(This is last week's game- as last night's game was interrupted by technical difficulties, I should be able to get that one done pretty quickly. Hopefully, next Saturday's game will run more smoothly...) Hone’s Log
Internal Memory Storage
(Game Session 12: Saturday, 29 October 2016)
Initiating…
Time Stamp (1040/0998-Lharvion-02-Mol)
Location Stamp
(/country_designate@Breland) (district_designate@Highwalls) (office_designate@Skakan’s_Corporate_HQ)
Following the team’s return from country(Mournland), this
unit has taken to remaining in the facility Skakan has had allocated to the
team, building(office_designate@Skakan’s_Corporate_HQ). As the team enters the
morning after our return a House Sivis message arrives from unit(Sergeant
Dolum) of the team(City_Watch), requesting our presence at a location in
ward(Upper Menthis) near University(Morgrave). Rain makes vision beyond a short
distance difficult; the rain comes in waves so heavy, it is almost as if some
magical effect is enhancing it, yet no active magical auras are apparent to
this unit. Strong winds blow the rain in spirals and it swirls around the
towers, though there is no lightning or thunder to accent the driving rain.
Arriving at the identified location, the team discovers
several team(City_Watch) members standing around outside an apartment complex.
Unit(Sergeant Dolum) is speaking with a unit(race_designate@warforged) with its
back to us. Unit(Sergeant Dolum) sees the team and approaches us: “Well, you’re
finally here! There’s some grisly business inside. Seeing as how your group
handled the Swan Street Slayer thing, figured maybe I’d give you a look-see at
this—seems like the kind of thing up your alley. Seems some Dark Lantern was
working undercover and staying here—some undercover gig at the university. I
figure those government guys will be here soon and lock down this whole scene—I
can give you maybe ten minutes in there to look around. I’m hoping your team
can figure something out from this mess before it all gets swept under the
rug.” [Processing…]
The team enters the apartment building, following a
unit(City_Watch) to the designated room. The tower the apartments are in is
run-down, decrepit, and with little sense of order. The team cautiously enters
the indicated room and begins investigating. [ OUT OF CHARACTER
NOTE: See “Handout: Crime Scene”]
The
victim(race_designate@human)(gender_designate@male) lies in a corner, words
carved into his chest. The room looks to have been searched, with
belongings—crossbow, bolts, liquor, liquor bottle, sword and sword belt—cast
casually around. The liquor bottle is spilt on both the table and ground. A
smattering of gold pieces is around and collected [15gp]. Carved into the chest
of the victim is the following passage: “Aryth in Tiamat”. Unit(Garrick)
examines to remains and determines that the carving was done post mortem.
Unit(Garrick) determines actual cause of death to be slash marks across the
victim’s back. A thorough search of the room turns up his journal, a record
that identifies he is an undercover (organization_designate@Dark_Lantern). His
notes indicate that he is investigating mysterious purchases over the last
three months at University(Morgrave) linked to (Position_designate@Professor)
(Name_designate@Alain_Gourthan), an expert in
theology and religious studies. He has infiltrated the man’s confidence
as an assistant for the last three months.
As the team searches the room, a large (race_designate@human)
blocks the door and demands our identification. All units comply. When the
hostile unit(human) threatens to arrest the team, unit(Sergeant_Dolum) steps
forward and explains that, prior to this unit’s arrival and seizure of command
of the scene, unit(Sergeant_Dolum) had called in his own investigators to
examine the situation, freeing the team from any prosecution.
Outside, it is still raining. Unit(Sergeant_Dolum) leads us
to a small group of team(City_Watch), the scene now under the supervision of a
dozen cloaked figures, ostensibly identified as team(Dark_Lantern).
Amongst the units of the team(City_Watch) is
unit(name_designate@Hone-1), one of this unit’s crèche-mates. Unit(Hone-1)
embraces this unit in the traditional fleshborne manner and relates his recent
experiences, including choosing a new name, (name_designate@Hone-1/
re-designate@Ash). Unit(Ash) has joined the team(City_Watch) and functions as a
member of unit(Sergeant_Dolum)’s squad from time to time, participating in
disrupting a team(Emerald_Claw) cult that had recently percolated up in the
city(Sharn).
