The Shackled City - Golarion Prelude

[Shayuri]

"De renovations was five years ago," Nia supplies, eying the gnome with her usual gimlet gaze. "De building owned by de church of Sarenrae." She nodded. "You stand good in dem stilts. How long it take you to learn?"

As the gnome speaks, she watches his mouth...specifically trying to get a look at his teeth. She also keeps an eye out for a tattered cloak that might be hanging on a hook...or elsewhere.

 

[ahayford]

Keygan evasively responds to Caytis.

Like I said, I’ve had many clients over the years, can’t expect an old gnome to remember one halfling can you? Are you even sure the locks were mine? I sell a lot of locks, but I know several of the locals importers have brought in inferior merchandise over the years to try and undercut me.

Keygan turns to respond to Nia.

Five years ago eh? Hmmm...no can’t say it rings a bell. Now I apologize, but if you aren’t going to buy anything, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I’m a very busy gnome.

He glances exhaustively at a pile of orders.

Lots of orders to fill, always the same thing

**Passive Sense Motive**
You find it odd that a gnome as organized as Keygan Ghelve would have no recollection of a sale he made. Or failing that, that he would have no paperwork he could refer to about the order. The orders on the table near his work bench show that he must keep some kind of paper trail.

The grey in Keygan’s hair is also a bit strange. Most gnomes you’ve met have had very brilliant or deep hair colors. Even Svexyn remembers Keygan’s hair being a more midnight blue-black as recently as a year ago. You don’t know enough about gnome physiology to know if greying that quickly is normal.

Keygan’s demeanor has transitioned from surprised, to nervous, and now agitated. Something isn’t right here.

 

[jkason]

Caytis Maggerin, half-elf magus

Caytis frowns, then points to the papers.

"Yes, that does seem to be a fair amount of paperwork. And where might the rest of it be? You know, from say five years back?" The half-elf moves in, his eyes going cold. "You see, children are missing, and I'm sure you agree that's more important than locks, don't you? I mean, we'd hate to have some little misunderstanding paint you as a cold, heartless merchant who only loves money, and whose employ would therefore reflect ever so badly on upper class reputations, would we? Dreadful misunderstanding that would be."

 

[ahayford]

Keygan's mouth opens and closes soundlessly a few times.

Ch-ch-children you say? Oh my. Now lets not get too hasty....Hah...Silly me, you are right! My files should have records of all my previous transactions...one moment.

The gnome hobbles over to his file cabinets and quickly produces a purchase order written on rolled up parchment. He slips off a bit of yarn and rolls the paper out on the counter.

Lets see here...yes yes...oh I see. My, pretty hefty hardware for protecting an orphanage. Vault Guard 1.2. One of my finest designs, I believe the city council purchased a few for their chambers.

He smiles to himself as he reminisces about his handiwork.

I'm afraid though, thats all I can show you. Showing you the schematics of the locks would violate the privacy and security of my clients.

Keygan points at a ID number of some kind. And then arches his eyebrows toward a back room. And then looks Caytis in the eyes.

If thats all, again I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I'm afraid having guests in my shop makes me terribly nervous.

Keygan again tilts his head toward the back room.

I wouldn't want someone to overhear your accusations and get the wrong idea.

 

[Shayuri]

Nia nods. "Our apologies," she says more graciously. "We did not mean to sound suspicious. It is a difficult case, and emotions run high. Tank you for you help. If you remember anyting else, we'll be at de inn."

She looks at Caytis and makes a shooing gesture towards the door. Her mouth moves, but though her voice is a thin, almost inaudible whisper, Caytis and the others in the group hear her as if she were whispering in each of their ears.

"We must leave and watch dis place troo de night. De gnome be forced, I tink, and is in danger."

(OOC - Message cantrip.)

 

[jkason]

Caytis Maggerin, half-elf magus

Caytis feels his cheeks flush again, and for the second time in the past few minutes actually thankful for his scales. He nods to Nia, but says to the gnome, "Fine. It was a long shot, anyway. But if you think of anything, just shoot us a message, yes?" Here he looks to Nia, dropping his voice to a level inaudible to anyone not standing a hair's breadth from him and adds, "Can you connect him to us so he can call for help if they decide to hurt him over our visit and my bull-headedness?"

[sblock=mini-stats]HP: 10/10 AC: 15 AC(T): 12 AC(FF): 13 Init: +02
BAB: 00 CMB/CMD: 00/12 ACP: -1 ASF: 00 Spot: +05

Saving Throw Total Base Mod Misc Special
Fort: 03 2 +1
Ref: 01 0 +2 -1*
Will: 03 2 +1

* -1 Reflex (Wyrm Blooded trait)
** Conditional: Immune sleep, +2 vs enchantments, +4 vs acid

Weapon Attack Damage Critical Special
Quadrens +2 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Quadrens, Spell Combat +0 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Composite Shortbow +2 1d6 20/x3 Range 70 ft.

* Conditional: +1 attack with Arcane Pool enhancement.

Arcane Pool: 5/5 remaining

Spells Prepared:
* 0 Level (3): Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Light
* 1st Level (2, DC 15): Shield, Shield[/sblock]

 

[Dragonwriter]

Marcus had mostly stayed put and looked somewhat menacing as the others asked Keygan questions.

Now, he grimaces as the others decide to leave after what seemed to him to be fairly obvious indications that someone was in the back room, spying on this whole exchange. But he says nothing for the moment, not really sure if Nia's sudden whisper was truly secure or worked both ways. And his gruff, heavy voice had a way of carrying... so it would probably be a good idea to be more careful for the moment.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Val starts - just slightly - as Nia's voice comes whispering to his ear. Once he realizes what's going on he gives a sharp nod to her and a deeper bow to the Master Locksmith before leaving with his friends.

Once outside he responds, "Aye, Nia, I believe you've the right of it . . . Caytis' friend is in danger. We'll need to see to his safety."

 

[Walking Dad]

Wilbur

"Yes, let's visit the other people on our list. This looks like a dead end."
Wilbur says, careful to not stare at the back room.

[sblock=OOC]

----

HP: 11 / 11

Spells:
1: 5/5

Gift of Madness: 6 / 6

Wilbur 2
Wilbur Warrington

[/sblock]

 

[ahayford]

The party says their goodbyes and parts ways with the enigmatic gnome. As you step outside, the torrid air hits you like a drunken hill giant. The sun has traveled further on its path across the sky, but a few hours remain before it settles for the evening on the horizon.

The party confers among themselves in a quiet side street, trying to decide their next course of action. Nia proposes the group stake out the Keygan's shop this evening, to determine who, or what, Keygan's mysterious visitor is. There is still time today to investigate further, but some respite from the hot sun while the group awaits the onset of night wouldn't be unwelcome either.