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<blockquote data-quote="Greyhawk" data-source="post: 3733999" data-attributes="member: 40355"><p><strong>The Missing Children</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Realising he is alone the gnome rogue Talwin rushes back to the party "Oh my!! Should we call the watch now?" </span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col replies "I don't know this place Talwin, it could be that the watch is the place to go" he shrugs "But Sorendal or perhaps the victim may be able to advise us better as they know Cauldron?" </span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">The fighter Reinhardt speaks loudly "Have we all enjoyed ourselves? I hope we have not made a social faux-pas by interfering in a matter that was nothing to do with us?" He continues "Whilst three on one is never good to watch, let's not assume that he did not deserve the good kicking that these folk were handing out." He sighs "There have been times when I might do as much if my purse was slim and my belly were empty".</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">The man comes around. He appears groggy.. he looks at Col. "whoa little one, slow down.." He stands up and blinks a few times "All I know is that i was on my way to the temple when I was attacked. I thought they meant to rob me. Obviously not." He scans the area. "I thank you for saving me. The watch must be called. I would also ask if you would be kind enough to escort me to The Temple of St Cuthbert. I am Rufus Laro. Cleric of St Cuthbert."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well met Rufus Laro.. My name iss Sorendal Nailo. These are my friendss Mercy.. Reinhardt.. Giacomo.. Silas.. Talwin.. Col.. and Grral.." absent mindedly Sorendal gestures to each of his companions in turn with his black scaley hand, a citizens ring clearly visible on his index finger. "I'm ssure we would be delighted to esscort you back to church after the watch hass cleared thiss up.." he pauses then continues, attempting to get more information from the groggy cleric "As we are already out for a saunter taking a cruise past the Temple of The Cudgel wouldn't put us out none. But tell me old man, why would you have sparked the ire of these worshippers of Olidammara?? And what orphanage were they talking about??"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I'll gladly go with you but I'd advise a fighting type" says Col cheerfully "Who knows if the lady-clown is still active? Can one of you big types asks some questions of our prisoners in the meantime, like who exactly set this attack up and what its aim was? There are so many things to discover!" he ends with a happy chuckle, clearly enjoying the mystery of the situation.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I dont know about enjoyed myself I nearly wet my pants, I have never been in a fight before" says Talwin "My bow practice has always been at straw targets and the sword is more for show I am afraid" Talwin looks over at one of the prisoners "So you there Thug" he says nervously peering between Grral and Mercy "Why were you attacking this nice man in the street?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas saunters up to the party , noticing the man is awake "Good evening sir, I hope you are feeling a little better" he says with a smile and nod of his head. Looking around at the rest of the party he asks "Do we have a plan yet?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well…" says Col in reply "I think that the plan is to hand over the thugs to face the full majesty of the law and also to escort this poor gentleman" he indicates the devotee of St Cuthbert "Back to his temple, where presumably he will be safe. I did suggest that it might be a good idea to remove items that could be used by these villains in further thuggery but there didn't seem to be much support for that" he says sadly "We could have sold the items to extend our meagre resources or even given the money to charity, or perhaps the local orphanage. Maybe it would be put to preventing further skulduggery!" he beams at the others, clearly very pleased with the word.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral looms over the conscious thug "Who are your boss clown man?" he growls "and why they want you fight man with picture on his cloak?" he asks gesturing toward Rufus "And what are Skul-dug-er-ee?" he asks leaning down right into the helpless thugs face.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I'm not telling you anything" says the thug with a snarl.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">In the absence of any other suggestions to the contrary Col goes round and disarms each of the thugs taking their short-swords and any other items (knives, daggers bows etc) that could be used to attack or escape.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Now" he says with determination "Rather than stay out in the street debating all night, let's take this fine fellow home" he indicates Rufus "And then get the temple to send for the appropriate authority. That way we can stay together, in case there are other assailants hidden on the way, and we reach a place of comparative safety much sooner. So what do you all think?" he pauses looking upwards at all the tall people surrounding him.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Should we all not visit the watch first and hand over this lot then we can all give our stories to them including Rufus, then we take him to the temple" prompts Talwin.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col shrugs "Whichever is the closest if you like?" he suggests "I thought that as we're going through the Eastern part of the city on our way to St Cuthbert's it might be as well to go there. Mind you with these twisty streets I may well be mistaken in the directions we have taken. Sorenal - which is closest the watch-house or the Cuthbert and can you lead us there?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas nods "Agreed lets hand these thugs over to the proper authorities to deal with them , and then get this gentleman to safety"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">[Silas] I am away from the keyboard.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I just thought the watch will want mr Rufus side of the story as well" suggests Talwin "So we should take him there first"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well I'm glad that's settled" he half asks the rest "Let's be off then, I assume that you don't mind coming along Rufus, just to tell them how it happened?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Look, we've given them a slap - why worry the watch?" Reinhardt tells the others "They've taken no less scathe than what they've dealt out, so I reckon everyone is even. Let's just get this chap to his temple and let these dregs fetch themselves to whatever den they call home. I'm not being paid to do the work of the watch - are any of you? Giacomo is right - we don't know what caused this attack - they may believe themselves justified."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Fiddlesticks!" says Col "They attacked three to one on Rufus and then the last one drew his sword on Mercy. Pass 'em to the guard, they should respect the law in this city!"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Just then a voice is heard... "What 'ave we 'ere then.. Everyone drop their weapons and don't move!"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Oh god. We're nicked." says Giacomo in dismay, forgetting that he is on the lawful side in this fight.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col drops his staff, plus the short swords and daggers of the thugs creating quite a racket. Then he calls out "Over here officer. We have captured some felons who were beating a priest of St Cuthbert. He will explain the situation" he opens his hands to show that he has no hidden weapons and gives what he hopes is a winning smile.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Tell them Reverend sir" he murmurs to Rufus and nudges the still-groggy priest..</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"So Rufus. You never answered my question. What's your beef with the Olidammara crowd?" says Giacomo ignoring the town guard.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Giacomo" says Col patiently "Sorendal has just told us that these are not the devotees of your god they are a criminal gang called the Last Laugh"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"All in good time Giacomo. Let us first speak with the guard" the priest replies, eyes focused on the approaching group of five guards.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Rufus...that you? You ok?...ok, everyone stand still" calls the guard leader.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Yes. I am fine, these gentlemen came to my aid" asserts the priest.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Oh great, flatfeet." mutters Reinhardt and leans insolently against a wall.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I tell you Reinhardt, you ain't wrong." says Giacomo in a whisper "I wonder how many of us get to fall down the stairs while resisting arrest. Bloody rozzers."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Mercy gives a warning glance to the chatting party members "Good evening officers. We have apprehended a numbers of padfoots that were assaulting Mr Laro." she gestures at the incapacitated clown-faced thugs. "Unfortunately at least one got away". She strides up to the Town Guard and holds out a hand in greeting "My name is Mercy. I am new to the town - I have come to seek work as a swordswoman. Very honoured to make your acquaintance"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Evening All" says Talwin to the guards</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral glances down for a moment, his brow creases in contemplation "Feet not look so flat to Grral, unless boots hide it" he pauses and then continues "But then boots would be loose and fall off, so Grral fairly sure not flat feet" he smiles pleased with his deductive reasoning. Grral waits for further comment from the arriving guard, staring vacantly ahead, his eyes begin to droop and he begins to make a slow rhythmic throaty growl</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas stays where he is quietly watching the situation unfold</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal Nailo stands still as requested by the guards.." Hail guards and a fair evening to you. I am Sorendal Nailo, a citizen of Cauldron." he hold up his hand to show his ring of citizenship." It iss ass the lady ssays.. i was esscorting my friendss from the Dog and Ferret to the Drunken Morkoth for lodgingss, when we came across these thugs from the Last Laugh guild beating poor Rufuss here to a pulp.. we sstopped it and managed to catch these four. A fifth accomplice, a woman in Last Laugh guise made her esscape across the roof.." he points to where she was last seen.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col continues to remain silent but nods vigorously agreeing with Sorendal's story</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Hey, Copper. Since we seem to be doin' yer work for you, any chance of a reward?" asks Reinhardt undiplomatically.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">The guards move and apprehend the thugs and take their weapons from the pile at Col's feet, he tries hrad not to look disappointed.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Ok Rufus...well, we will have a little chat with these scallywags, rest assured they will bother you no more." the town guard leader tells the group "I will send round one of my officers to the church to get any pertinent details later, for now, I suggest you go back to the church" He looks at the party "Will you gentlemen please escort him? If we need to interview any of you further regarding this matter, we will find you. I bid you good eve"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I has a pleasure to be of assistance" chirps up the gnome.