"Why, any news deary. The less the guild knows about me own opperation, the happier I'll be."
Tommy winks and flashes Kael a sly grin.
"Besides, the guild be in a state of... unrest, you might say."
She hesitates a moment before going on.
"You ever wonder why the top guilded thief in Nyanzaru would be making rounds passing out work outside the guild?"
Tommy cocks an eyebrow then leans forward.
"Yer little kitty's getting ready to make a move, and will lose one of her nine lives in the process if she's not careful. You might too if you get mixed up in her little intrigue. You see, she's not handing out leads - she's recruitin - testing out talent. Some think she's planning to break from the Night Lord to start her own guild. Others think she plans to crown herself queen of the shadow court. Who know's for sure, but either way it's a dangerous game, and yer best not being a pawn in it."
If you want to see how much you know about the Night Lord and the shadow court make a History check.
A power play within the Guild? How interesting, he thinks. If it has Tommy worried, then the rumors must be swirling indeed. But, as they say, great risk entails great opportunity. Or was it the other way around?
I think back on my knowledge of the Night Lord before answering.
I mentally comb through my dealings in the city and what I may have heard or learned about the Night Lord. (History)19
A power play within the Guild? How interesting, he thinks. If it has Tommy worried, then the rumors must be swirling indeed. But, as they say, great risk entails great opportunity. Or was it the other way around?
I think back on my knowledge of the Night Lord before answering.
I mentally comb through my dealings in the city and what I may have heard or learned about the Night Lord. (History)19
The Man that calls himself the Night Lord, also known as Caedric the Deceiver, has been the ruler of the cities underworld for the last ten years. He united the thieves and assassins under one banner... his, which has become known as the shadow court. Anyone operating as a thief or assassin in "his" city is expected to be guilded and pay tribute. Those that do fall under his rule and protection. Those that don't run the risk of drawing his ire. Some claim the self proclaimed king of the underworld is human, others an elf, others yet insist that he is a devil of some sort. His true identity is a mystery, but what is known is that he is clever, manipulative, and a master of disguise. Even divination magic is unreliable tracking his plots and movements. He rose to power by setting traps for his rivals rather than engaging in personal combat. He has two Captians. Celina Softpaws "the black cat" runs the thieves guild. Notha T'elf is his best assassin. He is one of the most powerful characters within the city walls.
A power play within the Guild? How interesting, he thinks. If it has Tommy worried, then the rumors must be swirling indeed. But, as they say, great risk entails great opportunity. Or was it the other way around?
I think back on my knowledge of the Night Lord before answering.
I mentally comb through my dealings in the city and what I may have heard or learned about the Night Lord. (History)19
The Man that calls himself the Night Lord, also known as Caedric the Deceiver, has been the ruler of the cities underworld for the last ten years. He united the thieves and assassins under one banner... his, which has become known as the shadow court. Anyone operating as a thief or assassin in "his" city is expected to be guilded and pay tribute. Those that do fall under his rule and protection. Those that don't run the risk of drawing his ire. Some claim the self proclaimed king of the underworld is human, others an elf, others yet insist that he is a devil of some sort. His true identity is a mystery, but what is known is that he is clever, manipulative, and a master of disguise. He rose to power by setting traps for his rivals rather than engaging in personal combat. Even divination magic is unreliable tracking his plots and movements.
Kael's eyebrows raise in incredulity. Celina making a play on the Night Lord? A tall order, to be sure. Suicide, almost. Kael opened his mouth to speak-
Burn the world.
His voice caught as the thought crossed his mind unbidden. What was that? He furrowed his brow, fighting a sense that felt like trying to recall a fading dream, or remembering someone's name you can't believe you've forgotten. After a moment, he shook his head. Celina making a play on the Night Lord? Sounded ambitious.
Perfect.
"If Softpaws has a design on the Guild, or even the Night Lord himself, then it's urgent that I find her. Help me, Tommy."
I beseech Tommy her help, trying to get her to divulge Celina's whereabouts. (Persuade) 6
Kael begs Tommy to give up the information he seeks, he is just about to drop to his knees when Tommy replies.
"By the gods man, pull yerself together! If there be one thing I canna stand, it's seein a grown man beg. I can see yer no gonna let this go... Fine, I'll tell ye how to get her attention. Go to the Lion's Den, ask for a room with a view, then enter the gambling hall. Play the chance wheel, 13 gold coins on number 13 black. Wait for the wheel to spin, but leave before the ball settles. Go back to to the room and stand on the balcony, wear no armor, and show no weapon. Then make yerself comfortable and wait. The cat will find you."
