"An orc was in town for a short while, under arcane disguise as a human, working with Melina against the town, and Romero got too close, and the orc stabbed him in his room and seemingly left? Is that the prevailing theory?"
Grubet responds to Yokini, indignantly: "I know what a human looks like, Auntie Kini! Dont you think I know! It was a human male that checked in, just a random guy. No green skin, no tusks.
Is the handwriting of the note to Melina the same as on the note about the hammer and the rock? Also has Lem heard of anything at all that might be artifacts or items of power the hammer and rock terms reference?
OOC > Looks like a post of mine got et. Bummer, trying to reconstruct...
Thistle is over by the doorway, mentally cataloging all the clues, witnesses, and motives (see: Discord). "That fits what we know, Lem. It seems like Romero ran across something, maybe involving orcs, that got him killed. But there are a couple of other leads that don't fit, like the knife receipt, and his fight with Brinya... it feels like there might be more to it."
She stops to think a little. "Well, we need to get moving. Yokini, there's a chance the blood on Romero's knife isn't his, if he was attacked, he probably used it in self defense. Can you find out? Until we know, we should consider that this mystery man might be wounded. The blood on the bed... that's where he was laying when he was found? That's probably his, then."
"And something is missing from under his bed. Grubet, Lem, was Romero carrying anything when he came in last night? In the meantime, we should talk to some people. Do we want to split up, or try to do this together?"
Zashier looked away nervously at the mention of Brinya. His trunk had other things in mind, and had started to lift as if raising a hand, only for the paladin to grab hold and yank it back down. "Uh.. well, as I was saying before, or at least started to, I... well, you already to-..."Zashier pauses for a moment, and squints into the middle distance. "No.. no he wouldn't... Not when he already had..."He half-muttered to himself, and then following a curt few head shakes, looks to the others, "Way I see it, we have at least two or three other leads to chase down, and not a whole lot of time to do it, if things are as close to the proverbial wire as the note suggest."
"So, the way I see it, seeing as I can handle Brinya well enough, the rest of you see to the Smith. After which, assuming all goes well, we can meet up in the Upper Side, not to be confused with the Upper Crust, as I have had many times in the past. Then together, we can talk to Omast, unless of course you guys see him sooner. Okay?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Believe Lem didn't see anything at all notable about Romero upon escorting him home, right?)
"We can go to the smith, sure. But Zashier, what's wrong, beyond the obvious? You seem more nervous and awkward than I do, and that's saying something."
It's as if Lem suddenly realized that he was not alone, peering at each member of the group again to remind himself that they're all there.
Zashier rubs the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh? Not that I mean to be duplicitous, as that isn't my way, though I understand the need for others at time to be so."He said. "It is my hope, though likely a long shot, Brinya may or may not have had a hand in the whole knife thing. At least as far as its purchase, though boy would that be a bit of flubbing on her part, if there's more there... though that said, Romero... he is... was popular in more ways then one. So, I dunno... just, keep your eyes open when you all go see the smith."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Thistle hmms. "You're right about time being pressing, Zashier, but do you think you should go see Brinya alone? What if she's mixed up in this? I don't think the smith is going to be dangerous, not with Telly and Sara there. How much time do you need, Yokini, do you think, to see if this blood is Romero's? Do any of you think we should tell the guard we might be looking for someone that might be injured? They could look at healers... though I guess they are working under the assumption that he killed himself, so they might not be looking."
She pauses to close her eyes and gather herself.
"Okay, too much planning gets nothing done. Zashier, go ahead, let's meet back here as soon as we can, we'll leave messages with Grubet if we need to. I'm sure he will be responsible now, given how much gold he was paid last night." She gives him a stink eye. "Who is coming to Telly's with me?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Lem, great question. Love where your head is at! The handwriting on the two notes is different.
As for the hammer, I was going to make you roll for it, but with all your reading, especially the latest book that had information on orcs and dragons and giants, I will say that you did pick up some information about the giant god, Minderhal, who, as legend tells it, weilded a great hammer called Aggrimosh, "the hammer of unmaking" that he used to create the race of giants. But thats really the only one you have heard of before.
