Marcus steps into the room behind the others, his eyes falling on the child making the offer of aid. His eyes narrow as the words escape the waif's mouth, and almost immediately he strides purposefully across the floor, towering over the "child." "That's no child," he states brusquely, "Though I imagine his bones are just as brittle." He makes a cursory scan of the gnome, looking for concealed weapons. "A cunning ploy, gnome, but you're just too jolly. That can easily be rectified, however, if you don't have any information to elevate our moods." He slams his staff into the floorboards for poignancy. He waves a hand across the room. "I'm sure you've taught these children a great deal about pain. I'm sure that if you were in trouble - say if your kneecaps were broken - they'd eagerly show their appreciation to their teacher. Where is Lamm?"
@Marcus
The gnome's eyes widen as he realizes his charade has been detected. "Uhhh... I don't know what you're," he stammers. His eyes dart to the door behind him as Dhan yells from the room just on the other side of him. You can see the thought run through his mind: No escape.
"Take... take it easy now, friend," he he says slowly, placating you. "It's Lamm you want, not poor Hookshanks." He smiles innocently. "I'll show ya to 'im. He's underneath, 'e is. Ole' Yargin's probably on his way down to 'im now. You lot lemme go, and I'll show ya's the way. 'Ow 'bout it?"
He does have a kukri on him inside his vest. He isn't yet reaching for it, though.
Alatáriël still standing slightly behind Alexei slowly begins to pull an arrow out from her quiver and load it into her bow, hoping that the attention the gnome has upon Marcus will not be directed at her. As she continues to keep her attention on the gnome, she now holds her bow down but loaded ready for any wrong moves he might make.
Alatáriël whispers to Alexei again I do not trust a word that comes from that gnome's mouth. We should be very cautious as to what he might do.
Whispering back to Alatariel a little sheepishly It seems I can't readily tell a possibly homicidal gnome from a possibly helpful human child. I agree we should be cautious, but remember that too much suspicion is just as dangerous as too little enough.
Turning sternly to the gnome The amount of amnesty you receive will be directly proportional to the amount of help you provide, and the crimes you have committed. Showing his holy symbol, This means I am a priest of the Judge. Who is neither cruel, nor merciful. I have a prayer to discern the truth. If you willingly accept it, we will know the truth of what you say. In return, the Hellknight, and you do understand what that means don't you, will not kill or maim you until after you have had a fair trial. What say you?
just wondering where the door leads to.
"Yes, and you may wish to disarm while you're at it."
Henric stands back, watching Alexei with an expression of awe. "He really knows how to handle himself." he says, to noone in particular.
Henric leans in close, whispering to Alexei. "We'd best follow him up on this offer before the trail goes cold. We should make haste."
@Dhan:
Hookshanks grins sheepishly. "Oh this? This ain't nothin'. Just an old knife for guttin' fish's all." He pats the side of his vest tenderly.
Glancing at the gnome, Titus says "More tricks, as usual. Lets go."
Titus strides to the door weapon at the ready, ducking through and moving down the walkway outside the building.
Watching for movement or signs of ambush:
Perception +2 vs Humans
To the gnome A fishknife can still slit bonds or throats, and we will not give you chance for either. Drop the knife, or be forcibly disarmed. Now.
To Dhan Dhan, please assist Titus. An ambush would be most unfortunate. To Alatariel Riel, would you mind as well? The three of you should be safe, while we finish here. I will secure the gnome and make sure the children are safe.
Dhan move cautiously after the bounty hunter, shaking his head at the man's headlong rush. Could be any kind of trap out there. Lamm would not create a bolt hole and leave it unprotected. Searching all around, Dhan attempts to perceive any dangers.
The gnome drops the knife. "See, Don't need no fight. Ole' Hookshanks'll tell ya true, too. It's me fav'rite knife though. You nice gentlemen'll give it back won't ya?"