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal Nailo ,apparently oblivious to the current situation, looks down at the sodden alleyway around his feet intently, he stoops down and picks up a worm flushed to the surface by the rain. Sorendal turns his head round and looks at Eddy, who is sitting on his shoulder rocking his head back and forth excitedly. " For you.. " he holds the worm up and Eddy lasso's it with his tongue and whips it back into his mouth and then sits happily munching his snack</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Never has my sword been so cheap - so I'm providing an escort, Gratis." says Reinhardt disgustedly "Thank the gods that my father did not live to see this day. C'mon people. Reinhardt knows the way. Sorendal ain't the only citizen here, It's just I'm not as keen to show me ring in public." He winks, and leads off whistling a marching air.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Giacomo shakes his head as the guard leads the thugs away. He mouths the words 'Pigs' to himself. "Lets get this charming, and I'm sure totally blame free, fellow back to his temple. I'm sure there will be answers in the coming."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">They escort the cleric quickly back through the darkened streets of the sleeping city and enter the temple of St Cuthbert.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"This is nice and at least out of the rain" Talwin whispers looking round.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col looks up at the huge building in awe. "This is truly amazing" he exclaims "You really do live in a swanky place Rufus! In my part of the world our temples are much, much more modest… Perhaps you can tell us now what's going on?" he asks Father Laro "Why did the men attack you and what is this about the orphanage and lost children? But only if you feel that it's right for us to know" he adds politely.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas wanders the temple recognising many of the symbols from the church in which he spent his youth. He gives the altar a formal but familiar nod of respect. "I too would like to hear more about this orphanage, let's say having come from a similar background it has stirred my curiosity"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Sso Reinhardt... You are usually a paid escort... Who'ss not keen on exposing his ring ??" bursts out laughing at his fellow Cauldronite, "No wonder your poor !! But sseriously guy.. a few freebiess to get ourselvess noticed, boosst our rep' up.. Itss worth it to attract ssome business with a sserious wage, wouldn't ya ssay ??" he suggests</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Reinhardt nods at hissing Sid but says nothing for a moment. Then he answers "Yup, Build our reps, but not at the price of a shiv in the back. I plan to be old n' rich, no cause is good enough to risk yer neck for. 'Specially not a priest that should know better than be out on his own in that area."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Father Rufus" says Mercy respectfully "I am glad that we were able to help deliver you from your attackers. Would you be so kind as to help us understand the situation? Did you know your attackers?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Rufus shakes his head "No, I don't believe I did know the attackers...hard to say tho...with that make up." He smiles at the party "I thank you once again. I would like you to talk to my superior, I believe she may wish to speak with you" Rufus bows and leaves the room..</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">A moment later a woman enters the room. She has premature streaks of grey in her rich brown hair. She wears a brown robe with golden trim and a symbol of St Cuthbert around her neck..</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">She speaks "My name is Jenya Urikas and I bid you welcome. May I extend my thanks for coming to Rufus's aid. Now, I have a proposal for you.."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Four children were kidnapped from the local orphanage three nights ago. Their names were Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda, and Terrem. The children are the most recent victims in a series of strange disappearances and robberies."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col cocks his head on one side and he listens attentively, standing up to get a better view of the lady, but keeping a respectful silence while she speaks.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">the lady continues "The orphanage has two common bedchambers on the second floor...one for the girls, the other for the boys. Two children were taken from each room. None of the other children and none of the resident staff heard or saw anything"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Was there anything that linked the children that were taken- were they related? Or of a certain age or appearance?" asks Mercy eagerly</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Jenya frown "The orphanage has barred windows and excellent locks protecting its doors. The children are locked in their rooms at night to prevent any midnight mischief." She looks at Mercy "I will answer questions once i have finished speaking"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Mercy's face flushes a deep red. "I'm sorry for interrupting" she says quietly, and drops her head forward so that her hair covers her face</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"In the wake of the kidnappings," the priestess continues looking mollified "The church of St Cuthbert has publicly vowed to locate the missing children and bring the kidnappers to justice. To locate the children, I have utilised a magical item to perhaps gain some divine insight. The response I received was a cryptic riddle...I wrote it down.."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">She passes a piece of paper to the party on it is written:</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">The locks are the key to finding them</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Descend into the malachite 'hold where precious life is bought with gold</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Half a dwarf binds them but not for long</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">After passing out the paper the priestess continues "I would like to hire you to find the missing children...please talk among yourselves for a moment"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Even if she had not offered to pay us for our trouble, I would want to help in this endeavour" says Col eagerly "I wonder if this is the only abduction in this city? We may be able to make a career out of locating lost children!! I'm sure it won't be that difficult and that we'll have them all back again in no time flat. And we'll have enough money for pipeweed and a slap up meal too, this St Cuthbert looks as if he could afford a silver or two for our aid!"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Don't feel bad about breaking into her prepared speech Mercy" he adds in a comforting voice "She kept pausing and I thought she'd ended. If I could have thought of anything to say I'd have broken in too!! Politicians, clerics and actors they all love these long dramatic pauses, goodness knows why, anyway don't take it badly I think you're marvellous! I mean if you were 3 foot shorter and double your age, I'd quite .. Err, um" and he finishes in a flustered confusion.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Hummy, pump, pump" Col softly hums to himself as he thinks "I wonder - if they were indeed excellent locks on the doors, they may have been made by the bloke that the man in the pub mentioned. Now what was his name? Lady," he says to Jeyna "You say that the children were the latest victims in a series of strange disappearances and robberies. Can you tell us anything of the other incidents. It might help..." and he waits patiently for her reply.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Riddles? From St. CUthbert? Wow. I'm impressed." sneers Giacomo "Now I'd have thought that a lick-spittle of law would send a less chaotic message to his priests. Well I'm up for helping the lil' kiddies. If for no other reason than to find out what worshippers of Olidammara, the red hot love machine, have to do with it. Can we get out of here? I feel like I'm getting a rash."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col nudges Talwin who sits on his left, "I think that any rash that Giacomo may have is more due to what he was doing last night than his stay within the temple" he says with a wink.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Good evening to you Jenya Urikas" Sorendal greets the priestess "It iss a pleasure to meet you, my name iss Sorendal Nailo." he bows respectfully to the human cleric. "You say the orphanage has excellent lockss, do you know who fitted them and when? "</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral who throughout the priestess' monologue had been gazing around the temple engaged in his own reveries, hearing the others talking refocuses on the here and now.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">He examines the piece of paper with the riddle on as it is passed around he looks at it intently, turns the paper round several times to look at it from different angles, finally comes to the conclusion that it is indeed writing of some sort and passes it on to the next person. "Grral will come help find the little children" and then the hulking man stares at Col with a look of great suspicion before once again gazing around the temple vacantly</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal takes the paper from Grral and smiles. He decides for no apparent reason to read the letter out loud Eddy, sure that he would be interested.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"A lock is only as good as the person trying to pick it!" says Silas sagely "However I am, in a sense, one of St. Cuthbert's lost ones... I will help find these children. I will not leave any stone unturned in your aid" Silas bows to Jenya then drops to one knee "Will you bless me please priestess?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Please tell us everything you can about the abductions, particularly the children from the orphanage" Col asks, trying to get things back on track "Or there may be people that you know who may have further information? In addition a letter saying that we are working on your behalf could prove very useful indeed, if you can pen one. Plus, I think you said something about hiring us, I wondered exactly what you had in mind, for, I don't know about the others, but I am very short of cash at the moment and it would be really good to be able to pen a scroll or two and maybe to buy medical supplies and such… I hope I'm not being too forward, My Lady, but I, for one, am eager to start on this errand of mercy". He speech stutters to a halt at this point and glances anxiously at the party's female fighter to check that he hasn't offended her with the unintended pun.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"This is not the first time we have heard of impressive locks this night - do we recall the drunk in the Inn? Who did he say had the best locks in the city?" Reinhardt reminds the others. "While I am on church business I will only take board and lodging if offered, plus any healing should any become necessary." and he bows to the priestess "I have nothing on hand at the moment, and should be happy to assist."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"As a token of good faith I will offer you each a potion of cure moderate wounds, and an additional reward of 2,500 Suns when you find the missing town-folk" responds the priestess "In answer to your questions about those that have been kidnapped, I will compile a list for you, it will be ready in the morning. May I suggest you begin your investigation by going to the orphanage"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Sounds like a plan." Says Giacomo before wandering around the temple interior to see if there's anything worth stealing.