Insight check on the old man's answer - Kendes wants to be sure they're not going to take his money and then try to double-cash in on a reward. He's trying to figure out if they're destitute enough to double-cross his counter-offer for a few more scraps of gold.
Kenny walks a little closer to the two strangers... slowly and nonthreateningly walking around the side and (eventually) behind them. He will give a hard look at Kendes, Kosef and Evendure before turning back to the two men with a gentler expression. "A spell, eh?" he says, in answer to a thought and not a word. "And just what sort of spell is protecting you, now?"
With that provocation, Randall will push deeper at the mind of the 'Old Man' to see what thoughts he can read... he isn't the one thinking about the spell... but his thoughts also make him sound like the one closest to panic. Maybe he will be easier to overpower on a WIS 14 save.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kendes can see the many rips and stains in the Old Man's cloak. He also looks fairly thin, and his face is very worn. The gnome is also grimy, and his cloak is equally shabby. The both seem fairly poor, but while the old man does not look in the best health, the gnome only seems to be dirty and in possession of very used clothing. Kendes also gets the sense they are very afraid of him and his companions.
When Kenny asks about the spell, the gnome's eyes widen in horror, and the old man looks uneasily at Kenny, and mutters, "Sorcery". The gnome says, "What spell? We are simple commoners, we don't know any spells."
Old Man wisdom save: 4
Old Man's Thoughts:
Kenny senses great fear from the old man. He seems to be afraid that he and his ally have been discovered working for the Cult of the Dragon and are going to die. Kenny also senses a great fear for what will happen to the old man's family if he fails or if the adventurers kill him.
Kendes's head turns sharply at the mention of sorcery. He eyes the gnome, and then the old man, and decides to address the old man directly.
"Grandfather. My family was like you once. Poor enough to do anything for coin. We ended up doing the dirty work for some cultists who thought to take advantage of our situation. And for a while, life was pretty good. We lived in comfort, we thought we had connections, and friends." He grimaces, thinking of Ivor's ugly expression when talking about Valgas.
"But you're old enough to have seen it. You know it in your heart already. Bad people like that turn on you, eventually. They always have, and always will, because they value their wicked cause much more highly than your lives. To them, people like you are expendable. I lost my family, and I spend my days regretting every moment we served them. I gained coin, yes, but I robbed myself of my father in the end.
Are you really willing to throw in your lot with them? You're playing with fire when you deal with them, and you're not the only one who will get burned. Help us instead, and let us help you. We're not demanding anything of you in return. Please, this isn't just for our sake."
Kosef nods as the others speak. He has been holding his sword in his right hand with flat of the blade across both shoulders. As Kendes speaks, he drops the point to the ground in front of him, puts both hands on the handle, and leans on it. He doesn't want to be threatening, but he does say, "My friend is right."
He also notices the direction Evendur looks. Is the other rider within shouting distance?
Kenny comes to a stop in the road behind the old man and the gnome, opposite his three companions. He addresses Kendes, Kosef and Evendur. "They're not being straight with us. I'm inside their heads. They aren't just hapless pawns hired to watch us... they're members of the Cult of the Dragon."
He looks back to the two cloaked figures. "Now, how about you drop the silly games? Tell us exactly why you were sent on our trail and what you were meant to do. No more lies." He taps his temple and looks at the old man... but this time he tries to go deeper into the gnome's mind.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The rider is still visible, but off in the distance, about a kilometre away, and out of range to be heard. Evendur might be able to catch the rider on Bayard. (Also Leosin or Ontharr gave everyone else horses too.)
Gnome Wisdom: 15
The old man looks at Kendes desperately, and says, "So this Ivor managed to work with you as well. If he killed your father, you must understand what he'll do to me. Your sorcerous friend knows we're working with the cult, but I promise we're not cultists. I used to be a mercenary like you and would do the odd task for the cult. But they won't let me forget that I worked for them in the past, and they wanted me to go after you. I tried to get them to listen. I'm not as impressive as I used to be, but they threatened me and my family. Please let me live. What will my family do with out me?"
The gnome adds, "I am also a simple adventurer who has been dragged into the affairs of the cult. Please spare my life. I also have a family," though he lacks the emotion of the old man.
