The young halfling who serves you jovial and happy to give you some food. He leads you to the rooms to show you what they have. They are clean and serviceable but rather plain.
Not wanting to pay for a room, Mist follows the group up to one for discussion, but afterwards will leave to stay at her own place for the night.
“So, the bath houses tend to open around mid morning. What’s the plan for going in? I don’t think saying that we’re looking for cult members in their place of business will work out well for us.”
Looking at the group, she remembers the quick bar fight, and hopes they can avoid that again. Fighting random people was not her idea of fun.
After securing a room at the Grey Sentinel, Gorgon went back to the Elfsong Tavern and let them know that he was the one responsible for the damage. He gave them the information for the refugee camp by the North Gate and told them to send the bill there. As Gorgon had been operating in the official duties of his responsibilities for this mission, Waterdeep would foot the bill.
OOC: Gorgon levels up and takes the Great Weapon Master fighting style. Also some spells. Cause Paladin. With his maul, he will now deal 7-17 damage per hit.
Gorgon responds to Mist. "Well, perhaps we will not need to ask. Perhaps it will be clear, due to tattoos or other distinguishing features. Perhaps we can simply eavesdrop for reconnaissance."
Alyseris sips his wine as they discuss tactics for the bath house. 'I've had some experience with cults, and their ilk, so I suspect I'll find some evidence once we're inside. It's a specialist area of study for me, you might say. That's one of the reasons I was asked to provide my assistance.'
OOC: Alyseris has taken 'Agonising Blast' which means his Eldritch Blasts will do more damage, and 'Eyes of the Rune Keeper' which means he can read *anything*. He's also got a new spell, Arms of Hadar, which will be useful if he's ever surrounded by enemies.
Moving Forward. ( Put in spoiler for backflash if you want. )
The bathhouse is a one-story stuccoed building with stained-glass windows and clay roof tiles. Ten-foot-tall walls enclose a large courtyard outside the southeast corner of the building. The closed wooden doors to the courtyard are engraved with images of smiling nymphs dancing and frolicking in water.
There’s nothing outwardly suspicious about the bathhouse, which features one of the most sophisticated plumbing systems in the city. The doors leading to the courtyard (area D1) are unlocked and unguarded. The bathhouse closes at sundown and reopens at dawn, and city residents come and go here throughout the day and into the evening.
D1: This L-shaped courtyard features a trimmed lawn and nicely manicured shrubbery. The yard is decorated with white marble benches and stone fountains, each in the form of a smiling nymph tipping a jug that spills water into a circular stone basin.
When Thorin wakes up he does his daily ritual of morning prayer to Moradin asking for his blessing and this day he again puts his blessing of the forge on his armor.
After his prayers he will head downstairs to see if any of his friends are there. Once all his friends are there he hopes to discuss what the plan will be for the investigation of the bath house. While he is waiting he will flag down a server and order breakfast.
Alyseris joins Thorin for breakfast, feeling excited to see what secrets they will unearth. He orders a generous breakfast, eating and talking *almost* at the same time - so he only speaks with a (mostly) empty mouth, gesticulating with his fork as he makes various points.
'I think we should go in as two or three separate groups, separated by several minutes, with a selection of skills in each group.' (OOC: This means someone good at the stabby side of things in each group!). 'I'll go in with the first group, Banlashan with the second.' he nods towards Mist. 'I suspect that the baths are split by gender, so I'd suggest you arrive last, so the rest of us are present in case there's any trouble after you arrive..?'
He pauses after speaking, holding his hands up with a mea culpa 'I'm sorry, I don't mean to try and take charge having just met you yesterday. You seemed to be doing well enough without me. I'm used to working on my own.'
Mist waves off the awkward apology. “I can take care of myself, but thank you. The only problem I see is they don’t let you take weapons into the baths, so we’re literally going in naked. Tarina is good at her job, and I’d prefer to not fight cultists barehanded please and thank you.”
Banlashan listened as he ate the hearty breakfast, every now and again secreted bits of the food into his pockets for later. "At this point all we know is that the Cultists congregate there. We don't even know what time of the day they'd be there, if not all day. We may have to do this in shifts, staying an hour or two and making note of who comes and goes, who seems to speak with others, etc."
Alyseris thinks for a moment. 'I'd suggest that I go in alone initially then, with the rest of you in small groups lounging in the outside areas. I'll then take a look around and either I'll discover something and come out to update you all, or there'll be trouble and you can come running.' He looks round the group to canvas opinions.
As you enter the bath house you see that 3 humans are currently enjoying the baths. A skinny girl is scurrying to get warm water and fresh towels.
The walls of this twenty-foot-high pillared chamber are adorned with frescoes of bathing royalty. Natural light streams through stained-glass windows, creating colorful patterns on the tiles of polished blue marble that cover the floor. Three shallow, sunken pools contain scintillating perfume-scented water. White marble benches bearing stacks of dry towels are situated near the pools, each of which comes equipped with a pair of brass faucets.
