks of the rings of telepathy.

Bartomus is for moving on.

Micah 'heals' Bartomus's shirt. He feels the prisoner should be turned over to Lukas for now.

Dirk casts messenger on everyone.

Zander agrees to turn over the prisone.

----

The prisoner is turned over to Lukas. He is busy with booking Sturgeus but readily takes the prisoner when the charges are laid against him...attempted theft and assault with a deadly weapon.

The painting is delivered to Barbara (as previously depicted).

Stock, Bartomus, Micah, Dirk, and Zander enter the Fatted Calf. There they see Stohp, Dorbin, Sid, Elly, and Briadoc sitting at a table eating lunch. Amazingly the halfling seems to be eating as big a portions as Stohp. Brassy is beside himself now that the other Shields have arrived for lunch. He scoots a table over to the others and seats the Shields near each other.

Lunch is grand. However, the place is soon packed. Late comers tell of the recent Shield fight on the Merchant level. You can tell the tale is getting larger in the telling. Prudently none of the shields talk about business while here. Finally the halfling burps and comments about taking a nap. The group rises and leaves

At last the group returns to HQ there to sit and talk about matters at hand.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want me to keep this up?
Do you want to delete things that have been done?
Do you want to mark anything as Done that I have not?
Do you want to have anything added in?


1 - Check with Micah's brother to see what's what. Done
2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, maybe where he lived, neighbors, who he was involved with, etc. That would involve going to the Gold level.
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - WOW you found some sort of burnt book in the fireplace of Imbry's home...
3 - Checking if 'good deals' were made on books and art. That would involve going to the merchant level, too bad Jasper and his friends are no longer around to point out shady operators. Who else do you know that might know something along those lines...or you could do some investigating and roll really high on knowledge local.
a - Sturges selling looks interesting - Done.
b - now you have a list of where some of the items are.
4 - She mentioned that those were the items they found forgeries of, could something have been missed?
5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.



Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Sunday April 21st, 2019 11:39:18 AM

Their meal was good, and the excitement that soon fluttered about them kept them at ease enjoying the moment. At one point, he turned about and realized his shirt was no longer slashed. He was surprised and turned back to Micah with a look of amazement thanking him for that.

When they got back to their headquarters, he still felt that they should follow up on the folks Sturges mentioned. "So, Sturges mentioned a few folks and one of them, Lord Peerimon, seemed to be one of his better customers. Think it might be advantageous to see if we could make a visit there, or that other Lordship, Jonas something."

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Sunday April 21st, 2019 7:41:44 PM

"You know we should look into that, maybe for later if they are that expensive" ((I didn't read a response, so if I may)) A little bird flitters down on Sid's hand at the beginning of the meal, tweets at him, and then swells up and pops into a small ball of smoke and glitter. A note flutters to the table and Sid reads it, Customer's in the shop. Baked fish and salad please -E. Sid nods and let's Brassy know what what she wants, asks for a skin of wine to be sent over as well and then pays him a bit extra for delivery.

"Say, how's your trash situation? Are you coping?" He asks the Innkeep while he has him.

Dirk Devlin (John H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  
Sunday April 21st, 2019 7:41:50 PM


"I agree," replies Dirk. [b]"I suggest that this time, we stick together. That last encounter was a bit touch and go," he adds with a meaningful look at the formerly injured Bartomus.

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Sunday April 21st, 2019 7:44:13 PM


Micah is relieved to be done with the painting and the prisoner. Back at the headquarters, he doffs his armor in the common room while listening to the others.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6 
Monday April 22nd, 2019 9:42:56 AM

"Don't want to split the party again, eh Dirk? Yeah, I suppose we don't need to take undue risk in tracking down these pieces."

Then looking at Bart he says, "To Peerimon then?"

=========
[ooc]If it's not too big of a problem, I appreciate you putting the extra footer on your posts[/ooc]

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Monday April 22nd, 2019 10:54:59 AM

Dorbin nods his head as the others relate their story of their encounter. He yawns and tries to tell the story of their adventures touring the house for sale, but really doesn't manage to make it very exciting.

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Monday April 22nd, 2019 5:55:37 PM

"We could start here on the Float level with the temple to Caeroldra. Then head up to the merchant level to drop them off. Then up to the higher levels to collect the rest. Then we'll have to figure out what to do about the Plateau City fence."

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Monday April 22nd, 2019 7:51:20 PM

Stohp readily agrees with the other's plans.

(I really apreciate the running recap as I've only been paying attention to my part of each post. You could probably delete done things, or maybe just change the formatting on them a little so they stand out?)

DM Robert - " That last encounter was a bit touch and go." 
Monday April 22nd, 2019 8:38:19 PM

Bartomus is for paying a visit to Lord Peerimon.

Sid enjoys his meal with Elly and asks Brassy about the trash situation.

Dirk agrees with Bartomus and suggests the group stay together.

Micah listens to what the others say.

Stock agrees with not splitting the party and seems to want to visit Peerimon.

Dorbin can't seem to make a story exciting...perhaps he should use profession scholar to try to write a book and get it published?

Zanderallen thinks they should visit the temple to Caeroldra since it's on the Fence level and they are already on that level. He also mentions the fence in Plateau City. OOC FYI, the fence in Plateau City is way off track, there's not even a module written for that at this point in time.

Stohp is willing to go with the party, but the party now has two goals on the table.
-------------

Brassy looks at Sid and gets a sad expression. "It's not good. We didn't realize when the rat folk, I mean the beast folk left, that they were actually taking care of the trash. Guess no one really thought about it. I think the City Lords are going to talk about it at a special meeting soon, buy really not sure what going to happen. Like as not they will tax us more and then it's still probably going to be weeks before things get better." He shakes his head and goes back to work.

The group sits around the table at HQ.
Knock knock knock. Everyone turns half expecting something to come attacking through the door. But really would an attacker knock? Rodrigo goes to answers the door. Faintly you hear. "Delivery for a Micah Smith. Sorry for the late delivery, all the boys were on vacation at the same time. Boss won't be letting that happen again." Rodrigo comes over and hands a wand to Micah. Delivery of you wand of cure light wounds. OOC I think it was light wounds, not sure I want to go wading back through emails to be sure, so it the cure wand you bought from the catacombs.

Several party members talk about going to pay a visit on Lord Peerimon.
Knowledge Local 20 group effort approved Highlight to display spoiler: { You're pretty sure Lord Peerimon lives on the open air level. You think it's on Diamond Street. See the map. The address exact address is not important.}

Zanderallen has suggested tackling the temple to Caeroldra since it's right here on the fence level.
Knowledge local 10 group effort if you want Highlight to display spoiler: {in fact it's about a 15 minute walk from your HQ. }

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=9 ;
Monday April 22nd, 2019 8:58:02 PM

OOC: It was two wands of cure light wounds.

Micah accepts the package and quickly checks the two wands he received. Holding one up in each hand and sporting a big grin, he says, "New curing wands. Stock, I think will go ahead and write your name on one of this."

He then turns to Zanderallen, "On a serious note, your plan sounds like a practical one. I am all for heading to the Temple of Caerolda first.

=============
Is Joe back?

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+7=19 ; d20+7=17 ;
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 12:33:53 AM

"Well the Temple is not that far away, Bartomus nodded in agreement with Micah. "What do you think would be the best way to approach a Temple, that temple, with them buying stolen or embezzled goods? Anyone got an in we could play off of?""

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+3=6 ;
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 11:01:09 AM

Stock grins at Micah. "Not a scratch in that last fight. I'm not sure what you mean." Then to Bart, "So...we should just go in the front door? Father Barnholdt seemed like a decent enough chap and it's not like the entire place is going to be like Father Arellius."

Stock starts gathering his things and heading toward the door. He calls over his shoulder, "You guys know where we are going, right?"

===
Know Local 6


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=35 ;
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 11:30:37 AM

Dorbin nods in agreement and says, "Certainly we won't be splitting up again soon while this investigation continues, I would think." He shares what he knows about the temple (knowledge, local, 35).

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 7:32:13 PM

Grabbing his stuff Zander leads the way. "Yep, just down the street. Father Barnholdt seemed a reasonable man and we have the law on our side. Hopefully it's easy."

DM Robert - " On a serious note, your plan sounds like a practical one." 
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 8:10:23 PM

Micah looks over his new wands and makes ready to visit Father Barnholdt.

Bartomus contemplates how the party should address Father Barnholdt.

Stock is ready to move out and thinks they should just ask Father Barnholdt.

Dorbin knows exactly where the temple is located and agrees that the group should stay together.

Zanderallen, ever the optimist, grabs his gear and states it should be easy.

Sid...
Dirk...
Stohp...
-----------------------
The party heads out the door and over to the temple. As they enter the temple they are struck by how fashionable the interior now looks. Somebody has really fixed up the place and made it look welcoming and austere at the same time. Yet the color choices are bright and cheerful.
Perception 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { the only picture you see on the wall of the main temple is the pointed urn that symbolizes worship of Caeroldra.}
Knowledge Religion 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Caeroldra is the patron of everything that is lovely, beautiful and full of passion. Caeroldra believes that the concept of passion is to be applied in all aspects of life. Life is too short to spend it doing things that bring pain and suffering. Instead, one should do what brings them joy!}

Father Barnholdt is at the far end of the room. Seeing you he rises. You note that he is wearing quite dashing clothing, impressive even.
Perception 20 or Appraise 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { In fact while the clothing is quite fasionable, you note it is not top of the line but probably done by a tailor that would be considered a knock-off copier or imitator. The fabric is not the best that money can buy and the tailoring itself lends to the look of not being quite fitted right. In all this is not a very expensive outfit but it is being made to look like an expensive outfit. It would not pass on the Gold or Open air level, but it might pass on the merchant level, in the twilight or dark, but would certainly pass here on the fence level.}
Knowledge Religion 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Clerics of Caeroldra dress in the latest fashions according to their current passions. During worship, they wear white togas, or nothing at all. All are either beautiful on the outside or carry an incredible charisma about them. All are accomplished at maximizing their outer beauty.}

Father Barnholdt sweeps his arms outward as if to embrace you all as he comes forward. "Dear friends how good of you to visit. Is there something I can do for you? Do you wish assistance in finding your true passion in life and attuning your life goals to follow that passion?"

