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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8244526" data-attributes="member: 2012">Breva can instantly tell that Solomon's grin and gaze are not a bluff. His eyes show no remorse for his actions or the fate of the missing guards. Breva isn't sure if the evil priest knows what happened to them, but the paladin is sure something is hidden behind those eyes.Mambru's bluff is a poor attempt. The man has no instinct for creative lying to save his own skin or sow dissent. The mercenary's words are betrayed by his downcast eyes and a break in his voice when he says the word 'corrupt'. He has no idea what has happened to the guards and is just speculating for the sake of his own amusement.The Loremaster is able to lock eyes with the mercenary. The sly magic tries to influence the man's will, but Mambru easily shrugs off the charm attempt. He shakes his head and blinks and then glares at Akos. He has sensed the Loremaster's attempt to charm him. He says nothing but he bares his teeth like a wild animal that wants to sink his fangs into flesh.OOC: <a href="http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=248403" target="_blank">Mambru - Will Save: 1D20+2 = [19]+2 = 21</a> (saves)Mambru turns his glare from Akos to Tim."First this one tries to invade my mind," he motions to Akos with head shake. "And when that doesn't work, you try to get me to soil myself like I'm some simpering Del Cannitha Loyalist. I am a Rising Sword. My will doesn't break so easily. I will accept the Tribunal's judgment but I'm not going to beg for my life. I have more pride than that." He shakes his head. "And I've been told enough about you to know you're not the sort to torture a foe." He looks at Tuck, who has been silent." He on the other hand would gut both me and Narzissa if we were alone with him."Tuck glares at the man and makes a hissing sound that comes out like a growl. Mutt senses his packmate's displeasure and growls at Mambru too."If you want the truth about what happened here, why don't you ask him," Mambru motions to Solomon.Solomon's evil smile turns into a grimace through his gag. He makes an obscene gesture at Mambru... with his pants.After putting Mani down, Tim tries to help Breva search the abandoned gate but the two of them only find a handful of muddy footprints near a large puddle that crisscross the open gateway from the mornings local traffic. It also looks like a cart drove through the puddle. People have been coming and going as usual but neither of them can discern if there has been any unusual movement.The guard post next to the gate is empty yet hasn't been locked. The armor, weapons, and gear is neatly put away ready to be used. The post's tables and chairs are neatly arranged but there isn't any morning meals or cups of water. Everything is as it should be except that no one is on duty."This is either a major dereliction of duty, or something very odd is going on here," Herleva says as she walks through the deserted guard post. She looks at the duty roster for the post. "There should be at least four Elites on duty here, including a captain. Hmm, that's odd. There isn't a name for the captain who is supposed to be on duty today. While each guard isn't always named, the captain must put his name down for the record.""That's the protocol," Roland adds."Someone didn't want their names recorded," Vinccenzo suggests. Once Breva and Tim are done going through everything, the Sectarian Guard goes through the gate post and along the entire gate with his keen senses. He takes his time. He finds three things of note.First, there is a hidden cache of goods hidden under a loose flagstone near the gate. There is a box with coins, a few semiprecious gems, and some parchment. The coin are mainly coppers and silvers but there are 2 gold pieces as well. The three gems aren't likely very valuable. The parchment feels like it has been written on but there isn't any visible text. "Likely invisible ink," he says. "Or maybe magic." He hands the box to Breva for safekeeping.Second, he makes note of the muddy prints and there are some boot scraps that look like they were made in haste. It's hard to say, as the prints aren't fresh. More than likely they were made last night in the fog. "I don't think there was a fight but something happened here, quickly."The third thing he finds surprises everyone. There is a secret door built into the stone floor of one of the guard post's two cells. The Sectarian Guard nearly missed it. It is barely 5 feet by 5 feet. "This shouldn't be here, should it?" He asks Herleva."Absolutely not!" She says with anger, her face red. "It's a major security breech!"Roland shakes his head. "Someone is going to get ostracized from the city for this one."Vinccenzo looks at Tim, "I don't think you're going to fit through that opening. Well, not easily." The Sectarian Guard takes a torch from the wall, lights it, and drops it down the hole. He peers into the hole, carefully. "The drop is at least 30 feet straight down, and I don't see a ladder. There is a passageway down there, but it looks really tight. Tuck and Sergeant Herleva could traverse it with ease, but the rest of us are going to be scraping against walls, if we go down there. The head room looks okay."Everyone looks towards the Rising Swords mercenaries. Mambru looks shocked. Narzissa stares impassively, at no one. Solomon is staring at his feet while cackling and coughing through his gag.Mani starts snoring.OOC: So, the initial passageway looks to be about 8 to 10 feet wide and the height near the hole is 25 to 30 feet. Anyone who looks down can see four stone doors that are built into the corridor's four walls. One of those doors stands open and faces north.[Spoiler="DM Only"]<a href="http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=248402" target="_blank">Mambru - Bluff Check: 1D20+1 = [9]+1 = 10</a><a href="http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=248404" target="_blank">Mambru - Level Check: 1D20+6 = [18]+6 = 24</a>---<a href="http://roll.coyotecode.net/lookup.php?rollid=248405" target="_blank">Vinccenzo - Search Check: 1D20+8 = [16]+8 = 24</a>[/Spoiler]</blockquote>

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