[Game Thread] Round 1 - Bracket 1 - Group A (bananabadger, GleefulNihilism, stepanxol, Thaco)

[Admin Bhelogan]

The Letter Life as a member of the Crossing Companions Adventuring Guild, was pretty good. Or maybe it wasn't. That was all a matter of opinion. One thing it was for sure though, was busy. You and your squad haven't had a regular break from quest after quest in, who knows how long. Sir Ethan had been doing his best to fill the ranks with new adventurers, but these things took time. It lightens your heart to know that another round of applicants are going on very soon in Harthford at the Waltzing Witches Tavern and Inn. You have seen the fliers, though because of the workload, you have not been asked to be a part of the process this time. No, Sir Ethan would have his work cut out for him, working with the local sponsors there; Brom, Saint Cecilia, Sir Stephonston, and Dug. You and your squad would be elsewhere, in the port city of Orchardbrick. A letter from Sir Ethan has just arrived, detailing your next contract. Bishop Bartholomew has contracted for all available Crossing Companion squads to help remedy a situation of grave importance. The letter doesn't have more details than that, and it doesn't need to. The details would be filled in when you got there. At the chapel doors, Bishop Bartholomew eagerly welcomed in your crew of Adventures, so that he could explain the situation.

Bishop Bartholomew Bishop Bartholomew was a relative newcomer to Orchardbrick, having been assigned to minister in the city after the previous Vicar had died of old age, just six months prior. The Chapel of Saint Cornsear was open to most of the local farmers to worship whatever deity they pleased. There was a guild of Clerics and Clergy that made sure the chapels across the countryside were staffed and cared for. "Thank you for coming in such haste. We have a dire situation in Orchardbrick, and I need your help. It has come to my attention that a cult, known as the Grey Guard has infiltrated the city, and is corrupting the citizens. I can deal with theological debates, but rumors are floating that something big is happening soon. They are planning some kind of ritual, that I fear will have terrible consequences if completed. The Grey Guard know me as their enemy, and I have come to a dead-end in finding any further details of what they are planning. But, I do know that large-scale preparations are being made today, for this ritual, making your timing perfect. I would like, first, for you to split up. Half of you go to the city market and the other half to the Port. Among all the normal business of the day, large quantities of food and supplies are being gathered in the market. Likewise, at the dock, something large of importance to the ritual is arriving today. I would like for you to discern who is involved, and find out information on when and where this ritual is taking place, without giving away our intentions of stopping it. So, please be subtle. I couldn't loop the guard into this so there will be no forgiveness for breaking the town's laws."

The Market   The Markets of Orchardbrick were the hub of all social activities, and most commercial, outside of the docks, for not only the city but also the surrounding region. The Fish and Meat markets, along with the Tradesmen Row and Home and Farmer Supplies areas had permanent structures in place, with stalls that were mostly walled in. The areas for Small Livestock, Oddities, Fashion and Apparel, and visiting merchants from other regions (to sell whatever goods they brought) had structures of roofs over the stalls, and stone pillars to hold them up, but no proper walls around them. This gave most of the market a very open feel and allowed movement through areas of the market by cutting through shopping stalls, rather than just taking the road. Lastly, the tents were set up daily, by local farmers selling their personal crops, and tents with games and prizes for entertainment. Today, the markets are especially busy. Large crowds circle around the tents and fill the streets, making movement through the market a slow process of finding gaps and holes between groups of people. The scent of fresh fish, chopped meat fills the air, mixed with sweats and other treats brought in by the visiting merchants. Somewhere among this gaggle of people, are the Grey Guard cult members, working to secure whatever it is they need for their upcoming ritual. Spotting them, among the vast amount of other shoppers may prove to be difficult.

OOGM Welcome to Outplay 2021! Your GM for this group will be Bhelogan Your Judges for this group will be: Imveros, savoylen, Chrystrom, pianoman90 For your first post, in addition to responding to the calling of the letter, and initial meeting with the Bishop, please indicate how your character will go about finding the Cult members in the Market. Make an Outplay Roll to go along with your chosen actions, including any extra dice if you can use a piece of Adventuring Gear, or a Signature Move to do so. You are free to work together on a plan, but with limited time, you may also all need to act independently here. The choice is yours, good luck! Bonus Points will be assigned to every group member for achieving the following goals 1 point for finding out when the ceremony will be 1 point for doing so without blowing their cover, or getting caught doing anything illegal Mechanical Success: You will be awarded mechanical points this round as follows: 1 point for a partial success (1 success on an Outplay Roll) 2 points for a Success (2 or more successes on an Outplay Roll)

[bananabadger]

The Night Before the Mission cute, but treacherous on back "Perfidious fruit of my saggy loins!" "I was hoodwinked by my own guileful progeny. Even the youngest smooth-faces who could barely hoist a hammer were in on the scheme." "This is how it all went down." "I arrived at my inn in Orchardbrick. Of course my arms were sore from carrying and rolling that cask of saltwater which Stell and Stella always insist riding inside when we travel, but I didn't complain. In fact, I was quite excited when I was shown to my room and found a simple but cheery drawing from one of my youngest great-grandkids. It showed me, out on the town near the bar and the "Opra" Haus! And while the drawing did not really capture my likeness, it certainly portrayed Stell and Stella perfectly. Just look at those jaunty little claws and perky eye stalks! Aren't they the cutest? (Also royal pains in the rear when you travel, but I've already said enough about that.)" "But the treachery was on the backside of the drawing. Instead of writing something like: Have fun in the big city, Gramps! or We love you, Gramps! ... they wrote this:" Back of Drawing Surprise! A nice messenger-tortle stopped by last month and said that a certain Sir Ethan had been trying to get in touch with you! He had already sent 5 unanswered letters about calling in your contract with some adventuring group that was a precursor to the Crossing Companions. Of course at first we thought it was a joke, because who could imagine you being an adventurer? Right? But, we felt sorry for the tortle since he traveled a long way and didn't move too fast. We invited him in and listened to his stories. The more he told us, the more we believed him. Gramps, why didn't you tell us you were an adventurer?! The tortle (his name was Chip by the way, nice guy!) suggested we get you a ticket to Orchardbrick under pretense of an opera-excursion weekend, and that he and the Companions would take it from there. Well, of course we agreed! We are so proud of you. Hope you have a great time defeating baddies and saving villages. Tell Stell and Stella hello for us. You probably guessed, but they were in on the plans. Crabs are great at keeping secrets. PS—Please don't die! "Can you believe it?" Bronthur "Gramps" Brinehonz, the fisher-dwarf, finally paused in his tale and stared at the dwarf across the tavern table from him. Apparently this dwarf, who went by "Sal," was a veteran of the Crossing Companions and also a member of the squad where Brinehonz would be assigned for their first mission. Brinehonz actually knew this dwarf's father, who was Balansaccus. Balansaccus was one of the funniest dwarf comedians ever, and universally loved across every mine, village or town where he had appeared. This guy sitting across the table from Brinehonz, Balansaccus' son, well ... he wasn't as funny. In fact, he wasn't funny at all—he was cruel. As soon as they had sat down, Sal had already found the one flaw in the barkeep's appearance (an awkward stain on the barkeep's sweat-drenched fustian overshirt) and had already launched a volley of snark and derision connected to a long story about a ferret, a barrel of lard and the barkeep's apparent astigmatism. The anecdote was slanderous and mean-spirited. It had also, Brinehonz hated to admit, almost caused him to snort out his mead in a fit of laughter. After Sal tore apart the barkeep, he allowed Brinehonz to finish his story. And then Sal, of course, did not say anything consoling or comforting. Instead, he looked Brinehonz directly in the eyes and suggested the rudest and most peculiar thing that could be done with a dwarf's beard and an elf's personal hygiene. In short, they were fighting words. And that's what happened, fisticuffs. Brinehonz and Sal thrashed each other silly for twenty minutes straight. For an old adventurer frustrated with his current lot in life, the brawl was as good as therapy.

The Briefing Brinehonz woke the next morning already more reconciled to the fact that he was here for a mission instead of opening night at the opera. In fact, he even did not allow his breakfast to be spoiled by the bard in the tavern hall who was already singing about how Shungaro had already made a splash at the opening night of Companion recruitment test trail. Apparently, when asked to make a simple introduction, the conniving dwarf told some long, tear-jerky tale about his pretty preterit wifey and how her death had spurred him on to fight for justice and order ... or something like that. Through terrible tragedy his wife was lost, and nearly his sons too. Shugaro left Hammerfall, the city our hero did eschew! He learned and perfected his smithy skills, to return with super strengths. His toughness of body and wisdom of years will carry him to prodigious lengths. Obviously, this song was never going to be a great cantata, and this bard was never going to sing beyond a tavern cafeteria. But Brinehonz wasn't going to let Shugaro-Fever upset him today. In fact, he was still in a good mood as he listened to Bishop Bartholomew's briefing about the cultists and how the Crossing Companions had been called in to stop the cultists' evil plans. Well, Brinehonz immediately had questions. Particularly about the docks since it appeared his group wouldn't be assigned to work that area. What was the price of knucklehead trout on these docks? Were the fishing crews having any luck with the cod this year? Had any of the newly arrived sailors reported any sightings of that kraken which had been reported around the western peninsula? Had the seasonal rains started in the south and did it appear that the storms would arrive on time in our area? He might have followed up some of those questions with Bishop Bartholomew if he hadn't been distracted by ... (could it really be?) Magna Harper-Gravelmane. Magna Harper-Gravelmane, the Great Swamp Hag with the Whackin' Stick, was legendary among Brinehonz' group of adventurers. She, her magical lair and her magical potions and herbs had restored many of Brinehonz' companions to health. And Harper-Gravelmane (or Hag HG as the adventurers called her—but never to her face!) always did her work with her own style. She was gruff, blunt, and sometimes downright exploitative of her convalescing heroes whom she sent out into the swamps to find rare flowers and blooms (she told them the vapors would do their body good, but mostly, Brinehonz suspected, she just wanted to replenish her supplies and have some time to herself). At any rate, Hag HG could have been as rude as a bollywog for all Brinehonz cared. The important thing was nobody was better at their job of healing and training than the Great Swamp Hag. Seeing her, Brinehonz knew the other group was in good hands (well, rather bossy and gruff hands, but still good hands). Brinehonz scurried over to greet Harper-Gravelmane, gave her a courteous bow and proposed an alliance among their groups. "It appears, my lady, that your group is headed to the docks, and ours to the market. Shall we send messengers or arrange a way to keep in touch so that our two groups can share information? What we learn about these Grey Guards might assist you, and vice versa?" Brinehonz is hopeful that Harper-Gravelmane will agree and he, in turn, already knows that he will agree to whatever details the Great Hag proposes in order to keep the two groups in communication. "So it shall be, my lady. I remain, as always, in your debt," Brinehonz finishes with a bow and then returns to his group.

