Toc examines the Roadhouse from the hilltop. He glances about, looking for branches from this path, or seeing if the road only continues north. He looks to the group, "We won't be able to stay here. We'll need to continue on and camp north of here, perhaps a mile and a half. But...perhaps a couple of us can stay behind in disguise to watch them? I can magically disguise myself but if others are better at this type of activity, I'd certainly let them. My crow can hang about and watch as well."
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"Would not it be more convenient to stay in that hostelry, keep to our rooms, and then those capable of sneaking around could check everything? While the rest of us will be close in case something goes wrong?" Taviel was by far not the stealthiest in the group but could play "wrong room" confidently enough and just generally did not like the idea of leaving someone alone in the cultist's camp.
Germain nods to Taviel, “Agreed, better to keep to ourselves in town and move around only in disguise than risk being noticed and alone. We might also get the opportunity to hear something of their destination. And if they just travel on, easy enough to overtake some wagons of gold, I’d think.”
Toc nods, "Very well. I agree keeping together is a valuable goal. Let us proceed and get ourselves some rooms then. Perhaps these rooms should be gathered under disguise, just on the off chance someone mentions one of us in a uniquely identifiable way. So, I shall use a spell to get us rooms. The rest of you, hoods up, act as casual as possible while simultaneously hiding any unique identifiers." He grins, casts a disguise self spell to look like an average merchant, and heads down the hill.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Moving on down the road Toc would enter the camp under disguise. No one seems too interested in him, and he is able to move to the main building without much trouble. Inside you find the place willing to let you, and those friends you say you have, rent a single room for the night. As rooms fit up to 6 people, this seems like a good alotment of rooms to the individual renting them out.
The work camp is exactly what it appears to be: a supply depot for the road builders.
The compound is crowded with food, lumber, and myriad other supplies in crates and barrels. Material that can’t be left exposed to the cold, wet weather or is especially valuable is stored in the warehouse, and anything valuable is kept in the locked strong room attached to the warehouse. Only the camp superintendent, a burly half-orc known only as Bog Luck, has a key to that inner room.
Courtyard Most of the time, this open courtyard is crowded with crates, barrels, and stacks of supplies. The damp climate means that the ground is muddy, except when the temperature is below freezing. Then the mud hardens into uneven, frost-covered ruts. A path is kept clear from the gate to the stables so animals can be moved, but during busy times, that path often runs under the balcony in front of the doors to the rooms.
Stables In some ways, the stables are the most comfortable area of the compound. When the stables are crowded, the horses’ and mules’ body heat keeps the building warm. Four stable boys take care of the animals and sleep here.
Warehouse The warehouse door is latched but unlocked. Supplies that shouldn’t be left exposed to the weather are stored here: food for the people and fodder for animals.
Rooms The wagon drivers, escorts, and laborers who stay at the compound share the rooms. None are private rooms; all have bunks for at least four people, and the larger rooms sleep six. They contain bunks, trunks for belongings, and wooden floors covered with rushes.
None of the rooms appear to have locks on their doors.
Kitchen This upper room is used for preparing food on a large stove. In the evenings, this doubles as a common room where people gather to smoke, drink, swap stories, and keep warm. Eventually the cook, a grumpy human called Gristle Pete, kicks everyone out so he can unroll his mattress and blankets and get some sleep.
(The above is what you can see and learn as you are shown to your room, and do whatever minor looking around you do. Let me know if anyone is doing anything specific prior to the arrival of the caravan.)
Having rented a room and gotten the group within it, they debrief on what they've seen.
Toc's crow crouches somewhere outside keeping an eye on things. He sits down, "I'll watch with my familiar."
He lets his senses drift into the crow, and he watches for the approach of the caravans. He'll watch specifically for interactions between Bog Luck and the cultists.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Naroth sets himself up in a corner near a window and goes about cleaning his gear and barely moving the curtains (if there are any, if there are not, he will hang a blanket over the window) to look outside.
Ulric sits down on his bed to clean his gear and check over his equipment.
"Best if we lay low over night. I'm sure the caravan will move out in the morning, we either need to leave before them or after. Which will it be? If we leave after, we can trail them at a distance but we'd be hard pressed to over take them. However it removes the possibility of anyone seeing us."
So did Taviel. Nodwick helped to settle a private corner for her where she remained out of the way of the people, that actually could sneakily check up the building.
Germain Anything specific you are sneaking to look at? What sort of disguise are you using?
Toc Your familiar sees when the caravan arrives. Each wagon is taken into the warehouse, one-at-a-time, and then taken out again. Every wagon, including those of the cultists have this done. As each is brought out it is clear that every wagon,, cultists included, has been emptied of all goods.
Toc wakes the group and informs them. "It seems as if an exchange of some sort is happening. I wonder if this whole place is being run by the cult, or if they just have an in with the leaders. Anyone have any bright ideas? Do we track the treasure, or the cultists?"
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"It is entirely possible this is an overnight security measure. We'd have to see if they are reloaded in the morning. Though it's possible this is also a way station and another group of cultists may take the treasures further on. I would say the destination of the goods is the most important mystery we must solve."