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 8:28:25 PM

[b]”you seem well,[b] responds Micah, taking the hug literally as he advanced to return the embrace.

Ooc: can’t read spoilers. I’ll be back in town tomorrow; hopefully, with a more substantial post.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 9:12:12 PM

"It could easily be a sole person buying black market goods. We must be careful not to be to accusatory though, they're a passionate lot and could be difficult if we set them off."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+13=14 ; d20+13=19 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 10:06:03 AM

Stock notices that a bee keeps hovering around him. He keeps swatting at it but it doesn't go away. He realizes all of a sudden that they've arrived and Father Barnholdt is present. "Father...good to see you."

He swats again and realizes that apparently the bee is gone.

"You got any good artwork, Father?" He forgets that he should be letting the more persuasive members do the talking.

=======
Perception Spoiler 14; Stock is a bit distracted apparently
Perception Spoiler 19; Still distracted



Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+9=20 ; d20+9=21 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 10:52:31 AM

Dorbin smiles and nods as they enter. He notices the attire and decor (perception: 20, 21), but does not say anything in front of the priest. When Stock blurts out his question, Dorbin looks at him sideways in surprise.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+12=28 ; d20+12=13 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 3:11:50 PM

Bartomus followed along and as they entered the newly restored temple, he found himself lost in the colors and the work that greeted him. He was not paying much attention to those about him and pulled himself to focus on the man that had greeted them.

"Passions you say, well now that is a different way to think about life, but left unchecked, that could be the road to the Trash Level for many a poor Taur, or so I have been told Bartomus said in a somewhat distracted manner. He smiled at the man and continued to gaze about.

Perception 28; 13 (a natural one)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=20 ; d20+8=22 ; d20+5=11 ; d20+8=10 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 5:51:32 PM

Zander's gaze quickly takes in the fact that the paintings they are looking for aren't in evidence in the main hall. He greets Father Barnhodlt warmly, "Father, it is good to see you looking well and the temple looking so attractive. We are actually following our passion now of helping out the people of the Float. I hate to bring up unpleasant memories but we are tracking down some stolen paintings and some of them were purchased by Arellius. Have you ever seen the Temple of Elemental Evil or The Werewolf spies his Prey? Or know where Arellius may have put them?"
-----------------------
Perception 20
Know Rel 22
Perception 11
Know Rel 10

Dirk Devlin (Zach H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+7=19 ; d20+9=28 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 5:56:54 PM

Dirk is a little taken aback at the older man's exuberance and let's the others who know him take care of the talking. He looks around the temple thinking about how following one's passions isn't such a bad way to do things.
----------------------
Appraise 19
Know rel 28

(OOC: Emailed Joe, he's still underwater with the install so I'm subbing for him a little longer.)

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=18 ; d20+12=27 ; d20+10=13 ; d20+16=33 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 6:48:59 PM

Sid nods as he looks around and stays quiet. He considers how much he would have to pay people to clean trash and starts compiling a list of those me thinks might work well in the position.

==========================================================

Perception: 18
Perception: 27
Profession(Merchant): 13 (Wages)
Knowledge(Local): 33 (workers)

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+14=23 ; d20+14=34 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 7:09:25 PM

Stohp eyes the temple and the father and is easily able to make a few deductions (perception 23 and 34). "Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Their owner was betrayed by an employee and the business that is the passion of her life may fold unless they are returned."

DM Robert - " You got any good artwork, Father?" 
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 8:16:43 PM

Micah embraces Barnholdt.

Stohp considers how to approach the subject. Then she puts in words hard for father Barnholdt to avoid.

Stock asks about artwork.

Dorbin takes in the surroundings but stays quiet.

Bartomus seems to critic the ways of unbridled passion.

Zanderallen lays out the passion of the Shields and asks about the stolen paintings.

Dirk looks around but doesn't say anything.

Sid eyes the surroundings but really doesn't seem to be there. OOC, the trash guild will have to wait until after the module is complete.

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

Father Barnholdt finishes his embrace with Micah. Barnholdt laughs at Stock's abruptness. "I say, ever the direct one Stock. Let's see, good artwork, but then one persons interpretation of good may be another's burning trash bin." He laughs at his own joke. He shakes his head when her hears Stohp's comment. "That is certainly a tragedy. No one should be denied their passion through the wrong doing of others. I will add her to my prayers. Perhaps I should call on her? What is her name and business?"

He turns to Zanderallen and comments "Well you certainly seem to be doing well by your passion. You've helped a good many people in the short time you've been together." He pauses in thought, "I can't say I've ever heard of those paintings, so I'm not sure I would even know them if I saw them. However, I admit the former father Arellius had some strange and macabre tastes. I have moved his personal belongs to the storeroom. After all someday he may finish his sentence and return. I would not want to deprive him of his passions." He turns and makes a follow me gesture with his hand. "On the other hand, the law clearly states that stolen property must be returned to the victim(s) and anyone in possession of stolen property must release it to a duly authorized deputy of the law."

He goes through a side door and down a hallway. Then he stops and looks at you while he opens the door. "This is the storeroom, please feel free to check it out. And if you don't find it there you may look in the rest of the temple if you like."

The store room is about 10 by 15. The long side has vertical shelving from floor to ceiling. In addition there are boxes and bundles stacked on the floor and the other side. Clearly there has been a lot of stuff stored here. You get the feeling Barnholdt may not throw out anything that he feels could lead to releasing someone's passion.
Perception 30 (you may work together and/or take 20) Highlight to display spoiler: {You find two paintings that clearly resemble what you think are The Temple of Elemental Evil and The Werewolf spies his Prey"}

IF you succeed on the above roll then..
Appraise 25 (you may work together and/or take 20) Highlight to display spoiler: {Yes indeed these are the real things.}
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek
E - Temple of Caeroldra, Fence level? painting, Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+12=20 ;
Wednesday April 24th, 2019 11:32:57 PM

Bartomus looked about in the storage room and there was just a lot of stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. "We are looking for what again?

He kept at it with others who joined in.
=====
Perception role of 20 to aid

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+34=44 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 8:08:13 AM

Stohp works her way through the storage room looking for the paintings. "When we find them we'd better make sure they're the real thing." (Perception 24... not sure how I accidentally rolled +34)

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+9=15 ; d20+15=33 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 11:13:22 AM

Dorbin peeks into the room with the others.

OOC:
Perception: 15 to aid
If we get enough on the perception, Appraise 33 to confirm authenticity!

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=12 ; d20+4=15 ; d20+4=22 ; d20+14=29 ; d20+14=34 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 12:53:39 PM

"You are most kind and most helpful," replies Micah as Father Barnholt leads them to the store room.

Before jumping in to the search he casts detect magic to verify no enchantments are present.

Having competed that, he sets to tracking what has been go through to aid the search of others more adept at finding details.

======
From previous DM post
Perception 12; failure
Religion 29 success
Perception 15 failure
Religion 34 success (nat 20)
From this DM post
Perception 22: successfully aid other

Casts Detect Magic

Dirk Devlin (Zach H subbing for Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=29 ; d20+7=20 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 2:29:58 PM

Dirk jumps in with a will to dig through the varied objects. It quickly lessens as he realizes most of the things in here couldn't stir passions in a drunk pig. But his lack of will doesn't stop his ability. He quickly helps narrow down the search to the right area.
-------------------------------
Perception 29 (should get us over 30)
Appraise 20 (unnecessary aid for Dorbin)

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Thursday April 25th, 2019 2:34:26 PM

Zander keeps his tongue in check about the idea of Arellius getting out of jail, no reason to upset the kind Father. He starts to rummage around the store room but after knocking several things over he steps back to let the others take care of it. Once the painting are found and validated he thanks Father Barnholdt, "Looks like we found them. They belong to Miss Daneel, owner of Rosebud publishing on the Gold level. She is a writer so she might enjoy your visit. Thank you for your help Father."

"I guess to Rosebud next. Hopefully no over dressed ruffians are after these paintings as well."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+13=25 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 3:36:32 PM

"Haha! Good work Shields. I was just about to say that I hope some ruffians do try to accost us on our way to Rosebud...Haha! That would be fun!."

Stock leads the way out giving a nod of thanks to Father B. "Thanks for your help, Padre!"

=========
Not sure if we need an aid anymore on the Perception but Stock pitches in with a 25.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=13 ;
Thursday April 25th, 2019 6:37:51 PM

Sid roams around the store room absently picking things up and putting them down without really seeing them. His mind flits between thoughts as he starts composing a long poem, switching between elvish and celestial.

===================================================================

Perception: 13(Nat. 1) ((Really I'm just not rolling high enough to do anyone any good))

DM Robert - "I guess to Rosebud next." 
Thursday April 25th, 2019 8:49:55 PM

The Shields get too work with gusto. Micah's detect magic does not detect anything in the store room itself, except of course what the Shields are wearing. The paintings are found and verified as to their authenticity. They area both 3 foot by 5 foot and still mounted in wooden frames. The Temple of Elemental Evil has scroll-work around the frame.
Knowledge Religion 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { they are symbols of good or good aligned deities.}

The frame around The Werewolf Spies his Prey, is also wooden and has carved phases of the moon going around the frame.

It is mused that the painting should be returned to Rosebud Publishing, which is on the MERCHANT LEVEL. There are jokes about someone trying to accost the shields in full strength.
Knowledge Local 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { Torbin Cook who is supposed to have possession of the book, The Lost Tomb of Martek, is also on the Merchant level. If you recall he is the lumber speculator that got the village of Cutter started.}

Father Barnholdt clasps his hands and bows his head. "Praise be to Caeroldra that you have found this woman's stolen goods. Now she can continue to work at her passion." He studies the paintings. "Well I guess they must appeal to someone. And certainly someone had to be passionate to paint those, or terribly troubled, or drunk, or some combination thereof."

He waves goodbye to you as you leave the temple.

OOC Need a definite destination.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek

In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+7=12 ;
Friday April 26th, 2019 2:37:18 AM

"I am going with drunk and deranged on that one with the temple and who knows what the artisit was thinking about when they painted that with the wolf." He said with a shake of his head. He carried one of the paintings as they headed to the Rosebud to return it and the other one.

