7. Seven Suns

Mar 6, 2024 7:51 pm
By the time the group arrives at the trading coster’s office building, the sun is starting to cast some longer shadows. There’s still a considerable bustle in the streets as the Baldurians work to get things done before the workday’s end.

A small bell affixed to the top of the doorframe tinkles as the group enters a small foyer, with a tall desk on one side, staircases going up and down on the other, and an open door on the far wall.

A voice heavy with frustration comes from the room beyond the open door: "...preposterous! We’ve paid our dues on time for the past decade. I arranged the original deal with Jhasso himself. You can’t just change the terms on a whim!"

A second voice answers. "Times have changed. If you can’t abide by the new conditions, I’m afraid your guild license will be revoked. Perhaps Waukeen will favor you at that point, but we will not."

"I want to speak with Jhasso!"

"Jhasso’s dealing with more important matters at the moment. You’ll have to try again another time. Perhaps in a week or two?"

"I’ve had enough. Treat all your members this way, and you’ll have no one left to do business with. Forget it!"

A portly man appears in the doorway, face twisted in anger. As he passes the party to leave the building, he turns to address them. "A bit of advice: Don’t agree to anything with these people; they’re either crooks or fools. Either way I won’t be returning!"
Mar 6, 2024 8:57 pm
"Wait, what are these 'new conditions'?" Stella asks him with concern and confusion on her face.
Mar 6, 2024 11:38 pm
"An absurd raise in dues! It's unprecedented, not properly announced, and certainly not agreed to. Not to mention their insufferable sarcasm. Bah! Mine isn't the only business they'll be losing over this..."

The portly man departs with a harrumph, and the doorbell tinkles furiously as he slams the front door shut behind him.
Mar 6, 2024 11:43 pm
"And what about you lot?" The second voice heard in the earlier conversation belongs to a slender, dark-haired man. He slips into the foyer from the other room and closes the door behind him. "You look dressed for battle, not business."

He crosses his arms and glares at the group expectantly.
Mar 7, 2024 12:21 am
Dieter shifts his weight. Dieter loved being in his armour, it’s weight and gentle squeeze felt like a big hug though he did have to do back and abdominal exercises simply to withstand its burden on his spine let alone use it.

battle is my business.

Dieter falls into his mindless guard routine. It’s not necessarily a disguise it does make people think less of him but it’s mostly a mask for Dieter in these social circumstances.
Mar 8, 2024 3:56 am
"Battle is our business! Or at least, looking ready for it." Aiwë grins at the man. "We're here to see Jhasso. One of his recruiters picked us out for some guard and escort contracts for guild members, said Jhasso would do the final interview. Sounds like he may want to extend it to fee collections too..."
Last edited March 8, 2024 3:58 am

Rolls

Deception - (1d20+5, 1d20+5)

1d20+5 : (8) + 5 = 13

1d20+5 : (7) + 5 = 12

Mar 8, 2024 4:14 am
The slender man rolls his eyes. "So you really are just meat. Well. Jhasso's office is upstairs. I recommend you not waste his time."

(Perception: At one point during the man's eyeroll, something happens. It's like the eyes blink... sideways, instead of closing top to bottom.)

(Insight: Meat. He lingers on that word just a moment too long, as though savoring it.)

Rolls

Mystery Roll

Mystery Roll

Mar 8, 2024 8:12 am
…wow, Aiwë and I are definitely on the same page.
Mar 9, 2024 4:12 am
Dieter leans over to Stella "I-Is that normal?" Dieter whispers "you saw that right?

