[3.5] Everything Flows (IC)

[Echoes]

The warm breeze caresses your cheek, stirring a heady scent of incense that wafts up from two small smudge sticks which have been set carefully on a small stand before you. Though the sky above is a crystalline blue, the old woman standing in the half-shadow of an alley before you casts about the air a sense of dark mystery as she drones on in hushed tones. It is early into the afternoon on the eve of the anniversary of the Sealing, and all around you there are tents and performers in brightly colored garb. This woman, though, seems oddly out of place; instead of a swarth of gaudy colors, she has donned a simple brown outfit, paired with a threadbare cowl and shawl. The only color present on her tanned, leathery form comes from a set of silvered tattoos which scroll up the insides of her forearms, quickly lost behind the folds of cloth she wears.

For the past few minutes, she has been recounting a tale of the rifts and their sealing. Spinning legends about the rise and fall of the rifts is a common pastime in the communities which sprung out of the once-fractured world, though rarely do such stories hold any degree of truth. Hers speaks of an incumbent great war, and a society of powerful beings who sealed off the dissonant communities to preserve humanity, only to be overthrown centuries later by adventurers who had long since forgotten the reason the rifts came to be. Nothing notable stands out about her particular telling, and it seems to lack much of the flare often associated with such stories.

Suddenly, she turns to the six individuals who have gathered around her, a faded smile and distant glint taking her eye as if a strange idea has just crossed her mind. Her hands raise up, and in the same raspy but melodic tone she groans, "You know, it is good fortune to meet on the eve of the Sealing. Such friendships are destined to be long-lasting, and fruitful to those who maintain them. You lot should see the sights of the festival together, I hear that someone has worked up quite the show of lights for the midnight celebration. And don't forget to be gracious to these weary bones... My stories come from a long way away, and even an old woman still needs to eat." At that, she holds out a small wooden bowl in which a few tarnished coins rest, and turns towards the small crowd half-expectantly.

[Stycotl]

berwurd would have been looking to take on another contract in town, so he'd be looking for business partners already. so, do any of you want to pretend we already know each other and are busy looking for prospects?

usually he'd end up taking on a caravan escort detail or something similar, or for more short-term employment, a storytelling gig at a tavern. but something along the lines of exploration, adventure, etc would be far preferable to him.

EDIT: also, i forgot to spend the rest of my cash; just over 200 gp. so i'm going to say that berwurd is in town not just looking for the next job, but for something to invest in. he's been watching the markets every time he comes in from a caravan, and thinks that either invest in a local trading company (preferably by waterway, as the boats have the potential to carry and earn more), or in some gear for his own continued marketability.

Ber stands about four steps up on a short set of stairs that lead to a storefront so that he is capable of looking at the humans at eye-level. He likes the lady's story, despite its unpolished form. An avid storyteller himself, he is always looking to expand his repertoire, and her take on the Seals is a bit different than the usual fare, combined with a few dramatic arcs that his audiences might find personally interesting.

"Very nice story. Where did you hear it?" He flips her a gold piece and settles back against the stair railing, committing the important details to memory.

Finally, when done, he asks, "Where are you from? I don't recognize those designs on your skin; they are impressive."

[Atrum Umbra]

Zynar Eruo

A well dressed, handsome young man stands at a stall discussing something of apparently great importance with the trader.
"It is unfortunate that I couldn't have got here sooner, I can see that the festivities have already, but surely you can still appreciate what I offer ... This cloth is made from pure Purple Worm silk farmed on the island of Casmeret in the far east. It is worn by the royalty in the region and is now very popular in the surrounding islands ... It may not look like much now, but if you were to make your decorations and costumes from it you will certainly be marvelled for years to come ... I am eager to expand to trade in the area which is why I am offering the cloth at such a low price ... Certainly you can't dismiss my generous ..."

Zynar catches an odd scent on the wind.

"You will have to excuse me."

The strange man backs away from the stand, completely forgetting his worthless cloth, and heads down the street in the direction of the smell. Eventually he reaches an alley in which an old woman recites a story that is of no interest to him. The two incense stubs, exuding a very familiar fragrance, are his main focus.

Zynar slowly notices that he is not alone, apparently some people are listening to what this peculiar woman is saying. Not wanting to seem out of place he begins to listen to her words, just as she seems to finish.

But the last things she said really intrigue him. If such friendships are fruitful and offer good fortune then surely they are to be embraced with open arms. For this information alone her stories are worth his gold. Zynar smiles at the woman and drops a shiny gold coin into her bowl.

"Your tales are worth more than any money that I could spare, I hope this is enough for you to continue telling such stories in the future."

Zynar is in town as it is the first port he reached after leaving the island of his birth a month ago. He is currently trying to sell the worthless junk he has as expensive items in an attempt to raise money, but with limited success. He has made friends with some members of the local 'warlock guild' who have offered him lodgings until after the festivities. He is ultimately looking for an opportunity to explore the big wide world now open to him.

[Vladislav]

A young Elf distractedly twists a stick between his fingers as the woman speaks. Unlike her, his clothing could very well be mistaken for one of the performers. Not into color-coordinating, he's wearing a combination of every possible color that could be find in a rainbow, and also some that can't.

Taladar Priel listens to the story halfheartedly, failing to grasp how and whether it is different from many such fairground stories he heard, and in fact told, himself. Still, the woman made a fine effort, and that alone is reason to celebrate.

My dear lady, he announces dramatically, gesturing with his left hand while reaching out to her with his right, It seems you have a small bottle of wine stuck in your ear. Here, let me remove it for you. And he promptly does so. Indeed, it's a small, thumb-sized bottle.

Sleight of Hand [roll0]

Take a taste, milady, it's from the finest vineyards of Stittlewood. And do pass it around. Let us celebrate this moment! He takes another similar bottle, not from his ear but from his pocket, takes a sip, and also passes it around to anyone who wishes.

[Echoes]

The old woman accepts the small bottle silently, tasting a few drops before tucking it away into some hidden pocket of her shawl with a soft smile, apparently disinterested in the offer to pass the liquor around. As the woman hears the question, she breaks into a grating cackle, brushing wisps of wiry grey hair from her face as she considers her reply a short moment. With a slightly amused smirk still on her face, she rasps, "Where I heard it? That's a very fine question indeed... I suppose you could say it's a story well known where I come from, something imprinted on all those who still have the clarity of mind to retell it. If you want to know where that is, I'm afraid west and north is the best I can say, as it has not had a name in many years... Past the desert and the plains, in a place where even those who are looking for it cannot always find the way."

As she hears the comment about the silvered markings inside her wrists, she seems to draw her arms inward almost self-consciously, her brow arching slightly. "Yes, well... you could call it somewhat of a tradition where I'm from. Even though it has been many years now since I have seen my homeland, I can still recognize those who have traveled the same distances as me. At this, she lets out an almost wistful sigh, scanning avenue with a pair of faded green eyes whose color has dulled almost to the same grey as her hair.

Down the cobblestone street, you see catching bursts of light and motion. From the windows on either side of the central path, streamers of colored fabric in every imaginable hue drift in the midday breeze. A juggler in a brown jacket with white and blue sleeves tosses a handful of strange metal hammers skillfully into the air, surrounded by a small crowd that gasps and applauds his stunts, and the performance takes up much of the south half of the street. Slightly further up on the opposite side you see a man cursing over a broken cart and a scattered pile of melons, the first of a long series of vendors and stalls which line the road peddling everything thinkable. Crowds seem to drift from place to place, waves of people which crest and break as a hawker's call or performer's stunt draw in the wandering travelers as reliably as the tides of the sea. Among the crowd you can pick out quickly faces not native to the region, their exotic dress and mannerisms a testament to the long distances many have traveled to attend this festival today.

[GodGoblin]

An elven woman stands in the crowd around the storyteller, well armed with a pack on her back and a green woollen cloak wrapped around her. She listens silently to the womans story before applauding at its end and placing a gold in her bowl. "Bravo! A fine tale indeed, your coins are well earned" Shay says, her tone much brighter than usual. The festivities must have gotten to her and eased her thoughts about the possibility of Drow within the city walls.

