CH. 10: Hard Choices

[BishGada]

"OK. If we will have to split, then you can find me in the mageware shop later." Tulbas tells Gobax before going to the Baaz at Gregeddin house. Tulbas stops few feet away from the Baaz, "I won't interrupt. Do you know where is Gregeddin by any chance?"

[TristenC]

Grubnick settles in to wait out of sight of the guards. He pulls his hood back a bit and listens for any shouts of alarm or raised voices. While waiting he pulls his pipe and sucks air through it, unlit. The residual hints of tobacco swirling in his mouth. What could have happened with him... surely not Belzor... the Baaz wouldn't be involved in that case... Perhaps our little fire...? No... then what...? A few more moments of his musings and then something slowly dawns on him... They hid the armor and weapons there! That won't go over well... And that shady dwarf just started staying with the bard... I wonder if he's connected somehow... If not, we should warn him...

[Chris1234]

With a whispered "Please wait here, back in two," Shima moves to the dead end to the north and studies the stonework. {OOC: Moving/shifting etc 1-4/d6}
He then returns to the others and quietly announces the result while checking out the door for traps {OOC: FRT 20%}; (which the dwarf tries to remove if detected.)

Shima tries to unlock the door {OOC: 35%}, re-equip his shield and then open the door, ready his spear and explore beyond.
If nothing untoward, the dwarf leads the pair to the south tro try and get some intel on what was being eaten and also to look for any inedibles such as keys, weapons or coinage.

If still nothing untoward, Shima leads the group northwards, following the passage until something significant turns up.

[HorizonsDream]

"They go to a certain blacksmith. I was directed to him when I signed up with the army," Kendra explains. "As for me, I explained my situation with the prefect, and he was...kind enough to give me a new position as one of his personal bodyguards. It pays a lot more that I have ever been paid before, so I'll be able to support my family. The only problem is that it won't be enough to keep up with payments on Norris' home. The prefect allowed me to see Norris before I left, and he told me that I need to sell a jewel that should help cover the house this month. After that, I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin would feel exposed at Tethy's gaze, if he had things to hide and was being deceitful. But the Prefect's gaze did little to unsettle the bard, "I wouldn't use the word 'idiot', but I unfortunately have no knowledge of any buildings on fire." Speaking frankly, but then changing to lamenting "I didn't even know anything about that Pax Tharkas thing you were groaning about earlier. But I thought it would annoy you, and I'm not such a rule follower, as you may have noted."

[djhyland]

"I don't suppose the prefect would give me a position if I explained my situation to him," Arulia frowns. "Not that I could do...that anyway. I'll...I'll figure something out. I have to."

Glancing back towards William, Arulia changes the subject. "William and I...when we were looking for my father, we saw that there was a fire over in the Harbor. Do you know what happened there? Does it have anything to do with Norris and my father?"

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Prefect's Mansion, Basement)
"If you are an idiot, it would explain a few things," Tethys says. "Like why you would use a spell of Hypnotism on me, of all things, when it only lasts a few scant minutes. Even if my mind had been weak enough to be ensnared by it, it would wear off before it would make a difference."

The bozak shakes his head. "Even if I believe you, can you offer any reason at all that I should let you walk out of here with your head still attached to your neck?"

Tulbas and Gobax (300 Market Street, Gregeddin's House)
The two baaz share a look at Tulbas' request. "That's the name of the suspect," one tells the other.

"Hey, kid," says the second one. "Are you friends with the guy who lives here?" Both Baaz move closer, one of them placing a hand on his sheathed sword's hilt.

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Haven North Sewers)
As soon as Shima walks toward the dead-end, he walks face first into something invisible. It's not a solid object, exactly, but more...gelatinous. His face goes numb and he quickly pulls back. Luckily, he isn't completely paralyzed as the cube of transparent slime moves toward him, ready to consume the dwarf whole.

===========

Shima makes a save vs. paralyzation [TN 13] (1d20): 16, pass.

