Nathaniel stands, tense, his knuckles white as he grasps the hilts of his sheathed weapons, watching Andrzej and Tybalt.
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Once everyone is secured to the best of Nathaniel's ability he waits moodily, out of reach of his secured companions. Occasionally he checks on their equipment and weapons, making sure that it is all stashed out of easy reach around the barn. If anyone talks he responds, but there seems to be little he can say to lighten the mood.
Nathaniel returns Angalia’s hug, whatever he wanted to stay stuck in his throat as he reluctantly lets her go. “Be careful. Be safe,” he murmurs as the three depart. There is a knot in his stomach, but whether worry for the companions who are departing, the ones who remain here or for the part he plays tonight he cannot tell. Once the other three are gone, he returns to checking knots and manacles. “If we’re going about this right, you won’t escape these bonds,” he mutters in reply to Leandro. “If it looks like anyone’s getting close to escaping I … I’ll try to knock you out or something.” He sighs heavily. “I suppose we need to discuss it. What do we know of these … creatures … you may become? What strengths and weaknesses might you possess?” He turns to Anuqa. “Do you know much of this affliction? If our friends turn, will they all turn at the same time? If some do and others do not, would it be smart to release those who have not? And what of you – do you have any magic that might stop them without harm should they escape their bonds?” The normally laconic ranger realises that he is beginning to ramble, and lapses into nervous silence.
"I'm good with knots," Nathaniel says to the others, moving towards Leandro with manacles and rope in hand.
"There is rope as well as the manacles," says Nathaniel. "We'll use both. Manacles to wrists behind the back, rope to ankles, rope around torso and arms, and attached to those hooks. That should do it."
"Stay strong my friends," Nathaniel murmurs - it's not entirely clear whether he speaks to the soon to be bound, the watchers or both - as he lays out ropes and manacles. "Who wants to go first?" he asks, not quite meeting anyone's eyes as he holds out a pair of manacles.
I think Nathaniel was also waiting at the barn to watch those possibly impacted by lycanthropy.
I'm still in and interested.
Nathaniel would like to buy some rope in town - a length for each character to be restrained. Also some more manacles if these can be easily procured without arousing too much suspicion.
Nathaniel nods.
Nathaniel doesn't know much about the terrain or situation outside the city, but would assume that is a better option unless someone has a better suggestion. At minimum he suggests the group should purchase ropes to tie up each of the possibly impacted characters - tie hands and legs as well as tying each of them to a tree or some structure.
“That’s reasonable,” nods Nathaniel. “Well what of this? Res, Volidrian and Angalia – if there’s no chance she was infected by wererats – go to the meeting. The rest of us … we need to find a safe and secure place for the night; I’m not sure the inn is it. Should we go out into the wilderness? Look for an abandoned but secure building here in town? Hire a stable or a loft or somesuch for the night?”
“There’s a window,” Nathaniel murmurs in reply. “I’m not big on breaking and entering, but it looks easy enough to get in through if that was called for. It looks into a store room – I could see stairs leading down into what I assume is the workroom in the cellar, and another flight of stairs leading up, probably to the toymaker’s abode I would guess. We’ve watched people come and go up the stairs from the cellar – the toymaker and some of his assistants I assume. There’s something sort of off-looking about one of the women, but I don’t know … maybe she’s just tired? Perhaps doll-making is harder work than I’d have thought …”
Nathaniel says to Andrzej, “There’s a lot of coming and going from the front room isn’t there? I’m going to check on the front for a moment.” He moves carefully back up the ally to the street at the front, to see Volidrian pacing about. “No trouble?” he asks the half orc quietly. “Do they seem to be getting anywhere inside?”
"Well, perhaps 'normal' is not quite right," Nathaniel mutters quietly. "There's something a bit off about that woman ... I'd really like to see what's in that workshop - I wonder what our chances of sneaking in would be?"
Nathaniel ducks back down and quietly describes what he sees to Andrzej. “It all looks so normal,” he adds.
Trying to stay mostly out of sight from anyone who might be within the building , Nathaniel tries to peer through the grimy window.
"Did you find a back door?" Nathaniel asks Andrzej. If not, he will try to find his way around to the rear of the building and look for a rear entry. In either case, he will also try to look for any windows in the front or rear facade of the building, recalling that the killer doll at the inn apparently got in and out through the window. If there is anything interesting at the rear of the building (say for example a rubbish bin no doubt full of incriminating evidence) he will have a look at it.
I decided to take a wolf animal companion for Nathaniel - I like the idea, but it is probably not the best class feature for urban adventuring. I am assuming at this point the wolf is either lurking outside town somewhere (assuming the ship captain would have agreed to ferry it over here and back) or else it is back in Mordentshire. CH, are you happy to keep this loose until we decide on next steps for the group, or would you prefer I either lock in a location OR change the animal companion class feature to something else (there is another standard option which gives companions temporary partial access to your favoured enemy ability)?