The Squad It had been awhile since Brinehonz had gone on a mission with trusted companions, but he felt confident in this group. Sure, the jester-dwarf was annoying. But the black-eye that Sal wore (as well as Brinehonz' own bruised ribs) reminded Brinehonz that the jester could take as well as he could give. And Sal seemed to have an easy familiarity with the others, the lanky, imposing elf who called himself Essarion, as well as Jiaze, the muscular half-elf who sported a familiar ring. Brinehonz immediately recognized the sign on that ring as a union guild sign. It was the same union that Brinehonz' and most of the other fishermen he knew called on each year to magically raise their boats from the waters and suspend them in air so that the fishermen could do an inspection and cleaning. In general, Brinehonz didn't have much truck with fancy-pantsy wizards, but he respected this type of practical guild magic. "Sister," he nodded to Jiaze in respect. "May your guild and its good work flourish." He then turned back to the others. "So," Brinehonz asked the group, "do you want to tell the new guy your plan?" Some 15 minutes later, Brinehonz was up to speed and had his orders. He was to take Stell and Stella and occupy a stall at the far northern end of the Visiting Merchants section. From there, he would observe the purchases and see if he noted any suspiciously large orders that might indicate a group of cultists preparing for The Big Evil Shindig. But first, Brinehonz had another priority. Knowing that an adventurer's best defense (and best offense) was the strength of his or her companions, Brinehonz gathered the group and—if they consented—applied a fisherman's blessing to them all. May the winds blow favorably around us. May we be fanned by fortune and not battered by ill-will. May the breezes compel what you seek to drift nearer to you. May the gusts grace you with speed and agility. And, lastly, may some sweet zephyr deliver us from the stink of Sal's rotten armpits. Brinehonz finished up with a wink at Sal. How's that for snark, you whipper-snapper?

Actions and Rolls 1. Action=Casting Blessed Etesians on party members as a CN=3 caster (base, signature move and spell-focus gear=3d6) Roll Dice Blessed Etesians base: 1d6sch3 4 ✔ Dice Blessed Etesians signature move: 1d6sch3 4 ✔ Dice Blessed Etesians spell-focus gear: 1d6sch3 3 ✔ ETA Result: 4 Successes! I choose a blessing for each of my fellow companions, plus a blessing on Sal's mechanical spider! 2. Action=Moves Heads off to market with crab-confederates Stell and Stella; takes up position at northern end of Visiting Merchants Stall to be prepared to take observation actions on next round

OOC: Other characters Any detailed involvement with other characters (such as the meeting with Wishkamon's character and the fight with stepanxol's character) has been reviewed and approved by the players whose characters are mentioned. Coordination of group strategy and casting of blessing on characters has also been cleared with GleefulNihilism and stepanxol.

 

Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Stat Bloc Name: Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Race: Dwarf (Coastal) Character Number: 3 Adventuring Gear Meerschaum peg-leg: Me lucky hollow leg (spell focus; doubles as smoking pipe and contraband container) Opera glasses: Helps see things far away and reveals details in close-up searches (in a pinch, they can start a fire as well!) Crab confederates: Stell and Stella (Or maybe that's Stella on the left and Stell on the right? Like I said, it's hard to tell them apart and if you pick them up to determine who is who, then they get all testy and clickity-clackity and start going on and on about personal shell space and "How would you like it if we started clawing around your floppy parts, dwarfy?" So, yeah ... Stell and Stella or Stella and Stell. Really, your guess is as good as mine.) Signature moves Bang! Bang! Crabberang!: This is a ranged attack with crabs (which can be thrown, then scuttle back for a boomerang effect) He's Got Leg, He Knows How to Use It (The Dwarf's Alright): This move allows known spells to be cast with lucky leg Cantrips: CrabGab: This cantrip enables communication with crab animals, which sounds informative until you realize that most of their limited vocabulary is swear words. Salty creatures. But they do know their weather. Want to know if a storm is blowing in? Ask a crab. Funiculi, Funicula!: This cantrip enables voice of willing subject to be projected as a vocal aria of stage-performance quality Known Spells: Blessed Etesians: (Buff—extra 1d6 die roll for ally) This spell creates strong winds that aid allied movement or increase attack; the winds also create a nice breeze on a hot day Nets Today, Saytan: (Debuff) This spell shoot out invisible fishing nets to bind enemy, thus hindering their movement or attack

[Thaco]

We're Going Where?

"Orchardbrook? Where in the gods' names is Orchardbrook?" The courier simply stares at Essarion, the expression on his face saying "I don't know nothing, I'm just a delivery boy". The elf drops a few coins into the boy's hand, "Of course, I shouldn't expect you to know...you probably haven't been farther from home than the bridge at the end of town." Not for the first time, Essarion questions whether he should have left his home. Surely, life would have become a bit...'difficult'; he would have had to put up with the snide remarks and odd looks from the other noble families, and being reduced to becoming a 'working man' would have certainly been an embarrassment. But embarrassment eventually fades, and he would have still had the trappings of his former fortune to surround him, and the connections that he had made throughout the city. Perhaps, in time, he would have been able to rebuild the family name...

But Essarion had not stayed. Instead, he had travelled halfway across the continent, to a place where then name 'Olorhin' held no meaning; where he could make a fresh start and make his own name, rather than relying on family history. After several months, though, the only 'starts' he had made were journeys to one backwater town after another - each one seemingly more remote than the next. What good was it to make a name for oneself, if the only people who would know if were backwoods farmers and ranchers?

Bishop Bartholomew's Briefing

Several days and one uncomfortable overland carriage ride later, Essarion enters the Bishop's chamber. As pleasantries are exchanged, he reflects on his fellow adventurers...

• "Gramps" Brinehonz - Apparently Gramps used to be a sailor? At least that's how he lets on, but Essarion can't recall ever hearing tell who he might have sailed with...
• Jiaze The Heavy - "The Heavy"? She weighs what - 95 pounds? She does do some neat tricks with gravity, though...
• Salambiccus - He reminded Essarion of some of the entertainers that used to perform at his father's court. Of course, anyone with Salambuccus' rather unique sense of humor would not have lasted more than a few minutes in that environment...
• Eleath - He has always had trouble meeting her eye, as he can't help but think of her as death personified...
• Magna Harper-Gravelmane - There was an old hag that told fortunes and sold potions just outside the city walls when he was a boy...for all he knows, that could have been old Magna herself...
• "Whips" - Essarion never could remember her real name - but he's pretty sure that Whips actually prefers it that way...
• Chervil - He must admit that he's still a bit disconcerted by a giant rat in a tailored suit, but he can't help but feel a bit of a kinship with this figure with the mysterious past...

A rather odd group of misfits, to be sure...but what did that say of Essarion himself? Perhaps better not to think of that, but rather to concentrate on the briefing.

Manning the Marketplace

The briefing complete, Essarion accompanies his team to the marketplace, giving silent thanks to the gods that he was not chosen to investigate the docks (the smell of half-rotting fish turns his stomach...and spending the full day in the company of both Eleath and Magna was just a bit more of an ordeal than he was prepared to face today). He spends some time perusing the Oddities stalls, examining clockwork toys, minor magical items, and exotic creatures (whole and in parts) from far-away lands...then moves to the Fashion and Apparel area - which he finds much more to his tastes. Moving from stall to stall he queries the merchants, looking for any clues as to the nature of the upcoming ritual.

"Greetings to you, good sirs! It is certainly a busy day today, isn't it? There must be some special event in town, no? I've only just arrived myself - from Haverford, do you know it? No mind...you have some lovely items here. But what I'm really looking for is a cloak in my favorite color - Grey. Do you have such a thing, or know where I can find one? Something of fine quality, of course; I don't want to look like some City Guard..."

 

Actions Action: Gather Information from vendors +1d - Use Dazzle to influence vendors to reveal secrets +1d - Gramps' blessing Dice Rolling High: 1d6sh3 2 ✘ 1d6sh3 6 ✔ 1d6sh3 5 ✔

Statblock Name: Essarion Olorhin Race: Elf Character Number: 4 Adventuring Gear: Sword Shield Jeweled Headband (Spell Focus) Signature Moves: Blinding Bash (shield bash, with a chance to stun the target) Known Spells cast with Spell Focus Known Spells and Cantrips: Cantrips Sparkle: Cleans all grit and grime from Essarion's armor and shield, allowing their brilliance to shine forth like a beacon of hope to all friends, and a fiery warning to all foes. Gentle Breeze: Creates a soft breeze that blows into Essarion's face, causing his long blond locks to flow behind him, granting a sense of confidence and tranquility to his allies. Spells Dazzle: Fascinates one or more targets, making them susceptible to influence/suggestion.