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+7=13 ; d20+7=22 ;
Friday April 26th, 2019 7:57:34 AM

Dirk squints as he looks at the frames and then nods as memory returns to him. "Team, those symbols are ones of good deities..or at least good-aligned ones. I hope that helps out."

------------------------
Knowledge Religion: 13
Knowledge Local: 22

OOC: Thanks for the subbing guys, I really appreciate it. It was the worst few weeks of my work-life! 15 hour shifts every day for 22 straight days!

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=34 ;
Friday April 26th, 2019 10:57:46 AM

As the Shields head out, Dorbin says, "Oh yes, and after we drop this one off at Rosebud publishing, we'll be close to Torbin Cook who is supposed to have possession of the book, The Lost Tomb of Martek. We can just stop by there next and see what we can see."

OOC:
Knowledge, Local: 34

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Friday April 26th, 2019 1:55:16 PM


"Sounds like as good a plan as any," agrees Micah.

"In case we encounter any others attempting to relieve us of this art, I suggest we stick together in relatively close formation."

He turns to Dirk, "Can you repeat that message spell again. That way we can communicate to each other in whispers even if we spread out."

========
Plan appears to be Rosebud followed by Torbin Cook.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6 
Friday April 26th, 2019 3:52:33 PM

"Alright...To Rosebud and then to this Torbin Cook fellow."

Stock nearly trips over Emily Jasmine as he heads toward the Merchant level. He half heartedly kicks out at the cat and then heads toward the path upward.

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Friday April 26th, 2019 6:29:27 PM

"You never know with artists Bart. That's interesting Dirk. I wonder who put the symbols there? Regardless you can return these and work on getting the others."

--------------------------
(OOC: Glad you're back Joe. That sounds absolutely awful. Hope you can get some rest now to recuperate.)

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=21 ;
Saturday April 27th, 2019 8:10:15 AM

"I'm sorry guys, but I feel like my mind was elsewhere most of that. So we're still looking, but have we gone to Wardd's Luck?We should go there when we have a modest amount of our funds. I haven't prayed in a bit either."

=======================================================================

Perception: 21

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+14=34 ;
Saturday April 27th, 2019 10:05:28 AM

Stohp makes sure to thank Barnholdt for his help and promises to tell him all about the adventure when they're not running around with super expensive paintings.

DM Robert - "You never know with artists Bart." 
Saturday April 27th, 2019 10:16:47 AM

Bartomus looks at the painting and can't decide what the artist was thinking. (This is especially true of the Werewolf one, I mean really who paints a werewolf in mid leap through the air descending on a frightened woman running away but looking back over her shoulder and knowing that she can't get away. It certainly depicts the emotion and technically captures the scene, but who would want that hanging around the house. Clearly the woman is going to die.) He picks one of them up.

Dirk identifies the scroll work. It lends to making the painting seem more evil, as if the frame were somehow holding in check the terrible scene depicted (if curious google temple of elemental evil, the painting is the cover of that module but without all the writing on it.)

Dorbin points out that when they drop off the painting they would be close enough to check out this Torbin Cook fellow. (It's interesting that none of you really asked about what the books were about.)

Micah asks Dirk if he can recast that message spell.

Stock is ready to go and almost falls over Dorbin's cat.

Zanderallen is ready to go.

Sid wonders about visiting the 'temple' of Wardd's Luck.

Stohp thanks Bartomus for his help and ask him to remind her to tell him her story later on.

=====
Who beside Bart is carrying a painting or is Bart carrying both paintings?

You proceed onward and upward. Halfway to Rosebud Publishing there appears to be some sort of disturbance ahead. There's a crowd of gathering.

Everyone may make Perception 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { You hear the sounds of a couple of recorders (the musical instrument) being played as well as laughter and giggling of children. }

If you are a Taur and can see over people heads, Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { There appear to be several children playing instruments and dancing in the street. You make out somewhere between 5 and 10. Some of them are playing what look to be simple recorders (that versatile instrument) while others are dancing and working in and out between the people watching. You estimate that they are between 9 and 11 years old.}

If you want to work your way to the front of the crowd, Reflex 25, Diplomacy 30, or Intimidate 30.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek

In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+12=18 ;
Saturday April 27th, 2019 8:42:42 PM

Bartomus tried to juggle the two paintings, walk, and pay attention to what he was doing. It was hard. But, he walked, stumbled, and stepped his way along with the others. He heard giggling, and music, and laughter ahead of them, but the way was thick with people, and the paintings were hard enough to navigate with through them.

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=13 ; d20+9=17 ;
Saturday April 27th, 2019 9:29:54 PM

Dirk nods and casts the spell once again. After casting, he grabs his bag and prepares to head out with the rest of the group.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Perception: 13
Perception: 17

Message Spell cast. Message duration 80 minutes. Applies to the entire group. Allows whispered communication among targeted creatures within 180 ft that can only be intercepted by a DC 25 perception check.


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=9 ; d20+16=20 ;
Sunday April 28th, 2019 10:27:18 PM


When Micah hears the commotion, he tries to work his way forward. "Excuse me ma'am? he says to the large woman, laden with the days grocery shopping blocking his way. His smile is earnest, but it is insufficient to the task.

He keeps an eye on his fellow Shields with the intent to use Dirk's spell to keep in touch should anyone be able to move through the crowd. Noticing Bart's juggling act, he decides to stay close to help protect their valuable cargo.

OOC: what's the distance between the Shields and the commotion?


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+9=15 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 11:38:35 AM

Emily Jasmine quickly dodges out of the way of Stock's attempted kick and somehow appears once again between his feet before he makes it to the door. She looks up at him and quickly scampers out of the way before he can respond again.

At the crowd, Dorbin looks up and says, "Well I can't see a thing." He stands there staring at the crowd, but having no idea how to get through.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+13=17 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 1:50:56 PM

Stock grumbles for a while about "that darned cat" and then realizes he is in the midst of some kind of a crowd and can't make his way forward. He takes in a deep breath, about to lay into the crowd and force them out of his way when he hears something. "It's just some kids and some music. I guess we don't have to rush through."

"Stohp do you see anything ahead of us?"

======
Perception 17



Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=11 ; d20+17=21 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 6:17:44 PM

Zanderallen tries a different route through but is unable to open a path to get through. "Anybody see whats going on. And keep an eye on the paintings, we've already had one person try to nab them."
----------------
Perception 11
Diplomacy 21

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+14=17 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 6:50:58 PM

Stohp cranes to see over the crowd, but another Taur doing the same thing happens to be in front of her and she can't see over him (perception 17). "No, I can't see. Lets just try to work our way around, make sure to keep a tight hold of the painting."

DM Robert - " Lets just try to work our way around, make sure to keep a tight hold of the painting." 
Monday April 29th, 2019 8:16:34 PM

OOC man no love from the die roller

Bartomus keeps a firm grip on the paintings.

Dirk casts message.

Micah tries to get people's attention to be able to get to the front of the crowd. He can determine that there are perhaps 3 layers of people ahead of him.

Dorbin is confounded by the crowd.

Stock being a dwarf is further hampered and only sees the backs of people's heads. He is pretty sure it's only some kids giving some sort of musical performance.

Zanderallen also tries to get to the front of the crowd but it does not seem to be budging.

Stohp cranes to see over the crowd, but another Taur doing the same thing happens to be in front of her and she can't see over him.
======
Appraise or Performance 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { You realize that the performance you hear is really not very good. It's as if they have no skill in it at all.}

The party is stymied by the crowd. There is some effort to make your way sideways and forward. It meets with some success. You are now further down the street and also somewhat closer to the performance. In fact there is only 1 row of heads in front of your view to the performance.

Any Character whose CHARACTER SHEET says they are over 6 feet tall may... Perception 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { There appear to be several children playing instruments and dancing in the street. You make out somewhere between 5 and 10. Some of them are playing what look to be simple recorders (that versatile instrument) while others are dancing and working in and out between the people watching. You estimate that they are between 9 and 11 years old.}

If you Succeed on the above roll then you may Perception 18 Highlight to display spoiler: { Those kids aren't kids, they are halflings!}

The music continues to play and now that you're closer you note that some of the kids are weaving into the crowd grabbing adult's hands and turning them round, trying to get them to dance with them.

One of the children stumbles into Stock bumping him and then grabbing at him to keep from falling. "sorry mister" the little girl whispers as she continues her dance into the crowd. Stock only Perception 24 Highlight to display spoiler: { Your money pouch is gone. }

Any other Shield near Stock (which means any of you, but it's not a group effort roll) may roll Perception 29 Highlight to display spoiler: { There's something missing from Stock's belt.}
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+3=18 ; d20+12=24 ; d20+12=20 ; d20+12=27 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 8:58:47 PM

The crowd continued to thicken and Bartomus tried juggling the paintings while seeing ahead of him. It wasn't easy, and only made harder by the sound of someone slapping a pack of rats with wet blankets. He looked around the paintings and realized that it was a group of children wanna-bes. He glowered at a couple that were nearer to him. The singing sounded more like mating alley cats punctuated with dying rats. His face cringed as they continued.

"Whose going to ask these halflings to clear out?" He asked of his fellow Shields.

Appraise 18; Perception - 24; 20; and 27 near Stock so that failed.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=13 ; d20+11=26 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 9:09:13 PM

Sid immediately in on guard tries to watch what is going on. Did he hear someone being bumped. It's so loud, he makes his way to one of the side buildings and if he can, will climb to the second story.

======================================================================

Perception(see or hear): Nat 1
Climb: 26

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+2=3 ; d20+18=35 ;
Monday April 29th, 2019 10:08:19 PM


The bustle and noise concerns Micah. As he sees the children running among them, he sadly suspects that larceny may be their intent.

Unable to see any specific act, he rather tries to discern the nature of their behavior.

========
Perception 3 vs DC 10
No roll against DC 29
Sense Motive 35 vs the children bustling the crowd

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+14=19 ; d20+14=20 ; d20+14=25 ; d20+12=14 ;
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 4:12:26 AM

Stohp to has been around the block and immediately suspects a pick-pocketing scheme. She's able to see the halfling singers clearly (19 & 20) and though she doesn't catch the halfling doing anything (perception 25; if she can Aid Bart that's high enough) she still ties to catch her (14 to grapple).

