Session 3: Astrid snuffs a pipe

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 03:16

Outside Tavern :P

bobble

I think Lae would go in first

Prince North Læraðr

naturally

Perception roll as I enter

Oooh 17+5

22

bobble

@Sciborg @Graylocke starting?

Sciborg

Aight, one sec

Graylocke

o/

Ink always tries to be last! :)

bobble

Jan 15, 2021 03:20

(we seem to have a Lae barges in front, Astrid slips behind, Ink follows up and watches Astrid dynamic)

Sciborg

So, when you walk into this tavern, you can see it's a relatively nice place, not like a rough-and-tumble bar. There is nice furniture and chairs, a wide counter, and many people sitting at tables chatting quietly; no one is making a fuss. The counter where the innkeeper should be is noticeably empty.

Prince North Læraðr

Ink, will you handle the inn keeper?

bobble

(Anyone out front greeting?)

Prince North Læraðr

I will continue to watch

(Passive perception)

Sciborg

There doesn't appear to be a greeter; some people just glance your way as you walk in.

bobble

Jan 15, 2021 03:21

Astrid sniffs the air, attempting to detect is there are hotcakes

Graylocke

Ink nods and pads over to the counter and waits, looking around curiously.

Sciborg

Roll a Perception for hotcakes, I suppose? :P

bobble

18

Sciborg

You don't smell any hotcakes, but you do smell some sausages, soup and pie from the surrounding tables.

bobble

@bobble (eesh, forgot three saves)

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:23

Ink, when you approach the bar, a woman who is sitting at the bar, dressed in relatively rough clothing, glances over and sizes you up. "First time at the Briar?" she asks.

Graylocke

(Common?)

Sciborg

Common.

Graylocke

Ink looks up and tilts his head on one side and clears his throat awkwardly and says brokenly in Common "No say" before asking in Elvish "Do you speak Elvish?"

bobble

Astrid beelines to an open table in the corner and sits watching

Sciborg

The woman shakes her head blankly.

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 03:27

(will be needing math stuff real quick, good luck, Ink!)

Sciborg

She attempts to pantomime to you if you would like a drink.

bobble

(does Ink signal to Astrid? She'll come over if asked)

Graylocke

Ink, makes an embarrassed face and looks over at the other two and then holds up 3 fingers with a gesture of scooping food into his mouth, and then holding both paws beside his head in a mime for sleep.

(If Ink sees Astrid watching he will make a "help?!" look at her)

Sciborg

The woman nods and does her best to pantomime that the innkeeper is upstairs and will be back in a bit.

bobble

(Astrid isn't very good at facial expressions... I think that would've come up. Any other sort of signal?)

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:29

"Oi, Quilly!" the woman shouts loudly across the bar, and multiple heads turn. "This bloke don't speak Common, he only speaks Elvish. Can you translate?"

A woman at a neighboring table looks up very awkwardly and waves hello. "I can translate for you," she says.

Graylocke

Ink looks suddenly startled at the shout and steps back in alarm.

bobble

Astrid starts fiddling with their bracelet again - loud noises are no fun

Sciborg

"Sorry for the ruckus," Quilly says to Ink, in Elvish. "What brings you by?"

Prince North Læraðr

(Lae slinks to the side, will be slightly afk)

bobble

(join me at the corner table!)

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 03:32

"Oh... Humble apologies, I didn't mean to cause problems..." Ink holds paws up, switching back to Elven. "My friends and I were just looking for some food and a place to sleep..."

Sciborg

"Oh, of course. We can go grab Snibby for you, they're just upstairs." Quilly translates this to the bar woman, who hops up and heads upstairs. "Don't mind her, she's... a handful."

Graylocke

Ink smiles and bows his head in a slightly vague way, feeling slightly annoyed at himself. "Thank you for being so considerate and helpful..."

Sciborg

"Oh, it's no problem. I'm Quillian. You're a tabaxi, aren't you?" Quilly studies you with great interest. "What brings a tabaxi to our village? We don't see catfolk here very often."

bobble

(Gray?)

Graylocke

Ink's ears swivel forward and he says "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am called Ink. We are but passing through and felt the need for some comforts that are not found on the road."

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:40

"Well, very nice to meet you, Ink." Quilly motions to Astrid and drops her voice. "Did she come in with you? She seems a bit shy."

