Timmins and Shadow get out into the rain-soaked plaza. While waiting for everyone to gather he goes through the map in his mind, placing where this shop is, and what route the Ogres might take to get to it.
Ludo emerges into the rain and pulls the hood even further over his face, trying to align it so the rivulets of water stream off to the sides and back rather than into his face. Seeing Timmins and Shadow pause, he thinks back to the countless errands he has run for Sister Terella in Midtown and Southmarket and offers his own thoughts on the best path to the area.
Morsai looks up after a bit, the commotion having disturbed his studies.
Where did all your friends go? I thought they were going to sit with us...
Morsai looks around quizzically.
I follow everyone outside but keep hold of my ale.
Just before anyone hurtles across the city, I call out to the group, "Your keen sense of virtue cannot be doubted. But I think we've just had out table stolen."
Then I shake my head, "That young woman is Ireale Tesimal, and Kellisan the shifty antiquarian was recently her lover."
I raise my ale, take a last draught and grin mischief at the group, "I suggest a ruse." My grin expands, "We will find Kellisan, and arrange some false disaster to be communicated to the lady. Then we can tell some outrageous lies of our own and make a fool of her.
I add a shrug, "And by visiting Kellisan, we can allay any slight concern that Ireale might speak truly... did we leave Morsai behind?"
Timmins
Once outside in the rain Shadow and you begin using your tracking skills to begin tracking your prey. You head at a steady pace out of Delver's Square and head west down Center street heading toward Midtown on several occasions Shadow seems to indicate you go down a particular street your sure he is following an odor. As you cross into Midtown you come across some tracks the look decidedly ogreish, Shadow also picks up a smell heading in the same direction. You head south toward Southmarket.
After several minute you reach an empty intersection, Shadow lets out a whine it obvious the smell of Ogre is strong here even you can smell it slightly, they must have been here only moments before maybe even less than that. You search the ground for tracks and see some leading into a nearby alleyway. You poke you head in and see a pair of ogres at the far end of the alley some 200 feet way.
Everyone else: You all follow Timmins and Shadow west into Midtown and after several minutes they seem to pick up the trail and starting moving south. The downpour ease up only slightly, despite this you continue onward and after several more minutes come to an empty intersection. None of you have noticed many City Watchmen out and about, which is not surprising considering the weather and the fact that most will be inside enjoying the festivities. Even the few shivvel addicts you pass hiding among the eves of doorways know tonight is not the night to be venturing out and about with the weather. The last time you saw a watchman was several streets back and he and his mates were half drunk.
Timmins stares at the ground for a few minutes, Shadow lets out a whine, and then they both head to a nearby alley entrance and stare down it.
Ludo's nostrils flare as he seeks the scent of the ogres, wondering if that is what the dog has picked up. Without making a sound, he advances to stand beside the pair at the alley entrance, drawing his sword and praying to Lothian as he moves forward.
I follow with much complaining, "Hey, c'mon, what kind of trick should we play on the girl?
Shol'a'saul hurries along after the other, the rain falling on her face and rolling down her cheeks unnoticed. She looks down at a bulge on her arm muttering softly to herself in the Elvish tongue. As the party arrives at the alleyway, she feels a chill running along her spine. Fearing the start of violence, she hurriedly whispers a spell to herself, calling on a magical forcefield to encase and protect her fragile body.
When she overhears the human Rain, she asks in a soft whisper in the Elvish tongue,
Timmins calls out to the ogres.
"Hey there! Are you travelling to see Kellisan? We would like to talk to you."
While talking, Timmins moves closer and closer to the creatures, keeping Shadow back for the moment, and holding 2 throwing axes in his hands, hidden under his rain-slicked cloak.
Rain, it is not the time. There is likely to be trouble soon.
Aurora walks to the alleyway entrance, trying to see the ogres.
The ogres put down the chest they are carrying between them and turn toward you Timmins. One of them who looks just a smidgen more intelligent says to you What you want? Why you ask bout Kellisan? both of them stare at you with baleful glares and they clutch javelins in their offhand as if they are just waiting for you to say the wrong thing.
