((The backyard for a gravesite will work. The soil is workable with some rocky sections. If we take all of your combined rolls and given how long Ben and Ess are taking in town, I think the hole would be pretty big especially given that natural 20. It's likely going to be finished or very close when Ben and Ess get back at this rate.))
((Absolutely, short rest is good during lunch.))
"Hanna, yes. So I assume the carriage is at the inn? And is there anything else you'd like a personal guard to watch over for you, your royal highness? BAHAHAHA!" he laughs boisterously. "I'm only kidding, lads. It's just, we're busy. Yes, of course, we'll be watching your carriage. We watch everyone's carriages. We do our best. But to tell you they'll be a personal guard watching over it day and night, well ye'd best be paying some good coin if ye need that type of service."
He raises an eyebrow when you start talking more.
"Ye seem to know a lot, Ben is it?((let's assume intros were done, but if Ben would've went by another name, that's cool)) "Regarding the work, I was more referring to general guard duty. Most of the ladies and gents that come in here looking fer work don't ask this many questions."
The guard actually seems impressed by your questioning.
"Yes. There is a theft problem 'round here. We've been trying to deal with it for months. Hence why we've been hiring more guards. Seems to be working just fine for the normal local crime, but we've yet to nail these bunch of assforks. Oh definitely whoever is doing the stealing is smart enough to not sell the goods here. Yeah we assume they have a larger vessel to transport the goods, but we've yet to figure that part out. Numerous patrols each night, all coming up blank. We'd take any help we can get. A lead would be nice." and he looks at you assuming you don't have one for him.
Ess is standing in the back, nodding like he's on the same intellectual level as Ben, but not actually saying anything. haha.
"The Lizardfolk haven't seemed to be an issue for awhile. Thank the gods for that. Winston said what now? Winston must be starting on the hard stuff early today. BAHAHA." another boisterous laugh. "Hmmmm... we used to send patrols up that way, you know, up to their lair, just to keep an eye on things. We stopped doing that awhile ago. Suppose we both had a common trust that we'd leave each other alone. And they have. And we have. Hmmm..... maybe we should start patrolling them again. Hmmmmmm....." he rubs his chin and thinks a bit.
"Just concerned about our valuables, you understand! But then you probably also hear it from everyone that's been robbed."
(Winston and Hanna know Ben as Ben so it would be a bit late for a change!)
"No, I didn't have guard duty in mind. Not really inclined towards guarding! As you've deduced, I am more of a questioning type."
On hearing about the town's situation he taps his chin and looks to Ess,
"Well... I suppose we could put our minds to it and see if we can turn up something? Fresh eyes and all that." He gives Ess a look and thoughtful nod before turning back and asking, "I know its crass to ask, but a man needs to eat and this may very well put us in harm's way, is there a reward or something of the sort? For information? Recovery of goods?"
((Ess and Ben have the same level of intelligence, Ben just sounds smarter by filling the air with bullspork.))
To the next bit about the lizardfolk Ben can only shrug and offer broadly,
"Unfortunately I can help you there, unless you are looking to send an envoy, with heavy security to them!"
((that is a good point about Ben's name haha. Had to ask though. it is Ben after all :) ))
Ess nods at Ben and says "Absolutely. Name's Ess, sir. Anything we can do to help out around here let us know!" he's over enthusiastic but it kind of amuses the captain. He's probably seen a dozen of Ess-looking guys applying for guard work over the last little while, usually with a tougher demeanor.
Eliander says "Reward? Humph. You're even smarter than I thought."
"The stealing is really upsetting folks round here. As it should. It's turning away entrepreneurs to our city. It's deterring folk from wanting to make Marshswamp their destination. I don't know exact amounts, but I know council was talking last meeting about putting up a helluva bounty to stop what's been going on round here let me tell ya. I tend to stay out of the finance stuff unless it deals directly with me, but I'm sure it'd be north of 500 gold should this thing be stopped. Maybe more for the goods returned. The poor Marshalls family lost their entire stock of whisky. Damn shame I tell ya."
"You boys let me know should you learn something, yeah? I'm sure the other council members will want to know more as well. Do speak to them if you learn anything. But come to me first. BAHAHAHA!" queue boisterous laugh.
