At some stage later when they are back in their room, Nub says “Bog Luck asked if we wanted any specific room when we got here. Should we ask to move to a different room? It might make sense for us to be in one that we can see into the warehouse better from, or maybe one that we can get to the gate faster from, or one that is just closer to where the cultists are? We’d need an excuse, but I could leave food out to attract bugs or Soar might be able to convince little critters to come in, and then we wouldn’t even need to make up the reason. I’ve witnessed from parties I’ve travelled with before that with an excuse and an offer of coin people who run inns and similar are willing to allow these sorts of requests to happen. I’m happy to pay for the change… Though I will hopefully be sleeping in the kitchen at night soon anyway, so I can find out more about the noises in the warehouse.”
[DM question, is the room on the ground floor/level 1 that is just under the “R” in the word “Roadhouse” accommodation? If not, are any of those on the ground floor accommodation? Also, do we know which rooms specifically the are cultists in?]
Nate would've came along with Nub and Soar on the hunt, but not to really help, more just to talk to Soar about a potential move with Arachnate (I'm also quite happy with that name). It's not that he doesn't like to kill animals... maybe 10 years ago it would've bothered him, but lately he's been fine with watching other beings suffer. Nonetheless, he doesn't really provide much help on this hunt.
"Nub, that's a great idea about sleeping in the kitchen... I know there is some magic that I could tap into which could help increase your listening abilities... it's just I'd have to sleep on it to recall the spells. Are you thinking of sleeping there tonight?"
"Soar... I was thinking... I could morph into the smallest spider I can remember, hop on your back and then you could go to the warehouse doors, maybe chat up a guard and get the door open somehow... hell, stumble into them for all I care. Then I can jump off you, get in there and see what I can see. I'l have 2 hours, so I can take stock of what is in the warehouse, and even try and get into the other store room if the door is open, or through the keyhole. I'd need you to come back in 2 hours though... maybe a bit less so I can get out of there. If I am stuck in there for 2 hours, I'll change back and that won't be good. What do you think?" He's asking the entire party that question.
(Your room is on the first floor, which is the higher level, looking down on the yard. The cultists are split up on the ground floor and first floor, taking rooms by the north wall nearish to the gate. There are a lot of them, and they have taken about five rooms total.)
[...] some magic that I could tap into which could help increase your listening abilities... it's just I'd have to sleep on it to recall the spells. Are you thinking of sleeping there tonight?"
[...] warehouse [...] What do you think?" He's asking the entire party that question.
Nub responds enthusiastically, "A spell that make me hear better? Yes please!!! I was going to offer to sleep in the kitchen from tonight, but it is up to Pete if and when that happens. Even if I'm allowed to sleep there from tonight, you could cast that on me tomorrow before I went to bed, couldn't you? I could quickly come back to the room near closing time or we could even tell Pete that we are trying to find out what the sound is, which would help him sleep. I also think the warehouse plan could definitely work if you both coordinate it properly. Another idea is that two of us could actually store something valuable ourselves in the locked storeroom and Nate could get a lift all the way into that room on one of us when that person stores their stuff, then get a lift out later with another one of us when the second person stores their stuff."
Nub looks through his belongings and proposes that some or all of: 1) his quite full coin pouch, 2) his 100 gp pearl and/or 3) his potion of healing would probably be enough for him to ask Bog Luck whether he can have a little bit of space in the locked room. He asks his new friends whether they have anything similarly valuable (or valuable looking) that they could use to try and get in later to give Arachnate a lift back out.
"That's a great idea, Nub! We don't even have to store anything valuable. We can just say it's valuable and trust that Bog won't look inside, since I'm fairly sure that's not his business. Find a bag we don't want or a box we don't need, have Nate shift into a spider inside, and then store it."
(OOC so we've got a lot of nearly-done plans, which are we doing? Nate's the star here, when he's not planning revenge murders, so he can take the driver's seat IMO. Soar's up for anything. She wants to find out what the hissing and scraping is. Spider scouting seems safe, given he can hang out on the ceiling above what is probably a gator pit.)
