Lanya looks at the paper. "It's just orders for Andra to coordinate an excavation with us. I have a hard time believing a man as incompetent as Andra is capable of the level of villainy you are describing, but if you suspect him, we should be cautious in our approach."
As she speaks, she leads everyone down the road away from the town hall. Ahead is the warehouse district, and off to the right, the affluent east side residences. Sparse groups of people continue to go about their business in the streets.
"I think we should start in the warehouse district. If he isn't in his office, he may be taking lunch back at his residence that way." She points to the right. "Do you still have that detection device on you?" She asks Samir. "The warehouse district is where I thought I caught a glimpse of yellow upon its face."
"I'm thinking anyone acting in the cult's behalf here are likely just puppets getting orders, or information suppliers. If this Andra is as incompetent as you say he may be working as the latter. But given that he raised suspicion of spies and had the town closed, restricting movement in... Perhaps he is attempting to work against them." Vilus muses as he takes a look around on their way to the warehouse District.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(I apologize for the delay, dealing with some heavy stuff IRL)
Back in the Mayors office:
She stares at the man as he flippantly offers her his secretaries job. Her hair starts growing in flame, but as she hears Vilus's amused Ha, she calms herself enough and moves her hands a bit, bringing forth her mage hand. She commands it forward to grab the drink off the desk in front of the mayor and brings it to her. She takes the drink, downs it, then slams it on the desk. "That would be a no, sir." Turning on her heel, she leads the group out of the office before she says something she will regret.
On the streets:
She calms herself down as they walk the streets towards the warehouse district, looking towards Samir to bring out the medallion, wondering what they were going to find.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Clever people often hide behind the appearance of incompetence. If he came from back from the west changed somehow, I don’t know. We should be on our guard. May I see the letter, Marshal?” Malachi reaches out for the letter, and if the Marshal shares it, will spend a moment studying the letter, taking in both the message, but more importantly the Mayor’s handwriting style. Finished studying the letter he returns it to the Marshal. Approaching the warehouse district, he looks for any threats or unusual activity. Perception: 23.
"Oh, oh yes." Samir lifts his wrist to show the amulet wrapped securely around it, the pendant tucked against the inside of his wrist just at the sleeve of his shirt. "I thought that perhaps this would be a more... circumspect manner in which to check it during the conversation with the mayor."
Lanya leads the group through the warehouse district. Large blocky buildings rise up all around. There are pockets of activity here and there: groups of people moving crates, sacks, tools, and more in and out of the buildings through large doors.
The group passes between two building into a staging area with large stacks of crates creating little paths and alleys of their own. There are few people here, though a couple of people can be seen over by a distant building moving some sort of contraption out of a warehouse. Samir recognizes it as the same contraption he had seen in the mining tunnel they had emerged into.
"Alright," Lanya says. "The head office is just up ahead. Are you all ready?"
Joren is still walking with his echo beside him. It's his echo that nods at Lanya's question and proceeds with the group.
Assuming he can stay within 30' of the echo and still do it, Joren himself stands just outside the head office. As if bored, but actually keeping watch.
As Joren's echo nods at Lanya, Ashley, standing next to the real one, grabs his hand to stall him. Then in a low whisper that those near her can hear, "We are being followed. Actually I think they are the same ones that we saw playing dice while eating fish. No idea what they want, but must be something as they waited while we were with the Mayor."
"Are you sure? ok ok, being followed is good, we can use this, walk 100ft or so and then stop. I'll come up behind them, we can drag them off for interrogation, I'll wait for your signal" with that Vilus makes a 90⁰ turn and runs down one of the alleys made from crates, the group sees him transform but for anyone observing behind them, it simply appears that the Goliath disappeared, a half-orc makes his way around the other side of the crates and starts making his way back the way the group had come from, the orc walks with confidence and purpose
Joren gives Ashley's hand a quick squeeze in acknowledgement but gives no other outward indication of having heard anything. Similarly, he tries to hide his surprise at Vilus' gambit, as in the past. Not really convinced of its wisdom, but resigned to the goliath having made the decision for the party anyway.