Prince North Læraðr

(Lae creepily hangs in the shadows)

bobble

Astrid notices that someone's pointing at them and gives a small wave

Prince North Læraðr

(Right red eye flashes)

Graylocke

Ink smiles and nods, "We are not... the most eloquent of travelling parties..."

Ink adds, "... though if they serve hotcakes from the kitchen here ... we may yet hear a happy dwarf!"

Sciborg

Quilly laughs and motions to the stairs, where the woman and... you think it's the innkeeper? are descending. "Ask Snibby - they can whip something up for you."

Roll me some Arcana really quick?

bobble

Jan 15, 2021 03:44

(for absolutely no particular reason, right?)

Sciborg

I'm seeing if you have encountered this creature type before.

Graylocke

er 12 + 2..?

Prince North Læraðr

2-1=1

bobble

1+0=1

Prince North Læraðr

wow

We got a crit. fail, and a 1

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:46

Ink, you are the only one who recognizes this being, as you've seen them in books before - they are a warforged, a kind of arcane golem. They descend the stairs and step behind the bar. In a metallic clangy voice they say, "I see that I have customers. May I get the young madams, sirs or persons a room?"

bobble

@Sciborg (you left out an Oxford comma! gasp)

Sciborg

(gasp)

bobble

(Common?)

Sciborg

(If I ever don't specify, assume Common.)

bobble

(gotcha)

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 03:48

Ink's eyes widen and he looks intrigued, mouth opens to say something and then he clearly changes his mind as looks to Quilly and says in Elvish "Can I beg your indulgence to translate a little longer?"

Sciborg

"Don't worry about it," Quilly says. "Snib is programmed to speak just about anything."

Could Lae and Astrid roll Perception, as well, in the meantime?

Prince North Læraðr

yes

bobble

11+3=14

Prince North Læraðr

12+5=17

Graylocke

Ink looks impressed and says to the golem, this time in Sylvan because he is way too curious, "Innkeep, may we have a room for 3 and a meal, preferably involving hotcakes?"

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:51

As Ink is talking to Quillian and Snibby, Lae and Astrid, you notice a figure in a dark cloak very quietly slip into the bar, clearly trying not to draw attention, and sit at a table in the corner.

The innkeeper clanks politely and then responds in Sylvan. "Of course."

Prince North Læraðr

Dark cloak....

bobble

Astrid goes over to Ink (for a feeling of safety) and nudges towards the figure

Prince North Læraðr

I approach the dark cloak person cautiously, rolling stealth

Sciborg

You'll have to roll quite high to hide, as it's a well-lit tavern.

Prince North Læraðr

2+5=7

Ugh

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 03:53

You're definitely visible, yeah.

Graylocke

Ink is startled out of his intense wonder and curiosity of the warforged and looks down to Astrid. "Sorry for taking so long, friend Astrid... I have requested your hotcakes..?"

Prince North Læraðr

I approahc the man anyways

bobble

Astrid is temporarily distracted by the thought of hotcakes, then repeats the nudge

Prince North Læraðr

I approach the man

"Greetings, good person. What brings you here?"

Sciborg

The man takes out a pipe and flicks a finger, lighting it with a tiny magical flame. He raises an eyebrow at you as he smokes. "None of your damn business, pointy-ears."

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 03:55

Fen growls

"excuse me?"

Graylocke

Ink looks up and then makes a grimace, seeing (in his thoughts) Lae and Fen being Lae and Fen with a stranger...

bobble

(Can I use Druidcraft to snuff out the pipe? Astrid doesn't like the smell)

Sciborg

(that's a valid use of Druidcraft, sure)

bobble

(oh, 30ft range)

Sciborg

(i'll allow it because it's funny)

bobble

Jan 15, 2021 03:57

Astrid twitches her bracelet back and forth, and sends a little whisper towards the figure. Their pipe snuffs out suddenly

Graylocke

(Did Ink notice the spell being cast?)

Sciborg

The man indignantly looks at his snuffed-out pipe. "The hell's wrong with this tobacco?" He grumbles and rubs his fingers together to relight it.

Prince North Læraðr

"Human, I asked you a question. It'd be wise to try and answer it."

