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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 15, 2020 17:47:37 GMT -5
You scale the stairs, and creep up behind the man. You now stand right behind him. Your goal dangles there within your reach. Do you snatch it or steal it away carefully? Snatching it will acquire the item, but will alert the man. Stealing it will also acquire the item, but he might not be aware. The choice is yours. Slight of Hand DC 20 to sneak it away without him noticing.
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Post by Greyling on Sept 30, 2021 13:25:08 GMT -5
Straightening himself, Venos kept his breathing slow. The corner of his mouth raising slightly as his hand raised to the prized item. With a practiced hand (17+8=25) he removed the item as stealthy as he could.
He takes a moment to enjoy the triumph, before he clears his throat to present himself for evaluation.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 5, 2021 8:25:09 GMT -5
You snatch the item without issue, the man just continues his scanning pattern. You silently fist pump the air in celebration before you clear your throat to gain the fellows attention. He jumps a little, startled by your sudden appearance. He checks his belt and you see a moment of surprise before he smiles, “Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild.” He gestures for you to follow him back outside. Along the way he explains, “We have a little paperwork to complete, but that doesn’t take overly long. I think I even have a job for you once you’re done.”
+50exp for completing the exam
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Post by Greyling on Oct 19, 2021 11:25:10 GMT -5
Venos offers his friendliest smile. Tucking the item into his pocket as he starts to follow the tall man.
As they finish up the paperwork, "I believe there was mention of a job that you would like done. What's the job? Obstacles? Conditions? And most importantly, compensation?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 21, 2021 19:22:38 GMT -5
He leads you out of the basement and up to the main entrance. He opens the double doors, and leads you inside. The foyer doesn't look anything like what you expected to see from a large building like this. Instead of ornate artwork, you find a collection of tables arrayed to look more like a tavern. There are another pair of double doors, one set to the left and another to the right. Two single doors are set in the back wall, one near each corner. Between the two doors along the back wall is seated a burly Dwarven fellow with a tankard in front of himself. Another table has a cloaked figure, based on the curves you suspect a female.
The man leads you to one of the tables, and goes through the paperwork with you. The paperwork covers some legal stuff that will make sure the guild doesn't get into trouble if you're injured or killed on a job. In the event of your death, it covers what you would like done with your body. There is an option to attempt resurrection if your body can be recovered, but that requires the materials be provided in advance. 500gp worth of diamonds.
Once the paperwork is finished, he leans back in his chair, "As to the job, some of our other adventurers went out on a job and have not returned. The job is simple, track them down and find out what happened to them."
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Post by Greyling on Oct 28, 2021 13:38:33 GMT -5
Venos casually strolling behind the large man. Making note of each of the figures at the tables, discreetly if he gets the sense that they want their privacy.
"Tracking people, okay. I'll need to know about the job they were on. Just a track and report, or retrieval? In the event that I find their bodies, am I returning any of them?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 3, 2021 19:33:31 GMT -5
The man thinks on your question for a moment, "If they're dead, and you can recover the bodies, do that. Otherwise, secure the bodies so we can collect them after you report in. If they yet live, help them stay that way and get back here. The adventurer's were sent to a temple located a couple hours outside of town." He offers you a roughly drawn sketch with enough points of interest marked to get you there. "You're looking for a bookish Human man, he wore a long cloak and a few too many belts. He was on loan from the Mage's Guild. He was traveling with three Human women. One is a slender blonde with eyes of blue. One has hair of fire, and freckles. The last lady wears her hair in a thick braid that hangs past her belt. She is both curvy and strong. The three women wear similar rings. What say you?"
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Post by Greyling on Nov 5, 2021 11:03:34 GMT -5
Venos considers the job, and nods. "Sure. I locate your lost humans. Considering how oversized you all are, it shouldn't be too hard." He smirks.
"Unless there is anything else I should know, I'll start looking right away."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 5, 2021 18:32:50 GMT -5
The man smirks at your jest, “Nothing from me. Be safe out there. If you want assistance, any of these fine folk might be willing to lend a hand. When you make your way out of the building you get a few friendly nods, and one little wave, but nobody stops you.
The trip from the High District is long, but thankfully all down hill. The transition from the High District to the Commercial District is stark. The huge manors giving way to lesser estates, then to stand alone houses, then row houses in turn. This entire city is laid out that the higher you live on the cliffs, the more social standing you have.
Reaching the river, you pay your copper to cross on one of the dozens of ferries. The water is calm with a lazy current pulling the boat downstream as it’s pulled along it’s tether. Crossing into the Industrial District is as stark a transition as the last, if not more so. This area is dominated by factories, warehouses and ramshackle homes. Clearly the slums of Clifton, you naturally observe your surroundings that little bit more, especially the shadows.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 8, 2021 15:55:13 GMT -5
Venos makes his way. Taking in the sights and smells.
