Fortune's Favor (IC)

[Kelvin360]

Twenty years ago, a wandering priest of Tymora settled down on the Sword Coast with a group of followers and a few close friends. A camp turned into a trading post, a trading post became renowned enough to attract more townsfolk and became a town, a fort was constructed to watch over the inhabitants, and through it all the place stood strong despite many dangerous encounters.

Now, the Fort is abandoned, the town has grown, and travelers are more than happy to stop by (and perhaps stay in) this wayside bastion.

They call it the Golden Beacon of the Sword Coast. They call it Lady Luck’s Benevolence.

They call it Fortune’s Favor.

Your group has recently arrived from their respective paths short of money, breath, and possibly hope. Now, however, the world stretches before you.

Fortune’s Favor is a half-town, half-city hybrid. Starting as a turn in the main road, the path quickly turns into bustling cobbled streets with numerous houses and a well, the usual. In a normal city this would be considered the slum, though it is well-kept and the commoners are content with their lot.

Further down, wooden homes suddenly turn to a large gate leading into the city proper. This space is smaller than the town itself, with room for a few merchants, a tavern, the keep, and some upper-class apartments.

Goldenwall Keep used to house the city guard and reinforcements, but the town hasn’t been disturbed in years, and so it was closed and has fallen into disrepair. There are rumors that it’s been invaded by demons and drow and other such things of course, but who puts stock into rumors anymore, right?

From the town square (with a quaint fountain in the middle), important buildings are built in a ring, with openings for the road to the main road, and the road into the city.

The buildings are:

A General Shop
An Inn
A building with a sign out front reading ‘Defendor Investigations’ (Now Hiring)
And a very peculiar-smelling building with bright stars over the doorway.

[The Smoking Man]

The paths of the Sword Coast, especially in the hillier regions, could be treacherous. For most, the treachery was preventative at the worst of times, especially in winter, when the rough terrain combined with the wet snows made travel almost not worth it. In summer, there were all manner of marauder to be encountered.

Recently though, Tankerred, who'd previously been based out of Neverwinter, had noticed a lapse in the ominous reports coming from the direction of Fortune's Favor. Weary and out of work (not wanting to join a temple for fear of boredom and the lack of fulfillment the static life engendered) Tankerred found himself loading Burjes the horse with as many supplies as he could, and walking him in the direction of Fortune's Favor.

The journey was indeed easier than the young cleric of Helm had expected. It seemed the area was becoming more and more civilized, as lands often do when defended bastions rise in their midst. Dwarven history could attest as much.

Upon entering the town, Tankerred is impressed with its level of organisation and the apparent prosperity of its people. As he crosses the gated threshold into the central section of the settlement, he stops to look around. Strange scents came wafting from a building bedecked with star ornamentation - those scents mingling with the more familiar odors of cooking meat, tanning leather and the thick, mineral stench of the smithies.

Smiling, Tankerred thinks to himself that this will indeed be an excellent place to ply his god-granted gifts. An entirely worthy corner of civilization to defend from whatever might assail it. His smile, however, wanes as his gaze passes over the abandoned fort at the center of town.

Well, he mutters to himself, Seems complacency has already set in for these folk... Helm hold them... And with that, clutches his silver holy symbol that hangs from the gorget of his armour.

Noting the sign above the "Defendor Investigations" door, Tankerred smiles and makes his way inside after tying up Burjes and taking his luggage with him (just in case), looking to find out what the establishment has to offer by way of rumours, jobs or information about any local troubles.

OOC:
Also, would like to a Knowledge Religion check representing a cursory glance at the star symbols on the funny smelling building! Assuming that's alright...

Knowledge Religion: [roll0]

[JustPlayItLoud]

Uregaunt had seen the road sign some miles back.Fortune's Favor indeed, he thought.I hope Tymora smiles on me as brightly as she seems to have upon this town. Hardly even any guards at the entrance to town. The priests back home would be having none of that. I can only imagine what would happen in Skuld if a priest saw any public gate with only twice as many guards.

Fortune's Favor certainly seemed like a better opportunity than what he'd seen recently. Ever since leaving Berdusk, he'd been beset by bad luck. Well, it really started with this damn cloak. Shortly after leaving Berdusk, he'd come upon a caravan fighting a losing battle against band of human and orc bandits. Some quick thinking and well placed crowd control spells brought the situation under control. The caravan master, a merchant in Elturel, thanks him. He'd been driving that caravan all the way from Suzail and had been beset by bandits thrice along the way. He had hoped to make it the short distance from Iriaebor without incident. He told Uregaunt that he'd make it worth his while if he would only follow the caravan back to Elturel. The merchant gave him a magical cloak that would protect him from the elements, produce trail rations, and even came with a flask that filled itself with ice cold water or hot, sugared tea. Uregaunt thanked him and took a room at the inn, leaving early the next morning to try and make it as close to Baldur's Gate as possible.

In Baldur's Gate, he had paid to have his horse stabled. He walked down the road a bit to a shop whose meat pies filled the air with a savory aroma. When he came back, someone had stolen his horse in broad daylight in a crowded marketplace, but apparently no one had seen anything.

In Waterdeep met with an old family friend, a wizard. He had been so kind as to cast divinations upon the cloak for free, but Uregaunt still had to pay for the materials. The wizard assured him the cloak was not cursed. It held the exact same dweomer as the half dozen similar cloaks he had made on commission before. On the way back to the inn, he was surrounded by thugs and shaken down for the rest of his money.

Before he left he took on a job with a group of adventurers to raid a ruin that they had acquired an old map to. It was north along the High Road, near Neverwinter. The traps in the ruin killed all but one of the others. Once they had finished combing the place, they walked away with a half share each of some nearly worthless gems and stones and some stray coins that looked as though they'd been dropped by someone removing everything else of value. Likely a much more skilled adventuring party.

After paying for a very expensive room in Neverwinter (they were all expensive along the Sword Coast, he'd learned), he sat down and dropped his last bit of coin on a pint of ale and a hot meal. He was thoroughly sick of trail rations and hot tea, and was looking forward to real food. He never got to taste it, however. Apparently he resembled a thief who had been operating in the city, and apparently one of that thief's most recent marks frequented that particular tavern.

After finally outrunning the guards, he continued heading east and finally found himself coming upon Fortune's Favor. He was penniless, unemployed, and in desperate need of real food.

As an OOC aside, would you prefer we narrate our actions in past or present tense? I've played in games that go either way.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath grumbled and mumbled to himself as he trudged over the dusty, uneven ground. Merice is like to skin me alive if I make it back, he thought. Surely I won't get out of it without her twisting one of my ears off for being so daft. Stupid Captain Orvain.

He kept on walking for a while, trying to focus on nothing but putting one foot in front of the other. His stomach was growling again, but he didn't want to eat what little hardtack and dried beef he had left. He needed to save it, since he didn't know how much farther to go. He wasn't exactly sure where he was, not after the blow to the head he'd suffered from falling off his horse.

I know a different boat you can work on, the captain had said. I can vouch for them, he'd said.

Kath stopped for a bit to rest under a tree and sip a bit from his waterskin. He looked up at the sun in the sky to make sure he was still heading east. He would get there eventually, he figured. If his food held out. And his water. And he wasn't attacked.

He thought back to earlier in the year when he arrived in Waterdeep, looking for Captain Orvain, who had hired him as an extra hand and an extra bow on his ship the year before. This year, Orvain wasn't going out to sea. Orvain was a pretty good captain. Treated his men fairly, was a brave commander, and knew his way around a ship. One of the only things his crew didn't like about him was the fact that he insisted on planning his voyages based on the readings of a gypsy woman living in a poorer part of Waterdeep where he had grown up. The old woman was a fortune teller, half blind and living in squalor, but Orvain claimed she had the gift. And this year, he had told her it was a bad season for storms.

Orvain had sent Kath to one Captain Dornelli, a slob of a captain, with more than a bit of a paunch who always wore clothes that looked like he had taken them from a respectable ship captain's corpse and had forgotten to wash them. He had a reputation for doing some shady work at times, but he was willing enough to have Kath on board. After he was nearing the end of a fairly uneventful year of transporting poor quality goods and fending off pirate attacks, his journey ended when a storm hit and the ship was blown off course. They ended up making port in Luskan and Dornelli, not off the ship thirty minutes and already well into his cups, referred Kath to a group of caravaners he knew, and Kath joined as a hired guard, eager to get back to Silverymoon.

Along the way, the caravaners, about as good at their trade as Dornelli, were betrayed by some of the other hirelings. In the short battle, where most of the caravaners surrendered all of their goods with barely any fight, Kath tried to flee with one of the horses when they tried to take his earning from his time at see. He almost made it, too, but then a sling stone struck him a glancing blow in the back of the head and he was knocked out and dragged behind the horse for the gods knew how long.

So here he was, lost and empty handed. He set to walking again and climbed a gradual hill. Before the top, he grabbed his waterskin and brought it to his lips, then thought better of it. He still wasn't sure how far he was to go. When he reached the top of the hill, though, he took a long pull from the skin and splashed some water on his face, for he knew he was saved. From the top of the hill, he could see a little frontier city. It looked sort of familiar, but he wasn't sure why.

As he got closer, covering the ground more quickly when he was certain he wasn't going to die on the road, he thought he recognized the place. Fortune's Favor. He had been here before, the first time he went to Waterdeep in the previous year. He didn't remember much of the time spent there, as he had been sick with fever for that part of the trip. He had had to convince the group he traveled with then to keep taking him along, to get him all the way to Waterdeep, so he could do what he set out to do. He had promised away a fair share of the money that was supposed to go to the orphanage, but some money was better than none, and they had gotten him to the port safely.

Now, I just need to figure out how to pay for food, bath, and bed without a penny to my name, he thought as he walked into the town several wooden houses toward a gate with bigger buildings beyond.

[MLucas]

Orin sighed and leaned back against the fountain, letting his left hand rest lightly in the cool water. It had been a strenous two weeks, since beginning his first foray out of the monastery, but it had been worth it. He'd already met so many, and learned so much.

Orin withdrew his hand from the water and flexed it experimentally. The burns on it had healed nicely. He let his mind drift back to the night, less than a week earlier, when he had experienced his first 'real' fight - a much different affair to his years of training at the monastery.

The bandits had obviously wanted to kill and rob everyone in the caravan, and when that failed (in no small part due to Orin) they had set the wagons alight. He and his fellow travellers had been lucky to escape with only minor injuries. Orin sighed again - No use dwelling on the past, I've already learnt from that what I may he thinks.

Though half-closed eyes, Orin examines the populace going about their business. The sheer amount and diversity of people in this square was astounding - there were more people in this square than he'd met in his entire life. He hoped the hubris in the naming of their town wouldnt be their downfall.

Orin continues to relax and meditate, hoping for something or someone to come along an peak his interest.

[Kelvin360]

Tankerred

The first thing you are likely to notice upon entering is how the building looks a lot more majestic inside than out. Golden pillars (three on each side of the hallway) stretch up to hold the roof (which, contrary to the wodden appearance from outside, are actually stone underneath), and a polished wooden desk stands at the end of the hall.

Sitting at that desk is a human man who positively reeks of kemptness and professionalism. He wears a fine suit, has short hair, and is clean shaven. He doesn't see you immediately, as he's busy organizing a lot of paperwork (a large pile of it seems to be next to a small 'problems' sign). On either side of the desk are two wooden doors, which seems odd, as given the outside size of the building and what you're seeing, they can't possibly lead anywhere.

Result -

You know enough about religion to know the stars aren't religious markings, though they do have a sort of magical flavor to them.

---

Uregaunt

The townsfolk don't seem overly surprised to have someone new in their midst, and most of them seem very cheerful. But not 'totally a magical spell that's cursed everyone forever' cheerful.

---

Kath

The gate into the city main is guarded by two men with plate mail and halberds. Surprisingly, they seem to be actually on guard rather than bored and slouched.

Strangely enough, Kath may notice a building with a sign of 'Mayoral Office' on the path leading to the city. It is conspicuously not in the ring of 'important buildings' surrounding the fountain.

---

Orin

To get anyplace worth going, Kath Uregaunt and Tankerred would have to pass both Orin and the fountain unless they choose a roundabout path in the dark alleys where anything could be waiting.

[Malak'ai]

"Oh gods... wh.." mumbles Santino as he pushes himself up from under the refuse that had been dumped on him though the night. His head ringing, cheek and jaw throbbing.
What in the Nine Hell's happened last night he thinks as he searches his memories for the answers. The only thing coming to the fore is sitting down for an ale one of the lower class taverns, and saying a pleasant thanks to the serving girl then... Oh, that's right! The big man with the grey-shot red beard.

Slowly getting to his feet and brushing himself off, Santino checks his person for any other significant injuries and finding only his purse missing. Gods... Not again! Why does this always happen?! he muses as he exits the ally where he had been dumped.

The last couple of years had been hard for Santino. First being left to fend for himself by his sailor father after his mother passed to the 'other life', running afoul of The Cloaked Brotherhood, entirely by accident (well, at least the way Santino would tell it) and having to leave his home in Luskan faster than a magistrate on bribe day.
He had many months wandering through the wilderness of the Sword Coast, sleeping where he could find shelter, eating what he could beg or steal, He'd tried catching his own but to no avail. Until finally coming to his homes rival city, Neverwinter.
As a boy he'd heard his father and his friends tell many tales of Neverwinter which caused Santino to think of a gigantic hive of vile hornets, everyone willing to slit your throat for a copper. What he found was, well, not too dissimilar to Luskan. Apart from the smaller docks and the sparse concentration of soldiers, the common people were basically the same, all just going about their days work, trying to earn a few silver.

