"A Judex no less, impressive. Zemo, I will recieve them in the main hall I think. Bring out that expensive brand of tea my father appreciates. I´m sure he would like me to be a good host to our esteemed guest." Aubrey says to the servant and moves into the main hall, trying to find a proper pose to strike under the gleaming golden shield an trident as his visitors enter.
Guilim leaves his room already I'm his armor with his weapons carefully placed so they can he drawn with ease. He nods to the Judex and quickly eats his food, muttering a quick prayer to the ancestor spirits before hand. He moves to walk next to the Judex, looking over the city.
Leelan rises feeling rested and looking forward to the day’s events. He ensures that he looks more presentable than last night and packs his things before heading out. As he walks to Aubrey’s estate with the group, he thinks that he should take some time to transcribe his notes in his manuscript.
"A shame about Eskil," Grugga says to start off the morning, "he was quiet, but I liked him."
Before sitting down for breakfast, Grugga invites his companions to join him in a sun salute... after a moment he extends that offer to the judex, though he doesn't expect much from the man. After 5 minutes outside performing his morning ritual he rejoins everyone inside and eats his breakfast. During a pause in his meal, he speaks across the empty room to Nevers, "Say, Nevers, how do you keep your kitchen so cold? I noticed the ice fog from behind the curtain."
After breakfast, he joins everyone on the walk to Goldentide manor. He might draw some looks, barefoot and shirtless.
Rohuzar does not participate in Grugga’s “Sun Salute,” but he watches while eating with the speed of a professional soldier, and notes Guilim’s prayers.
As he walks to Goldentide’s residence he tries to get Leelan’s attention from his notes and then the rest of them.
“Those blocks… they moved a lot of them in less than six hours. But did not kill us. And this Judex…. Impressions so far?”
I also want to see if I recognize what the Judex was messing with tat the Robust Hound, aaaand determine if golden tide really is serving expensive tea or just regular stuff lol
To all but Aubrey, those curious about the Judex behavior at the Robust Hound this morning: Arcana DC 12
He was engaging in the ritual casting of some sort of spell.
Arcana DC 16
Based on the candle, and the smoking censor, it appears to have been a spell from the divination school of magic.
Zemo, Aubrey's courteous manservant shows the rest of you inside. Aubrey is waiting for you, standing beneath his family arms and shield which gleam in the midmorning sun streaming in through the open windows of the great hall. Zemo returns immediately with tea service. It is clearly a fine blend... if any PCs know their tea very well, they would recognize this as a seasonal import from the halfling isles... reknowned as much for its cost as it is for its unique spice and flavor.
"Master Goldentide." The Judex performs a curt nod. "Thank you for seeing us this morning. I am Judex Caius Spezza. The disappearances - murders - of the full moon is my case. Your allies have graciously spent the last 8 hours with me telling me their tale. I just have a few more questions for you, and then I will need to speak with Malia." As you greet one another, the Judex asks Zemo to rouse Malia and ask her to come downstairs when she is ready. While you wait, he proceeds to run Aubrey through the same interrogation the rest of you faced last night. Aubrey, about midway through your telling of the tale, he asks you a seemingly unrelated question - who sponsored you when you joined the Old Mill Taphouse? After hearing your response his questions rolled back into the events of last night without missing a beat.
Around the same time he finishes questioning Aubrey, Zemo announces that miss Malia has arrived. She enters the hall, dressed in loose fitting floral garment - Aubrey, you recognize this as a piece from your aunt's spring wardrobe. The Judex greets her kindly and introduces himself again. Immediately he looks to her face... tracing his fingers along the faint scars that remain, and the silvery outline where the brand had been on her forehead. She is clearly nervous, but he is as gentle as he is firm and she does not back away. "What have they done to you, child?" the Judex asks quietly. "I need to speak with her without interruption." Zemo leads them to the back smoking deck, overlooking the south branch of the Breitvasser and Bardstown beyond. With the chill in the air, the Judex removes his cloak and places it over her shoulders as he leads her outside. Any who observe this could not help to notice the many blades which had been concealed on the Judex's person under the cloak; at least three long handled daggers and something else, a curved blade a bit like a sickle. They spend roughly a half hour outside talking.
