IC: Vengeance of the Vanderborens

[Starhawk]

Tann Hauser (AC 17)

Character Short Form

Female  Neutral  Elf Wizard,

Level 1, Init 5, HP 8/8, Speed 30 

AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) Touch 13, Flat-footed 10 (14), CMD 12, 

Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus  0,  

Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10 Reusable) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
 
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10

Cantrips Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost 1d3+1

1st level Spells Burning Hands 1 (3d4+1), Colour Spray, Crafter's Blessing, Ears of the City, Expeditious Retreat, Fabricate Bullets, Grease 1, Mage Armor 1

Skills

+10  Knowledge Local, Knowledge Arcana

+8  Alchemy, Spellcraft

+6 Heal, Perception (+9 in low light), all other knowledge skills and professions

Condition

Darkvision 60' but dazzled in bright light.

Entomophobe Drawback (penalties with vermin and swarms)

Sheet Link

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2744372

 

Tann's closed eyes, move about like she is looking at while world on the inside of her eyelids. She opens them mere moments later looking quietly self satisfied...

"I cast a divination spell and was fortunate in that I learned much... about people, places and words exchanged... even so the exact 'when' these things occurred is not clear, but can likely be ascertained with our ground game.", she says in a 'just the facts' tone in her customary low, husky, breathy contralto. "Vanthus was looking to buy a fast boat, large enough for two people and four chests. He and a tough looking scarred man, who was obviously in Vanthus’ employ, exact relationship unknown, first spoke to a yellow eyed dwarf on this topic, in what seemed to me to be the Shadowshore district, judging by the buildings I saw", she continues, clearly mentally checking off boxes while reporting.

"I next saw the trio in an office, where the yellowed eyed dwarf sold him a boat for 13,000 gold pieces, with another 5,000 gold pieces exchanging hands to keep the new ownership quiet. This dwarf appeared to be the sort that expedites such sales in the city because he was stamping things. There can only be a handful at most of such folk in the city, even fewer once. So I imagine he should be relatively easy to find, since we may need to know what the boat looks like.. but asking around is not what I do.", concluding these remarks with a insouciant shrug

Taking a breath she continues.. "Vanthus is, from what I could see, carrying the chests around with him, in a bag of holding. He drew a chest identical to the ones in the vault out of this bag when he had to pay the dwarf for the boat. It could be he left the remaining chest because he was out of bag space, but that is mere conjecture on my part.", somehow making it sound like her conjecture is more sure than most people's certainty.

"He was then in the Shadowshore district, on a wharf, pretty sure I could find the one, saying goodbye to a beautiful human woman whom he called Brissa, whom I took to be a courtesan of some sort, though from his words Vanthus merely considers her to be a loveable gold-digger he’s infatuated with. She calls him Vanthie. She's a young sun kissed woman, early twenties, brown hair running in waves down to her collarbone. She has well shaped cheekbones, and quick, clever eyes."

A look that might be one of jealousy flits across her features, before she continues.."Anyway, Vanthie, informed Brissa that he wouldn’t be away long, doing so in a manner that suggested romantic entanglements. Vanthie left a very thin looking man who seemed of mixed human and elf blood to look out for her. For his, I mean Vanthie', troubles, she pickpocketed him before she left, taking what I took to be the bag of holding. She laughed about it, but from Vanthies' murmured words on the topic, the chests were no longer in there… not being as naïve as this scene first made it seem.", concluding this part giving the impression that Vanthus not being a total moron was something of a surprise to her.  

"I didn't see the scarred man on the wharf, but a boat that needs to carry two suggests someone is with him, doubtless someone who knows how to handle a boat." At this point she takes more than her customary three breath pause between chapters, but decides to conclude with.. "My divinations don't usually cough up quite this much, but like I said, I got lucky."

