Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception, Erad.
[20:05] <@Kotono> T returns that glance with a shrug, attention going to the young man.
[20:05] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:05] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{26}
[20:05] <@Kotono> Helena frowns as well, "What happ-" she begins, Annerose beating her to it.
[20:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 T
[20:06] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 T --> [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
[20:08] <@Kotono> "His name's Johnny," The red head begins. "Apparently the knight took a shine to his sister. She's real pretty." Meanwhile, Erad catches someone on the other side of the street. A young man, slender and wiry. He's helping move some boxes, but Erad notices his gaze subtly stays on the party, keeping eyes on them.
[20:10] <@Erad> Erad makes a noise to himself then lightly nudges T with his eblow. He murmurs to him, "Across the street, kid moving boxes. Seems to have some interest in us."
[20:11] <@Annerose> "How long ago was this? Do you know where are they now?" Annerose keeps with the questions.
[20:12] <@Kotono> T nudges back and murmurs out of the side of his mouth, "Set up."
[20:12] <@Kotono> "Two days ago," He says, "I can get you to Johnny, he'll tell you more." He nods quickly, "If you can help them, they'd be really grateful."
[20:12] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 sense motive, is our quest-giver giving a quest with bad intentions?
[20:12] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+13 sense motive, is our quest-giver giving a quest with bad intentions? --> [ 1d20=11 ]{24}
[20:13] <@Kotono> Nothing like the scent of bullshit in the morning. Inari's smelling it firsthand.
[20:13] <@Annerose> Her face falls a bit, but she nods. "Of course! Please lead the way!"
[20:14] <@Inari> "Well, before we go there, why don't you tell us about this knight that took her?" Inari asks, angling to find out if he wants to set them up against the knight or for the knight.
[20:19] <@Kotono> The young man starts to go, wiping his brow. He does slow at Inari's words, "He's a knight. A big man, powerful. Rich."
[20:19] <@Kotono> "Uh huh," T murmurs, "Does this knight have a name?"
[20:22] <@Kotono> "Knight Aerin," He answers after a split-second, glancing back at T.
[20:25] <@Inari> "Great!" Inari smiles. "So this knight Aerin, he likes pretty girls, does he?"
[20:27] <@Kotono> :"Of course. Who doesn't?" The youth stops and turns to Inari, "Likes them so much that he'll press the issue."
[20:27] <@Kotono> "That's horrible!" Helena flushes at that, "A nobleman acting like a common bandit!"
[20:28] <@Inari> "Of course. And being so rich... and powerful... and big, well who's going to stop him?" Inari nods. "So bearing everything we've just heard in mind, who wants to run off with Johnny here to investigate?"
[20:29] <@Kotono> "Uh huh," T echos himself, shrugging. "What do you think, 'nari?"
[20:29] <@Kotono> "I think we have to do something!"Helena says quickly, "I think Annerose has the right idea, we need to go solve this.":
[20:31] <@Annerose> "Let's go see your friend and hear more about this," Annerose agrees, sparing a brief, confused look to Inari.
[20:31] <@Erad> Erad glances back at the boy from earlier to see if there's been any change in his behavior but stays quiet otherwise.
[20:32] <@Kotono> He's keeping eye son the party, while keeping busy moving boxes - the same few boxes, actually, back and forth.
[20:34] <@Inari> "Well then, lets go," Inari nods. "But remember, the knight's men could be everywhere, so take care to protect yourselves," she tells everyone, casting shield of faith on herself for emphasis.
[20:34] * @Annerose smiles in understanding, though she never needs any spells to be ready.
[20:35] <@Kotono> T hums and starts to gesture, but stops. "I'll save it for when we get there," he says, "You know, no sense using magic early."
[20:36] <@Kotono> The red head's eyes widen at this, stumbling. He quickly catches himself, "Ah...ah...wow, you all know magic?"
[20:37] <@Erad> Is this kid really that dense? Erad just shakes his head.
[20:38] <@Inari> "Yes, won't that make finding your friend's sister so much easier?" Inari asks in as sweet a tone as she can manage.
[20:39] <@Kotono> T grins at this, "Oh yeah. It makes things easier. I know some, Inari knows some. Heck, even Annerose there knows some. Cold magic," he adds, "Brrrrrrr."
[20:39] <@Annerose> "It doesn't really matter, does it? Not when it compares to our desire to do the right thing?"
[20:39] <@Kotono> "I mean," T goes right on, "Most people are too polite to mention Inari's tails, or say anything since anyone can tell an Aurilite on sight these days, but come on, kid." T's grinning even more now, "Magic all up in here."
[20:40] * @Annerose frowns, and reaches over to slap T upside the head.
[20:40] <@Inari> "Don't rub it in, T," Inari says chidingly. "Just because not everyone can use magic is no reason to look down on them."
[20:41] <@Kotono> "Ow!" T winces, rubbing the side of his head. "See? The wrath of Auril is horrible." He's still grinning despite it.
[20:46] <@Kotono> Back and forth, back and forth. The red head's eyes swing amid the party, "Ah...I don't think I should bother you with this," he finally says, "That is...well..." Just like that he turns and takes off at a dead sprint, running like a dragon is chasing him.
[20:47] <@Annerose> "Wait!" Annerose cries out, dashing after him after giving T a particularly nasty glare.
[20:48] <@Erad> Erad turns his attention from the sprinting youth to the one who's been keeping an eye on them to see if he has any kind of response.
[20:48] <@Kotono> "Huh?" Helena startles t that, before chasing as well, "Wait, hold on!" she cries, following Annerose.
[20:48] <@Kotono> The one moving the boxes casually and deftly heads the other way, walking away with his hands in his pockets.
[20:49] <@Kotono> T returns it with a raised eyebrow, "Oh come on, would you rather get jumped?" he calls as Annerose runs off. OOC: What abou tyou, Inari, waiting on your reaction here before starting to resolve things.
[20:49] <@Inari> "Really T, you should let other people have their fun... though I suppose I must have made myself too obvious as well," Inari sighs, walking after Anneorse and Helena.
[20:50] <@Kotono> T shrugs lightly, "I just couldn't resist. Kid's green as a forest. Come on, this is a learning experience for him."
[20:50] <@Erad> "I'm going after his accomplice." Erad says as he moves to follow the other youth!
[20:51] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, Annerose and Helena, make Dex checks. +4 bonus for each 10ft above 30ft your movement speed is. Erad,lemme move you into #evil since doing two chases in the same room is messy.

#ed

[20:52] <@Kotono> As Erad comes for him, the youth smoothly slips into an alley and out of immediate sight.  You're perhaps 30ft behind him right now and can't quite see in the alley right now.
[20:53] <@Erad> Erad will make a wide turn to get into the alley, staying at least 10ft away from it in case the youth thinks to try and strike him as he rounds the corner!
[20:54] <@Kotono> The alley's a dead end. Trash litters it - ugh, the scent is miserable. There's a side access door to both buildings that line the alley. No sign of your quarry offhand.
[20:55] <@Erad> "You won't get away that easily..." He mutters as he enters the alley. He glances between the doors to see if it's obvious which might've just been used.
[20:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception.
[20:57] <@Erad> OOC: You'll have to summon mushrooms.
[20:57] * Myannbot (~dunefar@ip68-10-229-242.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #evildunes
[20:58] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:58] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{22}
[20:58] <@Kotono> Ah! There's a footprint...on the wall? It's a 10ft climb up to the roof on the right side, and you can see a fresh, muddy footprint there. Like someone climbed and jumped up to the roof.
[20:59] <@Erad> Erad rolls his eyes and takes to the air with his wings! If he's roof-hopping, it'll be easy enough to find him...
[21:00] <@Kotono> Erad flies on up. Yep, he's on the roofs. He's an entire roof away now, running good and fast.
[21:00] <@Erad> "You'd better stop, or you'll end up falling!" Erad calls out as he flies down after the boy! "I wouldn't want to be responsible for that!"
[21:04] <@Kotono> OOC: Dex check. +4 bonus for each 10ft over 30ft that your fly speed is. +2 for each rank above average your manuverability is, -2 for each rank it's below.
[21:04] <@Erad> roll 1d20+16+2+2 (70 flight speed good)
[21:04] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+16+2+2 (70 flight speed good) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{24}
[21:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 well this just got moot
[21:05] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 well this just got moot --> [ 1d20=8 ]{10}
[21:06] <@Kotono> It's really not a fair chase. Sure, he's fast on his feet and a good athelete, but Erad flies. He soon lands at the running man's side and grabs his shoulder. Got 'em! He stops at that, huffing and grunting.
[21:07] <@Erad> "So why don't you start from the beginning, young man." Erad says. "I'm not as amused as my friends are about being lied to."
[21:08] <@Erad> Erad adds on the end of that, "Please don't start with 'I have no idea what you're talking about,' because I'm not that stupid."
[21:09] <@Kotono> "Sure, you're a lizard." The man banters back, voice light. "Just some fun. Things went wrong, so I made myself scarce." OOC: Perception.
[21:10] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[21:10] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{28}
[21:11] <@Kotono> You can spot the young man's hand subtly sliding into his pocket.
[21:12] <@Erad> "Do you want to die today? If not, cut it out before I stop feeling so generous." Erad says. "What did your stupid friend want?"
[21:15] <@Kotono> His hand comes out of his pocket and goes still. His lips curl into a tense, sour smile. "Money. Yours."
[21:21] <@Erad> "Well, congratulations, you've probably just destroyed whatever ring of morons you're part of." Erad says. "My friends probably already caught whatever his name was and aren't going to let this slide. So, I'm going to tell you something and hope that you have the wherewithal to listen to what I say. Quit stealing from people and find an honest living. The next person you try and steal from
[21:21] <@Erad> might actually be an Aurilite."
[21:21] <@Erad> Erad lets him go. "Bahamut's mercy is one you should try and remember."
[21:23] <@Kotono> The young man takes a moment to dust himself off, I hear you," he says with the same sour smile as before.
[21:24] <@Erad> "I wonder about that. Either way, the choices are yours to make." Erad shakes his head and looks down to see if he can spot his entourage.
[21:26] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception.
[21:26] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[21:26] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{23}

#d

[20:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Helena (+8 movement)
[20:51] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 Helena (+8 movement) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{20}
[20:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Redhead
[20:51] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 Redhead --> [ 1d20=8 ]{10}
[20:51] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[20:51] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{25}
[20:53] <@Kotono> Ah, it's easy when you have magic. With a few words, she slips along the ground like ice, far faster than a run. She glides past horses and wagons, weaving between townsfolk. She stands at the end of the street, ahead of the red head. He stops and whirls around at this, his wide eyed look of panic finding no relief. For just behind him is Helena, "Hey!" she shouts, grabbing him by the shoulders.
[20:53] <@Kotono> "Where do you think you're going?!"
[20:55] * @Annerose stops at the mouth of an alleyway and gestures towards it. At this point, any refusal would lead her to resort to magic to restrain the redhead.
[20:56] <@Kotono> Casual kidnapping only gets a few glances from the townsfolk. Even a nearby guard takes one look at Annerose and goes back to watching the street. Helena herds him in, T and Inari following. Soon enough you have him in the alley, the four of you and jus tone ofhim.
[20:58] <@Annerose> "I'm not particularly stupid," Annerose muses, pacing before the abducted man. "What suspicions my friends had were confirmed by your actions just now. But I do not appreciate needlessly being called an Aurilite, and more importantly, if you planned on robbing or abducting us, it gets me to wonder, along with your original story, if there are any girls in need of rescue. Just not from the knight, perhaps. Please talk."
[20:59] <@Inari> Annerose looks like she has it well handled, so Inari just leans against the wall at the entrance to the alley and waits.
[20:59] <@Kotono> T takes the other side of the alley, just relaxing now.
[20:59] <@Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check, Annerose? +4 circumstance bonus.
[20:59] <@Annerose> "Unfortunately," she muses, "since we couldn't get you to bring us along to you rest of your friends, should anyone need to pay it will be solely you."
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+13+4 I'm fairly scary
[21:00] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+13+4 I'm fairly scary --> [ 1d20=15 ]{32}
[21:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 This isn't being passed
[21:00] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 This isn't being passed --> [ 1d20=10 ]{16}
[21:01] <@Kotono> "Wait, you were lying?!" Helena stares at him, before giving him a shove. "Yo ubastard!"
[21:01] <@Annerose> "Inari was somewhat subtle about her suspicions, while T was as subtle as Bahamut."
[21:02] <@Kotono> The red head stumbles and barely avoids falling over. He breaths heavily and shakes his head, "Look, it was just a shake down! Nothing serious, you'd lose some money and walk away fine."
[21:03] <@Kotono> "Roar," T says, deadpan. He smiles at it despite that, "Look kid, I know how those sort of plans work. Yours was as transparent as glass."
[21:05] <@Annerose> "I don't know how these plans work," Annerose interjects. "Magic aside, I'm wearing armor and Erad is a dragon. Do we really look so easily shaken down?"
[21:08] <@Kotono> "I know. Okay, I know I don't look like that, but hello? Tails? Ice girl in ice armor? Dragon wings?" T facepalms, "Kid, I don't know what you're trying to prove, but if it's that you're stupid, you did it."
[21:08] <@Kotono> "It ...itw as my first time!" He eeps out, looking around, "My first time on point! You looked rich! You couldn't be that strong!"
[21:09] <@Annerose> "Just how many of you are there?"
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Four of us! I'm the new recruit," He says quickly, "Prove myself and I'm in."
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Part of a guild or an independent team?" T says, idly glancing back out. No one coming, nope.
[21:12] <@Annerose> "Alright." Annerose nods. "Take me to your leader."
[21:14] <@Kotono> "Yeah!" Helena glowers at him, hands on her hips.
[21:14] <@Kotono> "G-guild." The young man stammers, taking one more look at Annerose before nodding.
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along with him, then?
[21:19] <@Annerose> OOC: Yes
[21:20] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to get with Erad again?
[21:21] <@Annerose> OOC: If we see him we'll wave him over, sure

[21:33] <@Kotono> Catching up with Erad is easy enough, since he flies and all. You get more looks, but no one presses the issue, as it is. You're lead off the main streets and into the residential areas around Lemmen. The bulidings are simpler, smaller and dirtier here.The people about are mainly children and housewives. You're lead to a building identical to all the other small houses on the block. "In there,"
[21:33] <@Kotono> he says.
[21:34] <@Annerose> "Introduce us, please."
[21:44] <@Kotono> Your captive just nods and leads you in. The front room is comfortable - nice furniture, a fireplace (currently not in use), a table. All of it's unusually fine material. Kicked back in a stuffed chair is a plump man. He has a mustache and rather strikingly pure blonde/white hair. He's wearing bland peasant's clothes and a pair of soft boots. His feet are up on the table, a stack of parchments
[21:44] <@Kotono> balanced on his lap. He's reading one, looking up as the party comes in. "B-boss, they'd liket o see you."
[21:44] <@Annerose> "Hello," Annerose greets the man pleasantly. "You must be the person robbing travelers!"
[21:46] <@Inari> "Hello!" Inari waves, stepping in behind Annerose and moving to the side. "Well, appearances certainly do deceive..." she looks around the fine furniture. "I was thinking of giving a donation out of pity, but it's not that necessary at all, is it?"
[21:47] <@Erad> Erad stays in the back with his arms folded, glancing about the room for any obvious exits that this one might run off to as well. Well, he probably won't be running...
[21:50] <@Kotono> "Yo," T calls, "They said it, but you know how it is. Send out rookies, get fleeced."
[21:52] <@Kotono> "Gah!" The man stumbles to his feet, "The hell are you doing in here?"
[21:53] <@Kotono> "Sorry!" The red head looks down and away, "They forced me! They're all wizards and super wizards!"
[21:53] * @Annerose winces. "You are a bit slow, I'm afraid. Now then! Do you now or have you ever abducted people, for ransom or other reasons? This is a very important question!"
[21:54] <@Erad> Erad wonders what the hell is a super wizard? He shrugs either way and keeps quiet.
[21:57] <@Kotono> "What? No!" The plump man protests, his eyes going 'round and 'round as he takes in the party.
[21:57] <@Kotono> "Really?!" Helena has her shield out, glaring harshly at him.
[21:58] * @Annerose glances at T, then Inari, to check if they think he's on the level.
[21:59] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 T sense motive
[21:59] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 T sense motive --> [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
[21:59] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 likewise
[21:59] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+13 likewise --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
[22:00] <@Kotono> Inari can tell he's mainly shocked still. He's not hiding himself well - no, he's not kidnapped anyone, yout hink. Doesn't seem right based on his reaction.
[22:00] <@Inari> Inari gives a minute nod in response to that glance.
[22:01] <@Kotono> T pauses and then just defers to Inari.
[22:02] <@Annerose> Annerose nods to herself in satisfaction, walking through the room as she pulls off a glove. She comes to rest by the fireplace, where she puts her hand on it. "Excellent! You're just misguided, then! In this case, let's discuss how you will compensate us for our trouble." Frost cover the metal grate as she continues nonchalantly, "How about using those ill-gotten gains to feed the poor of your very neighbourhood?"
[22:05] <@Kotono> "Sounds reasonable," T goes to sit on the couch, putting his own feet up. He draws his dagger, casually polishing it. "This furniture's nice. You could see it for a princely sum if you bargained hard. That would help."
[22:07] <@Kotono> On seeing all of this, the beleaguered boss nods once. "That's a pretty good argument. We'll get right to it," he says, voice like silk.
[22:08] <@Annerose> "I love sensible people! There is no time like the present to start! And on that note, we'll be staying here in Lemmen for a while."
[22:09] <@Erad> "If I might add, perhaps consider finding less unlawful ways of making money." Erad says. "If you're so good at fleecing people like this, why not turn that into a business and help protect people against crime?" He huffs once. Maybe they'll see reason eventually.
[22:09] <@Kotono> That makes T grin for some reason, but he doesn't adda nything more.
[22:10] <@Kotono> "We'll look into that, too," he says, even quicker. Clasping his hands together, "Is there anything else?"
[22:11] <@Annerose> "While you look into it, wouldn't it be best if you produced all the money that you have right now? We'll help you make sure it reaches where it's supposed to!"
[22:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check, +4 circumstance bonus.
[22:14] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+13+4 still scary
[22:14] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+13+4 still scary --> [ 1d20=15 ]{32}
[22:15] <@Kotono> That look. It seems to hit the man like a warhammer to the chest, making him grimace and stumble back. "R-right, my m-money." He takes a pouch out of his pocket, tossing it to Annerose. It's heavy and jangles with coins.
[22:17] <@Annerose> "I'm glad we understood each other!" she responds, placing it away. By now the grate has completely frozen over, and she pulls her glove back on. "I trust you will work quite swiftly to sell--" She gestures at the expensive furniture, "--all this and use the money towards a good end. Why, then there would be no need for us to return!"
[22:19] <@Kotono> "Would be easiest that way," T says, standing up now. "For everyone."
[22:19] <@Kotono> "Of course, of course," The plump man nods, jiggling like jelly.
[22:19] * @Annerose nods to herself in satisfaction, and then heads outside with a merry smile.
[22:20] <@Inari> "Nicely done," Inari nods to the crime lord who caved so impeccably, before following Annerose out.
[22:21] <@Erad> Erad shakes his head and follows the others out.
[22:22] <@Kotono> Thus the group heads on out, "That fat bastard," Helena murmurs hotly, "Just sitting there and letting people bring him crime's reward!"
[22:23] <@Erad> "We can only hope they're going to reform." Erad says. "If they don't, that's their choice and they'll have to face punishment for their crimes when they end up caught again."
[22:24] <@Annerose> Annerose, in the meantime, hands the money over to T. "Let's find the best way to use it? I could change my appearance and keep an eye out for actual troubles."