Santino had settled into a small shack by the docks, doing the occasional days work as a porter, though he was never very good at it and frustrated his employers to no end, or cleaning the ships that came in, scraping barnacles off hulls or untangling lines or sheets.
It wasn't the greatest life, but he was surviving.
All that changed one night when, after being invited by some of his casual workmates to join them, he met a lovely blonde barwench. Things had seemed to be going well, she even invited him up to her room which was something he had never thought would happen, when after a few passionate moments, she got up and started throwing things around and screaming.
Not knowing what to do, Santino got up and tried to restrain her, asking what she was doing. She forced him off and picked up a shard of pottery from the broken vase and slashed her own undergarments to shreds, even going so far as cutting her forehead and cheeks.
Within moments the tavern strongarms had broken through the door, demanding to know what was happening. The barwench told a sordid tale of abuse and attempted rape. Santino, seeing where this was headed quickly made to leave, only just avoiding the grasps of the bouncers.

After getting back to his shack he quickly gathered up the few possessions he had and ran.
He had been running for a few days when he reached this small half-city.
Finding nowhere else to go that didn't require vastly more gold than he had, Santino decided he would try and find some work here.
That was three weeks ago. Since he arrived he has not been able to find a permanent job, surviving on scraps when he can't find a days labour.

[The Smoking Man]

Remembering the look of the foreign-looking folk by the town square's fountain and making a mental note to introduce himself later, Tankerred took a moment to admire the craftsmanship of Defendor's Investigations.

The stone (despite the oddly wooden exterior) was quite remarkable. And the inlays... his father the blacksmith would have drooled were he here (were it not for his abnormally absorbent beard, of course). And those doors... Tankerred had always marveled at the melding of magic and architecture, even if he didn't always trust arcane means.

Tankerred walks brusquely but not aggressively up to the man at his desk, and clears his throat lightly (by dwarf standards) so as not to alarm the busy clerk too much.

Excuse me, good sir. I come to inquire as to the nature of this establishment. I am Father Tankerred Murldom, a Helmite and protector of the everyman, formerly of Mistledale, Neverwinter, and elsewhere. Oh, and I am, of course, at your service. And with that Tankerred bows as much as his armour (always worn out of reverence for Helm) will let him.

[Kelvin360]

Santino

Odds are, the appearance of Defendor Investigations would come as something of a surprise; until hardly even a few days ago, that particular building was vacant. And now, poof. There it was. Rumors abound that the place is enchanted, or worse, cursed.

Tankerred

The man glances up at you and calmly slides the paper in his hand to the proper pile ('problems' again). He steeples his hands and speaks in a clear, refined tone.

"Father Murldom, the pleasure is mine. Welcome to Defendor Investigations, a place which, in answer to your question, is something of a specialized mercenary base. We hire heroes of various sorts to solve the issues others cannot. And helping the helpless as a side goal." He motions to the pile of paper. "However, our current hirelings seem to have been waylaid for some time. Needless to say, this has made our duties...difficult.

But nevermind that. How may I assist you today?"

[JustPlayItLoud]

Uregaunt walks to the nearest guard. He attempts to speak with the guard in all the languages he knows, some variant of "Hello. Can you understand me?"

He will try first in Mulhorandi, then Halruaan, then Chessentan, then Untheric. He will skip trying Draconic and ancient Loross, figuring there's basically no chance an average guard would speak them.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

One of the guards (who ethnically looks at least partly Mulan) mutters 'Hang on, I've got an uncle from Mulhorand, I got this.' to his partner.

"Bit far from home, aren't you?" He asks you not impolitely in halting Mulhorandi.

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Er, yes, actually. Left home to make my own way in the world and all that. Visited an uncle in Berdusk and a family friend in Waterdeep. I'm glad I ran into you. Everywhere else I've been it's taken me much longer to find someone who speaks a common language. I definitely made an interesting choice in coming to the Sword Coast. Do you have family in Mulhorand?"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath looks from the gate with the guards, then over to the Mayoral Office, then back to the gate. He looked down at himself in his dust covered clothes and his strange looking armor. He must look a sight. He didn't remember much from his previous visit, so he wasn't sure how open the town was and he didn't have the money to bribe the guards for entrance into the town so he could get to the inn, which he didn't have money to pay for.

Maybe the mayor will be sympathetic, thought Kath, turning away from the guards and starting to walk toward the Mayoral Office. He ran a hand across the front of his dirty shark skin armor, but it did little about the dust.

Guess I'll just have to see how this goes, he mused.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

"Used to. Then something about an explosion and feral bats." He seems oddly blunt about it. Either it was a long time ago or he didn't like his uncle very much.

Kath

The Mayoral office is nothing fancy, but not a poor place, either. Directly inside, an open doorway leads to a community meeting place, to the right of which are stairs down, and to the right of that is a closed door along a wall with another door (this one open) revealing the Mayor's desk.

However, the Mayor himself (and an old, bitter-looking woman) is in the middle of the main room, partly through a shouting match.

"-Thing I can do about it, Chartessa! The guards are not equipped to deal with such situations! You'll simply have to find another home and-"

"I've been in that cottage since this town was founded, Dannis! I deserve damn well more consideration than the brush of a hand!"

"I am not brushing you off! The fact remains-"

"Call that mercenary office, then! Those types have experience or my eyes are pink!"

"You think I haven't asked?! That place may as well be a mill for all the adventurers they have now! Ever since that first group ran off, it's just decoration! I say again, unless Tymora herself steps down and renders aid, you'll just have to deal with it!

What do you-?!" The Mayor turns angrily to you, still in a shouting tone, then stops himself and grimaces. "Pardon, stranger. You've caught me at a bad time. What can I do for you?"

"Not much more than he can do for me, I assure you!" The Mayor shoots her a glare, and she harumphs, subsiding into an arm-crossed (yet mercifully silent) scowl.

[MLucas]

Orin stands up gracefully, and collects his pack and staff. Well, I cant let the whole world pass me by while I sit and relax he thinks to himself, I'll have a look at that interesting smelling building over there, then go and find that Dwarvish fellow who was eying me up earlier. Everyone else has been not too subtly ignoring me. I guess I do look like a beggar.
Orin strolls casually through the crowd, somehow managing to avoid be knocked or jostled. He stops outside the building, admiring the stars on the facade and then enters it.

[JetThomasBoat]

"Well, Mr. Mayor, I'm bound for Silverymoon, said Kath, feeling a little uncomfortable talking to people like mayors at the best of times, let alone when he was covered in road dust and sweat and grime. "But I left Luskan with a small caravan and some of the other hirelings decided to rob their own caravan. They took every last bit of coin I had and the only thing that saved me from being gutted by them was me being dragged off into the night by a spooked horse."

He looked down at his clothes again, his dirty armor and boots caked with dried mud. He fiddled with one of the shark's teeth attached to his right wrist guard. "I came in because I figured the guards might take me for something sinister, but I'm just a man trying to make it back to my family," said the archer, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm hungry and tired and filthy and I don't have the coin to remedy any of that. But I'm a hard worker and it sounds like you might have work for me."

[Malak'ai]

As Santino stumbles out into the main square on his way to the central fountain to have a makeshift wash he passes the bald man in the dirty robe, eyeing him up and down quickly as he tries to nonchalantly step around him.

Blinking to try and clear some of the crust from his eyes he dips his hand into the cool water, bringing it up and splashing it on his face, Santino starts to rub the dust and grime from around his mouth, flinching at the pain still emanating from from his jaw, That's gunna be annoying for a while he thinks before continuing to clean his face and hands.

Sitting on the edge of the fountain, Santino looks around him, Now, where would I find some work in this place? Not much going in the way of casual labour in this town.
As his eyes roam the buildings bordering the square until they come upon the sign with the 'Now Hiring' notice on it, Hmm... That's new... Wonder what it is. Never know, they might need something done. he muses, getting to his feet and walking towards the new establishment.

[JustPlayItLoud]

"I see. Either way, well met friend. My name is Uregaunt, and I'm hoping you might be able to assist me. I've just come from Neverwinter and I'm all out of coin. I was wondering if there were anywhere nearby that might be a good avenue for seeking gainful employment in the field of adventurer-for-hire"

[Kelvin360]

Kath

"You have my sympathies for your plight." He says grimly.

"Hm." He looks you up and down, pondering, stroking his beard. "I suppose employment would depend on your experience with matters of the dead. You see-"

"A damn ghost is haunting my house!"

"...That would be the gist, yes."

Uregaunt

"Pleasure to meet you, Uregaunt. Name's Verona Timms. Though, ah, most just call me Timms. And this is Marcus, my fellow gate guard." He lingers over Uregaunt's question before answering.

"Well I certainly wouldn't recommend the guard!" He chuckles merrily. "They don't offer much in the way of benefits, but you know what they say about soldiers in paradise. Although..." He considers the problem for a few more moments, absent-mindedly scratching the top of his helmet. "I've heard a few rumors floating around, if you feel like getting in the Mayor's good books. Apparently that old cow Chartessa-"

"Eh? What about Chartessa? She take the mickey outta him, too?" Marcus asks in Illuskan.

"Quiet, I'm trying to help him out, here." Timms swaps to Illuskan, mutters darkly, and swaps back to Mulhorandi. "She's been having problems with her house. She says it's haunted. I say it's just some youngsters out to mess around. Not a popular woman, her. Either way though, you could probably get some coin out of the Mayor from that mess."

[Kelvin360]

Orin

Wind chimes jingle as you enter, though there don't appear to be any chimes. Odd.

The walls are adorned with various plants, trophies, fetishes, and runestones. None of them appear to be having a visible effect, but common sense is probably telling you not to test any.

From the front door, the entrance leads down a hallway about twenty feet to a half-circle shaped desk made to seem as though it sprang from the wall behind it. Another hall leads to the right to a door.

A very wild-looking man behind the counter is fiddling with about three devices at once (how, you've no idea), and triple-takes when he sees you.

"A customer? Oh me-oh-my-oh-my. Didn't prepare for such things! Not an eventuality! Not to say the things that were or was were where they was, or perhaps was not where they were! Heh heh." He hops down off a stool and opens a small door into the counter, stepping out and leaning against the other side. It seems, now you've a clear view, that he is in fact a gnome. Go figure.

"What can I do ya fer', as is custom?"

[MLucas]

Orin steps into the shop and inhales deeply. He looks around the shop in wonder. So many amazing things! I wonder what they're all for?

Before he can start to browse the wonderful shop, the creature behind the counter starts gibbering and rushes out. As the Gnome comes out from behind his counter, Orin grins and thinks What a day! I've seen my first Dwarf and my first Gnome, I should have ventured out sooner.

After the gnome finishes speaking, Orin replies "Ah, I was going to ask you the same thing, I'm new in town, and am looking for something to do. Do you have anything that could use an extra pair of hands, or know of anyone that could?"

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Well met Timms! I hope to see you around again if I spend any deal of time here. If I could just bend your ear for a moment longer, whereabouts would I be heading should I want an audience with the mayor? And is there someone there I should speak to that might be able to assist me with my, er, communication problem?"

[Kelvin360]

Orin

"Pair of hands? Well I suppose if I were working on a golem thsoe would be a necessary peice...I've never met anyone who volunteered those!

...Wait. Ah! You speak in a metaphorical sense! Yes yes. Well, how long have you practiced artificing, magical theory, and magical spellcraft?"

Uregaunt

"The Mayor's office is just...ah, just there." Timms points to the door that just closed from Kath's entry. "As for help with language, you might try...ah..." He turns to his companion and switches to Illuskan again.

"Hey, what's the name of that crazy gnome?"

"Dinatrescabrokensandsandasanemanssarcophagus or something."

"Right." And once more with Mulhorandi. "There's a gnome magical expert who runs an arcane shop over near the fountain. Stars over the door, smells like nothing else, can't miss it. His name is impossible, so we just call him Din-Din. He can probably help. Or he might turn your tongue into a beagle. You never know with gnomes."

[AquilaRift]

Elias Dure strides into the town square with the purposeful air of someone beginning a journey. A reasonably observant watcher might notice the newness of his garb and equipment (except the cloak, which is well-worn but has not lost its midnight blue color to sun and time) and conclude that he has not been traveling for long. It would take an extremely observant (indeed nigh telepathic) watcher to divine his worries from the slight furrow of his brow: he is fretting over whether the last of his gold might have been better spent on extra rations, rather than those potent cure potions he hopes he won't have to use.
He sighs, adjusts the straps of his pack, and glances contemplatively around the square.

OOC
Knowledge (local) check regarding Defendor Investigations: [roll0]

[The Smoking Man]

It seems I have found myself in the right place, sir. First, I would be most interested to learn of what has befallen your other hirelings... Nothing too serious I hope? Other than that, I am ready and willing to take up whatever task you folk deem me worthy of. I am here, after all, to prove my usefulness to the innocent.

At this, Tankerred realizes he's being long winded, and stops to clear his throat. About to continue on about his quest, his faith, and the other default topics his stubborn dwarf mind resorts to, he instead waits for the human to respond to his inquiry, blushing invisibly beneath his red beard.

[Kelvin360]

Elias

Result -

As much a mystery as this new company is to the locals, you do know some specifics.

It seems to be a company of sorts dedicated to the promotion of welfare in the face of supernatural and hostile threats, headed in this location by a strange man who calls himself 'The Messenger'.

Not even a few hours after the base of operations building appeared, six adventurers went inside and presumeably found a quest, because they left in high spirits shortly after. And then disappeared off the face of the Toril. This led to the common (misconception) that the place was cursed, and aside from mayor-endorsed letters sent in about various problems of an extraordinary nature, everyone's given the place a wide berth.

