DrK's Shackled City IC

[DrK]

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/68/Shackled_City_Logo_2.jpg

http://www.jeffcarlisle.com/files/images/shackled_city_Cauldron.preview.jpg

In general, life in Cauldron is good. The town guard deals with local troublemakers but leaves the bigger problems (like marauding monsters) to the lord mayor or one of the many churches in town. Both the lord mayor and the priests of Cauldron periodically hire adventurers to deal with such problems directly. In fact there are several shops that specialise in dealing with the adventurers.

Townsfolk are generally pleased with the lord mayor, although a recent string of disappearances and robberies worries them. People have been taken from their homes during the night, and the town guard has been unable to identify the culprits or locate the vanished citizens. Moreover, the victims’ homes were stripped of portable valuables. It seems that no place is secure. The recent disappearance of four children from the Lantern Street Orphanage has outraged many locals and prompted a distraught cleric of St. Cuthbert to use a holy relic in her church to cast a divination spell. The spell has revealed several important clues, which the cleric has been unable to piece together.

The guards are hard pressed to give answers about what they've found either. "People have been kidnapped from every district. The crimes aren't localised," one will say, while another says, "the victims are mostly low to middle class." The crimes are done exclusively at night, specifically when it's overcast or the moon is new. The perpetrators pick the locks of the victim's dwellings. Once inside they what they can and then vacate as fast as they can. Of course this leads to everyone expecting the Last Laugh or the Alleybashers (local gangs) of the wrong doing, but no one can pin it on them. The kidnapped apparently do not struggle or scream for help. So far that's the only leads anyone has.

Which leads us to now. A wretched drizzle falls from the ash-gray sky. The crowded, rain-slicked buildings seem especially bleak and frightful this evening, hunched together beneath the gloomy skies. A few lights burn in their windows, but mostly their shutters have been closed for the night. The scent of chimney smoke fills the air, and the din of water trundles from the rooftops, splashing into dark alleys and turning street gutters into rivulets. The streets near the church of the cudgel are normally quiet so the sudden shouts and cries from the nearby alley are out if place. All around some passer bys look curious whilst others spin on heels to walk away...


Please describe yourself and then why you are walking down Lava avenue

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Another wasted day in a string of wasted days, Etienne thought to himself, as he moved along Lava Avenue. The rain dripped from his hat brim and spattered his jacket and trousers. More boy than man he looked. Skinny, though that was hard to tell in his baggy clothes, stepping around puddles and trying to avoid touching the others passing by.

He was leaving Maavu's and heading for home on the other side of the crater, near the Academy. Home, where he hoped his parents and younger brother and sisters were safe. The recent disappearances troubled him, as they doubtless troubled everyone in the city. It seemed that everyone knew at least one family who had disappeared. Anyone could be next. My family could be next. He walked a little faster, though really, what difference would it make whether he was with them or not? I would try something . . .

He had been in the bookshop all day, but there had been no errands for him to run, no new books. He had re-read some chronicles – stories of greater men and women, doing good and making something of themselves. In this weather, at this time, such stories only seemed to highlight his purposeless existence. Now, a threat had come home. I have to do something.

At the sudden sound of shouts, he startles and turns, running to the sound.
I'm wet, a little depressed, a little scared, a little excited.

I'm probably going to break something.

Oh, and I lay claim to this color!

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The bronzed-skinned Half-Elf meandered down the road. She quite liked the rain for it reminded her of her youth. Of better days. Happier days. Of time spent learning the mystical arts of her elven tribe. Cecily's forehead was tattooed with the symbol of the Wu Jen, the practitioners of magic in her tribe. The Half-Elf stopped for a moment to catch some rain in her hand. It was laden with smoke, much like everything in Cauldron. Even though this place had been foreign to her when Cecily was brought here by her Human father (Joshua), it had come to be her second home. She loved the circular pattern of the avenues, its bustling streets and diversity of people. Everyday was an adventure in Cauldron, today was no exception. Cecily had left home to buy a new ink-pen, for her old one had been... Misplaced by Lilith's housekeeper. Lilith was Joshua's wife and therefore Cecily's step-mother. The two had never seen eye to eye. Lilith went out of her way to embrace and shame Cecily. Although her words hurtful, Cecily knew Lilith's vile nature was born more out of resentment towards her father for straying with a beautiful Elven maiden he chanced upon in the forest than anything the Half-Elf had done herself.

The Wu Jen sighed, "At least it is a pretty day." And your new inkpen is much nicer than the old one! A wide smile drew across the Half-Elf's face, "Indeed. Today is a pretty day!" Cecily twirled some ribbons and baubles she had tied into her long sandy-brown hair. Many people in Cauldron did not understand why she did this, for to their eye it looked childish and garish. To Cecily, it reminded her of the forest where she grew up and of her mother, Rowen. Such memories were all that kept her sane during the tortuous years in the warmage college of Tarth Mooda. She pushed such thoughts away, "Today is a beautiful day and I am happy to be here."

A shout rocks Cecily out of her thoughts, "I hope no one is hurt!" The Wu Jen runs towards the direction where the shout emanated from, "Hurry, hurry! Maybe I can be of some help!"

[DrK]

As Cecilly and Etienne reach the end of the alley they can see down the dank 10ft alley a quarter of men kicking and clubbing a 5th figure some 40ft down the alley. The attackers are garbed like common thugs save for the half white half black paint on their faces.

Know(local) will give you a clue


The man they are beating looks old, with greying hair and the tunic of a priest. The symbol of St Cuthbert around his neck.
http://cauldron.wdfiles.com/local--files/ruphus-laro/asault.JPG

As you both skid to a halt looking down the alley one of the thieves bellows at you Shift yer arses lest ye want 'em whipped...

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Oh, crap! I'm no hero, Etienne thinks, as he sees the gang. In trouble, he takes refuge in deception: "Guards! They are down this way! Hurry!" He waves his arm as if leading others forward, hoping this will distract the thugs and break off their attack, but just in case . . .
Untrained Knowledge (local) [roll0] (EDIT: Ha, ha, ha! I think this will establish Etienne as being introverted and somewhat reclusive, obtusely ignorant of local politics and local goings on beyond the most obvious knowledge like the recent wave of kidnappings.)
Bluff, trying to make them think the guards are coming: Bluff [roll1] (EDIT: and yes, that's not much better.)

I think Bluff is typically a full round action (at least) by RAW, but if not, I'll also ready an action to Shatter the weapon of the first thug to come within range (25').
Did – did my voice really just crack?? He realizes how poorly this is going. I'm no hero.

[Felhammer]

Cecily frowns as she watches the men with the painted faces assault an old man, a priest no less! Putting on her best "Lilith face" she calls out with a deep, authoritative voice, "You do not know who I am but I am a Warmage, trained at Tarth Mooda. I know a plethora of spells which could kill both of you with a mere flick of my finger. I am a weapon of a war, an instrument of destruction. I command you to lay on the ground and wait for the guards to come arrest you. If you refuse, I cannot guarantee you will survive the oncoming tsunami of pain. Cecily was satisfied with the content of her threat but her high-pitched voice and odd cadance of speech makes the threat sound... Childish. "I hope they don't laugh..."

Intimidate: [roll0]

Ready an action to attack the one on the left with Magic Missile.

[RolandDeschain]

Having just left the Lantern St. Orphanage behind, Sinora stalks down Lava Street gripping and regripping the handle of her morningstar.

"What kind of bastard kidnaps orphans?" She growls under her breath.

"No that's not right is it? Obviously nobody kidnaps orphans, those children were abducted -plain and simple!"

Short and bordering on stocky(whenever Sinora thinks about her appearance she immediately hears her mother's voice, the Lady Aebberin saying, "put down those sweets dear or you'll end up as fat as the widow Terren!"), armor clad, and carrying both shield and morningstar, Sinora hardly looks the part of a cleric of Wee Jas.

Her long, raven-colored hair becomes plastered to her face, as she wanders down Lava Street in the drizzling rain, pondering the recent 'disappearances' plaguing the citizens of Cauldron. Small rivulets form on her recently purchased and rather ornate breastplate, pooling and dripping onto her black doeskin pants. She stops to tug on the leather straps of her amor, and chuckles mirthlessly, "What would you say dear mother if I told you the armorer had to 'let out' this bloody contraption once already and it's STILL too tight?"

She stops and looks around to get her bearings, slowly realizing where she's at, "Looks like the long way 'round again; that's what I get for daydreaming.".

She briefly considers turning around and retracing her steps, when a scream splits the unusually quiet evening. She whirls back the direction she was going, and takes off at a run(as fast as her chaffing armor will allow). Sinora reaches up around her neck and grasps the richly carved flame-wreathed skull of her goddess, "Stern Lady grant me speed and courage this night!"

Sinora channels divine energy through her holy symbol of Wee Jas enacting her Divine Vigor ability, unstraps her shield and morningstar, and sprints towards the Church of St. Cuthbert.

[Cardea]

Atrugash walked through the city streets with a layover of cloth draped across his shoulders and head. The cold hit him still, and rain hit his face, and he missed the fires of his people. Large. Warm. Rain scaring. The... Inns in these lands... they had fires. Small. Dwindling. Rain feeding. They were disheartening, but they were dry. And the people there scattered from one another were together in weariness.

Time had given the half-orc weariness. He wanted to return. Wanted to lay next to fires, beat down beasts for his people to eat. God of the Wilds, he missed it! He missed not being near the humans and elves and little peoples. His rage, his battle lust, let him tell a half-orc brother from a beast. But sixteen years he spent with them. In the two he had spent wandering?

His rage had not learned to tell him the difference.

The half-orc found himself at the end of an alley. Three men on one. Faces painted. Kicking. An older man. A priest. They were threatening others in the alley. Whipping? He saw no whips. He saw cowards. Baby men.

The half-orc drew his weapon and moved. The cloth dropped off of him, showing his form. Black scales grew all over his body, a thing already made of muscle. His legs moved him faster than he should be allowed. His weapon was no better than an anvil with a handle, a massive thing made of solid metal, wrapped in leather for gripping. He moved at the cowards, and swung his weapon up.

Charge: +2 to Hit.

Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[RCgothic]

Zooey

A young woman walks the streets, no particular destination in mind.

She has a cloak, but the hood is down and in this drizzle her fiery red hair is more of an umber colour, plastered against her face. There are a number of her usual haunts nearby where she could get out of the rain, but right now she has to be out and doing something, even if that something is not very much. She stops under a streetlight and for a moment just enjoys the feel of the rain on her cheeks. The early autumn rain is not yet so cold as to be unpleasant.

Then the shouts, from a nearby alley. Reacting before thought, Zooey finds herself, as per usual, running towards trouble, bow in hand.


Knowledge (Local): [roll0]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora rounds the corner just in time to see a half-orc charging down the alley swinging a massive hammer.

She takes a moment to survey the situation, noting the painted faces of the attackers, the presumed cleric of St. Cuthbert being assaulted, and the gathering group of individuals near the mouth of the alley.

"Guide my hand, and bolster my heart Lady."

Sinora casts Divine Favor +1 attack/+1 Damage

Her morningstar begins to softly glow with a flickering, flame-like aura and she charges the nearest ruffian.

charge attack [roll0] damage [roll1]

[DrK]

Even as Etienne and Cecily ineffectually threaten 4 armed men the lead painted thug kicks the priest again Stay away from the orphanage or its your throat next to...SPLAT. His words cut off by the sudden blow of a massive hammer that stoves in his head killing him! Massive half orc - possibly one from the camp outside the south gate.

In the excitement Cecily lets loose a magic missile that smashes into one of the attackers. Even as she does so an armoured figure with a morning star and a sign of Wee Jas arrives as well as a young girl bow in hand.

Two of the thieves whirl around, short blades stabbing at the hulking orc, the third draws a short bow and fires an arrow at Cecily hoping his allies cover his back! The priest curls into a ball, face black and blue from the beating.


Arrow at Cecily [roll0] dam [roll1]
Stab Atrugash [roll2] dam [roll3]
Stab Atrugash [roll4] dam [roll5]

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Oh, good! I guess the guard must have been close by after all, Etienne thinks, in all the confusion. He moves closer to the thugs, trying (again, perhaps ineffectually) to shield the young woman near him from the bowman, while loosing a sonic blast at the thug's bow.
Advance to within 25' of the bowman and try to shatter the bow. Will save DC 12; if it fails, the thug must make a fort save (same DC) or be dazed one round and deafened one minute.

[Cardea]

Atrugash shouts, low and feral, swinging his greathammer against the attacker who was effective.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora skids to a halt witnessing a young half-elf maiden get skewered on an arrow fired by one of the painted villains. She reaches out to the half-elf, noting the pretty baubles in her hair, and says, "May you find favor with and be restored by The Lady."

"Guide my hand, and bolster my heart Lady."

Divine Favor: +1 attack/+1 Damage luck bonus

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily is wounded grievously by the brutal assault but her pain is lessened by Sinora's timely aid. "I thank you priestess. These bandits shall pay for what they did to one of your spiritual cousins!" Cecily flings another Magic Missile at the nearest enemy!


Magic Missile on the nearest Bandit

d [roll0]

[RCgothic]

Zooey

So there are two totally bad dudes who should not be allowed to continue doing what they're doing. Her weapons are normally for show, but you don't get to be indecisive during a fight in progress! Drawing back her bowstring, she lets fly at the bandit who makes the easiest target.

Move within 30ft.
Attack unengaged bandit with Shortbow: [roll0] (-4 if no unengaged targets)
Damage: [roll1]

[DrK]

Spells and sparks fly! Etienne's curse unable to destroy one of the swords but Cecily's force missile stoving in the bow mans head as he takes a second magical missile, her training at the academy making them especially deadly.
Zooey's arrow goes wild in the melee as Sinora presses a healing hand to the war mage.

In the alley the smaller man grunts as the hammer breaks his arm, he tries to roll past the massive orc, fighting defensively as they try to roll by.


