Chat log started at 17.10.2010 / 17:56:31

Savage Worlds Ruleset for Fantasy Grounds II
(c) 2009 Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
You are in the lobby of the Eight Immortals Inn, pondering your next course of action when an URGENT message arrives for Uriel.
Altar Boy: Sir! Important message from the Church!
Uriel Iscariot: My, that is a nice mouth you have.
Altar Boy: Thank you sir.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): oh dear
Uriel Iscariot reads message.
Nick (Stinky Pete): The GM is playing Uriel now? *waits for the TPK*
[w] Zach Dallas: I don't suppose I can glance at the letter or Hunch it or something like that?
Uriel Iscariot: I see, this is of utmost importance to the church! I must head out at once. The rest of you continue with the important task at hand!
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Stealth check
Zach Dallas: Stealth {--2 Untrained:Mike} [1d4-2 = 4]
Altar Boy: This way sir! Time is of the essence!
Uriel Iscariot leaves with Altar Boy.
It is now up to Zach Dallas and Stinky Pete to save the world. At least for today.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): it's probably for the better
Nick (Stinky Pete): thought of this earlier: if you decide to pick up a dog and punt it, does that mean you "pooched" the kick?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Uriel has been invited to assist with a barn raising outside Shan Fan. Plus he has been asked to chair a meeting of the women's knitting club and Temperance Movement!
[w] Zach Dallas: wait, barn raising or barn razing?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Hmm...guess you'd really like to find out what happens during his miniquest then?
GM: Okay, so now that Uriel is off to save puppies from burning barns, what would the rest of you like to do?
Nick (Stinky Pete): wait for the apocolypse?
Zach Dallas: Well, rumor has it that the sheriff might know who would have survived a local fire earlier which is clearly unrelated to anything that we are supposed to be concerned about
TADM: If you are waiting for the aporkalypse, you are in good shape.
Zach Dallas: Seems like the upset the Shan Fan earlier for some reason and got retributed against
Perky Desk Clerk: Good morning Eunuch and friend, are you staying for another night here? If so, please pay now and register in book.
Zach Dallas: Eh, I'm not sure quite yet.
Perky Desk Clerk: Okay, if you stuff not removed, we cannot guarantee safety of it.
Zach Dallas: Might decide to just go elsewhere with less troublesome desk clerks
Perky Desk Clerk looks offended. Drops into martial arts pose, kicks Zach Dallas' ass hard.
Zach Dallas takes his pack with him
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): it's not like I have more than 8 things
Stinky Pete: Agreed
Stinky Pete takes my things as well
You leave the Eight Immortals Inn without further incident.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): More seriously, I travel light and could make good use of pretty much everything I own
[w] Zach Dallas: hm, where might I get another copy of Hoyle's Book of Games?
Zach Dallas: Common Knowledge [1d12 = 11]
[w] -> Zach Dallas: In Shan Fan, that would be a bit problematic, mostly because it would be considered a "rare" and "hard to locate" book. At a Union or Confederate town, much easier.
Stinky Pete: Spirit [1d12 = 5]
Zach Dallas: So, where do you think we should go?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: But, given your Common Knowledge roll, you know that if you are going to find such a book, it would be somewhere in this district.
Zach Dallas: I haven't heard anything about our target yet
Zach Dallas: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
[w] Zach Dallas: you mean the RLT, right?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Yes
Stinky Pete: Smarts [1d8 = 2]
Stinky Pete: Um, I don't rightly know. If you haven't noticed, I can find fluff very well. But not actual clues
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): OK, then
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): Plan B
It is the morning of February 20, 1880.
Zach Dallas: Streetwise [Trait roll was a natural 1] [1d6 = 2]
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): fffff
Zach Dallas: hold on
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): searching for interesting rumors/information
[w] Zach Dallas: and for a good book store, if there are any
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): If that roll fails...
Zach Dallas: Streetwise [Trait roll was a natural 1] [1d6 = 5]
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): fff
Zach asks a few people and does not seem to get anywhere fast.
Not only does he not speak Cantonese, but it seems that his Anglo ways do not impress the locals.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): Are there any western-style saloons around?
Zach Dallas: Common Knowledge [1d12 = 7]
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d6 = 4]
Only when he asks another white man for any clues is he given directions to the sheriff's office, which is run by Long Hair Tony.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): OK, that'll work
GM: There are no western-style saloons around here, this is chinatown in all its glory.
