DM Kathy Monday January 19th, 2004 9:50:05 PM
It's morning in Plateau City. Outside the lodgings, the faint rumble of carts, along with the clip-clop of shod hooves on cobbles, announces the start of the day in the Trade Quarter. Inside the lodgings, everyone is going about their morning's routine--some a little worse for wear after last night.
About mid-morning there is a tentative knock on the door. You open it to admit a very ordinary-looking human man. He is dressed as an artisan, and appears to be around 40. He has thinning brown hair and brown eyes--which just at the moment reflect anxiety and worry. He holds his hat in his hands, twisting it in agitation as he speaks.
"Good morning. I'm sorry to disturb you." He looks around the room, making eye contact with everyone there, before continuing, "I have a problem, and I am hoping you can help me with it. My name is Baldis, and I am a leatherworker in the Guild quarter. I have two children; Zully is eight, and Kethlorn--" his voice catches, then he steadies himself and continues. "Kethlorn is thirteen. Three days ago I went to wake Kethlorn to start the day, but he wouldn't wake up."
He takes a deep, shaky breath before continuing, "I tried everything I could think of, but he simply wouldn't rouse. So with the help of a neighbor I carried him to the Cathedral of Light, to see a healer there." He shakes his head. "But she could do nothing for him. She said he was under some kind of curse, something beyond the power of the healers to break."
He looks at you all again, eyes swimming with tears. "I don't know who would want to harm my boy, but I must find out in order to lift this curse. I have heard that you are adventurers of noteworthy skill, so I have come to ask for your help. I--" he looks a little ashamed. "I'm afraid I can't afford to pay very much, but I'll pay you all I can. Please, will you help me?"
Uriel Monday January 19th, 2004 10:29:20 PM
"Yes we will help, I think I can say this for all of us," Uriel says. He looks towards the others for confirmation. He leads Baldis over to the table and sits him down.
"We will need to ask you some questions of course - to help us try to figure out what is going on and who would want to do this to your boy."
"I'll start with a few basic questions. You look an artisan, what is your trade? Also, have you received any unusual commissions for your work? or any unusual clients? Don't rush in your thoughts, there is time. Time to do this right, so think hard about these questions. Would you like some ale?"
Shakka Zul d20=15 Monday January 19th, 2004 11:10:37 PM
Shakka sits back and listens carefully, attempting to determine if Baldis' intentions are real.
(Sense motive 15)
Mira d20+7=18 d20+4=14 d20+2=13 Monday January 19th, 2004 11:12:34 PM
Mira listens as the distraught father tells his tale. Although disturbed by the news, she had difficulty hiding her excitement. "Conner" she asks the fighter, "do you still have the notebook? You know, the one you won in the Giggling Ghost? Maybe you would let us use it to make notes in?" Turning to the quiet ranger, she makes a few inexpert hand signals spelling the letters E-V-A-N, as she asks, "Evan, you are good with writing, would you take notes?"
To Uriel's questions, the sorcerer says, "Yes, yes, and do your children help you in your shop or at your trade?" Looking at the leatherworker, Mira gives him a little smile, "My friend has spoken for us, and I for one pledge my support. If you are able to answer our first questions, I think we will then need a list of the individuals with whom your boy has had contact." (Diplomacy=18*, Gather Information=14)
Realizing that she is clad in a rather filmy robe, and her hair is dishevelled, Mira excuses herself to change into her proper clothes. She leaves the door ajar in order to not miss what is being said, (Listen=13) and returns to the room once she is dressed and her hair braided into it's customary tight plait.
*+2 synergy bonus to Diplomacy due to 5 ranks of Bluff
Kadaz Tuesday January 20th, 2004 6:11:20 AM
Kadaz sits quietly in the corner and listens intently. He has learned that it is never a good idea for him to get involved in questioning suspects or witnesses, they usually go silent when he starts talking.
Conner Tuesday January 20th, 2004 7:41:49 AM
Conner acknowledges that he does indeed have the journal and passes it over to Evan. The fighter spends time sharpening his swords while listening to Baldis explain his plight and answer the groups questions.
Arm d20=8 d20+7=25 Tuesday January 20th, 2004 2:42:12 PM
Arm, still unable to shake his suspicions due to recent events, asks Baldis, "Before I say yea or nay to your request, I have a question of my own....we've been here nary a day, and yet you come to us saying that we were recommended to you....I don't suppose you'd mind telling us whom you received this information from? Please excuse my suspicions, but we recently have had contact with......people who weren't what they appeared to be, so I'm certain that you can understand my reservations.....".
OOC: sense motive=8, diplomacy=25...also, welcome back Shakka...unless you're a NEW Shakka..in that case, simply welcome!! LOL!!
Evan Tuesday January 20th, 2004 4:15:58 PM
Evan stares at Mira in astonishment. He had no idea that she could use sign language. He had this dream last night that he had taught her a little but.....it was a dream, right?