Kael listens to the instructions Tommy delivers, mentally repeating them to himself and nodding along point-by-point. Lion's Den, room woth a view, 13 on 13 black, leave, sit on the balcony. Awfully specific but then, thieves of the Guild were notoriously clandestine. Kael nodded to Tommy a final time as he rose and turned to leave.
"Got it. Thanks Tommy, I owe you one. Look me up the next time you need a job done."
That done, Kael exits through the heavy cellar door, up the creaking steps, and out through the bustle of the now-thick evening crowd at the Salty Dog. Salt is the flavor of the evening as he exits the thick double doors that lead outside, and he can nearly taste the ocean as the harbor wafts its scents shoreward. He suppresses a shudder as he turns further into town en route to the Lion's Den.
The new locale is not as familiar to Kael, being further from the harbor, but he nevertheless finds it as he travels along one of the main cargo roads of the town, twin ruts left by wagons leaving a shallow groove in the wide stone path. At last, the telltale lion's head signpost hamgs in the distance, and he arrives at the Lion's Den. He pushes the thick door open, approaches the front counter, and offers a nod to the innkeep before speaking.
"Looking for a room for the night. Preferably one with a view."
The Lions Den is a fancy inn and gambling hall frequented by Nyanzaru's upper crust. Behind the counter stands a well dressed human man with a blue coat that has a lion's head embroidered into the left breast. Maroon carpet covers the floors, and mahogany wood forms the archways and pillars. The wood has been finely oiled and the sweet smell lofts in the air. The man behind the counter looks at Kael in full adventuring gear.
"Of course... sir. Your stay includes your meal, might I suggest you take it in your room." He offers you a card to make your selections.
Kael takes the offered menu, trying to look appropriately chastised. So it was that kind of establishment, was it? Pinned-up suitcoats and tarts for dessert? To a petty criminal it just screamed "easy marks." As was, he had more pressing business at hand but nevertheless took a moment to take the pompous ass down a peg. Handing the menu back, he says,
"You very well may suggest it. Roasted chicken, potato, beans, ale. Keep the sweets. My room number, if you please?"
Kael hands his traveler's pack to the boy and flips a gold piece to the attendant by way of jab.
"Something for your trouble," he says with a wry grin. To the boy he says, "Take my pack to my room, lad, and leave it. I'll take a wander through the gaming hall first. Have my dinner sent up in half an hour."
He watches the boy scamper off and turns to the corridor leading to the modestly-sized gambling room. Larger still than the Salty Dog's main hall, tables and seats surroumd various games of chance and competition. Maybe once he was off the clock a game of dragonchess was in the cards, always some idiot to fleece. As was, he set his sights on the large amd ornate chance wheel. Arrayed against a large backdrop, its red and black made a maroon blur when spun fast enough. He approached, and absently tousled the coins in his pouch; the gold he'd made this night was a tidy sum, and while he was hardly frugal, throwing a goodly tenth of it away nattered him. Nevertheless, he approached at the next betting turn amd dropped his neat stack of thirteen coins onto the betting rail.
The croupier gathers Kael's coins and makes a final call to place bets. This is a very popular game, though given the clientele's status, the crowd gathered is considerably smaller than, the arm wrestling match you left not long ago.
Kael has taken a spot along the table next to an older dwarf wearing an ornate red and gold tunic and gaudy jewelry. The dwarf eyes Kael up and down. He shifts slightly away, saying "Thirteen's unlucky, so is black."
The croupier, noting all bets are in, sets the wheel into motion.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
As the wheel spins up, Kael looks to the older dwarf and speaks.
"Unlucky? May just depend on what you're truly after." Turning to the croupier, wheel still spinning, he simply says, "Have my winnings sent to room four." He pushes away from the table and walks away.
He doubted there'd be any winnings of course, but it never hurt to try. As was, he exited the gambling hall in the direction the young bellhop had gone, finding the stairs leading to the rooms above. It took him a few moments to find room four in the large establishment, and he entered to find his pack waiting. He casts his gaze around the room to find some truly choice amenities - a large rinse basin, fireplace, and of course a balcony.