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Maybe this locksmith would be a good place to start" muses Talwin "And the orphanage" he says catching up on the conversation. "M'Lady would it be possible to have a some cure light potions instead as I think cure moderate wounds would be a bit strong for me" he says nervously</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Jenya looks at Talwin "I'm afraid not small one. Although I am temporarily in charge, my master is away on business and I have to be prudent in using church stock. I have already used one of the church's artefacts to gain this riddle, and I know not if my master would condone this action, although I'm sure he would agree that this situation called for it. Anyway, we can offer scrolls, potions, for a donation, here is a list of what we can offer".</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I am grateful for your offer, M'Lady and would be pleased to accept" says Col in his most polite voice "If you would not think it amiss, I may sell this generously offered potion to buy provisions for our quest? It's just that with my very modest constitution any kind of potion of this strength would be largely wasted... Also I think that we would also appreciate" he looks round at the others for support "Some sort of note that we are acting on your behalf in this matter as it may be that the party, being strangers, will be treated with suspicion by some people in the city. After all they may be worried about strangers, what with the disappearances and all" he trails off.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well I never Col! exclaims the gnome Talwin "The lady offers us potions to help in the quest and you just sell it, my my!!" talking in an agitated voice.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"And" says Col, looking guilty, but after a very brief pause for breath he continues "I haven't sold it, I just asked the nice lady if she would be offended if I did, in the good cause to getting the orphaned children back"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Less talking, more action" recommends Reinhardt tersely "The kids aren't getting less abducted by our standing here chatting with our charming patron." he nods to the priestess "We're on a commission, let's be about it! - To the orphanage!"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well I am all ready for some serious investigating" grins Talwin. The gnome stands up and leaves with the others for the orphanage</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Jenya looks at Col. Maybe halfling traditions are different from my own, but I was raised to appreciate gifts given to me. Humans have been known to take offence when a gift is apparently not liked. However, I am not your moral keeper, so sell it if you so desire." and she gives each member of the party a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds. </span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">She walks over to Silas, who is bowed and on one knee. "Bless you Silas, go forth and show the unfaithful what can be accomplished". Then she places her hand upon the bowed monk, closer her eyes, and utters a few words.. She opens her eyes and looks at the group "Go now, remember to get yourselves lodgings if you haven't already. And no, I do not have any recommendations, let your feelings guide you"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Her eyes pick out Giacomo "That includes YOU" says Jenya loudly to the priest who looks to be paying to much attention to one of the expensive looking candleholders.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Reinhardt receives his potion with a grateful nod.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Giacomo" Mercy whispers sharply "Come away!!", she looks both annoyed and embarrassed. Then she drops to her knees in front of the lady cleric. "Mother Urikas, I will not rest until we have recovered the missing children. Thank you for your kind support, and please may I ask for the blessing of St Cuthbert to send us on our way?" Mercy bows her head and closes her eyes in prayer. Her lips move silently as she prays to St Cuthbert.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Jenya places a hand on Mercy's shoulder "May Cuthbert guide you." She smiles "I am very happy to have met yourself and Silas today. Today has been a good day. Remember, come back in the morning. I'll have a list of the abducted and any relevant information I can find"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Goodnight Mother Urikas. We will return in the morning" Mercy gets up, genuflects in the direction of the altar, and leaves the church. Outside the church Mercy catches up with Col and Talwin. "What a mission! A worthy goal, and a mysterious riddle. What do you think it all means? Oh Rienhardt, sorry I didn't see you there. What do you make of the riddle? Is it referring to the mines?" Mercy smiles broadly at the fighter. She is secretly impressed by his generous offer to work for only food and board. He is less of a mercenary than she had first thought.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas slowly stands and with head still bowed says "Thank you for your blessing, I will stop at nothing to find our lost friends". He quickly looks Jenya in the eye then turns and hastens to the exit</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral accepts the proffered potion and nods in acknowledgement to the priestess before hastening after the others</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal Nailo thanks Jenya for the most generous gift she has given him " Jenya, I thank you for thiss gift of life. I will keep it close but hope it will not be needed... optimism iss a blessing at itss own. I sshall work tirelessly for your wage, the children will be found." then bids the cleric farewell and hurries after the others, Eddy parked on his shoulder.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"We should find out what we can from the orphanage," says Mercy stewarding the others through the streets "While the trail may still be warm. We can rest for the night once we establish that there is no more rescuing to be done. But it might be a good idea to put the large bearded gentleman out of sight when we knock on the orphanage door......Perhaps just Silas and myself should approach in the first instance?" and with this Mercy strides to the front of the party and starts talking quietly to Silas.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I don't think that I would intimidate anyone" says Col "Someone of my size would reassure those within and in this half-light they might think that you were bringing a child for their care!" he laughs briefly at the jest "Plus I would like to make myself useful to the group, please don't think that because I'm small I am not a useful member of the party".</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I don't think your size or usefulness was in question friend" Silas says to Col firmly "Myself and the lady will go"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">As he is talking the party arrive at the doors of the orphanage that fronts directly onto the street.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I suggest, with respect, Mr Silas, that you and Mistress Mercy do the talking if you feel that your diplomatic skills are the best we can muster" says Col huffily "But that if you need to check what has gone on inside you two may not be best placed to notice things. As we have been told the locks, if good, will have needed expert skills to overcome or perhaps arcane knowledge. My friend Talwin knows a thing or two about locks while Sorendal and I understand the arcane. I would not want to jeopardise the recovery of the children, for the sake of your racial bias." The talkative halfling continues his speech "If you like, I can remain in the background and not talk too much..." he adds "I think that you will need all our skills to delve this mystery"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral looks down on Col as he continues his diatribe, as Col draws to a close Grral speaks. "Where are we?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Col!" Mercy gasps, looking absolutely horrified "I in no way meant to infer any implications with regard to your racial origin!" (Blimey, she thinks, I'm getting as wordy as he is...). "I meant only to say that the keepers of the orphanage may be apprehensive about large numbers of strangers arriving at their door in the night, so soon after they have lost a number of their wards. I am sure that you will have as much input into our investigations as anyone in the group. I suggest only that Silas and I approach in the first instance, in order to introduce ourselves and our purpose. As soon as we have done that, then we should ask that the party may seek entry in order to search for clues. But perhaps they will ask us to return in the morning. I think we could quite likely scare any remaining orphans with our motley appearance". She looks down apologetically at Col "Truly Sir, I consider you a key to our success, and I firmly hope that you will forgive me should I have given you any cause to believe otherwise."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Talwin shrugs his shoulders at this interchange and then steps forward and knocks loudly on the door "Hello?" he calls</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Well due to the fact the children have been abducted from said orphanage I was not planning on picking any locks in the place at this time. The idea was to make an introduction and a gather information exercise. And with respect I don't think it is within you to stay in the background and not talk too much." Silas turns then as an afterthought turns back to Col". Incidentally, if I was racially biased I would not have entered into any participation with this party"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I'm glad that you feel that you aren't biased Silas. My point was that we are to investigate how the locks were circumvented, for which skill in locks and magic may be necessary" he smiles "You may be right, maybe it's just not in me to be quiet, but I'll try hard for a while anyway..." with that he presses himself against the far wall and maybe disappears into the shadows. However there is crash and strangled oaths as Col trips on the cobbles and bashes his head on the far wall. "Don't forget Silas that locks are the key, to this investigation" he mutters groggily.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Are this where the Skull-Dug-Er-ee is?" asks Grral turning to the halfling after the noise fades</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Yes, this is where the Skull-dug-er-ee took place Grrall" says Col in a whisper hoping Silas hasn't heard him</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Hmmm... how big are a skull-Dug-er-Ee? Will Grral have to kill it or just make it go to sleep?" asks the big man.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Skull-Dug-Er-ee is just a nasty deed Grall" whispers Col again "In this case it was someone stealing the poor orphan children who were peacefully sleeping in their beds at night" he adds embroidering the known facts a bit.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Certainly sounds nasty... maybe the skul-Dug-er-Ee ate the children, which is why they can't be found" the big man ponders "Little man seems to know much about these skul-Dug-er-Ees, he tell Grral if he sees one" and Grral stares intently around the surrounding street in search of Skull-Dug-er-Ees but as he looks around however his eyes begin to droop and his head starts to loll forward, and he once again begins to emit a throaty growl.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Seeing Grall look round and then apparently fall asleep, Col scans the road and rooftops but sees nothing out of the ordinary.