Evan gladly takes the book from Conner then blinks in surprise at the sudden appearance of Shakka Zul. After a quick calculation in his head, Evan realizes that Ariel won't be able to stay where she is anymore. If Shakka found his way back, hopefully Zander will as well and the space Ariel is in will be needed. Perhaps the house owner would allow him to build a stall on the side of the house.
Evan sits at the table with the journal and opens it. Unfortunately, at the moment all he has is charcoal to write with, so he writes very carefully so as to not smudge the writing. He listens attentively while he catches the journal up to date, starting from the moment he met this group. *We need to call ourselves something*
After recording Mira and Uriel's question, and the answers, he writes a couple of questions of his own and passes it to Mira so that she can ask them. What does Kethlorn usually do during the day? Could he have come into contact with someone new? Could you show us where you live?
DM Kathy Tuesday January 20th, 2004 9:02:40 PM
Baldis willingly goes to the table with Uriel and sits down. "I am a leatherworker," he replies. "I do custom work, and also have a few pre-made items for sale." He accepts the offer of ale while considering Uriel's other questions. "I can't think of anything unusual in the past weeks, no," he says at last. "Leather breeches, jackets, another garment bag for Lady Teeli, a book satchel for Malvo...the usual, really."
[OOC: Carla, Mira has 2 ranks in Bluff. Her Charisma gives her a total bonus of +5, but synergies count ranks rather than bonuses. Not that it matters; Baldis is already pretty well-disposed toward the group. :)]
In response to Mira's question, Baldis replies, "Zully has her schooling, of course, and then she mostly helps out with kitchen chores. But Kethlorn helps in the shop. He's a good lad, very polite, the customers like him." His voice breaks again, and he takes another deep breath.
"People he's come in contact with--well, there are the customers, of course, but they've been just the usual run of folk we see all the time. Zully and me. And folk from the neighborhood. That's all, really. I'm afraid we don't live a very exciting life."
He seems a bit startled by Arm's question, but answers directly enough. "I spoke to Hamm, and he mentioned you had taken these lodging. I--" he looks a little shamefaced. "I wanted a newer group, you see, one without a famous reputation, because--well, like I said, I can't afford to pay very much. Hamm did speak highly of you, though," he adds anxiously. The sound of a sword being sharpened seems to make him a little nervous.
He seems a little puzzled when Evan does not speak for himself, but he makes no comment. "During the day Kethlorn works in the shop with me," he says in answer to those questions. "We see a few new faces every day, of course, but there's been nobody new that I didn't meet, too. And we've seen nobody out of the common way." A thought seems to occur to him. "Well now, I do send him on errands from time to time. It's possible he met someone on the street--though if he did, he never mentioned it. And nobody in the neighborhood has mentioned seeing anything odd."
He smiles slightly at the last question. "I live in an apartment above my shop, and I'd be happy to take you there whenever you'd like."
(Ack! When I first posted, I forgot to include the results of Sense Motive checks. Sorry! Anyway, Baldis seems completely sincere in all respects.)
Mira Tuesday January 20th, 2004 11:01:18 PM
Mira listens to what the distraught father says. When he is finished answering the party's questions and giving his story, she speaks quietly and gently, "I suggest we continue this interview at your shop. I would like to speak with your youngest, Zully. You know how children are, they often know more than we think!" The sorcerer looks at her companions, and adds " some of my friends could look around your place for clues. What might seem ordinary to you, might not to one of us! You could provide us with your address, and we could come 'round later this morning."
(OOC: Sorry about the error. I'll be more careful. Just got excited!)
Conner Tuesday January 20th, 2004 11:30:17 PM
Conner listens intently to the Baldis' answers. The fighter finishes sharpening his weapons and puts away his whetstone, unaware of the anxiety his actions have caused.
Arm d20+7=16 Wednesday January 21st, 2004 5:55:35 AM
Content, for the moment at least, with Baldis' response, Arm nods at him and says, "Aye, I think an examination of your house and shop would be best for starters. Have you thought of any more questions for us or any possible details you may have forgotten up until now?" {Diplomacy=16}
Kadaz Wednesday January 21st, 2004 7:37:02 AM
Kadaz goes into his room, puts on his armor, and gathers up his weapons. Time to go to work. With Birdie at his heels, Kadaz comes back into the common room and stands by the front door.
"When we get there we need to search the child's room thoroughly. A curse may be tied to an object he found, perhaps something very small."
Uriel Wednesday January 21st, 2004 10:54:22 AM
Uriel stands up, nodding assent with the idea of speaking to Zully and looking around the shop and home. He will do a quick check to make sure he is armed and equipped. As he picks up his quarterstaff, he says to Baldis, "Your wife, will we be able to speak to her as well?"