[20:02] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay, now what's on the agenda, y'all?
[20:03] <@Annerose> OOC: Find the best uses for the money to benefit the poor, distribute it
[20:03] <@Annerose> OOC: I'd also suggest checking to see if other groups are operating like this, and breaking them too
[20:06] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay. GI for both, we'll deal with the first one before anything else. GI it up, y'all.
[20:07] <@Annerose> OOC: Can we go in two groups for this to max our chances? While others aid one of the other.
[20:09] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+15
[20:09] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=16]
[20:09] <@Inari> roll 1d20+18 sure
[20:09] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=13]
[20:09] <@Kowork> OOC: Anyone going to do aiding?
[20:10] <@Erad> OOC: I don't have Diplomacy.
[20:10] <@Annerose> OOC: We have NPCs!
[20:10] <@Kowork> OOC: You can still aid untrained.
[20:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+2 Helena will aid Annerose
[20:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=17]
[20:10] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+11 T will aid Inari.
[20:10] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=16]
[20:10] <@Erad> roll 1d20-1 Erad will aid Annerose then
[20:10] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=14]

[20:11] <@Kowork> The poor here are quite poor. Anything would help. With the money in the pouch - about 75 gold all counted - it looks like food is the most likely way to help. Everyone can use that.
[20:13] * @Annerose matches that amount to have more to work with, and then uses the information they carefully gathered to distribute the food to those in dire need of it.
[20:14] <@Annerose> OOC: post
[20:14] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay. Just going to set up somewhere and give it away or...?
[20:15] <@Annerose> Her first idea is to find a reliable eatery or two and strike a deal with them. But if that proves impossible, Annerose will just have to buy the food herself and distribute it.
[20:16] <@Kowork> Annerose can find out that it's possible, but restaurants are fairly more expensive than just buying the staples yourself and passing them out. Up to Annerose there.
[20:16] <@Annerose> They're here for a few days still, and it would help her other plans to be visible here. So she'll just rely on Helena and T for preparing the food properly from staples and ingredients.
[20:20] <@Kowork> OOC: Sure, that can work. It'll cost a few gold to get somewhere to cook (T'll cover it in the interests of moving things along), but it'll tie both them up. Cooking food, especially 150 gold's worth of meals, is a hell of a lot of work.
[20:20] <@Annerose> OOC: Sure thing!
[20:22] <@Kowork> OOC: Go ahead and set up where/how y'all are going to give this stuff away.
[20:27] <@Annerose> The first step was getting enough ingredients to more than cover a projected demand, and once she had Helena's expertise from running an inn, calculating that came easily. Then she had to set up shop somewhere. Just placing a stall in the middle of a street at random didn't seem like the best of ideas, so Annerose decided to try and rent space at an existing one for a week or two. Even if the increased traffic and interest wouldn't result in more revenue for the stall's owner, getting paid for simply providing a bit of space and legitimacy is not a bad deal if she presents the idea right!
[20:29] <@Erad> Stealing from one to give to another isn't exactly the most lawful ideal, but it's a good deed, so Erad will help out with distributing the food either way. If asked, he will provide quotes and passages he can recall on Bahamut's doctrine. Beyond that, he will keep an eye out for troublemakers who'd try and ruin the attempts for people to do some good.
[20:31] <@Kowork> OOC: 10 gold to rent a stall space, Annerose. Post the expense.
[20:31] <@Annerose> OOC: post
[20:31] <@Inari> Inari helps out with cooking and playing waitress, showing a constant smile and cheer to all who come by. To be served by a goddess is something not even the richest lords could boast!
[20:33] <@Kowork> Soon enough word spreads - within a half hour, the stall has a line. The poor and hungry come in a hurry, gaunt faces and dirty bodies. "Food? Free food?" An older man with a limp asks, leaning heavily on a weathered wooden cane.
[20:35] <@Annerose> Smiling, Annerose is mostly there to provide order and security, as well as direct the elderly and infirm to a shorter line dedicated for them.
[20:36] <@Kowork> "Why?" As you serve them, a young child asks that, staring at Annerose. You're getting a crowd - both people in line and others watching.
[20:37] <@Annerose> "Why not?" she asks, tilting her head.
[20:38] <@Kowork> "Why not?" A young woman behind him asks, wearing an old, tattered dress and carrying a basket. "No one's bothered lately, not even the churches." Meanwhile, amid the bustle, you can see a pair of guards approaching. Armored and helmeted, faces hidden and carrying sheathed swords.
[20:39] <@Inari> "Then for shame on the churches," Inari says, speaking up. "Everyone deserves the pleasure of a well cooked meal now and then."
[20:39] <@Annerose> "So you do know why," Annerose responds brightly, keeping that smile on. "It's just that people haven't kept us with it. But if someone starts, maybe the churches will remember how things used to be? And maybe others will follow the lead?"
[20:39] <@Erad> Hm, have they gotten someone's unwanted attention? Erad wonders. Either way, he pretends to not really notice them coming.
[20:40] <@Kowork> T's busy in the back, but Helena peaks out and smiles at the woman, bringing out another tray of food.
[20:40] <@Kowork> "Clear the way, clear the way," The guards call, approaching. The line melts before them, "City guard." Annerose is greeted right away, "You're making quite a crowd. What's going on here?"
[20:41] <@Inari> "We're running a cafe," Inari answers, because saying it's free would probably offend their evilness.
[20:42] <@Annerose> "Good afternoon!" Annerose greets the guards just as brightly, meeting them halfway. "I have all the proper permits!"
[20:44] <@Kowork> "Let us see them," The guard says right away.
[20:44] <@Annerose> "Certainly! But first, would you like to sample our food? It's on me!"
[20:47] <@Kowork> "Well, of course. That'll do," The guard sounds amused, "What are you serving?"
[20:49] <@Annerose> Normally, she might make them wait. But there is more than enough food unless she miscalculated supply and demand badly, and so Annerose leads them over to where Helena is bringing out trays of food. "It's our secret recipe~" she says happily. "Please, enjoy it with everyone here!"
[20:54] <@Kowork> Thus the guard go and eat, leaving the stand be. OOC: Go ahead and do anything else youw ant with this, I'll move you along when done.
[20:56] <@Annerose> Since the line is long, Annerose takes the time to talk to those farther from the stall. Just some idle chatter, for the most part, although she inquires about the churches and the changes to their operation. If people still remember some church being active with charity, perhaps a visit there might be in order later on.
[20:56] <@Kowork> OOC: Make a GI check with a +7 circumstance bonus, Annerose.
[20:57] <@Erad> Erad seems satisfied that there are no troublemakers, but keeps an eye out nonetheless as the line progresses.
[20:57] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+15+7
[20:57] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=10]
[20:59] <@Kowork> The Church of the Whirling Fury once helped, but they've faded away into the past. The Technos of Gond's chapterhouse once did some relief works, but in recent times they've stopped. Apparently creating Gond's works leaves no room in the budget for others. Auril and Umberlee's churches have never cared, nor to have much of a presence here anyway.
[21:02] <@Annerose> Helena spoke badly about Gond's temple, so looking into the Church of the Whirling Fury is something that Annerose proposes to the others they do later that evening!
[21:03] <@Kowork> T's resting on his inn room bed, yawning and with a cool cloth on his head. Helena's nearby, fanning herself with some paper. It's the latter who speaks up, "Tonight? Why not do it during the day when we can see better?
[21:03] <@Kowork> "
[21:04] <@Annerose> "Doesn't it have a better atmosphere at night?"
[21:04] <@Inari> "We'd probably get accosted by ill-intentioned city guards if we went during the day," Inari agrees.
[21:05] <@Annerose> "And don't things look different at night?" Annerose asks excitedly.
[21:05] <@Kowork> T yawns and settles back, "I guess," he finally says, "As long as we go now rather than later. I'm already tired from all that damn cooking."
[21:06] <@Annerose> "And thanks for doing all that!"
[21:06] <@Kowork> Helena turns to Erad at that, "Can't you see in the dark, too? I remember hearing dragons can."
[21:06] <@Erad> "Not all of us, but yes, I can." Erad says.
[21:08] <@Kowork> "We can just bring light, anyway, if all of us are coming." T sits up, yawning and stretching. "Fine, but you're buying a late dinner afterwards since it was your idea. This'll probably get us hungry."
[21:10] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay, so what are y'all gonna do for light, if you're done talking?
[21:11] <@Annerose> OOC: Light cantrip on shield
[21:11] <@Kowork> roll 1d100
[21:11] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 21 > [d100=21]
[21:12] <@Kowork> The trip to the abandoned temple is without incident. Fortunately, Annerose's discussions earlier told her where it is. Something you passed before, actually. It is an old building, an open courtyard dominated by an cobblestone pattern of crossed scimitars. It is empty and silent, grass growing amid the cobbles.
[21:12] <@Annerose> "How ominous!" she voices to the others. "Didn't it stand out before, too?"
[21:13] <@Kowork> "Yeah," T says, "Old decript building. I wonder if there's homeless sleeping inside?"
[21:14] <@Inari> "At least it'd still be used that way," Inari says. "Abandoned temples are always so sad."
[21:14] <@Kowork> "It's just forgotten..." Helena trails off, voice soft. "There's something sad in being forgotten."
[21:15] <@Annerose> "I actually think it's better than having your meaning twisted entirely," Annerose muses.
[21:16] <@Inari> "You do get a lot of that, don't you," Inari reaches over to pat Annerose on the back.
[21:16] <@Erad> Erad glances around while they talk. "Well, I don't think we'll find any answers out here. We should see if the door is locked, I suppose."
[21:16] <@Kowork> "Well, you're dead at that point, so I doubt you much care," T steps forward, "You want to take point, Annerose? You have the light."
[21:16] <@Kowork> T smiles softly at that, "To be honest, I think it saves us trouble. It's easy to play on and everyone knows not to mess with Auril's own. If people just happen to think you're one of hers, it makes our lives easier."
[21:17] * @Annerose smiles at T and Inari, and then approaches the door to take a closer look.
[21:18] <@Inari> "But it dilutes her own meaning. Her face and actions become part of Auril's reputation and not her own," Inari argues.
[21:19] <@Kowork> It's a sturdy wooden door, engraved with the image of a woman wearing a bikini and carrying scimitar.s She cleaves through fiends and the evil, becoming a whirlwind in several images. It's quite well made, showing no signs of aging.
[21:20] <@Kowork> "Yeah, so?" T shrugs, "People will think what they think. Do something about about the Aurilites if it bothers you. The point is that it makes our lives easier, which means we have better odds of keeping on."
[21:20] * @Annerose pushes the door open.
[21:20] <@Kowork> "That still bothers me," Helena says, "I think I made the same mistake when I first met her. But it was a hot day and her armor looked so nice, so cooling."
[21:21] <@Kowork> The door's locked, doesn't open.
[21:21] <@Inari> "People thinking what they think is what's got the world in the sorry state it's in now. They need to be reminded of the good in themselves, not confused when one Aurilite helps them and another hurts them."
[21:21] <@Annerose> "The worst part is that if you react badly people misunderstand even worse," Annerose admits, waving T over. "It's locked."
[21:22] <@Kowork> T nods and gets right to work.
[21:22] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10
[21:22] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=11]
[21:22] <@Kowork> "It's not trapped, just with a hell of a lock," T grimaces, "Give me a shot at it, but damn, this is a good lock."
[21:22] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+19 (+6 cunning knowledge)
[21:22] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=20]
[21:22] <@Erad> Erad frowns, since now they're officially breaking into a church, but if it uncovers something, perhaps it's all for the best?
[21:23] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+39 (+6 cunning knowledge) exploding crit, relevant here
[21:23] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=1]
[21:23] <@Inari> "On another note I'm surprised this place isn't more popular," she taps against the bikini picture. "That sort of thing does rouse a certain kind of interest."
[21:23] <@Annerose> "It can't be very comfortable or practical to fight with scimitars that way."
[21:25] <@Kowork> "I know, right?" Helena adds, "I mean...that must be enchanted to support THOSE!" Gesturing, "Plus she has nothing protecting her, no armor or shield."
[21:25] <@Inari> "Dodging can work quite well," Inari says, given that she also lacks armour or shield. Though she does dress slightly more modestly.
[21:25] <@Kowork> Pop! "Hah, got it!" T says, "Damn, that's the best lock setup I've ever seen. It's wasted here, let me tell you."
[21:26] <@Erad> "Not everyone needs to wear armor." Erad says with a nod to Inari. He glances to T with a frown but shakes his head. "Let's see if we can get to the bottom of all of this?"
[21:26] <@Kowork> "Yeah," T steps back, "All yours."
[21:26] <@Annerose> "You never know what it's keeping," Annerose muses.
[21:28] <@Erad> Erad takes a breath and mumbles something to himself before he crosses the threshold to look around inside and see what's going on in here! OOC: 60 ft. darkvision if it matters for this
[21:30] * @Annerose peers at the engraving again. "You know, I read about armor like that being used in heaven but I always thought it was a joke."
[21:31] <@Kowork> The doors are opened. Ahead is a large room with a repeat of the engravings in the courtyard. It's stone silent here and a little cooler than outside. There's a coating of dust on everything. At the edge of darkvision a statue can be seen - of the same woman in the murals, the statue about 7 feet tall. She's beautiful in a wild way, disheveled white hair and twin scimitars held. A pile of swords
[21:31] <@Kowork> lies at the base of the statue.There's more to see past your darkvision, most likely.
[21:32] <@Kowork> Helena hmphs, "Really? I know some of the men in the caravan talked about someone like that one. Sharan? Sharra? Shartess? Something that started with an S. She dresses like that. But it's probably just men."
[21:32] <@Inari> Stepping inside, Inari sends her foxfire ahead of her to sweep their surroundings, taking a moment to rest it on the statue which she gives a look over before sweeping outwards.
[21:33] <@Erad> "Hm. Statue at the end." Erad says as he walks towards it. Hm, is there some significance to the all the swords beyond just an offering? OOC: K:R on that, perhaps?
[21:33] * @Annerose looks ahead with her magical sight. "Oh yes! The scriptures insisted this somehow protected people better but gave no explanation why. I suppose magic might work, but why only for the women, then?"
[21:33] <@Kowork> With fox fire deployed, light fills the area. It's dominated by the engraving the statue. There's doors on both walls to the side. The walls are also decorated with more murals of that woman.
[21:34] <@Kowork> "The female body is an artwork," T falls in with Erad, Inari's foxfire lighting the way. "That's why." He's grinning as he says it, nudging Erad with his elbow. OOC: K:R on the statue and swords, sure.
[21:34] * @Annerose shrugs, saying quietly to Helena, "Oh, and that's Sharess, the patron of wild sex and cats. I doubt she ever wears anything at all."
[21:35] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7
[21:35] <@Kowork> "...and cats?" Helena murmurs, blushing rapidly.
[21:35] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=3]
[21:35] <@Kowork> OOC: That's a trip to missville, Erad. Condolences.
[21:35] <@Erad> "I don't think that's what it's saying." Erad says with a glance at T.
[21:35] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+8 T'll try
[21:35] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=1]
[21:35] <@Annerose> "Maybe it says something about cats, or maybe she's just multi-talented?"
[21:35] <@Inari> Approaching the statue, Inari brings the lights back over it, studying the engravings for a moment.
[21:36] <@Kowork> "Well, besides the fact that she's gorgeous, I have nothing." T shrugs, "I'm drawing a blank. I've heard of the church, but never looked into details."
[21:36] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 religion, I speak celestial if it's writing
[21:36] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=16]
[21:36] <@Kowork> OOC: Oh, typo. Dominated by the engravings, the statue - it's supposed to refer to the second engraving of scimitars on the floor of the temple.
[21:36] <@Inari> "There's nothing wrong with having a patron animal," the kitsune says distractedly while looking things over.
[21:36] <@Kowork> OOC: I'll just apply your roll to the statue in general.
[21:38] <@Kowork> The statue is of Gwynharwyf, the Whirling Fury. She's a patron of barbarians and goodness, known for slicing through evil like a scythe. She's also part of the Court of the Stars, a group of chaotic good outsiders known as eladrin. They're tied to the seasonal courts of Titania. She's one of the consorts of Queen Morwel, the ruler of that court.
[21:38] <@Kowork> "...yeah." Helena's blushing terribly, hurrying inside afterwards.
[21:38] <@Erad> "It does seem rather... ...focused, I suppose." Erad says. He looks between the doors in the back. "Hm... but this still doesn't really answer any questions yet. Any opinions on which door?" He asks the others.
[21:39] <@Kowork> "Whichever," T says, "If we're exploring the place, we'll want to be through anyway."
[21:39] <@Inari> "That's the Whirling Fury herself," Inari says, having nothing more to add. "We'll get to them all, there's plenty of time," she responds to T next, heading to the furthest door on the left.
[21:40] <@Kowork> The door's opened. It leads to a little hallway with a few doors. They're all guest rooms - nothing remarkable or interesting about them on a glance, though you could take some time and search them. They're largely old, dusty and forgotten.
[21:42] <@Kowork> Annerose can tell the statue radiates magic. OOC: Spellcraft.
[21:42] <@Inari> Uninterested in a thorough search, Inari retreats back out after a cursory inspection of all the doors, taking the next one down off the main hall.
[21:42] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[21:42] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=20]
[21:42] <@Annerose> It's her turn to study the statue intently!
[21:42] <@Kowork> The statue has a protective curse on it. Anyone who dares to take any of the offered weapons will be sliced by the wrath of the Whirling Fury. In particular, a blade barrier will surround them and tear them apart.
[21:44] * @Annerose tilts her head. "Huh. Alright! Please don't take the weapons or bad things will happen!"
[21:44] <@Kowork> The next passage leads down to mundane things - a kitchen, storage rooms, that sort of thing. There is one thing noteworthy - there's a room in the back of the kitchen that's as cool as a fall day. Not qutie freezing, but extremely refreshing. Barrels are about here, an entire rack of them in the back. Spigots are attached to several.
[21:44] <@Inari> Does it smell like wine?
[21:45] <@Kowork> "Oooooh yes," T steps in and sighs, spreading his arms out. "I don't know why this is here, but it feels good." Inari can smell wine, along with water and more diverse drinks yet.
[21:45] <@Erad> Erad nods to Annerose. "I wonder if they offered their swords before they left this place for the final time."
[21:45] <@Kowork> "Maybe. It looks like this place was put aside rather than fully abandoned," Helena adds, stepping in and shivering.
[21:46] <@Annerose> "No, I think it's a test," Annerose responds to Erad, heading in after T.
[21:46] <@Inari> "They left their larder well stocked," Inari says, considering a drink... but maybe after they're finished. "Or at least their beverages. Maybe try some later?"
[21:46] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12 what is this wonderful magic
[21:46] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=1]
[21:46] <@Kowork> The room is indeed magical, but Annerose can't figure it out.
[21:47] * @Annerose looks extremely sad.
[21:48] <@Inari> Moving on! Onto the next door.
[21:48] <@Kowork> "Good on them," T remarks, wiping his brow. "Wish I'd found this a month ago, I'd camp out here."
[21:50] <@Kowork> The next door leads into a long archway. Lots of doors here - the first is storage. The second leads into an empty library - the shelves are bare, though Annerose can detect magic. The third opens up into a room with a silver mirror embedded into the wall, along with a few stools to sit before it. The fourth and fifth door are locked, and the sixth loops all the way around, leading you to the
[21:50] <@Kowork> entry room from the other wall.
[21:50] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12 magic shelves!
[21:50] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=16]
[21:51] <@Kowork> There's an illusion to hide books here. In addition, there's a curse - the books are sealed and protected until 'The rightful and righteous return to them'.
[21:51] <@Inari> Inari has a look over the mirror. Clerics use holy water so it's unlikely to be a scrying focus... maybe there's something more to it? She casts detect magic while checking out her reflection.
[21:52] <@Erad> Erad just looks around the first room with an eye for... well, anything that isn't magical, he supposes.
[21:52] <@Kowork> On looking into the mirror and seeing her reflection, magic springs to life in the mirror...OOC: Quick spellcraft, Inari.
[21:52] <@Kowork> OOC: The storage room, Erad?
[21:52] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12
[21:52] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=9]
[21:52] <@Erad> OOC: yeah, just starting there for now
[21:52] <@Kowork> The magic is analyzing Inari, she can tell that much. Like a detect evil spell or similar magic.
[21:53] <@Annerose> "I think this is an illusion," Annerose states, staring into the empty shelves before reaching for them.
[21:53] <@Kowork> OOC: Perception, Erad.
[21:53] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13 Perception
[21:53] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=8]
[21:54] <@Inari> She waves at her reflection, waiting to see if whatever it finds triggers something.
[21:54] <@Kowork> Annerose reaches out. She feels a book in her hand, but as she does, a voice whispering in the wind is heard, "Know that your heart is pure, but these books are bound until the Whirling Fury's servants return."
[21:55] <@Kowork> The storage room is full of odd things - really odds and ends. There's some useful things here - lots of carpentry supplies, some intact crockery and silverware, a few healer's kits, lots of sturdy rope, some masonry tools as well.  They'd fetch value if Erad cares to take them.
[21:56] <@Annerose> "Oh. Well then--" She doesn't try to remove it, but keeps her hand there for a moment longer as she voices her next thought. "Are there any left we could call upon?"
[21:56] <@Kowork> There's no reply to that.
[21:57] <@Annerose> How unfortunate. Since the books are not for her and she can't puzzle out the wonderful frosty magic Annerose moves on to check up on the others one by one.
[21:57] <@Kowork> Inari watches the reflection. It shows her, beautiful and unmarred, with nine tails. Her old equipment and offerings are before her, once again hers in the reflection.
[21:57] <@Erad> Erad will inform the others about the storage but not take anything for himself.
[21:59] <@Kowork> T listens, hanging out behind Inari for now. "Probably best not to loot it. There's magic here and someone could still be watching the temple."
[21:59] <@Inari> "That's a nice thought," she says, smiling at the mirror before moving on. "Oh of course, that would be desecration," she agrees firmly with the not-looting message.
[21:59] * @Annerose nods at Erad in agreement, and then rejoins T and Inari. "Besides, all the stuff here is in trust for the Whirling Fury's people, wherever they might be."
[22:00] <@Erad> "See something you like?" Erad asks Inari as he glances at it himself.
[22:00] <@Kowork> "With the Whirling Fury herself, probably," T suggests with a shake of his head.
[22:00] <@Inari> "It shows me as I'd like to be," she explains in case anyone else tries the mirror and gets differing results.
[22:00] <@Kowork> Erad sees the image of himself, equipped in gleaming gold armor and his fists shine with the light of dragonfire.
[22:00] <@Annerose> "Well yes, the originals would be," Annerose responds, following Erad and Inari's lead. "But the magic of the place thought very strongly that someone would be returning."
[22:01] <@Erad> Erad scratches at his chin. "Interesting. I wouldn't wear armor, but it's a nice thought, I suppose."
[22:01] <@Kowork> Annerose sees herself as she is, save for carrying a crystal-topped staff. It's pale blue and radiates cold that Annerose feels from here.
[22:02] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12 tell me thy secrets!
[22:02] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 29 > [d20=17]
[22:03] <@Kowork> The mirror projects an image of what might be, a scrying that cribs of potentials. It's far less flattering to those who follow less goodly paths.
[22:03] <@Annerose> "Huh. Hey T, what do you see when you look in the mirror?"
[22:03] <@Kowork> T meanwhile goes to the fourth door, gettinghis lockpick out.
[22:03] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10
[22:03] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=17]
[22:04] * @Annerose snaps her fingers.
[22:04] <@Kowork> "Nah," he calls back, "I'm fine. Besides, I want to see what's behind this door."
[22:04] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+13
[22:04] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=5]
[22:04] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+13
[22:04] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=18]
[22:04] <@Erad> Erad tilts his head at the armor. OOC: K:R to see if it has some religious significance?
[22:04] <@Kowork> "Got it," T calls after several long moments, "This lock's not so bad as that front one."
[22:04] <@Kowork> OOC: Sure.
[22:04] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7 let's go then!
[22:04] * @Annerose decides to follow T!
[22:04] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=14]
[22:05] <@Kowork> The golden armor there is the armor forged in Jovar on the 6th level of Mount Celestia. In other words, holy armor.
[22:06] <@Kowork> The next room looks to be a treasury. There's closed chests and jewelry boxes about. Annerose and Inari can both detect magic in the room.
[22:06] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[22:06] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=20]
[22:06] <@Kowork> T whistles low, "Money, but how much do you watn to bet it's cursed money?"
[22:07] <@Kowork> The room is indeed enchanted. It's the same protective curse as the library, plus the blade barrier part of the statue's curse. In other words, taking things here will get you shredded.
[22:07] <@Erad> "Well, I appreciate the thought, nonetheless." Erad says as he goes to rejoin the others.
[22:07] <@Kowork> Helena peers in, eyes wide, "Wow! If even half of those have treasure and gold in them, imagine how much is there!"
[22:07] <@Annerose> "The money's not cursed! It's just that you have to follow the Whirling Fury or you die horribly."
[22:08] <@Kowork> "Enough to make our last take - well, nevermind," T steps back, going to close the door. "Money doesn't help the dead."
[22:08] <@Annerose> "You can still convert!"
[22:08] <@Inari> "There's a reason this place hasn't been looted already, and I doubt it's lingering goodwill," Inari says. She never even thought to trap her temple, too...
[22:09] <@Kowork> "Yeah. When they left, they left planning to come back one day," T concludes, going to the fifth door.
[22:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+10
[22:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=18]
[22:09] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+16
[22:09] <Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=10]
[22:09] <@Kowork> OOC: -3 to that.
[22:09] <@Kowork> "Got it," He says, opening the fifth door. In here is an armory, full of arms and armor.
[22:10] <@Inari> Inari checks it for curses, just so she can see them for herself.
[22:10] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 spellcraft
[22:10] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]
[22:10] <@Erad> "It seems kind of pointless to lock it with a mundane lock and then still protect everything with magic." Erad says.
[22:10] <@Kowork> This room is indeed cursed, though Inari can't puzzle out the details.
[22:10] <@Annerose> "So that's it, huh," Annerose muses. "Say, Inari, could you take a glance at that kitchen area for me?"
[22:10] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[22:10] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=16]
[22:10] <@Kowork> This room's cursed as the previous one was.
[22:11] <@Annerose> "Same magic," she informs everyone in the meantime, before telling Erad, "Like I said, some of it is a test."
[22:11] <@Kowork> "So," T closes that door and goes to lean against the wall. He yawns and then says, "So the Order of the Whirling Fury means to come back one day. I wonder what that plan is and where it's at now?"
[22:11] <@Annerose> "I tried asking! But no one answered...."
[22:12] <@Inari> "Alright, I'll be back in a minute," she says, heading back to the pantry for a look at the cold magic.
[22:12] <@Inari> roll 1d20+12 spellcraft
[22:12] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=12]
[22:12] <@Kowork> It's an endure elements spell, altered to be permanent and affect an area instead of a person. It basically ensures the area is eternally cool.
[22:14] <@Kowork> "Well, I do recall they had a chapter at Misty Harbor too," T points out, "Maybe we could find out something when we're there?"
[22:14] <@Inari> Heading back, Inari reports, "It's an endure elements spell altered to cover an area rather than a person and keep everything cool rather than comfortable... though cool would be comfortable for you, wouldn't it?"
[22:15] <@Annerose> "Oh yes! Maybe I can return to study it some day~"
[22:17] <@Erad> "Well, if you all don't mind, maybe we can visit the place in the map next?" Erad asks. "If it holds up the same way as this place did, I'd be able to take the items and repurpose them for our utilization."
[22:18] <@Inari> "I don't mind at all," Inari answers.

