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About the weapon, it is probably a knife. A sharp one.
Orlin has the timing right. You don't know exactly when Archivin Walder body was found, and supposedly the guards body was first found just few minutes ago.
Aliana finishes her examination of the guard and looks to the others. Well, I did say I wanted to check for any surprises before we continued to the vault. The attempt at levity is belied by the somber look in her eyes as she gazes at the dead guard. I've seen what I need to see. I'm ready to continue when everyone else is.
Does anyone know of anything that is particularly valuable or important here? I mean besides the town's personal assets. It doesn't look like they took things for cash, it looks like a cover up for something else; potentially something much more important than cash.
Following up Aliana's question, he nods and starts to enter towards the vault.
Let's not forget this room to the right, Constable. I think the vault may be more important, but that side room may hold some information as well. Leave no stone unturned, and all that. She nervously fidgets with her quarterstaff. But I'll follow your lead as to where you'd like to go first.
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A large polished desk dominates the office. Hooks for hanging lamps are permanently affixed to the walls, while mounted behind the desk is a large framed portrait. Running along the east wall is a large display case filled plaques, framed documents, trophies, and stuffed animals.
Elric Huntington stands next to the double doors leading into the vault. He thinks he hears noises inside, muffled and distant, like talking and jumping.
The Locked Box Ground Floor Map
Pavo hasn't even stepped inside. He's mostly trying to keep anyone else from coming in, and then he has a thought to walk a perimeter around the building looking for signs of other foot prints, and particularly any skulk-looking ones of ones made to look like what was found at the first site.
Taking 20 on Survival for 25 or 21 for Perception as he slowly scours the area or
if he can't Take 20.
Hearing the muffled noises inside the vault and seeing the others congregating, preparing to descend the steps, Aliana retreats nervously to within the rest of the group. As they stand, waiting for Elric to proceed first, Aliana looks around for a moment, then quickly darts outside, stashing her quarterstaff on her back. She comes back in with a fist-sized rock in each hand and two more bulging in the pockets of her dress, clearly gathered from the landscaping outside. I just want to have something on hand that I can use from a distance, if it comes to blows... she explains when she sees curious glances.
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So if I understand correctly Pavo stays out, guarding the outside doors (there are two) of the Locked Box.
There are currently no people out in the street near, by the way.
Elric Huntington will enter the doors, with Orlin, Orne and Aliana behind.
Alexite Ilsurian thinks is better to go call the Sheriff, and goes outside looking for her (Character out).
Ready?
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Precisely, we sent our tank and silver tongued skill monkey out before or first encounter.
I'm just a quick shout away.
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Elric opens the double door to find... Nothing! The sounds stop, as if somebody, hearing them, kept quiet.
There is no one on the wide corridor. He advances, followed by the others (except Pavo, still watching the entrance), and after a 180º turn and another down stairs, he arrives to the vault level.
B4 - Vault Exterior
This bare corridor leads to the double doors of the vault. A hook for a hanging lantern is mounted on the western wall at the base of the stairs, and underneath it is a single chair.
Everything seems quiet, and at the distance Elric can see the Vault is closed, and the key to it is in the keyhole!
Befote opening the doors, Elric says, Pavo? We may have some trouble here. We could use you if things go badly.
Then, without waiting for Pavo to respond, Elric walks up to the doors and puts his ears to them to give a listen.
Then he slowly opens the door and slowly descends the stairs.
As he descends, he motions the others to follow along quietly.
Having a change of heart Alex returns to the party. On second thought I think having the Constable here should be adequate. He draws his rapier and stages himself to descend the stairs.
But didn't we just hear... Aliana lowers her hand, which had been poised to throw the rock it carries at the first sign of trouble, and looks around the corridor for any signs of where the source may have gone.
Elric slowly makes his way towards the door, his shadow flickering and moving across the opposite wall.
He stops at the door and pauses to listen again.
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The door of the vault is closed, but the key is in the keyhole. The key all Ilsurian knows hangs from the late Archivin Walder's neck.
No noise is heard from inside the vault.
Alex approaches the vault door and listens for any more sounds.
Elric and Alexite are both listening at the door.
Ready?, he mouths, placing a hand on the door.
He motions to the key with his other hand, You turn, he then points at himself, I open.
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The vault door opens, and darkness welcomes Alexite and Elric... the others stand behind them, expectantly.
There is very poor illumination inside the vault...
Beyond the heavy steel door, this darkened chamber is lined with shelves, including freestanding shelving in the center.
There is ample room in the vault, but labeled boxes, bags, weapons, and armor are spread throughout.
The vault contains the Walder family's better collection of items, gems and jewelry, and masterwork weapons and armor when not on display, as well as coins minted in Korvosa, Magnimar, and neighboring countries . There are even a few boxes belonging to Ilsurian citizens who pay a fee to have belongings stored securely. Included Alexite's.
Pavo moves to occupy a choke point in case something tries to leave. With his net in one hand and his shield readied in his other, he slows his breathing to focus on his surroundings.