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by Starhawk (see edit history)

[ccanary]

Seraphina Stormborn

Seraphina Stormborn — Half-Orc Skald 1 (Fated Champion)
AC/T/FF 16/11/15 | HP 10/10 | Init +1 | Speed 20ft | Fort/Ref/Will 5/4/2 | Darkvision
Raging Song 12/12 | Hero Points 01/01
Active Conditions:
Group buffs: raging song (allies who accept gain +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

Spells

1st: (1/2 remaining) Heightened Awareness (10 minutes), Saving Finale
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, ghost sound, prestidigitation, read magic

The next day divination-o-rama!

"Vanthie?" Was all the big half orc woman had to say at first. Just repeating it a few times, trying not to snicker.

"Vanthie. It's really hard to fear and respect the evil genius once you've heard he's called Vanthie. But Tann, that was all amazing! That's great, it doesn't give us Vanthie's" a subdued snicker, choked short.

"Home address or anything, but plenty of leads to follow. The dwarf who sells boats in Shadowshore. Brissa. The scarred man and the half elf are a little thinner to go on, but they're in the back pocket in case we need them."

She thought about whether she knew anyone named Brissa, or a dwarf in Shadowshore who sold ships quickly for cash with no questions.

 

Mechanics

Temporary conditions:

• Heightened awareness (10 minutes remaining) +2 to perception and knowledge-based skills, can dismiss for +4 to initiative

knowledge local 15 for Brissa, 23 about the dwarf

AoO:
Standard:
Move:

Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	+6
Climb*	+9
Knowledge (local)	+8
Knowledge (nobility)	+6
Other knowledges (untrained)	+2
Perception	+2
Perform (Sing)	+8
Swim*	+8
* -4 ACP to str and dex skills

 

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by ccanary (see edit history)

[Fiery Gift]

Seraphina tries to remember who exactly the two parties might be. . .

 

[CharmingSatyr]

 

Calyx, Elven Warpriest (notes) AC: 17 | HP: 9/9 | Hero: 1 Fort: +3 | Ref: +4 | Will: +6 ResourcesNone (yet) | SpellsBLESSINGS: 3/3 - Healing (empowered cure spells) - Trickery (1-body Mirror Image) SPELLS Level 0: Mend, Detect Magic, Purify Food/Water LEVEL 1 Bless 1/1 CLW 1/1 | SkillsPerception +7 Sense Motive +7 Stealth +5 Survival +5

---

"Whoa," Calyx replies after a minute. "There's a whole lot to process there.

"Good work," he adds to Tann.

"The most promising leads sound like the dwarf and the boat. There can only be so many yellow-eyed crooked government workers and, likewise, only so many small, fancy boats that can be manned by one or two people."

"This Brissa might make a good fallback plan is the boat leaves before we find him, as we know he's promised to return."

[Starhawk]

Tann Hauser (AC 17)

Character Short Form

Female  Neutral  Elf Wizard,

Level 1, Init 5, HP 8/8, Speed 30 

AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) Touch 13, Flat-footed 10 (14), CMD 12, 

Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus  0,  

Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10 Reusable) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
 
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10

Cantrips Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost 1d3+1

1st level Spells Burning Hands 1 (3d4+1), Colour Spray, Crafter's Blessing, Ears of the City 1 (used), Expeditious Retreat, Fabricate Bullets, Grease 0, Mage Armor 1

Skills

+10  Knowledge Local, Knowledge Arcana

+8  Alchemy, Spellcraft

+6 Heal, Perception (+9 in low light), all other knowledge skills and professions

Condition

Darkvision 60' but dazzled in bright light.

Entomophobe Drawback (penalties with vermin and swarms)

Sheet Link

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2744372

Tanis, half bows in a self deprecating fashion, perhaps being the sort that can't take a compliment except with a highly formal response. She herself ponders what she'd seen and heard, having wanted to get it all out before she lost details, since it had been a lot to take in.