"Hopefully our friend will bring back a bit more info if he is successful in his disguise, otherwise we have no choice but to wait till morning to see what happens. Depending on what happens in the morning we can make our choice on who to follow then." Naroth says.
Germain As you move aorund you do not appear to get too much attention. You find that the warehouse door is latched but unlocked. Supplies that shouldn’t be left exposed to the weather are stored here: food for the people and fodder for animals.
Inside the warehouse you see quite a few crates that were likely unloaded from the various wagons that just arrived. Of note the crates from the cultist wagons are not to be seen in the main area. There is a fairly stout-looking door though,w hich has a lock.
Asking around you learn a bit about the strong Room Unusually valuable cargoes and personal items are kept in the strong room under lock and key. None of the workers know or care what sorts of road-building supplies are considered so valuable they must be locked up for protection. They just follow Bog Luck’s instructions and stack things where they’re told to stack them.
Since the sleeping rooms can’t be locked, workers and teamsters often have Bog Luck lock their cash and other valuables into the strong room for safekeeping. He keeps a record in a ledger book of all the personal items stored there and has a reputation for being meticulous about making sure everyone gets their belongings back—all of their belongings and only their belongings.
The key for this room is always on Bog Luck’s belt, but the lock can be opened with a successful DC 10 Dexterity check and a set of thieves’ tools.
Toc taps his fingers on the table when the group discusses, "I see three distinct possibilities. One, they are simply storing their valuables in the safest place and will reload and continue. This is the least likely to me, but possible. Two...they use this place as an exchange with other cultists, and the treasure will be picked up by another group here and taken further on. This is the most likely in my mind. Third...and maybe too devious...but they could be placing their goods there, as they plan to break in, steal EVERYTHING, but then look innocent, since indeed their treasure was also stolen. Probably not very likely, but its in my mind. I think...regardless, we do nothing but watch the treasure and follow it. I'm tempted to sneak my familiar into the room, just in case there is any magical tomfoolery sneaking it out without using the front door. But....I've only got coin for one transition left and then if we get back on the road we'd be left without aerial reconnaissance, so I think we just watch the door." He glances around at the group. "I'll ensure my raven can see the entrance and let's just see what we see."
Within the room, Toc will cast Leomunds Tiny Hut so that even if someone sneaks in or breaks in, they can't reach the group.
In the morning as well, he'll cast his usual Water Breathing on everyone, so they can breath water for the day.
Toc examines the Roadhouse from the hilltop. He glances about, looking for branches from this path, or seeing if the road only continues north. He looks to the group, "We won't be able to stay here. We'll need to continue on and camp north of here, perhaps a mile and a half. But...perhaps a couple of us can stay behind in disguise to watch them? I can magically disguise myself but if others are better at this type of activity, I'd certainly let them. My crow can hang about and watch as well."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Would not it be more convenient to stay in that hostelry, keep to our rooms, and then those capable of sneaking around could check everything? While the rest of us will be close in case something goes wrong?" Taviel was by far not the stealthiest in the group but could play "wrong room" confidently enough and just generally did not like the idea of leaving someone alone in the cultist's camp.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Germain nods to Taviel, “Agreed, better to keep to ourselves in town and move around only in disguise than risk being noticed and alone. We might also get the opportunity to hear something of their destination. And if they just travel on, easy enough to overtake some wagons of gold, I’d think.”
Toc nods, "Very well. I agree keeping together is a valuable goal. Let us proceed and get ourselves some rooms then. Perhaps these rooms should be gathered under disguise, just on the off chance someone mentions one of us in a uniquely identifiable way. So, I shall use a spell to get us rooms. The rest of you, hoods up, act as casual as possible while simultaneously hiding any unique identifiers." He grins, casts a disguise self spell to look like an average merchant, and heads down the hill.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Agreed. Better to be active inside the compound than outside waiting.
Moving on down the road Toc would enter the camp under disguise. No one seems too interested in him, and he is able to move to the main building without much trouble. Inside you find the place willing to let you, and those friends you say you have, rent a single room for the night. As rooms fit up to 6 people, this seems like a good alotment of rooms to the individual renting them out.
The work camp is exactly what it appears to be: a supply depot for the road builders.
The compound is crowded with food, lumber, and myriad other supplies in crates and barrels. Material that can’t be left exposed to the cold, wet weather or is especially valuable is stored in the warehouse, and anything valuable is kept in the locked strong room attached to the warehouse. Only the camp superintendent, a burly half-orc known only as Bog Luck, has a key to that inner room.
Courtyard
Most of the time, this open courtyard is crowded with crates, barrels, and stacks of supplies. The damp climate means that the ground is muddy, except when the temperature is below freezing. Then the mud hardens into uneven, frost-covered ruts. A path is kept clear from the gate to the stables so animals can be moved, but during busy times, that path often runs under the balcony in front of the doors to the rooms.
Stables
In some ways, the stables are the most comfortable area of the compound. When the stables are crowded, the horses’ and mules’ body heat keeps the building warm. Four stable boys take care of the animals and sleep here.
Warehouse
The warehouse door is latched but unlocked. Supplies that shouldn’t be left exposed to the weather are stored here: food for the people and fodder for animals.
