CH. 12: Testing Grounds
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:35 pm
Autumn Twilight 11, Night's Eye
Haahqae - Haahqae heads to the Masked Dragon and speaks with Ismene, telling her about the show. She had heard about the attack, but wasn't present for it, and was curious about the elemental. She [RELATIONSHIP check (1d20): 10, fail] turns down his request to go to the mageware shop with him to read, however, citing she has to wash her hair. Heading downstairs, Haahqae runs into Vincent and demands to know why he sent an elemental into the market. Vincent claims to have no idea what he's talking about; he cannot even use any magic. The innkeeper steps in and politely but firmly asks Haahqae to leave. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 16, fail] but has no luck at all. Finally, he returns to the Tankard and asks Cassandra to let him resume his performances [CHA check (1d20): 5, pass] and she reluctantly agrees after some persuading. He puts on a performance [REP check (1d20): 6, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 4, pass] and earns 1 copper piece. He then spends 5 silver on his room.
Kendra - Kendra stays in the shop and spends the day trying to sell that ring [CHA check (1d20): 20, fail]. She has little luck, though. Tulbas stops by to ask her about Gregeddin. Later, Arulia stops by with Camilla and Kendra delivers Thoron's message. Sadron regains 3 HP (his condition improves from 'near death' to 'critically wounded').
Tulbas - Tulbas gets in some studying, then goes to the jewelry store to ask Kendra about Gregeddin. She tells him he's more or less out of luck and doesn't seem terribly interested in helping free him. He returns home and Gobax shows up, asking him everything he knows about Kendra. Tulbas asks him about the elemental, but Grubnick does not admit to being involved.
Arulia - Arulia takes the day off and escorts Camilla to the jewelry shop. Kendra relays the message Thoron gave her; that he's alive and well for now and that the family should focus on staying together and strong. Kendra also agrees to train Camilla after they work out a schedule to do so. She then heads to the Seven Centaurs and tells William about her encounter with the priestess.
Grubnick - Grubnick goes to the mageware shop and asks Tulbas about Kendra. Tulbas tells him that he and Kendra worked together once before and they've only known each other for less than a month. She was a Holy Guard originally, and he's surprised that she's now a soldier in the dragonarmy, much less an elite one. He pays 8 silver for his room at the High Hand.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. Both heal 1 HP. Shima buys them breakfast.
Shima - Shima goes to the High Hand and buys breakfast for Felran and Ne-Chanz by way of apology, spending 2 silver. He then goes to the Masked Dragon and gets a bath for 3 copper. He tries looking for Arulia, Gobax, Tulbas or Haahqae but has no luck, so goes to update Jane on the job. She denies him permission to hire more people, insisting that as few as people as possible know about this job and that if he tells anyone, he breaks the deal and won't get that lead on Xyleena and Yvette. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 12, Dead Eye
Haahqae - Haahqae heads to the Old Fort and asks for an audience with one of the commanders [REP check (1d20): 4, pass] and luckily the guards recognize him and let him in. He speaks with a Khurish woman named Mouna and asks that he be allowed to put on booked performances for the soldiers [CHA check (1d20): 15, fail] and she isn't sure she likes the idea. Realizing that all he really needs is access to the fort and if his plan works, he'll have plenty of coin, he agrees to do it for free. Mouna agrees to this, but insists he has an escort at all times while on the premises. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 20, fail] but has no luck at all. He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 3, pass/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 3 copper. He pays 5 silver for his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red-haired dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 3, pass] she learns there was a red haired dwarf staying at the High Hand. But when she arrives, he seems to have checked out already. That evening, she trains Camilla a bit. The girl has potential, but no skill whatsoever. Kendra earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP (his condition improves from 'critically wounded' to 'seriously wounded').
Tulbas - Tulbas prepares for his Test.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver. Cassilda brings home 2 steel pieces from her job.