DM Kathy Wednesday January 21st, 2004 8:51:27 PM
Baldis looks relieved. "Thank you, thank you for agreeing to help me. My shop is Baldis Quality Leathers, on Saddler's Row in the Guild Quarter. I'm sure you can find it--unless you'd like to come along with me now. Either would be fine."
He stands and moves to the door. To Arm, he replies, "I can't think of anything else." He gives his hat an especially hard twist that threatens to pull it apart. "But, truth be told, I'm so fuddled by all this--I might be overlooking something. I must be. I don't know." He looks around at you all. "So if you have questions for me, don't hesitate to ask."
"My wife passed away some years ago," he replies to Uriel. "It's just me and the young ones now. They--they mean everything to me. Thank you again for agreeing to help."
Mira Wednesday January 21st, 2004 9:31:58 PM
Mira stands as the leatherworker leaves. In a quiet voice, she says to her companions, "perhaps we should prepare before we head over to Baldis' place?" Before anyone can reply, the sorcerer adds, "I'd like to take Evan over to the Catacombs and see about upgrading his weapon to the same fine quality that most of you secured from the armory." She pauses, then continues in a serious tone, "furthermore, we should have some sort of plan before we go off in a hundred different directions. Lets come up with a plan of action, do some provisioning, then meet up at noon and head over to "Baldis' Quality Leathers?"
Noting that some of the party seem eager to depart, she adds, "if you want to head over now, I can meet up with you shortly, but it is still a good idea to have a plan."
Turning to the monk, Mira says, "you have been very quiet. Do you need anything from the Catacombs?"
Conner Wednesday January 21st, 2004 10:10:25 PM
Conner gathers his thoughts for a moment before answering. "Seems to me that the answer lies with the boy. He either saw something or knows something that he shouldn't."
The fighter walks to the window and looks out to the street below. "Where he gained this knowledge we can't be sure. We'll need to build a list of who he has seen and where he has been. I think Mira should buy some ink and a pen for our scribe."
Conner paces as he thinks..."One of us should consult the city guard for reports of any unusual happenings that coincide with the poor boy's whereabouts. This curse has to be related to something."
Uriel Thursday January 22nd, 2004 1:06:06 AM
"I like the sound of making a plan first. Also, what about the thieves in town - does anyone have any connections or ways to see if the streets have any rumors...?" Uriel looks to the other members of the group.
To the monk, he says, "You should go to the Catacombs also, so you can see about getting a high quality weapon - if you need it."
"I would like to see if we can find out anything more from the Cathederal. Maybe they would be more likely to give me more info on the healing they provided. I will be back here at noon to go to the leatherworking shop."
With that Uriel will go to the Cathedral of Light to inquire about the curse that was discovered on the boy.
{OOC: To Kathy, not trying to split the party here, so if you want I can just 'do some rollin' and show up at noon}
Arm Thursday January 22nd, 2004 6:07:54 AM
Arm nods in agreement to Mira, "'Tis true, lass....we'd best be as prepared as possible before we go headlong into this. I, for one, could use with some breakfast. Perchance, do you have any sort of 'mind reading' spell in your book? That would prove invaluable to us, as even though the child is sleeping, his mind still works.".
To the rest of the group, he says, "I don't think it's a good idea for any of us to venture out alone at this point. Dexter is still at large, and who knows what he may have in store for us. After we form a plan of action, I think I should accompany Uriel to the cathedral, that is, if you don't mind, good sir...".
Evan Thursday January 22nd, 2004 6:27:17 AM
Evan likes the idea of everyone meeting back here at noon. He's low on supplies and he's pretty certain the others probably are as well.
When the others begin to separate, Evan rises and quickly heads into his room. He leads Ariel back outside and quickly sets the room to rights. When he's done, he motions for Shakka to move in.
Evan grabs his list and heads off to the Catacombs with Mira.
Kadaz Thursday January 22nd, 2004 6:16:53 PM
Kadaz turns to Mira. "Thank you for the offer but all the items I need will be available at the nearby market. And I don't have the gold for anything really fancy."
"Conner, I think your idea of checking with the guard is a good one. That sounds like a job for me. I can check with the guards in the Guild Quarter and then return here by noon. If someone would like to accompany me it will mean that none of us go out alone."
"And as for the theives in town, they are not to be trusted. Anything they tell us will probably be have to be paid for, and then it will probably be wrong."
If no one objects, Kadaz will head off to the guard post, more than willing to have someone accompany him. He believes by splitting up into pairs the group can accomplish more in a shorter period of time.
"By the way, can we think of a name for ourselves? It would make it easier for others to find us if needed. I don't have any good ideas, but something would be nice.
DM Kathy Thursday January 22nd, 2004 9:22:10 PM
(OOC: I'm using a bit of DM fiat here to postpone the outing to the Cathedral, as my Cathedral descriptions aren't quite done yet. :) Hope nobody minds.)