Both fight defensive
dam [roll[1d6+2
dam [roll[1d6+2

Try to tumble past the half orc to begin to escape
[roll2] DC15
[roll3] DC15

If they suceed move 15ft away

[RCgothic]

Seeing one of the men in danger of making a break for it, the young woman decides to shaft him.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Stegyre]

Etienne

With the guards (?) here, the fight has definitely shifted against the thugs. I can perhaps help apprehend them, Etienne thinks, as he tries again to shatter their weapons.
Not sure where they are in relation to me, but I assume they are moving around the half-orc toward where I and Cecily are. If so, I'll drop back, so as to remain in front of them, nominally blocking their way, but again seeking to be as far away as possible yet still in range (25') for a shatter.

And shatter I shall. This time, more with an aim to the daze effect to stop their retreat. Same DC 12, will (for the weapon) and fort (for the holder, assuming the will save fails).

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora charges the closest assailant, swings wildly and misses.

Thanks DrK for letting me cast the Cure Light Wounds. I'll stay true to what I wrote earlier - if you look back you'll see I rolled a nat 1 on my charge attack.

[DrK]

The first bandit slips as the priest of Wee Jas grabs at his ankle, and the result is both messy and immediate as the thug's chest implodes with the hammer strike. The wounded man staggers away, blade cutting across Atrugash's legs before he runs clear, the half orc's hammer still wedged in his friend. The escape is not long lived as Zooey launches an arrow that wedges in his back leaving him bleeding and dead on the filthy alley mud and grit.

In the faint moonlight the priest looks up at the disparate collection of saviours and slowly staggers to his feet, a hand pressed to his Holy symbol as his bruises fade. My thanks, I am Ruphus Laro, an Initiate of the Cudgel. My thanks for saving me.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Etienne hurries to the thugs to see if any can be saved.
Four untrained heal checks:
thug 1 [roll0]
thug 2 [roll1]
thug 3 [roll2]
thug 4 [roll3]

Edit: about as successful as one migh expect. He'll keep trying, assuming any of them can be saved.
In the wake of the melee, he also gets a closer look at the others. "You're not the guards??"

[RCgothic]

"Allo there, Mister Ruphus! What rough company you keep! Spare a few suns for your noble rescuers, eh?" Zooey asks as she pats down the bandits for valuables.
Search [roll0]
"Do I look like a bleedin' guard? Never one around when you need them, is there?" She laughs at Etienne's assertion, with a knowing smirk.

"Glad you're okay, Mister," she adds to Ruphus Laro.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora gives Initiate Laro an ever so slight nod, "Initiate Laro. It's indeed a blessing that we happened along when we did."

She moves toward the large, menacing half-orc, looking over her shoulder at the young man kneel over one of the thugs, "I'm not a member of the city-guard friend, but rather a servant of The Stern Lady" holding out her holy symbol.

She stops, craning her neck to look up at the half-orc, "Well fought brave warrior. Are you injured?"

[Cardea]

Atrugash, stares down at the woman, sniffling. He rips off the few scratched scales on his leg and chest, ten at a time, and drops them to the ground. Shortly after, they are replaced by new ones. He shakes his head. He walked over to the fallen priest. Frail. Cowardly. Injured. He hoists the man up and crouches, offering the priest his back. "Cudgel man. Where you goin', I take you. Copper girl," he calls out, after the Ruphus man comes along, whether on his back or in his arms, it did not matter. "Two of them are mine."

As he leaves the alleyway, he picks up the rain cover he bought, putting it over the priest.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

The thugs seem well and truly dead, particularly the one with the bashed-in skull. This is some ghastly company, Etienne thinks to himself.

But he feels obliged to follow along to ensure the priest reaches his home in safety. "Wait for me!" he calls out, as he walks after them.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf rushes up with the others to make sure the priest is alright. She smiles widely when his injuries prove less damaging than she had feared. "Hello, Initiate Laro. I am Cecily of Seren, pleased to make your acquaintance... Even under circumstances such as this. When the others bridge the topic of escorting the man home, the Wu Jen cannot help but agree. She tags along with the motley crew

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora watches the small group move off, and turns back the way she came. Before she takes her first step she recalls that one of the street thugs had said something to the Initiate about staying away from the orphanage.

She wheels back toward the receding group and scrambles to catch up.

Pulling up next to the half-elf maiden, she reaches out her hand and says, "I overheard you introduce yourself as Cecily, my name is Sinora. Strange circumstances under which to meet. How's your wound?"

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily greeted the Cleric with a smile, "My wound is doing much better now that you mentioned it. My arm still hurts when I lift it but I believe I will survive to see another sunrise." The Half-Elf giggled softly to indicate her playful mood, "So tell me, Miss Senora, what brings a Cleric to this part of town on such a dark and rainy night?"

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

I was making my way back to the Cathedral after spending the evening at the Lantern Street Orphanage, when I heard the ruckus. I'm glad you weren't injured more severely. Who are your friends?

[Felhammer]

"You were with the orphans? That is very kind of you. I wish I had the time to donate to such noble causes, sadly I am kept fairly busy with my own research and working with my father (who is a merchant)." The Half-Elf frowns at mention of her "friends". She didn't know who they were, any more than Cecily knew who Sinora was, really. "I am afraid they have me at a loss as well. I suppose it was merely coincidence that brought five upstanding citizens to this darkened alley, in the middle of a downpour, racing towards obvious danger and likely death." The Wu Jen considers the point momentarily before adding, "I hope, if ever I am accosted such as Initiate Laro was here tonight, that such a diverse cadre of good and helpful folk would come to my rescue."

[Cardea]

"Not good. Just hungry. Road is long. Your laws allow me to kill another when in defense of a third. And his belongings become mine." The half-orc nods to himself, squinting against the rain. He taps his hammer with a hand. "And two belongings are mine. You all see. You all know my claim."

[DrK]

The 4 would be attackers have little on them, worn leather armour, saps and chipped short swords and a meagre 14 suns and 6 tarnished moons (14gp, 6sp). The priest looks about as all the introductions are made, 5 strangers who all felt the Cudgel's call of the just.

An escort would be nice, thanks be to you. Its a short walk after that back up to Obsidian avenue and the imposing fortress come temple of St Cuthbert. Father Ruphus explaining that he'd been investigating the abductions from the orphanage at the behest of Mother Jenya the high priestess in the city. She had consulted the Star of Justice and after that she had sent Ruphus out.

Arriving at the church with door flanked by massive statues of mace wielding warriors they walk across the mosaic floor with the words WITHIN LAW LIVES HOPE. Acolytes rush forward and soon you find yourselves wrapped in blankets being offered hot tea and hunks of dark bread slathered in butter. Ruphus smiles. Please wait a moment. I owe you a proper thanks but I must report to the Mother Superior first.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The half-Elf takes a seat and enjoys some buttered bread while she awaits the return of Laro.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Sinora does a slow turn, and with a very calculating look appraises the furnishings and adornments of the church of St. Cuthbert. She graciously accepts a cup of hot tea when offered and deftly slides a large slice of buttered bread from the tray while saying, "No thank you, I really shouldn't."

Between rather unladylike mouthfuls of warm bread, she introduces herself to Zooey, Etienne, and Atrugash. She steps back, studies the assembled group and chuckles, "A curious collection we must seem to the good clerics on this dreary evening."

[DrK]

As the strangers sit in the vaulted cathedral sipping tea they all hear the clank of mail approaching and turn to see a woman clad in chain over a thick cleric vestment in the white and red of St Cuthbert.


http://aaronwiki.us/images/e/eb/JenyaUrikas.jpg

She looks at you before speaking in a smooth soft tone that carries that weight of power behind it. I thank you for saving Brother Ruphus. He is resting now. Who are his unlikely saviours? I am Mother Jenya Urikas, High Priestess of the Church of the Law bringer here in Cauldron.

[Cardea]

Atrugash stares down at the Copper Girl, hoping to get the gold he believed was his. He glances out toward the lady, rain still dripping from his head, as he takes a bite of the toast. It was almost like cake. "Skinbearer. Why was the man beat like a dog?"

[RCgothic]

Zooey pockets the loot, before thinking twice and handing over his share to the half-orc. Not a man she'd like to offend!

She listens intently to Rufus' explanation of his task - she hadn't been aware that anybody had been assigned to the investigation, and is curious to know if there's been any progress.

Along the way she introduces herself to the others, though she soon finds she recognises Sinora, even if they aren't especially acquainted.

At the temple she helps herself to plenty of tea and bread - after all it's not often a good opportunity for a free meal comes along. She otherwise stays quiet and (for her) observant, even after the high priestess arrives, only mumbling her name. She's often found it does not do to draw too much attention around the clergy of law.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The half-elf daintily sets her slice of bread down when the woman enters the room. With a smile, the Wu Jen states, "I am Cecily of Seren, milady." Prim and proper, just like her father taught her. With a look of concern Cecily asks, "I agree with this very tall man, why was Initiate Laro accosted by those fiends? From what I have seen, he does not seem the type to have enemies such as those. Were these thugs perhaps related to the recent crime wave?" Cecily mentally kicked herself for calling the string of thefts a "wave" in front of a priestess of St. Cuthbert, the deity of law and order.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Etienne, too, accepts a slice of the warm bread, declining the tea.

"I am Etienne Cheshire," he says, as the others introduce themselves to the High Priestess. "My parents teach at the Academy," he adds, but can think of nothing more to say for himself.

"Those thugs, I thought I heard them say to stay away from the orphanage. Could that have something to do with the attack?" he offers.

[DrK]

The priestess smiles and welcomes you all gently with smiles and evaluating stares. She listens to the questions before nodding. As I'm sure you are aware there have been many disappearances of late. Over 20 have been reported to the watch although the Lord Mayor and Captain Skellerant have been less than enthused in their pursuit of any culprit.

When the orphanage, one that we of the Cudgel have an interest in lost 4 children, 3 young and Temeer a 20 year old dwarf I ordered an investigation. Brother Ruphus was beginning that investigation before he was so brutally warned off.

She looks at the party, clearly evaluating them as a bunch of useful tools. Would you help serve justice and bring those who sow fear and worry to justice?

[Felhammer]

Cecily nods confidently, "I do not wish to see any one else disappear and/or be victimized. If my magic can help end the troubles that plague Cauldron, then all the better. I shall lend my skills as a warmage to the Church of the Cudgel with the aim of bringing these villainous curs to justice."

[Cardea]

Atrugash gives a look over the others on the bench. His gaze slowly turns back to Jenya. He sniffs, and brushes the water from his face and scalp. "Need bed. Will start in morning."

That's a 'J' in the name, DrK. You renamed her Kenya due to a typo.

[RolandDeschain]

It is an honor to meet you High Priestess Jenya. I am deeply troubled by the recent abductions, especially that of the orphaned children. She motions to the small gathering, "It is, however, somewhat reassuring to see such brave and generous souls rush to Father Ruphus' assistance."

I will gladly offer my efforts to this endeavor. I am somewhat familiar with the orphans who have turned up missing, particularly little Lucinda, as I often spend my evenings at Lantern Street.

It's curious; the men that were accosting Father Ruphus were all wearing similar face paint. Is this, perhaps, associated with any...um...criminal element or organization in Cauldron?

[RCgothic]

That's pretty much what she's been doing already! Still, it would be good to have some guidance, and these (mostly) strangers seem pretty competent. Zooey nods her assent, still wary of catching some rebuke for past misdeeds.

[DrK]

Jenya nods thanking each of you. Thank you for the brave offers of help. There are not many martially inclined priests here in the temple and it seems from this evening that there are violent forces opposed to us trying to learn more. As she speaks she sits and joins you all enjoying a cup of warm mulled wine. Waving an acolyte forward she presents each of you with a small glass vial with circular symbol of St Cuthbert upon it. A mark of my appreciation and the promise of 2500 suns for you to share should you halt these kidnappings"


A potion of Cure Moderate each
- 2500 gp to split if you find out who the kidnapper was.



As you finish your food she relates some more information. You may all stay tonight in the acolytes cells, though I shall give you something to think on overnight. When the 4 children were taken the rooms to the dormitories were not broken or damaged and they vanished without trace. The windows are bared so I don't think they can in that way. I consulted the Star of Justice her eyes glancing at a massive ceremonial mace hanging on th wall above the pulpit. The clue was cryptic, as is common with the Cudgel. The locks are the key to finding them. Look beyond the curtain below the Cauldron. Beware the doors with teeth. Descend into the malachtite 'hold where precious life is brought with gold Half a dwarf binds them but not for long." Have a think on these words and enjoy your night's rest and breakfast in the morning.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

500 suns! Etienne thinks in amazement. That would certainly ease his employment woes. Declining the mulled wine in favor of fresh water, he gratefully accepts the offer to stay at the church for the night. After the talking, he retires to his cell and takes out a blank journal.
Day one. I picked up this blank book and pen-and-ink at Maavu's today and have decided to keep a journal. Perhaps keeping a record will help me think through things, give some structure to my existence, and help me -- I do not know -- amount to something?

I have seen death today. It is ugly and messy.

I was walking home from Maavu's at the end of another wasted day. The weather was wet and dreary, and so was I.

I was passing the alley that leads up to St. Cuthbert's when I heard a man's voice, yelling for help. I and a crazy-looking wizard girl both ran to see what was the matter: four men with painted faces were beating a priest, down on the ground. I tried to bluff them, make them think we were summoning the guards. Cecily (crazy-looking wizard girl) gave some speech about how she would blast them.

They were unimpressed. Cecily took an arrow. I guess she looked the more threatening of the two of us. (Should I feel relieved or embarrassed?)

Before they could broaden their night to three victims instead of just one, however, a monster of a man charged into the alley and stove in the gang leader's head! He was shortly followed by a woman in armor and a copper-haired woman with a bow.

In about ten seconds, it was all over. Monster man caved in the chest of a second thug, and I think Cecily's spells ended another. (Apparently, she was not kidding about being a wizard.)

Among the arrows, spells, clubs, and swords, I do not think I saw who ended the last thug. It was not I. I was generally useless, although I may have screamed well.

The priest was grateful. He led us back to St. Cuthberts, where we met the High Priestess Jenya, who said they had been trying to investigate the recent kidnappings. She offered the lot of us 2,500 suns to find and stop the kidnappers. (I think she does not realize were are all strangers to each other, drawn together only by chance in a dark alley.) Everyone (including me) is sleeping at St. Cuthbert's tonight. I think the others are planning to start investigating tomorrow. I will try to tag along, if they do not shut me out.

