Khal is sentenced by the king to trial by combat, and desperately tries to escape
Score: 1283 | 1/4/14 |
Khal: what's the scene when i wake up?
Stolph (DM): The king is getting mad at Alejandro.
Khal: i'm in shackles?
Stolph (DM): You are in manacles which are locked behind your back. A chain connects the manacles of all the accused together.
Stolph (DM): you feel something in your back pocket.
Khal: I try to read lips (+5) if any opportunity presents itself.
Khal: is it the broach?
Stolph (DM): yes
Khal: open locks +8
Stolph (DM): Actually, you do notice that people whisper into the king's ear from time to time.
Stolph (DM): let's do one at a time. which first, locks or read lips?
Khal: open locks while Alej is pissing everyone off
Stolph (DM): ok.
Stolph (DM): you have a -2 since you aren't using the proper tools. Also, a -2 because its behind your back.
Khal: what do i need?
Stolph (DM): hold on...
Khal: i think i can retry if i fail (pg 71)
Stolph (DM): DC 20. So I'll roll. If you get a 16 or higher you can pick the locks.
Khal: .....
Stolph (DM): except that you MIGHT be seen.
Khal: i try
Stolph (DM): You rolled a '1'
Khal: oof
Stolph (DM): natural 1
Stolph (DM): you drop the hair pin!
Khal: ok, am i able to pick it up? if not, I kick it to a less conspicuous place
Stolph (DM): since you are all standing, and shackled to the person on either side of you, you can't pick it up.
Khal: ok, i move it under something or just stand on it so it's not seen
Stolph (DM): what's your hide? I'll use that to try to hide the key
Khal: +8
Stolph (DM): it's right next to your foot.
Stolph (DM): you are able to stand on it without being noticed.
Khal: after that, i read lips --want to get to know some of the players in power
Stolph (DM): I'll give you a transcript of what happened.
Khal: cool
Stolph (DM): Alejandro: "I would like to cross-examine the witness your majesty."
Stolph (DM): King: "Go ahead."
: "Ahem, your highness, I'd just like to point out that I didn't even meet these guys until a few ..."
Lyssiah: "..days ago. They did not murder anyone while I was with them. As for smuggling, let me....
Alejandro: "Bulacan (if that is your true name), did you see any women at the river where the alleged slaughter.
Alejandro: "occurred?"
Lyssiah: "..just say that it wouldnt surprise me although I knew nothing of it"
Stolph (DM): King: (to Bulacan) "Is it true, Bulacan, that Lyssiah had no knowledge of the smuggling activities or
Stolph (DM): King: "the murder of the Baron's men?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "I suppose it's possible."
Alejandro: "Your majesty, I move that the charges against the female defendants be dismissed..."
Alejandro: "And that they be released forthwith."
Stolph (DM): King: "ummm, hmmm... errrrr.... I don't know....."
Stolph (DM): Someone whispers into the king's ear.
Khal: anything else?
Stolph (DM): you want to read that guy's lips?
Khal: yes
Stolph (DM): ok
Khal: who is he?
Stolph (DM): You don't know, but he is dressed like an aristocrat.
Khal: ok +5
Stolph (DM): Man (whispering to king): "Your highness, she is obviously innocent. I suggest you let her go."
Khal: secret roll........
Khal: does she get let go?
Stolph (DM): Alejandro: "Does the plaintiff have any other proof against these defendants?"
Stolph (DM): King: "Yes, the girl may be released."
Alejandro: "If so I will withdraw my motion."
Alejandro: "Both females?"
Stolph (DM): King: "Who's the other one?"
Lyssiah: "Thank you your majesty"
Stolph (DM): The guards unlock Lyssiah and let her go.
Khal: i continue to watch the advisor for any advice he gives
Stolph (DM): Lyssiah's friend
Lyssiah: Saolind was freed earlier
Alejandro: oh
Alejandro: "Thank you your majesty, may I proceed to question the witness?"
