Engelian Adventures 2

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Can he see signs of blood, bodies etc at the gate? If there was recent (warm) blood, would darkvision show anything? ]]

[[From what I have read, darkvision is magical and no longer just infravision, so Brand cannot see any spots of warm patches.]]

Brand moves quickly (and stealthily) to catch the group heading westwards, occasionally glancing back to see if anyone else emerges from the gate.

[[Make a Stealth check to try to catch up with the people Brand sees in the street heading westward.]]

[[ He primarily wants to be sure if Rawl is there. How many are in the group? ]]

[[There are four in the group. Make a Perception check.]]

Stealth: 15

Perception: 9

[[ Roll for failed acrobatics? Or was it more of a quality check? ]]

[[ Just thought: Tinkerbell anywhere on sight?]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Stealth: 15

Perception: 9

[[ Roll for failed acrobatics? Or was it more of a quality check? ]]

[[You could have failed, but it was mainly a quality check.]]

[[ Just thought: Tinkerbell anywhere on sight?]]

[[The See the Arcane feature of the Stone of Unseeing has a range of 30', whereas his darkvision has a range of 60'; Brand cannot see 'Tinkerbell' at the moment, but he may need to get closer.]]

Brand is now on the rooftop of a building quietly tracking the movement of the four people in the street below. From what he can see with his darkvision, there seems to be three people covered in cloaks being accompanied by someone in weatherproof coat carrying a sturdy-looking walking stick and a lantern.

As he is observing the group below, he hears one of them—a woman—start complaining about her dress getting wet.

Looking up and down the street, he can see more people further to the west and a single person at the entrance to the Temple Ward back the way he came.

[[ Brand endeavours to get within whatever range he needs to make a positive or negative ID; if positive, he follows, if negative, he glances around looking for tinkerbell, and if not found, he hurries buck as quickly as possible ]]

Brand follows the group until they are passing a single-storey shop, which allows him to get within 30' of them.

At this point, he can see that the group is made up of two women and two men; the man with the lantern seemingly a professional escort (i.e., someone paid to escort people through the streets after dark). This observation is backed up by Brand's not seeing any sign of Madame Damass's magical focus.

Realising that he has followed the wrong party, he hurries back towards the entrance to the Temple Ward where he finds the solitary figure has been joined by others and they are clustered around a small hut situated just inside the entrance to the Temple Ward.

From what he can see once he gets close, the group is made up of guards and they are investigating the hut and seem to be in an agitated state.

[[Make a Perception check.]]

Perception: 13

[[ How long to get to residence? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Perception: 13

[[ How long to get to residence? ]]

[[I think we've established it's about 8 minutes plus or minus some amount. However, the more he does the trip the faster he should get.]]

From his vantage point, Brand can't see into the hut because there are people blocking his vision, but from what he can hear, it seems there is a dead body in there and at least one guard—sounding both angry and anxious—who is explaining that he just needed to relieve himself and was bringing back cups of cha for himself and his companion.

[[ Koric said he thought they'd go west. Which way is west? Home, gate  etc.... head FAST "west" for maybe 8 minutes, then give up ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Koric said he thought they'd go west. Which way is west? Home, gate  etc.... head FAST "west" for maybe 8 minutes, then give up ]]

Brand heads west quickly along the rooftops paralleling the road. With the rain having stopped, people are now venturing out into the streets, lighting their way with lanterns. However, as he travels he sees a couple of groups that might be those he is looking for.

[[Make another Perception check.]]

Perception: 19

[[ Edit guessing he haa to get closer to each, prioritise groups of 3 or the correct Heights and clothing (guard or priest), 3 male, followed by bigger groups ]]

It is a good five minutes before Brand finds the group of three that must be Rawl and his confederates; they are the only group that have a small glowing magical ball following them.

The smallest man is carry a lantern, while the two larger men are leaning on each other as if one were in his cups, or perhaps injured. None of them are wearing the robes of a priest and the man with the lantern has a short sword visible at his side. They are all carrying bulky-looking satchels.

The three of them are heading west and have not taken the road to the bridge that leads to the main road heading north out of Constantine.

[[ From Brand's knowledge of the town, can he make a guess where they might be heading? ]]

[[ Are the streets too crowded for him to get close enough to listen? Also...If he can, he might try to get into Tinketbell's field of vision (not obscure it) -- he has at least some idea of how big/small it is -- so that she and Koric can know he is there... for example: ]]

As the groups travels down a slightly more deserted part of the road, where it is easier to predict traffic, Brand crosses the road in front on them, looks at Tinkerbell then continues.