Grubnick - Grubnick goes to visit Delharn. However, he finds the dwarf has already checked out. He left him a note, claiming that the army must be on to him, because he got word a soldier was searching for him. He's gone into hiding for now, but doesn't say where. He just tells Grubnick to stay vigilant and he'll contact him when the heat dies down. Grubnick pays 8 silver for his room.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. Both heal 3 HP. Felran is now fully healed. Ne-Chanz improves from moderately wounded to lightly wounded.
Shima - Shima heads to the Temple of Takhisis and asks for magical healing. The priestess there offers him a choice. He can pay for it, although it is expensive (10 steel for each HP restored), he can convert to the Takhisian faith by pledging his soul to the Dragon Queen forever and get it for free, or he can do a job. The church wants someone 'taken care of' for them, who might prove troublesome later. They don't offer any details unless he accepts. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 13, Dream Dance
Haahqae - Haahqae heads back to the barracks and puts on a show. After the show, he tries to learn what he can about the treasury. This doesn't prove easy with an escort, but he asks around casually [CHA check (1d20): 9, pass] and manages to get some info. He learns that the treasury is a large room in the main fortress itself, that it is locked with a masterwork lock, that it is highly unlikely to have any magical wards or traps on it, that it likely contains tens of thousands of steel pieces, that it is in a highly restricted area (even common soldiers aren't allowed there; only those with clearance) and it is guarded by a red dragon. There are four dragons in the city. The largest belongs to Tethys and stays at his mansion. The other three take turns guarding the treasury (they just like to sleep near it). One is always sleeping with the coin while the other two are on sky patrol. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 8, pass] and hears word of a woman matching Yvette's description entering the temple but is unable to find her when he checks himself. Still, it's more of a lead than he's ever had before. He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 19, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 2 copper coins. He spends 5 silver for his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red haired dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 5, pass] she gets word of a dwarf matching the description staying at the Ivy Inn. She finds him there and interrogates him, but he claims to be a cobbler and was nowhere near the marketplace that day. She does some searching and learns his alibi holds up. That evening, she continues training Camilla. She earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP.
Tulbas - Tulbas prepares for his Test.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver.
Grubnick - Grubnick finds posters up at the High Hand and several other places for recruitment into the army. The posters have Kendra's picture on them, pointing at the reader, saying, "We need YOU to join the army and protect the city from rebels and vagrants." He also overhears some soldiers talking about a possible parade in her honor. He pays 8 silver for his room.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. He heals 3 HP.
Shima - Shima does some looking around for Raena [INT check (1d20): 7, pass] and is directed to the Daft Gnome Alehouse. She congratulates him on getting Gregeddin arrested but wants to know when he's going to do something about Haahqae. Playing along, he asks for another week. She tells him she'll hold him to that. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 14, Winged Trade
Haahqae - Haahqae returns to the Masked Dragon to spend time with Ismene [RELATIONSHIP check (1d20): 17, pass]. She agrees to having tea with him in the public common area. He asks about Arcane and she tells him she acquired her in a ritual that took place shortly after she passed her Test. He gleans that the ritual requires a brass brazier full of burning charcoal, and that some very expensive herbs and incense are burned upon it. He also learns that Arcane's dietary habits are the same as any other ferret; indeed, a familiar is endowed with slightly more intelligence but is otherwise not that different than a normal animal. At least, not at first. As time passes, the magic connecting the two begins to affect the familiar, deepening the connection between mage and familiar. They also discuss the history of magic, one of her favorite topics. She seems less wary around him now; maybe not friendly exactly, but it's still an improvement (Relationship +1). He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas, and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 14, pass] and hears a rumor that two women (one fair complected, one dark) were nosing around the High Hand recently. He checks it out and confirms from the barmaids they were there, asking around about a dwarf. But he loses the trail there and isn't sure where they are now (he confirms they are not staying at the High Hand, though). He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 15, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 2 copper. He spends 5 silver on his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red hair dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 20, fail] she comes up with nothing but dead ends. That evening, she trains Camilla further. She earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP.
