Those around you start to ask what they've done, but are only answered by sword pommels smacking into their heads, angry glares, and a few mutters of "You bastards... what are you bastards trying to do" from one of the guards. Gauntleted hands quickly strip you of your possessions, and you can see it's all being thrown into a large chest that's then locked and lifted up between a pair of guards.
Dawn appeared to be merely a few hours away, but you are unable to appreciate the pre-dawn glow as halberd shafts hit your legs, ushering you into the back of a large dingy cage in the back of an old wagon. The guards place the chest with your belongings in the back of the wagon, and a whistle, the wagon lurches forward.
Within the span of a few minutes, you arrive in front of the city's Magistrate building, and are ushered inside. Already, you can see a handful of people waiting in the anteroom, and distantly you can hear a gavel banging from beyond the closed doors ahead of you.
Alrighty, feel free to introduce yourselves or speak to any of the other townspeople that have been rounded up with you (There's around a dozen total other people, including the three or four who were already waiting for their court hearing). In addition, if you'd like to make any checks of any kind, let me klnow what you'd like to do and I can let you know what to roll. Skill checks are always one of your main 3 stat bonuses (Strength, Dexterity, Mind) + one of your 5 Skill bonuses (Communication, Knowledge, Subterfuge, Communication, Survival)
Additionally, can I get a perception check from everyone, using your Subterfuge or Survival (Your choice) + your Dex bonus + 1d20
ReplyDelete9...
ReplyDeleteI start talking with the others that were brought with me to see if they know what is going on. Introducing myself as Nat.
ReplyDeletePerception: When you were ushered out of your room, you managed to catch a glimpse of some kind of fine light-purple powder or sand in a few patches in the hallway outside of all of your rooms. Before they shoved you outside of the inn, The Dancing Knave, you could see that the guards at the top of the stairs appeared to be brushing it into leather bags.
ReplyDeleteOne of the other imprisoned people nearby introduces himself as Taylor Willam, and he smiles as he brushes his black hair out of his face, his manacles loose around his lanky wrists. "I was up all night correcting the ledgers my associate muddled when I thought I heard someone out in the hallway about an hour or two after midnight.
I paid it no heed at the time and continued my work, but I can recall no other noises all night long until my door was broken in. I did see some kind of purple dust caking the guards boots, and there was quite a bit of purple powder in the hallway, although a footpath had already been cleared."
His green eyes quickly assess you, and he says "I have no doubt we shall soon find out what in the blazes happened. The Captain of the Guard here in Adiroth has a reputation for his dedication to rooting out the all-too-common scum of this city."
With a clatter, you hear a gavel banging to the rise of a heated arguement, and a distant shout of "Mr. Lothian, for the last time, your case is dismissed! Next!" A moment later, the doors bang open somewhat loudly, and a somewhat cute young man comes out in a huff, glaring back into the courtroom and shouting "And for the last time, it's Macaulan-Lothien! I'm going to have nothing to do with you damned merchants!" before stalking off.
The nearby guard nudges a redheaded, smirking young woman with a bird of prey the size of a small dog on her shoulder. "Miss Mankus, you're up." She nods, still smiling and the previous plaintiff's distress, and enters the courtroom, shutting the doors behind her.
Perception: 24 using the app (+2 Subterfuge, +2 DEX)
ReplyDeleteI am too much in shock about the events of the night and morning to take much action. When the human woman introduces herself as "Nat", I just force myself to a slight smile and reply "Maya", nothing but the name. Working in a Tavern I know many people in Adiroth, I look at her and the other people around me to try to find a familiar face.
Perception: You noticed the purple sand as well, and suspect it was magical in nature, as it formed arcane sigils as passing wind swirled it, and the guards were trying to avoid stepping in or disturbing it whenever possible. Judging from how the sand shined, you suspect it was from some kind of gemstone to give it that luster.
ReplyDeleteAs for the surrounding people, you recognized the upset young nobleman who just left as Mana Macaulan-Lothien. He's a well-known sire from an established noble house in the city, and recently has been a common topic for gossip as he's been attempting to divorce from his wife, Vareena Lothien, who is the daughter of one of the major leaders of the Guild of Merchants in the city. Apparently, some say that the Guild will be looking to stop his divorce and the subsequent shame it would bring to the Guild of Merchants as a whole.
