"If we use the 'knock knock' approach at the, uh... crib... I could indicate to whoever is within that I have been sent to inform them of the untimely passing of one of their friends... Do you think that might help us gain entry? The problem would be, of course, that they would know who I am, and where I come from... so assuming we seek to minimize unnecessary casualties, that might simply end up stirring the hornet's nest... Any other ideas?"
"If we use the 'knock knock' approach at the, uh... crib... I could indicate to whoever is within that I have been sent to inform them of the untimely passing of one of their friends... Do you think that might help us gain entry? The problem would be, of course, that they would know who I am, and where I come from... so assuming we seek to minimize unnecessary casualties, that might simply end up stirring the hornet's nest... Any other ideas?"
"Well, knocking might be a little too forthright. Perhaps we should head over and see. If there is light from inside or an eas way in, we could venture a look. If not, we could certainly knock and see if you can gain us entry that way."
... and Andolphas follows. "Anyone staying behind to keep an eye on things here... just in case it becomes necessary to warn the others, or to distract Kullen if he should head prematurely towards the crib?"
... and Andolphas follows. "Anyone staying behind to keep an eye on things here... just in case it becomes necessary to warn the others, or to distract Kullen if he should head prematurely towards the crib?"
"That might not be a bad idea" Boalnd ventures, though doesn't volunteer, having no desire to be left alone among the rough patrons of the club. "Though we can possibly post a watch someway down the street to achieve the same result?" he adds quietly.
... and Andolphas follows. "Anyone staying behind to keep an eye on things here... just in case it becomes necessary to warn the others, or to distract Kullen if he should head prematurely towards the crib?""That might not be a bad idea" Boalnd ventures, though doesn't volunteer, having no desire to be left alone among the rough patrons of the club. "Though we can possibly post a watch someway down the street to achieve the same result?" he adds quietly.
"Yes, I suppose so... but what if Kullen is waiting to meet up with someone here, and we end up missing the encounter?"
Brash shrugs. 'Ill stay here if need be, keep an eye on the bastard, and maybe the elf too if I can find her again.'
"Yes, I suppose so... but what if Kullen is waiting to meet up with someone here, and we end up missing the encounter?"
Boland considers the question for a moment and eventually shrugs. "It's possible, but he could have been meeting someone last night, which we missed, or the last time we were in here and we spotted him. Or it's possible he's just here spending his probably ill-gotten money. I think we are more likely to find useful information at their den..."
"Very well then... best if we all stick together..."
'Well lets get going then, all this talk is getting us no where.' Brash stands and heads for the door
As does Andolphas...
As does Andolphas...
Realising he is about to be left in the rough tavern by himself, Boland quickly follows the others.
The group takes their leave from the Feral Dog and heads back out into the lantern-lit street.
The Vein is noisy and active as usual; rowdy patrons watched by steely-eyed bouncers wander from one establishment to another. A group of late working miners on their way into a tavern argue loudly with a group of tipsy farmers on their way out of the same place. From the businesses lining the street come the sounds of carousing, pleasure, preaching or pain.
No one bothers the armed adventurers as they make their way down the road to the side street.
The steep side street is quiet, seemingly deserted and dark. The businesses are closed for the most part, with the exception of the pawn shop. The building that Kullen’s gang were lounging outside before is quiet, the front door closed, although a light can be seen on in an upstairs window, partially obscured by a thick curtain.
Andolphas strains to hear or see anyone or anything in their immediate vicinity...
Andolphas’ eyes are having trouble adjusting to the dark. He hears nothing that indicates danger – just the typical noises of the town.
The steep side street is quiet, seemingly deserted and dark. The businesses are closed for the most part, with the exception of the pawn shop. The building that Kullen’s gang were lounging outside before is quiet, the front door closed, although a light can be seen on in an upstairs window, partially obscured by a thick curtain.
Like Andolphas, Boland looks and listens for any signs within.
Seeing nothing of note, he carefully reaches into a pocket in his robes and pulls forth Croak, his pet toad. He stares at it for a moment, feeding it a couple of bugs from a separate pocket. He then sets it down, empathically bidding it to head inside and see what it can see.
Boland’s familiar croaks quietly but happily, glad to finally be out in the fresh air.
The buildings here, as with most of town, exhibits a number of large cracks in the external walls, crooked door and window frames and a definite lean to the whole building, thanks to a combination of mining subsidence and shoddy construction. It is easy enough to find a way in for a tiny creature like a toad.
Boland:
"So now what? Does the toad sense that it's safe for us to proceed? I have to admit that it doesn't feel right for me to consider breaking into someone's home or business... no matter how crooked they might be..."