Seeing the other Elf offer wine she accepts, sniffs it, raises the flask in thanks and takes a swig. "Stittlewood... Its good. You must be well travelled, although perhaps not as well as our storyteller it seems"

[Stycotl]

any takers on the pre-campaign partnership? easy way to say that we already know and trust each other.

Berwurd is still thinking about the story, making sure he understands the implications for his later retelling. "So what exactly were the rifts formed for then, according to your story? Why would their collapse signal war within the realms? Seems like it would be a boon to me, and apparently to everyone else here."

He plucks another coin out of his purse and drops it in her bowl in order to win her further attention.

[Echoes]

The old woman shakes her head slightly at the halfling's questions. "No no no, you've misunderstood. The Great War was staged to occur centuries ago, before anyone had ever heard of rifts. The council I spoke of created the barriers to stop the war, not that they earned any gratitude for it." Fumbling with a simple copper ring on her finger, she adds quietly, "If their destruction were to signal a war in the future, I could not tell. Though like I said, it's only a story we tell, and one set long ago..."

She takes a moment to run her fingers across the inside of the bowl. As her hand passes over the gold coins they seem to vanish from sight, though whether by magic or a trick of the palm it is impossible to tell. Afterwards her hand dips back to her side and she fixes her strange pale eyes in an unnerving stare on Berward, continuing in a solemn but forceful tone, "And never, ever assume that people know what's good for them. People are forgetful, sometimes outright stupid; it really wouldn't surprise me to see them someday celebrate the very thing that will kill them all in the end."

[Vladislav]

True that. I celebrate alcohol each and every day of my life. Also right now.

[Zaranthan]

I'll jump on that bandwagon, Stycotl. Straug would be looking for friends in a city this big, and traveling musicians tend to know where they're going. Whether or not you actually know any more than I do has little to do with jumping to this conclusion. :)

Straug stands a pace behind his new stumpy companion. He flips a gold coin into the bowl as it passes by. "That's quite a tale." Certainly entertaining enough to be worth getting panhandled, though perhaps not in front of that sticky fingered elf. He shifts his sack to where he can keep a hand over the opening, and sweeps his eyes over the fracas to the south. "Personally, I find celebrating a catastrophe to be just the thing for bad spirits. Smiles take a bit of work, where misery seems to be naturally occurring."

[Echoes]

For a few moments, a lull descends over your small gathering. Out on the street, the crowds continue their constant travelling between attractions with a laid back, almost peaceful rhythm. You notice the entertainer on the south side has put away his hammers, and now is using a pair of sticks to pass a third dexterously back and forth before spinning it around and tossing it up into the air.

However, moments later the quiet is dispelled, and a cascade of shouts and cries swells up from the distance. The people on either side of the avenue are soon dodging out of the way, crashing into the stalls and each other as they clear the center pathway. You see a hooded figure hurtling toward you, a small bundle clutched tight to his chest as he flees at a dead sprint from some unknown threat. A good distance behind him, you see a clean-shaven young man chasing after him at a considerably slower pace. With a labored pant, he points forward and cries out, "Please, someone, stop that man!"

[Vladislav]

Thieves? I despise thieves, especially one that causes as much commotion as this lout. People should have sense to steal quietly. Taladar springs onto the path of the fleeing man and throws some colored dust in the air. It coalesces into pure light, threatening to overwhelm the thief's senses...

Color Spray (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/colorSpray.htm), Will 14 negates

[GodGoblin]

Shays ears pick up as the commotion happens around her, she immediately leaps to action and sets off after the cloaked figure. "Stop thief!" Shay tries to avoid the blast of light erupting Taladar's hands as she continues to run, her armour clanking underneath her cloak.

[Zaranthan]

Straug turns toward the commotion, then hops away from the light show as quickly as he can. A thief AND a mage? What next, is he going to summon divine vengeance on his comrade-in-trade? He turns sidelong to the action, sweeping his gaze across the crowds for any more would-be heroes joining the fray.

Spot check for guards that might be following the chaser, or any other hotshots coming out of the woodwork: [roll0]

[Atrum Umbra]

Initiative [roll0]

Acting instinctively, Zynar flicks back his crimson velvet cloak revealing a bandoleer of wands over a silver chain shirt. He whips out an exquisite willow wand and points it toward the hooded man.

Not expecting his threat to be heeded Zynar shouts, "Stop, or you'll wish you did," then prepares to shoot his weapon.

[Echoes]

The thief's eyes prick up as he sees Shay running headlong toward him. Panicking, he rolls the package off to his side and slips out a dagger which was concealed by his wrist. Flipping it up once experimentally, he launches it forward, tossing it spinning end over end into the chest of Elminedra. It sticks between two ribs, and a damp patch of blood begins around the wound. She swoons slightly, and holds the back of her hand up against her forehead.

However, as soon as the dagger leaves the thug's fingers, the shower of lights hurled by Taladar sparks across his face. He glances down briefly and tried to shake off the effect, but moments later a second blast follows through right as his eyes focus again, blinding him and serving as a momentary distraction.

Zaranthan:
Your quick scan picks up no sign of further trouble, or obvious incoming assistance besides the man you saw chasing this one earlier.

OOC:
Round Summary:

Shay is beside the man, everyone else is ~15-20 ft away.

Shay: moves next to the man.
Thug: draws and throws dagger.
--throw (1d20+5=24) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934398/)
--confirm crit (1d20+5=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934401/)
--dagger damage (1d4+1=5, 1d4+1=2)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934404/)
--Poison (1d6=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934410/)*

Elminedra: delay*
Straug: Spot check
Taladar: color spray
--Thug:Will Save (1d20+1=20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934419/)
Zynar: readied action to use wand of color spray -> used wand
--Thug:Will Save 2 (1d20+1=13) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934420/)
--Thug: color spray effects (1d4=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2934499/)
Berwurd: delay*

[GodGoblin]

Shay turns briefly to see her comrade hit the floor before turning back and charging at the man, lowering her shoulders and wrapping her arms around him in an attempt to drag him to the floor while releasing an inaudible scream.


Touch attack- [roll0]
Grapple check- [roll1]

[Vladislav]

Taladar shakes his head at this show of brutality. How unsubtle. If the stunned man dropped the package he was carrying, Taladar will try to pick it up and examine it.

[Zaranthan]

Straug glances at Elminedra long enough to ensure that she's still on her feet, then turns back to the thief-turned-attempted-murderer. "Now that wasn't very sharp of you." He draws his rapier, and lunges to strike with the hilt, hopefully not killing the man just yet.

Move-and-draw action to draw the rapier, then attacking trying to deal nonlethal damage: [roll0] to hit, [roll1] plus [roll2] skirmish bonus.

[Echoes]

The thug narrows his eyes as Shay grasps his shoulder firmly. With a hard shrug, he knocks her hand away, then draws another dagger from under his cloak and slashes dangerously in the air before the elven cleric. Barely audible to the crowd he growls, "You don't understand, I need to get her back..."

As the thug's dagger arcs around, the hilt of Straug's sword comes racing in to impact against the man's leather breastplate, which seems to absorb the shock of the blow.

Unnoticed off to the side, the elf who earlier threw the first burst of colors scoops up the fallen package, examining the contents experimentally.

Taladar:Cradling the package in your arms, you lift the flap of the canvas covering its contents. Inside, you find a bundled bolt of silk, dyed a rich purple hue which belies its high quality.
OOC:Round Summary:

Shay and Straug are beside the man, Taladar 10 ft off to the side, and everyone else is ~15-20 ft away.

Shay: attempted grapple
--Thug: opposed grapple (1d20+5=16) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2936341/)
Thug: draw dagger and melee attack (1d20+5=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2936346/)
Elminedra: delay*
--Poison: poison damage (1d6=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2936355/)
Straug: moved to thug, attempted nonlethal strike
Taladar: moved to package, picked it up and examined
Zynar: delay*
Berwurd: delay*

[GodGoblin]

"Killing people isnt the way to go about it!" Shay steps back slightly open armed "Just keep calm and we talk it through, there are a lot of us here you really think you can kill us all? You look like a smart guy so just put the knife down" Diplomacy isnt usually Shays style but there seems to be more to this than just a theft.

