Esteriande.
Norgrober..if so we will have to do something though I fear the city watch are sadly outmatched and there is just so much one man can do alone"
He goes on to tell you that several moneylenders bankers and rich underworld figures have been slain recently each marked with the sihedron rune
"Interesting ... we found a list of names and indications zat zese individuals must die wiz zis rite. All of zese people were ze wealzy people or criminals, too. Zis list was in ze possession of a ghoul 'oo 'ad once been a nobleman called Aldern Foxglove - my friends and I are trying to find 'is residence and movements 'ere in ze city to shed light on zis. I zought per'aps a clue may lie in ozer walking dead 'ere in ze city as Alli and I 'ave so far found nozing," Esteriande explains.
Esteriande/Ali
"Foxglove..Foxglove..where have I heard that name before?" Sharpspade turns to his records and opens a few books and scrolls.."Ah..here it is..three children by the name of Foxglove made wards of the church almost thirty years ago.Two girls and a boy named Aldern.Their parents dead in a murder-suicide.
The address is given as Foxglove Manor..but there is a town address given as well..I have no idea if the family still owns it but it is the only address I can offer you.Should you find any evidence I would appreciate it if you would inform me"
Trying to follow the entire conversation, but not being entirely successful, Ali simply nods her head and follows the Paladian out. At the door she turns and gives a friendly wave goodbye to the helpful healy man.
Once outside she gathers Lunas, making sure he is okay and asking if he had enough to eat. Finally she turns to Estiande asking "Ali no sure she understand all healy man say. But now we know where no-dead dead ones is and can go kill'em all dead dead?"
Sliding her sword onto her back again, Esteriande smiles at Alli.
"When you 'unt ze deer, you go to the ze water where zey drink and follow zeir tracks from zere. We do not know where ze walking dead are, or zose zat directed them, but we do know where Aldern Foxglove lived - we know where 'e went to drink. We go zere, and we follow ze tracks 'e may 'ave left. Not tracks in ze ground, but zere may be ozer signs."
Having completed your assorted investigations you reassemble in the taproom of the inn where Greyfog was stabled.
"We 'ave good news, and we 'ave bad news, mon amis," Esteriande tells her new friends as they gather.
"Ze good news is, we 'ave an address for Aldern Foxglove in ze town, zough it is an old one. Ze bad news, zere 'ave been murders of rish, powerful and criminal men in zis town, marked by ze sign of ze seven-pointed rune. It ees clear our true foe is still active, and 'e must be stopped."
"Do you know if these murders were committed by more of the undead? And did the victims share any connections to eachother?"
"My information was from ze Temple of Pharasma, we sought information on ze walking dead zere. Zey did not think undead were involved, but could only say zat ze victims were 'igh ranking merchants and feared criminals. What do zese people 'ave in common?" Esteriane raises an eyebrow.
"They both have gold and influence. My guess is that the killers wanted their obedience or something that they were not willing to give up. So the killers murdered them in order to take over their spheres of power. At least, that is how it strikes me."
"Did the priests of Pharasma know what trades the merchants were in, or for that matter, the criminals? It might reveal something about what the killers hold important."
Romon perks up. "Criminals and rich men. Did you get any names?"
Know (Local) to recognise names
***
After the victims thing plays out, Romon will ask if Esteriande's address for Foxglove matches the one he got.
Know (Local) to have heard of these killings before Romon left town
Romon..
After the victims thing plays out, Romon will ask if Esteriande's address for Foxglove matches the one he got.
Naria compares the address she got to see if it matches as well
All the adresses do indeed Match.
It is now late afternoon..intentions please.
Okay with me.
"I know a really great place we could grab a bite first. You'd love it Muchorak, home cooking for you. Then, when the sun is down we waltz over there and grease our way in, without lookie-loos or hard cases about."
"Of course, waiting for darkenss would aid us greatly. It would lessen the chances of bystanders giving us away or getting in the way. Although I think we should not stay together as a tight group; it makes us more noticable and a better target. Let's all enter the eatery separately or in two's and then sit apart from one another. Then we should leave the same way and regroup down the street a few blocks away."
"We have strength in numbers." The shoanti looks at those nearby viewing this odd crowd, "And perhaps the fact that we are together is already common knowledge."
Muchorak turns to Romon, "I'd prefer to be done with our task sooner than later. But I am new to this stone city and understand your words. If you think it best we wait for nightfall then perhaps a meal would be in order."
"I know a really great place we could grab a bite first. You'd love it Muchorak, home cooking for you. Then, when the sun is down we waltz over there and grease our way in, without lookie-loos or hard cases about."
"Zere were several keys in ze plunderr from ze mansion, were zere not? Why employ ze grease when we can enter zrough ze front door like se owners?" Esteriande suggests. We do not even 'ave to wait for night-fall if we do not wish to."
The general consensus being to strike while the iron is hot you make your way back to the house.
