The Orphanage
Gretchyn Tashykk shakes her head at Silas "No please, lets do this now, I feel time is of the essence, I will show you to the dorms." She turns to Talwin "I'm afraid its not policy to allow people to stay, this is an orphanage, not a guest house. And, in light of recent events, I'm not about to change that" She indicates for the party to follow. She leads them to a large hall, the noise can be heard before she even opens the doors to the room. Inside are 40, maybe more children. Several adults are also present, ushering some down the stairs that lead into this room. A few of the children are crying, obviously upset at being made to leave their beds. Others look like they see the opportunity for some mischief, much to the visible chagrin of the adults.
Giacomo looks into the room filled with children and shudders "It's like some sort of nightmare." he mutters to himself. "I bloody hate kids."
"I think that we should carry out the inspection of the children's dorms quickly" Col says to Talwin "It is vital that the poor mites are not disturbed further and can return to their beds, for a good nights rest. While you and any others of our party, who have appropriate skills, search the dorms, we could just check that any other children haven't seen or heard anything out of place" he pauses clearly daunted by the number of children involved "It would be better, I think, to question the staff in a more tranquil place...?". Col turns and whispers to Gretchyn "We would like to get the children's stories too, but there are just so many of them! Could we get them to write out their story of the night's events when the abductions occurred, true accounts only! If you like I would give a prize? Say a silver piece for the three best stories. What do you think?"
Gretchyn Tashykk sighs "That is both unfeasible and unnecessary I feel. The children didn't notice anything. I have spoken to them at length. Come through, up the stairs are the dorms" she says, crossing over the large hall to the stairs. If you could remain here Willow, with the other staff, once I have shown these good people the dorms they can see the staff, I will take over here." A half elf male nods at Gretchyn.
Sorendal Nailo "If it unnessessary to question the children because you have already done so... then why are we wassting time talking to the sstaff as you must have sspoken to them at length too." he states coldly, looking straight at the female halfling.
Gretchyn Tashykk "You tell me. I've told you I trust the staff, but you still requested to speak to them. If the children knew anything, they would have told me. And none of the staff saw or heard anything. As they have already told me and the watch. If you dont wish to speak to the staff that's fine, but I can still show you the dorms."
"You trusst the staff....." says Sorendal "But we don't know them and have no reason to not ask them quesstionss... We only want to find the children, if it involvess inconvenience then sso-be-it.. "
"Fine, come back tomorrow and you may question the children." replies Gretchyb irritably.
One of the children points to Sorendal as he talks with Gretchyn "EEEeeewwww... he's got a funny hand!!!!...all mangy!" and a few of the children point and stare at Sorendal..
The elf looks round at the child and smiles... "Hello there tiny one You are very observant, yes my hand is different do you want to look at it ? It's just the skin that is different the bones are the same " he holds out his hand
The child is not persuaded "Eeewww..NO! I bet you stole my friends!!"
"Hehe... and what would I do with them ??... No child, I am here to find where they went so that they can return to play with you all again" he says in a friendly tone
"I bet you EAT them!" says the child glaring at Sorendal.
"It'ss 'ate them', not 'eat them'.... learn your grammar child" he says in a mock scolding manner
"OK lets see these dorms then please" says Talwin bored with the bickering.
Gretchyn proceeds up the stairs, Col and Talwin close behind her. The rest of the party take their time taking in the scene of the hall full of noisy children..
Silas follows up the stairs "How many dorms do you have? And were the missing children taken from any one room in particular?"
"I think" says Col tentatively to Silas "We were told that there were two dorms, a girls and a boys. Two children were taken from each. Both were locked at every night and were still locked in the morning following the abductions. I can't remember getting either the names or the descriptions of the missing children." The wizard turns to the elderly halfling who is showing them around "Perhaps you could give us the names of the children taken and a description so that we are able to recognise them?" he asks politely.
Talwing starts to search the dorm but finds nothing of interest while Col stays at the head of the stairs with Gretchyn patiently waiting for a reply
Mercy smiles at the children as she walks through the hall and up the stairs.
Gretchyn, you mentioned that other people had visited to ask questions- could you tell me who they were and describe their appearance?" As Mercy passes the child who was scared by Sorendal's hand, she crouches down and whispers "Don't worry little one. He may have a funny hand, but he's very kind. He's just a little bit special, that's all. If you want to see something good, ask if you can see Eddy- that's his pet lizard. He can do tricks"
Mercy moves into each dorm and systematically searchs each window for any sign of forced entry
Giacomo, who is plainly uninterested in the plights of minors, slopes off after the others up stairs. He briefly checks out Neva to see if she is shaggable, but finds the task of stooping some bleeding heart who lives in an orphanage of all places, to be a rather mundane task.
Sorendal follows Mercy up the stairs. As he does so Eddy climbs onto his shoulder and looks at the bipedal offspring with interest, he waves at the one who is disturbed by his master's beautifully scaled limb. Sorendal smiles ... " Thank you Mercy, I did not think to cover my hand..." he chuckles " but it does show how observant the child is... I am happy to know that you are not bothered by the remnantss of my ancestry. I will be glad to tell you about it, when we have analyzed the ssituation here "
So saying he checks the dorms for anything out of the ordinary, paying special attention to the doors
"One other thing, before you give us descriptions of the missing children" Col tells Gretchyn after pondering "Were the children taken from beds adjacent to the doors of the dorms?" This answer might indicate if the abductors just wanted to take any two children from each dorm or had targeted specific ones, he thinks.
Grral looks around suspiciously at the young ones, with an expression somewhere between discomfort and intense concentration. His brow unfurls and he appears about to say something, but glancing round at the throng seems to decide better of it.
