DMIt is almost noon and all the members of the team met again at the Pearl Handled Pipe. Lunchtime is the least busy meal here as it is not included in the priced of the rooms at the inn. As with every other meal, the spread laid out for people to enjoy is lavish, there's just less of it and less of a choice. Two staffers stand by the entrance to the buffet spread, collecting the two silver pieces that it costs to eat lunch here.
The first small group to arrive grabbed a table. Soon, all were here to exchange information, make plans for the afternoon and for after.
OOC: As for now, you have a number of leads to discuss and, if I didn't forget anything (very easy to forget these days), here's a list of some stuff your had on your to-do list:
- It seems like there's some reason to visit the Grand Dame and the Golden Goose casino on it. What you are looking to accomplish there is not yet decided but signs point there.
- If you are going to go there, you'll need to decide how you go. Are you going as customers? Are you sneaking aboard? Guns ablazing? (not recommended).
- You've heard that there's a dress/style code (think Studio 54). You may need to buy some clothes?
- There's that abandoned house that you heard about that Arus and Zhu wanted to check out.
- There are other places of business to explore if you want to take that route.
- Arus hasn't been able to connect with Scimitar Sally but he can do that this afternoon.
If I forgot something, sorry. I think those are the obvious things anyway.
Let me continue with an apology, in advance, for my disappearance for the coming week. I am in the midst of preparing for my annual fantasy baseball draft. That means that I'm crunching statistics like a madman. Just imagine preparing to run a 20th level boss encounter which has some three hundred combatants. That effort is like tic-tac-toe compared to my prep work which is like playing 3-dimensional chess against Mr. Spock. On that subject, I also want to thank Zeim in advance for being our auctioneer. It's an all-day affair and I am sure he'll sleep well after the draft. By the way, that's next Saturday. I should be back, physicall, if not mentally, by next Sunday.
Jaliera
She is wide-eyed at the sumptuous buffet laid out for lunch. It is the best spread she has ever seen. However she is most surprised that it is only 2 silver to eat here. She might be back again. She agrees a table with Davroar and stakes their claim with her pack, before heading to the buffet and spending more time using her eyes than she does selecting.
Sindar
He paid his two silvers and wandered past the sumptuous layout. He took two trips eyeing his choices before starting on a plate. He had eaten better and more in the last day or so than he had in years. Yet that didn't stop him. He would get his money's worth.
Kriv
The Dragonborn had a substantial appetite, but was almost austere in the sating of it, given the 'quality' of the young human nobles in this town, at least those they were being paid to investigate. On that matter, once everyone had their initial plateful and was assembled,
"I have secured an additional contract for the task we are already engaged in, half up front. Our leads point to the Golden Goose, popular with young nobles of the type that seem to be going missing. Jakkob Dawnflower and Timothy Rossolio among their number, if anyone caught wind of either name. Though I have no particular desire to indulge, I must admit that I fit the profile, at least were I human and thoroughly dissolute. Thus, I intend to play it straight and seek admittance with my credentials, suitably attired."
Davroar
Sampling and sniffing his way through the buffet after paying his two silvers, he drops into a chair beside Jaliera with his plate overflowing its edges with food. As the others arrive, he smiles a greeting to each and silently wonders who are Jakkob Dawnflower and Timothy Rossolio. For the moment he will continue to stuff his belly with a surprisingly tasty fried breaded fish, and figures Jaliera or someone else will fill him in with their progress.
Jaliera
She says 'hi' to the others as they assemble. She listens to Kriv, memorising the names for future reference.
"Davroar and I didn't find out much information but we have secured some healing potions, spell components and also found a sage in a shop full of maps. Davroar asked if he knew of giant sites in the area hoping to find out any history of Triboar that might give us an idea what the giants took from there. Unfortunately he wanted hundreds of gold to do the research. So we left."
<Bern>
He made his 'donation' and took a turn around the table, checking out the spread. On the one hand, he normally enjoyed simpler fare. But there were times when something like this extravagant layout was something to be appreciated. Once his initial assessment was done, he picked up a plate and began to add small bits from the various offerings.
When he had a decent sampling on his plate, he joined his friends.