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Meanwhile Talwin raps on the door of the Orphanage. A moment later the doors open a little. An elderly halfling woman peers out, squinting at the party, "Who sent you?" she asks curtly..</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col opens his mouth to speak and then shuts it again, waiting for Mercy or Silas to respond to the question.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Good evening Ma'am" says Mercy politely. "We have been sent by Jenya Urikas to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some of your children. My name is Mercy, this" she gestures to the monk on her left "is Brother Silas, and these are our colleagues. We are all here to help you."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Hello there," says Talwin adds his voice "We were sent by the church of St Cuthbert to try and find the missing orphans"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Do you have anything that can verify your claims that Jenya sent you?" asks the Halfling suspiciously</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Mother Urikas has provided us with some items to help us in our investigations, and she wrote out some information that she divined" Mercy holds up her potion bottle. "We are returning to the Church of St Cithbert's tomorrow to pick up a more complete set of information that Enya Urikas is preparing for us overnight.". Mercy uses all of her good upbringing to seem as polite and as trustworthy as possible.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn Tashykk, the halfling, looks at the potion of cure moderate wounds that Mercy holds. The bottle has the mark of St Cuthbert. "Ahh, and you all have these?" she asks</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Rienhardt and the others pull out the bottles "We do" he answers for all</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"OK," the old Halfling says grudgingly "You had better come inside... Come out of the rain.."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Thank you very much" and Mercy follows the elderly woman through the front door.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Come in all..." says the Halfling again, hurrying the others off the street and into the orphanage.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal continues to be silent . He follows Mercy and the others into the orphanage, presenting his potion like a pass to the elderly halfling before returning it to one of his cloak pockets. Eddy, his lizard, sits curled up in his favourite pocket on the front of his master's cloak, at the top, on the right... A pocket with a view, and a dead beetle he has been saving for a rainy day. It's a rainy day he thinks as he munches on his snack. The wizard looks around the room and up the long corridor with interest</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Silas lets everyone enter then follows in last, "Allow me my lady" He says with a bow of his head, helping to shut the door. "Perhaps you could indulge us in some background information. Like any events or occurrences leading up to these incidents, or anything out of the ordinary. Then move on to what you know about these abductions" Silas asks looking at the door and its locks for signs of it being forced open.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Come through here" says the halfling lady, opening another door to a small room</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Takwin and Col moves into the room with the old halfling, Col stands politely waiting while Talwin speaks "I am very wet, a cup of tea in front a fire would be nice Gretchyn and you tell us all you know" he beams kindly</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Yes" agrees Col "If you could just tell us, in your own words, what happened on the night of the abduction"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Giacomo, had not been paying attention, but had been spending time wool gathering over whether starched or frilled collars and cuffs would be IN this season, suddenly realised where they were. Spying Gretchyn talking to Talwin, who he thought was far too short and ugly to get any information out of a woman (apart from what insulting put-downs she could come up with), he decided the moment was his. Putting on his most charming 'Winning' smile he approached. "Dear Lady." He smarmed in his best <i>Talking to Grandma</i> voice. "How awful things MUST have been for <b>you</b>. Do tell us all about these dreadful abductions". Was that a trick of the light or did Giacomo's white teeth glisten brightly?</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral awakes with a start to the sounds of conversation; his hand immediately flies to the small pouch he wears around his neck. He glances around suspiciously before focusing back on the events in front of him.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Grral hulks through the door after the others following their diminutive host into the orphanage, and listens to them all trying to pump the elderly halfling for information. Thus far the conversation does not seem to have held mention of the Skull-Dug-er-Ee and Grrals attention starts to wane, he looks around the interior for any signs of anything amiss</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">As the rest of the party move into the small room with Gretchen, Mercy smiles across at the two small children, waggling her fingers to wave at them. "Sorendal" she whispers "See if the children are interested in Eddie"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal smiles at Mercy, pauses, and as if by magic Eddy pops out of his pocket and climbs onto his shoulder.. "Ssay hello to the children Eddy" he suggests as he smiles and waves his elven hand at the kids.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Eddy, the lizard, sits back on his hind legs and tries to mimic his masters limb waving greeting to the little people in the corridor, then decides its easier to stand on all his legs and wiggle his head instead ... Eddy wonders what size egg the bipeds hatch from...</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">The wizard glances at the Mercy as he is unsure whether she is staying in the entrance hall or going into the room with the old lady. Does she wish to talk to the children and strike up a rapport with them then he will too. If not then he too will join the group as he is not at all sure what human infants talk about... He wonders if its the same a elven children... stories, magic tricks, sweets and staying up late. He doubts that they want to dig tunnels though... That's just gotta be a dwarf thing only he reckons.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn looks round and catches sight of two children peering at the party from one of the corridors "CHILDREN!! BED NOW! THIS IS ADULT BUISNESS" and with that, the children are gone. Gretchyn leads the party into the small comfortable room. "Sorry about that... You know, children will be children. So, Jenya sent you, bless her. Well, what do you want to know? I will tell you what I told the others. On the night the four children went missing no one saw or heard anything, although one of the young boys remembered having a nightmare about a evil gnome with crooked teeth and a tattered cloak trying to snatch his breath" she smiles "somehow I think that was just a dream"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Jenya told us that the orphanage has barred windows and excellent locks protecting its doors" says Col "The children are locked in their rooms at night to prevent any midnight mischief. She also advised us that a prophesy had said that 'locks were the key' so we would like to know about the security here. Who made the locks and if you procedures for securing the children were any different on the night that they were taken." he continues in response "Anything may have a significance, even the dream of one of your children may be important, or maybe one of the other staff will remember something quite trivial that would point us in the right direction to determine what has happened."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn thinks for a moment before replying "We have five staff that work here, all have worked here for several years. Jaromir Copperbeard is our gardener, Neva Fanister is our nurse, Temar Flagonstern is the cook, Willow Atherfell is the teacher, and Patch is the janitor. As for the locks, Keygan Ghelve supplied and fitted the locks, they are very good, and he charged a pretty penny I can tell you! I always lock up at night, and that night was no different"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Sorendal Nailo leans against the wall of the room. He appears to be listening to the halfling woman ... but he also seems to be stifling a few dance moves, his feet are quietly tapping a beat as are his hands, whilst the rest of him is gently swaying back and forth.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Thats not the first time we have heard the name Keygan Ghelve nor of his prowess in lock-making" Silas says with a nod, "Please tell us more, who found that the children were missing ?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Would this Keygan Ghelve have a master key? That sounds reasonable" suggests Giacomo "Let's check him. Makes mechanical items, and chastity belts to no doubt. I bet he's a nonse. Let's go do him." and Giacomo gives a Chuckle.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Good idea Giacomo" admits Col "But we should talk to the staff here first, one of them may have information that is useful" or have provided assistance to the abductors, he thinks, we need to know why none of the children sought to rouse the household when they were grabbed.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Maybe we should go and look for clues in the room the children were taken from" interjects the gnome eager to search the scene of the abduction.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn looks at Silas "I found them missing, in the morning, when I was doing my checks. I can summon the staff if you wish to talk to them, they have already been interviewed twice, and like I said, they have all worked here for years and I trust them implicitly. I can also show you the dorms if you wish. What do you wish to do first?" she ends in a question.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Let's see the dorms please" says Talwin quickly</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"One more question Gretchyn, before we visit the children's rooms or question your staff" says Col "Could you tell me if the doors to the bedrooms and to the outside were open or locked when you came to check them on the morning of the disappearance?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Yes, everything was locked...as normal" she answers immediately.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"It would seem then that simple magic, such as the Knock spell, was not used as this would not relock the doors" ponders Col to himself "Either we have use of a master key as Giacomo suggests, a member of the staff was involved or even that the thief picked the lock and then used his skills relock it, which seems unlikely. The other alternative is that much higher magic is involved". "Thank you Gretchyn" he says aloud "You have been most helpful, would it be convenient to see your staff at this time?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I think we should check out the dorms where the children were taken from" Talwin suggests cautiously.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Thank you for your time Gretchyn" smiles Mercy. "You said you and your staff had been interviewed twice. Could I ask who by? Another option, Col, is that there is some sort of concealed entrance within the dorms, by which the abductors managed to bypass the locked doors"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn Tashykk turns to Mercy "The morning after the disappearances, members of the town guard took statements from each staff member and questioned many of the children. One day later, a pair of half-elf investigators working for the lord mayor returned and questioned me again, but they didn't speak to the children or other staff members. I took their names, naturally: Fario Ellegoth and Fellian Shard."