Zach Dallas: Let's head over to the Sheriff's office
The trip over to the Sheriff's office is uneventful. When you show up several Chinese deputies are in the front area, cleaning guns and going over wanted posters. You notice that the only "wanted" people in Shan Fan are those of Caucasian descent.
Zach Dallas: Notice [Trait roll was a natural 1] [1d6 = 3]
Zach Dallas is using a benny
Zach Dallas: Notice [Trait roll was a natural 1] [1d6 = 3]
As soon as you mention Long-Hair Tony, they point you to a guy sitting in an office to one side.
Zach Dallas is using a benny
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d4 = 2]
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): FML
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): Well, I guess it's a good thing their wanted posters are in chibi format
Long Haired-Tony is not what you would call "handsome" by any means. It looks like he has survived chicken pox, smallpox, mumps, and rubella over the course of his life. He sits back in his chair, boots up on his desk, and whittles what looks like a duck from a piece of driftwood.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): sturdy fellow
Long-Haired Tony: Can I help you?
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): hm
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): now I have to figure out how to phrase this...
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): the rumors made him out to be a sympathiser, right?
GM: The rumors did not make him out to be anything other than a fair and impartial lawman.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): was I ever able to find out the name of the building that burned down?
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): I don't actually remember
GM: Not really.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): Are we going to say that Nick and Tack never mentioned a thing about that to me?
GM: Stinky might have mentioned something before he passed out just outside the door to the sherrif's office.
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d4 = 6]
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): a name?
GM: It was the Explorer's Society house, I am not sure anyone picked up a more generic name than that.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): was it commonly known as the Explorer Society house?
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): or was that a secret
GM: Possibly, it is the best lead you have.
Zach Dallas: Hello. I'm Zach. I was actually wondering if you could give me a bit of a hand...
Zach Dallas: I traveled out this way to meet with an associate of a friend of mine
Zach Dallas: but it appears that the place we were supposed to meet in burned downa few days ago...
Zach Dallas: Do you happen to know what happened there?
Long-Haired Tony: Hmm...well, things made of wood do burn down in dry climates. Was this building in Shan Fan?
Zach Dallas: Yes
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): can I name the general location?
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): if so, I do it
GM: Yes, you have the location of where the building was.
Long-Haired Tony looks contemplative.
Long-Haired Tony: The Explorer’s Society? Their lodge burned down, I hear. I don’t know how. The Auspicious League of FireFighting Brethren tried to put it out, but buildings around here burn fast. I don’t think anyone was killed, though. Most left town. I think some moved over to Sunrise House.
Long-Haired Tony gives you directions to the Sunrise House.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): lol Auspicious
Zach Dallas: Well, thank you very much. Hopefully he's still around. Any guesses on what set the fire?
Long-Haired Tony: No, it could have been many things, like an overturned oil lamp, stray embers from a fireplace, freak lightning strike.
Long-Haired Tony shrugs.
Zach Dallas: Ah. Well, it was a pleasure talking to you, sir. Wish you luck with your duties
Long-Haired Tony: Yes, have a good day.
Zach Dallas heads out to the Sunshine Hotel with Pete
The Sunrise House is a very nice two story hotel that looks out of place in Shan Fan. It has white columns and looks more like the kind of hotel you would see in upstate New York than in the largest Chinese community in North America. The employees seem to be mostly Chinese, but from the sounds as you walk up, you get the feeling that most of them speak at least decent English.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): nightly rate?
According to the sign printed in English next to the door, for a room with two beds, it costs $50/night, meals are included.
Also, according to the sign next to the door, this is the preferred resting place for visiting dignitaries from all over the Maze.
Nick (Stinky Pete): great. it reset my dice color :(
TADM: I now have two separate Adobe Acrobat windows telling me I need to reboot. Evidently one is not enough.
Doorman: Can I help you sir?
Nick (Stinky Pete): is wolfgang puck the chef here?
TADM: Nah, some dude named "Emeril The Gassy"
Nick (Stinky Pete): lol awsum
Nick (Stinky Pete): got alton brown to sign my book last week
TADM: Woot.
