[[Sorry for the delayed response, but I slept in and have been trying to catch up ever since.]]
Perception: 23
[[Brand sees nothing in the street outside.]]
Brand smiles, nods, and holds out his hand, "That sounds good to me! Though I regret tonight is not possible, nor tomorrow at lunch. Is there a time that is best for you, and how should I get in contact, just ask for you at the gate...assuming it's open?"
"Any evening should be good," says Eddard. "I frequent the Scholar's Retreat most nights, and if you don't find me there, I have lodgings in the two-storey building next door to it; the housekeeper will know if I'm in."
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[Sorry for the delayed response, but I slept in and have been trying to catch up ever since.]]
[[No problem, I'm supposed to be performing a forensic investigation of a compromised computer; which is actually quite fun. But stressful since it's 50% of my marks for this unit.]]
[[Brand sees nothing in the street outside.]]
[[Well, boo. I had a plan. It was a good one.]]
Brand nods again, "I look forward to it. Probably tomorrow, but the world has a remarkable habit of getting in the way at the moment." He bows slightly, wraps his cloak about himself, and moves into the street, heading in the direction of the Compleat Sage.
[[Assuming there are a reasonable number of people present on the street, he will move like he is strolling, not looking behind etc. After a block or 3, he will start looking for turning that would obscure him from view, ideally onto a street that has a shop front, alley, or other area where he can somewhat inconspicuously loiter with a good view of the street from which he came. He will wait a minute or two to see if anyone matching the description from earlier appears around the corner. Or anyone else who looks out of place...]]
- Ask about extent of Arion worship in time and space
- Ask about prior purges and their effectiveness and scope
Aieda Hand Leader
- "Oh...and I meant to mention...after I left Last Chance, it fell. I thought the garrison was wiped out. Did you hear of many survivors of the garrison making it back here?"
Koric: Was a massacre. Some may have escaped. What's thr name of the guard?
Minton: "Arthur"
Mistress Damass
- "So...500 cons for Madame Damass. What do I get paid for this evenings work?", he asks with a smile. "I hope that's not coming out of my inheritance."
Haneena
- Pass on Heneena's response to Koric; ask what it was about. Possibly start with "You seem to have annoyed Haneena at the School. May I ask what you were asking her to do? She said "no" by the way.
- Pass on Minton's suggestion re appealing to loyalty to school (link).
o Cover could be research to preserve wines in transit to reduce spoilage
- Ask about apparition at school
- ask about abduction of student
- discuss water-carrier theory
- find out who the mystery woman is (Tarrantine's daughter?): Says she's a court asset. Probably true. Probably still daughter.
About the dreams: all I have is "The terror of fleeing through a dark world of unforgiving stone and cold is fading, but for the moment, he can still remember the glowing red eyes that chased him through the darkness."
If he's having them regularly, he should take notes (I think I even recall that advice from Nathaniel about lucid dreaming).
Can you list common threads? Common aspects of the dreams...are they always in dark cold rocks, is Brand running, flying, Astral travelling (not in fact, just seeming), does he start next time where he left off last time, or does it repeat? This is more a question about setting and behaviour (of brand and adversary), I suppose.Q1. The memories of his dreams are that Brand suddenly realises he is being chased by something. He is running through a lifeless and jagged landscape and feeling scared, but he is lucid enough at this point to realised that he is asleep, at which point, the glowing red eyes comes into view and he wakes up. As to why this is happening, he doesn't know(relevant post)
Common images? Are there aspects of the surrounds that are always similar, or in some way connected between dreams? Is the scenery the same, are the common elements no matter what the setting? Does he ever see more of his adversary than the eyes? This is more a question about common visual cues. But, I suspect 1 & 2 are pretty tightly linked,
Are they (eyes/setting) at all familiar?[[Q3 & Q7. The eyes are too large and too far apart to belong to a human, or to remind Brand of anyone he knows.]](relevant post)
Can he control the dreams?No. Unlike the lucid dreams Brand has that precede his astral travelling, these nightmare are seemingly beyond his control. They are also very brief because he always awakens before whatever is chasing him can catch him. (relevant post)
Are they associated with Astral Travelling? Precede? After? With? After long break? Brand has become worried that his nightmares might have something to do with his practicing the use of the stones during the day preceding the dreams. He has no idea why the dreams have only started to occur recently, as far as he is aware, nothing happened in New Nineveh that had any connection with the stones.(relevant post)
Does he have a sense of what the eyes look like? Glowing red...surrounded by human eye sockets, or something else? See Q3.