Grral heads upstairs after the others occasionally glancing back at the children, carefully looking at the children as they stare back.
Silas moves to the windows , looking to see what is directly outside and to check if they are locked, again he looks for signs of a forced opening
Col's innate Halfling curiosity finally overcomes his politeness and he turns to Sorendal "Tell me" he says raising an eyebrow "Why have you scales on your hand. Is there some lizard ancestry in your family tree or have you caught some specialist disease, that the rest of us should beware of, from Eddie?" and he gives the wizard's lizard companion a suspicious glare.
Sorendal Nailo takes a breath and slowly exhales.. " I knew it would be you that would assk first Col... ok, now seemss to be the time to tell you sshort version. .. 40,000 yearss ago my ancesstor Elduris wass a dragon rider, he married and had a daughter, Elunisar, My countless, well about twenty five greatss grandmama... Sshe was very beautiful and wass renound for her dancing. My fatherss mount, Nomidal, a black dragon became ssmitten with her... and ... one day at one of the ssocial dinner dancess which Elduriss family attended, a dashing dark haired sstranger glided across the dancefloor and requessted a dance with Elunisar. She gracioussly accepted and they proceeded to silence everyone with their amazing routine, it wass ass if the sstranger knew every move Elunisar wass going to do. The audience applauded and Elunisar had fallen in love .. later that night the pair went hand in hand for a moonlit walk in the woodss." he draws breath and continues " The sstranger, Norm, a ' military corrosives expert' continued to visit Elunisar when in town, oddly coinciding with Elduris returning from bi-weekly patrols. After a few monthss it became clear that Elunisar was with child and Elduris went on mountain patrol happy... it wass in the mountains where the ambush took place. Two red dragonss and an ancient white dragon attacked mercilessly sscreaming death to the puppets of elvenkind. Nomidal was sslain but Elduris was kept as a sslave. An elven envoy finally bartered his freedom for a large some of gold and gems five yearss later. When he returned home he found hiss daughter and wife nurssing a half dragon "
He rolls up his sleeve.. " the scales go up my arm that's all. Everything elsse is normal... " he grins "..normal to an elf anyway !"
"Thank you for sharing that" says Col, delighted at the romantic and exciting story "What interesting ancestors you have, my upbringing and antecedents are much more mundane, sometimes I wish that they were more daring, but then I just think how wonderful it is to be here and alive!"
"Barred windows. Locked doors?" says Giacomo to Gretchyn almost shouting "You know. If there was a fire in this corridor at night every child in this orphanage would die. There's no way for them to get out. That's bloody disgusting that is."
Eddy sits on Sorendal's shoulder staring intently in Giacomo's and Talwin's directions, he suddenly spins round and stares at the top of the door, a moth !! He rocks gently back and forth on all legs, his tail fixed like a rod..
Sorendal Nailo tuts..
Eddy jumps and splats against the door like wet tissue hurled at a wall. He simultaneously flicks out his tongue and lassoes his insectoid snack. Whilst he is still munching he shuffles head first down the door a bit and hops back onto Sorendals shoulder as he is examining the hinges.
"Finissshed ? " he mumbles Sorendal
Giacomo whispers to Talwin covertly." Did he just say that his granny was a lizard shagger? That's just not right. Then he approaches Gretchyn in an indignant manner.
"And I'll tell you another thing that isn't right. You!" The priest looks angry and points at the Halfling. "You mean to say that you imprison all of those poor children up here every night? You should be locked up. You shouldn't be allowed near children you sicko. No wonder two of your 'IN-MATES' tried to escape. This place is a bloody death trap. And here's you whinging on because you've let two of your prisoners escape. I'd want to escape if I was locked up here. Frankly little Lady I AM APPALLLED."
Reinhardt watches with a detached air "There is so much emotion here, and so little application. Leave the woman alone, Giacomo - unless you believe her guilty of something worse than offending your sensibilities. In case of a fire, I'm sure she would risk her life to ensure the safety of her charges." He rubs a knuckle into his forehead "There's something I'm missing - it's on the tip of my tongue, close, but I can't get it." and he lapses into tortured concentration
Talwin ignores the chatter the gnome gets on with the job in hand and looks for clues
Some of the party search the dorms. Everything seems in order, the locks on the doors seem good and the window bars sturdy. Talwin studies the locks and is sure that they are all fashioned by the same locksmith.
Gretchyn looks visibly irked at Giacomo's comments. "I do not have to justify the running of this place to you Giacomo" She turns to Col "Deacon a 12 year old dwarf, Lucinda a human female aged 12, Terren, male human aged 9, and Evelyn, another human child age 9. They are our missing children"
"Thank you Gretchyn, please don't take too much notice of Giacomo, he is of a passionate temperament and sometimes tempted to over-dramatise the situation As our priestly companion, I'm sure would the first one there if a maiden needed moral guidance" says Col somewhat ambiguously and politely nodding his head "And their beds were close to the doors to the room or elsewhere?" he asks
Suddenly, a child runs out from under one of the beds in the dorm, he giggles at Talwin before running out of the room. He sees Gretchyn talking to Col and stops.
Gretchyn breaths out a deep sigh, "Jimmy... DOWNSTAIRS please!" and the boy scurries off..
Gretchyn turns to the others "If you have finished here, I can assemble the staff, if you still wish to talk to them. Its getting late, and the children will be getting restless"
Col glances over to the others to see if they have finished their searching. "You will need to check with my companions if they have done all that they need" he tells Gretchyn, "For my part I would be happy to go below and talk to you staff, but before we leave this area could you indicate which beds the children were stolen from?"
