Emergence of Imram

[Corwyn]

Imram

XP: 19,501/2100 (lvl6)
Special Gear:
Plain gold ring, sized for a large finger, hung on a simple leather thong. (15gps)
Masterwork, platinum and gold fountain pen with 4 replacement cartridges and matching case of fine wood. (1,000gps)
Sheaf of scribed upon parchment pages. (hand drawn plans and notes for a waterside tavern, in a port city. Hand-copy of deed to Stiletto. Blue Temple ins doc for Ashly's other valuables and property.)

__________________________________________________ _________________________________________

Having made his home in Cedar Grove for some time now, Imram had become something of a fixture in the Slippery Stilletto, the raunchy bar on the southern end of town.
Cedar Grove is located in the western forests of the great city of Middleden and as such is often a staging ground for smugglers, thieves and assassins. The metropolis that is Middleden city was once two cities, long ago. Middleton, and Thieve's Den. Over the decades, the guilds that ruled Thieve's Den had formed a powerful alliance with the governing body of Middleton. The one city had the ability to trade openly with some of the other large cities and ports on the continent, while the other was adept at importing rare and expensive commodites while causing key obstacles in the political web of Central Cairn to suddenly vanish. Working together for centuries, the two cities began building and establishing a network of roads, residences and shops between one another. No one knows exactly when it happened, but eventually there was no way to tell where one city ended and the other begin, both physically and politcially. The gradual shift into guildhood, caused the city to become less recognized by the other great cities of the continent, but the central location and the resources available to Middleden continues to this day to be a difficult trading partner to alienate.
At some point, either contributing to or else being caused by the merge, the Red Temple organization was formed near the center of the city. Now, the national organization has a branch in nearly every city and town on the continent and a greasy hand in any deal that includes organized gambling, prostitution or drugs. The Red Temple has a strong say in the government of Middleden and its armies secure the vast lands around the city, controlling the forests to the west almost to the distant coast, and competing with the Blue Temple for the lands at the feet of the Central Mountains far to the east. The Red Temple claims the lands from just below the Draminton region north of Middleden all the way to the southern coast of Cairn, but they spend little effort in patrolling or defending the wild southern lands. To the southwest and south east, smaller kingdoms claim their own lands, but the Red Temple's stand on that is, if they consume all the regions, there will be no new customers for their debaucherous temples.
The Red Temple army is known for its cruelty, even as the Red Temples themselves are known for their source of extreme entertainment and carnal joy. Soldiers of the Red Temple are paid in drugs, sex or slaves, and their discipline is as lacking as their ranking structure.
Cedar Grove lies along one of the lesser traveled roads halfway between Middleden and the distant port city of Bastion.
Since Bastion relies so heavily on imports from its harbour, the city has strict laws and regulations. They guard the roads from Cedar Grove quite securely and Middelden makes its overland smuggling and trading routes to Bastion, through Draminton and across the main road.
The Red Temple is represented in Cedar Grove, but it is a small establishment, so small in fact as to have to compete with such local bars as the Slipperyy Stilletto. Ashly, who runs the Stilleto, has to pay a weekly fee to a band of ruffians who offer 'protection' to the tavern, but the local Red Temple has no need of such arrangements. Some have speculated that the briggands that shake down Ashly every week might be working for the Red Temple, but Ashly would never say such things aloud. Nevertheless, there was recent catastrophy in the Stilletto. By all accounts, Ashly had tried to resist the thugs who were shaking her down, during a fairly busy night. The resulting fight between the tavern's regulars and the thugs brought on swift and merciless retribution from the brutal city guard. Ashly has not been seen since, but there is a rumour that after she and some of the regulars fought off the thugs and a handfull of guardsmen, she showed up in the town center and sold her property to the Blue Temple branch there. The Blue Temple is now in negotiations with the local Red Temple branch on the sale of the now slightly damaged tavern.
Lacking his favorite tavern to spend the evening, Imram searches the town for another source of information and entertainment. The rogue comes up with the choice between one the Red Temple operated pub called the Drunken Maid, and one of the town's oldest structures, the Watering Hole. The Red Temple's tavern is more of a bar and brothel, while the other place is mainly booze. Still, there are other such establishments in Cedar Grove, but none as promising or as busy.