[19:58] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, so you visited the temple of the Whirling Fury. Any other plans in Lemmen, y'all?
[19:59] <@Erad> OOC: None for me unless there was some secret magic item shop we missed
[19:59] <@Annerose> OOC: I think we're fine. We'll stay there a week beating up would-be robbers and feeding poor people
[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Magic item shop looking was on the agenda. I think it was suggested and T wants to dig up something as well.
[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Inari? Anything for you?
[20:01] <@Inari> OOC: feeding people and deterring robbers works for me.
[20:03] <@Kotono> Tola 57 is a little cooler, a promise of summer dying along with the end of the month. Passing on more food to the poor works fairly well - no one gives you trouble this time, though feedin ga few more guards is in the offing. As noon comes and passes, T ducks out of the kitchen, "You know, I still wanted to try and find a good wizard to enchant my armor," he says, "Anyone interested in going
[20:03] <@Kotono> to look?"
[20:05] <@Annerose> "I'll take a glance when we're in the capital, I think," Annerose responds.
[20:05] <@Inari> "I'll stay and look after things here," Inari says, not needing an excuse to ditch her current duties.
[20:05] <@Erad> "I'll go with you." Erad says. "I've been thinking about other ways to fight, anyway."
[20:06] <@Kotono> "Great!" T grins at Erad, "Let's get going." OOC: You two into #evil.
[20:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:06] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 46 > [d100=46]
[20:10] <@Kotono> Perhaps an hour or two passes. Lunch is gone, the crowds lessened somewhat. Inari and Annerose are both busy talking and serving, sothey hear it before they see it. The sound of uneasy gasps, followed by silence. It comes from the back of the line and moves forward.
[20:12] <@Inari> Inari looks up from where she's slicing vegetables to get a look over at the fuss.
[20:12] * @Annerose uses the commotion to duck out of sight and precast Ancient Knowledge, just in case. Then, with a pleasant smile firmly upon her face she returns to where she greets newcomers.
[20:21] <@Kotono> The newcomer is a man. He's hard-faced, wrinked and with narrow, cold blue eyes. He wears furs better suited to winter, a familiar unholy symbol of a snowflake hanging from his neck. A curious little iceaxe hangs on his belt. People quickly hurry out of his way as he approaches, his eyes on Annerose.
[20:22] <@Annerose> "Hello!" she greets him perkily, showing none of the sudden rage she feels. "Some soup to warm you right up?"
[20:24] <@Inari> Despite her pleasant expression, Inari's tails ruffle unhappily and she reaches for her spear where it rests under the counter so as not to frighten anyone. Reading about those tributes made her dim opinion of Auril's followers plummet massively. "I'm afraid our meat comes from real animals and not warped snow mutants," she says with unperturbed cheer.
[20:26] <@Kotono> The man's narrow eyes narrow even further. "As I thought, heresy!" He declares, slamming a hand down on the stall. "Bold and bald heresy!"
[20:28] <@Annerose> "I'm terribly sorry that you feel that way. Perhaps if you look hard enough, you will find the warped snow mutants in another town?"
[20:29] <@Inari> "Or you can go die in a fire," Inari says, conjuring some foxfire into her outstretched palm. "Defiler of nature."
[20:32] <@Kotono> The Aurilite steps back at that, drawing his iceaxe. "You mock the power of winter? Look 'round, all you fools and foolish! The Frostmaiden punishes those who dare resist!" OOC: Well, that escalated quickly. Roll init.