"So now what? Does the toad sense that it's safe for us to proceed? I have to admit that it doesn't feel right for me to consider breaking into someone's home or business... no matter how crooked they might be..."
Boland ignores Andolphas' question for a moment, focusing on his link with Croak.
After a moment he turns to Andolphas and replies in a low whisper, "The information I can gain is limited, however I can confirm there are two inside. As for breaking in, I'm not certain. However, it is not like we are doing so for our own good or benefit. Perhaps you should think of it as interrogating likely suspects of a crime rather than breaking in?"
"Breaking in to interrogate possible suspects of a crime... and we aren't the constabulary... but then, I guess the constabulary don't have the welfare of the dead, nor the best interests of the Dark-Eyed Lady at heart... Very well..." The somber cleric sighs heavily, apparently resigning himself to a course of action that potentially violates some of his principles.
"So how do we go about doing this?"
"Breaking in to interrogate possible suspects of a crime... and we aren't the constabulary... but then, I guess the constabulary don't have the welfare of the dead, nor the best interests of the Dark-Eyed Lady at heart... Very well..." The somber cleric sighs heavily, apparently resigning himself to a course of action that potentially violates some of his principles.
"So how do we go about doing this?"
"Ok, well...um" Boland quickly realises that he has not the faintest clue on how to go about breaking into a house. He looks questioningly towards Brashen and Mythalas, hoping that one of them would have a decent idea.
"um...if the door is unlocked I guess we could just burst in like we are the half-orc and his goons returning early from their drinking. If it's locked then maybe one of us could knock and then the others jump whoever answers?"
The toad emerges from a crack in the wall, croaks happily and waits to be picked up.
'Well, lets see if its locked or not.' Brash looks dubiously at Bolands toad, and seems impatiant with standing around. 'Where going to draw attention to ourselves hanging around here.'
That said, Brash moves to the door and gently tries the handle.
It's locked. However, the door does not appear particularly sturdy ...
Boland retries Croak, feeding him a couple more insects from one of his pouches. He then tucks the toad carefully back into it's pocket.
"Well, do we force the door or knock?" he asks quietly. "We should probably also check for other entrances or exits if we crash in, as they may try to run..."
Mythalas moves to back up Brash. He turns to face the street, looking around to see who is about.
There’s a dark coloured, skinny looking cat lurking in the shadows a little further down the alley. It was looking hungrily at the toad, but now that he’s out of sight, the cat appears to lose interest in your group.
There are people walking past back up on the Vein, but no-one else in this street presently.
There are no other doors that clearly lead into this building in view. There are some windows – the ones on the ground floor shuttered, the ones on the floor above not. There may well be a back way in or out, but it’s not visible from here.
Yes.
"So... does anyone feel agile enough to balance on a few piled up crates to peer into one of the upper story windows? I would if I could, but I'm afraid that agility is not my forte..."
"So... does anyone feel agile enough to balance on a few piled up crates to peer into one of the upper story windows? I would if I could, but I'm afraid that agility is not my forte..."
Boland looks helplessly at the others, no more able or willing to balance on a precarious stack of boxes than the priest.
"It seems perhaps we are out of our depths here and this wasn't such a great idea. Maybe we are better off taking some other course..."
As the group stand outside the building talking and looking for suitable crates, a voice calls out from inside the building. Although muffled somewhat from the walls and door, the voice sounds male, and somewhat frightened.
“Who’s out there? What are you doing hanging about outside my house?”
Mythalas looks disappointed and shakes his head. "We cannot break into this..."
"Who's out there? What are you doing hanging about outside my house?"
Surprised, Mythalas' grins, "Could this be an opportunity, gentlemen?"
"Um, ahhh, maybe" Boland stammers uncertainly, flustered and unsure how to proceed.
As the group stand outside the building talking and looking for suitable crates, a voice calls out from inside the building. Although muffled somewhat from the walls and door, the voice sounds male, and somewhat frightened.
“Who’s out there? What are you doing hanging about outside my house?”
"I am a holy man, kind sir," says Andolphas after a moment of hesitation. "I have been called upon to share the blessings of the Stern Lady, and am accompanied by some of my most devout... uh... converts... But I'm afraid it's so dark that it's difficult to see out here, so I'm not sure exactly where we are... And who might you be, sir? With your permission, perhaps we might enter and share in the Lady's teachings and bless thee, your family, and associates as well? In these grim times, one never can have too much... divine insurance... And forgive me for saying so, but I have sensed many evil spirits lurking about, and think you and yours might be in grave danger unless we do something to sanctify your home..."