Pleasantries exchanged, the team(Skakan’s_Company) proceeds
to Ward(Upper Menthis)/ District(University) to seek out its contact,
unit(Mazakan) at the dormitories. A (postion_designate@doorguard)
(race_designate@gnome) (gender_designate@male) informs the team that
unit(Mazakan) has been away, as he hasn’t visited his room in the last three
days. Unit(unknown_doorguard) provides us with directions to the residence of unit(Alain_Gourthan).
Arriving at the residence of postion(Professor)
unit(Alain_Gourthan), the team observes and extravagant sky coach outside with
an unrecognized sigil on its doors. Inside the house, two figures are observed
in gesticulated, loud discussion. As the team approaches the abode, the front
door swings open and a well-dressed (race_designate@human)
(gender_designate@male) with a facial-hair goatee, fine purple clothing, and
gold rings on each finger strides forth. “JUST GET IT DONE,” the man bellows as
he comes down off the porch.
Unit(Dembe) calls out as the man rushes past us, “What sigil
is that on your coach?”
The man ignores the team, stopping only long enough to throw
a gold coin into the grass in front of the position(Professor)’s house.
In the entrance to the house, a well-dressed middle-aged
(race_designate@human) (gender_designate@male) stops in the process of closing
the door. “More visitors? Fine, come on in and let’s get it over with,” the man
says.
Entering and confirming that the man is indeed
position(Professor) unit(Alain_Gourthan), unit(Dembe) proceeds to ask the
professor directly, “Tell us about ‘Aryth in Tiamat’.”
The professor freezes up for a moment. “Aryth,” he says, “is
one of the moons of Eberron.” He leads us the his library and puts on a pair of
spectacles. He then pulls down a tome, beginning to flip through its pages. He
shows us the constellation of Tiamat and confirms that Aryth is currently in
the constellation of Tiamat and will be full for the next three days.
Becoming somewhat defensive, the professor asks who we are.
Unit(Dembe) tells the professor we are team(law enforcement), but the professor
does not believe him. Unit(Garrick) steps forward to conduct conversation,
revealing that we are investigating the death of unit(Gaunt), his assistant,
who was killed the previous evening and had that inscribed on his chest.
At this, the professor becomes even more defensive,
concerned that we consider him a suspect in the murder. Unit(Garrick) assures
him that we are simply trying to figure out what happened and that all we know
is that he worked for unit(Alain_Gourthan). He explains that all we wish to
know is what he can tell us about the victim(Gaunt).
The professor pauses for a moment before continuing. He
tells us that unit(Gaunt) was his assistant for the past three months. He was
shaky at first but seemed to get better at the job as time went on, because he
was dedicated. He was a loner who didn’t associate with the other assistants
and seemed to have a bit of a drinking problem. With that, the professor
insists we leave as he is consumed with a project underway for the
team(Esoteric Order of Aureon) that must be finished in two night’s time. The
professor himself leaves the house with us, locking it behind him and hurrying
off towards the university.
Without further direction, the team heads back towards its
recently acquired offices to regroup and consider further options.
Time Stamp
(1440/0998-Lharvion-02-Mol)
As the team is en route to the team’s offices, unit(Skakan)
locates the team. He seems agitated and questions us, “Where have you been?
We’ve got a customer! Come on!” He leads us to a location(tavern) that is
popular with elven followers of the Undying Court. There, in a corner, is a
cloaked figure that unit(Skakan) approaches. “Madam,” he says as we arrive
behind him, “here they are.”
The cloaked figure pulls back the hood on the cloak and
reveals itself to be (race_designate@human) (gender_designate@female),
red-haired and, she says, named (name_designate@ Gloria_Knox).
She sets forth the task she has for us: her brother,
(name_designate@Basil_Knox), is a position(professor) of specialization(planar
studies) at University(Morgrave) and he has gone missing. She wishes him
located. She chose this location for a meet because she does not know whom she
can trust, other than one person. She motions for a unit seated nearby to join
us.