Sorendal walks up and down the isles of beds looking underneath them all to see if there was anything else they hadn't noticed... Eddy helps him. Then heads off downstairs to watch the action. He is not entirely sure what questions need to be asked of the staff, but he is interested in watching their reactions..
Gretchyn points out the specific beds of the abducted children, they seem to be randomly placed in the dorms.
Mercy looks up and studies the ceilings above the four beds that have been pointed out to the party. Casting a glance across to check where Gretchyn is, she climbs onto the bed nearest to her and strains her eyes to see if there are any hairline cracks or secret entrances but she finds nothing. Then she wanders over to the pile of laundry in the corner of the room. She pokes it with her toe to establish whether it is dirty. It is very!
Mercy draws her sword slowly and uses it to pull the pile apart. She assumes a pained expression on her face, and pinches her nostrils with her left hand. "Can anyone detect magic?" she asks and quickly steps away from the foul smelling pile.
"Well" sighs Talwin "I have no clue how the children were taken"
Reinhardt muses to himself "Have all the missing children lived here for some time?"
"I assume that you haven't found a trace of roguish locking picking then, Talwin. And I don't think it was magic as the doors were relocked" says Col "So what does that leave? Ah well - Let's see if we can glean anything from the staff downstairs... What do you say Talwin?"
"Well I am not really very experienced with locks you know so just because I found nothing doesnt mean there was nothing to find" says the gnome "Yes, let's talk with the staff, this has me baffled"
"Given that these are orphans, it is doubtful that their parentage is the key to their disappearance..." says Reinhardt "But I need to know more to judge. At this time I'm less concerned with how the children were removed as to why - that might take us to the people who have visited this crime upon this place. What could an orphan have that someone else could possible want? Lady Gretchen - what can you tell us of the background of these children? Any information at all could provide a clue as to their whereabouts - and vengeance on their attackers. Yes, even if we find a lock has been picked, it only means a key may not have been used - it takes us no nearer to the children's current location."
"Gretchyn" says Talwin trying a last question before descending to the ground floor "Would you know why strange men with black and white painted faces would want to keep a priest of St Cuthbert from the orphanage?"
"And have any of the four children been resident with you for only a short time?" adds Reinhardt
Grral stares intently around the dormitories with the others looking for anything out of place, but his attention wanes quickly as he is unable to determine the cause of the missing children "Where do a Skul-Dug-er-Ee like to live Col? Maybe we track it to its lair and find children!"
"If only we knew" says Col with a sigh to Grral "We need more information before we can proceed. The locks are the key, (we were told) and our best, Talwin, has examined the locks..."
Gretchyn turns to Reinhardt "Deakon was a bright dwarf. We took him in when he was 6 years old, after his parents had failed to return from an adventure. Evelyn was a quiet and sullen girl, her father and mother and succumbed to filth fever. Lucinda was a gregarious and superstitious child, who's poverty stricken mother had given her to the orphanage. Terrem was a dour and temperamental lad. His parents died shortly after his birth." She turns to Talwin "I'm afraid I know nothing of men with painted faces. Oh and yes, all the children have been here a while. Lucinda was the newest arrival, about 2 months ago."
"Hmmm" says Talwin for lack of any more suitable comment.
"Oh well... Downstairs then? asks Col of the others.
Mercy follows the party downstairs. She looks around, hoping to find something to wash the end of her sword with "Hmmmm indeed Talwin" she mutters as she passes him. "Let's question the staff for completeness, but I think our answers may lie elsewhere. We need to track down the locksmith, follow up with the mystery investigators, and hope that those at the church of St Cuthbert can help us tomorrow."
"And perhaps question the child Lucinda's mother?" adds Reinhardt adding a new line of enquiry "She is the only one who might have a story to tell?"
"That's a good idea." agrees Mercy "I wonder if the mother even knows that her daughter is missing."
"Or might offer an opinion as to why?" suggests the fighter.
Giacomo briefly looks a bit huffed by the lack of agreement to his opinion of the orphanages conditions. However he doesn't really take it personally and wanders up to listen to Gretyns further answer.
"The lockssmith and half-elf investigatorss are both good suggestionss as iss Lucinda's mother. We sshould put them on top of tomorrowss lisst of people to see. " Sorendal replies
Gretchyn leads the party downstairs. She indicates a room and says "The staff are gathered in the play room, if you wish to have a chat with them. I'll mind the children whilst you are talking to them"
Silas looks to the staff "Again please accept our apologies for this intrusion and what must seem like the same questions over and over again.....It seems we are trying to make some sense from a senseless situation. The children seem to have been randomly picked and there does not appear to be any link between any of them apart from two were aged 12 and two 9....Did any of these children have any visitors in the days leading to their disappearance? Whether they be known or not to you"
Cols nods, the question is very good; he can't resist adding his bit. "Remember" he pleads "The children are young and vulnerable. They will be scared at being with people they don't know and away from their home and friends. Please tell my friend anything that may help, every minute we delay may be vital, if we are to save them and return them to where they belong..."
Grral looms over the staff looking pointedly as them as he rumbles "Any of you see this Skull-Dug-er-Ee then?"
Sorendal asks "Iss there any common link between these four abducted children? Did they do any activity or visit together or iss there anything they are all good at or enjoy doing ? any link however tenuous could be important... I am ssorry if you have been assked thesse questionss before " he takes an apologetic stance keeping his hand in his pocket.
Sorendals right foot begins to softly tap out a quiet but rhythmic beat, intermittently pausing for no apparent reason...then continuing once more.