Tulbas - Tulbas is given the day off from his studies. He heads to the temple and asks about leads on the elemental. The high priestess does believe it was a heretical cleric. She confirms that the army is searching, as are a number of mercenaries looking to claim the open bounty. The only lead is some are saying it might be a dwarf. Tulbas then hits the taverns and starts asking questions and spending some coin (15 silver, +1 to one INT roll) to do it. He asks about any miraculous events in the city [INT check (1d20): 11, pass] and hears a rumor that someone claimed to see a man turn regular copper coins into steel coins. It may have been a trick, though. He asks about groups in the city that organize to defy the occupation [INT check (1d20): 12, pass] and hears some vague rumors that a member of the old thieves' guild was going to start up a resistance force. Finally, he asks about power shifts and relations between the church and army [INT+1 check] (1d20): 20, pass] and hears hearsay about the high priestess and prefect being at odds and even hiring spies against each other. Further, the prefect recently had a fancy party and didn't invite the high priestess or any other representative of the church, and they took that as a slight against them.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver.
Grubnick - Grubnick pays 8 silver for his room at the High Hand.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. He heals 3 HP. Ne-Chanz is now fully healed.
Shima - Shima heads to the barracks and asks for an audience with one of the commanders there [CHA check (1d20): 11, pass]. He is allowed to speak with one of them and asks about reacquiring his things. After explaining the situation, the commander starts asking lots of questions about Shima's relationship with Gregeddin. How close are they? Do they work together? Did Shima have anything to do with Gregeddin's crimes? Shima realizes he has basically admitted to knowing and living with a man accused of attacking the prefect [CHA check (1d20): 16, fail] and is unable to convince him he's innocent. Shima spends the rest of the day being held for questioning by various army officials, and some even have clerics of Takhisis come in to use magic to verify he is speaking the truth. They demand to know why he wants to reacquire weapons and armor, which are now illegal anyway. Eventually Shima is able to convince them he's innocent of whatever Gregeddin did and they allow him to go. However, they assure him they'll be keeping a 'close eye' on him from here on, and have forbidden him to leave the city until the ongoing investigation into Gregeddin is over. Shima returns home empty-handed, but at least he's not sharing a prison cell with Gregeddin. He heals 1 HP.
==================================
It is the morning of Autumn Twilight 15th, World Tree, in the year 351 AC. It is First Watch.
Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Room 15)
Haahqae wakes up that morning in that same cold, dreary, dilapidated room as always. But at least now he's made some progress. He got Cassandra to agree to let him continue his performances, although they bring in very little coin--not even enough to pay for his room. The Tankard is not a very prestigious inn, however. Only the poorest tend to frequent there. The baaz like his shows well enough, but they usually get so drunk on free ale that they forget to leave him anything in his tip bowl.
He also managed to get into the barracks, although he isn't getting paid for that at all. But he could get a serious payday...if everything goes right. He'll need the perfect plan to pull off this heist. He'll need a way to evade his escort without arousing suspicion, a way to reach the treasury (he doesn't know it's exact location, just the area it can be found in) without being caught, a way to bypass the masterwork lock, and then a way to grab as much coin as he can without waking a dragon and getting out without being noticed.
He also got a few, albeit weak, leads on the women he's searching for and got a little closer to Ismene. Now he just needs to figure out what to do today.
(OOC: You can choose new spells for today, if you like.)
Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Kendra had kept busy the last few days. She works during the day and at night, tends to Sadron. The elf has shown quite a bit improvement. He can now get out of bed and walk around on his own, although not very quickly. This has helped, since now she doesn't have to feed him and change his bandages; he can do these things on his own, which leaves her with a little more free time.
