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Seeing that the "humans" have them outnumbered the unaffected skunk grabs his companion and drags him to the next room, closing the door after them.
You get a glimpse of the next room, a small storage with a big door at the end.
Combat Map
Orne moves to loosen the door for Orlin.
Orlin nods in thanks to Orne as he batters the next door nearly off it's hinges, and speaks quietly to Elric and Orne.
"I suggest we wait until we're all ready and together to proceed, lest we walk into another ambush. We might not be so lucky a 2nd time."
I agree, and we know they're here now. We can corner them. One of them is stunned for a few seconds, though, and won't be invisible.
"I am going back to protect Aliana. We will catch up once we free the prisoners."
Go, Pavo. We'll wait here for you two to return. Orne, Orlin, let's keep them trapped in there. Hopefully they won't have another escape route out the back end. At the least, with us here they won't come back through this way.
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Aliana opens the cell doors. The dwarfs kiss her hands and promise her their eternal gratitude.
Orne pries open the door to the D19 room and sees the skulks running into the next room. It seems bigger than this one.
This room is bare except for several tall stacks of crates and boxes. Many of them are labeled to addresses and ports of call other than llsurian.
This is a storage area for much of the stolen property and smuggled goods the guild receives. Specifically, this is material Borvius couldn't explain away, or the guild wouldn't want the sheriff to find during a random inspection of the warehouse.
There is also a locked box full of tithe money stolen from the temple of Erastil. The god's holy symbol appears clearly on the box.
Another box, ready of stolen items from the Locked Box, is addressed to Gaedren Lamm. he seems to be their contact in Korvosa. More so, there is a letter with information about the status of Ilsurian, obviously intelligence gathering to be sold to Korvisa's rulers.
From inside the room where the Skulks hide no more sounds come.
"Okay, you two, come with me, we're getting you out of here." Pavo will escort the dwarves outside to where the sheriff's guards were patrolling and then make his way back to rejoin the others.
Once the dwarves are delivered, Pavo hustles to catch up with the Constable and other deputies. "So, what'd you guys encounter? The dwarves are now with the sheriff's guards and I'm all yours, but let's save the autographs for later" he says with a wink.
Two skulks are trapped inside, both are probably invisible by now. So let's be careful as we head in. I think these are the traitors the clan leader was taking about.
Aliana joins the others as well, just ahead of Pavo, and listens as Elric explains the situation. So, expecting a brawl, then. I'll cover you guys from behind. She grabs a stone statuette from one of the crates, a depiction of two nude women in a compromising position, and tests its weight with a short toss into the air.
"I guess I'll take point." Pavo readies his shield and trident in a defensive manner. "Could someone get the door, if you wouldn't mind?" Once the door is open, Pavo slowly makes his way into the room.
Aliana reaches past Pavo's arm and pushes the door open, just a crack at first, then slowly widening the opening as Pavo points his trident toward the darkness.
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This is where the guild keeps most of its ill-gotten gains.
The door is steel and designed to keep the guild honest with itself, but now it opens easily. Inside, there is a small chest, open, where you can see a backpack, a key, many many coins, a pouch opened revealing gems in the interior, and a silver chalice with the holy symbol of Erastil.
The glow of the treasure reflects on your eyes.
"Would ya look at all that loot."
Elric is lost from the loot.
Over there!
Pavo takes a step into the room and stabs with his trident into the corner that Orne pointed to.
Aliana hefts the statuette in her hand toward the corner Orne pointed at, hoping to make contact with one of the skulks, then reaches into her pocket for a stone, lifting it in preparation to throw again.
Orlin speaks from the back row.
"If you want us to be more careful, you should surrender. Now."
"Then tell me, where is Robella?" Pavo says with a snarl.
As they answer Pavo, Elric pulls out two sets of manacles to lock them up. I know you tried to harm me when you thought you had the better hand, but I'm going to show ou what true honor is. Since you've surrendered, I'm going to escort you to the guards for them to take you to the jail. If you answer all our questions, you'll get the same treatment as everyone else in this case: a chance to come clean off the drugs /!; once you're free then a chance to integrate into the community. Do both these things, and most likely your sentence for your crimes will be reduced.
Elric looks at them hard, Now, where is Robella?
Is there any way in she wouldn't expect? Aliana asks, glaring at the manacled skulks.
"How many men has she rallied to her side? The larger the ware house, the more doors it should have. You mention a main door, which makes me wonder about side doors..."
Aliana taps Elric on the shoulder, then leans close and whispers in his ear, hiding her mouth with her hand. Do you think we can trust them? They could be giving us a dummy key that doesn't work, or leading us straight into Robella's trap. Neither of them seems to be having Shiver issues like the others - we don't even have addiction treatment to keep them honest. They went traitor once...
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Orne expertly analyses the skulks.
They know Robella is done for, and are only thinking in escaping here, and not doing time in prison. They don't have a tribe anymore, don't need to be cured, don't owe Robella anything. They only have one ace left, and want to exchange it for a chance to escape.
They are telling the truth. They will leave and never return near Ilsurian.
They seem sincere, Constable... It's worth the risk.
Trust them on this.
Ok, Orne. I will. . Elric accepts their offer.
Come on, we'll escort you outside. Elric says to the skulks, leaving their manacles on. As they walk, Eric says, Here's how this will go down. I'm escorting you to two of my guards. When I come back, if I've found that you were telling the truth, then I'll take those manacles off and you'll be free to go. If not, then you'll be doing time.
Elric also makes a mental note, Remember to give the local skulk tribe an easier time once all this is over, as well.
Um.. Ok. Fine. You're already in manacles. You're not really in a position to argue. You don't want to cooperate, that's up to you. Eric then takes all of their equipment except their clothes, and lays it all out for everyone to see.
To the guards, Please watch these two very carefully, and have them escorted under heavy guard to the jail. These two are traitors to their tribe and helped the Moncello's murder our townsfolk by their own admission. They are also very good at sneaking off, so have them kept under very diligent watch. Also, tell the Sheriff. They may good bargaining chips to help secure a better relationship with the local skulk tribe.
Later, to the group, Elric says, The traitors gave us one very important piece of information - the one safe door is locked. So we can expect an ambush at any unlocked door, as well as the main door and the stairs. These are the positions they are expecting us to enter. Any one have any suggestions for alternate entry routes? Get on the roof and use a rope to crash through the windows? No. You're right. Too much Captain Andoran in that.
Orne apologizes to the Skulks.
He is in charge and chooses a predictable path. I thank you for the offer of assistance.
When I return, your wounds will be tended to. I promise in Desna's name. If you choose to escape, please do not kill anyone.