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+13=28 ; d20+12=16 ;
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 9:31:06 AM

Stock's grumbling sounds like distant thunder as he elbows his way through the crowd. Then some little brat bumps into him and...

"Hey Kid! You got something that's mine!"

He immediately starts double timing it through the crowd toward the little thief, barking at anybody who gets in his way. There are so many aimless wanderers here though that he can't quite focus his anger on any one target.

He feels his rage building.
=======
Perception 28
Intimidate 16


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+15=19 ;
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 10:41:45 AM

As the chaos starts, Dorbin calls out, "It's a scam! Everyone watch your pockets!" He says this while stepping into a doorway in case there is a stampede.

OOC:
Appraise: 19

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=24 ; d20+5=24 ; d20+6=22 ;
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 2:28:22 PM

Zanderallen managed to see over the heads of the row in front of them and see the group of children, no wait halflings, playing badly for the crowd. Having grown up on the streets of the fence he knows immediately what is going on. Then Stock calls out and he knows things are about to get really chaotic. He heads straight to Bart and helps him with the paintings, "Let's get over to the side Bart, we don't want these damaged in the coming rush."
------------------------
Perception 24, 24
Perform 22

DM Robert - "Hey Kid! You got something that's mine!" 
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 8:09:12 PM

Bartomus calls out the kids as being halflings.

Sid tries to climb a building.

Micah is not sure what's going on but takes a moment to look around and then realizes what's up. By the way this is the real life equivalent: "The young assassin You’re exploring the sights and sounds of sunny Barcelona when a group of children start dancing around you. As you watch them, a tiny hand is exploring the depths of your backpack."

Stohp suspects some pick pocketing going on. Sorry the 'child' has danced away so you don't get a grab chance just yet.

Stock's realizes his coin pouch has been taken and starts after the little scamp.

Dorbin calls trying to warn everyone. hmm, wondering if this is like shouting fire in a crowd but in reverse.

Zanderallen moves close to Bartomus and tries to help protect the paintings.

Dirk?
------------------------

The Chase is on! Stock chases after the halfling with his money and though they have the same move speed, Stock is not bothered by having to dance between humans. Stock may make an attempt to grapple, or whatever Stock would do to the halfing.

The crowd reacts to Dorbin's words. You can see many people checking pockets and belts. Soon there are shouts of "I've been robbed!" "It must be those kids." "Help Guard!" "Come hear you little..."

Suddenly the music stops. "Cheese it the gig's up! Yells one of the players of the recorders. There's a sudden swarming of people going to and fro. You see the halfling trying to make their getaway and the crowd seems torn, some are trying to go after them, some seem to be milling about, and some are walking away.
Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { You see a couple of halfing's throw what appear to be caltrops on the ground and head away from the crowd. }

You may let them escape or give chase.
You are faster than them, because they have move 20.
Make a Reflex save 15 to avoid the caltrops and close this round with a target. If you wish to close and are successful please roll for the appropriate action you wish to take.
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=25 ;
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 10:05:21 PM

Dirk sees a few halflings throw some caltrops and make a hasty exit. He points them out to his companions excitedly. "Did you all see that? A few of us should go after them, they can't get away with that!"

-------------------------------------
Perception: 25

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Tuesday April 30th, 2019 11:42:01 PM

"Not going to be me, holding these things is a challenge enough," Bartomus said as he shifted the paintings again to try to see Dirk. "I can keep heading to get these to their rightful home with some one who isn't chasing halflings."

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 11:49:29 AM

Dorbin pauses a moment, then looks to see if he can spot a pair of halfings trying to get away. If he does, he will cast grease directly in front of them to try and get them to fall and slow their escape.

OOC:
Reflex, DC 17 or fall

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=16 ; d20+8=27 ;
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 3:34:32 PM


Realizing that pandemoniom is the likely outcome of the diminutive robber band being exposed, he moves close to Bartomus to better protect the paintings.

=======
Perception 16
Readied action: Combat Maneuver Grapple: CMB 27 to anyone who tries to grab a painting. (Should they threaten, this will provoke.)

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 6:51:21 PM

Stohp shakes her head doubtfully. "To many people in the way, did you even see where they went? They'll likely have an escape route planned as well. Let's stick to our mission and not risk the painting."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; Per: +13; Surv: +11; SM: +6  d20+17=35 ;
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 7:05:28 PM

Stock roars as he enters a rage and body tackles the halfling. [b]Give me back my purse![b]

After he gets the thief down, he holds it there looking around for direction for the others, apparently not sure what to do now.

===
Grapple 35
Also in a rage

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=26 ; d20+15=16 ; d20+10=27 ;
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 7:09:43 PM

Sid gets far enough out of the crowd and up the building to see and feel more at ease. "Caltrops be careful!"
Sid quickly plots his path and leaps, planning on dancing across the shoulders of the pedestrians. The brawny man he aims for moves at the last second and Sid goes down in a crumpled heap. "Ooow, my ankle." He hobbles to his feet and says outloud, "This is not my day." Hearing Stoph he says, "ok, that's probably for the best. Yeah"

=========================================================================

Perception: 26
Acrobatics: Nat. 1
Reflex: 27

DM Robert - "Hey Kid! You got something that's mine!"  d100=85 ; d20+9=26 ; d20+9=18 ; d20+7=22 ;
Wednesday May 1st, 2019 8:20:11 PM

Dirk encourages the others to go after the halflings.

Bartomus declines and keeps a hold of the paintings.

Dorbin looks to grease up the works.

Micah moves close to Bartomus ready to deal some hulkamania to anyone that gets too close.

Stohp decides they need to stay focused on their mission.

Stock does the Macho Man atomic elbow and lands on the halfling pinning him to the ground.

Sid executes an unsafe leap from the top of the two story store he was on to the crowd below.

Zanderallen appears dump struck by the chaos.

======
The street erupts in chaos. People are running to and fro, dogs are barking and in general the mayhem is such that no one can make sense of things. Perhaps that was all the halfling's plans.

The Shields decide for the most part to sit this one out. They stand huddled in a door way, well except of Stock and Sid.

Dorbin's spell hits two halflings that were trying to get away. However, they have managed to stay on their feet. They slowly make their way to the edge of the grease spell, only to see several of the 'villagers' ready to deal out some street justice. There may be some halflingcide in the works, as you can see people smashing their fists into their palms and a few have taken out some daggers and are making jabbing motions.

The halfling under Stock squirms but fails to break free of Stock's grapple. "Your mouthwash ain't cutting it." the halfling gasps out to Stock.

Sid sits on the cobblestone rubbing his ankle.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)   d20+8=22 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 3:52:26 AM

Seeing that things might turn ugly Stohp advances on the crowd. "Lets not do anything to hasty folks. I'm a Silver Shield and I can't condone murder even if they robbed you. We'll take them into custody, get you your stuff back, and see them off to the guards for a proper punishment." She hopes the reputation of the shields will help calm people down and make them confident justice will be served. (diplomacy 22)

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 7:36:24 AM

Dirk nods his head and holds back. He scans the crowd and sure enough, he doesn't see them. He sighs and nods his head, knowing it was likely a futile attempt.

----------------------
Perception:

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20=4 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 8:58:45 AM

Dorbin raises his hands to try and help calm the crowd, but no one notices him (diplomacy, aid another: 4)

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+22=37 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 9:36:32 AM

Raging

"If my breath isn't cutting it, then maybe my axe will."

Stock catches himself reaching back for his hand axe. He closes his eyes and takes a ragged breath. He then reverses his grip, adjusts his legs around the thief and thoroughly pins him. "OK Pipsqueek. How dumb do you have to be to try to steal from an Angry Dwarf. One of the Silver Shields no less. First, give me my purse. Second...Second..."

He looks around for a second and then says, "Micah, Z, Do you have any questions for this guy?"

He feels his rage receding.
======
Maintain Grapple w/ +5 bonus 37
The Halfling is pinned


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+10=20 ; d20+16=24 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 1:12:58 PM

Micah starts toward Sid when he realizes he's injured. After a quick check, he realizes a caltrop has pierced the poor elf's boot. He quickly bandages it up so that Sid is no longer hobbled. With a gentle tap on his boot, he pronounces, "Almost good as new."

Hearing his name, he looks up to see the poor trapped halfling struggling against Stock's iron grip. He rises and approaches. With a thoughtful expression, he asks with a shake of his head and a kindly expression, "Haven't you ever heard that it is unwise to take coin from a dwarf, especially one with anger issues? What is your name and why should my friend here let you go?"

========
Heal 20 vs DC 15 to heal caltrop damage.
Diplomacy 24

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+17=27 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 5:15:54 PM

Zander shakes himself into action and joins Stohp in making sure there is not a crowd lynching. "Everybody calm down and put those daggers away right now. Robbery does not justify murder. However a returning of money will go a long way towards making sure the guard treat you fairly." He moves towards the group that has the halflings cornered.
--------------------------
Diplomacy 27

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+8=15 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 7:15:51 PM

Sid stands and goes over to the halfling under Stock and says to him in Halfling, "Look now, this one has had a bad day and doesn't like thieves. Best make sure you cooperate because I've seen him split an Orc with his bare hands." In common he says to Stock, "Whoa now," he says slapping Stock's shoulder really hard, "there's no reason to resort to that now, I'm sure they'll give back what they took."

================================================================

Bluff: 15

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 7:43:13 PM

Bartomus simply continued on his way with the paintings trying his best to keep them safe amidst the chaos filling the streets.

DM Robert - "Hey Kid! You got something that's mine!"  d20+6=9 ; d20+3=23 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 8:19:35 PM

Stohp steps forward and attempts to pacify the crowd.

Dirk looks around but with all the hustle and bustle can't really see much.

Dorbin follows Stohp out, but no one pays attention to him.

Stock calms down somewhat but maintains a healthy pin on the halfling.

Micah helps Sid and then goes over to help Stock.

Zander goes forth with Stohp to get the halflings to surrender.

Sid tries some psychology on the halfing Stock has pinned.