"And good folk, rest assured that the ones responsible for this will be persecuted beyond the furthest extent of the law, should I think it appropriate." says Reinhardt sternly "If you can help us in any way, it may save some wretch the final extremities of my displeasure."
"So who discovered the children were missing?" asks Talwin "And who locked them up for the night?"
Giacomo looks at his fellows who are bombarding the staff with their questions. He giggles to himself a little.
Col's stomach gives a low rumble and he glances anxiously round at his companions to see if they've noticed the time, he's sure that they've missed the hotel supper by now and, if they are much later, then there won't even be the opportunity to sneak down to the kitchens for some bread, cheese and pickles to help fill up the corners until breakfast.
"Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions" smiles Mercy politely "We'd really appreciate any help you can give us. Have any of you seen any strangers with painted faces hanging around the orphanage in recent days? Or heard anything unusual on the roof?" but the staff look around blankly. Mercy does a tiny leap to distract the party from her inadequate questioning
"My stomach want's it's food - unless there is more to find here, let's away to the Inn." says Reinhardt and nods approvingly to Col
"Gretchyn discovered the children were missing, I was the one who locked up the night before" says the half elf teacher. He watches with a perplexed look as Reinhardt looks intimidating at the staff, Mercy for no apparent reason jumps up and down on the spot, and Sorendal seems to be dancing..
Gretchyn comes to the door of the room. "Well, if you don't mind, the hour is late. I thank you for your interest in helping us. Please, keep us informed if you have any information" The elderly halfling looks tired, and it is apparent she wants the party to leave now.
Reinhardt pulls a not entirely ironic soldiers salute to the halfling "May your god keep you and your charges, lady - we hope to be back with more positive news shortly."
Gretchyn moves to the front doors of the orphanage and opens them, the cool night air seems very refreshing, the rain is but a drizzle now..
Col moves to leave with the others, thinking happily of a quick snack, and then bed. "Good night Gretchyn, and thank you" says Col politely "We will bring you news when we make progress" he ends rather weakly.
A thought strikes Reinhardt "I just want to nip along to the town guard barracks to find out what they discovered about the painted faced rogues - before I turn in." He strolls up to the guards and nods in a comradely fashion "Good Evening. Apologies for the lateness of the hour, but I am Rienhardt, a citizen, on a commission from the Church of St Cuthbert, trying to trace some orphans abducted from the orphanage. I had the good fortune to be with a group that rescued the priest after he was set upon by a group of rogues with painted faces - can you tell if they have given any information that provoked the attack, and when they will be tried and sentenced? I am concerned that the children may come to harm if there is a delay in finding them, so any information, however small or inconsequential would be welcome, and when I make my report to the church, may reward the giver."
"Hello there Rienhardt" says the guard in a friendly manner "Yes I've seen you around. Good work capturing those guys. I'm ashamed to say they were formerly town guards, hired it seems to ruff up poor old Rufus. To stop the church investigating the abductions apparently. They are currently held in custody and are being charged with assault"
Mercy bids Gretchyn good night and steps out into the night "Sorendal, can you take us to a good clean inn where we can get lodgings for the night?"
Sorendal follows Mercy and Reinhardt out of the orphanage thanking the staff politely as he leaves.
"I need food then sleep I think, its been a long day" admits Talwin heading off down the street.
"Further along Obsidian avenue here iss The drunken Morkoth, a well ussed inn... I will lead you to it" says Sorendal and leads the troop down the avenue to the Drunken Morkoth inn, " I'll get the firsst round in while you all get your accommodation sorted... if the quest keepss uss in town for any length of time you will be able to check other places out if this inn isn't to your needs. It iss convenient as it iss not far from my house... you'll have a drink with us before you sleep Talwin?" he chats as he walks.
Talwin replies to Sorendal "A drink would go down nicely I think"
"Well if you ask me" grumbles Giacomo "Which it is clear that you ain't. This is all a 'put-up' job. Someone is trying to stir up trouble between the church of Olimmara and Cuthbert. If the guards were hired, why were they made to paint their faces like worshipers? It's all a scam I tells you."
"You could be right, Giacomo" says Col gravely "I am completely baffled at the moment. Baffled and hungry that is" he corrects himself "Perhaps things will become clearer on the morrow when we get the list of other disappearances and are able to meet with this locksmith of renown that we've heard about so much"
Sorendal strikes a pose, he points at Col with his scaled hand then raises an eyebrow at him ..."Even the grey elves talk of Keygan Ghelve wiv respec'... tinkering gnome expertss travel many, many leagues just to talk wiv 'im, dwarves pay stackss o' suns for treasure chestss wiv 'is lock on it ... innit. Hiss reputation hass ssurely reached every corner of Greyhawk itself....... or so they say.." and then he continues on, leading the party to the inn "...No idea what the guys like though... " he mutters half to himself. As they walk through the streets Sorendal pulls his hat out from one of the deeper pockets in his cloak, puts it on his head and arranges the wide rim so that it is perfectly symmetrical on a north south axis. He hates the rain....
Reinhardt remains in conversation with the guard "Any Idea who hired the scumbags to attack Rufus? You offered a reduction in sentence for this info? It would be a good lead for all of us."
The guard replies to Reinardt "We know it was the Last Laugh who were involved. A guild of ruffians, but apart from that I know nothing. I bid you good evening Reinhardt" He salutes the warrior.
Reinhardt shrugs and mopes off to the Drunken Morkoth after inviting the guards to join him at the end of his shift. "Far be it from me to interrupt the working of justice here - but getting to the assailants might be a good move - either getting them out, or getting thrown in there with them - anyone fancy a bar-room brawl?"
