[3.5] Mystery of Whitedell (IC)

[inventor226]

Hello and welcome,
The Adventures:
-----------------------
1)Tch'et'ka (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=277002): Thri-Kreen Fighter by Samfool
2)Kallen (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=277222):Silverbrow human Bard by Yuki_Akuma
3)Deth'aerythi (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=277130): Even Paladin (Gorgondantess) by Roc-Ness
4)Growin Aupur (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=277145): Gnome Crusader by Growin
5)Nariar (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=277129): Desert Elf Binder by soulabre345

OOC: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10419021

The white stone that the cities walls are made of is the namesake of the city. The Gyffords have been ruling Whitdell for all of living memory. The general public is consent with the current king, Ivo, but they are not overly happy with him either. Whitedell is a city-state, meaning there is no higher authority over the city but Whitedell does have influence over the otherwise lawless farm areas around it. You're members of the city guard, a job that requires you to look after the inhabitants of the city, and if called upon the villages and communities around you. Lacking a formal military force, the city guard would be the first and possible last defense against a military invasion, though they would have to be really well equipped to get past the high walls around the city. Here is a map of the city:
http://i54.tinypic.com/oaq3wh.png

There have been talk lately that people have been going missing. The captain of the guard, Phillip Grey, has called you five here personally to brief you on the matter. You have about five to ten minutes in the briefing room before Phillip arrives. What do you do?

[Samfool]

Tch'et'ka was an odd creature, and he knew it. But this bothered him not. He was a mercenary for hire, and thats what he always was and ever will be. He likes this fact.
"Are t'there and leads? Any informat'tion?"

"t't" is actually a clicking sound.

[soulsabre345]

Nariar was leaning against a wall in the room as he looked to the others of the party in the room. He was wearing a full black robe that covered his entire form and barely showed his face

I wouldn't know, I just got here a couple hours ago. Although, people going missing, not the best sign.

Binding Check to see if andromalius influences me (Since we started in the town I've bound him already, but checking to see if he has a say for the day):
[roll0]

[Growin]

A small fully armored figure complete with a mithral tower shield strapped to his arm which is completely adorned with religious symbols of Kord (if you make the appropriate Knowledge Religion Checks) shifts the weight of his warhammer and clears his throat:

"Deth'aerythi, it's been a couple of moons since I last saw you, good to see you made the cut, lad. You convert to Kord yet and put away that bow of yours?" Growin says in a deep gruff voice.

A huge dog, part mastiff by the looks of him, sits quietly in the corner. A tattoo of a Kord's Holy symbol is emblazoned upon his face. He wears a chain shirt barding and otherwise is content to have his tongue hang out of his mouth.

[Roc Ness]

Deth'aeryrthi
There is a familiar elf, clad in clean studded leather painted with the watch emblem. He is twirling a signature blunted arrow in one hand, and fingering a pendant with another.

You've probably heard him say before that the pendant was his personal little symbol of the law. It is reasonably well known among the Guard.

Deth responds to Tch'et'ka's question with a sad shaking of his head. "I apologise, Tch'et'ka, but I do not have any leads. Scanning the streets has revealed nothing, in all my years I have never seen anything like this."

And he responds to the odd little gnome with a short laugh. "Ha ha, Growin. I swear, I bought you lunch yesterday, are you getting forgetful? It is good to see you, of course."

He gives the huge dog a bit of a rub on the back. "And how are you today, Rellik?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Kallen sits in a corner, tapping her arm irritably. Waiting around has never been her style. She herself is more of a 'specialist' than an actual guard - she only gets called in on... sensitive matters. Like this one.

Not that she's happy about this one. "I don't mind helping, but... missing persons? Is that really all?"

[Growin]

Rellik gives Deth'aeryrthi a large paw after he's done petting him.

"Some day I'll be able to afford full plate barding for him, but you know how the guard pay is. Was it yesterday? I ate lunch with an elf lass for sure, ahh you all look the same." Growin shrugs it off.

Growin continue's in elven, "Look, if it isn't Kallen. Thought her specialty was getting out of guard duty; odd she finally got put to work. We must have drawn the short straw to supervise this mission."

[soulsabre345]

Nariar steps away from the wall and looks over to the elf and gnome, the cloak making barely a sound, his face not clearly visible in it's depths.

He speaks up in Elven "Are missing people common in this area then? I would think any town that can't keep track of it's own wouldn't last that long. Then again, I come from a desert, what would I know about civilized towns?"

[inventor226]

As the five of you are talking the door open and enters a tall, rather strong for his age human enters the room. It is clear that he is upset with something. He wastes no time in saying:
"Hello all, I am sure you have all heard about the recent disappearances the have been occurring around the city. This is rather unusually for our normally peaceful town, which is why I want you all to investigate them and both get it to stop and try and rescue who you can. I have compiled a list of everyone who has gone missing." He says as he hands you a note. " Do what ever it takes to to get to the bottom of this; within reason of course." he adds as an after thought.

