Shackled City, Act I - Life's Bazaar

[Mark Chance]

Galen moves to back up Eliara, his longspear at the ready to fend off an attacker. As the warmage moves, he growls at the locksmith, "Stay put and quiet or I'll pike you to the wall."

 

[Scotley]

William Human Paladin

William makes for the curtain as well.

 

[Dichotomy]

As the locksmith gives his valuable information, Konstantine smiles and nods to him in a reassuring manner. She then turns to Galen and gives him a confused look while shaking her head. The bard then follows the others through the curtain.

Gods, help us.

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

Eliara steps towards the red curtain, nods to her fellows, and steps through.

Galen moves to back up Eliara, his longspear at the ready to fend off an attacker. As the warmage moves, he growls at the locksmith, "Stay put and quiet or I'll pike you to the wall."

As the locksmith gives his valuable information, Konstantine smiles and nods to him in a reassuring manner. She then turns to Galen and gives him a confused look while shaking her head. The bard then follows the others through the curtain.

Gods, help us.

William makes for the curtain as well.

The characters, cued by Ghelve's subtle gestures, push their way through the red curtain, and proceed into the next room. Keygan Ghelve looks on nervously, but remains still and quiet.

[Spot Checks: Galen 14+1=15; Eliara 2+5=7; Konstantine 4+0=4; William 10+2=12]

In 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, counter-weights, and cylindrical chimes, surmounted by a circular face that bears the numerals 1 through 12 on its circumference.

Actions?

 

[Krug]

"So what is the secret, Ghelve? Fear not. We will not divulge you have aided us, but I sense something darker about the dissapearances that have occured, and you know more," Eliara says, glancing at the wares.

 

[Dichotomy]

Under her breath Konstantine mutters, "'Look beyond curtain...' Curtain..."

The bard then looks at the carpet-covered floor, and her eyes wander to the broomstick. She pauses a moment, and then picks up an edge of carpet and looks at the floor underneath. Konstantine then gives her companions a befuddled look and questioningly tilts her head toward the stairs up.

 

[Mark Chance]

"Careful, Konstantine," Galen says. "Ghelve's nerves didn't betray him because he fears the locks and boxes in that room. He fears the kidnappers whom he has aided. Our enemy may lurk nearby."

 

[Scotley]

William Human Paladin

William makes his way up the stairs two at a time, curious as to what he will find on the balcony. His hand rest on the handle of his axe.

 

[Krago o'the Mountain]

[OOC: Sorry so slow, very busy weekend! BTW, I edited William's action a bit, as I doubt he'll actually be going up the stairs quite yet...read on.]

"So what is the secret, Ghelve? Fear not. We will not divulge you have aided us, but I sense something darker about the dissapearances that have occured, and you know more," Eliara says, glancing at the wares.

Under her breath Konstantine mutters, "'Look beyond curtain...' Curtain..."

The bard then looks at the carpet-covered floor, and her eyes wander to the broomstick. She pauses a moment, and then picks up an edge of carpet and looks at the floor underneath. Konstantine then gives her companions a befuddled look and questioningly tilts her head toward the stairs up.

"Careful, Konstantine," Galen says. "Ghelve's nerves didn't betray him because he fears the locks and boxes in that room. He fears the kidnappers whom he has aided. Our enemy may lurk nearby."

William makes his way [toward] the stairs...curious as to what he will find on the balcony. His hand rests on the handle of his axe.

As Konstantine and William approach the stairs, there is suddenly a 'thump' as something falls from above and lands on the floor next to them. At a closer look, it's not a 'something' but a 'someone'. It's a naked, hairless humanoid whose skin appears to shimmer and ripple with different colors, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings. Its camouflaged skin currently matches perfectly the wood grain of the staircase and balcony; presumably, this is why it went unseen when the characters entered the room. The creature lunges with a rapier at Konstantine before anyone can react, but the thrust goes wide.

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COMBAT!

(OOC: I've attached map to show the positions of each combatant. Each square represents 10 feet on the map. Feel free to offer strategy for more than one round for your character, if you wish. It may help me resolve the combat more quickly.)

Surprise Round: Skulk attacks Konstantine, Roll = 6 (Miss vs. Kon's Flat-Footed AC 13)

Initiative Order:

1.Eliara (Roll 19+3=22)
2.William (Roll 17+1=18)
3.Skulk (Roll 14)
4.Konstantine (Roll 15+1=16)
5.Galen (Roll 9+2=11)

Combat Actions?

 

[Krug]

"Ambush!" shouts Eliara, drawing her Longbow. She fires at the skulk, moving 10' to her left to gain Skirmish damage. She will continue moving and firing at the creature.