Thistle, Grubet tells you that neither man was carrying anything when they checked in.
Lem, other than his drunken state, you didnt notice anything. You left him once you arrived at the Ramblehouse, you didnt accompany him inside, or to his room.
Thistle/Yokini, it would probably take a day for you to run some tests, soak the blood-soaked linen in an alchemical substance to get it to the point where you can make a tincture that will, when mixed with the two bloods, create a specific color if the blood samples are a match, but you need to brew it, and it needs to soak for a while. I will say about a day.
Zashier is going to see Brinya, and Thistle is going to Teldorthan's Fine Steel. Yokini and Lem, are you sticking with Thistle, or is anyone going with Zashier?
Zashier said he didn’t want help, and Thistle is insightful enough to know he might not be telling the truth (whether he knows it or not), but Zashier is not her focus right now.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I need to get on this right away," Yokini says, lifting the knife (which she is still holding, despite Zashier's continued asking for it). "I estimate it'll take about a day before I can find out anything concerning the blood on the knife and the blood on the bed. But someone needs to question the other guests soon in case they saw or heard something. Don't forget that."
DM, does Yokini need to be in the lab the whole time, or is the process something that takes some steps, and there's periods of time in between where she could be doing other things?
Oh, and just for fun, insight check on Grubet in his assertion that he was paying attention: 10
Apart from quirking a brow at the mention of a 'Telly and Sara', Zashier just crossed his arms, seeming fairly adamant at being able to handle Brinya, with or without assistance. Or more accurately, the same concern of her actually being dangerous didn't even register. In the brief pause Thistle had to gather herself, "Would need to know the sort of injury was inflicted, but checking with any house of healers can be certainly on the list of things to take a look in. Though, if they've been smart enough to do what they've done so far, they probably wouldn't risk seeking help that isn't... compromised."Zashier brow furrowed; the thought of other Orc Invasionist helpers clearly troubling the mind. His thoughts then went back a week ago... to the silencing of a certain Lord who seemed almost genuinely confused by the note.
As soon as Thistle spoke up again, the elephantine man shook his head, and gave Thistle a thankful smile from the go ahead. When it came to Lem however, Zashier weakly chuckled and held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'll be fine, Lem, don't you worry. Though, I do appreciate you wanting to make sure that I had some emotional support, especially given things. Though in all honesty, I expect it'll be Brinya needing it more than me. If Bireal or Salazar haven't stormed over to her place by now, not that Bireal would let Salazar do so, well..."He shrugs awkwardly. "In any case, stay safe you three, and I'll see you in a bit." He adds one last time, then gives Yokini a wary look, prior to heading off.
Yokini, you believe that Grubet believes he was paying attention...
and yes, Yokini, you can get it started, then come back to it at some point later to get the blood released from the linen, then make your tincture, then it will sit overnight and you can get results the next day, so you only have to be present for 2 parts. Not sure what you need to roll for those, but I could be persuaded...what do you think you should roll for those'? Arcana? Just a straight up Int roll? I am open to your thoughts on this one.
Need a little time to craft the next posts. I will probably still handle them through DDB, even though you are splitting the party. i probably wont do everything in spoilers, because EVERYTHING from everyone would be in spoilers. I am still considering doing a private session through Discord with Zashier, and letting the rest play out here...but I havent decided yet. I will keep you posted.
I'll be using the alchemical supplies, so I get my proficiency bonus (+2), at any rate. I was initially thinking medicine, which you might still think is good, but now I'm not so sure. I have no bonus to arcana, so INT and arcana would be the same. The description of arcana doesn't really fit. It is more knowledge of theory and literature, not actually doing something. I'll roll straight INT (with profiency), but know that you might change your mind ... 14 for the first, and 25 for the second. I'll go ahead and use my inspiration to see if I can roll higher for the first: 20.