She ponders the identity of the yellow eyed dwarf, initially thinking that he's an official or a forger. She ponders the identity of Brissa, clearly a pickpocket. Something to take into account should they talk with her. She ponders the identity of the skinny half elf, hoping he wasn't in some way a relative. The last one she ponders is the scarred man, whom she imagines is currently on a boat with Vanthie. She doubted Vanthie had hung around after absconding with the bulk of the family fortune.

Meanwhile she looks at her other comrades in arms.. @Wiz @Kylia Quilor @Naimless @Ryfte, to see if they have any ideas.

 

Edited October 7, 2023 by Starhawk (see edit history)

[Kylia Quilor]

Current Mental Focus Investiture

3 Points Invested in Her Monocle (Divination), granting a +1 Insight bonus to Perception Checks
2 Points Invested in her Bracers (Abjuration), granting a +1 Resistance Bonus to all her saving throws.

"Brissa is more likely to know where he's gone, I would think, or at least his plans. If I were buying a boat and needing it to be kept secret, I certainly wouldn't tell the man I was buying the boat from anything about my plans I didn't have to." She considered her options. If she phrased the augury right, she might be able to get a clear answer as to if her guess was right.

[Naimless]

Urthan

Urthan Dosk — Half-Orc Barbarian 1 (Armored Hulk)

AC/T/FF 15/10/15 | HP 11/14 | Init +0 | Speed 30ft | Fort/Ref/Will 6/2/4 | Darkvision 60
Raging 6/6 | Hero Points ??
Active Conditions: none

Turning In

"Uh..." Urthan furrows his thick brow. "I guess we found his favourite whore..." He scratches his head, puzzling through all the information suddenly laid at the group's feet. "That's uh. A lot of info. Not really my strong suit, you know?" He gestures to the hunk of metal strapped to his back that he calls a sword. "I guess we...go talk to this lady? Squeeze her till she squeals? Politely."

Mechanics

 

 

[Starhawk]

Tann Hauser (AC 17)

Character Short Form

Female  Neutral  Elf Wizard,

Level 1, Init 5, HP 8/8, Speed 30 

AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) Touch 13, Flat-footed 10 (14), CMD 12, 

Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus  0,  

Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10 Reusable) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
 
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10

Cantrips Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost 1d3+1

1st level Spells Burning Hands 1 (3d4+1), Colour Spray, Crafter's Blessing, Ears of the City 1 (used), Expeditious Retreat, Fabricate Bullets, Grease 0, Mage Armor 1

Skills

+10  Knowledge Local, Knowledge Arcana

+8  Alchemy, Spellcraft

+6 Heal, Perception (+9 in low light), all other knowledge skills and professions

Condition

Darkvision 60' but dazzled in bright light.

Entomophobe Drawback (penalties with vermin and swarms)

Sheet Link

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2744372

Tann nods at this Iridni, before turning her attention to Urthan.. "Well your strength is uh.. strength, being more of a problem sol... uh eliminator.", she says with a half smile. Still looking like she's doing a mental review of something else, she continues with.. "And yes, from what I could tell he's discussed his dreams and ambitions with Brissa, so perhaps we should first devote our time there, keeping in mind she has a thin bodyguard, there or thereabouts.", offered up in her customary low contralto. She pauses and then... "Still he seem to know what she is so how much of the particulars turn out to be true is.. well only the Fates know. Thus, the verdict on the veracity of venal villainous Vanthie's votives to the vamp has yet to be unveiled." At the end of that she sniggers somewhat, which turns into a bout of giggles, unable to hold it together.

[Fiery Gift]

Tann continues to process what she learned with her divination spell.

 

GM Note

Would the party prefer to pursue Brissa first or the boat seller or perhaps try a different approach?