Unfortunately, this has left the Investigative Office with a very short supply of adventurers and a very high supply of problems. Several townsfolk have already asked for 'The Messenger' to be evicted. The Mayor, however, seems oddly stalwart in their defense.

Tankerred

"What happened to them is exactly what I would like to know. As far as I and my contacts can tell, they don't even exist anymore.

Admittedly I do have an overabundance of fieldwork here...though...how much experience do you have with such things, if you don't mind me asking?"

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Thanks again, I appreciate all your assistance. You've been a great help."

Making note of the location of the mayor's office, Uregaunt walks to the magic shop he noticed earlier. He politely knocks, opens the door, and enters the shop.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

Shop Description Reposted
Wind chimes jingle as you enter, though there don't appear to be any chimes. Odd.

The walls are adorned with various plants, trophies, fetishes, and runestones. None of them appear to be having a visible effect, but common sense is probably telling you not to test any.

From the front door, the entrance leads down a hallway about twenty feet to a half-circle shaped desk made to seem as though it sprang from the wall behind it. Another hall leads to the right to a door.

Orin and the gnome are in the midst of their conversation as you come in.

[JustPlayItLoud]

Uregaunt walks into the main area, keeping a polite distance from the conversation. If the gnome looks up to acknowledge him, he'll briefly raise his hand and nod in greeting. He will then browse the goods in the shop while waiting for the conversation to wrap up.

[AquilaRift]

Elias remains still for a few seconds, weighing the disturbing rumors against the commendable ethos of the establishment -- but comes to a decision by weighing his empty coin purse against the "Now Hiring" sign. He strides up to the door of the Investigations building and goes in.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

The gnome looks fairly single-minded in his conversational pursuits, and the area is much more interesting. To an individual versed in the arcane arts, it looks more like a museum than a shop. Even a cursory examination reveals a fascinating assortment of rare spell components, ancient artifacts, and inscribed wards.

The latter would make touching anything a stupendously bad idea.

Elias

Outpost Description Reposted
The first thing you are likely to notice upon entering is how the building looks a lot more majestic inside than out. Golden pillars (three on each side of the hallway) stretch up to hold the roof (which, contrary to the wodden appearance from outside, are actually stone underneath), and a polished wooden desk stands at the end of the hall.

Sitting at that desk is a human man who positively reeks of kemptness and professionalism. He wears a fine suit, has short hair, and is clean shaven. He doesn't see you immediately, as he's busy organizing a lot of paperwork (a large pile of it seems to be next to a small 'problems' sign). On either side of the desk are two wooden doors, which seems odd, as given the outside size of the building and what you're seeing, they can't possibly lead anywhere.

The man is currently in conversation with a dwarf, though when he notices you he motions you to take a seat in a comfortable chair that was certainly not there a moment ago.

[elizasteave]

Forgive me guys if I am interrupting, but just please tell me that where are these scenes coming from ? I mean is it a book or a play as I can see here, every member is telling the next scene.

[AquilaRift]

Elias does a brief double take at the appearance of the chair. He glances at the man behind the desk, then sits down cautiously. Assuming it does not explode or do anything else unexpected, he murmurs a brief incantation and passes a hand across his eyes.

OOC
Casting Detect Magic. Since this is a non-combat situation, I'm assuming that I can concentrate for 18 seconds without rolling, getting the full effect of the cantrip. I'll roll Spellcraft to identify individual auras if any turn up.

The dwarf looks awfully familiar, but Elias is presently too wrapped up in casting to put name or memory to the face.

[MLucas]

Orin look at his hands while the gnome speaks, studying them as though he's never seen them before. He looks back at the Gnome as he realises that he's waiting for a reply. "I dont understand what you've just asked me. I was thinking that I could provide you unskilled labour to free you to do your more important work. Perhaps moving boxes or", he pauses and looks around and the shelves full of curiousities, with a slight furrow to his brow, perhaps some cleaning.

He mentally sighs with releif as he hears the mysterious chimes, and glances thankfully at the newcomer. "Perhaps we could continue this after you've spoken with your customer?" he suggests hopefully. I'll have a browse around while I wait.

With that, he steps away from the Gnome, giving him the opening to finish the conversation.

Orin is quite disturbed by what he's found here - the moment the Gnome is distracted with speaking to Uregaunt, he'll leave, and head for the hiring hall.

[Malak'ai]

As he is making his way across the square, Santino watches as another person enters the new building, "Gods, I better get over there incase all the jobs are gone." he whispers to himself, quickening his step.

Upon reaching the door to the establishment he looks at the sign, Well, at least I was right about them having jobs available, I just hope I'm not too late Santino thinks before slowly opening the door and stepping in, Glancing around the entrance way.

[Kelvin360]

Forgive me guys if I am interrupting, but just please tell me that where are these scenes coming from ? I mean is it a book or a play as I can see here, every member is telling the next scene.

We're sort of...making it up as we go along. It's a roleplay thing.

Elias

All your magical senses tell you that you are sitting on a chair. However, you may recognize the effect as a conjuring effect of some sort - a Minor Creation spell or similar. It might even be an effect of the room itself.

However, it is in fact a harmless and normal chair. And, in fact, most everything in the room appears nonmagical by your divinations, though you can vaguely make out magical shimmers behind both doors and in the desk, as well as a general aura about the man himself.

Orin

"Ohh, not magical assistance? A shame. Of course, there are certain...ah, but no, dangerous." Then he realizes what you're is talking about next, and looks abruptly at Uregaunt like a dragon walked through the door, thus giving you the opportunity to esc- ahem, stroll out.

"Two? May have to reset the algorithms. How may I help you today, or vice versa?"

Santino/Orin

The room is much unchanged in the small span between Elias' entrance and your own, though the man behind the desk seems quite a bit more surprised with the new arrivals.

"It seems you are hardly alone with your interests, Father Murldom."

[AquilaRift]

Elias is about to examine the aura around the man behind the desk when his concentration falters and the spell lapses. "Murldom??"

[The Smoking Man]

Elias!? Good man! Truly, our paths are linked in ways known only to the gods! Tankerred smiles warmly, Though I don't intend to marry you... *laughs at his own joke* And after calming down, I was just speaking to our friend here about recent troubles... seems many of the local operatives of this fine establishment have gone missing... care to join me in finding out the whys and hows?

And with that, Tankerred asks the human for more information. All he needs is a place to start.

[Kelvin360]

Tankerred

"You know each other? Interesting..." He glances downward in consideration, and when Tankerred offers his assistance, he holds up a hand. "I'm sorry, Father Murldom, but I cannot in good conscience send you blindly into possibly the same fate as the other group. Rest assured that should information become known - I have allies working on such as we speak - you will be the first to know.

Until then, might I suggest a mission where there isn't a possibility of you disappearing?"

[AquilaRift]

Elias stands up and shakes Tankerred's hand in greeting. "It's been too long! Clearly we have a lot to catch up on... " He trails off and turns to the man at the desk. "Non-disappearance sounds promising. What is the nature of this mission?"

[Kelvin360]

Tankerred/Elias

"Hm. Let's see." He takes a large amount of apper from the top of the 'problems' section and starts flipping through them at a blur until he stops and pulls one out. "Ah yes. Bit outside our normal fare. Paranormal, you see. And this one has been red-marked by the Mayor himself, interesting." He glances up at them.

"A house is being haunted. Interested?"

[MLucas]

Orin strolls over to the desk, and introduces himself to the clerk and the others;
"Well met. I dont want to intrude, but I couldnt help overhear that you are looking for help with some problems. I'm currently looking for work and believe I could be of use here."
He bows to Tankerred and Elias, "I'm known as Orin, would you permit me to join you on your endeavours?"

[AquilaRift]

Elias nods. " My friend is a holy man -- er, dwarf -- and I am at least a passable abjurer. Between us we should be able to find the source of this 'haunting'... and if it is a ghost, to lay the poor soul to rest."
He glances at Orin. "Well, ah... I think we ought to find out more about this job before any of us signs on," he says, raising an eyebrow. "For one thing, how much does it pay?"

[Malak'ai]

Taking a few steps into the building, Santino see's the Dwarf and two other humans ahead of him, Damnit, I might be too late... he thinks before making his way up to the desk.
"I saw the sign outside, and was hoping I was still in with a chance of getting a job" he starts, not having heard the conversation properly. One word though seems to have made it through the rush of his brain. Haunted.
"Ummm... Ghosts aren't really my area of expertise, but I'm sure I could be of some help... If you're still hiring of cause." Santino continues, his expression seeming to droop a little seeing that he may have to content with others for employment.

[MLucas]

Orin bows to Elias again, "Please pardon my enthusiasm, I'm just so glad to have found other adventurous souls. Everyone i've met on my travels thus far has hoped for a non-eventful life." He ponders briefly Elias' last words, and frowns slightly "I've never taken money for helping others before, but if that is how things are done here, then I shall endeavour to do my best."

[Kelvin360]

Orin

"I don't think I will object if they don't."

Elias

"Well this is a red-marked job, so typically it would be much higher, but given our current rates of business or lack thereof, I think I can spare 500 gold per individual, up to ten percent in advance."

Santino

"Always happy to have more employees on the job. If you'd like, and there are no objections, you can join these fine gentlemen on their mission. Or, I have a few others here."

[AquilaRift]

Elias addresses Orin. "It strikes me that in this world, most individuals have very little... choice in the eventfulness of their lives. All they can do is be prepared for what gods and princes send their way."
He returns his attention to the Defendor Investigations representative. "Mercenary work pays better than scribing," he adds, half to himself, "and I can't help anyone if I'm begging in the street." Louder: "Those sound like acceptable terms. Where is this house, and can you give us any more detail on the nature of the haunting?"

[Kelvin360]

Elias

"It's been identified as a revenge spirit by the owner of the building, one Chartessa Murals. She claims she doesn't recognize it or know why it's haunting her - until a few weeks ago it didn't exist at all. Or, hadn't appeared, rather.

Though it is interesting to note that for a a vengeance spirit, it seems incredibly benign. For example, Murals is still alive and unharmed. Usually these things will attempt to ah...well be very not-nice to their targets."

[AquilaRift]

"Perhaps she isn't the target of its revenge. You said 'owner of the building' -- does Ms. Murals reside there?"

[JustPlayItLoud]

Uregaunt speaks, in Draconic, to the gnome. "Hello. Mt name is Uregaunt. Timms the guard told me you might be able to assist me"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath raised an eyebrow at the mention of a ghost. The last time he had encountered ghosts, it was when Captain Orvain's ship had come under attack by a ghost ship. The way they had dealt with the situation was to run the hells away like a troll with its hair caught on fire.

"I've...encountered a ghost or two before," said Kath, weighing his desire for work with his chances of solving a haunting problem. Back in port, they had overheard about how another captain and his crew had found and returned stolen gold to the cove the ghosts had stored it in when they were alive and pirates. This, apparently, had let the ghosts go to rest, but he couldn't say for sure. Maybe if he could figure out why the ghost was haunting the place?

"But I'd be willing to maybe take a look," he said, looking down at the floor. Then he looked back up. "Have you...checked with anyone with maybe a little more...know how in this area? Like a wizard or a priest or something? I know a bow doesn't do much good against the things."

Sorry for taking so long to respond

[Kelvin360]

Kath

"The ah, Baroness doesn't have time for such things."

"He means she's too busy eating roast suckling pig in the city keep to deal with our problems."

"...And the rest of our 'priests' are, frankly, glorified pages. As I was saying to Chartessa, none of the city's resources are up to the task."

"And the only damned wizard around is that gnome! Bahh! I doubt he could tell his brains from his backside!"

"Yes. He's not...stable, really. I fear his solution would be burning the house down. Perhaps an investigation as to what it-"

"Be careful what you suggest. This thing kicked me out of my own home. It needs to be put down."

"Right." He gives you a 'just ignore her' look.

Elias

"Ever since the town was founded, as far as I am aware. She and her late husband built it themselves. The only other residents have been a neice that she put up for a few nights. Mind you, most of this is rumor."

Uregaunt

The gnome stares happily off into space until Orin is fully out the door, then adopts a serious expression. His entire posture changes into 'a lot more sane than a moment ago'.

"Timms? He guards the gate, if I recall. Strange a local would send you to me. But nevermind that." He says, responding likewise in Draconic. "What specifically can I help you with?"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath assumed the Baroness was some higher up in the church, but she didn't sound like she would be much help. He thought about it for a bit.

"Where are the inns in town?" he asked, looking at the two of them. "Maybe there's someone who can help staying in one of them. For that matter, where's the haunted house?

[Kelvin360]

Kath

The Flaming Dragon's an Inn near the fountain in the town square. It's run by Mortimer Skive. He can be surly, but he's a decent enough fellow. The house itself is-"

"Third house to the left if you go east from the square. It's got beautiful ivies running down the sides. My plants are probably dying now, I haven't watered them since I was evicted by a ghost."

[AquilaRift]

"Very well. One last question: where can I find her? We ought to let her know before we trespass on her property, even with the best intentions."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath nodded his head as he listened to their directions, making a note of it. He adjusted the pack on his back. "All right, thank you for the directions. I'll go and see if I can find anything, I suppose," he said, turning to go.

As he walked toward the door, he was thinking whether or not he should ask about payment. He didn't want to seem ungrateful, but he really could use a bath and a hot meal. He turned back around.