**Start with 19,000gps worth of wealth. Take whatever you like from the PHB for free, just keep encumbrance in mind. Note that magic items with spell levels (for their creation spells) of 7th level or higher will cost 4x the listed price. Items with dimensional spaces cost 5x the listed price. Post a little something about your personality and motivations. Include a description if you have one. You are living in a building that has been divided into seperate rooms, called the Cedar View. Every two rooms shares a kitchen and every four rooms shares a bathroom. It costs 2 silver a day but the accomadations are lame at best. There are better rooms in Cedar Grove, at higher rates, but this was the cheapest long term room. You have free actions throughout Cedar Grove. (I will use the term 'Free Actions' often. It means basically that you are not in initiative order and can act freely. If you are given Free Actions 'throughout' someplace, it means the area does not have overly hostile dangers and you may proceed at will. Also, feel free to describe the world around you as you see fit. If something you describe does not jive with my world, I'll make the changes, but I have yet to see a player go so far off the mark that I couldn't incorporate what he wrote and was forced to change his text.)**

[Splotchy]

19,000 gp toward magical items I assume??? I do not have a DMG handy so I'm a little balls there until I buy one, borrow one, or can find the pages I need online... I kind of want my character to be complete before I start but with the intro I've already got ideas. Character description/background to follow.

[Corwyn]

**See if you can open the attached file. It contains most of what you need from the DMG. I have a near limitless list of such content, ask for a particular book or addon and ye shall recieve. Also, under the Tools tab on the top right of the pages on this site, there is the SRD for 3.5 edition rules. That should contain most of the basic rules for all 3.5 edition games.**

[Splotchy]

Character updated and ready to roll

Imram is a whip of a man who walks with a quite confidence about him. He has the ability to blend into the bustling city streets but has been around long enough to make some friends and aquaintances. Imram is slowly and steadily trying to make a quite name for himself as a hired gun and a man that can get things done, regardless of the moral implications. He doesn't care much for the Red Temple, not because of the wares they peddle but because of the blatant and overhanded way they go about things...it almost takes the fun out of it if it's sancitoned. Imram believes in private entreupaneurs and the businesses they try to establish, be it legal or borderline. This is what has him so upset now, Red Temple Enforcers causing the loss of a favorite hang out and the apparent dissapearnce of a friend, Ashly, well...maybe not a friend but a source of information and fence at the very least.
Wishing he hadn't been casing another house when the brawl occured at the Stilleto he makes his way to Watering Hole to gather his thoughts and some information. Hoping to bump into a regular from the Stilleto who may have been there. Maybe he/she could identify the leader of the Enforcers who caused all this mess in the first place. Once he finds out what he can Imram will speak with the Watering Hole's owner/manager to inquire if he has been under similiar pressure and see if maybe he would like some of it relieved...for a favor. I may want the Stilleto to be under new ownership.

Spot and Gather Info for the Watering Hole and Diplomacy for speaking with the manager/owner/barkeep...

Spot

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(13) + 10	Total = 23

Gather Info

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+6:	(13) + 6	Total = 19

Diplomacy

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+14:	(16) + 14	Total = 30

[Corwyn]

Having been aware that most public places in Cedar Grove would not allow a heavily armed man inside, Imram had left his sword behind. Fortunately, Imram is still very well armed without that blade. Patting the hilt of his dagger and checking the holster of his hidden wrist-bow, the young man approaches the Watering Hole. A very large man at the door of the tavern, holds out one thick arm, blocking the entrance as Imram draws near. The big man stares down his gnarled, ugly nose, his beady eyes narrowing further. The man's head is almost completely bald, but straggles of dirty hair are randomly arranged over his scalp. There is a gold nose ring through the center of his nose, like that of a bull's. The man grins stupidly, showing broken yellow teeth, one gold tanight, pal. He holds out one meaty hand, moving the other hand to the heavy club that hangs from his belt.
Imram pays and pushes his way past the thug, noticing that the normal bouncer that watches the door here is now standing near the narrow little rooms that are used as wash closets. It appears that the slightly smaller man is charging people to use the little latrine-rooms.

