{Modern Setting} Coal City (Rest Day)

[Duniagdra]

OUT OF CHARACTER

I'm up for checking up on the seekers or going to the cave. Considering the popularity of one of these seekers, it could be likely that someone may have been watching them and might know of any activity. Or, we could not concern ourselves with them and just go to the cave. Just my

 

[CGM3]

Linda suggests some socializing in whatever passes for the local diner to see if the group can hear any rumors of the activities of the seekers, who seem to have made a splash in the town. That will probably be their cover story, but may give indicators to their true purpose.

[klakxor]

Sahid agrees that getting information on the activities of the Seekers in town might be the best option for today, since we will not be able to get to the cave with Brad and Eric until tomorrow

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Good. Let's have some Gather Information checks to see if you can locate the Seekers. I'm heading out of town tomorrow morning. I might be able to validate tonight, but then there might be a delay until the 19th or 20th.

 

[klakxor]

Gather Info check (1d20+1=17)

[Duniagdra]

Marcus does his best talking with the locals. Gather info, and if allowed, Diplomacy (1d20+1=6, 1d20+1=19)

[CGM3]

Linda concentrates on flirting with the cute guys, to get that all-important +2 Charm bonus.

Gather Information: 1d20+10 = 25; Diplomacy (if applicable): 1d20+10 = 23

[patransom]

The people Marcus talks to can only tell him that, yes, the celebrity Eric Gold has been in town, but they can't (or won't) tell anything more.

Linda and Sahid, however, each uncover a considerable amount of information. It's easy to find out what a celebrity's been up to in a little town like Coal City. Eric and his entourage, a scrawny man and a rather attractive, exotic-looking woman, are still in town. They are staying at the same motel you are (it's the only motel in town). They have been taking day hikes in the hills around town, but spending their afternoons and evenings at the bar (the Hungry Dog) across the street from the motel. Since it's past lunchtime now, Eric will probably be there soon. He's never late for happy hour and likes to talk to the fans.

Linda, with a little charm, is able to find out some more. The group's hikes have mostly been to the north of town, not near where the Whispering Cave is located (east and a bit south). But they've been asking about other interesting hiking trails, local ghost stories, and opportunities for light spelunking. Probably only a matter of time before someone points them in the direction of the Whispering Cave. From the desk clerk at the motel, Linda is also able to wheedle out the room numbers of each member of the Seeker party.

[klakxor]

Sahid suggests to Linda and Marcus that the three of them should go to the local tavern and see if they can listen in to find out where the Seekers will be hikiing out to next.

[Duniagdra]

Marcus nods in agreement to Sahid saying, “I think that might be a good idea.”

[CGM3]

Linda agrees, suggesting they also try to find where the Seekers might be hiking (she doesn't know what hikiing might be, and doesn't really want to, it sounds vaguely obscene.)

[Duniagdra]

Linda agrees, suggesting they also try to find where the Seekers might be hiking (she doesn't know what hikiing might be, and doesn't really want to, it sounds vaguely obscene.)

OUT OF CHARACTER

 

[patransom]

Arriving at the Hungry Dog tavern, you find the front parking lot absolutely packed with pickup trucks and a few motorcycles. In fact, you have to park the van across the street at the motel. Seems odd for so early in the afternoon on a weekday...

Entering the tavern, it appears to be mostly one large room, with a polished wooden bar spanning most of the length of the wall opposite the front door. The left half of the room is taken up by a ring with a mechanical bull. Plastic tables and chairs fill the center of the room and there are several dartboards to the right of the area with tables. Country and western music blares from a jukebox near the dartboards. Stuffed deer heads and neon beer signs cover the walls.

The place is quite full, again a little odd for a workday afternoon. Most of the patrons appear to be typical blue-collar men in plaid flannel shirts, t-shirts with crude slogans, or overalls. A few men in black leather motorcycle jackets sit at one of the tables. Middle-aged women in halter tops and Daisy Dukes work behind the bar or carrying pitchers of beer to the tables.

Two patrons immediately catch your eye, because there seems to be a small crowd of people around each of them. A tall blonde man with a chiseled jaw stands at the bar near the mechanical bull ring, holding a mug of beer and talking loudly. He's dressed like many of the other men in a flannel shirt and blue jeans, but his clothes seem brand new and he's wearing a ridiculously wide belt with a giant gaudy gold emblem covering the entire front, like the championship belts they hand out to boxers or professional wrestlers. The men surrounding him, and one of the bartendresses, appear to be hanging on his every word.

At one of the dartboards, a slender woman is lining up her throw while a group of men watch intently. The woman sticks out like a sore thumb in here for several reasons. First, her clothes, although casual, make her look like she belongs in a New York cafe, not a West Virginia country-western bar. Second, her face is oddly thin and angular, her ears are somewhat pointed, and her features are just a little too fine. A non-sensitive would call her face "exotic," but you suspect she's probably not entirely human. As she sinks her dart in the center of the bullseye, the men groan and hand her wads of dollar bills while one of the waitresses glares.

