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"I heard that somebody hired the Aracus Guild a couple days ago. They were supposed to steal something outta the museum. I don't know what it was or who hired 'em, but I know they've got a place near the docks - some of 'em might be there. It's a big brick house just across from dock 3. Gargoyles, all that jazz. Can't miss it."
Well I appreciate the info, and my buddies may have more questions about that, I am curious why you attack us in the first place? Karthurg still has not put his earth breaker away.
"The Aracus Guild doesn't like word gettin' out about them. Most people know they're in Port Fairglade, but they keep things pretty quiet about details. Plus, we thought we could make some quick cash."
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You're in the business of tradin' lives for money huh? Belliken loads his crossbow and shoots the thug he put to sleep. How much do you reckon you're worth then? He begins to slowly reload his crossbow.
Hank looks at Belliken admiringly. Damn he always knows just what to say...
"Look, if money’s what you’re after, I’m sure we can cut a deal. I don’t have any on me at the moment, but there’s no need for… " He gulps, then looks nervously down at Belliken’s crossbow, then around at the rest of the group. "… rash decisions."
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Phedran loops his morningstar back to his belt, then looks to the brigand. "Despite what our half-orc friend's zeal for violence may suggest, you'll find that we are a... reasonable bunch of fellows."
He glances over at Belliken, then back to the bandit. "If my diminutive friend here doesn't loose that flatbow of his, I'd suggest staying away from the docks for the next few days. In fact, some other town down the road might be an even better idea."
"Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll get out of your hair then, go stay some other place until all this blows over." With that, he gets up and runs for the nearest main road, ducking around the corner.
It's one thing if we come bargin' in to their tribe's hideout asking for a relic, I can understand the aggression there. But lookin' to make some coin off another man's head? Makes me sick. Belliken puts his crossbow back and gulps slightly. He is clearly still uneasy about taking a defenseless man's life, but is doing his best to look calm.
They would have taken my life without a second thought. Showin' 'em mercy just puts someone else at risk. It's a shame it comes down to me or them. I'll keep makin' it me as long as I can
Cammy gives Belliken a long, respectful look, and nods his head in what seems like approval.
Karthurg will search the dead bodies for loot. I am okay with letting this punk leave alive, but I am good with faces and if I see yours on the wrong side again; no one will ever recognize that face again.
All of them were carrying small coin pouches, which contain 40 gold in total.
Hank blows his nose on his Hankerchief. Turning to his friends, he says, "Whelp, let's get on down to the brick jazz house place. Might have to bust some heads, eh, Cammy?"
Belliken sighs and clips his crossbow onto his backpack. Lets get it over with. Didn't think we would be fightin' gangs of theives when we got on that ferry.
You head to dock 3, and see a building that matches the description you were given. A tall, narrow building of red brick sits wedged between two warehouses. It reaches three storeys in height, with three gargoyles crouched on a ledge interspersed between the third-floor windows. Hank notices the sunlight glinting off of what appears to be a small object on a silver chain around the centre gargoyle's neck. All of the windows have their shutters closed.
"There's something shiny up on that gargle statue. See it? Hmm. "
"No really. Look, up there, on the middle one. Like it's wearin' jewels or somethin'. Seems weird to me."
Hank's got a half a thought that the shiny thing might be important. He looks for a mid-to-big bird... anything like a seagull around, MacShack?
If so:
...if that's not working, Hank will pop his scroll of Charm Animal to save a step. DC 11.
If the seagull is now his pal, Hank will use his scroll of Speak with Animals to ask the bird to get the shiny from the gargoyle and bring it to him, Hank the Keeper, and if the pretty bird does, he'll give her/him a whole biscuit.
Hank is able to find a gull nearby who accepts his offer . It flies up to the gargoyle, which it seems a little put off by. It grabs the shiny object and flaps back down, then grabs the biscuit and flies away to a nearby wooden post to enjoy its prize. The object appears to be a small vial of a pale green liquid with an ornate silver casing.
Karthurg looks puzzled at Hank's talking to the bird but when it returns with a vial he is impressed.Impressive skills friend. So how do we want to approach this one? I do not think they will like us asking questions.
Hank hands the vial to Phedran. "What is it, Pheddie? Any ideas?"
Hank turns to Karthurg and says, "Thanks! What they like ain't my problem. Let's ask 'em what the hecks they're doin' tryin' to kill us."
It appears to be a potion of remove curse.
So the plan is to walk in and ask questions? I am not the best at the askin part, but I am good at making sure they answer. He chuckles a bit and prepares to head in.
well hopefully they have what we came for, but I don't hthink any amount of askin' nice will get us our prize
Hank considers the bottle, after Phedran identifies it. He hangs the chain around his neck, tucking it under his shirt. "Likely a lot of gold to be had for a swig of a curse cure. Not bad for a biscuit.Wonder what it was doin' up there."