"Easy there friend. No need to get jumpy. Two big ogres like you have nothing to fear from me and my friends. We just wanted to ask you a question, is all. What is Kellisan paying you for that chest? Perhaps I can make a better counter offer, if you are interested."
Diplomacy:
They look at each and the smarter one shrugs Would have to be lot our master paying us 1000 gold to get this chest to Kellisan
Aurora steps up and she tries her best to pacify the suspicious ogres.
Maybe there is still an opportunity for bloodshed to be avoided today.
Ogres, we heard that you were to be paid in children, not gold.
Is this rumor true? If it is, then we cannot allow it to happen.
How big is the chest? If it requires two ogres, it might be large.
Perhaps the children are inside the chest? We should ask them.
What is in the chest? Is it something illegal or otherwise?
Ludo keeps pace with Timmins. He moves forward listening to the ranger and Aurora question the ogres uttering another prayer to Lothian before asking, "1000 gold. Quite the price. Is Kellisan also paying you gold upon delivery or does he have a different payment for you?"
Aurora
You thought you were stunned by the mention of children being sold, but the look on both of the ogre's faces is clearly shock. What we do with human or elf child? Raise them? Both ogres start laughing Our master not pay us in children, he pay us in gold and he not Kellisan.....Kellisan bought chest from our master, we not know what in chest only that it really hard to open... The ogres look at Ludo Our master already pay us we just delivering to Kellisan because master say so
You are sure they are being truthful.
Ludo pulls up short and looks to Timmins and Aurora, "Have we been had? Was that woman just trying to get revenge on Kellisan?" He turns back to the ogres. "Maybe we should accompany you to Kellisan's. We clearly made a mistake, but I wonder if it was part of a bigger plan." Maybe someone intended for us to attack the ogres and then planned to attack us after. A sense of paranoia steals over the litorian. Hating the feel of the water falling on his face, even with the lighter rain, he tilts his head up and looks to the rooftops to see if an ambush might be developing.
The ogres look you lot over We escort chest by selfs just fine...you no need help us they pick up the chest and begin to walk away
Timmins turns and whispers to the others,
"Let them go. We know where they are bound, but we need to know if this is a ruse, or real. I suggest some of us sneaker people follow at a distance and watch the exchange, while the others go back to the tavern and find that woman and discover the truth of her story. What do you think?"
After a while, Morsai remembers the Nutty Black and gulps some down before getting back to the book.
Morsai out of the corner of your eye while getting deeper into you book, you notice the woman your friends were talking to before they left, walk out of the Minstrel.
I shrug and mutter to the elf, in Elvish, ఎవరో మాకు తో ఆడుతున్నారు: నేను ఇష్టం లేదు.
Then I move in close to Timmins and speak softly to him "I'll see you in a few hours: back at the inn: save me a drink."
That said, I pad away into the night and circle back once the shadows have lengthened.
Timmins whispers back
"Wait up, we can go together."
He then follows Rain through the dark streets to circle back around, arriving at the shop the same time the ogres do.
"Shouldn't we keep within shouting of you Rain and Timmins?"
We should keep together. Certainly, I appreciate the value of stealth,
so it would be fine if those who are trained as scouts avoid detection,
while the rest of us follow at a distance, in case there is any trouble.
Aurora follows the ogres in the rain, trying to remain within earshot,
as they approach the shop of Kellisan Faymar to resolve the situation.
There is still something suspicious going on here. Lothian would want
for us to continue our investigation until we have discovered the truth.
Shol'a'saul whispers back to the intriguing human in the Elvish tongue,
She follows behind the others, keeping close to Aurora knowing her own combat skills are sorely lacking.