People met today:
Initiate Rufus Laro -- the man being beaten in the alley;
Cecily-of-somewhere (did not catch it) -- wizard, with a funny tattoo on her forehead (she did not explain it, and no one asked)
"Monster Man" -- I have heard the term "meat shield"; he seems a bit more than that, a good person to have between you and whatever might be threatening you.
Zooey Chambers -- from the orphanage, the copper-haired-woman-with-bow.
Sinora Vanderboren -- that Sinora, from the Academy. She was the one in the armor. I do not think she remembers me, which is good: that would be embarrassing.
High Priestess Jenya Urikas
Four face-painted thugs, whose names I never learned and who probably have no need of their names anymore.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf copied the clue down in her spellbook, that way she could reference it at a later date. She then ate her supper while mulling the clue over in her head.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Thank you priestess, your offer is most generous.

She stands and gives a slight nod to Jenya, turns to her new found compatriots, looking you each in the eye shaking your hand and addressing you each by name, "I will return at first light to join those of you who choose to embark on this endeavor. I must return to the Cathedral and ask leave of my responsibilities for a few days."

She lingers slightly with both Zooey and Etienne, a brief quizzical expression on her face, before she takes her leave.
She definitely recognizes Zooey from the orphanage, even though Zooey was a littler older when Sinora's parents started taking her there. She feels like she should recognize Etienne from somewhere, but can't recall

She mutters under her breath, "This means I'll have to ask Ike for a favor, for which I'm sure he'll contrive someway to extract a pound of flesh." She chuckles as she 'adjusts' her too-tight armor, "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

[RCgothic]

Zooey returns Sinora's quizzical expression, because it seems like the right thing to do - of course she recognises the younger human girl.

The quizical look is also applied to the priestess herself. If the windows are barred, and the divination told to 'Look Below The Cauldron', why are they not searching the basements this moment? Not that she would dare question the High Priestess of Law in her own temple.

[DrK]

The disparate group of strangers are left to a late supper before being guided by scared looking junior acolytes to the visitor rooms. Plain rooms with a simply cot, a chamber pot and wash pot and a well thumbed copy of the Book of Law for you to read.

The night passes peacefully, the temple quiet until morning worship is sounded just before dawn. If any of you choose to go to the sermon its dry and long but breakfast follows. Water, flat bread and cheese with great mugs of honey sweetened tea. You don't see the high priestess but Ruphus approaches you, Morning blessings. Did you enjoy the service? Do you have any ideas for where you may begin your search for these villains?

[Stegyre]

Etienne tosses and turns most of the night, visions of blood and exploding skulls haunting his sleep. The bell for morning worship is a welcome excuse to abaondon his cot.

He washes his face in the cold water from the ewer, shaking his head to clear it of the images, both real and imagined.

The worship service is better – better for his rest, as he dozes off repeatedly during the sermon.

"Thank you," he responds to the initiate. "It was most – theological.

"I think we are going first to the orphanage?" he says, the rising inflection as he looks around at the others to see if that is indeed the plan.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf listened intently to the sermon. She always liked listening to such speeches as she found them most illuminating and interesting. After the sermon, she devours breakfast. Cecily was trained in a way not too dissimilar from that of a solider. Breakfast was one of the most important meals of the day as it set the tone for the entire day to come. When Ruphus walks in, Cecily smiles, "Hello friend. I believe we have, indeed," she nods to Etienne, "Selected the orphanage as our first destination for the day."

[Cardea]

Atrugash stared at the broken bed. His grip had dented it in his sleep, he had found, as he released the frame. A fresh groove, slowly filling with splinters popping up from stress, rested near his head. He wondered about the cost of the bed. He wondered how much it would cost, how much he would owe. He did not have much these days. To the fire with these lands. When he was of the tribe, he had no need for their metals. All he needed was fresh blood to prove his worth! A kill, meat, bones, skin! Trophies to his glory! Yes! He sighed as he sat up. But he was in these lands. He had need for their metal. And he would need to pay for this broken bed. He stared at his hands as his mind woke further. Already, today's scales were grown, he could feel them under his skin. They just needed to surface.

He stood in the back of the chapel as the sermon presides, not wanting to break any further furniture. He took small joy as others stared at him, at his scales as they grew. His new skin was tough and durable, and would always come back to him. Always. He was not the only one who was born with the Gift, but... another time, he might come back to this memory. He drank the tea, straining his sense of taste to feel the honey's kiss. He took care not to consume more than others around him. Bad enough he broke a bed, but what kind of guess drank all of the host's honey? He turns to Ruphus as he speaks, eyeing the man and his bruises. "Your god is passive, priest, but respectable. I have not decided where I shall tread. In my tongue, lock means a pact-maker, demon-dealer, oathbreaker. I do not think it means the same in yours. What is a lock?"

[RCgothic]

Zooey skips the service, preferring a long lie-in, but sneaks into breakfast anyway. She nods along to the others' choice of destination, still subdued and uncomfortable in the Temple of Law but happy to take advantage of their hospitality whilst it offers itself! She nearly answers the big man with "A lock is an obstacle!", but catches herself just in time.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Sinora enters and finds you gathered around eating breakfast. Her eyes immediately go to the table, scanning the prepared dishes...she gives her head a little shake as if to bring her attention back to the conversation she walked into.

"Good morning everyone. I see you're enjoying some breakfast, and I'm glad to see you recovered Initiate Ruphus. I concur with my compatriots; we should probably start with the orphanage to see what sort of clues we may gather. If I'm not mistaken, you spent some time there yesterday looking into this matter. Is there, perhaps, anything you could tell us about what you found or concluded from your initial search."

While she was speaking, she continued to drift towards the table upon which the trays of food rest, and looks almost surprised to find she's holding a sizeable slice of cheese in her hand :smallredface:

[DrK]

Ruphus looks at the others and shrugs slightly I don't really know anything. I had a look around yesterday but did not learn much. The children's rooms were locked and sealed. And the the windows were boarded. I don't know how how they got in. The doors were still locked in the morning when the matrons discovered them missing.

In the morning the walk across the town towards the Lantern Street Orphanage on the corner of Lantern Street and Lava street, a tall 3 storey building with mould encrusted mortar holding the bricks together. On the large double door the green knocker leers at you in the image of a gargoyle and large copper lanterns flank the door. Banging on the door it eventually opens a fragment, the peal of children's laughter leaking out. Obviously recovering from the recent fear and bad events.

Your eyes drop low, an old halfling woman in a neat grey dress with long white hair looking up at you all. Morning blessing upon you. I am Gretchyn Tashykk the headmistress of the orphanage. She looks about eyes narrowing at the strange mix of the party upon her doorway. Can I help you?

[RCgothic]

"It's me headmistress," Zooey tells the familiar old halfling woman, crouching to talk to her face to face. "And some friends. We're here about the investigation?"

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf stands near the front of the group. She smiles warmly at the headmistress but does not say anything, preferring to allow Zooey, who is obviously familiar with the Halfling, to do the talking.

[DrK]

Gretchyn peers through cataracts at Zooey before smiling. dear one. How good to see you. I hope you're not getting in trouble. Cone in, pleaae cone in. How can I help.

Holding Zooey's hand she drags you into the large lobby. The worn walls covered with faded children's self portraits sets a happy tone as does the thunder of running feet and laughter from upstairs.

[Stegyre]

Etienne follows Zooey and the others in. "Could we see the rooms the children were taken from?" he volunteers. "And if you have a basement, I think we would like to have a look at that, as well." He tries to think of anything else that might fit the clues of the Cudgel's riddle.

"Locks" and "keys," "curtain" and "below." One wonders if the deities really have any intention of being helpful, he thinks to himself.

[Cardea]

Atrugash grunts as they step into the orphanage. A place of coddling, for children abandoned. It was hard to process. A thing of his size, of his look, would only scare children. He stays outside, heading away from them as he finishes speaking. "Will look at Locks of Ghelve. Come, if you want. Stay, if you want. Will go either way."

[Stegyre]

Etienne looks at the ghastly giant gargoyle knocker on the door and then at the large man next to him. "You think children who look at that every day will be frightened of you? I would not worry about it.

"Come. Your eyes may see something that ours miss. Afterward, we shall all go to Ghelve's, where our eyes might serve the same purpose"

Unspoken, he adds to himself, And having you around makes trouble like last night seem much less likely.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily looks at the orphanage and frowns. She then looks to 'Skinbearer' and smiles, "Although I am loathe to wander away from the main group, I must admit that seeing this orphanage dredges up memories most foul from my youth. I would not be opposed to scouting out the location that this handsome barbarian has indicated, which may indeed possess additional clues that will aid us in our investigation. Time does seem to be of the essence and, let us be honest here, there is little here that an iron-clad warrior such as Skinbearer here can do amongst the disadvantaged youths that congregate in this building."

[RCgothic]

Gretchyn peers through cataracts at Zooey before smiling. dear one. How good to see you. I hope you're not getting in trouble. Cone in, pleaae cone in. How can I help.

Holding Zooey's hand she drags you into the large lobby. The worn walls covered with faded children's self portraits sets a happy tone as does the thunder of running feet and laughter from upstairs.

"It is hard to get into trouble whilst working for the High Priestess of Saint Cuthbert!" Zooey laughs, relaxing now she's back on familiar territory and away from those who would most likely judge her. "We'd just like a quick look around. I should have known what to look for earlier, but taking to High Priestess Jenya has given me some fresh ideas."
Okay, Zooey would know every inch of this building, so she should have some decent ideas of where to start.
Take 20 on search = 27, plus possible circumstance bonuses.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Good morning Gretchyn. She gives the headmistress a hug, and they act as if they are very familiar with each other.

As Zooey has explained we would like to take a quick look around to see if we can gather any clues as to the recent abductions. I was also wondering what, if anything, you can tell us about Temeer.

[DrK]

Gretchyn looks at the young woman before nodding, "Come in, come in. Have a look around though you won't find much. I locked them in at night as always. Same as a I used to to do to you when you were and when Patch came in the morning the rooms were still locked. I know he's simple but he wouldn't forget that. Both Zooey and Sinora know that Patch is the one eyed half orc janitor who has worked there for over 20 years.
Having a look around the building hasn't changed, two dozen children running around playing in the play room upstairs, the room the meeting area for the two large bedrooms where the boys and girls have separate dormitories, the locks stout and well made with a stylised "G" emblem on them. "No-one heard a thing. Patch got them up and then we noticed they had gone. Temeer was the most surprising, he was a dwarf, 20, so a teen in their eyes and strong. I'm surprised that someone could take him without him giving a cry." She speaks sadly, clearly moved by the loss of the children. Though nothing looks suspicious. "Its nicethe church cares. We had 2 men from the Mayor and visit us, Fario and Fellian they were called and a rum pair of half elves they were strutting about looking suspciously at me and the other staff... With little else to say unless you have specific questions she leaves you to explore if you want...

For Atrugash and Cecilly, a towering beast of an orc and diminutive elf, its a quick walk around the crater lake to the a stout building near the imposing Bluewater academy. A small turret dominates the facade of the two storey building crafted from the same black stone as the crater wall. In the window you can see a fine display of locks from small simple ones to large complicated ones requiring multiple keys. To the left of the turret is the door with a sign proclaiming "Ghelve's Locks". Opening the door sets off a small chime. The storefront smells of wood and pipe smoke with a pair of padded chairs flanking a small hearth with a lively fire. Above the fireplace is a nice collection of small pipes.
A small burgundy carpet leads across the carpet to the counter behind which hang dozens of locks on the wall in all shapes and sizes along with glass cases containing tens of different type of key in all manner of design and material. A heavy red curtain off to the side hangs blocking a doorway to what you guest must be the gnome's living quarters or workshop.

The gnome in question stands behind the counter smiling at Cecilly, and looking nervously at the massive orc who towers more than twice his height.

http://theonlysheet.com/wiki/images/6/6e/Keygan_Ghelve.jpg

With his pointed beard and salt and pepper hair he is clearly a relatively old, and dour looking gnome. "Can I help you neh? What lock would you need orc?" the words are a little harsh but he trying not to be rude.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf walked into the shop in the shadow of a giant. It was a strange feeling. She hardly knew this beast yet... She felt a kinship with the man. They were both outsiders trapped in a world where they did not, really, belong. Both were people of the meadows and forests, not brick and stone. She decided she would accompany the barbarian, for he would most likely end every conversation with the sharpened blade of his weapon than with a discrete word. Words were something cecily knew as well as Skinbearer knew the tools and instruments of brutal murder.

Cecily looked around the shop and admired the craftsmanship. "Hail and greetings. I am Cesily of Seren and this is my companion, Skinbearer. The name is a bit... Unsettling but I assure you he is quite the docile, so long as you do not upset him. We have come to this fine establishment seeking clues for an on going investigation. I will not bore you with the details, simply know that we have the full force of the Cudgel behind us. We are..." It suddenly occured to the Wu Jen that she did not know why she was here. Obviously the barbarian had a private conversation with someone back at the temple, why else would he be so adamant about coming to this place...? She turns to the giant behind her and politely asks, "Skinbearer, why... Why did we come here?"

[Cardea]

Atrugash walks into the establishment, inhaling the smells of the store. Such a nice store. Such a small man. Like a child. "We were given clues. We were told that we were to look for locks. You make locks. You make other things, too. You will make my time short. Does anyone else in city make locks? Such a nice curtain," he says nodding approvingly, glancing at Cecily. "You must make a lot of them."

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Meanwhile, back at the orphanage, Etienne takes a close look at the locks. It was, after all, a hint from the divine, supposedly, he thinks to himself.

Out loud, he says, "It is the Lantern Street Orphanage, right? So why is there this 'G' on the locks?"

[DrK]

Ghelve's Locks

The gnome gives a hard look at both before offering a curt nod. "I do make locks Master Skinbearer, Miss Cecilly. I am the only shop specialising in locks and keys, I believe some common smiths make some crude ones by not to my high standards." The contempt in his voice makes it obvious why he thinks of normal blacksmiths. "Now, why have you come here? Do you wish to buy a lock?

