Citadel's Shadow II, Session 69

Citadel's Shadow II, Session 69 was a session of the Citadel's Shadow II campaign, played on 1 March 2020 (UTC) (29 Februrary 2020 for some participants).
== Personnel ==
===Game Master===
*GM: played by Michael Lee Viviano
===Player Characters===
*Fern the Siegemaster: inventive fox-person student played by Rail Runner
*Juan de Fulmando: sword-wielding human alchemist played by Alden Loveshade,
=== Prominent Non-Player Characters ===
*Audrea Daleos: non-certified mage
*Eri Snow: fox-person entertainer for Madame Maude Lynn's Theater of Thrills
*Gimler Rockhand: dwarven merchant
*Jinxi: androgynous jester with poppet Jack
*Kyrie Kelevan: priestess of Damira
== Events ==
=== 1742 ===
Heris 35 (Reckoning): In the afternoon, Juan Silvio-Vagle was teaching Kyrie Kelevan how to play draughts on the top floor at Maisson Boulavier. Eri Snow and Fern the Siegemaster were watching, while Jinxi was providing commentary. Juan said some people draughts was a lot simpler than chess, but it wasn't; Fern disagreed based on the relative number of possible moves.
An unfamiliar dwarf appeared at the top of the stairs. He was Gimler Rockhand, and was looking for Juan de Fulmando.  Juan explained that was him, even though he was now using a different surname.  Gimler was a merchant, and had been referred to Juan by Miss Hanna Gruskin (and Jinxi and a fox-person had been mentioned as well).
Gimler said he was picking up a cargo from an alchemist associate who lived in Temples Ward.  It would be the next day, Restingday.  Gimler offered to pay 300 dragons, and there was discussion about who was interested, with Juan giving first option to those who were present.  Gimler identified the alchemist as Zigon the Sanitator, who specialized in "sanitation devices."  He said that gangs, along with occasional monsters, could be a problem in Temples.
Gimler said, "The devices I'm purchasing are rock-like things which are placed in a bucket. Upon speaking an activation charm, the rocks absorb any non-completely solid material in the bucket."
Jinxi asked, "So, what would happen if one of these rock-like things was to shatter?"  Gimler Rockhand said, "Depending on what was absorbed, I would be it would very unfortunate for those nearby."  Fern thought the rocks thus be used as a weapon.
The group learned that Gimler planned to travel on foot with guards, and could fight if necessary.  Juan asked Gimler to return in about an hour os he could discuss it with others.
Gimler said, "A couple other things to mention. There will be some pay in the event of a less than complete success. Of course, it is to be hoped that I survive the expedition. But in the worst circumstance, I should be returned to my brother Nutker, with the merchandise if possible. If we fail to obtain the merchandise, there isn't much I'll be able to do."
Juan said he couldn't speak for anyone else, but if he failed he would accept no payment.  After Gimler left, Juan asked if anyone there was interested.  Fern said she could go, and Eri said if Fern was going she would.  Jinxi didn't express an interest in going, but in getting one of the "potty rocks."
Audrea Daleos came up and said there was a dwarf downstairs, and Jinxi told Audrea what it was about.  Juan clarified he wanted to give first choice on the assignment to those who were there at the time, and asked what they could do to help.  Fern said she could bring her rifle, Eri said if Fern went she'd go even without a reward, and Kyrie had both healing ability and offensive spells, but wanted Audrea to come as well.
Juan said the more people the more the money would be divided, and he didn't want people risking their life for very little.  Audrea said she figured they could get more money, but Juan said he wasn't much at haggling.  The group decided to go by money per person, with $75 each.  Juan said as he was more or less in charge, he wouldn't ask for more money for himself but did want first choice of anything extra they might get.  Audrea wanted to go, and Juan said she could if Gimler offered $75 more.
Jinxi said, "What about me?"  Juan said, ""What about you, Jinxi? All you said you're interested in is the rocks."  Jinxi said, "Well, I've never been in Temples. I want to get that checked off my bucket list."  Juan said, "As you're the last to ask, if he agrees to $150 more, you're included.  That would cover Audrea and you."
Gimler returned, and Juan explained the four for $300, extra for more arrangement.  Fern explained that more people meant better odds of success.  Audrea demonstrated a crackle of lightning, and Gimler agreed to pay $400.  Fern said she was interested in armour, but Gimler said he didn't deal in that.  There was debate about including Jinxi, but it was decided the $400 wouldn't cover that, and Jinxi left.
Juan wanted half payment before hand, but Gimlar had brought $150, half of the originally offered amount, and the group agreed to accept that as partial payment with $250 paid later.  The group decided to meet at 08:30 the next morning.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 2020 02 29)
Heris 36 (Restingday):  In the morning, Audrea Daleos, Eri Snow, Fern the Siegemaster, Juan Silvio-Vagle, and Kyrie Kelevan met with Gimler Rockhand and discussed the route they would take.
The group traveled, and arrived at the gate where they were met by Corporal Akira Kinpatsu.  They explained they were "taking a walk," but Kyrie said they were on a job.  It was found they all had the legal right to carry the weapons they had.  A Sarakunan girl came out of the guard shed.  She was Mikoto Kinpatsu, sister of Akira and a fortune teller, said a prayer for the group which included a dance.
Fern, Eri, and Juan stuck near Gimler, while Audrea and Kyrie followed from about as far behind as they could with their distance spells still being able to reach those in front.  The group went through an burnt out area, with piles of debris, broken down brick walls, and the like.
Suddenly, from quite a distance two crossbow bolts whizzed by their heads.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 2020 02 29)