Post by DM Dan/Bi'rel/Sheila on May 8, 2015 19:12:26 GMT
Johan, after sleeping, rises early in the morning. He puts on his new armor, and hides it under plain clothes. He rolls the cloak into his scroll case, secures his weapons, and leaves his large bag with items (gauntlets of ogre power, silver longsword) in his room. As quiet as the darkest secret, Johan leaves the tower. He sneaks into the stables to procure a horse, and sets out as fast and quietly as he can.
After an hour and a half, Johan comes up to Truxburn and can see in the distance all the guards bustling about. It looks like the king wasted no time sending a small contingent of guards to start preparations for the garrison of guards.
Before entering the town, Johan dismounts his horse. He leads it to a bush, where he gives it a hard slap on the rump to send it galloping away. He waits in silence for a few moments to pass, observing the guards before he sneaks in to the city.
With the lack of guards Johan notices a small window on the west side of town to enter, but it is a very small window
Johan sees his opportunity and enters through the window. Once inside, he begins to take in his immediate surroundings.
Johan sees he is in a house bedroom with two small children sleeping
All but ignoring the children, he listens for any signs of movement or occupants in the house moving about.
Johan will hear moving in the room next door as well as some snoring coming from a male person
As quietly as possible, Johan moves to the door of the room. Removing the small mirror from his thieves tools, he slides it under the door to get a glimpse of what lies beyond, and sees nothing but a standard hall way.
Johan quietly opens the door and exits the room, closing the door behind him just as quietly. He begins searching around for a way out of the home.
And quickly comes upon the door at the end of the hall.
Johan quietly pads through the hallway, choosing to leave the door, he begins searching for the source of the snoring.
Johan comes to a room where a Half-elf woman and a very muscular human are asleep in bed, the man is snoring.
Johan enters the room and begins searching for any personal effects, any sign of identification to clue him in on his location within the city and whose house he is in.
Johan finds a note on the side table by the Male.
Master Sergeant Noling,
You are called to duty for your country, but also your town and your family. You are to report immediately for duty, and your rank is again given. Welcome back to the service of the crown Master Sergeant.
-Colonel Oleg Dustwood
Johan begins to exit the room and head again towards the door at the end of the hall. He again slides the mirror under the door to check the other side before continuing.
He can see nothing not even a patrol, they must be just on guard outside the city because of the lack of soldiers present.
Johan exits the house. Stopping some distance outside, he unpacks the cloak from his scroll case and puts it on over his clothes, under which lies his leather armor. Appearing as a traveler, Johan heads towards the inn.
As he starts walking he sees two builders running, one turns to the other and says, "Come on you dolt, McArthur said if we don't pick up the supplies early at his blacksmith in shop, he was leaving on business!" And they run on.
Johan, hearing his targets name, tails the two builders stealthily.
At the edge of town, Johan sees the big common blacksmithing sign and the two men go inside.
Johan looks for Windows or a backdoor to enter from so as to remain unseen.
Looking through the window he sees a legit transaction between the two builders and a big burley man wearing a blacksmith apron.
Johan waits until the two builders leave, and then enters quickly, and quietly, through the window.
As Johan enters the building her hears the lock on the front door and the sounds of keys getting placed in a bag.
Johan quickly scurries back out through the window and begins tailing his target.
As the man reaches the gate, a few guards stop him and say, "Did the builders receive those supplies before you leave? They are needed to construct the garrison." Cheerfully the man said, "They have everything to start, I will be back in mid day, and I will have the rest made for you tonight." The soldiers say, "We know we are asking a lot Samuel, but you are the only blacksmith around. Safe travels." And he walks out of town as the guards go back to their positions.
Johan slips around the guards, and follows McArthur out of the town.
Out of sight of town McArthur is walking near the forest on the right which is surrounding the road
Johan, seeing McArthur walking alone, picks up the pace, enough to begin catching up, but not enough to give himself away. As Johan draws nearer to his target, he brings the daggers hidden in his bracers to hand. He thinks to himself..."My life for the balance.”