</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col turns to Mercy and speaks softly, unwilling to worry the old Halfling with his suspicions "We have been told by Jenya that these are not the only abductions puzzling the authorities. While secret doors may be a possibility I think that we will end up putting these crimes down to human" he smiles ruefully "Of perhaps demi-human frailty. It stretched credulity to believe that all the people stolen from over this city had rooms with secret passages. Also you remember the clues from the poem of divination that 'Locks are the key'? My current guess is that the locksmith is involved but I would not rule out some help, in this particular case, from the staff here, maybe under coercion. My experience would lead me to suggest that even one child can make a lot of noise if being forced away to do something they don't want to; and in this case there were four of them! Perhaps someone they Trust was involved, perchance unwillingly?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"If the Skull-Dug-Er-Eee ate them, then they not be able to make noise?" interrupts Grral "And you says Skull-Dug-er-Eee are nasty, maybe it even nastier than you know and can walk through doors, or has a master key like you says" then Grral falls back into silence following this piece of mental effort.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"True" says Col looking helpless and wishing he'd never used the word</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Would it be ok if we saw the dorms now please miss?" says the little gnome feeling he is being ignored</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Gretchyn looks at Talwin "As I'm sure you can appreciate, it is late and we will have to move the children out of the dorms, no small task. One moment, I'll get one of the staff to wake them and move them to the hall. Perhaps you could see some of the staff in the meanwhile" and she opens the door to the room and shouts for one of the staff..</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Sorry to cause you problems," says the gnome, not sounding at all sorry "We are only trying to help recover the children you lost after all" says sulkily</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"Perhapss half nine at night is a bit of a dissruptive time to ssearch an orphanage" states Sorendal "Maybe we sshould jusst talk with the sstaff tonight and look at the rooms tommorrow " he suggests.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">Col shugs "We have been told that 'the locks are the key' but I cannot help here, my knowledge does not extend to lock-smithing. I think it is important to do tonight, despite the disruption, as the stolen children are in urgent need and every moment may be vital. I am happy to stay here until Talwin and whoever else has skills in this area returns. Perhaps we could assemble the other staff in the meantime?" he adds to Gretchyn.</span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan"></span></p><p><span style="color: Cyan">"I agree Sorendal , tonight was just to fact find, not to disrupt the children's sleep or the general daily workings of this place" says Silas and looks to Col "Valid points indeed but we already have an appointment to keep with Jenya in the morning, the list she has compiled may also be of use to us. Personally I would be happier not to trouble the children this night, but instead wait till we have spoken to Jenya and had chance to compile what information we have. I am sure the good lady Gretchyn and her staff will be able to help us more with our enquiries tomorrow" Silas says looking at Gretchyn for affirmation of his request </span> </p><p></p><p><strong><em>One thing is certain, there is a lot to investigate and, so far, there is not a clear way forward</em>.</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greyhawk, post: 3733999, member: 40355"] [b]The Missing Children[/b] [COLOR=Cyan]Realising he is alone the gnome rogue Talwin rushes back to the party "Oh my!! Should we call the watch now?" Col replies "I don't know this place Talwin, it could be that the watch is the place to go" he shrugs "But Sorendal or perhaps the victim may be able to advise us better as they know Cauldron?" The fighter Reinhardt speaks loudly "Have we all enjoyed ourselves? I hope we have not made a social faux-pas by interfering in a matter that was nothing to do with us?" He continues "Whilst three on one is never good to watch, let's not assume that he did not deserve the good kicking that these folk were handing out." He sighs "There have been times when I might do as much if my purse was slim and my belly were empty". The man comes around. He appears groggy.. he looks at Col. "whoa little one, slow down.." He stands up and blinks a few times "All I know is that i was on my way to the temple when I was attacked. I thought they meant to rob me. Obviously not." He scans the area. "I thank you for saving me. The watch must be called. I would also ask if you would be kind enough to escort me to The Temple of St Cuthbert. I am Rufus Laro. Cleric of St Cuthbert." "Well met Rufus Laro.. My name iss Sorendal Nailo. These are my friendss Mercy.. Reinhardt.. Giacomo.. Silas.. Talwin.. Col.. and Grral.." absent mindedly Sorendal gestures to each of his companions in turn with his black scaley hand, a citizens ring clearly visible on his index finger. "I'm ssure we would be delighted to esscort you back to church after the watch hass cleared thiss up.." he pauses then continues, attempting to get more information from the groggy cleric "As we are already out for a saunter taking a cruise past the Temple of The Cudgel wouldn't put us out none. But tell me old man, why would you have sparked the ire of these worshippers of Olidammara?? And what orphanage were they talking about??" "I'll gladly go with you but I'd advise a fighting type" says Col cheerfully "Who knows if the lady-clown is still active? Can one of you big types asks some questions of our prisoners in the meantime, like who exactly set this attack up and what its aim was? There are so many things to discover!" he ends with a happy chuckle, clearly enjoying the mystery of the situation. "I dont know about enjoyed myself I nearly wet my pants, I have never been in a fight before" says Talwin "My bow practice has always been at straw targets and the sword is more for show I am afraid" Talwin looks over at one of the prisoners "So you there Thug" he says nervously peering between Grral and Mercy "Why were you attacking this nice man in the street?" Silas saunters up to the party , noticing the man is awake "Good evening sir, I hope you are feeling a little better" he says with a smile and nod of his head. Looking around at the rest of the party he asks "Do we have a plan yet?" "Well…" says Col in reply "I think that the plan is to hand over the thugs to face the full majesty of the law and also to escort this poor gentleman" he indicates the devotee of St Cuthbert "Back to his temple, where presumably he will be safe. I did suggest that it might be a good idea to remove items that could be used by these villains in further thuggery but there didn't seem to be much support for that" he says sadly "We could have sold the items to extend our meagre resources or even given the money to charity, or perhaps the local orphanage. Maybe it would be put to preventing further skulduggery!" he beams at the others, clearly very pleased with the word. Grral looms over the conscious thug "Who are your boss clown man?" he growls "and why they want you fight man with picture on his cloak?" he asks gesturing toward Rufus "And what are Skul-dug-er-ee?" he asks leaning down right into the helpless thugs face. "I'm not telling you anything" says the thug with a snarl. In the absence of any other suggestions to the contrary Col goes round and disarms each of the thugs taking their short-swords and any other items (knives, daggers bows etc) that could be used to attack or escape. "Now" he says with determination "Rather than stay out in the street debating all night, let's take this fine fellow home" he indicates Rufus "And then get the temple to send for the appropriate authority. That way we can stay together, in case there are other assailants hidden on the way, and we reach a place of comparative safety much sooner. So what do you all think?" he pauses looking upwards at all the tall people surrounding him. "Should we all not visit the watch first and hand over this lot then we can all give our stories to them including Rufus, then we take him to the temple" prompts Talwin. Col shrugs "Whichever is the closest if you like?" he suggests "I thought that as we're going through the Eastern part of the city on our way to St Cuthbert's it might be as well to go there. Mind you with these twisty streets I may well be mistaken in the directions we have taken. Sorenal - which is closest the watch-house or the Cuthbert and can you lead us there?" Silas nods "Agreed lets hand these thugs over to the proper authorities to deal with them , and then get this gentleman to safety" [Silas] I am away from the keyboard. "I just thought the watch will want mr Rufus side of the story as well" suggests Talwin "So we should take him there first" "Well I'm glad that's settled" he half asks the rest "Let's be off then, I assume that you don't mind coming along Rufus, just to tell them how it happened?" "Look, we've given them a slap - why worry the watch?" Reinhardt tells the others "They've taken no less scathe than what they've dealt out, so I reckon everyone is even. Let's just get this chap to his temple and let these dregs fetch themselves to whatever den they call home. I'm not being paid to do the work of the watch - are any of you? Giacomo is right - we don't know what caused this attack - they may believe themselves justified." "Fiddlesticks!" says Col "They attacked three to one on Rufus and then the last one drew his sword on Mercy. Pass 'em to the guard, they should respect the law in this city!" Just then a voice is heard... "What 'ave we 'ere then.. Everyone drop their weapons and don't move!" "Oh god. We're nicked." says Giacomo in dismay, forgetting that he is on the lawful side in this fight. Col drops his staff, plus the short swords and daggers of the thugs creating quite a racket. Then he calls out "Over here officer. We have captured some felons who were beating a priest of St Cuthbert. He will explain the situation" he opens his hands to show that he has no hidden weapons and gives what he hopes is a winning smile. "Tell them Reverend sir" he murmurs to Rufus and nudges the still-groggy priest.. "So Rufus. You never answered my question. What's your beef with the Olidammara crowd?" says Giacomo ignoring the town guard. "Giacomo" says Col patiently "Sorendal has just told us that these are not the devotees of your god they are a criminal gang called the Last Laugh" "All in good time Giacomo. Let us first speak with the guard" the priest replies, eyes focused on the approaching group of five guards. "Rufus...that you? You ok?...ok, everyone stand still" calls the guard leader. "Yes. I am fine, these gentlemen came to my aid" asserts the priest. "Oh great, flatfeet." mutters Reinhardt and leans insolently against a wall. "I tell you Reinhardt, you ain't wrong." says Giacomo in a whisper "I wonder how many of us get to fall down the stairs while resisting arrest. Bloody rozzers." Mercy gives a warning glance to the chatting party members "Good evening officers. We have apprehended a numbers of padfoots that were assaulting Mr Laro." she gestures at the incapacitated clown-faced thugs. "Unfortunately at least one got away". She strides up to the Town Guard and holds out a hand in greeting "My name is Mercy. I am new to the town - I have