The orphnage

Gretchyn peers at the lock before nodding. "Its one f Ghelve's. He makes the best locks in town.

[Stegyre]

Gretchyn peers at the lock before nodding. "Its one f Ghelve's. He makes the best locks in town.
"So he makes the keys, as well, I suppose. How do you know that you have the only keys to these locks?"

[Cardea]

Atrugash nods appreciatively. "In my tribe, we had one smith. Would make new forge when needed, cut from stone he finds after days of searching. His work was good for them, but bad for me. You would laugh. But when trading with men outside of tribe, I haggle for this," he says, hoisting his greathammer out of its sling. The metal of its head pitted in some places, and scratched in some, but still weighing its thirty pounds. "It is crude, it is brutish, but it does what it needs to do. I will try not to scratch your floor with it. Here is what you must do. Are you responsible for locks at Lantern Street Orphanage?"

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily looks around the shop and begins explaining her thought process, "St. Cuthbert gave rendered a prophesy unto one of the priestess at the temple. One part of this prophesy speaks of locks. More specifically that locks will be the key to finding them. There was also mention of peeling back a curtain. My very imposing friend here has rightly noticed that you do indeed have curtains in your establishment. Curtains and locks. Although this is not a smoking wand, as it were, you have enumerated your belief that you are the only lock-crafter in the entire town. Where else would we find locks, in the plural, and curtains? Unless you happen to have an esteemed patron who purchases a plethora of your wares, I am forced to come to the conclusion that perhaps this giant is correct in his belief that this establishment is indeed a nexus point for the prophesy."

She looks at the Gnome, "May we peer beyond your curtains? I assure you, we have no bile in our hearts..." She looks over to Skinbearer, then corrects herself, "Or at the very least, my heart. I only wish to solve this divine conundrum. If you help us, I will purchase one of your fine locks as recompense for your kindness."

[RCgothic]

Leaving Sinora to ask the questions, Zooey begins a meticulous search of every inch of the building, requesting keys where necessary.

Search Take 20 = 27 plus possible circumstance bonus for very familiar territory.

[DrK]

In the orphanage

Zooey looks about the orphanage thoroughly but cab see nothing untowards. Lots of hidden treats or toys and lost crayons but nothing suspicious, the locks appearing normal and undamaged. Gretchyn, Patches and the 3 other staff all having keys.

At Ghelve's

The gnome looks worried. As you mention the lantern street nursery and the curtain his head shakes involuntaryily. A slight cough and beads of sweat forming on his gnarled head.
He looks at the curtain, a look if fear on his face, "If you'll leave please, get out of my shop. "

[RCgothic]

"Must be the locks," Zooey concludes. "I'm pretty sure there are no hidden passages and there're no signs of entry. I think Skinbearer may have beaten us to the answer."

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"Ghelve's seems like the place to be," Etienne agrees. "Let's join them there."

[Cardea]

"No," The Half-Orc says hefting his hammer onto his shoulder. He breathes in, remembering the merchants who tried to lie and cheat his clan. "You are a man afraid of something. And that something is not me. This is your first mistake. Your second is that you do not answer my question, so I will assume yes. A third mistake will be to block my entry to that curtain, and is a mistake you do not wish to make. So tell Skinbearer. Will you try, and that is all you will do, try, to stop me from going behind that curtain?"

Intimidate: [roll0]

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily's eyes narrow, "What are you hiding merchant? People's lives are at risk! People have been robbed and others abducted! You have been complicit in all of these crimes, haven't you!? If you do not peel back that curtain, then we shall gather the full might of the Temple of St. Cuthbert and descend upon you like a flock of locusts!


Intimidate: [roll0]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora,

Mistress Gretchyn, is there anything at all you can tell me about how and when Temeer came to the orphanage, and whether or not he has been in contact with anyone outside the orphanage? Also would it be possible to get the names of the other 3 staff members who have keys to the children's rooms? Is it possible for me to meet each of them and see their keys?

Sinora would probably know if there are any underground spaces beneath the orphanage as she spends a great deal of time there and her parents actually own the orphanage.

Sinora notices that Zooey and Etienne seem anxious to be off to the locksmith and meet up with the rest of the party. She approaches them both, "You two go ahead and see what our friends have discovered at the locksmith's. I'm going to return to the church and see about 'bartering' for a Zone of Truth scroll."

[DrK]

At the orphanage

The old halfling nods to Sinora. Temeer was a lovely boy. Boisterous, clever and honest. He spent some time with some of the dwarf traders in town and had started doing some training with the guard but all his friends were here.

You'll remember Miss Willow, she still teaches the children. Then there is Temar our cook and Neva the nurse. Jaromir still tends the garden but he doesn't have keys. A few minutes later and you've had a chance to see the janitor and the other 3, all of whom have identical keys. That done Etienne, Zooey and Sinora all head out splitting as they go their own ways.

Ghelve's

With the crude threats the gnome is not cowed but emboldened. His eyes darkening and face growing angry. Get out now. This is a town of law and order. You may not cone in here a waif and a brute and threaten a respected merchant. Leave now. Before I summon the guard and have you both arrested,. Clearly angry he also steps to be between you and the curtain leading into his private chambers.

He did not like being intimidated (badly)

[Felhammer]

Cecily

With a frightened look, the Half-Elf yelps, "Sorry!" as she rushes behind the giant as if in fear of reprisal. Safely hidden behind Skinbearer, Cecily casts a spell she learned from her mother that can detect the presence of magic. The Wu Jen focuses her gaze upon the curtain and what lay beyond.

Cast Detect Magic at the curtain!

[Cardea]

"If you leave this store, I will break it." Atrugash says, looking around at all the fragility. "You are obstinate in my hunt. And thus, I do not like your tongue, for it does not give me a trail to my prey. If you leave this shop without aiding us, Ghelve, I will break everything it, this I swear. And if you try and stop me, if you try and harm me, while I look around behind that curtain, I will show you why my kin bear me no love: I will show you my rage." Atrugash scowls, walking around to stand at the opening of the counter.

I can technically retry the Intimidate.

Intimidate: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

EDIT: YOOOOO

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

After exiting the orphanage, Sinora leans in close and says to Zooey and Etienne, "I'll catch up with you two in just a minute. I'm not going back to the church just yet. I want to find a spot to observe the entrance/exit and see if anyone from the orphanage leaves in the next ten or fifteen minutes to 'report' our visit. It would be devastating to learn one of the staff members is helping whomever abducted those children, but we must admit it is a possibility."

She leans back, says her goodbyes, winks and walks off down the street towards the Temple of St. Cuthbert.

When she clears the next corner, she'll double back along the alley and take up position to simply watch the orphanage for the next fifteen to twenty minutes.

[RCgothic]

Zooey makes her way by the fastest way possible to Ghelve's Locks.

[Stegyre]

Zooey makes her way by the fastest way possible to Ghelve's Locks.
. . . With Etienne tagging along.

[DrK]

Ghelve's face grows darker with rage as Cecilly casts her divination and the half orc continues to threaten fearing for his life now the terrified gnome begins to mumble an incantation to stop his shop and livelihood being looted and pillaged. Sadly the orc and the elf are faster...


Atrugash and Cecily go first


Etienne and Zooey walking across the busy town enjoy the hustle and bustle, the slight smell of damp and rot near the lake not strong today. Both get a feeling of being watched...


Could I have spot/listen please


For Sinora is easy, quietly getting a "crater scone" a jam filled pastry local to Cauldron she leans against the wall in a shadow nibbling on the cake but no-one seems to leave. The only one of the staff she sees is Patch the janitor who MPs the entrance steps before going back inside.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf concentrates with all her might on her spell.


Continue to concentrate on Detect Magic. Round #2!

[Cardea]

Atrugash sniffs sharply and moves fast at the Gnome. He swings sharply, keeping the hammer centered on him, his blow aimed to incapacitate.

Hitting for non lethal.
Charging if possible.
Attack: [roll0]
Non lethal damage: [roll1]

Edit: since he hadn't gone yet in initiative, he would be flat footed, yes?

[DrK]

Concentrating on her spell Cecilly can detect auras both beyond the curtain and in the gnome himself. Even as she speaks the non spiky part of the hammer reaches over the counter seeking to knock the gnome out.

With a great crash the hammer just misses the small creature and with a curse he screeches and jumps back. His hands completing the spell as a wave of coloured lights flood over the pair of party members.


5ft back to the curtain
Cast colour spray DC 15 will save or
[roll0] ko, blind, stunned


As that happens the curtain is twitched aside to reveal a previously hidden creature that hurls a small dagger at the surprised duo!
http://dungeonsmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/dark-creeper.jpg


Attacks from hiding (so all FFooted)
Attacking person still standing or Atrugash if both upright
[roll1] dam [roll2] plus [roll3] sneak


In the streets Zooey and Etienne look about as they feel a strange premonition about being watched but they can see nothing suspicious. Zooey instead staring at the dwarf peddlar walking past with a half a dozen weasels on his hand cart all hissing and wriggling in their cages. A pole with two dozen dead rats on a testament to the weasels rodent catching skills.

[Stegyre]

Etienne shakes off the feeling, as there is clearly nothing about. Just spooking myself, I guess, he thinks, as he tries to hurry Zooey along but, Yeah, those weasels are pretty interesting. I wonder if they'd make good pets . . . . He looks back at the cart as the couple of them hurry on their way.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora


When Patch comes out of the orphanage doors, Sinora quietly gasps and she stands up straighter forgetting her scone for a second. When he goes back in she issues a huge sigh of relief. She waits an additional five minutes contemplating getting another scone. Then as quietly and subtly as she can manage she retraces her steps, exiting the alley, circling back to the main street, and pausing to purchase another scone. She makes her way onto Ash Avenue near the Lakeside Pavillion, spotting Bluecrater Academy rising in the distance.

"I believe the locksmith is adjacent to the Academy," she says to herself, "I wonder if my friends have discovered anything from master Ghelve? 'Mr. Skinbearer' is a clever fellow. He picked up on the 'lock' reference quite quickly.

[RCgothic]

In the streets Zooey and Etienne look about as they feel a strange premonition about being watched but they can see nothing suspicious. Zooey instead staring at the dwarf peddlar walking past with a half a dozen weasels on his hand cart all hissing and wriggling in their cages. A pole with two dozen dead rats on a testament to the weasels rodent catching skills.

"Do you think he has a license for that? Hey! You! Do you have a license for that? I don't think he has a license for that." Zooey comments to Etienne, thoroughly distracted by the city ordnances on 'Weasels, The Keeping of', and also the Guild of Ratcatchers, who were rather particular about who could and could not practice in the city. "Must be good at what he does if he doesn't have a license," Zooey mutters as they continue on, oblivious to any offense she may have caused.

[DrK]

Atrugash awakens in a cramped space, his arms and legs bound securely with rope and his hammer gone. His head pounding from he appears yo have been badly beaten. He can smell the metallic tang of blood and feel the soft weight if the elf beside him. She is breathing shallowly but her clothes are sheeted in blood. Even as the orc begins to come to he can hear a faint "ping" of a bell. ...


Has taken non lethal to leave him on 1 HP available
Cecilly is stable on -8


Etienne and Zooey eventually reach the academy and there they see Sinora as well. The young cleric having been less distracted in her march across town. The three notice the lock shop and head across towards it. A small turret dominates the facade of the two storey building crafted from the same black stone as the crater wall. In the window you can see a fine display of locks from small simple ones to large complicated ones requiring multiple keys. To the left of the turret is the door with a sign proclaiming "Ghelve's Locks". Opening the door sets off a small chime. The storefront smells of wood and pipe smoke with a pair of padded chairs flanking a small hearth with a lively fire. Above the fireplace is a nice collection of small pipes.
A small burgundy carpet leads across the carpet to the counter behind which hang dozens of locks on the wall in all shapes and sizes along with glass cases containing tens of different type of key in all manner of design and material. A heavy red curtain off to the side hangs blocking a doorway to what you guest must be the gnome's living quarters or workshop. The gnome himself with greying hair stands in the middle of the room, a mop in hand. As you enter he mutters something and pushes the water bucket behind the counter and closes the hatch. Now behind the counter he nods. Welcome. You seek a lock?

[RCgothic]

Zooey

Moody's face scrunches in confusion at the empty shop.

"That's odd. They were supposed to be here." she says, slightly over-loud. She peers over the counter, attempting to get a look at the inner-mechanisms of any looks ghelve might have disassembled. After all, the gnome's locks were I've of her primary adversaries in the city, and any opportunity for an insight into their working it's worth having. And then an insight hits her!

"You know I bet they just picked the locks! That's what I would have done!" she exclaims, oblivious of the lock-maker right there. "These locks aren't that good. We're probably just overcomplicating."

[Stegyre]

Etienne nods in agreement (though it may not be clear to the onlooker which comments he is agreeing to). "We were planning to meet a couple of people here: a very big man and a small woman. Have they been in yet?" he asks the shopkeeper.
Spot [roll0] and Listen [roll1] checks, as this is not what he expected to see and the point of the visit was that Ghelve may be involved in the recent kidnappings.

EDIT: Oh, but I am as oblivious as ever. So, any clues with great big lighted arrows pointing at them?

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Upon entering the shop, and after quickly taking in her surroundings, Sinora appears deeply confused. She pushes the entry door back open and surveys the street looking for Skinbearer and Cecily.

Stepping back into the shop she looks suspiciously at the shopkeeper. "Good morning, Master Ghelve I presume? My friends and I have just come from the orphanage, where we've witnessed some of your fine craftsmanship first hand. We wish to discuss the recent rash of abductions with you, but first I would like to know if you've seen our friends. They would be hard to miss - a young half-elf maiden and rather large orc wielding a very impressive hammer? We were supposed to meet them here, and...well...as you can see, they're no where to be found."

Sinora speaks with a very casual, conversational tone while surveying the shop and the displayed locks, until she gets to the part about her friends. She stops and looks very intently at the gnome. There's nothing menacing in her expression, but rather a very neutral, unblinking stare as she awaits a response.

Sense Motive [roll0] Gather Information [roll1]

EDIT: UGGH! Can't type, Sense Motive posted in the OOC thread.

