previously... Chapter 5 — An Invitation You Can't Refuse

[athedia]

Keshka

"Brigh's Teeth, you're worse than Minnow was." Keshka made another attempt to get a hold of Val, seeing T'Sarra as she entered the room. "Little help here?"

Statblock

[b][url=/sheets/?id=2857070]Keshka[/url][/b] [i]Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN[/i] [b]HP[/b] 12 / 12 [b]Speed[/b] ft [b]Init[/b] 3 [b]AC[/b] 17 [b]Fort[/b] 3 [b]Ref[/b] 5 [b]Will[/b] 1 [b]CMB[/b] +3 [b]BAB[/b] 1 [b]Claw[/b] +3 (1d4+2, x2) [b]Longbow[/b] +4 (1d8, x3) [b]Str[/b] 14 (2) [b]Dex[/b] 17 (3) [b]Con[/b] 12 (1) [b]Wis[/b] 13 (1) [b]Int[/b] 10 (0) [b]Cha[/b] 9 (-1)

Keshka Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 3 AC 17
Fort 3 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Claw +3 (1d4+2, x2)
Longbow +4 (1d8, x3)
Str 14 (2) Dex 17 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 10 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

 

Text

Hide this

 

 

Commonly Used Skills/Special notes

Favored Enemy: Constructs +2
+X Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks
+X bonus on weapon attack/dmg
Can make untrained K skill checks to identify creatures with type

Perception: +5, +7 vs constructs

Actions

 

 

 

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 19/14/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | DarkvisionHero Points 1
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Foundry Tavern

T'Sarra was taken aback a little at the scuffle inside, raising an eyebrow and smiling at Keshka.

"Oh, I am not getting in the middle of that! The claws and horns can get .. um .. problematic. 'Sides, you look like you have it well under control, Kesh." She looked around like she was looking for some snack, perhaps popcorn, then noticed Vri talking to the little guy.

"What's that you got there?" she asked Vri looking over her shoulder to read the message, then looked up at the scuffle annoyed.

"Look would you two keep it down? Just .. I dunno sit on her, Keshka. Not like she's going to be able to roll you off with those noodle arms. By the way, remind me when you're done dancing with Val to tell you what we learned about your reeds and worms."

Mechanics

 

 

Move:
Standard:
Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-1
Climb*	+5
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+5
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills

 

 

[iantruesilver]

Torch — Foundry Tavern (Foundry Side)

At the lab, Matuq briefs Barhuce on progress made on the alchemical crafting tasks. The vial of acid has been finished, and he is eager to seek some advice on how to catalyze the extraction of zhen worm mucous for distillation, as well as get started on any other tasks that require work.

 

Torch — Foundry Tavern (Tavern Side)

"Oww! Let... Go!!!" Val nigh kicks and screams as Keshka took advantage of her almost faceplanting the bar, pinning the young human against the wood with a well-executed elbow lock. "Oww! Oww! And shut up about my sister!"

 

Thrashing helplessly while she's sandwiched between the changeling and the bar top, Val wails at the top of her lungs, "Get off me!!!"

 

Vri and T'Sarra Only

The note delivered by the messenger reads as follows:

 

 

 

 

[[ Map — Foundry Tavern ]]

(( Crafting complete: Acid for 8gp ))

Edited January 5 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[farothel]

 

Statblock

Vrilundass ‘Vri’ Arund
Female NG Half-elf Swashbuckler, Level 1, Init 3, HP 10/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
silversheen, MC rapier +5 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
cold iron dagger +4 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
shortbow (20) +4 (1d6, x3)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition None
hero points: 0/1

 

"SHUT THE FRAK UP ALL OF YOU," Vri shouted as she had read the note.

As soon as she had the group's attention, she continued.

"This isn't helping any of us. Val, take it from me that drinking yourself into oblivion isn't going to help yourself or your father. We have to continue to search for him tomorrow and you being hungover won't help. The same goes for you, Violet. Now, we just got a note from Garmen Ulreth of the Silverdisk Hall that we can get 100gp of chips this week to play in his tavern as thanks for bringing back Parda's body. I would say we go there as soon as everybody is sobered up and check things out. Maybe we can see why Parda and company were down in the caves."

 

She tried to remember what she knew about Garmen and Silverdisk Hall

 

OOC

 

Edited January 5 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[athedia]

Keshka

Keshka paused to listen to Vri, barely having to work to keep holding Val pinned to the bar. Apparently a lot of folks had been exploring down there while she was passed out. Once Vri was finished she turned her attention back to Val. "Don't take a swing at someone unless you are willing to experience the consequences. Now, you can stay here, drunk and miserable. Or you can sober up and actually find your dad."