If in continuing the stated 100', the party reaches the "head office" Marshal Lanya was speaking of, both Joren and his echo stand, 30' apart outside it. Looking bored and apparently disinterested, but in fact ready for (hopefully non-lethal) combat.
Trying not to move his mouth much or turn towards Samir, Joren whispers "Seeing any yellow in the medallion?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Ashley sees their pursuers, believing themselves to be out of sight. Even to Ashley, they seem like amateurs. A half orc that is clearly Vilus sneaks up effortlessly behind them, so absorbed they are in their pursuit.
"No, I don't like this," Lanya whispers harshly. "I see them, but they haven't broken any laws yet. I can't just have you assaulting civilians on my watch, suspicious though they may be. I hope your friend won't get violent."She turns and tries to catch Vilus's eye to give him a warning glance without alerting the pursuers (deception: 3), but they see they've been made and turn to run bringing them face to face with the unexpected half-orc
Samir, being somewhat oblivious to whatever was happening with the group being followed as he was absorbed in watching a piece of machinery being taken down the street, is suddenly brought back to the current situation by Joren's words. He hurriedly glances down at the amulet on his wrist, looking for any change.
Seeing the half-orc in front of them and the heavily armed half-dwarf, the three mean-mugged men exchange a quick glance and prepare to bolt.
"I think we should listen to the marshal!"Marion calls as she approaches behind Joren. "We are here to help the city, not to break their laws and attack their people."Confusion flashes briefly across the face of one of the stalkers.
Ashley walks straight towards the men, passing by Joren until there is no one between her and them. "Why were you following us? No need to run, we just want to know why you were following us. We have done nothing to you." She stands with her hand on her hip, looking a bit irritated but honest and simple with her question.
As Vilus the 'half-orc' comes face to face with the men and sees they are preparing to bolt, he flourishes a ball of eldritch energy around his hand and stands fast, "think twice before running, we've seen your faces now. Answer the questions and you'll won't be harmed."
Malachi follows and remains near Ashley, ready in case trouble should break out. He sighs as Vilus confronts the group following them, magic energy crackling around his hands. Malachi raises his arms “Now, now. Let’s all calm down. Marion and the Marshal are right, we are not here to start any trouble and we want no quarrel with anyone. Let’s talk like adults, shall we?” He throws a sharp look at Vilus and focuses his gaze on the men following them “I believe the lady asked you a question. It would be impolite not to answer.”
The men sneer at Ashley and turn to rush past Vilus, but they see the threatening magic around his hand, and the dangerous look in his eye. They stand down, nervously glancing at one another as they try to figure out what to say, and trying not to let either Malachi or Vilus out of their sights. It seems pretty clear that the introduction of magic to this encounter has very much changed their confidence.
Finally, one of them, a reasonably strong but thin looking man with pale skin adorned by rough tattoos speaks up, choosing to address Ashley as she seems to present the least immediate threat. "We's just honest citizens doin' our part to keep an eye on anyone suspicious. We hadn't seen you around before, and you seemed unfamiliar with the city and our food, so we figured it was only right that we make sure you wasn't conspirin' to nothin'."
Another one, a stout dwarf with red cheeks and beard that reeks of ale, chimes in. "Aye, and only right that we pass on that information for the reward-"
The third one, a green-skinned half-orc with a top knot guts the dwarf off. "Yes, the reward of knowing that we have done our civic duty in keeping the streets spy-free. But we can of course see now that you are all clearly not spies. After all, you walk with the marshal, and it's not like she could secretly be a traitor. So you must surely be upstanding folk of good repute." Malachi notices him shoot a warning glare at the dwarf. "So since we've got that all cleared up, we should be on our way." He tries to act casual as he takes a cautious step to the side, making no sudden movements.
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Lanya looks at the paper. "It's just orders for Andra to coordinate an excavation with us. I have a hard time believing a man as incompetent as Andra is capable of the level of villainy you are describing, but if you suspect him, we should be cautious in our approach."
As she speaks, she leads everyone down the road away from the town hall. Ahead is the warehouse district, and off to the right, the affluent east side residences. Sparse groups of people continue to go about their business in the streets.