Stolph (DM): King: "Anything else you wish to ask, Alejandro?"
Alejandro: "Yes your majesty."
Lyssiah: Once de-manacled, Lyssiah now straightens herself up before moving off to watch the proceedings.
Stolph (DM): A guard unlocks Lyssiah's manacles.
Alejandro: "Is it true that the men who attacked us did not identify themselves as Baron's men?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "That is true."
Alejandro: "Is it true that they agreed to take 10% of our cargo and allow us to proceed?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "I believe it was 25%"
Alejandro: "Is it true that they agreed to take a portion of our cargo and allow us to proceed?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "Yes."
Alejandro: "Did they identify themselves as Baron's men at that time?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "No"
Alejandro: "Is it true that the men, who did not identify themselves, attacked first?"
Stolph (DM): Bulacan: "I'm not sure."
Alejandro: "You're not sure?"
Alejandro: "You testify on oath that we are murderers and now you're not sure?"
Stolph (DM): Segar: "I object to this questioning your majesty. The fact is, these men smuggled goods into ....
Stolph (DM): ...the city! And as such should be punished by death!"
Alejandro: "I am talking about the murder charges."
Alejandro: "I move that the murder charges against all defendants be dropped."
Alejandro: "This witness has testified that the men at the river did not identify themselves."
Stolph (DM): Segar: "Fine, I will drop the murder charges. But they are still guilty of smuggling, which is...
Stolph (DM): ...punishable by death!"
Stolph (DM): : King: "What have you to say about the smuggling charges, defendants?"
Alejandro: "Your honor, I would like to ask a few more questions of the witness."
Stolph (DM): Another person whispers into the king's ear.
Stolph (DM): A different person, also dressed as an aristocrat.
Khal: ok, i try again
Stolph (DM): Other man: (whispering to king): "Your majesty, I like the clothes you're wearing."
Khal: i want to remember any noble colors, crests, etc that would ID these guys
Khal: and the king's reaction?
Stolph (DM): : "Bulacan (if that is your true name), are you a member of the Mercati?"
Stolph (DM): King: "I grow tired of all of these questions."
Alejandro: "Your honor, a king is remembered for the quality of his justice, not the power of his armies..."
Stolph (DM): King: "I rule that we don't really know if these men are guilty."
Alejandro: "In that case, I move to dismiss all charges."
Stolph (DM): King: "Therefore I rule that we should let the gods decide!"
Stolph (DM): King: "There will be a trial by combat!"
Alejandro: "Your honor, we are not in the dark ages."
Stolph (DM): King: "If the defendants win, they are innocent. If they lose, they are guilty."
Alejandro: "I protest this barbaric resort to primitive methods of trial."
Alejandro: "I need only a few more questions from the witness and then I will step down."
Stolph (DM): Segar: "I request 3 lions, your majesty"
Khal: i pretend to faint, and try to reach for the hairpin while composing myself
Stolph (DM): King: "3 lions, hmmm, seems like a lot...."
Alejandro: "I demand an appeal!"
Stolph (DM): King: "2 lions. Take them to the pit and give them their armor and weapons."
Stolph (DM): The guards take you to a pit in the center of town. People are gathering around.
Alejandro: (looking for a way out of this)
Alejandro: Am I still in manacles?
Lyssiah: "Good luck guys, I'll wait over here for you"
Lyssiah: What kind of gambling odds are there?
Alejandro: "Lyssiah, if I die, your face will be my last thought..."
Stolph (DM): yes, ale
Lyssiah: "Shut up and give me your money. I'll wager it on your survival. Might as well make a few coins"
Alejandro: I would like to use escape artist to get out of my manacles (but not be noticed)
Stolph (DM): go ahead: DC 30
Lyssiah: Gak!
Alejandro: never mind
Lyssiah: What are the gambling odds on the match?
Stolph (DM): 3:1 in the lion's favor.
Alejandro: "Khal, any ideas?"
Stolph (DM): what's your bluff?