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
Upon arriving at the manor, Grugga collects his possessions, and dresses himself in his shoes and armor and tabard. He enjoys the tea, but remains mostly quiet - just chit-chatting - while the judex is in the same room. When he leaves to speak to Malia, Grugga opens up a bit, "Aubrey, good to see you again. I was worried we'd be missing your influence last night" he nods toward the judex out the window, "but everything seems to have turned out alright. They showed me a strange bit of magical tech - not made by an artificer - that was left at a crime scene in town. I'm guessing it's from the magic store. Did you learn anything about that yesterday?"
"Oh, also, Eskil has left on a personal errand for an undetermined amount of time."
"Welcome Judex Caius Spezza, house Goldentide is always at the service of the empire." Aubrey greets the Judex and offers him and the others a seat. Aubrey takes a seat opposite the Judex and answers his questions truthfully and to the best of his knowledge, including the question of who sponsored him when he joined the Old Mill Taphouse, fully expecting this to be a test of sorts to ascertain his identity or something similar.
Aubrey seems a bit uncomfortable with the Judex absconding with the elven maiden, clearly being protective of her after last night. "So you had a long night of interrogations then my friends. You had me a bit worried when you didn't return here last night. Where is Eskil by the way?" He says in a worried tone.
"Yes Grugga, the fact that you all are still free men are a testament to your success with the Judexi. I didn't learn much other than that the proprietor was murdered two days ago, under unusual circumstances. The Bishop of Asmodeus himself was there together with another Judex and a court mage to investigate so it was clearly deemed a matter of great importance to the empire. I am of course curious about what it all means." Aubrey answers the artificer. "What do you say Rohuzar, may I use my connections within the administration to find out more of this, or should we leave it alone?" Aubrey asks their orc leader.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rohuzar ponders Aubrey’s question while focusing on the Judex questioning Malia. ”I vould prefer that you not represent the Red Band if you pursue this. There is no money in it - yet. But… that isn’t to say there can’t be money in it. Have care for remembering business, and I trust you’ll be fine.”
"Absolutely Rohuzar, my investigation into the matter will be very discreet." Aubrey says, glancing frequently at Malia and the Judex. "Shame about Eskil, I hope we can continue without him. Perhaps we should pay Lady Shelley a visit when the Judex is finished with his interrogations. I feel obligated to see to the safe return of Malia to her family but I'm not sure when she is ready to travel. What happened to the carcass by the way?" Aubrey asks the others, before taking another sip of his tea.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"So did anyone else find it strange when he changed subjects to a few personal questions? I am more then certain that he probably knew most the answers to the questions he asked." Guilim mused as he watched watched area where the Judex had gone with the girl, moving to lean against a wall.
"The Judex mentionned that the scene of the crime had already been cleaned up overnight. I dare to think this means that the hydra’s body has been disposed of.", says Leelan with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
To answer Guilim’s question, Leelan shrugs. "I too find it curious that he would ask such question from us. What could have been the purpose, I wonder."
As the group continues their conversation, Malia returns with Judex Spezza following behind. Malia returns to the great has and has a seat, as Zemo brings her a cup of tea. Her eyes are red and she seems to have been crying. After taking some tea and collecting herself, she straightens and makes a conscious effort to make eye contact with each one of you. "Sirs... I want to thank you. This has been... difficult... and if I have seemed ungrateful or angry I offer my apologies. I understand all too well that you saved my life, and healed what would have been grievous injuries. There is nothing I can do to repay you but I offer all my prayers to Dociel to bless you for saving... for letting me see my family again. I... I thank you all."
The Judex did not re-enter the room with her, instead proceeding down the hall and out the front door. He returns a few moments later.
"Gentlemen. I think it has been a productive morning. Your service and cooperation will be noted in your records." He turns to Malia. "Ms. Lillianir. As promised, I will see you escorted safely home." He turns to Zemo. "Servant. A carriage will arrive before the noon hour. My two men outside will be escorting the young lady here back to Worden. Please see that she has been fed and has a proper set of traveling clothes. They will see to her other needs."
Looking back to the rest of you. "Unfortunately I have no time to entertain you. I need to get to the dock crime scene, and there will be paperwork necessary to ensure we can carry her back across the Fidelian border without delay. I must take my leave." He reaches the door before shouting back, "Oh, and the carcass you left on the beach will need to be dealt with before nightfall. If it is left within the city to rot, fines will be applied." With that, and the sound of a closing door, he is gone.