"I...don't want to be a bother or to seem ungrateful for the chance for work, but..." he began, but then looking at the woman, he suddenly lost the nerve to ask about payment. "Would...would you mind...sending a message? If you could? I don't know how long it might take me to...remove a ghost...or how long I'll be staying in this town, but I have people waiting for me in Silverymoon. I don't want them to worry."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Well, he initially sent me here because I have a bit of a communication issue. You see, I'm from Mulhorandi and I don't speak any of the local languages. His Mulhorandi was good enough to bring me here, but not fluent enough to get enough information. I'm new to the Sword Coast area, and I've run into a bit of trouble. I'm all out of coin and looking for work. Timms said the mayor might have a few leads on potential work. I was hoping you might, at the very least, be able to direct me to someone that might be able to assist me with conversation"

[Kelvin360]

Elias

"She has temporary accommodations at the Mayoral office." He pulls out a peice of paper from his sleeve. "This map has places of interest in town marked, said office included. I advise against losing it."

Kath

"We have a few channels of communication open across the semi-local area. I'll see what I can do. Is there anything in particular the message should say?"

Uregaunt

"I can find you a permenant solution if you get a hold of the tongue of a native speaker, though I don't recommend that. As it is, a majority of my services are not cheap, much less free.

That being said, someone in my position can benefit highly from a travelling purveyor of the arcane, especially one in debt, if you understand my meaning."

He holds up a finger. "A favor. To be collected at a later date. I am not as yet sure of what form it will take, nor if it will be simple. But those are my terms." He takes out a ring from under the desk and places it atop, steepling his hands. "Should you choose to accept them."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"I take your point, and I appreciate your directness. I find your terms agreeable overall, if you don't mind my making a slight addendum to the terms. Nothing...unsavory. I've no problem getting my hands dirty, but I don't much care for skullduggery you see. I one day aspire to be a master harp player, if you catch my meaning. Agreed?"

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

"Ah, morals. I'm getting you like you more by the minute." He passes the ring forward. "Speak the name of the language into the runes. You'll understand and speak it until you need to speak another. Though after ten hours of continuous use it will need to rest, much like yourself.

Was there anything else?"

[MLucas]

To Elias, "Well good sir, It sounds like you and the Father will manage admirably together with investigating this haunting, but I am available to assist if you require. Otherwise, if you prefer my not intruding, I'm happy to look into one of the other problems hinted at."

[AquilaRift]

Elias takes the paper. "Thank you. I'll visit her directly. I think I'll wait till tomorrow to investigate the haunting itself -- there are certain preparations I need to make." He pauses. "I shall also collect the advance tomorrow, if it's convenient for you."
He addresses to the motley group that has assembled in the anteroom -- Tankerred, Santino and Orin. "If you gentlemen wish to join me, I have no objection."

[Malak'ai]

"Well, as I said. I have no experience with dealing with spirits, but if I can help in anyway, I will." says Santino, nodding to Elias.

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Thanks, friend. Let me know when my services are required of you"

After bidding the gnome farewell, Uregaunt exits the store and walks toward the mayor's office. He stops briefly and pulls the ring out of his pocket. "Chondathan", he slips the ring on and enters the office.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

Mayoral Office Description:
The Mayoral office is nothing fancy, but not a poor place, either. Directly inside, an open doorway leads to a community meeting place, to the right of which are stairs down, and to the right of that is a closed door along a wall with another door (this one open) revealing the Mayor's desk.

An old woman, a man in dirty sharkskin armor, and a man who it is easy to presume is the Mayor all stand in the main room, having a conversation when you enter. The Mayor look understanding, the woman bitter.

[JetThomasBoat]

"I need a message sent to my wife, Merice Shandy," said Kath, one hand scratching the back of his head. "Tell her...Kath Shandy says he's sorry that he can't come home yet. Tell her I was robbed, but am fine and will do my best to come back as soon as possible when I have the money to travel."

Kath turned as the newcomer came in. He wondered what Uregaunt was there for. He turned back to the mayor. "That...that should do it. I'll be going then. See what I can do about a ghost..."

He slowly started to walk toward the door.

[Kelvin360]

Kath/Uregaunt

"Of course. I'll have it sent directly." He looks then to Uregaunt. "Is there something I can do for you?"

[The Smoking Man]

Tankerred fiddles with the ring that holds his mace at his side, his eyes squinty, lost in a reverie triggered by the mention of ghosts. Finally he speaks up: "It would be my pleasure to accompany the rest of you on this escapade. If you lead, I will follow. And may Helm protect us!"

With this, Tankerred heartily slaps each other adventurer gathered in the anteroom on the back, and attempts to shake everyone's hand. "Yes, Elias... It seems fortune does indeed favour this place. Friends new and old, adventure... What more could one want? Well, I suppose there's always drink!" And with that, Tankerred hastens out of the building to where his horse is tied. He taps one of the mini-kegs loaded onto the back of the animal, and checks his tankards for dust.

OOC:
On their way out of the building, Tankerred offers everyone a drink of dwarven ale, and asks them where they're from and what they do, exactly. :smallsmile:

[AquilaRift]

Elias accepts a drink -- just one, as dwarven ale is potent and he does not relish the thought of facing a ghost with a hangover. "There's not much to tell... and you already know most of this, Tankerred. I'm from a backwater village on the northern Sword Coast, though I've been other places, and I've lived here for almost a year. I am a scribe when such work is available, but occasionally, and once again, a mercenary."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Yes, actually. How do you do? My name is Uregaunt Stamaraster, originally from Mulhorand. Ive come to the Sword Coast to make my way in the world, but I've run into some financial difficulties. I spoke with Timms, one of the guards, and he said that you might have some leads on some work for those of the adventuring persuasion"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath stopped as he was heading toward the door. Tymora's smiling on me it seems, he thought as he turned to the wizard. He didn't want to interrupt, but figured maybe he might see if this man would be interested in working with him. Kath thought the man spoke quite well, figuring him to be either quite knowledgeable or some kind of foppish dandy, but he hadn't met a lot of dandies that were looking for adventuring work.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

"Why is it that a few adventurers look like they can do more in ten minutes than your guards can in a week? Bah!"

"We do in fact have some work available, if Kath here doesn't mind companionship." He motions to the sharkskinned-guy by the door. "One of the local buildings has become haunted recently, and the ghost seems fond of forceful eviction. No violence as of yet, but getting it to leave would be appreciated."

[MLucas]

To Elias, "Thanks to you, I'm sure I'll be able to help. If you don't mind my asking, why wait? I'm eager to reunite the lady with her home."

To clerk, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch where the house we're to investigate is located?". He gestures to the map Elias is holding, "Also, would you possibly have anymore of those?, it looks useful."

Sorry I didn't get my reply in sooner, I thought I should wait for others to post ... and now times moved on

[Kelvin360]

Orin

"From the square it is the third house on the left, if you take the eastern path. That is, if I recall correctly. Lovely set of ivies, as well.

Well yes, I have plenty. None of them here or within easy reach, however. Though I can tell you that there is more to that map than meets the eye."

[MLucas]

Orin bows to the clerk "Ah well, I guess we'll have to share. Thanks for your assistance."
With that, he follows the others out of the building.

To catch up with everyone, is it ok if I assume that I talked to the clerk as Tankerred and Elias left, and that my previous question to Elias was once we're outside? From here, I'll assume I'm now outside.

Orin holds his hands up and laughs with the Dwarf "I'm sorry friend, I've heard tales of Dwarven brew, and I don't think I'm up for drinking today and then adventuring tommorrow." He grins, "Or perhaps even the next day."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"I see. Well, that's something. I appreciate it. I'd rather not be forced to camp outside of towns any longer" He turns to Kath, "What do you say? Could you use a wizard along?"

[The Smoking Man]

Not begrudging Orin who refused a drink, Tankerred nods understandingly and drains his mug. He nods approvingly as Elias describes himself, remembering the night of drinking in Neverwinter that saw them become friends.

"Well," the dwarf says, hopping down from the saddle of his horse where he was sitting sideways while drinking, "Perhaps we lot should see what we can see about that old house, eh? Now, I'm a cleric, and I think I can be of especial use against any undead we may encounter... but I make no promises! This would be my first proper encounter with such things, Helm hold us all!" And with that lets out a hearty dwarven chuckle, gathers his things, and faces in the direction of their objective. He begins to walk down the road toward the house slowly and surely, allowing anyone joining him to catch up.

[MLucas]

Orin nods in agreement and walks along next to Tankerred "A cleric you say? That will definately come in handy! I fear that I'm not going to be much use punching a ghost."

[The Smoking Man]

"Perhaps not. But ghosts aren't, from what I've read, always alone in their torment of undeath... zombies, animated skeletons... who knows? There may be something for you to punch in the name of righteousness before this quest is through! I for one feel better knowing that there's someone around quick enough to spot danger ahead. And besides," Tankerred slaps the monk on the shoulder, "this town reeks of jobs for those such as we. You'll get no shortage of practice, I'm sure!"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath smiled and nodded profusely. "Yes, yes, absolutely," he said to the mage, adjusting the straps of his pack. "I'm sure you probably know a bit more about this sort of thing than I do. I've dealt with ghosts before, but the last time, we weren't equipped to deal with it and we had to flee."

He turned and started to walk toward the door, speaking over his shoulder as he went. "When we got back to port, though, we heard about another ship that set things right and the ghosts were laid to rest or something. You know bar talk..."

[AquilaRift]

"What else do you know of ghosts, Tankerred? I hope your education hasn't neglected them as completely as mine..."

OOC
Elias isn't trained in Knowledge (religion), so all he knows about their impending adversary is whatever's common knowledge about ghosts in the Realms.

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Excellent. Let's be off. Never dealt with a ghost before, but the restless dead are nothing I feel comfortable ignoring" Uregaunt follows Kath out of the office.

[The Smoking Man]

"I know likely about as much as you, sir. Most ghosts can be reasoned with, but it's not always within a cleric's abilities to do so... it depends on the ghost, how faithful the person was in life, etc. The only way to know would be to confront the thing ourselves! Sometimes, even if it comes to violence, it's what's best for the ghost... to be laid to rest." Tankerred stares off for a moment, then clears his throat. "Sometimes for Helm to take a soul into his loving protection, the soul must be... convinced." and with that he smiles a wry smile, and continues on his way to the house in question.

[JetThomasBoat]

"I completely agree," said Kath, walking along the lane, following the directions given to him. He looked around at all the houses, looking for the ivy covered one. He turned his head to Uregaunt. "I'm glad to hear this one isn't violent. The ones that attacked our ship last year sure were. I saw what they could do to a man, but I was in the crow's nest at the time, so they weren't paying me much mind until I started shooting at them. That was a mistake."

He nodded to the two guards at the gate in greeting, hoping they won't turn him away. "Well met, sirs," he said, "the square's past here, right?"

[Kelvin360]

Kath

"Well the city square is, but the town square is down the road behind you. personally I find it more inviting. Maybe it's just the fountain."

"Don't forget that the Town's Inn has better-looking barmaids than the City's."

"Get a lass, Marcus, get a lass." Timms shakes his head.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath turned and looked back the road he had come on, wondering how he had missed the fountain the first time. He smacked himself on the forehead before turning back to the guards. "Right, thank you, sirs. Is it one of those wishing wells you toss coins into? Or could I maybe...use some of the water from it to get cleaned up?"

He felt a little awkward asking such a thing, but he really wanted to get himself cleaned up a bit.

[Kelvin360]

Kath

"As long as you don't have a full bath."

"Womenfolk might be interested, but we wouldn't be."

"Don't toss any coins in, either. it spit's them right back out. Miracle, that fountain is. Drink, clean, relax, it'll be fine."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath chuckled at the guards' words. "If I had any coins to toss in a fountain, I would go and get a full bath," said Kath. He nodded to the guards in thanks and turned away from them, heading toward the fountain.

"I'll try to be quick about it," he said as he quickened his pace toward the fountain. He started to remove his armor, leaving him in the padded clothing he wore underneath. He carefully set his armor aside before shoving his arms into the fountain waters and splashing the entire top half of his body with water. He did it a few more times, shivering from the cold of the water.

"That's much better," he said as he pulled back from the fountain. He ran his hands through his dirty blond hair, combing it with his fingers before tying his bandana back on his head. He started to put his armor back on, looking around once more to take in the town.

[JustPlayItLoud]

While waiting for Kath to clean himself up in the fountain, Uregaunt wanders around the fountain square taking in the sights.

[Kelvin360]

Uregaunt

Aside from a particularly rowdy argument at the Inn, you could swear that there was some odd movement in the trees to the South. As it is though, the people are mostly going about their normal afternoon.

[AquilaRift]

Elias approaches the mayor's office, with those of the group who have chosen to join him instead of heading directly to the haunted building, and knocks on the door.

[The Smoking Man]

Tankerred follows his friend Elias to the mayor's office, not in any particular hurry to rush the haunted house. Dwarves usually favor the direct approach, but wise dwarves know the difference between direct and foolish...

[Kelvin360]

Santino, for the moment, is content to follow his new companions where they please.

T/O/S/E

Now that a few minutes have passed without visitors, the Mayor himself is glancing over some letters and maps in his office, Chartessa looking over his shoulder like a vulture every passing moment.

When they enter...

"Look lively. Your incompetence again walks through the door! One can only wonder, mmm?"

"Yes, what can I do for you?" He asks wearily.

[AquilaRift]

"We were told we could find a Ms. Chartessa Murals here. We've been contracted by Defendor to rid a building she owns of its haunting. Might I speak with her?

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath took a moment to refill his waterskin before he put his armor back on. He turned back to his new wizard companion. "I feel like a new man," he said, smiling and he took his pack up once more. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Lets go see about that ghost now."

