Phyrric Legacy - Shackled City IC Thread

"Or perhaps someone broke into your shop and took the key himself? Maybe he made a copy?" Liracor suggests to the gnome, trying to keep Jon's ruse going, and keeping an eye on the curtain as well.

Town Hall

Jdvn1 said:

"What could they want with a child..." Dowlee trails off, worriedly looking at Remen. "Surely he couldn't be a threat to anyone." Then, turning to Arak. "Are you done with this man?"

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Land Outcast said:

Remen shakes his head, but this time in a worried manner "I don't know Dowlee, I don't know..."

Recovering his usual cutting and sharp attitude, the emerald eyed man states:
"Maybe he could be back to the orphanage..." after Dowlee's words, he isn't the least comfortable with the man who had such a loose tongue regarding the Last Laugh with that attitude, if we spoke about moving against them we'd have our throats slitted for tomorrow morning

"And we, continue and see about those half elves"

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Whizbang Dustyboots said:

"Aye, we are done with you, Goodman Patch. I well understand your purpose in not coming forward. See that our conversation goes no further than us, and all is forgiven and you are on your way to getting right with the laws of the gods."

As Patch leaves, Arak winks at Remen.

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Patch's gratitude is effusive as he thanks the adventurers, "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! It would break Gretchyn's heart if she knew I'd been involved with The Laugh. Of course, it will stay between just us, I won't tell anyone. I promise! I'm done with those thieves! Thanks again!" The janitor nearly trips over himself as he hastily retreats up the street back in the direction of the orphanage.

With the conversation ended thusly, the group continues on its way to its original destination, to see about those half-elves. Cauldron's Town Hall is a single-story building, and in fact, one of the oldest structures in the city. It's a place where the mayor and his advisors hold meetings with the nobles and other powerful people of the city. In addition, archived records of ownership, historical documents, and the like, can also be found here.

Arak, Remen, and Dowlee enter the spacious entry hall, where they are addressed by a dour-looking dwarven woman behind a large desk. In a disturbingly deep voice, she asks, "Can I help you?"

Ghelve's Locks

stonegod said:

Jon's eyebrows go up, and thinking quickly, he seeks out a piece of paper and a pen, hoping to find one in the shop. He then silently and discretely motions to his companions at the curtain.

His face telling a different story than his mouth, he says aloud, "Oh, I see. That is unfortunate. Perhaps you can draw the key for us, in case a copy was made elsewhere?" On the paper, however, Jon writes something else. <Are you in danger? Someone behind the curtain? We can help. Write what you can.>

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Jon does find paper and pen, grabbing hold of a ledger that the locksmith has lying on the countertop. But, the gnome waves away the pen when Jon presents it to him. He nods in response to Jon's written queries with a quick motion. The act suggests an urgency that doesn't allow time for written messages.

Legildur said:

Flannad starts to get restless with the situation. He starts to wander around the shop as though bored, looking for an opportunity to use Jon's or Liracor's bulk (bulk relative to Flannad at any rate) to conceal him from the giant-gnome's sight.

The young whisper gnome waits waits for the best opportunity to try and sneak behind the curtain. He is just about to make his move when he senses the change in the air and the dramatic shift in Ghelve's tone. Unsure about what is going on, Flannad instead hides himself at the front of the counter, thinking that if the others leave, that maybe he will be overlooked by everyone.

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Ghelve looks pointedly at Flannad, and, observing his movements, seems to discern his intent. The locksmith jerks his head several times in the direction of the curtain, with eyes open wide. It seems that Ghelve is willing to permit access to the area beyond the curtain, no subterfuge required.

Question said:

"Or perhaps someone broke into your shop and took the key himself? Maybe he made a copy?" Liracor suggests to the gnome, trying to keep Jon's ruse going, and keeping an eye on the curtain as well.