Eye flashes bright red

bobble

Once it's relit, Astrid snuffs it out again, twitching their bracelet with more vigor

Sciborg

He regards you, looking unfazed. "Shove off. I've got no quarrel with you. I'm here for something else."

He grumbles at his pipe being snuffed out again and just sets it down, giving up.

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 03:59

Ink hastily pads toward Lae and says in Elven "Ah... friend Lae... hotcakes will be on their way shortly!" and tries to guide LAe back to the table. He adds a polite-ish smile to the man, but only sort of acknowledges him.

Prince North Læraðr

"I'm not sure I quite appreciate the attitude, human."

bobble

Astrid hurries to the table with Ink

Sciborg

"You're the one who came up trying to start something, elf." His eyes glitter. "Beat it."

Prince North Læraðr

rolls insight to get a grasp of him

18+3=21

Graylocke

Ink doesn't understand the conversation between Lae and the man, but does understand the tones of the voices and his ears flatten on his head with a look of concern.

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:03

You can immediately tell this guy is bad news and does not like you. You also notice that under his cloak and hood, he's wearing armor and carrying a spellbook at his hip, despite obviously trying to conceal it. He seems very not friendly.

Prince North Læraðr

"I'll ask you one more time. What are you doing here?"

roll intimidation

13-1=12. Ugh

Sciborg

He blinks slowly. "Like I said. Got no business with you. Away with you."

Prince North Læraðr

And what buisness with whom?

Graylocke

Ink gently places a paw on Lae's shoulder, "Friend Lae, we are guests... perhaps we leave this man to his devices? Keep our own company?"

Sciborg

"If you're so determined to not leave me alone, then fine." He blinks again. "Have you seen a man who limps on his left side?"

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:07

"No, I have not. Why?"

Sciborg

"Just curious." He sits back in his chair and kicks up his boots on the table. "Shoo."

Prince North Læraðr

Lae scowls deeply. "I'll keep my eyes on you" and slowly starts walking back towards the inn room

Make one last perception roll

nat20, let's goooo

Sciborg

What are you trying to perceive specifically?

Prince North Læraðr

General environment of the inn or any sudden movements. Anything that could be a threat

Graylocke

Ink fidgets, tail tip twitching his cloak as he hurries after the elf back to the table.

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:10

Besides Grumpy Guy, the inn seems relatively quiet. The woman and Quilly are sitting at a table together, murmuring quietly and shooting you curious looks; you get the feeling they are gossiping about you.

Prince North Læraðr

Oblivious to gossiping

Storms into inn-room furiously

(Our inn-room, fyi)

Graylocke

Ink isn't following to a room, then, but to a table to wait with Astrid for food.

bobble

Astrid murmurs to Ink in Sylvan, "Did they say how long to wait for food?"

Sciborg

Snibby approaches the table and gently sets down two plates of fresh hotcakes with butter, a little canister of syrup, and two glasses of water. "May I get the young madams, sirs or persons anything else?"

bobble

Astrid squeals "Butter hotcakes!" and gulps down half in one bite

Then looks up and says "Thank you, I think that is all, for me"

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 04:15

Ink looks up, eyes focusing as from a long way away, thoughts clearly following Lae and Grumpy Guy and alert for the potential of danger. "Thank you kind uh... sir..? madam..? person..? I think that will be all... Let me reimburse you for the meal and the room?"

Sciborg

"Of course," Snibby says politely. "That will be two silver, please."

Graylocke

Ink nods amicably and produces them from his pouch.

Sciborg

"Thank you kindly," Snibby says, taking the money. "If the persons require anything else, they must only call me."

Prince North Læraðr

(Lae is still fuming in the room. Fen sympathetically licks his hand)

Graylocke

Ink carefully divides his plate into two portions, making sure there is some left for the elf, and eats some absent mindedly.

bobble

Jan 15, 2021 04:20

Astrid has vacuumed up all the hotcakes on their plate, and is now sipping some water.

Sciborg

As you enjoy your meal, the grumpy man, who was cocking his head in apparent concentration on something, suddenly stands up without having eaten or drank anything and sweeps urgently out of the bar, one hand on his spellbook.

Graylocke

(... toward the exit? or the way Lae went?)

Sciborg

Out the exit.