Just confirming: he feels that the eyes are definitely hunting him? See (9)
Have the dreams been intensifying and/or the hunter getting closer?Not so much hunting as chasing, and yes, the dreams have been getting worse, but not more frequent—the last is connected to Brand's observation about the nightmare corresponding with his use of the stones earlier in the day. (relevant post)
In what way are the dreams getting worse? Sense of getting closer? General sense of fear/foreboding?General sense of fear and foreboding getting stronger as the sense that whatever is chasing him is getting closer each time. (relevant post)
[[4:30-ish sounds about right. There is probably at least two hours of daylight left to the day, but the afternoon is gloomy because of the storm.]]
The street is deserted when Brand once more steps out into the rain. It would seem that any foot traffic in this part of town has already either made its way to its destination, or home, as the case might be.
Heading in the direction of the Compleat Sage—which takes him in the direction he saw the figure previously—Brand is approaching that same alleyway when he hears the murmur of voices coming from that direction.
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
He continues down the road slowly, passing the alley walking in the middle of the road he is on, glancing down the alley as he passes it to see what is going on.
[[If his route would have taken him down the alley, he may reroute depending on what he sees]]
Brand glances down the alleyway as he passes it—and almost stops in his tracks while doing so. He is now on the other side of the alley remembering what he saw.
There were a number of people in the alley, all crowded under the awning of what looks like the service entrance to a building. Five of the people are wearing heavy cloaks and carrying weapons of various types while the sixth is Master Minton, who was deep in conversation with one of the others. The other four were just standing around looking bored. Brand believes at least one of these saw him, but didn't seem to pay any particular attention to him, other than note his passing.
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[I need to know a little bit about the surroundsl buildings, awning, roofs, people etc.It's raining, so visibility less than ideal (which is good), and most of the people are off the street, which is also good).
Three possibilities occur to me:
1. Skulk into shadows, put invisibility stone inside left glove, and creep closer. This is probably OK, but if the street/alley is mud rather than cobbles, his footsteps will leave traces, and his cloak will be dripping; the latter is OK if there's enough rain to cover it, the former not so much.
2. Ditto invisibility, but put levitate in other glove and get on to a nearby roof. Move gingerly along roof and get closer to listen. With invisibility, even if tiles are loose, he should be able to move gingerly and sneak near. This depends on the nature and height of the buildings.
All the above depend on being able to invisible out of the public eye.
3. Start calling Minton's name noisily, "Minton, minton old chap...I'm sure I saw you walk this way...bumble around noisily....then walk near aley and say "oh, there you are! I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, Minton, but I left my keys in your office, and now I can't get back in." blah.
My preference for the 1 or 2 is quite strong; Minton being a bad guy or bribed/blackmailed would explain a lot.
]]
Edit:
[[ All else being equal, 2 is my preference. Approach would be:
- walk off road, under cover, into shadows. Sneak. - Put one stone in each glove. - when noone in sight, go invisible - look around. Beware of bumping into people - ideally, just climb onto roof assisted by levitation - move closer. Sneaking. If the roof even looks slightly loose, then reduce weight via levitation. - listen, keeping both stones in gloves. If seen, flee across rooftops using levitate.
]]
[[ Edit 2:
Thinking back on the group, can he recall any details of the person Minton was talking to?
[[I need to know a little bit about the surroundsl buildings, awning, roofs, people etc.It's raining, so visibility less than ideal (which is good), and most of the people are off the street, which is also good).
Three possibilities occur to me:
1. Skulk into shadows, put invisibility stone inside left glove, and creep closer. This is probably OK, but if the street/alley is mud rather than cobbles, his footsteps will leave traces, and his cloak will be dripping; the latter is OK if there's enough rain to cover it, the former not so much.
[[The streets in this part of town are paved, and so is the alley.]]
2. Ditto invisibility, but put levitate in other glove and get on to a nearby roof. Move gingerly along roof and get closer to listen. With invisibility, even if tiles are loose, he should be able to move gingerly and sneak near. This depends on the nature and height of the buildings.
[[The roofs of the nearby buildings are all sloped and made of wooden shingles. Most likely fairly secure, but also probably very slippery in the rain.]]
All the above depend on being able to invisible out of the public eye.
[[The street is currently deserted.]]
3. Start calling Minton's name noisily, "Minton, minton old chap...I'm sure I saw you walk this way...bumble around noisily....then walk near aley and say "oh, there you are! I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, Minton, but I left my keys in your office, and now I can't get back in." blah.
My preference for the 1 or 2 is quite strong; Minton being a bad guy or bribed/blackmailed would explain a lot.
]]
Edit:
[[ All else being equal, 2 is my preference. Approach would be:
- walk off road, under cover, into shadows. Sneak.
[[The nearest place to get out of sight is the other side of the building from the alleyway.]]
- Put one stone in each glove. - when noone in sight, go invisible - look around. Beware of bumping into people - ideally, just climb onto roof assisted by levitation - move closer. Sneaking. If the roof even looks slightly loose, then reduce weight via levitation. - listen, keeping both stones in gloves. If seen, flee across rooftops using levitate.