[20:32] <@Inari> roll 1d20+4
[20:32] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=14]
[20:33] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5
[20:33] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 7 > [d20=2]
[20:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 helena in the back
[20:33] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=20]
[20:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Aurilite
[20:33] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=16]
[20:33] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11+5 K:L
[20:33] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=11]
[20:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Helena(24)>Aurilite(22)>Inari(18)>Annerose(7)'
[20:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Helena'll hold for reasons, mostly because she won't really react until something a little more provocative.
[20:35] <@Annerose> "Her Frostiness tries," Annerose amends, still smiling at the zealot.
[20:40] <@Kotono> Screams erupt as your customers begin to panick and run. The Aurilite steps back, just out of reach, and holds his palm out. From it threads of ice spill out, followed by a chant. "Winer's wrath comes once more, to forever freeze the heart of heresy!" Those threads form into a creature of pure ice before you - a bear. It silently roars before trying to claw Annerose to pieces.
[20:40] * Kotono changes topic to 'Helena(24)>Aurilite=Ice Bear(22)>Inari(18)>Annerose(7)'
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=5]
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=14]
[20:41] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 bite AC?
[20:41] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=6]
[20:41] <@Annerose> OOC: AC29, 25 flatfooted
[20:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d8+8 since yes, flatfooted
[20:42] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 12 > [d8=4]
[20:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 CMD?
[20:42] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=2]
[20:42] <@Annerose> OOC: 26
[20:43] <@Kotono> There's suddenly a bear there! It knocks over a plate of foot as it presses against the stall, claws digging into Annerose's side. It's a sharp, frigid pain - almost not bad in a way, save for the whole being cut up part. Screams echo as...OOC: Now Helena will go since she knows something is up.
[20:46] <@Kotono> Helena comes racing out of the back, shield first, "Hey you, stop that!" She says, trying to manuever around Annerose and Inari, then leap up and shield check the bear shield first.
[20:47] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13 acrobatics 1/2 PP using adrenaline boost for this round as a swift
[20:47] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=18]
[20:47] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+1 ad)
[20:47] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=7]
[20:48] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5
[20:48] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 7 > [d6=2]
[20:49] <@Kotono> Helena slides between Inari's legs, rolls forward and comes up in a leap. She manages to make it past Annerose by a hair, landing atop the stall's bar. Her shield slams right into the face of the bear, chipping the ice and momentarily knocking it back. "Get away from her!"OOC: Inari.
[20:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aurilite=Ice Bear(22)>Helena>Inari(18)>Annerose(7)'
[20:49] <@Kotono> OOC: +! to that damage due to AD.
[20:50] <@Inari> Lobbing her foxfire at the bear to get it out of the way, Inari then hops over the counter and levels her spear at the crazed fanatic. "Awfully hot-blooded, aren't you?" she can't resist quipping.
[20:51] <@Inari> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch at bear
[20:51] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=10]
[20:51] <@Inari> roll 6d6 fire
[20:51] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 27 > [d6=4,5,6,2,4,6]
[20:51] <@Inari> roll 1d4 recharge
[20:51] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 1 > [d4=1]
[20:53] <@Kotono> roll 27*1.5
[20:53] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < error: missing right parenthesis >
[20:54] <@Kotono> OOC: 40.
[20:54] <@Kotono> The bear is hit dead on with the beam. It metls down into hunks of ice at this, flash-burned into chunks of ice, water and steam, "Such heresy!" The cleric of Auril growls at that, as...OOC: Annerose.
[20:55] * @Annerose stares down at her side with dismay, before smoothing her face into a smile once more. "You started this," she tells the Aurilite while she forces her will upon him, walking over to stand by Inari's side, "but I'm going to finish it."
[20:55] <@Annerose> OOC: Hold Monster Will DC21
[20:59] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:59] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=10]
[21:00] * Kotono changes topic to 'Aurilite(22)>Helena>Inari(18)>Annerose(7)'
[21:00] <@Kotono> At this, the Aurilite goes rigid and immoble, unmoving. He says nothing as...OOC: He's up, full round ot try and break out.
[21:00] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[21:00] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=19]
[21:00] <@Kotono> After several long seconds he gasps and moves, "Vile, vile, vile things," he spits, "Your magic will crumble before us!" OOC: Helena.
[21:01] <@Kotono> Helena leaps forward, right at the Aurilite in a head on charge, "Shut up!" she calls, as screams and terror fill the streets.
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+2 charge)
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d6+5+2d6
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d6=3,1,1]
[21:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 free trip
[21:01] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=14]
[21:02] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 vs DC 15.
[21:02] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=20]
[21:02] <@Kotono> He's hit right in the chest with her shield, the wind explosively knocked from him as he falls over. He's down for the moment, as...OOC: Inari.

[21:04] <@Inari> "Everyone just stand back and stay calm, everything's under control," she calls first, all this panic perhaps more dangerous than the cleric himself. Then she points her spear down with the tip aimed up from the bottom of his chin. "Stay down," she says more softly. "Unless you want us to see how hot that blood of yours really is."
[21:05] <@Inari> OOC: readied action to stab if he tries anything
[21:05] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, you also have a turn before him, Annerose. Going to do anything?
[21:07] <@Annerose> "All this bluster from someone so young," Annerose muses, pulling off her right glove as she walks around Helena. "How did you become so certain of everything? So zealous in fighting for someone who hates you just as much as she hates me, even according to her own scripture?" She crouches by the Aurilite after circling around. "It's not too late to change, you know~"
[21:09] <@Kotono> Helena just looms over him, as the crowds flee. He looks up at the three of you, "Do it, heretics. Kill me and I'll become greater than you can ever imagine. Winter is coming and nothing can stop it!"
[21:10] <@Annerose> "Who writes your corny lines?" Annerose asks, rolling her eyes. "Look at them. Do they even look like heretics? They never had a thing to do with winter!"
[21:11] <@Kotono> "Yeah, just give up!" Helena adds in.
[21:12] <@Kotono> The Aurilite just glares up defiantly. "All of you are heretics! There is only Auril, and all others are heresy!"
[21:12] <@Inari> "All we were doing was giving people free food. Who spoiled your milk that you decided you just had to come along and ruin it for everyone?" Inari asks, ignoring the drivel about Auril and Winter.
[21:12] <@Annerose> "I can teach you what heresy really means," Annerose helpfully offers, relying on Helena and Inari to watch him as she retrieves her revision of Auril's scripture. "Here, take a look! I fixed it as best I could!"
[21:17] <@Kotono> "Your foul words supporting your heresy!" He glares at both women, "Unacceptable!" After a beat he takes the book with a surprisingly gentle grasp and opens it. He reads slowly for several seconds, before his eyes widen, "You...you dare do something this heretical?" he gasps, voice low now.
[21:20] <@Annerose> "I did warn you," Annerose shamelessly agrees, placing a hand across his shoulders where she shield she holds weighs it down a bit, while her free hand traces a passage left miraculously unchanged. "See here? Auril supports people being outside rather than in the protection of their homes or hiding behind fancy fur coats. And what did you chance upon while coming here? People, dressed somewhat shabbily, gathering at an open stall. How does this go against Auril? In fact, by sending everyone running back into their homes, did you not go against her teachings?"
[21:20] <@Inari> "Nice coat, on that subject," Inari adds, nudging the his furs.
[21:21] <@Annerose> "I'll be frank with you. All the Aurilites I came across were hypocrites to some degree. Did you never see someone else following Auril only to thumb your nose at them and how they were borderline heretical? That's what they thought back about you!"
[21:27] <@Kotono> "I wear it as a symbol of h-honor!" he snarls back up, "Who are you to dare point out heresy?!"
[21:29] * @Annerose gives him a wry smile. "Between you and I, who has the better link to winter? No, how about this. Between you and I, who wondered outside in a blizzard that kills any human for days? I think I win on account of being winter."
[21:32] <@Kotono> The look you get is one of sheer anger, bu tno reply comes from those words.
[21:34] <@Inari> "So I wonder, is anyone going to come and arrest him or are we just going to stand like this all day?" Inari asks. "Because the whole tribute thing makes me so angry I might just slip if he isn't taken off my hands soon," she goes on in a perfectly calm and moderate voice.
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to wait for someone to come along, then?
[21:34] <@Annerose> "It's a common trait in Aurilites," Annerose continues, flipping a page in the prayer book. "You are so sure of being right, but who taught you? Just other humans in fancy fur coats, and wearing them is okay because it's a show of honor?" She flips to another page, then another. "Strange how I don't see anything about it listed anywhere. But being out in the cold is pretty painful, right?"
[21:35] <@Inari> "Though thick fur helps, much as a nice fire might."
[21:35] <@Annerose> OOC: I'm going to be very heretical until some of the guards we fed show up to arrest this guy
[21:35] <@Kotono> roll 1d100+40
[21:35] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 58 > [d100=18]
[21:36] <@Annerose> "But only if you were taught by a fur coat-wearing Aurilite. For the other people, they're out of luck. Strange, though, that Auril herself doesn't make such distinctions..."
[21:43] <@Kotono> Soon guards arrive - a few you can identify from feeding. "What's going on here?" one demands, "People are running down the streets like mad!"
[21:45] <@Inari> "This man," Inari taps his upper chest with the flat of her spear-blade, "Took it upon himself to attack us."
[21:46] * @Annerose sadly shows the giant tear in the side of her dress, just past her armor. "There has to be a fine, or something!"
[21:47] <@Kotono> The guards exchange looks, but one of the ones you fed clears his throat, "Get him up," he commands, as a pair of soldiers gently raises the Aurilite up, "We'll take care of this."
[21:48] <@Annerose> "Thank you!" Annerose brightens up quite visibly. "And give us some time to fix the stall and come back for dinner, if you like!"
[21:49] <@Inari> "Yes, please. Most of our customers have been scared off, so we can't have food going to waste," Inari agrees.
[21:53] <@Kotono> At that the guards look to each other and nods, "We'll see you for dinner," they promise, hauling your rude guest off.
[21:54] <@Annerose> Once that's been taken care of, Annerose asks Inari, "Could you, you think...?" as she glances down at her side.
[21:55] <@Inari> "Of course, just a moment!" Inari says, first healing the gash underneath, and then mending the dress with a make whole spell. After that it's back to salvaging what she can of the cooking.
[21:55] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5 healz
[21:55] <Serith> Inari roll for Serith < 6 > [d8=1]
[21:56] <@Annerose> "Thank you!" Annerose chirps, but as she looks about in dismay she voices, "Perhaps I'll collect Sigfried from the inn and advertise for our stall anew while you keep things going here with Helena?"
[21:57] <@Inari> "You should look after your familiar, we'll keep things running here," Inari nods, getting to work.

[20:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+17 diplo GIing, 5/6 inspiration, diplo used for the day, T. Can assist if you like, Erad.
[20:07] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=4]
[20:08] <@Erad> roll 1d20-1 aiding
[20:08] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 6 > [d20=7]
[20:09] <@Kotono> Searching takes up the lunch hour and some time beyond. Eventually it leads you to a shop just off the main street. It's titled Arcanum, a boiling cauldron on a sign hanging by the door. "Looks to be it," T says.
[20:10] <@Erad> "This could not possibly be any more cliched." Erad says with a shrug. "Let's see what they've got, at least."
[20:11] <@Kotono> "I'm not holding out great hopes. It's probably some hedge wizard who can make a few potions." T matches that shrug, heading on in. Inside is a dark, dim shop. It's full of...things. Things hidden in the darkness. Jars full of eyes and odder things yet. Iron cast in strange patterns, scuplted and left on shelves. Towering piles of books, reaching the ceiling.
[20:13] <@Erad> Erad glances around. "Well, it looks the part, at least." He comments as he walks around, looking for the proprieter.
[20:22] <@Kotono> As you step forward, there's a burst of smoke. As T coughs and waves his hands inf ront of his face, an old man steps out from it. He has a long white beard, carries a staff carved with runes and wears a red robe. "Salutations and greetings, seekers of the arcane." His voice is a loud whisper, leaning in and gesturing for you to do the same. "I surely have what you seek, if you only speak
[20:22] <@Kotono> it."
[20:23] <@Erad> "You've got to be..." Erad trails off and shakes his head. "I was interested in seeing if you had any magic items someone who fights without arms or armor might be able to make use of."
[20:25] <@Kotono> "I want to get my armor enhanced," T says, giving the old man a long look. "Can you do that?"
[20:29] <@Kotono> The old man strokes his beard, "Fascinating, fascinating..." He gestures, "Hold that for now, for the auras of magic are speaking ot me!" He then gasps, "No! Incredible!"
[20:29] <@Erad> Erad just stares at this. OOC: Can I sense motive to see if this is all just a sham?
[20:30] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[20:31] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 are you serious
[20:31] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=17]
[20:32] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 T
[20:32] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=18]
[20:32] <@Kotono> Yes, Erad's sure of it. The bullshit is thick and strong here.
[20:33] <@Erad> Erad frowns. "Cut out the nonsense, we already dismantled one fraudulent band of idiots in this town."
[20:35] <@Kotono> T slowly facepalms, "Yeah, you know what? We're not in the mood for this. Can you do it or not, old man?"
[20:45] <@Kotono> The old man slowly takes in those two looks, then shakes his head, "Young people, no appreciation of artistry!" He grumbles, shaking his staff about. "I sell potions, nothing else."
[20:49] <@Erad> "You might want to try a better opening statement, then." Erad says with a huff. "Do you know anyone else in town who might be able to do what we want, or is Lemmen just not a popular place for magic?"
[20:50] <@Kotono> "There's one," He says, glowering, "But it'll cost you! 5 gold tax for being disrespectful to your elders!"
[20:53] <@Erad> Erad looks at T and shrugs, fishing out 10. "Very well."
[20:55] <@Kotono> T shrugs as well. OOC: Post the expense.
[20:55] <@Erad> OOC: done
[21:03] <@Kotono> "Third Eye," He says simply, "End ot the end of Willager Street and say that."
[21:04] <@Erad> "Thank you." Erad says. "Do you need any potions?" He looks at T.
[21:04] <@Kotono> T shakes his head, "I'm good on that front."
[21:06] <@Erad> "All right. Thanks for your time. Less smoke next time, though. Maybe some light effects." Erad says as he leaves to go find this other place!
[21:10] <@Kotono> Willager Street turns out to be a ways away, down a dead end alley. On uttering, "Third Eye!" here, a door appears in the back of the building providing the dead end.
[21:16] <@Erad> "Well, that's at least... fancy." Erad remarks.
[21:16] <@Erad> He'll open the door, presuming it isn't locked!
[21:19] <@Kotono> The door opens. Ahead is a perfectly square, blank room. The walls are painted bright white. Standing before you is a slender figure in a face covering mask and wearing a white bodysuit. He just inclines his head to you - A he if for no other reason than his chest is flat - and intones in an artificial, soulless voice, "What do you seek from the Third Eye?"
[21:20] <@Erad> Erad opens his mouth once and then closes it. "I'm looking for anything, any magic items someone who fights without arms or armor." He gestures at T. "He's looking for someone to enchant his armor."
[21:20] <@Erad> Third Eye? Is that a religious thing? Hmm...
[21:20] <@Erad> roll 1d20+6 Maybe?
[21:20] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=13]
[21:22] <@Kotono> Doesn't ring any bells for Erad. "It can be done." He says, "Describe what you wish...." OOC: Post what you want in loot.
[21:26] <@Erad> OOC: Done, unless you need it to be more specific
[21:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Post.
[21:35] <@Erad> OOC: Post
[21:41] <@Kotono> As things are described and back and forth is given, "I have one thing that may be suitable," He finally says. Before you is a pair of bands, dotted with rubies and tiny needle spikes. "Suited for one of your draconic blood. Touch them and you will understand."
[21:42] <@Erad> Erad perks in curiosity before he goes to touch them!
[21:46] <@Kotono> Erad touches the bracers. OW! OOC: 1 damage. You understand what they are: Bands of blood rage from the MIC, page 202.
[21:56] <@Erad> Erad ultimately shakes his head after a long deliberation. "I appreciate the offer. Does this... ah... hm. Does the Third Eye exist in other places, if I wished to come back with more funds?"
[21:57] <@Kotono> "The Third Eye is here," The bracers vanish away, "Return when your path crosses here."
[21:57] <@Kotono> "Yeah, in the meantime, how about my armor," T taps his chest. There's a nod, the two talking briefly before his armor is handed over.
[21:58] <@Erad> Erad nods and lets T go about his business. "I'll make sure to come back." He'll have to figure out what this Third Eye thing is, though...

[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Anything else y'all wanted to do in Lemmen?
[20:00] <@Annerose> OOC: I think we're good
[20:01] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
[20:01] <@Kotono> roll 1d100+30
[20:01] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d100+30 --> [ 1d100=15 ]{45}
[20:02] <@Kotono> A few days pass. It is now Tola 60, the last day of the month. By agreement the party settles in to rest for the night, ready to go on the next day. Thus they prepare to rest...OOC: Okay, do y'all share one room or have multiple rooms?
[20:03] <@Annerose> OOC: Let's say 2 by now?
[20:03] <@Inari> OOC: girls and boys rooms
[20:03] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:04] <@Kotono> roll 1d2
[20:04] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d2 --> [ 1d2=1 ]{1}
[20:04] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Erad, make a perception check.
[20:04] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 T
[20:04] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 T --> [ 1d20=18 ]{28}
[20:04] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:04] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{22}
[20:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[20:05] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{10}
[20:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[20:05] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{24}
[20:05] * Kotono changes topic to '???(24)>T(10)'
[20:06] <@Kotono> "Wake up!" A voice cuts through Erad's sleep - T's voice, a shout. Then -
[20:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[20:06] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{29}
[20:06] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 crit?
[20:06] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 crit? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[20:06] <@Kotono> roll 2d4+8+3d6 ow
[20:06] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 2d4+8+3d6 ow --> [ 2d4=3 3d6=7 ]{18}
[20:09] <@Erad> Huh? Wake... Erad pulls himself out of his dreamy state to sit up and see what's going on!
[20:10] <@Kotono> T's bed is occupied. T's there, pinned down by a shape - with darkvision, Erad can see it's a woman in a loose dress and with scarves hiding her face. Red hair is held back in a long ponytail. She's on top of T and has a rather sharp dagger, stabbing it into his shoulder. A moment later T kick up, "Get off!" he grunts.
[20:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 CMD T 5/6 inspiration
[20:10] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 CMD T 5/6 inspiration --> [ 1d20=11 ]{19}
[20:11] <@Kotono> But she's not moving, having him pinned down and vulnerable. OOC: Go ahead and arolli nit here to join, Erad.
[20:11] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2
[20:11] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{16}
[20:12] * Kotono changes topic to '???(24)>Erad(16)>T(10)'
[20:13] <@Kotono> "Tsch!" A little hiss as the woman leaps off T, landing in a crouch before sprinting out the door of the room and out of sight. OOC: Erad, go.
[20:13] <@Erad> "Get the others, I'll follow her!" Erad calls as he slips off the bed to do that very thing!
[20:14] <@Kotono> T follows. You see the woman leaping down the stairs, T in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Erad rushes to the room over, finding the trio of womena sleep. OOC: Go ahead.
[20:14] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 meanwhile T
[20:14] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 meanwhile T --> [ 1d20=8 ]{14}
[20:14] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3 meanwhile ???
[20:14] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 meanwhile ??? --> [ 1d20=18 ]{21}
[20:15] <@Erad> OOC: I meant I would chase her and T would get the others.
[20:16] <@Kotono> OOC: Oh, strike, misread.
[20:16] <@Kotono> Erad follows as T stumbles to the ladies room. OOC: #evil ladies, more coming.