Zach Dallas: yes, I was wondering if you could tell us whether a Mr. Pennington was staying here
Zach Dallas: We were supposed to meet with him a while back on the advice of a mutual friend of ours
Doorman: I am not allowed to give out guest's names sir. You may check inside.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): must pay to enter?
Doorman looks like he is expecting a "tip."
Stinky Pete: gives him a $1
Doorman raises an eyebrow and shrugs.
Doorman: The desk clerks should be able to help you out.
Zach Dallas: passes him $9 more
Doorman smiles.
[w] Stinky Pete -> Zach Dallas: You do realize I'm loaded, right?
[w] Zach Dallas -> Stinky Pete: not once I take Stealth
Doorman: There is no one of that name here, but you might want to speak with an elderly English gentlemen who is here with five boduguards.
Doorman opens the door and gestures for you to enter.
Zach Dallas: Thanks!
TADM: Boduguards, sort of like bpduguards in networking, but not quite as cool.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): lol
The front lobby of the Sunrise House is palatial. They even have a fountain bubbling in the middle of the room with decorative copper statues of cranes in it. It looks like most of the wood in here is either mahogany or redwood.
Zach Dallas: Impressive
Nick (Stinky Pete): cost of the room
Stinky Pete: Smarts [1d8 = 6]
Several attendants wait nearby to see if you need anything ported, carried, or further assistance. They wait at attention until the desk clerk gives them direction.
GM: Stinky suspects that his current cash on hand might be able to buy one of the cranes in the fountain.
Stinky Pete: Most impressive
GM: In other words...a lot. Definitely less than Doctor Hellstromme's private locomotive, but also definitely more than any other building you have been inside.
Desk Clerk: Can I help you?
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): Must we purchase a room to continue our journey?
TADM: That has not been specifically stated anywhere.
Desk Clerk: Sirs, can I help you or direct you somewhere?
Zach Dallas: Ah, thank you
GM: The old man is supposedly inside the building somewhere.
Nick (Stinky Pete): What time is it again?
Zach Dallas: We were actually looking for an elderly gentleman. He is supposed to be well accompanied and is supposed to be able to help us answer a few questions
Zach Dallas removes his hat
Desk Clerk: Ah yes.
Desk Clerk opens book.
Desk Clerk: Do you know the gentleman's name?
Zach Dallas: Ah, unfortunately no
Desk Clerk: I see.
Zach Dallas: We were supposed to meet an acquaintence of one of our friends
Stinky Pete: cursory glance of book
Stinky Pete: Notice {+2 Alertness(S)} [1d6+2 = 9]
Zach Dallas: but it has proven rather difficult to find him since his place of residence apparently burnt down
Zach Dallas rubs the back of his head
[w] -> Stinky Pete: You notice the name, "Rutherford Ellington Dillenger"
Desk Clerk: Most unfortunate, yes, there has been a rash of arsons of late.
[w] Stinky Pete -> Zach Dallas: ask about dillenger
[w] Zach Dallas -> Stinky Pete: is that so?
[w] Zach Dallas -> Stinky Pete: wait, why don't you?
[w] Stinky Pete -> Zach Dallas: you look more respectful
Zach Dallas: Ah!
Zach Dallas: I believe his name started with a D
Desk Clerk: Well, as you do not know his name, if you are interested in waiting for him, the dining room restaurant is just through that hall. Perhaps he will come down for dinner.
Desk Clerk shrugs and looks in book.
Zach Dallas: Dillin...Dillanger?
Zach Dallas: Maybe?
Zach Dallas: Ugh I should've written that down
Zach Dallas smacks his head
Desk Clerk: Ah, we have a gentlemen in a suite here named Dillenger. He also has nearby rooms for several business partners of his.
Desk Clerk looks strangely at Zach when he smacks himself.
Zach Dallas smiles
Desk Clerk: Mr. Dillenger can be found in room 201. If you are going into the guest rooms, I ask that you check your firearms here.
Desk Clerk gestures to a couple employees who bring over green drawstring bags with tags on them.
Nick (Stinky Pete): gives the clerk my rifle
Zach Dallas: Oh, sure
Zach Dallas hands over his guns
The employees collect up any guns you offer them and place them in the green bags, then seal and tie them. You get the associated tag.
Stinky Pete: Huh, first time I've had something bagged and tagged w/o shooting it first
Desk Clerk looks confused at Stinky Pete's statement, shrugs.