Still, the bar is absolutely filled to capacity and Imram has to shoulder and elbow his way through the throngs of people to get near the bar. Without the tavern's largest competitor, the Watering Hole is doing a brisk business tonight. This explains the jacked up door price and the new charge for the wash closets, the few alternative places in Cedar Grove cannot compete with this type of bar, for the pure alcohol and camaraderie that so many prefer.
There is loud music playing from somewhere, probably near the back, but it is hard to make out the sound over the general tumult of the crowd. Heavy drums and at least one lute, but if there are any other musical instruments or vocals, the sounds are lost in the roar. Ale and harder liquids flow freely among the patrons and there is an overall mood of jubilee and passion in the crowd tonight. A few of the revelers are readily recognized as regulars at the Stilettos, but the situation makes it hard to get more than a nod of recognition from any of them. Finally, Imram manages to catch one of the other bar's regulars sitting at the end of the crowded tavern's bar, focused on his near empty bottle of liquor and sucking on an empty corn pipe.
Imram sidles up to the obviously inebriated man and pushes another man, a very drunk young man who was near falling anyway, out of his way. Taking the other fellows chair beside the pipe-smoking regular, Imram drops a few silver pieces on the bar, causing them to ring distinctively and flutter about on the bar top, attracting the attention of both the bartender and the regular. The nearest bartender, an attractive young woman with a foul bruise of dark blue over her eye and a scabbed lower lip, hurries over. She is dressed in provocative clothes, almost so indecent as to be considered prostitution. Nearly hanging out of her tight fitting shirt, she takes Imram's coins and interprets his nod and the few words she could make out over the general din of music and shouting. In a moment, the regular has a new bottle of booze, there is a tall, frothy beer in front of Imram and a satchel of tobacco on the bar. The bruised barmaid winks at Imram suggestively and then scurries off to another man who is slamming his empty mug against the bar and shouting.
Practically screaming in each other’s ears, Imram coaxes the story of the Silk Stiletto’s demise, out of the former regular, who calls himself Janin. Pouring drinks, and filling Janin's pipe, Imram soon has every detail Janin could remember from the recent night.