#ed

[20:17] <@Kotono> Sleep is broken, shattered, disrupted. Inari and Annerose's dreams are stopped by the sound of a door slamming, "Wake up! NOW!" T shouts at the top of his lungs, "Assassins!"
[20:19] <@Inari> Inari sits up in bed, dressed in thin cotton nightgown. "What?" she asks even though she heard, grabbing at the side of her bed for her spear as she rouses herself to proper alertness, her hair long and unbound as it trails down her back out of its usual style.
[20:21] <@Kotono> T's shoulder is bleeding, a hand over it, "Look," He says, grunting, "Some insane woman tried to stab me in my bed."
[20:21] * @Annerose mewls as she bats at the noise only to end up tumbling out of bed altogether in her nightgown.
[20:21] <@Kotono> Helena sits up, blinking groggily. "Wha...what?!" A moment later she's leapt up, grabbing her shield from the side of the bed.
[20:23] <@Inari> "Oh, let me get at that," Inari says, pulling her spear over the far side of her bed as she clambers out and approaches T, her gown revealed to be ankle-length but with a slit up the back to let her tails free. Raising a hand to T's shoulder she casts lesser vigor on him. "Where are they now?"
[20:23] <@Kotono> As the wound heals, "They went outside. She ran off when it went south and Erad's following."
[20:23] <@Kotono> This gets Helena to go over to Annerose, shaking her shoulder, "Wake up! We're under attack!"
[20:24] <@Annerose> "Why?" Annerose whines, unsteadily climbing to her feet with Helena's help. "Why?! It's an inn!"
[20:25] <@Inari> "And we're wealthy travellers - though this seems more than a robbery. Come on, we'd better hurry after Erad, he might be running into a trap," Inari says, growing more awake and decisive by the moment.
[20:25] <@Kotono> "Yeah, this way," T says, going right out.
[20:25] <@Kotono> "At least it's not zombies," Helena offers with a little smile, shield in hand and hurrying along.
[20:25] <@Inari> Not bothering to waste time getting dressed, Inari heads after T, casting animalistic power and then picking up her pace.
[20:26] <@Annerose> Looking terribly sad at Helena's words, Annerose picks up her own shield while an illusion of her clothes and armor appears about her. She bids Sigfried to look after her things before following the others.
[20:29] <@Kotono> OOC: Any of you able to follow a trail?
[20:30] <@Inari> OOC: I probably know Erad's scent enough to track him. Either that or fresh footprints if any are available.
[20:30] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure, t hat'll work.

#d

[20:16] <@Kotono> She's down the stairs in a flash, hurrying on out of the door. Damn, she's -fast-! Reminds you how Helena chews up ground, as you valiantly follow. OOC: Dex check. +2 bonus for each 10ft above 30ft for your movement speed.
[20:17] <@Erad> OOC: I don't think I can fly here, so ground until I'm outside, so that's 50
[20:17] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2+4
[20:17] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+2+4 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{20}
[20:18] <@Kotono> Ugh. She's damned fast - she's drawing away as she heads outside and towards and alley. You can still see her, keeping close. It's dark and cool out here, a breeze blowing in the middle of the night. OOC: Dex checks again, same as last time. Neither was decisive.
[20:18] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[20:18] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{5}
[20:18] <@Erad> Erad extends his wings and takes to the skies to give chase! He's faster this way, and if she decides to try and go up on a roof like the last one...!
[20:19] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2+8 Fly speed is 70
[20:19] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+2+8 Fly speed is 70 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{12}
[20:20] <@Kotono> She slips behind a corner and down an alley - you're right overhead as she darts through a backdoor. You could try and grab her - if you do, you'd have her, but if you miss you'd squander some of distance you've made up. Alternately, you could keep following and closing in.
[20:21] <@Erad> Erad will continue following for now! A better and more decisive chance will present itself!
[20:22] <@Kotono> OOC: Dex again, then.
[20:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3 ???
[20:22] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 ??? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{11}
[20:22] <@Erad> roll 1d20+2+8
[20:22] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+2+8 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{27}
[20:22] <@Kotono> OOC: You'd need to land since inside, but with those rolls it's largely academic.
[20:23] <@Erad> OOC: Oh okay, yeah my bad, misunderstood again, then it's 23
[20:23] <@Kotono> Inside is the back of a bakery. She leaps over a barrel of flour, knocking another over and sending white dust over everything. But it slows her down, just enough for Erad to close in and grab at her. OOC: CMB check, Erad.
[20:23] <@Erad> roll 1d20+8
[20:23] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}
[20:24] <@Kotono> Got her! Erad grabs her and the two go tumbling in flour, stained white. But she's down with a grunt, held tightly by the pursuing dragonborn. OOC: Go ahead, ball's in your court for the second, Erad.
[20:25] <@Erad> Erad will keep the woman pinned down for now, or try to, at any rate. "I'll hear your explanation. Make it fast."
[20:28] <@Kotono> Her answer is to smirk and whisper, "Listen and I'll tell you all you want," she says in a sweet, alluring voice.
[20:29] <@Erad> "Don't waste my time." Erad responds, not sounding amused. "You can either talk to me or talk once everyone else gets here and forces it out of you."

[20:33] <@Kotono> The woman is stone silent after that, face hidden save for her eyes. Her brown eyes are impassive at that. As you hold her down, the door opens. Inari leads the way nose first, the other sfollowing.
[20:33] <@Inari> "Ah, hello there. Got the assassin under control?" Inari asks, going to get a look at their would-be executioner.
[20:34] * @Annerose yawns, relaxing since no one seems to be in danger.
[20:35] <@Erad> "She's a fast one, all right." Erad responds as he moves to get the woman onto her feet. "Try anything and you won't be running out of here at all." Erad says. "So, let's start with the basics -- Do you know or recognize her?" He looks to T for an answer.
[20:37] <@Kotono> She doesn't resist, T shaking his head in the meantime. "Nope," He says, reaching up to take off her scarves. Her face is pretty enough beneath it, pleasant in an open, peasant sort of way. "Never seen her before in my life."
[20:38] <@Inari> "And yet she really wanted to kill you," Inari says. "Knew of you by reputation, perhaps?"
[20:39] * @Annerose drags herself over to the woman to check her arms for any tattoos, before looking for any weapons or even holy symbols she might be carrying.
[20:40] <@Kotono> No identifying marks on her. She has a dagger on her and that's it. She doesn't respond, just staring ahead stonily intead.
[20:40] <@Kotono> "No idea," T says, rubbing his chin, "It might be aimed at me, it might be aimed at all of us. We ruffled a few feathers."
[20:41] <@Annerose> "How much are you being paid?" Annerose asks, her voice a jarring mix of tiredness and curiousity.
[20:41] <@Kotono> Helena peers at her for a little bit, "So who paid you to do this, anyway?"
[20:41] <@Kotono> No response, she just keeps on staring ahead.
[20:41] <@Annerose> "It's not like you'll betray your employer if you name your price, is it?"
[20:43] <@Inari> "And we need to know if we should feel flattered or insulted," Inari Agrees.
[20:43] <@Erad> "It isn't poisoned, is it?" Erad asks, gesturing at the dagger.
[20:43] <@Annerose> "This is true," Annerose muses, working a magical compulsion on the would-be assassin. Even if it fails to take hold, perhaps it would motivate her to speak while she has the choice.
[20:44] <@Annerose> OOC: Charm person SLA, Will DC17
[20:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:44] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{19}
[20:44] <@Kotono> No response to any of that. She just continues to stare ahead.
[20:45] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 really good poker face or mental shutdown or anything else that could be interesting about her blank stare? (sense motive)
[20:45] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+13 really good poker face or mental shutdown or anything else that could be interesting about her blank stare? (sense motive) --> [ 1d20=14 ]{27}
[20:46] <@Erad> "Perhaps the local authorities will know her face. I'm happy to just turn her over to them on the attempt at murder." Erad says.
[20:46] <@Annerose> "We do have some friends among the guard," Annerose notes, hoping her reaction might give them something. "They arrested an Aurilite that attacked us. For an actual assassin, your very life might be forfeit."
[20:46] <@Kotono> Inari can tell it's a well developed and maintained poker face. She's trained.
[20:48] <@Kotono> "Let the guard deal with her?" T says thoughtfully, "It would get her out of our hair."
[20:49] <@Inari> "Could be more where she came from, but we're heading back to Warmfolk tomorrow anyway so it probably doesn't matter," Inari says blandly.
[20:50] <@Annerose> "I'm going back to sleep. If she wants to die for what she did, that's her choice," Annerose mutters, heading out.
[20:50] <@Kotono> 'Yeah," T says, "That'll do."
[20:50] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[20:50] <Myannbot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{8}
[20:51] <@Kotono> Helena frowns at that, but just follows Annerose instead. OOC: So are y'all just gonna pass her off on the town guard and move on tomorrow?
[20:51] <@Annerose> OOC: Presumably find a guard we know, but yes
[20:52] <@Kotono> OOC: That'll go without incident. Okay then.
[20:52] <@Inari> "I'll keep a hold of this," Inari says, taking her dagger away.
[20:53] <@Inari> OOC: while she's being arrested we can go get dressed and then track her scent around the hotel and find out where she came from. Having the dagger should help since it'll have plenty of palm-sweat on it.
[20:53] <@Annerose> OOC: Yep
[20:53] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
[20:59] <@Kotono> Getting dressed is without incident and soon the party has a dagger to track with. OOC: Survival, Inari.
[21:00] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10 plz aid me
[21:00] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+10 plz aid me --> [ 1d20=10 ]{20}
[21:00] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2 I'll try
[21:00] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+2 I'll try --> [ 1d20=9 ]{11}
[21:01] <@Erad> roll 1d20+5 indeed
[21:01] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+5 indeed --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
[21:11] <@Kotono> It's not a hard trail to follow at first. You have a good source, even if the scents of the city are strong. It leads you through a few streets and eventually to an alley. It's between two taverns, both of them closing down for the night.
[21:12] <@Inari> It just stops? Doesn't go up the walls, down a sewer, through a door?
[21:15] <@Erad> Erad glances around. There sure are a lot of alleys in this town...
[21:18] <@Kotono> OOC: Make another check, Inari.
[21:18] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception, Erad.
[21:20] <@Inari> roll 1d20+10
[21:20] <Myannbot> Inari rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{26}
[21:25] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[21:25] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{29}
[21:26] <@Kotono> The scent trail stops here. However, she can note another scent now - that of a man. Erad can note nothing awry is about - it's just an old, dark alley.
[21:27] <@Inari> OOC: is the man's smell similar to her smell in the sort of way siblings might be, or say gender-swapped alter self same persons?
[21:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Thinking about it, you can tell it is faintly familiar. There's some link between the two, certainly.
[21:29] <@Inari> "Our assassin is actually a man," Inari announces, getting a handle on this new smell before following it. "Or she was masquerading as a man earlier, I suppose there's no way to know which was real."
[21:30] <@Kotono> T shudders at that, "Great news," he drawls, "Just graet."
[21:30] <@Erad> "Well, that explains why you didn't recognize her." Erad says. "Should we go see if we can dispel it, or...?"
[21:32] <@Inari> "I'd rather get to the source, but if we run dry we can go back and do that. Splitting up seems unwise right now."
[21:32] <@Annerose> "So... a succubus, then?"
[21:33] <@Inari> "Or a mage, or someone with a potion... doppelganger too, perhaps?"
[21:34] <@Erad> "I suppose the overall question is if T was the only target or if we all were." Erad says. "But if we all were, then... hm. I suppose it doesn't matter for the time being."
[21:34] <@Kotono> A twist as Helena makes a face at all this. "Ew......" she mutters.
[21:36] <@Kotono> "Well, it could be a few sources," T finally says, "And we can't really narrow it down past that. So now what?"
[21:36] <@Erad> "Can you think of anyone," Erad says as he looks at T, "That would want you dead to the point of attacking you even though you're surrounded by allies?"
[21:39] <@Inari> "Now we follow the trail to find out where he or she came from," Inari says, considering she's doing just that.
[21:43] <@Kotono> "No, I can't. Not here," T shrugs a bit, "Which is why I think it's something we did."
[21:43] <@Erad> Erad nods and lets Inari do her work!
[21:44] <@Inari> "Maybe that hot-blooded young man from Auril paid the local assassin company?" Inari muses distractedly, continuing to follow her nose.

