"Keygan Ghelve, a local locksmith, fashioned those locks for me many years ago," Gretchyn says matter-of-factly, "and he charged a pretty coin, let me tell you," she adds.
Is he an evil Gnome?
Floch asks could he have a master key?
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
Keth scratched his chin in puzzlement. There wasn't much to go on here, if all the disappearances had been like this, no wonder they hadn't found anything.
This Keygan Ghelve, where's he located?
He thought for a moment whether he should bring it up or not.
By the way, have you all had any problems with a bunch of thugs, call themselves Last Laugh?
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
"I've an even stranger question," Simon announces, his head snapping up at the mention of locks. "Have the children had their hair cut recently, Miss Gretchyn? And if so, when? And by whom? It's probably a pointless line of inquiry, but one never knows."
Gretchyn looks horrified at Floch's insinuation, "You're suggestin' I'd buy my locks from someone if I knew he was evil?! Floch, I should think you'd know me better than that. As for a master key, I haven't the foggiest. You could always ask him yourself; here is his address," she says, writing something down on a piece of parchment and handing it to Floch. "But why would a locksmith be kidnapping people, children no less?"
When Keth asks about the Last Laugh, Gretchyn scratches her chin as if thinking hard, then replies, "No dear, I can't say I've ever even heard of them."
To Simon, she responds, "Willow, the schoolteacher cuts the children's hair once a month. But I haven't any idea why that would have anything to do with it. My but you all ask some strange questions."
OOC
You may now visit Ghelve's Locks on Lava Avenue in the south part of town.
"Oracles like ambiguity," Simon mutters, a little petulantly. "Or so I've always heard. But I suppose this locksmith seems our best line of inquiry. I reserve the right to speak to this 'Willow', at a later time, however."
He lowers his voice, speaking to his companions rather than to Gretchyn. "The hair, the 'locks' as it were, could be used as components in a spell, used to lure the victims. Not likely, I suppose, but we should leave no stone unturned."
Freeday, Coldeven the 21st, CY 593, 10:30 am
The trip down to South Lava Avenue is rather uneventful. The day has cleared up considerably from the drizzling rain and overcast morning of before. On the south side of town, you stroll down Lava Avenue until you arrive at your destination. A small turret dominates the facade of this two-story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in the thick window frames. Beyond the turret's ground-floor window sits a lovely display of locks, from large to small, simple to complex. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swings a simple sign that reads "GHELVE'S LOCKS."
Bohemian/Simon and Zarust/Goran
As you make your way to Ghelve's you are struck with the feeling that you are being watched. A half-elf with a tanned complexion, bright green eyes, short brown hair, and a small scar across his right eyebrow is tailing you. At one point he notices you glancing in his direction and attempts to feint by getting lost amidst some banana carts, however his diversion fails. Still, he continues to follow you all the way to the locksmith.
Floch feels embarrassed, why he always aggressive with his saying, well people can forgive him, everyone one knows where he grew up, so politeness and tact are not one of his best qualities but people know that inside he is kind and with good intentions.
This time, Floch decides to wear his armor, he places his sword in the sheath, ties his axe to his belt and wraps his shield to his back. Who knows who might surprise them, the thugs were very clear, they will avenge.
On the way to the locksmith Floch tells whoever wants to hear about the orphanage and his early life as a teenager over there. He does not mention anything except that he was a prisoner by Orcish tribe back when he was a child.
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
“This is all very weird... but I still think the locksmith is our best bet, since the locks weren't touched. They must have gotten inside somehow. Sure, there is always magic, I guess, but we should focus on the more likely options first.”
__________________
“In our world, immortality is not for the living. The legend lives on!”
In Memoriam Dave Arneson († April 7th, 2009) & Gary Gygax († March 4th, 2008).
Wondering what the Dungeon Tiles are like? Take a look here (up to DU5 Sinister Woods).
Keth listened to Floch's tale as they traveled toward the locksmith's. He liked the half-orc's straight foward nature. It was strange to think how different the lives of two orphans could be.
When they finally stood before the locksmith's Keth began to wonder what sort of person this fellow would be. If he was in on all of this it's not like he would be cheerfully helpful.
I wish we could find out if he made the locks at the other places people disappeared from.
He scratched in chin in consideration for a moment.
How do you think we should approach this guy?
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
Although Goran had heard bits and pieces of Floch's tale before, the nagging voice, well sometimes voices, in his head kept telling him that even on this busy street, they were not unobserved in their walk to the locksmith's shop.
When his eyes finally caught the half-elf following them, Goran's first instinct was to charge the man and demand to know why he was following them, but he managed to reign the impulse in before it settled too firmly in his brain. As the others began to discuss how to enter the shop, Goran tuned them out and then nodded slowly and spoke to the air around him.
"I know I can't be starting trouble, but there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Besides, it isn't like he is trying to mask his movements at the moment..."
A decision reached, Goran glanced back to the others and spoke quickly to them.
"You lads go on in and say hello, I will be there in a moment..."