The group follows the ogres who either do not care or do not notice you trailing them. They follow a pretty random path toward the shop and on several occasions begin to argue which direction to go almost leading to a fist fight on one occasion. After a fashion they arrive at what you assume to be the antiquities shop. The store front is not much different from most shops in Ptolus if a bit worse for wear. The sign on the front read Kellisan's Rare Goods Emporium!. From your view in an alley mouth across from the shop you see graffiti painted on one of the walls that says "fake" "scum" "swindler". It is obvious Kellisan is not well loved around the city by the amount of graffiti.
The ogres walk across the street to a side door and knock. After about 5 minute the door opens and the ogres walk in, before the door closes a shady looking human male peeks his head out and looks around in both directions as if scanning to see if anyone has followed the ogres. He looks to be in his mid years no older than 45. He is balding and has beady eyes. After a minute he goes back into the shop and closes the door.
Shol'a'saul glances at the others, a look of concern on her face. "If we are to discover the truth here, we must get inside that shop!" She strokes a bulge on her arm absentmindedly as she continues softly, "I am not so concerned about the Watch as much as those ogres. Should we wait until they leave or risk a confrontation now?"
Once confident the ogres have entered the shop, Ludo rejoins his stealthier companions. "The ogres seemed to be telling the truth, but if we are wrong, there could still be children in danger. I think we need to confront this Kellisan and seek the truth. In spite of appearances here, it could be the woman you all spoke with at the tavern is the real villain."
Timmins will creep closer to the building and try and listen at a window or door. He will also make a quick circuit around the building looking for other exits.
Stealth:
Timmins
you sneak up to the front window after looking around the building and determining there is only the front door and side door you saw Kellisan peak out of. From underneath the window you hear muffled talking within. What you are able to hear is Kellisan thanking the ogres and him mentioning something about giving the extra for carrying this across town. You hear what sounds like coins clinking against each other right after this. A few seconds latter you hear the heavy footfall of the ogres as they exit out the side of the shop and out the mouth of the alley. The apparently don't see you or don't care. You hear the side door close heavily after they exit.
Everyone Else:
From the Alleyway you are hiding in you observe Timmins search the outer part of the building and then he sneaks under the window in front and appears to be listening. After several moments the ogres exit the building from the side door one of them has its hand in a coin purse and you hear clinking as if coins are rubbing against each other. The turn out of the alley and head west down the street. They either don't notice you or don't care as they pass the alley you are all hiding in.
Quietly, I address the group, "We need lookouts. Cover the routes to the store and if guards or gangs come along then make some noise and get their attention while letting us know something is up. Maybe tell them you saw some amazing magical stuff coming from the spire: that'll get there attention."
I join Timmins and whisper to him, "Well, it's probably a set-up. The question is: are we being set up, or is Kellisan?"
Then I start figuring out all of the ways in.
Ludo turns to Aurora and Shol'a'saul. "Not liking the look of this. No children. This man looks like he might be a low-life, but I'm not sure he's doing anything horrible." He tries to follow the path of Timmins and Rain to see if they try to summon help.
The time has come for action. We need to get to the bottom of this.
Aurora strides to the front door of the shop and proceeds to knock loudly.
Hello? We are looking for Kellisan Faymar, proprietor. The rain is very cold,
yet we have questions that must be answered. Children may be in danger!
Timmins is startled by this approach, but never the less, stands beside Aurora. He sends shadow to watch the side door, just in case Kellisan decides to run.
Rain and Ludo
You both sneak over to where Timmins is hiding and then go around into the alley and see the side door. You both peek around back but do not see any other door. Around the time you come back around the to side door. You both hear Aurora pound on the front door and the sounds of footsteps heading away from the side door toward the front of the shop.
Everyone else:
Aurora you walk up and knock on the front door, Timmins stands up as you walk over to stand beside you just in case. After knock a few times you hear the sound of someone coming to the door. The door opens halfway and an middle aged balding human in clothes that look to be his best representation of fashionable (even though they are not), looks back at you. He has a slightly hawkish nose and frowns when he looks you over before speaking. Yes, I am Kellisan...And who are you? You know it is quite late for visitors and questions...why have you come to my door at this hour and what is this prattle about children you are on about?