A (race_designate@human) (gender_designate@male) in tattered
robes and a broad-brimmed hat approaches. She introduces him as
(name_designate@Kaine), a position(assistant) to unit(Basil_Knox) and his most
trusted one.
Between unit(Gloria_Knox) and unit(Kaine), the team is able
to assemble some understanding of the situation of unit(Basil_Knox). That
information has been re-collated:
Unit(Basil) is unmarried without much other family. Unit(Basil_Knox)
was working on sending an expedition to Xendrick to make “the discovery of a
lifetime” but the expedition, paid for, never made it to Xen’drick, and unit(Basil_Knox) lost a small fortune and
his reputation in the process. He was worried the university(Morgrave) was
trying to terminate his contract. He had become distraught and spent more time
digging deeper into his studies. Unit(Gloria_Knox) provides a portrait of him
for the team. She and unit(Kaine) indicate that unit(Basil) had no known
enemies, though some rivals. Unit(Basil)was last seen on Nym-21 (almost 10 days
ago). He was supposed to meet with unit(Gloria_Knox) two days ago, but never
showed for the pre-arranged appointment. She has visited his house twice since
then and it seems abandoned, with no one home and no signs of anyone coming or
going. Unit(Gloria_Knox) offers the team 3,000 gp to find unit(Basil) or 5/6 th
that, 2,500gp, if we discover concrete proof of his demise.
Unit(Kaine) leads us
to the residence of unit(Basil_Knox) in a rundown area of the city. We check
the front door, find it unlocked, and proceed to search the house. With nothing
of interest discovered upstairs beyond a pamphlet of deity(Sovereign Host: Kol
Korran) on the kitchen table, the team heads into the basement. There, a number
of unusual things catch our attention. In one corner, a table covered with
clutter of papers and maps catches our attention, but, as we descend all the
way into the basement, we find a shrine to deity(Dark Six: The Fury) set up in
an out-of-the-way corner. Searching the desk, unit(Kaine) finds
unit(Basil_Knox)’s diary. Before we can peruse it, voices are heard upstairs.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Voices
Voices -> Others seek unit(Basil_Knox): Potentials:
allies-rivals /Status: unclear
Delay
We overhear a bit of their conversation:
Voice 1: “Can’t believe they have us doing grunt work”
Voice 2: “Rather this than dealing with the Daask”
As unit(Garrick) attempts to move closer to the stairs, they
hear his armor clanking and mistake us for unit(Basil_Knox), ordering us
upstairs. We ignore them and they come down. Units(Dembe) and (Kaine) move to
positions that offer some cover. Unit(unknown_human) appears around the corner
of the stairs and shouts back, “Interlopers, Gif!” A
unit(race_designate@half-orc) comes down behind him and says, “I get to chop
some skulls after all,” as he pulls out a great axe. This unit provides a
polite greeting and indicates no need for conflict as we seek the same
individual. Unit(Garrick) casts a spell(divine_spell@magic_weapon) and enchants
his weapon. It is now clear the unknown units are hostile and unwilling to
parley.
Unit(Dembe) fires his crossbow, striking hostile unit(human)
before moving in to engage. Unit(Kaine) activates a psionic ability
(psionic_power@precognition). The hostile unit(human), wounded, quaffs a potion
and disappears. The hostile unit(half-orc) follows suit, but the potion it
drinks makes it large. This unit moves and readies to engage. Unit(Garrick)
ducks under the swing of the hostile unit(half-orc) and strikes it true.
Unit(Dembe) moves and engages the hostile unit(half-orc),
striking it as well. Unit(Kaine) casts a spell(arcane_spell@cause_fear),
targeting the hostile unit(half-orc), but the hostile unit shakes off the
effect. The hostile unit(human) appears behind unit(Garrick) striking him from
behind and tripping him, stabbing him as he falls. The hostile unit(half-orc)
swings at unit(Dembe) but missees. This unit moves in to engage the hostile
unit(human) and lands a solid strike, intended to deal non-lethal damage,
successfully knocking out hostile unit(human). Unit(Garrick) attempts to cast a
spell but is disrupted by his prone position.