She failed to sell that ring yet, which she'll need to do before the end of the month; so she has 15 days left. She has also earned 6 steel from work so far and needs 20 for her family's well-being next month. So she'll need to work 14 more days to meet that deadline. That leaves her with one day off in the foreseeable future, unless she finds another source of coin.
As for work itself, she had made some headway. She learned there was a dwarf matching the description at the High Hand, but he's gone now. A coincidence? Or another case of mistaken identity? Or maybe she was wrong, and the dwarf she saw there had nothing to do with the attack. On the bright side, at least there had been no further attacks since then. However, she had noticed a lot of recruitment posters being put up with her picture on them all over the city. Tethys really wants to make her the face of the occupation.
In the evenings, she's been training Camilla. It's slow work and will likely take years before Camilla is ready to become a soldier, but it lets her take her mind off things and reminds her a little of when she was training under Sadron.
When she wakes up this morning, she finds Sadron next to her in bed, looking at her. "Oh, sorry," he says. "I was just watching you sleep. It's probably the most peaceful I've ever seen you," he admits.
Tulbas Erogund (Mageware shop)
Tulbas wakes up and realizes that today is the day. After all of the studying, researching and cramming...tonight was the Night of the Eye, when all three moons aligned (forming an eye of white, red and black) and magic was at its peak. This was also when the Test was given. As soon as breakfast was made, Magnus would escort him to the Tower of Wayreth through the corridors of magic. He had never been to the mythical tower and he hadn't experienced teleporation since the giant quest. So there was quiet a lot to be excited about.
(OOC: You can choose new spells for the day, if you want.)
Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
It was now the ides of Autumn Twilight. The month was half over and so far, between the money she and Cassilda had made so far, they had earned 10 steel. This would be enough to take care of two of them next month. Thoron was locked up, but at least he was getting fed (or so she hoped, anyway). But that still left herself and four others to care for. What if she didn't have enough by the end of the month? Would she have to choose?
Camilla was being trained by Kendra, but that was not paid. And it would take a long time before Camilla was ready to become a full-fledged soldier. Vera and Niniva, meanwhile, have had no luck at all in finding jobs.
As she sat down to breakfast that morning, she had to consider whether she would go in to work today or try and find some other way to make the coin she needed.
(OOC: You can pick new spells today if you want.)
Grubnick (High Hand Inn, Room 16)
Grubnick awoke in his room and noticed a foul stench. It dawned on him that it was himself. He had not bathed in about a week. This was no big deal for a goblin, but he noticed that other races tended to find such odors offensive.
In any case, he had not heard from Delharn yet and needed to decide how he would proceed with his revolution without his mentor, at least for now. He also needed to consider his funds. He figured he had enough coin left to pay for his room for another week, if that.
(OOC: You can pick new spells today if you like.)
Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Room 7)
Felran and Ne-Chanz wake up in their room at the High Hand. By this point, neither has bathed in over two weeks, so they were downright gross smelling. What's more, Felran was now 16 silver in debt to Ne-Chanz, as the red-haired man couldn't afford to pay his half of the rent any more. On the bright side, they were both fully healed now and could tackle the sewers with vigor, if they so chose.
Shima Longfoot (300 Market Street, Gregeddin's House)
Shima wakes up on the floor of Gregeddin's house. He was still seriously wounded from his fights in the sewers. At least he got all of that crusted slime out of his beard and hair. He could try taking the church up on that job...if he doesn't mind doing a little wet work. Or he could just pay them, although it's quite costly. Or just convert for free, assuming you don't consider your soul to be considered payment.
In any case, he'd need to decide what to do today.
Haahqae - Haahqae heads to the Masked Dragon and speaks with Ismene, telling her about the show. She had heard about the attack, but wasn't present for it, and was curious about the elemental. She [RELATIONSHIP check (1d20): 10, fail] turns down his request to go to the mageware shop with him to read, however, citing she has to wash her hair. Heading downstairs, Haahqae runs into Vincent and demands to know why he sent an elemental into the market. Vincent claims to have no idea what he's talking about; he cannot even use any magic. The innkeeper steps in and politely but firmly asks Haahqae to leave. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 16, fail] but has no luck at all. Finally, he returns to the Tankard and asks Cassandra to let him resume his performances [CHA check (1d20): 5, pass] and she reluctantly agrees after some persuading. He puts on a performance [REP check (1d20): 6, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 4, pass] and earns 1 copper piece. He then spends 5 silver on his room.