[DrK]

The gnome scowls at Zooey as she talks of picking locks, a curt "You would not find these locks easy to pick young lady. And that is hadly a suitable past time eh?". Putting Zooey out of his mind he glances around looking at others before shaking his head. "sorry Miss. I've seen no-one this morning like that. Its been quiet at Ghelves today."

Though he tries to sound sincere its obvious to Sinora's court schooled mind that the small gnome is clearly lying.

[RCgothic]

The gnome scowls at Zooey as she talks of picking locks, a curt "You would not find these locks easy to pick young lady. And that is hardly a suitable past time eh?".

"But people have stuff they don't need!" she complains, picking up one of Ghelve's locks and starting to fiddle with her tools, as she continues conversationally: "Or stuff they shouldn't have in the first place! I admit your latest lines are relatively safe from me, but I'm a fast learner! I cracked your early stuff a couple months ago."

[Cardea]

Atrugash looks down, feeling responsible for the fledgling. Tiny. Soft. He focuses, calming his anger. He pushes against his rope bonds, shouting."You are a liar, Keygan Ghelve! Your magic has earned your tongue to be cut from you like a boat from its tusk!"

Strength check vs. DC 23: [roll0]

[Stegyre]

Etienne
[roll0] --it's one of my better mods; surely something must come through for me.

But no, not really. Sinora may sense that Ghelve is lying, but I seem tohave no more than a vague uneasiness.
"I guess we should wait here for them then, as we don't know where else they might be. He settles himself into one of the chairs.

"Master Ghelve, I understand your locks are very popular. The orphanage has your locks. How many other homes that have suffered disappeareances are protected with your locks?"

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

"Well that certainly is odd, they said they were coming directly here."

Sinora bends down examining the wet patch of floor the gnome was mopping when they first entered. "Taking advantage of a quiet morning to clean and tidy your shop Master Ghelve?" [roll0]

[DrK]

In the small dark space the orc writhes and strains, voice booming in the cramped quartets. In the main shop whilst looking at the floor and seeing a faint reddish smear Sinora can faintly hear a muffled thumping noise and a guttural voice shouting about liar.. Magic... Tongue ... Boar.

Behind the counter the gnome looks sharply at Etienne and Zooey, clearly agitated by the questions around the orphanage. If you're not here yo buy please leave. I wish to close for lunch... A hand pointing to the door in dismissal.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Noticing what appears to be blood on the floor and hearing the muffled voice that sounds distinctly like Skinbearer, Sinora slowly stands and faces the counter.

"Master Ghelve my apologies for our rudeness. We've just come from investigating the disappearance of innocent children, and then discover that our friends have suddenly gone missing. Surely you can understand how we may have misplaced our manners."

She offers her best smile and approaches the counter, "My father is a businessman and he's always fond of reminding me that time is money." She reaches in her pocket and pulls out five gold pieces placing them on the counter, "My friends and I would be interested in procuring a handful of new locks for the orphanage."

She moves to stand directly in front of the gnome, leaning in to examine some of the locks displayed on the wall behind the counter, "Which of these fine locks would you recommend considering the recent lawlessness?"

Sinora has one hand on the counter flipping through the coins and her other hand behind her back motioning toward the curtain for Etienne and Zooey.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Oh, poop! I think she wants me to be stealthy! Etienne thinks to himself, as he sees Sinora's hand signals.
And as he remembers that he has yet to make a credible skill check.
I am no hero, not even a roguish hero. All I can do is break things. He thinks back on that unfortunate day – no, to be fair, it was one of many "unfortunate days" – in thaumaturgy.

Break things. I break things. His eyes drift up to the glass cases of keys behind the deceitful gnome, and a plan takes shape. My parents are going to kill me, if the gnome doesn't, first.

His hands move quietly, in his seat, below the eye level of the counter and behind Sinora, where the gnome cannot see, and then he releases it in a
CRASH!
5' radius spread Shatter on the glass cabinets, placed so as to try to cause as much destruction as possible. Destruction of all glass, porcelain, etc., in the area is essentially automatic, it looks like.

He will try to use this as cover to move behind the curtain without anyone seeing. I think that may involve either or both of Bluff [roll0] and Move Silently [roll1].

In action terms: standard action to cast shatter, followed by move action to get behind the curtain.

[RCgothic]

Even Zooey can't help but notice the explosion of glass! Swiftly pocketing the lock she was working on, she immediately hits Ghelve with a colour spray spell!
DC14

[DrK]

Sinora moves forwards as Etienne and Zooey begin arcane mumbles. The room explodes as all the glass panels explode into tiny fragments, the small man ducking behind the curtain into a small room, a workshop judging by the desks with lots of half made locks and the stairs upstairs above a small under stair cupboard. Even as the glass explodes Zooey spreads her fingers, light flashing over the gnome who topples backwards, eyes rolling back into his head.

Etienne looks about hearing muffled shouting from the understair cupboard, but as he does so a figure halfway up the stairs snarls. A knife flitting towards Etienne's chest.

https://sites.google.com/site/eberron1520/GhelvesLocks72dpi.jpg



The gnome goes down!

The creeper tries to knife Etienne from hiding
Atk [roll0] vs flatfooted dam [roll1] sneak [roll2]

[Stegyre]

Etienne

The sudden movement startles Etienne, and he stumbles slightly. Perhaps that is what causes the knife to miss, saving his life. The knife catches him and draws blood. Please, let this work this time! he thinks, as he focuses upon the attacker's blade . . .

Sinora moves forwards as Etienne and Zooey begin arcane mumbles. For all my many faults, I do not mumble! Invocations have only somatic components:smallamused:

Shatter focused on the dagger. DC 12 Will save for the dagger; if it fails, Mr. Creeper must make a DC 12 fort save or be dazed one round and deafened one minute.

Yet again, I have a character that does not depend so much on me making to-hit rolls. How does this keep happening to me?
He also has the presence of mind to step back from his attacker (5' step).

[RCgothic]

Aware of the limitations of her spell, Zooey delivers a series of sharp blows to Ghelve's head with the hilts of her weapons to make sure he stays down.


Do I really have to roll to hit an unconscious character?
Non-lethal Rapier damage: [roll0]
Non-lethal Shortsword damage: [roll1]
Sneak attack damage for both: [roll2]

Or possibly non-lethal coup-de-grace?

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Startled by the shattering glass, Sinora flinches and ducks just as a jet of clashing colors erupt from Zooey's hand catching the gnome directly in the face. Staying low(which is easy when you're 5' 2"), she rounds the counter in time to see Etienne dash through the curtains. When Zooey jumps on the incapacitated gnome, she grasps her Morningstar and Shield tighter and moves through the curtain.

"Grant me strength this day."

casts Divine Favor as she moves into the room seeing Etienne attacked.

[DrK]

Zooey steps atop Ghelve and beats him with the hilts of her blades until she's sure he's out cold. In the next room the skulk avoids Etienne's invocation and slashes with his knife again


Stabby stabby [roll0] dam [roll1]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora


Moves past Etienne and swings her Morningstar

attack - [roll0]

damage - [roll1]

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Oh, the frustration! "Why. Won't. You. Break?!"
Same thing, again, trying to shatter that dagger.

. . . and relieved that his second attack did not connect to take me out.

[RCgothic]

Zooey

Zooey attempts to somersault past the sneaking assailant, stabbing with her rapier on landing!


Tumble to avoid AoO:
[roll0] DC15

Attack: [roll1] (flanking)
Damage: [roll2]
Sneak attack: [roll3] (flanking)

[DrK]

Etienne ducks back under the slicing dagger as Zooey and Sinora barrel in with morning star and rapier but the small creature dodges and weaves whipping the cloak about to distract them.

In response Etienne points and the blood smeared dagger explodes leaving the creature reeling and confused...



Stands there being dazed and confused

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"Woah! Nice trick, Etienne!" Zooey exclaims as she does her best to bury her blades in the skulk's kidneys.


Rapier Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Sneak Attack: [roll2]

Shortsword Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]
Sneak Attack: [roll5]

[RolandDeschain]

Hold still you little bas****!!

attack [roll0]

attack [roll1]


EDIT: OOPS didn't know he was dazed, probably could have tried to subdue him...oh well :smallredface:

[Stegyre]

Etienne

That, thinking of the skulk, seems well in hand, Etienne thinks, still smarting from his own wound but glad not to be in the position his attacker now is.

He turns his gaze to the understairs cupboard, he moves his hand again, as if throwing something at it, accompanied by another loud
SMASH!

before wandering back to the front room to check on the gnome. Would not do for him to suddenly disappear. I think he has some explaining to do.

I HOPE he has some explaining to do. We're in an awful lot of trouble if we just trashed the shop and mugged an innocent man and his bodyguard.
. . . and a shatter at the door(?) for the understairs cupboard. "What can I say? I break things."

[DrK]

There is a damp squelch and a dull thud as sword and morning star connect killing the evil little skulk. The noise is somewhat drowned out by the door exploding into kindling revealing the wriggling an angry looking orc an blood stained ceilly lyng atop a pile of odds and ends.

[Stegyre]

Etienne winces at the sound of breaking bones. His efforts at avoiding the loss of life seem largely for naught among this company. He winces yet again when he sees the condition of the half-orc and half-elf beneath the stairs. Standing between grievously-injured comrades and a possibly-dangerous-though incapacitated foe, he's not sure which to attend to first.

He compromises by grabbing the apparently stunned shopkeeper by the hands and dragging his body over to the stairs, then going to untie and attend to Skullcrusher and Ceilia.

"Are you alright? What happened?" The questions tumble out without giving the former prisoners time to answer.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Ascertaining that the skulk is well and truly dead, Sinora wheels around as another explosion rocks the locksmith's shop. She cautiously makes her way through the splintered remnants of the understair door, lowering her shield and weapon. When she sees Skinbearer and Cecily bound beneath the stairs she rushes in to check their condition.

Cecily is covered in blood and quite grievously injured, so she drops her shield and pulls a bound scroll out of her pack. "It is not your time my friend, may The Lady restore you and grant you favor." Sinora presses her holy symbol to Cecily's chest and reads from the scroll, "Surgite, et sanem eum."

Sacred Healing + Cure Light Wounds Scroll [roll0]

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf is roused by Sinora's prayers, "I... What... What happened?" Her voice is weak, some might even say distant. "Is... Skinbearer still alive...?"

Note: Cecily is now at 0 HP.

[DrK]

As Cecily and Atrugash are recovered from their temporary prison their us a great ntband moan from the gnome. Eyes opening he looks around the workshop at the blood splattered body of the skulk and the 5 adventurers who had invaded his shop.
They made me do it all. I had no choice. They've got my little starbrow. Don't murder me...

[Cardea]

Skinbearer says nothing as the questions come, staring only at the Gnome. Swishing blood in his mouth. He feels relief - however slight - that the half-elf is not dead. But it goes to the back of his mind as the gnome stirs. He walks over to the small man, swishing the blood, and spitting it on the floor. "Who is this Starbrow, coward?"

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cecily limps over to the Gnome and sighs, "You attacked us without cause. You practically murdered me... Yet you did not let me bleed out. For that, I suppose we can be thankful. We will not kill you, dear Gnome. No, you will tell us everything. We will then save Starbow. In return, you will admit to all of your misdeeds. You shall be tried, sentenced and convicted by the authorities for your crimes. But," She weakly adds, "But Starbow will be safe and, in the end, that is all that really matters to you."

[DrK]

The bedraggled gnome bridles at Cecilly's words, "Attacked you? I asked you to leave and then this beast attacked me. Had I not knocked him out he would have killed me with his hammer!" his eyes go to the counter where the hammer has cracked the top.

"It began months ago. There are two types of them, the little ones" he gestures at the body "and the tall skinny ones. They took Starbrow my familiar and threatened to kill us if we didn't give skeleton keys to my locks. I don't know who they work for. But they have made a pair in forgotten Jzaidrune. The old gnomish town under your feet."

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Listens intently while attending to those that are wounded.

Cure Light [roll0]

Cure Light [roll1]

[Stegyre]

Etienne smiles gratefully at Sinora's healing, as all that remains of his injury is a thin red line.

To the gnome's comment about the skeleton keys, he nods. "That explains how they are getting in. How are they getting the people out without any struggle?

"And what are they taking them for?" he adds after a pause.

Thinking a little further, he adds, "And how will we recognize Starbrow," as he remembers his limited knowledge of familiars: they could be any sort of small creature, a bird, a rat, a cat . . . .

"I guess you'll need to show us the entrance . . . Jzaidrune," he struggles with the gnomish name. "And we should probably let the clerics know what we've learned so far.

"What are these creatures?" he motions at the skulk. "Do they have any weaknesses or special abilities we should know about?"

Why am I talking so much? Should I shut up? Do I look as incompetent as I feel? Does everyone else already know the answers to these questions? he thinks to himself, as he finally falls silent.

[Cardea]

"I told you what would happen, Ghelve. I told you what I would do, how I would do it. And then you started casting your spell." Atrugash says, spitting up more blood. He walks over and grabs his hammer, feeling the weight again, walking back to the gnome. "You have attempted to kill two people today, for the sake of one creature. Two persons, who are trying to find missing persons. Your 'law' is not on your side, Ghelve. And maybe it doesn't need to go to the law, if you cooperate."

[RCgothic]

Zooey

Whilst the others are dealing with Ghelve, Zooey pats down the skulk for anything of value, before slipping deeper into the shop to see what she can find.


Search Skulk: [roll0]
Move Silently: (1d20+7)[14]
Hide: [roll1]
Search shop back: [roll2]

[DrK]

Searching around the shop Zooey sees nothing out of the ordinary. A workshop and store room filled with locks fills the bottom floor. The room you are and is filled with horny box and complex mac locking mechanisms it tidy bit lived in with an old and ornate grandfather clock full of weights and chimes in the corner.
Upstairs there is a small kitchen containing all the basic amenities including a table with a fine hourglass resting atop it. In the richly appointed bedroom a desk sits by the door, ckratky the focus of thr the clean room beside a small cosy bed with a hand sewn comforter, a wooden screen with birds and a small desktop with a locked drawers.