After Baldis leaves, the group splits. Mira, Evan, and anyone who wants to accompany them go to the Catacombs to upgrade their equipment. Meanwhile, Kadaz and anyone who wants to accompany him go to the Guard outpost nearest the Guild quarter.
Brand, the Guard on desk duty, recognizes Kadaz immediately. "Kadaz! I--uh, I heard about what happened. Rotten luck." He looks a little uncomfortable, and asks, "Umm, what do you need?"
You explain that you are looking for any unusual events that may have occurred in the Guild Quarter four days or three nights ago, and he willingly opens the log book to have a look.
"I sure don't remember anything unusual," he says, "so that should tell you something for a start. Hmm..." he scans the pages. "Looks like the usual assortment, really. Merchants filing complaints about each other's business practices...a grievance against one of the Guilds for back wages...a case of name-calling degenerating into a fistfight...Vedri the Sorceress bathing in the fountain again. Stark naked of course." He rolls his eyes. "Elves. Umm...there was a robbery...but it looks like it was just a cash-box; nothing unusual." He flips a few more pages. "Nothing else in the Guild quarter."
(OOC: I'll move on, but if any of you want to ask more questions here, we can back up and do it. Or you can return to the Guard post later, if you need to.)
At noon, the party meets up and heads to Saddler's Row in the Guild Quarter. Baldis's shop is easy to find.
You enter and find a medium-sized shop, divided by a counter into a large work area and a small "shop" area. A few items are displayed for sale: backpacks, belt pouches, aprons, caps, etc. On a pegboard near the counter are lengths of leather cording. Behind the counter, hung on the back wall, is a very handsome leather coat.
Baldis is seted in the work area, embossing a piece of leather. He smiles and rises to greet you. "Welcome to my shop. Come on in."
He ushers you into the work area, then through a narrow door and up the stairs to the living quarters.
"Zully should be home in a few minutes," he says on the way, "so you can talk to her if you like. Here we are."
He leads the way into the apartment. There's room for all of you in the "great room" at the front; it encompasses a kitchen, a dining area, and a sitting area. It's relatively clean, but there's a certain amount of clutter. On the opposite wall are two closed doors. Near one of them, a ladder climbs upward.
Baldis points to one of the closed doors. "That's my room." Pointing to the other, "Zully sleeps in the nursery." He walks over to the ladder. "Kethlorn's up in the attic." He hesitates, one hand on the ladder. "I don't think there's enough room for all of you up there," he says, "but two or three of you can come up while I check on him."
Conner Thursday January 22nd, 2004 11:10:55 PM
Conner accompanies Kadaz to the guard outpost and pays close attention as Brand describes the happenings in the guild quarter. "Who was the victim of this robbery?" he asks Brand.
When the party reroups that afternoon, Conner travels with them to Baldis' establishment, but remains downstairs while others examine the boy.
Mira Thursday January 22nd, 2004 11:36:12 PM
Mira answers the bard, when he enquires about her magic capabilities, "I fear my training has been in combat magics, Arm. Just the same, I am curious to see the boy, and will see if I can detect any magic about him." Before she leaves for the Catacombs with Evan, she shows both Arm and Uriel the wand, adding, "I am holding on to this wand, because it could prove useful for the party, however I am not proficient in it's use. If either of you have a desire to wield it, please let me know."
Just before noon, Mira returns to the flat with Evan. She beams happily at the ranger, after having passed a pleasant morning in his company. As the party heads over to Saddler's Row, the sorcerer will stay at the back of the group, and walk beside the ranger, talking quietly, and trying to learn his language of hand signals.
When the party is shown into Baldis' home, Mira will volunteer to to go up to Kethlorn's room. With the father's permission, she will cast the spell Detect Magic scanning the room and settling on the boy in an effort to detect any magical auras.
Arm d20+2=6 d20+2=8 Friday January 23rd, 2004 8:41:13 AM
Upon reaching the shop, Arm takes a cursory look about the shop {spot=6}, but finds that there is just too many items on display for anything to jump out at him, so further and more careful investigation may be necessary. Turning to Baldis, he asks, "Have you recalled anything that may be of use to us since we last met?". After his question is answered, Arm follows Mira to the attic to see if anything can be found up there while Mira attends to the child {spot=8}, but with very little success as well.
Uriel Friday January 23rd, 2004 8:51:42 AM
Uriel will decide to wait at the apartment, checking his weapons and waiting there unless someone else drops by or there are any other developments.