 

[ccanary]

Seraphina Stormborn

Seraphina Stormborn — Half-Orc Skald 1 (Fated Champion)
AC/T/FF 16/11/15 | HP 10/10 | Init +1 | Speed 20ft | Fort/Ref/Will 5/4/2 | Darkvision
Raging Song 12/12 | Hero Points 01/01
Active Conditions:
Group buffs: raging song (allies who accept gain +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

Spells

1st: (1/2 remaining) Heightened Awareness (10 minutes), Saving Finale
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, ghost sound, prestidigitation, read magic

The next day divination-o-rama!

Seraphina didn't often feel she had problems getting a word in, but in the commotion she felt she needed to add in a few details. She rolled her eyes at Tann's alliteration and just added, "Very. OK so Brissa is a great lead, but I don't know how we're ever gonna fine her. It's ... not that rare a name, probably half a dozen Brissas in the Merchant's or Champion's districts that match even our detailed description. The dwarf with the boat on the other hand. I think I know that guy. There's only one dwarven shop in Shadowshore that fits, dingy dank place catering to the, well let's say not especially well-to-do sailor and aptly named 'It still floats!' Now I don't want to have a deep debate with any poor sap that buys a boat from a shop with that name, but maybe fits what we know of dear Vanthie, yeah? Anyways, the owner, dwarf by the name of Panchi, I ain't never heard he was involved in no shady dealings before, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been. Not like I know everything going on in Shadowshore. I mean it's Shadowshore, chances he's shady are better than even. Anyways, long story short, Brissa is a nice lead and all but I say Panchi might be an easier first visit, yeah? Can pop over there in a few minutes, ask a few questions and then put the ear to the ground to find out about Brissa the rest of the day?"

 

Mechanics

Temporary conditions:

• Heightened awareness (10 minutes remaining) +2 to perception and knowledge-based skills, can dismiss for +4 to initiative

I think Panchi first since it's easy and concrete, then look to run down Brissa.

AoO:
Standard:
Move:

Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	+6
Climb*	+9
Knowledge (local)	+8
Knowledge (nobility)	+6
Other knowledges (untrained)	+2
Perception	+2
Perform (Sing)	+8
Swim*	+8
* -4 ACP to str and dex skills

 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by ccanary (see edit history)

[Starhawk]

Tann Hauser (AC 17)

Character Short Form

Female  Neutral  Elf Wizard,

Level 1, Init 5, HP 8/8, Speed 30 

AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) Touch 13, Flat-footed 10 (14), CMD 12, 

Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus  0,  

Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10 Reusable) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
 
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10

Cantrips Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost 1d3+1

1st level Spells Burning Hands 1 (3d4+1), Colour Spray, Crafter's Blessing, Ears of the City 1 (used), Expeditious Retreat, Fabricate Bullets, Grease 0, Mage Armor 1

Skills

+10  Knowledge Local, Knowledge Arcana

+8  Alchemy, Spellcraft

+6 Heal, Perception (+9 in low light), all other knowledge skills and professions

Condition

Darkvision 60' but dazzled in bright light.

Entomophobe Drawback (penalties with vermin and swarms)

Sheet Link

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2744372

Tann manages to recover her usual pokerface all on her lonesome, without the need for Seraphina's eye rolling. "Everyone's a critic. Anyway. I believe I heard a rumor of a Brissa, a pickpocket who plies her trade in the merchant district", she says with a half smile.

[Kylia Quilor]

Current Mental Focus Investiture

3(2) Points Invested in Her Monocle (Divination), granting a +1 Insight bonus to Perception Checks
2 Points Invested in her Bracers (Abjuration), granting a +1 Resistance Bonus to all her saving throws.

"Would a pickpocket also serve as an escort? Especially the kind that would be expensive enough to have a bodyguard?" Iridni was skeptical of that. "But while there are likely multiple Brissas in the city, how many are escorts? I think we could narrow that down by asking at the sort of places that such women would be known to frequent."