Diplomacy roll [roll0]

[Zaranthan]

Straug recovers from his embarrassingly ineffective strike and levels his blade at the thug's throat.

It seems he'll have a chance to respond before I do. If he complies, I'll stand down myself. If he keeps swinging, it's stabbity time: [roll0] to hit, [roll1] damage. If something stranger happens, I'll just hesitate.

[Vladislav]

Taladar lets the others deal with the thief. He quickly re-wraps the package in canvas, and addresses the man who was chasing the thief. So, I believe this is your leather bag in there.

He deliberately misrepresents the package's contents, and carefully watches the man's reaction. Sense Motive [roll0]

[Atrum Umbra]

Zynar moves around behind the thief.

"As the man said we have you surrounded. Is it really worth fighting and dying."

Diplomacy to aid another [roll0]

[Stycotl]

sorry, homework and hiking combined to keep me away for longer than i'd figured. back now.


I'll jump on that bandwagon, Stycotl. Straug would be looking for friends in a city this big, and traveling musicians tend to know where they're going. Whether or not you actually know any more than I do has little to do with jumping to this conclusion. :)

cool. few things to figure out. what does straug do, and what has he been looking for in town? this will determine how and where we met.

ber is a storyteller (not a musician) that has some desires for entrepreneurial work. isn't really morally abject to most "victimless" (in his eyes) ways to reach that goal though.

Berwurd can only grin when the old woman warns him that people are stupid; after all, part of his professional history has required that they be easily conned out of large sums of money. He bows low, "You are right there, madame... what is your name?"

When things quiet down, Berwurd settles back with his cheap ale and listens to the talk of the small crowd that had gathered around the old woman.

Within moments, the halfling was dozing off, the ale, the warm sun, and the droning of insects and humanoids all conspiring to see him miss out on the coming action.

Sure enough, Berwurd awakens to the sound of shouts and a scream of pain. He bolts upright before he is fully conscious and then topples over the edge of the stairs that he forgot he had been sitting on. "Straug! Oof––"

Down on the ground, the little halfling struggles to unwind himself from his own cloak, and stands up in time to see the thug surrounded. Despite his rather humiliating entrance to the scene, he still voices his thoughts, in particular trying to give Taladar pause before returning the package to the second stranger.

"Um, before we decide to take the city's laws into our own hands, we ought to determine who is really the wronged party. I mean, it could be the other guy for all we know. Besides, what's so reprehensible about a little bit of innocent thievery that we all need to be baring steel in public anyway?"

[Echoes]

The old woman turns to Berwurd as she purses her lips in quiet consideration. After a moment she says, "I have had many names. You can call me Lady Soraya, or whatever else you wish..."

The thug glances warily from person to person, breathing quickly but seemingly paralyzed by fear. As the last of your group slides into place behind him, he seems to snap back to reality, and reluctantly lets the dagger slip from his fingers and fall to the ground with a flat clatter.

The man who was formerly chasing the thug peels out from the crowd. In a hurried, almost aggravated tone he proclaims, "Bag?! This man's stolen from more than just me then. Look inside and I'm sure you'll find the silks he stole from me!" Flustered, he walks towards Taladar, waiting expectantly to see the elf open the swaddled canvas covering and reveal what is inside.

Though she has been suffering in silence until now, Elminedra lets out a soft whimper, clutching at the dagger which still protrudes from her chest.

OOC:Poor Elminedra (1d6=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2938123/)

[Stycotl]

Berwurd stumbles over to the dying woman and wrings his hands nervously, not having the foggiest idea of what he should do to help.

He looks around, "Hey, someone get over here. Someone that know how to treat a wound like this. The rest of you keep your eyes on those two guys and don't let either of them leave." Berwurd speaks as if he's used to being listened to and obeyed, whether or not anyone actually does or not.

He puts a rough little hand on the woman's shoulder and grins, "How you doing? At least the wound isn't bubbling yet. I know that much about chest wounds... We'll get you fixed in no time."

[GodGoblin]

Shay looks the thief in the eyes "Good man. I need to help that woman, you lot keep an eye on him" She runs over to Elminedra and with a pulse of light Shays hand begins to glow. Placing over the womans wound she mutters a few words of prayer in Elvish.

Casting CLW 1d8+4

[Echoes]

As Shay removes the dagger, a thick black fluid begins to ooze out from Elminedra's chest. As the light from the elf's hand caresses the wound it seems to seal itself almost miraculously, though the rogue still lets out sharp cries. "It's... it's poison." Her breathing comes labored, though she places a calming hand on Shay's shoulder, "I'll, I think I'll be alright now. I've used this toxin before, I just need to be taken back to the house of my patrons to rest..."

OOC:fyi, the forum roller is down while they reogranize the roleplay threads. For the duration, you can keep using the tags and I'll transfer ones that don't work to InvisibleCastle, or you can make your own account there if you would prefer to do the rolls yourself.

Shay: cure light wounds (1d8+4=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2938844/)

[Vladislav]

Taladar opens the canvas again in mock surprise. Ah, my bad. Have no idea why I thought it's a bag. Here, you can have this back. He pats the man on the back. Well, that was a wee-bit of an adventure, eh? And a chance for you to get in shape.

He looks around. The injured woman seems to be well-attended. Not that he could do anything to help, he's the kind of person that makes holes in people, not patches them. He gets interested in the dagger the thug dropped. Unless someone beats him to it, Taladar will pick it up, carefully, by the handle, and examine it.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd turns his attention to the thug and the man chasing him now and glowers at the both of them, "What in the world is going on here? The rest of the city finds a reason to put their differences aside and celebrate, but you two decide to chase each other through the streets and cause as much of a disturbance as possible. And you, out of all of the people here to stick in the ribs, I don't even think she was threatening you!

"Now, I want answers and so does everyone else here. Be quick about it, and don't presume that we're going to fall for lies. You first, knife-thrower."

Berwurd packs a lot of character into the tiny halfling body of his, but he is still a halfling, and it is easy to underestimate him. He realizes this obvious fact, though he doesn't seem too worried. People usually come to recognize his presence and force of personality eventually, and those that don't end up wishing they had. Or so Berwurd thinks.

[Echoes]

The thug wrings his hands and glances about worriedly. He looks ready to speak, when suddenly the second man launches into a heated tirade. "What happened, you want to know what happened?! There I was peddling my cloths and silks, when suddenly this man springs from nowhere and grabs a bundle before just rushing off into the crowd." He seems obviously flustered, his hands waving about in grand gestures as he turns between your party and the thief. "I was just getting ready to send a shipment abroad, what do you think would have happened to me and my family if you had gotten away?

The other man seems to be visibly quaking, almost on the verge of tears, and his voice is raw and broken as he speaks. "I- I'm sorry... He didn't tell m- I didn't mean to hurt her. I, just, my little girl, I couldn't see another way..."

Taladar:The dagger in your hands seems of decent quality. It is of polished steel, with a hilt of braided cord that is unstained by sweat or blood. Even holding it in the light, you see no trace of poison on the blade.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd scrutinizes both parties for a moment, before looking up to the crowds, "I don't suppose the constabulary are on their way yet?"

Then he turns back to the desperate-looking supposed-thief, "What are you mumbling about? Spill it all right now; it may be the last chance you get for anyone to listen to you. And if I think you are lying to me, heavens help you..."

The halfling lets the threat hang in the air, incongruously large and ominous coming from one so small.

1d20+3; 1d20+9 → [13,3] = (16)
1d20+3; 1d20+9 → [10,9] = (19) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2939701/)
sense motive check, followed by a bluff check to make them think my sense motive check is through the roof.

EDIT: i don't know why the copied rolls look like that. the bbc code at the bottom is correct though with the same results, so from now on when using IC, i'll just copy that.

[GodGoblin]

"Right well we need to get this woman to somewhere she can rest" She says to the group.