[GleefulNihilism]

The Before A Few Years Ago... Oakenbrick is a Union Town, and don't you ever forget it. Founded along the edge of Elven and Human kingdoms it's always been in a delicate balancing act in more way than one as something about the local ambiant Magical fields interacts with Gravity. This let Oakenbrick build up far more than any other city in the Kingdoms, higher and wider. And that led to the Unions. Oakenbrick was a Union town and you better remember that. Among them was the Practical Magician's Trade Union, Chapter 3. Maybe the 3rd Chapter in terms of chronological founding but easily the biggest of the Chapters of the Practical Magician's Trade Union - and in that grand hall late one night they had a Trial. Jiaze the Half-Blood stands in a raised platform in front of the Guild Arbiterors. She's not bound or manacled or anything like that, they were the Guards, but it felt even worse. "Well, this won't take long. Jiaze the Half-Blood. You accused Lord Ceiceran of intentionally using sub-standard metals for construction, which led to the incident the day before yesterday." Grandmaster Zahriel speaks somberly, a little magic amplifying his voice for the whole hall to hear, "This is Charge is Serious, and the Lords are not pleased. We've already discussed it, Sentence will be carried out Shortly. We just ask if you have anything to say before the record before Sentence is carried out. Please make it Quick." Jiaze the Half-Blood has a look in her eyes that would have dropped Grandmaster Zahriel dead on the spot if she had that power. If her fortune at birth and childhood had been a little different she might have. The Guild considered her a "Heavy", a rare Magewright who clearly had the raw power of a Wizard. Just couldn't get that kind of training. "Yeah. If I were given the chance - I'd do it all again. Lord Ceiceran can stick that in his pipe and smoke it. His greed almost killed a dozen of his workers. I don't care how many pockets he's going to fill to cover up the Truth, Oakenbrick will know if I have to shout it from Eagle's Watch to do it." she glares in an act of brazen defience. Grandmaster Zahriel puts up a hand to have her stop, chats between the other Guild Masters, and looks toward a pocket of the Audience. Not the main body. Must be representatives of Lord Ceiceran. Good. She wanted him to hear. "Very Well. Jiaze the Half-Blood - you are hearby sentenced to - Promotion." The look in her eyes for a moment said she was going to try to magically throw a punch, but the word stops her in confusion. "...Wait, What?" "We looked into the incident on our own, and you're absolutely right. The Accident was indeed caused by the use of sub-standard metals in the fastening bolts. You saved at least a dozen lives, and you're a credit to the Union. BESTOW UPON OUR SISTER THE LAMP SHE HAS EARNED!" "But...why do all this?" "Lord Ceiceran insisted, but clearly he's forgotten the old bit of Oakenbrick Wisdom. If you take aim at the Unions, Don't Miss." Offered the Magewright's Lamp, a sturdy rod with a metal and glass chamber on one end, she can only look at it. This - this was hers? She thought it would be years before she could even *hope* to get one of her own. Grandmaster Zahriel motions to cut the voice amplification magic for a bit for a bit more private of a conversation. "I - I don't know what to say." "You're welcome, but don't get too excited. Other Guilds and Unions are starting to ask for you by Name - Jiaze the Heavy. Which is good for you and the Union, obviously - but the politics..."

The Letter Ah, the Price of Fame. Well, in some circles at least. She didn't realize how prophetic the Grandmaster was being when he started calling her "The Heavy". "A" Heavy was a Magewright with the raw power of a Wizard but apparently if the other Guilds and Unions were picturing a particular Heavy, it was usually her. It did mean she got plenty of work, of varying attractiveness. The day she met Sir Ethan of the Crossing Companions was a better one than most. Fisherman's Docks might have a particularly strong smell, but the people were good people. A lot of villages made it a point to have at least once a year group inspections of the boats, to know what kind of trouble they need to look over. They usually made a day of it with some home-style cooking and community building. The work goes a lot easier with a Heavy. Jiaze was stronger than you'd expect for a woman her size, but not too the point of lifting boats out of the water. That's what the magic was for. She liked to imagine that she had made a heck of a first impression, the first job offer she got from Sir Ethan she was magically using her lamp-rod to hold a fishing boat above the water while the owner and his brothers look for barnacles to scrape. The first time she got one of those letter she checked with the Masters of the Union, it sounded too ridiculous to be true. This time she wasn't even surprised, just made sure the guild masters knew before she disappeared. She tried not to act too excited. The Crossing Companion jobs had a certain - flare to them, shall we say. Jiaze the Heavy was a Union Woman, through and through. The Practical Magician's Trade Union the closest thing she had to Family - but sometimes a girl felt like having a little Adventure on the side. The Price of Fame was that sometimes she'd get an offer to let another Union borrow her, this "Adventurer's Union" was one she particularly liked - but it's been a few months of work at this point and she was starting to wonder what Sir Ethan was planning. "Orchidbrick? Gee, I wonder how they came up with that creative name." she had low key sarcistically quipped, missing her home town a bit. At least the group was covered if the carriage broke down on route.

The Bishop This part of a Crossing Companions job was always annoying. Dealing with the rich and powerful of the Kingdoms, unfortunatey it made sense. The Crossing Companions needed to prioritize serving the Blue-Bloods and the Clergy. She'd be polite though, at least for now. Don't get her wrong, she liked the life she was leading. It's just - she could have been a full Wizard or a Sorceress or something along those lines with a different training. Hard to not imagine what kind of life she could have had. Still, she should let it go. It's not the Bishop's fault for that as far as she knew. The gathered squad got her thoughts before the actual breifing, some of which brings a smile to her face. Magna Harper-Gravelmane reminded her of an old teacher back with the Union training programs. Jiaze had been so sure he'd hated her, but in time it came out that he more hated what she represented - the ultimate victory of politics over actual talent and how it victimizes people. Jiaze can't help but wonder what she can learn from the old swamp witch. That she's a dwarf only barely seems to register. Esserion, *that guy*. A pleasure to see a noble brought low but the superficial handsomeness struck more as annoying than interesting. "Gramps", the old dwarf makes her wonder what her own grandfather would have been like. Being an orphan made such wonderings a luxury, but she can't help but wonder. She has a weakness for the old man, he feels like what she imagines her grandfather would be like down to the fisherman. Faye was a Sister-from-another-Mister, or at least she assumed so. The dad she sometimes spoke of having seems to be accounted for about the time of what would be Jiaze's humble beginnings anyway. This trip might be fun too. Chervil was - Chervil. The Ratfolk probably had his paw prints allover Oakenbrick but she supposed she couldn't have it another way. Had a few interesting points, but even she watched her coinpurse around him. Eleath, the Former Scythe. Yeah, none of that made any sense to her. She couldn't help but hope that he meets the end he craves - and that when that happens she's far, far away. Screw the rest of the world, Salambiccus was Funny. Kind of gross looking, but Funny. The briefing he at least remembers that this isn't another sermon. Her protective clothes might have been called Vestments, but they weren't in worship of anything but honest work. The Lamp might have looked kind of like a priestly rob but its only salvation was against the dim lighting. "Yeah, do you have any idea what the ritual would do?" Yeah, he said he had a vaguely bad feeling but that could mean a lot of things. Getting the impression that the man doesn't she's now curious - and wonders if she should be helping the ritualists out. Depends on what the Ritual does, she supposed. Though she can't imagine the pay would appreciate that.

The Market So that was the job. See if they can get some information on this ritual - especially who, when, and where - without tipping the cards too much. She accepts the Fisherman's Blessing because she's known quite a few lucky Fisherman in her day. Essorian went for the Fashion and Apparel area, which didn't seem like a good idea. Food was something they were gathering up, right? She didn't mind the smell of Fish too much. Strong, but had some good memories attached. A quick Cantrip lights her Lamp and she heads for the Meat and Fish area. Step one, find someone that looks important. Was the wind enchantment pointing the way? Or at least cutting the smell? "Hello, my name is Jia. I represent the Practical Magician's Trade Union. I was wondering, who do I talk to about potentially placing a large order?" Why make it more complicated than it had to be? And lets see if basic Greed does the job.

Dice Rolls Gather Information +Magewright's Lamp and Vestments as Props +Gramp's Blessing Edit:- 2 Successes. Nice. Dice Check: 1d6sch4 2 ✘ 1d6sch4 4 ✔ 1d6sch4 1 (natural 1) ✘ †

Stat Block Race: Half-Elf (3) CN: 4 Adventuring Gear Spell Focus Magewright's Lamp Magewright's Vestments Signature Moves Spellcasting Rolling Up Sleeves Known Spells Cantrips, Heavylifting

[stepanxol]

The night before Yeah, the old dwarf was OK. I mean, it was not his fault if he was so gullible to let his progeny set him up. Maybe it was his fault just a little? And certainly the nephews weren't the precious little treasures his grampa-heart was imagining; most likely they were just average brats. Indeed, they had a 50% chance to be below average -- everybody gets pissed off when you say that, but hey! That's how an average works, OK? Salambiccus had some doubts about the old fart's ability to actually be useful during an adventure, but after exchanging blows for a while, he had to admit he was still able. More than able, in fact, judging from the huge shiner that was now adorning Sal's face... feint to the right, followed by a quick nasty left hook! Not bad, old guy! He had to respect that.

The briefing God, that young bard was annoying. Going on an on about Shugaro, the dwarf hero? Salambiccus couldn't stand him, although he had to say, the way it got on Gramps' nerves was sort of amusing. ... He learned and perfected his smithy skills, to return with super strengths. His toughness of body and wisdom of years will carry him to prodigious lengths ... Unbeknownst to the others, the bard was planning to go on and on about it, but as soon as he paused to catch his breath and tune up his lute, Sal accosted him and whispered in his ear: You are pompously discussing Minima Moralia When you'd better just make puns about genitalia "C'mon kid, it's a tavern. Think about your career," he added aloud. Unsurprisingly, the young bard turned red as a beet, started stumbling on his rhymes and, soon enough, excused himself. Another mission accomplished, smiled Sal. From then on, the briefing was a standard thing. Recon, covert investigation, just his specialty. Well, more like Maggie's specialty. Maggie was his spider -- a spider with very fine ears.