He smiled and nodded at Kriv's news, then sighed at Jaliera's report on the sage. "Do you think your 'sage' might be a bit more helpful if more people for another visit", he asked.
Zhu
She pays her 2 silver, although she isn't terribly hungry. Browsing the buffet she selects a few bites of cheese and fruit and takes a slice of whole grain bread. Adding a glass of wine she sits with the others and listens as Kriv tells of their meeting with the Waterbaron.
Her ears perk up at the mention of purchasing potions and she asks for the location of the vendor as she'd like to see what else he might have.
She nods at Kriv's comment about visiting the Golden Goose. "In addition we still have interest in looking at that abandoned house. Shall we try to do both, or should we stick together?"
<Bern>
"If it is just to gather information", he said, "I think it is safe enough here to cover the ground more quickly by splitting up."
Jaliera
She answers Bern.
"Well possibly but I am fairly sure that his price will not change, so unless we can stump up 400 gp I think it might be a waste of time. On a serious note, do we have anything previously found that we might sell to generate the cash if folks thinks this might be a worthwhile use of the money?"
She sounds doubtful.
"Of course Zhu. He was a gnome with his stall quite close to the Coster's business. I would bargain though. He started off pricey. And I'd like to look at the abandoned house. I like mysteries."
Arus
"I'll catch up with Scimitar Sally before her shift at the Lionshield starts. That gives me all afternoon free." Arus says.
This is good because they have a busy afternoon ahead it seems.
With that in mind, he quaffs a slice of ham, chasing it up with a handful of dried apricots and a cup of Bitteroot beer. That's lunch.
"I suggest we visit this abandoned house, then shop for evening wear. Tonight, go to the casino and find out what its involvement is with these disappearances.
"What say all of you?"
<Bern>
He was =not= looking forward to the 'casino' part of the plan. He was not a fan of all that 'dress up'/'poser' stuff. But, he admitted with a sigh. if that was what the job required ... that was what had to be done.
He nodded.
[ooc: You really have less to do this afternoon than you think. You should get you guys together after Arus meets SAlly and you look at the old, abandoned house to discuss the possibilities for the evening. And if you're going to the casino, a couple of you will need better clothing or come up with a plan that doesn't involve clean clothes.]
Jaliera
"Casino? How does that fit into the picture? Doesn't sound like my sort of place."
And as she looks younger than her 16 years, that might be a problem. Perhaps she can find a better way to contribute to their endeavours.
Zhu
She turns and looks Jaliera over carefully. "You are a very pretty girl, under all of that tomboy. I have a little makeup and something that should fit you, or we have a little time this afternoon to go dress shopping. I can come along, if you want?" She offers.
<Bern>
"I am thinking that I would hang around outside and keep watch. I really don't have anything ... 'appropriate' to wear and would rather not waste the coin buying something."
Kriv
"There is wisdom in external surveillance, particularly for any of those strange casings such as we found that noble in."
Arus
"Bern might just be the ace up our sleeve." Arus says, looking around at the party as he speaks, "Whoever runs the casino. Whoever runs its criminal enterprise. They might mistake Bern for his doppelganger and that could get us places."
When it comes to fashion, Arus is a man with opinion but what Bern needs is a man with taste.
"Kriv, if thou takest Bern and Davroar along the high street and see them suited and booted, Zhu could take Jaliera. Sindar and I will speak to Scimitar Sally."
"But first, let us all to this abandoned house."
<Bern>
He sighed at the idea that he would have to 'dress up', but the 'rationale' was reasonable.
He was glad at the idea of 'casing the house'. If nothing else, it would delay the inevitable.
"Ready when you are", he said with a grin.
Sindar
"Sounds like a plan," he agrees.
Davroar
"I'd rather be someone's pet cat, than dress up in a fancy's clothes", he says with obvious distaste for going to the casino. He is not kidding about the idea. He has been getting better at holding his wildshape for a longer period of time, but if it comes down to needing everyone at the casino he will reluctantly go along.
Zhu
"Hmmm. I wonder if they might let in a pet? Or even better, can you change into a very small creature, like a mouse? Jaliera or I could conceal you in a pocket or pouch and then, if needed, we could drop you off somewhere to let you poke about."