"Hmmmm.... let me speak with my officers about the Lizardfolk. I'm thinking we might just in fact start the patrols back up north near their lair. I've been thinking about them more lately and maybe you being a complete stranger coming in here mentioning them is a sign."
"500 gold plus a bonus for returning stolen merchandise? Well that sounds like a promising job doesn't it Ess! Being new to town and all, where would I get something like that in writing? I've been a party to too many deals where one side does their bit only to get shorted when it all is said and done! Do we need to meet some of the councilors or is there some official announcement somewhere?"
((With Ben, of course, doing the shorting.))
"I wish you luck with the lizardfolk, I hope things were being overblown. Nothing deters people from visiting like a place becoming a war zone."
"Hey Ash, want to help me practice something? You stand... there, and fling one of your sling bullets at me, and I'll try to catch it. Just don't aim for the face or the jibblies, eh?", Korrik asks when Ash come down to trade off digging shifts with him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ash looks up, “Are you sure?... okay then!... ...”. She gets up and wonders almost 30ft from Korrik, and takes out her sling... “You’re really sure?... Wait, you’re not going to throw this back at me, are you??!... Hmm... ...”. Assuming he reassures her, she gives him a countdown from 3 and fires (aiming at his chest)...
Bonus action: ‘Steady Aim’ (for advantage on attack)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Reduce damage by: 10, catching it if damage reduced to 0
Korrik times the incoming sling bullet and dips to the side, turning with it, his hand blurring a bit with shadow that wraps around the bullet, snatching it out of the air and into his palm as he twirls back around to Ash, holding it up triumphantly between thumb and forefinger.
"Thanks for not going all out! Pretty cool though, huh?!", he tosses it gently back to her.
Ash catches the returned bullet and looks from it back up at Korrik, “Wow!.. That IS pretty cool!!”.
”And I wasn’t holding back... Maybe I wasn’t aiming for your throat or your ‘jibblies’, but that was a ‘real’ shot!.... ... Hmm.. Yes! Very nice!....”. She puts the bullet away, nodding thoughtfully to herself.
"Good to know! And yeah, I can throw it back, but it kinda takes up some of my focus to do that. When I meditate, I sort of fill up a barrel of calm, but when I do things like make it so I can see in the dark, or cover an area with shadow, or throw things back that I catch, or stuff, it takes some of that stored calm to do it, like turning a tap. When the barrel runs dry, I can't do those things until I get a chance to calm myself and refill it. Don't know if that sounds like crazy nonsense or not."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Ash teases Korrik, “Korrik, that’s crazy nonsense and you know it!!... It’s just called lazy, sitting ‘maditating’. Really?”. She gives him a sly look with a cheeky grin...
“Haha! No, but you can’t argue with results!... What you did back there in the caves, throwing that arrow back, and all? I think we’ll still be talking about that for years to come! They were some clutch moves!”.
Ben, the captain responds "Yeah, that's right. Wait 5 minutes and then just head into the council room. Just over there. I'll go in and tell them you're coming. I know they'll be interested especially if you're as serious as I think you are about all of this."
He wonders to himself... is there something this new tiefling is not telling me? Seemingly new to the city, asking about all of the thefts and crime around here, asking if he can fight the crimes, super well spoken, lots of questions... seems kind of fishy. Perhaps a rogue agent who fled the gang?
Eliander is going to roll an insight check on Ben and Ess. Feel free to counter roll back. 12
That is not high enough for what I was looking for.
I will now paraphrase and summarize the meeting with the council members! The captain seems to be on board with the Ben/Ess duo.
"Oh, we are quite serious. We are not promising anything though. Ess has taken a liking to Marshswamp and I want to make sure my friend is staying safe."
He heads in as instructed and has a, hopefully, fruitful discussion that gets a solid bounty for work already done.
Given PbP and the amount of councilors to speak with, I will summarize the meeting with Ben/Ess, and here are the details from that meeting.
So they don't know that you know anything about the smugglers at all at this point. Just what you've told the captain which he briefed them on.
The captain introduces you to the council members.
- The town council of Marshswamp would reward 200 gp for uncovering the smuggling operation and/or providing a solid lead, along with returning any stolen goods. They didn't specify how much goods they would require to be returned as the thefts have been going on for awhile and the merchants would be happy to get anything back at this point.