'Twas a quiet night, dat night. 'Twas indeed. No one der but us regs an' Ashly herself, 'course. Janin's eyes glaze over as if he were a man remembering a distant time of wonder, and not some drunk recalling another drunken evening a few nights previous, 'bout three of four hours into the night, a group of young fellas came in. We all knew they was trouble straight away. Me an' Little Al went over ta the booth, rather than sit beside 'em at the bar. Three strangers in heavy cloaks, despite the warm air inside the Stiletto. One really big one who did no' say a thing an' a tall one who spoke only very shortly. The third was a woman, I could tell. She move to nice ta be a man, but they all kept their hoods up an' der cloaks tight. They was askin' Ashly fer a room. She told 'em her one room was occupied an' told 'em ta go ta the Cedar View Apartments. They did no' seem ta like that an' instead took mugs o' warm wine, sayin' it was cold. Huh, cold. While Janin might have be affronted of confused that these strangers felt it was cold in Cedar Grove, Imram knows that had they recently come from a warmer climate, they'd not have had a chance to get used to the cooler temperatures of the region. Anyways, that’s when Mac came in, Janin was continuing. Ashly told 'im ta sit in his regular booth. It was all me an' Al could do ta keep from laughin' out loud. Imram had seen Mac in the Stiletto on a few occasions and normally the man would sit right at the bar, hitting on Ashly incessantly, all the while pretending to be disinterested and too tough to be bothered. So Mac nods and takes the booth behind us. He ain't there fer long, cause right after Ashly brings him his drink, we c'n all hear Arbous and Vivian arguin' in the kitchen, now, since Arbous ain't ever argued wit' no one, we knew sumthin' was up. Ashly ran in there fast, an' Mac was on her heels. Imram knows that Ashly inherited the Stiletto from her father who ran the tavern for many years. She kept the place going despite brigands and thugs shaking her down for nearly five years. She was young when her father suddenly vanished, but old enough to take over, and that she did. Arbous, had been cooking and cleaning for them for almost forty years, never once complaining or arguing with anyone. Though it was said that the quiet man had some sort of mental problem that kept his mind closed and simple. Now Vivian, on the other hand, was definitely liable to start an argument at the drop of a hat. She was one of the bar's newest dancers and quite a crowd drawer. Since Ashly took over, she has reduced the number of dancing girls and related activities, slowly replacing it with higher quality dancers, acts and performances. This brought in higher quality patrons and their coins. Those girls that couldn't rise to the challenge, often found work in the Red Temples, but to avoid that Ashly would pay the other girls to train the less talented. Vivian was one of the youngest of the higher quality dancers and she would often take leaves from work, after making a small fortune in tips. She'd vanish for a few weeks or months, only to return again and start dancing. Still, everyone knew she was more of a diva than any of the other girls, and very demanding. She considered herself above the others and would charge men outrageous prices, then provide almost nothing, yet there were always more men willing to pay. Anyways, Janin goes on, we knew Vivian was comin' back, Ashly told us that day that she'd be back on the next night. When we heard her in the kitchen, we figured she came early is all, maybe stopped to tease ol' Arbous on her way in. But when Ashly went in there, she screamed right away. I knew right then, that everythin' would change. Frankie ran out of the bar and the three strangers all started and looked around as if they thought they were in trouble or something. Little Al pointed out that they all put their drinks down and their hands were under der cloaks now. I could hear hooves ridin' away from the back of the bar, an' then we all heard Mac startin' his machine. Its hard to miss a sound like that, an' anyone who ever seen it workin' could tell what he was doin' from the sound alone. One day, Imram had seen Mac showing off his machine outside the Stiletto, the man spent a lot of time working on it, restoring the ancient device to its fullest glory. It was a sort of mechanical steed, a motorized horse with wheels instead of legs. He called it a 'Motorcycle', and named it Vera. Mac could easily outdistance any horse on its back, but the thing was so loud that you could hear it for blocks away, rumbling like a dragon with an upset stomach. In seconds, Vera's engine was too far away to be heard, but then someone else came into the bar. I woulda ran if I could, but they came in through the back too. Guards were everywhere. They started pushin' everyone around and askin' what happened. I heard Ashly scream again, and Little Al ran to help her, but one of the guards clothes-lined him. Then it was chaos. One guard grabbed the cloaked woman and the big man put his hand on the guard's shoulder. The other guards drew their swords an' one of them tried to push the big guy. Janin takes a long drink from his bottle and sucks on his pipe, those three reacted with such force, I was terrified. The big man snapped that guard's neck like it was a twig, and the other fellow drew his sword so fast, he had killed three guards 'fore I knew he had his weapon out. Then the girl did something and there was smoke and blood everywhere. Honestly, I missed what happened next 'cause I hid in the wash closet, the free wash closet. Janin glances at the bouncer standing in front of the Watering Hole's wash closets, before continuing, after a bit, I heard Mac returnin' on Vera. There was still struggling goin' on, so I didn' look ta see if the strangers were winnin' or if the cops were winnin'. But after a while it got real quiet an' then I could hear Vera again all of a sudden. It sounded like Mac rode her right into the bar and then there was screaming and shouting all over again. When it got quiet again, I c'n hear them breathing heavy and rustling fabric, like they were puttin' their cloaks back on. Someone ran up the steps, and came back down quick, I bet it was Mac, gettin' 'is stuff from 'is room. One of them spoke to him then, the tall man I think. Janin furrows his brow, concentrating on the memory, he asked Mac if he had ta leave town 'cause o' what happened. Mac just replied, 'you can get away with anything in this town, if you have enough gold.' Then he said, 'but if we killed someone important, they'd take the bribe an' kill us just the same.' After that, Mac left. I heard Vera startin' up outside, then leave'n. They went to the northwest, probably took the Dry Run road towards Bastion City. Janin drinks deeply again, coughing from the effort of speaking in such a loud voice, but the din of the crowd is still overwhelming so he leans in to shout the rest of his tale, anyway, that's about it. When Mac left, I heard the tall guy tell his friends, 'we'd better move on now.' They left without another word, didn't even go through the pockets of the guards or nothin', they had some good coin in their pockets. Once I heard their horses outside, I came out and found the bar in shambles. The windows all broken and every chair overturned. Most of Ashly's stock was destroyed and there was blood everywhere. Even on the ceiling. Every one of them guards was killed, some of them ripped apart. The tables were diced up like kindling and there was even soot on the walls, though nothin' got burnt. After that, I ran. Ran all the way home. They say that the next day, Ashly rode into town and sold her place to the Blue Temple, but I think they're lyin'. If she made it outta there alive, she ain't comin' back here. Not bloody likely. Almost a score of guards were dead in her bar an' she wasn't around to tell no one what 'appened. If they see her, they'll kill 'er on sight! Ah well. I'll miss her. Mac too. I hope the Reds don' buy that place from the Bluebies. If'n a regular guy don' take over that joint, I'd rather see it burnt ta the ground.
During the man's tale, Imram tries to keep his eye on the crowd, but it is difficult to do much more than strain to hear in the noisy tavern. Imram calls the barmaid back over, giving her a few more coins and getting himself and Janin fresh drinks. He leans over the bar and tries to ask the barmaid about the bar being subject to extortion, and where she got her bruises. The woman just blushes, covering her ample cleavage with one hand and her mouth with the other. her face and shoulder beet red, she curtsies for Imram, mouthing the phrase, I'm not that kind of girl. As she moves away again, Imram realizes that she did not properly hear his question and decides to wait for the crowd to die down a bit before trying to talk to the busy, stressed out staff.