Zach Dallas cringes
Desk Clerk: Take the stairs up and follow the hallway to the end, room 201 is on the left.
Zach Dallas: Thank you
Stinky Pete: Yes, thank you.
Zach Dallas heads up toward the room
Stinky Pete gives him a $5 tip, then heads to the room
Stinky Pete: check for threats
Stinky Pete: Notice {+2 Alertness(S)} [1d8+2 = 7]
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d4 = 6]
Following the staircase up and around, you come to the end of the hallway. It ends in a nice reading room that is well-lit and has several nice windows. Five guys dressed in inexpensive suits sit in the reading room.
GM: With your stellar notice checks, you realize these guys are all armed, given that several do not have their suits buttoned properly, and two of them have their books upside down, you get the feeling these guys are here to stop people from entering room 201.
GM: They have clearly been hired for their ability to shoot or punch things, and not conversational skills, wit, or charm.
Tom: Whatya want?
Zach Dallas: Hello! We were wondering if Mr Dillenger might be able to help us
Tom: And who you, and why you want to see him?
Dick: They ain't chinks, can't be all bad.
Tom: Hmm...
Zach Dallas smiles
[w] Stinky Pete -> Zach Dallas: Give them the ring to show to him, and go with him (under guard) while he looks at it
Zach Dallas: Well, a friend of ours suggested that Roderick pennington may be able to help us out
Zach Dallas: but we've been having some difficulty finding our way around
Tom: Don't know anyone named Penning-gun.
Zach Dallas: Actually, his place of residence apparently burned down recently and Dillenger is rumored to know where some of them went off to
Tom: Hmm...I'll ask, you wait here.
Zach Dallas: We were given this ring on good faith
Tom looks at ring.
Tom: Don't look like anything, but I'll show it to him.
Zach Dallas: Thanks
Tom takes ring and walks into room 201.
Tom comes out a couple minutes later.
Tom: He said you can go in and talk to him, seems kind of happy about it.
Zach Dallas: Excellent, thanks!
Tom sits down, picks up a copy of "Beowulf" holds it upside down and mutters something about, "What, no pictures?"
Zach Dallas heads on in
Stinky Pete: I guess I'll wait out here, then
Room 201 is very well, and tastefully, decorated. Sitting at a table, fiddling with a timepiece that has been completely disassembled, is a thin elderly man wearing a black suit with a dark blue ascot. Propped up beside him is a black cane with a silver dragon head.
Zach Dallas: You sure?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Ah yes, come in, come in. Both of you even.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: I was about to set out some tea. Delicious tea to be had here in Shan Fan.
Zach Dallas laughs
Stinky Pete: Yeah. Have fun
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): does he have the ring I gave to the mook?
Zach Dallas: C'mon Pete! You were welcomed too!
Nick (Stinky Pete): Oh, n/m then
GM: It is sitting on the table next to him.
Stinky Pete: Sorry. Not paying total attention. Joins Zach
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Well gentlmen, sit down and tell me what brings you to Shan Fan.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger slides ring across the table back to Zach.
Zach Dallas: Thanks
Stinky Pete: This is quite a set-up you have, Sir.
Zach Dallas: Well, we met with Lacey O'Malley a couple weeks ago by Lost Angels, right about the time of that giant explosion
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Ah yes...what can you tell me about that, dreadful business and all?
Zach Dallas: We got caught up in some of the events there, and he explained about this ring and the Society
Zach Dallas pulls out a pack of cards and shuffles, dealing himself a small game of solitaire
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger looks like he is mildly offended that you have decided to play cards with yourself in the middle of a conversation.
Zach Dallas explains about how Hellstromme tunneled to LA and was met by an allied resistance
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): I'm not actually looking at the cards as I'm doing this. Entirely through peripheral vision
Zach Dallas: I don't know who called it, but someone got one hell of an air strike
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: I see. And Lacy gave you a ring and told you to come here?
Zach Dallas: Yes, he told us to seek out Pennington
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: I’m afraid Captain Pennington-Smythe is in some trouble. The triad that runs this city wants something from us. Something we absolutely cannot allow them to have. They tried to terrorize us by burning down our lodge. We moved here to the Sunrise House, but it seems the Triad has more spies than the Agency.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: This morning the captain went out to hide the object in question but didn’t return. I’ve hired a few guards to protect me, but I honestly have little hope they could resist anyone seriously invested in attacking. And they certainly aren’t of the caliber required to rescue the captain from whatever has befallen him. I’m really quite at a loss at this point. Might you be interested in helping?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger pours tea for everyone.