]]
[[Need to know anything else?]]
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[The roofs of the nearby buildings are all sloped and made of wooden shingles. Most likely fairly secure, but also probably very slippery in the rain.]]
[[The image I construct from this is of quite sloped roofs with no convenient TV anetnnae or other things near the edge to hold on to (chimneys?); I could see him levitating up, then just drifting off like a balloon, or a slow-mo slide down with no anchor point. Is that a fair characterization?
How high are the walls where they meet the roof? 18' or 10'? Or somewhere in between? If they are high, he could levitate up to the awning height, and bob along above their heads.
[[The nearest place to get out of sight is the other side of the building from the alleyway.]]
I do not have a good mental map at this point. Here is how I see it:
(alley with dudes and minton) | M| | | --------------------| |----------------------------- X (Road) B (Brand)
If there is noone in street, I'd assume he could go under awning at X and remain hidden etc. Is that wrong?
]]
His mind racing about the implications of a corrupt, coerced or replaced Minton. Many events would be explained! What perfect cover for a secret Arion worshipper than to replace a devout Mithrain. It would also explain why he lost his power, and why he plans to leave soon. Brand checks his raging paranoia back to normal levels and focuses on the moment.
Moving out of sight, he puts the invisibility stone in his left glove, checks for observers, sneaks, and goes invisible. He then moves the levitate stone to his right glove.
[[Next actions depend on asnwers]]
[[Edit:
More contextual information needed:
- what is the mix of buildings: many different heights, all pretty uniform? - there are bridges over river delta...how wide/deep is river? - how far is nearest bridge - how far is nearest part of river (as crow flies, ignoring bridge locations) in direction of home and away? - is this an area of many alleys, or there there only a few on the main road? - are there busier roads nearby?
[[The roofs of the nearby buildings are all sloped and made of wooden shingles. Most likely fairly secure, but also probably very slippery in the rain.]]
[[The image I construct from this is of quite sloped roofs with no convenient TV anetnnae or other things near the edge to hold on to (chimneys?); I could see him levitating up, then just drifting off like a balloon, or a slow-mo slide down with no anchor point. Is that a fair characterization?
[[Yes. He could probably quite easily pull himself along using the roof while staying aloft with the stone.]]
How high are the walls where they meet the roof? 18' or 10'? Or somewhere in between? If they are high, he could levitate up to the awning height, and bob along above their heads.
[[The roof of the building he is next to is about 12' off the ground.]]
[[The nearest place to get out of sight is the other side of the building from the alleyway.]]
I do not have a good mental map at this point. Here is how I see it:
(alley with dudes and minton) | M| | | --------------------| |----------------------------- X (Road) B (Brand)
If there is noone in street, I'd assume he could go under awning at X and remain hidden etc. Is that wrong?
[[There is no awning at 'X'. The awning is for a service entrance down the alleyway and is what the 'dudes' are huddling under to escape the rain (i.e., where 'M' is).]]
]]
His mind racing about the implications of a corrupt, coerced or replaced Minton. Many events would be explained! What perfect cover for a secret Arion worshipper than to replace a devout Mithrain. It would also explain why he lost his power, and why he plans to leave soon. Brand checks his raging paranoia back to normal levels and focuses on the moment.
Moving out of sight, he puts the invisibility stone in his left glove, checks for observers, sneaks, and goes invisible. He then moves the levitate stone to his right glove.
[[The next alley way is to the right on your mud map above. He can either move to that alleyway to hide or trust the fact that there appears to be no one in the street at the moment to notice him, even if he were invisible.]]
[[Next actions depend on asnwers]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[There was an edit after you answers, with the following:
Thinking back on the group, can he recall any details of the person Minton was talking to?
More contextual information needed:
- what is the mix of buildings: many different heights, all pretty uniform? - there are bridges over river delta...how wide/deep is river? - how far is nearest bridge - how far is nearest part of river (as crow flies, ignoring bridge locations) in direction of home and away? - is this an area of many alleys, or there there only a few on the main road? - are there busier roads nearby?]]
[[OOC: The above will take some time, and I may not get to it until tomorrow because I am roleplaying tonight and am still at work. Looks like you will have to concentrate on your assignment. Sorry.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[Going to do the easy stuff first and it will come in bits and pieces because of family stuff that is happening today.]]
[[Invisibility used to allow brand to see magical auras and spells etc. Is that still the case?]]
[[Yes, but people who are using my homebrew cantrip See the Arcane can see a person using the normal 'Invisibility' spell of the stone if they are within the 30' range of the cantrip. However, the 'Greater Invisibility' version is is proof against that cantrip as well as having its other advantages.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[Going to do the easy stuff first and it will come in bits and pieces because of family stuff that is happening today.]]
[[Sounds fine.]]
[[Invisibility used to allow brand to see magical auras and spells etc. Is that still the case?]]