come to seek work as a swordswoman. Very honoured to make your acquaintance" "Evening All" says Talwin to the guards Grral glances down for a moment, his brow creases in contemplation "Feet not look so flat to Grral, unless boots hide it" he pauses and then continues "But then boots would be loose and fall off, so Grral fairly sure not flat feet" he smiles pleased with his deductive reasoning. Grral waits for further comment from the arriving guard, staring vacantly ahead, his eyes begin to droop and he begins to make a slow rhythmic throaty growl Silas stays where he is quietly watching the situation unfold Sorendal Nailo stands still as requested by the guards.." Hail guards and a fair evening to you. I am Sorendal Nailo, a citizen of Cauldron." he hold up his hand to show his ring of citizenship." It iss ass the lady ssays.. i was esscorting my friendss from the Dog and Ferret to the Drunken Morkoth for lodgingss, when we came across these thugs from the Last Laugh guild beating poor Rufuss here to a pulp.. we sstopped it and managed to catch these four. A fifth accomplice, a woman in Last Laugh guise made her esscape across the roof.." he points to where she was last seen. Col continues to remain silent but nods vigorously agreeing with Sorendal's story "Hey, Copper. Since we seem to be doin' yer work for you, any chance of a reward?" asks Reinhardt undiplomatically. The guards move and apprehend the thugs and take their weapons from the pile at Col's feet, he tries hrad not to look disappointed. "Ok Rufus...well, we will have a little chat with these scallywags, rest assured they will bother you no more." the town guard leader tells the group "I will send round one of my officers to the church to get any pertinent details later, for now, I suggest you go back to the church" He looks at the party "Will you gentlemen please escort him? If we need to interview any of you further regarding this matter, we will find you. I bid you good eve" "I has a pleasure to be of assistance" chirps up the gnome. Sorendal Nailo ,apparently oblivious to the current situation, looks down at the sodden alleyway around his feet intently, he stoops down and picks up a worm flushed to the surface by the rain. Sorendal turns his head round and looks at Eddy, who is sitting on his shoulder rocking his head back and forth excitedly. " For you.. " he holds the worm up and Eddy lasso's it with his tongue and whips it back into his mouth and then sits happily munching his snack "Never has my sword been so cheap - so I'm providing an escort, Gratis." says Reinhardt disgustedly "Thank the gods that my father did not live to see this day. C'mon people. Reinhardt knows the way. Sorendal ain't the only citizen here, It's just I'm not as keen to show me ring in public." He winks, and leads off whistling a marching air. Giacomo shakes his head as the guard leads the thugs away. He mouths the words 'Pigs' to himself. "Lets get this charming, and I'm sure totally blame free, fellow back to his temple. I'm sure there will be answers in the coming." They escort the cleric quickly back through the darkened streets of the sleeping city and enter the temple of St Cuthbert. "This is nice and at least out of the rain" Talwin whispers looking round. Col looks up at the huge building in awe. "This is truly amazing" he exclaims "You really do live in a swanky place Rufus! In my part of the world our temples are much, much more modest… Perhaps you can tell us now what's going on?" he asks Father Laro "Why did the men attack you and what is this about the orphanage and lost children? But only if you feel that it's right for us to know" he adds politely. Silas wanders the temple recognising many of the symbols from the church in which he spent his youth. He gives the altar a formal but familiar nod of respect. "I too would like to hear more about this orphanage, let's say having come from a similar background it has stirred my curiosity" "Sso Reinhardt... You are usually a paid escort... Who'ss not keen on exposing his ring ??" bursts out laughing at his fellow Cauldronite, "No wonder your poor !! But sseriously guy.. a few freebiess to get ourselvess noticed, boosst our rep' up.. Itss worth it to attract ssome business with a sserious wage, wouldn't ya ssay ??" he suggests Reinhardt nods at hissing Sid but says nothing for a moment. Then he answers "Yup, Build our reps, but not at the price of a shiv in the back. I plan to be old n' rich, no cause is good enough to risk yer neck for. 'Specially not a priest that should know better than be out on his own in that area." "Father Rufus" says Mercy respectfully "I am glad that we were able to help deliver you from your attackers. Would you be so kind as to help us understand the situation? Did you know your attackers?" Rufus shakes his head "No, I don't believe I did know the attackers...hard to say tho...with that make up." He smiles at the party "I thank you once again. I would like you to talk to my superior, I believe she may wish to speak with you" Rufus bows and leaves the room.. A moment later a woman enters the room. She has premature streaks of grey in her rich brown hair. She wears a brown robe with golden trim and a symbol of St Cuthbert around her neck.. She speaks "My name is Jenya Urikas and I bid you welcome. May I extend my thanks for coming to Rufus's aid. Now, I have a proposal for you.." "Four children were kidnapped from the local orphanage three nights ago. Their names were Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda, and Terrem. The children are the most recent victims in a series of strange disappearances and robberies." Col cocks his head on one side and he listens attentively, standing up to get a better view of the lady, but keeping a respectful silence while she speaks. the lady continues "The orphanage has two common bedchambers on the second floor...one for the girls, the other for the boys. Two children were taken from each room. None of the other children and none of the resident staff heard or saw anything" "Was there anything that linked the children that were taken- were they related? Or of a certain age or appearance?" asks Mercy eagerly Jenya frown "The orphanage has barred windows and excellent locks protecting its doors. The children are locked in their rooms at night to prevent any midnight mischief." She looks at Mercy "I will answer questions once i have finished speaking" Mercy's face flushes a deep red. "I'm sorry for interrupting" she says quietly, and drops her head forward so that her hair covers her face "In the wake of the kidnappings," the priestess continues looking mollified "The church of St Cuthbert has publicly vowed to locate the missing children and bring the kidnappers to justice. To locate the children, I have utilised a magical item to perhaps gain some divine insight. The response I received was a cryptic riddle...I wrote it down.." She passes a piece of paper to the party on it is written: The locks are the key to finding them Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron Descend into the malachite 'hold where precious life is bought with gold Half a dwarf binds them but not for long After passing out the paper the priestess continues "I would like to hire you to find the missing children...please talk among yourselves for a moment" "Even if she had not offered to pay us for our trouble, I would want to help in this endeavour" says Col eagerly "I wonder if this is the only abduction in this city? We may be able to make a career out of locating lost children!! I'm sure it won't be that difficult and that we'll have them all back again in no time flat. And we'll have enough money for pipeweed and a slap up meal too, this St Cuthbert looks as if he could afford a silver or two for our aid!" "Don't feel bad about breaking into her prepared speech Mercy" he adds in a comforting voice "She kept pausing and I thought she'd ended. If I could have thought of anything to say I'd have broken in too!! Politicians, clerics and actors they all love these long dramatic pauses, goodness knows why, anyway don't take it badly I think you're marvellous! I mean if you were 3 foot shorter and double your age, I'd quite .. Err, um" and he finishes in a flustered confusion. "Hummy, pump, pump" Col softly hums to himself as he thinks "I wonder - if they were indeed excellent locks on the doors, they may have been made by the bloke that the man in the pub mentioned. Now what was his name? Lady," he says to Jeyna "You say that the children were the latest victims in a series of strange disappearances and robberies. Can you tell us anything of the other incidents. It might help..." and he waits patiently for her reply. "Riddles? From St. CUthbert? Wow. I'm impressed." sneers Giacomo "Now I'd have thought that a lick-spittle of law would send a less chaotic message to his priests. Well I'm up for helping the lil' kiddies. If for no other reason than to find out what worshippers of Olidammara, the red hot love machine, have to do with it. Can we get out of here? I feel like I'm getting a rash." Col nudges Talwin who sits on his left, "I think that any rash that Giacomo may have is more due to what he was doing last night than his stay within the temple" he says with a wink. "Good evening to you Jenya Urikas" Sorendal greets the priestess "It iss a pleasure to meet you, my name iss Sorendal Nailo." he bows respectfully to the human cleric. "You say the orphanage has excellent lockss, do you know who fitted them and when? " Grral who throughout the priestess' monologue had been gazing around the temple engaged in his own reveries, hearing the others talking refocuses on the here and now. He examines the piece of paper with the riddle on as it is passed around he looks at it intently, turns the paper round several times to look at it from different angles, finally comes to the conclusion that it is indeed writing of some sort and passes it on to the next person. "Grral will come help find the little children" and then the hulking man stares at Col with a look of great suspicion before once again gazing around the temple vacantly Sorendal takes the paper from Grral and smiles. He decides for no apparent reason to read the letter out loud Eddy, sure that he would be interested. "A lock is only as good as the person trying to pick it!" says Silas sagely "However I am, in a sense, one of St. Cuthbert's lost ones... I will help find these children. I will not leave any stone unturned in your aid" Silas bows to Jenya then drops to one knee "Will you bless me please priestess?" "Please tell us everything you can about the abductions, particularly the children from the orphanage" Col asks, trying to get things back on track "Or there may be people that you know who may have further information? In addition a letter saying that we are working on your behalf could prove very useful indeed, if you can pen one. Plus, I think you said something about hiring us, I wondered exactly what you had in mind, for, I don't know about the others, but I am very short of cash at the moment and it would be really good to be able to pen a scroll or two and maybe to buy medical supplies and such… I hope I'm not being too forward, My Lady, but I, for one, am eager to start on this errand of mercy". He speech stutters to a halt at this point and glances anxiously at the party's female fighter to check that he hasn't offended her with the unintended pun. "This is not the first time we have heard of impressive locks this night - do we recall the drunk in the Inn? Who did he say had the best locks in the city?" Reinhardt reminds the others. "While I am on church business I will only take board and lodging if offered, plus any healing should any become necessary." and he bows to the priestess "I have nothing on hand at the moment, and should be happy to assist." "As a token of good faith I will offer you each a potion of cure moderate wounds, and an additional reward of 2,500 Suns when you find the missing town-folk" responds the priestess "In answer to your questions about those that have been kidnapped, I will compile a list for you, it will be ready in the morning. May I suggest