Pyrrhus and Parnell it seems your only concern is the three boys before you. They are all dressed in rags and are barefooted. Your certain that they are all street rats or at least orphans possibly but you can't be sure. They appear to have not physical similar traits so you are rather certain that they have no relation to each other.
Everyone else notices the door against the wall next to the stairs is slightly ajar and the door seems to be moving barely. Also there is noise coming from upstairs as well. You can't make out more than muffled sounds.
The young paladin makes a show of putting his longsword back in it's sheath.
Addressing the boys, Parnell says "Boys. Let's drop those daggers, and sit quietly in the corner over there," as he points to an empty corner behind them, "so nobody else gets hurt, while this whole mess gets sorted out."
Boys, we won't hurt you, IF you don't try to hurt us. The child is only asleep. Whom else is in the building? Sierra looks around the room, still keeping an eye towards the door behind them also.
The boys do as they are told and sit against the corner without argument, fearful of the groups abilities. The youngest speaks in trembling voice, "We had too, please don't kill us...they made us..." The other boy grabs the younger and puts his hand over his mouth, "SHHH! They will kill us and sis if we talk..." in alarmed tone.
The younger struggles free, "But they are strong.. they can save her..." the boy points to the group.
The older boy let's go obviously considering the options. Finally he agrees and stands up ready to tell everything.
He speaks in a soft tone in hopes that no one outside the room will hear his voice, "There are eight of us...twelve if you count the ones who took us captive. The other four are older than us, way older. But not as old as you all. They made us steal, and hurt others, and bring other kids here too. They kept sis close, promising to do bad things to her if we didn't do as they said...They were waiting until the festival was over and then we were to go with them some place far away...we don't know where..."
The boy looks to his hands and tears form in his eyes as he thinks about the things he has done against his will. Both of the boys are in bad shape from malnourishment, and likely been used as punching bags from time to time.
The younger boy takes over, "They dragged some of us with them outside the back, some might be upstairs I think but we were already down stairs, they said stay here, fight off the invaders...make sure no one passes us... or else..."
Zel motions for the boy to come forward.
Those that can, please tend to the wounded. Pyrrhus, Tipene and Podlow please look in on our archer friends upstairs and keep an eye out for trouble as there might be a puppet master around here somewhere..
Master Liek..Lord Ludington if you would please join me as we talk with our young man here.
He looks at the young boy and gives him a knowing smile..and with a soft voice that is non judgmental...
Got yourself in a bit of a pickle huh...Young man, What is your name...and your companions. What has happened to bring you to a decision like this. What is the meaning of all these thefts and assaults on my companions. Where are your parents, what has happened to them that they would let you live like this.
This is disturbing news. We should split into two teams. One for the door one for the upstairs. I volunteer to go upstairs.
Liek aporroaches the kids. We can help kids. Just run. We will save the others
With a grim determined look upstairs, Parnell relents and responds, "Of course, Zeladaris."
Zel looks at liek and parnell...
go ahead...go on. We will be fine down here with the children.
You certain? We have no idea what the people who set this up have planned, I hesitate to have anyone to off on their own.
Looking up at the old man, she grumbles Easy with the questions, sir. They're just children, scared kids at that. Give them a couple minutes to adjust to not having to do things that never wished to do.
Sierra looks over the boys, trying to sooth and heal anything that needs it. Speaking more softly, as she checks each child, Sierra murmurs It'll be alright, kids. We'll get the ones that hurt you and those that have your sister.
She keeps looking towards the stairs, wishing she could've went with the others. Watch over them, Ceanna. Please keep them safe.
Yes master liek I am certain, as far as I can tell there are only two exits from this room, the one we came in and the one to the upstairs. We should be safe for now.
Zel looks at the young lady with a nod and
You are correct young lady, I should not have asks so many questions at once.
Seeing the young women wanting to go upstairs...
I can take care of the children, go on upstairs with the others...I will be fine and the kids will be fine as well. We have lots to talk about. Go on. I have my magic to protect the children if the need arises. That is if the children have no injuries that need tending to.
He looks at the children..and with a soft gentle voice...
Children let us start at the beginning..hmm. nice and slow and take your time. You have been through a lot already this morning. What ever you can tell me will be of great use to us. When this is over we will go and get you something to eat, you look like to could use a good meal.
zel will asks his questions over a period of time constantly keeping an eye on his surroundings. He will talk in a soft slow neutral tone and be very patient with the children.
Yay for having Power and internet working stable again...
Those going up stairs can see the Thieves building F2 plan and decide what you want to do, there are doors to pick from, I will update maps as things progress.
Those calming the boys are successful, and healing scraps and bruises, will take time.
