Crimson Sands of Time

With a wordless gesture, the Cloak signals the two soldiers accompanying her to apprehend Angus.  They disarm and manage him. <you still have the agency to resist, but thsts your choice>

"Take him The Blade."

Cutscene unless anything else from you guys.

Gravity is still fighting the fleeing sharktooth.  

End initiative (unless Angus resumes it)

Angus shrugs and voluntarily surrenders his longsword.  He will go without resisting.  What happens to Sam?  Can he see Chadderlay and Tetrevess?

"So, Zeydon, on what grounds am I being detained?  I notice you didn't really ask any questions to see what the situation was or how the altercation started..."

<I just want to see if anyone wanted to do anything en route.  Graviry is free in the City.  The rest of you are detained.  You'll be interrogated before they take you to the Blade.>

"Hello?  Zeydon?  Not to tell you how to do your job or anything, but any respectable law enforcement body would investigate the scene of the crime and collect evidence, interview witnesses, etc.  Do you even know what those Sharkteeth were up to?  Or is it the way of Mulmaster to round up ordinary folks without evidence, and let the actual criminals go free? You know, the thugs that were about to r-ape that girl?  Don't care about that, eh?"

Tetrevess, Angus and Sam (healed by Angus' divine power) are marched tot he residence of the Blade of Soldiery.  The building has some of the architectural elements and designs common to Zhentarim structures.  A golden disk bearing a skull, with black rays outstretched to the circumference is frequently seen.  Tetrevess is removed from the others and, with eyes covered by blindfold, marched to another location.  The blindfold is removed when he is seated in a room with a wooden table and 3 bare stone walls, the forth havinf a single solid oak door, lined with lead on the interior.  Three hooded figures sit at the far end of the table, their faces concealed in the shadow of their cowls. The man in the center speaks:  "You have demonstrated arcane magic use in the city of Mulmaster.  You have been found to carry no writ.  You wear no azure ring.  You are an undocumented visitor to our city.  That alone carries a fine.  The Edict of Arcane banishment carries a far harsher punishment."  

The woman beside him follows: "By your own confession, you have stated that you have some unsigned treaty with the Thayan found at the scene.  Our diviner's have found no evience of a Cloak writ upon your person.  We have not found in our search any visitor writ, nor investigative writ.  If you have one, now would be the time to tell us."

Chadderly is taken to a decent waiting room with comfortable chairs and a decanter of clean water beside two unadorned golden chalices.  After many long minutes kept waiting, a man enters.  He wears nice clothes, but not fancy attire of the nobility.  He bears no particular marks or symbols, and he speaks plainly.  Mister Chadderly.  The Blade of Soldiery wishes to know the veracity of a claim made against you, sir.    The arcanist found in your company claims that they were using magic at your behest.  Is there any truth to this claim, sir?

 Angus and Sam are taken to a subterranean area, secured by iron bars and heavy doors.  No natural light falls into the room, the pace instead lit by torches.  At this point, Sam has had one hour of disguise self and reverts to his large reptilian form.  A guard, standing watch outside the bars calls for more men. A second third and fourth arrive, followed by a figure with their face covered by a scarf.  She speaks, her words clear despite the obstruction.  "Do you know this... man?" she asks Angus, gesturing  to Samogri with open hand.

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

... You know, the thugs that were about to r-ape that girl?  Don't care about that, eh?"

Trigger warning.  Really, don't read this as it was implied very broadly but if you fancy potentially disturbing content, it's there.  If that's not your scene, just don't click the spoiler.

 <Where is Gravity headed?  She can follow the Sharktooth she stabbed, if she wants, or finish him, or just go elsewhere.>

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

Angus pauses, in a moment of uncertainty.  But seeing Sam wounded, he calls out, "Permit me to tend to my wounded comrade, and I will come with you peacefully."

Empty hands outstretched, he will walk towards the fallen lizardman, and lay hands on him for 5 hp healing.

 As you go to Sam you see some skin almost shaved off around the head where it was just a normal lizardfolk head now is a combination of the back of a cobra, a serpent tongue and a alligator like head 

“oww” seeing that he could sign a document “You could of just said we could of sign a document then this would happen” 

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

Tetrevess, Angus and Sam (healed by Angus' divine power) are marched tot he residence of the Blade of Soldiery.  The building has some of the architectural elements and designs common to Zhentarim structures.  A golden disk bearing a skull, with black rays outstretched to the circumference is frequently seen.  ...

 Angus and Sam are taken to a subterranean area, secured by iron bars and heavy doors.  No natural light falls into the room, the pace instead lit by torches.  At this point, Sam has had one hour of disguise self and reverts to his large reptilian form.  A guard, standing watch outside the bars calls for more men. A second third and fourth arrive, followed by a figure with their face covered by a scarf.  She speaks, her words clear despite the obstruction.  "Do you know this... man?" she asks Angus, gesturing  to Samogri with open hand.

