"Young master, Brand," she says. "Please forgive Jon, he is very protective of me, but perhaps his manners need to be improved."
Brand glances at the man when he grunts, then turns back to Sameena, "Not at all; I was impressed. He clearly takes his job seriously, which is more than I can say for some of our visitors today."
"But, what brings you to our house, in such unclement weather?"
Brand glances from Sameena to his father and back.
[[ Recent Items has disappeared from World Anvil? It was very useful... ]]
[[I removed it because it was too useful. Brand should have had to roll to recognise Sameena Damass, not known already who she was. Also, publicly accessible stuff I put up for Andrew to access can be seen by you, and vice versa. My intent is that once I have established that a page should be known by a character then I make is accessible to them. However I don't want the system screaming look at this, it's relevant right now.]]
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[I removed it because it was too useful. Brand should have had to roll to recognise Sameena Damass, not known already who she was.]]
Can't that be done by making it not-visible to me until it should be?
Edit: it doesn't let me see stuff I shouldn't see, as far as I can tell. It's nice knowing when new (or edited) stuff appears. Scanning it will become increasingly painful as content increases.
[[I removed it because it was too useful. Brand should have had to roll to recognise Sameena Damass, not known already who she was.]]
Can't that be done by making it not-visible to me until it should be?
Edit: it doesn't let me see stuff I shouldn't see, as far as I can tell. It's nice knowing when new (or edited) stuff appears. Scanning it will become increasingly painful as content increases.
[[Yes... But that means going back and making it accessible, which I might forget to do if I'm creating several pages at once, which I am finding quite common. Also, your moves can take quite some time to write; you read that article about Sameena Damass well before I was ready to introduce the character to you and you had Brand know who the character was when he possibly should have mistaken her for a child. I'll be leaving that feature off, and I will try to underline relevant stuff for which there are new pages on the World Anvil site, so that you can access it when I'm ready to use it.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"The word you should have used was 'inclement'," says Brand's father brusquely. "Anyway, now that you are here, I would like Madame Damass to take a good look at you. It might prove beneficial later on tonight."
The young girl smiles and looks carefully at Brand's face.
"I can see the family resemblance, Lord Brand," she says after a moment. Then she turns back to Brand's father. "But surely you are not going to risk your own blood in this operation."
"I didn't say I was?" replies Koric Brand, a little smile appearing on his face. "I have expendable people for that."
[[ Mildly confused; part of the reason Brand barged in to room was that he was going to Koric's bedroom:
Then he goes on to say that Brand's father would like to have a word with him, and he is expected in his father's bedroom as soon as possible.
Does he really have a desk and guest chairs in his bedroom? Or have we swapped locations? ]]
[[Dang. My mistake. Yes, his father said to meet him in his bedroom, but I knew Koric was in his office with Sameena an co and that's where I presumed you were going to without checking back on what I'd actually said. Will have to fix this later as I'm running late for work.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Depending on how accurate you want the historical record to be, I'm happy if:
(a) they went to his bedroom, found a servant laying out clothes, who said "I believe he is still in his office, sir. A late arrival."
(b) The went on to the office, knocked.
(c) Almost exact same dialog with Jon and Sameena, but less snarky response from Koric, who still asks Mikkel to stand guard outside.
I *think* that gets us to where we are now, though with more opportunity to see people etc. And he may not see anyone but servants if everyone is preparing for dinner.
]]
[[ Edit: Also, if you would prefer I made roll on water-carriers or on Sameena, I'm happy with that, but the latter was only confirmed when Koric said "Sameena, call your dog off" ]]
Depending on how accurate you want the historical record to be, I'm happy if:
(a) they went to his bedroom, found a servant laying out clothes, who said "I believe he is still in his office, sir. A late arrival."
(b) The went on to the office, knocked.
(c) Almost exact same dialog with Jon and Sameena, but less snarky response from Koric, who still asks Mikkel to stand guard outside.
I *think* that gets us to where we are now, though with more opportunity to see people etc. And he may not see anyone but servants if everyone is preparing for dinner.