McArthur continues walking and seems not to notice the person behind him.
Johan, close enough now to smell McArthur, begins to rise from a crouched walk. Casually, Johan flips the dagger in his right hand, now holding it in a fist, blade pointed down. His left hand holds the dagger, blade pointed up. Johan does not wait for McArthur to stop walking, quickly, quietly, Johan jabs the left handed dagger up through the man's ribcage from behind. McArthur's legs buckle, and the man drops to his knees, gasping. Johan places his now empty left hand on McArthur's shoulder, leans in to whisper in his ear, "Your life for the balance." As Johan utters the word balance, he rakes his right hand dagger across McArthur's throat, opening him from ear to ear. Johan eases the body to the ground, as he hears sounds of gurgling blood coming from the lifeless traitor.
The deed finished, Johan drags the body off of the road and into the forest to search the man.
Johan finds 20gold a small dagger and a shortsword, most notably a letter written all in Orc.
Johan hears an Orc say (Orcish), "That idiot is late." While making a lot of noise in the woods about 75 feet south.
Johan hears the orc, and quietly hides in the woods, waiting to see if the Orc will discover the body of McArthur.
Johan quickly knocks an arrow, ready in case the orc finds the remains of McArthur.
The Orcs are not moving but still talking
Johan, bow and arrow still ready, moves to get a better look at the orcs. Hiding in the trees, Johan waits, observing the orcs.
Johan, hearing nothing of importance from the orcs, relaxes his bow. He replaces the arrow in its quiver and the bow on his back and sneaks away into the woods. Thinking it wise to look normal, Johan goes on a hunt. Spying a deer, Johan looses an arrow, catching the animal in the throat. Johan retrieves the arrow from the carcass, collects the body, and heads back towards the city gates.
Coming up on the city gates, and the guards outside, Johan nods to them as he walks back into the city, his deer slung over his shoulder. He makes his way to the butcher, and walks in. Greeting the owner, Johan asks if there is somewhere in the shop he can leave the deer. The butcher replies, "I buy all game, or butcher it for you, for a price."
Johan looks at the man, and says "Your normal price for the deer, I have no need for the meat."
The man hands Johan some coin, thanking him, Johan walks out.
Johan walks back into the shop, saying to the butcher. Forgive me, I merely enjoy the sport, please, here is your coin back, kindly use the deer to feed the soldiers stationed here." Without waiting for a response, Johan slips back out of the shop.
Johan makes his way back to McArthur's shop. He makes sure no one is watching as he peers through the window, listening for signs of occupancy.
He hears nothing on the inside
Hearing nothing, Johan once again enters the shop through the window and begins searching.
Through-out the shop nothing consequential regular blacksmithing tools, some ores and the kern, some aprons and a lot of bloodied up and dirty rags, a book with all the work assigned as well as costs for each item. In the back there will be a room one bed one table and a dresser, at first go you see a coin box with a little over 50 gold, a few books as well as 2torches and a candle in a candle holder
Johan pockets the gold, and places the books in his bag. Johan searches through the dresser and desk.
In the dresser Johan finds some common clothes and some unused candles, and in the desk, a few designs for blacksmithing with notes written on them with different techniques.
Johan passes over the notes and desgins, them being of no importance, he examines the rest of the room more closely, searching for anything hidden, any sign that this man was more than just a master smith.
Johan finds nothing
Deciding that his job is done, Johan replaces the book on smithing from where he took it, and exits the shop, once again through the windows. He makes his way to the stables to buy a horse for the Journey back.
Upon approaching the stables, he is created by a man who informs him that the stables are empty due to assistance for supplies to Fortress Dustwood, the caravan left 15 minutes ago.
Johan thanks the man and begins the long walk back to Fortress Dustwood. When he is outside of view of the town, Johan sneaks off the road and into the trees to read the orcish letter.
