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Message: <blockquote data-quote="robberbaron" data-source="post: 1730336" data-attributes="member: 14771">Things that go Bump, Ouch in the NightMay 17th, 1699Kron decided to search for someone who looked like the picture of the Hark on the poster, thinking to take the first person matching the poster as the Hark, to claim the reward. Always thinking out of the box, that Uruk.Finding an inn with a stable, the party rested the night, allowing the horses to recover from the exertions of the journey before selling them.They discussed what they knew about the Hark (basically nothing) and talked to the inn customers to find some information. Kron tried intimidating the locals, but they were not impressed with the mumbling Uruk, despite his size, muscles and general demeanor.Seigfried might have found out quite a lot, but couldn't understand anything anyone said. They let him buy them plenty of beer though.The party found out 2 things - a warehouse had been emptied, and another had foodstuffs damaged and eaten (by either a plague of rats or something bigger).Cord went out looking for local youths, and found a beggar.Giving him a couple of silvers Cord took him to the inn. The barman didn’t like this (his customers started leaving because of the beggar’s aggressive odour) so they took the beggar back outside.For a couple more silvers the beggar told them that the thieves' guild has a "presence" in an old temple in the centre of the town."But I didn't tell you nothing, know what I mean?” Nudge, nudge, say no more.Visiting the town centre, Li Kung spotted Cant symbols on several walls and noticed a man looking decidedly shifty.Once he got the man's attention by staring at him for a minute or two, Li Kung told him (using Cant Sign) that they wanted to contact the guild.Told to wait in the inn, they hung around for two hours before another shifty man and his guard came in to talk to them."I understand you want to purchase some merchandise?", Shifty said, his eyes roving all around the bar, independently."We want to ensure that any trades we make are on the up and up", Li Kung explained.They bargained on the fee for ‘temporary membership’, ending at 50GP."Are you allied with 'other forces'?". Li Kung partially unsheathed a silvered dagger to make his point.The thief’s eyes widened marginally and he explained they do not deal with "them".Shifty told them that if they “dealt with” the Hark, it would be considered a favour to the guild.The guild had sent scouts to find the Hark’s entrance to the waterfront, but they had not returned. It is somewhere to the north of the harbour, though.Bringing Gaelle into the conversation, they found no more information about the "problem". Kron tried to ask questions but the thief ignored him.Sliding 50GP across the table, they bought the ability to work unmolested by the guild.As  the thief got up to leave Gaelle stopped him."The warehouses robbed. Were they to the north?"Yes""One warehouse held food, what did the other hold? And could you give us directions to them?""Goods. The owner was not supposed to have them. That is all I can say." Shifty was able to give them directions to the warehouses though."Any problems with rats? Plagues of rats?""Possibly. There have been sightings.""Is there a sewer system?""Yes, there are many outfalls into the harbour. That is where the rats live.""How long has the Hark been in the area?"First indications came 6 months ago. We assume he lives in or near the town as he seems to be close to everything that goes on."He handed Gaelle a piece of paper with the names of the warehouses that were attacked."Should you need to do any more business, your monk knows how to contact us"Gaelle wanted to know if there were any low-level magical practitioners in the town who sell their services."There is a small branch of the Society of Mages, Sages, Alchemists and Other Professional Thinking Persons, and they are always willing to do things for money."Cord enquired about a market - there was one a couple of blocks away but it was closed at this time (late afternoon).Gaelle borrowed the Orc cleric’s mace from Kron, to take it to the mages for evaluation.It isn't an axe, so Kron didn't really care about it.Gaelle decided to wander around the town before it got too dark, sketching out a plan of the town. She filled in the details when she returned to the inn. Not too good, but it was close enough for the time being.Going up to a gate-guard, she enquired about outlying farms and other settlements, finding that there are plenty of farms between 5 and 10 miles out, but the nearest town is 30 miles or so away.Gracientus prayed for Detect Magic and cast it over the kit they had liberated from the mines. The mace, 3 potions and the perforated cloak showed the tell-tale glow.Gaelle and Cord decide to go to the Mages’ Society in the morning to find out what the items were.------During the night, Cord and Seigfried were woken by a scream, suddenly cut off, somewhere close by. Gaelle slept soundly on.Cord rolled out of bed, grabbed his dagger and sword and ran to Gaelle’s room. Banging on the door, waking her, he asked if everything was OK. Moving on to Seigfried's room, he arrived just as the tall paladin emerged.Cord - "I heard something". Seigfried - "So did I".Gaelle went over to her window and looked/listened. Down the alley, she spotted a large figure running across the end of the alley, carrying a sack.She wanted to go take a look - if something bad had happened there could be a bounty to claim.Gaelle went to the front door, unbolted it and peered out. She couldn't see anyone.Walking to the alleyway her room overlooked she couldn't see anything so returned to the inn, re-bolting the door.After checking that no-one had broken in she went back to bed.</blockquote>

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