The three story townhouse is located in the Grand Arch District, not far from Starsilver Plaza. Its facade faces a small courtyard in which stands a fountain consisting of four pools, each fed by one of four long-necked iron wyvern heads.Boards have been nailed over the windows on the ground floor but the front door is unboarded.
"try ze keys, mon ami," Esteriande suggests to Romon, as she focusses her gaze on the building.
"I know a really great place we could grab a bite first. You'd love it Muchorak, home cooking for you. Then, when the sun is down we waltz over there and grease our way in, without lookie-loos or hard cases about.""Zere were several keys in ze plunderr from ze mansion, were zere not? Why employ ze grease when we can enter zrough ze front door like se owners?" Esteriande suggests. We do not even 'ave to wait for night-fall if we do not wish to."
Romon doesn't have the words to express his frustration. Lawless as his profession is, there are still protocols to be followed. One is "don't drag a menagerie parade around when you are trying to look inconspicuously like you should be opening this door you've stolen the key to." Another is "check for traps", but you can hardly do that properly when you supposedly own the place and should breeze right through the doorway without a care in the world. I wish we'd waited for dark.
Bluff to look unannoyed and like he's supposed to be here.
"try ze keys, mon ami," Esteriande suggests to Romon, as she focusses her gaze on the building.
Mounting the steps to the door he notes the shape of the keyhole. There's two likely keys and one long shot. The others just won't fit. He slides the keys out of his pocket and tries the first.
He smoothly pulls the key out and tries the second.
He grits his teeth and tries the long shot.
He drops the keys. Bending down he says, "Dear, could you come here for a moment?" While kneeling he palms the keys and slides his lockpicks out of his beltpouch. Whispering, "Stand right there, and look over my shoulder like you're amused," he gets to his feet. Hoping Esteriande is blocking the view of all passersby, he works the lock.
Disable Device
Seeing pretty fighty girl looking at the home in concentration Ali suddenly understands and also looks closely at the mansion, trying to see if there's anything magical shining within her sight
The house has stone walls which block detect spells on anyone inside.However you are certain the building itself has no magical wards or any taint of evil.
Romon manages to open the door with the second key he tries.
We are exposed here. Inikai thinks to himself. I don't like this at all. There is no chance for us to take our enemies unaware. Romon was right to urge delay until nightfall. We did not even fully scout this place. Muchorak and Eseriende have clear sense of purpose but they lack strategic thinking.
Inikai pretends to yawn and stretch, taking the opportunity to look behind them as Romon is at the door.
Inikai looks down the street but it would appear that nobody is taking notice of you.
Her patience thin, the fearless gnome moves directly into the mansion, her loyal companion right after her.
Once inside she flows into four leg form, her senses on high alert and she looks and smells all about her.
Preception:(+2 to smell)
Plus Scent
"Beware, mon ami, allow Monsieur Romon to search for ze traps first, zis place may be warded!" Exteriande cautions.
Whilst the others talk Nari looks the building over with detect magic
Ali
The door opens to reveal a small entryway with a set of stairs leading upwards to the upper floors.A plain wooden door lies to your right.
Giving a sharp yelp to her companions to follow, Aliwolf begins moving through the house.
Ali will follow in the direction the scent of Aldern is strongest
Ali
Hearing Wolfspirit Muchorak and Ursus follow into the house...
Inikai points to the door on the right. He puts his ear to it and listens.
Aliwolf moves around the main room for a few moments, as if trying to track a scent, but soon stops and shakes her head, looking to her pack leader for the next direction.
Esteriande moves in on catlike feet, her senses primed.
Stealth:
Perception:
Romon stands aside and waves each new person into the house like a welcoming host. When everyone is in he resumes his usual place at the rear of the pack. He looks up and down the street before stepping in and closing the door behind him.
Once inside the magic dagger is in his hand.
"I've got upstairs, " he whispers as he begins to ascend the stairs.
Stealth
Perception (+3 more v traps)
Feeling the priests presence behind him, the blessing of his god, Muchorak opens the door next to the stairs...
Seeing one of her companions take action, Aliwolf and Lunas move up the stairs after Romon, their padded paws making little sound.
Stealth Ali:
Stealth Lunas:
Muchorak finds himself in a simply outfitted kitchen. There is an air of neglect about the house but it isn't the sinister atmosphere of the Manor house.
Apologies to all I was wrong in my description above..The room now revealed on the ground floor was at one point a trophy hall.The north and south walls here once featured shelves of hunting trophies—primarily elk, boars, and bears.All have been ripped from the walls and lie scattered on the floor.
Roman and Ali find themselves on a large landing with a number of doors..there are a few Foxglove family portraits here, all fallen from the walls. The stairs continue upwards.
Aliwolf pads along the hall, sniffing at all the doors for scents of evil or anything else significant she can recognize
Perception:
Muchorak eyes the room with disgust, It would seem though this man recieved what was due to him, he muses to himself then continues through the room to the other door.
He stop at the door and listen first before opening it...