**Subtract 3 gold (cover charge = 1, two ales = .4, two pitchers of wine = 1, tip = .6). Free actions.**

[Corwyn]

 

There's a bug that sometimes makes it so the last post isn't recorded in a thread, so you can't tell that someone new posted there. Fairly rare, but I've seen it before.

[Splotchy]

While trying to limit the intake of alcohol to keep a steady buzz Imram try's his best to keep his patience while being jostled by the crowd and dealing with the noise. He hangs out next to Janin for a few more minutes after having the misleading conversation with the barmaid before attempting to find his way through the crowd. Keeping his eye on his pouch
Spot

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(5) + 10	Total = 15

he seeks out any of the others who may have been in the Stilleto that night. Specifically, Lil Al (if he's alive) and any of the dancer's who used to work with Vivian, the diva.
After the Watering Hole dies down Imram makes his way back to the bar to speak with the lumped up barmaid. With a hinting smile he says Maybe if you're not to tired from dealing with all these skags we can go grab some food and a room. I promise I'll take better care of you than the jerk that did that to your face. .
Assuming that she's up for a little after hours action he pays for everything the two of them imbibe (sp) in and pushes her for as much information on the Watering Hole being extorted and if she recognizes or has heard talk of "Mac," the three cloaked characters or anything about the Stilleto and the new booming business it has given her place of work. Imram will also take notice as to her cleanliness and may decide that only he needs to be "taken care of." Not that she'll care with some coin added in.
--If she passes me on to the owner then that will work too and I inquire if he's also been under pressure and puts forth the same line of questions as mentioned above. How long do you think you can stand alone before something happens to you or your place like what happened at the Stilleto? If I happen across who caused the comotion at the Stilleto then I would wager that would be one less power trying for your place.
Next, a return to the crime scene and a stop to see if Arbous (if he's alive) is at his house/room. I want to know what happened in that back room and why this Mac character had decided to ruin my place of refuge.
After speaking with Arbous and anyone else who I may run across Imram thinks a visit to the Blue Temple to find out who now owns the Stilleto if anyone.

Gather Info

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+6:	(9) + 6	Total = 15

Search at the scene

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+7:	(7) + 7	Total = 14

Diplomacy for the Barmaid or the Owner if he turns out to be receptive.

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+14:	(8) + 14	Total = 22

[Corwyn]