While Zooey explores the house the gnome stares at them all. "The way down is there, under the stairs. I have an old map of the place, passed down from my ancestors. But I never been down, its full of traps and old gnomish dangers." Staring at Etienne, "my familiar is as close to family as I have. We've been together 12 years, if you're not a mage you couldn't understand.

I don't know what they do, but I reckon sell them. I don't know much of them, talk ones or short ones. All nasty pieces of work and handy with knives. " Looking at Atrugash he speaks to the others " I know I've done wrong, but I didn't hurt you. You bust in here, weapons out and trying to kill me. All I did was defend myself from your pet orc." If freed he offers to draw a map if the ruins beneath, the stairs down at the heart of the maze all he really knows. Its clear he has never dared venture down himself.

http://paizo.com/image/dungeon/97/JzadirunePlayer72dpi.jpg

[Felhammer]

Cecily frowns at the Gnomes, "You have done well Gnome but do not minimize your crimes. Skinbearer and I are watching you."

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Literally shaking with anger Sinora kneels down to look the gnome in the eyes, "You are responsible for children being sold into slavery.....CHILDREN! We'll take the map. We'll turn you over to the Church of St. Cuthbert. And you'll be grateful we didn't take your life."

[Cardea]

"NO." Skinbearer yells, attempting to quiet the room. "This Gnome wishes to go behind the law? He will stay there. He wishes to call me a pet, wishes to call me my mother's people? Then I must answer. He must be here when we return. And if he goes to face the law, there might not be another to make the locks for this city. If he wishes to say that these things are forcing him to do wrong for something he loves, then he shall do what he loves for someone he hates. So I propose this.

"I will go down into this city, Ghelve, to find children. If I find your Starbrow, I will rescue it, and bring it to you. But in return, you will sell me a lock, Keygan Ghelve. A lock that I will describe to you. If you refuse, I will drag you to the law myself, this city be damned, and I will see that you watch Starbrow from your jail cell being carried off by me. This is how a half-orc settles, Ghelve. You may lose, or you may lose hard. This is what I wish to do, for the near death of my..." he pauses, looking over at the half-elf. "Peer."

[Stegyre]

Etienne, too, feels the gnome has behaved despicably. Betraying strangers to slavery to protect a loved one is still betrayal. But he sees no point in piling on. Besides, he could not intimidate this man, even this small man, as much as the mighty Skinbearer. He does make note of one omission, however:

"Uh, what is your familiar Starbrow? We need to know to recognize it. Regardless of your actions, I see no reason it should be held captive any more than the people who have been kidnapped."

One cannot blame a familiar for its master's actions, he thinks to himself.

He pauses, then adds one more request. "One of your skeleton keys, if you please." Looking at the others, by way of explanation, he adds, "We may have to deal with his locks. Better to be prepared."

[Felhammer]

Cecily nods in agreement... Perhaps not as confidently as she had hoped, "What... What have I gotten myself into?" She looks back at the Gnome then asks, "What dangers await our intrepid band in the lands below? You may not have ventured down there yourself but you must have heard stories and rumors. Tell us more about the kidnappers. I wish to possess all the intelligence we can gather before we sojourn down below." She pauses for a moment then states, "Give us all of your skeleton keys. I will not abide by you having the potential to further the cause of our mutual enemies (even if such assistance is given under duress)." She pauses again then leans in close to the Gnome's face, "And... You will come with us. I will not tolerate you taking flight while we are gone. You may love your familiar but we do not know how much you love it. You will become a target by our mutual enemy; one who will likely mark you for death, or at the very least torture, once they are alerted to your betrayal. I will not allow anyone save for the lawful authorities of this town (and... Perhaps Skinbearer) to bring any harm to your shiny little head. You will remain in the center of the group and will not speak unless spoken to. We are your protection against those who would kill you without a second thought. We are the light in the darkness that now surrounds you. Only by our actions will you remain safe. Only by our actions will your familiar be saved. Only by our actions will you come to be properly punished."

[DrK]

Ghelve shudders as Atrugash and Sinora shout at him before giving Cecilly and Etienne a skeleton key from his belt. I have no others. They took them from me. They will not help you below. I have not seen the mechanisms down there. I don't know more than I said of these creatures. My little starbrow is a rat, he us white with a black front leg.


There is no more information he possesses

[Felhammer]

Cecily

"Good. Then we - meaning all of us and you, Gnome - shall sally forth to the lands below."

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Rises. Gives Skinbearer and Cecily a thoughtful look then exits the room.

in the front room, she collects her coins from the counter, draws the shade, locks the front door and flips the sign to read "Closed"

[DrK]

An hour or so passes as Atrugash is amongst those that escort the gnome back to Temple. The priestess Jenya accepting the gnome and appearing severe and angry as she orders him clapped in irons and hurled into the penitent cells. Ghelve wisely does not object. Speaking to Atrugash and the others she summons healing and gives them 3 oily potions to tend any wounds suffered.

3 cure potions


Back at Ghelve's the rest of the group have uncovered the stairs plunging down into the dark of the lost gnomish settlement.

Know (history) or bardic lore for info


The stone staircase, steps shrouded in cobwebs and dust save for a few footsteps. Bare humanoid ones and small hooved ones. After the 20feet of descent the staircase ends in a small landing before continuing further down into inky darkness..

With a "light" of some kind you can see the stairs descend another 40ft before ending in a bare stone room some 20ft by 20ft. You can hear sounds from below, cheery giggles, chirping and rustling leaves. All very at odds with the oppressive stone stairs and the darkness. The only feature of note is the iron torch sconce on the wall, Ghelve had described it well with his comment that rotating it clockwise opens the secret door to Jzadirune.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora accompanies Skinbearer back to the church of St. Cuthbert. She takes care to watch as Ghelve is locked in his cell. Sensing that he is somewhat reticent to request assistance or healing she will ask Jenya if there is someone available to tend to Skinbearer's wounds. She'll also observe intently trying to surreptitiously study his unique and fascinating skin/scales.

When Jenya offers them the potions of healing Sinora says, "Thank you for your generosity Priestess. What I'm about to ask will assuredly seem ungrateful, but it is strictly a matter of practicality. I fear the underground complex that we are about to explore will be riddled with ancient gnomish traps as well the organization that is behind the abductions. As such, I'm obviously concerned about our health and safety. Is there any chance or possibility that we could acquire a wand of healing, even if it is only partially charged before we venture below? I'm afraid all I have to offer is a handful of coins."

[DrK]

Sinora accompanies Skinbearer back to the church of St. Cuthbert. She takes care to watch as Ghelve is locked in his cell. Sensing that he is somewhat reticent to request assistance or healing she will ask Jenya if there is someone available to tend to Skinbearer's wounds. She'll also observe intently trying to surreptitiously study his unique and fascinating skin/scales.

When Jenya offers them the potions of healing Sinora says, "Thank you for your generosity Priestess. What I'm about to ask will assuredly seem ungrateful, but it is strictly a matter of practicality. I fear the underground complex that we are about to explore will be riddled with ancient gnomish traps as well the organization that is behind the abductions. As such, I'm obviously concerned about our health and safety. Is there any chance or possibility that we could acquire a wand of healing, even if it is only partially charged before we venture below? I'm afraid all I have to offer is a handful of coins."

Jenya looks at Sinora before shaking her head. "While I do have such magics available to me we di not possess any such thing at the moment. If you do well we can make such a device available to you but it will take a day or so for an acolyte to craft one.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

"Thank you Priestess, your consideration it greatly appreciated."

We'll make our way back to the locksmith's shop, unless Skinbearer has anything he would like to do in the interim

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Once Sinora and Skinbearer have returned, sans Ghelve, Etienne follows the others down the stairway to the chamber below. Looking questioningly at the others if any wish to stop him, he puts his hand upon the torch sconce to turn it clockwise, as the gnome had instructed.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf sighs, "More adventure... Best I go with this lot. They will need my spells to survive... Hopefully," She glances over at Sinora, "She can keep ME alive." The Wu Jen then follows Etienne into the belly of the beast...

[DrK]

The sconce turns nosily and then seconds layer the entire landing you stand upon tilts and the floor drops at a 45 degree slope sending you all tumbling down a flight ofvdark stairs revealed by the tilting floor!


DC12 ref or fall down the 20 stair case taking [roll0] damage



staircase ends at a 40 foot square room with a 10 foot high ceiling. apps like dry clothes into the room from a 10 foot wide open passage in the far wall directly across from the stairs. 24 foot diameter of a circle with doors are set into the middle of the southwold beach door is made of wood and frames with a ring of mortar to stones the westernmost dooris closed and inscribed with a strange glyph. the eastern most door bears a different glyph but rests half open revealing a ring of gear like teeth and dim light spilling from the chamber beyond.
mounted to the walls of the room you are in are a dozen tarnished copper masks each one depicts a smiling gnomes visage. The soft giggling, rustling and chirping noises seem to emanate from the very walls

[RCgothic]

Zooey

Zooey gives a small yelp as the floor gives way beneath her, but retains her balance well enough to surf down the dusty incline to the bottom, where she attempts to take stock.

[Stegyre]

Etienne
Ref save [roll0]
With an agility that surprises him, Etienne, too, keeps his feet on the tilting floor, and slides -- almost gracefully -- down to the bottom. Strange that the gnome failed to mention that trap, he thinks, sarcastically.

EDIT: he winces at the sound of three of his companions who are not so quick on their feet. Poor Cecily, especially, seems to take a beating in every encounter.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Caught completely off-guard, Sinora slams against the wall as the floor gives way and tumbles violently down the stairwell. Rising slowly to her feet she reaches into her backpack and pulls out one of the potions given to them by Jenya.

1d8+1

[Cardea]

Skinbearer rises from the ground, holding his bloody nose. He stands up, more frustrated than anything, and wipes blood from his face with his arm. "Hate Gnomes."

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Well, we should probably retreat, but not without learning what we can of this trap, and mayhap returning the favor. Looking toward the open doorway and the gears visible beyond, he asks, "Do you suppose those might be the gears for the floor? They must have some way of resetting the trap, or they could not get back out -- in fact, we'll have trouble if we can't."
Search 1d20+4
Spot 1d20+3
Listen 1d20+3

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Disengaging herself from the tangle of bodies at the bottom of the stairs, Sinora looks at Skinbearer and takes stock of his bloodied face, then notices Cecily isn't moving.

"Yes Etienne. You and Zooey should learn what you can of this room and set of stairs."

To Skinbearer, "Gnomes indeed! I find myself in agreement with you my friend."

Kneeling next to Cecily, she begins incanting a series of short prayers.

Sinora spends the next three rounds casting Cure Minor Wounds on Cecily, putting her at 1 hit point

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf is yanked once more from the grip of Wee Jas. Her eyes slowly open. She looks up at the Cleric and smiles warmly, "Thank you for saving me for the third time Sinora. Your faith is the only thing keeping my clumsy nature from killing me. You are a friend without peer."

[DrK]

Battered and bruised the party quickly climb back up the ramped stairs to the tilting room. Surprisingly merely turning the sconce back enough to reset the floor back to the level.

A short while later its a bruised and battered lot that return to the Cudgel's temple. Father Ruphus fussing over you at the injuries you have sustained! Before you are invited to spend the night.


Atrugash [roll0]
Sinora [roll1]
Cecilly [roll2]

+ tending overnight for 2 hp

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf wakes up early in the morning to prepare her spells. When she finishes, she heads to the hall for a quick breakfast before heading back to the Locksmith's shop to continue their adventure.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Sinora will scribble a quick note and hand it to Father Ruphus before she heads off to her room for extended prayer and meditation.

She awakes in the morning refreshed and meets Cecily in the kitchen where they exchange pleasantries. Sinora and Cecily share a laugh about how ridiculous she(Sinora) must have looked as she smashed her face into the wall before tumbling down two flights of stairs. When everyone has eaten and gathered their wits, she heads off to the locksmith's shop.

Priestess, my fears were immediately confirmed upon our return to the locksmith's shop. You spoke of your acolytes ability to craft the device we spoke of, and the fact that it will take some time to construct, but only if we proved successful. I would humbly reiterate my trepidation and concern over our ability to apprehend the villains behind the recent crime wave plaguing our fair city. I sincerely thank you for the potions you granted the party. Your humble servant, Sinora Vanderboren

[RCgothic]

Zooey looks disappointed about having to leave before they've even started exploring the hidden undercity, but in her heart she knows it's because she should have been looking out for traps better. After all, who of the others would be better suited to look? She's subdued as they make their way back to the temple, and eager to get started again the next day.

[DrK]

The morning in the temple is brief but a short while after sending her note Sinora receives a package with a simple message of "May St Cuthbert guide the hand of the just.". Inside is a wooden wand about a foot long made of dark brown wood with a lump of jade at one end. The other end has been wrapped in leather to form a handle though you can see the stains of a bloodstained hand in the leather...



An old wand of Lesser vigour recovered from adventurers who died near cauldron
Wand lesser vigour 8 charges left


Returning to Ghelves nothing has changed as you let yourselves in with one of his skeleton keys. The shop is the same and nothing appears disturbed. Heading down the cellar you reach the landing again, this time everyone braces and when the iron sconce turns no-one slips and you are free to trot down the stairs into the strange room with the laughing masks on the wall. As before you enter the eastern side of the room, the half open gear like door on the opposite (west) wall partially ajar. To your left (south wall) the two cog shaped doors with strange runes remain closed.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Zooey, Etienne what do you make of these doors?

[Stegyre]

Etienne grimaces at the strange symbols. "I know I don't read gnome," he says in reply. "According to the map, it is just two rooms behind them, no further passage onward. Maybe Zooey can check them for traps, or maybe we can all stand back a ways, and I can shatter them open. After yesterday's experience, I'm none to appreciative of gnomish architecture."
In case it helps, I'll try any of these to identify the runes/masks/etc.:
K(arcana) [roll0]
K(geography) [roll1]
K(religion) [roll2]
K(nature) [roll3]
. . . I'm just going to assume that K(planes) is right out.

Oh, I am down with the arcana! Shame it probably does not matter.