[[Yes, but people who are using my homebrew cantrip See the Arcane can see a person using the normal 'Invisibility' spell of the stone if they are within the 30' range of the cantrip. However, the 'Greater Invisibility' version is is proof against that cantrip as well as having its other advantages.]]
[[So -- just checking -- Brand would potentially (a) see if Minton had a different aura than he was used to seeing; (b) maybe see spells active on Minton; (c) see invisible people in the group (unless Grtr invis); (d) see if any people in the group had non-depleted magical auras. And any invisible guard would see Brand, so sneaking is still a good plan even when invisible.
FYI: I can't seem to find 'See the Arcane'. Edit: unfortunately, google produces this link!!!
I've also added some rules questions to the outstanding questions post, and moved answered ones away. No urgency until combat happens.]]
1. Based on things said so far, it seems that studded leather is fairly obtrusive. Could Brand get a suit of leather armor made (or just purchased) that was less obstrusive (it's -1 AC on the SL)? This is a rules/reality question: do you see that as plausible item to have, or is he always going to look like a guardsman/mercenary/soldier is he wears armor?
If so, the next question will be can he buy it off-the-shelf or is it a special order, and does he know where to go?
[[Re: Leather armour. I would possibly allow Brand to get customised leather armour that could pass as normal clothes. However, it would likely be not as effective against bludgeoning damage as it is the armour's bulk that provide the protection against that form of damage. How I would do that, I don't know yet, but if you want Brand to get some customised armour, I come up with something, but he would need to do it in game.]]
2. Would be interested to know how it might work in game terms...already dropping an AC is a big-ish hit (against a similar foe, +20% chance of being hit); D&D doesn't really do DR any more does it? I know you mentioned it for plate.
3. Does he know where to go? An armorer in town?[[Re: Leather armour. I would possibly allow Brand to get customised leather armour that could pass as normal clothes. However, it would likely be not as effective against bludgeoning damage as it is the armour's bulk that provide the protection against that form of damage. How I would do that, I don't know yet, but if you want Brand to get some customised armour, I come up with something, but he would need to do it in game.]] (relevant post)
Q: Studded Leather (17-Oct-2019)
If leather can be made "casual chic", can studded leather? So long as he does not look like he belongs in a gay bar.[[This would have to be experimented with in the course of play.]](relevant post)
When Brand reaches his position, he hears Minton speaking. The man seems to be agitated and is speaking loudly, which is why Brand can hear him over the sound of the rain.
"... needs to be taken somewhere where she will be given the proper honour and respect." Minton's tone is one of beseeching.
A placating voice replies to Minton's beseeching, saying, "Calm down, Hareld. If she is an avatar of the goddess, surely she can be in no danger. And perhaps this is all part of some larger plan."
[[You might not know this, but Brand would: Hareld is Master Minton's first name.]]
"Do you really think so?" says Minton.
"Yes," says the man enthusiastically. "Now, you should go back before you are missed. We need you in position in case She needs you to contact us."
"Okay," replies Minton begrudgingly, "but it's hard... I feel like a traitor."
"It is for the greater good," says the man. "They don't know what they are doing, and I can't help but think that She is allowing herself to be kept there so She can show them the error of their ways... So in effect, you are helping them."
"... It is as you say," says Minton. "All right, I will go..."
With this, Brand sees Minton begin to head out of the alley heading back in the direction of the School. Minton is holding the same bag over his head as he was when Brand first saw him when he arrived at the School.
Once Minton leaves the alleyway, some general discussion breaks out amongst the people under the awning, but Brand can only make out snatches of what has been said.
"... fool," he hears someone say. {presumed: "what a fool"}
"Watch your tongue," rebukes the man Minton was talking to. "He's just ... is right." { presumed: "he's just doing what he thinks is right"}
"... sodding wet." comes a general complaint from yet another speaker after a little while.
"... your turn," says the familiar voice again.
At this one, of them curses and then begrudgingly steps out from under the awning to go and stand at the corner where they can observe the entrance of the School, and possibly not be seen by people coming from the direction of the nearest bridge over the river. It soon becomes clear to Brand that it is now this man's turn to keep watch.
The woman turns away even before Brand finishes his prayer, but with the brief view he got of the front of her armour he now knows that these people are wearing the armour of the temple of Aieda, the moon goddess.
"I'm going to skip dinner tonight and go to the tavern and get myself some roasted beef," Brand hears a man's voice say.
"Washed down with some mulled wine," says another of the group, who is also a man. "That sounds good. I'll join you."
"Me too," says the woman. "But after I have a nice warm bath."
"Can I join you in that?" says the shorter man, half in jest.
"You wish, short arse," replies the woman, also with the sound of humour in her voice."
The four continue to banter quietly while Brand listens on, the shorter man occasionally giving the person on watch a glance.
