"Name's Corvin Killgannon. I kill things for money."
He slams a single gold piece down on the table.
"Aye", says Bjorn, "You plannin on killin any one in this village? Its a sleepy little village. Can't imagine anyone here that someone would pay to have killed. I hope yer better at killin than gamblin" he continues as Corvin loses another bet. Then Bjorn bends closer to Corvin and whispers, "I'd keep it quiet on your profession around here. Folks have been disappearing right and left. You wouldn't want anyone to get the idea that you're responsible would ya?"
The group trys to make its way in a north easterly direction on the various roads within the tiny village. Unfortunately, Flavia's attempts to find anyone who is willing to admit knowledge of the Trick Door have come up short so far.
Undaunted, Flavia continues to chat up folks for directions to this mysterious place, offering a coin or two if it seems it would loosen some tongues.
Corvin jerks a thumb in the direction of Enard.
"Apparently, he can't handle hisself in a fight, so he needs me to back him up."
Savendir keeps a sharp lookout as the others seem oblivious to their surroundings but sees nothing unusual around the tavern. The few people who Flavia sees about as she inquires about the Trick Door cannot provide any help in locating the gambling establishment.
"I see," says Bjorn as he glances over at Enard. "By the looks of ya, he's doing well with ya at his back." Enard let's out a cheer as he rakes in a big pot. "He must be the lucky one of the duo, by looking at the stack growin in front of him."
Having heard that the Trick Door is in the northeast and having seen the boys leaving north from the fountain square, Flavia suggests going to the fountain, then north from the fountain past the temple, then turning east.
Updated City Map
The group turns right onto Queen's way and heads east toward Bond Road. There is very little traffic on the streets at this time of night. As you approach the intersection the 10th gong from the bell atop Pharasma's temple sounds. It is 10 pm.
"Did any of you hear a bell or something just now?"
Savendir continues to look about warily.
A object on the ground near the north east corner of the intersection catches Savendir's eye. As you approach he sees that it is a broken brooch. It is brightly colored and decorated with Pharasma's holy symbol.
"Sharp eyes, my elven friend. Looks rather like the bauble I wear, does it not? Can you see any sign of a struggle beyond this? Perhaps you can track poor Samlin and his abductors... assuming that's what happened."
The brooch does indeed match the one that Flavia has. As Savendir searches the area, in the firm earthen road he finds a set of tire tracks and two pairs of foot prints in the middle of the tire tracks. The tracks seem to be headed toward the west back down Queen's way.
"Agreed. Lead on, Sir Elf. We will follow."
"I see," says Bjorn as he glances over at Enard. "By the looks of ya, he's doing well with ya at his back." Enard lets out a cheer as he rakes in a big pot. "He must be the lucky one of the duo, by looking at the stack growin in front of him."
Corvin stares darkly at his empty tankard.
"And may the gods damn him to the nine hells for it. I ain't had the share of luck he's had, that's for true. Everythin' always runs south, no matter what I do..."
Savendir follows the tracks back to Quiet Axe Bend, the main road that leads into and out of town. The tracks turn to the right (to the North) onto Quiet Axe Bend. Unfortunately, the main road is cobble stoned and the tracks become much more difficult to follow.
Bjorn answers, "I know that feelin. I stopped fightin it long ago. Now, I just enjoy the trip south." As the dealer calls out another number, Both Bjorn and Corvin lose again. "I see my stack is plumb hit the bottom. Your's seems to be in a similar state. I'm stayin at the Royal Hare in the south part o town. Do ya mine headin back toward there with me? Sirathu ain't safe to be walkin alone at night these past few months. Even for hearty dwarf like me."
Unfortunately, the dirt from the wagon wheels soon wears off on the cobble stone road and the trail is lost after about 10 feet on Quiet Axe Bend. The last known direction of the trail is due north, but there appears to be another intersection about 300 feet ahead. Following the road straight ahead will take you out of town toward the North and Kaer Maga.
"Maybe they turned off. We should check the side roads and see if you can pick up the tracks again, Savendir."
As Savendir searches the hard ground on Wedge Stair which intersects Quiet Axe Bend, he finds a multitude of tracks, but he cannot discern if any match the tracks he found earlier. He does notice that there are more tracks that turn to west than turn to the east.
Flavia is stymied. "So... west?" she guesses, "Maybe they will turn off and their tracks will become more obvious? The rest of us can help you try to find them, now that we know what we're looking for, though I'm sure you will have to follow them."
Flavia looks around the western way to see if she can spot the tracks turning off the road.
Flavia and Savendir head to the west following the majority of the tracks, while Mason checks out the east.
Mason does not see anything unusual to the east. Just a few wagon tracks that head further down the road. The street is lined by a series of row houses on either side of the road. All seems quiet.
To the west, while a few wagon tracks head further down the road, the majority of tracks turn into a large set of double doors in a large building. In the dim light, Flavia can make out a sign on the building, "Carthon's Warehouse". As you face the double doors of the warehouse, you also see a small door to the right of the double doors which says "Office".
Flavia whispers back, "I don't know. We don't even know where Enard and Corvin are. We don't even know if this is the place. Can you recognize the tracks we were following as heading here?" She ponders a moment. "There can't be much harm in looking it over quietly, can there? I can make a quick loop around the building so we know where the entrances and exits are, at least."
If nobody objects, Flavia (along with any other sneaky sorts who care to join her) creeps around the warehouse quietly, looking for doors and windows, checking to see if they are locked, and listening at them for sounds inside.
Flavia and Mason circle the warehouse. It is a large building with no windows except for one next to the door that says office. Curtains cover the window so you cannot see in. In addition to the double doors and office door that face south, there is another set of double doors on the west side of the building facing Quiet Axe Bend. Mason, spies a thin stream of light coming from beneath each set of double doors. The warehouse is about 3 stories high. Other than the light, there is no sounds or signs of activity.
Bjorn answers, "I know that feelin. I stopped fightin it long ago. Now, I just enjoy the trip south." As the dealer calls out another number, Both Bjorn and Corvin lose again. "I see my stack is plumb hit the bottom. Your's seems to be in a similar state. I'm stayin at the Royal Hare in the south part o town. Do ya mine headin back toward there with me? Sirathu ain't safe to be walkin alone at night these past few months. Even for hearty dwarf like me."
"Well, you know what they say about gamblers..."
He pauses to think for, trying to remember exactly what exactly it is that they say. After a moment, he remembers.
"You gotta know when to walk away."
He stands up from the table and prepares begins to walk toward the exit, staggering from inebriation.
"Let's make like a tree, and get the hell outta here."
"I'm reluctant to try anything without the muscle to back us up. We really need to find Corvin and Enard. What do you think - two keep watch here while the others try to find the Trick Door?"
"I will stay with you, Mason. Savendir and Rokuro should be able to track down our friends and bring them back."
Flavia tries to make like a shadow and.. um.. hide? She tries to find a spot where she and Mason can watch both sets of doors and be in the shadows, then fades into them.
Bjorn and Corvin head out. In Corvin's inebriated state, he does not tell Enard that he is leaving. Enard is too engrossed in is game to notice that Corvin is leaving. He continues playing. Bjorn collects is things at the door and they head out back toward home.