[19:50] <@Kowork> "Could be," T says, "Could be, 'nari."  The path follows back out to the streets, Inari's nose leading the way. Soon enough you're lead to a restaurant just off the main road - Gimlet's. Owing to the late hour, it's naturally closed.
[19:52] <Annerose> "It's leading literally inside?" Annerose confirms, before glancing over at T. "There might be a back door left accidentally open. What do you think?"
[19:53] <@Kowork> Inari nods, as T smiles a little bit. "Oh yeah, people always forget to lock the back door. I'll go 'round and check for them."
[19:54] <@Kowork> Helena giggles a little at that, shaking her head.
[19:54] <@Erad> "I'm not sure this tells us much." Erad says with his arms crossed. "Except that they may have met someone here at some point. Are we really going to try and poke around here?"
[19:54] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+13
[19:55] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{31}
[19:55] <Annerose> "For all we know, they're running assassins out of here as a front," Annerose reasons. "Or they might actually be in danger of the assassin's friends coming here to silence them."
[19:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+18
[19:57] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{21}
[19:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+3
[19:57] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{22}
[19:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+6
[19:57] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
[19:57] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+1
[19:58] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{20}
[19:59] <@Erad> "It's possible. It's also possible that it's just a restaurant. I'll keep an eye out for anyone if you're going to go inside." Erad says.
[19:59] <@Kowork> From the back, there's a sudden and loud series of dog barks. This is soon joined by dogs elsewhere, barks coming from about the area. A few moments later T hurries on out, gesturing as he half sneaks, half runs down the street.
[20:01] <Annerose> Well then. Appearance changed with a thought to be a nondescript cape covering her, Annerose ducks into an alley before continuing to head away.
[20:01] <@Kowork> Helena eeps and hurries along, following T. Inari dutifully follows.
[20:02] <@Erad> Erad just walks away, he's done nothing wrong so isn't terribly concerned about anyone approaching him.
[20:07] <@Kowork> There's some measure of commotion behind you - barking dogs and shouting people. But it's back behind the inn and the party regroups the next street over. "I don't believe it. Dead as a door nail and quiet as a mouse, but somehow that damn dog heard me and yapped before I could do a thing," T's face is twisted into a scowl, his voice dripping with disgust. "Looks like there's some living quarters
[20:07] <@Kowork> off to the side, and the owners just got woken up."
[20:08] <Annerose> "Yes, blame the dog for getting caught," Annerose says in amusement. "We can just follow up on this later."
[20:09] <@Kowork> "Seriously!" T mutters, arms crossed and head bowed. "That's like Mask coming on down and tripping you. Massively bad luck."
[20:09] <Annerose> "If you say so~"
[20:09] <@Kowork> "Hmmm, so illegal trespassing doesn't work out so well. Who knew?" Helena's smiles, reaching over to pat T. "Sorry Tear."
[20:12] <@Kowork> OOC: Okay, so what's the plan now?
[20:12] <Annerose> OOC: Let's check in the morning with the law to see if they got anything out of the assassin, then visit the restaurant. Without T.
[20:17] <@Kowork> Aaah morning. Sess 1 is a cloudy, cooler day that smacks of rain. Nothing yet, but it threatens above. Breakfast is simple fare today, just fresh fruit and bread. The party minus Inari is eating. As T spreads some jam on his bread, "Inari said to go on without her. She had some business come up," T remarks.
[20:19] <@Kowork> Helena yawns largely, hiding it behind her hand. She flops back and makes an incoherent noise, "Probably doing the smart thing and sleeping in. These late nights and getting woken up in the middle of them are catching up to me."
[20:19] * Annerose sighs deeply.
[20:19] <@Erad> Erad looks to T. "Your wound... no poison, right?"
[20:21] <@Kowork> "It's fine," T says, "No sign of poison. I think she suspected that she'd get us before we even knew she was there. Y'see, if an assassin is really that good, they don't need poison. But quick tip - the ones who are that good and use poison anyway are the best, since they're smart enough to see past their own pride. Those are the real professionals, and the trick is surviving long enough to
[20:21] <@Kowork> appreciate it."
[20:23] <@Erad> "So presuming our assassin hasn't somehow fled," Erad says with a look over at Annerose, "Do we have any way to remove her altered form, if that's what it is?"
[20:23] <@Kowork> "I give at least 50/50 odds that she's gone," T adds, "Or has something in the works."
[20:24] <Annerose> "If it were a spell, maybe. But not if it's something more natural."
[20:25] <@Erad> Erad nods. "I suppose we should find out if they're even there. If they're not, we may be able to somehow track them."
[20:25] <Annerose> "Let's just go and see."
[20:26] <@Kowork> OOC: So going to check on the prisoner?
[20:26] <@Erad> OOC: Yar
[20:30] <@Kowork> roll 1d100
[20:30] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=79 ]{79}
[20:32] <@Kowork> Rain begins to fall by the time you reach the guard station. It's here you find the prisoner still inside - two guards watching her. She's stripped down to her undergarments and in chains. A rather large black eye dominates her left eye, with one of the guards there being a familiar face - you fed him each day. "Sneaky one, keeps trying things," he says, rather flatly. "Fell down after trying to escape."
[20:33] <@Kowork> "Prisoners are so damn clumsy, aren't they?" T says, voice just as flat. His hands clench slightly, going into his pockets moments later and staying there.
[20:35] <@Kowork> Helena stares several moments, wincing and looking away.
[20:35] <@Erad> Erad folds his arms. "It's what criminals deserve."
[20:36] <@Kowork> "But a woman?" Helena murmurs, shaking her head.
[20:36] <@Kowork> "Never mind it," T says, voice still flat and cool. "Did you get anything out of her?"
[20:38] <@Kowork> The guard shrugs big, broad shoulders. "She's not talking. She's gonna go upstream today, or maybe someone will come down here so she can't try something. Assassination a big crime, so Lord Warlan'll hear it, I bet."
[20:40] * Annerose wonders why it seems worse than attempted murder. That's what that Aurilite tried, wasn't it? Maybe because the former happens more to lords? "I think she's a he," she voices instead. "In a shapeshifter way."
[20:41] <@Kowork> There's a bit of a murmur at that, "Really?" THe guard grins now, fist slamming into his palm. "Jackson, go send upstream that we might have a shapechanger assassin. See how fast that gets Lord Warlan down here."
[20:41] <@Kowork> The other guard nods briskly and hurries off, another helmeted guard coming back shortly to replace him.
[20:42] <@Kowork> The assassin looks up now, eyes narrow and face twisted in silent anger.
[20:42] <Annerose> "Are you?" Annerose asks the prisoner curiously. "Oh, of course you are, with how you responded. You're not very good at this, I think."
[20:44] <@Kowork> "Yeah, a professional would've used poison and never been caught," T adds afterwards, "You ask me, you rely too much on that and not enough on actual skill. Hell, you wouldn't even had done it like this. Infiltrate the kitchen, drop some poison in our dinner and leave before it hits. You're homefree. Good thing you're incompetent."
[20:45] <Annerose> "Not incompetent, as such. More like an almost there, but not?" Anneruse muses. "You know, there's a fifty fifty chance of your employer going after you to silence you, rather than after us to finish what you failed. How about doing the smart thing and ensuring you are in a better spot to deal with that?"
[20:46] <@Kowork> OOC: Make a diplo check here, Annerose.
[20:46] <Annerose> roll 1d20+15 I can do this
[20:46] <Myannbot> Annerose rolled 1d20+15 I can do this --> [ 1d20=10 ]{25}
[20:47] <@Kowork> "That's true," T says, smirking just a bit. "No one trusts a shapechanger. The moment you're a liability, you end up face down in a ditch. Or burned alive, if your boss is from the countryside."
[20:48] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+11 T aiding
[20:48] <Myannbot> Kowork rolled 1d20+11 T aiding --> [ 1d20=6 ]{17}
[20:49] <@Kowork> As the woman hesitates - visibly so, paling, "Hey Erad. What happens to assassins after they die? It's not sugar and angels for them, is it?" T glances over at the dragonborn.
[20:52] <@Erad> "Well, that depends on their faith, doesn't it?" Erad says.
[20:52] <@Erad> "But if you're someone who follows an evil god, I'd imagine they don't take kindly to failures and that sort of thing..." He taps his chin.
[20:52] <@Erad> "Especially not someone like Auril. You wouldn't believe the kind of remorseless frozen hell that those others are probably dealing with by now."
[20:53] <Annerose> "Where there's life, there's hope," Annerose notes. "An employer seeking to silence you out of embarrassment, anger or to cover their tracks? Perhaps all of the above? About the only one you can't bargain with from your current position."
[20:54] <@Erad> "Everyone can redeem themselves." Erad comments. "Even those who have hit the bottom."
[20:56] <@Kowork> OOC: Go ahead and roll diplo to aid, EraD?
[20:56] <@Erad> roll 1d20-1 He's about as diplomatic as someone throwing a brick
[20:56] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20-1 He's about as diplomatic as someone throwing a brick --> [ 1d20=20 ]{19}
[20:56] <@Kowork> OOC: That's one charismatic brick!
[20:56] <@Erad> OOC: Sometimes bricks are useful tools for diplomacy
[20:57] <@Kowork> There's a long period of silence, "I talk to you, I get out," she says in a whisper.
[20:58] <Annerose> "You have something important enough to be worth it, you'll be treated well and have a chance at a deal," Annerose counters, exchanging a look with the guard.
[20:59] <@Kowork> The guard shakes his head, "Couldn't let her out now if I wanted to. Lord Warlan's involved." He pauses, before the burly man whispers to Annerose, 'She's dead once he gets here."
[21:00] <@Erad> "Sounds like you need to talk quickly, then." Erad says with a look to the woman.
[21:04] <@Kowork> "Jack O'Plenty," she finally says, "Down Wither Street."
[21:05] <@Erad> Erad looks at Annerose, "Do you think we can have her perform the same service for us that that young man did when we arrived?"
[21:15] <Annerose> "Why?" Annerose asks the assassin. "And was T the only target?"
[21:19] <@Kowork> A shrug follows, "Didn't ask, and all of you were. He was just the first one I went for."
[21:21] * Annerose glances between the would-be assassin and Eran, before asking for a moment of the guard's time in private.
[21:22] <@Erad> "Well, I suppose it's good you went after him first," Erad starts. "I would've probably broken something of yours."
[21:23] <@Erad> "So let's say we go to this place on Wither Street. What then? Do you think they're just going to admit to hiring you?" Erad says, his arms still folded.
[21:24] <@Kowork> "Doubt it," T shrugs his shoulders, "Probably no chance of that happening at all."
[21:24] <@Kowork> "Which means it's back to square one, right?" Helena frowns, "What did we do that offended this man, anyway?"
[21:26] <@Erad> "We still don't know if this is about what happened at the food offering or if it has some relationship to what chased us from Warmfolk." Erad says with a look to Helena. Erad looks back to the woman. "Will they know you by the face you currently wear or another one?"
[21:30] <@Kowork> "Yeah, too many choices without  narrowing it down," T remarks with a gloomyf rown.
[21:31] <@Kowork> There's a short pause when the guard gets another guard to take his place, before going off with Annerose. OOC: #evil.

#d

[21:32] <@Erad> "They know our faces, or at least... enough to give orders to someone." Erad says. "I suppose I'm rather distinct, so I'm probably not going to be of any help if we're going to try and sneak in."
[21:35] <@Kowork> "This face," The assassin finally says, frowning.
[21:39] <@Erad> "Hm... Presuming none of this has been a lie..." Erad looks at T. "My first instinct is to have her lead Annerose in with an altered form with us waiting nearby for some sort of signal."
[21:43] <@Kowork> "Yeah, assuming we can get her out of here," T lowers his voice, guiding Erad a bit away from her. "Don't like the odds of that right now."
[21:47] <@Erad> Erad shrugs. "We can do it lawfully by explaining we may be able to uncover an even bigger ring of criminals."
[21:48] <@Erad> "I would think the possibility of locating something even bigger would allow us some leeway here." He follows up.
[21:51] <@Kowork> "If we can sweet talk our way into it, sure." T says, "That's a mighty big if there, Erad."
[21:53] <@Erad> "There is no sweet-talking the law." Erad says rather plainly. "We have the means to apprehend criminals who are worse than this person is, if someone else can't see the rationale in that then they're not even abiding by their own code of ethics."
[21:57] <@Kowork> "Hehehehhe," T just laughs at that, "Buddy, I hope you're right. REally, I do."
[21:59] <@Erad> Erad just looks at T with an unamused expression.
[22:00] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7 maybe there's a religious something-or-other Erad might be able to pull in case of an emergency? Something like "I'm conscripting this individual" or some such...
[22:00] <Myannbot> Erad rolled 1d20+7 maybe there's a religious something-or-other Erad might be able to pull in case of an emergency? Something like "I'm conscripting this individual" or some such... --> [ 1d20=6 ]{13}

#ed

[21:32] <@Kowork> The two go back out, down the cell hall and into the small antechamber between that and the rest of the building, "What do you want?" He asks.
[21:33] <Annerose> "I was hoping to ask about this Jack O'Plenty character," Annerose admits. "It sounds like an alias, but there's always a chance...."
[21:35] <@Kowork> roll 1d20+4
[21:35] <Serith2> Kowork roll for Serith2 < 17 > [d20=13]
[21:35] <@Kowork> "Don't know it. Probably a name for one of the local troublemakers. They use fake names for things like this." The guard explains.
[21:36] <Annerose> "Any merits or promotions in looking into this?" she wonders, nodding at the answer. "I think we could help, if so."
[21:43] <@Kowork> "Unless it t urns out to be someone wanted?" A shrug follows again, "Jack O'Plenty's a fake name, I bet on it."
[21:44] <Annerose> "We could get her -- or him, or it, whichever it is -- to lead us over," Annerose muses out loud. "And if she dies in the process, well, she's dead either way when Lord Warlan arrives?"
[21:51] <@Kowork> OOC: Make a diplo check here?
[21:51] <Annerose> roll 1d20+15
[21:51] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 34 > [d20=19]
[21:58] <@Kowork> "You'd have to be lightning fast with it," The guard finally says, slowly, "And it would have to be worth the risk to me."
[22:01] <Annerose> "No time like the present? That should take care of the fast part. And alias or not, someone hiring a professional assassin is either connected or rich, perhaps both. If we get arrested, I think it would be worth your while. And if it's a bust, we don't really lose much from trying, it's not like we'll be accusing a noble of a crime." Annerose shrugs. "Lord Warlan will probably take time to arrive, too. Hey, could you tell me about him a bit? How he deals with criminals, the works? Just to understand the way his mind works better."

#d

[19:59] <@Kotono> Erad can't really think of anything relevant offhand.
[20:01] <@Erad> Bah, he'll come up with something. Or maybe it won't be needed. Either way. "Then do you have any ideas?" He asks.
[20:03] <@Kotono> T hmmms, scratching at his nose. "I think we hemmed ourselves in here, unless we want to defy a Lord and bring all that trouble down on ourselves."
[20:04] <@Erad> "Then the best solution is the straight-forward one." Erad replies. "Barring one being brought to us..." He looks off in the direction Annerose went.
[20:09] <@Kotono> "Yeah, but what do you mean by straightforward?" As T asks that, Helena glances over to the two. "Well?" she asks
[20:09] <@Kotono> .
[20:11] <@Erad> "We explain that someone has it out for us and we don't know who. We can put our suspicions on the table." Erad says. "I don't see many other options. If he doesn't want to hear us out then that's just how it is and we'll have to find another avenue that doesn't get us all arrested."
[20:15] <@Kotono> "Right," T says, "Hoping in the nobility." T doesn't say anything else, but he rolls his eyes. "Fortune with us."
[20:16] <@Erad> "I'm just as thrilled about the idea as you are. Remember where I came from, we didn't have Lords and Ladies come visit us to shower Ailan with their appreciation of our devotion to their lands." Erad says with a sour tone. "Likewise, it isn't fair for us to make judgements about a situation that hasn't even happened yet. We have to keep an open mind."
[20:23] <@Kotono> T just nods here, settling in to wait. OOC: Lemme pause you here while I finish up #evil and then merge the roosm.
[20:23] <@Erad> OOC: Okay.

#ed

[20:02] <@Kotono> "Girl," He grunts at that, "I'll get blamed if he's here fast - and he might well if it's a shapeshifter assassin. He doesn't have a lot of mercy, the shapechanger's good as dead when he gets here."
[20:04] <Annerose> "Why's that?" Annerose asks curiously. "Is it a shapeshifter thing?
[20:09] <@Kotono> "Yeah. They're a threat and a danger. Lord Warlan doesn't like things like that." The guard says, shaking his head quickly.
[20:12] <Annerose> "Makes sense," Annerose agrees. "So what do you think? Some swift extra effort to present the whole conspiracy to Lord Warlan? Or play it safe and stick with what you have?"
[20:14] <@Kotono> "Uh, I guess," The guard finally says, "Maybe you can talk him into something?"
[20:15] <Annerose> "Oh, there was that option as well! Yes, certainly. If you could introduce us, perhaps, I could present the case to Lord Warlan? It'd help to know more about how he is to avoid offending him by accident, of course...."
[20:19] <@Kotono> "He'll be here soon," The guard says, as...OOC: Planning to trya nd parley with 'em, then?
[20:19] <Annerose> OOC: Yes, though I've asked for some background info on him twice already. I'd rather not go into it blind.
[20:27] <@Kotono> "He's a hard man who is hard on criminals," the guard finally says. "He deals with them so they don't do it again - one way or another."
[20:31] * Annerose nods her understanding.
[20:34] <@Kotono> "You'd better hope you have some way of getting through to him," He adds a moment later.

[20:40] <@Kotono> Annerose soon returns and the party waits. It's not terribly long before two guards enter. They kneel before the door sweeps open again. A man with an iron gray beard enters, wearing finery of white and red. A crimson cloak wooshes in the wind the door makes, a sword at his side. His face is strong and set, blue eyes sweeping over the room. Behind him is a robed and hooded man, silent and easy
[20:40] <@Kotono> to miss. He glances about the room before striding right to the prisoner's cell. "That's her?" he asks.
[20:42] <@Erad> Erad stays quiet for now. He's never been good with this sort of thing.
[20:43] * Annerose contemplates making her move, but it might be seen as rude with a lord. Instead, she relies on her earlier request for an introduction and catches her guard friend's gaze with her own.
[20:46] <@Kotono> The guards quickly kneel as well, T following suit. Helena blinks but also quickly does so. "The offended are those," the guard says, glancing towards the party. "The prisoner is here." Said prisoner is still chained, expression dark.
[20:47] <@Kotono> The party gets a look over, Annerose in particular. "This creature attacked all of you?"
[20:49] * Annerose followed the example of the guards and T, and now rises to her feet upon being addressed. "My companion was the one attacked, My Lord," she says, indicating T. "Yet she has indicated that there are those in the city that wish us harm enough to pay for our deaths. It was my hope that with your blessing, we might rout them out and bring them to justice."
[20:50] <@Erad> Erad stands for a few extra moments, as if debating something to himself, before he finally kneels as well.
[20:54] <@Kotono> "I was," T says, offering nothing else.
[20:55] <@Kotono> "Justice will be visited on her first, but even a corpse can speak." Lord Warlan declares, "Aban will see to it that her corpse answers your questions. But first, confirm that it is a shapechanger." Lord Warlan turns to the shapechanger, who goes rigid and still. The robed man reaches in, applying something to his eyes - and then nods after a few seconds. "Yes."
[20:57] <@Erad> Erad makes a sour face for a moment but doesn't say anything else.
[20:58] <@Kotono> Helena just keeps quiet, face down. It's hard to see her expression like this, though T just goes slightly rigid.
[21:02] <Annerose> "I'm somewhat familiar with the spell myself, Lord Warlan," Annerose notes, her voice respectful, "as well as with its limitations. Only direct questions, and never any initiative in the answers -- and those when the spell goes through. Though it is presumptious of me to suggest anything of the kind, perhaps she could be persuaded to be of great use to the justice of this fine city in exchange for her continued incarceration? Ferreting out all those who conspired to murder us, and then going back through her previous employers? Providing what evidence would be needed of their guilt, beyond a mere corpse's words?"
[21:19] <@Kotono> "A shapechanger is a creature of lies," Lord Warlan turns back to the woman, voice hard and filled with contempt. "I do not trust such things. What they offer is little and they are best stomped out as vermin."
[21:22] <Annerose> "Trust blindly? Certainly not, my lord is correct. Trust but verify? That's more sensible. With the incentive of continuing to draw breath, and adequate oversight, even a shapeshifter's sense of self-preservation will win out over their innate desire to lie and deceive. As we recognize that, why not take advantage of it to gain justice for countless victims of past crimes, and prevent future ones?"
[21:23] <@Erad> Erad takes a moment to look over Lord Warlan to see if he has any notable religious icons on him.
[21:25] <@Kotono> OOC: Quick K:R check here, Erad.
[21:27] <@Erad> roll 1d20+7
[21:29] <Serith2> Erad roll for Serith2 < 15 > [d20=8]
[21:31] <@Kotono> Nothing on him. Meanwhile, "Perhaps," Lord Warlan finally replies, watching the shapeshifter. "To allow a snake to live to draw out the othe rsnakes from the ground, eh?"
[21:32] <Annerose> "It is as you say, Lord Warlan," Annerose agrees, adding a touch of humility into it. If the lord comes to think the idea came from him, even in part, then that makes it more palatable.
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check here, +3 bonus.
[21:35] <Annerose> roll 1d20+15+3
[21:35] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 38 > [d20=20]
[21:35] <@Erad> OOC: I'd aid but why bother
[21:37] <@Kotono> OOC: That is a rather spectacular 20.
[21:43] <@Kotono> "You have 24 hours," he says, "To show some first results. If she escapes or things go wrong, her crimes are on your head."
[21:45] <Annerose> "I understand, My Lord," Annerose responds, bowing. "It shall be done."
[21:48] <@Kotono> The guards are commanded and Lord Warlan leaves. The cell is opened, the shapeshifter slowly unchained. "She's your problem now," The guards says, backing off.
[21:50] <@Erad> "Annerose, you can disguise yourself, can you not? Erad asks. "I was thinking the easiest way would be for..." Erad looks to the woman. "It would be easier if you gave us a name to call you, shapeshifter or not." Then back to Annerose. "Her to escort you into this place and you to give a signal when you wanted us to come in. I'm no good with sneaking and I doubt you can hide the scales anyway.
[21:50] <@Erad> But if you had another idea on how to approach it, I'm all ears."
[21:51] <Annerose> It would be even easier if the shapeshifter had clothes, and Annerose inquires about that while Erad talks to her.