His dinner was waoting on the nightstand next to a small pipe, so he took both to the balcony after removing his dark leather armor and various weapons, left on his bed. He sat shirtless in the night, absently eating the chicken skewered on a fork while snapping his fingers and lighting the pipeweed with Prestidigitation.
Reclining back with lit pipe in hand, he basked in the cool night air as he awaited his quarry.
The Lion's Den is built along Nyanzaru's Northern wall. From his south facing balcony he is able to cast his gaze over a large part of the city. Strahd manor lies just to the south west, looming over the rest of the merchant quarter. Two of the cities trade roads converge in a tee right in front of the decadent gambling hall. From this vantage point Kael can see down the south road nearly to the main harbor, he can also watch over the entrance to the Lion's Den. Moonlight shines through sparse clouds, giving a ghostly illumination to the city's rooftops, but also casting shadows onto the cobblestone streets. Scattered through the town, blazing lanterns hang from iron hooks and sway gently with the cool evening breeze coming off the sea. Kael can still hear the waves crashing against the pier in the distance.
As he draws from his pipe, he detects a hint of bourbon. The tobacco leaves must have been soaked in liquor before being dried.
After two hours of waiting , the cat has still not presented herself.
Kael waits, taking a gentle puff off his pipe but otherwise listening, sensing. The waves crash, the wind rustles, and he reaches out to try and make sense of what he feels. His pipe tastes...off, somehow.
I try to perceive what waits, honing my sight and hearing to ascertain any hidden presences. (Perception)10
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kael has the sense that he is being watched, but is unable to ascertain where from. Someone or something is out there, watching and waiting. Maybe more than one someone. Friend or foe? As the night draws on, the lanterns flicker out one by one across town. The shadows only grow deeper.
Kael cannot fight the feeling he is being watched, but can't pick out the source. If he can't find them, maybe he can draw them out.
Still pulling on his pipe, he mutters a few whispers to himself casting Disguise Self to manifest the image of a shirt, mustache, and fine overcloak. He would appear now as a dapper nightgoer, hopefully demonstrating a useful ability of infiltration to dangle to the Cat. Nothing ventired, nothing gained, after all.
Kael holds the disguise a few minutes, but quickly grows bored. He extinguishes his pipe, walks into the suite, and resolves to rest before trying again tomorrow night.
Kael scrambles awake, for a moment startled, groggy, but realizes the black-clad Tabaxi woman can only be his quarry, Celina Softpaws. He remains still a moment, fight-or-flight response distilling a sense of animal danger, but after a moment a cooler head prevails and he relaxes, smiling. He rises a walks to the door, opening it partway and accepting the metal tray with various breakfast foods upon it.
He closes the door and carries the tray to the small endtable near the balcony, letting it fall with a *clang* before taking the apple off. He takes a bite, and speaks.
"I do hate to keep a woman waiting but looks like you've been here some time now. To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Softpaws?"
"I think I should be asking you the same question Mr. Silverhand. Tommy's instructions were followed well enough. For what reason did you wish to meet?"
Celina pours hot cream into a cup, and adds a splash of java to it. She motions for Kael to take a seat.
"Why, any news deary. The less the guild knows about me own opperation, the happier I'll be."
Tommy winks and flashes Kael a sly grin.
"Besides, the guild be in a state of... unrest, you might say."
She hesitates a moment before going on.
"You ever wonder why the top guilded thief in Nyanzaru would be making rounds passing out work outside the guild?"
Tommy cocks an eyebrow then leans forward.
"Yer little kitty's getting ready to make a move, and will lose one of her nine lives in the process if she's not careful. You might too if you get mixed up in her little intrigue. You see, she's not handing out leads - she's recruitin - testing out talent. Some think she's planning to break from the Night Lord to start her own guild. Others think she plans to crown herself queen of the shadow court. Who know's for sure, but either way it's a dangerous game, and yer best not being a pawn in it."
If you want to see how much you know about the Night Lord and the shadow court make a History check.
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
A power play within the Guild? How interesting, he thinks. If it has Tommy worried, then the rumors must be swirling indeed. But, as they say, great risk entails great opportunity. Or was it the other way around?
I think back on my knowledge of the Night Lord before answering.
I mentally comb through my dealings in the city and what I may have heard or learned about the Night Lord. (History)19
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
I beseech Tommy her help, trying to get her to divulge Celina's whereabouts. (Persuade) 6
Kael begs Tommy to give up the information he seeks, he is just about to drop to his knees when Tommy replies.