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'm not sure Guilim, but the purpose of the personal questions could be to ascertain our identities, or simply to determine whether their lie detecting magic works properly." Aubrey answers the halfling.
As Malia returns Aubrey is quick to offer her a seat. "We were lucky to be around to be able save you my dear, think nothing of it, we were just doing our moral obligation."He says as Malia finishes. Aubrey later instructs Zemo to take the best care of Malia's needs until she is escorted home.
As the Judex leaves Aubrey turns to the others. "So, what now Rohuzar, perhaps a visit to Lady Shelley first. She might have an idea of what should happen to that carcass."
Rohuzar nods at Aubrey absentmindedly. “He left vithout paying for services. Bah. Good riddance to him and his gold guards. Ve go to Lady Shelly and hope she has better manners.”
"I could be wrong, but I was under the impression they asked those questions to let us know they knew everything about us." When Malia addresses the group he says to her, "It was our pleasure, Malia, we're all very happy we able to find you when we did." He smiles at her briefly before turning back to his group. Once the judex leaves, he says, "I agree we should head to lady Shelley and inform her of the night's events."
"Yes Grugga, that could certainly be it."Aubrey says as the Judex and Malia returns.
Aubrey takes a personal farewell of Malia before they leave for Lady Shelley, expressing his deepest concern for her wellfare and asking that she'd write him to confirm she arrived safe with her family, bowing and kissing her hand before leaving her in the master bedroom to rest before her journey home.
As they walk toward the Blue Orchid, Grugga matches Leelan's pace and walks beside him for a while, "Well done last night..." he lets the compliment trail off, and then, "Yesterday or the day before - it's been a blur - you told me you were a 'Gnome'. I hate to be such a numbskull, but what did you mean by that?" palms splayed, he offers an explanation for his ignorance, "I've never been up north..."
((I think the primer said there were only a few dozen Gnomes in the world, I'm assuming Grugga's never even heard of them))
"A Judex no less, impressive. Zemo, I will recieve them in the main hall I think. Bring out that expensive brand of tea my father appreciates. I´m sure he would like me to be a good host to our esteemed guest." Aubrey says to the servant and moves into the main hall, trying to find a proper pose to strike under the gleaming golden shield an trident as his visitors enter.
Guilim leaves his room already I'm his armor with his weapons carefully placed so they can he drawn with ease. He nods to the Judex and quickly eats his food, muttering a quick prayer to the ancestor spirits before hand. He moves to walk next to the Judex, looking over the city.
Leelan rises feeling rested and looking forward to the day’s events. He ensures that he looks more presentable than last night and packs his things before heading out. As he walks to Aubrey’s estate with the group, he thinks that he should take some time to transcribe his notes in his manuscript.
"A shame about Eskil," Grugga says to start off the morning, "he was quiet, but I liked him."
Before sitting down for breakfast, Grugga invites his companions to join him in a sun salute... after a moment he extends that offer to the judex, though he doesn't expect much from the man. After 5 minutes outside performing his morning ritual he rejoins everyone inside and eats his breakfast. During a pause in his meal, he speaks across the empty room to Nevers, "Say, Nevers, how do you keep your kitchen so cold? I noticed the ice fog from behind the curtain."
After breakfast, he joins everyone on the walk to Goldentide manor. He might draw some looks, barefoot and shirtless.
Rohuzar does not participate in Grugga’s “Sun Salute,” but he watches while eating with the speed of a professional soldier, and notes Guilim’s prayers.
As he walks to Goldentide’s residence he tries to get Leelan’s attention from his notes and then the rest of them.
“Those blocks… they moved a lot of them in less than six hours. But did not kill us. And this Judex…. Impressions so far?”
I also want to see if I recognize what the Judex was messing with tat the Robust Hound, aaaand determine if golden tide really is serving expensive tea or just regular stuff lol
Paladin - warforged - orange
To all but Aubrey, those curious about the Judex behavior at the Robust Hound this morning: Arcana DC 12
He was engaging in the ritual casting of some sort of spell.
Arcana DC 16
Based on the candle, and the smoking censor, it appears to have been a spell from the divination school of magic.