The casual conversation continues for a while before one of the men says something that might be considered revealing.
"Someone's taking bets back at the temple. They're going to pay 100:1, if this woman really is Aieda. What do you reckon?"
"What are the chances she'd appear in the stupid School of Occult Studies and not in her own temple," says the woman. "You'd be throwing your money away."
"Minton seems to think so," says the shorter man quietly. "And he certainly seems to have lost his ability to read minds... I might actually take that bet."
Other Matters
Wamzut
"[[Minton does mention that he has been writing the life story of Wamzut, but goes on to say that he will only be making these stories publicly available if the subject of the story agrees. When Brand ask about Wamzut's life story, Minton replies cryptically that he hasn't been permission for that, yet.]]" (link)
Brand tilts his head to one side, "Do you think that will happen any time soon?"
Minton shrugs and just says, "He did not give me permission, and the ways of wizards are many and strange... I feel I should wait a few years at least." (link)
[[The normal use of the Stone of Unseeing doesn't require the Concentration that would need to use for the normal spell (i.e, Brand can use both the Stone of Uplifting and the Stone of Unseeing at the same time, something a spell caster with the equivalent spells can't do because they are both Concentration spells), but it does take an Action to become invisible. If he attacks something, he would become visible and it would take an action to become invisible again. The Greater Invisibility version means he doesn't become visible if he attacks something. It also means he can't be seen by people using the See the Arcane cantrip. However, it only lasts for a minute, not the hour the normal Invisibility spell lasts for.]] (post)
So, if he has 3 in one trouser pocket, can he, as a single action, reach into the pocket and use one of them? If not, what if his hand is already in the pocket?
[[Yes, he could reach into a pocket and activate one of them in one turn (i.e., the reaching into the pocket and grasping the stone would be his one free action, while the activation of the stone would be his action), and his hand already being in his pocket would not make much difference. However, if he was already holding something in his hand it becomes tricky. Literally dropping whatever is in his hand would allow Brand to do the movement in one turn (according the the current rule's adjudication). However, sheathing a sword (for example) would use Brand's free action, which means reaching into his pocket and grasping the stone becomes his action, which would mean he wouldn't be able to activate the stone.]] (post)
[[The darkvision spell is inscribed into the leather grip of the sword, which is attached to the hilt with stitching. Brand could remove this and carry the leather with him discreetly, but it would then have to be re-stitched to the sword. However, Brand has never done this before, and he doesn't know if the spell will even work if the leather is detached from the bronze hilt of the sword. He is aware that making a hilt of bronze is unusual, but he believes that was essential for the spells in the sword's crosspiece.]](post)
"Any evening should be good," says Eddard. "I frequent the Scholar's Retreat most nights, and if you don't find me there, I have lodgings in the two-storey building next door to it; the housekeeper will know if I'm in."
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[No problem, I'm supposed to be performing a forensic investigation of a compromised computer; which is actually quite fun. But stressful since it's 50% of my marks for this unit.]]
[[Well, boo. I had a plan. It was a good one.]]
Brand nods again, "I look forward to it. Probably tomorrow, but the world has a remarkable habit of getting in the way at the moment." He bows slightly, wraps his cloak about himself, and moves into the street, heading in the direction of the Compleat Sage.
[[Assuming there are a reasonable number of people present on the street, he will move like he is strolling, not looking behind etc. After a block or 3, he will start looking for turning that would obscure him from view, ideally onto a street that has a shop front, alley, or other area where he can somewhat inconspicuously loiter with a good view of the street from which he came. He will wait a minute or two to see if anyone matching the description from earlier appears around the corner. Or anyone else who looks out of place...]]
[[Just checking, 4:30-ish? Later? Earlier?]]
[[ Index to Notes ]]
Family Matters
To Do
Mum
- Ask about extent of Arion worship in time and space
- Ask about prior purges and their effectiveness and scope
Aieda Hand Leader
- "Oh...and I meant to mention...after I left Last Chance, it fell. I thought the garrison was wiped out. Did you hear of many survivors of the garrison making it back here?"
Koric: Was a massacre. Some may have escaped. What's thr name of the guard?
Minton: "Arthur"
Mistress Damass
- "So...500 cons for Madame Damass. What do I get paid for this evenings work?", he asks with a smile. "I hope that's not coming out of my inheritance."
Haneena
- Pass on Heneena's response to Koric; ask what it was about. Possibly start with "You seem to have annoyed Haneena at the School. May I ask what you were asking her to do? She said "no" by the way.
- Pass on Minton's suggestion re appealing to loyalty to school (link).
o Cover could be research to preserve wines in transit to reduce spoilage
- Ask about apparition at school
- ask about abduction of student
- discuss water-carrier theory
- find out who the mystery woman is (Tarrantine's daughter?): Says she's a court asset. Probably true. Probably still daughter.