For the most of the questions, You find out the boys names, Billy, Timothy, James. James is the one out cold. You discover that the boys all lost their parents in the last war between Osmerade and Asmerade. You also learn that some of the others taken had lost their parents to the Fog coming out at night... while they were traveling to this town for the festival. They didn't know where else to go but to come to Tykren thinking, or hoping that their parents would just turn up.
They were promised to be kept safe by the older boys, that they would either help find parents or take them to a new home...far from here. But then things turned for the bad and they had to being doing things to earn passage to a new home. When the things they wanted to do ended up hurting others or worse, that was when they began to threaten sis, Marlien.
"Ok, good enough of a plan... you all, le'me cover you in the stairs. We do not know what is happening there and we might face a couple bolts and arrows flying to better not to rush blindly." Aside from the wizard, Pyrrhus saw himself as the older one so he felt it was his job to go ahead.
With his buckler ready and his armor protecting him, Pyrrhus moved upstairs.
Tipene braces his shield and advances just after Pyrrhus.
-With this wall before me, I'm sure no arrow will hit me...
As you both head up the stairs and anyone else that may follow you find yourself in the hall. You can easily notice the doors from where you stand at the top of the stairs and you see no one in the hall even though the area is dimly lit.
You do notice the metallic scent of blood in the air, you see blood along the hall floor. Though your not sure of which direction from which it comes or goes.
You can tell the building itself doesn't seem old, the wooden stairs barely make a sound as you climbed them, the walls seem to be of fresh wood slates, yet it is dusty, unused except for this group of vandals. From being local residents you all know that these buildings were built within the last year, yet no one has yet to take up residency. Either because the landlord is asking for to much coin, or maybe because at this point no one has use of it, anyone's guess would be as good as the next.
On the first floor the children are calm, wounds bandaged and you can tell that it will take many weeks for them to recover fully; and even longer for their spirits to mend.
"You know, children", said Parnell addressing the children, "it may not seem like it right now, but you all have so much life ahead of you."
"I will not lie to you and say one day you might be able to leave this all behind you, but in time, the pain will fade. Then through Ceana's mercy, you will able to forge a new destiny for yourselves," says the young paladin, doing his best to look into the eyes of all the children present.
Pyrrhus notices the blood and gestures to those behind him to follow in silence. Not a good sign... never a good sign...
Pyrrhus your able to track the direction of the freshest blood you know to turn left then go into the door on the right.
You also know that the rest of the blood in the area is foot prints that go back and forth from the left door in the left hall and the left door in the right hall. These prints appear older.
Liek looks at where everyone is going. Alright, I'll head up the stairs.
Liek approaches the stairs with caution, as if nervous. Why does it have to be hostages
"Fine,' Parnell said. "We'll keep an ear out," nodded the paladin, looking at Sierra. Parnell then began to usher the children against a nearby wall away from any direct line of sight from the top of the stair.
Tipene stays alert, and lets Liek do the stealth while he follows him from afar, in case some nasty surprises are awaiting.
Sierra had wanted to go upstairs but she changed her mind and decided to stay with the children.
"Is there a place in town we can take the children?" Sierra asked the two men still downstairs. "Being new to the town, I'm not sure what to do with them after we deal with this threat."
Anyone with knowledge of the town or the church of ceanna knows that the church often assist children lost, orphaned, in need.
Those going up stairs what do you choose to investigate first? Which of the 4 doors?
Leak will approach the second door to his left, his gut telling him to check it out. Anyone paying attention notice that he had looked at each of the doors and on each one his eyebrows rose.
Tipene sees how Liek opens one of the doors and he decides he'll open another one to hurry the investigation. After a pair of seconds, he decides to open the leftmost one.
Gesturing to the others, Pyrrhus moves towards the door with freshest blood.
Based on the F2 Map;
Liek you turn left from the top of the stairs, and then take the only door on the left. This door leads you into a room with odd markings unlike anything you have ever seen. There is a strange circle on the floor with a star in the center. The symbol is done in blood and you can see feathers and blood in the center. All of this appears dry. Bloody foot prints trail from the center of this room out the door and through the hall leading to the right side of the stairs. Along with this there are runic symbols along the wall, candles that have melted down and Not lit. There is a mirror on an alter on the farthest wall. And you can see a set of metal floor clips used for holding chains in the center of the room as well.
Tipene As your looking to open another in hopes to hurry the investigation you will find yourself turning right at the top of the stairs and follow the foot prints from the door that Liek entered. Immediately after you begin to open the door you will need to roll a REFLEX SAVE to see if you take damage from crossbow bolt.