Imram wanders the crowd, finding no one else who had been in the Stiletto that night, or at least no one willing to admit it. The rogue does come across one of the dancers that used to work with Vivian regularly. After waiting for her to finish administering a lap dance to one of the other patrons, Imram shells out 10 gold to get some time with her. While the dance and cheap feel might have been worth the coin, the information he got was lacking. Imram learns from the dancer little more than what he already knew. Vivian had made some good coin and as usual she took her leave. The other dancers all knew her to be leaving town with a strange fellow not from around this area. That was the last anyone ever saw of her, aside from poor Arbous of course. Imram learns from the dancer that Arbous was killed and Frankie died the night after the brawl. They found him in an alleyway behind the Red Temple, his throat cut. Little Al has been laying low but by all accounts is alive and doing fine. There was a young girl who used to sweep up for Ashly, she lived nearby. She went missing after the brawl but then showed up on her families porch the next day, about noon.
Walking away from the dancer, Imram feels only mildly enlightened and heavily aroused. She might not have had much new information, but the dancer certainly knew her trade. it was all Imram could do to walk straight without hurting himself.
Finally, in the earliest hours of the morning, the crowd starts to thin out. The bouncers begin dragging out those people who were either broke or unconscious, or more commonly both. Many of the others start leaving as well. but as always there are pockets of people that refuse to leave. The waitresses and barmaids start cleaning up the place and slowly the ratio of sober folk to drunken people increases.
Imram tries to chat up the barmaid, but finds that one of the bouncers wants to sit beside him. The big man says nothing, but watches them both carefully, nursing his mug of apple cider. She seems affronted at Imram's advances and quickly finds work for herself further away from where Imram was sitting. One of the other barmaids, an older woman, but still dressed daringly, motions to Imram to hold his horses.
Eventually the bouncers start to kick everyone out, pushing the last groups of people towards the door. When some of the barmaids and waitresses begin counting out their coins and packing up to leave, Imram heads out without a fuss.
Outside, hugging his arms to his chest against the cold pre-dawn air, Imram watches his breath turn into mist on the wind. Only a few minutes of stomping his feet in the dimly lit area and Imram notices that most of the lights insode the Watering Hole begin to go out. Another moment and red-headed, older barmaid steps outside, wrapped in a fur-lined cloak and heavy leather gloves. The heavy clothing hides the woman's best features, her breasts and legs, leaving only her worn face, saggy cheeks and dead eyes. She motions for him to follow and heads down the dark cobblestone streets. After a while she starts talking, without looking at Imram. My name is Darlene, I've been workin' at the Watering Hole for almost ten years now. I seen everythin' you could think of. If I was you I'd stay away from the whole thing with the Stiletto and especially away from Tami. I don't care how tough you think you are, there's nothing but trouble down both of those roads. She sighs heavily but keeps walking, striking a brisk pace on the quiet streets. She is heading directly out of the lower-middleclass area where most of the bars are, and towards the quiet suburbs of Cedar Grove. Still, a dangerous commute for a lone woman to commence nightly. That said, she continues, if you want information, or a good time, I've got both for a fair rate. 'Cept, I won't kiss, no back door and I won't talk about myself.

**free actions. It is too late (really too early) to go to the Blue Temple offices, unless you plan to break in, but you can of course go investigate the Stiletto when you are done with Darlene. or else skip directly ahead to morning if you want.**

[Splotchy]

Walking down the cold streets with his escort in tow Imram quickly decides where he wants this encounter to go (or not go). Who's Tami and why should I be so afraid of her? What about this Red Temple moving in on the Watering Hole and The Stilleto? As he walks along the nearly empty streets of Cedar Grove he listens to answers in feined half interest and gives her some coin for her trouble (assuming that it's worth anything).
Thanks, and if you hear anything, I'm sure I'll be stopping by the Watering Hole.
After quickly departing Darlene's company Imram makes his way in a non direct route to the Silk Stilleto, checking to make sure he walks his own path alone. Assuming that the bar is closed up he makes his way to the back entrance he's used a time or two and searches for the extra key that Ashly left hidden above the door jam After listening to make sure nobody is inside he makes his way into the kitchen and survey's the damage from the other night. Counting on the guards to be as slow as they are to an incident as they are to cleaning up messes he figures there should be something left behind to give him an idea of what went wrong. Come to think of it...how did the guards arrive so quick to the Stilleto that night, and in force. Bet they weren't expecting to run into those cloaked three. And who WERE those three out of towners? Adventurer's maybe? Maybe if I run into them they could answer a question or two. Although caution will be needed dealing with them. Never liked dealing with anyone outnumbered, outmatched and in plain sight
The inside of the Stilleto brings him back to the present time and he makes his way through the kitchen and eventually up to the lone room that was occupied by "Mac." If he didn't leave anything in his hast then maybe Ashly kept something on the books, if she even kept any. Imram wracks his brain to remember if Ashly ever mentioned a safe house. Not wanting to leave any valuables behind for the surely corupt city guard, what cop isn't crooked, Imram takes anything Ashly might want for safekeeping...yeah safekeeping. She'd understand.

After slipping out of the Stilleto Imram again takes the scenic route to his modest apartment. Once he makes his way inside he reminds himself for the hundreth time that this it's time to up his accomadations AND rent out a slumy safehouse on the lower side of town. Slipping out of his Armored shirt Imram finally finds sleep after pondering the events of the night. What will that Blue Temple know about all this, if anything. AHhh, I can't forget about that house I was casing the other night when things went down. It caused me to miss out on that evening so I guess I might as well make it worth my while...another night...maybe I should of at least let that old hag blow me....nah...even I have standards.....sometimes.