[klakxor]

Sahid looks at Marcus and Linda. Looks like we can probably figure out who the seekers are, huh? Why don't we grab an empty table down near Eric there. Marcus, how good at darts are you?

[Duniagdra]

“Well, I might be pretty good at losing, but that may not be good, even if I could learn anything of what they've uncovered. She just took some money for those guys and I'm not very high in funds. Perhaps I could try and see if I can learn her name at least, maybe even a little more about what these folk may know of her. I'm really more skilled in other areas, but perhaps I can apply a little bit of my research and investigative skills to use.”

OUT OF CHARACTER

Would the dart board game follow a standard attack method, or a skill use method?

 

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Playing darts would be a standard ranged (thrown) attack.

 

[CGM3]

“While you guys are casing Miz Oh-I'm-Just-So-Irresistible there, I'll wander over towards Mister God's-Gift-To-Women-By-His-Own-Admission and see what he's natterin' about,” Linda states. Suiting action to words, she saunters over towards the mechanical bull, stopping on the fringe of Eric Gold's admirers and listening whatever declamation the man is making.

[patransom]

There is only one empty table in the Hungry Dog. It is on the right hand side of the bar, away from Eric and closer to the dartboards. It seems the "regulars" have avoided that table because it is next to another table occupied by leather-jacketed bikers. The rest of the patrons seem to be giving the group of bikers a wide berth and the waitress looks a bit nervous whenever she goes over to the bikers' table.

Moving over towards Eric, Linda picks up the following bit of his monologue, “So, you see, it wasn't just the pyrotechnics. We won because L-Rak was the only one of the True Saints with any real sword training. Also why he decided to retire and take on management full-time. Things are moving more toward skill with the weapons and not just athletic ability. L-Rak's got both, but he doesn't feel like putting together a team with a bunch of strangers.”

A man asks a question that Linda can't quite make out, to which Eric replies, “Oh, there are still going to be special effects! In fact, just wait until next season and you'll see. It won't just be Kev doing it, either. There are a bunch more folks joining the league who are good with that stuff. And L-Rak's expanding the rules. So you'll see some really cool things. I'm not supposed to tell all the details, but I'll give you a taste: people are going to fly! It's still really about the weapons skills, but the special effects can be a good advantage, just like you saw with us.”

After another unintelligble question, Eric says, “Hell yeah, there will still be the monster fight! That gets great ratings. You know, in spite of how the announcers make it sound, it's kind of an advantage to get drawn for the monster fight. It looks scary but it's actually a little easier than fighting a trained team. Less tiring. I was a little worried with the True Saints coming off the monster and us worn down from that mess with Badlands. But we got 'em anyway, eh?”

[klakxor]

Sahid will sit down at the table by the bikers and wait for the waitress to stop over. When she does, he will flash a friendly smile to her and order a beer. He will try to listen to what is happening over at the dart game and keep an eye on the lady seeker.

[Duniagdra]

Being not much of a lady's man, Marcus still give it a go at darts.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Is there only one dart board? If there are more, Marcus will retrieve darts from the other board and start tossing them, otherwise he'll start with the following dialog.

 

“Hi, I'm Marcus. Would you mind if I had a throw at the board? A friendly game perhaps?”

[CGM3]

Linda makes a mental note to do some research on whatever sport, hobby, or other form of organized insanity Eric is supposed to be doing here.

[patransom]

There are a couple of dart boards free, so Marcus walks up to the one closest to the action and begins practicing. He is able to hear the woman laugh, “Haha! I guess I am very lucky for a beginner! Should we play again?” The men who were playing with her mutter and shake their heads no, then wander off to the bar for more beer. Now without any opponents left, the woman turns to Marcus and smiles. “Hello,” she says, “Do you play this game of darting? My friends who were teaching me seem to have gone away...” The woman has something of an accent that Marcus cannot place exactly.

[Duniagdra]

Marcus turns to the woman, seeming innocent, “What? Oh, darts. I'm not a player. Hi, I'm Marcus,” Marcus reaches out his hand in greeting. “I was just looking to understand the math in it. Looking at the board, it seems to be equally distributed in a particular method. Do you have any idea of how the points work for this?”

With three darts in hand, Marcus throws them one after another.

SpoilerShow

Three darts shooting for bull's eye's. (1d20+1=8, 1d20+1=4, 1d20+1=11)
I'm assuming a stationary target would have a low AC rating?

[patransom]

Marcus throws his three darts rather poorly. Only the third throw manages to hit the dartboard at all. He hears some snickers from the nearby table of bikers.

OUT OF CHARACTER

The dartboard is stationary, but it's also not a very big target. It's AC 10 to hit the dartboard at all, AC 15 to hit any particular number, and AC 20 to hit the bullseye.