The letter reads (In Orcish):
The plans have changed, soldiers took the Nightmare Tower and a garrison is being built here in this city. The King will not be happy with these results, but should you choose to attack Truxburn I would do it soon, the materials I have created are not the best I could do but not below grade either. Word is That the pretending king Slater will come for your kind next. This information as always is just to inform you, The King will be marching soon, and your support is still appreciated.
Nothing else is written on the letter.
Johan destroys the letter after committing it to memory and sets out at a full run to get back to the tower.
In 30 minutes Johan catches up to the caravan heading to Fortress Dustwood
Johan Stops at the caravan, explains that he was among those that helped to retake the tower. He says it is of the utmost importance that he makes it to the tower, and asks if there is a horse free for him to take.
The soldiers, after confirming his story as best as possible, gives him a regular horse and moves the gear to the wagon to assist him.
"Many thanks." Johan says as he climbs on the horse. He sets out a gallop to reach the fort.
He reaches the fort about 30 mins later
Johan slows, and gets off of his horse. Johan sets out to find the messenger that delivered the note to Palins.
When he finds the Half-orc, Johan gets her attention, "excuse me, I need a moment of your time, alone.”
She looks at Johan and says, "What can I do for you today brother.”
As soon as they are both away from any other person, Johan says to her, "I was hoping for an audience with The Master. I have urgent news that must only be delivered to the Master."
She gives a look like "shut your trap" and says "I thought we were going to have rain.”
Out of no where a man comes by and says, "Do you have a message to send?”
"I do." Johan conveys the message of the impending attack on the town via thieves cant.
The messenger says, "My mistake but I must be off, courier business." And runs off
Four hours later a courier runs to Johan and says, "Excuse me are you Brother Johan?”
Bowing, Johan says "yes, may I help you?”
The messenger hands him a letter and runs off
Johan pockets the letter and finds a private place to read.
Taking care that he was not followed, Johan Reads the letter.
The note reads,
"All is well here, one day we will play that you like, and make sure no one cheats." -Mom
Johan thumbs the symbol in the lower right corner and watches as the letter burns away.
As soon as the letter disappears, Johan gets up and finds work at the tower as far from the group as possible to try and better cover his absence.
After an hour and a half, Johan comes up to Truxburn and can see in the distance all the guards bustling about. It looks like the king wasted no time sending a small contingent of guards to start preparations for the garrison of guards.
Before entering the town, Johan dismounts his horse. He leads it to a bush, where he gives it a hard slap on the rump to send it galloping away. He waits in silence for a few moments to pass, observing the guards before he sneaks in to the city.
With the lack of guards Johan notices a small window on the west side of town to enter, but it is a very small window
Johan sees his opportunity and enters through the window. Once inside, he begins to take in his immediate surroundings.
Johan sees he is in a house bedroom with two small children sleeping
All but ignoring the children, he listens for any signs of movement or occupants in the house moving about.
Johan will hear moving in the room next door as well as some snoring coming from a male person
As quietly as possible, Johan moves to the door of the room. Removing the small mirror from his thieves tools, he slides it under the door to get a glimpse of what lies beyond, and sees nothing but a standard hall way.
Johan quietly opens the door and exits the room, closing the door behind him just as quietly. He begins searching around for a way out of the home.
And quickly comes upon the door at the end of the hall.
Johan quietly pads through the hallway, choosing to leave the door, he begins searching for the source of the snoring.
Johan comes to a room where a Half-elf woman and a very muscular human are asleep in bed, the man is snoring.
Johan enters the room and begins searching for any personal effects, any sign of identification to clue him in on his location within the city and whose house he is in.
Johan finds a note on the side table by the Male.
Master Sergeant Noling,
You are called to duty for your country, but also your town and your family. You are to report immediately for duty, and your rank is again given. Welcome back to the service of the crown Master Sergeant.
-Colonel Oleg Dustwood
Johan begins to exit the room and head again towards the door at the end of the hall. He again slides the mirror under the door to check the other side before continuing.