Brash shakes his head as the owner of the house calls down to them, wondering not for the first time if it was a wise decision to take up with this lot. 'We make a fine team at stealth and deception, but I think we should stick to cairns' Brash mutters under his breath.
“Likely story! My family and I won’t be intimidated anymore!” yells the voice from inside. “Take a look above the doorframe. I’m paying Kullen the albino for protection now. You mess with my family you mess with him – and you don’t want that. He’s probably got someone watching the house right now – I’d get out of here if I were you!”
In the dark it’s almost impossible to spot unless you look for it – but there, carved into the top of the door frame, is a symbol resembling the scar on the half-orc’s face.
“Likely story! My family and I won’t be intimidated anymore!” yells the voice from inside. “Take a look above the doorframe. I’m paying Kullen the albino for protection now. You mess with my family you mess with him – and you don’t want that. He’s probably got someone watching the house right now – I’d get out of here if I were you!”
In the dark it’s almost impossible to spot unless you look for it – but there, carved into the top of the door frame, is a symbol resembling the scar on the half-orc’s face.
"Ah, so we did come to the right place! We've heard through that the half-orc had sensed weird things about, things that even he was afraid he could not protect his new employers from. And indeed, an enforcer with Kullen's brawn would have little power against the denizens of the spirit world... What kind of trouble had your family been experiencing before you hired Kullen, good sir--who was intimidating you?"
“Likely story! My family and I won’t be intimidated anymore!” yells the voice from inside. “Take a look above the doorframe. I’m paying Kullen the albino for protection now. You mess with my family you mess with him – and you don’t want that. He’s probably got someone watching the house right now – I’d get out of here if I were you!”
Mention of the half-orc causes Boland to look nervously over his shoulder. Knowing he will be of little use in the conversation he taps Brashen on the shoulder and motions up the street. He then makes out for the street corner, hoping to keep a look-out for Kullen or any of their group if they do happen this way.
There is a pause, then: “It’s not evil spirits that bother me, it’s the thugs and drunks! I paid Kullen for protection, you better believe he’ll be hearing about this! Besides, he told me he has a mage and a priest on his payroll, I can’t see his pet cleric being a Green Lady cultist. Now go away!”
You get the impression this man is probably not part of Lady Amariss' flock ... and as far as you can tell the man is telling the truth, or something close enough to it.
"We shall move on, good sir. And though we ourselves are not thugs and drunks, we know how bothersome they can be. A good and peaceful evening to you..."
Andolphas catches up with Brashen and Boland, and speaks cautiously once out of the alley. "Well, that went well... What do you make of it? I'm not sure there's much more to pursue here, sounds like this citizen may have genuinely hired Kullen and his gang to protect his property from the local ruffians. I'm not sure that his property would be of any interest to us, though I could be mistaken... Did anyone recognize him? Kullen's bound to develop a greater interest in us, now..."
Neither Boland nor Brashen spot Kullen or any of his gang approaching – you also didn’t see anyone lurking about watching the place. The good citizen who is paying Kullen for his protection may genuinely believe that the half-orc has someone watching the place, but it seems fairly unlikely he would be so diligent in truth, especially considering there’s probably quite a few people who pay him for protection.
Those of you who have heard of Kullen’s reputation may wonder if it was in fact Kullen’s crew who were causing trouble for the man in the first place – paying him for protection simply meant bribing him to stop …
"We shall move on, good sir. And though we ourselves are not thugs and drunks, we know how bothersome they can be. A good and peaceful evening to you..."
Andolphas catches up with Brashen and Boland, and speaks cautiously once out of the alley. "Well, that went well... What do you make of it? I'm not sure there's much more to pursue here, sounds like this citizen may have genuinely hired Kullen and his gang to protect his property from the local ruffians. I'm not sure that his property would be of any interest to us, though I could be mistaken... Did anyone recognize him? Kullen's bound to develop a greater interest in us, now..."
"Kullen's probably been putting the squeeze on the poor people" Boland adds, a hint of anger in his voice, no stranger to bullying ruffians himself.
He looks around trying to guage the time. "It's not that late yet; should we venture back to the Feral Dog and wait to try and follow Kullen when he departs, assuming he hasn't left already? Or we could go with Andolphas' idea of trying to lure them out to a false grave sight?"
Brash shakes his head in barely suppressed frustration. 'I think it would be better to follow them and try to grab one or two by themselves, coz I dont like the idea of taking on Kullens whole gang head to head. But having said that, I dont like our chances of following them unseen.'