Khal: don't have it
Stolph (DM): what's your charisma?
Khal: -1 mod!!
Stolph (DM): oops!
Stolph (DM): ok lemme roll
Stolph (DM): the guard near you buys your faint.
Khal: hah!
Stolph (DM): you have the hairpin.
Khal: pick locks +8
Stolph (DM): i rolled really high
Stolph (DM): -4
Stolph (DM): total +4
Khal: I don't take them off yet
Stolph (DM): are you attempting to conceal while unlocking.
Stolph (DM): you haven't unlocked them yet.
Khal: yes
Khal: is that a mod?
Stolph (DM): DC to unlock is 20. You have a +4 to your roll.
Khal: ok
Stolph (DM): try again?
Khal: yes
Stolph (DM): nope
Stolph (DM): Guard sees you.
Khal: ok, I put the hairpin in my pocket
Khal: oops
Stolph (DM): Guard: "What are you doing, trying to escape?"
Stolph (DM): Guard: "These manacles would hold even an ogre."
Khal: of course not, we'll be fighting lions soon
Stolph (DM): He points two fingers of his hand at his eyes, and then points at you.
Khal: i wink and smile
Khal: ok, now what?
Stolph (DM): You are led out of the courtroom.
Stolph (DM): You are led through some passageways and out of the castle.
Stolph (DM): just interject if you want to do something.
Stolph (DM): you no longer see the guard who caught you, but there are others around.
Khal: where are we going? do they have my armor/weapons?
Stolph (DM): guard: "we'll be giving you your weapons and armor once your in the pit."
Khal: when we stop at a gate/door, i try to open locks again
Stolph (DM): ok
Stolph (DM): you failed. The gate is open and you're about to start walking again. Do you want to try again?
Khal: yes
Stolph (DM): failed.
Khal: are you using a 12 sided?
Stolph (DM): hehe
Stolph (DM): i haven't rolled anything higher than a 12, tis true.
Khal: ok, onward!
Stolph (DM): You are brought to a giant pit. There are lots of people around you. The guards are taking you off the chain one by one. You are last, and will have many chances to unlock. But there are guards all around.
Stolph (DM): You hear a distant sound of a lion's roar.
Stolph (DM): you are at the top of the pit.
Khal: how deep?
Stolph (DM): about 20 feet.
Khal: if i were to unlock early, how many guards around?
Khal: what armor are they wearing? any crossbows?
Stolph (DM): say 1 or 2 or 3.
Stolph (DM): they're wearing chain mail. they have crossbows and longswords.
Stolph (DM): no shields.
Khal: I try to unlock as many times as possible
Stolph (DM): ok
Stolph (DM): You manage to unlock the manacles without being seen.
Khal: attempt to move silently in order to place manacles on ground +8, as they are dealing w/others
Stolph (DM): Alejandro is lowered into the pit. There is already a guard down there.
Khal: and 2 more by me?
Stolph (DM): a guard standing on the edge of the pit sees you! But he is about 7 or 8 feet away and there are lots of people between you and him.
Khal: run
Stolph (DM): The guard yells: "Get him! He's escaped!"
Khal: i have jump skill, so if appropriate i will use to further the gap
Stolph (DM): what's your bonus.
Khal: +3
Stolph (DM): doesn't help you.
Khal: ok, I'm moving at max speed, unencumbered
Khal: want to get in areas w/people or buildings to avoid ranged attacks
Stolph (DM): You hear behind you, "Where is he? Out of the way people!"
Stolph (DM): I'll let you roll hide now to shake the tail.
Khal: I snatch a hat and other clothing if possible
Stolph (DM): bonus?
Khal: +8
Stolph (DM): You seem to have escaped. But, of course, you're not sure.
Khal: of course...........
Khal: i want to try to double back and retrieve my stuff if it's unattended
Stolph (DM): you're crazy!
Stolph (DM): it was well attended.
Khal: that's the LAST thing they'd expect!