"Better find out if they are in jail Reinhardt" advises Col "Mayhaps they have friends on the outside who have paid their bail. Then you'd be 'banged up', I think the term is, to no benefit and" horror registers on the halfling's face "You'd have a criminal record!"
Grral follows on after the others towards the Drunken Morkoth, he surreptitiously glances into each of the alleys and lanes they pass. Occasionally his lips move as though in conversation, but no audible sound projects.
The party arrive at the Drunken Morkoth Inn. This is perhaps the most popular inn in the city. A regular stop for many merchants and travelling adventurers, the combination of comfortable beds, good food, and reasonable prices make it a favourite among the city's returning visitors. Each of the rooms here is decorated with a humorous painting of Cauldron's legendary lake monster, a large morkoth. The paintings depict the morkoth in any number of embarrassing and ridiculous scenes, always with the morkoth drunk and confused, and often in incongruous locations.
Grral approaches the bar removes his backpack, quickly rummages through the items at the top and withdraws a battered wooden tankard. "Grral want a pint in this" he rumbles offering the vessel, he pauses a moment and his brow knits momentarily as his eyes flick about "please.." he adds
"Certainly, that'll be one Moon" He looks at Graal intently "From outta town?..that's 1 silver to you my friend"
Grral eyes narrow slightly somewhat uncomfortable under the unwavering stare of the barkeep, he reaches into his money pouch and withdraws a silver piece. With great ceremony he wipes the coin down using a small cloth from inside the bag and drops the coin onto the bar. Pushing it toward the barkeep using the cloth.
"Why thank you.." the barman fill Graals wooden tankard with mead
Grral brow furrows once more as he appears to be recalling something which has been explained to him many times but which it still takes monumental effort to remember, "thank you" he mumbles and takes a long draught from the tankard
"well this is nice, think we can get some food, my tummy is ever rumbling" says Talwin looking around the tap-room.
"Here, here!" echoes Col "It seems ages since we last ate. We could discuss how we proceed while we much away" he says cheerfully.
" I agree. After an afternoon of combat mixed with tedium i always like a hearty meal." Giacomo joins in and waves his coin purse that the barkeep. "Barkeep! A plate of your heartiest fare and a fine tankard of ale. And have one of your saucy wenches bring it over. I'd had enough of looking at ugly people for one day."
Col can't resist joining Giacomo in eating but it is all he can do to keep awake and, after polishing off the last scrap.
"Food for me to please" Talwin reminds the bar-man "If there are rooms here I would like one to please, I don't mind sharing"
"Yes, we still have rooms. Although perhaps yourself and the halfling could share"
"I don't mind sharing with him to save us some money, I don't take up much space"
" agrees the gnome and then whispers to the others "Hey guys I just heard someone say that Janeer Everdawn, one of the missing townsfolk had volunteered to do work at the orphanage, hmmm"
"Gather round," says Reinhardt "We need to decide what next to do. I must confess I cannot see my way clear to solving this mystery - perhaps an assault on the Last Laugh might yield some results - I'd certainly like to slap a couple of them to see what they would tell us. Well, Mercy - fancy a raid on the rogues?"
"I'm up for that too" says Col "But I'll be of more help if I can recharge my spells. And we'd need to find out where it is - I doubt if the location is widely known" he pauses "Except by rogues of course! Talwin have you seen anything in the Cantish runes that would show where the Last Laugh may have their headquarters?"
Sorendal leans against the bar parked on a barstool... "Evenin' to ya barman, i ssee Simon has the day off today... a gallon of ale and a pitcher of your housse wine pleasse. Oh and a rum cider...and one for ya'self too - how's business then... many travellers 'n merchants in at the moment ?" He hands the barman a sun and takes the change .. "Got today's paper behind the bar?.. " he asks. Then takes the huge vessel of ale and the pitcher of wine to the tables and offers the drinks to his comrades, "drink up my friendss.... quench your thirssts"
Col takes a tankard of ale gratefully and thanks Sorendal. Then he turns to the barman and asks what rumours there are about the rash of missing persons in the city
Silas walks to the bar "A mug of water and just some bread and cold meat for me please sir" he states, then joins his companions
Silas appears deep in thought "We must have missed something..." he mutters almost to himself , "No one saw anything , no one heard anything and no one knows anything...". He looks up at Rienhardt "Agreed! A chat with the Last Laugh should be our next move, maybe that will shed more light on this venture we have ended up in"
Giacomo looks around for anyone in the bar that he might have even the slightest chance of shagging.
"Let's get some rest in and start on this afresh tomorrow, when the people we want to question are about" suggests Col, he yawns widely and disappears to his room to relearn spells and to rest up ready for whatever the following day throws his way
"I think a good nights sleep is needed, tomorrow we go to the church" says Talwin.
"That's a plan." agrees Reinhardt "I'd like to interview Lucinda's mother to see if there may have been any reason for her abduction, but I'd rather plan an abduction of our own. Brave as I am, I'm not so foolish as to assault the Last Laugh's lair, even with such a likely bunch to back me up - but I would consider casing it and capturing one or two rogues who were coming and going from their headquarters - but first, sleep. Mercy, Fancy a bunk-up?"