"I think we should start in the warehouse district. If he isn't in his office, he may be taking lunch back at his residence that way." She points to the right. "Do you still have that detection device on you?" She asks Samir. "The warehouse district is where I thought I caught a glimpse of yellow upon its face."
(Everybody roll perception)
"I'm thinking anyone acting in the cult's behalf here are likely just puppets getting orders, or information suppliers. If this Andra is as incompetent as you say he may be working as the latter. But given that he raised suspicion of spies and had the town closed, restricting movement in... Perhaps he is attempting to work against them." Vilus muses as he takes a look around on their way to the warehouse District.
Perception 11
Joren Perception: 13
When there aren't any nearby onlookers, Joren re-summons his echo, walking alongside, representing a timeline in which Joren's mother had twins.
(And both were somehow exiled!)
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
(I apologize for the delay, dealing with some heavy stuff IRL)
Back in the Mayors office:
She stares at the man as he flippantly offers her his secretaries job. Her hair starts growing in flame, but as she hears Vilus's amused Ha, she calms herself enough and moves her hands a bit, bringing forth her mage hand. She commands it forward to grab the drink off the desk in front of the mayor and brings it to her. She takes the drink, downs it, then slams it on the desk. "That would be a no, sir." Turning on her heel, she leads the group out of the office before she says something she will regret.
On the streets:
She calms herself down as they walk the streets towards the warehouse district, looking towards Samir to bring out the medallion, wondering what they were going to find.
Perception 3
“Clever people often hide behind the appearance of incompetence. If he came from back from the west changed somehow, I don’t know. We should be on our guard. May I see the letter, Marshal?” Malachi reaches out for the letter, and if the Marshal shares it, will spend a moment studying the letter, taking in both the message, but more importantly the Mayor’s handwriting style. Finished studying the letter he returns it to the Marshal. Approaching the warehouse district, he looks for any threats or unusual activity. Perception: 23.
.
"Oh, oh yes." Samir lifts his wrist to show the amulet wrapped securely around it, the pendant tucked against the inside of his wrist just at the sleeve of his shirt. "I thought that perhaps this would be a more... circumspect manner in which to check it during the conversation with the mayor."
Lanya leads the group through the warehouse district. Large blocky buildings rise up all around. There are pockets of activity here and there: groups of people moving crates, sacks, tools, and more in and out of the buildings through large doors.
The group passes between two building into a staging area with large stacks of crates creating little paths and alleys of their own. There are few people here, though a couple of people can be seen over by a distant building moving some sort of contraption out of a warehouse. Samir recognizes it as the same contraption he had seen in the mining tunnel they had emerged into.
"Alright," Lanya says. "The head office is just up ahead. Are you all ready?"
Joren is still walking with his echo beside him. It's his echo that nods at Lanya's question and proceeds with the group.
Assuming he can stay within 30' of the echo and still do it, Joren himself stands just outside the head office. As if bored, but actually keeping watch.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
As Joren's echo nods at Lanya, Ashley, standing next to the real one, grabs his hand to stall him. Then in a low whisper that those near her can hear, "We are being followed. Actually I think they are the same ones that we saw playing dice while eating fish. No idea what they want, but must be something as they waited while we were with the Mayor."
"Are you sure? ok ok, being followed is good, we can use this, walk 100ft or so and then stop. I'll come up behind them, we can drag them off for interrogation, I'll wait for your signal" with that Vilus makes a 90⁰ turn and runs down one of the alleys made from crates, the group sees him transform but for anyone observing behind them, it simply appears that the Goliath disappeared, a half-orc makes his way around the other side of the crates and starts making his way back the way the group had come from, the orc walks with confidence and purpose
Joren gives Ashley's hand a quick squeeze in acknowledgement but gives no other outward indication of having heard anything. Similarly, he tries to hide his surprise at Vilus' gambit, as in the past. Not really convinced of its wisdom, but resigned to the goliath having made the decision for the party anyway.