In the market As soon as the squad arrived at the market square, Salambiccus gathered with the others and received Gramps' blessing (and puny attempt at taunting him -- he still had so much to learn!). A wind-based boon was just what he needed: the breeze would bring the sound of many whispered conversations to Maggie's fine ears. After sending his mechanical spider to the rafters of the "Fashion and Apparel" section, with the instructions of moving around as she wanted, the jester headed toward the most crowded point, the central plaza. There a young halfling girl, a pretty little thing, was selling shiny red apples from a small cart. Without asking, Sal grabbed three of them. She didn't even open her mouth, staring at him with huge green eyes. "Don't you worry, little thing -- it'll be good for your business." With this words, Sal started juggling the apples, three of them, then four, then five, adding the new ones from the cart without breaking his stride. He could easily do more, but he didn't want to brag -- just stir the waters, attract eyes on himself and maybe give Maggie the opportunity to approach the most suspicious individuals. After a couple of minutes, he directed the flying apples just right so they landed back in the cart, except the last one, which he caught in his teeth. With his mouth full, sputtering half-chewed apple all around him, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Good apples! Juicy apples. Come to feast on the halfling's bounty!" and winked at the girl.

 

ROLLS I'm using Maggie, my spider, to listen to the conversions of the most suspicious knots of people around the Market, especially around the central section. For perception I'm rolling above, using 2 dice (since I'm using Maggie but not a Signature Move) + the wind bonus from Gramps to Maggie. I'm keeping Gramps' personal bonus (the blessing he gave Sal himself) for later. Dice Eavesdrop 1 (base): d6sch4 6 (natural 6) ✔ † Dice Eavesdrop 2 (Maggie): d6sch4 2 ✘ Dice Eavesdrop 3 (from Gramps' blessing): d6sch4 1 (natural 1) ✘ †

Stat Block -- SALAMBICCUS check out that buffoon! Name: Salambiccus son of Balansaccus, the Not as Funny Race: dwarf Character Number: 4 (fairly agile, not very clever, 1 spell) Adventuring Gear (3 pieces): A jester's hat full of tiny silver bells (spell focus). Just nod a little, give 'em a shake, see the crowds go mad! Literally mad. Like, watch out, it's pretty dangerous. A bag of holding full of very sharp caltrops. At least, Salambiccus says that it's a bag of holding. Could just be a normal bag full of very many caltrops. In any case, they're quite sharp and bound to hurt and cripple opponents. Unless they're incorporeal. We HATE those. An unusual companion. Who says that only gnomes make nifty mechanical trinkets? My uncle was a dwarf, not a single drop of gnomish blood, thank you very much, and he made the best automatons in the Underworld. This spider is probably his masterpiece. The little dude can scuttle, scamper and scurry around, tie and untie knots, climb walls and bring back objects. Also, scare light sleepers to death. Endless fun! Combat? no way. In fact, it's pretty fragile. Don't touch it, please. I said, don't touch. Please. Signature Moves (2): Bait and switch: Sal likes to taunt. People don't like to be taunted at by him. In fact, they often get Enraged and rush to attack him. That's when he gives them the slip with his signature acrobatic tumbling and leaves them stranded in a sea of caltrops. You say this could've been called 'Tumbling'? You, sir, are a very boring person. Known Spells (1): Insufferable Taunt (Debuff? I guess?): Salambiccus string of profanity-laced, often-ryhyming jeers forces a foe, or even a group of lesser foes, to rush to attack him disregarding his companions, the current circumstances or even natural hazards (or his signature caltrops). You say it reminds you of an existing spell from a famous tome that has been now replaced by a more recent edition? I really don't know what you're talking about. Cantrips: too many to count. Every day a new cantrip! Always more annoying than yesterday's -- guaranteed!

[Admin Bhelogan]

The Market The market was filled to capacity today, but that didn't stop the Crossing Companions from jumping into action, trying to find the cultists who were known to be in the area. Brinehonz started off the day with a blessing. It was a good omen, as the blessing was particularly powerful this day, which wasn't always the case. Essarion decided to check out the Fashion and Apparel areas of the markets and try to drop some hints about the cultists, or what might be happening. "Grey? Grey is not a fashionable color," one shop vendor responded. "You won't find such colors in my stock. Purples, deep reds, light blues, yes. But grey? Maybe you should check out that dirty stall over there, where they well cauldrons, and aprons for lowly servants. But, you do have a good point. City Guards have the WORSE fashion apparel they are forced to wear daily. May the Gods bless their souls for the work they have to do, wearing that garbage." The clues picked up from the response did not give Essarion any direct information, other than being able to rule out this section of the market for one that had any cultist activity going on. Jiaze the Heavy had a different approach. The Bishop couldn't give more details on what would happen if this ritual was finished, other than that it would be very bad for his congregation and the city as a whole. So, she headed to the fish and meat markets, to see about 'placing a large order'. The fist person who looked of importance was a tall, well-dressed woman with spectacles, holding a book in which she kept a ledger, and counted as crates full of fish were being taken off a cart and placed in what Jiaze could presume was her market stall. The lids of the crates were then being opened, to show large amounts of freshly caught fish, that had been recently cleaned, and were ready for sale. "Practical Magic you say? I am mostly familiar with unions for Theoretical Magicians, since they can't get real work with real magic. Like these chaps here, hauling crates for me, with their 'magical' muscles. Anyway, if you would like to place a large order, I can help you with that. But, just so you know, we are pushed out a few weeks, due to a very large order being picked up later this morning." It seemed the wind had blown Jiaze in the right direction. Salambiccus decided to do some juggling. A task he could do to perfection in his sleep with both arms tied behind his back. It was an attempt to cause a distraction, juggling apples from one of the local farm girl's carts. And, people did look, with Oohs, an Ahhs. It seemed to be going well, until Salambiccus took a bit into the apple. "You have to pay for that sir!" the young halfling girl insisted, screaming at the top of her lungs. It just so happened that this halflings voice more than compensated for her lack of height, and could be heard all over the market. It instantly caused all around to look at the jester, and in a not so favorable light. While that certainly would help free-up his allies in the area, it was going to make it harder for Salambiccus to d his job, or rather, for him to gather information found by Maggie.

OOC Brinehonz's Blessed Etesians had 4 successes, so every party member got a 1d6. Everyone but 'Gramps' used it this turn, so he will get the 1d6 bonus for his post on Day 2. Salambiccus had a success in the eavesdropping, but due to all eyes now being on him, with great suspicion, his next roll will be made at a PENALTY.

Score Mechanical Score Player Character Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Total bananabadger Brinehonz 2 0 0 0 0 2 GleefulNihilism Jiaze 2 0 0 0 0 2 stepanxol Salambiccus 1 0 0 0 0 1 Thaco Essarion 2 0 0 0 0 2

[stepanxol]

Still in the market, with a little screaming halfling girl Salambiccus was a hard dwarf to surprise. He'd been ambushed by the kobold ḥashāshīns, sneaky killers with razor-sharp blades, dilated pupils and an unpronounceable voiceless pharyngeal fricative; creeped upon by the vegetal stalkers of the southern jungles, blood-sucking vines that can drink more blood in mere seconds than the beer a dwarf can chug down in an entire hour. He had even been invited by a cannibal scorpion lady, once, to share her bed while the husk of her former lover laid there, sucked dry, at the very foot of that same bed. Wow. That had been a fun night. One of those when... I mean, you know... those pincers... mmmh, what was I saying? Yeah. Anyway. Utterly surprised by the girl's loud reaction, not to mention her lacking wit, Salambiccus considered for a moment the option of addressing her aloud, expounding at length about the marvels of marketing, the secrets of a good merchant and how the fortunes of a fruit seller could turn overnight to precipitate them -- or her, in this case -- from a relatively easy life to the horrors of destitution and homelessness. It would've been so easy to make her the target of a snarky remark, or better, a whole barrage of them. But she was just a little girl that didn't understand marketing, and why scare her with the ineluctable prospects of utter poverty? He thought about his mission and bit his lip. It was better to pay her up and close the case. He pulled a coin out of his belt. "Of course -- here! This a piece of electrum from the Eastern Kingdoms." He handed the strange coin to the girl, who was now beaming because, indeed, an electrum coin could buy at least a dozen apples. "I know, it's a bit tarnished, but if you look closely it's not wear -- it's the microgrubs. But it's good, they chewed through it only partially. You've never heard of those? They're like larvae, nasty little burrowing things, like woodworms. Only, they don't burrow through wood alone, but also metal. And flesh, of course," he added, pointing with his bushy eyebrows at the coin that was now resting on the halfling girl's palm. He turned to go away. "Take good care of it," he said gaily over his shoulder, "they told me it's a lucky charm for a trim body! In fact, that coin has had a long series of owners in a very short span of time, and not a single one of them died fat." Salambiccus moved towards the southern part of the market and, with a surreptitious gesture, directed his spider Maggie to hop over to the Visiting Merchants stall. In the meantime he would take a gander at the Tradesmen Row...

 

ROLLS I'm taking advantage of the second buff from Gramps (thanks, banana!) to try to offset the penalty. Instead of rolling d6-1, I'll just use 'sch5' instead of 4. Let's give a kiss to the RNG for good luck: Dice Maggie eavesdropping the Visiting Merchants: d6sch5 5 ✔ Dice Sal poking his nose in Tradesmen Row 1: d6sch5 5 ✔ Dice Sal poking his nose in Tradesmen Row 2: d6sch5 3 ✘ OOOOOH I guess these are... four successes?!?