Stolph (DM): do you do it?
Khal: no
Stolph (DM): ok
Khal: ok, i scout out someone's pocket to pick
Stolph (DM): It's about 3 o'clock. what do you do?
Khal: I look for a mark
Stolph (DM): a what?
Khal: someone to rob
Stolph (DM): oh
Stolph (DM): that's right. you have nothing but the clothes on your back.
Khal: that's tony lamada talk
Khal: wait, don't I know someone to contact w/the Mercanti?
Khal: for help?
Stolph (DM): you find yourself in a fruit market. All kinds of fruits are being sold: apples, oranges, lemons, pears....
Khal: now you're testing my memory
Stolph (DM): :-)
Khal: many vendors?
Stolph (DM): About 10 or so.
Khal: is there one who only sells lemons or limes?
Stolph (DM): there's one who sells lemons. no limes.
Khal: I observe from a distance for an hour or two to read lips on any customers that go up to him
Khal: looking for the phrase
Khal: something like the lemons are sweet today or something
Stolph (DM): you don't see anyone come up with any weird phrases.
Stolph (DM): You see two guards walking in your direction.
Khal: i move nonchalantly towards the lemon guy
Stolph (DM): ok
Khal: I say "are the lemons sweet today?"
Stolph (DM): Lemon vendor: "No, they're sour."
Khal: hah
Khal: guess i should have written it down
Stolph (DM): you see one of the guards look right at you.
Stolph (DM): he's about 30 feet away.
Khal: I move into a congested area and start getting out of there
Khal: is he the guard from the court room?
Stolph (DM): ok. I'll roll your hide again. +8?
Khal: yes
Stolph (DM): the guards walk away.
Khal: cool
Khal: i continue to read lips on anyone by the vendor
Stolph (DM): A man walks up to you, "are you in trouble? i can help you."
Khal: much appreciated, friend. let's go inside somewhere
Stolph (DM): he takes you into a small pub.
Khal: "I am Khal"
Stolph (DM): man: "I am Ocymas"
Khal: I explain to him what happened to us
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Are you Mercati?"
Khal: Aye --- ooc: i'm assuming I am, right -- can't remember if it's official
Stolph (DM): you were with the Mercati, but haven't been initiated.
Khal: i tell the truth
Stolph (DM): ok
Stolph (DM): so what do you say?
Khal: "not as yet, will you still offer your help?"
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "I might. Depends...."
Khal: I have had a long day, sir. Please get to the point.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Depends on what you can do for us."
Khal: You'll not be disappointed by my services.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "I notice how you hid from those guards. Very slick."
Khal: I am a cunning, relentless adversary, but a faithful friend
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Do you have other skills that might be useful?"
Khal: Aside from slipping the manacles, I am adept at slight of hand, climbing, reading lips and with a rapier
Stolph (DM): Interesting....
Khal: "my belly is empty, and if you'll not help me, I'll need to find a noble who'll "lend" me some gold for supper!"
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Would you be interested in becoming a Tyre?"
Khal: I'm sorry I don't understand
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "A Tyre is a member of the Restless Hand..."
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "...which is a guild of rogues."
Khal: Tell me of the give and take of devoting myself to this guild
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "If you're a member, we will help you and you will help us."
Khal: Am I tithed for only those activities in town?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "If you're not a member, then we will assume you're in a different organization, and will treat you accordingly."
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "If you make money out of town, be prepared to prove it."
Khal: How is that done? It intrigues me to become a member of your guild, but I do have a tendency for travel
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Oh that's no problem!"
Khal: While I have never been honored for anything, I'd feel honored to be accepted to the Restless Hand
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Well, then you will be first called a Striker."
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Once you've proven yourself, you will be an initiate."
Khal: And what is it that you are called?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "I am an infiltrator"
Khal: What is our purpose or domain?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "To sort of keep an eye on criminal activities in our part of the city, to see that they don't get out of hand."