Rooms
The wagon drivers, escorts, and laborers who stay at the compound share the rooms. None are private rooms; all have bunks for at least four people, and the larger rooms sleep six. They contain bunks, trunks for belongings, and wooden floors covered with rushes.
None of the rooms appear to have locks on their doors.
Kitchen
This upper room is used for preparing food on a large stove. In the evenings, this doubles as a common room where people gather to smoke, drink, swap stories, and keep warm. Eventually the cook, a grumpy human called Gristle Pete, kicks everyone out so he can unroll his mattress and blankets and get some sleep.
(The above is what you can see and learn as you are shown to your room, and do whatever minor looking around you do. Let me know if anyone is doing anything specific prior to the arrival of the caravan.)
Having rented a room and gotten the group within it, they debrief on what they've seen.
Toc's crow crouches somewhere outside keeping an eye on things. He sits down, "I'll watch with my familiar."
He lets his senses drift into the crow, and he watches for the approach of the caravans. He'll watch specifically for interactions between Bog Luck and the cultists.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Germain sets up a ritual alarm spell to keep watch on the room before magically disguising himself and prowling the area briefly.
Naroth sets himself up in a corner near a window and goes about cleaning his gear and barely moving the curtains (if there are any, if there are not, he will hang a blanket over the window) to look outside.
Ulric sits down on his bed to clean his gear and check over his equipment.
"Best if we lay low over night. I'm sure the caravan will move out in the morning, we either need to leave before them or after. Which will it be? If we leave after, we can trail them at a distance but we'd be hard pressed to over take them. However it removes the possibility of anyone seeing us."
So did Taviel. Nodwick helped to settle a private corner for her where she remained out of the way of the people, that actually could sneakily check up the building.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Germain
Anything specific you are sneaking to look at? What sort of disguise are you using?
Toc
Your familiar sees when the caravan arrives. Each wagon is taken into the warehouse, one-at-a-time, and then taken out again. Every wagon, including those of the cultists have this done. As each is brought out it is clear that every wagon,, cultists included, has been emptied of all goods.
Toc wakes the group and informs them. "It seems as if an exchange of some sort is happening. I wonder if this whole place is being run by the cult, or if they just have an in with the leaders. Anyone have any bright ideas? Do we track the treasure, or the cultists?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Looking at security on the warehouse and wagons. Disguised as a half-orc mercenary bearing no colors or insignia.
"It is entirely possible this is an overnight security measure. We'd have to see if they are reloaded in the morning. Though it's possible this is also a way station and another group of cultists may take the treasures further on. I would say the destination of the goods is the most important mystery we must solve."
"Hopefully our friend will bring back a bit more info if he is successful in his disguise, otherwise we have no choice but to wait till morning to see what happens. Depending on what happens in the morning we can make our choice on who to follow then." Naroth says.
Germain
As you move aorund you do not appear to get too much attention.
You find that the warehouse door is latched but unlocked. Supplies that shouldn’t be left exposed to the weather are stored here: food for the people and fodder for animals.
Inside the warehouse you see quite a few crates that were likely unloaded from the various wagons that just arrived. Of note the crates from the cultist wagons are not to be seen in the main area. There is a fairly stout-looking door though,w hich has a lock.
Asking around you learn a bit about the strong Room
Unusually valuable cargoes and personal items are kept in the strong room under lock and key. None of the workers know or care what sorts of road-building supplies are considered so valuable they must be locked up for protection. They just follow Bog Luck’s instructions and stack things where they’re told to stack them.
Since the sleeping rooms can’t be locked, workers and teamsters often have Bog Luck lock their cash and other valuables into the strong room for safekeeping. He keeps a record in a ledger book of all the personal items stored there and has a reputation for being meticulous about making sure everyone gets their belongings back—all of their belongings and only their belongings.
The key for this room is always on Bog Luck’s belt, but the lock can be opened with a successful DC 10 Dexterity check and a set of thieves’ tools.
Toc taps his fingers on the table when the group discusses, "I see three distinct possibilities. One, they are simply storing their valuables in the safest place and will reload and continue. This is the least likely to me, but possible. Two...they use this place as an exchange with other cultists, and the treasure will be picked up by another group here and taken further on. This is the most likely in my mind. Third...and maybe too devious...but they could be placing their goods there, as they plan to break in, steal EVERYTHING, but then look innocent, since indeed their treasure was also stolen. Probably not very likely, but its in my mind. I think...regardless, we do nothing but watch the treasure and follow it. I'm tempted to sneak my familiar into the room, just in case there is any magical tomfoolery sneaking it out without using the front door. But....I've only got coin for one transition left and then if we get back on the road we'd be left without aerial reconnaissance, so I think we just watch the door." He glances around at the group. "I'll ensure my raven can see the entrance and let's just see what we see."
Within the room, Toc will cast Leomunds Tiny Hut so that even if someone sneaks in or breaks in, they can't reach the group.
In the morning as well, he'll cast his usual Water Breathing on everyone, so they can breath water for the day.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Is the strongroom guarded?
Definetly watched during the daytime. Not as likely to be guarded at night though.