Zemo, Aubrey's courteous manservant shows the rest of you inside. Aubrey is waiting for you, standing beneath his family arms and shield which gleam in the midmorning sun streaming in through the open windows of the great hall. Zemo returns immediately with tea service. It is clearly a fine blend... if any PCs know their tea very well, they would recognize this as a seasonal import from the halfling isles... reknowned as much for its cost as it is for its unique spice and flavor.
"Master Goldentide." The Judex performs a curt nod. "Thank you for seeing us this morning. I am Judex Caius Spezza. The disappearances - murders - of the full moon is my case. Your allies have graciously spent the last 8 hours with me telling me their tale. I just have a few more questions for you, and then I will need to speak with Malia." As you greet one another, the Judex asks Zemo to rouse Malia and ask her to come downstairs when she is ready. While you wait, he proceeds to run Aubrey through the same interrogation the rest of you faced last night. Aubrey, about midway through your telling of the tale, he asks you a seemingly unrelated question - who sponsored you when you joined the Old Mill Taphouse? After hearing your response his questions rolled back into the events of last night without missing a beat.
Around the same time he finishes questioning Aubrey, Zemo announces that miss Malia has arrived. She enters the hall, dressed in loose fitting floral garment - Aubrey, you recognize this as a piece from your aunt's spring wardrobe. The Judex greets her kindly and introduces himself again. Immediately he looks to her face... tracing his fingers along the faint scars that remain, and the silvery outline where the brand had been on her forehead. She is clearly nervous, but he is as gentle as he is firm and she does not back away. "What have they done to you, child?" the Judex asks quietly. "I need to speak with her without interruption." Zemo leads them to the back smoking deck, overlooking the south branch of the Breitvasser and Bardstown beyond. With the chill in the air, the Judex removes his cloak and places it over her shoulders as he leads her outside. Any who observe this could not help to notice the many blades which had been concealed on the Judex's person under the cloak; at least three long handled daggers and something else, a curved blade a bit like a sickle. They spend roughly a half hour outside talking.
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
Arcana check: 6
Upon arriving at the manor, Grugga collects his possessions, and dresses himself in his shoes and armor and tabard. He enjoys the tea, but remains mostly quiet - just chit-chatting - while the judex is in the same room. When he leaves to speak to Malia, Grugga opens up a bit, "Aubrey, good to see you again. I was worried we'd be missing your influence last night" he nods toward the judex out the window, "but everything seems to have turned out alright. They showed me a strange bit of magical tech - not made by an artificer - that was left at a crime scene in town. I'm guessing it's from the magic store. Did you learn anything about that yesterday?"
"Oh, also, Eskil has left on a personal errand for an undetermined amount of time."
"Welcome Judex Caius Spezza, house Goldentide is always at the service of the empire." Aubrey greets the Judex and offers him and the others a seat. Aubrey takes a seat opposite the Judex and answers his questions truthfully and to the best of his knowledge, including the question of who sponsored him when he joined the Old Mill Taphouse, fully expecting this to be a test of sorts to ascertain his identity or something similar.
Aubrey seems a bit uncomfortable with the Judex absconding with the elven maiden, clearly being protective of her after last night. "So you had a long night of interrogations then my friends. You had me a bit worried when you didn't return here last night. Where is Eskil by the way?" He says in a worried tone.
"Yes Grugga, the fact that you all are still free men are a testament to your success with the Judexi. I didn't learn much other than that the proprietor was murdered two days ago, under unusual circumstances. The Bishop of Asmodeus himself was there together with another Judex and a court mage to investigate so it was clearly deemed a matter of great importance to the empire. I am of course curious about what it all means." Aubrey answers the artificer. "What do you say Rohuzar, may I use my connections within the administration to find out more of this, or should we leave it alone?" Aubrey asks their orc leader.
Rohuzar ponders Aubrey’s question while focusing on the Judex questioning Malia. ”I vould prefer that you not represent the Red Band if you pursue this. There is no money in it - yet. But… that isn’t to say there can’t be money in it. Have care for remembering business, and I trust you’ll be fine.”
Arcana 6
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Absolutely Rohuzar, my investigation into the matter will be very discreet." Aubrey says, glancing frequently at Malia and the Judex. "Shame about Eskil, I hope we can continue without him. Perhaps we should pay Lady Shelley a visit when the Judex is finished with his interrogations. I feel obligated to see to the safe return of Malia to her family but I'm not sure when she is ready to travel. What happened to the carcass by the way?" Aubrey asks the others, before taking another sip of his tea.