"By the gods man, pull yerself together! If there be one thing I canna stand, it's seein a grown man beg. I can see yer no gonna let this go... Fine, I'll tell ye how to get her attention. Go to the Lion's Den, ask for a room with a view, then enter the gambling hall. Play the chance wheel, 13 gold coins on number 13 black. Wait for the wheel to spin, but leave before the ball settles. Go back to to the room and stand on the balcony, wear no armor, and show no weapon. Then make yerself comfortable and wait. The cat will find you."
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael listens to the instructions Tommy delivers, mentally repeating them to himself and nodding along point-by-point. Lion's Den, room woth a view, 13 on 13 black, leave, sit on the balcony. Awfully specific but then, thieves of the Guild were notoriously clandestine. Kael nodded to Tommy a final time as he rose and turned to leave.
"Got it. Thanks Tommy, I owe you one. Look me up the next time you need a job done."
That done, Kael exits through the heavy cellar door, up the creaking steps, and out through the bustle of the now-thick evening crowd at the Salty Dog. Salt is the flavor of the evening as he exits the thick double doors that lead outside, and he can nearly taste the ocean as the harbor wafts its scents shoreward. He suppresses a shudder as he turns further into town en route to the Lion's Den.
The new locale is not as familiar to Kael, being further from the harbor, but he nevertheless finds it as he travels along one of the main cargo roads of the town, twin ruts left by wagons leaving a shallow groove in the wide stone path. At last, the telltale lion's head signpost hamgs in the distance, and he arrives at the Lion's Den. He pushes the thick door open, approaches the front counter, and offers a nod to the innkeep before speaking.
"Looking for a room for the night. Preferably one with a view."
The Lions Den is a fancy inn and gambling hall frequented by Nyanzaru's upper crust. Behind the counter stands a well dressed human man with a blue coat that has a lion's head embroidered into the left breast. Maroon carpet covers the floors, and mahogany wood forms the archways and pillars. The wood has been finely oiled and the sweet smell lofts in the air. The man behind the counter looks at Kael in full adventuring gear.
"Of course... sir. Your stay includes your meal, might I suggest you take it in your room." He offers you a card to make your selections.
Beef Steak or Roast Chicken
Potato or Rice
Salad or Steamed Beans
Ale, Red Wine, White Wine, Spirits, Water, Milk
Fruit Tart or Chocolate cake
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael takes the offered menu, trying to look appropriately chastised. So it was that kind of establishment, was it? Pinned-up suitcoats and tarts for dessert? To a petty criminal it just screamed "easy marks." As was, he had more pressing business at hand but nevertheless took a moment to take the pompous ass down a peg. Handing the menu back, he says,
"You very well may suggest it. Roasted chicken, potato, beans, ale. Keep the sweets. My room number, if you please?"
"We have the... em... privilege... of hosing you in room number four, sir."
The man rings a bell on the counter and a boy dashes to the counter from a back room dressed in matching garb. The man speaks in Elvish to the boy.
"Tanith, Room four."
The young lad grabs the key and stands ready to carry your effects.
"Tanith will show you to your room. Good evening."
While staying here your lifestyle expenses are set to wealthy (4GP per day)
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael hands his traveler's pack to the boy and flips a gold piece to the attendant by way of jab.
"Something for your trouble," he says with a wry grin. To the boy he says, "Take my pack to my room, lad, and leave it. I'll take a wander through the gaming hall first. Have my dinner sent up in half an hour."
He watches the boy scamper off and turns to the corridor leading to the modestly-sized gambling room. Larger still than the Salty Dog's main hall, tables and seats surroumd various games of chance and competition. Maybe once he was off the clock a game of dragonchess was in the cards, always some idiot to fleece. As was, he set his sights on the large amd ornate chance wheel. Arrayed against a large backdrop, its red and black made a maroon blur when spun fast enough. He approached, and absently tousled the coins in his pouch; the gold he'd made this night was a tidy sum, and while he was hardly frugal, throwing a goodly tenth of it away nattered him. Nevertheless, he approached at the next betting turn amd dropped his neat stack of thirteen coins onto the betting rail.
"Thirteen black. All of it."
The croupier gathers Kael's coins and makes a final call to place bets. This is a very popular game, though given the clientele's status, the crowd gathered is considerably smaller than, the arm wrestling match you left not long ago.