[Kelvin360]

The old woman smacks the Mayor easy as she breathes and scowls even more deeply.

"It's about damn time someone gave a care. But you're too late. A couple other jobless orcstickers already came and asked."

"Before you go antagonizing more folk who actually look like they can do something..." The Mayor is obviously annoyed now, which would mark the first time so far he's actually been angry with her.

"Fine, fine! Murals I be, or crazy widowed old bat to some! Speak your peace if you will."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"Let's just see about this ghost. Lead the way friend."

[AquilaRift]

Elias scowls, then composes himself. "I'm afraid our contract is already extant. With any luck, however, we'll be able to cooperate with whomever you've hired. Can you give me any details about the nature of the haunting? Even seemingly irrelevant information might help us discover what's keeping it from resting peacefully."

[Kelvin360]

"Hmph! I barely know more than you do. Perhaps a week ago, I was sipping my tea in front of the fireplace as I am wont to do, when lo and behold, a ghost pops out of the ground and starts wailing at me! The nerve!

I told the insufferable minx to get out of my house, but did she listen? Pfah! These ghosts. No respect. I ran for it, as anyone would, and now I'm here and still waiting on someone to take care of the situation!"

The Mayor, his face toward the group, is doing his utmost to not roll his eyes whenever Chartessa uses the words 'respect' and 'insufferable'. He isn't succeeding.

[AquilaRift]

"Very well. I shan't take any more of your time, then. I hope we can help to evict the ghost." Elias makes a quick and perfunctory bow. If nobody else has anything to say to mayor or Chartessa, he will depart without further ado. If they do, he will wait till they've finished.

[MLucas]

Orin starts walking towards the house with the rest of the group, studying all the people in the square and smiling with contentment. After a while, he realises that he's walking alone, looks around in confusion, and hurries after the group, who are leaving the square by a different exit. "I'd forgotten you wanted to visit the mayor first. I'll come along - I dont want to face a ghost on my own." He grins sheepishly.

Once in the Mayor's office, after Elias has spoken, he bows to the Mayor and Chartessa, and asks them "If you dont mind, I have a few questions about the other group you mentioned? How long ago did they leave, and could you possibly describe them to us so we can offer them our assistance?"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath lead the way down the street until he spotted the ivy on the rather large house. "I didn't think it was going to be so big," he muttered in surprise. He turned to Uregaunt and nodded before continuing to the front door of the house. As he first started to approach it, he started to feel a little...off. He couldn't really place it, thought.

"Buncha ivy all over," he said, looking at it to see if any of it looked climbable. "Even on the door."

[Kelvin360]

Orin

"Hardly even fifteen minutes ago, if I recall correctly. It may have been only ten...

Ah yes. There were two, a rather posh-looking mage and a man with the smell of the sea about him. The mage is rather tall, blonde, and the seafarer was a bit shorter, red bandanna around sandy blond locks. He was wearing sharkskin armor as well, which I found a nice touch."

Kath

The vines, while extensive, are also rather withered. Unless you found yourself about a hundred pounds lighter, you may have doubts as to whether they could support your weight.

[MLucas]

Orin bows to the Mayor and Chartessa, "Thanks to you for the information."
He turns to the rest of the group, "I suggest we hasten to the lady's house, and try to catch the pair before they complete the task."
Orin will then leave the Mayors office and walk briskly to the house, assuming that if he runs, he'll draw the attention of the guards.

The house is only a few minutes away I assume - I hope Kath's bath lets us catch up :)

[Kelvin360]

Indeed it is, so if Uregaunt and Kath don't go in immediately, the group is just about together now. Though, I'm interested to see how you five handle the job conflict.

[AquilaRift]

"I agree with Orin. If we catch up with the others, we may be able to assist them -- but if we wait, they may get the job done before we have a chance." He shakes his head. "After meeting Ms. Murals, I'm almost more inclined to sympathize with the ghost..."

[Malak'ai]

Standing at the back of the room, leaning against the wall, Santino listens carefully to what the cranky old harridan has to say before walking up, "'suse me Ma'am, just one more thing. Entry to the house, is there anything we should know about? Like, will it be locked up? Or is there an entrance other than the main doors?" he asks, casually sticking his hand in his pocket, fiddling with his lockpicks.

[Kelvin360]

Santino

"Oh yes, while being chased by a ghost I stopped and very carefully locked the door behind me." Her tone is basically a bitterly ironic slap to the face.

"Chartessa." The one word holds infinite amounts of warning from the Mayor, and the woman harrumphs again.

"It's unlocked. Unless someone came along afterwards, you'll have no problems with the front door. Only other doors what lead to anywhere is the basement. Mind," She says quickly, eyes flashing. "Don't be going down there. Nothing to see, no reasons to look. I'll keep what shreds of my privacy remain, thank you muchly."

[Malak'ai]

Santino smirks as the old cow bites at his question, crossing his arms and retorts, "With all due respect Ma'ma, but if we are to help get you back into your home we are going to have to search for the source of why the ghost has taken up residence. If that means we have to go rummaging in your drawers and looking through all your small clothes, so be it. You're the one griping about the haunting and we have kindly agreed to help you out, so, once again, with all due respect unless you have some... constructive information that may help, keep those sarcastically biting remarks under that shriveled, caustic tongue of yours." with a slightly angry, dangerous smile.
Turning to the Mayor, he bows his head a little, "Begging your pardon, my lord Mayor."

[Kelvin360]

Santino

Chartessa puffs up angrily, but is too outraged to say anything.

The Mayor, on the other hand, has the barest hint of a smile on his face. "Civility is a virtue." He says in a tone suggesting what he actually wants to say is more along the lines of 'Bless you sir, for giving her a much-needed verbal thrashing'.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath moved closer to the door itself, deciding against trying to climb in through an upper story window. He figured he would check the door first, but wanted to know the whole situation in case it might come in handy. He moved closer to the door, inspecting the ivy covering it. "Well, guess we should just try the main entrance," he says, drawing his cutlass. He sets to work cutting the ivy where it might restrict access, being fairly careful not to damage the shrew's front door.

[Malak'ai]

Santino looks at the old woman, seeing that she seems to be almost choking trying to find something to say and smiles.
"Well, my ol' Ma used to always tell me that if I had nothing nice to say that I better have a damn good insult prepared my Lord. Well, if the wrinkled trout here has nothing else useful to add, I'll be going." he says, nodding to the mayor, then turning to Chartessa and giving her his biggest, mocking smile and a deep bow before walking out of the office.

[Kelvin360]

Kath

It isn't particularly hard work, but cutting the ivy does require some finesse. Fortunately, after a bit of a struggle, the leaves blocking the door fall gently to the ground, leaving the (unlocked) entrance ripe for the taking.

Santino

Barely a few seconds after the door closes, you hear an ungodly cacophony of curses and shouting from inside the office as the DM struggles with a strong urge to give you a +1 morale bonus to everything just for that.

[MLucas]

After they exit the Mayor's office, Orin stares at Santino and frowns,"Well that was" Orin pauses, appears to think, then grins broadly, "awesome! But I think we need to make haste now, lest we miss out on the fun to come."
He begins briskly walking towards the house.

[AquilaRift]

Elias accompanies Orin and Santino. His current spell arsenal will have to do.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath returned his cutlass to its scabbard when he was finished. He reached his hand down to the doorknob and tried it, finding it unlocked. He took a deep breath and turned to Uregaunt. He gave him a quick nod, then pushed the door open.

[Malak'ai]

Turning his head towards the man calling himself Orin, Santino smiles and chuckles, "I wasn't doing it for gratitude, though I do accept it when given; I did it because I get sick of people talking down to me. If she can't stomach some of her own pudding then she shouldn't serve it up to those who are just trying to help."

[MLucas]

"I wouldnt say 'gratitude', although I do appreciate a good come-uppance" says Orin Smiling at Santino as they walk. "I must admit, this was my first experience of, as you say, 'being talked down to'. My brothers and I were all equals in the monastery."

"Ah, that house there looks like the one our employers described, and those two gentlemen examining the door fit the Lady's description."

Orin calls out to the two at the door, just as one of them opens it, Well met to you, fellow ghost hunters, please hold for a moment." Orin closes the distance to the pair and bows.
"My name is Orin, these are", he points to each of the others, "Elias, Santino and Tankerred. I believe you have both been tasked by the Mayor to evict a ghost from this residence. Happily, so have we." He grins happily.
"Would you object if we join forces? You two look very capable, but I fear we may get in each others way if we enter seperately, and our goal is ultimately to help the ", he pauses a moment and frowns, putting more emphasis on the last word "Lady."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath turned to the newcomers, surprise evident on his features. He looked to Uregaunt with a shrug. "Um...I guess?" he said, not used to people asking him for permission for anything. He stepped back from the door and pulled his bow from his pack. Bracing it against his foot, he quickly strung it. He knew from experience it wouldn't be that useful against undead, but he would feel much safer with it in hand. He looked up then, having a thought. Am I gonna get paid less with all these other people here on the same job? he wondered.

Wait, am I gonna get paid for this? He remembered that he had neglected to ask about payment.

[AquilaRift]

"Point," Elias says, raising a hand. "We've been hired separately for the same job. If Ms. Murals compares notes with Defendor Investigations -- as she surely can and probably will -- some of us may be accused of taking credit for the other group's work. If we're to cooperate, we ought to vouch for each other to our respective employers afterwards."

[Malak'ai]

Santino snorts and then chuckles, "Somehow I think the ol' shrew's gunna try everything she can to refuse paying me as it is no matter how much you lot argue in my favor."
Approaching the front door he takes a moment to look around the frame and shakes his head, "I don't think we should go in through here... Looks far too easy, and in my experience, that's a bad thing." Turning to the other members of the newly combined group, "There's another entrance that leads to the basement and the lady Murals expressed, very firmly, that we weren't to go in there so that's where I suggest we start."

[MLucas]

Orin nods in agreement with Elias, then looks at the invitingly open front door, and turns to Santino, "I will defer to your judgement, but I wonder if you're basing your choice on the chance to further antagonize the lady. If it is a ghost we face, I cant see that we'll have a problem with going in the front door."
He pauses and frowns, "But who knows what that irritating lady will have done to protect her privacy in the one area she asked us not to go. I'd prefer to comply with her wishes, unless we are forced to do otherwise."

[Malak'ai]

"Look, if I wanted to yank that ol' cat's tail more I'd have stayed at the Mayor's Office." Santino replies to Orin, "But there must be a reason this ghost is here. Not that I'm saying I'm an expert on ghosts or n'thing, but generally if something appears where it shouldn't, it's because they are after something. What it is or what it does, I don't care but I can practically guarantee that what ever it is, it's locked away in that basement."

Walking back down from the porch, adjusting the armour he hides under his clothing, Santino does a quick check of his gear, making sure all his tool are in the right pockets, "I'll go what ever way you all decide, but if it were me making the decision, I'd be heading downstairs straight away."

[MLucas]

Orin laughs and raises his hands in a sign of submission, "Okay, well you've convinced me that you're not acting on a grudge." Hi grins at Santino, "And anyway, given that our employer didn't mention any restrictions on our access to the house, and the rudeness of the owner, I'm happy to ignore her requests for privacy."
Orin stares again at the open door, then shrugs and follows Santino away from the door, "I have no strong opinion on where to start, so I'm happy to defer to your judgement. Having met the owner, I cant say I'm in any particular rush to reunite her with her property anymore, if others wish to discuss the matter."

[Kelvin360]

Once the party's got a unanimous heading, if a brief search of the premises is conducted they may find what looks to be a cellar entrance around back (this one is actually locked, though). Thus, they've two entry options.

[AquilaRift]

"I think we ought to enter via the front door. Whatever's in the cellar may be linked to the ghost's presence, but going straight after it might anger the spirit even more than Ms. Murals. If we behave like guests, perhaps it'll be more inclined to treat us as such."

[JetThomasBoat]

"I'm not too keen on angering a ghost. I've seen what they can do to a man," said Kath with a shrug. He leaned on his bow as he spoke. "And I don't know about you folks, but I have some of these neat arrows I bought in Waterdeep that MIGHT do something to ghosts, but I don't really want to risk it when they could be a lot more useful in other situations."

[JustPlayItLoud]

"No sense being in competition for the same job , especially considering the pay might not be anything worth fighting for. Shall we have a look inside?"

[Kelvin360]

The main room of the building is only slightly less majestic than the exterior would have you believe. The floor is wooden, with various carpets placed in what one would assume are random positions, though one does have an obvious place.

In the middle of the entry area is a fireplace, in front of which is the above not-random carpet, a small table, and two large armchairs.

Four exits aside from the front door lie here; an entrance to a kitchen-space with various cupboards and baskets filled with grains and dishes and such to the left, a stairway upwards that lies just past the fireplace, a door below it that can only lead to the basement (this one is padlocked, oddly), and a door to the right that leads to a small, almost closet-like space, but with room enough for a small bed and a shelf, which it has.

All those details, however, are not the party's main concern.

What is their main concern is that the instant all of them are inside, the front door slams shut behind them, and and entire house rumbles slightly, but noticeably.

[AquilaRift]

Elias spits out an incantation, passing his hands over his torso as if tracing the outlines of a piece of clothing.

Casting Mage Armor. Elias's AC rises to 15 -- even against incorporeal opponents, since this is a force effect.

Once done, he raises his voice. "Who's there?"

[Kelvin360]

A booming voice echoes throughout the house in response.

"I SHOULD ASK THE SAME! FROM WHERE HAVE YOU COME? "DID THE WITCH SEND YOU?!