Aurora, your sense motive check tells you he is nervous as to what your not sure but you catch a few side long glance toward the backroom he is trying to be very nonchalant about.
Greetings! I am Aurora Erthuo. I understand it is after business hours,
but we are investigating an urgent issue. May we come out of the rain?
Aurora will give a courteous nod as she enters, trying to keep calm.
She is attempting to remain friendly, as Kellisan might be innocent.
Kellisan's Rare Goods Emporium. Is this the place referenced by all
the graffiti across the street? It hardly seems like a fair assessment.
Aurora takes a good look all around the room, checking for anything unusual.
Regardless, please allow me to explain why we are here. Apparently,
there has been a report that you hired two ogres as porters tonight.
They were to deliver a chest in exchange for children, of all things!
Of course, it must be some misunderstanding, but you can see why
we need to take these accusations seriously. I am sure everything
will be made more clear, if you could tell us your side of the story.
Shol'a'saul follows behind the half-elvish lady and keeps quiet, unwilling to draw attention to herself. As Aurora speaks, those who watch Shol'a'saul closely see her hand reach under her cloak briefly then re-emerge, her hand empty.
For those who keep watching her, they see a pale white centipede climb down from underneath her dress before silently moving off to the shadows.
Timmins looks around the room while Aurora speaks to the man.
Aurora, you some how get him to let you in whether its your smile or your endearing qualities he opens the door and lets you into the front of the shop.
He seems nervous to say the least, but you see only shock on his face when you mention the children. Your sure its not the kind of shock that comes from someone who has been found out. It more the shock of someone who been accused of something they did not do.......Sold children to Ogres...What idiot told you such a thing...I paid them in gold thrones, the rest is none of your business.
He seems very truthful in what he says.
Shol’a’saul
Your centipede goes into the back room, looks around and tells you there are no two legs back here just a big chest.
Timmins looks around the room while Aurora speaks to the man.
The shop front is pretty standard, he odd trinket and fake antiquities litter several tables and various "rare" goods stuffed into baskets with signs saying things like "What an Amazing Deal!!". You see a door leading to the back of the building behind the counter.
Unless something out of the ordinary happens...like someone approaching him...Morsai stays lost in the book.
Ludo joins Aurora, Shol and Timmins. "A woman. Perhaps it was she that was lying. I have to wonder if we were tricked into coming. Is there someone who might have wished to see this chest stolen?"
Shol'a'saul speaks up softly, "I believe we were tricked also. Again the reason is unclear at this point. What do you know of the chest's contents Mister Kellisan?"
Aurora waves to Morsai to come inside out of the rain. That book will get all wet!
It is good to hear that these accusations about children are unfounded.
However, it is still concerning, and something seems to be wrong here.
It may be that someone is trying to cause trouble because of the chest.
Aurora walks into the back room with the chest, looking for any traps.
She also uses her magic powers to check for any auras of active spells.
Perhaps you could open the chest or allow us to open it on your behalf?
There might be some sort of trap or other trickery involved in the chest.
You do not have anything to hide, do you? We are just trying to help out.
Kellisan looks at you, Ludo, there seems to be a slight bit of fear in his eyes when you mention the chest, but it could just be your imagination. What woman are you talking about? The chest is mine I paid good money for it if you are here to take it I will bring the Watch and the Commissar's Men down upon you, by Lothian I will, now will you all please leave I have things to do... as he says this Aurora walks into the back.
Aurora you stare at the chest, the chest measures about three feet long, two feet wide, and two feet tall and weighs three hundred fifty pounds. It appears to be made of wood bound in bronze, with small bronze plates set into its back and sides; images of winged horses are engraved upon the plates. A hefty, built-in lock is obvious at the front of the chest. You also notice what looks like scorch marks in various places all over it. The chest radiates a strong aura of abjuration magic.
Ludo decides to trust his first instinct, "There is something about the chest that bothers you Kellisan. Through your eyes, I see the fear in your heart. Is it dangerous? Perhaps we should summon someone for assistance. I work with the Knights of the Pale. I could send for help."