you begin your investigation by going to the orphanage" "Sounds like a plan." Says Giacomo before wandering around the temple interior to see if there's anything worth stealing. "Maybe this locksmith would be a good place to start" muses Talwin "And the orphanage" he says catching up on the conversation. "M'Lady would it be possible to have a some cure light potions instead as I think cure moderate wounds would be a bit strong for me" he says nervously Jenya looks at Talwin "I'm afraid not small one. Although I am temporarily in charge, my master is away on business and I have to be prudent in using church stock. I have already used one of the church's artefacts to gain this riddle, and I know not if my master would condone this action, although I'm sure he would agree that this situation called for it. Anyway, we can offer scrolls, potions, for a donation, here is a list of what we can offer". "I am grateful for your offer, M'Lady and would be pleased to accept" says Col in his most polite voice "If you would not think it amiss, I may sell this generously offered potion to buy provisions for our quest? It's just that with my very modest constitution any kind of potion of this strength would be largely wasted... Also I think that we would also appreciate" he looks round at the others for support "Some sort of note that we are acting on your behalf in this matter as it may be that the party, being strangers, will be treated with suspicion by some people in the city. After all they may be worried about strangers, what with the disappearances and all" he trails off. "Well I never Col! exclaims the gnome Talwin "The lady offers us potions to help in the quest and you just sell it, my my!!" talking in an agitated voice. "And" says Col, looking guilty, but after a very brief pause for breath he continues "I haven't sold it, I just asked the nice lady if she would be offended if I did, in the good cause to getting the orphaned children back" "Less talking, more action" recommends Reinhardt tersely "The kids aren't getting less abducted by our standing here chatting with our charming patron." he nods to the priestess "We're on a commission, let's be about it! - To the orphanage!" "Well I am all ready for some serious investigating" grins Talwin. The gnome stands up and leaves with the others for the orphanage Jenya looks at Col. Maybe halfling traditions are different from my own, but I was raised to appreciate gifts given to me. Humans have been known to take offence when a gift is apparently not liked. However, I am not your moral keeper, so sell it if you so desire." and she gives each member of the party a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds. She walks over to Silas, who is bowed and on one knee. "Bless you Silas, go forth and show the unfaithful what can be accomplished". Then she places her hand upon the bowed monk, closer her eyes, and utters a few words.. She opens her eyes and looks at the group "Go now, remember to get yourselves lodgings if you haven't already. And no, I do not have any recommendations, let your feelings guide you" Her eyes pick out Giacomo "That includes YOU" says Jenya loudly to the priest who looks to be paying to much attention to one of the expensive looking candleholders. Reinhardt receives his potion with a grateful nod. "Giacomo" Mercy whispers sharply "Come away!!", she looks both annoyed and embarrassed. Then she drops to her knees in front of the lady cleric. "Mother Urikas, I will not rest until we have recovered the missing children. Thank you for your kind support, and please may I ask for the blessing of St Cuthbert to send us on our way?" Mercy bows her head and closes her eyes in prayer. Her lips move silently as she prays to St Cuthbert. Jenya places a hand on Mercy's shoulder "May Cuthbert guide you." She smiles "I am very happy to have met yourself and Silas today. Today has been a good day. Remember, come back in the morning. I'll have a list of the abducted and any relevant information I can find" "Goodnight Mother Urikas. We will return in the morning" Mercy gets up, genuflects in the direction of the altar, and leaves the church. Outside the church Mercy catches up with Col and Talwin. "What a mission! A worthy goal, and a mysterious riddle. What do you think it all means? Oh Rienhardt, sorry I didn't see you there. What do you make of the riddle? Is it referring to the mines?" Mercy smiles broadly at the fighter. She is secretly impressed by his generous offer to work for only food and board. He is less of a mercenary than she had first thought. Silas slowly stands and with head still bowed says "Thank you for your blessing, I will stop at nothing to find our lost friends". He quickly looks Jenya in the eye then turns and hastens to the exit Grral accepts the proffered potion and nods in acknowledgement to the priestess before hastening after the others Sorendal Nailo thanks Jenya for the most generous gift she has given him " Jenya, I thank you for thiss gift of life. I will keep it close but hope it will not be needed... optimism iss a blessing at itss own. I sshall work tirelessly for your wage, the children will be found." then bids the cleric farewell and hurries after the others, Eddy parked on his shoulder. "We should find out what we can from the orphanage," says Mercy stewarding the others through the streets "While the trail may still be warm. We can rest for the night once we establish that there is no more rescuing to be done. But it might be a good idea to put the large bearded gentleman out of sight when we knock on the orphanage door......Perhaps just Silas and myself should approach in the first instance?" and with this Mercy strides to the front of the party and starts talking quietly to Silas. "I don't think that I would intimidate anyone" says Col "Someone of my size would reassure those within and in this half-light they might think that you were bringing a child for their care!" he laughs briefly at the jest "Plus I would like to make myself useful to the group, please don't think that because I'm small I am not a useful member of the party". "I don't think your size or usefulness was in question friend" Silas says to Col firmly "Myself and the lady will go" As he is talking the party arrive at the doors of the orphanage that fronts directly onto the street. "I suggest, with respect, Mr Silas, that you and Mistress Mercy do the talking if you feel that your diplomatic skills are the best we can muster" says Col huffily "But that if you need to check what has gone on inside you two may not be best placed to notice things. As we have been told the locks, if good, will have needed expert skills to overcome or perhaps arcane knowledge. My friend Talwin knows a thing or two about locks while Sorendal and I understand the arcane. I would not want to jeopardise the recovery of the children, for the sake of your racial bias." The talkative halfling continues his speech "If you like, I can remain in the background and not talk too much..." he adds "I think that you will need all our skills to delve this mystery" Grral looks down on Col as he continues his diatribe, as Col draws to a close Grral speaks. "Where are we?" "Col!" Mercy gasps, looking absolutely horrified "I in no way meant to infer any implications with regard to your racial origin!" (Blimey, she thinks, I'm getting as wordy as he is...). "I meant only to say that the keepers of the orphanage may be apprehensive about large numbers of strangers arriving at their door in the night, so soon after they have lost a number of their wards. I am sure that you will have as much input into our investigations as anyone in the group. I suggest only that Silas and I approach in the first instance, in order to introduce ourselves and our purpose. As soon as we have done that, then we should ask that the party may seek entry in order to search for clues. But perhaps they will ask us to return in the morning. I think we could quite likely scare any remaining orphans with our motley appearance". She looks down apologetically at Col "Truly Sir, I consider you a key to our success, and I firmly hope that you will forgive me should I have given you any cause to believe otherwise." Talwin shrugs his shoulders at this interchange and then steps forward and knocks loudly on the door "Hello?" he calls "Well due to the fact the children have been abducted from said orphanage I was not planning on picking any locks in the place at this time. The idea was to make an introduction and a gather information exercise. And with respect I don't think it is within you to stay in the background and not talk too much." Silas turns then as an afterthought turns back to Col". Incidentally, if I was racially biased I would not have entered into any participation with this party" "I'm glad that you feel that you aren't biased Silas. My point was that we are to investigate how the locks were circumvented, for which skill in locks and magic may be necessary" he smiles "You may be right, maybe it's just not in me to be quiet, but I'll try hard for a while anyway..." with that he presses himself against the far wall and maybe disappears into the shadows. However there is crash and strangled oaths as Col trips on the cobbles and bashes his head on the far wall. "Don't forget Silas that locks are the key, to this investigation" he mutters groggily. "Are this where the Skull-Dug-Er-ee is?" asks Grral turning to the halfling after the noise fades "Yes, this is where the Skull-dug-er-ee took place Grrall" says Col in a whisper hoping Silas hasn't heard him "Hmmm... how big are a skull-Dug-er-Ee? Will Grral have to kill it or just make it go to sleep?" asks the big man. "Skull-Dug-Er-ee is just a nasty deed Grall" whispers Col again "In this case it was someone stealing the poor orphan children who were peacefully sleeping in their beds at night" he adds embroidering the known facts a bit. "Certainly sounds nasty... maybe the skul-Dug-er-Ee ate the children, which is why they can't be found" the big man ponders "Little man seems to know much about these skul-Dug-er-Ees, he tell Grral if he sees one" and Grral stares intently around the surrounding street in search of Skull-Dug-er-Ees but as he looks around however his eyes begin to droop and his head starts to loll forward, and he once again begins to emit a throaty growl. Seeing Grall look round and then apparently fall asleep, Col scans the road and rooftops but sees nothing out of the ordinary. Meanwhile Talwin raps on the door of the Orphanage. A moment later the doors open a little. An elderly halfling woman peers out, squinting at the party, "Who sent you?" she asks curtly.. Col opens his mouth to speak and then shuts it again, waiting for Mercy or Silas to respond to the question. "Good evening Ma'am" says Mercy politely. "We have been sent by Jenya Urikas to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some of your children. My name is Mercy, this" she gestures to the monk on her left "is Brother Silas, and these are our colleagues. We are all here to help you." "Hello there," says Talwin adds his voice "We were sent by the church of St Cuthbert to try and find the missing orphans" "Do you have anything that can verify your claims that Jenya sent you?" asks the Halfling suspiciously "Mother Urikas has provided us with some items to help us in our investigations, and she wrote out some information that she divined" Mercy holds up her potion bottle. "We are returning to the Church of St Cithbert's tomorrow to pick up a more complete set of information that Enya Urikas is preparing for us overnight.". Mercy uses all of her good upbringing to seem as polite and as trustworthy as possible. Gretchyn Tashykk, the halfling, looks at the potion of cure moderate wounds that Mercy holds. The bottle has the mark of St Cuthbert. "Ahh, and you all have these?" she asks Rienhardt and the others pull out the bottles "We do" he answers for all "OK," the old Halfling says grudgingly "You had better come inside... Come out of the rain.." "Thank you very much" and Mercy follows the elderly woman through the front door. "Come in all..." says the Halfling again, hurrying