Dhan and Titus, the walkway is slick with water from the river, and the boards are soggy and rotting. They look sturdy enough, but you certainly want to be very careful about where you put your steps. The walkway wraps around the building and connects to the old derelict behind the fishery.
Moving over to the gnome Your cooperation is appreciated. Will you accept the truth spell?
"Ye'll lemme go if I promise to tell ya true, right?"
"Don't listen to a word he says!" one of the older children yells from his hammock. "Hookshanks is as crooked as a bent-backed snake! I don't care what they do to you, you rotten sack of chum, if all this goes down and you're still alive when I get outta here, I'm comin' after you!"
"You shut the hole in your face 'afore I make a new one!" he snaps back. The child shrinks back into his hammock with ingrained fear. The sense of loathing in his eyes is palpable. The gnome turns back to you and smiles. "Sorry 'bout that. Where were we? Oh, yes! Yes I do."
Once Dhan gets to the old derelict, he check the area for any traps of hidden openings
You don't notice any traps, but you do notice a fin slicing through the water coming in your direction.
Alatáriël walks gracefully across the sodden planks. She inwardly thanks the gods for her natural elven poise. She keeps her bow drawn, expecting a threat at any moment. I'm coming Gaedren. I know you're here, and I will find you. And when I do, Korvosa will have one less cancer eating away at its heart. And so will I. She snaps out of her reverie when she sees the fin moving towards Dhan. Raising her bow and nocking an arrow, she yells, "Look out!"
Dhan looks down into the water and sees the fin driving straight for him and Titus. "Ah, crap!"
He examines the area of the ship looking for any entry point, or even handholds to climb up to the relitive safty of the deck.
With a slight smile, Alexei casts the spell and a glowing key appears above the gnomes head. Excellent. Now, where is Lamm, who else may be with him, what is the safest, most direct route to his location, what threats are present on the way to and at his location, what weapons does Lamm and his allies have access to, what crimes has he committed, where is his wealth kept, and is the information you have just given accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge, not withholding anything which you or we might consider important?
To Marcus and Henric The spell will function for either of you as well. Ask whatever you wish. He cannot lie, but he can refuse to respond or omit facts.
Sprinting down the remaining section of dock Titus aims for any gangplank or ladder providing access to the ship.
Climb
If no easy access to the ship presents itself, he readies his greatsword in preparation to strike the fast approaching creature in the water.
Titus and Dhan scramble up onto the deck of the half sunken ship. Alatáriël levels her bow at the oncoming creature as it rears its ugly head from the water. The shark lunges for Titus's feet just as he climbs onboard. As its body descends, it crashes onto the walkway with force, snapping timbers and demolishing the walkway.
Meanwhile...
The gnome's jaw hangs askew at the verbal assault from Alexei. "Lamm and his pet's downstairs. Ye'll have to go 'cross the walkway to get there. I'm gonna assume you know what crimes he's committed since you're here an' all. Everything he owns's down there with him. Can I go now?" he pleads.
Henric places a hand on the Gnome's shoulder. "You say he can tell nothing but the truth?" Henric leans in, menacingly, gripping the gnome by the arm. "Have you harmed, stolen, or otherwise threatened any of these children?" he casts a cursory glance across the room, before tightening his grip. "Answer me!"
Intimidate
To Henric Correct. He can say nothing that is directly false, but notice how he failed to directly answer some questions.
To the gnome We are aware of many crimes he has committed, but you may know of crimes that we do not. Also, during a trial your testimony will be useful. Oh, and I would answer the guardsman's question.
Hearing the crashing from the walkway. Alexei confiscates the gnomes knife, readies his pistol, and looks to Marcus and Henric See what's happening out there. I'll take care of the gnome and the children
Alatáriël steadying herself upon the walkway her bow aimed at the shark, she fires an arrow at the shark as it lunges towards Titus.
As splintered wood goes flying through the air and the mottled shark lands on the walkway, Alatáriël steadies herself while the part on which she stands lifts into the air. Nocking an arrow to her bow, she lets fly true, and the arrow pierces the beast in the throat, killing it instantly.