Once inside the home, Uriel will try to sense any evil in the house, Baldis, Zully or Kethlorn. {OOC:I am not at home so I don't remember for sure if I get this power at first or second level in 3.5 ed}
Kadaz Saturday January 24th, 2004 6:33:58 PM
"Thank you, Brand, for your help. I will miss the guard. But I seem to have found a good group to join. This is Plateau City! No where better to start over again." Kadaz's spirits seem to have lifted some when he leaves the guard post as he becomes more and more familiar with the idea of not being a guard. I'm an adventurer now. I'm an adventurer Kadaz thinks to himself as he walks back to the rooms to meet up with the others after their shopping trip.
When Kadaz enters the leatherworker's shop he gazes around at all of the tools and product. This is much more advanced than anything he can do with his small set of tools, but it is good to pick up some ideas.
Kadaz then asks to help search the boy's room. Very methodically, Kadaz moves around the room, looking under and over everything, checking for loose boards that may conceal an item, opening all drawers, feeling all material for hidden pockets. (search = 21, taking 20 on the check)
Evan d20+4=24 Sunday January 25th, 2004 11:51:17 AM
Evan trails along at the rear of the group with Mira. While he shows her a variety of letters with sign language, he is also taking this opportunity to study the footprints of his own party members. It will help him if he has to find them again at a later date and it will make it much easier to weed their tracks out from the others around Baldis' home.
Once the others have entered the building, Evan will make a slow circuit around the house, studing the prints on the ground. He will also search the outside of the house, seeking anything that looks recent or out of place.
(search-24 nat 20)
DM Kathy Sunday January 25th, 2004 9:51:00 PM
Conner learns that the victim of the roberry was one Gylfi Scrummelschinkt, a fletcher with a shop near Lender's Lane.
As the group meets up with Baldis, Uriel sweeps the shop, the apartment, and the artisan with his inner eye, searching for signs of evil. He finds nothing.
Baldis shakes his head in reply to Arm's question. "I'm afraid I haven't thought of anything else," he says.
Mira, Arm, and Uriel go up with Baldis at first to do their detecting. Kethlorn's attic room is simple but comfortable. A low pallet is placed in one corner, near the room's single, tiny window, which overlooks the street. Nearby is a makeshift desk (a board on two old barrels), a chair, and a chest containing the boy's possessions. A lamp on the desk indicates that the window is not Kethlorn's sole source of light. At the opposite end of the room are a few boxes and crates; this room seems to be used for storage as well.
Kethlorn is lying on the pallet, very still. He looks young, still more boy than man. He has brown hair like his father's, but with a slight reddish cast. Mira and Uriel, in their own ways, detect a moderate aura about the boy. It's clear, upon comparing notes, that the magic and evil clinging to Kethlorn belong to the curse, not the boy.
Arm does not spot anything noteworthy.
Mira and Uriel return to the main room while Kadaz goes up to search. He goes methodically through all of Kethlorn's things--a fascinating (and somewhat familiar) study of a child becoming an adult. There is clothing, and odd bits and pieces of leather. A couple of old wooden toys, carefully put away. In a crudely sewn leather pouch, an ecclectic collection of things a boy may have found interesting--shiny or unusual pebbles, a bird's skull, a bent and twisted copper piece. On the desk are a pencil, a few sheets of parchment, and some amateur sketches that seem to be leatherwork designs. Nothing stands out as unusual.
Evan, meanwhile, is doing a careful examination of the exterior of the building. He becomes very familiar with the area, but does not see anything that should not be there.
Some 20 minutes after the group arrives, the door to the apartment opens. "Papa, are you up here? I'm home! Oh!" Catching sight of the group, the girl stops in her tracks, staring with wide eyes at the strangers in her front room.
Zully is a rather pretty eight-year-old with coppery red braids and hazel green eyes. Her simple dress has a hole in one sleeve and a tear near the hem. She carries a leather school satchel.
Fortunately for the group, her father hears her come in. "Zully?" he calls, and is soon making his way down the ladder. "Here I am, sweetheart. Did you have a good day at school?" The girl does not reply, still staring at the strangers. "These people have agreed to help with your brother," Baldis explains.
"Oh!" Zully replies. Then, tentatively, "Is he any better?"
Baldis attempts a brave smile. "Not yet, sweet, but I'm sure it won't be long now. Why don't you go up and say hello to him? Then I think a couple of these people would like to speak with you. You mustn't be afraid of them; they are heroes and they're going to help us."
Uriel detects no evil about young Zully.
A few moments later, the entire group is assembled in the front room of the apartment.
Mira d20+5=13 Sunday January 25th, 2004 10:47:38 PM
After taking note of the boy and his surroundings, Mira shares her information with the group. Before the young girl arrives, she asks Baldis for the name of the healer at the Cathedral of Light who first diagnosed the stricken lad. To the group she mentions, "It would be interesting to learn what type of 'curse' this healer thinks might afflict the child. This does not appear to be any ordinary Sleep spell."