- ask how the declaration of anathema came about.
Minton
- Minton weirdness?
- discuss hiring him
- discuss containing him
- suggestion re Haneena/School
[[ Index to Notes ]]
[[Notes on Dreams]]
Q:DREAMS (15-Oct-2019)
About the dreams: all I have is "The terror of fleeing through a dark world of unforgiving stone and cold is fading, but for the moment, he can still remember the glowing red eyes that chased him through the darkness."
If he's having them regularly, he should take notes (I think I even recall that advice from Nathaniel about lucid dreaming).
[[4:30-ish sounds about right. There is probably at least two hours of daylight left to the day, but the afternoon is gloomy because of the storm.]]
The street is deserted when Brand once more steps out into the rain. It would seem that any foot traffic in this part of town has already either made its way to its destination, or home, as the case might be.
Heading in the direction of the Compleat Sage—which takes him in the direction he saw the figure previously—Brand is approaching that same alleyway when he hears the murmur of voices coming from that direction.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
He continues down the road slowly, passing the alley walking in the middle of the road he is on, glancing down the alley as he passes it to see what is going on.
[[If his route would have taken him down the alley, he may reroute depending on what he sees]]
Brand glances down the alleyway as he passes it—and almost stops in his tracks while doing so. He is now on the other side of the alley remembering what he saw.
There were a number of people in the alley, all crowded under the awning of what looks like the service entrance to a building. Five of the people are wearing heavy cloaks and carrying weapons of various types while the sixth is Master Minton, who was deep in conversation with one of the others. The other four were just standing around looking bored. Brand believes at least one of these saw him, but didn't seem to pay any particular attention to him, other than note his passing.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[I need to know a little bit about the surroundsl buildings, awning, roofs, people etc.It's raining, so visibility less than ideal (which is good), and most of the people are off the street, which is also good).
Three possibilities occur to me:
1. Skulk into shadows, put invisibility stone inside left glove, and creep closer. This is probably OK, but if the street/alley is mud rather than cobbles, his footsteps will leave traces, and his cloak will be dripping; the latter is OK if there's enough rain to cover it, the former not so much.
2. Ditto invisibility, but put levitate in other glove and get on to a nearby roof. Move gingerly along roof and get closer to listen. With invisibility, even if tiles are loose, he should be able to move gingerly and sneak near. This depends on the nature and height of the buildings.
All the above depend on being able to invisible out of the public eye.
3. Start calling Minton's name noisily, "Minton, minton old chap...I'm sure I saw you walk this way...bumble around noisily....then walk near aley and say "oh, there you are! I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, Minton, but I left my keys in your office, and now I can't get back in." blah.
My preference for the 1 or 2 is quite strong; Minton being a bad guy or bribed/blackmailed would explain a lot.
]]
Edit:
[[ All else being equal, 2 is my preference. Approach would be:
- walk off road, under cover, into shadows. Sneak.
- Put one stone in each glove.
- when noone in sight, go invisible
- look around. Beware of bumping into people
- ideally, just climb onto roof assisted by levitation
- move closer. Sneaking. If the roof even looks slightly loose, then reduce weight via levitation.
- listen, keeping both stones in gloves. If seen, flee across rooftops using levitate.
]]
[[ Edit 2:
Thinking back on the group, can he recall any details of the person Minton was talking to?
]]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[The image I construct from this is of quite sloped roofs with no convenient TV anetnnae or other things near the edge to hold on to (chimneys?); I could see him levitating up, then just drifting off like a balloon, or a slow-mo slide down with no anchor point. Is that a fair characterization?
How high are the walls where they meet the roof? 18' or 10'? Or somewhere in between? If they are high, he could levitate up to the awning height, and bob along above their heads.
I do not have a good mental map at this point. Here is how I see it:
(alley with dudes and minton)
| M|
| |
--------------------| |-----------------------------
X
(Road) B (Brand)
-------------------------------------------------------
If there is noone in street, I'd assume he could go under awning at X and remain hidden etc. Is that wrong?
]]
His mind racing about the implications of a corrupt, coerced or replaced Minton. Many events would be explained! What perfect cover for a secret Arion worshipper than to replace a devout Mithrain. It would also explain why he lost his power, and why he plans to leave soon. Brand checks his raging paranoia back to normal levels and focuses on the moment.
Moving out of sight, he puts the invisibility stone in his left glove, checks for observers, sneaks, and goes invisible. He then moves the levitate stone to his right glove.
[[Next actions depend on asnwers]]
[[Edit:
More contextual information needed:
- what is the mix of buildings: many different heights, all pretty uniform?
- there are bridges over river delta...how wide/deep is river?
- how far is nearest bridge
- how far is nearest part of river (as crow flies, ignoring bridge locations) in direction of home and away?
- is this an area of many alleys, or there there only a few on the main road?