Spot for a tail and etc.

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(1) + 10	Total = 11

Listen outside the Stilleto or where needed

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+6:	(1) + 6	Total = 7

If no key...and expecting no trap, Open Lock on the rear door

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+8:	(7) + 8	Total = 15

Search inside the Stilleto, Kitchen, office(s), room, etc. Poison Ingredients about?

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+7:	(15) + 7	Total = 22

[Corwyn]

Seeing that no one was following him, the streets deserted, Imram makes his way around the back of his former drinking post. The Silk Stiletto sits abandoned on the quiet, dark street, its upper floor windows gaping out darkly like the eyes of a corpse. The building's one forward facing, ground floor window has been boarded over with rough hewn chunks of timber and sloppily patched with tar and canvas, indicating the new owner already has an interest in the security of the building. Without even checking the front door, Imram heads right for the kitchen entrance.
Immediately he notices blood stains on the ground outside the kitchen, and the door itself has been boarded over as well, fragments of the old door laying in the blood and dirt. Imram makes his way to the side entrance, noticing more bloodstains near that door as well. The door here is intact, and while it was barred from inside, Imram knew that Ashly's hidden key wouldn't open it. Instead he pries off a section of the battered planks of door and reaches inside to unlatch it. As soon as he opens the door, the smell of death and blood hits him in the face. There was a lot of blood in this room. Even in the near pitch, Imram can see that the worst of the blood had already been cleaned up, but the smell obviously was not treated. Working quickly, the rogue makes his way to the lock box that Ashly keeps in the kitchens, noticing right away that it had been cleaned out. A quick inspection shows that the box was not forced, but unlocked. Further investigation shows tracks in the blood near the back door, and more splinters of door. Evidently Mac had driven his machine right into the kitchen, slayed the guards, and left the same way. Moving through the common room, Imram can see for himself that Janin's story was accurate. There are still traces of blood on the walls, floor and cieling and the tables and chairs are splintered up, though someone swept up most of it and took a mop to the blood. Any of the bottles behind the bar, that were not destroyed in the fight, are now gone, plundered no doubt by Janin and whoever had cleaned up the mess.
Upstairs, Imram investigates the building's two rooms. Mac's room is above the stables, and contains almost no evidence of ever having been occupied, aside from the unmade bed and the ashtray full of spent cigarettes. In the other room, Ahley's room, there is a little more to go by. A large chest stands open at the foot of the bed, clothes and personal effects scattered around as if someone hastily packed. Another lock box stands open on the bed and there is a wardrobe closet that has clothes lying at its bottom and hanging haphazardly from the hooks. A careful search comes up with a handful of coins and a large gold ring, a man's ring with no stone, on a simple leather thong. Pocketing the find, Imram gives the place another once over, and finally comes up with a loose floor board. Inside, he finds a place large enough to hold the lock box that was on the bed and another small chest that has no lock. The rogue carefully inspects the chest before removing it to the bed and opening it. Inside there is a stack of papers and some vials of liquid, plus another even smaller box. The tiny, flat box proves to be a case for a fine pen and ink set. It is of the sort used by the ancient peoples, not a replica but seemingly the real thing. The pen is inlaid with gold and platinum and it draws its ink automatically and evenly from its imbedded resvoir, which can be replaced with the spare cartridges. An expensive and useful tool. Imram takes the case and the sheaf of papers, leaving the chest behind.
Making his way back downstairs, Imram rechecks the bar area and the kitchen again, creeping as silently as possible, by now his eyes are well adjusted to the very dim light. Finding nothing else he moves back into the kitchen. With doubts of finding anything useful in the tavern's small kitchen, he looks around anyway, inspecting the shelves and cabinents.

Suddenly the side door bursts open and light floods into the room, hey!! What are you doin' in hea!! Beside the gruff voice, Imram can hear more movement in the main room, and what sounds like the door there being kicked in as well. Its impossible to see agains the bright glare from the doorway, but the whole situation reeks of organized security. City cops or else Temple Soldiers.