"As for you. Im not ignoring the fact you tried to kill this woman and you will be punished for it, I will make sure of that. However to drive you to do this you must be in dire need, what is the problem with your girl? If it will drive you to kill for cloth it must be severe indeed" Shay says sternly while trying to help Elminedra to her feet.

[Echoes]

The thief arches his brow, glancing once more back into the crowd before stammering out the beginning of a response. "Th- They took my girl... said if I don't get together the money, they said I won't see her again. Please, please don't send me away."

As he pleads with you, suddenly an official-looking man breaks through the back of the crowd. He observes you all for a moment, assessing the situation before booming out, "Well, what do we have here?"

[Vladislav]

Taladar turns to the thief, muttering quickly before the official gets there.

Instead of stealing stupid silks, it didn't occur to you to sell some stuff to raise the money? Starting with this dagger, for example? It's a pretty good weapon, I'm sure it costs more than what you stole. Look, I kinda feel sorry for you, mainly for being born stupid, so I'll sell the dagger and make sure the money finds it way to you. But for now, you're someone else's problem.

He pockets the dagger and steps away, not wishing to deal with the official.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd notes the pocket into which the dagger disappeared, but ignores everything else otherwise. He steps closer to the thief, "Wait. Hold on. Who took your girl? Your daughter, I presume?"

Berwurd might be a bit morally lax in some areas, but he still has some standards, and kidnapping and the abuse of kids are among some things he won't stand by for.

While the thief begins his response, Berwurd turns to the other guy, "Do you need anything else from this guy now that you got your cloth back? If not, go talk to the constable and explain your involvement so you don't accidentally get hauled away in irons too."

echoes, do i get any sense of the thief from my sense motive check?

[Echoes]

The merchant gives Berwurd a confused, sidelong glance. He turns to face the constable and they begin to speak in quiet tones. Though you cannot make out their words, you hear one of them break into a jolly chuckle after a comment about 'durned travelers'.

The thug, still obviously distraught, continues his lament. "I don't know who... Whoever it was, they came in the night and took my daughter away; I never even woke up." Glancing quickly to the constable, he slides a folded scrap of parchment from his cloak, and slips it to Berwurd without drawing the attention of the two men still conversing in the background. "A few weeks later I got this, along with the daggers and the poison. I would've just sold them, but the money they asked for, even selling everything I own would not have been enough." At this he breaks down, a sputtering cry whimpering forth as a single tear rolls down his cheek. "I just want to see her again..."

Berwurd:The man you are speaking to seems genuinely upset. As near as you can tell, the man appears to be telling the truth, or at least what he perceives it to be.

[Zaranthan]

Straug sheathes his blade at the approach of the uniform, then listens to the thief's story with equal measures of impatience and disappointment on his face. "So, rather than appeal to whatever friends and family you may have, you decided to just jump straight to the life of crime? What do you do when you're not shoplifting that some brigands just 'randomly' decided you'd be able to afford such an outrageous ransom?"

[Echoes]

As the weeping man continues his explanation, the officer walks over and stands silently with his arms crossed and a slight grimace on his face. "She is my only family, there was no one else to go to. The instructions didn't even tell me what the poison was, just that I should throw the dagger with it at the first person who tried to stop me... I don't know why they did what they did, I'm just a simple man trying to survive."

The constable, seemingly heard enough, says in a soft but authoritative tone, "Look, I don't know what kind of trouble you're in, but I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me, at least until things get sorted out." He then turns to your party, his voice becoming somewhat lighter as he adds, "I don't know who you all are, but thanks for the help. Things always get crazy around festival time." At this, he walks away into the crowd, his hand firmly on the shoulder of the man he is taking away.

The merchant watches them leave without a word, then quietly turns to face you all, his fingers fumbling with the flap of his canvas sack. "You know... I was serious about that shipment. I've got a load of textiles leaving port in a few days, headed eastbound for some of the nearer islands. I could use a group with skills like yours for protecting it... If you're looking for work, that is..."

[GodGoblin]

Leave the city or find the girl? I should be finding these damn Drow but I still have no leads, hmm leaving the city wont help but stealing children sounds like something they might do.. Shay thinks to herself after the merchants offer, hand on chin with a puzzled look on her face.

"Im sorry I cannot leave the city just yet I have something I need to do here, finding this lost girl may well be connected to why im here. I dont suppose any of you would be interested in helping?" Shay directs to the silk trader and then to the rest of the group. Its been a long time since Shay worked as part of a team, she forgot how much she enjoyed it.

[Atrum Umbra]

Zynar immediately offered his assistance, surprising even himself.

"I came to this city with the thought that I would want to leave as soon as I could. But after hearing his tale I feel sorry for the man and want to help him in any way I can. Making enemies with bad people may not be the best thing to do, but it is certainly the right thing to do. If there is anything I can do to help then I will do so happily."

[Zaranthan]

Straug frowns as he watches the thief be led away. "Well, assuming that man was as foolish as he made himself out to be, he's simply a casualty of something larger. His story has certainly piqued my curiosity." His face brightens as visions of bold investigators and the stories his father told him when he was younger. "What do you say, Berward? You up for some good old-fashioned sticking our noses into other people's business? Who knows! We could wind up in the middle of some fairy tale!"

[Echoes]

The merchant wrings his hands slightly. "Oh, well, I see..." He hoists the wrapped silk up and holds it securely against his chest, and repositions his feet into a wider stance. "Thank you so much for the help. I'm afraid I can't wait on sending out this shipment, but I plan on making this a regular thing, perhaps expanding out and opening up affiliate shops some day. Maybe you'll be less occupied the next time I'm in the market for vanguards."

At that, he puts his front foot forward and dips into a small bow, made slightly awkward by the heavy load he carries. "Unless you have anything more to ask, I believe I might be getting back to my stall. You never know when a potential customer might be passing by."

[Stycotl]

Berwurd steps back from the man for a moment, long enough to scan the parchment. As he does so, he holds a hand up to the silk merchant to give him pause, "Hold friend, if you can. I am interested in setting up something of a semipermanent business in this city, and would be interested in learning what kind of help you would need. But, it seems that I am to be busy with another matter to begin with, so I would ask where I might find you later."

Then, he looks up as the constable takes the thief into custody, "Officer, if we should need to find him for questions later, would we be able to do so? Visit him at his cell or something like that?"

After they leave, Berwurd turns first to Elmindra, the one tending to her, and to Lady Soraya, if she is still around, "How is she? What can we do to help? Lady Soraya, is there a healer around here somewhere that can take care of her if our friend here can't?"

Then he speaks to Straug and the others, "You all seem intent on helping this guy out. I am interested in helping too, but I'd like to clarify that as far as I am concerned, he more or less gets what he deserves. Barring some enchantment or some such that made him toss a dagger at an innocent woman, he had the freedom to choose whether or not to obey that ridiculous command.

"I am volunteering solely for the purpose of rescuing the man's loved one, if there is indeed one in need of being rescued. After that, I intend to invest some coin into this city's trade routes and see if I can fatten my coffers a bit. Or a lot..."

He hands the parchment over to Straug after he is done perusing it, "Here, take a look at this. Look legitimate to you? I think maybe there really is someone in trouble."

on the off chance that there was some compulsion in the parchment, ber will study it with detect magic active. what does it say? are there any symbols or drawings? what language is it in? what kind of hand writing does it have? anything else that i ought to know about it?

[GodGoblin]

"I couldnt agree more, the man will pay for what he has done but the poor girl shouldnt have to suffer." hay says to Berwurd before turning to Elmindra "You should be fine while im here but im not equipped to deal with poison, I can keep you on your feet but we should really get you to smoeone who can flush it out of your system. Then whoevevers still interested can come with me and talk to the man in the cell. So where is the nearest healer?"

[Vladislav]

Taladar says, I'm going to do some research on the dagger, maybe sell it. Then I'll meet up with you near the prison and talk to the man.

He goes through the market, asking about weapons dealers. He's specifically interested in someone who has experience in high-quality weapons. He also examines the dagger with Detect Magic for any auras.