You can also make out the extravagant robes of Priscila Denhartog, a very wealthy and influential wizard who's recently been seen chumming around with various Guild representatives. You know she usually has jobs available for any would-be sellswords and mercenaries, but for some odd reason they almost never return intact or unscathed from their missions.
Among the other prisoners, you can see Old Jim Mullens, a retired mercenary approaching his centennial birthday thanks to, as he always put it, "Good luck and the finest ale in Charoc!" He's a regular at your bar, (I'm assuming here that you worked at the Jumping Knave inn's bar, and were arrested from your room above the main tavern floor) and loved to sit around and tell you stories from when he was a soldier in the war against Drufen in exchange for a discount on the ale.
You also recognize Tom Leeh, a merchant who occasionally stops in the Knave while traveling through Charoc. He's an older gentleman, but is very courteous to you even though you've hear he has a somewhat short temper. He appears to be comforting a shuddering old woman you've seen once or twice selling various tree nuts in the marketplace.
Finally, the last person you recognize is one of the guards watching over you, Stefine Clausen. She normally works as a contracted guard for the various caravans, and you can see her unease with being in the city for a prolonged period of time. Since she normally is never in the city for more than a day or two at most, you suspect that since several uncommon guards were called for your raid that something serious has occurred to spread the City Watch's resources thinly.
Perception roll 7+1=8
ReplyDeleteCommunication roll 20+4=24 (I shit you not)
I let out a long breath and clinch my fists to help maintain my anger. To the nearest guard to me I say "My name is Roland Strife, I have served this city faithfully for years. Under what charges have we been brought here?"
Perception: You also noticed the purple powder, as well as the guards attempting to bag it.
ReplyDeleteThe nearby guard glares at you as he turns to face you, and suddenly hacks out a cough before clearing his throat and addressing you. "I am Lieutenant-Ah, damn it, Corporal Fazzari, and you have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit treason." His face softens somewhat as he recognizes you, but his voice is still stern. "I recognize you from the guards of the Dragon, when you've come up to the city for provisions. But then why in the name of the gods would you be associated with helping them try to destroy-"
He cuts off his sentence abruptly, glancing around at the other nearby prisoners suspiciously. "It would not be prudent for me to continue, lest I say something that might aid any of the guilty among you. Suffice to say that, given your occupation and prestige, you will likely be exonerated within the hour." He nods to you, and then steps backwards to keep vigil over the rest of the group.
Perception roll 13+3 Dex +3 Thief skillz= 19
ReplyDeleteI keep my trap shut and look for anywhere I can fade away into and hide. Also I begin casing the joint for anything worth any sort of cash. Preferably small and stealable. Like a fancy seal or anything gold encrusted and small enough to stick in my mouth.
Perception: Barbass, you noticed the guards collecting the glinting sand, and you could tell for sure that it was some kind of dust from a purple gemstone of some kind. However, despite the value of such a powder (As a component for some arcane rituals), you know that one of the more severe out-of-the-ordinary punishments in the city is a death sentence for anyone caught smuggling alchemical components, primarily enacted to prevent the theft of ingredients harvested from Scourgetalon. You suspect this might be why they didn't pocket any (that you saw), although some of the guards seemed almost depressed by the task of cleaning up the dust.
ReplyDeleteWhile the room itself is fairly bare (With the exception of a couple creaky wood benches), some of the accused with you seem very well off. Denhartog (The fancy wizard mentioned above) in particular seems to have a hefty amount of gold thread in her clothes, and you can both hear the clink of a heavy beltpouch under the robes as well as see the glint of gold and silver jewelry on her hands and neck. There is also a somewhat plainly-dressed merchant, a tall man with rough features and brown hair, and you both recognize him from around town as a minor leader of the local merchant guild.
Most of the other members are simple tradesmen, each with no more than a small ring, amulet, or humble coinpurse that you can see in the way of wealth. The guards are also similarly laden in the way of wealth, although you notice Corporal Fazzari has a slightly more bulbous coinpurse than his subordinates.
Can you make an additional perception check please?
Clarification: Can Barabass make that extra Perception check please?
ReplyDeletePerception: 1d20+4
ReplyDelete12+4
16
Annon surveys the other prisoners silently looking for another forest elf. She snorts in disgust at the stink of so many bodies in a closed area.
Perception: You could tell the dust radiated magic, but beyond that you noticed nothing additional beyond what the others had already observed.