OK, so I'll let you let me know when I can do something.
Before heading down to her lab, Yokini says to Nynoa, "I'm going to need the bloody bed linens."
"Yokini," Thistle says as she gets ready to visit her lab. "Will this step take long? We can spend some time talking to guests, but I'm afraid they've probably all scattered by now."
OOC > DM, will it take long (in-game) if Lem and Thistle wait for Yokini before going to see Telly?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Yokini, you rush off asking your sister to bring you the bloody bed linens. You wait for her at the top of the stairs, knowing that she still refuses to set foot in the dungeon.
Thistle and Lem, you wait for Yokini, as she assures you this first part won’t take too long. Zashier, you set off to ask about Brinya, and you find out that Brinya Kelver lives in a humble room in a cheap boarding house in lower Fallcrest, relatively close to Lem’s home above the Book Repository.
Yokini, you get the linens from your sister and head down into the dungeon lab. You immediately set to work with some of your chemicals to create and acid bath that will extract the blood from the linens. This doesn’t take you long, but the measurements have to be just right in your recipe. It is one you have read up on, but have never had to practice making. You are pretty sure you got it right, and you leave it to set, and head back upstairs to meet Lem and Thistle, and head out to go and visit Telly’s shop.
As you exit the Ramblehouse, you see the guard still posted, and he gives you a nod as you exit. You all must have several questions rolling around your heads, not sure if you talk while you walk, but you do have the time. You make your way down into lower Fallcrest. Telly, though a very humble dwarf, is still the only blacksmith in town and does quite a bit of business, which is why he took on a few assistants, which Thistle met the other day. You also remember that Teldorthan’s Fine Steel is known to the locals as “Clamor”, due to the noise Telly and the others make all day, which is why, even though he could afford to live in upper Fallcrest, the townsfolk asked him to put his shop down in Lower Fallcrest. Plus, he needed quick access to water for emergencies.
Teldorthan’s Fine Steel is a squat, cramped building in lower fall crest, near the river/creek that flows East-West through the area. The clang of metal on metal rings out of the building as you approach, and you can feel the heat emanating from the building as you approach. When you enter, you see Sara Morninghawk, the young female half-orc, behind the counter and through a doorway in the back area, hard at work with the forge. You don’t see anyone else as you look around the room, and Sara is focused on her work, and doesn’t notice you walk in the front doors…
— —
Across the way, Zashier is making his way up the stairs of a local boardinghouse, just a few rooms above a main living area. Zashier steps up to the door, asking for Brinya Kelver (do you explain why you are there? That you are investigating?). They have no reason to keep you out, so with or without explanation they lead you up to her room. As you reach to knock at the door, you hear crying from the other side…
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Though it did not entirely sit well with Zashier, all he reveals is that its a personal matter, and little more than that. Even if they got curious and pressed while guiding him along, the most he reveal more is that its somewhat of a family problem that couldn't wait. Hearing the crying on the other side, Zashier only hesitates for a moment, but then follows through on the action. "H-hey man. Well, technically not a man, unless you go by certain conventions. But, uhm... Ms. Brinya. The name's Zashier, and... I'm... a friend of Romero. I know this is probably not best time to talk for you, but if you would indulge me for a few minutes? It's very important."
Brinya slowly opens the door, and you see a red haired half orc, tears still streaming down her face.
She motions for you to come in. Its a sparse room - a bed, a desk with chair, a mirror and storage for clothing, though there is not much. She moves back to the bed, where it is obvious from the state of things she has been for a while. She picks up a cloth, and wipes her tears. She says "You said you were a friend of Romero? And that this is important...how can I help you, Mr....?
"An orc was in town for a short while, under arcane disguise as a human, working with Melina against the town, and Romero got too close, and the orc stabbed him in his room and seemingly left? Is that the prevailing theory?"
Grubet responds to Yokini, indignantly: "I know what a human looks like, Auntie Kini! Dont you think I know! It was a human male that checked in, just a random guy. No green skin, no tusks.