Gather Information [roll0]
Spellcraft [roll1]

[Echoes]

The officer seems not to hear Berwurd as he walks away. As the halfling turns around, Lady Soraya points off in the general direction of the pair and says, "A bad man, that one... You'd do well to keep your eye on him." She remains otherwise cryptically silent, peering at them as they fade into the crowd. The merchant, slightly put-off by the woman, who he seems not to have noticed until now, responds, ""Well, for the rest of the festival I will be in my stall just down the road, but after that, hrm... Your best bet would probably be catching me at my workshop, near the tailor's, or perhaps the tavern in the evenings." He does another slight bow, offers a quick salutation, and departs off in the direction of the collection of stalls.

In response to the questions of Berwurd and Shay, Elminedra whispers weakly, "The Darkis family, on the east side of the city... They should be able to care for me. I'm sorry for causing such trouble, but at least that should be on your way to the prison." She lets out a racking cough, then lets her head rest back against Shay's supporting hands once more.

Parchment:The parchment itself is old and worn, a sizable square which seems to have been ripped from a larger sheet. The writing seems entirely mundane, written in a fluid black ink which still smells faintly of its caustic components. In a small, flowing script it reads, 'We have taken the girl. If you wish to see her again, bring ten thousand gold or a replacement subject to the ruins outside of town on the fourth night. We have enclosed these daggers and this capsule of solution in case you run into trouble. Tell absolutely no one, and come alone.'

Taladar:Examining the dagger, you find no further sign of enhancement, magical or otherwise. About two-hundred yards from your group, you see a small stall set up with a motley assortment of blades. Some appear bent or rusted, but others seem to glimmer with an almost unearthly light. As you approach, the shopkeeper seems to notice the dagger in your hand almost instantly, and his entire face seems to prickle with excitement. He strides over to you, oozing charm, and cajoles, "My, that seems like quite the little piece ya' got there, m'fellow. But you know what they say, size isn't everything I s'ppose. You lookin' to trade up for something closer to your size?" After a more few moments of witty banter, he seems to take a careful inspection of the dagger, examining the hilt very closely and the way it balances in your hand before his eyes light up and he makes an offer. "Y'know... I think I could give ya, hrm, perhaps thirty gold and three silvers fer' that, iff'n yer just lookin' for a trade."

[GodGoblin]

"The Darkis family? Right show me the way" Shay says to the sickly woman and sets off once the rest of the group is ready to leave.

[Zaranthan]

Straug scans* the parchment and shakes his head, "He read THIS and thought, 'apply the gooey stuff to the dagger and throw it at the first person he sees?' Some people just shouldn't handle weapons." He stares off into the distance for a moment, then gasps and buries his face in one hand. "Well paint me green and call me a troll's daughter, how are we supposed to find this girl? We don't even know MacStabby's real NAME, let alone where he lives or who we're looking for. Come, if we hurry, we might be able to catch up before they throw him in the dungeon!"

If nobody objects, Straug takes off after the constable and the thug.

Just for the sake of thoroughness/stubbornness/paranoia, I'll cast detect magic and give the parchment another sweep, searching in particular for any lingering auras of magic. If it did contain some sort of compulsion to affect the reader, it's been spent.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd starts to ask the old woman what she means about the constable being a bad man, but she is gone. He shrugs and turns to the others, "Anyone have a cart or something? Otherwise the lady will have to be carried, and I doubt that will be very comfortable for her."

He looks after the receding form of the constable and the others, "Did our friend say on what day he got the ransom note? If not, we're going to need to set up shop at the ruins.

"I think I'm first going to follow the constable. If indeed he's shady, he might just be involved..."

[Stycotl]

Berwurd wrinkles his nose as he waits for the rest of the group to figure out their course of action, "There's possibly a little girl out there that needs our help. So if you're coming, let's go!"

[Vladislav]

Thank you, my friend, but I think I'll hold to this for now, Taladar says, not very pleased with the deal, but still smiling nonetheless. He heads toward the prison so he may talk with the man, maybe hear more details.

Meanwhile, he contemplates the dagger some more, but to no avail.
Appraise [roll0]

[Echoes]

Main Group:Your group, save Taladar, take off after the constable. As you get away from the merchant, the constable becomes visibly more rough with the thug, gripping his shoulder tightly and nearly yanking him from street to street. As you wander the streets, the pair before you seems to take a winding route, often doubling back on itself and occasionally ducking through tight alleyways. You hear the constable make a comment or two, though he is far enough away that the words are only mumbled echoes.

OOC:Can I get 3 spot rolls from each of you?

Taladar:The merchant looks disappointed and slightly confused, as if his typical ritual has been cut short. Shrugging, he sinks back into his boisterous persona, wishes you a good day, and begins scanning the crowds for another potential customer.

You head to the east end of the city, a few blocks short of the docks, where a squat building of grey stone and iron bars rises from the pavement - the city's prison. Inside, you find a sparsely furnished foyer, with only a single wooden desk and a pair of uncomfortable matching chairs to break the otherwise muted palette of the room. Four guards stand motionless in the room, two before the entrance you took to get in, and two more at the beginning of a long corridor lined with cells. A small gnome sits at the desk behind a stack of papers, his thinning hair and smudged glasses giving him the spent look of a man who has spent too many years working with the dregs of society. When he notices you, he looks up and says, "Hello there... Can I help you?"

OOC:Heh, I was expecting you to haggle. You probably could've gotten a decent price with a bit of effort.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd watches them closely, careful though to keep other pedestrians or merchant carts or something between his tiny frame and the constable at all times. "I don't like this guy. Who wants to bet that he's not even a real policeman."

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

EDIT: well, i know what i need to be putting ranks in sooner or later...

[GodGoblin]

"You're right, something is very odd here"

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Vladislav]

Taladar heads to prison, taking his time to enjoy the city along the way. He intends to make enquiries about the new prisoner at the gate, possibly talk to him if allowed.

[Zaranthan]

Straug struggles to get through the crowds and keep the "officer" in view at the same time. "I've seen rougher bobbies, but none that seemed so lost, or confused, or whatever this fellow's problem is. Something bizarre is afoot."

Spot checks:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Echoes]

Main Group:You barely manage to follow the pair as they dart and weave through the city streets. After a few minutes, you catch them ducking into the doorway of an unmarked, run-down building on the west edge of town. The few paneless windows which spot the building are small and very deep, making it difficult to tell what lies inside. A curtain of greyed, tattered fabric hangs in front of main entranceway, and you can hear no sounds coming from inside over the distant chatter of the festival.

Taladar:As you ask the gnome seated behind the desk in the prison's foyer about any new arrivals, his brow furrows, his forehead becoming etched with deep wrinkled folds. "Well, that can't be right... Only two we've got in today were a couple'a brawlers over at Sherry's pub." His face lightens a bit as he lets out a wearied chuckle and adds, "Drunk outta their heads, if I do say so myself..."

He pauses a moment, considering you with a thoughtful expression. His next words are measured, as if his words are chosen carefully. "Yess'ir... afraid you must be mistaken, we haven't handled anything like that today."

OOC:Sorry for the delay... it's been a, crazy week, you might say.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd grumbles as he follows the pair toward the building, not liking the direction of the situation. He moves to the side of the building, still a dozen feet away from the doors. He acts casual, though he remains alert and quiet. Kuckily, with his small frame, he doesn't much need to duck under the windows in order to remain unseen from outside. As he moves, he takes stock of the people outside, looking for anyone that was paying too much attention to them, or trying not to pay attention to them.

Then he heads for the doorway, pausing to listen for a moment, searching specifically for the sounds of the "constable's" passage with the thief, and for the sounds of anyone else closer to the door. Then he pokes his head around, peeking through the tattered holes in the curtain. He surveys the room straight ahead, and then off to each side of the doorway as much as possible, hoping to spot anyone that might be waiting at the windows.

He doesn't like operating in this manner. He'd rather stake the place out for a bit, loosen the tongues of the locals with some cheap ale and extravagant stories in order to learn more about this abandoned semi-building. But, there is the girl to think of; perhaps she's actually here. And as much as the thief was an idiot in how he chose to undertake his orders, there was the chance that he was going to get his throat slit right now, or something else. Berwurd didn't have time to step back and plan a real covert operation against the place.