 

Keshka released her hold on Val, stepping back in anticipation of her taking another swing.

Statblock

[b][url=/sheets/?id=2857070]Keshka[/url][/b] [i]Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN[/i] [b]HP[/b] 12 / 12 [b]Speed[/b] ft [b]Init[/b] 3 [b]AC[/b] 17 [b]Fort[/b] 3 [b]Ref[/b] 5 [b]Will[/b] 1 [b]CMB[/b] +3 [b]BAB[/b] 1 [b]Claw[/b] +3 (1d4+2, x2) [b]Longbow[/b] +4 (1d8, x3) [b]Str[/b] 14 (2) [b]Dex[/b] 17 (3) [b]Con[/b] 12 (1) [b]Wis[/b] 13 (1) [b]Int[/b] 10 (0) [b]Cha[/b] 9 (-1)

Keshka Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 3 AC 17
Fort 3 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Claw +3 (1d4+2, x2)
Longbow +4 (1d8, x3)
Str 14 (2) Dex 17 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 10 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

 

Text

Hide this

 

 

Commonly Used Skills/Special notes

Favored Enemy: Constructs +2
+X Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks
+X bonus on weapon attack/dmg
Can make untrained K skill checks to identify creatures with type

Perception: +5, +7 vs constructs

Actions

 

 

 

[iantruesilver]

Torch — Foundry Tavern (Tavern Side)

"Seriously, let go…" Val's voice suddenly became subdued, her volume severely reduced as Keshka lectured her, struggles getting more urgent as she retched something fierce.

 

The moment the changeling let her go, the girl turned around as she doubled over, projectile vomit spewing out and hitting Keshka like a splash weapon of the worst kind.

 

Vri Only

The only actual gambling house in Torch, the Silverdisk Hall features many card tables and dice games, all played with the local currency of silverdisks, that have been painted with coloured enamel to indicate token denominations.

 

Proprietor Garmen Ulreth runs the place, and is not-so-secretly assisted by a gang of Kellid thieves known as the Ropefists — a name derived from their practice of wrapping their knuckles with rope before going to town on transgressors at the establishment.

 

 

[[ Map — Foundry Tavern ]]

Edited January 5 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 19/14/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | DarkvisionHero Points 1
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Foundry Tavern

T'Sarra nodded in agreement at Vri's outburst, giving Keshka a smile and a nod for subduing the problematic teen. Then cringed as Val barfed all over the tomb raider.

"I got nothing else to do until tomorrow morning. Bright and early tomorrow morning," she smirked in the direction of Val and Vi.

"Guess we should tell Barhuce. You guys decide among yourselves if you can manage coming along or want to get a head start sleeping it off," she nodded to Val and Violet.

"You should join us Keshka, if you don't have other plans. You can have half my chips, you're more of a gambler than I am anyways, the places you go exploring. Or Val's if she's not up for the trip. Come on, I think they have a water barrel over on the workshop side, you can clean up." She smiled at Keshka then walked across to inform Matuq and Barhuce about the invitation.

"Yo Barhuce, you feeling lucky? Have a look," she passed the invitation over.

"Care to escort a girl on a night out? Or would you rather hang around in a stinky lab making alchemical doodads?"

Mechanics

*edited* to add in response to Val's barfing

Would have rolled local but I'm untrained and with Vri's roll she is practically a regular at silverdisk hall!

 

Move:
Standard:
Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-1
Climb*	+5
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+5
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills

 

 

Edited January 5 by ccanary (see edit history)

[athedia]

Keshka

"Seriously?" Keshka's lip curled in disgust as she looked down at the mess Val had made. She grabbed some cleaning rags and soaked them in some water at the bar, wiping down her front. Once she was done she took a clean damp one and offered it to Val. "Have any of your recent actions made you look or feel good? If you wanna self destruct fine, I've been there. But you don't take others down with you."

She watched for a second to make sure Val was cleaning herself up and then stood up, stepping over the vomit. "Violet, if you feel the need to copy Val's performance please find a bucket." With that she left to go back to the alchemy workshop.

Once there she took a much larger scoop of water pouring it over the problem areas and scrubbing in the method of someone who had often gotten covered in unpleasant substances and was used to cleaning them off. "I'll take your offer, T'Sarra. I've been having just a great couple weeks. Luck needs to turn at some point."

