Shackled City, Act I - Life's Bazaar

[Scotley]

"Yes, we are planning to stay here for a while. And thank you Tyro, you are most generous and I look forward to our next meeting." William returns to the table, somewhat disappointed in his success, but glad to have made the generous dwarf's aquantance. To his companions he says, "Well, I didn't get the information we seek, but at least we have free drinks." Raising his glass he says, "To newfound friends and to our success in solving this puzzle."

 

[Mark Chance]

To his companions William says, "Well, I didn't get the information we seek, but at least we have free drinks." Raising his glass he says, "To newfound friends and to our success in solving this puzzle."

Galen raises his cup. "May the light of justice cook our enemies' hides," he says with a grin.

 

[Dichotomy]

Konstantine looks utterly astounded. I have no idea... THAT is what being an adventuring bard means...

The bard then turns to her companions and raises her wine glass with them. "Yes, indeed. Only good things can come from this."

 

[Krug]

Galen raises his cup. "May the light of justice cook our enemies' hides," he says with a grin.

"May the arrow of the woods find their behind first," Eliara adds.

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

"Yes, we most definitely. And I'll have whichever drink in your menu is most unusual," says Eliara, congratulating Konstantine for her good work.

Maia replies, "Unusual? Well, most of our drinks are of the more common variety, but we do have some amber whiskey that was brewed by halflings, as I understand it. I'll bring over a bit, and you can see if it's to your taste."

"Yes, we are planning to stay here for a while. And thank you Tyro, you are most generous and I look forward to our next meeting." William returns to the table, somewhat disappointed in his success, but glad to have made the generous dwarf's aquantance. To his companions he says, "Well, I didn't get the information we seek, but at least we have free drinks." Raising his glass he says, "To newfound friends and to our success in solving this puzzle."

Galen raises his cup. "May the light of justice cook our enemies' hides," he says with a grin.

"May the arrow of the woods find their behind first," Eliara adds.

Konstantine looks utterly astounded. I have no idea... THAT is what being an adventuring bard means...

The bard then turns to her companions and raises her wine glass with them. "Yes, indeed. Only good things can come from this."

Maia serves more drinks to the assembled party, furthering their celebratory mood. She says with a smile, "Our rooms are five silvers a night. I assume you'll want two. One for the ladies and one for the gentlemen?"

At this point, Intari rises from the table and bows a bit stiffly to his newfound companions. "My friends, I fear that I sense a stirring within my soul. It is the heart of the scorpion within, and it bids me that now is not the right time to take up arms with a group of able companions. Now is the time for solitude. I will keep my senses alert to news of the children, and leave word for you here at this inn if I learn anything. I regret that I must leave now, but perhaps the scorpion will bring us together once more. Our destinies intertwine, I believe, and who knows where the road will end?" Sadly, no amount of persuasion will change the shaman's mind, and he strides proudly from the inn, vanishing into the darkness of Cauldron.

[OOC: Thus, we place Intari on leave, but with the door open for his eventual return. Meanwhile, if there are no further activities to take place on this night, please role-play your character's conclusion to the evening, and then provide some info as to the party's intentions for the following day. Where do they want to go, when, and with what intent?

PS, Scotley, I think we both forgot about the fact that William has a horse. Please include some reference to the mount at this point, i.e., stabling arrangements with Isaar or the like.]

 

[Scotley]

William Human Paladin

"Does that price include stabling for a mount as well?" Owing to the long day’s travel and abundant food and drink William is soon yawning. "Tomorrow we'll have our list and I suggest we visit the locations of the disappearances to see if any pieces of the puzzle remain." With another yawn he adds, "Does anyone else have another course in mind?"

 

[Dichotomy]

Such a shame that Intari left. I hope we can solve this without his help.

"William, that sounds like a good idea. I also would very much like to speak to this locksmith, Keygan Ghelve. The riddle Jenya showed us said 'the locks are the key.' And though Isaar shrugged it off, I think we should try to find out more about Coryston Pike. If she knew it was coming, she must have had some clue that would help us. Eliara, you said that the man, Mort I think, heard about Coryston either at the Tipped Tankard or by the mines, right?"

 

[Scotley]

William Human Paladin

William slaps a hand to his forehead, "Gods, I must be tired. I completely failed to spot a possible connection between the locksmith and the puzzle. I'm glad we are working together on this. It is too bad we don't have Intari with us as well. Coryston Pike will be on our list as well." Getting up and gathering his things he says, "If there is nothing else, I must see to my horse and get to bed. Shall we breakfast together and then seek out the locksmith? We aren't expected back at the temple until midday."

 

[Krug]

Tempted, Eliara will pass on the offer of the drink. "Perhaps another time, though the offer is tempting." The wood elf is disappointed to see the dark skinned man go. She was hoping to learn more about him. To Konstantine question's, Eliara replies "I believe it was at the Tipped Tankard."
She gets up and bows to her companions. "To bed and night. I shall see the rest of you tomorrow, and we shall learn more about the locksmith's locks."

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

The party arranges for two rooms for the night, and Isaar kindly throws in stabling for William's horse for the total of ten silvers [OOC: I'll deduct an equal share from each character's sheet, unless directed otherwise]. It seems he's rather well disposed towards the group of adventurers, due to Konstantine's excellent vocal performance and Tyro's generous tipping.

The bedrooms are similar to the common room...comfortable and clean, though not fancy. The rooms are decorated with humorous pictures of the fish-like, tentacled beast from the establishment's outer sign. Each portrait depicts the morkoth in an intoxicated state, and in an oddly incongruous locale....a chapel of Pelor in the ladies' room, and a wooded countryside in the mens'.

The morning dawns with much better weather than the previous night. Warm autumn sunlight shines through the shuttered windows, dispelling all traces of drizzle and fog. Maia is up and bustling throughout the common room, serving steaming bread, fresh fruit, and heavy cream to a few early-rising patrons. She gives a warm nod to the four adventurers as they gather, and brings breakfast to those who so desire. She offers directions to Ghelve's Locks, and the party is on its way.

A short time later, the group stands in front of the business. A small turret dominates the facade of the two-story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in the thick window frames. Beyond the turret's ground-floor windows sits a lovely display of locks, from large to small, simple to complex. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swings a simple sign that reads "GHELVE'S LOCKS."

Actions?

[OOC: I've made some assumptions, based on the desired course of action expressed by most of the party. Feel free to embellish the activities of the morning as you see fit.]