Lem, good summary, good theory.
Is the handwriting of the note to Melina the same as on the note about the hammer and the rock? Also has Lem heard of anything at all that might be artifacts or items of power the hammer and rock terms reference?
OOC > Looks like a post of mine got et. Bummer, trying to reconstruct...
Thistle is over by the doorway, mentally cataloging all the clues, witnesses, and motives (see: Discord). "That fits what we know, Lem. It seems like Romero ran across something, maybe involving orcs, that got him killed. But there are a couple of other leads that don't fit, like the knife receipt, and his fight with Brinya... it feels like there might be more to it."
She stops to think a little. "Well, we need to get moving. Yokini, there's a chance the blood on Romero's knife isn't his, if he was attacked, he probably used it in self defense. Can you find out? Until we know, we should consider that this mystery man might be wounded. The blood on the bed... that's where he was laying when he was found? That's probably his, then."
"And something is missing from under his bed. Grubet, Lem, was Romero carrying anything when he came in last night? In the meantime, we should talk to some people. Do we want to split up, or try to do this together?"
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Zashier looked away nervously at the mention of Brinya. His trunk had other things in mind, and had started to lift as if raising a hand, only for the paladin to grab hold and yank it back down. "Uh.. well, as I was saying before, or at least started to, I... well, you already to-..." Zashier pauses for a moment, and squints into the middle distance. "No.. no he wouldn't... Not when he already had..." He half-muttered to himself, and then following a curt few head shakes, looks to the others, "Way I see it, we have at least two or three other leads to chase down, and not a whole lot of time to do it, if things are as close to the proverbial wire as the note suggest."
"So, the way I see it, seeing as I can handle Brinya well enough, the rest of you see to the Smith. After which, assuming all goes well, we can meet up in the Upper Side, not to be confused with the Upper Crust, as I have had many times in the past. Then together, we can talk to Omast, unless of course you guys see him sooner. Okay?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Believe Lem didn't see anything at all notable about Romero upon escorting him home, right?)
"We can go to the smith, sure. But Zashier, what's wrong, beyond the obvious? You seem more nervous and awkward than I do, and that's saying something."
It's as if Lem suddenly realized that he was not alone, peering at each member of the group again to remind himself that they're all there.
Zashier rubs the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh? Not that I mean to be duplicitous, as that isn't my way, though I understand the need for others at time to be so." He said. "It is my hope, though likely a long shot, Brinya may or may not have had a hand in the whole knife thing. At least as far as its purchase, though boy would that be a bit of flubbing on her part, if there's more there... though that said, Romero... he is... was popular in more ways then one. So, I dunno... just, keep your eyes open when you all go see the smith."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Thistle hmms. "You're right about time being pressing, Zashier, but do you think you should go see Brinya alone? What if she's mixed up in this? I don't think the smith is going to be dangerous, not with Telly and Sara there. How much time do you need, Yokini, do you think, to see if this blood is Romero's? Do any of you think we should tell the guard we might be looking for someone that might be injured? They could look at healers... though I guess they are working under the assumption that he killed himself, so they might not be looking."
She pauses to close her eyes and gather herself.
"Okay, too much planning gets nothing done. Zashier, go ahead, let's meet back here as soon as we can, we'll leave messages with Grubet if we need to. I'm sure he will be responsible now, given how much gold he was paid last night." She gives him a stink eye. "Who is coming to Telly's with me?"
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Lem, great question. Love where your head is at! The handwriting on the two notes is different.
As for the hammer, I was going to make you roll for it, but with all your reading, especially the latest book that had information on orcs and dragons and giants, I will say that you did pick up some information about the giant god, Minderhal, who, as legend tells it, weilded a great hammer called Aggrimosh, "the hammer of unmaking" that he used to create the race of giants. But thats really the only one you have heard of before.
Thistle, Grubet tells you that neither man was carrying anything when they checked in.
Lem, other than his drunken state, you didnt notice anything. You left him once you arrived at the Ramblehouse, you didnt accompany him inside, or to his room.