The gnome is able to repel Kenny's spell. He looks angrily at him and says, "Stop trying to read my thoughts. We're telling the truth! For real this time."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Evendur decides that he can't wait any further an sets off after the fleeing cultist, hoping to catch him soon. Athletics if needed to ride really fast: 7
"Now you want our trust?" Kosef says. "Liars always wish for trust after they've destroyed any chance of getting it, don't they? We can't let your friend warn our enemies."
He will spur his horse following Evendur in pursuit of the third cult employee.
Kenny rubs his temple as Evendur and Kosef ride off. He looks at Kendes.
“It looks like it’s just the four of us now. The old man is indeed concerned about his family and what will happen to them now that he has ‘failed.’ The gnome… if he is a gnome at all… is a tougher nut to crack. I can’t get much from him other than his belief that he is under the protection of a spell. Something like disguise self if I were to venture a guess. And other than ‘come after us,’ they still have not explained why they are following us. What were your orders, in detail?” His spell has ended with the gnome’s resistance… but he will continue to stare at the old man and rub his temple, in the hopes the man still thinks Kenny can read his thoughts.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"I understand your situation, and we'll think of a solution together. But surely you know we can't be the first and won't be the last 'job' they give to you," Kendes tells the old man. "I do want to help you."
"As for your friend, however," he says, but he doesn't finish his sentence, because Kendes is well aware from the other cultists about the debilitating power of the monologue.
Staff attack, non-lethal: 23 to hit with adv from surprise Damage: 6
If he doesn't pass out from that,
Flurry of Blows, non-lethal atk 1: 13 to hit Damage: 9
Atk 2, non-lethal: 10 Damage: 9
"... I'm sorry, but I don't trust him,"Kendes finishes.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The gnome is struck by the staff, but manages to remain conscious. He tries to scramble out of the way of Kendes next attack, but fails, and falls unconscious. The old man looks at him with concern, before looking back at Kendes. "If your help involves me not getting knocked out or dying, I would appreciate that. I would be happy to be freed from this cult. You're right about this likely not being the last job. I can give you any help you might need against these people."
The rider up ahead notices Evendur and Kosef closing in on him. He urges his horse to speed up.
Athletics: 10
OOC: Will do athletics contest. If you roll higher on athletics you can catch him.
Kendes busies himself tying up the gnome's legs and arms behind his back. "It's better if we plan our next actions together with the rest of my companions when they return. I think a lot of what we will be able to do hinges on them being able to stop your own colleague back there or not,"he says grimly, gagging the gnome for good measure with a strip of cloth.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Evendur tries to speed up his pursuit in order to catch the cultist, urging Bayard to go faster. Athletics: 20 "Stop in the name of the loyal fury!" He shouts as he closes in on the cultist Intimidation: 23
Evendur manages to catch up with the cultist, whose face he can now see. It is Severin from the road. He stops his horse, and says, "Pleasure to see you again, fellow traveller. I believe your name is Rudneve. I wish I had known you were headed north. We could have travelled together. Can I help you with something?" He smiles awkwardly as if he were not trying to flee for his life. Kosef is able to catch up with them as well.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Yes, you will follow me back to the others now!" Evendur says sternly. New intimidation if needed to make Severin follow Evendur back to the others, helped by Kosef who arrives moments after: 25
Kosef helps Evendur by taking the bridle of Severin's horse. He turns it and its rider around and begins pulling them back toward the other conversation.
"Yes," he says, "Let's all travel together," sarcastically.
Severin looks at Evendur for a moment, considering his options, and then says, "All right. Let's talk to the others. But I have nothing to do with either of them." He does not look too happy though. Back with the others, the old man is waiting to see what will happen to him, and nervously moving his eyes back and forth between Kendes and Kenny, and his unconscious gnome companion. The old man looks sadly at the group of four, and says, "Maybe we should head back to the city now. There might be more frog people and I knew someone who was ambushed by trolls on this road."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Insight check on the old man's answer - Kendes wants to be sure they're not going to take his money and then try to double-cash in on a reward. He's trying to figure out if they're destitute enough to double-cross his counter-offer for a few more scraps of gold.