Jalt would not participate in the hunting and would stay inside again making rounds. He just wants to make it seem like he just likes taking walks and trying to see whatever he can pick up on that seems weird and out of place
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Nate mentions he'd be more comfortable with the Soar plan instead of being inside a package. Whether its been the time he's spend with her and the group, or the fact that she's a doomguide and has stuck up for him a few times now, he feels that she's going to do everything in her power to make this work protect me if shit hits the fan.
"So... how about I latch on to you later today... then you go down to the warehouse, hit on one of the guards there or something so he's not watching the door, then I'll jump off you and do work. Then you come back in 2 hours and do whatever you can to ensure the door is open, then I'll creep out. Hopefully while I'm in there, I can get into the locked store room."
"Nub, tomorrow morning like you mentioned I can cast those spells that should improve your hearing. This way, if I am not able to get any intel today, you can see what you can hear once you start sleeping in the kitchen. Or we can even do both plans. Myself and Soar today, and you can sleep in the kitchen tonight. I just wont be able to cast the spells until I have a night to meditate and remember them."
"Let's combine the two. I tell the guard, with spider on my back and ready to crawl in as soon as there's a chance, that I have an item I may wish to store inside the secure room. It's a small item, I'd say, and normally I'd want to secure it myself, but Bog Luck seems so trustworthy that I'd consider paying for a small berth in the room. But first I'd like to see if first. Heard a rumor about noises inside and I just want to confirm that the room's in good shape. If I'm satisfied, I'd return in an hour or two with payment and the item. That's when Arachnate has a certain chance to leave, if the room really has no space large enough for a spider to exit."
Unless there's complaints/additions/quibbles, Soar will execute this plan! Seems to get at everyone's expectations and allay fears. She'd cast protection from evil and good before heading down to the warehouse with Arachnate. You know, in case of zombie crocs.
It's mid-afternoon, after much of the day spent hunting and foraging in the local area. Nub is up in the kitchen with Pete, offloading his supplies to a surprised but not unhappy Pete.
The plan starts with ArachNate wildshaped and hidden somewhere on Soar's armour, as Soar approaches the guard currently on duty in the middle of the yard. The guard nods as comes up to him. Afternoon, miss. Looking for something?
"Hi there, I'm Soar, not sure if we've formally met yesterday when we arrived from Waterdeep. What's your name? How long have you been here? Anyhow, Bog Luck's pitch about the secure room in the warehouse finally won me over. I have an item I may wish to store inside. It's small but very dear to me, and normally I'd keep it close, but everyone here seems so impressive that I'd consider paying for a small berth in the room. Just in case. But first I'd like to see it first."All this while she's been smiling at him in her most charming fashion. She's not trying to flirt, but that hasn't stopped people from seeing things that way before.
Her voice drops to a whisper, drawing him in. "Heard a rumor about noises inside and I just want to confirm that the room's in good shape. Could I just get a quick peek? I don't need to go inside, I just want to see and listen for any noises." She smiles amiably-but-conspiratorially, as if all this about the noise rumors could all just be a big joke, and she really hopes they are, isn't the whole thing just silly?
She's keeping her back to him so that the spider doesn't come into plain view, though I assume Arachnate is hidden under a fold in her cloak anyhow. She'll be looking to stop next to items and walls and boxes and doorframes that give Nate plenty of good opportunities to jump off and float to the wall or ground via spinneret/web and get to the room. Assuming the guard lets Soar in to take a look, she'll look around, but not too closely. She listens for any noises obviously, trying to get the guard to participate, visibly relieved that the rumors were just rumors. She will look around for evidence of scraping, claw marks, scratches, scuffs in the floor, like if a box was scraped by something, etc. She'd also look for the broken crate she'd located via her spell earlier, but she wouldn't cast again. Assuming that the detect evil and good spell doesn't ping anything, she'd tell the guard she was satisfied, and ask how much to store something smaller than a cubic foot. She'd return in an hour or two with payment and the item.
The name's Mack, lady. Been here not too long. A few months. But you'll be wanting to talk to Bog Luck. Shoulda done it yesterday, but never mind. He waves at the guard at the gate: Hey, watch this for a while, I'm gonna go get the superintendant. The other guard, a half-elf man, nods and moves slightly into the yard so he can see the gate and the yard entrance clearly. Noises? Nah, you been listening to Gristle Pete. This place is kept clean as a whistle. Don't you worry about nothing, lady.