Thistle/Yokini, it would probably take a day for you to run some tests, soak the blood-soaked linen in an alchemical substance to get it to the point where you can make a tincture that will, when mixed with the two bloods, create a specific color if the blood samples are a match, but you need to brew it, and it needs to soak for a while. I will say about a day.
Zashier is going to see Brinya, and Thistle is going to Teldorthan's Fine Steel. Yokini and Lem, are you sticking with Thistle, or is anyone going with Zashier?
Lem defers to Yokini. "I'm not sure. I could talk to Telly. He's a friend. But Zashier probably needs support."
Zashier said he didn’t want help, and Thistle is insightful enough to know he might not be telling the truth (whether he knows it or not), but Zashier is not her focus right now.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"I need to get on this right away," Yokini says, lifting the knife (which she is still holding, despite Zashier's continued asking for it). "I estimate it'll take about a day before I can find out anything concerning the blood on the knife and the blood on the bed. But someone needs to question the other guests soon in case they saw or heard something. Don't forget that."
DM, does Yokini need to be in the lab the whole time, or is the process something that takes some steps, and there's periods of time in between where she could be doing other things?
Oh, and just for fun, insight check on Grubet in his assertion that he was paying attention: 10
Apart from quirking a brow at the mention of a 'Telly and Sara', Zashier just crossed his arms, seeming fairly adamant at being able to handle Brinya, with or without assistance. Or more accurately, the same concern of her actually being dangerous didn't even register. In the brief pause Thistle had to gather herself, "Would need to know the sort of injury was inflicted, but checking with any house of healers can be certainly on the list of things to take a look in. Though, if they've been smart enough to do what they've done so far, they probably wouldn't risk seeking help that isn't... compromised." Zashier brow furrowed; the thought of other Orc Invasionist helpers clearly troubling the mind. His thoughts then went back a week ago... to the silencing of a certain Lord who seemed almost genuinely confused by the note.
As soon as Thistle spoke up again, the elephantine man shook his head, and gave Thistle a thankful smile from the go ahead. When it came to Lem however, Zashier weakly chuckled and held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'll be fine, Lem, don't you worry. Though, I do appreciate you wanting to make sure that I had some emotional support, especially given things. Though in all honesty, I expect it'll be Brinya needing it more than me. If Bireal or Salazar haven't stormed over to her place by now, not that Bireal would let Salazar do so, well..." He shrugs awkwardly. "In any case, stay safe you three, and I'll see you in a bit." He adds one last time, then gives Yokini a wary look, prior to heading off.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yokini, you believe that Grubet believes he was paying attention...
and yes, Yokini, you can get it started, then come back to it at some point later to get the blood released from the linen, then make your tincture, then it will sit overnight and you can get results the next day, so you only have to be present for 2 parts. Not sure what you need to roll for those, but I could be persuaded...what do you think you should roll for those'? Arcana? Just a straight up Int roll? I am open to your thoughts on this one.
Need a little time to craft the next posts. I will probably still handle them through DDB, even though you are splitting the party. i probably wont do everything in spoilers, because EVERYTHING from everyone would be in spoilers. I am still considering doing a private session through Discord with Zashier, and letting the rest play out here...but I havent decided yet. I will keep you posted.
I'll be using the alchemical supplies, so I get my proficiency bonus (+2), at any rate. I was initially thinking medicine, which you might still think is good, but now I'm not so sure. I have no bonus to arcana, so INT and arcana would be the same. The description of arcana doesn't really fit. It is more knowledge of theory and literature, not actually doing something. I'll roll straight INT (with profiency), but know that you might change your mind ... 14 for the first, and 25 for the second. I'll go ahead and use my inspiration to see if I can roll higher for the first: 20.
OK, so I'll let you let me know when I can do something.
Before heading down to her lab, Yokini says to Nynoa, "I'm going to need the bloody bed linens."
"Yokini," Thistle says as she gets ready to visit her lab. "Will this step take long? We can spend some time talking to guests, but I'm afraid they've probably all scattered by now."
