Dr. Si's Curse of the Crimson Throne - Beta Group

[Ambrus]

Hearing the ongoing discussion downstairs, Dj'hân eventually wanders back to his hiding spot behind the doorjamb of the upper vat room to observe. The young halfling is considerably more at ease now that the crowd of urchins has departed. He studies the brutish half-orc, the human warrior, the beautiful half-elven woman and the ugly old gnome; the first two seemingly caught in an argument.

For a few moments Dj'hân is at a loss to recall their names or what they're all assembled here for. Then the human jerks a thumb at the gnome and names him: "Hookshanks". I know that name. A flood of half remembered memories begin to bubble to the surface of the boy's jumbled thoughts. The Mountain Man, Gaedren Lamm, Lancet Street, Lynn, Thorson, Zellara, the Harrow, the Bear, Edmond, the old fishery, Yargin, a monstrous dog, blood, tears, Giggles, more blood, a severed head, the smell of fish, Kester, urchins and Hookshanks. I came here with them to get revenge on Gaedren Lamm...

Tentatively, the tiny halfling guttersnipe moves out from behind the doorjamb onto the walkway. Hefting his sword and staff (in reality just Yargin's dagger and wand) the boy pads his way quietly along the walkway and down the stairs to rejoin his companions. He heads over to Lynn, preferring to stay well away from Hookshanks and the arguing half-orc and human. Looking up at her, Dj'hân's cheeks dimple as he offers the beautiful half-elf a cherubic smile.

[sblock=Dr Simon]OOC: Dj'hân will have dropped the coin pouches into his hat along with a folded ledger sheet from the other cabinet. I'll add them to his inventory. Hm. He's going to need a bigger hat soon; maybe a Heward's Handy Hat. [/sblock]

 

[Oni]

Lynn breathed a sigh of relief at the children's decision. Eyes full of emotion she nodded her approval. At least Lamm's corrupting touch had not fully stained their souls, a thought at once grim and heartening.

She remained quiet after they left, suddenly she felt very tired, as though the words and actions of the night had taken on physical weight. Lynn had listened to Thorson's words without rebuttal. She had lost her stomach for arguement. She didn't understand what this was like for the towering half-orc, and part of her hoped she never did. Dangerous and volatile as he was, she needed him, this wasn't her world.

Slowly Lynn became aware of the little halfling's strangely innocent smile beaming up at her.

Oh, there you are.

What a puzzle he was, but she was glad of him. She returned his smile and her spirits buoyed. There were things to be done.

We had better tie that little cretin up, she said, nodding at Hookshanks. She began to look around the room for some rope or the like as she talked. Should we wake him up and see if we can get any answers out of him?

A few moments later there as a surprised squawk from the room upstairs.

Red rum! Someone spilled their red rum!

A dark shape flew through the door and landed on the railing of the catwalk. It was Lynn's raven.

Were you not supposed to be watching outside ED?

The big black bird hopped nervously from foot to foot.

Worried! Edward was worried!

Lynn let out an exasperated sigh.

Fine, at least help me look for a rope.

The raven flapped ackwardly down to the crates.

Rope, rope, rope, rope, rope...

 

[Ambrus]

Dj'hân points helpfully to the opening in the floor. There are a bunch of ropes there.

 

[Valthosian]

Focused now and less intent on heeding his companions, Thorson goes prone next to the opening in the floor and tries to survey all around the opening with his darkvision, then barring potential threats, he begins climbing down below.

 

[Neurotic]

Edmond Deathwish

Is there a way to follow you from uphere, Thorson? I mean do you see some other entrance for example from the waterline?

Edmond ties Hookshanks and hangs him on one of the fishhooks. Little unconfortable to be sure, but he is lightweight enough so that his arms will remain unharmed and he will have hard time escaping.

While Thorson scouts ahead Edmond searches Hookshanks for hidden weapons paying attention to his sleeves and boots more then his pockets which he simply emptied.

 

[Ambrus]

Seeing that the argument is seemingly at an end and that Lynn and Edmond are dealing with Hookshanks, the small urchin pads over to the opening and follows the brutish half-orc down the hole in the floor.

 

[Dr Simon]

[SBLOCK=Edmond]
Hookshanks' possessions: a kukri (small-sized), a suit of studded leather armour (small-sized, worn under 'urchin' clothes), a disguise kit.
[/SBLOCK]

Thorson and Dj'hân have no problem climbing down to the undercroft. Although the lower walkway is moist with river mist, and badly built, it seems safer than the higher walkway. The door into the undercroft is closed, with the floor of the lower fishery overhanging the upper portion of the door. This building has not been put together with much thought, it would seem. There are two boarded windows further to the right, over the river. Glints of lamplight shine through the gaps.

There is movement in the water. The dorsal fin of a jigsaw shark breaks surface and then sinks back below the black waters of the Jeggare.

In answer to Edmond's question, neither Thorson nor Dj'hân can see another way down.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
Between walkway and 'ceiling' here is a gap of 4 ft. Dj'hân fits in fine, but Thorson is forced to stoop.
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Ambrus]

Padding over to the door, Dj'hân first crouches down to see whether there's a gap beneath the door through which he can see. Then the urchin presses his tiny pointed ear to the door's surface, listening for any telltale sounds from within.

 

[Dr Simon]

[SBLOCK=Ambrus]
There are gaps in the badly-fitted door, but all Dj'hân can see is an empty room of wooden floor and walls, with some wooden pillars near the middle.

All is quiet except for the gentle lapping of the river against the pilings. Dj'hân thinks he can hear more vigorous splashing inside the room, as of somebody having a bath or slopping water about.
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Valthosian]

Thorson climbs down to the walkway and looks around before answering Edmond, This is the only way. Then he follows the halfling at a safe distance to avoid crowding him. Being stooped over doesn't agree well with the barbarian, but it's what he's got to do.