Stinky Pete: pours a little whisky into the tea, then politely sips
Zach Dallas sweeps up the cards in a single, clean motion
Zach Dallas also smiles
Zach Dallas: It'd be my pleasure
Stinky Pete: And mine as well
Zach Dallas: Common Knowledge [1d12 = 5]
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Capital!
Zach Dallas for proper tea-time manners
Zach Dallas: What was it he was supposed to hide?
GM: You do nothing overly offensive during the British tea and crumpet eating.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: It is a vile thing from the deserts of Arabia called the Amulet of Rahashimir. Legends claim it can bring back the dead with incredible power, but only if the deceased had the blackest of hearts. I realize you may not believe in such things, but I assure you its powers are real. The triad must be looking to raise some fiend from the depths of Hell, and I’m afraid that’s something we cannot allow. I don’t know how much you know about the Far East, but they’ve had some terrible wars there. Americans think their ‘Civil War’ is bad, but the recent Taiping Rebellion in China claimed over 20 million lives. These people do not muck about, and I have no intention of aiding them should they be intent on repeating such madness here.
Zach Dallas: Oh dear.
Zach Dallas: Have you tried destroying the amulet before?
Nick (Stinky Pete): more info on amulet, or other related items of legend
Stinky Pete: Smarts [1d6 = 10]
Zach Dallas: Common Knowledge [1d12 = 6]
Stinky Pete: afk brb
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: The Captain and I were trying to destroy it. It has already brought me great pain and a bad leg. I shudder to think what harm it might cause the next time it’s allowed to work its foul magic.
Zach Dallas: Ah, so there are some side-effects with it?
Zach Dallas: I don't suppose this amulet was...small and black, would it?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Yes it was.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger sketches up a little diagram of it.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Its ownership has brought me nothing but misery, I assure you. I almost lost my life to Hashashin in Salt Lake City, and completely lost track of the amulet for a couple days in Dodge City.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Strange thing is that I panicked when I lost it in Dodge City, but then I found it under my pillow at the hotel...
Zach Dallas: Ugh
Zach Dallas: Well, that explains some of it
Zach Dallas: We were actually in Dodge City around the same time, I suspect
Zach Dallas: I remember having to deal with a troublesome woman named Cynthia Grey
Zach Dallas: Strange thing is, I remember seeing this on her when she died
Zach Dallas: aaaaaand she's back again
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: What?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger turns white.
Zach Dallas buries his face in his hands
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Umm....
Zach Dallas: she's such a pain
Zach Dallas looks up and shuffles his cards again
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: In the category of "bad things that can happen" this is just a little above the Gates of Hell opening.
Zach Dallas: I could imagine
Zach Dallas: Let's see here...
Zach Dallas: I know she was against Darius Hellstromme
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Well, it is imperative we...well you...since I cannot move very well...find the Captain and the Amulet.
Zach Dallas: and also against the Natives near Fort 51
Zach Dallas: but I've got no clue how long that'll last
Zach Dallas: Where was Pennington supposed to head to?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: He knew of some safe spot that he was going to hide the Amulet and then wanted to try and contact a couple people who might have an idea how to destroy it.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Or at least a better place to guard it.
Zach Dallas: OK. Any idea on who he was going to contact?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: I have an idea, but I'd prefer not to speculate. Better to ask him that.
Zach Dallas: OK
Zach Dallas: Then do you know where he would likely be kept?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Big Ears Tam is the leader of the Shan Fan Triad. He’s almost certainly the one who took the captain. His home is on the Ever Triumphant Trail, the main road leading north out of Shan Fan. I’m not sure you can just walk up and demand to talk to him, and I wouldn’t try breaking in, either. Tam has more than just thugs guarding his grounds. It might be best to do a little legwork first and see if those in the street have heard of the captain’s abduction.
GM: "T" is for Tam!
Stinky Pete: Hmmm...sounds like it's going to be tough
Zach Dallas: Well, we should likely be out. The armageddon clock is apparently ticking already
Zach Dallas: Ah, before we go
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Yes, well, I shall assist you however I can.