When Zully arrives from school, Mira watches the girl as she interacts with her father. When the girl returns from checking on her brother, Mira will approach her, with the father's permission, and sit on a low stool or bench. The green-eyed sorcerer will explain (Diplomacy=13), "my friends and I are here to try and find out what makes Kethlorn so sleepy." With a gentle smile in the girl's direction, and reaching out an open hand, palm up, "I'd like to hear if you have any ideas?"
Uriel Monday January 26th, 2004 1:23:34 AM
Uriel will sit down nearby so that he can listen well to the girl's answers and watch her body language.
Evan-ooc Monday January 26th, 2004 5:26:14 AM
(was the information learned at the Guard shared when we met back up at noon?)
Arm Monday January 26th, 2004 6:03:37 AM
Arm will continue to search until he is satisfied that there is nothing present in the room that will shed light on the situation {OOC: Note to Kathy-I wish to invoke the "take a 20" rule here}. Once that is done, he will head downstairs to the main living area and do the same.
Kadaz d20+1=21 Monday January 26th, 2004 7:05:49 AM
Kadaz waits for a moment to be unobtrousive and move up behind Mira. He whispers to her "Please ask her for names of the boy's friends. We must question them next. I found nothing upstairs."
Kadaz walks out of the store and looks up and down the street. There is always a person, perhaps a retired adventuerer or a mother or a shopkeeper, who watches like a hawk and then gossips about who is doing what with whom. Find that person and you have an instant fount of information.
As he walks by Evan, Kadaz passes on all of the information he has and ask if Evan would like to accompany him and Birdie. Evan seems to be a very observant man.
Kadaz slowly walks up and down the street looking at the shops, homes, children's play areas, rooftops, and so on, just getting a feel of the neighborhood and looking for anything out of place. (spot = 21, natural 20)
Conner Monday January 26th, 2004 7:33:08 AM
Conner takes Baldis' aside at one of the quieter moments and asks him for a list of his more recent clients. If the fletcher, Gylfi, is not on that list, he will ask of him specifically.
Evan d20+4=15 Monday January 26th, 2004 5:49:33 PM
Evan listens to what Kadaz has to say about thier trip to the Guard. He nods, agreeing to go with Kadaz but holds up a finger, asking for a minute. He pulls a piece of paper out of a scroll case and a inkpen. He tears off a corner of the paper and writes a question on it. Ask if Baldis has had any trouble with other merchants. He hands the note to someone inside and motions for it to be given to Uriel.
Evan joins Kadaz as he walks down the street. He folds the rest of his sheet of paper into a nice hand holding size. He writes another question and passes it to Kadaz. Have you lived in Plateau City all of your life? While he waits for Kadaz's answer, Evan will absentmindly scritch Birdie between the ears. Evan studies the surrounding buildings and thier inhabitants, seeking someone who might fit the description of the person Kadaz is looking for. (search-15)
Uriel Monday January 26th, 2004 8:23:00 PM
Uriel says, "Baldis, who are some of the other people that live near here? Any of them infamous. Any of them with a reputation for making enemies?" "May be that the boy was just a hapless message for someone else."
DM Kathy Monday January 26th, 2004 8:26:03 PM
Mira learns that the healer is a halfling woman named Chersy Whiteberry
Arm searches Kethlorn's room and the main room of the apartment, taking his time to go through everything methodically. Nothing stands out as unusual.
Connor asks Baldis about a list of recent customers, and Baldis brings him back down to the shop. "I'll have it for you in a moment," he says. Gathering pen, ink, parchment, and a ledger book, he begins copying names from the book onto a sheet of parchment.
The list he hands Connor has ten names. Gylfi Scrummelschinkt is not one of them. When Connor asks specifically, Baldis replies, "I know him slightly. He sometimes buys quivers from me. I haven't spoken to him for weeks, though. Why do you ask?"
Meanwhile, Mira and Uriel sit down to talk with Zully. Mira asks whether she knows what might be making Kethlorn sleepy.
"No," Zully replies. "I just want him to wake up." Her lower lip wobbles alarmingly.
Mira hastily moves on to ask her about Kethlorn's friends.
"Evred," she replies immediately. Then she frowns. "Except they're not really friends anymore. He used to be nice but now he's mean. I don't like him."
"Anyway," she says, suddenly remembering something, "Evred ran away. His Mama and Papa are real upset. His Papa's been saying really mean things about Kethlorn, but my Papa says that's just because he's sad." She looks dubiously at Mira. "Do people really say mean things because they're sad?"
Kadaz and Evan go outside and begin exploring the neighborhood. Saddler's row is all craftsman's shops (apart from an odd little building on the corner whose business is hard to determine). They don't spot anyone who appears to be the neighborhood busybody. It's always possible, of course, that somebody's retired uncle or aged granny watches comings and goings from an upper floor--but finding such a person will take a bit of asking around.
Connor receives Evred's note, and asks Baldis whether he's had trouble with any other merchants.