The faucets draw warm and cold water from pipes that run underneath the floor. A tight-fitting stone plug at the bottom of each pool keeps its water from draining out. Numerous tiny drain holes near the tops of the sunken pools prevent them from overflowing.
Read all
Could I have a detail of the groups. And who goes in first second .. and last. Use PM to coordinate I think or RP it before heading there .
Alyseris has left spear, crossbow and the bulk of his equipment in safekeeping at the inn (using Prestidigitation while the innkeeper is watching to make the items glow slightly, as though they had been warded).
As he walks through the gardens he’s on the lookout for any strange glyphs, icons or other markings that are out of place.
Perception: 20
If he doesn’t see anything then:
As he steps through the door he smiles, a little disconcertingly to whoever greets him. ‘Good morning. I’d like a bath please, I’ve travelled far.’
He looks around, trying to get a good sense of the room as a whole - decor, atmosphere etc
On the outside a strange feeling grips you but you can't grasp what is wrong with the whole thing. Feels like you are being watched but you see no-one.
( Info on account of both the nice rolls )
The skinny lady comes toward you in a rush and gives you the necessary towel and a cleaning stone.
"There are three baths. If you want some privacy there is one on the side that is not used."
The girl doesn't give off any strange vibes except that she seems eager to please and shy.
D3 and D4 are massage rooms. For now the doors are open and the no one is inside.
As the groups come in a few of the others clients and patrons leave. You all find yourselves alone with the skinny and rather strange girl.
Your belongings for the most part are not on you but you may have taken several things with you at the bathhouse. If that is the case they are on one of the bench lining the walls.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alyseris notes that everyone else has left, and decides the time is right to finish his bathing. He gets out of the bath and grabs a towel, drying himself off and getting dressed. Attempting a certain amount of casualness he wonders innocently towards the back of the baths to see what he can see.
OOC: Unless someone has a better idea to rest and wait until the bath house opens?
It is a nice time to do some RP.
The young halfling who serves you jovial and happy to give you some food. He leads you to the rooms to show you what they have. They are clean and serviceable but rather plain.
Not wanting to pay for a room, Mist follows the group up to one for discussion, but afterwards will leave to stay at her own place for the night.
“So, the bath houses tend to open around mid morning. What’s the plan for going in? I don’t think saying that we’re looking for cult members in their place of business will work out well for us.”
Looking at the group, she remembers the quick bar fight, and hopes they can avoid that again. Fighting random people was not her idea of fun.
After securing a room at the Grey Sentinel, Gorgon went back to the Elfsong Tavern and let them know that he was the one responsible for the damage. He gave them the information for the refugee camp by the North Gate and told them to send the bill there. As Gorgon had been operating in the official duties of his responsibilities for this mission, Waterdeep would foot the bill.
OOC: Gorgon levels up and takes the Great Weapon Master fighting style. Also some spells. Cause Paladin. With his maul, he will now deal 7-17 damage per hit.
Gorgon responds to Mist. "Well, perhaps we will not need to ask. Perhaps it will be clear, due to tattoos or other distinguishing features. Perhaps we can simply eavesdrop for reconnaissance."
Alyseris sips his wine as they discuss tactics for the bath house. 'I've had some experience with cults, and their ilk, so I suspect I'll find some evidence once we're inside. It's a specialist area of study for me, you might say. That's one of the reasons I was asked to provide my assistance.'
OOC: Alyseris has taken 'Agonising Blast' which means his Eldritch Blasts will do more damage, and 'Eyes of the Rune Keeper' which means he can read *anything*. He's also got a new spell, Arms of Hadar, which will be useful if he's ever surrounded by enemies.
Moving Forward. ( Put in spoiler for backflash if you want. )
The bathhouse is a one-story stuccoed building with stained-glass windows and clay roof tiles. Ten-foot-tall walls enclose a large courtyard outside the southeast corner of the building. The closed wooden doors to the courtyard are engraved with images of smiling nymphs dancing and frolicking in water.
There’s nothing outwardly suspicious about the bathhouse, which features one of the most sophisticated plumbing systems in the city. The doors leading to the courtyard (area D1) are unlocked and unguarded. The bathhouse closes at sundown and reopens at dawn, and city residents come and go here throughout the day and into the evening.
D1: This L-shaped courtyard features a trimmed lawn and nicely manicured shrubbery. The yard is decorated with white marble benches and stone fountains, each in the form of a smiling nymph tipping a jug that spills water into a circular stone basin.
When Thorin wakes up he does his daily ritual of morning prayer to Moradin asking for his blessing and this day he again puts his blessing of the forge on his armor.
After his prayers he will head downstairs to see if any of his friends are there. Once all his friends are there he hopes to discuss what the plan will be for the investigation of the bath house. While he is waiting he will flag down a server and order breakfast.
Alyseris joins Thorin for breakfast, feeling excited to see what secrets they will unearth. He orders a generous breakfast, eating and talking *almost* at the same time - so he only speaks with a (mostly) empty mouth, gesticulating with his fork as he makes various points.