Prince North Læraðr

Lae happens to step out of the inn room to check on Astrid and Ink and sees the man leaving

Graylocke

As curious as Ink is, he is actually visibly relieved, even more so when Lae arrives and he pushes the half-plate of hotcakes towards him.

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:23

Lae rushes over to Ink and Astrid

Sylvan: "I'm going after him. I don't like his energy. He's up to no good."

Graylocke

(Sylvan) "... Uh..! Really, friend Lae?" he looks startled and concerned again... his other expression.

bobble

Sylvan, to Ink: "I'll follow Lae if you do"

Prince North Læraðr

Eye flashing bright red, and Lae's magical arm forming, Lae says, "Yes. Anyone who calls an elf "pointy-ears" is up to no good.

Graylocke

Ink hears Astrid and sighs, shrugging and murmuring in Sylvan, "... Or just uneducated... but I will follow your lead, friend Lae."

bobble

Astrid downs the rest of the water-glass and tidies up the plates before standing up and going

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:27

With grip on his new rapier Lae storms outside

Perception check once outside?

Sciborg

How many of you have darkvision?

Prince North Læraðr

Okay, I'm getting a new dice roller

Graylocke

(Pretty sure I do...)

bobble

I do, as a dwarf

Sciborg

It's late at night now and the streets are unlit, so it's tough to see without darkvision.

Does Lae have it too?

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:28

I just rolled a 1 followed by a 20 again

(yup)

Sciborg

Yeah, you might need a new roller

Roll again somewhere else :p

bobble

(I have Light, so I can make something light up... if Lae admits he needs something to see)

Sciborg

(i need to switch over my laundry, one sec)

Prince North Læraðr

Okay new roller

13+5=18

Sciborg

When you step outside, you just barely manage to catch a glimpse of the man disappearing around a corner, heading out of town.

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 04:32

Ink's claws are flexing and he takes a long, deep breath... preparing himself.

Prince North Læraðr

I rush after him as sneakily as I could

(roll stealth?)

Sciborg

Stealth it up

Prince North Læraðr

12+5=17, not bad

But also night :)

bobble

aw

Graylocke

Ink hurries to try to keep Lae in sight, but lags enough to keep Astrid in sight too.

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:34

That's pretty stealthy, you are probably well-hidden.

The man is heading very briskly down the road out of town, and doesn't seem to have noticed you.

Prince North Læraðr

Softly in Sylvan: "Astrid, some rain for me?"

bobble

Astrid asks Ink, "What are we doing?"

Prince North Læraðr

"I'm going to hunt that man."

Graylocke

Ink says with the wryest of smiles, "Keeping our friend safe"

bobble

"You're planning to hurt them? Kill them? I didn't think that was what we did"

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:36

Ignores Astrid

How far away is he?

Graylocke

Ink looks up at that, assuming we are hustling behind Lae behind the man.

Sciborg

The man is now heading towards an intersection in the road, and is slowing down, as though waiting for someone.

He's about 50 feet away from you.

Prince North Læraðr

Astrid, rain please?

Actually

Perception roll

Anywhere to hide?

Graylocke

Ink murmurs, "We had best not be hunting a man just because he didn't like your ears..."

Prince North Læraðr

13+5=18

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:37

There are some boulders and outcroppings nearby that you could conceivably hide behind and stay within earshot.

Prince North Læraðr

(Dashes over)

bobble

Astrid follows Lae, asking more insistently. "Are you planning to hurt them? For what?"

Prince North Læraðr

(Draws bow and arrow for the ready)

@bobble I need to know what they are up to.

bobble

Then why are you bringing out a bow?

Prince North Læraðr

In case they are dangerous

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:39

There is a person now approaching the man - a woman who is cursing and seems to be missing her boots. "Your job went wrong, asshole," she says, as the man folds his arms impassively. "I didn't get nothing off him, and these two jerks stole my boots. Some halfling and a bard. Why did you want me to swipe from the guy in the first place? He only had two cents on him."

Graylocke

Ink reaches his paw forward, some moths fluttering in from seemingly nowhere to pick up a small rock from the ground, in preparation. (cast Mage Hand)

Sciborg

"Stop whining," the man says, dismissively. "Did you find anything on him or not? Anything about who he is? Where he comes from?"

bobble

Astrid reluctantly adjusts her handaxe to a more ready position.

Sciborg

"No," the woman says. "And now I've got to replace my damn boots, thanks to you. Jerk."