Turning back to face the stranger, Goran began walking towards him.
ooc
I will wait to see what Bohemian does before I press further with Goran's actions, but I know I want him to introduce himself, if he is given the chance.
Floch will stand in the door way. He is not the person that needs to speak and excavate information. His presence can just intimidate the locksmith and get the opposite results. But he will remain wary to what is happening inside while grinning to the passers by.
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
"Very true," Simon replies to Goran. "It's certainly not as though we're doing anything we shouldn't, either. You approach the fellow, I'll stand ready should he prove hostile...and if he does, well! He'll soon regret it."
He turns as Goran walks towards the man, raising an eyebrow in the fellow's direction and smiling in a vaguely menacing way.
Last edited by Bohemian Ear-Spork; 22nd October 2008 at 06:08 PM..
Nodding his head and relieved that his friend also detected the presence of their uninvited tag-along, Goran walked towards the stranger. Keeping his face neutral, he spoke when he reached him.
"Is there something you lost that perhaps one of us found?"
What in the world were they talking about. Keth looked up at the others questioningly only to see their attention was fixed up the street behind them. Following their gaze he saw the strange dwarf walking back the way that had come. In a low voice he asked the others, What's goin' on?
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
As luck would have it, you find yourself talking to Keygan in Ghelve's Locks during this next scene. Your story is that you were good friends with Lorthan and Sondor Ironfold before they were kidnapped a little over a month ago. After looking into many angles personally, you learned that the locks on their houses were made by Keygan Ghelve. You've brought the locks in to see if he can determine whether they were picked or defective.
OOC
Floch is going to have to pick inside or outside, unless he wants to cause trouble, as the owner of the lock shop doesn't want the door hanging wide open. So choose one or the other before proceeding. If you don't choose, I'll assume you are staying inside.
Outside: Zarust/Goran and Bohemian/Simon
As Goran approaches, the half-elf surveys him carefully. When he draws closer, Goran notes that not one half-elf, but two half-elves are tailing them. He was too far away initially to notice the second, who had hidden himself better. The second is a bit older, but not much, with a pale complexion, crisp blue eyes, silky blonde hair cut short and left wild, and a pinky finger missing from his left hand. They have their hands ready on their sword-hilts but seeing that the dwarf brings no trouble they relax a bit.
"Lost?" asks the first, the brown-haired one, "Nothing you've found I'm sure."
"Not unless you've found our friend...Elethor," says the blonde one with a measured look. "He was abducted from his home about three weeks ago. And you seem to be investigating disappearing children."
"It would appear that our fates are somehow intertwined," continues the other, "and if we have not misjudged you, then I believe..." he takes a long look at his comrade before they nod to each other, "we would be inclined to offer our assistance on your mission as long as it coincides with ours."
Inside Ghelve's Locks: Thanee/Alexi, Oni/Keth, Rhun/Baelor, and Strahd/Floch
This storefront smells of wood and pipe smoke. Two padded chairs flank a hearth containing a small yet lively fire. The fireplace's carved mantle bears a tinderbox, a small vase of dried smoking leaves, and a finely wrought collection of pipes. A burgundy strip of carpet leads from the entrance to the wall across from it, where dozens--perhaps hundreds--of keys hang from tiny hooks. The keys come in all shapes and sizes. A handsomely engraved mahogany counter stretches along one wall. Behind it hangs a red curtain that neatly hides the rest of the store.
"Don't leave the bloody door open! It's drafty!" cries an exceptionally tall gnome out to Floch from behind the counter. Aside from the fact that he is practically six-feet tall, the gnome is rather plain-looking. He has salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee. His bushy eyebrows, creased face, and graven frown make him look frumpy and dour. He is currently in dealings with a dwarf who has presented him with several locks, apparently questioning their workmanship. "I promise you, sir," the gnome continues cordially with his dwarf customer after Floch has closed the door, "I've looked these locks over twice now and there is nothing wrong with them. They've had a few years use, but they certainly haven't been tampered with. If they were, I'd repair them free of charge. I stand by my work."
Keth stopped to see what was going on when the topic of conversation suddenly shifted and Goran walked off. I didn't intend for him to enter until he had a better idea of what was going on. I think the case might be the same for Alexi.
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
That's fine. Everyone can pick either inside or outside, but you can't be two places at once, so you can't see both things happening at the same time. I indicated where it seemed like everyone was at the moment and Floch had most certainly already opened the door.
Keth saw now the persons behind Goran's about face. Armed and seemingly ready for action too. Beside him, Keth heard a low guttural sound rumbling in the shaggy frame of his wolf-friend Fang. He placed a reassuring hand on the beast's shoulder, Easy boy. The half-elves, wary though they were, didn't seem to mean any harm to Goran. Keth stood there waiting to see what this was all about.
__________________ Oni
"Each man, one way.
Each horse, one stance.
Each church, one buddha.
Each master to his own technique."
Last edited by Oni; 24th October 2008 at 04:10 AM..
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