Kendra - Kendra stays in the shop and spends the day trying to sell that ring [CHA check (1d20): 20, fail]. She has little luck, though. Tulbas stops by to ask her about Gregeddin. Later, Arulia stops by with Camilla and Kendra delivers Thoron's message. Sadron regains 3 HP (his condition improves from 'near death' to 'critically wounded').
Tulbas - Tulbas gets in some studying, then goes to the jewelry store to ask Kendra about Gregeddin. She tells him he's more or less out of luck and doesn't seem terribly interested in helping free him. He returns home and Gobax shows up, asking him everything he knows about Kendra. Tulbas asks him about the elemental, but Grubnick does not admit to being involved.
Arulia - Arulia takes the day off and escorts Camilla to the jewelry shop. Kendra relays the message Thoron gave her; that he's alive and well for now and that the family should focus on staying together and strong. Kendra also agrees to train Camilla after they work out a schedule to do so. She then heads to the Seven Centaurs and tells William about her encounter with the priestess.
Grubnick - Grubnick goes to the mageware shop and asks Tulbas about Kendra. Tulbas tells him that he and Kendra worked together once before and they've only known each other for less than a month. She was a Holy Guard originally, and he's surprised that she's now a soldier in the dragonarmy, much less an elite one. He pays 8 silver for his room at the High Hand.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. Both heal 1 HP. Shima buys them breakfast.
Shima - Shima goes to the High Hand and buys breakfast for Felran and Ne-Chanz by way of apology, spending 2 silver. He then goes to the Masked Dragon and gets a bath for 3 copper. He tries looking for Arulia, Gobax, Tulbas or Haahqae but has no luck, so goes to update Jane on the job. She denies him permission to hire more people, insisting that as few as people as possible know about this job and that if he tells anyone, he breaks the deal and won't get that lead on Xyleena and Yvette. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 12, Dead Eye
Haahqae - Haahqae heads to the Old Fort and asks for an audience with one of the commanders [REP check (1d20): 4, pass] and luckily the guards recognize him and let him in. He speaks with a Khurish woman named Mouna and asks that he be allowed to put on booked performances for the soldiers [CHA check (1d20): 15, fail] and she isn't sure she likes the idea. Realizing that all he really needs is access to the fort and if his plan works, he'll have plenty of coin, he agrees to do it for free. Mouna agrees to this, but insists he has an escort at all times while on the premises. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 20, fail] but has no luck at all. He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 3, pass/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 3 copper. He pays 5 silver for his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red-haired dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 3, pass] she learns there was a red haired dwarf staying at the High Hand. But when she arrives, he seems to have checked out already. That evening, she trains Camilla a bit. The girl has potential, but no skill whatsoever. Kendra earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP (his condition improves from 'critically wounded' to 'seriously wounded').
Tulbas - Tulbas prepares for his Test.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver. Cassilda brings home 2 steel pieces from her job.
Grubnick - Grubnick goes to visit Delharn. However, he finds the dwarf has already checked out. He left him a note, claiming that the army must be on to him, because he got word a soldier was searching for him. He's gone into hiding for now, but doesn't say where. He just tells Grubnick to stay vigilant and he'll contact him when the heat dies down. Grubnick pays 8 silver for his room.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. Both heal 3 HP. Felran is now fully healed. Ne-Chanz improves from moderately wounded to lightly wounded.
