"don't worry Korihor - this will be the last time - my patience with this last laugh is running out as well"
When the prisoners are gathered, Zevon picks out the thug that was also involved with the mugging of the priest and he warns him:
"this is the second time we caught you in less than 24 h. I don't believe for a moment you will be kept in jail this time. But I promise you, if you give us trouble one more time, I will personally put you in chains and throw you in the lake."
Korihor stalks up to the thug, snarling. "I don't hink you'll ever get the chance." She grabs his face roughly with her metallic arm, slamming his head against the wall behind him. "Your assassin...look what I did to him. Look at it! I will kill you, the laws be damned. Your employers don't care about killing innocents. Why should I?" she holds his face there, close to his, making sure the other thugs see and hear everything. "You want to kidnap children? Intimidate the law, the priests? Cause fear?" She whispers in his ear, her grey eyes flashing. "There is nothing to fear in this world. Save me. !"
A burst of light flashes in her silver hand, clutching his smooshed face. Korihor drops him to the ground.
Zevon: as you threaten the guard and he cowers, you and the rest notice that his friends in the alley are here again the last two are dressed in rags petty thieves they probably hired to help.
Korihor as your flare spell fires off the other four jump and stumble upon each other,then fall to the ground cowering away from you. as the one you are holding against the wall screams and thrashes saying oooh my eyeees ahhhhhhhahhhh!
Daxur watches Zevon and then Korihor intimidate the thugs, a toothy goblin grin on his face.
"Now get up, and move. Try to flee, and you die." As the men scramble up, she follows them down the front steps. "You get released by the guard, and you had better catch the first ship to Xen'drik, or bring us the people who hired you, because I will bring the wrath of Shavarath down on you if I ever catch you in any questionable activities again. Move!"
As you march the terrorized thugs to the watch station, they give you no trouble. Many of the locals stare and point, especially to the sivler armed Korihor.Once you arrive Sgt.Brightblade shakes his head as you tell your tale. He sends for Skellrang and tells you to follow him, so you can place the thugs in the dungeons. Then tells you that he was told of you all and shows you at tattoo of an ogre skull with a crushed sword under the skull. Then saysBe on your way then winks at Lumen.
"Good. Ghelve's?"
Zevon thinks for a moment:
"I think the best way is to follow Magma Av. to the south. The locksmith is near Bluewater Academy on Lava Av, but there is a small street between Magma & Lava, which may have the Locksmith's backdoor."
"Let us see to this keymaker. I agree with regards these thugs. Another attack and their lives are forfeit."
"Lead on , friend Zevon." Daxur says with a smile.
"Agreed."
Zevon: you do not notice ant one following you as you and the rest of your party go to the locksmith.
As you move to arrive at Ghelve's locks, you all notice a small turret dominates the facade of this 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"
Gazing up at the imposing edifice, Daxur remarks "Well, that doesn't look very easy to break into."
"Think it's...locked?" Korihor snickers.
You all see the sign thats says:
Lumen grins.
"Well, the sign says it all." she says as she reaches to open the door.
"Might I recommend a more circumspect method of investigation than we've exercised previously? If this keymaker is complicit in the kidnappings, alerting him to our investigation seems unwise. Perhaps a ruse is in order, whereby some of us request his services and attempt to ascertain his involvement through subterfuge?"
"Beauregard Jorasco seems particularly well equipped for just such methods."
"no problem trying the subtle approach first. However, if he is one of the kidnappers or an ally, we should be ready with the more direct plan B: take him captive & interrogate him. Beauregard should not go in alone."
"Someone worried about security might have bodyguards if they can afford it. Might actually support the act of being paranoid and having something to protect. Something worth taking."
"I agree. I can serve as bearer & porter, while Daxur & Korihor masquerade as advisors. Zevon & Lumen can take the role of overt guards. That seems to explain our presence well."
Engineer stows all his combat gear in his backpack, including his bandolier of power stones.
"I will carry your bags, Sir Jorasco."
Daxur nods, "A most sensible plan #3, let us see if our lockmaster is in."
Korihor shakes her head, but follows them in, a bit behind Beauregard.
As you walk in you see a small little shop and a gnome male sitting behind the counter on a stool. He seems to be working on a lock,setting the tumbles with his tools. He looks up when the bell rings as the door shuts. And says How can I be of assistance? as he looks you all over.
(the room is 15ftby 15ft a fire place sits to your left with two cushioned rockers,a long floor rug goes from the door to the wall the counter sits to your left and a red curtain behind Gheleve)
Korihor walks in slowly, and stands to the left of the exit, her hands clasped in front of her.