'I think we should go in as two or three separate groups, separated by several minutes, with a selection of skills in each group.' (OOC: This means someone good at the stabby side of things in each group!). 'I'll go in with the first group, Banlashan with the second.' he nods towards Mist. 'I suspect that the baths are split by gender, so I'd suggest you arrive last, so the rest of us are present in case there's any trouble after you arrive..?'
He pauses after speaking, holding his hands up with a mea culpa 'I'm sorry, I don't mean to try and take charge having just met you yesterday. You seemed to be doing well enough without me. I'm used to working on my own.'
((OOC, Badran took a level in barbarian. He will continue to take a 1/1 ratio of warlock and barbarian. Because that’s exactly what he is.))
Badran volunteers to go with Banlashan. He really likes the scar. Although he’s still unsure how to stand when talking to him.
Just a husband, father, DM, strength coach, writer, mustard producer, youth minister, and US Army Airborne veteran trying to stay sane.
Badran The Returner
Mist waves off the awkward apology.
“I can take care of myself, but thank you. The only problem I see is they don’t let you take weapons into the baths, so we’re literally going in naked. Tarina is good at her job, and I’d prefer to not fight cultists barehanded please and thank you.”
Banlashan listened as he ate the hearty breakfast, every now and again secreted bits of the food into his pockets for later. "At this point all we know is that the Cultists congregate there. We don't even know what time of the day they'd be there, if not all day. We may have to do this in shifts, staying an hour or two and making note of who comes and goes, who seems to speak with others, etc."
Alyseris thinks for a moment. 'I'd suggest that I go in alone initially then, with the rest of you in small groups lounging in the outside areas. I'll then take a look around and either I'll discover something and come out to update you all, or there'll be trouble and you can come running.' He looks round the group to canvas opinions.
As you enter the bath house you see that 3 humans are currently enjoying the baths. A skinny girl is scurrying to get warm water and fresh towels.
The walls of this twenty-foot-high pillared chamber are adorned with frescoes of bathing royalty. Natural light streams through stained-glass windows, creating colorful patterns on the tiles of polished blue marble that cover the floor. Three shallow, sunken pools contain scintillating perfume-scented water. White marble benches bearing stacks of dry towels are situated near the pools, each of which comes equipped with a pair of brass faucets.
The faucets draw warm and cold water from pipes that run underneath the floor. A tight-fitting stone plug at the bottom of each pool keeps its water from draining out. Numerous tiny drain holes near the tops of the sunken pools prevent them from overflowing.
Read all
Could I have a detail of the groups. And who goes in first second .. and last. Use PM to coordinate I think or RP it before heading there .
Alyseris has left spear, crossbow and the bulk of his equipment in safekeeping at the inn (using Prestidigitation while the innkeeper is watching to make the items glow slightly, as though they had been warded).
As he walks through the gardens he’s on the lookout for any strange glyphs, icons or other markings that are out of place.
Perception: 20
If he doesn’t see anything then:
As he steps through the door he smiles, a little disconcertingly to whoever greets him. ‘Good morning. I’d like a bath please, I’ve travelled far.’
He looks around, trying to get a good sense of the room as a whole - decor, atmosphere etc
Investigation: 24
On the outside a strange feeling grips you but you can't grasp what is wrong with the whole thing. Feels like you are being watched but you see no-one.
( Info on account of both the nice rolls )
The skinny lady comes toward you in a rush and gives you the necessary towel and a cleaning stone.
"There are three baths. If you want some privacy there is one on the side that is not used."
The girl doesn't give off any strange vibes except that she seems eager to please and shy.
Alyseris heads towards the more-private bath, staying very observant of his surroundings now that his awareness of the uncanny is on high alert.
Investigation: 12
Badran hesitates before going in.
1. Its a bath without necessity. That is odd.
2. He is still alone in this gigantic city. But must remain stoic. Which he tries to hide.
16 Deception
3. Without weapons? Good thing he is never truly unarmed.
He follows the tall man after a few minutes.
5 Perception
He examines the frescoes with an interested eye, not able to make eye contact as he asks for a bath. "Any of the choices will be fine."
Just a husband, father, DM, strength coach, writer, mustard producer, youth minister, and US Army Airborne veteran trying to stay sane.
Badran The Returner
D3 and D4 are massage rooms. For now the doors are open and the no one is inside.
As the groups come in a few of the others clients and patrons leave. You all find yourselves alone with the skinny and rather strange girl.
Your belongings for the most part are not on you but you may have taken several things with you at the bathhouse. If that is the case they are on one of the bench lining the walls.
Alyseris notes that everyone else has left, and decides the time is right to finish his bathing. He gets out of the bath and grabs a towel, drying himself off and getting dressed. Attempting a certain amount of casualness he wonders innocently towards the back of the baths to see what he can see.
Deception: 7
Alyseris doesn't attract any attention at all. The others are there now bathing too and keeping the girl busy.