Note:
1) John Hawtrey, Human, Baker (This Morning)
He was taking his children, Jake and Marry, for a walk by the small grove to the south of the city when his children ran up ahead. All of a sudden the children heard a muffled scream and they came running back. Their father was gone.

2) Eberk Ungart, Dwarf, Smith (Yesterday):
Last seen by his apprentice, Chorit, before Chorit went home for the night. Eberk was staying late to finish a project.

3) Qillathe Amakiir, Grey Elf, Item Crafter (Yesterday) :
She was heading out to the store late at night to buy some milk for breakfast the next morning but never returned home.

4) Estia Melou, Fire Elf, Illusionist (Two Days Ago):
After her final show in the early morning at the local tavern (~3 a.m.) she went up to her room to sleep. Guests remember hearing ruffling coming from her room shortly after, but thinking it was someone just having a good time they left it be. She never showed up to work later that day.

5) Boddynock Beren,Gnome, alchemist (Two Days Ago):
He had gone to the mountains to collect some particular rocks he needed for his formulations. He did not returned from his trip. Some other guards have been dispatched earlier today to talk to some of the locals up there but they are not expected to return till tonight or tomorrow.

[The note also contains the addresses of the last person to see them alive]


"Any Questions? ", he asks.

[Growin]

"Sir, with all due respect, I don't know if it's wise to travel around town with, well, whatever that is" Rune points at the Thri-Keen, "With people going missing I think a huge bug creature might not be a wise choice in investigating the town's folk. You remember last year the problems we had when we let those kobolds into town? Sarah Townsman's child had nightmares for months. Sargent Alms and Bowman Wilson from my platoon, could use some field experience. I can summon them in a heartbeat if necessary."

[soulsabre345]

Nariar looks at the offered note and reads over the list of missing persons. "Do you have any idea of if it's a singular party causing these disappearances? From what it looks like on this note, almost all of them seen to involve a stealthy party. Or a stealthy creature. Maybe something the alchemist set loose perhaps?"

He then looks over at growin, then at Tch'et. "If his appearance will cause such a stir, I could lend him my cloak for a little while. Id prefer to keep any allies we can, and typically those who are abnormal in one way make up for it in others."

[inventor226]

"Now Growin, if you think Tch'et'ka will cause such a disturbance he could always where a cloak, but I think as long as he wears his guard uniform and stays with you the people should know he is on their side." He responds while glancing at Tch'et'ka and back at Growin. "Nariar, we do believe it is the work of a single group or creature, which is why I have assembled you together. I don't have much information regarding the alchemist, that might be a lead you would want to check out. Well, if there are no more questions I'll take my leave and let you get to your job." Phillip stands up and starts gathering his things to go. But there is still time to ask him a question or two before he is finished.

[Growin]

Growin hides his confusion when hearing about hiding the huge bug form behind a cloak, but upon hearing about a guard uniform his confusion becomes clearly visible. Years of speaking out against authority have delayed Growin's rise in rank, a lesson he is still in need of learning. However, he says nothing.

[Roc Ness]

Deth'aeryrthi
"As our captain has stated, the Guard badge and uniform should be adequate for Tch'et'ka's social protection. Besides, we are available to help vouch for him to citizens, are we not?"

Deth takes the note and examines it with care. "Except for Ms. Melou, all of our poor missing townsfolk are a sort of secondary producer. They obtain resources from others, be it wheat or alchemical reagents, and turn them into other items, such as bread or potions."

"Profession wise, there is direct link between Mr. Beren, Mr. Ungart and Ms. Amakiir. Alchemists, Smiths and Crafters could produce objects of good value. However, I am uncertain of any obvious motives one would have for kidnapping Mr. Hawtrey the Baker, or Ms. Melou the illusionist."

"I have developed a few theories, however currently we do not have enough evidence and any presumptions now could lead to prejudice when presented with information in the future."

"I believe our first course of action must be to find more evidence.

[Roc Ness]

Deth'aeryrthi
Sighs. In the old days, people showed more initiative.

"I do believe some of us should investigate Mr. Hawtrey's disappearance while evidence is still fresh, and some of us should investigate the Ms. Melou's disappearance as hers is the earliest that is available to us."

"Sir Aupur, forgive me for giving you orders, but I would like if could take Ms. Kallen and Mr. Nariar with you to investigate Mr. Hawtrey's disappearance. If it pleases you I would prefer that only Ms. Kallen communicated with Mr. Hawtrey's family; I find that humans prefer to talk only with others of their race while in distress. Tch'et'ka, I would like you to accompany me to investigate the disappearance of Ms. Melou."

"Everybody, are these terms acceptable? If they are not, please give sign now; if they are, then we leave for our destinations now, meeting back at the guard house at noon."

[soulsabre345]

Nariar nods at Deth. "Anything to get this search started is a good thing, I'm ready to go whenever you guys are."

[Roc Ness]

Deth'aeryrthi
Nods to Nariar.

"Everybody else ready?"