- It would be explained that the land-based operation of the smuggling ring must be accompanied by a seagoing vessel by which the contraband is conveyed. (which you already know)
- They would also speak of a second reward of 400 gp for the successful (and proven) end of the smuggling ring altogether.
- They would pay even more depending on what else is uncovered with the operation (ie. they may be sitting on a ton of stolen goods.)
They are not going to give you anything in writing about this (at this point, anyway). You are new to the town, and while they appreciate how eager you are to help out, at this point they wouldn't offer something in writing to you.
Ben thanks the councilors and the captain, gathers the carriage and heads back to the mansion.
He stops at a few points and waits to see if they are being followed, dropping Ess behind to hide and wait then catch up. The carriage will be hidden in the trees rather than parked outside.
He will layout what he learned and pass out gear and money, Was getting less because of the armor.
"I think we can do better than what they are offering. What we recovered is already worth more than the full 600. Thoughts?"
Given the guard captain/council meeting, the gathering of the carriage and the 1hr trip back - would you all agree that it's around 4pm when Ben and Ess return to the mansion?
If so, I think that natural 20 went a long way with the hole. I'd say it was ready to be filled with the bodies, and maybe Ash and Kay were starting to do that when the others returned.
"I mean... I'm no math wizard, hehehehehe! Kidding Kay! But yeah, Yer darn right we could get more somewhere else. It's just... do we want to? I mean heck guys I'd be happy turning these punks in, taking the rewards and then seeing what might turn up on their boat. If the captain is as dumb as these punks well it won't be hard to take it now will it?"
"Because dudes. I kind of want to live here. Not here, but back in Marshswamp. And well I think this could be my free ticket. Maybe they'll give me a residence."
"I dunno homeys. Can't say I don't love the adrenaline rushes though with this life bros! And Ash!"
((I’d say lunch might have been a short rest?))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
((The backyard for a gravesite will work. The soil is workable with some rocky sections. If we take all of your combined rolls and given how long Ben and Ess are taking in town, I think the hole would be pretty big especially given that natural 20. It's likely going to be finished or very close when Ben and Ess get back at this rate.))
((Absolutely, short rest is good during lunch.))
"Hanna, yes. So I assume the carriage is at the inn? And is there anything else you'd like a personal guard to watch over for you, your royal highness? BAHAHAHA!" he laughs boisterously. "I'm only kidding, lads. It's just, we're busy. Yes, of course, we'll be watching your carriage. We watch everyone's carriages. We do our best. But to tell you they'll be a personal guard watching over it day and night, well ye'd best be paying some good coin if ye need that type of service."
He raises an eyebrow when you start talking more.
"Ye seem to know a lot, Ben is it? ((let's assume intros were done, but if Ben would've went by another name, that's cool)) "Regarding the work, I was more referring to general guard duty. Most of the ladies and gents that come in here looking fer work don't ask this many questions."
The guard actually seems impressed by your questioning.
"Yes. There is a theft problem 'round here. We've been trying to deal with it for months. Hence why we've been hiring more guards. Seems to be working just fine for the normal local crime, but we've yet to nail these bunch of assforks. Oh definitely whoever is doing the stealing is smart enough to not sell the goods here. Yeah we assume they have a larger vessel to transport the goods, but we've yet to figure that part out. Numerous patrols each night, all coming up blank. We'd take any help we can get. A lead would be nice." and he looks at you assuming you don't have one for him.
Ess is standing in the back, nodding like he's on the same intellectual level as Ben, but not actually saying anything. haha.
"The Lizardfolk haven't seemed to be an issue for awhile. Thank the gods for that. Winston said what now? Winston must be starting on the hard stuff early today. BAHAHA." another boisterous laugh. "Hmmmm... we used to send patrols up that way, you know, up to their lair, just to keep an eye on things. We stopped doing that awhile ago. Suppose we both had a common trust that we'd leave each other alone. And they have. And we have. Hmmm..... maybe we should start patrolling them again. Hmmmmmm....." he rubs his chin and thinks a bit.
Ess still remains quiet!
Ben laughs along with the 'royal highness' joke.
"Just concerned about our valuables, you understand! But then you probably also hear it from everyone that's been robbed."
