City of Broken Dreams: Life's Bazaar

[Rei_Jin]

Chapter 1: Life's Bazaar


1 week ago...

As you were going about your day, unaware of anything special in the wind, the town crier started up

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Terseon Skellerang, the Captain of the Guard, has called a meeting for all the citizenry tonight, outside the town hall. Be there for the good of Cauldron!

Nodding to the message, you made a mental note of this, and continued on with your day. That night however, you attended the meeting, as did the rest of the town. The air was electric with anticipation, and rumours. You caught bits and pieces flying back and forth, rumours of war, famine, taxes, and even rumours of a coup d'etat. After about 15 minutes, Captain Skellerang takes the stage, and motions for silence.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Terseon_Skellerang.jpg?t=1218435955

Good people of Cauldron, thank you for coming out tonight to hear me. There has been... an incident. You are all aware of the unfortunate taxes that we must pay to the brotherhood, for the safety of our roads.

The crowd riles up at this, expecting the worst. He motions for quiet again, and after a few moments, he speaks again.

Now, late last month we sent off our "taxes", and we were assured of their safety. However, we have received word from the brotherhood that they never received it. Upon investigation, we have been unable to find any clues as to what happened.

The reason for this meeting is to advise you all to be cautious, to keep your eyes and ears open, and to prepare to defend yourselves. This may be the start of a campaign by the brotherhood against our fair city. We have already caught one group of brotherhood spies within the city walls since this incident, and fear more may be found. Also, if the taxes are found to have returned to Cauldron, they must be returned to the brotherhood. If anyone harbours them, they will be declared a traitor to the city and will face punishment. This is for the benefit of us all.

I am also calling for those who are able bodied, and willing, to band together and be prepared to be called upon to aid the city. If you are willing, please stay behind afterwards, and form into groups.

If we cannot recover the taxes, we may need to pay it again. Of course, we will do everything we can to avoid this, but if the choice is between war and the loss of two individuals, we would chose that loss.

That is all.

He steps down from the stage, and the crowd clears slowly. At the end, there are 5 individuals left standing there, asides from you. With a shrug, you wander over and start to introduce yourself to the others.




Three days ago…

You and your fellow “hunters” as you have been called, have been asking around about the missing “taxes”, as they are known. Their families know nothing about it, but there has been something of more concern that you have noted.

Citizens are going missing.

Every day, the list grows, as you look further and further into the disappearances. It seems that the “taxes” aren’t the only ones that have gone without a trace. Unfortunately, there seems to be little to go on. No real clues so far, no common links between the victims that stands up and shows itself, no motive, nothing. You’ve got a few names, and some citizens seem to be worried that the Vanishing has returned, or that maybe the Brotherhood aren’t going to wait to collect what they’re owed. Whatever the cause is, you’ve got to find the source and stop it before panic sets in.

You may not have much time though.




Earlier today…

You discovered that children have been going missing from the local orphanage. The citizens are incensed at this, and are threatening to riot if something isn’t done. As such, you haven’t been able to get near the orphanage to investigate today, but maybe tomorrow. The Captain of the Guard has doubled patrols for the moment, and this seems to have calmed the populace down, for now.




Now…

A wretched drizzle falls from the ash-grey sky. The crowded, rain-slicked buildings seem especially bleak and frightful this evening, hunched together beneath the gloomy sky. A few lights burn in their windows, but mostly the shutters have been closed against the darkness and rain. 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.

But, you have a duty to keep for the moment, which is why you’re out. The Town Guard have asked that you report nightly on your findings, and on the general feel of the people at the moment. Things are balanced as if on a knife’s edge, just waiting for a push either way. You’re headed back to the Town Hall to give your report, and you’re not looking forward to it, although the 10 gold each will help keep you warm and well fed for another day.

[Amotis]

Carelessly soaked, a rather fair-looking young man sits against a wall. His legs sprawling lazily into the street, a passerby might assume that he just collapsed against the wall and fell into unconsciousness. Or just melted with the rain. Into the wall, into Cauldron.

A small coughing fit shakes the consuming dew that cover his body. He's been there a while. Watching.

His fellow "hunters"...probably out trying to find things to report on. He doesn't care about that tonight. He's had his fill of dead ends. He's watched the desperateness and anger glow in the people's eyes and traced that same light back to his own.

He knows better then they do.

Slowly pushing himself to his feet, he trods toward the town hall. Keeping an eye out for the other "hunters." Doesn't want to talk to them alone.

[Dhavaer]

Four ghostly lanterns float up the street towards the town hall, preceding the woman walking behind them by some thirty or fourty paces. Tall, blonde and interestingly scarred, she has the appearance of a regimental officer: well oiled chain, a longsword at her hip and a polearm resting on her shoulder. A glint of silver and gold on one gloved finger, a signet ring, suggest that any commission might be the product more of accident of birth than any skill, though the floating lights might say otherwise.

When the lanterns' light reaches the fair young man, they stop in mid-air, allowing their mistress to catch up. She gives him a weary nod.
"An ill evening, Sodi," Lady Ydresse sighs, "and far too little accomplished since this morning. Have you done any better?"

[Taren]

From an alleyway near the townhall a young man steps out of the shadows. The grey cloak he wears is torn and frayed, as are the leggings he has on. His leather are scuffed, and the hilt of the blade at his side is dull and unpolished. Everything about him looks to be worn and aged save for the boy himself, leading one to believe that he had worn them for quite some time, or that they may have been secondhand. His hair, the color of chestnuts, rests unkempt around his head, dripping down over his ears and down the back of his neck. There is a hollow look in his green eyes, the look of one who has seen disappointment and tragedy, far, far too many times. He slouches when he stands and avoids the direct gaze of others, looking as if he doesn't consider himself worthy of their attention. Perhaps that's why he had always found it easy to be ignored.

Stepping out of the shadows he looked around and then fell into place walking along the other two. "I-I haven't found out anything new either... perhaps the others have fared better?"

[PhoeKun]

Simply put, she seemed... out of place. As though the city hadn't quite managed to reach her. Even tonight, even in the rain, amidst the crowded and looming buildings, she seems to glow, just a little bit. Her chainmail is pristine, and the shield and large sword slung over her back seem as out of place on the chipper girl as they seem unused. The smaller sword at her hip, or at least it's scabbard, likewise looks brand new.

Around her neck hangs a pendant of beautifully cut purple crystal that glints in the little bits of light the streets have to spare. And on her left arm, a golden bracelet, inset with numerous sapphires. The signet ring on her finger seems ordinary by comparision Her long brown hair is soaked, and clings to her back and neck.

With a soft smile that belies the opulence and, all things considered, arrogance, of her attire, Erica approaches the group.

"No luck? Anyone? Thought not..." She pauses to shake her head and shrug. "They're hurt, you know? The people, I mean. Even the orphanage is being targeted... I'm sure we'll have better luck tomorrow, if we can just get there to ask around. The uproar should have died down a little bit by sunrise, don't you think?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo

Angelo is one of the last to approach the group. Rain streaming off of his cloak, Angelo steps out of the darkness. In the light, it is easier to make out his appearance. His equipment is, by all accounts, simple. Simple chain, a simple mace, a simple shield with the symbol of Pelor painted on, and a simple holy symbol made out of wood. It all comes together in a sort of balance, neither shabby and worn like so many Cauldronites, nor rich and ostentatious. He looks around at the others, telling from their faces that the news wasn't good.

I tried to track down the missing children, but no luck. I'm afraid if we don't find anything soon that the Brotherhood's gonna get tired of waiting around.

Angelo pulls his cloak tighter around him, shivering against the cold.

So has anybody seen Kate? Hope she shows up soon. Too much longer in this rain and we're all like to turn into fish.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine

As the group nears the Town Hall, what appears to be a slim cloaked figure can barely be seen in the darkness ahead; the figure seems to be pacing back and forth. Upon further approach, the figure stops pacing and faces toward the group. As the lights begin to drive the darkness away from the cloaked figure, a familiar voice can be heard - melodious as usual, but ever so slightly subdued.

"Good evening, friends...any new leads?"

Now fully in the light, it is readily apparent that the cloaked figure is indeed Kate. She has her hood up, and her cloak is wrapped loosely around her, its usual bright blue hue darkened by the persistent drizzle. "I take it that's a no?", she adds.

After a brief moment, she continues. "Well, I've heard only a handful of things...might be something, might not. Rumor has it that two of the missing persons used to meet up for drunken all-nighters at the Tipped Tankard; name of Gryffon Malek and Kylscar Endercott. Not sure if that's where they were last seen or not, though. A woman by the name of Jeneer Everdawn...did volunteer work at the orphanage...she's gone..."

Kate pauses again for a moment to keep her composure, and then adds, "Hmm...no apparent connection between those that I can make, other than both places being right across the street from the lake. Then there's this rumor about a magical 'vanishing' disease. I'm not too sure about that one, but maybe the Tankard might be something worth checking out further...at least until we can get to the orphanage."

"Well...any thoughts before we go inside?" She asks as she gestures toward the Hall.

[Amotis]

Grunting softly at Ydresse with a shake of his head, Sodi shrugs as he walks besides her, heading toward the Town Hall.

"Watched a failed mugging. Nothing more."

A pause, as everyone begins to approach.

"It's getting dark.", briefly glancing at the ground.

Staying silent as everyone speaks their findings or lack thereof, until Katherine finishes, Sodi watches and listens to each "hunter" as they speak. Respectfully, if nothing else.

Shaking his head once more, Sodi starts toward the doors.

"Maybe we should make something up. They need some good news as much as we do."

[Rei_Jin]

Just as you are about to head across the way to the townhall, you hear a dull thud in the night, the sound of a body landing hard on cobblestones, and a muffled cry of pain.

It seems you aren't the only ones out tonight on business.

The sounds seem to have come from the northeast, maybe a street or two from where you are. As you move towards it to try and work out what's happening, you can see two shadowy figures standing over someone lying on the ground. The flicker of a torch light from a nearby window reflects off something in one of the seeming assailants hands, a short metal blade perhaps?


(OOC) You're all about 60 feet from the fight, and it doesn't seem like the attackers have noticed you. We won't be using battlemats as fights already go long enough in PbP, so roll up initiative and post your actions, along with any relevant rolls. It's raining pretty hard at the moment, so the cobblestones are a little treacherous and ranged weapons are harder to use than in ideal conditions. This means you can't run, a double move or charge will require a balance check (DC 5), and ranged weaponry suffers a -1 penalty to attack.

[Amotis]

Sighing as his hand pauses in mid-air, reaching toward the door, Sodi turns slowly toward the noises, his hand dropping to his side.

"Darker."

Observing the scene with a quick eye, Sodi takes a few steps forward. Keeping his eyes on the figures, he reaches behind him, unholstering the mahogany crossbow that hangs on his pack, and silently loads it.

Sniffing in the air, he waits. Watching.


Looks like mythweavers is down right now and I don't have my sheet memorized. Could you just fill in the bonuses? I really need to head off to bed... Init: [roll0]. Load crossbow. Hold action.

[Dhavaer]

Her Ladyship swings the glaive off her shoulder and into a ready grip, and the four lanterns speed over to the shadowed figures. She walks quickly towards the now-illuminated assailants and their victim, sketching a glowing pattern in the air with her finger, muttering a few arcane syllables and sending the now blazing rune off towards its target before taking hold of the glaive with her ready hand.

Initiative: [roll0]
Not an action, as far as I can tell: move dancing lights over to the people fighting.
Standard action: cast kelgore's firebolt, [roll1] fire damage, Reflex DC 14 for half.
Move action: move towards the fight.
Attack of Opportunity, just in case: attack: [roll2], damage: [roll3]

[Taren]

The boy looked up at the scene. Just another day in the Cauldron. Nothing worth risking another life over.

Except, at the back of his mind, a voice cried out. This was important, it said. This could be connected. This could be part of why people are disappearing. Looking around, he noticed that the other hunters seemed to have already come to the same conclusion. Removing a short bow from his shoulder, Rilian knocked an arrow, and let it fly.

Whoo! First fight of the game! Ok, let's see how lucky I get.
Initiative Roll: [roll0]
Ranged Attack: [roll1]
Damage: (Assuming I hit) [roll2]

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Let's help this poor soul out before another Cauldron family has to worry about a missing loved one.

Angelo hustles up to the fight, drawing his crossbow. Squinting through the rain, he unleashes a bolt at the assailant.

Moving 30' closer to the action.
Attack: [roll0] minus another 4 if it counts as shooting into CC.
Damage: [roll1]

[PhoeKun]

With the others intent on starting a battle already, Erica's choice is clear. She walks forward behind the volley of spells and arrows of her comrades, taking up a protective position in the alleyway in front of them.

The shield comes off her back, and the sword at her hip glints in a bit of spare light as she brings it to her right hand. Steeling herself for battle, her voice rings clearly into the dark streets:

"This is your chance to surrender, now..."

Moving 30 ft forward, drawing longsword and shield. End of turn.

Initiative: [roll0]

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine opts for a slightly different approach. Keeping her longspear held low for the moment, she moves generally toward the assailants, but slightly off toward the side to stay out of the others' way.

Once Lady Ydresse's ghostly lights make it readily apparent that the scene truly is a mugging in progress, Kate stops for a brief moment to scan the area. She focuses her vision away from the lights as much as possible so that her inborn nightvision can be effective.

Initiative: [roll0]

1. Move action - Katherine moves 30', mostly forward and slightly off to either side so she can stay out of way.
2. Move action - Katherine makes a Spot check to look for any more possible guests to this 'party', focusing on the dark areas (should be plenty of those still...) so that she can use her Darkvision.

Spot: [roll1] (that includes 1 virtual Spot rank from Bardic Knack)

[Rei_Jin]

As you all begin to take action, you see one of the assailants clearly. He has his face made up in the manner of a harlequin, Rilian and Angelo recognise it as the mask of Olidamarra. He then lifts up the head of their victim, and growls at him in common.

Stay away from the orphanage, you got that priest?

Springing into action, Sodi draws a crossbow, training it on one of the assailants and stepping to the side to keep a clear shot. Angelo and Rilian both shoot at the assailants without success, whilst Erica moves forward under their cover fire with her shield and sword at the ready. Angelo, seeing the danger, moves forward with her to lend support. Ydresse fires off a bolt of fire, burning one of the assailants and causing him to cry out in pain, before moving forward to back up Erica. Katherine steps into the shadows and moves forward, taking a moment to search for other dangers before she spots two more on the roof. One of them is dressed like the other thugs in the alley, the other is wearing far better clothing and has a more trained look in the way that they watch the goings on.

Once it becomes obvious that they're under attack, the thug with the harlequin face throws the victim's face down onto the cobblestones, and stands up to his full height, an imposing man. His ally on the street is beating his clothing, trying to put the fire out. The harlequin man points his sword at you all, and almost grunts

You lot should bugger off. This aint none of your business, 'less you want me to dirty my blade...

At this point the thug on the roof jumps down, landing behind them and drawing a sword himself. The other watcher simply continues to observe, and looks towards Katherine, putting a finger to their lips within a cowled hood.


Sodi - Initiative 27 - 60ft from victim, loaded crossbow ready to go
Angelo - Initiative 20 - 30ft from victim, unloaded crossbow
Rilian - Initiative 18 - 60ft from victim, shortbow in hand
Erica - Initiative 14 - 30ft from victim, longsword and shield ready
Ydresse - Initiative 13 - 30ft from victim, brandishing her glaive
Katherine - Initiative 7 - 30ft from victim, in the shadows watching
Street Thugs 1, 2 and 3 - Initiative 4 - 0ft from victim, ready to attack, Street Thug 2 has taken 5 damage
Watcher - Initiative 0 - 20ft back from victim on the roof, observing

[Amotis]

Sodi's eyes drift upwards, watching the man who seems content to observe, his glare glittering with disdain.

Ugly.

Smirking as the masked man makes his threat, Sodi glides his view back to the ground. Commenting to mostly himself, he aims.

"A man with a sense of irony. I like him."

And fires.

Aiming at the man in the harlequin mask, 5 foot step if needed to get a clear shot.

Attack: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1]

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Looks like our pal here wasn't alone.

Seeing that the fight has expanded, Angelo prays to Pelor to bless himself and his allies.

Casting bless. +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and saves against fear. 10 rounds remaining.