Stat Block -- SALAMBICCUS check out that buffoon! Name: Salambiccus son of Balansaccus, the Not as Funny Race: dwarf Character Number: 4 (fairly agile, not very clever, 1 spell) Adventuring Gear (3 pieces): A jester's hat full of tiny silver bells (spell focus). Just nod a little, give 'em a shake, see the crowds go mad! Literally mad. Like, watch out, it's pretty dangerous. A bag of holding full of very sharp caltrops. At least, Salambiccus says that it's a bag of holding. Could just be a normal bag full of very many caltrops. In any case, they're quite sharp and bound to hurt and cripple opponents. Unless they're incorporeal. We HATE those. An unusual companion. Who says that only gnomes make nifty mechanical trinkets? My uncle was a dwarf, not a single drop of gnomish blood, thank you very much, and he made the best automatons in the Underworld. This spider is probably his masterpiece. The little dude can scuttle, scamper and scurry around, tie and untie knots, climb walls and bring back objects. Also, scare light sleepers to death. Endless fun! Combat? no way. In fact, it's pretty fragile. Don't touch it, please. I said, don't touch. Please. Signature Moves (2): Bait and switch: Sal likes to taunt. People don't like to be taunted at by him. In fact, they often get Enraged and rush to attack him. That's when he gives them the slip with his signature acrobatic tumbling and leaves them stranded in a sea of caltrops. You say this could've been called 'Tumbling'? You, sir, are a very boring person. Known Spells (1): Insufferable Taunt (Debuff? I guess?): Salambiccus string of profanity-laced, often-ryhyming jeers forces a foe, or even a group of lesser foes, to rush to attack him disregarding his companions, the current circumstances or even natural hazards (or his signature caltrops). You say it reminds you of an existing spell from a famous tome that has been now replaced by a more recent edition? I really don't know what you're talking about. Cantrips: too many to count. Every day a new cantrip! Always more annoying than yesterday's -- guaranteed!

[bananabadger]

Bronthur "Gramps" Brinehonz Tells an Amusing Observation Leading to the Introduction of Caractacus the First and the Entire History of ... "Heh, heh! Did you see that, Stell? Did you see that, Stella? He bit the apple then tried to pay for it with the ol' electrum coin trick. That swindle is so old that it's new again. Gotta admit, Sal has gumption ... and style! He's a scamp and a scoundrel, mind you, but he has style in spades. " Caratacus & Brinehonz "So, where were we? Right! Adventuring. Intelligence-gathering. Spy work. By golly, it feels like old times again. Why, I remember back when I was a young dwarf with just the fuzz of a beard about me and I joined up with the legions. That's where I met your great-great-great-grandpa ... or maybe it was your great-great-great-grandma—they were kind of cagey about that stuff as well—anyway, that's where I met your ancestor, Caratacus the First! Hey! I think I even have a picture of him that one of my great-great-greats drew when I told them about Caratacus. Yep, here it is! Have I showed it to you already? Oh, I have. Hundreds of times? Hmmm. Well, anyway ... what great times we had, Caratty and I! Did I tell you about the night out at the docks when we had to sneak into a ..."

Scrrrrrrrrrrrrrrcccccccccccchhh.
(record scratch noise)

Crabterfuge! Hellllllooooooo! Crab here. Or, excuse me ... "Signature Gear" is, I guess, how you know me. Anyway, it's me record-scratching the dwarf's long-winded tale. Yeah, yeah. The batty dwarf doesn't know what that sound means, but you do. And I'm talking to you. So, yeah, "record scratch," with air-claw quotes, and now maybe you're probably expecting me to say: "I know you're probably wondering how I got here." And maybe you're expecting me to tell you about how I was hatched and what my lousy zoea larvae time was like and where my parents swam before they had me and so on and so on ... but I don't feel like going into any of that. Geez, if you want a story about ancestry and so-and-so begat so-and-so who begat so-and-so and grew fat and hoary, then go back to listening to ol' one-leg, grey-beard there. You're always welcome to yet another dwarf story if that's your thing. But, hey, you're smarter than that, ain't you? I can tell. You're a discerning type of reader who knows all them dwarf tropes and cliches ... and, hey, maybe you've even got a soft spot for those dwarfy tales cause you fondly recall how you read them in some middle school study hall. I ain't holding that against you. But you're grown now and you're wanting a new type of hero, amirite? Course I am. So ... here's some hard-boiled adult truths. Everyone thinks they are the hero of the big story, and that other folks are either a minor or a best-supporting role within it. Your parents thought that. Your S.C. (significant crab) thinks that. Your kiddos think (or will think, depending if you've hatched in your life or not). And guess what ... you think that, I think that, and our wee little Gramps in the fieldset above me—yep, he definitely thinks that. Now, as far as my role in your story and your role in my story, well we can get into all that, if we become friends and all (and I think we might), but for now ... let's go back to Gramps. Oh, what? You say you're not ready to go back to Gramps yet? You say you got a few questions. You say your mind is blown because here's a crab talking to you, breaking the fourth wall and all that. Well, I got something to tell you, we're crabs. We live in the ocean where we have six cardinal directions ... heck, we bust down two of those walls every day for breakfast, and if you can't understand that then you better hatch some kids and then have them sit you down and watch The Little Mermaid for like the 17th time on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Or, you can just take it from me (you're better off taking it from me, sorry, Disney). Crabs, we can talk. And dat's what I'm doing. I'm talking to you. "But, but, but ..." I hear some of you saying. (See what I did there, I used that BB coding to indicate you're saying it. Proved my point with the click of the button, I did. Also proved we crabs are darn smart. Anyway, back to your crabby cavil, you know where you say, "But, but, but ... if you crabs are so smart and all, then why don't you have a stat bloc and a character entry and all? You say everyone is the hero of their own story (which is more greeting card philosophy rather than the crustacean wisdom you seem to think it is), but you aren't even the hero of the only story I've seen you in—this story." And then you wait with a smug puckering all over your face, and you think you got this crab trapped. Until I kinda pause. And pause some more. That's when you get worried. That's when you start thinking: "Hey, maybe this crab kinda knows something?" And I do. Cause I know Meat. No, not meat, I mean Meat. Hello? Meat, the dog. Look if you don't know him, look him up. That's why some poor volunteer sucker spent all sorts of hours coding this site, so you could do a search thing. Even "Advanced Search" if you're feeling clever. (And, by the way all he got paid with was a little electronic icon—what a swindle, I tell ya! These guys are geniuses. Just wait until you realize how much free labor they get from turning someone's name the color of a crab!) Anyway ... no need to get huffy and open up another tab (you probably got way too many of those open anyway...how do I know, I told ya, I'm a genius of a crab and you lot are so predictable anyway), I'll tell you about Meat. You see, Meat was a dog. More importantly, he got adopted to be this sidekick to a goblin. What was the goblin's name? Good question, and the answer is nobody remembers and nobody cares. The goblin thought he was going to be the hero of his story, but his mistake was he brought along Meat ... and Meat absolutely stole the show. Everyone loved Meat, and so everyone forgot about the goblin ... and the goblin's story just sort of faded away at the end. (Ok, it was at the "last round," I'm making an analogy through Outplay history if you hadn't guessed already. Mind blown? Ya didn't know crabs could go 4th wall and meta-Outplay. Enjoy it. Crab shell blown emoji.) That wouldn't necessarily be too bad for Meat, but you see he was in this humanoid-centric world where all the exotic creatures get eliminated if their humanoid gets eliminated. And don't tell me this year was any different! You think if the nerd who calls himself some form of badger rolled a "6" and said: "Hey, I'm entering a pair of crabs!" that you dorks who take tiny dragons and lizard-women seriously would allow a crab to be the main character? Naw, you'd be all like, "Well how does that crab know sylvan?" ... How does a freakin' elf know sylvan? Maybe ol' J.R.R. hung out with crabs, too, you know? So ... you see, Stell and I (or is it Stella and I—I bet you can't tell the difference between us either ... and I wasn't talking to you 5 or 7 super nerd members who have their second PhD in marine biology ... stop ruining the fun for everyone else and why don't you get a real job instead of looking at crab private parts and trying to justify it by having some research grant that examines the "prevalence of simultaneous hermaphroditism among crustacean populations in areas affected by climate-change influenced oceanic acidity"?) (And, while we're at it, yeah I put a question mark outside the quote mark because I'm a crab and I say Up Crabberly, Screw Your Grammarly, ya nerd!) ... geez, where was I? Yeah, us two crabs, we play it smart by letting Gramps pretend he's the main character. We got rock-hard shells, claws that can tear off elf-lips, and runway model looks ... so what do we need with a stat bloc? Stell and Stella, or Stella and Stell Besides, Gramps promised us that for each round he advances, he'll take us to the opera and buy the best center orchestra seats. Now, don't go thinking we're all ga-ga over those squeals and high pitches like Gramps is ... for goodness sakes, we're decent crabs. We like bangers who pump up heavy metal, not uptight dweebs in frou-frou costumes. But if we get the orchestra seats, that means we also get to go to the buffet during the intermission. And you know what's at the buffet? Of course you do ... lobsters! You know what fun it is to taunt those trumped-up, fossilized cucumbers? Thought you were big claws under the sea, didn't you? Well, guess who's about to go into that vat of water you aquatic wiener-dog? Oh lordy, and when they start turning all red and their eyes nearly pop! That's a sight to see. Hey ... don't judge me. We aren't the ones who eat them. That's on you and your lot. Oh, wait, you say you're one of those vegan gamer nerds? Well, Great Gygaxian Bowls of Grape Nuts, aren't you special? If you're so peace-loving then stop playing this game where you go off and kill everything, will ya? Give me a break. Anyway. So, yeah. Just wanted to let you know that everyone thinks they are the hero of their story. Even us. But in this case we're right. We just had to ride Bronthur "Gramps" Brinehonz into the competition cause some great mind decided to make "dwarves" and not "crabs" a default dice roll number. Plus, this way we got to taunt all those lobsters at the marketplace during the first round when your attention was all eaten up by the dwarf and his sanctimonious blessing. Ain't no wind gonna blow those losers back to the sea! We ain't worried. We see plenty of action. That old dwarf pulls us out when he can so that he seems "approachable" and "relatable." He thinks dwarf-grannies dig a graybeard who cares for pets. (Though, he might be right ... one of them did gift him a colony of crabs ... if ya know what I mean!) Just you wait and see, when we return you to our regularly scheduled Gramps, he'll call on us for his action today. And another thing. Since so much of this is all about the dice ... we're just gonna sit back and claim no responsibility for the consequences of those rolls. If they come up "triple-fails," then blame the dwarf whose name is on the entry. Okay ... back to your much-neglected dwarf then. Hey, I had a good time doing this meet-and-greet with ya! Hope you did, too. If not, then you must be one of those people who are like "Having a crab talk is just a bit too much." Fine then. Go back to your talking lizards and your make-believe kingdoms. And for you Shadowrun fans ... just cause you explain it all away with drugs and dystopia that doesn't make you any better. Until I see some Crab Runners in your imaginary Tokyo, then I still have a bone to pick with you and your overload of dice. So, that's me, Stell—over and out! (Though I could be Stella ... "simultaneous hermaphroditism among crustacean populations in areas affected by climate-change influenced oceanic acidity," give me a break, you're just a shell freak, admit it!) PS: Here's a button if you want to see a larger portrait of Stell and Stella (or Stella and Stell, we ain't tellin' which is which). And, let's be clear ... we're not foisting some sad little amateur sketch on you like the dwarf does. Want to know another secret ... Gramps says those pictures are sent in by his great-great-whatevers, but he's the one who really does them. He's always wanted to be an artist, but has, like, zilch talent. So he does the drawing and fishes for compliments by telling people his wee ones did them. Pathetic. Anyway ... that type of amateur work isn't for us. We got class ... so here's our public domain image by the great VvG. Yeah ... Vincent had time for crabs. So what does that tell you? That's right you freakin' snobs ... we're up there with starry nights and moody bedrooms! But I'm warning ya, we ain't responsible if you start having some strange feelings about crabs after seeing these two beauties. ART! It ain't for the faint of heart.