ReplyDeleteYou don't see any other forest elves, although a few elves in the room appear to be craftsmen and workers native to the city, and you get several wary views from your appearance. However, you do recognize one of the merchants, Vince Delauder. He buys and sells nearly anything available in Adiroth, and is one of the few sources you can sell your products to easily. However, his penchant for purchasing anything, including illicit goods, has landed him in trouble numerous times, and he is in shackles behind your group from the inn.
Annon sighs and leans back in her seat. It's going to be a long night, she thought.
ReplyDeleteWith a clatter the doors are flung open, and the woman with the bird on her shoulder leaves the courtroom, eyes narrowed and smirk replaced by a set jaw. She stalks past the assembled crowd and out the door, and the judge within calls out "Next!"
ReplyDeleteThe guards usher your group into the dimly-lit courtroom, and illuminated clearly by a lamp on his desk is the judge. Those of you familiar with the city recognize him as Mithcell Goffigan, a lower-ranked nobleman who works closely with the city guards and prisons. He glances over the arrest papers in front of him, and abruptly stands, pointing an accusatory finger across the assembled group.
"You stand accused of high treason! Powdered remains of one of the Twelve Seals that imprison the great wyrm Scourgetalon have been found outside your doorways, which means that at least one of the accussed standing before us removed part of the only barrier between the city and complete destruction!" His face becomes more and more red as he yells this to you, and the surrounding townsfolk begin quietly murmuring to each other, worried looks on all their faces.
"Silence! The seals contain a failsafe enchantment that cause them to crumble to powder if they have been removed for too long from the protective engravings surrounding the wyrm. While we appreciate that it is unlikely that you are all guilty of this crime, the perpetrator and any compatriots he or she may have must be determined! What were your activities leading up to your arrest at the inn, and what did you observe of the others who were also resting there?" He sits back down as the crowd volume begins to rise, pleads of innocence and accusations of others swiftly filling the room.
Goffigan bangs the gavel, and instructs that each of the accused victims should state their activities to prove their innocence, as well as offer any potential leads for the culprit.
Mr William is on the stand first, and he proceeds to recount both his recording in the ledgers as well as the footsteps he heard.
He is replaced by a craftswoman, Clarette Bastone, who claims she was sitting working designs into a leather pauldron for a few hours after eating in the tavern below, and that she went to bed immediately after.
Next is "Ben" Crumweide, a half-orc mercenary you recognize as a regular at the tavern. He states that he simply was relaxing in a bath after renting a room at the inn, and fell asleep after doing a quick once-over maintenance on his weapons and equipment. Old Jim pipes up saying that he could hear the blade sharpening through the door, which seems to appease the judge as Goffigan nods slightly.
Old Jim creakily steps up and in a hoarse yet loud voice proclaims that he was drinking all night in the bar until he was seeing double, and then stumbling into his room, which several people nod in agreement with.
Ms. Denhartog walks to the stand and simply states "I was performing my business arrangements for a client. That's all you need to know, and that's all I shall deign to inform you of." Goffigan's eyebrow raises visibly, but he says nothing else.
A small gnome in a rough cotton shirt and pants walks to the front with a limp, and you can see he has a peg leg made of some kind of stone in place of his right leg from the knee down. "My name's Eugene Bergene, and the mining director for Shaft #43 in the south-eastern wall of the canyon. I'd deposited the earnings for the day, and was simply on my way up for some rest after a small drink." You noticed someone in the back snickered at the word "small," and Eugene whipped his head around glaring at the crowd and an abruptly-stifled snicker.
The merchant Tom Leech steps up after the gnome, and states that he was "occupied." When pressed for more specific detail by the judge, he somewhat reluctantly said that he was entertaining a woman he had met earlier at the market, and the woman who was crying earlier nods and states her name as Glenda Natividad Nora Hornsby the Third. She says she's a spice merchant who's given special allowance to selling various spices and herbs made from Scourgetalon extracts, and shows a small stamped slip of paper as way of proof. She says she saw a few people going to their rooms carrying large backpacks, but couldn't tell if they had anything like the Seal inside them.
ReplyDeleteNext is a young man who you suspect sees himself as "dashing." He introduces himself as Patrick Haggerson, and says that he was returning after pursuing the trail of a murderer who had been killing a random merchant each night in the trade district in the north-east end of town. Judge Goffigan looks up abruptly at that, and nods in approval, saying "Glad to see you're taking care of that."