[Toxic Avenger]

Upon seeing the finger-to-the-lips gesture, Kate stares intensely at the watcher and shakes her head deliberately. ...No. I am so not taking requests right now...

Katherine whistles back toward Sodi and Rilian while she points her longspear up toward the watcher. Then she moves up to just behind the front line, looking for pportunities to jab at the thugs' legs. While she does so, she also warns the others on the front line. "There's someone else on the roof yet."

Move action: Move up to 30 feet, staying safely (relatively) behind the front line.
Standard action: Jab at any thugs within reach of her longspear.

Attack: [roll0] (assuming that Angelo's Bless spell goes off)
Damage: [roll1]

[Dhavaer]

If no-one is in melee with the harlequin

Lady Ydresse frees a hand and sketches another pattern in the air, whispering. She finishes the spell by clenching the pattern in the fist and clicking her tongue, sending a dull grey line lancing towards the harlequin.

Move action: Move 10 feet towards the halequin, enough to bring her in range.
Standard action: Cast ray of enfeeblement, Attack [roll0], Penalty [roll1]

If the harlequin is in melee

Lady Ydresse steps forward, lunging out at the harlequin with her glaive.

Move action: move to within 10 feet of the harlequin.
Standard action: attack the harlequin with glaive, Attack [roll2], Damage [roll3]

[PhoeKun]

Erica takes a deep breath to steal herself. This is it. Real combat... she can't afford to make a mistake, or be nervous. People now are counting on her to keep her promise, to make everything hurt just a little less.

Her legs tense as she rushes towards the thug who dropped off of the roof, slashing at him with her longsword in a wide arc.

Charging thug... I believe that's 3.

Attack: (+1 Bless, +2 Charge) [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

AC drops to 15 for one round.

[Taren]

Rilian sighed. He knew he could aim better than that! Narrowing his eyes, he knocked another arrow and let it fly.

Attacking the same guy I shot at last time.
Attack:
Damage (Assuming I hit) [roll1]
Sorry to keep it so short, but I'm exhausted right now

[Rei_Jin]

Sodi fires at the harlequin, hitting him in the chest causing him to cry out in pain, whilst Angelo calls down the blessings of Pelor upon the warriors. Rilian fires and misses again, cursing the rain for his poor aim. Erica runs forward, slicing at the newcomer and catching him off-guard with his blood flowing now from an open wound at the wrist, his left hand near useless. Ydresse takes the opportunity to try and take down the supposed leader, piercing his chest a second time and obviously dealing him a great wound, his chest making sucking noises as he struggles to breathe. Katherine moves forward and finishes him off, her spear piercing his side under the arm as he slashes at her, going down in a pool of his own blood.

The two remaining thugs go pale, drop their swords and run. The thug from the roof cries back "This wasn't supposed to be part of the deal" as he hotfoots it down the alley.

The watcher stands up, and throws back her cloak in a showy fashion, revealing another harlequin mask. She salutes the hunters, and calls out to them.

Well done! But know this, the priest lives because we will it, not because of your meddling. We will meet again!

With that she turns and runs across the roof, disappearing from sight.

Sodi - Initiative 27 - Blessed, 60ft from victim, loaded crossbow ready to go (I'm going to assume you reload it)
Angelo - Initiative 20 - Blessed, 30ft from victim, loaded crossbow ready to go (I'm going to assume you reload it)
Rilian - Initiative 18 - Blessed, 60ft from victim, shortbow in hand
Erica - Initiative 14 - Blessed, 0ft from victim, longsword and shield ready, adjacant to Street Thug 1
Ydresse - Initiative 13 - Blessed, 5ft from victim, brandishing her glaive, adjacant to Street Thug 1
Katherine - Initiative 7 - Blessed, 5ft from victim, adjacant to Street Thug 1
Street Thug 1 - Initiative 4 - 0ft from victim, Street Thug 1 has taken 16 damage and is lying on the ground unconscious
Street Thugs 2 and 3 - Initiative 4 - 60ft from victim, Street Thug 2 has taken 5 damage, Street Thug 3 has taken 4 damage, full withdrawal action from combat
Watcher - Initiative 0 - Has disappeared from the battle

[Amotis]

Sodi moves forward, hooking his crossbow unto his pack as he does, and giving a quick glance toward the running thugs, kneels next to the man in the mask.

Taking a deep breath, he looks at the priest. Calmly. His mouth a thin concentrated line. Blinking, Sodi gives a slow nod and turns back to the body before him.

He reaches down slowly, pulling the mask off the man.

"Evenin'.", he says to unconscious figure.

Checking the pulse, he looks toward the other hunters.

"Angelo. Come here please. And rope. Someone bring rope."

[Rei_Jin]

The priest is alive, but pretty badly beaten up. No open wounds, but he'll be sore tomorrow. He has a holy symbol around his neck, marking him as a priest of St Cuthbert.

The thug seems to be still alive, although barely, the wound on his chest sucking in and out, and a dribble of blood on his lips. The mask itself is made of papier mache and waterproofed with wax. Not exactly high quality, but designed to be used and discarded when necessary.

The rain continues to pour, helping to wash away the evidence of the fight.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo hustles over to the thug, grabbing a coil of rope out of his pack as he goes and tossing it to Rilian.

Rilian, be ready with that rope. We don't need this guy running away as soon as he comes to.

The cleric kneels down beside the thug and, laying hands on him, begins to incant a short prayer of healing. Golden light flows from his hands, mending the thug's wounds and stabilizing his condition.

Okay Rilian, secure the prisoner. Looks like we've finally got something to report tonight.

Moving over to the priest, Angelo repeats the ritual.

It's okay holy man, you're safe now.

Casting cure light wounds on the thug and priest.
Thug: [roll0]
Priest: [roll1]

[Amotis]

As Angelo motions over the masked man, Sodi positions himself just over his head, looking into his eyes. So his inverted face gazing down at him would be the first thing he saw when he came to.

A small smirk. Clears his throat.

"So what does Olidamarra have his hands in tonight?"

Sodi's necklace, a pendent of Wee Jas, dangles closer to the man's face that probably is comfortable.

[Dhavaer]

Her Ladyship murmurs a spell, circling a hand over the blade of her glaive. The harlequin's blood disappears, leaving the weapon as clean and fresh as the day she first held it. She moves to stand near the fallen harlequin with Sodi and Angelo, her glaive at the ready. She twitches a finger casually, and the harlequin's black-white mask turns a uniform, dull grey.

Using prestidigitation, if it wasn't obvious.

[Toxic Avenger]

At the moment her spear strikes, an ill feeling washes over Katherine, and does not completely subside until she knows that the thug is likely to live. Though the man probably had it coming to him, this was nevertheless the first time for the young woman to inflict bodily harm on anyone. That her spear struck in a much more lethal area than for which she was aiming made it a bit more difficult to deal with.

Kate hides her momentary discomfort by hastily gathering the dropped blades. Seeing that the priest is being tended to by Angelo, Kate takes a few moments to see if anyone else might be approaching before finally settling down next to the priest.

[Rei_Jin]

Rilian dutifully takes the rope and ties the thug up without a word. Once this is done, Angelo touches him and with a burst of energy, his wounds close up, leaving bruising and a few scratches. He breathes in sharply, and coughs, opening his eyes to see a Holy Symbol of Wee Jas in front of him before panicking and screaming at the top of his lungs.

Once Angelo heals the priest, he opens his eyes with a groan, and looks around.

You... you came to my rescue. St Cuthbert bless you...

He goes to sit up, but slumps back again suddenly, overwhelmed by the ordeal.

I think I need to rest. I... hate to ask, but can you take me to the temple? Jenya will be worried about me...

[Amotis]

Rolling his eyes, Sodi reaches down and mutes the man with his palm. Moving the man's head to face his own, he looks him blankly in the eyes.

"Shhhh.", he commands.

"Same question. This time, more clear."

[Rei_Jin]

The Thug nods hurriedly, and looks around a bit, then starts mumbling under Sodi's hand. Once it's removed he speaks.

You're not from the temple are you? Please tell me you're not from the temple, I don't want to be made into a zombie! I don't know why we're here, but we were offered good coin to beat up the priest! Please... don't take me to the temple!

At this point he starts hiccuping from nerves, and you can tell he's trying not to cry.

[Amotis]

Sodi sighs and almost rolls his eyes again but seems to catch himself.

"You were much more interesting before."

Pause.

"Who paid you?"

The questioning hovering innocently in the air.

"I mean you mentioned the orphanage. What's that about? You got something to do with it? I hope not."

[Rei_Jin]

He stammers, his voice almost going falsetto as he speaks quickly, hiccuping throughout his words.

I... I don't know who hired us. There was this guy, in the Drunkon Morkoth. He offered us money if we'd scare the priest, beat him up a little. No killing, just intimidation, yanno? Dunno what the guy looked like, he was wearing a mask and hooded robe, the mask was like the one I was wearing. He gave me the mask, said it "helped put fear in their hearts". We just needed to eat, and there's no carts going out of town so we can't get work as mercenaries, we were desperate! And I dunno nothing about the orphanage, is there something I should know?

[Amotis]

Nodding in an understanding fashion, Sodi waves him off.

"No no no. Calm down. Calm down. The only thing you need to know...is about what you did. I mean, beating up a priest? Really? I get being desperate but that's just stupid. I mean, you wanna end all this? You want a job that doesn't end with me killing you? Then don't be stupid. Don't get in the way of people trying to solve it. And, I don't know, maybe work toward ending this little lull of ours?"

He coughs a bit.

"Unless you think you can't. Then I'm sure I can relieve you of your duties."

[Rei_Jin]

He shakes his head quickly.

Nnnnno... I can help... I hear all kinds of things, maybe someone will say something 'bout them missing taxes... if they do, I'll tell the town guard, okay? Pppplease, don't kill me! I just wanted to have some warm food and a place to sleep for the night!

[Amotis]

Sodi sighs and narrows his eyes a bit. Watching how the man talks, how he stammers.

Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Rei_Jin]

You feel that he's telling the truth, he's too freaked out to be lying to you.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo helps the priest up.

Sure, we can get you to the temple. First, though, could you tell me your name and what you were doing when you got attacked? Anything that could help us learn more about who did this to you?

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Amotis]

Nodding once more, Sodi starts to untie the man's hands.

"That's good...umm...I'm sorry, I never got your name. Mine's Sodi.", he says matter-of-factly as he extends a hand.

"But very nice having this little chat. Here's a gold piece to find some housing this night, and some hot food. Oh, and please apologize to the priest before you leave. If he lets you leave, that is.", Sodi says as he unties the man's legs as well, placing a gold coin in the man's palm before helping him to his feet.

Sodi then smiles at the priest, waiting patiently for an answer from him.

[Rei_Jin]

The Thug lets himself be untied, and then gingerly shakes Sodi's hand.

I'm called Grit. Dunno what my parents called me, but that's what I go by now.

He takes the gold coin thankfully, and stammers a bit more.

I'm sorry, priest. It wasn't nothing personal, yanno? A man has to eat, and all... I'll come to the next mass you're having, an' apologise a bit more when I'm not covered in my own blood...

The priest looks to Grit, and notes his bruises and sorry state, listening to his apology before speaking.

Well, I guess that makes us even. These people served as St Cuthberts vengeance tonight, so YOU won't have to worry about our people hunting you down. And if you want to come to the next mass, you're welcome. Just remember to follow the law, and no harm will come to you.

My name's Ruphus Laro, I was on my way back to the temple after visiting the orphanage. Jenya, my superior, had heard of the missing children at the orphanage and she asked me to go over and have a look. I couldn't get in though, because of the mob.

He looks at the mask, now dull grey and shakes his head.

Those masks, they're worn by the local thieves guild, the Last Laugh. Not sure what they've got to do with all this, but they're an unsavoury lot at best. If you've made an enemy of them, I'd watch your back.

With that, Grit scampers off and Ruphus stands up.

Shall we go to the temple then?

[Toxic Avenger]

If needed, Kate also helps the priest get up, and adds a cheery "Certainly!" when Angelo assures him that he can be brought to the temple. When she hears the young Pelorite move on immediately to questioning, she raises an eyebrow, assuming that the man was still too worn out for answering.

She is just about to suggest waiting until getting to the temple to ask questions of the priest when he seemingly gets his second wind. Shrugging her shoulders imperceptively, she just stays quiet for the moment and watches the show, introducing herself when introductions are thrown around.

To Ruphus' question she replies with a smile, "Yes, let's go...I'm sure we'd all like to get out of the rain for a while."

[Rei_Jin]

The trip to the temple is uneventful, the rain finally starting to abait slightly. Rufus seems able to walk under his own speed, he's a little unsteady on his feet but with help from Angelo and Katherine he gets there just fine.

As you approach the church of St Cuthbert, you can't help but feel a little better about the night. The building itself is two stories tall, and made of white marble with vivid blue veins, in sharp contrast to the majority of Cauldron which is either wood, or black stone. A pair of white marble statues depicting armoured warriors stands on either side of the temple's heavy oaken door. Each of the statues raises a great mace to the rainclouds, and above the door's marble architrave are boldly inscribed the following words "WITHIN LAW LIVES HOPE."

Rufus makes his way up the stairs, and raps loudly on the door. About 30 seconds later, the door opens, with a small baldling man sticking his head out.

Rufus? Is that you? What are you doing out on this terrible evening?

I had some... problems, brother. Is Jenya still up?

Aye, she is, and in a terrible state. I'm guessing it's over you, she wouldn't give me word of why though.

Well, at least I won't have to wake her. Can we come in out of the rain? It's pretty miserable out here...

The door is flung open.

Of course! My apologies, I'd forget my own head if it wasn't attached, St Cuthbert guide me. Come in, come in. The sitting room has a warm fire and a good pot of stew if you have need of a meal.

Rufus motions to the hunters.

Would you come in? I'm sure Jenya would want to meet you and thank you in person. You've saved my life tonight, of that I'm sure.

[Taren]

Rilian became noticeably agitated as the group approaches the church. He didn't like clerics, even of those who preached of their deity's benevolence. The bad ones could be cruel, capricious, and sinister, but people had come to expect that behavior from them. The only good clerics he had met in his life on the streets had been those who saw fit to witness to the street rabble. The only mercy he'd ever seen one of them offer had a hook in it: "become one of the faithful and then you shall be fed." They preached of compassion... but were as stingy with their own as a merchant with his prices. He paid lip service to the god of thieves because of his circumstances, but his experiences had taught him not to put much faith in higher powers. If they were as dubious as their servants seemed, they couldn't be relied on.

He acknowledged that there were probably clerics out there not like that, but he had yet to meet any of them. He hadn't quite made up his mind about the priest of Pelor who he was working with yet.

He took a step forward towards the doors of the church, awkwardly, then another. Looking up at Rufus, he spoke up, for the first time since the man had awoken. "I-I'm sure she will." he said, intentionally noncommittal. He had never been inside a church before... he wasn't sure if he wanted to be here, even if it was to be thanked.

[PhoeKun]

It hadn't felt the way she hoped it would, to stare Evil in the face and strike it down. She stared into the rain as the thugs had scattered before her companions like leaves, stared into the rain as Sodi questioned his captive, stared into the rain as the priest was brought back to his feet. Following, of course, was automatic, but only after the trek was started (and a fair while after, at that) did she remember to return her sword and shield to their resting places.

But then... perhaps the reason it didn't feel right because what she faced wasn't Evil. That was just Cauldron, right? Just the symptom. An attack was stopped, and nobody died. An innocent was saved. Everything happened the way it should have. In any case, all this thinking and brooding wasn't getting anyone anywhere! A deep breath, and the cloud over her head departs as quickly as it came.

Noticing Rilian's agitation, Erica is quick to get close to him, offering a smile and a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"It's ok, the church won't bite." She giggles. "Maybe you're worried about the ones inside? People are people, don't you think? We take them each as we find them. Come on, smile! We did a good thing, let's feel good about it for a minute before getting back to worrying. What do you say?"

[Taren]

Rilian felt a hand fall on his shoulder. His entire body tensed and he jerked away. The grip wasn't that strong; he could break it. As he twisted, his head whirled around, eyes locking with hers for just a moment. His eyes betrayed fear. Anger. Desperation.

The grip wasn't strong. It wasn't trying to restrain him. It wasn't the tight, clamping grip of a guard seizing him as he held a lady's coinpurse in his hands. It wasn't.