Silas looks around at the party and sighs with a shake of his head "Whilst I am not devoutly religious... the lord gave males two heads, try using the one see out guys"
Mercy studiously ignores Reinhardt's most recent offer, and answers his first. "I agree that we should be able to learn more from the Last Laugh, but for now I will get a night cap, and a <b>single room</b>. I will see you all in the morning, ready to follow up our various, if rather disappointing, leads. Good evening, Gentlemen. And Giacomo and Reinhardt - keep your noses clean and your breeches on"
Mercy gets up and stalks to the bar, where she orders a final drink. She chats to the barman as he serves her. telling him about the attack on the cleric of St Cutbert's by the clown-faced assailants. "Does that make any sense to you?" she asks
Sorendal raises his mug to Silas.."Indeed you are right Silas, it would sseem that Giacomo cant focuss two eyes as long as he squintss with the one! When you all retire for the night I sshall head off home to rechoose my spellss and rest...and come back afresshed,.. what time are you planning to have breakfasst ?"
The party chat on with the barman but neither Col or Mercy find out anything new of interest... The party retire for the night.
Giacomo retires alone, despite his best attempts at chatting up the local women...
The night passes uneventfully.
Elsewhere in the city Sorendal gets up from his meditation at 0400, he showers and dresses. After breakfast he fetches his bowyer equipment from his room and spends a couple of hours silently working on a piece of wood which he starts to trim into the basics of a long bow. At 7 o'clock Eddy, munching a bug, pushes an old paperback book off the shelf deliberately disturbing the peace... "Oh yeah.. ya right, I've thingss to do, people to ssee n all that.. nice one Ed..". Sorendal gives Eddy a thumbs up and tidies away his stuff. He is nearly gets out of the door when his father decides to ask him about the previous days events.. Did he get a job?. Oh, and can he help put these books and papers out.
Sorendal leaves the shop half an hour later promising that his new job will actually earn him some money for a change, morning paper under his arm and pocket all the poorer for it ! He arrives at the Drunken Morkoth just after 8 o'clock and parks himself at the bar (almost like he never moved!). "Did Simon get the sack, or is he ill again?" he asks the barman and chuckles to himself. "Good morning barman.. A cup of your delicouss Willow bark tea and ssome Dried datess pleasse" he asks with a smile. He sips his hot tea and reads the morning paper whilst patiently waiting for the others to join him..
"Time for breakfast I think" says Talwin the gnome coming down in the morning
Col is down early and wolfs down his breakfast, eager to start the days detecting. He greets the barman and then borrows Sorendal's paper scanning it for interesting and relevant items...
Talwin sits with the others, orders breakfast, then seconds, then some bread and washed down with plenty of tea
After entirely failing to get his end away the night before Giacomo awakens surprisingly cheerfully. "Good morning everyone. Are we all ready for a fine days smiting?"
"We are wasting daylight - lets get on shall we?" Reinhardt replies tersely "I for one will be smiling when we get the kiddies back, and enrich ourselves at the expense of the wrongdoers."
"Look we cant go investigating on an empty stomach you know" objects Talwin "Most important meal of the day is breakfast"
Silas orders some bread and a mug of water and joins the others "I think we should go back to Jenya first and see if she has found out anymore than we have. Maybe she will know the whereabouts of the last laugh brigade, or at least have some information on them"
"Good idea" agrees Talwin spitting toast crumbs everywhere
Col talks to the others as he munches his way through the slices of fresh-baked bread. "We have a lot to do today" he starts "We have to collect the list from Jenya and interview the locksmith, we must see Lucinda's mother too and those two half-elf investigators. We might be able to get a lead to the Last Laugh base from one of those thugs that are with the watch and, if that wasn't enough we have the gnome dream plus that man that applied for a job at the orphanage and then disappeared! It makes me hungry just thinking about it!"
The party eat breakfast and leave the Drunken Morkoth. The day is bright and clear, if a bit chilly..
"To the church then?" asks the gnome after finishing his last piece of bread with a sigh of contentment.
"Works for me! Mustn't keep Jenya waiting..." says Col cheerfully, tucking the last slice of bread into an inside pocket.
Sorendal sits thinking "… A man applied for a job at the orphanage and then dissappeared... Why would they bump him off? Would it be becausse he would be the only one not under their control or wouldn't take a bribe or threat perhapss... " he muses
"Don't know, but my sword hand is beginning to sing to me." says Reinhardt impatiently "To the church it is - and confusion to all that oppose us!" and he whistles a martial air as he waits for the others to ready themselves.
Mercy follows the party to the church. When they get there she will spend a few minutes in silent prayer to St Cuthbert, then she will stand with Silas to talk to Jenya
Grral having risen and partaken of a breakfast of raw fish, much to the disgust of the innkeeper heads on out with the others towards the church
"I may have mentioned it before. But the people with the painted face were worshippers of Olidammara, or at the very least their face painting was an indicator of that." Giacomo tells the others as they journey to the church "As there is no Olidammara church in the city it may be useful to find out where they would worship of congregate. I'm new here so I wouldn't know. That's another stop we could make."
The barbarian who has been thinking hard speks "Col, you ask them other clown men 'bout Skul-Dug-er-Ee, and they with Last Laugh" Grrals brow furrows "which is not right, we had last laugh.. Now they with guards. Well if you though they know about Skul-Dug-er-Ee then maybe their friends know too.. We go ask them yes?"
Grral grins briefly to himself, obviously pleased with this deductive logic.
After a while the party arrive at the church of St Cuthbert. Jenya Urikas guides them into the main chamber...
"I have compiled the list of kidnap victims, here it is." says Jenya the priestess, handing over 3 pages of writing.
Silas glances at the list "That is a rather large list my lady, it would appear this mystery is bigger than we first thought. Did you by chance come across any references to the people with the painted faces or there whereabouts?"