Mack goes off to a room in the south-west corner of the ground floor of the yard, knocks, enters, and returns a few moments later with Bog Luck himself. The half-orc gives Soar a neutral look. Something about the warehouse? You have goods you want to drop off? Just leave them with us, we'll store them for you.
(Bog Luck will show you into the warehouse, but to get him to open the Strong Room, make a Persuasion check.)
Even if she doesn't get into the strong room, she'll get as close to the door inside the warehouse as she can so Arachnate can try to squeeze under the door.
Bog Luck rubs his chin, then puts his hand down. No. Sorry, miss...
Soar, Mack interjects. Sorry, superintendent.
No matter, no matter, Bog Luck continues. In any case, Mistress Soar, Mack here will show you inside the warehouse, but the Strong Room is off limits. That's how security works, you see. You were a guard on the convoy, I here. So you would understand such things. Carry on, lad, he says to Mack as he gives a very short bow to Soar and heads back to his room.
Mack gives Soar a polite, but rather bored look. You heard the superintendent. He opens the door to the warehouse, which was not locked and shows you inside. He stands at the door as you inspect the interior. There are crates piled here and there; it's very easy to find a spot out of the direct line of sight of the guard, for Nate to jump off, which I assume he does.
Soar can get a good look at the Strong Room door, or at least better than any of you have had before. It's wood, reinforced with steel. It looks very solid and you don't notice any obvious holes in it, even that a spider could pass through.
Mack clears his throat. Everything okay there, Soar? Seen what you want to see? This place is pretty solid. If you have something you want stored here, just let me know.
You don't hear any noise, and you don't see any obvious signs that you mentioned, but you can make a Perception check.
(What's the area to the south? Is that the office, or more rooms for rent?)
Soar would reply to Bog Luck, "Yes, as I was saying to Mack, your pitch yesterday finally won me over. I have an item I may wish to store inside. It's small but very dear to me, and normally I'd keep it close, but, well, the strong room could be better. Just in case. But I'd like to see it first. And yes, Pete might be hearing things, but, well, I'd not want to leave it to chance. Even if you don't want to give me a look inside, could I at least inspect the door? I'd trust it more. I don't doubt it's clean in there! Our rooms, by the way, are spotless and really well-kept. You run a very tight ship here, Bog. Truly impressive. Just want to listen for any noises and make sure the door's as strong as I've heard."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Posts crosses in the interwebs, whoops.)
Perception: 22
How big of a spider does Nate shift into? I assumed not a tarantula, something very small. There's no gap in the threshold? Very impressive. What about the door to get into the warehouse itself? Could a spider fit under that door to get back out, if he was in the larger warehouse?
There's no obvious gap that Soar can see, but inspecting the door, you feel there might be a space below the door big enough for a spider to enter. Bog Luck does not accompany you, but he allows you to take a good look at the door, with Mack the Guard watching. He does refuse to let you go into the Strong Room or see the door opened.
The door from the warehouse to the yard is often left ajar, and Nate could certainly fit under that even if it was closed.
The area to the south, on the ground floor, is the stables.
Soar pauses at the door long enough for Arachnate to either drop off for exploration, or for him to decide to stick around. She whispers barely audibly, "Back in an hour, stay or go?" She slowly walks back out to Bog. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate your time. How much would it cost to store an item that could fit in one hand for a day?"
Assuming it's affordable, she thanks him and says she will retrieve it and the payment and would be back down in an hour or two. "In time for dinner! By the way, are you enjoying Nub's cooking? I really hope you are. I think he and Gristle Pete are actually getting along swell, and poor Pete looks like he could use a break. I just thought that Nub's gift should be shared with you lovely people. He's a bit shy, you see, and he just needed some encouragement to become fast culinary friends with Pete."
She is speaking and walking slowly, trying to give Arachnate as much time as he needs to either stay and get hidden for an entry attempt to the strong room, or stay fastened on Soar's cloak. Then she heads back up to the room and doesn't sit down, just taking off her cloak and inspecting it for a spider to see if Nate came back or stayed.