[[ Alternatively, if he can have a chance to listen...I imagine he would do that by following them since that reduces the risk of passerss-by colliding eith the apparently drunk people. This might also afford him the opportunity to be seen by Tinketbell. eg. ]]

Brand follows the group on foot, creeping close enough  to catch parts of any conversation, and trying to assess if they are wounded -- and if so, who -- or just pretending to be drunk. [[ If the roofs are sclose enough, he will stay on the roof tho ]]

[[ From his knowledge of the town, are there any secluded spots coming up?

How busy are the streets...I've lost track of time, but I'm guessing 9pm ish? How much light? Moonlight? Streetlight? Just lantern?

Possibly plans occurring: dark and secluded spot, take out lantern-man, fighting invisible in the dark seems do-able...tho under such circumstances the rational person just does a runner, screaming for help... ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ From Brand's knowledge of the town, can he make a guess where they might be heading? ]]

[[The three are still on track to cross the southern bridge. This will take them into a part of the city where the richer middle class tend to live. Further west is an area devoted to industries based around the lumber that is shipped down the river from the forests to the west: timber yards and manufacturers of timber-based goods, etc. If they were planning to leave the city to head upriver in the direction of Galth, this would be the way they would go and there would be numerous places where they could find mounts if they went this way (but maybe not so easy at this time of day).]]

[[ Are the streets too crowded for him to get close enough to listen? Also...If he can, he might try to get into Tinketbell's field of vision (not obscure it) -- he has at least some idea of how big/small it is -- so that she and Koric can know he is there... for example: ]]

[[There aren't many people on the streets at all in this part of town; most people are at home, or making their way there.]]

[[From what Brand remembers from looking into the crystal ball, the normal field of view from the foci's position looked to be about ten feet. However, he is fairly sure that Madame Damass could see a lot further than that based on comments she made.]]

As the groups travels down a slightly more deserted part of the road, where it is easier to predict traffic, Brand crosses the road in front on them, looks at Tinkerbell then continues.

[[The group isn't travelling fast, so Brand is able to get in front of them and walks across their path, which attracts the attention of 'Tinkerbell' bringing it from behind the group to in front of the group.]]

[[ Alternatively, if he can have a chance to listen...I imagine he would do that by following them since that reduces the risk of passerss-by colliding eith the apparently drunk people. This might also afford him the opportunity to be seen by Tinketbell. eg. ]]

Brand follows the group on foot, creeping close enough  to catch parts of any conversation, and trying to assess if they are wounded -- and if so, who -- or just pretending to be drunk. [[ If the roofs are sclose enough, he will stay on the roof tho ]]

[[He will need to get closer than the roof to hear anything. Make a Perception check.]]

[[ From his knowledge of the town, are there any secluded spots coming up?

[[Yes, sort of. As it approaches the bridge, the road runs along the side of the river, which means that there are buildings only on one side of the road. These buildings tend to be private residences and many are walled, which means light are few and far between. However, he is aware that there is a guard station just this side of the bridge.]]

How busy are the streets...I've lost track of time, but I'm guessing 9pm ish? How much light? Moonlight? Streetlight? Just lantern?

[[Brand has recently heard a candle caller calling the third candle since sunset (i.e., it's after about 9pm) and, as I said above, the streets are pretty deserted. It is still cloudy and group has left the parts of the city where street lighting is common. The available light is coming from the light sources being carried by people travelling through the streets and whatever light is escaping from the buildings being passed.]]

Possibly plans occurring: dark and secluded spot, take out lantern-man, fighting invisible in the dark seems do-able...tho under such circumstances the rational person just does a runner, screaming for help... ]]

[[Brand notices that the three are now travelling faster than they were and the two who were supporting each, one of which is Rawl, are now only doing so when necessary.]]

Brand follows the group on foot, creeping close enough  to catch parts of any conversation, and trying to assess if they are wounded -- and if so, who -- or just pretending to be drunk. [[ If the roofs are sclose enough, he will stay on the roof tho ]]

[[He will need to get closer than the roof to hear anything. Make a Perception check.]]

Perception: 9

[[He will need to get closer than the roof to hear anything. Make a Perception check.]]

He will get closer.

[[ From his knowledge of the town, are there any secluded spots coming up?

[[Yes, sort of. As it approaches the bridge, the road runs along the side of the river, which means that there are buildings only on one side of the road. These buildings tend to be private residences and many are walled, which means light are few and far between. However, he is aware that there is a guard station just this side of the bridge.]]

How long until they are within earshot of the bridge?

And what comes after the bridge?