OOC > DM, will it take long (in-game) if Lem and Thistle wait for Yokini before going to see Telly?
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Yokini, you rush off asking your sister to bring you the bloody bed linens. You wait for her at the top of the stairs, knowing that she still refuses to set foot in the dungeon.
Thistle and Lem, you wait for Yokini, as she assures you this first part won’t take too long. Zashier, you set off to ask about Brinya, and you find out that Brinya Kelver lives in a humble room in a cheap boarding house in lower Fallcrest, relatively close to Lem’s home above the Book Repository.
Yokini:
Not sure I you have seen this, but it is very interesting, and confirms the idea of doing INT plus proficiency. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bd88db093a6320f071b1a50/t/5e98cebc3a95810afd348613/1587072711597/AlchemistsSupplies_v1-1.pdf. It came from this site here, which is also very useful in fleshing out the alchemy side of things. https://dumpstatadventures.com/the-gm-is-always-right/making-tools-useful-in-5e-alchemists-supplies
Yokini, you get the linens from your sister and head down into the dungeon lab. You immediately set to work with some of your chemicals to create and acid bath that will extract the blood from the linens. This doesn’t take you long, but the measurements have to be just right in your recipe. It is one you have read up on, but have never had to practice making. You are pretty sure you got it right, and you leave it to set, and head back upstairs to meet Lem and Thistle, and head out to go and visit Telly’s shop.
As you exit the Ramblehouse, you see the guard still posted, and he gives you a nod as you exit. You all must have several questions rolling around your heads, not sure if you talk while you walk, but you do have the time. You make your way down into lower Fallcrest. Telly, though a very humble dwarf, is still the only blacksmith in town and does quite a bit of business, which is why he took on a few assistants, which Thistle met the other day. You also remember that Teldorthan’s Fine Steel is known to the locals as “Clamor”, due to the noise Telly and the others make all day, which is why, even though he could afford to live in upper Fallcrest, the townsfolk asked him to put his shop down in Lower Fallcrest. Plus, he needed quick access to water for emergencies.
Teldorthan’s Fine Steel is a squat, cramped building in lower fall crest, near the river/creek that flows East-West through the area. The clang of metal on metal rings out of the building as you approach, and you can feel the heat emanating from the building as you approach. When you enter, you see Sara Morninghawk, the young female half-orc, behind the counter and through a doorway in the back area, hard at work with the forge. You don’t see anyone else as you look around the room, and Sara is focused on her work, and doesn’t notice you walk in the front doors…
— —
Across the way, Zashier is making his way up the stairs of a local boardinghouse, just a few rooms above a main living area. Zashier steps up to the door, asking for Brinya Kelver (do you explain why you are there? That you are investigating?). They have no reason to keep you out, so with or without explanation they lead you up to her room. As you reach to knock at the door, you hear crying from the other side…
Though it did not entirely sit well with Zashier, all he reveals is that its a personal matter, and little more than that. Even if they got curious and pressed while guiding him along, the most he reveal more is that its somewhat of a family problem that couldn't wait. Hearing the crying on the other side, Zashier only hesitates for a moment, but then follows through on the action. "H-hey man. Well, technically not a man, unless you go by certain conventions. But, uhm... Ms. Brinya. The name's Zashier, and... I'm... a friend of Romero. I know this is probably not best time to talk for you, but if you would indulge me for a few minutes? It's very important."
Inspired Persuasion: 16. (if needed.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Zashier @ Brinya Kelver's
Brinya slowly opens the door, and you see a red haired half orc, tears still streaming down her face.
She motions for you to come in. Its a sparse room - a bed, a desk with chair, a mirror and storage for clothing, though there is not much. She moves back to the bed, where it is obvious from the state of things she has been for a while. She picks up a cloth, and wipes her tears. She says "You said you were a friend of Romero? And that this is important...how can I help you, Mr....?
"Telly? Are you here?" Lem calls out above the din.