As you walk in you see a small storefront that smells of wood and pipe smoke.Two padded rockers flank a hearth containing a small but lively fire.The fire place carved mantle bears a tinderbox a small vase of dried smoking leaves and a finely wrought collection of pipes.a burgundy strip rug leads from the entrance to the wall across from it, where dozens-perhaps hundreds-of keys hang from tiny hooks.The keys come in all shapes and sizes. A handsomely engraved mahogany counter stretches along one wall as the gnome male works on a lock. Appears to be setting the tumblers to the lock.He looks up and says How can I help you.As he looks at you all with interst.Behind the counter hangs a red curtain that neatly hides the rest of the store.
(the room is 15ft by 15ft, fire place is on your left side and the counter on your right side)
At Engineer #3's comment Beauregard replies, "Beauregard please, is enough of a mouthful in certain circumstances. You needn't feel the need to add the familial."
Beauregard takes a moment to adjust his appearance, at which point the rest of you realize just how much effort he has been making to downplay the House Jorasco badge he wears.
Beauregard seems to be making a point of visually searching for the House Cannith affiliate seal before speaking. "I understand you have accepted commissions for multiple locks for commercial structures. What are your rates for such & how do you guarantee reliability in such cases?"
Zevon greets the gnome, walks to the wall opposite the doors and looks at the keys hanging there. His back is not completely turned to the room, however, so that with a small turning of his head he can easily look at the conversation taking place between Beauregard & the gnome.
He is ready to run behind the counter, if needed.
Ghelve says Why yes I do, that depends on the quality of the lock and how long they take me to build them. How many do you need sir?.
He lits up when you say commision.
"At least four. The House is investigating reversing the sad absence Cauldron has suffered for too long & required that I make a fact-finding endeavor. Your name was brought to my attention as I pursued questions of security for the enclave. However, not everything I have heard of your artifice is salutatory. I was hoping you might clarify certain statements that have come to my ears."
Gheleve replies; Well I am the only lock smith in town,noone has ever complained about my work. Ask whatever you like master.
you notice him sit up a bit and avoids eye contact
"A number of your locks have recently been found to be of...
questionable utility in preventing activities by individuals of particular organizations. Organizations that have designs counter to my family's interests. I would like to know what organizations have an...
influence upon your professional pride."
I am beginning to wonder if this entire city is striving to act outside House influence, and if the Houses are aware of it if so...
is going on here?
Whaaaat do you mean questionable utility! How dare you good sir I am insulted I would like you to leave my humble store and take you tuffs with you as well. Excuse me I have work to do! Good day?
"I'm certain you would. I'm equally certain you have no interest in the of this conversation becoming this weeks . More importantly, I am certain that have little interest in such an event." Beauregard pauses for moment, allowing the implications to sink in.
"Perhaps a bit righteous indignation, and a bit self-awareness on your part & we might achieve our desired ends from this conversation, hmm?"
YOOou came heere to buy locks I know not what you speak of. If you like let show what is in inventory. he tilts his head to the curtain inviting you to the back.
Everyone else what are you doing as Beaurgard speaks to the shopkeeper?
Zevon as you loook at the keys hanging on the hooks you notice a light layer of dust on all of them.
Daxur has been watching the conversation from Beauregard's right hand. As the gnome motions to the back of the counter, towards the hanging curtains, Daxur's eyes widen. Turning his back on the gnome, he fishes out Jenna's clue from his tunic. "look beyond the curtain...look beyond the curtain...look beyond the curtain" he mutters to himself. Reaching his hand back, he grasps Beauregard shoulder and pulls the halfling around and hidden by their backs, shows Beauregard the clue "We need to see what's behind that curtain" he whispers.
At Daxur's whisper, Beauregard nods slightly. "I will go with him. Keep your ears open. If there is trouble, or I manage to resolve matters, I will call out."
In response to Ghelve's invitation, "Certainly, shall we?"
He removes his stilts and get off his the stool,and opens and holds the curtain for you.
Engineer follows Beauregard past the curtain. Arms at his sides, eyes ahead, he appears the perfect robotic servant.
Spot as he looks around.
Glancing back at Engineer #3, Beauregard purses his lips slightly, then turns back about to observe the chamber & direct his attention back to master Ghelve.
#3 and Beaurgard: you see 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 l;ooks tidy ,but lived in. Carpets cover the stone floor, and and a broom leans against a railing of a wooden staircase leading up to a second floor balcony. Three wooden chests sit 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 large 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 1-12 on its circumference.
And thats is what you see
Everyone else: You see Beaurgard and #3 enter the open curtain Ghelve's follows them and the red curtain drops.
Korihor nods to Zevon, and then the curtain. She states loudly, "Keep the curtain open, Zevon. Matron Jorasco will have our heads if anything happens to her first-born."
When Beauregard & #3 follow Ghelve, Zevon moves behind the counter as well.
He doesn't immediately follow his companions behind the curtain, but he follows Korihor's suggestion and opens the curtain.