<Sorry, been distracted this evening...  I'm weighing between explaining what you've gotten yourselves into in character or as the DM.  Its definitely easier for the latter, but I've been waiting until i got the opportunity to do service to the narrative by having the NPC inform you.  This aside reflects the comments by Angus, there.  Who is very much a criminal technically.  The Sharkteeth are basically vermin here - criminal isn't the word.  they're like plague rats -  they mostly live in the sewers and were actively stealing from the warehouse, which they had accessed from below.  They are tolerated by the Bastard Bulls in their capacity to work the warehouses, but not really trustworthy, they just don't have much choice.  Basically they let them skim so they don't get outright robbed blind.  Its sort of like an organized crime front IRL, wherein a legitimate business tolerates the presence of a criminal element and comps meals drinks, etc. to avoid trouble, with the odd bit being that the Bulls are not exactly legitimate, they just control the Blades.  Even their criminal activity isnt exactly illegal - Mulmaster is weird.  If they say they're going to do it in a contract, and its backed by funds in escrow, theft and even murder are actually nt outlawed in Mulmaster.  Casting spells is, and the actual issue is the level of the caster, not the level of the spell, though they will be more lenient (in general - i.e. by dice modifier} for lower level spells..  The cloaks are full spies and saw magic cast; its like if the cop actually saw someone fire shots - evidence is pretty damning.  Weirdly the thig Tetrevess said about having a secret arrangement with Chadderly, (secret in that it is not in writing,) is actually worse offense than his use of arcane magic.  It's like how conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor is a felony.  Actually, that's a really good analogy. its almost 1 to 1.  Also reminds me of Martha Stewart, who went to federal prison for 5 months for lying about insider trading, which she was found to be not guilty of.  If the cloak agreed to what Angus suggested without the paper, she would have been punished for it; she was mad because she thought it might be an attempt at entrapment as a plea bargaining or possibly blackmail tactic.>

 

 "Hello," says Angus.  "I am Angus Killburney.  Not that any of you have bothered to ask.  Shoddy operation you run around here.   Before I start answering questions, I will need some answers of my own: Again, for what reason have I been detained? And who might you be? "

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

Tetrevess, Angus and Sam (healed by Angus' divine power) are marched tot he residence of the Blade of Soldiery.  The building has some of the architectural elements and designs common to Zhentarim structures.  A golden disk bearing a skull, with black rays outstretched to the circumference is frequently seen.  Tetrevess is removed from the others and, with eyes covered by blindfold, marched to another location.  The blindfold is removed when he is seated in a room with a wooden table and 3 bare stone walls, the forth havinf a single solid oak door, lined with lead on the interior.  Three hooded figures sit at the far end of the table, their faces concealed in the shadow of their cowls. The man in the center speaks:  "You have demonstrated arcane magic use in the city of Mulmaster.  You have been found to carry no writ.  You wear no azure ring.  You are an undocumented visitor to our city.  That alone carries a fine.  The Edict of Arcane banishment carries a far harsher punishment."  

The woman beside him follows: "By your own confession, you have stated that you have some unsigned treaty with the Thayan found at the scene.  Our diviner's have found no evience of a Cloak writ upon your person.  We have not found in our search any visitor writ, nor investigative writ.  If you have one, now would be the time to tell us."

Chadderly is taken to a decent waiting room with comfortable chairs and a decanter of clean water beside two unadorned golden chalices.  After many long minutes kept waiting, a man enters.  He wears nice clothes, but not fancy attire of the nobility.  He bears no particular marks or symbols, and he speaks plainly.  Mister Chadderly.  The Blade of Soldiery wishes to know the veracity of a claim made against you, sir.    The arcanist found in your company claims that they were using magic at your behest.  Is there any truth to this claim, sir?

 Angus and Sam are taken to a subterranean area, secured by iron bars and heavy doors.  No natural light falls into the room, the pace instead lit by torches.  At this point, Sam has had one hour of disguise self and reverts to his large reptilian form.  A guard, standing watch outside the bars calls for more men. A second third and fourth arrive, followed by a figure with their face covered by a scarf.  She speaks, her words clear despite the obstruction.  "Do you know this... man?" she asks Angus, gesturing  to Samogri with open hand.