Statblock

[b][url=/sheets/?id=2857070]Keshka[/url][/b] [i]Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN[/i] [b]HP[/b] 12 / 12 [b]Speed[/b] ft [b]Init[/b] 3 [b]AC[/b] 17 [b]Fort[/b] 3 [b]Ref[/b] 5 [b]Will[/b] 1 [b]CMB[/b] +3 [b]BAB[/b] 1 [b]Claw[/b] +3 (1d4+2, x2) [b]Longbow[/b] +4 (1d8, x3) [b]Str[/b] 14 (2) [b]Dex[/b] 17 (3) [b]Con[/b] 12 (1) [b]Wis[/b] 13 (1) [b]Int[/b] 10 (0) [b]Cha[/b] 9 (-1)

Keshka Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN
HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 3 AC 17
Fort 3 Ref 5 Will 1
CMB +3 BAB 1
Claw +3 (1d4+2, x2)
Longbow +4 (1d8, x3)
Str 14 (2) Dex 17 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 10 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

 

Text

Hide this

 

 

Commonly Used Skills/Special notes

Favored Enemy: Constructs +2
+X Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks
+X bonus on weapon attack/dmg
Can make untrained K skill checks to identify creatures with type

Perception: +5, +7 vs constructs

Actions

 

 

 

[iantruesilver]

Torch — Foundry Tavern (Tavern Side)

"Way to rub it in..." When she was feeling well enough to speak again, all keeled over on her hands and knees on the bar floor, the voice was low and weak, hoarse with acidity. At length she accepted the rag and slowly worked toward cleaning herself up.

 

The android, seeing this miserable state her friend has suddenly revealed, blinked twice and pointedly put down the shot glass back on the bar, before going to offer her assistance to Val.

 

After T'Sarra and Keshka had already trotted off, Val finally says, a little too late perhaps, "You're not seriously thinking of going..."

 

Realizing more explanation is probably needed, she pleaded with Rain and Vri, "Domino did the start of her whole rebellious phase in there, right before she disappeared the first time!"

 

 

[[ Map — Foundry Tavern ]]

[farothel]

 

Statblock

Vrilundass ‘Vri’ Arund
Female NG Half-elf Swashbuckler, Level 1, Init 3, HP 10/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 15, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 3, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
silversheen, MC rapier +5 (1d6+1, 18-20/x2)
cold iron dagger +4 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
shortbow (20) +4 (1d6, x3)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 15
Condition None
hero points: 0/1

 

Vri cringed when Val vomited all over Keshka. As T'Sarra headed out to get Barhuce and Keshka cleaning up, Vri stayed inside to keep an eye on Val.

"I've been there before," she said, "as long as you're careful and don't do anything stupid, it should be fine. But you're free to come with us or not, whatever you prefer."

 

Then she would head outside and inform the others about what she knew about the gambling house and their connection with some criminal elements.

"So I would suggest we play with the credit they give us and if we lose that, we stop. That way we haven't lost anything really."

 

OOC

 

[iantruesilver]

Recap

You've been delivered an invitation to visit the Silverdisk Hall, which reads as follows:

 

 

Vri divulges that Silverdisk Hall is the only actual gambling house in Torch, featuring many card tables and dice games, all played with the local currency of silverdisks, that have been painted over with coloured enamel to indicate token denominations.

 

Proprietor Garmen Ulreth runs the place, and is not-so-secretly assisted by a gang of Kellid thieves known as the Ropefists — a name derived from their practice of wrapping their knuckles with rope before going to town on transgressors at the establishment.

 

Torch — Foundry Tavern (Foundry Side)

"Val says she's not going. I can't exactly blame her. She's not letting Violet go either." Rain pops her head in to the Foundry after a little while, as you are in the midst of discussing your evening out, "I better stay behind as well and make sure those two keep their heads out of trouble."

 

Edited January 8 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[Inash]

Barhuce

Barhuce looks up from where he was starting to lay out the materials for durable bolts and grins. "Well, how could I refuse that. It would be rude not to escort a girl who asks so nice." He frowns a bit. "Besides, we may need the funds to restock this lab at the rate we are trying to make stuff. Fast is expensive."

Statblock

[URL=/sheets/?id=2740751][B][SIZE=+1]Barhuce[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 4, [B]HP[/B] 9/9, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 13, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 0, [B]CMB[/B] +1, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 0 [B]1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) [/B] 3 (1d4+4, x2) [B] light Mace [/B] 1 (1d6+1, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Lamellar Cuirass[/B] (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Barhuce
M NG Human (Kellid) Alchemist (CryptBreaker), Level 1, Init 4, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
1d8 v undead or constructs, DC 14 Alkahest Bomb (5/day) 3 (1d4+4, x2)
light Mace 1 (1d6+1, x2)
Dagger 1 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Lamellar Cuirass (+2 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition None

 

Actions Crunch

Fort save:

Free:

Standard:

Readied action:

 

[iantruesilver]

Torch

Leaving instructions for Matuq to get some headway on the work, you gather yourselves to make for an evening out at the Silverdisk Hall. Outside, it's still a hot late summer's afternoon, and though there's more clouds than sun hanging in the sky, a light northwesterly breeze keeps it pleasant and dry, and the walk from the Foundry Tavern doesn't prove too strenuous.