Nathaniel shivers in the heat as he looks up at the smiling doll above the shop door. Before they get to close he murmurs to his companions, "I agreed a subtle approach would be best, but I'm not sure I'm so good at that myself. Someone who is diplomatic or good at concealing their intent should do the talking - how should we approach? Allude to something strange about the dolls, or say that his dolls appear to have been stolen from the scenes of most of the murders? Any other ideas? "
“Let’s finalise precautions for tonight later,” suggests Nathaniel, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of some of his companions turning into monsters. “For now let’s visit the toymaker. I suppose we can’t say for sure that he is guilty, so perhaps a subtle – or at least not overly heavy handed approach may be in order?”
Leandro nods agreement with Nathaniel. "I am torn. We cannot let this stand, yet the Skull grows ever more distant while we address this. Still, what else can we do?" “No one else here seems willing to admit the possibility that Gerard de Monte’s dolls may be killing people,” Nathaniel says. “It sounds incredible when I say it aloud. Still, there may be something in it, and I feel like we owe the people of this place – that little girl – a chance to stop these murders.”
Nathaniel nods sympathetically at Angalia’s words. “Well, at least the girl got some sleep. I suppose one of us will need to stay and look after her today – the rest of us should get ready to go and visit this toy-maker.”
Nathaniel nods at the newcomer, and at Res’ words. “Yes, well met Volidrian, and thankyou for your help with the door,” he says. “My name’s Nathaniel. Most of us are also not native to these lands … we’ve come across many strange things since we’ve been here, although killer dolls would be amongst the most disturbing. I think we must investigate de Monte in the morning, though we can’t jump to conclusions that he is guilty.” To Res, Nathaniel adds, “Thanks. I’ll get some sleep, I’ll come and relieve you in a couple of hours.” Suddenly quite aware of his dishevelled and shirtless state, he says his good nights and returns to his room.
Nathaniel frowns at Res’ assessment of the girl. He gestures Angalia over and lets her know. “Be careful, you and Eliva,” he says. “One of us will be waiting outside the door through the night if there’s any trouble.”
Once the girl has been led away by Eliva, and the constables are gone, Nathaniel turns to Res. "Res, you are a good judge of character," he says. "What did you think of the girl's story? I'm ... inclined to believe her tale, as incredible as it seems, but what do you think? Could she have been mistaken, or dreaming, or lying?"
Nathaniel will enquire of the constables as to whether there are any suspects for these murders, and whether there are any clues that suggest they are the works of a single murderer? Does anything suggest that the murderer has an unusual physiology, for example being unusually short? If the constables are disinclined to answer, he won’t press the issue.
“Perhaps Tess could sleep the rest of the night in Eliva and Angalia’s room?” suggests Nathaniel, looking questioningly at the women – his suggestion borne out of how he assumes the girl would best feel safe, rather than any preconceptions on the role of women in society. “Keep the window closed and the rest of us take turns standing guard outside the door – in case the killer should try to return. Then, in the morning … maybe we will go doll shopping.”
"Gerard de Monte makes all these dolls?" Nathaniel asks the innkeeper sharply.
Nathaniel assesses the man thoughtfully. His association with Eliva has taught him not to judge a person by their heritage but by their deeds, and so far this man's words and actions suggest that he might be a useful ally. "I only saw the doll briefly," he says, " but yes, I believe it was as you describe. There have been more of these killings? Do you know what can be done to track or stop these murderous dolls?" It is a mark of the time he has spent in these lands that the phrase 'murderous dolls' comes so easily to Nathaniel.
"How are we to find a tiny doll in a city this size - already filled with dolls?" Nathaniel mutters to Angalia. "And what is to become of this poor girl - left without a mother? Given the way her mother treated her I am almost inclined to say she is better off, but no child should grow up without parents ... I hope her father is about somewhere."
Nathaniel stalks over to Angalia. "Where did the doll come from? Was it magical?" he whispers urgently.
"Where did they go?" Nathaniel yells, running towards the open window and looking carefully about, looking for anything suspicious.
Nathaniel starts in shock as the half-orc appears beside him, but moves aside to allow the other man access to the door when he realises he is trying to help.
Nathaniel rushes towards the guest room occupied by the mother and daughter. As he reaches the door he doesn't slow, but attempts to barge it open with his shoulder.
Nathaniel sits bolt upright as the shrill scream tears the night, his face and torso dripping with cold sweat, a product of the nightmares he has suffered since losing his sister. He grasps for his weapons, not pausing to don shirt or armour, then heads towards the source of the scream.
Nathaniel frowns as the mother strikes her child, then nods in approval at Angalia's act of kindness towards the girl
"It's good to see you too Res," answers Nathaniel. "But you're right, I'm keeping you from your rest."
Once the others have had a chance to read the letter, and the round of greetings and introductions have been made, Nathaniel speaks again. "The White Lady is due to sail in four days' time," he explains. "Just after the full moon," he adds significantly, glancing out a window at the night sky. "Doctor Savarre was very specific in relation to the last line in his letter." The man lowers his voice, looking about to make sure no one is likely to overhear them. "We'll get you settled in, then talk more in private about how to deal with any ... issues." He doesn't meet the others' eyes in talking about such unpleasantness.
"Likewise Leandro," Nathaniel returns the handshake gravely.
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