At some stage later when they are back in their room, Nub says “Bog Luck asked if we wanted any specific room when we got here. Should we ask to move to a different room? It might make sense for us to be in one that we can see into the warehouse better from, or maybe one that we can get to the gate faster from, or one that is just closer to where the cultists are? We’d need an excuse, but I could leave food out to attract bugs or Soar might be able to convince little critters to come in, and then we wouldn’t even need to make up the reason. I’ve witnessed from parties I’ve travelled with before that with an excuse and an offer of coin people who run inns and similar are willing to allow these sorts of requests to happen. I’m happy to pay for the change… Though I will hopefully be sleeping in the kitchen at night soon anyway, so I can find out more about the noises in the warehouse.”
[DM question, is the room on the ground floor/level 1 that is just under the “R” in the word “Roadhouse” accommodation? If not, are any of those on the ground floor accommodation? Also, do we know which rooms specifically the are cultists in?]
Nate would've came along with Nub and Soar on the hunt, but not to really help, more just to talk to Soar about a potential move with Arachnate (I'm also quite happy with that name). It's not that he doesn't like to kill animals... maybe 10 years ago it would've bothered him, but lately he's been fine with watching other beings suffer. Nonetheless, he doesn't really provide much help on this hunt.
"Nub, that's a great idea about sleeping in the kitchen... I know there is some magic that I could tap into which could help increase your listening abilities... it's just I'd have to sleep on it to recall the spells. Are you thinking of sleeping there tonight?"
"Soar... I was thinking... I could morph into the smallest spider I can remember, hop on your back and then you could go to the warehouse doors, maybe chat up a guard and get the door open somehow... hell, stumble into them for all I care. Then I can jump off you, get in there and see what I can see. I'l have 2 hours, so I can take stock of what is in the warehouse, and even try and get into the other store room if the door is open, or through the keyhole. I'd need you to come back in 2 hours though... maybe a bit less so I can get out of there. If I am stuck in there for 2 hours, I'll change back and that won't be good. What do you think?" He's asking the entire party that question.
(eventually sees someone kill something)
"Nice kill."
"Oh - I can also create some... 'issues' in our room should we need an excuse to change rooms..."
Nate smiles in an evil way.
(Your room is on the first floor, which is the higher level, looking down on the yard. The cultists are split up on the ground floor and first floor, taking rooms by the north wall nearish to the gate. There are a lot of them, and they have taken about five rooms total.)
Nub responds enthusiastically, "A spell that make me hear better? Yes please!!! I was going to offer to sleep in the kitchen from tonight, but it is up to Pete if and when that happens. Even if I'm allowed to sleep there from tonight, you could cast that on me tomorrow before I went to bed, couldn't you? I could quickly come back to the room near closing time or we could even tell Pete that we are trying to find out what the sound is, which would help him sleep. I also think the warehouse plan could definitely work if you both coordinate it properly. Another idea is that two of us could actually store something valuable ourselves in the locked storeroom and Nate could get a lift all the way into that room on one of us when that person stores their stuff, then get a lift out later with another one of us when the second person stores their stuff."
Nub looks through his belongings and proposes that some or all of: 1) his quite full coin pouch, 2) his 100 gp pearl and/or 3) his potion of healing would probably be enough for him to ask Bog Luck whether he can have a little bit of space in the locked room. He asks his new friends whether they have anything similarly valuable (or valuable looking) that they could use to try and get in later to give Arachnate a lift back out.
"That's a great idea, Nub! We don't even have to store anything valuable. We can just say it's valuable and trust that Bog won't look inside, since I'm fairly sure that's not his business. Find a bag we don't want or a box we don't need, have Nate shift into a spider inside, and then store it."
(OOC so we've got a lot of nearly-done plans, which are we doing? Nate's the star here, when he's not planning revenge murders, so he can take the driver's seat IMO. Soar's up for anything. She wants to find out what the hissing and scraping is. Spider scouting seems safe, given he can hang out on the ceiling above what is probably a gator pit.)
(Sorry been hectic few days)
Jalt would not participate in the hunting and would stay inside again making rounds. He just wants to make it seem like he just likes taking walks and trying to see whatever he can pick up on that seems weird and out of place
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Nate mentions he'd be more comfortable with the Soar plan instead of being inside a package. Whether its been the time he's spend with her and the group, or the fact that she's a doomguide and has stuck up for him a few times now, he feels that she's going to do everything in her power to make this work protect me if shit hits the fan.