]]
[[Sounds good to me, and no snarky comment from Koric.]]
[[ Edit: Also, if you would prefer I made roll on water-carriers or on Sameena, I'm happy with that, but the latter was only confirmed when Koric said "Sameena, call your dog off" ]]
[[No worries about the water carriers, I thought that was a valid connection based on something Brand would know. And I'm not really worried about the Sameena issue, because Brand would have found that out anyway in this meeting. I was just a little disappointed that you didn't find out the difference about Sameena during play. Your original thought that the three people were one of Brand's father's men looking for protection for his family was quite valid and your finding out the reality would have been interesting to play through.]]
"And what is this operation, and the purpose of 'looking' at me?"
"I'll tell you what the operation is about in a moment," says Brand's father with a little shake of his head. "And the 'looking' is just a matter of insurance."
"Oh...and before I forget...the matter we discussed earlier, had you considered the Water Carriers might be used to...ah...commit the crime?"
"Not in this case," replies his father getting to his feet.
Then Koric turns to the young girl and say, "Sameena, If you and your people would like to set yourselves up in here, I'll get Mikkel outside to arrange for food and refreshments to be brought to you... And it would be best, if you remained unseen by the other guests."
"With him in the house, I agree," says Sameena. "... And some refreshments would be much appreciated... Caf please, I will need to be alert."
"Certainly," says Koric who then turns to Brand. "Come with me, son. I have something I need you to do for me."
Koric takes Brand back outside and, after telling Mikkel to discreetly see to the needs of the people in his office, leads Brand towards his bedroom.
"It's good that you're here, son," says Koric. "I need a pair of eyes I can trust to keep an eye on things. Are you up for some shadowing?"
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"It's good that you're here, son," says Koric. "I need a pair of eyes I can trust to keep an eye on things. Are you up for some shadowing?"
"Whatever you need; just let me know where, when and who. But I think I need to know what's going on here and what's at stake. Your comment earlier -- about this risks of failure -- make that all the more important. Oh...and before I forget...Haneena at the School asked me to pass on that the answer was "No". I assume this is part of your current operation...and I do think I need to know more before we proceed. There are several other matters I would like to discuss as well, but they can wait. Understanding what's going on tonight is important."
[[I was just a little disappointed that you didn't find out the difference about Sameena during play.]]
[[ Don't be: I was quite pleased with my meta-investigation. Your description of the group: with Sameena being the best dressed, was a strong factor. If Brand knew of Sameena, I think he would have made the same connection given his fathers proclivities and (apparent) failure to enlist the SoOS.]]
"It's good that you're here, son," says Koric. "I need a pair of eyes I can trust to keep an eye on things. Are you up for some shadowing?"
"Whatever you need; just let me know where, when and who. But I think I need to know what's going on here and what's at stake. Your comment earlier -- about this risks of failure -- make that all the more important. Oh...and before I forget...Haneena at the School asked me to pass on that the answer was "No". I assume this is part of your current operation...and I do think I need to know more before we proceed. There are several other matters I would like to discuss as well, but they can wait. Understanding what's going on tonight is important."
Koric's first reaction to what Brand says is to chuckle. Then he says, "Haneena said to tell me 'no'... That's a pity. I would very much like to have her on side. Still, that's a matter for another time."
Then he shakes his head as if to clear his mind. "Tonight we are staging an operation that I believe could be extremely dangerous, and seeing as you are here, I want you to act as a backup observer—one I can trust."
As he continues to speak, Brand's father goes to a cupboard and pulls out a small shuttered lantern.
"A couple of days ago a plot to befoul the water cistern of the Temple Ward was discovered and narrowly averted. Someone had tainted the water with a disease. Fortunately, only a few people drank of the water before access to the cistern was stopped."
Koric lights the shuttered lantern using a taper and flame taken from one of the already lit lamps in the room.
Continuing, he says, "The whole thing was hushed up by the temple, but one of my informants told me about it and I sent someone in to investigate... He was a good man, one I am sorry to lose."