Shima - Shima heads to the Temple of Takhisis and asks for magical healing. The priestess there offers him a choice. He can pay for it, although it is expensive (10 steel for each HP restored), he can convert to the Takhisian faith by pledging his soul to the Dragon Queen forever and get it for free, or he can do a job. The church wants someone 'taken care of' for them, who might prove troublesome later. They don't offer any details unless he accepts. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 13, Dream Dance
Haahqae - Haahqae heads back to the barracks and puts on a show. After the show, he tries to learn what he can about the treasury. This doesn't prove easy with an escort, but he asks around casually [CHA check (1d20): 9, pass] and manages to get some info. He learns that the treasury is a large room in the main fortress itself, that it is locked with a masterwork lock, that it is highly unlikely to have any magical wards or traps on it, that it likely contains tens of thousands of steel pieces, that it is in a highly restricted area (even common soldiers aren't allowed there; only those with clearance) and it is guarded by a red dragon. There are four dragons in the city. The largest belongs to Tethys and stays at his mansion. The other three take turns guarding the treasury (they just like to sleep near it). One is always sleeping with the coin while the other two are on sky patrol. He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 8, pass] and hears word of a woman matching Yvette's description entering the temple but is unable to find her when he checks himself. Still, it's more of a lead than he's ever had before. He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 19, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 2 copper coins. He spends 5 silver for his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red haired dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 5, pass] she gets word of a dwarf matching the description staying at the Ivy Inn. She finds him there and interrogates him, but he claims to be a cobbler and was nowhere near the marketplace that day. She does some searching and learns his alibi holds up. That evening, she continues training Camilla. She earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP.
Tulbas - Tulbas prepares for his Test.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver.
Grubnick - Grubnick finds posters up at the High Hand and several other places for recruitment into the army. The posters have Kendra's picture on them, pointing at the reader, saying, "We need YOU to join the army and protect the city from rebels and vagrants." He also overhears some soldiers talking about a possible parade in her honor. He pays 8 silver for his room.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. He heals 3 HP.
Shima - Shima does some looking around for Raena [INT check (1d20): 7, pass] and is directed to the Daft Gnome Alehouse. She congratulates him on getting Gregeddin arrested but wants to know when he's going to do something about Haahqae. Playing along, he asks for another week. She tells him she'll hold him to that. He heals 1 HP.
Autumn Twilight 14, Winged Trade
Haahqae - Haahqae returns to the Masked Dragon to spend time with Ismene [RELATIONSHIP check (1d20): 17, pass]. She agrees to having tea with him in the public common area. He asks about Arcane and she tells him she acquired her in a ritual that took place shortly after she passed her Test. He gleans that the ritual requires a brass brazier full of burning charcoal, and that some very expensive herbs and incense are burned upon it. He also learns that Arcane's dietary habits are the same as any other ferret; indeed, a familiar is endowed with slightly more intelligence but is otherwise not that different than a normal animal. At least, not at first. As time passes, the magic connecting the two begins to affect the familiar, deepening the connection between mage and familiar. They also discuss the history of magic, one of her favorite topics. She seems less wary around him now; maybe not friendly exactly, but it's still an improvement (Relationship +1). He spends the rest of the day 'keeping an eye out' for evil looking priests, Yvette, Xyleena, Tulbas, and Gobax [INT check (1d20): 14, pass] and hears a rumor that two women (one fair complected, one dark) were nosing around the High Hand recently. He checks it out and confirms from the barmaids they were there, asking around about a dwarf. But he loses the trail there and isn't sure where they are now (he confirms they are not staying at the High Hand, though). He returns to the Tankard and puts on a show [REP check (1d20): 15, fail/Juggling check (1d20): 15, pass] and earns 2 copper. He spends 5 silver on his room.
Kendra - Kendra goes into work and investigates that red hair dwarf. After searching all day [INT check (1d20): 20, fail] she comes up with nothing but dead ends. That evening, she trains Camilla further. She earns 1 steel piece. Sadron regains 3 HP.
