Quasi Dungeons and Dragons

(Can’t update the map at the moment.)

Eikka checks out the remaining room: This dust-choked room contains a slender bed, a night- stand, a small iron stove, a writing desk with a stool, an empty wardrobe, and a rocking chair. A smiling doll in a lacy yellow dress sits in the northern window box, cob-webs draping it like a wedding veil. From outside the window, she hears a soft mewing sound.

Back in the kid’s room...

Rose, sighs. Well, our parents locked us in here, telling us they were protecting us from a monster in the basement. I guess they forgot about us or died, because we couldn’t get out and starved to death.

I'm sorry that happened, I think your mother died, as there was mad specter in the nursery, but we've yet to find indication of where your father might be or if he is dead.

I look at Thorn

I pull out my lute and pluck a basic arpeggio, smile on my face, expression communicating that I'm waiting for his answer.

I search for the source of the sound.

Wordlessly, Thorn sits Indian style in front of Snerp, a small smile on his face.

Eikka traces the sound to a window, where she sees a small cat cowering on the roof ledge just outside.

I spend a round examining the cat. Few things here are as they seem.

I begin playing a jaunty and comedic tune about a clumsy, but kind-hearted oaf thrust into a position of great importance, and the hilariously disastrous results that came from it. 

Throughout the song I cast the minor illusion cantrip at my disposal to provide still images to go along with the song.

(ahhhhh, save the kitty Merlin, I can communicate basic things with it as a forest gnome. So perfect 😍)

(I don't think that thing is a real cat.)

(it could be, don't ruin my hopes like this 🙇)

🐱🐱🐱

(it's funny cause less than a couple weeks ago I found a stray kitten at the auto shop I work at, and was like, "I'm gonna keep you" 😍)

(Did you take it to the vet? Pics?)

(yup, got her her shots and she had an eye infection that's cleared up already. Pic and another)

(Cute.)

(ikr, so smol)

When I finish the song I smile at Thorn, then look at Rose with a slightly more serious expression

So we are supposed to go to the basement right?

(eventually, yeah, that's probably exactly where we gotta go.)

it would appear that is all that is left I think

(planning on asking if they know how to get into the basement among other things if my persuasion attempt here works)

I brace my crossbow against the window frame for my best one handed shot and open the window with my other hand.

How high is your Persuade stat, fampai? Maybe I should try to talk to them. Maybe you can play background music.

I believe mine is tied for the highest....

(I have 15 charisma, +4 for persuasion, and an additional +4 for charisma throws as a bard. If my understanding is correct I start at 23 base for charisma throws. Unless it's 1/2 Chr + bonuses which was how it used to be if I recall correctly, in which case I'm still sitting at 15 or 16 base on throws + the die roll added.

@Drafter- am I recalling this correctly? 

@Earth- basically, my characters is specifically built in part to talk. And is only gonna become moreso as we level and i dump stat increases into charisma being my spells are tied to that stat.

Right now it's closer, but one or two levels in and I'll be proportionally much higher than anyone else most likely, as I would think you and roberts aren't likely to put stat increases into that which your abilities or spells are not reliant on to be successful.

Plus, gnome cunning gives me advantage on Charisma throws against magic. So even if someone is under the influence of magic to not be persuaded, decieved, or otherwise, it doesn't matter all that much, I'll still have a high chance of success. 

Tl;dr- for now it doesnt make much of a difference, but further into the game, I'm the guy who you'll want greasing the wheels of NPC's.)

(or say distracting them with deception, while Earth sneaks behind and jacks their coin purse with his seeming desire for, and focus on, treasure. Yeah, I still remember you jacking the messengers coin purse 😏.)

Oh shit, thats right

(I jacked a sword despite the fact I can't use it)

(Plus, presdigitation, illusory script, and a disguise kit all aid in talking to NPC's. Like say disguising myself as a guard escorting you all as prisoners and using illusory script on my love letter to appear as transport orders, so as to sneak into a heavily guarded area.

Roberts or Merlin are def good to have tag along in case intimidation is needed tho. A gnomes not gonna intimidate anyone. A half orc in battle armor or a fighter will do the trick though. Kind of like a, "deal with me, so you don't have to deal with them" "I'm the good cop, if you want the bad I can let them handle this" type thing 😂😂)

(that you did jack a sword. I figured baaed upon what you have been doing, you were gonna be more focused on exploring for things. Especially since it looks like you start with 15 base on perception(wisdom) throws. Which leads me to believe it's still (1/2 of stat + bonuses) on rolls.)