Insight: 11
Kenny walks a little closer to the two strangers... slowly and nonthreateningly walking around the side and (eventually) behind them. He will give a hard look at Kendes, Kosef and Evendure before turning back to the two men with a gentler expression. "A spell, eh?" he says, in answer to a thought and not a word. "And just what sort of spell is protecting you, now?"
With that provocation, Randall will push deeper at the mind of the 'Old Man' to see what thoughts he can read... he isn't the one thinking about the spell... but his thoughts also make him sound like the one closest to panic. Maybe he will be easier to overpower on a WIS 14 save.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Kendes can see the many rips and stains in the Old Man's cloak. He also looks fairly thin, and his face is very worn. The gnome is also grimy, and his cloak is equally shabby. The both seem fairly poor, but while the old man does not look in the best health, the gnome only seems to be dirty and in possession of very used clothing. Kendes also gets the sense they are very afraid of him and his companions.
When Kenny asks about the spell, the gnome's eyes widen in horror, and the old man looks uneasily at Kenny, and mutters, "Sorcery". The gnome says, "What spell? We are simple commoners, we don't know any spells."
Old Man wisdom save: 4
Old Man's Thoughts:
Kenny senses great fear from the old man. He seems to be afraid that he and his ally have been discovered working for the Cult of the Dragon and are going to die. Kenny also senses a great fear for what will happen to the old man's family if he fails or if the adventurers kill him.
Evendur ponders if he still has any chance of stopping the rider who got away.
Kendes's head turns sharply at the mention of sorcery. He eyes the gnome, and then the old man, and decides to address the old man directly.
"Grandfather. My family was like you once. Poor enough to do anything for coin. We ended up doing the dirty work for some cultists who thought to take advantage of our situation. And for a while, life was pretty good. We lived in comfort, we thought we had connections, and friends." He grimaces, thinking of Ivor's ugly expression when talking about Valgas.
"But you're old enough to have seen it. You know it in your heart already. Bad people like that turn on you, eventually. They always have, and always will, because they value their wicked cause much more highly than your lives. To them, people like you are expendable. I lost my family, and I spend my days regretting every moment we served them. I gained coin, yes, but I robbed myself of my father in the end.
Are you really willing to throw in your lot with them? You're playing with fire when you deal with them, and you're not the only one who will get burned. Help us instead, and let us help you. We're not demanding anything of you in return. Please, this isn't just for our sake."
Kosef nods as the others speak. He has been holding his sword in his right hand with flat of the blade across both shoulders. As Kendes speaks, he drops the point to the ground in front of him, puts both hands on the handle, and leans on it. He doesn't want to be threatening, but he does say, "My friend is right."
He also notices the direction Evendur looks. Is the other rider within shouting distance?
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Kenny comes to a stop in the road behind the old man and the gnome, opposite his three companions. He addresses Kendes, Kosef and Evendur. "They're not being straight with us. I'm inside their heads. They aren't just hapless pawns hired to watch us... they're members of the Cult of the Dragon."
He looks back to the two cloaked figures. "Now, how about you drop the silly games? Tell us exactly why you were sent on our trail and what you were meant to do. No more lies." He taps his temple and looks at the old man... but this time he tries to go deeper into the gnome's mind.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The rider is still visible, but off in the distance, about a kilometre away, and out of range to be heard. Evendur might be able to catch the rider on Bayard. (Also Leosin or Ontharr gave everyone else horses too.)
Gnome Wisdom: 15
The old man looks at Kendes desperately, and says, "So this Ivor managed to work with you as well. If he killed your father, you must understand what he'll do to me. Your sorcerous friend knows we're working with the cult, but I promise we're not cultists. I used to be a mercenary like you and would do the odd task for the cult. But they won't let me forget that I worked for them in the past, and they wanted me to go after you. I tried to get them to listen. I'm not as impressive as I used to be, but they threatened me and my family. Please let me live. What will my family do with out me?"
The gnome adds, "I am also a simple adventurer who has been dragged into the affairs of the cult. Please spare my life. I also have a family," though he lacks the emotion of the old man.