Bartomus remains in the doorway hanging onto the paintings.
===============
Stohp, Dorbin, and Zanderallen manage to get the crowd calmed down somewhat. The halfling's look like they were going to put up a fight with the crowd. However, now they seem cowed. They fish in their pockets and hand over 5 money pouches. "Ah we would have gotten away if someone hadn't cast this spell." One of halflings indicates the grease spell. The other halfling pipes up, "Yeah see, we gots rights. You can't hurt us if we surrender." Bluff 9

Stock's hafling makes a face at him and then goes into her vest. Then Micah shows up and her hands shifts. She brings out a money pouch and tosses it to Stock. She looks at Micah. She shrugs, "All dwarves have anger issues they don't like being short. Pudden Tain, ask me a gain I'll tell you the same." When Sid walks over she pauses Sense Motive 23. "I think you have orc's confused with elves. It's Elves that Dwarves hate most." She sticks her tongue out at Sid.

Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { In the distance you can now hear the tweet of guard whistles, summoning the watch. }
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=12 ;
Thursday May 2nd, 2019 8:55:33 PM

Dirk walks over to Bartomus with a smile. "Hey buddy, do you mind if I hang around these paintings with you? I just have a bad feeling that something might happen. I'd hate to not be here just in case I'm needed."
--------------------------------------------
Perception: 12

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Friday May 3rd, 2019 10:47:52 AM

Dorbin looks around and realizes that no one notices him again. He sheepishly slips over to Dirk and Bart to help keep an eye on the paintings. He realizes that the guards are coming, so he relaxes as bit.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+13=25 ; d20+12=13 ;
Friday May 3rd, 2019 2:15:03 PM

Fatigued
Stock's grip loosens a bit as his rage ends. He turns his head and looks at Sid and in Dwarven says "He's a salty one." He then laughs a bit at the situation.

Then to the halfling, he says, "I'm going to let you go so that you can give me my coin purse back. If you run, I will clobber you. After that we can talk about the fact that the watch is on the way and what you want to do about that."

He jumps to his feet and watches the little guy closely.
======
Perception 25
Intimidate 13...Oh Stock.


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=9 ;
Friday May 3rd, 2019 4:58:59 PM


Micah's face spreads into a huge grin at the little halfling's cheekiness. After Stock releases her, he extends his hand, making a point to look at the jeweled ring on it and says, "Let's start over. My name is Micah. Pleased to meet you."

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=22 ;
Friday May 3rd, 2019 5:26:35 PM

"Well that what happens when you break the law. Eventually somebody catches on and you find yourself in a sticky situation. If you all want to collect your returned coin purses and head on your way I'm sure we can handle things with the guard. Unless anyone is still missing any valuables?"
------------
perception 22

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Friday May 3rd, 2019 6:47:38 PM

Stohp puts her hands on the other two Hafllings to make sure they can't bolt at the sound of the approaching guards.

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Friday May 3rd, 2019 7:57:05 PM

"I sure am glad you're here Dorbin. I'm not great at the fighting thing, so it's nice to have someone with a few more skills than I." Dirk smiles as he pats Dorbin on the back.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=13 ;
Friday May 3rd, 2019 9:19:35 PM

Sid laughs at Puddin', and says to Stock, "I'm starting to think it's an untold racial trait." To Puddin' he says in Halfling, "These're good folk who don't like theivin' or lyin'. Treat Micah honestly and he'll give you the best shake of'em all. Oh, and I was pulling your leg about the Dwarf. I've seen him do much worse to much bigger and I am always glad I'm on his side." ((Last bit is said with complete honesty.))

=====================================================================

Perception: 13

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Friday May 3rd, 2019 10:17:26 PM

"Hey, everyone, can we just get these things to their owner? I mean catch the halflings, shake out your money, and let's get these two things home." He felt that trying to reason with the thieflings just was not helping them with their mission. "We got other things to find. Unless they could be of help with that."

DM Robert - "Hey Kid! You got something that's mine!" 
Saturday May 4th, 2019 11:00:26 AM

Dirk hangs with Bartomus.

Dorbin joins Dirk and Bartomus.

Stock retrieves his money from the female halfling.

Micah tries to greet the female halfling properly.

Zanderallen tries to disperse the crowd and also ask if all has been returned.

Stohp puts the iron claw grip on the two halflings.

Sid finds 'Puddin' amusing.

Bartomus just wants to get the paintings back where they belong.

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

The female halfling bats Micah's hand away. "Don't try to sweet talk me big man."

Several citizens in the crowd still complain about their missing money. While you caught three, that means seven got a way. Of those six were working the crowd. You caught 2 of the three 'musicians'. Though a bard would probably seriously question they status even as amateurs.

The guards show up. You do not recognize anyone. However they seem competent. They take the three prisoners and after searching them disarm them of saps and darts. They then tie them up and securely as their hands are too small for manacles. Two of them watch the prisoners while the third starts taking statements from the crowd and recording losses.

It seems the appropriate time to do as the Lone Ranger and Tonto and the Sheilds are able to pull a quiet fade away.

You arrive at Rosebud Publishing it is now 2pm.
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession: Temple of Elemental Evil and painting, The Werewolf Spies his Prey

1 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Sunday May 5th, 2019 10:43:55 AM

"Well, that was very exciting. What do you think is next? Assassins, thieves, and then what? Betrayal?"



Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Sunday May 5th, 2019 4:15:29 PM


Micah sadly shakes his head as the halflings are taken away.
To Zanderallen he laments, "I fear what I saw as courage was merely rebelliousness and bravado. I pray she does not come to an ill end."

Sid's quip brings him out of his reverie. "We can only hope," he responds as they make their way to Rosebud.

Making sure the paintings are still in Bartomus' care, he steps resolutely into the reception hall.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Monday May 6th, 2019 1:58:25 AM

"Where do you want these two?" Bartomus asked after they had been let into the Rosebud. "Been juggling them the whole way and really, really want to just set them down." He shifted the paintings and slowly lowered them to the floor. "We need to go visit Perimon, books should be easier to carry, right?"

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Monday May 6th, 2019 4:26:42 AM

Stohp grunts at SIds comment. "I hope not. Who'd even be betraying us?"

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Monday May 6th, 2019 7:50:36 AM

Dirk nods at Bartomus in agreement. "I'm not the smartest guy around, but even I'll admit that books must be lighter than paintings, yes?" Dirk says with a chuckle.

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+8=27 ;
Monday May 6th, 2019 11:27:14 AM

Dorbin smiles and thanks Dirk for the kind words. He continues along with the others to Rosebud publishing. As they arrive, he looks around for anyone watching the group or watching the location (perception: 27).

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Monday May 6th, 2019 11:53:15 AM

Zander shakes his head as the halflings are hauled away, "I fear you are right Micah. There is often little direction for ones of the street to find honest work. But they did break the law and they must face the consequences."

As they enter Rosebud Zander knocks loudly and calls out, "Special delivery for a Miss Daneel."

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22 
Monday May 6th, 2019 7:54:35 PM

Stock stands by the door as they walk in Rosebud publishing. To Dirk he mutters, "I can't believe I thought the halfling was a male. Anyway, I'm glad there wasn't any bloodshed. Really I am. I get mad and all sometimes but I've always had a soft spot for the little ones."

DM Robert - "Well, that was very exciting. What do you think is next?" 
Monday May 6th, 2019 8:11:55 PM

Sid wonders what will happen next, revealing some pessimism.

Micah feels sorry for the halflings.

Bartomus brings in the paintings and sets them down.

Stohp wonders who would betray the Shields.

Dirk agrees that books would be easier to carry around (as long as they are not coffee table art books, which is also interesting because only have a title and author of the books, you never asked what they were about.).

Dorbin keeps an eye on the party's rear. No one is following you.

Zander wonders about the fate of those doomed to be raised in the streets.

Stock is a little taken aback that he though the Halfling was a male. Perhaps in his rage he see's all enemies as male?

================
Oh I forgot, you're on the merchant level again. Everyone make a Perception check and make sure you put the result in your post.

You are escorted up to Ms. Daneel's office by a silent and grim faced Hanse. Ms. Daneel greets you. "Oh this is marvelous. Three paintings recovered. Now we have collateral and can secure the bank loan." She is very happy. "So much work in only a few hours time. I must say I'm impressed." She appears thought for a moment.

"You know we really need a breakout best seller." She flutters her eyelashes at you collectively. "I don't suppose any of you have been keeping a journal of your exploits have you? With some proper marketing and human interest aspects it would fly off the shelves here. Perhaps even get some traction in other cities." She pauses and smiles at you.

If you do not have any journal or wish to be published she will nod sagely and understand.

There was mention of visiting Lord Peerimon but Torbin Cook is on the Merchant level and within 10 minutes walking distance. As a reminder Torbin Cook is the individual responsible for setting up the lumber cutting and village of Cutter.

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+12=13 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 12:33:39 AM

"So, where to next? More to find." Bartomus looked about at the others. "Might need to get some food on the way. Kinda hungry. Anyone else hungry? "

Perception 1 for 13 - Bartomus wouldn't notice his mother if she was standing next to him.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 7:48:43 AM

"well I've written down somethings, but inconsistently so it's full of holes I"m afraid." Stohp admits. She directs Ms. Daneel to the Lakeview page on the Woldpedia.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+13=31 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 9:31:36 AM

"No journal but I've been keeping stones from a lot of the places we've been. Not sure how that would help ya. Dirk, I've seen you scribbling away..."

"It seems like we should go find this Cook guy first before we find Lord Peerimon, given how close we are."

=========
Perception 31
I saw your note on Torbin Cook but have we actually met him before?


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+8=13 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 11:22:44 AM

When journals are mentioned, Dorbin says, "Well, I have taken extensive notes of various places we have been and what we have seen, but those really are more academic notes than anything that might be 'entertaining' as such..."

OOC:
Perception: 13

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=13 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 1:02:31 PM

"I'm afraid we haven't always been the best about recording our adventures. Some of our earlier times are better documented. And to fill you in on the rest of the stolen goods. Most of them were sold through a fence. We detained him and went through his records and it looks like about half of your collection will be recoverable. The other half was transported out of the city and is probably outside our reach. But we still have several more items to collect from around the Float. Your exact accounting of them has made it quite easy to establish ownership."