 

The woman smiles at Marcus' throws, then says, “Hello, Mar-cus. My name is Tara. I do not know about these numbers. My new friends just showed me that the object of the darting game is to hit the small eye of bull in the center. We make betting on who can do so the first.” She considers where Marcus' darts have ended up, then adds, “It seems you are beginner, like me. Maybe we play the betting game and it will be more fair than with my expert teachers?”

[Duniagdra]

Marcus throws his three darts rather poorly. Only the third throw manages to hit the dartboard at all. He hears some snickers from the nearby table of bikers.

OUT OF CHARACTER

The dartboard is stationary, but it's also not a very big target. It's AC 10 to hit the dartboard at all, AC 15 to hit any particular number, and AC 20 to hit the bullseye.

 

The woman smiles at Marcus' throws, then says, “Hello, Mar-cus. My name is Tara. I do not know about these numbers. My new friends just showed me that the object of the darting game is to hit the small eye of bull in the center. We make betting on who can do so the first.” She considers where Marcus' darts have ended up, then adds, “It seems you are beginner, like me. Maybe we play the betting game and it will be more fair than with my expert teachers?”

Seeing where his darts land, Marcus chuckles a bit at himself. Turning to the woman, “Tara, that's a nice name. your accent is not familiar though. Where do you come from? What brings you hear?” Pretending not to notice her invite to playing for money, Marcus returns to the board and gathers his darts, Even the two from the floor. He steps behind the line and throws again.

SpoilerShow

Taking another throw x3 at the dartboard. (1d20+1=13, 1d20+1=15, 1d20+1=20)

Marcus smiles at his good fortune. He leans closer to Tara, but not enough to make her think he's trying something. Those biker guys think they're good. I can say this because they're laughing at my last throw. What say we team up and play doubles? You and me against two of them. I doubt they'll turn us down. You're a woman and I'm a nerd. He then leans back and retrieves his darts. “Though it does take skill, luck also is needed to make me look good.”

[CGM3]

Linda is still keeping an eye on Eric Gold.

[klakxor]

Sahid orders another beer, leary of the bikers nearby and watches Marcus' interaction with a little amusement. He also keeps an eye on Linda and makes sure she does not get lost in the crowd around Eric.

[patransom]

Tara answers Marcus, “I am from Budapest.” This seems odd, since her accent doesn't really seem Eastern European. Waving in the general direction of Eric Gold, she continues, “I visit here with my friends. We enjoy the hiking and seeing the nature of this area.”

When Marcus makes his whispered suggestion, she nods yes, but says outloud, “Yes, this sounds like fun, but I wish to know more of you first, Marcus. Are you from this Coal City?”

OUT OF CHARACTER

Someone who didn't hear Marcus' whisper could easily jump to unsavory conclusions based on her response

 

She nonchalantly throws her three darts at the board. Two miss the board completely, but the third lands in the bullseye next to Marcus' third shot. Tara looks surprised and laughs, “Look. I continue to be lucky, like you!”

Sahid finds it easy to keep an eye on Linda across the bar. Her designer clothes make her easy to spot.

Linda can hear Eric continuing to talk about things that make very little sense to her.

[Duniagdra]

Marcus coughs and chuckles a bit playing it off and following her cue. “Yes, yes. Well, that wasn't what I meant, but getting to know each other would still be nice,” he says as though trying to save face. “Me, Cole City? Nah, I'm from further north and a bit more west.” He pauses a moment, “Budapest ya say? Your accent is not familiar, but I suppose I'm not going to know all dialects I guess.” In response to her good shot, “As I said, though skill has a major roll in darts; arc of throw, force of throw, and hitting the mark you're aiming for, luck also has an equal role to play in this. Especially for beginners.” Marcus retrieves all six darts and hands her three back to her. He then lets her take her turn.

“So what trails have you been through? I'm not much for wilderness travel. Give me a computer, and I'm right at home.”

While maintaining casual conversation, Marcus will be occasionally, and inconspicuously, trying to find anything of interest, tattoos, medallions, something of her clothing and what-not. If she's wearing anything that might give a clue to where she comes from.

SpoilerShow

Spot check to notice anything on her and Knowledge: Arcane Lore to identify any symbols or such (1d20+1=20, 1d20+9=19)
I hope this yields me something about who she may really be. My spot skill is only a +1

[patransom]

Tara replies, “I do not know the names of these trails, but we are looking for caves. My friends like the stories of ghosts, so we try to find a haunted cave. I think they are trying to scare me!” She laughs, then throws her darts. All three miss the board completely. She asks, “If you are not for the wilderness, why do you come to this Coal City?”

OUT OF CHARACTER

Marcus does not spot anything that would identify where she's from, but his Arcane Lore is good enough to recognize that she is an Elf, a creature of shadow, but the sort that can easily pass as human and therefore requires little cognitive dissonance for non-sensitives to accept.