Kael has taken a spot along the table next to an older dwarf wearing an ornate red and gold tunic and gaudy jewelry. The dwarf eyes Kael up and down. He shifts slightly away, saying "Thirteen's unlucky, so is black."
The croupier, noting all bets are in, sets the wheel into motion.
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
As the wheel spins up, Kael looks to the older dwarf and speaks.
"Unlucky? May just depend on what you're truly after." Turning to the croupier, wheel still spinning, he simply says, "Have my winnings sent to room four." He pushes away from the table and walks away.
He doubted there'd be any winnings of course, but it never hurt to try. As was, he exited the gambling hall in the direction the young bellhop had gone, finding the stairs leading to the rooms above. It took him a few moments to find room four in the large establishment, and he entered to find his pack waiting. He casts his gaze around the room to find some truly choice amenities - a large rinse basin, fireplace, and of course a balcony.
His dinner was waoting on the nightstand next to a small pipe, so he took both to the balcony after removing his dark leather armor and various weapons, left on his bed. He sat shirtless in the night, absently eating the chicken skewered on a fork while snapping his fingers and lighting the pipeweed with Prestidigitation.
Reclining back with lit pipe in hand, he basked in the cool night air as he awaited his quarry.
The Lion's Den is built along Nyanzaru's Northern wall. From his south facing balcony he is able to cast his gaze over a large part of the city. Strahd manor lies just to the south west, looming over the rest of the merchant quarter. Two of the cities trade roads converge in a tee right in front of the decadent gambling hall. From this vantage point Kael can see down the south road nearly to the main harbor, he can also watch over the entrance to the Lion's Den. Moonlight shines through sparse clouds, giving a ghostly illumination to the city's rooftops, but also casting shadows onto the cobblestone streets. Scattered through the town, blazing lanterns hang from iron hooks and sway gently with the cool evening breeze coming off the sea. Kael can still hear the waves crashing against the pier in the distance.
As he draws from his pipe, he detects a hint of bourbon. The tobacco leaves must have been soaked in liquor before being dried.
After two hours of waiting , the cat has still not presented herself.
make a perception check
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael waits, taking a gentle puff off his pipe but otherwise listening, sensing. The waves crash, the wind rustles, and he reaches out to try and make sense of what he feels. His pipe tastes...off, somehow.
I try to perceive what waits, honing my sight and hearing to ascertain any hidden presences. (Perception)10
Kael has the sense that he is being watched, but is unable to ascertain where from. Someone or something is out there, watching and waiting. Maybe more than one someone. Friend or foe? As the night draws on, the lanterns flicker out one by one across town. The shadows only grow deeper.
53 The cat is a no show tonight
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael cannot fight the feeling he is being watched, but can't pick out the source. If he can't find them, maybe he can draw them out.
Still pulling on his pipe, he mutters a few whispers to himself casting Disguise Self to manifest the image of a shirt, mustache, and fine overcloak. He would appear now as a dapper nightgoer, hopefully demonstrating a useful ability of infiltration to dangle to the Cat. Nothing ventired, nothing gained, after all.
Kael holds the disguise a few minutes, but quickly grows bored. He extinguishes his pipe, walks into the suite, and resolves to rest before trying again tomorrow night.
Just as the sun begins to rise, Kael awakes to the sound of knocking at his door. A female voice calls to Kael from the balcony.
"You should get that. I dislike a cold breakfast."
A tabaxi woman, clad in black leathers, stands in the balcony with her back to you.
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master
Kael scrambles awake, for a moment startled, groggy, but realizes the black-clad Tabaxi woman can only be his quarry, Celina Softpaws. He remains still a moment, fight-or-flight response distilling a sense of animal danger, but after a moment a cooler head prevails and he relaxes, smiling. He rises a walks to the door, opening it partway and accepting the metal tray with various breakfast foods upon it.
He closes the door and carries the tray to the small endtable near the balcony, letting it fall with a *clang* before taking the apple off. He takes a bite, and speaks.
"I do hate to keep a woman waiting but looks like you've been here some time now. To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Softpaws?"
"I think I should be asking you the same question Mr. Silverhand. Tommy's instructions were followed well enough. For what reason did you wish to meet?"
Celina pours hot cream into a cup, and adds a splash of java to it. She motions for Kael to take a seat.
Tome of Annihilation: Greggor - Level 1 Human (Variant) Fighter
The Good, The Bad, and The Greedy: Dungeon Master