Zach Dallas: Do you know /what/ powers the amulet grants? Or of any weaknesses?
GM: "S" is for Sunrise House.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: It varies by user, the legends mostly state things like, "Augment the forces of evil tenfold, or allows them control others' minds, lets them snuff out the lives of their enemies with a wave of their hands, etc., etc."
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: All pretty bad stuff.
Zach Dallas: Yeah, she has the middle power for sure
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger looks like hie might be physically ill soon.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: This is very bad.
Zach Dallas: Well, she's not immortal
Zach Dallas: she was absolutely TERRIFIED when I met Hellstromme
Zach Dallas: so there are things that can still get her
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Yes, I guess the consolidation is that she can be killed again....REALLY?
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger looks thoughtful.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Hmm...there is something I think I will research while you are away.
Zach Dallas: I'd love to listen to some of it some day
Zach Dallas smiles
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Well, we will all need to work together.
Zach Dallas: Gladly
Zach Dallas: Well, we'll head out to see what we can do for Pennington. We'll return eventually to let you know what we find
Stinky Pete: Will make things easier in the long run
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Good luck and try to stay alive.
Zach Dallas: You too
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: I suspect the amulet would not work on either of you.
Stinky Pete: Why do you say that?
Zach Dallas laughs
Zach Dallas: I wonder about that sometimes
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Neither of you strike me as sufficiently evil for the amulet to work on.
Zach Dallas tips his hat
Zach Dallas: Well, I do look forward to working with you later on
Stinky Pete: We should probably get moving. They have a head start on us. Thanks for the tea.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: No problem.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Should you need a place to stay, I will arrange for an extra room here for you. The accommodations and meals are quite nice.
Zach Dallas: That would be absolutely SPLENDID!
TADM: It must be a TARP! No NPCs in my campaigns are this friendly and helpful in advance....or are they?
Zach Dallas: It'll also make it less suspicious to visit here occasionally
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Not a problem at all.
Rutherford Ellington Dillenger: Good luck
GM: So now where?
Zach Dallas: I wish we could speak Cantonese...
Zach Dallas: Well, that Tony guy seemed like a good fellow, but I don't think he'll be too much help
Stinky Pete: You want to search for info on the abduction while I scout the hideout?
Stinky Pete: Or at least near the hideout?
Zach Dallas: Eh, I'm not sure where I would get the info from
Zach Dallas: I mean, most of the people around here don't even speak english
Stinky Pete: True
Zach Dallas: Well, I suppose I could wander about, see what I can find. I've got a small amount of shopping to do anyways
Stinky Pete: Oh rly?
Zach Dallas: Yes
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): I am ready to leave the Sunrise Hotel
Stinky Pete: Okay. Let's go. Meet you here at dusk?
Zach Dallas: Indeed
[w] Zach Dallas: so, my plans of action include A) searching for a copy of Hoyle's Book and B) see if anyone knows about Captain
Stinky Pete: Okay
Zach Dallas: Good luck. Try not to get dead
Okay, Zach and Stinky walk to the top of the stairs and head down them to the main lobby.
Stinky Pete: You too
Stinky Pete: Notice {+2 Alertness(S)} [1d8+2 = 8]
There is a skinny looking Buddhist monk there, jabbering away with the Desk Clerk. The monk looks incredibly familiar to Stinky Pete.
Nick (Stinky Pete): Why else would he mention a mundane action unless it was time for a check?
[w] -> Stinky Pete: It is the monk that you and Uriel had dinner with.
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d4 = 3]
[w] Stinky Pete: Was just going to ask that
Stinky Pete: What brings you here, Sir?
The Desk Clerk seems honored to be speaking with the monk, as are the staff around him.
Yojimbo: Ah, there you are.
Zach Dallas: raises an eyebrow
Yojimbo: I was hoping to have another fascinating conversation with Preacher Iscariot, but it seems that he has stepped out for the time being.
Stinky Pete: Yes, he was called away on urgent sidequests.
Yojimbo laughs.
Yojimbo: I see, so he had some manner of irrational silliness that in some way is more important than gaming? How droll.
Stinky Pete: Agreed
Yojimbo: Or do I mean, how troll?