Once they take their leave and are back out on the street Zander airs his thoughts,"So the next couple collections might be more odious. We most definitely have the law on our side but these people will try to claim they bought it legitimately. Torbin Cook seemed like the grumpy sort from his comments at the lizardfolk greeting. I think our best approach is to confirm the book's location, preferably by sight, before declaring it as stolen. Dorbin do you know anything about the book that we could use to ask to see it?"
------------------------
Perception 13

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=17 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 5:32:34 PM

Micah is uncomfortable enough with limited fame they are acquiring on the fence level. At Daneel's suggestion, he declines, "Ms. Daneel, as much as we would like to help in anyway we can, I think drawing additional attention to the Silver Shields would be counter productive. I do not like the prospect of drawing a crowd or warning off villains due to our reputation, not to mention those who might wish to prove themselves by confronting us directly. No, ma'am. I would rather you not publish anything about us at this time."

At mention of needing to confirm the book's location, Micah returns back to Daneel's and asks for a detailed physical description of it.

He then explains to the others that, should it be necessary, with about 15 minutes of prayer and preparation, he can access the spell locate object.

============
perception 17


Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=15 ;
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 6:46:44 PM

"Don't worry though, if we do think about publishing in the future we'll come to you first, don't you worry."
He looks around, "Man this day is starting to turn a good one. So Ms. Daneel, do you have anything new and interesting in Celestial, Halfling, or Orcish?"

=============================================================

Perception: 15

DM Robert - "It seems like we should go find this Cook guy first before we find Lord Peerimon, given how close we are." 
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 8:22:02 PM

Bartomus feels hungery despite having eaten recently at the Fatted Calf.

Stohp admits she wrote a few stories down about the shields...and tells her where to find them.

Stock lines out some plans of action.

Dorbin defers saying how his notes are more academic essays than stories.

Zander gives an update.

Micah declines politely having any stories of the Shields made into a serial novel.

Sid asks about books in foreign languages.

====================

Stock only, he will have to share in character. Highlight to display spoiler: {When traveling through the merchant level you notice several stores have a small diamond (kite like) symbol within a circle located near the door. This is extremely small, the circle is about 1 inch in diameter. It is usually located near the bottom of the door.}

Ms. Daneel answers Sid. "Well we don't publish such things. We really try to keep in touch with the market in order to make sales. That said, I'm not sure what exactly is in the library. It's been built up for many years and I doubt anyone would have found the time to read everything in it. It's not just our published books, it's exchange books with other publishers, and of course Lord Arle" she stifles back a tear, "was a collector of books."

As they are leaving Micah rushes back into the office and asks about the books they are looking for. Ms. Daneel answers, [b]"Oh yes, lets see I had to pull their cards from the library just to see what they were about. As I said earlier no one could have read everything in the library. Seriously it was 40x70 and had bookshelves 9 feet high, assume 9 shelves per 10 foot section.

1-An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, by Gary Gygax, a blue velvet book, about 12 inches by 9 inches - crazy story about a group of adventurers finding a strange underground temple filled with weird golems and bizzare magic.
---
2-Pharaoh by Tracy Hickman.
3- The Oasis of the White Palm by Tracy Hickman.
4- The Lost Tomb of Martek by Tracy Hickman.
these 3 books are a trilogy all done in blue leather. The books are 7 by 5. They are a fictional work describing adventures in a desert fighting a dead god.
----
5-Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook
6-Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson
7-Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack
8-In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick
These books are 7 by 5, green leather, brown leather, orange leather, purple leather. They are a series describing some heroes running into a slaving ring and discovering the slavers have managed to take over a whole city through subterfuge and political pressure.
-------
9-Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree
Brown leather 11 by 9. This is a one of a kind. It is a leather journal chronicle the adventures of the Crimson Shields fighting a criminal boss that styled himself Lord Diamond. It was never put into actual publication because of a City Edict.

Micah quickly rejoins the others. They all stand outside the establishment of Torrin Cook, there is big sign across it reading "Cutter Lumber". It is a 3 story building. Part of the building appears to be a warehouse. One entrance appears to lead into the lower level warehouse. Peering through the window you see no one in. A sign on the door says back in one hour. There is another entrance that immediately goes upstairs. This entrance is labeled "office".

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want to have anything added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17 
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 8:28:17 PM

Dirk looks over at Bartomus and nods his head. "You know, I am a little hungry. I could eat. We could grab something on the way?"

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Tuesday May 7th, 2019 10:46:56 PM

"We can grab something from one of the carts after we figure out this place," he pointed to the warehouse. He looked at the building and saw the sign indicating the upstairs office. He looked at the others and tried the door handle for the door that said upstairs. "Hello, Shields here, looking for Master Cook. Hello."

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+18=32 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 12:40:04 PM

Before arriving Micah shares his thoughts on their current objective, "Although I deem it unlikely to be the case, we will have to assume that Torrin acquired these books in good faith. As much as I hate tipping our hand, given Torrin's social status, the direct approach probably is best advised."

He pauses a moment to look pointedly at Stock. "And by direct I mean asking him politely....and calmly."

==============

Sense Motive 32
on Torrin Cook should the opportunity arise:

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 2:03:01 PM

"Good clarification Micah. Usually the direct approach for us is a straight line bashing any heads or walls that get in the way. I guess they're out at lunch?", Zander waits to see if there is any answer to Bart's call.

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 4:15:30 PM

"Well if we're asking then lets ask." Stohp goes up to the entrance marked "office" and knocks politely.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=14 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 7:07:35 PM

Sid sniffs, "Ok, Stock will ask nicely, and I can strong arm'em... grr." He blandly faces the door behind Stock, keeping his eyes open.

======================================================================

Perception: 14

DM Robert - "Hello, Shields here, looking for Master Cook. Hello." 
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 8:09:10 PM

Dirk is strangely hungry as well.

Bartomus opens the door to the stairwell and calls out.

Micah opts for the direct but polite method.

Zanderallen agrees with Micah.

Stohp goes up the stairs (2 flights) and knocks on the door.

Sid follows Stock.
==============
Unfortunately for Dirk and Bartomus there are no street vendors of food nearby.

When Bartomus calls out he gets no reply. He does hear what sounds like someone pacing and when he called out the pacing stopped.

Stohp takes the lead and goes up the stairs. At the top (it would be the third floor) there is a sizeable landing and another door that says office. Stohp knocks. After a slight delay, 10 seconds, you hear, "Come in.

The Shields enter the office. You can perceive that it is a rather large office. In fact this would actually be the outer office for most business. There are 2 couches, an obvious reception desk, one window to the right, and a door on the left. There is a man standing just in front of the reception desk. He is worn looking. There are bags under his eyes probably from lack of sleep. His clothing looks rumpled as if worn for several days without cleaning, or maybe slept in.

"Wha, what do you want? Shields you said are you the Silver Shields?" He squints slightly at you. "Yes, I remember seeing you two at the reception." He points a finger at Micah and Zanderallen.

Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { The office appears to have seen better days. You can tell there is dust and a few cobwebs in the corner. However, the couches show no dust.}

Sense Motive 25, Micah go ahead and read. Highlight to display spoiler: { The man's finger trembles slightly when he pointed at you. You also noted the stutter when you came in. It appears the man is very nervous.}

____________________________________
[/i]OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want the book descriptions added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek[/i]

In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+12=16 ; d20+8=18 ;
Wednesday May 8th, 2019 10:48:04 PM

After holding the door open, he followed the others up to the office and into the reception area. He looked about and saw the doors, but not much else caught his attention in the office. He listened to the haggared man and smiled when it seemed that he recognized at least a few of the Shields.

Percetion 16; Sense Motive 18

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=22 ; d20+14=29 ; d20+17=27 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 9:58:24 AM

Zander takes note of the state of the room and it's occupant. He shakes off the rudeness of the greeting and replies with a slight bow, "Yes, we had the pleasure of making your acquaintance at the reception. I hope everything is going well Torbin. I wish this was just a social call but unfortunately we are here on business. You purchased a book, The Lost Tomb of Martek, a while back from one Sturgeus. Unfortunately Sturgeus did not come by his goods honestly and we are helping the rightful owner track down their property. If it's not too much of an inconvenience we really need to return that book." Zander does his very best to construct his phrases and tones to soften the blow he knows he is delivering.
------------------------------------------------
Perception 22
Sense Motive 29
Diplomacy 27

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+8=28 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 11:21:37 AM

Dorbin lets the others do the talking and keeps watch behind them and back to the street (Perception: 28)

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+13=31 ; d20+6=10 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 3:23:51 PM

Stock coughs and then says in a low voice, "Sorry, must have gotten distracted. Did any of you see the little diamond symbols on the doors of the stores? Anybody know what they mean?"

He then makes himself look unassuming, standing near Zanderallen but not looking threateningly.

=========
Perception 31, Sense Motive 10

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=7 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 5:39:19 PM


Micah realizes there is something amiss here beyond the sudden appearance of the Silver Shields.

He nods as Zanderallen lays out their purpose and attempts to soften the request even further, adding in a kindly tone, "Master Cook, forgive me for saying so, but you appear have been struggling with some trouble already. What is amiss?"

============
Perception 7
Diplomacy to Aid Zanderallen (No roll needed. Auto succeed against DC10)
No need to add the book descriptions. Micah only needs them should he need to cast Locate Object.

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+12=29 ; d20+5=9 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 6:24:52 PM

Sid's eyes flick around and nods to himself slightly. He paces slightly to see if anything additionally catches his eye, like:

Has the couch been slept on?
Are there paths in the floor from walking... like there's not dirt there?
Anything else of interest

======================================================================

Perception: 29

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Thursday May 9th, 2019 6:40:14 PM

Stohp is all ready to talk and be all diplomatic but her party members beat her to it. So she shrugs (internally) and waits to see what happens.

DM Robert - "What is amiss?" 
Thursday May 9th, 2019 8:21:29 PM

Bartomus listens politely to the haggard man.

Zander lays it out, and tries to be diplomatic.

Dorbin watches down the stairs.

Stock asks everyone about the diamond shaped symbols near some merchants doors.

Micah adds to the diplomatic approach.

Sid's casts a discerning eye around the place.

