Notes from 01/07/21 - Duchery #1 of 3 - A/M

[MercyDrake]

“Marco” (Amaroth) and “Fuma” (Mercy) made the journey to the Daggerford Inn. No guards were seen en route until a set of two in the marketplace, and then two more at the Inn’s doorway. The guards at the door accosted the pair and asked their intentions. “Fuma” let the Honorable “Marco” do the talking because “Fuma” is too embarrassed to extol “his” own virtues, but then “Marco” extoled “him” as not the heaviest hammer in the bag. “Fuma” beamed at that.

The doorway guard noted that “Marco” did not seem like Zentarum material, and that he looked skinny for a recruit, but the guard eventually cottoned onto the fact that “Marco” indulged in arcane arts. At length he asked whether “Marco” could make it rain gold. After a non-answer, the guard told the pair to head on in.

Inside was a large, open, well lit room with about a dozen people who were mostly a combination of city watch and Zentarum. “Marco” and “Fuma” sidled up to the bar where an axe-bearing dwarf and double dirk halfling were standing around. Behind the bar was a short human female and “Marco” asked her about renting a room.

What followed was a series of warnings:
• There really are no rooms (any other options?)
• You can have space in the common area, but you really don’t want to (Yes, of course)
• Are you **really** sure this is a good idea? (Pair pays 1 gp)
• Don’t go up the stairs; you must talk to Restav to finish joining the Zentarum

Restav, a bald half-elf with a trimmed black beard, was sitting at the far table with a Zentarum standing attentively at his die.
• Restav does not drink
• He is a sharp one

Restav carefully wrote down information on the pair, then said “Let’s go look at (“Fuma’s”) arm in the pit.”

“Fuma” climbed into the pit to face a semi-toothed humanoid, named Volo, whose hands were wrapped for fighting. “Fuma” apologized for the damage “Fuma” was about to do to Volo. They exchanged unarmed blows for multiple rounds until Volo landed a solid blow on “Fuma’s” chest and broke his hand on “Fuma’s” disguised half-plate. Restav noticed, showing much interest in the event, but said nothing about it.

“Fuma” took advantage of Volo’s pain by grabbing the hand and squeezing mightily, but Volo yanked his hand free. The fight continued two more rounds before “Fuma” knocked Volo out. The crowd carried Volo off.

Restav grinned and said to “Marco,” now you find “Fuma.” With no option to leave, “Marco” drew a dagger and got into the pit with “Fuma.” Although “Fuma” was still well-damaged from the Volo fight, “Marco” only had a dagger and not a lot of strength to put behind blows against an opponent wearing half-plate. “Fuma” grabbed “Marco’s” dagger hand and knocked him prone without letting go of the hand. “Marco” shook free, but “Fuma” circled behind and jumped on his back, forgetting the “he” was a foot taller, 100 pounds heavier, and the plate wasn’t light either. “Marco” collapsed, then dimension doored both of them out of the pit. They both adopted new disguises in the corner of the market where “Marco” had taken them, before returning their room.

[Brianna Sollandry]

Man, did I ever screw up.

[MercyDrake]

Most of the outcomes would have had similar results. Not going might have been the only better:

1) if "Marco" and "Fuma" had tried to simply leave, they would have had to deal with the guards at the door. Probable scene - get simple derision as we left in shame, but bullies tend to rub your face in it. Probable outcome: brawl with multiple Zentarum, attract Restav from a position of having to deal with multiple opponents while hiding the disguise.

1a) try to enlist help from the two guys at the bar? Maybe can leave safely with them.

2) if M/F just went into the common area without approaching Restav, there would still have been a challenge, just not with Restav watching. That might have been safest but what exit strategy? No quiet place to take on second persona, so would have to escape in current disguises? That gets back to #1.

3) if M/F went to Restav trying to enlist "Fuma" only, then there needed to be some prepared story/cover for "Marco". Where would he stay? (Not here) What was he doing in Daggerford? What was his purpose?

3a) Maybe "Marco" could have let "Fuma" sign up and then tried a 'what can I do that would usefully help approach'
but that is vulnerable to questions along the lines of 'what ever gave you the idea we can use the likes of you?
Again, no story prepared. "Marco" might have talked his way out of it but that probably leaves "Fuma" in the
common area alone - with a spell ,at will be running out.