"No," replies Baldis. Then, "Well, not professional trouble. My neighbor, Hrithgen, has been out of sorts with us since his boy Evred ran away." Hastily, he continues, "But I'm sure that's nothing. Just a worried father blowing off steam, that's all. Hrithgen would never countenance anything like this."
Mira d20+4=17 Monday January 26th, 2004 9:27:15 PM
Mira offers what comfort she can to the youngster, "dear Zully, when people are upset about something, they often say things without thinking. Many times, they wish they could take their words back, but sometimes their pride gets in the way." The sorcerer ponders all that she has heard, and then, patting Zully lightly on the hand, and standing to look at the father, "you have charged us with a serious task. It will not be an easy mystery to solve, but I, and my friends will do our best to learn what has happened to your boy, and how he might be awakened from this unnatural sleep."
To those still in Baldis' home she whispers, "if none of you have any more questions, I suggest we take our leave and start the investigation."
Mira ponder's the list of Baldis' clients, as well as the names of the angry neighbor, the fletcher, and the healer. Turning to leave she catches sight of the handsome leather coat hanging on the peg board behind the counter. Intrigued, she asks "Baldis? Is this your work?"
(Gather Information=17)
Conner Monday January 26th, 2004 10:06:35 PM
Conner explains to Baldis that the fletcher was recently robbed, and that he had wondered if the two occurances were connected. "It no longer seems likely, given that several weeks has passed since you last spoke."
The fighter thinks back to his own childhood, and the predicaments he and his friends had found themselves in. "Tell me more about this young Evred, what kind of trouble had he gotten into? It must have been serious to cause him to run away."
Kadaz Monday January 26th, 2004 10:50:33 PM
After reading Evan's note Kadaz gives a brief synopsis of his life and yes, he has live in Plateau City his whole life.
As they walk back Kadaz nods at the building on the corner. "I can't figure out what that building is. Doesn't seem to fit in and I'm curious. Shall we go check?" Kadaz walks towards the building, knocks on the front door, and tries to look unthreatening.
Uriel Tuesday January 27th, 2004 1:07:53 AM
After trying to ease the worry of the Zully by showing her some of his more interesting rocks, Uriel turns back to her father.
"Baldis, does Hrithgen's boy's disappearance coincide with Kethlorn's coma? And what exactly does 'out-of-sorts' mean? What has Hrithgen done exactly?"
Shakka Zul Tuesday January 27th, 2004 1:45:55 AM
Having gone outside with Kadaz, Shakka also walks up to the door.
"Let us see if we cna find hospitality here", he says.
Arm Tuesday January 27th, 2004 6:04:55 AM
Happening to hear of the "trouble" with Hrithgen during his search, Arm says to Baldis, "Would you also be kind enough to point us in the direction of Hrithgen's home? I don't think we should leave any stone unturned, and perhaps we can help him find HIS son, as well."
Evan Tuesday January 27th, 2004 8:56:08 PM
Evan listens attentively to Kadaz's life story. Once Kadaz is done, Evan starts writing. My Uncle Saul and his friends used to tell these stories about these gangs that 'run' the town. These gangs are supposed to know everything that happens on their turf. Do you know how we could get in touch with the gang of this area?
Evan bounces ahead of Kadaz and Shakka and turns to face them. He holds his hands up, with his palms facing the two. When his companions stop, Evan holds up one finger. He turns and approaches the house carefully, studing the ground in front of the house, looking particularly for tracks that lead into the house or frequently pass by. He will point out any tracks that are similiar to what he found around Baldis' shop.
Kadaz Tuesday January 27th, 2004 9:59:08 PM
Kadaz watches Evan very closely. Track someone in the city? Is that possible? Kadaz is not certain that this is possible but is willing to give Evan a chance.
DM Kathy Tuesday January 27th, 2004 10:03:26 PM
In response to Uriel's query, Baldis shakes his head. "Evred ran off a couple of weeks before Kethlorn was stricken. I can't see a connection."
"Evred and Kethlorn used to be very good friends. They did everything together--always running back and forth between Hrithgen's place and mine, thick as thieves." He sighs. "But Evred changed as he grew up. He made new friends--rough street types--and started acting more like them. He and Hrithgen fought constantly, and it got to the point where I really didn't want Kethlorn spending time with Evred anymore. And then Evred left."
(Local knowledge: kids do run away sometimes. Usually they come back within a couple of days, but occasionally they leave for good. Some find apprenticeships that suit them better than life at home. Some turn to crime. A few become adventurers. The fact that Evred took off and hasn't come back is unusual, but not unheard of.)
At Conner's question, Baldis frowns thoughtfully. "I can't think of anything specific that would have caused Evred to leave, but things hadn't been going well between him and Hrithgen for some time."