Tulbas - Tulbas is given the day off from his studies. He heads to the temple and asks about leads on the elemental. The high priestess does believe it was a heretical cleric. She confirms that the army is searching, as are a number of mercenaries looking to claim the open bounty. The only lead is some are saying it might be a dwarf. Tulbas then hits the taverns and starts asking questions and spending some coin (15 silver, +1 to one INT roll) to do it. He asks about any miraculous events in the city [INT check (1d20): 11, pass] and hears a rumor that someone claimed to see a man turn regular copper coins into steel coins. It may have been a trick, though. He asks about groups in the city that organize to defy the occupation [INT check (1d20): 12, pass] and hears some vague rumors that a member of the old thieves' guild was going to start up a resistance force. Finally, he asks about power shifts and relations between the church and army [INT+1 check] (1d20): 20, pass] and hears hearsay about the high priestess and prefect being at odds and even hiring spies against each other. Further, the prefect recently had a fancy party and didn't invite the high priestess or any other representative of the church, and they took that as a slight against them.
Arulia - Arulia works at her father's forge all day and earns 4 silver.
Grubnick - Grubnick pays 8 silver for his room at the High Hand.
Felran and Ne-Chanz - Ne-Chanz pays 8 silver for their room at the High Hand. He heals 3 HP. Ne-Chanz is now fully healed.
Shima - Shima heads to the barracks and asks for an audience with one of the commanders there [CHA check (1d20): 11, pass]. He is allowed to speak with one of them and asks about reacquiring his things. After explaining the situation, the commander starts asking lots of questions about Shima's relationship with Gregeddin. How close are they? Do they work together? Did Shima have anything to do with Gregeddin's crimes? Shima realizes he has basically admitted to knowing and living with a man accused of attacking the prefect [CHA check (1d20): 16, fail] and is unable to convince him he's innocent. Shima spends the rest of the day being held for questioning by various army officials, and some even have clerics of Takhisis come in to use magic to verify he is speaking the truth. They demand to know why he wants to reacquire weapons and armor, which are now illegal anyway. Eventually Shima is able to convince them he's innocent of whatever Gregeddin did and they allow him to go. However, they assure him they'll be keeping a 'close eye' on him from here on, and have forbidden him to leave the city until the ongoing investigation into Gregeddin is over. Shima returns home empty-handed, but at least he's not sharing a prison cell with Gregeddin. He heals 1 HP.
==================================
It is the morning of Autumn Twilight 15th, World Tree, in the year 351 AC. It is First Watch.
Haahqae (Steel Tankard Inn, Room 15)
Haahqae wakes up that morning in that same cold, dreary, dilapidated room as always. But at least now he's made some progress. He got Cassandra to agree to let him continue his performances, although they bring in very little coin--not even enough to pay for his room. The Tankard is not a very prestigious inn, however. Only the poorest tend to frequent there. The baaz like his shows well enough, but they usually get so drunk on free ale that they forget to leave him anything in his tip bowl.
He also managed to get into the barracks, although he isn't getting paid for that at all. But he could get a serious payday...if everything goes right. He'll need the perfect plan to pull off this heist. He'll need a way to evade his escort without arousing suspicion, a way to reach the treasury (he doesn't know it's exact location, just the area it can be found in) without being caught, a way to bypass the masterwork lock, and then a way to grab as much coin as he can without waking a dragon and getting out without being noticed.
He also got a few, albeit weak, leads on the women he's searching for and got a little closer to Ismene. Now he just needs to figure out what to do today.
(OOC: You can choose new spells for today, if you like.)
Kendra Synclair (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
Kendra had kept busy the last few days. She works during the day and at night, tends to Sadron. The elf has shown quite a bit improvement. He can now get out of bed and walk around on his own, although not very quickly. This has helped, since now she doesn't have to feed him and change his bandages; he can do these things on his own, which leaves her with a little more free time.