Prince North Læraðr

Ready the water, astrid. I may need it.

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 04:41

(I want to prepare a distraction - if Lae makes noise I want to throw the rock to make a noise in the other direction :P)

Sciborg

"I know he knows something," the man says. "He must be connected to them somehow. Keep following him, see what he's up to. Don't try stealing from him again, that was too bold of us."

"It's good you pay me," the woman says, and hobbles angrily off, grumbling about her wet socks. "I'll see you in Hearth."

Prince North Læraðr

(should I fire?)

bobble

Astrid rolls a drop of water off a sleeve, leftover from messy drinking. "Fine, fine, fine Lae. I got a drop ready to cast. Only if they start being a threat"

Graylocke

(you're the hot-headed one who can understand what they are saying :) )

Sciborg

The woman heads off, and the man sighs deeply and starts walking back down the road, seemingly deep in thought.

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:44

I put the bow and arrow away, drawing my rapier. How far away are they?

bobble

@Graylocke (who is "you" and who is "they"?)

Graylocke

(you is Lae, they is the pair who are having the meeting)

Sciborg

The woman is heading back down the road in the opposite direction, about 60 feet away. The man is about 40 feet away heading back to town.

Prince North Læraðr

(Could I reasonably jump to him from where I am? What advantage disadvantage do I have?)

Graylocke

Is there anything "of interest" nearby?

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:46

I've gotta look up jumping rules, uh, hang on

Roll Perception if you'd like, Ink.

> Your Strength determines how far you can jump.

Long Jump. When you make a long jump, you cover a number of feet up to your Strength score if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing long jump, you can leap only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot of movement.

Graylocke

Uh.. 7 + 4?

Sciborg

Besides the road, the rocks you're hiding behind, and the town in the distance, there's nothing of strategic interest nearby.

Prince North Læraðr

So could I make it to 40 feet? Or is it better rushing up to him?

Sciborg

It's basically just your movement speed, so it doesn't matter if you run or jump (unless you take Sprint action to double your speed)

Prince North Læraðr

Hm

I sprint over to him, knocking him down to the ground

Do I roll strength to see if I actually knock him?

Sciborg

Jan 15, 2021 04:50

Okay okay wait slow down. You take the Sprint action?

Prince North Læraðr

Yes

Sciborg

And then you try to tackle him?

Prince North Læraðr

Yes

Sciborg

You are aware that this will start combat?

Prince North Læraðr

Yikes

Hm

Okay, I just confront the man, because no combat just yet

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 04:52

(based on the idea that all we know is that he called you pointy-ears and talked about some people we know nothing about ;p)

Prince North Læraðr

Not enough time, otherwise I totally would

Sciborg

How do you confront?

Prince North Læraðr

I point the rapier at him just outside of striking range

bobble

(Do you have some devastating one-liner?)

Sciborg

"How's this for pointy??"

something like that :p

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:54

I'll take that

"What the hell are you up to?"

Sciborg

The man slowly swivels around. "Ah," he says. "I thought I heard something moving earlier. What's your quarrel with me?"

Prince North Læraðr

"Calling me pointy-ears, bastard. Now I heard everything that happened in that conversation. Care to explain?"

Sciborg

He raises an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you it was none of your business? Don't go waving that sword around unless you want it to rust."

Prince North Læraðr

"Answer the question."

"I won't ask again."

Sciborg

"If you must know," he says, clasping his hands behind his back, "that friend of mine was sent to get the identity of someone who I suspect is a dangerous criminal. She decided to be a bit overzealous and rob him. Not my intention, I assure you."

Prince North Læraðr

Jan 15, 2021 04:59

I call bs

Insight roll

17+3=20

Sciborg

He's being truthful that he wants to know this person's identity, but he's lying about the rest of it.

Or at least, he's concealing information.

Prince North Læraðr

Okay, enough I will engage in battle... the next session, if that's okay

I need to head out

bobble

Astrid remains crouching where Lae used to be hiding. They're stressed and making all the plants around them grow one by one.

Sciborg

Next time on D&D: COMBAT?

Prince North Læraðr

Hehehe

Graylocke

Jan 15, 2021 05:02

Ink is remaining where he is still prepared.

♦ PSE RPG Chatroom

Participants