 

Making your way east on Market Road, you hang a right on Tavern Street to go north up to the Copper Coin on Lakeview Drive, then a left there around a gentle curve. Silverdisk Hall, Torch's gambling den of dubious repute stands at the corner there at Deeridge Lane.

 

[[ Mood Music ]]

 

 

Even though it is only slightly past mid-afternoon, the place looks already to be bustling with some amount of activity, with a few patrons already filing in, and a cacophanous mixture of sound spilling out from within as the door opens briefly.

 

 

[[ Map — Torch ]]

Edited January 9 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[athedia]

Keshka

"Haven't been here in an age. Word of advice, if you think you are on a hot streak don't say anything. You'll jinx it." The money she had wasted had been supposed to be for some supplies for a trip. She had to spend the whole 2 months away finding what little food hunting would produce in the middle of winter. It had been an educational mistake.

Statblock

[b][url=/sheets/?id=2857070]Keshka[/url][/b] [i]Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN[/i] [b]HP[/b] 12 / 12 [b]Speed[/b] ft [b]Init[/b] 3 [b]AC[/b] 17 [b]Fort[/b] 3 [b]Ref[/b] 5 [b]Will[/b] 1 [b]CMB[/b] +3 [b]BAB[/b] 1 [b]Claw[/b] +3 (1d4+2, x2) [b]Longbow[/b] +4 (1d8, x3) [b]Str[/b] 14 (2) [b]Dex[/b] 17 (3) [b]Con[/b] 12 (1) [b]Wis[/b] 13 (1) [b]Int[/b] 10 (0) [b]Cha[/b] 9 (-1)

Keshka Changeling (Winter Hag) Galvanic Saboteur (Ranger) 1 NN HP 12 / 12 Speed ft Init 3 AC 17 Fort 3 Ref 5 Will 1 CMB +3 BAB 1 Claw +3 (1d4+2, x2)
Longbow +4 (1d8, x3) Str 14 (2) Dex 17 (3) Con 12 (1) Wis 13 (1) Int 10 (0) Cha 9 (-1)

Text

Hide this

 

 

Commonly Used Skills/Special notes

Favored Enemy: Constructs +2
+X Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks
+X bonus on weapon attack/dmg
Can make untrained K skill checks to identify creatures with type

Perception: +5, +7 vs constructs

 

[ccanary]

T'Sarra Khonnor 

T'Sarra Khonnor — Tiefling Oracle 1
AC/T/FF 19/14/15 | HP 11/11 | Init +3 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 3/3/2 | DarkvisionHero Points 1
Active Conditions: +1 to atk and AC vs. robots (robot slayer trait)
Spells:

1st: (4 remaining) Cure light wounds, Bless, Inflict Light Wounds
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, mending, guidance, create water

Silverdisk Hall

T'Sarra took a little time to wash up and get the jinkin guts, polluted water and hydraulic fluid out of her hair. But not too long. She concentrated on the magical sleeves she'd purchased in the marketplace the day before and her adventurer's clothes transformed in appearance to a nice little dress, conservative but not too conservative. She cleaned up nice. Apart from the devil horns. The claws, the fangs... Still she was looking more ready for the night on the town than a return to a grungy cavern.

"I'd have been left questioning all kinds of things if you had turned me down," she laughed at Barhuce.

"But I wouldn't count on raising much money here. From what Vri told us, it seems likely this is like most gambling houses - the house will probably win in the end. Watch out for the ones with their fists wrapped in ropes." She nodded with respect to the swashbuckler.

"Vri knows this place like she used to own it. Or at least was a regular in a past life. Keshka, they invited six of us, and with Val Vi and Rain staying back you definitely should be able to get their chips, we just need to ask. No point in risking your own coin." She stepped forward to the man at the door, arm linked in Barhuce's smiled and presented their invitation.

"Only four of us could make it tonight, but we would absolutely like to take Mr. Ulreth up on his offer. Can you tell him we're here please?"

Mechanics

Move:

Standard:
Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	-1
Climb*	+5
Diplomacy	+7
Handle Animal	+4
Knowledge (nature)	+4
Linguistics	+1
Perception	+6
Survival	+4
Swim*	+5
* -1 ACP to str and dex skills