Koric motions for Brand to follow him and then walks into a walk-in-wardrobe while continuing to talk. Once they are both inside, he shuts the wardrobe door.
"Before he was killed, he discovered that the poisoning of the cistern was done by someone breaking into the water in-flow channel through the basement of a building that borders the square where the cistern is. A building whose security should be of the highest: the Bank of Sorenden."
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Glad my Bank of Sorendon money is in New Nineveh ]]
[[ Did Brand explore the secret corridors as a child? If not, then:]]
[[No. He probably suspected they existed, but didn't explore them.]]
Brand laughs, "I wish I'd thought to look for these when I was younger!"
[[ Else If it's just a WIR, then :]]
Brand offers to hold the lantern while his father searches for clothes.
[[ End if]]
[[ I presume that I am awaiting the next bit of narration, but this bit is unclear:
"but one of my informants told me about it and I sent someone in to investigate... He was a good man, one I am sorry to lose"
I presume that's "was sorry to lose"....but just to be clear, is the implication here that he died of the disease?
If that's for Brand to work out...then:]]
"So...your investigator caught the disease? Or was he killed by more mundane means, if killed do you know by whom or where?"
[[End If]]
[[ If Koric is not continuing:]]
"So, tell me about this operation and Sameena's part in it...and mine."
[[End If]]
"So...your investigator caught the disease? Or was he killed by more mundane means, if killed do you know by whom or where?"
"His body was torn apart by rats," says Koric, as he opens a secret door hidden behind some hanging clothes at the back of the wardrobe. "Though I suspect there was magic involved as well."
[[For future reference: Koric wasn't being secretive and Brand now knows how to open this secret door.]]
"We need to be quiet now," his father says with lowered voice, "but when we get to my study, I want you to study the faces of the people you see in there. You'll need to be able to recognise them later on tonight."
Koric then leads the way sideways down a narrow passageway about ten metres, at which point he stops, put a finger to his lips and shutters the lantern. The darkness is absolute for a moment and then Brand feels a movement in the air and see a small square of light appear at about head height.
Looking through the mesh-covered square he can see his father's study brightly lit by lamps. The room has eight people in it, two of which he recognises: Handleader Rawl and the builder Fazal Ahmet. From their positions in the room, it seems obvious that this is two separate groups consulting with each other over a map spread out on a table. On Rawl's side there are him and four others dressed in armour and equipped with weapons of various types. On Ahmet's side there are two others, one a large man standing near the back wall and watching everyone carefully, the other a smaller man dressed in dark clothes who is paying particular attention to what is being said about the map.
Brand studies the faces of the people as his father has requested as well as listens to what they are talking about, which seems to be about the danger of flooding in the in-flow tunnel. He just gets to hear Ahmet reply that there is no danger because the in-flow channel is not connected to the river when his father closes the felt curtain blocking off his vision.
Koric nudges him to head back the way they have come.
[[ I presume I now have enough of a view of them to recognize them, but at some point more details would be good: arms, armour, equipment, age etc etc. Pointy hats.
Also: does he know any of them from elsewhere? eg. Rawl's Hand? Or have you already rolled that?
]]
[[ Irrespective of what he knows, he will still do this:]]
Brand waits until they are at a safe distance, then asks quietly, "I recognized two of them; Rawl and Fazal. I assume the ones in armour are Rawl's Hand. Who are the other two?"
Pending questions:
- What am I watching for? - What does Koric know of each of them and their abilities? - Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly? - Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting? - Are any of them sorcerers? - What is Sameena doing? - Does Koric have any suspicions about any particular people?
[[ I presume I now have enough of a view of them to recognize them, but at some point more details would be good: arms, armour, equipment, age etc etc. Pointy hats.
[[The four on Rawl's side are wearing a mixture of different outfits but basically leather armour and they are all carrying short swords. Rawl is wearing studded leather and also has a short sword at his side. Brand wasn't able to see their other equipment, if they had any.]]