He stopped and stood still. "Sorry. I... am not used to being touched." She had asked him to smile. After his reaction, he owed her at least that. His lips bent upwards slightly, as much as he could muster. It wasn't genuine, but hopefully it would satisfy her. "Y-yes. Let's f-feel good about what we've done. At l-least for now."

[Dhavaer]

"Within law lives hope." Ydresse murmurs, as if tasting the phrase, before shaking her head in dismissal. "The guard will be expecting our report." She reminds her comrades mildly.

[PhoeKun]

Erica frowns.

"You don't agree? You won't smile... or, you can't smile?" She sighs. "Well, let's make a deal, ok? We'll be brave, and go into this temple, without even worshiping their god! And then, when we get out, I'm going to stay with you and protect you until you learn how to smile for real. And, if I let you down, if I ever hurt you... then you get to pick my punishment, ok?"

She beams at the trembling young man, radiating an excess of confidence to make up for his seeming lack. And with that, she turns to enter the temple.

"Anyway, maybe they have a lead here the town guard doesn't know about... our report can wait a bit more, yeah?"

[Toxic Avenger]

Her sharp ears picking up bits and pieces of the other conversations going on, Kate chimes in on the subject of report giving. "Yes, Erica; I would also think it could wait. With all that we'll have to tell tonight, I'm sure they won't mind if we're a bit late."

Upon seeing the words inscribed above the door, Katherine ponders them for just a moment...

Hm. That reeeeeallllly depends on who made the 'law', doesn't it?

...before mentally dismissing them. All laws were superfluous, as far as Katherine was concerned...except one. And that one was more of a guideline, really. But, this was not a time to engage in philosophical debate, and the adherents to those four words certainly had the right to their own opinion...so long as they didn't force that opinion on others.

Not one to let her difference of opinion spoil the moment, however, Kate keeps a smile on her pretty face as she replies to Ruphus. "Sure, I think we can come in for a while...we'll have to be going before too long, though."

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo observes the unease shared by some of the others at the prospect of entering the temple. He never understood the fear that some people had of the gods. Sure there are evil ones, but there are also good ones that provide healing, strength, and guidance for those that worship them. He couldn't imagine trying to go through his life without the light of Pelor to guide him and it seemed to him that a life without faith would be terribly...lonely.

Come on, he says, mounting the steps. Clerics of St. Cuthbert can be stern, but they won't smite you for following a different deity, or none at all.

He bows to the other cleric as he reaches the top step. I would be very grateful for a place in your sitting room and a bowl of stew.

[Rei_Jin]

Rufus nods to the hunters, and heads in, motioning for them to follow him. The church itself is a stately affair, with a high ceiling and stained glass windows that flicker in the light of the many candles, the rain bouncing off the window surfaces with a tinkling like many bells.

He leads the hunters through the church and then to a door on the left of the main dais. He opens the door, and ushers them all in.

The room you enter is warm and well lit. Whilst it is made of marble like the rest of the church, there are many tapestries on the walls, as well as a bookcase filled with scrolls and texts. The tapestries seem to show the saints of the church in various scenes, and there is a large one of St Cuthbert himself, standing with a book in one hand, and his cudgel in the other.

On the floor of the room is several large cushions, big enough for someone to sleep in if the need came, as well as a few wooden chairs, and a large fireplace set into the stone itself.

The fire is glowing with heat and warmth, and there is a large stew pot over the fire, and a kettle sitting on the stones just in front of it. To the left of the fireplace is a table with some bowls and spoons, a ladle, and a large cob of bread.

There is another door leading out of the room, and Rufus makes his way over to it, indicating as he does to stay here.

He smiles to the hunters before he goes through.

Relax here, dry off and have some food. Jenya will see you shortly, and Brother Pindle will be here to look after you. I need to go and speak with her for the moment, but she shouldn't be long.

The priest who opened the front door nods, it seems he's Brother Pindle. He takes a wooden seat and settles himself in the corner near the food, offering to serve those who wish it.

There is a window in here to the outside, through it you see the occassional flash of lightning, shortly followed by a roll of thunder.

He looks out the window and sighs.

Flood season is fast approaching, I hope we'll be okay this year.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo deposits his soaking pack, cloak, helm, and crossbow by the fire. He graciously accepts a bowl of stew and piece of bread from Brother Pindle before taking a seat on one of the cushions.

So Brother Rufus told us that he was coming back from the orphanage when he was attacked. Is the Church of St. Cuthbert also investigating the disappearances?

[Rei_Jin]

Brother Pindle nods and hands him a bowl full of stew, smiling.

When the orphanage was being built, we helped with its construction. Since then, we have aided those who run it with both their spiritual and physical needs, as well as teaching the children reading and writing, as well as the word of St Cuthbert.

One of the main concerns there is with orphans, asides from their welfare, is that they are preyed upon by the thieves guilds for employment purposes. They take the children and exploit them, teaching them the way of the street and inducting them into crime. By teaching the children how to read and write, giving them a safe environment, and teaching them the words of St Cuthbert, we hope to minimise the harm that the thieves could do.

Within law lives hope, after all.

[PhoeKun]

"I'm pretty sure it's the other way around..." Erica muses as she stares out the window.

"I mean, Law's all well and good, but it doesn't really make people happy. Unhappy people don't like to follow laws, right? I think happiness comes first, and then it's Law's job to make sure it stays safe. It's about letting them hope, not making them hope... yes?"

She smiles softly, and then gestures towards the stew.

"Oh, uh, and can I get some of that. I didn't think I was hungry, but that smells really good."

[Rei_Jin]

Brother Pindle shrugs at Erica's words whilst handing her a bowl of stew and some bread.

There's a difference between happiness and hope. You can hope whilst being unhappy, can you not? Indeed, most people hope when they are unhappy. When they are happy, they have no need to hope.

St Cuthbert's word teaches that when the law is obeyed, then there can be hope. Without the law, there is no chance for hope as chaos and entropy rule.

Jenya was once an orphan, and she learnt of St Cuthbert through our work with the orphanage. The elders taught her to read and write, and the word of St Cuthbert. She grew up with the hope of salvation, and she is now one of our most senior priests, second only to Father Delasharn. Her adherence to the law and order within the orphanage helped set her apart from the other children, and her diligence at learning set her on the path to enlightenment.

[Toxic Avenger]

After finding a safe place where she can leave her weapons, Katherine places her pack and cloak close to the fire - but not too close. Then she also graciously accepts some bread and stew from Brother Pindle before sitting down on one of the wooden chairs.

For a few moments, Kate listens intently to the conversation, not surprised in the least when it makes its quick turn into the philosophical realm. Finally, after taking in some of the other viewpoints, she weighs in with her own. "Love..." she begins with the Celestial word for Love before catching herself, and pauses before continuing on in the Common tongue. "...I would think that within Love, lives Hope..."

[Dhavaer]

Her Ladyship mutters a spell and begins drying out her soaking clothes. "I had always heard it that where there was life, there was hope." She puts in.

[Rei_Jin]

Brother Pindle looks at the hunters curiously, and puts down the ladle before sitting down again, a sad look on his face.

You all have an opinion. That is good, at least you are willing to think about what it is that gives you hope. I have found in my life, that everyone has something different that they hold onto, something that gives them hope. For us, it is the law.

But, at least you can all hope. There are many in this city who have lost that. We have tried many things to help them, but there is only so much we can do, especially when the law is not just. We follow the laws of St Cuthbert, and try to follow the laws of the land, but that does not mean we agree with them all. The law on our special "taxes", for example. There are some laws that should not be, but we do what we can to change this, through politics and through appealing to the better natures of those in control.

He looks up and smiles

Let us be united in hope, regardless of how we find it, eh?

[Amotis]

Sodi enters behind everyone, giving a nod to Brother Pindle as he enters. Dropping his pack near the fire, he reflexively rips off a piece of bread and circles the room as the other talk. Listening. Tapestries. Window. Tapestries.

Munching along, he pauses at one of them. Looking up, he reaches out as if to touch it. Tactile.

Pause. Hesitates.

Retracts his hand, and turns back toward the group.

"Yes. That's true."

Pause. Hesitation.

"Right? I mean...well hope is leaking from our city. We need more comfort. Laws do comfort people..."

[Rei_Jin]

The door that Rufus went through swings open, framing an attractive woman. She wears the robes of the office of priestess, and her hair is long and dark, flowing down below her waist. She takes a quick note of the room and its occupants before she introduces herself.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Good evening to you all. My name is Jenya Urikas, Priestess of St Cuthbert. I understand I have you to thank for returning Brother Rufus to us. I would like to offer you all three things. Firstly, my gratitude for your aid to him. Secondly, a gift, to show our appreciation for what you have done. And thirdly, if you are willing, I would like to offer you all a job.

With that she offers a bag to Sodi, smiling at him as she does.

This is for you all, share them how you see fit.

When he opens the bag, he sees several small flasks with the holy symbol of St Cuthbert emblazoned on the neck.

They are holy draughts, they will heal your wounds in battle, and aid you should harm befall you.

She looks around the room to see the responses of the hunters, and waits for their questions

The potions are all maximised Cure Moderate Wounds potions, healing 19hp each. There are 6 of them in total.

[Amotis]

Sodi turns quickly as the door opens, the sudden movement in the otherwise calming environment throws him off for a second.

Narrowing his eyes in question as she approaches, he takes the bag.

Peering down he blinks and looks up. Nodding in understanding, still chewing on the last bits of bread, he reaches in.

Taking one out, he tosses it slight in his hand, feeling the weight. Dropping it carefully next to his pack, he hands the bag and the rest of the contents to Ydresse to pass it on.

Clears throat.

"Appreciated. However, you may not know, but we're currently employed. And unless your job correlates with our current one I'm afraid we have a priori - ...excuse me, I do not mean to speak for the rest of the...hunters."

[Rei_Jin]

Jenya nods.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Of course, I do understand. Do you have... a spokesman, or a leader who speaks on behalf of you all? And might I ask as to who your employer is, and what your current job is?

[Amotis]

With a confused **** of his head, Sodi gives her a strange smirk.

"Umm...the city guard. We're too help Cauldron out of this me-...spokesman?"

Sodi gives a quick look around, checking if any of the others find such a comment questionable.

"I don't quite catch your meaning, miss."

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Normally a group of adventurers like yourself would have a leader or a spokesperson, someone who negotiates deals and looks after misunderstandings with authority figures, which inevitably happens from time to time.

She chuckles, as if remembering something.

If you don't have a spokesperson, that's okay. I just thought you would have.

[Amotis]

Sodi gives her a shrug and turns back to the others. Maybe they had experienced something like this.

[PhoeKun]

"A spokesperson? Guess we hadn't thought about it... um, I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I'm sorta..."

Erica blushes.

"Er... Erica. Erica Shaareth. It's nice to meet you. Anyway, we're in the middle of helping the city guard, like Sodi was saying. Finding out about the disappearances, and stuff. Actually, would you happen to know anything about them?"

She stops, and seems to think. Then gasps, and shakes her head rapidly.

"N-not that I'm accusing you of anything! I just thought, you know, maybe you'd know something..."

She blushes again, and looks away.

[Toxic Avenger]

It was certainly true that the group had not yet chosen a spokesperson. Katherine felt that either herself or Angelo would be the best choice for the position, but she didn't like the idea of speaking for someone else without their prior consent.

Nevertheless, someone had to grab this proverbial bull by the horns, as the city guard was still waiting for the hunters to make their nightly report. Erica had made a valiant effort, but lost her momentum...and Angelo was still working on a bite of bread... So...

Kate takes a deep breath, smiles at Jenya, and lets her pleasant voice go to work.

"A pleasure to meet you, Jenya. Thank you for the gift and your gratitude, they are much appreciated." She takes a potion from the sack and passes it along. "I'm Katherine Reinhart..." Kate gestures to everyone in turn as she introduces them. "...and this is Brother Angelo Rinaldi, Lady Ydresse Mournevale, Rilian?...oh, there you are...Rilian Ilsen, and you've already met Sodi and Erica."

"As they said, we've been investigating the disappearances for the city guard. That, and we haven't chosen a spokesperson yet; we just started working together a few days ago, so we'll figure that out sooner or later. So far, we've managed to avoid any serious social mishaps." Katherine raps lightly on the wooden chair.

"Anyway, I don't think it would be too presumptuous for me to say that we'd all be interested in hearing your offer, Jenya..." Katherine looks about the room to see if there is any disagreement. If not, she continues. "...which I'm guessing has much to do with what we've already been doing. Yes?"

[Dhavaer]

Ydresse plucks a vial from the bag and passes it on to Katherine. "I speak only for myself, and little enough at that, though I could stamp something, if need be," she briefly raises a hand, showing the signet ring on her finger, "but I would indeed be interested to hear your offer."

[Rei_Jin]

Jenya nods.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Very well. In a way, you are correct, that your concerns and mine are similar. We are concerned about the disappearing citizens, and especially the lost children. Whilst we don't agree with the laws regarding the "taxes", what is happening is beyond any kind of reprisal from the Brotherhood for the loss of their delivery. We believe that there may be another slaver in town, kidnapping people for their own ends.

To put it clearly, I'm asking you to investigate the disappearance of the children from the orphanage, find who is responsible, and bring them to justice. We can pay for your services, of course.

She stops, and takes a deep breath before continuing.

There have been four children taken. They all disappeared 3 nights ago, and their names were Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda, and Terrem. The orphanage itself is two stories tall, as you know. The children sleep on the second floor, girls in one large room, the boys in the other. The strange thing is that none of the children or the staff in the building saw anything that night to hint at what happened.

I looked into the disappearances personally when word first came to me of the missing children. Some of the carers thought that perhaps the children were hiding in the orphanage, or that maybe they had snuck out somehow and had gotten lost in the city.

But, they could not be found. All the windows and doors were locked, even the door from the children's room to the rest of the orphanage was locked. It's like someone walked through a wall, took them, and disappeared!

At this point she moves apart a fold in her robes, and pulls out a mace. It is very well made, and seems to reflect the light a little strangely, as if picking it up early. She also pulls out a small piece of parchment with her other hand, offering it to the hunters.

This is the Star of Justice, one of our most holy relics. It grants its wielder the ability to speak to the gods. I used it this evening, just before you came, and it gave me this message.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/DivinationNoteChapter1.jpg

Will you aid us?

[Toxic Avenger]

Having a big soft spot for orphans, Katherine made up her mind long before the question was asked. So, when the question finally does come, she answers without hesitation.

"Yes, absolutely." she replies with a nod, and then waits for everyone else to give their own answer.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo finishes his mouthful of food and takes one of the vials while his listens to Jenya.

Of course we will help. I can even ask the other clergy at the Shrine of Pelor here in town to keep their eyes and ears open as well.

He leans forward, reaching out for the piece of parchment.

Do you mind if I take a look at that? That riddle obviously seems to be the key to finding them and it would greatly help our investigation to keep it on hand. Would it be possible to get a couple of copies from you?

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Jenya nods, and hands over the parchment.

I've got a copy myself, on my desk. This one is for you. You can make as many copies as you like. And thank you.

You're all welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Just... help us find the children.

Please.

[PhoeKun]

"Don't worry, you can count on us!"

Erica offers the priestess an eager grin, then walks over to Angelo and speaks to him in a hushed voice:

"Uh... Angelo? The clergy of Pelor in this city is... um, basically you. Our temple's pretty much empty..." She looks at him sheepishly.

[Amotis]

Sodi listens to Jenya talk attentively, moving behind Angelo to peak over him shoulder and read the note.

"I think that's aligned enough, miss. Was planning on doing that anyway..."

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate also peeks over Angelo's shoulder, though since she's a bit shorter, she has to stand on her tiptoes and place her hands on his shoulders to steady herself.

While reading the note, Katherine asks, "So, how many extra copies do we think we should make? Two...? Three...? Or one for each of us...?"

[Dhavaer]

"Pass it around." Her Ladyship grumbles. Once she's had a read of the riddle, she mutters it under her breath several times, passing the parchment on. "That mace needs its thesaurus taken away..." She growls. "I think we need to find some of the orphans' hair, and they'll be in some underground slave market. Or maybe a house of healing? Does anyone know anything about malachite? I've got an idea that it's green, but beyond nothing."