(Winston and Hanna know Ben as Ben so it would be a bit late for a change!)
"No, I didn't have guard duty in mind. Not really inclined towards guarding! As you've deduced, I am more of a questioning type."
On hearing about the town's situation he taps his chin and looks to Ess,
"Well... I suppose we could put our minds to it and see if we can turn up something? Fresh eyes and all that." He gives Ess a look and thoughtful nod before turning back and asking, "I know its crass to ask, but a man needs to eat and this may very well put us in harm's way, is there a reward or something of the sort? For information? Recovery of goods?"
((Ess and Ben have the same level of intelligence, Ben just sounds smarter by filling the air with bullspork.))
To the next bit about the lizardfolk Ben can only shrug and offer broadly,
"Unfortunately I can help you there, unless you are looking to send an envoy, with heavy security to them!"
((that is a good point about Ben's name haha. Had to ask though. it is Ben after all :) ))
Ess nods at Ben and says "Absolutely. Name's Ess, sir. Anything we can do to help out around here let us know!" he's over enthusiastic but it kind of amuses the captain. He's probably seen a dozen of Ess-looking guys applying for guard work over the last little while, usually with a tougher demeanor.
Eliander says "Reward? Humph. You're even smarter than I thought."
"The stealing is really upsetting folks round here. As it should. It's turning away entrepreneurs to our city. It's deterring folk from wanting to make Marshswamp their destination. I don't know exact amounts, but I know council was talking last meeting about putting up a helluva bounty to stop what's been going on round here let me tell ya. I tend to stay out of the finance stuff unless it deals directly with me, but I'm sure it'd be north of 500 gold should this thing be stopped. Maybe more for the goods returned. The poor Marshalls family lost their entire stock of whisky. Damn shame I tell ya."
"You boys let me know should you learn something, yeah? I'm sure the other council members will want to know more as well. Do speak to them if you learn anything. But come to me first. BAHAHAHA!" queue boisterous laugh.
"Hmmmm.... let me speak with my officers about the Lizardfolk. I'm thinking we might just in fact start the patrols back up north near their lair. I've been thinking about them more lately and maybe you being a complete stranger coming in here mentioning them is a sign."
((good point again about Ess and Ben INT... ok replace intellectual with charismatic, haha!))
Ben pats Ess encouragingly on the shoulder,
"500 gold plus a bonus for returning stolen merchandise? Well that sounds like a promising job doesn't it Ess! Being new to town and all, where would I get something like that in writing? I've been a party to too many deals where one side does their bit only to get shorted when it all is said and done! Do we need to meet some of the councilors or is there some official announcement somewhere?"
((With Ben, of course, doing the shorting.))
"I wish you luck with the lizardfolk, I hope things were being overblown. Nothing deters people from visiting like a place becoming a war zone."
"Hey Ash, want to help me practice something? You stand... there, and fling one of your sling bullets at me, and I'll try to catch it. Just don't aim for the face or the jibblies, eh?", Korrik asks when Ash come down to trade off digging shifts with him.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Ash looks up, “Are you sure?... okay then!... ...”. She gets up and wonders almost 30ft from Korrik, and takes out her sling... “You’re really sure?... Wait, you’re not going to throw this back at me, are you??!... Hmm... ...”. Assuming he reassures her, she gives him a countdown from 3 and fires (aiming at his chest)...
Bonus action: ‘Steady Aim’ (for advantage on attack)
Attack action: Attack: 20 Damage: 7 (bludgeoning damage)
((she chooses NOT to add 6 sneak attack damage, by avoiding vital spots))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Reduce damage by: 10, catching it if damage reduced to 0
Korrik times the incoming sling bullet and dips to the side, turning with it, his hand blurring a bit with shadow that wraps around the bullet, snatching it out of the air and into his palm as he twirls back around to Ash, holding it up triumphantly between thumb and forefinger.
"Thanks for not going all out! Pretty cool though, huh?!", he tosses it gently back to her.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Ash catches the returned bullet and looks from it back up at Korrik, “Wow!.. That IS pretty cool!!”.