He considered going for the real constables, but again, they lacked time. Further, the real constables would alert these guys from a mile away with their heavy, clanking armor, colorful tabards, and all-too-obvious presence. The thief, and maybe the girl, might be dead before they even got within one-hundred yards of the building.

Berwurd looks back to Straug and the others, realizing that he hadn't even counted to see how many allies he had with him. He draws his sling and scoops up a large pebble from the side of the road. This was it.

spot check: [roll0]
listen check: [roll1]
sense motive check: [roll2]
bluff check: [roll3]

[GodGoblin]

Shay follows Beward on the approach "This doesnt look good, think we may have a fight on our hands" she unslings her bow and notches an arrow before whispering a prayer of guidance.

"Right now is our chance to move, we go in silently if possibly and we do it quick, shoot down any opposition before they can raise alarm."

With that she sets off to the door trying to remain silent but with her armour she doesnt think it will do much good.

Casting guidance on self for a +1 to hit, move silently roll for all the good it will do- [roll0]

Edit- Whoa :smallcool:

[Stycotl]

Berwurd urges Shay to hold off on the blazing-arrows approach with an outstretched hand, and whispers as he looks inside the building through the tattered curtains, "Be patient. We can't just go in there and start killing things. We're not the law in town, and I don't mean to get myself arrested for accidentally killing someone I shouldn't have. Let's just see what's up first. If someone in there has little kids as hostages or is beating people senseless, then sure, shoot 'em up all you want."

[Vladislav]

He pauses a moment, considering you with a thoughtful expression. His next words are measured, as if his words are chosen carefully. "Yess'ir... afraid you must be mistaken, we haven't handled anything like that today."
Really? Nothing like that? Hmm, he was supposed to bring the man here. Looked very official. Taladar gives the gnome the best description of the constable he's capable of.

[Zaranthan]

Straug falls in alongside Berward and Shay, steel in hand. "Hopefully I won't need this any more than I did earlier. Do you want to try the door or slip through a window?"

[Echoes]

Main Group:As you peek in the edge of the curtain, you are able to make out a sparsely decorated room in the dim light. A few worn pieces of furniture and a rug which is in as poor condition as the curtains adorn the room, which is otherwise bare. Much to your surprise, you do not see a sign of anyone currently occupying the room, including the pair you saw walk in just moments ago.

Taladar:As you describe the man, the gnome seems to busy himself with work, his eye never quite meeting yours. When you are finished, he looks up and mutters, almost apologetically, "I'm sorry, I've never met someone like that. I'm afraid you must be mistaken." He casts a wary glance toward the two guards, and leans over the table, rasping in a hoarse whisper, "If I did though, there's an abandoned building on the far side of town where I'd suggest you look." Leaning back into his chair, he concludes, "But, like I said, I'm afraid I can't help you. I hope you do enjoy the festival though, there is so much to see."

[GodGoblin]

"Hmm something is definatly not right here... Well that room is clear, can any of you get the window open without making any noise?" Shay asks turning to the others.

[Vladislav]

Why thank you, kind sir. I will definitely do my best to enjoy the festival. With that, he leaves, making his way through the crowds of revelers to the other end of town. Along the way, he probs his memory for any clues about abandoned buildings in the area.

Knowledge (Local) [roll0]

[Echoes]

Taladar:As you wind your way through the city streets, you recall hearing a rumor days back at one of the local pubs, of a handful of seedy fellows who were sighted a few times entering a particular building on Maple Street, always in the dead of night, and always cloaked such that their faces and bodies could not be seen...

Entering onto the end of the street, you see many of the individuals who helped you to fight off the thug standing outside the very building you are seeking. They are pressed awkwardly against the crumbled grey stone, their eyes peeking through tears in the colorless ragged scraps of cloth which hang over the darkened archway and the small, deep, paneless windows. As you approach, you catch the end of something whispered quietly by the female elf, "...the window open without making any noise?"

OOC:FYI, they're paneless windows. basically a cubic section cut out of the stone, maybe 12"x10" and a few inches thick. Just a curtain hanging over them, so no need to "open" them silently, unless you're worried about someone just ripping the cloth right off the wall >.>

[Vladislav]

Well, that's a surprise. Seems like our travels brought us to the same place again. Once, a coincidence. Twice, destiny?

Slowly and quietly, Taladar approaches the now-familiar folks, and whispers in a low voice, about to kick in the proverbial door, are you? Need help?

[Stycotl]

Berwurd wrinkles his face into a scowl and steps into the room, looking for disturbed motes of dust in the air, or anything else that might indicate where they had gone, or that a piece of furniture or a rug or something had been moved. He suspects a secret door of some sort.

spot check: [roll0]

[Zaranthan]

Quiet it is, then. Straug cautiously steps in behind Berward.

A spot [roll0], listen [roll1], and move silently [roll2], just in case.

[Echoes]

Inside the simple room, you see even more clearly the scant nature of its decorations. The plain wooden furniture seems covered in a thick layer of dust, and in places cobwebs cling to the dingy walls. Only the carpet stands out as being unusually red, its swirling pattern eye-catching in the otherwise colorless room.

Sorry about the delay again, first was waiting to see if anyone else was posting, then I passed out and broke my nose, so I had to spend time under 'observation' to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

[GodGoblin]

"Right now were all here let move" Shay climbs into the room nocks an arrow and prepares to shoot anything that comes through the doorway while she waits for the others to come in.

Readied an action to shoot anything that comes through the door.

[Stycotl]

Sorry about the delay again, first was waiting to see if anyone else was posting, then I passed out and broke my nose, so I had to spend time under 'observation' to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

wow. that sucks. hope everything is all right.

in other news, my wife just had a baby!

Berwurd studies the floor of the room for the same dust layers that coat the furniture, looking for footprints or other disturbances. As Shay pushes past the curtain, the halfling notes the readied bow and scowls, "Make sure you know who you're shooting before you let fly."

He goes to the far wall, searching for whatever means of exit the "constable" used. He then presses his ear against the wall and then the floor to listen for abnormal sounds.

[Stycotl]

don't know why it didn't dawn on me to actually include skill check rolls in that last post...

spot check: [roll0]
listen check: [roll1]
search check: [roll2]

Berwurd shakes his head in annoyance as the sweat dripping from his forehead distracts him from his visual search. He lowers himself into a crouch and begins inspecting the ground thoroughly.

[Echoes]

Berwurd:As you lift up the corner of the rug, you find under it a finely cut trap door. Though of the panels of the door are of the same wood as the surrounding floor, it seems cleaner and much more well kept, only the worn handle betraying that it has found much use in the past. The door appears almost seamless as it rests in position, the edges perfectly level with the ground around it.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd looks up with a victorious smile to the others. "Got something. Any of you good at sneaking around? This is where someone else should take over. Small as I am, I'm admittedly kind of clumsy and not all that quiet. But if none of you big people are any more stealthy than I, I'll go first."

He glances back down at the trap door, trying to see if there are any traps or bells or other mechanisms attached.

[Zaranthan]

Straug smiles warmly, "if it's sneaky you need, count me in." He steps up beside Berward, sword at the ready, and glances around to see if anyone else feels they can keep up with him.

[GodGoblin]

"Im hardly sneaky but will follow as quitely as I can." Shay says crounching down to look at the door and if its open try to peer down it.

[Stycotl]

¡vamonos, changos!

Berwurd follows Straug, making his way down through the trap door.

[Echoes]

As you descend down into the trap door, a long tunnel of stone opens up before you, leading away from the center of the town. Formed of laid brick, this tunnel is obviously artificial, though the stones are worn enough to give this tunnel an aged appearance. You hear little coming from the darkness, except the occasional drip of water coming from the unseen depths. At the very edge of your vision, you can see a place where the tunnel branches off to the left, though you have no sense as to what lies beyond.

[GodGoblin]

"Oh well this is ominous..." Shay whispers while follwing the others down. "After you little one" she says to Straug Berward, readying her bow to shoot over the halflings head if needs be.