[[The tall, heavily built man behind Fazal is also wearing leather; but not armour, more work clothes. He has an axe tucked into his belt. The smaller man in the dark clothes has no obvious weapons.]]
Also: does he know any of them from elsewhere? eg. Rawl's Hand? Or have you already rolled that?
[[He thinks he recognises two of the four as thugs for hire. Men who will do anything if there's money in it.]]
[[Brand recognises the giant with Fazal as his right-hand man, literally. He is a tribesman from the Hartus Plains called Bom and has been with Fazal for years.]]
[[He doesn't recognise the man in the dark clothes.]]
]]
[[ Irrespective of what he knows, he will still do this:]]
Brand waits until they are at a safe distance, then asks quietly, "I recognized two of them; Rawl and Fazal. I assume the ones in armour are Rawl's Hand. Who are the other two?"
"No," says Koric. "The four with him aren't Mithrans, as far as I know. They just seem to be four sell-swords he found in some alley somewhere... Bom you should remember, he helped Fazal with the extension to this house. The other man is their trap finder. Rawl and his men are expendable. Fazal and the others are not. Remember that, if it becomes important."
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Just to clarify: Rawl + 4 hires + trapper -> Expendable, that JUST leaves Born and Fazal. There is no "Fazal and the others" in this group. If that is correct, then:]]
Brand stop and shakes his head. "What others? I only see Fazal and born, beside Rawl and his hires?"
[[ End If]]
Brand stops, trying to gauge his fathers mood and reactions, "Just so we understand each other: I'm much better at killing people than at keeping them alive -- except insofar as the one leads to the other" he says with a smile.
"This will be a new experience for me. Don't hold your hopes too high."
He waits a moment, then continues, "Clearly you don't trust everyone in that room --- otherwise I'd be in there -- Rawl and his ilk can not be trusted, we knew that already, so do you mean Fazal and Born? Earlier today you said you thought you were not getting good information. Who provided that information? Who, in that room -- or elsewhere -- don't you trust? And, do you expect them to do anything overt while in the house?"
"Father, I know you keep knowledge to your self even tighter than money, but now is the time to spend some of that currency you hoard; things I don't know tonight will likely kill me -- and our friends."
[[Edit: I'm surrounded by people who don't want me to have the full picture!! YOU and Koric! You are not good for each other. ;-) ]]
Pending questions:
- What am I watching for? - I need to know about the mission. - Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly? - Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting? - Are any of them sorcerers? - What is Sameena doing?
[[ Just to clarify: Rawl + 4 hires + trapper -> Expendable, that JUST leaves Born and Fazal. There is no "Fazal and the others" in this group. If that is correct, then:]]
[[The man in dark clothes (i.e., the 'trapper') above is not Expendable. Only Rawl and his four are considered Expendable by Koric.]]
Brand stop and shakes his head. "What others? I only see Fazal and born, beside Rawl and his hires?"
[[ End If]]
Brand stops, trying to gauge his fathers mood and reactions, "Just so we understand each other: I'm much better at killing people than at keeping them alive -- except insofar as the one leads to the other" he says with a smile.
"This will be a new experience for me. Don't hold your hopes too high."
He waits a moment, then continues, "Clearly you don't trust everyone in that room --- otherwise I'd be in there -- Rawl and his ilk can not be trusted, we knew that already, so do you mean Fazal and Born? Earlier today you said you thought you were not getting good information. Who provided that information? Who, in that room -- or elsewhere -- don't you trust? And, do you expect them to do anything overt while in the house?"
"Father, I know you keep knowledge to your self even tighter than money, but now is the time to spend some of that currency you hoard; things I don't know tonight will likely kill me -- and our friends."
[[Edit: I'm surrounded by people who don't want me to have the full picture!! YOU and Koric! You are not good for each other. ;-) ]]
Brand's father waits until he finishes speaking and then says, "Alaric, I did not even know you were in town when I was putting together this little venture, and it is only because I know you would feel left out that I will let you get involved at all... Also, I trust your judgement and know some of what you can do, so you can perhaps provide me with some added insurance beyond what I have already arranged through Madame Damass."