Yojimbo: I get those confused.
Yojimbo: Well, as I am certain the surest way to meet up with him again is to travel with you, I believe I shall do just that.
Yojimbo laughs.
Yojimbo: At least, for a short time, until kharma calls me elsewhere.
Zach Dallas: I do not believe we have met
Zach Dallas: My name is Zach
Yojimbo: As yes...
Yojimbo bows slightly from the waist.
Nick (Stinky Pete): Quest - Find a translator - COMPLETED
Zach Dallas removes his hat and gives a bow
Yojimbo: Should you feel the need to deal with trivialities such as names, you may call me Yojimbo.
Yojimbo: And I suspect you are Zach Dallas, wanted for some very interesting crimes in the CSA I believe?
Yojimbo laughs.
Zach Dallas: Oh dear. It seems my reputation does precede me
Nick (Stinky Pete): LOL
Zach Dallas smiles
Zach Dallas: Notice [1d6 = 4]
Yojimbo: Well, anyway, let us be off, as I am sure you have very interesting things to do, and as my master said, "Never be too proud to pass up an opportunity to learn."
Yojimbo walks outside, giving a hearty laugh.
Stinky Pete: Who is your master? I haven't heard you mention you had one before
Yojimbo: I have had many masters, as all good students should.
[w] Zach Dallas: That was actually for reactions on other people. I'm more worried about what he mentioned
Zach Dallas laughs
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Everyone else seems to be focused entirely on making sure this man is happy and comfortable.
[w] -> Zach Dallas: If they even cared what he said, none of them showed any reaction.
[w] Zach Dallas: lol I wonder who this guy is
[w] Zach Dallas: I also wonder if I could get away with a Hunch ^.^
Yojimbo: For instance, I once spent three months studying under a peach blossom tree, he was a strict master, but I learned a lot.
[w] -> Zach Dallas: You are welcome to try.
[w] Zach Dallas: do you guarrentee that I may keep my limbs and life?
Stinky Pete: Do you happen to speak Cantonese?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: He has no piercing/slashing weapons, so does that guarantee also include them all working and bending the right direction?
Yojimbo: Absolutely, although I prefer Japanese. The Chinese tongues have much harsher sounding consonants.
[w] Zach Dallas: Yes please
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Okay, nothing too bad will happen to you
[w] Zach Dallas: Also, I would like it to include water damage and theft
[w] -> Zach Dallas: I make no guarantees.
Stinky Pete: Excellent. Well, let's be off
Yojimbo: So my erstwhile companions, what do you seek this fine day?
There is a peal of thunder overhead.
Storm clouds gather.
Murders of crows circle overhead.
Yojimbo: Ah yes, fine weather indeed.
Zach Dallas: A friend of ours seems to have gone missing recently
Zach Dallas: A Mr. Rodrick Pennington
Zach Dallas: All we hit are dead-ends and we want to find out what happened
Zach Dallas: I don't suppose you have heard something of it?
Zach Dallas: I think it was related to that fire recently off [describes the location]
Yojimbo: Ah yes, the Explorer's Society and that fine chap named Dillenger.
Yojimbo laughs.
[w] Zach Dallas: this is tempting me
Yojimbo: I would guess the stodgy Brit who has gone missing is the guy you seek.
Yojimbo: Perhaps we should check morgues?
Yojimbo laughs.
Yojimbo: Oh wait...there are not any.
Yojimbo: Well, have you asked Long-Haired Tony about it?
Zach Dallas: Not yet. He's about the only person who I've considered, though
Zach Dallas: I must say, I don't know too many people around here
Yojimbo: Well, perhaps we should just knock on the door of Big Ears Tam's estate and ask him if he knows anything.
GM: You realize you have no way of knowing if this man is joking or serious.
Zach Dallas: I'm not too sure that part would be a good idea
Nick (Stinky Pete): It's the drunk guy from L5R! but not drunk 24/7!!! Run away!!!
Zach Dallas: Any sort of large conspiracy would likely put him in a controlling position
Zach Dallas: I'd rather make sure he's not in on this first
Yojimbo: Well, you lead and I shall follow and act as your interpreter. Wait..let me get my disguise.
Yojimbo pulls hood up.
TADM: Nah, this guy doesn't need to be drunk, he is happy all the time.