Passing the time on the ferry, he picks up a pebble from the deck and sees how many slips he can get across the surface of the water.
Walking thru the slums, he gets some scowls, some blank stares, and smiles - friendly, predatory, or both. Returning the friendly ones with one of his own. Though friendly, he doesn't forget that some feign friendliness to make the fool drop his defenses. He was such a fool.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 11, 2021 18:56:11 GMT -5
The route between the ferry docks and the North Gate is short, and well patrolled by the Pins. Down the side streets you can spot several men with the look of guards, but not dressed like the Pins. Private security, likely hired to defend the warehouses. The gate itself is closed, with a similar layout as the other gates you've been through already. A pair of guards stand to either side of the gate, and another face can be seen through the arrow slit above. One of the guards approaches as you get closer, "Is there something I can help you with?"
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Post by Greyling on Nov 23, 2021 12:02:44 GMT -5
Venos puts on a friendly smile, and stands tall (pun intended). "Well met, sir. I'm on adventure guild business. Seems they misplaced a small group of humans. A bookish male, and 3 females. A blonde, a redhead, and a curvy, muscular one. They likely came thru here a few days ago. Ring a bell?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 25, 2021 7:53:54 GMT -5
The man nods, “Aye, they left through this gate. The man came separately from the women. You’re going to try and find them alone? Be wary of the tribes of Lizardfolk, especially the ones with black markings.”
After showing your adventurers guild badge, you’re allowed to exit the sally port set into the gate itself. The change in temperature is almost immediate. It seems like each step you take away from the walls and relative safety of Clifton, it gets hotter and hotter. By the time you’re a hundred paces from the wall you already have a trail of sweat running down your back. That’s about when you notice the bugs. For each one you smack, two more buzz past your ears and another seems to find it’s way to your flesh for a bite.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 25, 2021 15:15:49 GMT -5
"Black markings, noted. Much appreciated. I considered bringing along one of you oversized people, but I don't wanna lose anymore." Venos dryly jokes.
"Bugs. Great." As he presses on, Venos racks his brain about an old ranger used to deter bug bites. "Was it rubbing yourself with dirt, or mud?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 25, 2021 18:20:09 GMT -5
You watched in amazement as the bearded fellow rubbed a handful of mud up and down his arms, covering them completely. "What are you doing?" You asked incredulously. "Where we goin' der be bities." He waggles a finger around imitating a mosquito buzzing around his head. The toothless fellow finishes by smearing the muck across his whole face. You not wanting to look foolish, or get really dirty didn't bother covering yourself with mud. You've never been so itchy in your life. When you got back, he washed himself off and didn't have a single bite.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 26, 2021 13:40:12 GMT -5
Confident that he remembered correctly, Venos keeps an eye out for soft dirt or mud as he head in the direction of the swamp. Looking to smear mud across any exposed skin. "Next time, I'm checking if the apothecary shop has some kind of bug repellent lotion or salve."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 29, 2021 19:11:50 GMT -5
Finding mud in a swamp is remarkably easy, and no sooner have you approached the first bit of bog then you locate the perfect spot to collect as much mud as one could ever need. Now thoroughly coated in mud, you feel pretty safe from the ever increasing number of bugs that have begun hunting you. You travel though the humid swampland, the smell of rotting vegetation ever present like this for the next hour or so.
Make a perception check.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 30, 2021 12:36:24 GMT -5
Smearing himself was a weird sensation. A small amount of doubt crept in at first. Wondering if he had remembered correctly, but when the bugs bites lessened he felt confident again. The coolness of the mud was an added bonus in this heat too. The only real discomfort left was the smell. Like walking through a large sewer, but it was a minor annoyance. One he'd spend a few nights washing off after he returned to civilization.
((Perception 18 [roll 16+ wis 2]))
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 30, 2021 13:10:12 GMT -5
You walk through the swamps, keeping to the highest points as much as possible to keep your feet as dry as possible. Ahead you notice a scaled creature laying on the ground. As you approach closer it becomes clear that it is a corpse. A humanoid covered in thick scales, though those scales did not stop the hole in his chest, maybe four inches long and a half inch wide.
As you inspect the body you hear a gnawing scratching sound off to your left. Glancing that way you notice another similar corpse, this one being chewed upon by rats.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 30, 2021 13:50:31 GMT -5
He slides one of his daggers out of its sheath. He's senses going on high alert. He checks the bodies for black markings, and the nearby area for any belongings.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 30, 2021 14:07:55 GMT -5
The rats mostly scatter at your approach, with one staying until you’re only feet away. It hisses at you, before scampering under a nearby leaf. You watch as it pokes it’s head out to watch you as you check over the bodies. Both are naked, with no equipment, valuables or clothing. Both show signs of violence in the form of large slashes and puncture wounds from a cross bow or maybe a bow and arrow, though no bolts or arrows are present. As you walk away from the rat eaten corpse the hissing rat returns to it’s feast almost immediately.