[[More soon, I've been called away.]]
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---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Cool. No problem. Brand will bite his tongue and wait for continuation; not something he normally would do (parents having that effect), except that he does feel a survival need in operation here (did I mention he's got a small streak of paranoia?). And he likes to survive. ]]
Pending questions:
- Earlier today you said you thought you were not getting good information. Who provided that information? - Who, in that room -- or elsewhere -- don't you trust? - And, do you expect them to do anything overt while in the house? - What am I watching for? - I need to know about the mission. - Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly? - Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting? - Are any of them sorcerers? - What is Sameena doing?
Brand glances at the man when he grunts, then turns back to Sameena, "Not at all; I was impressed. He clearly takes his job seriously, which is more than I can say for some of our visitors today."
"But, what brings you to our house, in such unclement weather?"
Brand glances from Sameena to his father and back.
[[ SINGING CONTINUES ]]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Can't that be done by making it not-visible to me until it should be?
Edit: it doesn't let me see stuff I shouldn't see, as far as I can tell. It's nice knowing when new (or edited) stuff appears. Scanning it will become increasingly painful as content increases.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"The word you should have used was 'inclement'," says Brand's father brusquely. "Anyway, now that you are here, I would like Madame Damass to take a good look at you. It might prove beneficial later on tonight."
The young girl smiles and looks carefully at Brand's face.
"I can see the family resemblance, Lord Brand," she says after a moment. Then she turns back to Brand's father. "But surely you are not going to risk your own blood in this operation."
"I didn't say I was?" replies Koric Brand, a little smile appearing on his face. "I have expendable people for that."
[[And that's it for me today. cya.]]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ hah, using my own typos against me! cya l8r ]]
"And what is this operation, and the purpose of 'looking' at me?"
[[ Singing continues ]]
"Oh...and before I forget...the matter we discussed earlier, had you considered the Water Carriers might be used to...ah...commit the crime?"
[[ Just checking; earlier you said anything on the site was fair game and known to Brand...should I no longer look there for new stuff? ]]
[[ Mildly confused; part of the reason Brand barged in to room was that he was going to Koric's bedroom:
Then he goes on to say that Brand's father would like to have a word with him, and he is expected in his father's bedroom as soon as possible.
Does he really have a desk and guest chairs in his bedroom? Or have we swapped locations? ]]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ No problem. I'm relieved i'm not wrong again!
Depending on how accurate you want the historical record to be, I'm happy if:
(a) they went to his bedroom, found a servant laying out clothes, who said "I believe he is still in his office, sir. A late arrival."
(b) The went on to the office, knocked.
(c) Almost exact same dialog with Jon and Sameena, but less snarky response from Koric, who still asks Mikkel to stand guard outside.
I *think* that gets us to where we are now, though with more opportunity to see people etc. And he may not see anyone but servants if everyone is preparing for dinner.
]]
[[ Edit: Also, if you would prefer I made roll on water-carriers or on Sameena, I'm happy with that, but the latter was only confirmed when Koric said "Sameena, call your dog off" ]]
"And what is this operation, and the purpose of 'looking' at me?"
"I'll tell you what the operation is about in a moment," says Brand's father with a little shake of his head. "And the 'looking' is just a matter of insurance."
"Oh...and before I forget...the matter we discussed earlier, had you considered the Water Carriers might be used to...ah...commit the crime?"
"Not in this case," replies his father getting to his feet.
Then Koric turns to the young girl and say, "Sameena, If you and your people would like to set yourselves up in here, I'll get Mikkel outside to arrange for food and refreshments to be brought to you... And it would be best, if you remained unseen by the other guests."
"With him in the house, I agree," says Sameena. "... And some refreshments would be much appreciated... Caf please, I will need to be alert."
"Certainly," says Koric who then turns to Brand. "Come with me, son. I have something I need you to do for me."
Koric takes Brand back outside and, after telling Mikkel to discreetly see to the needs of the people in his office, leads Brand towards his bedroom.