"So did anyone else find it strange when he changed subjects to a few personal questions? I am more then certain that he probably knew most the answers to the questions he asked." Guilim mused as he watched watched area where the Judex had gone with the girl, moving to lean against a wall.
Arcana: 5
"The Judex mentionned that the scene of the crime had already been cleaned up overnight. I dare to think this means that the hydra’s body has been disposed of.", says Leelan with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
To answer Guilim’s question, Leelan shrugs. "I too find it curious that he would ask such question from us. What could have been the purpose, I wonder."
As the group continues their conversation, Malia returns with Judex Spezza following behind. Malia returns to the great has and has a seat, as Zemo brings her a cup of tea. Her eyes are red and she seems to have been crying. After taking some tea and collecting herself, she straightens and makes a conscious effort to make eye contact with each one of you. "Sirs... I want to thank you. This has been... difficult... and if I have seemed ungrateful or angry I offer my apologies. I understand all too well that you saved my life, and healed what would have been grievous injuries. There is nothing I can do to repay you but I offer all my prayers to Dociel to bless you for saving... for letting me see my family again. I... I thank you all."
The Judex did not re-enter the room with her, instead proceeding down the hall and out the front door. He returns a few moments later.
"Gentlemen. I think it has been a productive morning. Your service and cooperation will be noted in your records." He turns to Malia. "Ms. Lillianir. As promised, I will see you escorted safely home." He turns to Zemo. "Servant. A carriage will arrive before the noon hour. My two men outside will be escorting the young lady here back to Worden. Please see that she has been fed and has a proper set of traveling clothes. They will see to her other needs."
Looking back to the rest of you. "Unfortunately I have no time to entertain you. I need to get to the dock crime scene, and there will be paperwork necessary to ensure we can carry her back across the Fidelian border without delay. I must take my leave." He reaches the door before shouting back, "Oh, and the carcass you left on the beach will need to be dealt with before nightfall. If it is left within the city to rot, fines will be applied." With that, and the sound of a closing door, he is gone.
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'm not sure Guilim, but the purpose of the personal questions could be to ascertain our identities, or simply to determine whether their lie detecting magic works properly." Aubrey answers the halfling.
As Malia returns Aubrey is quick to offer her a seat. "We were lucky to be around to be able save you my dear, think nothing of it, we were just doing our moral obligation." He says as Malia finishes. Aubrey later instructs Zemo to take the best care of Malia's needs until she is escorted home.
As the Judex leaves Aubrey turns to the others. "So, what now Rohuzar, perhaps a visit to Lady Shelley first. She might have an idea of what should happen to that carcass."
Rohuzar nods at Aubrey absentmindedly. “He left vithout paying for services. Bah. Good riddance to him and his gold guards. Ve go to Lady Shelly and hope she has better manners.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
"I could be wrong, but I was under the impression they asked those questions to let us know they knew everything about us." When Malia addresses the group he says to her, "It was our pleasure, Malia, we're all very happy we able to find you when we did." He smiles at her briefly before turning back to his group. Once the judex leaves, he says, "I agree we should head to lady Shelley and inform her of the night's events."
"Yes Grugga, that could certainly be it." Aubrey says as the Judex and Malia returns.
Aubrey takes a personal farewell of Malia before they leave for Lady Shelley, expressing his deepest concern for her wellfare and asking that she'd write him to confirm she arrived safe with her family, bowing and kissing her hand before leaving her in the master bedroom to rest before her journey home.
With that Aubrey is ready to visit Lady Shelley.
Having already visited Lady Shelley, Leelan will offer to lead the party to the Blue Orchid where he met with her just the other day.
As they walk toward the Blue Orchid, Grugga matches Leelan's pace and walks beside him for a while, "Well done last night..." he lets the compliment trail off, and then, "Yesterday or the day before - it's been a blur - you told me you were a 'Gnome'. I hate to be such a numbskull, but what did you mean by that?" palms splayed, he offers an explanation for his ignorance, "I've never been up north..."
((I think the primer said there were only a few dozen Gnomes in the world, I'm assuming Grugga's never even heard of them))