[20:14] <@Kobrb> Getting the shapeshifter clothes is unremarkable - a simple and old peasant dress. The party musters just outside of the guard station, Inari catching up to them. "So now we need to get things in order," T says, "So what's your name, anyway?"
[20:14] <@Kobrb> The shapeshifter shakes her head, "Anne," is her answer.
[20:15] <@Inari> Inari jogs up to reunite with the group. "Hope I haven't missed much!" she says.
[20:18] <@Annerose> "A bit," Annerose muses. "Our would be assassin goes by Anne, and she decided to work with us rather than throw herself at the mercy of the local justice system. So we're going to take out her employers. Oh! And they wanted all of us dead, not just T."
[20:19] <@Inari> "Lucky us," she observes. "Well, lead the way."
[20:20] <@Erad> "I'll keep eyes from above, if that works." Erad says.
[20:20] <@Annerose> "Works for me. Also, this time it might be good for us to take the direct approach?"
[20:21] <@Kobrb> Anne nods shortly, "I'll take you there," she says.
[20:21] <@Kobrb> T rubs his chin, "There is one thing. 'nari, if they have access to a shapeshifter, they might also have access to more magic."
[20:22] <@Annerose> "I'm not too worried about that, but keeping something in reserve is another thing entirely. How about it, Helena?"
[20:23] <@Inari> "Well, I don't have anything that can directly counter or negate magic," Inari says, seemingly unconcerned. "We'll just have to respond as best we can to anything that comes up."
[20:29] <@Kobrb> "Eh?" Helena blinks, "What about reserves now?"
[20:30] <@Annerose> "No reason for all of us to just go in if it's a trap, and we do have a girl who could look like you, if they know all about us."
[20:32] <@Kobrb> "Oh. Okay then," Helena shrugs, "I can live with that."
[20:33] <@Annerose> "Don't forget to come and rescue us if things look bad~"
[20:33] <@Kobrb> OOC: Okay, so what's the plan here?
[20:33] <@Annerose> OOC: I propose Helena keeps somewhat close and ready to charge in, and Anne shapeshifts into her and leads us to the bad people
[20:34] <@Erad> OOC: I'll fly above everything and come down if something starts.
[20:37] <@Kobrb> OOC: Okay.
[20:38] * Kobrb is now known as Kotono
[20:41] <@Kotono> The party finds Wither Street is on the outskirts of town. It's run down and well away from the main road, a bunch of houses that have seen better days. People come and go here, all wearing simple clothes and dirty. The party gets eyes on them as they go along, standing out from the people. From above, Erad can see there's just one more street until the open countryside, but nothing else is
[20:41] <@Kotono> unusual.
[20:42] <@Annerose> "I presume you weren't just approached in the middle of the street?"
[20:44] <@Kotono> Anne just gestures to a house at the end of the street, "That one. There's a basement," she says, leading you along. It's an unremarkable house, about as run down as the others. A few kids are playing in front of it, tossing old, beaten horseshoes at a stake in the ground.
[20:44] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception, Erad.
[20:45] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[20:45] <Serith2> Erad roll for Serith2 < 14 > [d20=1]
[20:47] <@Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
[20:48] * @Annerose knocks on the door and then opens it!
[20:54] <@Kotono> As Annerose approaches the door, the kids block the way. "Mom and Dad aren't home," One chimes up, perhaps 8 years old.He's ruffled and dirty, blonde hair matted with dirt.
[20:55] <@Inari> roll 1d20+13 sense motive, do their real parents live there?
[20:55] <Serith2> Inari roll for Serith2 < 30 > [d20=17]
[20:55] * @Annerose pats him lightly on the head with a gloved hand, smiling down at him. "Hello! And who might you be?" she asks him brightly.
[20:56] <@Kotono> The kid's completely fronting and full of it. So ar ethe other kids - and they're tense, too. Tough. "Bob." He answers, "Come back later tonight."
[20:58] <@Kotono> "Hey Bob," T says easily enough, pausing to wipe his face clean of the drizzling rain that falls from above.
[20:59] <@Inari> "Oh that's alright," Inari says. "We're just travelling entertainers, see," she holds out her cupped hands and opens them, causing etherial butterflies made of illusion and happiness to burst out, flying around until one lands on every child's hand. "Why don't you come with me and I can show you some spells, wouldn't that be fun?" She may as well distract the children so they're not around the
[20:59] <@Inari> impending violence.
[20:59] <@Inari> OOC: major image for that
[21:03] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, +3 bonus for the magical selling.
[21:04] <@Inari> roll 1d20+21
[21:04] <Serith2> Inari roll for Serith2 < 25 > [d20=4]
[21:04] <@Kotono> That gets the attention of the kids - who fall right in with Inari, eyes wide. OOC: Going to keep them busy, 'nari?
[21:05] <@Inari> OOC: yeah, I'll find say a ruined half-open shack or something and make whole it for more ooohing and ahhing as well as giving them shelter from the rain as I amuse and entertain with illusions and ventriloquism

#ed

[21:13] <@Kotono> Gathering the kids on over is easy. There are four in total, all boys. They're rain damp and wide eyes, following the butterflies Inari created.
[21:18] <@Inari> Of course, boys being boys, it'll take more than butterflies to keep their interest. So she recalls them back to her hands whereupon they vanish as she clasps them once more. Seeing a rotten old cart with one wheel missing and the other broken, its cloth covering torn or rotted away into scraps, and no doubt infested with woodlice, she figures that's a good spot to work with. It's also
[21:18] <@Inari> pointed away from the house of impending violence! "Why don't you all take a seat?" she invites, pointing at the wagon, its open end having enough room for four small children to squeeze in side by side. And no doubt they would, but she can impress them some more and does so, "Oh but wait, it's all rotten and you might get splinters. Here we go," she waves a hand and the thing magically
[21:18] <@Inari> reassembles itself to gleaming new, fabric stretching and swelling on reformed supports to provide shelter from the rain.
[21:19] <@Kotono> "Woah," One says, a younger one grinning and leaping right on it. "Neat!" All four kids are completely tied up with it.
[21:22] <@Inari> "Okay!" she smiles brightly, clasping her hands as she takes a spot to the side before them. "Now then, what sort of things are you boys interested in? Monsters and peril? Magic and spectacle?" she pitches her voice in a faintly teasing tone for any that might be nearing puberty, "Princesses and romance?"
[21:24] <@Kotono> "Monsters and peril!" They say in an uneven chorus. "Show us the dragons! The demons! The knights!"
[21:29] <@Inari> As expected! She laughs lightly and claps her hand. "Monsters and peril it is!" she agrees. "But I'm not sure about demons. They might be a bit too scary..." Ordinarily she'd like to go with a classic dragon, but with Erad flying around up there he might take offence. "How about this one?" she muses, conjuring forth an illusory knight, all dressed in gleaming full plate that covers every
[21:29] <@Inari> inch of his body, a giant greatsword held in both hands and a tabard in white with a red diamond on it. And facing this phantasmal knight appears an emormous bug, looking like a giant tick, with feathery antenae and a fish-like tail, its armoured carapace a dull muted brown-red. "Who do you think's going to win?"
[21:35] <@Kotono> "Ooooooh!" The children watch it and call, "The knight'll win for sure!" "But that monster's scary!" The youngest said, hiding behind the older children.
[21:37] <@Inari> "Really? Don't you think it looks kind of cute?" Inari wonders, leaning over to get a look at the rust monster, which chitters pleasingly and waggles its antennae towards her. "Cute or no, I'll slay the beast for sure!" she has the knight intone pompously, prompting her to quickly back away in mock fright. "Well, I don't want to get between those two, that's for sure!"
[21:39] <@Kotono> "Yeah, get 'em!" One of the kids calls. As they stay enraptured by Inari's magic...OOC: Make a Will save, Erad.
[21:41] <@Erad> roll 1d20+15 (+2 if it's an evil descriptor ability and another +2 if it's chaotic or evil in origin)
[21:41] <Serith2> Erad roll for Serith2 < 18 > [d20=3]
[21:41] <@Erad> OOC: Also mettle if it matters
[21:42] <@Kotono> OOC: It actually does.
[21:42] <@Kotono> Erad feels a strange sensation - a momentary sting in his left hand. But he automatically focuses, banishing it away a second later. What was that?
[21:43] <@Erad> Erad frowns and looks around. Is there something...? Hm, he looks down again, lowering himself from the sky slightly. That wasn't just a random pain...
[21:44] <@Inari> As Inari makes way, the knight leaps to attack the beast, carving a gouge into its armoured carapace and grunting in satisfaction. Only to reel back in shock as his mighty sword begins to rapidly corrode and fall apart in his hands! And the rust monster doesn't look about to take that lying down either!
[21:46] <@Kotono> OOC: Perception Erad.
[21:46] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[21:46] <Serith2> Erad roll for Serith2 < 26 > [d20=13]
[21:46] <@Kotono> The children are completely staring now, in shock at that. "A rust monster!" The oldest calls, "They eat swords and armor for breakfast!"
[21:47] <@Kotono> There's nothin...- wait a moment. From his perspective up here, he can see a faint ripple near Inari.
[21:48] <@Inari> "That's right!" Inari beams, pleased at this show of knowledge. "You really know your stuff! That's the sort of thing that could save your life if you ever became a knight or adventurer. Or at least save your dignity," she chuckles as the monster bowls the knight over, his magnificent armour being devoured as it rusts away into nothingness, leaving a surprisingly weedy man in his smallclothes
[21:48] <@Inari> now that the imposing armour is so much iron oxide.
[21:49] <@Erad> Invisibility again? Damnit! Erad starts to fly down towards it... is there any way he can warn her? Damnit. He'll just have to try and strike the thing -- so he aims to land next to it but pretend as if he hasn't noticed it's there.
[21:55] <@Kotono> It's strange - the ripple fades as Erad comes on down. The children watch the show in the meanwhile, turning to Erad as he comes close. "Oh, it's a lizard man now! Who is he fighting?"
[21:57] <@Inari> The knight runs off to exit stage left, hands holding his loincloth down as the rust monster tucks into its well earned meal. "I don't know. Perhaps a werewolf?" Inari wonders aloud, smiling at Erad.
[21:57] <@Erad> Erad looks at Inari. "I think we may need to get moving. There was..." He looks at the children and them makes a face. "I think I saw an invisible monster near the knights."
[22:00] <@Inari> "Oh dear. I'm sorry children, I think that's all the show we have time for," Inari says. "But you've been a very good audience, and I was really impressed that you knew about rust monsters. So here, why don't you all go get something nice to eat in town?" she offers, reaching into her coinpurse and handing each of them a shiny silver piece.
[22:03] <@Kotono> The money is taken, wide eyes, "Lunch!" One says, "Bread and meat!" As they babble about that...OOC: go ahead, yo tuwo.
[22:03] <@Inari> Once the children are safely seen off, Inari nods to Erad. "Shall we, then?"
[22:04] <@Erad> "I felt some pain in my hand and then happened to see a ripple of something near you." Erad explains. "I think someone was either trying to spy on us or was. We should probably go and follow the others." He nods in response. "Yes, let's go."
[22:09] <@Kotono> OOC: Going to catch up then?
[22:09] <@Inari> OOC: that is the plan
[22:11] <@Kotono> OOC: I'll move you two into #dunes shortly.
[22:11] <@Erad> OOC: I will check on Anne to see if she's d-e-d dead or not
[22:14] <@Kotono> OOC: We'll do that in here first.
[22:14] <@Kotono> Catching up goes without incident until you come on two. One is a half-melted Anne and the othe ris a big ol' brute, out cold.
[22:15] <@Erad> Erad glances to Inari before he goes to check on Anne. Melted? Ugh... that can't be good...
[22:15] <@Erad> roll 1d20+11 Heal check how dead is it?
[22:15] <Serith2> Erad roll for Serith2 < 24 > [d20=13]
[22:15] <@Inari> "What happened to her?" Inari asks, leaning over to get a look. The other at least seems mundanely unconscious and unworthy of notice.
[22:17] <@Kotono> She's dead. Some sort of shapechanger blood and breakdown of her body from lethal injury. Uglyb usiness.
[22:18] <@Erad> Erad says a small prayer to Bahamut, maybe he'll show some mercy and help her reform in the afterlife. "There's really only two possibly scenarios: She got killed because she helped us, or she betrayed us and got killed." Erad stands up. "Either way, the others can't be far."
[22:19] <@Inari> "We'll find out, yes," Inari agrees, heading onwards.
[22:19] <@Erad> Onward indeed, Erad follows after.

#d

[21:07] <@Kotono> As Inari leads the children off, the way to the house is now open.
[21:08] <@Annerose> With a grateful look at Inari, Annerose heads in.
[21:14] <@Kotono> It's a simple if relatively clean house. Anne silently takes you to the kitchen, which is small. Mos tof it is taken up by a shuttered cellar door. She silently points, "Go in there to find them."
[21:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Also Erad, yo'ure staying as aireborn eyes still? Dur.
[21:14] <@Annerose> "Sure thing! You're leading the way."
[21:14] <@Erad> OOC: Yes.
[21:14] <@Erad> OOC: I'll keep an on on Helena and anyone heading in her direction.
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[21:21] <@Kotono> Anne grunts, but you're lead inside as T follows. There's a series of old steps here, leading down within. IT's lit here - lanterns. A narrow hall is ahead, only 5ft wide and 20ft long. The walls are dirt reinforced with wood planks - almost more like a mine. At the far end is another stairway going down. "This way," she says. OOC: Perception, T and Annerose.
[21:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 T
[21:22] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 11 > [d20=1]
[21:22] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2
[21:22] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 11 > [d20=9]
[21:22] <@Kotono> OOC: I presume you're behind he rand T brings pu th erear?
[21:22] <@Annerose> OOC: Okay
[21:22] <@Annerose> "How many do you expect?"
[21:23] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 flatfooted AC without armor bonus?
[21:23] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 9 > [d20=3]
[21:24] <@Kotono> As you ask that, Annerose steps down on a  patch of dirt. It's unremarkable - until a hard jab thrusts into her foot. Somehow it doesn't break the her skin, and at the same time, Anne breaks forward into a run and lets out a loud, whooping shout. OOC: Init here, you just literally and figuratively stepped init.

[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:25] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 12 > [d20=6]
[21:25] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[21:25] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 23 > [d20=13]
[21:25] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Anne
[21:25] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 6 > [d20=1]
[21:26] * Kotono changes topic to 'Annerose(23)>T(12)>Anne(Miko)'
[21:26] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Annerose.
[21:30] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11 K:L
[21:30] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 17 > [d20=6]
[21:31] * @Annerose bites on the tip of her glove to practically tear it off her hand, and gives chase!
[21:31] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7+2 smite
[21:31] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7+2 smite
[21:31] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 25 > [d20=16]
[21:31] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 22 > [d20=13]
[21:31] <@Annerose> OOC: Both touch
[21:31] <@Annerose> "Betrayal," she snarls, "was a mistake!"
[21:32] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2+1d8 cold/good/magic
[21:32] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2+1d8 cold/good/magic
[21:32] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 20 > [d6=5,3][d8=7]
[21:32] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 11 > [d6=1,3][d8=2]
[21:32] <@Kotono> OOC: Both hit, yes.
[21:33] <@Annerose> OOC: Fort DC15 for golden ice
[21:33] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:34] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 12 > [d20=7]
[21:34] <@Annerose> roll 1d6 dex
[21:34] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 3 > [d6=3]
[21:34] <@Kotono> You get the assassin dead on. She shudders as cold touches her, form shifting a dozen times. Men and women, each with deep blue skin. A deep, wailing keen comes from her as she convulses, shivering tremendously. Golden ice spreads up and down her body as she falls, form constantly shifting. Each shift is less defined, less real and more blue-white frosty goo. OOC: Free act, that about aced that
[21:34] <@Kotono> right away.

[21:36] <@Annerose> "T, switch!"
[21:36] <@Kotono> "Which means?" T banters right back.
[21:37] <@Annerose> "Get to the front, there might be more traps. I'll guard the rear." She snorts. "And hey, no dogs around."
[21:38] <@Kotono> "Thank Auril's frosty tits," T rolls his eyes as he grumbles, heading in front of Annerose. It's a good thing - mere moments later, a burly man in ill-fitting clothes comes up. He drags a big club behind him, "The hell is this?!" he says, gazing at the shapeshifter and then the party. "We got trouble!" he shouts, as...OOC: Init take 2.

[21:39] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+5+5
[21:39] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 15 > [d20=5]
[21:40] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 T
[21:40] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 10 > [d20=4]
[21:40] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 brutish man
[21:40] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 22 > [d20=20]
[21:40] * Kotono changes topic to 'Brutish Man(22)>Annerose(15)>T(10)'
[21:40] <@Kotono> Before either can react, the big man charges at T, making a big over head swing at him, "You make trouble, you get beaten!"
[21:40] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 (+2 charge)
[21:40] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 12 > [d20=6]
[21:41] <@Kotono> But T dives to the side, pressing against the walla s the club is dodged. "Yeah, yeah. Hear that a lot!" OOC: Annerose.
[21:42] * @Annerose freezes the brute in place with the power of her mind!
[21:42] <@Annerose> OOC: Hold monster, Will DC21
[21:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[21:42] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 22 > [d20=19]
[21:43] <@Kotono> But it doesn't work - the man's just too big and too much to stop like that. T grunts at this, "Fine, we'll do it the hard way," he grimaces, going to slam the handle of his dagger into the man's chest.
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (-4 nonlethal, +3 inspiration 5/6, also spending one more for +3 damage 4/6)
[21:44] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 16 > [d20=7]
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d4+2 nonlethal
[21:44] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 5 > [d4=3]
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 forgot he has iterative attacks now
[21:44] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 24 > [d20=20]
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 forgot he has iterative attacks now crit?
[21:44] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 6 > [d20=2]
[21:44] <@Kotono> roll 1d4+2 nonlethal
[21:44] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 3 > [d4=1]
[21:45] <@Kotono> The blow catches the big man in the chest, followed by a kick to the kneecap. It staggers him a bit, but he's not going down to that, "Some support here!" T says ,as the club comes 'round again.
[21:45] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[21:45] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 16 > [d20=12]
[21:45] <@Kotono> But T dodges, a graze that hits his armor more than him. OOC: Annerose.
[21:48] * @Annerose provides that support by reaching up to freeze the massive man's face!
[21:48] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7+2 touch
[21:48] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+7+2 touch
[21:48] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 15 > [d20=6]
[21:48] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 10 > [d20=1]
[21:48] <@Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[21:48] <@Annerose> roll 2d6+3+2
[21:48] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 10 > [d6=3,2]
[21:49] <@Kotono> The touch leaves the man shivering and woozy, before he falls in a heap next to the assassin, who continues to shift, albeit slower now, body starting to become gooey altogether. OOC: Free act again.