[PhoeKun]

"Malachite? Yeah, it's a green stone. You can see it a lot in jewelry stores downtown... kinda cheap, though. I mean, if you polish it, it can be pretty, but it's still kind of second-rate as a gemstone. But there's still a lot of it for sale. I think there's a mine or something somewhere..."

Erica peers at the piece of paper again.

"Is there a rule or something that says this stuff can't be in plain Common? What's all this about locks and tooth doors, and how do you bind someone with half a dwarf? That sounds... gross."

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo cranes his neck to get a better look at the parchment.

Alright, let's take this line-by-line.

"The locks are the key to finding them." This could mean either actual locks or locks of hair like Ydresse said. Maybe there is a clue in the orphanage's locks?

"Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron." The curtain must be a metaphor for something that's hiding something else. The next bit, "below the cauldron," doesn't seem to mean an actual cauldron. I think we may need to look below Cauldron itself! The city is in the caldera of an ancient volcano, there must be an entire system of tunnels and caverns underneath. So "the curtain" is probably what conceals the entrance to those tunnels?

"Beware the doors with teeth." Maybe they're doors with spikes on them? Pointy gates? Doors with actual bas relief teeth? They're probably blocking the way we'll need to go.

"Descend into the malachite 'hold, where human life is bought with gold." Look at the punctuation for "'hold." The apostrophe means it must be a truncated form of another word. Maybe it means the malachite stronghold. Maybe Erica is on to something with the hidden malachite mine theory. The second part is obvious. "Where human life is bought with gold" must mean a slave market.

"Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long." So they must currently be held by a half-dwarf. "But not for long," which means he's planning to sell them soon.

He pauses to catch his breath.

I think we should bring this riddle for the Captain. He may have some valuable insight we may have missed.

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Jenya tilts her head on an angle for a second, as if thinking. She then speaks


Hmm, you may be on to something there Angelo. But, rather than ask the captain of the guard, I think you might be better served by looking into the orphanage. Not saying that you shouldn't share this with him, but I don't think he'll be much help. He's not too concerned about the orphans personally, asides from the political ramifications their disappearance causes.

There were old mines under the city, many years ago. The gnomes and dwarves worked and lived there, they called it J'zadirune. They abandoned it when a vanishing disease started affecting those who lived there, and it seemed to carry to anything made there as well. The industry was ruined, families ripped apart, and there was a lot of backlash from those who had bought the goods they supplied.

If you do go down there, be careful. Who knows what you'll find?

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo shrugs.

We still need to make a report to him anyway, so it's worth a shot. Thank you for the warning, we'll take extreme care if and when we go down there.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Doors with teeth...sounds like some sort of trap maybe..."

Shrugging her shoulders when her question about copies isn't answered, Katherine gets started with making her own copy while Angelo goes over the message line-by-line, listening while she writes.

Finally, Kate weighs in with her opinion. "I'd agree with Jenya about looking into the orphanage before talking with the guard about the message - if at all. If they were to get fully involved, then whoever is behind this would probably get spooked and move the children somewhere else."

[Amotis]

Sodi gives a nod as everyone starts to wrap up.

Holding a finger up, pensively, reflexively, he nods again.

"That's well and good. The only thing I have a problem with is...well, we owe the captain our time and priorities. We cannot assume to know everything about situation. ...Though I do agree, we must be hastily."

Sodi moves to pick up his pack and slings it over his shoulder.

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/Jenya_Urikas.jpg

Jenya nods

Well, if you need to put a report in tonight, you should go do that. When you're done, come back here if you would like to rest up and recover your energy. In the morning, I'll give you a letter with our seal on it, the carers at the orphanage will recognise it and help you out as best they can.

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate gently blows on her copy of the message for a few moments. Once convinced that the ink is dry, she stows it away in the driest part of her pack. She smiles big and gives a sigh of relief upon hearing of the sealed letter that is to be given out in the morning.

"Oh, that would be great! Thank you, Jenya. We wanted to get to the orphanage this morning, but we couldn't get closer than a stone's throw away."

[Rei_Jin]

After a while discussing various matters of citizen disappearances and unusual goings on, the hunters file out momentarily to report to the Town Hall.

There, the Captain of the guard, Terseon Skellerang takes in their report, nodding grimly before giving each of the hunters their pay, a small bag with 10gp in it for each one.

You needn't report until you have something further, or if there is an uprising. Stay in touch.

Oh, and find those kids. I'll have that uprising within a week otherwise.

With that dour warning, they head back to the temple, and a night of rest. The rain continues to pour down outside, but in the safety of the temple they get their first good sleep since this whole debarcle started.




The next morning....



The sun rises, and the rain has cleared. Outside, citizens are airing their bedding and starting work for another day. Breakfast this morning is fresh fruits and porridge, cooked over the coals of last night's fire. Brother Pindle is there, reading a scroll and deep in thought.

On the table near him is a rolled parchment with the seal of St Cuthbert on it. When the hunters awake and start to stir, he gets Katherines attention and offers her the scroll.

Jenya made this up for you and has gone to work in the temple. Please don't let her down, we're all depending on you.

Outside you can hear the sounds of the city as it wakes for a new day, with cries from the marketplace carrying word of fresh food and wonderful trinkets, as well as the occasional outburst.

Such is life here, in the Cauldron.



What's the plan guys? Discuss it and then move out!

[Amotis]

Sodi wakes early. His soft steps make for the outside as quickly as possible. The sun's bright, mustn't wake the others, wait for the sun. How it cuts right through you.

Watching the city from outside the temple, Sodi takes a few moments to fully awake. Blinking slowly. Wiping the sleep from his eyes. Breathing in, the air, always seems more fresh in the morning. More quick.

Back inside, he sits down and works at a bowl of porridge.

"The orphanage awaits."

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine awakens with quite a peaceful look on her face. After looking about for a moment, she pulls what looks like a small diary out of her pack and begins to write very quickly and intently, almost as if she is trying to get her thoughts on paper before they vanish from her mind.

After a few minutes, she closes the little book and puts it away before heading for the fireplace to greet Brother Pindle. As she accepts the scroll, Kate looks him in the eyes reassuringly. "We'll do everything we can to find them, Brother Pindle. Of that much, I am sure."

Katherine then gets a start on breakfast, greeting Sodi when he comes back inside. "Good Morning, Sodi. How is it outside?" In reply to his statement, she says, "Yes, it does...our first stop of what I'm guessing will be many today."

[Amotis]

Letting off an acknowledging grunt, Sodi turns to Katherine slowly. As awake as he seems, his eyes focus slowly. Taking a while to meet Katherine's, and while there, seem distant.

"Decent. We leaving?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo rises before the dawn, dresses quickly, and sets out into the city. The time just before dawn was always Angelo's favorite time of day. It's his time to have the city all to himself as the criminals and ne'er-do-wells of the night go to sleep and the honest folk of the daytime have yet to awake. As the sky lightens, recoloring the city, the smells of the night give way to the smells of the daytime. Last night's rain scoured the city, washing away the layers of dirt and grime and making the day's smells seem fresh and clean. Angelo reaches the Shrine of Pelor as the first fingers of sunlight begin to climb over the rim of Cauldron's caldera. When he leaves the shrine again after his hour of worship, dawn has fully broken and the city has begun to stir. Windows are thrown open, bedding his hung out to air, merchants begin to open their stalls, and fishermen start to come in from the lake with their catch.

Angelo returns to the temple to find Sodi and Katherine to already be awake and eating. He helps himself to some fruit and porridge and takes a seat with the others.

Good morning, he says cheerfully, around a mouthful of porridge. It's a beautiful morning. So what's the plan for today? We're heading to the orphanage, right?

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate nods to Sodi. "Mm-hmm...soon as everyone is ready, or we get tired of waiting... Oh. Good Morning, Angelo."

Answering the cleric's questions, she says, "Yes, the orphanage first...then we see where that leads us." She holds the scroll out for both to see. "We shouldn't have any problems getting in today, no?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo nods his head.

I sure hope not.

[PhoeKun]

"Today's the day we make some real progress. Can't you feel it?"

Erica joins the others, looking refreshed and chipper. One wonders where she stores all the extra energy...

[Toxic Avenger]

With a playful smile, Kate says, "More positivity, Angelo. We will get in today."

"G'morning, Erica. Oh yes, I can feel it. It's going to be a very busy day, I think."

[Dhavaer]

Ydresse takes her seat at the table, stretching as she cools down from her morning exercise. "The weather has improved." She notes. "Perhaps a good omen. In any case it will be nice to walk without worrying about falling on my rump." Her Ladyship takes a peach from the selection of fruits and bites in. "Has anyone's dreams been relevent to our riddle. I have not been able to dismiss the idea of fog when I think about the curtain we are to look beyond."

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate smiles at Lady Mournevale and says, "Good Morning, Ydresse. My dream was interesting, but I doubt it was relevant to our riddle. As for the curtain...well...it could very well be fog, but I'm wondering if it could be just that - a curtain?"

[Taren]

Rilian walked down the stairs, trying to make himself look as small as possible. He'd figured out early on in his life that people didn't notice you as much if you were small. It was why he had gotten into the habit of slouching, even though it had pissed off his dad that he wouldn't sit up straight.

Looking over at his comrades, he walked up towards them. "U-um... if I could... When we get to the orphanage, would any of you mind if I looked at the locks? I... my dad used to make them. Locks, I mean. I kinda used to look over his shoulder and watch how he did it, so I thought...if there was something strange about them... maybe I'd notice?" He stared at the ground, avoiding eye contact, and fidgeted with his fingers nervously.

He made a note to practice speaking. He had never been particularly good at it, but this was supposed to be his fresh start... he needed to stop thinking like he was on the streets.

[PhoeKun]

Erica smiles approvingly at Rilian, nodding eagerly at his suggestion.

"Really? That'd be great! That must be a really useful skill... we're really lucky to have you with us, Rilian!"

Not lost on her are the various and sundry reasons why something like that could be useful, but since the boy is clearly not a bad person, Erica figures his reasons for keeping the skill sharp are his own. It certainly wouldn't do his confidence any good to confront him, and that was far more important than whatever he used to do...

[Taren]

"Well, I...I could try, anyway. I haven't actually did much with locks since my dad died... it was a while ago, and I haven't used those skills in a long time." He smiled... Miss Erica was one of the first nice people he'd actually met in a few years, and he wondered if he should reassure her that he'd never used what he'd learned from his dad to steal from other people...

He was also praying fervently inside that she didn't ask if he had ever cut purses. He was a terrible liar.

[Dhavaer]

Ydresse nods to Katherine. "It could very well be, although I would have a hard time believing that mace could ever be so straightforward. Fog is perhaps not much more likely, though."

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo shrugs.

Could be fog, could be a curtain of water, could be just a curtain, could be something we haven't thought about. We should keep our eyes peeled for anything.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Good point, Ydresse...that would be too easy, wouldn't it?" Katherine shows a wry smile. "Maybe it's more likely that both of our assumptions are wrong..."

Kate turns toward Rilian when he approaches and listens what he has to say. He obviously has a bit of a hard time with it, but still he says almost more in that minute or so than he has said for the last few days. Kate can't help but smile. Rilian is beginning to open up, which is definitely a good thing.

[Amotis]

Sodi, grabbing his pack off the floor, scoots his chair out nosily. A bit impatient of all the hesitation (and the discussion of dreams), he stands quickly.

"Let's not let some vague intangible barrier worry us. If we keep walking...well we keep walking. Tear down the walls if we have to."

He smirks.

"Come. Let's turn words into roads."

And heads out the door.

[Toxic Avenger]

Having finished her breakfast, Kate was ready to go herself. She watches Sodi go off alone, and then smiles at Rilian as she asks, "Rilian, have you eaten yet? If not, it looks like you'll have to eat fast; a full belly might better help you to remember those skills."

Katherine gets up from her chair, tucks the scroll away in her pocket, and hoists her pack. "I was hoping we'd all go together...but if there's still a crowd at the orphanage, Sodi might get into trouble by himself. See you all when you get there... Good Day, Brother Pindle." She hurries toward the door, picking up her longspear before running out into the street after Sodi.

[Rei_Jin]

The hunters have their fill of breakfast and head out into the street, towards the Lantern Street Orphanage. The streets are crowded, but everyone seems to be withdrawn slightly, as if expecting the worst to happen at any moment. The feeling in the air is one of dread, of fear of reprisal, and being unaware of the form that that reprisal will take.

Other than that, the walk to the orphanage is uneventful, and it takes about 30 minutes.

The orphanage itself is two stories high, made of black stone on the ground floor, with the second floor made of wood. The front door is closed, although there is no mob today (as yet, at least). To the rear of the building, you see a male half-orc wearing utilitarian clothing, sweeping the cobblestones clean. He looks up at you, nods, and continues with his work.

Inside you hear the sound of children playing.

[Taren]

As Kate addresses him, Rilian looks down and mumbles something nearly incoherent. After eating a brief, yet ravenous meal of porridge and fruit, he has started to warm to the situation in the church a bit more. It had been the most substantial meal he'd had in weeks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of children playing made Rilian smile, just a bit. As they reached the orphanage, he couldn't help but think of his own childhood... playing street games with the other children, watching his father as he worked... reading the few precious books that his only parental figure had been able to afford for him... They had never owned much, but the memories were still happy ones.

He stuck close to Kate and Erica as they approached, but the half-orc near the back of the building caught his attention. He turned and began to approach the other man. "H-hello... um, do you work here?"

[Rei_Jin]

The half-orc continues his sweeping until Rilian gets closer. He looks up again, and shrugs.

Me work here, me jan-i-tor. Clean, polish, fix, do whatever boss says.

He goes back to his sweeping, seemingly uninterested in the conversation.

[Amotis]

Sodi walks solidly toward the orphanage. Watches the people distantly. Their nervousness was contagious.

Following the rest of the group and giving the half-orc a slightly confused side-ways look, almost surprised to see him here.

But brushes it off.

"Where's your boss?"

[Rei_Jin]

The half orc stops his sweeping, and pauses as if thinking, before he starts to sweep again, speaking as he does.

You means Miss-tress Tash-eek? She inside, but she not like talk to people since problems came. You go knock on front door, maybe she talk to you?

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine waves and nods to the half-orc with a cordial "Good Morning!" as she keeps heading toward the front door.

Once there, she knocks on the door gently but firmly, and makes sure that her longspear - which is now peacebonded - is out of view. Don't want to scare the kids now, do we?... she thinks to herself. Whether she has to lay the spear down on the ground or give it to someone else for a few moments, it does not matter to her.

As an afterthought, she pulls the scroll out of her pocket.

[Amotis]

Grunting in what seems to be appreciation, Sodi heads toward the front. His eyes trace up and down the building. Walking through walls? How...cowardly.

Something races vague and anxious through his mind. Coward. Watches his fellow hunter raise her hand to knock. Heroes always knock.

Knocking.

Right?

[Baerdog7]

Angelo

Angelo grabs an orange just as all the heroes are leaving the temple, peeling and eating it as they walk.

It's fascinating how much the city can change in so short of a time. Just over an hour ago, the city felt fresh and clean. People were coming out of their houses to greet the new day. Now...now the city feels afraid. It feels like there is an axe over the city and everyone is waiting for it to fall.

He passes most of the rest of the walk mulling this over.

When they reach the orphanage, he thanks the janitor for his help and waits with the others for someone to open the door.

[Rei_Jin]

A few moments after the hunters knock, the door opens slightly and an elderly halfling woman peers out at them with suspicion.

Who sent you eh? You're not more troublemakers like yesterday, are you? Got no time for troublemakers, or for lawbreakers here.

Well, speak up!

She seems quite upset about something.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine shows the scroll given to her by Brother Pindle. With a nod and a reassuring smile, she says, "Priestess Jenya Urikas has sent us here. I assure you that we are not troublemakers, and that we are here because we want to find the missing children."

[Rei_Jin]

She snatches the scroll, notes the seal on it and nods before opening and reading it, mouthing the words as she does. She gets to the end of it, and sighs. Her face softens slightly, but as she speaks they can hear the weariness in her voice.

Well, you'd best come in off the street then. I'll do what I can to aid you, St Cuthbert knows I could do with some help right now.

She leads the hunters into her office without exception, and closes the door behind them.

So, what is it you need to know? Jenya wrote that you're here to help with the missing children...

And I'm sorry I was short with you before, with all that's happened lately I was expecting more trouble, not help. Not that many are willing to stick their necks out for someone else these days.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine nods in thanks and follows the halfling woman inside, waving to the others to follow.