He looks at the list again then says "So the first disappearance was 88 nights ago as far as we can tell… Apart from it always happening at night I cannot see any connection between the abductees at first glance. Jenya can you remember anything unusual happening around 3 months ago, a new governor of the town or some distinct new arrivals to the area etc? Excuse me for thinking out loud people I am just trying to get my mind in order" with that Silas hands the list on and begins to walk up and down his head bowed in thought
"Thanks you for compiling these lists, Jenya, we very much appreciate the work that must have gone into researching this mystery" say Col "Can you tell me if any of their possessions were also taken or disturbed and if there was any indication of how their abductors gained entry to their homes?"
"Well I am damned if I can see any connection" admits Talwin and he sits down looking serious but really starting to wonder when dinner will be today
Reinhardt nods respectfully to Jenya "The priestess gives us a list of, as she styles it, Kidnap victims. I notice that mostly they are merely folk who have gone missing. It may be that the people who have been kidnapped form a much smaller group than these three pages contain. Therefore trying to determine a common case between all may be like comparing snakes and oranges - making it difficult and misleading."
Talwin is shaken out of his daydream "Can I have an orange if you have some Reinhardt?"
"Some folk may have just up sticks and gone" Reinhard continues ignoring the interruption "Particularly if their business was poor or they had conflict which they could not resolve."
"Only if you have enough" says Talwin thinking of the juicy, succulent orange.
Reinhardt wishes he had a snake handy and struggles on "I wonder if placing these disappearances on a map of the city would be useful, or are they scattered all over? And did all the disappearances all take place between nightfall and cock-crow?"
"I would prefer an Orange" agrees Col, only half listening to Reinhardt "Or just a couple of segments, perhaps just a share of yours Talwin? They are said to be good for sailors, stop them getting Seafarers diseases and things like that." Col realises he's strayed off the point and finishes limply "I'm rather fond of them and I doubt we'll be going to sea"
"Me neither, I get sick on boats and bringing up your lunch is a terrible waste of food"
"Also, I have heard that sailors have some quite unpleasant habits" mutters Col and then adds "Allegedly" so that he doesn't offend any ex-sailors. "I myself have never been to sea" he admits "Perhaps the Lady Mercy has had dealing with mariners in the past that she might share. And talking about sharing, what happened to the orange?"
" I have never had anything to do with Seamen" states Mercy. "Now stop thinking of your stomachs and focus on the task at hand" as she reads through the three pages of names, and looks up with a grim expression. "Such a long list, ranging from old to young, from skilled to unskilled, from lonely soul to loving couple. There is nothing to link these people other than the sorrow left by their disappearance. Tell us, Jenya, has there been any ransom note? Is there any other clue other than the warning that the thugs gave to the Father last night?"
While waiting for an answer, Mercy mulls over the wording of the riddle.".....into the malachite 'hold, where precious lives are bought with gold..." she looks thoughtfully into space. "It sounds as though the victims are being taken to sell as slaves, maybe in the mines somewhere? But what sort of evil would deal in the lives of people?"
"You know" says Giacomo, after scanning the list "Everyone on that list before the children was an adult. Also 15 of the disappearances were single ones. 81 days ago 2 people vanished, and on 3 separate occasions 4 people vanished. The average is about 1 person every three days, however that doesn't take the heavy patches into consideration. We need to cross reference that data by time, that is do groupings by day, also by number, we also need to look at which of these may have been natural or uninvolved so we can strike them out of out statistical analysis. Does that make sense?"
Talwin is unimpressed "No oranges then?"
Grral listens as the conversation bounces around amongst the party wearing a look of confusion as they seemly leap from unrelated topic back to talking about the disappearances. He tries to chime in occasionally when he is at least sure of the facts "Oranges is round and snakes is long and thin" he responds to Reinhardt's query about comparing the two. Grral glances at the list as it is passed, as incomprehensible as the paper with the riddle on he passes it on having glared vacantly at the three pages trying to glean some meaning. "How many are eighty-eight?" he finally asks.
Giacomo sighs "All I'm saying is that we need to look for trends in these statistics."
"You think the Skul-Dug-er-Ee eats every three days then Giacomo?" asks the puzzled barbarian "He must be great monster indeed to eat that many, and sometimes more than one"
"You are right Mercy, slavery does seem to be the most probable, I was focusing so tightly on the first line of the prophecy that I didn't bother with the rest." agrees Col. "Perhaps we can learn something by looking at trends as Giacomo suggests, it is certainly something we should attempt. It does seem funny that, for most of their time they have only taken adults and suddenly they have changed their tack, why? With this number of citizens taken there must be a well established route and an organisation, we must find it, and find it fast!"
Col turns to Grral with a weak smile "Eighty-eight is even more than 'Lots and Lots' " he tells the huge barbarian.
"I doubt slavery was the motive" says Reinhardt dubiously "Unless specific needs were required by the purchaser, I would expect only strong backs to be taken - more work before they die, style o' thing."
"Were they all connected to the church of St Cuthburt?" ponders Reinhardt
"Sorendal, you're a man of books and learning and all of that kind of thing. Could you look at this list and sort out some trends? Maybe do a graph or two? Perhaps a venn diagram? To be honest i'm sort of losing interest myself." says Giacomo turns to the human wizard.
"Well, looking at the lists is interssting no doubt, but I am sstarting to get the impression that the Last Laugh thieves guild are supplying slavess to the Duegar ssomewhere... " Sorendal strikes a thoughtful pose..... so does Eddy; He briefly glances at the lists and hands them on to someone else.