"It's good that you're here, son," says Koric. "I need a pair of eyes I can trust to keep an eye on things. Are you up for some shadowing?"
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"Whatever you need; just let me know where, when and who. But I think I need to know what's going on here and what's at stake. Your comment earlier -- about this risks of failure -- make that all the more important. Oh...and before I forget...Haneena at the School asked me to pass on that the answer was "No". I assume this is part of your current operation...and I do think I need to know more before we proceed. There are several other matters I would like to discuss as well, but they can wait. Understanding what's going on tonight is important."
[[I was just a little disappointed that you didn't find out the difference about Sameena during play.]]
[[ Don't be: I was quite pleased with my meta-investigation. Your description of the group: with Sameena being the best dressed, was a strong factor. If Brand knew of Sameena, I think he would have made the same connection given his fathers proclivities and (apparent) failure to enlist the SoOS.]]
Koric's first reaction to what Brand says is to chuckle. Then he says, "Haneena said to tell me 'no'... That's a pity. I would very much like to have her on side. Still, that's a matter for another time."
Then he shakes his head as if to clear his mind. "Tonight we are staging an operation that I believe could be extremely dangerous, and seeing as you are here, I want you to act as a backup observer—one I can trust."
As he continues to speak, Brand's father goes to a cupboard and pulls out a small shuttered lantern.
"A couple of days ago a plot to befoul the water cistern of the Temple Ward was discovered and narrowly averted. Someone had tainted the water with a disease. Fortunately, only a few people drank of the water before access to the cistern was stopped."
Koric lights the shuttered lantern using a taper and flame taken from one of the already lit lamps in the room.
Continuing, he says, "The whole thing was hushed up by the temple, but one of my informants told me about it and I sent someone in to investigate... He was a good man, one I am sorry to lose."
Koric motions for Brand to follow him and then walks into a walk-in-wardrobe while continuing to talk. Once they are both inside, he shuts the wardrobe door.
"Before he was killed, he discovered that the poisoning of the cistern was done by someone breaking into the water in-flow channel through the basement of a building that borders the square where the cistern is. A building whose security should be of the highest: the Bank of Sorenden."
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Glad my Bank of Sorendon money is in New Nineveh ]]
[[ Did Brand explore the secret corridors as a child? If not, then:]]
Brand laughs, "I wish I'd thought to look for these when I was younger!"
[[ Else If it's just a WIR, then :]]
Brand offers to hold the lantern while his father searches for clothes.
[[ End if]]
[[ I presume that I am awaiting the next bit of narration, but this bit is unclear:
"but one of my informants told me about it and I sent someone in to investigate... He was a good man, one I am sorry to lose"
I presume that's "was sorry to lose"....but just to be clear, is the implication here that he died of the disease?
If that's for Brand to work out...then:]]
"So...your investigator caught the disease? Or was he killed by more mundane means, if killed do you know by whom or where?"
[[End If]]
[[ If Koric is not continuing:]]
"So, tell me about this operation and Sameena's part in it...and mine."
[[End If]]
"So...your investigator caught the disease? Or was he killed by more mundane means, if killed do you know by whom or where?"
"His body was torn apart by rats," says Koric, as he opens a secret door hidden behind some hanging clothes at the back of the wardrobe. "Though I suspect there was magic involved as well."
[[For future reference: Koric wasn't being secretive and Brand now knows how to open this secret door.]]
"We need to be quiet now," his father says with lowered voice, "but when we get to my study, I want you to study the faces of the people you see in there. You'll need to be able to recognise them later on tonight."
Koric then leads the way sideways down a narrow passageway about ten metres, at which point he stops, put a finger to his lips and shutters the lantern. The darkness is absolute for a moment and then Brand feels a movement in the air and see a small square of light appear at about head height.