[AquilaRift]

"Hardly. We're free agents, here to redress whatever grievances you have." Elias holds up his hands, palms flat and conspicuously empty of weapons or spell components.


Untrained Diplomacy check: [roll0]
And, if my assumption about the identity of "the witch" is correct, then a similarly untrained Bluff check for Elias's half-truth: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

The voice drops in volume very noticeably at the hands of the best untrained negotiator ever.

"I see." Now that it's not a chilling, ear-bursting deep shout, it's almost recognizeable as...a woman's voice?

A transparent figure walks through a nearby wall and looks sadly at the group. She's wearing a nice dress, a gold ring, and a green pendant. Her once-black hair flows down her shoulders, slightly-pointed ears sticking out from near the top. If she were alive, she'd be not bad looking. Oh, and if she didn't look like someone was stabbing her in the heart.

"So you come from the outside, truly. I am unsure whether to be overcome with joy or fear. I think cold will have to do for now.

I am Denara Kessen Murals. Might I ask why you are here, exactly?"

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath was startled by the voice. Taking the queue from Elias, he resisted the urge to draw one of his arrows. He knew it wouldn't do much good, but he always felt a little better with his weapon ready in tense situations. He lowered his bow and looked closely at the woman. He didn't say anything, figuring Elias was doing a good job and not wanting to hear the ghost shout more.

[MLucas]

Orin's look of fear at the mysterious shaking of the house, and the appearance of the ghost is quickly replaced with one of awe for Elias as he thinks.Clearly, he knows more about ghosts than he said.
He then bows to the ghost and stands at ease.

[Malak'ai]

Pushing himself back up from the floor where the slamming door had thrown him, Santino cranes his neck, looking up at the apparition floating before him, Note to self... Make sure you're fully through the door when ghosts get pissy....

Standing up properly he tilts his head to the side when the ghost says her name, This could be interesting, or very very bad... he thinks to himself before coming to stand behind the Dwarf.

"Murals you say? So that ol' bat Chartessa would be what? Your mother? Sister? Some cow who killed you and took over your house?" he inquires, hoping that his derogatory remarks about old lady Murals will give the impression that he is no way associated with her.

[Kelvin360]

She looks at Orin briefly with an expression resembling curiosity, before Santino draws her full attention with a lightning-quick turn of her head. The building rumbles slightly again, and she almost fades entirely, the deeper voice echoing once more.

"SPEAK NOT OF HER TO ME!" The voice screams, a blast of wind (hardly anough to render anyone off balance, but enough to ruffle some hair) accompanying.

A few moments pass, her image slowly becoming more visible. She looks calmer than the rage would suggest, but still irritated. "What has been done here...should not be named. Investigated. Found. My voice should be lost to memory, my soul to ash. But still I remain. I am not so foolish as to demand justice, no matter why you are here." She looks at each member of the party in turn, eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"A question which, I may add, has not been answered. But this is of no consequence. If you be of stone heart and wish to know, I would tell you my tale." She frowns in a confused manner. "I know not why these words slip from me, but listen you may if you will. Or, if you prefer, simply end my misery. Either choice matters little to me. Everything matters little to me." The sheer bitterness in her tone is nearly overwhelming, her sorrow permeating the air.

[AquilaRift]

Elias speaks quietly, words coming as if from a great distance. "Regardless of whether you demand justice, or feel that you deserve it, we will seek it out. If it is not too painful to speak of, please tell us why you remain."

[Kelvin360]

"Stories come not to life without both word and sight, for both must together make one believe. I cannot ask that you take my words on faith, so I will both say and show." She motions to the basement door and then fades again.

[AquilaRift]

Elias's eyes widen fractionally, and he nods at Santino as if to say I stand corrected. Then he approaches the basement door and examines the lock.

[Kelvin360]

It's a fairly standard padlock, but sturdy. Hardly an expertly-crafted masterpeice designed to keep out the greatest rogues ever, but it's likely to take someone with experience to open by guile.

Unless you want to just toss the dwarf at it until it breaks.

[AquilaRift]

Elias looks up. "Can anyone here pick a lock?"

[Malak'ai]

Looks like I hit a nerve Santino thinks as the ghost rages again.

"Looks like I had the right hunch. But learning what happened would be a good idea." he says as he approaches the basement door, looking at the lock with Elias, biting his bottom lip, "Shouldn't be too much trouble... Step back and I'll have a fiddle."

Crouching in front of the door, pulling a ring of what look like bent wires from his pocket and taking the lock in the other hand, he hunches over and starts working on the lock.

Open Lock Check: [roll0]

[Kelvin360]

The lock is very easily picked by Santino's skilled hands, and once the pad drops to the floor, the door creaks open, becoming like unto a portal of the Abyss. Whatever is down there is dark, cold, and unforgiving.

Oh, and it smells like wine.

((Going to post the basement description here so you lot have something to talk about both ICly and OOCly, as I plan to go to bed soon and then vacation time.)

The stairway downwards is short - perhaps only ten or fifteen feet down - flanked by stone walls upon which extinguished candles have been placed for light. Or they would, had they been lit.

The main room of the cellar/basement/dungeon is a thirty foot by thirty foot square room. Some empty crates or barrels of wine rest in various corners, and six barrels (stacked in a 3-over-3 position and tied together) rest against the right-hand wall.

The ghost is nowhere to be seen.

DC 15 Search check to notice that the two middle barrels against the wall are hollow. And that, my friends, will have to remain a cliffhanger.

[AquilaRift]

Elias descends, but stops halfway down the stairs to rummage in his pack. After a moment, he pulls out an oblong object wrapped in coarse black cloth. He unwraps what turns out to be a stout stick, one end of which burns with a pale, heatless flame. Light spills through the dank cellar.

Something squeaks from an inside pocket. After a moment, a large gray rat emerges and climbs up his shirt to perch on his shoulder, nose twitching.

Holding his everburning torch high, gazing suspiciously into every cobwebbed corner, Elias advances.

Checks!
Listen: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
Search: [roll2]

[Kelvin360]

Results:
Listen:

You can faintly make out the sounds of weeping from what appears to be behind the right-side wall, though there aren't any doors.

Spot:

You notice that the two middle barrels on that wall are attached with a hinge mechanism, rather like a door. As well, you notice a few out of place stones in the northwest corner.

Search:

After some careful examinations, you realize that the two above barrels are hollow inside. Why, if you didn't know any better you might say there was a secret door here!

[AquilaRift]

Elias motions to the others with the torch, beckoning them closer. "These barrels are hollow -- and hinged. I think this is what we seek."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath moved over to the barrels, putting his ear to it at the same time as he put an arrow to his bowstring. He listened closely to try to see if he heard anything.


[roll0]

[Malak'ai]

Santino moves up to the barrels just after Kath, placing his hand on the archers shoulder he says quietly, "Hold on there. If this kind of care has been taken to try and hide this door, then there maybe some other... surprises. Best to check it out before everyone gets too close."

Gently moving Kath to the side, he starts examining the barrels, looking for anything that may seem out of place, any small wires, strange markings, somewhere a dart/arrow or quarrel may be hidden.

Either take 20 if possible, giving a max result of 27. If not then... [roll0]

[Kelvin360]

Search Result:
You do not find any traps or locks connected to the hidden door.

Listen Result:
You can now very clearly hear the sounds of embittered weeping. Though the tone is rather odd, almost like an echo.

[Malak'ai]

Interesting... All this effort to hide it, but none to defend it unless... Santino thinks, stepping back from the barrels.
"No hidden dangers on the door itself, but I still think there's more here than there appears to be." he says, looking round at everyone in the room, "Who here is normally standing at the end of a tavern brawl? We might need you up here when we open the door in case there's something nasty waiting for us."

[Malak'ai]

((Grrr... Stop eating my posts you silly forum.))

[MLucas]

Orin follows the others down into the basement, then stands out of the way and studies the rest of the room (not where the barrels are).


Search: [roll0]
Spot: [roll1]
I'll keep looking until the barrels are resolved (OOC, the loose bricks weren't mentioned IC, and I hope to examine those)

[Kelvin360]

Orin

Results:
While you don't leap to see anything right away, after a few minutes of careful examination you too see that some stones on the wall of the northwest corner seems out of place somehow.

[MLucas]

Orin walks to the northwest corner of the room, and begins minutely examining a section of wall.

Search [roll0] - or take 20 if possible

While searching, Orin replies to Santino, "Although I've never been involved in a tavern brawl, I believe I can be of use to you there. Let me know when you think it's safe to open." He pauses and raps on the wall "In the meantime, there's something a little strange about these stones."

OOC: wow, Orin's really unobservant!

[Kelvin360]

Result:
Since you've already found the actual stone arrangement, it's now easy to tell that there are four loose bricks. It looks like they should come out without a problem.

[MLucas]

Orin removes the loose bricks and tries to see into the hole revealed. "Could you possibly bring that light over here for a moment Elias? I'm having trouble seeing into this hole."

[AquilaRift]

Elias moves to a point between Santino and Orin, not wanting to deprive the lock-picker of light.

((The torch should illuminate almost the entire room anyway, since it's a 20-foot radius of light in a 30-by-30 cellar.))

[Kelvin360]

The light bounces off the insides of the compartment, revealing some leather straps and pads, as well as a sack.

Small-sized studded leather armor and 220 gold, to be specific.

[MLucas]

Orin frowns at his find, then starts putting the bricks back. "I seem to have found where the Lady keeps some of her valuables, but since we're not here to rob her, I think we should leave it there."
Once he finishes reconstructing the wall, he walks over to Santino, "Where would you have me stand?"

[Kelvin360]

As you put away the bricks, you may notice that there are odd sigils on the backs of each. But each one is cut off slightly, like a puzzle peice.

[JetThomasBoat]

"I'm usually more inclined to duck behind an overturned table and toss tankards and bottles at the people fighting," said Kath with a grin as he moved out of the way. "I can take a hit, I just don't like to. What exactly are you expecting?"

[AquilaRift]

"I avoid tavern brawls when I can, to be honest. The best I can do is lend someone a little more resilience than they'd ordinarily have."

[Kelvin360]

While all this is going on, Uregaunt is content to keep a position near the east wall, simultaneously preparing to cast his spells and deciding which would be best to cast at a moment's notice.

Tankerred, on the other hand, keeps his mace and shield ready, leaning against one side of the barrel-door. He glances around in an 'I'll cover the leader' sort of way.

[AquilaRift]

Elias moves closer to the barrels, just behind Santino and Orin. "Well, we're in the thick of it now. Best crack this open and see what Ms. Murals has hidden away."

[Kelvin360]

Once someone opens the door...

The tops of both sideways barrels open at the same time, a latch keeping the tips together so it resembles a door, albeit with a slight hourglass shape to the initial entrance.

Past that, however, the basement begins to look more like a dungeon; the walls turn a grayer shade of stone, old candles hang from the walls, and a few empty barrels rest in corners.

The main feature of the room is the set of chains attached to a large pillar in the center of the dungeon room. Resting in the chains, slumped downward in defeat, is a body.

Based on the appearance (and the smell), the corpse has been down here for at least a week, and dead for about the same time. It bears a much-more-than-passing resemblance to the ghost that now (rather suddenly) stands over it.

"So you see, now, what her anger has wrought. 'Twas a fault of mine, I think, to trust. I asked to stay here, for shelter, after my old home burned to the ground. And now I do stay.

I promised you a tale, investigators, and this I shall not neglect. When I came to this place, it was with not but the child in my belly and the clothes on my back. I had thought that my aunt would give me safety, so I sought her out. But I underestimated her hatred."

A bitter, bitter smile slides across her ghostly features. "She is quite the racist, my dear aunt. But also quite cunning. She drew me into a lull, and I thought myself safe as she questioned me about my associations. In a moment of thoughtlessness I told her of the child, of its father, the elf. Then I awoke here, a dagger to my neck.

'No blood of mine shall be tainted and thrive', she said. She cut off the tips of my ears, slit my throat, and left me in this hidden passage to die. And die I did. Though not completely, so it seems." She looks carefully at her own transparent hands, and then back at the group.

"And thus do you know of what has come to pass. Speaking of this lightens my heavy heart somewhat, though I am not free. My question, it seems, remains 'what shall happen'? What shall you do with this? And I am interested, very interested indeed."

[AquilaRift]

"That depends," Elias says slowly. His eyes seem riveted on the corpse. "People are going to know about your aunt's crime. Lord Mayor or street urchin, it matters little, but I intend to shout it from the rooftops of Fortune's Favor until someone listens, if it comes to that. The woman trades on her good name. Let her choke on it, at least for the days until she meets the headsman. She's done too much in silence and the dark."
He pauses. "I need to think... How much influence does your murderer have in this town? I can see already this isn't the sort of crime you can report to the nearest watchman. She was a guest of the mayor -- although he didn't seem to like her much, which may be a point in our favor."

[Kelvin360]

"All that I knew I know now, and that is this; she was one of the original settlers of this place. More I cannot tell you, as I've had little to do with this...Fortune's Favor. I pray that further irony upon that name will not come."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath pulled off the bandana tied around his head and held it up to his nose. He listened to the ghost as she told her story, then turned to the others. "I agree. We should probably think this through before we just go accusing people. We need to be able to prove it and we don't know for sure how far she's willing to go to hide it." Kath looked around the little room some more, then examined the chains. He turned to the ghost. "For instance, you mentioned you woke up down here with a dagger at your throat. Did Chartessa seem the type to carry a sleeping body, even one as light as a young woman, down into her cellar? I would think someone helped her."

[Kelvin360]

The chains appear to be simple iron, though a bit rusted.