Col finally gets his turn and looks over the lists, he retires to the back of the temple and starts to make calculations on a scrap of paper. After a while he looks up "There had been 21 abductions, before the children were taken. An abduction occurred every two to seven days, so we could expect another any time now!" he pauses for dramatic effect "These first abductions targeted adults but not the young or old, which would agree with Mercy's theory. Of those taken there was a tendency to take gnomes, dwarves and halflings, perhaps because, being smaller they would put up less of a fight. Gnome abductions 14% as against a 5% gnome population, dwarf 9% vs a 3% population and Halfling 14% against a 9% population. In addition half-elves were taken a huge 9% of the time against a 1% population. Unusually no elves or half-orcs were taken and humans only 50% of the time against a 79% of the Cauldron population. The question in my mind is if the abduction of the poor orphans signals a change in the abductors strategy?"
Reinhardt looks heavenwards and tuts "Fine, Fine! But where does this lead us? Fancy theories backed up with long words ain't gonna bring the folks back. Where do we find the Last Laugh? I reckon the only way to get to the bottom of this is to start making life unpleasant for their foot soldiers. How's about a run in with some dockside bravoes and tarts down near the water? If we threaten to hurt them we might learn something to our advantage - we must DO something soon! We might even prompt intervention from someone in the 'LL' who knows something useful."
"What did the guards find out from the ones we captured?" interrupts Talwin "Or maybe we can get to talk with them now"
"The ones we captured seem a good start. Perhaps a 'Charm' on them might yield some information" says Col "But remember that 'The Locks are the Key' and we should interview the locksmith as the first priority!"
Jenya Urikas nods in agreement with Col "Yes, as the divination mentioned Locks are the key, I believe that would be a good place to start. As for what the guards found out off of the captured thugs, I don't know, perhaps you should try to gather some information off any you see in town"
"That is settled then" says Col to the others "Let's try our locksmith first and see where that leads us."
Sorendal nods "Okey dokey.. we have a venue, letss Ger-Ger-Ger-Go..." he says whilst leaping to his feet. "Err, what exactly are we gonna ask him by the way? .. "
Grral looks warily at the halfling throughout his explanation of the statistics, passing through puzzlement and landing softly into the lap of abject confusion. "We ask lock maker if he give a key to the Skul-Dug-er-Ee, or if he knows how one would get past his locked doors"
"I think that we need to question the locksmith carefully - he may be involved or perhaps someone else is using his master keys. Perhaps a Charm spell might be appropriate?" asks Col, unwilling to offend any of the party members "Evil times call for strong measures. What's more we should keep a watch out in our investigation for a curtain to match the one in the divination poem too!"
Reinhardt nods to Graal "I am willing to resort to extreme measures to rescue the children - If the locksmith is inclined to stand on his dignity, I for one am willing to yank it out from under him, and stuff it up his arse! Who is with me! To the locksmith!"
Col nods, agreeing with Reinhardt's summary of the situation
Reinhardt salutes respectfully to Jenya Urikas "We are about your work. Please pass it around where you have influence for people to help, rather than to hinder us in your work."
"Right, Sorendal, take us to the locksmith if you know where he is." Mercy instructs the wizard "And if we see any guards perhaps Reinhardt or I can try and talk to them. Although I am proving to be particularly bad at finding out any information"
Mercy bows to Jenya. "Good day. Consider us in your meditations when you can, and send the judgement of Cuthbert to help us in our investigations"
Col, impressed by Mercy's manners, also bows to the priestess "Thank you Lady Jenya, we will be on our way" and he turns and leaves with the others
As the party emerge from the church, they see a woman. She is carrying to baskets that are overloaded with foodstuffs. she seems to struggling with her load...
Giacomo smiles "Ok chaps, I'll meet you at Ghelves, I just gotta help this damsel in distress" with that the cleric rushes off to assist, the not unattractive lady.
"I and one of my companions will help you with those heavy baskets, if you would let us, madam" says Col graciously rushing over to help "And I'm sure our cleric would provide an arm for you to lean on."
The lady looks at Col "It's OK small one, this nice young man has offered me his help" she giggles..
Silas watches the cleric, then with a sigh and a shake of his head continues on with the rest of the party
Col looks embarrassed then backs off to join the others, "Small one, indeed!" he thinks to himself and a frown creases his brow.
"OK lets get to the locksmiths then" Talwin tells the Halfling and sets off with the party, keeping a lookout all time in case the see a passing pie vendor
Sorendal leads the party onto Magma Avenue and takes the clockwise route to the locksmiths
"I just don't like the idea of people having disappeared over such a long period and there being no clues and little interest from the authorities until the children were taken" admits Col "I think we need to be very cautious, we don't want to get into difficulties" and so saying he nervously takes his crossbow and cocks his crossbow, holding it in one hand under his cloak.
Sorendal looks out for any guards on the way. If there are any he will ask them if they know what information was gleaned from the thugs interrogation, he puts on a comedic tourist guide accent whenever he is telling his friends about any places of note on their journey as they pass them...
Reinhardt ignores the party chatter and whistles a martial air as he strides down the street "One of these days I'll own this town, then things will be much better..." he tells the others.
"It may be that the locksmith is involved but not knowingly" ponders Col out loud "It could be an apprentice, a co-worker or even a spouse may be the culprit. Perhaps he's shielding someone? It could be if we play on his guilt by mentioning that his locks seems to have failed to deter the abductors and that the poor orphans will be lonely and afraid. If he has any feelings he would come clean if he knows or guesses what's been going on"
Col stops talking as the pace quickens and he has to half-run to keep up with the humans.
The party follow Sorendal as he leads them to Ghelves Locks. As they near the premises a couple of town guards come into view. Sorendal approaches them and begins to chat. He finds out that people have been kidnapped from every district in the town. The crimes are not particularly localised.
As they hurry past the early morning shoppers in the streets each of the party wonder what they will find at the renowned locksmiths