"So... how about I latch on to you later today... then you go down to the warehouse, hit on one of the guards there or something so he's not watching the door, then I'll jump off you and do work. Then you come back in 2 hours and do whatever you can to ensure the door is open, then I'll creep out. Hopefully while I'm in there, I can get into the locked store room."
"Nub, tomorrow morning like you mentioned I can cast those spells that should improve your hearing. This way, if I am not able to get any intel today, you can see what you can hear once you start sleeping in the kitchen. Or we can even do both plans. Myself and Soar today, and you can sleep in the kitchen tonight. I just wont be able to cast the spells until I have a night to meditate and remember them."
"Soar... what do you think?"
"Let's combine the two. I tell the guard, with spider on my back and ready to crawl in as soon as there's a chance, that I have an item I may wish to store inside the secure room. It's a small item, I'd say, and normally I'd want to secure it myself, but Bog Luck seems so trustworthy that I'd consider paying for a small berth in the room. But first I'd like to see if first. Heard a rumor about noises inside and I just want to confirm that the room's in good shape. If I'm satisfied, I'd return in an hour or two with payment and the item. That's when Arachnate has a certain chance to leave, if the room really has no space large enough for a spider to exit."
Unless there's complaints/additions/quibbles, Soar will execute this plan! Seems to get at everyone's expectations and allay fears. She'd cast protection from evil and good before heading down to the warehouse with Arachnate. You know, in case of zombie crocs.
Let’s do it!
It's mid-afternoon, after much of the day spent hunting and foraging in the local area. Nub is up in the kitchen with Pete, offloading his supplies to a surprised but not unhappy Pete.
The plan starts with ArachNate wildshaped and hidden somewhere on Soar's armour, as Soar approaches the guard currently on duty in the middle of the yard. The guard nods as comes up to him. Afternoon, miss. Looking for something?
"Hi there, I'm Soar, not sure if we've formally met yesterday when we arrived from Waterdeep. What's your name? How long have you been here? Anyhow, Bog Luck's pitch about the secure room in the warehouse finally won me over. I have an item I may wish to store inside. It's small but very dear to me, and normally I'd keep it close, but everyone here seems so impressive that I'd consider paying for a small berth in the room. Just in case. But first I'd like to see it first." All this while she's been smiling at him in her most charming fashion. She's not trying to flirt, but that hasn't stopped people from seeing things that way before.
Her voice drops to a whisper, drawing him in. "Heard a rumor about noises inside and I just want to confirm that the room's in good shape. Could I just get a quick peek? I don't need to go inside, I just want to see and listen for any noises." She smiles amiably-but-conspiratorially, as if all this about the noise rumors could all just be a big joke, and she really hopes they are, isn't the whole thing just silly?
She's keeping her back to him so that the spider doesn't come into plain view, though I assume Arachnate is hidden under a fold in her cloak anyhow. She'll be looking to stop next to items and walls and boxes and doorframes that give Nate plenty of good opportunities to jump off and float to the wall or ground via spinneret/web and get to the room. Assuming the guard lets Soar in to take a look, she'll look around, but not too closely. She listens for any noises obviously, trying to get the guard to participate, visibly relieved that the rumors were just rumors. She will look around for evidence of scraping, claw marks, scratches, scuffs in the floor, like if a box was scraped by something, etc. She'd also look for the broken crate she'd located via her spell earlier, but she wouldn't cast again. Assuming that the detect evil and good spell doesn't ping anything, she'd tell the guard she was satisfied, and ask how much to store something smaller than a cubic foot. She'd return in an hour or two with payment and the item.
The name's Mack, lady. Been here not too long. A few months. But you'll be wanting to talk to Bog Luck. Shoulda done it yesterday, but never mind. He waves at the guard at the gate: Hey, watch this for a while, I'm gonna go get the superintendant. The other guard, a half-elf man, nods and moves slightly into the yard so he can see the gate and the yard entrance clearly. Noises? Nah, you been listening to Gristle Pete. This place is kept clean as a whistle. Don't you worry about nothing, lady.