- are there busier roads nearby?
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Brand moves quickly to the next alley (X), goes invisible, levitates, and gets to the roof, then moves back to where Minton was talking (Y).
(alley with dudes and Minton)
| M|Y | |
| | |X |
--------| |-------------------------------| |
(Road) B (Brand)
--------------------------------------------------
[[There was an edit after you answers, with the following:
Thinking back on the group, can he recall any details of the person Minton was talking to?
More contextual information needed:
- what is the mix of buildings: many different heights, all pretty uniform?
- there are bridges over river delta...how wide/deep is river?
- how far is nearest bridge
- how far is nearest part of river (as crow flies, ignoring bridge locations) in direction of home and away?
- is this an area of many alleys, or there there only a few on the main road?
- are there busier roads nearby?]]
[[Invisibility used to allow brand to see magical auras and spells etc. Is that still the case?]]
[[OOC: The above will take some time, and I may not get to it until tomorrow because I am roleplaying tonight and am still at work. Looks like you will have to concentrate on your assignment. Sorry.]]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Well, boo! I can live without the contextual stuff, that's needed if things go pear shaped.
But don't be too perturbed, looking fairly busy tonight too]],
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[Sounds fine.]]
[[So -- just checking -- Brand would potentially (a) see if Minton had a different aura than he was used to seeing; (b) maybe see spells active on Minton; (c) see invisible people in the group (unless Grtr invis); (d) see if any people in the group had non-depleted magical auras. And any invisible guard would see Brand, so sneaking is still a good plan even when invisible.
FYI: I can't seem to find 'See the Arcane'. Edit: unfortunately, google produces this link!!!
I've also added some rules questions to the outstanding questions post, and moved answered ones away. No urgency until combat happens.]]
[[Outstanding Questions Post]]
[[ Index to Notes ]]
Armour Related Matters
Q: Leather Armor (17-Oct-2019)
1. Based on things said so far, it seems that studded leather is fairly obtrusive. Could Brand get a suit of leather armor made (or just purchased) that was less obstrusive (it's -1 AC on the SL)? This is a rules/reality question: do you see that as plausible item to have, or is he always going to look like a guardsman/mercenary/soldier is he wears armor?
If so, the next question will be can he buy it off-the-shelf or is it a special order, and does he know where to go?
[[Re: Leather armour. I would possibly allow Brand to get customised leather armour that could pass as normal clothes. However, it would likely be not as effective against bludgeoning damage as it is the armour's bulk that provide the protection against that form of damage. How I would do that, I don't know yet, but if you want Brand to get some customised armour, I come up with something, but he would need to do it in game.]]
2. Would be interested to know how it might work in game terms...already dropping an AC is a big-ish hit (against a similar foe, +20% chance of being hit); D&D doesn't really do DR any more does it? I know you mentioned it for plate.
3. Does he know where to go? An armorer in town? [[Re: Leather armour. I would possibly allow Brand to get customised leather armour that could pass as normal clothes. However, it would likely be not as effective against bludgeoning damage as it is the armour's bulk that provide the protection against that form of damage. How I would do that, I don't know yet, but if you want Brand to get some customised armour, I come up with something, but he would need to do it in game.]] (relevant post)
Q: Studded Leather (17-Oct-2019)
If leather can be made "casual chic", can studded leather? So long as he does not look like he belongs in a gay bar. [[This would have to be experimented with in the course of play.]] (relevant post)
[[ Index to Notes ]]
The Minton Tapes
Exhibit A (link and link)
When Brand reaches his position, he hears Minton speaking. The man seems to be agitated and is speaking loudly, which is why Brand can hear him over the sound of the rain.
"... needs to be taken somewhere where she will be given the proper honour and respect." Minton's tone is one of beseeching.
A placating voice replies to Minton's beseeching, saying, "Calm down, Hareld. If she is an avatar of the goddess, surely she can be in no danger. And perhaps this is all part of some larger plan."
[[You might not know this, but Brand would: Hareld is Master Minton's first name.]]
"Do you really think so?" says Minton.
"Yes," says the man enthusiastically. "Now, you should go back before you are missed. We need you in position in case She needs you to contact us."
"Okay," replies Minton begrudgingly, "but it's hard... I feel like a traitor."
"It is for the greater good," says the man. "They don't know what they are doing, and I can't help but think that She is allowing herself to be kept there so She can show them the error of their ways... So in effect, you are helping them."
"... It is as you say," says Minton. "All right, I will go..."
With this, Brand sees Minton begin to head out of the alley heading back in the direction of the School. Minton is holding the same bag over his head as he was when Brand first saw him when he arrived at the School.
Exhibit B (link)
Once Minton leaves the alleyway, some general discussion breaks out amongst the people under the awning, but Brand can only make out snatches of what has been said.