Etienne is just gearing up to shatter the doors. When you've got a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf wanders into the room and looks around. "Very curious," is all she manages to say as she investigates the curiosities of the room.

K(arcana) [roll0]
K(History) [roll1]
K(Nobility + Royalty) [roll2] (Maybe applicable?)
K(Local) [roll3]

[DrK]

Moving about the room staring at the masks Etienne, Cecilly and Zooey soon look the strange cog like doors, each carved with a strange rune. Cecilly recognising one of them as an ancient gnomish "J". The masks on the walls continue to make small laughing sounds and chuckling as Etienne thinks that they are enchanted probably with an ancient magic mouth spell and affixed to the wall with some sort of magical sovereign glue.

Through the half open door on the western wall you cannot see much, a stone wall and the corridor leading to the left and right through the opening.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"If I were a gnome, enchanting the entrance to an underground gnomish lair witha magic mouth, I would set it to respond to gnomes." He looks around innocently before asking, "Did anyone bring a gnome?"
Today, we solved the mystery of the kidnappings – and got beat up.

We – Zooey, Sinora, and I – started the morning at the orphanage. Not much to say about it, except that it has ghastly doorknockers, but apparently they only bother me. Sinora (whose family owns the orphanage) and Zooey (who I think may have grown up there) weren’t at all troubled (about the doorknockers, I mean – everyone is troubled about the kidnappings).

No useful information at the orphanage, however. The only thing of note was that the locks were all made by Ghelve, Cauldron’s leading locksmith. So, off to Ghelve’s we went.

The other two: Skinbearer and Cecily had already gone to Ghelve’s. We expected we would meet up with them there. In a manner of speaking, we did.

When the three of us arrived at Ghelve’s, he was alone, mopping up. We asked if the other two had been by, and he denied it, which seemed strange. Anyway, I settled down to wait for them, when Sinora starts leaning over the counter to talk with the gnome about locks, and she’s making motions at us behind her back, like she wanted us to try to slip through a curtain in the back of the shop.

I figured she knew something I didn’t, so I did the only thing I could think of: I shattered the glass display cases. My plan was to make a diversion, so I could slip through the curtain. We did not talk that over (obviously), and I think Zooey got a different idea: she color sprayed the gnome. Thus began my life of crime and wanton destruction.

Let me tell you: crime is painful. I went to “sneak” through the curtain and got myself knifed by some skulking sneak. I am lucky he did not kill me. (I learned later that he had nearly killed Cecily – more on that, below.)

Sinora came to my rescue. I suppose I could feel embarrassed about that, but instead I will just feel grateful. She and Zooey took him down, hard, fatally hard. (Oh, and I managed to shatter his knife, after the end was a foregone conclusion. I continue to prove my usefulness.)

So, at that point, we had mugged a shopkeeper and murdered his body guard. Fortunately for us (I think) we found Skinbearer and Cecily tied up and locked away under the stairs. They had both been badly beaten.

At that point, Ghelve confessed. (Whew! It seems the difference between “hero” and “criminal” is just a matter of attacking the right person.) He claims his pet rat was kidnapped by these people (like knife-man, the dead), who made him give them skeleton keys, so they could open any of his locks in town. That, it seems, is how they have been getting in and out.

(I have no idea why no one has ever resisted, so we have not completely solved this mystery.)

The kidnappers are apparently operating from a place called “Jzaidrune,” an abandoned gnome enclave underneath Cauldron. Ghelve gave us a map along with his confession.

(I also now have one of Ghelve’s remaining skeleton keys . . . .)

Skinbearer and Sinora escorted Ghelve back to St. Cuthbert’s for incarceration. When they came back (sans Ghelve), we attempted the entrance to Jzaidrune.

Stupid gnome! “Turn the sconce to open the secret entrance,” he tells us. He left out, “grab onto something when the floor tilts to drop you down two flights of stairs.”

I was one of the lucky ones. Sinora, Skinbearer, and Cecily were not. They smashed into the wall at the bottom pretty hard.

That was it for our dungeon delving. We beat a hasty retreat back to the church, and I am writing again in the same cell I had last night.

So far, Cecily seems like the woobie of this group. If something bad is going to happen, odds are it is going to happen to her. At least, that has held true three times in these past two days.

Zooey, on the other hand, seems to be leading a charmed life.

People met today:
Gretchen something-or-other (I should talk with Zooey or Sinora about getting names spelled correctly): headmistress of the orphanage, not too much in the way of useful information.
Miss Willow: teaches at the orphanage.
Temar: cooks at the orphanage.
Neva: nurse at the orphanage.
Jaromir: gardener at the orphanage.
Patch: janitor at the orphanage.
Ghelve: conniving, self-serving, cowardly, sniveling, expert locksmith.
Sneaky Dead Knife Man: Dead Knife Man is dead.

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"I can read gnomish," the young woman volunteers as she searches each of the spots thoroughly for traps before taking a look at the runes.

Take 20 on each door, 27.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Looks at Etienne, "Fresh outta gnomes."

Walks cautiously to the half-open door on the western wall, pauses as she unstraps her shield and casts a light spell on it. She checks the floor to see if there are any foot/hoof prints in the dirt and dust.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf stares at the wall for a few minutes. That is a J... In Gnomish... Why do I know that... Why would I know that...? That's a strange factoid... A useless one, really... Then it hits her like a ton of bricks/ She blurts out, "I read Gnomish as well!" Realizing what she has said, Cecily quickly halfheartedly whispers, "With all my time away from this city... I kind of forgot. But it is all coming back to me."

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"Well, I am assuming the 'J' just stands for Jzaidrune – or however one says it. Anything useful, like, 'speak, "gnome" and disarm all upcoming traps'?" Etienne asks, hopefully.

[DrK]

Sinora approaches the door that's ajar, light spilling through the doorway out into the next area where a narrow 15ft corridor ends in a T-junction. Sinora peeking left and right can see another thing corridor that leads both ways. A pair of doors down the corridor to the right, to the left 5 small doors - all wooden and small lie that way before the corridor ends in a blank wall.

In the room of giggling masks Zooey looks about the doors, careful prodding making her realise that the gear like doors both seem to carry concealed carry traps. Although she things the eastern one (right hand) is in fact unlocked.


Can you take 20 searching for traps? I didn't think one could take 20 when there is a chance of risk.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Watching Zooey get dangerously close to the strange, gear-like doors, Etienne clears his throat. "Um, judging by the nap Ghelve gave us, those doors lead to dead ends. I think if any of the kidnapped were in their, we would probably hear them, but if you want to see what's in there, how about if I open them

-- from a distance."

He goes on to suggest that the company take shelter in the hallway Sinora has investigated. Someone (most likely Sinora) can keep a rearguard against anything coming from that T-intersection. Etienne will shelter behind the doorway and Shatter both doors -- "Take that, trapped gnomish architecture!" -- with Skinbearer close at hand, in case any bad guys come spilling out of those rooms.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf, never one for cavernous, trap-laden dungeons, follows Etienne's suggestions.

[RCgothic]

Zooey

Oblivious to what the others are up to now that she has her mind set on a task, Zooey begins work to disarm the first trap.


Disable Device: [roll0]

I think that you're probably right about taking 20. Or at least, I should have triggered it by accident in the attempt. I'll try and remember in future.

[DrK]

The door lock appears complex and intricate, typical of gnomish engineering. Even as Zooey tinkers with it she presses the wrong button, the door swinging open slightly and releasing a massive cloud if toxic gas that engulfs the young thief!


[roll0] Acid ref DC12 for half.


Even as the door begins to seeing open Etienne tries to break things but these metal doors are too large and heavy for his magics too affect. For Zooey, emerging from the cloud can see through the cloud, a dozen small cots and chests line the walls of this 10ft dusty room. Cobwebs blanket things with tiny spiders scurrying about. At the back of the room is rubble and dust as two rough hewn holes have been excavated in the wall leaving piles of rubble. The room is lit by a sunrod left in the centre of the room and a partially dissected spider corpse lies beside it ...


5ft diameter tunnels on the south and east wall at the back of the room.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Steps back into the room, "Is everyone alright?"

As the dust and acid cloud settles and disperses, she sees that everyone appears to be unhurt. "I'll make sure that no one stumbles upon us unawares, if you want to check out that room."

She returns to her position in the doorway.

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"Ah!" Zooey exclaims as she narrowly avoids getting a faceful of acid. Instead she cracks her head as she tumbles backwards away from the sprung trap.

"...ow... That... could have gone better." she groans as she cradles the back of her head on the floor.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Noting that Cecily -- the canary in a coalmine -- is still fine, Etienne reasons that they are, indeed, alright, despite Zooey's bump.

Helping her up, he asks, "Shall we search the room? This looks interesting."
Of course, we shall!
search: [roll0]

and in case of any nasties -- spot [roll1] and listen [roll2]

Edit: I am doing such a good job searching that I'm not noticing whatever is creeping up behind me. Watch me jump when someone touches my shoulder.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf takes note of Zooey's haphazard, almost sloppy work and reminds herself to stay far, far away from the rogue when she goes to "disable" another trap.


Cecily needs to be ultra careful since a splinter could probably kill her.

[DrK]

As Etienne steps into the room, eyes scanning the blankets and the piles of rubble beside the tunnles, he doesn't notice the two creatures that had been hiding behind the door. The two horrible looking skulks, the same ugly looking little creature that had stabbed up Cecilly upstairs step out from behind the remains of the rubble and spin their knives hurling it towards the young warlock....


Two skulks attack

Atk [roll0] dam [roll1] plus [roll2] sneak
Atk [roll3] dam [roll4] plus [roll5] sneak



go go players

[Stegyre]

Etienne

As he collapses into unconsciousness from the knife in his back, Etienne thinks to himself, I hate skulks, too.
First one hit and put me at -2; second one misses, thanks to armor -- whew! -- I'm at -2, high enough to survive while the rest of your take them out.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

"Be gone, fiend!" The Half-Elf conjures an orb of sound and hurls it at one of the attackers!

Orb of Sound, Lesser!

Ranged Touch Attack!

a [roll0]
d [roll1]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Hearing the commotion Sinora rushes in from the hallway, sees Etienne on the ground and Cecily finishing the flourishes of a spell. She kneels next to Etienne, presses her holy symbol onto his chest and says, "Rise and be restored."

[roll0]

[RCgothic]

Zooey scrambles to her feet and fires her bow at one of the skulks!


Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[DrK]

Etienne collapses as the knid hits before Sinora arrives, holy symbol glowing as the blood flows back in. Zooey clips one with an arrow before Cecilly blasts it with an orb of sonic energy that causes a haemorrage killing it.

Atrugash leaps forward to the other, hammer swinging!


Atk [roll0] dam [roll1]


The second skulk exploding into a messy red paste...

all dead

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf dusts herself off and cockily smiles at the recently revived Etienne.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Back among the living, Etienne grimaces, thanks Sinora, and stands up. "Let's not do that again," he says, tired of being ambushed. "Shall we search the rest of the room, now?" and he proceeds to do so.
I'll just take 20 this time, for a 24.

[DrK]

Looking around the piles of rubble or half eaten spiders Etienne cannot find anything else of importance or note. He does however spy an outline of a small gnome sized door on the far side of the room between two of the maskd. The concealed door leading north to somewhere.



You find a secret door leading North from the mask room.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Leans in closer, "Whatcha lookin' at Etienne?"

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"Another door," he says, not at all eager to be the first one to enter.

[Cardea]

Atrugash smears his hammer against the wall, wiping some of the blood off of its face. "How many doors do gnomes need? The map that the Ghelves gave us makes it look as if we are in the middle of this abandoned place. Which direction will we be going?"

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Looks around the door and examines the door searching for tracks in the dirt/dust and any signs of disturbed dirt/dust around the door's edge.

[roll0]

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"The gnomes need many doors," Zooey adds helpfully as she tinkers with the trap on the other door, apparently unperturbed by her earlier failure.

Disable Device [roll0]

[Stegyre]

Etienne decides to sit back -- way back from where Zooey is tinkering -- some spot that seems safe, nursing his still-sore wound while the others decide what to do.

[DrK]

The door resists Zooey's best efforts to disarm the trap, although she realises that it seems likely to be some sort of painful electrical shock for those who force the door. She does however think that she may be able to crack it eventually with some concerted effort.


East door and passage?

The new North secret door?

the other door in the south?

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Noticing Etienne wince as he straightens up, pulls out the wand recently gifted to the party, touches him with while softly incanting a prayer.

"Well? What's everybody thinking? The passageway back there seems clean and devoid of activity. I say we try to get this secret door open and see where it leads. Zooey, any luck with that other door yet?"

Burn 1 charge Wand Lesser Vigor (7)

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Mumbling something under his breath, Etienne makes his way through the secret door. I guess the one who finds it gets to go first.

[DrK]

The secret door is wedged open revealing the narrow cramped passage beyond. It runs north for maybe 20 ft, the cobweb covered dusty walls covered in murals of armoured and regal looking gnomes brandishing hook hammers.
It ends through another secret door disguised as a stone block into a small foyer. A mosaic on the floor of cogs and gears extends from the iron double doors facing you.

To your left and right are 4 more of the gear shaped doors. 2 to each side with the gnomish runes for R, E N and U.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

She reads the runes then quizically asks, "What does R-E-N-U mean?"

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"Probably would have zapped me anyway," Zooey complains as she follows the others through the secret passage. She then searches the room and the doors for any traps.


Room: [roll0]
R:[roll1]
E:[roll2]
N:[roll3]
U:[roll4]

[Cardea]

"Spell 'Jzadirune', half-elf," Skinbearer says, pointedly paranoid and perturbed by the presence of more doors, all of which are probably trapped. "I am growing strong... resentment, towards Gnomes."

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

"I wonder what's behind the double doors?" She says slowly approaching them AFTER Zooey has checked for traps.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

With a bit of hesitation in her voice, the Half-Elf states, "Perhaps we should find... A position from which the traps on the doors cannot assault those who are not detecting and deactivating said traps?

[DrK]

The room you are in and the large double doors seem safe and clear of traps as does the E and the U. The other two doors are definitely trapped although apart from thinking fire and pop out "object" of some kind it hard to say exactly how the traps will function.