He can see nothing not even a patrol, they must be just on guard outside the city because of the lack of soldiers present.
Johan exits the house. Stopping some distance outside, he unpacks the cloak from his scroll case and puts it on over his clothes, under which lies his leather armor. Appearing as a traveler, Johan heads towards the inn.
As he starts walking he sees two builders running, one turns to the other and says, "Come on you dolt, McArthur said if we don't pick up the supplies early at his blacksmith in shop, he was leaving on business!" And they run on.
Johan, hearing his targets name, tails the two builders stealthily.
At the edge of town, Johan sees the big common blacksmithing sign and the two men go inside.
Johan looks for Windows or a backdoor to enter from so as to remain unseen.
Looking through the window he sees a legit transaction between the two builders and a big burley man wearing a blacksmith apron.
Johan waits until the two builders leave, and then enters quickly, and quietly, through the window.
As Johan enters the building her hears the lock on the front door and the sounds of keys getting placed in a bag.
Johan quickly scurries back out through the window and begins tailing his target.
As the man reaches the gate, a few guards stop him and say, "Did the builders receive those supplies before you leave? They are needed to construct the garrison." Cheerfully the man said, "They have everything to start, I will be back in mid day, and I will have the rest made for you tonight." The soldiers say, "We know we are asking a lot Samuel, but you are the only blacksmith around. Safe travels." And he walks out of town as the guards go back to their positions.
Johan slips around the guards, and follows McArthur out of the town.
Out of sight of town McArthur is walking near the forest on the right which is surrounding the road
Johan, seeing McArthur walking alone, picks up the pace, enough to begin catching up, but not enough to give himself away. As Johan draws nearer to his target, he brings the daggers hidden in his bracers to hand. He thinks to himself..."My life for the balance.”
McArthur continues walking and seems not to notice the person behind him.
Johan, close enough now to smell McArthur, begins to rise from a crouched walk. Casually, Johan flips the dagger in his right hand, now holding it in a fist, blade pointed down. His left hand holds the dagger, blade pointed up. Johan does not wait for McArthur to stop walking, quickly, quietly, Johan jabs the left handed dagger up through the man's ribcage from behind. McArthur's legs buckle, and the man drops to his knees, gasping. Johan places his now empty left hand on McArthur's shoulder, leans in to whisper in his ear, "Your life for the balance." As Johan utters the word balance, he rakes his right hand dagger across McArthur's throat, opening him from ear to ear. Johan eases the body to the ground, as he hears sounds of gurgling blood coming from the lifeless traitor.
The deed finished, Johan drags the body off of the road and into the forest to search the man.
Johan finds 20gold a small dagger and a shortsword, most notably a letter written all in Orc.
Johan hears an Orc say (Orcish), "That idiot is late." While making a lot of noise in the woods about 75 feet south.
Johan hears the orc, and quietly hides in the woods, waiting to see if the Orc will discover the body of McArthur.
Johan quickly knocks an arrow, ready in case the orc finds the remains of McArthur.
The Orcs are not moving but still talking
Johan, bow and arrow still ready, moves to get a better look at the orcs. Hiding in the trees, Johan waits, observing the orcs.
Johan, hearing nothing of importance from the orcs, relaxes his bow. He replaces the arrow in its quiver and the bow on his back and sneaks away into the woods. Thinking it wise to look normal, Johan goes on a hunt. Spying a deer, Johan looses an arrow, catching the animal in the throat. Johan retrieves the arrow from the carcass, collects the body, and heads back towards the city gates.
Coming up on the city gates, and the guards outside, Johan nods to them as he walks back into the city, his deer slung over his shoulder. He makes his way to the butcher, and walks in. Greeting the owner, Johan asks if there is somewhere in the shop he can leave the deer. The butcher replies, "I buy all game, or butcher it for you, for a price."
Johan looks at the man, and says "Your normal price for the deer, I have no need for the meat."