You will see a young skidish kid who released a bolt as the door open who apparently is guarding a small cage. Inside the cage you will notice a girl curled up, dressed in bloody rags.
Pyrrhus at the top of the stairs you turn left along with Liek, however you reach for the door on the right. There is a lot of blood that has come from underneath the door. As you push on the door you find it somewhat difficult to open. With some effort you push it open to realize that a dead body is resting against the door. The body is of a boy likely around the age of 11 or 12. A crossbow bolt has stuck into his chest. It is obvious that he bled out and attempted to leave the room but collapsed at the door. The window across from the door is opened and you can see he was shot likely through the window as there is a trail of blood that is on the window seal and cross the room to where the body now rest.
- What the... Here!
If you want just roll attack.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 1
You mean upstairs? Nothing yet would be making enough noise.
-Blasted kiddos!
Kid is knocked out cold
Tipene reaches the cage with caution, trying to find out about the girl without finding another nasty surprise.
-I found something here!
Looking to Sierra, Parnell asks, "What did he say? I'll stay here and guard the children. They might need your healing arts better than my swordarm."
With his buckler high to protect him, Pyrrhus moves carefully towards the window, trying to catch a glimpse from the shooter. To the others he just yells. "There is a dead boy here..."
Yes. Allow me please Liek says.
Tipene reaches the cage with caution, trying to find out about the girl without finding another nasty surprise.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
-I found something here!
You reach the cage with no further difficulty. Inside the cage the brown eyed girl with bushy matted red hair looks in your direction, there is a brief pause of silence...shortly thereafter she gives a cowardly squeak and pulls farther away into the cage where she begins to tremble in fear. The girl in a hoarse voice pleads, "Please no more... please....no....more."
She is covered in bruises, scrapes, wrist are shackled and dry cracked blood covers them. She is thin, pales, eyes are sunken and darkness is setting into her skin.
With his buckler high to protect him, Pyrrhus moves carefully towards the window, trying to catch a glimpse from the shooter. To the others he just yells. "There is a dead boy here..."
[dice=Perception DC]1d20+0
You make your way to the window prepared for any attack realizing that none are to come. But what you do see is the corner where everyone came from. There are a couple of bolts stuck around the window. A bit of thought and you realize that the bolts came from Sierra crossbow.
-Shhh, okay, okay, no more... I'm a friend... shhh, please, don't cry... someone help ME HERE, PLEEEEEEASE....!!!
Yes. Allow me please Liek says.
[dice=Prof. Private Detective]1d20+5
[dice=perception]1d20+5
You realize quickly inside your room that things are very strange indeed. There hasn't ever been much of this sort of thing you have ever seen before. Sure you have heard of magic before but it is tidbits because magic is so rare in the area. You do get an eerie vibe from it all, not sure of whatever it is that you dealing with.
Your quick witted enough though to realize that whatever it is, is bad, and sacrifices and torture was used in this room. In fact, your rather sure that you will have bad dreams about this room as it is now burned into your memory.
If you like you can Attempt a roll for Knowledge Arcane to see if you have a chance to know anything at all.
Everyone hears Tipene bellowing out of his room "... ME HERE, PLEEEEEEASE....!!!" even if your down stairs you hear it clearly.
Sierra nods at Parnell and heads over to the door to go upstairs. She reaches the landing, pausing at the site of the blood trail. Her pace picks up when she hears Tipene calling out for help.
Rushing down the hall, she pulls up to an abrupt stop when she reaches the door of the room Tipene called from.
Her tone questioning, she slowly enters the room. "Tipene? Looking first at the boy on the floor and then at the girl in the cage, Ssshhhh child, it'll be ok. There are a few of your friends downstairs. It's ok, we're here to help.
Zel looks at the members of the group that are still around..his brow crinkles in frustrations...not understanding why the others are still here with an old man and some children
seeing sierra head upstairs
he puts a small smile on his face...
they will need your sword as much as her healing skills...now go. Go to the aid of our companions....Tipene needs your aid more than we need a guard. Secure the upstairs and then I will come up with the children. Please go to them..we are fine here.
Parnell nods at the wizard, and bolts up the stairs. At the top of the stair, the young paladin leans in to observe the Tipene and Sierra attempting to coax the young girl out of her cage. Shocked by the scene, Parnell does not wish to spook the girl more than she already is and keeps his distance.
Surely Sierra can attend to the poor girl.
Parnell decides to find and assist Pyrrhus and Liek. Entering the room where the halfling's investigation is taking place. Parnell immediately sees the dead boy on the ground, and bends down to examine him. Then looking around the room, Parnell observes the bloody pentagram. With barely contained anger in his voice, Parnell grunts with teeth clenched, "What deviltry is THIS!!"