Mack goes off to a room in the south-west corner of the ground floor of the yard, knocks, enters, and returns a few moments later with Bog Luck himself. The half-orc gives Soar a neutral look. Something about the warehouse? You have goods you want to drop off? Just leave them with us, we'll store them for you.
(Bog Luck will show you into the warehouse, but to get him to open the Strong Room, make a Persuasion check.)
*rubs hands together*
Persuasion: 25
Even if she doesn't get into the strong room, she'll get as close to the door inside the warehouse as she can so Arachnate can try to squeeze under the door.
Bog Luck rubs his chin, then puts his hand down. No. Sorry, miss...
Soar, Mack interjects. Sorry, superintendent.
No matter, no matter, Bog Luck continues. In any case, Mistress Soar, Mack here will show you inside the warehouse, but the Strong Room is off limits. That's how security works, you see. You were a guard on the convoy, I here. So you would understand such things. Carry on, lad, he says to Mack as he gives a very short bow to Soar and heads back to his room.
Mack gives Soar a polite, but rather bored look. You heard the superintendent. He opens the door to the warehouse, which was not locked and shows you inside. He stands at the door as you inspect the interior. There are crates piled here and there; it's very easy to find a spot out of the direct line of sight of the guard, for Nate to jump off, which I assume he does.
Soar can get a good look at the Strong Room door, or at least better than any of you have had before. It's wood, reinforced with steel. It looks very solid and you don't notice any obvious holes in it, even that a spider could pass through.
Mack clears his throat. Everything okay there, Soar? Seen what you want to see? This place is pretty solid. If you have something you want stored here, just let me know.
You don't hear any noise, and you don't see any obvious signs that you mentioned, but you can make a Perception check.
(What's the area to the south? Is that the office, or more rooms for rent?)
Soar would reply to Bog Luck, "Yes, as I was saying to Mack, your pitch yesterday finally won me over. I have an item I may wish to store inside. It's small but very dear to me, and normally I'd keep it close, but, well, the strong room could be better. Just in case. But I'd like to see it first. And yes, Pete might be hearing things, but, well, I'd not want to leave it to chance. Even if you don't want to give me a look inside, could I at least inspect the door? I'd trust it more. I don't doubt it's clean in there! Our rooms, by the way, are spotless and really well-kept. You run a very tight ship here, Bog. Truly impressive. Just want to listen for any noises and make sure the door's as strong as I've heard."
(Posts crosses in the interwebs, whoops.)
Perception: 22
How big of a spider does Nate shift into? I assumed not a tarantula, something very small. There's no gap in the threshold? Very impressive. What about the door to get into the warehouse itself? Could a spider fit under that door to get back out, if he was in the larger warehouse?
There's no obvious gap that Soar can see, but inspecting the door, you feel there might be a space below the door big enough for a spider to enter. Bog Luck does not accompany you, but he allows you to take a good look at the door, with Mack the Guard watching. He does refuse to let you go into the Strong Room or see the door opened.
The door from the warehouse to the yard is often left ajar, and Nate could certainly fit under that even if it was closed.
The area to the south, on the ground floor, is the stables.
Soar pauses at the door long enough for Arachnate to either drop off for exploration, or for him to decide to stick around. She whispers barely audibly, "Back in an hour, stay or go?" She slowly walks back out to Bog. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate your time. How much would it cost to store an item that could fit in one hand for a day?"
Assuming it's affordable, she thanks him and says she will retrieve it and the payment and would be back down in an hour or two. "In time for dinner! By the way, are you enjoying Nub's cooking? I really hope you are. I think he and Gristle Pete are actually getting along swell, and poor Pete looks like he could use a break. I just thought that Nub's gift should be shared with you lovely people. He's a bit shy, you see, and he just needed some encouragement to become fast culinary friends with Pete."
She is speaking and walking slowly, trying to give Arachnate as much time as he needs to either stay and get hidden for an entry attempt to the strong room, or stay fastened on Soar's cloak. Then she heads back up to the room and doesn't sit down, just taking off her cloak and inspecting it for a spider to see if Nate came back or stayed.
Did she pick up on anything from the detect evil and good spell?