<Sorry, been distracted this evening...  I'm weighing between explaining what you've gotten yourselves into in character or as the DM.  Its definitely easier for the latter, but I've been waiting until i got the opportunity to do service to the narrative by having the NPC inform you.  This aside reflects the comments by Angus, there.  Who is very much a criminal technically.  The Sharkteeth are basically vermin here - criminal isn't the word.  they're like plague rats -  they mostly live in the sewers and were actively stealing from the warehouse, which they had accessed from below.  They are tolerated by the Bastard Bulls in their capacity to work the warehouses, but not really trustworthy, they just don't have much choice.  Basically they let them skim so they don't get outright robbed blind.  Its sort of like an organized crime front IRL, wherein a legitimate business tolerates the presence of a criminal element and comps meals drinks, etc. to avoid trouble, with the odd bit being that the Bulls are not exactly legitimate, they just control the Blades.  Even their criminal activity isnt exactly illegal - Mulmaster is weird.  If they say they're going to do it in a contract, and its backed by funds in escrow, theft and even murder are actually nt outlawed in Mulmaster.  Casting spells is, and the actual issue is the level of the caster, not the level of the spell, though they will be more lenient (in general - i.e. by dice modifier} for lower level spells..  The cloaks are full spies and saw magic cast; its like if the cop actually saw someone fire shots - evidence is pretty damning.  Weirdly the thig Tetrevess said about having a secret arrangement with Chadderly, (secret in that it is not in writing,) is actually worse offense than his use of arcane magic.  It's like how conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor is a felony.  Actually, that's a really good analogy. its almost 1 to 1.  Also reminds me of Martha Stewart, who went to federal prison for 5 months for lying about insider trading, which she was found to be not guilty of.  If the cloak agreed to what Angus suggested without the paper, she would have been punished for it; she was mad because she thought it might be an attempt at entrapment as a plea bargaining or possibly blackmail tactic.>

 

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

... You know, the thugs that were about to r-ape that girl?  Don't care about that, eh?"

 

Trigger warning.  Really, don't read this as it was implied very broadly but if you fancy potentially disturbing content, it's there.  If that's not your scene, just don't click the spoiler.

<Actually, they were going to vivisect her and sell her fetus. the buyer would watch.>

“

As distasteful as Hillsfar's policies might be, you can hardly expect us to deal with the baby-slaying Keepers. I've heard that they plight their troth with succubi, eat the brains of elves, and worship gods so black they make Moander seem nice. Their names are feared as far south as my native land. And the council who rules them, the Zhentarim, are twice as dark as the Keepers.

”

— Akabar Bel Akash

 <Where is Gravity headed?  She can follow the Sharktooth she stabbed, if she wants, or finish him, or just go elsewhere.>

 Disguise self is consecration so it would have dropped when Sam was unconscious 

whilst being dragged by the wizards and the watch 

he tells the wizard “zastam tell him a sarrku comes for leviathans gaze I know he has it, tell him the primus tryannus has come to speak with him” 

persuasions 16 

Cryptic Gravity

Gravity attempts to tackle the dwarf sharkteeth and restrain their movement by holding them tightly against the ground. She will place her weight on the target to prevent them from moving farther. "Where are you going? I'm not letting you go unharmed, you're one of those brutish thugs." She will pick up her dagger and nudge the target with the tip of the sharp object in a threatening manner.

"Socket, keep the other one engaged!"

Attack

• Shove x Sharkteeth 7: 9
• Grapple x Sharkteeth 7: 9

Socket

Socket will wiggle his barbed tail to conjure a bolt of lightning and hurl it at the nearby sharkteeth. (Pikachu style)

• Lightning-empowered Rend x Sharkteeth 4: Attack: 14 Damage: 9

Sharktooth 7 Contest x shove (Gravity) Str (athletics) 14

2nd contest (action maleable) Str (athletics) 13

(Other attacks missed)

The dawrf is knocked prone, but Gravity fails to grapple him.  He manages to crawl away as Socket's discharge narrowly misses him, rolling off the dock into the frigid waters of the harbor.

The central figure declines Chadderlay's offer with a gesture.  "Mister Whitmoor, we are prepared to turn you over to the Thayan Embassy along with our report and I am sure you are familiar with the attitudes of the Thayans regarding such matters, far better than I.  But we must resolve certain facts concerning the situation and your - companion."

The figure on the right speaks in a deep baritone, "This arcanist associate of yours was not found to be in possession of a writ.  Could you please identify the man we apprehended?  Surely you would know the man's name if you were aware that this unbound mage were a caster, despite the absence of an azure ring upon his phalangea.  Do you know how long this man has been wandering the city, undocumented?"

Tetrevess, alone in a windowless room, is similarly questioned by a figure with their face hidden.  Cold eyes glaring at the wizard, a youthful female voice commands, "State your name, place of birth and your business in the city."