And...how long until next bridge?

And and ... does he know of stables nearby? While they get horses ready, might be a great time.

[[Brand notices that the three are now travelling faster than they were and the two who were supporting each, one of which is Rawl, are now only doing so when necessary.]]

What does this part mean? When do they need to? Does it mean they ARE wounded?

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand follows the group on foot, creeping close enough  to catch parts of any conversation, and trying to assess if they are wounded -- and if so, who -- or just pretending to be drunk. [[ If the roofs are sclose enough, he will stay on the roof tho ]]

[[He will need to get closer than the roof to hear anything. Make a Perception check.]]

Perception: 10

[[He will need to get closer than the roof to hear anything. Make a Perception check.]]

He will get closer.

[[ From his knowledge of the town, are there any secluded spots coming up?

[[Yes, sort of. As it approaches the bridge, the road runs along the side of the river, which means that there are buildings only on one side of the road. These buildings tend to be private residences and many are walled, which means light are few and far between. However, he is aware that there is a guard station just this side of the bridge.]]

How long until they are within earshot of the bridge?

[[Hard to tell and circumstantial. See below.]]

 

And what comes after the bridge?

[[An upper middle-class residential area.]]

And...how long until next bridge?

[[At the rate the men are now walking, maybe four or five minutes.]]

And and ... does he know of stables nearby? While they get horses ready, might be a great time.

[[Brand can't think of any public stables along the route they are travelling that are on this side of the bridge. There would likely to be any number of private stables though.]]

[[Brand notices that the three are now travelling faster than they were and the two who were supporting each, one of which is Rawl, are now only doing so when necessary.]]

What does this part mean? When do they need to? Does it mean they ARE wounded?

[[The men are no longer playing their parts (someone escorting some drunks home) as much now as they were, which means they are moving faster.]]

Following behind the men, Brand comes to the conclusion that, of the three, the smaller man carrying the lantern is the worse for wear. He is certainly doing the least speaking and occasionally reaches up and adjusts a thick scarf he has around his neck.

From what Brand is able to gather once he gets close enough to hear what the other two are speaking about, it seems that they have a definite destination in mind, but he hasn't heard what that destination might be yet.

[[ If the don't cross the bridge, where does this road lead? Are there river access points? Boat ramps?

Are they all armed an armored, and if so, what?

]]

Brand continues to follow, hoping to catch more conversation, while he consders the results of his musings...

[[ Any XP rolls for my earlier apalling efforts? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ If the don't cross the bridge, where does this road lead? Are there river access points? Boat ramps?

[[More residences further upriver, but not too far because that is where the river forks.]]

Are they all armed an armored, and if so, what?

[[The only person with a visible weapon is the smaller man with the lantern, who is wearing a short sword on his belt. However, the others might have weapons hidden under the clothing that Brand can't see. With regard to armour, the smaller man is definitely wearing leather armour. Brand thinks the others are as well, but they have covered it up with the bulky clothing (a thick coat for Rawl and some sort blanket being used as a hood for the other man) they have on their upper halves.]]

]]

Brand continues to follow, hoping to catch more conversation, while he consders the results of his musings...

The men, who have been walking with their eyes mostly looking in the direction they are walking, are now occasionally starting to look back the way they have come. Brand hears one of them say, "I told you we could get away with it, didn't I?" There is a moment's silence before another of them replies, "I'll only be happy when we're out of this city."

The river is now on the left side of the road and in the distance can be seen the lantern light of the guard post on this side of the bridge.

Brand keeps following and listening.

[[ Are there areas ahead that he is more familiar with, or less; I'm looking here for a differentiator for places to act, if he chose to. eg. an old haunt he knows really well, vs. an area he knows is well lit and/or well patrolled by guards etc? Even just an area he knows is less populated or poorly lit.

My impression of quarters of the city so far is that they are about 20 minutes across; is that correct?

Also, the next bridge you said has guards. Is that normal? Or is it just between quarters?

You said the next bridge after this one is 5-ish minutes again; is it also likely to be guarded? ]]

 [[ What is the range of their lantern vs. his Darkvision? And what kind of lantern is it? eg. could he put it out with the TK stone?

And what is the mechanic for the attack with the TK stone? Is it an attack? What is his roll? Would he get advantage being invisible? And does sneak attack apply (it applies to light melee and missile weapons, IIRC.

fwiw, I think you said he'd use INT as the ability, and had proficiency for things he's practiced. Does INT add to damage? From this I'd assume he has +5 (2+3) to hit, not sure about damage. ]]

 [[ And before I forget: his face is covered again ]]