The Denouement of the Prolonged and Gripping Tale of Caratty and the Mission on the Dock "...and then Caratty said to the baddies as they were being taken away: 'Snappity-Clickety!'" "Get it? Snappity-Clickety! What a joker he was!" "So that's the entire story of how your great-great-great and I foiled the evil plan with our successful mission on the docks of Spooky Bay!" "You love that story, don't you Stell and Stella? Oh, I see that you do." "Now then ... I'm going to surreptitiously toss you into the live animal section of the dock. I think I saw some lobsters over in one stall, and I know how buddy-buddy you are with those guys. After you land, be sure to talk with all the animals you see, even the chickens, and ask them what they've overheard about the Grey Guards. Don't be surprised! Animals, even chickens, actually know more than we think. I bet you two have some clever ideas in your pretty shells, don't you. Yes you do!" "Good luck!"

Actions and Rolls Action: Bang! Bang! Crabberang! toss of Stell and Stella across the marketplace, so they will talk with other animals and gain information from livestock Roll: 1) Base roll 2) Signature Gear (Stell and Stella) and 3) Signature move/ Objective: CN3, Physical move, so 3 or lower Base roll Dice Roll: 1d6 2 Signature Gear Dice Roll: 1d6 5 Signature move Dice Roll: 1d6 1

 

Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Stat Bloc Name: Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Race: Dwarf (Coastal) Character Number: 3 Adventuring Gear Meerschaum peg-leg: Me lucky hollow leg (spell focus; doubles as smoking pipe and contraband container) Opera glasses: Helps see things far away and reveals details in close-up searches (in a pinch, they can start a fire as well!) Crab confederates: Stell and Stella (Or maybe that's Stella on the left and Stell on the right? Like I said, it's hard to tell them apart and if you pick them up to determine who is who, then they get all testy and clickity-clackity and start going on and on about personal shell space and "How would you like it if we started clawing around your floppy parts, dwarfy?" So, yeah ... Stell and Stella or Stella and Stell. Really, your guess is as good as mine.) Signature moves Bang! Bang! Crabberang!: This is a ranged attack with crabs (which can be thrown, then scuttle back for a boomerang effect) He's Got Leg, He Knows How to Use It (The Dwarf's Alright): This move allows known spells to be cast with lucky leg Cantrips: CrabGab: This cantrip enables communication with crab animals, which sounds informative until you realize that most of their limited vocabulary is swear words. Salty creatures. But they do know their weather. Want to know if a storm is blowing in? Ask a crab. Funiculi, Funicula!: This cantrip enables voice of willing subject to be projected as a vocal aria of stage-performance quality Known Spells: Blessed Etesians: (Buff—extra 1d6 die roll for ally) This spell creates strong winds that aid allied movement or increase attack; the winds also create a nice breeze on a hot day Nets Today, Saytan: (Debuff) This spell shoot out invisible fishing nets to bind enemy, thus hindering their movement or attack

[Thaco]

Good help is hard to find Essarion glances toward the suggested stall; the mere sight of it is enough to send a shiver down his spine. "Thank you all the same, but I fear my quest must take me elsewhere. Good day to you, sir!" As his eyes scan the marketplace, they fall upon the gaming tents. Once upon a time, they were his favorite part of any market or festival; his skill at cards was something he took great pride in. But though his membership in the Crossing Companions provided enough to sustain him in an adequate manner, it wasn't sufficient to underwrite his gaming habit. Alas, that would need to wait for another day. He pauses for a moment as he passes the tents, peering in wistfully, then walks on. He next finds himself in Tradesmen Row, among the smiths, carpenters, and masons; all the 'working folks' without whom all the towns and castles would quite literally fall to ruin. Essarion had always a great deal of respect for those who practiced trades. Craftsmen, artisans, and other workers had been a permanent fixture around the estate when he was growing up. There was always something being built, repaired, redesigned, or rebuilt. And when there was a social event - which seemed to be every other night - they were like bees in a hive, a mass of activity covering every surface until the area was perfectly prepared. Surely the same must be true even in a place as remote as Orchardbrook - probably even moreso. A brief wave of his hand ensures that he sparkles from head to toe, then he wades in to the row of stalls with fury in his steps and indignation in his voice, "What sort of fleabag town is this? I have a very important event - entertaining recent arrivals from Haverford, no less - and preparations must begin TODAY! But with the paltry number of craftsman in this town, I cannot possibly make the necessary arrangements! Surely there must be more workers I can hire...tell me, where are they? I don't care what they are being paid; I will make it worth their while!"

 

Actions Action: Trying to find out who might have been hiring tradesmen recently +1d - Use Dazzle to intimidate the tradesmen Dice Rolling High: 1d6sh3 2 ✘ 1d6sh3 3 ✔

Statblock Name: Essarion Olorhin Race: Elf Character Number: 4 Adventuring Gear: Sword Shield Jeweled Headband (Spell Focus) Signature Moves: Blinding Bash (shield bash, with a chance to stun the target) Known Spells cast with Spell Focus Known Spells and Cantrips: Cantrips Sparkle: Cleans all grit and grime from Essarion's armor and shield, allowing their brilliance to shine forth like a beacon of hope to all friends, and a fiery warning to all foes. Gentle Breeze: Creates a soft breeze that blows into Essarion's face, causing his long blond locks to flow behind him, granting a sense of confidence and tranquility to his allies. Spells Dazzle: Fascinates one or more targets, making them susceptible to influence/suggestion.

[GleefulNihilism]

The Market "Jia" starts to talk but of course the shreik of the halfling girl pierces the sounds of the market. She does the natural thing and pauses for a second and only takes a quick look to make sure nothing was going to spill over their way. When it's clear that it won't she turns back to the spectacled woman to continue their conversation. "That's not a surprise. Theoretical Magicians tend to have the flashier abilities, and the Fame follows." Jiaze gives with a little nod, holding in her full feelings on the matter. She has to think about how to put this, but put it nicely. "Allow me to put it this way, if you're ever attacked by a Dragon, or faced with an Impossible Moveable Hole stealing your goods, or a Geometrically Impossible Object is asking your customers riddles for which the penalty for a wrong answer is Annihiliation then yes - I do encourage you to go hire a Wizard. I am a Practical Magician. A Magewright. You hire one of us if your challenge is more along the lines of Fixing Pipelines, Repairing Ships, Lighting Streetlamps - our magic is more about Practical Issues and more Mundane Challenges. For example." "Jia" speaks, and raising up her Lamp-Rod she calmly takes a moment to concentrate - and taps a nearby crate with the end of the rod to give the Spell a Focal Point. She could just declare the area but this lets the spell just attach to an object. Except the spell doesn't connect, a bit of loose magic flies loose and skitters about like a deflated rubber ball. Ugh, she can't say that doesn't happen - but now was the exact wrong time for it to happen. She tries to transition it into a Candlelight Cantrip on the Crate. Probably didn't do a very good job of that either but the attempt was there. "The Practical Magician's Trade Union is of the opinion that you can actually train most people to cast at least basic cantrips if given time." she kind of stammers with an embarrased blush. "The last order, any way I can talk to them about it? We were hoping to meet here within the week, and from how much meat you move - it seems it might be easier to talk with them. I'm sure we can all come to some sort of arrangement. With Money instead of Magic."