the others off the street and into the orphanage. Sorendal continues to be silent . He follows Mercy and the others into the orphanage, presenting his potion like a pass to the elderly halfling before returning it to one of his cloak pockets. Eddy, his lizard, sits curled up in his favourite pocket on the front of his master's cloak, at the top, on the right... A pocket with a view, and a dead beetle he has been saving for a rainy day. It's a rainy day he thinks as he munches on his snack. The wizard looks around the room and up the long corridor with interest Silas lets everyone enter then follows in last, "Allow me my lady" He says with a bow of his head, helping to shut the door. "Perhaps you could indulge us in some background information. Like any events or occurrences leading up to these incidents, or anything out of the ordinary. Then move on to what you know about these abductions" Silas asks looking at the door and its locks for signs of it being forced open. "Come through here" says the halfling lady, opening another door to a small room Takwin and Col moves into the room with the old halfling, Col stands politely waiting while Talwin speaks "I am very wet, a cup of tea in front a fire would be nice Gretchyn and you tell us all you know" he beams kindly "Yes" agrees Col "If you could just tell us, in your own words, what happened on the night of the abduction" Giacomo, had not been paying attention, but had been spending time wool gathering over whether starched or frilled collars and cuffs would be IN this season, suddenly realised where they were. Spying Gretchyn talking to Talwin, who he thought was far too short and ugly to get any information out of a woman (apart from what insulting put-downs she could come up with), he decided the moment was his. Putting on his most charming 'Winning' smile he approached. "Dear Lady." He smarmed in his best <i>Talking to Grandma</i> voice. "How awful things MUST have been for <b>you</b>. Do tell us all about these dreadful abductions". Was that a trick of the light or did Giacomo's white teeth glisten brightly? Grral awakes with a start to the sounds of conversation; his hand immediately flies to the small pouch he wears around his neck. He glances around suspiciously before focusing back on the events in front of him. Grral hulks through the door after the others following their diminutive host into the orphanage, and listens to them all trying to pump the elderly halfling for information. Thus far the conversation does not seem to have held mention of the Skull-Dug-er-Ee and Grrals attention starts to wane, he looks around the interior for any signs of anything amiss As the rest of the party move into the small room with Gretchen, Mercy smiles across at the two small children, waggling her fingers to wave at them. "Sorendal" she whispers "See if the children are interested in Eddie" Sorendal smiles at Mercy, pauses, and as if by magic Eddy pops out of his pocket and climbs onto his shoulder.. "Ssay hello to the children Eddy" he suggests as he smiles and waves his elven hand at the kids. Eddy, the lizard, sits back on his hind legs and tries to mimic his masters limb waving greeting to the little people in the corridor, then decides its easier to stand on all his legs and wiggle his head instead ... Eddy wonders what size egg the bipeds hatch from... The wizard glances at the Mercy as he is unsure whether she is staying in the entrance hall or going into the room with the old lady. Does she wish to talk to the children and strike up a rapport with them then he will too. If not then he too will join the group as he is not at all sure what human infants talk about... He wonders if its the same a elven children... stories, magic tricks, sweets and staying up late. He doubts that they want to dig tunnels though... That's just gotta be a dwarf thing only he reckons. Gretchyn looks round and catches sight of two children peering at the party from one of the corridors "CHILDREN!! BED NOW! THIS IS ADULT BUISNESS" and with that, the children are gone. Gretchyn leads the party into the small comfortable room. "Sorry about that... You know, children will be children. So, Jenya sent you, bless her. Well, what do you want to know? I will tell you what I told the others. On the night the four children went missing no one saw or heard anything, although one of the young boys remembered having a nightmare about a evil gnome with crooked teeth and a tattered cloak trying to snatch his breath" she smiles "somehow I think that was just a dream" "Jenya told us that the orphanage has barred windows and excellent locks protecting its doors" says Col "The children are locked in their rooms at night to prevent any midnight mischief. She also advised us that a prophesy had said that 'locks were the key' so we would like to know about the security here. Who made the locks and if you procedures for securing the children were any different on the night that they were taken." he continues in response "Anything may have a significance, even the dream of one of your children may be important, or maybe one of the other staff will remember something quite trivial that would point us in the right direction to determine what has happened." Gretchyn thinks for a moment before replying "We have five staff that work here, all have worked here for several years. Jaromir Copperbeard is our gardener, Neva Fanister is our nurse, Temar Flagonstern is the cook, Willow Atherfell is the teacher, and Patch is the janitor. As for the locks, Keygan Ghelve supplied and fitted the locks, they are very good, and he charged a pretty penny I can tell you! I always lock up at night, and that night was no different" Sorendal Nailo leans against the wall of the room. He appears to be listening to the halfling woman ... but he also seems to be stifling a few dance moves, his feet are quietly tapping a beat as are his hands, whilst the rest of him is gently swaying back and forth. "Thats not the first time we have heard the name Keygan Ghelve nor of his prowess in lock-making" Silas says with a nod, "Please tell us more, who found that the children were missing ?" "Would this Keygan Ghelve have a master key? That sounds reasonable" suggests Giacomo "Let's check him. Makes mechanical items, and chastity belts to no doubt. I bet he's a nonse. Let's go do him." and Giacomo gives a Chuckle. "Good idea Giacomo" admits Col "But we should talk to the staff here first, one of them may have information that is useful" or have provided assistance to the abductors, he thinks, we need to know why none of the children sought to rouse the household when they were grabbed. "Maybe we should go and look for clues in the room the children were taken from" interjects the gnome eager to search the scene of the abduction. Gretchyn looks at Silas "I found them missing, in the morning, when I was doing my checks. I can summon the staff if you wish to talk to them, they have already been interviewed twice, and like I said, they have all worked here for years and I trust them implicitly. I can also show you the dorms if you wish. What do you wish to do first?" she ends in a question. "Let's see the dorms please" says Talwin quickly "One more question Gretchyn, before we visit the children's rooms or question your staff" says Col "Could you tell me if the doors to the bedrooms and to the outside were open or locked when you came to check them on the morning of the disappearance?" "Yes, everything was locked...as normal" she answers immediately. "It would seem then that simple magic, such as the Knock spell, was not used as this would not relock the doors" ponders Col to himself "Either we have use of a master key as Giacomo suggests, a member of the staff was involved or even that the thief picked the lock and then used his skills relock it, which seems unlikely. The other alternative is that much higher magic is involved". "Thank you Gretchyn" he says aloud "You have been most helpful, would it be convenient to see your staff at this time?" "I think we should check out the dorms where the children were taken from" Talwin suggests cautiously. "Thank you for your time Gretchyn" smiles Mercy. "You said you and your staff had been interviewed twice. Could I ask who by? Another option, Col, is that there is some sort of concealed entrance within the dorms, by which the abductors managed to bypass the locked doors" Gretchyn Tashykk turns to Mercy "The morning after the disappearances, members of the town guard took statements from each staff member and questioned many of the children. One day later, a pair of half-elf investigators working for the lord mayor returned and questioned me again, but they didn't speak to the children or other staff members. I took their names, naturally: Fario Ellegoth and Fellian Shard." Col turns to Mercy and speaks softly, unwilling to worry the old Halfling with his suspicions "We have been told by Jenya that these are not the only abductions puzzling the authorities. While secret doors may be a possibility I think that we will end up putting these crimes down to human" he smiles ruefully "Of perhaps demi-human frailty. It stretched credulity to believe that all the people stolen from over this city had rooms with secret passages. Also you remember the clues from the poem of divination that 'Locks are the key'? My current guess is that the locksmith is involved but I would not rule out some help, in this particular case, from the staff here, maybe under coercion. My experience would lead me to suggest that even one child can make a lot of noise if being forced away to do something they don't want to; and in this case there were four of them! Perhaps someone they Trust was involved, perchance unwillingly?" "If the Skull-Dug-Er-Eee ate them, then they not be able to make noise?" interrupts Grral "And you says Skull-Dug-er-Eee are nasty, maybe it even nastier than you know and can walk through doors, or has a master key like you says" then Grral falls back into silence following this piece of mental effort. "True" says Col looking helpless and wishing he'd never used the word "Would it be ok if we saw the dorms now please miss?" says the little gnome feeling he is being ignored Gretchyn looks at Talwin "As I'm sure you can appreciate, it is late and we will have to move the children out of the dorms, no small task. One moment, I'll get one of the staff to wake them and move them to the hall. Perhaps you could see some of the staff in the meanwhile" and she opens the door to the room and shouts for one of the staff.. "Sorry to cause you problems," says the gnome, not sounding at all sorry "We are only trying to help recover the children you lost after all" says sulkily "Perhapss half nine at night is a bit of a dissruptive time to ssearch an orphanage" states Sorendal "Maybe we sshould jusst talk with the sstaff tonight and look at the rooms tommorrow " he suggests. Col shugs "We have been told that 'the locks are the key' but I cannot help here, my knowledge does not extend to lock-smithing. I think it is important to do tonight, despite the disruption, as the stolen children are in urgent need and every moment may be vital. I am happy to stay here until Talwin and whoever else has skills in this area returns. Perhaps we could assemble the other staff in the meantime?" he adds to Gretchyn. "I agree Sorendal , tonight was just to fact find, not to disrupt the children's sleep or the general daily workings of this place" says Silas and looks to Col "Valid points indeed but we already have an appointment to keep with Jenya in the morning, the list she has compiled may also be of use to us. Personally I would be happier not to trouble the children this night, but instead wait till we have spoken to Jenya and had chance to compile what information we have. I am sure the good lady Gretchyn and her staff will be able to help us more with our enquiries tomorrow" Silas says looking at Gretchyn for affirmation of his request [/COLOR] [B][I]One thing is certain, there is a lot to investigate and, so far, there is not a clear way forward[/I].[/B] [/QUOTE]
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