Unit(Dembe) strikes the hostile(half-orc). Unit(Kaine)
blasts the hostile(half-orc) with a spell(arcane_spell@ray of flame). The
hostile unit(half-orc) strikes unit(Dembe) a solid blow. This unit moves to
engage the hostile(half-orc), attempting to duck beneath its extended reach.
DAMAGE. WARNING.
DAMAGE.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:
Critical strike by hostile(half-orc). Memory units attempting to back-up.
All systemmmmssfvsgbfghgfjhkjhlhkj;;kllk
---------------
Time Stamp
(1440/0998-Lharvion-02-Mol)
Location Stamp
(/city_designate@Sharn) (residence_designate@Basil_Knox’s_home)
DAMAGE. WARNING.
DAMAGE.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:
Unit damage restored. Unit (Dembe) applied Oil(Repair Light Damage). Unit
significantly damaged but functional.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Voices
Hostile (half-orc) terminated; hostile(human) unconscious =
threat over.
Returning to previous priority string….
Searching the two defeated hostiles yields a collection of
items: gold chain; 97 gp; sleep arrow; masterwork greataxe; masterwork rapier;
identification papers with hidden badges of the team(City_Watch).
The last item causes some concern among the team. Returning
to the attempt to locate unit(Basil_Knox), the team returns to examining the
located diary. The diary reveals that the expedition to Xen’drick had been a
joint venture to pursue “the find of a lifetime” that is never clearly
identified but is said to have been learned about from “a well-known
explorer.” Unit(Basil_Knox) had borrowed
significant funds from team(Boramar_Clan) to fund his portion of the joint
expedition and, with the expedition’s loss, has been having difficulty making
payments on the loan. His partner in the joint venture was
unit(Alain_Gourthan), the same unit that the deceased team(Dark Lantern) worked
for undercover as an assistant. The lack of funds to make payments has sparked
unit(Basil_Knox)’s recent interest in deity(Sovereign Host:Kol Korran), but,
after a lesson-beating administered by the (race_designate@halflings), he
turned to the deity(Dark Six: The Fury). The diary becomes more difficult to
understand and is written in some unknown language for a portion before
returning to language(common). This transition back and forth continues through
the rest of the diary. Unit(Basil_Knox) has taken to gambling at an underground
establishment called (name_designate@The Burning Ring), a fight club of some sort, where he has
indicated he plans to recoup the necessary funds to repay team(Boramar Clan). There
also seems to be some indication that the unit(Basil_Knox) sought revenge
against a unit identified as “The Snake.” The final entry is written in a mad
scrawl and indicates unit(Basil_Knox)’s last time writing: “I am THE FURY!”
With the hostile unit(human) still unconscious, there is
little more of interest to the team in the location(Basil_Knox’s_abode).
Units(Garrick) and (Kaine) leave to return to their abodes
for rest and recuperation while this unit and unit(Dembe) agree to stay in
unit(Basil_Knox)’s basement with the unconscious hostile(human) prisoner,
awaiting its return to consciousness. This unit uses infusions to repair
unit(Dembe) and itself before resting while unit(Dembe) stands watch.
Time Stamp (0710/0998-Lharvion-03-Zol)
Location Stamp
(/city_designate@Sharn)
(residence_designate@Basil_Knox’s_home)
The next morning, the hostile unit(human) awakens, calling
for “Gif” before realizing he is tied up. He threatens us. We threaten him. He
eventually reveals that he works for team(Boramar_Clan) and that he was sent to
collect unit(Basil_Knox), a broke position(professor) who has not repaid his
debts. He threatens that we will all be dead soon. We strip him and set him
free in the hopes that his flesh-borne embarrassment at both being beaten and
rendered naked will prevent him from seeking immediate revenge. With what
information he was able to provide us, we head back to the
location(Skakan’s_Corporate_HQ).
There, the team discusses its plans. With little to go on,
the need to locate the facility(The Burning Ring) seems the team’s best option.
As such, the team asks unit(Skakan) to use his contacts to locate it for us. He
agrees only if the old contract deal of 10% is reinstated (over the temporary 7
½ % negotiated for the private job he requested we do). The team agrees and
unit(Skakan) sets out to locate the facility.