[21:50] <@Annerose> "Check a bit further ahead," Annerose asks T, while kneeling to look at the assassin while she has a moment.
[21:54] <@Kotono> T goes on ahead. Annerose inspects the assassin...OOC: K:L check OR a heal check. Use whichever you prefer, though the heal check is easier.
[21:56] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+11+5 K:L, discharging ancient knowledge
[21:56] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 29 > [d20=13]
[21:57] <@Kotono> She was/is a humanoid with shapechanger blood. Rare but not unheard of. Shapechanges are usually sterile, but a few aren't in female form. In that case, one can bear a child from a humanoid if they wish to. Based on this reaction, Anne is one such. She doesn't just become entirely goo on death/dying, but sort of a mix instead. She's dying and may be dead or nearly there.
[22:01] <@Annerose> So she's not faking it. That's good to know, Annerose muses. She doesn't actually have any healing magic, even if Anne wasn't their enemy who threw away her second chance for an attempt to betray them. Now, she checks on the downed brute.
[22:03] <@Kotono> OOC: Heal check there.
[22:03] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+2 wis
[22:03] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 6 > [d20=4]
[22:04] <@Kotono> He's out cold, but Annerose can't tell anything else.
[22:04] <@Annerose> Time to proceed after T!
[22:11] <@Kotono> The next floor down is larger. A pleasantly furnished room is here, the faint and lingering scent of incense here. It's done in muted purples. There's a door leading into the next room beyond it all.
[22:11] * @Annerose goes there next!
[22:15] <@Kotono> On grabbing the doorknob, Annerose is suddenly shocked. Her hair toings out in every direction, currents of lightning rippling through her body.
[22:15] <@Kotono> roll 5d6 lightning damage the ow
[22:15] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 9 > [d6=1,1,4,2,1]
[22:16] <@Kotono> T starts to say something, stops and raises his finger - only to stop agan and shake his head. "Y'know, let me check that for a trap. Just had a sudden hunch."
[22:16] <@Annerose> "You," Annerose says slowly, "are terrible at this leading thing."
[22:21] <@Kotono> "You're alive." T says blandly, "That means you'll be okay once you brush your hair."
[22:21] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[22:21] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 27 > [d20=17]
[22:21] <@Kotono> "Yep, there IS a magical trap. My hunches are usually right," Going right on, blandly and relaxed, "Give me just a minute to undo it."
[22:21] <@Annerose> "Most people would've died from that," she notes, brushing her hair.

[22:21] <@Kotono> As T works, the party catches up, finding Annerose and T there.
[22:22] <@Inari> "Hello, everyone doing okay?" Inari asks as she enters the room and finds T and Annerose both alive and well. "What happened to the assassin?"
[22:22] <@Kotono> "You aren't most people. You're more winter than flesh, 'nari grows tails for fun and entertainment, and Erad goes scaly whenever Bahamut says hi." His back is turned, focsued onthe door and trap as he works.
[22:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[22:22] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 27 > [d20=14]
[22:23] <@Erad> "I think they've got a powerful magic-user stored somewhere in here." Erad says. "Be on your guard."
[22:23] <@Annerose> "She turned on us but was an inept as the first time. It's sad."
[22:23] <@Inari> "That is a shame," Inari says, giving Annerose a quick heal.
[22:23] <@Inari> roll 1d8+5
[22:23] <Serith2> Inari roll for Serith2 < 9 > [d8=4]
[22:23] <@Kotono> "Yeah...got that idea...or maybe...got it!" He says, standing up. "She made a break for it. Didn't work out for her." He then kicks the door open. Ahead is a plainer room - a desk and lots of paper, as well as several drawers.
[22:24] <@Kotono> "Well, well, well. An office. So boring on first look, but you know what they're good for? Records." T rubs his hands, "Which means evidence. Since our assassin's dead, hopefully this'll keep Lord Warlan dfrom being too upset."
[22:25] <@Annerose> "More like put me in the way of a trap and used the chance to alert her old employers and turn on us."
[22:25] <@Erad> "There are no other entrances or exits?" Erad asks with a glance around. "I'm not convinced this place is as empty as it seems."
[22:26] <@Inari> "Could be all kinds of notable targets. But really I just want to know who wanted us dead and why," Inari says, going to hae a look over the papers on the desk.
[22:26] <@Inari> *have
[22:27] <@Kotono> Erad doesn't see any.
[22:27] <@Kotono> "I can give it a search," T offers, going to do just that.
[22:27] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 searching for secret doors
[22:27] <Serith2> Kotono roll for Serith2 < 27 > [d20=17]
[22:27] * @Annerose takes a look at any magic in the area.
[22:30] <@Kotono> The records are rather complex - they are indeed records. It looks to be a tracking of all sorts of things - gambling, smuggling, bribery and all that. It'll take quite some time to appreciate all the information, but on a glance it looks like a goldmine. Meanwhile T checks a sidew all, rapping his knuckles. "Got one," he murmurs. "Trapped too, but no way to do thing one about it here." There's
[22:30] <@Kotono> indeed magic - around the trapped door. OOC: You can spellcraft it if you like.
[22:30] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+12
[22:30] <Serith2> Annerose roll for Serith2 < 18 > [d20=6]
[22:31] <@Kotono> It's a fairly simple spell and trap - open door without being approved = shock. Nothing fancy here.
[22:32] <@Inari> Nothing about murder unfortunately, but Inari keeps looking, trying the drawers of the desk as well.

[20:30] <@Kotono> Inari checks the drawers of the desk. More papers and records - looks interesting but will take time to read.
[20:31] <@Inari> She just skims it looking for any reference to murder or killing and dismissing all the bribery and smuggling and robbery for now.
[20:32] <@Erad> Erad gestures at the wall. "They've probably escaped through here by now, but we may as well try and go after them if we can safely do so..."
[20:34] <@Kotono> Inari searches deeper and finds one thing of note - a list of names. There's a fair few of them, but the last ones are the party's own. Meanwhile, T says, "Yeah, but it's trapped and rigged so I can't try it without opening it."
[20:35] <@Inari> "Surely there's always a way to beat the trap?" Inari asks, holding up the paper with their names on it. "We're marked for death here but there's nothing about why or who for. I'll keep looking though."
[20:35] * Annerose narrows her eyes, and tries dispelling the trap.
[20:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Roll.
[20:36] <Annerose> roll 1d20+5 tenacious dispelling
[20:36] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=20]
[20:37] <@Kotono> Magic is thrown at the door. To your surprise, the entire hidden door appears now. It's just a plain, unremarkable door - how you missed the aura around it is anyone's guess.
[20:38] <Annerose> "One trap, beaten."
[20:39] <@Inari> Since it looks like they're going onwards Inari just bundles up all the papers into one big pile for later perusal. Can't have someone run in and snag them all while they're going onwards can she?
[20:39] <@Erad> Erad nods to Annerose before he opens the door!
[20:40] * Annerose nods back at Erad, before grinning at Inari who had just read her mind.
[20:42] <@Kotono> T gives the door a once over, "No trap now,"  he answers, the door opened. Inside is a small little closet. There's shelves with coins stacked up in rows - gold and silver ones, mostly gold. A small recess holds four little vials and there's a silken belt lying atop some coins.
[20:42] <Annerose> "Huh."
[20:42] <@Erad> Erad blinks. "I thought this was their escape route, but... huh."
[20:43] <@Kotono> "Huh," T says, "We really must have caught them away from the hideout."
[20:43] <@Inari> "Unless there's another secret door we've missed," Inari says.
[20:44] <@Erad> Erad blinks, then looks over at T. "Well, when you showed up... what happened? Did the big guy call out for anyone?"
[20:49] <@Kotono> "He shouted that we had trouble, but not to anyone in particular," T remarks, tapping the sid eof the door. "Let me take some time, look this closet over."
[20:50] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+16 (+6 inspiration, 5/6 encounter)
[20:50] <Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=1]
[20:50] <@Kotono> OOC: Also, loot post for closet. Post if you're taking any.
[20:50] <@Inari> With all the documents stacked Inari has a hunt around the room's perimeter, sniffing for any smells that might indicate regular passage.
[20:51] <@Erad> Erad makes a noise as he steps away from the door. "So he called out for help, but no one came... But it might've been about then that I felt the pain and saw that... whatever it was. Hm... so if there's someone else, they might be deeper in."
[20:51] <@Kotono> Inari can smell something faintly foul, like burnt stomach gas. It's unusual and lingers in the room.
[20:53] * Annerose checks for magic once more.
[20:53] <@Kotono> Each of the vials and the belt radiate magic. OOC: You can spellcraft if you want.
[20:53] <@Inari> "There's definitely an odd scent here... hard to describe, but very effluent I'd say," Inari says after a moment's sniffing around.
[20:54] <Annerose> roll 4#1d20+12 in order
[20:54] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 15, 17, 19, 24 >
[20:54] <@Erad> "I'm going to check on that other one." Erad says as he goes to make sure the big guy's still there.
[20:54] <@Kotono> "Strange." T hms, "I think it's safe to say magic's involved somehow. Things don't make sense otherwise.
[20:54] <@Kotono> OOC: There's five magic items, the four potions and the belt. Going to roll for the last?
[20:55] <Annerose> OOC: You only listed 3 potions
[20:55] <Annerose> roll 1d20+12 potion #4
[20:55] <Serith> Annerose roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=5]
[20:55] <@Kotono> OOC: Fixed.
[20:56] <@Kotono> Annerose can't identify the potions. The belt is a monk's belt.
[20:57] <Annerose> "Not bad," Annerose muses. "Can't figure out the potions, so maybe someone else can give it a try later. What now?"
[20:57] <@Inari> Seeing Annerose's troubles, Inari casts her own eye over the potions.
[20:57] <@Inari> OOC: taking 10 for 22 on spellcraft
[20:57] <@Kotono> Inari can tell ti's three potions of cure light wounds and an oil of invisibility.
[20:58] <@Kotono> Meanwhile, Erad goes back on up. The big man's still out cold, looks like.
[20:59] <@Inari> "Healing and invisibility," Inari marks the potions out. "Really I think we've found all we can here. Maybe just take the papers and the man we found here back to the guards? Though I think we'd need a bucket for the assassin."
[21:00] <Annerose> "It raises the question of what to do with the gold. And if the papers list the amount."
[21:01] <@Inari> "Well I suppose we could take an hour to go over them all. I don't think anyone's going anywhere."
[21:01] <@Erad> "Hm." Erad goes back to the others. "He's still out, so if there are others around here then they aren't coming out to help."
[21:02] <Annerose> "Might as well. And I can keep watch over that man."
[21:02] <@Inari> Inari promptly divides the papers between everyone else and starts reading in more detail, announcing interesting things as she finds them even if they're not strictly relevant to the attempted murder.
[21:04] <@Erad> Erad will give the entire lair a once-over first before he settles in with some exciting reading.
[21:07] <@Kotono> The papers look to detail a considerable criminal enterprise. Bribery, robbery, fraud, more bribery, killing, so and so forth. It's called the Silvers. It has hands in the town guard and local enforcement. It takes from everyone in Lemmen without care - an organization of over 10 gangs. It's a lot of information and names dozens of names.
[21:09] <@Inari> As they get into the guard's corruption Inari says, "We should probably get names of all the corrupt guards so we don't give the evidence to the wrong one."
[21:10] <@Kotono> "Or just give it to Lord Warlan, since the assassin's dead," T grunts, "This should hopefully satisfy him."
[21:10] <@Erad> OOC: Any roll for poking around or were we going to do that afterwards?
[21:10] <@Inari> "Unless he's in on it!"
[21:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Oh, sorry. Make a perception check.
[21:13] <@Erad> roll 1d20+13
[21:13] <Serith> Erad roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=19]
[21:13] <@Kotono> "If that's the case," T sighs and rubs his face, "'nari, if that's the case, we need to get out of town as soon as possible."
[21:14] <@Kotono> Erad doesn't find anything else - he's fairly confident they've found all there is to find.
[21:14] <@Inari> "Well keep reading so we can find out either way," Inari says, going back to her collection of papers.
[21:14] <@Erad> Erad then returns to look over the papers. Specifically he'll look for any involvement on Lord Warlan's behalf since it was brought up.
[21:17] <@Kotono> Perhaps fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any mention of Lord Warlan that you can find.
[21:23] <@Inari> At last the reading draws to a close. "I think we've got all we can here. Shall we head back?" Inari asks.
[21:23] <Annerose> "Fine by me," Annerose agrees, the brute's hands encased in a block of ice to prevent an easy escape should he wake up.
[21:24] <@Erad> Erad nods. "Yes, let's see what we can do to dismantle this organization."
[21:26] <@Kotono> Going back out, you find the streets quiet, empty. Rain is falling in heavy sheets now, Helena drenched to the bone. "Finally!" She blurts out when the party comes out, "I was about to hire some travelers to go find you!"
[21:26] <Annerose> "No one stopped by, then?"
[21:26] <@Erad> "I'm sorry, I forgot to come get you." Erad admits, hefting the large man with some assistance from the others.
[21:27] <@Inari> "Why didn't you take shelter at that cart?" Inari asks, hanging inside the doorframe for as long as she can before she has to go ing into the rain.
[21:28] <Annerose> Her shield will have to serve as cover from the rain, especially as it'd freeze any adventurous drop of water before it got too far past it.
[21:30] <@Kotono> "Because I was standing guard!" Helena crosses her arms and tries to blow away her wet bangs from her face, which doesn't do a thing. "Did you find anything?"
[21:30] <@Erad> "A great deal." Erad confirms as he nods in the direction of the large man, too.
[21:31] <Annerose> "We found plenty!" Annerose affirms. "But I didn't come get you because none of the leaders were there, so I thought they might come after us if we waited a bit."
[21:32] <@Erad> "In hindsight, they may have several other meeting places." Erad says. "But that's a discussion we can have when it isn't raining."
[21:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, so where are y'all headed now?
[21:35] <Annerose> OOC: I want us to store our things, maybe leave T to watch them, and bring the papers, prisoner and goo to Lord Warlan
[21:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Where are you storing them?
[21:36] <Annerose> OOC: Our carriage?
[21:36] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay then, T'll stay and watch them. More coming.
[21:42] <@Kotono> Going to find Lord Warlan requires going back to the garrison. But with your past relations, it's not hard to get the information on where to find him - the unimaginatively named Warlan Manor. It's off the main roads a bit, a small but comfortable looking manor home. The grounds are small and well kept, even as rain pours on down.
[21:43] <@Erad> "I hope he's not offended at us being wet." Erad comments as he approaches.
[21:43] <Annerose> Once they get in the door, prestidigitation will make sure they are presentable. "Won't be a problem," Annerose assures Erad.
[21:43] <@Inari> "Or our baggage," Inari says, hefting the thankfully covered bucket containint their would-be assassin.
[21:44] <@Erad> Erad blinks and smiles. "That would've saved me a few hours when I was growing up."
[21:46] <@Kotono> The door's opened by a servant - a butler. He takes one looka t the party and says simply, "Yes?"
[21:47] <Annerose> "Lord Warlan bid us to return to him when we had results to show him," Annerose tells the servant.
[21:49] <@Kotono> "Very well. This way," The party is lead inside - after drying off with Annerose's magic. Lord Warlan is met in a study. A large window gives an excellent view of the back grounds, his back to you as he watches the rain fall. "So soon?" He glances back, "Where is the shapechanger?"
[21:50] <Annerose> "As you had foreseen, My Lord, she showed her true colors and tried to betray us to the other criminals at the first opportunity," Annerose responds.
[21:50] <@Inari> "Ah, she proved less cooperative than promised," Inari says with downcast ears, hefting the bucket within which something sloshes around.
[21:52] <@Kotono> "It was really unfortunate," Helena murmurs, "But criminals..." she trails off with a shrug.
[21:52] <@Kotono> Lord Warlan takes a long glance at the bucket, "It's dead?" he asks, "And?"
[21:53] <Annerose> "Her betrayal came too late to help her fellow conspirators," Annerose continues. "We have secured their correspondence, as well as one of their enforcers."
[21:53] <@Kotono> "Show it to me," He demands immediately, striding over.
[21:56] <@Inari> Inari retrieves a sheaf of papers she'd been holding under her sash to keep safe from the rain, obligingly handing them over.
[22:00] <@Kotono> The papers are looked over, Lord Warlan's face tight. When he finally looks up, "The gallows will be full soon."
[22:02] <@Inari> "There might be other safehouses, but that should certainly be enough to set back criminal enterprise in the city for a while," Inari says.
[22:02] <@Kotono> "There will be," His smile is far from kind, but it is there. "You're free to go."
[22:03] <@Erad> Erad glances at the others to see if they want to let it go at that or not.
[22:04] * Annerose bows, leaving upon that dismissal.
[22:05] <@Inari> Inari is happy to let it go at that. It's far harsher than she'd be, but she isn't responsible for the safety and livelihood of everyone else in the city. "Farewell then, Lord Warlan."
[22:06] <@Erad> Since they leave it at that, Erad is content to do the same.