Stohp is ready to aid the diplomacy(I'm going to go ahead and roll to up the aid another total).
---------
Stock asks about the symbols on some of the shop stores. Now that he points them out you did notice a few on your way here. There is not one on the Torbin's store. However,
Knowledge local 15, or Strait up Intelligence check 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { You are reminded of the pendants you took off of Shredd's and his men, oh and Father Arellius . You know the gang that was working for Lord Crimson.}

Torbin goes to sit in the reception's chair. Putting the desk between you. Elbows on the table he leans forward, his forehead into his hands. You hear a chuckle or a light sob. His fingers go back through his hair. He lifts his head and his hair is quite disheveled. "Really, that's why you're here, a book." Then he pauses, "I don't have it anymore."

Torbin shakes his head. "Trouble, well you should know. I had invested in the lumber industry, put everything I had in it. Even had to borrow. Everything was going good. Then you bring the lizards into the mix. Now everyone is hot about the wood the lizards are brining, even though they are not bringing in that much. Buyers are wanting to wait. Construction is slowing down. I have payroll, people depend on me..." He gets up again and starts pacing behind the desk. "Commitments, money." He seems to be talking to himself.
Perception 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { you hear him whisper "What have I done?"}

Sid eyeing the room can determine that it looks like the couches may have had people sitting in them. He can't really tell if there's a specific path of pacing being done.
Sid Profession Merchant 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { Hmm, here you have someone needing an avenue to pay his employee's. Someone with employee's with nothing to do right now....maybe pick up trash?}

____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want the book descriptions added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+10=26 ; d20+1=10 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 9:12:40 PM

((So it's funny because I resisted this earlier))

Sid wipes some dust off of the desk on a finger, looks at the dust, and wipes it away. "Master Torbin. We have a little situation that I have been trying to solve that I feel the solution would be mutually beneficial."

Sid turns to him and pulls his hands behind his back and says, "You see since the Ratkin have left the Float a vital service has not been taken care of, and that is Sanitation. I wish to create a Sanitation Guild for the Float where trash and litter is regularly collected, sorted, and dealt this. I am already in talks with some Ratkin to be consultants, but the severity of the situation is such that I feel starting immediately and refining a the processes as we go would be most beneficial."

Sid clears his throat, "To be clear, the trash is building. At the pubs, at the homes, and everywhere in between and I mean to stop it before we are living in a plague city. Would you like to discuss more?"

=======================================================================

Profession(Merchant): 26
Diplomacy: 10

((I want to say so much and it is sooo late.))

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+10=26 ; d20+1=10 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 9:12:40 PM

((So it's funny because I resisted this earlier))

Sid wipes some dust off of the desk on a finger, looks at the dust, and wipes it away. "Master Torbin. We have a little situation that I have been trying to solve that I feel the solution would be mutually beneficial."

Sid turns to him and pulls his hands behind his back and says, "You see since the Ratkin have left the Float a vital service has not been taken care of, and that is Sanitation. I wish to create a Sanitation Guild for the Float where trash and litter is regularly collected, sorted, and dealt this. I am already in talks with some Ratkin to be consultants, but the severity of the situation is such that I feel starting immediately and refining a the processes as we go would be most beneficial."

Sid clears his throat, "To be clear, the trash is building. At the pubs, at the homes, and everywhere in between and I mean to stop it before we are living in a plague city. Would you like to discuss more?"

=======================================================================

Profession(Merchant): 26
Diplomacy: 10

((I want to say so much and it is sooo late.))

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+7=8 ; d20+12=13 ;
Thursday May 9th, 2019 10:04:43 PM

Bartomus looked about, but was distracted, like when he was walking through the Float to the lumber merchant. There was just so much that contrasted with all the places they had been. He tried to focus on the conversations, but he found himself day dreaming. When there was a mention of the lizard folk, he focused just enough to shrug.

"So you don't have the book, where did you put the book, or who did you give it to?" He asked before they got to wrapped up in trash and plauge talk.

Knowledge - 1+7; Perception 1+12--lordy

Dirk Devlin (Joe) HP: 59/59 AC: 20/14/17 CMB: 5 CMD: 17  d20+9=13 ;
Friday May 10th, 2019 9:16:06 AM

Dirk walks over to Dorbin and joins him in watching the stairs, all the while keeping an ear perked to listen to the conversations. He strains to listen in the hopes of hearing anything noteworthy. "How are things, Mr. Dorbin?"

----------------------------------------
Perception: 13

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22  d20+3=19 ; d20+13=28 ; d20+6=13 ;
Friday May 10th, 2019 9:48:05 AM

Stock rubs his beard as he listens to Mr. Cook and nods at Sid's mention of the trash problem. "I think your lumber situation will be fine in the long run. In the meantime the Elf makes a good point."

After a moment he says, "Do you know anything about these diamond symbols showing up on doors of some of the merchants? I noticed your door doesn't have one..."

Stock lets the lumber merchant respond and then follows up with, "It looks very similar to a symbol that some of the less savory folk that we have come across used to carry."

======
Knowledge Local 19
Perception 28
Sense Motive 13 when Stock starts asking about the symbol; how is Cook reacting?


Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+17=35 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+20=31 ; d20+17=27 ;
Friday May 10th, 2019 12:40:48 PM

Dorbin is lost in thought, trying to determine more about those symbols... He takes out his ever-present notebook and makes a sketch of the symbol so he can research it more later.

OOC:
Knowledge, local, 35
Knowledge, history: 13
Linguistics: 31
Spellcraft? 27

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=10 ; d20+14=22 ;
Friday May 10th, 2019 6:05:19 PM

Zander is taken aback several times very quickly, first but Cook saying he doesn't have the book. Then Sid swinging a trash clean up deal out of thin air, although it wasn't a bad idea. Then Stock asking about diamonds. He starts thinking where they put that signet ring they had. Maybe this pouch? He let's the others ask the questions and just looks for Torbin's reaction.
----------------
perception 10
Sense Motive 22

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Saturday May 11th, 2019 5:16:12 AM

"Or sell it to." Stohp adds, guessing he might have sold it to make ends meet.

DM Robert - "So you don't have the book, where did you put the book, or who did you give it to?" 
Saturday May 11th, 2019 12:56:08 PM

Sid states, "I wish to create a Sanitation Guild for the Float where trash and litter is regularly collected, sorted, and dealt this. I am already in talks with some Ratkin to be consultants, but the severity of the situation is such that I feel starting immediately and refining a the processes as we go would be most beneficial.... Would you like to discuss more?"

Bartomus asks "So you don't have the book, where did you put the book, or who did you give it to?"

Dirk walks over to Dorbin and joins him in watching the stairs.

Stock rubs his beard as he listens to Mr. Cook and nods at Sid's mention of the trash problem. And then asks "Do you know anything about these diamond symbols showing up on doors of some of the merchants? I noticed your door doesn't have one..."

Dorbin is lost in thought, trying to determine more about those symbols.

Zander keeps a keen eye on Mr. Cook.

Stoph chimes in about the book.

Micah is silent.
-------------
Torbin responds to Sid. "Trash pickup, sanitation...Say that sounds interesting. And hmm, refuge, landfill? recycle, oh composting..." He appears lost in thought momentarily.
Knowledge Nature 20 or Merchant 20, or History 25 Highlight to display spoiler: {He's got cleared forest land. Composting the trash and then working it into the land. In a short time that area would become prime farming country.}

He turns to Bartomus and Stohp. "The book. Well I have debts, and this man, I think it was a man, made me an offer I couldn't refuse." He shakes his head and starts wringing his hands. "Lord Yeager was wanting either return on his investment or buying out of his investment. With the lizards now setting up to compete he was really pressing me to buy out his investment. It was that or face complete bankruptcy. Lord Peerimon was more understanding, but still wanted to see some profits. Well this person showed up, he/she was dressed in red robes and hood, and mask. He made me an offer. There was enough money to buy out Yeager and appease Peerimon. The only condition was that I turn over that book to him, and well.." He glances around and sits again. Clearly he is distraught. "He asked me who on the merchant level was making decent profits. He wanted to know of those, who had family or other debts. I gave him a list of people." A tear comes to his eye. "I've heard things. These enforcers, going to certain merchants at night, demanding protection money. Protection from fire, or theft, or accidents. There were a few that refused at first, then there shops were broken into. One had his home invaded and his wife and children beaten. Then these 'enforcers' showed up, and chased them off. They said these things could keep happening unless they had 'protection'. And now everyone is scared. If they say anything to the guard they could be beaten or worse."

He tells Stock. "I'm not sure what those symbols have in connection to things, but I think that somehow they mark the stores that are paying the protection racket. At least that's what I've heard and been able to piece together."

Zander is pretty sure Torbin is telling the truth.
Dorbin...The symbol Highlight to display spoiler: {The diamond symbol on the circle is definitely what Crimson's men were using as some sort of identification among themselves.}
IN ADDITION, if you have lived your whole life in the Float Highlight to display spoiler: { You vagely remember that maybe 10 to 15 years ago there was a mysterious Lord Diamond that was rumored to be trying to take over the underworld/gangsta' world on the Float. Maybe the library in the Sage's Guild would have more information or some similar source.}
____________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want the book descriptions added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18  d20+4=9 ; d20+4=5 ;
Sunday May 12th, 2019 4:26:34 PM

Micah is a bit nonplussed by the new revelations.

He looks around for a place to sit, then, given the state of the room, he decides to remain standing. Taking a moment to process the new developments, he begins to see a way forward.

"Do I understand correctly that this masked individual implied you are now "protected" with the book deal?" he asks before continuing. Quickly putting some of the pieces together in his mind, he then asks "Would you be willing to help us help you and the other merchants locate this man and his gang? I think this may be bigger than a simple protection scheme."

"Also, how long ago did this transaction occur and do you have any idea where the person went?
Any ideas who may be the next merchant to be targeted?"


===================
perception 9
perception 5

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9   d20+4=11 ;
Monday May 13th, 2019 10:08:39 AM

"So you got the book, used it buy out Peerimon, but like Micah said, you gave it the red robed person," he shook his head trying to understand what was being shared. "That would mean that the robed person had a connection to Peerimon, or maybe was Peerimon? I mean how would the robed person know you had the book?"