Zach Dallas: Well, do you have any ideas on where to go, Pete?
Stinky Pete: Well, if Yojimbo says we should talk to Tony, I guess we should get Tony's side of it
Zach Dallas: Then let us see what we can find
[w] Zach Dallas: do people act differently if he has his hood up?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Once you wander over a couple streets, yes.
[w] Zach Dallas: does it look like a particularly good disguise?
The trio heads back to the Sherrif's office. Yojimbo sits down outside and begins whittling on a piece of wood while you two enter.
[w] Zach Dallas: does he whittle it into a duck?
[w] -> Zach Dallas: Well, it does cover his head and shoulders, and when he flips his hood up it also covers his arms and chest, making him look like a pretty bland monk. No, he whittles it into a crane.
Long-Haired Tony: Welcome back, did you find your missing person?
Zach Dallas: Eh, unfortunately no
Zach Dallas: We did verify him to be missing, though, rather than just misplaced
Long-Haired Tony: Well, knowing what you are looking for helps in finding it.
Zach Dallas: His name was Rodrick Pennington
Long-Haired Tony looks thoughtful.
Zach Dallas: There are some...nasty rumors going around. I wanted to see how much of it was true and figured this may be a good place to start
Long-Haired Tony: Ah yes, tall British man, stands out in Shan Fan like a sheep among wolves.
Long-Haired Tony: What manner of rumors have you heard?
Zach Dallas: I heard that he managed to upset some of the locals and Tam had him abducted
Long-Haired Tony: It is possible, offending the Triad, as you Americans call it, can be bad for your health.
Long-Haired Tony: If he is valuable enough to be abducted, that is a good sign. Usually if the Triad is offended, they just kill the person.
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): I take it that he was successful in hiding the amulet, then
Long-Haired Tony: Rather unfortunate, it means I spend time looking for murderers, and you Americans often say, "I don't know, it was a Chinese guy!"
Kazemi (Zach Dallas): else they would have just killed him when they took it
TADM: That is a good supposition.
Long-Haired Tony looks annoyed.
Zach Dallas facepalms
Zach Dallas: My own brothers' ineptitude comes back to haunt me so soon
Zach Dallas: Well, that's just the worst case scenario. Are there any other factions that would have that influence? Perhaps even subgroups in the Triad?
Long-Haired Tony: Tam is the big boss. All the other bosses who report to him control parts of the Triad. Any of them could easily abduct your Brit.
Zach Dallas: So everyone is under Tam, then?
Long-Haired Tony: Yes. but they are always scheming and plotting. Say this Brit had some valuable information, one of the bosses found out about it. That boss would likely - on his own initiative - snag the Brit and use the information for his gain.
Zach Dallas: OK
Zach Dallas: Can I ask what type of person Tam is? Honestly speaking, I mean
Stinky Pete: How many bosses are there?
Zach Dallas glances around
Long-Haired Tony: Tam is a crafty old man, he became Big Boss through guile, and keep his position through wits and amazing luck. There are, I think, 15 bosses right now. Although a couple might have been...disposed...lately. They were not very ambitious and have not been seen in the last few days.
Zach Dallas: Would you say he's fundamentally a good man?
Long-Haired Tony: That depends on your definition of "good"
Zach Dallas: What do you mean?
Long-Haired Tony: But as he pays my salary and I work for him, I have no complaints about him. Not all people use the "good" in the same way. Or to mean the same thing. I think he has brought stability, peace, and prosperity to Shan Fan, relative to what it was like before he became Big Boss.
Zach Dallas nods
Long-Haired Tony: To me, that makes him a "good" man. If your definition of "good" is what a bible-thumping Christian calls "good" then no.
Zach Dallas: Is there some way to gain audience to him?
Long-Haired Tony looks at Zach strangely.
Long-Haired Tony: Possibly.
Stinky Pete: Oh dear. This won't be good. Or easy.
Long-Haired Tony: You do not request an audience of him, he requests to see you. Which means that you must do something that is interesting enough to him that he wishes to speak with you.
Zach Dallas laughs
Zach Dallas: I think I like him so far
Long-Haired Tony: Unless you have so much money you can just bribe your way in to see him...last I heard that cost about $5000.
Zach Dallas: Nah, we're pretty good at being interesting
Long-Haired Tony: I imagine you are.
Campaign saved.