Dice Rolls Information Gathering, With Flare +Spell Focus +Heavylifting Spell Dice Check: 1d6smch4 3 ✘ (0/1) 0⇑ 0⇓ 1d6smch4 2 ✘ (0/1) 0⇑ 0⇓ 1d6smch4 2 ✘ (0/1) 0⇑ 0⇓

Stat Block Race: Half-Elf (3) CN: 4 Adventuring Gear Spell Focus Magewright's Lamp Magewright's Vestments Signature Moves Spellcasting Rolling Up Sleeves Known Spells Cantrips, Heavylifting

[Admin Bhelogan]

The Market Salambiccus was easily able to satisfy the young merchant girl, whose apple he had eaten, and left the young woman with more customers than she had started with. As he continued on, he caught up with Maggie, who had been spying on the visiting merchants. The one piece of information that stuck out, there was a brought-looking crew of muscle that was headed towards the fish markets, with empty carts ready to haul off a large load of something. The visiting merchants were saddened that they wouldn't be the ones to make such a large sale today. Unfortunately, the pickup was on the opposite side of the market from where Salambiccus currently was. Gramps, also preferred to let his companions do the subterfuge work, and went to tossing his crabs off to see what they could learn. Truth was, most of the animals in the market were already butchered and up for sale as meat. But, the crabs did spot something of interest, that would collaborate what Maggie was seeing. Gruff-looking, almost thugs, headed towards the fish market, with carts ready to pick up something major. They caused a bit of a scene as they pushed people out of their way. Now that the two knew they were on the wrong side of the market, it was time to make a move to the north end, where the fish market was. Just then, a vendor yelled out that they are giving away free food samples. Everyone around started to rush over to get one before supplies ran out. The problem? They were all rushing in the opposite direction Gramps and Salambiccus needed to go, and the pair found themselves caught in the crowd. Essarion found himself in trouble among the tradesmen. "Fleabag Town?" was repeated with disgust by a large half-orc blacksmith, who had been pounding out a horseshoe. "You can't call us Fleabags and think you are just going to walk around here, bossing people around!" And, without another word, the half-orc took off, to chase Essarion out of the markets, swinging his hammer widely at him. Jiaze, likewise was having problems, from what started off as a promising lead. "Oh... that is what this is about." The tall woman with the book said, as she straightened her glasses. "Guss, Rainer, see this young woman out. Make sure she doesn't come snooping back around here." With that, two bouncers for the fishmarket came to escort Jiaze away from the market, one taking her by either arm.

OOC @Thaco - you have CN3 listed in your roll, but CN 4 is listed on your sheet. So, 4,5,6 would be successes for rolling high. Essarion is being chased by an angry blacksmith. He will need to out-run him, or find a way to escape before he can continue the search for the cultist. This will require his action this round, and take 3 total successes to overcome. Jiaze is being carried out of the market by two bouncers. She will need to find a way to outwit or get around them before she can continue her search for the cultists. This will require her action this round, and take 3 total successes to overcome. Brinehonz and Salambiccus are caught in a rush for free samples. You must make, and succeed on an Outplay Roll rolling Low. (If you have an applicable piece of adventuring gear or skill to help move through, you may use it to do so). On a success (1 or more successful rolls), you can move through the crowd without issue. A failure means you are caught up in the crowd and end up getting a free sample, but you are not where you wanted to be. Note, this does not replace your Actions this round.

Score Mechanical Score Player Character Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Total bananabadger Brinehonz 2 2 0 0 0 4 GleefulNihilism Jiaze 2 0 0 0 0 2 stepanxol Salambiccus 1 2 0 0 0 3 Thaco Essarion 2 0 0 0 0 2

[bananabadger]

Friends in Need! You spend your retirement quietly on the seas, in your boat with your crabs ... and the one time you do finally go to town—blammo!—things start spinning around you at a frenetic pace. Just as Stell and Stella crawled back with big news about an upcoming delivery at the fish stalls, Brinehonz noticed that Essarion was running away from an angry half-orc and that Jiaze was facing some type of a scuffle with two big dudes. (Hobgoblins? Goliaths? Magically pumped-up humans? Brinehonz didn't know; but they were huge!) Body of Fish, Voice of a Dwarf ... What a Dame! Well, nobody pushes around Gramps' newly made comrades. This situation would call for Brinehonz to summon the more aggressive squalls, and to provide some earnest tapping of his peg-leg. Ahemmm! Brinehonz pumped up his voice with his Funiculi! Funicula! cantrip and caused it to bounce off the centerpiece of the market fountain, so it appeared as if the stone mermaid herself were singing out while Brinehonz kept time by pounding his meerschaum peg-leg against the cobblestone of the market. Blow, ye winds in the morning, And blow, ye winds, high-i! Clear away your running gear, And blow, ye winds, high-o! Let the elf and half-elf go, And blow, ye winds, right-o! Okay, so it was kind of a throaty, rough voice for a mermaid. But some sailors like that. (Don't judge until you've been on the seas for six months straight.) Brinehonz would have liked to pause to see if his blessing helped his friends, but at just that moment he found himself in his own peculiar pickle ...

You spin me right 'round, baby For some reason, crowds were rushing past Brinehonz and pushing him toward a stall in the opposite direction from where he wanted to go. They jostled and jolted him, then were literally spinning him around, right 'round Wait? Who's been telling you Gramps doesn't know what a record is? Slander.like a record, baby, right 'round, 'round, 'round. So, the old dwarf, you know ... went with the flow. Instead of fighting the crowd, he put most of his weight on his peg leg and allowed the jolts and jostles to build up centrifugal force, which he would then use to literally hop and pop an entire dwarf's length in the direction he wanted to go. As he spun and hopped, twisted and popped, Brinehonz kept his eye on that mermaid statue—his lighthouse in the spinning storm—to guide him onward. And, to return the favor, he quietly sang out to her. Watch out, here I come You spin me right 'round, baby Right 'round Yeah, no, seriously. Don't believe half of what a crab tells you.like a record, baby Right 'round, 'round, 'round

Actions and Rolls Special Situation Actions (Essarion and Jiaze in a Rough Spot) 1. Cast cantrip Funiculi! Funicula! — for color only 2. Casts Blessed Etesians spell to blow strong winds to buff (1d6) Essarion and Jiaze in their escape Casting roll as CN3 character / rolling high a) regular roll Dice Roll: 1d6sch3 4 ✔ b) use of spell focus (peg leg) Dice Roll: 1d6sch3 1 (natural 1) ✘ † c) signature move (Blessed Etesians) Dice Roll: 1d6sch3 2 ✘ ETA: 1 success; rolling 1d4 to see who gets it odd=Essarion even=Jiaze Dice Roll: 1d4 1 Regular Actions 1. Twists and turns on peg-leg to escape crowd Roll Casting physical as CN3 character / rolling low a) regular roll Dice Roll: 1d6 5 b) use of gear (peg leg) Dice Roll: 1d6 3 ETA: roll of 3=2 successes; Bronthur "Gramps" Brinehonz I mean, pre-Eberron or pre-Tasha's ... maybe. But you think with all those artificers in the world, not one of them didn't invent a phonograph. Of course Gramps has one and of course he listens to opera on it. And ... of course Stell and Stella know that. (Though, ok, point taken ... he might not know the whole record-scratch motif.)spins 'round, 'round to where he needs to go, baby!

 

Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Stat Bloc Name: Terrent "Gramps" Brinehonz Race: Dwarf (Coastal) Character Number: 3 Adventuring Gear Meerschaum peg-leg: Me lucky hollow leg (spell focus; doubles as smoking pipe and contraband container) Opera glasses: Helps see things far away and reveals details in close-up searches (in a pinch, they can start a fire as well!) Crab confederates: Stell and Stella (Or maybe that's Stella on the left and Stell on the right? Like I said, it's hard to tell them apart and if you pick them up to determine who is who, then they get all testy and clickity-clackity and start going on and on about personal shell space and "How would you like it if we started clawing around your floppy parts, dwarfy?" So, yeah ... Stell and Stella or Stella and Stell. Really, your guess is as good as mine.) Signature moves Bang! Bang! Crabberang!: This is a ranged attack with crabs (which can be thrown, then scuttle back for a boomerang effect) He's Got Leg, He Knows How to Use It (The Dwarf's Alright): This move allows known spells to be cast with lucky leg Cantrips: CrabGab: This cantrip enables communication with crab animals, which sounds informative until you realize that most of their limited vocabulary is swear words. Salty creatures. But they do know their weather. Want to know if a storm is blowing in? Ask a crab. Funiculi, Funicula!: This cantrip enables voice of willing subject to be projected as a vocal aria of stage-performance quality Known Spells: Blessed Etesians: (Buff—extra 1d6 die roll for ally) This spell creates strong winds that aid allied movement or increase attack; the winds also create a nice breeze on a hot day Nets Today, Saytan: (Debuff) This spell shoot out invisible fishing nets to bind enemy, thus hindering their movement or attack

[stepanxol]

Against the Mob of Frenzied Shoppers Salambiccus was no mystic, but he knew about the Million Spheres. He was no historian, but he new about the countless Ages that, like the colossal breathing of the universe, follow one another, constantly waning and regenerating anew from the ashes of predecessor. And he knew that one thing is an immutable constant, a never-changing phenomenon that unifies all Ages and Material Planes and simply cannot be controlled: the frenzy of a crowd of tantalized shoppers. As soon as the two words "free samples" rippled through the mob, he knew he had to get away, and fast. And what is stronger than greed on a primitive brain? Fear. Fear to be hurt. Ducking quickly, he picked something up from the ground. A shiny, pointy, deadly caltrop! He spoke loud enough to be heard in his immediate surroundings, but not so much as to generate a widespread panic. That wouldn't have helped his action, nor his mission. "People, watch out! Some young vandal has been dropping caltrops! Step away! There, I see another one!" After a step northward, he raised another sharp object for everyone to see. "See! There's a vandal in our midst! A saboteur! I blame the culpable laxity of the modern times! But don't you worry, good people! I'm here to help!" In truth, of course, the caltrops were coming from his bag: it was a very simple feat of legerdemain, made easier by the gullible nature of any crowd and the generally low IQ level of the present one, as the young halfling girl had clearly demonstrated a few seconds earlier. "Make room! Stay away, I see a pattern! I'm a professional caltrop clearer, I served three whole tours of duty in the Duergar Wars! Those albino freaks use them all the time! Here, give me some room... make way! Make way, I say, or you'll suffer!" This simple trick convinced half the bystanders to scatter, giving Sal a wide berth. Thus thinned, the crowd was easily navigable by an acrobat as skilled as he: tumbling and rolling, and always pretending to pick up caltrops from the ground, Salambiccus made his swift progress northward.