Standing there you can choose any of the 5 routes...

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Strides forward confidently and opens the double doors.

[DrK]

The doors swing open revealing the massuve chamber beyond. The ceiling soaring 45ft above you at its peak. Two great marble pillars support wooden balconies on the chambers east and west wings with wrought iron spiral stairs leading up to each balcony a few feet to your left and right lead up to the balconies. It looks like some of factory assembly area with dusty desks and broken boxes littering the ground floor. At the pinnacle of the roof a huge 8ft diameter gear cog hangs suspended from the roof on thick chains with a light burning in the centre casting a bronzey glow on the entire room and illuminating the artful and complicated mosaics of interlocking gears on the ceiling and the walls. In the top end of the chamber a faint clattering can be heard from behind the cog shaped doors that flank a desk at the far end of the chamber. Two passages nearer to you branch out from the sides of the chamber.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/Fizziii/BriesCampaign/Jzadirune-3.png

you are entering the large chamber in the NE (2 O'clock position)

[Stegyre]

"Well, I would search the place, but I got a knife in the back the last time I did that," Etienne whispers under his breath. "Any other ideas?"

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Cautiously Sinora steps into the room, slipping her morningstar into her belt, and grasping her shield with both hands . Her attention is drawn to the clattering sound, and she sweeps the room with the light from her shield, stopping on the area with the desk and two doors.

5ft step - Total Defense

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Always the curious kitten, the Half-Elf follows Sinora into the next room.

[DrK]

The room looks quiet and empty. The light illuminating the two cog like doors flanking the desk. It also illuminates what appears to be crude wooden barricades blocking the hallways that led off to the left and right. Nothing else seems to be moving. .


Learning caution there are you?

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Standing up straighter, and loosening her Morningstar, Sinora looks over her shoulder at Cecily.

Let's check out those doors.

Moving deliberately across the room, and pausing at the intersection to shine her shield down both barricaded aisles before she continues onward Sinora approaches the desk in the center of the room. After a quick scan of the desk she approaches the left hand door and leans in within a couple feet to listen for noises like those she heard when she first opened the double doors.

[roll0]

[RCgothic]

Tapping into the cautious mood of the party, Zooey searches the room thoroughly.

Search [ro]]1d20+7[/roll]

[DrK]

As Sinora and Zooey move forward its Sinora that suffers the ambush. Stepping forward she passes out from under the shadow of the balcony and immediately the long tentacles swoop down, the strange brain like mass with a hooked beak floating above!

http://dungeonsmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/grell.jpg

The long hooked arms reaching for her throat and Zooey as well! The tentacles stinging them with numbing barbs...



Vs Sinora
Tentacles [roll0] dam [roll1] +DC14 fort or paralysed...
Grapple [roll2]
Tentacles [roll3] dam [roll4] +DC14 fort or paralysed...
Grapple [roll5]

Vs Zooey
Tentacles [roll6] dam [roll7] +DC14 fort or paralysed...
Grapple [roll8]
Tentacles [roll9] dam [roll10] +DC14 fort or paralysed...
Grapple [roll11]

[RCgothic]

The young woman collapses, paralysed, in the tentacles of the tentacle-monster.

[Stegyre]

What sort of unholy abomination -- Etienne hardly knows what to do -- other than lash out as best he can against them, even as he sees Zooey collapsing in the foul embrace!
Move at least 10', endeavoring to stay 30' away from those -- things -- and eldritch blast:

Ranged touch attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Skirmish damage, just in case, as they certainly seem to have a discernible anatomy: [roll2]

This would be a good time for a crit.

EDIT: Oh, that -- that's just typical. A "2" to hit, a "1" on damage, and another "2" for the skirmish.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Sinora yells, "Ambushed! YOU FOUL BEAST!", as the attacking monster opens a wound on her upper arm while grasping her in one of it's tentacles.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf is caught completely unawares by the sudden and furious assault. Cursing under her breath, the woman conjures a dart of force and hurls it at the enemy!

Magic Missile: [roll0]

[Cardea]

Skinbearer hefts his hammer, and swings at the vile aberration in front of him. "Is this a gnomish pet of some breed?"

Charging if able. If so, add +2 to attack roll.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Struggling against the creatures grasping tentacle, Sinora attempts to pull her shield into a position between herself and the beast's hooked beak. The light from her shield spills across the monster's hideous brain-like form, fully illuminating the horror the party faces.

"GRANT ME STRENGTH LADY!"

Turn Undead is a supernatural ability that I believe does not provoke an attack of opportunity. She uses a turn attempt to fuel Combat Vigor

[DrK]

Zooey goes limp whilst Sinora struggles in the grip of the tentacles as they dangle down capturing the two women. Etienne and Cecilly both unleash magical attacks, the young Etienne's blast hitting the edge of the balcony, the magic missile unerringly finding its mark!

And for 8 not 5, remember your edge!


As the magical blasts happen the orc runs forward leaping into toe air, hammer splatting against the lower reaches of the strange floating brain!


A 22 on a jump gives you the height to reach him despite the tentacle reach


The grell recoils from magic and the massive hammer and attempts to wrestle the wriggling Sinora further into the tentacles! Then it drifts up towards the ceiling! Rising 10ft higher and hovering above the eastern balcony


Grapple sinora [roll0] Vs [roll1]
If win move 10ft up and above the first floor balciny

[Felhammer]

Cecily

"Let my friends go, you monster!" The Half-Elf fires off a ray of chilled air at the enemy!

Sorry about the edge, I keep forgetting it!

Ray of Frost, Ranged Touch
a [toll]1d20+2[/roll]
d [roll0] (edge included)

[Cardea]

"It is a poor pet indeed." Atrugash says, swinging his hammer and himself into the air.

Jump: [roll0]

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Edit: I CAME IN LIKE A WREEECKING BAAAALLLLL

[Stegyre]

Wow! thinks Etienne, as he watches the mighty leaps and sound clubbing by Skinbearer and the arcane flashes from Cecily. I wish that I were effective. He moves another 10', endeavoring to stay close-enough-but-not-too-close, as he fires away again.
Eldritch Blast touch attack: [roll0] damage [roll1] plus skirmish [roll2]

On the off chance, I'd like to look to see if I can Spot anything near or above the Grell that I might shatter on it. By RAW, that's a non-action when done reactively but a move action when done to try to see something I missed previously. Since I haven't done a Spot yet, I'm hoping I get to do it reactively. If not, then no spot check is made, as I need the move action to get skirmish damage, and under the circumstances, that's probably move valuable.

Spot: [roll3]

EDIT: Wow, even if a 14 hits (a possibility, for touch AC without a Dex bonus), I do an incredible 3 damage? On the other hand, the Nat 20? On a Spot check. :smallsigh:

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

"DROP US!"

Cast Command - Concentration Check DC 21 [roll0]

HA! Sooooo close!:smallannoyed:

[DrK]

As things look bleak lady luck seems to find the party, once more the hammer wielding orc hurls himself skywards hammer smashing the brain like mass as it gives a horrific human like squeal. Seconds later twin beams of magical energy criss cross the creature the two beams touching as they reach the grell, the magical explosion blowing a great hole in the floating brain as its killed ... The body just floating 15 ft up in the air, Sinora and Zooey still tangled in the now limp tentacles...



Amusingly the 2 skirmish damage kills it
Floating with natural buoyancy.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

As the hideous beast's tentacles go limp, Sinora scrambles to grab ahold of them and hold herself up. Thinking of Zooey, she reaches out and grabs ahold of her with the other hand. Her shield and Morningstar clatter to the ground beneath her, the shield landing face up and casting a spotlight on the strange sight.

[Stegyre]

Etienne
It floats even when dead? Etienne wonders. How useful might that be?. As Sinora ministers to Zooey, he tries to tie up one of the tentacles to keep the bizarre creature from floating away.
If only Claire were here, we could make a Grell zombie or some such.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Dangling about 10 to 12 feet off the ground, while holding on to Zooey, Sinora shouts, "Skinbearer come catch Zooey!"

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf watches the activities with interest. Her gentle frame is not exactly designed for manual labor, so she allows the more robust companions to do the heavy lifting.

[Cardea]

Skinbearer looks up in frustration as he re-slings his hammer, and jumps up to get closer to Zooey as she falls.

Jump: [roll0]

[DrK]

As the orc leaps and catches Zooey the young girl naturally comes too as the short acting poison wears off. Sinora lands seconds later sliding down the tentacles careful to not tear her hands on the hooked ends. The grell itself floats still like a strange balloon.

[RCgothic]

As the poison wears off, Zooey twists neatly in mid-air to land neatly in Skinbearer's arms with her own round his neck.

"Thanks for the catch!" she thanks him as she lets herself down. "What a strange creature! I wonder what that has to do with the kidnappings? Where was I? Oh yes, looking around."

She returns to her search of the large room for traps or anything of value.
Search Take 20 -=27

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

The young woman bends down to collect her shield and Morningstar. She steps out from beneath the floating mass, and looks up, "Disgusting!"

She checks the wound on her arm and says a silent prayer. "Let's continue, shall we?"

Looking back over her shoulder she makes her way to the desk set in alcove between two doors.

Scratch one spell, one turn attempt, casts two Cure Minor on herself

[Stegyre]

Etienne keeps watch while Zooey searches.
Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

Edit: not a very good watch, mind you. Zooey's random musings as she wanders around the room are distracting, I tell you.

[DrK]

Searching around the room opening the boxes and the looking up on the balconies the party scour the room. On the top of the balcony behind a box a crumpled and very dead creeper can be found, a fine dagger and couple of potions in its grasp.

MW dagger
Potion (cure light, invisibility)
32gp, 22sp



The rest of the room has nothing of value, the layout suggesting it was a massive factory of some sort. Behind the door to the left of the desk a constant rattle and bang of machines sounds.

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora

Spends several moments looking around the desk and listening at the doors while Zooey searches the large facility. Eventually she reaches out and tries the door behind which all the sounds are emanating.

[RCgothic]

Zooey slips the masterwork dagger into her belt alongside her shortsword, and pockets the change and potions. She draws her bow as Sinora approaches the door, standing well back this time.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

Hoping he is ready for whatever happens next, fearing that will never be so, Etienne prepares for Sinora to open the door.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Wu Jen wiggles her fingers, preparing herself to cast any spell that may prove useful once the door is opened...

[DrK]

The party, now cautious, a well warranted condition given the floating aberrant body still dangling in the air open the pair of doors flanking the throne. The first on the left with noise opens up revealing a skeletal wood and metal loom clattering and spinning with no wool or threads. The machine seems magical as it goes through the motions, rattling loudly. Three smaller spinning wheels surround it, clearly having been used to feed it with spun thread. On the floor are some tattered threads of cloth, the remnants of the material. To the north a hole in the wall beckons,5ft in diameter its been crudely created and a pile of rubble and dust have spilled into the room,the remains of a 4th wheel close by.

The other door to the right of the throne is filled with small desks facing a chalk board set on a stone frame. A classroom of sorts by the look of it. The chalkboards on the walls contain faded alchemical formulas and engineering drawings that you don't understand.

The main passages with the barricades are recent things. The barricades crudely made and marked with claws similar to those on Sinora and Zooey, clearly the barricades were assembled to keep the grell in here.

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"Well, if we go through that way," Etienne motions toward the barricades, "let's push the body of that creature first. Maybe we can give a nasty surprise to whoever is at the other end."

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"'nothing else it may trigger any hidden traps," Zooey agrees.
"'cept those activated by pressure plates. Or low-level tripwires. Or life-sensing magics. And those spines may still be dangerous to the pusher."

She apparently doesn't seem deterred by these observations, though is in no hurry to do the pushing herself. Instead she searches the alcoves and detritus they'd discovered before pushing on.

Search take 20 = 27

[Felhammer]

Cecily

The Half-Elf stays firmly entrenched at the back of the party. She had been knocked out one too many times in recent days to not be overly cautious.

[DrK]

Searching carefully around the rest of the warehouse and Grell's lair provides no more insights about anything. The barricaded paths to the left and the right still the clearest and most tantalising routes to go down. THe strange gnomish complex is still surprisingly quiet barring the clatter of the magical looms.


As the spoiler box says

[Stegyre]

"Right," says Etienne. "We'll go right."

Pulling the grell corpse by one of its tentacles, he removes the barricade from that passage and, pushing the grell before him, enters.

[DrK]

The barricade is carefully moved aside as you stare down the dusty corridor. Light from a sunrod flickering down the corridor illuminating a passageway off to the right some 10ft down the corridor and then at the far end of the corridor some 30ft away passages to the left and right. With Etienne in the lead you reach the branch leading off to the right.

Its clearly a workshop of some kind, half made kegs, tables, bookshelves and chests clutter the room casting strange and flickering shadows in your light. Most of the unfinished works have been pushed to the walls, in the back of the room another pile of rubble and thin tunnel vanish into darkness. Looking around you can see a collection of gnawed upon rat bones and a ragged sheet in one corner partially obscuring a set of table legs and a set of drawers...

[RolandDeschain]

Sinora follows along quietly.

[Felhammer]

Cecily

Cesily stands a foot behind Sinora and follows the Cleric. The Wu Jen allows those skilled in the arts of subterfuge both the room and time required to work their delicate magic (as it were).

[Stegyre]

Etienne

"Humph! 'Empty room' my foot!, Etienne mutters in a whisper. "Want to know how many times I've been stabbed in the back in an 'empty room'?"
It's twice, so far.
Nevertheless, he continues in the lead, trying to look carefully among the debris, primarily for any more hidden attackers; secondarily for information or items of use.
Spot [roll0]
Listen [roll1]
Search [roll2]

Edit: Oh, for -- ! I ought to just wear a blindfold.

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"Must be something shiny down here..." she mutters to herself as she pokes around the room.

Search take 20 = 27

[DrK]

Zooey finds the tracks. Small humanoid ones staying mainly in the small room before heading into the ragged tunnel in the back wall. You'd guess that the small creatures that you've met may have had similar issues with the trapped doors but instead of disarming the doors have found a means to burrow around them!

[RCgothic]

Zooey

"There are some small tracks here," Zooey informs the others. "They head back into the tunnel just there."