The group packs up their belongings and prizes and moves on-perhaps eager for the dubious safety of a crowded street, rather than the shadows and dust of this empty place.
Leering wooden eyes watch as they go, but they mark it not.
...
The neighborhoods around the sluice are quite hilly-sloping downward into the great river that splits North and Southwood. As a rule, it's easier to go down than up-much of the level is made of tiered wooden structures of dubious quality, though they are larger than most of Lowtown overall. The land was once called the Watch Hills, since it was used as a first line of defense versus the people who first conquered it by the natives-and later by the conquers against anyone trying to do the same. Come Cataclysm, the Terminus War saw an increased investment in outlying defenses-these small wooden fortifications effectively mark the end of Oasis itself, though many people have built beyond and the original walls were torn down for building material and kindling-only what amounts to a fence now signals the borders of Oasis, which is made more by the locals forced to the edge out of paranoia, than any effort on the cities part.
In these days, the lingo has changed the area to 'Watchrest'-perhaps, because bold thieves and criminals being pursued are known to run the maze of the buildings at the bottommost edge and scurry all the way to top, which tends to leave the local toughs out of breath and unable to follow.
...
The party spots one such encounter, in fact, at that moment-a slight, cloaked feminine form with dark black hair sneaking and clambering a few rows below them. A horde of white vested (though very dirty) guards in pursuit. It's clear she's worn them down like a cunning fox would a pack of lazy hounds-they are panting and swearing, faces red and sweaty. In another moment, she ducks out of sight-another lucky day for a would-be thief.
...
The group splits momentarily, using a old, gnarled tree as a meeting spot. Judging by the numerous carving's that festoon it's bark (X loves Y crossed out, now Y loves A) it's a sort of kissing tree using by young people-by it's mere location, difficult to see from any main thoroughfares.
Ari moves ahead-turning his cap down and his cloak up, and holding his little bag of 'usefuls'-as if he were just another layperson. After a moment judging the stream of people, he dives in and joins the crowds, a faceless shadow in a room of lights.
Hide 1d20+8=23
Vs Spot checks
?
?
Ari Spot Check
?
The fellow chosen for watch duty was apparently not known for his subtlety. He stands almost right in front of a widows door, perched against a fence post-arms crossed and glaring at everyone who goes by. Well, except Ari-with a sarcastic tip of the hat, he passes by the Dwarf with absolutely no recognition. He'd be hard to miss, being so phenomenally ugly. The Dwarf, I mean. Ari could be considered quite handsome.
Before passing out of sight, Ari notices the fellow is certainly some sort of warrior-he's wearing heavy chainmail and carrying a battleaxe fairly openly, and the seem to be in good shape-unlike their owner.
...
Ari comes back to his friends and relays the information.
Author
Topic: D&D 3.5 PbP: Oasis/Adventures in Hightown (Play Thread) (Read 10157 times)