 

Situational rolls Ok, I'm tumbling out of the way of the crowd. I'm CN4 and rolling low, making 3 rolls because I'm using my tumbling SM + caltrops (probably overkill, but I really want to reach Essarion and help him): Dice out of my way!: d6scl4 5 ✘ Dice look, a caltrop! that stuff's pointy: d6scl4 6 (natural 6) ✘ † Dice dodging, tumbling, acrobatics galore: d6scl4 3 ✔ ...Whew. I barely didn't make it. And see how Gramps had it easy! Oh well, I'm ready for more action.

Relief for Essarion Salambiccus had handily avoided the mob of shoppers, with agility, flair and his signature flamboyant style. Quite happy with himself, he darted forward to put himself between Essarion and the angry half-orc that was chasing him. "Hey, you! You! What are you doing, threatening this swell guy with that hammer? He called your great city Fleabag Town? Of course he did, he was just repeating what the guys at the fish market are saying!" With these words, Sal gave a good shake to his jester hat, shaking the silver bells... *tinkle tinkle* Sal pointed at Jiaze with a stubby finger and resumed: "...Listen carefully: see those burly guys over there, holding that poor girl and carrying her away? She was just trying to do the same, defend the honor of Orchitis... ehm, Orchardbrock! Brick! The fair town of Orchardbrick! They said that your hammer is really inadequate for size and hardness both! I've heard they repeat that they need their fishing hooks imported from abroad, since metalsmithing is a lost art around here! In short, they think you suck!" *tinkle tinkle* "And see how they laugh now? The one on the left is repeating a limerick he's composed about you, it goes like this:" The half-orc smith, What a useless fool, His smelliness knows no bounds. On the anvil he pounds His sad tiny tool in hopes of one day enlargin' it. "If I were you, I'll go ask them what's so funny about it. OK, it's quite funny, to be honest. The rhyming scheme is pretty advanced too, what with ABC-CBA... anyway, they're offending you! Right, Essarion? Why don't you convince our friend with your fabulous hair... ehm, with a solid argumentation?"

 

ROLLS This time I'm trying to give Essarion a help action. Does that give a fixed 1d6? Or is the number of dice depending on my successes? Anyway, I'm using an (indirect) Taunt with my focus, so it's 3 dice. But it's a spell, so I'm rolling above my CN of 4. Dice tinkle tinkle, little bells!: d6sch4 3 ✘ Dice they say your tool is inadequate?: d6sch4 1 (natural 1) ✘ † Dice the roll done because i'm rolling: d6sch4 3 ✘ ...and it's THREE FAILURES! So I'm not helping Essarion at all, indeed, I might get a piece of hammer to the face!

Stat Block -- SALAMBICCUS check out that buffoon! Name: Salambiccus son of Balansaccus, the Not as Funny Race: dwarf Character Number: 4 (fairly agile, not very clever, 1 spell) Adventuring Gear (3 pieces): A jester's hat full of tiny silver bells (spell focus). Just nod a little, give 'em a shake, see the crowds go mad! Literally mad. Like, watch out, it's pretty dangerous. A bag of holding full of very sharp caltrops. At least, Salambiccus says that it's a bag of holding. Could just be a normal bag full of very many caltrops. In any case, they're quite sharp and bound to hurt and cripple opponents. Unless they're incorporeal. We HATE those. An unusual companion. Who says that only gnomes make nifty mechanical trinkets? My uncle was a dwarf, not a single drop of gnomish blood, thank you very much, and he made the best automatons in the Underworld. This spider is probably his masterpiece. The little dude can scuttle, scamper and scurry around, tie and untie knots, climb walls and bring back objects. Also, scare light sleepers to death. Endless fun! Combat? no way. In fact, it's pretty fragile. Don't touch it, please. I said, don't touch. Please. Signature Moves (2): Bait and switch: Sal likes to taunt. People don't like to be taunted at by him. In fact, they often get Enraged and rush to attack him. That's when he gives them the slip with his signature acrobatic tumbling and leaves them stranded in a sea of caltrops. You say this could've been called 'Tumbling'? You, sir, are a very boring person. Known Spells (1): Insufferable Taunt (Debuff? I guess?): Salambiccus string of profanity-laced, often-ryhyming jeers forces a foe, or even a group of lesser foes, to rush to attack him disregarding his companions, the current circumstances or even natural hazards (or his signature caltrops). You say it reminds you of an existing spell from a famous tome that has been now replaced by a more recent edition? I really don't know what you're talking about. Cantrips: too many to count. Every day a new cantrip! Always more annoying than yesterday's -- guaranteed!

[GleefulNihilism]

The Market Jiaze the Heavy was trained in using magic to assist with practical problems like construction or repairs. One thing she was *not* trained for was in being a Spy. What little she knew about that kind of work she learned from the Crossing Companions. One thing she did learn though was that sometimes the proper response to someone calling you out on a Lie - is to Double Down on the Lie. Was she going to admit that the specticled woman was right about her goal? Of course not. Even as two rather large men each grab her by an arm and start to carry her away. Quite literally. Despite the name Jiaze the Heavy is actually pretty petite and waifish, even for a half-elf. The two large bouncers can easily hoist her up and carry her off like that. One could probably do it on their own - and she does not like it obviously and immediately starts thrashing around. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU'LL HEAR FROM THE UNION ABOUT THIS?" she yells back at the woman while kicking to try to break free of the Bouncers and of course she fails. The thought to go for the knees crosses her mind but she can't quite bring herself to do it. They were just workers, doing what they had to do. At least as far as she knew. She does get another idea though. She's not a big fan of the idea but it'll work for all her needs. The Heavylifting Spell was intentionally designed to be versitile, it was meant to be a tool for jobs. Usually when she picks a specific single thing to affect with the spell it's a big thing that would be impossible to move otherwise, like a whole fishing boat. The two bouncers would get a bit of a warning, if only that she's stop kicking to pull in and concentrate. Calm, a deep breath - concentrate. "Heavy." The spell was meant to be a versitile tool - but she's never used it to *triple her own weight* before. She had no doubt that these bouncers were still strong enough to still do their job but carrying a Half-Elf Magewright fully loaded with their gear would suddenly have gotten much, much harder.

Dice Rolls Resist! +Spell Focus +Heavylifting Spell Dice Check: 1d6smch4 3 ✘ (0/1) 0⇑ 0⇓ 1d6smch4 2 ✘ (0/1) 0⇑ 0⇓ 1d6smch4 6 ✔ (1/1) 1⇑ 0⇓

Stat Block Race: Half-Elf (3) CN: 4 Adventuring Gear Spell Focus Magewright's Lamp Magewright's Vestments Signature Moves Spellcasting Rolling Up Sleeves Known Spells Cantrips, Heavylifting

[Thaco]

"Hey, watch where you're swinging that thing! "

Essarion lunges backwards, nearly losing his balance as he narrowly avoids the blacksmith's blow.

"I was only trying to inquire..."

He stops short as the blacksmith takes another swing, then ducks and turns to run. With the half-orc in hot pursuit, he weaves through the gaming tents...

"This is ridiculous!" - duck - then around the flea market...

"How dare you treat a potential client like this!" - dodge - Circling around the fountain, Essarion sees Jiaze struggling as she is carried off by two hulking brutes. Turning back past the Oddities Stalls he spots Gramps and Salambiccus; they appear to be swimming upstream against a sea of people, many of whom appear to be wildly grabbing at something - the words "free! free!" echoing through the stalls. After a moment he hears the dwarf's voice raising out above the crowd, and turns to catch his eye just as he feels the cool breeze of a blessing as it flutters his hair. Buoyed by his comrade's efforts, he puts on extra burst of speed just in time to avoid another blow from the blacksmith's hammer...then, in a last ditch effort to evade his pursuer, he runs headlong into the approaching crowd, yelling at the top of his lungs:

"Help! Someone, help me! This crazed man is trying to bash my skull in! Pease, help!!!"

 

Actions Action: running for his life +1d - Use Spell Focus +1d - Cast Dazzle to influence the crowd to stop is pursuer +1d - Gramps' blessing Dice Rolling High: 1d6sh4 5 ✔ 1d6sh4 3 ✘ 1d6sh4 4 ✔ 1d6sh4 1 ✘

ETA: 2 successes, but one of them matched the CN, so that should count as 3!

Statblock Name: Essarion Olorhin Race: Elf Character Number: 4 Adventuring Gear: Sword Shield Jeweled Headband (Spell Focus) Signature Moves: Blinding Bash (shield bash, with a chance to stun the target) Known Spells cast with Spell Focus Known Spells and Cantrips: Cantrips Sparkle: Cleans all grit and grime from Essarion's armor and shield, allowing their brilliance to shine forth like a beacon of hope to all friends, and a fiery warning to all foes. Gentle Breeze: Creates a soft breeze that blows into Essarion's face, causing his long blond locks to flow behind him, granting a sense of confidence and tranquility to his allies. Spells Dazzle: Fascinates one or more targets, making them susceptible to influence/suggestion.