Bartomus shook his head as he tried to figure out what they had stumbled into this time. "Red Robes, like that cult at the bakery maybe?"
---
knowledge nature - 11

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15]  d20+12=24 ;
Monday May 13th, 2019 1:48:11 PM

Dorbin listens in from the doorway. He ponders for a moment, then says, "I need to check things out in the library, those symbols remind me of something...something to do with organized crime and a Lord Diamond fellow...I'll be back!" He dashes off towards the sage's guild.

OOC:
Knowledge, History vs DC 25: 24
Yes, Dorbin grew up on the trash level. He'll head to the library to research. His sage ability allows him to research any DC 30 knowledge check.


Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22 
Monday May 13th, 2019 5:07:00 PM

Zander sits down, then stands up, then starts pacing. "He knew you had the book. There was also the gang that tried to nab the painting from us. I might be paranoid but it seems this mysterious person is trying to get on our bad side. And knows how to do it. And beating up people families, that is sickening.", Zander can't help but gnash his teeth at the mere thought, "You have to let us help you Torbin. This man has to be stopped immediately. Do you have any idea who he is, where we could find him, who might know more about him? Any connection to the Lord Diamond that tried to take over the underworld many years ago? If you need protection we can make sure you and your family are safe."

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16)  d20+10=29 ;
Monday May 13th, 2019 7:32:54 PM

"Right, and I figure we could also repair, refurbish, and resale things that salvageable, reclaim as materials that what isn't and compost the rest. Hey, you own cleared timberland right? Well using that land for wheat, rice, and or barley would mean more food for the float, yes, but also fermentable and distillable grains to work into higher yield goods like beer and whiskey. What do you say? We could have an empire build on trash." Sid holds out his hand to him. "Future's but for the takin'."

===================================================================

Profession(Merchant): 29

Sid(Andrew) HP: 42/42; AC: 18/15/14; CMB: 2; CMD: 16) 
Monday May 13th, 2019 7:39:26 PM

Sid shakes his head. "Protection rackets. Strangle the honest merchant and turn them bad quicker than anything. Welp, we're not going to get a zombie plague take'er, not going to let a gang either."

DM Robert - "we're not going to get a zombie plague take'er, not going to let a gang either." 
Monday May 13th, 2019 9:11:34 PM

Micah asks: "Do I understand correctly that this masked individual implied you are now "protected" with the book deal?"

Torbin pauses to respond. "I don't know it never really came up. I know that he sends some men here every few days or so to ask about some new merchants. I'm not paying anything but then he probably knows I have nothing to pay with."

Micah continues, "Would you be willing to help us help you and the other merchants locate this man and his gang? I think this may be bigger than a simple protection scheme."

Torben starts getting fidgety. "I don't know, they are pretty mean. They keep bragging how the guard can't arrest them because no one will press charges."

Then Micah asks, "Also, how long ago did this transaction occur and do you have any idea where the person went? Any ideas who may be the next merchant to be targeted?"

Torbin considers, "I guess about 4 weeks now. I don't know where the first guy went, he's never been back. But his men show up they say they are with Crimson and if I know what's good for me to follow directions. I'm not sure who their next target is. I know the that one of them was complaining about this guard causing them some trouble...I think they said Sergeant Smith."

Bartomus chimes in, "So you got the book, used it buy out Peerimon, but like Micah said, you gave it the red robed person," he shook his head trying to understand what was being shared. "That would mean that the robed person had a connection to Peerimon, or maybe was Peerimon? I mean how would the robed person know you had the book?"

Torbin shakes his head at Bartomus. "No, yes, well it's like this that guy in the red robes, I guess he calls himself Crimson from what his men have said, he first came here because he was trying to find out information on the other merchants. He said it was a deal I could not refuse, he would give me money to get by on and then I would tell him about the other merchants. He saw the book and then said he's give me extra gold just for that. That was how I got enough money to pay off Lord Yeager. Peerimon is just fine with looking to the long end of things as long as I can keep paying quarterly profits."

Dorbin dashes off towards the sage's guild.
As he races out he bumps into someone outside the establishment, but he's moving fast and quickly on his way, all he has was the sensation of soft parts and red hair.

[/i]Zander is verclept. (see the explanation about the book above.) Then he asks "1-Do you have any idea who he is, where we could find him, who might know more about him? 2-Any connection to the Lord Diamond that tried to take over the underworld many years ago? 3-If you need protection we can make sure you and your family are safe."[/i]

Torbin pauses considering answers to the rapid fire questioning. "1- No I don't know who he is, he had a mask and fairly heavy robe and cloak, well more big cloak I guess. 2 - Connection to Lord Diamond? I'm not sure. I seem to remember some vague stuff about some villian named Lord Diamond causing problems, but I don't remember what exactly happend with him. Suddenly it just stopped, and no one really said how or why. 3 - Well it would have to be good protection, I'm not sure if you are up to it, I mean the guard can't even arrest any of them."

Sid boasts about a dream of a Beer Empire. He holds out his hand to Torbin.

Torbin looks at Sid, "Uh, no offense buy are you trying to form a partnership? We'd need to have some papers drawn up outlining all the aspects of such a thing. The days of a shake and nod are long gone my friend."

Stock?
Stohp?
Dirk?
Dirk you were at the landing with Dorbin and watching the stairs, please make Perception 18 Highlight to display spoiler: { You hear Dorbin collide with someone as well as a feminine squeak from being run into and the very distinct sound of tush hitting cobblestone.}
___________________________________
OOC As it stands now, you've come up with several avenues of investigation, updated...
Do you want the book descriptions added in?

2 - Check on Sir Stephan Imbry's past, you know he...
a - owed back taxes
b-owed money to the Gnomish Exhange (a bank)
c - as well as Warrd’s House of Luck - Note Warrd's House of Luck is both a temple and a CASINO
d - The journal mentions paying off gambling debts to Peerimon, and also mentions a "C" that he feels is too dangerous to try to blackmail. HOWEVER he does say that "C's" secret is in the book Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree, and that he hid it somewhere...

5 - The missing loot...That's in The Float
A - Sages' Guild: 1-bk, An Expedition to the Barrier Peaks,
B - Lord Jonas Yeager: 2-bk, Pharaoh
C - Lord Peerimon: 3- bk, The Oasis of the White Palm, and the painting The Drow
NOTE: According to Imbry's journal/diary these books were given to Perimon to pay a gambling debt... Slave Pits of the Undercity, by David Cook; -Secrets of the Slavers Stockade, by Harold Johnson; -Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, by Allen Hammack; -In the Dungeons of the Slave Lords, by Lawrence Schick, BUT, according to Sturgeus he Sold to Unger Platt in Plateau City
D - Torbin Cook: 4 - bk, The Lost Tomb of Martek


In your possession:

3 painting has been recovered and returned so far.


Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Monday May 13th, 2019 9:56:05 PM

Stoph grimaces. "We've heard of Crimson and he's trouble. I'd love to have enough actual proof to bring him down but so far we have nothing actionable. Maybe with his latest scheme we can get enough witnesses to connect him to his crimes and deal with him for good."

Micah (John) HP: 52/52 AC: 26/12/26) CMD:18 
Monday May 13th, 2019 10:31:37 PM


"I agree," replies Micah to Stohp. He hesitates to sigh heavily, then continues, "But I fear we are unlikely to find help among the merchants and it appears my brother may be in danger."

He pauses again to pace before adding, "I recall mention of the "C"'s secret being in one of the missing books. Perhaps it is time to track that down. That way we can possible grab the initiative instead of running around a step or two behind him--or her. If we get close enough, I can try to find the book with magic, but where to start? Back at Rosebud?"

===============
OOC: I am not understanding something. Torbin is out of his immediate money problems and he gave over the book. Is his angst merely worrying about his future lumber business or am I missing something?

OOC: The missing book:-Ust Delmah by Glenn Hembree
Brown leather 11 by 9. This is a one of a kind. It is a leather journal chronicle the adventures of the Crimson Shields fighting a criminal boss that styled himself Lord Diamond. It was never put into actual publication because of a City Edict.

Stock (JonM) HP: 88/88; AC: 24/21/15; DR 1/-; CMB: 13; CMD: 27; Rage: 20/22 
Monday May 13th, 2019 10:41:20 PM


Stock looks at Zander and the others before commenting, "I don't like bullies. Perhaps if we start taking his thugs down when they come to threaten the merchants, we can force this Red Diamond fellow to show his hand." The knuckles of his fists turn white for a moment as he considers this before he makes a conscious effort to unclench them.

Bartomus(Rod) HP: 22/52 AC: 19; Melee +7;Perc+12;Heal+9  
Tuesday May 14th, 2019 10:04:38 AM

"Kinda like Stock's thinking here, I mean I worked on the artisan's halls before coming to the Shields, bullies are not good for business," he said with a notable distain. He rubbed his chin and slightly shook his head.

"What if we set up a shadow to your brother, see if we can call out a few of these enforcers, capture one or two to find out their circuit?" He asked as an idea formed in his mind. 'Maybe try to see who on this song bird's list the red lads haven't visited, suggest patrols in that area by your brother?"

Dorbin (JeffO) [AC:13/13/10 HP:48/48 CMD:15] 
Tuesday May 14th, 2019 1:10:19 PM

Dorbin dashes through the streets trying not to collide into anyone else, heading for the sage's guild

Zanderallen (Zachary H) 88/88 AC: 25 T: 13 FF: 24 CMD: 22  d20+5=21 ;
Tuesday May 14th, 2019 5:28:56 PM

"I think it's time to have a serious chat with some connections of ours. We know a couple members of the Crimson Shields, one in particular who is on the council and might know about that book if it was banned from being published by a city edict. I think it's time to go pay Lord Paragon Belkior a visit.... Wait where has that young rascal Dorbin gotten himself to? Don't tell me he ran off by himself." Zander dashes down to the door and looks out over the street for the young man.
-------------------------
Perception 21

Stohp (Mitch) HP: 31/49 hp AC: 25/15/21 CMB: +10 (12 Grapple, 12 Trip, 14 Disarm) CMD: 20 (+2 vs grapple, disarm)  
Tuesday May 14th, 2019 6:43:08 PM

"Hold on guys, one thing at a time." Stohp advises. "We're still on another mission, lets finish it and then we'll be able to tackle this extortion ring.

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