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"No, no...I don't see how that could have happened. My shop is quite secure." Ghelve's voice quavers just a bit as he responds to Liracor, despite his efforts to hold it steady. Again, he raises his eyebrows and nods subtlely, yet urgently, in the curtain's direction.

Abandoning subtetly, Liracor draws his sword and rushes for the curtain, yanking it open to see.......

Malvoisin said:

With the conversation ended thusly, the group continues on its way to its original destination, to see about those half-elves. Cauldron's Town Hall is a single-story building, and in fact, one of the oldest structures in the city. It's a place where the mayor and his advisors hold meetings with the nobles and other powerful people of the city. In addition, archived records of ownership, historical documents, and the like, can also be found here.

Arak, Remen, and Dowlee enter the spacious entry hall, where they are addressed by a dour-looking dwarven woman behind a large desk. In a disturbingly deep voice, she asks, "Can I help you?"

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"I am Arak of York, called Oathsworn. My companions and I are investigating the disappearance of several orphans recently on behalf of the Church of St. Cuthbert, may justice be swift and sure. I would like to speak to the half-elf investigators sent to the orphanage by the mayor." He glances at a shelf full of books. "In addition, we would like to see any maps that depict the orphanage, whether street maps or otherwise."

Remen nods.
He's loving this of Arak dealing with presentations before tedious people, allows him to center his attention on the person itself, or the sorroundings without being awkward.

As Patch runs towards the orphanage, Dowlee looks around. "If we were unlucky enough to have the Laugh following and listening to us, the janitor won't make it back to the orphanage." She looks at Remen and Arak, surprised by her own statement. "I'm probably just being paranoid, though." Dowlee follows along, letting Arak take the lead at the town hall.

ooc: Spot +0 to look for any suspicious Laughers, before moving onward.

Flannad halts his movement as Ghelve, strangely enough, seems to encourage rather than rebuke him. Steeling himself for the move forward, his concentration is ruined as Liracor lunges forward.

Town Hall

Jdvn1 said:

As Patch runs towards the orphanage, Dowlee looks around. "If we were unlucky enough to have the Laugh following and listening to us, the janitor won't make it back to the orphanage." She looks at Remen and Arak, surprised by her own statement. "I'm probably just being paranoid, though." Dowlee follows along, letting Arak take the lead at the town hall.

ooc: Spot +0 to look for any suspicious Laughers, before moving onward.

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Dowlee looks around, but doesn't see anyone suspicious. Just citizens of Cauldron going about their daily routines.

Whizbang Dustyboots said:

"I am Arak of York, called Oathsworn. My companions and I are investigating the disappearance of several orphans recently on behalf of the Church of St. Cuthbert, may justice be swift and sure. I would like to speak to the half-elf investigators sent to the orphanage by the mayor." He glances at a shelf full of books. "In addition, we would like to see any maps that depict the orphanage, whether street maps or otherwise."

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The dwarven secretary stares blankly at Arak for a moment, then replies with disinterest. "The Lord Mayor's office does not employ any half-elf investigators, sir." She does not address Arak's map request at all.

Question said:

Abandoning subtetly, Liracor draws his sword and rushes for the curtain, yanking it open to see.......

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Liracor, expecting to see some sort of threat or danger, is disappointed as he gazes into the back room. Black curtains partially obscure a window niche that faces the street. Ornate locks and complex locking mechanisms are neatly displayed in the niche. The room itself looks tidy, but lived in. Carpets cover the stone floor, and a broom leans against the railing of a wooden staircase leading up to a second floor balcony. Three wooden chests rest in the middle of the floor, their lids bound shut with sturdy iron padlocks. Small tables, shelves, and benches hold various knick-knacks, and a framed portrait of a silver-haired gnome hangs next to a tall wooden box at the base of the stairs. The wooden box contains an intricate array of ticking gears, counterweights, and cylindrical chimes, surmounted by a circular face that bears the numerals 1 through 12 on its circumference.

Ghelve's countenance has not changed, and he looks on with an anxious expression, despite the lack of any obvious threat in the room.