The gnome is able to repel Kenny's spell. He looks angrily at him and says, "Stop trying to read my thoughts. We're telling the truth! For real this time."
Evendur decides that he can't wait any further an sets off after the fleeing cultist, hoping to catch him soon.
Athletics if needed to ride really fast: 7
"Now you want our trust?" Kosef says. "Liars always wish for trust after they've destroyed any chance of getting it, don't they? We can't let your friend warn our enemies."
He will spur his horse following Evendur in pursuit of the third cult employee.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Kenny rubs his temple as Evendur and Kosef ride off. He looks at Kendes.
“It looks like it’s just the four of us now. The old man is indeed concerned about his family and what will happen to them now that he has ‘failed.’ The gnome… if he is a gnome at all… is a tougher nut to crack. I can’t get much from him other than his belief that he is under the protection of a spell. Something like disguise self if I were to venture a guess. And other than ‘come after us,’ they still have not explained why they are following us. What were your orders, in detail?” His spell has ended with the gnome’s resistance… but he will continue to stare at the old man and rub his temple, in the hopes the man still thinks Kenny can read his thoughts.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"I understand your situation, and we'll think of a solution together. But surely you know we can't be the first and won't be the last 'job' they give to you," Kendes tells the old man. "I do want to help you."
"As for your friend, however," he says, but he doesn't finish his sentence, because Kendes is well aware from the other cultists about the debilitating power of the monologue.
Staff attack, non-lethal: 23 to hit with adv from surprise
Damage: 6
If he doesn't pass out from that,
Flurry of Blows, non-lethal atk 1: 13 to hit
Damage: 9
Atk 2, non-lethal: 10
Damage: 9
"... I'm sorry, but I don't trust him," Kendes finishes.
The gnome is struck by the staff, but manages to remain conscious. He tries to scramble out of the way of Kendes next attack, but fails, and falls unconscious. The old man looks at him with concern, before looking back at Kendes. "If your help involves me not getting knocked out or dying, I would appreciate that. I would be happy to be freed from this cult. You're right about this likely not being the last job. I can give you any help you might need against these people."
The rider up ahead notices Evendur and Kosef closing in on him. He urges his horse to speed up.
Athletics: 10
OOC: Will do athletics contest. If you roll higher on athletics you can catch him.
Kendes busies himself tying up the gnome's legs and arms behind his back. "It's better if we plan our next actions together with the rest of my companions when they return. I think a lot of what we will be able to do hinges on them being able to stop your own colleague back there or not," he says grimly, gagging the gnome for good measure with a strip of cloth.
Evendur tries to speed up his pursuit in order to catch the cultist, urging Bayard to go faster.
Athletics: 20
"Stop in the name of the loyal fury!" He shouts as he closes in on the cultist
Intimidation: 23
Kosef's Athletics to catch up with the fleeing cult employee: 24
He hopes to pull the cultist from his horse and plans on non-lethal damage, if possible.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Evendur manages to catch up with the cultist, whose face he can now see. It is Severin from the road. He stops his horse, and says, "Pleasure to see you again, fellow traveller. I believe your name is Rudneve. I wish I had known you were headed north. We could have travelled together. Can I help you with something?" He smiles awkwardly as if he were not trying to flee for his life. Kosef is able to catch up with them as well.
"Yes, you will follow me back to the others now!" Evendur says sternly.
New intimidation if needed to make Severin follow Evendur back to the others, helped by Kosef who arrives moments after: 25
Kosef helps Evendur by taking the bridle of Severin's horse. He turns it and its rider around and begins pulling them back toward the other conversation.
"Yes," he says, "Let's all travel together," sarcastically.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Severin looks at Evendur for a moment, considering his options, and then says, "All right. Let's talk to the others. But I have nothing to do with either of them." He does not look too happy though. Back with the others, the old man is waiting to see what will happen to him, and nervously moving his eyes back and forth between Kendes and Kenny, and his unconscious gnome companion. The old man looks sadly at the group of four, and says, "Maybe we should head back to the city now. There might be more frog people and I knew someone who was ambushed by trolls on this road."