[Zaranthan]

Straug pauses long enough to stand up straight, peer down at the silly elf, pat her on the head, and cast light on his sword. He then proceeds to the junction as quietly as his little feet will carry him.

Berward is the halfling, Straug is nine inches taller than Shay. :D

Also, turning my sword into a magical torch (20' of bright light, 40' of shadowy for you low-light vision types) and staying as sneaky as I can with this troop of tin cans following me around: Move Silently [roll0]

[Vladislav]

We should be doubly careful. I bet all manner of stupid mousetraps await our toes in the dark. Taladar follows, being on the look for magical emanations from anywhere.

Cast Detect Magic SLA

[Stycotl]

Berwurd urges the others on, unwilling to lose their quarry within the tunnels. Still, the halfling is alert, the hairs standing up on the backs of his arms and neck as he considers the dangerous position that they are in.

He whispers, "Move, move, move! A violent assault is better than a tardy assault, no matter its clumsiness."

Then Straug lights up his sword like a beacon, causing Berwurd to cringe. But he merely shakes his head and bites his tongue, knowing that not everyone can see in the dark. Some things would have to be risked.

i should have taken sublime marshal levels instead of warblade levels. if we ever get the opportunity to retrain, i just might do it.

[Echoes]

As the light flares into existence, a labyrinth of corridors identical to that which you could see near the entrance sprawl themselves out before you. Some lead back towards the heart of the city, while others dart away, seemingly beyond the outer wall and into the slums. As you continue down the hallway, you see in the distance that the corridor from which you entered comes to an abrupt left turn up ahead, continuing towards the outskirts of the city. You hear nothing besides your own footsteps and the continued dripping somewhere deeper in the tunnels.

Taladar:
The light from Straug's blade flickers with an eery glow which you recognize as a faint aura of evocation, but besides that the tunnel around you seems normal.

[GodGoblin]

"Well this is unexpected" Shay whispers to the others "Do you have anything to mark our way? Would not be wise to get lost in a place like this"

[Vladislav]

It's a good thing I kept this dagger, can be useful to scratch marks on the walls, says Taladar, and immediately proceeds to do so.

ooc
For DM's reference:

An elf who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for it.
Search modifier +5

[Zaranthan]

Straug peers down each hallway at the junction, sighing. "I don't suppose any of you happen to be trackers? Ah, well. My father always said, 'when you don't know which way is right, just go left.' Seems as likely as any other way right now."

Without any objections, Straug sets off down the left fork.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd whispers to the others before anyone can bolt, "We are probably going to need to split up, and we'll need a signal to indicate that we've found the constable and the man, or that we've found trouble.

"A shout or a whistle or something. It will likely have to be repeated a few times in this maze.

"If Straug is going left, I'm going straight down the tunnel to the end."

[GodGoblin]

"You have got to be kidding me, never never split up in a place like this, we choose a direction and stick to it together"

[Vladislav]

We only met today and you're tired of us already? Shouting and whistling ... we want to sneak up on them, not let them know we're coming. Left is as good a direction as any.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd sighs, as if talking with amateurs, "We're not likely to find them if we all stick together. Two groups should suffice. But if you would rather remain all lumped into one easy-to-target group, I say we go straight ahead and follow the tunnel around that curve up there."

[Stycotl]

The halfling frowns, not used to such hesitation, "Well, what do you guys choose?"

[Vladislav]

Well, in the unlikely event you'd be willing to defer to the will of the majority, it seems to lean toward staying together.

[GodGoblin]

"Indeed, straight ahead it is then. Come along" Shay begins to move goading the others in front of her.

[Vladislav]

Taladar scratches a small arrow on the wall to mark the way, then follows, his sense of adventure tingling!

[Stycotl]

Berwurd shrugs, "Let's be off then, together. We can still split up later if we deem it necessary."

The halfling looks to see if Straug is coming, and then turns and starts down the corridor at a slow trot, sling in one hand, a rock in the other.

[Zaranthan]

Straug peers into the inky darkness, certain he saw something move. Shadows jump and flicker, dancing and mocking his eyes. A sound confirms his suspicions: a soft scratching in the distance, then footsteps! Closer, closer, he shifts to a ready stance, holding the glowing blade still and level, extends his empty hand behind him for balance.

...and bumps Berward's shoulder as he walks by. Magical light always did play tricks on Straug's eyes. I have to get myself a proper everburning torch one of these days, this light's just all wrong. So expensive, though. He shakes his head to clear the paranoia, then scurries along to catch up with the group.

[Echoes]

As your party rounds the corner of the corridor, your magical light sends pale flickers racing out into the distance, illuminating a slumped figure a few dozen feet forward leaning against the wall. As it comes into focus, you first notice the man's blood-stained clothes, then the decaying flesh sloughing off his face. His hands are frozen in rigor, clutching a rusted blade with both hands as his bulging eyes stare into an unseen space beneath the floor.

Shay:
As you round the corner, you notice subtle shifts in the masonry of the tunnel. Though you cannot discern the mechanism, it seems to you as if a hidden panel can slide out of the wall, revealing a passage behind.

OOC:
Sorry about the delay, I just moved this last weekend, lots of packing and unpacking.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd wrinkles his nose as they come within view of the corpse. But his attention is elsewhere. He constantly scans his surroundings for evidence that their quarry passed this way; a footprint in the dust, a broken or fluttering cobweb, or something else that could mean that they are on the right path.

spot check: [roll0]

[GodGoblin]

"Wait, look at this... Its a false wall of somekind but I doubt I have the know-how to trigger it." Shay says looking at the wall and tracing the masonry with her finger. She gives a sidewards glance to corpse but decides to ignore it for now.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd glances up from where he had been inspecting the corpse, looking to where Shay points. "A false wall, eh? Secret doors and stuff. Wonder if that is where our friends went to..."

He walks over to the wall and begins a thorough search of his own.

take 10 or 20 on the search check if i can.
search: [roll0]

[Zaranthan]

Straug turns to examine the wall with the others. "In a place like this, I'd be surprised if it's more complicated than just pushing the door open. Not much leeway in the architecture to hide a fancy switch or something."

Search check DC 10 to Aid Another: [roll0]

[Echoes]

After a thorough search, your party comes across a brick which seems barely protruded from the surrounding stone. As Berwurd's hand lays pressure against it the stone depresses slightly, causing him to nearly lose his balance. Moments later, a soft thud and a puff of dust seem to pour forth from the very wall, clearing to reveal a now recessed portion of the stone with a slender crack down the middle. The two panels this forms appear as if they could be slid back by hand to reveal an archway, though beyond you can see no more than the splinter of light produced by your own magical illumination passing through the thin opening.

[GodGoblin]

"Hmm interesting..." Shay pulls out her dagger and slides it in the crack, twisting it to increase the space before attempting to slide it apart by hand.

[Vladislav]

Taladar is a bit disappointed that it wasn't him who found the secret passage... his elven sensse failed him this time... not wishing to interfere, he merely peeks behind Shay's shoulder and takes a look at the opening, and anything that can be seen through it, using Detect Magic.

[Echoes]

As you peer through the crack, you catch a glimpse of the room beyond. Though the details are unclear, you can make out the dark, polished surface of a desk, and a scattering of other furnishings whose cannot be discerned from the limited view. As Shay opens the door further, a set of chairs surrounding the desk become clear. The room seems devoid of people, though evidence of recent occupation can be seen in the half-burned candles left around edges of the room.

Taladar:
You sense the faint shimmer of a weak abjuration coming from the drawers of the desk, and the pulsing of a weak enchantment from somewhere inside the depths of the piece.

[Vladislav]

The drawers are protected by magic, best deal with them with care. And there is something else too ... can't put my finger on it.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd pushes in, again looking about for footprints or other signs of extremely recent passage. He is finding himself irritated at how well, how thoroughly and how quickly the "constable" has evaded them.

spot, listen and search checks, respectively:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[GodGoblin]

"The drawer you say? Lets take a look shall we..." Shay wanders up to the set of drawers and again with here dagger tries to pry it open while standing off to one side.