Looking through the mesh-covered square he can see his father's study brightly lit by lamps. The room has eight people in it, two of which he recognises: Handleader Rawl and the builder Fazal Ahmet. From their positions in the room, it seems obvious that this is two separate groups consulting with each other over a map spread out on a table. On Rawl's side there are him and four others dressed in armour and equipped with weapons of various types. On Ahmet's side there are two others, one a large man standing near the back wall and watching everyone carefully, the other a smaller man dressed in dark clothes who is paying particular attention to what is being said about the map.
Brand studies the faces of the people as his father has requested as well as listens to what they are talking about, which seems to be about the danger of flooding in the in-flow tunnel. He just gets to hear Ahmet reply that there is no danger because the in-flow channel is not connected to the river when his father closes the felt curtain blocking off his vision.
Koric nudges him to head back the way they have come.
[[It's after midnight. Night.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ I presume I now have enough of a view of them to recognize them, but at some point more details would be good: arms, armour, equipment, age etc etc. Pointy hats.
Also: does he know any of them from elsewhere? eg. Rawl's Hand? Or have you already rolled that?
]]
[[ Irrespective of what he knows, he will still do this:]]
Brand waits until they are at a safe distance, then asks quietly, "I recognized two of them; Rawl and Fazal. I assume the ones in armour are Rawl's Hand. Who are the other two?"
Pending questions:
- What am I watching for?
- What does Koric know of each of them and their abilities?
- Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly?
- Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting?
- Are any of them sorcerers?
- What is Sameena doing?
- Does Koric have any suspicions about any particular people?
"No," says Koric. "The four with him aren't Mithrans, as far as I know. They just seem to be four sell-swords he found in some alley somewhere... Bom you should remember, he helped Fazal with the extension to this house. The other man is their trap finder. Rawl and his men are expendable. Fazal and the others are not. Remember that, if it becomes important."
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[ Just to clarify: Rawl + 4 hires + trapper -> Expendable, that JUST leaves Born and Fazal. There is no "Fazal and the others" in this group. If that is correct, then:]]
Brand stop and shakes his head. "What others? I only see Fazal and born, beside Rawl and his hires?"
[[ End If]]
Brand stops, trying to gauge his fathers mood and reactions, "Just so we understand each other: I'm much better at killing people than at keeping them alive -- except insofar as the one leads to the other" he says with a smile.
"This will be a new experience for me. Don't hold your hopes too high."
He waits a moment, then continues, "Clearly you don't trust everyone in that room --- otherwise I'd be in there -- Rawl and his ilk can not be trusted, we knew that already, so do you mean Fazal and Born? Earlier today you said you thought you were not getting good information. Who provided that information? Who, in that room -- or elsewhere -- don't you trust? And, do you expect them to do anything overt while in the house?"
"Father, I know you keep knowledge to your self even tighter than money, but now is the time to spend some of that currency you hoard; things I don't know tonight will likely kill me -- and our friends."
[[Edit: I'm surrounded by people who don't want me to have the full picture!! YOU and Koric! You are not good for each other. ;-) ]]
Pending questions:
- What am I watching for?
- I need to know about the mission.
- Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly?
- Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting?
- Are any of them sorcerers?
- What is Sameena doing?
Brand's father waits until he finishes speaking and then says, "Alaric, I did not even know you were in town when I was putting together this little venture, and it is only because I know you would feel left out that I will let you get involved at all... Also, I trust your judgement and know some of what you can do, so you can perhaps provide me with some added insurance beyond what I have already arranged through Madame Damass."
[[More soon, I've been called away.]]
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[[More soon, I've been called away.]]
[[ Cool. No problem. Brand will bite his tongue and wait for continuation; not something he normally would do (parents having that effect), except that he does feel a survival need in operation here (did I mention he's got a small streak of paranoia?). And he likes to survive. ]]
Pending questions:
- Earlier today you said you thought you were not getting good information. Who provided that information?
- Who, in that room -- or elsewhere -- don't you trust?
- And, do you expect them to do anything overt while in the house?
- What am I watching for?
- I need to know about the mission.
- Is there a way to get into the office from the peep hole area, if things start going badly?
- Am I to follow any of them later, or just watch the meeting?
- Are any of them sorcerers?
- What is Sameena doing?