"... fool," he hears someone say. {presumed: "what a fool"}
"Watch your tongue," rebukes the man Minton was talking to. "He's just ... is right." { presumed: "he's just doing what he thinks is right"}
"... sodding wet." comes a general complaint from yet another speaker after a little while.
"... your turn," says the familiar voice again.
At this one, of them curses and then begrudgingly steps out from under the awning to go and stand at the corner where they can observe the entrance of the School, and possibly not be seen by people coming from the direction of the nearest bridge over the river. It soon becomes clear to Brand that it is now this man's turn to keep watch.
Exhibit C (link)
"Cut your whining," says the familiar voice. "It's just a little water and you'll be able to get warm soon enough."
"But it all seems so pointless." The voice is that of a woman. "Standing here in the rain like this. Nothing's going to happen."
"Maybe not," says the man, "but at least we've learnt something."
"What?" says the woman. "Some rich kid comes to the school. So what?"
"Not just some rich kid," replies the man. "That was the son of Koric Brand."
"So?" says the woman.
The man doesn't reply for a moment and then he says, "How much do you get paid a day?"
"Fifteen lions," replies the woman sounding confused. "And you know that, so why ask?"
"Because clearly we are now dealing with matters above your pay grade," says the man. "Now shut it and let me think."
The person with the crossbow turns away in disgust and looks up the alleyway in Brand's direction.
... (link)
The woman turns away even before Brand finishes his prayer, but with the brief view he got of the front of her armour he now knows that these people are wearing the armour of the temple of Aieda, the moon goddess.
"I'm going to skip dinner tonight and go to the tavern and get myself some roasted beef," Brand hears a man's voice say.
"Washed down with some mulled wine," says another of the group, who is also a man. "That sounds good. I'll join you."
"Me too," says the woman. "But after I have a nice warm bath."
"Can I join you in that?" says the shorter man, half in jest.
"You wish, short arse," replies the woman, also with the sound of humour in her voice."
The four continue to banter quietly while Brand listens on, the shorter man occasionally giving the person on watch a glance.
Exhibit D (link)
The casual conversation continues for a while before one of the men says something that might be considered revealing.
"Someone's taking bets back at the temple. They're going to pay 100:1, if this woman really is Aieda. What do you reckon?"
"What are the chances she'd appear in the stupid School of Occult Studies and not in her own temple," says the woman. "You'd be throwing your money away."
"Minton seems to think so," says the shorter man quietly. "And he certainly seems to have lost his ability to read minds... I might actually take that bet."
Other Matters
Wamzut
"[[Minton does mention that he has been writing the life story of Wamzut, but goes on to say that he will only be making these stories publicly available if the subject of the story agrees. When Brand ask about Wamzut's life story, Minton replies cryptically that he hasn't been permission for that, yet.]]" (link)
Brand tilts his head to one side, "Do you think that will happen any time soon?"
Minton shrugs and just says, "He did not give me permission, and the ways of wizards are many and strange... I feel I should wait a few years at least." (link)
Lunch with Minton
[[ Link to Notes ]]
On Brand's Magical Items
Invisibility Stone
[[The normal use of the Stone of Unseeing doesn't require the Concentration that would need to use for the normal spell (i.e, Brand can use both the Stone of Uplifting and the Stone of Unseeing at the same time, something a spell caster with the equivalent spells can't do because they are both Concentration spells), but it does take an Action to become invisible. If he attacks something, he would become visible and it would take an action to become invisible again. The Greater Invisibility version means he doesn't become visible if he attacks something. It also means he can't be seen by people using the See the Arcane cantrip. However, it only lasts for a minute, not the hour the normal Invisibility spell lasts for.]] (post)
So, if he has 3 in one trouser pocket, can he, as a single action, reach into the pocket and use one of them? If not, what if his hand is already in the pocket?
[[Yes, he could reach into a pocket and activate one of them in one turn (i.e., the reaching into the pocket and grasping the stone would be his one free action, while the activation of the stone would be his action), and his hand already being in his pocket would not make much difference. However, if he was already holding something in his hand it becomes tricky. Literally dropping whatever is in his hand would allow Brand to do the movement in one turn (according the the current rule's adjudication). However, sheathing a sword (for example) would use Brand's free action, which means reaching into his pocket and grasping the stone becomes his action, which would mean he wouldn't be able to activate the stone.]] (post)
See also: [[ On Invisibility ]]
Darkvision in Sword Hilt
[[The darkvision spell is inscribed into the leather grip of the sword, which is attached to the hilt with stitching. Brand could remove this and carry the leather with him discreetly, but it would then have to be re-stitched to the sword. However, Brand has never done this before, and he doesn't know if the spell will even work if the leather is detached from the bronze hilt of the sword. He is aware that making a hilt of bronze is unusual, but he believes that was essential for the spells in the sword's crosspiece.]] (post)