Rolls

Stealth whisper - (1D20+9, 1D20+9)

1D20+9 : (5) + 9 = 14

1D20+9 : (6) + 9 = 15

Mar 9, 2024 4:17 am
"Thanks! Appreciate you!!" Aiwë ushers her friends out of the room. "What was thaaaaat?? I mean, I can't judge a guy for unique features or a weird craving as long as he doesn't indulge but... Is the problem here a yuan-ti problem?? Has he always been a lizard??"
Last edited March 9, 2024 4:18 am
Mar 9, 2024 7:01 am
"Are lizards normal…are they normal? They’re normal right…right?" Dieter starts to panic at the implications of his probable bigotry.
Mar 12, 2024 1:56 am
"Guess we'll find out." Aiwë knocks on Jhasso's door.
Mar 12, 2024 3:24 am
"Come in!" a resonant voice calls.

On opening the door, the party finds Jhasso seated at a large desk. The man is tall and broad, with features vaguely reminiscent of a purple bull.

(History: Jhasso is a firbolg, a race of fey-ish giant-kin. Firbolgs tend not venture as far north as Icewind Dale, but it's possible one or two made pilgrimages to see Kuldahar's Great Oak, as these folk have a strong affinity with nature.)

Jhasso glances up from his work, purple-furred ears twitching in irritation, then on seeing the group he sets his quill down on the desk and stands up to his full height, nearly 8 feet tall. "I don't recall meeting you all before. What business brings you to me?"
Mar 12, 2024 3:30 am
"Scar sent us. Said you needed help looking into something?" Aiwë bows slightly in elvish fashion. "I'm Aiwë."
Mar 12, 2024 3:39 am
Stella looks around, trying not to look too nervous. Especially when Aiwë mentions Scar. If there were troubles here, others might be listening in or Jhasso himself might be compromised...At least they'd quickly find out.

Rolls

Investigation (Searching for signs of illusions or divination sensors.) - (1d20+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

Mar 12, 2024 3:18 pm
As far as Stella can tell, everything seems real enough here; no illusion or divination magic at play.

Jhasso nods with a sigh of relief. "About a week ago I started receiving these notes," he says, pointing at several papers on his desk. "Maybe you could have a look at them and tell me what they're all about?"
OOC:
Oh he rolled BAD
(Insight: While he seems intent on hearing what the party has to say, it's obviously all a lie. He's poised ready to attack the first person to approach the desk. What peers out from behind his eyes is an ancient predator who has played through this same scenario hundreds of times. It's bored enough that the facade is slipping.)

Rolls

Mystery Roll - (1d20+7)

Mar 12, 2024 3:42 pm
Stella raises an eyebrow, glances at the Aiwë, then the others. "Someone hold the door shut...Auroth!" Stella's hands blur into motion, summoning starts that swirl around Jhasso, forming a constellation of the great ice serpent that then tightens itself around the firbolg.

(If a 23 hits, Jhasso takes 10 bludgeoning damage and is grappled and restrained, escape DC 16.)

"What's your game?" Stella asks, glowering.

Stella (37 / 37 HP, AC 17)
Auroth (60 / 60 HP, AC 12)
OOC:
Ignore the second portent roll; that was accidental
Last edited March 12, 2024 3:46 pm

Rolls

Portents for Today - (1d20, 1d20)

1d20 : (2) = 2

1d20 : (1) = 1

Constrict - (1d20+6, 2d8+4)

1d20+6 : (17) + 6 = 23

2d8+4 : (24) + 4 = 10

Mar 12, 2024 3:48 pm
Aiwë watches Jhasso's mouth and chest carefully, preparing to cast Silence should he try to yell or scream.
Mar 12, 2024 3:59 pm
Dieter holds the door shut with his foot ready for a quick reaction from possible guards "get him away from that desk."
Mar 12, 2024 4:33 pm
Jhasso grunts as the snake materializes, eyelids blinking sideways as he sneers at the party. His voice is drained of emotion, yet somehow still deprecating. "Oh you know. Assassinations. Industrial espionage. Shenanigans." He cocks his head as much as the snake will allow. "I wonder if you'll taste as good as you look."

(Perception: The stairs beyond the door the party came from creak with the weight of at least one creature ascending them.)

Rolls

Mystery Roll - (1d20+7)

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