Finally, a wizened old man totters forward, leaning on a crooked walking stick, murmuring something to himself every couple of seconds. Those around him take a respectful half-step back with the occasional whisper of "The oracle!," a few of them making the protective signs of their respective gods.
"I am Lino Kiggins, the Oracle of the goddess Hanrea, the Keeper of the Wailing Ocean," he says, hacking on a bit of phlegm near the end. "I foresaw the Wyrm freely traveling above the lands, and of a great terror caused by one native to these walls. This trusted figure caused this calamity this evening, as they seek the power of the Wyrm for themselves!"
He turns from the stand to stare over the rest of the crowd. "Hanrea's table in her court cannot feed so many as would be slain by this cataclysm, and she would not wish to see so many souls wasting away and adding yet more wraiths to the Wailing Ocean. Thus she guided me so that I could-" He cuts off with an abrupt sigh, collapsing forward unconscious as one of the guards jumps forward to catch his fall. There is a clatter as his crooked stick falls from his hands, and the guard checks his breathing, saying to Judge Gaffigan "He's merely sleeping. I suspect this night's activities have exhausted the Oracle my Lord."
However, suddenly a cry is heard from the crowd, and a few people begin saying "The staff! Look at his staff! It must indicate the guilty thief" Looking downward, you can see the Oracle's staff has fallen, clearly pointing at someone in the crowd.
Can everyone please roll 1d10 and post their result?
1d10
ReplyDelete8
1d10
ReplyDelete5
1d10
ReplyDelete7
1d10
ReplyDelete7
Cool. Rolling for Barabass, since it might be a while before he can post: 9.
ReplyDeleteThe stick spins for a moment, and seems to point to Ben Crumweide, but he looks over his shoulder and steps aside, revealing Mareya being solely pointed at by the staff.
There are a few gasps from the crowd, and Judge Gaffigan looks at you, saying in a stern and accusatory voice: "Ms. Mareya, where were you on the night in question, and what were you doing?"
One of the members of the crowd pipes up quickly. It's Ms Denhartog, the snooty wizard. "I believe these people retired at around the same time. Perhaps they are in this together?" she says, gesturing to the other party members. There is a low murmur of agreement from the rest of the crowd, as you did all retire to your rooms within a half-hour of each other.
Judge Gaffigan also glances over the rest of you. "Unless anyone has anything else to say regarding the defendants who have already spoken-" There is silence. "Then the rest of you are free to return to your homes. Do not speak of this event to others, as inciting public unrest and fear-mongering will result in you standing in front of me again in an instant."
There is a clatter as the others leave, and after the doors to the courtroom have shut, Gaffigan turns to you. "While I highly doubt Ms Denhartog's opinions of collaboration, I did need someone or several someones to appear as a scapegoat. Honestly, unless one of you somehow spoke to the gods themselves, I find it incredulous that any of you here before me could have shattered the seal. Nevertheless, the culprit is still at large, and I believe they are a member of the city as an outsider would not have conveniently known when nearly every single room of the Jumping Knave was occupied this evening."
He sighs and leans back. "Now, while you still stand accused of treason, one which is publicly recorded, I would be willing to commute the sentence and strike it from your records in exchange for your assistance in apprehending the culprit. You will not be allowed to leave the city limits, of course, but in all other regards will be treated as free citizens while undertaking this mission for me."
He tosses a scroll to one of you. "Within this are the details of the case thus far. I'm afraid I cannot officially aid you, but I will do my utmost to ensure that you are not impeded by the other arms of our guard force. May the speed and luck of the gods be with you."
With that, he dismisses you all to the empty anteroom. Outside, the first glinting lights of dawn can be seen reflecting off of the windows and burning away any lingering wisps of fog from the night before.
Maya did not feel like talking to anybody but waited silently for what would happen to her. She had always dreamed of being the one fight the bad ones and now she ended up being accused of some crime. Someone said "conspiracy" and "treason". Was she included in those accusations? They seemed ridiculous. After all, she was a mere barmaid, who had served beer and food to many of the people around and had been nothing but friendly and polite, when some had had too many drinks and became rude. How could anybody think she would mean anyone harm?