[Echoes]

The drawer slides open easily at Shay's touch, whatever protections Taladar saw guarding it seeming to dissapate without incident. Inside, the drawer is a small stack of papers, held down by a thin wooden rod roughly seven inches in length. On the top sheet are scrawled illustrations which at a casual glance seem to be some type of map.

Berwurd: Around the room, you spot several archways filled in with stone, appearing similar to the one from which you entered. Along the walls you see a few bookshelves with scattered ledgers and tomes, and, though you can see no sign of the constable, you do hear the soft pattering of approaching footsteps far off in the distance.

[GodGoblin]

Shay picks up the thin wooden rod and inspects it before rifelling through the papers.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd freezes, trying to determine from which direction he is hearing footsteps.

He whispers, "Shhh! Someone is coming!"

can he tell from which direction?

[Echoes]

The footsteps Berwurd heard have become louder to the point that they are now audible to your entire party. They echo through the chamber, making it hard to tell the exact number of feet to which they belong or the direction from which the sounds originate. As they approach, you hear muffled voices, though nothing loud enough to make out a word. Suddenly, the voices go quiet, the footfalls stilled as you hear the grating sound of metal against metal from somewhere outside one of the chamber's entrances.

Shay:The rod appears to be some sort of magical device, though you are unable to discern its purpose. Thin runes are etched in a spiralling pattern along the shaft, and pressed into the base are a ring of colored translucent stones.

On closer examination, the papers in the desk appear to be accounting ledgers, detailing unmarked transactions between clients who are not identified by name. Many of the accounts appear to have much outstanding debt to whomever owns this desk. The top page is indeed a map of the city, though dotted lines are superimposed over the familiar streets, darting erratically with occasional black dots pressed into intersections or on top of seemingly random buildings.

Berwurd:Your extra time spent concentrating on the footsteps has allowed you to discern more information. You believe the sounds to be coming from the archway off to the right of the desk, and think that there may be three or four people behind the wall.

[GodGoblin]

Shay slips the wand and the map into her pack before readying her bow and waiting silently in case they come through one of the doors.

[Vladislav]

Taladar readies his rapier. Finally, some action!

[Stycotl]

Berwurd grumbles under his breath as the footsteps close in. He draws his sling and fits a rock to it, then puts his back to the wall behind him to wait.

But then they stop and start fooling with something heavy and metallic, and Berwurd whispers a curse and turns to peek down the hall, afraid that whoever it is is getting away through another hidden door. He ducks low as he looks around the corner, hoping that his small height will keep him out of anyone's line of sight.


initiative (if needed): [roll0]
hide check: [roll1]
spot check: [roll2]

[Zaranthan]

Straug squares up to the archway, ready to pounce on anything that grabs Berward.

[Echoes]

As Berwurd peeks past the wall, two figures come whipping around the corner, breezing past without even noticing the poor halfling. They stride halfway across the room before they notice the weapons drawn against them, their own shortswords wavering slightly as they backpedal a step while one quickly stammers out a challenge, "Who are you, and what are you doing in the bosses things?"

Berwurd: Though flustered by the men who blew past you, you manage to notice a third figure in the hall - a young boy of about fourteen years who is dressed in the same ragged clothing as the other two men. He fumbles with a dagger in his hand, shifting nervously from side to side before turning his back to lean against the wall.

[GodGoblin]

Shay draws back her bow, ready to launch an arrow if they attack. She ignores his question "Who are you? And who is this boss of yours?" She says back to the man as menacingly as possible.

[Echoes]

One of the two men chuckles coolly, seeming almost amused by Shay's actions. Flipping his shortsword non-chalantly between grips with an expert precision, he spits out, "You're trying to tell me you don't know? We own this city, and you think you can just walk into our base of operations then feign ignorance? Whoever sent you, tell them they can just for
get about it. Crow isn't giving up any of his turf, now or any time in the future.

He grins, his teeth glimmering in the soft light as he turns towards Taladar. "So are you going to put that twig away, or will I need to ask nicely?", accentuating his phrasing with another pass of his sword.

[Vladislav]

Crow. Taladar makes a mental note of the apparent mastermind's name.

Knowledge (local) [roll0]

I'm afraid, he says, not budging the slightest, asking nicely won't help. I don't respond well to your kind, muggers and kidnappers.

[Zaranthan]

Straug does his best to keep a straight face and match the goon's sword demonstration. No sense going off half-cast, if they intended to kill us, they would've done so tried by now. "I think we'd all best hold onto our own twigs for now, wouldn't want anyone to get hurt feelings."

[GodGoblin]

"Indeed, I think we will be keeping hold of our weapons. You however would be wise to drop yours, this doesnt have to end in your bloodshed you can just let us leave." Shay says still maintaining the strain on her bow.

[Stycotl]

Berwurd keeps an eye on the young man still in the hall, wondering why he's hanging back. But instead of addressing the young man, he turns and speaks loudly to the two that bumbled past him without noticing him, accentuating the point that they were surrounded.

"We were following someone dressed as the city guard––might or might not be legit––that had snuck down here with a friend of ours held captive. You know where they might be?"

[Echoes]

The thug you saw speak before considers the predicament, and slowly begins to lower his sword toward the ground. The man behind him glances nervously at your party, eyes darting wildly from person to person. For a moment he looks down at the floor, then suddenly begins sprinting headlong toward Shay, his sword slicing wildly in an upward-curving arc through the air as he comes into range.

The other man, noticing his companion's actions, quickly shifts position, settling into a martial stance as he prepares to fend off incoming attackers. "I think not... You have the audacity to enter our office, and interrogate us?"

Taladar:In the heat of the moment, you can recall only very small bits of gossip about the seedy underbelly of the city, and nothing relating to a character named Crow.
Berwurd:As the fight breaks out in your room, you see the eyes of the younger man in the hall widen. Backing away slowly, he turns and begins sprinting down the corridor off to some unknown location.
OOC:
Roll for init! The one guy is standing next to Shay near the center of the room, the other is at the entrance near Berwurd, maybe 15 feet from most of you. Taladar is behind that desk, so a bit further for him unless he wants to try leaping over it.

[GodGoblin]

As the thug darts at shay she releases the drawstring and sends an arrow flying towards him.

Triggered Shay's readied action to shoot when attacked.
To hit-[roll0]
Damage-[roll1]

And init- [roll2] oops, will roll in OOC

[Zaranthan]

Straug springs into action, attempting to skewer the more proactive punk before he gets to Shay.

Regardless of whether or not I beat his initiative, I'm going after the one who's moving, not the one who's talking.
To hit: 1d20+6
Damage: 1d6 plus 1d6 skirmish

[Stycotl]

Berwurd growls as another combat erupts, "Idiots." He takes a last look at the retreating figure and turns his attention to the fight.

To Shay, he yells, "You, duck! That's it! Now hole him with that broadhead! Right in the throat!"

Even as he shouts words of encouragement to his teammate whose name he has not even yet learned, he moves to a more advantageous position and hollers to Straug.

"Straug, brain that guy already, would ya??!!"

init: [roll0]

berwurd already is in the bolstering voice stance:

––bolstering voice (WRS, 1): 60' radius; all allies that can hear him gain +2 morale to Will saves, +4 vs fear effects (largely supersedes inspire courage at this level, except for damage)

swift act to cast the inspirational boost spell:

––inspirational boost (SC, 1): swift; personal; 1 round or special; bump inspire courage bonus by +1 for 1 round; if you cast this, then activate inspire courage, bonus lasts till music ends

standard act to activate inspire courage at +2:

––inspire courage (Su): 1 daily use; +1 morale (another +1 w/ inspirational boost; and another +1 w/ badge of valor; and another +1 w/ augment anapaest); 1 daily use; standard act (swift if in WR stance); bonus to Will saves against charm and fear effects, and weapon damage rolls. lasts for duration of performance, and for 5 rounds after; mind-affecting ability

move act to reach a square that will threaten both enemies from a flanking position if possible. if not, the one attacking shay has priority.

free act during move to draw his dagger with his free hand.

used 1–daily music use; 1–1st level spell

[Stycotl]

Ooc: Bump!