Removing her monocle, Iridni held it between thumb and forefinger, sprinkling a little sand over it as she focused her magic through the ancient - well, century old - lens, and focused on the question at hand: 'If we talk to Brissa will we find out where Vanthus is and what he's planning?' She could always perform later auguries as needed to narrow Brissa's location down - she had to earn her keep in this party somehow - but this would, hopefully, help resolve the question on if they should go for Brissa or the dwarf boatseller first. The longer they waited, the greater the risk of Vanthus getting away with the gold, or spending it all.

Actions

Using her Future Sight Focus power to cast the spell Augury. 71% chance (rolled by the GM) on the Augury being accurate, because she's level 1. Spending one of her Divination investment points for the day to do this.

[Fiery Gift]

As Iridni looks through her monacle, the sand falls from the device in a spiraling fashion and it settles to the ground beneath her.

Edited October 10, 2023 by Fiery Gift (see edit history)

[Starhawk]

Tann Hauser (AC 17)

Character Short Form

Female  Neutral  Elf Wizard,

Level 1, Init 5, HP 8/8, Speed 30 

AC 13 (17 Mage Armor) Touch 13, Flat-footed 10 (14), CMD 12, 

Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus  0,  

Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10 Reusable) +3 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
 
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10

Cantrips Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ray of Frost 1d3+1

1st level Spells Burning Hands 1 (3d4+1), Colour Spray, Crafter's Blessing, Ears of the City 1 (used), Expeditious Retreat, Fabricate Bullets, Grease 0, Mage Armor 1

Skills

+10  Knowledge Local, Knowledge Arcana

+8  Alchemy, Spellcraft

+6 Heal, Perception (+9 in low light), all other knowledge skills and professions

Condition

Darkvision 60' but dazzled in bright light.

Entomophobe Drawback (penalties with vermin and swarms)

Sheet Link

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2744372

Tann appears puzzled by Iridni's scepticism, taking a breath, she reiterates her earlier points in the hope that this would provide some clarity. "It seems he loves her, which would not make her an escort but rather a lover."

"Additionally, she didn't have a bodyguard and certainly isn't paying for one. Vanthie assigned one to her on the wharf, as I said."

"So how many women called Brissa are escorts? Does it matter, since the assumption that Brissa is an escort seems groundless? It could be true, but none of the evidence garnered so far would lead to this conclusion."

"Anyway, while I know what she looks like, trawling the Merchant's Quarter looking for her would perhaps take more time than we have."

[ccanary]

Seraphina Stormborn

Seraphina Stormborn — Half-Orc Skald 1 (Fated Champion)
AC/T/FF 16/11/15 | HP 10/10 | Init +1 | Speed 20ft | Fort/Ref/Will 5/4/2 | Darkvision
Raging Song 12/12 | Hero Points 01/01
Active Conditions:
Group buffs: raging song (allies who accept gain +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

Spells

1st: (1/2 remaining) Heightened Awareness (10 minutes), Saving Finale
Cantrips: (unl) detect magic, ghost sound, prestidigitation, read magic

The next day divination-o-rama!

"Agreed. Brissa is a great lead, but'll take some work to develop. We can be at 'It Still Floats!' in fifteen minutes and have it out with Panchi. We should know if he knows something before lunch. If he does, we can run that down, if he doesn't we can look for Brissa than. And if he does but doesn't want to say, well we cross that bridge when we come to it. Shall we?"

She makes basic preparations assuming there are no strenuous objections to visiting Panchi first.

 

Mechanics

Temporary conditions:

• Heightened awareness (10 minutes remaining) +2 to perception and knowledge-based skills, can dismiss for +4 to initiative

I think Panchi first since it's easy and concrete, then look to run down Brissa.

AoO:
Standard:
Move:

Free:

Trained Skills

Acrobatics*	+6
Climb*	+9
Knowledge (local)	+8
Knowledge (nobility)	+6
Other knowledges (untrained)	+2
Perception	+2
Perform (Sing)	+8
Swim*	+8
* -4 ACP to str and dex skills