She failed to sell that ring yet, which she'll need to do before the end of the month; so she has 15 days left. She has also earned 6 steel from work so far and needs 20 for her family's well-being next month. So she'll need to work 14 more days to meet that deadline. That leaves her with one day off in the foreseeable future, unless she finds another source of coin.
As for work itself, she had made some headway. She learned there was a dwarf matching the description at the High Hand, but he's gone now. A coincidence? Or another case of mistaken identity? Or maybe she was wrong, and the dwarf she saw there had nothing to do with the attack. On the bright side, at least there had been no further attacks since then. However, she had noticed a lot of recruitment posters being put up with her picture on them all over the city. Tethys really wants to make her the face of the occupation.
In the evenings, she's been training Camilla. It's slow work and will likely take years before Camilla is ready to become a soldier, but it lets her take her mind off things and reminds her a little of when she was training under Sadron.
When she wakes up this morning, she finds Sadron next to her in bed, looking at her. "Oh, sorry," he says. "I was just watching you sleep. It's probably the most peaceful I've ever seen you," he admits.
Tulbas Erogund (Mageware shop)
Tulbas wakes up and realizes that today is the day. After all of the studying, researching and cramming...tonight was the Night of the Eye, when all three moons aligned (forming an eye of white, red and black) and magic was at its peak. This was also when the Test was given. As soon as breakfast was made, Magnus would escort him to the Tower of Wayreth through the corridors of magic. He had never been to the mythical tower and he hadn't experienced teleporation since the giant quest. So there was quiet a lot to be excited about.
(OOC: You can choose new spells for the day, if you want.)
Arulia Seroth (323 Three Forks, Seroth residence)
It was now the ides of Autumn Twilight. The month was half over and so far, between the money she and Cassilda had made so far, they had earned 10 steel. This would be enough to take care of two of them next month. Thoron was locked up, but at least he was getting fed (or so she hoped, anyway). But that still left herself and four others to care for. What if she didn't have enough by the end of the month? Would she have to choose?
Camilla was being trained by Kendra, but that was not paid. And it would take a long time before Camilla was ready to become a full-fledged soldier. Vera and Niniva, meanwhile, have had no luck at all in finding jobs.
As she sat down to breakfast that morning, she had to consider whether she would go in to work today or try and find some other way to make the coin she needed.
(OOC: You can pick new spells today if you want.)
Grubnick (High Hand Inn, Room 16)
Grubnick awoke in his room and noticed a foul stench. It dawned on him that it was himself. He had not bathed in about a week. This was no big deal for a goblin, but he noticed that other races tended to find such odors offensive.
In any case, he had not heard from Delharn yet and needed to decide how he would proceed with his revolution without his mentor, at least for now. He also needed to consider his funds. He figured he had enough coin left to pay for his room for another week, if that.
(OOC: You can pick new spells today if you like.)
Felran and Ne-Chanz (High Hand Inn, Room 7)
Felran and Ne-Chanz wake up in their room at the High Hand. By this point, neither has bathed in over two weeks, so they were downright gross smelling. What's more, Felran was now 16 silver in debt to Ne-Chanz, as the red-haired man couldn't afford to pay his half of the rent any more. On the bright side, they were both fully healed now and could tackle the sewers with vigor, if they so chose.
Shima Longfoot (300 Market Street, Gregeddin's House)
Shima wakes up on the floor of Gregeddin's house. He was still seriously wounded from his fights in the sewers. At least he got all of that crusted slime out of his beard and hair. He could try taking the church up on that job...if he doesn't mind doing a little wet work. Or he could just pay them, although it's quite costly. Or just convert for free, assuming you don't consider your soul to be considered payment.
In any case, he'd need to decide what to do today.
) gets up and heads for the High Hand. It's early still; early enough that none of the soldiers have arrived yet. There are just some locals and of course, the staff that is setting things up. He doesn't see Felran, Ne-Chanz or Gobax, though.
)
]