Realizing that the flickering light from the lamp in the hallway isn't enough to illuminate the room, Elric casts Light on an object atop the bench in the middle of the room.
Aliana looks between the others in front of her, examining the room in the light of Elric's spell. I know we heard something...what was it? What are we missing?
Someone very good at hiding.
Orlin speaks quietly to the group.
"I have a few tricks that mightbe sufficient to prompt a response. It won't be comfortable for anyone hiding, but it certainly wouldn't do lasting injury. Anyone object if I try? Constable?"
Assuming no one objects, Orlin speaks again, at a louder volume, designed to carry into the corners of the small room.
"We are duly Deputized members of the local Constabulary, investigating this robbery. There is a dead body upstairs, it would be in your best interest to turn yourself in peacefully so we may get to the bottom of this, and hold you responsible for only the portion that is your due."
He then waits 30 seconds for a response.
"If you will step in a touch to give me a better view of the room? Be ready to listen and look for a response"
Orlin waits for the two in front of him to 5' step in to the room, and then steps into the doorway. He then begins speaking a 3 pairs of syllables that seem to echo slightly in the tiny room.
The words are Burst (Target), and Cramp (a pain word, Fort Negates, SR applies), in a 10' radius. DC 14. Targeting the left wall, the right wall, and 10' straight out from the two holding the doorway, in that order, every other round, listening in between (Take 10, aid another).
If that does not provoke a response, he'll take wait for a further suggestion. If no new suggestion after a minute, he'll try again.
Eric does not object and steps five feet Into the room to give Orlin the room he needs.
Aliana watches Orlin, curious at the power his words seem to hold. She takes his advice and watches carefully, looking and listening for any disturbance.
Alex nods at Orlin and steps into the room not knowing what will come out of the shadows.
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Orlin screams:
"We are duly Deputized members of the local Constabulary, investigating this robbery. There is a dead body upstairs, it would be in your best interest to turn yourself in peacefully so we may get to the bottom of this, and hold you responsible for only the portion that is your due. If you will step in a touch to give me a better view of the room? Be ready to listen and look for a response!"
Seeing no response, Elric and Alexite enters the vault.
Everything happens in a flash.
Elric hears a small click at his feet, and a second after you all hear Aliana's scream.
Pavo is the only one that sees the ground gives way where Aliana was standing, out at the entrance of the vault, and how she falls into a pit.
The screams ends when a sickening thud signals her hitting the ground, hard.
Both Orlin and Orne, now standing at the edge of the 20 foot deep pit, see how Aliana is laying below, unconscious, and a strange creature is there with her, surprised. They both recognize it, easily, as a skulk.
Pavo goes first, then the enemies, then you.
Pavo has not seen the Skulk, but will see it when he peeks in.
Pavo moves over to the edge of the pit and peers in seeing Aliana apparently unconscious on the ground of the pit and something standing next to her body.
He tries to recognize the creature for what it is.
Unsure if it registers in his mind, his first priority becomes controlling the creature, and keeping it away from Aliana so he hurls his net at it.
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If the net hits, the creature is Entangled.
He then draws his trident and readies to jump into the pit if need be.
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Pavo quickly throws his net, but the skulk has barely time to move away.
He then draws trident.
The skulk draws a knife an move next to Aliana, pressing the blade on her neck. He speaks in a raspy, alien voice.
"Let me go or she dies!"
Pavo quickly throws his net, but the skulk has barely time to move away.
He then draws trident.
The skulk draws a knife an move next to Aliana, pressing the blade on her neck. He speaks in a raspy, alien voice.
"Let me go or she dies!"
I accounted for the -2 penalty in my attack roll
Aliana lies motionless in the bottom of the pit as Pavo engages the skulk.
While grievous, her injuries do seem to recover slightly, and the bleeding seems to lessen. It seems the worst of the danger is past, although she still does not move.
Pavo hurls his trident at the ensnared Skulk.
Pavo leaps into the pit trying to draw his Kukri on the way down. He is hoping to land on the skulk but will settle for imposing himself between the Skulk and Aliana
Hmm, if he's right and the doors close and we lose the light, he'll gain a significant advantage over me. Pavo thinks to himself.
"Hey up there, find a way to keep the doors open and the lights on. And see if you can get a rope down here, maybe send someone to get the Sheriff unless you happen to have some manacles on you constable. I seem to have left mine at home."
Looking at the slurk while standing above Aliana, shield in one hand and kukri in the other, "You so much as move and I'll end you here and now."
Alex calls out quickly, Elric don't move we need to keep that door open. Someone drop a rope and get them out of there.
Elric pulls out both sets of manacles, and drops one on the floor behind him. Here, give these to Pavo, he says to anyone behind him.
He then moves into the locked box to the far left corner (same side he is currently on, just to the back corner behind the counter).
Come on, he says calmly. We have your friend. Surrender now if you don't want things to be worse for yourself.
Edit: changed actions due to player error. See new post.