She shrugs. "Just a thought."
DM
The group seems to have formed some sort of plan. It's still several hours before dark. They haven't even seen the Grand Dame yet. Posing as rich gamblers is the only plan being discussed, but are there other ways to get onto the ship? Going through the front door as guests is unlikely how they would want to do things, but so far that is the only way being discussed. And also, what are the heroes looking for when they get there? To what end? Perhaps the next few hours will help them solidify a plan. Several of the group are uncomfortable getting dressed up in fine clothing.
Several of those sitting at the table know that while the Waterbaron is eager to get an answer about the disappearances, she also said very plainly that if they get into trouble there that she will disavow any association with them and that they would face the consequences of their actions.
But first things first, a rumor about an abandoned house is out there. The entire rumor was "talk about a dilapidated villa in the northwest part of town. People tend to stay away from it for all kinds of reasons." Where this villa was, what was strange about it and where it was were never stated, so finding it might be a task in itself.
It will be interesting to see what will happen when they start asking about it. "Excuse me sir, do you know of a dilapidated villa that people stay away from?"
Jaliera
She blushes at Zhu's compliments and shyly responds "I'd like that."
But the next idea fills her with a lot more enthusiasm.
"A pet mouse! Yes!" She chuckles. "And I will instruct Whisper not to eat you."
"And speaking of Whisper, she can always scout for us or stay on overwatch outside."
Davroar
"A mouse? Smallest I've gone is as a ferret, but probably could." Whisper is thankfully controllable through Jaliera, but he is not overly confident being so small of a creature. Still if it means not having to dress up, he quickly adds, "I'll do it then, if you want."
Jaliera
She grins.
"It'll be fun! And Zhu is right. Could be useful for scouting as you could get in anywhere. Do be careful though, wouldn't want the local cat to get its claws into you!"
<Bern>
"So lets see what we can find in this house. May help us for the evening event."
Arus
He is ready to go and adjusts the scabbard on his belt for walking.
"Small furry animal; owl; close proximity. What can go wrong." Arus says with a smirk, standing.
Kriv
"I'd be lying if I said I knew what was fashionable for human nobles in this town, but we do know someone who does. Let's stop off at the Rossolio estate and see if Artan has garb in the right size suitable for the Golden Goose that Bern could borrow."
<Bern>
"Whisper has shown more 'sense' than a =lot= of people I have known", he said to Arus. Then grimaced at Kriv's desire to 'dress him up'.
OOC:
My draft is over - 3 1/2 hours earlier than last year! Thanks Zeim, you were awesome. And yeah, there were times I felt like final gavel would never come! But it all worked out. 8 hours was record time!
And as for the game...
There are clothing stores surrounding the market square as well as several stalls. You would have seen the styles last night. In fact, many of the patrons of the Pearl Handled Pipe went gambling after dinner.
If you haven't figured this out yet, Yartar is like a medieval Las Vegas.
I will say the following clearly. You have NO idea where this abandoned villa is located in this city.
Gotta love the owl and the mouse getting along so well 
[OOC Well I play Assassins Creed Odyssey - over 200 hours so far and I'd be surprised if I had reached halfway. In that game my character has an eagle that scouts for him and he can watch through its eyes, bit like Jaliera and Whisper. So could she not send Whisper flying and look for a house that fits this description?
]
OOC: I did not say you cannot find it. I said you have NO idea where it is. To be clear, it's a pretty large city (look at the map). There will be more than one place that might be a candidate for this house. It would take time.
I'm going to think about what is a reasonable rule comparison to use as a guideline for a search.
OOC: I wanted to gather some opinions from other DMs on this. I'm glad I did. They brought up good points and otherwise aligned with my thoughts on this.
As I said, there will be many buildings that could be candidates. Whisper won't even know what to look for. It really is Jaliera looking through Whisper's eyes that even has a chance. That places some constraints on things. First, Whisper needs to stay within 100 feet of Jaliera. Jaliera is deaf and blind as this is going on so you'll need to work things out.