”And I wasn’t holding back... Maybe I wasn’t aiming for your throat or your ‘jibblies’, but that was a ‘real’ shot!.... ... Hmm.. Yes! Very nice!....”. She puts the bullet away, nodding thoughtfully to herself.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
"Good to know! And yeah, I can throw it back, but it kinda takes up some of my focus to do that. When I meditate, I sort of fill up a barrel of calm, but when I do things like make it so I can see in the dark, or cover an area with shadow, or throw things back that I catch, or stuff, it takes some of that stored calm to do it, like turning a tap. When the barrel runs dry, I can't do those things until I get a chance to calm myself and refill it. Don't know if that sounds like crazy nonsense or not."
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Ash teases Korrik, “Korrik, that’s crazy nonsense and you know it!!... It’s just called lazy, sitting ‘maditating’. Really?”. She gives him a sly look with a cheeky grin...
“Haha! No, but you can’t argue with results!... What you did back there in the caves, throwing that arrow back, and all? I think we’ll still be talking about that for years to come! They were some clutch moves!”.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
((nice!!!))
Ben, the captain responds "Yeah, that's right. Wait 5 minutes and then just head into the council room. Just over there. I'll go in and tell them you're coming. I know they'll be interested especially if you're as serious as I think you are about all of this."
He wonders to himself... is there something this new tiefling is not telling me? Seemingly new to the city, asking about all of the thefts and crime around here, asking if he can fight the crimes, super well spoken, lots of questions... seems kind of fishy. Perhaps a rogue agent who fled the gang?
Eliander is going to roll an insight check on Ben and Ess. Feel free to counter roll back. 12
That is not high enough for what I was looking for.
I will now paraphrase and summarize the meeting with the council members! The captain seems to be on board with the Ben/Ess duo.
"Oh, we are quite serious. We are not promising anything though. Ess has taken a liking to Marshswamp and I want to make sure my friend is staying safe."
He heads in as instructed and has a, hopefully, fruitful discussion that gets a solid bounty for work already done.
Given PbP and the amount of councilors to speak with, I will summarize the meeting with Ben/Ess, and here are the details from that meeting.
So they don't know that you know anything about the smugglers at all at this point. Just what you've told the captain which he briefed them on.
The captain introduces you to the council members.
- The town council of Marshswamp would reward 200 gp for uncovering the smuggling operation and/or providing a solid lead, along with returning any stolen goods. They didn't specify how much goods they would require to be returned as the thefts have been going on for awhile and the merchants would be happy to get anything back at this point.
- It would be explained that the land-based operation of the smuggling ring must be accompanied by a seagoing vessel by which the contraband is conveyed. (which you already know)
- They would also speak of a second reward of 400 gp for the successful (and proven) end of the smuggling ring altogether.
- They would pay even more depending on what else is uncovered with the operation (ie. they may be sitting on a ton of stolen goods.)
They are not going to give you anything in writing about this (at this point, anyway). You are new to the town, and while they appreciate how eager you are to help out, at this point they wouldn't offer something in writing to you.
Ben thanks the councilors and the captain, gathers the carriage and heads back to the mansion.
He stops at a few points and waits to see if they are being followed, dropping Ess behind to hide and wait then catch up. The carriage will be hidden in the trees rather than parked outside.
He will layout what he learned and pass out gear and money, Was getting less because of the armor.
"I think we can do better than what they are offering. What we recovered is already worth more than the full 600. Thoughts?"
Given the guard captain/council meeting, the gathering of the carriage and the 1hr trip back - would you all agree that it's around 4pm when Ben and Ess return to the mansion?
If so, I think that natural 20 went a long way with the hole. I'd say it was ready to be filled with the bodies, and maybe Ash and Kay were starting to do that when the others returned.
oops, I forgot to mention that you were not followed.
"I mean... I'm no math wizard, hehehehehe! Kidding Kay! But yeah, Yer darn right we could get more somewhere else. It's just... do we want to? I mean heck guys I'd be happy turning these punks in, taking the rewards and then seeing what might turn up on their boat. If the captain is as dumb as these punks well it won't be hard to take it now will it?"
"Because dudes. I kind of want to live here. Not here, but back in Marshswamp. And well I think this could be my free ticket. Maybe they'll give me a residence."
"I dunno homeys. Can't say I don't love the adrenaline rushes though with this life bros! And Ash!"
Ess is conflicted.
((Timing sounds good!))