Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
Developer: PC Enabler
(1d20: [15] = 15)
Birth, Message, Target
Season: Spring
Night 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
Cold
Moon: 17 -> just past the full moon
Terrain: Darkwell
(1d100: [64] = 64)
Nothing Special, continuing terrain
Developer: NPC Enabler
Unseen, Command, Rescue
(1d20: [19] = 19)
Q: As they approach town does anything happen?
(1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
No, but Chill, Twilight, Title
The wind is cold as we approach the town as the sun sets. There is little action going on. The village looks deserted, or at least tucked in for the night. Nary a light in a window, but small fires burn in hearths as smoke drifts up in the darkness.
We ride slowly through town, eyes peak out of shuttered windows. Doors slightly ajar as we pass the few houses.
Austin points to the red roofed building in the middle of town, the only building with glowing orange windows that welcome those who might pass by. Not that anyone would pass by often. But there was a road that ran through town. “That looks like the tavern.”
“Nyx didn’t stick around, we need to be careful.” I said.
We traveled to the tavern. An ant drinking out of a stein hung above the door. The sounds from the other side of the door were diminished, not the raucousness you’d expect from a tavern.
No one greeted us, or came to stable our mounts. We tied the four steeds to the rail and Rhesus pulled open the door and what little noise there had been ceased immediately.
All eyes were on the rich and pompous as we followed him through the door. I pulled up the rear, Kis followed behind his so-called master. Austin pushed past Rhesus and made his way to the bar. He wasn’t going to be part of whatever trouble was about to go down.
The crowd didn’t seem to mind Austin much, a few glances as he waded his way through the chairs and tables scattered across the floor. I skirted the edge of the room finding an empty table. I didn’t exactly want trouble either.
Q: Does anyone make any trouble with Rhesus?
(1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
No, and Command, Shoe, Obligation
Q: Kis?
(1d20+0: [11]+0 = 11)
Yes, but Diversion, Fluttering, Skill
Q: Austin?
(1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16)
Yes
Q: Sasha?
(1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
No
Austin sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. A gruff man with scraggly hair and dirty clothes stood behind him. “That’s my seat.”
Austin looked up at him with a smile and removed himself from the stool and moved down to the next one. “That’s my seat.” The man said as he moved towering over Austin.
“Is any of these seats not your seat?” Austin asked without moving.
“There all my seats!” He bellowed. And the crowd laughed.
Rhesus and Kis took the opportunity to sit down at the bar just the other side of Austin. A show of solidarity maybe, but maybe Rhesus just wanted to get into his first bar fight?
Me on the other hand I shifted in my seat and hid my face while I quickly rearranged my features with a thought. I didn’t want any trouble, and I sure as fuck didn’t want to be associated with a bar fight when I needed to do things here.
I waited for the serving girl to walk by and ordered the house special and whatever ale they had on hand. She gave me a bright smile and was off towards the kitchen.
A woman cloaked in a dark hood wearing mostly black with an obsidian gem pulled tight against her throat on a black silk ribbon sat down in front of me. She tilted the hood back to reveal her bright grey eyes with the same bland features I knew my own face held when in natural form. A changeling, like myself.
She smiled at the recognition on my face. “Very Astute. Your friend, Nyx is safely away from here, with supplies to hold him over till he gets to his destination.”
“How do you know where we are going?” I asked.
She gave me a petulant smile. “We have our ways. And I know you translated the note. Your friend saw it. You need to do better in hiding your tracks if you wish to join.”
I was mildly confused as what she meant.
She continued, “He saw your notes. Your translation when he left a note.” She said. “His words.”
I nodded, still really not wanting to think that Nyx knew I had business here. Or that I hadn’t told him everything.
“He’s a smart boy. He didn’t seem upset.”
“Will you stop that.” I said.
“Stop what?” she returned with a smirk.
“Understanding me. What do you want from me?” I asked. It had started out as a demand but in reality I just wanted to get this over with.
She sat back in her chair and pushed the hood back revealing a beautiful elven woman with golden hair and green eyes. “I’m Avyne, and right now I just want you to watch.”
So that’s what I did, though the feeling from the woman was of odd familiarity, like I’d seen her somewhere before yet, this elven woman was not something I knew. But the choker at her neck told me I didn’t really want to be too casual or let my guard down. She was an assassin for the Obsidian Syndicate and I was a mere initiate. Was this what they intended for me?
Q: Perception (12)
(1d20: [18] = 18)
Success
Damage +2
Developer: None
(1d20: [3] = 3)
Q: What does Sasha see?
Command, Blustering, Embrace
My food arrived, a milky colored porridge with junks of something in it. Avyne looked at it with a frown and went back to sipping her ale. I took a swig of my own and regretted it almost instantly. If the food tasted like the ale I was going to be hungry later.
I returned my gaze to the common area and watched all the people. I wasn’t nearly as good as reading folks as Nyx, he had a second nature about those things. He always seemed to get it right, knew how people would react. We often made a game of it.
The man continued to puff up against Austin who sat there calmly while the man tried to intimidate him. The crowd watched intently.
Austin looked up at the blustering man and shook his head. “Seriously, sit down and have a drink.”
The man backed down and wrapped his arms around Austin and squeezed tightly. “Been a while. Bringing some brats through again?”
“Yep. One came through last night.”
The room grew quiet and the big man looked around the room and leaned in, “That glowing fuck?”
“That would be him.”
“He put me to sleep.”
Austin quirked a smile. “I suppose that’s what happens when you try to scare a kid who coulda burnt your whole place down with one accidental hiccup.”
I smirked. Nyx definitely could have done that.
Rhesus jumped in then, “He coulda done it on purpose too. Sleep sounds preferable.” He laughed. “And he’s such a tiny thing, got the best of you.”
The night eased down with Austin at home in the Tipsy Ant. Avyne nodded to get my attention and I drew my eyes to her. “Watch, and tell me what you see in the morning. Bright and early by the lake. Austin is aware of your interlude here.”
So I sat there and watched things in the inn until Austin went up to his rooms. Rhesus and I followed to our own rooms.
[!note]
Sasha will have some observations as he succeeded on his perception roll. What they are will be in the next scene.
The Mind of Nox 