Around 1200, pounding at the office door a while later draws
the entire team’s attention. Outside, a woman stands with a large contingent of
the team(City Watch). She informs us that we are all under arrest for the
murder of two team(City Watch) members and asks the team to submit. The team
submits and is manacled. We are lead away and, in another district, have bags
placed over our heads. We are lead even further away in a round-about fashion.
When we stop again, the bags are removed. We stand before a location(warehouse)
and only a handful of the team(City Watch) are still present. Beside and around
them, a cluster of (race_designate@halflings) stand. The guards direct the team
into the warehouse.
Entering the warehouse the first thing that catches the team’s
attention, based on movement and layout, is a score of (race_designate@halfling)s
on a 2 nd floor catwalk with crossbows pointed down at the team. The
floor of the warehouse is empty, save for two other (race_designate@halfling)s,
one seated and eating at a table, the other standing a step behind and off to
one side.
The one behind, a (gender_designate@male) with gray hair
sticking out in every direction and rumpled clothing, indicates that we are
fortunate that they have found us. He indicates that the team has committed an
atrocious and audacious act—the murder of two team(City_Watch). Units (Dembe)
and (Garrick) deny the charges. This unit attempts to provide proof by pointing
out the obvious discrepancy—the team only killed one team(City_Watch) and set
the other one free.
The race(Halfling) with the wild grey hair smiles and
indicates that we misunderstand—we stand accused of killing two
team(City_Watch). The hostile unit(human) that identified itself as working for
team(Boramar_Clan) is dragged out and his throat slit before us. The
wild-haired race(Halfling) indicates that clearly, there are now two dead
team(City_Watch). The other, larger race(Halfling) with slick black hair and
fine clothing continues eating what appears to be a rare steak.
Setting down his fork, the larger race(Halfling) identifies
himself as (name_designate@Seadan_Boramar) and indicates that we seem to have a
problem he can help us with. He indicates we are accused of murdering two
team(City Watch) and are also looking for someone indebted to him, which
indicates we must know the target(Basil_Knox). Unit(Seadan_Boramar) indicates
that, if the team should clean up another problem for him, he can make our
first problem—the accusation of murder—go away. The team attempts to negotiate
for more and this amuses unit(Saedan_Boramar). He agrees that, should we
complete the tasks he has set for us, not only will we be uninvolved in the
accused murder but we will also clear unit(Basil_Knox)’s not unsubstantial debt
to him. That said, he clarifies the task. He indicates that team(Daask) is a
clear enemy, but that moving openly against them would bring about more
problems than they would resolve. If, however, and independent contractor
decided to do something about the drug problem in Sharn and took it upon
themselves to eliminate some of the more heinous dragon-blood drug-dealers, that
would simply be a convenient coincidence for team(Boramar_Clan).
With some idea now of what the task is, the wild,
grey-haired individual explains the three targets:
1) KASK- a (race_designate@changeling)
(profession_designate@artificer) who works as a position(alchemist) and runs a
small shop(Wounded Dragon) in district(Kyber’s Gate). Unit(Kask) has no
connections to team(Tyrant), the team is assured.
2) KOSHT- a (race_designate@gnoll) (gender_designate@male)
(position_designate@pimp) who works out of district(Firelight). Originally from
country(Droaam), unit(Kosht) is savage, cunning, and dangerous.
3) TURMON- a (race_designate@ogre) (gender_designate@male)
who runs a location(major warehouse). The location is supplied and we are asked
to “burn it down.”
All three targets are to be terminated. All three targets
are to be successfully eliminated within 24 hours or the deal is off and we
will be charged for the murders of the team(City_Watch).
As a show of good faith, unit(Saedan_Boramar) drops a bag on
the table and indicates he is aware that we have unit(Skakan) searching for the
location of the establishment(The Burning Ring). Unit (Saedan_Boramar) provides
its location and leaves, followed by the unit with wild grey hair, followed by
the archers on the catwalks. Inside the bag on the table, the team finds the
keys to the manacles they wear.
Time Stamp (1430/0998-Lharvion-03-Zol)
End Transcript