-----

In the office:

"Well, we'd like to take a look around, if that's okay. We believe there might be some clues that could lead us to the children...with the locks, most specifically."

With a smile and a nod, Kate adds, "And no, don't worry about that...perfectly understandable. Was it the mob who was causing you trouble yesterday?"

[Rei_Jin]

She sighs, and runs her hands through her short grey hair before speaking again.

Yes, the mob was quite a bit of trouble. For a while I was worried that they were going to lynch me. Thankfully the town guard managed to convince them otherwise, but if something isn't done soon I dread to think what will happen.

You're welcome to look around the grounds and building as much as you like.

She hands Angelo a key

That should get you in everywhere, it's my key after all. Please return it when you're done, I'd hate to have to go back to Keygan to get another one.

Just so you know, there's five workers here other than me. The gardener is a dwarf the children call Copperbeard, he's been here since the start, as have I. The nurse is called Neva, she's a human but I won't hold that against her

She chuckles a little, and then continues

No, I kid. She's great with the children. Temar Flagonstern is the cook, another human and married to Neva. They couldn't have any children of their own, St Cuthbert bless them, so they work here and treat the children like their own flesh and blood.

Then there's Willow. She's the teacher, and a half-elf. Nice lass, very quiet outside of the classroom and quite gentle.

And lastly, there's Patch. You probably saw him outside sweeping. He was an orphan here once. Like Jenya though, he came good. He was never going to be a great warrior or crafter though, he's missing his right eye you see... so we gave him a job here.

So, that's our family. You can understand why we're confused, it CAN'T have been one of us, and as I have the only key, I know it wasn't stolen or lost by someone else...

How on Oerth did they get in and out? And WITH the children as well!

She seems exasperated and upset.

[Taren]

Rilian shifted himself and looked at the short lady. "U-um... if you don't mind... where do the children sleep at n-night? D-do they share a single room or are t-they separated?"

[Toxic Avenger]

While Katherine mentally takes in all the names and commits them to memory, she can't help but smirk when the halfling makes the good-natured jab at humans. Not being fully human herself certainly makes that easier, even if she does pass as one quite well.

She smiles and reassuringly puts her hand on the halfling's shoulder as she says, "Don't worry, we will find that answer. Finding the children is our one and only task now, so we will focus all our attention on it until we find them." She glances around for a moment to confirm that the rest of the party agrees, even though she's assuming that they do.

Her eyes light up like she has forgotten something before she says, "Oh..please forgive my manners, I've forgotten to introduce ourselves. I'm Katherine..." she pauses for a moment to see if the others take care of their own introductions, and she goes on to finish them if not.

[Rei_Jin]

The halfling woman puts her hand over her mouth.

Oh, I'm so sorry! I forgot as well! My name is Gretchyn Tashykk

She listens and nods as the other hunters introduce themselves, and then answers Rilian.

The children all sleep on the second floor. There are four rooms up there. One for the boys, one for the girls, one for the staff who wish to stay overnight, and one for a medical bay in case one of the children takes ill during the night. Neva and Temar have their own home in town, Copperbeard likes to sleep in his workshop, and Patch tends to sleep near the fire here on the groundfloor. Willow and I sleep upstairs. We were here when the kidnappings occured.

When I go to bed, I check on the children, ensure all the windows are locked, then lock the door to their rooms behind me as I leave. In the event of a fire, the children know to break the windows and climb out to safety.

But none of the windows or doors were unlocked! Not before I went to bed, and not after I got up to find them gone!

[Toxic Avenger]

After a long moment of thought, Katherine asks, "You keep the key with you at all times...right, Gretchyn? And that's the only copy...? Oh, wait. A bit ago, you implied that someone else has a key...Keygan, right?"

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen nods her head.

This key doesn't leave me, except with people that I can trust. I've had to give it to Jenya when I was ill so she could look after the children, and now to you, but other than that I've not had to give it to anyone else. Keygan Ghelve made all the locks, he's the only locksmith in town that's still in business. He wouldn't have a key, but if anyone COULD make a key, it would be him. But he's made the locks for most, if not all of the town. He wouldn't have anything to do with the break in, not unless he wants to be run out of town...

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine nods. "Hmm... Yes, that would be professional suicide, wouldn't it?"

She turns toward her fellow hunters. "I'm thinking we should talk to him anyway, though, just to make sure we haven't left any stone unturned. Agreed?"

[Dhavaer]

"Lady Ydresse of Mournevale." Her Ladyship introduces herself with a nod. She looks around at the orphanage. "When was this building constructed?"

[Amotis]

Sodi raises an eyebrow at Gretchen. Her pokes at humans. He smiles to himself. That's funny. Clearing his throat, Sodi beings to walk around slowly, looking about studiously.

"Let's not walk that path quite yet. There are dozens...if not more, faces we can trace and accuse. Too many. So let's start simple. Here. Did the children see anything?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

My name is Angelo Rinaldi, cleric of Pelor, as I'm sure you can see, he explains as he accepts the key.

He takes a step back, listening to what the others have to say before speaking his own piece.

[PhoeKun]

"I'm Erica Shaareth. It's very nice to meet you. I'm sorry it isn't under better circumstances, though. But don't you worry about a thing. We'll take a look around here, ask some questions, and be on the trail. We'll find them. That's a promise."

Erica's ever-constant smile is reassuring, but belies the confidence in her eyes. They'd find everyone within the week, or she'd eat her favorite dress. She turns to Katherine, nodding.

"I think it'd be a great idea to see Mr. Ghelve after this. At the very least, it has to help to know how he made the locks. Maybe he had a second key that got stolen?"

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen furrows her brow in thought for a moment.

Hmmm... it was built 42 years ago, give or take a few months. And none of the children saw anything as far as they've told us, although there is one boy who swears he saw something in a dream...

[PhoeKun]

"A dream? Would it be all right if I talked to him?"

Erica runs a hand through her hair as she thinks. It's a long shot, but sometimes these turn out to be more than mere dreams...

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen nods.

Of course. His name is Andro, he's about 8, human, and has short cropped brown hair. He's a little hyperactive, but a good boy most of the time. Did you have any more questions for me before we go and find him?

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate glances at Sodi with a feigned look of confusion, and raises an eyebrow. "Did I say 'accuse'? I don't think I did..."

She nods back to Erica. "Right. He could be involved indirectly, and not even know it. If that's the case, I'm sure he would appreciate us letting him know."

Replying to Gretchen's last question, Kate says, "No more from me right now, Gretchen. I may think of a few more before we leave, if that's all right."

[Dhavaer]

"Was is it built to be an orphanage?"

[Rei_Jin]

Yes, our building was built specifically to be an orphanage. It was constructed by the Church of St Cuthbert and the City, with labour donated by various nobles.

[Dhavaer]

Lady Ydresse's mouth twitches. "I just had a wonderful mental image of people in ermine robes working stone..."

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen blinks, then laughs

No no, nothing like that. They donated gold to be used to pay for labourers, although I'd love to see some of those stuffy nobles come down from their thrones and do some real work. Not all nobles are like that, but a lot of the ones around here are. Just drop by the Cusp of Sunrise if you want to know what I mean.

[Dhavaer]

"I'm aware of my peers work ethic, or lack thereof. But I'll drop by the Cusp if I get the chance, I could use a laugh. Even Mournevale was never as depressing as Cauldron."

[Amotis]

Sodi shakes his head at Kate, seemingly oblivious that the question was nothing more then a question.

"Implied, miss. Now Andro, you said? Good strong name. Let's meet him."

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen nods.

Okay then. Come with me.

She motions for the hunters to leave the room, and closes the door behind her as she joins them. She leads them down the corridor to a door that has a window in the top half of it. Those that look through the window can see a classroom full of children, sitting attentively on the floor listening to the words and watching the writing of a slim female half-elf. Gretchen knocks on the door, opens it, and walks in.

Excuse me children, Miss Willow, but I need to have a word with Andro. It's about the missing children. Andro, can you come out with me for a few minutes? There are some people here who'd like to ask you about your dream.

A tall thin lad stands up nervously, looking to the half-elf and Gretchen with concern. The half-elf nods, and he scurries over to Gretchen, his classmates watching as if mesmerised by the whole event. Gretchen motions for him to leave the room, and follows him out, shutting the door.

As the door closes, fervoured whispering can be heard from inside the room, followed by a stern cough.

Gretchen, these people are here looking for Deakon, Lucinda, Evelyn, and Terrem. Jenya sent them here to help us. I told them about your dream, and they wanted to hear it from you, they think it might help. Can you tell them?

Andro nods and coughs nervously, then starts to talk, looking down.

Well Miss, I was in bed like I was told to be, and something woke me up, like someone creeping around, yanno? Then the shadows started moving, and this creepy gnome jumped on my bed! He had crooked teeth and a tattered cloak, and this weird bottle that he was holding towards me. He had one of his fingers on his lips, like he was telling me to be quiet, and he was giggling! I screamed and screamed and screamed, but no sound came out, only this weird mist, and it went into the bottle! I was real scared Miss, and when he shook the bottle, it made a quiet little scream, and it sounded just like me Miss! He then put his hand over my mouth and nose with a cloth, and my head went all woozy, and I passed out. I thought it was real, but the other kids, they said that they didn't see or hear anything, and there was no cloth, and my voice worked fine when I woked up! I screamed and screamed and screamed until you came in Miss, and that's when we found the others gone! I reckon the gnome took them Miss!

Whilst he's been relaying this, tears have been running down his face. Seems the whole thing was quite traumatic for him.

[PhoeKun]

Erica nods in all the right places as Andro tells his story, squatting down to eye-level with him as he finishes his story in tears, ready with a comforting smile and soothing voice.

"Thank you, Andro. That was very helpful. Thanks to you, we'll be able to stop that gnome, and bring everyone back here. You be sure to brag about that to them when we do, ok?"

[Taren]

Rilian sighed at the boy's story, keeping any doubts he had from showing on his face. He didn't know much about magic. Nor did he know much about kidnapping children at night. But he did know how people acted when they were scared, and the tricks that fear played on the mind. Andro's story sounded like a load of hogwash to him... too insubstantial to hold any truth to it. The work of a boy's imagination. If there had been any truth to it at all, why would the kidnappers have left the child behind? But he chose not to say that in front of everyone else. This was his fresh start; to call a crying child a liar would be nothing but cruel.

Except there was one bit... one tiny little detail of the story that stuck in his mind. Something that seemed strange to him. If there was even the slightest grain of truth in the dream... He cleared his throat and spoke up after Erica had finished comforting the boy. "A-Andro. When the bad g-gnome put cloth o-over your nose, d-did it smell s-strange to you at all? Could you s-smell anything at all that night?"

Before the child could reply, he took a few steps back, letting Erica and the others stay in the forefront. He shouldn't have spoken up... it was a stupid question to ask a child. It's just that... street criminals didn't choke someone to knock them out. It took too long, and gave them the chance to fight back. But covering the face with cloth didn't necessarily mean choaking... He sighed. It was still foolish of him to speak up.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo listens attentively as the child relates his story. While many of the details could have been dream-like halluciations, the idea of a gnome kidnapper might have substance.

Huh, that's a really good point Rilian. The idea of having some type of chemical on the cloth seems pretty plausible to me. It could explain why none of the other children saw or heard anything, if we assume that the gnome had knocked them out with it as well.

[Rei_Jin]

Andro looks up, sniffing, his eyes red and watery.


Ummm... it smelt funny, kinda like the stuff that Miss uses to clean the toilets. But it wasn't just in the cloth, it was all through the room!

But the smell wasn't there when I woke up! I don't know where it went... it was such a strong smell too!

[Taren]

Rilian mumbles something about how it wasn't really that clever an idea, and turns away from the group... he had forgotten his original purpose here.

He approached the door of the room they were standing in and sat down, so that he was eye level with the doorknob. It was time to examine the locks.

[Rei_Jin]

Rilian takes a look at the locks, first examining the one to the classroom, then the others throughout the building. They all seem to be the same, keyed to the same lock and constructed with precision and quality in mind. It's not the kind of lock that just anyone could pick, indeed, without the time to properly examine the lock he doubts that he could pick it himself, and maybe not even then.

None of the locks on the childrens rooms show any signs of tampering, and when they are tested with the key they work smoothly and efficiently. Obviously these locks are well looked after.

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate kneels down next to Andro and smiles at him reassuringly as she produces a bright blue handkerchief from one of her pockets. After offering the handkerchief to the young boy, she asks, "Andro...could you see anything else in the room besides that nasty gnome, or just the moving shadows you mentioned before?"

[Taren]

Rilian heaves a deep sigh and stands back up. As far as he could tell, the locks of this place were superior to anything he'd gotten used to seeing. If the locks "were the key", then it was a well hidden key.

He'd been hoping for some sort of mechanical defect. Or something...something that he could show to everyone. But unfortunately, there was nothing.

[Rei_Jin]

Andro gratefully takes the hankerchief, and blows his nose.

I'm sorry Miss, I just miss Terrem and the others, and that gnome was really scary, I'm afeard that he's going to come back for me...

He takes a few moments to calm his nerves, and closes his eyes.

Okay, let's see... in the room, I could see the other beds and the kids, but it was hard to see cos it was dark Miss. Ummm... the moving shadows were real scary, they were "ford-boating"? Is that the word? When something's scary but it leads to something scarier? Yeah, I think that's the word.

And that bottle...

He shudders at the memory and looks down again.

[PhoeKun]

Erica quickly glances around to all her teammates, with a silent look that says not to press the matter anymore. The poor kid wasn't going to hold up under much more questioning and reliving of that night. She gently puts a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"It's ok. You don't have to say anything more. Don't you worry - like I said, we'll take care of that gnome before you know it, and then Terrem and all the others will be back here with you. No shadows are going to stop us; we're the good guys!"

She grins, and after making sure he's ok and sent along on his way, she turns her attention to Rilian. One look at him is enough to know he didn't find what he was hoping for. Still, she walks over to him.

"Say, do you think there might be more than one key, after all?"

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen nods at Erica's words, and gives Andro a hug.

You'll be okay Andro. Go see Neva, she'll get you a drink and something to eat. You don't need to go back to class until after lunch if you need some time. Maybe Patch would play a game with you?

He looks up and smiles.

I'd like that, he's fun to play with.

Go on then, off to the kitchen with you.

He nods and scampers down the hallway, turning left into the kitchen.

Is there anything else I can help with?

[Taren]

"M-maybe." Rilian closed his eyes and thought back to his days at Dad's shop. "You'd just need a mold of the key.. even a wax one. Or the person who made the key or the l-lock, or both. But...um... i-it could also just be a s-skeleton key of some s-sort. I can already t-tell these locks probably haven't been p-picked..." He paused for a moment, taking a breath. "L-lockpicks aren't the gentlest thing you can d-do with a lock. They w-wear down tumblers and things. These look a-almost new."

He looked down at the floor. "S-sorry I couldn't help more. Maybe when you guys go talk t-to the lockmaker h-he can help you."

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine notes Erica's silent look and nods in agreement. Once Andro is finished with the handkerchief, she puts it back in her pocket.

{OOC: Short post...the Mrs. is bugging me again...}

[Dhavaer]

Lady Ydresse follows Rilian to the children's room, watching over his shoulder as he examines the lock. She focuses on the metal, then washes her gaze over the room.

Use Arcane Attunement to cast detect magic

[Rei_Jin]

The Lady looks over the room, and whilst she doesn't see any persistant magical auras, she does notice magical residue, afterimages of where magic was once used.

The reflection seems to be coming from the curtains on the far wall, where the windows to the outside are.

[Dhavaer]

Her Ladyship briefly examines the curtains, then goes to find Kate. "It would seem that you may be right about the curtain in the riddle. Someone has used magic on the one in the childrens' room."

[Toxic Avenger]

"Oh, let's go see..." Katherine heads toward the room in question. "Magic on the curtain? Were you able to tell what type of magic it was, Ydresse?"

Upon arrival, Kate's eyes sweep the room. "I don't suppose there would be a cauldron in the room as well? That would be too easy, unless..." She stops herself mid-sentence, because finishing it with '...unless the riddle actually meant a chamberpot.' would not be in good taste...