The man hands Johan some coin, thanking him, Johan walks out.
Johan walks back into the shop, saying to the butcher. Forgive me, I merely enjoy the sport, please, here is your coin back, kindly use the deer to feed the soldiers stationed here." Without waiting for a response, Johan slips back out of the shop.
Johan makes his way back to McArthur's shop. He makes sure no one is watching as he peers through the window, listening for signs of occupancy.
He hears nothing on the inside
Hearing nothing, Johan once again enters the shop through the window and begins searching.
Through-out the shop nothing consequential regular blacksmithing tools, some ores and the kern, some aprons and a lot of bloodied up and dirty rags, a book with all the work assigned as well as costs for each item. In the back there will be a room one bed one table and a dresser, at first go you see a coin box with a little over 50 gold, a few books as well as 2torches and a candle in a candle holder
Johan pockets the gold, and places the books in his bag. Johan searches through the dresser and desk.
In the dresser Johan finds some common clothes and some unused candles, and in the desk, a few designs for blacksmithing with notes written on them with different techniques.
Johan passes over the notes and desgins, them being of no importance, he examines the rest of the room more closely, searching for anything hidden, any sign that this man was more than just a master smith.
Johan finds nothing
Deciding that his job is done, Johan replaces the book on smithing from where he took it, and exits the shop, once again through the windows. He makes his way to the stables to buy a horse for the Journey back.
Upon approaching the stables, he is created by a man who informs him that the stables are empty due to assistance for supplies to Fortress Dustwood, the caravan left 15 minutes ago.
Johan thanks the man and begins the long walk back to Fortress Dustwood. When he is outside of view of the town, Johan sneaks off the road and into the trees to read the orcish letter.
The letter reads (In Orcish):
The plans have changed, soldiers took the Nightmare Tower and a garrison is being built here in this city. The King will not be happy with these results, but should you choose to attack Truxburn I would do it soon, the materials I have created are not the best I could do but not below grade either. Word is That the pretending king Slater will come for your kind next. This information as always is just to inform you, The King will be marching soon, and your support is still appreciated.
Nothing else is written on the letter.
Johan destroys the letter after committing it to memory and sets out at a full run to get back to the tower.
In 30 minutes Johan catches up to the caravan heading to Fortress Dustwood
Johan Stops at the caravan, explains that he was among those that helped to retake the tower. He says it is of the utmost importance that he makes it to the tower, and asks if there is a horse free for him to take.
The soldiers, after confirming his story as best as possible, gives him a regular horse and moves the gear to the wagon to assist him.
"Many thanks." Johan says as he climbs on the horse. He sets out a gallop to reach the fort.
He reaches the fort about 30 mins later
Johan slows, and gets off of his horse. Johan sets out to find the messenger that delivered the note to Palins.
When he finds the Half-orc, Johan gets her attention, "excuse me, I need a moment of your time, alone.”
She looks at Johan and says, "What can I do for you today brother.”
As soon as they are both away from any other person, Johan says to her, "I was hoping for an audience with The Master. I have urgent news that must only be delivered to the Master."
She gives a look like "shut your trap" and says "I thought we were going to have rain.”
Out of no where a man comes by and says, "Do you have a message to send?”
"I do." Johan conveys the message of the impending attack on the town via thieves cant.
The messenger says, "My mistake but I must be off, courier business." And runs off
Four hours later a courier runs to Johan and says, "Excuse me are you Brother Johan?”
Bowing, Johan says "yes, may I help you?”
The messenger hands him a letter and runs off
Johan pockets the letter and finds a private place to read.
Taking care that he was not followed, Johan Reads the letter.
The note reads,
"All is well here, one day we will play that you like, and make sure no one cheats." -Mom
Johan thumbs the symbol in the lower right corner and watches as the letter burns away.
As soon as the letter disappears, Johan gets up and finds work at the tower as far from the group as possible to try and better cover his absence.