Denara, meanwhile, fixes her gaze upon Kath with a frown and raised eyebrow. "I was not in an exceptional position to judge her arm strength nor number of accomplices. Though it would not truly surprise me to learn that there are those about with loose enough morals to do as you say. Hm. Would being wrong or right concern me more, I wonder..."

[AquilaRift]

Elias turns to the rest of the group. "I understand that this is a bit more than you bargained for when you accepted this job. I won't hold a grudge against anyone who considers going up against Chartessa a poor decision. But I intend to see this through, regardless of where it goes."
He turns back to face Denara, but continues addressing the group at large. "One or two of us should speak with the Mayor at greater length, preferably without that woman listening. If we can convince him to see the scene of the crime -- or send a trusted retainer -- we'll have a witness whose reliability is beyond question. Even if we can't prove your aunt murdered you, she'll have some explaining to do once your corpse is found chained up in her basement."
He sighs. "On the other hand, if the Mayor is clearly in Chartessa's pocket, we'll have to make alternate plans."

[Malak'ai]

After desending the stairs and seeing the grizzly scene, Santino turns to the others, his face contorted in a mask of fury, hate and disgust with a gleem of violence in his eye.
"I don't care if the ol' b#$ch has the whole town in her pocket, she's gunna pay for this!" he growls, slowly drawing his shortsword from it's scabbard, "I say we take her and chain her up in here in the dark and cold to starve to death while she goes mad, screaming for help that will never come."

Turning back to the body of the young woman he mutters, "I've done things before that others wouldn't consider 'good' or within the 'bounds of the law', and I have no regrets about them. I was just trying to survive. But this... This..." his voice stops, the sword in his hand quivering with his anger, "Orin, Tankerred... I'm not pious in any way, but I think a prayer to any God who gives a damn is in order." Santino finishes, his voice straining to hide the rage bubbling to the surface.

[MLucas]

"I had no expectations other than that it would be interesting - as it has already proven to be."
He smiles weakly at Elias, "I agree we need to talk to the Mayor, but wonder if perhaps we should search the Lady's house while we're here. Perhaps we could find some more evidence that will incriminate her." He pauses, looks at the body, then at the ghost with a sad expression. "Not that there isn't plenty of evidence here already."

[AquilaRift]

Elias fixes Santino with a cold stare. "That wouldn't bring back her niece, satisfying as it might be -- and you might end up with a ghost of your own to contend with. Not all of them are as tangible as our hostess, and the ones in your head are sometimes the hardest to put to rest."
To Orin: "I'm not certain that would help. We might be accused of tampering with evidence. Best if we point the Mayor in the right direction and let him ascertain the truth for himself... that is, if he's so inclined."
To Santino: "If she does have the whole town in her pocket -- and I doubt she does, else she'd own more than one house -- then we can consider taking matters into our own hands."
To Denara: "Would you object to a priest of Helm performing the last rites? I'm certain we can find a devotee of your patron if you'd prefer it..." He suppresses an inappropriate chuckle at the absurdity of discussing such arrangements with the deceased. "But that might have to wait until after we've gone through the proper channels."


Knowledge (local), if that applies, to remember details about the system of criminal justice in Fortune's Favor: [roll0]

[Kelvin360]

"I would not object in this case. Being faithless has an advantage in that I am free to not be choosy."

Result:
An odd benefit of a community as tightly-knit as Fortune's Favor is that, in general, there is very little crime. When there is the odd theft or even assault, the usual punishment is community service for the victim, which has worked so far.

However, in the very very rare case of murder or other high crimes, the Mayor's office retains several jail cells to contain the individual responsible until an investigation (held by a local cleric of Tymora or the mayor himself if one is not available) is held.

An executioner (staying in the city keep) has been outsourced for such cases as a murderer is found guilty, though so far it hasn't been decided whether that is a public affair or even necessary.

[JetThomasBoat]

"Well, I kind of agree with Orin," said Kath, leaning on his bow and looking around at the others. "As I said, we don't know if she had help or not. I'm not really afraid of her accomplices attacking us or something, but I am worried we might not be able to make this stick if there are people we don't know about moving to hide Chartessa's skeletons in another closet so we look like a bunch of saps when we haul the mayor down here and the body's gone."

"And depending on who might be helping her, we might make an enemy by putting their boss in chains."

He stepped out of the little room and back into the cellar proper before turning back to everyone else. "I'm not saying we need to ransack the place, but maybe another once over before we bring in the guards?"

[AquilaRift]

Elias considers for a moment, then nods. "Agreed. If you're worried the body will be tampered with, Tank and I can remain behind..." He coughs, embarrassed at coldly discussing a murder investigation in front of its victim. "...to ensure that no-one disturbs her while the others call in the law."

[Kelvin360]

"Concerned about my helpless state, stalwart one?" She asks Elias, looking slightly amused. Or as much as she can be. "Though, were I you, I would be more concerned with the evil than the shadows that follow it. As you can see from my folly, even the most unassuming can be deadly."

[AquilaRift]

Elias shoots her a wry look. "You have a point." Remembering the yell that rattled the window frames, he adds, "I'm sure you're capable of protecting your own mortal remains, for that matter. But it never hurts to be cautions."

[Malak'ai]

Walking back up the stairs to the basement, Santino looks back down at you and says in a voice still dripping with anger, "I'll bring the charges against her. Hell, I'll even be polite about it... Well... As polite as I need to be to that foul concubine"

[AquilaRift]

"Try to be discreet. Remember, we're not certain the Mayor will be on our side."

[Kelvin360]

"I will be impressed by his willpower if he resists strangling her. Even when not murderous, she remains very much a hag." Once more she looks to Elias. "So tell me, do you perhaps know how to play Castles with dust motes?"

---

Meanwhile, in town, everything's rather the same. Townsfolk still walk around, the fountain still runs, and the pair in the office are still arguing. After the horror of the dungeon, it might seem surreal.

[AquilaRift]

Elias gets up. "I'd better go with him. He's likely to kill her, the way he's talking." He nods to Tankerred and the ghost, then climbs through the hollow barrels, heading back to the house and the town above.

[MLucas]

Orin waits until Elias has left the basement and turns to Kath, "How about we have a look around the house, and see if we can find anything pertinent. I don't know which way the Mayor is going to fall, so we may need evidence against the Lady."
He then climbs back up the stairs and starts searching the house, being careful not to leave anything out of place.

If possible, I'll search each room thoroughly - looking for papers etc

[Kelvin360]

Aside from an impressive supply of knitting needles, it seems that either Murals is not in direct correspondance with anyone, or she's a master spy. Or maybe just has letters on her person. Her kitchen is well stocked, though.

Although, the chains are rather odd. There appear to be tiny scratches on them, like some sort of smith's mark.

[Malak'ai]

As Santino is making his way back to the Mayors house, strolling along, trying to force himself to calm down, he notices Elias join him.
"I'm sorry for my outburst back there. The thought of mindlessly killing kinsmen for 'blood purity' to be a low, evil act. I've stolen from and killed people in my past, but it was always to survive. To live one more day. That sort of needless butchery makes no sense."

[AquilaRift]

"Most butchery's needless. If Chartessa's one of the town's founders, or the next best thing... I have to wonder how deep the rot goes... " Elias remains in preoccupied silence the rest of the way.

[Kelvin360]

Mercifully, the Mayor's house is still open.

Not so mercifully, both individuals as before are still inside. The Mayor himself is reading an old leather-bound tome at his desk, and what looks like a few small clumps of his hair are conspicuously absent. When the door opens, Chartessa's head snaps up, and she crosses her arms.

"Hmph! Not as useless as I thought, I suppose. I hope you don't expect extra payment for brevity."

"Loosely translated, 'welcome back'." The Mayor mutters, not looking up. "Am I to assume the problem is solved?"

[AquilaRift]

"Well, the noxious presence haunting that household is no longer in residence," Elias says dryly, "and we are presently taking steps to ensure she does not return. On another subject -- might we have a word with you in private, sir?"

[Kelvin360]

"Blessed b- I mean, ehm, of course." He closes the book, stands, and motions to the meeting room across the way. "Will this do?"

[AquilaRift]

"Certainly," Elias replies, and follows him into the room, making sure he closes the door behind them once Santino's in.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath nodded to the monk and picked his bow back up. He started looking around, as well. Once Orin had searched through the pantry, Kath made his way over there discreetly and pocketed a few apples. "She probably doesn't need anymore fruit, she's so sweet already," he mumbled to himself with a grin. He spotted a small wedge of cheese in the back and took that as well, feeling his stomach rumbling. He quickly moved back to catch up with Orin.

"Have you found anything of note yet? Any indication of accomplices or like...I don't know, the knife she was killed with?" asked Kath, looking around some more.

Kath will look around for maybe a library or something? Somewhere where she might have kept books. With the mention of blood purity, maybe there's a book on the family's geneology or something?

[Kelvin360]

There is, in fact, a second floor with several bookshelves in one of the rooms. There's the typical assortment of histories, fairy tales, knitting patterns...every incredibly boring book you'd expect to find in a townsperson's house.

However, there is a small section with more interesting volumes. It consists of two rows: One seems to be dedicated to a history of elves or elf/human warfare, the other appears to have books with titles of gibberish until you realize that the symbols on the backs heavily resemble somethign similar to the arcane runes on the magic shop in town.

As for Orin, it appears that there are several steak knives in the kitchen area that would have been used as a murder tool, but all are too clean to tell for sure.

[AquilaRift]

As soon as they're out of earshot and the door's shut, Elias speaks to the Mayor. "Will you come with us to the haunted building? There's something you need to see." He holds up a hand to forestall objection. "I understand if you don't trust us... you have no reason to... but if you feel it's necessary, bring people you do trust. Not Chartessa. She mustn't know of this yet."

OOC

Diplomacy check (crossing fingers): [roll0]

[Malak'ai]

Santino, leaning against the door frame and trying to keep his emotions in check, his arms crossed over his chest as Elias talks to the Mayor.
Oh, he can bring her along... Just makes leaving her chained up down there all the easier... he muses to himself.

[Kelvin360]

"Something tells me that the ghost situation is not entirely resolved, then. In which case, Chartessa is unlikely to come within fifty paces of the building anyway.

As for your offer, you must understand that I have few resources as it is. Regardless of that, however..." He takes out a small bead and pinches it between his index finger and thumb. Instantaneously and with the sound of a sword being drawn, it turns into a golden, flaming two-handed blade, the tip of which he rests on the floor while he leans against the wall. "I am not so defenseless as to make reinforcements necessary." He presses a finger to the pommel (turning it back into a bead) and motions to the door. "Lead on."

[AquilaRift]

"Er --" Elias tries not to look overawed by the sword. "Of course."
He leads the Mayor into the town, waving an ironic farewell to Chartessa on the way out.

[Malak'ai]

As Santino passes the Mayors office and looks in, seeing Chartessa standing there looking a little confused, he sneers at her, his anger and hate coming out in the look.
Following Elias and the Mayor through the town towards the house, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be following.

Spot Check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

Result:
While not much is immediately obvious, you do briefly catch a whispered conversation from a nearby alleyway as you pass.

"-Ork..."

"Of course not, it's going exactly as planned."

At the actual house (assuming anyone gets that far) -

"Well here we are. Impressive as the structure is, I doubt we are here to admire the craftsmanship."

[AquilaRift]

OOC
Assuming we didn't stop to investigate what Santino heard...

"Hardly," Elias replies grimly. He leads the Mayor into the house, down the basement stairs (ignoring any remarks about his lack of respect for private property), and into the secret room.

[MLucas]

Orin shakes his head at Kath "All I found was some kitchen knives - and there's no way I know of to tell if any of them were used".

He hears the front door bang open, and hurries into the main room, smiling. "Wow, you're back quick!" He trails off and his smile fades as he sees Elias' and Santino's expressions, then follows them down to the basement.

[Malak'ai]

Santino stops for a moment as he hears the whispers and looks down the ally, trying to make anything out.
Figuring it is something to be checked out he makes a note of what ally it was he heard the whispering from before hurrying to catch up with the Mayor and Elias.

As they head down the stairs to the basement, he asks the Mayor, "My Lord Mayor, has the lady Chartessa ever mentioned family from far off? Do you know if any have visited?"

Spot Check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

"So far as I know she only has that neice that came from the south recently. Stayed for about a week and left without a word, so I'm told."

His eyes adjust rather slowly to the darkness within, even with lights about, but his eyes widen when he spots the main attraction well enough. "What...in the infinite abyss...are you people trying to pull here?"

[Malak'ai]

"We're not trying to pull anything here my Lord Mayor. This was as much a shock to us when we uncovered it as it is to you now." says Santino as he enters the room under the basement, moving around to stand close to the chained up body.
"This poor soul here is none other than Denara Murals. Chartessa's niece, who can see obviously never left. Lady Murals not only killed her, but tortured the poor girl before hand after finding out that she was pregnant with an part Elven child." he growls, his anger coming back to the fore.

[AquilaRift]

Elias nods. "Under the circumstances, having found the concealed corpse of a murder victim in the haunted home of a prominent citizen, in a town where the biggest crimes the Watch deals with on a regular basis are petty theft and disorderly drunkenness... Well, we thought it prudent to skip the chain of command."

[Kelvin360]

"I'm sure you'll pardon my extreme skepticism, as well as an immediate request for actual proof." He replies, one hand closed tightly over the sword bead.

"I've no issue with reciting my tale once more, O Mayor."

He spins in place, his thumb flicking purposefullyover the bead, but not drawing the Flaming Blade of Epic Awesome +15. Yet. His gaze turns to the group and he grimaces. "I will listen, spirit, but hold no assurances that I will be swayed."