She shakes her head, disgusted by the fact that she even thought it... {OOC: Curse you, lack of sleep! *shakes fist*}

[Dhavaer]

"Dual-schooled; conjuration and transmutation. Some manner of teleportation, I imagine. My guess is there's some gnome skulking about with a magic trinket, though I've little basis for the speculation."

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen wanders into the room, having heard the conversation on her way up the stairs.

Magic huh? Well, that would explain how they got in I guess, but why did they take two boys and two girls? And why not take Andro, if what he says happened really did happen and he saw them in the act?

[Taren]

Rilian sighed. Ydresse seemed quite capable...the sort of person he wanted to become. She had found the solution to the entrance so quickly when he hadn't had a clue.

But the woman had a good point. "M-maybe... maybe t-the gnome wouldn't take him b-because he saw." He shrugged. It made about as much sense as anything else.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo strokes his chin in contemplation, turning toward Gretchen.

We have reason to believe that the abducted children have been taken to a slave market which may or may not be located in the cave systems underneath the city. It's possible that the kidnappers were simple seeking to fulfill a quota, not snatch and grab as many kids as possible. If this is the case, it could explain why they simply incapacitated Andro instead of taking him as well.

He shrugs and looks at the others.

Of course, there's also the possibility that this entire theory is bunk.

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen looks at him in horror

Slavers? HERE? Are you certain? This may not be the last attempt to take our children then! The only blessing is that if they were taken by slavers, then they're most likely still alive.

Please, you MUST find them quickly. Terrem was a sickly boy, he needs his medicine regularly or he will become quite ill. They didn't take it with them, it's been nearly two days since he was taken. The herbalist told me that he has to have it at least every 5 days or he may not survive. I didn't want to say anything because I thought the children either dead or long gone from the city, but if there's a chance that they're still here...

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine examines the curtains. "Hmm... Ydresse, I know just barely enough about magic to be dangerous, and not in a good way...but the presence of transmutation tells me that there's more than just teleportation at work...or am I wrong...?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo nods at Grechen.

Yes, if they were taken by slavers then they are most likely still alive. I suppose that is the silver lining to this whole thing. The key is finding them before they get sold off. What kind of medicine does Terrem need? I think you should give me some to give to him once we find them.

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen hands him a bottle. It's made of glass and is sealed with a cork. When he opens it, it smells of bitter herbs and honey.

It's the only thing that seems to help him. When he goes a few days without it, he gets weaker and weaker until he can't stand up. The herbalist won't tell me what's in it, but as long as it helps him, then it can't be all bad.

Please, go see Keygan. He might know something that can help, and at least if nothing else you can rule out that option. Other than that, if you want to get into the mines below the city you'll need to find one of the old entrances. He's old enough that he might remember one of them, his parents lived there before the Vanishing took them.

[Toxic Avenger]

After looking out the window, Katherine says to no one in particular, "This may not be the curtain we're looking for after all..."

Heading back to the rest of the group, Kate adds, "I agree, Gretchen...it's probably time to see Keygan. I think that anything else we find here will just lead us in circles until we've ruled out the locks for sure."

[Amotis]

Sodi watches the others move about the room, taking their turns at conversation and investigation. He stands off to the side, thumbing his pack's straps, almost impatient.

"Won't tell? That's..."

Pause.

"Another day's work. It seems strange to leave Andro, however. Even if we were to consider slavers...well that still doesn't make sense. Why would anyone leave evidence? Well, if you wanted to prove something...but that's pointless. Cauldron is well aware of it's problem right now."

Pause.

"Maybe that's the point. Heh, maybe they're like us. Trying to bring good. Bring the city to it's knees. Show everyone what lies under the carpet, no? The laws everyone turns away from or chalks up to life. They're doing something alright...but I guess that's not the point."

Looking around for a second, Sodi nods like he understands something.

"Keygen? That's fine. Let's hurry."

[Rei_Jin]

Gretchen nods, and shows the hunters out gratefully, giving them directions to Ghelves Locks. The trip over there takes about 25 minutes by foot. The day is moving rapidly, with the sun quickly reaching its Zenith. People scurry about their business, glad for the activity to distract them from their problems.

As the hunters approach the end of their journey, they spy the building they're looking for. A small turret dominates the facade of this two story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in thick window frames. Beyond the turrets groundfloor windows sits a lovely display of locks, from small to large, complex to simple. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swings a simple sign that reads in common "GHELVES LOCKS", as well as some complex looking runes underneath them. Some of the group remember seeing the runes on several other stores, unsure what they might mean.

The door itself is solid oak with a glass panel. The sign on the other side of it read "OPEN FOR BUSINESS"

[Toxic Avenger]

While on the way to see Keygan, Kate walks next to Rilian for a while as she asks him a question. "Rilian, now I don't know anything about locks except that I put the key in and turn it, but I've always thought that you had to have the key in order to make a copy. Can a locksmith really make a copy without it?"

[Taren]

Rilian jerked upward as Kate asked her question. He turned his head up and looked at her. "I-it wouldn't be easy at all, b-but..." he rubbed his chin. "If s-someone built the lock, maybe." He straightened up. Talking about this sort of thing was one of the few things he really felt confident about. "For some locks. M-most non-magical locks are like i-incomplete things, you know? T-they w-won't do a-anything until you put a key in. Then they become whole a-an' they work, and you c-can open what they hold." He smiled, just slightly. This was familiar territory. He knew about locks. "If someone made a l-lock, t-they'd know how all the parts fit to-together. From that, you'd k-know how to make a key for i-it. T-to complete it." he shrugged. "Y-you make the lock f-first, and then you make k-keys to fit in it, you k-know? A'course..." He turned away "T-they'd have to be lots better with locks than m-me. And you'd have to k-know a lot m-more than me too. 'n have an excellent m-memory. You'd h-hafta remember where all t-the parts were, and the s-spacing, and the shapes of the t-tumblers, 'n everything else. 'd be easier with the shape of the key, like from a mold. B-but it might b-be possible." After a moment's silence, he added something. "P-probably f-faster just t-to make a skeleton key... if it's the r-right type of lock."

As the group of hunters approached Ghelve's Locks, Rilian stopped and frowned. "U-um... good luck in there..." Ghelve had been one of the masters who had turned him away after his dad had died. He doubted that the man would remember him kindly, and his presence might make Ghelve less than cooperative for everyone else. "I... I t-think I'll wait out here while you t-talk to him, ok?"

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine listens intently while Rilian talks about locks. With a nod and a smile, she says, "So it is possible, then. I would have never thought..." Her smile turns to a grin. "...but I don't mind being proven wrong, certainly not if I get to learn something new out of the deal. Thanks, Rilian."

Upon arrival at Ghelve's Locks, Kate puts a hand on Rilian's shoulder after he asks to remain outside. She smiles reassuringly and says, "That's all right, Rilian. I imagine this won't take long." He was quite nervous about going in - that much was obvious - but she wasn't about to ask him why, certainly not now...

Kate opens the door and walks on in. "Good Morning!...or is it Good Afternoon already?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

As Kate walks in and utters a greeting, she hears a ring sound from a bell attached to the door. The shop itself is neat, almost fastidiously so. There is a large wooden counter to the left, and a curtain blocking the way to the back of the store. From beyond the curtain, a voice calls out.

Yes, yes, good afternoon almost it is, but good morning for the moment!

A freakishly tall gnome walks through the curtain, with legs longer than even a normal human would have.

Yes, yes, it is good to meet you. I am Keygan Ghelve, owner and sole proprieter of Ghelves Locks, we've been in Cauldron for 3 generations now and over 100 years! Best, and only locksmith in town approved for business by the Lord Mayor, and proud of our heritage!

Now, I assume you're here on a matter of security? I have a wonderful range of locks, and if you're after something special I can make it on commission, or order it from Sasserine. Or do you need help fixing a broken lock perhaps, or maybe even some security work, to make your home or business safer and harder for those pesky thieves to enter, hhmm?

[PhoeKun]

Outside, Erica looks at Rilian with concern. He's clearly nervous, and much more so than usual. It seems like it would be a bad idea to leave him alone, but would it be even worse if it looked like she was coddling him?

"Are you sure? Well... please come in after us if something happens, all right?" She scratches her head, blushing a little. "Um... dunno what would happen, but just in case, you know?"

She offers a smile and heads inside in time to hear Keygan try his sales pitch.

"Well... actually, we'd like to talk to you about your locks at the Orphanage. Did you hear about the kids who got taken from there the other night? Well... it's weird. Your locks weren't damaged or anything, but they obviously didn't keep the kidnappers out, and the key there was accounted for. Was there another key or something? Or a way they could be, like... tricked open? Please, anything you can tell us will be a big help - we have to find those kids..."

It wasn't like Erica to press the issue like this, but since hearing about Terrem's illness, worry has been eating at her. She couldn't help but feel there was precious little time for her usual behavior.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine turns to whomever is next to her and quietly says, "Hmm...another curtain."

Looking back to the freakishly tall gnome, Kate smiles as she replies. "Pleased to meet you, Keygan; my name's Katherine, and yes, I guess you could say that we're here on a matter of security. These odd disappearances that have been happening lately have kept us all on the edge. You've heard about them, I'm sure..."

EDIT: {OOC: Blarg. I should have checked before posting. No time to fix it now...}

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan nods at their words, and motions with his eyes to the curtains, speaking as if nothing was wrong whilst trying to furiously get their attention that something very obviously IS wrong.

Yes, yes, I did hear of those poor missing children. Such a shame that those poor dears could disappear like that, without notice. I do hope you find the perpetrators soon! And yes, I did make the locks for the orphanage, but that was a very long time ago. I never made a duplicate key for the locks, it simply was never required. I daresay that someone with enough skill could open the locks with the right tools, or perhaps with magic, but otherwise they were built to be impregnable!

He then moves away from the curtain with a pleading look in his eye.

I'm certain there's nothing for you here, but if you're after a fine lock, then please look around. Oh, and be careful, some of them have sharp moving parts.

[PhoeKun]

"Um... well... sure. I guess it won't hurt to look, or something."

Erica shoots the super-tall gnome a confused look, and starts to drift towards the curtain, looking at locks along the way. Eventually, she gets to the curtain, and peaks curiously (and at least a little warily) behind it.

[Rei_Jin]

Erica looks through the curtain to see what appears to be a working space, with some personal touches. There's a workbench with various locks on it in different states of completion, a cup with steam rising out of it, a set of stairs leading up and down, which seems odd as this house is at street level, and a few pictures on the wall.

No sign of any intruders.

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate's eyes open wide in recognition of Keygan's message. She immediately liberates her longspear from its peacebond and nods to Mr. Ghelve as she replies, "Sure, we'd love to have a look around."

[PhoeKun]

Erica blinks confusedly, and steps through the curtain completely. Her voice calls back out.

"Hey, where do these stairs go? This where you keep your back stock?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan nods, as if in appreciation.

Well then, I might have something you're interested in, it's a device I picked up in Sasserine to deal with those nasty thieves. They like to Skulk around, y'see, and they can be oh so hard to spot. Well, I went and had a word with one of the mages there, and he made me this wonderful pair of glasses. Helps you see things clearer. Here, you should try them out!

He hands Kate a pair of large glasses, rimmed in rubber and designed to slip over the wearers head.

Oh, and those stairs? The ones up go to my sleeping quarters, the ones down go into the old ruins. Why?

[PhoeKun]

"The ruins? Why do you have your business built over something like that?"

Erica takes a look around, but finds herself afraid to touch what are obviously personal belongings. Curious about the mention of ruins, she heads down the stairs for a closer look. If she was right, this might be a way below to look for the children!

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan calls back to her

As I said, this business has been run by my family for more than a hundred years. When the ruins were actually running, they were known as J'zadirune, the mining town. We had a shopfront below as well as above.

Now that it's ruins now though, the stairs are still there simply as a legacy of days gone by. I never saw a reason to remove them as the storage comes in handy.

As Erica is looking around near the stairs, she feels a slight breeze on her back, and turns around to see a tall, thin, purple coloured humanoid, naked except for a cloak, lunging clumsily at her with a rapier.

[PhoeKun]

"What the!?"

Erica instinctively draws her shield and longsword as the purple... thing... lunges at her. On the stairs, it's hard to get a good stance going, but that doesn't stop her from taking a counter-swing at it, anyway.

Initiative - [roll0]

Attack - [roll1]

Damage - [roll2]

AC - 17 (15 if flatfooted)
HP - 55/55

[Rei_Jin]

Erica whips her longsword out and cuts the creature deep on its thigh, causing it to his out in pain before lunging at her again. This time though, it strikes true and pierces her elbow, causing blood to flow before stepping back and disappearing from view

Skulk - Initiative 18 - has disappeared from view, armed with a rapier, has taken 7 damage and appears badly wounded
Erica - Initiative 4 - in melee with a Skulk, longsword and shield ready, has taken 9 damage


Everyone else, roll initiative if you're in the shop and declare your actions

[Dhavaer]

Lady Ydresse readies her glaive and follows Kate's pointing hand, rushing towards the creature.

Initiative: [roll0]
Move behind Erica, ready action to attack the skulk.
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Spot: [roll3]

[Toxic Avenger]

{OOC: Before the mess started: }

Katherine takes the glasses and tries them on. "Well, not exactly my style, but they should do the job. Thank you, Mr. Ghelve."

She looks toward the curtain. Seeing that Erica has already disappeared behind it, she hurries on through it. With a somewhat exasperated tone in her voice, Kate calls out, "Erica, didn't you get the message?!?"

Initiative: [roll0]

[Rei_Jin]

Looking around the room, Katherine spots a cloaked humanoid hiding behind the bench after having attacked Erica. Erica, for her part is looking around for this beast, her sword and shield ready, blood flowing from an open wound at her elbow.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Erica! Ydresse! He's over here!" Katherine lowers her spear and charges at the shadowy figure.

Charge Attack with Longspear: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

AC is now 13, but she should be 10' away

[PhoeKun]

Erica whips her head around, looking every which way for her assailant. Unfortunately, the bastard is nowhere to be found. She winces as her shield starts to feel heavy, shaking her head to clear her head.

And then, suddenly, Kate bursts in with an admonishment and some advice. With a cry of, "Got it!" she rushes up the stairs toward the place where Kate had thrust her spear, slashing downwards with her sword.

Charge - [roll0]
Damage - [b] [roll1]
(if needed) [b]Miss chance (high misses) - [roll2]

AC 15
HP 46/55

[Amotis]

Sodi squints toward the commotion. He hated these kinds of situations. It wouldn't be too nice to bring the entire building tumbling down. Satisfying, yes. Teach that thing some manners.

Holding his arm up slightly, his wrist a bit limp, Sodi traces a lazy finger in the air around the area by Katherine and Erica. Mumbling something under his breath, a simple twirl of his fingers bring warm feeling around his hand. Like soldering coals, just waiting for someone to throw some oil on it and bring it back to life.


Init: [roll0]
Ready action when the Skulk appears, cast magic missile: [roll1]

[Rei_Jin]

Katherine rushes over and stabs at the Skulk only to have her spear hit the desk and deflect harmlessly. The Skulk, obviously displeased at having been located, takes aim at his new assailant and misses, dropping his rapier and tumbling backwards to try and escape. Unfortunately for him, Sodi was prepared for this and a bolt of force flies across the room, hitting him mid tumble. His roll continues and he hits the wall, unconscious and slowly bleeding out.

Erica and Ydresse move over, ready to attack him, but he no longer poses a threat to them.

Keygan runs out the back, his long legs swinging as he does.

Is everyone okay?

He looks over at the skulk, and rubs his hands together nervously.

[PhoeKun]

Erica sighs and returns her weapons to their resting places, rubbing her wounded arm.

"Ok, two questions. One, what the heck was that? Two, what in blazes was it doing in your store?"

[Toxic Avenger]

Calling back to the locksmith, Katherine replies, "I think we'll be all right, Keygan..." She then heads closer to the stairs, to see if any more skulks are on their way up. "But yeah, you have a bit of explaining to do..."

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

He rubs his hands together some more, obviously concerned.

Well, I guess I had best tell you everything eh?

That thing... I don't know what it is, or what it was, but it and its friends came up out of the undercity one night, right into my house! I didn't know anyone was living there, or how they even got in there! But, they bound me while I slept!

I woke up to find them torturing my familiar, my poor, poor Starbrow! they put a knife to my throat, and threatened to kill Starbrow, and feed him to me, if I didn't do what they asked! They had me make skeleton keys for all the locks that I had made in town, and then took Starbrow with them back into the undercity along with the keys.