It'll require Jaliera's perception roll augmented (with advantage) by Whisper's sight. Finding a candidate would be a DC 12 (pretty easy). Jaliera needs to be near enough to the target for this to even matter so I would need a path she takes to do this. If she is close enough and if she makes the perception roll, Jaliera would then need to provide an insight roll that would be more difficult - DC 18 and no advantage. Since there is so much ground to cover, it could take a while. You could get to do this twice per day, or once today since the day is half over.
We can discuss specifics of how you want to approach the idea. There may be other ways to find it but I like the creativity of the approach.
[[ since this is such a 'vague' target and the 'effective range' for Whisper is so limited, it might be more effective for us to just walk around and look ourselves. ]]
OOC: Mike, you're on the right track but I think you don't have nearly enough info to help narrow the search. Has everyone sought out their contacts in the city? This is a challenge - detective work. Gypsy offered up how Jaliera and Whisper could help. A reminder, all you have to go on right now is the following: Sindar retells the rumor he heard ...
One other option is to have Whisper simply fly 100 feet straight up and get a "birds eye view" and see if anything stands out (an isolated building on the outskirts of town, a building that looks somewhat dilapidated, etc.) as a candidate. If not, no time is lost and we can walk around.
[[ Yup ... as far as Bern is concerned, the 'near term' goal would seem to be the house since there is light now ... not so much at night (when <sigh> 'they' wanna 'dress him up' <shudder>) So heading to the NE part of town to start the house search seems reasonable to him at this point <shrug> And I don't recall Bern having any 'clues'. As to Sindar's 'expose', Bern would have tuned that out when the 'doppleganger' was mentioned <wink> ]]
[ooc: I'll resolve that right now for you. Flying 100 feet up and looking for something that sticks out like a sore thumb has zero chance of success. And note that Bern, Davroar and Jaliera were not there when this was discussed but we can assume that it was shared anew.]
Well, it does tell us that "nothing sticks out like a sore thumb". A lack of information is in itself information.
[[ so it sounds like some 'exploration' is needed <g> ]]
Yes, and/or asking some questions for leads.
ooc: Plan away. Let's get everyone to chime in ideas. So far I have
clothing shopping (who needs to go?)
exploring the city - looking for the villa
Shopping for potions and stuff like that
Have you figured out where the the Grand Dame is? Is it a Carnival Cruise ship or a raft?
Davroar's going in as a critter - Nice alternate plan. Are there other ways to investigate aside from being a patron or a mouse? I'm gonna let you work out a plan.
[ooc: villa has two distinct definitions going by the dictionary.:
1. a large country house of Roman times, having an estate and consisting of farm and residential buildings arranged around a courtyard.
2. (BRITISH) a detached or semidetached house in a residential district, typically one that is Victorian or Edwardian in style.
Can we get a clearer definition of what we are looking for, or do we have to consider both options?
Does "...on the outskirts of town" suggests then that the villa is outside of the city walls? If we consider the first definition, then we should start looking outside of the city walls perhaps close to the rivers edge. ]
[ooc: Is it possible that the person that was overheard doesn't have a copy of a dictionary? I would say you should consider both options as well as others.]
Jaliera
"We might consider dividing up the city and each searching our quadrant? We could cover more this way. Davroar, maybe you could take the form of a large bird for your search?"
She makes another suggestion.
"And if we take a quadrant that includes a contact, then we can check with them as well. Increases our chances."
<Bern>
"Splitting up is a good idea", agreed with a nod.
[[ anyone have a consolidated list of the contacts?? ]]
[ooc: Is it possible that the person that was overheard doesn't have a copy of a dictionary?]
(OOC - Everyone has a smartphone these days, don't they?
[[ I don't. Like me - my phone is =really= old ... almost 10 years old now ... ancient history in the history of phones. And like me, it is really tired most of the time now a days <weg> ]]
Arus
He shrugs. It seems a relatively minor challenge, to find an abandoned villa in Yartar.
"Let's walk together to the most affluent quarter. We can split up once there.
"Those are the homes with estates that one might call a villa.
"And an abandoned estate should be wild and overgrown. Shouldn't be too hard to find."