((You guys have already heard this one, so for the same effect as last time, just imagine someone kicking a puppy instead.))

[AquilaRift]

Elias listens with half an ear, watching the Mayor's face for signs of pity, contempt, or disbelief.

OOC

Sense Motive: [roll0]

EDIT: Clearly, Elias does not have clue one :smallbiggrin:

[Kelvin360]

Result:
He looks on the verge of laughing out loud, dancing in a tutu, and singing about tulips on a monkey's grave.

Everyone in the room who DIDN'T roll a zero on their sense motive check, however...probably still wouldn't have a clue. He's doing a remarkably good job of concealing his present emotional state, though the compulsive stroking of his chin may be a clue as to his agitation.

"Well. I really have nothing to say at this point. Clearly I will have to launch a full investigation. Which may or may not involve subjecting Chartessa to several methods of divination that do not allow lies. What a shambles." He sighs, sliding the bead away into his glove.

"As for the rest of you...well done. I certainly didn't expect this, but you've performed admirably under the circumstances. Chartessa will be detained for further questioning, and hopefully we can learn everything about this, given time. In point of fact, I've already sent your payments ahead to The Messenger at Defendor Investigations. I suppose you could call it heroic intuition, but I had a good feeling about this. If there is nothing else, however, I must bid you all good day."

"Will she suffer?"

"Well, our cells aren't particularly well-maintained and our guillotine is in working condition."

"Then I am content with this."

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath, oblivious to what was going on downstairs, started looking through some of the books. He started with one of the magic ones. "What would Chartessa have magic tomes for?" he asked himself, pulling one from the shelf at random. He placed it on the table and examined the cover before opening it. "And what's her deal with elves?"

[Kelvin360]

The instant Kath reaches for one of the books on either subject, a humming sounds from what seems to be within the shelf and his hand feels like it's been doused in icier-than-ice water. The pain shoots like an arrow through his fingers just before they go totally numb.

Assuming he follows through though, he can still grab the book.

You take 4 cold damage from a magical frost barrier trap. If you like, you can make a concentration check or a reflex save to still nab the book you were reaching for, though on the reflex save you'll be aiming to fail.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath fought the urge to pull his hand back, trying his best to ignore the pain. Something worth trapping is worth his time to grab.

Concentration check: [roll0]

[Kelvin360]

Result:
You just barely manage to push past the pain and snatch the book off the shelf. It appears to be a very old tome, the cover painted gold and embroidered with faded rubies. In the center is an arcane symbol, encircled by more rubies and gold crests. The inside is nearly incomprehensible, what with it being magic and all. It's likely only a mage could decipher this.

Fortunately, it doesn't explode or anything.

[AquilaRift]

Elias bows to the mayor and the ghost. "I am glad to have been of service." To Orin: "Did you find anything useful?"

[MLucas]

Orin ponders the question. "I'm not entirely sure - there's a section of wall over there " - he gestures to the corner of the basement - "With some strange markings on them and some equipment and money hidden behind."
He stares at the body for a moment. "And those chains have some odd markings. I dont expect that the Lady installed them herself - perhaps we can track down who did?"
He looks around at the others and frowns then heads back up the stairs, calling back "Has anyone seen Kath? I've had enough of this depressing place."

[AquilaRift]

"I haven't seen him. I think he's upstairs," Elias replies, then kneels to examine the chains binding the corpse.

OOC

Not sure what skills would be relevant here, if any. Spot: [roll0] Search: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

Elias, too, notices the markings, but can't quite make them out.

Meanwhile, the Mayor nods and leaves, and Denara floats serenely over to her corpse.

"I thank you for this justice, your help as it has been. Know that your deeds will not be forgotten in a land far from this one." She closes her eyes, and her transparent form fades entirely.

...And then pops back right away. Far from looking at peace, now she looks bewildered.

[AquilaRift]

"Is something wrong?"

[Kelvin360]

"I...oh." A dawning look of comprehension, then, like one who's just realized that their mother was sending hitmen after them, for example. Mixed horror and understanding. "I...despite this, I seem to be bound to the mortal realm. Bound to you. You've released me from one debt - a debt of vengeance, of justice. But now there is another debt it seems I must pay.

I cannot pass on until I have helped you as you have helped me."

[AquilaRift]

Elias blinks owlishly. "I suppose no one knows Kelemvor's mind... but I'm sure my colleagues would be as grateful as I am for your help. We'll be certain to call on you if any of us is in need." He bows, then goes to examine the section of wall that Orin indicated earlier.

OOC

Spot: [roll0]
Search: [roll1]

EDIT: Ouch.

[Kelvin360]

"As you wish, then." She casually floats (like it's no big deal) up through the ceiling.

Result:
Despite the light in the room, you can't even find the section of wall that Orin mentioned. However, if at first you don't succeed...take 20!

[Malak'ai]

Blinking as the spirit rises up through the ceiling of the dungeon Santino slowly follows up the the stairs until he see's Elias searching the wall, "Need some help?" he asks before starting his own search.

Search check: [roll0]

[AquilaRift]

OOC

Taking 20, then. That gives me a Search result of 22.
The extra time will probably allow Orin to find Kath before Elias finishes examining the wall.

[Malak'ai]

OOC:
Or I finally pull my head out of the sack and actually do what I made this character to do :smalltongue:.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath tucked the book under one arm then headed back down the stairs, looking for the others. He shook the hand burned by the frost trap, trying to get feeling back in it as he looked for the others. "Hey, I found a magic book upstairs, guys. There was an ice trap on it. What do you guys think?" he called as he headed back toward the others.

Sorry for taking so long to post. There's been a death in the family, so I've spent a lot of time with my mother and my aunts and uncle and the other fifty or so relatives we crammed into the hospital outside of my grandmother's room.

[Kelvin360]

Both Elias and Santino now easily find the loose stones in the corner. It appears that four of the stones have been purposefully made loose so as to be removed. There is a section of some kind of symbol on each, the stones having before been set in symbol-first. Behind them is a small crevice apparently used for a sort of miniature vault. There is a bag of gold and a pile of leather and straps inside.

OOC:
You have my sincerest condolences. :smallfrown: I understand your absence, and no harm done.

[Malak'ai]

Santino studies the marking on the bricks before carefully arranging them in order on the floor, racking his mind to remember if he has ever seen or heard of anything like it before.

Untrained Knowledge Arcana check: [roll0]

Finally giving up and shaking his head, he turns to Elias just as Kath walks back into the basement and says, "I can't make sense of the symbol Elias... Do you know what it might be or mean?"

Looking back at Kath he glances at the book under his arm, "Magical books aren't my area of specialty, but from past experience, it's either something Chartessa didn't want stolen or idlely looked at if she went to the trouble to surround it with a trap."

[Kelvin360]

Once you have them all in front of you, the design becomes rather obvious.

The symbols, cut into fourths, will form a skull if combined. A slightly glowing, blood red skull.

Which is not creepy like, at all.

[AquilaRift]

Elias examines the pieces of wall, then takes the book from Kath and gives it a closer look.


Time for the wizard to earn his keep.
Knowledge (arcana) for the broken symbol: [roll0]
Knowledge (arcana) for the book cover: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

Result:
The meanings behind what it looks like aside, you do recall runestones from previous studies. Sometimes magi or dungeon keepers use unassuming stones with runes scribed in the back as sort of locks. When the runes are combined into the correct full picture and put back in their place, they can open doors, lower magic fields, open locks, etc.

The book's title reads "Wer Aunel di Ir De Ir: Wer Gemuth di Cleynvass"

Roughly translated from magical text (or simply draconic if you know it), it means 'The Art of One From One: The Nature of Clones'.

[MLucas]

Orin wanders back down the stairs but suddenly stops. He stares at Kath then back up the stairs, then at Kath again, before shrugging and finishing the walk down. "Hi again. Did you find anything interesting in the library?"

[AquilaRift]

"He did," Elias says, brandishing the book. "This is a treatise on magical duplication of living beings, unless I miss my guess... but I've never been what you'd call fluent in Draconic. As for the stones in the wall, I think they form some kind of runic spell. I don't know what kind of effect it would have if someone completed the pattern, though."

[JetThomasBoat]

Did I pass you on the stairs? Whoops. :s

Kath turned to Orin. "There were also some books on elven history and some on war between elves and humans. And some others with similar writing to this one up there. After the first, I figured I wouldn't try to grab any more," he said. He shook his hand again, flexed his fingers to restore feeling to them.

[MLucas]

"So it seems clear that she wasn't keen on elves, and is probably a magic user. Should we perhaps see if the mayor has managed to arrest her?"

[AquilaRift]

"The mayor is more formidable than he looks, but... cloning is serious high-echelon magic. We'd best hope that Chartessa was only brushing up on theory. I think I'll join Orin and make sure this matter's resolved before collecting payment." Without further ado, he departs.

[MLucas]

Orin nods in agreement with Elias and follows him out of the basement.

[Kelvin360]

The Mayor's office is actually fairly normal now, though sans a certain old hag. The Mayor himself is writing a letter at his desk, but looks up when the pair enters.

"Ah, hello again. Something I can do for you?"

[AquilaRift]

"Just making sure that the arrest went smoothly. If you've no further need of us, we'll be off to collect our payment." Elias takes a few steps toward the door, then pauses. "Oh, there may be some traps still active in her library -- the archer ran into one of them. Be careful, and farewell!"
After taking his leave -- unless the mayor has new and pertinent information -- Elias will proceed to Defendor Investigations.

[Kelvin360]

"It did, yes...and something tells me that mentioned trap won't be entirely my problem. Farewell." He smiles mysteriously.

---

Defendor Investigations

When this time Elias and Orin enter, the main desk has slightly fewer papers arranged on it, and a few have been moved to make room for several leather pouches. When the door opens, The Messenger glances upwards and files away another missive of some sort.

"Ahh, Messrs Orin and Elias, if I recall correctly." He looks back up again, but with a start, worried. "But Father Murldom and Santino aren't with you? Are they well? I've precious little to go on aside from the situation being resolved."

[AquilaRift]

"They were well when last I saw them," Elias replies. "I think they'll be along to collect their payment shortly. The ghost is still there... but as it turns out, the ghost wasn't the problem."

[Kelvin360]

"Oh? Do tell."

[AquilaRift]

"The ghost claims to have been killed by her aunt." Elias shakes his head. "Terrible business. I'm sure more will come out in the murder investigation, but what we know now is ugly enough."

[Kelvin360]

"Indeed, terrible. If you'll pardon the query, do you perhaps harbor any doubts as to this resolution?" He tosses Elias and Orin a leather sack each and puts a seal on a folded document, sliding it up to the front of the desk.

[Malak'ai]

**A little retroactive RP'ing from when I was last able to post**

Following Orin and Elias out of the house, Santino looks about, thinking, What's that woman done to bind her nieces spirit in the basement? How could she even consider doing something that vile?

When he passes the alleyway where he heard the voices he stops, Hmmm... I wonder if they are still there..., listening carefully as he peers down the ally again.
Spot Check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]

[Kelvin360]

A bit unsurprisingly, the pair that was previously plotting or something have vanished. However, in their wake you notice some sort of glittery object lying on the ground. Alone. Waiting. Judging you.

[JetThomasBoat]

Kath returned to the library to look around a bit more, pulling out an apple as he did so. He remembered his wife telling him about some penny novel she'd read where a vile old baron had a secret compartment behind the book case in his study. He smiled at the thought, munching on his apple. He figured something like that was unlikely, but he figured a second glance might be a good idea, although he was considering finding some kind of poking stick to try to trigger traps without coming to harm.

"Wonder how the others are getting on," he said through a mouthful of apple. He looked around the room once more, trying to think of the best place to look without freezing anymore fingers.

I re-read your post and was wondering if there was anything else in the room. Cabinets? Furniture? A desk or something? Also, if there's anything I could poke things with, like a fireplace poker, a broom, an umbrella?

[Kelvin360]

The room layout is as follows -

Coming up from the stairs, a very short hallway passes in front of you, going left and right around the walls of the staircase. The left path continues to a wider area where another left entrance opens to the main room of this level. Two bookshelves are braced against this wall, and if you turn left again another stair goes upward.

The main room is assembled in sort of a 'U' shape, with both prongs being the entrances from the lower level. Against both walls lay a row of bookshelves, the trapped one being against the stairwell. In the middle of the room is a two and a half foot by five foot table with four chairs. A simple bowl lies on it, filled with wax fruits.

As for a prodding object, the room sadly lacks one. Not even the books look particularly long.

"If you would pardon my assessment of your character, I did not think you a reading type." Denara asks, having suddenly appeared sitting in one of the chairs. She looks calmer, somehow. At the very elast, she's not creepily shouting anymore.

[Malak'ai]

Approaching the object slowly, treading carefully, Santino studies the object, shivering a little at the feelings it sends through him.
Reaching inside his jacket he slowly pulls a large cloth from a pocket and folds it in half before dropping it over the object, reaching down and holding his hand a mere inch above it.

[Kelvin360]

It appears to be a common (if well-cleaned) armor stud, like you'd find on, well, armor. There is a mark on the front that seems very familiar.

[AquilaRift]

"...A few. It seemed almost too easy to resolve. But the Mayor strikes me as a fair man. I'm certain he'll get to the bottom of it." Elias picks up the document. "What's this?"

[Kelvin360]

"Fairer than you know. Though he might be as fair as you suspect." He nods to the document. "That is the rest of your reward. It applies to both you and your companions. Something tells me that Ms. Murals will not require what it contains any longer."