"Well, well, Angus Kilburney, as you are no doubt aware, you were found in the presence of a gang feuding with some casters within a warehouse by the docks.  You were seen to abscond by a window when the soldiery arrived at the scene.  You then complied with the investigsting Cloak and perform a healing right on what seems to be a magically disguised lizard of some sort.  This begs certain questions. May I see your writ confirming your identity and station, please?"

<there is no way anybody in Mulmaster is giving Samogri, the Primus Tyrannus a contract to sign.  To them, he is a monster, but one thst csn speak- so probably looking at some torture to extract information.>

Sam has his hands bound and his maw srrapped shut and muzzled to prevent arcane casting with verbal or somatic components.  The cloak at the scene used psionics to aid in the application if these restraints.  Sam has the restrained condition and cannot make bite or claw attacks at this time.

<@Legion4: don't worry, though.  I'm not just going to tie you up and leave you out of the story.  This will only take a minute to resolve. Just need to see what the others say here first. >

<@InkedBee: I didn't write the sharktooth out.  You can still follow him if you want.  Probably need a perception or I vestigstion check, or just don't follow him and do something else - it's really up to you.>

"Ah, finally someone who can give a response.  I must have missed your name, though.  Being in the vicinity of a fight is not a crime.  Exiting a building through a window is not a crime.  Healing a humanoid through divine means is not a crime. However, I will give you more information than you thought to request:  Why was I in that building in the first place?  And the answer is, I was walking down the street, and I heard some ruffians assaulting a young female as I previously mentioned.  I, being a decent person, rushed to her defense and drove off the brutes, following them into their hideout to ensure they did not circle back.  When your forces arrived, I, not knowing if you were friend or foe, decided to exit and perform some reconnaissance, when  Zeydon apprehended me for some incomprehensible reason.  So again I ask, for what crime am I detained?  For defending the young woman's honor?  For giving some brutish thugs a thrashing? Or simply for demonstrating how ineffectual your city is at protecting its own citizenry?

"I was brought to your city by one of the Red Wizards, and was in the company of another when apprehended.  As we did not enter through the gates, I had no opportunity to purchase a writ, although I would gladly do so now.  Both of the Wizards will vouch for me.  The others who were there, including the gentleman whom I healed, are similarly guests of the Thayans.  Any dispute about writs will have to be addressed to them.  Now, I ask you again.... Who are you?"

<To the Mulman, you are:

Gravity - an undocumented immigrant, but an unknown individual.  You csn pass as long as nobody checks for a writ, but it happens often.

Samogri - a powerful and dangerous monster

Chadderly - a suspicious security expert with diplomatic immunity

Angus - a suspect in a case of unregistered arcsne magic use and a divine spellcaster, whoch the people look favorably on, though they may not whole-heartedly support your choice of worship, the magic is still divine (American English equivalent = "your money is green")

(OOC well, for better or for worse, if Angus is going down, he's not going to do it cowering and begging for mercy.  He'll walk to the gallows if necessary declaring all the while his contempt for the corruption that is so apparent all around in Mulmaster.)

Everyone but Gravity and Tetrevess (who are from Oerth) can make a low grade hiatory check and see if they know that the design of this building suggests an old Zhent lineage.  You can take 10 if you want to, unless your history modifier is negative, there is no need to roll.  This isn't that obscure and in no way hidden.

Chadderlay can roll it with advantage.

Chadderlay would also be we'll aware that the current state if the Zhentarim in the immediate region are a shambles.  Most Zhents live in the Zhent ghetto and other than the arcane edict being technically in force, the area is basically lawless. That said, Zeydon is well liked by the High Blade of Mulmaster and by the people of the city.

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

<To the Mulman, you are:

Gravity - an undocumented immigrant, but an unknown individual.  You csn pass as long as nobody checks for a writ, but it happens often.

Samogri - a powerful and dangerous monster

Chadderly - a suspicious security expert with diplomatic immunity

Angus - a suspect in a case of unregistered arcsne magic use and a divine spellcaster, whoch the people look favorably on, though they may not whole-heartedly support your choice of worship, the magic is still divine (American English equivalent = "your money is green")

(American English is my native language, but I admit I havent heard anyone say this in many years. I assure you it was once common parlance.  Its tone is somewhat intolerant, so its obscurity is a positive thing, in my view.  Still, Mulmasterites are not good people - it suits them)>

 

 (I’ll take that and I’m fine with that) 

Cryptic Gravity

Gravity is frustrated at herself for failing to retain control of the sharkteeth dwarf's movement. Thus, she will abandon the task of trying to subdue the opponent or searching for his precise location. She will use her map to follow the group of soldiers who've arrested her colleague and partners in crime. Once she gets near the establishment, she will spend a considerable amount of time to figure out the design of the building. "Jailbreak, huh? Socket, let's keep a low profile and not get arrested."

Investigation 23