**Roll intitiative, MR. Natural one on the Listen and Spot checks... Also, gain 8 gold, 3 silver and the gold ring and leather thong. Gain one MW fountain pen with gold and platinum inlays with 4 replacement cartridges and matching case. Gain one sheaf of scribed upon parchment pages. Let me know if you have trouble with the below map.**

Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
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@Imram
*END -1sannt

[Splotchy]

Initiative

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+8:	(5) + 8	Total = 13

Again the thought of being outnumbered and in plain sight comes to mind...
Imram back peddles and attempts a quick exit out the back door hoping to gain distance but not enough to completly dog his pursuers. After a quick right turn out into the alley (assuming this happens) Imram makes his way around the nearest corner and slips into the shadows hoping to take out the few guards who manage to keep up. One of these guards has to know something. Imram wants at least one guard alive but certainly won't risk his life for it, especially being outnumbered. His trusty dagger slides quietly into his hand as he waits surrounded by foul smelling trash and muck.

Hide in Shadows in a neighboring alley

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(6) + 10	Total = 16

Ready for attacks, just say the word.

[Corwyn]

**You'll notice, with a quick glance, that the back door there is boarded over like the front door. To open it, you'll need to make a Strength Check DC 22 and burst it open. Is that what you want to try?**

[Splotchy]

Out the side door from the kitchen, to the main room and back up the stairs (only if there was a window up there that I noticed before).
Once Imram makes it inside the room he shuts the door behind him and latches the lock. Now to the window. He waits for a few seconds, long enough for them to pursue up the stairs and then forces his way out the window and leaps to the ground of the alleyway outside. If he should land next to (or on) an unsuspecting guard, all the better.
Tumble

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+9:	(17) + 9	Total = 26

Jump

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+8:	(13) + 8	Total = 21

[Corwyn]

Imram moves quickly, dashes through the dark building despite calls for him to stop. Only a few seconds behind him, he can hear footsteps pounding on the stairs. Without hesitation, Imram slams the door shut and bars it, just in time to hear someone slam into it with their shoulder. Vaulting through the window, Imram tucks his knees in and rolls as he lands, leaping back to hsi feet easily, though the shock of the jump still sends electrical sensations of pain up and down his legs.
A glance around reveals that these men are indeed soldiers, Blur Temple military and as expected from such a regimented force, are executing this manuever with extreme adherance to procedure. Looking through the screened patio around the front entrance, Imram can see one soldier standing at the entrance, shining his lantern inside, another soldier behind him, weilding a loaded crossbow, watches the front of the buidling. He immediately notices Imram landing and strides forward, towards the screen, holding his crossbow aimed at Imram's chest. In a clear, loud voice he calls to the rogue, stop right there!! The man at the door swivels around, dropping his lantern and grasping his own crossbow in two hands.
Imram notices two soldiers in similiar configuration standing by the side entrance, both of them turn to him with crossbows out. Inside the building, footsteps pound on the steps again and Imram can hear the bolted door upstairs, getting kicked in.

**Your action.**
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
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*END -t6rl75

[Splotchy]

Realizing that this night could be going a lot better Imram decides why not push it a little further. He gracefully steps in close to the nearest guard, feins a move and plunges his trusty blade into the guard. Imrarm hears the steps of the other two around the corner and begins manuevering towards the street to keep anyone from being at his back. He tries to keep his struck victim between him and the now bleeding guard, a human sheild is better than no shield. Hopefully those bolts go awry and he'll have time to move in or move WAY out.

5 ft. step diagnel towards the nearest guard, improved feint and (hopefully) sneak attack.
I'll roll as if I hit on a sneak (which grants me a second attack on the same target hit w/ the same weapon (Quick Stike Feat)

Bluff for Improved Feint

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(17) + 10	Total = 27

Attack w/ dagger Bane on humans gives a total of +4/+2d6 for the weapon itself

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+13:	(18) + 13	Total = 31

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d4+6:	(3) + 6	Total = 9

+

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
2d6:	2, 4	Total = 6

for Bane +

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
2d8:	2, 7	Total = 9

for sneak (if applicable)

If hit second, attack

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+13:	(13) + 13	Total = 26

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d4+6:	(4) + 6	Total = 10

+

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
2d6:	3, 2	Total = 5

for Bane +

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
2d8:	5, 5	Total = 10

for sneak (if applicable.




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*END -uh6fpv