So what is the plan? Questions first beating when they don't answer? or beat them then ask questions of the last one awake?
"Questions first and likely after, Karth." Hank takes a deep breath, and, as long as nobody stops him, he knocks on the door.
Karthurg puffs out his chest, and tries to look as scary as he can. Before Hank knocks, You can do the talking... I am not good at that end of it. Good luck.
When Hank knocks at the door, nothing happens for a moment. Then, a narrow slit slides open, and a voice answers from inside. "Who’s there?"
"Uh, hello. I uh, have a thing or two to ask you. We do, I reck. Um." Hank looks beseechingly at Belliken and Phedran, hoping someone else will take over the talking.
Hello in there. We are with the city lost and found. One of our friends has lost somethin' of great value to him, lost it while he was asleep I'm afraid, silly fella. A statue, a serpent made o' Amber. We believe it made its way into your carin' custody, and we thank you for lookin' after it so well. If you could hand it over we will be on our way and won't trouble you no longer.
Belliken readies for the response, preparing to cast a sleep on the guard if things go south.
"Snake statue?" The man turns away for a second, then looks back. "Never heard of it." From within the building, you can hear some footsteps approaching the door.
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Phedran looks at the rest of his party, then scoffs. "It really bristles my chin hairs when they lie straight to your face." He then walks over to the narrow slot and projects in the deepest voice he can muster.
"HERE YE, GOOD CITIZEN! We have been tasked with the retrieval of the artefact that you are believed to be in custody of. If your compliance is not offered, we will be forced to take up a most regretful and severe form of intrusive force in order to secure the object in question!" He taps on the door with his morningstar, then continues his tirade. "We come to you with a generous offer of mercy to simply comply with an easy and harmless act of surrendering the object in question. In doing so, we will not pursue any retributive vengeance on behalf of the offended party, and you will be allowed to walk away from this most regretful misunderstanding of property rights."
He pauses for a brief moment, then continues. "If, on the other hand, you wish to pursue a path of obtuse resistance? Well, we have tools at our disposal for breaking down any barrier you wish to put between yourselves and the right thing to do. And they happen to be wielded by a beefy slab of a half-orc in our employ!"
"I told you, it ain’t here. Bug off." The opening slides shut again, and hurried footsteps can be heard retreating from the door.
Well Karthurg I believe that is your cue big buddy. Knock on down that door and any skulls standin' in our way. Lets teach these jerks some manners.
Karthurg draws his earthbreaker and attempts to break down the door.
He hits the door but in the most sturdy part of the door. Sorry guys, it looks like this will take another swing.
Karthurg lines up another shot at the door, hoping to take it down this time.
[ooc]Full round action to attack the door.
The door buckles but stands firm against Karthurg's first blow, but his second knocks it off its hinges and shatters it to pieces.
Inside, you can see two figures dressed in robes of black and brown and intricate masks covering their faces.
One of them throws a dagger at Karthurg before retreating up the stairs.
As the dagger pierces Karthurg's armour, the other one throws his and draws a mace.
However, the debris throws off his aim and the blade embeds itself in the doorframe.
Hank pulls out the Wand of Karthurg-Maintenance and casts Cure Light Wounds on his friend:
"All better, pal!"
He tells Cammy, "Cover us, Cammy! We're going in!"
Big mistake pal! As he starts moving forward, he feel the light of Hank's wand wash over him. I am not sure I will ever get used to that crazy thing... but I love it. Karthurg then tries to crush every bone in the mace wielder in front of him.
As Karthurg charges forward, he feels a string snap as he brings his foot forward. A split-second later, a small dart pricks him in the neck, making him feel slightly dizzy. As a result, the thieve is able to twist out of harm’s way.
The thief grunts and stumbles back as the arrow hits him in the chest, but is still standing.
Belliken sighs as the situation devolves to violence. Well this'll teach 'em to steal a precious artefact.
Belliken casts sleep on the thug standing in the way.
The sawdust and bits of wood begin to settle as the masked man drops to the floor.
You look a little greener than usual there fella, are you feelin' okay? Perhaps you should shake this off before we head up the stairs? Or do ya think the trail will go cold in the meantime?
Karthurg shakes head and immediately regrets it. Holding back getting sick, The mission is more important right now. I will be okay. Just a bit of stomach bug. Lets move! Despite his brave words, he is looking rough. Maybe, we should watch our step as we go though...
Arriving on the second floor landing, there is another flight of stairs leading up, as well as a door to your right.