Scanning the local area, you don’t notice anything moving aside from the dozen or so rats that you scattered with your presence. These bodies have been left to rot, and the rats are taking advantage of that fact to get a fetid meal.
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Post by Greyling on Nov 30, 2021 15:21:43 GMT -5
"Sorry, ..." tilts his sideways to the aggressive rat. Recalling a couple of sisters he used to know. "I'm going to call Linda."
Venos happily leave the bodies to the rats. He continues his trek in the direction that the missing group should be headed.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 1, 2021 13:42:52 GMT -5
You travel along like before for a couple hours until you see a lump of ground sticking up out of the boggy surface of the swamps. As you grow closer, you see that it is a cave of sorts. The structure of the cave is shaped vaguely like a serpent's head, with an open mouth. Sharpened fangs jut from above and below making the entire cave seem ominous and dangerous. When you finally reach the toothy edge, you can see a stone archway set ten feet back inside the cave. The archway is open, revealing a tunnel that descends downward at an angle. The water level of the swamps is such that a trickle of water flows over the snake's lips and flows down the floor of the tunnel. After about fifteen feet the tunnel is too dark to see without a light source or darkvision.
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Post by Greyling on Dec 4, 2021 10:52:42 GMT -5
Venos shakes his head. Snakes. The reward better be good. Only sane reason to go into this sort of place is a damn good treasure.
He sheaths his dagger to pull out a torch and tinderbox. After lighting it, a lit torch and dagger in each hand, he walks forward into the tunnel.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 5, 2021 22:43:37 GMT -5
The cave walls are natural, but you can see that any jagged edges or outcroppings have been chiseled off to create an eight foot tall roughly vertically ovular cave. It's only wide enough for a single person to walk, but is plenty tall enough to stand comfortably.
The tunnel continues down at an angle for a good hundred feet by your estimation. The tunnel expands slightly as it descends, ending up at around seven feet in diameter. The walls continue to be natural, with sections that once jutted out into the tunnel chipped off. As you walk you realize that the floor is slightly angled into the center of the path, where the water is forced to gather as it flows down. Even with the tunnel above closed tight enough to not let in light, a steady stream of water flows down the center of the floor between your feet as you walk.
The tunnel levels out in a small rounded chamber with a hole in the center of the room. The walls are covered in images of scaled humanoids with draconic faces. The creatures are wearing robes and holding tools or weapons. In addition there are images of massive snakes, or people with snakelike features. There are even some images of people that look more like snakes. The images seem to tell a story, but it's hard to wrap your head around the narrative since the images don't seem to be in any sort of order. You think that with some time and a bit of study you might be able to sort out the order of things. The water flows into the room, and straight down into the hole. You can hear the trickle of water down below, but you're not sure how far. Even holding your light over the mouth of the hole, only reveals a smooth sided tunnel headed straight down.
(spend an hour, and make a Knowledge History check to sort it out. Hole is deeper than 60ft)
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Post by Greyling on Dec 7, 2021 12:14:58 GMT -5
Venos lets out a heavy sigh. He hustles back outside to look for something useful. Hoping to find something small to drop into the hole to try to figure out how deep it was, and something heavy to anchor his rope at the top. Maybe even a vine he could use instead of the rope, or to extend the rope.
((How wide is the hole?))
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 9, 2021 8:03:22 GMT -5
The hole is about five and a half feet across. The hole descends straight down as far as your light will pierce the darkness, likely further beyond that. You did see some rope-like plants in your travel through the swamps, but they were not very long. It would likely take you a few hours to gather enough material to make another makeshift rope like the one you have now. You're not even sure how far down this hole goes, so that you can gather enough material in the first place.
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Post by Greyling on Dec 9, 2021 16:11:47 GMT -5
"Maybe I should back to town. I don't need to get stuck too. If they're still alive, they will be when I returned. If they're dead, taking longer won't make them any deader."
Venos looks down the hole, I'll try using the rope-like plants first.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 10, 2021 6:07:20 GMT -5
A few hours later you find yourself back at the hole, fifty feet of rope in one hand and about fifty feet of makeshift rope in the other. For your trouble you have a few scratches and an annoying bug bite on your cheek. It itches like mad.
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Post by Greyling on Dec 10, 2021 7:34:23 GMT -5
((Anywhere to secure a rope?))
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