<Bern>
He was more at home in the woods, so Arus' plan seemed better that what he had been considering. "Sounds like a good plan", he said with a grin.
Jaliera
"We might consider dividing up the city and each searching our quadrant?
Jaliera wasn't there but did nobody ready this post carefully?
[[ Well ... I =try= to =never= read =any= post =too= carefully <weg> Besides, that post was from last year and I have trouble with 20 min ago <wink> ]]
So, NW part of town......
ooc: Pande posted this: I am quite busy over the next couple of days. I will post when I can. If I can't next week should be better.
We'll be a patient lot.
So you've got some sort of preliminary plan.
BTW, who here knows where the Grand Dame is?
(OOC - Presume it is down by the river. Not that many docks to look thru, based on the map.)
[OOC I don't read threads my character isn't in.
]
ooc:
Gypsy, me neither, which is why I said "Jaliera wasn't there". Others were there.
Z, When I ask a question like that, I'm probably trying to trigger a thought process.
Well, we do have a bunch of questions to ask. Convenient we are at lunch and should have people around to talk to? Zhu was planning to stop by the Potion guy and maybe help Jaliera find a dress, so more people to ask.
OOC: Let's do this, to make your DM's life a little easier. Let's say that everyone can participate in up to two events between now and the events that happens at night. So we'll develop a plan where the units of time are "Early Afternoon" (EA) and "Late Afternoon" (LA). I've taken a stab at some declarations. I really need everyone to decide on what to do in the two time slots in advance. (Yes, you can change what I typed in as an example). I also added a category of "Evening" (EV) as at least Bern said he would work lookout.
Arus: {EA: ??? } {LA: Seek out Sally } {EV: Got to Casino as Patron }
Bern: {EA: ??? } {LA: ??? } {EV: Lookout outside Casino }
Davroar: {EA: ??? } {LA: ??? } {EV: ??? }
Jaliera: {EA: Shopping*} {LA: ??? } {EV: ??? }
Kriv: {EA: ??? } {LA: ??? } {EV: ??? }
Sindar: {EA: ??? } {LA: ??? } {EV: ??? }
Zhu {EA: Shopping*} {LA: ??? } {EV: ??? }
* You can shop for potions and dresses in the same time slot
Note that we'll resolve early afternoon and then resolve late afternoon and finally evening, obviously. That means that you'll be able to change your plan before each time slots before them.
[ooc: Davroar will participate in looking for the abandoned villa in the afternoon, and will be Jaliera's pet mouse for the evening visit at the casino. ]
Jaliera will search for the villa and then go to the Casino
Bern will start with the villa search in the EA. If they don't find it, he will keep looking in LA. If they find it in EA, he will spend LA exploring the rest of the city ... at least as much as he can manage <g>
Will go potion/dress shopping with Jaliera in EA then search for the Casino in LA.
Note, if "search for Villa" includes "enter and explore Villa", then she will simply ask for directions to the casino from the Bartender at the Pearl and join the others in LA for the Villa exploration.
I don't think there has been any 'talk' about exploring it 'individually' <g>
Sindar will head NW and try to locate the villa EA. In LA he will be going to the casino.
Kriv will locate the casino as a prelude to going there in the evening given his credentials as a noble.
[Arus is searching for abandoned villa, talking to Scimitar Sally, then heading to the casino.]
OOC:
OK. It looks like everyone wants to go on a villa hunt so we'll squish that into the early morning so you can all go together.
In the late afternoon you split up:
Kriv is checking out where the Grand Dame is.
Arus is seeking out Scimitar Sally.
Bern is going to do a walking tour of the city.
Sindar didn't have plans other than to go to the casino, so maybe he's going along with Kriv to check it out?
Zhu and Jaliera are going shopping.
Davorar didn't say what he'll be doing in the late afternoon, but at night when Jaliera goes will become a mouse. In the mean time, I'm guessing he tags along with the ladies and will be spending his time like this guy...![[Linked Image]](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/archive/QGjZs3rgScRl1oMLDXlj_1082140556.jpeg)
You got my plans right <g>
[ooc:
Davroar is tempted (not!), but will instead head outside the city walls for LA to get some 'fresh air' away from the city crowds ]