Since then, that, that thing has been watching me and tracking what I do. I went to Sassarine to get those goggles just so I'd know when he was watching me! Nearly beggared me to buy them too! But I have to get Starbrow back! And those keys, they have to be brought back and destroyed so they can't do any more harm with them.

They're the ones behind all the kidnappings, I just know it.

I'm sorry that I gave in to them, but I couldn't let them kill Starbrow. I would have been next!

[PhoeKun]

Erica looks at Keygan sternly for a moment, and sighs, her face softening into one of her usual smiles.

"You've done a horrible thing..." she shakes her head, "But I can't blame or punish you for something you did under knife point. Will you let us down into Jzadirune? If you can help us get the children back, I won't let any backlash from this reach you. Even if I have to stamp it out myself, ok?"

The young woman flexes her arm a bit, to make sure it still works. She winces - it's a little on the painful side, as she must admit she's never been stabbed before, making this a very new experience. But, all things considered, she seems fine. She must be cut out for this adventuring stuff after all!

"But, uh... can you excuse me a minute? There's someone outside who needs to be part of this conversation, too."

With that, she walks casually back out of the shop and taps Rillian on the shoulder with her good arm, although she doesn't make an effort to hide the not-so-good one.

"Hey, I know you didn't want to come in, but I really think you should. We had a bit of a run-in with a... a thing, and it kind of looks like our kidnappers live under Mr. Ghelve's shop. We really need your help..."

[Toxic Avenger]

While Erica goes to fetch Rilian, Katherine starts cleaning up a bit. After checking to see that the skulk is no longer a threat for sure, she picks up the cloak and rapier, along with anything else that looks significant. Once that's done, she finds a table or counter to set them on for the moment, then continues waiting for everyone to get back inside. Still wearing the goggles, she looks down the stairs periodically.

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan nods hurridly.

Of course, of course! You can go down there whenever you like... but there's more of them down there. I don't know how many, but hopefully the traps have got some of them. The old city, J'zadirune, was built by my kin, you see. The doors are shaped like gears, and operate like them, sliding in and out of place. Some of them are trapped, some are not.

And there's not just tall ones like that... that thing. Some of them are short, they look like corrupted gnomes with hoofs instead of feet. They speak a funny language that I don't understand most of the time, but they can use common if they want to.

Oh! And I have my fathers old map somewhere here, I can try to find it for you if you need it...

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo is a little slow out of the blocks during the fight with the Skulk. He had been looking at the locks in the windowsill, listening to Keygan out of one ear and his party-mates out of the other. By the time he realizes that something is wrong and turns around to join the fight, it is over.

Come here Erica, let me bandage that wound for you, he starts, just as Erica goes outside. Erica, wait... he tries again when she reenters. Stand still dammit and let me bandage that wound before it gets infected!

[Toxic Avenger]

Looking back up to Mr. Ghelve after glancing down the stairs again, Kate smiles and says, "Sure, Keygan, a map would be quite nice. You'll probably have time to look for it while we're waiting for everyone to get back here..."

As she looks down the stairs yet again with her spear at the ready, Katherine's thoughts dwell on the goggles for a brief moment. These sure are useful, but I'll bet I look pretty ridiculous with them on. Must find a mirror soon...

[Taren]

The color drains from Rilian's face as he sees the wounded arm. "Gods! I should have been there!" His eyes are wide with worry as he looks over the wound. "I'm sorry you got hurt. if I hadn't been so worried about what Ghelve thought of me... Is everyone else ok? I should have been in there to help!" He felt immensely guilty. He'd failed someone, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. he doesn't realize that that was one of the first times he'd spoken in the past few weeks without stuttering.

He reached back and pulled the hood up on his secondhand cloak. The white of it was so grubby it had turned to a dark, gritty gray. He felt an odd sort of determination stirring in him. It wasn't right: this was supposed to be his new beginning. He shouldn't have been so nervous about someone who he barely knew, just because they had rejected him. Walking forward, Rilian opened the front door.

Stepping into the shop, he deliberately avoided making eye contact with anyone. He didn't deserve to. Not until he had earned it. "Erica t-told me what h-happened. I-i'm ready to go whenever you a-all are."

[PhoeKun]

Erica shakes her head as Rilian berates himself, still smiling.

"No, don't worry about it. Nobody's hurt, and the situation practically took care of itself. You didn't do anything wrong, ok? The thing went down before Angelo even realized something was happening, and he was in the building!"

She laughs, but the laugh turns into a sheepish grin and a blush as she re-enters the store to face the cleric's waiting admonishment.

"Hehe... do... do you think it will? Really?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo gives Erica a wink and a smile.

Well, I had to get you to stay still somehow, he says, just tying the bandage snug. And better safe than sorry anyway. I shudder to think where else that thing's weapon has been...or what else it's been in. There, you'll be fine.

His work done, he takes the opportunity to survey the scene.

Well, looks like the bloody mace was pretty straightforward after all.

"The locks are key to finding them. Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron."

Well, we followed the locks, looked beyond the curtain, and now have to go below the Cauldron. I think before we do anything, however, we should let Jenya and the Captain know where we are going and stock up on food and supplies. There's no telling how long we're going to be down there.

[Taren]

Rilian nods. "T-that's a s-sensible choice, priest, b-but what about the sick child? C-can we afford to wait?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo shakes his head, pacing the floor. We can't afford not to do so. We have a responsibility to Jenya and the Captain to let them know what we've found. Also, if something should happen to us, they will know where to send the next party. It would also be just as reckless to go down there and be ill prepared. If we really want to save those kids, we need to be ready for it.

He stops pacing.

Besides, it shouldn't take that long anyway. If we split up into two groups, one going to the Captain, one going to Jenya and re-equip along the way we should be ready in an hour to two.

[Amotis]

Sodi sniffs the air satisfyingly. That felt better. Much better. Walking toward the corpse, he looks down over his nose almost savoring the image he casts, like he was watching from the third person. Good. Very good. This was how it went.

Pausing and listening to the others speak, Sodi turns suddenly as Keygen drops his little story. Raising his eyebrow, he traces his eyes up and down the gnomes body. Interesting. Turning to Katherine, his expression more or less the same, he nods.

"Yes, Katherine. Accuse."

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine sighs as she turns to answer. Her mouth is smiling, but her eyes are not...if they can be seen through the goggles. "Sodi, give me that smug look all you want, but accusations would have been worse than useless. Erica handled this perfectly...she asked Mr. Ghelve to help us, and he did. Now, he wishes to help us right what has been wronged. If you were in such a position, would you have that chance ripped from your grasp?"

She turns toward Angelo, the look in her eyes softening a bit. "And that is precisely what we would do by letting the Guard know all that has transpired here, Angelo. They would not care one bit that he did this under knifepoint." She moves next to Erica.

"I'm standing with Erica on this. If Keygan will help us find the children, then I'll help her do whatever stamping is necessary..."

[Amotis]

Sodi smirks, genuinely, as much as Kate could tell. Something was actually funny to him.

"If I? If...if I, I were in the pos-..."

Airy chuckling.

"Miss Katherine, there would be no such position to begin with. It's the gnome's fault he was in the position to begin with. Are we to be higher then the city guard? In these walls that is a bold claim. Are we backing that with the sole defense provided by the gnome's weaknesses?"

[PhoeKun]

Erica rolls her eyes.

"Sodi, when someone has you in a corner with a knife to your throat, it's not your fault. You didn't ask for it, right? Are you supposed to be blamed for actions under duress because you ought to be too strong to be threatened? That sounds too much like "might makes right" to me... and so does too much of the city guard. Thugs ruling in a thug town. And if someone's going to do his best to make up for the hurt he's caused to this city, to heal even the wounds he's given it himself, well, I'm going to let him try. You can act smug after we've saved the townsfolk."

"...Angelo, I don't mind supplies, and keeping Jenya in the loop, but there's not a blasted lot going to be accomplished by talking to the captain. They put out a call to the city for help, because they weren't up to this. And... we answered. We're it. No backups. We can't fail... you know?"

For once, she isn't smiling, but looking at both Sodi and Angelo pleadingly. There had to be more to this than protocol...

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate stares intensely at Sodi, and even through the goggles, it looks like a fire has been lit in her eyes. "Do I have to repeat this? We're here to rescue the children, and it would be rather unwise to turn away any help in finding them! Is the city guard higher than their freedom?!? Would you also say that it's their fault they were taken?!?"

Her voice softens a bit, and she adds, "Being vulnerable is not a crime, Sodi. Nor should it be."

[Amotis]

Sodi raises an eyebrow at both the figures speaking at him. Taking a quick breath he nods, a strange idea burning off in the distance.

He looks around the room a bit, letting them calm down.

Spies Keygan.

"Okay."

Walks toward him, motioning with a finger.

"This is how we'll do this. Come here."

Grabbing the gnome by the shirt if he doesn't immediately comply, not completely threatening, but rough enough to get his attention, Sodi moves him toward the stairs down.

"You seem to know a bit about down there. Doors. Traps. You got a map. How 'bout you help end what you aided?"

Looking back at Katherine, Sodi nods.

"The children. Vulnerability isn't an excuse. You're right."

Turns back to Keygen and the stairs.

"Ready?"

[Toxic Avenger]

Sodi doesn't have to look back at Katherine, because she moves back to the stairs to block his path.

"No one has appointed you dictator of this group, Sodi."

[Amotis]

Sodi shrugs indifferently.

"Don't need to be. The gnome will be useful. He has a dept to pay as well. At which point do we part?"

[Toxic Avenger]

"If you take him down there by force, Sodi, then you're no better than those slavers."

Her grip on the longspear tightens slightly. "And I'm sure you know what that would mean..."

EDIT: {OOC: Just to make sure it was clear...the spear was pointing up, and not at anyone in particular... :smallwink:}

[Amotis]

"Threats? Miss, I think that's unnecessary. But if you will draw steel against me I will not allow myself to draw in defense. Not like this. The gnome has his choice, I suppose. As do you."

Sodi takes a step back and looks at Keygen.

[Toxic Avenger]

"It doesn't have to be this way, Sodi. Keygan does have a debt to repay, but we should let him have a say in how he does that. He knows his own capabilities better than you do."

EDIT: I was going to add this before I noticed your post, Amotis...should I edit?

[PhoeKun]

"Ok, ok, that's enough of that..."

Erica moves quickly to interpose herself between the two, her bandaged hand pointed towards Sodi.

"We can agree we need to go down there, yeah? Let's not do it like this... we need to be a team. I wasn't kidding when I said we don't get to screw this up. Come on, tempers down, guys... Mr. Ghelve, could you please get us that map? And then after, if it's not too much trouble, can you stay up here and guard your shop? I don't know how long we'll be, but if another raiding party sneaks past, I don't want them getting to the city. You can go to the Temple of St. Cuthbert and ask Ms. Jenya for help, if you're scared. But we can't let anyone in or out of here until we get back, all right? Sodi, is that help enough from him? Can we just call this a wash?"

[Toxic Avenger]

"That is exactly what I was going to suggest, Erica, before Mr. Auman here started acting like one of those damned slavers. Thank you."

Looking toward Sodi with a somewhat softened look, especially that she now sees that he has declined to further push the issue, Kate holds out a hand, seemingly to offer a handshake. "Yes, I'd be willing to call this a wash. And I don't want to draw steel against you, Sodi, I really don't...but when I perceive that someone genuinely trying to do what is right is getting pushed around...well...I get angry, as I'm sure you noticed." Her very intense look of righteous anger has finally softened to a genuine smile.

[Dhavaer]

Her Ladyship leans her glaive against the wall and massages her temples. Moral outrage has always given her a headaches.

[Taren]

Rilian looked over at the quarreling group, and then back at Ydresse. With a sigh, he quickly realized that she had the right idea. Unfortunately, he then looked over at the gnome, and realized something else... all of a sudden, he had common ground with the man.

He walks over and stands next to Kate and Erica. "I a-am g-gonna have to side with Mistresses Kate and Erica. I of a-all people know w-what it's l-like to feel like you have n-no options. A-and to do things y-you'd never w-want to. L-let Mr. Ghelve come or s-stay o-or h-help if he wants. I-it's h-his c-choice." He didn't add "like it was his choice to turn me away." that wouldn't have been right. But he certainly thought it extremely loudly.

He turned. "B-but i-if you need someone w-who knows locks. I'm it. I-if you n-need s-someone who c-can h-handle traps, ummm...I, w-well, I-I c-can try to h-handle t-those as well. 'D-don't need h-him for that. I-I good with m-my hands. It's a-all I'm g-good with."

[Toxic Avenger]

"And how about this, Sodi? When we catch those vile slavers, or anyone who has aided them willingly - not under coercion - then I won't stand in your way like that. In fact, you might even have my blessing...within limits."

She extends her hand out a bit further.

"Deal?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo throws up his hands in exasperation.

You know what? Fine. If everyone is so gods-damned paranoid about telling the Captain we have a lead on the children and are pursuing it then we won't tell him. I never said anything about telling him about Keygan's role. Excuse me for thinking we were still working for him.[/blue]

He takes a breath, calming himself down.

[color=blue]As for Keygan, I agree with Katherine and Erica. He had no choice in what he did. Now, I am going to the Temple to talk to Jenya before we get in another fight and let her know what's going on. If anyone else wants to come, fine. I think we should take this time to cool off and get what supplies we need. Let's meet back here in two hours.

Angelo turns on his heel and leaves the shop, walking very quickly toward the Temple. If any of the others had hoped to join him, they better try and catch up.

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan stammers as the group argues, and Sodi gets violent towards him. He backs off as much as possible, falling off his stilts with them dragging in the now too-long pants as he tries to retreat from Sodi.

Please, no! I had no choice!

When hoisted up by his shirt, he starts panicking, thrashing about. He wails at the group when Sodi starts telling him about his debt, and obviously (to him) trying to push him into service.

I thought you were the good guys! I thought you were here to help me! Please don't make me go down there, they'll kill me!

When put down, he collapses and starts sobbing quietly into his hands.

When I saw you Rilian, I thought maybe you had found good people to look after you. I'm sorry for what happened to your father, but you don't need to be a thug...

[Taren]

Rilian closes his eyes as he listens to Keygan's plea. What he WANTED to do was to tell the man to solve his own problems and fix what he broke. How dare he ask Rilian for help, after he hadn't been there to help when Dad went away...

With a sigh, he stepped forward, interceding between the rest of the party and Ghelve. He composed himself. He wanted to say something without sounding foolish. "...He shouldn't have to pay for what happened. If anyone hurts him, or if they try to force him to come when he's afraid... I will stop them. I will protect him. As I said, I know what it's like to feel like you have no choices left." He turned back, to stare at Keygan. What he WANTED to say was that Ghelve had contributed to his feeling like he had nothing else he could do. But he didn't.

Because Dad tried to raise him right, and that's what mattered.

Looking down at the gnome, he nodded. "We- no..they... are good people. I'm not good for much... but we'll stop the bad guys. And I'll try to get your familiar back, I promise. You should go to the guards and t-tell them what happened. They'll keep you safe. A-after all, if s-something b-bad happens to y-ou, w-who will make the things t-that keep little c-children s-safe at night?" Looking at the rest of the party, he tried his best to look stern and unyielding despite feeling extraordinary nervous. "H-he'll tell the guards what's happened. A-and what w-we're gonna do. L-let's go s-save the chi-children, o-ok?" Rilian drew his rapier, his white-turned-gray cloak pressed against his legs.

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan looks up at Rilian, and seems to be torn inside. He sits silently for a few moments, then speaks quietly.

I'm sorry I let my fear of reprisals stop me taking you in Rilian. You really are your fathers son, even after everything you've been through.

If you want me to turn myself in, I will. But after this is all sorted out, and the children are safe. For now, I'll stay here and keep the entrance clear for you, and aid you however I can from here.

[Taren]

"I-I'm not doing it for you." He paused. "I-I'm doing it b-because Dad wouldn't h-have wanted you t'die. H-he'd want ta b-beat you in b-business, but n-not l-let you die."

"I w-want you to turn y-yourself in a-afterwards. T-they won't p-unish you. Y-you're too i-important now, the only l-lockmaker in the cauldron. But t-they'll understand h-how it happened." He sighed. "A-and they'll r-remember that s-sometimes you have to c-change their locks if t-they want to be s-safe at n-night."