Meanwhile...
As Alexei turns to look to the noise coming from outside, the gnome makes a break for it.
Readied Grapple Attempt
"Not so fast, scum." he says, pulling the Gnome's arm backward and placing a boot on his back. "Don't resist and I can promise you a fair trial. Another move like that and I'll hand you to the Hellknights. I hear Boneclaw himself oversees the torture..."
"Break his ankle, guardsman," Marcus suggests as he bolts into the other room to see what is amiss. His eyes widen for a moment as he sees the blood expanding in the water. "What is that?" he asks, jerking his head towards the pool as he adopts a defensive stance.
Alatáriël looks at Marcus as he bolts in "Glad you could join us. That would be what is left of the shark that just tried to kill Titus. I trust that you are alright Titus?"
"A shark? Well, the gnome did mention that Lamm had a pet, just before he tried to run. Do you think that he could have been talking about the shark? Lamm is downstairs, it seems, along with 'everything he owns,' so we should be wary. The priest has used magic to confirm the truth of the gnome's words, so his capacity for duplicity has been dulled, but he might be omitting certain truths."
Everyone outside, from where you all are you can tell that there is another walkway that is floating on the river surface. A narrow space exists under the fishery, with about four feet of room between the floor of the building above and the languid, foamy river water below. Wooden pilings support the building, and moss and cobwebs hang thick from rusted chains and ropes between them. The walkway winds along the inner wall of the pilings that supports the building's frame above, leading from the sodden barge to the east all the way west to a wooden door that leads to an understructure below the fishery's landbound half.
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"It is possible, I mean I always remembered him having an alligator myself, but he could have changed it up since then..." Alatáriël begins to contemplate about what could be ahead. "Well seeing as there is a walkway down there I believe that is where we need to be heading as soon as our friends are done with the gnome."
"You're a slippery one, alright." he grunts, trying for another pin.
Looking around on the barge, Dhan looks for a way to get down to the area below the fishery.
Titus looks around the wrecked barge to ensure nothing hostile is evident:
Perception + 2 vs Humans
Are you sure this thing is abandoned?
Titus, you see nothing on the ship.
Dhan, yes, it would be simple to get down, and only a simple swim to get to the other walkway from the newly destroyed one.
Henric, you've got him pinned good.
Seeing a way to get to the lower level, Dhan climbs down the side of the ship and looks into the lower level. (takes 10)
Pleased that things seem under control Would you like me to get the rope, or do you have a set of small manacles handy?
Stowing his sword, Titus lowers himself over the side of the hulk into the water, swimming to the floating dock under the fishery.
Swim - Taking 10 + 6 = 16
"Rope." he grunts. "Used my last manacles on patrol." Henric will grab the coil off of Alexei and rope him up tight.
Rope DC=
Satisfied, Henric throws the gnome over his shoulder and drops him near Giggles. "Sit tight. We'll be back for you."
"I was... never much of a swimmer." Henric says, unbuckling his armour. Stripping down to his boots and his trousers, he steps to the side of the pool. "Let's get this over with." Longsword in one hand and badge in the other, he dives into the water.
Swim - Taking Ten +4 = 14
"Might as well follow considering I do not see any other way to get to that walkway. Alatáriël following Titus and jumps into the water and starts swimming toward the lower walkway.
Turning to the children Well, come on out everyone. Let's have at you. Is anyone injured?
Marcus dives into the water after the others.
Alexei, the children look at you confusedly. "Well what do we do now?" one of them asks.
First I need to make sure you alright. I'm going to ask Abadar for assistance. Don't be frightened. Now, anyone who is still sick or injured please tell me. We need to keep you safe until my friends are finished with Lamm, without everyone running away. Once things are finished here, we'll find your families. If you don't have a family, I will personally make sure you are placed with a family or orphanage. No one will be abandoned. Any questions?