"Hrithgen hasn't done anything," Baldis assures Uriel hastily. "He's said some things, sure--but he doesn't mean anything by them. He sneers at me for thinking I have 'the perfect son'--I don't, but Hrithgen is angry and I think a little jealous. He says the same kinds of things to Kethlorn--and once accused him of abandoning Evred. He's just upset, though."
Baldis points out Hrithgen's shop, next door to his own. "Why yes, that is my work," he says in response to Mira. "A custom job; the customer hasn't been in to claim it yet."
He ushers you to the door, and says to come back if you think of any more questions.
Meanwhile, Evan, Kadaz, and Shaka are approaching the building on the corner. Evan examines the area near the building. He can, of course, find many tracks that are similar to what's near Baldis's shop--shod humanoid feet of various sizes, going about their business. Nothing stands out.
The three enter the shop and are assailed by the odor of fresh whitewash. The space is small and oddly shaped, but gets plenty of light from windows facing the street. The freshly whitened walls make the space seem even brighter. Near the back, stairs lead up to the upper floors.
An odd assortment of furniture is clustered randomly together in the center of the room, some of it covered with lengths of canvas, some uncovered. An odd, irregular thumping sound is coming from somewhere in the cluster.
The three are just beginning to wonder whether to shout for somebody, when a female voice comes from the direction of the thumping. "We're not open yet," the voice calls testily.
Uriel d20+1=21 Tuesday January 27th, 2004 10:34:41 PM
On the way out, Uriel turns back to Baldis. "Who did you make the custom coat for and when was the order placed?"
Unless something is strikingly abnormal about the answer, Uriel will leave thanking Baldis for his patience and assuring him they will be in touch.
Once in the street, Uriel will glance around trying to find Evan, Kadaz, and Shakka. {OOC: Search Natural 20 + , cool}
Mira Tuesday January 27th, 2004 11:01:38 PM
Mira ponders the plethora of names and information that has been gathered, and wonders what to do next. Turning to the paladin, she says, "I would like to visit the Cathedral of Light and speak to this halfling, Chersy Whiteberry. It would be interesting to know what she has learned from her examination of the boy. If we can learn what type of magic has been worked on him, we might have a better idea who on this list to question first."
The sorcerer watches as the group appears to split up as Arm is interested in Hrithgen's house, and Kadaz, Evan, and Shakka enter a nearby shop.
"It might be best if we stay together. If we do split up, I would suggest no more than two groups, and we should set up a time to rendez-vous back at the house to compare notes," she adds, hoping the idea makes sense to those who can hear it.
Conner Tuesday January 27th, 2004 11:58:56 PM
"Since Hrithgen's place is right here, I suggest we speak to him first, before heading to the Cathedral. I would like some more information about the boy and his new friends"
Conner follows Arm out the door and waits for Mira on the street. "You're right of course",he says to the sorceress, "we shouldn't spread our lines too thin. We need a plan of operations and a timetable, just as you say."
Arm Wednesday January 28th, 2004 1:07:56 AM
Arm smiles at Baldis, and says, "We will do our best to find some answers for you.". Handing him a small piece of paper, he continues, "If you should think of anything else, you can reach me on my cell phone...". He stops in mid-sentence, shakes his head, and thinks he needs to stop drinking so much ale, then leaves the shop to meet with the remainder of the party. {OOC: sorry, guys, I couldn't resist! LOL!!!}
Once out in the street, Arm agrees with Conner, "Aye, you are a wise man, friend Conner. I, too, think we should visit Hrithgen's place since we are so close, then pay a visit to the cathedral. Before we do that, though, we should find Kadaz' group and arrange a time to meet back at the house after we are both finished.".
Kadaz Wednesday January 28th, 2004 7:31:55 AM
Kadaz quickly pipes up. "Excuse me miss. Sorry to interrupt. We're not here on your business. We're trying to find out why a child down the block, Kethlorn, son of Baldis the leatherworker, has fallen asleep and won't wake up. Could we ask you a question or two?"
Evan Wednesday January 28th, 2004 7:59:42 PM
Evan looks about curiously, attempting to discern what type of business this will be. He smiles to himself, somewhat enjoying the irony in that the only two people in his group that can understand his sort of 'talk' are somewhere else at the moment. Seeing that Kadaz and Shakka have things well in hand, Evan walks outside.
Evan stands in the street for a moment, watching and listening to the neighborhood and its denizens. He spies Mira and the other's leaving the leather shop. A gentle smile comes to Evan's lips as he thinks back to the wonderful time he had shopping with Mira. He is a little confused about how close they've become over the last two days, yet he feels like he's known her much longer.
Evan joins Mira, his hands dancing as he inquires as to what was learned inside. He considers all that was learned and decides that the next step should be backtracing the boy's trail to find out what he had been doing before he fell into his endless sleep. Evan conveys his thoughts to Mira as best he can.
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