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan looks at Rilian, square in the eye.

You really don't know how this town works, do you?

You need to know something, something about your father. What was said about him after he died, and even his death. Nothing is quite what you thought.

Your father, in his time, was a great locksmith. When he was younger he made some mistakes though, as all young men do. He mixed with the wrong crowd, got caught up in crime. When he realised what he'd done, he turned himself in and gave evidence against his employers. They weren't very powerful at the time, but those people went on to become powerful figures in the Last Laugh. They're the ones responsible for what happened to him, and his shop, and to you. They put word out, that if anyone employed you, or offered you shelter, that they would be "made an example of". I turned you away out of fear, not out of mistrust. I didn't go to the guards because I knew that they would merely turn on me, and probably sell me out as well.

When I turn myself in, I will be hanged by the neck until I am dead. The townsfolk will accept no less, and the mayor and his toadies will do whatever it takes to keep the taxes rolling in so they can live life in the manner they're accustomed.

I have no kin, no apprentice. All I have is Starbrow, this shop, and a life full of regrets. And yet I'm afraid to die. How ironic.

Tomorrow, I will go and put my will in order with the church of St Cuthbert. Then, once you've resolved the kidnappings, I will turn myself in.

[Taren]

Rilian felt tears running down his face, but he didn't feel like he should be crying. He didn't say anything at first, he just pulled the hood over his face, shading it in shadows. Inside his own mind, he cursed the gnome, both for telling him how rotten the world really was, and for taking away his choice of punishment. He couldn't ask Keygan to die because of what happened... not now. Even if, at his darkest moments on the streets, he had really wished that it would happen. He sniffled, then stopped himself. It wasn't manly to cry. He really needed to stop.

Trying to sound resolute, he took steps towards the path down below the shop. "T-then don't tell them what happened."

He paused for a moment to let it sink in. "Y-you keep molds of all the k-keys you make, correct?" he stressed that last word. "J-just in c-case the b-buyer wants o-others m-made later. I-it's just g-good service, right?" Again, the last word sounded strained. A lot of strange pressure weighed on that last word. Almost as if he was saying something else underneath it. "You were working so hard on other p-people's locks that you d-didn't notice how r-rusty and o-old your own were g-getting. S-someone b-broke in a-and stole a l-lot of your key-m-molds. A-anyone w-with h-alf a b-brain could make a k-key f-from those. Y-you d-didn't report it b-because y-you were afraid. I-it wasn't your f-fault, understand?"

He turned around and glared at Keygan. "I d-don't want you t-to die 'cause o-of this. B-but, if I e-ever hear you t-turned away another p-person in t-true need..." His voice grew very tired. And cold.

"...I'll hunt you down and kill you in cold blood like a dog."

Some warmth grew back into his voice as he turned his back away from everyone. So they didn't see his tears. "So make sure you have good locks, so thieves like me don't get in and steal important things anymore, alright? And f-fix that rusty piece of c-crap you have mounted on y-your front door. Why, if a-anyone looked at it tomorrow, they'd see how b-bad a condition it's i-in, right?"

He started to proceed down. "I-i'll go scout ahead for a bit." It was a blatant excuse to be alone for a bit, but he didn't try to conceal it. "G-go buy s-some food, o-ok guys?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan listens to Rilians words, and doesn't even blink. He lets it sink in for a moment, then walks over to his desk, and pulls out a map. Handing it to Rilian, and motioning to Katherine to give him the goggles, he speaks again.

If you're determined to be a hero, you'll need the map, and the goggles. Those... things, they hide better than a black cat in coal shop. And you'll need some way to see, it's awful dark down there. Get some torches, or sunrods. Preferably both.

And I know you want to save the children, but don't go in there alone. You won't come out again. Sometimes, I hear strange noises float up from the ruins. Screams, and laughing. I'm not sure if it's ghosts or another town down there, but either way, you had better be sure you're ready for it.

He spreads the map out on the desk

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/JzadiruneMapChapter1.jpg

This is a map of J'zadirune, when we still lived there. I don't know how much of it is still intact, and it doesn't mark traps. I've only explored a little of it, enough to clear some of the traps out, and I've marked a few I couldn't get rid of. I hope it helps you.

[PhoeKun]

Erica stared dumbstruck at the conversation between locksmith and lock picker... well, former lock picker and hopeful locksmith apprentice, really. But that didn't matter. The words floating around the room, however, did. And she had heard quite enough of them. Rilian's desire to be alone was like an aura in the room, but she didn't care. It isn't the best thing for him. In fact, it was downright dangerous.

She makes a bee line for Rilian and, without saying a thing, pulls him into a hug. It's a very light, gentle hug, giving him room to break from it without feeling trapped or awkward. And no, it wouldn't make everything better. It couldn't. But it was better than anything she could say, to prove that she was there for him. She'd already promised. She wasn't going to let the world hurt him. And she meant it.

"No scouting without an escort. You can look, and if you want to stay quiet and ignore me, I don't mind, but anything you do downstairs is going to be with me making sure you're safe. I... wish I knew what to say, Rilian. But, you're not alone, ok? You can talk to me, always."

She said it quietly, and without a smile. Nothing cheesy or anything that said his pain wasn't worth feeling. Just this offer, which was all she knew to do.

[Taren]

Eyes wide, Rilian just stands there, partially falling limp as Erica hugs him. He looks at her face, honestly baffled by how she's treating him. As horrible as he felt, he hadn't really expected her to react like this because of his problems. He didn't try to pull away. He didn't even flinch. He wasn't sure HOW to react, if he should react at all.

Actually, he did kind of react. He dropped his rapier, which rolled along the floor and bapped against a table. And he also sorta-blushed, but that was hardly noticeable with his cloak's hood pulled up.

After Erica stopped hugging him, Rilian sat down in a chair. He wasn't sure whether he should be crying or smiling right now. It was times like this he wished he understood people, most of all himself. He felt terrible, but still...

"Keygan." He sniffled. "F-find a way to be happy. I-i'd like to think your life turns o-out b-better than mine s-started." he turned back to the rest of the party. "I'll stay h-here until we're a-all ready. G-go get f-food and stuff, o-ok guys?" He had resolved NOT to go scouting ahead... he wiped a few tears away from his eyes. "Hey...where'd my sword go?" He looked around for it, not noticing that it was sitting underneath the table he sat at.

[Dhavaer]

Lady Ydresse's tightens, and she looks away from Keygan and Rilian, breathing the tension out. Looking away from them, she walks over to the desk and examines the map.
"Where is the entrance on the map?" She askes Keygan.

[PhoeKun]

"All right. Food, huh? I'll be back, then."

Erica makes a move towards the exit, then stops, laughing nervously.

"Um... hehe... could, er, could someone come with me? I've never actually, haha... done this before... like, ever."

She looks about nervously, not making eye-contact with anyone.

[Toxic Avenger]

{OOC: Possible action, depending on what Sodi says to Katherine's 'deal'... If he shakes her hand, cool...if not, she shrugs and moves on.}

______________

When Rilian first heads toward the the stairs, Katherine is still standing at the top, blocking his path. With a gentle smile on her face, she shakes her head.

"No, Rilian, not alone..." she says just before Erica comes in with the hug. Seeing that Rilian does not back away, Kate joins into the hug herself, although very gently.

She whispers, "Right, no scouting without an escort...voice of experience, Erica?" With a friendly smirk on her face, Kate looks Erica in the eyes, then at her wounded arm, then back to her eyes again. "That could have gone much worse, you know. But I'm glad it didn't."

She turns to Rilian with a warm smile. "And you can count on me as well, Rilian, if you need a friend to talk to...okay...?" With the same smirk that she was showing before, Kate turns back to Erica. "...what, you were going to leave me out of the loop? I'm getting kind of jealous here, Erica..."

Kate lets go and picks up Rilian's rapier. After taking off the goggles, she hands them to Rilian along with his rapier once he asks for it. "Here it is...I think..." She points at the dead skulk's rapier, which she has set down on the nearest counter. "...or is it that one over there?"

_____________

Heading toward the door, Katherine laughs as she says, "What, you've never bought food before? Ha! That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. Well, I was hoping to catch up with the lone ranger just in case he sticks his foot in his mouth, but I can educate you in the fine art of...hehehe...buying food, if you'd like."

[PhoeKun]

A large number of the Kate's comments had started making Erica blush, but with her last jab, it looked almost as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her face. She looks every which way for some sort of out.

"Well I... it's just... you see..."

She laughs nervously.

"I never... you know... had to, before."

She finally manages a sheepish, humilated, and pouting look at Kate.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Oh. Right." Kate replies, with the look on her face suggesting that she realizes she went too far with the last comment. "That's not silly at all, then. My most humble apologies, Erica."

Turning back before leaving the shop, Katherine calls out in a singy-song voice, "Oh, Sodi! I expect Mr. Ghelve to be in good spirits when we return!"


With a grin, she turns back to Erica. "So...food, spelunking supplies, and what not... We'd better hurry, then...we have a couple stops to make..."

[Taren]

Rilian took the rapier and the goggles from Kate, mumbling a brief "Thanks." as he does so. Looking down at the rapier, and then at the one the monster had, he wrinkles his forehead. He couldn't really tell if there was a difference between the two. Looking back and forth between the two, he encounters some difficulty.

Eventually, he picks the other one up in his free hand, comparing them closely. As the group starts to break apart, he pulls down the goggles. They seemed odd. With them on, his vision felt funny, he guessed.

"I-I'll stay here while you g-guys get everything done. I-if another one of t-those things c-comes, I'll s-stop it." He wished he was as confident as he sounded. Actually, he didn't think he sounded very confident, either. So he wished he was as confident as he wished he sounded. He looked over to Keygan. "Mr. Ghelve... i-if I r-remember right, you k-know some m-magic. A-are any of these t-things magic'd?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan wanders over and looks at the rapiers, frowning for a second.

Well, your one isn't, that I can tell. The other one might be, but if so it's doing something wonky with magic. It might be a residue from the... thing, whatever it was, but it might be magical in its own right.

I'd need to spend some time studying it to be able to tell you better, but it's a well made rapier if nothing else. Helps you strike more true. I'd use it for now, and when you're done down there get it looked at.

The cloak that thing has though, it's definitely magical. Helps you blend with the shadows and such, I've seen them before a few times. I was hoping to get hold of one myself, it would make a great curtain for the shop.

[Taren]

"Huh." Rilian puts his own rapier away, and holds the other one. It does FEEL a bit different, he guessed. Keygan's advice was probably wise. If anyone else desired the rapier later, he'd give it up. It wasn't as if it was actually his.

Looking down at the cloak the creature had been wearing, he bent down and pulled it up off of it. Then he looked down at his second-hand cloak. It was frayed and torn in places, especially towards the ground. The bottom was covered in patches. He frowned. "I n-needed a d-decent one a-anyway." Draping his old cloak over the fallen monster, he swept the new one around his back. "D-do you k-know how it w-works? I d-don't know anything a-about magic. A-and what sort o-of b-being is Starbrow? W-we'll save i-it too if w-we can, I p-promise."

[PhoeKun]

Erica stares at Kate for a long moment, her face slowly melting into a smile. And just like that, all was forgiven. She pauses just a moment to inspect the two swords causing Rilian's current conundrum. Eventually, she points to the (former) skulk's rapier, tapping it with her index finger.

"This one's much prettier. It suits someone like you pretty well, Rilian."

She grins, and holds up her bandaged hand.

"Plenty sharp, too." she adds, sticking her tongue out playfully.

And with that, she finally heads for the door, waiting only for Kate.

"All right, shopping time. Hehe, this is kind of like an adventure in itself. Lead the way, ok?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Starbrow is a rat, mind you he's quite intelligent. I can feel his presence now, he's within a mile of here, and he's cold and hungry, but otherwise okay.

And with the cloak, it works innately. It will help you hide and move quieter, as well as allowing you to disappear into the shadows once per sunrise when you will it so.

[Taren]

Rilian nods, then sits down in front of a window, waiting for the others. He doesn't really have anything else to say, or to do. "We'll get him b-back." He stretched out his feet. He had no intention of going anywhere.

Without saying anything else, he turns to face the window, letting his mind wander. The Last Laugh... it said something about how vindictive they were that they would ruin his father and then wreck his life as well. He clenched his fist as he sniffled. They would get what was coming to them eventually. Blood would be shed for the blood already spilled.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine grins at Erica. "Mmhmm...shopping's always a fun time...don't get to do it often enough." She steps out onto the street and looks around for a moment as she gets her bearings. "Well, I think it'll be easier if we go to Skie's first, then Zanathor's. This way!" She grabs Erica's hand as she heads off toward Skie's Treasury. "I still have the blades from the muggers, too. They dropped 'em, so I'm assuming they don't want them anymore...maybe we can unload those and get a few more things that we'll need down there..."

Once they're far enough from Ghelve's shop, Katherine says, "It's nice to get a little break from...get a little break like this, even if just for a bit. I need to get my mind off what just happened. I...don't like losing it like I did back there, even if it was for the right reasons, you know? I can usually keep my emotions under control, but for a few seconds I was almost seeing red. I'm glad that Sodi stepped down, and that you stepped in, Erica. I don't want to think about what would have happened otherwise..."

[PhoeKun]

Erica smiles understandingly at Kate.

"Don't worry about it. I mean, we all get upset sometimes, right? I remember a few years ago when one of my favorite figurines got broken, I got so mad I almost broke Daddy's nose! Talk about losing your temper..." She laughs.

"But, breaks are nice too. You're a good person, Kate, and even if just for a couple of hours, you deserve the relaxation." She nods, as if agreeing with herself.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine's eyes widen in surprise, and she laughs along with Erica. "Indeed! I've thrown a few nasty tantrums, but not bad enough to even think about taking a swing at my father. Well...he's my uncle, really, but father as far as I'm concerned..."

"Hey, you deserve that relaxation too, Erica! Breaking up fights is hard work. Gods know, I've had to do it with my cousins all my life."

[PhoeKun]

"Who, me? No no, I'm nothing special. Just a spoiled rich girl finally getting out of the house... I mean, honestly, this is the first time I ever really stopped relaxing. Is life so bad that I already earned a break? Sheesh, have I got my work cut out for me..."

Erica shakes her head, sending her soft brown hair brushing back and forth against her neck while she laughs.

"What's your family like? Is it very big?"

[Amotis]

Sodi leans against the wall near Ydresse's glaive. He exhales sharply and slides down the wall into a lazy sitting position. Blinking slowly his mind slows. Slowly. From the scene. He. Wall.

...Hand.

Taking her hand loosely, Sodi nods. Not even sure himself what that meant or if he meant it. To compromise is to...

Hunters. That's what they were. Forest unturned? How many leaves crushed while chasing the prey? Would you let evil triumph if the forest still stoo-

Talking. Tears. Rilian may look weak, but that boy knew things. Important things. That's what matters. He learned. And that's what matt-

But Keygen. He's gave up. Once, and now again. Before he gave into weakness, now death. Looking up once the others have gone, Sodi blinks at the gnome.

"So will you tell them what Rilian said or give yourself to the gallows?"

[Toxic Avenger]

Kate laughs along with Erica. "Well, don't try to do it all at once...you'll wear yourself out. Trust me."

When asked about her family, Katherine smiles and replies, "Well, I guess that depends on what you call big, really. Besides my aunt and my uncle, I've grown up with my four cousins...three boys, one girl...so seven counting myself, which did make a pretty full house now that I think about it. How about yours, Erica?"

[Rei_Jin]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/Arin_Ra/keygan_ghelve.jpg

Keygan looks at Sodi, then over to Rilian hiding in the shadows, and shrugs.

What will be, will be.

[PhoeKun]

Erica gives an impressed whistle as Kate lists off the size of her family.

"Me? Oooooooonly child. Surprise, huh?"

[Amotis]

Sodi shakes his head.

"Right. So what will you make it be?"

[Rei_Jin]

Keygan looks at Sodi impassively.

What do you care? You wanted to send me to my death, didn't you? Go do something more helpful than poking an old gnome about his faults, like maybe helping your allies.

[Amotis]

Sodi nods.

"You're right. I did. But now it's you sending yourself off to death. Theoretically."

[Rei_Jin]

Cauldron needs a locksmith. Even if I don't like what I've done, what other choice do I have?