Khal: we are peacekeepers?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Not peacekeepers. We rob, burglarize, pick pockets, demand money for protection, etc....."
Khal: why did you approach me?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "...but we must keep killing to a minimum."
Khal: good
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "You looked like you needed some help, and I was in a generous mood."
Khal: my luck came at the end of the day, eh?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "You could say that."
Khal: what proof do you need that I can be called an initiate?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "So you pledge yourself as a Striker?" He reaches out his hand...
Khal: shake
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "You must be initiated."
Khal: can i eat first?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas motions the waitress over.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Our new striker would like something to eat."
Khal: after dinner I say "shall we?"
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Shall we what?"
Khal: begin the initiation...........
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Ok. Let me show you around a little bit. I will have you case out a merchant's house and steal from him...."
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "I will point out the house on our little tour."
Khal: great! I'll need some gear
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "I'm sure we have some extra stuff in one of our houses."
Khal: ok, im ready
Stolph (DM): Ocymas leads you to a rundown old house.
Stolph (DM): He knocks on the door.
Stolph (DM): An old lady opens the door.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Hi mom! I need to find some stuff in my old room."
Stolph (DM): Old lady: "Sure, come on in."
Stolph (DM): Ocymas leads you up the stairs and opens a door into a room.
Khal: cool
Stolph (DM): The room is very disorganized and is filled with a random assortment of not-too-valuable stuff.
Khal: "is this where I gear-up?"
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Help yourself to whatever is in here."
Stolph (DM): ooc: tell me what you want, and i'll tell you if you can find it.
Khal: backpack, belt pouch, rope, hook, chalk, wax, whistle, sacks, oil, flint/steel, thieves tools, hammer, knives, rapier, leather armor
Stolph (DM): you can't find any hooks, or chalk. there is a candle that you can wax from, no whistle, plenty of sacks, no oil, no flint/steel, a very old set of thieves' tools (-1 to you roll), there is a carpenter's hammer, 2 knives, no rapier (but there is a short sword), and no armor of any sort.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Sorry, most of the valuable stuff we already sold."
Khal: i'll take what i can(4 sacks).
Stolph (DM): ok
Khal: now where?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "Now, the tour!"
Khal: great!
Stolph (DM): He leads you down a road that slowly turns to the left. Most of the houses are rundown.
Stolph (DM): And simply dressed commoners are hanging out. It is close to sundown.
Khal: perfect
Stolph (DM): Then he turns right on a much nicer street, with all manner of craftsmen and merchants cleaning up their shops for the day.
Khal: i try to use innuendo w/ocymas to ask him which home is the mark +1
Stolph (DM): He points to a red house on the right. "That is Caynyth's shop and home. Remember it well."
Khal: what do you know of it? does he live alone?
Stolph (DM): ooc: some innuendo! :-)
Stolph (DM): Caynyth: "If I told you, that would spoil the fun of casing out the place! You don't want me to ruin it for you, do you?"
Stolph (DM): oops!
Stolph (DM): that was Ocymas.
Khal: ahhhhh, the sport!
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "That's right! Think of it as a game!"
Khal: what does it look like he's selling?
Stolph (DM): It looks like a weaponsmith's shop.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas walks further down the street.
Khal: what does caynyth look like?
Stolph (DM): what's your spot?
Stolph (DM): remember that you're casually walking by...
Khal: i have no mod's, but just want the obvious -- tall, strong, etc
Stolph (DM): He was in the back of the shop when you went by and you didn't get a good look at him.
Khal: ok
Khal: when do I start?
Stolph (DM): The road goes through a city gate in the wall.
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "The North Gate. It was damaged in the earthquake 4 years ago."
Khal: is ocymas going outside? do they close the gates at dark?
Stolph (DM): Ocymas: "No we're not going outside."
Khal: "is there anything specific that you'd like me to find??"
Stolph (DM): Ocymas points to a large decrepit mansion on the left side of the road (just inside the gate). "The old house of Alderman Hito. What an eyesore!"