[TristenC]

Grubnick looks for anything he could use to impede the Baaz' progress should they decide to give chase, such as crates or barrels to knock over in their way. I hope he can talk his way out of this... He remains hidden.

[BishGada]

"I wouldn't say friend. Do you know Magnus? Gregeddin did some work for him several weeks ago. I had to deliver him some ingredients but they didn't arrive and I just came to tell him to supplies will delay." he says. "That's OK, I can come later... " he takes few steps back, "but why do you call him suspect and searching his house? Is he criminal? Should I keep distance from him?" Tulbas tries to look terrified, which is not too difficult considering the Baaz might try to get him too.

[Chris1234]

Shima falls back (facing the foe) and says urgently, "Big jelly-cube; numbing touch..."

If a spear can be used from 2nd rank Shima continues: "... Felran take point, I'll go 2nd rank. Ne-Chanz, back to the last room; unless you can smell the jelly, get a light going."

{Edit (4 May):}
Realising that Felran isn't close, Shima adds, "Felran, there's a monster here to kill. Could do with you right now. If I stop humming, it means it's got me."
The dwarf makes a controlled fall back to the large room so the whole party can all get at the creature. He hums softly until either he can't, the monster drops or the party have light.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin ponders Tethys' words for a few moments, before thinking aloud, "Hypnotise the Perfect, he signs some papers lowering the taxes, hopefully doesn't notice what's going on, I go back to the guild with good news, and, maybe you don't notice until the next accounts come in. That seems like a nice way things could have happened." Gregeddin nods along to his tale, much preferring this set of events than the ones he finds himself in now. "So, Magnus taught me some spells, but didn't mention much about when to use them."

Standing up within the confines of the shackles, Gregeddin begins like a charming sales person. "When dead, the bard serves only one purpose, dragon fodder. But alive, the bards potential for usefulness is unmatched by any other. Entertainment! With a variety of storytelling and music. Disguise, able to slip around and blend into the city that is otherwise difficult for draconians to do. Translator and scribe, Combat and magic in one compact package. A lack of perception! This special trait means that dangerous and bad ideas don't stop this bard from taking incredible risks." Pausing and switching to a regular, deadpan serious voice, "have you got anything in mind?" before reverting back to his sales pitch, "And now the moment you've all been waiting for. The amazing bard escape artist will pull the shackles off from the wall." Gregeddin even goes as far as to place a foot against the wall for extra power. In fact both feet are required, and the bard appears to be standing sideways on the wall as his whole body pushes against the shackles.

[HorizonsDream]

"I don't know what is going on in the harbor," Kendra says. "I doubt it has anything to do with your father or Norris, but the prefect sees it differently," she explains. "The fire happened at just the right time for it to be pure coincidence to him. I would go check it out, but I have to go explain to my family what has happened. You probably need to explain what has happened to your sisters and mother too."

[chese780]

(OOC: The place is abandoned except monsters, correct? Could I not make it over said bridge with -no- issue whatsoever should I choose that option?)

(OOC: Shima, wasn't with you yet.)

*Felran moves back to the others after contemplating the other side of the bridge*

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz falls back, lighting the torch.

[djhyland]

Arulia nods at Kendra's explanation. "From where we saw it, I thought that someone had burned down the brothel. I...I hoped that they had," she admits. "If we...we can't find another way to get money, I'm afraid that my sisters and I might...might be sent there. I don't want to get sent off to gods-knows-where the army has been sending everyone else, but I...I think that I'd rather take my chances than be...forced to work there." She looks at Kendra imploringly. "I don't suppose you can do anything to keep it from opening, can you?"

As Kendra prepares to leave, Arulia takes her hand in hers and squeezes it tightly. "Take care of yourself, Kendra, and take care of your family. I'll do my best to take care of mine. And if you need me, I'll do what I can to help you. Just come and look for me at my father's shop." She lets go of the other woman's hand. "Stay safe, Kendra."