ReplyDeleteShe was lost in her thoughts when their group was finally ushered into the court room. What was the meaning of this? Maya did not have to wait long to get an answer. When she heard the accusions, she got pale. High treason?! But what worried her more where the reasons for this. Someone tried to free the dragon?! Having grown up in Adiroth, she knew all the stories, and could not imagine how someone could do something like this. High treason, indeed.
She was too busy processing this information to pay much attention to what the other people said. Only the clatter of the old man's stick hitting the ground brought her back to the current situation. Before she could fully realize what was going on, everybody was staring at her, because the staff was pointing at her. She looked down at the staff on the ground, then up to the judge, who had asked her about her whereabouts last night. However, she did not get the chance to reply as the wizard woman interrupted rudely. "Of course, I retired around the same time as everyone else, I work in that place!", Maya wanted to reply tartly but thought better of it. She strongly disliked Priscila Denhartog; however, this was not the time and place to start a fight. Instead, she waited for the judge to take his position and if needbe explain herself to him.
As it turned out, this was and not necessary and she was quite relieved to find that Judge Gaffigan did not actually believe she (or any of the others remaining) were actually involved in this crime. Despite how badly this night had begun it ended with a chance that made Maya's eyes shine. Gaffigan wanted them to investigate and find the real evil-doers! Was her dream finally coming true? Could she show that she was good for more than just pouring beer and serving food? She was excited. Forgotten were shock and fear, and she could think of nothing but the adventure awaiting, as the group gathered in the anteroom.
A few of you feel a prickling on the backs of your necks as you stand in the anteroom, as if someone was watching you from somewhere nearby, although a quick glance doesn't reveal any onlookers.
ReplyDeleteBeing a recognized and reputable guard, Gaffigan had tossed the scroll with the investigation information to Roland. It's sealed in a copper scroll tube, and has the official seal of Adiroth adorning both ends.
Perception roll 4+1=5
ReplyDeleteFeeling prickling sensation on my back, I scan the the anteroom. Holding the scroll in my hand I move to open the sealed tube, but hesitate. Glancing around the room once more, I motion for Maya and the other individuals to come closer.
"I do not like the fact that you are made to be a scapegoat. I will do my best to clear yours and all of our names." I look around the room once more "Do we have a quiet place we can go to over look all this information?"
There's a small, quiet, out-of-the-way little cafe place that does a wonderful breakfast only a few blocks away that most of you are familiar with.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, your efforts to dislodge the end cap of the scroll tube result in a cloud of dust irritating your eyes and causing a brief cough, and you fail to see anything before the prickling feeling fades away.
Once you've moved to a more secreted place, examining the scroll reads as follows:
"Adiroth Watch Report #4796
Regarding: Theft and destruction of Seal #5 of Prison of Scourgetalon.
Suspects: (A long list of names, but you can see that nearly every one is from the group that just got released and yourselves. One stands out) A pair of eyewitnesses, Mr Jole Brumkin and his "fiance," Ms Leanne Nilscythe (A known street walker. Please refer to Report #4798 for more information regarding this) reported seeing a man dressed in a dark cloak hurrying away from the Jumping Knave shortly before the raid and arrests took place. They were unable to see any other descriptors, but he apparently traveled in a north-easterly direction.
Other Observations: After weighing, the total weight of the powdered seal recovered was short of the expected weight by a full three pounds. Given the ability of this powder to be used as an alchemical reagent for spells of binding, this must be recovered as soon as possible.
End Report.
Signed Captain Brombach."
You are aware that while most penalties for crimes in Adiroth reflect those of other cities, the sentence for the theft or smuggling of any alchemical materials is death, mainly to discourage illegal trafficking in Scourgetalon components.
I make a knowledge check to see if I recognize the names of the witnesses.
ReplyDelete1d20+2 - 9
You recognize Ms. Nilscythe as one of the women working near the port area adjacent to the canyon gap (They use a series of cranes to transport goods up and down from barges on the river at the bottom of the canyon). As for Mr Brumkin, you vaguely recognize him as a merchant working in the eastern section of town, but not much else besides that. However, you don't recall either of them being notably untrustworthy or delusional from what you know of them.
ReplyDeleteSo what's your next plan of action? Morning has come, so shops are starting to open up and more laborers are out and about. Given the bustle of workers near the bridges across the canyon, you might be able to find someone who spotted the fleeing person mentioned in the report.
ReplyDeleteI ask, "I know who both the people are. Should we question them further or attempt to track down who the mystery cloak person is? Or at least where they went?"
ReplyDelete