If in continuing the stated 100', the party reaches the "head office" Marshal Lanya was speaking of, both Joren and his echo stand, 30' apart outside it. Looking bored and apparently disinterested, but in fact ready for (hopefully non-lethal) combat.
Trying not to move his mouth much or turn towards Samir, Joren whispers "Seeing any yellow in the medallion?"
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Out of the corner of her eye, Ashley sees their pursuers, believing themselves to be out of sight. Even to Ashley, they seem like amateurs. A half orc that is clearly Vilus sneaks up effortlessly behind them, so absorbed they are in their pursuit.
"No, I don't like this," Lanya whispers harshly. "I see them, but they haven't broken any laws yet. I can't just have you assaulting civilians on my watch, suspicious though they may be. I hope your friend won't get violent." She turns and tries to catch Vilus's eye to give him a warning glance without alerting the pursuers (deception: 3), but they see they've been made and turn to run bringing them face to face with the unexpected half-orc
Samir, being somewhat oblivious to whatever was happening with the group being followed as he was absorbed in watching a piece of machinery being taken down the street, is suddenly brought back to the current situation by Joren's words. He hurriedly glances down at the amulet on his wrist, looking for any change.
The amulet appears unchanged
Seeing no yellow on the medallion, Joren is in two minds what to do once he hears Marshal Lanya.
He and his echo move casually up towards the men that had been trailing them, but make no aggressive move yet. Feeling a little ridiculous.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Seeing the half-orc in front of them and the heavily armed half-dwarf, the three mean-mugged men exchange a quick glance and prepare to bolt.
"I think we should listen to the marshal!" Marion calls as she approaches behind Joren. "We are here to help the city, not to break their laws and attack their people." Confusion flashes briefly across the face of one of the stalkers.
Ashley walks straight towards the men, passing by Joren until there is no one between her and them. "Why were you following us? No need to run, we just want to know why you were following us. We have done nothing to you." She stands with her hand on her hip, looking a bit irritated but honest and simple with her question.
As Vilus the 'half-orc' comes face to face with the men and sees they are preparing to bolt, he flourishes a ball of eldritch energy around his hand and stands fast, "think twice before running, we've seen your faces now. Answer the questions and you'll won't be harmed."
Intimidation 17
Malachi follows and remains near Ashley, ready in case trouble should break out. He sighs as Vilus confronts the group following them, magic energy crackling around his hands. Malachi raises his arms “Now, now. Let’s all calm down. Marion and the Marshal are right, we are not here to start any trouble and we want no quarrel with anyone. Let’s talk like adults, shall we?” He throws a sharp look at Vilus and focuses his gaze on the men following them “I believe the lady asked you a question. It would be impolite not to answer.”
Persuasion: 15.
Insight on their response to Ashely or Vilus 10.
.
The men sneer at Ashley and turn to rush past Vilus, but they see the threatening magic around his hand, and the dangerous look in his eye. They stand down, nervously glancing at one another as they try to figure out what to say, and trying not to let either Malachi or Vilus out of their sights. It seems pretty clear that the introduction of magic to this encounter has very much changed their confidence.
Finally, one of them, a reasonably strong but thin looking man with pale skin adorned by rough tattoos speaks up, choosing to address Ashley as she seems to present the least immediate threat. "We's just honest citizens doin' our part to keep an eye on anyone suspicious. We hadn't seen you around before, and you seemed unfamiliar with the city and our food, so we figured it was only right that we make sure you wasn't conspirin' to nothin'."
Another one, a stout dwarf with red cheeks and beard that reeks of ale, chimes in. "Aye, and only right that we pass on that information for the reward-"
The third one, a green-skinned half-orc with a top knot guts the dwarf off. "Yes, the reward of knowing that we have done our civic duty in keeping the streets spy-free. But we can of course see now that you are all clearly not spies. After all, you walk with the marshal, and it's not like she could secretly be a traitor. So you must surely be upstanding folk of good repute." Malachi notices him shoot a warning glare at the dwarf. "So since we've got that all cleared up, we should be on our way." He tries to act casual as he takes a cautious step to the side, making no sudden movements.